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  • Guest Cari Fund
    2025/04/15
    How do you break generational patterns when you had no healthy models to follow?

    In this episode of "Every Soul Has a Story," Dara Levan welcomes Cari Fund, an advocate for women's empowerment and healing from generational trauma. Cari doesn't hold back. From recognizing toxic patterns at just 14 years old to her current work with her Surviving Roots podcast, she shares her journey with narcissistic parents and the difficult decision to establish boundaries. "I took back the f@#$ing pen," she declares, perfectly capturing her determination to rewrite her narrative despite family pressure and societal judgment.

    What happens when motherhood becomes the catalyst for breaking cycles? Cari reveals how parenting her own children forced her to confront and heal childhood wounds. She offers practical insights about setting boundaries, navigating estrangement, and creating healthier family dynamics. This conversation isn't about perfect parenting—it's about making hard choices to end toxic patterns. Through personal examples and unflinching honesty, Cari demonstrates how confronting your past can transform your future and protect the next generation from repeating painful histories.

    Cari Fund is a fearless advocate for breaking toxic generational patterns and women's empowerment. After spending over a decade in the New York City beauty industry and eight years in corporate social media management, she's now channeling her experiences into her memoir and the "Surviving Roots" podcast. Born in West Virginia and raised on a horse ranch, Cari brings authentic grit to her work helping others heal from toxic parenting. With her trademark honesty, she guides women to become the people they were born to be and the parents they never had.

    In This Episode:
    • (00:00) Welcome and introduction to Cari Fund

    • (03:48) The pivotal decision at age 14

    • (06:08) Recognizing covert narcissism as a teenager

    • (11:07) Dealing with judgment around family estrangement

    • (15:18) Past relationship patterns and control mechanisms



    • (17:53) The turning point: choosing herself

    • (22:07) Finding purpose through healing your own story

    • (26:41) Motherhood as a pathway to healing

    • (31:08) Siblings' different responses to toxic upbringing

    • (34:38) Standing firm after reconnection attempts

    • (40:21) Closing thoughts

    • Like and subscribe to hear all of our inspirational episodes!


    Resources:
    Cari Fund
    Surviving Roots Podcast
    Sign up for Dara's Newsletter
    Listen to other podcast episodes Here
    Connect with Dara on Instagram and Facebook
    Visit DaraLevan.com
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    42 分
  • Guest Gila Pfeffer
    2025/04/08

    What happens when the preventative surgery you chose to avoid cancer reveals you already have it?

    In this episode of "Every Soul Has a Story," Dara Levan welcomes author Gila Pfeffer, whose memoir "Nearly Departed" chronicles her journey through losing both parents to cancer at a young age and her own battle with breast cancer. With refreshing candor and signature wit, Gila shares how her Orthodox Jewish identity shaped her experiences and how becoming a mother to four children galvanized her commitment to preventative healthcare - ultimately saving her life when a preventative mastectomy revealed aggressive cancer.

    Weaving together themes of resilience, authentic storytelling, and finding humor in life's darkest moments, Gila reflects on the profound significance of reaching age 50 - making her the first woman in four generations of her family to achieve this milestone. Her powerful metaphor of a broken mug still worth saving resonates deeply as she discusses her advocacy work and how sharing her story has inspired countless women to prioritize breast health. Like the cracked vessel on her book cover - weathered yet still holding precious contents - Gila's narrative embodies the beauty of imperfect survival.

    Gila Pfeffer is a Jewish American humor writer whose memoir "Nearly Departed" chronicles her journey through loss, cancer, and survival with unflinching candor and unexpected hilarity. A fifteen-year breast cancer previvor and survivor, Gila's "Feel It on the First" campaign has directly led to earlier diagnoses for countless women through its tongue-in-cheek reminders about breast health. As an Orthodox Jewish mother of four who underwent preventative mastectomy at 34 only to discover early-stage cancer, Gila's writing - featured in The New York Times, The New Yorker, and McSweeney's - transforms tragedy into empowerment through her signature wit. She splits her time between London, New York City, and Instagram.

    In This Episode:
    • (00:00) Meet Gila Pfeffer: Author of "Nearly Departed"

    • (05:26) "Making fun of something is taking your power back"

    • (08:12) What does authentic branding really mean?

    • (13:07) Breaking the cycle: First to reach 50

    • (19:11) The delicate balance of telling your truth in memoir


    • (23:51) How four children saved their mother's life

    • (29:16) Beyond the pink ribbon: Rethinking breast cancer awareness

    • (34:42) One person at a time: The impact of sharing your story

    • (38:45) The metaphor of the broken mug

    • (39:55) Closing thoughts

    • Like and subscribe to hear all of our inspirational episodes!


    Resources:
    https://www.gilapfeffer.com/
    @GilaPfeffer on Instagram
    Nearly Departed
    Sign up for Dara's Newsletter
    Listen to other podcast episodes Here
    Connect with Dara on Instagram and Facebook
    Visit DaraLevan.com
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    40 分
  • The Unexpected Teachers: Daphne Gregory-Thomas on Learning Life's Hardest Lessons
    2025/02/12
    What if your greatest challenges were actually your most profound teachers?

    In this soul-stirring conversation, educator and writer Daphne Gregory-Thomas weaves together the threads of loss, resilience, and transformation through her journey as an innovative educator, cancer survivor, and storyteller. Her narrative illuminates how life's greatest challenges often become our most profound teachers, from early maternal loss to creating groundbreaking educational programs for students with learning differences, and ultimately facing her own mortality through cancer diagnosis and recovery.

    Through her raw authenticity and deep wisdom, Daphne reveals how staying open to life's lessons - whether they come from students, strangers on New York City streets, or her own healing journey - has shaped her understanding of purpose and meaning. Her story reminds us that every moment holds the potential for transformation if we remain receptive to the teachers who appear in unexpected forms, from classroom students to cancer diagnoses, each offering their unique wisdom for those willing to listen.

    Daphne Gregory-Thomas is an essayist and educational innovator who spent 45 years as a high school educator in the New York/New Jersey area, specializing in programs for students with learning differences. After retiring and overcoming two cancer diagnoses, she became a patient-to-patient volunteer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and discovered her voice as a writer through their Visible Ink program. A passionate advocate for authentic living and self-advocacy, Daphne's work focuses on finding wisdom in life's challenges and staying open to unexpected teachers. Her essays explore resilience, transformation, and the power of sharing our stories.

    In This Episode:

    • (00:00) Introduction to Daphne Gregory-Thomas and her background in education

    • (02:16) Early life experiences and learning from her children as teachers

    • (07:38) Creating an innovative program for students with learning differences


    • (09:29) Impact of student's death and continued advocacy

    • (10:41) The inspiring story of student advocacy and transformation

    • (13:05) Impact of the program over 40 years and breaking educational barriers

    • (15:01) Journey through second cancer diagnosis and life-changing decisions

    • (17:37) Finding strength and wisdom from strangers on New York City streets

    • (19:11) Discovering writing through Visible Ink and service as patient volunteer

    • (21:11) Learning from grandchildren and everyday moments, developing intuition and believing in meaningful connections

    • (24:26) Finding balance and gradual transformation

    • Like and subscribe to hear all of our inspirational episodes!


    Resources:
    Daphne Gregory-Thomas LinkedIn
    Daphne Gregory-Thomas on Instagram
    Daphne Gregory-Thomas on Medium
    Memorial Sloan Kettering Visible Ink writing program

    Sign up for Dara's Newsletter
    Listen to other podcast episodes Here
    Connect with Dara on Instagram and Facebook
    Visit DaraLevan.com

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    27 分
  • Guest Sheila Athens
    2025/01/15
    In what ways did author Sheila Athens transform her personal grief into a powerful source of resilience and creativity, leading to the release of her third novel?

    In this episode of "Every Soul Has a Story," host Dara Levan welcomes novelist Sheila Athens to share her inspiring journey from a corporate HR executive to a successful author. Sheila recounts her early passion for writing, which was reignited in her 40s after a serendipitous NPR ad and the support of her husband. Sheila's HR background had quite an impact on her storytelling, offering a unique perspective on human behavior that now enriches her narratives. Sheila opens up about navigating the grief of losing her husband and soulmate to cancer, finding resilience through writing and the support of a vibrant women’s writing (and hiking!) community. Her experiences highlight the importance of maintaining work-life balance and remaining open to life's serendipitous messages. With her third novel on the horizon, Sheila's story is a testament to the transformative power of storytelling and the courage to follow one's creative calling.

    Sheila Athens writes smart fiction set where the South meets the Sunshine State. Her stories are about women navigating internal and external battles to find peace. Her stories resonate with readers who believe in everyday heroes making a difference. After growing up in the Ozarks, Sheila relocated to Northeast Florida, where she now enjoys life living near her two grown sons. From a career in corporate HR, she gained deep insights into human nature, which fuels her writing. A feminist, nature lover, and audiobook enthusiast, Sheila is also discovering the joys of cooking while embracing a quiet life of writing and reflection.

    In This Episode:
    • (00:00) Sheila’s path from an HR career in corporate America to novelist
    • (03:15) Career shift from journalism to business, HR career and human behavior insights, a supportive spouse and NPR ad inspiring a writing career, moving to Florida
    • (11:51) Grieving her husband’s death and finding resilience, writing and community support during personal grief, creativity and planning life after loss
    • (19:00) A family of men and boys, value of female friendships and writing community
    • (23:30) Neena Lee is Seeing Things: the novel's unique premise, Cumberland Island, the Carnegies and Kennedys
    • (28:15) Signs, synchronicities and messages, closing thoughts
    • Like and subscribe to hear all of our inspirational episodes!
    Resources:
    www.SheilaAthens.com
    We Should All Be Millionaires
    Jennie NashSign up for Dara's Newsletter
    Listen to other podcast episodes Here
    Connect with Dara on Instagram and FacebookVisit DaraLevan.com
    Visit DaraLevan.com
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    27 分
  • Guest Emily Bleeker
    2024/12/17
    Why is the fight against book banning so crucial for maintaining diverse viewpoints, and how can literature empower us to embrace empathy and understanding?

    In this episode of "Every Soul Has a Story," host Dara Levan welcomes bestselling author Emily Bleeker. This episode is a must-listen for writers and book enthusiasts as it delves into the art of weaving historical truths into fiction, a technique brilliantly showcased in Bleeker's latest novel, "Once We Were Enemies," inspired by her grandmother's wartime experiences. You’ll hear Bleker and Levan offer a critical examination of media bias, and advocate for open access to diverse perspectives, especially amid book-banning controversies in places like Florida. Emily shares her own journey from a conservative upbringing to embracing diversity, largely influenced by her children's identities. Through heartfelt exchanges, this episode emphasizes the value of perseverance and the profound impact of empathy and connection in personal and collective transformation. It's a rich narrative tapestry that resonates deeply with those passionate about the written word and its power to change lives.

    Emily Bleeker is a Wall Street Journal and Amazon Charts bestselling author of seven novels. Combined, her books have reached over two million readers and counting. When she’s not writing or mom-ing, Emily performs on the house team of a local improv group in suburban Chicago where she lives with her husband, kids and kitten muse, Hazel.

    In This Episode:
    • (00:00) Emily’s fiction has been inspired at times by mysterious and exciting family anecdotes, blending fact and emotion, discussing today’s parallels to WWII, and the power of firsthand experience
    • (08:09) Exploring bias and truth in media, fiction vs. nonfiction story, media literacy and book banning, humanitarian implications
    • (12:20) Changing perspectives through empathy, being a parent of non-binary and LGBTQ+ children, book banning and religious programming
    • (17:23) Emily’s journey to embracing diversity and personal growth, divorce, conservative beliefs and family history, grace and openness
    • (25:00) Challenges and rewards of pursuing difficult but meaningful paths, perseverance and personal growth
    • Like and subscribe to hear all of our inspirational episodes!
    Resources:
    https://emilybleeker.com/
    Sign up for Dara's Newsletter
    Listen to other podcast episodes Here
    Connect with Dara on Instagram and Facebook
    Visit DaraLevan.com
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    26 分
  • Guest Sarahlyn Bruck
    2024/12/09
    How did author and writing teacher Sarahlyn Bruck’s journey through unexpected twists and turns in the publishing world lead to her ultimate success as an author?

    Today host Dara Levan welcomes Sarahlyn Bruck to discuss the intricate paths of the publishing world. Sarahlyn’s setbacks, and ultimate success, reveal her belief in the power of perseverance and the crucial role of timing in the industry. Sarahlyn candidly shares her experiences with various publishing houses and the significance of persistence. You’ll hear her views on feedback and encouragement as a writer, the intersection of writing and past careers, and the mental health benefits of running. With an emphasis on authenticity and positive reinforcement, Sarahlyn and Dara explore the transformative nature of writing and the vital support needed in creative endeavors. With heartfelt anecdotes and insights, this episode is a celebration of creative evolution and the enduring belief in oneself.

    Sarahlyn Bruck writes contemporary, book club fiction—slice-of-life stories with heart and humor centered on friendships and family. She is the award-winning author of three novels: Light of the Fire (2024), Daytime Drama (2021), and Designer You (2018). Sarahlyn lives in Philadelphia with her family and is a full-time writing and literature professor at a local community college.

    In This Episode:
    • (00:00) Intro to author Sarahlyn Bruck - perseverance, timing, and the lessons learned from agent feedback, challenges of finding an agent
    • (09:34) Receiving feedback, balancing criticism with positive reinforcement, the crossover between storytelling and math
    • (14:00) Running and walking for mental and physical health, exercise myths
    • (18:00) “No bad kids” and enjoying your children’s vibes and evolution
    • (20:40) The evolution of the Every Soul podcast, (celebrating four years!)
    • (22:35) Transforming personally before, during, and after writing a book, the Pitch Wars experience
    • (27:05) Artists and the encouragement from loved ones, the importance of someone believing in your talents
    • (31:00) Closing thoughts, how to get in touch with Sarahlyn
    • Like and subscribe to hear all of our inspirational episodes!
    Resources:
    Sarahlyn Bruck
    Sarahlyn Bruck Links
    Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky at @sarahlynbruck
    Pitch Wars Comes to an End
    Sign up for Dara's Newsletter
    Listen to other podcast episodes Here
    Connect with Dara on Instagram and Facebook
    Visit DaraLevan.com
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    29 分
  • Guest Andra Watkins
    2024/10/16
    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 分
  • What I’ve Learned About Life and More Since My Book Launch!
    2024/09/25
    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 open up 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 the esteemed Brad Meltzer introduced me, marking my official entry into the literary world.

    Celebrating the power of connection, I dedicate a substantial part of this episode to the meaningful exchanges I've had with listeners and readers through social media. Whether it's Instagram, Facebook, my website, or email, your messages and stories are a vital part of this journey. I promise to respond to each one, as these interactions bring immense joy and foster our vibrant community. Tune in to uncover more about my ongoing work on my second book and the essential 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 Brad Meltzer introduced her
    • The importance of communication and maintaining integrity and kindness 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
    • The significance that every reader has
    • Personal stories of meaningful interactions at book events
    • The importance of listening to one's body and setting boundaries as acts of self-love and respect for others


    Resources:
    Dara Levan
    Dara on Instagram
    Dara on Substack
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    12 分