Category Archives: Episodes

Suzanne Crociati -155

March 26, 2021Episodesthestorybehindhersuccess

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 20:12 — 18.5MB) | Embed

I look back at all my hurdles and I’ve learned so much from them. I know I wouldn’t be who I am today without them. -Suzanne Crociati

Suzanne Crociati was in college when her parents divorced. This kind of thing happens all the time, but for Suzanne, it was a rude awakening about how vulnerable a woman can be when her marriage ends and she doesn’t have a handle on her finances. Suzanne never forgot how hard her mother’s life became. Today she is the founder of the Women’s Initiative Team, an all-female group of experts including Suzanne as the financial advisor with team members in the fields of real estate, accounting, healthcare, law, plus a licensed marriage and family therapist. The goal is simple: to offer guidance and support to women when they need it the most. To find out more, just go do www.womensinitiativeteam.com and for a dose of empowerment, hit that download button!

Raven Blair Glover -154

March 18, 2021Episodesthestorybehindhersuccess

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:22 — 20.5MB) | Embed

We have to speak what we want. If you want success in life, you’ve gotta walk the walk and talk the talk until you get there. -Raven Blair Glover

It’s always my goal to introduce you to a woman who will inspire you, and in this episode, we hit the jackpot. Why? Because Raven Blair Glover’s success story didn’t ignite until she was 55 years old, and everyday since then, she’s been on fire! Raven is the founder of the Raven International Broadcast Empire which includes podcasts, radio shows, TV, consulting services, a development deal with Roku, and an agency where podcasters can learn how to monetize their content. It’s hard to believe that the same woman who created this empire used to make ten dollars an hour, working part time. Back then, she thought she wasn’t good enough, that she had no voice and wasn’t deserving of success. But like so many other success stories, Raven’s life got turned upside down when a crisis rocked her family and instead of throwing her hands up in surrender, she decided to “step, show up and grow up” to make her dreams come true while taking care of those she loved. If you are over 50 and you think that your days of dreaming are over, hit that download button, because Raven has a few things to tell you! #storybehindhersuccess #tvshowhost

Francesca Federico -153

March 11, 2021Episodesthestorybehindhersuccess

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:00 — 22.0MB) | Embed

Sometimes the long way around is the short way around. I’m not somebody who takes short cuts.
-Francesca Federico

If you could use a strong, smart, savvy and young role model in the financial world, this episode is for you. Meet Francesca Federico, co-founder of Twelve Points Wealth Management www.twelvepointswealth.com where she helps families, individuals and especially women make smart financial decisions. “Money is emotional” says Francesca, and in this interview, she offers her thoughts and advice about how to empower yourself by protecting your financial future. But that’s not all this story is about. Francesca has an unstoppable work ethic, instilled in her by her half Irish, half Italian family heritage. She cherishes the powerful life lessons she learned from her immigrant grandparents and credits them for teaching her what it takes to be a true success story. In the words of her paternal grandfather, Palmiero Federico: “It doesn’t really matter what people think of you. You have to make them feel something about you. #thestorybehindhersuccess #money #inspiringstories

Christina Horner -152

February 25, 2021Episodesthestorybehindhersuccess

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:45 — 20.8MB) | Embed

Success for me is to make a positive impact on someone. If I’ve gotten someone to think about race, or racism, or oppression in a different way, and to come back to me and say “you were right” that’s success. -Christina Horner

Meet a woman who has spent her entire career in education dedicated to equity and social justice. Christina Horner is the Senior Associate for the Great Schools Partnership, a non-profit school support organization with a goal of redesigning public education and improving learning for all students. Also an educational consultant and an appointed member of the Racial Imbalance Advisory Council, Christina believes firmly: “It is a favor to society to give all kids what they are entitled to in terms of education.” A Boston College graduate with a Masters degree in Education from Lesley, Christina grew up in Roxbury and was bussed as part of the METCO program to the little town of Weston beginning in fifth grade. Her stories about what it was like to be educated in one of the most affluent towns in Massachusetts are equal parts good and bad, as she came of age in a school system where she was among a very small minority of African American students. Her decision to return to Weston early in her career as the school system’s METCO liaison is a reflection of her deep commitment to not only give back, but to make better. Christina and her husband decided that living in a town with an exceptional school system was their #1 priority, so they have raised their children in Wellesley, an equally homogenous, predominantly white community. Despite the obstacles they have faced, Christina credits her mother’s words of wisdom for keeping her positive and hopeful: “despite the messages you might hear from around you, they’re not true, and this is what you want to aspire to be.” #socialjustice #anti-racism #diversity

Joan Wallace-Benjamin, PhD -151

February 18, 2021Episodesthestorybehindhersuccess

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:50 — 25.5MB) | Embed

There is a Congolese saying that a single bracelet does not jingle. Everyone in your family are the bracelets that help you jingle. When you have that jingle, you are able to lead more fully because you have all of the people you love and care about, right there, on your arm.
-Joan Wallace-Benjamin

Welcome to the story of a woman whose awards and accomplishments are simply too vast to list here. A self-described “mission girl” Joan Wallace-Benjamin has spent 37 years focused on creating better outcomes for underserved children and families. A graduate of Wellesley College, she received her Ph.D from the Heller School of Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University. A native of New York City, Joan learned a lot about love of community and social responsibility from her loving parents. With leadership roles at ABCD Head Start, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, as temporary Chief of Staff for former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, and as the President and CEO of the Home For Little Wanderers, Joan is a role model for anyone who aspires to lead with purpose and passion. Her new book is called Leading A Life In Balance and includes her sage advice as a working mom. Says Joan: I think leaders lead more fully when they take as their first priority their own children and families. For the inspiring story of a stellar human being whose life has been well lived, just hit that download button. #leadership #workingmom

Amy Goober -150

February 11, 2021Episodesthestorybehindhersuccess

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:30 — 20.6MB) | Embed

Women, at some point along the way, forget or need to be reminded, that they are in control of their own lives. The philosophy is: put yourself on your to-do list. -Amy Goober

This is a story about reinvention. Amy Goober is living proof that we all have chapters in our lives and the treasure lies in what we learn from them. In her first job, straight out of college, Amy worked for a major advertising agency in Boston where she got her foot in the door as a secretary, spending four years working her way up to Account Executive. It was there that she shared her love of making cakes and was soon asked to make elaborate cakes for the agency’s high end clients. Before you know it, Amy had a plan to own her own bakery called The Icing On The Cake in nearby Newton, MA. With no business experience, she launched her tiny hole in the wall shop and grew the bakery to legendary status with two parts grit and one part chutzpah. Her decision to sell the bakery and stay home to raise her three children for the next twenty years is an ode to mother-love and her new chapters as a certified health coach, speaker, author and founder of Drive Your Life are proof that Amy is living her life to the fullest. In this chapter of her ever-evolving life, Amy’s goal is to reach as many women as she can with the message that: “the things we regret are the things we don’t do. Perfect is the enemy of done. Just get out there, and do it.” #storybehindhersuccess #reinvention #driveyourlife

Stephanie Moniuk -149

February 4, 2021Episodesthestorybehindhersuccess

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:54 — 20.1MB) | Embed

I have a vision of what I want my life to look like and I’m gonna keep working towards it til I get where I want to go. -Stephanie Moniuk

Imagine living in chronic back pain for 20 years and then, hearing your doctor tell you that surgery is not an option for your degenerative disc disease, herniations, spinal stenosis and arthritis. Welcome to the life of Stephanie Moniuk. In this interview, the founder of Knockout Wellness describes how hearing that news forced her to do her own research into the science of pain and the power of the mind-body connection. Turns out, the childhood trauma she had buried deep in her psyche was connected to her back pain and that in many cases, physical pain is a response to our unconscious emotions. A lifelong fan of boxing, she took a leap of faith and stepped into a training gym. Stephanie’s journey from pain and misery to winning the Master’s Boxing Division World Championship at 48 are chronicled in this interview. Her decision to found Knockout Wellness was based on one desire: “to be the person I wish I had when I was stuck in chronic pain.” If you are stuck in pain, hit that download button because this episode is designed to give you hope and a giant dose of kickass inspiration. #chronicpain #boxing #inspiration

Karen Staley -148

January 29, 2021EpisodesDan Thibeault

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:20 — 20.4MB) | Embed

In 30+ years of writing songs, I’ve never had writer’s block. God gives me something every time. -Karen Staley

We’re on the road in Nashville, Tennessee for this edition of The Story Behind Her Success. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to be a hit songwriter in Guitar Town, hit that download button because Karen Staley’s story is filled with wisdom. Born in Weirton, West Virginia and raised in rural Pennsylvania, Karen was focused on athletics when she was growing up until she injured her back in her senior year of high school. It was a music teacher who gave her a guitar and taught Karen the chords to Annie’s Song by John Denver and Karen just couldn’t put that guitar down. Her steady rise in Nashville has included being a featured singer/songwriter at the famous Bluebird Cafe, touring and singing backup with Reba, Dolly and Faith Hill as well as writing about 1,000 songs, including mega-hits Take Me As I Am and Let’s Go To Vegas for Faith Hill and Keeper of the Stars for Tracy Byrd. In this interview, Karen shares both the joys and frustrations of making a living as a songwriter, adding that her greatest hope is that in this life, she has used all of her God-given talents. #nashville #singersongwriters #bluebirdcafe #reba #faithhill

Steph Palermo -147

January 21, 2021EpisodesDan Thibeault

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:47 — 20.4MB) | Embed

When you live in fear, you’re dying. You are not living. You have to find a way to life your best life, every single day. -Steph Palermo

If you’ve been depressed about what’s going on in the world, or if you’ve ever felt alone and needed some encouragement, Steph Palermo is here to help. www.juststeph.com. The proud mother of four sons, “Just Steph” is an intuitive coach, a healer, and the author of three books. www.juststeph.com. Born with a rare disorder that left the right side of her body impaired, Steph struggled for decades with self-loathing. But not anymore. Her workshops and retreats have one purpose: to help and to heal. This is a woman who understands the value of community and relationships. Says Steph: “you are not taking anything with you. Not the cars. Not the money. Just the love. “ For a shot of inspiration, perseverance, and humor, hit that download button.

Michelle Palladini -146

January 15, 2021EpisodesDan Thibeault

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:26 — 22.8MB) | Embed

We need to come together, in community. This is the time. -Michelle Palladini

Meet police officer Michelle Palladini. The daughter of a state police officer, she remembers asking her father what he did when he went to work. When he replied: “I help people” she knew what she wanted to do with her life. Now a sergeant with the Norfolk, MA. police department, Michelle is breaking new ground with a community based, heart-centered program called L.E.A.P which stands for leadership, empowerment, awareness and protection. Asked to pilot her program in her town’s middle school, the goal was to create trust and pathways toward success between children and the local police…and it’s working all across the country. A graduate of Stonehill College with a degree in Criminal Justice, Michelle believes in finding the root cause of risky and criminal behavior. This, she says is the only way a police officer can truly “protect & serve”. #communitypolicing

The Story Behind Her Success with Candy O'Terry

What's your story?