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…
What do Ford, Disney, and Family Promise have in common? If volunteers counted as employees, Family Promise would rank as one of the largest “employers” in the U.S.—proving that compassion can scale. In this episode, we dive into how Family Promise has become the nation’s leading nonprofit addressing family homelessness.…
What if the greatest gift we could give someone is simply the freedom to be fully themselves—without fear, without judgment? In this powerful episode, we reflect on one of the most moving messages from our guest’s book: how a life—like her mother’s—might have been different if met with kindness, understanding,…
What would you choose—keeping your beloved pet or getting your family into shelter? In this heart-touching episode, we explore the heartbreaking decisions families experiencing homelessness often face—like whether to give up a cherished pet just to find a safe place to sleep. When one family in Phoenix had to choose…
What happens when you walk into a room where you know you might not be welcome—but you show up anyway? In this powerful episode, we explore the courage it takes to face social exclusion and emotional pain with resilience. Our guest reflects on a time when she chose strength over…
What started as a personal mission has grown into a statewide organization with a worldwide impact. In this episode, we explore how Pathfinders for Autism became one of Maryland’s most trusted autism resource networks—helping families not just locally, but across the globe through their robust, searchable database. From tools tailored…
What happens when the house suddenly goes quiet? When the roles that defined you for decades shift beneath your feet? In this heartfelt conversation with award-winning journalist and author Rita Lussier, we explore the profound journey of rediscovering yourself after the nest empties. Rita shares the raw emotional reality of…
"Please don’t judge me in the middle of my act." In this deeply human and hope-filled episode, we explore what it means to hold space for ourselves—and others—in the messy, unfinished parts of life. Our guest shares the reminder that where we are today is not the whole story. Some…
What if we could be overcome by laughter just as powerfully as we’re overcome by grief? In this uplifting and refreshingly honest episode, we explore how finding humor in life’s chaos can become one of our most powerful survival tools. Rather than staying stuck in pain, our guest talks about…
