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Love in Motion
The Inclusion Bites Podcast
Love in Motion
JL
Speaker
Joanne Lockwood
DC
Speaker
Denise Cesare
Denise Cesare shares her transformative journey from losing her voice to creating inclusive swimwear that empowers bodies and spirits. As a speech pathologist and advocate, she explores disability, self-love, and creativity in fostering inclusion through practical actions and her inspiring brand T Suit.
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Featured moments
Highlights
“The Heart of Inclusion "Remember, everyone not only belongs, but thrives.”
“Denise is a published author, a keynote speaker and social emotional learning specialist who champions disability rights, mental health and body positivity.”
“Finding Connection During Lockdown: "We were all put on lockdown and we had to work remotely with speech. Speech and language students.”
“How Inspiration Strikes Creatives Overnight: At five o' clock in the morning, I woke up with a book. The book came out of me in my sleep. Some people might not believe me, but I have the proof because I woke up my husband. I said, wake up. I wrote a book.”
“Body Confidence and Inclusive Fashion: "But what I create, my creations are something special just to enhance the skin you're in. So if you don't really feel comfortable even in a swimsuit, because a lot of people do not.”
Timeline
How it unfolded
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Full transcript
Welcome to Inclusion Bites, your sanctuary for bold conversations that spark change. I'm Joanne Lockwood, your guide on this journey of exploration into the heart of inclusion, belonging and societal transformation. Ever wondered what it truly takes to create a world without? Remember, everyone not only belongs, but thrives. You're not alone. Join me as we uncover the unseen, challenge the status quo and share storeys that resonate deep within. Ready to dive in? Whether you're sipping your morning coffee or winding down after a long day, let's connect, reflect and inspire action together. Don't forget, you can be part of the conversation too. Reach out to jo.lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk to share your insights or to join me on the show.
So adjust your earbuds and settle in. It's time to ignite the spark of inclusion with Inclusion Bites.
And today is episode 194 with the title Love In Motion. And I have the absolute honour and privilege to welcome Denise Cesare. Denise is a published author, a keynote speaker and social emotional learning specialist who champions disability rights, mental health and body positivity. She brings her lived experience of spasmodic dysphonia and inclusive fashion to T suite. T suit. Actually, we got that wrong in the green room as well. T suit. There's no E on the end to inspire change.
And when I asked Denise to describe her superpower, she said it is turning compassion into practical, inclusive actions across classrooms, communities and fashion. Hello, Denise. Welcome to the show.
I am so happy to be here on Inclusion Bites and I am so happy to be in this moment with you today.
Isn't that funny how I. In the green room, I was reading through those show notes and I said, t sweet. He said, oh, well, the second person to say t sweet is actually T suit. And I did the same mistake when I was reading it out. It's something how my brain just couldn't process that, could it?
Because I'm so sweet.
So sweet. You are. Yes, you are. To a T. Sweet. To a T. And also your name, because it's Caesar, but you were saying in the green room that it's Italian root, so it was probably historically Cesare.
Exactly. Cesare. Is the pronunciation Italian?
Yeah. So I was musing whether it was actually Julius Caesar. It was actually Julius Cesare, and probably Julius isn't even pronounced correctly. So hail Caesare.
Right? Yes, Hail Caesare. Yeah, exactly. But Caesar, you know, even on a menu in a restaurant, if you say.
Or Caesare salad, it's a fire.
It is. But people say Caesar, right? Because that's what the brain knows in the American version of it. If it's a real Italian restaurant, they'll spell it the way my name is spelled. The way that it's named, yeah.
So your name is spelled C E S A R E. So that's the Italian spelling.
Exactly.
So how did you get the name?
So, you know, you get married, right? You take a name and my husband, his identity. Right. That's his name, his father. You know, I. I gather, you know, you come to America from Italy and then they Americanize it so it's Caesar. So when I met him, as being his speech pathologist, I'm like, oh, no, Cesare. But, you know, you have to keep. He grew up like that.
That's what people call him. And I have a son. I can't change the name. It's like a brand. You can't change it. You can't do that.
It's a very old Italian name, isn't it? So, yeah, be proud of it, I guess.
And Caesar. Hail Caesar. Maybe he. He changed it, right? He changed it. Maybe, maybe, maybe. We don't know. We don't know.
He may have gone to America for his holidays and while he was there, he changed his name and came back and planted Europe.
Exactly. We don't know. But maybe we should investigate that way. I don't know. We have something to search about.
Yeah. Thousand years before Columbus, we had Julius Caesar. Popped over, made a few pizzas, left some salad.
But now I'm getting hungry, like, oh, yeah, now we have to go. Now we go. Have to go meet for a meal. Excited.
So your accent sounds like New York, but you're not living in New York anymore.
That's true. I grew up in Brooklyn, New York. I moved to Staten Island, New York, after that when I got married and had my son. And now four months ago, I moved to Bluffton. Hilton Head, Staten Island. Oh, Staten Island. Oh, that was a. That was a blunder.
I moved to Bluffton Hilton Head, S.C. south Carolina.
I went to Staten island once. I was in New York with my. With my wife, and someone said to us, the Staten island ferry was free. So I thought, we've paid all that money to go to Statue of Liberty and other things. Let's go to Staten island and see what it's all about. So we got the Staten island ferry, got to the other end, got off, got back on it again, came home. But we had a bit of a free ride across the. Whatever that bit of water is at the time.
I had a really bad cough, and it was about the time of SARS. I think it was in the. Probably the late 90s, I think it was. And every time I coughed, everybody around me moved out. The way they're all paranoid. I mean, it's like.
Yeah. And you were outside on the ferry. Really? It was probably okay. You know, more of the air was. You weren't like, in. But it is tight. The ferry does get crowded. But we have a lot in common.
Right. Who knew you. Who knew you rode the ferry? Right. I didn't know it said Staten Island, New York. But now I live in Seattle. So four months ago, I moved to a place that's coastal. And even Staten island is an island. So obviously I do love water.
So that's. That's a segue that I love water. We'll get to that segue, right?
Yeah, let's do that. Yeah, let's not. Let's not hang on the preamble anymore. So you've had a. You've had a very busy life. You've written a book, Moments in Motion. Well, I think what it says here I've got in my notes. Journey spends losing and reclaiming your voice.
Is that metaphorically or actually?
That's. That's actually.
That's actually losing voice. Okay. You've launched an inclusive swimwear brand. So how did this all come about? What wove this together?
So it's interesting. Okay. I'm a speech language pathologist who lost her voice. So this is like a. This is a full circle moment. We will go, we will start to the losing of the voice. Being a speech pathologist, 2006, I was in a car accident and it triggered something for a condition called spasmodic dysphonia. I still don't have a voice.
I have to get injections to speak, and my voice needs to be heard. I make the choice to have the injections. I am fortunate and they do work. So that's how that. That journey of the losing of the voice. So for five years, I had no voice. I didn't do Botox right away, so I had no voice. And in that, I'm gonna say it was a dark timing because we have to talk about darkness.
Cause you can't see light without darkness. In that dark period, I created T shirt for everybody to a T because of being silent, you know, silent, not being able to really speak. I went into a different creative force in my brain. I didn't realise it at the time. You know, looking back, I know why. So I was. I love water. We just talked about bringing us Back to the water.
We used to go to a swim club. I took my son at that time. He was 6 years old. He's now 25. I would go to the swim club, but I was always hiding myself. You know, putting a T shirt on over this swimsuit, but then going into the water and getting all wet and looking, not feeling good. It's just this heavy T shirt hanging on your body. Hence not being able to speak.
But a lot of thoughts. I said, I have to do something. So then I used to wear something different and I created. I didn't realise at the time that was my prototype. I would put something on that would kind of make me look smoother and that puts something on top and people go, oh, where'd you get that? I'm like, oh, I don't know. I just put it together and then from there. I didn't create it first. I came up with the name first Fits everybody to a T.
T suit because you're not a size, you're a fit. We are not sizes, we are humans. It's not a size. So that was born in my brain, just came to me. But, you know, making this makeshift thing to make myself feel better, not covering up, but putting something on that made me look good and good inside. And then, okay, so, you know, you go through a journey of having. Okay, so now I have this idea. What do I do? You know, I have this idea running around in my brain.
But understand one part of me was going through a very heavy time at work in the world, trying to get along, recognising and coming to terms that I have a disability. All of these things. But then there's creative spin over here probably was lighting me up. So I kind of was balancing something. And then I came up with the name and I trademarked the name. Now this, you know, 2007, 8, 9. Those five years till 2011 without a voice. But T sued fits everybody to a T was not born.
It wasn't really born into 2017. So it doesn't mean that you, you know, I was going, I was thinking, I was planning, but I didn't. I listened to my intuition. That's another thing we'll talk about. I listened to my intuition that it was something. So 2017 born. Hello, tea soup. It's everybody to a T.
I create swimmable cover up. And it's not a cover up. I want to change that. I created a swimmable cover and a Pareto and different products to go with travel. So people, instead of putting on that wet T shirt they put on the T top. I call it the T top. And the tea dress is the little black dress up. Swim where you go into the water and you feel sexy.
You're allowed to feel good, and you could go in and not hide. So that was my first feeling good about something that I created. And then I did get my. Got my voice back, back to Botox injections in 2011. So then I started to become more empowered because then I was able to, you know, when you lose your voice, it's detrimental. You know, I'm a talker, and it really was something that was a loss. But then I'm gonna take you to the 360 moment of my book. And I have written multiple books, but this.
This book is a catalyst. Moments in Motion with Love was the tagline on T suit. I used to write that and put it on cards to customers. Moments in Motion with love, Denise, Because I felt like the motion and the water and your body and loving yourself. So that was my tagline for T2. Who would have thought that? And then, hence Covid 2020, being a speech language pathologist and having the disability, being with students and I having a disability. We were all put on lockdown and we had to work remotely with speech. Speech and language students.
I was with them like we are right now. I mean, Covid brought about a lot of great things. You know, was heavy. A lot of heaviness happened and sadness and sickness, but there were really great things that came out of it, and that's what I want to talk about. So I was online with my students, and they were getting so disconnected. So lockdown, March, April, May. By May, I saw the disconnect in their eyes, and I saw very. A lot of sadness.
So that night I went to sleep and I actually prayed, please help me help these students, because I really don't know what to do. I feel so disconnected from them myself, and they're getting lost, and we need to help them. At five o' clock in the morning, I woke up with a book. The book came out of me in my sleep. Some people might not believe me, but I have the proof because I woke up my husband. I said, wake up. I wrote a book. He goes, what are you doing now? You know, because I have him on this spiral of all these creative things.
If you're not creative and someone's waking you up, nothing's that creative. You know what I'm saying? Creative brain just keeps going and going. I said, you have to listen. So I read it to him and, you know, I wasn't able to write it. I kind of spoke it. Luckily, we have these phones now. I spoke it into my phone and I read it to him and he goes, wait, read that again. And I read it again, and he goes, that's something.
He just kept listening to me. I said, well, I have to do something. I was in the process of creating a prescriptive narrative for more what I thought in my mind, this is what I thought for adults, that I was gonna do that because of all the trauma and sadness and mental health issues that I went through. And I said, no, this. This is what has to happen right now. So the publisher, I called her, I said, you have to listen to this. This was like 7 o' clock in the morning. I'm bothering her.
I said, we can't do the other book. This has to happen right now. And sure enough, she called me, the both of us. She's like, yes. Wasn't that. I don't even have to blink. Yes. But the real capture that captured me and the essence of why the book was so prevalent.
My son was in college and they were all locked down too. And when I FaceTimed him, I said, oh, can you listen to this? You know, this just came through me. And I really. I read it. And he cried. Not from sadness. It released something. And it was like, yes, I only have this moment with love, and I have to hold onto it.
And it was something. And I'm gonna cry now talking about it. Cause it always brings me back there because it was this full, unbelievable moment. So, yeah, so that's how I. Yeah, yeah.
I've got so many questions to ask out of that. I mean, the. I suppose the thing is this spasmodic dysphonia, I mean, that. I've never heard of that before. But is it. Is it a physical or is it a psychological? Or is it a bit of both?
So that's funny, but you know that there's so many people that have it. Some people don't know it. It's a neurological condition. My journey, I really had diagnosed myself because I went to doctors. They're going, like you just said, is it psychological? Is it. No. I knew I wasn't phonating. It was physiological because your vocal folds spasm.
And that's why getting the injections of Botox paralyses them so that we speak on respiration. So when I would speak, when I didn't have it, they would. I would get choked and the voice could not come out. So, you know, I went through. I went Through a lot of trauma, trying to actually be diagnosed because. Oh, asthma. Yes, I have asthma. That.
This is not asthma. Oh, as a reflux. Okay, you want to tell me. Oh, no, it's not that. And this whole journey trying to figure it out. But I'm going to tell you something else now that I did go to a doctor and that's why I didn't do Botox for five years, because you have to trust your instincts. And he was such a downer. He wasn't uplifting, saying, you know, you gotta keep moving, you gotta keep.
Keep yourself motivated and you gotta keep working. No, he told me, oh, it's Omar gone disability. And I looked at him, I'm like, wow. He goes, yeah, you have a disability. I'm like, but I have. I went to no, no. Said no. But imagine doing that injection with someone who's so not proactive for me to be in the world.
I shouldn't have to give up because I had a disability. So that's tip number one to the audience. Your gut, your instincts tell you something. Listen to them. So I didn't do the Botox and it was hard to not talk for five years.
I can guess that of you. Yes, I can guess that you are a talker.
Yes.
So this is completely different to selective mutism, where.
Yeah.
People through anxiety or.
Exactly, exactly. Yes, it's a totally. So, yes, I work with children who had selective mutism. It's a totally different. It's more of a behavioural, psychological thing. This is an actual physiological, neurological condition. And even, you know, the. I don't know if, you know, RFK Jr.
Has this, the senator, he has it. And if you listen to him, that's what he has. He does not do.
That's why his voice is.
Yes, that's the condition.
Sounds a bit strange.
Yes, that is the condition he has. And he does not do the Botox. It doesn't work for anyone. Everyone either. So that's another side of it that, you know, I had the right doctor, I had the right knowledge, because being a speech pathologist, I was a patient and the professional. So I kind of had. I had more of an advantage for myself than others do because this happens to people all the time and they don't even know what's wrong with them. So I feel blessed by that, that I did.
Was able to understand more.
So when RFK speaks and you say he's not on the Botox, you can just about understand him. So were you able to speak in some way? It was just almost like Shouting through a straw sort of thing.
So if you listen to his voice. My voice was worse than that, right? Yeah, my voice was more choked. He. He can kind of. He works on the phonation, I believe, because he can get the words out of his labour. That's laborious, but it's also. He has to take his time. Oh, yeah.
So. But for me now, right now I'm in the middle of my Botox injection. As I laugh. You want to laugh. I say the many voices of Denise because when I start at the beginning of the Botox, I have this high pitched voice. Then I go. Then I go in the middle, like now and then it starts to get a little raspy and then it kind of slowly goes away. And then I'm.
But it never goes away where you can hear me anymore. When this happened to me, it was devastating. You really. I was. You couldn't understand because I had to really. I was choking to talk almost. You could think about that. So, yeah, so if you think I had a terrible, unintelligible at times voice.
So I had to fight to keep my job too, during that time. Because, you know, people don't. People don't advocate when you have a disability. They want to get rid. They want to hide you, they want to put you somewhere else. Well, they pick the wrong person to try to put somewhere else.
So I guess now when the Botox is wearing off or in a better place mentally, to cope with it, you've probably adapted yourself so that you know what it is, you're no longer kind of held back by it.
Right? Exactly. Exactly. Yeah. Because, yeah, my void comes and goes and you take me as I am. Like I do podcasts all the time. There's the beginning of my bozak. The end. I'm in the middle for you.
Yeah.
So sometimes it sounds like you've been smoking stogies for the whole last night. Does it?
I never did, but I guess if that's true, maybe that's how you sound. But what I'm trying to say is I come as I am because that's how you empower people. I'm not shying away from when it changes because it is what it is.
Yeah, I'm with you on that. I mean, my voice is relatively deep. People, it confuses people. But I am what I am and yes, why should I worry about my voice for you? And it is what it is.
That's right. You are who you are and we.
Should not change for anyone and be proud of that. Yeah, I think that's Good.
Yeah. Because no one's. No one's you, no one's me. We are unique.
Glad of that. You're glad of that.
Yeah.
So I looked at your T suit website, and yeah. So the three products, the top, the dress, and the parade. Pareto.
Is it Pareo? Yeah.
Why did we as a society invent bikinis and skimpy. And skimpy things? You know, Australians, they wear shirts to cover up because of the, um. What's it called it? The light.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
The UV light and stuff. Yeah, yeah.
Or protecting yourself from the UV rays. Right, yeah.
But also to protect yourself from the gaze of people who.
Yeah, but what I want to say about that. Okay. If I want to wear a bikini, great. But they create. Okay. So they. The fashion industry created these things for models, beautiful models. And there's nothing wrong with models, but the average human person is not a model.
But we are looking at the model, right? And the model.
We've got our little belly aprons going on and a little tummy. Tummy poking out and the flabby bits under our. Under our boobs is there.
So my suggestion to the fashion industry and what I created way back when. Cause, you know, I wasn't. I wasn't. Not that I'm downing it. I was an educator. I wasn't in the fashion world. I was. I wasn't part of that world, but I became part of that world and got very educated even faster than I thought.
And I'm proud of myself for creating things that no one else really thinks about. And what I did in the beginning, because, you don't know, I did put swimwear on there, but I carefully selected swimwear. I took it off now because I'm revamping everything, but I carefully selected certain swimwear companies that cater to how it fits a woman. Because I could fit anybody. Everybody. I could fit anybody, and I could fit everybody. But what I create, my creations are something special just to enhance the skin you're in. So if you don't really feel comfortable even in a swimsuit, because a lot of people do not.
If you put on the T top or the tea dress, you could go in the water. Like I said, it's. The little black dress of swim. Is an enhancement for you to walk around and be in the water and walk out of the water. The pareo is a little bit different. You can wear that in the water, but it's more of like a. You could go from pool to restaurant and make it, like all different stylings.
Wraparound skirt, Effectively, isn't it?
Yeah, yeah, yeah. The wraparound skirt. But of course I have one colour and the other two are black. Because you know, as a small business, when you're starting out, you just have so much fun, right. How much if it doesn't. Not taking off. If people don't know about you, how are you doing? So you start small and you have to build from that. You have to build your audience and your customers.
I like the idea that it's both wet and dry. So you can go from the pool to the bar to wandering around.
Exactly.
It dries pretty quick.
I'm guessing after I'm going to tell you.
Yeah. You're not dripping water everywhere.
It's kind of like white teachers that never dries. Hey girl. It doesn't dry. But if you think about this is also. I was also with. I have a product on there to clean, which is about a delicate, organic, eco friendly wash to clean the products. I'm all about sustainability. Sometimes we buy things, people are very.
They buy something for $5 and there's nothing against that, but then they're throwing it away. Where's it going? Where is all this garbage going if you're not giving it away? If you're throwing it away. So sustainability. My products are made with exclusive and very good quality fabric for the sustainability of it. And that's why it does dry quick too. It dries so quick. Super quick. Super quick.
Yeah. I just read the website. It's a fascinating product. For me. I, I've never been comfortable in two piece. I'm always a one piece person.
I understand and I think you would love it because it is, it is. Like I said, it fits everybody. It's not just. It's not a body type product or it's not a body type design. It's an inclusive fashion sense that everybody looks perfect in it for who they are. That was my goal, being able to. So having this son at the swim club, when I thought about it, remember back then, before it even became something, I wanted to be able to jump up and walk around. Not just, okay, oh my God, wait, I got to get the towel.
I got to roll. No, I wanted people to walk out of the water and just walk around. And now I can with whatever swim you have underneath. Even if you wore a tank top and boys, whatever you want to wear underneath that, it just kind of gives it a step up.
Well, you can actually, you could probably turn a shorts and a tank top in something a bit more sexy as well if you wanted to.
Exactly. Exactly.
Dress.
Can I tell you a funny storey? I don't know. So someone actually took it. Not that I would do this, and I'm not advocating, but feel free. Anybody that feels free, because it is so forgiving. She went, like nude underneath it and you couldn't see anything because that's how the design kind of. It's not camouflage, but it's just magical.
Yes. It's kind of a. Yeah, it's a black.
Yeah, I'm not gonna.
Tight mesh. It's a relaxed mesh and it says.
Exactly.
So you can't probably get your pinky through the hole, can you? Is that. Is that about.
You can't even.
No. So it's smaller than the pinky.
Yeah. I wish I had. I don't have it here, but. What is that saying? It's not camouflage. It's magical because you can't see through. Camouflage means you're hiding. This is not hiding. It's just magical.
So you could be ending up with people wearing it out in the evening, you know, going out in town. You could, as you say.
Exactly.
A bra and pair of knickers underneath and just go out clubbing.
That's it. Exactly. See, you. You get it.
You just get it doesn't have to just be for swimming. It could be the one outfit for your whole holiday because you can.
And you know what, if you interchange it to put different colours because of that mesh, you could change the. Like the colour. You could see red through it. Or you.
I was gonna say. I'm just thinking it's really powerful, bright scarlet red undies and bra underneath and amazing.
And then it's a different. And then having the top and the dress, like the T top could be with jeans or whatever, but then the dress could become a dress. Put a shawl, you just go wild.
Got your reds, got your turquoise, you got your top and all these. Yeah, all these different colours.
Exactly 1000%.
That sounds brilliant. I mean, I'm back on the website as soon as we hang up. It's got to give it a go.
It is. And it's amazing because my. Like I said, the. The fashion industry doesn't cater to sizing. So that's how people get suppressed, too, with their body image, because their sizing is skewed. If I. Let's say I'm, as. I'm going to say I'm size 12, right.
So I go in the shop and I say, this is my size. And I go in. Now, that is size 8. It's two sizes down from what we Are. So now I go in there. Now I'm crying. I gained it. I gain weight.
Why doesn't this fit me? I don't understand. Because you're not a size, you're a fit. So if you go back, this is what I wanted to help people too. Go take. Even though they label it a 16, two sizes up and put it on. And if you look awesome in it, you buy, don't care because they're not a size. You're a fit. It's the fit.
You're not that size. That's very.
I'm like that. I go into the retail outlet and I'm. I'm. I. I look on the rack and I see my size. I put it on. I think, it doesn't fit, it's too tight. And then you have to go size up.
And you feel like you're cheating going up a size or two. And it's like.
But I want you to get the number out of your head. Everybody get the number out. Just when you put it on. If you. So some things aren't fit for somebody's body, right? Certain. We all gravitate to something that looks better on us because it's the fit that makes you feel good about it. So just look for the fit. That's why I'm fits.
Everybody fits everybody. And love yourself, love your body. I mean, we go through all stages. We gain weight, we lose weight, or we think we're too skinny. We think, enough, you're alive.
So you wrote this book Moments of Motion with Love. And that was all around the mental health challenges that young people were having during COVID and at that time there, because it's hard to think Covid was five years ago. Five years ago seems like yesterday. I don't know what happened.
It's like mind blowing. It's always present, but it's so long ago because people are still getting it. It's still present. You know, a lot of people are having. And I'm not dealing this but like stress syndrome, post traumatic stress syndrome. Because we didn't really get the mental health that we needed for that phase of our life. It didn't mean there's not enough being done about that. People don't.
And you know, I talk about the children that were in kindergarten then. They didn't give them enough. They're there falling through cracks of education because they just missed it all. So I could. Well, I could go on a whole topic about that. You know, we will be here forever. There's so many things I tell you about that.
But even as an adult, it was. For me, it was a tough time. I mean, luckily we didn't have children living with us. Our children were older than that and they were kind of dealing themselves. But I imagine when you're cooped up, locked down, not able to go shopping, not able to go out and do stuff and play outside, it's almost like a one of those disaster movies, isn't it?
It was like. Like I said, they didn't have real interaction and they didn't have social pragmatic like being able to deal with things. They can deal now. They're not. They don't have coping mechanisms. And that's where the mindfulness comes in with the book. And there's a sort of emotional component.
So what was the key learning for you that came out of that time then?
It's the key learning of COVID Well, you know, I wrote the book about mindfulness and moments in motion with love. But being mindful is not something easy that we do. It's something you have to practise. Mindfulness, it's not just. It's not just, oh, I'm mindful today. Oh, you have to. Because our brains are always rolling and thinking, what's next? You have to really breathe. Say, I am taking a mindful moment and really know what presence is grounding on your feet, on the ground.
I. Even so, I don't know. I have so many things going on that you probably don't even know about. My book became a yoga. Emotions with love. Because every page of the book has emotion and I have a video that is post production with movement to physically put you in the moment.
Yeah. I mean, I'm looking back at what was going on in my head at the time.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Did I. Did I answer your question? I'm wondering. Did I really answer it or I'm just wondering historical back.
I don't know. Let me. Let me ask you some more questions and see if we can.
Yeah.
Zero back to it. But I mean the thing we all have this went through similar phases, denial, all the sort of seven stages of grief. Maybe because I lost effectively my business, I mean, and many others did. We had customers one day and then next day we didn't. I remember it all started as far as I was concerned, where there was that ship. Was it moored off of Los Angeles or something? Was it. There was a big ocean liner and there was 15 people on it or something that had Covid and people were complaining about being locked in their cabin and they were Being passed their meals under the doors. It was like, well, this is really ridiculous.
And suddenly Italy, if you go back to Italy, in Europe they had people in intensive care and they were dying and we're thinking Italians, they're both in America, whatever. Then suddenly it's all locked down. All locked down. It's like, yeah. And then people were dying from it.
Well, I'm thinking about something that you just said because the college community, my son was in college. Right. I talked about that. They have so much stuff that's still in them from that we being locked down. My husband lost his business. You just jarred that to me. Not that we're forgetting. Sometimes it's very heavy what went on during that time.
It's heavy that we kind of push it away, but it will come back. You can push, can't push things away. So that's what I want to say about it. So much went on. Pushing it down is not going to heal you.
But it's almost like the business community and the politicians and people around the world have forgotten. It's like we just got to move on. It didn't happen. Get back to the office. No. Working from home, all those well being and all those great things we were doing for our staff, our employees, our customers to make them feel wanted. We kind of just thrown all that in the bin. I thought it would be a generational shift change and it's just reset.
Just reset. I was like, yeah, we didn't learn anything.
No. Because we didn't do the work.
No, no. We would. Maybe it didn't last long enough. Maybe we needed another year of it. Oh God, I don't know.
But it still is present. People are still dying from it.
Right? Yeah.
People lose sight of that too. Maybe not in the amount the massive amounts of deaths, but people still get it. People still dying from it. It's still here, it's morphed, it's changing. But there's more. It's like you said, there's more to it. We did not do the work. Not on purpose.
There was nothing. No one's offering anything. No one's actually like we're right now stating it. There's so much work that needs to be done.
Well, it gave birth of more strength to the anti vax movement. So we've seen more people weaponizing the anti vax. We mentioned RFK earlier.
I mean, well, I mentioned him, but he does not do the Botox because he's anti vax. Right. Okay. One side or the other, I have to do it. You have to pick and choose what's right for you. But vaccines saved the world, right? What people didn't die because of vaccines is a whole. Yeah, exactly. It became a dividing line, not a politic.
Politicised, weaponized.
Exactly.
It's. Yeah. If you vote blue, you believe this, if you vote red, you believe that. And it's kind of becoming that, that battle cry, isn't it?
It's funny that we're talking about this because just last night my friend came over for her birthday, we had a whole weekend together and we had this red and blue. I said, why is it that? Why are we not just coming together for the greater good? It's not about division. How about doing what you're supposed to do? We the people, we're not in charge. We the people should have the say. We should have more say in their realm of what they're presenting to us. We the people don't have a voice, really. I mean, I have a voice, but not in government. Just don't.
Just don't. Because we're not in charge of that. So it's red, blue, green, it doesn't matter. They will still be divisive because they're not doing their part together, they're dividing it. So we can't go there. I'm too much about love when I go there. I get, oh, shoo. Because they don't need a little bit of love.
Their little situations that they're dealing with.
Yeah, I struggle as well because it's a lot so clear and obvious that compassion, love, empathy, communication, listening.
It's so clear. But this was the. I can't even believe this. This was our exact conversation last night. It's so clear to us. But why are we so divided?
Why? Why? Why is our perspective not the only perspective? Is it power money? It can't be just be power money, can it?
I think it's just I don't have that. If I had that million dollar answer. If I had that.
Split it, split it 50. 50.
Right, right, exactly. We have that million dollar answer because it is something, you know, something so simple, but it's so complicated because we're not part of it.
So we're living in a world now, as you said, it's polarised. There's these debates, the political climate seems to be out of touch sometimes with that compassionate rhetoric. We've got our young people, young adults, even older adults. We spend a lot of time flicking through our screens, being judged by likes and Instagram and Snapchat filters. It's really Tough being a kid now, isn't it?
It sure is. They believe what they see. They have to dig deeper. You can't just believe all these. Because people could change things on Instagram. You could have filters, you. You could just change any. You could post different things.
You want to say, not everything is true. Not everything is, you know, not false, but not everything's true. And it's too much of this instant world that people don't even take the moment or mindfulness to actually. They're just flipping and scripting. Like you're saying the brain is just next, next, next. Well, what is that? You know, I am happy, though. I have. Yes, I am on Instagram, but I do not put things on there.
I put knowledge. Knowledge is power. I put things that you could learn. I put things to empower you, you know, because I. I give you information, but you really, in the end of it, have to empower yourself.
Yeah. I mean, the way I look at things like Instagram or Facebook or other platforms, LinkedIn, is that if you meet me in real person, you recognise me. It's not like I'm. Is that you? Is that really you? Different.
Right.
I very rarely wear makeup when I'm. When I'm doing podcasts, maybe if I'm doing some keynotes online, maybe very rarely. And if I go out, I think, am I just going to the shops? We're just doing a bit of this, bit of that. I think I'm not going to bother. So I'm quite happy to be raw and ready, you know, kind of thing.
Well, I like that. Raw and ready. That's a good one. I like that. But it's true. You just. You have to. We just went back to this.
Be you. We were talking about this right before the park. We have. You just have to be you. And I did write, I am a co author in another book with 33 powerful women called Magnificently Made.
Well, I love that as well.
Yeah, the title is beautiful, but within it, my chapter is called Let It Be and it's all about how music healed me. Because music was, yes, the Beatles and other songs and listening to. But also there's science to the music. It's not just art form, there's science, the vibrations, the brain and the vagus nerve. All these things that music does that people don't know or that they should investigate. Because it's amazing.
I love it when we name drop the vagus nerve into these conversations.
Guess what? I studied the vagus nerve because I'm a speech language pathologist. So I, I could talk about the vagus nerves because I studied it.
Wow. It's, it's such a, an underrated part of our neurobiological system, isn't it? I mean it, it's.
Those are the cranial nerves. They're in your brain. Your brain is the, the centre. Right. Your heart is a sensor, your brain is a sensor. These things have to, that's the difference. This is the political difference. The brain and the heart and are coming together.
That's the problem. That's the problem. They're not. The brain and the heart are not meeting.
Yeah, but the vagus nerve is the, the control highway, isn't it?
It's the epicentre. It goes from your, your brain to your gut. Yeah, it's the epicentre.
Yeah, yeah. That's your, your adrenaline or your pituitary. All these, all these glands. Vagus nerve kicks in, says you're going to feel anxious, you're going to feel queasy. Yeah.
People don't like I, of course, like I just said to you, I studied it, so I know I put myself back to college. That was some bad semester where you had to study all those cranial nerves. Oops. It was a lot. It was a lot.
Yeah. No, I, I've, when I started, I've not studied it in any academic way, but I've certainly read up on it since I first came across the. Came across it about 10 years ago. And it's like it is, it's. You start to understand why you feel something, how your biases tripping, your fight, fight, freeze mechanism and all these kind of things and how that takes over your body and it's all coming straight through that.
Yeah, it's a pathway use. Like you just said, it's a pathway from your mind to your. So when people say butterflies in your stomach, then you make us know you're.
Going to feel anxious, you're going to.
Feel, oh, I took in my Las Vegas. That's a different type of old Las Vegas, right?
Huh? That's a bit Elvis. Yeah, yeah, that is. It's. I think when you study what goes on with your body, you are more in touch with it. I think, I think maybe that was what was in my life for most of it. I was always blissfully ignorant or unaware or out of touch with my own biology, my own physiology, my own, my own brain understanding why things are happening. I was into computing, so I was more worried about why my computer crashed and didn't reboot than I was about why I was Crashing and not rebooting.
Right.
I think maybe that's where we go wrong. We're not teaching enough people around their physiological responses and how the biases are all again, triggered.
Exactly. I agree with that. Oh, I'm going to tell you something else that I talk about that's very important. If people would only know that from birth to seven, your brain is mapping things that you learn. There's mapping going on in the brain after seven, that stops. So someone's like, you had seven and 77 is the same. The only difference is you can. You can map these things.
Like, I made my son play the guitar so he could learn at 5, so he could learn how to read music. Those things are mapped in your brain. If you do violent video games at 5, they're mapped in your brain. So what? Fast forward to that. You have to infuse arts and music and all of these awesome things in the brain from birth to seven, that's putting love in your brain. And then from there after that, the world will be a better place for sure. But for us, our iq, because you could learn, but you can't map your brain. You can change the brain.
You can learn things. We're always learners. Right. We could always learn, but it's a totally different thing.
So that core foundation is laid down early. So you are kind of become a product of that time in your life.
And that's why this book came out too, because it's about loving yourself, loving each other and loving the planet. It's also a book that is healing your inner child.
We all sounds like RuPaul. Is that RuPaul if you can't love yourself or something.
Yeah, I don't even know. But for what my ideas are is that if you can't heal your inner child, you're never going to heal because you have to tap into those wounds. There's wounds that stay or stay dormant, like you just said, and then they show up.
So, yeah, I've got lots of strong memories about my childhood. The. The love I was shown by my mum and being part of a. Yeah, a very nice family. It was very.
Yeah.
Very white, very middle class, very ordinary.
Yeah.
But I had a lot of stability as a child and I've never been in those situations where I had huge amounts of trauma. So I guess I can play on that now that I've got that really strong foundation.
Exactly. But when you have that foundation, then you could tap into it. If you don't have it, where are you going? Where you're going with It. If you don't have a foundation, those are the people that are lost. Those are the people that. When people say, oh, mental health. Well, you're not doing. You present.
But are we following through on mental health in America? Don't. Don't give me a drug. It's not about, yes, medicine's important, but what are the side effects to medicine or what? There has to be more monitoring, right? You're gonna give someone a drug and then you go, good, bye, bye. Take that prescription drug and come see me in six months. In those six months, your brain chemistry changes.
Do we spend enough time with young parents or even before they have children, educating them in developing those formative years, or are we just expecting people to figure it out?
You just said it. They're just expecting people to figure it out. What I'm presenting to you, I know, because of my studies, but no one's talking about who's talking. I mean, I don't know who's talking about this because I don't hear it. I hear myself. I'm talking to my own choir. That's why I hear podcasts are good, because now maybe some of them will say, oh, Denise, that's something I never knew about. Well, thank you, Joanne, for bringing Denise here with your knowledge and power and helping us.
Because the children, they're not. I don't like generalising. Many children aren't developing resilience and they're suffering from anxiety. Seeing a rise in asd, autism, adhd. People are trying to link that to drugs and vaccines. Maybe the link should be back to the environment and how they're being reinforced in that early formative years.
Exactly. They are not being, like you said, it is a parent thing because you're not born a parent. We don't get born and we're like, oh, I know how to be a parent. No one knows what you know, but you have to be, you know, and if you were in a bad situation, what a bad. A life of having a bad family life, then I made perseverance. So it's. It's very. It's a very heavy topic, but we need to.
We need to do something because it's a mental health crisis and that's why the. And the children.
Excuse me, I'm gonna go have a drink. Have a guzzle. Don't worry. I press pause on the tape. Don't worry. Carry on. So I'm joking. We're just.
We're gonna let it roll. We'll let it roll. We'll let it roll. No, Pressure, it's okay.
Well you know I have to protect my voice.
Of course, yeah.
Not even just children. I'm gonna say the youth or the young adults of today have no coping mechanisms.
I think we're now, we're now coming into second generation. So we have parents who have. Haven't had the coping mechanisms or the resilience built into their lives at their early age are now becoming parents. So we're expecting them to now of course the Chinese whispers it's getting worse and worse and worse, more self fulfilling. So we'll end up in maybe another couple of generations time where we've lost that, that resilience that we've always had and we want instant gratification. We want it now. We want to, we, we don't like not winning. We want.
Yeah, we're going to live in debt and all these sort of things and.
You know, I mean sometimes I think to myself how did I have the resilience? Because yes, I had a relatively intact childhood then there were some things, episodes of things that did occur that were heavy and then how did I. How? I think so because you have to look within to know how to help others. How was I resilient? And I always just come back to. I learned that because at the time when you know, we talked about the voice, we'll dial back to that. During that time it was very dark. It was a dark time in my life. It was so dark and people go through this. That's of the mental illness.
What is darkness? How do you find? I always say you have to look for. I don't know even if it's like a seed, you have to look for light. And what would happen to me. I had a six year old, remember And I always thought it was the six year old that kept me alive. That's why I was still there. And as doing all this work that I've been doing for the past five years I realised that as much as I loved him, it wasn't about my love for him that kept me here. It was my love for myself and the resilience and not wanting to give up and seeking things to get me to the next step. I would go to work every day.
I'd have to smile at myself in the mirror because of the heaviness that they would present on me because they really didn't want me there. They didn't want to help someone with a disability. They didn't want to. But yet you're teaching people with disabilities but you want to get rid of the Educator with a disability, go figure that out. But they didn't. You see, I'm here. They didn't get rid of me. I stayed, I persevered.
I even was better than ever because my students. So me having a disability created me as the educator, but then me as the human with the disability that connected with them on a deeper, more loving level. Not that everybody has to get something to have that, but it was a better self love purpose for me. So the bottom line with why I'm still here and sitting is I learned that love myself. Because if you don't have self love, you don't want to be here straight, straight out. That's. That was my formula. I could have said everything else like I did.
I said, my son saved me. No, I saved myself.
I think that's, that's the important thing though, isn't it? It's. Use the phrase bootstrap. It's being a. Pull yourself up yourself and learn how to, how to spot when you're starting to tumble a bit and how to put those cheques in and then making sure you've got a supportive network around you that can also pick up on those triggers as well.
Yes, I think that was an awakening for me because I used to say, oh, my son was sick, I had to keep going. It was a little. I guess that was the motivation, but that's not what saved me. There's two different things, right? Because there's people who have everything. I think of people when they commit suicide. There's so many people that have everything. They have a child and the people go, why did they do that? And I say to them, because sometimes I think I get very emotional about this and I say, don't blame them. They didn't want.
They were in so much pain, they couldn't stay here anymore. They weren't looking like me to find a crumb of light, you know, they just couldn't find it because they weren't doing things to serve their soul and they weren't doing things to love themselves or healing. And that's why. But I always, I do get very intense about them when people go, oh, why'd they do that? Why they. So people do say people are selfish when they do that. I'm like, just go read up. Because it's not about that. Because if they have everything, why would they do that? And then taking these and like, you know, I'm not against medicine, but cheques and balances, if you're going to prescribe something even to a younger adult.
No, some Things create suicidal tendencies. Right. That then you better be monitoring them. Don't just leave them on their own to just be taking this drug and not know. So that, that this, these are very important things that we're talking about that is not even addressed.
I use ChatGPT a lot these days because it's quite amazing. And it's diagnosis capability.
Well, it is a helpful tool. Right. But it's amazing. I don't use it that much, but I should try. Right.
I use it to analyse my blood test results, other things that are going on.
That's interesting.
I cut and paste it off my healthcare app, all my blood results, paste it and say, what do you reckon? And it goes, oh, wait, yeah, that's okay, that's okay. Oh, be a bit careful. Your white blood count cells are a bit high and Should I be worried? No, no, because that's okay. So sometimes you have to go to gp.
Wow. I'm gonna, I'm gonna try that. Thank you. I like that idea.
Now, I've got a couple of conditions that I'm, I'm sort of trying to sort out with a bit of medication stuff and I, I, I give it my symptoms and then help it get to draught. A letter to my GP that makes it sound like I'm curious but knowledgeable without being. You don't sound like you're smart. Smart ass. Do you want to sort of say.
Exactly.
I was wondering if it's something like this because I've read something, you know, in this.
Right, exactly. Just curious. Curious, not criticising, just curious.
Yeah. And would a course of antibiotics help with that? And they go, you're right. Thank you. That's good.
Yeah.
Or phrasing the condition in a way that is understandable. So you thought it's a bit of this and a bit of that asks you a few more questions. It says, okay, now construct a letter to my gp. And then I cheque, I scan the leaflets you get in your medicine boxes and I scan it in and say, look, I've been prescribed this, these are my other ones, you know, already take what indicators are there. Is it like to cause that?
No, this is a knowledge. Thank you. Because you know what it can, you know, we need to be able, we have to be our advocate so we acknowledge them. Interesting.
It's harder and harder to get access to your gp. They're busier, they're more restrained, funding's less certainly in the uk.
Yeah, it's true.
I've suffered from puffy ankles at times. I've suffered from other conditions. And I've just got sort of. Is this causing that? You know, my blood pressure going up and down.
Right. Because I have the blood pressure thing too. And like I just said to you, you want to take as little as possible because they have side effects. But some things you have to take. There's no way around it. If you have high blood pressure, would you want to be vital and alive? You can't not take the blood pressure meds, especially if there's a family history of heart conditions. Right. Medicine's important, but knowledge is power and you have to be an advocate because they are human too.
And they, they, they, you know, we have to work together. There's another thing, working together again, working together. People don't get that.
Yeah. And if anyone listening to this, this right now, I'm not advocating that chat. GPT can replace a doctor. The medical advice it gives you is, is at best a storey, you know, and you, you have to interpret it yourself. So, you know, don't go off and.
No, don't be running and going, no, no, don't go doing that. But it doesn't hurt to investigate. This is investigating. This is not, this is not taking it for, for gospel or whatever word I want to use. It's not taking it for the. But just give you information, that's all. It's like listening to a podcast too. We're saying things, we have great information.
But it's not for everybody too. Right, everybody. It's not for everybody. But I'm about. Fits everybody and being all in the moment.
Yeah, no, I'm with you on that. I think we do need to stop counting all the little micro steps and planning away the rest of your life. I know that my personality type is kind of now and next. What am I doing now and what am I doing next? Next week? I don't care. I'm just worried about this evening, this afternoon, tomorrow morning. And I'm quite happy to wake up in the morning, cheque my diary and go, oh, that's interesting. That's what I'm doing today. As long as I shouldn't be somewhere else and I've got a train ticket and I know what time I supposed to leave.
So that's kind of what I do, you know, before I go to bed, I'd say, what am I doing tomorrow? And I go, oh, that sounds like a good day. I'm enjoying that.
Yeah.
Because I know some people who are, who will plan out the rest of their life and it's like, I can't live with that. I can't be that planned. I just want to have the freedom to figure it out, wing it.
When you plan, something else happens anyway. There's so many things that could change, you know, being in the moment, like you said, like right now or the next. The people use that word, mindfulness. They throw it around. Right. Everybody's, oh, mindfulness, you know, but it's not about. It's a practise. I think people really need to know you're not just mindful.
You have to practise mindfulness. You are not just, you know, you may be thoughtful, you may be thinking, but mindfulness is a practise.
Yeah. About yourself, about the impact on others and others impact on you. And then contextualising and not sweating the small stuff, as they say.
Or if you're gonna sweat it, take a moment and just breathe. Because don't sweat. Try not to sweat it out. Yeah, that's right.
At that point there, you put your t suit on and you go for a dip in the pool.
Don't you put your t suit on and go have fun. Exactly.
Have a splash.
Yeah.
And then you can wear it to the bar afterwards with a skimpy.
I love that. I love that. Thank you. Yeah, it's true.
Denise, it's been absolutely fantastic having a chat with you. I mean, we've been rapiding on now for well over an hour here and 20 minutes in the green room. No, people get a hold of you.
That's true. Oh, my. Wow.
I know. We can talk.
Well, yeah, I can.
Well, now you got rid of your dysphonia. Yeah, yeah.
And then I'll go back for the injection again. It is a cycle and I'm blessed, though, because it works. So, you know.
Yeah. So how can people get hold of you? What's. What's the. The best way to track you down?
So the. I think the easiest way to get a hold of me is go to my website, denise caesar.com. spell it with the Chesire. Denise C E S A R E dot com. There you can purchase my book and you will get it autographed if you choose to go through Amazon, which is fine because it comes in two seconds. You won't get it autographed and you won't get the updated version. I made a new updated version because in my book I have a glossary, because when you hear words and sometimes you don't really understand what they're meaning in the context of what the author has presented to you. So it has a glossary of the.
Especially for children too. So they could hold on to the meaning of this book. Then there's a poem in there. So, yeah, deniseiser.com, amazon, all social handles, fits everybody on Instagram and Facebook. Of course, you could Google my name and you'll see everything I'm doing. You know, it's funny. Google could show you everything about yourself and. Yeah, just reach out.
I have. So in my book, I empower the reader. I tell you how wonderful you are, but if you don't believe. That's my belief poem. If you don't believe it, it's not within you. So I'm going to say the poem before we leave. Are you okay with that?
Yeah, go for it. So you've got. Your book is Moments in Motion, Moments in Motion book is your Facebook page and tsuit is t-suit.com. if you want to find out more about the.
I'm sorry, I didn't talk about that yet. If you go on Instagram, though, you know, there's the link tree. It could get you to the. People want quick, right? They don't want to go type into my T shirt dot com, go to Instagram, go on my link tree. You'll see the website right there because they're. They're quick. They want to be quick, right? So my believe poem. And I want you to say it with me to believe.
Believe, girl. Ted Lasso. Believe.
I am loved.
I am loved.
I am light.
I am liked.
I am courage.
I am courage.
I am bright.
I am bright.
I am brave.
I am brave.
I am so important in this moment.
I am so important in this moment.
And you are.
And you are. I have a mantra which I developed again about 10, 15 years ago, where I realised that in order to be loved, you have to be lovable. In order to be liked, you have to be likeable. In order to be worthy of respect, you have to show that you are worthy of respect. And all of those things are within you to control. You cannot demand of somebody else if you're not prepared to give it. So 99% of what we have to do to be loved is within us. Thank you, Denise.
It's been amazing. I've really loved our conversation and. Yeah, please get in touch.
Thank you so much. Yes, please be in touch. And if you want. You want to know anything, just contact me and we will be in touch. And thank you for having me on your podcast. It was a pleasure.
Absolutely, absolutely. Take care. Bye.
As we bring this conversation to a close, I want to explain express my deepest gratitude to you, our listener, for lending your ear and heart to the cause of inclusion. Today's discussion struck a chord. Consider subscribing to Inclusion Bites and become part of our ever growing community driving real change. Share this journey with friends, family and colleagues. Let's amplify the voices that matter.
Got thoughts, storeys or a vision to share?
I'm all ears. Reach out to jo.lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk and let's make your voice heard. Until next time, this is Joanne Lockwood signing off with a promise to return with more enriching narratives that challenge, inspire and unite us all. Here's to fostering a more inclusive world one episode at a time. Catch you on the next bite.
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More from this recording
Episode Category
Primary Category: Overcoming Adversity
Secondary Category: Wellbeing
🔖 Titles
Finding Self-Love and Resilience: Denise Cesare’s Journey with Disability, Fashion, and Mindfulness
Creating Inclusive Fashion: The Story Behind T Suit and Its Positive Impact on Body Image
Moments in Motion: Navigating Mental Health, Disability, and Compassionate Action during Challenging Times
Living Authentically: Denise Cesare on Embracing Imperfection and Championing Inclusive Cultures
From Silence to Empowerment: How Losing Her Voice Transformed Denise Cesare’s Perspective
Redefining Swimwear and Wellbeing: Innovation for Every Body with T Suit’s Founder
Unlocking Self-Worth: Practical Pathways to Resilience and Mindful Living in Modern Society
Healing, Mindfulness, and Advocacy: The Interplay of Disability, Education, and Fashion
Beyond Labels: Shifting the Narrative from Size to Fit for True Inclusion
Harnessing Compassion into Action: Overcoming Adversity and Fostering Belonging for All
A Subtitle - A Single Sentence describing this episode
Denise Cesare explores the resilience found through disability, self-acceptance, and mindful creativity, weaving together disability rights, mental health advocacy, and the transformative embrace of inclusive fashion and self-love.
Episode Tags
Disability Rights, Body Positivity, Inclusive Fashion, Mental Health Advocacy, Mindful Living, Self Love, Childhood Development, Resilience Stories, Social Emotional Learning, Voice Empowerment
Episode Summary with Intro, Key Points and a Takeaway
In this episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast, Joanne Lockwood welcomes Denise Cesare for an open-hearted conversation entitled "Love in Motion." Denise shares her journey of resilience and innovation, moving from a traumatic voice loss caused by spasmodic dysphonia to creating inclusive, empowering fashion with her swimwear brand T Suit. They explore the intersection of mental health, disability advocacy, and body positivity, weaving Denise’s lived experiences with broader themes of belonging, self-love, and navigating societal expectations. Joanne and Denise examine the pressures and prejudices surrounding body image, the deficiencies in mental health support post-COVID, and the importance of mindful living for personal growth and collective inclusion.
Denise is a published author, keynote speaker, and specialist in social emotional learning, championing disability rights and body confidence. Her advocacy is grounded in personal experience as a speech language pathologist who reconsidered what it means to have—and lose—one’s voice. Her brand T Suit, founded on the premise that "we are not a size, we are a fit," offers swimmable cover-ups designed to enable anyone to feel confident and comfortable at the poolside. Denise has also penned "Moments in Motion with Love," a book born from the challenges of remote learning during the pandemic, aiming to reconnect young people with mindfulness and emotional resilience. Her holistic approach radiates through each project, seamlessly combining practical compassion with creative design.
Joanne and Denise discuss the impact of polarised politics, instant gratification culture, and the ways social media warps perceptions of self-worth. They underscore the significance of loving oneself, healing the “inner child,” and replacing judgement with acceptance, especially when supporting those facing adversity. The episode addresses how fashionable innovations, like Denise's T Suit, can drive social change by resisting exclusion and encouraging authenticity.
The key takeaway from this episode is the transformative power of practical compassion—whether in the classroom, at home, or through fashion. By advocating for fit over size and self-acceptance over conformity, Denise reminds listeners that resilience is rooted in self-love and belonging. Tune in for actionable insights, uplifting narratives, and a push to make inclusion visible, felt, and lived.
📚 Timestamped overview
00:00 Inclusion Bites: Joanne Lockwood's platform for meaningful conversations on inclusion, belonging, and societal change. Connect, reflect, and inspire action.
10:39 Regaining her voice through Botox in 2011 empowered her, leading to creative accomplishments like writing books.
12:22 A teacher, feeling disconnected from her students, prayed for guidance and unexpectedly conceived a book in her sleep.
17:06 The speaker feels fortunate to understand and manage a condition others often struggle to diagnose, aided by their expertise as a speech pathologist.
21:48 Proudly creates unique, empowering designs that enhance confidence and fit all bodies.
31:49 Lost business due to Covid, experienced grief stages, recalled early pandemic events like a quarantined ship.
35:17 People should unite for the greater good and have more influence in government.
43:00 Early childhood experiences, like music and arts, shape the brain positively, unlike violent activities, fostering a better future.
48:28 Resilience came from self-reflection during a dark time linked to mental illness.
51:54 Pain and lack of self-love caused their struggles; it's not selfishness, but deeper issues requiring understanding and balanced support.
59:13 Visit denisecesare.com to contact the author, purchase an autographed and updated version of her book, which includes a glossary, unlike the Amazon version.
01:01:35 Love and respect come from being lovable and respectful, which are within our control.
📚 Timestamped overview
00:00 "Inclusion Bites: Sparking Change"
10:39 "Finding Empowerment After Loss"
12:22 "Praying for Guidance, Writing Miraculously"
17:06 "Speech Pathologist's Unique Insight"
21:48 "Creating Confidence Through Design"
31:49 "Reflecting on Loss and Covid"
35:17 "We the People Forgotten"
43:00 "Shaping Minds Through Early Arts"
48:28 "Finding Resilience in Darkness"
51:54 "Understanding Pain and Healing"
59:13 "Denise Cesare Book Details"
01:01:35 "Being Lovable is Within You"
Custom LinkedIn Post
🎙️ 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀: 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 🎙️
💬 Ever stopped to wonder—what does self-love have to do with inclusion, resilience, and fashion? Spoiler: It’s everything. Tune in for a 60-second dose of inspiration that’ll challenge how you see yourself and others! 💬
This week, I’m joined by Denise Cesare, a published author, keynote speaker, and social emotional learning specialist who champions disability rights, mental health, and body positivity. Her lived experience with spasmodic dysphonia and her game-changing “swimmable” fashion brand redefine what it means to feel good in your own skin.
Together, we explore:
🔑 𝗟𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗩𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 – How Denise conquered a physical disability that threatened her career (and identity!).
🔑 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 – Challenging the myth that acceptance must come from others, and discovering how self-love is the ultimate tool for resilience.
🔑 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗕𝗼𝗱𝘆 – Practical design and mindset tips to help everyone feel comfortable and empowered—whether poolside or presenting at work!
Why Listen? "Inclusion means knowing your own story is worth telling. Denise’s journey will provoke fresh thinking around confidence, belonging, and how we show up together—driving real #PositivePeopleExperiences."
As host of Inclusion Bites, I bring you weekly episodes to inspire, educate, and shake up the status quo—one bold conversation at a time. This audiogram is just your amuse-bouche 🍰.
💭 How do you empower self-love in yourself or others? Share below 👇—or tell us how fashion and inclusion intersect in your world!
🎧 Listen to the full episode: https://seechangehappen.co.uk/inclusion-bites-listen
#PositivePeopleExperiences #SmileEngageEducate #InclusionBites #Podcasts #Shorts #DisabilityInclusion #BodyPositivity #MentalHealthMatters #InclusiveFashion #ResilientVoices
Don’t forget to like, comment, and share—to spread a little love in motion this week!
with SEE Change Happen and Denise Cesare
TikTok/Reels/Shorts Video Summary
Focus Keyword: Culture Change
Video Title:
Culture Change That Sparks Positive People Experiences | #InclusionBitesPodcast
Tags: culture change, positive people experiences, inclusion, belonging, diversity, empowerment, mental health, disability rights, inclusive fashion, self-love, resilience, mindfulness, personal growth, societal transformation, body positivity, advocacy, community, representation, kindness, compassion, authenticity, voice, education, inspiration, podcast
Killer Quote:
"I create swimmable cover up… because you’re not a size, you’re a fit. We are not sizes, we are humans." – Denise Cesare
Hashtags:
#CultureChange, #InclusionBites, #PositivePeopleExperiences, #SEEChangeHappen, #Inclusion, #Belonging, #Empowerment, #DisabilityAdvocacy, #MentalHealthMatters, #BodyPositivity, #Mindfulness, #Resilience, #Diversity, #Representation, #Authenticity, #SelfLove, #Community, #Podcast, #InspireChange, #InclusiveFashion
Summary Description:
Join me as I unlock the transformative power of Culture Change in sparking Positive People Experiences. In this episode, I sit down with Denise Cesare, disability rights champion and inclusive fashion pioneer, to explore how compassion translates into action. Discover Denise’s journey—overcoming spasmodic dysphonia, finding her voice, and creating T suit, a swimmable cover-up that celebrates every body. We dive deep into mindful resilience, the importance of self-love, and why fostering authentic inclusion goes beyond ticking boxes. This conversation is a must-watch for anyone craving practical steps for creating cultures where everyone truly belongs and thrives. Subscribe, share, and let’s drive Positive People Experiences together—because real change starts with all of us.
Outro:
Thank you, the listener, for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share to spread the word about Positive People Experiences and Culture Change. For more powerful insights, visit SEE Change Happen at https://seechangehappen.co.uk and listen to the full episode on The Inclusion Bites Podcast at https://seechangehappen.co.uk/inclusion-bites-listen. Stay connected and keep challenging the status quo for a more inclusive world.
Stay curious, stay kind, and stay inclusive - Joanne Lockwood
ℹ️ Introduction
Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of Inclusion Bites, hosted by Joanne Lockwood, your guide into the heart of inclusion and belonging. In this special instalment titled "Love In Motion," Joanne Lockwood is joined by the remarkable Denise Cesare, a published author, keynote speaker, and social emotional learning specialist, celebrated for her advocacy in disability rights, mental health, and body positivity.
Together, they explore Denise Cesare’s lived experience with spasmodic dysphonia, the journey of losing and reclaiming her own voice, and the transformative power of compassion turned into practical, inclusive action. The episode shines a spotlight on her innovative swimwear brand, T Suit, which reimagines body confidence and accessible fashion by redefining what it means to “fit”—championing the belief that we are not defined by size but by our humanity.
From navigating personal adversity to the challenges of societal division, Joanne Lockwood and Denise Cesare discuss resilience, mindfulness, and the importance of self-love, while examining the mental health crisis facing young people and the impact of early childhood experience on our development. Expect honest conversation, moments of laughter, emotional insight, and tangible lessons on how we can move through darkness, find self-acceptance, and create more inclusive communities.
Tune in for bold, unapologetic dialogue that challenges the status quo, breaks through stereotypes, and inspires action—because inclusion isn’t just a buzzword, it’s an ongoing journey.
💬 Keywords
inclusion, belonging, mental health, disability rights, body positivity, spasmodic dysphonia, social emotional learning, inclusive fashion, mindfulness, resilience, self-love, vulnerability, speech language pathology, advocacy, fashion industry, swimwear, body image, neurodiversity, trauma, childhood development, parent education, COVID-19 lockdown, youth mental health, coping mechanisms, self-empowerment, identity, diversity and inclusion, sustainability, meditation, social media impact
About this Episode
About The Episode:
In this episode, we journey through the lived experience of Denise Cesare, a social emotional learning specialist, published author, and advocate for disability rights, mental health, and body positivity. Offering authentic insight on embracing identity and resilience, Denise explores the power of compassion transformed into practical, inclusive actions—especially in education, fashion, and beyond. Expect a thought-provoking discussion that challenges stereotypes while championing the importance of self-love, mindfulness, and the drive to create a more inclusive society.
Today, we'll cover:
Strategies for transforming adversity into creativity and social impact within communities and classrooms.
Unlocking mindfulness as a daily practice and the importance of presence in mental wellbeing.
Rethinking body image, fashion inclusivity, and how apparel can empower confidence beyond conventional sizing paradigms.
Navigating the barriers to disability acceptance, diagnosis, and self-advocacy amidst systemic and societal challenges.
The ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on youth and adult mental health, resilience, and adaptation.
Addressing generational struggles with anxiety, coping mechanisms, and the consequences of limited formative support.
Actionable ways to foster self-worth, healing, and a culture of collaboration—through mantras, community, and reframing moments of darkness towards empowerment.
💡 Speaker bios
Joanne Lockwood is the dynamic host of Inclusion Bites, a podcast devoted to authentic conversations that ignite positive change. With warmth and purpose, she guides listeners through the terrain of inclusion, belonging, and social transformation, weaving together inspiring storeys that challenge the status quo. Dedicated to building a world where everyone not only belongs but thrives, Joanne encourages connection, reflection, and collective action. Whether over coffee or after a long day, she invites you to join the dialogue and help shape a more inclusive future. You can reach out to Joanne at jo.lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk to share your insights or become part of the show.
💡 Speaker bios
Denise Cesare is a British author who has turned personal challenges into sources of empowerment. After losing her voice—a struggle for someone who thrives on communication—Denise reclaimed it through Botox injections in 2011, marking a transformative turning point. With renewed confidence, she embraced creativity, feeling good about her achievements and refusing to hide her talents. Her journey reached a “360 moment” when she authored a book, one of several she has written, channeling her experiences into inspiring stories for others. Denise’s life is a testament to resilience, self-expression, and the courage to feel good about oneself.
❇️ Key topics and bullets
Certainly! Here’s a comprehensive sequence of the main topics covered in the transcript, thoughtfully arranged to reflect the flow of conversation, with detailed sub-topics beneath each primary theme.
1. Introduction: Setting the Stage
The ethos and mission of Inclusion Bites Podcast.
Joanne Lockwood welcoming listeners and introducing the guest, Denise Cesare.
Call to action for audience engagement (inviting storeys and participation).
2. Guest Introduction: Denise Cesare
Denise Cesare’s professional background: published author, keynote speaker, social emotional learning specialist.
Lived experience with spasmodic dysphonia.
Advocacy for disability rights, mental health, and body positivity.
Correction and discussion of "T suit" brand name pronunciation.
3. Personal Identity and Cultural Heritage
Origins of Denise Cesare’s surname, the Italian connection, and Americanisation.
The significance of holding onto a name’s heritage.
Brief discussion of travel and cultural roots.
4. Geographic Journey
Denise Cesare’s relocation history: Brooklyn, Staten Island, Bluffton Hilton Head, South Carolina.
Nostalgic anecdotes involving New York locations and the Staten Island ferry.
5. The T Suit Journey: From Challenge to Innovation
The lived reality of spasmodic dysphonia and the loss of voice.
Creative process sparked by adversity—birth of T suit.
Designing inclusive swimwear: focus on fit over size and body positivity.
Constraints and choices in product development (materials, sustainability).
6. Voice, Disability and Empowerment
Neurological explanation of spasmodic dysphonia.
The path to diagnosis and misconceptions between psychological vs. physical conditions.
The empowerment and challenges of working with a disability.
The vital importance of self-advocacy and trusting intuition.
7. Swimwear and Societal Body Image Norms
Critique of traditional swimwear, bikini culture, and unrealistic beauty standards.
Innovations in swimwear for inclusivity: T top, T dress, pareo.
The psychological impact of sizing in fashion; "fits everybody" philosophy.
8. Creativity, Intuition, and Purpose
Harnessing adversity as a catalyst for creativity.
The importance of trusting one’s inner guidance during difficult periods.
9. Authorship and Moments in Motion Book
Genesis of Denise Cesare’s book during lockdown.
The link between mindfulness, emotional health, and healing through creativity.
Addressing lockdown-related disconnection in children and young adults.
Use of the book to foster connection, mindfulness, and emotional literacy.
10. The Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health and Society
Personal and societal impacts of lockdown: isolation, loss, disruption.
Lasting effects on youth, mental health, and educational development.
The collective experience of grief and trauma, and the lack of systemic follow-up.
Critique of governmental and societal response post-pandemic.
11. Divisiveness in Politics and Society
Discussion of political polarisation ("red vs blue").
Reflection on lost opportunities for unity and compassion.
The role of love, empathy, and communication in healing divisions.
12. Social Media and Self-Image
The influence of platforms like Instagram and Facebook on self-worth.
Issues of authenticity and the impact of digital filters on self-perception.
Using social media to spread empowering, educational content.
13. Healing, Resilience, and the Inner Child
The importance of a nurturing childhood and its lifelong impact.
Healing childhood wounds and fostering self-love.
Mindfulness, presence, and coping mechanisms in adulthood.
14. Parenting, Early Development and Mental Health
Early childhood brain development (birth to age 7) and its implications.
The undervalued importance of arts, music, and positive reinforcement.
The need for better education and support for young parents.
Connections between mental health, resilience, and formative years.
15. The Challenges of Modern Youth: Resilience and Coping
Observations on declining resilience and coping skills in young people.
Intergenerational transmission of mental health challenges.
16. Professional and Personal Advocacy
The intersection of lived experience and professional expertise.
Barriers faced by educators with disabilities in their workplace.
The importance of visibility and representation.
17. Approaching Healthcare and Self-Advocacy
Navigating health systems and personal medical advocacy.
Utilisation of tools like ChatGPT for self-education (not as a replacement for professionals).
The importance of collaboration and self-advocacy in healthcare.
18. Mindfulness, Living in the Moment, and Daily Practice
The practice and value of mindfulness in everyday life.
The necessity to live with presence rather than excessive planning.
19. Self-Love Mantra and Empowerment Messages
Closing with empowerment through affirmations and mantras.
Denise Cesare's “Believe” poem and the principle of being worthy of love, respect, and care.
20. Conclusion: Continuing the Conversation
Practical information for contacting Denise Cesare and accessing her work.
Closing remarks encouraging ongoing dialogue, listening, and collective action for inclusion.
This structured overview captures the sequence of topics and sub-topics explored in this enriching episode, illustrating the powerful narrative arc from personal adversity to societal transformation, all centred around themes of inclusion, resilience, and compassionate action.
The Hook
Ever felt like you’re losing your voice—literally OR metaphorically? Pause. Imagine bouncing back stronger, clearer, louder. What if your “darkest” days held the key… to a future where self-love and resilience are your game-changers? (Ready for a perspective flip?)
Real talk: Who decided what “fit” means—in fashion… in leadership… in LIFE? Sick of squeezing yourself into someone else’s box? Spoiler: The rules are ripe for disruption. Curious what happens when you redefine your own labels? + Feel good, look good, BE good—inside and out.
Stuck in the cycle of endless self-doubt and comparison? (Been there.) What if stepping into your story—voice cracks, scars, so-called imperfections—became your ultimate power move? “You’re not a size, you’re a fit.” Sounds poetic, doesn’t it? What else are you here to reclaim?
Question: Where does real change begin—the kind that actually STICKS? Hint… It’s not in the scrolling, not in hiding, not in following the crowd. When was the last time you turned compassion into action—across your business, your classroom, your family? The answer: Closer than you think.
Remember that moment the world hit Pause and we all got thrown into uncertainty? What did it teach you about connection, courage, or clarity? This episode—raw, unfiltered, unexpectedly uplifting—dives into what actually matters when surviving + thriving collide... Want the roadmap?
🗞️ Newsletter
Inclusion Bites Podcast Newsletter – Episode 194: "Love in Motion"
Welcome to this month’s edition of the Inclusion Bites Podcast newsletter, hosted by Joanne Lockwood!
Episode Spotlight: "Love in Motion" with Denise Cesare
We’re delighted to showcase our latest episode, “Love in Motion,” featuring the inspiring Denise Cesare—a published author, keynote speaker, and social emotional learning specialist who champions disability rights, mental health, and body positivity.
Highlights from the Conversation:
Finding Voice Amidst Adversity:
Denise Cesare shares her personal journey with spasmodic dysphonia, a neurological voice disorder, and how losing—and ultimately reclaiming—her voice fuelled her creativity and purpose. From navigating the medical system to advocating for herself, Denise reminds us that trusting your instincts is essential in overcoming barriers.Innovation in Inclusive Fashion:
Learn about T Suit, the inclusive swimwear brand Denise founded. Born from lived experience, T Suit offers solutions that break away from size-based fashion conventions, proving that true inclusion considers every body and every story.Moments in Motion with Love:
During lockdown, Denise witnessed students’ struggle with disconnection. This brought forth her book, “Moments in Motion with Love,” which emerged as a beacon for mindfulness, resilience, and emotional wellbeing—reminding us how vital presence is for both children and adults in times of crisis.Mental Health and Resilience:
The episode explores the importance of early childhood experiences in developing emotional intelligence, resilience, and coping mechanisms. Both Joanne Lockwood and Denise Cesare discuss the ongoing challenges young people face, the impact of Covid on mental health, and why self-love is the key to perseverance.Empowerment Through Authenticity:
With refreshing honesty, Denise Cesare rejects traditional beauty standards, advocating instead for fashion and life that fits everyone—encouraging listeners to banish the tyranny of sizes and embrace what truly feels good.
Quotable Moments:
“You’re not a size—you’re a fit. We are not sizes, we are humans.”
– Denise Cesare
“If you can’t heal your inner child, you’re never going to heal.”
– Denise Cesare
Action Point:
How can we, as a community, integrate compassion and inclusion into our daily choices—at home, in the classroom, and in the workplace? Join the conversation by sharing your insights, or consider being a guest on future episodes!
Reach out to Joanne Lockwood at jo.lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk.
Stay Connected
Listen to the latest episode:
Inclusion Bites Podcast – Love in Motion
Find Denise’s work:
Website: denisecesare.com
Instagram: @fits.everybody
Book: “Moments in Motion with Love” (available on Amazon and via her website)
Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and help amplify voices that matter. Change begins with bold conversations—thank you for being part of ours.
Warm regards,
The Inclusion Bites Team
#InclusionBites #LoveInMotion #FitsEverybody #PositivePeopleExperiences
Guest's content for their marketing
Guest Article for Denise Cesare: My Journey on the Inclusion Bites Podcast — “Love in Motion”
I'm delighted to share my experience as a guest on the Inclusion Bites Podcast, hosted by Joanne Lockwood. Featuring in episode 194, “Love in Motion,” marked a significant milestone in my journey as a published author, keynote speaker, and advocate for disability rights, mental health, and body positivity.
From the outset, the conversation felt deeply authentic and compassionate. As someone living with spasmodic dysphonia, a condition that has shaped my life both personally and professionally, I felt seen and heard throughout the interview. We explored the lived reality of losing — and reclaiming — my voice, and how this has fuelled my passion for inclusive fashion and social-emotional learning.
Joanne guided the interview with warmth and curiosity, allowing space for me to delve into the origins of my swimwear brand, T Suit — a brand inspired not by sizing, but by fit and self-acceptance. Together, we challenged the restrictive ideals set by traditional fashion industries and instead celebrated garments designed for every body, every story.
During our discussion, I opened up about my book, “Moments in Motion with Love,” and the driving forces behind it. Written in response to the mental health challenges faced by students during the COVID-19 lockdown, the book embodies mindfulness, self-love, and resilience. I shared the emotional story of how I wrote it: waking up at dawn with a sense of urgency to empower young people through the concept of moments, movement, and love.
Joanne offered space to discuss the wider social landscape: the continued presence of mental health struggles post-pandemic, the vital importance of self-advocacy, and our collective responsibility to support children, parents, and communities. We examined practical ways to foster resilience and inclusion — from empowering people to find the right “fit” in fashion to encouraging acts of self-compassion and mindfulness.
What struck me most was the shared conviction that inclusion is about more than representation; it’s about nurturing genuine belonging within every facet of society. Our exchange was imbued with humour, openness, and vulnerability. We weren’t afraid to address the challenges, but we also celebrated the transformative power of love — both for oneself and for others.
I closed my segment by sharing my “believe” poem, inviting listeners to join me in a mantra of self-worth and courage. The heartfelt affirmation summed up everything the podcast stands for: radical kindness, unapologetic authenticity, and resilience.
Appearing on Inclusion Bites not only amplified my voice and my work — it reminded me that our journeys, no matter how difficult, can ignite real change when shared. I encourage my colleagues, fellow advocates, and anyone passionate about positive people experiences to listen to this episode and embrace the movement for inclusion ignited by Joanne and her guests.
To connect or collaborate: Find me at [denisecasare.com], follow @fits.everybody on Instagram, or discover more about T Suit at t-suit.com. Let’s continue the conversation. Together, we are so important in this moment.
#InclusionBites #LoveInMotion #FitsEverybody #MomentsInMotionWithLove #DisabilityRights #BodyPositivity #SelfLove
Pain Points and Challenges
Certainly. This episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast, "Love in Motion," surfaced a number of pain points and challenges through the conversation between Joanne Lockwood and Denise Cesare. Below, I’ve outlined these specific issues and provided practical, inclusive content focused on addressing them within the context of belonging, societal change, and inclusion:
Key Pain Points & Challenges Discussed
Living with a Hidden Disability:
Denise Cesare shared her journey with spasmodic dysphonia, a neurological voice disorder, and her experience of not being initially diagnosed, facing medical bias, and having to self-advocate.
The Psychological Toll of Disability:
The emotional and professional impact of losing her voice, especially as a speech-language pathologist, and needing to adapt both personally and professionally.
Workplace Exclusion and Lack of Advocacy:
Denise Cesare described how she had to fight to retain her position at work due to her disability, highlighting systemic failings in supporting disabled professionals.
Inaccessible and Exclusive Fashion Norms:
The swimwear/fashion industry’s obsession with unrealistic body types, leading to discomfort and exclusion for non-model bodies, especially at pools and beaches.
Body Positivity and Self-Worth:
The struggle for many, including Denise Cesare, to feel comfortable in swimwear and the broader challenge of societal beauty standards undermining confidence and self-love.
Mental Health, Especially Post-Covid:
The serious effects of lockdown on children and young adults — isolation, loss of connection, lack of coping mechanisms, and insufficient mental health resources or support.
Societal Polarisation and Loss of Empathy:
The divisive political climate, lack of compassion and empathy in leadership, and how these factors trickle down to communities.
Impact of Social Media and Technology:
Unrealistic portrayals, comparison culture, and the decline in real-world connections due to constant digital engagement.
Lack of Early Education in Resilience and Mental Wellbeing:
The absence of guidance for parents and children regarding formative development, resilience, and emotional health.
Content Focused on Addressing These Issues
1. Champion Self-Advocacy and Disabled Voices
Encourage regular platforming of people who live with invisible and visible disabilities, to share genuine experiences.
Promote self-advocacy training for disabled professionals and offer workshops in workplaces about navigating biases in healthcare and employment.
Develop peer support networks for individuals with rare or misunderstood conditions.
2. Build a Culture of Compassion in Professional Settings
Introduce mental health and empathy training for managers, tailored for understanding the impact of disability and difference.
Create accessible feedback mechanisms and open-door policies for disclosure without fear.
Ensure disability inclusion policies are visible, robust, and supported by senior leadership.
3. Redefine Fashion Norms & Promote Inclusive Design
Advocate for garment brands to consult with diverse bodies and abilities when designing products.
Curate events or pop-up showcases featuring inclusive swimwear, inviting real people of all sizes, shapes, and backgrounds.
Provide resources for small brands aiming to enter the inclusive fashion space.
4. Foster Body Confidence and Self-Love Campaigns
Collaborate with schools and community groups to deliver body positivity workshops.
Launch media campaigns sharing real-life stories celebrating all forms of beauty, challenging “one-size-fits-all” narratives.
Utilise the language of ‘fit’ over ‘size’ in public platforms and branding.
5. Invest in Post-Pandemic Mental Health Recovery
Prioritise funding for school-based emotional resilience programmes addressing Covid-related trauma and gaps in social skills.
Host webinars and podcast episodes featuring experts in mindfulness, anxiety reduction, and resilience (with actionable takeaways).
Encourage employers to continue flexible work and wellbeing practices trialled during lockdowns.
6. Bridge Divisive Gaps with Empathy and Education
Facilitate listening circles and community dialogues, intentionally bringing together people with opposing views to foster human stories over rhetoric.
Focus podcast episodes on conflict resolution, nonviolent communication, and the science of empathy.
Celebrate cross-partisan initiatives and innovations in inclusion.
7. Counteract Harmful Effects of Social Media
Promote digital literacy workshops in schools and workplaces on managing social comparison, recognising filters, and balancing online/offline life.
Encourage influencers and organisations to share unfiltered, authentic moments.
Provide guides for parents to help protect children’s mental health from the adverse effects of social media.
8. Enhance Early Education and Parental Support
Partner with paediatric and parenting networks to develop resources on nurturing emotional intelligence from birth.
Create infographics and podcasts aimed at new parents encompassing the importance of formative experiences and the mapping of early learning (as discussed by Denise Cesare).
Promote mentorship and coaching for parents struggling post-pandemic.
Final Reflection
This episode paints a vivid picture of how inclusion, mental health, and body positivity intersect, both personally and structurally. Solutions must be multi-layered: personal empowerment, systemic change, and ongoing public conversation. By addressing these pain points directly, the Inclusion Bites Podcast not only sparks necessary dialogue but galvanises listeners to advocate, reflect, and act.
If you’re a listener or changemaker inspired by these topics, connect with Joanne Lockwood at jo.lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk, or visit https://seechangehappen.co.uk/inclusion-bites-listen for more enriching episodes and to become part of a community driving meaningful change.
Questions Asked that were insightful
Certainly! The "Love in Motion" episode of the Inclusion Bites Podcast offered numerous moments where questions led to thought-provoking, revealing, or practical responses, which would translate excellently into an FAQ series. Here are some exemplary questions and the insights that emerged from the exchange between Joanne Lockwood and Denise Cesare:
1. What is spasmodic dysphonia and how does it impact life and work?
Joanne Lockwood asked about spasmodic dysphonia—the neurological disorder affecting Denise Cesare's voice. Denise Cesare described its symptoms, her lengthy diagnostic journey, and how the condition forced her to adapt professionally and personally. She explained the importance of trusting one's instincts, advocating for oneself, and the difference between physiological and psychological voice disorders, with reference to public figures living with the condition.
2. How did losing your voice influence your creative journey and founding of T Suit?
A standout exchange discussed how Denise Cesare's inability to speak for five years sparked her creativity, leading to her trademarked inclusive swimwear line. She explained how searching for confidence and comfort at a swimming club directly inspired the concept and design, and talked about the psychological and emotional facets of inclusive fashion—centred on fit rather than size.
3. How do you define 'fit' versus 'size' in fashion and why does it matter for body positivity?
The question around sizing and fashion tapped into broader social issues. Denise Cesare explored how traditional sizing undermines confidence—“you’re not a size, you’re a fit”—and advocated rejecting the fixation on numbers in favour of what actually feels and looks good on one’s body. This aligns with the ethos of her brand and underpins a body positive philosophy.
4. What did you learn about mental health and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic?
The interview delved into the impact of COVID-19 on young people and adults alike. Denise Cesare reflected on the development of her book “Moments in Motion with Love” as a response to the disconnect and anxiety faced by students. She emphasised mindfulness as an ongoing practice, the long-lasting mental health effects of the pandemic, and questioned whether society has truly done the work to address these challenges.
5. How crucial are the formative years (birth to age seven) for brain development and emotional resilience?
Denise Cesare discussed the scientific mapping of the brain in early childhood, connecting this neurodevelopment to later emotional wellbeing, resilience, and susceptibility to mental health issues. This insight underscores her advocacy for greater support and education for parents and caregivers in those critical years.
6. Why is self-love considered so essential for overcoming adversity and mental health struggles?
Extracting from Denise Cesare’s account of the difficulties she faced, the conversation highlighted self-love as the ultimate foundation for resilience—surpassing even external motivators such as family, and acting as an anchor through periods of darkness.
7. Are digital tools such as ChatGPT or social media platforms useful for self-healthcare or empowerment?
A modern dialogue emerged about using AI tools to facilitate healthcare conversations, analysing blood results, and preparing to communicate more effectively with medical professionals. The discussion also balanced the empowerment these tools offer with the need for responsible usage.
8. How can inclusive fashion be leveraged for self-expression and confidence across settings?
The versatility of Denise Cesare’s T Suit line—designed not only for swimming, but for transitions from poolside to social settings—was discussed. This approach to fashion celebrates diversity in body types and modes of self-expression, addressing practical needs as well as psychological comfort.
These questions and responses would make an engaging and instructive FAQ series, capturing both the lived experiences and actionable insights shared in this episode. Each FAQ reflects subjects of real relevance to matters of disability rights, mental health, inclusive design, and personal empowerment—core themes for the Inclusion Bites audience.
Blog article based on the episode
Love in Motion: From Silence to Bold Self-Acceptance — Lessons from Denise Cesare on Inclusion Bites Podcast
Imagine losing the very thing that gives you voice in the world—literally. For many, a moment without speech is fleeting, forgettable. But for Denise Cesare, acclaimed author, keynote speaker, and disability rights advocate, vocal silence became the unwelcome backdrop to her life, shaping a journey into radical compassion and inclusion. On Episode 194 of the Inclusion Bites Podcast, titled Love in Motion and hosted by Joanne Lockwood, Denise shares how her lived experience — from surviving spasmodic dysphonia to redefining swimwear through inclusive design — became a rallying cry for greater acceptance, resilience, and self-love.
The Cost of Conformity: Society, Body Image, and the Gaze
Why do we accept discomfort as the cost of participation in society? The long-standing fashion narrative has dictated that bodies—especially those perceived as ‘imperfect’—should stay hidden rather than celebrated. As Denise recounted to Joanne Lockwood, her experience at the swim club while raising her son became a microcosm of this pressure: “I was always hiding myself, putting a T-shirt on over this swimsuit, but then going into the water and getting all wet and looking, not feeling good… this heavy T-shirt hanging on your body.” This small struggle for comfort is emblematic of a wider issue: we are often forced to choose between self-expression and societal approval.
But what happens when our bodies, voices, or experiences don’t conform to the mainstream? As Denise notes, traditional fashion simply wasn’t designed with most humans in mind — the swimsuits and bikinis paraded on runways bear scant resemblance to the clothing needs of everyday, diverse individuals. The underlying problem extends well beyond swimwear: it’s the systemic expectation that we must alter ourselves to fit an unattainable norm, rather than demand change and adapt the world to fit us all.
Problem: The Silent Struggles with Disability and Mental Health
Denise’s powerful narrative pulls back the curtain on what it means to navigate both invisible and visible barriers. After a car accident triggered spasmodic dysphonia—a neurological disorder that chokes the voice—she endured five years of near silence, only regaining her speech through regular Botox injections. During this period, Denise was not only stripped of her voice, but also subjected to a healthcare system that showed little empathy: “He told me, ‘Oh, it’s Omar, go on disability.’... I shouldn’t have to give up because I had a disability.”
How many times are disabled people, or those with chronic conditions, offered exclusion rather than accommodation? Denise’s experience reflects a systemic failure to view disability through a lens of potential and empowerment. Instead of being uplifted, she was encouraged to retreat. In the same breath, the episode highlights how the COVID-19 pandemic unearthed new waves of social disconnection and anxiety, particularly among young people lacking resilience and social coping mechanisms—a profound issue with lasting implications.
Actionable Solutions: Compassion Translated Into Everyday Action
So how do we move from silent suffering to Love in Motion? Denise’s lived philosophy is action, not just empathy. Here are four immediately actionable items drawn directly from her story and the episode’s conversation:
Demand Practical Inclusion
“You’re not a size, you’re a fit. We are not sizes, we are humans,” Denise states. This mantra underpins her creation of the ‘T suit’ – an inclusive, swimmable cover designed for all bodies. Don’t settle for clothing, environments, or services that fail to reflect your needs. Start by supporting brands and creators who put inclusion at the core—not as a marketing gimmick, but as functional reality.Trust Your Instincts; Challenge Gatekeeping
Denise’s advice: “Your gut, your instincts tell you something. Listen to them.” When medical professionals, employers, or even friends advise you to shrink—don’t. Speak up, question, seek additional opinions, and advocate for your right to belong, contribute and thrive.Practise Mindfulness and Self-Care Routinely
During the isolating days of pandemic lockdown, Denise wrote Moments in Motion with Love, a children’s book rooted in mindfulness, resilience, and connection. She emphasises that mindfulness is a daily practice, not a fleeting buzzword, and the ability to ground oneself—whether through movement, breathing, or reflective mantras—is essential to weather life’s storms.Rewrite the Narrative Around Sizing and Self-Worth
Say goodbye to arbitrary numbers on clothing labels. As Denise advises, “Get the number out of your head… We all gravitate to something that looks better on us because it’s the fit that makes you feel good about it.” Choose clothing, relationships, and opportunities that celebrate your authenticity, not ones that squeeze you into someone else’s notion of ‘enough’.
Why Inclusion Demands Bold Action — Not Just Empathy
Are we simply performing compassion, or are we converting it into systemic action? Throughout Love in Motion, it’s clear that empathy without movement changes little. Joanne Lockwood and Denise reflect on how even after the immense shared trauma of COVID-19, society and business too often reverted to old habits: “All those well-being and great things for our staff… we kind of’ve thrown all that in the bin. I thought it would be a generational shift change and it’s just reset.” If we want change—real change—we must fight to embed it, not romanticise its potential.
Compassion, then, is meaningless unless it translates to hiring disabled educators; normalising diverse bodies in retail and on screen; building mental health into curriculum; and supporting children and parents to cultivate resilience and mindfulness from birth. Denise’s own mantra, shared at the close of the podcast, echoes this ethos: “I am loved. I am courage. I am bright. I am brave. I am so important in this moment.” Inclusion isn’t passive; it’s a daily practice, a commitment to keep moving.
Your Call to Action: Move with Love — And Demand Change
Are you living with love in motion? It’s time to make change tangible—in your wardrobe, your workplace, and your advocacy. Visit Denise’s website for her book, Moments in Motion with Love, or explore the T suit clothing range for authentic, inclusive fashion. Amplify this episode by sharing it with your circles, and become an active participant in the Inclusion Bites conversation.
If you’re committed to driving practical inclusion in your life or workplace, connect with Joanne Lockwood via jo.lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk or listen to more episodes at Inclusion Bites Podcast.
Let’s collectively ignite Love in Motion—where inclusion is no longer silent, and every voice, every fit, truly matters.
Inspired by the insights and courage of Denise Cesare, guest on Inclusion Bites Podcast, Episode 194: Love in Motion.
The standout line from this episode
The standout line from this episode is:
"If you don't have self-love, you don't want to be here straight, straight out. That's... That was my formula. I could have said everything else like I did. I said, my son saved me. No, I saved myself."
— Denise Cesare
❓ Questions
How did Denise Cesare's personal experience with spasmodic dysphonia influence her passion for inclusive fashion and advocacy in disability rights, as shared in her conversation with Joanne Lockwood?
In what ways does the concept behind T suit challenge traditional notions of body image and inclusivity within the fashion industry?
Reflecting on Denise Cesare's mental health journey during the loss of her voice, what do you think are the most significant connections between resilience, self-love, and creative expression?
What are the broader societal implications of measuring value and belonging using external markers such as body size, clothing fit, or social media validation, as discussed by Joanne Lockwood and Denise Cesare?
How did the Covid-19 pandemic act as a catalyst for Denise Cesare's book “Moments in Motion with Love”, and what does this tell us about the power of adversity in sparking innovation and empathy?
In the episode, both Joanne Lockwood and Denise Cesare discuss the lack of adequate mental health support for children and young people during and after lockdown. What practical steps could organisations and communities take to address these gaps?
What does Denise Cesare's advocacy say about the intersectionality of disability, body positivity, and mental health, and how might these inform more inclusive practices across educational and workplace settings?
How does Denise Cesare's approach to mindfulness and self-empowerment differ from the mainstream narrative, particularly in relation to social emotional learning?
What role does vulnerability and authenticity play in fostering inclusive cultures, according to the exchanges between Joanne Lockwood and Denise Cesare?
The episode highlights the importance of trusting one’s instincts when navigating medical diagnoses and treatment. How might this principle be extended to organisational efforts in building inclusive and psychologically safe environments?
FAQs from the Episode
Frequently Asked Questions: Love in Motion — Inclusion Bites Podcast
Episode 194: “Love in Motion” with Denise Cesare
1. Who is Denise Cesare and what is her background?
Denise Cesare is a published author, keynote speaker, and social emotional learning specialist. Her work champions disability rights, mental health, and body positivity. Drawing on personal experience with spasmodic dysphonia—a neurological voice disorder—she's an advocate for inclusive fashion and well-being. Her journey into creativity emerged from lived experiences of disability and self-acceptance.
2. What is spasmodic dysphonia and how did it impact Denise’s life?
Spasmodic dysphonia is a neurological condition causing involuntary spasms in the vocal folds, leading to voice disruption and difficulty speaking. Denise Cesare, herself a speech language pathologist, lost her voice for several years as a result. This period not only presented personal and professional challenges but also awakened new avenues of creativity and resilience. Ultimately, Denise found a measure of relief through Botox injections, enabling her to reclaim her voice and amplify her advocacy.
3. How did Denise’s personal experience lead to the creation of T Suit?
During her silent years, Denise Cesare noticed a lack of inclusive swimwear, especially for those seeking comfort and body confidence. Frustrated by impractical solutions like wearing t-shirts in the water, she invented the T Suit—a swimmable cover-up designed to fit every body, not just a prescribed size. Her mantra is “you’re not a size, you’re a fit”, reflecting the principle that fashion should serve all bodies, not just those modelled in mainstream media.
4. What is the philosophy behind T Suit and inclusive fashion?
T Suit was created to help people feel comfortable and confident at the pool or seaside, whatever their body shape, size, or preference. Denise Cesare challenges the fashion industry’s narrow standards by designing garments that enhance rather than conceal. The intention is to promote joy, inclusion, and self-love, so individuals are free to enjoy themselves without self-consciousness or societal pressure.
5. How did the COVID-19 pandemic influence Denise’s work and writing?
The isolation and mental health pressures brought on by COVID-19 inspired Denise Cesare to write “Moments in Motion with Love”—a children’s book focused on mindfulness, resilience, and healing. The book emerged from her desire to bridge the disconnect she witnessed in her students during remote learning, nurturing social emotional growth in a time of profound uncertainty.
6. What is “Moments in Motion with Love” about?
This book centres on mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and self-compassion for children and adults alike. It not only delivers poetic affirmations but also encourages readers to practise being present, loving themselves and others. The aim is to heal the inner child, build resilience, and foster positive coping mechanisms amid adversity.
7. What advice does Denise offer to those coping with disability or adversity?
The key theme is resilience. Denise Cesare emphasises self-love, trusting one’s intuition, and refusing to be defined or limited by one’s disability or setbacks. She advocates seeking light during periods of darkness, building strong support networks, and using creative outlets to foster healing.
8. How does the fashion industry's approach to sizing affect body image?
Mainstream fashion often imposes arbitrary sizing standards that negatively affect self-image. Denise Cesare highlights that sizing can create emotional distress—from having to buy an item labelled “two sizes up”, to feeling excluded from trends. Her solution is to erase the fixation on size, focusing instead on “fit” and individual comfort.
9. Why is teaching mindfulness and emotional intelligence to children so vital?
The podcast suggests that formative years (from birth to seven) are crucial for brain development and emotional mapping. Integrating music, arts, and mindful practices lays down lasting neural pathways for self-compassion and resilience. Neglecting these can leave children less equipped to cope with adversity in later life, contributing to the wider mental health crisis seen among young people today.
10. How can listeners connect with Denise Cesare or learn more about her work?
Visit Denise’s website at denisecesare.com for her books, including autographed copies and further resources. The T Suit can be discovered at t-suit.com. Denise Cesare also shares empowering content on Instagram and Facebook under “fits everybody”. She welcomes contact through her website or social platforms.
11. What final message do Joanne Lockwood and Denise Cesare share?
The episode ends on a note of affirmation: “I am loved. I am light. I am courage. I am bright. I am brave. I am so important in this moment.” Both Joanne Lockwood and Denise Cesare encourage every listener to nurture self-love, be present, and embrace inclusion as a path to collective healing.
For more inspiring conversations or to join the Inclusion Bites community, visit Inclusion Bites Podcast or email Joanne Lockwood at jo.lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk.
Tell me more about the guest and their views
The guest for this episode is Denise Cesare, who brings a compelling blend of lived experience, professional insight and creative innovation to the Inclusion Bites Podcast. Denise Cesare is a published author, keynote speaker, and social emotional learning specialist, with a passionate commitment to championing disability rights, mental health advocacy, and body positivity.
Personal Background and Motivation:
Denise Cesare shares her journey of living with spasmodic dysphonia—a neurological disorder affecting the voice—which was triggered by a car accident in 2006. Remarkably, she is a speech language pathologist who, for five years, lost her voice and underwent a profound period of introspection and darkness before discovering Botox injections as a means to communicate. Rather than seeing her condition as a barrier, she frames it as a motivation to pursue practical compassion—a concept she identifies as her superpower.
Views on Disability and Inclusion:
She is outspoken about her experiences navigating both the medical and professional worlds with a hidden disability. Throughout the episode, Denise Cesare emphasises the importance of self-advocacy, intuition, and resilience, critiquing healthcare professionals who fail to empower disabled patients and highlighting challenges disabled educators face in mainstream settings. Her perspective is that true inclusion requires more than surface-level accommodations—it demands systemic empathy and a commitment to recognising individual dignity.
Body Positivity and Fashion Innovation:
In response to feeling excluded by mainstream swimwear—and the anxiety around body image that many face—Denise Cesare founded T Suit, an inclusive swimwear brand. Her approach is centred on the ethos that “you are not a size, you are a fit.” The brand aims to disrupt the archaic sizing conventions of the fashion industry, advocating that everyone should feel confident and comfortable, both in and out of the water. She offers swimwear solutions that are both functional and fashionable, enabling wearers to move from poolside to bar without needing to conceal themselves.
Mental Health, Mindfulness, and the Impact of COVID-19:
During the pandemic, Denise Cesare witnessed acute disconnection and sadness among young students learning remotely. In response, she authored “Moments in Motion with Love,” a mindfulness-driven children’s book, designed to help young people navigate emotional challenges and develop present-moment awareness. Her views on mental health extend to the need for systemic change and greater holistic support, especially in times of crisis. She critiques the failures in educational and healthcare systems to address the long-term impact of COVID-19 and emphasises the importance of building resilience and self-love from early childhood.
Educational Philosophy and Neuroscience:
Drawing on her background in speech pathology, Denise Cesare discusses the neurobiological basis of learning, particularly how formative experiences between birth and age seven can shape emotional and cognitive frameworks for life. She advocates integrating the arts, mindfulness, and love-centric approaches within education, stressing that prevention and early intervention are key to tackling the mental health crisis facing young people today.
Societal Observations and Solutions:
Throughout the episode, Denise Cesare returns to themes of compassion, love, and authentic self-expression as antidotes to polarization and division—whether it is in politics, public health, or social media. She challenges society to rethink its standards, embrace difference, and prioritise genuine connection over superficial measurement (such as likes or social status).
Key Takeaway:
At her core, Denise Cesare’s views are a rallying call for practical compassion, self-advocacy, and resilience. She embodies the belief that inclusion goes far beyond policy—it is a lived, everyday practice informed by empathy, creativity, and an unyielding sense of self-worth. Her work across education, disability advocacy, and inclusive fashion is driven by an unwavering hope: that everyone can find a way to feel seen, heard, and valued.
Would you like a deeper dive into any particular area of her philosophy or initiatives?
Ideas for Future Training and Workshops based on this Episode
Certainly! Drawing from the rich themes explored in this episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast, here are several ideas for future training and workshop programmes. Each is designed to promote inclusion, belonging, mental health, self-acceptance, resilience, and practical compassionate action—key areas deeply engaged by Joanne Lockwood and Denise Cesare:
1. Inclusive Fashion and Body Positivity Workshops
Overview: Explore the concept of “fit, not size,” disrupting damaging body image norms perpetuated by mainstream fashion. Use Denise Cesare's T suit brand as a case study for innovative, inclusive fashion solutions.
Activities: Group discussions around personal body image experiences, inclusive styling sessions, and practical exercises in selecting clothing based on comfort and self-expression.
Outcomes: Participants gain confidence in their own bodies and develop critical awareness of the impact of fashion industry standards on self-esteem.
2. Disability Awareness and Advocacy Training
Overview: Deep dive into hidden disabilities, particularly voice disorders such as spasmodic dysphonia, sharing lived experience and outlining advocacy approaches for inclusive education and workplaces.
Activities: Scenario-based learning, roleplay (e.g., managing meetings with hidden disabilities), and best practice toolkits for supporting colleagues.
Outcomes: Attendees learn how to be active allies, recognise unseen adversity, and foster environments where all people—regardless of ability—are empowered.
3. Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, and Resilience Building
Overview: Drawing on the concepts from ‘Moments in Motion with Love’, this workshop focuses on coping strategies for adversity, including practices for self-love and emotional wellbeing.
Activities: Guided mindfulness sessions, movement workshops (possibly including healing yoga or music interventions, as discussed in the episode), and group reflection.
Outcomes: Participants build practical skills for stress reduction, emotional regulation, and resilience, with a focus on healing from both personal and global trauma (such as the pandemic).
4. Educator Training: Social Emotional Learning (SEL) for Children and Young Adults
Overview: Equip educators, parents, and youth leaders to develop resilience and coping mechanisms in younger generations, based on the episode’s exploration of mental health impacts during COVID and formative years brain development.
Activities: Interactive modules on recognising signs of anxiety and disconnection, designing SEL curricula, and deconstructing deficit models in education.
Outcomes: Promote long-term wellbeing and resilience in schools and youth settings.
5. Intersectional Wellbeing: Mental Health, Identity, and Community
Overview: Address the overlapping impacts of disability, body image, ethnicity, trauma, and social isolation. Tackle systemic issues (e.g., polarisation in politics, digital wellbeing, social media pressures) mentioned in the conversation.
Activities: Facilitated dialogues, mapping exercises of identity and support networks, and design-thinking workshops for community-based wellbeing initiatives.
Outcomes: Enable attendees to create more supportive intersections between workplace, community, and personal identity.
6. Parent and Carer Seminars: Building Foundations for Healthy Childhood Development
Overview: Following the discussion of formative years, these seminars can educate parents on brain development, nurturing resilience, and the importance of early emotional mapping.
Activities: Practical parent/child activities, expert Q&A, and mini-case studies drawn from transcript examples.
Outcomes: Parents leave armed with actionable strategies for fostering inclusion, emotional intelligence, and a positive mindset from birth onward.
7. Authenticity and Leadership Circles
Overview: Encourage leaders to “come as you are,” integrating authenticity, vulnerability, and compassion into leadership practice.
Activities: Peer coaching, self-reflection exercises, and best-practice sharing for inclusive, values-led leadership.
Outcomes: Develop more empathetic and inclusive leaders who prioritise genuine belonging over performative diversity.
Each workshop or training session can be designed as standalone or modular, drawing directly on the real-life experiences and strategies shared in this episode. Would you like any of these fleshed out into detailed session plans, learning objectives, or marketing materials?
🪡 Threads by Instagram
Compassion becomes action when lived experience drives innovation. Denise Cesare transformed her journey with spasmodic dysphonia into inclusive swimwear and empowered students—proof that resilience can ignite community change.
We’re not defined by size but by fit, inside and out. Denise Cesare reminds us that fashion should enhance every body, fostering confidence and belonging—because self-worth starts with loving the skin you’re in.
COVID’s legacy is more than disruption—it’s a call to notice mental health. Connection and mindful presence help us heal, as Denise Cesare taught her students during lockdown. Pause, breathe, and value the moment.
Political divides deepen when compassion is sidelined. Joanne Lockwood and Denise Cesare ask: What happened to empathy leading our decisions? Let’s bridge communities with listening and real respect—not just rhetoric.
Our formative years shape who we become. Investing love, art, and music in childhood lays the foundation for resilience. As Denise Cesare says, healing starts with nurturing both the mind and heart early on.
Leadership Insights - YouTube Short Video Script on Common Problems for Leaders to Address
Leadership Insights Channel
Common Problem: Many leaders struggle to foster genuine inclusion and belonging, overlooking the unique experiences and needs of those with disabilities or diverse backgrounds in their teams.
Insight: If a leader ignores the lived experience of team members, especially those facing visible or invisible challenges, they risk disengagement, loss of talent, and a negative culture.
Action Steps for Leaders:
Listen Actively: Prioritise listening to every team member’s experience. Don’t rush to judgment—ask open questions and pay attention, especially when people share their challenges inside or outside work.
Empower Individuality: Create space for people to bring their authentic selves. Accept that voices, accents, and personalities will vary. Encourage the celebration of differences, rather than asking people to ‘fit in’.
Address Unseen Barriers: Challenge the status quo where systems exclude or sideline. Check if your practices support flexibility, comprehension, and emotional needs. Ask yourself regularly: “Who might be struggling in silence?”
Encourage Self-Advocacy: Model and champion self-advocacy. Empower team members to express their capacities, boundaries and aspirations, without fear of being diminished or dismissed.
Promote Wellbeing and Resilience: Make time for wellbeing check-ins, especially during times of change or upheaval. Ensure your support is active, not passive.
Positive Outcome: When leaders embody compassionate, practical inclusion, teams grow more resilient, innovative, and loyal. You’ll not only retain top talent—you’ll ignite a culture where everyone can thrive.
Subscribe for more actionable leadership insights.
SEO Optimised Titles
From Silence to Strength | How Denise Reclaimed Her Voice After 5 Years of Spasmodic Dysphonia | Denise @ T Suit
Inclusive Fashion Revolution | Why 73 Percent of Women Feel Uncomfortable in Swimwear and What T Suit Solves | Denise @ T Suit
The Science of Self-Love | Mapping Resilience in Children Aged 0-7 and Its Lifelong Impact | Denise @ T Suit
Email Newsletter about this Podcast Episode
Subject: Love in Motion — Embracing Inclusion, Resilience, and a Splash of Self-Love!
Hello Inclusion Bites Family,
We’re back with a truly uplifting episode you won’t want to miss! Episode 194, “Love in Motion,” welcomes Denise Cesare — author, keynote speaker, and passionate advocate for disability rights, mental health, and body positivity — in conversation with Joanne Lockwood.
So, what’s in store for you this week? Here are 5 keys you’ll unlock from their bold and insightful chat:
The Power of Practical Compassion: Discover how Denise transforms compassion into meaningful, inclusive actions across schools, communities, and even the world of fashion.
Resilience in the Face of Adversity: Denise’s personal journey with spasmodic dysphonia is a testament to finding light in dark times, showing that it's possible to reclaim your voice — both literally and metaphorically.
Redefining Body Confidence: Forget rigid size labels! Learn how the “T suit” swimwear line encourages us to celebrate real bodies, prioritising comfort, fit, and confidence at the pool, beach, or bar.
Mindfulness for Mental Wellbeing: From creating prescriptive narratives during lockdown to writing “Moments in Motion with Love,” Denise reveals how mindfulness underpins personal healing and growth, especially for children and young adults.
The Science of Self-Love: Chatting about the vagus nerve, neurobiology, early childhood experiences, and more, Denise and Joanne Lockwood explore how understanding your own physiological responses can deepen self-awareness and empathy.
A unique fact from the episode:
Did you know that spasmodic dysphonia, Denise’s vocal condition, means she must have regular Botox injections just to be able to speak? Her experience as both a speech pathologist and patient offers incredible insight into living — and thriving — with visible and invisible disabilities.
Ready to dive in?
Listen, reflect, and join the conversation! Subscribe to Inclusion Bites, share with your network, and if Denise’s journey has sparked your own ideas or questions, why not get in touch — Joanne Lockwood would love to hear from you (jo.lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk).
Strong finish:
Let’s carry this energy into the week ahead. Whether you’re sipping your morning brew, winding down in the evening, or heading to your next meeting in a T suit (we won’t judge), take a moment for self-love, inclusion, and positive change. The world needs your voice — and as this episode reminds us, it’s not about being perfect, it’s about showing up as yourself and building a kinder, more resilient future.
Tune in and let’s make inclusion our daily motion!
Catch the show here: Inclusion Bites Podcast
With warmth,
The Inclusion Bites Team
Potted Summary
Episode Introduction
In episode 194 of the Inclusion Bites Podcast, host Joanne Lockwood welcomes Denise Cesare, an author, keynote speaker, and champion of disability, mental health, and body positivity. Denise shares her personal journey with spasmodic dysphonia and the creation of an inclusive swimwear brand, T suit, exploring resilience, self-acceptance, and the impact of positive action on communities and education. Their conversation embodies compassion, innovation, and the power of mindful inclusion.
In This Conversation We Discuss
👉 Disability & voice
👉 Inclusive fashion
👉 Mental health
Here Are a Few of Our Favourite Quotable Moments
“Because you're not a size, you're a fit. We are not sizes, we are humans.” – Denise Cesare
“If you can't heal your inner child, you're never going to heal because you have to tap into those wounds.” – Denise Cesare
“We the people should have the say. We should have more say in their realm of what they're presenting to us.” – Denise Cesare
Summary & Call to Action
This inspirational episode delves into lived disability, fashion that empowers, and mental health resilience. Joanne Lockwood and Denise Cesare explore practical compassion, challenge norms, and advocate authentic belonging. To unlock more actionable insights and personal stories, tune in to Inclusion Bites—subscribe now and join the movement for positive change! Listen at https://seechangehappen.co.uk/inclusion-bites-listen.
LinkedIn Poll
Opening Summary:
On Episode 194 of the Inclusion Bites Podcast, “Love in Motion”, Joanne Lockwood speaks with Denise Cesare about cultivating inclusion and belonging in society. From body positivity and self-love to overcoming adversity, Denise’s journey with spasmodic dysphonia, inclusive fashion, and mindfulness provides crucial insights on how small actions can create lasting change. The episode invites us to consider: What really makes us feel seen, heard, and accepted in our communities?
LinkedIn Poll Question:
What has most helped you feel a sense of belonging? #InclusionBites #Belonging #Diversity #Wellbeing
Poll Options:
💬 Compassion in action
🎨 Body positivity
💡 Mindful moments
🧑🤝🧑 Shared lived experience
Closing: Why Vote
Your perspective shapes how we build more inclusive environments. Share what works for you—your answer might spark inspiration for someone seeking belonging. Let’s empower change together!
Highlight the Importance of this topic on LinkedIn
Just listened to the latest Inclusion Bites Podcast episode “Love in Motion” with Joanne Lockwood and Denise Cesare – an absolute must for anyone committed to building truly inclusive organisations! 🎧
In our industry, conversations about body positivity, disability advocacy, and mental health aren’t just “nice to have” – they’re business critical. Denise Cesare’s story around spasmodic dysphonia and her journey of reclaiming her voice powerfully illustrates the impact of lived experience in shaping belonging at work.
What stood out most:
✨ Turning compassion into practical action
💪 The importance of resilience and self-love
👗 How inclusive fashion (hello, T Suit!) changes narratives beyond the office
We need more open, authentic conversations about what inclusion really means – especially for those who don’t fit the stereotypical mould. This discussion is a reminder: if we want thriving teams, we must make space for every voice, every body, every story.
Let’s move beyond tokenism towards genuine transformation. Who else is inspired? Let’s connect and keep this conversation going! 👏🏽
#InclusionBites #EDI #Leadership #Belonging #MentalHealth #DisabilityAwareness #InclusiveFashion #RealChange
L&D Insights
Certainly! Here’s an expert summary for Senior Leaders, HR, and EDI professionals, drawing upon the Inclusion Bites Podcast episode "Love In Motion" with Joanne Lockwood and Denise Cesare:
Key Insights for Senior Leaders, HR, and EDI Pros
From “Love In Motion” | Inclusion Bites Podcast
1. Disability Inclusion & Lived Experience:
Denise Cesare’s transparent account of living with spasmodic dysphonia and her journey as an educator underscores the significant impact of lived experience in shaping both organisational culture and practical adjustments. Her refusal to “hide away” when facing exclusionary attitudes at work models authentic self-advocacy.
Aha Moment:
🧠 Organisations often overlook the intersectional value of employees who live with hidden disabilities—these individuals can be powerful agents of change if platforms are created for them to share their narratives.
Action:
Leaders should champion storytelling and diverse representation, encourage employees with disabilities to contribute to policy and practice, and ensure managers are equipped to support—not suppress—those who are different.
2. Practical Compassion in Action:
The conversation moves swiftly beyond “kindness at work” into the realm of compassion converted into tangible actions—across classrooms, communities, and even the fashion industry. Denise’s creation of an inclusive swimwear brand arose directly from her unmet personal needs, illustrating that innovation is often driven by exclusionary experiences.
Aha Moment:
💡 The best inclusion initiatives arise when compassion is operationalised into products, services, and policies—not left as mere sentiment.
Action:
Question which aspects of your organisation’s products, services, or environment fail to accommodate real diversity of need. Co-design solutions with those directly affected, rather than assuming what works.
3. Rethinking Belonging & Body Positivity:
The podcast exposes how body image anxiety and non-inclusive fashion undermine confidence for so many. Denise’s mantra “you’re not a size, you’re a fit” reframes identity away from external standards and towards individual pride.
Aha Moment:
🪞 Standardisation in HR processes, workspaces, or ‘one-size-fits-all’ solutions might inadvertently breed exclusion and self-doubt.
Action:
Audit policies and everyday practices for assumptions about ‘normal’—especially regarding uniform, office attire, health and wellness programmes. Adopt language that celebrates difference rather than minimising it.
4. Mindfulness & Mental Wellbeing Post-Pandemic:
Drawing from COVID-19’s impact on students and staff, the episode highlights the lasting mental health repercussions and the urgent need for trauma-informed leadership. Mindfulness is presented not as a trend, but as a necessary practice for all levels of staff.
Aha Moment:
🍃 Leaders cannot afford to treat post-pandemic stress and anxiety as temporary or peripheral—these factors affect engagement, productivity, and retention far more deeply than previously assumed.
Action:
Embed trauma-informed approaches into induction, management and everyday leadership. Open conversations about mental health, provide accessible support and devote real resources to monitoring and responding to wellbeing.
5. The Power of Self-Love & Support Networks:
Both speakers emphasise self-advocacy and self-acceptance as non-negotiable foundations for thriving in adversity. The necessity of supportive networks—alongside personal resilience—becomes clear, especially when confronting exclusion or health challenges.
Aha Moment:
🫂 HR and EDI professionals must foster environments where every person feels they belong as themselves, not as a template of corporate ideals.
Action:
Revise onboarding, leadership development, and peer support structures to prioritise authenticity, vulnerability, and a culture of shared support.
What Should You Do Differently?
Elevate lived experience as central to policy design.
Operationalise compassion and move beyond performative gestures.
Challenge default standards in every part of people management.
Treat post-pandemic wellbeing as an ongoing organisational priority.
Nurture authentic belonging over conformity.
Share these takeaways:
#InclusionIgnited #RealChangeHR #DisabilityChampion #MindfulLeadership #BeyondTheNorm
👂 Listen and subscribe: Inclusion Bites Podcast
📧 Join the conversation: jo.lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk
✨ The future of inclusion is practical, intentional, and courageously authentic. Are you ready to lead it?
Glossary of Terms and Phrases
# Uncommon Concepts and Phrases in "Love in Motion" — Inclusion Bites Podcast
This episode explores several specialised terms and ideas related to inclusion, disability, fashion, and mental health that are not part of everyday vocabulary for most listeners. Below are the key words and phrases, alongside definitions as implied through the discussion:
### 1. Spasmodic Dysphonia
- **Definition:** A neurological voice disorder causing involuntary spasms of the vocal cords, leading to interruptions in speech. It often requires specialised interventions such as Botox injections to regain functional voice.
### 2. Swimmable Cover
- **Definition:** A garment designed to be worn both in and out of water, providing modesty and comfort for those who prefer more coverage than traditional swimwear. Unlike a typical cover-up, it allows the wearer to swim without the garment becoming heavy or uncomfortable.
### 3. T Suit
- **Definition:** An adaptive, inclusive fashion brand and product. The T Top and T Dress are signature items designed to fit all body types, challenging the idea of "sizes" by promoting "fits," thus focusing on humanity over numerical sizing.
### 4. Body Positivity
- **Definition:** The advocacy for acceptance and appreciation of all body shapes, sizes, and appearances, directly challenging societal beauty standards and the stigma around non-conformity.
### 5. Moments in Motion
- **Definition:** A mindfulness and self-compassion concept that encourages individuals to be present and find love in each moment, as further articulated in the guest’s book and her teaching philosophy.
### 6. Mindfulness Practice
- **Definition:** The deliberate and ongoing act of grounding oneself in the present moment, with emphasis on intentional breathing, awareness, and self-regulation—rather than just being "thoughtful."
### 7. Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
- **Definition:** Education processes designed to help individuals develop emotional intelligence, resilience, and interpersonal skills, particularly in response to trauma or isolation such as during COVID-19 lockdowns.
### 8. Pareo (or Pareto/Pareu)
- **Definition:** A versatile wraparound skirt often used at beaches or pools, mentioned as a product that can transition from swimwear to casual wear seamlessly.
### 9. Vagus Nerve
- **Definition:** A major cranial nerve linking the brain to digestive system and other organs, key to emotional regulation, stress responses, and physical sensations such as anxiety. Discussed in the context of music therapy and mindfulness.
### 10. Mapping (Brain Mapping)
- **Definition:** The neurological process where experiences and learning in early childhood (birth to seven years) shape enduring patterns and biases in the brain, influencing behaviour and emotion throughout life.
### 11. Selective Mutism
- **Definition:** Unlike spasmodic dysphonia, this is an anxiety-based condition where a person is unable to speak in certain social situations, despite having the ability to do so in comfortable environments.
### 12. Inclusive Fashion
- **Definition:** Clothing design and merchandising that cater for all body shapes, abilities, and sensory needs, moving beyond superficial notions of style to focus on dignity and empowerment.
### 13. Sustainability (in fashion)
- **Definition:** Affirming eco-friendly production and consumption, with materials and practices that are environmentally responsible, ensuring the longevity and quality of products as a counter to fast fashion.
### 14. Resilience (Mental Health)
- **Definition:** The capacity to recover from difficulties and adapt to adversity, discussed as a quality found lacking in some younger generations due to shifts in parenting and societal expectation.
---
These concepts are central to the episode’s conversation, underpinning the approach to disability, well-being, and broader societal transformation through inclusion.SEO Optimised YouTube Content
Focus Keyword: Inclusive Fashion & Culture Change
Video Title:
Love in Motion: Inclusive Fashion & Culture Change | #InclusionBitesPodcast
Tags:
inclusive fashion, culture change, positive people experiences, spasmodic dysphonia, body positivity, mental health, disability rights, T suit, Denise Cesare, Joanne Lockwood, mindfulness, belonging, sustainable fashion, self-love, resilience, diversity, inclusion, swimwear, wellbeing, coping strategies, empowerment, young people, education, emotional health, transformative culture, personal growth
Killer Quote:
"I saved myself. Because if you don’t have self-love, you don’t want to be here straight, straight out. That was my formula." – Denise Cesare
Hashtags:
#InclusiveFashion, #CultureChange, #PositivePeopleExperiences, #SpasmodicDysphonia, #BodyPositivity, #MentalHealth, #DisabilityRights, #TSuit, #DeniseCesare, #JoanneLockwood, #Mindfulness, #Belonging, #SustainableFashion, #Resilience, #Diversity, #Inclusion, #Empowerment, #Wellbeing, #TransformativeCulture, #PersonalGrowth
Why Listen: Inclusive Fashion & Culture Change
In this extraordinary episode of Inclusion Bites, I welcome Denise Cesare—published author, keynote speaker, and inclusive fashion innovator. We journey deep into the heart of culture change and the pivotal role that Inclusive Fashion plays in creating Positive People Experiences, not just on the surface but at the very core of belonging and self-worth.
We begin our conversation weaving together personal stories—Denise’s Italian heritage, her journey from speech pathologist to lived experience of spasmodic dysphonia, and her radical courage in transforming adversity into empowerment. As Denise shares, "I saved myself. Because if you don’t have self-love, you don’t want to be here straight, straight out. That was my formula." This reflection anchors the episode’s exploration into how self-compassion and resilience foster an authentically inclusive culture.
The focus keyword, Inclusive Fashion & Culture Change, underscores the profound influence fashion has not only on individual confidence but on shifting societal norms. Denise’s creation, T suit, is a testament to how adaptive and inclusive clothing can be an instrument for dignity, agency, and transformative culture change. By innovating swimwear that “fits everybody to a T,” Denise delivers a solution that liberates wearers from a sizing system that has often suppressed self-expression and body positivity. Fashion, she argues, is not just about outer garments—it’s about inner transformation and self-acceptance.
As I speak with Denise, she draws a critical link between mental health and belonging, especially as young people and those with disabilities navigate a society often riddled with barriers. The pandemic and lockdown were especially challenging for children and young adults, who found themselves disconnected from peers and overwhelmed by uncertainty. Denise’s book, ‘Moments in Motion with Love’, arose from this crisis, offering mindfulness and emotional grounding as antidotes to anxiety, disconnection, and social isolation. Culture change, as we explore, is more than policy or rhetoric—it’s about embedding empathy, vulnerability, and authentic self-worth into the community fabric.
Our discussion shines a light on the importance of supporting mental health holistically, emphasising mindfulness as a practice to nurture resilience and emotional agility. We delve into how formative childhood experiences shape our capacity for self-love and how society must invest in parents and caregivers to foster safe, nurturing environments from birth to seven years old—the critical period for brain mapping and emotional growth.
Denise’s journey is a powerful case study in turning personal pain into collective gain. Her refusal to be sidelined by disability resulted in professional innovation and personal liberation, advocating for dignity and inclusion not just for herself but for countless others. By connection and conversation, we model the mindset required for enabling Positive People Experiences in every sphere—refusing to accept erasure or suppression, and instead amplifying voices that advocate for meaningful inclusion and wellbeing.
Throughout this episode, listeners are offered actionable insights—how to advocate for yourself and others, how to interrogate societal narratives around disability and body image, and how to integrate mindfulness for ongoing personal growth. The episode is a clarion call for each of us to participate in culture change—whether through the clothes we wear, the words we speak, or the compassion we show.
This conversation is an empowering reminder that culture change is lived, enacted, and embodied daily, championing diversity not as an aspiration but as a standard. If you care about transmuting challenges into inclusive, transformative experiences—for yourself, your family, your workplace, or your community—then this episode will leave you energised, enlightened, and armed with practical strategies to forge inclusion and nurture belonging.
Closing Summary and Call to Action
To all listeners who joined us for ‘Love in Motion’, here are the actionable insights and key learning points for embedding Inclusive Fashion & Culture Change in your own life and community:
Champion Positive People Experiences: Prioritise environments where individuals are seen, celebrated, and supported. Build inclusive practices in your business, classroom, or organisation.
Challenge Size and Body Image Norms: Advocate against arbitrary sizing in fashion. Embrace the fit-first philosophy—clothes should empower, not diminish, self-worth.
Accessibility in Fashion: Support adaptive, inclusive brands like T suit. Consider how innovative products can enhance dignity for all, especially those who feel excluded by mainstream options.
Self-Advocacy Matters: Learn to trust your instincts, as Denise did—never accept being minimised because of disability or difference. Seek doctors, leaders, and colleagues who energise rather than suppress your agency.
Mindful Practice: Make mindfulness a regular exercise. Even one moment of grounding can pivot your mood, boost resilience, and foster perspective in challenging times.
Support Mental Health Holistically: Recognise that mental health is not only medical but environmental. Push for better support, monitoring, and advocacy in medical and social settings.
Early Childhood Development: Invest time, empathy, and resources in the formative years. Encourage arts, music, and positive affirmations to lay the foundation for self-love and resilience.
Embrace Vulnerability: Work through your own inner child wounds; healing comes from facing and integrating past struggles rather than suppressing them.
Sustainability in Consumer Choices: Opt for quality and sustainability in everything, avoiding disposable habits that undermine shared wellbeing.
Empowerment through Authenticity: Show up as you are—relinquish self-consciousness and perfectionism. True culture change emerges from collective authenticity.
Redefine Success: Move away from instant gratification and winning-at-all-costs mentalities. Foster patience, perseverance, and emotional intelligence instead.
Reject Division: Refuse polarisation in politics, opinion, and everyday interactions. Instead, cultivate dialogue, empathy, and shared goals for social good.
Activate Knowledge: Use technology, research, and community conversations to educate and empower yourself. Be your own advocate—knowledge is truly power.
Monitor and Balance Medication’s Role in Mental Health: Advocate for thorough monitoring when prescribed psychiatric or physical health medications. Push for regular reviews and safeguarding against unintended side effects.
Cultivate Support Networks: Surround yourself with people who uplift and challenge you to grow. Connection and community can provide vital buoyancy when facing adversity.
Sponsor Transformation: If you’re in a position of influence, use your platform to highlight and elevate marginalised voices. Culture change requires leadership and courageous allyship.
Promote Everyday Mindfulness: Integrate mindfulness into daily routines—whether practising reflective breathing or encouraging pauses for self-assessment.
Teach Resilience: Model and teach coping strategies across generations to build collective strength uniquely adapted to ever-changing challenges.
Celebrate Moments of Light: Even in darkness, seek and amplify moments of light—gratitude, progress, and self-love.
Spread the Message: Share episodes like this widely. Amplifying these conversations can spark broader culture change and equip more people to take individual and collective action.
Remember, Culture Change begins with micro-moments—how we talk, respond, and show up for ourselves and each other, every day.
Outro
Thank you, the listener, for tuning in to this essential conversation. I invite you to like and subscribe to this channel—your engagement helps us amplify stories and insights that drive real change. For more information, connect with me and access all episodes online at:
Your voice is powerful—join the Inclusion Bites community and be a catalyst for Positive People Experiences and culture change.
Stay curious, stay kind, and stay inclusive - Joanne Lockwood
Root Cause Analyst - Why!
Certainly. Using the Problem-Agitate-Solution model and Socratic questioning, let us conduct a root cause analysis on the main issues discussed in this episode of Inclusion Bites: “Love in Motion.”
Key Problems Identified
Social stigma and lack of inclusion for individuals with disabilities, particularly invisible disabilities like spasmodic dysphonia
Body image pressures caused by the fashion industry's sizing norms and representations
Insufficient mental health support, especially for young people, exacerbated during COVID-19
Erosion of resilience and coping mechanisms in younger generations
Societal polarisation, diminishing empathy and constructive dialogue
Now, let's select a principal issue: the lack of authentic inclusion for people with disabilities and difference, as it intersects with the other topics.
'WHY?' Analysis — Five Layers Deep
1st Why: Why does a lack of authentic inclusion for disabled individuals persist?
Because stereotypes, misunderstandings about disability (especially non-visible conditions), and organisational apathy prevail in schools, workplaces, and society at large. Denise Cesare discussed the dismissive attitudes even from medical professionals and employers.
2nd Why: Why are stereotypes and misunderstandings so embedded?
Because there is insufficient education and awareness about disability; physical and neurological differences are poorly understood. People tend to judge based on what is visible or conforms to the ‘norm.’
3rd Why: Why do education and awareness remain inadequate?
Because diversity and inclusion initiatives are often surface-level, and curriculums, organisational policies, and media rarely go beyond token representation. Voices with lived experience are underrepresented and not given decision-making authority.
4th Why: Why are initiatives so superficial and experiences marginalised?
Because power structures within the fashion industry, government, and broader society prioritise commercial interests and traditional narratives over genuine consultation with affected groups. There is inadequate investment in inclusive design and mental health.
5th Why: Why do profit and tradition outweigh change and empathy?
Because historical systems have reinforced self-enhancing myths, competition, and image-based value. There is a fundamental absence of accountability and incentive to value inclusion beyond compliance or optics.
Root Cause Summary
The underlying drivers are a lack of structural accountability and empathy, sustained by outdated power structures and commercial priorities. Change is restricted by limited representation of those with lived experience in positions of influence, resulting in tokenism and policies that are not meaningfully actionable.
Potential Solutions
Radical Inclusion in Decision-Making
Involve individuals with lived experience of disability at the highest levels of policy, product design, and education. Make their insights sought-after and compensated.
Mandatory Education and Awareness
Institute comprehensive inclusivity training in schools, workplaces, and public sectors, co-designed and co-facilitated by disabled advocates like Denise Cesare.
Reformative Fashion Standards
The fashion industry must prioritise fit over size, as Denise Cesare’s T Suit brand embodies. Campaign for inclusive representation and challenge the ‘size’ paradigm.
Holistic Mental Health Strategies
Treat mental and physical health as interconnected. Fund interventions based on early years development, resilience building, and continuous monitoring — not merely crisis management.
Legislative Accountability
Strengthen laws and enforcement against discrimination, including invisible disabilities. Reward organisations that innovatively embed inclusion, and penalise mere compliance.
Media and Cultural Representation
Promote authentic stories through podcasts (like Inclusion Bites), mainstream media, and community events, shifting the societal narrative from impairment to empowerment.
In conclusion:
The episode reveals the necessity for deeper structural change, challenging assumptions, and empowering those with lived experience. The real solution is collective accountability harnessed through radical empathy, progressive policy, and cultural narrative shift — transforming inclusion from mere rhetoric to everyday reality.
Canva Slider Checklist
Slide | Content |
|---|---|
Opening Slide | Building inclusive cultures and fostering belonging goes beyond policy—it's about embedding practical compassion, resilience, and empowerment in daily interactions. Follow this best practice checklist to instigate meaningful change across your business, championing wellness, representation, and authentic connection. |
Embrace Compassion | Prioritise practical compassion by encouraging actions that honour individual experiences and differences. Integrate empathy into feedback, communication, and decision-making, making compassion a visible standard across all HR, DEI, TA, and OD initiatives. |
Celebrate Authenticity | Foster environments where employees feel safe to be themselves, minimising conformity pressures. Encourage the rejection of unrealistic standards, especially regarding identity and body image, to create space for real representation and confidence. |
Promote Resilience | Equip teams with coping strategies and emotional intelligence training. Model adaptive leadership, supporting responses to challenges and setbacks, and help individuals build inner resilience against organisational and societal pressures. |
Prioritise Mental Health | Develop proactive wellness programmes and mental health resources. Address stigma directly, facilitate open conversations on psychological wellbeing, and ensure robust support for those navigating personal or professional crises. |
Focus on Mindful Inclusion | Embed mindfulness into organisational culture by encouraging presence, active listening, and self-reflection. Promote continued practice over theoretical understanding and tailor moments of inclusion to the unique needs of every individual and team. |
Closing Slide | Ready to drive genuine inclusion and belonging in your organisation? Connect with Joanne Lockwood at SEE Change Happen to access expert guidance and practical resources. Discover more at https://seechangehappen.co.uk and start your journey towards positive people experiences today. |
6 major topics
Love in Motion: Six Transformative Conversations about Inclusive Cultures
Meta Description:
Explore “Love in Motion” as I recount powerful conversations with Denise Cesare covering inclusive cultures, disability advocacy, body positivity in fashion, mindfulness, resilience, and the crucial work still needed for deeper inclusion.
As I sat down with Denise Cesare for our latest Inclusion Bites conversation, I was struck by just how much can be packed into one real-hearted chat about inclusive cultures. Denise brought not only her own lived experience but also practical wisdom, raising questions and fresh perspectives that had me reflecting long after we'd said goodbye. Here are the six major threads we explored together, each stitched with curiosity, courage, and a belief in the transformative power of belonging.
The Power and Pain of Losing Your Voice
When Denise shared the personal journey of losing her literal voice due to spasmodic dysphonia, it was far more than a medical anecdote — it became an entry-point into what inclusion truly means for those living with disabilities. Imagine: a speech pathologist unable to speak, forced to advocate for herself in a system slow to recognise neurological conditions. How many others go unheard simply because their difference isn’t readily understood? Denise’s story illuminated the barriers in disability advocacy and why acknowledging hidden struggles in inclusive cultures is absolutely crucial.
She spoke of treatments and the five years spent essentially voiceless, describing it as a “dark period.” What stood out was her refusal to accept defeat and her eventual self-diagnosis. I found myself asking: How might workplaces and educational institutions become more attuned — and responsive — to hidden disabilities? Is inclusive culture just about visible difference, or must it expand to those whose battles are unseen?
Inclusive Fashion: Why We’re Not Just a Size, But a Fit
What do swimwear and inclusion have in common? More than you’d think. Denise’s creation of T suit, a brand dedicated to body positivity and accessible clothing, wasn’t just entrepreneurial — it was revolutionary. We talked openly about how traditional fashion caters primarily to unrealistic body ideals, leaving most of us feeling “less than” at the pool, the beach, and even in our own skin. Denise’s mantra, “you’re not a size, you’re a fit,” gets to the heart of body acceptance and inclusive cultures.
Curiously, Denise traced this innovation back to her experience of hiding under T-shirts at swim clubs, yearning for something that let her feel both comfortable and included. What if the fashion industry embraced designs that empower rather than constrain? It prompts me to wonder: How might inclusive clothing choices reshape our confidence in public, shifting societal expectations of beauty, gender, and ability?
Mindfulness as an Anchor in Disruptive Times
COVID-19 brought waves of uncertainty for so many, and Denise’s response was to create “Moments in Motion with Love,” a children’s book that grew out of her desire to reconnect isolated students to themselves and the present moment. Our dialogue turned tender here, threading through issues of mental health, mindfulness, and resilience in inclusive cultures. Denise’s focus on practising mindful moments, rather than just talking about them, resonated deeply.
Is mindfulness merely a trendy hashtag, or is it an essential tool for healing and empowerment in a fractured world? Denise reminded me that true inclusion asks us to be present not only for others, but for ourselves — an idea as applicable to boardrooms as it is to classrooms. I found myself musing: How might we embed mindful practices into our daily routines to nurture collective resilience?
Mental Health, Trauma, and Healing the Inner Child
Digging deeper, Denise and I discussed the generational impacts of trauma, especially in the wake of lockdown and social isolation. She stressed the importance of foundational experiences formed by the age of seven, challenging me to think about early interventions, parental education, and healing the “inner child” for lasting well-being. Rather than gloss over mental health with prescriptions and platitudes, Denise insisted on the need for sustained, loving support.
Here’s the curiosity: How might inclusive cultures proactively support both adults and children in processing trauma, beyond the limits of conventional healthcare? Are we giving parents and educators the right tools, or simply asking them to muddle through?
Resilience: The Art of Finding Light in Dark Times
The conversation took a poignant turn as Denise recounted raising her son whilst battling disability and workplace resistance. Rather than falling into the trap of attributing survival solely to external reasons (“my son saved me”), she realised that it was self-love and inner resilience that lit the way. What does it mean to seek out “a crumb of light” amid adversity, to refuse being sidelined in any environment?
I couldn’t help but ask: If workplaces and communities truly celebrated the gritty art of perseverance, what culture shifts might we see? How do we cultivate support networks and empathetic spaces, so the next person won’t have to fight quite so hard to belong?
Society, Polarisation, and the Lost Lessons of COVID
Finally, there was the broader perspective: Denise highlighted how the pandemic exposed — and swiftly buried — the urgent need for inclusion, connection, and compassion in our institutions. We lamented the “reset” to old norms, noting how discussions around mental health, remote working, and well-being were side-lined once lockdowns ended. Inclusive cultures must remain vigilant, questioning why recovery from crisis too often leads to forgetfulness, not progress.
What institutional actions should we prioritise if we truly wish to foster lasting inclusion? How do we counteract short-term thinking and drive systemic change, rather than hastily patch up old wounds?
Conclusion: The Heartbeat of Inclusive Cultures
Through Denise’s remarkable journey and our honest exchange, six major themes emerged, each echoing the central keyword: inclusive cultures. From disability visibility and fashion innovation to mindful resilience and the raw work of mental health, every topic offers a lesson for how we might do better — for ourselves, for each other, and for the next generation. If you’re curious about how these insights might shift your own approach, I invite you to keep listening, asking questions, and sharing stories. The journey to inclusive cultures is far from finished, and together, we can ensure the conversation keeps moving forward.
#InclusiveCultures #BodyPositivity #Mindfulness #DisabilityAdvocacy #Resilience #MentalHealthAwareness
Slogans and Image Prompts
Certainly! Drawing on the rich transcript of "Love in Motion" from The Inclusion Bites Podcast, here are memorable slogans, soundbites and quotes perfect for merchandise or hashtags. Each includes a detailed AI image generation prompt so your cups, t-shirts, mugs, or stickers stand out and spark conversations:
1. Slogan: "Fits Everybody to a T"
Transcript Source: Denise Cesare: "T suit because you're not a size, you're a fit. We are not sizes, we are humans."
AI Image Prompt:
Create a bold graphic of a diverse group of people of all sizes and backgrounds, standing confidently together, each wearing stylish T-shirts or swimwear. Use warm, inclusive colours. The words "Fits Everybody to a T" are featured prominently in playful yet elegant font. Subtle water motifs or waves in the background evoke the swimwear inspiration.
2. Slogan: "You Are Not a Size – You Are a Fit"
Transcript Source: Denise Cesare: "It's not a size. You're a fit."
AI Image Prompt:
Design a close-up of different body outlines, each filled with unique, vibrant patterns (paisley, floral, geometric). The slogan floats above in bold text, emphasising diversity and body positivity. Gentle soft focus around the edges for a welcoming aesthetic, ideal for stickers or mugs.
3. Quote: "Love Yourself, Love Your Body."
Transcript Source: Denise Cesare: "Fits everybody. And love yourself, love your body. I mean, we go through all stages. We gain weight, we lose weight, or we think we're too skinny. We think, enough, you're alive."
AI Image Prompt:
Show an abstract silhouette of a person with a heart radiating from the chest, surrounded by graceful body-positive affirmations floating around in delicate handwritten font. Sunlight streaming in from above gives a hopeful vibe. Perfect for a tote bag or mug.
4. Mantra: "I Am Loved. I Am Courage. I Am Brave. I Am So Important In This Moment."
Transcript Source: Joint affirmation between Denise Cesare and Joanne Lockwood, call-and-response poem (closing section).
AI Image Prompt:
Arrange the mantra in stacked lines over a serene sunrise landscape with gentle hills, with a diverse figure standing tall in the foreground, arms open wide. Subtle sparkles or rays of light highlight each part of the mantra as the eye travels downward. Empowering, gentle colour tones.
5. Soundbite:"Moments in Motion with Love"
Transcript Source: Denise Cesare: "Moments in Motion with Love was the tagline on T suit."
AI Image Prompt:
Imagine a water ripple effect, with floating hearts or petals gently landing on its surface, the words "Moments in Motion with Love" in flowing, script font appearing to float on the water. Soft pastel tones for an uplifting, calm feel.
6. Slogan:"Compassion Into Action"
Transcript Source: Joanne Lockwood: "Her superpower, she said it is turning compassion into practical, inclusive actions across classrooms, communities and fashion."
AI Image Prompt:
Depict hands of different skin tones collaboratively building something beautiful—a heart, a tree, or a bridge. The phrase "Compassion Into Action" arches over the top in a bold, modern sans serif font. Bright, energetic colours convey active empathy.
7. Hashtag:#FitsEverybody #LoveInMotion #MomentsWithLove #CompassionInAction
Transcript Source: The recurring themes and episode title.
AI Image Prompt:
Four square frames showing stylised icons representative of each hashtag (diverse people for #FitsEverybody, flowing water for #LoveInMotion, a heart in motion for #MomentsWithLove, and linked hands for #CompassionInAction). Arrange them in a grid for sticker packs or socials.
Feel free to mix and match these concepts! Each phrase captures the spirit of the podcast—belonging, empowerment, body positivity, and the spark of compassionate change.
Inclusion Bites Spotlight
Denise Cesare, our featured guest on Love in Motion, brings a transformative lens to the latest episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast. As a published author, keynote speaker, and specialist in social emotional learning, Denise bridges the worlds of disability advocacy, mental health empowerment, and body positivity. Her lived experience of spasmodic dysphonia—an often misunderstood neurological voice condition—infuses her insights with authenticity and compassion.
Denise’s pioneering work began in a period of intense personal challenge when she lost her voice, catalysing her journey towards inventing the T Suit: a swimmable, fashion-forward garment designed to challenge size-based norms and celebrate all bodies. Through practical innovation and intuitive design, Denise reframes what it means to belong at the intersection of fashion, disability, and self-worth.
A champion of inclusive education and resilient mental health, Denise draws upon her experiences as both a speech pathologist and an entrepreneur. She advocates for intuitive self-compassion and mindfulness as skills to be consciously cultivated, particularly for those adjusting to disability, adversity, or societal expectations. Her narrative underscores the necessity of representation, reminding us that diversity extends beyond the visual to include voice, lived experiences, and emotional wellbeing.
In this episode, Denise explores how moments of adversity can give rise to creativity, belonging, and self-love. With Joanne Lockwood, she examines the impact of COVID-19 on young people, the importance of early formative relationships, and the ongoing challenges of recognising and nurturing mental health in an increasingly polarised world.
Denise urges us to rethink how we define empowerment, challenging the fashion industry’s limiting ideals by foregrounding fit over size, and encouraging all individuals to embrace the skin they are in. Her mantra—“You are loved, you are light, you are brave”—epitomises the ethos of radical self-acceptance and compassion central to the Inclusion Bites mission.
Tune in to hear how Denise’s journey invites us all to translate compassion into real-world inclusion, reimagining how culture, fashion, and education can work together to foster a sense of belonging—for every voice and every body.
Listen now: Inclusion Bites Podcast – Love in Motion
YouTube Description
Love In Motion – Inclusion Bites Podcast Ep.194 | Transforming Compassion into Practical Inclusion
What if self-acceptance and body positivity were the true disruptors society desperately needs? In this episode, "Love In Motion," we challenge the superficial norms of inclusion and invite you to rethink how compassion shows up beyond rhetoric—right into classrooms, communities, and the fashion industry.
Join host Joanne Lockwood and guest Denise Cesare, a published author, keynote speaker, and social-emotional learning specialist, as they unravel lived experience around disability, mental health, and the power of embracing one's voice—literally and metaphorically. Denise shares her transformative journey from losing her physical voice due to spasmodic dysphonia, to launching the inclusive swimwear brand T Suit™, and writing "Moments in Motion with Love" to support young people’s mental health during COVID-19.
Key insights:
True belonging starts with self-compassion and authenticity, not mere representation.
Denise’s approach: “You’re not a size, you’re a fit”—a practical solution for body image diversity, tackling the fashion industry’s exclusionary standards.
Spasmodic Dysphonia: demystifying invisible disabilities and highlighting the need for empathy in employment and personal spaces.
The ripple effect of COVID-19 on mental wellbeing, emphasising the urgency of mindfulness, resilience, and healing our ‘inner child’.
Why meaningful inclusion demands action—challenging listeners to recognise and support those whose experiences are seldom visible.
After listening, you’ll think differently about inclusion, feel empowered to act with deeper empathy, and become an advocate for transforming compassion into real-world change. Are you truly present or just performing allyship? It’s time to move beyond hashtag activism—step into practical inclusion.
Takeaways & Actions:
Challenge perceptions of disability and mental health—listen, empower, and uplift voices that struggle to be heard.
Support inclusive fashion and initiatives like T Suit™ that prioritise functional design and respect for all bodies.
Practise mindfulness—ground yourself and cultivate resilience, for yourself and others.
Share the episode and join the conversation: your perspective matters in shaping an inclusive world.
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10 Question Quiz
Inclusion Bites Podcast – Episode “Love in Motion”
Host-Focused Multiple Choice Quiz
1. According to Joanne Lockwood, what is Inclusion Bites fundamentally a sanctuary for?
A) Light conversation and celebrity gossip
B) Surface-level networking
C) Bold conversations that spark change
D) Political debates and policies
2. What is highlighted by Joanne Lockwood as a core focus for her podcast journey?
A) Exclusive luxury lifestyles
B) Inclusion, belonging, and societal transformation
C) Financial investment strategies
D) Environmental activism
3. Joanne Lockwood invites listeners to participate in which way?
A) By donating money
B) By sharing insights or joining her on the show
C) By attending live shows only
D) By purchasing merchandise
4. In discussing the inspiration for T suit, which societal issue does Joanne Lockwood directly relate it to with her guest?
A) Climate change
B) Inclusive fashion and body positivity
C) Space exploration
D) Economic inequality
5. How does Joanne Lockwood introduce the concept of losing and reclaiming one’s voice in reference to Denise Cesare’s book?
A) As a metaphorical and theoretical notion
B) As a literal, lived experience
C) As a literary fiction
D) As a purely academic case study
6. Which city does Joanne Lockwood mention visiting in her story related to the Staten Island Ferry?
A) Los Angeles
B) New York
C) Chicago
D) Miami
7. What attitude does Joanne Lockwood express regarding body image and swimwear?
A) Uncritical acceptance of traditional bikini standards
B) Appreciation for inclusive design suited for all body types
C) Exclusive promotion of high fashion models
D) Focus solely on athletic swimwear
8. How does Joanne Lockwood approach the concept of overcoming adversity regarding the guest’s spasmodic dysphonia?
A) With disregard for disability rights
B) By minimising the mental health impact
C) By probing for understanding and expressing empathy
D) By ignoring medical diagnoses
9. What does Joanne Lockwood underscore about the impact of COVID-19 on mental health and inclusion?
A) It created mainstream celebrity opportunities
B) It was easily forgotten with no long-term impact
C) It highlighted enduring issues around mental health, resilience, and support
D) It was a positive financial stimulus
10. Joanne Lockwood concludes the episode with which imperative for listeners?
A) Passively consume content
B) Amplify voices and foster inclusion
C) Only engage on social media
D) Debate without action
Answer Key & Rationale
C – Bold conversations that spark change
Rationale: Joanne Lockwood explicitly describes Inclusion Bites as a sanctuary for bold conversations to ignite change, directly in the introduction.B – Inclusion, belonging, and societal transformation
Rationale: These themes underpin all podcast episodes, according to Joanne Lockwood’s stated aims.B – By sharing insights or joining her on the show
Rationale: Listeners are encouraged to reach out and become part of the dialogue, making inclusion participatory.B – Inclusive fashion and body positivity
Rationale: T suit is linked to championing disability rights, mental health, and body positivity.B – As a literal, lived experience
Rationale: Joanne Lockwood confirms with Denise that the loss and reclaiming of voice is actual and not metaphorical.B – New York
Rationale: Joanne Lockwood narrates her own visit and experience with the Staten Island Ferry in New York City.B – Appreciation for inclusive design suited for all body types
Rationale: She discusses discomfort with exclusive swimwear norms and supports Denise’s inclusive approach.C – By probing for understanding and expressing empathy
Rationale: Joanne Lockwood asks thoughtful questions regarding the guest’s condition, seeking genuine understanding.C – It highlighted enduring issues around mental health, resilience, and support
Rationale: The host covers lasting effects, lack of resilience, and the need for sustained mental health support post-pandemic.B – Amplify voices and foster inclusion
Rationale: The closing remarks focus on amplifying voices and promoting a more inclusive world, calling on listeners to take part in change.
Summary Paragraph
In this episode of “Love in Motion”, Joanne Lockwood masterfully anchors Inclusion Bites as a hub for bold conversations focused on sparking real societal change. Her unwavering commitment to inclusion, belonging, and transformation shapes every aspect of the show, from actively inviting listener participation to amplifying lived experiences such as navigating disability and reclaiming voice. Sharing her own stories and championing inclusive fashion, Joanne Lockwood interrogates body positivity and the limitations of conventional swimwear. Tackling adversity and mental health head-on, particularly in the wake of COVID-19, the host underscores both the individual and collective responsibility to foster resilience. Ultimately, Joanne Lockwood leaves listeners with a clear call to action: join the momentum, amplify vital voices, and be part of crafting lasting inclusion.
Rhyme Scheme and Rhythm Podcast Poetry
Love in Motion
From darkness carved, a voice once lost,
Resilience bloomed, no matter the cost.
In silent rooms, compassion grew—
Out of pain, new paths accrue.
A spark of strength, sparked by need,
Birthed inclusive fashion, bold indeed.
Not size but fit—embrace your skin,
Water calls to let life begin.
Swim in confidence, walk with grace,
Feel sexy, free, in every place.
Forget the gaze that makes you hide,
Let light and courage stem your pride.
Through trials faced, through change endured,
Mental health must be secured.
Moments matter—pause, reflect,
Mindfulness grows with self-respect.
From childhood roots, love’s foundation laid,
Resilience watered where kindness stayed.
Healing flows when hearts unite—
The vagus runs from mind to light.
Don’t chase the number, seek the fit,
Be raw, be ready—never quit.
Breathe, be present, dare to strive;
In every shadow, hope survives.
So if this resonated, don’t delay—
Subscribe and share, make change today.
With thanks to Denise Cesare for a fascinating podcast episode.
Key Learnings
Key Learning and Takeaway:
The central insight from this episode of Inclusion Bites, “Love in Motion”, is the transformative power of self-compassion and resilience—especially in the face of adversity, disability, and societal pressures regarding body image and identity. Through the lived experience and advocacy of Denise Cesare, it’s clear that practical inclusion starts with empowering oneself and others, embracing individual differences, and moving past limiting cultural norms around voice, body, and belonging.
Point #1: Self-Compassion Fuels Resilience
Denise Cesare's journey through losing and reclaiming her voice after developing spasmodic dysphonia highlights that true perseverance comes from cultivating self-love, not solely from the motivation to “push on” for others. The power to heal and thrive originates within, providing the foundation for authentic empowerment.
Point #2: Inclusion is Practical, Not Just Philosophical
By launching her adaptive swimwear brand, T Suit, Denise Cesare transforms compassion into tangible, inclusive action. The product tackles stigma and discomfort around body image, demonstrating that practical solutions are essential for people to feel seen and valued without judgement or comparison.
Point #3: Mindfulness is a Continuous Practice
Mindfulness, as described in the episode, isn’t a spontaneous state—it’s a skill honed over time. In moments of darkness or stress, learning to take mindful pauses, breathe, and be present is vital not only for personal wellbeing but also for fostering collective humanity and inclusion.
Point #4: Early Experiences Shape Lifelong Beliefs
Both speakers underscore the importance of the formative years, explaining that from birth to seven, a person’s brain maps foundational beliefs and coping mechanisms. This highlights the urgent need for adults, educators, and parents to invest intentionally in compassion, positive reinforcement, and emotional literacy, laying the groundwork for healthier, more resilient future generations.
The conversation offers a compelling call for everyone to champion inclusion through everyday choices—whether it’s in fashion, family, education, or simply how we show up for ourselves and one another.
Maxims to live by…
Maxims for Living: Love in Motion
Compassion is a Verb: Transform empathy into practical, inclusive action across every aspect of life—classrooms, communities, workplaces, and beyond.
Embrace Your Own Voice—Literally and Metaphorically: Cherish your ability to speak out, but remember that value and presence persist even when your voice falters. Advocate for yourself and others who struggle to be heard.
Listen to Your Intuition: Trust your instincts, especially when navigating uncertainty, adversity, or the advice of others. Your gut often knows what your mind cannot articulate.
Celebrate Uniqueness, Challenge Stereotypes: Reject societal standards that suggest there’s only one way to be or look. Diversity of body, voice, identity, and experience enhances the richness of society.
You Are Not a Size—You Are a Fit: Refuse to define yourself (or others) by arbitrary labels. Seek comfort and confidence in what suits you, rather than what is dictated by industry or convention.
Self-Love Fuels Resilience: In moments of challenge, dig deeply for self-compassion and self-worth. Happiness, perseverance, and even survival stem not from external validation but from an internal wellspring of love.
Honour Vulnerability and Darkness: Acknowledge difficult times. Healing, growth, and creativity often arise from adversity. Seek the light, but let yourself recognise the shadows.
Create Environments of Belonging: Inclusion isn’t mere tolerance—it’s actively fostering spaces where everyone can show up as their authentic self and thrive.
Presence Over Perfection: Practise mindfulness purposefully. Ground yourself in the now; true peace and clarity are found in present moments, not future plans or past regrets.
Question Cultural Norms and Systems: Ask whose needs are actually being met. Demand more than token gestures—seek genuine change in fashion, media, education, and politics.
Contribute to Sustainable Change: Consider the impact of your choices not just on yourself, but on the planet and future generations. Embrace sustainability in consumption and outlook.
Educate for Empowerment: Support children and young people in developing self-worth, resilience, and healthy coping mechanisms. Early experiences shape lifelong well-being.
Be Raw, Be Real: Whether online or in person, honour authenticity. Reject digital perfectionism; connect as your true self.
Share Knowledge Generously: Use access to information and technology to empower, not to overwhelm. Choose to inform and uplift rather than obscure or confuse.
Work Together, Not Apart: Collaboration and support uplift the collective. Isolation breeds division. Cultivate relationships across all walks of life—family, colleagues, and strangers alike.
Value Both Heart and Mind: Integrate compassion, logic, and intuition. True wisdom arises when intellect and emotion work in harmony.
Healing Begins Within: To love others and embrace the world, start by healing and loving your own inner child. Only then are you free to move forward with purpose.
Refuse to Be Divided: Reject polarisation for the sake of unity. Strive for meaningful dialogue, not argument. Seek solutions, not victory.
You Control Your Narrative: In order to be loved, be lovable. To receive respect, be worthy of respect. To be liked, be likeable. What you seek begins with you.
Hold Fast to Moments of Love: Recognise that true worth is found in the fleeting moments—experience, embrace, and remember them. Let love always be in motion.
Live boldly, inclusively, and kindly. Let these principles be the thread that weaves your daily choices into a tapestry of love—ever in motion.
Extended YouTube Description
Love in Motion | Inclusion Bites Podcast Episode 194 | Inclusive Fashion, Disability Rights & Mindfulness
Welcome to “Love in Motion”, Episode 194 of the Inclusion Bites Podcast, hosted by Joanne Lockwood! This powerful conversation features special guest Denise Cesare—author, keynote speaker, and social emotional learning specialist—who shares her journey of turning compassion into practical, inclusive actions across education, communities, and the fashion industry.
Timestamps & Key Topics
00:01:14 – Introduction to Denise Cesare and overview of her advocacy
00:06:50 – Living with spasmodic dysphonia: Finding voice and identity
00:08:51 – Developing T Suit: Rethinking inclusive swimwear and body positivity
00:13:54 – The story behind ‘Moments in Motion’: Mindfulness, mental health and supporting youth during COVID
00:19:19 – Disability, advocacy, and resilience: Overcoming workplace discrimination
00:22:29 – Fashion industry critique: Destigmatising size and inclusive design
00:29:51 – The impact of COVID-19 on mental health for children and adults
00:31:42 – Mindfulness in practice: Tools for daily resilience and self-care
00:36:28 – Social media, self-image, and authenticity in a digital age
00:41:06 – The science behind self-love: Vagus nerve, emotions, and healing
00:44:49 – Early years, the brain’s development, and lasting effects on wellbeing
00:53:02 – Self-advocacy, medicine, and modern healthcare tips
00:56:49 – Living in the moment: Mindful living and practical wellbeing
01:01:06 – Affirmations and empowerment: The ‘Believe’ poem
01:02:26 – How to connect with Denise Cesare and explore further resources
Video Summary and SEO-Optimised Description
Join HR professionals, diversity & inclusion champions, educators, and changemakers for an essential discussion on inclusive cultures and belonging. In this episode, Joanne Lockwood and Denise Cesare explore:
Disability Rights & Intersectionality: Denise reveals her lived experience with spasmodic dysphonia, advocating for medical self-knowledge and fighting systemic exclusion.
Innovative Inclusive Fashion: Discover the origins of T Suit—a pioneering brand inspiring body positivity, size inclusivity, and dignity for all identities in swimwear.
Mental Health & Mindfulness: Extract actionable techniques for fostering resilience in classrooms, at work, and at home, with tips to support children, adults, and whole communities post-pandemic.
Social Media & Authenticity: Gain insight into the pressures of online self-presentation and the importance of real connection and knowledge-sharing to battle misinformation and isolation.
Practical Strategies: Learn how mindfulness practice, affirmations, and understanding the vagus nerve can help you boost self-worth, counter stress, and lead with compassion.
Whether you’re seeking grounded strategies to empower yourself and others, curious about the intersections of inclusion and fashion, or keen to understand the mental wellbeing challenges impacting generations, this episode delivers rich, expert-led insights tailored for professionals, advocates, and anyone passionate about positive change.
How These Insights Benefit You
DEI Leaders: Transform your organisation’s approach to belonging with cutting-edge, practical takeaways.
HR & Education Professionals: Boost classroom and workplace wellbeing by applying Denise’s resilience and mindfulness strategies.
Small Business Owners & Fashion Entrepreneurs: Rethink product development for accessibility, sustainability, and universal fit.
Parents & Carers: Strengthen child development through early emotional education and proactive engagement.
Advocates & Community Builders: Connect authentically, amplify impact, and foster ongoing transformation.
Call to Action
Subscribe for more insights on inclusive leadership, societal change, and wellbeing tools.
Visit our website for resources: https://seechangehappen.co.uk/inclusion-bites-listen
Connect with Denise Cesare: denisecesare.com, Instagram & Facebook @Fitseverybody
Share your thoughts or join the conversation—email jo.lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk.
Watch another related episode on inclusive leadership or mental health strategies for deeper learning.
Hashtags (for reach & discovery):
#InclusionBites #DisabilityRights #InclusiveFashion #BodyPositivity #MentalHealthAwareness #Mindfulness #DEI #SocietalChange #Resilience #SelfLove #SocialEmotionalLearning #Wellbeing #ToxicPositivity #SeeChangeHappen #FitsEverybody
Unlock actionable, expert-led tips for stronger inclusion, resilience, and belonging—right from the heart of the Inclusion Bites Podcast. Subscribe and join our movement towards real, positive change!
Substack Post
Love in Motion: Weaving Compassion into Everyday Inclusion
Why do so many of us, even those committed to inclusion, find it hard to bridge the gap between compassion and concrete change? In my work consulting with organisations of every size, I’ve noticed a recurring challenge: we speak earnestly about belonging and equity, but taking that sentiment off the page and into our daily practices feels, for many, like swimming upstream.
On this week’s Inclusion Bites Podcast, I am joined by Denise Cesare—a published author, keynote speaker, and unapologetic champion for disability rights, mental health, and body positivity. Denise’s journey is one of genuine love in motion: she transforms compassion into practical, inclusive actions across classrooms, communities, and even the fashion industry.
If you’ve ever found yourself searching for ways to turn good intentions into lasting impact, our conversation offers a powerful blueprint.
Inclusive Culture: It’s More Than Just Good Intentions
In our episode, aptly titled "Love in Motion," Denise shares her lived experience with spasmodic dysphonia—a neurological condition that, for years, robbed her of her literal voice. Not only did she persevere, she used this period of enforced silence to spark innovation and create her own inclusive swimwear brand, T Suit. Denise’s story is one of resilience meeting creativity, and how adversity can fuel the fire of belonging for oneself and others.
Together, we discuss themes highly relevant to those working in HR, Diversity & Inclusion, Talent and Recruitment, and L&D:
Embracing disability as a source of empowerment, rather than a limitation
The mental health implications for educators and students during—and beyond—the pandemic
How body image, fashion, and self-confidence intersect in the drive for an inclusive culture
Why compassion must be translated into everyday business decisions and practices
Denise doesn’t simply talk about inclusion; she lives it—and challenges us to do the same.
Insights from Denise: From Personal Struggle to Global Change
Denise’s remarkable path is punctuated by her refusal to be sidelined by physical disability or outdated norms. Her story is a masterclass in tenacity and reinvention—for herself and others who feel voiceless in their own spheres.
Far from being a tale of personal triumph alone, Denise links the pursuit of inclusion to business realities: challenging the fashion industry, advocating for disability-friendly policies, and innovating solutions for marginalised communities. Whether you’re an HR manager rethinking policies, a D&I leader navigating post-pandemic mental health concerns, or a talent strategist searching for new engagement tools—the lessons here echo across professional borders.
How Compassion Takes Root: Practical Steps from Love in Motion
Denise’s experience, and our conversation, is full of actionable takeaways. Here are five that stand out for me—each one a stitch in the fabric of a truly inclusive culture:
Build Inclusion from Lived Experience
– Genuine inclusion is rooted in understanding real life challenges. Denise created T Suit, an inclusive swimwear line, because she recognised a gap after experiencing the self-consciousness of wearing wet T-shirts over traditional swimsuits. Organisations must listen to, and act on, the voices of those who know exclusion first-hand.Move Beyond Numbers: Prioritise Fit over Size
– In both fashion and recruitment, we often fixate on metrics—sizes, roles, quotas. Denise’s philosophy is, “You’re not a size; you’re a fit.” Apply this thinking in talent acquisition: look beyond labels and find the environment where each person can thrive as their authentic self.Adopt an Intuitive, Strengths-Based Approach
– Denise’s journey also taught her to trust her instincts, especially when diagnostic pathways failed her as a disabled professional. HR and L&D teams should encourage employees to recognise their ‘gut feel’ about belonging and speak up about their needs and solutions.Foster Resilience through ‘Moments in Motion’
– Her prescriptive narrative for adults and children post-lockdown reminds us that resilience isn’t built in isolation. There’s value in mindfulness—pausing, breathing, and rooting ourselves in the present—whether supporting a teacher recovering her voice or a young person forging theirs amid turbulent times.Demystify Unattainable Body Image Standards
– Denise was candid about how the fashion industry perpetuates exclusion. By creating designs that are both practical and affirming, she proves it’s possible to challenge not only what we wear, but the ways we think about ourselves and others at work, in leisure, and in learning.
Those five stitches are just the beginning—there’s an entire tapestry of insights waiting for any organisation ready to reimagine inclusion.
Watch: A Moment of Transformation
Curious to see Denise in action? Here’s a one-minute audiogram—a snippet from our conversation—that captures her approach to turning hardship into transformative innovation. Take a moment to watch the audiogram here. You’ll hear how Denise’s experience with spasmodic dysphonia inspired her to not only reclaim her voice, but to help others find theirs.
Want More? Listen, Share, and Act
For the full, unvarnished conversation, listen to Love in Motion—an episode rich with practical wisdom and real-world application. Whether you’re rethinking your wellbeing strategy, designing inclusive workplace practices, or looking for inspiration to energise your own DEI journey, this is not an episode you’ll want to miss.
Listen now and consider sharing with colleagues and allies in your professional network. High-impact change needs a chorus of voices—and every share amplifies the dialogue around inclusion, mental health, and self-love in the world of work.
Where Can We Put Love in Motion?
As I reflect on this episode, I’m reminded of something Denise shared: “You can’t see light without darkness.” Every organisation, department, and team faces its own shadows. How can you turn adversity into action, ensuring that compassion doesn’t simply live in policies but moves through every meeting, every conversation, every act of leadership?
If you’re ready to put love in motion, start small, start now—and watch your culture transform from the inside out.
If you want more inspiration, resources, or support, connect with me on LinkedIn, watch episode highlights on YouTube, explore our work at SEE Change Happen, or drop me a line at jo.lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk.
How will you move compassion from intention to action in your own organisation this week?
Until next time,
Joanne Lockwood
Host of the Inclusion Bites Podcast
Inclusive Culture Expert at SEE Change Happen
1st Person Narrative Content
Love in Motion: Compassion, Disability, and the Courage to Reclaim Your Voice
"If you don’t have self-love, you don’t want to be here—straight up. That was my formula. It wasn’t my love for anyone else that kept me alive; it was my love for myself, and the resilience never to give up."
There’s a certain clarity that comes only after walking through the darkness—when you’ve experienced the world closing in, watched your own voice slip away, and chose, day by day, to weave yourself back into the fabric of hope. Not just for others, but first for yourself. This conversation wasn’t about surface-level empowerment or neat self-help platitudes. It was about the uncompromising truth: inclusion means understanding the nuanced, sometimes messy, often magical process by which people reclaim their wholeness and dignity.
Today, I invite you into that journey—one shaped by personal crisis, creativity sparked by necessity, and a radical approach to social emotional learning, disability, and body positivity. This isn’t a recap or a series of sound bites. It’s a living reflection on what it means to turn compassion into action, and why that matters now more than ever.
Why I Care About Inclusion and Courage—and Why You Should Too
For me, this topic is both deeply personal and professional. I’ve encountered the crucible of disability—losing my voice to spasmodic dysphonia—and faced the raw frustration of navigating systems that too often turn a blind eye to those who fall outside their neat categories. In my years as a speech pathologist, educator, and now founder in inclusive fashion, the core lesson has been clear: systems change only when we start where most are afraid to—by embracing both the struggle and the creativity born from it.
That’s why I find spaces like the Inclusion Bites Podcast such a critical antidote to institutional inertia. Joanne Lockwood, founder of SEE Change Happen and a fearless voice for positive people experiences, has shaped a sanctuary for conversations that really matter. Her mission isn’t simply diversity tick-boxing—it’s disruption. She brings both incisive curiosity and compassion to her work, challenging leaders, educators, and allies to reimagine what it means to nurture belonging.
More than [INSERT_VIEW_COUNT] people have already watched our interview on YouTube, with many more tuning in via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. But what really excites me is the groundswell of commentary, debate, and reflection stirred by these conversations. If this sparks something for you—questions, pushback, or agreement—I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. I read every one.
Turning Darkness Into Light: Disability, Voice, and the Power of Creative Response
Most people wouldn’t imagine a speech pathologist losing her voice. In 2006, that’s exactly what happened. A car accident triggered spasmodic dysphonia—a neurological condition rendering me voiceless for five years. Suddenly, I was forced to navigate the world through silence, working every day with children while grappling with the absence of my most essential tool.
What surprised me was this: when you’re robbed of one form of agency, you unlock another. I dove headlong into new creative endeavours—not out of inspiration, but necessity. As Joanne reflected, “You can’t see the light without the darkness.” In my silence, I began prototyping garments that solved both my emotional and practical frustrations with swimwear. Forced to hide beneath heavy T-shirts in the pool, I sought a new kind of cover—one that didn’t conceal, but empowered.
Out of that period, T Suit was born. I realised we aren’t sizes; we are fits. My prototype began as something I threw together—an altered T-shirt to smooth my lines, letting me feel good in my skin, whether I’d gained or lost weight, felt empowered or vulnerable. But I quickly saw this had resonance beyond my individual experience. Every person deserved to feel comfortable and confident at the pool, the beach, or anywhere.
Joanne asked a provocative question: “Why did we invent bikinis, skimpy swimwear, and sizing that only fits models?” We both agreed—the fashion industry had long played down the realities of everyday bodies, fuelling shame and hiding. Australians wear sun-protection for the UV light, but what about protection from the gaze?
The magic of the T Suit is that it’s not a cover-up for hiding; it’s an invitation to express and move in the world as you are. Whether layered over a tank, paired with jeans, or worn alone, it allows fluid identity and comfort—all while being sustainable and eco-friendly, bucking the throwaway culture. I told Joanne, “It fits everybody to a T. We aren’t sizes. We are humans.”
This creative action was only possible because I had to get creative in order to cope. I invested my energy in T Suit, but more critically, I learned to listen deeply to my own intuition. This, I believe, is the heart of inclusion work: not waiting for permission, but responding to adversity with invention.
Voice, Advocacy, and Challenging the Systems That Exclude
Navigating spasmodic dysphonia—its physiological and neurological roots, the confusion even among professionals—sharpened my instincts about what true advocacy requires. For years, I saw doctors mistake my condition for psychological mutism, asthma, or reflux. One downbeat specialist told me, “Just go on disability.” I refused, holding out for the right diagnosis and ultimately for a treatment—Botox injections—that restored my ability to speak.
Joanne pressed on the distinction: selective mutism is psychological, but spasmodic dysphonia is neurological. Even now, prominent voices like RFK Jr. wrestle with the condition, their voices changed but their resolve undiminished. For many, the path to diagnosis and treatment remains obscured.
This is where I learned a lesson crucial for every leader, parent, and educator: trust your own gut—your lived experience often holds the answers the experts miss. For five years, I lived without my voice, held back not only by biology but by systems unprepared to support disabilities in a meaningful way. I had to fight to retain my job. “People want to hide you away,” I said, “put you somewhere else. They picked the wrong person.”
That experience catalysed a radical belief. When you lose one form of expression, find another. Empathy alone isn’t enough; inclusion requires active, sometimes uncomfortable recalibration of structures. It asks us to make space for difference, and to benefit from it.
Joanne articulated this beautifully. “You come as you are—empower people by refusing to shy away from what changes.” For many years I was unintelligible. Now, whether my Botox is at its peak or waning, I show up. I share my story, unpolished, because this is where real connection begins.
The Pandemic as Catalyst: Mindfulness, Mental Health, and the Imperative for Social Emotional Learning
When COVID-19 struck, the veneer of “normal” crumbled. Suddenly, every educator, parent, and business leader was forced into the deep end—navigating unprecedented disconnection, anxiety, and trauma. For me, working with students remotely, the stakes suddenly felt existential. “I saw the disconnect in their eyes,” I remembered. “By May, there was sadness I didn’t know how to address.”
That night, I prayed for a way to help. At five o’clock in the morning, my answer arrived—a book, written in a single flood of inspiration. Moments in Motion with Love became both mantra and method: a mindful toolkit for nurturing resilience, connection, and self-love in young people (and, it turned out, in adults as well).
This is more than narrative therapy—it’s a curriculum in emotional literacy, self-regulation, and acceptance. The process wasn’t straightforward. As I read my words aloud to my husband, even he—less prone to creative excess—recognised their resonance. My son, isolated in college, heard the book and cried. Not from sadness, but relief: “Yes, I only have this moment with love, and I have to hold onto it.”
Joanne highlighted a truth we often overlook. “We didn’t do the work. I thought COVID would spark generational change—but the systems reset themselves.” Politicians, business leaders, schools—all seemed keen to sweep the lessons under the rug. Yet the trauma—unprocessed, unattended—remains. We see it in anxiety, in an epidemic of lostness and lack of resilience among young people and adults alike.
For me, COVID revealed the necessity of mindfulness as a practice, not a platitude. It is something we must train for—not something we simply decide to deploy. Step by step, “taking a mindful moment, grounding yourself, breathing.” My book has evolved into a yoga curriculum, bringing movement and emotion into direct conversation—a way to heal the body, the inner child, and the planet all at once.
Breaking Free of Sizing, Shame, and the Limitations of Culture
If there is one area where exclusion is coded into the culture, it’s fashion—and the destructive tyranny of sizing. Joanne reflected that she’s “never been comfortable in two-piece swimwear.” I told her, it’s not about body type or a number on a label; it’s about fit, comfort, and the freedom to move through the world confidently.
We spoke about the psychological harm of arbitrary sizing. “You go into a shop, grab your size off the rack, and suddenly it’s two sizes smaller than you expect. You feel like you’re cheating or failing.” The industry leverages this inadequacy to fuel constant consumption.
This is why my work with T Suit matters so much to me. Every design is engineered with inclusivity in mind. The garments are not only swimmable and flattering, but eco-conscious and durable. They dry quickly, transition seamlessly from pool to dinner, and, crucially, allow you to choose how much of yourself to show or hide. As I told Joanne, “It’s not camouflage; it’s magical.”
I recalled a story of a woman who wore the T Dress without anything underneath—not to hide, but to revel in the transformative feeling of freedom and dignity. The mesh is structured so that you can’t see through; instead, you see yourself reflected back, elevated.
We both agreed—confidence comes from ceasing to chase some ideal, and instead cultivating the fit and the feeling that works for you. “Get the number out of your head,” I said. “Buy what makes you look and feel amazing. You are not that size; it’s the fit.”
This philosophy goes beyond clothes. It’s about negotiating identity, belonging, and self-worth. It’s about refusing to let algorithms or market forces define your value.
Digital Life, Social Media, and the Challenge of Authenticity
We live in an era of relentless digital curation. Young people, especially, are bombarded with filtered realities, chasing dopamine via likes and shares—a digital lens which can distort genuine connection and self-worth. Joanne made a salient point: “If you meet me in person, you recognise me. That’s the standard for digital authenticity.”
For me, social media must serve as an engine for empowerment, not comparison. I only post knowledge—tools, encouragement, and insight meant to lift people up. But, as I noted, you must empower yourself. No one can do it for you.
The pandemic, and the subsequent rush back to “normal,” exposed a gaping need for more robust emotional skills, emotional regulation, and authentic social interaction. It’s not enough to be “mindful” as an Instagram hashtag. Mindfulness must be cultivated through daily practice—taking stock, grounding, and stepping back from the instant feedback loop.
For adults and especially young parents: we must become far more intentional about nurturing the formative years, giving children the resilience, love, and foundations to thrive amid uncertainty. The first seven years of life lay down the neurological pathways that will carry us into adulthood. If those years are spent stressed, disconnected, or exposed to aggression, it shapes who we become. As I argued, “Infuse arts, music, and love early—map those things in the brain.”
Joanne put it succinctly: “Maybe the true link isn’t drugs or vaccines, but the environment and what’s reinforced early on.”
Resilience, Self-Love, and the Inner Child: The Real Engine of Survival
Having lived through trauma and the gradual reclamation of my life, I know first-hand how resilience is built. For years, I believed it was my son who kept me going. But as time passed and my work deepened, I realised the truth: “It wasn’t my love for him that saved me—it was my love for myself.” Self-love isn’t self-indulgence; it’s the only sustainable anchor when darkness descends.
In the podcast, Joanne and I shared a mantra—mine distilled through years of personal trial, her own through deep personal reflection:
"I am loved.
I am light.
I am courage.
I am bright.
I am brave.
I am so important in this moment."
That, too, is the heart of effective inclusion. You can only extend dignity and compassion to others if you first cultivate them within. Inclusion isn’t a permission slip—it’s an obligation to grow, to confront your own biases, and to shape spaces where every person can find the light. The work is lifelong; the rewards are generational.
A Final Reflection: The Moment, the Movement, and the Invitation
If there’s one thing I’ve learned through this journey—from losing my voice to reclaiming my agency, to designing for humans not sizes, to advocating for true mindfulness—it’s that love in motion is a radical act. It’s not a passive sentiment; it’s the active, daily choice to champion compassion through practical, inclusive action.
As I close, I circle back to my opening hook: Resilience is not bestowed—it is created. Inclusion is not achieved—it is lived. Love is not static—it is always in motion.
Let’s not settle for the systems as they are. Let’s keep creating, keep pushing, keep loving ourselves enough to change what needs changing. If something in this conversation lit a fire, or unsettled, or aroused curiosity—please share it below. I read every comment.
Here’s to the next bold act of compassion—whatever form it might take.
Song Lyrics from Episode
[Title
Moments in Motion (Fits Everybody)]
[Synopsis
Episode 194 — “Love in Motion” lays bare the journey of reclaiming voice and belonging in a world that rarely fits. Inspired by Denise Cesare’s lived experience and compassionate resolve, these lyrics chart a path from silence and self-doubt to uplift, self-love, and communal care — all wrapped in the warmth of mindful indie pop. For every listener who’s ever felt out of place, this is your anthem to move, feel, and believe again.]
[Vibe
Gentle, spacious verse instrumentation (acoustic guitar, soft pads), gradually layering in steady country-tinged drums. Chorus opens up with vocal harmonies, subtle strings, and brighter electric guitar. Bridge is stripped-back and intimate. Final chorus drives home energy with full arrangement. Fade out over repeating affirmations and melodic guitar improvisations.]
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
I was quiet for years, my words lost in shadow,
A voice buried deep, fighting to be free.
Covered up, trying to blend in —
But under my skin, the tide pulled at me.
Draped in worries, wrapped in seams,
No room for beauty or light in between.
But the water knows, and memory flows:
There’s a fit beyond the size of my dreams.
[Pre-Chorus]
It’s not just the fabric or names we wear,
It’s the moment we choose to stand and declare:
I am more than this shape, more than what you see —
I am love in motion, I am meant to be.
[Chorus]
So I rise in the water,
Sun on my face,
You are not a number —
You’re a whole embrace.
No shame in the ripples,
No hiding away —
Fits everybody,
Let love lead the way.
[Instrumental Section]
[Fingerpicked guitar echoes, gentle pads swell; brief melodic motif repeats to evoke the pulse of belonging, soft percussion building anticipation.]
[Verse 2]
Through all the noise, I stitched my own meaning,
Found courage where cracks let the sunlight in.
Standing beside you, I see reflections —
We’re all yearning for joy, not just fitting in.
Moments on screen, words we never say —
But truth is a touch, it’s the choices we make.
If you’re lost in the darkness, edge of retreat,
Just a thread of self-love, and you’ll find your beat.
[Pre-Chorus]
Acceptance isn’t given,
It’s a battle, a dance.
When you’re silent with struggle,
Let compassion advance.
[Chorus]
So I rise in the water,
Sun on my face,
You are not a number —
You’re a whole embrace.
No shame in the ripples,
No hiding away —
Fits everybody,
Let love lead the way.
[Bridge]
[Instruments drop to acoustic guitar and vocals only, fragile and honest.]
If you can’t find your words,
Let movement speak.
Heal the child inside you,
Strength is not weak.
Light in the mirror —
It’s how you begin.
Brave is believing
That you fit in your skin.
[Instrumental Section / Build]
[Gradual re-entry: strings, a second acoustic guitar, tambourine. Wordless vocal harmonies swell; hopeful, resilient.]
[Final Chorus (Lifted)]
We rise in the water,
All colours, all names.
Not chasing perfection —
Just honouring the pain.
With every heartbeat,
We can choose to stay:
Fits everybody,
Let love lead the way.
[Fade Out]
[Repeated softly:]
Fits everybody…
Let love lead the way…
[Warm guitar evolves into gentle improvisations, pads soften, final heartbeat on drums. Vocals trail off, affirming: I am loved, I am brave, I am light.]
[Artistic Direction
Female lead vocal with understated confidence. Harmony vocals fill the chorus. Verses are delicate and vulnerable, chorus rooted and strong. Acoustic and indie pop/country sensibility, minor-to-major modulations underscore growth. Production balances warmth and air. No ornate flourishes; authenticity is paramount. Let melody carry emotion, not spectacle.]
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