There are many ways you can ask someone “Are you okay?” In this week’s episode, both of our storytellers navigate the complexities of human connection and how we show concern for those we love.
Part 1: Dave Kalema keeps lying to his sick mother about how bad his knee injury is.
Part 2: Dionne C. Monsanto doesn’t know how to help her daughter with her mental illness.
Dave Kalema is a Ugandan-American storyteller who uses the stage and documentary filmmaking to tell visual stories of belonging, identity, and personal transformation. His first documentary, I’m Here For U, will be released in 2024. Most recently, he was the founder of Coin Flyp Media, a video-first media company for the untold, personal stories of change that athletes experience after sports. Dave is also a Moth GrandSlam Champion and has performed all over New York City. 
Dionne C. Monsanto is a bestselling author, speaker and holistic wellness coach that creates the space for her clients to realize their goals and build better versions of themselves. As the Chief Joy Connector and founder of Joyous Ocean, she’s taught thousands of yoga/dance classes. She has appeared on TV, radio, podcasts, print ads and magazines. She leads the way calling us to live life INjoy. Her belief is that we can collectively change the world if we each build a joy-filled body to support the lives we want to live. Dionne has inspired communities and transformed clients all over the world to right-size their bodes and lives. The “Dionne effect” has reshaped lives in 6 of the 7 continents. She is a native New Yorker and global citizen that has appeared on TV, radio and in print, including features on CBS, PBS, NPR, Essence magazine and Time magazine. She sits on the National Chapter Leadership Council for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and is an active volunteer with her local chapter as well. She is a helper who loves cooking, music and laughter. She sees them all as moving meditations.
Dionne C. Monsanto's story does include mentions of suicide, self-harm, and childhood sexual abuse. In case you’d find them helpful, now or at any point in the future, we have some resources available on our website.
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