Meet Tamala Floyd, whose deep commitment to healing spans over 25 years. In our conversation, Tamala shares her journey from traditional social work and teaching to pioneering accessible paths for emotional healing, particularly for women navigating trauma, mothering, and relationship challenges.

We began our conversation by discussing Tamala’s latest book, Listening When Parts Speak, and explored the philosophy behind her work. Drawing from Internal Family Systems (IFS), a therapeutic model that views the mind as made up of distinct “parts” or sub-personalities, Tamala reveals how healing begins not by silencing these parts, but by approaching them with compassion and curiosity. Through IFS, individuals learn to relate to these inner voices from a place of calm, clarity, and connection, led by the unbroken "capital S" Self within.

Our discussion touches on profound ideas about how healing does not require a therapist’s office, how ancestral legacies can both shape and burden us, and how true transformation often begins when we listen with openness to the wounded protectors within. Tamala also speaks candidly about her own life, mothering five children, including three adopted, and making bold moves to create a life filled with purpose, adventure, and international travel.

Beyond personal healing, Tamala emphasizes the power of community and shared experience, especially when confronting inherited wounds. Her retreats and new audio program, Healing the Wounded Mother, create spaces where women can unburden the past and reclaim joy for future generations.

Throughout our conversation, Tamala invites us to reflect on what parts of ourselves still need to be heard, what legacies we are ready to release, and how our healing might ripple outward to our families, our ancestors, and the world.

We know you will leave this episode feeling inspired, softened, and deeply hopeful about your own capacity for transformation.

Meet Nicolás García Mayor—an entrepreneur and, truly, an ingénue—who took years of experience in industrial design and channeled it into something far greater. From the start, he knew he was meant to do more for his fellow human beings. Transitioning from corporate design to humanitarian development, Nico applied his engineering and design background to improve communities around the world.

We sat down with Nicolás to talk about his journey—from the world of commercial innovation to dedicating his life to helping others. Our conversation begins with Nico sharing his philosophy on life and the deep sense of purpose he felt from a young age—a calling only intensified by a personal tragedy later in life. He moved across the globe, barely speaking English, and overcame countless barriers in pursuit of bringing a transformative idea to life.

Rejecting society’s conventional definitions of success, Nico followed his heart. That journey led to the creation of the CMAX System—an industrial-scale housing solution with multi-purpose applications such as emergency shelters and mobile clinics. It has been deployed in war zones, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in humanitarian crises across the globe, providing critical infrastructure and safety in times of need.

Nico also opens up about the extraordinary logistical challenges he and his team have faced—and continue to face—when delivering aid to the most vulnerable. But for him, the mission is clear: never give up when it comes to improving the lives of others.

Throughout our conversation, Nico challenges us to consider the legacy we want to leave. What kind of impact do we want to have during our short time on this earth? What kind of life do we want to live—and are we wasting any of it?

We know this episode will leave you reflecting on these questions and filled with the same hope and inspiration that Nico sparked in us.

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Meet Director Thennie Freeman, the powerhouse behind the DC Department of Parks and Recreation, who most recently launched the innovative Youth Development Professional Certification Program in partnership with the GW Center for Excellence in Public Leadership. But first, how did she get to this point—where she’s empowering other leaders to inspire youth in the workforce today?

Director Freeman’s passion for community work started at Job Corps, and she has since dedicated herself to supporting children, young adults, and those who lead them today—many of whom have faced adversity. Having learned on the fly early in her career, she understands the challenges of navigating the workforce and has made it her mission to equip leaders with the tools they need to guide young people toward success. You’ll learn a lot from her three tools. Much of her life’s work focuses on shifting power back into the hands of youth, helping them build confidence and take control of their futures—ultimately leading to the launch of this program, which aims to equip future leaders with the skills needed to effectively mentor and support youth across various educational and community settings.

In this episode, Director Freeman also shares insights about her latest project—the newly launched Joy Evans Therapeutic Recreation Center. She tells the story of the facility’s namesake, Joy Evans, a young woman born with developmental disabilities who spent much of her short life in an institutional facility. Inspired by her family’s experience, advocates pushed for keeping families together while also supporting children of different abilities. That same vision led to the creation of this state-of-the-art center, which features outpatient therapeutic services, a temperature-controlled therapeutic pool, and comprehensive family support—all while fostering inclusivity. And it’s open to the public.

A key aspect of the facility is its unique biophilic design, which embraces the healing power of nature. Every detail has been thoughtfully crafted to accommodate individuals of all abilities, ensuring both accessibility and comfort for them and their families.

For someone who wears many hats in the community, you might be surprised by where Director Freeman spends much of her time thinking and reflecting. Hint: It may inspire you to jump in! She also teases some exciting upcoming projects focused on bringing learning beyond the classroom and into community spaces.

We hope you leave this episode feeling as inspired as we did after hearing Director Freeman’s story and her dedication to creating an inclusive space for all.

Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, & share! https://leadershipcoaching.cepl.gwu.edu/podcast/