Surviving Roots: A Crash Course in Turning Pain into Potential (Cari Fund)

Karine is the co-founder of DayNew, a new technology platform designed to help people through trauma associated with grief and loss. After experiencing the sudden loss of her spouse, she realized that managing grief encompasses needs beyond what therapy alone can provide, both in her professional life and as a mother. Karine is a busy mother of three, and a prolific writer who shares her journey on Instagram.

Leigh Esposito is an author, coach, tarotist, and former attorney with a B.A. in English from Penn and a J.D. from Columbia Law. Her coaching style combines the strategic acumen of a litigator with an artist’s eye for creative expansion, all informed by her trademark positivity and penchant for identifying and maximizing her clients’ strengths. Leigh also draws on the insight and intuition gleaned through her work with tarot, in which she became an expert while researching her debut novel, The Godmother. Leigh and Cari talk about her one of a kind life and following your intuition on a personal and professional level.

Vasavi Kumar is a first-generation Indian immigrant raised on Long Island, NY. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 19, she made it her mission to understand her mind, starting by making room to hear herself think. Through her 'Say It Out Loud' podcast and book, keynote talks, and group programs, Vasavi has taught thousands of entrepreneurs, creatives, and artists how to work through any situation—by saying it out loud. She holds dual Master’s degrees in Special Education from Hofstra University and Social Work from Columbia University. 

Cameron (Dr. Cam) Caswell, a.k.a. "The Teen Translator," gets it! As an Adolescent Psychologist & parent of a teen, she knows the struggles of navigating those tough years firsthand. As a private practitioner, TEDx speaker, podcast host, and author, she offers hope and practical strategies to help parents unlock their teen's confidence & resilience, build deeper, stronger connections with them, and foster a positive home environment. 

Are angels really with us? Internationally recognized spiritual teacher and bestselling author Kyle Gray joins Surviving Roots Podcast to talk about his latest book, Angels Are With You Now. Known for making spirituality accessible, Kyle shares how we can invite angelic support into our lives, strengthen our intuition, and recognize divine signs around us.

In this episode, we discuss:

✨ Kyle’s personal journey—from childhood encounters with angels to his global spiritual mission
✨ The power of angelic guidance and how to connect with your angels
✨ Why raising your vibration attracts higher support
✨ Signs from loved ones who have passed and how they continue to guide us
✨ How a single prayer can open the door to divine intervention

Kyle also shares a powerful, life-changing message: We are never alone. The divine is always within reach.

💫 Tune in and discover how to invite more love, light, and guidance into your life.

📖 Angels Are With You Now is available now wherever books are sold!

Alyce Chan is a multifaceted talent known as a speaker, writer, producer, and stand-up comedian with a global presence. Her comedy has graced renowned venues such as The Stand and the New York Comedy Club in New York. On top of all this, she is also the creative mind behind MOMCOMNYC, a parenting platform that has garnered attention from Vogue, which named it one of the top six funniest parenting Instagram accounts. In this heartfelt segment, Cari and Alyce delve into the profound role humor plays in the healing process, particularly when dealing with grief. 

Join us for a powerful episode with Dr. Sherrie Campbell, a licensed psychologist with over two decades of experience in transforming lives through counseling and psychotherapy. Dr. Sherrie will share her profound insights on childhood trauma, personality disorders, and cutting ties with toxic relationships. Renowned for her global coaching sessions and popular "Sherapy Thursdays" on Instagram, Dr. Sherrie is also an accomplished author of five books on emotional wealth and personal healing. Tune in to discover her empowering strategies for self-love and navigating life's challenges.

Candace Van Dell is a globally recognized Spiritual Teacher & Healer. She has her Masters degree in Spiritual Psychology along with many different certifications in holistic health, reiki master, yoga and meditation.  With her ability to channel the inner child and understand hidden subconscious messages, She is often referred to by her clients as "the emotional guru".  Candace teaches over 12 online courses, coaches groups, one on one and has a monthly membership. Candace has over 250,000 followers across her social media platforms including her popular Youtube channel and her brand new podcast MISUNDERSTOOD - guiding highly sensitive people through the emotional dark age.

Gary Lipovetsky is a trailblazing entrepreneur, investor, and podcast host of the RISE Podcast, where he explores the journeys of extraordinary individuals and the lessons behind their success. With a career spanning successful ventures in e-commerce and digital media, Gary is also the co-founder of Valeria Inc., alongside his wife, Valeria Lipovetsky—a global influencer with a cumulative audience of over 6.5 million followers across all social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook. Together, they’ve built a powerful brand rooted in authenticity, connection, and purpose. In this episode, Gary shares insights on breaking free from generational cycles, the power of gratitude, and how he balances entrepreneurship with being a dedicated husband and father. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that will leave you reflecting on your own journey toward success and fulfillment.

Cari Fund is a writer, podcast host, and bold advocate for self-growth, healing, and breaking cycles. Through Surviving Roots, she shares raw, unfiltered conversations about choosing yourself, setting boundaries, and rewriting the stories that no longer serve you—because healing isn’t about perfection, it’s about becoming who you were always meant to be.

In her first-ever solo episode, she's sharing the real, raw moments that shaped her—

• How childhood trauma & toxic family dynamics tried to define her.
• Why walking away from her mom 15 years ago was her hardest but most empowering decision.
• How boundaries (even the painful ones) can heal more than just relationships—they heal YOU.
• Why the choices you fear the most are often the ones that change everything.

A powerful first solo episode that dives deep into self-growth, healing, and the choices that redefine everything. 

In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Case Kenny—author, mindfulness expert, and host of the hit podcast New Mindset, Who Dis? Case has built a massive platform making mindset work simple, practical, and relatable. His viral affirmations, handwritten in bold red ink, have helped millions reframe their thoughts and take ownership of their lives.

We dive into:

• The power of self-talk and how to stop labeling yourself in limiting ways
• Why clarity in relationships is everything
• The one-word shift that can change your entire outlook
• How to break free from overthinking and step into your power

This episode is packed with wisdom, real talk, and powerful mindset tools you can apply immediately. Tune in now and start shifting the way you see yourself and your life.

Rob Roseman is a man of many skills; he’s a former  Las Vegas Poker Pro, memorable contestant of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, Author of a 5-star rated book on Amazon, has interviewed over 100 dads on the Dad the Best I Can podcast. On top of all this, he founded WTF Divorce -- a platform with 138,000 followers built to help people learn, laugh, and feel less alone in divorce. Rob and Cari have a profound and humorous conversation about love and life after divorce.

In this captivating conversation, Cari Fund sits down with Dana Myers, a tarot reader, spellcaster, and ritual designer, to explore the magic of manifestation, intuition, and pleasure. Dana shares her journey from the sexual wellness industry to embracing the power of rituals and self-discovery. Together, they discuss the balance between hard work and manifestation, the importance of leaning into discomfort, and how simple daily practices can transform your life. Tune in for insights on harnessing your personal magic, trusting your intuition, and bringing more joy into your daily routine.

Olivia Young—speaker, writer, healer, and founder of Liv Young—is a force of nature when it comes to self-love and transformation. As the host of The Liv Young Show podcast, Olivia shares her raw, inspiring journey of turning pain into power, balancing grit with grace through movement, plant medicine, and spiritual alignment. In this episode, she dives deep into the art of surrender, the surprising reasons we don’t love ourselves, and how reconnecting with your inner voice can unlock everything you’ve ever needed. Her story is a vibrant reminder that healing isn’t about fixing—it’s about discovering the power that’s already within you. Tune in for a conversation that’s equal parts empowering, entertaining, and soul-stirring.

Marine Sélénée, is a Family Constellations therapist and the author of Connected Fates, Separate Destinies. Marine specializes in helping people heal generational trauma and break free from inherited patterns, enabling them to reclaim their lives. With years of experience and a passion for exploring family dynamics, she guides individuals through transformative healing practices to create lasting peace and clarity. Join us as we delve into the profound impact of understanding our family stories and embracing true self-awareness.

Amanda Kuda is an alcohol-free lifestyle expert, holistic life coach, speaker and author living, working and playing in Austin, TX. As a coach, she teaches a modern approach to personal development, self-actualization and spiritual enlightenment through the lens of elective sobriety. Amanda’s first book, Unbottled Potential was recently released. Amanda shares with Cari the possibility that living a sober life creates.

Chris Hunter is a groundbreaking entrepreneur best known as the co-founder of Four Loko, one of the most iconic alcoholic beverages in recent history. After navigating both success and challenges, Chris pivoted to co-found Koia, a company revolutionizing the plant-based beverage market. In his gripping memoir, Blackout Punch: An Entrepreneur’s Journey from Chaos, Chris opens up about his quest for power, struggles with masculinity, and ultimate path to self-discovery. Beyond his business ventures, Chris is a dedicated father to three boys, balancing his professional successes with his commitment to family.

Sara Hayes is a running and mindfulness expert, coach, speaker, and the founder of Mindful Miles - a running and wellness community focused on teaching women how to heal, reclaim confidence, and have fun again through movement. Her unique approach to running has garnered attention from outlets such as Runners World, Well + Good, and Women's Health. Her practice is rooted in intuitive movement, personal development and mindfulness habits. Her latest program The Running Restart teaches you how to become a mindful runner starting with 15 minutes a day.

Catherine Duncan is an Integrative Spiritual Consultant, Inspirational Speaker, Blogger, and Minister. She is committed to whole-person healing with a focus on emotional and spiritual health.  As a childhood cancer survivor and having lived through a Near Death Experience she’s guided by both professional and personal experiences. Her book, Everyday Awakening came out in 2023. Catherine shares with Cari her empowering tips for living an awakened life.

Sabrina Badeaux is the founder of Kanekshun, a wellness brand that offers innovative multi-sensory experiences combining breath-work, movement, sound healing, and meditation to enhance well-being in corporate environments. Sabrina is driven by her principal, "What impact will I make today?" and is dedicated to forging meaningful connections and delivering impactful experiences through her authentic approach to wellness. Tune in and get inspired on how to transform setback into life lessons. 

Alissa Alter is also known as The Amy Poehler of Vaginas for her unfiltered and unapologetic approach to destigmatizing the female body and experience. A former Broadway performer and certified classical Pilates, Alissa is the host of the podcast Myth of Motherhood and author of Unstuck: From Understudy To The Study of Your Undercarriage.

Gila Pfeffer is an essayist and humorist. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The New Yorker, McSweeney’s, Today.com, and Oprah Daily. Gila’s monthly “Feel It on the First” campaign uses humor to remind women to prioritize their breast health. She splits her time between New York City and London. NEARLY DEPARTED is her first book. 

Jorge Perez is an author, agent, producer and keynote speaker. He has been in the personal development and entertainment industry for over 20 years. He Is the host of the Outliers TV podcast and has created shows for Bravo. He Is also an award winning documentary filmmaker about the homeless epidemic in Los Angeles. We discuss finding joy in acceptance, breaking the complaining cycle, and how silence can transform our lives

Richelle Fredson is a book publishing coach and consultant who works with aspiring and published authors to create impactful book concepts and competitive book proposals. Many of Richelle’s clients go on to receive impressive offers from their dream publishers. In this impactful episode, Richelle shared how to understand the power of your own story and leave self-doubt behind.

Michelle Grosser is a trial attorney, pastor, nervous system fitness expert, certified master life coach, and host of the top 20 parenting podcast, The Calm Mom. Through somatic and neuroscience-based modalities, she coaches women to reconnect with the wisdom of their body to discover what’s beneath their triggers and emotions, so they can heal & find peace in the present. She deeply believes that the most profound thing we can offer our children is our own healing. 

Nikki Spoelstra is the host of “The Know with Nikki Spo” - a globally top ranked podcast which highlights the stories of individuals who are finding and celebrating their deepest sense of inner knowing in a space where it’s not about knowing everything, but about coming to know ourselves. Nikki does not hold back when sharing her life story with Cari and this is an episode that’s not to be missed.

20 minutes. One microphone. And the truth I’ve never shared—until now.

In this week’s solo episode of Surviving Roots, I’m speaking words out loud that I’ve only ever carried in silence.

The story of estrangement from my mother.
The text I never thought I’d get.
The moment I realized rejection wasn’t about me—it was the door to peace.

When a parent can’t love you… it can either bury you or build you. This is the episode that’s still healing me as I speak it.

🎧 Buried or Built: What Parental Rejection Teaches Us — out now on Spotify, Apple, YouTube & iHeartRadio.

Don’t just listen… feel it.

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Website: www.cari.fund 

Download my FREE guide to Bold Self-Growth and Living Intentionally: https://mailchi.mp/cari.fund/download-resource

Dara Levan is an author and storyteller who explores resilience, healing, and the power of connection in her work. Known for her podcast "Every Soul Has a Story," Dara uses her writing and podcast to foster genuine conversations on topics like breaking cycles, family dynamics and self discovery. In her debut novel, It Could Be Worse, she delves into themes of toxic parenting, healing, and redefining personal narratives. Dara lives in South Florida, where she draws inspiration from her family, community work, and a love of transformative storytelling.

Tiffany Levy has developed a lifelong love for the transformative practice of Yoga and specializes in trauma, restorative & stress relief.  She’s the co-founder of 420 Space Yoga, leading students and mindfulness retreats worldwide. She's been mentioned in Wall Street Journal, Thrillist, Miami New Times and more. Tiffany joins Cari for a bold conversation about healing trauma and the profound impact it can have on our lives and bodies.