Join Melissa as she engages in a soul-stirring conversation with Courtney Gonzales, a remarkable woman who identifies as a brown individual with European roots on her mother's side, and Mexican and Indigenous roots on her father's side. Courtney is the Co-Founder of Soul Root, where she cultivates food and herbal medicine, and the Founder of Moonlight Floreciendo, creating plant medicine for her community.

Courtney opens her heart and shares her unique journey as a mixed-race and multicultural individual, reconnecting with the spirituality of her ancestors. Melissa and Courtney explore the profound ways in which spirituality can be interwoven into different aspects of life, even when it was not initially modeled by one's family.

Courtney discusses how she strengthened her connection with the earth and the moon, finding a profound sense of grounding and healing. She shares how following her intuition and embracing her cultural heritage transformed her life's path and led her to create powerful change within her community.

In this enlightening conversation, Melissa and Courtney explore the transformative power of embracing one's cultural roots and spiritual connection. They discuss the profound significance of incorporating ancestral practices, such as food and plant medicine, as a means to honor heritage and heal.

Tune in to All Parts Welcome as we celebrate the beauty of embracing one's multiracial and multicultural identity, finding solace and strength in spiritual connections, and creating positive change through intuition and ancestral wisdom. Join us in this journey of self-discovery and connection to the essence of our being.

This week's guest: 
Moonlight Floreciendo Instagram 

Moonlight Floreciendo: A Path Illuminated Patreon 

Sol Root- [email protected] 

Sol Root's Instagram

If you have any questions or comments, you can find Melissa here:
http://melissa-gonzales.com/

[email protected]

Episode was edited by Abbey Dot. For more information, find Abbey here:

AbbeyDotProductions.com
[email protected]

Music by RomanSenykMusic from Pixabay

Prepare to be inspired and captivated in this week's episode of All Parts Welcome. Join Melissa as she sits down with the incredibly talented Minhi England, a Glass Artist and finalist on Season 3 of Netflix's hit show, Blown Away. Minhi's journey as an artist is intricately intertwined with her multiracial and multicultural identity as an Asian American with a Korean mother and American father. Born in Germany and raised in upstate New York, Minhi's art serves as a medium to process profound emotions such as loss, grief, and life-altering transitions.

With vulnerability and authenticity, Minhi opens up about her experience growing up as a Korean American in a predominantly non-Asian community. She shares poignant childhood memories that led her to rebel against her culture during her teenage years. Melissa and Minhi delve into the universal experience of rejecting parts of oneself as an adolescent, as well as the transformative journey of reconnecting with those aspects in adulthood.

In a truly heartfelt conversation, Minhi also reveals her experience as a young widow and how she channels her grief into her art. She explores the parallels between the unpredictability of life and the fluidity of her glasswork, creating pieces that encapsulate the profound beauty and fragility of existence.

Join Melissa and Minhi as they explore the depths of artistic expression, cultural identity, and the transformative power of embracing all parts of oneself. Discover how Minhi's artistic journey intertwines with her life experiences, offering insights into the human condition and inspiring listeners to find solace and growth through their own creative outlets. Tune in to All Parts Welcome, where the magic of embracing one's cultural background and personal expression takes center stage.

This weeks guest:

https://www.minhi.com/

https://www.instagram.com/m.i.n.h.i/

If you have any questions or comments, you can find Melissa here:
http://melissa-gonzales.com/

[email protected]

Episode was edited by Abbey Dot. For more information, find Abbey here:

AbbeyDotProductions.com
[email protected]

Music by RomanSenykMusic from Pixabay

Welcome to All Parts Welcome.

In this episode, Melissa engages in a heartfelt conversation with Nicole Xenos, a remarkable individual who embodies multiple intersecting identities. Nicole, a multiracial, third-generation, neurodivergent, queer person residing in Boulder, Colorado, is the founder of Painted One Healing, specializing in identity development, interracial couples counseling, and healing from narcissistic abuse.

Melissa and Nicole delve into the intricacies of growing up as interracial individuals and the impact of comments and actions from their parents that unknowingly influenced their self-perception. Nicole courageously shares her personal journey of experiencing narcissistic abuse, which ultimately led her to the profound work she does today.

Together, they explore the importance of embracing all aspects of our identities, even those that may be considered taboo or unwelcome. They discuss the complexities of recognizing and healing from narcissistic abuse, including identifying gaslighting and emotional manipulation within relationships.

Join Melissa and Nicole as they navigate the depths of embracing one's multiracial and multicultural identity, recognizing the impact of narcissistic abuse, and providing tools for healing and self-discovery. Tune in to All Parts Welcome, where we celebrate the strength and resilience that emerges from embracing our unique journeys.

Find this week’s guest:

www.paintedonehealing.com

[email protected]

If you have any questions or comments, you can find Melissa here:
http://melissa-gonzales.com/

[email protected]

Episode was edited by Abbey Dot. For more information, find Abbey here:

AbbeyDotProductions.com
[email protected]

Music by RomanSenykMusic from Pixabay

Welcome to another episode of All Parts Welcome. In this episode, Melissa engages in a meaningful conversation with Gita Kulkarni, the Founder of Humors Edge, an organization dedicated to helping individuals find and express their unique sense of humor to enhance productivity in all areas of life. Gita's background is a beautiful blend of cultures—her father is Indian, while her mother comes from Suriname, a culturally diverse country in South America with influences from Indonesia, Africa, and Spain.

Gita shares her personal experiences as a mixed-race and multicultural individual, navigating a world that often fails to provide enough checkboxes to capture the complexity of her identity. Melissa and Gita explore the significance of humor, particularly in the face of cultural and societal challenges. They discuss the power of laughter in fostering connection and resilience.

Gita opens up about her upbringing with parents from two distinct cultural backgrounds and the insights she gained from navigating the differences. She candidly shares her experience in her first marriage—an arranged marriage with an Indian man—where she discovered the misalignment of priorities. Gita reflects on the lessons learned and how she ultimately found a deeply loving partnership that embraces and celebrates all parts of her identity.

Melissa and Gita delve into the importance of intentionally choosing the right people in one's life, individuals who uplift and honor the multifaceted nature of our identities. They discuss the journey of self-discovery, self-acceptance, and the power of embracing all aspects of our culture and heritage.

Join us for an enlightening conversation as we explore the importance of humor, cultural identity, and the transformative power of choosing authentic connections. Tune in to All Parts Welcome, where we celebrate the beauty of multiracial and multicultural identities.

This weeks guest:

[email protected]

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gitakulkarni/

If you have any questions or comments, you can find Melissa here: http://melissa-gonzales.com/

[email protected]

Episode was edited by Abbey Dot. For more information, find Abbey here:

AbbeyDotProductions.com [email protected]

Music by RomanSenykMusic from Pixabay

In this episode, Melissa talks with Shelby Remillard, a licensed counselor in NYC who specializes in helping clients heal from trauma, explore grief and loss, and build healthy relationships. Shelby shares her unique experience as Indigenous from the Laguna Pueblo and Filipina, using humor and candor to tell her story.

Growing up in a conservative, predominantly white community in Colorado Springs, Shelby struggled to connect with her heritage and identity as a mixed-race individual. Despite feeling a strong connection to her Indigenous father's side, she found herself drawn to her mother's Filipino and Hawaiian heritage as she got older.

Shelby also discusses her experience with Christianity and how it influenced her relationship with spirituality. While she found comfort in certain aspects of the religion, she ultimately felt the need to seek out a more inclusive and accepting community that aligned with her values.

Melissa and Shelby also delve into the impact of religion and spirituality on mental health, community, and culture, and the importance of finding a sense of belonging and connection in the healing process. They touch on topics such as white supremacy within organized religion, the beauty of connecting with your ancestral spirituality, and the role of humor in coping with trauma.

This weeks guest:

[email protected]

If you have any questions or comments, you can find Melissa here:
http://melissa-gonzales.com/

[email protected]

Episode was edited by Abbey Dot. For more information, find Abbey here:

AbbeyDotProductions.com
[email protected]

Music by RomanSenykMusic from Pixabay

In this episode of All Parts Welcome, Melissa Gonzales sits down with Mauricio Verduzo, a therapist with the Tree of Life Counseling Center. With a focus on providing mental health services to marginalized communities, Mauricio brings a unique perspective to the conversation around toxic masculinity and what can be done to support men in their healing.

Mauricio opens up about his experiences growing up as a Latinx in Texas and Mexico, and how his upbringing shaped his understanding of masculinity. He discusses the pervasive cultural messages that promote toxic masculinity, and the ways in which it can harm individuals and communities.

Together, Mauricio and Melissa explore the different ways toxic masculinity can manifest in men, including aggression, suppression of emotions, and a focus on dominance and power. They discuss the importance of breaking down these stereotypes and promoting healthy models of masculinity.

Mauricio also shares insights from his work in helping men heal from the effects of toxic masculinity, including building empathy, promoting vulnerability, and breaking down cultural norms that hold men back from seeking help.

Listeners will leave this episode with a deeper understanding of the ways toxic masculinity impacts individuals and communities, and actionable steps they can take to support men in their healing journey.

This weeks guest:
http://www.treeoflifecounselingcenter.org

If you have any questions or comments, you can find Melissa here:
http://melissa-gonzales.com/

[email protected]

Episode was edited by Abbey Dot. For more information, find Abbey here:

AbbeyDotProductions.com
[email protected]

Music by RomanSenykMusic from Pixabay

In this episode of All Parts Welcome, Melissa Gonzales talks with Nyomie Tarpley, a Licensed Professional Counselor practicing in South Central Virginia. Nyomie shares her experience growing up in the South with a white mother and black father, navigating complicated family dynamics and facing prejudice from people in the community.

Nyomie also shares how she struggled with her identity and often felt like she didn't fully belong in either the white or black communities, leading to feelings of isolation and insecurity. However, as she grew older, Nyomie realized that she didn't need to fit into any particular mold and that her unique blend of cultures and experiences was something to be celebrated.

Nyomie discusses how her own journey towards self-love and acceptance has influenced her work as a counselor, and how she has used her personal experiences to create a guided journal to help others grow in self-love as well. The journal encourages individuals to reflect on their own experiences and explore their identities, while also providing prompts and exercises to help build self-esteem and a positive self-image.

Join Melissa and Nyomie as they dive into the importance of self-love and acceptance in our multi-racial and multicultural identities. They also discuss the ways in which we can empower ourselves and each other to embrace our unique cultural backgrounds and use them as a source of strength and resilience.

This weeks guest:

https://thesoulcenteredhealing.com/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BQHKX8WS?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_VJ8VHD2KXRQGX8A82827

If you have any questions or comments, you can find Melissa here:
http://melissa-gonzales.com/

[email protected]

Episode was edited by Abbey Dot. For more information, find Abbey here:

AbbeyDotProductions.com
[email protected]

Music by RomanSenykMusic from Pixabay

Welcome back to All Parts Welcome. In this episode, Melissa Gonzales talks with Lorraine Monteagut, author of Brujas: The Magic and Power of Witches of Color. Lorraine identifies as a Bruja and Green Witch, and her book delves into the rich history and power of witches of color.

Melissa and Lorraine discuss the creation of the book, including Lorraine's personal journey of connecting with her grandmother after her passing, and how this inspired her to explore the intersection of her cultural heritage and ancestoral magic. They also explore the significance of folklore in passing down lessons when trauma cannot be talked about directly.

Lorraine shares her experiences as a Bruja and how it has impacted her life and work as an author. Melissa and Lorraine also delve into the topic of generational trauma and how it affects individuals and families, and how embracing one's cultural heritage and learning about one’s ancestoral history can aid in healing.

Join us for a fascinating discussion on the magic and power of witches of color, the significance of embracing one's cultural heritage, and connecting with your family through stories. Tune in to All Parts Welcome, and celebrate the magic of multicultural and multiracial identities.

This weeks guest:

[email protected]

https://www.amazon.com/Brujas-Magic-Power-Witches-Color/dp/1641603992

If you have any questions or comments, you can find Melissa here:
http://melissa-gonzales.com/

[email protected]

Episode was edited by Abbey Dot. For more information, find Abbey here:

AbbeyDotProductions.com
[email protected]

Music by RomanSenykMusic from Pixabay

Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of All Parts Welcome. In this episode, host Melissa Gonzales has an engaging conversation with Cynthia (Cyndi) Walker, an advocate in the workplace and schools for social economic bias and fair treatment for all.

Cyndi shares her unique experience of being born to a Norwegian father and Chicano mother on a naval base in Japan and later moving to Colorado at a young age. They discuss the complexities of cultural and racial identity, and the challenges of navigating societal expectations and the need to check boxes on official forms that may limit one's sense of identity.

Cyndi also shares her family's experience of assimilating to American culture and losing their own Spanish culture, including language, food, and customs. Drawing on her over 15 years of experience working in restaurants, Cyndi shares how her exposure to various cultures has shaped her own identity and worldview.

Melissa and Cyndi delve into the impact of assimilation on cultural identity, the importance of preserving one's heritage, and the significance of embracing diversity in our communities and workplaces. Join us as we explore the multifaceted nature of cultural and racial identity and the impact of societal expectations. Tune in to All Parts Welcome, and join us in celebrating the magic of multicultural and multiracial identities.

Find this week’s guest:

[email protected]

https://www.tiktok.com/@cyndiloomanitou

If you have any questions or comments, you can find Melissa here:
http://melissa-gonzales.com/

[email protected]

Episode was edited by Abbey Dot. For more information, find Abbey here:

AbbeyDotProductions.com
[email protected]

Music by RomanSenykMusic from Pixabay

Welcome back to All Parts Welcome, podcast that celebrates the beauty and complexity of multicultural and multiracial identities. In this episode, host Melissa Gonzales has a heartfelt conversation with Gabriela (Gaby) Hurtado, a clinical psychologist based in Austin, TX, and co-founder of Prickly Pear Therapy and Training, an organization that provides culturally responsive, neuroaffirmative, and trauma-informed services.

Gaby shares her personal experience of immigrating to the United States for her education and navigating the challenges that came with living outside of her culture. From this experience she describes how, as an immigrant, it can feel like you are leaving parts of yourself behind in order to assimulate into a new culture and safely make your way.

Melissa and Gaby also delve into the importance of finding the language to describe the immigrant experience and the significance of finding a community that understands and supports one's unique journey. They discuss the impact of cultural identity on mental health and the importance of culturally responsive therapy and trauma-informed care.

Join us as we explore the complexities of immigrating, navigating culture shock, and finding a sense of belonging. Tune in to All Parts Welcome, and celebrate the resilience and strength of individuals who embrace their multicultural and multiracial identities.

Find this week’s guest here:

https://pricklypeartherapy.com/

[email protected]

If you have any questions or comments, you can find Melissa here:
http://melissa-gonzales.com/
[email protected]

Episode was edited by Abbey Dot. For more information, find Abbey here:
AbbeyDotProductions.com
[email protected]

Music by RomanSenykMusic from Pixabay