Sol Sisters Radio

Now that we are inching towards post-pandemic life, many are feeling insecure about their changed bodies emotionally and mentally drained, and wondering how to get in the rhythm of a healthy lifestyle again. Coach Leah walks us through how to take a gentle approach to our physical health and wellness with realistic goal setting and unapologetic self-love.

Forced isolation has caused many to sit with uncomfortable feelings and memories. Some have been led to face suppressed trauma that was once easy to minimize or avoid with work, socializing, and otherwise. Licensed marriage and family therapist, Dierdre Wallace shares her insights and expertise in treating trauma and how we as women can care for ourselves as we work through heavy, even painful mental and emotional wounds.

We have been holding so much this past year. From stress, to anxiety, to fear, but have we truly stopped to think about how our mental health has been impacted? Licensed marriage and family therapist, Sahar Martinez, LMFT provides us a professional glimpse into the various aspects of our mental health that have been impacted, and boldly empowers us to recognize and embrace our own resilience and deservingness to heal.

Social justice issues and politics have always been issues that have caused divide and stress, but a pandemic accompanied by a presidential administration that brought about so much fear and frustration has left our mental and emotional wellbeing severely impacted. Presently, we have seen a rise in hate crimes towards the AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) community. Sol Sisters Founding Board Member, Jenny Ton walks us through the tumultuous social and political weight of 2020. She thoughtfully voices what many of us has been holding, and provides us tools and opportunities to heal and overcome as we move forward individually and collectively. As an Asian American woman, Jenny also speaks on the history of Asians in the US, shedding light on the longstanding racism AAPI community has faced, what we are seeing now, and says we can support as allies and accomplices. Jenny Ton is a do gooder, serial creative, and founder of Jenny Ton Consulting.

The pandemic has brought a lot of ups and downs, but for many, it has brought time, strategies, and resources to launch business endeavors. For others, those same pressures have brought feelings of insecurity and thoughts like, “I’m not good enough. My ideas don’t matter. I can’t even keep up with my day to day much less become an entrepreneur.” Wherever you are, Life and Leadership Coach, Mariela De La More has some words of wisdom for you. Tune in to hear more!

Sol Sisters upholds an anti-racist, pro-Black, inclusive approach to our mission and values. Follow Sol Sisters on IG at @solsistersorg, on Facebook at facebook.com/solsistersinc. and sign up for our newsletter at solsisters.org

In this episode, Sherry Marsh offers us a personal story of turmoil to triumph as she boldly shares how her divorce led her to take control a bold stance over her finances. During this difficult period of her life, Sherry gathered all the tools necessary to grow financially competent, ultimately leading her to financial freedom. Sherry now uses her story to host workshops and speak to other women about the importance of understanding finances. Sherry especially understands how stressful finances can be during this pandemic and offers us some practical tools on where to get started and/or how to refine our current financial status. This and all episodes can be found on iTunes and Spotify under “Solful Conversations.” Please help spread the word and subscribe!

Crisis Counselor, Woman on the Rise’s 2019 Woman of the Year, mental health blogger, and motivational speaker, Asia Hilario reveals what several of us have been feeling yet couldn’t quite put a name to it: GRIEF. Asia derives invaluable information from Harvard Business Review’s article, “That Discomfort You’re Feeling is Grief” by Scott Berinato. Berinato’s interview with world renowned grief expert, David Kessler breaks down the loss we are collectively experiencing, and Hilario’s take on it is both relatable and comforting. Tune in and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel, Solful Conversations on iTunes and Spotify! You can sign up for Asia’s Self-Care Saturdays by following her on Instagram @islahoney.

“Start that business. Learn that new language. Launch that blog. You have no excuse to be lazy!” are just a few messages we’ve received through social media and other platforms in the wake of this global crisis. Shelter-in-place has somehow translated to now having all of the time in the world. Except, many of us don’t, or, many of us do but actually need the time to process the crisis, and altogether recharge. Mompreneur, Sue Khan of Bermuda joins Christine in a solful conversation about how to successfully manage and/or launch your business, how to not get caught up in the toxicity of go-getter culture, and how to truly hone in on what is most important at this time, self-care, family time, and starting small.

Are you experiencing anxiety and stress in the wake of coven-19? More specifically, is isolation, a shift in your regular schedule, balancing parenting with work from home madness, or fearing unemployment pre-occupying you? Dr. Christine Coleman shares signs of anxiety and stress along with coping skills to help get us all through this new (hopefully temporary) reality. Resources mentioned:Mental Health Apps:Better HelpTalk SpaceAyana TherapyCalmCrisis Lines:California Suicide HotlinesCalifornia Domestic Violence HotlinesBay Area Domestic Violence SupportCalifornia Child Protective ServicesResources for Parents:Scholastic’s Learn At Home ActivitiesLittle Justice Leaders

Yolanda Morrissette spent several years on the streets of the Tenderloin District in San Francisco while battling addiction, facing domestic violence, and all of the challenges of homelessness. She shares her powerful story of struggle and triumph, along with some practical tips about how we can be better, compassionate people towards those who need our love and respect most. Yolanda is now a counselor in the prison system and is working towards more certifications to continue to help her help others. She deeply cares about women battling addiction, domestic abuse, and homelessness, and continues to be a strong advocate for them.

On Episode 5, we hear from our very own Community Service Coordinator and Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Alice Taylor. Alice shares her own story of being in foster care and eventual adoption, which has led her to have a heart for serving others. She has served both in the military and now as a social worker. She also serves as a mentor and as if she didn’t do enough, is now working diligently on our community service quarter.This year, we are introducing our Intern Program under the guidance of our Partnerships team. Alice shares about how this program will serve four women transitioning out of life’s hardships and how important it is for you to be involved in giving back to women who need a second chance.

On Episode 4, we chat with Eating Disorders Specialist, Dr. Kristina Wood about body image in today’s society and how our mental health is affected by the pressures we face as a result. Dr. Wood specializes in knowledge and support around eating disorders and provides us a range of information including signs and tips for navigating our view of self in a weight-obsessed world. Dr. Wood has been working with eating disorders for about 10 years, and has been at Kaiser Permanente in Oakland for 7 years. She recently had a daughter and has gained a new understanding for the pressures that she will face as she grows.

In Episode 3, we talk with Monique Scott, M.S., clinical psychotherapist and mother to a son with Autism. Monique shares of her unique encounters with families who have faced the ups and downs of caring for children with disabilities. She also shares of how raising a son with Autism has impacted her own journey as a woman, wife, and working professional. Monique is a pre-licensed psychotherapist working at a local mental health agency in Philadelphia and a local suburb. She is also a newly hired special instructor in the birth to three component of early intervention for children with developmental delays and disabilities. Monique is working to finish her doctorate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.“I love having the ability to connect with mothers of children with Autism and sharing experiences that helps assure them that they are not alone and we all go through similar experiences. I also enjoy working to empower mothers and helping their learn to advocate for their children and for themselves.”

Shanice Smith is a Licensed Clinical Social worker that is currently working at Roots Community Health Center as a therapist. She provides culturally appropriate mental health services to the East Oakland Community.In this episode, Shanice discusses the overwhelming anxiety and stress that people of color, women of color, and Black women specifically experience on a regular basis due to violence enacted against them. She expresses the heightened fears she has for her safety and wellbeing that result from the horrific death of Oakland-based teen, Nia Wilson who was recently killed by a White supremacist. Shanice shares how these fears can manifest into anxiety and possible depression. She also provides concrete tools women of color can utilize to combat these challenges to protect and nourish their mental and emotional wellness.

For our first episode, Licensed Psychotherapist and Doctoral Candidate Akua Boateng shares her insight on listening to our voice within, or what she calls our unique form of strength. She discusses how trauma or other outside influences can impact trust in our gut instincts, and how we can best channel the wisdom gained from our life experiences.