Advertise on podcast: Spoken Word by Anamika

With over 25 years of experience in education as a Speech Language Pathologist, Denise Cesare is a mindfulness advocate, author, and a thought leader in social-emotional learning.This book has been close to her heart since her son was born in December of 1999. She would often say the words, «I love you more than chocolate,» which inspired her dream to write this book. All these years later, those words have become the title, and that dream has become a reality! It is her hope that chocolate lovers and chocolatiers from around the world will embrace this book for the pure love it embodies!  Denise Cesare grew up in Brooklyn, NY, and raised her family in Staten Island, NY. She recently moved to Bluffton/ Hilton Head, South Carolina, with her husband, Dan. Her son, Daniel, lives in Pennsylvania, where he and Abby enjoy her surprise specialty chocolate treats. Connect with Denise Instagram Share your journey on this podcast, email: [email protected]

Blessing Platinum-Williams is a self-taught software developer and the founder of Tonely AI. Growing up, she was repeatedly told that she was “less than”, words that slowly became a self-fulfilling prophecy. After more than 80 hours of therapy and a long journey rebuilding self-belief, she came to understand just how deeply language can shape a person’s life. That realisation became a turning point. Blessing is now on a mission to ensure that careless or harmful words do not cause the same level of damage to others as they once did to her. She created Tonely AI to support that mission, building the tone-detection model herself over an 11-month period by generating the data needed to recognise patterns such as control, emotional manipulation and harmful intent. However, what sets Tonely apart is not only what it detects, but how it is designed. Tonely runs fully on-device. It does not read conversations, store messages or send user data anywhere. Blessing was intentional about creating a tool that encourages reflection without surveillance, and that does not profit from people’s private thoughts. With Tonely, users’ words remain their own. The goal is simple: to help people pause and reflect on the words they are about to send, without feeling monitored or judged. Blessing also holds a law degree, a background that further reinforced her belief that language carries weight. In every context, personal, professional or legal, her guiding principle remains the same: every single word matters. Visit Tonely Book a Meeting with Blessing

Amy Thurman is a best-selling author, international speaker, and a thought leader on the transformative power of authenticity and holding space. After living 10 years with a broken neck that went undiagnosed for six months, she was forced to redefine everything, including what it means to be strong. She discovered that true strength isn't found in pretending to be okay, it's found in presence, softness and the courage to be real. Connect with Amy Thurman Amy's Social

Leah M. Forney, widely known as The Culture Doctor, is a cultural strategist and trauma-informed educator committed to transforming how institutions show up for survivors of sexual violence, particularly those from communities of color. As the founder and CEO of Purposely Faithfull LLC, Leah equips organizations and institutions with culturally responsive, trauma-informed, survivor-centered strategies that move beyond performative allyship and into meaningful, lasting change. Her approach is rooted in lived experience, professional expertise, and an unwavering commitment to justice, healing, and equity. A proud Black woman and survivor, Leah unapologetically centers the voices, traditions, and truths of those often left out of the conversation. Whether leading trainings, consulting leadership teams, or holding space for courageous dialogue, she challenges systems to reimagine what safety, advocacy, and healing truly look like. With over 200 media appearances including Elle Magazine, HuffPost UK, ABC 7, Authority Magazine, and The National Desk, Leah is a powerful voice at the intersection of cultural identity, sexual trauma, and systemic change. Leah is the author of What Works for Susan Won’t Work for Tameka: A Culturally Responsive Approach to Sexual Violence Prevention and Response, where she challenges the one-size-fits-all model and calls for strategies that truly honor every survivor's journey. Leah isn’t just teaching cultural responsiveness, she’s living it. And she’s reminding the world that trauma-informed care without culture is incomplete. Connect with Leah Email Leah: [email protected] Share your journey on this podcast: [email protected]

Cheri Bergeron is a former tech executive and entrepreneur turned bestselling author, speaker, trained life coach, and founder of the nonprofit Cheri's Choice. Following her ten-year struggle with infertility that involved multiple rounds of IVF, donor conception, genetic defects and child loss, she successfully gave birth to her children at the ages of 44 and 46. Driven by these experiences, Cheri wrote the #1 Amazon bestseller Mission: Motherhood to let women know they aren’t alone in this struggle. Through her nonprofit, Cheri now helps women navigate non-traditional paths to motherhood on their own terms—with clarity, confidence, and choice. She lives with her beautiful, unconventional, blended family in Austin, Texas. Connect with Cheri Cheri's Choice - A Non-Profit by Cheri Bergeron Mission Motherhood by Cheri Bergeron Cheri's LinkedIn Cheri's Facebook Cheri's Instagram To share your story on this podcast, email, [email protected]

Leslie Davenport is an internationally recognized speaker, climate psychology educator, consultant, and therapist who bridges climate, education, policy, media, and social justice. Author of five books, including Emotional Resiliency in the Era of Climate Change for clinicians and two APA-published guides for youth, she also has an adult APA Climate Emotions workbook forthcoming in 2026. Leslie leads the Climate Psychology Certification program at the California Institute of Integral Studies, and advises organizations such as Post Carbon Institute. She brings audiences science, strategy, and heart to navigate eco-emotions for a more just world. Connect with Leslie Leslie Davenport Website Leslie Davenport Instagram Leslie Davenport LinkedIn Leslie Davenport Services To share your story, email: [email protected]

Rita Avellar is a writer, filmmaker, and creative entrepreneur who transforms real stories into art that makes people think. As the founder of Avellar LLC, she leads projects that blend storytelling, marketing, and web design— from writing to brand strategy. A two-time breast cancer survivor, she uses creativity as a tool for healing and reinvention. Through her work, including The Fat Lady short film and The Thriving Creative Summit, Rita empowers women to own their stories and turn them into purpose-driven work. Born in Rio and based in Indianapolis, she continues to bridge cultures, creativity, and courage in everything she creates. Connect with Rita Website Filmmaking Movie: The Fat Lady Instagram LinkedIn Share your story, email, [email protected]

Jesse Ramos Jr. is a New York City–based Transformation Artist, speaker, and founder of BBT Fitness NYC. Once a top banker with 14 years of success, Jesse spent two decades battling alcohol, self-hate, and the pain of hiding his sexuality in the 90s. His struggles led to heartbreak, burnout, and even jail—but it was the loss of his grandmother that pushed him to rebuild his life completely. He got sober, lost 90 pounds, and moved from California to New York City to start over with purpose and peace. Today, Jesse coaches high performers, executives, and creatives to do the same—helping them break destructive cycles, rebuild confidence, and realign their lives through his Good Enerj method. Featured in Forbes, iHeartRadio, and Daily Mail, Jesse proves that no matter how far you’ve fallen, you can rise again—and live a life that finally feels like yours. Connect with Jesse on Instagram Share your story on this podcast, email - [email protected]

Dr. Karissa Thomas is an award-winning author, global leadership strategist, and creator of the Mosaic Intelligence Method™—a living framework that helps leaders build emotional integrity, cultural flexibility, and identity agility in high-pressure environments. Her work spans disaster zones, classrooms, and corporate boardrooms, translating lived experience into practical tools for leaders, educators, and teams worldwide. Through her books, Dr. Thomas helps leaders transform tension into trust and belonging. She equips them with the language, presence, and emotional resilience to guide others through change—not from above, but alongside them. Connect with Dr. Karissa Thomas on LinkedIn Visit Dr. Karissa Thomas Website More about her books and method Dr. Karissa Thomas Instagram Share your story on this podcast, email: [email protected]

Princella Talley is a writer, ghostwriter, and editor with experience spanning the U.S., South America, and the Caribbean. As a digital entrepreneur, she has created content for Fortune 500 companies and globally recognized brands. Princella also cares deeply about environmental protection and personal wellness. Her sociopolitical commentary and creative work have reached millions of readers worldwide. Connect with Princella LinkedIn Share your story on this podcast, email: [email protected]

Hady Méndez is a NY-based bestselling author, Latina speaker, and ERG coach. She currently serves as the Director of Programs for Lean In Latinas. She is also the founder and CEO of Boldly Speaking LLC, a company that is transforming the professional experiences of underestimated professionals by providing them with the skills to rise and thrive in the corporate world or in whatever path they choose. With a diverse career spanning over twenty-five years, Hady has served as head of equality for a major tech firm, held multiple customer-facing roles in high tech and financial services, served as a leader and advisor across various ERGs, dedicated two years to working with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women internationally, and served as Community School Director at an elementary school in the South Bronx. Hady’s essays have been featured in Business Insider and #WeAllGrow Latina, and herthought leadership has been leveraged by organizations such as Lean In Latinas, Power To Fly, Prospanica, and many others. Hady is a Latinas in Tech Luminarias 2022 honoree, a Women of ALPFA 2023 Latinas to Watch, a 2024 LinkedIn Top Coaching & Mentoring Voice, and the recipient of HACE’s 2025 Mujer Maravilla Award. Hady Méndez LinkedIn Hady Méndez Website Share your story on this podcast, email: [email protected]

About Michelle Smith: Hi, I’m Michelle Smith, LPC, LMHC, LCMHC, a licensed online therapist in Florida, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Oregon, dedicated to guiding clients through their healing with compassion and authenticity. My trauma-informed, eclectic, and client-centered approach integrates therapy modalities like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Clinical Hypnosis, Intensive Therapy, Couples Therapy, and Group Therapy to support clients in navigating the complexities of grief, trauma, anxiety, depression, and more. My virtual therapy services are tailored to my clients' unique and specific needs. I create a safe, affirming environment to process trauma, grief and loss, and other life challenges while rewiring the subconscious patterns that keep clients feeling ‘stuck’ in perpetual loops.  By targeting the 90% of the brain that drives subconscious thoughts, and behaviors I help my clients shift their negative core beliefs, reducing emotional distress over past wounds and experiences, and changing thinking patterns for good. My clients report feeling relief and experiencing meaningful change after just a few sessions.  My virtual therapy groups include groups for grief and loss, trauma recovery, relationship loss & separation, motherhood transitions, and introduction to clinical hypnosis, help foster connection during the healing journey which can feel isolating. I offer a space to share and grow with others facing similar challenges.  Whatever your therapy needs, my goal is to help you find resilience and hope, achieving results faster than a traditional therapy model.  Connect with Michelle Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Share your journey on this podcast, email: [email protected]

Lauren is a former teacher, having started in Special Education before transitioning to become an English Language Arts/English as a Second Language teacher. She is fascinated by everything having to do with language and linguistics. She can explain arcane points of grammar with enthusiasm and joy, possibly a consequence of her Autism Spectrum Disorder. Although teaching is rarely seen as a glamorous job, Lauren has had the pleasure of teaching in places that people often consider exotic, like China and Alaska. Although Lauren’s 29-year marriage ended in divorce, she remains grateful that her marriage also yielded her beloved daughter Robyn. Robyn and her husband Michael produced Drew, who is the apple of his Nana’s eye. Lauren began playing the guitar at age 10. She eventually developed her musical ability to include songwriting. Other interests include a large variety of fabric and fiber hobbies, growing and using herbs, stained glass, beadwork, and jewelry making. Lauren lives in a log cabin near Fairbanks, Alaska, along with Shadow, a grumpy poodle, Shenanigans, a Lab mix, and Sir-the-Cat, who runs the household. Connect with Lauren French Court Cody: The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Dog  Connect with the host, [email protected]

Jason Polk has been a couples therapist for over ten years. The reason he became one was because of a divorce. Jason remarried and started a family. He has two young daughters, and he owns a couples therapy agency in Denver, CO.  Connect with Jason Share your story on this podcast, email: [email protected]

Estefana Johnson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and experienced trauma therapist with over two decades of experience in mental health. She began her career in 2001 as a Behavioral Health Technician, briefly stepping away in 2005 to teach in Japan. Her diverse background spans multiple roles and settings, including residential treatment for at-risk youth and medical social work, giving her a well-rounded perspective on mental health care. As the Director of Clinical Training for ARISE Alliance Institute, Estefana Johnson oversees the professional development and training of clinicians on Critical Memory Integration (CMI™). Her role involves designing and implementing comprehensive training curricula for mental health professionals to enhance clinical skills, particularly in trauma-focused care, PTSD treatment, and therapeutic interventions. Estefana also develops and delivers trauma-informed programming tailored to the needs of at-risk populations, bringing these services directly into community-based settings to ensure accessible, responsive care where it’s needed most. Connect with Estefana Website YouTube LinkedIn Write to be on Spoken Word by Anamika: [email protected]