Being Human... and Other Sh!t Sun, 12 Apr 2026 21:44:31 -0400 https://beinghumanandothershit.buzzsprout.com en-us © 2026 Being Human... and Other Sh!t yes 0277af1e-f2aa-5abe-894e-f0ebdc51e569 Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley episodic true Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley https://storage.buzzsprout.com/k7ulr5rickzgy263k8s8ue30s3u4?.jpg Being Human... and Other Sh!t Laughter Before the Impending Doom Laughter Before the Impending Doom Melissa and I don’t live in the future, but the weight of what tomorrow might bring is hard to ignore. As two queer women, one mixed, we face the looming threat of losing our rights while a spineless figure clutches a Bible—one whose commandments he conveniently ignores when it comes to his own sins. Sins like stealing choices from the women he assaulted. But here’s the twist: even in our darkest hours, we will find a way to laugh. And for those of you who cast your vote for this man, pay close attention to the end of this episode. That’s the only scripture we live by.


This episode was recorded on the ancestral homeland of the Nisenan people. We acknowledge them as the past, present, and future care takers of this land.


Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.

Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Just Melissa & Staci
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Melissa and I don’t live in the future, but the weight of what tomorrow might bring is hard to ignore. As two queer women, one mixed, we face the looming threat of losing our rights while a spineless figure clutches a Bible—one whose commandments he conveniently ignores when it comes to his own sins. Sins like stealing choices from the women he assaulted. But here’s the twist: even in our darkest hours, we will find a way to laugh. And for those of you who cast your vote for this man, pay close attention to the end of this episode. That’s the only scripture we live by.


This episode was recorded on the ancestral homeland of the Nisenan people. We acknowledge them as the past, present, and future care takers of this land.


Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.

Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Just Melissa & Staci
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-16467146 Sun, 19 Jan 2025 21:00:00 -0800 3993 4 3 full false Bros Are Back In Town Bros Are Back In Town Take TWO! Our boys are back! Mark and Marques join us back on the pod today and they catch us up to speed on how they've been since our last sit down with them. Great convo with some great friends. Enjoy!


This episode was recorded on the ancestral homeland of the Nisenan people. We acknowledge them as the past, present, and future care takers of this land.


Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.

Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Mark and Marques
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Take TWO! Our boys are back! Mark and Marques join us back on the pod today and they catch us up to speed on how they've been since our last sit down with them. Great convo with some great friends. Enjoy!


This episode was recorded on the ancestral homeland of the Nisenan people. We acknowledge them as the past, present, and future care takers of this land.


Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.

Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Mark and Marques
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-16138506 Wed, 20 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0800 4510 4 2 full false Rainbow Rewind Rainbow Rewind WE ARE BACK BABY!!! After an extra long hiatus, we are back for a post summer catch up sesh.

This episode was recorded on the ancestral homeland of the Nisenan people. We acknowledge them as the past, present, and future care takers of this land.

Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.

Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Just Us
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> WE ARE BACK BABY!!! After an extra long hiatus, we are back for a post summer catch up sesh.

This episode was recorded on the ancestral homeland of the Nisenan people. We acknowledge them as the past, present, and future care takers of this land.

Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.

Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Just Us
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-15959789 Sun, 20 Oct 2024 19:00:00 -0700 4393 4 1 full true Queer Mama Twinning Queer Mama Twinning This is the last one of the season y’all and double the love, double the fun! Meet Sarah, a fearless single mom who embarked on the adventure of motherhood solo and ended up with twice the joy. After navigating the rollercoaster of insemination, she welcomed two bundles of chuckles and endless cuddles into her life. Now, Sarah is mastering the art of parenting twins with flair and finesse, proving that love knows no bounds and families come in all shapes and sizes. Join her journey as she shares the ups, downs, and hilarious moments of raising her dynamic duo! Thank you to all of our guests this season but mostly to all of our listeners who continue to give Melissa and I the patience as our lives change and also the space to learn WITH you every episode. Gratitude, gratitude, gratitude, and see y’all in September! Enjoy the break!
#ProudMomOfTwins #lovewins 

This episode was recorded on the ancestral homeland of the Nisenan people. We acknowledge them as the past, present, and future care takers of this land.

Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.

Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Sarah
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> This is the last one of the season y’all and double the love, double the fun! Meet Sarah, a fearless single mom who embarked on the adventure of motherhood solo and ended up with twice the joy. After navigating the rollercoaster of insemination, she welcomed two bundles of chuckles and endless cuddles into her life. Now, Sarah is mastering the art of parenting twins with flair and finesse, proving that love knows no bounds and families come in all shapes and sizes. Join her journey as she shares the ups, downs, and hilarious moments of raising her dynamic duo! Thank you to all of our guests this season but mostly to all of our listeners who continue to give Melissa and I the patience as our lives change and also the space to learn WITH you every episode. Gratitude, gratitude, gratitude, and see y’all in September! Enjoy the break!
#ProudMomOfTwins #lovewins 

This episode was recorded on the ancestral homeland of the Nisenan people. We acknowledge them as the past, present, and future care takers of this land.

Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.

Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Sarah
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-15121736 Wed, 22 May 2024 20:00:00 -0700 6040 3 7 full false Dry Humor Dry Humor The man, the myth, the LEGEND Joey Saragoza FINALLY joins us on our next episode of Being Human. Joey walks us and talks us through fatherhood, his decision to get sober and honestly just life. As big big lovers of Joey and his energy (listen to any episode and you will hear his name A LOT) we both never had the opportunity to explore his reasoning for choosing sobriety. For any of you listening and struggling with your own sobriety, support is always available. As always, much gratitude to Joey and to you all for your support.


Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.

Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Joey Saragoza
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> The man, the myth, the LEGEND Joey Saragoza FINALLY joins us on our next episode of Being Human. Joey walks us and talks us through fatherhood, his decision to get sober and honestly just life. As big big lovers of Joey and his energy (listen to any episode and you will hear his name A LOT) we both never had the opportunity to explore his reasoning for choosing sobriety. For any of you listening and struggling with your own sobriety, support is always available. As always, much gratitude to Joey and to you all for your support.


Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.

Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Joey Saragoza
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-14970803 Sun, 28 Apr 2024 16:00:00 -0700 4325 3 6 full false The Ick The Ick Happy Valentine's Day! 

What gives you "the ick"? Staci and I may have got a little cray sharing some of our icks.

Hope you enjoy! Let us know if we share any icks.



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!



So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Just Us
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Happy Valentine's Day! 

What gives you "the ick"? Staci and I may have got a little cray sharing some of our icks.

Hope you enjoy! Let us know if we share any icks.



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!



So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Just Us
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-14500113 Tue, 13 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0800 3837 3 5 full false Mama Ruth's House Mama Ruth's House Guess who’s back?!?! Mama Ruth returns to Being Human… and she’s serving up that good good. I may be bias, since she is my mama, but this woman is beyond AMAZING! Truly a light to us all! 🤗 She is a beautiful example of community, purpose, compassion, resilience, empathy, authenticity, and so much more. 

She shared with us the highs and lows of her life long weight loss journey, as well as her vision and the inspiration behind starting her very popular Youtube channel, Mama Ruth’s House, where she cooks up easy to make meals and desserts, most of which are low calorie and low sugar.

Do yourself a favor and run, don’t walk, to https://m.youtube.com/@mamaruthshouse

You can also connect with Mama Ruth via 
IG: @mama_ruths_house
FB: Mama Ruth’s House
Email: mamaruthshouse@gmail.com


Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!



So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Mama Ruth
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Guess who’s back?!?! Mama Ruth returns to Being Human… and she’s serving up that good good. I may be bias, since she is my mama, but this woman is beyond AMAZING! Truly a light to us all! 🤗 She is a beautiful example of community, purpose, compassion, resilience, empathy, authenticity, and so much more. 

She shared with us the highs and lows of her life long weight loss journey, as well as her vision and the inspiration behind starting her very popular Youtube channel, Mama Ruth’s House, where she cooks up easy to make meals and desserts, most of which are low calorie and low sugar.

Do yourself a favor and run, don’t walk, to https://m.youtube.com/@mamaruthshouse

You can also connect with Mama Ruth via 
IG: @mama_ruths_house
FB: Mama Ruth’s House
Email: mamaruthshouse@gmail.com


Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!



So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Mama Ruth
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-14267529 Tue, 09 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0800 4581 3 4 full true Kate Plus Plate Kate Plus Plate Two gals, one apartment. 

Imagine meeting someone at a tiny hell hole of a restaurant, asking them to move in with you, and then spending eight beautiful years of your life watching them become THAT BITCH. This is my experience with my beautiful and silly friend Chef Kate Sutherland . Melissa and I could’ve probably had my good sis on two years ago but it wasn’t time. It wasn’t right for her to share the story and laughs we got to hear this day. Not gonna lie, if you watch the video you will prob see me smiling like a proud big sister. Kate got to the top in this male dominated business by remaining genuine and working her fing ass off. We got to hear about the struggle, the bullshit, and THE ABUSE she had to endure to be the HAPPY (rare) executive chef of an established and respected restaurant in midtown Sacramento. She also shares how her own healing journey has helped refuel her passion in the kitchen and created her balance. After listening to this episode go eat some of her food and experience her love first hand . Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.



Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!




So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:


Guest: Kate

Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz

Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez

Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Two gals, one apartment. 

Imagine meeting someone at a tiny hell hole of a restaurant, asking them to move in with you, and then spending eight beautiful years of your life watching them become THAT BITCH. This is my experience with my beautiful and silly friend Chef Kate Sutherland . Melissa and I could’ve probably had my good sis on two years ago but it wasn’t time. It wasn’t right for her to share the story and laughs we got to hear this day. Not gonna lie, if you watch the video you will prob see me smiling like a proud big sister. Kate got to the top in this male dominated business by remaining genuine and working her fing ass off. We got to hear about the struggle, the bullshit, and THE ABUSE she had to endure to be the HAPPY (rare) executive chef of an established and respected restaurant in midtown Sacramento. She also shares how her own healing journey has helped refuel her passion in the kitchen and created her balance. After listening to this episode go eat some of her food and experience her love first hand . Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.



Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!




So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:


Guest: Kate

Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz

Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez

Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-13975333 Wed, 15 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0800 5640 3 3 full false Randomly Selected Randomly Selected Some of us have a family tree, our buddy Maui has a FAMILY FORREST. We had the pleasure of sitting down with our friend, a man who is the epitome of generosity and lives in a constant state of gratitude. The love and appreciation he has for his family, his friends, his community and his life, is beyond admirable. 

He shares with us stories of his Palestinian Jordanian heritage. He talks about love and loss, grief and pushing forward. He lets us in on life post 9/11 and how he chooses every single day to lead with LOVE, despite the abundance of ignorance, hatred, xenophobia and racism that still exists today.

Maui is absolutely keeping his ancestors alive and I’m certain they are all watching over him with immense pride. He is ensuring his sons know everything about where they come from, so they can continue carrying that with them wherever they go. Hard work, forgiveness, love, optimism generosity, gratitude and positivity prove to keep the blessings coming. 

We appreciate all your offerings my friend! We MUST do this again! 

Much love! 
Staci and Melissa



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!



So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Maui Arikat
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Some of us have a family tree, our buddy Maui has a FAMILY FORREST. We had the pleasure of sitting down with our friend, a man who is the epitome of generosity and lives in a constant state of gratitude. The love and appreciation he has for his family, his friends, his community and his life, is beyond admirable. 

He shares with us stories of his Palestinian Jordanian heritage. He talks about love and loss, grief and pushing forward. He lets us in on life post 9/11 and how he chooses every single day to lead with LOVE, despite the abundance of ignorance, hatred, xenophobia and racism that still exists today.

Maui is absolutely keeping his ancestors alive and I’m certain they are all watching over him with immense pride. He is ensuring his sons know everything about where they come from, so they can continue carrying that with them wherever they go. Hard work, forgiveness, love, optimism generosity, gratitude and positivity prove to keep the blessings coming. 

We appreciate all your offerings my friend! We MUST do this again! 

Much love! 
Staci and Melissa



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!



So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Maui Arikat
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-13755327 Wed, 11 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0700 5445 3 2 full true Good Grief Good Grief How many ways can grief hit? 

1..2..3…and to the the 4! Melissa and I DEEP dive on Episode 1 of SEASON 3 y’all. To keep it so real I didn’t even know how this episode would hit in ways that didn’t just include physical loss. We got to spend our time together in the safe zone discussing not only the stories y’all were gracious enough to share but really explore our own processes of personal grief. From family to friendships to professional to grieving our younger identities! Share these moments with us and as always respond to our community with your own moment. We love to hear from y’all and want you to know that no matter what you’re grieving-we got you 
✌🏽and ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜




Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!



So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: n/a - Just the Two of Us
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> How many ways can grief hit? 

1..2..3…and to the the 4! Melissa and I DEEP dive on Episode 1 of SEASON 3 y’all. To keep it so real I didn’t even know how this episode would hit in ways that didn’t just include physical loss. We got to spend our time together in the safe zone discussing not only the stories y’all were gracious enough to share but really explore our own processes of personal grief. From family to friendships to professional to grieving our younger identities! Share these moments with us and as always respond to our community with your own moment. We love to hear from y’all and want you to know that no matter what you’re grieving-we got you 
✌🏽and ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜




Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!



So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: n/a - Just the Two of Us
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-13565410 Wed, 13 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0700 4474 3 1 full true Skinny Brow Club Skinny Brow Club Our mid season finale ends with Staci and Melissa sharing 10 important photos each and talking about why they are so significant to them. It definitely gets weird.

Have a lovely summer everyone! See you back in Fall. 

]]> Our mid season finale ends with Staci and Melissa sharing 10 important photos each and talking about why they are so significant to them. It definitely gets weird.

Have a lovely summer everyone! See you back in Fall. 

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-12950644 Wed, 31 May 2023 00:00:00 -0700 3688 2 10 full false Booty Juice Booty Juice Q&A time with my favorite Babe!

We asked and y'all delivered. During this episode, Staci answers questions for teachers, about teachers and everything in-between. Staci is speaking strictly from the perspective of an early childhood special education teacher.

Staci talks about the education system, challenges, joys... keeps it real of course, and gives a ton of booty juice content.

Enjoy!!


Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!



So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: n/a - Just the Two of Us
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Q&A time with my favorite Babe!

We asked and y'all delivered. During this episode, Staci answers questions for teachers, about teachers and everything in-between. Staci is speaking strictly from the perspective of an early childhood special education teacher.

Staci talks about the education system, challenges, joys... keeps it real of course, and gives a ton of booty juice content.

Enjoy!!


Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!



So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: n/a - Just the Two of Us
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-12679848 Wed, 19 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0700 3655 2 9 full false May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor We had the pleasure of, once again, sitting down with our beautiful friend, who also happens to be a Queer Latinx Psychotherapist in Sacramento, CA, and really just an all around pretty freakin' amazing human being, Adriana Rodriguez. 

Some of you may remember Adriana from S1E12, Oops... I Said Too Much, where she walked us through her own journey to becoming a LMFT and why she feels therapy can be beneficial for any and everyone. Especially those of us looking to break generational cycles.

She's back to catch us up on all the amazing things she's working on for and with the community. Check out her website and socials for all the latest offerings. 

Next up is her Relationship Bootcamp. 


RESOURCES:
https://www.adrianarodrigueztherapy.com

https://adrianarodriguez.my.canva.site/relationship-bootcamp-with-adriana

IG: @adrianarodriguezwellness


Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!



So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Adriana Rodriguez
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> We had the pleasure of, once again, sitting down with our beautiful friend, who also happens to be a Queer Latinx Psychotherapist in Sacramento, CA, and really just an all around pretty freakin' amazing human being, Adriana Rodriguez. 

Some of you may remember Adriana from S1E12, Oops... I Said Too Much, where she walked us through her own journey to becoming a LMFT and why she feels therapy can be beneficial for any and everyone. Especially those of us looking to break generational cycles.

She's back to catch us up on all the amazing things she's working on for and with the community. Check out her website and socials for all the latest offerings. 

Next up is her Relationship Bootcamp. 


RESOURCES:
https://www.adrianarodrigueztherapy.com

https://adrianarodriguez.my.canva.site/relationship-bootcamp-with-adriana

IG: @adrianarodriguezwellness


Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!



So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Adriana Rodriguez
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-12420815 Wed, 15 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0700 4163 2 8 full false Who's the Little Bitch Now Who's the Little Bitch Now Who the hell said being a family man is easy?!?! AND then you throw in the trauma of your own childhood? Tony sits down with us this week and gives us the horrifying details of the abuse he endured at the hands of his own parents and how it has shaped the way he treats his own family. Melissa and I got to sit in his beautiful home with his beautiful family and ask him the hard questions regarding his own choices as a family man and how he has worked through them. Eliminating toxicity, working hard, and growing through challenges are just a couple of ideas of healthy work through.


Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Tony Dias
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Editing: Melissa Whitley
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Who the hell said being a family man is easy?!?! AND then you throw in the trauma of your own childhood? Tony sits down with us this week and gives us the horrifying details of the abuse he endured at the hands of his own parents and how it has shaped the way he treats his own family. Melissa and I got to sit in his beautiful home with his beautiful family and ask him the hard questions regarding his own choices as a family man and how he has worked through them. Eliminating toxicity, working hard, and growing through challenges are just a couple of ideas of healthy work through.


Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Tony Dias
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Editing: Melissa Whitley
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-12247845 Wed, 15 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0800 5044 2 7 full false Piece of Me Piece of Me Our "geriatric" friend Olivia was so generous and kind as we both went cross eyed learning new things about the female anatomy. She shared with us the ups and downs of her and her husband's fertility journey. Everyone has their very own reasons for deciding to start or not start a family and whether or not to explore fertility treatments when the good old fashioned way proves to be challenging. Olivia's story is absolutely beautiful, as is she. Growing up in a very loving, caring home with very loving, caring parents, there was no question whether or not she'd build a family of her own some day. However, growing up adopted, she really just wanted to be genetically connected to someone, so trying to make a baby on their own... with a little help from science... was pretty important to her and her husband.

She shared with us her experiences with IUI, as well as IVF and many things in between. Olivia was open and honest about the process, the pain, the financial investment, the ticking time bomb that is our bodies, and much much more.

Thank you so much for sharing YOUR story Olivia! We are sending you and your family an immense amount of love and happy thoughts for this next round. 


RESOURCES:
NorCal Fertility Clinic
https://ncfmc.com
Shout out to Laurie P. Lovely, MD :)

Oral Medications
https://ncfmc.com/oral-medications/

IUI
https://ncfmc.com/artificial-insemination-iui/

IVF
https://ncfmc.com/ivf/

Genetic Testing
https://ncfmc.com/genetic-screening-birth-defects/

HSG Test
https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/hysterosalpingography




Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Olivia
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Editing: Melissa Whitley
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Our "geriatric" friend Olivia was so generous and kind as we both went cross eyed learning new things about the female anatomy. She shared with us the ups and downs of her and her husband's fertility journey. Everyone has their very own reasons for deciding to start or not start a family and whether or not to explore fertility treatments when the good old fashioned way proves to be challenging. Olivia's story is absolutely beautiful, as is she. Growing up in a very loving, caring home with very loving, caring parents, there was no question whether or not she'd build a family of her own some day. However, growing up adopted, she really just wanted to be genetically connected to someone, so trying to make a baby on their own... with a little help from science... was pretty important to her and her husband.

She shared with us her experiences with IUI, as well as IVF and many things in between. Olivia was open and honest about the process, the pain, the financial investment, the ticking time bomb that is our bodies, and much much more.

Thank you so much for sharing YOUR story Olivia! We are sending you and your family an immense amount of love and happy thoughts for this next round. 


RESOURCES:
NorCal Fertility Clinic
https://ncfmc.com
Shout out to Laurie P. Lovely, MD :)

Oral Medications
https://ncfmc.com/oral-medications/

IUI
https://ncfmc.com/artificial-insemination-iui/

IVF
https://ncfmc.com/ivf/

Genetic Testing
https://ncfmc.com/genetic-screening-birth-defects/

HSG Test
https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/hysterosalpingography




Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Olivia
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Editing: Melissa Whitley
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-12047412 Wed, 18 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0800 3424 2 6 full false HoliGay Dilemma HoliGay Dilemma During our Holiday Special episode, we decided we'd do a little Q&A with each other. We discuss some sticky situations and both respond right on brand.



Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guests: Just Us
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Editing: Melissa Whitley
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> During our Holiday Special episode, we decided we'd do a little Q&A with each other. We discuss some sticky situations and both respond right on brand.



Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guests: Just Us
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Editing: Melissa Whitley
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-11867922 Wed, 14 Dec 2022 00:00:00 -0800 5231 2 5 full true Little Black Bird with Tess Little Black Bird with Tess Our dear friend, Tess, walks us through her transformative experience at Rythmia Life Advancement Center in Costa Rica where she partook in her second Ayahuasca Ceremony.

Tess was so generous and vulnerable throughout our entire chat. We are certain you will love her as much as we do.

For those of you wondering what Ayahuasca is... Ayahuasca, also known as Yage, the Tea and Caapi, is a potent psychedelic beverage made by boiling the leaves of the Psychotria viridis bush together with the stems of the Banisteriopsis caapi vine in water. With a medicine like Ayahuasca, it’s important to get a sense of how it can improve your life. You go into every ceremony with intentions and purpose.



RESOURCES:
https://www.rythmia.com



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guests: Tess Franklin
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Editing: Melissa Whitley
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Our dear friend, Tess, walks us through her transformative experience at Rythmia Life Advancement Center in Costa Rica where she partook in her second Ayahuasca Ceremony.

Tess was so generous and vulnerable throughout our entire chat. We are certain you will love her as much as we do.

For those of you wondering what Ayahuasca is... Ayahuasca, also known as Yage, the Tea and Caapi, is a potent psychedelic beverage made by boiling the leaves of the Psychotria viridis bush together with the stems of the Banisteriopsis caapi vine in water. With a medicine like Ayahuasca, it’s important to get a sense of how it can improve your life. You go into every ceremony with intentions and purpose.



RESOURCES:
https://www.rythmia.com



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guests: Tess Franklin
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Editing: Melissa Whitley
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-11700131 Tue, 15 Nov 2022 11:00:00 -0800 4058 full false Let the Feeling Guide You w/ Steven Nash Let the Feeling Guide You w/ Steven Nash Steven is the absolute coolest and sweetest soul around... oh and he also happens to be a medium. He has been reading tarot cards for over 30 years. Steven was kind enough to share his time with us and school us on all things tarot. He shared pieces of his beautiful journey with us and is definitely a man that honors his gift. This conversation left us feeling so full. 

To make Steven even cooler... like that's possible... he is the co-owner of a specialty leather and clothing studio. He is also often found making unique and custom pieces right there in the shop.

TO BOOK A READING (in person or virtual)
Website: stevennashtarot.com
IG: @stevennashtarot

V & G Collective
Website: vandgcollective.com
IG: @vandgpalmsprings


Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Steven Nash
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Editing: Melissa Whitley
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Steven is the absolute coolest and sweetest soul around... oh and he also happens to be a medium. He has been reading tarot cards for over 30 years. Steven was kind enough to share his time with us and school us on all things tarot. He shared pieces of his beautiful journey with us and is definitely a man that honors his gift. This conversation left us feeling so full. 

To make Steven even cooler... like that's possible... he is the co-owner of a specialty leather and clothing studio. He is also often found making unique and custom pieces right there in the shop.

TO BOOK A READING (in person or virtual)
Website: stevennashtarot.com
IG: @stevennashtarot

V & G Collective
Website: vandgcollective.com
IG: @vandgpalmsprings


Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Steven Nash
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Editing: Melissa Whitley
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-11527209 Wed, 19 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -0700 4246 2 3 full false Breaking Generational Curses with Liz and Leilani Breaking Generational Curses with Liz and Leilani Generational curse is defined as an intergeneration transmission of trauma. Severe trauma and abusive treatment can persist throughout generations. 

It can also be in our neurobiology as well, changes to our people can affect our brains so much, it passes on to our children’s brain chemistry.

Liz and Leilani generously share their own experiences with generational trauma. These two lovely ladies are putting in the work each and every day to break toxic cycles and create environments where others can live their most authentic selves without shame or guilt.


Check out some of the amazing work these two do: http://www.my-sisters-house.org

RESOURCES:
My Sister's House is a nonprofit organization serving the needs of the community impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking
IG: @my_sisters_house



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guests: Liz and Leilani
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Editing: Melissa Whitley
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Generational curse is defined as an intergeneration transmission of trauma. Severe trauma and abusive treatment can persist throughout generations. 

It can also be in our neurobiology as well, changes to our people can affect our brains so much, it passes on to our children’s brain chemistry.

Liz and Leilani generously share their own experiences with generational trauma. These two lovely ladies are putting in the work each and every day to break toxic cycles and create environments where others can live their most authentic selves without shame or guilt.


Check out some of the amazing work these two do: http://www.my-sisters-house.org

RESOURCES:
My Sister's House is a nonprofit organization serving the needs of the community impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking
IG: @my_sisters_house



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guests: Liz and Leilani
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Editing: Melissa Whitley
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-11308428 Wed, 14 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0700 4710 2 2 full false Part of the We with Matty Amen Part of the We with Matty Amen Come through Season 2 🔥
We’re starting it off with the fabulous Matty Amen and the road to finding his peace ☮️. Matty walks us through his combo of breath work, therapy, community, and art to come to terms with himself and explores his own internalized homophobia along the way. One thing we left knowing about Matty is he RIDES for his city. Stockton is lucky to have a man committed to letting people know about the culture, art, and creativity surrounding the people of Stockton, CA. He’s committed to the uprising of this busy city and the people he loves in it.


RESOURCES:
Breath work with Nana Tovar - Breathing Coach
IG: @_justbreeathe_

The Catalyst Studio - Health and Wellness Center
IG: @catalyst926

Huddle Cowork & Create
IG: @huddlecowork

Matthew Amen
IG: @matt.amen 


Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Matty Amen
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Editing: Melissa Whitley
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Come through Season 2 🔥
We’re starting it off with the fabulous Matty Amen and the road to finding his peace ☮️. Matty walks us through his combo of breath work, therapy, community, and art to come to terms with himself and explores his own internalized homophobia along the way. One thing we left knowing about Matty is he RIDES for his city. Stockton is lucky to have a man committed to letting people know about the culture, art, and creativity surrounding the people of Stockton, CA. He’s committed to the uprising of this busy city and the people he loves in it.


RESOURCES:
Breath work with Nana Tovar - Breathing Coach
IG: @_justbreeathe_

The Catalyst Studio - Health and Wellness Center
IG: @catalyst926

Huddle Cowork & Create
IG: @huddlecowork

Matthew Amen
IG: @matt.amen 


Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Matty Amen
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Editing: Melissa Whitley
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-11136066 Wed, 17 Aug 2022 00:00:00 -0700 4970 2 1 full false Anxiety is a Bitch Anxiety is a Bitch That's a wrap for Season 1!

Thank you to everyone for the amazing love and support you all blessed us with this last year. Stay tuned for Season 2. We'll be back in August.

]]> That's a wrap for Season 1!

Thank you to everyone for the amazing love and support you all blessed us with this last year. Stay tuned for Season 2. We'll be back in August.

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-10644299 Wed, 18 May 2022 20:00:00 -0700 3801 1 24 full false One Tough Mutha: Vagina Chronicles One Tough Mutha: Vagina Chronicles You never know how tough a woman is until she talks about her vagina ripping down to her b hole. We had NO IDEA what to expect with these labor stories and let me tell you, they did not disappoint. Katie and Allison walked us through the trauma of labor and the aftermath of what their bodies still go through today because of it. The mamas in our society deserve a cookie, medal, vacation, and a drink just for being brave enough to tackle all that motherhood is. 

Big THANKS to theses beautiful ladies for opening up to us about their personal labor stories, postpartum and healing process.


Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Katie and Allison
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Editing: Melissa Whitley
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> You never know how tough a woman is until she talks about her vagina ripping down to her b hole. We had NO IDEA what to expect with these labor stories and let me tell you, they did not disappoint. Katie and Allison walked us through the trauma of labor and the aftermath of what their bodies still go through today because of it. The mamas in our society deserve a cookie, medal, vacation, and a drink just for being brave enough to tackle all that motherhood is. 

Big THANKS to theses beautiful ladies for opening up to us about their personal labor stories, postpartum and healing process.


Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Katie and Allison
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Editing: Melissa Whitley
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-10574738 Sun, 08 May 2022 00:00:00 -0700 5240 1 23 full false Unsupervised Dilemma Unsupervised Dilemma Emma Schwartz is authentic, funny, and unfiltered. She talks to us about surviving a cult and part of her family's journey throughout. Her story is not an uncommon one, however it is one many are too afraid or overwhelmed with shame to talk about. We are beyond grateful for the time and stories shared during this unforgettable conversation. Thank you Emma!!

You can find some of Emma's work here: https://medium.com/@emmacaitlinschwartz


Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Emma Schwartz
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Editing: Melissa Whitley
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Emma Schwartz is authentic, funny, and unfiltered. She talks to us about surviving a cult and part of her family's journey throughout. Her story is not an uncommon one, however it is one many are too afraid or overwhelmed with shame to talk about. We are beyond grateful for the time and stories shared during this unforgettable conversation. Thank you Emma!!

You can find some of Emma's work here: https://medium.com/@emmacaitlinschwartz


Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Emma Schwartz
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Editing: Melissa Whitley
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-10469713 Wed, 20 Apr 2022 00:00:00 -0700 4818 1 22 full false Extra Love to Give Extra Love to Give Keyko is funny and generous as she shares what being polyamorist means to her.



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Keyko
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Editing: Melissa Whitley
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Keyko is funny and generous as she shares what being polyamorist means to her.



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Keyko
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Editing: Melissa Whitley
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-10387660 Wed, 06 Apr 2022 00:00:00 -0700 5000 1 21 full false New Sis Who Dis New Sis Who Dis Ruth and Mary generously share their story... Two sisters who met in their 50's and 60's. We hear about their individual upbringings, as well as their humble beginnings. They CHOOSE joy!



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Ruth and Mary
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Editing: Melissa Whitley
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Ruth and Mary generously share their story... Two sisters who met in their 50's and 60's. We hear about their individual upbringings, as well as their humble beginnings. They CHOOSE joy!



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Ruth and Mary
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Editing: Melissa Whitley
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-10298671 Wed, 23 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0700 3257 1 20 full false Pretty Woman Pretty Woman Emma is a beautiful, amazing and smart woman brave enough to share her journey as a sex worker. 

This is it folks... the one we've been waiting for since DAY 1!

When we opened our hearts to this opportunity, our whole goal is/was/will forever be to end stigmas. We strive to talk about the shit we want to educate ourselves on with the hope you enjoy it and/or get something out of it.

We have so much gratitude for Emma allowing us to create space for her. Little did we know we'd fall in love with her! This is already a fave episode just from her willingness to be raw.

We hope you love this as much as we do, cause we had a ball (no pun intended).



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Emma
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Edits: Melissa Whitley
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Emma is a beautiful, amazing and smart woman brave enough to share her journey as a sex worker. 

This is it folks... the one we've been waiting for since DAY 1!

When we opened our hearts to this opportunity, our whole goal is/was/will forever be to end stigmas. We strive to talk about the shit we want to educate ourselves on with the hope you enjoy it and/or get something out of it.

We have so much gratitude for Emma allowing us to create space for her. Little did we know we'd fall in love with her! This is already a fave episode just from her willingness to be raw.

We hope you love this as much as we do, cause we had a ball (no pun intended).



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Emma
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Edits: Melissa Whitley
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-10216096 Tue, 08 Mar 2022 22:00:00 -0800 3921 1 19 full true Emotional Blue Balls Emotional Blue Balls Heather Vasquez is back y'all!! 

Allowing yourself to be vulnerable is scary. Scary until you find the person that allows you to be in whatever space you’re in without judgment or conditions. As a Spiritual Consultant, Heather Vasquez has been that person to many people. An inspiration, creator and nurturer of the person we are meant to be.



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!





RESOURCES:

The Insightful Path
https://theinsightfulpath.com




So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Heather Vasquez
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Edits: Melissa Whitley
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Heather Vasquez is back y'all!! 

Allowing yourself to be vulnerable is scary. Scary until you find the person that allows you to be in whatever space you’re in without judgment or conditions. As a Spiritual Consultant, Heather Vasquez has been that person to many people. An inspiration, creator and nurturer of the person we are meant to be.



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!





RESOURCES:

The Insightful Path
https://theinsightfulpath.com




So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Heather Vasquez
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Edits: Melissa Whitley
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-10127270 Tue, 22 Feb 2022 21:00:00 -0800 4517 1 18 full false Bruised Not Broken w/ Cousandra Bruised Not Broken w/ Cousandra Cousandra is open and honest about the shame and lifelong work that accompanies domestic abuse and it spreads far beyond just the victim.


Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!



So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Cousandra 
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Editing: Melissa Whitley
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Cousandra is open and honest about the shame and lifelong work that accompanies domestic abuse and it spreads far beyond just the victim.


Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!



So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Cousandra 
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Editing: Melissa Whitley
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-10006830 Thu, 03 Feb 2022 17:00:00 -0800 3628 1 17 full false Broken Systems w/ Veronica Lerma-Gonzalez Broken Systems w/ Veronica Lerma-Gonzalez Veronica has defied all odds and social expectations as she finishes up her PhD program and continues her research at a top ranking University. 

Listen in as we discuss her work, specifically on Latinas and the carceral system. 

THANK YOU so much @v.l.g.209 for sharing time, space and your intelligence with us. We thoroughly enjoyed this conversation and are super excited to partner with you in the very near future!!!

Together we will break down the current systems and inequities that fail too many and work on building up community care instead. 



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!



So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Veronica Lerma-Gonzalez
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Editing: Melissa Whitley
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez

]]> Veronica has defied all odds and social expectations as she finishes up her PhD program and continues her research at a top ranking University. 

Listen in as we discuss her work, specifically on Latinas and the carceral system. 

THANK YOU so much @v.l.g.209 for sharing time, space and your intelligence with us. We thoroughly enjoyed this conversation and are super excited to partner with you in the very near future!!!

Together we will break down the current systems and inequities that fail too many and work on building up community care instead. 



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!



So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Veronica Lerma-Gonzalez
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Editing: Melissa Whitley
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-9911416 Wed, 19 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0800 4530 1 16 full false Q&A Q&A So many THANKS to everyone that helped us celebrate EPISODE 15. Woohoo!! And so much gratitude to each and every person that submitted questions for us. We had such a blast answering them!



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!



So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: n/a
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Editing: Melissa Whitley
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> So many THANKS to everyone that helped us celebrate EPISODE 15. Woohoo!! And so much gratitude to each and every person that submitted questions for us. We had such a blast answering them!



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!



So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: n/a
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Editing: Melissa Whitley
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-9827421 Wed, 05 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0800 4588 1 15 full false Living with Lupus Living with Lupus So many THANKS to Cristal for sharing her story/journey living with lupus. And for her kindness, generosity, humor and vulnerability.


RESOURCES:
https://www.lupus.org/resources

Some things that have worked for Cristal:
Acupuncture
Heating pads
Ice
Rest. Rest. Rest.
Listen to your body!



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!



So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Cristal
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Editing: Melissa Whitley
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> So many THANKS to Cristal for sharing her story/journey living with lupus. And for her kindness, generosity, humor and vulnerability.


RESOURCES:
https://www.lupus.org/resources

Some things that have worked for Cristal:
Acupuncture
Heating pads
Ice
Rest. Rest. Rest.
Listen to your body!



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!



So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Cristal
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Editing: Melissa Whitley
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-9719870 Wed, 22 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0800 4487 1 14 full false Let Me Be the Messenger w/ Serrena Young Let Me Be the Messenger w/ Serrena Young Listen as Intuitive Healer and Coach, Serrena Young, chats about how she discovered her gift and how she has chosen to share that gift with the world. ♥️ 

Thank you so much @epiphanyinc_ for taking time to share your story and “clear the air” 😉 for folks who may have questions regarding spiritual readings, ancestral connections, and or the legitimacy of intuitive healing.

Hope you all enjoy our conversation with the beautiful and generous Serrena Young!



RESOURCES:
https://www.epiphanyinc.org

Facebook: epiphanyinc
Instagram: epiphanyinc_
Wix: http://wix.to/d8CAC7o?ref=m_cl
Contact #: (916) 329-2090

If you feel inclined to donate:
Venmo: @serrena-young
Cashapp: $ephiphanyinc1
Paypal: daniserrena@gmail.com



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!

]]> Listen as Intuitive Healer and Coach, Serrena Young, chats about how she discovered her gift and how she has chosen to share that gift with the world. ♥️ 

Thank you so much @epiphanyinc_ for taking time to share your story and “clear the air” 😉 for folks who may have questions regarding spiritual readings, ancestral connections, and or the legitimacy of intuitive healing.

Hope you all enjoy our conversation with the beautiful and generous Serrena Young!



RESOURCES:
https://www.epiphanyinc.org

Facebook: epiphanyinc
Instagram: epiphanyinc_
Wix: http://wix.to/d8CAC7o?ref=m_cl
Contact #: (916) 329-2090

If you feel inclined to donate:
Venmo: @serrena-young
Cashapp: $ephiphanyinc1
Paypal: daniserrena@gmail.com



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-9685267 Wed, 08 Dec 2021 07:00:00 -0800 4167 1 13 full false Oops... I Said Too Much w/ Adriana Rodriguez Oops... I Said Too Much w/ Adriana Rodriguez We had the honor and pleasure of sitting down with the incomparable and brilliant Adriana Rodriguez, a queer Latinx psychotherapist.

She graciously welcomed us into her very well decorated and deliberate space, both physically and emotionally. 

Adriana discusses how important and beneficial therapy can be for any and every one out there and some of the reasons she felt called to become a LMFT. She also generously opens up about her personal and at times very challenging journey getting there.


RESOURCES:
https://www.adrianarodrigueztherapy.com



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!



So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Adriana Rodriguez
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> We had the honor and pleasure of sitting down with the incomparable and brilliant Adriana Rodriguez, a queer Latinx psychotherapist.

She graciously welcomed us into her very well decorated and deliberate space, both physically and emotionally. 

Adriana discusses how important and beneficial therapy can be for any and every one out there and some of the reasons she felt called to become a LMFT. She also generously opens up about her personal and at times very challenging journey getting there.


RESOURCES:
https://www.adrianarodrigueztherapy.com



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!



So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Adriana Rodriguez
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-9524972 Wed, 10 Nov 2021 06:00:00 -0800 5015 1 12 full false Winners Never Quit w/ Marques Washington Winners Never Quit w/ Marques Washington "I want to thank my friends, family, those who came into my life and those who left. I’ve learned a lot from these people and I am thankful for the experiences, good and bad."
- Marques Washington


In this episode Marques generously shares his journey from kidney failure to open heart surgery to, just this year, receiving a new donor kidney after some failed attempts.

Through all of the challenges that life has placed on his plate, Marques chooses joy, hope, and happiness. Not that there weren't many moments, and probably still are, of anger, resentment, sadness, and I'm sure grief and a billion other emotions, however he is overflowing with gratitude and positivity and his light just BEAMS.

Thank you Marques for sharing your story with us!!



RESOURCES:
https://www.hopsandhandlebars.org

https://www.kidney.org/patients/resources_Transplant


Also, to purchase Marques' (aka Crescendo Brown) musical creations, follow this link: https://www.beatstars.com/beat/waste-your-time-9647150



LET'S HELP MARIA GET A KIDNEY!!!!
https://instagram.com/mariasdemeanor?utm_medium=copy_link

A+ blood type
Compatible with 0+



Be Love. See Love. Make Love. Create Love. 
AND CHOOSE HAPPINESS EVERY CHANCE YOU GET!

Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.



So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Marques Washington
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Edits: Melissa Whitley
Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> "I want to thank my friends, family, those who came into my life and those who left. I’ve learned a lot from these people and I am thankful for the experiences, good and bad."
- Marques Washington


In this episode Marques generously shares his journey from kidney failure to open heart surgery to, just this year, receiving a new donor kidney after some failed attempts.

Through all of the challenges that life has placed on his plate, Marques chooses joy, hope, and happiness. Not that there weren't many moments, and probably still are, of anger, resentment, sadness, and I'm sure grief and a billion other emotions, however he is overflowing with gratitude and positivity and his light just BEAMS.

Thank you Marques for sharing your story with us!!



RESOURCES:
https://www.hopsandhandlebars.org

https://www.kidney.org/patients/resources_Transplant


Also, to purchase Marques' (aka Crescendo Brown) musical creations, follow this link: https://www.beatstars.com/beat/waste-your-time-9647150



LET'S HELP MARIA GET A KIDNEY!!!!
https://instagram.com/mariasdemeanor?utm_medium=copy_link

A+ blood type
Compatible with 0+



Be Love. See Love. Make Love. Create Love. 
AND CHOOSE HAPPINESS EVERY CHANCE YOU GET!

Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.



So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Marques Washington
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Edits: Melissa Whitley
Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Buzzsprout-9439664 Wed, 27 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0700 5258 1 11 full false Screaming Silence w/ Melissa Screaming Silence w/ Melissa Vipassana meditation is all about seeing things as they truly are, not as we wish them to be.

In this episode our co-host, Melissa, walks us through her experiences during her recent Vipassana meditation retreat and shares some of the breakthroughs/revelations that surfaced during the 10 days of silence and meditation. 

My wish is for us all to allow our sensations to be our liberations and not our bondage. We must work out our own salvation. 

This technique teaches the importance of observation. Every emotion evokes a sensation. It's important we don't express it or suppress it. Just observe.


Be Love. See Love. Make Love. Create Love. 
AND CHOOSE HAPPINESS EVERY CHANCE YOU GET!



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need, and then some to spread around!



So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess


RESOURCES:
https://www.dhamma.org/en-US/indexhttps://www.dhamma.org/en-US/index

]]> Vipassana meditation is all about seeing things as they truly are, not as we wish them to be.

In this episode our co-host, Melissa, walks us through her experiences during her recent Vipassana meditation retreat and shares some of the breakthroughs/revelations that surfaced during the 10 days of silence and meditation. 

My wish is for us all to allow our sensations to be our liberations and not our bondage. We must work out our own salvation. 

This technique teaches the importance of observation. Every emotion evokes a sensation. It's important we don't express it or suppress it. Just observe.


Be Love. See Love. Make Love. Create Love. 
AND CHOOSE HAPPINESS EVERY CHANCE YOU GET!



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need, and then some to spread around!



So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess


RESOURCES:
https://www.dhamma.org/en-US/indexhttps://www.dhamma.org/en-US/index

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-9352774 Wed, 13 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0700 4122 1 10 full false Tears of a Clown w/ Vince and Staci Tears of a Clown w/ Vince and Staci Vince and Staci talk through what it’s like losing a parent. The roller coaster of emotions and challenges that come along with that, especially when addiction and alcoholism were the cause of their father's early demise.

They are honest and vulnerable and unfortunately this is a tale that’s been told too many times and continues to be told by someone, somewhere, every single day.

Mental health, addiction, family and cultural conditionings are all baggage many of us have to carry as humans and that baggage is unfortunately much heavier for some.


This episode is dedicated to Vincent "Tito" Ruiz. The man who made such a wonderful world for so many people.💛



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!



So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Vince Ruiz
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess


RESOURCES:
Women's Center
https://www.womenscenteryfs.org

Fathers and Families
https://www.ffsj.org


Sober Living:
Valley Sober Living
https://valleysoberliving.org

Change Point
https://www.mychangepoint.org

Lily Pad
https://www.lilypadliving.com

]]> Vince and Staci talk through what it’s like losing a parent. The roller coaster of emotions and challenges that come along with that, especially when addiction and alcoholism were the cause of their father's early demise.

They are honest and vulnerable and unfortunately this is a tale that’s been told too many times and continues to be told by someone, somewhere, every single day.

Mental health, addiction, family and cultural conditionings are all baggage many of us have to carry as humans and that baggage is unfortunately much heavier for some.


This episode is dedicated to Vincent "Tito" Ruiz. The man who made such a wonderful world for so many people.💛



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!



So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Vince Ruiz
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess


RESOURCES:
Women's Center
https://www.womenscenteryfs.org

Fathers and Families
https://www.ffsj.org


Sober Living:
Valley Sober Living
https://valleysoberliving.org

Change Point
https://www.mychangepoint.org

Lily Pad
https://www.lilypadliving.com

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-9345448 Sun, 10 Oct 2021 17:00:00 -0700 4476 1 9 full false Funny Girl Down Under w/ Rhoda Romone Funny Girl Down Under w/ Rhoda Romone Rhoda Romone is a stand up comedian, mother, wife, boss babe, and so much more!!

We had the absolute best time chatting with her!




JOURNAL PROMPT QUESTION:
Has humor played any type of role in your healing journey? If so, in what ways?





Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!



So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Rhoda Ramone
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Rhoda Romone is a stand up comedian, mother, wife, boss babe, and so much more!!

We had the absolute best time chatting with her!




JOURNAL PROMPT QUESTION:
Has humor played any type of role in your healing journey? If so, in what ways?





Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!



So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Rhoda Ramone
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-9345431 Sun, 10 Oct 2021 17:00:00 -0700 4512 1 8 full false Drama Therapy w/ Jessica Wolfe Drama Therapy w/ Jessica Wolfe The uber talented, brilliant, soulful, generous, Registered Drama Therapist, Jessica Wolfe, joins us this week. She kindly educates us on yet another amazing alternative therapy that really seems to be an under explored, yet super beneficial and inclusive therapy.



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!



RESOURCES:

Jessica D. Wolfe. BA, MA, RDT

m2mdramatherapy@gmail.com

https://www.moment2momentdramatherapy...

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicadw...

412-225-5618

https://www.nadta.org/what-is-drama-t...

http://jamaicaplaingazette.com/2018/0...

https://gratefulness.org/resource/gue...





So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Jessica Wolfe
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Edits: Melissa Whitley
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> The uber talented, brilliant, soulful, generous, Registered Drama Therapist, Jessica Wolfe, joins us this week. She kindly educates us on yet another amazing alternative therapy that really seems to be an under explored, yet super beneficial and inclusive therapy.



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!



RESOURCES:

Jessica D. Wolfe. BA, MA, RDT

m2mdramatherapy@gmail.com

https://www.moment2momentdramatherapy...

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicadw...

412-225-5618

https://www.nadta.org/what-is-drama-t...

http://jamaicaplaingazette.com/2018/0...

https://gratefulness.org/resource/gue...





So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Jessica Wolfe
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Edits: Melissa Whitley
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-9345423 Sun, 10 Oct 2021 17:00:00 -0700 5113 1 7 full false Alternative Therapies w/ Heather Vasquez Alternative Therapies w/ Heather Vasquez Allowing yourself to be vulnerable is scary. Scary until you find the person that allows you to be in whatever space you’re in without judgment or conditions. Heather Vasquez has been that person to many people. An inspiration, creator and nurturer of the person we are meant to be.




Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!




JOURNAL PROMPT QUESTION:
Do you believe in alternative therapies? If so, what are the tools you've adopted?


RESOURCES:

The Insightful Path
https://theinsightfulpath.com




So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Heather Vasquez
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Edits: Melissa Whitley
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Allowing yourself to be vulnerable is scary. Scary until you find the person that allows you to be in whatever space you’re in without judgment or conditions. Heather Vasquez has been that person to many people. An inspiration, creator and nurturer of the person we are meant to be.




Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!




JOURNAL PROMPT QUESTION:
Do you believe in alternative therapies? If so, what are the tools you've adopted?


RESOURCES:

The Insightful Path
https://theinsightfulpath.com




So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Heather Vasquez
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Motion Design: Jeannie Martinez
Edits: Melissa Whitley
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-9345413 Sun, 10 Oct 2021 17:00:00 -0700 4157 1 6 full false Becoming Jaden w/ Jaden and Anita Becoming Jaden w/ Jaden and Anita Jaden is one of the most compassionate young men we have had the pleasure of knowing and we are beyond excited for all the amazingness his future holds. In this episode, Jaden and Jaden's beautiful mama, Anita, share with us some of the challenges and triumphs of Jaden's trans journey thus far.


One request Jaden had when graciously agreeing to do this episode was for us to share information about an amazing non profit organization, Camp Brave Trails. 

Camp Brave Trails is a leadership focused, overnight summer camp for LGBTQ+ youth, ages 12-18. Jaden has had the privilege of attending Camp Brave Trails for a couple of years now and wants to help them raise funds for scholarships and to ensure they can continue the beautiful work they’re doing so more people can benefit from this transformative experience and community.


5 Things You Should Know About Trans People:

1. Not all trans people identify as male or female. Trans people have all sorts of different identities outside the gender binary.
2. Trans folks actually have many different sexual orientations. Gender identity and sexual orientation are separate spectra. Learn more at www.transstudent.org/gender.
3. Trans people led the Stonewall Riots. Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson were two among many trans women of color who were on the front lines.
4. Not all trans people want surgery and even fewer get surgery.
5. The word transgender was popularized by activist virginia prince in 1969. She first published the word in the december 1969 issue of “Transvestia”.


Why is transgender equality important?

Transgender people face staggering levels of poverty, discrimination, and violence. In 2016, 27 transgender people were killed. Since January 1, 2017, eight transgender women of color have been murdered.
According to the "2015 U.S. Trans Survey," a report by the National Center for Transgender Equality:
* 29% of transgender people live in poverty, compared to 14% of the general population
* 30% of transgender people report being homeless at some point in their lives, with 12% saying it was within the past 12 months
* Transgender people experience unemployment at 3x the rate of the general population, with rates for people of color up to 4x the national unemployment rate
* 30% of transgender people report being fired, denied a promotion, or experiencing mistreatment in the workplace due to their gender identity in the past 12 months
* 31% of transgender people experienced mistreatment in the past year in a place of public accommodation, including 14% who were denied equal service, 24% who were verbally harassed, and 2% who were physically attacked because they were transgender
* 40% of respondents reported attempting suicide in their lifetime, nearly nine times the attempted suicide rate in the United States (4.6%)
Transgender people, particularly transgender women of color, face shockingly high rates of murder, homelessness, and incarceration. Most states and countries offer no legal protections in housing, employment, health care, and other areas where individuals experience discrimination based on their gender identity or expression.



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guests: Jaden & Anita Boschee
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Intro Graphic Design: Jeannie Martinez
Edits: Melissa Whitley
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Jaden is one of the most compassionate young men we have had the pleasure of knowing and we are beyond excited for all the amazingness his future holds. In this episode, Jaden and Jaden's beautiful mama, Anita, share with us some of the challenges and triumphs of Jaden's trans journey thus far.


One request Jaden had when graciously agreeing to do this episode was for us to share information about an amazing non profit organization, Camp Brave Trails. 

Camp Brave Trails is a leadership focused, overnight summer camp for LGBTQ+ youth, ages 12-18. Jaden has had the privilege of attending Camp Brave Trails for a couple of years now and wants to help them raise funds for scholarships and to ensure they can continue the beautiful work they’re doing so more people can benefit from this transformative experience and community.


5 Things You Should Know About Trans People:

1. Not all trans people identify as male or female. Trans people have all sorts of different identities outside the gender binary.
2. Trans folks actually have many different sexual orientations. Gender identity and sexual orientation are separate spectra. Learn more at www.transstudent.org/gender.
3. Trans people led the Stonewall Riots. Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson were two among many trans women of color who were on the front lines.
4. Not all trans people want surgery and even fewer get surgery.
5. The word transgender was popularized by activist virginia prince in 1969. She first published the word in the december 1969 issue of “Transvestia”.


Why is transgender equality important?

Transgender people face staggering levels of poverty, discrimination, and violence. In 2016, 27 transgender people were killed. Since January 1, 2017, eight transgender women of color have been murdered.
According to the "2015 U.S. Trans Survey," a report by the National Center for Transgender Equality:
* 29% of transgender people live in poverty, compared to 14% of the general population
* 30% of transgender people report being homeless at some point in their lives, with 12% saying it was within the past 12 months
* Transgender people experience unemployment at 3x the rate of the general population, with rates for people of color up to 4x the national unemployment rate
* 30% of transgender people report being fired, denied a promotion, or experiencing mistreatment in the workplace due to their gender identity in the past 12 months
* 31% of transgender people experienced mistreatment in the past year in a place of public accommodation, including 14% who were denied equal service, 24% who were verbally harassed, and 2% who were physically attacked because they were transgender
* 40% of respondents reported attempting suicide in their lifetime, nearly nine times the attempted suicide rate in the United States (4.6%)
Transgender people, particularly transgender women of color, face shockingly high rates of murder, homelessness, and incarceration. Most states and countries offer no legal protections in housing, employment, health care, and other areas where individuals experience discrimination based on their gender identity or expression.



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guests: Jaden & Anita Boschee
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Intro Graphic Design: Jeannie Martinez
Edits: Melissa Whitley
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-9345403 Sun, 10 Oct 2021 17:00:00 -0700 4128 1 5 full false Land of the Free...ish w/ Liz and Sophia Land of the Free...ish w/ Liz and Sophia The dreamers are the ones that push this world round. That’s why we’re so excited to introduce our special guests this week, Liz and Sophia. They open up about what it’s like to grow up as a first generation American citizen and a dreamer in pursuit of the “American dream”.



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guests: Liz Lagarda and Sophia Kobrin
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Design & Edits: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess




JOURNAL PROMPT QUESTION:
What are the stigmas around what you've been told about undocumented people?



RESOURCES:

Follow the progress of the H.R.6 - American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 bill at
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-c...


https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/co...


https://www.american.edu/media/news/2...

]]> The dreamers are the ones that push this world round. That’s why we’re so excited to introduce our special guests this week, Liz and Sophia. They open up about what it’s like to grow up as a first generation American citizen and a dreamer in pursuit of the “American dream”.



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!


So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guests: Liz Lagarda and Sophia Kobrin
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Design & Edits: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess




JOURNAL PROMPT QUESTION:
What are the stigmas around what you've been told about undocumented people?



RESOURCES:

Follow the progress of the H.R.6 - American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 bill at
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-c...


https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/co...


https://www.american.edu/media/news/2...

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-9345361 Sun, 10 Oct 2021 17:00:00 -0700 5381 1 4 full false Realities of Recovery w/ Brett Realities of Recovery w/ Brett "Nobody stays recovered unless the life they have created is more rewarding and satisfying than the one they left behind."
– Anne Fletcher 

Recovery is a lifelong journey of self-discovery, growth, and transformation. We are so excited to introduce Brett to speak on the realities of recovery. The real shit, the resources, the facts. Brett was brave enough to not only discuss his own personal journey, but also educate us on what he witnesses daily as a Substance Abuse Counselor II (SAC2) for the Chemical Dependency Counseling Center (CDCC). 

Join us in hearing his stories and helping us better understand the DISEASE that addiction is. 


Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!



So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Brett Keleher
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Design & Edits: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> "Nobody stays recovered unless the life they have created is more rewarding and satisfying than the one they left behind."
– Anne Fletcher 

Recovery is a lifelong journey of self-discovery, growth, and transformation. We are so excited to introduce Brett to speak on the realities of recovery. The real shit, the resources, the facts. Brett was brave enough to not only discuss his own personal journey, but also educate us on what he witnesses daily as a Substance Abuse Counselor II (SAC2) for the Chemical Dependency Counseling Center (CDCC). 

Join us in hearing his stories and helping us better understand the DISEASE that addiction is. 


Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!



So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Guest: Brett Keleher
Hosts: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz
Design & Edits: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-9345326 Sun, 10 Oct 2021 17:00:00 -0700 5965 1 3 full false Small Town Queers w/ Staci and Melissa Small Town Queers w/ Staci and Melissa We are all on our own journeys. Some of us blessed beyond measure to be traveling beside the most badass humans on this planet. Others haven’t quite found their tribe yet, and that’s okay, YOU WILL. Tribes also evolve over time and sometimes change completely. Ride the wave. You are exactly where you are meant to be.


In this episode, Staci and Melissa discuss their own experiences growing up queer in a small town. From representation to lesbian culture to self discovery. They find light and humor in some of the darkest places of their past. 



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!




So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Hosts: Melissa Whitley & Staci Ruiz
Design & Edits: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess



RESOURCES:

LGBTQIA+ Helpline “The Trevor Project”
1-866-488-7386
Text START to 678678


Transgender Suicide Helpline
1-877-565-8860


Suicide Helpline
1-800-273-8255


Sex & Relationship Chatline
www.plannedparenthood.org/chat
Text PPNOW to 774636





Just need a friend to chat with? 
Shoot us an email at beinghumanandothershhh@gmail.com or hello@higherlovecandleco.com


]]> We are all on our own journeys. Some of us blessed beyond measure to be traveling beside the most badass humans on this planet. Others haven’t quite found their tribe yet, and that’s okay, YOU WILL. Tribes also evolve over time and sometimes change completely. Ride the wave. You are exactly where you are meant to be.


In this episode, Staci and Melissa discuss their own experiences growing up queer in a small town. From representation to lesbian culture to self discovery. They find light and humor in some of the darkest places of their past. 



Anyone that may be struggling or feel like they just don’t belong, know that you are not alone and YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE! All of our stories look different. We just need to meet each other with love and kindness and do our part in dissolving the stigmas and prejudices that surround us.


Sending you all the LOVE you need and then some to spread around!




So much GRATITUDE to the following folks that made this all possible:

Hosts: Melissa Whitley & Staci Ruiz
Design & Edits: Jeannie Martinez
Song: A Beautiful Mess, by Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess



RESOURCES:

LGBTQIA+ Helpline “The Trevor Project”
1-866-488-7386
Text START to 678678


Transgender Suicide Helpline
1-877-565-8860


Suicide Helpline
1-800-273-8255


Sex & Relationship Chatline
www.plannedparenthood.org/chat
Text PPNOW to 774636





Just need a friend to chat with? 
Shoot us an email at beinghumanandothershhh@gmail.com or hello@higherlovecandleco.com


]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-9345275 Sun, 10 Oct 2021 17:00:00 -0700 5080 1 2 full false Mental Health w/ Mark Mental Health w/ Mark Let's talk about MEN and MENTAL HEALTH. No, like really talk about it.

What is the stigma around men seeking help to keep their mental health in order?

We appreciate the brave conversation and vulnerability our good friend Mark shares with us on our first episode of Being Human... and Other Sh!t.

Mark has always been THAT dude. Educated, attractive, funny as hell. The list goes on and on and on. That's why we appreciate and love him so much for joining us in a very open and raw discussion about his journey through the scary stigmas of men and his own mental health.



Thank you to everyone involved in making this crazy little vlogcast come to life!!


Guest: Mark
Hosts: Melissa Whitley & Staci Ruiz
Design & Edits: Jeannie Martinez
Song: Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-f476lggFhWVjwh7LQXpRQ

]]> Let's talk about MEN and MENTAL HEALTH. No, like really talk about it.

What is the stigma around men seeking help to keep their mental health in order?

We appreciate the brave conversation and vulnerability our good friend Mark shares with us on our first episode of Being Human... and Other Sh!t.

Mark has always been THAT dude. Educated, attractive, funny as hell. The list goes on and on and on. That's why we appreciate and love him so much for joining us in a very open and raw discussion about his journey through the scary stigmas of men and his own mental health.



Thank you to everyone involved in making this crazy little vlogcast come to life!!


Guest: Mark
Hosts: Melissa Whitley & Staci Ruiz
Design & Edits: Jeannie Martinez
Song: Londrelle and Naomi the Goddess

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-f476lggFhWVjwh7LQXpRQ

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-9345133 Sun, 10 Oct 2021 16:00:00 -0700 4257 1 1 full false Introduction Introduction Being Human… and Other Sh!t is a vlogcast all about the beautiful mess we call life.

We are Staci and Melissa, just a couple of besties, looking for ways to help put an end to the stigmas that exist all around us, and hopefully help those of us suffering from some of the stigmas to feel seen, heard, and cared about.

Staci and I will be discussing our own journeys and experiences and along the way we’ll be connecting with some really amazing, beautiful humans that have been vulnerable and kind enough to share their stories with us.

With billions of people roaming planet earth, we have a world full of differing perspectives and experiences… and we wanna learn about them all.

We invite you to join us on this journey!

Our hope with this new venture is to broaden perspectives (including our own), and encourage more kindness towards things we don’t know about or understand.



Brought to you by Higher Love Candle Co.
- Hosts/Producers: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-f476lggFhWVjwh7LQXpRQ

]]> Being Human… and Other Sh!t is a vlogcast all about the beautiful mess we call life.

We are Staci and Melissa, just a couple of besties, looking for ways to help put an end to the stigmas that exist all around us, and hopefully help those of us suffering from some of the stigmas to feel seen, heard, and cared about.

Staci and I will be discussing our own journeys and experiences and along the way we’ll be connecting with some really amazing, beautiful humans that have been vulnerable and kind enough to share their stories with us.

With billions of people roaming planet earth, we have a world full of differing perspectives and experiences… and we wanna learn about them all.

We invite you to join us on this journey!

Our hope with this new venture is to broaden perspectives (including our own), and encourage more kindness towards things we don’t know about or understand.



Brought to you by Higher Love Candle Co.
- Hosts/Producers: Melissa Whitley and Staci Ruiz

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-f476lggFhWVjwh7LQXpRQ

]]> Staci Ruiz and Melissa Whitley Buzzsprout-9343971 Sun, 10 Oct 2021 12:00:00 -0700 112 1 1 trailer false