Find Your Voice, Change Your Life Dr. Doreen Downing

Today I interview Pascale Cook-Fernandes, who struggled with feeling stifled and not having a voice in her generation, where children were expected to "be seen and not heard".In high school, Pascale faced teasing because of her uniqueness, but found her voice and confidence when she auditioned to be the drum major in marching band, despite usually trying to "shrink down" and hide. This experience taught her the rewards of taking risks and putting herself out there.Pascale's sensitivity, once ...

Today, I interview Kadin McElwain, who had significant challenges posed by autism. Diagnosed at the age of two, Kadin's early life was marked by frequent moves due to his father's job and the need for better educational opportunities. Despite these disruptions, Kadin faced severe bullying during middle and high school and the removal of his IEP services, which his parents had to fight to restore. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic brought further challenges, but Kadin found a silver lini...

Today, I interview Angilie Kapoor, who struggled with being bullied as a child. She was an extremely shy and introverted girl who preferred to be alone, afraid of being made fun of for looking different.As the daughter of a military father, Angilie's family moved frequently, forcing her to constantly start over in new places. This made it difficult for her to form lasting friendships. However, it also helped her develop resilience, adaptability, and acceptance that people come in and out of o...

Today, I interview Jennifer Arthurton, whose childhood was a quest for acceptance and attention within her family. Born in England and raised in the Caribbean, Jennifer's early years were serene until her parents' divorce. Feeling overshadowed by her younger brother, she continually sought approval through conformity and achievement.As Jennifer matured, she excelled academically and pursued a successful corporate career, fulfilling societal expectations. However, nearing her 50s, a midlife cr...

Today, I interview Susan RoAne who faced challenges early in childhood marked by her brother's battle with polio, which demanded much of her family's attention and resources. This experience, while difficult, taught her the importance of communication and advocacy, as she often found herself speaking up on her brother's behalf. Susan also shared how she was thrust into social situations from a young age, which laid the groundwork for her future expertise in mingling and networking. Her j...

Today, I interview Julia Stege, who struggled to find her footing amidst doubts about her artistic abilities and societal expectations. Growing up in a family where creativity was both encouraged and stifled, Julia found herself navigating conflicting messages about her abilities. Despite doubts about her artistic prowess and pressures to conform, Julia pursued her passion for graphic design.As Julia ventured into the world of design, she encountered further obstacles. Traditional marketing m...