Open Heart Raw Story

Interview with Relationship Expert- Genesis Games  Season Finale We've heard from four amazing and beloved couples and now we are at the season finale of Open Heart Raw Story. I couldn't be more excited to close out this season with a top-tier relationship expert - Genesis Games. Genesis is a Licensed Mental Counselor with a Masters in Mental Health Counseling from University of Central Florida. She is also certified in Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy from the University of Central Florida. She’s also a trained level 3 Couples Therapist from the esteemed Gottman Institute and has a specialty in phototherapy techniques. In this episode, Genesis and I talk in detail about what makes a relationship work, the key taboos we need to dismantle in relationships, the common relationship problems couples seek help for, and advice Genesis provides for singles, those who are dating, and folks in new relationships. You'll also get to hear about my dating and relationship experiences and how this conversation has helped me practice a better way to date and eventually be a great partner in my next relationship.

The Story of Rob and Christina Rodriguez  "The Altruists"  Excited to bring a return guest on the show from Season 1, Episode 2, one of which makes up one-half of a couple who have been together for over 15 years - Rob and Christina Rodriguez. Labeling them as the Altruists, this episode will explore the full story of how Rob and Christina met and how both have dedicated their lives to helping others, Rob as the triathlete, motivational speaker, U.S. Amputee Soccer player, disability advocate and founder of non-profit Limb Possible, and Christina as a phenomenal nurse who served on the front line during the most gut-wrenching, life-threatening times in our world's history - COVID-19. They will also talk about why people need to break the taboo of getting married after kids and how they are parenting their two amazing children. Most importantly, Rob and Christina discuss how they create a supportive and loving partnership and work individually and together to bring their best selves to life and their relationship.

The Love Story of Michael and Angela Booker "The Legendaries"  There is no better way to kick off this season than to launch with a banger. I'm thrilled to present the love story of Mr. Michael and Mrs. Angela Booker. Mr. and Mrs. Booker have shared a powerful, enduring love for over 40 years, having met in high school. Michael and Angela began dating shortly after their initial meeting, and from day one, they became life partners. Tune in to tomorrow's episode to hear the full story of how they met, why Mr. Booker asked Mrs. Booker twice for her hand in marriage, how they broke generational cycles and navigated individual challenges with each other's support. They also discuss how they took on roles as parents of three children and consistently strengthened their relationship through communication, support, and a unified bond. Additionally, they share valuable insights on how couples can sustain a strong, enduring, and healthy relationship.

SEASON 2: EP. 10 Story of Davon Livingston  Theme: The Gift of Grace  On this episode, Jennifer interviews someone who she considers is motivation in a bottle, Davon Livingston.  Davon is the CEO & Founder of Lose-N-Tone Total Body Sculpting & Nutrition with over 14 years of experience. He is also a wellness coach and entrepreneur who is helping other trainers scale their businesses. On this episode, Davon talks openly about his childhood growing up in a hardworking working-class family, how he navigated his parents’ divorce and his younger brother’s obstacles to cope with the divorce. And how he found his purpose through fitness, helping his clients along with his community to live better lives both physically and mentally all while being an advocate for therapy, deep introspection and balance. This episode concludes with a guided meditation focused on the theme of this episode 

SEASON 2: EP. 9 Story of Shelly Omi Bell  Theme: Confidence is Your Superpower On this episode, Jennifer interviews the multi-hyphenated powerhouse, Shelly Omi Bell.  Shelly is a system disruptor, business strategist, serial entrepreneur and computer scientist with a background in K-12 Education and IP Strategy. She specializes in helping Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurs, and executives turn great ideas into disruptive strategies to increase revenue. She was named as one of the Top 100 Powerful Women in Business by Entrepreneur Magazine. In addition to her professional career, she is also the founder and CEO of Black Girl Ventures Foundation, a social enterprise that transforms entrepreneurship by reimagining the way black and brown women founders get access to financial and social capital. Shelly talks about her childhood, growing up with a big imagination, with her family in North Carolina, navigating being a mom of two in her younger years and stepping out on faith and determination to start her own business and help other entrepreneurs especially women to find community, support and advice to help their business dreams come true. This episode concludes with a guided meditation focused on the theme of the episode.

SEASON 2: EP. 8 Story of Pam Concannon  THEME: Don't Discount Your Truth  On this episode, Jennifer interview someone who is the true definition of living your best life by serving others, Pam Concannon.  Pam is a bomb-ass yoga teacher with 5+ years of teaching experience, while being a full-time corporate finance professional. She has also dedicated her life to service, leading over 25 volunteer projects a year ranging from assembling baskets for underserved mothers for Mother’s Day to assembling backpacks full of school supplies for low-income students and even teaches a donation-based class with proceeds going to United We Om. She also participated in a mentorship program for Hope for Youth focused on STEAM for the youth ages 15-20 who are in foster care. Pam talks candidly about her childhood growing up, experiencing grief with the loss of her mother and middle sister and how she found her purpose through the pain by giving back, volunteering and becoming a yoga teacher.  This episode concludes with a guided meditation focused on the theme of the episode 

SEASON 2: EP. 4 Story of Ebone Woods Theme: Your Intuition is Your Best Guide  On this episode, Jennifer interviews well-accomplished attorney for the U.S Department of Education in the Civil Rights Department and her soul-sister Ebone Woods.  For the first time, Ebone publicly discusses her childhood, growing up in a single-family home, being a victim of molestation by her step brother and how she reached a place of self-love, deep healing, and finding her purpose to be the voice of the voiceless for children both in her career and her personal life.  This episode concludes with a guided meditation focused on the theme of the interview. 

SEASON 2: EP. 6  Story of Morgan Brittani  Theme: Joy is Your Birthright  In this episode, Jennifer interviews one of the joyful people she's ever met, Morgan Brittani  Morgan is the founder and CEO of Joyday, an organization built to help people find joy in their daily lives by promoting positive mental health. This organization has partnered with brands such as Bumble, Base Butter, and Just Works to provide therapy-led healing sessions to help people cope with racial injustices, COVID-19, and dating to help them find their inner joy since the beginning of the pandemic. She is also a creative storyteller, designer, public speaker, movie blogger and entrepreneur and all around bad-ass boss in my opinion. In a heartwarming account, Morgan talks about growing up in the suburbs as a young black girl, experiencing moments of depression and grief and how she navigated all of those moments to create JOYDAY and step into the joyful self she has become known to be. The episode ends with a guided meditation focusing on the theme of the show. 

SEASON 2: EP. 3  Story of Jasmine Colon Theme: It is Better to Belong Than To Fit In On the episode, Jennifer interviews someone who is walking happiness and joy, Jasmine Colon  Jasmine is a certified Zumba teacher, group fitness instructor with an AFFA Aerobic and Fitness certification as well as a health and wellness coach with a personal training certification from ACE (American Council of Exercise). For the first time, Jasmine openly discusses her childhood, growing up in Florida, overcoming the struggles of an eating disorder, finding the strength to leave a relationship and through her unwavering faith in God, has stepped into her power and inspiring and helping others to find their happiness and positive mindset as a fitness coach and Zumba instructor.  This episode concludes with a guided meditation focused on the theme of the episode. 

SEASON 2: EP. 2 Story of Anthony Anderson  Theme: Life is About Purpose and Progress  On this episode, Jennifer interviews someone who she admires for his strong musical talent, Anthony Anderson.  Anthony is a musician, drummer and tastemaker with followers that stretch the entire globe. He is also a proud Bronx native. For the first time, Anthony openly discusses his childhood, growing up in The Bronx, being one of 19 children, with parents who both battled with drugs and alcohol. Anthony further talks about how he found drumming and learned ways to cope and rise above his struggles through music and is now focused on spreading his music and positive influence on the world especially the youth as a solo artist. This podcast episode concludes with a guided meditation focused on the theme on the episode. 

SEASON 2 EP. 1 Story of Kevin Walton (Source Radiance)  Theme: Answer the Call to Evolve  On this episode, Jennifer interviews a person who is inspiring people to step into their most authentic expression of themselves, Kevin Walton aka Source Radiance. Kevin Walton, Source Radiance is an international Transformation Specialist, Spiritual Advisor, Activational Speaker, Empowerment Coach, Writer, and Entertainer. You can see his acting chops playing Aaron on Tyler Perry’s "Sistas." He is the creator of The Light Beings Community, a unifying collective dedicated to oneness, exploration, and love. He has also worked heavily with organizations such Sacred Sons, help men grow and awaken to their true power and Modern Om. Kevin openly shares his story, discussing his parents and what his father experienced as a child losing his father, his childhood and growing up biracial and how he at an early age, was getting signs and messages from the Universe and how he stepped into his power to not only accept his gifts but took those gifts to help people tap into their authentic and fullest expression of themselves. This episode concludes with a guided meditation focused on the theme of this episode. 

SEASON 1: EP. 8 Story of Dr. Ryan  Theme: You Can Always Break Cycles  On this episode, Jennifer interviews a person who is a phoenix in many rights and one of the most energetic, upbeat people in the world, Dr. Ryan Dr. Ryan is a leading chiropractor on Long Island, owner of Body by Design, author of "The Headache Hack" and owner of a coaching and consultancy company. Through his experience in clinical practice, he has understood the importance of whole body healing.  For the first time, Dr. Ryan openly shares his story of his childhood, growing up with an alcoholic mother and a father who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Despite his volatile upbringing, Dr. Ryan was divinely led to transform his life, alchemizing his pain into purpose, to become a chiropractor that specializes in healing the whole person and helping people reach their full potential through his consultancy business.  This podcast episode concludes with a guided meditation focused on the theme of the episode. 

SEASON 1: EP. 7 Story of Ashley Brantley THEME: Your Soul is Always Speaking to You On this episode, Jennifer interviews a person who is kindness and warmth personified, Ashley Brantley Ashley is a yoga teacher, entrepreneur, healer and proud owner of Divine Self Rituals, a handmade/homemade skincare line that honors inner radiance from the inside out using simple, ethically sourced ingredients. For the first time, Ashley publicly shares her inspiring and powerful story on how she elevated herself above her struggles; growing up with auditory processing and short-term learning disabilities, as well as severe allergies, to living in a homeless shelter with her mom and sister. Taking all of those hardships, Ashley bravely and graciously carved her own path to become the owner and creator of her own clean skincare line, Divine Self Rituals. Ashley is major force to be reckoned with who leads with grace and compassion. The podcast concludes with a guided meditation focused on the theme of the episode.

SEASON 1: EP. 6 Story of Timmy Perez  THEME: There is Power in Community On this episode, Jennifer interviews a talented and joyful being who is a human confetti machine, Timmy Perez aka Elio Quest. Timmy is a a world-renowned musician who has performed with Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera and Rihanna. He is also the founder of Noso, a company specializing in ATM deployment nationwide for bank development. He is also the proud father of two sons, and making his solo music debut as Elio Quest. Timmy shares his inspiring story for the first time publicly; growing up in the church, touring as a drummer with famous pop stars and having a thriving high school football career as the lead quarterback. He also rawly shares the one night as a young teen that changed the rest of his life,  causing him to serve time in jail and work towards rehabilitating himself mentally, emotionally and spiritually to step into a better life for himself and his sons.  This podcast concludes with a guided meditation focused on the theme of the episode. 

SEASON 1: EP. 5 Story of Jose Bermudez THEME: Lean into Blind Faith and Be Rooted In Possibility  On this episode, Jennifer interviews a person who is the purest definition of resilience, Jose Bermudez  Jose is one of the lead project managers for one of the top Energy Efficiency companies in the country. He is also part of a team that is building a Diversity & Inclusion sector at his company that is striving to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is a reflex, not an initiative. For the first time, Jose publicly shares his powerful and inspiring story starting with his upbringing, a son to a young mother, living in a shelter and directly interfacing and overcoming hardships on a daily basis. He also tells his courageous story of how one moment changed the trajectory of his life to break his generational cycle and move on to attain a MBA and work as a project manager for the country’s largest energy efficiency companies. Jose also beautifully shares how he is raising his precious son Noah who is autistic. The podcast concludes with a guided meditation focused on the theme of the episode.

SEASON 1: EP 4 Story of Christine Gutierrez THEME: When You Heal Yourself, You Can Heal the World On this episode, Jennifer interviews a person who puts the “D” in Diosa, which stands for Goddess, Christine Gutierrez Christine is a Latina licensed psychotherapist, life coach, and expert in love addiction, trauma, abuse and self-esteem. She is the author of the book "I Am Diosa: A Journey to Healing Deep, Loving Yourself, and Coming Back Home to Soul" and founder of Diosahood, a global community where like-hearted women gather to heal, inspire one another, and collaborate.  Christine openly shares her story starting with childhood that was filled with love and abuse, the ways she recognized her patterns and behaviors were taking her away from her true and higher self and the new paths she took to heal and love all the parts of herself and in turn, create communities for women of color to heal, grow, and love themselves back to their wholeness.  The episode concludes with a guided meditation focused on the theme of the episode. 

SEASON 1: EP. 3 The Story of Bec Gathmann-Landini THEME: The Power of Community can Inspire You to Heal  On this episode, host Jennifer interviews a friend, yoga teacher powerhouse and all-around bad-ass force of a woman, Bec Gathmann-Landini Bec is a master yoga teacher, doula, and owner of Luna and Soul Yoga Collective that brings together teachers and healers who are dedicated to offering practices that are inclusive, affirming and supportive. She is also a wife to her partner Lauren and mother to two beautiful sons. Bec vulnerably shares her journey with mental health, the pivotal steps she took to cope and courageously heal herself and how she arrived at the space to help guide people to heal themselves through yoga and activism as the owner of Luna and Soul Yoga Collective.  The podcast concludes with a guided meditation surrounding the theme of the episode. 

SEASON 1: EP. 2 The Story of Rob Rodriguez THEME: Step Into the Whole of Who You Are  On this episode, host Jennifer interviews a friend, an inspiration and warrior in his own right, Rob Rodriguez.  Rob is a triathlete, motivational speaker, U.S. Amputee Soccer Player, Former Participant on American Ninja Warrior, Emmy Nominee, disability advocate and founder of Limb Possible, a non-profit providing prosthetic legs to underprivileged amputees. He is also a husband and a father to two children. Rob share all the details of his life, navigating his earlier years as a child growing up with a prosthetic leg, moving from place to place, to reaching a pivotal point in his life to break a cycle, stepping into the whole of who he is and reaching exceptional heights of success both professionally and personally all while giving back and helping others. The podcast concludes with a guided meditation surrounding the theme of the episode.

SEASON 1: EP. 1 THEME: You Are More Than Your Tragedy and Let Your Tragedy Be Your Testimony On this inaugural episode of Open Heart Raw Story, host Jennifer shares her raw and honest story, where she talks about her childhood growing up in Queens, New York, the unexpected hardships and loss that truly shook her to her core and the key moments in her life, such as becoming a yoga teacher, that positively shifted everything for her to help her arrive at the person she is today.  The episode concludes with a Quick to the Heart Fire-round questions and a guided meditation narrated by Jennifer Myers  Trigger Warnings: This episode mentions death, violence, divorce and trauma  About Open Heart Raw Story:  Open Heart Raw Story is a podcast spotlighting the raw, honest stories of everyday people leading extraordinary lives. Hosted by Jennifer Myers, this weekly podcast features guests discussing and openly disclosing their challenges and traumas along with the pivotal shifts they made to transform their lives, step into their power and inspire the lives of others. These are the stories that epitomize the hero's journey and stand as living proof that deep healing and transformations are possible.

Welcome to the trailer of Open Heart, Raw Story, The Podcast.  Where we spotlight the raw, honest stories of everyday people leading extraordinary lives. Tune in weekly where you will hear our guests discuss their challenges, traumas and the pivotal shifts they made to transform their lives, step into their power and inspire the lives of others. Please subscribe, listen and share