Roses of Renewal

Roses of Renewal
Podcast Description
Welcome to Roses of Renewal with host Wanda Santos, the podcast dedicated to empowering trauma survivors to step into their power and drive positive change in their communities. Through inspiring stories and authentic conversations, we explore healing, public service, and the journey to civic leadership, offering insights for those aiming to run for city council or advocate for transformation.
Join us as we uplift resilient voices, build community strength, and encourage civic engagement as a path to personal and collective renewal. Tune in to discover how you, too, can rise and make an impact and join us in community at https://www.facebook.com/groups/843160367354538/.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast delves into themes of personal healing, civic engagement, and community empowerment. Episodes feature topics such as the relationship between mental health and public service, showcasing guests who highlight transformative stories and strategies for societal change, with specific episodes discussing the role of representation and the impact of education on civic involvement.

Welcome to Roses of Renewal with host Wanda Santos, the podcast dedicated to empowering trauma survivors to step into their power and drive positive change in their communities. Through inspiring stories and authentic conversations, we explore healing, public service, and the journey to civic leadership, offering insights for those aiming to run for city council or advocate for transformation.
Join us as we uplift resilient voices, build community strength, and encourage civic engagement as a path to personal and collective renewal. Tune in to discover how you, too, can rise and make an impact and join us in community at https://www.facebook.com/groups/843160367354538/.

Welcome to Roses of Renewal! In this episode, I invite lifestyle coach Carmen Carrion to share her powerful and deeply personal journey as a former teen mom. Together, we dive into the realities of teen pregnancy—unpacking the challenges, fears, and stigma that young mothers often face, as well as the triumphs and support systems that help them along the way.
Carmen opens up about her own story: becoming pregnant at 15, navigating a maze of emotions, and relying on a small but mighty network of mentors, family, and friends. She reveals the impact her son had on her life, helping her to grow and find resilience, while also acknowledging the difficulties of strained parental relationships and community judgment.
Whether you’ve experienced teen pregnancy, know someone who has, or are seeking guidance as you support the next generation, this episode offers heartfelt advice, hope, and a reminder that every journey can lead to renewal. Stay tuned as Carmen shares advice for young parents, tips for starting difficult conversations, and thoughts on what schools and communities can do to better support teens.
Key takeaways from our conversation:
Support Systems Matter: Carmen’s journey was shaped by mentors, family members, and friends who stepped in when she needed guidance the most. Sometimes, having even one supportive person—like a mentor or trusted relative—can make all the difference.
Your Path Isn’t Defined by One Decision: Despite early challenges, Carmen finished high school and college with young children, built a successful career, and continues to inspire others. It’s a reminder that setbacks don’t define your future—resilience and resourcefulness do.
It Takes a Village: Whether you’re a teen parent or supporting someone who is, Carmen emphasizes the importance of community, open communication, and accessing available resources to ensure healthy outcomes for parents and children alike.
Learn more about Carmen Carrion in these spaces:
Website: https://www.coach-carmen.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoachCarmenCarrion/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachcarmencarrion/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaBDjeKSP2Jbfkc6JOpb-Nw
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachcarmencarrion/
This podcast is hosted by Wanda Santos. Wanda is a Certified Integrative Trauma Coach, Vice President of Community Living for Waystone HHS, Entrepreneur, and Author. She is also an experienced bilingual Latina women with a demonstrated history of working in the non-profit organization management industry. Connect with her here on LinkedIn.
If you would love to connect with Wanda, join her in these following spaces:
Submit Your powerful Community Corner story here: https://www.speakpipe.com/RosesofRenewal
Do you have a story about how you positively impact your community? Wanda invites you to tell her about it here. Each episode, we upload a listener’s story about how they are giving back to the community. Stay tuned! Your story may be the next one featured in the Community Corner section.
Also, Wanda invites you to leave an honest review of how this episode impacted you. Also, share this podcast with a friend.
The intro and outro music was Counting Blessings performed by Katori Walker. You can find it on Epidemic Sound.
This is a Crackers In Soup production.
Disclaimer
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