Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Angi Connell of Camelback East

Angi Connell shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Angi, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
With three rescue dogs, my mornings are a crash course in patience, chaos, and unconditional love. My goal is to start the day tech-free — take a few deep breaths, set an intention, smile, soak up some sunshine, and hydrate like I mean it. Of course, that’s the ideal version. In reality, some mornings I reach for my phone before I even open my eyes, chase down emails, or give in to a little doomscrolling with a giant cup of coffee in hand.

Turning 40 has softened my approach to all of it. I’ve stopped chasing curated perfection and started embracing presence instead. Aging feels like a privilege, and meeting each day with tenderness, gratitude, and an open heart is enough.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi there! I’m Angi Connell, an Arizona native living on occupied land, where the desert constantly reminds me of resilience and rebirth. I serve as the Director of Peer Counseling for Exhale ProVoice, an organization that provides compassionate, nonjudgmental emotional support for people after abortion. Our mission is rooted in deep listening, community care, and the belief that everyone deserves to process their experiences with dignity and without shame.

As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, a formerly incarcerated person, and an abolitionist activist, my life and work are guided by empathy, accountability, and liberation. The political climate we’re living in — especially the rising tide of anti-abortion and anti-human policies — makes this work not just important, but essential.

What I love most about my role is its nuance and humanity. Every conversation is an act of connection and courage. At Exhale ProVoice, we’re creating a space where people can exhale — literally and emotionally — and be met with care instead of judgment. It’s the most powerful and meaningful work of my life right now, and I’m honored to do it alongside a community that believes in collective healing.

Exhale ProVoice is in the middle of a major fundraiser to keep our mission thriving and expanding! Take a look at our impact report and learn more about what we do at exhaleprovoice.org

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My Grampie and Abuelita shaped me in ways I’m still discovering. They built worlds of warmth and permission — places where I could stumble, question, create, and always come back to tenderness. Even though they’re no longer here, they visit often: my Abuelita in the yellow butterflies dancing through the desert, and my Grampie in the quiet reminder to “listen, listen, listen… then speak.”

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
The first time my pain began to take shape as purpose was in 2021. I had just been released from prison after a wrongful conviction, carrying both a deep desire to prove myself and very little confidence that I could. Around that time, I came across an opening at Exhale ProVoice for textline counselors. After reading about their mission, I was instantly drawn in.

As someone who has had an abortion, I had long carried the weight of stigma, shame, grief, and public misunderstanding — all of which had shaped how I viewed my own choices and body. During my interview with Exhale, I was moved by how they talked about abortion — with compassion, honesty, and recognition that no two experiences are the same. They understood that abortion exists within a web of intersecting stories, identities, and emotions — and that every narrative deserves space.

That conversation marked the beginning of healing for me. It opened my heart to the beauty of community care and the power of being witnessed without judgment. Today, as Director of Peer Counseling, I have the privilege of helping co-create an organization that honors each person’s unique context — their family, culture, identity, and abortion experience. We follow your lead, hold space for nuance, and support you in caring for your wellbeing in ways that feel right for you. That’s what true community looks like to me.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
Smart people are awesome — but let’s be real, they can also be hilariously myopic. The idea that one person can be the smartest in the room, the absolute expert whose word is final, is just… wacky to me. Collaboration and curiosity are where real brilliance lives. Some of the brightest folks forget that two things can be true at once — even ideas that seem to contradict each other.

I’m a big believer in science, literature, and evidence-based practices, but I also deeply value lived experience and alternative ways of knowing. For me, listening and staying curious doesn’t mean abandoning your own intelligence — it’s actually the highest form of it. That’s the real mark of a smarty-pants!

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
I’ve been here before — stripped down to nothing but a number, living in a cell. We were allowed one small box for our belongings, and that image has stayed with me. It forced me to ask: Who am I without anything material, external, or validating?

What I found was someone deeply human — vulnerable, tender, empathetic, and fierce. A person capable of holding contradiction and still choosing love. I learned how to care for myself in spite of the circumstances, how to stay grounded in compassion even when surrounded by harm or fear. That experience shaped me into someone who refuses to back down, but always makes room for others to be fully themselves.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://exhaleprovoice.org/pro-voice/
• Instagram: @angiholdsspace
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angimconnell/
• Other: Meet our Leadership! https://exhaleprovoice.org/leadership/