The Illuminate Podcast

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Book recommendations: These Women by Ivy Pochoda

Episode 89: Jessica Koosed Etting and Alyssa Embree Schwartz; Fade Into the Bright May 19, 2021

Show notes

Jessica Koosed Etting and Alyssa Embree Schwartz are the authors of Fade Into the Bright, a Young Adult fiction book that was released in April. The novel is all about an 18 year old, Abby, who found out her estranged father is dying from a rare degenerative genetic disease called Huntington’s Disease. This gives Abby and her sister a 50% chance of testing positive for the gene. The book follows Abby after she flees to Catalina Island after testing positive.

May is Huntington’s Disease Awareness Month and Jessica and Alyssa are hoping to raise awareness for Huntington’s Disease through this book. In this episode, they share about the book stacks that some of their readers have created to raise awareness and money for Huntington’s.

Jessica and Alyssa have a great story about the inspiration behind writing Fade Into the Bright and you’ll hear about that in this episode. You’ll also hear about how they work together on all of their writing projects, pursuing their dreams of becoming authors, some of their favorite books to read, the writing process, and so much more!

This episode is hosted by Emma Benner.

What we talked about:

2:50- Introduction to Jessica and Alyssa

3:30- How Jessica and Alyssa met

5:20- Where their dreams for becoming authors came from

6:55- How they started working together on all of their writing projects and some of the projects that they have worked on

13:35- Their recently released book, Fade into the Bright

16:55- How writing this book has changed their perspective on life

20:05- The inspiration behind writing this book and their goal to bring awareness for Huntington’s Disease

24:00- The research that went into writing this book

24:55- The writing and publishing process

27:00- The process of writing a book together

29:30- The draw to writing young adult fiction

31:10- What’s next and the projects that they are working on

31:50- What a book release day looks like

33:35- The responses that they have gotten from the book and the Instagram challenge that is happening for Huntington’s Disease Awareness

36:15- How their writing process has changed since they have moved apart from each other

38:50- Where you can find Fade into the Bright

39:20- End of podcast questions

Show notes:

Win by Harlan Coben

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Memorial by Bryan Washington

Missoula by Jon Krakauer

Untamed by Glennon Doyle

Jessica and Alyssa’s Website

Jessica and Alyssa on Instagram

Jessica and Alyssa on Facebook

#StacksforHDAwareness

Huntington’s Disease Society for America

CASA

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This episode is hosted by Lindsey Hein.

Episode 88: Sasha Wolff- Running for Mental Health May 13, 2021

Show notes

Sasha Wolff is the founder of Still I Run. Still I Run is a community where people can share their experience of dealing with depression/anxiety etc. through running or any other type of physical activity. We encourage one another to take time out of our busy lives to run for our mental health. Through various programs we offer, we hope to educate others about running for mental health, raise mental health awareness, provide encouragement to others, and help people experiencing hardship get started in their running journey.

Still I Run was founded by Sasha in 2016, however the idea for the group came to her a few years earlier. In 2011, she was hospitalized for anxiety and depression and one of the coping mechanisms she learned while getting help was the concept of creating healthy routines and habits. One day, shortly after discharge from the hospital, Sasha put on a very neglected pair of running shoes and decided to go for a short walk. That walk felt so great, that she kept doing it on a regular basis and eventually started to go faster and longer. She hasn’t stopped running for her mental health since.

Once she discovered the benefits of running for mental health, Sasha wanted to connect with others who do the same thing. Unfortunately, she couldn’t find a group anywhere.

Sasha is the mother of two, with one on the way, works full time and runs Still I Run in her spare time. She is so passionate about the mission of Still I Run and you’ll sense that in this conversation!

Show Notes:

Still I Run Website

Four Winds – Kristin Hannah

All Things Reconsidered – Knox McCoy

Let’s pretend this never happened – Jenny Lawson

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Women’s Business Enterprise National Council

Episode 87: Ivy Lawson- Becoming an Entreprenuer May 05, 2021

Show notes

Ivy Lawson is the founder and owner of Logwood Company and Ivyees “Everything Honey”. Ivyees “Everything Honey” produces honey based health and beauty products, toothpaste, condiments, as well as their delicious honey.

Before starting her own company, Ivy spent nearly 2 decades in the corporate world before seeking out her true passions and becoming an entrepreneur.

In this episode, Ivy talks about being unhappy in the corporate world and what ultimately led her to become an entrepreneur, how she felt when she did not receive support from her family and friends when starting her company, the benefits of using honey in beauty products, hiring a team of employees as her business grew, and so much more!

This episode is hosted by Emma Benner.

What we talked about:

2:00- Introduction to Ivy Lawson

5:05- What lead her to leave the corporate world and become an entrepreneur

8:40- The process of moving to Jamaica and starting her business

10:35- How she felt when she did not receive support from her family and friends when starting her company

14:55- Her message to people that want to make a change in their careers

16:40- Where she sources her honey for

19:35- Benefits of using honey in beauty products

21:25- The difference between honey in the United States and Jamaica

25:35- Hiring a team of employees

27:45- The most successful moment that she has had in owning the business

30:50- Where they sell their products

32:05- End of podcast questions

Show notes:

Book Recommendation: I am a Girl from Africa

Ivyees Everything Honey

Ivy on Instagram

Ivy on Facebook

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Episode 86: Jolene Hart – Beauty is Wellness Apr 23, 2021

Show notes

This week’s guest, Jolene Hart, is a holistic wellness expert. She coaches women on nutritional strategies to prevent and treat beauty concerns from acne to weight gain and aging, and educates consumers about natural beauty products through her company, Beauty Is Wellness.

Jolene is a former magazine beauty editor and journalist. She shares her journey of moving from this world to becoming a health coach.

Jolene has written a number of books including her Eat Pretty book series, which has become an international best-seller. Jolene’s health journey has not always been easy. In this episode, she talks about her challenges and tactics as someone who faces chronic illness with late stage Lyme disease and co-infections.

You will learn from Jolene some easy ways to embrace your inner beauty and how to use nutrition in your every day life!

Show Notes:
Unite for Her
How Healing Works by Wayne Jonas

This episode is hosted by Kristin Srour

Episode 85: Sarah Emerson – Look for Opportunities to Pay it Forward Apr 14, 2021

Show notes

Sarah Emerson was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2017 and documented her journey in a really beautiful and authentic way. She shared the hard but she also shared positive inspiration to others who are struggling.

While Sarah was walking through her treatments, her neighbors stepped up to help her in a really beautiful way – she shares about that in this episode. Sine her diagnosis and seeing the hardships so many people face with medical bills and other hardships, Sarah decided she wanted to do something to help those in need. She teamed up with two of her girlfriends and together they founded In This Together Funds. In This Together Funds inspires hope and strength in communities by providing financial support through charitable grants. Learn more about In This Together Funds! Book Recommendation: Bravey – Alexi Pappas Follow In This Together: In This Together Funds on Instagram

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Book recommendation: The Power of Now

Episode 84: Gaby Rodriguez- Building Community to Take Action for Gender Equity Apr 07, 2021

Show notes

Gaby Rodriguez is a certified gender professional, Venezuelan lawyer, and social economy specialist. She is also the founder and chair of the Amazona Foundation where she hosts monthly events to build community around gender equality, raises awareness about gender equality, and advises other clients on the creation and implementation of their gender, diversity, and inclusion plan for their programs. The Amazona Foundation works on deconstructing harmful traditional gender roles attributed to men, women, and people of gender and sexual diversities in society.

This episode is hosted by Emma Benner.

What we talked about:

2:05- Introduction to Gaby Rodriguez

4:35- Why she started the Amazona Foundation

12:35- The programs and campaigns that the Amazona Foundation offers

20:15- Her experiences living in different countries

28:10- The differences and similarities of gender inequalities across cultures

33:35- Action steps we can all take to tackle gender inequalities in our own communities

43:10- End of podcast questions

Show notes:

The Amazona Foundation

National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice

Girl Up

Running Start

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When Life Hands You Cactuses, Make Margaritas by Adiba Barney

Episode 83: Mary Grove – Empowerment and Community Building through Entrepreneurship Apr 01, 2021

Show notes

Mary Grove is an entrepreneur, community-builder, mom of twins and Managing Partner of Bread and Butter Ventures. In today’s episode, you’ll hear about Mary’s remarkable career, inspired by her parents who immigrated to the U.S. from Thailand. Mary began her career at Google working on the Google IPO and later as the founding director of Google for Startups, leading the company’s global efforts to support entrepreneurs in over 100 countries. After her time at Google, she was a partner of Revolution’s Rise of the Rest Seed Fund where she led dozens of investments in a range of sectors across the Midwest. And now, she resides with her family in Minnesota as a partner of Bread and Butter ventures. She brings a wealth of knowledge to entrepreneurs, discusses the power of business in building communities and talks about how she balances it all.

This episode is hosted by Kristin Srour.

Show Notes:

The Nest I/O

Episode 82: Shayna Sangster- The Other Side of Fear Mar 24, 2021

Show notes

Shayna Sangster is the director of marketing for the Indiana Fever at Pacers Sports and Entertainment. She is also the owner of Just Ride Indy. She was a gymnast growing up and she ran track and field in college as a 400m hurdler.

In this episode, we get to hear how growing up as a serious athlete shaped her to who she is today, growing up as a gymnast, her career path, becoming a business owner, the importance of diversity in the wellness space, and so much more!

This episode is hosed by Lindsey Hein.

Show notes:

Shayna on Instagram

Just Ride Indy on Instagram

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