Author

It’s a Family Affair with Raquel Benavidez

Visual Artist, Aaron Landman

Breaking the mold. How to live the life of the artist, and live your personal dream.

Aaron and Raquel share how growing up in a regular American home, built an environment to pursue one’s personal dream, respect each other’s life’s decisions, and continue to grow together as a family.

Aaron Landman turned his attention to creating visual art after studying medicine and biology in college. His intriguing, abstract style evokes feelings on a visceral plain. His keen eye for aesthetics and storytelling led him to shoot many commercials and short films before co-founding Media Bird.

May 17, 2016 0 comment

Arts & Entertainment Family & Relationships It’s a Family Affair with Raquel Benavidez VividLife Talks

The Secret Language of the Heart with Barry Goldstein

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Musitarian, Barry Goldstein

The Secret Language of the Heart, Music as a Path to Healing and Transformation.

Barry and Raquel share how every one of us—the musical and nonmusical alike—can harness the power of music to alleviate specific illnesses, reverse negative mindsets and attitudes, dissolve creative blocks and improve overall health.

Barry Goldstein is a musitarian whose passion is utilizing music, or as he calls it, “The Universal Language of Love as a vehicle for transformation. He has composed and produced music for New York Times best selling authors, hosted several radio shows, written articles and facilitates workshops on utilizing music, sound and vibration in the healing process.

April 26, 2016 0 comment

Family & Relationships It’s a Family Affair with Raquel Benavidez VividLife Talks

Healing & Immersion with Fu-Ding Cheng

written by It’s a Family Affair with Raquel Benavidez

Visionary Flmmaker and Shamanic Artist, Fu-Ding Cheng

Healing & Immersion, Using Your Family Dynamics for Positive Change and Transformation.

Fu-Ding and Raquel discuss how growing up in a traditional Chinese family in the United States, inspired his life-long devotion to the spiritual quest. During his life, he has learned keys to heal family wounds, use his family lessons to understand his present and release himself to be fully authentic.

Fu-Ding Cheng – visionary filmmaker and shamanic artist–-began his career as a practicing architect, but has since focused his attention on books, films, and spirituality. In 1990, he founded Liquid Light Productions devoted to explore paths of self-illumination and mystical adventures through books, films, art and seminars.

April 19, 2016 0 comment

•-Feature Family & Relationships It’s a Family Affair with Raquel Benavidez VividLife Talks

Mommy Why’s Your Skin So Brown? with Maria Olsen

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Freelance writer, author, attorney and radio talk show co-host in Washington, D.C, Maria Leonard Olsen

Mommy Why’s Your Skin So Brown? A mother’s conversation with her bi-racial children.

Maria and Raquel discuss how being a parent of bi-racial children opens up a conversation about the new American family, how we can teach children about diversity, and looking beyond what is skin deep – the beauty that also resides within.

Maria Leonard Olsen is a freelance writer, author, attorney and radio talk show co-host in Washington, D.C. She has a book coming out on how the typical modern American family has changed so much in recent years. She has a children’s book on her biracial family, “Mommy, Why’s Your Skin So Brown?” (based on her experience of being mistaken as the nanny of her lighter-skinned children) and has written for the Washingtonian, Bethesda Magazine, and other publications. She has two grown children and lives in the D.C. area.

April 9, 2016 0 comment

•-Feature Family & Relationships It’s a Family Affair with Raquel Benavidez VividLife Talks

The Evolution of Family with Shayne Traviss

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Shayne Traviss (right) with his Fiance Tim Emberley

The Evolution of Family, Navigating A Changing Dynamic

Shayne Traviss and Raquel Benavidez discuss the evolution of family; Shayne’s unique perspective on growing up LGBT and how he navigated adversity while redefining ‘family’.

Shayne Traviss is a Lifestylist, Producer and founder of Vividlife.me reaching over 3 million around the globe.

April 5, 2016 0 comment

•-Feature It’s a Family Affair with Raquel Benavidez VividLife Talks

Foster Family is Real Family with Sarah Green

written by It’s a Family Affair with Raquel Benavidez

Sarah, owner of HeartLight Services

Foster Family is Real Family, Turning Trauma Into Love

Sarah and Raquel discuss lessons on how to use an open heart to help children turn trauma into love. Her life experiences teach us to deal with perceived and real loss in the family structure, how new bonds can be created to support the transition for kids and create sacred space in the home.

Sarah Green is the owner of HeartLight Services, a private energy medicine practice focusing on creating connected families and healing the root cause of trauma and emotional disturbances in children. As a published essayist, Sarah writes mostly about her experiences as a foster and adoptive mom. Her family has provided care for both domestic and international refugee children since 2010. She is also a speaker and teacher, using her life experiences to motivate and inspire others to live fully and completely. Sarah is a passionate and vocal advocate for children’s rights.

March 28, 2016 0 comment

Family & Relationships It’s a Family Affair with Raquel Benavidez VividLife Talks

Raising Empowered Girls with Sanjay Nambiar

written by It’s a Family Affair with Raquel Benavidez

Award-Winning Author, Sanjay Nambiar

Raising Empowered Girls. Techniques to inspire girls to be powerful

Sanjay Nambiar shares techniques from his latest book with us. His creation, The Princess Heroes shows us how to empower girls through a universe of diverse characters, glamor, social awareness, and fun! Learn how to cultivate social confidence and teach a strong sense of self in our young girls.

Sanjay Nambiar has written several award-winning books, including “The Super Duper Princess Heroes: How It All Started”, “Maybe (A Little Zen for Little Ones)”, “Still There? (A Little Zen for Little Ones)”, and “Remember the Stars (A Little Zen for Little Ones)”. Through his books, he hopes to inspire readers and convey positive messages to kids. Sanjay grew up in Carson, CA, where he overcame a gang- and drug-riddled environment with the help of a closely-knit family and a focus on education.

Raquel Benavidez is a blended, broken and dysfunctional family survivor. She has flourished in creating her own new family dynamic. One that is filled with love, support and acceptance for all. Connect with her on Facebook at It’s a Family Affair

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March 22, 2016 0 comment

•-Feature It’s a Family Affair with Raquel Benavidez Spirituality VividLife Talks

The Path of the Warrior Goddess with HeatherAsh Amara

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HeatherAsh Amara, best selling author of Warrior Goddess Training ~Become The Woman You Were Meant To Be

The Path of the Warrior Goddess, Becoming the Woman You Were Meant to Be

Warrior Goddess, HeatherAsh Amara and host of ‘It’s A Family Affair’, Raquel Benavidez share The Path of the Warrior Goddess, how by HeatherAsh embracing her ‘Inner Goddess’ she was able to create a movement of over 150,000 women strong, who have began the sacred path of transformation toward their innate, authentic and embodied power.

HeatherAsh Amara is the best selling author of Warrior Goddess Training ~Become The Woman You Were Meant To Be, and founder of Toci — the Toltec Center of Creative Intent, which fosters local and global community that supports authenticity, awareness, and awakening. She is dedicated to inspiring depth, creativity, and joy by sharing the most potent tools from a variety of world traditions.

March 15, 2016 0 comment

•-Feature Family & Relationships It’s a Family Affair with Raquel Benavidez VividLife Talks

My Bicultural Family with Alicia Colon

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Alicia Colon & Family

My Bicultural Family, The Impact of Being Raised with a Japanese and Hispanic Heritage

Alicia Colon and Raquel Benavidez, discuss My Bicultural Family, the benefits and impact of being bi-racial, being raised in a multicultural household, and being open to diversity.

Alicia Colon is currently studying Psychology at the University of New Mexico. Alicia enojes listening to music, reading and being outdoors. She lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico with her family.

March 7, 2016 0 comment

Arts & Entertainment It’s a Family Affair with Raquel Benavidez VividLife Talks

Me and My Divorced Parents with AJ Baca

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AJ Baca

Me and My Divorced Parents, A Story of Growing Up in Two Homes

Raquel Benavidez welcomes her son, Anthony Baca Jr. Aj will share how he transformed the heartbreak of his parents divorce to see the beauty in how his family actually didn’t break apart, but grew. He’ll share his thoughts on the early years and how it all turned out in the end.

AJ Baca lives in New Mexico with his family. He works with American Airlines and loves to travel. He actively participates in political campaigns and is a Bernie Sanders supporter. He has 4 brothers and sisters that love him, and his two parents and stepmother that are just crazy about him.

February 23, 2016 0 comment

Arts & Entertainment Family & Relationships It’s a Family Affair with Raquel Benavidez VividLife Talks

Saying Thank you with Monisha Vasa, M.D

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Author and Physician ,Monisha Vasa, M.D

Saying Thank you, How to Raise Mindful and Grateful Children

Raquel Benavidez welcomes author and physician Monisha Vasa, M.D. to discuss Saying Thank You. Dr Vasa will share with us how we can teach our children to live mindfully. She’ll discuss how parents can share the experience of being thankful and appreciative.

Monisha Vasa, M.D. author of the non-fiction children’s books, My Dearest One and Saying Thank You. Dr. Vasa is a board certified General and Addiction Psychiatrist. Dr. Vasa resides in Orange County, CA with her husband, two beloved children and two English Bulldogs.

February 15, 2016 0 comment

Arts & Entertainment Family & Relationships It’s a Family Affair with Raquel Benavidez VividLife Talks

Helping Parents Blend Families Seamlessly with Dr. George Glass

written by It’s a Family Affair with Raquel Benavidez

M.D. and Psychiatrist for over 30 years. Dr. George Glass shares practical advice for Helping Parents Blend Families Seamlessly.

Practical Solutions for Helping Parents Blend Families Seamlessly

Raquel Benavidez welcomes George S. Glass, MD, PA, who has been helping parents understand the challenges of beginning new lives as a blended family and offers practical solutions to help improve communication skills and ease the transition from separate households into a larger, blended unit.

George S. Glass has served as a medical doctor and psychiatrist for over 30 years. By combining his own personal experience as a member of a blended family with experiences from his many years in practice, he created an inspiring toolkit for families in need. In his two latest books, Dr. George S. Glass offers expert advice for couples blending families, and takes it a step further with tips on how to avoid the pitfalls of over parenting.

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February 9, 2016 0 comment

Arts & Entertainment Family & Relationships It’s a Family Affair with Raquel Benavidez VividLife Talks

Overcoming Fear to Find Family with Raven Baca

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Raven Baca and Raquel Benavidez

Overcoming Fear to Find Family As New Wife and Step-parent

Raquel Benavidez welcomes Raven Baca, crafting genius and wonderful mom. Raven has been in my family for over 12 yrs. She is is my son’s stepmother and yes I consider her family. She has been a huge part of the success and love our family shares. Raven will be sharing with us how she overcame her initial fear and insecurities about being a new wife, a new step-parent and having to deal with me, the ex-wife. We’ll be sharing our experience of how two women, who must would expect to be adversaries, changed it all and became each others strongest allies.

Sharing our family story is so very important to both of us. We understand how difficult it can be to blend families and for everyone to find their space and more importantly, their value to the family unit. Raven is a blessing to all women out there taking on the beautiful task of not just loving and raising their own kids, but loving and raising someone else’s kids, just as your own.

Raven Baca lives in New Mexico with her husband, Anthony Baca and their four children, AJ, Quinton, Zoe and Aubry.

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January 26, 2016 0 comment

Arts & Entertainment Family & Relationships It’s a Family Affair with Raquel Benavidez VividLife Talks

“Making it Work” with Anthony Baca and Raquel Benavidez

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Anthony Baca

Raquel is overjoyed to have with you Anthony Baca. Anthony is gracious enough to share his story of working through divorce, managing an ex-wife, finding love again in his new marriage, raising 4 awesome kids from two woman and making it all work. Many will say he’s crazy, but he’s one of my hero’s. I’m his ex-wife, by the way.

Anthony Baca is an entrepreneur and creator of The GoCaddy. He has had many successful business ventures in his life but I think he will agree that his biggest success is his loving family. Anthony is filled with life experiences of creating loving and healthy blended families. He is great example for men that want to be able to raise their kids after divorce. You can enjoy a family life that benefits all of your children, no matter what the living situation may be. Connect with Anthony at www.shopgocaddy.com.

Raquel Benavidez is a blended, broken and dysfunctional family survivor. She has flourished in creating her own new family dynamic. One that is filled with love, support and acceptance for all. Connect with her on Facebook at It’s a Family Affair.

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January 18, 2016 0 comment

Arts & Entertainment Family & Relationships It’s a Family Affair with Raquel Benavidez VividLife Talks

Finding Yourself in Family with Gaya Jenkins and Raquel Benavidez

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Gaya-headshot-2

Raquel Benavidez welcomes Gaya Jenkins, life guide and Toltec teacher, who will share with us how Toltec and Vedic practices can guide us towards our freedom, by reflecting our authentic self though family, love and compassion.

Gaya is a life guide and Toltec teacher, who’s deepest desire is to offer her love to diminish fear and suffering, offering herself as “the other” in the reflection of you in your dream. When your personal identity shifts to the Truth of what you are, you are living a life filled with peace and satisfaction, no matter what your family and life circumstances may be. Connect with Gaya at www.gayajenkins.com

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January 12, 2016 0 comment