Introducing Me

Shannon Whittington felt a lot of shame around the word lesbian and was not out at work until a coworker outed her. Since then she has become much more open and an advocate against homophobia in the workplace. She authored the short read, “LGBTQ+ ABCs for Grown Ups” to help with beginner knowledge for people who want to be allies of the community. She has since earned her doctorate in Nursing and works on advocacy in healthcare. Connect with Shannon: https://www.whittingtonconsulting.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwhittington/ Buy her book: https://a.co/d/43RScoa Donate to the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/introducingmepodcast Want to share your story and be a guest? Email: introducingmepodcast@gmail.com Find all the podcast social media and more on the website: https://www.introducingmepodcast.com Artwork: instagram.com/vashaundesigns Music/Editing: youtube.com/colemanrowlett

At four years old, Farah left London to visit family in India and ended up living there until she was 18. A Parsi by faith, her mother always encouraged her to simply be herself, while learning the language and culture around her. Getting the call that her mother had been shot while she was living in Dubai is a moment that changed her world. Farah authored the book “Meher & Me” to honor her. Professionally, she has been in the banking world for more than 30 years and enjoys yoga and baking. Connect with Farah: https://www.farahpress.com https://www.instagram.com/farah.press/ https://www.amazon.com/dp/1739355008?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860 Donate to the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/introducingmepodcast Want to share your story and be a guest? Email: introducingmepodcast@gmail.com Find all the podcast social media and more on the website: https://www.introducingmepodcast.com Artwork: instagram.com/vashaundesigns Music/Editing: youtube.com/colemanrowlett

More than just her identity, Celia Sandhya Daniels’ goal in life is to be a good human being. She is an Asian Indian who identifies as gender non-binary, trans femme and uses she/they pronouns. Celia has a strong business background and is a management consultant and advocate of the LGBTQ+ community. Connect with Celia: https://www.rebekon.com/celia https://www.linkedin.com/in/celiasandaniels/ https://twitter.com/celiasandaniels https://www.instagram.com/celiasandaniels/ https://www.facebook.com/celiasandhyadaniels/ Donate to the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/introducingmepodcast Want to share your story and be a guest? Email: introducingmepodcast@gmail.com Find all the podcast social media and more on the website: https://www.introducingmepodcast.com Artwork: instagram.com/vashaundesigns Music/Editing: youtube.com/colemanrowlett

Brandy Morgan is the founder of Morgan Legacy Group LLC where she advocates for and to help others who have experienced homelessness or sickle cell disease. Brandy spent a year and half as a single mom in the unhoused community before getting back on her feet through transitional housing support through the YWCA and help from the Dress for Success program. Additionally, she brings advocacy and awareness to sickle cell after having lost her close friend Andy to the disease in 2009. Connect with Brandy: https://www.themorganlegacygroup.com https://www.instagram.com/morgan.legacy.group/ Donate to the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/introducingmepodcast Want to share your story and be a guest? Email: introducingmepodcast@gmail.com Find all the podcast social media and more on the website: https://www.introducingmepodcast.com Artwork: instagram.com/vashaundesigns Music/Editing: youtube.com/colemanrowlett

Richard Kweku EzeAgu “Eze” Akinyemi uncovered his ancestral roots through DNA after visiting Nigeria in 2013. He believes there is a revelation day waiting for each African descendant as they reconnect to their roots. Since discovering his heritage, Eze’s life has been enriched and he has embraced African fashion, egusi soup and other cuisine, along with changing his name. Connect with Eze: https://www.foundmypeople.com https://www.instagram.com/_foundmypeople Donate to the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/introducingmepodcast Want to share your story and be a guest? Email: introducingmepodcast@gmail.com Find all the podcast social media and more on the website: https://www.introducingmepodcast.com Artwork: instagram.com/vashaundesigns Music/Editing: youtube.com/colemanrowlett

Jean Johnson is the author of the children’s books Rynnie Roo’s Adventures which was inspired when her first grandchild was born. Having grown up in the Yucatan jungle before moving to the United States, she would find herself putting on puppet shows to cross language barriers. Jean shares about the different cultures she’s experienced and how she is a big kid at heart. Connect with Jean: https://rynnieroo.com https://www.facebook.com/bobbiejeanspage?mibextid=LQQJ4d https://www.instagram.com/rynnieroosadventures https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jean-Johnson/author/B0BWVZKGGM? Donate to the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/introducingmepodcast Want to share your story and be a guest? Email: introducingmepodcast@gmail.com Find all the podcast social media and more on the website: https://www.introducingmepodcast.com Artwork: instagram.com/vashaundesigns Music/Editing: youtube.com/colemanrowlett

Katherine McCord has six invisible disabilities, including OCD, bipolar 1, and misophonia. Katherine doesn’t let any of her disabilities stop her and knows how to acclimate to situations around her. In her professional career in people operations, she invented the first anti-biased applicant tracking system. Katherine is an international speaker focusing on integrity, inclusion, and innovation. Connect with Katherine: https://www.kmccordspeaking.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-mccord-093bb343/ Donate to the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/introducingmepodcast Want to share your story and be a guest? Email: introducingmepodcast@gmail.com Find all the podcast social media and more on the website: https://www.introducingmepodcast.com Artwork: instagram.com/vashaundesigns Music/Editing: youtube.com/colemanrowlett

At the point of nearly three years of podcast hosting, Sarah is back with just the microphone to share what has been happening in the past year. From adopting their second cat, Sox, and lots of travel it surely has been a busy year. I’m looking forward to changing up the podcast release schedule for Year 4. Connect with Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/slportal7/ https://www.tiktok.com/@introducingsarah Donate to the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/introducingmepodcast Want to share your story and be a guest? Email: introducingmepodcast@gmail.com Find all the podcast social media and more on the website: https://www.introducingmepodcast.com Artwork: instagram.com/vashaundesigns Music/Editing: youtube.com/colemanrowlett

Kent Weishaus had a twenty-five year career in television production, working on talk shows, game shows, tabloids, sitcoms, and other programming, before making a switch in 2006, going back to graduate school and eventually becoming a licensed clinical social worker. Since then he has worked in mental hospitals, community clinics, schools, and is now semi-retired, continuing a part-time private practice. Kent recently published his book Stop Breaking Down: How to avoid Overwhelm and Crack-Up - you can find it through his website, https://kentw.net. Donate to the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/introducingmepodcast Want to share your story and be a guest? Email: introducingmepodcast@gmail.com Find all the podcast social media and more on the website: https://www.introducingmepodcast.com Artwork: instagram.com/vashaundesigns Music/Editing: youtube.com/colemanrowlett

Clare Pritchard started traveling after university at the persistence of a close friend. She ended up falling in love with traveling, having spent many months abroad in dozens of countries. Originally from Manchester, England, Clare enjoys learning about new cultures and connecting with people around the world. Clare started her own business with program Back Yourself to coach others to increase their confidence skills. Connect with Clare: https://www.instagram.com/cpritch.coaching/ https://m.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=100089999626561 https://www.tiktok.com/@cpritch.coaching Donate to the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/introducingmepodcast Want to share your story and be a guest? Email: introducingmepodcast@gmail.com Find all the podcast social media and more on the website: https://www.introducingmepodcast.com Artwork: instagram.com/vashaundesigns Music/Editing: youtube.com/colemanrowlett

Tracy Whitmore embarked on a transformative journey from being a young mother to forging a career in social work. Her path led her to supporting LGBTQIA+ youth, where her impact extended beyond the young individuals themselves. An influx of parents seeking guidance and solace found their way to her as well. Relocating from Australia to Canada marked a pivotal moment, as she seized the opportunity to establish her own business, created around this very mission. Being a member of the queer community herself, she also extends her expertise to coaching and counseling LGBTQIA+ adults. Tracy has recently published her first book, titled "It’s About You Too: Reducing the Overwhelm for Parents of LGBTQ+ Kids." Connect with Tracy: https://indigojourney.co/book/ https://www.facebook.com/Tracy.IndigoJourney/ https://www.instagram.com/tracy.indigojourney/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-whitmore-69462845/ Donate to the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/introducingmepodcast Want to share your story and be a guest? Email: introducingmepodcast@gmail.com Find all the podcast social media and more on the website: https://www.introducingmepodcast.com Artwork: instagram.com/vashaundesigns Music/Editing: youtube.com/colemanrowlett

Ben Brown grew up on a Mormon polygamist compound and left for the “wicked world” in his early to mid-twenties. After six generations of his family being Mormons, he was not going to stand for the white supremacy and racism. After attending Burning Man, he was able to reconnect with his father, about 15 years after leaving. Ben is a part-time dad and has gotten into stand up comedy where he is known as The Fresh King Benjamin. Ben’s Website: https://www.thefreshkingbenjamin.com Comedy Special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBx5g6FOEaM Donate to the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/introducingmepodcast Want to share your story and be a guest? Email: introducingmepodcast@gmail.com Find all the podcast social media and more on the website: https://www.introducingmepodcast.com Artwork: instagram.com/vashaundesigns Music/Editing: youtube.com/colemanrowlett

Shellie Wilson was born and raised Christian, living her life for Jesus for roughly 60 years. When struggling with renal failure a few years ago, she had a come to Jesus moment which strengthened her connection to Jesus further. Shellie has been teaching the Bible for the past 40 years and in this episode she dives into her four spiritual disciplines: Bible study, prayer, memorization, and rest. Connect with Shellie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelliewilson/ https://www.facebook.com/shellie.huffmanwilson Donate to the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/introducingmepodcast Want to share your story and be a guest? Email: introducingmepodcast@gmail.com Find all the podcast social media and more on the website: https://www.introducingmepodcast.com Artwork: instagram.com/vashaundesigns Music/Editing: youtube.com/colemanrowlett

Christina Carlson (she/they) was raised in a high control religious group and didn’t know that bisexuality was an option. She’s now happily able to identify as queer after having left the church and was recently diagnosed with ADHD. They are a self relationship coach to help others find their true selves and hosts the podcast Bitches, Witches and Queers. Connect with Christina: https://www.christinamcarlson.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@christinaclifecoaching https://www.instagram.com/christinacarlsonlifecoach/ Bitches, Witches and Queers: https://www.christinamcarlson.com/podcast It’s Raining Tacos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npjF032TDDQ Donate to the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/introducingmepodcast Want to share your story and be a guest? Email: introducingmepodcast@gmail.com Find all the podcast social media and more on the website: https://www.introducingmepodcast.com Artwork: instagram.com/vashaundesigns Music/Editing: youtube.com/colemanrowlett

Daniel John Carey grew up in a difficult household, but he lives life knowing that his troubled life doesn’t define him. At sixteen he decided to hitchhike to California which ended up giving him hope for the future. He joined the Mormon Church to try and fix his life, but ultimately left religion altogether. John has written multiple books including Dream Another Dream and Dream Your World to motivate others to change their lives. Connect with John: www.twitter.com/JohnDijonCarey https://www.meetup.com/screenwriting-tribe/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/224849677934122/ Donate to the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/introducingmepodcast Want to share your story and be a guest? Email: introducingmepodcast@gmail.com Find all the podcast social media and more on the website: https://www.introducingmepodcast.com Artwork: instagram.com/vashaundesigns Music/Editing: youtube.com/colemanrowlett

Valena Beety is a former prosecutor who prosecuted cases with domestic and sexual violence. As a queer woman she noticed that convictions of people like her sometimes included no crime at all. She shares some of these stories in her book Manifesting Justice: Wrongly Convicted Women Reclaim Their Rights. She founded the West Virginia Innocence Project and is currently working to create the Innocence Project of Indiana in her home state where she is now a law professor. The Innocence Project Network: https://innocencenetwork.org/ Connect with Valena: www.valenabeety.com Buy her book: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/9780806541518/manifesting-justice/ Donate to the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/introducingmepodcast Want to share your story and be a guest? Email: introducingmepodcast@gmail.com Find all the podcast social media and more on the website: https://www.introducingmepodcast.com Artwork: instagram.com/vashaundesigns Music/Editing: youtube.com/colemanrowlett

Jyoti was born and raised in California and started to learn more about her Punjabi culture in college. When her therapist suggested she write as a way of healing trauma, Jyoti ended up turning to fiction novels where she brings in taboo topics in South Asian Communities. From her first book The Chaos Within Us to her upcoming book Finding Home, Jyoti loves sharing her stories. Connect with Jyoti: https://geetwrites.carrd.co/#about https://sincerelygeetmh.carrd.co/ https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22904762.Jyoti_Dhanota https://www.instagram.com/geetisbooked/ Donate to the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/introducingmepodcast Want to share your story and be a guest? Email: introducingmepodcast@gmail.com Find all the podcast social media and more on the website: https://www.introducingmepodcast.com Artwork: instagram.com/vashaundesigns Music/Editing: youtube.com/colemanrowlett

Lori Ann Wood was in good health when all of a sudden she had end-stage heart failure. Her heart was enlarged and functioning at 6% such that her doctors didn’t think she would survive. Heart failure is a progressive disease and continues to be something that Lori Ann has monitored. She started writing and recently published her book Divine Detour where she asks some tough faith-based questions. Connect with Lori Ann: https://loriannwood.com https://www.instagram.com/loriannwood/ https://www.facebook.com/DivinelyDetoured Buy her book: https://a.co/d/6sKILDN Donate to the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/introducingmepodcast Want to share your story and be a guest? Email: introducingmepodcast@gmail.com Find all the podcast social media and more on the website: https://www.introducingmepodcast.com Artwork: instagram.com/vashaundesigns Music/Editing: youtube.com/colemanrowlett

Michelle Shekhinah was living life as a mom married to a man that she thought was the one when things turned for the worse. After being together for 17 years, her ex showed her his secret world of drugs, alcohol, and sexual deviancy. With two special needs kids, she always made sure they were safe, and was eventually able to get out from her husband and divorced. Never able to say no to him, Michelle is now able to work through her traumas in therapy and advocate for other women to get out of similar situations. Connect with Michelle: https://fromthefloortothedoor.com Resources: https://www.womenindistress.org https://ncadv.org https://www.nsvrc.org Donate to the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/introducingmepodcast Want to share your story and be a guest? Email: introducingmepodcast@gmail.com Find all the podcast social media and more on the website: https://www.introducingmepodcast.com Artwork: instagram.com/vashaundesigns Music/Editing: youtube.com/colemanrowlett

In her memoir, Girl Hidden, Jesse René Gibbs, shares many heart wrenching details of her childhood. From a young age Jesse has experienced trauma and was able to escape her narcissistic mother and live with her grandparents until five-years-old. Moving back in with her mother and step-father, who treated Jesse like his girlfriend, her grandmother legally kidnapped her 18-months later. Unfortunately Jesse’s mother then illegally kidnapped her and Jesse wasn’t able to get out until leaving at 18 to Chicago and the Jesus People (JPUSA) which wasn’t the solution either. Jesse finally got out to Seattle with help from her best friend Jane and has since been able to safely reconnect with her younger siblings and find love with her husband and her step-kids. Connect with Jesse: https://www.girlhidden.com Donate to the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/introducingmepodcast Want to share your story and be a guest? Email: introducingmepodcast@gmail.com Find all the podcast social media and more on the website: https://www.introducingmepodcast.com Artwork: instagram.com/vashaundesigns Music/Editing: youtube.com/colemanrowlett