Shawna and LaLa: Life Beyond The Mic

Shawna and LaLa
  • 5.0 (39)
  • PERSONAL JOURNALS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Life Beyond The Mic is a women’s empowerment and lifestyle podcast hosted by Shawna and LaLa, where conversations go beyond the mic, lights, cameras, and stage.  Blending celebrity interviews with real-life conversations, they talk about the wins, the struggles, and the failures, giving an honest look at what life actually looks like behind the spotlight.  As creators living with disabilities, they bring a perspective that is rarely heard, sharing real experiences, practical solutions, and product features that make everyday life more accessible and independent.

  1. 6D AGO

    Inside the NICU That Saved Shawna’s Life

    Nearly 37 years after being born at just 1 pound 4.5 ounces and spending the first four months of her life fighting to survive in the NICU, Shawna returned to Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center for an emotional full-circle moment. This week on Life Beyond The Mic, Shawna and LaLa open up about delivering Mother’s Day gift bags to moms currently in the NICU, reconnecting with one of Shawna’s NICU nurses, and the overwhelming emotions that came with returning to the hospital that saved her life.The girls also sit down with Dina Shanowitz, Founder & CEO of Zomee, to discuss supporting NICU moms and the company’s generous donation of 60 breast pumps for families spending Mother’s Day beside their fragile little ones. A heartfelt thank you to Zomee, Owlet, Born Into Motherhood, and Itzy Ritzy for helping make this meaningful day possible. Hosted by Shawna and LaLa, Life Beyond The Mic brings real conversations that go beyond the mic, lights, cameras, and stage.  Follow the show so you never miss an episode, and if this resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.  We feature real conversations, product experiences, and brands we genuinely love.   For interviews, product features, and media opportunities, visit www.shawnaandlala.com.

    31 min

  2. MAY 7

    LaLa Was Escorted Out by Cops… and Banned from Staples

    This week on Life Beyond The Mic… it went from zero to chaos—FAST.  What started as a simple question about an Amazon return turned into something no one saw coming. LaLa was escorted out by police… and banned from Staples. In front of customers. Treated like a problem. A situation that escalated way further than it ever should have.But it doesn’t end there.  Because what happened next? Even more shocking. Then, in true Shawna & LaLa fashion, they shift from chaos to something much deeper.  As Mother’s Day approaches, they unveil their Mother’s Day Gift Guide,but this isn’t just about gifts. It’s about meaning. It’s about showing up. And it’s about the moms who need it most.They also share the heart behind their NICU giveback initiative at Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center, the very place Shawna was born. Hosted by Shawna and LaLa, Life Beyond The Mic brings real conversations that go beyond the mic, lights, cameras, and stage.  Follow the show so you never miss an episode, and if this resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.  We feature real conversations, product experiences, and brands we genuinely love.   For interviews, product features, and media opportunities, visit www.shawnaandlala.com.

    27 min

  3. APR 30

    Don't Trust Anyone

    This week on Life Beyond The Mic, Shawna shares a one month update on her TMS therapy journey and opens up about feeling stretched thin, overwhelmed, and very much in need of a vacation — even if that “getaway” happens to be a trip to West Virginia with her mom’s senior group.Then, we sit down with Linda Perillo to discuss her new book Your Payment Method Has Been Declined and the unbelievable true story behind it, including the alleged mishandling and theft of a trust fund Linda’s father set up for his children involving family, lawyers, and banks. It’s a powerful conversation about betrayal, resilience, and what happens when the people and systems you trust let you down.Plus, Shawna catches up with RJ Mitte from Breaking Bad at the ReelAbilities Film Festival for a conversation about living with cerebral palsy, disability representation in film, how far Hollywood has come, and where inclusion still falls short. Hosted by Shawna and LaLa, Life Beyond The Mic brings real conversations that go beyond the mic, lights, cameras, and stage.  Follow the show so you never miss an episode, and if this resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.  We feature real conversations, product experiences, and brands we genuinely love.   For interviews, product features, and media opportunities, visit www.shawnaandlala.com.

    1h 20m

  4. APR 23

    Posting the Perfect Life… Then Asking for Money + Ali Stroker Speaks Out

    This week on Life Beyond The Mic, Shawna shares a real and honest update on her TMS therapy journey.  Then LaLa asks a simple question that turns into a full conversation… what’s something people brag about that you can’t stand? From designer labels to posting the “perfect” life, things get real fast. In the middle of it all, LaLa brings up designer sunglasses and Shawna immediately thinks she’s being called out.  Shawna also opens up about planning her mom’s 70th birthday and the unexpected stress of figuring out the guest list… including whether kids should be invited. Plus, they sit down with Ali Stroker to talk about the upcoming ReelAbilities Film Festival and what still needs to change in Hollywood. They dive into how the industry continues to get casting wrong when it comes to actors with disabilities, why authentic representation matters, and what real progress actually looks like.   Hosted by Shawna and LaLa, Life Beyond The Mic brings real conversations that go beyond the mic, lights, cameras, and stage.  Follow the show so you never miss an episode, and if this resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.  We feature real conversations, product experiences, and brands we genuinely love.   For interviews, product features, and media opportunities, visit www.shawnaandlala.com.

    58 min

  5. APR 16

    The Journal Farrah Abraham Should Start

    This week, Shawna and LaLa break down the Farrah Abraham drama after she allegedly stiffed a hairdresser and lashed out at anyone who sided with the stylist. Sometimes it’s not everyone else… sometimes it’s time to look inward.  Shawna shares an update on starting TMS therapy and what this next step looks like after years of trying to find what works.  Plus, Katie Wood joins the show to talk about her journal A Simple Seed and how putting pen to paper can be the first step toward real growth and change. Hosted by Shawna and LaLa, Life Beyond The Mic brings real conversations that go beyond the mic, lights, cameras, and stage.  Follow the show so you never miss an episode, and if this resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.  We feature real conversations, product experiences, and brands we genuinely love.   For interviews, product features, and media opportunities, visit www.shawnaandlala.com.

    33 min

  6. APR 9

    Life Is Too Short… So Why Are We Living Like This?

    This week hits on a lot of real-life moments that make you stop and think!  LaLa’s husband, a police chief, heads to Kentucky for training focused on mental health and coping mechanisms for high-stress careers. It opens up a bigger conversation about how much pressure people carry and how important it is to actually take care of yourself.  At the same time, LaLa realizes something simple but real… As adults, we just don’t sleep in anymore. Life doesn’t slow down.  Then Shawna shares something that really puts things into perspective. Her mom is turning 70 and chose a one-day party over a full vacation just to avoid missing work.  And it makes you think… why are we living like this?  Life is too short to keep putting things off. Take the trip. Call the person. Be present.  The girls are joined by life coach Patrick Mitchell, author of This Is My Moment, talking about stepping into your life now.  Plus, Shawna catches up with Dr. Conchita Hernandez from the Maryland School for the Blind to talk about self-advocacy, independence, and how assistive technology has evolved over the years. This episode is a wake-up call. Hosted by Shawna and LaLa, Life Beyond The Mic brings real conversations that go beyond the mic, lights, cameras, and stage.  Follow the show so you never miss an episode, and if this resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.  We feature real conversations, product experiences, and brands we genuinely love.   For interviews, product features, and media opportunities, visit www.shawnaandlala.com.

    48 min

  7. MAR 26

    The Party Era vs Real Life + A Story That Will Change You

    Spring is finally here, and this episode goes from wild throwbacks to real-life conversations we’re all thinking about.We sit down with Chad and Jazmine Faries from the documentary Iron Family, sharing Jazmine’s incredible journey living with Down syndrome, her confidence, resilience, and her dream of becoming a storyteller. Her story, and the strength of her family, is something everyone needs to hear, especially following Down Syndrome Awareness Day.  Then… we shift gears.  After a weekend event in the city, LaLa shares a moment that sparked a full throwback to the early 2000's, when partying Thursday through Sunday and still making it to work was just normal life.But what really gets us talking… Kids are hitting their parents?!  We’re seeing more and more of this behavior being labeled as “gentle parenting,” and we honestly can’t believe some parents are just accepting it. When did this become normal? And what happened to discipline and respect? This episode is a mix of inspiration, nostalgia, and real, unfiltered conversations about how much things have changed. Hosted by Shawna and LaLa, Life Beyond The Mic brings real conversations that go beyond the mic, lights, cameras, and stage.  Follow the show so you never miss an episode, and if this resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.  We feature real conversations, product experiences, and brands we genuinely love.   For interviews, product features, and media opportunities, visit www.shawnaandlala.com.

    1h 8m

  8. MAR 23

    I Woke Up During My Colonoscopy…

    Shawna headed to Mohegan Sun for an overnight trip to see 3 Days Grace, rushing from one thing to the next—only to spend most of the night waiting on lines. The next day? More of the same. She rushed home to prep for her colonoscopy, arrived on time for her 1:15pm appointment… and didn’t get called back until 4:30.  But that wasn’t even the craziest part. During the procedure… Shawna woke up. Instead of panicking, she found herself watching it happen in real time—and actually thought it was fascinating. Meanwhile, LaLa absolutely cannot stop laughing over the entire situation. As if that wasn’t enough chaos, Gio joins track and somehow ends up on a two-hour bus ride home… despite living just five minutes from school. Plus, we sit down with Wendy from Wendylandia to talk about her business and her experience at Modern Day Wife. Hosted by Shawna and LaLa, Life Beyond The Mic brings real conversations that go beyond the mic, lights, cameras, and stage.  Follow the show so you never miss an episode, and if this resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.  We feature real conversations, product experiences, and brands we genuinely love.   For interviews, product features, and media opportunities, visit www.shawnaandlala.com.

    28 min
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5
out of 5
39 Ratings

About

Life Beyond The Mic is a women’s empowerment and lifestyle podcast hosted by Shawna and LaLa, where conversations go beyond the mic, lights, cameras, and stage.  Blending celebrity interviews with real-life conversations, they talk about the wins, the struggles, and the failures, giving an honest look at what life actually looks like behind the spotlight.  As creators living with disabilities, they bring a perspective that is rarely heard, sharing real experiences, practical solutions, and product features that make everyday life more accessible and independent.

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