The Uplifters

Some environments will lead you to believe that something is fundamentally wrong with you. I was finally able to sit back and realize there's nothing wrong with me, I just learn differently and I operate differently. When you're able to discover your uniqueness you discover how you individually contribute to the beauty in the world.

-Taylor Ratliff

This week's episode of The Uplifters Podcast features Taylor Ratliff, the remarkable Founder and CEO of Chocolate Babies in STEM, whose passion for creating a supportive learning environment is radical.

Imagine a room full of rowdy, outspoken teenagers, and then envision Taylor's genuine interest in them transforming it into a haven of acceptance and encouragement. Before embarking on her mission to share the gift of STEM with more students, Taylor was my daughter's favorite teacher, passing along the excitement she herself had received from another inspiring educator – a beautiful legacy of mentorship.

With warmth and wisdom, Taylor emphasizes the importance of understanding each student as an individual and investing in a nurturing classroom culture. Her insights shed light on the pressing need for better access to STEM education and her dreams for the future of Chocolate Babies in STEM.

The conversation is a poignant reminder of the power of love and acceptance and of embracing individuals for who they are. As you listen, I hope you’ll carry with you, as I did, invaluable techniques for nurturing safe and richly diverse communities wherever life takes you.

🔬 Lessons from Miss Ratliff (I still can’t call her Taylor):

- Investing in classroom culture and understanding individual students are keys to creating a supportive learning environment.

- Promoting diversity in STEM education is crucial to inspire the next generation of scientists and innovators.

- Empowering students to embrace their uniqueness and providing resources tailored to their learning styles can lead to greater success.

- Collaboration and a shared mission among educators, parents, and the community are essential for supporting students' growth and development.

Connect with Taylor on Instagram and Facebook.

After you listen, grab your ticket 🎟️ for Uplifters Live on May 17, where you’ll meet the inspiring Uplifters Ambassadors you’ve heard on our podcast, including Taylor, and many other inspiring women! Learn about this one-day in-person gathering for creative growth and collaboration HERE. Check out all the fun we’re gonna have!

You can always listen right here in your email, where you’ll also receive full transcripts (edited and condensed for clarity). But please also subscribe directly to The Uplifters on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Just click one of those links to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Some environments will lead you to believe that something is fundamentally wrong with you. I was finally able to sit back and realize there's nothing wrong with me, I just learn differently and I operate differently. When you're able to discover your uniqueness you discover how you individually contribute to the beauty in the world.

-Taylor Ratliff

This week's episode of The Uplifters Podcast features Taylor Ratliff, the remarkable Founder and CEO of Chocolate Babies in STEM, whose passion for creating a supportive learning environment is radical.

Imagine a room full of rowdy, outspoken teenagers, and then envision Taylor's genuine interest in them transforming it into a haven of acceptance and encouragement. Before embarking on her mission to share the gift of STEM with more students, Taylor was my daughter's favorite teacher, passing along the excitement she herself had received from another inspiring educator – a beautiful legacy of mentorship.

With warmth and wisdom, Taylor emphasizes the importance of understanding each student as an individual and investing in a nurturing classroom culture. Her insights shed light on the pressing need for better access to STEM education and her dreams for the future of Chocolate Babies in STEM.

The conversation is a poignant reminder of the power of love and acceptance and of embracing individuals for who they are. As you listen, I hope you’ll carry with you, as I did, invaluable techniques for nurturing safe and richly diverse communities wherever life takes you.

🔬 Lessons from Miss Ratliff (I still can’t call her Taylor):

- Investing in classroom culture and understanding individual students are keys to creating a supportive learning environment.

- Promoting diversity in STEM education is crucial to inspire the next generation of scientists and innovators.

- Empowering students to embrace their uniqueness and providing resources tailored to their learning styles can lead to greater success.

- Collaboration and a shared mission among educators, parents, and the community are essential for supporting students' growth and development.

Connect with Taylor on Instagram and Facebook.

After you listen, grab your ticket 🎟️ for Uplifters Live on May 17, where you’ll meet the inspiring Uplifters Ambassadors you’ve heard on our podcast, including Taylor, and many other inspiring women! Learn about this one-day in-person gathering for creative growth and collaboration HERE.

Have you ever thought you were too old to try something new? In today's episode of The Uplifters Podcast, Gerilynn Berg is going to prove it's never too late. In fact, like Gerilynn, your whole life may have been preparing you for your next big adventure.

Recently, on her 70th birthday, Gerilynn competed in a bodybuilding competition. She oiled up, taped her breasts in place, slid on her stilettos and a skimpy bikini, and strutted her stuff while competing with women at least 25 years younger. You can see a clip of her big moment here.

Gerilynn recognizes bodybuilding isn't for everyone, but believes fitness is. Her goal is to bust the myth that getting older automatically leads to declining fitness and less vitality. She's living proof that getting fit at any age is possible if you're willing to challenge self-limiting beliefs.

Competing on her 70th birthday was particularly momentous for Gerilynn, as she is a recent cancer survivor – something she thought she'd never have to say. Two years ago, she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Even though the prognosis was good, she didn't know if she would celebrate her 70th birthday. She is not 100% cancer-free, but she continues her rigorous strength training and nutrition discipline, believing a strong body helps you have a strong mind, be fearless and courageous, and overcome life's most challenging obstacles.

A few uplifting lessons we can all take from Gerilynn:

* The three Ms – mindset, muscles, and macros – are key elements in achieving fitness goals.

* Having a supportive community and friends can greatly impact your fitness journey.

* Strength training is essential for building lean muscle and improving body composition.

* Setting goals and embracing challenges can lead to personal growth and transformation.

* Fitness and wellness are lifelong pursuits that can enrich us at any age.

After you listen, grab your ticket 🎟️ for Uplifters Live on May 17, where you’ll meet the inspiring Uplifters Ambassadors you’ve heard on our podcast, including Gerilynn, who is one of our featured panelists, and many other inspiring women! Learn about this one-day in-person gathering for creative growth and collaboration HERE and use code BIRTHDAY FOR 50% off the registration fee this month.

You can always listen right here in your email, where you’ll also receive full transcripts (edited and condensed for clarity). But please also subscribe directly to The Uplifters on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Just click one of those links to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Have you ever thought you were too old to try something new? In today's episode of The Uplifters Podcast, Gerilynn Berg is going to prove it's never too late. In fact, like Gerilynn, your whole life may have been preparing you for your next big adventure.

Recently, on her 70th birthday, Gerilynn competed in a bodybuilding competition. She oiled up, taped her breasts in place, slid on her stilettos and a skimpy bikini, and strutted her stuff while competing with women at least 25 years younger. You can see a clip of her big moment here.

Gerilynn recognizes bodybuilding isn't for everyone, but believes fitness is. Her goal is to bust the myth that getting older automatically leads to declining fitness and less vitality. She's living proof that getting fit at any age is possible if you're willing to challenge self-limiting beliefs.

Competing on her 70th birthday was particularly momentous for Gerilynn, as she is a recent cancer survivor – something she thought she'd never have to say. Two years ago, she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Even though the prognosis was good, she didn't know if she would celebrate her 70th birthday. She is not 100% cancer-free, but she continues her rigorous strength training and nutrition discipline, believing a strong body helps you have a strong mind, be fearless and courageous, and overcome life's most challenging obstacles.

A few uplifting lessons we can all take from Gerilynn:

* The three Ms – mindset, muscles, and macros – are key elements in achieving fitness goals.

* Having a supportive community and friends can greatly impact your fitness journey.

* Strength training is essential for building lean muscle and improving body composition.

* Setting goals and embracing challenges can lead to personal growth and transformation.

* Fitness and wellness are lifelong pursuits that can enrich us at any age.

After you listen, grab your ticket 🎟️ for Uplifters Live on May 17, where you’ll meet the inspiring Uplifters Ambassadors you’ve heard on our podcast, including Gerilynn, who is one of our featured panelists, and many other inspiring women! Learn about this one-day in-person gathering for creative growth and collaboration HERE and use code BIRTHDAY FOR 50% off the registration fee this month.

If you can't help someone, don't harm anyone. Do what you can to make the world a better place, one person at a time. 

Dr. Aziza Shad

Dr. Aziza Shad, a pediatric oncologist, was nominated for The Uplifters Podcast by Terri Tomoff, whose son was cared for by Dr. Shad during 5 rounds of cancer treatment, beginning at age two. In episode 15, Terri described the family’s journey through their 27-year battle. In this episode, you’ll hear from Dr. Shad how she approaches caregiving as a team effort that involves families, neighbors, and a holistic crew of care providers. Her well-rounded approach also extends to her work leading The Aslan Project which has transformed health outcomes for pediatric cancer patients in Ethiopia. Dr. Shad's story is a testament to the impact one person can make in the lives of many when we tackle big problems in a community-focused way.

Chances are, most of you reading this aren’t pediatric oncologists, but here’s why I hope you’ll listen. No matter where we find passion and purpose, Dr. Shad shows us that:

* Empathy is the core skill needed to turn individuals into aligned teams

* Multidisciplinary support is essential for addressing complex challenges

* Self-care and healthy boundaries are vital to sustaining the work of uplifting others

* Everyone has the power to make a difference and give back to their community, no matter how small their contribution may seem

Click to learn more about Dr. Shad and support The Aslan Project.

After you listen, grab your ticket 🎟️ for Uplifters Live on May 17, where you’ll meet the inspiring Uplifters Ambassadors you’ve heard on our podcast and many other inspiring women! Learn about this one-day in-person gathering for creative growth and collaboration HERE and use code BIRTHDAY FOR 50% off the registration fee this month.

You can always listen right here in your email, where you’ll also receive full transcripts (edited and condensed for clarity). But please also subscribe directly to The Uplifters on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Just click one of those links to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Dr. Aziza Shad, a pediatric oncologist, was nominated for The Uplifters Podcast by Terri Tomoff, whose son was cared for by Dr. Shad during 5 rounds of cancer treatment, beginning at age two. In episode 15, Terri described the family’s journey through their 27-year battle. In this episode, you’ll hear from Dr. Shad how she approaches caregiving as a team effort that involves families, neighbors, and a holistic crew of care providers. Her well-rounded approach also extends to her work leading The Aslan Project which has transformed health outcomes for pediatric cancer patients in Ethiopia. Dr. Shad's story is a testament to the impact one person can make in the lives of many when we tackle big problems in a community-focused way.

Chances are, most of you reading this aren’t pediatric oncologists, but here’s why I hope you’ll listen. No matter where we find passion and purpose, Dr. Shad shows us that:

• Empathy is the core skill needed to turn individuals into aligned teams
• Multidisciplinary support is essential for addressing complex challenges
• Self-care and healthy boundaries are vital to sustaining the work of uplifting others
• Everyone has the power to make a difference and give back to their community, no matter how small their contribution may seem

Click to learn more about Dr. Shad and support The Aslan Project.

After you listen, grab your ticket 🎟️ for Uplifters Live on May 17, where you’ll meet the inspiring Uplifters Ambassadors you’ve heard on our podcast and many other inspiring women! Learn about this one-day in-person gathering for creative growth and collaboration HERE and use code BIRTHDAY FOR 50% off the registration fee this month.

What if we shifted the words puberty and perimenopause to mean growth?

Konika Ray Wong

One year into the Uplifters Podcast, sharing stories of inspiring women and understanding how they overcome obstacles and grow, and yet, we haven’t talked about periods once! I’m 49 years old (as of yesterday 🎂) and live with two teen daughters, so there’s plenty of talk about periods (coming and going) in our house.

In this candid episode, I'm joined by Konika Ray Wong, founder of Girl Power Science, mom, and former science teacher. Together, we dive into the importance of body literacy and empowering girls during puberty and women navigating perimenopause.

Get ready to explore:

🌺 How Konika's upbringing shaped her passion for this work

🔥 The surprising "superpowers" (yes, including mood swings!) of each menstrual phase

🌈 Practical tips for supporting girls through their first periods

🌼 Reframing puberty and perimenopause as privileged growth opportunities

💫 Actionable steps to develop deeper body literacy

Whether you're a woman, a girl, or someone who loves one, this open discussion will shed light on the beauty and power of the menstrual cycle. Hit play for an empowering look at this often-taboo topic!

Learn more about Konika and Girl Power Science at www.girlpowerscience.com or on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube @girlpowerscience.

After you listen, grab your ticket 🎟️ for Uplifters Live on May 17, where you’ll meet the inspiring Uplifters Ambassadors that you’ve heard on our podcast and lots of other inspiring women! Learn all about this one-day in-person gathering for creative growth and collaboration HERE and use code BIRTHDAY FOR 50% off of the registration fee this month.

You can always listen right here in your email, where you’ll also receive full transcripts (edited and condensed for clarity). But please also subscribe directly to The Uplifters on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Just click one of those links to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

One year into the Uplifters Podcast, sharing stories of inspiring women and understanding how they overcome obstacles and grow, and yet, we haven’t talked about periods once! I’m 49 years old (as of yesterday 🎂) and live with two teen daughters, so there’s plenty of talk about periods (coming and going) in our house.

In this candid episode, I'm joined by Konika Ray Wong, founder of Girl Power Science, mom, and former science teacher. Together, we dive into the importance of body literacy and empowering girls during puberty and women navigating perimenopause.

Get ready to explore:

🌺 How Konika's upbringing shaped her passion for this work

🔥 The surprising "superpowers" (yes, including mood swings!) of each menstrual phase

🌈 Practical tips for supporting girls through their first periods

🌼 Reframing puberty and perimenopause as privileged growth opportunities

💫 Actionable steps to develop deeper body literacy

Whether you're a woman, a girl, or someone who loves one, this open discussion will shed light on the beauty and power of the menstrual cycle. Hit play for an empowering look at this often-taboo topic!

Learn more about Konika and Girl Power Science at www.girlpowerscience.com or on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube @girlpowerscience.

After you listen, grab your ticket 🎟️ for Uplifters Live on May 17, where you’ll meet the inspiring Uplifters Ambassadors that you’ve heard on our podcast and lots of other inspiring women! Learn all about this one-day in-person gathering for creative growth and collaboration HERE and use code BIRTHDAY FOR 50% off of the registration fee this month.

We have joined with other family members who have paid the price for society's failure to act and we pour out our pain to demand action.

Amy Cohen

In today’s episode of The Uplifters Podcast Amy Cohen, co-founder of Families for Safe Streets, shares her journey from motherhood to advocacy after her son Sammy was killed in a traffic incident. 

As I prepared for this episode, I had to confront the fact that the fear of my children being hit by a car is one of my biggest worries as a parent. I was struck by a car when I was 6 years old and only barely survived. It had long-term effects on my sense of safety out in the world. I’m now raising two daughters who set off on foot into some of the most dangerous intersections in America (and maybe the world) every single day to get to school.

Just a few blocks from us, a 7-year-old from our school community was struck and killed in a traffic accident late last year.  Recent research by Families for Safe Streets showed that one in three New Yorkers has been personally impacted by traffic violence, or knows someone who has. Amy and her team of families who have been impacted by traffic tragedies are facing this crisis head-on by pouring out their pain to create change, so that we can all move through our streets more safely, in NYC and across America.

Takeaways

* American streets are twice as dangerous as Canada, four times as dangerous as almost every European country, Australia, Japan, and much of Asia. 

* Traffic violence is a preventable crisis that requires legislative and policy changes to improve road safety.

* Advocacy and support groups like Families for Safe Streets play a crucial role in raising awareness and demanding action.

* Personal stories and connections can amplify the impact of advocacy efforts and drive change.

* Self-care is essential for individuals engaged in emotionally heavy work, and support from others is invaluable.

Please join me in taking action to support Sammy’s Law and Families for Safe Streets by signing a petition or making a donation.

After you listen, grab your ticket 🎟️ for Uplifters Live on May 17, where you’ll meet the inspiring Uplifters Ambassadors that you’ve heard on our podcast and lots of other inspiring women! Learn all about this one-day in-person gathering for creative growth and collaboration HERE and use code BIRTHDAY FOR 50% off of the registration fee this month.

You can always listen right here in your email, where you’ll also receive full transcripts (edited and condensed for clarity). But please also subscribe directly to The Uplifters on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Substack, or YouTube, or follow our TikTok for uplifting daily videos. Just click one of those links to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

We have joined with other family members who have paid the price for society's failure to act and we pour out our pain to demand action. -Amy Cohen

In today’s episode of The Uplifters Podcast Amy Cohen, co-founder of Families for Safe Streets, shares her journey from motherhood to advocacy after her son Sammy was killed in a traffic incident. 

As I prepared for this episode, I had to confront the fact that the fear of my children being hit by a car is one of my biggest worries as a parent. I was struck by a car when I was 6 years old and only barely survived. It had long-term effects on my sense of safety out in the world. I’m now raising two daughters who set off on foot into some of the most dangerous intersections in America (and maybe the world) every single day to get to school.

Just a few blocks from us a 7-year-old from our school community was struck and killed in a traffic accident late last year.  Recent research by Families for Safe Streets showed that one in three New Yorkers has been personally impacted by traffic violence, or knows someone who has. Amy and her team of families who have been impacted by traffic tragedies are facing this crisis head-on by pouring out their pain to create change, so that we can all move through our streets more safely, in NYC and across America.

Takeaways

• American streets are twice as dangerous as Canada, four times as dangerous as almost every European country, Australia, Japan, and much of Asia. 
• Traffic violence is a preventable crisis that requires legislative and policy changes to improve road safety.
• Advocacy and support groups like Families for Safe Streets play a crucial role in raising awareness and demanding action.
• Personal stories and connections can amplify the impact of advocacy efforts and drive change.
• Self-care is essential for individuals engaged in emotionally heavy work, and support from others is invaluable.

Please join me in taking action to support Sammy’s Law and Families for Safe Streets.

After you listen, grab your ticket 🎟️ for Uplifters Live on May 17, where you’ll meet 33 of the inspiring Uplifters Ambassadors that you’ve heard on our podcast! Learn all about this one-day in-person gathering for creative growth and collaboration HERE.

Follow our show at www.theuplifterspodcast.com.