Tag: sharing stories

Q and A with Gina from Harford County, Maryland

“Some of the most important changes happen internally, in ways no one else can see…I’m drawn to the spaces people don’t always talk about—the quiet, the complicated, and the deeply human.”

Q: What are you passionate about? 

A: I’m passionate about storytelling—both the kind that comforts and the kind that unsettles.

Writing became that space for me during a difficult six-year period of my life.

I started writing letters to myself as a way to process what I was going through, and over time, I realized those words weren’t just mine.

That’s how Letters to Women Like Me came to life—out of a need to create something honest for women who feel deeply but don’t always have a place to put it.

At the same time, I’ve always been drawn to the darker side of storytelling—the psychological layers, the questions of identity, memory, and what shapes us. That led me to write Chalk Drawings, a psychological crime thriller that explores patterns, obsession, and the idea that what’s unseen can be more powerful than what’s visible.

What connects everything I write is a fascination with what people carry—emotionally, mentally, and sometimes silently. Whether I’m writing something soft and reflective or something tense and suspenseful, I’m always trying to understand that space.

Right now, I’m continuing to build both sides of my work—growing the Chalk Drawings series while also creating more reflective writing for women. For me, it’s not about choosing one path or the other. It’s about telling the full story of what it means to be human—both the light and the shadow.

Q: What were your younger years like?

A: My younger years were fairly grounded and shaped by a strong sense of responsibility early on.

I graduated high school and went on to attend college for a time, but life began to take me in a different direction, and I didn’t complete my degree.

While that wasn’t the path I originally planned, it taught me that growth doesn’t always follow a straight line—and that experience itself can be just as valuable as formal education.

I’ve always been someone who observes deeply and feels things in a quiet way.

Even when I wasn’t writing, I was paying attention—to people, to emotions, to the small moments that often go unnoticed. Those early years helped shape the way I see the world now, both in life and in my writing.

Looking back, I realize that my upbringing and experiences gave me a strong sense of resilience and independence.

They taught me how to navigate challenges, adapt, and keep moving forward even when things didn’t go as expected. Those lessons have stayed with me and continue to influence not only the work I do, but the stories I tell.

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Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?

A: One of the most valuable things I’ve learned is that not everything in life needs to be figured out right away.

For a long time, I thought strength meant having answers, pushing through, and holding everything together. But I’ve come to understand that real strength is quieter—it’s allowing yourself to feel, to pause, and to be honest about what you’re carrying.

I would want others to know that it’s okay if your path doesn’t look the way you thought it would.

Growth isn’t always obvious, and healing doesn’t happen on a timeline.

Some of the most important changes happen internally, in ways no one else can see.

I’m drawn to the spaces people don’t always talk about—the quiet, the complicated, and the deeply human.

If there’s anything I hope people take from my story, it’s this: you’re not alone in what you’re feeling, even if it seems that way.

There is value in your experiences, even the difficult ones, and there is strength in continuing forward—at your own pace, in your own way.

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Q: What does feminism mean to you?

A: Feminism, to me, is about recognizing the unseen weight women carry and creating space for them to feel, speak, and exist without having to prove their strength.

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Check out my psychological thriller here: Chalk Drawings

Check out my letters-to-self book for women here: Letters to Women Like Me

Q and A with Sabrina C. from Nassau, Bahamas

“… if you give your body proper nutrition, your body can heal itself.”

Q: What are you passionate about? 

A: I am a shareholder in a hardware company and, because I invested early in life, I was able to retire at the age of 36.

I’m passionate about building a legacy with my Ardysslife business, helping families thrive through a healthier lifestyle, and to building a strong team for a wealthier lifestyle.

I’m interested in building a large clientele with getting them into nutrition, [products] made from fruits and vegetables to help the body heal itself. I also help them reshape their body without diet pills exercise or surgery, instead getting them to wear the reshaping garments made by an orthopedic surgeon.

I am currently working on getting a store front in my country so my team and customers won’t have to pay for shipping and have easy access like having the package shipped to their doors.

Q: What were your younger years like?

A: I grew up in the tropical Nassau, Bahamas, with family and faith.

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Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?

A: Something valuable I have learned if you invest in a positive and lucrative business, it pays off.

I also learned that if you give your body proper nutrition, your body can heal itself. I was diagnosed with high cholesterol and within two weeks of being on the products, I didn’t have to be put on medication.

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Q: What does feminism mean to you?

A: Feminism means alot to me. I believe gender-based discrimination needs to be eliminated.

I feel there should be social, economic, and political equality between women and men; women should have the same rights as men especially if a man wants a woman to go fifty-fifty with the bills in the home.

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ARDYSSLife

https://ardyss.com/

Q and A with Zyril from Quezon City, Philippines

“…keep innovating.”

Q: What are you passionate about? 

A: I’m passionate about vitality, aging healthy, business, fitness, immunity, longevity, nutrition, and skincare.

I’m a senior brand partner of Nu Skin Enterprises.

I found this passion [vitality, longevity, aging healthy, etc.] out of my love for my parents, when I was four years old. I’ve been praying for the longevity of my parents since.

My family also runs a school cafeteria business.

Q: What were your younger years like?

A: I graduated from the oldest existing university in Asia, The University of Santo Tomas, with a bachelor’s degree in arts and behavioral science.

I come from a Christian family. I’ve learned that God loves the world [so much] that He gave up His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in HIM shall not perish but have eternal life.

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Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?

A: My advice to people wanting to start their own business is to keep innovating.

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Q: What does feminism mean to you?

A: Feminism means being a light to the world especially in my country, the Philippines.

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Q and A with Rebecca from Joplin, Missouri

“…your ability to care, listen, and create meaningful experiences is valuable.“

Q: What are you passionate about? 

A: I’m deeply passionate about helping couples feel seen and understood on one of the most important days of their lives. As a wedding officiant, I don’t just show up and read a script—I take time to get to know each couple, their story, and what truly matters to them so their ceremony feels personal, intentional, and genuine.

I found this passion through my love for storytelling and connection. I’ve always been someone who values meaningful conversations and relationships, and officiating allows me to bring that into such a special space. There’s something incredibly powerful about standing with a couple in that moment and helping set the tone for their marriage, not just their wedding day.

Right now, I’m focused on growing my business, refining my process, and continuing to create ceremonies that people remember—not just for how they looked, but for how they felt.

Q: What were your younger years like?

A: My younger years really shaped my sense of responsibility and empathy. I grew up understanding the importance of being there for others, and that’s something that’s carried into my adult life in a big way.

I’ve always been someone who naturally takes on a supportive role—whether that was in my family, school, or relationships. That instinct to care for others and anticipate their needs is a huge part of what I do now as an officiant.

Those experiences taught me how to listen deeply, adapt to different people and situations, and show up in a calm, grounded way—especially during important or emotional moments.

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Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?

A: Something I’ve learned is that meaningful work often comes from leaning into who you already are—not trying to become someone else.

For a long time, I think people feel like they need to fit a certain mold to be successful. But what has made the biggest difference for me is embracing the way I naturally connect with people and building something around that.

I’d want others to know that your ability to care, listen, and create meaningful experiences is valuable. Those aren’t “soft skills”—they’re powerful, and they can absolutely be the foundation of a business or career.

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Q: What does feminism mean to you?

A: To me, feminism is about choice, autonomy, and the ability for women to define success on their own terms. It’s about supporting women in whatever path they choose—whether that’s building a business, raising a family, doing both, or something completely different.

There isn’t one “right” way to be a strong woman.

[Feminism] also means creating space for women to be taken seriously in their work, to be compensated fairly, and to feel confident owning their voice and expertise. At its core, it’s about respect—respecting women’s choices, their work, and their individuality.

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MORE ABOUT REBECCA: I am from Joplin, Missouri, and serve the four-state area as an officiant.

Wedding Website

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