Living a Life by Design

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Living a Life by Design: How Dr. LaNail R. Plummer Is Using Intentionality, Identity, and Inner Revolution to Change the World

🎙 New Episode of How I Ally with Lucinda Koza

In this deeply inspiring episode of How I Ally, I sit down with the remarkable Dr. LaNail R. Plummer—CEO of Onyx Therapy Group, Department Chair of Counseling at Trinity Washington University, Army veteran, author, partner, and proud mom of two.

But titles only scratch the surface of who Dr. Plummer is.

With piercing clarity and warmth, Dr. Plummer shares how she has crafted a life rooted in intentionality—intentionally choosing her words, intentionally nurturing her children, intentionally coming out as bisexual, and intentionally claiming her full identity in a world that often tries to silence her.

We talk about:

• ✨ What it means to truly design a life rather than just live one
  

• 🧠 How core beliefs are shaped in childhood—and how therapy can help rewrite them
  

• 💬 The power of words, and why being intentional with language can save us from misalignment and regret
  

• 👩🏽‍👧🏽 Her experience parenting two now-grown children—and the emotional legacy we leave behind as mothers
  

• 🌈 Coming out publicly at age 33—and why that act was not only radical, but spiritual
  

• 💥 The daily, quiet revolutions that happen when marginalized people simply exist
  
  

• 💡 How being an “enhancer” is both her gift and responsibility in therapy, education, and life
  

One of my favorite moments? When Dr. Plummer described coming out not as a confession, but as a divine reckoning—“How can I ask the universe for more when I haven’t even accepted the gift of who I already am?”

Whether you’re a parent navigating toddlerhood, a professional trying to live in alignment, or someone rediscovering their voice, this conversation is for you.

🔗 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

🗣️ Let this be the episode that gives you permission to be fully yourself.

Mother’s Day

Even if you are fairly confident your mother/the mother of your children/an important person in your life who is a mother does not want to receive a gift for Mother’s Day, I am here to tell you you are wrong.

Mothers are chronically overworked and under-appreciated, and I promise you, this is the time to give a gift to a mother you know.

You don’t have to think too much about it, because here are some options:

• If you make a purchase from one of these links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.