In the Wake

Harpartap and Whytli met during their senior year of high school while participating in first week ice breaker activities. From that day forward, many unforgettable memories were made and introspective conversations were had.Harpartap is currently living in France where he is studying to one day become an architect. In his free time, he lets his artistic juices flow along with diving deeper into his Sikh beliefs and practices. Post high school, the two have continued to stay in touch through penpal letters and the occasional video call.In this episode, Harpartap and Whytli discuss their beliefs and insights about religion and spirituality. He gives a peek into his Sihk faith and practices. We cover the following topics:Myths or misunderstandings about religion & spiritualismDifferences between organized religion & spirituality His Sihk faith, beliefs, & principlesHis personal spiritual practices & meditationMessage to those struggling with their spiritualityTune in to hear the rest of his story and perspectives!//Resources (Provided by Harpartap):5 Vices in Sihkism4,000 Year History of TurbanPositive Affirmations MeditationJup Ji SaheebNanak Naam Courses Song: 100 Days by AJR//Connect with Harpartap & his work:Website: harpartap.frInstagram: @turbanathor//Follow along with the rest of my journey.Instagram:@whytli@inthewakewithwhytliFacebook: Whytli RogersTwitter: @whytliPinterest: WhytliTikTok: @whytli@inthewakewithwhytliLinkedIn: Whytli RogersWebsite: whytli.comContact me here.Support the show

Lopa van der Mersch is many things: Ayurvedic practitioner. Mother of two. Sustainability advocate. TEDx speaker. Recovering cult member. Her adventures have taken her around the world in search of health, spiritual fulfillment, and deep energy. 2 Years ago, she added a new chapter to her life story: Founder and CEO of Rasa, the adaptogenic coffee alternatives revolutionizing people’s relationship to their energy. Many of us spend our lives seeking spiritual truth and fulfillment. But, for Lopa, that journey led her somewhere she never expected — a cult. She might not have found all the answers she was looking for, but she did learn a tremendous amount about outsourcing your inner knowing, losing (and reclaiming) your voice, and finding your unshakable source of integrity within. Back in what she calls her “cult days,” Lopa’s whole world revolved around rigid adherence to dogma. She’s worked hard to turn the traumas of her past into lessons for her future — embracing nuance over dogma, empathy over authority, and flexibility over rigidity. The strategies she’s developed for applying these lessons took a lifetime of unique experience to discover. In this episode, Lopa shares her story from before her cult days, experiences within the cult, and what it was like leaving and recovering from that cult. She speaks about her evolving spiritual beliefs and how she has reclaimed her voice and inner knowing. We dive into the following:How she found herself in a cult & what she experienced within oneHow abusive relationships & cults have similar patternsReligions vs. cultsLeaving & recovering from a cultWhy it's harmful to outsource your spiritual sovereigntyReclaiming her voice & inner knowingEmbracing nuance over dogmaTune in to hear the rest of her story & wisdom!!//Resources:Books:The Guru Papers by Joel KramerMan's Search For Meaning by Victor E. FranklSong: Lingala by Lee Burridge & Lost Desert//Follow along with Lopa & her work:Website: wearerasa.comInstagram: @lopalovesyou@wearerasa//Follow along with the rest of my journey.Instagram:@whytli@inthewakewithwhytliFacebook: Whytli RogersTwitter: @whytliPinterest: WhytliTikTok: @whytliLinkedIn: Whytli RogersWebsite: whytli.comContact me here.Support the show

Anung Vilay is the owner of Courageous Creativity, where she helps introverts and black sheep create lives that fit them instead of continuously trying to fit into the boxes that society has pushed. She's the host of two podcasts: The Introvert's Bubble and I Don't Wanna Fit In. On top of that, she is also an author and photographer. In this episode, Anung shares her experiences setting boundaries and taking care of herself as an introvert. She describes what it was like growing up as an introvert, how she handles social situations and what stereotypes are inaccurate about introverts.We dive into the following topics:What it means to be an introvert vs. extrovertWhat being an introvert looks like for her personallyInaccurate stereotypes about introvertsGrowing up as an introvertSetting boundaries & self care as an introvertTune in to hear the rest of her story and insights!!//Resources:Book: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan CainSong: Shatter Me by Lindsey Sterling//Connect with Anung & her work:Website: courageouscreativity.comPodcast:The Introvert's BubbleI Don't Wanna Fit InInstagram: @courageous_creativity@theintrovertsbubbleBook: Get Out of My Bubble by Anung Vilay//Follow along with the rest of my journey.Instagram:@whytli@inthewakewithwhytliFacebook: Whytli RogersTwitter: @whytliPinterest: WhytliTikTok: @whytliLinkedIn: Whytli RogersWebsite: whytli.comContact me here.Support the show

Jamie Beth Cohen is a novelist, essayist, storyteller, and podcaster. She writes about difficult things, but her friends think she’s actually really funny. Jamie lives in Lancaster County, PA with her family and hosts the spreadsheet podcast, “There’s a Column for That!” Her writing has appeared in TeenVogue.com, The Washington Post/On Parenting, HuffPost, and several other outlets. WASTED PRETTY, her debut novel for teens and their adults is a sex-positive story about the aftermath of a sexual assault. LIMINAL SUMMER, the sequel to WASTED PRETTY, will be published in 2021.In this episode, Jamie shares her experiences and insights as a Jewish woman parenting two Jewish children in a Christian-dominated society.  She dives into antisemitism, parenting through social justice topics, and how to build more inclusive communities for children. We dive into the following topics:What it means to be Jewish to herWhat it feels like to be seenHarmful stigmas & myths people have regarding Jewish peopleBreaking down antisemitismHow parents & teachers can stop the rise of antisemitismParenting through social justice issuesHer thoughts on online activismTune in to hear many stories and insights from Jamie herself!//Resource: We Need Diverse Books//Connect with Jamie & her work:Instagram:@jamiebeths@wastedprettyTwitter:@jamie_beth_s@column_podWebsite: www.jamiebethcohen.comPodcast: There's A Column For ThatBooks:Wasted Pretty by Jamie Beth CohenLiminal Summer by Jamie Beth Cohen Articles:My Neighbor Had A Confederate Flag. My Daughter Had the Perfect Response7 Ways for Parents and Teachers to Stop the Rise of AntisemitismWhen My Daughter's Teacher Erased Her Judaism for a Class Project//Song: Seasons of Love - Rent//Follow along with the rest of my journey.Instagram:@whytli@inthewakewithwhytliFacebook: Whytli RogersTwitter: @whytliPinterest: WhytliTikTok: @whytliLinkedIn: Whytli RogersWebsite: whytli.comContact me here.Support the show

Shannon Knight (she/her) is a queer therapist with a private practice in Tampa, FL where she specializes in working with individuals and couples. She’s the author of Understanding Gender Identity an online course for parents and professionals to better understand their gender diverse child. She's also the co-host of The Tarot Diagnosis a podcast where her and her colleague, Luna, explore the intersection of psychology, mental health, and tarot.In this episode, Shannon helps us break down the spectrums that gender and sexuality lie on. She gives a great base level of understanding for commonly used terms and concepts in regards to gender, sexuality, and sex. Along with that, we dive deeper into how these things are affected by toxic masculinity, misogyny, rigid gender roles and more. We discuss the following topics:Defining the differences between gender, sexuality, & sexHow gender & sexuality lie on a spectrumThe difference between gender identity & gender expressionParenting children exploring their gender & sexualityHow rigid gender roles plays a part into toxic masculinity & misogyny What gender neutrality & gender equality entailTune in to hear the rest of her wisdom and insights!!//Resources: Kinsey InstituteGenderbread Person DiagramGender Unicorn DiagramPFlag Chapter NetworkInstagram Follows:@indyamoore@pinkmantaray@blairimani@mattxiv@jenerousSong: I Can Change By Lake Street Drive//Connect with Shannon & her work:Website: moderncounseling.comCourse: Understanding Gender IdentityPodcast: The Tarot Diagnosis Instagram: @shannon_the_therapist@thetarotdiagnosis//Follow along with the rest of my journey.Instagram:@whytli@inthewakewithwhytliFacebook: Whytli RogersTwitter: @whytliPinterest: WhytliTikTok: @whytliLinkedIn: Whytli RogersWebsite: whytli.comContact me here.Support the show

*TRIGGER WARNING*This is a heavier episode as we speak of abuse, sexual assault, and trauma. If you are a survivor of abuse or sexual assault, please listen with caution or skip this episode entirely. The last thing I would want is for hearing these things to set you back in your healing journey or trigger negative thoughts or emotions. Please practice self care, reach out to a trusted love one, and/or CALL the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE(7233). //Stevie is the founder of We Are HER. After leaving her abuser in 2016, she realized sharing her story, connecting with other survivors, and learning about DV were three crucial elements in her healing journey. She wanted to make sure every survivor could be given those three opportunities. When she’s not running HER, you’ll find her in the mountains of Montana hanging out with her partner and two border collies or reconnecting with her Mexican roots.In this episode, Stevie shares her story of developing PTSD after both an abusive childhood and later being in an abusive relationship. She also dives into what it was like navigating the reporting process, court trial, and her thoughts on the justice system as a whole as a survivor. She wraps up by talking about her healing journey and building the We Are HER community for survivors to connect with each other.We discuss the following points:Stevie's story of abuseHealthy dynamics within her new relationshipNavigating the reporting process & justice system as a survivorExperiences leading up to a PTSD diagnosisCoping mechanism for PTSDStigmas & misunderstandings around PTSD & survivorsTune in to hear the rest of her story and insights!!//Song: Keep It Between the Lines by Sturgill Simpson//Connect with Stevie & her work:Instagram:@wearehernetwork@steviecroisantFacebook: We Are HER NetworkFacebook Group: We Are HER Survivors GroupWebsite: weareher.netPodcast: We Are HEREmail: [email protected]//Follow along with the rest of my journey.Instagram:@whytli@inthewakewithwhytliFacebook: Whytli RogersTwitter: @whytliPinterest: WhytliTikTok: @whytliLinkedIn: Whytli RogersWebsite: whytli.comContact me here.Support the show

Anna and Maria are twins and co-hosts of the mental health podcast, Bipolar Bicoastal. They launched the show after receiving their bipolar diagnoses in order to help others struggling with mental illness and the people that love them. Bipolar Bicoastal is a blend of discussions and interviews that offer a humorous look at serious mental health topics and concrete ways to cope with bipolar disorder.Anna lives in Baltimore, MD and is a manager on a crisis hotline for sexual assault survivors (far too many of whom have severe mental illness), while Maria lives in Los Angeles and is an Associate Producer for reality tv shows.In this episode, Anna and Maria share their stories of getting diagnosed with bipolar disorders and how their experiences are both similar and different as twin sisters. They also help break down some of the myths and stigmas that surround bipolar disorders and describe how those shame filled stigmas have affected them personally. We discuss the following:Stigmas & misconceptions about bipolar disorderWhat events led up to each of them getting diagnosed How they reacted to that diagnosisSimilarities & differences between Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2How shame or stigma has played a part in their storiesCoping mechanisms they have implemented into their livesTune in to hear the rest of their story!//Resources: Book: Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo and Me by Ellen ForneyWebsite: EndTheStigma.orgInstagram: @endthestigmaorg//Song: No One by Alicia Keys//Connect with them & their work:Podcast: Bipolar BicoastalInstagram: @bipolarbicoastalFacebook: Bipolar BicoastalFacebook Group: Bipolar Bicoastal Secret GroupPatreon: Bipolar Bicoastal//Follow along with the rest of my journey.Instagram:@whytli@inthewakewithwhytliFacebook: Whytli RogersTwitter: @whytliPinterest: WhytliTikTok: @whytliLinkedIn: Whytli RogersWebsite: whytli.comContact me here.Support the show

Brianne Leeson is an artist and small business owner from Dallas, Texas. She is also the creator of the scripted comedy/fiction podcast Today’s Lucky Winner. You might have recognized Brianne from Episode 80 where she shared how her ADHD and eating disorder affected one another. In this follow up part two episode, Brianne is continuing her story about how she has also received an autism diagnosis. Brianne was diagnosed in her thirties with ADHD and later autism which led her to a whole new realm of self discovery and understanding. She began to realize how both her ADHD  and autism had affected or amplified different things throughout growing up including her relationship with her body and an eating disorder.  After receiving her autism diagnosis, she had to dismantle her own misconceptions and ableism. With the knowledge she has of herself now, she is able to adapt with her differences, look at her life through a new lens, and advocate for her specific needs.We discuss the following:What led her to pursue an autism diagnosisThings she didn't realize were traits of autismSimilarities & differences between ADHD & autismStigmatized misconceptions around autismWhat masking and stimming look likeHarmful VS. helpful language to use when speaking of autismTune in to hear the rest of Brianne's story!!//Resources:Venn Diagram of ADHD & AutismList of autistic traits (these led Brianne to pursue a diagnosis)Autism Diagnostic TestsEmbrace Autism - The Ultimate Autism Resource//Song: Seen & Not Seen by Talking Heads//Connect with Brianne & her work:Instagram:@brianne_leeson@bellonaarts@luckywinnershowPodcast: Today's Lucky Winner ShowWebsite: www.bellonaarts.com//Follow along with the rest of my journey.Instagram:@whytli@inthewakewithwhytliFacebook: Whytli RogersTwitter: @whytliPinterest: WhytliTikTok: @whytliLinkedIn: Whytli RogersWebsite: whytli.comContact me here.Support the show

Denise is a poet and an award-winning writer, photographer, and artist, and an IT professional. And she is a survivor of childhood abuse. She is the author of a new self-help book: "Thriving After Sexual Abuse: Break Your Bondage to the Past and Live a Life You Love" where she provides tips and suggestions for readers to seek help, self-reflect, and pursue healing through a range of activities and practices and offers tangible strategies for readers to reclaim their lives and move forward to a life of Thriving.In this episode, Denise shares her story of childhood sexual abuse at the hands of her grandfather and how that abuse affected the rest of her childhood & growing up. She takes us through her healing journey and what it took to move from a place of survival to now thriving. We discuss the following points:Her story of childhood sexual abuseHow the abuse affected the rest of her childhood & growing upExploring different routes of healingMoving from simply surviving to truly thrivingWhy it may be so hard to begin your healing journeyHow healing is a series of letting go & welcomingsReflection prompts for healingTune in to hear the rest of her story & insights!//Connect with Denise & her work:Website: thrivingaftersexualabusebook.comHealing Journey LibraryBook: Thriving After Sexual Abuse: Break Your Bondage to the Past and Live a Life You Love by Denise BossarteFacebook: Thriving AfterInstagram: @poetryyoginiYouTube: Thriving After//Song: Hallelujah by Leonard CohenHallelujah by Rufus Wainwright//Follow along with the rest of my journey.Instagram:@whytli@inthewakewithwhytliFacebook: Whytli RogersTwitter: @whytliPinterest: WhytliTikTok: @whytliLinkedIn: Whytli RogersWebsite: whytli.comContact me here.Support the show

Dr. Traci Baxley is a mother of five, consultant, educator and coach dedicated to supporting families, organizations and corporations in developing diversity & inclusion practices that lead to meaningful relationships, genuine belonging and high productivity. She is also the creator of Social Justice Parenting®, a philosophy that moves families from fear-based parenting to creating spaces of belonging through compassion, radical love and social justice engagement.In this episode, Traci takes us through her Social Justice Parenting model and philosophy and the types of conversations that parents need to be having with their children. She explains how Social Justice Parenting is rooted in radical love and is not equivalent to parenting out of fear along with why we should not be keeping our kids in the dark when it comes to what is happening in the world. We discuss the following talking points:Why social justice parenting is not equivalent to parenting out of fearHow social justice activism is rooted in radical loveHer Social Justice Parenting model using the acronym ROCKSHow to begin these conversations around social issuesWhy we should not keep our kids in the dark about what's happening in the worldTune in to hear more of her wisdom & insight!!//Connect with Traci & her work:Instagram: @socialjusticeparentingFacebook: Social Justice ParentingWebsite: www.socialjusticeparenting.comBook: Social Justice Parenting:  How to Raise Compassionate, Anti-Racist, Justice-Minded Kids in an Unjust World by Traci BaxleyTEDx Talk: Social Justice Parenting by Traci Baxley//Songs:Sacred Space by India ArieI Am Light by India Arie//Follow along with the rest of my journey.Instagram:@whytli@inthewakewithwhytliFacebook: Whytli RogersTwitter: @whytliPinterest: WhytliTikTok: @whytliLinkedIn: Whytli RogersWebsite: whytli.comContact me here.Support the show