In this episode of The Teaching Journeys Podcast, host Dave Roberts interviews Emma Napoleon, a 16-year-old writer and self-care advocate. At just 15, Emma co-authored the bestselling book Love Yourself First 2,and she is now working on her new book, Living in the Shadows: Finding Your Voice When You Feel Left Out. Emma shares her personal journey of dealing with grief following her father's death, her experiences of feeling misunderstood, and her mission to help other teens find their voice and embrace their uniqueness. Despite facing displacement due to hurricanes, Emma continues to channel her experiences into powerful writing aimed at helping others. The episode delves into the pressures teens face today, the impact of grief on young minds, and the importance of providing a supportive environment for them.

To book Emma for future podcast episodes email: christinanapoleon@outlook.com

Emma's Bio and Contact Information

Emma Napoleon is a passionate young writer and advocate for self-care and mental health. At just 15 years old, she coauthored the bestselling book Love Yourself First 2, which is a book that offers perspective on healing, self-love and growth, in many areas of mental and emotional help. Now, Emma is writing a new book titled Living in the Shadows: Finding Your Voice When You Feel Left Out, where she shares her personal journey of healing through grief, feeling misunderstood, and navigating the darkness when others expect sunshine. Her story offers an empowering message for teens who may feel alone or invisible, teaching them that it’s okay to heal in their own time and way. Through her writing, Emma is on a mission to help others find their voice, embrace their uniqueness, and break free from the shadows.

Connect with Emma Napoleon:

Instagram: emma.napoleon

TikTok: emma.napoleon

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To connect with Dave go to davidrobertsmsw.com and his author page psychologyprofessorandminister.com

In this episode of The Teaching Journeys Podcast, host Dave Roberts speaks with Clare Loewenthal, an accomplished author, editor, and former magazine publisher. Clare shares her inspiring journey from battling anorexia nervosa in her late teens to achieving personal and professional success. She discusses the brutal medical treatments she underwent, the social isolation she experienced, and the stigmas attached to eating disorders. Clare emphasizes the importance of understanding the complex nature of eating disorders, separating the illness from the individual, and focusing on holistic and integrative treatments. She advocates for the power of resilience, human connection, and creativity in her path to recovery, and highlights the need to address the root causes of eating disorders. Clare also talks about her book 'Substance From the Shadow' and its second edition, which aims to provide hope and insight for those struggling with similar challenges.

Clare's Bio and Contact Information

Clare Loewenthal is an accomplished author, editor and former magazine publisher who has built a life defined by resilience and purpose.

At 18 years of age, Clare Loewenthal enjoyed a charmed and carefree existence. Less than two years later, she had lost agency over her body and her life and was admitted to psychiatric unit a life-threating weight. She didn’t want to die but no longer knew how to live.

Despite a long battle with anorexia nervosa, brutal medical treatment and crippling social isolation, Clare transformed her life into one of professional and personal success.

Clare was the founder and publisher of Dynamic Small Business (DSB), a magazine she grew to become the largest small business publication in Australia. She still holds the position of Editor Emeritus of Dynamic Business.

The release of the second edition of her memoir, The Substance from the Shadow, now gives her a platform to address many of the misconceptions that reduce the very complex world of eating disorders down to wilful vanity.

Despite her struggles, Clare created a new identity and a rich life for herself, one no longer defined by weight, food or the judgement of others.

Today, she shares her struggle widely, advocating for greater understanding and compassion around eating disorders and mental illness more broadly.

Connect with Clare:

• Book: “Substance From the Shadow” (available on Amazon)

· E mail clare18@optusnet.com.au

· Website https://www.clareloewenthal.com.au/

· Medium https://medium.com/@clare.loewenthal

· LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-loewenthal-a08a2126/

· X - @ClareLoewenthal

· Instagram – @clare_loewenthal

To connect with Dave go to davidrobertsmsw.com and psychologyprofessorandminister.com

This episode of the Teaching Journeys Podcast, hosted by Dave Roberts, features guest Nina Della Vecchia—a spiritual life coach, Reiki master, and energy healer. The conversation explores Nina’s personal journey through loss, caregiving, and spiritual awakening, highlighting her mission to support family caregivers and individuals facing burnout. Nina shares her experiences caring for family members with serious illnesses, the emotional complexities of grief, and how these shaped her holistic coaching approach. The discussion covers the importance of self-care for caregivers, transforming pain into purpose, and finding meaning through spiritual practices and music, especially the inspiration drawn from Neil Peart of Rush. The episode concludes with practical advice for those in hardship: change is always possible, and seeking help is a sign of strength. Nina also shares how listeners can connect with her and her “Dare to Be Me” coaching services.

Nina's Bio and Contact Information

Nina Della Vecchia is a Spiritual Life Coach, Reiki Master Practitioner and Energy Healer whose mission is to support family caregivers and stressed out individuals to dare to put themselves first by shifting from burnout and feeling isolated to an increased capacity for living and a renewed life perspective to thrive. She walks alongside those who never signed up to be caregivers—but became ones out of love, not training. These “unintentional caregivers,” often face a devastating curveball that changes everything. Nina is here to help them reclaim something just as powerful: themselves. Learning to integrate pockets of joy and harmony into their everyday lives.

Rooted in the belief that transformation is possible even when nothing around you changes, Nina blends her training in life coaching, spiritual coaching, Reiki and Archangelic Light Healing with deeply intuitive guidance. Through her signature hybrid sessions, she creates safe, soul-nurturing spaces where her clients feel seen, held and empowered to move forward—from the inside out.

Nina calls her clients Daregivers—because even in the hardship, stress and overwhelm, they dare to keep showing up. Her own lived experience as a caregiver and spiritual seeker brings wisdom, compassion and grounded tools to the work. As she often says, "I’m your hug in the dark, you can change even if nothing around you does."

If you’re feeling overextended, soul-tired or searching for a breath of relief, Nina’s message and mission will meet you where you are—and remind you what’s still possible.

Learn more at www.daretobemecoaching.com Follow along on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn @daretobemecoaching.

To find ourt more about Dave, go to davidrobertsmsw.com and his author page psychologyprofessorandminister.com