On this episode, I & I speak with Lorena Galarza about her Ecuadorian heritage and her transition to America. Lorena describes the love story that brought her to the United States and the community that she has built for herself while she has been here. Lorena explains how lucky she feels to have a tight connection with her family, and how she has created a found family here in the states. On top of all that, the three ladies go into misconceptions surrounding Latina women, entrepreneurship, and much more!

"The Vital Women of Washington Heights Living in Dutchess County" is brought to you by MHA of Dutchess County and Produced by CMJW Entertainment.

MHA of Dutchess County: https://mhadutchess.org/

CMJW Entertainment: https://www.cmjwentertainment.com/

This episode is proudly sponsored by: Levia Medspa: https://leviamedspa.com/

• (00:00:00) - Vital Women of Washington Heights
• (00:01:09) - There are 105 Ecuadorians living in Dominican Republic
• (00:05:26) - A Maid's Tea for the Cold
• (00:06:30) - Immigrant Girl on Coming to the United States
• (00:07:37) - Marissa on Growing Up in the US
• (00:13:03) - The Secret to Gratitude
• (00:13:32) - The HardEST Part of Transition to the United States
• (00:16:15) - Married Woman on The New Beginnings
• (00:19:50) - Lorena Hoyendia on Her Strength
• (00:21:54) - "Never Alone" by Latinas
• (00:22:44) - Latina Women on American Culture
• (00:25:39) - Latina entrepreneur's journey into business at 40
• (00:28:42) - Lorena at Hispanic Heritage Month

On this week's episode, Iris and Ivette speak with Duane Sharrock, Author of The Engine of Intent, Educator, Counselor, and Speaker.

From Duane's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duane-sharrock-2865ba30/

"For over two decades, my professional journey has been dedicated to understanding and fostering human potential. As an educator, counselor, and systems thinker, I've had the privilege of developing transformative learning environments for both youth and adults. My career, spanning alternative education, special education, counseling, and school leadership, has consistently revolved around a central question: how do we empower individuals to truly translate what they know into meaningful, purposeful action?

Through my work, including roles as an Assistant Principal, Academic Transition Coordinator, and Special Education Administrator, I've focused on cultivating agency, metacognition, and equity. My advanced degrees and certifications in school administration, counseling, and education have provided a robust foundation, but it's the real-world experiences of guiding students, families, and professionals through complex challenges that have truly shaped my insights into thought, emotion, identity, and purpose.

This deep inquiry into human motivation culminated in my forthcoming book, The Engine of Intent. This book offers a fresh, integrated perspective on why we often struggle to achieve our goals despite our best intentions. It introduces the Quartite Mind Model and Metacognitive Matrix, a dynamic framework designed to help individuals understand their inner experience and enact intentional, lasting change.

I am actively seeking a literary agent who champions innovative thought in the areas of psychology, self-help, and behavioral science. I am confident that The Engine of Intent offers a unique and timely contribution to these fields, and I am eager to collaborate with a passionate agent to bring this work to a wider audience, helping more people unlock their full conative potential."

"The Vital Women of Washington Heights Living in Dutchess County" is Sponsored by MHA of Dutchess County and Produced by CMJW Entertainment. MHA of Dutchess County: https://mhadutchess.org/ CMJW Entertainment: https://www.cmjwentertainment.com/

• (00:00:00) - Violet and Yvette
• (00:00:40) - Dwayne Shirock
• (00:01:12) - Integral Youth Program in the Dominican Republic
• (00:02:13) - Social Workers: Dwayne
• (00:06:35) - In the Elevator With Dr. Duchess Boces
• (00:12:47) - In the Elevated World of Trauma-informed Care
• (00:13:46) - Exploring the Concept of Adaptive Growth
• (00:16:09) - Talking About Fear in The Superman Movie
• (00:17:32) - What's Cool About Each Comic Hero?
• (00:18:23) - Having That One Person to Trust
• (00:24:14) - The Importance of Role Models
• (00:28:18) - Inventing the Engine of Intent
• (00:30:10) - Vital Women of Washington Heights

On this week's episode, Iris is currently away on vacation, so Ivette speaks with The Vital Women's producer, Conor Walsh. Ivette asks Conor about his inspirations with music, along with the background to songs such as "That First Step," "One of These Days," and "Yes."

"The Vital Women of Washington Heights Living in Dutchess County" is Sponsored by MHA of Dutchess County and Produced by CMJW Entertainment.

MHA of Dutchess County: https://mhadutchess.org/

CMJW Entertainment: https://www.cmjwentertainment.com/

On this week's episode, Iris is away on vacation and producer Conor steps in! Ivette and Conor speak with men's coach Mark Guay about the struggles most men are having today. They dive into what it means to be a father figure and role model, how to unlock and come into one's essence, and the positive and negative ways we choose to express ourselves.

Mark Guay: https://markwguay.me/

Most leadership coaching focuses on strategies, tactics, and execution. That’s not enough. You don’t need more productivity hacks or generic business advice. You need a new level of leadership—one that is deeply aligned, purpose-driven, and built to sustain the weight of your success.

Mark Guay works exclusively with leaders who have built something meaningful and now realize that what got them here won’t get them to the next level. The next level requires inner mastery. It’s about learning to lead from a place of clarity, intuition, and grounded authority. It’s about expanding your capacity to hold more—more success, more responsibility, more impact—without losing yourself in the process.

This episode of "The Vital Women of Washington Heights Living in Dutchess County" is Sponsored by MHA of Dutchess County and Produced by CMJW Entertainment.

MHA of Dutchess County: https://mhadutchess.org/

CMJW Entertainment: https://www.cmjwentertainment.com/

• (00:00:00) - Washington Heights Women's Podcast
• (00:00:42) - Mixed emotions on mental health in the Dominican Republic
• (00:03:16) - What Give Me Permission to Be a Man?
• (00:08:13) - Don't Trust a Man Who Can't Grieve
• (00:10:08) - Identifying Your Driver: The Inner Authority Method
• (00:13:05) - Inside the Inner Authority Method
• (00:15:38) - The Importance of Fitting In
• (00:17:23) - Mark Twain on Free Dancing
• (00:19:49) - The Pressure Men Put on Their Women
• (00:21:15) - How Do Men Distract Their Energy?
• (00:24:45) - How to Workout With Your Mind
• (00:28:22) - How to Help Males Get Through Adolescence
• (00:32:27) - How to Talk About Alcoholics in Young Men
• (00:35:06) - David Haskell on Awakening The Father King
• (00:38:56) - On Work-Life Balance
• (00:40:01) - Sponsor: Andrew O'Grady

On this week's episode, Ivette is currently out, so Iris speaks with The Vital Women's producer, Conor Walsh. Iris and Conor speak about the importance improvisation and the need to be adaptable in every day life. Iris asks Conor questions in regard to the landscape of arts and media, particularly how AI is effecting the creative landscape.

This episode of "The Vital Women of Washington Heights Living in Dutchess County" is Sponsored by MHA of Dutchess County and Produced by CMJW Entertainment.

MHA of Dutchess County: https://mhadutchess.org/

CMJW Entertainment: https://www.cmjwentertainment.com/

• (00:00:00) - "I Don't Think This Conversation Is Helping Either One of
• (00:03:47) - Walsh Wednesday: Connor Walsh
• (00:05:24) - Connor Walsh at His New Office
• (00:11:39) - Selena On Her Parents' Encouragement
• (00:17:00) - Bradley Cooper on Music and His Parents
• (00:19:41) - Do You Write Your Own Lyrics?
• (00:23:56) - One of These Days
• (00:28:14) - How to Live More authentically
• (00:29:18) - "Yes, Doubt After A Thousand No's..."
• (00:35:10) - Don't Lose Hope Song and Music Video
• (00:37:12) - Tom Petty on His First Step
• (00:41:02) - Pharrell Williams on Life
• (00:42:58) - Vital Women
• (00:43:40) - Trump on Hillary Clinton

This week on The Vital Women Podcast, I & I speak with Erin Hayden, owner of Willow Bookshop & Lounge in Wappingers Falls. Willow Bookshop is an independent bookstore with a specially curated selection of books for all ages and genres. Willow is a place to shop, relax, meet a friend, play a game of scrabble, grab a drink or nibble from the cafe.

Erin gets candid about her experiences moving around, being a "military brat," and her struggles with reading comprehension and learning due to her learning disabilities. Erin's story is one of empowerment and resilience through times when you feel misunderstood, and even when you're not sure what do for yourself.

Willow Bookshop & Lounge Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577219908620#

Willow Bookshop Instagram https://www.instagram.com/willowbookshop/

This episode of "The Vital Women of Washington Heights Living in Dutchess County" is Sponsored by MHA of Dutchess County and Produced by CMJW Entertainment.

MHA of Dutchess County: https://mhadutchess.org/

CMJW Entertainment: https://www.cmjwentertainment.com/

• (00:00:00) - Vital Women of Washington Heights
• (00:01:27) - A Dominican Woman Owns a Bookstore
• (00:03:22) - Erin Hayden on Starting a Bookstore
• (00:07:07) - What motivated you to open a bookstore? Reading challenges
• (00:12:49) - How To Navigate Your Homework In High School
• (00:13:52) - How to Get Out of the Dyslexia Trap
• (00:17:18) - The store's community activities
• (00:20:10) - How Much Of The Cast Are Spiritual?
• (00:21:50) - Inspiring women: Living in Okinawa
• (00:24:22) - Umbalta Helped With Depression
• (00:28:19) - Mental Health America of Dutchess County
• (00:30:40) - Beautiful Women of Dutchess County

On this week's episode, I & I speak with another I - Inginia Jackson - about her program Camino Al Éxito. Camino Al Éxito is dedicated to uplifting youth and families across the Hudson Valley through education, support, and opportunity. Together, they’re building a brighter future—one student, one family, one step at a time.

Camino Al Éxito empowers low-income youth and families in the Hudson Valley with bilingual access to education, health, and legal resources. We build stronger communities by removing barriers and providing real pathways to success.

Camino Al Éxito is focused on creating real, lasting change by offering bilingual access to education, wellness, and legal resources. Whether through youth mentorship, adult workshops, or community programs, we believe every person should have the tools and support to succeed, regardless of background.

https://caminoalexitopfa.org/

This episode of "The Vital Women of Washington Heights Living in Dutchess County" is Sponsored by MHA of Dutchess County and Produced by CMJW Entertainment.

MHA of Dutchess County: https://mhadutchess.org/

CMJW Entertainment: https://www.cmjwentertainment.com/

On this week's episode, which was previously recorded back in June of this year, Iris and Ivette dive into the concept of "trust," which takes them down many roads in this episode. First of all, they describe trust in their partners, father figures, and other male role models being that June was Men's Mental Health Awareness Month. Beyond that, Iris and Ivette go into the trust that they have for themselves and for each other as they recount their prior businesses before creating The Vital Women of Washington Heights Podcast.

This episode of "The Vital Women of Washington Heights Living in Dutchess County" is Sponsored by MHA of Dutchess County and Produced by CMJW Entertainment.

MHA of Dutchess County: https://mhadutchess.org/

CMJW Entertainment: https://www.cmjwentertainment.com/