WRAR with Sparks

Raised in a very religious household, Carla Cannon became a master suppressor. The constant seek for external validation made her a woman that would live her life taking care of not upsetting anyone, especially church folks. She even became a minister, and despite being surrounded by the love of a supportive church, Carla turned into a depressed, suicidal Christian. It took her many years to realize hiding her sexuality was rotting her from inside and learning that authenticity was her only way out. 

Today, we present the first half of this two-part episode with the unique Carla Cannon, "The Trailblazer," CEO of Carla R. Cannon Enterprises and Women of Standard. As a High-Performance Coach & Trainer, Carla transforms students' lives while teaching them how to unlock their perspective, unleash their potential, and discover their life purpose. She is also a Powerhouse Speaker, a National Best-Selling Author, Podcast Host, Breakthrough Coach, and Business & Marketplace Mentor. 

In this first part of our interview, Carla shares the journey of becoming who she is today. We talk about how Carla's life changed since she authentically and unapologetically showed the world who she is. We discuss how we tend to build our identity based on what people say or think about us and how dangerous and harmful this is. Carla also talks about why she feels religion almost killed her and God's love saved her. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• How Carla's life changed since she decided to let the world know her true self (5:41)
• Why it is crucial to pay attention to the things affecting our lives and shaping who we are (7:42)
• About the depressed, suicidal Christian, and what saved Carla's life (9:43)
• Carla talks about how religion almost killed her (18:16)
• What are the things we use to build our identity (27:31)

Resources:

• Carla Cannon, The Trailblazer website
• Woman Heal with Carla Cannon podcast
• Carla Cannon books

Connect with Carla:

• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Twitter

Let's Connect:

• Women Real and Raw website
• Women Real and Raw Instagram
• Women Real and Raw Facebook
• Book: Kristin Sparks - The Book On Joy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Somehow, we got to a point where people consider those who think differently from them as, at minimum, enemies. There is no space for respecting different points of view; those who don't share an opinion are in opposite teams, and it seems nothing can change that. 

Society appears to ignore that two people, seated in the same car, at the same moment, can see different things when they look outside. Reality is a matter of perception; we all have one, which is generally different from the rest. 

Today, we delve into the lack of mutual understanding and respect society is sinking in. We discuss how destructive it is the lack of respect for others' opinions, the absence of empathy, and the unwillingness to accept that people perceive the world differently, which shouldn't be a problem. We compare how our society responded to 9/11, getting together to fight a common enemy, versus how divided we are fighting this pandemic. 

We also talk about schooling, the need for a Bible update, the importance of practicing random acts of kindness, and much more. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Truth is the biggest lie when no one accepts others' opinions (2:55)
• The difference of how we perceive ourselves and how others see us (4:45)
• We can't agree on disagreeing anymore (11:12)
• The WW2 of our generation (16:38)
• The things school refuse to teach (22:27)
• The importance of being seen (38:20)
• We are always looking for a way to fit (45:21)

Resources:

• Book: Meggan Watterson - Mary Magdalene Revealed: The First Apostle, Her Feminist Gospel & the Christianity We Haven't Tried Yet
• Book: Dan Brown - The Da Vinci Code

Let's Connect:

• Women Real and Raw website
• Women Real and Raw Instagram
• Women Real and Raw Facebook
• Book: Kristin Sparks - The Book On Joy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We get so caught up in doing what we are supposed to do, chasing the goals we are supposed to achieve, and being who we are supposed to be, that we forget about the essential things in life, like creating moments or taking care of ourselves. We fall into that unwritten rule that states that we, women, must take care of everything during the holidays. We put ourselves last on our to-do list; we turn ourselves into doormats. 

Today's episode is a wake-up call; it is a reminder that life is that thing that happens while we are busy doing things for others. We delve into the importance of creating rituals that help us put ourselves first, how vital it is to create unforgettable moments, and why we must canalize our energies in those who love us. We also talk about loving and accepting ourselves just as we are and why we can't be good for others if we are not at peace with who we are first. We also share some valuable tips to enter 2022 the best way, leaving the anger, the shame, and the guilt in 2021.   

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• We start by setting an intention for our lives and Women Real & Raw (5:19)
• We are so caught up in the being and doing that we forget about laughing and enjoying life's single things (9:04)
• Dancing under the rain. The importance of creating moments (18:12)
• Looking like death walking. About Tiffany's happiness for being smaller after (31:25)
• Understanding that everyone's journey is different (40:28)
• About the things we can't change and the things we need to leave in 2021 (52:37)

Let's Connect:

• Women Real and Raw website
• Women Real and Raw Instagram
• Women Real and Raw Facebook
• Book: Kristin Sparks - The Book On Joy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It is hard to determine when or how it exactly happened, but at some point, women stopped being supportive villages for each other and became enemy kingdoms. From who has better hair, body, or clothes to who is more successful at their job or earns more money, it is a non-stop, gruesome women against women competition. 

Today, we had another beautiful conversation about friendship, sisterhood, faith, self-image, confidence, and growth. We explore childhood memories and identify where we get that sense of competition against other women. Is it something we hear about, or do we learn from adults? We delve into how critical it is to identify that our minimal size in the universe is inversely proportional to our role in it, that our voice matters, and needs to be heard. We also talk about how important it is to own our mistakes, even when they are extremely uncomfortable, and not wait to be thanked for apologizing. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• We appreciate what we lose. Pleasant memories at the sex shop (1:23)
• Women used to be villages for each other (12:54)
• Still loud and obnoxious. You can't lock personality in a closet (19:33)
• We are a grain of salt in the desert (25:56)
• What is faith really about (32:01)
• Why do we have to take 100% responsibility for our actions (38:21)

Let's Connect:

• Women Real and Raw website
• Women Real and Raw Instagram
• Women Real and Raw Facebook
• Book: Kristin Sparks - The Book On Joy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After over 15 years working in the traditional medicine model and seeing how women are treated, especially when dealing with sensitive subjects, our guest, Dr. Lisa Parsons, decided to be the change she wants to see in the world. She decided to open her own practice, where people could choose between concierge medicine or direct primary care, where they can feel heard, where doctors know and care about them. 

In this episode, we delve into a profound conversation about self-care, the flaws of traditional healthcare and insurance companies, and the importance of moving through our fears. Dr. Lisa shared her point of view on Texas' ban on abortion, anti-vaxxers, and the impact of the pandemic on people's professional and personal lives.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• What are the elements of traditional health care that made Lisa decide to start her own practice (2:23)
• The differences between concierge medicine and direct primary care ( 5:49)
• Why it is crucial, we keep moving forward through our fears (17:07)
• We must acknowledge people went through a massive trauma during the pandemic (30:51)
• Do you prefer stuff or experiences? What COVID has taught us about our lives (36:58)

Let's Connect:

• Women Real and Raw website
• Women Real and Raw Instagram
• Women Real and Raw Facebook
• Book: Kristin Sparks - The Book On Joy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There is a magical moment when we remove the label we carry, whether it is mom, wife, or whatever is written in our diploma, and we embrace who we really are, that there is no coming back. If we try to shrink ourselves back into the old version of ourselves after we step into our true selves, we can't do it; it is not physically possible. However, the hard part is to step into who we are, do what we want to do, and be exactly where we want to be. It requires determination, courage, and above all things, other women's support.  

In this episode, we delve into the power of being who we really are and embracing our true selves. We explore why it is so hard for women to step into who they are meant to be, whether it is for social pressure, lack of confidence, or the pursuit of a perfectionism imposed by society, men, or even other women. We also discuss racism, acknowledging two people in the same room can have different experiences based on the color of their skin, the need for seeing color, and celebrating the differences. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• The objectification of love (1:59)
• About the power of stepping into our true self (3:33)
• The danger of self-imposed perfectionism (6:55)
• It is your body, your vessel, you get to decide about it (10:54)
• Diamonds are made out of pressure. The need for diversity in every company (16:18)
• About the importance of seeing color (19:45)

Let's Connect:

• Women Real and Raw website
• Women Real and Raw Instagram
• Women Real and Raw Facebook
• Book: Kristin Sparks - The Book On Joy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It is crucial for us, women, to acknowledge two things: advocate for each other, and realize how powerful we are. We must know that the power lies within us because of our physiology, in how we are made. When we think about championing other women, last year was, among many other things, an excellent opportunity to discover new ways to connect with each other. To be a powerful woman, we don't need to be famous or financially successful; that power is right there when we wake up with our hair undone and a washed face. 

In this episode, our conversation spins around empowerment, connection, and sisterhood. We explore the importance of owning our power, we learn how to be powerful without being loud or obnoxious to demonstrate it, and being comfortable in our own skin. We also discuss the importance of being champions and advocating for other women and what happens when we realize we've lived our lives putting ourselves in second place. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• How important it is to remember that we must champion each other (1:28)
• Sitting in our power without having to shout it (3:23)
• Could you do me a favor? Tiffany shares some helpful advice to generate powerful connections (8:57)
• What 2020 taught us about connections (12:09)
• We don't need to be Beyonce; we must live our version of power (15:57) 
• A gentle reminder that you are powerful, and you deserve to be seen and heard (28:43)

Let's Connect:

• Women Real and Raw website
• Women Real and Raw Instagram
• Women Real and Raw Facebook
• Book: Kristin Sparks - The Book On Joy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When choosing what we want for us, whether a tattoo artist or a doctor, the city where we want to live, or the medication we'll take, our number one priority must always be whatever works better for us. We've been trained for centuries to accept what is given to us, and many of us think twice before standing up for what we want, fearing to be pointed out as being bitchy, a pain in the ass, or too sensitive. 

In this episode, we talk about how crucial it is for women to stand up for what works better for us, speak our minds in front of injustice, and simply say no to what we don't feel like doing, taking, or receiving. We share experiences where we raised our voices to be heard at critical moments, like being in a hospital and having a medication we know works for us denied by doctors. We also talk about being where we feel we should be, feel free to try out new things, and much more. 

Tune in to episode 5 of Women Real & Raw, and listen to some of our experiences where we learned how powerful and liberating it is to speak up for ourselves.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• You must find what fits you. Always (1:43)
• This life is about creating what it is that you want from it. And doing it in your own terms (6:06)
• Why it is vital to becoming a tourist in your own town (10:57)
• Just because you were born in one place, it doesn't mean you must remain there your whole life (15:32)
• Why we shouldn't be afraid to try new things (29:18)

Let's Connect:

• Women Real and Raw website
• Women Real and Raw Instagram
• Women Real and Raw Facebook
• Book: Kristin Sparks - The Book On Joy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's episode is the second part of our interview with our dear friend and cancer survivor, Kathy Preston. 

This time, our conversation delves into a less-known side of breast cancer. Kathy kindly shared details of her experiences having both breasts removed, how she felt before and after the surgery, and what she would have liked to know before undergoing the operation. We explore how breast reconstruction surgery affects a woman's intimacy and self-esteem and how to deal with it. 

Tune in to episode 4 of Women Real & Raw, and join us as Kathy gets real on breast cancer, sharing some raw truths about the daily struggles of breast cancer survivors who went through reconstruction surgery.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• I have to live in this body I had almost died in. How different we see ourselves after chemo ( 2:25)
• How breast reconstruction surgery affects intimacy (9:13)
• About Kathy's fulfillment on educating other women on breast reconstruction surgery (12:51)

Connect with Kathy:

• Instagram

Let's Connect:

• Women Real and Raw website
• Women Real and Raw Instagram
• Women Real and Raw Facebook
• Book: Kristin Sparks - The Book On Joy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Only those who have been in that cold ass room, alone or with a loved one, sitting in that chair with that tube in the arm having poison put in their body so they can live, can understand how chemo changes people. Chemo generates sympathy in those who haven't gone through it; they can try to know how it feels, but only that, try. On the other hand, those who went through chemo develop an unbreakable bond; they produce the same love for life and the need to go back to who they truly are. 

We are thrilled to welcome Kathy Preston to the show -- Tiffany's longtime friend, cancer survivor, and a wonderful human being. We had a conversation about cancer as real and raw as it can get. Kathy shared her journey undergoing chemo to treat the esophageal cancer that attacked her a few years ago. We also talked about the questions she used to ask herself, trying to understand why that was happening to her, how that experience changed her, and how she sees life. We also discuss the importance of sisterhood, looking for more profound and meaningful connections with other women, and much more.

Tune in to episode 3 of Women Real & Raw, and listen to the first part of this soul-touching interview with Miss Kathy. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• A bit of background on how Tiffany and Miss Kathy got to know each other (2:09)
• How Kristin knew she had esophageal cancer, and the beginning of the treatment (5:03)
• I have to drink this to live. Tiffany's story drinking her last dose (10:57)
• How chemo changed Kathy (12:51)
• We are our greatest asset and our greatest champion (19:18)

Connect with Kathy:

• Instagram

Let's Connect:

• Women Real and Raw website
• Women Real and Raw Instagram
• Women Real and Raw Facebook
• Book: Kristin Sparks - The Book On Joy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.