And Then Suddenly

Jennifer Tan was working a demanding job at a management consultancy firm when she had the idea to create a business empowerment program for women. Through a series of events her idea developed into …

Jack Ridl was walking with his 7-year-old daughter when she said "with" was the most important word because people always have to be with something, someone, or themselves. When she added that it mea…

In May 2017, Stacy Walsh (& then write podcast) was home sick on the couch when her Dad called to say her Mom felt like her legs weren't working in the shower.  Later that day her Mom was diagnosed w…

As a Deaf woman in Nigeria, Hellen Beyioku-Alase heard stories about the discrimination in hospitals towards the Deaf community but it wasn't until her first pregnancy that she experienced how bad th…

Neema Tembele was bartending when she had her first panic attack.  The painful physical sensations went away once she got to the hospital but the event set her on a new path.  Now the Co-Founder and …

When Bwiite Lydia was a young girl, she witnessed her widowed grandmother have her land taken by a family member.  The event sparked her desire to support people facing injustice, especially women.  …

Maureen Ava Mata was eighteen when she was diagnosed with bone cancer and had to have her leg amputated.  Her new life as …

About four years ago, Anna Xwexx Morena sought asylum in Denmark for her safety and the chance to freely express herself. …

Mohamed Magassa was in 7th grade when he got a STEM magazine that showed a picture of a white surgeon.  Without a second thought, he closed the page.  Years later, when he was considering a career in…

At twenty-three weeks, Amelia Kent had a miscarriage and she was faced with an experience and grief people don't know how to talk about.  Wanting to bring a common experience into the open, she share…

Nancy Allen was the mother of two small children attending a talk at the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture when out of nowhere she fell in love with Robert Sardello and spiritual psychology.…

Derek was at church in his small hometown in Virginia when a girl he'd never seen walked through the door.  Thinking she was the one, they stayed friends for a year and a half until one New Years Eve…

Years into his addiction, Mike Wanjeng’u was having an argument with his parents when his father said something that cut h…

In celebration of International Day of Older Persons, I talk with two guests who are using their retirement to help fellow…

When Olivia LaBarre started doing Reiki, things began to change.  Wanting to get control of new feelings and visions, she enrolled herself in a psychic development class.  But when she complained abo…

In October 2014, Mary Jo McConnell was walking across the street when she was hit by a car.  After having surgery on her broken leg, she was left to navigate New York City on crutches and had to figu…

This episode is part of a special series: And Then Suddenly; Rising Voice(s)

When a friend invited Anan Bouapha to attend a HIV prevention volunteer workshop, he went because he thought it would be a…

Molika Gupta was preparing a presentation when her immigration attorney emailed to say her sponsored work visa application was not selected in the random lottery process.  A career professional who c…

After sixteen years in the Coast Guard, on October 1, 2013 Brandon Saiz achieved the rank of Chief Petty Officer.  Hating the tradition of initiation, he decided not to go through the voluntary indoc…

On the night of their 30th birthday, Goldie Peacock was definitely not looking for love.  They were at the Branded Saloon in Brooklyn, getting ready to perform an epic drag king number that transform…