~ About This Life ~

Stories, Struggles, & Soul: What Our Ancestors Taught Us with V Efua Prince

Who gets to tell our story? From poetry to prose, this powerful conversation dives into the themes of family and the resilience of the human spirit. Discover how storytelling preserves culture.
V Efua Prince, author of Kin (2024), a winner of a 2025 Next Generation Indie Award and longlisted for the 2025 Carol Shields Prize for Fiction and co-author with Hoke Glover III of Crazy As Hell: The Best Little Guide to Black History (2024), sits down with Ann-Marie to talk about philosophy, history, poetry, and writing that is transformative. Her current work represents a refinement of themes she has been considering for more than 20 years, evident in Burnin’ Down the House (2005).
Prince is a professor of African American Studies at Wayne State University. She received her PhD from the University of Michigan in English Language and Literature, the Avalon Professor of Humanities at Hampton University, a visiting scholar at the University of Virginia’s Carter G. Woodson Institute, and a fellow at Harvard University’s W. E. B. Du Bois Center.
We explore the importance of language, dialect, and the power of literature to create community, inspire change, and pass wisdom across generations, reflecting on soul, resilience, and the stories that shape us.
✨ Remember to like, share, and subscribe for more powerful conversations on life, culture, and transformation.
#HamptonUniversity #BlackAuthors #Black GirlLiterature #MochaGirlsRead #AfricanAmericanStudies #AfricanAmericanLiterature #Storytelling #HealingJourney #LiteratureMatters #HarkemWritersGuild #Black Writers Collective #Hurston/WrightFoundation #CityLitStage #Kin #Kindred #Ancestors #LifeLessons #Wisdom #LoveAfterTrauma #Inspiration #PoetryAndProse #CommunityVoices #SoulTalk #MindsetShift #CulturalHeritage #HumanExperience #GenerationalHealing #AboutThisLifePodcast #BecomingEnoughBecomingYou

“Becoming All Of You: From High-Achieving To Fully Alive” with Sara Byers

A moving conversation exploring poetry, transformation, and the human experience. From navigating anxiety and loss to finding hope, connection, and purpose, this dialogue uncovers how creativity, spirit, and vulnerability can guide us toward healing. Together, the speakers reflect on the power of words, the courage to face rock bottom, and the beauty of becoming a path for others to find light.#HealingJourney #PoetryOfLife #TransformativeConversations #SpokenWordHealing #AnxietyAwareness #FindingHope #LifeTransformation #HeartAndSoul #AuthenticConnections #VoicesThatInspire #HumanExperience #SpiritualAwakening #InnerStrength #MentalHealthAwareness #CreativeHealing #AboutThisLifePodcast #BecomingEnoughBecomingYou

“When Life Forces You to Start Over” with Dr. Makeba Morgan Hill

A deep dive into healing, self-love, and stepping into your true purpose. Discover how to move from survival to thriving and reclaim your power. ✨ Highlights: 🌱 Hiding pain behind “I’m fine” 💔 The impact of the mother wound 🌀 How trauma shows up in the body 👶 Inner child healing & self-love 🌸 The Soul Bloom Method for growth ⚡ Energy work, journaling & alignment 🌟 Redefining success & freedom This is about remembering you’re never alone and trusting the process of becoming your authentic self.#HealingJourney #InnerChildWork #EnergyHealing #SpiritualAwakening #SelfDiscovery #TraumaHealing #PeaceAndPurpose #SelfLove #LifeTransitions #MindBodySpirit #HolisticHealing #AuthenticLiving #EmotionalHealing #PersonalGrowth #SoulAlignment #AboutThisLifePodcast #BecomingEnoughBecomingYou

“Complex Shame” with Dr. Zoe Shaw

What would you tell a friend who is carrying the same shame you once carried?
In this powerful conversation, we dive deep into the themes of shame, guilt, codependency, and healing. Learn the difference between guilt, shame and discover what “complex shame” really means. Here, you can , untangle the patterns that keep us hidden. This episode also unpacks the journey of reclaiming your power and finding the courage to live authentically.
You’ll hear raw insights on:
✨ The hidden weight of shame and how it shapes relationships ✨ The connection between codependency and self-abandonment ✨ How boundaries create freedom, not distance ✨ Steps to begin healing and embracing true self-love
This conversation begins with the announcement of the inaugural 100 Black Women Gala and Book Launch celebration of coauthors who made the journey of healing the inner child.
This episode is for anyone ready to step out of hiding and walk toward freedom.#HealingJourney #InnerChild #SelfLove #ShameAndHealing #EmotionalWellness #CodependencyRecovery #MentalHealthAwareness #BreakTheCycle #PersonalGrowth #InnerHealing #BoundariesMatter #ComplexShame #OvercomingShame #PaintoPower #AuthenticLiving #DearBlackWomanMedia #AboutThisLifePodcast #BecomingEnoughBecomingYou

“What to Do When You Don’t Trust Yourself” with Lizbeth De Sa

In this insightful episode of About This Life, we welcome Lizbeth De Sa — educator, writer, laughter yoga leader, conflict mediator, and internal family systems (IFS) practitioner. Together, we explore the power of laughter, the deep healing work of IFS therapy, and practical tools for breaking generational trauma patterns. From healing the inner critic to setting healthy boundaries, Lizbeth shares compassionate strategies for reconnecting with your authentic self and releasing pain that no longer serves you. We also dive into the role of creativity, spirituality, and self-energy in personal growth — plus a fun dose of laughter yoga to lift your spirits! Whether you’re navigating childhood wounds, relationship pain, or simply looking for more joy and playfulness in life, this conversation will inspire and empower you to start your own healing journey. ✨ Topics Covered: • Laughter yoga and its benefits • Understanding Internal Family Systems therapy • Healing childhood and generational trauma • Working with the inner critic • Setting boundaries for emotional safety • Integrating spirituality into healing • Creative approaches to emotional well-being 🎧 Subscribe to About This Life for more real conversations about healing, growth, and transformation. #AboutThisLife #LaughterYoga #InternalFamilySystems #IFS #TraumaHealing #GenerationalTrauma #InnerChildHealing #DearBlackWomanAnthologyBook #dearblackwomanmedia #MindBodySpirit #EmotionalWellbeing #SelfGrowth #MentalHealthAwareness #HealingJourney #OvercomingTrauma #InnerCritic #PersonalGrowth #AboutThisLifePodcast #BecomingEnoughBecomingYou

"Trauma" with Zoe ,Makeba, Lizbeth

In this special preview episode of About This Life, host Ann-Marie takes you on a heartfelt journey inspired by Isaiah 61 — a promise of beauty for ashes, joy for mourning, and strength for life’s trials. 🌿✨ You’ll get a sneak peek into the next three powerful interviews with incredible women — therapists, doctors, and healers — who share their wisdom on trauma, shadow work, and emotional healing. 💬💛🌸 🎧 Tune in, be inspired, and let’s walk this journey together.#AboutThisLifePodcast #BeautyForAshes #Isaiah61 #BecomingEnoughBecomingYou #DearBlackWomanMedia #TraumaHealing #ShadowWork #SpiritualGrowth #HealingJourney #PodcastPreview #FaithAndHealing #WomenEmpowerment #EmotionalHealing #InnerChild #ChristianPodcast #FaithBasedPodcast

“Art as a Well-being Tool” with Aisha Makara

In this deeply moving episode, Ann-Marie welcomes the radiant and resilient Aisha Makara, an artist, entrepreneur, world traveler, and soulful storyteller. From a childhood in an orphanage to traveling across 60+ countries, falling in love with Lisbon, and building an artistic life rooted in color, joy, and self-discovery—Aisha shares her incredible journey of healing, creativity, and empowerment. We talk about:• How Portugal sparked a transformation in her • Learning love through loss and finding herself • Running real estate projects with heart • Art as healing and spiritual expression • Living unapologetically with truth, color, and courage ✨ Her story is a testament to the power of self-love, resilience, and imagination. 📌 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more heart-opening conversations. #AboutThisLife #AishaMakara #AnnMariePodcast #HealingJourney #SelfLove #Resilience #SpiritualJourney #WomenEmpowerment #LisbonLife #OrphanToArtist #WorldTraveler #CreativeLife #InnerHealing #ArtAsTherapy #EmbraceJoy #RealTalk #PodcastInterview #Inspiration #EmotionalGrowth #ColorfulLife #AboutThisLifePodcast #BecomingEnoughBecomingYou

“Breath, Basketball & Bulletproof Mindset” with Dwayne Morton

In this gripping episode of About This Life, host Ann-Marie sits down with resilience coach, author, and former international basketball player Dwayne Morton. Dwayne shares the harrowing story of surviving a police shootout with his 3-year-old niece — a moment that changed his life forever. He opens up about battling PTSD, finding healing through breathwork, the rhythm of basketball, and the deeper meaning behind his book The Bounce Back Blueprint: Become Bulletproof. This is a conversation about ownership, alignment, gratitude, energy, and how near-death moments can awaken new life purpose. #BounceBackBlueprint #DwayneMorton #AboutThisLifePodcast #SurvivorStory #BreathworkHealing #BasketballJourney #PTSDRecovery #ResilienceCoach #GratitudeVibes #PodcastInterview #LifeAfterTrauma #MindsetMatters #EnergyHealing #ShowUpToWin #BecomingEnough #AboutThisLifePodcast