1 00:00:00,752 --> 00:00:04,002 Welcome to mental health in Minnesota podcast produced 2 00:00:04,002 --> 00:00:07,251 by Nam Minnesota multicultural young adult advisory board. 3 00:00:07,903 --> 00:00:09,919 This is a podcast series that centers 4 00:00:10,297 --> 00:00:14,047 education, empowerment and engagement surrounding mental health within 5 00:00:14,047 --> 00:00:14,765 communities of color. 6 00:00:15,416 --> 00:00:17,586 Nam Minnesota is a non profit 7 00:00:17,960 --> 00:00:20,901 organization dedicated to improving the lives of all 8 00:00:20,901 --> 00:00:22,571 minnesota affected by mental illness. 9 00:00:23,221 --> 00:00:26,713 Visit Nam Minnesota online at nam m msn 10 00:00:26,713 --> 00:00:27,269 dot org. 11 00:00:28,221 --> 00:00:30,205 Subscribe to the podcast and listen to more 12 00:00:30,205 --> 00:00:32,845 episode on the Nam Minnesota website or wherever 13 00:00:32,845 --> 00:00:33,879 you get your podcasts. 14 00:00:44,636 --> 00:00:46,920 Motivated by the critical need for mental health 15 00:00:47,198 --> 00:00:49,829 support, doctor Alt tricia Foster emerged as a 16 00:00:49,829 --> 00:00:52,061 passionate advocate for transformative healing. 17 00:00:52,778 --> 00:00:55,504 As a public health practitioner and author, to 18 00:00:55,504 --> 00:00:58,465 recognize the gaps in available resources and founded 19 00:00:58,465 --> 00:00:59,424 the Cake Therapy 20 00:00:59,905 --> 00:01:00,064 Foundation. 21 00:01:00,784 --> 00:01:03,265 The initiative is devoted to empowering women and 22 00:01:03,265 --> 00:01:05,000 girls impacted by the justice 23 00:01:05,596 --> 00:01:08,698 and foster care. Doctor Foster vision is to 24 00:01:08,698 --> 00:01:11,085 create a safe and nurturing space where the 25 00:01:11,085 --> 00:01:13,913 therapeutic art of baking becomes a powerful catalyst 26 00:01:14,212 --> 00:01:15,250 for personal growth, 27 00:01:15,969 --> 00:01:17,887 resilience and community connection. 28 00:01:18,526 --> 00:01:21,332 Her mission is to reach shape narratives and 29 00:01:21,332 --> 00:01:24,358 provide essential life skills, fostering an environment where 30 00:01:24,358 --> 00:01:25,973 every baked creation 31 00:01:26,349 --> 00:01:29,253 represents a step towards a brighter, more empowered 32 00:01:29,548 --> 00:01:29,707 future. 33 00:01:31,138 --> 00:01:33,443 Hi. Thank you for having me. I'm Alt, 34 00:01:33,602 --> 00:01:35,271 the president of the Cake therapy 35 00:01:35,828 --> 00:01:38,625 Foundation. And I own sugar spoon dessert. So 36 00:01:38,625 --> 00:01:40,691 like, it's a local bake bakery plymouth. 37 00:01:41,327 --> 00:01:43,075 Awesome. Thank you so much. We are so 38 00:01:43,075 --> 00:01:43,973 excited to 39 00:01:44,521 --> 00:01:47,066 learn more about what the cake therapy foundation 40 00:01:47,066 --> 00:01:48,975 is. So if we could just have you 41 00:01:48,975 --> 00:01:50,883 introduce yourself... Oh, sorry, introduce 42 00:01:51,679 --> 00:01:54,635 how you created the cake therapy foundation. What 43 00:01:54,635 --> 00:01:57,122 inspired you? Yeah. Thank you for asking. 44 00:01:57,656 --> 00:01:59,961 So for me, the Cake therapy Foundation is 45 00:01:59,961 --> 00:02:00,254 very 46 00:02:00,853 --> 00:02:03,007 personal. It's a personal journey. 47 00:02:03,645 --> 00:02:04,044 And, 48 00:02:04,762 --> 00:02:08,069 the inspiration behind that is it's stemmed from 49 00:02:08,289 --> 00:02:11,969 my own deep passion for both baking and 50 00:02:11,969 --> 00:02:12,689 mental health. 51 00:02:13,729 --> 00:02:14,930 When I found baking, 52 00:02:15,344 --> 00:02:17,582 a couple of years ago, I I found 53 00:02:17,582 --> 00:02:19,521 the kitchen to be my my own personal 54 00:02:19,580 --> 00:02:22,957 solace. Mh, where the process of mixing ingredients 55 00:02:23,176 --> 00:02:27,255 and creating something beautiful and delicious, actually provided 56 00:02:27,255 --> 00:02:29,562 for me a sense of calm, and a 57 00:02:29,562 --> 00:02:30,698 sense of accomplishment. 58 00:02:32,283 --> 00:02:34,357 Thank you so much. Mh. Was there a 59 00:02:34,357 --> 00:02:36,829 specific, you know, moment in time or experience 60 00:02:36,829 --> 00:02:39,063 that really led you to combine both the 61 00:02:39,063 --> 00:02:41,136 mental health support and the baking? 62 00:02:41,948 --> 00:02:42,267 Yeah. 63 00:02:42,823 --> 00:02:44,653 Because, like, over the years, I noticed that 64 00:02:44,653 --> 00:02:47,221 baking was not only therapeutic 65 00:02:47,596 --> 00:02:48,764 for me, but it was 66 00:02:49,519 --> 00:02:52,455 super powerful. It's a powerful way of bringing 67 00:02:52,455 --> 00:02:55,075 people together. So I thought through... 68 00:02:56,265 --> 00:02:59,144 What could this possibly mean for others, has 69 00:02:59,144 --> 00:03:01,774 it was, you know, playing an integral role 70 00:03:01,774 --> 00:03:02,731 in my own life. 71 00:03:03,607 --> 00:03:05,600 So after giving birth to my second child, 72 00:03:06,334 --> 00:03:07,872 I went through a period 73 00:03:08,251 --> 00:03:10,009 of postpartum of depression. 74 00:03:10,728 --> 00:03:12,106 And I actually 75 00:03:12,645 --> 00:03:14,729 baked through it. You know, Also so during 76 00:03:14,729 --> 00:03:16,002 that challenging time, 77 00:03:16,558 --> 00:03:19,046 I turned to baking as a coping mechanism, 78 00:03:19,978 --> 00:03:22,974 the rep repetitive motions of baking, the tech 79 00:03:23,174 --> 00:03:25,648 sure that... So I actually baked through 80 00:03:26,207 --> 00:03:28,623 postpartum, and I realized that it was super 81 00:03:28,921 --> 00:03:30,698 effective. And I told those stories 82 00:03:31,156 --> 00:03:33,485 in my book cake therapy how baking changed 83 00:03:33,485 --> 00:03:35,798 my life because it really has played a 84 00:03:35,798 --> 00:03:36,835 monumental part. 85 00:03:37,871 --> 00:03:39,945 Wow. That is really powerful. Thank you for 86 00:03:39,945 --> 00:03:40,743 sharing that. Yeah. 87 00:03:42,033 --> 00:03:44,570 So, you know, the kick Therapy foundation, I 88 00:03:44,570 --> 00:03:45,204 understand that your... 89 00:03:45,917 --> 00:03:47,582 You know, your main goal is to assist 90 00:03:47,582 --> 00:03:50,058 women and girls, particularly involved with justice a 91 00:03:50,058 --> 00:03:52,768 system Mh. Or foster care. So how does 92 00:03:52,768 --> 00:03:55,399 the Cake therapy foundation assist women and girls. 93 00:03:55,638 --> 00:03:58,442 Yeah. So we not only focus on those 94 00:03:58,442 --> 00:04:01,299 2 modalities, we focus on girls who are 95 00:04:01,299 --> 00:04:04,021 being displaced as in out of home placement 96 00:04:04,076 --> 00:04:06,750 as well. So any girl that's been 97 00:04:07,347 --> 00:04:09,658 impacted by any form of system. 98 00:04:10,057 --> 00:04:12,629 Welcome... Is welcome into the Cake therapy 99 00:04:13,005 --> 00:04:14,302 foundation. So 100 00:04:14,854 --> 00:04:17,894 At cake therapy, we provide a safe space. 101 00:04:18,134 --> 00:04:19,014 It's supportive, 102 00:04:19,654 --> 00:04:22,454 where women and girls can actually express themselves 103 00:04:22,454 --> 00:04:24,863 and build their own confidence through baking. 104 00:04:25,580 --> 00:04:26,239 We recognize 105 00:04:26,615 --> 00:04:29,582 that those involved with the justice system 106 00:04:30,435 --> 00:04:33,345 or foster care often 10 face unique challenges, 107 00:04:33,645 --> 00:04:35,665 and we wanted to put in place 108 00:04:36,925 --> 00:04:40,850 vocational modality to respond that. Right? So our 109 00:04:40,850 --> 00:04:43,951 programs actually tailored to address the specific needs 110 00:04:43,951 --> 00:04:45,859 by offering life skills, 111 00:04:46,814 --> 00:04:48,825 workshops, 1 and 1 mentoring 112 00:04:49,294 --> 00:04:53,109 therapeutic baking sessions. And for instance, through baking, 113 00:04:53,506 --> 00:04:55,493 participants learn to set their own goals, 114 00:04:56,049 --> 00:04:58,950 follow steps, and see a project through to 115 00:04:59,006 --> 00:05:01,017 completion, which can actually translate 116 00:05:01,392 --> 00:05:02,346 problem solving. 117 00:05:03,300 --> 00:05:05,129 I love that. And those are all like 118 00:05:05,129 --> 00:05:06,743 you said, life skills, 119 00:05:07,294 --> 00:05:08,495 and we'll talk a little bit more about 120 00:05:08,495 --> 00:05:10,095 what those life schools are later. Yeah. 121 00:05:10,975 --> 00:05:13,694 But, you know, a typical baking therapy session? 122 00:05:13,854 --> 00:05:15,935 Mh. What can participants expect? 123 00:05:16,827 --> 00:05:17,963 Yeah. So our baking 124 00:05:18,338 --> 00:05:21,224 sessions really focus on providing structured, 125 00:05:21,838 --> 00:05:23,190 yet creative activities. 126 00:05:23,843 --> 00:05:26,554 So we aim to foster the resilience, build 127 00:05:26,554 --> 00:05:30,222 self esteem and offer constructive outlets for emotions. 128 00:05:30,780 --> 00:05:32,350 So during our, 129 00:05:33,505 --> 00:05:36,634 the participants can expect a warm and welcoming 130 00:05:37,090 --> 00:05:39,821 atmosphere to begin with because we are we're 131 00:05:40,198 --> 00:05:43,317 intentional about setting the space for trust building, 132 00:05:43,953 --> 00:05:44,828 truth telling, 133 00:05:45,384 --> 00:05:47,553 and I'd... I'm not promoting 134 00:05:48,245 --> 00:05:49,596 only a safe space. 135 00:05:50,167 --> 00:05:52,386 I'm asking girls to be brave in the 136 00:05:52,386 --> 00:05:54,684 space. So in those sessions, 137 00:05:55,239 --> 00:05:57,007 they have bacon activity, 138 00:05:57,954 --> 00:06:00,991 they have clear, guided instructions in in that 139 00:06:00,991 --> 00:06:03,148 space. They get to learn new recipes and 140 00:06:03,148 --> 00:06:03,628 techniques, 141 00:06:04,107 --> 00:06:06,560 which not only enhance their baking skills, but 142 00:06:06,759 --> 00:06:08,296 also boosts their confidence. 143 00:06:09,630 --> 00:06:13,002 Thank you. Mh. So what key life skills 144 00:06:13,060 --> 00:06:15,612 do those participants develop through your program? 145 00:06:16,250 --> 00:06:16,330 Yeah. 146 00:06:17,222 --> 00:06:20,749 So we're intentional in the foundation to 147 00:06:21,683 --> 00:06:23,776 start our groups with centering 148 00:06:24,630 --> 00:06:27,752 and end them with a group discussion where 149 00:06:27,752 --> 00:06:30,700 everyone can reflect on what they've learned, how 150 00:06:30,700 --> 00:06:34,084 they feel fostering a scent itself a accomplishment 151 00:06:34,225 --> 00:06:35,024 and community. 152 00:06:35,425 --> 00:06:37,904 So our participants will develop a range of 153 00:06:37,904 --> 00:06:38,964 key life skills 154 00:06:39,504 --> 00:06:42,318 through the program. Baking requires time management end, 155 00:06:44,461 --> 00:06:45,200 attention to, 156 00:06:45,732 --> 00:06:47,954 which helps improve focus and discipline. 157 00:06:48,748 --> 00:06:49,566 Process of, 158 00:06:50,354 --> 00:06:52,911 I believe from start to finish really does 159 00:06:52,911 --> 00:06:56,666 enhance someone's problem solving abilities, and it's a 160 00:06:56,666 --> 00:06:58,993 group in some case, it's so that... Therefore, 161 00:06:59,073 --> 00:07:00,368 it promotes collaborative 162 00:07:00,822 --> 00:07:02,412 abilities and collaborating skills. 163 00:07:04,003 --> 00:07:04,741 We do 164 00:07:05,355 --> 00:07:06,491 unlimited capacity 165 00:07:07,104 --> 00:07:07,604 promotes 166 00:07:07,994 --> 00:07:08,153 you know, 167 00:07:09,505 --> 00:07:09,903 emotional, 168 00:07:10,540 --> 00:07:11,017 intelligence. 169 00:07:11,733 --> 00:07:15,018 So, we're asking girls to recognize their own 170 00:07:15,329 --> 00:07:17,961 their own emotions on how to manage their 171 00:07:17,961 --> 00:07:20,593 own emotions in the process. And through these 172 00:07:20,593 --> 00:07:23,464 activities our participants learn to manage their own 173 00:07:23,464 --> 00:07:25,951 stress and build their own self forth in 174 00:07:25,951 --> 00:07:27,305 the completion of a project. 175 00:07:28,341 --> 00:07:30,811 Thank you. Yeah. Building. I think building girl 176 00:07:30,811 --> 00:07:33,121 self confidence and women's self confidence is so 177 00:07:33,121 --> 00:07:34,769 key. So I love that it's a way 178 00:07:34,968 --> 00:07:35,866 where it's not 179 00:07:36,480 --> 00:07:38,548 confrontational where. Sit down and listen to me 180 00:07:38,548 --> 00:07:40,377 talk to you. Absolutely. But it's... Let's kind 181 00:07:40,377 --> 00:07:42,304 of get our hands into some thing and 182 00:07:42,304 --> 00:07:44,781 see what you can create. Yes. And yeah. 183 00:07:45,021 --> 00:07:47,737 Confidence for a girl is is important, You 184 00:07:47,737 --> 00:07:50,786 know, I think a a young girl at 185 00:07:50,786 --> 00:07:53,724 any age if they lack. Their self esteem 186 00:07:53,724 --> 00:07:56,026 esteem is low. Their confidence is low, then 187 00:07:56,026 --> 00:07:59,701 you see where their growth is stunt, and 188 00:07:59,701 --> 00:08:02,493 their own personal and emotional development suffers. 189 00:08:04,168 --> 00:08:06,254 Alright. So doctor Alt can you tell us 190 00:08:06,254 --> 00:08:08,002 how baking has transformed your life? 191 00:08:09,035 --> 00:08:11,259 That's a a very deep question for me. 192 00:08:12,371 --> 00:08:16,475 Baking has been a formative journey, it has 193 00:08:16,615 --> 00:08:19,335 provided a creative and therapeutic outlet. 194 00:08:19,895 --> 00:08:23,108 During some of my most challenging times. It's 195 00:08:23,108 --> 00:08:23,903 really helped me. 196 00:08:25,653 --> 00:08:27,960 III mentioned briefly before that I wrote a 197 00:08:27,960 --> 00:08:30,285 book. And as I was dive you know, 198 00:08:30,444 --> 00:08:32,205 taking a deep dive into the things that 199 00:08:32,205 --> 00:08:34,365 happened to me as a kid, I had 200 00:08:34,365 --> 00:08:37,164 to bake through to really start centering myself. 201 00:08:37,658 --> 00:08:40,045 So baking actually began as a way to 202 00:08:40,045 --> 00:08:42,272 cope with the part and depression as I 203 00:08:42,272 --> 00:08:42,431 mentioned. 204 00:08:43,465 --> 00:08:44,442 And it's 205 00:08:45,150 --> 00:08:47,873 I would say meta emphasized until 206 00:08:48,644 --> 00:08:50,709 the thing that I do to help with 207 00:08:50,709 --> 00:08:52,456 my own childhood trauma, 208 00:08:53,028 --> 00:08:55,897 it's allowed me to channel my emotions into 209 00:08:55,897 --> 00:08:56,375 something, 210 00:08:56,933 --> 00:08:59,027 I would say more constructive 211 00:08:59,881 --> 00:09:00,335 nourishing 212 00:09:00,853 --> 00:09:02,130 Right? Good nursing nourishing. 213 00:09:03,407 --> 00:09:05,402 And I've I've found... I truly found a 214 00:09:05,402 --> 00:09:07,178 sense of peace purpose 215 00:09:07,875 --> 00:09:10,048 accomplished meant, and I hadn't ex... You know, 216 00:09:10,207 --> 00:09:13,164 I hadn't experienced anything like that before, and 217 00:09:13,164 --> 00:09:15,801 it's gradually became an integral part of my 218 00:09:15,801 --> 00:09:17,494 home personal healing process. This. 219 00:09:18,371 --> 00:09:20,445 I love that. And I appreciate that you 220 00:09:20,445 --> 00:09:22,380 talk about baking as a way to center 221 00:09:22,519 --> 00:09:23,077 yourself. Mh. 222 00:09:23,715 --> 00:09:25,549 Doing it just for you. I love that. 223 00:09:25,709 --> 00:09:27,899 It's all about me when it comes still 224 00:09:28,038 --> 00:09:30,675 dealing with my own personal issues because I 225 00:09:30,675 --> 00:09:32,272 have to, you know, I have to find 226 00:09:32,272 --> 00:09:34,841 a tools to be able to to feel 227 00:09:34,841 --> 00:09:37,067 me, you know, so mh. Mh. 228 00:09:38,021 --> 00:09:39,850 And so you mentioned authoring a book? Yeah. 229 00:09:40,247 --> 00:09:42,553 What can readers expect in your book? And 230 00:09:42,553 --> 00:09:44,396 how do you address coping through baking. 231 00:09:45,507 --> 00:09:47,807 So in my book, again, it's, like, all 232 00:09:47,807 --> 00:09:51,005 of this baking and cake stuff it's 233 00:09:51,378 --> 00:09:54,103 personal to me. You know, it's almost like 234 00:09:54,103 --> 00:09:54,742 my shoes. 235 00:09:55,941 --> 00:09:57,400 Right? Mh. And 236 00:09:58,658 --> 00:10:01,215 in the book cake therapy, how baking changed 237 00:10:01,215 --> 00:10:03,302 my life, I I took a deep dive 238 00:10:03,302 --> 00:10:05,926 in my own personal history and trauma. 239 00:10:06,800 --> 00:10:09,742 It's... It looks at my own personal journey 240 00:10:09,742 --> 00:10:12,380 of healing through baking. In fact. 241 00:10:13,651 --> 00:10:16,431 In the book, I've shared intimate stories of 242 00:10:16,431 --> 00:10:17,884 my own personal struggles 243 00:10:18,416 --> 00:10:21,639 and how the simple out of baking actually 244 00:10:21,700 --> 00:10:25,220 provided solace and a sense of control. So 245 00:10:25,220 --> 00:10:27,299 the book talks about my background going up 246 00:10:27,299 --> 00:10:28,200 in Jamaica. 247 00:10:29,073 --> 00:10:30,526 A single parent household 248 00:10:30,978 --> 00:10:33,836 in an impoverished village impoverished village. 249 00:10:34,551 --> 00:10:37,012 A single mother who barely made it out 250 00:10:37,012 --> 00:10:39,888 of high school. But then had bigger dreams 251 00:10:39,888 --> 00:10:40,865 for her daughter 252 00:10:41,716 --> 00:10:44,260 than she had for herself. And and I 253 00:10:44,260 --> 00:10:46,247 do see myself in in a lot of 254 00:10:46,247 --> 00:10:47,281 girls in the community, 255 00:10:47,931 --> 00:10:50,235 because I needed to tell the story that 256 00:10:50,235 --> 00:10:51,108 they too can. 257 00:10:52,379 --> 00:10:54,285 So I took that deep drive in the 258 00:10:54,285 --> 00:10:54,523 book. 259 00:10:55,238 --> 00:10:57,956 It talks about... It actually chronic my own 260 00:10:57,956 --> 00:10:58,456 experiences, 261 00:10:59,152 --> 00:11:02,658 but it also offers practical call, advice and 262 00:11:02,658 --> 00:11:03,716 coping strategies. 263 00:11:05,540 --> 00:11:07,367 The readers can expect. I would say a 264 00:11:07,367 --> 00:11:08,741 blend of heartfelt 265 00:11:09,195 --> 00:11:10,783 anecdotes, my own personal. I would say, 266 00:11:12,134 --> 00:11:14,636 Practical baking tips I have recipes 267 00:11:15,090 --> 00:11:15,590 embedded 268 00:11:15,965 --> 00:11:17,795 and in the in the stories, at the 269 00:11:17,795 --> 00:11:20,363 start of each chapter I have a recipe 270 00:11:20,594 --> 00:11:23,627 that reflects the moment and the emotions. 271 00:11:24,186 --> 00:11:26,580 That I experienced as I baked them and 272 00:11:26,580 --> 00:11:28,975 how they've actually helped me to cope. 273 00:11:30,339 --> 00:11:31,847 I love that. I love that. And I 274 00:11:31,847 --> 00:11:33,672 also appreciate that it goes back to kind 275 00:11:33,672 --> 00:11:36,528 of your own cultural background, you know, of 276 00:11:36,528 --> 00:11:38,768 of what you experience in the kitchen. Mh. 277 00:11:38,927 --> 00:11:40,438 You know? And I always tell, 278 00:11:41,791 --> 00:11:43,860 I'm among women, and, you know, I grew 279 00:11:43,860 --> 00:11:45,389 up with my mom I cooking in the 280 00:11:45,389 --> 00:11:46,990 kitchen, and, you know, and I always said 281 00:11:46,990 --> 00:11:48,429 no 1 makes food better than my mom. 282 00:11:48,669 --> 00:11:51,549 Yeah. Yeah. Of course. And it it always 283 00:11:51,549 --> 00:11:53,884 comes back. To the kitchen really. You build 284 00:11:53,884 --> 00:11:55,964 some of the best relationships in there, 285 00:11:57,004 --> 00:12:01,277 and the conversations are always always great. And 286 00:12:01,412 --> 00:12:03,397 in in that book, I did, I have 287 00:12:03,397 --> 00:12:06,016 included some of some recipes from my own 288 00:12:06,016 --> 00:12:07,921 cultural jamaican personal background. 289 00:12:08,477 --> 00:12:09,294 But then 290 00:12:09,604 --> 00:12:12,316 Out, I make migrated to the states. I 291 00:12:12,316 --> 00:12:14,889 believe in 2001 292 00:12:15,506 --> 00:12:18,138 to start college them I'm actually aging myself 293 00:12:18,138 --> 00:12:18,298 here. 294 00:12:19,016 --> 00:12:19,389 But 295 00:12:19,986 --> 00:12:22,078 I've also included some 296 00:12:22,771 --> 00:12:23,567 international desserts. 297 00:12:24,283 --> 00:12:27,148 Because it shows my growth. And I showed 298 00:12:27,148 --> 00:12:29,873 how my own product grew after leaving home. 299 00:12:30,033 --> 00:12:32,510 So it really an interesting take on the 300 00:12:32,510 --> 00:12:34,508 book yet. Oh, I love that. I love 301 00:12:34,508 --> 00:12:34,748 that. 302 00:12:35,547 --> 00:12:37,785 So I visited your website, the Cake Therapy 303 00:12:37,785 --> 00:12:40,823 found and looks beautiful. Thank you. And you 304 00:12:40,823 --> 00:12:42,810 have several kind of facets of, 305 00:12:43,446 --> 00:12:45,990 programming, including a blog and a podcast. Yeah. 306 00:12:46,228 --> 00:12:47,915 So I wanna ask you kind of You 307 00:12:47,915 --> 00:12:49,995 know, what was your purpose in creating that 308 00:12:49,995 --> 00:12:51,915 blog and podcast? And if you have any 309 00:12:51,915 --> 00:12:52,955 future plans with those? 310 00:12:53,674 --> 00:12:55,970 Thank you for visiting my my my web 311 00:12:56,089 --> 00:12:58,326 side. Hey, guys. Go and check out our 312 00:12:58,326 --> 00:12:58,486 website. 313 00:13:00,563 --> 00:13:03,735 The website took everything out of me because 314 00:13:04,095 --> 00:13:06,595 I wanted to make ensure that the colors 315 00:13:06,894 --> 00:13:09,774 and the representation of it was appealing to 316 00:13:09,774 --> 00:13:10,274 girls 317 00:13:10,654 --> 00:13:12,575 and was appealing to community. 318 00:13:13,708 --> 00:13:17,304 In addition to the foundation's core activities, 319 00:13:17,783 --> 00:13:20,020 we run this blog and a podcast of... 320 00:13:20,180 --> 00:13:20,580 Of course. 321 00:13:21,153 --> 00:13:24,181 Because it helps to further our mission because 322 00:13:24,181 --> 00:13:24,818 when you say, 323 00:13:25,456 --> 00:13:27,208 you speak the word cake therapy. 324 00:13:27,766 --> 00:13:29,200 People say, oh, what's that? 325 00:13:29,918 --> 00:13:30,418 And 326 00:13:30,889 --> 00:13:33,443 the intention around this a short term goal 327 00:13:33,443 --> 00:13:34,422 is to actually 328 00:13:35,119 --> 00:13:37,433 increase knowledge. They taught us this in school. 329 00:13:37,593 --> 00:13:38,811 Right? That 330 00:13:39,364 --> 00:13:42,422 key is the first increased knowledge of something 331 00:13:43,200 --> 00:13:46,237 before it becomes what it should be, and 332 00:13:46,237 --> 00:13:48,235 that is our take on it. So it 333 00:13:48,235 --> 00:13:51,429 was strategic to do the podcast and the 334 00:13:51,429 --> 00:13:52,326 blog together 335 00:13:53,177 --> 00:13:54,925 because I really want it to be a 336 00:13:54,925 --> 00:13:55,425 source 337 00:13:56,374 --> 00:13:58,930 a resource to others to come and tell 338 00:13:58,930 --> 00:14:02,285 stories. So, the blog is serving as a 339 00:14:02,285 --> 00:14:02,740 resource 340 00:14:03,097 --> 00:14:04,390 page to 341 00:14:04,843 --> 00:14:07,224 anyone, mental health, professional, 342 00:14:07,938 --> 00:14:08,438 baker's, 343 00:14:08,970 --> 00:14:12,264 chefs to come tell their own personal stories 344 00:14:12,321 --> 00:14:12,958 in writing, 345 00:14:13,435 --> 00:14:16,062 so they get to author the the blog. 346 00:14:16,539 --> 00:14:19,086 So it's it's serving as a contributor page. 347 00:14:19,579 --> 00:14:22,215 To tell your own stories. And soon some 348 00:14:22,215 --> 00:14:24,952 of the girls who've encountered cake therapy 349 00:14:25,331 --> 00:14:27,577 will be writing those same stories on the 350 00:14:27,577 --> 00:14:30,040 blog. Yes. It is a table for every 351 00:14:30,040 --> 00:14:31,732 and anyone. And 352 00:14:32,503 --> 00:14:33,536 just like the podcast, 353 00:14:33,949 --> 00:14:36,171 We're simply just using different form of medium 354 00:14:36,171 --> 00:14:37,044 to reach the masses. 355 00:14:37,520 --> 00:14:40,695 So the podcast, it's it's a slice of 356 00:14:40,695 --> 00:14:41,092 joy. 357 00:14:41,745 --> 00:14:45,105 And healing. That's my my tag. The cake 358 00:14:45,105 --> 00:14:48,065 therapy podcast is your slice of joy and 359 00:14:48,065 --> 00:14:48,519 healing 360 00:14:48,957 --> 00:14:50,888 because I want you to come and get 361 00:14:51,103 --> 00:14:54,147 anecdotes and listen to bakers because truthfully, 362 00:14:54,919 --> 00:14:56,055 chefs and bakers. 363 00:14:57,403 --> 00:15:00,840 They're really used baking as their tool. It's 364 00:15:00,840 --> 00:15:01,340 their 365 00:15:02,358 --> 00:15:03,077 release valve. 366 00:15:03,717 --> 00:15:05,610 Once you've heard the stories of how 367 00:15:06,208 --> 00:15:06,708 their 368 00:15:09,241 --> 00:15:11,816 their businesses came to be. It's 369 00:15:12,193 --> 00:15:13,731 almost all of them started 370 00:15:14,121 --> 00:15:16,737 baking at the hobby, just like myself. So 371 00:15:16,816 --> 00:15:18,322 I want them to be able to tell 372 00:15:18,322 --> 00:15:21,230 those stories, but not only tell the story 373 00:15:21,349 --> 00:15:23,824 of how their businesses came to be, but 374 00:15:23,824 --> 00:15:25,580 simply telling a girl, 375 00:15:26,139 --> 00:15:28,715 1 of the girls who are participating, 376 00:15:29,093 --> 00:15:31,896 in the Cake therapy foundation how to become 377 00:15:31,896 --> 00:15:32,555 an entrepreneur. 378 00:15:33,245 --> 00:15:35,150 And to tell that girl that, you know, 379 00:15:35,547 --> 00:15:39,540 often, we encourage. We encourage these traditional forms 380 00:15:40,326 --> 00:15:41,383 of on 381 00:15:42,156 --> 00:15:44,144 of work. Right? You have to be a 382 00:15:44,144 --> 00:15:46,531 lawyer, or doctor. Mh. But tell that girl 383 00:15:46,531 --> 00:15:47,983 that you can be both, 384 00:15:48,622 --> 00:15:50,940 you know, you can become a physician, but 385 00:15:50,940 --> 00:15:51,979 you can also bake. 386 00:15:52,698 --> 00:15:54,775 You can become an attorney, but you can 387 00:15:54,775 --> 00:15:57,654 also bake you can do this as a 388 00:15:57,654 --> 00:16:00,355 side business or not. Mh. But I'm also 389 00:16:00,355 --> 00:16:01,093 telling you 390 00:16:01,547 --> 00:16:03,374 that there's nothing wrong with becoming a cake 391 00:16:03,374 --> 00:16:03,771 artist. 392 00:16:04,579 --> 00:16:06,164 What I'm gonna do is tell you how 393 00:16:06,164 --> 00:16:08,621 to become an entrepreneur in your own right, 394 00:16:09,096 --> 00:16:11,450 and I'm also telling you how to help 395 00:16:11,649 --> 00:16:12,149 change 396 00:16:13,088 --> 00:16:13,887 generation. Mh. 397 00:16:14,526 --> 00:16:17,163 Non business owners in your family because you 398 00:16:17,163 --> 00:16:19,934 can be the first. Mh. I love that 399 00:16:20,214 --> 00:16:22,472 and really having a place to build that 400 00:16:22,532 --> 00:16:25,009 generational wealth It's so important Of of course. 401 00:16:25,649 --> 00:16:27,087 And I think a lot of folks might 402 00:16:27,087 --> 00:16:29,405 think, oh, starting a business is risky. Yeah. 403 00:16:29,739 --> 00:16:31,814 Right? And so then folks go on to, 404 00:16:31,973 --> 00:16:34,207 you know, a safe career. Yep. Mh. That 405 00:16:34,207 --> 00:16:36,761 really might not be fulfilling for them. Absolutely 406 00:16:36,761 --> 00:16:39,238 and. And I myself have delved into that. 407 00:16:39,476 --> 00:16:41,776 I'm I'm a vaccine scientist. I'm a public 408 00:16:41,776 --> 00:16:45,028 health practitioner. Mh and it's scared to think 409 00:16:45,028 --> 00:16:45,480 that 410 00:16:45,839 --> 00:16:48,813 I've actually fallen out of love with science 411 00:16:48,952 --> 00:16:51,905 and more in love with food. But then 412 00:16:51,905 --> 00:16:54,460 when you sit back, and this is science. 413 00:16:55,274 --> 00:16:57,271 It is food science. You know what I 414 00:16:57,271 --> 00:16:59,768 mean. So I'm able to merge 415 00:17:00,387 --> 00:17:01,766 both my passions. 416 00:17:02,956 --> 00:17:04,710 To make it work for me. And I 417 00:17:04,949 --> 00:17:07,181 I really want girls to know that it 418 00:17:07,181 --> 00:17:10,424 can work, and our foundation is here to 419 00:17:10,702 --> 00:17:11,814 teach you that skill. 420 00:17:12,449 --> 00:17:14,434 And if you want to in turn, use 421 00:17:14,434 --> 00:17:18,268 this vacation to start your own personal business, 422 00:17:18,880 --> 00:17:21,046 use it. But if you also want to 423 00:17:21,046 --> 00:17:23,860 use it as a release valve 424 00:17:24,477 --> 00:17:27,190 for whatever you're experiencing, and you can go 425 00:17:27,190 --> 00:17:29,584 into that kitchen and big through something, then 426 00:17:29,584 --> 00:17:30,456 here it is also. 427 00:17:31,248 --> 00:17:31,961 I love that. 428 00:17:33,308 --> 00:17:35,069 And so tell us about your back I 429 00:17:35,069 --> 00:17:37,386 know that you mentioned your public health practitioner. 430 00:17:37,545 --> 00:17:39,383 Mh. So what led you to really create 431 00:17:39,383 --> 00:17:41,755 the cake therapy foundation with your background in 432 00:17:41,874 --> 00:17:42,827 mind. Yeah. 433 00:17:44,497 --> 00:17:45,871 I am uniquely 434 00:17:46,325 --> 00:17:46,722 aware. 435 00:17:47,756 --> 00:17:47,914 Alright? 436 00:17:48,630 --> 00:17:52,326 I am uniquely aware of health inequities, 437 00:17:52,703 --> 00:17:53,979 Mh very much so, 438 00:17:55,733 --> 00:17:58,842 my my public health work has been around 439 00:17:58,842 --> 00:17:59,342 medical 440 00:18:00,130 --> 00:18:00,630 sociology, 441 00:18:02,196 --> 00:18:03,785 but I do a lot of work in 442 00:18:03,785 --> 00:18:06,430 health equity. I've I've led work 443 00:18:07,297 --> 00:18:11,523 to promote vaccine parody, Mh to underserved community. 444 00:18:11,762 --> 00:18:14,872 That's my passion. Like, I wanna be able 445 00:18:14,872 --> 00:18:15,484 to make 446 00:18:16,164 --> 00:18:16,664 help 447 00:18:17,043 --> 00:18:19,061 and anything else equitable 448 00:18:19,440 --> 00:18:20,399 to underserved... 449 00:18:20,879 --> 00:18:23,675 Underserved community. Because I too wasn't underserved girl. 450 00:18:23,915 --> 00:18:26,742 Mh. Right? And I wanna make sure that 451 00:18:26,878 --> 00:18:30,880 access. Everyone has access. Girls like me have 452 00:18:31,097 --> 00:18:34,042 access, and I don't want to make myself 453 00:18:34,042 --> 00:18:35,011 in festival. 454 00:18:36,044 --> 00:18:36,282 So... 455 00:18:36,918 --> 00:18:37,895 Yeah. So 456 00:18:38,666 --> 00:18:41,289 wrote the book told a story. That's my 457 00:18:41,289 --> 00:18:44,319 story. That III was that girl. Right? Mh. 458 00:18:44,557 --> 00:18:47,017 And I needed to to create a space, 459 00:18:47,652 --> 00:18:50,214 a pray... A space from purpose 460 00:18:50,763 --> 00:18:52,755 a space from a gift that I was 461 00:18:52,755 --> 00:18:55,884 given because when I discovered this baking 462 00:18:56,260 --> 00:18:57,376 hobby, this tool, 463 00:18:58,028 --> 00:19:00,339 I was already successful in my own ride 464 00:19:00,339 --> 00:19:02,969 as a scientist as a public health practitioner, 465 00:19:03,287 --> 00:19:04,961 And I've always asked myself like, 466 00:19:06,327 --> 00:19:07,995 why were you given this? 467 00:19:09,504 --> 00:19:11,330 And I felt like, 468 00:19:12,442 --> 00:19:14,450 not only was I called to this. 469 00:19:15,090 --> 00:19:17,590 I was chosen for this. And 470 00:19:18,210 --> 00:19:20,369 and... I'm just simply just walking in that 471 00:19:20,369 --> 00:19:23,798 purpose. And answering. Mh. And just as a 472 00:19:23,798 --> 00:19:25,463 quick follow up, you know, did you face 473 00:19:25,463 --> 00:19:28,104 any challenges that you've experienced, I think about 474 00:19:28,159 --> 00:19:30,484 jumping for being a a scientist write kind 475 00:19:30,484 --> 00:19:32,000 of being a scientist in the kitchen. Yeah. 476 00:19:32,319 --> 00:19:32,899 And so 477 00:19:33,436 --> 00:19:35,591 what were some challenges that you've experienced. Yeah. 478 00:19:37,041 --> 00:19:37,780 I haven't 479 00:19:38,634 --> 00:19:40,250 experienced a lot of challenges 480 00:19:40,945 --> 00:19:44,147 in terms of making the transition because those 481 00:19:44,147 --> 00:19:46,617 who know me, I'm a go or I'm 482 00:19:46,617 --> 00:19:49,485 very, very tough. And once I've set my 483 00:19:49,485 --> 00:19:51,886 eyes and my gold and I've, like, really 484 00:19:51,886 --> 00:19:54,111 created those objectives and the goals to support 485 00:19:54,111 --> 00:19:56,653 it. I'm gonna get it done. But I 486 00:19:56,653 --> 00:19:59,218 think the greatest challenge for me is 487 00:19:59,607 --> 00:20:00,900 raising awareness 488 00:20:01,353 --> 00:20:03,496 for people to see and to begin to 489 00:20:03,496 --> 00:20:06,354 find value in the kitchen. Mh. That a 490 00:20:06,354 --> 00:20:09,153 kitchen is really that place. And I think 491 00:20:09,153 --> 00:20:12,689 for for decades or her brand. And 492 00:20:13,467 --> 00:20:15,305 and our great grandmothers, they survive. 493 00:20:16,276 --> 00:20:18,130 Because they were in the kitchen and as 494 00:20:18,347 --> 00:20:20,339 millennials and gen ears, 495 00:20:22,091 --> 00:20:23,862 we we come out and we're like, okay. 496 00:20:24,181 --> 00:20:25,458 We're no longer wanna be in the kitchen. 497 00:20:25,618 --> 00:20:27,555 Right? So it's actually 498 00:20:28,731 --> 00:20:31,046 I'm encouraging, and I'm trying to get people 499 00:20:31,046 --> 00:20:31,525 to start. 500 00:20:32,499 --> 00:20:34,096 Taking back the kitchen. 501 00:20:34,816 --> 00:20:37,452 That healing is in fact in the kitchen. 502 00:20:37,612 --> 00:20:40,584 And then 1 other struggle that the challenging, 503 00:20:40,743 --> 00:20:43,620 the biggest challenge for us, I think outside 504 00:20:43,620 --> 00:20:47,776 of awareness is funding. For because people aren't 505 00:20:47,776 --> 00:20:48,869 as aware of 506 00:20:49,710 --> 00:20:50,609 the strength 507 00:20:50,910 --> 00:20:52,109 that lies in the kitchen, 508 00:20:53,309 --> 00:20:55,809 they are not quick to fund 509 00:20:56,589 --> 00:20:58,029 such a novel concept. 510 00:20:58,604 --> 00:21:00,681 So I would say, that's been a great 511 00:21:00,681 --> 00:21:03,557 challenge for us. Mh Mh. Thank you for 512 00:21:03,557 --> 00:21:05,727 sharing that. Yeah. And like said, you know, 513 00:21:05,886 --> 00:21:07,874 it's those challenges that make us stronger and 514 00:21:07,874 --> 00:21:08,852 make us more 515 00:21:09,863 --> 00:21:12,224 mission lead. Of course. It has to be 516 00:21:12,663 --> 00:21:15,134 because once you believe in a thing, 517 00:21:15,852 --> 00:21:18,483 and that thing has worked for you, you 518 00:21:18,483 --> 00:21:20,817 are just simply walking around knowing 519 00:21:21,129 --> 00:21:23,781 that it is this 1 thing that you've 520 00:21:23,839 --> 00:21:25,455 discovered that actually is 521 00:21:25,832 --> 00:21:28,564 saving you and has saved you 522 00:21:29,592 --> 00:21:31,657 what else can you do, but share it? 523 00:21:32,452 --> 00:21:34,119 Use it as a tool to save others, 524 00:21:34,278 --> 00:21:36,502 But it doesn't matter how long it takes 525 00:21:36,502 --> 00:21:39,388 for people to start then where this idea 526 00:21:39,388 --> 00:21:41,945 is no longer novel. Mh. And it is 527 00:21:41,945 --> 00:21:43,543 a bang and people are back in the 528 00:21:43,543 --> 00:21:46,180 kitchen. Mh. Mh. I love that. And like 529 00:21:46,180 --> 00:21:47,952 you said, I think, being in the kitchen 530 00:21:47,952 --> 00:21:50,584 is often seen as lesser than. It's inferior. 531 00:21:50,743 --> 00:21:52,578 It's seen as, you know, folks might even 532 00:21:52,578 --> 00:21:54,093 say, woman's work or, 533 00:21:54,731 --> 00:21:56,247 you know, but like you said, there's so 534 00:21:56,247 --> 00:21:56,747 much 535 00:21:57,699 --> 00:21:59,537 community that happens in the kitchen. That's where 536 00:21:59,537 --> 00:22:01,555 all the good gossip is. And that's 537 00:22:01,934 --> 00:22:04,331 it is. Yeah. It really is. Yeah. Yeah. 538 00:22:04,491 --> 00:22:05,984 And we're the ones who bring the people 539 00:22:06,105 --> 00:22:08,744 together. Yeah. You know. So I love that 540 00:22:08,744 --> 00:22:10,585 you're really trying to reclaim the kitchen Yeah. 541 00:22:10,744 --> 00:22:12,825 As a space of... It's it's a sacred 542 00:22:12,825 --> 00:22:15,314 space. Lawyers? It's a space for science since 543 00:22:15,314 --> 00:22:17,387 a space for, you know, community, so I 544 00:22:17,387 --> 00:22:18,105 love that? Yeah. 545 00:22:19,222 --> 00:22:21,056 And moving forward, what are some of the 546 00:22:21,056 --> 00:22:23,050 cake therapy foundation's future goals? 547 00:22:25,384 --> 00:22:26,825 Our foundation. I'm... 548 00:22:27,544 --> 00:22:30,025 You know, I've always dreamt big. I'm a 549 00:22:30,025 --> 00:22:30,525 dream. 550 00:22:31,304 --> 00:22:32,160 You know, I've 551 00:22:32,836 --> 00:22:33,075 Dr... 552 00:22:33,871 --> 00:22:36,099 I I've dreamt for myself so many things 553 00:22:36,099 --> 00:22:38,805 that have come to fruition. I've dreamt myself 554 00:22:38,805 --> 00:22:39,601 out of poverty, 555 00:22:40,093 --> 00:22:43,294 I've dreamt my myself out of my lower 556 00:22:43,430 --> 00:22:46,528 soc economic status. So I dream, and I'm... 557 00:22:46,766 --> 00:22:47,743 I dream big 558 00:22:48,116 --> 00:22:51,230 for cake therapy. I want to... I'm actually 559 00:22:51,230 --> 00:22:52,206 working on 560 00:22:52,580 --> 00:22:55,440 establishing a form of the foundation in Jamaica 561 00:22:55,440 --> 00:22:58,736 right now. So it going to actually start 562 00:22:59,030 --> 00:22:59,825 teaching girls, 563 00:23:00,381 --> 00:23:02,606 aging out of the Foster care system more 564 00:23:02,606 --> 00:23:03,242 specifically there. 565 00:23:04,528 --> 00:23:06,437 The tools, give them the tools to be 566 00:23:06,437 --> 00:23:07,574 able to become 567 00:23:08,267 --> 00:23:09,062 financially sound, 568 00:23:10,335 --> 00:23:12,482 as well. So I wanna be able to 569 00:23:12,482 --> 00:23:12,934 reach 570 00:23:14,648 --> 00:23:15,148 other. 571 00:23:15,684 --> 00:23:18,473 You know, I wanna be national and international. 572 00:23:18,712 --> 00:23:21,038 I wanna be able to hold conference is 573 00:23:21,038 --> 00:23:23,898 where girls can actually brand themselves in terms 574 00:23:23,898 --> 00:23:25,726 of building their own brand, 575 00:23:26,362 --> 00:23:29,723 seeing themselves as bigger you know, than 576 00:23:30,194 --> 00:23:32,835 they're just their comp community, and it's my 577 00:23:32,835 --> 00:23:35,714 hope to say, you know, I'm gonna have 578 00:23:35,714 --> 00:23:36,775 1 of our girls 579 00:23:37,250 --> 00:23:39,829 you know, on a national network speaking 580 00:23:40,289 --> 00:23:43,089 on behalf of of of other girls. Mh. 581 00:23:43,329 --> 00:23:45,660 And and living in their own truth and 582 00:23:45,660 --> 00:23:47,408 being entrepreneurs in their own right. 583 00:23:48,361 --> 00:23:49,155 I love that. 584 00:23:50,268 --> 00:23:52,150 And so what is the mission of the 585 00:23:52,349 --> 00:23:54,420 therapy foundation, and how do you live that 586 00:23:54,420 --> 00:23:54,659 out? 587 00:23:55,774 --> 00:23:57,128 Yeah. I would say, 588 00:23:59,454 --> 00:24:01,388 The mission of the cake therapy 589 00:24:01,764 --> 00:24:03,220 foundation is to actually 590 00:24:03,676 --> 00:24:04,176 foster 591 00:24:04,950 --> 00:24:06,359 emotional, well being 592 00:24:06,719 --> 00:24:10,794 an empowerment through the therapeutic practice of baking. 593 00:24:11,673 --> 00:24:14,845 That is it. Yeah. That is really it 594 00:24:15,044 --> 00:24:17,912 So we are really dedicated to providing accessible 595 00:24:17,912 --> 00:24:21,020 and inclusive baking therapy workshops. Mh that is 596 00:24:21,020 --> 00:24:22,215 pretty much what we wanna do. 597 00:24:23,264 --> 00:24:25,727 And to really end by just creating a 598 00:24:25,727 --> 00:24:29,595 supportive and inclusive community where girls can feel 599 00:24:29,873 --> 00:24:31,305 You know, I... I used to work at 600 00:24:31,305 --> 00:24:33,612 a place and 1 of their mission and 601 00:24:33,612 --> 00:24:35,998 vision was that they want the community to 602 00:24:35,998 --> 00:24:36,498 feel 603 00:24:36,888 --> 00:24:39,274 valued and that they can thrive, and I 604 00:24:39,274 --> 00:24:41,342 do want the girls to feel like they 605 00:24:41,342 --> 00:24:44,046 too are valued, they're they are heard. And 606 00:24:44,046 --> 00:24:46,375 they can actually thrive. Mh Mh. 607 00:24:46,855 --> 00:24:48,934 Thank you so much, After Trisha. Do you 608 00:24:48,934 --> 00:24:50,934 have any last thoughts, you know, or any 609 00:24:52,054 --> 00:24:53,755 anywhere where, you know, folks can 610 00:24:54,386 --> 00:24:56,080 get more involved or even volunteer 611 00:24:56,615 --> 00:24:58,604 or or share, you know, the great mission 612 00:24:58,604 --> 00:25:00,593 of the take care... Well, thank you for 613 00:25:00,593 --> 00:25:00,991 asking. 614 00:25:02,285 --> 00:25:04,525 You could just visit our website at w 615 00:25:04,525 --> 00:25:07,884 w dot, you know, the cake therapy foundation 616 00:25:07,884 --> 00:25:08,365 dot org. 617 00:25:09,018 --> 00:25:13,342 We have or calendar up. We are actively 618 00:25:13,638 --> 00:25:15,015 asking for donors. 619 00:25:15,630 --> 00:25:17,867 The small donations that are coming in are 620 00:25:17,867 --> 00:25:20,803 really helping to keep our programs alive. Right 621 00:25:20,803 --> 00:25:23,659 now we're going to... We're gonna be in 622 00:25:23,659 --> 00:25:24,159 a 623 00:25:24,468 --> 00:25:26,852 middle school on the North side this fall. 624 00:25:27,408 --> 00:25:30,270 And we are trying to be in other 625 00:25:30,270 --> 00:25:30,588 schools, 626 00:25:31,224 --> 00:25:34,419 but we do require the support of the 627 00:25:34,419 --> 00:25:35,374 community right now. 628 00:25:36,409 --> 00:25:38,637 So let's look out for our drives on 629 00:25:38,637 --> 00:25:41,422 our website on our social media platforms because 630 00:25:41,422 --> 00:25:44,141 we actually do need you. Mh. Thank you 631 00:25:44,141 --> 00:25:46,128 so much. Yeah. Thank you so much. 632 00:25:46,923 --> 00:25:48,990 Mh. Yes. Yes. Thank you. 633 00:25:49,944 --> 00:25:51,786 And so how has you're involvement with with 634 00:25:51,786 --> 00:25:54,089 the foundation, both you creating it kind of 635 00:25:54,089 --> 00:25:57,187 its evolution as well, How has the foundation 636 00:25:57,187 --> 00:25:59,967 influenced you both personally and professionally? 637 00:26:00,933 --> 00:26:01,171 Yeah. 638 00:26:02,122 --> 00:26:05,053 The cake therapy foundation is deeply personal to 639 00:26:05,053 --> 00:26:05,211 me. 640 00:26:06,875 --> 00:26:07,375 I'm 641 00:26:07,924 --> 00:26:09,045 I'm from a broken home. 642 00:26:09,845 --> 00:26:10,345 And 643 00:26:10,724 --> 00:26:12,484 when I've discovered this, 644 00:26:13,605 --> 00:26:16,105 the talent or the gift of baking that 645 00:26:16,244 --> 00:26:17,852 actually help to change my life. 646 00:26:18,568 --> 00:26:19,443 III 647 00:26:19,443 --> 00:26:21,751 couldn't understand it in a moment because I'm 648 00:26:21,751 --> 00:26:24,695 new to the space, but then III saw 649 00:26:24,695 --> 00:26:27,573 the miracle that you know, that that happened 650 00:26:27,573 --> 00:26:28,948 to me in terms of 651 00:26:29,402 --> 00:26:32,901 how baking has definitely transformed everything about my 652 00:26:32,901 --> 00:26:35,230 life. So the foundation is definitely 653 00:26:35,699 --> 00:26:37,294 null. I really want it to be able 654 00:26:37,294 --> 00:26:38,491 to impact girls, 655 00:26:39,129 --> 00:26:39,629 and 656 00:26:41,362 --> 00:26:43,675 my personal involvement with the foundation, 657 00:26:44,393 --> 00:26:47,200 it's it's trans formative. That's how I would 658 00:26:47,200 --> 00:26:49,615 describe it. It has deepened my 659 00:26:49,992 --> 00:26:51,530 empathy and understanding 660 00:26:52,067 --> 00:26:54,400 of the challenges faced by women and girls 661 00:26:54,400 --> 00:26:55,380 in ball 662 00:26:55,920 --> 00:26:56,160 situations. 663 00:26:56,880 --> 00:26:59,279 It has also provided me with a sense 664 00:26:59,279 --> 00:27:01,212 of fulfillment and purpose, 665 00:27:01,850 --> 00:27:04,322 knowing that all work is making a tangible 666 00:27:04,322 --> 00:27:05,758 difference in people's lives. 667 00:27:06,954 --> 00:27:08,709 Professionally, for me, I think as I lead 668 00:27:08,709 --> 00:27:12,009 the foundation in has strengthened my own personal 669 00:27:12,302 --> 00:27:15,104 leadership skills and my commitment to 670 00:27:15,557 --> 00:27:18,438 work around social justice and making a social 671 00:27:18,573 --> 00:27:18,732 impact. 672 00:27:19,383 --> 00:27:22,574 And it has pushed me, continues to to 673 00:27:22,574 --> 00:27:25,365 push me to learn and grow and lean 674 00:27:25,365 --> 00:27:25,865 forward 675 00:27:26,323 --> 00:27:28,896 both as a person and as a professional 676 00:27:30,800 --> 00:27:31,777 the experiences 677 00:27:32,232 --> 00:27:33,369 and the stories 678 00:27:33,983 --> 00:27:36,847 shared by the participants or anybody or anyone 679 00:27:36,847 --> 00:27:39,095 that we come in contact with shared the 680 00:27:39,095 --> 00:27:39,595 stories 681 00:27:40,134 --> 00:27:40,634 of 682 00:27:41,095 --> 00:27:41,914 cake therapy 683 00:27:42,375 --> 00:27:43,595 has been incredibly 684 00:27:44,134 --> 00:27:45,174 inspiring, I would say, 685 00:27:46,148 --> 00:27:48,478 people listen. They wanna learn and it does 686 00:27:48,614 --> 00:27:51,478 reaffirm my own personal believe that there is... 687 00:27:51,796 --> 00:27:52,512 Thank you so much. 688 00:27:53,559 --> 00:27:56,253 And for viewers or listeners who are interested 689 00:27:56,253 --> 00:27:58,259 in learning more about either the Cake therapy 690 00:27:58,393 --> 00:28:00,137 foundation or how they can be involved, or, 691 00:28:00,786 --> 00:28:02,372 you know, where can folks find you and 692 00:28:02,372 --> 00:28:04,989 have that further, contact? Yeah. Thank you for 693 00:28:04,989 --> 00:28:07,685 that opportunity. So this work I'm doing... 694 00:28:08,574 --> 00:28:10,648 Is really the cornerstone of who Am and 695 00:28:10,727 --> 00:28:13,200 I'm everywhere with it. It all started at 696 00:28:13,200 --> 00:28:15,274 sugar spoon dessert. You can find me on 697 00:28:15,433 --> 00:28:17,906 Facebook and on Instagram. It's a premier. 698 00:28:18,479 --> 00:28:20,877 Tell everyone it's a premier baking company here 699 00:28:20,877 --> 00:28:23,035 in Minnesota, but then most of all, you 700 00:28:23,035 --> 00:28:24,094 can find us 701 00:28:24,553 --> 00:28:27,830 at b cake therapy foundation dot org. 702 00:28:28,323 --> 00:28:29,515 Or cake Therapy 703 00:28:30,151 --> 00:28:31,502 Foundation on Instagram. 704 00:28:32,456 --> 00:28:34,681 Awesome. Thank you so much for joining. Thank 705 00:28:34,681 --> 00:28:36,351 you for having me. It's been my pleasure. 706 00:28:48,073 --> 00:28:49,291 Nam, Minnesota 707 00:28:49,670 --> 00:28:53,106 multicultural young adult advisory board provides general information 708 00:28:53,106 --> 00:28:54,880 and discussion about medicine, 709 00:28:55,279 --> 00:28:57,039 mental health, and related subjects. 710 00:28:58,000 --> 00:29:00,080 The words and other content provided in this 711 00:29:00,080 --> 00:29:03,295 podcast episode and in any reference materials are 712 00:29:03,295 --> 00:29:05,535 not intended and should not be cons as 713 00:29:05,535 --> 00:29:06,335 medical advice. 714 00:29:07,055 --> 00:29:09,055 If the listener or any other person has 715 00:29:09,055 --> 00:29:11,542 a medical concern, they should consult with an 716 00:29:11,542 --> 00:29:14,565 appropriately licensed physician or a mental health professional. 717 00:29:15,361 --> 00:29:18,542 Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in 718 00:29:18,542 --> 00:29:21,580 seeking it. As research has proven that untreated 719 00:29:21,580 --> 00:29:22,297 mental illnesses, 720 00:29:22,774 --> 00:29:25,638 often display more severe or debilitating symptoms. 721 00:29:26,608 --> 00:29:28,357 If you are in a mental health crisis, 722 00:29:28,834 --> 00:29:31,322 please call or text 988 723 00:29:31,617 --> 00:29:34,718 or chat with a crisis counselor at 988 724 00:29:34,718 --> 00:29:35,910 lifeline dot org.