Episodes

Send us a text The American foster care system was built to protect and uplift. But for too many kids, it fails to deliver. ➡️ Fewer than 5% of foster youth who age out at 18 earn a college degree. ➡️ Nearly half drop out of high school. ➡️ Many are funneled into locked cells instead of onto life-building paths. In this powerful episode, we speak with Claudia Rowe, a member of the editorial board at The Seattle Times and author of Wards of the State: The Long Shadow of American Foster Care....

Send us a text You get the job done. You receive the recognition. But deep down… something still feels off. Unfulfilling. Like a part of you is missing. Is it normal to question your career path—especially after you’ve worked so hard for so long? Absolutely. And Caroline Sangal, a scientist-turned-career-strategist, believes it’s not a crisis—it’s an invitation. An invitation to grow, to realign, and to redefine success in a way that actually feels good. So if you’re in that space right now...

Send us a text What does a world-class chef have in common with an autopsist? Precision. Obsession. And a willingness to cut deep. In our latest podcast episode, we go behind the scenes of The Death and Life of August Sweeney with its author, Samuel Ashworth—a debut novelist whose story blends culinary brilliance with the eerie intimacy of an autopsy. A legendary chef dies in the middle of service—and from beyond the grave, insists on directing the terms of his own dissection. What u...

Send us a text Every woman’s health journey is unique—shaped by our biology, life experiences, and the many roles we take on. And who better to advocate for our well-being than we, ourselves? In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Lara Briden—a respected Naturopathic Doctor and bestselling author of 𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘥 𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘢𝘭, 𝘏𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘢𝘭, and 𝘔𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘮 𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘞𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯. Lara brings decades of clinical experience and deep insight into how women’s bodies work—and more importantly,...

Send us a text For Helen Sheehy, women's stories are often overlooked—especially those of ordinary women. Yet, it’s often these women who lead the most extraordinary lives. Just Willa is a novel inspired by Helen’s own mother. After three years of research and a return to her hometown, Helen pieced together her mother’s story through the memories of the Oklahomans who stayed behind. Spanning seven decades, this powerful novel follows a woman of indomitable spirit who anchors her family with ...

Send us a text Meet Bremod & Lisa, the visionary duo behind Quite Literally Books — a publishing house on a mission to revive forgotten literary gems, especially those written by women. Join us for a captivating conversation about how their shared passion for storytelling sparked a journey to breathe new life into overlooked books. Through stunning design and powerful narratives, they’re not just reissuing books — they’re reconnecting with a rich literary heritage and inspiring others to do the ...

Send us a text Women's Month may be over, but our celebration of women's brilliance and leadership continues! In today’s episode, we are honored to be joined by a remarkable leader who bridges policy and nonprofit advocacy—Sarah Crawford. As the CEO of TLC, a pioneering nonprofit dedicated to providing innovative care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), Sarah is making a lasting impact. Beyond her role at TLC, she also serves as a North Carolina Representat...

Send us a text In today’s podcast, we explore a topic that we rarely discussed but increasingly relevant—Cyber Warfare. From AI-driven cyber attacks to the rising threat of nation-state conflicts in the digital space, how close are we to witnessing cyber tensions escalate into real-world destruction? Joining us is Dr. Chase Cunningham, a retired Navy Chief Cryptologist with over 20 years of experience in Cyber Warfare. With a career spanning operations in cyber forensics, analyti...

Send us a text In 2005, Kim Crespi had what she later described as “the perfect life.” She and her husband, David—a gentle giant of a man, devoutly religious, a loving father, and a proven star in the world of finance—had five healthy, happy children. No one, least of all Kim, ever suspected that the life the Crespis had lovingly woven together could be destroyed in less than forty minutes. In Medication, Mental Illness, and Murder, Edward L. Jones III chronicles David Crespi’s struggles wi...

Send us a text From blues music to sharing his faith — John Lee Hooker Jr., son of the famous John Lee Hooker, went from performing with his father to struggling with addiction and prison. But his story didn’t end there. Now, he’s a minister who sings and speaks about hope and faith in churches and prisons across the U.S. and Germany. A true story of turning his life around. Be inspired and listen to his transformative story now! About the Guest Reverend JOHN LEE HOOKER JR. is the son of blues l...

Send us a text From practicing law to embracing life as a stay-at-home mom — all while stepping into the unpredictable world of writing — Amber Willingham’s story is one of courage and transformation. Becoming a writer wasn’t easy — from facing countless rejections to navigating the challenges of publishing — but Amber’s resilience kept her moving forward, embracing the reality of being a writer in progress. Today, we are thrilled to welcome Amber Willingham to our show, author of Bliss Creek...

Send us a text 🌱 Farming is Sexy—And Women Are Leading the Charge! 🌍 What happens when women take the lead in fighting climate change—one crop, one meal, and one bold idea at a time? Join us as we welcome Stephanie Anderson, acclaimed author and social justice journalist, to today’s podcast. With a powerful blend of storytelling and research, Stephanie shines a light on the women revolutionizing our food system. From innovative farming practices to groundbreaking food policies, she shares t...

Send us a text Why do we always feel tired and how do we overcome it? Does this happen to you often, like even when you sleep all day but you still feel exhausted? That’s because rest and sleep are two different things. While getting quality sleep is essential for overall well-being, rest goes beyond just the hours you spend asleep. True rest nourishes your entire being, not just your body. In our conversation, Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith shares the 7 types of rest, how to fix rest...

Send us a text What if everything material possesses a spark of individual consciousness? From plants and cells to atoms, the idea challenges the long-held belief that consciousness requires a complex brain, like those of humans or mammals. Recent research suggests that basic forms of awareness or cognition might emerge even in simple organisms—or systems without brains at all. But what about artificial systems, like large language models? Could consciousness arise in machines? Join m...

Send us a text When Diane was just 16, her world turned upside down—her mother left her and her father. But not in the way you’d expect. She didn’t move far… she moved next door. In this intriguing yet heartfelt conversation, Diane Simmons opens up about her incredible journey—from conquering the corporate world as an international executive by the age of 27, embracing the joys and challenges of motherhood, to navigating her way to co-parenting. In this podcast, we will learn how Diane's upbring...

Send us a text A desperate need for change - How about travel The Great Loop, a six-thousand-mile adventure down inland rivers, around the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, and across the Great Lakes? Sounds like a transformative journey, isn’t it? Let’s hear from our guest herself, Maggie Tate as she shares her nine month nautical journey to the Great Loop with his husband, Bruce and how they returned energized and optimistic. This podcast introduces Maggie and Bruce's adventure, the com...

Send us a text What if I told you that YOU already possess everything you need for transformation and fulfillment? Imagine being deeply self-aware and recognizing the immense power you hold to shape the life you've always dreamed of. It's that time of the year again – a time to reflect on how we’ve treated ourselves, our growth, and our accomplishments throughout the year. Join us for a special year-end episode of Giving Yourself Permission with Cortney McDermott, where we dive deep in...

Send us a text This holiday season, it's all about celebration and reuniting with friends and loved ones! It's also a time to reflect on how the year has both challenged and blessed us. With only a few days left until we enter 2025, are you ready to embrace the opportunities the new year has to offer? Here's a special holiday message from our founder, Cecilia. Let's take this moment to create an inventory of the lessons we've gained this year as we prepare for 2025 with clear intentions. To...

Send us a text Join me and my co-host Wendy as we begin our journey to interpreting the book The Courage to Be Disliked - the Japanese Phenomenon that shows you how to change your life and achieve real happiness - authors are Ichiro Kishimi and Jumitake Koga.Part 2 - Discusses the 2nd night of discussion between the elder philosopher and the young philosopher. This book will surprise you as the reader - it's not what you think it is about, but rather delves into a deeper conversation on percept...

Send us a text We are encoring this episode to celebrate Deborah Heiner's new book The Mentorship Edge - out now and can be found at anywhere you buy your books. **You find yourself at a pivotal moment, having amassed years of experience and expertise. Now, you're eager to pass on your knowledge to the next generation. Today’s show is dedicated to The Mentor Project and CEO, Deborah Heiser.Introducing The Mentor Project:We've identified a vast community of educators, scientists, engineers, t...

The story: A young woman with aspirations of singing finds herself journeying to Manhattan without the backing of a family, where she quickly befriends a street dancer encountered during her musical performances in public spaces. Faced with the dire necessity of making enough money for her living expenses, she becomes the subject for a painter's transition into a new phase of artistry—shifting from scenic landscapes to the intimate portrayal of nudes. This tangle of personal and professional con...

Join me and my co-host Wendy as we begin our journey to interpreting the book The Courage to Be Disliked - the Japanese Phenomenon that shows you how to change your life and achieve real happiness - authors are Ichiro Kishimi and Jumitake Koga. This book will surprise you as the reader - it's not what you think it is about, but rather delves into a deeper conversation on perception; both internal and external.

David Tereshchuk, an experienced TV reporter, has traveled the world, facing war criminals and victims alike. With a long career, he mastered the art of uncovering secrets from oppressors and the oppressed. However, his own heritage remained a mystery, as his mother, Hilda, kept his father's identity hidden. It wasn't until his fifties, following many difficult discussions, that Hilda revealed through a fax that she was raped by a priest at 15 in the Scottish Borderlands. This led Tereshchuk on ...

Send us a text You find yourself at a pivotal moment, having amassed years of experience and expertise. Now, you're eager to pass on your knowledge to the next generation. Today’s show is dedicated to The Mentor Project and CEO, Deborah Heiser.Introducing The Mentor Project:We've identified a vast community of educators, scientists, engineers, technology specialists, and corporate professionals who have considered mentoring but were unsure how to begin.The Mentor Project bridges this gap by i...