The Story Behind Her Success

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

7/16/25 • 22:43

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

7/10/25 • 25:46

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

7/3/25 • 23:13

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 

6/20/25 • 26:06

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

6/12/25 • 23:22

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

6/4/25 • 25:27

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

5/30/25 • 24:02

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

5/22/25 • 25:16

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

5/15/25 • 22:29

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 

5/8/25 • 22:38

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.

4/30/25 • 21:48

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

4/24/25 • 20:45

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 

4/17/25 • 25:30

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 

4/10/25 • 22:56

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

4/3/25 • 22:54

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 

3/19/25 • 21:40

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

3/13/25 • 22:56

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. “

3/6/25 • 23:20

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

2/27/25 • 21:24

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

2/20/25 • 24:00

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

2/12/25 • 22:09

I’m a boots-on-the-ground leader. I think of St. Ignatius, who said, “It’s deeds, not words,” and Bill Belichick who said: “Do your job!” -Grace Cotter Regan You’ve heard of Boston College, right? Well, there’s a high school not too far away that bears the same name. Founded in 1863, the schools were initially created as a 7-year educational experience for the children of Irish Catholic immigrants. Separated into (2) distinct schools in 1927, Boston College High School had never had a female president until 2017. bchigh.edu. In the spotlight, Grace Cotter Regan. Appointed as the first female president of the 1400 student boy’s school, she has spent the last five years as a change agent on a mission to advance Jesuit education. In this interview, the proud mother of two says she felt called to the role. Her father had been at BC High for 50 years as a beloved student, teacher, coach, athletic director, and guidance counselor. In fact, Grace was born on the day her dad started working at Boston College High School. Situated at Columbia Point, BC High is an urban campus located beside UMASS/Boston and the JFK Library. “It feels like a university campus,” says Grace. Our motto is: “We find God in all things. Our gospel values drive everything we do.” She’s responsible for enrollment, advancement, finance, and external relations, including fundraising with an alumni network that is 16 thousand strong. BC High’s former students are a constant source of inspiration to the student population, with graduates who have gone on to become athletes in the NFL, NHL, NBA, Major League Baseball, 4-star generals, politicians, visual artists, stage and screen actors, and Olympic Gold Medalists. For a 23-minute glimpse into the life of a trailblazer in her field, just hit that download button. #jesuit #education #leadership @bchigheagles

2/6/25 • 22:55

Journaling opens the mind, taking you to places you don’t normally go. - Lisa Tener Is there a book inside of you? In the spotlight, an award-winning author, book coach, and creative catalyst on a mission to help others bring their stories to life. lisatener.com Once sick, exhausted, and uninspired, Lisa discovered the power of holistic healing years ago and now shares it with others. Using powerful, ancient practices to release her energy, Lisa Tener is the Founder of the Tener Method for Creative Flow, a 5-step process that includes: tuning in, acknowledging sacred space, creating a one-word intention, enjoying the writing, and gratitude. Lisa also practices the ancient art of Qigong, which connects you to your cosmic self. She believes that there are actually people in our lives who shut down our ability to flourish and create at the highest levels. Her latest book is called Breathe. Write. Breathe: 18 Energizing Practices to Spark Your Writing and Free Your Voice. What does breathing have to do with writing? Lisa says breathing frees the voice and unleashes creative juices that get stuck inside the body, allowing the writer to get to the heart of the matter. Once released, our writing faucets turn on, and ideas flow freely. Born and raised in Queens, New York, Lisa grew up in a multi-generational household with her Austrian grandmother, who had survived the Holocaust. In this up-close and personal interview, Lisa shares her grandmother’s harrowing stories of survival, saying: “she taught me that the Nazis did bad things, but she didn't blame the Austrian people. This was a testament to her loving heart.” For 23 minutes on tapping into your creative side, just hit that download button. #creativity #writing

1/30/25 • 23:44

I can look at a pile of rocks and instantly find that one heart rock. It’s a thing! I guess I am the heart rock whisperer! -Ellen Thayer When she was about 12 years old, Ellen Thayer climbed atop a rock in her backyard to marvel at the clouds. Little did she know that later in life, her professional life would involve both weather AND rocks. Armed with a degree in meteorology from St. Louis University in Missouri, Ellen made her way back to Boston for an internship with legendary meteorologist Bruce Schwoegler. She wanted to be a TV meteorologist but quickly discovered that she lacked the hands-on skills she needed to perform her craft in front of a camera, so Ellen enrolled in graduate courses at Emerson College. She would spend the next 23 years as a meteorologist in TV markets, both small and large. At WCVB TV, channel 5 in Boston, she was mentored by Dick Albert, who taught her to “just be you,” and her popularity among viewers grew exponentially. Always a lover of the Maine seacoast, Ellen cherished the time she spent walking the beaches with her Westie and began collecting heart-shaped rocks. She purchased a home in Maine and commuted daily into Massachusetts to be on the air. The commute drained her, but Ellen’s heart rock collection grew, and she made the decision to leave meteorology behind, reinventing herself as an artist entrepreneur. Her new business, loverocksme.com was born. These days, she’s winning awards for the success of her home-based business, which centers around flat-lay photography featuring countless heart-shaped rocks printed on note cards and 7 product lines, all made in the USA. How do rocks become shaped like hearts? Ellen explains: “It’s a weakness in the rock that makes the heart form over time. These rocks are bashed and bashed along the coast of Maine. People tell me they’ve spent their lives trying to find one heart-shaped rock. But in my case, they find me. One day, I found 79 heart rocks in 45 minutes. I know that each one was kissed by an angel.” For 23 minutes focused on the power of reinvention, just hit that download button. Follow Ellen Thayer @loverocksme. #entrepreneur #reinvention #photography #artist

1/16/25 • 23:13

I’d been telling myself: “Someday, I will do this,” but now, I’m putting my foot down to say, DO IT RIGHT NOW. This is your life. Who knows about tomorrow? -Parker Jamison aka Ox Devere While excavators are restoring Notre Dame after the 2019 fire that nearly destroyed the medieval church, they make a stunning discovery beneath the cathedral floor. It’s an unmarked sarcophagus, and what follows is a pulse-pounding, globe-trotting adventure called Rage of the Jinn. The author’s pen name is Ox Devere, one of the most famous pseudonyms of them all, and in this interview, Parker Jamison, explains why she chose it. A well-disciplined writer and screenwriter, Parker is a stickler for research. She poured hundreds of hours of discovery into topics like the history of Notre Dame, the Knights Templar, the CIA, anthropology, geography, and a tutorial on the streets of Paris in order to create a realistic page-turner of a story. Says Parker: “I‘m obsessive. I research everything, and I will do what it takes to get every sentence correct. “ Her next thriller, The Devil’s Eye, debuts this month and is a sequel to Rage of the Jinn. One of five children, Parker’s mother is a former actress, producer, co-founder of Punctuate Four Productions and former guest on this series (check out episode #56), and her father was born in Egypt. The lure and enchantment of that culture, combined with growing up in a house where reading books and using your imagination was the family mantra, sparked Parker’s creative side. Her first word was “book,” and this up close and personal interview with the author paints an inspiring picture of what happened next. oxdevere.com #thriller #notredame #author

1/9/25 • 22:21

I was a teenager when I picked up the guitar, and suddenly, I had the one thing I’d been looking for to craft the songs I’d been waiting to write. -Sarah Blacker This up-close and personal interview was recorded in my living room with a singer/songwriter who grew up down the street. We met when she was a teenager…and a friend of my daughter Colleen’s. Years later, Sarah Blacker continues doing what she loves best: bringing comfort and joy to audiences large and small as a dynamic live performer. Heralded by the Huffington Post for her “infectious, well-written songs,” Sarah was named the 2024 Female Performer of the Year by the New England Music Awards. But there’s so much more to Sarah’s story because she harnesses the healing power of music as a Board-Certified Music Therapist and LMHC or Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Explains Sarah: “Listening to music can open up neuro-pathways. Music is magic. It gets us high. Sometimes, when I’m sitting there with Alzheimer's patients, my mind is blown, and my heart is exposed because I know that music is what unlocked a patient’s memory.” A graduate of the Berklee College of Music, Sarah discovered music therapy during a tour of the school and realized that this academic path encompassed everything she had always loved about music. A survivor of life on the road as a musician, Sarah misses the audience but not the grueling schedule of an independent musician. “I lived on Dunkin Donuts for days, all for the love of music and those glorious moments when I got to be on stage, pouring my heart out, trying to connect with an audience.” The daughter of two music lovers, Sarah says that music was always playing at her house. “My dad had the greatest music collection of all time, everything from Paul Simon and Pink Floyd to Tubular Bells, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Seals & Crofts. My mom would make up her own silly songs. It was a creative household.” As a teen, Sarah’s musical role models were all- female, including Tori Amos, Joni Mitchell, Fiona Apple and Paula Cole. Learning to play the guitar is what completed Sarah Blacker as an artist. Says Sarah: “It was like opening the gates to everywhere I ever wanted to go.” For an inspiring 24-minute musical journey, just hit that download button. #music #musictherapy #songwriter #singer

12/24/24 • 21:29

I want older women to know: if you want to do something, get out there and do it, sister! Don’t sit around and think: I’m too old. No, you’re not! -Tracey Wheeler Noonan It’s been about 10 years since I’ve interviewed Tracey Wheeler Noonan and let me tell you, this girl is on fire. She and her daughter, Dani took a unique way of making cupcakes in jars and turned it into a Shark Tank phenomenon. Wicked Good Cupcakes may have started out small in Tracey’s home kitchen, but it ended up going worldwide during the Pandemic and was sold to Hickory Farms for a nice profit. In this interview, Tracey takes us on a wild ride through her 6 Shark Tank appearances, sharing the lessons she learned along the way about entrepreneurship and how to run a company with her daughter. These days, Tracey is focused on public speaking and her lifelong love of writing with her first book titled A Wicked Good Idea. She’s also written two screenplays, a TV pilot, and a no-holds-barred memoir called Past, Present, Paris, based on her heartbreaking divorce. Denied a college education by her father because she was a girl, Tracey spent much of her adulthood trying to find her way and prove herself to her parents. In this very personal interview, it is Tracey Wheeler Noonan’s gigantic heart that really shines through. From priceless advice for entrepreneurs to words of wisdom for women of all ages, this episode is loaded with 23 minutes of inspiration. Says Tracey: “If I can do this, you can do this. Success is not something we hoard. It is something we must share. As women, we are NOT in competition with one another. We’ve got to lift each other up.” #sharktank #entrepreneur #women #empowerment #cupcakes

12/18/24 • 23:40

The biggest skill I use is listening.  Grievers don’t need to be fixed.  They need to be heard. - Louise Strasenburgh The holidays are supposed to be joyful, but if you’ve lost someone you love, they can be tough. This week’s guest is here to help.   Louise Strasenburgh is a grief recovery specialist and the author of the book The Space In My Heart.   In 2011, her 26-year-old son Oliver’s body was found wrapped in a carpet in Puerto Rico.   In the middle of this horrific loss, her mother died, and then her daughter got married.  Needless to say, Louise experienced a roller coaster of emotions in a short period of time. Desperate to find a community of people who understood her loss, she discovered The Compassionate Friends, compassionatefriends.org, a non-profit that provides friendship, understanding, and hope to bereaved parents, siblings, and grandparents.  It wasn’t long before Louise became certified as a grief recovery specialist and became a leader within her local TCF chapter.  Says Louise:  “Imagine grieving parents, sitting in a circle, going around the room, saying their name and how their child died.  By the time you get to the end of the circle, your heart is flooded with compassion.  Here we all are, and we have to find a way to integrate this loss into our lives and still go forward.  Born in England and raised in Portugal, Louise has moved 32 times and in this interview, declares that she’s not done yet.  A former flight attendant for Pan Am, she was born to travel and loves the excitement of learning about new places and meeting people from around the world.  Her book The Space In My Heart was written during the Pandemic as a coping tool for loss.  Using the story of her two Westies, Digger and Daisy, as the protagonists, the book explains grief and loss to children but applies to people of all ages.   The daughter of a squadron leader in the UK’s Royal Air Force who fought during World War II, Louise credits her father and Queen Elizabeth as her role models.  “She was my queen from the day I was born, says Louise, and my father was a person of great integrity who taught me:  When things go right, hold tight.  When things go wrong, be strong.”  For 23 minutes of hope and healing, just hit that download button.  #grief #loss#mourning #hope #healing 

12/12/24 • 23:30

We must all be compassionate. You never know what someone else is going through. - Keely Krantz Keely Krantz got her start in PR, eventually leading the launch of high-profile, global brands. A proud Boston College graduate, she was fortunate to have a mentor who had broken through glass ceilings and believed in passing it on. Says Keely “Janet Diederichs at Edelman Public Relations in Chicago challenged me to be someone I would never have aspired to if it hadn’t been for her guidance. I learned to be bold and aggressive.” At the height of Keely’s career, she became a mom and decided to stay at home with her kids, choosing parenthood and volunteerism over a career. It was this devotion to community and the greater good that inspired Keely and her husband Jason to make the largest gift in the history of Mass General Hospital cancer research history last year. Says Keely: “We don’t want to see small, incremental changes. We want to see fundamental, monumental, landscape-changing breakthroughs in the treatment of cancer, and we are willing to take big risks at the Krantz Family Research Center on physician-scientists who have big, aggressive ideas. We want to swing for the fences.” A few months later, Keely launched her next big chapter as the founder of the O’Dell Women’s Center www.odellwomenscenter.com in Springfield, Massachusetts. Named after her 98-year-old grandmother, who was a maternity nurse in the community for 40 years, the O’Dell Center is a first-of-its-kind in Springfield with 10,000 square feet of collaborative space that houses Dress for Success/Western Mass and other non-profits that advance educational and career opportunities for low-income women. In just one year, $250,000 in grants have been awarded. For Keely, this new chapter is the culmination of a story rooted in faith and the lessons of her parents. “Anything is possible” are three words I heard all the time when I was growing up. Says Keely. “I want to be a connector, surrounded by the mantra that respect and kindness go hand in hand. I want to do good.” For 23 minutes of inspiration, just hit that download button. #women #community #cancer @massgeneralcancercenter

12/5/24 • 22:29

I point out my student’s strengths so that they can start believing in themselves. Every child has a craving to learn. They are just like little sponges. -Jen Dugan Agne When you think back to your education, was there one teacher who saw your talents before you did? Meet my longtime friend Jen Dugan Agne. A 5th-grade teacher at the Marie Hastings School in Lexington, Massachusetts, she LOVES what she does. In fact, she’s been the kind of teacher students never forget for 38 years. Says Jen: “My heart is full every day. I tell them all the time, who else would I want to hang out with but these honest little souls?” The youngest of three girls, Jen was raised in the town where she teaches and recalls being very shy as a child. It was her 4th-grade physical education teacher who saw something in her that she didn’t see in herself. The result was a lifelong love of sports and a commitment to be a school teacher someday. A graduate of Boston University with a BS and a Masters degree in Elementary Education, Jen set out for San Bernadino, California, where she taught 35 first graders for a year in a community where migrant workers and their families come and go throughout the school year, creating gaps in learning, making education very difficult for students. Back in Boston, she noticed an ad for a company called On Location Education and was hired as the tutor on the set of the movie Mermaids, starring Cher, Winona Ryder, and Christina Ritchie. From there, she joined the national tour of Les Miserables, where she ran her classroom like a one-room schoolhouse for the four children in the cast. All of these experiences have nurtured Jen’s goal of being the best teacher a child could ever ask for. When the school year begins, she explains: “We are a family, and we have each other’s backs, both in the classroom and outside of the classroom. We respect each other.” The proud mother of two, Jen is a two-time heart attack survivor who believes that life is short and “time is of the essence. If you have something to say, say it because you might not have that chance again.” For 23 minutes of pure teacher magic, just hit that download button! #teacher #gratitude #heartattack #inspiration #thanksgiving

11/27/24 • 24:36