In this powerful episode of And Now Love, Cynthia Marks speaks with Devi Jags, producer, writer, activist, and host of Sparkle On. Devi shares her journey from being a competitive runner whose identity was wrapped up in athletics to becoming an outspoken advocate for gender-based violence awareness and mental health. She opens up about the traumatic experiences she endured during college, how those shaped her advocacy, and how she transformed her pain into purpose. Together, Cynthia and Devi explore the meaning of “sparkle” — happiness, passion, and self-worth — and how creativity can be a vital force for healing. Devi explains how writing, storytelling, and activism became her new form of expression, and why empowering others to discover their inner sparkle is central to her mission. The conversation touches on the complexities of sexual violence, breaking generational trauma, the importance of listening to young people, and the role of creativity as resistance and renewal. Ultimately, Devi reminds us that love and self-expression are essential tools for resilience.

• 00:00 | Defining Sparkle: From Running to Self-Worth

• 07:00 | College Trauma, Sexual Violence, and Speaking Out

• 14:00 | Transforming Anger into Advocacy and Finding Voice

• 21:00 | Creativity, Writing, and the Power of Story

• 28:00 | Healing, Dreams, and Expressing Trauma Through Art

• 35:00 | Sex Education, Consent, and Rape Culture

• 42:00 | Generational Trauma, Ancestry, and Reclaiming Identity

• 49:00 | The Sparkle Movement, Legacy, and Love as Resistance