Find Your Voice, Change Your Life

Today, I interview Maria Semple who grew up in Venezuela as the youngest of five children in a time of political upheaval. Life was filled with challenges from an early age, and Maria often felt the need to shout to be heard in a household full of older siblings. Despite the joyful, community-focused culture of Venezuela, Maria also faced the trauma of losing her brother at a young age. This marked her deeply, instilling a sense of longing for belonging and significance that would follow her.As Maria grew up, she immigrated to Australia, carrying with her the resilience she had developed through her early struggles. Her marriage ended, leaving her as a single mother of two in a foreign country. It was during this time that she truly began to explore herself, turning to creativity and meditation to heal. Maria discovered a love for ceramics, which not only provided financial support but also became a form of self-expression that reflected her cultural roots and inner strength.The turning point in Maria’s life came when she decided to stop working for others and pursue her dream of becoming a mentor and coach. Through her own inner work, she developed her signature program, “Reclaim Your Vision, Rewrite Your Story,” which helps women navigate their limiting beliefs, reclaim their voice, and step into their true power. Today, Maria is a beacon of resilience, helping women in their 40s and 50s find their voice and rewrite their stories, just as she did.__________________Maria Semple is a Coach and Mentor and the founder of New Life Coach, a coaching practice focused on helping women in their late 40s and 50s reclaim their vision and rewrite their story. Through her work, Maria empowers women to create transformative change in their lives and communities. She is also the author of Everyday Stories From Ten Remarkable Women, a book that showcases the power of determination, creativity, and contribution in shaping lives. Maria believes that the perfect time to take action is now, and through her six-step program, she guides participants on an inner and outer journey to rediscover their lost visions and navigate life’s complexities. With practical tools rooted in her own experiences, Maria helps women realize their potential and create a new, empowering story for their future.__________________Find Maria here:https://www.newlifecoach.com.auhttps://www.facebook.com/EverydayRemarkableWomen/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4136ONNWC643HX49drNvwwSupport the showI’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.

Today I interview Jolina Karen who grew up in a household where her voice often felt stifled by the silence and conflict between her parents. Raised in South Africa during apartheid, Jolina experienced the tension between her mother’s spiritual beliefs and her father’s scientific skepticism, which created a quiet but emotionally charged environment. This early exposure to unresolved conflict taught her to suppress her own feelings and thoughts, leading to a lifelong struggle with finding her voice and speaking up in difficult situations, like in her first marriage. Despite her studies in psychology and healing, Jolina found it difficult to express her needs and desires, often choosing silence over conflict. This led to feelings of frustration, loneliness, and a loss of her true self.But Jolina's story is one of resilience and growth. After going through a painful divorce, she began to reclaim her voice. She learned to see conflict as an opportunity for growth and connection, rather than something to fear.Today, Jolina helps others find their voice and navigate difficult conversations. Drawing from her own experiences and background in healing, Jolina now guides others on their journey to communicate openly and live true to themselves.__________________Jolina believes that love and leadership are shaped by the everyday conversations we have. She works with an international clientele of accomplished women who seek to improve relationships that aren't fulfilling—whether with a spouse, child, boss, or customer. Jolina provides her clients with a clear roadmap to move from feeling unappreciated or ignored to confidently standing their ground, setting effective boundaries, and communicating in a way that ensures they are seen, heard, and valued for who they truly are.__________________Find Jolina here:Website: www.jolinakaren.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jolina.karen/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jolinakaren/ Free download: https://bit.ly/3MzW3Ag Support the showI’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.

Today I interview Linda Dieffenbach, whose personal healing journey from childhood trauma led her to become a devoted personal transformation coach and holistic practitioner. Linda shares her story of growing up with an emotionally distant and abusive father, being severely bullied by peers at school, and the profound impact of having her pain invalidated when she sought help as a teenager. These experiences left Linda feeling silenced, disempowered, and disconnected from her authentic self.Through learning Reiki and working with a compassionate mentor, Linda began to integrate her painful experiences and rediscover her inner voice. She describes how finally being seen, heard and validated in a safe space was a catalyst for tremendous personal growth and healing. Linda emphasizes the importance of doing the inner work to liberate oneself from past wounds, shame and self-doubt.By reconnecting with her wounded inner child and learning to be self-advocating, Linda found the courage to use her voice, set boundaries, and show up differently in relationships. Her inspiring journey from trauma to empowerment highlights the transformative potential of compassionate support, holistic healing practices, and committed personal development. Linda now assists others in overcoming the effects of trauma and toxic conditioning to achieve self-actualization.__________________Linda Dieffenbach is a devoted and empathetic personal transformation coach and holistic practitioner. She is deeply committed to assisting individuals in overcoming the detrimental effects of trauma and toxic conditioning while guiding them towards self-actualization.Linda's personal healing journey from childhood trauma led her to recognize the transformative potential of Reiki, sparking her enthusiasm for holistic healing practices. Leveraging her background in Social Work, Linda offers a distinctive approach that blends trauma awareness, energy healing expertise, compassionate guidance, and intuitive assistance to empower her clients in attaining clarity, self-awareness, and self-empowerment on their healing and personal growth pathways.She establishes a nurturing and safe space for clients to explore and embrace their personal path to achieving their highest potential. In addition to one-on-one sessions, Linda leads workshops and events that support individuals through their journey of self-discovery and growth.__________________Find Linda here:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/linda.dieffenbach.5 https://www.facebook.com/WellnessInHarmony LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindadieffenbach https://www.linkedin.com/company/wellness-in-harmony-llc/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wellnessinharmony/ The Wellness Universe: https://www.thewellnessuniverse.com/worldchangers/lindadieffenbach/Overcoming Your Inner Barriers Workbook: https://mailchi.mp/wellnessinharmony.com/inner-barriers Support the showI’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.

Today I interview Linda Joy Myers, who had a difficult childhood marked by abandonment and an unstable home life. Her mother left when Linda was just four, leaving her to be raised by a grandmother who, while providing a stable home, also struggled with mental health issues that led to critical behavior. Linda had to focus on survival with little permission to have her own voice.One bright spot was music. Linda's grandmother had her take piano and cello lessons from a young age. Playing music became a way for Linda to express herself, feel something positive, and be transported to another world. It provided freedom and camaraderie with other young musicians.As an adult, Linda initially repeated some relationship patterns modeled by her mother and grandmother. Determined to break the cycle, she sought therapy, including an impactful 3-month group experience. Her therapist helped Linda see she was more than her brokenness. He recognized her artistic essence and held a vision of her wholeness.Linda's path led her to combine her skills as a therapist with her love of writing. She began teaching memoir writing groups and discovered the transformative power of writing one's stories. This grew into Linda authoring books on memoir writing, founding the National Association of Memoir Writers, and teaching memoir courses.Through this work, Linda helps others find their voice, write their stories, and experience the healing of being witnessed. Her own journey informs her message that even painful stories can be alchemized into something beautiful.__________________Linda Joy Myers, founder of the National Association of Memoir Writers, is the author of award winning memoirs, Don't Call Me Mother and Song of the Plains, and two books, The Power of Memoir, and Journey of Memoir. She co-authored Breaking Ground on Your Memoir and Magic of Memoir & co-teaches, Write Your Memoir in Six Months with Brooke Warner. A memoir coach for 30 years, she helps memoir writers find their voice and get their story into the world. Linda has just ventured into novel writing land, and her first novel, The Forger of Marseille, a WWII historical fiction novel won four awards in historical fiction and is published by She Writes Press.__________________Find Linda here:https://www.facebook.com/LindaJoyMyersAuthorhttps://www.instagram.com/lindajoymyersauthor/https://www.facebook.com/linda.j.myers Support the showI’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.

Today I interview Alison Love David who grew up in South East London in a poor but musical family. Her mother made sacrifices to send Alison to private school, where she excelled academically but felt she had to be a people pleaser to fit in. This led to Alison not knowing her true self for many years.Alison's journey to find her authentic voice has been a long one. At age 17, she had a pivotal realization that she never said "no" and didn't know how to express negative feelings. This caused her to distrust herself for decades. Through her challenges, Alison has learned to tune into her body's wisdom and access her feelings through sound and music.As a professional singer, Alison uses the power of sound to help herself and others heal and transform. She believes we all have the ability to liberate our true voice. Alison coaches people to feel comfortable with their uniqueness, communicate from the heart, and confidently share their gifts with the world. Her mission is to encourage creative people to express themselves fully and authentically.__________________Alison Love David is a soulful singer, artist and medicine woman with a magnetic stage presence and 28 years experience. Having discovered the healing powers of the voice and worked through her fears of being seen.She is passionate about encouraging other people out of hiding. Alison coaches people to feel comfortable with their uniqueness and from that place, find their sense of belonging, communicate from the heart and share their gifts with the world.__________________Find Alison here:https://freeyourtruevoice.com https://facebook.com/alisondavidvocalist Support the showI’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.

Today, I interview Louise Gallagher, who faced significant trauma in her early years, including abuse and a lack of support from her family. Growing up, her home life was turbulent, marked by frequent conflicts between her parents. Louise often took on the role of caretaker, trying to shield her younger sibling from the chaos. The pivotal moment in Louise’s journey came when she became a mother herself. As her own children reached the age she had been during her trauma, she felt compelled to confront her past and address her relationship with her family. During a visit, Louise had an in-depth conversation with her mother, seeking understanding and closure. However, her mother's response highlighted the lack of protection and support Louise had felt as a child.Louise’s healing process involved extensive therapy and a conscious decision to transform her pain into strength. She embraced storytelling as a means to cope and heal, turning her tragic experiences into a source of empowerment. Louise focused on cultivating a loving and open relationship with her own children, addressing their pain and fears with empathy and understanding. Louise chose to navigate her healing journey through love, which allowed her to forgive herself and others, ultimately fostering a life filled with creativity, connection, and joy.__________________Louise Gallagher, a TEDx speaker, coach, mentor, and artist, is known for her storytelling prowess, where she inspires others to embrace their creativity and nurture self-love. Her memoir, "The Dandelion Spirit: Love, Lives, and Letting Go," which recounts her journey of reclaiming herself after overcoming abuse, resonated deeply and was adapted into an impactful documentary for the Oprah Network, touching lives across North America with its message of resilience and healing.Within the homeless serving sector, Louise has spearheaded transformative initiatives, including the renowned Possibilities Project at Canada’s largest homeless shelter. This innovative arts-based program empowers individuals by reconnecting them with their creative spirit, offering pathways out of poverty and homelessness.For Louise, creativity is not just a passion but a way of life—a currency through which she enriches her own existence and the world around her. Through her profound love for life and dedication to creative expression, Louise Gallagher strives to foster a world where the inherent magnificence and love within each individual are celebrated, nurturing deeper connections and a shared sense of purpose.__________________Find Louise here:https://dareboldly.comhttps://louisegallagher.cahttps://www.facebook.com/louise.gallagher.5205/https://instagram.com/mlouiseg88Support the showI’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.

Today I interview Pascale Cook-Fernandes, who struggled with feeling stifled and not having a voice in her generation, where children were expected to "be seen and not heard".In high school, Pascale faced teasing because of her uniqueness, but found her voice and confidence when she auditioned to be the drum major in marching band, despite usually trying to "shrink down" and hide. This experience taught her the rewards of taking risks and putting herself out there.Pascale's sensitivity, once criticized, is now a superpower she embraces, allowing her to speak up for the greater good. She has learned to balance being soft-spoken with projecting her voice powerfully when needed.Overcoming her early struggles, she now empowers women entrepreneurs to turn their life experiences and lessons into profitable businesses aligned with their authentic selves.__________________Pascale Cook-Fernandes has a multifaceted background aimed at empowering women to discover their clarity and potential. At the heart of her mission is the desire to support women coaches, healers, and speakers, to turn their “PhD” in life into a thriving business. Pascale understands the importance of holistic well-being as she combine’s spiritual insight, coaching expertise and practical business foundations to guide women toward profound transformations.Owner and CEO at Women Finding Clarity, Pascale’s own “PhD” in life includes her coaching certification, Reiki Master, podcast host, a degree in teaching, her 23-year (and counting) marriage and mom to 3 amazing young adults.On her podcast Women Finding Clarity, Pascale hosts women who have used their own inspirational stories and life lessons to create a successful business. Her mission is to “... align, elevate and thrive together, one conversation at a time.”__________________Find Pascale here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/pascale-cook-fernandes-womenfindingclarity https://www.facebook.com/WomenFindingClarity https://www.instagram.com/women_finding_clarity https://www.womenfindingclarity.com/the-7-chakras-of-feminine-business Support the showI’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.

Today, I interview Kadin McElwain, who had significant challenges posed by autism. Diagnosed at the age of two, Kadin's early life was marked by frequent moves due to his father's job and the need for better educational opportunities. Despite these disruptions, Kadin faced severe bullying during middle and high school and the removal of his IEP services, which his parents had to fight to restore. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic brought further challenges, but Kadin found a silver lining in online schooling, which allowed him to concentrate better without the social distractions and bullying, leading to his early graduation in 2022.Through perseverance, therapy, and a supportive family, Kadin has learned to view his autism as a superpower rather than a limitation. His extensive research and the encouragement from his parents helped him embrace his condition, inspired by notable figures who were also on the spectrum. Now a college student, Kadin is studying public relations with aspirations to enter the fields of music or political PR.Kadin's advocacy work focuses on changing perceptions of autism, emphasizing that individuals with autism are capable of great success and deserve opportunities for employment, relationships, and personal growth. He calls for better understanding and support in schools and workplaces and offers himself as a resource for parents and individuals navigating similar paths. Through his journey, Kadin exemplifies resilience and the belief that with the right support and mindset, anyone can achieve a prosperous and fulfilling life.__________________Kadin McElwain is an autistic college student, writer, and activist who is on a mission to spread autism awareness around the world. Throughout his life, he was told he wouldn't amount to anything because he had autism. But time and time again, he proved the naysayers wrong.__________________Find Kadin here:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083352067155 https://www.thesportscol.com/author/kadin-mcelwain/ https://the-art-of-autism.com/top-ten-most-inspiring-people-with-autism/ Support the showI’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.

Today, I interview Angilie Kapoor, who struggled with being bullied as a child. She was an extremely shy and introverted girl who preferred to be alone, afraid of being made fun of for looking different.As the daughter of a military father, Angilie's family moved frequently, forcing her to constantly start over in new places. This made it difficult for her to form lasting friendships. However, it also helped her develop resilience, adaptability, and acceptance that people come in and out of one's life for a reason.In high school, Angilie began branching out, joining activities like cheerleading and student government. She rediscovered her love for writing, which had been nurtured by a teacher. This led her to eventually write three books on mindset and leadership.The breakthrough point came when Angilie started a self-discovery journey during her corporate career, where she realized the importance of mindset and getting to know and accept oneself in order to be an effective leader.Now, Angilie helps individuals like managers, teachers, and parents, as well as companies, to develop conscious leadership programs that integrate empathy, compassion, and the human experience. Her message is to inspire people to get curious about themselves, discover their core values and unique voice, and share their message to help others.__________________Angilie Kapoor is a highly acclaimed leader, author, speaker, and TV show host with over 20 years of experience in healthcare management and leadership. As the founder of Oversight Global, she helps aspiring leaders in the workplace, business, and life become more productive, confident, and effective while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.Angilie shares her invaluable knowledge and insights gained from her extensive background and personal journey through coaching, mentoring, training programs, books, speaking engagements, and her two TV shows. Her mission is to address the global "consciousness crisis" by empowering individuals to tap into their leadership potential and develop the necessary skills and mindset to excel in their roles and make a positive difference in the world.__________________Find Angilie here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oversightglobal1356/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oversightglobal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oversight-global-llc/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angilie-kapoor/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@oversightglobal Author Central: https://www.amazon.com/author/angiliemkapoor Take The Lead TV Show Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TakeTheLeadTVShow Unveil Your Brilliance Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/UnveilYourBrillianceTVShow Free Download: 5 Tips to Designing Your Empowering Morning Routine Guide: https://gift.oversightglobal.com/empowering-morning-routine Support the showI’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.

Today, I interview Jennifer Arthurton, whose childhood was a quest for acceptance and attention within her family. Born in England and raised in the Caribbean, Jennifer's early years were serene until her parents' divorce. Feeling overshadowed by her younger brother, she continually sought approval through conformity and achievement.As Jennifer matured, she excelled academically and pursued a successful corporate career, fulfilling societal expectations. However, nearing her 50s, a midlife crisis struck, prompting her to question the significance of her accomplishments. Despite outward success, she felt unfulfilled and disconnected from her true self.Jennifer's turning point occurred when her life unraveled—divorced, unemployed, and bedridden with stress-related illness. Stripped of her identity, she confronted her vulnerability, realizing she had lived by societal norms rather than her inner voice. Staring at the ceiling, she began asking herself fundamental questions, finally acknowledging the importance of her own voice and intuition.To overcome her struggles, Jennifer embarked on self-exploration, learning to trust her inner voice. She began writing, launching the Old Chicks Know Sh*t blog and podcast to share her journey. By connecting with other midlife women, she found empowerment and purpose and now helps other women navigate their next chapters with confidence and authenticity.__________________Jennifer Arthurton is the founder and creator of Old Chicks Know Sh*t, a community and podcast aimed at inspiring and supporting midlife women in pursuing their dreams and navigating their next chapter. As a former Fortune 500 marketing executive turned midlife mentor, podcast host, writer, and speaker, Jennifer draws from her own experience of surviving a midlife crisis to empower other women.With a passion for helping women uncover their inherent power and wisdom during a time often characterized by doubt and feeling overlooked, Jennifer is an inspirational speaker and leads a community of powerful midlife women crafting their kick-ass next chapter.__________________Find Jennifer here:https://www.instagram.com/oldchicksknowshit/ https://www.facebook.com/oldchicksknowshit/ https://www.oldchicksknowshit.com/ https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/old-chicks-know-sh-t-podcast/id1461186926 Support the showI’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.