Derek Santiago is a passionate advocate for individual and societal health and wellness. With a background in teaching group fitness, swimming, and yoga, as well as nutrition education, he is committed to helping others lead healthier lives. Derek is currently working on a Master's Degree in Public Health. As a runner, he participates in road races like 5Ks and half marathons. Professionally, he has worked diligently in nonprofits, philanthropy, and education. Derek is a proud father of two, enjoying activities like playing chess and Pokémon cards, outdoor adventures with his children, and supporting them in pursuits like Taekwondo. Above all, Derek strives to set a positive example for healthy living in both family life and the broader community. Today you'll hear us chatting about: - the messages we got around alcohol - navigating social situations without alcohol - the role of presence in relationships - and community and support in sobriety Follow the podcast on IG: @ LightingaCandlePodcast Be sure to subscribe ✅ Host: @iamZulynette Show some love via CashApp: $Zulynette

Emily Lorin is a queer artist, writer, tarot reader & psychotherapist based on the lands of the Quinnipiac & Paugussett nations in Southeastern Connecticut. Their work is towards the loving, playful & liberatory work of sovereign people, land & bodies everywhere. Today you’ll hear us in conversation about: - the role of therapy in social work - the absurdity of modern living - community healing, and - imaging a lush future. Follow the podcast on IG: @ LightingaCandlePodcast Be sure to subscribe ✅ Host IG: @ iamZulynette Show some love via CashApp: $Zulynette

Hey friends, I’m friggin excited about this episode. First, this week my annual storytelling show is happening this Friday November 15th for free at Goodyear Arts in Charlotte, North Carolina and it’s the first time I’m hosting A Little Bit of Death outside of CT where it’s been hosted since 2015. About the show: A Little Bit of Death is a ritualistic night where several storytellers share parts of themselves around the themes of letting go, deep personal change, and moving through grief. It’s a very powerful spell, I’m honored to host and share. Today: I’ll be joined by 2 A Little Bit of Death alumni writer and educator Patrick Rico Williams and fellow podcaster and award-winning host of “Audacious” on CT Public, Chion Wolf who will be dropping the gems of their experiences unto two of this year’s storytellers, soulful singer-songwriter Maggie Lowe and the twinkly witch fairy who occasionally guest stars on this podcast, Kari. Joining Maggie and Kari on the stage this Friday will be A Poet Named Superman who was a guest on Lighting a Candle back in the summer and storyteller, comedian, and poet Adrian Parrish. Oh and me. I’ll also be sharing this Friday. See you at Goodyear Arts where we’ll be bringing A Little Bit of Death to Charlotte for the very first time. Enjoy the conversation friends. Visit zulynette.com for free tickets to the show. Follow the podcast on IG: ⁠@ LightingaCandlePodcast⁠ Be sure to subscribe ✅ Host: ⁠@iamZulynette⁠ Show some love via CashApp: ⁠$Zulynette⁠

Things have been so wonky lately that this episode is gonna be a little different. Today it's just you and me. I'll be talking about: The heaviness Reminders and affirmations during this election season. My upcoming storytelling show, A Little Bit of Death. Follow the podcast on IG: @LightingaCandlePodcast Be sure to subscribe ✅ Host: @iamZulynette Show some love via CashApp: $Zulynette

⚠️ Content and trigger warning. We will be discussing domestic violence including physical, verbal, psychological, and financial abuse. This episode mentions murder. This is an incomplete, nuanced, and imperfect conversation around domestic violence. I would like to remind you, any of you listening or watching, it is not the abused person’s responsibility to not get abused, it’s an abuser’s responsibility to not abuse. It is not the abused person’s responsibility to take part in an abuser’s healing journey or to help them not be abusive. You deserve safety in all forms – psychologically, financially, physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Take care of yourself while listening or watching. Follow the podcast on IG: @ LightingaCandlePodcast Be sure to subscribe ✅ Host: @iamZulynette Show some love via CashApp: $Zulynette

Today you’ll be hearing the second half of a two part conversation with my pal, Kenyatta Muzzanni Robles. We’ll be chatting about the non-linear nature of healing, how uncomfortable healing actually is, accountability even while healing, and the intersection of love and healing. So much friggin' healing! When you get the chance please check out and support Kenyatta’s phenomenal work on ⁠Substack at Muzzanni’s Multitudes⁠. Follow the podcast on IG: ⁠@ LightingaCandlePodcast⁠ Be sure to subscribe ✅ Host: ⁠@iamZulynette⁠ Show some love via CashApp: ⁠$Zulynette

Today you’ll be hearing the first half of a two part conversation with my pal, Kenyatta Muzzanni Robles. Also! It’s their birthday today. Happy birthday, Kenyatta! We’ll be chatting about the non-linear nature of healing, how uncomfortable healing actually is, accountability even while healing, and the intersection of love and healing. So much friggin' healing! When you get the chance please check out and support Kenyatta’s phenomenal work on Substack at Muzzanni’s Multitudes. Enjoy and remember to check in next week for part 2. Follow the podcast on IG: @ LightingaCandlePodcast Be sure to subscribe ✅ Host: @iamZulynette Show some love via CashApp: $Zulynette

Hey hey! This is the second half of a 2-part conversation with my real life friends ⁠Patrick Rico Williams⁠ and ⁠Andrew Dean Wright⁠ about, well, friendship. We talk about navigating adult friendships and how that’s different from when we were younger, communication and boundaries, the messages we received about friendship, AND the roles that culture, neurodivergence, and vulnerability play in friendships. It’s such a good conversation full of our past experiences, what we’re navigating now, and lots and lots of laughter. Adult friendships are a conversation we don’t dive into enough. With all the injustice we see in the world and the way political systems constantly fail us, I’d like to remind you that community, friendship, relationships are what will save us. Enjoy! Follow the podcast on IG: @ LightingaCandlePodcast Be sure to subscribe ✅ Host: @iamZulynette Show some love via CashApp: $Zulynette

Welcome back to Lighting a Candle. It’s season 2 baby! And I’m kicking the season off with the first half of a 2-part conversation with my real life friends Patrick Rico Williams and Andrew Dean Wright about, well, friendship. We talk about navigating adult friendships and how that’s different from when we were younger, communication and boundaries, the messages we received about friendship, AND the roles that culture, neurodivergence, and vulnerability play in friendships. It’s such a good conversation full of our past experiences, what we’re navigating now, and lots and lots of laughter. Adult friendships are a conversation we don’t dive into enough. With all the injustice we see in the world and the way political systems constantly fail us, I’d like to remind you that community, friendship, relationships are what will save us. I hope you enjoy part 1 and be sure to tune in next week for part 2. Follow the podcast on IG: @ LightingaCandlePodcast Be sure to subscribe ✅ Host: @iamZulynette Show some love via CashApp: $Zulynette

On this episode I am joined by Kari and our friends Jax and Gregorian to talk about rest. We chat about challenging societal expectations around rest, prioritizing our well-being, undoing the indoctrination of being productive, and ways to rest and make space for peace. Follow the podcast on IG: @ LightingaCandlePodcast Be sure to subscribe ✅ Host IG: @ iamZulynette Show some love via CashApp: $Zulynette