Story & Lesson Highlights with Christina DiArcangelo of Charleston

We recently had the chance to connect with Christina DiArcangelo and have shared our conversation below.

Christina, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
My mornings start with prayer — it’s my time to center myself and set the tone for the day with gratitude and focus. After that, I get my son ready for school, which is such an important part of my routine because it keeps me grounded and connected to what truly matters. Once he’s off, I make time to work out — it helps me clear my mind and stay energized. After that, I dive into checking all of my company emails and messages to make sure everything is running smoothly and that my teams have what they need to move the day forward.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Christina DiArcangelo, and I am the founder of I Am Christina DiArcangelo, a brand dedicated to empowerment, advocacy, and turning personal experiences into purpose-driven action. I also created Sparkle Sisters, celebrating individuality and strength through curated experiences and pop-ups.

Through my book, Rescuing Mom, I share my journey advocating for my mother and navigating trauma, while my podcast, Humanitarian Horizons, provides a platform to tackle social impact, humanitarian issues, justice, and real-life stories that inspire change. What makes my work unique is that it’s not just about brands or products — it’s about mission-driven impact, storytelling, and helping people embrace their voice and power to make a difference.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful was the moment I realized I had kicked in the glass ceiling in biotech. I was in a room filled mostly with men — executives, scientists, and decision-makers — and I wasn’t just there to listen, I was there to lead. For years, I had fought to have my voice heard in an industry that often underestimated women, especially those who spoke with both conviction and compassion.

That day, something shifted. I wasn’t asking for a seat at the table anymore — I was building my own. I knew my experience, my work ethic, and my results had earned me that space. From that moment on, I carried myself differently. I stopped apologizing for taking up room, for being assertive, for being me.

Breaking through that ceiling wasn’t just about career advancement — it was about proving that women belong at every level of science, leadership, and innovation. That power wasn’t given to me — I claimed it. And I’ve spent every day since helping other women and professionals realize that they can do the same.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
The defining wound of my life was being a victim of domestic abuse while going through a divorce and fighting for custody. It was one of the darkest and most painful chapters I’ve ever faced — being torn down emotionally, mentally, and spiritually while trying to protect my child and rebuild my life. In those moments, I had to show the courts, and more importantly, myself, who I truly was — not the distorted version the defendant’s counsel tried to portray. Who by the way was another woman, trying to tear me down as a mother and a WOMAN,

Out of that storm, I found my strength. I took all of that pain, fear, and injustice and poured it into creating my brand, I Am Christina DiArcangelo, right in the middle of my own personal chaos. It became my mission to help others find their voice, stand in their truth, and never let fear silence them.

Through my messages, quotes, interviews, and my podcast, Humanitarian Horizons, I’ve been able to empower and help countless others who are walking through their own trauma. Healing for me came through purpose — using my experience to shine a light for others who feel unseen or unheard.

You must stand up for yourself, even when it’s terrifying, even when the world doubts you. Your voice matters. Your story matters. And sometimes, the most powerful healing comes from refusing to stay silent.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
The person I admire most for their character is my father. He wasn’t defined by power or titles, but by integrity, humility, and an unwavering moral compass. He was a blue-collar worker, a proud Teamster, and deeply engaged in politics — yet he always treated people with respect, fairness, and honesty. He taught me the importance of doing the right thing, even when it’s difficult, and showed me that true strength comes from hard work, responsibility, and standing by your word. His example has shaped who I am today, inspiring me to lead with integrity, compassion, and a commitment to uplifting others. He was my hero. Affinity Patient Advocacy was started while he was dying of cancer, and we have helped so many other patients free of charge. Affinity Patient Advocacy has turned 10 years old this year. My father has also been deceased for 10 years. A loss that will always be a loss for me, but I have helped so many patients because of him.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I’m gone, I hope people remember me as someone who stood up for what was right, no matter how difficult it was. I want them to tell the story of how I fought tirelessly against elder abuse to protect my mother and ensure justice prevailed, all while showing my son what it means to have courage, integrity, and resilience. I want my legacy to be about standing up for the vulnerable, fighting for justice, and teaching the next generation to do the same — that even in the darkest moments, you don’t give up, you don’t back down, and you use your voice to make a difference.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
B’Captured

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Highlighter Series
Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?

Those of us who were lucky to have someone see something in us long before

Highlighter Series
What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?

Sometimes a key moment can make a world of difference in our lives. Those moments

Highlighter Series
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?

We connected with some of the most resilient folks in the community and one of