I am so happy that you get to hear my conversation with this week’s guest, Shara Ruffin, because I can tell that she is about to BLOW UP!! Listen as Shara, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and LinkedIn creator with close to 40,000 followers, shares her amazing journey from an abusive childhood home through difficult adult relationships to the breakthroughs that taught her what it took to truly know herself. Lately, so many people on social media have also been seeing Shara  for who she is: a clear, candid professional who genuinely cares about others. Now a mentor on Clubhouse to future  social workers while raising a family and getting ready to open her own private practice, Shara is deeply committed to using all she’s learned to empower women especially to see themselves as more than caregivers and with the power to do anything!

Once you’ve soaked in all of Shara’s truth and wisdom, be sure to connect with her on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Clubhouse @shararuffin, Instagram @shara_ruffin, and Facebook @journeytohealingandwellness!

I promise - you are going to LOVE this week’s AdultFluent episode, which features none other than Kal Smith - actor, model, and social media superstar! Kal is one of the most fun, fresh, and genuine people I’ve ever met, and I feel so fortunate to be able to share his wonderful energy with you. Listen as Kal, a TikTok creator with more than 1.1 million followers, describes how he recreated the iconic character Ed from the 90s Nickelodeon TV show All That and movie Good Burger, first in a viral 10-second Twitter video that got 1.2 million views in two days, and later at cosplay conventions, Nickelodeon pop-ups, and social media!  Always in character and with his heart on his sleeve, Kal’s mission as Ed is to make sure his adoring fans have a fun, unforgettable experience every time. Kal and I also discuss his amazing journey from college student to co-lead in a Hollywood movie, his roles in professional theater, and all the fun he’s had along the way!

Once you’ve enjoyed all of Kal’s awesome stories and energy, you can connect with him on Twitter and Instagram @kal_smith17 and on TikTok @goodburgered .

This week’s AdultFluent guest is automotive YouTuber and my fellow Floridian, Alexis Cisnero! After I heard of him through Tea With GaryVee, I knew that he would have so many valuable things to say, and he didn’t disappoint! .Listen as Alexis, one of my youngest guests and also one of the most open people I’ve ever had the privilege of speaking with, shares his journey of growing into the responsible yet ambitious man he’s become. A child of divorce, Alexis reveals what he’s learned from life and GaryVee that took him from getting into trouble to influencing others with his passion for cars and life! 22-years-old and with a family of his own, Alexis still makes time to pursue his dreams, knowing that he’s well on his way to reaching the greatness he’s destined for.

After the podcast, be sure to connect with Alexis on YouTube and Twitter @alexiscisnero, Instagram @alexiscisnero_, and TikTok @cisnerofamily.

On this week’s episode, my guest, digital marketer and social media queen Angela Giles gets right down to business to reveal how she helps people turn their passions into profits! Find out how Angela has used her creativity and knack for getting things done to build her incredibly successful business all while working from home as a married mother of three! She believes that in today’s world, with the right approach, anyone from any background can have a successful online business. Once you’ve learned some of the tips and tricks that Angela has picked up over her 18 years  in the digital arena, be sure to connect with her at angelagiles.com or simple-profit.com. Also check out  her groundbreaking Simple Profit Community on Facebook or see what inspires her more than 22,000 Pinterest followers @angelakgiles, where she provides insights and tools on the power of mindset, how to get clients, and so much more!

ADHD advocate. TikTok creator. Podcaster. Classical musician. Pizza craftsman. Yes, Erik Gude, this week’s AdultFluent guest, is all of these things, but as you’ll soon see, he is so much more. Diagnosed with ADHD at age 15, Erik has learned to use it as a superpower to live his best life. I was incredibly impressed with the depth of his knowledge on all things ADHD, but even more so by his heart and how much he cares about helping others. Listen as Erik shares his journey, gives practical tips on managing ADHD, and reveals what motivates him to develop content for his more than 132,000 TikTok followers.

If you’d like, be sure to check out Erik’s podcast “Catie and Erik’s Infinite Quest: An ADHD Adventure” and connect with him on TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram @heygude.To engage with even more ADHD-related content on TikTok, Erik also recommends visiting #adhd, @catieosaurus, @adhdeverything, @kamden_adhd, @adhadult, and @danidonovan. (Insider tip: If you feel like engaging with these content creators even more, then at the tops of their TikTok homepages, check for links to their accounts on other platforms, including their online communities on Discord). Finally, here’s a link to the incredible poem “Wild Geese” by Mary Oliver that Erik read: http://www.famouspoetsandpoems.com/poets/mary_oliver/poems/15809

I can’t wait for you to hear this episode featuring yoga teacher and social media master Kayla Kleinman. Hailing from New York City,  Kayla has used her creativity, courage, and drive to build an impressive following on social media about all things yoga and fitness. From her background in theater to her talent for combining her many interests (showtunes yoga, anyone?), I’m sure you’ll be as impressed by Kayla as I was. She is truly a light!

Once you hear Kayla’s amazing story and strategies for social media success, you can connect with her on Instagram @kaylakleinman and on her blog Kayla in the City (www.kaylainthecity.com).

Looking for fresh ways to lose weight and keep it off for good? Then you’ll love this week’s episode with Justin Slimm! Find out the unique perspectives that  Justin, a fitness trainer and former hockey referee, developed after losing 70 pounds in one year and that he now uses to help others take their own journey to health. He is all about keeping it real, empowerment, looking at the big picture, and getting results that last. No wonder he’s one of my favorite AdultFluent guests so far! After you soak up all of Justin’s awesome tips and strategies, you can connect with him on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @slimmfitness, on Facebook @slimmfitnesscanada, or on his website: www.justinslimm.com.  Also be sure to check out his Calgary Fitness Podcast!

***Warning*** Please know that this week’s AdultFluent episode contains in-depth, honest discussions of addiction and homelessness, which are often overlooked during the holidays and also briefly touches on suicide and depression.  While we believe that this episode will inspire you as well as expand your awareness of these topics, if any of them are triggering for you, ,please consider this before listening.****

AdultFluent is about to get real and raw. I feel honored to present the amazingly candid and inspiring conversation that I recently shared with this week’s guest, Mariah Coleman. A survivor of addiction and homelessness, Mariah opened up to me in unflinching detail about her life as a college athlete, her path into drugs and rehab, and how she met the angel who helped her and her mother to find a home of their own again. Through it all, Mariah was open, honest, and wanted only to share her truth and what she learned along the way in order to help others.  I am sure that you will be as impressed and moved by her story as I was. To connect with Mariah, visit her on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube @lettielotoj.

I am so excited for you to experience an AdultFluent first. In this episode, I interview not one, but four guests: Daniel, Leezen, and Thang, the co-owners of Momo Shack, along with Chef Minieu. Momos - Nepalese dumplings - are at the heart of these Dallas entrepreneurs’ business, but there is so much more to their story. Find out what brought these longtime friends together and the “secret sauce” that’s making them AdultFluent and helping their brand grow. To connect with Momo Shack and all they offer, check them out on Instagram @momoshackdumplings, Facebook @momoshackhimalayandumplings, and on their website: www.momoshackdumplings.com

In this episode, I interview Drew Ackerman, the creator and host of the podcast Sleep With Me, one of the top two hundred in the world with over ten million downloads! Drew began this journey in 2013 with no podcast experience and by watching YouTube videos and now helps countless listeners get the good night’s sleep he believes they deserve. In our 30-minute conversation, Drew describes how he combined memories of childhood insomnia with a playful yet practical approach to his career and life that has led him to overcome setbacks and reach his own definition of success. I can’t wait for you to be as blown away by Drew’s honesty, humility, and heart as I was! After you’re done, you can connect with him on his website: www.sleepwithmepodcast.com or on Instagram @dearestscooter