In this powerful conversation, Theo sits down with Lariesha Lee (she/her), LLMSW who is a licensed social worker with 16 years across nonprofit, education, healthcare, and corporate spaces to talk about what it really takes to stay whole while doing the hard work of social justice.

From being “everything for everyone” to reclaiming rest, boundaries, and self-worth, Lariesha shares how she manages emotional labor, builds systems of support, and redefines success in purpose-driven work.

She also spotlights her upcoming nonprofit for high school girls in Grand Rapids and the healing-centered therapy she provides at LeadHERWell Village (adolescents 15+, young adults, college students, pregnant/parenting individuals, and seniors).

Highlights:

• Personal journey into social work and advocacy
• Emotional labor in her work and how to manage it
• Boundaries without guilt; rest as resistance
• Creating support systems inside advocacy spaces
• Redefining success and sustaining yourself for the long haul

Connect with Lariesha: https://linktr.ee/larieshalee
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/larieshalee
• Email: larieshalee@gmail.com

Support the show

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and follow so you never miss out on one of our coffee break sessions!

Now that we are a listener supported show, you can buy me a coffee and join the Café Crew at buymeacoffee.com/theoscoffeebreak for $5/mon.

Every donation will directly impact our coffee table and our goal here is to build this coffee table together with you.

Do you want to join the coffee table, or know someone who would be a great guest? Send me an email to theoscoffeebreakpodcast@gmail.com

Your voice, input, and curiosity is what shapes this table, and I’m here ready to listen with an open mind. Feel free to reach out via email or find me on Instagram at @theoscoffeebreakpodcast

And if you ever need some background music or ambience, tap into the exclusive Theo’s Coffee Break Table playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/23li5Nn6IxBGv3pdoOojzY?si=5fec0a83ba9b4d22

Thank you for being here with me at our coffee table today. I’m so excited to keep growing this podcast with you: one story, one conversation, and one sip at a time.

Last thing, check out our official Shin Hoo Yong Music Enterprise website and learn more about this podcast there: www.shinhooyongmusicenterprise.com

Until next time, take good care of yourself and remember: the coffee’s always on and ready to pour here at Theo’s Coffee Break. But most importantly...

You are always welcome at our coffee table.

In this intimate solo episode, Theo unpacks the difference between performing and sharing whether it's on stage and/or in everyday life.

Performance can be a polished mask we build for safety or approval. Sharing is slower, tender, imperfect and to be quite frank, honest. Theo explores how survival-mode “performance” shows up in our lifestyle and relationships, what it costs us, and how returning to presence, boundaries, and truth creates real intimacy and legacy.

If you’ve ever felt you had to be perfect to be loved, this episode is a soft place to exhale and a gentle invitation to be seen. Preferably, no mask required.

Support the show

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and follow so you never miss out on one of our coffee break sessions!

Now that we are a listener supported show, you can buy me a coffee and join the Café Crew at buymeacoffee.com/theoscoffeebreak for $5/mon.

Every donation will directly impact our coffee table and our goal here is to build this coffee table together with you.

Do you want to join the coffee table, or know someone who would be a great guest? Send me an email to theoscoffeebreakpodcast@gmail.com

Your voice, input, and curiosity is what shapes this table, and I’m here ready to listen with an open mind. Feel free to reach out via email or find me on Instagram at @theoscoffeebreakpodcast

And if you ever need some background music or ambience, tap into the exclusive Theo’s Coffee Break Table playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/23li5Nn6IxBGv3pdoOojzY?si=5fec0a83ba9b4d22

Thank you for being here with me at our coffee table today. I’m so excited to keep growing this podcast with you: one story, one conversation, and one sip at a time.

Last thing, check out our official Shin Hoo Yong Music Enterprise website and learn more about this podcast there: www.shinhooyongmusicenterprise.com

Until next time, take good care of yourself and remember: the coffee’s always on and ready to pour here at Theo’s Coffee Break. But most importantly...

You are always welcome at our coffee table.

In this reflective solo episode of Theo’s Coffee Break, Theo explores what it truly means to be “like-minded.”

Too often, the phrase gets mistaken for sameness but in real community it ain't always about echo chambers or perfect agreement. It’s about shared foundations strong enough to hold healthy differences.

Theo invites listeners to rethink connection, individuality, and growth: how our unique perspectives can sharpen one another rather than divide us.

Take a deep breath, pour a cup of coffee, and join Theo for this heartfelt reminder that like-minded doesn’t mean we think the same... however, it can mean that we can still build together, even in our differences.

Support the show

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and follow so you never miss out on one of our coffee break sessions!

Now that we are a listener supported show, you can buy me a coffee and join the Café Crew at buymeacoffee.com/theoscoffeebreak for $5/mon.

Every donation will directly impact our coffee table and our goal here is to build this coffee table together with you.

Do you want to join the coffee table, or know someone who would be a great guest? Send me an email to theoscoffeebreakpodcast@gmail.com

Your voice, input, and curiosity is what shapes this table, and I’m here ready to listen with an open mind. Feel free to reach out via email or find me on Instagram at @theoscoffeebreakpodcast

And if you ever need some background music or ambience, tap into the exclusive Theo’s Coffee Break Table playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/23li5Nn6IxBGv3pdoOojzY?si=5fec0a83ba9b4d22

Thank you for being here with me at our coffee table today. I’m so excited to keep growing this podcast with you: one story, one conversation, and one sip at a time.

Last thing, check out our official Shin Hoo Yong Music Enterprise website and learn more about this podcast there: www.shinhooyongmusicenterprise.com

Until next time, take good care of yourself and remember: the coffee’s always on and ready to pour here at Theo’s Coffee Break. But most importantly...

You are always welcome at our coffee table.