Remember the last time you and few close friends stayed up too late at the Diner because no one wanted to leave? You didn’t need that grilled cheese with a side of pancakes but damn if it didn’t hit the spot! You laughed until you cried or cried until you laughed. Regardless of which lead to what, you left feeling a little more thoughtful, grateful, and actually full. Those are the best conversations we have in our lives, and the reason why Diner Talks with James exists. I’ll be your bearded bespectacled host, James Robilotta. I’m an author and professional speaker who talks to willing and unwilling audiences on the role that authenticity and vulnerability must play in life and business. I am a life coach with a Masters in counseling and 16+ years of improv comedy experience. Most importantly, I am a fellow human being with a fervent curiosity for others’ passions, relationships, insecurities, ambitions, patterns, and food quirks. So, come join me in The Diner. Slide into the booth, place your order, and tell me a story.
Https://www.jamestrobo.com/diner-talks-with-james
episode 65: Turning You Mess into your Message with abuse survivor and victim advocate, Desi Garcia
This week in the diner I had a thoughtful and vulnerable conversation with Survivor and CEO of Candle In A Dark Room, Desi Garcia. Desi shared her gripping and heart-wrenching story of surviving childhood physical and sexual violence. She told the story of how she turned her “mess into her message” and how she felt called to help other survivors and families of survivors to cope and restore their power. She shared about her podcast and her foundation and the dreams she has for what it can become. Desi’s strength and fortitude are profound and inspiring, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to listen and learn from her.
*CONTENT WARNING* This episode includes stories of trauma, child physical and sexual violence, bullying, stalking, and suicide. Resources can be found at: https://www.candleinadarkroom.com/
About the Guest:
Desi Garcia is a mom, wife, survivor, advocate, counselor, crisis worker, trauma expert, podcaster & public speaker, I am the CEO/Founder of Candle in a Dark Room (CIADR). I am a survivor of child physical and sexual abuse.
CIADR now offers many things. We help survivors of physical and sexual trauma, as well as mental health that stems from trauma. We also help with other trauma such as grief, adoption and more. She now goes to court with victims around the country to face their perpetrators in court, I help prepare them before, support them during, and offer long term help after. I help survivors take their power back, and start the proper steps of healing through their trauma.
Connect with Desi and learn more:
https://www.candleinadarkroom.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/candleinadarkroom/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/candleinadarkroom/?hl=en
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/candle-in-a-dark-room-podcast/id1454847769
About the Host:
Friends! Here's a somewhat stuffy bio of me:
I am an author, professional speaker, coach, host, and entrepreneur. My first book, Leading Imperfectly: The value of being authentic for leaders, professionals, and human beings, is available wherever people buy books. I speak internationally to willing and unwilling attendees about authenticity, vulnerability, and leadership. My clients include American Express, General Electric (GE), Accenture, Yale University, The Ohio State University, and many others. As a speaker, I am doing the two things I loves the most: making people think and making people laugh!
I host my own events multiple times a year. They are 2-day events called Living Imperfectly Live (and sometimes they are 1-day virtual events). They are a space where humans from every walk of life can come together to be part of a community on the pursuit of badassery. The goal is to help attendees start living the life we say we want to live.
Alas, you're here because of an idea I had a number of years ago and didn't think I was good enough to pull it off. I finally acted on it and alas Diner Talks with James was born! As you can see from what I do in my professional life, Diner Talks is alligned with everything I believe in and teach. If this wasn't dry enough, and you would like to know more info about my speaking, events, or coaching feel free to check out my website: JamesTRobo.com.
Let’s Be Friends on Social Media!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamestrobo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamestrobo
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesrobilotta/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/JamesRobilottaCSP
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/JamesTRobo
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