ABOUT THIS LIFE

What does it mean to become a poet?

In this episode, Ann-Marie sits down with Poet Laureate Tatiana Figueroa Ramirez to explore what it truly means to become a poet -- not just the craft, but the calling. We talk about the power of writing in both English and Spanish, and why holding onto both languages is an act of preservation as much as expression.

Tatiana shares her perspective on 

• why poets have a responsibility to p...

“Poetry heals because it gives shape to what feels too big or too messy for ordinary conversation. When you write down the ache, the joy, the confusion — you’re not just describing the feeling anymore, you’re holding it up to a mirror long enough to understand it. That distance is where healing starts. There’s also something sacred about rhythm and image doing the work language alone can’t. A po...

In this episode of About This Life, Ann-Marie sits down with longtime friend — educator, literacy leader, and author Marilyn Barber for an inspiring conversation about identity, healing, and the power of owning your story.

The two women share wisdom about what it means to be enough. Marilyn’s book, ‘A Journey of Sacrifice and Determination,’ reflects on growing up during the Civil Rights era, studying classi...

She lost her home—but never lost herself.

In this powerful episode of About This Life, Rebecca Phoenix Vaughn shares her extraordinary journey through hardship, homelessness, grief, purpose, poetry, and the unshakable belief that you can keep rising—even when life brings you to your knees.

From being told to “get a real job” to becoming an award-winning poet and living proof that your gift can make room for ...

What if the greatest gift you can give your children isn’t money—but the belief that they can become extraordinary?

Raise Extraordinary Children with Nathaniel A. Turner

This powerful conversation explores breaking generational cycles, raising children with purpose, dreaming beyond limitations, and creating opportunities for the next generation to thrive. Sometimes, changing a child’s future starts with one adult ...

What if your greatest pain became the foundation for your greatest purpose?

In this powerful episode of About This Life, host Ann-Marie sits down with family law attorney, entrepreneur, author, and mother Jamie Paine for an unforgettable conversation about resilience, healing, and learning to thrive after life's hardest moments.

Jamie shares her deeply personal journey through childhood trauma, her parents' divorce, growing up with...

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the demands of midlife? Caring for children, aging parents, your career, and everyone else—while losing sight of yourself?

In this powerful episode of About This Life, Ann-Marie sits down with fitness expert, author, and speaker Heike Yates to explore what it really means to rediscover your identity, overcome burnout, and pursue your spark in the second half of life.

Together they discuss: ✨ The...

As a leader you’re taught to have the answers. But what if the real strength is in the not-knowing?

This week I talk with Savio P. Clemente—TEDx speaker, bestselling author, healthcare leadership expert, and two-time cancer survivor—to explore how we navigate uncertainty, decision fatigue, burnout, and healing. about leading — in work, in family, in your own becoming — when the path isn’t clear.&...

What if your physical pain is trying to tell you something deeper?

In this powerful episode of About This Life, Ann-Marie sits down with Banya Lim, a multi-generational acupuncturist and holistic healer, to explore the hidden connection between pain, emotions, energy, and healing.

Discover how stress, trauma, relationships, and unprocessed emotions can manifest in the body—and why true healing begins by listening to what your...

Can healing one voice transform an entire family line?

In this deeply moving episode of About This Life, Ann-Marie welcomes trauma healer and author Heather Ann Ferri for an unforgettable conversation about breaking family generational cycles, healing childhood wounds, and reclaiming your authentic voice.

Together, they explore how trauma lives in the body, why breathwork can unlock emotional healing, and what it truly takes to rel...

What does it take to go from 127 rejections to writing for Marvel's Black Panther and Star Wars?

In this inspiring episode of About This Life, host Ann-Marie sits down with journalist, author, and professor Jesse J. Holland to discuss hidden history, storytelling, family, faith, and legacy.

✨ In this episode: 🔹 Documenting the role of African-Americans building the White House  🔹 Writing Black Panther & Star Wars novels ...

In this inspiring episode of About This Life, Ann-Marie sits down with spoken word artist, author, teaching artist and MC performer Jamaal "Black Root" Collier for a conversation rooted in Black men’s mental health. His conversation is rooted in identity, dispelling myths and “pulling up” for community.

The author of “Bearded Thoughts- Affirmations, Mantras & Stray Hairs of Wisdom,” Jamaal challeng...

What does it take to go from 127 rejections to writing for Marvel's Black Panther and Star Wars?

In this inspiring episode of About This Life, host Ann-Marie sits down with journalist, author, and professor Jesse J. Holland to discuss hidden history, storytelling, family, faith, and legacy.

✨ In this episode: 🔹 Documenting the role of African-Americans building the White House  🔹 Writing Black Panther & Star Wars novels ...

After 100+ episodes and a transformative break, Ann-Marie returns with a powerful new season of About This Life. 🌿

This season dives deeper into identity, healing, resilience, and personal transformation through inspiring guest stories, spoken word poetry, and authentic conversations that remind us we are never alone in our struggles.

Whether you're navigating trauma, loss, change, or simply seeking a deeper connection with yourse...

Naheem Garcia has been an actor and theatre educator for 30 years. His performances include Hollywood and independently produced films such as The Purge 3, The Equalizer 2, The Holdovers, and The Money Game. He is a major character in the Sci-Fi, futuristic podcast Caucus: After the Fall.

In conversation with Ann-Marie, Naheem describes how acting saved him from the streets.

Working with multiple youth programs, Naheem shares how h...

What happens when life changes in an instant — and you’re forced to begin again?

In this powerful conversation, we explore resilience, healing, and the courage to live fully after everything falls apart. From a traumatic motorcycle accident to awakening and purpose, this episode is a reminder that life doesn’t end when things break — it transforms.

If you’ve ever faced a moment that changed you forever...

What happens when life changes in a split second — and you wake up to a new reality you never chose?

In this episode of About This Life, Ann-Marie sits down with Pedro Gonzalez — an educator, man of faith, and survivor whose motorcycle accident led to amputation.

Pedro opens up about: ✨ Surviving a life-altering motorcycle accident ✨ Choosing limb salvage — and later amputation ✨ Waking up in the hospital and than...

What if the pain you survived became the wisdom you now live by?

In this deeply moving conversation, Daniel Anderson shares his journey through childhood trauma, abandonment, addiction, homelessness, and spiritual awakening. From hitting rock bottom to discovering purpose, alignment, and self-worth, this episode explores how healing begins within—and how finding yourself can lead you back to God.

Together, we talk about legac...

Sexual assault isn’t only about physical injury — it’s about identity, safety, and the parts of ourselves we’ve had to redefine. 

In this powerful episode of About This Life, mixed-media artist and transformational guide  Devorah Brinckerhoff shares how creativity becomes a pathway for healing trauma, releasing limiting beliefs, and reconnecting with the self.

A grounded, honest conversation on rec...