This week I sit down with my ride or die, Elli- a woman who moves through life with equal parts humor, hustle, and heart. As two single mothers, we talk openly about the realities behind today’s title- from the chaos and comedy of raising kids alone, to the quiet internal battles that most moms never speak about. We share how we met (plot twist: her boyfriend cheated on her with me- neither of us knowing it at the time 😭) and how that pain turned into one of the most meaningful friendsh...

In this episode, I invite all listeners into a deeply personal heart-work season.. a 30-day spiritual lock-in where I allow God to operate as the Master Surgeon on the places that hurt, linger, and need healing. I reflect on the moment I realized she couldn’t keep trying to heal in her own strength. Instead, she surrendered the surgery table and asked God to remove what wasn’t serving her, restore what was broken, and revive what still had purpose. This episode explores: 🌿 Real prayers for ri...

In this episode, we sit down with a youth mentor, father of two, and lifelong athlete who shares his journey from street life to self-discovery through faith and basketball. He opens up about losing loved ones at a young age, navigating grief, and finding strength on and off the court. What began as a way to get the pressure off his back became a lifelong calling- leading him to coach basketball across the U.S. and use mentorship as a bridge to hope. Now rooted in Utah, he reflects on what it...

I met today’s guest just a few weeks ago at my cousin’s wedding, and her presence stayed with me. The way she spoke about patience, peace, and growing up through war carried a depth that can only come from lived experience. She reminded me that peace isn’t free.. it’s something you sacrifice for, fight for, and sometimes pay for with pieces of yourself. In this episode, we share the remarkable journey of a woman who lived through war, loss, displacement, and unimaginable hardship, yet rose to...

We don’t just fall for people.. we fall for potential. In this episode, I explore the psychology behind almost love: the intermittent dopamine hits that keep us hooked, the emotional overstimulation from dating apps, and why commitment feels rare in a world that glorifies chaos. If you’ve ever been caught in a situationship, breadcrumbed, or exhausted by modern dating, this one’s for you. 💔 You’ll leave with tools to break free from the “slot-machine” highs and finally remember what whole lov...

This week on Earth Tones, I’m talking about what happens when life throws you off your rhythm — when you lose your spark, your creative flow, or your balance — and how to find your steadiness again. After spending time with my dad and family for the first time in six years, I came home full of mixed emotions and reflection. Instead of forcing meaning too soon, I’m slowing down and letting the experience breathe. In this solo episode, I share what it feels like to lose momentum — in work, pare...

🎙 Episode 11: What’s Your Earth Tone? In this solo reflection, I return to the roots of Earth Tones and the four pillars that God placed on my heart when this journey began: Survival, Passion, Service, and Love. Each pillar has shaped not only this podcast but also my own story. They remind me that growth often blooms from hardship, that joy deepens through acts of service, and that love is what ties everything together. This episode is an invitation to pause and reflect. Ask yourself: What’s...

In this episode, I sit down with my cousin Hannah Willow, a creative tree hugger, women’s advocate, and inspiring mother of three, based in Scotland. Hannah brings an imaginative spirit into everything she does: from seeking fairies in the forest to writing and illustrating children’s books that open portals into wonder. Together, we explore what winds of change mean in her life, how imagination and activism intersect, and the lessons she’s learned as both a mother and a dreamer. What You’ll ...

In this conversation, we journey into the vibrant, messy, hopeful world of Uganda’s slums through the eyes of Twikirize Ronald. We talk about the intersection of chess and change, how culture is embedded in our identities without us even realizing it, and what it means to walk alongside communities with dignity. Ronald opens up about his founding of Galui Foundation, how he frames service with both heart and mind, and the systemic challenges he’s confronting daily. You’ll hear stories that wi...

In this week’s Earth Tones episode, we’re opening up a conversation that’s often left unspoken: domestic violence. My guest and dear friend, Kayli shares her story of marrying young, raising children, and walking through years of abuse—while navigating the silence that too often surrounds these experiences. Together, we talk about: • Why domestic violence is so difficult to speak about • The hidden weight of cycles that keep women trapped ...

Episode 6 · She Remembered So I Could Forget In this episode of Earth Tones, we enter the tender and powerful story of a woman whose childhood carried both unbearable weight and remarkable resilience. Molested by her grandfather and raised in what looked like a “typical” Mormon family, she grew up learning how to survive by letting her younger self shield her from memories too heavy to hold. ❤️‍🩹 Her journey didn’t end there. She stepped into an unhealthy marriage, faced the unraveling of wha...

In this episode, I sit down again, with my co-founder of Allies to Refugees to continue exploring our journey supporting displaced communities. We reflect on our work in Afghanistan and Syria, sharing the challenges, obstacles, and moments of connection that shaped our understanding of what it means to stand alongside people navigating unimaginable hardships. Our conversations delve into the realities refugees face and how those experiences have profoundly impacted our approach to advocacy an...

My cofounder and I reflect on the harsh realities of displacement. Families forced to flee in the middle of the night with nothing but the children they can carry, and the impossible task of rebuilding in a new land with no documents, no safety net, and no time to prepare. This is part one of a two-part series where we reflect on our work with our nonprofit, Allies to Refugees, and the stories that have shaped our mission. We dedicate this episode to Ep 2, the tribute to journalist Anas Al-Sh...

In Loving Memory of Anas Al-Sharif — The Voice of Gaza 🤍 Anas Al-Sharif was more than a journalist. He was the unflinching voice of Gaza, a witness to truth, and a lifeline for the world to understand the human cost of war. At just 28 years old, Anas was killed while documenting the reality of life under siege- a life he risked every day so that others might see, hear, and understand. He leaves behind his wife, two young children, and a legacy of courage that cannot be silenced. In this episo...

In this debut episode of Earth Tones, we dive into the unexpected twists of motherhood, identity, and personal purpose with Khalifa Araba — podcast host, writer, and single mother from London. Khalifa opens up about what it means to mother with intention even when life veers off course, and how faith, self-worth, and humor have carried her through the unexpected. 💫 This conversation is real, raw, and filled with heart — a perfect beginning to this journey through struggle, passion, service, a...

What does it take to keep your faith when the world seems determined to break you? In this powerful episode of Earth Tones, we hear the story of a man who spent 16 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit — including one full year locked down in maximum security for 23 hours a day. From the very first day behind bars, he dropped to his knees and prayed: “God, don’t let me grow bitter.” And God answered. Through every trial, injustice, and crushing reality of incarceration, he refused to b...

Welcome to Earth Tones, a space born from prayer and rooted in 4 breathing, living pillars: survival, passion, service, and love. In the first episode, I share the heart behind this podcast, how it came to be, and why I believe storytelling matters now more than ever. This episode is for the spiritually curious, the deep feelers, and thr culturally awake. From my journey as a single mother to my past work in humanitarian aid, to the divine connections I’ve made across the globe- Earth...