The Face It Podcast

Valerie Cantella is an award-winning multipassionate communications and public affairs professional living a life beyond her wildest dreams. She is the author of Off-Script: a mom’s journey through adoption, a husband’s alcoholism, and special needs parenting. In it, she shares her journey as a mother of teens with mental health issues, the struggles of special needs parenting, the effect of alcoholism on a marriage, and how she learned to embrace the unimaginable to create an extraordinary life. Valerie calls herself a recovering perfectionist and is passionate about using her experiences to help others. She is the mom of three adult children–a biological son, an adopted daughter, and a bonus son by marriage. Valerie and her husband Tom live in Santa Barbara with their exuberant yellow lab, Charlie. Website: valeriecantella.com Instagram: @valeriejcantella --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Robyn Lass comes to The Face It Podcast to talk about the challenges she faced with the school system as the mother of a child with learning differences.  The obstacles she has faced and how she has been able to move through those. Robyn is a wealth of knowledge and an example of being a tenacious advocate for her child to ensure he didn't got lost in the school system, a system that wasn't readily and easily available to serve his needs.  You can find Robyn on Instagram @birdgirl74 --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Shauna is the incredible founder of Lumen High School, an unprecedented public charter school specifically committed to elevating the lives of teen parents by providing high academic standards along with early learning on site for their kids in Spokane, Wa. Steadfast in her mission, Shauna didn't let the pandemic stand in her way and opened Lumen's doors in the Fall of 2020. Her ultimate goal is to serve this community and break generational cycles which in turn benefits two generations and the community at large. She is an inspiration to emulate in how stepping into your own purpose creates change for the greater good.   Shauna is an energy filled optimist who believes that as a community we can create the conditions for all people to know their infinite worth and thrive by being empowered to be their authentic selves. She has found that sharing stories of joy and of pain with each other is essential and that the connection with one another benefits all of humanity. Shauna has spent the past 17 years seeking to hear the stories of parenting teenagers and their families and using the the privileged parts of her own journey to create opportunities for parenting teenagers to be known, heard and empowered. She is a mom of 3 unique and beautiful children and lives in Spokane, WA with her partner Nick who is her biggest support and has spent his career learning the brain science around trauma and advocating for students in the public school system who are often labeled or forgotten. Website: www.lumenhighschool.org Instagram: @lumenhighschool.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

We got to speak with Shayna & Dana, founders of DayLuna and Human Design experts. They so brilliantly share how they rely on their own internal guide and unique talents to step into the opportunities and a life that suits them, on the their own terms.  They are inspirations and pave the way for so many of us to do the same and choose living the life we were born to live, and on our own terms.  Through their soul-centered business, DayLuna, which launched in 2019, Dana and Shayna specialize in the realm of self-purpose and conscious entrepreneurship and have been very successful in guiding their clients. Through DayLuna, they have already worked with over 1000 clients, and have trained many women to become readers themselves. The pair feel passionately called to help spread the complex and life-changing science of Human Design to a wider community in a grounded and approachable way, and with testimonials stating “by far the best I have come across,” “extremely thorough,” and “[they] set the bar high and delivered,” it is clear they are doing just that. In addition to their readings, DayLuna services and offerings include personalized ritual kits, video courses, trainings, meditation tools, and more – all centered around an individual's Human Design and astrology. You can find so much more form Shayna & Dana on their instagram page at @D.A.Y.L.U.N.A and you can listen to their amazing podcast, The DayLuna Human Design Podcast. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Part 2. We address some questions from part one and then continue the story.  Amy & Amanda talk about Amy's significantly early journey in life to bring Amanda into the world, the details surrounding her childhood and overcoming societal stereotypes, pressures and obstacles.  Amy's innate instinct to persevere and her life long dedication to self-development has led her to curate a rich, full life filled with purpose and being of service that continues to unfold.  You can reach Amy @thefaceitpodast on instagram or [email protected]. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Today we talk with Kim as part of our mini-series on family dynamics. Thirteen years ago Kim decided she wanted to have a baby and chose to take the donor route and do it on her own. Like many Gen X women, Kim was raised believing she would have it all; a career of her choosing AND a happy marriage and kids.  Her Midwestern upbringing gave her a great foundation, but she was curious about life beyond the cornfields, so moved to LA in her early 20's. Kim assumed it would be a short (and hopefully exciting!) chapter, before settling down. The early years of a fast paced media career were great fun, full of unexpected experiences and opportunities, but dating in my 20's & 30's did not deliver the spectacular guy she always thought would appear.  Kim's parents gave her their best life example, which was how to build a family with someone you truly loved, but she had to write my own revised edition.  So after a LOT of soul searching--and some tough conversations with medical experts who deal in statistics NOT romantic dreams!--Kim decided to take the steps to become a single mom by choice.  She still believes her guy is out there, and she'll meet him exactly when she's supposed to, but is 100% certain that this path was the one destined for her. With the support of her biological family, and incredible chosen family of true blue friends, Kim is building a life she could have never could have imagined.  Most important of all,  helping her son understand that having him was, and still is, the very best decision she has ever made. You can reach Kim at [email protected] or at Chapter3Productions. Resources: Books: It's NOT the Stork! and The Family Book by Todd Parr. Dr's: Dr. Sam Najmabadi, at the Center for Reproductive Health & Gynocology. (There are clearly an increasing numbers of fertility options. It's really important to find the right doctor/practice to guide you through this process, especially those equipped to help guide single parents or alternative families.) and Dr. Sheryl Ross, OB/GYN, women's health expert/advocate and published author (she-ology & she-ology, the she-quel). Kim also recommends looking into, Cord Blood Registry for storing cord blood stem cells and the advances made in medicine. 

Amy & Amanda talk about Amy's significantly early journey in life to bring Amanda into the world, the details surrounding her childhood and overcoming societal stereotypes, pressures and obstacles.  Amy's innate instinct to persevere and her life long dedication to self-development has led her to curate a rich, full life filled with purpose and being of service that continues to unfold.  You can reach Amy @thefaceitpodast on instagram or [email protected].

In this episode we speak with Zee about choosing to have a baby and being pregnant at 47.  She shares her story of working hard and focusing on her career, while also enjoying the youthful life California has to offer; ultimately making her way to motherhood on her terms.  *Special shout out to Zee's mom, Chris for being by her side and a constant source of support.*

We are kicking off our next series of conversations surrounding unique family dynamics; by choice or by circumstance. Starting with Brett, you will hear the common element of our podcast, overcoming adversity and/or major life challenges. By sharing these stories our goal is to help inspire and motivate others.  Brett's story of facing adversity starts at the ripe age of 5. He started working at 7 years old and really had himself to count on. You will hear that Brett expresses these intense life challenges with levity, humor and innate desire to succeed. 

We talk with Mackenzie, who also goes by Mack or Kenz!  Mackenzie studied secondary education with endorsements in English and English as a new language with every intention to start teaching after graduation in 2020; the pandemic had other plans!  We talk with her about how she has navigated a swift change and is now a full time photographer!  Mackenzie has a love art in all forms, enjoys the great outdoors, especially in her own backyard, in the Pacific Northwest and makes sure to spend time with the people she loves the most. You can find Mack on her website here: macklloydphotography.com or on Instagram @macklloydphotography