Elizabeth Clemants is a survivor who helps other sexual abuse survivors survive and heal. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Hidden Water, a restorative justice response to child sexual abuse. Her own family has five generations of abuse and she chose to do something to break these cycles for others. Hidden Water uses a Circle model, which is a 12-week system, based on the indigenous practice of Circle and founded on the belief that abuse harms all members of a family, community and society, not just the persons directly impacted. "In Circle, we work to heal individuals, families and communities from the devastating impacts of child sexual abuse. We strive to prevent future harm by educating others, inspiring collective responsibility and cultivating a culture of healthy boundaries for all." Hidden Water's services are provided to the community for free. They very much appreciate donations, however, because they have no formal funding. There are 200 people on the waitlist at almost all times to join the Circles.

She is the author of the just released book: Healing Together - A Family Guide to Recovering from Sexual Harm. It is largely directed to family members of people who have been sexually abused, to help them show up for the survivor. "It was the system that was harmed and the system has to show up to heal itself," Elizabeth says. This book can help family members learn how to help and there is no other book like it.

Elizabeth opened her private practice, Planning Change, in 2004 and has dedicated her career to teaching conflict resolution, training mediators and working with individuals, families and organizations on conflict and healing. She has been an adjunct professor at Fordham Law School since 2005, and a conflict resolution trainer for the New York State Unified Court System since 2000. Elizabeth has a Bachelor's in Social Work from Iowa State University ('93). Upon returning from the Peace Corps ('93-'96), she moved to New York City and earned a Master's in Social Work with a Minor in Law from Columbia University ('98).

Learn more: www.hiddenwatercircle.org and elizabethclemants.com (buy the book on her website)

Safe(r) Adult link: https://www.hiddenwatercircle.org/posts/in-the-water-a-training-for-becoming-a-safe-r-adult

Newsletter: https://www.hiddenwatercircle.org/newsletter

https://www.facebook.com/HiddenWaterNYC

https://www.instagram.com/hiddenwaternyc

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-clemants-2612ab3/

Joy Vanichkul is a former supermodel from Thailand, TV host and owner of six premier wellness spas. She began modeling at age 16 and became a household name in Thailand. She had fame and money, but felt unfulfilled. So she began her own search.

She experienced both success and struggles working in the beauty, wellness and consciousness industries for more than 30 years. To rediscover her true self, she expanded her consciousness with Eastern and Western wellness practices, pursued a PhD in Natural Medicine, and became a certified HeartMath trainer. Joy’s personal transformation to find self-love and balance while running multiple successful businesses has given her a unique opportunity to share her journey, experience and insight, guiding others worldwide to redefine and refine their true beauty, and bloom into the optimal versions of themselves, the Intelligent Beauty way.

She created what she calls the Intelligent Beauty Method, which means internal and external beauty in harmony. She thinks of beauty as energy. Her mission is to inspire others to prioritize self-care, as well as to foster a supportive community where you can safely understand, apply and integrate tools and techniques to express yourself consciously, authentically and effectively in the world.

In this episode we discuss:

• Intelligent Beauty as Self-Optimization
  How understanding your skin, body and lifestyle empowers smarter beauty and wellness decisions, rather than following trends blindly.
• The Connection Between Beauty, Confidence and Personal Growth
  How personalized, science-backed beauty routines can support self-esteem, daily habits and a growth mindset.
• From Overwhelm to Intention: Simplifying Beauty Choices
  Helping listeners cut through marketing noise by focusing on education, awareness and what truly works for them.
• Wellness, Longevity and Intelligent Self-Care
  Exploring how skincare, nutrition, sleep and mental wellbeing intersect in becoming your best version over time.
• Mindful and Ethical Beauty as a Reflection of Values
  How conscious consumption aligns with personal development, purpose and living more intentionally.

Joy provides practical insights you can immediately apply in your journey toward becoming your authentic self. Joy joined us from Los Angeles. Learn more:

Website: https://www.wellnessofjoy.com/intelligent-beauty/

YouTube IBM:

https://www.youtube.com/@IntelligentBeautybyJoy

YouTube Personal:

https://www.youtube.com/@JoyVanichkul

IG: https://www.instagram.com/joyvanichkul/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/joy.vanichkul/

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joyvanichkul/

What is a "good death"? Cheryl Amari, M.A., C.T. has been talking about grief-related topics with people of all ages for almost three decades. She knows what a "good death" is and what all types of grieving entails.

Her work as a high school teacher, mortuary college instructor, grief coach and workshop facilitator has helped countless individuals learn how to grieve well and live well. As an entrepreneur, Cheryl started her own grief business to offer hope and healing through education. She supports people of all ages, through conversation and specialized workshops, as they navigate times of change and transition. She currently works as a hospice bereavement coordinator and public speaker.

Cheryl holds a Master’s degree in Pastoral Counseling (from Boston College, Maria's alma mater) and is Certified in Thanatology. She is a member of the Association for Death Education and Counseling and the Hospice Foundation of America. She has written blogs and articles on various aspects of grief, as well as her newly released book, Why I Don’t Wear High Heels When Grieving: Musings on Loss, Hope, and Resilience. Why I Don't Wear High Heels When Grieving is a down-to-earth guide to coping with loss that examines grief with a wide lens to include death, but also non-death losses such as chronic illness, job changes, frayed relationships, infertility, financial struggles, and stressful situations.

With an unexpectedly cheeky tone, Cheryl draws upon her personal experiences and her work as a bereavement specialist to present contemporary research and grief theories through examples, real-life stories and illustrations. In this eye-opening book, the nuances of grief are explored in a life-affirming, hopeful and even entertaining manner. Topics covered include:

• Modern theories that go beyond the "five stages of grief"
• Differences between grief and depression
• What it means to have a "good death"
• How grief affects our bodies, minds, behaviors, spiritual life, and social connections
• Why an attitude of gratitude may be more detrimental than helpful
• The role that gender, societal expectations, and other factors play in our reactions to loss
• Politics and social justice in grief
• Meaningful rituals that aid in the healing process

Cheryl uses candor and wit to debunk myths and emphasize that grieving well is the key to living well. A unique three-step approach with practical strategies helps readers deal with any type of loss. Summarizing statements and insightful reflection prompts at the end of each chapter encourage a deeper understanding of grief and greater self-awareness. Readers discover that even in the midst of doubt and despair, there is a path forward.

Cheryl uses her energy and creativity in her grief work and also in her role as a tap dance instructor and choreographer. You can find her performing at senior living facilities or anywhere there’s an audience! She joins us from the Boston area.

If you’d like to book Cheryl for a grief presentation or interview, contact her at griefmusings@gmail.com.