“…what others say about you is their garbage, not you.”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: [I am passionate about] respecting the humanity of children. As a marketing guru once said, “You should just delete everything from your website and write: ‘Treat them like human beings, treat them like human beings…on infinite repeat.'”
I am currently working on: a semi-autobiographical novel about a women who can communicate with water, a parenting book that is essentially a brain dump of all that I’ve learned over the past almost 50 years, and I am learning just how well I can paint (it turns out I’m a very talented beginner). [Additionally, I’m working on] healing me [because of] an abusive marriage that I was ‘groomed’ for by the parenting my folks did and from the world around me.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: Have you read Down Girl? That. What has impacted me the most, it turns out (why I married the idiot in the first place, and why I’ve been standing on the neck of my business for 20 years), is ‘trying to win my dad’s approval,’ which is never going to happen and has nothing at all to do with being loveable or worthy of approval. A freeing discovery.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: [I have learned] that what others say about you is their garbage, not you. And that critical voice in your head? That’s also them, not you.
You CAN reprogram your thinking, love yourself, and be your whole full potential (I’m working on that part…).
Q: What does feminism mean to you?
A: [Feminism, to me, means] seeing women as whole real people, in the same way I believe children need to be recognized as whole, real people.
[It also means] not “going to be people if or when…” or, as we see in our culture of patriarchy everywhere: not real people ever, at all.
MORE FROM LINDA: I live near Vancouver, BC, Canada, but I lived in Victoria, BC (the provincial capital) for 50 years (where I’m from…as well as getting my dad in the divorce, he also got the city.)
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“One of the most valuable things that I’ve learned is never take time for granted. When we are young, we don’t have a lot of foresight on this, but when we are older, it’s important to not sweat the small stuff.”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: My passions are definitely staying in the world of God. This has been really helpful in my journey with life. My interests are empowering women of all ages, educating them on healing from within and using holistic natural ingredients when it comes to skin care. [Promoting] the mindset of all women being created equally and that we are all beautiful. My current work has been my biggest platform: TikTok Skin Care Renewed LLC. This has become both a passion and a job. Currently, I’m working on content creation when it comes to skin care, gut health, and having a bit of fun at the same time.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: Growing up on Long Island and in New York City, I had the best of both worlds. The Italians were on Long Island, while my Spanish side of the family lived in the South Bronx. I grew up attending Broadway shows, Barbizon modeling school in nyc, always taking train rides into New York City to get our hair done or to watch the Rockettes. It inspired me to watch women dress up and feel beautiful. I’ve attended Catholic schools and public schools growing up.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: One of the most valuable things that I’ve learned is never take time for granted. When we are young, we don’t have a lot of foresight on this, but when we are older, it’s important to not sweat the small stuff. Every day is a new day and a new beginning, and it’s never too late…whether it is trying something new or becoming a better you!
Q: What does feminism mean to you?
A: Feminism, for me, can be best described as a movement advocating for the rights and equality of women, reproductive rights, and social justices for all women. It’s definitely something I feel very passionate about.
MORE FROM ANGELMARIE: I was born in Amityville, New York…yes, where the haunted house is located! [She laughs.] I typically have that reaction from people when asked. Yes, I have that “New York sass and spice;” however, that has made me who I am today, which I am very grateful for.
“You have got to tune into your strengths and make them your superpower. In the past 8 years of my career, I have turned my understanding of my sensory world, and dived into specialising in the sensory world of animals.“
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: Wildlife! Ever since I was a little girl, I have been obsessed with animals. I grew up on the east coast of Scotland outside of Edinburgh, and I spent every holiday and long weekend on the beach by the North Sea.
Rockpooling and body boarding were my favourite activities, and I used to spend hours upon hours looking at urchins, starfish, anemones, blennies, crabs and more. We used to see sharks and whales wash up on the shore, and I think that’s where my obsession with sharks began.
Whilst everyone else was playing with dolls or Barbie’s, I just wanted to be a mermaid, so I could play with sharks. Everything I did from that point on was in preparation for studying and working with sharks. I LOVED school and studied extremely hard to pursue my dream of studying marine biology. I went to Glasgow University and not only had the best years of my life, but I qualified with my bachelors of science degree in zoology with integrated marine biology. I took some time out by going to Fiji and worked on a marine conservation project and learned to dive. Nothing was stopping me. Then I went back to university at Newcastle to do my postgraduate degree in Tropical Coastal Management.
After my university career, I landed my dream job in the Maldives working as a resident marine biologist. Living and working in the Maldives was the best time of my life. It was really hard work but so rewarding. Our clientele was some of the biggest celebrities and famous faces in the world, but my role involved teaching everyone about the marine life.
But after 8 wonderful years underwater, I got the chance to move to dry land and work in Africa. Going back to my zoological roots, I became a wildlife TV presenter for WildEarth [the broadcasting company] and worked across Africa. I have now set up my own wildlife production company called Too Wild, which is based in the Timbavati Game Reserve, which is now offering the first-of-its-kind, immersive wildlife filmmaking course to help build the next generation of wildlife filmmakers.
We offer a wildlife filmmaking course from the heart of South Africa’s Greater Kruger National Park where students will learn to capture the wild as never before. The main drive of this project is my belief that, united, we have the power to inspire change and uplift the youth in South Africa. To nurture local talent and produce the next generation of South African wildlife filmmakers, we fully sponsor a student from one of the local communities on the periphery of the game reserve through this course. This is truly where my passion lies.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: I was such a tom boy and adventurous kid who loved the ocean and animals. Other than growing into my feminine self, not much else has changed.
I am hard of hearing and have been very ashamed of this my whole life. Only recently in my 30s, have I taken this perceived “weakness” and turned it into a strength that I am proud of. Not hearing well has meant that I have a super human sense of smell and really keen eyesight, I am VERY observant. Everyone has their strengths and “weaknesses.” You have got to tune into your strengths and make them your superpower. In the past 8 years of my career, I have turned my understanding of my sensory world, and dived into specialising in the sensory world of animals. It has opened so many doors for me in terms of broadening my knowledge base and adding and extra layer to my teachings about the natural world.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: I wish I had been told this earlier in life, but a real golden nugget for me is that, in order to start your journey into thinking this way, you must remember “Compete only against yourself, not against others.” Treat everything as an opportunity for YOU, not anyone else. Stop comparing yourself to other people because you will always find someone who is better at something that you do or who is more successful at whatever career you’ve chosen. Instead, compare yourself to the person you were yesterday. Make that your only expectation…and everything is an opportunity to do that.
“If I had caved and listened to the naysayers, I wouldn’t be here.”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: I had gotten laid off from my advertising job, and a recruiter suggested I take an interview with New York Life, which is a mutually owned financial firm. It’s been very enlightening because being a mutually owned financial firm, we are owned solely by our clients, and not beholden to outside forces like shareholders. We do put our clients first in so many ways. Being in the financial industry, I’ve really noticed how many people do what other people do and don’t understand how things affect them. 401(k)s are not your only retirement vehicles to utilize, and it’s been a mission of mine to educate people on all their options that are most viable to them for their own personal goals. I want to empower people to take hold of their portfolios to live their best lives now.
I’m very big on living sustainably. Minimizing my carbon footprint and finding other like-minded people and small ways to change my life to have a big impact on the environment, like getting rid of napkins and paper towels and using cloth towels instead. I’m also using more glass and less plastic. Basically, I’m making sustainable changes in my life and lifestyle. Right now, I’m working on assisting small businesses with their company 401(k) needs. Here in California, we have a CalSavers plan which is forcing almost all business owners to offer retirement plans. I’ve had a lot of great conversations, educating business owners on their options and if CalSavers (the state retirement plan) is best for them, or if opening their own 401(k) plan works best for them. I’m really big about keeping the small businesses afloat and supporting as many as I can. While I can’t deny the convenience of Target or Amazon, small businesses are what give our cities personality, and I want to see as many of them thrive as possible.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: Education is very important in my household. I was one of the first people in my family to get a college education. I got a degree in business and an emphasis in marketing, a very practical major. It’s a reflection of me. I was a practical child, and I’m a practical adult. When I was a kid, my mom told me I requested vegetables [she laughs]. What kid asks for veggies? Lima beans were my favorite.
I’m an only child between my parents. My father remarried, and I have two much younger brothers. It worked out so well; I love our big age difference (20+ years). When I was younger, I played piano, danced (ballet, jazz, tap), and did martial arts. Being an only child played such a big part in who I am now. I like my alone time and value it as much as I value spending time with my friends, family, and my boyfriend. I think because I was an only child and my mother’s sole focus, I was able to find myself pretty quickly. I never did anything I didn’t want to do, and never cared about trends. I think that’s why being an entrepreneur works so well for me; I like independence.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: I suppose what I want others to learn from my story is to be true to who you are. Never settle for less. Stand steadfast, regardless of what people say or their resistance to you. You’ll find your people eventually, those who support you and understand you. When I left my steady paycheck and started doing what I’m doing now, I had so many people tell me why I was wrong. I didn’t listen, and now I’m doing something that I enjoy so much; it doesn’t feel like work. And my time is my own. My grandmothers aren’t doing well, and I have the flexibility to be with them and spend time with them. I have also found my people, so many people who support me and are so excited for me and my happiness. If I had caved and listened to the naysayers, I wouldn’t be here.
I love a good themed event/party! This photo was from a 70s-themed party. Me and my boyfriend went all out! -Stephanie
Q:What does feminism mean to you?
A: Feminism, to me, means being true to yourself, being the best at what you do to break those glass ceilings. Doing it with grace and respect, while not remaining silent. Lifting others up, not bringing down them down. Every generation has its own battle to engage in, and we need to remember the battles from before. History shouldn’t be forgotten. History is a formidable weapon if used appropriately. We need to keep striving forward, not forget where we were, and be proud of how far we’ve come.
MORE ABOUT STEPHANIE: Hmm, fun fact: I have a bearded dragon for a pet that I’m totally obsessed with [she laughs]. He’s not your typical pet. Many people are afraid of reptiles (I totally get it). I love to travel and have been on 6 of the 7 continents (Antarctica, I will get to you!!!) I’ve also done much of my traveling by myself. I’ve been to many places like Africa and South America as examples. I usually go somewhere for 2 weeks, and I’ll do half the trip by myself, and the second half I’ll jump on a tour to meet other traveling like-minded people. I stay in touch with a lot of them; it’s been a great network to have in terms of travel tips and being kept up to date on international news from locals.
That’s the bearded dragon! My boyfriend built him a castle, so he gets to sit there during outside time. -Stephanie
“The programming that I had from early childhood is that you are supposed to get a good job, get married, and have kids, but following that path didn’t make me happy.”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: I’m passionate about helping people develop a better understanding of themselves and their animals through intuitive guidance. My purpose in life is to make lives easier and more enjoyable for people and animals. I started studying metaphysical topics to learn to trust my intuition and found that I knew things that other people don’t know. I have always wanted to work with animals, so I focused on animal communication and have been able to learn so much from talking to them.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: The programming that I had from early childhood is that you are supposed to get a good job, get married, and have kids, but following that path didn’t make me happy. I had to release and heal from that old programming and forge my own path. I learned to care less about what other people think and design my own life.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: Anything is possible. I had no idea my life could be what it is now. I found my purpose by exploring and trying new things. When I was interested in something, I took a class or read about it. What I have learned is that you don’t have to know where you are going to take the first step. Try something, join a group, ask a question, it can take you places you never imagined.
Q:What does feminism mean to you?
A: Feminism to me means owning your truth and being who you really are. We are taught to conform, but if we can love ourselves and live our truth, we can help spread love to the world.
Thank you for reading!
I offer animal communication, intuitive sessions for people, and teach intuition classes. Learn more on my website: www.intuitivedenise.com
The Woman Wednesday Blog 