Weave & Cleave

Christina Lombaro, holistic nutrition coach for trauma and substance use recovery, knows the journey of whole person recovery - she's lived it for herself. Her experience with substance use and trauma started young and progressed through her teenage years. She faced decades-long battles with insomnia and PTSD, hormone and nervous system dysregulation, and a variety of other somatic symptoms. After several years of being bedridden in her 30s, Christina decided she would do whatever she could to get healthy. This led her to study nutrition, which ultimately led her to a lifestyle of whole person health.

Listen in as Christina candidly shares her healing journey as well as her faith journey and the many lessons she's learned along the way. She talks about the short-term impact nutrition changes can make, but she's honest about the long-term reality of nutrition goals, too. No matter your goals, Christina offers the best tools for anyone on the lifelong journey to health: tenacity, flexibility, and consistency. Oh, and grace. Listen in.

Christina is the co-lead of Weave & Cleave's Wellness team, so you're likely to meet her at a Weave & Cleave event. If you'd like to connect with her sooner, find her at any of the following: 

Website:  https://nutritionwellnessaz.com/

Facebook and Instagram: @christinanutritionandwellness

Tiktok: @christinanutrition

Meet Andi Clements, Professor at East Tennessee State University, Associate Director of Research Design and Implementation at the ETSU Strong BRAIN Institute, and president of Uplift Appalachia, a nonprofit that equips churches to help those with substance use disorder and mental health challenges. 

And meet Becky Haas, international trauma-informed trainer, ordained minister, and pioneer in creating trauma-informed communities. Her cross-sector work in Northeast Tennessee has been awarded and recognized by SAMHSA, the Obama administration, and other agencies as a model to be followed.

A decade ago, Andi and Becky discussed ideas that would create social change in their community. They took steps, did what they could, and today, they've taken change beyond their town, across sectors, and across countries. They credit two things: their faith in Jesus and their friendship. Listen in as Andi and Becky talk about their work and its evolution over the years, their self-care strategies, the importance of relationships, the vitality of prayer, and the necessity of endurance.   

Book by Andi: The Trauma-informed Church
To connect with Andi: www.upliftappalachia.org

Book by Becky: Your City is Waiting on You
To connect with Becky: www.beckyhaas.com

Gaelin Elmore entered the foster care system at five months old. He would spend time in twenty foster homes and DCS would remain a part of his life until he was 13 years old. Until he went to college, Gaelin faced constant instability, abuse, neglect, and homelessness. Listen in as Gaelin shares his personal story of growing up, finding faith, and becoming resilient in the two places where he found safety and belonging: church and school. 

Today, Gaelin is a keynote speaker, trainer, and Belonging Expert. He's an advocate with both lived experience and a strong faith in God, and you'll hear the strength of both in this episode. Gaelin's authenticity shines through as he talks about belonging in simple terms. As he puts it, in every space people enter, they need to feel important, know they are valued, and understand that they matter. Belonging is found in community, but as Gaelin puts it, freeing and fulfilling belonging is found with self first.

This episode will tug at your heart and spark your mind. Enjoy this engaging conversation and be encouraged.

Gaelin's website: https://www.gaelinelmore.com/

Gaelin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaelin-elmore-608090135/

Gaelin's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giv.elmore/

Please be advised, this episode mentions war, violence, and rape.
Manzie was born in Italy and raised in Liberia, West Africa, during years of civil unrest. Although she was surrounded by the love and support of her family, the trauma of war, death, and violence shaped her childhood. When she and her brother came to America as students seeking asylum, she was 19, and as she would later learn, she was suffering from PTSD. Manzie sought help, she sought friendships and groups, and ultimately, she took the path to become a mental health therapist - someone who could help others heal. 

As Manzie shares, she was helping while still hurting, but with a strong sense of resilience and faith, she was able to acknowledge her pain while not letting it dictate her day. She committed herself to faith disciplines that continue to be vital to her wellbeing. She made choices about what she would expose herself to in media and entertainment. She worked toward post-traumatic growth and living into her full potential. And she continued to open her heart to serving others.

Listen in as Manzie shares her life in Liberia, her story as an immigrant to the U.S., her faith, career path, and later, the heartbreak of divorce. One thing is for certain: Manzie is not letting her pain go to waste. She's using it to help others, and she wants you to do the same. You'll be encouraged by this episode!

For Manzie's eBook:
https://www.amazon.com/Thrive-During-Divorce-Process-Decree-ebook/dp/B0DV9YHJNW/

Connect with Manzie at: [email protected]

At the young age of 17, Elaine knew she wanted to work with kids who had experienced trauma. What she didn't understand at the time was her own trauma. She'd just lost her mom to cancer, and in order for her dad to work, she was shouldering the load of parenting her four younger siblings. As she put it, she 'just stepped up', but many years later, she would recognize the reality of her grief and loss. She would also recognize the many ways these experiences shaped her resilience. 

Join us as we talk to Dr. Elaine Harper about her three decades as a teacher, counselor, and  educational services director for Positive Education Program. She's seen a lot of change at the intersection of education and mental health, and she's committed to fostering even more change - to support educators AND to support students. She's passionate about helping people acknowledge their own trauma so they can work on it, learn from it, and step into their own unique resilience.

Currently, Elaine is a consultant who teaches and coaches individuals, teams, schools and organizations who work with children and adolescents presenting emotional and behavioral challenges. She lives in Cleveland, Ohio. Her book, 'The Trauma-Informed Mindset for Educators', releases in 2025 through Brookes Publishing.

To connect with Elaine and find out more about her work:

Website: https://elaineharper.com/

Email: [email protected]

Linkedin

Meet Bhikku Vasu Bandhu, a Buddhist Monk and the Interfaith Manager for the Arizona Faith Network. He's served the interfaith movement since age 18, and over the past decade, he's collaborated with many diverse interfaith organizations, councils, and committees. In recent years, he's been a tremendous servant leader in the Weave & Cleave movement. If you've attended a Weave & Cleave event, it's likely you've met Vasu and know his peaceful presence.

This is an intriguing conversation. Sanghoon grew up in a Buddhist home and converted to Christianity. Vasu grew up in both the Catholic and LDS churches, then converted to Buddhism. This episode isn't about debating or degrading another's beliefs, it's about coming together and creating safe places of compassion and care. Listen in as Vasu shares about his life, his meditation practice, his work in the interfaith movement, and the importance of finding identity.

To connect with Vasu, find his email address or calendar here.

https://www.arizonafaithnetwork.org/afnstaff

*Please be advised: This episode mentions suicide.*
Jacob Holley was removed from his home at age 11. Over the next five and a half years, he moved in and out of 27 foster placements and was exposed to experiences he was too young to understand. Jacob had to grow up quickly, but with the help of a few insightful mentors and professionals, he grew up with resiliency and a strong sense of identity.   

Today, Jacob is a certified trauma trainer and a youth advocate using his lived experience to inspire and educate others about the importance of trauma-informed practices, the complexities of the foster care system, and the resilience of those within it. In this episode, Jacob shares his professional journey and his faith journey. He also lets listeners in on some of the most beneficial words a helper can speak: How can I support you in following your dreams? 

Jacob's story is heartwarming and powerful - a great way to launch Weave & Cleave's 4th podcast season!

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-holley-70774024a/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jacob.holley.9216

Tiesha Harrison is a Storytelling Visual Artist who engages, educates, uplifts, and transforms communities through her creative pursuits - a calling that was birthed from heartbreak and the loss of her corporate job. At first, art was a means for expression and beauty, something to bring the community together. Then Tiesha lost her sister to domestic violence. Art continued to bring healing to Tiesha, but she began to realize it was much bigger than that. There was a message behind her art, a voice that wouldn't be silenced. Sunflower Soul Project was born.

Join us as Tiesha shares the realities of being an advocate and a trauma survivor, a leader and an artist, a visionary and a teacher. Find out how prayer helps her stay balanced and what it feels like to help others find their own creative expression. This interview is a delight. 

Tiesha is the leader of Weave & Cleave Creatives! If you're interested in this affinity group, or if you're interested in Sunflower Soul Project workshops, connect with Tiesha at: [email protected].

Tiesha's produced collaborative art for the McCain Institute, the City of Chandler, and the City of Phoenix. View Tiesha's art gallery here. www.iamundefinedart.com



Follow Tiesha on Instagram @iamundefinedart

Dawn Mann Sanders is an associate minister at First Baptist Church of Glenarden, Maryland, and newly published author of "When Your World Ends", a book about overcoming adversity and creating a new life - something she knows a great deal about.

After unproductive relationships and heartache, Dawn met the man of her dreams. They started a ministry, got married, got pregnant, and suffered a miscarriage. Shortly after a second miscarriage, Dawn's husband unexpectedly died. Dawn lets us into the rawness of her losses and how these losses affected her faith, her sense of self, and her sense of purpose. Using the story of creation from the book of Genesis, she illustrates the void and darkness of loss as a secret place where God hovers with those who are desperate to know how to begin again. When they're ready, He's ready to walk them through the rebuilding process, one day at a time.

This episode offers gentle steps for those asking the crushing question: What now?

Further tools and resources are available at Dawn's website. 

"When Your World Ends" is out through IVP and available wherever you buy books.

Jennifer Evans is a Global Humanitarian (she's been to 49 countries!), Inspirational Speaker, and Executive Director of Grace Sober Living, a nonprofit based in Phoenix, Arizona. 

But a decade ago, this wasn't Jennifer's story. She was working for a high profile nonprofit, taking private jets to five star hotels all over the globe. But what many didn't know was that Jennifer was a substance user and high-functioning addict, and had been since age 13. In 2016, Jen's anxiety and depression could no longer be numbed. Burnout zapped her body and mind of energy. She lost everything. But this is when she found Jesus.

Jennifer's story of overcoming addiction, burnout, and mental health challenges is vulnerable and unashamed, because as she puts it, "That was my past and now God's able to use it for good." At Grace Sober living, Jennifer is using her experience to help transform the lives of people overcoming drug and alcohol addiction through Christ-centered care and housing. Listen in to this episode for inspiration and true hope. 

For more about Grace Sober Living.

If you or a loved one is looking for substance use treatment: 480-495-1122.

Follow Jen's adventures on social.