Every Soul Has A Story

By: Dara Levan
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  • Summary

  • Every Soul Has A Story Hosted By Dara Levan
    Copyright Dara Levan
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Biographies & Memoirs Social Sciences
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Episodes
  • Guest Andra Watkins

    Guest Andra Watkins
    Oct 16 2024
    We all live with the possibility that we won’t wake up one day, but not everyone is consciously aware of that fact. Today’s guest lives with a daily reminder of her mortality. In today’s episode, you’ll hear from Andra Watkins, a New York Times bestselling author known for her captivating writing and soul-stirring speeches. Andra, who has navigated the waves of adversity with unwavering resilience and turned her life into an adventurous journey, offered us an enlightening conversation about life, growth, and self-discovery.

    Andra discusses her challenging circumstances and the path she’s forged. She was diagnosed with a chronic parasitic illness that led to partial blindness and grappled with family dysfunction; yet, she chose not to let these issues define her life. Listen to the episode to hear what she has to say about her medical challenges, the manipulative dynamics within her family, empathy, and her pursuit of self-discovery, acceptance, and personal growth.

    Topics Discussed in This Episode

    ● Discussion on Andra's life-changing diagnosis and its impact on her life’s perspective
    ● Andra's pursuit of adventure and exploration
    ● Deep dive into Andra's past and the dynamics of her family
    ● Andra's experiences with gaslighting, manipulation, and narcisstic personality disorder
    ● Importance of compassion and empathy in dealing
    ● Conversation on Andra's struggles with setting boundaries, particularly with her mother
    ● Loving family members from a distance and estrangement
    ● Discussion on Andra's journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and personal growth
    ● Exploration of how adversities shape our identities
    ● Reflection on finding blessings in challenging situations

    Resources
    Andra Watkins
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    30 mins
  • What I’ve Learned About Life and More Since My Book Launch!

    What I’ve Learned About Life and More Since My Book Launch!
    Sep 25 2024
    Bringing my first book to life felt like an emotional adventure akin to childbirth—filled with excitement, challenges, and profound self-discovery. In this heartfelt solo episode of "Every Soul Has a Story", I share about the intense journey of editing, revising, and ultimately letting go of my "book baby". With poignant advice from a dear friend guiding me, I reflect on the incredible personal and professional growth I’ve experienced over the past six months. A highlight I cherish deeply is the warmth and acceptance I felt at my initial big book event in Miami, where my friend, Brad Meltzer, introduced me.

    Celebrating the power of connection, I dedicate a substantial part of this episode to the meaningful exchanges I've had with listeners and readers. Whether it's Instagram, Facebook, my website, or email, your messages and stories are a vital part of this journey. I respond to each one—these interactions bring immense joy and foster our vibrant community. Tune in to learn more about my ongoing work on my second book and the lessons learned, all while navigating the often tumultuous path with integrity and kindness.

    Topics Discussed in This Episode:
    • The exhilarating and challenging journey of publishing a first book
    • Reflections on valuable advice from a friend about letting go once a book is published
    • A memorable moment at Dara’s first big book event in Miami, where her friend, Brad Meltzer, introduced her
    • The importance of kind communication and maintaining integrity while navigating challenges
    • The role of social media in connecting with listeners and readers
    • Dara’s ongoing work on her second book and the lessons learned from her first book's journey
    • Insights on protecting oneself emotionally and professionally, including setting boundaries and recognizing the importance of community support
    • Advice on being open to helping others with communication challenges and maintaining high standards
    • Every reader matters. It’s important to take the time and listen
    • Personal stories of meaningful interactions at book events
    • The importance of listening to one's body and setting boundaries
    Resources:
    Dara Levan
    Dara on Instagram
    Dara on Substack
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    12 mins
  • Guest Katie Rose Pryal

    Guest Katie Rose Pryal
    Sep 11 2024
    What does it mean to receive an autism diagnosis in your 40s? Today’s guest, Katie Rose Guest Pryal, J.D., Ph.D., shares her unique journey of navigating life with a late autism diagnosis—an experience surprisingly common, particularly among women. Katie is an accomplished author, mental health advocate, professor, and mother who brings a rich blend of personal and professional expertise to the conversation. Diagnosed with both bipolar disorder and autism, she has become a powerful voice in the mental health and neurodiversity communities. Katie has authored several influential books, including A Light in the Tower: A New Reckoning with Mental Health in Higher Education and Even If You’re Broken: Bodies, Boundaries, and Mental Health, both of which have won prestigious awards. Her newest work, Parenting Neurodiversity: An Insider’s Companion, is forthcoming from Johns Hopkins University Press and provides a firsthand perspective on raising neurodivergent children. She is also an author of fiction books, including The Hollywood Lights Series.

    In addition to her writing, Katie is a sought-after keynote speaker and educator who draws on her academic and lived experiences to shed light on mental health, disability, and neurodiversity. As an adjunct professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she combines her academic background with her passion for advocacy, frequently contributing to national publications like The Chronicle of Higher Education and Psychology Today. In this episode, Katie talks candidly about the intersection of gender, identity, and neurodivergence, drawing from her experiences growing up in the 1980s, navigating societal expectations, and parenting a neurodiverse child. Katie also delves into her work within the equestrian world, where she founded the NeuroEq show team to promote awareness and accommodation for neurodivergent riders. Join us as we explore the complexities of autism, neurodiversity, and identity through the lens of Katie's remarkable journey, learning from her insights into how we can all better understand and support neurodivergent individuals in every aspect of life.

    Topics Discussed in This Episode

    • Katie's journey of receiving an autism diagnosis in her 40s and the high rate of undiagnosed autistic women and girls

    • The high rates of non-binary and queer identification within the autistic community and their vulnerability

    • Katie's reflection on her upbringing as an autistic girl in the 80s and the struggle to conform to societal norms

    • The intersection between gender identity and neurodivergence

    • Parenting a neurodivergent child with comorbidities and its impact on family dynamics

    • The influence of Katie's own diagnoses on her treatment compliance

    • The importance of incorporating neurodivergent characters in fiction and how Katie's books reflect neurodiversity

    • The effort to raise awareness and gain accommodations for neurodivergent individuals in the equestrian world


    Resources


    Katie Rose Pryal
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    39 mins

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