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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 

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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

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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