Beautiful Strength: The Podcast

x

Arbour Season travels full time in a converted school bus playing colleges, house shows, theme parks and other venues across North America. Alongside the duo is the cutest 2 and a half year old in the world with a baby on the way. Arbour Season in an indie/folk duo who's sole passion is to bring hope and positivity wherever they go.

"Today I am a single mother of an 8 year old young man lol. I will be the first to admit with being a single mother comes challenges. I, Chawnika Sanders, am the sole provider for my son. His reality right now is he is being raised in a single parent household. Some days I want to take a break and just stop the routine that has become apart of our everyday lives. Not to do anything but lounge around and throw up a middle finger to the constant fast forward of our on the go everyday living. Because mama has to work. Of course I don't because I have to save time for those days when, out of no where, our world is interrupted by the things that are out of our control."

-

Baby Mamas we got this. When our world is interrupted take a moment to yourself. You deserve that much. Let your child know when you are overwhelmed. They will appreciate it and understand. Kids don't come with instructions. You won't get everything right. Today, with you I stand in the chaos that has become our lives!!"

- Chawnika Sanders: Strong as a Mother

Allison Quintanilla Plattsmier, Ed.D., CFRE, CNP, SHRM-CP:

Dr. Allison Quintanilla Plattsmier has over ten years of experience in the nonprofit sector and has raised approximately $3.3 million collectively for over 50 organizations. She currently runs her own nonprofit consulting firm, AQP Consulting. A Nashville native, she has watched Nashville's transition from a quaint city with a small-town vibe to the "it" city. She has been at the forefront of issues such as the affordable housing crisis, transit referendum, and the city's urban planning and infrastructure design through the creation of Nashville's first art park, William Edmondson Park. A sought-after DEI practitioner, she is a vocal advocate for gender parity, closing the wage gap, and ending the motherhood penalty.

Elisabeth Donaldson is an Actress, Filmmaker and Multidisciplinary artist living in Nashville TN. After moving to Nashville from Los Angeles in 2009 to work non profit- Elisabeth found her way back into the film world as a music video wardrobe stylist- styling projects for bands such as The Black Keys and Brad Paisley. She also began stepping into the world of photography- "it started out as just taking advanced selfies so I could have photos for a thrift blog I was doing at the time- and then turned into so much more."

From there she started Directing music videos all while carving out a strong place for herself as a go to comedy actress in Nashville. "I just started really leaning into comedy and using all the behind the camera and social media skills I had developed- and things really started taking shape. The longer time goes on- the more I realize just how much I LOVE to make people laugh. In a world that can feel so insane- it's so important to me to bring others joy and encouragement."

My journey began in 1970 at age 5. That's when I first felt the same as my mother or grandmother. I was sent to psychiatrist in 1975 for two years. He would spend the next two years teaching me that being a girl, wanting to be a girl, liking girl things was Bad! When you are that age you believe a Doctor 100%. So for a very long time felt I was broken and had a secret that I could never tell anyone. It wasn't until I turned 50 that I was able to obtain the courage to start coming out. I didn't start Estrogen injections until April 12th 2018. I openly transitioned to my entire Department at Vanderbilt University. I have tried so hard to be open in my transition to everyone in hopes that people may learn more about Transgender people and be more accepting to others. Its the hardest most gratifying thing I have ever accomplished.

In this episode, Jonathan Pillot, the founder of We Are All 18, speaks about the company's intergenerational approach to encourage young people to share their stories and use their voices and show up to Vote. He is a human who believes in the power of young people and wants them to know they are seen and we, as adults, have their back. We Are All 18 is a movement that entertains and also elevates young people and wants them to know that their voice matters. In a time where polarization and lack of civil discourse are becoming the norm, Jonathan and We Are All 18 believe in democracy, authenticity, and most of all humanity. #wereall18 #vote

In this episode we sit down with two fun, energetic, and driven ladies from Nurture the Next. Their mission is to create a future for children and families filled with promise and prosperity. Their vision is to see all children in Tennessee thriving in safe, stable and nurturing families and communities. For over 35 years, the organization's mission has been to support parents and the communities where they live in creating loving homes that make children feel nurtured. In 2008, they committed to using evidence-based program models in our daily work. Nurture the Next's programs are rooted in research and proven to positively impact the lives of both the children and the adults in the home. In 2010, they expanded their direct services to families from three counties to 20 counties in Tennessee. Today, they provide in-home parenting support in 30 counties in Tennessee and offer several statewide programs. Previously known as Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee, they recently took on a new name to put greater emphasis on what they do, rather than what they prevent.

In this episode we sit down with Chris & Ashley Vicari. Two of the nicest people you will ever meet, who will make the best parents ever. In 2018, Ashley was diagnosed with "POI," Premature Ovarian Insufficiency, or pre-menopause. Ashley and Chris share their IVF story and the emotional rollercoaster this process can be. From the diagnosis, to grieving, leaning on one another and strengthening their marriage, looking at various options and choosing IVF and then last but not least, tackling the cost of such an expensive process. The Vicari's are at the beginning/middle of this journey and we want to help share their story any way we can. Infertility can be a difficult subject for people to talk about openly and we are grateful for Ashley & Chris for sharing their story.

"For us, we believe our next step is IVF. In full transparency, our IVF process will consist of purchasing eggs, transporting them to Nashville, fertilizing them, then transplanting them. In addition to doctor fees - most of which is not covered by either of our insurance, this process costs around $30,000."

Donations can be made to the Vicari's GoFund me or via Venmo @Ashley-Fussell

https://www.gofundme.com/f/ashley-and-chris-ivf-journey

UPDATE!!!

Back in February, Sarah Craighead, Brian's wife contacted us to ask if we would photograph her husband who was looking for a kidney. Brian posed for his photo and then told his story on Beautiful Strength: The Podcast. Within a mere 24 hours, Jacie confirmed that she was destined to be Brian's donor. Months later, in May, Brian and Jacie would finally have the ability to meet and confirm through Vanderbilt that Jacie was a match. Fast forward to August 11th, 2020 a successful transplant was conducted in Nashville, TN. 7 weeks after "Phoenix" found it's new home in Brian, we gathered back together via a zoom podcast to reunite and celebrate such a monumental moment.