September is Suicide Awareness Month, and today I am honored to welcome Melani and Lenny Lighter to the podcast. In February 2023, their family was forever changed when their beloved daughter and sister, Lauren, died by suicide. In her memory, and in honor of the millions of lives lost each year, they created LIGHTER, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and providing support for mental health.

Currently, they are leading the "Light in the Dark" fundraiser, with 100% of the proceeds going to the Lauren Lighter Fund. This fund directly supports NAMI Chicago, a local mental health organization, as well as the Douglas Mobile Outreach Program, expanding access to resources and care.

At its heart, LIGHTER is a candle project designed to bring light and comfort into people’s homes while honoring those who have struggled in darkness. Since its launch in August 2023, LIGHTER has raised over $1 million for mental health foundations in both Montreal and Chicago, offering communities not only resources but also awareness, compassion, and hope.

This episode serves as a reminder that we are all fighting battles that are unseen. I hope you find strength in Melani and Lenny’s story, and if you’re able, please consider supporting the Light in the Dark fundraiser with a donation.

Episode Resources:

Lighter Candles

Light in the Dark Fundraiser

Link to purchase:

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Dr. Ishnella Azad, known simply as Ish, is a psychiatrist-turned-real estate mogul who has lived multiple lives in one. From medicine to commercial real estate to data centers, her journey is fueled by a singular mission: to empower everyday people, especially women, with the tools to build generational wealth and lasting freedom.

In this episode, Dr. Azad shares how surviving personal trauma, including a life-altering MRSA infection and amputation, led her to transform her pain into purpose. We talk about trauma, identity, financial literacy, and why she believes economic empowerment is the most powerful form of healing.

Her story is raw, bold, and incredibly inspiring, and her message is clear: no matter what life throws at you, just get up.

Episode Resources:

Dr. Azad's LinkedIn

5Rivers CRE Website

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Eddie Pate is a powerhouse in the world of inclusion, diversity, and equity with over 24 years of experience at global giants like Microsoft, Starbucks, and Amazon. Eddie is also the founder of Eddie Pate Speaking and Consulting and co-authored Daily Practices of Inclusive Leaders: A Guide to Building a Culture of Belonging.

From growing up in a multiracial family as an "Army youth" to experiencing discrimination firsthand, Eddie shares the pivotal moments that fueled his passion for diversity and inclusion. He discusses how his upbringing shaped his understanding of belonging, his journey from aspiring NFL player to leading DE&I initiatives at some of the world’s biggest companies, and the critical importance of making workplaces truly inclusive, not just diverse.

Throughout the conversation, Eddie emphasizes the need for leaders to champion equity through intentional actions and spending their privilege to elevate others. He also unpacks the difference between simply having "a seat at the table" and truly feeling included, exploring how businesses thrive when they prioritize both diversity and belonging.

Episode Highlights:

• Eddie's childhood in a multiracial family and its influence on his passion for DE&I
• His journey from aspiring NFL athlete to diversity leader at Microsoft, Starbucks, and Amazon
• Why inclusion should always come before diversity and equity in workplace initiatives
• Practical steps leaders can take to create cultures of belonging and fairness
• The power of "spending your privilege" and intentional leadership in driving change
• Eddie's reflections on building equitable organizations and the future of workplace inclusion

Resources Mentioned:

• Eddie Pate Speaking and Consulting
• Daily Practices of Inclusive Leaders: A Guide to Building a Culture of Belonging
• Connect with Eddie Pate on LinkedIn

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To continue the conversation, feel free to DM me at https://www.instagram.com/foryourlisteningpleasure/ or email me at foryourlisteningpleasure@gmail.com.

Tammy Demos founded KLEOS+KLEA, a groundbreaking skincare brand that takes clean beauty to an entirely new level. With over two decades in the skincare industry, Tammy has been a pioneer in natural, non-toxic skincare, long before "clean beauty" became a movement.

In this episode, Tammy shares her incredible journey, from launching multiple skincare brands to creating a product line designed first and foremost for herself—one that completely transformed her skin. She opens up about her deep connection to nature, the science behind her 100% plant-based, preservative-free formulations, and how her own skin struggles led her to redefine beauty from the inside out.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the endless skincare options on the market or wondered if natural ingredients can make a difference, this conversation is for you. Get ready to hear about the power of plants, the future of skincare, and why less is often more when it comes to what we put on our skin.

Episode Resources:

KLEOS+KLEA Website

KLEOS+KLEA Instagram

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Jon Bostock is the new CEO of Kodak Alaris. With an impressive career spanning leadership roles at GE, Big Ass Fans, and Truman’s, Jon has built a reputation for driving innovation and sustainable business growth. At Big Ass Fans, he led a successful company restructuring and sale, and later, he founded Truman’s to revolutionize the cleaning industry with a focus on reducing waste.

In this episode, we explore Jon’s book The Elephant’s Dilemma, focusing on key moments of inspiration, the power of innovation, and the critical role diversity plays in shaping successful companies.

Episode Resources:

The Elephant's Dilemma

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Welcome to For Your Listening Pleasure. In this episode, I sit down with writer and photographer Bill Hayes, whose memoir Insomniac City profoundly impacted me during a pivotal moment in my life. Bill shares his journey of love, loss, and new beginnings—from losing his longtime partner, Steve, to later falling in love with renowned neurologist Oliver Sacks.

We explore the healing power of nighttime walks, music, and photography and the creative process behind adapting Insomniac City into a screenplay. With five books and a stunning photography collection, Bill’s reflections on resilience, creativity, and embracing change are as moving as they are inspiring.

Episode Resources:

Bill Hayes

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This is a special episode; not only is it the 90th episode of For Your Listening Pleasure, but this episode is for my Dad. My Dad, Ross Waxman, passed away unexpectedly on November 15, 2024, and today, January 23rd, would have been his 67th birthday. My dad was my biggest cheerleader and unwavering supporter. Whenever I came up with business ideas or creative projects, he backed me 100% without hesitation. One passion project he encouraged me to pursue was creating a podcast dedicated to empathy, diversity, and real people's stories. Initially, the podcast was planned under a different name with two co-hosts, and we conducted practice interviews with family and friends before launching. One of those practice episodes was with my dad, where he shared stories about his life. This unedited conversation is a treasure, capturing his voice and essence, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have it. This recording only shows a glimpse of the amazing person my Dad was. He was truly the coolest person I knew. He always taught me to do the right thing, treat people with respect, help others when I can, and try to live my life with zero regrets. I miss him every day, and I know my life will never be the same without him. I am honored to share a bit of my Dad with you. Please enjoy this meaningful episode.

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I’m thrilled to welcome Kayla Kleinman to the podcast today. Kayla is a seasoned blogger, avid book lover, and dynamic content creator based in NYC. She founded Kayla in the City in 2011, a vibrant lifestyle blog celebrating authenticity and empowering millennial women to embrace their authentic selves without shame. I discovered Kayla through her engaging Instagram posts and videos, which resonated deeply with me. In this episode, we dive into her journey, her insights on life in your 30s, her favorite books, and her refreshing take on wellness. Beyond her social media prowess, Kayla currently works full-time in social media marketing and started her career in the fitness world of New York City.

Episode Resources:

Kayla's Website

Instagram: @KAYLAKLEINMAN

Link to purchase:

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Download this episode of For Your Listening Pleasure wherever you get your podcasts! Make sure you follow us on Instagram @foryourlisteningpleasure

Click here to listen to the For Your Listening Pleasure Theme Song Playlist on Spotify.

To continue the conversation, feel free to DM me at https://www.instagram.com/foryourlisteningpleasure/ or email me at foryourlisteningpleasure@gmail.com.