The Gris Alves’ Podcast Tales of Recovery

Stevie Santos joins me in this episode to talk about the power of love, of forgiveness and how truly the experience of our perspective of this GIFT of life that we have shapes us~ Listen in on our conversation and part of his life story and be inspired to know that beauty comes even in the suffering and hardships of abandonment, abuse and suicide attempts. Through knowing love, asking for help and seeking the tools to process the pain, Stevie shares his re-covery story with us and we are all better because of it.  Follow him and be inspired on IG @steviesantos82 and @water4lifeglobalministry 

Tales or Recovery guest Lisa Michelle is the founder of NSA (No Strings Attached) Ministiries and @healingtheexploited DMST Victim Advocate and Mentor for the exploited.  Her work in this world is so powerful as she offers hope and healing to women transitioning out the sex trade industry.  Her work and experience with different healing modalities like equine assisted therapy, trauma informed yoga, EMDR and the support of a loving community of faith, has paved the way to her living out her Soul's purpose to help others along her own miraculous path of recovery.  May this recording be of benefit to anyone out there suffering from abuse~ There is hope and healing available to us all.  You can reach out to Lisa's ministy at NSAgirls.org, on instagram @healingtheexploited, @findingbeautyinyourscars and Themiagency.com for speaking engagements.  Thank you Lisa for sharing your story with us~

As this evolution of healing and recovery process goes, I share with you my thoughts today on remembering what we've always known. That our soul is always divine, that it is a magical mystery that we have life in this planet, and that we can break through social programming and domestication that hinder this "knowing".   That the more aware we are of our obstacles as THE way, and of our breath and the impermanence of life, the deeper we can connect to love and light and of course, to remembering~ 

Author, Speaker, Healer, Space Holder, Creator of the Sacred Space Retreats and Podcast Katie Schomberg is my guest today! Listen to her story and expansion of wisdom as she talks about the shift that comes when you begin to LISTEN to your own voice and allow space for healing and freedom.  We talk energy healing, unschooling, awakening to your own truth and purpose, surrendering to love and trusting the process.  Listen in and then follow her journey on IG @katieschomberg

As I'm jumping ship from a "safe" government job of many years and into FULL time coaching in the next 13 days, I am feeling some good ol' protective #fear.  What does fear keep you from? Does listening to fear keep us from living our best life? Listen in as I share how I am learning to embrace fear as a part of life AND still live out a life of all around wellness.  Don't be scared...you can DO IT!!

Meet Lazaren, born to a Mexican dad and Peruvian mom, she is an Afro Puerto Rican Bomba dance instructor and Warrior Goddess. Lazarene shares her story of growing up in The Mission in San Francisco with her artist and activist parents, enduring their separation, her love and admiration for the zuit suiters and empowered cholas, love, loss, gangs, drugs and renewing her soul once she found Bomba dance. Lazarene is oneof the coolest people I've met, she is a powerhouse of courage and her warranted rebellion story is fascinating.  Keep and eye out for her upcoming book "The Heart of a Chola" and join her at one of her dance classes Saturday's at noon at the Centro Cultural de la Raza in San Diego!

Recovery from belief systems of oppression Part 1.  A short conversation on the feeling of being ripped off, robbed and a bit frustated at the fact that christian church belief systems were not true.  The good and bad of this dissapointment, the struggle of trying so hard to believe and just not being able to do so any more and a few comments and insights from my daughter Paula Alves. 

A powerful conversation with Brianda Vargas and the story of her immigration journey.  Brought  to the United States from Mexico when she was 2 years old,  separated from her parents during middle school and the struggle to stay strong on her own and pursue her education, DACA  and the "so called" American dream.  Which is a dream indeed- not just an easy one to acquire.  Listen to her courageous and heartbreaking yet hopeful journey. 

A coversation with Warrrior Momma Stephanie Katleman and her journey with her son who was diagnosed with Autism in the early 2000's.  She shares her strength, struggle and courage in advocating for Austin and his walk through early mis-diagnosis, misunderstadning, the not-so-supportive school system and when she finally met her tribe of advocates.  She has since moved towns to re-locate her son in a non-public school after advocating for funds from the public school sytem and has watched her son thrive in an supportive high school envoironment. Listen to her journey and take a note of the list of amazing resources that she shares with us.  

(1) Valeries List: San Diego based autism newsletter with great resources www.valerieslist.com (2) Autism Tree Project Foundation (ATPF): Oganization dedicated to improving communities in San Diego and The Bay Area by assisting with Education, Advocacy, Early Intervention Preschool Screening, Research and Mentoring for families impacted by autism. Programs for early childhood through adulthood. http://www.autismtreeproject.org (3) USD COMPASS Family Center: Special Education advocacy and workshops http://www.sandiego.edu/COMPASS (4) Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA): Helping to protect the legal and civil rights of all individuals with disabilities. Online resource and access to professional who can help families navigate special education. www.copaa.org. (5) Regional Center: Nonprofit private corporations that contract with the Department of Developmental Services to provide or coordinate services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities from infancy through adulthood. They have offices throughout California. www.dds.ca.gov (6) Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) is an employment and independent living resource and support for people (18 years+) with disabilities. https://www.dor.ca.gov. (7) Mental Health and Autism Insurance Project: Assists families with children with autism spectrum disorders (and later other mental health conditions) to obtain medically necessary treatments through their health plans, so that they can ultimately reach their full potential. https://mhautism.org (8) If your listeners have questions or need a parent advocate to help with Special Education issues they can reach out to me [email protected]