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Embark on a journey of self-discovery, health, and wellbeing with The Ripple Effect of Wellbeing in Work and Life podcast by Awaken. Dive deep into the transformative power of mindfulness as we uncover how our guests integrate it into their personal and professional lives, igniting ripples of positive change that resonate far beyond the present moment. Join us as we explore the profound impact of mindfulness practices on our mental health while navigating life’s challenges and fostering inner and outer peace.
Episodes

Jan 21, 2025
Jan 21, 2025
29 min
In this episode of The Ripple Effect with Stephanie Romero Ed.D, Stephanie and guest Larissa Evans delve into Larissa's professional practice and its impact on her life. Larissa shares insights into her career journey, emphasizing the value of mindfulness, self-awareness, and dedication to personal growth.
The conversation explores themes of resilience, the influence of practice on decision-making, and strategies for achieving balance in challenging situations.
Learn More at www.awakenpittsburgh.org
Music: Weather Any Storm by Cody Francis and Forever and A Day by Kim Aspen (canva.com)
Produced by Say Some Thing Studios, a creative media division of Elevate 1 Consulting.
Awaken Pittsburgh, a 501c3 non-profit organization, relies on the generosity of our community to achieve our mission of fostering well-being, empathy, and compassion for all. Your support helps mindfulness practitioners reach individuals across the Greater Pittsburgh Area through evidence-based programs, activities, and events.
Give Today! awakenpittsburgh.org/support
Campaign Music: "Chill Mode" by Audiobinger from the free music archive. This work is openly licensed via CC BY 4.0.

Jan 8, 2025
Jan 8, 2025
38 min
In this episode of The Ripple Effect Podcast, Stephanie Romero engages in a heartfelt conversation with JC Carter about the transformative power of mindfulness and meditation throughout different stages of life. JC reflects on beginning meditation as a child, exploring abstract concepts like infinite time and space, and later connecting to prayer, spirituality, and self-discovery. They also discuss nurturing in the context of mindfulness, likening it to a therapeutic process of reparenting, where one learns to deeply see, hear, and validate themselves. This rich dialogue highlights the importance of curiosity, playfulness, and compassion in personal growth.
Learn More at www.awakenpittsburgh.org
Music: Weather Any Storm by Cody Francis and Forever and A Day by Kim Aspen (canva.com)
Produced by Say Some Thing Studios, a creative media division of Elevate 1 Consulting.
Awaken Pittsburgh, a 501c3 non-profit organization, relies on the generosity of our community to achieve our mission of fostering well-being, empathy, and compassion for all. Your support helps mindfulness practitioners reach individuals across the Greater Pittsburgh Area through evidence-based programs, activities, and events.
Give Today! awakenpittsburgh.org/support
Campaign Music: "Chill Mode" by Audiobinger from the free music archive. This work is openly licensed via CC BY 4.0.

Dec 17, 2024
Dec 17, 2024
41 min
In this episode of The Ripple Effect, Stephanie Romero, Ed.D., sits down with Gaby Istruiz, an accomplished entrepreneur and co-founder of several successful ventures, including the SaaS platform Curu. Together, they explore the intersections of entrepreneurship, community impact, and personal growth. Gaby shares her journey of innovation, overcoming challenges, and creating solutions that empower others, offering listeners valuable insights into building businesses that inspire and uplift.
Learn More at www.awakenpittsburgh.org
Music: Weather Any Storm by Cody Francis and Forever and A Day by Kim Aspen (canva.com)
Produced by Say Some Thing Studios, a creative media division of Elevate 1 Consulting.
Awaken Pittsburgh, a 501c3 non-profit organization, relies on the generosity of our community to achieve our mission of fostering well-being, empathy, and compassion for all. Your support helps mindfulness practitioners reach individuals across the Greater Pittsburgh Area through evidence-based programs, activities, and events.
Give Today! awakenpittsburgh.org/support
Campaign Music: "Chill Mode" by Audiobinger from the free music archive. This work is openly licensed via CC BY 4.0.

Dec 3, 2024
Dec 3, 2024
39 min
This episode of The Ripple Effect Podcast features a conversation between Stephanie Romero and Sarah Urbanic, focusing on their long-standing collaboration. They discuss Sarah's significant contributions as a volunteer supporting their online community through Mighty Networks and her involvement over the past four years. The dialogue explores the impact of their joint efforts in fostering community engagement and building resources for mindfulness and connection. Listeners gain insight into the transformative power of volunteerism and shared purpose in creating positive change.
Learn More at www.awakenpittsburgh.org
Music: Weather Any Storm by Cody Francis and Forever and A Day by Kim Aspen (canva.com)
Produced by Say Some Thing Studios, a creative media division of Elevate 1 Consulting.
Awaken Pittsburgh, a 501c3 non-profit organization, relies on the generosity of our community to achieve our mission of fostering well-being, empathy, and compassion for all. Your support helps mindfulness practitioners reach individuals across the Greater Pittsburgh Area through evidence-based programs, activities, and events.
Give Today! awakenpittsburgh.org/support
Campaign Music: "Chill Mode" by Audiobinger from the free music archive. This work is openly licensed via CC BY 4.0.

Nov 19, 2024
Nov 19, 2024
47 min
In this insightful episode of Awaken Pittsburgh's podcast, Executive Director Stephanie Romero sits down with Brandon Phillips, a licensed professional counselor, school counselor, and community cultivator. Together, they explore the importance of mental health in schools, strategies for empowering parents through community-based initiatives, and the intersection of counseling and personal development. Brandon shares his experiences working with elementary school children in Pittsburgh public schools and his facilitation of innovative programs at the University of Pittsburgh. Their conversation sheds light on nurturing emotional resilience and fostering community healing.
Learn More at www.awakenpittsburgh.org
Music: Weather Any Storm by Cody Francis and Forever and A Day by Kim Aspen (canva.com)
Produced by Say Some Thing Studios, a creative media division of Elevate 1 Consulting.
Awaken Pittsburgh, a 501c3 non-profit organization, relies on the generosity of our community to achieve our mission of fostering well-being, empathy, and compassion for all. Your support helps mindfulness practitioners reach individuals across the Greater Pittsburgh Area through evidence-based programs, activities, and events.
Give Today! awakenpittsburgh.org/support
Campaign Music: "Chill Mode" by Audiobinger from the free music archive. This work is openly licensed via CC BY 4.0.

Nov 5, 2024
Nov 5, 2024
45 min
Dr. Stephanie Romero and Britt Dorazio engage in a heartfelt conversation on The Ripple Effect podcast, where they explore the profound impact of kindness, mindfulness, and meditation. Britt shares her transformative journey with mindfulness, emphasizing how it has been a life-saving practice and discussing the importance of integrating these principles into everyday life to cultivate compassion and resilience.
Britt's Resource: Social Change Ecosystem Map
Learn More at www.awakenpittsburgh.org
Music: Weather Any Storm by Cody Francis and Forever and A Day by Kim Aspen (canva.com)
Produced by Say Some Thing Studios, a creative media division of Elevate 1 Consulting.
Awaken Pittsburgh, a 501c3 non-profit organization, relies on the generosity of our community to achieve our mission of fostering well-being, empathy, and compassion for all. Your support helps mindfulness practitioners reach individuals across the Greater Pittsburgh Area through evidence-based programs, activities, and events.
Give Today! awakenpittsburgh.org/support
Campaign Music: "Chill Mode" by Audiobinger from the free music archive. This work is openly licensed via CC BY 4.0.

Oct 15, 2024
Oct 15, 2024
35 min
In this episode of "The Ripple Effect Podcast," Stephanie and Alex Lisowski reflect on the role of appreciation and mindfulness in personal and professional growth. Alex shares his journey into mindfulness, which began after the loss of his mother, and how practices like yoga and meditation helped him process trauma and anxiety. The discussion highlights the importance of acknowledging both positive and negative experiences, with Alex emphasizing how appreciation—especially for challenging moments—can lead to personal growth.
Learn More at www.awakenpittsburgh.org
Music: Weather Any Storm by Cody Francis and Forever and A Day by Kim Aspen (canva.com)
Produced by Say Some Thing Studios, a creative media division of Elevate 1 Consulting.
Awaken Pittsburgh, a 501c3 non-profit organization, relies on the generosity of our community to achieve our mission of fostering well-being, empathy, and compassion for all. Your support helps mindfulness practitioners reach individuals across the Greater Pittsburgh Area through evidence-based programs, activities, and events.
Give Today! awakenpittsburgh.org/support

Oct 1, 2024
Oct 1, 2024
39 min
In this episode of "The Ripple Effect Podcast," Stephanie Romero interviews Shawn Fertita, who shares his journey of overcoming depression through mindfulness and meditation, discussing the importance of appreciation, connection, and vulnerability in both personal practice and leadership, while also introducing a new retreat series aimed at fostering mindful workplaces and supportive team cultures.
Learn More at www.awakenpittsburgh.org
Music: Weather Any Storm by Cody Francis and Forever and A Day by Kim Aspen (canva.com)
Produced by Say Some Thing Studios, a creative media division of Elevate 1 Consulting.
Awaken Pittsburgh, a 501c3 non-profit organization, relies on the generosity of our community to achieve our mission of fostering well-being, empathy, and compassion for all. Your support helps mindfulness practitioners reach individuals across the Greater Pittsburgh Area through evidence-based programs, activities, and events.
Give Today! awakenpittsburgh.org/support

The Ripple Effect
Welcome to The Ripple Effect Podcast with your host, Stephanie Romero, Ed. D. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or new to the concept of mindfulness, this conversation promises to inspire, educate, and perhaps most importantly, encourage you to improve your mental health by incorporating the principles of mindfulness and meditation into your daily routine. Discover how the subtle yet powerful practice of mindfulness can create ripples of change in your life, leading to a more centered, balanced, and fulfilling existence.
Don’t miss this opportunity to embark on a transformative journey with The Ripple Effect Podcast, where every episode is an invitation to explore the depths of your being and unlock the potential within.
Awaken Pittsburgh, a 501c3 non-profit organization, relies on the generosity of our community to achieve our mission of fostering well-being, empathy, and compassion for all. Your support helps mindfulness practitioners reach individuals across the Greater Pittsburgh Area through evidence-based programs, activities, and events.