Summary:
This week, on the final episode of the UpLevel Podcast’s Publishing Series, our special guest is our very own Rachel Baldi, co-founder of UpLevel Productions. We discussed her inspiring journey from converting to Islam to becoming a children's book co-writer. Rachel shared how she found solace in Islam's teachings of kindness, equality, peace, and compassion. She also gave us a sneak peek into, “Lil’ Amina and the Adventure of Grief,” the newest book in the emotional wellness children’s book series The Adventures of Lil’ Sass.
Listen in to this important conversation filled with insights from an inspiring co-writer who has used her personal experiences to create impactful content for both children and adults alike.
If you, too, believe in the power of storytelling as a means for social change or have insights on representing diverse cultures in literature, tune in now!
In this Episode:
Learn about her journey from a London upbringing to becoming an influential figure in coaching and leadership development.
Discover how kindness, equality, peace, and compassion led Rachel toward embracing Islam.
Understand the motivations behind creating this emotional wellness book series for children and adults.
Explore how representation, grief education/support, and bridging differing perspectives influenced Rachel's decision to write.
Gain insights into how understanding your purpose can serve as motivation during challenging times.
Experience the delight of transforming imagined characters into tangible realities through illustrations.
Get a glimpse into hurdles like making late-stage edits or accurately representing faith without offending.
Learn from Rachel’s experience handling sensitive topics such as religion in children's literature.
Fostering understanding between cultures and religions through literature.
Order of Topics:
Introduction to Rachel Baldi
Conversion to Islam
The Birth of “Lil Amina”
Key Themes that Influence Her Writing
The Importance of Your “Why”
The Joy in Seeing the Characters Alive
Challenges Faced During Writing Process
Balancing Responsibility and Creativity while Representing Faith in Books
The Goal Beyond Conversion
About Rachel:
Rachel is on a mission to empower and inspire those around her to lead their lives with conscious presence, authenticity, and responsibility. As the co-founder of UpLevel Productions and an Interfaith Advocate, Rachel brings her knowledge and expertise in coaching, leadership development, project management, workshop design, and facilitation to act as a conscious bridge between people of different cultures and religions to build healthy relationships.
Committed to serving marginalized communities, she began her career working with nonprofits, delivering coaching and leadership development programs to disadvantaged and underrepresented youth and young offenders within Britain's criminal justice system. As a member of CTI’s (the world’s largest & oldest in-person coach-training school) Faculty and Graydin’s (a state-of-the-art coach training org. for Educators and schools) coaching team, Rachel has expanded her experience over the past decade through consultative sales, client relationship management and program delivery with Leaders and Educators inside world-leading organizations.
Rachel is a Certified End-of-Life and Grief Coach who is passionate about educating and providing essential safe space for people to acknowledge, express, and process their grief. She is on a mission to train organizations on how to be End-of-Life safe and how to support grief in the workplace.
Rachel has the unique ability to be in the liminal space of the past, present, and future; of who you’ve been, where you are, and who you will become. She is able to see and communicate the laser truth within herself and others. A mother of 6 beautiful children and a Muslim woman of Islam Faith, Rachel is authentic, passionate, supportive, empowering, and, is here to UpLevel all and everyone she comes into contact with.
Website: https://www.rachelbaldi.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelbaldi1/
“Lil Amina and the Adventure of Grief” Book Purchase Link: Amazon
About UpLevel Productions: Founded by Christie Mann, MA, CPCC, PCC, and Rachel Baldi, CPCC, PCC, UpLevel creates, produces, and delivers Transformative Experiences, Workshops, Training, Events + Media that develop leaders who make our world a healthier, more alive, and connected place to be. As Associate CTI Faculty Partners, UpLevel is licensed to sell, produce and deliver Co-Active coach training and leadership development programs around the world to support the transformational growth of individuals and culture inside the workplace and organization. www.uplevelproductions.com Instagram @uplevelproductions Facebook & LinkedIn @uplevelproductionscompany