Journey with Rita Podcast: Building Resilience Together
Claim This Podcastby Rita Naffas
Podcast Overview
<div class="ql-advanced-banner"> <div class="ql-block"> <div class="gs"> <div> <div id=":p4" class="ii gt adO"> <div id=":p3" class="a3s aiL"> <div dir="ltr"> <div> <div>I'm Rita Naffas — a wife, mother, interior designer, and women’s empowerment advocate. I’ve had the privilege of wearing many hats in life — from working in corporate America, to serving on executive boards and nonprofit organizations, to creating spaces that bring beauty and comfort into people’s lives. The greatest shaping force in my life has been the challenges I’ve overcome, and those experiences have given me a deep appreciation for resilience, growth, and the power of living authentically. I believe we have the ability to design the lives we want, to reinvent ourselves at any stage, and to pursue what truly makes us come alive. And I sincerely believe that we can all learn and grow from one another. This podcast is a reflection of all of that — a space where we explore growth, resilience, and the journeys that shape us.</div> <div></div> <div>We will explore the many paths we walk — the messy ones, the meaningful ones, and everything in between. You’ll hear stories from incredible people who have faced challenges in both big and small ways, personally and professionally. We’ll learn how they got through it — what tools they used, what they’re still learning, and what they want to pass on. <br />I’ll also be sharing my own reflections along the way — not as an expert, but as a fellow traveler.</div> <div></div> <div>This is a space for wisdom, inspiration, and practical steps to guide us through life’s journey. Join Me!</div> <div></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
9/17/2025
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Recent Episodes
May 29, 2026
E14 | What Every Woman Needs to Know About Breast Cancer with CEO of Sharsheret, Elana Silber
Today’s episode is about something we all hope we never face—but so many women unfortunately do: breast cancer- Cancer is a word that can feel heavy, but my goal today is to arm you with the knowledge and information you need to have. Because the truth is the number one risk factor for breast cancer is simply being a woman. And whether you want to talk about it or not, this disease impacts 1 in 8 women. And as you will learn today, Jewish women are more likely to carry mutations that cause Breast cancer. So I invite you to listen to this episode all the way through. I promise—it won’t feel heavy or discouraging. Instead, it will leave you with the knowledge you want to have. We are living in a time where knowledge is power. The more we understand about our bodies, our risks, and the resources available to us, the more empowered we become to take action, advocate for ourselves, and support the people around us. Today’s episode is about leaning into that power—because with knowledge comes confidence, with community comes strength, and with both, comes hope. A breast cancer diagnosis can feel like the ground has shifted beneath your feet — and navigating the medical world, the emotional weight, and the sheer volume of information can feel impossible to do alone. That is exactly why Sharsheret exists, and why this conversation with its CEO, Elana Silber, is one every woman needs to hear. The information shared on this episode is for educational purposes only. Please consult a licensed medical professional for advice specific to your health. In this episode, Elana shares: Why every woman — regardless of family history, age, or background — is at risk for breast cancer, and why awareness must start at 25 The truth about self-exams: how to do them, why they matter, and why consistency is more important than technique What the BRCA gene mutation actually means, who carries it, and why Jewish women of all backgrounds — including Sephardic and Mizrahi — should pay attention Why ovarian cancer is called a silent cancer, what symptoms are often overlooked, and the latest medical advances in prevention The story of Sharsheret's founder, Rochelle Shoretz, who clerked for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, was diagnosed with breast cancer as a young mother, and built a movement from her own experience of isolation The full range of free Sharsheret services — peer support, genetic counseling, surgery preparation kits, fertility resources, financial assistance, and more Why Rita's own diagnosis at 34 — discovered while nursing a newborn — and her journey as a peer supporter for Sharsheret, reflect exactly the mission Sharsheret was built to fulfill Why you don't need to know what you need before you call — Sharsheret will meet you wherever you are ✨Follow me on Instagram @JourneyWitRitaOrg ✨Tag me on Instagram and share what resonated with you! Use hashtag #JourneyWithRitaPodcast References: Visit www.sharsheret.org for more information and resources Connect with Sharsheret on Instagram and Facebook Connect with Rita @journeywithritaorg and @ritanaffasdesign Visit www.journeywithrita.org for more episodes and resources
May 16, 2026
E13 | Life Is Worth Living: Surviving the Holocaust and Building a Life Full of Joy with Ella Mandel
How does a person endure the unimaginable — and still choose joy? That is the question at the heart of this profoundly moving episode, and Ella Mandel's answer will stay with you long after you finish listening. Ella Mandel is a Holocaust survivor, educator, and living witness to one of the darkest chapters in human history. Born in Poland in 1926, Ella was thirteen years old when the Germans arrived. Over the years that followed, she lost her entire family — her youngest sister, her father, her mother, and ultimately her older sister — to the Holocaust. She survived the Lodz Ghetto, Auschwitz, a German labor camp, and Bergen-Belsen, where she was liberated in April 1945 at just eighteen years old, weighing barely sixty pounds. In 2025, nearly eighty years later, Ella was honored with the Award of Courage by Holocaust Museum LA alongside supermodel Cindy Crawford, with whom she collaborated on the Borrowed Spotlight campaign to raise awareness about antisemitism and keep these stories alive for future generations. This episode is a rare and sacred gift. With Ella's permission, Rita has woven excerpts from her 1994 USC Shoah Foundation interview together with wisdom Ella shared in a personal conversation earlier this year — honoring both the depth of her story and the gift of her time. In this episode, Ella shares: Growing up in Poland and the first devastating losses her family endured in the ghetto Being separated from her mother on the selection line at Auschwitz — and the pact she and her sister made to survive The brutal reality of forced labor in a German camp through a freezing winter, and how she protected her ailing sister Contracting typhus at Bergen-Belsen and surviving because a friend who was a nurse secretly brought her medicine The heartbreak of losing her older sister to tuberculosis just weeks after liberation — and the guilt she carried for years How she met her husband Stefan in Bergen-Belsen, rebuilt her life in Minneapolis, and created a chosen family with other young survivor couples Her lifelong belief — instilled by her mother — that people are basically good and that tomorrow will be better Why she has spent decades speaking to students, and the letters she treasures from young people whose lives her story has changed Her message to all of us: life is worth living, even on the hardest days This episode is dedicated to the memory of the eleven million lives lost during the Holocaust, six million of them Jewish, and to the survivors who carry the responsibility of bearing witness so that history is never forgotten. ✨Follow me on Instagram @JourneyWitRitaOrg ✨Tag me on Instagram and share what resonated with you! Use hashtag #JourneyWithRitaPodcast The information shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical, psychological, financial, or legal advice References: Learn more about Holocaust Museum LA at www.holocaustmuseumla.org Learn more about the USC Shoah Foundation at www.sfi.usc.edu Visit www.journeywithrita.org for more episodes and resources
April 24, 2026
E12 | In Pursuit of Woman Life Freedom: A Courageous Journey with Somaya Etemad
Some doors to freedom are forced open — through sheer will, quiet defiance, and an unshakeable belief that a better life is possible. For Somaya Etemad, that belief was planted by a father who showed her the world, and it carried her through some of the most harrowing chapters a person can endure. Somaya is an Iranian-American artist and architect whose life story unfolds like a film — one in which she is the hero. Born and raised in Mashhad, Iran, she endured the systematic oppression of the Islamic regime, an abusive forced marriage, and arrest in the aftermath of the Green Movement. At just 25 years old, she fled Iran with her dog, her architecture degree, and an unwavering belief that she deserved a free life. She arrived in Los Angeles in 2011, enrolled at the Southern California Institute of Architecture, and has never looked back. Today, Somaya is a practicing architect and fine artist whose work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, most recently at the Contemporary Museum of Japan. In this episode, Somaya shares: Growing up under the Islamic regime — dress codes, Ramadan compliance, and navigating a double life at home versus in public The profound loss of her father at age 14, and how his spirit of freedom and forward thinking became the foundation of her resilience Being forced into marriage at 22 and enduring physical abuse — and the quiet acts of courage that helped her survive Her arrest following the 2009 Green Movement elections, sparked by a political cartoon, and the trauma of imprisonment How visualization and dreaming of a free life — even with no roadmap to get there — became her most powerful survival tool Fleeing Iran for Los Angeles with her dog Nemat, navigating language barriers, financial hardship, and the unexpected challenge of learning to handle freedom Turning personal trauma into art, and her mission to be a voice for Iranian women still fighting for zan, zandegi, azadi — woman, life, freedom How her solo exhibition "SOLO" became a cathartic act of closure, allowing her to honor her scars while stepping fully into who she is today ✨Follow me on Instagram @JourneyWitRitaOrg ✨Tag me on Instagram and share what resonated with you! Use hashtag #JourneyWithRitaPodcast The information shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical, psychological, financial, or legal advice References: Connect with Somaya Etemad on Instagram Connect with Rita @journeywithritaorg and @ritanaffasdesign Visit www.journeywithrita.org for more episodes and resources
15 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Journey with Rita Podcast: Building Resilience Together?
<div class="ql-advanced-banner"> <div class="ql-block"> <div class="gs"> <div> <div id=":p4" class="ii gt adO"> <div id=":p3" class="a3s aiL"> <div dir="ltr"> <div> <div>I'm Rita Naffas — a wife, mother, interior designer, and women’s empowerment advocate. I’ve had the privilege of wearing many hats in life — from working in corporate America, to serving on executive boards and nonprofit organizations, to creating spaces that bring beauty and comfort into people’s lives. The greatest shaping force in my life has been the challenges I’ve overcome, and those experiences have given me a deep appreciation for resilience, growth, and the power of living authentically. I believe we have the ability to design the lives we want, to reinvent ourselves at any stage, and to pursue what truly makes us come alive. And I sincerely believe that we can all learn and grow from one another. This podcast is a reflection of all of that — a space where we explore growth, resilience, and the journeys that shape us.</div> <div></div> <div>We will explore the many paths we walk — the messy ones, the meaningful ones, and everything in between. You’ll hear stories from incredible people who have faced challenges in both big and small ways, personally and professionally. We’ll learn how they got through it — what tools they used, what they’re still learning, and what they want to pass on. <br />I’ll also be sharing my own reflections along the way — not as an expert, but as a fellow traveler.</div> <div></div> <div>This is a space for wisdom, inspiration, and practical steps to guide us through life’s journey. Join Me!</div> <div></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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