How I Ally

Post Traumatic Parenting

What if your trauma could become your superpower in parenting? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Dr. Robyn Koslowitz, clinical child psychologist and author of Post-Traumatic Parenting: Break the Cycle, Become the Parent You Always Wanted to Be. We explore how childhood trauma shapes the way we show up as parents—and how the very act of raising children can be our path to healing. We discuss: * The difference between the trauma of presence and the trauma of absence * Why conflict isn’t the problem in families—mismanaged conflict is * How to “reprogram” the trauma app in your brain * The power of repair and modeling healthy conflict for your children * Why parenting is the perfect moment for rewiring and growth If you’ve ever worried that your “damage will damage your kids,” this episode offers hope, compassion, and practical tools to shift that fear into strength. 🔗 Resources & Links: * Post-Traumatic Parenting by Dr. Robyn Koslowitz (Amazon) [https://www.amazon.com/] * Follow Dr. Koslowitz on Instagram: @posttraumaticparenting [https://www.instagram.com/posttraumaticparenting] * Connect with me on Instagram: @lucindarogerskoza [https://www.instagram.com/lucindarogerskoza] ✨ If this episode resonated with you, please rate, review, and share — it helps more parents find the support they deserve.

Kumiko Kanayama is a Shiatsu Grandmaster

In this episode of How I Ally, I sit down with Kumiko Kanayama, founder of the longest-running Shiatsu center in the U.S., to explore the healing wisdom of her family tradition. We talk about: * How Shiatsu goes beyond massage to work with energy channels and meridians * Simple practices that ease pain, improve digestion, and bring emotional clarity * The transformative journey of motherhood—from exhaustion to deep connection * Why rest, presence, and small daily rituals are essential for healing Kumiko’s story is a reminder that healing is not just physical—it’s emotional, cultural, and communal. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or simply seeking balance, her insights will leave you inspired. 👉 Tune in now, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review so more listeners can discover these powerful conversations.

It’s Time to Say the Word Out Loud

It’s time to say it out loud—vagina—and stop the shame. Lucinda Koza talks with Saundra Pelletier, CEO of Evofem Biosciences, about why accurate language saves lives, the first non-hormonal, on-demand birth control, and how to raise informed, empowered daughters and sons. Plus—the surprising link between weight-loss drugs and birth control. Listen, learn, and join the movement to reclaim women’s health and equality.

And Then Something Like Caregiving Happens

In this powerful conversation, Lucinda Koza talks with her longtime friend Melissa Gillis — caregiver, mom of twins, and therapist — about navigating life after a decade of caring for her mom with Huntington’s Disease. They share honest reflections on anticipatory grief, meeting loved ones where they are, finding your “tribe,” and letting go of toxic positivity. With equal parts humor, raw truth, and hope, they explore how to: * Accept your loved one’s changing abilities without forcing the past * Hold both love and frustration in caregiving * Rebuild your identity after your role shifts * Prepare your kids to handle life’s messiness Whether you’re deep in the caregiving trenches or on the other side, this episode will remind you: it’s possible to feel balanced, fulfilled, and whole again. 🎧 Listen now for real stories, laughter, and life-changing perspective. Contact Melissa Gillis for caregiver coaching services: melissa@melissagillis.care [melissa@melissagillis.care]

Spiritual Allyship: The Story of Sean/a

What does it mean to truly show up for someone? In this powerful episode, Lucinda Koza speaks with psychologist and trauma specialist Dr. Kirsten Viola Harrison about her decade-long friendship with Sean/a—an intersex woman who overcame the hardest obstacles of homelessness and schizophrenia to become a beacon of strength and joy. Together, they explore what happens when we take a chance on one another. From daily Starbucks chats to a worldwide Pride tour, this is the story of two women who changed each other’s lives—and a whole community in the process. Topics We Cover: * Sean/a’s resilience and life as an intersex woman living unhoused * The emotional and spiritual power of allyship * Post-traumatic growth and surviving the “dark night of the soul” * Living with schizophrenia without medication * Finding hope, dignity, and connection in unexpected places Guest: Dr. Kirsten Viola Harrison is a psychologist with 35+ years of experience in trauma work. She is the co-author of I, Sean/a: The Story of a Homeless Intersex Woman Who Inspired a Community. Resources & Mentions: 📖 I, Sean/a — Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Goodreads 🌐 Learn more about Sean/a’s story on TikTok (1M+ views!) 🗺️ Pride around the world: Sean/a’s first international journey at age 59 Follow & Subscribe: If this episode moved you, please follow, rate, and share How I Ally. Your support helps amplify voices that deserve to be heard.