Armenian Enough

There are few life events more damaging to the soul than being a victim of sexual assault and/or rape. Survivors often struggle with feelings of shame and anger, exacerbated by a society that all too frequently places blame on victims rather than perpetrators. Sharing stories of survival is a powerful reminder that we are not in this alone.

Hear Aram Ronaldo speak candidly about sexual assault, existing in the murky trauma of its aftermath, and the eventual path towards healing.

You can reach Aram on his website at aramronaldokrikorian.wordpress.com

And on IG @lalimeohlonetransfer

Rainn.org

Rainn Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

TheTrevorProject.org

The Trevor Project Lifeline: 1-866-488-7386

What does it mean to be asexual? Aromantic? How do people who identify as Ace [asexual] establish intimate relationships which suit their needs as well as the needs of their partners? Writer Sarah Elgatian walks us through a frank and, at times, humorous discussion of sexuality, romance, identity - and the all too common struggle to be understood and accepted for who we genuinely are.

You can reach Sarah on her website at www.rahelgatian.com

and on IG @rahelgatian

For a good resource about Asexuality, Sarah recommends www.asexuality.org

Even people who never suffered from anxiety probably got to experience some over the last year. A global pandemic can do that to us! As adults, we generally have the benefit of perspective as well as a whole host of healthy and not-so-healthy coping mechanisms. But what can children do when they are the ones dealing with anxiety? Who is there to listen to their fears? And perhaps more importantly, how can we teach them constructive and effective methods of quieting the "buzzing" in their heads. Dr. Muradian, a therapist specializing in anxiety, has just published a children's book called Franky and the Worry Bees, about just this topic. Hear her speak about why we could all use a little help managing our discomfort.

You can reach Dr. Regine Muradian on her website www.reginemuradian.com

On IG @dr._regine_muradian

Purchase your copy of Franky and The Worry Bees here.

In this episode, we explore the experience of being African American and Armenian from a different vantage point than our previous episodes on this topic. As a bi-racial father raising his two daughters in a multi-ethnic family, David is uniquely equipped to guide and shape his children's sense of self and curate the cultural elements of their identity. The embodiment of goodwill and non-judgment, his perspective belies a deep and universal wisdom.

You can reach David on IG @david_d_415 and on LinkedIn at David Djanikian

How much would you have to love someone to spend years in their pursuit, travel across the world during a global pandemic, and brave living in a foreign country during wartime? Mandy Breitenstein and her husband Adam, as well as their four children, did just that in October of 2020 to retrieve their fifth child, Ember, from an Armenian orphanage.

Driven by her unshakeable faith in God, Mandy and her family embody the concept of brave love and show us all that we each have the ability and the responsibility to make the world a kinder place.

You can reach Mandy on IG @a_september_monday

Donate to the Emili Aregak center here.

@emili_aregak @aregakbakery

Armen Abelyan, founder of the NGO Equality Armenia, discusses the importance of embracing our LGBTQ community and its members while drawing on the rich and often forgotten history of the Armenian people. Now, perhaps more than ever before, it is clear that every single Armenian has a crucial role to play in securing the future of our culture and its continued existence.

You can reach Equality Armenia directly at www.EqualityArmenia.org as well as on FB @equalityarmenia and IG @EqualityArmenia

To donate and enter the raffle (ending January 6, 2021) buy your tickets here!

Do our possessions foster a sense of happiness and peace or can over-accumulation of material goods itself lead to anxiety and discomfort? What happens to all our "stuff" when we no longer need or want it? Sustainable minimalist expert Stephanie Seferian guides us beyond superficial decluttering to consider the broader implications, both personal and global, that our consumer culture promotes.

Listen to Stephanie's Sustainable Minimalism Podcast here

Pre-order her book Sustainable Minimalism: Embrace Zero Waste, Build Sustainability Habits That Last, and Become a Minimalist without Sacrificing the Planet wherever books are sold.

You can reach Stephanie on Facebook at @MamaMinimalist or IG @mommyminimalist as well as on her website www.MamaMinimalist.com

One of the least acknowledged populations in the Armenian community are Bolsahyes or Armenians from Istanbul. Armenians from Turkey are often subject to dual rejection - in Turkey, they are forced to repress their Armenian identity and in the diaspora, they must hide all aspects of Turkish culture, leaving them in a virtual "no man's land" of belonging. Tamar, whose Armenian parents hail from Turkey, discusses her conflicted thoughts and feelings as she claims her rightful place in the diaspora.

You can reach Tamar on IG @tamm_alexandra

The church can be a great source of comfort and support for many individuals. It forms part of a culture that we are often born into and from which we forge a sense of identity. But what happens when who you are conflicts with who you were taught you are supposed to be? For many LGBTQ folks, the church can be a source of pain and rejection. The love that is preached from the pulpits is not always, it seems, meant for every parishioner. People like the Reverend Tory Topjian are actively working to create a worship environment where everyone is not only welcome, but encouraged to come as they are. As church attendance is near historic lows, it's crucial to their survival to not only change with the times, but to genuinely connect with and offer spiritual guidance to their communities.

You can reach Tory at his church website www.milwaukeemcc.org Facebook - MilwaukeeMCC or Tory Topjian Twitter - RevToryTopjian

In the midst of turbulent times, we are confronted with the reality that we neither control nor fully understand the forces of destiny. What often appears to be a time ripe for despair may in fact be the beginning of our journey towards enlightenment. In embracing the mystery and accepting all that is, we uncover the immutable truth of the universe: that we are all one. As an intuitive energy healer, Ani weaves her compassion and sensitivity with her love of Armenian heritage and reverence for the wisdom of all our ancestors to provide guidance for those who seek it.

You can reach Ani on IG @ani.vibes