Builders of a Better World

In this episode of Builders of a Better World, “Teaching the Starfish: Impact in Low-Income After-School Programs,” we sit down with consultant and curriculum writer Marisa Miller to explore what real impact looks like in under-resourced communities. With more than 20 years in public schools, museums, and after-school organizations, Marisa designs programs where kids don’t feel like they’re “still in school,” even as they’re learning, growing, and seeing themselves as capable doers.Marisa shares why she chose to leave comfortable, well-resourced classrooms to work with youth who often don’t get the best teachers, and how she custom-builds curriculum across literacy, wellness, STEM/STEAM, rural and agriculture programs, and everyday life skills. We talk candidly about broken systems, “what you don’t know you don’t know,” and the quiet workarounds—like leveraging public libraries and low-cost resources—that help staff and families succeed.We also dive into the power of investing in adults, not just kids: how lighting up staff members can multiply impact across every child they touch, and why Marisa lives by the “starfish story” of making a difference one young person at a time. If you work in youth development, after-school, or simply care about educational equity, this conversation will leave you both grounded and inspired.👉 Learn more about Marisa’s work or inquire about consulting: https://afterschoolpublishing.com/team/marisa-miller/

In this episode of Builders of a Better World, “How Solo Travel Builds Self-Trust and Leadership,” we explore how traveling alone becomes a living laboratory for nervous system regulation, identity evolution, and embodied confidence. Stepping away from your routines, social mirrors, and familiar environments reveals how your body actually responds to novelty, uncertainty, and subtle risk—turning each delayed train, language barrier, and lonely evening into data that builds self-trust and emotional resilience.We dive into identity plasticity (who you become when no one knows your story), the connection between solo travel and leadership, and how sacred geometry and the “geometry” of cities, landscapes, and architecture can recalibrate your perception and internal state. If you’ve ever felt called to travel alone—or to simply take yourself out without your phone—this episode will give you language, frameworks, and gentle challenges to start your own micro solo adventures and become the kind of regulated human who can build a better world.

What if emotional literacy felt less like a scripted “SEL lesson” and more like stepping into a dance studio, rehearsal room, or canvas—where kids and adults can safely explore who they really are? In this episode of Builders of a Better World, Ashlieya and Neff dive into how the arts, nervous system mastery, and radical accountability work together to help both kids and adults truly thrive.You’ll hear:Why emotional literacy is an internal discipline of truth, coherence, and embodiment—not just “being nice” or following social rules.How visual and performing arts create an ideal playground for kids and adults to feel, express, and alchemize big emotions.The key differences between typical school‑based SEL and a fully embodied emotional literacy practice.Radical accountability: moving from “life is happening to me” to “I am responsible for my meaning‑making and responses.”Why nervous system mastery is foundational for speaking, teaching, performing, and showing up as your most authentic self.How Builders of a Better World and Dance Masters weave emotional literacy into arts‑based programs for homeschoolers, schools, and communities.If you’re a parent, educator, creative, or community builder who knows there has to be a more embodied way to teach emotional skills, this conversation is for you.🔗 Explore I Thrive Academy and the I Thrive ebook series🔗 Learn more about Builders of a Better World and our arts‑based emotional literacy programs

In this episode of Builders of a Better World, host Ashlieya interviews Marissa Merrill, founder of the Mommune movement, about community living for single moms and their kids. They dive into what a “mommune” is, how shared housing and co‑living support single mothers, and Marissa’s real experience with domestic abuse, the family court system, and building her first Mommune property in Oregon. If you’re a single mom, co‑parent, or advocate for women’s shelters, affordable housing, trauma‑informed support, and village‑style parenting, this conversation will show you how intentional community can help moms and children truly thrive.Links mentioned:https://www.mommune.org/ - Learn more about Mommune. Donations welcome!https://marsfougere.com/ - Mommune Market. If you are a creative, contact us to get your goods on our marketplace.

In this episode of Builders of a Better World, Ashlieya sits down with long-time dance partner and instructor Neff to explore how a terrifying foot wound, a 300+ pound wake-up call, and a diabetes scare became the catalyst for radical change. Neff shares how his vow of authenticity, a powerful “why” of freedom, cutting processed sugar, and extended fasting helped him drop over 70 pounds, save his ability to dance, and completely reimagine his lifestyle.If you’ve ever felt stuck in unhealthy patterns or scared to face your habits, this conversation offers honest insight, practical shifts, and a deeply human reminder that it’s never too late to choose your hard—and choose yourself.What is your why? Share it in the comments and join the Builders collective.

What if your ex became family—in the most grounded, healthy way? In this episode, Ashlieya sits down with her ex-husband, Neff, to unpack how their relationship transformed from marriage to a deep, platonic partnership rooted in radical honesty, intentionality, and unconditional love. Together they explore choosing each other as family after divorce, practicing real forgiveness, honoring each other’s growth, and co-creating an energy that supports everyone they love.

In this episode, “Contribute Goodness Through Pure Intention,” host Ashlieya opens up about her journey of facing fear, redefining success, and choosing joy as a path to growth. She shares how time abundance, self-care, and disciplined creativity allow her to build multiple ventures while staying rooted in service, and invites listeners to join the Builders of a Better World movement by living from their truest sense of self and contributing goodness wherever they go.

Host Ashlieya introduces Builders of a Better World and her book Audacious Authenticity: Building a Better World Is Building Inner Wealth, offering a potent overview of the movement’s core philosophy. She explores why there is no truly selfless act, how service and “selfish” self‑care are energetically reciprocal, and why building a better world must begin within. Listeners are invited into a science‑grounded, spiritually aware community focused on authenticity, higher‑vibration living, and thriving as their most joyful, aligned selves.

You're invited to join us at the Builders of a Better World Podcast, where creativity meets emotional literacy, where we discuss all things building a better world, knowing that building a better world is an inward to outward process. Please feel free to join us and subscribe!