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In this powerful episode of Unspoken: Conversations with Candace, poet, filmmaker, and advocate Samuel Alfred shares his journey of surviving childhood trauma, reclaiming his voice through art, and breaking free from generational cycles of silence and pain.

Samuel opens up about:

• The inspiration behind his spoken word piece “I Stand on My Desk” and the meaning of tears of liberation.
• Surviving childhood abuse, neglect, and the lasting impact of generational trauma.
• Confronting an abuser and finding peace on his own terms.
• The role of faith, therapy, and community in healing.
• Setting healthy boundaries and rejecting false family solidarity.
• His vision of life after trauma—thriving, creating, and inspiring others through art and advocacy.

This heartfelt conversation is filled with courage, wisdom, and raw truth, offering hope for anyone walking the path of healing and resilience.

⏱ Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome & Introduction to Samuel Alfred
04:20 – Samuel’s Creative Journey & “I Stand on My Desk” Performance
14:05 – Childhood Trauma, Abuse, and Early Struggles
28:10 – The Power of Truth-Telling: You Can’t Heal What You Don’t Reveal
35:45 – Confronting an Abuser & Entering with Your Own Peace
44:20 – Faith, Boundaries, and Breaking Generational Cycles
55:10 – Healing Through Advocacy, Art, and Community
01:10:15 – Finding Identity, Wholeness & A New Narrative
01:17:30 – Candace’s Reflections & Full Circle Blessings

No matter where you are in your healing journey, Samuel’s story is a powerful reminder that your pain does not define you, your voice has power, and thriving is possible. If this episode resonates, share it with someone who needs encouragement—and don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations that break the silence and inspire hope.

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In this powerful episode of Unspoken: Conversations with Candace, certified life coach and author Rossie Manka shares her journey from surviving abuse, gang involvement, and generational cycles of pain to becoming a resilient mentor, STEM advocate, and soon-to-be published author.

Rosie opens up about:

• Her early life challenges, including abuse, running away, and navigating male-dominated industries.
• The turning points that led her toward faith, healing, and personal growth.
• Her mission to empower women—especially Latinas—to pursue careers in STEM.
• The importance of self-care, setting boundaries, and learning to truly love yourself.

This heartfelt conversation is filled with courage, inspiration, and practical insights for anyone ready to rise above their circumstances and step into their purpose.

⏱ Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome & Introduction to Rossie Manka
03:10 – How Rossie Found Her Path into STEM & Civil Engineering
09:45 – Overcoming Abuse, Gang Involvement & Early Trauma
18:20 – Healing Through Faith & The Power of Community
25:05 – Boundaries, Self-Love & Overcoming Insecurity
33:12 – Generational Cycles, Forgiveness & Letting Go
40:45 – Writing The Power of Yes & A Woman Unshakable
47:30 – Collaboration, Advocacy & Survivor Support Events
54:22 – Candace’s Reflections on Family & Full Circle Blessings
59:10 – Final Thoughts: Hope, Healing & Moving Forward

No matter where you are in your journey, Rossie’s story is a powerful reminder that healing is possible, faith can restore hope, and your voice can inspire change. If this conversation moves you, share it with someone who needs encouragement, and don’t forget to subscribe for more stories of resilience, empowerment, and unspoken truths.

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In this heartfelt episode of Unspoken: Conversations with Candace, Candace is joined by her longtime friend and “Chica Bonita,” April Klinter. Together, they revisit their 20+ year friendship, the journey of supporting each other through motherhood, trauma, and growth, and how pivotal moments—like attending the Hope Shining Blue event—ignited Candace’s path as an author, podcast host, and advocate.

This episode is about the power of friendship, the courage to speak your truth, and how healing conversations can inspire transformation.

If you’ve ever needed a reminder that your voice matters and that you’re not alone in your healing journey—this episode is for you.

⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome to Unspoken Conversations with Candace
01:12 – Introducing my work bestie, April Klinter (“my Chica Bonita”)
03:10 – How Candace and April first met at work in 2002
07:45 – Building friendship through motherhood and shared struggles
10:28 – Opening up about trauma and unhealthy relationships
14:50 – The Hope Shining Blue event (2016) that planted the seed
18:30 – How seeing other survivors inspired Candace’s healing journey
22:15 – Writing the book Unspoken and finding purpose
26:05 – Pandemic challenges, publishing the book, and launching the podcast
30:20 – Becoming a life (Thrive) coach and advocate for survivors
33:45 – Receiving the Thrive Award and what it means
38:00 – Reflections on friendship, healing, and support
41:22 – Closing message: You’re not alone, and your story matters