The Shift: Stories of Resistance + Resilience

Aging and Radical Self-Love with Heidi Clements

In this episode of The Shift: Stories of Resistance and Resilience, Heidi Clements joins Mark Travis Rivera for a bold, unfiltered conversation about aging, self-acceptance, and what it means to live authentically in a world obsessed with youth. Heidi shares her journey from a successful career in television to becoming a powerful voice on social media, where she uses fashion and storytelling to challenge societal norms on aging—especially for women over 50. She opens up about resisting beauty standards, rejecting the idea that younger is better, and embracing wrinkles, change, and the realities of growing older. Together, Heidi and Mark explore how deeply ingrained expectations around appearance impact women’s self-worth, and how radical self-love can serve as a form of resistance. Heidi speaks candidly about body image, menopause, and the lifelong pressures women face to conform, while emphasizing the importance of rejecting external validation. The conversation also delves into broader cultural dynamics, including ageism in the media, the lack of representation for older women, and how storytelling can shift perspectives across generations. Heidi reflects on the surprising reach of her work—particularly among younger audiences—and the power of showing up honestly online. At its core, this episode is a call to rethink everything we’ve been taught about aging. Heidi reminds us that resilience is not about chasing youth, but about embracing every version of ourselves with honesty, humor, and compassion—and allowing others to do the same.  Guest Bio: Heidi Clements - 65 - wants to change the way the country looks at women over 50. A former TV writer turned social media influencer, Heidi uses fashion and storytelling to help reframe how people view aging. Heidi has worked in both magazine news and entertainment news, running shows like Entertainment Tonight, before moving into scripted television at 51. After producing 100 episodes of Freeform’s Baby Daddy, Heidi decided to shift her script focus and now writes only about women over 50. Heidi is now focused on turning her social media into a business and spreading the word about pro-aging, anti-alcohol, and general ideas about life, love, the pursuit of happiness, and crushing the patriarchy. Connect with Mark: ⁠Sign up for Mark's Newsletter⁠ [https://professionalstoryteller.myflodesk.com/newsletter] ⁠Follow Mark on Social Media⁠ [https://linktr.ee/marktravrivera?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAafPMaj_D18DExfiwY4MZ9rNQ1FUT8y1CBqwBvOakR_MxXWNDcOrcpAhfsRVpg_aem_b-fpm4NaXgIhjT2sRhrnLg] Connect with Heidi: Heidi’s Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/welcometoheidi/] Heidi’s Substack [https://welcometoheidi.substack.com/] Heidi’s Podcast: “Talk Fifty To Me” [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-fifty-to-me/id1845908252] Questions or comments? Email us at Hello@MarkTravisRivera.com.   Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/swoop/success [https://track.pstmrk.it/3s/uppbeat.io%2Ft%2Fswoop%2Fsuccess/vZub/7MTFAQ/AQ/c3446d17-26e2-4039-bcea-f1512fbc69a1/5/lV--CSf_qM] License code: SQK0ZY8P3EBIUZYY Disclaimer Note: The captions in this video are auto-generated, and while we try to ensure accuracy, you may notice a typo or error. Thank you in advance for extending grace.

Breaking Free from People Pleasing with Natalie Poindexter

In this episode of The Shift: Stories of Resistance and Resilience, Natalie Poindexter joins Mark Travis Rivera for a powerful and honest conversation about entrepreneurship, identity, and what it truly means to become yourself. Natalie shares her journey from people pleasing and overgiving to building a life and business rooted in boundaries, clarity, and purpose. Drawing from her background in grant strategy and her experience as a Black woman founder, she reflects on the realities of entrepreneurship—navigating uncertainty, rejection, and growth without losing yourself in the process. Together, Natalie and Mark unpack the tension between authenticity and expectation, exploring how societal norms, workplace environments, and generational conditioning can shape how we show up in the world. Natalie opens up about her experience stepping into entrepreneurship after being unexpectedly let go from her job, and how that moment forced her to trust herself in a completely new way. They also discuss the importance of community, the power of saying people’s names in rooms they’re not in, and what it looks like to build connections that go beyond transactional relationships. Throughout the conversation, Natalie emphasizes the role of faith—choosing to move forward even when the path is unclear—and the importance of doing the exact opposite of what you’ve been conditioned to do in order to step fully into your purpose. This episode is a reminder that resilience is not about doing more or pushing harder—it’s about choosing yourself, setting boundaries, and trusting that you already have everything you need to move forward. Guest Bio: Natalie Poindexter is a TEDx speaker, founder, and funding systems strategist who helps leaders move from chaos to structure without burning out. With 10+ years in grant strategy, evaluation, and technical assistance—and a background in pre-hospital EMS—she brings a practical “triage + build” approach to leadership, boundaries, and sustainable impact. Natalie is the founder of NPI Consulting House and the creator of Scaffina, a platform supporting grant and procurement readiness. Her work centers ambitious women—especially women of color—in leading with clarity, confidence, and purpose. Connect with Mark: ⁠Sign up for Mark's Newsletter⁠ [https://professionalstoryteller.myflodesk.com/newsletter] ⁠Follow Mark on Social Media⁠ [https://linktr.ee/marktravrivera?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAafPMaj_D18DExfiwY4MZ9rNQ1FUT8y1CBqwBvOakR_MxXWNDcOrcpAhfsRVpg_aem_b-fpm4NaXgIhjT2sRhrnLg] Connect with Natalie: Natalie’s Instagram [https://instagram.com/nataliepoindexter] Natalie’s LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-poindexter/] Natalie Poindexter Initiatives  [https://nataliepoindexter.com/] Questions or comments? Email us at Hello@MarkTravisRivera.com.   Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/dan-snyder/returning-home License code: ASYBPBHYUQEWOLWE Disclaimer Note: The captions in this video are auto-generated, and while we try to ensure accuracy, you may notice a typo or error. Thank you in advance for extending grace.

Becoming Yourself and Living Authentically with Dion Davis

In this episode of The Shift: Stories of Resistance and Resilience, Dion Davis joins Mark Travis Rivera for a raw and layered conversation about authenticity, spirituality, and the journey of becoming yourself. Dion shares his path from being deeply rooted in evangelical ministry to ultimately stepping away in order to live fully and truthfully as a Black Latino gay man. He reflects on the internal and external tensions he faced as he navigated faith, identity, and societal expectations, and how those experiences shaped both his personal growth and his creative expression. Together, Dion and Mark unpack the complexities of religious trauma, the evolving relationship between spirituality and queerness, and what it means to reclaim faith on your own terms. They also explore the broader cultural and political landscape, discussing how belief systems can both support and suppress authenticity, and why choosing to exist unapologetically is an act of resistance. Dion opens up about the role of grief in his journey, from letting go of the life he once envisioned to embracing the unknown. He shares how giving himself space to evolve helped him reconnect with his creativity, leading to the release of his new single, Better, and a renewed commitment to living as a fully expressed artist. This episode is an honest reflection on identity, healing, and the courage it takes to choose yourself. It reminds us that authenticity is not a destination, but a lifelong process of becoming—and that in choosing ourselves, we create space for others to do the same. Guest Bio: Dion is an independent artist whose work is spiritually and emotionally layered. He blends personal insight with cultural commentary, creating music that resonates with intimacy and impact. His work is rooted in authenticity, introspection, emotional complexity, resilience, and a refusal to compromise integrity. Above all else, he is committed to authenticity within his expression, regardless of the medium. Connect with Mark: ⁠Sign up for Mark's Newsletter⁠ [https://professionalstoryteller.myflodesk.com/newsletter] ⁠Follow Mark on Social Media⁠ [https://linktr.ee/marktravrivera?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAafPMaj_D18DExfiwY4MZ9rNQ1FUT8y1CBqwBvOakR_MxXWNDcOrcpAhfsRVpg_aem_b-fpm4NaXgIhjT2sRhrnLg] Connect with Dion: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dionxdavis/] Dion’s Music  [https://linktr.ee/dionxdavis?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnXRELHnFd4VQsH5NTD4eeAE-tRyyDKuGo5DQX99iFEz_2SkDL2jl604uwDTA_aem_w-AMs7lAtclcf4MOeQKjYQ] Questions or comments? Email us at Hello@MarkTravisRivera.com.   Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/dan-snyder/returning-home License code: ASYBPBHYUQEWOLWE Disclaimer Note: The captions in this video are auto-generated, and while we try to ensure accuracy, you may notice a typo or error. Thank you in advance for extending grace.

Returning to Yourself and Helping One Another with Mayda Del Valle

In this episode of The Shift: Stories of Resistance and Resilience, Mayda Del Valle joins Mark Travis Rivera for a deeply personal and powerful conversation about creativity, loss, and returning to yourself. Mayda shares her journey of moving back home to Chicago to support her family, navigating caregiving, grief, and major life transitions while questioning her identity as an artist. She opens up about a period where her creative voice felt distant, and how surrendering to where she was led her back to her work in a more grounded and expansive way. Together, they explore the tension between creativity and productivity, challenging the idea that we must constantly produce in order to be considered artists. Mayda reflects on how community, cultural lineage, and intergenerational living shaped her understanding of success and belonging, while Mark emphasizes the importance of honoring our humanity in a time of collective uncertainty. They also discuss what it means to hold joy and grief simultaneously, and how both can coexist as part of a full and meaningful life. Through reflections on heartbreak, healing, and creative rebirth, this conversation reminds us that even in our most difficult seasons, we are being prepared for something new. Ultimately, this episode is a call to stay rooted in our humanity, trust our inner voice, and remain connected to each other as we navigate change together. Guest Bio: Mayda del Valle was born and raised on the Southside of Chicago. She is the author of The University of Hip Hop and a winner of the 2016 Drinking Gourd Chapbook Poetry Prize from Northwestern University Press. Her full-length collection, A South Side Girl’s Guide to Love and Sex, was published by Tia Chucha Press. She began her artistic career at the Nuyorican Poets Café, where she was the 2001 Grand Slam Champion, and went on to become the National Poetry Slam Champion in the same year. She appeared in six episodes of the HBO series Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry and was a contributing writer and an original cast member of the Tony Award-winning Def Poetry Jam on Broadway. She has performed at venues across the world, including the White House in May of 2009, by invitation of President Obama and the First Lady. In 2024, Mayda was the recipient of the Letras Boricuas Fellowship, sponsored by Flamboyan Arts Fund and the Mellon Foundation. Most recently, she was selected to be the second Poet Laureate of the City of Chicago. Connect with Mark: ⁠Sign up for Mark's Newsletter⁠ [https://professionalstoryteller.myflodesk.com/newsletter] ⁠Follow Mark on Social Media⁠ [https://linktr.ee/marktravrivera?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAafPMaj_D18DExfiwY4MZ9rNQ1FUT8y1CBqwBvOakR_MxXWNDcOrcpAhfsRVpg_aem_b-fpm4NaXgIhjT2sRhrnLg] Connect with Mayda: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maydadelvalle/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/maydadelvalle/] Website [https://www.maydadelvalle.com/] Buy Her Books [https://www.maydadelvalle.com/my-work] Questions or comments? Email us at Hello@MarkTravisRivera.com.   Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/dan-snyder/returning-home License code: ASYBPBHYUQEWOLWE Disclaimer Note: The captions in this video are auto-generated, and while we try to ensure accuracy, you may notice a typo or error. Thank you in advance for extending grace.

Reimagining Humanity, Lessons from a Poetic Intercessor with Dr. Alysia Harris

In this episode of The Shift: Stories of Resistance and Resilience, Dr. Alysia Harris joins Mark Travis Rivera for a powerful, thought-provoking conversation about poetry, storytelling, and the transformative power of personal testimony. Dr. Harris shares her perspective on resistance as a creative, evolving dialogue rather than simple opposition. She invites connection, imagination, and deeper understanding across differences. She also reflects on resilience as a practice of discernment, emphasizing the importance of balancing rest and action in order to sustain meaningful work. Together, they explore the role of storytelling in shaping collective memory and challenging dominant narratives, especially in a time when voices and histories are being silenced. Dr. Harris also unpacks the biggest misconception about poetry that you have to be good at it and reframes it as a practice of taking your life seriously and engaging deeply with your own experiences. Through reflections on faith, identity, and human connection, this conversation is a powerful reminder that none of us is the full story on our own. It is through sharing our stories, listening to others, and embracing complexity that we move closer to true understanding and to building a more connected, just world. Guest Bio: Dr. Alysia Nicole Harris is a poet, linguist, and passionate intercessor. With bases in Atlanta, GA; Corsicana, TX; and Rotterdam, Netherlands, Alysia gathers communities around creative expression to cultivate social and spiritual imagination at the local, urban, and global levels.  Alysia received her MFA in poetry from NYU and her PhD in linguistics from Yale University. As a founding member of The Strivers Row Poetry Collective and an award-winning spoken word artist, she has amassed over 10 million views on YouTube. She has performed and taught workshops in creative writing and civic engagement across 12 countries for organizations such as the U.S. Missions to Ukraine, South Africa, and Jordan, NAACP, Yale Center for Faith & Culture, City Seminary New York, The Disrespected Literatures Conference, MoMA: PS1, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston and numerous nonprofits, universities, and secondary schools. Her chapbook How We Must Have Looked Like Stars to Stars won the 2015 New Women’s Voices Contest.  Alysia also served as the inaugural Arts and Soul Editor for Scalawag Magazine, a publication amplifying justice, arts writing, and cultural organizing in the US South. There she developed her passion for working with emerging writers, and honed her signature approach to journalism and arts writing as vehicles for  articulating personal testimony, developing an empathetic social witness, and opening up creative pathways for spiritual engagement.  During her Creative Community Care residency with City Seminary, Alysia partnered with community members to save a century-old church from demolition. In 2021 she founded Meetinghouse Revival, an organization that celebrates the history of Southern Black communities and the legacy of Black spiritual witness through the revival of historically-significant Black gathering places, intergenerational storytelling, and cultural education.  Connect with Mark: ⁠Sign up for Mark's Newsletter⁠ [https://professionalstoryteller.myflodesk.com/newsletter] ⁠Follow Mark on Social Media⁠ [https://linktr.ee/marktravrivera?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAafPMaj_D18DExfiwY4MZ9rNQ1FUT8y1CBqwBvOakR_MxXWNDcOrcpAhfsRVpg_aem_b-fpm4NaXgIhjT2sRhrnLg] Connect with Alysia: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alysia-harris-phd-3b26105b/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/poppyinthewheat/] Website [https://alysiaharris.com/] Questions or comments? Email us at Hello@MarkTravisRivera.com.   Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/dan-snyder/returning-home License code: ASYBPBHYUQEWOLWE Disclaimer Note: The captions in this video are auto-generated, and while we try to ensure accuracy, you may notice a typo or error. Thank you in advance for extending grace.