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Meet https://carolyndoelling.com (Carolyn Doelling )who refused to allow society to make her feel invisible after retirement. She decided to add a bit of color to her wardrobe and embrace her natural hair, as her own visual protest. The results, a blossoming modeling career at 70 and the chance to use her platform to help other women see that retirement isn't the end - it's really the beginning.

It's an update from Natalie Wilson with The Black and Missing Foundation. Find out what tips she has for making sure our children are safe online. And help me honor them, this month is 14 years of service helping us find us. Wear something orange this weekend (that's their color) and tag them on Instagram @blackandmissingfdn and tell them THANK YOU for their dedication and commitment to our missing. https://www.blackandmissinginc.com/ (Visit their website )to learn more and find out how you can help.

May is my month ya'll! It's Mother's Day, its' my Birthday and May is Mental Health Awareness Month. I just could not help but start the month talking about why May means so much to me. Find out what's going on with my girl, what I've learned about balance when it comes to dealing with her life and protecting my own mental health. There is one thing I believe is VERY important (maybe two) to remember during mental health awareness month. And HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! This year my birthday is on the "eve" of next year's milestone birthday and it's a time that I am learning more about what I want this next chapter in my life to look like, including committing more time to the non-profit my sisters and I started several years ago but had to put on the back burner for a while. I'd love for you to celebrate with me and donate to SEW (only if you want to) https://www.facebook.com/donate/1657063854632842/?fundraiser_source=external_url (DONATE TO MY BIRTHDAY FUNDRAISER )

It's Autism Awareness Month and we are talking to Tiffany Hutchinson, a mom with a son on the spectrum. She talks about the rough road getting to a diagnosis, how she felt when she finally had answers and what she thinks are some of the misconceptions many have about children with autism. The experience led her to use her love of writing to write about the experience and from there, she started her blog, A Mama Bear and Her Cub: https://amamabearandhercub.com/author/amamabearandhercub/ April is Autism Awareness Month and I can't wait for you to listen to this discussion. Moms of color have a story to tell about raising children with autism and this story is inspirational, relatable and real ya'll, so let's get into it!

March is National Endometriosis Month and I just could not let the month pass without talking about it. I've talked about the fibroids, but guess what, I had endometriosis too. We need to talk about it more so here goes - more on this part of my journey! Check me out, and click below for a few resources with more information. https://nationaltoday.com/national-endometriosis-awareness-month/amp/ (What is Endometriosis) https://www.essence.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/what-black-women-need-to-know-about-endometriosis/?amp=1 (Black Women and Endometriosis ) https://rsphealth.org/endometriosis/ (The Sisterhood Project)

In the book We Are Not Like Them, two friends, one White and one Black tell the story from their separate perspective when a tragic event involving the shooting of an unarmed Black teenager changes their lives forever. They must face the issue of race head on and talk about uncomfortable feelings and stereotypes around race. Authors Christine Pride and Jo Piazza tell a powerful story and find that in order to tell this fictional but emotional and relevant story, they had to be open and honest about race with each other. Check out what they had to say, and then, if you haven't read the book, https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/We-Are-Not-Like-Them/Christine-Pride/9781982181031 (buy a hard copy or the audiobook TODAY! )

I'm BAAAAAACK! it's my surgery update, what I wish I had done differently and the DRAMA after the surgery in recovery. It was a rocky start but thank God I made It! And, guess what ya'll! It's my two-year podcast anniversary! PLUS a quick preview of wha's coming up In My Shoes and with our non-profit https://www.facebook.com/sewempower?__cft__[0]=AZU5ZQL14xvYzhTuSxFPW_FFAB3gcXOPEH--rb6q-d8eXjBwEJuriDqnyb3J0tqP4ZncKjOVumhhatVyhZVumrL8NGwyBcixsQ4ETVESVXYSNyU2qGtsHVUQ-cxpTcB8YLp9uVV46GWxkwJBig7nwBwVL4dHe6SiAzCRS3aPjJBTaQ&__tn__=-]K-R (Sisters Empowering Women).

It's me and my boo ya'll! We are telling our love story for Valentine's Day. Find out what happened when he realized I was just a Freshman, and years later, when we were just about to date and then he moved away. And the day I found out he was getting married!! You will have to listen to find out what happened there! It's Valentine's Day and we are celebrating love on In My Shoes.

When Zykeisha Destin began to experience back pain, stomach aches and low iron, she began a year long journey of doctor's visits, blood transfusions and medical professionals who could only guess at the cause as one test after another failed to reveal the cause. And then one day the answer - colon cancer. It was something no doctor thought to test for since she was in her early thirties and had already given birth to two children. Now with Stage 4 colon cancer, she was fighting for her life, determined to be there to raise her two little ones, even as her marriage began to fall a part. This is a story of one Black woman's struggle, perseverance and determination even against the odds. https://instagram.com/cancermessedwiththewrongqueen?utm_medium=copy_link (Follow Zykeisha on instagram )

REWIND! In this REWIND episode, Egypt Sherrod talks about what she thinks our community needs to do to bring awareness to the thousands of people of color who go missing every year. Find out what she tells her daughters, what she decided to do last year to make sure she can defend her family and why she thinks more predators believe they can get away with it in broad daylight. https://www.facebook.com/EgyptSherrod/videos/886565595071872/?vh=e&extid=oJTmFMxeJR3iP6HG (Watch her powerful message:) Follow Egypt on Instagram at: https://instagram.com/egyptsherrod?utm_medium=copy_link (EgyptSherrod) Did you know: January Is Sex Trafficking Awareness Month? Take the time to learn more and find out what you can do to keep your loved ones safe.

Happy New Year! It's our first episode of 2022. It's just me on the mic, reflecting on 2021 and the surprised beginning of 2022... surgery. Find out what issue I've been dealing with for years that has finally come to a need for another surgery, what I wish I had known when I was younger and what I regret not advocating for earlier. Then, a quick update on my word for 2022 and my upcoming vision board party. Join our FB group for IMS updates, photos and information: https://www.facebook.com/groups/654482065359468/ Find out more about the Sheinelle Jones documentary: Stories We Tell: The Fertility Secret https://www.today.com/video/today-s-sheinelle-jones-shares-inside-look-at-new-documentary-on-infertility-128980549818

Sabrina Tshiamalenge has always loved to cook. A teacher by day she always loved trying new recipes as a hobby and of course, loved cooking for her family in the evenings and on weekends. But one day, a series of events led her to believe God was talking to that inner voice, the one that always wanted to try cooking as more than a hobby but was doubtful that anyone would take notice. Then one day, she made a menu to post on social media, but couldn't bring herself to post it. With a little help from her husband, the menu made it to social media and the rest... she will tell you all about it. Hear how she conquered fear and self doubt and what it has meant to her community, her family and her confidence in herself. Follow Sabrina on social media: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1241633506195625/?ref=share

This is the story of Elizabeth Leiba, who still lives with the shame of an arrest that wasn't her fault during her days as a student at the University of Florida. After a local drug store accused her of theft, (for a pack of batteries she had purchased) the store refused to admit wrongdoing and for years, she didn't talk about it, until the death of George Floyd and the outpouring of support for Kyle Rittenhouse, a teen charged with killing two men during the protests in Kenosha, triggered a need to respond, and wonder how so many can support a young who has admitted to taking two lives, yet try to ruin the life and reputation of a young girl all those years earlier over a pack of batteries. It's a powerful story. Follow Elizabeth on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethleiba (https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethleiba)

When Zariyah reposted the simple sentence about the hate dark-skinned girls must endure her mother knew right away that she needed to check in with her daughter. As the darkest member of her family, Zariyah often deals with the insensitive comments about the color of her skin - often from people of her own race. But the 17-year-old said she refuses to let the comments dim her light and her mother says she will always remind her that her melanin is poppin. Find out more about Zariyah, her mom and their beautiful transracial family: https://www.facebook.com/raisingcultures/

I can't believe it is December! It's been a while since it's just been me on the mic. I figured it was time for an update on my girl and a look back at 2021. So, it's just me this time. Find out what's going on with my girl, how I am planning to push myself out of my comfort zone in 2022, my take on parenting young adults and how I have found gratitude in the don't haves. It's my thoughts on 2021 and my look ahead for 2022. Join our FB community: We are a community of women of color, supporting one another, proud of our melanin, our journey and ready to use our voice. https://bit.ly/IMSDONATE (Donate to our non-profit), Sisters Empowering Women, Inc. and help us provide gratitude and "free-write" journals to girls of color as we teach them the value of words, communication and finding their voice.

Tonight is Thanksgiving and I am so thankful for the opportunity adoption afforded me. It gave me the chance to grow my family and become the mommy God wanted me to be with the two babies He gave me. I am also thankful for the chance adoption has given my baby sister. She adopted a beautiful baby girl 8 months ago. Today you get to meet her! She has A LOT to say and you can see some of it on our Facebook page. You can follow my suga' mama (Charli) on Instagram: @charlisays2021 And follow In My Shoes on Instagram: @ n_my_shoes - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NMyShoes2/ (@NMyShoes2) Don't forget there is still time to help us reach our goal for Giving Tuesday!

Maria is an ICU nurse who was on the frontlines of COVID from the very beginning. She shares her experience and what it meant for her family. Find out what she says was the hardest part for her and the way the NFL showed its gratitude to her for caring for our veterans. And don't forget we are working on our donation challenge for Giving Tuesday to support our non-profit, Sisters Empowering Women, Inc. - Here's the link for you to DONATE TODAY! We've almost reached or goal: https://bit.ly/IMSDONATE Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NMyShoes2/ (https://www.facebook.com/NMyShoes2/)

On this Veterans Day we pause to remember Vanessa Guillen. A beautiful soldier serving a Ford Hood Texas who mysteriously went missing. The military didn't have many answers for her family, but they wouldn't give up and refused to accept the military's stance that she simply walked off base. Now a little more than a year after her death, her family works to make sure she is never forgotten and that she did not die in vein. in this REWIND episode we talk to Vanessa's sister Mayra talks about her sister and the family's fight for justice for Vanessa. Follow In My Shoes: https://www.facebook.com/NMyShoes2/ (https://www.facebook.com/NMyShoes2/) https://www.instagram.com/n_my_shoes/ (https://www.instagram.com/n_my_shoes/) https://twitter.com/inmyshoes8/status/1442280507069317124?s=21 (https://twitter.com/inmyshoes8/) https://www.linkedin.com/company/inmyshoes Donate to our nonprofit with our FB Giving Tuesday Challenge: https://bit.ly/IMSGIVINGTUES

It’s a rewind episode with me and my hubby talking about our adoption journey in honor of National Adoption Awareness Month. Find out how he felt when I told him I didn’t think I would get pregnant easily and what he thinks helped him to be open to adoption. AND don’t forget November is the month of giving and you can help us make Thanksgiving and Christmas bright for girls and women in need of a little pick me up. We are working with families in our area who need Thanksgiving meals and gifts for Christmas. You can visit our website to donate OR, purchase from our shop and all proceeds go to the non-profit.  Visit our website: www.inmyshoestoday.com

Sandy Boisrond is an attorney, advocate and auntie. She is a part of the village and support system for her nephew who is on the autism spectrum. As an attorney she helps families with estate planning and making sure they have the right things in place in order to future plan for the needs of a special needs loved one Find out what she thinks is one of the biggest mistakes families make, how her role as auntie to an autistic nephew has impacted the way she practices law and what she thinks we need to do as a society to better support those with special needs. AND be sure to listen until the end and find out about a generous offer Sandy is making to IMS listeners. http://www.thespectrumlawfirm.com/ (http://www.thespectrumlawfirm.com/) PLUS: It's the holiday season and we are preparing to support several families for Thanksgiving. You can help us provide meals for girls in high school and their families who have fallen on hard times and need support and a good Thanksgiving meal. Donate today. All donations are tax deductible: https://bit.ly/IMSDONATE