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. 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

  2. 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

  3. MAR 12

    Life Beyond The Mic with Vic DiBitetto, Kaelynn Partlow & Matt Walst

    This week on Life Beyond The Mic, Shawna and LaLa recap their night seeing Vic DiBitetto live at Bergen Performing Arts Center, sharing some of their favorite moments from his performance and the humor that keeps audiences laughing.  The girls also sit down with Kaelynn Partlow, author of Life on the Bridge, to talk about her time on Love on the Spectrum, the opportunities that experience has opened for her, and the importance of understanding that people experience and navigate the world in different ways.  Plus, Shawna interviews Matt Walst of Three Days Grace, discussing the band’s new album Alienation, life on the road, and how their music continues to connect with fans around the world. 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.

    30 min

  4. MAR 5

    Vic DiBitetto: Everyday Frustrations and Viral Comedy

    Comedian Vic DiBitetto joins Shawna and LaLa on Life Beyond The Mic for a hilarious and honest conversation about comedy, everyday frustrations, and the moments in life that everyone can relate to.  The girls first share highlights from the Modern Day Wife event, where they sat down with longevity coach Erica Hollingdrake Weir to talk about the habits that can help people live longer, healthier lives and why small changes can make a big impact over time.  Then the laughs kick in when Vic DiBitetto joins the show ahead of his March 7th performance at Bergen PAC in Englewood, NJ.  Vic talks about the everyday things that drive people crazy, the frustrations of modern technology, and how those moments often become the inspiration behind his comedy.  The conversation also turns to the real star of some of Vic’s viral videos, his famous cat Eddie, a fan favorite who has stolen the spotlight more than once.  In one of the funniest moments of the interview, Vic also finds out LaLa is 40 and can’t believe it.  Between the laughs and stories, the girls quickly decided Vic might just be their new “Uncle Vic”. Vic DiBitetto is known for his viral social media videos and stand up comedy that captures the everyday frustrations people are thinking but rarely say out loud. 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.

    34 min

  5. FEB 26

    Facts Over Feelings

    The Blizzard of 2026 was supposed to shut everything down with up to 3 feet of snow. Instead, Shawna and LaLa got 8 inches while Long Island got buried… allegedly 30 inches. Or 30 feet if you ask Shawna.  LaLa sounds off on facts over feelings when it comes to Botox, viral hot takes, and why emotion should not replace evidence.  Plus, powerful interviews with Cindy Yates, CEO of PiperBlue Organics, on clean beauty and confidence, and Dr. Kara Wada, board certified allergist, immunologist, and functional medicine physician, breaking down inflammation, immune health, and advocating for yourself in a broken system. 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 2m

  6. FEB 19

    Women Supporting Women: The Pajamas Bringing Dignity Back to Hospitals

    Valentine’s Day looked very different this year. While most people were out celebrating, LaLa was working an event for her Cannoli Cart business and Shawna was completely exhausted from life, health, and everything in between.  From there, the girls headed to the What She Said event in Hoboken, NJ, where they spent the entire day interviewing inspiring founders, entrepreneurs, creatives, and community leaders, both women and men, whose perspective added a powerful dynamic to the conversation.In this episode, they recap the energy of the room, the power of community, and what it really takes to show up fully while navigating health challenges and disabilities. Sometimes exhaustion is proof you’re building something bigger than yourself. Shawna shares her now-infamous St. Pierre waffle moment... Yes, the entire pack! Plus her new Bougie Bottle that reminds her of her grandmother and why small comforts can mean everything for mental health and resilience.  Then they sit down with Cindy Mutti, founder of Just Because Love Does, to talk about adaptive hospital clothing and medical-friendly pajamas designed with built-in access for heart monitors, IV ports, drains, and medical lines. Her mission is restoring dignity, comfort, and normalcy to patients navigating chronic illness, medical trauma, and hospital recovery. This episode explores women’s empowerment, entrepreneurship, disability advocacy, adaptive fashion, hospital recovery, resilience, and what real support actually looks like beyond the spotlight. 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.

    43 min

  7. FEB 12

    Back After the Blizzard: Valentine’s Confidence & Gut Health Real Talk

    After two weeks away, we’re back with a Valentine’s Day episode packed with lifestyle, health, and honest conversation.LaLa shares her Cayman Islands getaway. Shawna talks winter storms and freezing temps. We feature Madison Park, Tini Lux, and Adam & Eve with products that support comfort, accessibility, and feeling confident in your body.Then we dive deep into IBS and SIBO with Kaytee Hadley, founder of The Integrative Center for IBS and SIBO. We discuss symptoms, testing, gut bacteria imbalance, inflammation, and real steps women can take to feel better.If you’re struggling with IBS, SIBO, chronic bloating, or digestive discomfort, this episode is full of valuable insight. 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. JAN 22

    When Doctors Don’t Listen - The Cost of Being Dismissed

    In this episode of Life Beyond The Mic, Shawna and LaLa talk about why they’re stepping away from one-size-fits-all, textbook medicine and embracing a more holistic, individualized approach to healthcare, all while preparing for the snowstorm of the century.  They open up about medical gaslighting, being dismissed by doctors, and the importance of doing your own research, bringing case studies to appointments, and getting second (and third) opinions. Both share moments when doctors didn’t listen, and how they were right all along.  LaLa discusses the devastating reality of medical negligence and how her colon ruptured after five doctors failed to take her symptoms seriously. Shawna also shares a major update: after 36 years of unanswered questions, she recently met with a genetics doctor who may finally have answers related to her Cerebral Palsy and other long-standing health issues that have gone unexplained for decades.  This episode is a reminder that patient advocacy saves lives, holistic health looks at the whole person, and you are allowed to push for answers, even when the system makes it hard. 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.

    32 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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