How I Ally

Lucinda Koza
  • 5.0 (2)
  • PERSONAL JOURNALS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

How I Ally is a podcast about showing up — for ourselves, for each other, and for the people navigating life’s hardest seasons.Through intimate conversations, expert insight, and lived experience, the show explores motherhood, mental health, disability, neurodiversity, reproductive journeys, caregiving, identity, and systemic change. Each episode centers real stories and thoughtful dialogue to examine what allyship looks like in practice — in families, healthcare, workplaces, and communities.How I Ally is a space for honesty, learning, and growth. It’s about listening without fixing, advocating without overpowering, and choosing compassion even when it’s uncomfortable. Whether you’re a parent, partner, provider, caregiver, or simply someone who wants to do better by the people you love, this podcast invites you into conversations that challenge, affirm, and expand what it means to truly ally.

  1. Post Traumatic Parenting

    09/05/2025

    Post Traumatic Parenting

    What if your trauma could become your superpower in parenting? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Dr. Robyn Koslowitz, clinical child psychologist and author of Post-Traumatic Parenting: Break the Cycle, Become the Parent You Always Wanted to Be. We explore how childhood trauma shapes the way we show up as parents—and how the very act of raising children can be our path to healing. We discuss: The difference between the trauma of presence and the trauma of absence Why conflict isn’t the problem in families—mismanaged conflict is How to “reprogram” the trauma app in your brain The power of repair and modeling healthy conflict for your children Why parenting is the perfect moment for rewiring and growth If you’ve ever worried that your “damage will damage your kids,” this episode offers hope, compassion, and practical tools to shift that fear into strength. 🔗 Resources & Links: Post-Traumatic Parenting by Dr. Robyn Koslowitz (Amazon) Follow Dr. Koslowitz on Instagram: @posttraumaticparenting Connect with me on Instagram: @lucindarogerskoza ✨ If this episode resonated with you, please rate, review, and share — it helps more parents find the support they deserve.

    34 min
  2. Kumiko Kanayama is a Shiatsu Grandmaster

    08/21/2025

    Kumiko Kanayama is a Shiatsu Grandmaster

    In this episode of How I Ally, I sit down with Kumiko Kanayama, founder of the longest-running Shiatsu center in the U.S., to explore the healing wisdom of her family tradition. We talk about: How Shiatsu goes beyond massage to work with energy channels and meridians Simple practices that ease pain, improve digestion, and bring emotional clarity The transformative journey of motherhood—from exhaustion to deep connection Why rest, presence, and small daily rituals are essential for healing Kumiko’s story is a reminder that healing is not just physical—it’s emotional, cultural, and communal. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or simply seeking balance, her insights will leave you inspired. 👉 Tune in now, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review so more listeners can discover these powerful conversations.

    24 min
  3. It’s Time to Say the Word Out Loud

    08/14/2025

    It’s Time to Say the Word Out Loud

    It’s time to say it out loud—vagina—and stop the shame. Lucinda Koza talks with Saundra Pelletier, CEO of Evofem Biosciences, about why accurate language saves lives, the first non-hormonal, on-demand birth control, and how to raise informed, empowered daughters and sons. Plus—the surprising link between weight-loss drugs and birth control. Listen, learn, and join the movement to reclaim women’s health and equality.

    39 min
  4. And Then Something Like Caregiving Happens

    08/11/2025

    And Then Something Like Caregiving Happens

    In this powerful conversation, Lucinda Koza talks with her longtime friend Melissa Gillis — caregiver, mom of twins, and therapist — about navigating life after a decade of caring for her mom with Huntington’s Disease. They share honest reflections on anticipatory grief, meeting loved ones where they are, finding your “tribe,” and letting go of toxic positivity. With equal parts humor, raw truth, and hope, they explore how to: Accept your loved one’s changing abilities without forcing the past Hold both love and frustration in caregiving Rebuild your identity after your role shifts Prepare your kids to handle life’s messiness Whether you’re deep in the caregiving trenches or on the other side, this episode will remind you: it’s possible to feel balanced, fulfilled, and whole again. 🎧 Listen now for real stories, laughter, and life-changing perspective. Contact Melissa Gillis for caregiver coaching services: melissa@melissagillis.care

    38 min
  5. Spiritual Allyship: The Story of Sean/a

    08/02/2025

    Spiritual Allyship: The Story of Sean/a

    What does it mean to truly show up for someone? In this powerful episode, Lucinda Koza speaks with psychologist and trauma specialist Dr. Kirsten Viola Harrison about her decade-long friendship with Sean/a—an intersex woman who overcame the hardest obstacles of homelessness and schizophrenia to become a beacon of strength and joy. Together, they explore what happens when we take a chance on one another. From daily Starbucks chats to a worldwide Pride tour, this is the story of two women who changed each other’s lives—and a whole community in the process. Topics We Cover: Sean/a’s resilience and life as an intersex woman living unhoused The emotional and spiritual power of allyship Post-traumatic growth and surviving the “dark night of the soul” Living with schizophrenia without medication Finding hope, dignity, and connection in unexpected places Guest: Dr. Kirsten Viola Harrison is a psychologist with 35+ years of experience in trauma work. She is the co-author of I, Sean/a: The Story of a Homeless Intersex Woman Who Inspired a Community. Resources & Mentions: 📖 I, Sean/a — Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Goodreads 🌐 Learn more about Sean/a’s story on TikTok (1M+ views!) 🗺️ Pride around the world: Sean/a’s first international journey at age 59 Follow & Subscribe: If this episode moved you, please follow, rate, and share How I Ally. Your support helps amplify voices that deserve to be heard.

    43 min
  6. The Black Maternal Health Crisis

    07/27/2025

    The Black Maternal Health Crisis

    Guest: Dr. Isabel Morgan, Senior Advisor of Maternal Health at the Black Women’s Health Imperative Episode Summary: In this powerful and necessary conversation, Dr. Isabel Morgan shares hard truths and hopeful pathways forward in the fight for Black maternal health. As an epidemiologist and anthropologist, she brings both data and deep cultural insight to the conversation—breaking down how racism, medical models, and policy choices converge to create a maternal health crisis in the United States. Together, we discuss: Why the U.S. has the worst maternal mortality rates of any high-income country The racial disparities in cesarean section rates and postpartum outcomes The midwifery model vs. obstetric care—and why it matters How implicit bias and structural racism shape healthcare experiences Why storytelling, data, and advocacy are all critical tools for justice The importance of the “fourth trimester” and postpartum care What legislative changes—like the Black Maternal Health Momnibus—can actually save lives This episode is a call to action—and a reminder that we can fix this. 📣 Resources & Mentions: Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI): https://bwhi.org Earth App by Kimberly Seals Allers: https://birthplacelab.org/earth-app Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act My Sister’s Keeper & BWHI’s doula training programs 💡 Quote of the Episode: “Eighty percent of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. This is something we can fix.” — Dr. Isabel Morgan — Follow & Support: 🎧 Subscribe, rate, and review How I Ally 📲 Follow Lucinda Koza on Instagram: @lucindarogerskoza 📰 Join our newsletter for updates and advocacy tools i-ally.com

    40 min
  7. When the Village Shrinks: The Life-Changing Power of Peer Support

    07/11/2025

    When the Village Shrinks: The Life-Changing Power of Peer Support

    In this episode of How I Ally, host Lucinda Koza sits down with Beth Giannobile, a peer support specialist with Mom2Mom, a New Jersey-based helpline for caregivers of individuals with disabilities. Beth shares her powerful journey from caller to counselor and explains how peer support can break the cycle of isolation so many parents feel after a diagnosis.   Together, they explore the emotional toll of caregiving, the unique magic of connecting with someone who’s “been there,” and the importance of centering caregiver wellness. With insights from Rutgers Behavioral Health’s Matthew Buragina, this conversation shines a light on a model of care that’s quietly transforming lives.   If you’ve ever felt unseen, unheard, or alone in your parenting journey—this episode is for you.   In This Episode: How Mom2Mom matches callers with peers who truly understand What happens when the village shrinks—and how to rebuild it The power of lived experience in support services Why self-care is more than solo grocery runs The ripple effect of a single phone call   Resources Mentioned: Learn more: www.mom2mom.us.com Call the helpline: 1-877-914-MOM2 (6662) Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care: https://ubhc.rutgers.edu   Funded by: New Jersey Department of Children and Families Division of Developmental Disabilities

    31 min
  8. If I Want My Child to Talk, I Need to Give Him Something to Talk About

    06/27/2025

    If I Want My Child to Talk, I Need to Give Him Something to Talk About

    Claudia Charles-Sardine is a powerhouse appellate court attorney, but her most personal case? Advocating for her son, Justin, who is on the autism spectrum. In this deeply moving and inspiring conversation, Claudia shares how her legal training, faith, and Afro-Caribbean roots shape the way she mothers, fights systems, and builds community. From winning appeals to make sure her son gets the support he needs, to creating inclusive spaces in school and church, Claudia’s story is a masterclass in grace and grit.   Whether you’re a parent, professional, or both—this one will stay with you. 🔑 Topics We Cover: What it means to be an Afro-Caribbean woman in the legal field Navigating the special education system as a parent and attorney How advocacy begins at home—and extends to every child Letting go of shame and asking for help Creating access to faith, friendship, and belonging for neurodivergent kids The importance of sharing knowledge: “Each one, teach one” 🕰️ Timestamps: 00:00 – Meet Claudia Charles-Sardine: attorney, mother, advocate 02:00 – Growing up in Brooklyn in an Afro-Caribbean family 06:30 – Inside the appellate court system—and how it works 10:15 – Justin’s autism diagnosis: fear, faith, and fierce advocacy 14:45 – Winning an appeal for occupational therapy services 17:30 – The unseen burdens parents carry—and why we need safe spaces to vent 22:00 – A powerful moment of divine reassurance 26:00 – Why she celebrates the smallest milestones 30:00 – Empathy for all parents—and how her perspective has changed 34:00 – The social power of inclusion: from after-school to sacraments 42:30 – Building trust and support with your child’s school 46:00 – Her favorite mantra: “If I want my child to talk, I have to give him something to talk about” 👂 Listen If You’re… Parenting a child with disabilities Feeling overwhelmed in the IEP or therapy maze A professional learning to hold space for families Looking for real talk, spiritual grounding, and radical hope 📝 Connect with Claudia: Want to reach out to Claudia? She welcomes connections from fellow parents and advocates. 📧 Email: claudiajcharles@gmail.com

    42 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

How I Ally is a podcast about showing up — for ourselves, for each other, and for the people navigating life’s hardest seasons.Through intimate conversations, expert insight, and lived experience, the show explores motherhood, mental health, disability, neurodiversity, reproductive journeys, caregiving, identity, and systemic change. Each episode centers real stories and thoughtful dialogue to examine what allyship looks like in practice — in families, healthcare, workplaces, and communities.How I Ally is a space for honesty, learning, and growth. It’s about listening without fixing, advocating without overpowering, and choosing compassion even when it’s uncomfortable. Whether you’re a parent, partner, provider, caregiver, or simply someone who wants to do better by the people you love, this podcast invites you into conversations that challenge, affirm, and expand what it means to truly ally.

Information

  • Creator
    Lucinda Koza
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Lucinda Koza
  • Show Website
    How I Ally