If words are empty, they are useless: Mekiya and Itto Outini S4 EPS 29

"If words are empty, they are useless." Today's episode covers family trauma, abuse, torture, isolation, and starting over and succeeding. I've been blessed to chat with Itto and Mekiya, a married couple, sharing their personal journey, how they came to meet, and the amazing things they are accomplishing together. Itto Outini  Founding Editor Itto Outini is a journalist, Fulbright Scholar, Steinbeck Fellow, MacDowell Fellow, public speaker, and author of the forthcoming memoir Blindness is the Light of My Life. She holds an MA in journalism and strategic media from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and a BA in applied linguistics from Mohamed V University in Rabat, Morocco. Itto has published with US-based and international outlets, including The Relatable Voice Magazine, The Fulbright Chronicle, and The Chicago Tribune. Organizations for which she has spoken include The United Nations, Cal Tech University, Verizon Wireless, and The International Trade Centre. In addition to writing and speaking, she offers diverse services tailored to writers, young professionals, and entrepreneurs. Mekiya Outini: Founding Editor Mekiya Outini is an award-winning author, freelance editor, MacDowell Fellow, and co-author of Itto's forthcoming memoir Blindness is the Light of My Life. His work has appeared in Chautauqua, The Coachella Review, Willow Springs, and elsewhere. Two chapters from his novel Ashes, Ashes can be read at the West Trade Review.  Mekiya holds an MFA in fiction from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and a BFA in creative writing from UNC Wilmington. He brings to the table 10+ years of experience writing, editing, teaching, tutoring, reading, and revising. His clients hail from all backgrounds and all walks of life, and he especially enjoys supporting people who write in English as a foreign language to craft clear and elegant prose.  Website: https://www.thedatekeepers.com Itto’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ittooutini/ Mekiya’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mekiya-o-1157b9184/ The DateKeepers LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-datekeepers-–-an-international-media-platform-372831275/ Learn more about your host, Kim Lengling: www.kimlenglingauthor.com