Journey with Rita Podcast: Building Resilience Together

Rita Naffas
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I'm Rita Naffas — a wife, mother, interior designer, and women’s empowerment advocate. I’ve had the privilege of wearing many hats in life — from working in corporate America, to serving on executive boards and nonprofit organizations, to creating spaces that bring beauty and comfort into people’s lives. The greatest shaping force in my life has been the challenges I’ve overcome, and those experiences have given me a deep appreciation for resilience, growth, and the power of living authentically. I believe we have the ability to design the lives we want, to reinvent ourselves at any stage, and to pursue what truly makes us come alive. And I sincerely believe that we can all learn and grow from one another. This podcast is a reflection of all of that — a space where we explore growth, resilience, and the journeys that shape us. We will explore the many paths we walk — the messy ones, the meaningful ones, and everything in between. You’ll hear stories from incredible people who have faced challenges in both big and small ways, personally and professionally. We’ll learn how they got through it — what tools they used, what they’re still learning, and what they want to pass on. I’ll also be sharing my own reflections along the way — not as an expert, but as a fellow traveler. This is a space for wisdom, inspiration, and practical steps to guide us through life’s journey. Join Me!

  1. E14 | What Every Woman Needs to Know About Breast Cancer with CEO of Sharsheret, Elana Silber

    May 29

    E14 | What Every Woman Needs to Know About Breast Cancer with CEO of Sharsheret, Elana Silber

    Today’s episode is about something we all hope we never face—but so many women unfortunately do: breast cancer- Cancer is a word that can feel heavy, but my goal today is to arm you with the knowledge and information you need to have. Because the truth is  the number one risk factor for breast cancer is simply being a woman. And whether you want to talk about it or not, this disease impacts 1 in 8 women.  And as you will learn today, Jewish women are more likely to carry mutations that cause Breast cancer. So I invite you to listen to this episode all the way through. I promise—it won’t feel heavy or discouraging. Instead, it will leave you with the knowledge you want to have. We are living in a time where knowledge is power. The more we understand about our bodies, our risks, and the resources available to us, the more empowered we become to take action, advocate for ourselves, and support the people around us. Today’s episode is about leaning into that power—because with knowledge comes confidence, with community comes strength, and with both, comes hope. A breast cancer diagnosis can feel like the ground has shifted beneath your feet — and navigating the medical world, the emotional weight, and the sheer volume of information can feel impossible to do alone. That is exactly why Sharsheret exists, and why this conversation with its CEO, Elana Silber, is one every woman needs to hear.   The information shared on this episode is for educational purposes only. Please consult a licensed medical professional for advice specific to your health.   In this episode, Elana shares: Why every woman — regardless of family history, age, or background — is at risk for breast cancer, and why awareness must start at 25 The truth about self-exams: how to do them, why they matter, and why consistency is more important than technique What the BRCA gene mutation actually means, who carries it, and why Jewish women of all backgrounds — including Sephardic and Mizrahi — should pay attention Why ovarian cancer is called a silent cancer, what symptoms are often overlooked, and the latest medical advances in prevention The story of Sharsheret's founder, Rochelle Shoretz, who clerked for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, was diagnosed with breast cancer as a young mother, and built a movement from her own experience of isolation The full range of free Sharsheret services — peer support, genetic counseling, surgery preparation kits, fertility resources, financial assistance, and more Why Rita's own diagnosis at 34 — discovered while nursing a newborn — and her journey as a peer supporter for Sharsheret, reflect exactly the mission Sharsheret was built to fulfill Why you don't need to know what you need before you call — Sharsheret will meet you wherever you are   ✨Follow me on Instagram @JourneyWitRitaOrg  ✨Tag me on Instagram and share what resonated with you! Use hashtag #JourneyWithRitaPodcast   References: Visit www.sharsheret.org for more information and resources Connect with Sharsheret on Instagram and Facebook Connect with Rita @journeywithritaorg and @ritanaffasdesign Visit www.journeywithrita.org for more episodes and resources

    51 min
  2. E13 | Life Is Worth Living: Surviving the Holocaust and Building a Life Full of Joy with Ella Mandel

    May 16

    E13 | Life Is Worth Living: Surviving the Holocaust and Building a Life Full of Joy with Ella Mandel

    How does a person endure the unimaginable — and still choose joy? That is the question at the heart of this profoundly moving episode, and Ella Mandel's answer will stay with you long after you finish listening. Ella Mandel is a Holocaust survivor, educator, and living witness to one of the darkest chapters in human history. Born in Poland in 1926, Ella was thirteen years old when the Germans arrived. Over the years that followed, she lost her entire family — her youngest sister, her father, her mother, and ultimately her older sister — to the Holocaust. She survived the Lodz Ghetto, Auschwitz, a German labor camp, and Bergen-Belsen, where she was liberated in April 1945 at just eighteen years old, weighing barely sixty pounds. In 2025, nearly eighty years later, Ella was honored with the Award of Courage by Holocaust Museum LA alongside supermodel Cindy Crawford, with whom she collaborated on the Borrowed Spotlight campaign to raise awareness about antisemitism and keep these stories alive for future generations. This episode is a rare and sacred gift. With Ella's permission, Rita has woven excerpts from her 1994 USC Shoah Foundation interview together with wisdom Ella shared in a personal conversation earlier this year — honoring both the depth of her story and the gift of her time. In this episode, Ella shares: Growing up in Poland and the first devastating losses her family endured in the ghetto Being separated from her mother on the selection line at Auschwitz — and the pact she and her sister made to survive The brutal reality of forced labor in a German camp through a freezing winter, and how she protected her ailing sister Contracting typhus at Bergen-Belsen and surviving because a friend who was a nurse secretly brought her medicine The heartbreak of losing her older sister to tuberculosis just weeks after liberation — and the guilt she carried for years How she met her husband Stefan in Bergen-Belsen, rebuilt her life in Minneapolis, and created a chosen family with other young survivor couples Her lifelong belief — instilled by her mother — that people are basically good and that tomorrow will be better Why she has spent decades speaking to students, and the letters she treasures from young people whose lives her story has changed Her message to all of us: life is worth living, even on the hardest days   This episode is dedicated to the memory of the eleven million lives lost during the Holocaust, six million of them Jewish, and to the survivors who carry the responsibility of bearing witness so that history is never forgotten.   ✨Follow me on Instagram @JourneyWitRitaOrg  ✨Tag me on Instagram and share what resonated with you! Use hashtag #JourneyWithRitaPodcast   The information shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical, psychological, financial, or legal advice References: Learn more about Holocaust Museum LA at www.holocaustmuseumla.org Learn more about the USC Shoah Foundation at www.sfi.usc.edu Visit www.journeywithrita.org for more episodes and resources

    45 min
  3. E12 | In Pursuit of Woman Life Freedom: A Courageous Journey with Somaya Etemad

    Apr 24

    E12 | In Pursuit of Woman Life Freedom: A Courageous Journey with Somaya Etemad

    Some doors to freedom are forced open — through sheer will, quiet defiance, and an unshakeable belief that a better life is possible. For Somaya Etemad, that belief was planted by a father who showed her the world, and it carried her through some of the most harrowing chapters a person can endure. Somaya is an Iranian-American artist and architect whose life story unfolds like a film — one in which she is the hero. Born and raised in Mashhad, Iran, she endured the systematic oppression of the Islamic regime, an abusive forced marriage, and arrest in the aftermath of the Green Movement. At just 25 years old, she fled Iran with her dog, her architecture degree, and an unwavering belief that she deserved a free life. She arrived in Los Angeles in 2011, enrolled at the Southern California Institute of Architecture, and has never looked back. Today, Somaya is a practicing architect and fine artist whose work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, most recently at the Contemporary Museum of Japan.   In this episode, Somaya shares: Growing up under the Islamic regime — dress codes, Ramadan compliance, and navigating a double life at home versus in public The profound loss of her father at age 14, and how his spirit of freedom and forward thinking became the foundation of her resilience Being forced into marriage at 22 and enduring physical abuse — and the quiet acts of courage that helped her survive Her arrest following the 2009 Green Movement elections, sparked by a political cartoon, and the trauma of imprisonment How visualization and dreaming of a free life — even with no roadmap to get there — became her most powerful survival tool Fleeing Iran for Los Angeles with her dog Nemat, navigating language barriers, financial hardship, and the unexpected challenge of learning to handle freedom Turning personal trauma into art, and her mission to be a voice for Iranian women still fighting for zan, zandegi, azadi — woman, life, freedom How her solo exhibition "SOLO" became a cathartic act of closure, allowing her to honor her scars while stepping fully into who she is today   ✨Follow me on Instagram @JourneyWitRitaOrg  ✨Tag me on Instagram and share what resonated with you! Use hashtag #JourneyWithRitaPodcast   The information shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical, psychological, financial, or legal advice   References: Connect with Somaya Etemad on Instagram Connect with Rita @journeywithritaorg and @ritanaffasdesign Visit www.journeywithrita.org for more episodes and resources

    1h 27m

  4. Apr 10

    E11 | Elevate the Everyday: Designing Spaces That Inspire Better Living

    As we welcome spring, let's also welcome fresh energy into our homes through what we choose to surround ourselves with. I truly believe our homes have the power to inspire us to live better lives—they can either hinder us or empower us. A well-designed space doesn't just look beautiful—it invites us to feel better and in turn, do better. Whether we realize it or not, the spaces we spend time in are constantly shaping our emotional experience. And for me, whether it's my own home or one I'm designing for a client, the goal is always the same: to create a sense of release, a breath of fresh air at the end of a long day. In this episode, I share insights from my work as an interior designer and the lessons I've learned about how our surroundings impact our daily lives, our mental health, and our ability to show up fully. In this episode, I share: Why our homes are not just about aesthetics—they're about feelings How hotel lobbies make stress melt away (and it's not an accident) The power of small, intentional shifts over massive renovations Why clutter isn't just physical—it's mental and emotional The family photo I removed from my fireplace and why it changed everything Elevating the everyday: stop saving things for "someday" The kitchen as the heart of the home—making it functional, not just beautiful Creating your bedroom as a sanctuary that sets the tone for your day The role of scent, texture, lighting, and color in shaping how we feel Four small shifts you can make today to transform your space   ✨Follow me on Instagram @JourneyWitRitaOrg and @RitaNaffasDesign ✨Tag me on Instagram and share what resonated with you! Use hashtag #JourneyWithRitaPodcast #RitaNaffasDesign   The information shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical, psychological, financial, or legal advice   References: Connect with Rita @journeywithritaorg and @ritanaffasdesign Visit www.journeywithrita.org for more episodes and resources

    12 min
  5. E10 | Celebrating 10 Episodes: Stories of Wisdom, Growth, and Resilience

    Feb 20

    E10 | Celebrating 10 Episodes: Stories of Wisdom, Growth, and Resilience

    Welcome to Episode 10—a milestone moment! Today I'm celebrating 10 episodes of Journey with Rita Podcast and reflecting on the incredible wisdom, courage, and resilience we've witnessed together. Journey with Rita was established in 2020 as an online platform after I came across a quote by Brené Brown that truly resonated with me: "One day you will tell your story of how you overcame what you went through and it will become someone else's survival guide." Having been a peer supporter to those fighting breast cancer, those words didn't just inspire me—they became my North Star. They gave me language to something I had been feeling but couldn't quite articulate: that our experiences, our struggles, our lessons can serve someone else. That our stories, when shared honestly, can become lifelines. In this episode, I reflect on: The Brené Brown quote that became my Why How Journey with Rita evolved from online platform to organization to podcast The courage it took to create something completely foreign yet deeply familiar What we've learned across 10 powerful episodes The wisdom our guests have shared about faith, community, transformation, authenticity, mental health, mom guilt, gratitude, financial resilience, manifestation, integrity, and resilience Why resilience is contagious—and how witnessing others' journeys lights a path for our own Gratitude for the guests who said "yes" when this was just a vision The power of community built through alignment, not algorithms What's next for Journey with Rita Lessons from Our First 10 Episodes: Faith & Community: We explored how community holds us up when we can't hold ourselves, and how shared experiences help us grow through hardship, not just survive it. Transformation & Authenticity: We learned that transformation begins with self-trust and the courage to release what no longer fits. Mental Health Matters: Behind every polished success story is real work and real struggle—mental health can never take a backseat. Rewriting Mom Guilt: We unpacked mom guilt and rewrote the narrative around it. Gratitude as Discipline: We explored gratitude not as a cliché but as a daily practice that reshapes perspective. Financial Resilience: We challenged the narrative that financial literacy belongs in someone else's hands and affirmed that women have the intelligence and vision to make confident financial decisions. Designing an Intentional Life: We discussed manifesting dreams by aligning actions with values, not just checking boxes. Integrity & Discipline: We heard how staying true to yourself—even when the industry rewards something else—creates meaningful success. Resilience Isn't Magic: We were reminded that resilience isn't something we access when life falls apart—it's the ability to draw from strengths we've been building all along. Key Message: Resilience is contagious. When we see someone else navigate hardship and come out stronger, it lights a path for our own resilience and growth. Our stories, when shared honestly, become lifelines for others. What's Next: This is only the beginning. More conversations, more wisdom, more tools for building resilience together.   ✨Follow me on Instagram @JourneyWitRitaOrg  ✨Tag me on Instagram and share what resonated with you! Use hashtag #JourneyWithRitaPodcast   The information shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical, psychological, financial, or legal advice References: Connect with Rita @journeywithritaorg and @ritanaffasdesign Visit www.journeywithrita.org for more episodes and resources

    9 min
  6. E9 | Resilience in Motion: Dancing Through MS with Courtney Platt

    Feb 6

    E9 | Resilience in Motion: Dancing Through MS with Courtney Platt

    What happens when the very thing that defines you—your ability to move—is threatened by a disease you can't control? How do you keep performing ten dances a night on tour when your legs go numb? How do you keep showing up when your body won't cooperate? Meet Courtney Platt: world-class dancer, actress, choreographer, and powerful voice for living fully with multiple sclerosis. Courtney started her dance career as a New York Knicks City dancer, was a top four finalist on So You Think You Can Dance, and has danced and choreographed for some of the biggest stages and screen productions of the last decade. But at the height of her career, at only 23 years old while on tour with So You Think You Can Dance, Courtney's legs went completely numb from the waist down. Doctors found plaque on her spinal cord and lesions on her brain. The diagnosis: relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Instead of letting MS define her, Courtney transformed it into her mission—using her platform to advocate, educate, and inspire others living with autoimmune diseases. Today, she's not only a celebrated performer but a mother of three, a dance teacher, and a powerful reminder that resilience isn't about never falling—it's about refusing to stay down. In this episode, Courtney shares: Going numb from the waist down while performing 10 dances a night on tour How she knew something was MS before doctors confirmed it Dancing with completely numb legs because she refused to be taken off tour The moment of clarity when diagnosis finally came—and the relief of knowing Being pissed off and disappointed in her body after diagnosis The frustration of wanting to push her baby out but needing a C-section Learning to appreciate her body's gifts instead of taking movement for granted Why giving yourself grace and compassion is essential The guilt of needing rest when you're "supposed to" be hustling Her husband's unwavering support: "Tell me you're not being lazy" Why napping like a small child is non-negotiable now Traveling with MS: Planning around energy levels and recovery time The wheelchair at the airport and dealing with judgment from strangers Teaching her kids about MS: the conversation she dreaded but handled beautifully Why surrounding yourself with the right people is everything Having a third baby through surrogacy—and why it was the right choice Her body producing breast milk even though she didn't give birth to Gianna The advice that made her angry: "Find a less stressful job"   ✨Follow me on Instagram @JourneyWitRitaOrg  ✨Tag me on Instagram and share what resonated with you! Use hashtag #JourneyWithRitaPodcast   The information shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical, psychological, financial, or legal advice     References: Follow Courtney Platt on Instagram Connect with Rita @journeywithritaorg and @ritanaffasdesign Visit www.journeywithrita.org for more episodes and resources

    1h 1m
  7. E8 | Earning Your Seat at the Table: Integrity, Intelligence, and Impact with Lisa Daftari

    Jan 23

    E8 | Earning Your Seat at the Table: Integrity, Intelligence, and Impact with Lisa Daftari

    Some careers unfold quietly—and then there are careers built in rooms where the stakes are high, the conversations are charged, and the pressure is relentless. Today's episode is about what it takes to earn a seat at those tables and keep it. Meet Lisa Daftari: award-winning investigative journalist, foreign policy analyst, and founder and editor-in-chief of the Foreign Desk, an independent global affairs platform focused on international security, human rights, and Middle East geopolitics. She's also the host of the highly acclaimed Foreign Podcast. Lisa's expertise has taken her into some of the most influential rooms—briefing institutions like the United Nations and Congress, contributing exclusive reports for the Pentagon, and working closely with the White House during the rollout of the Abraham Accords. Her work has been recognized with the Medal of Valor, the Simon Wiesenthal Award, and the Champion of Freedom Award. But this conversation isn't just about what Lisa does—it's about who she is, how she built resilience while navigating male-dominated spaces, and how she stays grounded while working in some of the most demanding fields in the world.   In this episode, Lisa shares: Growing up as a shy girl who rarely spoke unless answering a question How college opened her world: triple majoring, vocal performance, pre-med, EMT work, and falling in love with Middle Eastern studies The moment she realized her favorite thing was debating in class—and wishing she could do it as a job Being recruited by the CIA for clandestine operations (and why she didn't take it) The agent who told her, "You're too nice" to make it in the industry How integrity, loyalty, and respect became her greatest assets—not liabilities Navigating Iranian culture, studying abroad, and breaking barriers while staying conservative The challenges of being Iranian in a field where your heritage is both a blessing and an obstacle How meditation and surrender to God help her prepare for high-pressure moments Why does she see herself as a "vessel" in her work Balancing a demanding career with being a deeply present mother Waking up at 5 am and working until midnight to never miss a moment with her son Teaching resilience through modeling work ethic, just like her immigrant parents did The power of thriving on human interaction and learning from influential circles Why "only a tree can be a tree"—and why being yourself is your greatest brand   The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only.   ✨Follow me on Instagram @JourneyWitRitaOrg  ✨Tag me on Instagram and share what resonated with you! Use hashtag #JourneyWithRitaPodcast   The information shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical, psychological, financial, or legal advice References: Follow Lisa Daftari on Instagram @lisadaftari Visit The Foreign Desk at https://foreigndesknews.com/ Listen to the Foreign Podcast Connect with Rita @journeywithritaorg and @ritanaffasdesign Visit www.journeywithrita.org for more episodes and resources

    53 min
  8. E7 | No Scripts, No Armor: Sharing My Personal Journey With My Therapist, Lesley Lasker

    Jan 9

    E7 | No Scripts, No Armor: Sharing My Personal Journey With My Therapist, Lesley Lasker

    What does it really take to rise after life knocks you down? Not once, but twice? I’ve spent the last few months inviting remarkable women to sit on this couch with me, to be raw, vulnerable, and honest about the challenges that shaped them.  And I knew—if I’m asking my guests to go there, then I have to go there too.  In this deeply personal episode, I'm flipping the script and sitting down with someone who has walked beside me through my darkest moments: my therapist of 10 years, Lesley Lasker.   Lesley Lasker is a licensed marriage and family therapist and parent education specialist who has been an anchor in my life, guiding me through breast cancer, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and the unraveling and rebuilding that came with both. Today, she interviews me about the hardest chapters of my life, the moments I haven't shared publicly, and the lessons that shaped who I am as a mother, wife, and woman.   This conversation is raw, vulnerable, and honest. We talk about the fear of telling a three-year-old about cancer, the devastation of not being able to hold my seven-month-old son, the shame of needing a wheelchair, and all of the lessons along the way- including the moment I realized the universe was forcing me to stop, breathe, and just be.   In this episode, I share: How I discovered my breast cancer while nursing my newborn in the hospital The moment I knew something was wrong and called Lesley Lasker to help me tell my daughter Going through double mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation with a six-month-old and a three-year-old The power of gratitude during treatment: "It could be worse. Be grateful." My second diagnosis: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a rare autoimmune disorder that left me paralyzed Losing 20% of my movement every day and planning for life in a wheelchair The fear, the waiting, the misdiagnosis, and the moment I learned it had become chronic (CIDP) How my community showed up: cousins taking my kids to camp, friends taking notes at the hospital, rabbis praying with me The shame and grief of losing my identity as an active, strong woman The life-changing lessons the universe taught me through both diagnoses Why I believe things happen FOR us, not TO us How these experiences led me to launch Journey with Rita and this podcast   The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health treatment or therapy. If you are struggling with your mental health or are in crisis, please reach out to a professional for support. You can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support 24/7. Help is available, and you don’t have to go through it alone.   ✨Follow me on Instagram @JourneyWitRitaOrg  ✨Tag me on Instagram and share what resonated with you! Use hashtag #JourneyWithRitaPodcast   The information shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical, psychological, financial, or legal advice   References: Connect with Lesley Lasker, LMFT at Lasker & Associates: https://laskerandassociates.com/lesley-lasker-lmft/ 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 Connect with Rita @journeywithritaorg and @ritanaffasdesign Visit www.journeywithrita.org for more episodes and resources

    1h 22m
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About

I'm Rita Naffas — a wife, mother, interior designer, and women’s empowerment advocate. I’ve had the privilege of wearing many hats in life — from working in corporate America, to serving on executive boards and nonprofit organizations, to creating spaces that bring beauty and comfort into people’s lives. The greatest shaping force in my life has been the challenges I’ve overcome, and those experiences have given me a deep appreciation for resilience, growth, and the power of living authentically. I believe we have the ability to design the lives we want, to reinvent ourselves at any stage, and to pursue what truly makes us come alive. And I sincerely believe that we can all learn and grow from one another. This podcast is a reflection of all of that — a space where we explore growth, resilience, and the journeys that shape us. We will explore the many paths we walk — the messy ones, the meaningful ones, and everything in between. You’ll hear stories from incredible people who have faced challenges in both big and small ways, personally and professionally. We’ll learn how they got through it — what tools they used, what they’re still learning, and what they want to pass on. I’ll also be sharing my own reflections along the way — not as an expert, but as a fellow traveler. This is a space for wisdom, inspiration, and practical steps to guide us through life’s journey. Join Me!

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