The Enlighten Me Podcast

Our kids are getting exposure - wouldn’t we rather it be from us instead of other kids at school? This is true of so many things, and trafficking is one of them. Actually, our youth are the biggest targets and victims of trafficking globally. Equipping them with the knowledge of what trafficking looks like is one of the most powerful things we can do to help fight it! That’s what Rasha and Youth Underground are here to do.

Last week...

“Sunlight is the best disinfectant.” That’s why I’ll keep talking about modern day slavery until I’m blue in the face, as long as anyone will listen! If you’ve been a long time listener, you’ve probably heard me cover sex slavery before. But did you know that that’s just one of many forms of human trafficking? It’s the year 2021 and yet, the trafficking and sale of human beings is at an all-time high. It’s for this reason that it’s...

Essential oils can replace a lot of things in your home, whether it’s cleaning products, cosmetic products, or even some medicinal products! But there’s a problem - not all oils are created equally. Essential oils are a somewhat unregulated industry, so it’s important to know what to look for in the oils that you’re buying. That’s what Christa - the mom, wife, and essential oil expert - is back to tell us about today!

Last week Chri...

Coming at you today with all sorts of OILY goodness! You’ve probably heard of essential oils before as their popularity continues to grow. But, these are much more than a wellness trend. Did you know essential oils have actually been around for centuries?? These plant-powered oils have a lot of uses and benefits, and I wanted to get someone on the show who could teach us more about them!

Christa Pettit is a mom to two littles and is...

Continuing education - have you heard of it? This term typically refers to careers like nursing or teaching to make sure professionals can stay up-to-date with the latest methods involved in their line of work. But, in my opinion, it’s something we ALL need, no matter the type of work we do! It’s been proven time and time again that continuing to learn, especially from people who are unlike us, is good for us! Kate Neally is back t...

Let me start by telling you that this show is many years in the making! Ever since I first met Kate, she and I have shared a passion for social justice, celebrating diversity, and all things education. Today, those three things are colliding as we talk about what Kate has been researching the past few years as she works on her doctorate, specifically looking at diversity in the STEM education fields. No, we’re not talking about ste...

Before you go any further, ima need you to do me a favor and let your guard down. Some of the contents of today’s show might lead you to feel the need to get defensive. Friend, you have nothing to prove here. The fact of the matter is that we’re all imperfect - we all have stereotypes, we all have biases, and we all make mistakes. In other words, we’re all human! So if you can remember that no one’s here to judge you or condemn you...

You know that feeling when you say a word so often that it starts to sound weird and you question what it even means? I think it’s fair to say that “diversity” has become one of those words for many businesses out there who are trying to stay relevant. This term is used so often that it’s easy to lose sight of what it even means! But, here’s an answer to that problem: The Diversity Movement. This consulting firm is working with bus...

The future of thrifting is here, and I couldn’t be more excited! Payton, Brigit, and the entire Fomeno team are innovative business women and I’m stoked to see where this venture takes them. But, they’re also visionaries for much more than their business - I’m inspired by these ladies to pursue my passions, even if it does challenge some societal norms!

Last week Payton and Brigit came on the show to tell me more about their award-w...

Scholars, collegiate athletes, secondhand fashion experts, AND business owners…how do they do it all?! That’s the question you’ll be asking yourself after listening to Brigit Blote and Payton Ryz today. These USD Coyote’s didn’t expect to be running a brand new small business before even graduating with their undergraduate degrees, but thanks to a campus competition focusing on sustainability, their wildest entrepreneurial dreams a...

Vulnerable. Brave. Inspiring. Those are just a few words of many I could use to describe Raquel McCloud. Beginning with the day she was born, this woman was not dealt an easy hand of cards. But, just like the story line from so many of her favorite books and movies, she was able to rise above her circumstances and create a beautiful life out of the hard and the messy. And not only that, but she is using the things she has been thro...

“Truly, this child saved my life.” Those are powerful words, especially when they’re coming from an unplanned teen pregnancy… Raquel often gets told that her story sounds like a Lifetime Original. After listening today, you’re going to understand why! Today, Raquel is getting super vulnerable and sharing about her childhood trauma, stories of abuse, and placing her first child up for adoption. We’re also hearing a few of the highli...

In light of the Olympic Games starting next month and the Paralympics in August, I’ve decided to postpone my regular podcast schedule and instead take the time to share a previously aired episode. This interview was from Episode 2 of the podcast airing in May of 2018 - an oldie but a goodie! So much of this interview is still relevant today and, while we still have a long ways to go, it’s fun to look back and see how far we’ve come...

Pause and consider. Those are two words that really stuck with me after speaking with Dr. Marissa. Pause and consider the impact that your words may have. Pause and consider how the experiences of others may be different than your own. Pause and consider that someone’s pain may be greater than yours. What would the world look like if we paused and considered these things more?

Dr. Marissa is back this week with more advice and tools...

Have you ever thought about the social impact of the jewelry you buy or the clothes you purchase? What about where you buy your groceries and home goods? Or, how about where you bank?! Naomi started Redeemed With Purpose 4 years ago with the mission of raising money to support organizations rescuing lives from human trafficking. But, over time she has come to recognize how much farther she can take her business to create sustainab...

Growing up in a predominantly white community, Dr. Marissa felt ashamed of her background and her heritage. Over the years, however, she has learned to embrace who she is and to be proud of where she came from. Now, the woman dubbed “the Asian Oprah” is on a mission to help others find this same freedom and joy in who they are. Part of that mission is embracing cultural diversity and group differences!

Discrimination against Asians ...

Thousands of people across the United States don’t currently have an address or a roof over their heads. This problem can often feel much too big to solve - but could it be possible that such a massive crisis has some simple solutions? Today, Melany Jackson is back to teach us what we can do to help folks without homes, and I’m telling you - it’s easier than you think!

Last week, Melany shared with us about the nonprofit ministry sh...

Half a million. That’s the approximate number of people living without addresses in the United States. And that number is closer to billions when we look from a global scale! To say that homelessness is a crisis is an understatement. Sometimes, this problem feels way too big to even solve, but the ministry that Melany Jackson started says otherwise.

C-U at Home exists to serve folks without an address in the Central Illinois communi...

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - none of us is too small to make a difference in this world. Haley is back again this week to remind us of just that! In her own life, Haley has embraced living in what she calls “the messy middle.” We might not be able to do sustainability or ethical shopping perfectly all the time, but it’s about making the little changes that we can and embracing the collective impact we have. This is t...