Podcast episodes ~ Click on the photos to listen.
Season 6
Another season of amazing guests!
Savannah was born and raised in Oklahoma with her brother Sam, who serves in the US Navy. At 23, Savvy married Ted and became an Army wife. Since then, they have relocated to many military bases with their twin children. Now in Japan, where Savvy is due to have their third child. We celebrate Military Family Appreciation Month by Savvy sharing some of the highlights and challenges she experiences as a military wife and how relocating several times has proved that there's no place like home!
Rakesh Jobanputra, 49, was born in London. At 22, with no knowledge of the Turkish language, Rakesh accepted a teaching job in Istanbul. After many years of living and loving life in this mystical country enriched with culture, Rakesh found his passion for translating Turkish literature into English. So much nostalgia as Alka and her cousin Rakesh go back in time and talk about fond memories of their childhood, sharing stories and comparing challenges they have both faced in the past.
Philadelphia based Jennifer Lynn Robinson was a lawyer, a newlywed, and in the prime of her life, but she didn’t realize one day in 2008 how her life was about to change. Jennifer was hit by a truck and did not expect to survive. After years of rehabilitation, Jennifer's resilience and determination led her to where she is now. A public speaker, an accomplished CEO of her own business, and holding the title of Mrs. Classic Universe 2022–23
With returning guest and co-host Pat Chance.
Trigger warning: this episode includes conversations about child abuse, suicide, and drug addiction; some listeners may find it distressing.
Annapolitan Donna Johnson, 56, was raised at the public housing properties of Harbour House in Eastport, the same place she lives to this day. Donna openly talks about her memories of being assaulted and abused as a child, the trauma that resulted in years of drinking and drug misuse, and the effects this had on her children.
Aged 3, Oliwia Dąbrowska starred as The Girl in the Red Coat in the famous Steven Spielberg movie Schindler’s List. Now, 30 years later, Oliwia is helping Ukrainian refugees coming across the border into her home country of Poland. In this episode, Oliwia talks about her experiences as a child actor. She speaks openly about how the war has affected her life and her mental health. She shares what she is doing to help others and how we can all support victims of the war.
Celebrating UNESCO World Teachers’ Day with Sharmila Gandhi, 56, who shares her inspirational lifelong learning. Sharmila describes her experiences as a child growing up in an Asian family. As a mother herself to our very own Krisha Kay, Sharmila is an ambitious career-driven woman who hasn't been afraid to learn new skills, learn a new language, and change her career path. Passionate about equality, Sharmila outlines her thoughts about the inequalities that exist in global education.
Megan Houst, 34, had the goal of being the best version of herself. A yoga teacher, a lover of Peloton workouts, Megan learned how to manage anxiety and depression through physical fitness. Megan married the love of her life, Patrick, in 2018, and in 2022 they honeymooned in romantic Greece. As the young couple returned home their dreams were soon shattered as Megan received a shocking diagnosis that her body was plagued with cancer. A year on, Megan has stage 4 colon cancer,
Rick retired from the Air Force with the goal of hiking the Appalachian Trail. A strange set of events combined with the loss of his father motivated Rick to set off to find solace in nature. His adventures led him to places and people who inspired him to find his purpose in life—to help others. In Sept 2021, in memory of his stepson Justin, who lost his life to suicide, Rick created Warm Peet, a sock company that donates 100% of its’ profits to suicide prevention and mental health services.
It's Sexual Health, Suicide Prevention, and Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
After surviving prostrate cancer, Paul Nelson, a certified sexuality educator, discovered there was very little info available to support men with erectile dysfunction. Paul set up Frank Talk a non-profit that provides a support structure to 15,000 members worldwide.
With Dr. Bat Sheva Marcus as co-host
Trigger warning: conversations relating to suicide
Episode contains explicit language, which some may find offensive
Joining Dr. Bat Sheva Marcus and me this week is the very talented Jewish-American clinical psychologist, bible scholar, and host of two podcasts, 'Uncomplicated Sex’ and ‘The Sex Therapy Podcast,’ Dr. Caleb Jacobson. Living in Berlin, Germany, Dr. Jacobson talks to us about sex and relationships, religion, representation, and so much more! A former singer-songwriter originally from Nashville, Tennessee, we feature one of Caleb’s songs on this episode too, so tune in now!
Mah, 22, and her younger brother Nasir, 20, share the same birthday today. August 25th brings mixed emotions for the pair, as on this day two years ago, the siblings fled Afghanistan together, leaving their loved ones and everything they knew to be home.
This episode is filled with hope and fear, strength and courage, as Mah shares not only her memories of Afghanistan but their journey to what was to them an unknown place, the place they now call home.
Since it officially started in 1947, history was made at this year’s 2023 Annapolis-to-Newport Offshore Sailboat Race. Team ‘Leading The Change’, was the first All-Women's team ever to compete in the race.
A team of 'The Magenta Project' mentees, mentors, and alumni came together with three key objectives in mind: promoting fairness and inclusion; environmental conservation; and highlighting the importance of youth development within the sport.
Eng. Janeth Bonilla Andrade is from the indigenous village of Ashambuela in the Andes of Ecuador. She graduated as an Agricultural Engineer, a unique and challenging achievement for an indigenous woman. The discrimination she suffered when finding and getting a job in engineering empowered Janeth to help other women and indigenous children follow their dreams to become educated and work in the fields of science and technology. With guest host and translator Marti Wensel.
Imagine being 28 years old, happy and healthy, and living your best life in Beijing. That was Ben Bravery, until his life took a turn that he least expected. He was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer. The next eighteen months shaped a journey of survival that inspired Ben to make a bold and brave move to better the medical system, not just for himself but for others going through the patient-doctor experience. The author of his memoirs, The Patient Doctor, listen to Ben’s remarkable story.
The Head of Global Partnerships at Fairbreak Foundation, Cheryll Rogers, has always been passionate about helping others. From providing food, clothing, shelter, and education to refugees and those in need to finding homes for cats and dogs, Cheryll talks to Changing Platforms about how, with the right attitude, anyone can be a philanthropist. "You can’t help everybody, but you can help somebody," says Cheryll. Tune in to find out how.
Neeru Saini, 53, widowed at a young age. With two daughters to raise and fighting depression, she knew she had to take control of her life.
Now an Internet personality, sharing dance moves and fitness tips on social media and attracting hundreds of thousands of followers.
Teaching in impoverished areas of India. Neeru is a remarkable role model!
Pat Chance is the perfect person to guest host this episode, as both Neeru and Pat have a mission to break down traditional stereotypes, both succeeding.
Amena Karimyan is the founder of the Afghanistan Kayhana Astronomy Association. The association has been selected for the 2023 International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA), held in Poland. In this episode, Amena talks about her passion for astronomy and asks for help to get a team from the association to attend this ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity to represent Afghanistan.
Alka Bromiley, have just launched Season 6 of Changing Platforms. Take a sneak peak at what to look forward to. Episode 1 is coming out very soon.
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Changing Platforms Podcast
