Where We Rise

Real stories, real people, and the moments that change us — that’s Where We Rise.

Where We Rise is a society podcast hosted by Khalila McCoy, with 35 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Khalila McCoy hosts Where We Rise, a society show with 35 episodes published.

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  Episode #33

  33 | "No Matter What" | Rising Through Trauma and Finding Beauty

  Sep 24, 20261h 6mS1

  Amanda Goldman‑Petri has survived more than most people could fathom — an abusive childhood, a near‑fatal car accident that left her learning to walk again, and a recent brain tumor that required part of her temporal lobe to be removed. And yet she sits with us full of light, humor, resilience, and an unwavering belief that life can still be beautiful. In this episode, Amanda shares how love — steady, healthy, patient love — helped her break generational patterns, build a family rooted in safety, and finally experience the peace she spent her childhood dreaming about. She opens up about the trauma she endured, the strength it took to keep going, and the healing that came from choosing a different kind of life. This conversation is for anyone who has ever wondered whether they can rise after trauma, rebuild after chaos, or find calm after years of surviving. Amanda’s story is a reminder that healing is possible, love is powerful, and you are far stronger than you think. Send Khalila a message! Connect with Khalila Instagram: @wherewerisepod Email: WhereWeRisePod@gmail.com Support the show Don't forget to rate and review — it helps our community rise.

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  Episode #32

  32 | "Fight Back" | Reclaiming Her Voice

  Sep 17, 20261h 8mS1

  CONTENT WARNING — In this episode, the guest discusses the aftermath of being sexually assaulted. There are no details of the event itself, but the emotions, impact, and healing process are shared openly. Please listen with care. In this powerful episode, Khalila sits down with Esther Collas — a woman whose life, courage, and honesty remind us why sharing our stories matters. Esther has lived all over the world, from England to New Zealand to Australia, building a full and adventurous life. But everything changed one night when she was sexually assaulted by someone she trusted. For years, Esther carried the weight of that trauma alone. She learned to dissociate, to survive, and to keep moving — until she couldn’t anymore. In this conversation, she opens up about the moment she finally spoke her truth, the long road through therapy, the painful reality of the courtroom, and the healing work required to reclaim her voice, her body, and her identity. This episode is for anyone who has ever felt silenced, misunderstood, or alone in their pain. Esther’s story offers insight, compassion, and a reminder that healing is not about rushing back to who you were — it’s about learning to love who you are now, one moment at a time. If you or someone you love has experienced sexual assault, this conversation may be difficult to hear — but it is also a testament to resilience, self‑compassion, and the power of speaking up. Take your time with this one. Listen closely. And know you’re not alone. Connect with Esther: Instagram: ChangingCurrents.co Substack: @estherchangingcurrents Send Khalila a message! Connect with Khalila Instagram: @wherewerisepod Email: WhereWeRisePod@gmail.com Support the show Don't forget to rate and review — it helps our community rise.

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  Episode #31

  31 | "The Second Half of My Life" | From Survival to Peace

  Sep 10, 202649 minS1

  In this episode, Khalila sits down with Kristell Miles — a woman many first learned about through BET’s American Gangsters: Trap Queens . While the details of that story can’t be revisited here, Kristell opens up about the life she lived behind the scenes, the years she spent in survival mode, and what it has taken to rebuild her peace and purpose after her name was cleared. This conversation is honest, emotional, and full of the kind of wisdom that comes from surviving more than people ever knew. Kristell shares how she’s learning to slow down, set boundaries, choose herself, and rise into a new chapter with intention and faith. If you’re navigating your own healing or stepping out of a hard season, this episode will meet you right where you are. Connect with Kristell Instagram: kgoody.kollection Non-profit: KLZ Essentials Hair: KgoodyKollection Send Khalila a message! Connect with Khalila Instagram: @wherewerisepod Email: WhereWeRisePod@gmail.com Support the show Don't forget to rate and review — it helps our community rise.

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  Episode #30

  30 | "The Natural Progression" | From the Mat to the Classroom

  Sep 3, 20261h 5mS1

  This week, we sit down with Toccara Montgomery — a former Olympic wrestler whose journey began with a simple high‑school announcement and grew into something far bigger than she ever imagined. Before she became one of the most recognized women in U.S. wrestling, she was a teenager just trying to find her sport, her confidence, and her place. In this conversation, Toccara reflects on the early days of women’s wrestling, what it meant to be one of the only girls in the room, and how curiosity and grit carried her farther than she ever planned to go. Today, she’s not only an accomplished athlete — she’s an educator who pours that same determination into her students, her community, and the next generation of young people finding their own path. This episode isn’t just about wrestling. It’s about resilience, identity, and staying with something long enough to discover what you’re capable of. If you’re looking for a story that reminds you how unexpected beginnings can lead to extraordinary places, this one’s for you. Send Khalila a message! Connect with Khalila Instagram: @wherewerisepod Email: WhereWeRisePod@gmail.com Support the show Don't forget to rate and review — it helps our community rise.

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  Episode #28

  28 | "The Relationship is the Goal" | Homeschooling

  Aug 20, 20261h 2mS1

  In this episode, Christina Garrett shares the honest, unexpected journey that led her to homeschool her five children—a decision she never planned to make. Christina opens up about the early years of motherhood, the overwhelm she felt raising three toddlers at once, and the moment she realized her children didn’t need less time with her... they needed more. She talks candidly about the emotional work required to parent well: managing frustration, confronting anger, slowing down, and learning to see her reactions as signals of deeper growth. Christina explains how homeschooling became a path toward stronger relationships, calmer rhythms, and more meaningful conversations — not just academics. For her family, homeschooling created space and connections in ways traditional schooling couldn’t. Throughout the conversation, Christina reminds us that education is only a byproduct— the relationship is always the goal . She shares how keeping her children close helped them navigate big emotions, teenage transitions, and everyday challenges with honesty and openness. Whether you homeschool, are considering it, or simply want to strengthen your connection with your kids, this episode offers encouragement, perspective, and a refreshing look at what learning can look like when family comes first. Connect with Christina Instagram: @themomathondiaries Facebook: Christina Garrett LinkedIn: Christina Garrett Send Khalila a message! Connect with Khalila Instagram: @wherewerisepod Email: WhereWeRisePod@gmail.com Support the show Don't forget to rate and review — it helps our community rise.

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