In the Wake

***Trigger Warning***
This is a heavier episode as we speak of childhood abuse, addiction, and trauma. If you are suffering or recovering from a mood or mental disorder, an addiction, or are a victim of abuse, please listen with caution or skip this episode entirely. The last thing I would want is for hearing these things to set you back in your healing journey or to trigger negative thoughts or emotions. Also, if you are a bit more sensitive or an empath, you also may want to listen with caution. 

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As a survivor of early childhood trauma and a recovered alcoholic, April looks to shatter the stigmas and shame that surround both these experiences. From age 2 to 5, she was sexually molested, starved, and beaten. After enduring these life-altering experiences that many people could not fathom, she went on to struggle emotionally in life for quite some time. This truly displayed itself later in adult life through addiction and other toxic relationships and behaviors. 

Her purpose now is to be a voice for those suffering - to shed light on abuse, recovery, and the journey that it takes to dig through the pain and wreckage they both cause. She believes the veil needs to be lifted on the prevalence of child sexual abuse as well as sex trafficking. Survivors of abuse deserve a voice and the resources to help them overcome their trauma. 

In this episode, April shares her raw and vulnerable story with us and how her childhood trauma led her to self-medicate and fall into an alcohol addiction. She went through a rehab program at a facility where they addressed healing both the trauma and addiction. After working with her sponsor, attending AA meetings, and doing the hard inner work, she is currently sober and thriving as an advocate, podcaster, and owner of The Hills Beauty Lounge Day & Med Spa. 

April takes us through her rock bottom and the turning point that led her to where she is now. We discuss the myths and stigmas around addiction and abuse, lingering triggers from her trauma, and what self care practices work for her.

"Whether it was with my addiction or trauma, there was always a lack of self love and I felt almost as if I didn't deserve good things." - April Hill (quoted from this episode)

Tune in to hear the rest of her powerful story and what her healing journey has entailed. 

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Connect with April Hill:

• Website: abuserecoverysuccess.org
• Instagram: @april_thehills

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Resource:

• Street Light USA

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Song: Hello by Adele

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Follow along with the rest of my journey.

• Instagram: 
  • @whytli
  • @inthewakewithwhytli
• Facebook: Whytli Rogers
• Twitter: @whytli
• Pinterest: Whytli
• LinkedIn: Whytli Rogers
• Website: whytli.com
• Contact me here.

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{ Use promo code: WAKE for $5 off The Way Thru Boundaries Workbook }

Raven Delana is the Founder, Strategist and Coach at The Way Thru. She works to support your creative vision as a mirror to help you see your blind spots, a magnifying glass to bring your vision into focus, and a spotlight on your shadows so that you can do the work required up-level your creative venture and contribute to your community in meaningful ways. 

With over 15 years of experience developing marketing and operational strategies for solo business owners, Raven is on a mission to help other perfectly imperfect visionaries work through the barriers and get their work into the world using mindful practices such as self-care, meditation, and yoga.

In this episode, we dissect boundaries and the work and conversations around boundary setting. Boundaries sometimes get a negative reputation (for lack of better words) but I learned so much from Raven during this discussion and would hope you listen in with an open mind eager to learn as well. Raven takes us through the following:

• Myths, misconceptions, and stigmas around what boundaries are 
• Countering those misconceptions to define what boundaries actually are
• Defining the differences between porous, rigid, and healthy boundaries
• Framework for boundary setting
• Getting clear on your values
• Listening to your body when it comes to boundaries
• Consequences vs. punishment
• Verbal and non-verbal boundary setting
• How to have those hard conversations around boundaries
• Honoring other people's boundaries

Integrity + Self Advocacy = Boundaries

"My definition of integrity is when all of the things about you match up -- your thoughts, your actions, your beliefs, your value set -- all of these things should align. When that happens, you then have to advocate for yourself based on those things and that's when you begin to set boundaries." -Raven Robinson (quoted from this episode)

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Connect with Raven and her work:

• Instagram: @thewaythru
• Website: thewaythru.com
• Workbook: The Way Thru Boundaries: A Workbook with Raven Delana
  • USE PROMO CODE: WAKE for $5 off 

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Song: I Get Out by Lauryn Hill 

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Follow along with the rest of my journey.

• Instagram: @whytli or @inthewakewithwhytli
• Facebook: Whytli Rogers
• Twitter: @whytli
• Pinterest: Whytli
• LinkedIn: Whytli Rogers
• Website: whytli.com
• Contact me here. 

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Kerrian Fournier is the CEO and Founder of Vybrante Ventures, a professional services
company dedicated to unlocking the highest level of performance for innovative companies, teams, and professionals by igniting their vibrancy and innovation. She is certified as an Executive Coach and is passionate about unleashing everyone’s highest selves. Kerrian splits her time between NYC and Long Island and is a divorced mother to a #TheFutureIsFemale 15-yr old daughter, Isabella.

In this episode, Kerrian and I discuss the comparison trap we all sometimes find ourselves in and how to consciously shift those patterns. It can suck us dry of life and energy when we find ourselves in a loop of judgment, comparison, and jealousy. Kerrian shares how it changes a person and what to do about it. After her 'Trinity of Trauma' she began to show up to her life in a whole new light. In this episode we will cover the following:

• Comparison trap
• Moving from judgment to curiosity
• Balancing your energy
• Finding exploration vs. setting expectations

Tune in to hear more from Kerrian herself!!

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Connect with Kerrian:

• Website: vybrante.com
• Instagram: @vybrante_ventures
• Facebook: Vybrante Ventures
• LinkedIn: Kerrian Fournier 

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Song: You Gotta Be by Des'ree

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Follow along with the rest of my journey.

• Instagram:
  • @whytli
  • @inthewakewithwhytli
• Facebook: Whytli Rogers
• Pinterest: Whytli
• Twitter: @whytli
• LinkedIn: Whytli Rogers
• Website: whytli.com
• Contact me here.

Support the show

As a Family Therapist for over 20 years, Jodi empowers people to become their own healer. As an anxiety survivor and a mom of teens, Jodi totally gets it. Her TEDxWilmington talk, “Calm Anxious Kids,” and her new book, Anxiety…I'm So Done with You! are changing the way we understand the current mental health crisis.

In this episode, Jodi shares her perspective and insight into anxiety and coping/curing that anxiety. She busts myths society has regarding anxiety, shares tips for parenting kids with anxiety, discusses teen mental health, and how social media and phone usage is affecting our collective mental health. She shares her own battle with anxiety and how she overcame that and healed.

"You know when anxiety says, 'Stay home! You can't handle that and you might be uncomfortable,' anxiety is making you miss opportunities, fun, adventure, and good times with people. In that moment, anxiety is not really protecting you but rather causing you to suffer a lot more." -Jodi Aman

Tune in to hear more from Jodi Aman herself!!

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6 Steps to Coping With Your Anxiety:

1. Understanding anxiety biologically
2. Learning the lies that anxiety tells you
3. Cultivating your control - connecting to your personal agency
4. Forgiving yourself
5. Affirmations and changing your beliefs
6. Practicing self care

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3 Ways Social Media is Affecting Our Mental Health:

1. Comparison: Increases negative judgement of self
2. Worldwide Trauma Exposure: Through spread of news & media, exposed to worldwide trauma & acts of violence but left feeling helpless
3. Commercial Advertising: Thinking we should get the next best thing just because everyone else is doing it & never feeling like what we have is good enough

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Jodi's Work:

• Website: jodiaman.com
  • Let Go - Free Audio Training
• Books: 
  • Anxiety... I'm So Done With You
  • You: 1 Anxiety: 0
  • Anxiety & Panic Workbook
• Tedx Talk: Suck It Up! Calm Anxious Kids 
• YouTube: Jodi Aman
  • Anxiety Symptoms 
  • Why You Think Anxiety Is Not Curable
• Instagram: @jodiamanlove
• Facebook: Jodi Aman Love

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Song:
Let the Sunshine In by Milk and Sugar

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Follow along with the rest of my journey.

• Instagram: @whytli
• Facebook: Whytli Rogers
• Twitter: @whytli
• Pinterest: Whytli
• LinkedIn: Whytli Rogers
• Website: whytli.com
• Contact me

Support the show

***Trigger Warning***
This is a heavier episode as we speak of rape, sexual assault, self-harm, and mental health. If you are suffering or recovering from a mood or mental disorder and/or are a victim of sexual assault or abuse, please listen with caution or skip this episode. The last thing I would want is for hearing these things to set you back in your healing journey or to trigger negative thoughts or emotions. Also, if you are a bit more sensitive or an empath, you also may want to listen with caution. 

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Felicia Dawn Conner is a mystic, guide, and mother. She is also a survivor of child sexual abuse and the host of HERE Podcast. She is dedicated to supporting people on their healing journey so they can thrive after trauma. 

In this episode, Felicia recalls her memories as a young child being molested by her friend's father. She experienced sexual abuse for a year-long period as an 11 year old and her life felt the rippling effects of that trauma for years later. She despised her body because of the abuse it faced and began self-harming and self-medicating to numb out the pain. She has recently felt healing and a bit of relief through sharing her story on her own podcast, HERE. She has learned to reconnect and listen to her body through Buddhist practices, yoga, meditation, chakras and more. 

Tune into this episode to hear the rest of her story, what healing has felt like to her, and a bit of advice to parents. 

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Connect with Felicia:

• Website:
  • herepodcast.com
  • feliciadawnconner.com
• Instagram:
  • @herepodcast
  • @feliciadawnconner

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Song: Angel by Sarah Mclachlan

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Follow along with the rest of my journey.

• Instagram: @whytli
• Facebook: Whytli Rogers
• Twitter: @whytli
• Pinterest: Whytli
• LinkedIn: Whytli Rogers
• Website: whytli.com
• Contact me here. 

Support the show

Dr. Lucretia Berry is the creator of Brownicity, an (In)Courage contributor, a wife, and mom of 3. As a former college professor learning to courageously create the world she knows is possible, she has self-published a book and rocked a TED talk.

In this episode, Dr. Berry shares the stories behind creating Brownicity and how it all started with teaching her own children of mixed race about skin tone, race, and racism. 

We discuss the following:

• Brownicity's slogan "Many Hues, One Humanity"
• The differences between claiming to be 'non-racist' versus being actively anti-racist
• Implicit bias and how it plays a role in racism
• Common phrases like color blindness being weaponized and used to bypass conversations of race
• The importance of talking to your young children about these topics
• What racial healing means to Dr. Berry

Tune in to hear more from the wise and insightful Dr. Lucretia Berry! If you'd like to hear more from her, check out the many resources below. 

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Resources:

• Website: Brownicity.com
  • Anti Racism Education Membership 
  • Resource Library
• Book: What Lies Between Us by Dr. Lucretia Berry
• Tedx Talk: Children Will Light Up The World If We Don't Keep Them In The Dark
• Facebook: 
  • Lucretia O. Berry
  • Brownicity
• Instagram: 
  • @lucretiaberry
  • @brownicity

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Song: Kingdom Come by Sanchez Fair

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Follow along with the rest of my journey.

• Instagram: @whytli
• Facebook: Whytli Rogers
• Twitter: @whytli
• Pinterest: Whytli
• LinkedIn: Whytli Rogers
• Website: whytli.com
• Contact me here.

Support the show

***Trigger Warning*** 
This is a heavier episode as we speak of rape, eating disorders, and mental health. If you are suffering or recovering from a mood or mental disorder and/or a victim of sexual assault or abuse, please listen with caution or skip this episode. The last thing I would want is for hearing these things to set you back in your healing journey or to trigger negative thoughts or emotions. Also, if you are a bit more sensitive or an empath, you also may want to listen with caution.

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Kristine Irwin is a wife, mother, and advocate for ending sexual violence. She strives to bring change to our culture. Besides her family and her day job, she runs a non-profit called Voices of Hope. The non-profit allows her to educate audiences on ways to prevent rape and sexual assault. She is a popular speaker at universities, organizations, and corporations globally. 

Kristine was raped by an acquaintance during her freshman year of college. She wrote a book sharing her story along with the stories of her family and friends and how her assault affected and changed them as well. As she has navigated healing, triggers, and her book, she also started a non-profit and podcast to share others' stories and provide resources and support. In this episode, Kristine and I talk more in-depth about her story, the aftermath, her healing process, and advocacy. Tune in to hear from the voice of hope!!

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Kristine's Work:

• Website: www.voices-of-hope.org
• Podcast: Unveil Your Voice
• Instagram: @voicesofhope_
• Facebook: Voices Of Hope 2015
• Twitter: @Voicesofhope15
• Books: 
  • Voices of Hope by Kristine Irwin
  • Made to Overcome by Chou Hallegra
  • Healing the Soul of a Woman by Joyce Meyer

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Songs:

• Fighter by Christina Aguilera 
• Grey Street by Dave Matthews Band
• Rain On Me by Lady Gaga

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Follow along with the rest of my journey.

• Instagram: @whytli
• Facebook: Whytli Rogers
• Twitter: @whytli
• Pinterest: Whytli
• Website: whytli.com
• Contact me here.

Support the show

Julie Leonard is Happiness Evangelist, Life Coach, and speaker. With 30 years of Psychology, Health and Coaching experience, she helps women break through their limiting beliefs to change their life and feel truly happy.

In her youth, she was always an anxious, shy, worrisome, and sensitive person. She never felt good enough or like her opinion and voice mattered. She was able to let go of these limiting beliefs that were holding her back and transform her life. She uses intention, gratitude, purpose, and self-love to create true happiness in her life. 

Tune in to hear the rest of her story along with her mindset and strategies to let go of limiting beliefs and be intentional about your happiness.

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Connect and work with Julie:

• Website: julieleonardcoaching.com
• Facebook Group: The Happiness Club
• Happiness Quiz: How Happy Are You? 
• Instagram: @julieleonardcoaching

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Follow along with the rest of my journey.

• Instagram: @whytli
• Facebook: Whytli Rogers
• Twitter: @whytli
• Pinterest: Whytli
• Website: whytli.com
• Contact me here. 

Support the show

Khadijah Tishan Washington is a licensed therapist, social worker, and newly-published author. Her memoir, REAL: Radical, Empathetic, Acceptance of Life released the same week that news of George Floyd's death began circulating and in her words, this 'racial pandemic' began. 

In this episode, we discuss the layers to her story as a generational trauma breaker. We touch on the topics of race, claiming colorblindness, behind the scenes of a social worker, mental health, and more. Tune in to hear more of her wisdom and truth!

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Connect with Khadijah:

• Book: REAL: Radical, Empathetic, Acceptance of Life by Khadijah Washington
• Website: khadijahtishan.com
• LinkedIn: Khadijah Tishan
• Instagram: @khadijahtishan
• Facebook: Kt Washington
• Twitter: @khadijahtishan
• Survey: Generational Trauma

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Songs:

• Anyone by Demi Lovato
• I'm Dope by Tobe Nwigwe

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Follow along with the rest of my journey.

• Instagram: @whytli
• Facebook: Whytli Rogers
• Twitter: @whytli
• Pinterest: Whytli 
• Website: whytli.com
• Contact me here.

Support the show

Erika shares her experiences with anxiety and panic attacks and how she had to integrate self compassion and self care to help ease her struggles with anxiety. Her entire life she had been taking care of others, from helping raise her siblings to becoming a young mom and later having a plate full with four kids, a husband, and job. She finally started putting her needs first and taking care of herself and it made a world of a difference in her life. Tune in to hear her entire story!

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Connect with Erika:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @erikadannelle
• Facebook: Erika Danelle 

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Song: Dear God by Smokie Norful

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Follow along with the rest of my journey here.

• Instagram: @whytli
• Facebook: Whytli Rogers
• Twitter: @whytli
• Website: whytli.com
• Contact me here.

Support the show