Tag Archives: violence

Episode 34: Pain Is Temporary

Today I have a very special treat for you all.

Early this year I got drafted into the Toastmasters International speech contest. I won’t name names but THANK YOU VERY MUCH LINDA GARDNER!

My challenge was to give a 7 minutes inspirational speech. It was my first time ever, and I nearly had a heart attack before I went up the stage. Public speaking was my biggest fear but fortunately, I never, ever shy away from any challenge or fear so I faced it head on. By saying that I got a lot of help from my wonderful friends, mentor and hubby and the speech was well received. I won the first two rounds and came third at Division level.

No trip to Vancouver this year, sorry to all my Canadian friends!

After each competition, people came up to me and asked if I could record my speech because they want to share it with their loved ones.

I was hesitant at first because I didn’t think it was good enough. But one day I overheard my hubby’s good mate Gary Vee saying “don’t be fancy” so here it is :)

I hope you find it useful.

Music Credits

Intro: Don’t Hold Back (Grow and Soar) by KOÄN
2010 – Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0)

Background: Hope by Borrtex
2017 – Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (4.0)

Photo Credit – Suben Subenthiran

Episode 32: The Most Extreme Form of Violence Against Girls

Fatu SillahToday I’m talking to a brave and determined young woman who’s speaking out against her culture and looking to make a change in her community.

Fatu was born in Sierra Leone. As a young girl, she was subjected to a cruel and brutal practice called Female genital mutilation (FGM) also known as female genital cutting or the somehow innocent sounding female circumcision.

This is by no means similar to male circumcision. FGM is the ritual removal of some or all of the external female genitalia. It involves the total removal of the clitoris and the narrowing of the vaginal opening through stitching or cutting and repositioning the labia minora or labia majora. The practice has no health benefits whatsoever. In fact, it harms girls and women in many ways and sometimes it leads to death.

It is one of the most extreme forms of violence against girls and women across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. The practice has also been found around the western world, in countries such as Australia, UK, USA, Canada etc. It is estimated that more than 200 million young girls and women around the globe have been mutilated and are living in immense physical and psychological pain.

Resources and Links:
Music Credits

Intro: Don’t Hold Back (Grow and Soar) by KOÄN
2010 – Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0)

Episode 20: Overcoming Addiction

Natalie Calkins Rountree
Are you or a loved one struggling with addiction?

When someone suffers from drugs or alcohol addiction their entire family is paying for that terrible choice. Addiction brings about serious damage to families and to relationships. Those who take drugs can experience deadly consequences such as overdoses, crime, traffic accidents, violence and suicide. Children of alcoholic parents are at high risk of mental, physical and sexual abuse. They also suffer from low self esteem, loneliness and fear of abandonment. Sadly, I am one of those children…

In this episode I’m talking to an incredibly intelligent and beautiful lady, Natalie Calkins Rountree, who was kind enough to share with us her epic battle with alcohol addiction and her journey to recovery. Natalie came from a good background but, due to some poor choices, she became addicted to alcohol early on. She lost her self worth, dignity, the custody of her young daughter and almost took her own life. After a 15 years battle with alcoholism she had finally kicked the habit and has been sober for almost a decade. She rebuilt her life, got her daughter back, she’s happily married and has a very successful career.

Resources and Links:
Music Credits

Intro: Don’t Hold Back (Grow and Soar) by KOÄN
2010 – Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0)

Episode 14: Turn Your Pain into Purpose

Marium ZulfiqarResentment will kill you, anger will kill you but if you can turn your pain into love than nothing can touch you.

She was raped and had a miscarriage at the tender age of 12.

She was suicidal, suffering from mental illness and being locked in a psychiatric hospital for a great period of time.

Today Marium Zulfiqar is a happy, healthy 20 years old passionate campaigner and speaker and a mental well being coach. She’s here today sharing her life journey and hoping to raise awareness on mental health issues and ending sexual violence.

Music Credits
Intro: Don’t Hold Back (Grow and Soar) by KOÄN
2010 – Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0)