In My Shell

The experience of walking alongside her mother through cancer changed the course of Jessica Piglia's life—and ultimately inspired the creation of When Dragonflies Appear, a nonprofit dedicated to helping families facing serious illness feel supported, seen, and less alone.In this episode, Jessica shares the story behind the dragonfly sign that became a lasting connection to her mom, her experiences with mediums, and the hidden emotional, financial, and mental challenges many caregiving families face behind closed doors. We discuss anticipatory grief, caring for a parent, finding meaning after loss, and why she believes no caregiver should have to navigate the journey alone.

What does it actually take to turn creativity into a business? Ligia, founder of Justina Belle Events, shares the unseen side of event planning — undercharging, creative risk, emotional labor, and the pressure behind creating meaningful experiences for other people. The episode also explores grief, healing, and how personal experiences shape the way we create.⁠Follow Ligia ⁠⁠Instagram: @justina.belle.events⁠⁠TikTok: @justina.belle.events⁠

Ludovica sits down with Gibran Nassif, founder of House of Lens, a New Orleans–based company creating luxury real estate and business video content. Gibran shares his path from music to film, including touring with Awolnation and Imagine Dragons, the philosophy behind his work, and what it takes to build a creative brand with intention. Gibran is also the creator of Keyed Up and founder of EnableClaryn, an AI tool focused on helping businesses gain clarity.Special thanks to Gibran for editing this episode.Follow Gibran@gibrannassif@itshouseoflens

Faith is often presented as certainty—but for many people raised in it, the lived experience is far more nuanced. David Mawson, co-host of Pursuit of Truth and raised around ministry through Victory Baptist Church, reflects on what it’s like to grow up in belief while navigating the natural questions that come with it over time. We discuss:
◼️Why faith can feel different in lived experience than in structured religious settings
◼️How emotional experience and spiritual teaching can shape understanding in different ways
◼️Why mental health and spirituality sometimes overlap in ways people don’t often discuss◼️What younger people are actually searching for beneath “faith”
◼️How questions about belief can develop gradually over time
◼️What it looks like to form a personal understanding of truth over timeFollow Pursuit of Truth

Nicholas Sciambra, owner of Nicky's Nice Plants joins In My Shell to talk growth in every sense- building a landscaping business in New Orleans, finding purpose through plants, and rebuilding life through sobriety, running, and community. This episode explores how tending to something living can become a form of healing, discipline, and self-trust. A conversation about patience, resilience, and creating a future from the ground up.Follow NicholasInstagram:@nicky_wolves.4k@ nickys.nice.plants