12. E12. Creating a Family: Navigating Adoption's Joys and Challenges

What am I doing today that really matters in a hundred years?  Am I living to my fullest potential?  Am I creating in the ways that I need to and want to?  Those are the questions that drove former prosecutor Emily Montgomery on a multi-year journey of self-discovery. A few career pivots and a trek through the El Comino Del Santiago, and Emily's now a startup founder focused on empowering us all to be the highlight of someone's day via @teamhilu (IG) and www.teamhilu.com. It's been a slow-burn but Emily's journey is a story of small changes and a sign that anything is possible, irrespective of where your starting point is.  And we know this is a message that so many of us unsure about our life direction need to hear.So join us this week in conversation with Emily Montgomery.

This week, we're going a little different. Our guest is a teenager on the precipice of adulthood. Now, you may be wondering, a teenager at a crossroads? What story could they possibly have to share that would pertain to adults navigating their next phase? Well, in the course of his short life, Kavi Pandya has been through more uncertainty, pain, loss, and reinvention than most adults in midlife. Kavi is a two time cancer survivor and an amputee. But if he wasn't standing in front of you, you'd never know. Kavi is just a happy kid determined to live. And so Kavi joins us to share his journey and his youthful exuberance for life in the hopes that it'll be infectious and inspire you all to embrace the future, irrespective of its uncertainties. So join us in conversation with Kavi Pandya.

Dr. Serena McCalla stumbled into teaching on her way to becoming a physician. But it quickly became her life's passion and today she's a renowned Science Research teacher whose students have won the most money at US National Science Fairs. Despite her teaching success, as well as becoming a National Geographic Explorer and being featured on Disney Plus' Science Fair, Dr. McCalla is now prioritizing self-care and personal discovery.Tune in as Dr. McCalla shares her journey of embracing life's happy accidents, the secrets to nurturing the best in her students, the fears of focusing on herself, and her observations about the next generation. Turns out, they're hitting crossroads much sooner than our generation. So how do we help?  What opportunities do they present for us?  We're touching on a lot of things in the most honest, sassy, and confident way possible. Join us!

On this week's episode, Maryam is joined by her close friend, Aamar Khwaja, an entrepreneur on a mission to feed people pure food and to save organic farming. Aamar found his purpose and calling after a luxurious stint on Wall Street and years of searching, at great personal cost. So on this episode we're delving into Aamar's story of finding purpose amidst sickness, but then also harnessing agility from a bottomless pit of anguish to keep going. We discover how religion has helped Aamar frame his resilient mindset and why in the face of abject loneliness he still fights for the future of food and farming. We also talk about why the world is at a crossroads and why elevating our collective conscience is paramount for our future. Go to https://modgarden.com/were-modgarden-this-is-our-story/ to learn more about Aamar and his tinyFarm.

90% of podcasts don't publish more than 3 episodes. Woohoo, we've made it to 12 episodes...after a lot of self-doubt, anguish and technical challenges! On this episode, Maryam reflects on the journey to podcasting from ideation and her why, to struggling through the technical details and overcoming her biggest fear of all - opening herself to judgement on such a public platform - all in her quest to discover her path, her purpose, her next phase. Hope Patterson, Maryam's coach, turns the tables, flips the script and leads the conversation to uncover Maryam's learnings and hopes from this personally transforming project.

On this week's episode, Maryam dives into the profound adoption journey of Ryhaan Baksh and her husband, who welcomed two young girls from India into their lives in 2021. Ryhaan candidly shares the intricate narrative of their adoption experience – from the anticipation of waiting to the exhilaration of discoveries, the highs of joy, and the lows of struggle in navigating a new life that, although desired, isn't without its challenges. Through heartfelt conversations with host Maryam, Ryhaan reflects on the bittersweet process of bidding farewell to aspects of her past life to embrace the one she's always longed for. Join us for a poignant exploration of the complexities and triumphs that come with building the family you've always dreamed of.

For many of us, especially if you're still finding yourself, this year, 2023 may feel lacking, almost disappointing. But in Maryam's year end message - and we're keeping it short because we know you're busy - Maryam shares a story of loss as a reminder that we all have good things we must appreciate. Find peace in 2023, find pride in 2023. Maryam also shares four tips on living in the moment thats tried, tested and can help you. Above all, we wish you an amazing holiday season.

My Summer as an MILF - that's right, our guest this week, Alison Crosthwaith, a trained psychotherapist and aliveness guide, just released an article on her summer as a MILF. Unconventional? Yes. Interesting? Definitely. But she's coming from a place of fertility struggles, the loss of a child at birth, and the ending of  a long-term relationship that left Alison wondering if this was it for her. So today, Alison shares her journey to sexual healing and dispels myths about sex after 40! It's a must listen! Alison Crosthwaith Website: https://www.alisoncrosthwait.comSummer as a MILF article: https://www.alisoncrosthwait.com/blog/milf

This week's guest, Jill Valentin is a transformative travel life and leadership coach. She's had a bit of a wild ride since COVID and has embraced a non-traditional way of living as a means to adapting to the changes in her life.  It's been periods of absolute chaos but Jill, through her numerous explorations and travel experiences has adopted an attitude of deep gratitude and adventure and is confronting change head on. Jill also shares insights into her approach to coaching so that you can learn more about the type of coaching that is right for you. For more information on Jill Valentine and her transformational travel coaching program, go to https://ugoimpact.com.

On this week's episode we explore being at crossroads regarding ones lifestyle and location. Specifically, our guest Erika Parente shares her story of how she traded in the city life, a startup career and depression for a farming adventure and a reconnection with nature. Not everything has gone according to plan, and boy have there been a ton of learnings, but homesteading has brought peace, contentment and purpose to Erika's next phase.