Rowena Montoya, creator of the award-winning JulieAnn Caramels, on creating sweetness amid life’s hardships

Rowena Montoya didn’t let a harsh childhood hold her back; instead, she chose to seek the better. And even when her life seemed to fall apart decades later, she chose to create something delicious in that darkness. She created “JulieAnn Caramels,” using a recipe and the namesakes her aunts had given her. Now, her award-winning sweets can be found across the Intermountain West and online at JulieAnnCaramels.com. Her premium caramels were first introduced to our hosts when our guest, Aimee Snow, brought them into the studio for her recording. They have immediately become a hit worthy of discovering their story today.  Even though we live in challenging times, we can become Relentlessly Resilient as we lean on and learn from one another’s experiences. Hosts Jennie Taylor and Michelle Scharf are no strangers to overcoming adversity; Michelle lost her husband to cancer, while Jennie’s husband, Major Brent Taylor, was killed in the service of our country. Their stories bond them together, and now listeners can join them weekly as they visit with others enduring challenges and who teach us how they are exercising resiliency, finding value in their grief, and purpose in moving forward.  Presented by Minky Couture, makers of the most luxurious and soft blankets with a mission to share comfort and love during the special moments of life. Listen to the Relentlessly Resilient Podcast regularly on your favorite platform, at kslpodcasts.com, kslnewsradio.com, or on the KSL NewsRadio App. Join the Resilience conversation on Facebook at @RelentlesslyResilient and Instagram @RelentlesslyResilientPodcast. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.