Spoken Word by Anamika

Grace is the founder of ALGstudiostore and ALGelysianflamesco., creating luxurious wellness gifts and eco-friendly candles. She is passionate about self-care and sustainable living. Connect with Grace on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bitsstylejourney/] Share your story contact@anamikadutta.com Transcript: Dearest Grace, I'm writing to you today with a heart full of gratitude and a spirit of shared understanding. You know, perhaps better than most, the shadow that postpartum depression can cast. During my first pregnancy, it descended, a heavy, isolating fog that stole the joy from those precious newborn days. But with my second pregnancy, something shifted. I found a way to navigate those vulnerable months, and I believe, with all my heart, that I prevented the darkness from returning. And you, Grace, you were a silent, steady companion in that journey. It wasn't a single magic bullet, but rather a constellation of small, deliberate acts of self-care. I learned to prioritize my mental health, to treat it with the same reverence I gave to my physical well-being, and in that process, I discovered the power of simple rituals. Remember those wellness teas I started drinking? The calming blends of chamomile and lavender, brewed slowly in the quiet of the morning? They became a moment of stillness, a gentle reminder that I deserved a pause. And those candles, Grace, the soft, flickering light, the subtle scents of sandalwood and vanilla, transforming my bedroom into a sanctuary. I carved out time for at-home spa days, even if it was just a warm bath with Epsom salts and a face mask. It was a tangible act of self-love, a way to soothe the anxieties and physical aches that came with pregnancy, and I paid close attention to what I put into my body, focusing on nutrient-dense foods that nourished both my baby and my mind. The vibrant colors of fruits and vegetables, the grounding richness of whole grains, became a source of strength. These seemingly small things, Grace, they accumulated. They created a foundation of resilience, a buffer against the hormonal shifts and emotional rollercoasters of pregnancy. They reminded me that I was worthy of care, that my mental health mattered. I know you understand the weight of postpartum depression, the way it can steal the joy from those precious early days. I wanted to share my story, not as a prescription, but as a testament to the power of self-care, a gentle nudge to anyone who might be navigating a similar path. Grace, thank you for being a silent witness to my journey. Thank you for embodying the strength and resilience that we all possess within us. And thank you for reminding me, through your own experiences, that prioritizing mental health is not a luxury, but a necessity. With heartfelt gratitude, Grace

Founder & CEO, Empowered Minds Mental Health Counseling, PLLC Randi Corrigan, MA, LMHC is a licensed psychotherapist, CEO, and founder of Empowered Minds Mental Health Counseling, PLLC. With over a decade of clinical experience, Randi specializes in helping women heal from relational trauma, codependency, and low self-worth. As a codependent in recovery herself, she brings both personal insight and professional expertise into her mission: guiding women back to their inner power. Through her signature course, The Empowered Woman: Healing Codependency and Embracing Your Worth, Randi blends clinical strategies with compassionate coaching to help clients break free from self-abandonment, set boundaries without guilt, and cultivate self-worth from the inside out. Her work is deeply rooted in the belief that healing is possible, empowerment is earned through self-trust, and every woman deserves to feel safe, seen, and whole. Connect with Randi Website [https://www.empoweredmindsmhcpllc.com/] Book a Consultation [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/empowered-minds-mental-health-counseling-pllc-new-york-ny/391984] Schedule a Call with Randi [https://secure.helloalma.com/providers/randi-corrigan/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/empoweredmindsmhc/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/randi-corrigan-ma-lmhc-1b154975/] Want to share your story? Email contact@anamikadutta.com

Angeline Stacia is an international English teacher and a film scriptwriter from Indonesia. As a child, she faced hardship financially and mentally. In 2017, her mother flew her to New York for college, in hopes that she could also escape her childhood traumas. Moving here and there, she believed New York was her new beginning, only to find out later that she was in the hands of a predator, a man that her family trusted. Her life shattered once more as the man sexually assaulted her. From this podcast, she hopes to reach a bigger audience and to let others know that if you are struggling, you are not alone. Everyone has their own struggle, but with a positive and supportive community, she believes and hopes to walk together with the people who want to seek healing and grow. Connect with Angeline on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/staciaaangel/ ] Want to share your journey? Email contact@anamikadutta.com

Hi, my name is Cae Cordell.  I am a veteran minister 61 years.  I became disabled and retired as a College Instructor in an Oregon Medium Security prison. I was certified to teach Idaho and Washington Vocational Education, Natural Science, Drama, Speech, Communication and Secondary Education, grades 6-12.  I am a graduate of Arkansas Tech university, Russellville, Arkansas and Boise State University, Boise, Idaho.  Mother of 3 Children, grandmother of 7.  Outside of teaching, I engaged as a farmer, logger, avid gardener, preserve my own food, livestock owner, foster mom and remodeling/building houses since 1971 and am a licensed Arkansas Residential Building Contractor. I enjoy the outdoors, walking my dog, Hank, caring for my chicken flock and rabbits, reading, writing and author of 17 books. Connect with Cae [https://www.caecordell.com/] Email to share your story contact@anamikadutta.com

Patty Johnson is a health psychologist who creates art around spirituality, culture, justice and other bizarre and beautiful intricacies of life. She has written Where the Tiger Dwells, a memoir about her very Indian Christian parents who are giddily in the process of arranging her marriage while she becomes faint at the thought of telling them she’s having her secret American boyfriend’s baby. She has written Essays of Night and Daylight, stories on the intersection of race, immigration and womanhood. She is published in the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Teaching Hard History journal and Thrive Global, among others. Patty gave a TEDx talk on changing the narrative of inequity and also integrates visual and written work through screenwriting. Connect with Dr. Patty Johnson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/pattyjohnsonpsyd/] Connect with the host contact@anamikadutta.com