The Empowerment in Action:Global Voices of Self Defense Podcast

Season 3 Episode 5: AEP Spotlight with guest, Obadiah Mshindi

In this AEP Spotlight episode, we sit down with Obadiah Mshindi, Founder of Mshindi Pan African Cultural Arts, LLC, a lifelong martial artist, educator, and community empowerment leader based in Philadelphia. With over 30 years of teaching experience, Obadiah shares how his unique blend of African combat systems, functional training, and cultural arts shapes the transformational learning experiences he brings to diverse communities.
 
He discusses his philosophy that “the body is a synergy of systems,” explaining why true empowerment requires holistic, whole-body, whole-mind training grounded in real-world threats and resourceful survival mindsets. Obadiah also reflects on his work with BIPOC communities, his vision for expanding ESD through partnerships, and his commitment to creating accessible, culturally resonant safety education for all ages.
 
This conversation is rich, grounding, and deeply practical — a must-listen for anyone passionate about ESD, community healing, and embodied empowerment.

Season 3 Episode 4: AEP Spotlight with guest, Janice Okamoto

Season 3, Episode 4: AEP Spotlight: Janice Okamoto
 
In this episode of Empowerment in Action: AEP Spotlight, host Adanma Nwokoma sits down with Janice Okamoto, Executive Director of the Alameda HS Jujitsu Alumni, Inc., and Chief Instructor at Alameda Judo/Jujitsu in California, USA.
 
With over 45 years of martial arts experience, Janice shares how she’s integrating the Empowerment Self Defense (ESD) curriculum into her outreach, building confidence, safety, and connection within the Asian senior community.
 
She opens up about the cultural challenges of encouraging openness in communities where “airing one’s dirty laundry” is discouraged and reflects on the slow but meaningful progress being made through trust, empathy, and the fifth principle of ESD - Tell.
 
It’s an inspiring conversation about patience, persistence, and the quiet power of cultural change.
 
Listen, share, and explore more inspiring AEP Spotlight stories

Season 3 Episode 3: AEP Spotlight with guest, Jess Gordon

Rising Through Empowerment with Jess Gordon
In this episode, Adanma Nwokoma speaks with Jess Gordon, educator, Empowerment Self Defense instructor, and founder of Arise in British Columbia. Jess shares how she blends movement, social-emotional learning, and trauma-informed education to build confidence and safety from the inside out. From preteen programs to corporate trainings, her work shows that empowerment begins when we take action even when we don’t feel ready.

Season 3 Episode 2: AEP Spotlight with guest, Stephanie Cyr

In this second episode of the AEP Spotlight series of Empowerment in Action: Global Voices of Self-Defense, we shine the light on Stephanie Cyr, attorney, educator, health coach, lifelong martial artist, and one of ESD Global’s Accredited Education Providers.
 
From creating the first university-accredited Minor in Empowerment Self-Defense at San Francisco State University to launching her own company, PowerUp Moves, Stephanie shows how being an AEP has amplified her impact in both academia and business. She shares how accreditation has opened doors, validated her work, and strengthened her mission to link personal safety, empowerment, and holistic well-being.
 
Tune in to hear Stephanie’s journey and discover why becoming an AEP could be the next step to expanding your own work and influence.

Season 3 Episode 1: AEP Spotlight with guest, Tasha Ina Church

Season 3 of Empowerment in Action: Global Voices of Self-Defense opens this September with our AEP Spotlight on Tasha Ina Church—an indigenous female entrepreneur, empowerment coach, bestselling author, and founder of ElleLiveAction.
 
With over 25 years of experience and more than 13,500 students trained in 132 countries, Tasha is a true force in Empowerment Self-Defense. As an Accredited Education Provider (AEP) with ESD Global, she combines empowerment, self-healing, and accredited ESD training to create lasting change in communities worldwide.
 
Join us as we explore how becoming an AEP has amplified her outreach, strengthened her impact, and what it means for the future of violence prevention.

Season 2 Episode 6: Visible and Invisible: Disrupting the Culture of Violence with guest, Dr. Sarah Henkeman

Violence isn’t always what we can see, sometimes it hides in systems, habits, and the silences we’ve been taught to accept.
In this powerful conversation, Dr. Sarah Malotane Henkeman unpacks the layered realities of visible and invisible violence, reveals tools for externalizing conflict, and shows how real accountability can transform both relationships and societies.
Listen now and discover how to delink, disrupt, and dismantle harmful systems — starting from the inside out.

Season 2 Episode 5: Reclaiming Power: How Empowerment Self-Defense Transforms Lives with guest Nicole Snell

Reclaiming Power: How Empowerment Self-Defense Transforms Lives
Guest: Nicole Snell, CEO of Girls Fight Back
 
In this episode of Empowerment in Action, we sit down with award-winning speaker and self-defense advocate Nicole Snell to explore how Empowerment Self-Defense (ESD) is more than a safety strategy—it’s a path to confidence, freedom, and personal power. Nicole shares her journey from outdoor adventurer to TEDx speaker and leader of Girls Fight Back, offering practical insights on boundary-setting, self-trust, and living without fear.
 
Whether you’re new to ESD or looking for deeper inspiration, this episode will remind you: your safety is a right, not a privilege.

Season 2 Episode 4: Safety, Resistance, and Reclaiming Power” with guest, Meg Stone

“Safety, Resistance, and Reclaiming Power” with Meg Stone
What does it really mean to feel safe? In this powerful episode, Meg Stone, Executive Director of IMPACT Boston and IMPACT: Ability, joins us to challenge the traditional narratives around safety, especially for people with disabilities and trauma histories. We explore the difference between safety through reliance and safety through resistance — and why both matter.
 
If you’ve ever felt like safety wasn’t built with you in mind, this conversation is for you.
 
Listen now on Empowerment in Action: Global Voices of Self-Defense — and don’t forget to share and subscribe!

Season 2 Episode 3: Unleashing Leadership: A Conversation with guest, Dr. John Ughulu

In this empowering episode of the Empowerment in Action Podcast, we sit down with Dr. John Ughulu — best-selling author, award-winning leader, and founder of the John Ughulu Foundation. Together, we explore the powerful themes in his book, "Leadership Principles Unleashed," and dive into his inspiring work promoting positive masculinity, mentorship, and purpose-driven leadership. Dr. Ughulu shares why redefining masculinity is crucial for building stronger communities and how his foundation is empowering individuals to unlock their full potential. Prepare for a conversation with wisdom, purpose, and actionable inspiration!

Season 2 Episode 2: Leadership, Boundary Setting & the Power of Ethical Mentorship w/ guest, Kim Rivers

New Episode Alert!
Mentorship is a game-changer in the Empowerment Self-Defense movement! In this episode of Empowerment in Action, we sit down with Kim Rivers, an expert ESD instructor and mentor, to discuss leadership, boundary-setting, and the power of ethical mentorship in violence prevention.
 Tune in now