#UNFILTERED Ep2 | Maria Costanzo Palmer on Truth, Healing & Writing “On the Rocks”

What does it really mean to tell the truth—especially when it's your own story? In this episode of #UNFILTERED, Host Kristen Hess sits down with Maria Costanzo Palmer—author, journalist, and speaker whose work lives at the intersection of vulnerability, identity, and transformation. They dive into her memoir "On the Rocks", unpacking the emotional layers behind major unexpected life changes, family dynamics, and personal healing. Maria shares what it took to write something so deeply personal, how storytelling can become a powerful tool for growth, and why owning your voice matters more than ever. They also explore her work in media, her local cooking class events, and what's next—including a new book and documentary currently in the works. This conversation is honest, raw, #unfiltered and deeply human—just the way we like it. This episode dares you to confront your past, embrace your true voice, and find healing through the raw power of storytelling—because what we hide can ultimately make us whole. Key Takeaways Why storytelling is one of the most powerful tools for healing The journey from journalist to author to filmmaker The emotional reality behind writing a memoir How addiction and family dynamics shape identity The courage it takes to share your truth publicly The connection between food, memory, and personal history What it really means to live “unfiltered” How Maria is expanding her story into a second book, a new TV documentary + next steps in her career Sound Bites "Gratitude for everything that happened to me" "Our roots and family stories shape who we are" "Storytelling is a powerful form of healing" Chapters/Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Kristen Hess and Maria Palmer 01:21 Maria Palmer's Background and Journey into Writing 03:36 Family Roots and the Restaurant in McKees Rocks 04:56 Life-Changing Moments and Moving to Los Angeles 06:39 Documenting Family History and Confronting the Past 09:10 Healing Through Storytelling and Family Connections 11:37 Reuniting Family Through Food and Shared Memories 13:48 The Book Project: Writing in Multiple Voices 18:46 The Documentary Series: Production and Future Plans 26:00 Writing Challenges and Lessons Learned 32:40 Balancing Control and Collaboration in Creative Projects 45:16 Final Thoughts and Unfiltered Life Lessons Tune In Listen now on Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music, Substack & iHeartRadio Watch the full episode on YouTube Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. Q+A: What's one truth you've learned the hard way? We'd love to hear your comments about this episode below! Guest Links (Maria C. Palmer) Website Linktree Contact Maria Facebook Twitter Instagram Maria Palmer's Book ‘On the Rocks' Venture Road Pictures Follow The Artful Gourmet/ Kristen Hess LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/theartfulgourmet Portfolio: www.kristen-hess.com Blog: www.theartfulgourmet.com Substack: https://artfulgourmet.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/klhinnyc TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@foodiegirl87 Maria Costanzo Palmer, On the Rocks book, recovery stories, memoir interview podcast, storytelling healing, author interviews 2026, food culture storytelling, UNFILTERED podcast, Kristen Hess podcast, personal growth stories, women authors podcast, documentary storytelling, creative entrepreneurs podcast