A Place to Be As You Are

A Place to Be As You Are

Annie Herman is a mom, wife, yoga teacher, part-time school teacher and owner of Queens Community Yoga [https://www.yogaqc.com]. During our conversation, I learned what led Annie to yoga, how she arrived in this place, and why it was so important to her to open the studio and create a space not only for herself but also for others to be as they are. Spending time with Annie and recording with her in the studio while sitting on a bolster was a breath of fresh air. It hit home for me the importance of community for support and structure for sustainability so that I can do all the things without falling apart. What an incredible second installment of the 4-part series “Becoming the Proof” [https://hellarader.substack.com/t/becoming-the-proof]—four women who built the thing they needed to ensure it exists for others when they need it. You can find all posts and episodes connected to this series here [https://hellarader.substack.com/t/becoming-the-proof]. Now, I invite you sit back, get comfortable and listen in. LINKS All things Annie Herman/Queens Community Yoga: Queens Community Yoga on the web: yogaqc.com [https://www.yogaqc.com] Queens Community Yoga on Instagram: @qcyogastudio [https://www.instagram.com/qcyogastudio] Annie Herman on Instagram: @anniehermanyogaandwellness [https://www.instagram.com/anniehermanyogaandwellness] and @annevans23 [https://www.instagram.com/annevans23] All things Hella Rader: Every link in one place: linktr.ee/hellarader [http://linktr.ee/hellarader] Open to submissions (join me on the podcast): hellarader.com/submissions [http://hellarader.com/submissions] Follow me on Instagram [http://instagram.com/hellarader], subscribe to my channel on YouTube.com/@hellarader [http://YouTube.com/@hellarader] and learn more about me on my Website [http://hellarader.com]. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes drop every other Wednesday. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hellarader.substack.com/subscribe [https://hellarader.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

The Power of Seeing Others (Do It)

Georgia Clark [http://georgiaclark.com] is an eight-time published novelist, founder and host of Generation Women, a monthly intergenerational storytelling event at Joe’s Pub in New York City, and the woman behind My Novel Year, a one-year writers program that helps writers finish their books without burning out. And less than two weeks out from the release of her latest novel, Play It Again [https://www.amazon.com/dp/0593729102?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_DPGWDG9MG8QJ08BZHDA4_1&bestFormat=true] (the book launch [https://publictheater.org/reserve/reserve?performanceNumber=53780] is June 16th at Joe’s Pub in NYC), I could not think of a better guest than Georgia to kick off this four part series, “Becoming the Proof,” four conversations with women who built the thing they needed to ensure it exists for others when they need it. This conversation with Georgia came at a key point for me personally, and I drew from it great inspiration to step up my podcast game to ensure The Stories That Sparkle [http://hellarader.substack.com/podcast] and, more importantly the women whose stories it holds, receive the proper time and attention. So, I invite you sit back, get comfortable and listen in. LINKS All things Georgia Clark: Georgia Clark on the web: georgiaclark.com [http://georgiaclark.com] Georgia Clark on Instagram: @georgiaclark [http://instagram.com/georgiaclark] Generation Women on the web: generationwomen.us [https://www.generationwomen.us] Play It Again book launch X Generation Women Show at Joe’s Pub: Tickets Here [https://publictheater.org/reserve/reserve?performanceNumber=53780] All things Hella Rader: Every link in one place: linktr.ee/hellarader [http://linktr.ee/hellarader] Open to submissions to join me on the podcast: hellarader.com/submissions [http://hellarader.com/submissions] Follow me on Instagram [http://instagram.com/hellarader], subscribe to my channel on YouTube.com/@hellarader [http://YouTube.com/@hellarader] and learn more about me on my Website [http://hellarader.com]. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes drop every other Wednesday. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hellarader.substack.com/subscribe [https://hellarader.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

One-Year Anniversary of the Pod (feat. Some Hella Thoughts)

May marks the anniversary of the launch of The Stories That Sparkle Podcast [http://hellarader.substack.com/podcast]…It has been a full year (and one week) since the first episode hit the pod-verse. I'll Go First (Hella's Story) [https://hellarader.substack.com/p/ill-go-first] (use link to listen) One year later, this episode is part celebration (of how I gained my voice in amplifying other women’s voices), part look back (to two years ago when all this really began), and part look ahead (to what I want to cover in future episodes) by way of sitting with some old ideas that manifest in my fear around money (a topic that will get a deeper exploration in the months ahead) but are really about something else (that feels much more existential) and a segue into the opening my somatic coaching practice Embody & Create [http://embodyandcreate.com] (to help other women call upon the wisdom held in their bodies and navigate life’s transitions, especially in midlife). As usual, I cover a lot of ground in a relatively short amount of time. So, I invite you sit back, get comfortable and listen in. LINKS All things Hella Rader: Every link in one place: linktr.ee/hellarader [http://linktr.ee/hellarader] Curious about my somatic coaching? Visit embodyandcreate.com [http://embodyandcreate.com] to learn more. Have a story to share on the podcast? Is there a topic you want to discuss with me? Submit your idea using this form [https://forms.gle/b3HRXfTzekvJnE3X8] and I will be in touch with you about setting up a recording session. Wanna collab? Work with me? Or ask me a question? Let’s connect [http://hellarader.com/contact]. Follow me on Instagram [http://instagram.com/hellarader], subscribe to my channel on YouTube.com/@hellarader [http://YouTube.com/@hellarader] and learn more about me on my Website [http://hellarader.com]. To help me record more women’s stories, amplify more women’s voices and celebrate different women’s choices, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber to my Substack [http://hellarader.substack.com], follow me on Instagram [http://instagram.com/hellarader], and/or, if you prefer to keep it simple, buy me a cup of coffee [https://buy.stripe.com/dRm4gz4lH08v740fZqeQM00]. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes drop every other Wednesday. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hellarader.substack.com/subscribe [https://hellarader.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Pain is Not Required with Dr. Lillian Medhus, Aspire Women's Wellness (Video Pod)

In this (video pod) episode of The Stories That Sparkle Podcast [http://hellarader.substack.com/podcast], I am joined by Dr. Lillian Medhus (founder of Aspire Women’s Wellness [https://www.aspirewomenswellness.com]) to talk about how her own health journey led her to change how she practices medicine, listens to the women who come to see her, and asks questions to help them navigate complex gynecologic issues—especially endometriosis and pelvic pain (and of course menopause). As someone who struggled through the shame and grief of painful periods and sex for most of my life, I certainly wish I had met Lillian a lifetime ago. Lillian sent the Menopause Questionnaire and Endo Screener docs to me which I have uploaded to this folder [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-UKtQ6WG1gAl8MMy80d90hHaxuw07huj?usp=share_link] for you to access and download. You can watch the episode here on Substack [http://hellarader.substack.com/podcast] or on my YouTube channel [http://YouTube.com/@hellarader] (in the Video Pod playlist), or listen to audio only wherever you get your podcasts. And now, I invite you sit back, get comfortable and watch (or listen in). LINKS All things Dr. Lillian Medhus and Aspire Women’s Wellness: Dr. Lillian Medhus is a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner and Certified Menopause Practitioner. She provides specialized care for hormone health, sexual wellness, and complex gynecologic conditions like endometriosis and PCOS. With advanced training in functional and holistic medicine, and a deeply personalized approach, she’s known for helping women feel heard, understood, and empowered in their health. Her personal experience guides the care she provides, helping women heal and thrive. Follow on Instagram: @aspirewomenswellness [http://instagram.com/aspirewomenswellness] Visit on the Web: aspirewomenswellness.com [http://aspirewomenswellness.com] All things Hella Rader: Every link in one place: linktr.ee/hellarader [http://linktr.ee/hellarader] Have a story to share on the podcast? Is there a topic you want to discuss with me? Submit your idea using this form [https://forms.gle/b3HRXfTzekvJnE3X8] and I will be in touch with you about setting up a recording session. Contact me here: hellarader.com/contact [https://www.hellarader.com/contact] Follow me on Instagram [http://instagram.com/hellarader], subscribe to my channel on YouTube.com/@hellarader [http://YouTube.com/@hellarader] and learn more about me on my Website [http://hellarader.com]. To help me record more women’s stories, amplify more women’s voices and celebrate different women’s choices, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber to my Substack [http://hellarader.substack.com], follow me on Instagram [http://instagram.com/hellarader], and/or, if you prefer to keep it simple, buy me a cup of coffee [https://buy.stripe.com/dRm4gz4lH08v740fZqeQM00]. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes drop every other Wednesday. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hellarader.substack.com/subscribe [https://hellarader.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

You Deserve a Good Night's Rest with Katya Eckert, A Domani Sleep (Video Pod)

In this (video pod) episode of The Stories That Sparkle Podcast [http://hellarader.substack.com/podcast], Katya Eckert (founder of A Domani Sleep [http://adomanisleep.com]) and I talk about her mission to help women get the rest they deserve while feeling good and sexy in their sleepwear—and their bodies. We also nerd out about textiles, sustainability, and supply chain—just in time for Earth Day 2026 and Mother’s Day (you can get a little A Domani Sleep [http://adomanisleep.com] for the mom in your life). And, because I now have new equipment to help me record video with better audio on the go, I was able to meet with Katya earlier this week in real life to record extra footage in her studio while sitting next to the Rack of Joy (samples of the A Domani sleepwear collection). Katya is a breath of fresh air—her enthusiasm for what she does and her willingness to support others is inspiring. You can watch the episode here on Substack [http://hellarader.substack.com/podcast] or on my YouTube channel [http://YouTube.com/@hellarader] (in the Video Pod playlist), or listen to audio only wherever you get your podcasts. To watch the bonus clip of Katya and I meeting IRL, go to my YouTube.com@hellarader [https://www.youtube.com/@hellarader] channel or click here: Katya Eckert BONUS CLIP [https://youtu.be/1TUXdjnwIMY]. And now, I invite you sit back, get comfortable and watch (or listen in). LINKS All things Katya Eckert and A Domani Sleep: Follow on Instagram: @adomanisleep [http://instagram.com/adomanisleep] Visit on the Web: adomanisleep.com [http://adomanisleep.com] (use code HELLA20 at checkout to save 20% on your first order) All things Hella Rader: Every link in one place: linktr.ee/hellarader [http://linktr.ee/hellarader] Have a story to share on the podcast? Is there a topic you want to discuss with me? Submit your idea using this form [https://forms.gle/b3HRXfTzekvJnE3X8] and I will be in touch with you about setting up a recording session. Contact me here: hellarader.com/contact [https://www.hellarader.com/contact] Follow me on Instagram [http://instagram.com/hellarader], subscribe to my channel on YouTube.com/@hellarader [http://YouTube.com/@hellarader] and learn more about me on my Website [http://hellarader.com]. To help me record more women’s stories, amplify more women’s voices and celebrate different women’s choices, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber to my Substack [http://hellarader.substack.com], follow me on Instagram [http://instagram.com/hellarader], and/or, if you prefer to keep it simple, buy me a cup of coffee [https://buy.stripe.com/dRm4gz4lH08v740fZqeQM00]. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes drop every other Wednesday. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hellarader.substack.com/subscribe [https://hellarader.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]