Stories We Haven't Shared

In this episode, Shanti sits down with Aaron Abreu (he/him), a Filipino gay man and pastor’s son, for an honest conversation about identity, resilience and navigating career success on your own terms. Aaron shares the emotionally complex experience of coming out in a deeply religious household, the cultural shifts he faced after immigrating to the U.S., and how those events shaped his career path. He openly discusses the power and ...

In this episode, Shanti welcomes Lisa Hurley (she/her), a Black, Caribbean-born woman in her mid-50s with autism and ADHD — who shares her journey as an award-winning activist, writer, podcaster and community builder. Lisa powerfully describes a shocking discriminatory incident on a bus that reveals not only the harm of overt racism, but also the quieter betrayals of silence, gaslighting and complicity. She offers a glimpse into th...

In this episode, Shanti welcomes back her Dad, Rondavid Gold (he/him), as her first repeat guest. The conversation delves into new stories and layers, including the chaotic promotional advertising event that could have derailed his career (but didn’t), the engagement he walked away from (and the draft notice that followed), his struggles as a new Army recruit - and how near-death experiences in Vietnam shifted his entire worldview....

In this episode, Shanti interviews Liz Cruz (they/them/she/her), a genderqueer, femme, healer, witch, white anti-racist and critic of capitalism. Liz talks about factors that played into her career, including her relentless work ethic - rooted in growing up in an entrepreneurial family - as well as the divide between her vibrant queer community life and the more constrained corporate spaces, where she never felt fully seen. She the...

In this conversation, Shanti interviews Leila Sawan (she/her), a trans Arab refugee and activist. Despite being highly qualified, Leila was repeatedly passed over for roles early in her career due to her intersectionality - leading her to take exploitative jobs simply to survive. She reveals the struggles trans individuals face in some countries to obtain medical resources needed to transition. She also  highlights the insensitivit...

In this episode, Sharon Hurley Hall (she/her) - a Black, British-born, Caribbean-Raised woman - shares stories about her own experiences with racism living in different parts of the world. She discusses her journey over time to unpack the hurt and find the words to speak about it with power and impact. Sharon chooses to not allow anger and pain to define her - and refuses to inflict the same pain on others. Instead, she journeys to...

 In this conversation, filmmaker Nick Beaulieu (he/him) discusses his documentary “My Omaha,” and his decade-plus journey to understand the “tale of two cities” - the clear racial inequity he sees in Omaha versus a city presenting itself as a great place to live. The discussion centers around mounting frictions in Nick’s relationship with his father - with his Dad’s pro-Trump conservatism standing in direct opposition to Nick’s eve...

In this conversation, Sandy Kusano (she/her) shares her journey as an Asian immigrant and third-culture kid. Sandy discusses the challenges of assimilation and navigating conflicting East/West cultural expectations. She shares how her efforts to fit and feel safe in various contexts - whether at home, work, or in social settings - lead her to unconsciously downplay her Japanese/Korean identity. As an outsider, she is taught to keep...

In this episode, Shanti sits down with Indigo Avisov (they/them) - a white, trans, non-binary, first-generation college student of Slavic lineage whose family came to the US after being in POW camps during WWII. Indigo shares personal stories about the ways in which the cross-section of influences in their life shape their deep spirituality and understanding of self. They highlight the powerful role of kindness, joy, and love as ex...

In this episode, Shanti gratefully chats with her Dad, Rondavid Gold (he/him). Their conversation centers around multiple stories during his time on active duty in the Vietnam War that took unexpected twists - and ultimately saved his life. These experiences shaped Rondavid’s understanding that fate plays a powerful role and determines our path. This fatalism - coupled with optimism - freed him to accept what life had in store, let...

In this episode, Shanti welcomes her friend Natalia Sandor (she/her) - a white, cisgender woman and the first Gen Z podcast guest. Natalia speaks candidly about her coming out story and the reasons she is ready to share it more publicly now. Shanti and Natalia explore their generational differences and the ways in which they impacted - and didn’t impact - their coming out experiences. The discussion highlights the challenges many m...

In this episode, Shanti interviews Bill Carmody (he/him), a cisgender, heterosexual, white man of privilege and proud father of trans daughter, Violet. Bill discusses the story of Violet coming out as transgender, sharing tender moments and highlighting the importance of unconditional love, patience and grace for everyone involved. Bill explains the powerful impact of Positive Intelligence® / mental fitness - and the access it offe...

In today’s episode, host Mary Tess Rooney (she/her) turns the tables and interviews Shanti Joy Gold (she/her). Shanti shares more about her journey, including the early days of her relationship working at the same company with her now-wife - before there were societal shifts in LGBTQ+ acceptance. She discusses the tightrope of balancing her personal and professional life while experiencing the exhaustion and isolation of hiding her...

In this episode, Brett D'Alessandro (he/him) shares his journey from active military service as a Marine in Afghanistan to founding Backpacks for Life - a nonprofit dedicated to supporting homeless and at-risk veterans. Drawing from his own difficult reintegration into civilian life after a tough deployment, Brett’s work with veterans is rooted in establishing trust and making them feel human again. He shares about his struggl...

In this episode, Ruth Rathblott (she/her) shares her story of finding the courage to reveal her limb difference after the exhaustion and loneliness of hiding it for 25 years. She reveals the deep relief that comes from vulnerably letting others in, embracing her true self - and experiencing the power of connection and community. She also emerges with a mission to help leaders transform cultures so their employees can unhide, thrive...

In this episode, Justin Ayars (he/him), shares his journey to starting equalityMD, an LGBTQ+ telehealth platform that enables marginalized patients to enjoy affordable, affirming care in safe digital spaces - and become the superheroes of their own healthcare stories. Justin - a white, cisgender, gay man - has a story  that starts in a showbiz family as the godson of Liberace...and gets more interesting from there. His eclectic pro...

In this episode, Amy Bobchek (she/her) joins the campfire in allyship with her friend, Shanti, and with “a whole bunch of people I've never met…I just want everybody to have a good [life]." Through the lens of a cisgender, white, heterosexual woman, Amy explores the meaning of allyship and its impact. She shares personal stories that illuminate the isolation some people face in the workplace due to their identity and the ...

In this episode, Farrah Hudson-Brown (she/her) discusses her career as a Black, heterosexual, cisgender woman in the predominantly white, male-dominated sales industry. She recounts a time when she worked on a sales team led by Shanti - and a memorable 1:1 meeting during which Shanti challenged Farrah to examine an observed pattern of shifting from openness to defensiveness. Farrah’s introspection following this conversation uncove...

In today’s episode, Eduardo Placer (he/him), a cisgender gay/queer man who is the proud descendant of refugees/immigrants, shares his journey to becoming a Story Doula and international public speaking coach. Eduardo recounts personal stories from his childhood - including a pivotal 2nd grade story featuring Sammy the Seal - that highlight the impact of being misunderstood, feeling shame and living untruthfully. He talks about his ...