A podcast where stories are shared about culture, values, identity, goals, and much more.
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In this episode, I’ve included highlights from five episodes from the second year of Introducing Me. These episodes were recorded between October 2021 and July 2022 and thoughts or opinions may have changed since the time of recording. Check out their entire episodes in the archives.
https://www.introducingmepodcast.com/e/year-two-highlights/
In this episode, I’ve included highlights from five episodes from the first year of Introducing Me. These episodes were recorded between February and July 2021 and thoughts or opinions may have changed since the time of recording. Check out their entire episodes in the archives.
https://www.introducingmepodcast.com/e/year-one-highlights/
Mandee Bowsmith spent twenty four years working in human resources for municipal and state governments. Having a wonderful mentor that she could see herself in, Mandee continued to show up as her authentic self in the workspace - a gay woman who is medicated for ADHD. More recently, Mandee started her own business to consult and coach others in professional development.
https://www.introducingmepodcast.com/e/mandee-the-human-in-human-resources/
At a young age, Aiden Gabor entered the family business being associated with a well-known crime family. Once in college, he was approached by two members of the Department of Justice, threatening to send his mother to jail. Aiden flunked out of college and joined the police force to report back to the DOJ members at their request. Aiden ended up in quite a dark place and has since found peace in the Baha’i faith.
https://www.introducingmepodcast.com/e/aiden-from-the-streets-to-undercover-cop/
Neil Laird travelled the globe as a historical documentary producer and now brings ancient history into his adventure books. As a q***r filmmaker and novelist, he understands the importance of representation that he is able to showcase in his novels, Prime Time Travelers, that he wasn’t able to make on the television screen. Outside of publishing, Neil loves to travel especially wherever he may be able to see ancient ruins and artifacts.
https://www.introducingmepodcast.com/e/neil-ancient-history-storyteller/
When JD Mass’s parents had children, they wanted to raise their kids surrounded by Black culture and intentionally be anti-racist. JD grew up with predominantly Black friends and wanted to understand the roots of racism that he saw. From working with Nelly, to finding an accepting community in Israel, JD shares about many life experiences in this episode including more on his book “Race for What?” and his podcast “Same Difference.”
https://www.introducingmepodcast.com/e/jd-embraced-by-black-culture-as-a-white-man/
Jason Tuttle is the father of two special needs children with mental and physical disabilities who lost his fifteen-year-old son Zachary. Zachary had Eagle-Barrett syndrome and when he was two, Jason left work as an elementary physical education teacher to become a stay at home parent. After Zachary passed away, Jason’s counselor recommended journaling which eventually led Jason to creating his Letters to Zachary page to share his grief journey with other fathers and now anyone in their grief journey.
https://www.introducingmepodcast.com/e/jason-stay-at-home-parent-male-grief/
Luaskya Nonon is a first generation Afro-Latina American whose parents empowered her to navigate different spaces while staying true to herself. Growing up in Brooklyn, Luaskya was used to diverse communities until she went to college and then law school at predominately white institutions. A corporate lawyer for twenty years, she more recently founded her consultancy Equity Principle Consulting where she helps leaders create inclusive spaces and coaches those navigating the complexities of the corporate workplace.
https://www.introducingmepodcast.com/e/luaskya-creating-inclusive-workplaces/
A disabled Army Veteran, Zorina's retirement hasn’t been quite what she expected. Retiring from Veterans Affairs in 2020 didn’t mean that Zorina stopped helping her fellow veterans and a few months prior, Zorina had become a caregiver for her brother who had a brain stroke. In December 2021 she was inspired to create a children’s game, ZomadicShift, to help combat digital balance. Since then, she’s continued to work on different games and is working on getting her children’s book published.
https://www.introducingmepodcast.com/e/zorina-disabled-army-veteran-championing-digital-balance/
Growing up, Karen Anne Coccioli experienced a lot of trauma and turned to writing when she developed a stutter. Her writing truly saved her and now in her seventies, she has published her memoir, Paradise, to help others who have experienced such hardships. Karen has always known she was gay and ultimately, began to live authentically. She also publishes gay erotica under her pen name, Annie Moon.
https://www.introducingmepodcast.com/e/karen-coming-out-post-trauma/
Michael Fosberg grew up in Chicago with his Armenian mother, step-father, and half-siblings, but didn’t wonder about his biological father until he was in his 30s. Armed with a name and potential location, Michael quickly found his father and learned about his previously unknown Black heritage and family. He published his memoir Incognito: An American Odyssey of Race and Self Discovery which he also turned into a one-man play. Michael has found himself in the world of DEI helping people realize they have more in common than they have differences.
https://www.introducingmepodcast.com/e/michael-personal-stories-and-our-commonalities/
Jack Schaefer was only five or six-years old when he took his first judo class. Since then, he has learned more about the culture and language of Asian countries. First training and teaching martial arts, he was guided to learn medicine and went on to study Chinese medicine in both the US and China. More recently, Jack’s lifelong interest in Daoism led to the co-creation of Parting Clouds to further Daoist education.
https://www.introducingmepodcast.com/e/jack-daoism-martial-arts-and-chinese-medicine/
Edward Miskie has spent his life in the theatre and ten years ago, cancer didn’t stop him. Edward was diagnosed with a rare Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma right before he turned 25. He got back on the stage after he went through treatment, but now he’s more focused on writing and producing. Edward recently republished his book, Cancer, Musical Theatre & Other Chronic Illnesses, as a 10-Year Cancer Survivorship Anniversary Edition.
https://www.introducingmepodcast.com/e/edward-cancer-musical-theatre-other-chronic-illnesses/
For the past eight years, Miguel Yga has been traveling to experience different cultures. He grew up in a conservative Mexican culture and became a corporate lawyer. But Miguel decided to quit his job, pay off his debts, and with little in his bank account, embarked on a journey of exploration and self-discovery that led him to travel throughout North and South America, especially to experience life among indigenous cultures. Miguel always dreamed of being a writer and he recently published his first book, The Embrace of Silence: A Story of Hope and Healing During the Guatemalan Civil War.
https://www.introducingmepodcast.com/e/miguel-nomadic-writer-adventurer/
Nicole “Nikki” Lewis knew she wanted to go into law in the fourth grade and has now been a practicing attorney for more than twenty years. She got her first attorney job at the LA County Children’s Support Services Department and now owns and operates a family law firm in the San Francisco Bay Area.. As a kid, Nikki thought that fitness wasn’t for her, but stress from her job made her realize she needed a change and she eventually found bodybuilding. Originally she didn’t plan to compete, but she went professional in her first wellness competition and is now going to compete in figure.
https://www.introducingmepodcast.com/e/nicole-professional-attorney-and-competitive-bodybuilder/
In 2012, Hanan Merabi started the non-profit Earth’s Angels with a main focus of helping combat infant and maternal mortality. Orphaned at 8-years-old in Ghana, Hanan moved to the US at 15, but ran away at 18 from her adopted family and later started her career in nursing. Now a mother of two sons, Hanan works to help other mothers and folks in Ghana.
https://www.introducingmepodcast.com/e/hanan-helping-back-home-in-ghana/
In 2016, Jason Muth made his first investment in real estate and has since left the traditional workforce. Prideaway Stays offers short-term rentals in Provincetown with a commitment to the LGBTQ+ community. He also hosts the podcast, The Real Estate Law Podcast with his real estate attorney husband. In this episode Jason shares how his journey in real estate has grown along with his growing family after adopting their almost five-year-old daughter at birth.
https://www.introducingmepodcast.com/e/jason-gay-owned-real-estate/
Boots Knighton was diagnosed with three separate congenital heart diseases in 2020. Delayed from COVID, she was able to have open heart surgery in 2021 and has been working her athleticism back up. Boots started her podcast The Heart Chamber to help other patients like herself know what to expect. In this episode, Boots goes into detail about her surgery and her life prior and afterwards, including how her life as an educator has changed.
https://www.introducingmepodcast.com/e/boots-education-from-an-open-heart-surgery-patient/
Jennifer Gasner was diagnosed with a rare, neuromuscular disease called Friederich’s ataxia at age 17. She had always been clumsy, but her handwriting had gotten worse and about a decade later, she started using a wheelchair. At first, Jen had a lot of fear, but eventually found acceptance and has recently authored her memoir, My Unexpected Life: Finding Balance Beyond My Diagnosis.
https://www.introducingmepodcast.com/e/jennifer-disabilities-aren-t-disappointments/
Jennifer Gasner, Author
At a young age, Amethysta (Ami for short) believed that genetics held the key to engineering a better human being. Struggling with mental health and identity, Ami transitioned genders in 2022 to better align with who she always knew she should be. In doing so, she now knows that you can’t engineer a better human and her professional focus has shifted from biochemistry and analytics to researching gender and identity, alongside becoming an author.
https://www.introducingmepodcast.com/e/amethysta-gender-identity-as-an-ordinary-human/
Jacey Keller lost her mom, Shawn, ten years ago when she was still in high school. Three years ago she was inspired to help others with their own grief and she started coaching. In this episode, she shares her personal grief story, her growing family, and how to support other people through grief.
https://www.introducingmepodcast.com/e/jacey-parental-loss-and-grief-coaching/
Jacey Keller Coaching
Asher's musical journey began at the tender age of two, though he never anticipated it would become his full-time pursuit as an adult. Initially, while residing in NYC, he took up the violin as a means to supplement his income. However, over time, his musical endeavors blossomed into a full-fledged career, diverging from his academic background in biology and nursing. In this episode, Asher delves into his musical passions and sheds light on the intricacies of freelancing in the industry.
https://www.introducingmepodcast.com/e/asher-electric-violinist/
Asher Laub
Jean Jacques Brun, better known as JJ, or The Retired Spy spent 20 years in the Intelligence Branch of the Canadian Armed Forces and now 25 years as the founder of DHC Training Co. As a child, school was hard and he loved sports, so it was natural for him to join the service. He now trains the Four Temperament (DISC) Model of Human Behavior for personal and professional growth.
https://www.introducingmepodcast.com/e/jj-retired-spy-training-on-human-behavior/ The Retired Spy
Ryan DeLena is about to get a degree in outdoor education, but he’s already adventuring outside and guiding others. Ryan is currently a climbing guide with Acadia National Park and likes to have the chance to connect with guests on their outdoor excursions. He started skiing at a young age with his dad and knew that that would be his realm. While on an excursion in Antarctica, without wifi, his dad started writing a book, which ended up becoming the book he co-authored with Ryan, Without Restraint, which shares Ryan’s story of being taken out of traditional school and having a traumatic experience in therapeutic schools to finding success on the ski slopes.
https://www.introducingmepodcast.com/e/ryan-skiing-and-climbing-around-the-world/
Alex Williams is the granddaughter of Black Panthers and has always been inspired to care for others. She started in home health care, went to school to become an EMT, is trained as a doula for home births and went into law enforcement to pursue justice. As an ironman triathlete turned wrestler, she learned about the benefits of hyperbaric chambers and for the past seven years she has been growing her business, Holistic Hyperbarics in the Bay Area of California.
https://www.introducingmepodcast.com/e/alex-caregiving-across-diverse-professions/
When speaking with Kristof Morrow, you may notice that he says “Shakespeare” throughout the conversation, and while he has a fondness for the author, it’s an audible tic because of his Tourette’s. Kristof has relocated to Vancouver after having a rough childhood, serving as a medic in the US Navy, and being a journalist in Texas. He recently published his first book which is a fantasy novel showcasing many walks of life.
https://www.introducingmepodcast.com/e/kristof-success-with-tourette-s/
John Lawyer grew up in rural Oklahoma and joined the Army right after college. He worked in counterintelligence and counterterrorism stationed in Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan. John stayed abroad after retiring to civilian life, but now resides in North Texas. He’s always remained kind and positive, wanting to make a difference even while working through burnout and PTSD. John had a spiritual awakening as an Omnist and worked to create a nonprofit spiritual community.
https://www.introducingmepodcast.com/e/john-army-service-and-founding-a-spiritual-community/
Kishar Spiritual
At nineteen, Anne left her small hometown in Finland, landing in Paris and later spending years in England. It was shortly after leaving Finland when she started losing her hair due to alopecia. Anne felt that she was losing control of her body and was in hiding for almost 20 years due to shame of being bald and having to wear bad wigs, and not being able to recognize herself in the mirror. Nowadays higher quality wigs are available and she’s working to get better access to them in Finland for her fellow alopecians.
https://www.introducingmepodcast.com/e/anne-transforming-life-with-alopecia/
A performer since three years old, Mari Reisberg has always been creative. She’s lived the performer’s life and then decided to go back to school to become a therapist because she loves supporting other people. Utilizing dance movement therapy, Mari brings creativity into her sessions and helps people reclaim their creativity as it is something for everyone.
https://www.introducingmepodcast.com/e/mari-creativity-is-everything/
Sustaining Creativity
When Ann Coleman’s son was a teenager, the home was a battleground. Ann tried to control his behavior in authoritarian ways and was highly reactive rather focusing on emotional well being. Ann and her husband sent their son to a two month residency treatment program and afterwards moved the family to her hometown to be with her mother. Her relationship with her son, now 22, is much better. Now Ann reads through the science to help educate other parents foster better relationships with their children.
https://www.introducingmepodcast.com/e/ann-changing-your-parenting-style/
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