This interview features Tamara Knox, who after surviving from domestic violence years ago, is now accomplishing her goals and dreams. Tamara identifies as a thriver in her community. In addition to being a Masters of Social Work graduate, Tamara (she/her) is an award-winning photographer, photojournalist, mother, published author, business owner, and public speaker. Tamara was significantly influenced by the late American photographer, composer, author, poet, and film director, Gordon Parks, particularly his statement, "my camera is my weapon for social justice.” It's with this spirit that Tamara chose photography and clinical social work to uplift her community. This shows up best through her upcoming book that shows the process of going from surviving to thriving for community members. Tamara uses trauma-informed photography and ethical storytelling to record, preserve, and share these thrivers’ stories. The book will be accompanied by an exhibit at the Russ Solomon Gallery, showcasing portraits of community thrivers and their accounts of changing their narratives. Follow her on instagram @focusedtmk

National Domestic Violence Hotline: * 800-799-7233 *

Hours: 24/7 Languages: English, Spanish and 200+ more through interpretation service Learn more.

Domestic Violence Resources Available in Sacramento County: https://www.saccourt.ca.gov/restraining-orders/docs/domestic-violence-resources.pdf

City of Sacramento Resources: https://www.cityofsacramento.org/Community-Response/DVresources

WEAVE Inc: https://www.weaveinc.org/

In today's episode, we meet and talk with Maureen Paley, who is a Financial, Life and Career Coach, the author of the “Financial Autonomy for Women: 30-Day Workbook” and the host of the “Financial Autonomy for Women” podcast. We met through Tami Hackbarth's bookclub for Rachel Rodgers book: We Should All Be Millionaires. She is passionate about supporting self-identified women find more clarity, confidence, and peace of mind in their lives. She practices strengths-based, trauma-aware coaching with no shaming, ever. She believes in and has benefited from the power of women supporting each other to Level Up their lives, finances and careers. Maureen is a Certified Professional Coach and an Accredited Financial Counselor®. She calls Sacramento home and, she is the human to the world’s best rescue doggo, Mabel. You can find ways to work with Maureen, including free downloadable resources, on her website at maureenpaley.podia.com and her Instagram: @maureenpaleycoach

Rhydell Paynter is our guest today on MYA and he’s the Chief Network Engineer for the government of Bermuda, but more importantly he’s also a cancer survivor, a proud father, husband and my big brother! He’s a community activist making a difference as a speaker, volunteer and mentor for the Bermuda Diabetes Association and a Prostate Awareness Group called The Daily Male, that provides support for men and their families by promoting men's health initiatives and helping those that are under insured or without insurance to receive screening and assistance with treatment.

 Yes, I’m continuing the family conversations this month friends, last month you met our sister Cecelia, and today you have the honor of meeting Rhydell. You’ll note already if you listened to the other interview, that running sophisticated networks and IT operations is a skill and a gift that both my siblings have – and I alas, do not. But today, the conversation with Rhydell and I are going to have will revolve more around our personal connection and relationship and his journey through being diagnosed and surviving prostate cancer, than the work listed on our resumes or Linked In, and he’ll be sharing more about his life journey thus far and how he’s helping to make a difference not just in our family’s lives, but in the lives of many others too.