Where We Rise

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of sexual abuse, suicide, trauma, child abuse, religious abuse, and mental health struggles. Please listen with care. What happens when the place that's supposed to protect you becomes the place that causes the deepest harm? In this powerful episode of Where We Rise , Khalila sits down with Heather Ford , author of The Barbie Pink Walls That...

In this episode, Angela Higgins shares her experience as a two‑time surrogate and walks us through what the surrogacy process really looks like from the inside. Angela talks about the early curiosity that sparked her interest, the detailed screening and matching process, the medical steps involved, and the emotional dynamics of carrying a child for another family. She also reflects on how her own...

In this episode, Natasha Ickes joins me to share her journey of personal growth, resilience, and transformation. We talk about her childhood experiences, the challenges she faced as a young adult, and the mindset shifts that helped her rebuild her life. Natasha also opens up about becoming a mother, building a successful salon business in Oakland, writing three books, and finding purpose through c...

Heather Baker joins Where We Rise to share a deeply personal journey marked by infertility, recurrent miscarriage, and the stillbirth of her daughter, Blakely. In this conversation, Heather opens up about the emotional, physical, and spiritual layers of loss — and the slow, courageous work of rebuilding life afterward. Through her story, listeners will hear how grief reshapes identity, how communi...

CONTENT WARNING —   This episode includes discussion of abuse, attempted murder, trauma, and experiences in war zones. These topics may be sensitive for some listeners. Please take care as you listen.  What does it look like to hold onto hope when life keeps throwing you into the fire? In this episode, Jennifer Summers shares a journey marked by danger, trauma, and moments that would shake anyone’...

When Jeff Kolez found himself facing a divorce that shook every part of his identity, he began a long journey of examining the patterns, beliefs, and habits that shaped his life. In this episode, Jeff shares how losing almost everything forced him to confront the parts of himself he had ignored, the emotional weight men often carry alone, and the unexpected lessons he learned while rebuilding his...

Amanda Goldman‑Petri has survived more than most people could fathom — an abusive childhood, a near‑fatal car accident that left her learning to walk again, and a recent brain tumor that required part of her temporal lobe to be removed. And yet she sits with us full of light, humor, resilience, and an unwavering belief that life can still be beautiful. In this episode, Amanda shares how love — ste...

CONTENT WARNING — In this episode, the guest discusses the aftermath of being sexually assaulted. There are no details of the event itself, but the emotions, impact, and healing process are shared openly. Please listen with care.   In this powerful episode, Khalila sits down with Esther Collas — a woman whose life, courage, and honesty remind us why sharing our stories matters. Esther has lived al...

In this episode, Khalila sits down with Kristell Miles — a woman many first learned about through BET’s American Gangsters: Trap Queens . While the details of that story can’t be revisited here, Kristell opens up about the life she lived behind the scenes, the years she spent in survival mode, and what it has taken to rebuild her peace and purpose after her name was cleared. This conversation is h...

This week, we sit down with Toccara Montgomery — a former Olympic wrestler whose journey began with a simple high‑school announcement and grew into something far bigger than she ever imagined. Before she became one of the most recognized women in U.S. wrestling, she was a teenager just trying to find her sport, her confidence, and her place. In this conversation, Toccara reflects on the early days...

In this Back‑to‑School episode, we sit down with Michelle Steiner — a writer, paraeducator, and advocate who has lived with dyscalculia and other learning challenges since kindergarten. Throughout her life, Michelle was repeatedly told what she wouldn’t be able to do. College wasn’t in the cards. Certain jobs were off‑limits. Her dreams, she was told, were simply “beyond her capabilities.” But Mic...

In this episode, Christina Garrett shares the honest, unexpected journey that led her to homeschool her five children—a decision she never planned to make. Christina opens up about the early years of motherhood, the overwhelm she felt raising three toddlers at once, and the moment she realized her children didn’t need less time with her... they needed more. She talks candidly about the emotional w...

Dr. Emily Wassell shares her remarkable journey from aspiring politician to educator, revealing how teaching became the most powerful way she could change the world. In this conversation, she reflects on her work across diverse educational settings — from juvenile centers to gifted programs — and the challenges and triumphs of building a school centered on student well‑being. Dr. Wassell opens up...

In this episode, I am talking with Sam Mitchell , which is like getting a clearer, more honest look at what autism really feels like — not through assumptions or clinical language, but through lived experience. In this episode, Sam shares how he learned to embrace who he is, stop people‑pleasing, and build a life that reflects his strengths, his structure, and his creativity. He opens up about nav...

In this episode of Where We Rise , Khalila sits down with April Ratchford , an autistic occupational therapist, mother, and host of Adulting With Autism . April shares her story of being late diagnosed, raising a neurodivergent son, and navigating a world that offers very little support for autistic teens transitioning into adulthood. April opens up about her son’s journey—from early signs of auti...

Author Nicole Hope Sylvester joins Khalila to unpack the science and self‑awareness behind stress, overwhelm, and emotional regulation. Nicole’s “jar of marbles” metaphor reveals how the body stores unprocessed emotions and stress signals until we reach a breaking point — and how learning to release those marbles can transform your mental and physical well‑being. This episode dives into the human...

Turning 40 is a milestone — and in this special birthday episode, Khalila McCoy reflects on the seven life lessons that have shaped her across four decades. From putting God first to redefining identity beyond career to embracing lifelong learning and unexpected wisdom from travel, this episode is honest, heartfelt, and full of growth. Joined by her husband, DJ McCoy, Khalila shares personal stori...

Dating coach Lilli Bewley joins Khalila for a powerful conversation about healing dating patterns, attracting aligned love, and becoming the woman God created you to be. Lilli shares how her inside‑out approach helps smart, successful women break cycles of people‑pleasing, over‑achieving, and abandoning their needs in relationships. Together, they explore feminine dating archetypes, root‑cause wou...

In this episode, Khalila sits down with Coach Tammy Nicole — a licensed clinician with 22 years in the mental health field who now coaches high‑capacity women navigating people‑pleasing, emotional labor, overfunctioning, and identity loss. Tammy shares how many women lose themselves by living out the identities others choose for them, and why reclaiming your voice begins with learning to love, val...

In this episode of Where We Rise , Khalila sits down with award‑winning author and world traveler Meg Stafford to explore how curiosity, courage, and connection shape a life of adventure. Meg shares the stories behind her book Who Will Accompany You? , the travels that shaped her, and the journeys her daughters took that stretched her heart in new ways. You’ll hear Meg reflect on: The curiosity th...

In this special group episode of Where We Rise , we’re talking all things marriage — the beauty, the challenges, the growth, and the daily choice to love. I’m joined by four incredible women from my former fourth‑grade teaching team as we sit down for a marriage roundtable filled with honesty, laughter, and real‑life wisdom. Together, we explore how our definition of love evolves , what it means t...

Why do we get stuck, lose motivation, or avoid the very things we say we want? In this powerful episode, international speaker and author Kam Knight breaks down the psychology of internal resistance — the hidden mental blocks that keep us from taking action, reaching our goals, and living out our purpose. Kam explains how internal resistance shows up as fear, procrastination, perfectionism, over‑p...

In this conversation, Erica Lynn shares her journey of finding purpose through podcasting and motivational speaking. She discusses the importance of overcoming adversity, the techniques for healing, and the role of personal growth. Erica emphasizes the need for honesty, for building a support system, and for protecting one's peace, while encouraging listeners to pursue their passions and not...

In this heartfelt conversation, Allaina Maria shares the profound impact of her sister Yolanda's life and tragic loss due to domestic violence. Through memories of Yolanda's kindness, community service, and the love she shared with her family, Allaina Maria reflects on the complexities of grief, the importance of honoring one's feelings, and the journey of healing. The discussion em...

In this captivating conversation, Carmen Leal shares the raw truth of her medical crises — from a devastating car accident and life-altering head injury to battling suicidal thoughts and the emotional toll of chronic pain. You’ll discover how her dog, Coconut, became her unexpected savior, offering her love, loyalty, and a new perspective on life. Through her story, you'll learn that the grea...