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What It Means to Truly See Someone : Dawn Airhart Witte on Africa, and Heart-Centered Living

  1. What It Means to Truly See Someone : Dawn Airhart Witte on Africa, and Heart-Centered Living Dave Roberts 43:13

What does it truly mean to see someone?

In this heartfelt episode of The Teaching Journeys Podcast, host Dave Roberts sits down with award-winning author, humanitarian, and founder of the Desire to Inspire Foundation, Dawn Airhart Witte, for a deeply moving conversation about purpose, belonging, and the transformative power of human connection.

Dawn shares how a childhood experience of not feeling seen sparked a lifelong mission — from Volunteering in the LA foster care system to bringing clean water, resources, and hope to communities across Africa. Rooted in the African philosophy of ubuntu (“I am because we are”) and the Zulu greeting sawubona (“I see you, you are valued”), Dawn’s work is a reminder that even the smallest act of kindness can change a life.

In this episode, you’ll discover ,among other things:

• How serendipity and “soul families” shape our life’s path

• The story behind the Desire to Inspire Foundation and its global humanitarian work

• What drew Dawn to Africa — and the dream that finally answered her question why

• How to reconnect with your purpose after major life transitions

• The Ubuntu Creator Circle and Dawn’s upcoming projects

Bio:

Dawn Airhart Witte is an award-winning author, speaker, humanitarian, and the founder of the Desire to Inspire Foundation, a global nonprofit dedicated to uplifting communities through both humanitarian support and heart-centered connection. Through her work in Africa and beyond, Dawn has helped bring clean water, resources, and hope to those in need, while also addressing the deeper human need for Love, unity, and belonging.

She is the creator of The Secrets of Being, a platform devoted to helping individuals reconnect with their true selves and live with purpose, authenticity, and compassion. Dawn is the host of The Secrets of Being podcast, where she brings together thought leaders, healers, and visionaries to share Wisdom that uplifts and inspires.

Her work is rooted in the belief that we are all interconnected, often expressed through the African philosophy of Ubuntu—“I am because we are”—and the Zulu greeting sawubona—“I see you, you are valued.” Dawn’s mission is to help every soul feel seen, loved, and inspired to be the change they wish to see in the world.

Links:

https://desiretoinspirefoundation.org/

https://thesecretsofbeing.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dawn.witte1/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-airhart-witte-19910920/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesecretsofbeingpodcast/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesecretsofbeing

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B071WR5BY4?ccs_id=62d45259-927a-4a86-9bbb-2db1e245c827

Podcast : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-secrets-of-being-podcast/id1716399716

To connect with Dave: davidrobertsmsw.com

Dave Roberts LMSW, Author, Podcaster

David J. Roberts, LMSW, became a parent who experienced the death of a child, when his daughter Jeannine died of cancer on 3/1/03 at the age of 18. He is a retired addiction professional and an adjunct professor in the psychology child life department at Utica University in Utica, New York. Dave also teaches psychology classes at Pratt MWP School of Art and Design. He is the host of The Teaching Journeys Podcast, which can be found on Apple, Spotify and other podcast platforms.

Dave has presented workshops at national conferences of The Compassionate Friends as well as for the Bereaved Parents of the USA. He was also a keynote speaker at the 2011 and 2015 national gatherings of the Bereaved Parents of the USA. Dave also co-presented a workshop titled “Helping Faculty After Traumatic Loss” for the Parkland, Florida community in May of 2018, in the aftermath of the mass shootings at Stoneman Douglas High School.

Roberts has been a past HuffPost contributor and has contributed articles to Medium, Open to Hope Foundation, Mindfulness and Grief, Thrive Global, and the Recovering the Self Journal. He has also appeared on numerous podcasts, as well as Open to Hope Television. In 2021,he co-authored and published a book with Reverend Patty Furino titled, When The Psychology Professor Met The Minister.