June 30, 2025 • 48 mins
Description: In this powerful episode of The 3 Parallels Podcast, Dr. Branch welcomes Grace Schroeder a former student, emerging therapist, and current graduate student who opens up about her deeply personal and transformative journey. From growing up within a religious framework to finding her voice in the therapeutic space, Grace shares how she learned to live in the gray, challenge black-and-white thinking, and give herself permission to be fully human.Grace speaks candidly about the evolution of her identity, the courage to embrace duality, and how theory and spirituality don’t have to compete, they can coexist. She reflects on the resilience it takes to show up, including recording this episode from the bathroom floor just to honor her commitment to the moment and the listeners. This is an episode about presence, purpose, and the power of letting go of perfection.Whether you’re a therapist, student, or someone on a personal growth journey, Grace’s story is an inspiring reminder that people are doing the best they can with what they have and that’s worth celebrating.
🎯 3 Listener Challenges:
Grace Schroeder is a graduate student in Clinical Mental Health Counseling who is passionate about creating inclusive, affirming spaces for healing and storytelling. With a background in advocacy and queer community mental health work, she strives to uplift marginalized voices and approach mental health through an anti-oppressive, decolonized lens. Her goal is to support others in reauthoring and reclaiming their narratives, empowering them to live a story that feels true, whole, and authentically their own.
Social Media: IG: @tohealwithgrace
This episode is brought to you by our amazing sponsor:
J Branch & Associates: Schedule your free 15 minute consultation by going to www.drjbranch.com; call or text (404) 436-2540
Connect with The 3 Parallels Podcast:Instagram: www.instagram.com/3parallelspodcast
Download the 3 Parallels Music Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2DCvaDp1wWypO59l1kearH?si=sy0X9tMcSNumk4ym-VZ9LQ
Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show on Spotify, IHeart, Apple Podcast, and YouTube. Your feedback helps us inspire more listeners like you!
Get your copy of the Gator Scales Journal on Amazonhttps://www.amazon.com/Gator-Scales-Journal-Jason-Branch/dp/B0DPXLXZWC
Gator Talk: Every Friday via Zoom at 9am PST/12pm EST Join the conversation every Friday starting today on The 3 Parallels Podcast Post Show Q&A Session called Gator Talk.
When: Every Friday Where: Battlecat Studios (Zoom)
Zoom Link: https://alliant.zoom.us/j/4044362540
Meeting ID:404-436-2540
Time: 9:00am PST/ 12:00pm EST
🎯 3 Listener Challenges:
- Challenge Your Absolutes: This week, identify one area in your life where you’re thinking in black and white. Ask yourself: What would it look like to live in the gray here?
- Honor Your Humanity: Write down one way you’ve been too hard on yourself. Then, give yourself permission to be human.
- Show Up Imperfectly: Choose one thing you’ve been putting off until the “perfect time.” Take one small step toward it today, even if it’s messy.
Grace Schroeder is a graduate student in Clinical Mental Health Counseling who is passionate about creating inclusive, affirming spaces for healing and storytelling. With a background in advocacy and queer community mental health work, she strives to uplift marginalized voices and approach mental health through an anti-oppressive, decolonized lens. Her goal is to support others in reauthoring and reclaiming their narratives, empowering them to live a story that feels true, whole, and authentically their own.
Social Media: IG: @tohealwithgrace
This episode is brought to you by our amazing sponsor:
J Branch & Associates: Schedule your free 15 minute consultation by going to www.drjbranch.com; call or text (404) 436-2540
Connect with The 3 Parallels Podcast:Instagram: www.instagram.com/3parallelspodcast
Download the 3 Parallels Music Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2DCvaDp1wWypO59l1kearH?si=sy0X9tMcSNumk4ym-VZ9LQ
Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show on Spotify, IHeart, Apple Podcast, and YouTube. Your feedback helps us inspire more listeners like you!
Get your copy of the Gator Scales Journal on Amazonhttps://www.amazon.com/Gator-Scales-Journal-Jason-Branch/dp/B0DPXLXZWC
Gator Talk: Every Friday via Zoom at 9am PST/12pm EST Join the conversation every Friday starting today on The 3 Parallels Podcast Post Show Q&A Session called Gator Talk.
When: Every Friday Where: Battlecat Studios (Zoom)
Zoom Link: https://alliant.zoom.us/j/4044362540
Meeting ID:404-436-2540
Time: 9:00am PST/ 12:00pm EST
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome back, Welcome back. It's the Three Parallels Podcast. What's
your Favorite? Hosts The Doctor Jason Brevanch where we discover
who you were, who you are, and who you are becoming.
In today's show, I'm telling y'all, I'm telling y'all, this
is an up and coming counselor and I'm just gonna
speak it into existence. Counselor educator. She will be doctor Schroeder.
I'm sure it's going to happen. This is one of
(00:22):
my former students who was connected. We connected in many
different ways at the conferences at on campus in the classroom.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
And she is a pioneer. She is a firecracker. She
is a emotionally intelligent ball of love and life.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
I just want y'all to get a glimpse, just an
hour glimpse of what I've had the privilege to experience
within this past year. I'm a fan of all of
my students because all of my students are colleagues, will
be colleagues, former, current, and everything else in between. And
this particular student is connected to me in so many
different ways. And part of that is we just have
(01:03):
a kinetic energy. We have a kinetic energy and attraction
of I just want to help, I just want to serve.
I just want to be better. I just want to
do better, get better and help all those around me.
So it is an instant connection. And now I have
the privilege of having the one, the only great show
(01:24):
on the show.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
Welcome to the show.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
Hello, Hello, Oh my gosh, I have to like clear
the tears out of my eyes after that introduction.
Speaker 4 (01:34):
That is so sweet.
Speaker 1 (01:36):
Absolutely is real and one thing that I know I
can give you this because I got to give you
my guests their flowers.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
I believe in that.
Speaker 1 (01:44):
And as gators, as you know, baby Gaters and beyond,
we know how to accept our flowers.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
So thank you for accepting what I have to offer.
Speaker 4 (01:51):
Thank you for providing me with the flowers. Jesus. It
means a lot, and I'm glad to be here.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
Good good.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
A lot of times we don't know. That's why it's
important that we talk about it. You know, I've always
viewed you as a stellar student. You just have you
just always have this energy and zest for life. I've
never seen you in a place of down or bitter set.
It's just like, no, I'm pushing through. We got stuff
to do like, let's go always have that energy, and
(02:20):
it's contagious. So the people around you are starting to
pick up on your energy and they be feeling that
there around you. Nah, we can't do that, Gray, sat down.
We got to get up. So that's just the light
that you shine. And I think it's important for everybody
to know.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
So thank you for being you.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
Yeah, I appreciate that. And honestly, it's when you love
what you do. You don't work a day in your life.
And I love every day that I come across and
every person and every experience. So don't work a day
in my life. How could you not be smiling?
Speaker 2 (02:50):
I love it. I love you. Listen y'all here right now.
She's still in the Master's program. She ain't even done yet.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
I just need y'all to see that energy because's happening contagiously.
Now here's the other piece before we dive in, because
I want to. I don't know where we're going to
go today, but I feel energy.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
We're going to go somewhere.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
So to the listeners, pleasease bring out your Gator Scales
journal so she's gonna be dropping gyms, hitting you in
the head with a honeybon.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
Not what I heard.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
So let's dive in. Where do we start in that
starting place? I'm curious and the listeners are curious.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
What made you.
Speaker 1 (03:23):
Decide I want to get in this profession, I want
to be a counselor, I want to do these things.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
I want to help these people. How did this start
for you? Yeah?
Speaker 4 (03:30):
Absolutely so.
Speaker 3 (03:32):
I guess if I had to pick a starting place
for my story, and well, the universe is one hell
of an author, that's for sure, but I would say
that it would start out with attending religious school. I
attended a religious school, and I'm a queer woman, and
I I tended this Religiou school for about eleven years
of my life, so I have this foundation of like
(03:56):
religion and positive and negative ways. So I feel like
that experience provides a lot of perspectives for me in
a lot of amazing ways. And after that, I went
to an arts high school, so you could only imagine
that transition from the religious school to the arts high school.
(04:17):
And I guess this is where my professional journey began
because while I was a high school student, I was
part of an Instagram account, a social media account, and
it was a queer community account. We did advice memes,
just sharing joy, sharing sad stuff as well, and it
(04:39):
had about i'd say, like forty thousand followers at its peak,
so we had a big community and I had a
lot of people message me and my colleagues that also
helped with the account, just saying I have no idea
where to go in life, like my mom doesn't accept
me for who I am?
Speaker 4 (04:59):
Am I valid?
Speaker 3 (05:00):
Am I do I deserve a seat at the table,
And of course that answer is always yes, and seeing
that pain on a global social media scale, honestly, the
rest is history, and those followers are still with me today,
just you know, living in my heart, in my mind.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
Wow, that's huge, that's huge. I love it. I told y'all,
I don't know what's gonna happen. I don't know what's
gonna happen.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
This is so great and I'm curious, like just because
anybody could have been on this page or building this community,
but you didn't stop there.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
You saw the community, you saw.
Speaker 1 (05:35):
The need, and you decided I'm the person that can
do something. I'm the person that can help somebody, So
let me decide this. So I'm curious to know from
going to a religious background to a more creative space
and managing both and then dealing with marginalized communities and
now deciding this is what I want to do. I'm
curious about that transition, and how did you find you
(05:58):
and your voice in it?
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (06:00):
Absolutely, I would say that with the transition, I suppose.
I don't know, that's a that's a really good question.
I just really think that the answer has been clear
for me from that moment. And that moment was about
ten years ago or so. And when you see pain
(06:21):
like that, how could you not want to do something?
Speaker 4 (06:24):
I guess is my question. Like, even if.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
I can't save the world, you know, I'm no superman, right,
but I think that the pursuit of that, even just
trying your best to be superman for yourself and hoping
that that affects other people.
Speaker 4 (06:41):
That's the most that I can can do.
Speaker 3 (06:44):
And I think growing into myself has been finding confidence
in Yeah, Like my story is worth publishing, right, and
my story is one that I believe in, So I
guess I would say that.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
I love it. I love it.
Speaker 1 (06:59):
So I'm curious because a lot of salamanders struggle with confidence.
A lot of Salamon's struggle with confidence. So how did you,
as a salamander slash baby gator, how have you been
able to build that confidence and trust within yourself because
there's so many unknowns within the profession.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
How did you do that, especially as a student.
Speaker 4 (07:17):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (07:18):
Yeah, absolutely, And I would say that this confidence really
came to fruition, oh my gosh, like just a couple
of years ago. And I owe it to the community
that surrounds me with love. I feel like I'm consistently
divinely protected by these different mentors, friends, family members who
(07:39):
who are like a mirror to myself, like pulling up
a mirror and saying, this is who you are. Now
start acting like it, right, And I think you definitely
played a role in that as well. You know you,
you know, you had just told me you're sitting in
this chair. Start acting like you deserve to be sitting
in that chair, and that really changed it.
Speaker 4 (07:58):
Right.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
Ah, I love it. I love it.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
And what's wild is like you never know as a professor,
you never know what hits and what doesn't. You just
share what comes up, and you never know what impacts
people in what way. So I love hearing that because
this is a full circle moment of you developing this
confidence of you growing into this space of I do
deserve to.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Be here, I do belong here, I am here.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
So that imposter syndrome slowly comes down when you begin
to acknowledge who you are or where you are and
who you are.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
Not, which it sounds like you figuring it that out
in real time. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (08:31):
Absolutely, And I think part of the Gator mindset too
is knowing that this idea of who you're becoming is
a lifelong pursuit. And even I could be on my
deathbed and you know, I could be seeing the Lord
like the next day, right, and there would still be
more to do in terms of me.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
Right. Wow, Wow, that's huge. That's huge.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
So I want to talk about religion because we can
talk about it, and that was the background before the transition.
How are you able to manage these two worlds? And
I want to be specific with these worlds. So you
got religion, which is a world within itself, and then
you got the help from profession, which is a world
within itself, and you being in.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
The middle of both, like you've been going in and
out in different ways.
Speaker 1 (09:16):
How have you been able to merge the two and
what does that look like moving forward for you of
your career?
Speaker 2 (09:22):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (09:23):
Absolutely, I mean I can definitely be honest and say
that my religious experience informs me in both positive and
negative ways, you know, which I did mention, But I
think that my specific religious experience it was very black
and white thinking. Right, there's one way to live, and
that is doing X, doing Y, doing Z. And of
(09:46):
course part of that conversation was me being a queer woman.
I was not the right way to live out under God.
So I think that with religion, like, it doesn't have
to be that way though, because I like, you know,
as much as I've been scorned by it, there's a
lot of really amazing messages about helping others, right like
(10:07):
when it comes to the tax collector or the woman
that gave just one penny in terms of her tithe
right Like, there's so many stories of joy and hope
and religion, and I always try to see the duality.
So it's kind of ironic that within this black and
white thinking that was installed in with me when I
(10:28):
was young, came this wild gray scale, right of there's
different ways to live, and everything has to be good bad,
you know, it's everything in between.
Speaker 2 (10:39):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
Wow, that's huge, that's really huge. You know, I want
to spend a little time here. We don't have spend
a lot, but the time I want to spend here
is related to transition, transformation who you were. So you
remember when you were in that space of it is
black and white, and then you transition out of that
space of wait a minute, it doesn't have to be
black and white. And I feel though for some people,
(11:02):
especially for a lot of the listeners, they may still
be in that space of this is how it has
to be. And you've been able to overcome that to see, yes,
it can be black white, it could be great.
Speaker 2 (11:12):
Different shades are great, fifty shades are great. It could
be different things in real time.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
And to me, that that's awareness, that's awareness because for
many of us, we haven't given given we haven't been
given permission to be self aware. So I'm I'm also
curious of your growth from you know, eleven years in
one environment and then a different environment in finding your
way because you sound because I really love you know.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
There's healthy positive size and negative size.
Speaker 1 (11:42):
You used to understand both, and both of them has
played a role in how you think, how you live,
how you how you work and what you do. Some
people can't do that, and it's a really big deal
that I don't take lightly. How have you been able
to merge all of these different worlds and still come
out on top based off of what works best for
you you?
Speaker 2 (12:00):
How the hell did you do that?
Speaker 3 (12:04):
Hey, listen, If I had the full answer, like honestly,
I would be writing it down and publishing in a book.
Speaker 4 (12:10):
But I, you know, I don't.
Speaker 3 (12:12):
I don't think that we're meant to have all of
the answers, and I think that the best, like honey bun,
I can throw it there, I would just say, give
yourself permission to be human. That's something that that helped
with me. And when it came to that transition of
(12:33):
old self to new self to.
Speaker 4 (12:35):
Who I'm becoming. I think that.
Speaker 3 (12:39):
The outgrowing your old shell can be, you know, a
very positive and negative experience in many ways. But for me,
my old self walks with me every day, right alongside me,
not as a haunting thing, not as a ghastly thing,
but a reminder of how things were when I grew
into my shell. And so I think giving yourself permission
(13:01):
to be human allows that duality. And once you start
giving yourself permission to be human, like I don't have
to be I don't have to be perfect all the time.
Then you can start accepting the fact that the gray
area exists and is something that can help like inform
your current self and the person that you're becoming. So
(13:24):
that's why I think. You know you're going to make
mistakes as you grow, and I don't have all the answers,
and I'm still making mistakes. Oh gosh, I make mistakes
every day, right, But but I think that when you
allow your old self to walk with you, you're honoring
them as someone who did the best that they could
with what they have. And a lot of people right
now are doing the best they can with what they have,
(13:46):
and that's worth honoring.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
So yeah, I love it. Oh, this is good. This
is good.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
So I want to transition a bitot because I have
to share with the listeners.
Speaker 2 (13:54):
This is an honest podcast.
Speaker 1 (13:55):
We're authentic as I'll get out, and I want to
share with their listeners how authentic, how real, how raw
this experience is. So for all of you listening, Grace
right now is in her own studio, right in this studio.
It's very unique it's high tech. The sound proofing is
bar none barn. So seriously, you could, because this connects
(14:19):
to boundaries, balance, figuring out what works for you and
how you're living, and even beginning on this podcast at
this moment in real time, you're demonstrating exactly what you're
talking about. So if you could share with the listeners
your studio in this boundaries and balance where you're figuring
out what works for you and what.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
Doesn't, yees.
Speaker 3 (14:37):
So for those who can see, I'm in my bathroom.
For those who are listening, I'm currently sitting on the
floor of my bathroom and there is a table hanging
behind me setting the most fabulous backdrop, right, And uh,
I think that this is honestly, this is a great.
Speaker 4 (14:55):
Example of doing the best that you can with what
you have.
Speaker 3 (14:58):
And honestly, it's because being on this podcast, like it
meant a lot to me. I knew that I wanted
to put my best foot forward, even if it meant
sitting on the cold tile so that way I could
get a quiet room and make sure that I could
be the best version of myself authentically and on audio wise.
Speaker 2 (15:17):
So the duality, I love it. This is as real
as it gets you all.
Speaker 1 (15:21):
And for those graduate students, doc students, master students who
are in the same space where you may be at
home it may be a house full of people, you
may not have your own space. Just curious, you know, Grace,
how have you been able to manage balancing multiple roles
and wearing so many different hats, being a student, being
a friend, being family like you do a lot? How
(15:42):
do you do it and keep yourself saying and keep
a smile on your face?
Speaker 2 (15:45):
How is this possible? Well?
Speaker 3 (15:47):
I think gratitude is I guess I would say my
biggest secret being thankful for even having the opportunity to
sit on this floor right now with the roof over
my head, right, but also to have the opportunity to
be invited onto this podcast and to speak to you know,
God knows how many listeners in hopes of sharing me
(16:10):
and sharing who I am, Like, how could I not
be just full of joy for that opportunity?
Speaker 4 (16:16):
Right?
Speaker 3 (16:16):
And I think that when you live your life with
a lens of joy, you find there's so much more
to be thankful for than to be regretful for.
Speaker 1 (16:25):
Wow, wow, you heard it here first gratitude. Gratitude on
the floor in the bathroom, cold as all get a
tap behind our head. Audio is stellar quality right now,
good as soon as as real as it gets. And
that's what I love about the podcast because everyone, all
the listeners, you're doing the best you can what you have,
and your lived experiences speak to who you are.
Speaker 2 (16:47):
So I want to be honest.
Speaker 1 (16:49):
I want to be out there that can transparent because
it's not this idea of who we have to be,
it's the reality of who we actually are.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
And you live that.
Speaker 1 (16:56):
You are living example of this as a graduate student,
and I hope for all the listeners, especially graduate students,
you're seeing that in real life, in real time, you
can have this, you can adopt this because it's a mentality.
It's a perspective based off of who Grace is and
who she's becoming. She already let you know, old version dead.
There's a ghost around, but it's not haunting me, but I.
Speaker 2 (17:18):
Know it's there.
Speaker 1 (17:19):
Re parallels all day long, all day long. So let's
switch gears a bit. I want to share because this
is really important to me and to the listeners. So
Grace was in one of my classes, and Grace had
a crew of students.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
There was just this crew. It was this energy.
Speaker 1 (17:36):
In the first day of class, I'll walk in and
everybody lit up, and I'm like, what is this about?
And I asked, like, what's the scoop? What's going on?
And I feel that, you know, Grace, you were the ringleader.
Speaker 2 (17:48):
And just that love.
Speaker 1 (17:50):
Oh my god, doctor brand is here. We're finna have
a good time. But I learned from this crew that
you all were connected. And I learned later that y'all
were connected because of leadership with CSI. You know, I
got basically an executive board I had in my classroom
at one time. So you know, I don't believe in coincidences.
And I'm just curious on you know, your perspective being
(18:12):
this board, memory, being this administrator with this Honor Society
for our profession, and this whole your whole executive board
and one class and y'all together, Like, how did this happen?
Speaker 2 (18:23):
How did this come about?
Speaker 4 (18:24):
Uh?
Speaker 1 (18:24):
And how can you help other students with creating these communities.
Speaker 2 (18:28):
That serve you.
Speaker 1 (18:29):
It's not one, you have several, but they all are
used in different ways to enhance you in your life.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
So if you could share it with us, how did
this happen.
Speaker 3 (18:37):
Yeah, absolutely so honestly, and when I think back to
the very start of even the idea of taking uh
CSI and wanting to be in a leadership position, I
have to give credits to to Jesse. Jesse fam if
you're listening, huge shout out to you. For those who
don't know him, he is a friend and a colleague
(18:59):
of mind. I met through the program, and he is
like the yin to my yang for sure, Like I'm
very energetic and he very much grounds me, but we
both have like the same sense of humor, same interests.
He's an excellent person to work with and he's incredibly
brilliant and so honestly, he once came up to me
(19:20):
and said, hey, like CSI is like for those who
don't know what stands for Chai Sigma Iota Counseling Honor Society,
and it wasn't really active on our campus when we
were first years. So he said, hey, why don't we
try and run for a position and see what we
can do about it. And honestly, that's exactly where what happened.
(19:42):
Right now, I'm currently serving as the president of CSI.
Jesse is my secretary and then a bunch of our
friends decided to hop onto to that passion as well
and said, you know what, like, why don't we try
and make something that enhances the experience of counseling student
and especially grad students Because we're very like we're we
(20:03):
worked really hard and sometimes it's hard to just catch
a break and have fun. And so I think that
we have a unique opportunity to promote excellence while giving
folks opportunity to network, have fun, eat free food at
our club, right, stuff like that, So right, God, listen,
we have to talk about all the positives here. So yeah,
(20:26):
and so I think that like these connections that we
made are beyond even just professional, like they're very like
friendship connections that like all we all.
Speaker 4 (20:37):
Like connect with each other on a very.
Speaker 3 (20:39):
Special level, and they we just really get each other
in a way that I haven't really been understood before.
And I think that being surrounded by people like that
has helped me grow into myself and we all grown
into ourselves as well, and so we become friends. And
then when it came to registering for classes, Christine and
(21:01):
I another shout out to Christine. We had previously taken
a class with you and so when I was talking
about this class, we were thinking, well, why don't we
just try and encourage a bunch of our friends to
do because we know what you can offer for us,
and we grew a lot in your class. So when
it was coming to this class and registering for it, yeah,
(21:23):
that basically we got everyone to top on the boat
and everyone had a great time during that class.
Speaker 2 (21:29):
That's phenomenal. That's phenomenal.
Speaker 1 (21:31):
So more often than that, what your trajectory, I've never
heard of. I've never seen it before, especially with CSI
because typically graduate students join CSI and then become friends,
then become friends with their leadership team or executive board.
You all were friends first and then decided, hey, let's
do CSI.
Speaker 2 (21:49):
Not just do it, let's take it over like y'all. Yeah,
y'all did that.
Speaker 1 (21:53):
So I'm curious for a lot of the listeners who
are considering, I want to get involved, but I don't
really know. And you know, I keep hearing about CSI
and I don't know what to do if you could share, like,
you know, what is it about CSO or leadership organizations
as a whole and the purpose?
Speaker 2 (22:08):
Like why would a student want to do that.
Speaker 1 (22:10):
What make it beneficial not that you've got a recruit
or anything, but your liveding experience is so important because
a lot of students don't know the value that these
organizations bring. And your story alone speaks about the value.
So if you could share with the listeners, you know
that value aspect of getting involved and getting active and
what are some of those benefits.
Speaker 3 (22:30):
Yeah, absolutely, I think that even just starting with the
lens of gratitude and thinking wow, like this is an
opportunity that I have the opportunity to even you know,
reach for and when you believe in yourself or even
just go in with the mindset of I'm just going
to toss my hat in the ring. You know, you
(22:50):
missed all the shots that you don't take, but when
you do take those shots, like you won't even believe
these amazing opportunities that will just invite them into your life,
one after one after one. So I think that CSI
is a fantastic opportunity for those who are interested in
leadership positions Like it's it's fantastic to work with people
(23:13):
who are like minded and very kind, Like our board
is very kind and friendly. So you're making friends, you're networking.
You're getting CV or resume experience as well, and then
you're also able to network at our events and CSI
International offers scholarship opportunities. They offer conferences virtual in person,
(23:35):
so there's an international benefit as well as a local
benefit by finding community in grad school, which sometimes can
be very difficult.
Speaker 2 (23:46):
I love it. I love it.
Speaker 1 (23:48):
Tell me a little bit more about that difficulty of
finding your community and connecting.
Speaker 3 (23:52):
Yeah, I think that if if you're not careful, sometimes
grad school can feel like somewhere you just walk in
and clock out, especially depending on your campus. I know
some schools are different than others, and with with cohorts
depending on size. For those who are listening, our cohort
(24:12):
is sixty people, so it's much larger than like your
stereotypical counseling graduate cohort, And so when there's a lot
of people, there's a lot of opportunity to make new friends,
but also it can feel intimidating. You have a lot
of people that come from a billion different walks of
life and all come from different angles and perspectives and backgrounds.
(24:35):
But I think when you embrace that, that can be
the key to opening yourself up to making these connections
and reminding yourself that this like diversity of you know,
like background, educational, you know, things of that nature can
do nothing but add, you know, value into your life
(24:57):
when you learn from the people that are around you.
I have to admit, like it is a scary process,
especially if you're introverted, but embracing it is, I guess
the biggest key I can say. But I don't know
if my key is very valid because I'm an extrovert,
so it's it's.
Speaker 2 (25:15):
Never for me, it's valid. It's valid.
Speaker 1 (25:18):
So the listeners that are extroverts, it hits for those introverts. Hey,
y'all got to catch up.
Speaker 4 (25:24):
Introverts.
Speaker 1 (25:25):
No policies needing, that's on them. So so now here's
the other. Here's another piece, And this is why this
show is so important and so powerful. So Grace is
sharing about CSI, which is a chapter level it's an
international organization all across the country and she's involved, but
it's it's more housed on campus.
Speaker 2 (25:44):
But Grace didn't stop there.
Speaker 1 (25:46):
Grace decided to join to get me a part of
the National Boarder Certified Counselor's NBCC Minority Fellowship Program. So
that's an international organization that is way bigger and more resources,
and it's off campus. It's not something that's just strategically
or connected to a university. It's global. So how did
(26:08):
you get involved? And here's another piece that I found
is so funny. Grace was in my class during NBCC
they had the symposiums.
Speaker 2 (26:18):
For the symposium, I was actually serving as a keynote
and you know.
Speaker 1 (26:22):
Me thinking just keep it to myself or whatever, students
start finding now I was serving as a keynote and
it was just this moment of oh my god, my
professor is about to be the keynote at this conference.
And you were there and you're involved. So if you
could share how did you get involved with that? Because
I'm a fan of NBCC and it's a.
Speaker 2 (26:39):
Really big deal.
Speaker 1 (26:40):
How did you go from okay, CSI, I did this,
I'm doing it.
Speaker 2 (26:43):
It's great.
Speaker 1 (26:44):
However, I want to go further and you did it
and you're doing great on a higher level.
Speaker 2 (26:49):
How the hell you doing all of this? Grace?
Speaker 3 (26:52):
So you know how I said, when you seek opportunity,
opportunities will come in droves, and I think that this
is part of it. So the the symposium in March
that I saw you at was I was there for
presenting research with the lovely Doctor Honoreus. Another shout out say,
(27:14):
I'm gonna shout everybody out, like.
Speaker 1 (27:15):
Oh, shout out, shout them out. That's cool because a
lot of these shouts. This is what I love you.
You are picking up the show all day. So the
shout outs are opportunities because I look at the shout
out as we're throwing a pebble in the pond, and
there's going to be a ripple because every shout out
that I've heard so far on this show, the person
that was shout out ended up being a guest. So
(27:35):
just know these are going to be more guests on
this show because you shouted them out.
Speaker 3 (27:40):
I love it and I would pay a million dollar
subscription to listen to Doctor Honoreus speak on a podcast.
They are incredibly insightful and compassionate and just embody social
justice in every front, so I can't I could go
forever and ever speak positively positively about them and working
(28:04):
under their mentorship, we were able to present research at
NBCCF Symposium and it was just an incredible experience. I
love everything that NBCC stands for and I just I
love the people that I was able to meet, the
conversations we were able to have, bringing up these hard
(28:25):
conversations that you won't see it just any conference.
Speaker 4 (28:28):
That is what I love.
Speaker 3 (28:29):
I love the bravery, I love the honesty, and I
love the growth that NBCC can provide to me, especially
as a white woman.
Speaker 4 (28:37):
That's important for me to remain open and to keep
seeking knowledge and listening.
Speaker 3 (28:43):
And so even so, I this is a little bit
vulnerable because I haven't received it yet, but I'm applying
for the fellowship, this upcoming cohort because how much I
love this experience and I just want to learn more.
So it's like when you have a little nerve and
you take a buy and you're like, ooh, that's good.
Speaker 4 (29:03):
I want more, right, bring me, bring me twelve more
of them.
Speaker 3 (29:06):
So that's that's how I'm feeling. And you know, this
is another one of those things. If if I don't
get in, at least I can say I tried right
and I had a fun time doing it. So and
when the opportunity presents itself, why not at least try
And I feel confident.
Speaker 1 (29:22):
Wow, wow, well we're gonna speak into existence it's already done.
I hope you're celebrating in advance, you know, day to celebrate, before, during,
and after. So we're gonna speak it, we're gonna claim it.
It's going to happen. It's going to happen, period. What
about We're not worried about time. It's going to happen
because you are putting yourself in a position to win. Also,
for the listeners, I hope y'all paying attention. I hope
(29:42):
y'all are seeing the three parallels who Grace was, who
she is, who she's becoming. And I hope you're able
to kind of pick up some of these nuggets and
apply them to you yourself. Grace shared the previous mentality
very black and white. It is one way or the other.
The new mentality, I hope y'all hearing it is, I'm
going to try my best. I'm gonna do the best
(30:02):
I can what I have, and either I'm going to
win or.
Speaker 2 (30:05):
I'm going to learn. Do y'all hear this. I know
it's not me. I know it's just not mean. So
this is this is powerful.
Speaker 1 (30:13):
This is so powerful, and I love how these stories
and these experiences can impact and influence so many different
people who just listening, And to me, I don't believe
in coincidences. It's not a coincidence that you're listening to
this show right now. It's my coincidence that you're on
this show. It's not a coincidence of what comes up
from being here and being on the show. So this
(30:33):
is phenomenal. I'm enjoying every minute of it. So the
next piece, I want to move into some rapid questions.
Now these don't have to be rapid as fast, but
I want to hear your perspective on all of it.
So through this experience from where you were for eleven
years and then transition to creative space and art and
now in the master's program, I'm curious and now you know,
(30:55):
serving as a working in field placement internship practicum.
Speaker 2 (31:00):
Have you learned about people through all these lived experiences.
Speaker 3 (31:05):
Oh my gosh, that is an incredibly good question, because
I feel like there is always more to learn, and
everybody is so different but so similar at the same time,
all being humans and sharing the human condition. I think
that people are incredibly resilient, and that's really what I've
(31:27):
learned about other people, especially in the most traumatic of circumstances,
how much resilience will shine through regardless, and how much
that individuals can grow when they're just given understanding. If
you just provide somebody just a listening ear, how much
you can just see them shoot for the stars. And
(31:48):
the power of empathy is magical. It really is, and
I think that part of me knew it, But being
in this profession helps you embody it, and and that's
really what I've learned.
Speaker 2 (32:02):
I'd say, love it, love it. So same question now
is about you? What have you learned about yourself through
these years? Oh?
Speaker 4 (32:10):
Man?
Speaker 3 (32:10):
I mean to kind of speak on what I had
said earlier. I would say that I've grown to understand
that blurring or that there's no right way to live,
that whole concept of living in the gray is not
just something that is to be understood, but it's to
be celebrated. I would say, it really is to be celebrated.
And I think that with only with that black and
(32:34):
white mindset, it can be very like how you say,
like kind of confining, but how liberating it is to
know that as long as you're doing what's right for you,
it's right. And I love that it's so it deserves
to be celebrated.
Speaker 2 (32:52):
I love it. Gator talk, this is talk.
Speaker 1 (32:55):
Yeah right, So what would you say is your our
most proudest moment or accomplishment in your life?
Speaker 4 (33:03):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (33:04):
So when I think about the most the most proudest
moment or my biggest accomplishment, I think about high school.
Which I'm not saying I paid in high school, but
I'm thinking about when I was a senior in high school.
So for context, I went to the lovely Orange County
School of the Arts and I had a fantastic time there.
(33:27):
This was the art school I was mentioning and I
studied acting there. And while I was studying acting, I
was really getting into directing as well.
Speaker 4 (33:37):
So I come from a theater background.
Speaker 3 (33:39):
I come from an acting background, and directing really struck
me because I don't know, I just I loved being
able to have a story and then watching it come
to life.
Speaker 4 (33:52):
And for me being in at the school, I was
being able to watch.
Speaker 3 (33:56):
My friends bring it to life and that was so
so very much me in every way. But in my senior.
Speaker 4 (34:04):
Year, I directed a play.
Speaker 3 (34:06):
This play is called Wilderness and it is about uh
like wilderness camps, uh like trouble teen industry things of
that nature. And the feedback I got from the audience
was just like just people were like, this is brilliant,
like this is fantastic, Like this spoke to me.
Speaker 4 (34:29):
This taught me a lot.
Speaker 3 (34:31):
And I think just knowing that storytelling can impact people
on so many different ways, Like what a gift it
is that we're able to share stories with each other
and to do it in different ways. And that was
my favorite story I've ever told.
Speaker 2 (34:46):
Wow, oh, this is so good. This is so good.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. All Right, so here's one.
Here's one I'm curious to know about a hero. Who
or is your hero?
Speaker 3 (35:03):
That's a That's an amazing question, and I think it
is best shown visibly if you can see this for
those of you who are just listening and not watching.
I have a tattoo on my wrist and it is
my grandfather's signature. And my grandpa passed away a couple
of years ago, and it was not in the best
(35:26):
of circumstances. He we were really hoping that he could
have made it longer. But he lives forever in my heart,
in my mind, and with my family. He was just
this this beacon of advocacy. He was uh he worked
in law and specifically dependency law, and he essentially would
(35:51):
advocate for ghost of So it sounds like he would
be like advocating for those because that were like abusing
their kids. I would say, but sometimes you don't understand
what these people are going through and through the system,
like people are not being given the resources that they
need in order to turn their lives around. And he
(36:14):
was that person to put these individuals on the stand
who were responsible for letting others down and saying, why
didn't you do better to try and unite this family again?
And his fervorance for advocacy is something that inspires me
every day, even and any walk of life that you
come through, like approaching it with empathy. You're going through
(36:38):
a lot and a lot of people aren't on your side,
but let me be on your side. That's something that
inspires me every day.
Speaker 4 (36:45):
And I I love him dearly.
Speaker 3 (36:48):
I miss him dearly, and I dedicate everything I do
to him.
Speaker 4 (36:52):
So Grandpa, I love.
Speaker 2 (36:54):
You, big shout out. I love it.
Speaker 4 (36:57):
I love it.
Speaker 2 (36:58):
Yes, incredible story, incredible story. Thank you for sharing, Thank
you for sharing.
Speaker 1 (37:04):
My condolences to you, your family and It's what's amazing.
Speaker 2 (37:07):
This is a this is legacy.
Speaker 1 (37:09):
He still lives and now you're continuous continuing what he started.
You continuingly doing what he did. Uh, that's legacy. And
imagine the people that's going to do this after you
or because of you.
Speaker 2 (37:20):
This is huge. This is huge.
Speaker 4 (37:22):
I can only hope.
Speaker 1 (37:23):
So all right, So I'm curious, what's a word praise,
memory or moment that has stuck with you personally or professionally.
Speaker 4 (37:35):
That's a good one. So besides, I would say, like
the whole give.
Speaker 3 (37:38):
Yourself permission to be human. A lot of my favorite
nuggets of wisdom come from my mom. Another shout out
to Mom.
Speaker 4 (37:47):
She gave me a.
Speaker 3 (37:49):
Lot of Honestly, I think that she could be a
life coach. She has a lot of these nuggets of
wisdom that have helped me help other people. And it's
been really a pleasure to to to hear that. But
she would always tell me that your best is always
enough for me and that I feel really blessed that
(38:11):
my mom approached me with that mindset because I know
people and their parents like they it's not always that lucky.
But my mom was very big on Gracie you're being
hard on yourself, but I promise you what you're doing
is enough for anybody.
Speaker 4 (38:26):
You know.
Speaker 3 (38:26):
It may not be enough for yourself, but it's enough
for me. And I want you to know that, Like,
even even if in your head you're not reaching these
expectations that you set, like everyone around you can see
you and knows that you're doing well, even if you
don't believe it. So even if you don't believe it yourself,
let me believe it for you. And I really appreciated
(38:51):
being raised in with that mindset, and I definitely try
and carry that for other people. You know, your best
is always enough and trying to demonstrate to that that
you're doing the best wood let you have you know
it's important and worth honoring.
Speaker 1 (39:04):
That's beautiful. That's beautiful. So just know Mom might end
up being on the podcast.
Speaker 4 (39:08):
Because she will have some honey buns to throw, that's
for sure.
Speaker 2 (39:14):
Listen, we're gonna make it happen. I'm winning, I'm winning.
We don't make it happen.
Speaker 1 (39:18):
I just want to share knowledge, I want to share wisdom,
I want to share love, and that's what we're getting.
So I'm sure the apple doesn't fall far so shout
out to mom.
Speaker 2 (39:26):
Duke's good stuff. Yes, indeed.
Speaker 1 (39:31):
Next question, so this is this is a big one
because this is the show. This is the show. If
you could describe in one word, three different versions, so
one word for each, who you were, who you are,
who You're becoming? What would you describe those three versions
of yourself?
Speaker 4 (39:47):
Uh?
Speaker 2 (39:48):
Using one word?
Speaker 4 (39:50):
Oh man?
Speaker 2 (39:51):
Using one word oh man for each, one word for each.
So who I was? Is this? Who I am? Is this?
Who I'm becoming? Is this m hmm?
Speaker 4 (40:02):
I would say who I was a shadow? I know
that's two words.
Speaker 2 (40:13):
I'm sorry. I give rules, but they're they're big. Listen
to whatever. Do you know how this works? It's our house?
Speaker 4 (40:22):
Okay, true?
Speaker 3 (40:23):
So a shadow and then my current self is confident
mm hmmm.
Speaker 4 (40:29):
And who I'm becoming? Amazing?
Speaker 1 (40:38):
Oh I hope you all write into that. Y'all know,
y'all can bow, y'all can cheat. What world Grace says? Okay,
you write it down, these things I'm becoming because if
not whatever you know, who you were, who you are,
who you're becoming. If you're not okay with it, if
you don't like it, you can change it at any
point in time, so for the listeners because I like
to connect and and you've connected so much and sharing
your truth and your personal story with the listeners. What
(40:59):
about an interesting fact? What's something that most people a
lot of people don't know. I didn't know you were
a director and you were in an arts which I
think is phenomenal.
Speaker 2 (41:07):
It just speaks volumes to your energy. What is another
interesting fact that people just don't know about? Grace?
Speaker 3 (41:13):
Yeah, I think the best fact I like to share
about people is that I am an ordained minister And
so if you need me to officiate your wedding, I
know a girl and her name is me.
Speaker 2 (41:28):
I love it. Listen.
Speaker 1 (41:29):
This is what I love about graduate students. That's what
I love about helping professionals. We all are from different
walks of life. We have different careers. Some people in
their second, third, fourth career, some people retired and come back.
Everybody has a story, and it's so unique how all
of our stories, no matter what it is, we end
up in the same space, same place in time, from
a professor to a student to someone trying to get
(41:52):
into a program. Everybody has a very unique story and
I love hearing people's story. And now we have a
place where we can share people's stories. So thank you
for sharing that. For those looking for a minister, you
got one right here.
Speaker 2 (42:03):
Right.
Speaker 4 (42:04):
Exactly, I got you.
Speaker 2 (42:06):
Let me know, no, no.
Speaker 1 (42:07):
No, listen, you might start drumming up business from this, don't.
It's a lot of listeners that's trying to get married,
trying to get things done.
Speaker 2 (42:14):
I'm telling you, I'm telling you you not be surprised.
All right.
Speaker 1 (42:17):
So last question, this is a life work. So as
you all know, listeners, I do not. This podcast does
not offer homework. Because homework, you take it home, you
do it, you forget about it, you turn it in,
you'll never remember it again. Life work, when you take
it home and you do it, your life changes. So, Grace,
if you can offer some life work to the listeners,
(42:37):
what would you offer a keepsake or something for them
to help them keep moving and going in the direction
that they're going. What would you have to share?
Speaker 4 (42:45):
Absolutely?
Speaker 3 (42:46):
So I would invite you all to pull out a
piece of paper.
Speaker 1 (42:51):
Oh yeah, let's work. Hold on, y'all need time, Pauls,
I need Pauls. Right, Grace's Finn hit child and he
what a honey on? Okay, Bush Pauls. Get fit and paper.
We're not playing, okay, get a pin and paper, get
your Gator scales journal, and write down what's about to happen.
Speaker 2 (43:08):
What you get.
Speaker 3 (43:10):
Yes, So take out a piece of paper, and you
know how you were in elementary school and you were
trying to go on.
Speaker 4 (43:18):
A field trip.
Speaker 3 (43:19):
You would write down your name at the top, write
out where you're going, so somewhere you want to go
in life, a goal, something of that nature, and then
at the very end write permission and then sign it. Wow,
you are giving yourself permission to be human, and you're
writing a goal. That's where you're going on your field trip.
Speaker 4 (43:41):
Sign it, turn it in. You have permission, so I'll
always remember that.
Speaker 2 (43:46):
That's good. That's power.
Speaker 1 (43:47):
I've never heard that, so I'm going to use it
for myself. So listeners, I told you'all, I told you
I'll get it out. So this is an opportunity because
once you write it down, it makes it plain. It
becomes a contract that you signed between you and the
better version of you. Oh grace, you drop ja. So
this is about our time. I greatly appreciate you for
(44:08):
being here. Anything you want to share, anything else you
want to give to the listeners shout outs anything. This
is your time, your space to give it. Also, what
if people want to get in touch with you? What
if people want to reach out, Hey, I need to
or they administer asap. I need a therapist, I need this,
I need that. How can people get in contact with you?
Speaker 4 (44:28):
I love it.
Speaker 3 (44:30):
I guess just reminding yourself that you're human and nailing
in the fact that you should give yourself permission. Oh
my gosh, you see that light right now?
Speaker 2 (44:42):
This is the show.
Speaker 1 (44:44):
We got paranoimal activity happening in real time.
Speaker 2 (44:47):
Oh my god, this is great. I'm loving all.
Speaker 4 (44:50):
Turn again.
Speaker 2 (44:53):
Does this happen often? Or this is this is happening
in real time for.
Speaker 4 (44:56):
Us first time? And maybe this is a sign? Right?
Speaker 2 (45:01):
I love it. I love it. Listen for the listeners.
Speaker 1 (45:04):
For those who can't see Grace in her studio, bathroom, studio, shower, studio.
I want to call it. The lights are flickering on
and off in real time. We don't know why it's paranormal,
but some something is happening in real time. This is
amazing and I'm here for it.
Speaker 3 (45:20):
Seriously, should I turn my camera off? I don't want
to give the viewers. A headache is probably fine.
Speaker 2 (45:26):
Let's ride. Let the ride. They can turn the camera.
Okay you can't.
Speaker 4 (45:32):
It sounds good. Okay, I'm sorry. Could you remind me? So?
Speaker 2 (45:39):
Yeah, it's okay, it's okay. This listen.
Speaker 1 (45:43):
I don't know what this is. It's an energy. Is
something happening in real time? We cannot make this up.
So if people want to get in contact with Grace,
if people want to reach out to you, what how
can they get in touch with you?
Speaker 4 (46:01):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (46:01):
So name first name at yahoo dot com so.
Speaker 4 (46:06):
S C h R o E d E r g
R A c E at yahoo dot com.
Speaker 3 (46:12):
Feel free to shoot me a message and let me
know what you thought or if you have any.
Speaker 1 (46:15):
If you could repeat it one more time, the paranormal
activity had it a little chump choppingy, So I want
to make sure everybody gets your information one more time.
Speaker 3 (46:22):
If you can share, Okay, I'm gonna turn off my
camera Sopefully the connection will be better. But yeah, so connection.
If you want to connect with me, shoot me a message,
anything of that nature. My email is my last name,
first name at yahoo dot com.
Speaker 4 (46:39):
That's s C h R O E D E R
g R a C.
Speaker 3 (46:43):
E at yahoo dot com, So feel free to let
me know what you thought.
Speaker 4 (46:47):
Or if you have any questions.
Speaker 2 (46:48):
Excellent, excellent, Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (46:50):
You all heard it here. First, Grace, you have been
a gift, you have been a blessing. You have been amazing,
you have been an amazing guests. I'm so thankful that you're here.
We're going to have you back, definitely, you will be back.
And I hope that for all of the listeners, especially
for the graduate students, you're seeing someone who's in the
trenches with you at the same time, different university, different state,
(47:13):
or in the same state, doing the best she can
with what she has, and it's working. It's working because
she's living life based off of what works best, what
works for me, what works for me right now. This energy,
this vibe, this paranormal activity, all of these things that's
happening is intentional and it's going to cause a ripple.
(47:33):
So what I love about ripples imagine, at any point
in time, you throw a rock or a pebble in
a pond, that pebble will make ripples, and this podcast
is a pebble that's going to make ripple.
Speaker 2 (47:47):
Ripples.
Speaker 1 (47:48):
If this podcast has impacted you in any way. Don't
keep this information to yourself. Share it with somebody like comment, share,
ask questions, reach out to the listeners. I'm sorry to
the guests. Find a way to get involved, find a
way to connect, find a way to use the information
that you had to better your life. Thank you all
(48:09):
for listening. My name is doctor Jason branch From, the
host of Three Parallels podcast where we determine who you
were who you are through your becoming. Have a great day,
much love and listen. Take advantage of what you heard today.
Speaker 2 (48:23):
Until next time, Beast
Welcome back, Welcome back. It's the Three Parallels Podcast. What's
your Favorite? Hosts The Doctor Jason Brevanch where we discover
who you were, who you are, and who you are becoming.
In today's show, I'm telling y'all, I'm telling y'all, this
is an up and coming counselor and I'm just gonna
speak it into existence. Counselor educator. She will be doctor Schroeder.
I'm sure it's going to happen. This is one of
(00:22):
my former students who was connected. We connected in many
different ways at the conferences at on campus in the classroom.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
And she is a pioneer. She is a firecracker. She
is a emotionally intelligent ball of love and life.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
I just want y'all to get a glimpse, just an
hour glimpse of what I've had the privilege to experience
within this past year. I'm a fan of all of
my students because all of my students are colleagues, will
be colleagues, former, current, and everything else in between. And
this particular student is connected to me in so many
different ways. And part of that is we just have
(01:03):
a kinetic energy. We have a kinetic energy and attraction
of I just want to help, I just want to serve.
I just want to be better. I just want to
do better, get better and help all those around me.
So it is an instant connection. And now I have
the privilege of having the one, the only great show
(01:24):
on the show.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
Welcome to the show.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
Hello, Hello, Oh my gosh, I have to like clear
the tears out of my eyes after that introduction.
Speaker 4 (01:34):
That is so sweet.
Speaker 1 (01:36):
Absolutely is real and one thing that I know I
can give you this because I got to give you
my guests their flowers.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
I believe in that.
Speaker 1 (01:44):
And as gators, as you know, baby Gaters and beyond,
we know how to accept our flowers.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
So thank you for accepting what I have to offer.
Speaker 4 (01:51):
Thank you for providing me with the flowers. Jesus. It
means a lot, and I'm glad to be here.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
Good good.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
A lot of times we don't know. That's why it's
important that we talk about it. You know, I've always
viewed you as a stellar student. You just have you
just always have this energy and zest for life. I've
never seen you in a place of down or bitter set.
It's just like, no, I'm pushing through. We got stuff
to do like, let's go always have that energy, and
(02:20):
it's contagious. So the people around you are starting to
pick up on your energy and they be feeling that
there around you. Nah, we can't do that, Gray, sat down.
We got to get up. So that's just the light
that you shine. And I think it's important for everybody
to know.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
So thank you for being you.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
Yeah, I appreciate that. And honestly, it's when you love
what you do. You don't work a day in your life.
And I love every day that I come across and
every person and every experience. So don't work a day
in my life. How could you not be smiling?
Speaker 2 (02:50):
I love it. I love you. Listen y'all here right now.
She's still in the Master's program. She ain't even done yet.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
I just need y'all to see that energy because's happening contagiously.
Now here's the other piece before we dive in, because
I want to. I don't know where we're going to
go today, but I feel energy.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
We're going to go somewhere.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
So to the listeners, pleasease bring out your Gator Scales
journal so she's gonna be dropping gyms, hitting you in
the head with a honeybon.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
Not what I heard.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
So let's dive in. Where do we start in that
starting place? I'm curious and the listeners are curious.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
What made you.
Speaker 1 (03:23):
Decide I want to get in this profession, I want
to be a counselor, I want to do these things.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
I want to help these people. How did this start
for you? Yeah?
Speaker 4 (03:30):
Absolutely so.
Speaker 3 (03:32):
I guess if I had to pick a starting place
for my story, and well, the universe is one hell
of an author, that's for sure, but I would say
that it would start out with attending religious school. I
attended a religious school, and I'm a queer woman, and
I I tended this Religiou school for about eleven years
of my life, so I have this foundation of like
(03:56):
religion and positive and negative ways. So I feel like
that experience provides a lot of perspectives for me in
a lot of amazing ways. And after that, I went
to an arts high school, so you could only imagine
that transition from the religious school to the arts high school.
(04:17):
And I guess this is where my professional journey began
because while I was a high school student, I was
part of an Instagram account, a social media account, and
it was a queer community account. We did advice memes,
just sharing joy, sharing sad stuff as well, and it
(04:39):
had about i'd say, like forty thousand followers at its peak,
so we had a big community and I had a
lot of people message me and my colleagues that also
helped with the account, just saying I have no idea
where to go in life, like my mom doesn't accept
me for who I am?
Speaker 4 (04:59):
Am I valid?
Speaker 3 (05:00):
Am I do I deserve a seat at the table,
And of course that answer is always yes, and seeing
that pain on a global social media scale, honestly, the
rest is history, and those followers are still with me today,
just you know, living in my heart, in my mind.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
Wow, that's huge, that's huge. I love it. I told y'all,
I don't know what's gonna happen. I don't know what's
gonna happen.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
This is so great and I'm curious, like just because
anybody could have been on this page or building this community,
but you didn't stop there.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
You saw the community, you saw.
Speaker 1 (05:35):
The need, and you decided I'm the person that can
do something. I'm the person that can help somebody, So
let me decide this. So I'm curious to know from
going to a religious background to a more creative space
and managing both and then dealing with marginalized communities and
now deciding this is what I want to do. I'm
curious about that transition, and how did you find you
(05:58):
and your voice in it?
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (06:00):
Absolutely, I would say that with the transition, I suppose.
I don't know, that's a that's a really good question.
I just really think that the answer has been clear
for me from that moment. And that moment was about
ten years ago or so. And when you see pain
(06:21):
like that, how could you not want to do something?
Speaker 4 (06:24):
I guess is my question. Like, even if.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
I can't save the world, you know, I'm no superman, right,
but I think that the pursuit of that, even just
trying your best to be superman for yourself and hoping
that that affects other people.
Speaker 4 (06:41):
That's the most that I can can do.
Speaker 3 (06:44):
And I think growing into myself has been finding confidence
in Yeah, Like my story is worth publishing, right, and
my story is one that I believe in, So I
guess I would say that.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
I love it. I love it.
Speaker 1 (06:59):
So I'm curious because a lot of salamanders struggle with confidence.
A lot of Salamon's struggle with confidence. So how did you,
as a salamander slash baby gator, how have you been
able to build that confidence and trust within yourself because
there's so many unknowns within the profession.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
How did you do that, especially as a student.
Speaker 4 (07:17):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (07:18):
Yeah, absolutely, And I would say that this confidence really
came to fruition, oh my gosh, like just a couple
of years ago. And I owe it to the community
that surrounds me with love. I feel like I'm consistently
divinely protected by these different mentors, friends, family members who
(07:39):
who are like a mirror to myself, like pulling up
a mirror and saying, this is who you are. Now
start acting like it, right, And I think you definitely
played a role in that as well. You know you,
you know, you had just told me you're sitting in
this chair. Start acting like you deserve to be sitting
in that chair, and that really changed it.
Speaker 4 (07:58):
Right.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
Ah, I love it. I love it.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
And what's wild is like you never know as a professor,
you never know what hits and what doesn't. You just
share what comes up, and you never know what impacts
people in what way. So I love hearing that because
this is a full circle moment of you developing this
confidence of you growing into this space of I do
deserve to.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Be here, I do belong here, I am here.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
So that imposter syndrome slowly comes down when you begin
to acknowledge who you are or where you are and
who you are.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
Not, which it sounds like you figuring it that out
in real time. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (08:31):
Absolutely, And I think part of the Gator mindset too
is knowing that this idea of who you're becoming is
a lifelong pursuit. And even I could be on my
deathbed and you know, I could be seeing the Lord
like the next day, right, and there would still be
more to do in terms of me.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
Right. Wow, Wow, that's huge. That's huge.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
So I want to talk about religion because we can
talk about it, and that was the background before the transition.
How are you able to manage these two worlds? And
I want to be specific with these worlds. So you
got religion, which is a world within itself, and then
you got the help from profession, which is a world
within itself, and you being in.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
The middle of both, like you've been going in and
out in different ways.
Speaker 1 (09:16):
How have you been able to merge the two and
what does that look like moving forward for you of
your career?
Speaker 2 (09:22):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (09:23):
Absolutely, I mean I can definitely be honest and say
that my religious experience informs me in both positive and
negative ways, you know, which I did mention, But I
think that my specific religious experience it was very black
and white thinking. Right, there's one way to live, and
that is doing X, doing Y, doing Z. And of
(09:46):
course part of that conversation was me being a queer woman.
I was not the right way to live out under God.
So I think that with religion, like, it doesn't have
to be that way though, because I like, you know,
as much as I've been scorned by it, there's a
lot of really amazing messages about helping others, right like
(10:07):
when it comes to the tax collector or the woman
that gave just one penny in terms of her tithe
right Like, there's so many stories of joy and hope
and religion, and I always try to see the duality.
So it's kind of ironic that within this black and
white thinking that was installed in with me when I
(10:28):
was young, came this wild gray scale, right of there's
different ways to live, and everything has to be good bad,
you know, it's everything in between.
Speaker 2 (10:39):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
Wow, that's huge, that's really huge. You know, I want
to spend a little time here. We don't have spend
a lot, but the time I want to spend here
is related to transition, transformation who you were. So you
remember when you were in that space of it is
black and white, and then you transition out of that
space of wait a minute, it doesn't have to be
black and white. And I feel though for some people,
(11:02):
especially for a lot of the listeners, they may still
be in that space of this is how it has
to be. And you've been able to overcome that to see, yes,
it can be black white, it could be great.
Speaker 2 (11:12):
Different shades are great, fifty shades are great. It could
be different things in real time.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
And to me, that that's awareness, that's awareness because for
many of us, we haven't given given we haven't been
given permission to be self aware. So I'm I'm also
curious of your growth from you know, eleven years in
one environment and then a different environment in finding your
way because you sound because I really love you know.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
There's healthy positive size and negative size.
Speaker 1 (11:42):
You used to understand both, and both of them has
played a role in how you think, how you live,
how you how you work and what you do. Some
people can't do that, and it's a really big deal
that I don't take lightly. How have you been able
to merge all of these different worlds and still come
out on top based off of what works best for
you you?
Speaker 2 (12:00):
How the hell did you do that?
Speaker 3 (12:04):
Hey, listen, If I had the full answer, like honestly,
I would be writing it down and publishing in a book.
Speaker 4 (12:10):
But I, you know, I don't.
Speaker 3 (12:12):
I don't think that we're meant to have all of
the answers, and I think that the best, like honey bun,
I can throw it there, I would just say, give
yourself permission to be human. That's something that that helped
with me. And when it came to that transition of
(12:33):
old self to new self to.
Speaker 4 (12:35):
Who I'm becoming. I think that.
Speaker 3 (12:39):
The outgrowing your old shell can be, you know, a
very positive and negative experience in many ways. But for me,
my old self walks with me every day, right alongside me,
not as a haunting thing, not as a ghastly thing,
but a reminder of how things were when I grew
into my shell. And so I think giving yourself permission
(13:01):
to be human allows that duality. And once you start
giving yourself permission to be human, like I don't have
to be I don't have to be perfect all the time.
Then you can start accepting the fact that the gray
area exists and is something that can help like inform
your current self and the person that you're becoming. So
(13:24):
that's why I think. You know you're going to make
mistakes as you grow, and I don't have all the answers,
and I'm still making mistakes. Oh gosh, I make mistakes
every day, right, But but I think that when you
allow your old self to walk with you, you're honoring
them as someone who did the best that they could
with what they have. And a lot of people right
now are doing the best they can with what they have,
(13:46):
and that's worth honoring.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
So yeah, I love it. Oh, this is good. This
is good.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
So I want to transition a bitot because I have
to share with the listeners.
Speaker 2 (13:54):
This is an honest podcast.
Speaker 1 (13:55):
We're authentic as I'll get out, and I want to
share with their listeners how authentic, how real, how raw
this experience is. So for all of you listening, Grace
right now is in her own studio, right in this studio.
It's very unique it's high tech. The sound proofing is
bar none barn. So seriously, you could, because this connects
(14:19):
to boundaries, balance, figuring out what works for you and
how you're living, and even beginning on this podcast at
this moment in real time, you're demonstrating exactly what you're
talking about. So if you could share with the listeners
your studio in this boundaries and balance where you're figuring
out what works for you and what.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
Doesn't, yees.
Speaker 3 (14:37):
So for those who can see, I'm in my bathroom.
For those who are listening, I'm currently sitting on the
floor of my bathroom and there is a table hanging
behind me setting the most fabulous backdrop, right, And uh,
I think that this is honestly, this is a great.
Speaker 4 (14:55):
Example of doing the best that you can with what
you have.
Speaker 3 (14:58):
And honestly, it's because being on this podcast, like it
meant a lot to me. I knew that I wanted
to put my best foot forward, even if it meant
sitting on the cold tile so that way I could
get a quiet room and make sure that I could
be the best version of myself authentically and on audio wise.
Speaker 2 (15:17):
So the duality, I love it. This is as real
as it gets you all.
Speaker 1 (15:21):
And for those graduate students, doc students, master students who
are in the same space where you may be at
home it may be a house full of people, you
may not have your own space. Just curious, you know, Grace,
how have you been able to manage balancing multiple roles
and wearing so many different hats, being a student, being
a friend, being family like you do a lot? How
(15:42):
do you do it and keep yourself saying and keep
a smile on your face?
Speaker 2 (15:45):
How is this possible? Well?
Speaker 3 (15:47):
I think gratitude is I guess I would say my
biggest secret being thankful for even having the opportunity to
sit on this floor right now with the roof over
my head, right, but also to have the opportunity to
be invited onto this podcast and to speak to you know,
God knows how many listeners in hopes of sharing me
(16:10):
and sharing who I am, Like, how could I not
be just full of joy for that opportunity?
Speaker 4 (16:16):
Right?
Speaker 3 (16:16):
And I think that when you live your life with
a lens of joy, you find there's so much more
to be thankful for than to be regretful for.
Speaker 1 (16:25):
Wow, wow, you heard it here first gratitude. Gratitude on
the floor in the bathroom, cold as all get a
tap behind our head. Audio is stellar quality right now,
good as soon as as real as it gets. And
that's what I love about the podcast because everyone, all
the listeners, you're doing the best you can what you have,
and your lived experiences speak to who you are.
Speaker 2 (16:47):
So I want to be honest.
Speaker 1 (16:49):
I want to be out there that can transparent because
it's not this idea of who we have to be,
it's the reality of who we actually are.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
And you live that.
Speaker 1 (16:56):
You are living example of this as a graduate student,
and I hope for all the listeners, especially graduate students,
you're seeing that in real life, in real time, you
can have this, you can adopt this because it's a mentality.
It's a perspective based off of who Grace is and
who she's becoming. She already let you know, old version dead.
There's a ghost around, but it's not haunting me, but I.
Speaker 2 (17:18):
Know it's there.
Speaker 1 (17:19):
Re parallels all day long, all day long. So let's
switch gears a bit. I want to share because this
is really important to me and to the listeners. So
Grace was in one of my classes, and Grace had
a crew of students.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
There was just this crew. It was this energy.
Speaker 1 (17:36):
In the first day of class, I'll walk in and
everybody lit up, and I'm like, what is this about?
And I asked, like, what's the scoop? What's going on?
And I feel that, you know, Grace, you were the ringleader.
Speaker 2 (17:48):
And just that love.
Speaker 1 (17:50):
Oh my god, doctor brand is here. We're finna have
a good time. But I learned from this crew that
you all were connected. And I learned later that y'all
were connected because of leadership with CSI. You know, I
got basically an executive board I had in my classroom
at one time. So you know, I don't believe in coincidences.
And I'm just curious on you know, your perspective being
(18:12):
this board, memory, being this administrator with this Honor Society
for our profession, and this whole your whole executive board
and one class and y'all together, Like, how did this happen?
Speaker 2 (18:23):
How did this come about?
Speaker 4 (18:24):
Uh?
Speaker 1 (18:24):
And how can you help other students with creating these communities.
Speaker 2 (18:28):
That serve you.
Speaker 1 (18:29):
It's not one, you have several, but they all are
used in different ways to enhance you in your life.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
So if you could share it with us, how did
this happen.
Speaker 3 (18:37):
Yeah, absolutely so honestly, and when I think back to
the very start of even the idea of taking uh
CSI and wanting to be in a leadership position, I
have to give credits to to Jesse. Jesse fam if
you're listening, huge shout out to you. For those who
don't know him, he is a friend and a colleague
(18:59):
of mind. I met through the program, and he is
like the yin to my yang for sure, Like I'm
very energetic and he very much grounds me, but we
both have like the same sense of humor, same interests.
He's an excellent person to work with and he's incredibly
brilliant and so honestly, he once came up to me
(19:20):
and said, hey, like CSI is like for those who
don't know what stands for Chai Sigma Iota Counseling Honor Society,
and it wasn't really active on our campus when we
were first years. So he said, hey, why don't we
try and run for a position and see what we
can do about it. And honestly, that's exactly where what happened.
(19:42):
Right now, I'm currently serving as the president of CSI.
Jesse is my secretary and then a bunch of our
friends decided to hop onto to that passion as well
and said, you know what, like, why don't we try
and make something that enhances the experience of counseling student
and especially grad students Because we're very like we're we
(20:03):
worked really hard and sometimes it's hard to just catch
a break and have fun. And so I think that
we have a unique opportunity to promote excellence while giving
folks opportunity to network, have fun, eat free food at
our club, right, stuff like that, So right, God, listen,
we have to talk about all the positives here. So yeah,
(20:26):
and so I think that like these connections that we
made are beyond even just professional, like they're very like
friendship connections that like all we all.
Speaker 4 (20:37):
Like connect with each other on a very.
Speaker 3 (20:39):
Special level, and they we just really get each other
in a way that I haven't really been understood before.
And I think that being surrounded by people like that
has helped me grow into myself and we all grown
into ourselves as well, and so we become friends. And
then when it came to registering for classes, Christine and
(21:01):
I another shout out to Christine. We had previously taken
a class with you and so when I was talking
about this class, we were thinking, well, why don't we
just try and encourage a bunch of our friends to
do because we know what you can offer for us,
and we grew a lot in your class. So when
it was coming to this class and registering for it, yeah,
(21:23):
that basically we got everyone to top on the boat
and everyone had a great time during that class.
Speaker 2 (21:29):
That's phenomenal. That's phenomenal.
Speaker 1 (21:31):
So more often than that, what your trajectory, I've never
heard of. I've never seen it before, especially with CSI
because typically graduate students join CSI and then become friends,
then become friends with their leadership team or executive board.
You all were friends first and then decided, hey, let's
do CSI.
Speaker 2 (21:49):
Not just do it, let's take it over like y'all. Yeah,
y'all did that.
Speaker 1 (21:53):
So I'm curious for a lot of the listeners who
are considering, I want to get involved, but I don't
really know. And you know, I keep hearing about CSI
and I don't know what to do if you could share, like,
you know, what is it about CSO or leadership organizations
as a whole and the purpose?
Speaker 2 (22:08):
Like why would a student want to do that.
Speaker 1 (22:10):
What make it beneficial not that you've got a recruit
or anything, but your liveding experience is so important because
a lot of students don't know the value that these
organizations bring. And your story alone speaks about the value.
So if you could share with the listeners, you know
that value aspect of getting involved and getting active and
what are some of those benefits.
Speaker 3 (22:30):
Yeah, absolutely, I think that even just starting with the
lens of gratitude and thinking wow, like this is an
opportunity that I have the opportunity to even you know,
reach for and when you believe in yourself or even
just go in with the mindset of I'm just going
to toss my hat in the ring. You know, you
(22:50):
missed all the shots that you don't take, but when
you do take those shots, like you won't even believe
these amazing opportunities that will just invite them into your life,
one after one after one. So I think that CSI
is a fantastic opportunity for those who are interested in
leadership positions Like it's it's fantastic to work with people
(23:13):
who are like minded and very kind, Like our board
is very kind and friendly. So you're making friends, you're networking.
You're getting CV or resume experience as well, and then
you're also able to network at our events and CSI
International offers scholarship opportunities. They offer conferences virtual in person,
(23:35):
so there's an international benefit as well as a local
benefit by finding community in grad school, which sometimes can
be very difficult.
Speaker 2 (23:46):
I love it. I love it.
Speaker 1 (23:48):
Tell me a little bit more about that difficulty of
finding your community and connecting.
Speaker 3 (23:52):
Yeah, I think that if if you're not careful, sometimes
grad school can feel like somewhere you just walk in
and clock out, especially depending on your campus. I know
some schools are different than others, and with with cohorts
depending on size. For those who are listening, our cohort
(24:12):
is sixty people, so it's much larger than like your
stereotypical counseling graduate cohort, And so when there's a lot
of people, there's a lot of opportunity to make new friends,
but also it can feel intimidating. You have a lot
of people that come from a billion different walks of
life and all come from different angles and perspectives and backgrounds.
(24:35):
But I think when you embrace that, that can be
the key to opening yourself up to making these connections
and reminding yourself that this like diversity of you know,
like background, educational, you know, things of that nature can
do nothing but add, you know, value into your life
(24:57):
when you learn from the people that are around you.
I have to admit, like it is a scary process,
especially if you're introverted, but embracing it is, I guess
the biggest key I can say. But I don't know
if my key is very valid because I'm an extrovert,
so it's it's.
Speaker 2 (25:15):
Never for me, it's valid. It's valid.
Speaker 1 (25:18):
So the listeners that are extroverts, it hits for those introverts. Hey,
y'all got to catch up.
Speaker 4 (25:24):
Introverts.
Speaker 1 (25:25):
No policies needing, that's on them. So so now here's
the other. Here's another piece, And this is why this
show is so important and so powerful. So Grace is
sharing about CSI, which is a chapter level it's an
international organization all across the country and she's involved, but
it's it's more housed on campus.
Speaker 2 (25:44):
But Grace didn't stop there.
Speaker 1 (25:46):
Grace decided to join to get me a part of
the National Boarder Certified Counselor's NBCC Minority Fellowship Program. So
that's an international organization that is way bigger and more resources,
and it's off campus. It's not something that's just strategically
or connected to a university. It's global. So how did
(26:08):
you get involved? And here's another piece that I found
is so funny. Grace was in my class during NBCC
they had the symposiums.
Speaker 2 (26:18):
For the symposium, I was actually serving as a keynote
and you know.
Speaker 1 (26:22):
Me thinking just keep it to myself or whatever, students
start finding now I was serving as a keynote and
it was just this moment of oh my god, my
professor is about to be the keynote at this conference.
And you were there and you're involved. So if you
could share how did you get involved with that? Because
I'm a fan of NBCC and it's a.
Speaker 2 (26:39):
Really big deal.
Speaker 1 (26:40):
How did you go from okay, CSI, I did this,
I'm doing it.
Speaker 2 (26:43):
It's great.
Speaker 1 (26:44):
However, I want to go further and you did it
and you're doing great on a higher level.
Speaker 2 (26:49):
How the hell you doing all of this? Grace?
Speaker 3 (26:52):
So you know how I said, when you seek opportunity,
opportunities will come in droves, and I think that this
is part of it. So the the symposium in March
that I saw you at was I was there for
presenting research with the lovely Doctor Honoreus. Another shout out say,
(27:14):
I'm gonna shout everybody out, like.
Speaker 1 (27:15):
Oh, shout out, shout them out. That's cool because a
lot of these shouts. This is what I love you.
You are picking up the show all day. So the
shout outs are opportunities because I look at the shout
out as we're throwing a pebble in the pond, and
there's going to be a ripple because every shout out
that I've heard so far on this show, the person
that was shout out ended up being a guest. So
(27:35):
just know these are going to be more guests on
this show because you shouted them out.
Speaker 3 (27:40):
I love it and I would pay a million dollar
subscription to listen to Doctor Honoreus speak on a podcast.
They are incredibly insightful and compassionate and just embody social
justice in every front, so I can't I could go
forever and ever speak positively positively about them and working
(28:04):
under their mentorship, we were able to present research at
NBCCF Symposium and it was just an incredible experience. I
love everything that NBCC stands for and I just I
love the people that I was able to meet, the
conversations we were able to have, bringing up these hard
(28:25):
conversations that you won't see it just any conference.
Speaker 4 (28:28):
That is what I love.
Speaker 3 (28:29):
I love the bravery, I love the honesty, and I
love the growth that NBCC can provide to me, especially
as a white woman.
Speaker 4 (28:37):
That's important for me to remain open and to keep
seeking knowledge and listening.
Speaker 3 (28:43):
And so even so, I this is a little bit
vulnerable because I haven't received it yet, but I'm applying
for the fellowship, this upcoming cohort because how much I
love this experience and I just want to learn more.
So it's like when you have a little nerve and
you take a buy and you're like, ooh, that's good.
Speaker 4 (29:03):
I want more, right, bring me, bring me twelve more
of them.
Speaker 3 (29:06):
So that's that's how I'm feeling. And you know, this
is another one of those things. If if I don't
get in, at least I can say I tried right
and I had a fun time doing it. So and
when the opportunity presents itself, why not at least try
And I feel confident.
Speaker 1 (29:22):
Wow, wow, well we're gonna speak into existence it's already done.
I hope you're celebrating in advance, you know, day to celebrate, before, during,
and after. So we're gonna speak it, we're gonna claim it.
It's going to happen. It's going to happen, period. What
about We're not worried about time. It's going to happen
because you are putting yourself in a position to win. Also,
for the listeners, I hope y'all paying attention. I hope
(29:42):
y'all are seeing the three parallels who Grace was, who
she is, who she's becoming. And I hope you're able
to kind of pick up some of these nuggets and
apply them to you yourself. Grace shared the previous mentality
very black and white. It is one way or the other.
The new mentality, I hope y'all hearing it is, I'm
going to try my best. I'm gonna do the best
(30:02):
I can what I have, and either I'm going to
win or.
Speaker 2 (30:05):
I'm going to learn. Do y'all hear this. I know
it's not me. I know it's just not mean. So
this is this is powerful.
Speaker 1 (30:13):
This is so powerful, and I love how these stories
and these experiences can impact and influence so many different
people who just listening, And to me, I don't believe
in coincidences. It's not a coincidence that you're listening to
this show right now. It's my coincidence that you're on
this show. It's not a coincidence of what comes up
from being here and being on the show. So this
(30:33):
is phenomenal. I'm enjoying every minute of it. So the
next piece, I want to move into some rapid questions.
Now these don't have to be rapid as fast, but
I want to hear your perspective on all of it.
So through this experience from where you were for eleven
years and then transition to creative space and art and
now in the master's program, I'm curious and now you know,
(30:55):
serving as a working in field placement internship practicum.
Speaker 2 (31:00):
Have you learned about people through all these lived experiences.
Speaker 3 (31:05):
Oh my gosh, that is an incredibly good question, because
I feel like there is always more to learn, and
everybody is so different but so similar at the same time,
all being humans and sharing the human condition. I think
that people are incredibly resilient, and that's really what I've
(31:27):
learned about other people, especially in the most traumatic of circumstances,
how much resilience will shine through regardless, and how much
that individuals can grow when they're just given understanding. If
you just provide somebody just a listening ear, how much
you can just see them shoot for the stars. And
(31:48):
the power of empathy is magical. It really is, and
I think that part of me knew it, But being
in this profession helps you embody it, and and that's
really what I've learned.
Speaker 2 (32:02):
I'd say, love it, love it. So same question now
is about you? What have you learned about yourself through
these years? Oh?
Speaker 4 (32:10):
Man?
Speaker 3 (32:10):
I mean to kind of speak on what I had
said earlier. I would say that I've grown to understand
that blurring or that there's no right way to live,
that whole concept of living in the gray is not
just something that is to be understood, but it's to
be celebrated. I would say, it really is to be celebrated.
And I think that with only with that black and
(32:34):
white mindset, it can be very like how you say,
like kind of confining, but how liberating it is to
know that as long as you're doing what's right for you,
it's right. And I love that it's so it deserves
to be celebrated.
Speaker 2 (32:52):
I love it. Gator talk, this is talk.
Speaker 1 (32:55):
Yeah right, So what would you say is your our
most proudest moment or accomplishment in your life?
Speaker 4 (33:03):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (33:04):
So when I think about the most the most proudest
moment or my biggest accomplishment, I think about high school.
Which I'm not saying I paid in high school, but
I'm thinking about when I was a senior in high school.
So for context, I went to the lovely Orange County
School of the Arts and I had a fantastic time there.
(33:27):
This was the art school I was mentioning and I
studied acting there. And while I was studying acting, I
was really getting into directing as well.
Speaker 4 (33:37):
So I come from a theater background.
Speaker 3 (33:39):
I come from an acting background, and directing really struck
me because I don't know, I just I loved being
able to have a story and then watching it come
to life.
Speaker 4 (33:52):
And for me being in at the school, I was
being able to watch.
Speaker 3 (33:56):
My friends bring it to life and that was so
so very much me in every way. But in my senior.
Speaker 4 (34:04):
Year, I directed a play.
Speaker 3 (34:06):
This play is called Wilderness and it is about uh
like wilderness camps, uh like trouble teen industry things of
that nature. And the feedback I got from the audience
was just like just people were like, this is brilliant,
like this is fantastic, Like this spoke to me.
Speaker 4 (34:29):
This taught me a lot.
Speaker 3 (34:31):
And I think just knowing that storytelling can impact people
on so many different ways, Like what a gift it
is that we're able to share stories with each other
and to do it in different ways. And that was
my favorite story I've ever told.
Speaker 2 (34:46):
Wow, oh, this is so good. This is so good.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. All Right, so here's one.
Here's one I'm curious to know about a hero. Who
or is your hero?
Speaker 3 (35:03):
That's a That's an amazing question, and I think it
is best shown visibly if you can see this for
those of you who are just listening and not watching.
I have a tattoo on my wrist and it is
my grandfather's signature. And my grandpa passed away a couple
of years ago, and it was not in the best
(35:26):
of circumstances. He we were really hoping that he could
have made it longer. But he lives forever in my heart,
in my mind, and with my family. He was just
this this beacon of advocacy. He was uh he worked
in law and specifically dependency law, and he essentially would
(35:51):
advocate for ghost of So it sounds like he would
be like advocating for those because that were like abusing
their kids. I would say, but sometimes you don't understand
what these people are going through and through the system,
like people are not being given the resources that they
need in order to turn their lives around. And he
(36:14):
was that person to put these individuals on the stand
who were responsible for letting others down and saying, why
didn't you do better to try and unite this family again?
And his fervorance for advocacy is something that inspires me
every day, even and any walk of life that you
come through, like approaching it with empathy. You're going through
(36:38):
a lot and a lot of people aren't on your side,
but let me be on your side. That's something that
inspires me every day.
Speaker 4 (36:45):
And I I love him dearly.
Speaker 3 (36:48):
I miss him dearly, and I dedicate everything I do
to him.
Speaker 4 (36:52):
So Grandpa, I love.
Speaker 2 (36:54):
You, big shout out. I love it.
Speaker 4 (36:57):
I love it.
Speaker 2 (36:58):
Yes, incredible story, incredible story. Thank you for sharing, Thank
you for sharing.
Speaker 1 (37:04):
My condolences to you, your family and It's what's amazing.
Speaker 2 (37:07):
This is a this is legacy.
Speaker 1 (37:09):
He still lives and now you're continuous continuing what he started.
You continuingly doing what he did. Uh, that's legacy. And
imagine the people that's going to do this after you
or because of you.
Speaker 2 (37:20):
This is huge. This is huge.
Speaker 4 (37:22):
I can only hope.
Speaker 1 (37:23):
So all right, So I'm curious, what's a word praise,
memory or moment that has stuck with you personally or professionally.
Speaker 4 (37:35):
That's a good one. So besides, I would say, like
the whole give.
Speaker 3 (37:38):
Yourself permission to be human. A lot of my favorite
nuggets of wisdom come from my mom. Another shout out
to Mom.
Speaker 4 (37:47):
She gave me a.
Speaker 3 (37:49):
Lot of Honestly, I think that she could be a
life coach. She has a lot of these nuggets of
wisdom that have helped me help other people. And it's
been really a pleasure to to to hear that. But
she would always tell me that your best is always
enough for me and that I feel really blessed that
(38:11):
my mom approached me with that mindset because I know
people and their parents like they it's not always that lucky.
But my mom was very big on Gracie you're being
hard on yourself, but I promise you what you're doing
is enough for anybody.
Speaker 4 (38:26):
You know.
Speaker 3 (38:26):
It may not be enough for yourself, but it's enough
for me. And I want you to know that, Like,
even even if in your head you're not reaching these
expectations that you set, like everyone around you can see
you and knows that you're doing well, even if you
don't believe it. So even if you don't believe it yourself,
let me believe it for you. And I really appreciated
(38:51):
being raised in with that mindset, and I definitely try
and carry that for other people. You know, your best
is always enough and trying to demonstrate to that that
you're doing the best wood let you have you know
it's important and worth honoring.
Speaker 1 (39:04):
That's beautiful. That's beautiful. So just know Mom might end
up being on the podcast.
Speaker 4 (39:08):
Because she will have some honey buns to throw, that's
for sure.
Speaker 2 (39:14):
Listen, we're gonna make it happen. I'm winning, I'm winning.
We don't make it happen.
Speaker 1 (39:18):
I just want to share knowledge, I want to share wisdom,
I want to share love, and that's what we're getting.
So I'm sure the apple doesn't fall far so shout
out to mom.
Speaker 2 (39:26):
Duke's good stuff. Yes, indeed.
Speaker 1 (39:31):
Next question, so this is this is a big one
because this is the show. This is the show. If
you could describe in one word, three different versions, so
one word for each, who you were, who you are,
who You're becoming? What would you describe those three versions
of yourself?
Speaker 4 (39:47):
Uh?
Speaker 2 (39:48):
Using one word?
Speaker 4 (39:50):
Oh man?
Speaker 2 (39:51):
Using one word oh man for each, one word for each.
So who I was? Is this? Who I am? Is this?
Who I'm becoming? Is this m hmm?
Speaker 4 (40:02):
I would say who I was a shadow? I know
that's two words.
Speaker 2 (40:13):
I'm sorry. I give rules, but they're they're big. Listen
to whatever. Do you know how this works? It's our house?
Speaker 4 (40:22):
Okay, true?
Speaker 3 (40:23):
So a shadow and then my current self is confident
mm hmmm.
Speaker 4 (40:29):
And who I'm becoming? Amazing?
Speaker 1 (40:38):
Oh I hope you all write into that. Y'all know,
y'all can bow, y'all can cheat. What world Grace says? Okay,
you write it down, these things I'm becoming because if
not whatever you know, who you were, who you are,
who you're becoming. If you're not okay with it, if
you don't like it, you can change it at any
point in time, so for the listeners because I like
to connect and and you've connected so much and sharing
your truth and your personal story with the listeners. What
(40:59):
about an interesting fact? What's something that most people a
lot of people don't know. I didn't know you were
a director and you were in an arts which I
think is phenomenal.
Speaker 2 (41:07):
It just speaks volumes to your energy. What is another
interesting fact that people just don't know about? Grace?
Speaker 3 (41:13):
Yeah, I think the best fact I like to share
about people is that I am an ordained minister And
so if you need me to officiate your wedding, I
know a girl and her name is me.
Speaker 2 (41:28):
I love it. Listen.
Speaker 1 (41:29):
This is what I love about graduate students. That's what
I love about helping professionals. We all are from different
walks of life. We have different careers. Some people in
their second, third, fourth career, some people retired and come back.
Everybody has a story, and it's so unique how all
of our stories, no matter what it is, we end
up in the same space, same place in time, from
a professor to a student to someone trying to get
(41:52):
into a program. Everybody has a very unique story and
I love hearing people's story. And now we have a
place where we can share people's stories. So thank you
for sharing that. For those looking for a minister, you
got one right here.
Speaker 2 (42:03):
Right.
Speaker 4 (42:04):
Exactly, I got you.
Speaker 2 (42:06):
Let me know, no, no.
Speaker 1 (42:07):
No, listen, you might start drumming up business from this, don't.
It's a lot of listeners that's trying to get married,
trying to get things done.
Speaker 2 (42:14):
I'm telling you, I'm telling you you not be surprised.
All right.
Speaker 1 (42:17):
So last question, this is a life work. So as
you all know, listeners, I do not. This podcast does
not offer homework. Because homework, you take it home, you
do it, you forget about it, you turn it in,
you'll never remember it again. Life work, when you take
it home and you do it, your life changes. So, Grace,
if you can offer some life work to the listeners,
(42:37):
what would you offer a keepsake or something for them
to help them keep moving and going in the direction
that they're going. What would you have to share?
Speaker 4 (42:45):
Absolutely?
Speaker 3 (42:46):
So I would invite you all to pull out a
piece of paper.
Speaker 1 (42:51):
Oh yeah, let's work. Hold on, y'all need time, Pauls,
I need Pauls. Right, Grace's Finn hit child and he
what a honey on? Okay, Bush Pauls. Get fit and paper.
We're not playing, okay, get a pin and paper, get
your Gator scales journal, and write down what's about to happen.
Speaker 2 (43:08):
What you get.
Speaker 3 (43:10):
Yes, So take out a piece of paper, and you
know how you were in elementary school and you were
trying to go on.
Speaker 4 (43:18):
A field trip.
Speaker 3 (43:19):
You would write down your name at the top, write
out where you're going, so somewhere you want to go
in life, a goal, something of that nature, and then
at the very end write permission and then sign it. Wow,
you are giving yourself permission to be human, and you're
writing a goal. That's where you're going on your field trip.
Speaker 4 (43:41):
Sign it, turn it in. You have permission, so I'll
always remember that.
Speaker 2 (43:46):
That's good. That's power.
Speaker 1 (43:47):
I've never heard that, so I'm going to use it
for myself. So listeners, I told you'all, I told you
I'll get it out. So this is an opportunity because
once you write it down, it makes it plain. It
becomes a contract that you signed between you and the
better version of you. Oh grace, you drop ja. So
this is about our time. I greatly appreciate you for
(44:08):
being here. Anything you want to share, anything else you
want to give to the listeners shout outs anything. This
is your time, your space to give it. Also, what
if people want to get in touch with you? What
if people want to reach out, Hey, I need to
or they administer asap. I need a therapist, I need this,
I need that. How can people get in contact with you?
Speaker 4 (44:28):
I love it.
Speaker 3 (44:30):
I guess just reminding yourself that you're human and nailing
in the fact that you should give yourself permission. Oh
my gosh, you see that light right now?
Speaker 2 (44:42):
This is the show.
Speaker 1 (44:44):
We got paranoimal activity happening in real time.
Speaker 2 (44:47):
Oh my god, this is great. I'm loving all.
Speaker 4 (44:50):
Turn again.
Speaker 2 (44:53):
Does this happen often? Or this is this is happening
in real time for.
Speaker 4 (44:56):
Us first time? And maybe this is a sign? Right?
Speaker 2 (45:01):
I love it. I love it. Listen for the listeners.
Speaker 1 (45:04):
For those who can't see Grace in her studio, bathroom, studio, shower, studio.
I want to call it. The lights are flickering on
and off in real time. We don't know why it's paranormal,
but some something is happening in real time. This is
amazing and I'm here for it.
Speaker 3 (45:20):
Seriously, should I turn my camera off? I don't want
to give the viewers. A headache is probably fine.
Speaker 2 (45:26):
Let's ride. Let the ride. They can turn the camera.
Okay you can't.
Speaker 4 (45:32):
It sounds good. Okay, I'm sorry. Could you remind me? So?
Speaker 2 (45:39):
Yeah, it's okay, it's okay. This listen.
Speaker 1 (45:43):
I don't know what this is. It's an energy. Is
something happening in real time? We cannot make this up.
So if people want to get in contact with Grace,
if people want to reach out to you, what how
can they get in touch with you?
Speaker 4 (46:01):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (46:01):
So name first name at yahoo dot com so.
Speaker 4 (46:06):
S C h R o E d E r g
R A c E at yahoo dot com.
Speaker 3 (46:12):
Feel free to shoot me a message and let me
know what you thought or if you have any.
Speaker 1 (46:15):
If you could repeat it one more time, the paranormal
activity had it a little chump choppingy, So I want
to make sure everybody gets your information one more time.
Speaker 3 (46:22):
If you can share, Okay, I'm gonna turn off my
camera Sopefully the connection will be better. But yeah, so connection.
If you want to connect with me, shoot me a message,
anything of that nature. My email is my last name,
first name at yahoo dot com.
Speaker 4 (46:39):
That's s C h R O E D E R
g R a C.
Speaker 3 (46:43):
E at yahoo dot com, So feel free to let
me know what you thought.
Speaker 4 (46:47):
Or if you have any questions.
Speaker 2 (46:48):
Excellent, excellent, Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (46:50):
You all heard it here. First, Grace, you have been
a gift, you have been a blessing. You have been amazing,
you have been an amazing guests. I'm so thankful that you're here.
We're going to have you back, definitely, you will be back.
And I hope that for all of the listeners, especially
for the graduate students, you're seeing someone who's in the
trenches with you at the same time, different university, different state,
(47:13):
or in the same state, doing the best she can
with what she has, and it's working. It's working because
she's living life based off of what works best, what
works for me, what works for me right now. This energy,
this vibe, this paranormal activity, all of these things that's
happening is intentional and it's going to cause a ripple.
(47:33):
So what I love about ripples imagine, at any point
in time, you throw a rock or a pebble in
a pond, that pebble will make ripples, and this podcast
is a pebble that's going to make ripple.
Speaker 2 (47:47):
Ripples.
Speaker 1 (47:48):
If this podcast has impacted you in any way. Don't
keep this information to yourself. Share it with somebody like comment, share,
ask questions, reach out to the listeners. I'm sorry to
the guests. Find a way to get involved, find a
way to connect, find a way to use the information
that you had to better your life. Thank you all
(48:09):
for listening. My name is doctor Jason branch From, the
host of Three Parallels podcast where we determine who you
were who you are through your becoming. Have a great day,
much love and listen. Take advantage of what you heard today.
Speaker 2 (48:23):
Until next time, Beast
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