In this powerful and deeply honest episode of Rise, Heal, and Grow, Leah sits down with author and nurse Dianne C. Braley for a conversation about turning pain into purpose and silence into voice. Raised in a home shaped by addiction and dysfunction, Dianne shares how writing became both her refuge and her reckoning—first as a way to escape, and later as a means to heal. Drawing from her work as a nurse, her lived experience with trauma, and the real-life stories that inspired her novels, Dianne speaks candidly about truth-telling, breaking cycles, and the courage it takes to face what most people avoid. This episode invites listeners into a raw, compassionate space where honesty becomes power, healing is beautifully messy, and rising begins the moment we stop hiding our story.

In this engaging episode of Rise, Heal, and Grow, Leah sits down with Boston-based writer, performer, and world traveler Randy Ross, whose sharp wit and fearless storytelling have captivated audiences across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. Randy shares how a disastrous four-month solo trip through developing countries became the inspiration for his acclaimed novel God Bless Cambodia and two hit one-man shows, including The Chronic Single’s Handbook and Tales of a Reluctant World Traveler. He opens up about crafting his newest book, The Squid and the Spaceman, a dysfunctional love story exploring how far we can—or should—go to change for someone we love, and previews his upcoming live performance blending scenes from the novel with insights from his research on loneliness. With reflections on growing up in Westchester, life in Boston since the ’80s, a decade on the Fringe Festival circuit, and the belief that “persistence pays off,” Randy reminds us that it’s never too late to take risks. His trademark humor—featuring favorites from Beverly Sills and Steven Wright—makes this conversation both heartfelt and hilariously unforgettable.

In this transformative episode of Rise, Heal, and Grow, Leah sits down with holistic practitioner Liz Elia, founder of Whole Minded Health, whose advanced brain integration and energy-based healing work has helped hundreds of adults and children unlock clarity, confidence, and emotional freedom. Liz shares her powerful journey from battling severe anxiety to discovering Crossinology Brain Integration, Applied Kinesiology, Reiki, and shamanic modalities that now allow her to help clients rewire patterns, dissolve fear, and reconnect with their innate potential. Together, Leah and Liz explore how stress imprints in the brain, what it truly means to “hold space for the deepest parts of people,” and how brain integration can create profound shifts in learning, emotional balance, and overall wellbeing. Tune in to learn how you can become more grounded, focused, and fully yourself—at any age.