ABWilson's Heart of the Matter

S3 Ep27. From Bartending to the Classroom: Wellbeing, Work and Small Acts of Kindness with Tara Salinas

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2315926/fan_mail/new] In this episode of ABWilson's Heart of the Matter, host Aderonke Bademosi Wilson speaks with Tara Salinas, an educator, mother,and fervent supporter who brings warmth, humor and practical wisdom to conversations about wellbeing, work and relationships.  Tara shares how becoming a mother later in life reshaped her priorities and taught her to be more purposeful in her attention, and she reflects on the surprising joys and challenges of parenting a kind and curious 10 year old. She describes her journey to teaching, from an unexpected first class that sparked a love of mentoring to intentionally choosing a small university environment so she can know students by name and support them beyond course content.  Tara explains her identity as a fervent supporter, the value she places on deep friendships and how small acts of recognition and kindness can create meaningful differences in other people's lives.  She discusses practical strategies for resilience including movement classes that require no thinking, short naps, solo writing retreats for brain dumps and trying tapping and breath work to reset during stressful times. Tara and her colleague’s Psychology Today blog, The Problem With, translates social science research into accessible guidance, and she celebrates the satisfaction of reaching readers beyond academic journals.  Looking ahead Tara will launch a new undergraduate course called Wellbeing Work and You that brings together research on happiness, resilience, relationships and workplace practices to give students practical toolkits for living well in their careers.  The conversation closes with Tara’s invitation to treat people like people, to lean into causes and relationships that matter and to remember that even small gestures of recognition can ripple outward in powerful ways. https://www.abwilsonconsulting.com [https://www.abwilsonconsulting.com] https://abwilsonphotography.com [https://abwilsonphotography.com]

S3 Ep26. Play, Pause and Parenting with Presence: A Conversation with Dr. Julia Sen

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2315926/fan_mail/new] In this episode of ABWilson’s Heart of the Matter, Dr. Julia Sen shares a deeply personal and inspiring story about how her passion for parenting support came full circle. What began as a childhood desire to help children eventually led her into psychology, infertility work and now a new chapter focused on creating community-centered support for parents. Julia opens up about her own fertility journey, living with PCOS, and how those experiences shaped both her compassion and her calling. Julia describes herself as playful, fascinated and parenting-focused, and those words come through clearly throughout the conversation. She talks about the joy she finds in play, music, baseball, learning new creative skills and staying curious about life.  She also shares why she stepped away from traditional psychology, explaining that she wanted more freedom to support parents in an accessible, global way through a membership-based community called Supported. At the heart of the episode is Julia’s belief that children thrive when they feel understood. She introduces the Habit of Heart, a mini course built around secure attachment and three simple daily statements: “I’ve got you,” “You’re safe with me,” and “I believe in you.” Julia also offers her Be Fabulous practice, or BFAB, as a way for parents to regulate themselves in stressful moments by breathing, offering empathy, affirming safety, and believing in themselves and their children. The conversation also explores how parents can break generational patterns and respond differently in challenging moments. Julia shares how she has worked to interrupt cycles of exhaustion, yelling, guilt and self-sacrifice by learning to pause, practice self-empathy, and respond with more intention. Her reflections are thoughtful, practical, and full of warmth, making this episode especially meaningful for parents who want to grow without perfectionism. https://www.abwilsonconsulting.com [https://www.abwilsonconsulting.com] https://abwilsonphotography.com [https://abwilsonphotography.com]

S3 Ep25. Raising the Next Gen: Sonia Dong on Parenting, Purpose, and Baby Steps

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2315926/fan_mail/new] In this episode of ABWilson Heart of the Matter, Sonia Dong shares a thoughtful and deeply personal conversation about parenting, identity, healing and growth. Sonia is a writer, podcaster and speaker whose work centers on helping parents feel less alone and more connected as they navigate the evolving stages of raising children.  She opens up about creating her podcast Raising the Next Gen after realizing that the parenting landscape changes dramatically as children grow older and that community and support are still needed just as much in the teen years as they are in the toddler years. Sonia reflects on the idea that parents are the original influencers, explaining that children often learn more from what we model than from what we say. She speaks candidly about rediscovering her voice as a writer, including her Substack Next Gen Connection, her co-authored book contribution in Mamas Gotta Grow and her personal project of capturing 49 moments to remember in her 49th year.  Sonia also shares how her signature talk, All About the Baby Steps, grew out of her belief that both children and parents need patience, practice and encouragement as they learn and grow together. The conversation also explores a season of grief, strain and reinvention after the loss of a close friend and the collapse of a business she once poured herself into. Sonia describes how therapy, coaching, journaling and a shift in mindset helped her let go of old definitions of success and release the business with love, making space for a new chapter rooted in purpose, creativity, and service. She now channels that energy into her podcast, writing, speaking, workshops, a parent book and trail club and future possibilities including a TED stage. Throughout the episode, Sonia’s warmth and wonder come through beautifully. She speaks about joy in the small things, from rainbows and birds to car washes and laughter and invites listeners to notice the beauty around them.  Her story is a gentle reminder that growth can be slow, healing can be messy and meaningful change often begins with one small step. https://www.abwilsonconsulting.com [https://www.abwilsonconsulting.com] https://abwilsonphotography.com [https://abwilsonphotography.com]

S3 Ep24. The Heart of Better Nutrition with David Arguez

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2315926/fan_mail/new] In this episode of ABWilson’s Heart of the Matter, host Aderonke Bademosi Wilson sits down with David Arguez, a Miami-based nutritionist and restaurant consultant whose work blends science, service and a deeply human approach to helping people and businesses thrive.  David shares how adaptability, empathy and resilience shape his professional philosophy and the systems he has built to support individuals, families and restaurant partners. He explains how his work goes far beyond nutrition advice, offering a thoughtful framework that combines portion standardization, nutrition labeling and practical guidance designed to create better outcomes for  consumers and businesses. David also opens up about his personal journey and the values that keep him grounded. He speaks candidly about learning to balance authority with approachability, the importance of working with experts and the role of self-care in sustaining long-term energy and focus.  From martial arts and piano to travel, family and a commitment to lifelong learning, David reflects on the habits that help him stay well while serving others. His story is a reminder that meaningful health work is not just about numbers but about relationships, trust and respecting each person’s unique palate, pace and goals. https://www.abwilsonconsulting.com [https://www.abwilsonconsulting.com] https://abwilsonphotography.com [https://abwilsonphotography.com]

S3 Ep23. Finding Sunlight in the Storm: Choosing Grace and Building Belonging with Torie Slaughter

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2315926/fan_mail/new] In this episode of ABWilson’s Heart of the Matter, Torie Slaughter shares a thoughtful and deeply personal conversation about optimism, curiosity, family, purpose and the power of showing up with grace.  From the opening moments, Torie reflects on what it means to stay positive when life feels heavy, describing optimism as “trying to find the sunlight in the storm” and reminding listeners that perspective can shape how we move through difficult seasons. Her reflections are honest and grounded, offering a meaningful look at how she navigates stress, motherhood, work and personal growth. Torie also opens up about the role communication has played in her life, from being described as talkative as a child to using conversation as a way to process emotions and make sense of the world. That natural curiosity is also what led her into doctoral study, where she is researching how Black women in DEI roles are advancing inclusion through everyday micro-strategies, even as organizations face backlash, budget cuts and shifting language around the work.  Her scholarship is both timely and practical and it reflects her commitment to belonging, psychological safety and creating healthier workplace cultures. The conversation also turns to Torie’s personal journey. She shares her experience growing up in Lynchburg, Virginia, studying abroad in England and eventually building a life there through education, family and opportunity. She speaks candidly about becoming a mother, celebrating one year of breastfeeding and finding strength in daily walks, fresh air and quiet moments with her son and husband.  One of the most moving parts of the episode is her reflection on losing her father to alcoholism, a loss that reshaped how she sees health, grief and the importance of caring for one’s body and life with intention. Torie’s story is also one of service and impact. She describes helping someone land a job through career coaching, using her HR background to offer resume support, interview prep and encouragement at a moment when that person was also caring for a family member.  That experience affirmed her belief in using her gifts to help others and it points to the kind of future she envisions for herself through public speaking, writing and broader advocacy.  Throughout the episode, Torie returns to a central theme: we do not always know what someone else is carrying and a little grace can go a long way. https://www.abwilsonconsulting.com [https://www.abwilsonconsulting.com] https://abwilsonphotography.com [https://abwilsonphotography.com]