She Choose To Rise With Mariatu

10/29/2026

Two new stories arrive this Saturday, Oct 31.

Zineb Haddaji grew up in southern Tunisia and made a new life in Djibouti. Elira Canga grew up in Albania after communism and chose journalism when a free press was brand new.

Two women, two countries, two very different roads to rising. Episodes 4 and 5 of the She Chose to Rise podcast, both out Saturday.

Turn on notifications so you don't miss them. 🔔
🎧 New here, or missed the first episodes? Catch up on Episodes 1–3 before Saturday: shechosetorisethepodcast.buzzsprout.com

Want to read Zineb's and Elira's full stories? Both are in She Chose to Rise, alongside five other women from five continents.
✍🏾 Signed copy ($12, with 20% going to Hope Pathways Global): https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe08u58NDO8zhscQXPPHfxfNcnJHmVgYHjIR8bzTMtrdEYgBQ/viewform

Through the SBA Reads app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sbareads.app

📦 Order on Amazon: https://a.co/d/01zo711Q

10/28/2026

Two new women join She Chose to Rise this Saturday. Can you guess who? 👀

Clue 1: One grew up in a small town in southern Tunisia, near the Libyan border, and built a new life in the Horn of Africa.
Clue 2: One reported from across the Balkans and has spent 25 years in journalism.
Hint: both are in the book.

Drop your guesses below. Reveal later today. 🔔

10/22/2026

We've been quiet for a while. Here's why.

Behind the scenes, we've been recording two new conversations with remarkable women, signing books, and planning our first community gathering.

She Chose to Rise is back, and we've missed you. 💛

Over the next few weeks we'll be sharing new stories, new conversations and a few surprises. Stay close.

10/20/2026

Signed, with gratitude. 🖊️
Thank you to everyone in the Thunderbird community who stopped by The Pub to pick up a copy of She Chose to Rise during the Karibu event. Every conversation, every handshake, every name I wrote inside a cover reminded me why these stories needed to be shared.

Want a signed copy? $12, and 20% of every signed copy supports Hope Pathways Global. You can also gift one to a girl who needs this story. Get yours today https://forms.gle/2gNZwBGEU3sD8eF49

10/20/2026

09/09/2026

When life becomes uncertain, our priorities become clearer.

For Olga, the war in Ukraine revealed the things that matter most: meaningful relationships, knowing that her loved ones are safe, and appreciating every day she is given with them.

Her words are a powerful reminder that tomorrow is never guaranteed. The people we love should not have to wait for a crisis to hear how much they mean to us.

Who could you call, appreciate, or hold a little closer today?

📖 Read Olga’s complete story in She Chose to Rise:
https://amazon.com/dp/B0GYWWMK1S

🎙️ Listen to Olga in Episode 2 of She Chose to Rise: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/mariatuesther.kabba

📅 New Olga spotlight every Friday.

Please share this message with someone you are grateful to have in your life.

09/07/2026

What might have happened if Elita had remained silent?
When Elita Karim screamed for help, her voice reached the community around her, students, people inside the music store where she found shelter, tea vendors, and strangers walking nearby.

They heard her. They came to her. They supported her.

By choosing to speak up, Elita connected herself to a community that was ready to help. Her story reminds us that one voice can activate many others.

📖 Read Elita’s complete chapter, “The Day I Stopped Running,” in She Chose to Rise: https://amazon.com/dp/B0GYWWMK1S

🎙️ Listen to Elita in Episode 3 of She Chose to Rise: The Podcast:
https://linktr.ee/mariatuesther.kabba

📅 Follow us for a new Elita spotlight every Monday.

You can help us reach it:
Watch and follow
Comment “I choose to rise”
Share Elita’s story with your community

Together, we can remind more women that their voices deserve to be heard.

09/02/2026

A single moment can reorder an entire lifetime of priorities.

For Olga, the war in Ukraine created a profound contrast between life before and life after. Matters that once felt urgent became less important when safety, survival, family, and purpose came into sharper focus.

Her reflection offers a question worth considering:

If circumstances suddenly changed, which of our current priorities would still matter?

📖 Read Olga’s complete story in She Chose to Rise:
https://amazon.com/dp/B0GYWWMK1S

🎙️ Listen to her conversation in Episode 2 of She Chose to Rise: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/mariatuesther.kabba

📅 A new Olga spotlight is shared every Wednesday.

Please share this reflection with someone navigating change or reevaluating what matters most.