I'll Go First

19/08/2022

Hello Friends!

We are so excited to announce that the I'll Go First & The Moth Fall Storytelling Workshop application is now open!

We are inviting 1st / 2nd generation BIPOC folks to apply.

This workshop series will be in person, so if you are in NYC this October we would love for you to join us! Please do share with your friends and loved ones in NYC!

Information and application below! Applications close August 26th.

www.illgofirst.com/workshops

P.S. Thanks to the generous support of our donors/supporters and The Moth Community Program, we are able to provide this workshop for free!

Apply to join our free virtual Storytelling Intensive Workshops in partnership with The Moth (as featured on NPR.) I'll Go First is a mental health community for stories of healing, purpose and breakthrough to remind you that you’re not alone.

20/01/2022

Hello Friends, We are super excited to announce our free Storytelling Intensive Workshops in partnership with The Moth Community Program.

We often are asked, "How do I share my story?" Now you can learn from the very best of the best, The Moth (As featured in NPR)!

The best part? It's completely free (!!!) to participate, and it's virtual, you can join us from anywhere.

Our first workshop (March 19-20th, and 26th-27th) is coming up! We would love for you to apply to join us! Deadline is this Sunday, Jan 24th.

This workshop's theme is: Coming Home. We are looking for stories of resilience from first and second generation BIPOC immigrants.

Even if this isn't the right fit for you, sign up to be notified of the future workshops. We would be delighted if you shared with your community! Can't wait to celebrate you!

PS. We only have 12 slots for this one! Apply soon!
www.illgofirst.com/workshops

Apply to join our free virtual Storytelling Intensive Workshops in partnership with The Moth (as featured on NPR.) I'll Go First is a mental health community for stories of healing, purpose and breakthrough to remind you that you’re not alone.

28/12/2020

We're wrapping up Season 1 of I'll Go First podcast with a special interview with AnnaLynne McCord. 💓

AnnaLynne and I met at William Esper Studio as actors in 2005. Since then you may have seen her 90210, and the upcoming Power reboot.

In this show, she shares her experience with an often misunderstood element of PTSD & trauma - DID (Disassociative Identity Disorder) - and splitting.
I can't believe we are wrapping Season 1 already.

We've released 34 episodes and have been listened to in 36 countries on six continents! I'm sooo honored to serve this community.

As we look to 2021, let me know what topics you would like us to cover. As always, we so appreciate your ratings and reviews on iTunes. 💓

Thank you for a great year! 🥳

In this episode, AnnaLynne McCord joins us. She is an actress, humanitarian, writer, director, and producer. You may recognize her from 90210, Nip/Tuck, and Power. Oh, and she happens to be my BFF. Our goal on this podcast is to normalize the conversation around topics often stigmatized and silenced...

11/11/2020

Thank you to all of our active-duty members, veterans, and loved ones who support them for your gift and sacrifices!⠀
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In honor of courage, here are some of our favorite I’ll Go First podcast episodes featuring inspiring veterans: ⠀
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Ep 2- US Naval Officer & Endurance Athlete shares her journey of healing from traumatic brain injury and fighting for her healthcare rights. ⠀
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Ep 22 - US Army Veteran and Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Merci McKinley shares her journey of healing from military sexual assault and testifying before Congress on behalf of sexual assault victim’s rights. ⠀
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Ep 23 - US Army Veteran, Sexual Assault Victim Advocate, Author, and Spoken Word Artist shares how he is healing after growing up with domestic violence and how he’s learning to love and be loved.

01/09/2020

On this week's I'll Go First episode, my dear friend, total badass and hero Cynthia Hellen joins us. Cynthia and her family fled to the United States as refugees during Peru's violent political unrest when she was a toddler. We talk about how being a refugee influenced her work as a serial social entrepreneur helping resource-poor communities around the world create economies.

We also talk about how Cynthia is learning to grieve. Last year, Cynthia's fiance, Ryan passed suddenly from liver disease at 30-years-old. Cynthia shares how he was diagnosed, how they were able to self-advocate for the right care, and how she's learning to celebrate his life a year later through Oh Hello Liver.

It is a moving conversation (there were a lot of tears between us both 😭 ) and I am soooo honored by Cynthia's vulnerability and courage.

Let me know what you think ☺️

xo Jess

‎Show I'll Go First® with Jessica Minhas, Ep Celebrating Those We Have Lost with Cynthia Hellen - Aug 25, 2020

10/07/2020

I managed to snag Dr. Colleen Batchelder for a conversation on my podcast this week. She's a busy woman, finishing her doctorate, and single-handedly taking on discrimination in the American church. Why do I say single-handedly? Well, her voice against LGBTQ/race/women prejudices in Christianity is seen by some as not just scandalous but downright offensive - she's no stranger to hate mail, and threats. And yet she's determined to change the narrative - that the true message of Christianity is far more inclusive than it's portrayed - a position she believes is the original intent of Jesus' call to us.

I found this conversation soooo refreshing. Not only does Dr. Batchelder offer the social justice rallying cry that many of us are craving for - but also backs it up with anthropological science-driven data. In the current political environment, we find ourselves in, a different perspective is a welcome conversation - a conversation I think we all can benefit from.

I would looooooove to hear what you think about this episode - *especially* if Christianity has ever been a part of your journey (and even more so if you've felt ostracized because of your gender/orientation/skin color)

(And as always, we so appreciate your reviews and 5-star rankings. Those metrics drive up our rankings in the podcasts lists and help these brave and courageous voices share their stories to so many more people. 💓)

‎Show I'll Go First® with Jessica Minhas, Ep Reclaiming Your Faith, Breaking Discrimination within American Christianity with Dr. Colleen Batchelder - Jul 7, 2020

30/06/2020

Here is why I stalked Obbie to come on our show. I happened across this poem while researching guests on military sexual assault. Blown away. WOW. When I first listened I kept thinking to myself, 'that's what I was trying to say!' but I never could find the words. So powerful. (caution: this poem covers the topics of sexual assault)

Obbie West, thank you for the work you do! You are a gift.

https://youtu.be/b7bYc2-nUX4

(Lyrics in the comment below)

Army Sexual Harassment/Assault Response & Prevention (SHARP) Program Poem Poet: Edward Wilson info@obbiewest.com Videographer: Vanessa Atchley Vatchley87@gma...

30/06/2020

This week's episode on I'll Go First was so meaningful to be a part of. Obbie West is a US Army Veteran, spoken word artist, and an advocate on behalf of sexual violence survivors of all genders. His work is inspired by his childhood. He grew up witnessing domestic violence between his mom and father and vowed to do everything he can to speak up for those who have experienced the same.

As a sexual assault survivor myself it is hard to describe just how much of a gift it was to have a man stand in the gap and devote his life to speaking up for all of us who have felt alone in our experiences. This episode is a rallying cry in the darkness to say you are not alone.

Obbie also shares how he's learned to define love for himself - a concept that I thought was really different from the norm.

"I grew up in a household where there was abuse. I wasn't abused, but abuse amongst parents. So I watched that. So as a child, when you watch that, it puts you in a position to where you now have to create a definition of love, right? When you look in a dictionary, the definition of love says a "strong feeling." It's as simple as that. Well, that's consistent with hate as well. So the details of love are determined by the person's experience. So if you grew up watching two people fight and then say, "I love you," you put those together and now your definition of love becomes it's abusive. And if you carry that out on life, that's how you show love later. So you put a child in a position to where now have to figure out what love is to me. And fortunately, I didn't go with the example I gave I. I determined that I never wanted to inflict that level of pain on anyone else, whether directly or indirectly."

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/growing-up-witnessing-domestic-violence-defining-what/id1494556474?i=1000480831543

I'd *love* to hear what you thought of this episode (esp if you're a survivor) And, as always, we so appreciate reviews and 5-star ratings. 💓

‎Show I'll Go First® with Jessica Minhas, Ep Growing Up Witnessing Domestic Violence and Defining What Love Means for Us with Army Veteran Obbie West - Jun 30, 2020

24/05/2020

We have been so happy to read your comments and suggestions for the I'll Go First Podcast! 💓

If there's something you'd like us to ask, a topic you'd like us to cover or a suggestion you have for us, you can message us anonymously in the form below.

Or say hi at hello@illgofirst.com 😊

I’ll Go First celebrates the true stories of overcoming and thriving. These candid conversations are an intimate look into our lives on how we cultivate courage and find healing. Is there a question you'd like us to answer? Or topic you'd like us to cover? Someone you'd like us to interview, let u...

22/04/2020

Tomorrow we will be recording episode #16 (🤯) of the I'll Go First podcast. Our guest (it's a surprise) and I will be talking about her experience - the good and the challenging - of dissociation (ohhhh ahhhhh) and dissociative identity disorder (formerly known as multiple personality disorder.... fascinating.)

Are there any questions or any topics that come to mind that we can answer for you?

Some more info on dissociation:

We all dissociate - daydreaming, zoning out, 'in the flow' are some examples. When stressful things happen the level of dissociation we experience may increase. It's our body and brain's way of modulating an experience that otherwise may be too hard to bear so we're not overwhelmed. But sometimes that coping mechanism can interfere with our lives after the trigger is over. This may make it difficult to later remember the details of the experience, as reported by many disaster and accident survivors. Staying 'present' is the antidote, and just like any other part of healing, that stuff takes time and practice - but it's not impossible! (woohoo)

Comment, DM or email us at hello@illgofirst.com

P.S. You can find I'll Go First everywhere you listen to podcasts.

15/04/2020

Greetings from I'll Go First. With 14 episodes released, we are back into production for I'll Go First's podcast (woohoo 💓🥳).

Tomorrow we will be interviewing a trauma therapist, who is a clinician, and also has family members with severe psychiatric/mental health issues.

We are going to talk about boundaries and how to maintain self-care. Are there any questions or any topics that come to mind that we can answer for you?

(Some examples: guilt, self-blame, how to cope, self care, feeling misunderstood, finding support, etc.)

Comment, DM or email us at hello@illgofirst.com

P.S. You can find I'll Go First everywhere you listen to podcasts.💓

21/03/2020

I'll Go First Friends,

I'll Go First production is getting thrown for a little bit of a loop because of the restrictions so we're moving around our releases. Which topic would you like to hear on Monday?

Your choices:

1) Overcoming childhood sexual abuse and learning how to save yourself

2) How to find your purpose from someone who works in anti human trafficking efforts and faith communities

3) Overcoming spiritual trauma

💓