FROM THE VAULT | Enjoy this powerful re-released episode from Season 1:Growing up as the daughter of undocumented parents, Jessica Oliveira-Haddad never knew whether a knock at the door might tear her family apart. She talks to Triple A about the catalytic moments that changed her outlook on life, centered her purpose, and empowered her to raise her voice to stand up for people going through the same things she did. Her story is one that will be all-too-familiar for some, but inspiring and hopeful for all.

FROM THE VAULT | Enjoy this powerful re-released episode from Season 1: Growing up as the daughter of undocumented parents, Jessica Oliveira-Haddad never knew whether a knock at the door might tear her family apart. She talks to Triple A about the catalytic moments that changed her outlook on life, centered her purpose, and empowered her to raise her voice to stand up for people going through the same things she did. Her story is one that will be all-too-familiar for some, but inspiring and hopeful for all.

From the Vault: Jessica Oliveira Haddad (Undocumented to Uniter of Families)

FROM THE VAULT | Enjoy this spicy re-released episode from Season 1:Break out the blindfolds...in this episode, Mistress Heather invites Triple A into the world of kink. She may be a marketing consultant by day, but by night she helps people fill gaps in their sex lives in ways that are more empowering and transformative than you might imagine. This conversation is both juicy and poignant. Don’t we all need a bit of that?

FROM THE VAULT | Enjoy this spicy re-released episode from Season 1: Break out the blindfolds...in this episode, Mistress Heather invites Triple A into the world of kink. She may be a marketing consultant by day, but by night she helps people fill gaps in their sex lives in ways that are more empowering and transformative than you might imagine. This conversation is both juicy and poignant. Don’t we all need a bit of that?

From the Vault: Mistress Heather (Dominatrix by Night)

FROM THE VAULT | Enjoy this re-released episode from Season 1: Returning to public school in Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban, Shabana Basij-Rasikh found her power. Shabana spoke with Triple A about her rise out of oppression, and how education is unlocking potential for girls in post-conflict countries to become the next generation of leaders. She’s spearheading a national transformation, creating a model that can be applied around the globe.

FROM THE VAULT | Enjoy this re-released episode from Season 1:  Returning to public school in Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban, Shabana Basij-Rasikh found her power. Shabana spoke with Triple A about her rise out of oppression, and how education is unlocking potential for girls in post-conflict countries to become the next generation of leaders. She’s spearheading a national transformation, creating a model that can be applied around the globe.

From the Vault: Shabana Basij-Rasikh (Educator of Afghani Girls)

When she was a child, Wanda was among the first kids in New York City to be bussed from her predominantly Black neighborhood in Brooklyn to a mostly white school in Queens. And Wanda was one of a few girls of color to attend the exclusive Chapin School in Manhattan. In both cases, one of the school administrators saw her and helped make her experience positive. Fast forward to today where Wanda is the head of the Hamlin School for Girls in San Francisco, providing the same beacon of light, not only to her students and the faculty, but to parents and the community as well. Anne and Arielle fell in love with this vision of hope and possibility, and saved this interview for the last one of the season because she’ll leave you smiling until Season 5 is ready to go.

When she was a child, Wanda was among the first kids in New York City to be bussed from her predominantly Black neighborhood in Brooklyn to a mostly white school in Queens. And Wanda was one of a few girls of color to attend the exclusive Chapin School in Manhattan. In both cases, one of the school administrators saw her and helped make her experience positive. Fast forward to today where Wanda is the head of the Hamlin School for Girls in San Francisco, providing the same beacon of light, not only to her students and the faculty, but to parents and the community as well. Anne and Arielle fell in love with this vision of hope and possibility, and saved this interview for the last one of the season because she’ll leave you smiling until Season 5 is ready to go.

My Friend the Space Maker

Narcissistic partners, bosses or family members can be highly critical, cruel and impossible to live with. The same can be true for us when we become our own toughest critics. That’s why Anne and Arielle reached out to Dr. Wendy Behary, author of the best-selling book, Disarming the Narcissist and a globally-respected psychotherapist. Wendy sees some through-lines between people who are critical of us and those of us who are cruel and critical of ourselves. Fortunately, she’s got some great insights about how to deal with both types. Our conversation with her left us with hope that we can squelch our own inner critics and find the strength to protect ourselves from the narcissists in our lives as well.

Narcissistic partners, bosses or family members can be highly critical, cruel and impossible to live with. The same can be true for us when we become our own toughest critics. That’s why Anne and Arielle reached out to Dr. Wendy Behary, author of the best-selling book, Disarming the Narcissist and a globally-respected psychotherapist. Wendy sees some through-lines between people who are critical of us and those of us who are cruel and critical of ourselves. Fortunately, she’s got some great insights about how to deal with both types. Our conversation with her left us with hope that we can squelch our own inner critics and find the strength to protect ourselves from the narcissists in our lives as well.

My Friend the Critic Slayer

It’s happened to most of us. The slow realization that your life is not where you want it to be. Some of us make the best of those times by powering through our careers, our marriages and the traditional expectations of us. Others, like our friend Hillary Jordan, take the risk of leaping into big new chapters. In fact, Hillary’s life has been a series of pivots that have resulted not only in her personal freedom, but also fueled her career as an acclaimed author whose prize-winning novels have spawned an Academy Award Nominated film, a second career as a screenwriter and even the publishing of anonymous stories about sex from some of the world’s best writers. 

It’s happened to most of us. The slow realization that your life is not where you want it to be. Some of us make the best of those times by powering through our careers, our marriages and the traditional expectations of us. Others, like our friend Hillary Jordan, take the risk of leaping into big new chapters. In fact, Hillary’s life has been a series of pivots that have resulted not only in her personal freedom, but also fueled her career as an acclaimed author whose prize-winning novels have spawned an Academy Award Nominated film, a second career as a screenwriter and even the publishing of anonymous stories about sex from some of the world’s best writers.

My Friend the Pivoter

Four out of five women who experience chronic pain feel that their doctors don’t take their issues seriously. Women of Color report an even higher level of dismissal. Meet our friend Melissa Muganzo Murphy, known as MMM by the people who know her best. Melissa took her own experience of being discounted by her healthcare providers and decided that she would create real change for other women so that they don’t have to suffer in the way she did. She’s an activist, a filmmaker and a champion of the underserved who will leave you feeling that real change is possible.

Four out of five women who experience chronic pain feel that their doctors don’t take their issues seriously. Women of Color report an even higher level of dismissal. Meet our friend Melissa Muganzo Murphy, known as MMM by the people who know her best. Melissa took her own experience of being discounted by her healthcare providers and decided that she would create real change for other women so that they don’t have to suffer in the way she did. She’s an activist, a filmmaker and a champion of the underserved who will leave you feeling that real change is possible.

My Friend the Womb Defender

Have you eaten “California Cuisine” lately? Maybe you call it farm-to-table or food based on locally-grown ingredients. Whatever you call it, you can thank Alice Waters for being the woman who began the movement to bring the people who grow, catch and ranch our food directly to the people responsible for turning it into delicious meals. As the Founder of Chez Panisse over 50 years ago, Alice has been feeding, nourishing and educating her diners all her life. Twenty six years ago she launched the Edible Schoolyard as a way to engage students and educators in the process of growing and preparing healthy meals. Fast forward to today, Alice is trailblazing again - this time with a regenerative food program within the University of California school system. 

Have you eaten “California Cuisine” lately? Maybe you call it farm-to-table or food based on locally-grown ingredients. Whatever you call it, you can thank Alice Waters for being the woman who began the movement to bring the people who grow, catch and ranch our food directly to the people responsible for turning it into delicious meals. As the Founder of Chez Panisse over 50 years ago, Alice has been feeding, nourishing and educating her diners all her life. Twenty six years ago she launched the Edible Schoolyard as a way to engage students and educators in the process of growing and preparing healthy meals. Fast forward to today, Alice is trailblazing again - this time with a regenerative food program within the University of California school system.

My Friend the Regenerative Thinker

Growing up in racially charged New Orleans, Nick Sensley learned at a young age that there was a tension between the residents of his inner city neighborhood and the police assigned to work there. Yet as a young man, he chose to follow a career in law enforcement himself. The murder of George Floyd resulted in Nick dialing up his efforts to provide insight and understanding across the divides, and our conversation with him shed light on moments that have the potential for us to create bonds between those who serve and those who benefit from safe and supportive communities.

Growing up in racially charged New Orleans, Nick Sensley learned at a young age that there was a tension between the residents of his inner city neighborhood and the police assigned to work there. Yet as a young man, he chose to follow a career in law enforcement himself. The murder of George Floyd resulted in Nick dialing up his efforts to provide insight and understanding across the divides, and our conversation with him shed light on moments that have the potential for us to create bonds between those who serve and those who benefit from safe and supportive communities.

My Friend the Preserver of Dignity

What's your story? That's the question we pose to Katie Hafner, award-winning New York Times journalist, seven-time author and celebrated podcast creator this week. Katie's life story meanders across country, across generations and across literary genres, and it leaves a trail of love, devotion and willingness to take creative risks. 

What's your story? That's the question we pose to Katie Hafner, award-winning New York Times journalist, seven-time author and celebrated podcast creator this week. Katie's life story meanders across country, across generations and across literary genres, and it leaves a trail of love, devotion and willingness to take creative risks.

My Friend the Storyteller

This is Bring a Friend … a podcast where real people shine... and where people who shine get real. These are conversations we usually have with our best friends... and now we’re living them out loud with you.

What do Lil Nas X, Kelly Roland, Britney Spears and Clive Davis all have in common? Music, of course. But they also share a connection with KJ Rose. KJ literally “rose” out of her career working for Pfizer to become a background singer for the likes of Britney, Janet, Common and more. And when Clive Davis got to know her, he saw that not only did she have musical talent, but also the incredible ability to bring the best out of his artists. That’s what she does now. Kelly takes artists from the top of their craft to heights that even they couldn’t have imagined.

What do Lil Nas X, Kelly Roland, Britney Spears and Clive Davis all have in common? Music, of course. But they also share a connection with KJ Rose. KJ literally “rose” out of her career working for Pfizer to become a background singer for the likes of Britney, Janet, Common and more. And when Clive Davis got to know her, he saw that not only did she have musical talent, but also the incredible ability to bring the best out of his artists. That’s what she does now. Kelly takes artists from the top of their craft to heights that even they couldn’t have imagined.

My Friend the Performance Booster

Parlez-vous Crypto? We’re trying! But this is a complex new world and we all could use some insight. Very few people are as deeply steeped in it as Sam Bankman-Fried. The 29 year phenom is the founder of FTX, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, and the richest 29 year old in the world. Sam spoke with us from his communal workspace in the Bahamas, where between the background noise and the chatter of a self-described messy start-up, Sam took us a baby step closer to understanding his quest to harness the power of this new form of currency. What’s more, he surprised and lifted us with what he plans to do with his newfound wealth.

Parlez-vous Crypto? We’re trying! But this is a complex new world and we all could use some insight. Very few people are as deeply steeped in it as Sam Bankman-Fried. The 29 year phenom is the founder of FTX, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, and the richest 29 year old in the world. Sam spoke with us from his communal workspace in the Bahamas, where between the background noise and the chatter of a self-described messy start-up, Sam took us a baby step closer to understanding his quest to harness the power of this new form of currency. What’s more, he surprised and lifted us with what he plans to do with his newfound wealth.

My Friend the Effective Altruist

Almost 78 million people are enrolled in the Medicaid system. But how many of those people know how to claim their benefits and how can the system pool forces with the technology sector to improve the experiences and the outcomes for all? Those are the questions that our friend Adimika wrestled with when coming out of her high powered career as a Hospital Administrator. Her answer? To found HealthTech4Medicaid, a non-profit organization that is hell-bent on making our safety net one that truly lifts those it serves.

Almost 78 million people are enrolled in the Medicaid system. But how many of those people know how to claim their benefits and how can the system pool forces with the technology sector to improve the experiences and the outcomes for all? Those are the questions that our friend Adimika wrestled with when coming out of her high powered career as a Hospital Administrator. Her answer? To found <a href="https://ht4m.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HealthTech4Medicaid</a>, a non-profit organization that is hell-bent on making our safety net one that truly lifts those it serves.

My Friend the Epidemiologist

It’s almost impossible to imagine losing a child to gun violence. But maybe even more unimaginable is having the strength to channel grief into action. Pati Navalta Poblete did just that. Following the tragic death of her son Robby, Pati began her quest to take guns that are turned in as part of government buy-back programs and to turn them into community art. What’s more, she has been able to bridge the conversation between gun-owners and those who wish to curb gun possession, fostering understanding and dialogue that brings both sides closer together

It’s almost impossible to imagine losing a child to gun violence. But maybe even more unimaginable is having the strength to channel grief into action. Pati Navalta Poblete did just that. Following the tragic death of her son Robby, Pati began her quest to take guns that are turned in as part of government buy-back programs and to turn them into community art. What’s more, she has been able to bridge the conversation between gun-owners and those who wish to curb gun possession, fostering understanding and dialogue that brings both sides closer together

My Friend the Transformer

...And just like that, we're back with a fourth season of Bring A Friend! If you're a loyal listener, you know that each season we pick a theme for our conversations. Season four is no different and we're highlighting people who give those around them a lift, a hand, or a BOOST to a higher level. It might be a higher level of knowledge, of feeling, of acceptance or inspiration, but whatever the angle, it's our way of spreading positivity at a time it's needed most.As always, our guests will be real people who shine and people who shine who are willing to get real with us. There will be laughs, tears, vocab lessons, and yes, karaoke moments. You know how we roll.If you like what you hear, you can dig even deeper by joining us for our ongoing conversations at Parlay House. Signup here and see what the excitement is all about.

...And just like that, we're back with a fourth season of Bring A Friend! If you're a loyal listener, you know that each season we pick a theme for our conversations. Season four is no different and we're highlighting people who give those around them a lift, a hand, or a BOOST to a higher level. It might be a higher level of knowledge, of feeling, of acceptance or inspiration, but whatever the angle, it's our way of spreading positivity at a time it's needed most.As always, our guests will be real people who shine and people who shine who are willing to get real with us. There will be laughs, tears, vocab lessons, and yes, karaoke moments. You know how we roll.If you like what you hear, you can dig even deeper by joining us for our ongoing conversations at Parlay House. <a href="http://www.ParlayHouse.com " rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Signup here</a> and see what the excitement is all about.

Bring A Friend Season 4 Trailer

Imagine yourself in the center of a stadium filled with screaming sports fans who are there to watch you try to set a new world record for the long jump. Your heart is thumping and it’s nearly impossible to hear. You accelerate in sixteen steps down the runway and on the final step you leap as far as you can into the pit of sand that awaits.This is the experience of Lex Gillette, a multiple-time world record holder and Olympic medalist in the Paralympics who achieves all he does without being able to see. He achieves these feats because he has Wesley Williams by his side to direct, encourage and guide him every step of the way. We spent our hour hearing from this dynamic duo, not only hearing how they have set records and won medals, but how they have achieved athletic symbiosis through collaboration, friendship, openness and trust. 

Imagine yourself in the center of a stadium filled with screaming sports fans who are there to watch you try to set a new world record for the long jump. Your heart is thumping and it’s nearly impossible to hear. You accelerate in sixteen steps down the runway and on the final step you leap as far as you can into the pit of sand that awaits.This is the experience of Lex Gillette, a multiple-time world record holder and Olympic medalist in the Paralympics who achieves all he does without being able to see. He achieves these feats because he has Wesley Williams by his side to direct, encourage and guide him every step of the way. We spent our hour hearing from this dynamic duo, not only hearing how they have set records and won medals, but how they have achieved athletic symbiosis through collaboration, friendship, openness and trust.

My Friends The Connected Brothers

How would you feel about becoming part of a family during the most intense and intimate moments of their lives? That’s what Megan Davidson does every day. She’s a doula who spends her days (and nights) quelling fears and celebrating miracles. And she’s there to fill in the blanks for each client as they move through their own process of conception, pregnancy, delivery, recovery, and more. She is a coach, an educator, a therapist, a cheerleader and a caregiver all wrapped into one. And she does it while raising her own young family. This episode is a deep dive into what it means to live a life of service, and the sacrifices and benefits for one woman on that journey.

How would you feel about becoming part of a family during the most intense and intimate moments of their lives? That’s what Megan Davidson does every day. She’s a doula who spends her days (and nights) quelling fears and celebrating miracles. And she’s there to fill in the blanks for each client as they move through their own process of conception, pregnancy, delivery, recovery, and more. She is a coach, an educator, a therapist, a cheerleader and a caregiver all wrapped into one. And she does it while raising her own young family. This episode is a deep dive into what it means to live a life of service, and the sacrifices and benefits for one woman on that journey.

My Friend The Doula

You understand isolation from your COVID days. And you know that there was more than one occasion when you thought you’d go crazy being stuck in that space, away from the people and the activities that you loved. Now imagine doing that in captivity halfway around the world, locked in a single cement cell, not understanding the language, and having no information about whether you would be killed or released. And imagine being in that situation for 410 days. This is the story of Sarah Shourd, an American journalist who wandered into Iran unknowingly and faced the trial of her life. 

You understand isolation from your COVID days. And you know that there was more than one occasion when you thought you’d go crazy being stuck in that space, away from the people and the activities that you loved. Now imagine doing that in captivity halfway around the world, locked in a single cement cell, not understanding the language, and having no information about whether you would be killed or released. And imagine being in that situation for 410 days. This is the story of Sarah Shourd, an American journalist who wandered into Iran unknowingly and faced the trial of her life.

My Friend in Solitary

What do young girls grow up to be? We’d like the answer to be, “whatever they want to be”! But sadly, that’s often not the case. Part of the reason is because they can’t know what they can be until they see women who are relatable to them doing jobs they have never heard of. This is the gift of Career Girls, created and run by Linda Calhoun. Linda wants all girls, regardless of where they live or their personal circumstances, to learn well, dream big, and be able to walk in the shoes of the trailblazing women who are leading the way. 

What do young girls grow up to be? We’d like the answer to be, “whatever they want to be”! But sadly, that’s often not the case. Part of the reason is because they can’t know what they can be until they see women who are relatable to them doing jobs they have never heard of. This is the gift of Career Girls, created and run by Linda Calhoun. Linda wants all girls, regardless of where they live or their personal circumstances, to learn well, dream big, and be able to walk in the shoes of the trailblazing women who are leading the way.

My Friend the Stereotype Disrupter

Imagine pushing and then steering a racing machine weighing over 280lbs down an icy track and reaching speeds of nearly 90 miles an hour. Any miscalculation, muscle twitch or slightly miscued decision could result not only in a loss of victory, but disastrous injury. Now imagine doing that with a newborn baby who travels everywhere with you and a husband with an identical career as a bobsledding champion. This interview with Elana Meyers Taylor, multiple-time world champion and Olympic medalist will give you chills and warm your heart.

Imagine pushing and then steering a racing machine weighing over 280lbs down an icy track and reaching speeds of nearly 90 miles an hour. Any miscalculation, muscle twitch or slightly miscued decision could result not only in a loss of victory, but disastrous injury. Now imagine doing that with a newborn baby who travels everywhere with you and a husband with an identical career as a bobsledding champion. This interview with Elana Meyers Taylor, multiple-time world champion and Olympic medalist will give you chills and warm your heart.

My Friend The Bobsledder

Bring A Friend

The Best Multi-Part Documentaries, with documentaries on Obama, Federer vs Nadal, the making of Star Wars, Netflix vs Blockbuster and more. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Multi-Part Documentaries

The best podcast episodes on parenting. Interviewing experts and talking through common issues surrounding parenting. This topic is filled with important lessons and insights for anyone listening. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!