Nicole Ju moved to a predominantly white suburb with her Chinese-immigrant parents when she was in elementary school. Her parents moved to provide Nicole and her siblings with the American dream - a safe community, good schools and a nice house. But, despite their good intentions Nicole was subjected to racism and shamed for how she looked. As an elite athlete focused on ballet and swimming she always felt like she didn’t measure up. She was never enough. This manifested into an eating disorder, suicide attempts and multiple in-patient treatment stays. Nicole has worked hard the past 15-years to heal her mind, body and heart. Learn how Nicole has used her Yoga practice as a central part of her self-care. Bonus: Nicole is teaching live yoga classes for the defy community 2 times per week!

Show Notes:

“Lost Connections” by Johann Hari

https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Connections-Uncovering-Depression-Unexpected/dp/163286830X

Yoga by defy

https://www.defy.community/yoga

Katy Carothers was living her best 16-year-old teenage majorette life when she experienced a migraine for the first time. Little did she know that migraines and chronic pain management would become the dominant factor in her life. Learn how Katy was able to finally obtain effective treatment, the role that acceptance and commitment therapy has played in her pain management, why self-care really matters (spoiler alert, Katy is terrible at meditating) and strategies for engaging in self-advocacy to ensure you receive the right kind of medical care.

Show Notes:

“Loving What Is” by Byron Katie

https://www.amazon.com/Loving-What-Four-Questions-Change/dp/1400045371/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=byron+katie&qid=1608666338&sr=8-3

“How to be Sick” by Toni Bernhard

Camille “Cammie” Morgan was a 16-year-old cheerleader when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Cammie won the battle against cancer, but spent over 10-years in constant pain as a result of a myriad of reproductive issues. As a black woman Cammie’s own assessment of her pain was constantly questioned and minimized. Hear how Cammie was able to finally get her pain under control, how her trauma and experiences led her to question whether or not she wanted to live, how she has prioritized working on her mental health and how Behavior Analysis helped her realize that she is here for a reason.

Show Notes:

Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance: Survivors Teaching Students

https://ocrahope.org/get-involved/survivors-teaching-students/

Cammie’s podcast: Love, Sex & ABA

https://anchor.fm/lovesexaba

Sarah Trautman lives life BIG! Big hair, big hoops, big mouth. She’s used her leadership, business and public speaking skills to help her attain a lot of professional success. But what about the private person behind the public persona? How did Sarah create such a huge division between who she “plays” on stage and at work and who she is at home? How has 2020 forced her to reconcile her identity to herself? And what comes next? Listen as danyelle beal flips the script on defy’s podcast host and makes her get uncomfortably vulnerable, open and...soft (seriously, it happened).

Dr. Alycia Halladay has been working full-time from home during the pandemic while also mothering her twin daughters (one of whom is on the autism spectrum). Dr. Halladay is the Chief Science Officer at the Autism Science Foundation and has authored over 50 scientific publications. In a nutshell, Dr. Halladay is a smartie pants and loves to share her love of science with anyone who will listen to her. On this episode Dr. Halladay talks about her own story as a mother of a young daughter with autism. She also provides up-to-date information about the current status of COVID-19 vaccines. And Alycia comes clean about her love affair with ALL things New Jersey, like Bruce Springsteen, the Jersey Shore and the Real Housewives!!

Guest Info:

Dr. Alycia Hallady is the Chief Science Officer at the Autism Science Foundation. She oversees the science programs and portfolio of ASF. She previously served as Senior Director of Environmental and Clinical Sciences at Autism Speaks. She holds a PhD in psychology from Rutgers University and completed a post doctoral fellowship in pharmacology and toxicology at Rutgers University. Alycia is also a mother to twin girls, Jennifer and Sarah. Alycia’s daughter, Sarah, is also on the Autism Spectrum.

Show Notes:

Autism Science Foundation

https://autismsciencefoundation.org/

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jir.12776

“Growing up I never saw people like me in power...and I wanted to change that”. Carolina Gonzalez was born to a Guatemalan father and Mexican mother. She and her 5 siblings were raised in Watts by her maternal grandmother after her mother was diagnosed with schizophrenia when she was 5-years-old. Carolina constantly questioned the religious and cultural traditions of her Mexican family - why did she have to stay in the house while her brothers went out to play? Why did she have to make food for the entire family? Carolina wanted more. Learn how Carolina became the first person in her family to graduate from college, the role that mentorship has played in her life and how she has dedicated her career to helping brown and black children with special needs.

Show Notes:

Special Needs Network, Inc

https://snnla.org/

danyelle beal was born when her teen mother was in prison for murdering her father in self-defense. She spent her childhood being abused and passed through the foster care system as her mother battled alcohol and drug addiction. danyelle swore she wouldn’t turn out like her mother, but then found herself pregnant by an abusive partner at the age of 19 AND with custody of her younger brother after her mother died. BUT, despite all of the challenges of her live, danyelle has found a path forward - becoming a BCBA, business owner, and wife to the love of her life. So how’d she do it? You’ll have to listen to this episode to find out...

An Chang spent the first part of her life in Taiwan being neglected by her birth parents and bullied by her peers. She was adopted by her paternal aunt and moved to Los Angeles at age 8. An didn’t understand how the circumstances related to her birth parent’s own experiences impacted her childhood until she discovered Behavior Analysis. An’s ability to maintain a circumstantial view of life has allowed her to forgive her birth parents and have helped her to exceed even her own wildest dreams.

Show Notes:

K-Lab at Cal State Northridge

https://klab-csun.weebly.com/

Emily Callahan looked like she had it ALL - a great marriage, her dream job and an awesome kid. And then her entire life changed when her 3-year-old son, Jack, was diagnosed with cancer. Emily had to relocate her family to a different state in order for her son to receive the best treatment, had to quit her job and navigate her marriage through a crisis. Learn how Emily was able to use her training as a psychologist and behavior analyst to help her make it through to the other side and why her female relationships helped her hold it together when she didn’t think she had anything left.

Show Notes:

Jack Callahan’s Caring Bridge

https://www.caringbridge.org/public/jackcallahan

Thank you to the Frontline Workers

https://vimeo.com/410644890

Why an Optimistic View is Good for your Health

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-science-behind-behavior/201607/4-reasons-why-optimistic-outlook-is-good-your-health%3famp

Reveal is focused on showcasing stories of women and how they've persevered through incredible circumstances and transformed their lives. Is this a show about perfection? Nope, ‘cause that doesn't exist. Is this a show full of empty self-help quotes for you to put on your IG? Hell no, that ain't our style.

This is a show about how revealing your whole self to others can transform your life, can elevate other women and can create powerful connections. We welcome you to join us...