Sarah Z. Seoudi joins Dr. JayR McIntyre at Tha Motiv8tors Table to share the mission behind The Living Lab, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to helping children and families heal from childhood trauma through emotional wellness, education, and community-based support. Driven by her own experiences of adversity and the profound loss of her husband, Sarah has transformed personal pain into a mission of purpose, building safe, empowering environments where underserved youth can thrive despite difficult circumstances. Across the conversation, Sarah opens up on her own childhood. The loss of her grandparents at twelve, becoming homeless at thirteen, working full time at a pizzeria, representing herself in truancy court, and finding the rhythm that eventually pulled her out of survival mode. She maps that journey directly onto The Living Lab’s four corners of selfsustaining healing, a curriculum designed to give every child the same starting line regardless of what’s happening at home. She speaks candidly on the Buddhist practice that anchors her work, the partnerships with the YMCA, JWB, Tampa Bay Community Foundation, and the City of Clearwater, the new home at Studio 131, and her drive to keep these programs free for the families who need them most. JayR pulls Sarah deeper into the inner-child work and the day-to-day discipline of leading from purpose rather than fear. She closes with one of the sharpest lines of the season. The only person you’re in competition with is the person you were yesterday, and inside each of you, there’s a crown and a fool.
Podcast Title:
Tha Motiv8tors Table Podcast
Host:
Dr. JayR McIntyre (Tha Hood Motiv8tor)
Episode Title:
E005 - Healing the Inner Child - Breaking Cycles Through Community Support - Ms. Sarah z.
Seoudi
Summary:
Sarah Z. Seoudi joins Dr. JayR McIntyre at Tha Motiv8tors Table to share the mission behind
The Living Lab, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to helping children and families heal from
childhood trauma through emotional wellness, education, and community-based support.
Driven by her own experiences of adversity and the profound loss of her husband, Sarah has
transformed personal pain into a mission of purpose, building safe, empowering
environments where underserved youth can thrive despite difficult circumstances.
Across the conversation, Sarah opens up on her own childhood. The loss of her
grandparents at twelve, becoming homeless at thirteen, working full time at a pizzeria,
representing herself in truancy court, and finding the rhythm that eventually pulled her out
of survival mode. She maps that journey directly onto The Living Lab’s four corners of selfsustaining healing, a curriculum designed to give every child the same starting line
regardless of what’s happening at home.
She speaks candidly on the Buddhist practice that anchors her work, the partnerships with
the YMCA, JWB, Tampa Bay Community Foundation, and the City of Clearwater, the new
home at Studio 131, and her drive to keep these programs free for the families who need
them most. JayR pulls Sarah deeper into the inner-child work and the day-to-day discipline
of leading from purpose rather than fear.
She closes with one of the sharpest lines of the season. The only person you’re in
competition with is the person you were yesterday, and inside each of you, there’s a crown
and a fool.
Main Topics:
Healing the inner child as the foundation for breaking generational cycles
The Living Lab’s four corners of self-sustaining emotional healing
Trauma-informed education and reclaiming emotional care from overburdened
teachers
Sarah’s Buddhist practice, SGI USA and the work of human revolution
Surviving childhood adversity, homelessness at thirteen, full time work and truancy
court
Honouring her late husband’s legacy through community-based youth work
Studio 131 in Clearwater and the next chapter of The Living Lab
The king and the fool, self-awareness and competing with who you were yesterday
Intriguing Quotes:
“The future of our children depends on the support we provide today.”
“If two children grow up in the same home and have two different experiences, their lives
are not going to be the same.”
“We’re here in addition to, not replacement of.”
“The only person you’re in competition with is the person you were yesterday.”
“Inside of each of you is a crown and a fool.”
Key Moments:
[00:00:58] - 7 Eagle Academy sponsor pre-roll
[00:01:28] - JayR welcomes Sarah Z. Seoudi to Tha Motiv8tors Table Season 5
[00:03:31] - Sarah introduces The Living Lab and the trauma-informed mission
[00:05:55] - Sarah opens up on her childhood and disappointment as her primary response
to life
[00:09:14] - Family background, losing her grandparents at twelve and becoming homeless
at thirteen
[00:14:18] - Inside The Living Lab’s four corners of self-sustaining healing
[00:21:45] - Studio 131 in Clearwater becomes the new home for the program
[00:42:18] - Sarah’s closing message, the king and the fool, competing with who you were
yesterday
Notable Guests/Resources:
Sarah Z. Seoudi, Founder and Creator of The Living Lab, Inc. Based in the Tampa Bay area,
leading trauma-informed and emotional wellness programs for underserved youth. Disciple
of Daisaku Ikeda, practising with SGI USA. Find her on social as Sarah Z. Seoudi (S E O U D I)
and through The Living Lab Inc. presents Mindful Methods. Website: thelivinglabinc.com.
The Living Lab, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit running a four-corners model of self-sustaining
emotional healing, with around 50 active families on full scholarship and a waiting list of
roughly 140.
Studio 131, the new home for The Living Lab in Clearwater. Owned by Karen and family,
hosting events, weddings, and now The Living Lab’s year-round programs.
Partner organisations supporting The Living Lab: Greater Ridgecrest YMCA (Seth and Brad),
Juvenile Welfare Board (JWB), City of Largo, City of Clearwater, Evara Health, Tampa Bay
Community Foundation, Hillsborough Children’s Board, Department of Children and
Families, and the City of Philadelphia government.
Dr. Ricky Lockett and family, Sarah’s partner. SGI USA, Buddhist organisation anchoring
Sarah’s practice and mission.
Spring break soft open at Studio 131, weekend of March 14, with newsletter announcement
in the next 7 to 10 days.
Sponsors mentioned: 7 Eagle Academy, Los Angeles Tribune, Riverside.