The Belonging Podcast 007 – Leah Silvestre Franklin

The High Cost of Fitting Into Someone Else’s Box

A conversation about leadership, belonging, and coming home to yourself

In this episode of the Belonging Podcast, Melissa Kaye speaks with Leah Silvestre Franklin, a leadership coach and expert in organizational development. They explore the themes of belonging, authenticity, and the unique challenges women face in leadership roles. Leah shares her personal journey from corporate life to nonprofit work, emphasizing the importance of aligning one's values with their leadership style. The conversation delves into the framework for aligned leadership, the significance of self-care, and practical advice for women experiencing burnout. Leah's insights provide a roadmap for creating meaningful connections and fostering a sense of belonging in both personal and professional spheres.

Keywords:

belonging, leadership, women empowerment, authenticity, coaching, nonprofit, organizational development, self-care, community building, personal growth

 

FREE MEDITATION GIFT 

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Email Leah the word “meditation”  for her FREE 5 minute pause meditation

Lead Loving Life Podcast

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Instagram:

@leadlovinglife

 

Website:

www.leadlovinglife.com

Want to learn more about working with Leah?

Book a free 30 minute connection call

Learn more about Elev8 Villages at:

https://www.elev8villages.org/

This podcast exists because we believe belonging is not a luxury. It’s a human need. Every story shared here helps us imagine a world where no one has to walk alone.

If this conversation resonated with you, please follow, rate, or share the show with someone who might need it today. To learn more about the movement we’re building (or to get involved) visit Elev8Villages.org.

Thank you for joining us for this episode of The Belonging Podcast by Elev8 Villages - where belonging becomes a place we build together.

The Belonging Podcast 006 – Angela Sage Larsen

Love is the Only Way Out

Prison, Refugees, and the Radical Power of Belonging

Love is not soft. It is not passive. And it is not optional.

In this powerful conversation, Melissa Kaye sits down with Angela Sage-Larson, a woman whose life and work are rooted in compassion, faith, and proximity to suffering.

Together, they explore:

• What belonging looks like after incarceration
• The devastating reality facing Burundian refugees forced out of camps
• Why systems built on power and dominance fail
• And why love may be the only path forward for a fractured world

Don’t miss the answer to the question, “Where did it all go wrong?” 
 This is not a conversation about fixing people.
 It’s about seeing them.
 And choosing love. Again and again.

🎧 Listen with an open heart.
📺 Subscribe for more conversations on belonging, humanity, and hope.

Keywords:  belonging podcast, life after prison, refugee crisis, compassion and faith, reentry after incarceration, Divine Love, system breakdown, Where did it all go wrong, 

 

Learn more about Angela: 

https://www.godcolors.net/

https://www.facebook.com/angela.larsen

 https://substack.com/@wblarsen

 

Follow Petalwink:

https://www.petalwink.com/

 

Learn more about how to be a part of Elev8 Villages: 

https://www.elev8villages.org/

 

00:00 The Essence of Belonging

06:47 Understanding Returning Citizens

15:28 The Journey of Love and Compassion

22:45 Embracing Refugees 

24:36 The Power of Love and Community

27:02 Challenges Faced by Refugees

32:57 The Role of Divine Love in Action

39:31 Historical Perspectives on Humanity and Religion

46:46 Self-Care as a Foundation for Helping Others

51:35 Messages of Love and Belonging

This podcast exists because we believe belonging is not a luxury. It’s a human need. Every story shared here helps us imagine a world where no one has to walk alone.

If this conversation resonated with you, please follow, rate, or share the show with someone who might need it today. To learn more about the movement we’re building (or to get involved) visit Elev8Villages.org.

Thank you for joining us for this episode of The Belonging Podcast by Elev8 Villages - where belonging becomes a place we build together.

The Belonging Podcast by Elev8 Villages – 005 | Toy Jefferson

In this episode of the Belonging Podcast, we welcome Coach Toy Jefferson, a remarkable figure known for her resilience and leadership. The conversation delves into Toy's journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a mentor and coach who empowers others. Toy shares her experiences of feeling like an outsider during her teenage years and how she used those feelings to create a sense of belonging for herself and others.
The discussion highlights the importance of self-acceptance and the role of community in fostering belonging, emphasizing that true belonging starts from within.

To connect with Toy Jefferson:
ICC Life Coach Institute
www.icclifecoachingcertification.com

I Can't Coaching- Professional Development Firm
WWW.ICANTCOACHING.COM

Toy's Media Page
https://mbbx.org/coach-toy-s-media-page
IG:   / icantcoaching 
YouTube:    / @icantcoachingllc9194 

To learn more about Elev8 Villages:
https://www.elev8villages.org/

Help Elev8 launch The Belonging Tour:
https://www.elev8villages.org/Tour 

This podcast exists because we believe belonging is not a luxury. It’s a human need. Every story shared here helps us imagine a world where no one has to walk alone.

If this conversation resonated with you, please follow, rate, or share the show with someone who might need it today. To learn more about the movement we’re building (or to get involved) visit Elev8Villages.org.

Thank you for joining us for this episode of The Belonging Podcast by Elev8 Villages - where belonging becomes a place we build together.

The Belonging Podcast by Elev8 Villages -- 004 | Jill Valentine

In this episode of the Belonging Podcast by Elev8 Villages, host Melissa Kaye welcomes Jill Valentine, co-founder and impact coach of UGO Impact, an organization dedicated to transformational travel. 
Jill shares her journey into the world of intentional travel, emphasizing how it can lead to personal growth and a deeper sense of belonging. She recounts her experiences volunteering in Uganda and the Philippines, which not only transformed her perspective but also inspired her to blend coaching with travel to help others find their purpose and connection to the world.
The conversation delves into the concept of belonging, exploring how personal experiences of rejection shaped Jill’s desire to create inclusive communities. She discusses the importance of intentionality in building relationships and fostering a sense of belonging, both within her coaching programs and in the communities they serve. Jill’s insights highlight the profound impact of shared experiences and service on personal transformation, encouraging listeners to embrace the unknown and seek deeper connections through travel and community engagement.

Many thanks to our patron: Deana Laughlin for making The Belonging Podcast by Elev8 Villages possible. 

Keywords: transformational travel, belonging, UGO Impact, personal growth, community service, coaching, travel experiences, volunteer abroad, intentional travel, Elev8 Villages, transformation, 

Follow Jill Valentine here: 
https://www.instagram.com/ugoimpact/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ugoimpactcoach/
https://www.tiktok.com/@jillvalentine952
https://www.facebook.com/UGOImpact

Travel to Nepal or Tanzania with Jill: 
Nepal 2026:  https://ugoimpact.com/our-programs/mountains-mudita-nepal-2026/
Tanzania 2027: https://ugoimpact.com/courage-community-kilimanjaro-2027/

Coach and grow with Jill:
Give & Grow Community: https://ugoimpact.com/membership/
More Me One on One Coaching: https://ugoimpact.com/more-me/

Learn more about Elev8 Villages: https://linktr.ee/elev8villages

This podcast exists because we believe belonging is not a luxury. It’s a human need. Every story shared here helps us imagine a world where no one has to walk alone.

If this conversation resonated with you, please follow, rate, or share the show with someone who might need it today. To learn more about the movement we’re building (or to get involved) visit Elev8Villages.org.

Thank you for joining us for this episode of The Belonging Podcast by Elev8 Villages - where belonging becomes a place we build together.

In this episode of the Belonging Podcast, host Melissa Kaye welcomes guest Hilary Van Welter to explore the multifaceted concept of belonging. They discuss how belonging is influenced by personal experiences and the seasons. Hilary shares insights on the importance of co-creation in building community and fostering deeper connections. The conversation emphasizes the need for a holistic understanding of belonging that extends beyond individual experiences to include relationships with nature and the collective human experience.

Keywords
belonging, community, co-creation, relationships, personal growth, intergenerational trauma, mental health, nature, transformation, belonging podcast


To learn more about the work of Hilary Van Welter:
https://www.ascentia.ca/
https://www.bouncebeyond.global/

To learn more about Coralus:
https://coralus.sheeo.world/

To learn more about Elev8 Villages:
https://www.elev8villages.org/

This podcast exists because we believe belonging is not a luxury. It’s a human need. Every story shared here helps us imagine a world where no one has to walk alone.

If this conversation resonated with you, please follow, rate, or share the show with someone who might need it today. To learn more about the movement we’re building (or to get involved) visit Elev8Villages.org.

Thank you for joining us for this episode of The Belonging Podcast by Elev8 Villages - where belonging becomes a place we build together.

In the premiere episode of the Belonging Podcast, host Melissa Kaye and guest Michael Potterf explore the concept of belonging, its significance, and how it can be fostered through storytelling and community. They discuss the journey of launching the podcast, the importance of authenticity, and the technical aspects of podcasting. Michael shares his personal experiences growing up in the foster care system and how it shaped his understanding of belonging. The episode emphasizes the need for connection and support in today's world, highlighting the mission of Elev8 Villages to create spaces where belonging can thrive.

This podcast exists because we believe belonging is not a luxury. It’s a human need. Every story shared here helps us imagine a world where no one has to walk alone.

If this conversation resonated with you, please follow, rate, or share the show with someone who might need it today. To learn more about the movement we’re building (or to get involved) visit Elev8Villages.org.

Thank you for joining us for this episode of The Belonging Podcast by Elev8 Villages - where belonging becomes a place we build together.