There is nothing quite like a Mother’s love. In this episode, we are honored to get to hear from Marsha Aizumi. Marsha is an educator, author, activist, and mom of two sons. After years of infertility, Marsha shares what it felt like becoming a mother through adoption and holding her first son Aiden, for the first time. At birth, Aiden had been assigned female and at the age of 20, after a journey of self-discovery, Aiden transitioned from female to male. Marsha shares what that experience was like witnessing and supporting Aiden on his journey, as well as sharing what the experience has been like having her own kind of transition as the mother of a transgender son. 

03:00 Being a 3rd generation Japanese-American, moving to California, and taking over the family insurance business.

04:40 What is the secret to being married 49 years and counting?

07:00 What was the moment like holding your first child through adoption?

10:00 When did you start to notice that Aiden felt different?

13:00 What was it like hearing Aiden say he felt like he was born in the wrong body?

15:30 How did you find harmony in honoring your culture and your son through the transition?

18:15 What did you know about the trans community or transitioning before Aiden came out?

20:30 The whole family goes through their own transition alongside their trans loved one.

23:40 What were the first few years like after Aiden’s transition?

25:30 What was it like embracing your role as an activist?

27:50 The power of hearing the President specifically addressing Transgender Americans!

30:30 Ways Aiden experienced changes in privilege transitioning from female to male.

32:00 Why did you and Aiden decide to write this book?

35:40 Marsha’s Pathfinder: a quote that has guided her along her journey.

Check out Marsha and Aiden’s book:

Two Spirits, One Heart

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April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and today’s guest is unfortunately very aware of what sexual assault victims go through both during and after the assault. Our host Steve is honored to welcome friend, and pioneer for women playing in football, Katie Hnida. Katie is an author, advocate, and history-making athlete. In this episode, we get to hear her journey of discovering her love of football, following her dreams of becoming a college and semi-pro kicker in her favorite sport, and how she has turned the trauma of being sexually assaulted by a teammate into being a voice and advocate for sexual assault victims.

02:00 Katie and I go way back!

03:15 What did your journey look like growing up and becoming a collegiate athlete?

05:15 How did you discover that you had the talent for punting a football?

06:00 What was it like trying out for your high school football team?

09:40 What did the guys in High School think when you became a Varsity Kicker?

11:20 Did colleges quickly become interested?

13:15 What did it feel like playing for your dream college football team?

15:00 What was the transition like from playing in high school to college football?

16:30 Why did you end up leaving your dream college of CU?

18:30 Did anyone defend you as you were being harassed?

19:00 The ultimate betrayal of being sexually assaulted by someone she knew.

20:40 Did you initially tell anybody about being raped?

21:40 How did you navigate depression and trauma after the assault?

24:50 Making history at the University of New Mexico!

28:50 The contrast of the team at CU and University of New Mexico.

30:40 What was it like doing a public interview about the sexual assault?

34:30 What was your Dad’s reaction to hearing about the assault?

38:15 Tell us about becoming a semi-pro football player?

41:00 Why has it become so important to you to be an advocate for sexual assault victims?

43:30 What are the biggest misconceptions about sexual assault cases?

45:40 Are there still times you relive the experience as you see stories of sexual assault?

48:30 What advice would you give to someone who finds themselves victim of sexual assault and doesn’t know what to do?

49:30 What is your pathfinder, a quote or saying that inspires you?

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Welcome back to It’s Why We’re Here with your host Steve Holzer! In this episode, Steve is diving into the gifts and purpose of internationally known psychic medium, Thomas John. He is the star of the series The Thomas John experience on CBS All Access, the author of Never Argue with A Dead Person, and has done readings on everyone from celebrities to the person next to him in line at Starbucks. Tune into this episode to hear about Thomas’s messages from the other side from a young age, to finding his purpose of helping others through mediumship. There might even be a live reading as well!

02:20 When did you first realize you had an ability that others did not have?

04:30 Were you scared as you first started having experiences receiving messages from the other side?

05:30 Did you share your experiences with friends and others around you growing up?

08:00 Was there a moment or turning point when you realized you could help others or make this your career?

12:30 When did you start to get noticed and gain popularity as a medium?

15:20 Has there ever been a time you have refused to tell someone what you’re reading?

17:50 What is the difference between a psychic and a medium?

21:10 How has your series The Thomas John Experience evolved over time?

25:00 How has the show changed your life?

27:20 Have you found people are becoming more open to mediumship over your career?

29:00 Do you have to be face to face with someone to do a reading?

32:10 Times Thomas has worked with Law Enforcement as he’s gotten messages.

33:25 What are the Virtual Spiritual Circles you do?

35:00 What do you think your purpose is now?

37:30 How quickly do messages come to you when you do a reading?

To learn more about Thomas John, check out his series The Thomas John Experience streaming on CBS All Access!

https://www.cbs.com/shows/thomas-john-experience/

To get a reading yourself or join the next Virtual Spiritual Circle, head over to his website:

https://mediumthomas.com/

Check out Thomas John’s book: Never Argue With a Dead Person: True and Unbelievable Stories from the Other Side

https://www.amazon.com/Never-Argue-Dead-Person-Unbelievable/dp/1571747249

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Follow us on Instagram for more of It’s Why We’re Here: @itswhywerehere

https://www.instagram.com/itswhywerehere/