FYI-IAD speaks with intuitive healer, spiritual teacher, and retreat founder Margherita Proietto, known as Donna Espiritista, about how personal crisis and Sicilian family traditions shaped her spiritual path.

They discuss intuition, inherited and unspoken healing practices, trauma, empathy, men’s mental health, and the importance of treating people with compassion.

In the second half of this conversation, Donna Espiritista tells Oscar Luna how she came to her initiation in the tradition of Oshun and explains her rooted-purpose approach to healing. They discuss emotional numbness, trauma across the lifespan, retreat work, self-prioritization, grief, and honoring spiritual traditions.

Donna Espiritista Links:

https://rootedpurpose.square.site/

https://linktr.ee/donna_espiritista21/

https://www.instagram.com/donna_espiritista21/

https://www.youtube.com/@DonnaEspiritista21/

https://www.tiktok.com/@donnaespiritista21/

News Article for Journey to Purpose Retreat:

https://boldjourney.com/meet-margherita-proietto/

Adelante, Siempre, por tu Mente / Forward, Always, for your Mind

Love & Strength,

Oscar Luna, Creator/Host

FYI - I Am Damaged Podcast

Author of Logan: The Strong-Minded Little Elephant

Instagram: FYIiAmDamaged

Spotify/YouTube/Apple Podcasts: FYI - I Am Damaged

#healingjourney #intuition #trauma #spirituality #Reiki #empathy #mensmentalhealth #generationalhealing #healing #traumarecovery #spiritualretreats #innerteen #Oshun #rootedpurpose #selfcare #grief

Image Credit: Rooted Journey, Ezra West/BoldJourney.com

Intro Music By: Willy Benz

Other Music By: PixaBay.com

(If I missed a credit, please reach out)

In this episode, Ivette O'Sullivan shares her journey from growing up in Washington Heights to becoming an author, social worker, podcaster, and advocate. She discusses her new children's book Mac the Disc Dog, the importance of identity, resilience, and the power of finding one's voice at midlife.

Ivette O'Sullivan's Links:

https://www.ivetteosullivanbooks.com/

https://www.instagram.com/mac_thediscdog/

https://www.instagram.com/thevitalwomenpodcast/

https://a.co/d/0fEOD3w4 (Amazon Book Link)

https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000566153142/Ivette-O'Sullivan-Mac-the-Disc-Dog

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mac-the-disc-dog-ivette-osullivan/1150239188?ean=9781038355577

Adelante, Siempre, por tu Mente / Forward, Always, for your Mind

Love & Strength,

Oscar Luna, Creator/Host

FYI - I Am Damaged Podcast

Author of Logan: The Strong-Minded Little Elephant

Instagram: FYIiAmDamaged

Spotify/YouTube/Apple Podcasts: FYI - I Am Damaged

#childrensbook #MactheDiscDog #identity #resilience #socialwork #advocacy #bilingualeducation #midlifeempowerment #parenting #communitysupport #fyp

Image Credit: Ivette O'Sullivan

Intro Music By: Willy Benz

(If I missed a credit, please reach out)

In this episode, Puerto Rican artist, El NiNo Alicea, shares his journey from childhood to becoming a renowned creator of cultural installations that are inspired by his birthplace Puerto Rico. We explore his life, artistic inspirations, community projects, and the importance of cultural identity, awareness, and environmental sustainability.

By the way, that amazing painting behind him was given to him by his best friend, and a sister from another mister @roselyn_sanchez

El NiNo's Links:

https://www.leaveittonino.com/

https://codaworx.com/codaawards/top-100/

https://www.instagram.com/leaveittonino/

https://www.instagram.com/coquibynino/

https://www.instagram.com/mucaro_bm/

https://www.instagram.com/atabeystreasure/

https://www.instagram.com/got_framed/

Episode Dedication to Scott Froschauer:

https://www.instagram.com/sfroschauerart/

Adelante, Siempre, por tu Mente / Forward, Always, for your Mind

Love & Strength,

Oscar Luna, Creator/Host

FYI - I Am Damaged Podcast

Author of Logan: The Strong-Minded Little Elephant

Instagram: FYIiAmDamaged

Spotify/YouTube/Apple Podcasts: FYI - I Am Damaged

#art #muse #PuertoRico #culture #cultural #culturalinstallations #sustainability #communityart #BurningMan #indigenousculture #artisticjourney #environmentalawareness #taino

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7u8mNwPDwjVaF0zbpUY4iB?si=vj6TVreCSCiePBAxDnOCcA

YouTube: https://youtu.be/60Gl2pzanOU

Apple P: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-079-latino-creators-puerto-rico-is-my-muse/id1612491913?i=1000796002235

Image Credit Notes: El NiNo, Jamen Percy

Coqui Sound Effect: Kathryne Nefertiti-Mumbi

Intro Show Music By: Willy Benz

(If I missed a credit, please reach out)

In this episode, JayDee Rosario, founder of Unstoppable Comics, shares his journey as an independent Latino comic creator, the importance of representation, and how personal trauma and resilience shape his work and industry insights.

JayDee also shares his journey through trauma, healing, and creative expression, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability, perseverance, and self-awareness. He discusses his work in comics, the significance of storytelling, and advice for aspiring creators.

JayDee's Links:

https://unstoppablecomics.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jaytheunstoppable/

Adelante, Siempre, por tu Mente / Forward, Always, for your Mind

Love & Strength,

Oscar Luna, Creator/Host

FYI - I Am Damaged Podcast

Author of Logan: The Strong-Minded Little Elephant

Instagram: FYIiAmDamaged

Spotify/YouTube/Apple Podcasts: FYI - I Am Damaged

#comics #independent #creator #Latinorepresentation #resilience #mentalhealth #industryinsights #storytelling #entrepreneurship #trauma #healing #creativity #comics #storytelling #vulnerability #perseverance #mentalhealth #selfawareness #artisticjourney

In this episode, Rand Timmerman shares his remarkable journey from a challenging childhood and military service to overcoming alcoholism and finding spiritual healing. His story highlights resilience, faith, and the power of community in transforming lives.

Rand Timmerman shares his profound journey of hiking the Appalachian Trail with his brother at 72, overcoming grief, and deepening his spirituality after loss and trauma. This episode explores resilience, faith, and the power of helping others through life's toughest challenges.

Rand's Links:

https://www.randtimmerman.com/home

https://www.randtimmerman.com/a-spiritual-passage

Adelante, Siempre, por tu Mente / Forward, Always, for your Mind

Love & Strength,

Oscar Luna, Creator/Host

FYI - I Am Damaged Podcast

Author of Logan: The Strong-Minded Little Elephant

Instagram: FYIiAmDamaged

Spotify/YouTube/Apple Podcasts: FYI - I Am Damaged

#recovery #alcoholism #Vietnam #resilience #spiritualgrowth #PTSD #veterans #mentalhealth #healingjourney #faith #AppalachianTrail #spirituality #grief #resilience #recovery #veteran #hiking #faith #overcomingtrauma #inspiration

Justin Smith shares his journey from psychological testing to creating the Cray app, a tool designed to improve dating safety and mental health awareness. This episode explores trauma, trust, self-love, and innovative solutions for safer relationships.

Adelante, Siempre, por tu Mente / Forward, Always, for your Mind

Love & Strength,

Oscar Luna, Creator/Host

FYI - I Am Damaged Podcast

Author of Logan: The Strong-Minded Little Elephant

Instagram: FYIiAmDamaged

Spotify/YouTube/Apple Podcasts: FYI - I Am Damaged

#datingsafety #mentalhealth #trauma #selflove #psychologicalassessment #appdevelopment #relationship #redflags #collegesafety #traumarecovery #behavioralanalysis

In this insightful interview, Dr. Elliot Justin, a Harvard-educated emergency medicine specialist and healthcare tech innovator, discusses the critical link between men's sexual health and overall well-being. He shares groundbreaking research on men's sexual performance, the potential of neuromodulation, and how data-driven tools can transform men's health and self-esteem.

For an amazing device and eye-opening experience visit:

https://myfirmtech.com/FYIIAD

Use Code: FYIIAD for a 15% discount on your FirmTech TechRing today!

Adelante, Siempre, por tu Mente / Forward, Always, for your Mind (and body!)

Love & Strength,

Oscar Luna, Creator/Host

FYI - I Am Damaged Podcast

Author of Logan: The Strong-Minded Little Elephant

Instagram: FYIiAmDamaged

Spotify/YouTube/Apple Podcasts: FYI - I Am Damaged

#menshealth #sexualperformance #erectiledysfunction #neuromodulation #health #wearables #cardiovascularhealth #testosterone #sexualwellness #technology

I sat with Ennovy and discussed a very strong subject called harm reduction. This strategy for addiction recovery, emphasizing meeting individuals where they are and reducing shame. The conversation covers trauma, societal misconceptions, and the importance of compassion in supporting recovery in all its forms.

Please visit Ennovy’s site(s) at:

https://linktr.ee/ennspirations

https://www.tiktok.com/@ennspiration

https://www.instagram.com/ennspirations/

Visit my podcast and children's book site(s) at:

https://linktr.ee/FYIIAD/ | Interview Booking Calendar (Tell Your Story!)

Children's Book Publisher Store Page | Children's Book Amazon Page

Adelante, Siempre, por tu Mente / Forward, Always, for your Mind

Love & Strength,

Oscar Luna, Creator/Host

FYI - I Am Damaged Podcast

Author of Logan: The Strong-Minded Little Elephant

Social Media: Instagram | LinkedIn | X | TikTok | Threads | Facebook

Podcast Available On: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

(Or Search Your Favorite Podcast Service)

Content Creation Credit

Intro music by: Willy Benz | Recorded/Edited on: Riverside.fm

Guesting Platform: PodMatch | Final Episode Production: Canva

#harmreduction #addiction #trauma #recovery #compassion#overdoseprevention #substanceuse #familysupport #safespaces #power#mentalhealth #resilence #mentalstrength #transformation #podmatch