What happens when the most ordinary morning becomes the one you never forget? In this powerful and deeply personal episode, our guest shares the story of the day everything changed—starting with an unusual wave from her mother at the window. What followed was a slow unraveling of reality: a strange…
“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” – Pablo Picasso In this inspiring episode, we explore how one woman turned her personal mission into a national movement. Guided by purpose, compassion, and a deep belief in human dignity, she…
What does it mean to carry childhood pain and still grow up with a heart wide open to others? In this deeply moving episode, our guest reflects on how early loss shaped her identity—not by hardening her, but by igniting a profound sense of empathy. Whether it was comforting a…
What happens when the path you're told to take isn't the one you're meant for? In this moving episode, we explore how purpose often grows from pain—and how life's unexpected detours can still lead to meaningful destinations. Our guest shares how, despite being discouraged from pursuing a career in nursing…
Why does homelessness continue to grow in one of the wealthiest nations on earth? In this powerful episode, we explore that very question with someone who has spent years walking alongside families experiencing homelessness and working on the front lines of support. Our guest shares insights from her book and…
What if healing meant going back—way back—to your childhood home in 1978? In this unforgettable episode, award-winning author Amy Weinland Daughters takes us on a heartwarming, hilarious, and unexpectedly healing time-travel journey inspired by her memoir You Cannot Mess This Up: A True Story That Never Happened. Through vivid scenes…
What happens when the roles reverse and suddenly you’re the one expected to take care of your parents? In this candid and relatable episode, we explore the often-overlooked season of life when adult children are quietly handed the baton of responsibility. One moment you’re dropping your own kid off at…
What if you came to a crossroad in life—and there was a sign just for you? What would it say? In this heart-centered episode, we explore the quiet wisdom that shows up when we slow down and listen. Our conversation takes a reflective turn as we discuss what it means…
What does it look like to live with deep gratitude, even through pain? In this heartfelt episode, we reflect on the life of an extraordinary man—gregarious, generous, and full of love for people. Despite facing serious health challenges in his later years, he never lost his sense of joy or…
In this soul-stirring episode of Real Talk with Tina and Ann, we sit down with award-winning writer Rita Lussier, author of And Now, Back to Me, to explore the beauty of letting go, growing through change, and trusting the process. What began as a journaling practice during a major life…
What if letting go is actually the way forward? In this uplifting and deeply honest episode, our guest shares how a season of transition sparked unexpected creativity—and healing. What started as scattered journal entries slowly began to take shape, revealing not just a personal journey, but the early pages of…
What happens when fear becomes the loudest voice in the room? In this raw and honest episode, we explore the power of facing our inner doubts and embracing hard truths. Our guest shares how denial, fear, and self-doubt almost kept her from publishing her book—and how she overcame the haunting…
What if the moments that matter most aren’t the grand gestures—but the quiet ones? In this heartwarming episode, our guest reflects on the life lessons passed down from their parents, especially the simple acts of love that speak volumes. One touching story stands out: after a long day working the…
What draws us to the heart of a city like New York? In this reflective episode, our guest shares how growing up in a place with no diversity sparked a lifelong longing for connection, culture, and community. New York City, with its vibrant mix of people and stories, became a…
How much of who we are is shaped by the people we love—and lose? In this poignant episode, our guest opens up about her childhood, the powerful bond she shared with her mother, and the impact of growing up with an alcoholic father who later found recovery through AA. She…
What happens when one act of kindness creates a ripple effect? In this inspiring episode, we hear the story of a man who brought John—a homeless veteran battling alcoholism—home from Port Authority for a shower and a safe place to sleep. That single gesture led to a placement in a…
What happens when compassion meets action? In this moving episode, we follow one woman’s journey from curiosity to advocacy as she begins volunteering in her own county of Union. What she finds is heartbreaking: families—mothers, fathers, and children—living in their cars despite holding jobs, unable to afford housing. As she…
What do you do when you're just a child and the only comfort you can find is in the arms of a stuffed animal? In this powerful episode, we explore how childhood grief leaves lasting imprints—and how resilience often begins in the smallest moments. Our guest recalls crying herself to…
What if you didn’t have to figure everything out right now? In this grounding and heartfelt episode, we explore the power of being exactly where you are—without pressure, without panic. When life feels uncertain or overwhelming, it’s easy to believe we need all the answers right away. But the truth?…
How do we hold onto the moments that matter—especially when we know they're fleeting? In this heartfelt episode, we explore the quiet power of presence, memory, and emotional honesty. Our guest reflects on the time she spent with her mother during illness—moments filled with baking, quiet drives, and one unforgettable…
Why is it so hard to offer ourselves the same patience we give to everyone else? In this reflective and empowering episode, we talk about the emotional weight of life transitions—whether it’s becoming an empty nester, shifting identities, or simply finding your way through a new chapter. The truth? You…
What happens when the house goes quiet—when the kids are gone and the identity you’ve poured everything into suddenly shifts? In this deeply honest episode, we talk about the emotional transition from full-time motherhood to rediscovering who you are without the constant pull of everyone else’s needs. Inspired by the…
Sometimes, it’s the smallest acts of kindness that reveal who we truly are. In this powerful episode, we share the story of Pace, a former scientist at Sandia National Labs whose quiet act—changing a stranger’s tire in the rain—sparked a deeper understanding of compassion and community. When Family Promise came…
stigma? In this moving episode, we explore how one mother’s desire to raise compassionate children is challenging generational fear and social stereotypes. After growing up in a town with no diversity, she’s now raising her kids to see humanity in everyone. When her 8-year-old son approached a man experiencing homelessness…
