What an absolute JOY it was to reconnect with my sister-friend and former colleague from our Essence magazine days, the brilliant storyteller and explorer Tara Roberts! 🧡

Tara is someone I’ve admired for decades—not only for her sharp editorial mind and deep heart, but also for her fearless pursuit of meaningful storytelling. And in this conversation, we dive (pun intended!) into her latest transformational journey—literally and spiritually—as a National Geographic Explorer and author of the gorgeous memoir "Written in the Waters."

Tara takes us behind the scenes of how a visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture changed everything. What began as a passing curiosity about a photo of Black women in wetsuits turned into a multi-year, purpose-driven adventure uncovering the stories of sunken slave ships and the descendants connected to them.

In this episode, Tara opens up about:

• How following a spark of curiosity led her to scuba diving and uncovering buried Black history

• What it means to say a “heartfelt yes” even when the path is uncertain

• Navigating shame, solitude, and the unconventional path as a woman and an explorer

• Why reclaiming history through storytelling is an act of healing, not just remembrance

This is one of those conversations that will live in your heart. Whether you're questioning what's next or just need permission to follow your own light—Tara’s story is a beautiful reminder that your soul already knows the way.

📘 Grab Tara’s book: Written in the Waters: A Memoir of History, Home and Belonging — available wherever books are sold.

📲 Connect with Tara on Instagram: @tararoberts_explorer

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Support is Sexy podcast host Elayne Fluker is an ICF-trained Executive Coach for high-performing women who are transitioning to their next level. Her clients have worked for organizations such as Pfizer, Amazon, Expedia, Bain & Company and more. She is creator of Next Level Navigator -- a dynamic 3-month coaching program for women leaders. Elayne is also an author, speaker, and facilitator of leadership development workshops for Fortune 500 companies and organizations. Her LinkedIn Learning courseshave been attended by more than 70,000 students. Click here to get in touch with Elayne.

In this inspiring episode of Support is Sexy, host Elayne Fluker speaks with Gina Diaz — immigration and real estate attorney, entrepreneur, cancer survivor, and advocate for women’s empowerment. From being deported twice as a child before finally settling in the U.S., to becoming a single mother at 19, to beating ovarian cancer in her early 30s, Gina’s journey is a testament to resilience and fearless reinvention.

She opens up about the emotional toll of her experiences, the strength she found in her faith and family, and the power of choosing gratitude over self-pity. Now one of Chicago’s top attorneys and a founder of We Win, an organization that helps women build wealth through real estate, Gina shares how she’s using her journey to uplift others.

• The immigrant experience from a child’s perspective — and what people misunderstand about it

• How Gina overcame generational beliefs to pursue law and defy expectations

• What surviving cancer taught her about fear, faith, and making peace with herself

• Why helping other women build wealth through real estate is her legacy

• How gratitude and mindset helped her rebuild after personal and professional setbacks

Gina Diaz is a resilient immigration and real estate attorney who opened her own firm, Diaz Case Law, more than 10 years ago. A passionate advocate for immigrants and women of color, Gina is also a real estate investor and founding member of We Win, LLC, which supports women in building wealth through property ownership. Her story of persistence, purpose, and power is proof that fear can be your greatest teacher — if you listen.

📱 Text or WhatsApp: +1 (773) 318-0216
📸 Instagram: @abogadagginadiaz

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Support is Sexy podcast host Elayne Fluker is an ICF-trained Executive Coach for high-performing women who are transitioning to their next level. Her clients have worked for organizations such as Pfizer, Amazon, Expedia, Bain & Company and more. She is creator of Next Level Navigator -- a dynamic 3-month coaching program for women leaders. Elayne is also an author, speaker, and facilitator of leadership development workshops for Fortune 500 companies and organizations. Her LinkedIn Learning courseshave been attended by more than 62,000 students. Click here to get in touch with Elayne.

On this episode of the Support is Sexy podcast, I speak to my brilliant friend Dr. Zoe Shaw, author of the upcoming book—Stronger in the Difficult Places—about what she calls Complex Shame. Dr. Zoe defines Complex Shame as "a hidden emotional wound many women carry from childhood or relational trauma."

Dr. Zoe Shaw is a licensed psychotherapist, motivational speaker, podcast host of Stronger In The Difficult Places, relationship coach and fitness fanatic. She is a mom to 5, and is passionate about helping women overcome complex shame and find strength in difficult relationships, including that sometimes difficult relationship with themselves.

And let me tell you, we go deep into my own Complex Shame on this episode, which I didn't even realize I was wrestling with!

You'll learn:

• What is Complex Shame?
• How might it impact you?
• How do you realize it?
• Where does it come from?
• How do you heal it?
• How do you forgive yourself?

Learn more about Dr. Zoe Shaw at www.drzoeshaw.com. PRE-ORDER Dr. Zoe's upcoming book Stronger in the Difficult Places on Amazon.

Support is Sexy podcast host Elayne Fluker is an ICF-trained Executive Coach for high-performing women who are transitioning to their next level. Her clients have worked for organizations such as Pfizer, Amazon, Expedia, Bain & Company and more. She is creator of Next Level Navigator -- a dynamic 3-month coaching program for women leaders. Elayne is also an author, speaker, and facilitator of leadership development workshops for Fortune 500 companies and organizations. Her LinkedIn Learning courses have been attended by more than 65,000 students. Click here to get in touch with Elayne.