Historical Context & Social Impact - Sri Lanka experienced a brutal civil war lasting nearly three decades, from 1983 to 2009, following independence from British rule in 1948 [1] - Discriminatory laws, such as the Sinhala Only Act in 1956, systematically marginalized Tamil communities, leading to escalating ethnic tensions [1] - Black July in 1983 marked the beginning of the civil war, resulting in the deaths of at least 3,000 innocent Tamil people and the displacement of 150,000 [1] - Approximately 500,000 Tamil people left Sri Lanka due to the violence and organized state-sanctioned violence [1] Healthcare & Community Well-being - Despite medical advancements, some communities still struggle for basic quality of care, exemplified by the disproportionate impact of HIV on indigenous communities [2] - While medications like PREP (99% HIV reduction), PEP, and Doxyep exist, barriers to trust and access hinder their effectiveness in indigenous communities [2] - Indigenous communities have experienced colonization, the 60s scoop, residential schools, and policies that strip them of their land, identity, and tradition [2] - Healing happens *with* communities, not *to* them, requiring services that reflect their values, knowledge, and languages [2][3] Moving Forward & Advocacy - The focus should shift from mere survival to creating a future where communities can thrive, requiring justice and healing [1][2][3] - Rebuilding trust requires listening, accountability, and consistent effort, especially when no one is watching [4] - Allies are needed to follow the lead of indigenous communities, rather than directing them [5] - Hope and action must go hand in hand to create a future where more communities can thrive [7][8]

[Music] The world doesn't need change. It needs people who do. That line didn't come to me while meditating on a mountain or journaling in a fancy cafe. Well, you will find me there most of the times. But this line came to me while I was sitting across someone who was breaking down. Not because what happened with her. No. But no one stayed to listen. She was surrounded by friends, family. She had a large circle yet truly alone. I am Kapal Raj and I work with Fortune50 organization where I lead sales enablem ...

[Music] I have a very distinct memory of my first day of school in the States. I went into school about two weeks after I arrived from Ethiopia. And because I didn't know English, my mom would accompany me.And I remember walking down the hall with her on one side and holding a heavy in one hand. My name is Rep. Kyle and this is my journey of finding home.Now, back in the States, standing at the entrance of the classroom with my mom on one side, instead of being met with a game of jump rope, I walked into a ...

[Music] The world doesn't need change. It needs people who do. That line didn't come to me while meditating on a mountain or journaling in a fancy cafe. Well, you will find me there most of the times. But this line came to me while I was sitting across someone who was breaking down. Not because what happened with her. No. But no one stayed to listen. She was surrounded by friends, family. She had a large circle yet truly alone. I am Kapal Raj and I work with Fortune50 organization where I lead sales enablem ...

Community & Social Impact - The speaker emphasizes the importance of community and connection, particularly for Black men, highlighting the vanishing dinner table and the need for verbal communication [6][7] - "Sunday dinner" is presented as a space for vulnerability and healing, where men can share their struggles and support one another [7][9] - The initiative aims to address issues such as childhood trauma, fatherhood, guilt, pain, and loneliness [13] - The speaker envisions expanding "Sunday dinners" to various locations to foster healing and better leadership within the Black community [17] - The speaker advocates for building tables and fostering support systems, emphasizing self-reliance and community empowerment [20] Personal Development & Mental Health - The speaker shares personal experiences of overcoming adversity, including being shot and finding support through a mentor [4][5] - The speaker discusses the pressure Black men face to appear strong and the importance of shedding the "mask" to address their pain [10] - The speaker highlights the need to move away from "toxic toughness" and embrace vulnerability and self-care [21] - The speaker emphasizes the importance of mental freedom and unlocking potential through development, care, love, respect, and honesty [17] Call to Action - The speaker encourages listeners to become mentors and create supportive environments for others [20] - The speaker invites listeners to attend "Sunday dinner" to experience the benefits of community and healing [22]

Mental Health Advocacy & Podcast Impact - The podcast "Balancing Act: Life and Struggles of a Teenage Girl" has garnered thousands of downloads, indicating a significant reach within its target audience [4] - The podcast features interviews with New York Times best-selling authors, clinical psychologists, and representatives from organizations like the National Alliance for Eating Disorders, enhancing its credibility and providing diverse perspectives [4] - The podcast aims to offer compassion, guidance, validation, and hope to listeners by sharing vulnerable stories and expert insights [4] Personal Experience & Message - The host shares her personal experience with anorexia nervosa and relapse, emphasizing the importance of raw feelings and experiences over labels and numbers [1][2] - The core message is that connection and sharing authentic voices are crucial for healing, rather than striving for perfection [5] - The host advocates for creating a safe space where vulnerability is met with compassion, encouraging others to share their stories and seek help [5][7] Recognition & Community - The host received a Hidden Hero Award from Project Blackbird, an organization dedicated to destigmatizing mental health, highlighting her contributions to the field [6] - The importance of community and shared experiences in coping with pain is emphasized, suggesting that speaking up can positively impact lives [7]

Community & Well-being - Loneliness is an epidemic, increasing premature death by 30% [6] - The impact of loneliness is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day [7] - Community fulfills needs for physiological safety, psychological safety, self-awareness, and self-actualization [7] - Building a true community requires self-awareness, vulnerability, courage, and willingness to repair harm [9][10] - Harm in community is inevitable but can be healed from together [10][11] Personal Development & Community Building - Courage is essential to be one's full self and inspire others [8] - Community is practiced, built brick by brick, starting with oneself [8][9] - Self-awareness includes understanding one's impact and how others receive them [9] - Solidarity brings freedom and a shared future [10] - Building community starts with self-acceptance and healing [11]

Self-Reflection and Personal Growth - The speaker initially defined success through external achievements and societal labels, such as career milestones and prestigious designations [1] - The speaker realized that chasing these external validations was a way of running away from childhood pressures and insecurities [2] - The speaker recognized the importance of self-acceptance and healing the inner child, rather than constantly striving for external validation [2][3] - The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding and accepting all versions of oneself, including the vulnerable and insecure aspects [3] Authenticity and Inner Exploration - The speaker challenges the notion that external achievements and profiles (like LinkedIn) define a person's true self [2][3] - The speaker encourages questioning the path to success and aligning with one's inner self rather than conforming to societal expectations [2] - The speaker advocates for self-love and honesty as the first step towards discovering one's true self [3] Emotional Awareness and Healing - The speaker highlights the importance of acknowledging and validating one's emotions, including pain and vulnerability [3] - The speaker emphasizes the need to identify the triggers behind emotional upsets and to address them with compassion [3]

When my grandmother passed away last year at 100 years old, I sat with the truth of her life and her legacy. Aside from being a wife, a passionate teacher, a mother of five, a grandmother of 22, and a great grandmother of 17. What really struck me was how she thrived.No chronic illnesses, no prescription pills, no confusion about what to eat. She ate from the land. She cooked from home.She trusted what she knew. Wisdom passed on from generations before her. Her quality of life got me thinking, when did some ...

[Music] What is sexy. Is it Tina Turner in her little red leather dress. Pedro Pascal doing anything.Nicole Kidman in her dom role or her power play role in Baby Girl. I'm a member of the queer community. I'm also a member of the kink community and I'm here in my role as a dominatrix and that means I'm an expert in BDSM and I think the smell of leather is incredible and I love the drip of candles and I love hemp ramped around the body and I think that all of that is sexy.BDSM is a type of adult play, all co ...