Jess Quarello and Taryn Lagonigro join the podcast to talk about their organization ELM, formerly known as Extra Lucky Moms. Jess and Taryn catch us up on what they've been up to and the wonderful things ELM has done in the disability community. These two incredible women are extra lucky in many ways. They are parents to beautiful children, entrepreneurs and advocates. At the start of 2024 I launched my own media company; Sprouting Productions, which focuses on producing top-notch podcasts. I have always loved the work Jess and Taryn do for the world and knew I wanted to produce a podcast for them. I'm happy to announce that The Extra Lucky Podcast will be launching in the Spring of 2024. You can find out more below. The Extra Lucky Podcast website Sprouting Productions website

Anya Raetsch is a big part of the reason why New Jersey will now be providing NJ students in sixth through 12 grade with free menstrual products. Anya is a menstrual equity activist, who saw a problem and worked hard to find a solution. While attending her local NJ high school, Anya noticed a big need for her school to add FREE menstrual products to the girl's bathrooms. With the help of her Girl Scout Golden Award and Aunt Flo she navigated talking to her principal, Superintendents and boardrooms full of adult men. Anya still works with New Jersey schools and the Period Equity project. She is currently a freshman in college. Anya's social links: Instagram Aunt Flo Guest Blog

Maryah Greene, a fellow Bank Street College of Education Alum joins me to talk about her debut children's novel Good Things. 🎓 We reminisce about our time and experience at Bank Street and the tools it provided us with to be successful. 🪴 While attending school, Maryah founded Greene Piece; a platform for plant lovers all over the world. Rooted in education and growth, Greene Piece is an accessible platform sharing plant knowledge and more. 📚 Maryah Greene's debut children's book Good Things is out now. We talk about the importance of writing books with heavy topics as the focal point. Good Things is an impactful picture book that depicts grief and loss while incorporating plants and growth. Maryah's social links: website purchase Good Things on amazon

During Pride Month in June of 2023 I came across a segment on Bernie and immediately invited hero not the podcast. Bernie Wagenblast's voice is quite familiar to those of NYC as she voices the subway's "Next Train" announcements. Bernie shares her journey growing up wishing she was a girl, finding her love for news and where she is today. Bernie's socials: LinkedIn Sprouting Mind's socials: website additional links

Sprouting Minds update: After 2 years of running Sprouting Minds I finally took time off. I spent June and July not focusing on certain aspects of podcasting that would interfere with my love of connecting with people and sharing their story with the world. My head is clear and I am ready to dive back in and bring you all new episodes starting August 1, 2023! It’s year 3 and I’m ready to rock and roll. As always thank you for your continuous support and let’s keep growing and connecting. You can follow Sprouting Minds on: instagram website If you want to be a guest on the Sprouting Minds podcast please reach out at [email protected]

Erika Joy Sneath is an educator, author and cat mom. Erika chats about her experience as a new teacher and the little things she started to notice that would ultimately affect her teaching career. Erika shares the time she injured her ankle at work and how that left her with chronic pain. Her journey is about overcoming obstacles, understanding that who we are can effect our ability to separate work from life and how we can take our challenges and create something meaningful and beautiful from them. Erika's socials: website Instagram You can purchase her book on her website above or on amazon here.

Aaron Machbitz joins me to talk about his journey navigating his understanding and experience with mental health. Aaron is a former WWE wrestler who went by the name Jaxone Stone. After his sister died by suicide, Aaron began noticing how his WWE alter ego juxtaposed his real life personality. Aaron shares his struggles, wins and the tools he uses to help maintain his mental health. You can learn more about Aaron by clicking the links below. Aaron's link.tree You Are Loved Sprouting Mind's links

Tyrel Hunt is the author, director and producer of The Sound of Southside. The Sound of Southside is based in Queens, NY where both Tyrel and I are from. He captures the beauty, hardships and obstacles the community faces. Though fictional, the characters and storyline feel real. Tyrel and I talk about how he conceptualized this idea and the obstacles he had to overcome to produce such a unique and beautiful piece of art. Tyrel's socials: website instagram Get the book here the Sprouting Minds platforms

Amalia Flecksteiner joins the pod to share her journey navigating her moms ALS diagnosis to self published her very own children's book. On Valentine's Day 2019, Amalia Flecksteiner's mom was diagnosed with ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells. Though her mom passed less than 2 years later, Amalia realized there were very few resources that explained this complicated disease to young children, like her niece Aubrey who was only 8 years old when her grandmother was diagnosed. She chose to create one herself, writing and self-publishing, "But She Still Can Love: A Child's Understanding of ALS" in April 2020. to purchase click here But She Still Can Love by Amalia Flecksteiner

Use code: VIP23 to get 10% off at ⁠https://www.stealthbrosco.com/⁠ As seen on Shark Tank! I first saw Braxton Fleming on Shark Tank when he was pitching his amazing invention; a Dopp kit bag. This bag was unique in the sense that it was not just for someone transition, but also for anyone going through IVF, diabetes or any other personel matter. The invention was all about making people feel comfortable in their own skin. I reached out to Braxton and he came on the pod to talk about his journey discovering who he was and how he became the man he is today. Stealth Bros. & Co. website: https://www.stealthbrosco.com/ insta: https://www.instagram.com/stealthbrosco/ Sprouting Minds socials: https://linktr.ee/sproutingmindsnyc