Welcome back to Relationships with Ericka Ush! In this episode, host Ericka Ushliyanage sits down with Tressa Yonekawa, a keynote speaker, consultant, and coach who helps organizations, leaders, and couples strengthen relationships, improve communication, and build healthy, thriving cultures.

With decades of experience and a unique background as a female half-Asian, former dominatrix entrepreneur, multimillion-dollar healthcare agency founder, and adoptive mom of three amazing daughters from the US foster care system, Tressa brings unique, eye-opening perspectives on what's truly possible in connection and inclusion for all of us.

In this episode, Ericka and Tressa discuss the powerful personal practices of highly successful leaders, partners, and parents, exploring how self-awareness, presence, and emotional safety create the foundation for extraordinary relationships—both romantic and professional.

Tressa shares insights on:

• The role of childhood patterns in shaping our adult relationships and how recognizing these patterns is the first step toward breaking free from cycles that keep us stuck
• Self-awareness and self-worth as the cornerstone of all healthy relationships, and practical exercises to cultivate both
• The Presence Pyramid framework: Why trust isn't the foundation of relationships (it's actually the pinnacle!) and the five essential layers that build lasting connection
• Redefining vulnerability as full presence with your truth, and why simply "being vulnerable" isn't enough without the right tools
• Nonviolent communication techniques, including the powerful "I have a story" framework that eliminates blame, shame, and explosive fights
• Online dating in the modern age: The benefits and pitfalls of dating apps, the importance of boundaries, and how to navigate the desire to "be chosen" while requiring someone who meets you at your highest level
• Bringing back in-person connection in the age of instant gratification, including the most powerful (and awkward) practice for building authentic relating
• How to stop repeating the same relationship patterns by getting present, creating emotional safety, and using curiosity to illuminate unmet needs

This episode is for you if you:

• Keep repeating unhealthy relationship patterns and want to understand the root cause
• Struggle with self-worth, people-pleasing, or being performative instead of authentic in relationships
• Want practical tools for healthy communication, conflict resolution, and emotional regulation
• Feel overwhelmed by online dating and the culture of instant gratification
• Desire deeper, more meaningful in-person connections beyond screens
• Are a leader, entrepreneur, or public figure navigating relationship challenges in silence
• Want to understand how childhood experiences shape adult relationship dynamics
• Are ready to build emotionally safe, present, and trust-centered relationships

Tune in for a deeply moving and practical conversation that will shift how you show up in every relationship in your life — romantic, professional, and most importantly, with yourself.

If you enjoyed this conversation, kindly subscribe to Relationships with Ericka Ush for more episodes filled with real, thought-provoking, and empowering insights to help you heal, grow, and thrive in love and life.

Episode Chapters:

01:10 Introduction to the Guest: Tressa Yonekawa

03:54 The Power of Self-Awareness and Meditation

15:22 Building Trust and Emotional Safety

19:36 Crafting Online Dating Profiles and Algorithms

20:08 Challenges and Opportunities in Online Dating

22:47 Building Authentic In-Person Connections

25:47 Tools for Nonviolent Communication

Connect with Ericka Ush:

Share your feedback, suggest new topics, or join the conversation on Instagram: relationships.with.ericka

Connect with Tressa Ana Kawa:

Learn more about The Soul of Connection events, upcoming YouTube series, and podcast with Duke Entertainment

Instagram: Tressa Yonekawa

Welcome back to Relationships with Ericka Ush! In this inspiring episode, host Ericka Ushliyanage sits down with Maria Cherkasskaya, business and mindset coach, public speaker, and mental health advocate who helps entrepreneurs manifest their dream life and business on their own terms.

Born in Russia and now based in Ottawa, Canada, Maria is the founder of her own marketing agency and Manifest Change Society, a women’s personal growth and development community.

In this episode, Ericka and Maria explore the profoundly transformative power of manifestation, the importance of self-love as the foundation for all relationships, and how to build a life that's both aligned and fulfilling—on your own terms.

In this episode, Maria shares invigorating insights on:

• Her unexpected journey from corporate project management to entrepreneurship and discovering her passion for helping others manifest success.
• The "Manifestation in Action" framework: gaining clarity on your vision, shifting limiting beliefs, and taking aligned action toward your goals.
• Imposter syndrome
• The difference between "any action" and "aligned, inspired action," and learning to follow your intuitive nudges without overthinking.
• Her perspective on heartbreak
• The importance of setting "requirements" vs. expectations in relationships
• The narrative that being single means something is wrong with you
• The power of community, especially for women
• Building sustainable habits and routines that support your long-term vision, from morning rituals to the power of intentional autopilot

This episode is for you if:

• You’re struggling with imposter syndrome or self-doubt as you step into something new
• You want to understand manifestation in a practical, grounded way that goes beyond "woo-woo" thinking
• You’re navigating the dating world and want to set clear boundaries without settling
• You’re building a business or pursuing a dream and need strategies for sustainable growth without burnout
• You’re learning to love yourself first and want to understand how self-love impacts all your relationships
• You’re ready to challenge societal expectations about what your life "should" look like and create your own rules

Tune in for an inspiring and deeply practical conversation that will empower you to manifest the life you truly want, build unshakeable confidence, and create relationships (romantic and otherwise), that genuinely fulfill you.

If you enjoyed this conversation, kindly subscribe to Relationships with Ericka Ush for more episodes filled with real, thought-provoking, and empowering insights to help you heal, grow, and thrive in love and life.

PS: Listen in for a mind-blowing freebie available in the episode!

Episode Chapters:

• 00:00 Overcoming Challenges and Building Confidence
• 00:52 Meet Maria Cherkasskaya: Business and Mindset Coach
• 14:47 The Power of Community and Manifestation
• 23:09 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Making an Impact
• 26:12 The Power of Intention and Goal Setting
• 32:36 Self-Love, Relationships, and Personal Growth

Connect with Ericka Ush:

Share your feedback, suggest new topics, or join the conversation on

Instagram: relationships.with.ericka

Connect with Maria Cherkasskaya:

Instagram: Maria🇨🇦 Business & Mindset Coach

Facebook: Maria Cherkasskaya

Welcome to the premiere episode of Relationships with Ericka Ush! In this episode, host Ericka Ushliyanage sits down with Nadee Fernando-O’Driscoll, author of Labyrinth of Dreams, for a raw and inspiring conversation about navigating relationships in the face of societal pressures and cultural expectations. They explore the challenges of breaking free from conservative traditions, the stigma surrounding divorce and adoption, and the importance of embracing your authentic self in love and life.

In this episode:

• Nadee shares the inspiration behind Labyrinth of Dreams, a fictional novel rooted in real-life experiences of secrecy, shame, and societal judgment.
• Discussion on how cultural expectations, particularly in South Asian communities, impact women’s choices in relationships, from dating to marriage.
• Exploration of the stigma around adoption and divorce, and how these experiences can lead to societal discrimination.
• Insights into modern dating, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and setting personal boundaries.
• A call to challenge outdated traditions that cause harm, with a focus on respect and equality in relationships.

This episode is for you if:

• You’re navigating life after divorce or a major relationship loss.
• You’ve felt the weight of societal or cultural expectations in your relationships.
• You’re seeking inspiration to embrace your authentic self and rewrite your relationship story.

Tune in for a heartfelt and empowering discussion that will leave you motivated to challenge societal norms and live true to yourself.

If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to Relationships with Ericka Ush for weekly episodes filled with real, raw, and empowering insights to help you heal, grow, and thrive in love.

Episode Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction
• 00:41 Meet the Guest: Nadee Fernando-O’Driscoll
• 04:10 Exploring Cultural and Societal Biases
• 28:14 Embracing Authenticity and Letting Go of Societal Expectations
• 30:40 Navigating Modern Dating with Authenticity
• 33:53 Addressing Societal Biases and Advocating for Change

Connect with Ericka Ush on social media to share your feedback, suggest new topics, or join the conversation:

• • Instagram: relationships.with.ericka

Connect with Nadee Fernando-O’Driscoll and learn more about her work:

• Website: nadeefernando-odriscoll.com
• Buy Labyrinth of Dreams at Indigo, Amazon, or other major retailers via links on Nadee’s website.