The DaliTalks Podcast

Demanding leaders build people up. Bullies make them smaller.In this episode, Dali sits down with Michele Kawamoto Perry, founder of The Forward Project, executive and team coach, and host of the Expressions of Leadership podcast. Michele is the creator of Yet to Yes, a framework that helps leaders close the gap between who they are and who they want to be.After careers in entertainment, nonprofit, wine and spirits, and fintech, Michele learned that leaders are the culture bearers. What they do, what they tolerate, and what they ignore becomes the culture.Together, Dali and Michele unpack why silence about bullying is still a choice, how to tell high standards from harm, what turnover really costs, and why treating people as human beings, not human doings, is the foundation of every thriving team.Chapters:00:00 Welcome to the DaliTalks Podcast01:50 Yet to Yes: How Michele's podcast was born05:40 From entertainment to wine to fintech10:00 What working across industries teaches a coach11:10 A founder who overcame imposter syndrome14:10 Michele's coaching process starts with listening15:45 How long it takes to move from yet to yes18:15 Workplace bullying and the silent leader21:50 Demanding leader vs. bully: where's the line?24:10 How culture drives revenue and retention27:15 The hardest lesson: sitting with discomfort29:05 Human beings, not human doings32:30 Where to find MicheleConnect with Michele at The Forward Project and on LinkedIn.Find more episodes here and follow @DaliTalks on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Ever felt like you were going crazy around someone? Forensic psychology professional Dr. Nzinga Cates explains how narcissistic abuse really looks, why the signs are so subtle, and how people heal.In this episode, you will learn: • What a victimologist does, and why the word "victim" is not about shame • What narcissism is, and why it exists on a continuum • Why love bombing and moving fast are early warning signs • The family roles of scapegoat, golden child, and invisible child • How high-conflict homes connect to bullying • Why "two things can exist at once" when you talk about your mother • What healing can look like, from boundaries to no contact to joyIf you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 (U.S. Suicide and Crisis Lifeline). If you are in an abusive relationship, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233.Chapters: 00:00 What is a victimologist? 00:45 Welcome, Dr. Nzinga Cates 02:15 Something most people never guess about Dr. Cates 03:50 What drew her to victimology 04:50 What narcissism really is (and what it is not) 05:50 Do narcissists know? The narcissism continuum 07:15 Mirroring, and "I don't know who I am anymore" 07:50 Gaslighting: "I feel like I'm going crazy" 08:35 Her memoir, What Happens in This House 09:15 Turning pain into purpose 09:50 What narcissistic parenting looks like at home 11:00 Why she wrote for Black daughters of narcissistic mothers 12:45 Growing up boundaryless 14:00 Family roles: scapegoat, golden child, invisible child 16:15 High-conflict homes and bullying 17:30 If you see it in your home: don't be ashamed 19:00 Unlearning childhood survival habits and the mother wound 21:00 Two things can be true about your mother 22:00 What healing actually looks like 22:45 Love bombing and early warning signs 26:15 The first thing she tells every client 27:30 Divorcing a narcissist 29:00 Do you respect your parent, or fear them? 30:30 Where to find Dr. Cates 31:00 Her books and the companion workbook 33:50 Insurance, Headway, BetterHelp, and the free consult 34:50 Choose a therapist you feel comfortable withConnect with Dr. Cates: Website: https://www.catescounseling.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cates.cc/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-nzinga-cates-trauma-therapist-narcissistic-abuse-specialist-b6ba9a4b/ Books: What Happens in This House: A Memoir of Strength and Black Daughters of Narcissistic Mothers: Healing the Wounds No One Can SeeConnect with Dali: https://www.dalitalks.com/linktree Follow DaliTalks on IG and LinkedIn @DaliTalksWatch or listen to the podcast: https://www.dalitalks.com/podcast

What if fitting in was the problem all along? Debbie Harrell spent years trying to be perceived as normal before realizing she was meant to question it.Debbie is a resilience and intentional living expert, certified coach, and host of the New World Normal Podcast. As the founder of New World Normal, she helps values-driven women break free from self-doubt and the “shoulds” and “have-tos” so they can design aligned lives that inspire change in the world around them.In this episode, we talk about the quiet systems that shape our thinking, from the way we tie our identity to what we do for a living, to how money, hierarchy, and even marriage set rules we never agreed to. Debbie explains why so many of us conform (safety), what bullying has to do with competitive systems, and why changing the way we think can feel scary to the brain.She also shares practical tools for finding hope when the world feels heavy, including flexible thinking and looking for glimmers, plus how to question your norms without shame, blame, or guilt.If you have ever looked up and wondered who wrote the rules you have been living by, this conversation is going to open some doors.00:00 “I fought to be perceived as normal”: the cold open00:20 Welcome Debbie Harrell and the New World Normal Podcast01:00 Why Debbie’s voice is powerful and why starting a podcast stretched this introvert02:00 How Debbie got here: a lifelong rebel who always wanted to know why03:00 Fighting to be normal when she was meant to question it04:00 Growing up Gen X, being bullied, and why we conform for safety05:00 Systems so woven into life that we cannot see them06:00 What clients say when asked what they actually want07:00 Why identity is not what we do, and Dali on her inner child08:00 The subtle systems at work in entertainment, media, and messaging10:00 Job titles, single motherhood, and the question “what do you do?”12:00 Hierarchies, leaving the military, and being “just a mom”14:00 Capitalism, monetizing hobbies, and putting money on a pedestal16:00 How we define success and why crumbling systems can feel exciting17:00 Finding hope when the world feels chaotic18:00 Flexible thinking: holding space for both the bad and the good20:00 Glimmers and the neuroscience of looking for good21:00 Why change feels so scary to the brain22:00 Will bullying ever end? Competition, scarcity, and cooperation24:00 Patriarchy, constant marketing, and corporations treated like people26:00 Bailouts, misinformation, and getting out of your bubble27:00 Caring about the environment, fast fashion, and the stuff we do not need29:00 What too many toys taught Dali about overwhelm30:00 Busyness as a badge of success and who you are without the money32:00 Generational healing and breaking cycles for our kids33:00 Generational wealth, privilege, and a conversation with a landlord35:00 Idolizing public figures, masking, and artists who speak up36:30 Awareness without shame, blame, or guilt37:00 Marriage as a system and what the IRS taught Dali39:00 AI, who Debbie serves, and making support more accessible41:00 Protecting your nervous system while building a business42:00 Debbie’s 12-week program and her free workbook43:00 Religion and sports: more systems we inherit45:00 Where to find DebbieFree guide to start questioning normal in your life: https://www.newworldnormal.com/reclaim-your-energy-guideWebsite: https://www.newworldnormal.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/newworldnormal_/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newworldnormalConnect with Dali and learn about DaliTalks:https://www.dalitalks.com/linktreeFollow DaliTalks on IG and LinkedIn @DaliTalksListen on:YouTube: https://youtube.com/@DaliTalksPodcastSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4T1R5GFmU4gXWyC9eqKEGS?si=3b59804a244f4c62Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dalitalks-podcast/id1613524529

Has anyone ever looked at your name and asked, “Can I just call you something easier?” If you’re Latinx, you’re probably nodding. If you’ve been the one asking, no judgment. This episode is for you too.As Hispanic Heritage Month wraps up, Dāli shares why the month starts on Sept. 15, a little love for her beloved Nicaragua and the thing she cares about most: our names. As someone who learned English as a second language, she knows what it feels like to stumble over a name and keep trying anyway. That effort is what respect looks like.In this episode:Why Hispanic Heritage Month starts on Sept. 15 and how it grew from a week to a monthNicaragua’s lakes, volcanoes, poets and El GüegüenseWhy our names carry culture, history and meaning, and how to say them with careWhy parents and educators should treat names as bullying preventionWhy Dāli says “U.S. Americans”The $4.4 trillion U.S. Latinx economy and why only 7% of children’s books are about Latinx peopleThe Latinx people making history in 2026Get the free “Say This, Not That” guide: https://dalitalks.com/HHM2026Join Thursday Thoughts, the weekly newsletter: https://dalitalks.com/newsletterBook Dāli for your school or organization: https://calendly.com/dalitalks/inquiryConnect: https://www.DaliTalks.com | @DaliTalks on Instagram and LinkedInChapters:00:00 Can I just call you something easier?00:50 Why Hispanic Heritage Month starts Sept. 1502:10 Nicaragua: tierra de lagos y volcanes04:45 Our names carry culture, history and meaning09:10 Why I say “U.S. Americans”10:20 The numbers: $4.4 trillion and 7% of books12:30 Latinx people making waves in 202614:30 Your free guide

Surrender isn't quitting. It's handing over what's weighing you down so you can finally move forward.This week I'm joined by Carroll Patrizi, a wife, mother, grandmother, ultrapreneur, storyteller, speaker, mentor, and co-author who helps people discover and grow their God-given gifts. Carroll is leading Surrender the Movement, and she shares how surrendering things like anger, fear, and "I'm not enough" can bring more energy, more light, and more love into your life.We talk about why surrender is a practice and not a one-time decision. We also get into why asking for help takes real courage, what to do when help doesn't show up the way you hoped, and why trust and accountability go hand in hand. Yes, you still have to buy the ticket!Carroll also shares how you can add your own story to the Surrender anthology, which comes out this December.Connect with Carroll: https://www.CarrollPatrizi.comMore episodes: https://www.DaliTalks.com/podcastIf this conversation blessed you, please follow the show and leave a quick rating. It helps more moms and families find us.

"I must be a bad friend." Those words from her young daughter changed how Dali talks to kids about friendship.In this episode, Dali Rivera welcomes Coach Sheri Gaitz, founder of Teen Wise Seattle and author of Girl Drama Decoded. Sheri coaches teen girls through girl drama, exclusion, and loneliness, and supports moms through The Mom Wise Collective.You'll hear the four pillars Sheri uses in coaching, what moms can say after the Friday night tears, how our own conversations about other women shape our daughters, and why protecting joy in your relationship matters just as much as solving the problem.00:00 "I must be a bad friend": when kids tie their worth to friendships 00:30 Welcome Sheri Gaitz, founder of Teen Wise Seattle 01:00 What Teen Wise does for teen girls and their moms 02:00 Changing the "girls are just mean" narrative 03:00 The four pillars: identity, beliefs, emotional resilience, interpersonal skills 04:00 The biggest challenge moms face after the tears 05:00 Walking beside your daughter without fixing it for her 06:00 Dali's daughter and the new kid in class 07:00 Friends vs. acquaintances and the ice cream lesson 08:00 Catching a limiting belief before it sticks 09:00 Mean girl culture and why a mom's confidence matters 11:00 Modeling courage when your kids are watching 12:00 The red carpet reel: how judgment gets taught at home 13:00 Mama drama and what girls learn from mom groups 15:00 Checking our biases and inside The Mom Wise Collective 17:00 Anonymous video answers for moms 18:00 When your teen asks you to stop talking about her 20:00 Free resources and how the membership works 21:00 Investing in your parenting and yourself 22:00 Parenting vs. being mom 23:00 Why parents are their child's most important coach 24:00 Girl Drama Decoded and how to start coaching with Sheri 26:00 Discovering Friendships and Mindful Mom affirmation cards 28:00 The most powerful chapter: protect your connectionTeen Wise: https://teen-wise.comWatch this episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@DaliTalksPodcastConnect with Dali and learn about DaliTalks: https://www.dalitalks.com/linktree Follow DaliTalks on IG and LinkedIn @DaliTalks

Survival is not self-love. That one line from Janice Claire DaCosta's number one bestselling book Pay Yourself First: The Blueprint to Emotional Wealth stopped Dali cold. And it will probably stop you too.In this episode, Dali sits down with Janice, a global logistics leader, Mind-Shift Advocate, Reiki Master, TEDx Curator of TEDxMallardCreek, and one of Influential Women's Most Influential Women of 2026. They dig into the eight years it took to write this book, the intentional teleprompter-style formatting that makes it impossible to put down, and the principles inside it that are already changing lives.Dali also gets personal about a major life transition she is navigating right now, and Janice's words land exactly where they need to.This episode is for anyone who has been surviving when they were born to live.00:00 Survival is not self-love 01:00 Meet Janice Claire DaCosta, author and Mind-Shift Advocate 02:00 Eight years in the making: the story behind Pay Yourself First 03:00 Why Janice wrote the book in a teleprompter format 05:00 How short, punchy formatting meets readers where they are 06:00 How the stories in the book build on each other 07:00 The notebooks behind each chapter and how writing became healing 08:00 Why the book always includes a practice, not just a message 09:00 Some wounds don't bruise the skin, they bruise the nervous system 10:00 How the characters stay nameless so you become the story 11:00 Growth doesn't require confidence, only commitment 13:00 Dali gets personal about college, self-doubt, and commitment 15:00 Sometimes a breaking point is really an invitation to choose yourself 16:00 Dali shares a major life transition happening right now 17:00 The yes you don't understand is the door your soul has been waiting for 18:00 Survival is not self-love and what that really means 20:00 Trying to put a circle in a triangle: staying in patterns that don't serve you 21:00 Instinct is a form of destiny 22:00 Emotional wealth versus emotional health 23:00 Why Pay Yourself First goes against the grain of self-help 25:00 Where to get the book and leave a review 26:00 The Mindshift experience and the upcoming six-week emotional wealth course 27:00 The companion workbook is coming 28:00 Everything in the book was intentional, even the color of the pageGet the book: https://payyourselffirst.pro Follow Janice on Instagram: https://instagram.com/iamjaniceclaire Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janicedacostaListen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4T1R5GFmU4gXWyC9eqKEGS?si=3b59804a244f4c62 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dalitalks-podcast/id1613524529 Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@DaliTalksPodcastConnect with Dali: https://www.dalitalks.com/linktree Follow DaliTalks on IG and LinkedIn @DaliTalks

Does your child have an IEP or 504 plan and you still feel completely lost walking out of every school meeting? You are exactly who this episode is for.Lisa Richer is a neurodivergent success partner, advocate, and founder of Journey to Bloom. She grew up undiagnosed neurodivergent, raised two neurodivergent boys, and has spent years helping parents, professionals, athletes, and organizations move from stuck to success through her Clarity, Confidence, and Courage Journey Map.In this episode, Lisa breaks down what IEPs and 504 plans actually mean in practice, why most general education teachers are not trained to implement them the way parents assume, when it makes sense to bring in an advocate versus an attorney, and why showing up curious instead of combative in school meetings changes everything.She also shares how she works with organizations to build neurodiversity-informed cultures from the inside out, and why a single training is never enough to create the kind of lasting change that actually moves people forward.This is one of the most practically useful conversations I have had on this podcast, and I think it is going to reach a lot of parents who really need it.00:00 Introduction to Lisa Richer and Journey to Bloom 01:00 What a neurodivergent success partner actually does 02:00 How a blurred video background taught Dali something about neurodiversity 03:00 The series of events that led Lisa to start Journey to Bloom 04:00 How Lisa works with parents and organizations 05:00 The virtual work headache revelation and connecting the dots 06:00 Neurodiversity is the prism lighting the table 07:00 The Clarity, Confidence, and Courage Journey Map explained 08:00 The RIPE Ideas framework: reflect, implement, practice, evaluate 09:00 When should parents reach out and is it ever too early or too late? 10:00 IEP and 504 advocacy: how Lisa helps parents navigate the school system 11:00 What it means to have a qualifying diagnosis for an IEP versus a 504 12:00 Why parents feel friction in IEP meetings and how to overcome it 13:00 The truth about whether you can bring someone else to an IEP meeting 14:00 What general educators are and are not trained to do with IEPs 15:00 Why showing up curious instead of combative changes everything 16:00 Recording meetings, bringing lawyers, and knowing your rights 17:00 When an attorney makes sense and when it does not 18:00 Why Lisa's approach is different from what most advocates offer 19:00 The importance of aligning the right lawyer with the right advocate 20:00 Why every case is one of one and what that means for your child 21:00 The parallel between IEP advocacy and bullying prevention 22:00 How Lisa works with organizations around neurodiversity 23:00 Leadership workshops, employee resource groups, and quarterly sessions 24:00 The RIPE Ideas pathway for organizations 25:00 Why a one-time training is not enough to create lasting change 26:00 Lisa's work with Chewy and leading through a neurodiversity lens 27:00 How long organizations should commit to see real results 28:00 Summer is the best time to start, not wait 29:00 What happens when organizations ignore neurodivergent voices 30:00 How to reach Lisa and access her free book chapterFree book chapter: https://journey2bloom.myflodesk.com/cyfreechapter Website: https://journey2bloom.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/journey2bloom/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaricher/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisaLazarRicher YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Journey2bloomConnect with Dali and learn about DaliTalks: https://www.dalitalks.com/linktree Follow DaliTalks on IG and LinkedIn @DaliTalksListen on: YouTube: https://youtube.com/@DaliTalksPodcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4T1R5GFmU4gXWyC9eqKEGS?si=3b59804a244f4c62 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dalitalks-podcast/id1613524529

Do you open your closet every morning and feel like you have nothing to wear? You are not alone, and it is not your fault. Most of us were never taught the basics.Bridget Blacksten is a Los Angeles based advertising, editorial, celebrity, and personal stylist with seven years of high-end styling experience. She is the founder of Studio Bee, and she has worked on photo shoots, press events, commercials, and advertising campaigns for major brands. In this episode, she brings all of that expertise down to earth and breaks it down for the rest of us.We talk about the wardrobe essentials every woman and man should own, what stores actually deliver quality without breaking the bank, how to read clothing labels to know if something is worth buying, and what the biggest fashion don'ts are for both men and women.This one is fun, practical, and packed with tips you can use the next time you open your closet.00:00 Opening: The wardrobe basics every woman should own 01:00 Welcome Bridget Blacksten and her background in fashion 02:00 From musical theater and retail to Rent the Runway in New York 03:00 Seven years of high-end styling: photo shoots, commercials, and campaigns 04:00 How to stay grounded in a fast-paced glamorous industry 05:00 Style tips for everyday women on a real budget 06:00 Building your wardrobe from a foundation of basics07:00 The truth about department store mirrors and why they lie 08:00 Why taking a photo or video is better than trusting the mirror 09:00 Fast fashion versus quality: what to look for and what to avoid 10:00 Abercrombie and Fitch, Levi's, and the denim conversation 11:00 Why you should wash your jeans as little as possible 12:00 Banana Republic, Gap, and Old Navy: the underrated wardrobe trifecta 13:00 Sizing is not your fault: why you can be four different sizes at once 14:00 Necklines explained: V-neck, scoop neck, mock neck, and more 15:00 How to dress a bustier figure and feel supported and stylish 16:00 Pinterest and Google as your free personal style education 17:00 Learning fashion vocabulary so you can actually search what you want 18:00 The wardrobe essentials every woman needs 19:00 Blazers, suits, white button downs, and the little black dress 20:00 How accessories make or break an outfit 21:00 The one focal point rule for jewelry and accessories 22:00 Shoes: sneakers, heels, flats, and playing with materials 23:00 Men's wardrobe essentials: trousers, loafers, jackets, and more 24:00 Why a great jacket is worth the investment 25:00 Fashion don'ts for men: skinny jeans have to go 26:00 Fashion don'ts for women: prints, colors, and keeping it simple 27:00 How to read clothing labels and why 100% cotton matters 28:00 Sustainable fashion and what it actually costs 29:00 What working with Bridget looks like and every budget is welcome 30:00 Seasonal styling, closet refreshes, and making money from what you sell 31:00 Renting for events so you never have to own a gown you will wear once 32:00 How to book a free consultation with BridgetBook a free consultation: https://calendly.com/bridgetblacksten/30-minute-consultation-session-facetimeWebsite: https://www.bridget-blacksten.comInstagram: @bridgetblackstenTikTok: @babebythebeachFor more information about Dali or DaliTalksvisit us at https://www.DaliTalks.com/linktreeFollow me on Instagram @DaliTalkshttps://www.instagram.com/dalitalksFollow me on Facebook @DaliTalkshttps://www.facebook.com/dalitalkFollow me on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/dalitalks/Please like, share, subscribe to this channel, and comment below. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Symone Fairchild survived domestic abuse, represented herself in court as a low-income single mother, lived in a shelter while fighting to protect her son, and almost did not make it out. Today she is an actress, screenwriter, director, domestic abuse thriver, and the founder of ION DV, a movement dedicated to eradicating domestic violence before it starts.In this conversation, Symone and Dali talk about why prevention is more powerful than post-abuse support, what epigenetics reveals about generational trauma, and how chronic domestic violence actually causes brain damage. Symone also shares the anthology book she created for survivors ready to share their light, and the documentary Lean Into Fear, which is pulling back the curtain on trauma, the legal system, and what it actually takes to get from survivorship to thriving.This episode is raw, real, and deeply important.00:00 Intro: How trauma becomes purpose01:00 Meet Symone Fairchild, actress, director, and founder of ION DV02:00 Symone's heart as an actress and how she channels characters03:00 Screenwriting, directing, and her love of action and espionage04:00 Why she founded ION DV and the mission to eradicate domestic violence05:30 Why prevention matters more than post-abuse support07:00 The anthology book Extraordinary Trauma to Extraordinary Dreams09:00 What it means to be a mirror for others healing from trauma12:00 How Symone vets co-authors for the anthology15:00 Reading soul evolution in a person's language and energy17:00 Lessons learned from volume one going into volume two20:00 The documentary Lean Into Fear and how it started as a talk show22:00 What Lean Into Fear reveals about trauma, genetics, and society24:00 Epigenetics, generational trauma, and what lives on our DNA27:00 Research rooted in lived experience, group counseling, and advocacy29:00 Navigating the court system as a low-income domestic abuse survivor31:00 How chronic domestic violence causes brain damage33:00 Why films create social change and what Lean Into Fear aims to do35:00 How to donate to Lean Into Fear and join volume two37:00 Symone's closing message: You are not meant to stay in survivorship38:00 Thriving is your birthrightDonate to Lean Into Fear: https://cinefemme.net/projects/lean-fear/Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GX31Y8SXFollow ION DV on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eyeondv/Follow DaliTalks on IG and LinkedIn @DaliTalkshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dalitalks/https://instagram.com/dalitalks Website: https:www.DaliTalks.com/