The Story with Charu

Video game director Jennifer Estaris talks about how the role of women in the development of games has changed - and where it’s headed. Jennifer Estaris (she/her) is a game director at ustwo games, a B Corp studio known for Monument Valley and Alba: A Wildlife Adventure. At ustwo games she directed Monument Valley 2's DLC The Lost Forest and is game directing the next Monument Valley. She has worked in the game industry for the past 15 years at SYBO, Nickelodeon, and Disney, among others, and has spoken at a number of conferences (GDC, SXSW, PGC, Gamescom Congress, Women in Games Conference, etc) about social impact in games. Jennifer is an active member of the UN’s Playing for the Planet and the IGDA Climate SIG, and a mom to a lovely 9 year old. Playing for the Planet https://playing4theplanet.org/ ustwo games https://www.ustwogames.co.uk/ Jennifer’s team is hiring! so would love to note that (job openings link here) www.charukumarhia.com www.charukumarhia.com Got a story we should share? Email us: thestorywithcharu@gmail.com Find us online: https://charukumarhia.com/ Find us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/thestorywithcharu/?hl=en https://twitter.com/CharuK https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3VqE2HKl-9oNDnhz_xP9dg

Carla Carlisle fell in love with her son in an instant, but he was placed back with his birth mother and for several years suffered in traumatic situations. The process led her to write and speak about her work. In this interview she talks about how everybody can benefit from being trauma informed. Carla Carlisle is TEDx speaker, multiple award-winning author, trauma expert, and child advocate. A proud boy mom, she has dedicated her life to informing the world about the impact of trauma and how we can excel beyond it. Carla is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She earned her B.A. in sociology from Indiana University. She earned an M.S. in human resources management from American University and another in organizational development from Johns Hopkins University. Carla obtained a graduate certificate in change management from Johns Hopkins University. Recently named TIAA’s Working Mother of the Year (2022), Carla provides keynotes and workshops to support our communities becoming trauma informed. She incorporates her experiences penned in her memoir, Journey to the Son as well her son, JC’s, in My Big Notebookto drive home how to thrive beyond trauma. Her third book, The Compassionate Companion, is a supportive guide for anyone interested in foster care and/or adoption. For more info: https://carlaacarlisle.com/ www.charukumarhia.com www.charukumarhia.com Got a story we should share? Email us: thestorywithcharu@gmail.com Find us online: https://charukumarhia.com/ Find us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/thestorywithcharu/?hl=en https://twitter.com/CharuK https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3VqE2HKl-9oNDnhz_xP9dg

The legend, the myth, the theory - whatever you want to call it - of Big Foot has captivated our imaginations for generations. In her new book journalist, podcast host and author Laura Krantz breaks down the science and the myth of the legendary creature for the middle school set (or anyone else who is just curious…) https://www.foxtopus.ink/wildthing https://www.npr.org/2022/10/11/1127485114/bigfoot-book-searching-for-sasquatch www.charukumarhia.com www.charukumarhia.com Got a story we should share? Email us: thestorywithcharu@gmail.com Find us online: https://charukumarhia.com/ Find us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/thestorywithcharu/?hl=en https://twitter.com/CharuK https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3VqE2HKl-9oNDnhz_xP9dg

John Dabrowski is co-creator of Local, Eat, Drink, Celebrate, a Pawley’s Island, SC restaurant noted for creating inspired dishes using local sourced ingredients served in an inclusive environment. That welcoming nature to all people has its detractors.. as Dabrowski talks about in this interview. https://www.pawleyslocal.com/ www.charukumarhia.com www.charukumarhia.com Got a story we should share? Email us: thestorywithcharu@gmail.com Find us online: https://charukumarhia.com/ Find us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/thestorywithcharu/?hl=en https://twitter.com/CharuK https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3VqE2HKl-9oNDnhz_xP9dg

Kelly Dunbar is the Gilder Lehrman American History Teacher of the Year, representing North Carolina. Kelly Dunbar comes on the show to talk about her area of research and fascination - Black women pioneers in North Carolina right after the American Civil War. Dunbar’s Research Presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Wgds3aOKSYxvKzQ6m3zW_AgVNmfASurJDAQZiU-6b2c/edit Must Reads from Dunbar: Mary Othella Burnette, Lige of the Black Walnut Tree Darwin J. Waters, "Life Beneath the Veneer: The Black Community in Asheville, North Carolina from 1793 to 1900". (He is an amazing historian and has a radio show called "The Harvey and Waters Show". Diana Ramey Berry and Kali Nicole Gross, A Black Woman's History of the United States Sarah Judson, "Civil Rights and Civic Health: African American Women's Public Health Work in Early Twentieth-Century Atlanta" NWSA Journal https://mountainx.com/arts/midwives-and-doulas-past-and-present-in-wnc/ www.charukumarhia.com www.charukumarhia.com Got a story we should share? Email us: thestorywithcharu@gmail.com Find us online: https://charukumarhia.com/ Find us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/thestorywithcharu/?hl=en https://twitter.com/CharuK https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3VqE2HKl-9oNDnhz_xP9dg

It’s well known among people of color, type 2 diabetes runs in our families. Often thought to be due to diet or lack of exercise, now research shows that if your ancestors faced famine or food insecurity you may be at risk. In this interview Dr. Ananya Banerjee, Assistant Professor and Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism (EDIAR) Lead at the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health School of Population and Global Health at McGill University talks about her work in the field. She helped create the South Asian Health Research Hub. www.southasianhealthresearchhub.com www.charukumarhia.com www.charukumarhia.com Got a story we should share? Email us: thestorywithcharu@gmail.com Find us online: https://charukumarhia.com/ Find us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/thestorywithcharu/?hl=en https://twitter.com/CharuK https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3VqE2HKl-9oNDnhz_xP9dg

Doula and co-founder of SistasCaring4Sistas Cindy McMillan talks about her experience losing an infant in an extreme act of medical neglicance that is too common for Black patients. Cindy McMillan was born in Chicago, Ill and spent most of her teenage and adulthood in the Sunshine State of Florida. Cindy became a resident of Asheville NC in 2012. She’s an amazing mother of four who has experienced infant loss, trauma, PTSD, and SDOH shortly after the birth of her twin boys in 2002 and the death of her husband in 2018. She is currently a DONA Certified Birth Doula, Lamaze Trained Childbirth Educator, Certified breastfeeding Peer Counselor, Certified North Carolina Peer Support Specialist, Trained Death and Bereavement Doula; Black Maternal Health Advocate and Community Partner as well as the newly appointed Executive Director of Sistas Caring 4 Sistas Community Based Doulas for Social Justice in Asheville NC. Cindy’s personal experience with loss, traumatic childbirth, and maternal health inequities has made her a strong ally, advocate, and leader among those who advocate and fight for Justice and equality within Black Maternal Health to increase better outcomes through equitable methods of care and support. The platform afforded through Sistas Caring 4 Sistas, has made inroads for Cindy McMillan to dedicate her birth work journey towards creating policy change, clinical shift, and pathways to successfully support birthing individuals and their families affected by adverse birthing practices and outcomes. https://www.sistascaring4sistas.org/ https://mountainx.com/arts/midwives-and-doulas-past-and-present-in-wnc/ www.charukumarhia.com www.charukumarhia.com Got a story we should share? Email us: thestorywithcharu@gmail.com Find us online: https://charukumarhia.com/ Find us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/thestorywithcharu/?hl=en https://twitter.com/CharuK https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3VqE2HKl-9oNDnhz_xP9dg

Dr. Benjamin Gilmer takes over a rural medical practice, replacing Dr. Vince Gilmer who is serving time for killing his father. It doesn’t take long for the new Dr. Gilmer to start wondering what happened to the other Dr. Gilmer, what caused him to snap? In this 3 part look into the case, journalist Charu Kumarhia re-examines her own encounter with Vince Gilmer and Benjamin Gilmer talks about his relationship with a man suffering the effects of Huntingdon’s disease. More info: https://benjamingilmer.com https://www.gofundme.com/f/rescue-vince-gilmer-a-free-man-still-in-prison https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/27/books/review/new-true-crime-books.html https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/08/06/northam-gilmer-doctors-murder-pardon/ https://www.thisamericanlife.org/492/dr-gilmer-and-mr-hyde www.charukumarhia.com www.charukumarhia.com Got a story we should share? Email us: thestorywithcharu@gmail.com Find us online: https://charukumarhia.com/ Find us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/thestorywithcharu/?hl=en https://twitter.com/CharuK https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3VqE2HKl-9oNDnhz_xP9dg

Dr. Benjamin Gilmer takes over a rural medical practice, replacing Dr. Vince Gilmer who is serving time for killing his father. It doesn’t take long for the new Dr. Gilmer to start wondering what happened to the other Dr. Gilmer, what caused him to snap? In this 3 part look into the case, journalist Charu Kumarhia re-examines her own encounter with Vince Gilmer and Benjamin Gilmer talks about his relationship with a man suffering the effects of Huntingdon’s disease. More info: https://benjamingilmer.com https://www.gofundme.com/f/rescue-vince-gilmer-a-free-man-still-in-prison https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/27/books/review/new-true-crime-books.html https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/08/06/northam-gilmer-doctors-murder-pardon/ https://www.thisamericanlife.org/492/dr-gilmer-and-mr-hyde www.charukumarhia.com www.charukumarhia.com Got a story we should share? Email us: thestorywithcharu@gmail.com Find us online: https://charukumarhia.com/ Find us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/thestorywithcharu/?hl=en https://twitter.com/CharuK https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3VqE2HKl-9oNDnhz_xP9dg

Almost two decades ago a young reporter is sent to cover a brutal homicide of a man, detectives suspect his physician son. In this season premiere Charu Kumarhia remembers that evening and her first impressions of Dr. Vince Gilmer. https://www.thisamericanlife.org/492/dr-gilmer-and-mr-hyde www.charukumarhia.com www.charukumarhia.com Got a story we should share? Email us: thestorywithcharu@gmail.com Find us online: https://charukumarhia.com/ Find us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/thestorywithcharu/?hl=en https://twitter.com/CharuK https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3VqE2HKl-9oNDnhz_xP9dg

After 9 seasons, 80 plus episodes content creator/writer/journalist/speaker Charu Kumarhia talks about the show going on a hiatus. www.charukumarhia.com www.charukumarhia.com Got a story we should share? Email us: thestorywithcharu@gmail.com Find us online: https://charukumarhia.com/ Find us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/thestorywithcharu/?hl=en https://twitter.com/CharuK https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3VqE2HKl-9oNDnhz_xP9dg

Karen Petersen always knew there was a problem she needed help with, in 2002 she was ready to do something about it. Growing up with an alcoholic father she was familiar with the disease. Alcohol became a way for her to cope with other anxieties but soon she realized she was addicted. In this interview she shares her story and how others may be struggling as well. Petersen wrote this blog post in 2021 about her struggle and success: https://minndixiemom.wordpress.com/ If you are someone you know needs help with alcohol: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/treatment-alcohol-problems-finding-and-getting-help Many people choose not to drink alcohol for various reasons, as a host it’s always nice to have something special for those guests. There is a world of “mocktails” out there but here is a special holiday one created just for The Story with Charu listeners: Apple Ginger Sparkler: Blend Sparkling Apple Juice (we used Martinelli’s Brand) with equal parts Ginger Beer (we used CannonBorough) More juice will make it sweet and more ginger beer will make it tart. You can add club soda or seltzer to add fizz. We topped this with a dried, candied orange but a piece of crystalized ginger could work too! Check out https://www.instagram.com/thestorywithcharu/?hl=en to take a look at the results. www.charukumarhia.com www.charukumarhia.com Got a story we should share? Email us: thestorywithcharu@gmail.com Find us online: https://charukumarhia.com/ Find us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/thestorywithcharu/?hl=en https://twitter.com/CharuK https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3VqE2HKl-9oNDnhz_xP9dg

Roopa Pai is one of India’s best-known writers for children. The Bangalore-based author has written over 25 books and given countless talks and lectures related to heritage. Her two most popular books are the award-winning Indian national bestseller “The Gita For Children” and its prequel “The Vedas And Upanishads For Children.” She recently co-authored fitness evangelist and supermodel Milind Soman’s memoir – “Made In India.” In this conversation Pai and Kumarhia talk about the spirtual wisdom of ancient India and how to understand it today. Check out her popular Tedx Talks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMI0j1AJh5Q https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckaEwJj2A1U https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9UvkK2xxr0 https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/2939420.Roopa_Pai www.charukumarhia.com www.charukumarhia.com Got a story we should share? Email us: thestorywithcharu@gmail.com Find us online: https://charukumarhia.com/ Find us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/thestorywithcharu/?hl=en https://twitter.com/CharuK https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3VqE2HKl-9oNDnhz_xP9dg

William Dissen is a renowed chef with 3 popular restaurants in North Carolina. He’s also known for his efforts to be sustainable. In this interview Kumarhia and Dissen talk about the love of food, cultural traditions and how to celebrate Thanksgiving without the myth of its origin. Find out more about Dissen here: https://marketplace-restaurant.com/chef-william-dissen https://haymakerclt.com/team/william-dissen/ https://billydschicken.com/ https://twitter.com/chefbillyd?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor https://www.instagram.com/chefbillyd/?hl=en Watch William going head to head to Gordon Ramsay here: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x82m7zf www.charukumarhia.com www.charukumarhia.com Got a story we should share? Email us: thestorywithcharu@gmail.com Find us online: https://charukumarhia.com/ Find us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/thestorywithcharu/?hl=en https://twitter.com/CharuK https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3VqE2HKl-9oNDnhz_xP9dg

Family therapist Ann Dillard has built a following among folks who want to better their parent/child dynamic - no matter the age of the child. She offers conversation prompts for parents, especially mothers, who are eager to listen and repair generational patterns of trauma and neglect. In this interview, content creator Charu Kumarhia and Dillard talk about being raised in immigrant households and how to do the work of mending relationships. Dillard also wrote the Amazon #1 Bestseller Unchain My Legacy and has contributed to several other publications. You can find more about Dillard and her work here: Ann Dillard, LMFT, DWCF Brainspotting Therapist President, K.I.P. Consulting Services Therapist . Teen Therapist . Parent Coach . Author . Speaker Phone: (763)228-9757 Email: KIPConsult@msn.com IG: @AnnDillard.LMFT Clubhouse: Anndillardlmft www.anndillard.com www.payhip.com/healthyconversations https://www.facebook.com/AnnDillard.MA.LMFT Transforming the lives and minds of teens and those who love them www.charukumarhia.com www.charukumarhia.com Got a story we should share? Email us: thestorywithcharu@gmail.com Find us online: https://charukumarhia.com/ Find us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/thestorywithcharu/?hl=en https://twitter.com/CharuK https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3VqE2HKl-9oNDnhz_xP9dg

Ainsle MacLeod is a past life psychic who never wanted to believe in psychics. His path has led him to work with famous clients (he often has a waiting list) and in front of Oprah Winfrey for her Soul Sunday podcast. In this interview, the second he’s done with creator Charu Kumarhia, the two talk about a soul’s mission and about the general basic stuff that makes up the life of a famous psychic. https://ainsliemacleod.com/ www.charukumarhia.com www.charukumarhia.com Got a story we should share? Email us: thestorywithcharu@gmail.com Find us online: https://charukumarhia.com/ Find us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/thestorywithcharu/?hl=en https://twitter.com/CharuK https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3VqE2HKl-9oNDnhz_xP9dg

Matthew Raiford was winning accolades in the food world, traveling, writing amazing cookbooks, meeting other foodie folks - but something was drawing him back to Georgia. His family has owned and operated Gilliard Farms in Burnswick, GA for centuries. For context, this is the same part of the southeast where Ahmaud Arbery was brutally killed while jogging, the crime covered up until the public outcry grew to a zenith. Food, culture and activism combine in Raiford’s talents and efforts. In this interview creator Charu Kumarhia and Raiford talk about their love of history and food. https://www.chefarmermatthew.com/ https://www.gilliard-farms.com/ www.charukumarhia.com www.charukumarhia.com Got a story we should share? Email us: thestorywithcharu@gmail.com Find us online: https://charukumarhia.com/ Find us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/thestorywithcharu/?hl=en https://twitter.com/CharuK https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3VqE2HKl-9oNDnhz_xP9dg

Michael Muller was a first grade teacher and a man committed to creating and supporting things of beauty in this world.. then came along a furry little rascal that was full of personality - Mirabelle. Mirabelle was a Boston Terrier gifted to him, soon she was inspiring him to create children’s books. The Adventures of Mirabelle was born. In this conversation, Charu Kumarhia and Muller talk about their shared love of the breed and why it was so important to find things of joy over the last few years. https://www.theadventuresofmirabelle.com/ www.charukumarhia.com www.charukumarhia.com Got a story we should share? Email us: thestorywithcharu@gmail.com Find us online: https://charukumarhia.com/ Find us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/thestorywithcharu/?hl=en https://twitter.com/CharuK https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3VqE2HKl-9oNDnhz_xP9dg

Sunya Folayan ventured into something new in 2003. After working as a family and marriage therapist she decided to follow her heart and work as an artist. She especially wanted to explore fabric and processes used across the globe. In this interview she talks about how keeping these ways alive relates to her work as an activist. Find out more about Folayan here: https://www.sunyafolayan.com/ www.charukumarhia.com www.charukumarhia.com Got a story we should share? Email us: thestorywithcharu@gmail.com Find us online: https://charukumarhia.com/ Find us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/thestorywithcharu/?hl=en https://twitter.com/CharuK https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3VqE2HKl-9oNDnhz_xP9dg

Yvonne Liu could not stop herself from writing and her best work is when she tells her own story. She was found on a Hong Kong staircase as a baby and then spent the next several months in an orphanage. A Chinese-American couple adopted her but her childhood was full of emotional and physical abuse. In 2021 she submitted a brief synopsis of her story to the New York Times Tiny Love Stories section. Even though it was a tiny love story, it captivated many readers. In our interview Liu talks about the healing power of writing and the impact telling your story can have on others. Find her on Twitter and Instagram: @yvonneliuwriter Find out more about her work here: https://yvonneliuwriter.com/ https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eC1Mnv2S3jpRv3WsDy2icVe78Lk90nkN/view?usp=drive_web https://www.salon.com/2021/09/13/everybody-loves-raymond-anniversary-parental-favorite/ www.charukumarhia.com www.charukumarhia.com Got a story we should share? Email us: thestorywithcharu@gmail.com Find us online: https://charukumarhia.com/ Find us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/thestorywithcharu/?hl=en https://twitter.com/CharuK https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3VqE2HKl-9oNDnhz_xP9dg