In the wake of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, so many of us are grappling with a whirlwind of emotions. This week’s podcast episode takes a look at the feelings of shock, betrayal, and uncertainty that have emerged for so many Americans. It's a raw and heartfelt discussion aimed at making sense of heavy hearts and troubled minds.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The emotional rollercoaster that comes with this pivotal moment in our history
• The importance of empathy and community support
• The importance of remembering that our feelings and needs are going to shift as things evolve
• The broader implications for various communities, including statistical proof of increased online and in-person harassment women are already facing

We also cover:

• Ways to stand together in solidarity
• Maintaining hope and resilience in the face of adversity
• Learning from the struggles marginalized groups have faced throughout history
• The importance of creating safe spaces and communities
• Asking people what they need instead of making assumptions
• Examples of the types of help people from marginalized might need
• What to do if a government or our neighbors aren't providing us with the safety and human rights we need and deserve

Tune in to this episode for a compassionate and thought-provoking discussion that encourages us to stay connected and supportive of each other -- so we can also empower each other during these challenging times.

In the meantime, I can't thank you enough for being a part of the From Lemons to Limoncello community.

This episode is a FULL EPISODE, with a runtime off approximately 40 minutes.

More About Lisa Marie:

To learn more about Lisa Marie, send her a message, or subscribe for more content, visit her website at: www.lisamarieconnections.com.

Follow her on Instagram: @lisamarieconnections

AFTER THE EPISODE:

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Please consider sharing it with them!

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Want to reach out to Lisa Marie, suggest a podcast topic, or know a guest she should interview?

Connect with her, at: www.lisamarieconnections.com/connect

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Alex Poppe, a business analyst turned actress, turned humanitarian aide volunteer, and now strategic communications advisor for USAID’s Democracy Delivers initiative. An award-winning author, she's written four powerful books, featuring fierce and funny women who overcome trauma and violence.

Alex’s diverse and eventful career has taken her to places like Northern Iraq, the West Bank, Turkey, and beyond. Driven by a passion for women’s issues, her experiences have inspired her to tell stories that shed light on the global struggles women face daily.

Episode Highlights:

• The Reality of War for Women: We talk about the harsh realities faced by women in war zones—from physical and verbal abuse to their lack of access to basic resources—and the injustices they suffer in addition to the brutalities of war itself.

• Empathy and Compassion in Adversity: We discuss the incredible capacity of people who have suffered the most to find joy, love, and resilience.

• Inspiration Behind the Stories: Alex’s discusses some of the real-life incidents and people that inspired her books.

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• Women’s Rights: We talk about women’s universal struggle for dignity and justice, regardless of race, color, sexual orientation, or nationality.

• Cultural Differences and Common Humanity: We share how understanding varying cultural values can connection and understanding — and how differing cultural views aren’t right or wrong, unless they harm, demean, or devalue lives.

• Reproductive Rights: The episode also covers the concerns about reproductive rights.

• Common Ground for Gender Protection Laws: We discuss the importance of fostering empathy when we can't agree on common values, so we can find common ground around discussing universal gender protection laws.

• Alex’s Writing Process: Alex talks about how her unique experiences as an actress and humanitarian aid have influenced her writing process.

• Why What Happens in One Part of the World Impacts Us All: We have a candid discussion about how the fate of women in one region affects the fate of women everywhere. We also explore how perpetuating injustice can create new generations of people seeking retribution, highlighting the interconnectedness of our global community.

Don’t miss this insightful episode of From Lemons to Limoncello. Join us as we explore the challenges, strength and resilience of women everywhere.

*Warning: This episode discusses violence against women. If this subject is triggering for you, please feel free to skip this episode and we'll see you next week.

More About Alex Poppe:

To learn more about Alex or her books, visit: https://alexpoppe.com/

To watch the interview with Fazila that Lisa Marie mentioned during the episode (Lisa Marie's "Food for Thought" series featuring immigrants and refugees), visit: https://www.lisamarieconnections.com/food-for-thought

More About Lisa Marie:

To learn more about Lisa Marie, send her a message, or subscribe for more content, visit her website at: www.lisamarieconnections.com.

Follow her on Instagram: @lisamarieconnections

AFTER THE EPISODE:

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Navigating relationships can be challenging, especially when dealing with someone who drains your emotional energy. These “relationship vampires” can leave you feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and insecure. They might be partners, friends, coworkers, or family members who manipulate, guilt, or gaslight you into prioritizing their needs over your own. Whether their behavior is intentional or not, it can take a real toll on your mental and emotional well-being.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Recognizing the signs of relationship vampires (also called emotional vampires)
• Understanding their manipulative behaviors
• The emotional toll these toxic relationships take
• The importance of identifying these patterns to protect your energy and well-being

We also cover:

• Some classic behaviors relationship vampires exhibit
• How to respond to their behavior (put away your garlic and wooden stakes, people; they’re not that kind of vampire ;)
• The importance of setting boundaries
• Remembering to prioritize your own needs
• Ways to break the cycle victims of these types of relationships might not even be aware that they’re in.

If you’re in a relationship with someone who leaves you feeling overly obligated, drained, diminished, anxious, and insecure — if you’re ready to reclaim your energy and protect your emotional health, or you just need some validation that something in your relationship just isn’t right — this episode is a must-listen. I hope you’ll join us for some helpful tips on stepping out of your relationship vampire’s dark lair and back into a sunlit, happier, more balanced life.

This episode is a Sunday Shot: a short and sweet solo episode with a runtime of approximately 10 - 20 minutes.

More About Lisa Marie:

To learn more about Lisa Marie, send her a message, or subscribe for more content, visit her website at: www.lisamarieconnections.com.

Follow her on Instagram: @lisamarieconnections

AFTER THE EPISODE:

Love the podcast?

Please rate the show and leave a review!

Know someone who would benefit from hearing this episode?

Please consider sharing it with them!

Want more content?

Visit Lisa Marie's website (see above).

Want to reach out to Lisa Marie, suggest a podcast topic, or know a guest she should interview?

Connect with her, at: www.lisamarieconnections.com/connect

We all want to feel confident in our own skin, don’t we? To express ourselves freely, to feel good in the clothes we wear, and to walk into a room and own it with confidence. But that’s easier said than done when the images we’re bombarded with daily don’t reflect who we are or what we look like.

In today’s episode, we’re diving into a topic that affects so many of us: the way we feel about the way we look — and how that feeling impacts the way we show up in the world. Whether it’s due to unrealistic media standards, personal insecurities, past criticisms from others, or societal pressures, there are countless reasons why people struggle with their self-image. That struggle doesn’t just affect how we see ourselves in the mirror; it can also limit our self-expression and confidence, which further impacts our personal and professional lives.

But what if there was a way to break free from those limitations?

We all know people who defy media standards and radiate confidence and personal expression wherever they are. Where does this confidence come from? And is it something we can all tap into? Today’s guest, Rhoda Johnson, says we can.

Rhoda Johnson isn’t just any Image Brand Strategist—she’s Hollywood-trained, with a résumé that reads like a who’s who of celebrity clients, from Stevie Wonder to Nikki Taylor, from Joe Theismann to Thandeka Tutu-Gxashe, daughter of Bishop Desmond Tutu. What makes Rhoda’s approach unique is her belief that true confidence doesn’t start with a makeover or a new wardrobe. It starts with self-care and a bit of neuroscience. Her mission goes beyond appearances; she’s on a journey to help people reclaim their confidence as a birthright.

I had the pleasure of meeting Rhoda a few months ago at a business conference and, let me tell you, her positive energy is contagious. She’s a brand image consultant, a makeup artist and jewelry designer, and the powerhouse behind Rhoda Design Group, and she’s here to share how we can all find unshakeable confidence within ourselves. I’m thrilled to bring you this heartwarming and inspiring conversation with Rhoda Johnson.

More About Rhoda Johnson:

To learn more about Rhoda, visit her website at: ⁠www.rhodadesigngroup.com or connect with her on LinkedIn.

More About Lisa Marie:

To learn more about Lisa Marie, send her a message, connect with her on social, or subscribe for more content, visit her website at: www.lisamarieconnections.com.

AFTER THE EPISODE:

Love the podcast?

Please rate the show and leave a review!

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Want more content?

Visit Lisa Marie's website for more blog and video content - and to subscribe for future emails, at: www.lisamarieconnections.com

Follow her on Instagram: @lisamarieconnections

Connect with her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisa.m.desanto/

Want to reach out to Lisa Marie, suggest a podcast topic, or know a guest she should interview?

Connect with her, at: www.lisamarieconnections.com/connect

Hard work doesn’t guarantee you’ll get what you want but, if you love what you’re doing — or the person or relationship you’re doing it for — it does guarantee a journey full of rewards and lessons. In this episode we talk about the value of putting in effort, even when the outcome isn’t what we hoped for. We talk about the importance of resilience, the beauty and pain involved with the process, and the power of reinvention.

In this episode, we cover:

• The reality that hard work doesn’t always lead to success
• The invaluable growth that comes from the journey
• The necessity of reinventing ourselves when things don’t go as planned
• How external factors and circumstances beyond our control can impact our efforts
• Why it’s crucial to keep trying despite these challenges
• The emotional aspects of dealing with setbacks, especially when it involves the hard work we’re doing for the people we love

We also talk about:

• The hidden rewards of effort, from personal growth and new skills to unexpected opportunities
• Balancing working for your goals and accepting outcomes
• Finding meaning and purpose in the process itself
• Encouragement to keep pushing forward

Tune in to this episode to discover why the journey matters just as much, if not more, than the destination. Whether you’re facing professional challenges, personal struggles, or simply looking for motivation to keep going, this episode offers a raw perspective on what to do when things fall apart or out of place — and the importance of resilience and reinvention.

See you there. Cheers!

This episode is a Sunday Shot: a short and sweet solo episode with a runtime of approximately 10 - 20 minutes.

More About Lisa Marie:

To learn more about Lisa Marie, send her a message, or subscribe for more content, visit her website at: www.lisamarieconnections.com.

Follow her on Instagram: @lisamarieconnections

AFTER THE EPISODE:

Love the podcast?

Please rate the show and leave a review!

Know someone who would benefit from hearing this episode?

Please consider sharing it with them!

Want more content?

Visit Lisa Marie's website (see above).

Want to reach out to Lisa Marie, suggest a podcast topic, or know a guest she should interview?

Connect with her, at: www.lisamarieconnections.com/connect

Hey there, my friends. Over the past few weeks, we’ve been taking a close look at all of the things we need to build strong self-connections. We talked about accepting ourselves—even the parts we’re not so proud of. We unpacked the difference between being selfish and self-full, so we can get past the guilt and realize that self-love is a good thing. We talked about trusting ourselves to handle anything life throws at us and forgiving ourselves for the things we did in the past, when our choices were limited or we didn’t know any better.

Today, in our last episode of this “Sunday Shot Series on Self-Connection,” we’re talking about the foundation that holds all of that self-acceptance, self-love, self-trust, and self-forgiveness together: vulnerability.

Strength vs. Avoidance

In this episode, we talk about the difference between being strong and being stubborn—between facing our insecurities and avoiding them—between moving through our pain and skirting around it. Because at the end of the day, when we avoid vulnerability, we keep ourselves prisoner to the things that hurt us in the past. And that stops us from healing ourselves, finding happiness, and connecting with ourselves and other people.

Vulnerability IS strength

A lot of people assume that vulnerability is a sign of weakness. But the truth is, strength isn’t about being tough. It doesn’t come from avoiding things, like our past pain or current insecurities. Strength comes from moving through our challenges and processing them. It comes from being brave enough to face our demons and shortcomings with grace and honesty. That can only happen when we let ourselves be vulnerable—and we can only be vulnerable if we have the kind of courage to go on that kind of self-development journey.

And so, as we wrap up this “September Sunday Shot Series on Self-Connection,” I hope you’ll tune in to this final episode, where we give vulnerability the credit that it’s due: being vulnerable isn’t weakness; it’s our greatest strength.

This episode is a Sunday Shot: a short and sweet solo episode with a runtime of approximately 10 - 20 minutes.

More About Lisa Marie:

To learn more about Lisa Marie, send her a message, or subscribe for more content, visit her website at: www.lisamarieconnections.com.

Follow her on Instagram: @lisamarieconnections

AFTER THE EPISODE:

Love the podcast?

Please rate the show and leave a review!

Know someone who would benefit from hearing this episode?

Please consider sharing it with them!

Want more content?

Visit Lisa Marie's website (see above).

Want to reach out to Lisa Marie, suggest a podcast topic, or know a guest she should interview?

Connect with her, at: www.lisamarieconnections.com/connect

Welcome back to the September Sunday Shot series! This week, we're exploring the link between self-trust and self-connection.

Have you ever found yourself stuck at a crossroads, second-guessing every decision, big or small? What about standing at the edge of an opportunity that you just can’t seem to step into? So many of us struggle with trusting our own instincts or abilities, and it keeps us from moving toward the things that matter to us. It also puts up stubborn barriers against us getting fully connected with ourselves.

In this episode, we take a look at why trusting ourselves is a key part of getting self-connected, and how a lack of self-trust can keep us stuck in our tracks, unable to move forward and claim the parts of us that make us who we are.

We'll talk about the barriers that stop us from trusting ourselves—fear of failure, reliance on others' opinions, and the inability to set personal boundaries—and how these can all lead to disconnection from our true selves. I’ll share personal stories and insights about why it's essential to build self-trust, not just when it comes to making decisions but also for getting aligned with our authentic values and the things we want most out of life.

We'll also talk about some practical ways you can start building self-trust today.

This episode is a Sunday Shot: a short and sweet solo episode with a runtime of approximately 10 - 20 minutes.

More About Lisa Marie:

To learn more about Lisa Marie, send her a message, or subscribe for more content, visit her website at: ⁠www.lisamarieconnections.com⁠.

Follow her on Instagram: ⁠@lisamarieconnections⁠

AFTER THE EPISODE:

Love the podcast?

Please rate the show and leave a review!

Know someone who would benefit from hearing this episode?

Please consider sharing it with them!

Want more content?

Visit Lisa Marie's website (see above).

Want to reach out to Lisa Marie, suggest a podcast topic, or know a guest she should interview?

Connect with her, at: ⁠www.lisamarieconnections.com/connect⁠