The Strong Sunflowers

Gisselle and Zana
  • 4.7 (48)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

You might be asking yourself what’s a strong sunflower? And if Webster were to define it… it would say…Someone that conditions their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual strength to use their voice and actions to improve their life and inspire the people around them. This podcast will range from 10 minute episodes, to give you that shot of motivation you need to keep going. And episodes that dig a little deeper (and last a little longer) where we interview people in different parts of their journey. Whether in the seed planting phase, where there’s hope and courage. In the rooting or stemming phase, where there’s trial, error, and failure but they have the audacity to get up and try again. Or people that are in full bloom and harvest! Where we celebrate and reflect on their journey and cast visions towards the future.

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 252 - Fatherhood Beyond Labels: Love, Advocacy & Authentic Living

    Hello Strong Sunflower 🌻 we sit down with Sergio Solano to explore his powerful journey as a father, advocate, and champion for love and acceptance. Sergio shares how embracing authenticity, supporting LGBTQ+ rights, and staying fully present for his children have shaped both his family life and personal growth. Through stories of challenges, triumphs, and meaningful life lessons, Sergio opens up about the importance of creating safe spaces, building strong family connections, and leading with compassion. His message is a reminder that resilience is strengthened through community, understanding, and unconditional love. Whether you're a parent, ally, advocate, or someone navigating your own path of growth, this conversation offers inspiration, practical wisdom, and a fresh perspective on what it truly means to show up for the people you love. 🎙️ Tune in for an uplifting discussion on fatherhood, acceptance, resilience, and the transformative power of being present. 🌻 G & Z 🌻 Building 2 BLOOM MEDIA: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@building2bloommedia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the field at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thestrongsunflowers.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thestrongsunflowers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FREE BEES 🐝 Building to Bloom Bee Well Challenge PDF:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bee Well Challenge⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ "5 Tips on Becoming a S.A.S" FREE PDF: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5 Tips on Becoming a S.A.S⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support this podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/strongsunflowers/support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    42 min

  2. Jun 1

    Episode 251 | Strong Girl Summer is Here!

    Strong Girl Summer Is Here ☀️💪🌻 It’s officially Strong Girl Summer! Every June, Gisselle and Zana challenge themselves—and our Strong Sunflowers community—to focus on feeling strong, healthy, and energized through the summer months. This isn’t about shrinking ourselves or chasing perfection. It’s about joyful movement, nourishing our bodies, and creating sustainable habits that help us thrive. This year, we tried something new. Since Gisselle is currently living her best life in Europe and Zana is holding down the fort in Austin, Texas, we became podcast pen pals! In this special episode, we each share what Strong Girl Summer looks like for us right now. From hitting the gym and lifting heavy, to walks, and movement practices we’re excited to continue, to the foods we’re looking forward to enjoying all season long, we’re sharing the realistic ways we’re prioritizing our health and well-being this summer. Whether you’re just getting started or already have a routine you love, we hope this conversation inspires you to find movement that brings you joy, food that fuels your body, and habits that help you feel your best. Be sure to download our Strong Girl Summer PDF Guide at TheStrongSunflowers.com for additional tips, ideas, and inspiration. And don’t forget to tag us on social media! We want to see how you’re creating your own Strong Girl Summer and cheering yourself on through these hot summer months. 🌻 Because strong looks different on everyone—and we’re here for all of it.

    12 min

  3. May 25

    Episode 250 | Finding Your Voice with Dr. Ellie Shattles

    For Mental Health Awareness Month, The Strong Sunflowers welcomes the incredible Dr. Ellie Shattles for one of our most powerful conversations yet. Ellie is a respected musical director across Austin’s theatre community, but behind the music is a story of extraordinary resilience, healing, and reclaiming her voice. In this deeply honest episode, Ellie opens up about growing up in high-demand Christianity, navigating marriage, divorce, addiction, anxiety, depression, profound grief, and surviving sexual abuse by an adoptive parent. She also shares the complicated pain of losing her mother, someone who failed to protect her. And yet… this is not just a story about survival. It’s a story about healing. About choosing yourself. About finding your voice after years of silence. About learning that your past does not get the final word. This conversation is raw, courageous, and filled with hope for anyone who has ever felt trapped by shame, trauma, religion, loss, or mental health struggles. If you’ve ever wondered whether healing is possible after unimaginable pain, this episode is for you. 🌻💛 Content note: This episode includes discussions of sexual abuse, addiction, trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, and religious trauma. Please listen with care.

    54 min

  4. May 18

    Episode 249 | You Are Not Alone

    May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and in this heartfelt conversation, G & Z get real about what mental health actually looks like beyond the “I’m fine” mask. From emotional suppression and people-pleasing to doom scrolling, depression, therapy, boundaries, and the importance of finding your safe people, this episode is an honest reminder that healing isn’t linear and no one is meant to carry life alone. Zana opens up about her own journey with depression, trauma, neurodivergence, and learning to unmask in safe spaces, while Gisselle explores how unresolved emotions can show up in our relationships, self-worth, and nervous systems. Together, they unpack: 🌻 Why so many people struggle to talk about mental health 🌻 The stigma around vulnerability, especially for men, as we head into Men’s Mental Health Month in June 🌻 How social media can quietly impact our emotional wellbeing 🌻 Why the body keeps score and emotions don’t just disappear 🌻 The power of therapy, boundaries, rest, and honest conversations 🌻 Why touching grass (literally) might be exactly what your nervous system needs This episode is your reminder to check on your people, check on yourself, and ask for help before life forces you to. Because mental health isn’t weakness. It’s daily care. It’s community. It’s healing. YOU ARE NOT ALONE! 🎧 If this episode resonates, share it with someone who needs the reminder: you are not alone.

    27 min

  5. May 12

    Episode 248 | To Choose Motherhood, Or Not with Kristy Halderman

    This Mother’s Day, we’re having the conversation people don’t talk about enough: What if motherhood… isn’t what you want? In this deeply honest episode of The Strong Sunflowers, Zana sits down with her cousin, Kristy Halderman, for a candid conversation about choosing a different path—one that doesn’t include becoming a mother to humans. As a mom of four (plus a dog 🐾), Zana brings her perspective from the world of motherhood, while her cousin shares what led her to realize that her dream life looks different: a life centered around freedom, fulfillment, relationships, personal growth, and dogs instead of children. Together, they unpack the expectations women often face around marriage, timelines, biology, and the assumption that motherhood is the “next step.” They also explore what it means to nurture, love deeply, and build a meaningful life outside of traditional definitions of womanhood. This episode isn’t about choosing the “right” path. It’s about giving women permission to ask themselves an honest question: What kind of life do I actually want? 🌻

    52 min

  6. May 4

    Episode 247 | Tip #5 Advocating for Yourself & Others with Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch

    We’re closing out our revisit of the 5 Tips of Becoming a Strong Ass Sunflower… and this one is powerful. Because what better way to wrap this series than by talking about advocacy, courage, and knowing your rights—not just for yourself, but for others? In this episode, we sit down with Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, also known in the Austin community as Abogada Kate—an immigration attorney and CEO who has dedicated her life to standing beside families navigating some of the most complex and emotional moments of their lives. From a defining experience early in her legal training to building a career rooted in justice and humanity, Kate shares what it really means to use your voice with intention. Together, we explore: What “know your rights” actually looks like in real lifeThe rights many people don’t realize they haveHow to advocate for yourself—even when the system feels overwhelmingWhy understanding your rights is a community responsibility, not just an individual oneAnd how to stay grounded while doing deeply emotional, high-stakes workThis episode is the final chapter in our #5 Tips series, and we couldn’t imagine a better way to end it—because being a strong ass sunflower isn’t just about growth… it’s about standing tall, speaking up, and showing up for others. If you’ve ever felt unsure, overwhelmed, or afraid to use your voice—this conversation is for you. 🌻 You are more powerful than you think. And your voice matters. We're rooting for you! xoxo,G & Z

    32 min

  7. Apr 27

    Episode 246 | Tip #4 with filmmaker Lauren | Learning to Ask for Help

    Hello Strong Sunflowers 🌻 It’s time for Tip #4 of Becoming a Strong Ass Sunflower: Learn to Ask for Help. In this episode, we sit down with Austin-based documentary filmmaker Lauren Lindbergh, who is living this lesson in real time. As she works to bring her film Fall of the Phoenix to life, Lauren shares the vulnerability of asking for help, the courage it takes to be honest about what you need, and how community can completely change the trajectory of your journey. We talk about her experience navigating brain injury, the inspiration behind her documentary, and the powerful reminder that no dream is built alone. Just like the rolling credits of a film, it takes a whole field of people—mentors, friends, supporters, and believers—to help us bloom. This episode is a reminder that asking for help is not weakness, it’s wisdom. Your hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and fellow flowers are already in your field… you just have to let them show up. 🌻 G & Z 🌻 Building 2 BLOOM MEDIA: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@building2bloommedia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the field at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thestrongsunflowers.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thestrongsunflowers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FREE BEES 🐝 Building to Bloom Bee Well Challenge PDF:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bee Well Challenge⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ "5 Tips on Becoming a S.A.S" FREE PDF: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5 Tips on Becoming a S.A.S⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support this podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/strongsunflowers/support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    40 min

  8. Apr 21

    Episode 245 | TIP #3 Failing just means you're trying 💐

    Hello Beautiful's 🌻 In this episode, we dive into an inspiring conversation about what it really means to embrace failure, take risks, and go after our passions—no matter our age. We share personal stories, lessons we’ve learned along the way, and the mindset shifts that have helped us move through fear instead of letting it hold us back. This episode is all about unlocking our potential, stepping outside of our comfort zones, and reminding ourselves that it’s never too late to start. 🌻 G & Z 🌻 Building 2 BLOOM MEDIA: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@building2bloommedia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the field at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thestrongsunflowers.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thestrongsunflowers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FREE BEES 🐝 Building to Bloom Bee Well Challenge PDF:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bee Well Challenge⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ "5 Tips on Becoming a S.A.S" FREE PDF: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5 Tips on Becoming a S.A.S⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support this podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/strongsunflowers/support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    32 min
See All (253)

4.7
out of 5
48 Ratings

About

You might be asking yourself what’s a strong sunflower? And if Webster were to define it… it would say…Someone that conditions their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual strength to use their voice and actions to improve their life and inspire the people around them. This podcast will range from 10 minute episodes, to give you that shot of motivation you need to keep going. And episodes that dig a little deeper (and last a little longer) where we interview people in different parts of their journey. Whether in the seed planting phase, where there’s hope and courage. In the rooting or stemming phase, where there’s trial, error, and failure but they have the audacity to get up and try again. Or people that are in full bloom and harvest! Where we celebrate and reflect on their journey and cast visions towards the future.

Information

  • Creator
    Gisselle and Zana
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    253
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Gisselle and Zana
  • Show Website
    The Strong Sunflowers

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