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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 

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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

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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. “

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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