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the talK podKast
the talK podKast episodes
- episode 20: Our Princess Leia Plea for Help
Join Joel and Cristina as they take a deep dive into Cristina’s imagination around collaborating with celebrity imagineers, high clout, capital, connections and counsel benefactors who could help bring KOZ to life as our big-thinking, long-game-minded impact investors. Listen in as they talk about demystifying the nature of celebrity, media, advertiser messages and all the influences that impact all users of the internet, including kids. Full of big IMAGINE moments and metaphors, this is Cristina’s version of cosplay, virtually that is.
We are delighted to be ending our first season with this episode, and with you, thank you for listening and following our storytelling about my own coming back journey.
Thank you, George Lucas for imagining this rich storyscape for we Gen X’ers to grow up to. Here’s to all of our IMAGINATIONS, may we nurture and nourish ours for the entirety of our lives. IMAGINE?
Thank you for joining us! Please FOLLOW, RATE & REVIEW our podcast, it really helps us be seen and heard by many others like you.
Want to talK? Email us at [email protected]
Want to read real-time thoughts and updates in Cristina’s new blog? Subscribe at thetalkpodkast.substack.com
For more info, visit our website thetalkpodkast.podbean.com
Interested in KOZ? Email Cristina at [email protected]
This episode was shot on January 28, 2025 in our virtual studio. Sound quality may differ between speakers.
COPYRIGHT 2025. All rights are reserved.
56 min - episode 19: SPECIFIC needs, not, “special” needs
Join Joel and Cristina as they talk about the important distinction when it comes to talking about what the world calls “special needs” and “accommodations.” A long time ago, Cristina chose to shift her vocabulary around how the world treats, supports and perceives those with disabilities, different needs and neurodivergences that require SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS to be met in order to live a fuller life. In the world of KOZ, the talK, and Cristina’s brain, there’s an unwavering focus on making the world a better place for the most vulnerable in society. As a Disability and Divergence Advocate and Ally, and as a mentally disabled, multiply neurodivergent social entrepreneur, herself, Cristina has always believed that words matter, and this important distinction is no exception. Joel and Cristina start by delving into a meaty MHM (Mental Health Moment), before announcing (and then un-announcing) some big shifts for the talK, KOZ and Cristina’s coming back journey.
Thank you for joining us! Please FOLLOW, RATE & REVIEW our podcast, it really helps us be seen and heard by many others like you.
Want to talK? Email us at [email protected]
Want to read real-time thoughts and updates in Cristina’s new blog? Subscribe at thetalkpodkast.substack.com
For more info, visit our website thetalkpodkast.podbean.com
Interested in KOZ? Email Cristina at [email protected]
This episode was shot on March 20, 2025 in our virtual studio. Sound quality may differ between speakers.
COPYRIGHT 2025. All rights are reserved.
1 hr 7 min - episode 18: Fresh Takes on KOZ Digital Strategy with KOZ Advisor, Teresa
Enjoy this interesting and inspiring talk of fresh takes around marketing and digital strategies for KOZ and the talK. Witness the organic vibe between old friends, fellow mega nerds, and longtime career peers Teresa and Cristina. Teresa shares her digital strategy expertise through her fresh takes and questions about Cristina’s ideas and plans for KOZ and the talK.
Thank you for joining us! Please FOLLOW, RATE & REVIEW our podcast, it really helps us be seen and heard by many others like you.
Want to talK? Email us at [email protected]
Want to read real-time thoughts and updates in Cristina’s new blog? Subscribe at thetalkpodkast.substack.com
For more info, visit our website thetalkpodkast.podbean.com
Interested in KOZ? Email Cristina at [email protected]
This episode was shot on March 20, 2025 in our virtual studio. Sound quality may differ between speakers.
COPYRIGHT 2025. All rights are reserved.
53 min - episode 17 Beth & Cristina talk Social Media
Content awareness & sensitivity note:
references to suicide content found on the Internet, and references to grooming and control in Cristina’s marriage is discussed.
Join social-media-met-14-year friends Beth and Cristina as they host the first of many talks about the good, bad, and ugly about social media. From the good of making friends with shared interests, to unbelievably bad and harmful content being seen by unprotected youth, to the ugly (and sometimes) fatal consequences of sextortion, to the fakery that’s curated to showcase only the good in life, to the very real impacts of social media on our mental health, to the grooming and control over social media messaging by Cristina’s ex-spouse and abuser, they talk about their lived experiences and concerns as some of the earliest original users of social media. In light of these social media realities, they talk about KOZ’s place as a safe digital community (NOT social media) in the tech terrain of big tech and social media.
Thank you for joining us! Please FOLLOW, RATE & REVIEW our podcast, it really helps us be seen and heard by many others like you.
Want to talK? Email us at [email protected]
Want to read real-time thoughts and updates in Cristina’s new blog? Subscribe at thetalkpodkast.substack.com
For more info, visit our website thetalkpodkast.podbean.com
Interested in KOZ? Email Cristina at [email protected]
This episode was shot on March 12, 2025 in our virtual studio. Sound quality may differ between speakers.
COPYRIGHT 2025. All rights are reserved.
51 min - episode 16: Meet Spotlight Guest Diane
CONTENT SENSITIVITY NOTE: managing grief after loss of a family member is discussed in this episode.
The first of many pods with our Spotlight Guest Diane, join her and Cristina and for a good, authentic, intimate talk between two Internet friends who met and connected over Cristina’s mental health blog. Diane shares the grief she holds following the recent passing of her dear father, Gill. The shining image of her father, Diane is an active grandma, mom, daughter and community advocate, a KOZ alumni, and such a bright and joyous light of a human being. Listen in to hear the good vibes as we organically talk about loss, friendship, KOZ, safety for children, being a survivor of childhood trauma, the power of personal anthems (hi P!nk!), neurodivergence, stimming, music, little-lady-Di, some talK fresh takes, and Diane’s incredible approach to life in spite of her losses and hardships. We are delighted to welcome and introduce Diane to the talK community. This first pod with Diane is dedicated to her late dad, Gill. He would have loved this!Thank you for joining us! Please FOLLOW, RATE & REVIEW our podcast, it really helps us be seen and heard by many others like you.
Want to talK? Email us at [email protected]
Want to read real-time thoughts and updates in Cristina’s new blog? Subscribe at thetalkpodkast.substack.com
For more info, visit our website thetalkpodkast.podbean.com
Interested in KOZ? Email Cristina at [email protected]
This episode was shot on February 3, 2025 in our virtual studio. Sound quality may differ between speakers.
COPYRIGHT 2025. All rights are reserved.
1 hr 7 min - episode 15: Mental Health & Startup Entrepreneuring
Starting UP is a form of starting over as is the case for long standing career-mates and startup entrepreneurs Michael and Andrew who met over a decade ago over some competitive, finger-breaking foosball. As our KOZ Biz Advisor, Michael joins us for a second talk, this time with his cofounder Andrew, to talk about mental health and startup entrepreneuring. Impressively, mental health has been a part of their startup culture and key part of their brand since their start. From their initial honeymoon naivete to the fears of actually “walking the plank,” to living with constant anxiety, the loneliness of being an entrepreneur, and having to learn to become a master at coping with failure, the unknowns and all the challenges that come with starting up a new business, Michael and Andrew talk with Cristina and Joel about their startup journey as it is happening. Enjoy this authentic talk about the ups and downs on the humbling journey of being a startup entrepreneur, and all the reasons to go for your dream in spite of all of that. Michael as our resident “Gandalf” wisely advises our listeners to first be honest with yourself before you make the decision to venture into the world of entrepreneurship, and if it’s to get rich fast, he suggests you might want to reconsider. They highlight the power of passion for a purpose and how that can be the driving force to keep on going.
Thank you for joining us! Please FOLLOW, RATE & REVIEW our podcast, it really helps us be seen and heard by many others like you.
Want to talK? Email us at [email protected]
Want to read real-time thoughts and updates in Cristina’s new blog? Subscribe at thetalkpodkast.substack.com
For more info, visit our website thetalkpodkast.podbean.com
Interested in KOZ? Email Cristina at [email protected]
This episode was shot on February 11, 2025 in our virtual studio. Sound quality may differ between speakers.
COPYRIGHT 2025 All rights are reserved.
1 hr 8 min - episode 14: Meet Biz Prof & Consultant, Rodan
Continuing with our focus on childhood friendships and the importance of them, join Joel and Cristina as they host their friend and KOZ Alumni Rodan as they talk about starting over (even later) in life to find our true passion, Rodan’s newish-found love for teaching, their shared passion for keeping kids safe online and the importance of caring for our mental health, their (unexpected) mutual love of tennis, entrepreneuring, the differences between classic extroversion and extroverted introversion and being their authentic selves (like Joel’s penchant for breaking out in theatrical English on a dime). Rodan shares his fresh takes on the new strategic direction for KOZ, and the reason for the talK, all shared from his unique perspective as a business professor and consultant who also has an intimate view on KOZ. They also got into their shared interest and understanding of the Star Wars analogy for KOZ, and naturally, as Rodan is a Papa Bear to a Bernese Mountain Dog (AKA “a bear”) they gushed over their shared love of dogs.
Thank you for joining us! Please FOLLOW, RATE & REVIEW our podcast, it really helps us be seen and heard by many others like you.
Want to talK? Email us at [email protected]
Want to read real-time thoughts and updates in Cristina’s new blog? Subscribe at thetalkpodkast.substack.com
For more info, visit our website thetalkpodkast.podbean.com
Interested in KOZ? Email Cristina at [email protected]
This episode was shot on February 2, 2025 in our virtual studio. Sound quality may differ between speakers.
COPYRIGHT 2025 All rights are reserved.
1 hr 1 min - BONUS episode 13.5: Meet Carey, KOZ Admin Lead
CONTENT SENSITIVITY NOTE: references to aspects of both Carey and Cristina’s childhood trauma, specifically childhood sexual abuse, are made in this episode. Please listen with the appropriate care and caution.
Joined by her childhood friend Carey, Cristina hosts their intimate and personal talk about their lifelong anxiety, childhood memories, their shared love for kids and KOZ, and their childhood sexual abuse trauma in this special bonus episode. Carey is not only one of Cristina’s closest friends, she is also a part of KOZ as our Admin Lead. Listen in on their undeniable passion to build a safer world for today’s kids. Friends like Carey were a special bright light in Cristina’s childhood and they were her main source of joy during her early years. Childhood friendships will also be an integral part of what will make KOZ a safe space for kids online.Thank you for joining us! Please FOLLOW, RATE & REVIEW our podcast, it really helps us be seen and heard by many others like you.
Want to talK? Email us at [email protected]
Want to read real-time thoughts and updates in Cristina’s new blog? Subscribe at thetalkpodkast.substack.com
For more info, visit our website thetalkpodkast.podbean.com
Interested in KOZ? Email Cristina at [email protected]
This episode was shot on October 24, 2024 in our virtual studio. Sound quality may differ between speakers.
COPYRIGHT 2025 All rights are reserved.
57 min - episode 13: 3 law enforcers & an entrepreneur…
…start the conversation about some of the most heinous harms that happen to kids on the internet: human trafficking. Join Cristina and Joel as they host law enforcers Terry (also KOZ’s Safety & Security Advisor) and Jaclyn as they share some of their experiences supporting and protecting vulnerable kids. Terry and Jaclyn give a peek into the slivers of bigger investigations that they sometimes see and work on, and their thoughts on how best to be aware of things that could lead to kids being more exposed, and even exploited on the web.
This episode is related to Cristina’s coming back startup project, KOZ, her solution to keeping kids safe online. To hear more about KOZ, please tune into pods 4 and 11.
Thank you for joining us! Please FOLLOW, RATE & REVIEW our podcast, it really helps us be seen and heard by many others like you.
Want to talK? Email us at [email protected]
Want to read real-time thoughts and updates in Cristina’s new blog? Subscribe at thetalkpodkast.substack.com
For more info, visit our website thetalkpodkast.podbean.com
Interested in KOZ? Email Cristina at [email protected]
This episode was shot on January 30, 2025 in our virtual studio. Sound quality may differ between speakers.
COPYRIGHT 2025. All rights are reserved.
56 min - episode 12: Cristina’s Coming Back Story
Cristina shares an intimate closer looK at her journey as a vulnerable warrior like so many of her peer survivors of Intimate Partner Violence. In this look into her own coming back journey, Cristina talks with Joel about the hardest parts, the highlights and different lessons from her years of emerging from her IPV trauma. They talk about her personal meaning of “underdog rising” and how it’s a key part of her life story, and the talK podKast.
Thank you for joining us! Please FOLLOW, RATE & REVIEW our podcast, it really helps us be seen and heard by many others like you.
Want to talK? Email us at [email protected]
Want to read real-time thoughts and updates in Cristina’s new blog? Subscribe at thetalkpodkast.substack.com
For more info, visit our website thetalkpodkast.podbean.com
Interested in KOZ? Email Cristina at [email protected]
This episode was shot on December 10, 2024 in our virtual studio. Sound quality may differ between speakers.
COPYRIGHT 2025. All rights are reserved.
48 min
About the talK podKast
From the publisher's feed
The talK is an authentic and organic reality podcast about rising underdogs who are coming back from hardships in life. Hosted by multiply disabled and neurodivergent rising underdog, Cristina, we talk about everything from tragedy to triumph from the lens of the Vulnerable, Disabled and Divergent.
In Season Two, we dive deeper into KOZ, Cristina’s unexpected startup with the purpose to keep kids safe online, and the mission to work with talented Vulnerables, Disabled and Divergents to make it happen.
We share more about social entrepreneur Cristina, the cause of KOZ, our new online Kommunity we are building for Vulnerable grownups, how we envision the future related to KOZ’s purpose and mission, and the impacts we have designed to better the lives of Vulnerables. A true underdog story, we are defying all systemic odds to make KOZ happen for the people, together with the people who will benefit the most from KOZ, and a gentler, Kinder and more GOOD world.
Join us as we laugh, cry, (sometimes swear), rejoice and relate about starting over in life, and all that comes with it, as a Vulnerable. Cristina and guests will talk about mental health, living (and thriving) with mental disabilities, neurodiversity, trauma, healing, recovery, re-wiring Capitalism to create more Equity, and the challenges of belonging and thriving in a society that was not really built for those Cristina and KOZ stand for.