SBHS Paula Campbell, Part 1

October 21, 2026October 21, 2026 ~ thestorybehindhersuccess

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nurse & breast cancer survivor

elliefund.org

Sometimes things that you love have their time in your life, and then you part ways. Before my double mastectomy, I thanked my breasts for what they had given to me and my babies. I made my peace with them and then I said: “you’ve gotta go.” -Paula Campbell

You don’t have to go far to find a woman who has had breast cancer. As a nurse, Paula Campbell saw breast cancer through a different lens because she had to go from taking care of others, to allowing others to take care of her. A wife and mother, Paula was diagnosed in 2022 with stage 2-3 breast cancer. She endured 6 grueling rounds of chemotherapy, and although her breast surgeon originally recommended a lumpectomy, Paula fought hard for a bilateral mastectomy. “It’s one part of my story that I like to share, because I had to advocate for myself as a patient and as a nurse. Intuitively, I knew, my breasts had to go.” Leveled by chemo, Paula says: ““Chemo is very humbling. It will rock your soul. It gave me no choice but to accept the care of others around me. Thankfully, she connected with an incredible charity called The Ellie Fund www.elliefund.org and experienced the friendship, connection and sense of community this small but mighty non-profit is known for. Their mission? Supporting patients, funding care and providing hope. Says Paula: “I’m their self-proclaimed ambassador. I just can’t say enough about what they did for me.” Our conversation continues in part 2 of this powerful interview, where Paula reveals the loss of her health insurance as a nurse employed in the same hospital where she was scheduled to receive her breast cancer care. For 23 minutes of inspiration, just hit that download button. #breastcancer #womeninspiringwomen

Erin O’Malley Part 2

October 7, 2026October 7, 2026 ~ thestorybehindhersuccess

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breast cancer survivor & podcaster

@erinomalleysfrequency

I’m not afraid of death. Something came to take me, and I beat it with faith and love. I have a second lease on life. -ErinO’Malley

This up close and personal interview with Boston broadcaster and podcaster Erin O’Malley www.erinomalleysfrequency.com gives you a birds-eye view into the life of a woman who leads with love. In part 1 of this interview, Erin shared the story of her early life in Pittsburgh, and her proclamation at 12 that she wanted to be a radio personality. After graduating from the University of Dayton, she began her climb from a small station in Wheeling, West Virginia to major market radio, landing in Boston at Mix 104.1 where listeners came to think of her as their friend. She and her husband were delighted to learn they were expecting a child and although her pregnancy was normal, her delivery was a nightmare and their baby boy had a stroke. Gabe survived, but at 6 months, required brain surgery and is severely disabled. Says Erin: “Everyday, Gabe shows me how to live a better life. He’s an angel on earth.” In part 2 we dive deeper into Erin’s success story and learn that in May, 2018, she felt a lump in her right breast and was diagnosed with stage 2, triple negative breast cancer. Throughout her treatment, her positivity was on full display. She wore a superwoman costume to chemo, handing out gifts to fellow patients. At work, she talked openly about her breast cancer journey, encouraging listeners to do breast exams. “Cancer hates positivity. Your attitude matters, so flip the script. Amazing things happen when you attack cancer with positive vibes.” In this interview, Erin also tells the story of what happened the day she lost the job she loved and then decided to find the silver lining and bring her positive vibes to the world of podcasting. For friends, family, fans and new admirers, this episode has all the feels. Follow Erin on Instagram @erinomalleysfrequency. #breastcancer #radio #womensupportingwomen

Erin O’Malley

September 30, 2026September 30, 2026 ~ thestorybehindhersuccess

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Wife, mom, podcaster, survivor

erinomalleysfrequency.com

I’ve always been an optimist who looks for the best in everyone and everything. -Erin

My mission has always been to introduce you to women who inspire you to say, ‘If she can do it, I can do it.’ Today, I am sitting across from a woman whose positive attitude and infectious voice are woven into the fabric of Boston radio. For 20 years, we shared the same airwaves at different frequencies. She was on Mix 104.1 and I was on Magic 106.7, but I always admired her vibe on the air. Alone in a room, with only music, contents and commercials to play, Erin knows the secretto being a first-class broadcaster: reach through the radio and make a listener believe you are talking directly to them. That’s a gift, and Erin has it in spades. But there is so much more to her success story. As a child, her family moved around a lot, due to her father’s job. At one point, when Erin was 12 years old, they were living in Pittsburgh and radio became Erin’s companion. She remembers calling into the local radio station and becoming friends with the air talent. It wasn’t long before Erin declared to her mother that someday, she would be on the radio, and despite her mother’s initial doubts, that’s exactly what she did. In this very personal interview, Erin shares early career stories, including falling asleep on the radio while playing American Pie, getting better and better at her craft and moving up the ladder to bigger radio markets, landing in Boston, getting married, and giving birth to her son Gabe, who experienced a stroke following a difficult birth and is severely disabled. Through it all, Erin O’Malley chooses to embrace joy in everyone and everything. Says Erin: “Gabe is an angel on earth and the best gift ever. He wakes up every day smiling and shows me how to live my life.” Don’t miss this deep dive into the life of a truly exceptional woman. It’s so good, we’ve decided to air it in two parts. Find out about Erin’s new podcast series and stay connected here:

erinomalleysfrequency.com #motivation#positivity #radio #podcast

Ruth “Chip” Spalding

September 16, 2026September 17, 2026 ~ thestorybehindhersuccess

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Philanthropist

elliefund.org @elliefund

Life is full of heartache and if you don’t have humor, it’s very hard. Have a belly laugh once a day! -Ruth “Chip” Spalding

Twenty years ago, in the middle of 8 rounds of chemotherapy and 35 radiation treatments for stage 2 breast cancer, Ruth“Chip” Spalding opened the door to find a delivery of flowers. That single act of kindness took root inside of her, and bloomed into a legacy of hope. Chip began searching for a local non-profit that shared her passion for patient care and ended up connecting with The Ellie Fund elliefund.org. Says Chip: “I was just the fuel. I provided the money. The Ellie Fund was the engine.” 2,000 bouquets of flowers have been delivered to grateful breast cancer patients (includingme) and now, Chip is taking her act of kindness one step further by establishing the Ruth “Chip” Spalding Flower Endowment Fund which will ensure flowers are delivered to breast cancer patients even after Chip has left this earth. Born and raised in Dedham, Massachusetts by kind-hearted, civic-minded parents, Chip spent her early career working for a congressman on Capital Hill. The mother of two, she was diagnosed in her 50’s and recalls looking at herself in the mirror saying: “You have breast cancer and you are lucky they found it. Get on with it.” How did breast cancer change this wise, no-nonsense woman? “The blue became bluer, the green became greener, and I began practicing the 3 C’s: anti-clutter, anti-complaining and cut to the chase.” For 25 minutes of inspiration + wisdom + kindness, just hit that download button. #breastcancer #kindness #hope #flowers

Yolanda Cellucci, In Memoriam

September 10, 2026September 10, 2026 ~ thestorybehindhersuccess

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YOLANDA CELLUCCI

fashionista, philanthropist, trailblazer

IN MEMORIAM

Success is measured not by how long you have lived, but HOW you live. – Yolanda Cellucci

I knew this day would come, but I dreaded it. Fashionista, philanthropist and trailblazer Yolanda Cellucci has died at 91. And as it turns out, one of her last full length interviews was with me, in November 2022. So, we’ve pulled this gem out of the archives for you this week, as a way of remembering and honoring a truly great human being.

Trust me when I tell you: she was in a league of her own. I had the opportunity to interview Miss Yolanda multiple times through the course of my career, and every time I was in her presence, I was inspired. Her success story is a lesson in what it takes to make your dreams a reality. For starters, she had a passion for flash that included Swarovski crystal, feathers, sequins and fur, but behind the bling, Yolanda had plenty to say about life and how to live it. The interview you are about to hear was recorded in her swanky Watertown penthouse. I can still remember what she was wearing: a fitted white pantsuit with rhinestones. Her make-up and hair were done perfectly. She had on big long eyelashes, and white boots to die for. Beyond her stunning outfit, every single thing in Yolanda’s penthouse was white…even the baby grand piano.

Known as the “Goddess of Glitz” Yolanda had written the book Beyond the Glitz & Glamour which details her rise in the fashion industry. As a young mother, she began building her empire by selling wigs out of the back of her car, with her daughters in the back seat. A powerhouse with a heart of gold…Yolanda never had any doubt that she could do whatever she put her mind to.

From her early life in the little Italian-American village of Nonantum, Massachusetts to the creation of her iconic fashion experience: “Yolanda’s of Waltham where beautiful lifestyles begin” to her 65 year marriage to the love of her life, to being a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend to many and philanthropist extraordinaire, this episode is a bow to one of the best women you will ever get the chance to listen to. To quote Miss Yolanda “pursue your dreams, even if someone says you are crazy. Do it anyway. “ #fashion #entrepreneur #trailblazer #philanthropist

Renee Minogue

August 13, 2026August 13, 2026 ~ thestorybehindhersuccess

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wife, mother of 5, Fulbright Scholar

@renee.minogue minogueforma.com

It has been one of the highlights of my life, to travel through this beautiful state and meet incredible people. -ReneeMinogue

Not so long ago, Renee’s husband Mike Minogue asked her to take a hike with him. By the time they got home, the couple had made up their minds that Mike would seek the Republican nomination for Governor of Massachusetts. minogueforma.com. The mother of five children between the ages of 14-25, Renee is a hands on partner, joining him on the campaign trail each and everyday. According to Renee, “Mike is there as a public servant with a purpose driven mindset. He’s not a politician, he’s a businessman. We are on a mission to serve.” Born and raised in a tiny town in Wisconsin with “more cows than people”, Renee took a gap year after high school to live in Austria and learned to speak German. After graduating from Notre Dame with a Fulbright scholarship to return again to Austria, Renee returned home early to care for her dying father. She met Mike when she was as a young intern at GE where he was rising to the top with a focus on developing life saving medical devices. A dynamic sales leader from the start, Renee helped to launch the first 3D ultrasound in the United States and remains a passionate advocate for educational opportunity. She played a leading role in advancing the Federal Scholarship Tax credit through the Mike & Renee Minogue Foundation which sponsored the initiative. In this interview, Renee shares her commitment to faith and family, as well as her hopes for Mike’s candidacy in a traditionally Democratic state. Says Renee: “People are ready for an outsider. He’s a guy who listens and learns. To me, success is living with purpose. It’s not money and it’s not fame, it is serving something greater than yourself.” For 23 minutes of inspiration and a unique perspective into the role a spouse plays in their partner’s political campaign, just hit that download button. #womeninspiringwomen #politics #faith #family #federalscholarshiptaxcredit

Heather Roberts

July 15, 2026July 15, 2026 ~ thestorybehindhersuccess

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Founder & CEO of Mom Bomb

MomBomb.shop & MomBomb.org

Women are underestimated. I sit in board rooms with capital investors and other decision makers and I know that there are women with better ideas, and still, they don’t get a chance.

– Heather Roberts

Welcome to the story of an entrepreneurial mother of 6 who made the discovery of her life during the most difficult time in her life. In the spotlight, Heather Roberts, Founder & CEO of Mom Bomb, MomBomb.shop, a social impact company that makes all-natural bath bombs while funding mombomb.org to support women in need. Why bath bombs? Heather explains: “One day, my body just said “enough” and I started having seizures. Over the next ten months, I saw 16 doctors and some of them said I was crazy.

Then, one neurologist took the extra time to study my medical reports carefully and she diagnosed me with a rare condition nicknamed “the suicide disease” because it is so painful, people kill themselves.” Trigeminal Neuralgia is a chronic pain condition that causes sudden, intense, electric shock-like, stabbing pain to the side of the face. Finding the right medication for Heather took more time, too, and she found relief laying in a warm bath with bath bombs just for relief. However, once she started reading the ingredients in bath bombs, she learned that they are filled with “endocrine disrupting garbage” that can cause sleep dysfunction, headaches and more. That’s when Mom Bomb came to life. She learned how to use all-natural ingredients to create safe, soothing bath bombs for moms who just might need a little TLC at the end of a long day, and then she asked herself: what if I sell this product to women who need to relax and use the proceeds to help other moms in crisis?”Mom Bomb is a social impact company and in bringing her concept to market, she has redefined what it means to do well, by doing good. Many companies are following suit and that’s okay with Heather. “Mom Bomb.org is why I get up in the morning. We’re gonna give our money away and money is going to be the by-product of doing the right thing.” Inspiring? We think so. Go ahead and hit that download button. #womeninspiringwomen #thestorybehindhersuccess #trigeminalneuralgia #entrepreneur

Maria Woods

June 30, 2026June 30, 2026 ~ thestorybehindhersuccess

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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

Cara Belvin

June 18, 2026June 30, 2026 ~ thestorybehindhersuccess

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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

Kim Carrigan

June 10, 2026June 30, 2026 ~ thestorybehindhersuccess

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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