In this wonderfully engaging episode, we chat with Mariya Shiyko, who was born and raised in a small town in Russia (300,000 people). Not knowing any other life, she thought her upbringing was normal. Mariya had a strict authoritarian and often abusive father who often used alcohol to cope with stress. Raised during the times of communism, her family had just enough money to get by with the essentials. And it wasn't until Mariya left Russia when she was 21 years old, for the USA, that she realized that the world outside of what she knew was very very different! She got married in the US, but the traumas of her past made her relationship volatile and challenging. She struggled with low self-esteem, and not trusting herself. To cope with the relationship struggles, she started her healing journey. She received lots of healing around her childhood experiences and upbringing, helping her to deal with emotions, self-value, and self-trust. Exactly 10 years later, she divorced. She has even written a memoir "From Russia to Joy: A Journey of Spiritual Awakening". It's a humorous book that talks about serious topics in a light-hearted way. Just like this podcast!! Mariya Shiyko, Ph.D., an academic turned entrepreneur, is an award-winning educator and author. Her books, "From Russia to Joy" and "My Money Book: for Joyful & Creative Living," challenge traditional views on self-sacrifice for success. Mariya blends Western science, art, and alternative healing practices. She lives in Boston with her partner and son. Links: https://www.mariyashiyko.love/ https://www.facebook.com/mariya.shiyko https://www.instagram.com/mariyashiyko/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariya-shiyko-phd-mt-lyt-49a9121/ LINK FOR MARIYA: Website: https://www.mariyashiyko.love  Support the show