The Story Behind Her Success

Host of That Mom podcast thatmompodcast.com   Guess what?  Becoming a mom actually changes your brain.   -Maria Wood Meet a working mom on a mission to help other moms create lives that align with the things that matter most to them.  Maria Woods is the host of the all-new podcast series That Mom thatmompodcast.com.   Born and Raised in the little town of Royalston, Massachusetts, she’s the daughter of an educator, and holds three degrees in cultural anthropology, law and business.   In this interview, she shares the story behind the creation of her popular series, and the joy she gets from offering her audience knowledge they can use from the experts who appear on the show. Says Maria:  “Motherstoday are under pressure to do it all and there’s been no mention of the sacrifice that goes into it.”   Now the mother of two young children, Maria says she makes no apologies for the time she spends at work.  Why?  Because she loves her career in marketing. So, instead of telling her children “mommy has to go to work”  Maria has flipped the guilt script and says “mommy gets to go to work today and I’ll have lots to tell you when I get home.”  Prioritizing what really matters to you is the key to fulfillment as a parent, says Maria. “As moms, it’s hard to do everything and maybe sometimes, we can’t.  You have to give from a place of love, but you also have to give from a place of wanting to give, and that nuance makes modern motherhood so complicated.”   For 24 minutes of priceless mom wisdom, just hit that download button.  #motherhood #wisdom #workingmom #thestorybehindhersuccess

Founder of EMPOWER                       weareempower.org  Here’s what my dad did for me after my mother died:  He told me he loved me every single day. It wasn’t his job to teach me how to grieve. It was his job to love me. -Cara Belvin This episode features Cara Belvin, one of the first women to share her story on The Story Behind Her Success when we launched the show back in 2018.  She’s the founder of a charity called EMPOWER, which creates community for children grieving the loss of a parent.  Raised in Southington, Connecticut, Cara’s mother, Kit, died of breast cancer when she was only 37 years old, leaving a grieving husband and two young children.  Cara was only 9 years old when this life-changing experience happened to her, and in this interview, she explains that it was her father and a large extended family who surrounded her with love and support. The loss of our mothers early in our lives is what initially connected us.  We grew up about 10 miles apart in Connecticut, and if I had met her back then, I would have taken her by the hand and shown her the way.  My 18-year-old self would have reassured her that she would survive.    EMPOWER is Cara’s homage to her mother; originally created to connect girls with female mentors who have also experienced motherloss, EMPOWER now includes boys and nonbinary kids, connecting them to mentors who know firsthand how it feels to lose a parent. In this interview, we learn that Cara has raised 10 million dollars in 13 years .   What started as a bereavement program with only 7 girls in Boston is now a national non-profit that helped more than 1000 children in 2025.  This Father’s Day, we acknowledge the love of our fathers during the most difficult time of our lives.  “Grief is like a tattoo, says Cara, it will fade, but it’s not going anywhere.  I see the weight of the world on the shoulders of a lot of dads who are parenting alone after the loss of a partner.  I have a lot of empathy for them, because they look just like my dad.”  For 27 minutes of #fathersday inspiration, just hit that download button.  #womeninspiringwomen #motherloss #fatherloss #bereavement #children

 Host of Carrigan & Company carriganandcompanypod.com I have appreciated every day and every minute of this big, huge career I’ve been blessed with.  -Kim Carrigan  This episode features a woman I have admired for many years, not only because she’s an award-winning news anchor but because she is savvy, smart, resilient, and kind.  Kim Carrigan is an example of what I would call:  grace under fire.  Born and raised in Missouri, Kim got her start on television at her college TV station and later climbed the ladder at stations throughout the Midwest.  Married to her college sweetheart, Kim and her husband moved 5 times during her early years on the air, requiring him to pass the bar in 5 states!  In this interview, Kim shares stories about reporting live when historic tragedies like 9/11, the death of John F. Kennedy, Jr and his wife Carolyn Bessett, and the Boston Marathon Bombings took place.   She also talks about how devastating it was to be fired while pregnant, following contract disputes at Boston’s WHDH, where she and her co-host Randy Price were consistently #1 in the ratings; a story so controversial, it made the New York Times.  When I asked her how she made it through this difficult time in her life, Kim replied:  “I have the most supportive husband on earth and I made a decision that I was going to take care of my 4 year old son and wait for my baby girl to be born, but through it all, I learned a tough lesson:   In life, we can do the best that we can do, but sometimes, the universe has a different plan.”   For Kim, adversity gave way to good fortune when she moved to mornings on Boston’s Fox 25, enjoying 10 years of ratings superiority, during which time the unique ensemble cast of broadcasters became a national model for the network.   Now the host of the podcast series Carrigan & Company carriganandcompanypod.com, Kim loves the concept of co-hosting with someone new every week.   She’s living her best life, taking the reins of her own career while cherishing time with her husband, Randy, and their two grown children.  Listener alert:  I made Kim Carrigan cry in this interview.  Sorry, not sorry!  For 27 minutes of outstanding storytelling, grace and guts, just hit that download button.  #womeninspiringwomen 

PPD survivor & outpatient therapist soleowellness.com When I finally sat down to write my postpartum depression story, the words just came pouring out.  -Lindsey Disch  In this latest episode,  we meet Lindsey Disch, whose journey through Post Partum Depression or PPD casts a bright light on a condition many people still don’t understand. Profiled in a prominent women’s magazine,  Lindsey’s “A Letter to My Daughter” essay caught my heart and my attention.  https://www.pinkchairstorytellers.com/storytellers/lindsey-disch.   Back in the day, people would see a mom who felt sad after childbirth and wave her off, saying, “she’s got the baby blues,” but thanks to heightened medical protocols regarding PPD, more women are getting the help they need.  For Lindsey, that meant admission to a mental hospital during the first year of her daughter Alexa’s life.   In this interview, she reveals what it was like to give birth after a complicated and unexpected pregnancy and shares the story of how ashamed and overwhelmed she was in the weeks following her daughter’s birth.  “I just didn’t care about anything anymore. All I wanted to do was lay in bed, and I thought this horrible feeling would never end.” It was during this time that her husband found her crying in the closet.  A certified mental health clinician herself, Lindsey knew there was something wrong with her.  She sought counseling and was prescribed medication, but nothing worked.  A trip to the ER resulted in Lindsey being admitted as an inpatient at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts (mcleanhospital.org).   Nationally recognized as the #1 psychiatric care facility in the nation, Lindsey followed the advice of her care team and received 30 rounds of ECT or Electroconvulsive Therapy.  Administered under anesthesia, ECT treatment sends small electric currents through the brain, changing its chemistry, often improving symptoms of certain mental health conditions, including severe depression. However, this treatment has side effects, including difficulty with thinking, word retrieval, and memory loss. Lindsey experienced all of them.  Thriving now and back at work as an outpatient therapist at soleowellness.com in her hometown of Duxbury, Massachusetts, Lindsey lives by the wisdom her father taught her:  “the biggest challenges can present the biggest opportunities.” She is completely bonded with her daughter and is now sharing her expertise with other women experiencing depression after childbirth.   Says Lindsey:  “I want women to know that there is no shame in asking for help, and you will not recover if you try to do it alone. “ When I asked her if she’d do those treatments all over again, Lindsey replied without hesitation:  “1000%.  I’m a total badass now.  Throw something at me?  I got it.   This is my life, and I’m so lucky to be here.”  #postpartumdepression #womeninspiringwomen #thestorybehindhersuccess #mentalhealth

American Bald Eagle Photographer @rocked_by_kindness A friend of mine is a birder, and she posted a picture of a bald eagle, and I messaged her and said, “Where did you take that picture?  -Donna O’Kane  You are about to hear one of my all-time favorite second chapter stories!   After spending 40 years working for the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, Donna O’Kane decided to start photographing American Bald Eagles.   The mother of three grown children, Donna is also a breast cancer survivor who spreads kindness wherever she goes by leaving painted rocks beside park benches and on nature paths, in the hopes of making someone smile during the pandemic.  Follow her on Instagram @rocked_by_kindness.  Always the creative type, Donna noticed a post from a friend who followed eagles, watching their nests for signs of eaglets, and marveling at their mating behaviors.   She began taking pictures of eagles with her iPhone, soon graduating to more sophisticated cameras with lenses that capture the magic of birdwatching.   In this interview, Donna shares her life story, including sexual abuse by a babysitter at only 4, the physical punishments inflicted on her by her mother, the abiding love of her father, and the pain of a failed marriage. Throughout her life, and in everything she does, Donna embraces the gifts of creativity, kindness, resilience, and purpose.  “We all have choices.  We can sit and wallow, or we can get up and walk out the door every morning and rebuild our lives.” For 27 minutes that will leave you speechless and inspired, just hit that download button.  #americanbaldeagle #womeninspiringwomen#breastcancer #secondchapter 

radio pro, philanthropist, caregiver, docf.org  By heart, and with closed eyes, I have a very vulnerable spot for the unhoused.  -Sue Brady For millions of radio listeners in Boston, Sue Brady was that fun, friendly, relatable voice they heard on the air for years.  In this episode, we get to know the deepest layers of a woman who will always love radio but has turned the page to discover a whole new passion as a Certified Nursing Assistant.   Born and raised in Stoneham, Massachusetts, by an Army vet and a beloved school teacher, Sue learned lessons in kindness and charity early in life from a mother who would prepare peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the homeless every weekend, load her girls in the car, and distribute the food at the Boston Common.   This experience informed Sue’s devotion to the unhoused, and she has passed these values on to her own children.   A tireless volunteer and fundraiser for Boston Rescue Mission, The Winter Walk, Rosie’s Place, and Back on My Feet,  I asked Sue what she wishes people knew about the issue: “We are all the same, and we are a life choice, addiction, or diagnosis away from being homeless.”  Always willing to go the extra mile for a worthy cause, Sue also supports Boston Children’s Hospital, The Red Sox Foundation, and the Ellie Fund.  In fact, she serves on the board of the David Ortiz Children’s Fund www.docf.org and enjoys a long friendship with the Red Sox slugger and Hall of Famer who calls her “Rubia,” which means “blonde” in Spanish.  When I asked Sue to explain the motivation behind becoming a caregiver,  the story that emerged will break your heart and lift your soul.    Trust me, this conversation is gold.   Go ahead and hit that download button. #radio #homelessness #charity #hospice #caregiver #motherhood 

Keep your eyes open and don’t be afraid of life. If you want to age gracefully, stay busy, positive, and connected. -Dede Ulbrich This week, we meet Dede Ulbrich, a beautiful 86-year-old woman whose secret to staying young is laughter, love, and connection.   The granddaughter of former New Hampshire Governor Francis P. Murphy and founder of WMUR radio and television stations, Dede was raised in Worcester, Massachusetts, where her big, Irish family believed in the glory of hard work and having fun.  In this interview, Dede recalls that men returning from World War II and Vietnam were changed forever, and she was determined to live her life to the fullest. As a friend and former colleague of political consultant and White House special assistant Kenny O’Donnell, Dede attended the Inaugural Ball for President John F. Kennedy and later experienced the horror of losing her favorite president to an assassin’s bullet in Dallas. Years later, as the single mother of three sons, Dede rebuilt her life after divorce, taking a job selling running shoes at the Nike store in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Identified as a talented salesperson, she was recruited by company executives to join their elite marketing team.  Dede climbed the corporate ladder in a man’s world with zero hesitation, creating relationships with Olympic runners like Joan Benoit Samuelson.  A runner herself, she later met and married her second husband, Dick Ulbrich, DMD, experiencing the joy of finding love the second time around. Known affectionately as“Doc”, her husband built a lasting friendship with a gardener from Weston, Massachusetts named Nelson McNutt, who lived to be 105, leaving his entire estate in gratitude to the couple.  www.nelsonsgarden.com.  Filled with the kind of wisdom that can only come from a life well lived, Dede says,“Life is good. Always look for the beauty in life.  Keep searching for the things that make you happy.”   For 25 minutes of inspiration, just hit that download button. #gratitude #age #kennedyassasination #nelsonsgarden

You have to take care of yourself first in order to take care of others. -Carol McKean I’ve known Carol McKean for many years, and I’m so happy to introduce her to you.  She’s a PR superstar with her own events company, carolmckeanevents.com, and is the creator of the popular fundraising concept known as “fund-a-need.” In this interview, Carol shares her life story, including the hard parts I didn’t know about.   The story of her incredibly painful divorce is featured in the new Jan Fraser inspired life series, The Book on Love.  bookonlove.com.   Written by 40 women from the United States and around the world, the book is a fast read, filled with wisdom and the power of love.  Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Carol’s story reminds us that we may be born out of love, but our lives are far from perfect.  Says Carol:  “Fun times are easy, but when life deals you tragedy and hardship, it’s how you react to it and move forward that really matters.”   It took 7 grueling years for Carol and her husband to divorce, and during that time, she realized she was not safe in his presence and had lost herself in the relationship.  “When I sat down to write this story,  it just poured out of me in about 30 minutes, says Carol.  Many of my friends wondered why I was willing to share these details, but I believe we create connections when we share our stories.  What does she want readers to know?   “Whateversituation you are in, I promise there is hope…there is light.   The biggest lesson I had to learn was to love myself.”  #valentinesday #love #divorce #storytelling #bookonlove 

I went into a contemplative period in my life and retreated to my cabin for 10 years. I couldn’t find the words to express how I was feeling, so I started picking up clay. -Renee Rhodes Welcome to the life of sculptor, Renee Rhodes.  She’s worked in publishing and advertising, and even has a Ph.D. from Columbia University in Clinical Psychology, but in her 40s, Renee experienced “a dark night of the soul” and retreated into a cabin on her property, deep in the Connecticut woods.   When she emerged, she was transformed and began a new chapter as a sculptor.   Recorded on a visit to Renee’s 10-acre compound on a cold winter’s day, this interview is a rare glimpse into the brilliant mind of an artist.   Inspired by mythology and the divine feminine, Renee’s figures evoke both strength and grace.   She’s devoted to public art and believes that “when you produce public art, it’s available to everybody.  It’s out in the street, and people can relate to it on their own level, which is an honor for a sculptor because now, you’re speaking to the world.”   Her latest sculpture is named Infinity, and she has taken years to refine.  Says Renee:“I live with it, I sneak up on it in the middle of the night,  and then it tells me how it needs to change.” Before Infinity can be enlarged and bronzed,  money must be raised for her installation on Ocean Beach, New London.   www.infinitepossibilitiesCT.org celebrates unity, peace, hope, and inspiration through public art.  Says Renee:  “Whateveryou can imagine, you can make happen.”  For a 23-minute glimpse into the life of a sculptor, just hit that download button.  #scupltor #publicart #thestorybehindhersuccess #clinicalpsychology #compoundlife 

Mrs. Santa Says When I was growing up, I was that girl who was always singing into her hairbrush!  -Candy O’Terry  Welcome to the holiday edition of The Story Behind Her Success!  For the next 23 minutes, I’ll share listener emails as well as three of the holiday songs I’ve recorded over the years.   Whenever I interview a woman, I always ask her if she knew what she wanted to do with her life.  For me, the answer to that question is simple:   I just wanted to be a singer.  My radio career was directly related to wanting to be around the music.  If I wasn’t singing my favorite songs, at least I was hearing them on the radio and talking about them with listeners, LIVE on the air.    As you may know, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023 and completed my treatment in 2024.   Hearing the words “you have breast cancer” turned my world upside down, reminding me about gratitude and the power of love.  This past year, I took a leap of faith and started releasing new music.  My fingers are crossed that if you like the songs you hear in this holiday episode, you’ll take a listen to my other songs wherever you get your music. Thank you for listening to The Story Behind Her Success.  Every woman I’ve profiled shares her wisdom and leads by example.   If she can do it, you can do it.   #womensupportingwomen #singer #Christmas2025 #grateful #radio 

In the beginning, I was usually the only woman in the room.  That was great, because it was memorable, and it was also bad, because it was memorable.  -Maureen Rystrom  Meet a woman who is at the top of her game in a male-dominated field.  As Partner & Vice President of Marketing at J. Calnan & Associates, jcalnan.com, Maureen Rystrom oversees the construction management company’s comprehensive marketing and communications initiatives. At a time when commercial messaging is often in your face, Maureen describes herself as a “thoughtful brand strategist” who takes a softer path.  Her focus?  The good work being done by J. Calnan & Associates and their customers in the communities where they build.  Says Maureen: “It’s not necessarily what we build, it’s how we build that makes us special.” In this interview, she also shares the skills she honed to make her corporate climb a success story:  Roll up your sleeves. Get out there and be seen. Be respectful of others’ time. Always follow through.  Make an impact.  A pro at breaking glass ceilings with her own brand of grace and grit, Maureen is also a rock star connector and the co-founder of PLA, the Professional Ladies’ Association.  A three-sport varsity captain in high school, Maureen says that playing sports prepared her for success in business and credits her parents for teaching her the importance of an unstoppable work ethic.  “If you want something in life, you’ve got to go out there and get it.  You earn what you have. Nothing is handed to you.” For 24 minutes of the kind of fire that can spark YOUR success story, just hit that download button.  #corporate #marketing #constructionmanagement 

I don’t do well with injustice.  -Christine Anastos 10 years ago, environmental engineer Christine Anastos knew something was wrong with her health.  When tests came back normal, her care team suggested Christine see a psychiatrist.   Her answer?  “There’s nothing wrong with my brain.  I know my body well.”    It wasn’t long before Christine was diagnosed with breast cancer.  The suspected cause?   Environmental hazards.   The company Christine was working for as an environmental engineer had been dumping toxins into the Hudson River, and she became a whistleblower, reaching a settlement and using those funds to do good.   Today, she is the founder of a public benefit corporation called www.connect-and-thrive.com.  The mission?  To bridge the gap between conventional medicine and a holistic approach to healing.   Says Christine:  “true healing is not a destination.  It is a lifelong journey. Balancing mind, body, and spirit is the key to becoming healthy again.” Her website is a marketplace where women find evidence-based healing modalities and products not usually covered by insurance. Crowdfunding campaigns called “Kitty Funds” make powerful healing possible. Says Christine:  “Success is making a positive difference in the lives of people who are suffering. Kindness matters.” #healing #breastcancer #hope #candyoterry 

Don’t expect people to be who they seem on the surface. – Dafna Krouk-Gordon In 1980, Dafna Krouk-Gordon founded her human resources agency in one room above a drug store, with just one employee. 45 years later, Toward Independent Living and Learning (www.tillinc.org) is thriving, with 1,000 employees throughout Massachusetts and into New Hampshire, and the noble goal of improving clients’ lives, one day at a time. Dafna is also the co-author of the book: Moving Out: A Family Guide to Residential Planning for Adults with Disabilities. Recognized as a Top 100 Women-Led Business, TILL is providing innovative ways for people with disabilities to lead rich, fulfilling, independent lives. Says Dafna: “Our parents want to know that we are not just there for the moment. We will be there for the long term.” Born and raised in Alexandria, Egypt, by hardworking parents, Dafna and her sister were taught: “if you promise someone you are going to do something, you better do it.” Her Jewish family escaped Egypt under dire circumstances and immigrated to the United States. In this interview, Dafna recalls arriving in America: “We were told that there was money, gold in the streets, but we didn’t find any!” When reflecting on her career in human services, Dafna has always followed the guiding principles of her faith: community, social conscience, and “to fix the world, because for good or for bad, there is a lot to fix.” For 24 minutes of information and inspiration, just hit that download button! #disabilities #differences #leadership #Jewish #nonprofit #candyoterry

Our SOF warriors, or Special Operations Forces, are never really home.  They are either deployed or in training for 9 months out of the year. As a spouse, you have to figure out how to connect through the distance and build your community where you are.  -KaLea Lehman As a military spouse, this week’s guest understands what the words “service” and “sacrifice” really mean.   Meet KaLea Lehman, Executive Director and Founder of the Military Special Operations Family Collaborative www.msofc.org, a non-profit dedicated to strengthening and supporting the families of our nation’s most elite warriors.  She is also the co-author of The Warrior’s Table, a powerful cookbook and storytelling project created by a group of special operations wives who call themselves “The Cast Iron Crew.”   Designed to share recipes and stories about their military service, The Warrior’s Table is a beautiful testimony to the strong women who wrote it.  The mother of seven, including a special needs child, KaLea wishes that Americans truly understood the toll this level of military service and training takes on these warriors.  “The dirty little secret is:  there is no stop. There is no break.  There is no taking a knee, only hard-charging, all the time.  It’s constant stress.”  Under her guidance, the Military Special Operations Family Collaborative has identified 8 SOF Pitfalls and 8 Checkpoints.  What’s one of the most powerful ways for these brave men and their families to connect and heal?  Sharing a meal and conversation around the family dinner table.   For a 25-minute story full of devotion, love, service, purpose, and pride in America, just hit that download button.  #militaryfamilies #SpecialOperations#womeninspiringwomen 

Let’s transform the classroom into a place where mistake-making is an opportunity to learn and children feel a sense of connection, value, and belonging. -Noel Foy aka Neuro Noel Meet neuroeducator, anxiety/executive function coach, and author, Noel Foy. She travels the country, sharing her skill set with children, parents, and teachers. Today, in any given classroom, about 30% of students are neurodiverse. “There are many brains in these classrooms, says Noel, including children with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and mental health issues. Teachers are overwhelmed, and that’s where I come in.” Her latest book, 15-minute focus, provides brief counseling techniques that work, accompanied by downloadable resources, with a focus on executive function. www.neuronoel.com. What is executive function? In her book, Noel explains that EF involves the highest aspects of brain function, including the ability to organize, prioritize, and manage daily life. The fact is, underdeveloped EF skills can derail a child. In this interview, Neuro Noel discusses the built-in distractions our children encounter throughout the day—phones, social media, and screens —and suggests that play is a great way to develop executive function. Creating games without an adult doing the thinking for you is the key to helping a child experience conflict resolution, resiliency, creativity, and memory. Neuro Noel’s advice for all of us? “Be mindful. Talk less and listen more. Take a moment to pause and reset so that your thinking brain, not your emotional brain, is running the show.” For 25 minutes of coaching from a neuroeducator, just hit that download button. #neurodiversity #children #executivefunction #education #womeninspiringwomen #thestorybehindhersuccess

There’s a stigma around the word “underwear”. You don’t talk about it until you don’t have it. -Catherine Maloy This week’s guest is a mom who saw a simple need for children in crisis and made it her mission to do something about it. Catherine Maloy is the Founder & Executive Director of a non-profit called Cocotree Kids www.cocotreekids.org. Let’s all agree: underwear is not glamorous, but it is fundamental. Without it, children may feel shamed, vulnerable, and excluded. Conceived during the pandemic and launched as a neighborhood clothing drive, Cocotree Kids has established 30 partnerships with hospitals, shelters, and schools, distributing 430,000 pairs of new underwear to 60,000 children throughout Massachusetts. “Underwear is an essential human need,” says Catherine. We want to give children in crisis the dignity, hope, comfort, and confidence they need to succeed, despite their circumstances.“ Originally from Miami, Florida, Catherine was raised in a home where philanthropic acts of service connected family to community. A 14-year veteran of Deloitte with a focus on Consulting and Human Resources, Catherine offers this advice: “Be a part of something bigger than yourself. Success is something you are supposed to be proud of.” For 20 minutes of empathy and innovation, just hit that download button. #children #non-profit #crisis #community

Facing an illness is very much like being a buoy:  we have to rise up, we have to learn to float, and carry ourselves in the storm.  While we’re staying afloat in the storm, we are also a beacon for others. -Lorna J. Brunelle There are lots of stories about the ties that bind mothers and daughters.  When Lorna Brunelle’s mother, Wanda, was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, she turned heartbreak into hope by telling the story of her mother’s courage, character, wisdom and lifelong influence in the book: The Buoy Projects: A Story of Breast Cancer, Bucket Lists, Life Lessons, Facebook and Love.  A two-time cancer survivor herself, Lorna is a renowned performer, teacher, and three-time author whose work is rooted in recognizing gifts and talents, creativity, and self-determination. A graduate of The Boston Conservatory, she is the owner of The Burt Wood School of Performing Arts, The Alley Theatre, and The Patio in Middleborough, Massachusetts. www.burtwoodschool.com.   Through her writing, philanthropy, and mentorship, Lorna has changed the lives of thousands of performing arts students who have passed through her doors over the last 30 years.  The Buoy Projects is a love letter to her mother, and a testament to the power of the mother/daughter connection. For 26 minutes of engaging conversation and brilliant storytelling, just hit that download button. #womeninspiringwomen#lornabrunelle #TheBuoyProjects  #breastcancerawareness #TheStoryBehindHerSuccess #CandyOTerry #Legacy#Resilience 

That little girl in the hayloft always wanted to be a writer. I’m the poster child for following your dreams in midlife because I didn’t write my first book until I was 55. -Hank Phillippi Ryan Imagine a 43-year career as an investigative reporter with 37 EMMYs and 14 Edward R. Murrow awards. Now imagine a brilliant midlife move, where all that experience manifests itself into writing mystery novels that are nail-biting thrillers. Welcome to the incredible story of Hank Phillippi Ryan. This queen of invention sat down in my living room with a cup of tea and the willingness to share a story filled with life lessons in bravery, curiosity, imagination, and just plain smarts. The author of 16 books, her latest is called All This Could Be Yours. The story follows Tessa Calloway, a debut author on a book tour, with a stalker who threatens everything she holds dear. Raised in rural Indiana, Hank (real name: Harriet Ann) admits she was a nerdy kid who wanted nothing more than to read her Nancy Drew books up in the hayloft. A Shakespeare major at Western College for Women in Oxford, Ohio, her career has taken her from politics to writing for Rolling Stone Magazine to radio and television, where her news director at WHDH in Boston tapped her as the station’s investigative reporter. “I’m not the funny one, says Hank. I hate to be lied to, and I love discovering the truth. Every one of those 37 EMMY awards represents a secret somebody didn’t want me to tell.” In this interview, she shares wisdom from her mother, and plenty of her own, including: “Worry is glue under your feet” and “success to me is one good idea a day.” For 27 minutes on the joy of reinvention, just hit that download button. #reinvention #mystery #author #television #investigativereporter

When the scariest thing happens and you get through it, you realize that you’re stronger than you ever thought you could be. -Jenna McCarthy Making that appointment to schedule her first mammogram was on Jenna McCarthy’s mind for a while. At 41, she just wanted to get it over with and “check that box.” What she didn’t expect was what happened next. In this up-close and personal interview, Jenna shares her diagnosis with DCIS, or ductal carcinoma in situ, an early-stage breast cancer. The mother of 4-year-old twin boys and a 9-year-old daughter, Jenna was more concerned about their state of mind than her own. Surrounded by a large and supportive extended family, she had a double mastectomy and implants just 3 months ago and is now cancer-free. In this interview, Jenna gives thanks to the Ellie Fund elliefund.org, a local non-profit devoted to supporting breast cancer patients by funding care and providing hope. Determined to spread the word about early detection, Jenna says, “Schedule your mammogram today. What if I had waited another year? If there were some way to know that a person hearing my story went out and got her mammogram, I would heal so much.” #breastcancerawareness #mammogram #thestorybehindhersuccess wife, mother & breast cancer survivor elliefund.org

There’s a difference between doing what you’re good at and doing what you love.  -Dayla Arabella Santurri In this week’s episode of The Story Behind Her Success, I welcome longtime friend Dayla Arabella Santurri into my living room for a masterclass in reinvention, fearlessness, and the power of “yes”. From running the iconic Scullers Jazz Club to producing live events worldwide, she’s built a career around creating unforgettable experiences, and connection is her superpower.  Her latest venture is Bella Adventures, bellaadventures.com, a luxury travel brand where she’s been able to merge her lifelong love of travel with her decades-long success as an events architect to create once-in-a-lifetime journeys for her clients. In this episode, we talk about:  the courage it takes to reinvent yourself, why travel can be a force for good in the world, and the absolute joy of doing what you love.  Dayla is living proof that reinvention is the ultimate adventure. #thestorybehindhersuccess #candyoterry  #travel #WomenInBusiness #Reinvention #BellaAdventures#FemaleFounders Bella Adventures bellaadventures.com @bellaadventures

Radical is the Latin term for “root”. Years ago, the radical mastectomy was developed, with the belief that if the surgeon dug deeper into a woman’s chest, they could get to the root of the cancer. -Judy Pearson Not so long ago, cancer was the “C” word and no one talked about breast cancer, especially women who emerged from their brutal treatments disfigured and disabled. In her new book, Radical Sisters, best-selling author and breast cancer survivor Judy Pearson shines a bright light on three breast cancer heroes: Shirley Temple Black, Rose Kushner, and Evelyn Lauder. These bold, unstoppable women used their celebrity to raise their voices, open doors, and change history for breast cancer patients everywhere. A 14-year survivor of the disease, Judy Pearson grew up on the shores of Lake Michigan, where she started writing poems and stories in a three-ring binder, perched on the limb of an old maple tree. In this interview, she opens up about her own survivorship. Says Judy: “I have a new lease on life. The sky is bluer, the grass is greener, and I’m using my survivorship to give back to the greater good. There’s healing in helping others. “ Download this episode for your chance to give a high-five to three women who were among the first warriors in the fight against breast cancer. #breastcancer #breastcancerawareness

I’ve always wanted to keep people company and make them laugh. I want to hear what people are going through, because chances are, I’ve already gone through the same thing. -Kendra Petrone Meet a talented young woman who is part of the only all-female morning show on the radio in Boston. The legendary Magic 106.7/WMJX www.magic1067.com has been a female-driven radio station for decades, but it wasn’t until 2025 that the station announced Sue & Kendra as co-hosts of Morning Magic. The two broadcasters, who are also the best of friends, host the station’s award-winning series, Exceptional Women. No stranger to media, Kendra has worked for over 17 years in both radio and television. A graduate of UMASS/Amherst, she is the daughter of a first-grade teacher who taught her to be persistent. In fact, Kendra says 98% of her success story is rooted in taking chances. “I’m terrified of everything, but I know that if I don’t do it, somebody else will, and if you don’t take chances, you’ll never know how far you can go. “ My mother used to say: ‘Failure is not a failure. Every time you fail, you learn.” Raised north of Boston in the town of Methuen, Kendra is proud of her roots and is an avid Boston sports fan. Her deep love for the Patriots grew out of a stint working for the team during two Super Bowl runs. The devoted wife of a police officer, Kendra is also the mother of three children, including two sons diagnosed early in life with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In this interview, she shares her joy in finding a community to rely on as she raises special needs children, and her commitment to support local charities, including Melmark New England, The Northeast Arc, and Rock the Spectrum. For 24 minutes of chutzpah from @kendratheentertainer, just hit that download button.

Nobody ever says, “I can’t wait to go to a nursing home.” Instead, they say, “keep me at home for as long as possible,” and that’s exactly what we do. -Meg Hogan Growing old is hard, right? Now imagine how difficult it is for a senior citizen who doesn’t have the means to take care of themselves. How about a person with disabilities whose family needs help caring for them? And what about the exhausted caregiver who just needs a little support? In the spotlight, Meg Hogan, CEO of Boston Senior Home Care. www.bshcinfo.org. She’s spent her career in service to others, first as a direct care social worker, and then in healthcare and non-profit management. Meg is a champion for economically vulnerable seniors and those with disabilities, with a focus on empowering people to live at home, independently, for as long as possible. Raised by a widowed mom, it was Meg’s older sisters who were her mentors, and all three girls grew up to be leaders in their own fields. “No one ever said you can’t do that. We’re all really bossy, and we grew up fast after my father died.” A true believer in hard work, Meg’s alarm goes off at 3:30 every morning because “my brain is on fire and there is so much to be done. Success to me is how many people I have helped today.” For 22 minutes of passion and purpose, just hit that download button. #elderly #socialwork #seniorcare #caregiver #disabilities CEO of Boston Senior Home Care bshcinfo.org

Enjoy this beautiful life you’ve been given.  Don’t ever take it for granted.  -Melissa Dupuis It’s been two years since Melissa Dupuis shared her story on this series, and what a couple of years it has been.  At only 38,  this wellness enthusiast, Pilates instructor, and former professional ballet dancer was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer.  Her little girl, Sage, was only one year old at the time, and although Melissa and her husband wanted to have another child someday, doctors said there was no time for egg retrieval and that the couple’s chances of having another child after her rigorous treatments were over were slim to none.   In this interview, Melissa shares what happened next, and if you are emotional like me, you’ll need a Kleenex to dry your tears of joy. Buoyed by the love of her family and a promise she made to be strong for her daughter, Melissa wrote a children’s book called We Can Do Hard Things:  A Mother’s Journey with Breast Cancer Through the Eyes of Her Daughter.  Published by the female-owned imprint www.brileybaxterbooks.com, this beautifully illustrated book is written for children ages 2-5 and can be pre-ordered with this link: https://a.co/d/3mIRJpD. Says Melissa:  “If you want to help your child understand illness in a lighter way, this book is for you because it’s a true story. These conversations between Sage and me really happened.”   Survivorship is not easy, but Melissa has continued to be resilient.  Spoiler alert: Remember the baby Melissa hoped to have someday?   You’ll have to hit that download button to find out what happened! #childrensbook #breastcancer #motherhood Melissa Dupois author, We Can Do Hard Things brileybaxterbooks.com

There are no bad experiences, just the ones you don’t learn from. If you don’t learn from bad experiences, you will make the same mistakes over and over and over again. -Gwen Borden & Amy Goober This week’s story features a mother and daughter who have written a love story, filled with priceless advice for us all. The book, entitled My Mother Always Says: 25 Lessons for Finding the Silver Lining, explores the life and times of 94-year-old Gwen Borden, who was born during the Great Depression. Teaming up with her daughter, Amy Goober, a dynamic women’s life coach and fearless entrepreneur, was kismet. Inspired to share their hard-earned wisdom, the idea for the book was hatched. Says Gwen: “ I gave birth to Amy, and she gave birth to the book. Amy did all the editing. All I had to do was tell my story, like I was talking to you in my living room. “ Packed with advice delivered with wit and humor, this book provides a mirror to the relationship between mother and daughter. Says Amy: “We were always close, but you don’t appreciate your mother until you are a mother. I thought I knew her life, and then we started writing this book, and the stories she told really complete the message of the 25 life lessons in our book. For 21 minutes of mother/daughter wisdom, like “the things we regret in life are the things we don’t do” and “Trust your gut, not your head” go ahead and hit that download button. You’re welcome! #mothers #daughters #wisdom #advice #resilience #trustyourgut co-authors, My Mother Always Says

People will tell you everything you need to know.  You just need to LISTEN to what they are saying. -Karen Marinella Hall Out of the blue, I got an email from a fan of the show about this week’s guest…and I cannot wait for you to meet her.   Many news anchors are beautiful.  They can walk the walk and talk the talk, but there’s something missing behind the smile.  That’s not the case for Karen Marinella Hall.  During her tenure at WB 56 in Boston, she set herself apart from the rest with a genuine warmth and friendliness, coupled with a curiosity to get to the root of any story.  In this interview, Karen shares the details of her career trajectory, which began in radio at a small, family-owned station called WPLM in her hometown of historic Plymouth, Massachusetts.  When she applied for acceptance to Katherine Gibbs secretarial school, it was a high school teacher who recognized her talents as a communicator, urging Karen to fill out an application to Emerson College.  As the first person in her family to attend college, Karen understood that her parents could not pay for such a prestigious college, making the decision to attend Emerson step one in a career marked by determination, curiosity, and resiliency.   The wife of Boston news legend Jonathan Hall, Karen, is the proud mother of three sons and grew up in a close-knit Italian/Portuguese neighborhood where family, food, and hard work went hand-in-hand.   When her station, WB56 was sold, she took a bold chance and set out on her own, founding Marinella Hall Associates, www.marinellahall.com, where she shares her well-honed communications skills with C-suite executives.   Reflecting on the lessons of her career, Karen says: “I wish I wasn’t so insecure in my 20s and 30s.  I don’t think I grew out of that until I was in my 40s. God, I would have had so much more fun!”  For 24 minutes of expert storytelling, inspiration, and new chapters, just hit that download button. #corporatecommunications  #news #television Former news anchor & Principal, Marinella Hall Associates marinellahall.com

When something bad happens to you, how do you grieve it without getting stuck in suffering? -Halley Elwell Imagine being 11 years old when your face suddenly begins to change. Tumors form on your jaw, and the diagnosis is an incurable condition called Neurofibromatosis. This is the story of singer/songwriter Halley Elwell www.halswellmusic.com. Raised off the grid in Maine by an artist mom, she was told to ignore what was happening to her face and to live her life. She runs free in the woods around her neighborhood, learns to sing old Irish songs, plays piano, and dives into community theatre. In this episode of The Story Behind Her Success, we learn how Halley held onto her light, despite adversity, to become an accomplished singer, songwriter, and advocate for those with facial differences. The secret ingredient? Creativity. Describing her voice, a Maine music critic said: “Imagine Rickie Lee Jones recording with Norah Jones and Natalie Merchant and you’ll have an idea of how Elwell’s music sounds.” Her latest album and podcast series have the same name: Spontaneous Mutation. Both artistic efforts explore the narratives around facial differences. In science, a spontaneous mutation is a genetic change with no known cause. Halley takes this concept one step further with words, voice, and heart: “When you have an incurable condition, you can’t be fixed. But there are different lenses to look through, and that has freed me.” For 25 minutes of inspiration (and the chance to hear Halley’s gorgeous voice), just hit that download button. Check out her podcast series here: spontaneousmutation.podbean.com.

It’s very easy to focus on fixing your failures.  But how do you take what is successful and keep building on that? The answer is: focus on what you do well and make it even better. -Zenobia Moochhala Meet entrepreneurial superstar Zenobia Moochalla.  Born in Mumbai, India, Zenobia came to the United States at 20 to attend Brandeis University and is one of the original co-founders of www.care.com, the world’s largest and most successful online platform for childcare, elder care, and pet care.  Recorded in my living room, this upclose and personal interview takes you into the early days of Care.com, where the team, led by Sheila Lirio Marcelo, examined pain points for working parents and discovered that childcare was their number 1 concern.  Says Zenobia:  “And it wasn’t just childcare: it was care for everyone you love.  That’s how the idea of care.com was born.”   In the beginning, she was the only member of the co-founding team who didn’t have children, so she became the person who spearheaded research into what people needed. Now the mother of two, Zenobia learned early on how working women were struggling to balance lives. To keep things safe for caregivers and families, Care.com quickly built in checks and balances, including background checks.  With each member of the Care.com founders tasked with projects aligned to their specialties, Zenobia is proud to have been a part of a team that took Care.com from a start-up to $200 million in revenue.  The daughter of a child psychologist mother and an entrepreneur father, Zenobia points to her two older sisters as her“superpowers”.   Although she was raised in India for the first 20 years of her life, Zenobia says “there was lots of dinner time conversation in our house and our Indian value system was mixed with American optimism. I grew up knowing that I could do anything I put my mind to.”   As an entrepreneur, she believes in the role mission plays in achieving success.  “Mission is that moment when you wake up and say I am really excited about what I’m going to do today because I’m always in pursuit of something that matters. Success is this elusive thing that you have to recognize when it happens, enjoy it while it’s happening, and then let it go, because it will come around again.” For 23 minutes filled with wisdom, purpose, and passion, just hit that download button.

Every week, I have access to astronauts, researchers, and scientists as a NASA Solar System Ambassador, and it’s beyond a dream come true.  -Pat Monteith Pat Monteith remembers hearing John F. Kennedy tell the nation that we would send a man to the moon by the end of the 1960s.   On that day, the president’s words shaped her lifelong fascination with space.  Decades and many different careers later, Pat is a NASA Solar System Ambassador, STEM advocate, and community leader with a passion for helping students achieve their dreams, particularly by helping them with award-winning science fair entries.   Raised by a single mom and a Lithuanian grandmother who spoke 7 languages, Pat grew up in Watertown, Massachusetts, where her mother worked for the Hood Rubber company.   From the time she was 10 years old,  Pat took on the responsibility of caring for their small apartment, including all the cooking and cleaning.  She recalls her mother’s long hours and learned the value of a strong work ethic early in her life.  Always a wiz at math, she earned her undergraduate degree in Mathematics from the University of Massachusetts Boston and her Master’s in Communication from Emerson College.  In this interview, we learn that Pat’s success story really did come in chapters.  She’s a Renaissance woman who has experienced success across multiple careers, including as founder and manager of WUMB, Founder & Director of the Boston Folk Festival, Executive Director of the syndicated radio program Commonwealth Journal,  the weekly feature NASA Space Notes, and a science fiction novel for kids called The Secret Case of the Space Station Stowaways.  Recently, Pat was speaking at a local elementary school about her work as a NASA Ambassador, and a third-grade student approached her asking,  “MissPat, are there children at the International Space Station?” When Pat replied “no”, the girl said:   Well, I’m gonna be the first one.”   For 22 minutes of intergalactic wisdom and inspiration, just hit that download button. #NASA #STEM #science #solarsystem #sciencefair NASA Solar System Ambassador patmonteith.com

I was in my 20s when I read the book: Breaking the Glass Ceiling, and I remember saying to myself: I’m gonna do that. -Carol Conway Bulman Carol Conway Bulman is the proud daughter of real estate legend Jack Conway, but becoming CEO and Chairman of his real estate empire wasn’t handed to her. In this up-close and personal interview, Carol shares her father’s success story as well as her own rise to the top with this life lesson: “Don’t wait for someone to put an opportunity out on a silver platter for you, because they’re not going to do it. I adored my dad, but he didn’t give me this opportunity. I needed to earn it.” Today, Carol is at the helm of a real estate firm whose signature bright red for-sale signs are in front of houses from the South Shore to the tip of Cape Cod, across the state to the North Shore and over the border into New Hampshire and Rhode Island, with 700 agents and 20 offices throughout the region. Innovation has been her middle name with the creation of a one-stop shopping experience for their clients. Carol and her team have created Conway Country Insurance, Columbia Title Company, and Conway Staging. Their newly renovated headquarters in Hanover also includes relocation experts and a learning space for continued education. The icing on the cake? Some of Carol’s children are also involved in the business! When I asked what Jack Conway would think, Carol says: “He’d be tickled pink to see his grandchildren working in this organization and loving real estate the way he always did.” For 23 minutes of wisdom from a 30+ year real estate maven, plus tons of #wisdom you can use, just hit that download button. #realestate #leadership #women #empowerment :  CEO & Chair of Jack Conway jackconway.com

When we first moved to Nashville, we lived in a pitiful apartment, and Wynonna, Ashley, and I slept in one bed. All we had to eat was bologna and crackers. -Naomi Judd The story you are about to hear is a piece of country music history because it is the final full-length interview featuring country music superstar Naomi Judd. Sadly, Naomi took her own life on April 30, 2022, after a long history of mental illness, but her legacy as a brilliant songwriter, captivating live performer, and country music icon remains. This interview was originally part of the Nashville-based series called Country Music Success Stories. For two years, my talented friend Jacy Dawn Valeras and I co-hosted the show, and thanks to the powerful network Jacy built in Music City, famous artists like Naomi agreed to be on the show. Recorded at Naomi’s 500-acre compound in Leipers Fork, Tennessee, in a barn next to her house, this interview is full of stories that will blow your mind and touch your heart. Naomi raised the girls on a mountaintop in Kentucky with only a coal stove for heat. She got the money to buy Wynonna her first guitar by selling her hunting knife and put herself through nursing school to become an ER nurse. From the moment Naomi walked into the room, I knew that I was in the presence of a superstar. Naomi and her daughter, Wynonna, were billed as The Judds, and throughout the ’80s and into the ’90s, they cemented their standing as country music’s most successful duo of all time with 25 top-ten singles, 14 #1 songs, and 5 Grammies. Naomi’s younger daughter, Ashley, crafted her own success story as an actress and a passionate activist. The road to stardom was long and hard, but in this interview, we learn just what Naomi Judd is made of. Like the little engine that could, she kept telling herself: I think I can, I think I can, I think I can. #countrymusic : Country Music Icon

There is something about facing down your biggest fears that really changes you on an elemental level. -Laura DeSisto Happy 4th of July weekend, everyone! This week’s success story is a listener favorite…and perfect to listen to in the car on your way to the beach. You may have heard that it’s the 50th anniversary of the movie that made a lot of people afraid to go into the ocean at all. JAWS was released in the summer of 1975 and featured a gigantic mechanical great white shark with a very bad habit of terrifying beach goers on Martha’s Vineyard. Laura DeSisto spent her summers on her father’s boat, sailing off the coast of the idyllic New England island. She begged her parents to allow her to see the movie, and emerged terrified of the water. Flash forward to a rough patch in her adulthood, when Laura’s grown children moved out and she and her husband became empty-nesters. Her friends gathered around her and encouraged her to try new things, get outside of her comfort zone, and embrace this newfound freedom. Her bestie even decided it was time to conquer Laura’s biggest fear of all: SHARKS and enrolled her in a scuba diving class at a resort in the Bahamas. Shaking in her flip flops, Laura took the class and on her very first dive, safely tethered to her dive master, she came face to face with a….(just hit that download button for the rest of the story! #sharks #courage #sisterhood : author of Resurfacing: Sisterhood, Sharks and Storms 

There are no shortcuts in life. It is going to take time to find success. Do it anyway. -Christy Cashman Welcome to the story of Christy Cashman, a listener favorite on The Story Behind Her Success. This interview launched about two years ago, and when I lost my voice due to acute laryngitis, I had to put recording new shows on hold and went to my library to find the most popular shows to listen to.  Christy Cashman is an actress who has appeared in over 20 movies, including the blockbuster film American Hustle.  Born in Ohio, she was raised on a poultry farm and is one of nine children.  When the family moved to North Carolina, Christy fell in love with horses. These days, she’s a wife and mother of two boys.  She and her husband, Boston developer Jay Cashman, even own a castle in Ireland!  In this interview, Christy talks about her first novel, The Truth About Horses.  Chock-full of interesting characters, the book delves into the human experience through the eyes of 14-year-old Reese, whose love of horses sustains her during the toughest of times. Says Christy:  “In this story, Reese learns that to move on, you have to let go. Loss is just as much a part of life as new beginnings.”  Open, honest, and with a great sense of humor, Christy shares details about her childhood, including when the family TV broke, and it was never replaced. She recalls the magic of hearing her father recite poetry and the sound of her mother’s voice as she read the children before bedtime. Christy is the founder of YouthINK, a teenage mentorship program. A gifted artist, Christy says she’s learned some life lessons the hard way.  “There are no shortcuts in life. It’s going to take time to find success. My advice? Do it anyway.”  For 24 minutes of entertainment and inspiration, just hit that download button. #horses #writer #actress #Ireland : actress & author, The Truth About Horses christycashman.com

When I was serving in Afghanistan, it was always mission first. You have to get the “scared” out of your mind. I told myself that God put me here for a reason. -Erica Horan By popular demand, we’re reissuing a handful of our most popular interviews. Meet Boston Medflight www.bostonmedflight.org nurse and US Air Force veteran, Erica Horan. Recorded 5 years ago in a hangar at a municipal airport just outside of Boston, this interview tells the story of a former black belt champion driven to serve and succeed. A veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, Erica became a commissioned officer in the Air Force as a critical care nurse shortly after earning her nursing degree. She saw every kind of injury on the front lines in Afghanistan, and speaks candidly about her own struggles with depression and the need for mental health support for our troops. Says Erica: “I counted the days until I got home, but when I got here, I didn’t know what to do with myself. I wanted to go back. I didn’t receive mental health support, and had a hard time adjusting.” Born to care for others, Erica has been a key player on Boston Medflight’s four medical teams for 7 years now and is incredibly proud of the people she works with. “We take care of very sick people as quickly as possible. Every day is different, and we work 12-hour shifts. You don’t know what you’re gonna get. We all have to keep learning at this job because medicine is changing every day.” Married to a surgeon who commutes from a military hospital in California back to his family in the Boston area every week, the couple has 3 children they are devoted to. Says Erica: “If I can raise three good human beings who are respectful, inclusive, and God-fearing, then I’ve made it. That’s success to me. “ From war stories to love stories, patriotism and purpose, this interview has it all. Go ahead and hit that download button. #nurse #medicine #criticalcare #bostonmedflight #afghanistan #USAF #faith : RN, Boston Medflight, US Air Force Veteran bostonmedflight.org

We all have “favorite places”, and for this week’s guest, it is the island of Nantucket.  Julie Gerstenblatt has been spending her summers there since she was just a child. Accessible by air or by ferry, Nantucket is located 30 miles off the coast of Cape Cod.  Steeped in history, Nantucket was once the whaling capital of the world, and even today, it seems frozen in time. Rooted in the story of the Great Fire of 1846,  Julie’s historical novel required years of research.  Focused on three complex, strong, and determined female characters, Daughters of Nantucket explores the lonely lives of whaling wives, the secrecy of sexuality, and race relations on an island influenced by Quaker values.   A lifelong writer and the proud mother of two grown children, Julie holds a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Teachers College, Columbia University. In this interview, she shares the struggles writers often experience.  Says Julie:  “You write in silence and in secrecy, but you have to share it at some point with people, and you hope it does well, but there is so much rejection.” Always inspired to write books that teach AND entertain, Julie has another historical novel scheduled for release in 2026.  She’s also ready to share her wisdom about what success really means.  “Success is balance and fulfillment on a deeper level.  It’s not about the material things and the “having,” it’s about being content in the “being.”   Ready for a little inspiration?  Go ahead and hit that download button.  #nantucket #writer #historicalnovel : author, Daughters of Nantucket

Success isn’t grades, money, or status.  It’s fulfillment, joy, and kindness that come together to allow you to live your best life. –  Colleen Esposito Welcome back to part 2 of my interview with my daughter, Colleen Esposito, co-author of Nelson’s Garden and our follow-up children’s book, Nelson’s Garden & the Free Little Flower Stand.  It’s been a joy to ask my daughter the same kinds of questions I ask every woman who is a guest on the show and to hear her wise, thoughtful, and sometimes sassy answers.  After all, Colleen is the “Queen of Sass”, a nickname given to her decades ago by her Godmother, who recognized her chutzpah early on.  Colleen is the kind of person who figures out how to make the best of any situation, evidenced by her determination to become the family cook at 10 when she made her first Thanksgiving meal.  In this interview, we extend our gratitude to the village that raised Colleen and her brother, Christopher, as well as her grandfather, fondly known as “Bapa,”  who stepped in to take care of them every day after school.  In this interview, Colleen shares what happened to her at 20 when she fell asleep at the wheel and almost died.  “I had a moment of being unsure if I was dead or alive, or in this weird in-between place where I could see myself, I could see the car, but I was away from it, watching it all.”   From stories about what it was like to sleep on the newsroom floor when I started my career in major market radio, to finding true love and becoming the mother of two precious daughters herself, this interview is a tribute to the enduring power of the mother-daughter connection. #daughter #family #childrensbookauthor #gardening : co-author, Nelson’s Garden series nelsonsgarden.com

Getting a book published is not for the faint of heart. It’s kind of heartbreaking because you have this book you’ve poured your heart and soul into, and you’re hoping readers will love it, too. -Colleen Esposito I’ve wanted to introduce my daughter, Colleen, to you for the longest time, and here she is!   Recorded from the window seat in her home just outside of Boston, part 1 of this interview focuses on the process of writing our illustrated children’s book series, Nelson’s Garden www.nelsonsgarden.com.   Colleen and I met Nelson McNutt when she was growing up.  He lived in a falling-down farmhouse in Weston, Massachusetts, and we’d see him working in his garden every morning on our way to summer camp.  One morning, Colleen asked if we could pull over and say hello. Nelson tipped his hat and said, “Top of the morning to you.”  Colleen recalls, “You and I had this telepathy idea swap and said to ourselves:  That sounds like a storybook character!” Years passed, and we filed this experience away, only to recall it decades later. Co-authoring a series about a garden has inspired Colleen to become a gardener herself.   This year, she and her husband Ben have expanded their backyard garden to include 10 raised beds, a fence to keep the critters out, and veggies and flowers in every color of the rainbow.   Quite an accomplishment for a girl who had no interest in this kind of “get your hands dirty” work when she was growing up!   These days, she’s surrounding herself with research that shows flowers make you feel good, and the microbes in the soil keep your body healthy.  Fascinating, right? The journey toward motherhood was not without its challenges, and in this interview,  Colleen speaks candidly about the two-year road toward conceiving her first child, Elizabeth Ray, whose nickname is Belle.  A PR pro at a top 5 advertising agency in Boston, Colleen is a lifelong reader with a unique writing style of her own.  “I write how I talk, says Colleen, and I didn’t realize until I was in college that my style was okay. One of my college professors told me it’s very honest, refreshing,  and easy to understand.  When you are given permission from someone you respect, it’s very freeing.”   In this interview, she shares the joy the series brings to Belle and Rosie, who join Nelson as the stars of our series.    “Lastsummer, we were drowning in flowers, and the girls and I started snipping them and putting them in jars by the side of the road.”   This act of kindness inspired book two in our series: Nelson’s Garden & the Free Little Flower Stand, scheduled for release in September 2025.   Says Colleen:  “This idea of giving away something that makes people happy is a real cool gift.”  #writer #childrensbooks #kindness #flowers #veggies : co-author, Nelson’s Garden series nelsonsgarden.com

They always say, you can’t choose your sister, but I would choose mine. – Linda Wong Chu If you are ever visiting the Boston area and you need a hot tip for the best Chinese food around, the family-owned Kowloon is the place to go! We’re on the road to Saugus, Massachusetts, for this episode, and you better believe there will be a takeout bag of Kowloon delishiousness beside me in the passenger seat! Purchased by William & Madeline Wong in 1958, the Kowloon was first named the Mandarin and was owned by Madeline’s parents. The restaurant was small with seating for about 40 customers, but the Wongs had big ideas and their vision would catapult the Kowloon to legendary status with 1200 seats, five themed rooms, and the distinction of being one of the premier multi-concept dining establishments in the United States. What’s it like to grow up in the hard-working Wong family? Former school teacher Linda Wong is the eldest of the six children, and in this interview, she and her little sister Lisa who manages the Maui Restaurant in Brockton, Massachusetts sit down in the restaurant that shaped them to share not only the success story of their grandparents and parents, but the ingredients that make up the perfect formula for achievement: Says Lisa: “I used to believe that success meant work, work, work, work, work. Now, I know that you have to have a really happy family life to be successful.“ #chineserestaurant #entrepreneur #sisters #asianculture #family : Linda Wong Chu & Lisa Wong kowloonrestaurant.com

A good outfit can make you feel confident.  Uncommon Threads is a non-profit that boosts the self-esteem of low-income women through the power of clothes.  We focus on dignity and respect. -Susan Kanoff Meet Susan Kanoff, style blogger, influencer, and Founder of uncommonthreads.org. A life-long fashionista with a heart of gold, she has spent her career helping women feel better about themselves with an innovative “outside-in, inside-out” approach.  For 25 years, Susan ran a self-sufficiency program funded by HUD and designed to move people out of poverty. Along the way, she started blogging about her passion for clothes and became the style editor for a magazine, gathering high-profile women in media who sought her styling advice. Many of her clients had high-end clothes to donate, and it wasn’t long before Susan’s office started looking like a boutique. In 2016, Uncommon Threads was born, and low-income, single moms became the grateful beneficiaries of beautiful clothing that, in turn, boosted their self-esteem. The mission of Uncommon Threads is simple:  to boost women’s self-esteem through the power of clothes. Originally housed in a 400-square-foot room at an old mill in Lawrence, Massachusetts, the non-profit has spread its wings in the same mill, helping 15,000 women so far. Women ages 18- 65+ receive an appointment and are treated to their own personal wardrobe stylist. Susan has also created Uncommon Closet, a social enterprise where donated designer clothing is sold to benefit Uncommon Threads. It’s a “shop to give” philosophy that’s win-win for everyone. Says Susan: “There’s something very special about women helping women. We have a sisterhood, a connection. Watching a client transform, right there in the mirror, is magical!” For 23 minutes of shop ‘til you drop inspiration, just hit that download button! @TheMidlifeFashionista : The Midlife Fashionista & Founder of Uncommon Threads uncommonthreads.org 

My daughter Dalia taught me about courage, sweetness, patience, and love. I am who I am because of her.  We were meant to be together. -Jessica Fein Welcome to part two of my interview with Jessica Fein, author of Breath Taking:  A Memoir of Family, Dreams and Broken Genes.    Jess and her husband, Rob, adopted three children from Guatemala.  When their daughter, Dalia, began exhibiting balance issues and speech delays, genetic testing revealed a devastating diagnosis of MERRF Syndrome, a degenerative disease that affects the mitochondria and has no cure.  In this interview, Jess shares what life was like for her family, and the story is equal parts love and fear of the future. From age 9 to her death at 17, Dalia was an “eyes on patient,” which meant that either a parent or a specially trained medical professional had to have eyes on her 24/7.   Dalia couldn’t swallow and required a tracheotomy, which meant she was also on a ventilator.  She could not speak and was fed through a tube.  Dalia couldn’t walk and required a wheelchair.   As she got older and was completely bedridden, she lost her ability to move and couldn’t communicate at all, including pointing, nodding, or even mouthing words.  At the core of this interview is Jessica’s powerful life philosophy that “joy and sorrow can hold hands.”   Says Jess:   “Dalia showed me that we can be going through what feels like a horror movie and laugh and create meaning and joy.  We tried to have fun in any way we could, and she was leading that charge.   She wanted to be a kid, and we were going to give that to her. We all learned that it’s okay to laugh, to smile, and to be happy. The joy we created became even more powerful because of the sorrow we had.”  Hit that download button as fast as you can. Jessica’s story is overflowing with the power of love.  www.jessicafeinstories.com #motherhood #rarediseases #resiliency #family. : author of Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes jessicafeinstories.com

We spent five years trying to have a baby and then decided to make the switch from baby making to family making – Jessica Fein We’re back in my cozy living room for this episode of The Story Behind Her Success. I’m learning that when you’re sitting on a comfy couch with the fire going, the time you spend together feels more like a chat between friends and less like a formal interview. An author, marketing executive, and former opinion columnist for the Boston Globe, Jessica Fein’s book, Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams and Broken Genes, will give you new reasons to believe in the resiliency of the human spirit. In Part One of this interview, Jessica tells the story of how she and her husband, Rob, spent five years trying to have a baby. When nothing worked, they turned to adoption, and were so overjoyed with their decision, they wondered why they hadn’t made it sooner. Over the next few years, the couple welcomed three beautiful babies into their home, all of whom were from Guatemala. It was baby heaven with Jonah, Dalia, and Theo for a while, until the little voice inside Jessica’s head got louder and louder. Call it a hunch, or mother’s intuition, but Jessica knew that something just wasn’t right with Dalia. As a toddler, she fell down a lot, and her speech was delayed. Repeated tests by early intervention experts showed that Dalia was on the lower end of normal, but as time went by, Jessica persisted. Finally, Dalia’s hearing was tested and showed moderate hearing loss. Now in kindergarten, Dalia had hearing aids, but continued falling down. Since she was adopted, doctors suggested that Dalia undergo genetic testing, and the result was devastating. Five-year-old Dalia was diagnosed with a degenerative, rare disease with no cure called MERFF, which impacts the ability of the body’s organs to function. MERFF is degenerative and has no cure. 2 children in 1 million will get this disease, and Dalia had yet another layer of the disease, making her 1 of only six known cases in the world. With this news, Jessica and her family began a journey filled with overwhelming fear, sorrow, and a belief that in life, we must find reasons to laugh in order to capture joy wherever we can. For a 21-minute story that will leave you breathless, just hit that download button. #rarediseases #motherhood #storytelling #adoption Part 1: Author of Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams & Broken Genes jessicafeinstories.com

There were two flashes of white light at my feet, like quick fireworks, and then everything went black.  My brain knew that my right leg was beyond repair.  -Roseann Sdoia Materia April 15, 2013: That’s the day the bombs went off at the Boston Marathon finish line.  This is the story of an innocent bystander who lost her right leg when the second bomb went off in front of the Forum Restaurant. Roseann Sdoia Materia’s life would be saved that day by three people who stepped into the smoke and mayhem to save her life:  college student Shores Salter, Boston police officer Shana Cottone, and Boston firefighter Mike Matteria risked their lives to help her, and their story is told in Roseann’s memoir:  Perfect Strangers:  Friendship, Strength and Recovery After Boston’s Worst Day.  Originally released as part of this series in 2018, the interview brings the listener into the events of that day, when brothers Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev unleashed a terror attack using homemade pressure cooker bombs planted near the Boston Marathon finish line, killing three people and injuring 264.  Days later, the brothers would also kill MIT police officer Sean Collier. Treated by trauma surgeon Daniel King, MD at Mass General, Roseann explains how fortunate she was to have a doctor who had experienced treating soldiers wounded by IEDs during his deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.  Beyond the details of what happened on that fateful day, Roseann’s story is a profile in courage as she struggled to accept the loss of her leg and a new reality as an amputee.  Says Roseann, “Courage is getting up every day and facing the world. Some days you have it and some days, you don’t. “  The founder of robostrong.com, she is an in-demand public speaker, an advocate for amputees everywhere, and a supporter of the many charities that have been born out of the bombings.  The friendships Roseann forged with those who rescued her remain strong. In fact, Roseann married firefighter Mike Materia!  For 23 minutes of strength, courage, community, and the resiliency of the human spirit, just hit that download button.  #bostonmarathonbombings #bostonmarathon #bostonstrong #massgeneralhospital#spauldingrehab A Profile in Courage: Boston Marathon Bombing Survivor robostrong.com

We are on a mission to inspire and empower children and families to discover, imagine, and grow together.  -ErinGallagher The living room edition of the series continues with an interview with Erin Gallagher, a young mother of three who teamed up with a friend and neighbor to create the Children’s Museum of Franklin.  www.childrensmuseumfranklin.org.  What started as a dream in the summer of 2023 has become a reality, with the grand opening scheduled for the summer of 2025.  Consider this proof positive that if you want to get something done, give it to two busy moms!  Housed in a former AGWAY home and garden space, the state-of-the-art children’s museum will be overflowing with exhibits to engage and inspire children of all ages.  Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Erin says she found her confidence and purpose rowing crew on the river near her childhood home and later as a member of the crew team at Boston College.  A dedicated community leader, marketing and communications professional, and passionate advocate for children and families, Erin has combined her desire to create an inspiring space for children with her experiences in multiple industries, with the hope of connecting families throughout the region. In this interview, Erin shares her belief that having a vision is everything:  “Your creativity and your ability to envision what something could be like can be so powerful, and it can take you so far.”   For 23 minutes of empowerment, just hit that download button.  #childrensmuseum #education #community : Co-Founder, Children’s Museum of Franklin childrensmuseumfranklin.org

Being a scientist is a way of looking at the world, and asking the question ‘why’ without your own pre-conceived notions. I’ve learned that it’s also a great way of doing business. -Julia Wrin Piper How do you go from scientist to CEO? Meet Julia Wrin Piper. She’s got degrees in Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, and Evolutionary Biology from UC/Berkeley, the Salk Institute for Biological Sciences, and Harvard University, and she’s using years of scientific training to forward the mission of Clover, a Boston-area fast casual chain specializing in local, seasonal sandwiches and bowls. www.cloverfoodlab.com. Clover’s mission is to significantly reduce carbon emissions through the creation of delicious, sustainably-sourced, plant-based fast food. Says Julia: “We take beautiful food that people are familiar with, and reinvent it with 100% locally sourced vegetarian ingredients. We want you to love your veggies so much, you dream about them.” Clover’s Cambridge-based culinary experts work directly with farmers in the region. Born and raised in California’s Bay Area, Julia’s mom is a virologist who was at the forefront of HIV research and continued to offer her scientific expertise during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her father was a stay-at-home dad for many years before taking a job as an educator. Now a mother herself, Julia deeply appreciates the home she grew up in: “It was like no other. My mom was my role model, and having my father at home gave us a wonderful and very different perspective. What does the future look like for Clover under Julia’s leadership? Chances are, there will be a Clover near you as the company eyes expansion beyond Massachusetts. “Being a scientist is a way of looking at the world, asking the question ‘why’ without your own pre-conceived notions. I’ve learned that it’s also a great way of doing business. For 23 minutes with a woman who makes science yummy and fun, just hit that download button. #scientist #veggies #climatechange #STEM #local #carbonfootprint : CEO of Clover cloverfoodlab.com

The Amalfi Coast is a dream place, and when I saw it for the first time, something shifted in me.  I knew I had to live there.   -Lauren Birmingham Born into an Italian-American family of great chefs, Lauren Birmingham has an innate love of food and family.   As a child growing up in Cranston, Rhode Island, she spent hours swinging in a hammock under a cherry tree,  reading the classics.  This fascination with reading, combined with her passion for travel, inspired Lauren to explore Europe as an adult.  On a trip to Italy’s Amalfi Coast, she came around a corner in her Fiat 500 and couldn’t believe her eyes.   “Thecolor of the houses built into the mountains was like confetti.  They were the prettiest pink, blue, and yellow, and the color of the Tyrrhenian Sea was an unmatchable shade of blue. It’s a magical place, unlike any I’d ever seen in my life.”  From that moment, Lauren came back to Positano as often as she could,  running her PR business from a rented studio while developing her Cooking Vacations Italy culinary tour company.   cooking-vacations.com.  Along the way, she met and married an Italian race car driver named Rino Piscitelli.  At the top of her career,  she decided to write a cookbook that would include the recipes of 5-star Michelin Chef Andrea Migliaccio and become a 360-page labor of love.  Says Lauren:  “ It took years to travel around the Amalfi Coast and Capri, interviewing in Italian and then translating into English, plus the recipes had to be translated from metric to imperial.”  Aptly named It’s A Dream Place: Stories & Recipes of Food, Love & the Amalfi Coast, this interview with Lauren will set your compass toward the next flight to Italy!   #amalficoast #italy #food #michelinchef : author of It’s A Dream Place cooking-vacations.com

Family comes first & chocolate comes second! – Cheryl Salto We’re back in my cozy living room with the fireplace roaring for another edition of The Story Behind Her Success.  In the spotlight, a registered nurse and mother of two who makes chocolate treats all day long in her home kitchen, for special occasions.  Check out Cheryl Salto’s yummy chocolate delights here:   www.candyundercover2.com/shop.  Her entrepreneur story started back in 1998 with her original company, Candy Under Cover.  The small, home-based business took off like a rocket and Cheryl was able to sell it for a nice profit.   These days, she’s renamed the business Candy Under Cover 2 and word about her creations continues to spread far and wide. In 2024 she took home the gold medal in the Best of the West contest and even placed holiday orders from the Boston Celtics!   Although her husband kiddingly calls her Willy Wonka, Cheryl is determined to find a healthy balance between making chocolates, and savoring life. Says Cheryl:  “Family comes first, and chocolate comes second.”  Admittedly frugal, she explains in this interview that her initial investment in the business was small. “Some people want to go big.  I wanted to stay small.  It’s always been me, using my own pots and pans.  If anything costs me an arm and a leg, I’m not doing it.”   For down to earth advice about what matters most in this life, success as an entrepreneur and the sustaining power of faith, just hit that download button.   #chocolate #smallbusiness #homebusiness #entrepreneur #RN #faith : Founder, CandyUnderCover2 candyundercover2.com/shop

This is a book about empowerment.  It’s about finding yourself within the rubble. -Sarah Elizabeth Sarah grew up on a dirt road in rural Maine in a farmhouse built in 1770…an idyllic childhood until it completely disappeared when her parents divorced when she was in high school and her family as she knew it, fell apart.  “ As a young woman, the image of the white picket fence became a mission for me. I was convinced that I could build a life of control and stability.” Sarah and her husband were both products of divorce, and were determined not to allow what happened to them happen to their children:  “ Our marriage didn’t work, but our family very much does.” Sarah found herself saying yes to everything and only feeling valuable when she said yes to others. It’s one thing to write a book, it’s another thing to put it out there for the world to read. The biggest source of joy is hearing from women who have read the book.  Women and men have said that they felt like they are no longer alone on their own journeys. A divorce is the death of a family.  Originally, Sarah wanted to be an “author, an architect and a world traveler” but after her parent’s divorce, when her world was upside down, she decided to become an accountant.  A safe step, a solid future. Once she started writing this book, “the words poured out of me” I think motherhood broke me…in the most beautiful way. When you have children, you realize how NOT in control of your life you are. Sarah would tell her younger self “just slow down. It will be okay. “ : author of When the White Picket Fence is No Longer Enough sarahelizabeth.icu

What’s my definition of fear?  False Evidence Appearing Real.  -Anna Sabatino aka “Anna Sab” Meet Anna Sabatino, wife, mother, life coach, driving instructor, entrepreneur, and all-around super-woman. It was Anna’s husband who nominated her as a guest on the show and she did not disappoint!  In this interview, we learn all about the long and winding road of life. For Anna, the twists and turns are there to help us find our purpose. The daughter of Italian immigrants, Anna grew up in a strict but faith-filled, loving home in Brighton, Massachusetts.  At only 20, she began working on the administrative side of a hugely successful sporting goods agency that represented New Balance Athletic shoes.  Thirty years later, her boss retired and closed the business, leaving Anna at a crossroads, so she put on her running shoes and started training for the New York and Boston marathons.  She also signed up for an Empowerment Workshop that ignited a new passion:  helping teenagers find their way.  Armed with her certification as an Empowerment Life Coach, she launched a coaching practice aimed at teens…and sadly, no one came.   Frustrated and feeling a little bit lost, she went for a run…and ran into an old friend who said:  “Get certified as a driving instructor.  Most of your clients will be teenagers anyway.”   Today, Anna is the owner of her own driving school, www.csdriving.com, and the CS stands for common sense. Whether she’s in the car or the classroom with her students, whom she proudly calls her “lovelies,”Anna is a guiding light when they need it the most.  Says Anna:  “ Most teens are terrified to drive.  I shift the way they think from negative to positive and give them confidence.  I tell them fear is really false evidence appearing real.”  What’s next for Anna?  A new book called Just Drive: Life Lessons from Behind the Wheel.  For 22 minutes, bound to keep your foot on the gas, and your eye on the horizon, just hit that download button.  #teens #lifecoach #drivinglessons #drive : Teen Advocate, Life Coach & Driving Instructor csdriving.com

I found myself at the top of the ladder, took a deep breath, and realized that this wasn’t where I wanted to be anymore. -Jennifer Gulbrand In the spotlight, Jenn Gulbrand, a multi-talented woman who spent years following the path she thought she should be taking until, one day, she realized that her paycheck was feeding her family and not her soul. She flipped that script and is now a visionary leader who is dedicated to building heart-centered communities. Using her extensive knowledge of somatic healing, Jenn releases pent-up pain and trauma in the many women she works with, providing hope, connection, and, very often, a new lease on life. This new chapter started with a bold move: revealing her own painful truth in the pages of her first book, Embody Your Essence. Inspired by the many responses she received to her traumatic personal story, Jenn released She Breathes Soul Stories, featuring 22 stories bravely told by women in her community. Says Jenn: “Our stories do not define us. But they are what shaped us. We all carry shame, and it makes us feel broken. Shame affects how we feel about ourselves and how we show up in life. In my work, I help women take trauma and shame up and out of their bodies.” Jenn’s offerings include Reiki, chakra therapy, vibrational healing, EMDR, and more, which open up new pathways toward healing and hope. “I’m home now, says Jenn, doing the work I was meant to do. “ What’s next? A healing retreat to the Azores! Find out more: www.jenngulbrand.com. If you have trauma buried deep inside of you, step one toward your own healing starts with hitting that download button. #trauma #healing #thestorybehindhersuccess : healer, coach, author & speaker jenngulbrand.com

Rise and reset your mind. Today is a new day to start over. -Lisa Ponte Meet Lisa Ponte. She’s on a mission to spread self-love and positive thinking through affirmation cards, positive vibe products, and her beautiful new line of Stacked with Love jewelry. www.lpvibes.com. The devoted mother of two, her career path has been one of reinvention, beginning with a 20-year career in finance and marketing and now as an entrepreneur. But it was a childhood trauma that left a mark on this exceptional woman, leaving her in need of positive vibes and a lot of love to help her heal. In this interview, Lisa shares the story of how she was bullied throughout middle school and was involved in a sexual relationship with an older boy at only 13. Overwhelmed by shame, she attempted suicide. Included in the book She Breathes Soul Stories by Jennifer Gulbrand www.jenngulbrand.com, you’ll hear her truth about halfway through this interview. The proud mother of two daughters, Lisa’s advice to parents of teens is focused on open communication and awareness. Says Lisa: “I give my girls 20-second hugs every day. The length of the hug is key because that’s how long it takes for our bodies to release the stress hormone known as cortisol. “ Now a compelling and memorable public speaker, Lisa shares her story with audiences large and small. “ Once you open up to other people and are authentic and vulnerable, there is a ripple effect, and they open up to you in return.” Lisa practices what she preaches: positive vibes. “I embrace obstacles because I know they are there for a reason and something better is waiting on the other end“ For 23 minutes of inspiration, just hit that download button. #affirmation #positivevibes #jewelry #truth #storytelling #thestorybehindhersuccess : Founder, LP Vibes & Stacked with Love jewelry lpvibes.com