If you've been listening to my show for awhile then you've likely heard me speak about my experience of being bullied as a teen and young adult. It's a matter which is near and dear to my heart and one that I try to bring awareness to any chance I get. Which is why I was so excited when my dear friend and previous guest on the show, Amy Adams, shared that her cousin literally wrote and created a play which addresses bullying head on. Mary Ann Mangini is a performer, writer, teacher, musician, and all around hugely talented Woman. She wrote the music and script for an original, anti-bullying musical called You Are Worth It which is the focus for our episode together.
On this guest episode, Mary Ann joins me in a collaborative exploration of the nature of bullying; what it's like to experience bulling, how to understand bullying, and ways to overcome bullying. Mary Ann shares about the path that led her to creating this incredible gift of a musical which addresses the growing bullying epidemic, provides solutions for working to eradicate bullying, takes a serious topic and infuses some humor to lighten the mood, and is performed by the very youth and teens who often endure this abuse. Working with young actors on this show allows for a lot of open discussion regarding the topic. Mary Ann explains how everyone can identify with bullying because It’s everywhere, and not just among our young population. She wrote the show because she was bullied as an adult at her first job.
After earning her Bachelor’s degree in music education at Grove City College, Mary Ann pursued her passion for teaching choir, music, drama,
and private vocal lessons at Shenango High School in New Castle. She also taught high school choir and elementary music in the Riverview School District in Oakmont. In April 2013, Mary Ann released her debut jazz album, Release Me, comprised of popular jazz standards and several original works. She currently tours the Pittsburgh area as lead vocalist for the high-energy disco band, Dancing Queen. She has performed at venues all over the Pittsburgh region, including Jergel’s Rhythm Grille, multiple Atria’s locations, the Rivers Casino, the Meadows Casino, the Rivers Club, Eddie V’s, Cioppino, Fresco’s, the Oaks Theater, the Parlay Lounge, the New Hazlett Theater, and Kennywood. Dancing Queen has won Pittsbugh City Paper’s Best Cover Band in Best of PGH for the past three years in a row! Mary Ann teaches voice/piano lessons at her home studio in Cranberry Township, and also serves as the creator/director of the Fantastix youth show choir. In 2017, Mary Ann wrote the music and script for an original, anti-bullying musical called You Are Worth It. The Fantastix has performed this original musical in local Pittsburgh schools in order to raise awareness for the persisting bullying epidemic, as well as to provide solutions to combat this issue.
What is Women Waken: Spiritual Healing for Trauma in Relationships to Shift from Codependency to Divine Feminine?
My name is Whitney Walker, welcome to Women Waken! I am a Licensed Mental Health Therapist specialising in substance abuse, addiction, eating disorders, trauma, and Spirituality. Over 10 years ago I walked into a therapist office for the first time because I realised that I felt incapable of handling life. I abused drugs and alcohol, had rock bottom self esteem, often felt suicidal, was very self destructive, and had no idea how to resolve what felt like a complete mess inside my mind and emotions.
After years of therapy, getting sober, and choosing to begin the journey of unconditional self love for myself, things started to change. My self esteem rose along with my self regard and kindness towards myself. I knew there was only one thing I wanted to do with the rest of my life; help others out of the place that I was in and start figuring out how we can end these cycles for good, for all of us.
Women Waken is building community and offering a platform for Women to come together who share a vision of creating a new way of life where insecurity, low self esteem, and self- destruction are no longer the norm. Where we are able to rebalance the dynamic between the inner and outer Worlds so that our ability to love and accept ourselves is no longer dependent on externals.
On this show, we speak to Women who are seeking to heal from traumas/habits/addictions that are keeping them in a place of disempowerment who are ready to begin aligning with their true self and are ready to let their light shine
I release two episodes a week, an interview and solo episode,
If you feel ready to reclaim your power and stand in your Divine light I hope this show finds you!