Category Archives: Episodes

Katherine Tallman: Executive Director & CEO, Coolidge Corner Theatre Foundation -234

April 21, 2023Episodesthestorybehindhersuccess

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Once upon a time, it was a grand event to go to the local movie theatre.

-Katherine Tallman

In this interview, we meet Katherine Tallman, a lifelong lover of cinema. She’s the Executive Director & CEO of the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, Massachusetts, one of America’s most iconic movie theatres. coolidge.org. Originally built as a church in 1906, it was re-designed as an art deco movie palace in 1933 and after suffering hard times throughout the 1980s was purchased by a real estate magnate with a love for theatre who leased the building to the Coolidge Corner Theatre Foundation. Today, the Coolidge Corner Theatre is a non-profit, independent cinema and cultural center and Katherine’s mission has been to not only steward this much-loved landmark through the pandemic but to also assure a bright future for the theatre with a 12.5 million dollar expansion. Born and raised in Detroit, Katherine was one of 4 children in a blue-collar family where she was taught to be both responsible and hard-working. In this interview, she recalls going to the movies every weekend with her friends, often choosing foreign films and independent films over more mainstream offerings. As the first person in her family to go to college, she accepted her first job in Boston at a real estate investment firm and as she climbed the ladder in business, she discovered that she was often the only woman at the table. After serving on the board of the Coolidge Theatre, she was tapped to become the executive director. A true believer in doing what you love, Katherine says: “I bring my A-game to everything I’ve ever done. I work with really smart people who have the same passion. Most of all, I lead by example. Having this job is like a fairy tale movie story.”

Maggie Van Galen: award-winning children’s book author, maggievangalen.com -233

April 13, 2023Episodesthestorybehindhersuccess

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When I was a teenager, I had one of those diaries with a little lock. I kept it under my bed and I would pull it out and just start writing. -Maggie Van Galen

Do you love to write? Meet Maggie Van Galen. Inspired by her father’s incredible ability to tell a story, this award-winning children’s book author and wordsmith has been writing since she could hold a pen. Maggie grew up in a tiny town in Northern Michigan where “everyone knew your business before you even did it.” She went to Michigan State wanting nothing more than to be a number and majored in Journalism until someone told her she would never make any money at it, so she pivoted to advertising with an aim to be a copywriter and ended up in corporate sales. It was when Maggie became a mom that her father’s story of Keeno & Ernest resurfaced in her memory as she re-told it to her sons. Teachers who heard the story urged her to put pen to paper and the series came to life, as The Adventures of Keeno & Ernest won the coveted Mom’s Choice Award. Her latest series is a collaboration with a doctor of pediatric occupational therapy called King’s Day Outwhich empowers children as they navigate life’s adventures. When she is not writing, Maggie shares her talents by offering her services as a ghostwriter, editor, proofreader, and content creator for social media, marketing, and websites. www.maggievangalen.com. Says Maggie: “Words are my gig. When I sign my books, I write: always follow your dreams. Sometimes, dreams are not right in front of you and that’s because life takes you in different directions.” #writer#author #childrensbooks

Anna Nieman Couture, annanieman.com -232

April 7, 2023Episodesthestorybehindhersuccess

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I don’t just make pretty dresses. If I design a dress that doesn’t excite the woman who is wearing it, this is not good enough. Every piece of art should excite you. -Anna Nieman

Born in Belarus in the former USSR, Anna Nieman learned all about perseverance and hard work from her parents. Her father was a messanger for the resistance during World War II. Captured by Stalin’s army at only 17, he was sent to the gulag for 5 years. Always an artist with a deep love for nature, Anna spent her days as a child, painting pictures on the banks of the Nieman River, eventually immigrating to the United States in 1991 in search of her dreams. When the plane touched down in New York City, she knew only one word of English: “taxi” which came in very handy. Her rise in the fashion industry is a testimony to her strong belief in freedom, entrepreneurship, female empowerment, and the American Dream. Once a nanny, she learned how to speak English by taking ESL classes, talking to people, and reading books. While the children took naps, Anna combed through the Boston Globe and saw an ad for a fit model. Not knowing what a fit model was, she noticed that her measurements matched the job description, so Anna applied and got the job. She would spend years honing her craft working with J-Jill, Talbots, Appleseeds, and Chadwicks of Boston, soaking up every piece of knowledge she could from fashion industry pros who looked at her early designs and encouraged her to go out on her own. In 2010 she launched Anna Nieman Couture www.annaniemancouture.com. Recently voted Best in the City as a designer of women’s formal wear by Boston Common Magazine, Anna describes her design style as “classic, beautiful, feminine and flattering.” Her devotion to her customers is what motivates her. Says Anna: “I give myself a grade and if I see a smile on a woman’s face, and I make her happy, goal achieved!” For a tutorial on making your dreams come true, just hit that download button. #americandream #fashion #formalwear

Cindy Stumpo: Founder, C. Stumpo Development -231

March 29, 2023Episodesthestorybehindhersuccess

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I’m a businesswoman with old-fashioned values: loyalty, tenacity, and a burning desire to be successful. – Cindy Stumpo

Cindy Stumpo has been paving the way for women in construction for decades. At only 23 and just days away from giving birth to her daughter Samantha, Cindy was the only woman in the room when she sat for hours to take her general contractor’s exam and would sell her first million-dollar home at 24. In an industry dominated by men, Cindy is a role model for women in the trades and has built a multi-million-dollar luxury home construction business based on her “grindit out” motto. www.cstumpodevelopment.com Her opulent floor plans coupled with attention to detail caught the attention of executives at HGTV and Cindy quickly became the star of the popular series Tough As Nails. In this interview, her unstoppable personality is on full display with tough love for anyone listening. Say’s Cindy: “You’re not a loser as long as you keep picking yourself up. You’re a loser the day you don’t pick yourself up. That’s the day you quit on you.” Born and raised on the Northshore of Boston as a child and then as a teenager in upscale Newton in a loving Italian-Jewish family, Cindy looked to her father for guidance when she wasn’t sure what to do with her life. His response guides her to this day: “Everybody’s got their talents and you’ve got yours. When you find something you love to do, there’s not going to be anybody who is better at it than you.” An advocate for speaking openly about mental illness, Cindy has dealt with anxiety and panic attacks for 26 years, sharing her story in the hopes of inspiring others. The host of the radio show Tough as Nails with Sam, Cindy is proud of her son Chad and delighted to see her daughter follow in her footsteps as a second-generation general contractor and founder of Newbrook Realty Group. Cindy Stumpo is a trailblazer with her boots on the ground every day. “Obstacles? I’m an excavator, says Cindy. I just keep on pushing that rock up the mountain. “ #construction #luxuryhomes #determination #perseverance

Gemima St. Louis, Ph.D.: Clinical Psychologist, William James College -230

March 24, 2023Episodesthestorybehindhersuccess

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Mental Illness affects everyone across all domains. It doesn’t matter what your cultural background is, or your socio-economic background. It’s really an equal-opportunity illness that affects everyone. -Gemima St. Louis, Ph.D.

A recent survey shows that 90% of Americans believe our country is experiencing a mental health crisis. Fortunately, Gemima St. Louis is leading the way toward solving this problem by creating groundbreaking programs that will train a diverse generation of mental health professionals at William James College in Newton, Massachusetts. www.williamjamescollege.edu. Born and raised in Port au Prince Haiti, Gemima and her family immigrated to the United States, landing in Boston on a cold day in January without winter clothing! At only 14, Gemima did not speak the language and found herself in a high school classroom surrounded by teenagers from other countries who were also learning how to speak the language and understand American culture. Her parents raised 5 children with a sense of social responsibility, Gemima was told that she could become anything she set her mind to and that education would be the key to success. All she had to do was remember where she came from and “reach back to bring those you left behind along with you. Armed with a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Gemima is now the mother of three children and the Vice President of Workforce Initiatives & Speciality Training, and an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology. Determined to be a change-maker when it comes to disparities in access to mental healthcare, Gemima says: You really have to rely on your networks of support to move systemic barriers. One person can try and it is exhausting, but when you are surrounded by others with a shared passion, you can move mountains. “ #mentalhealth #stigma

Joanna Dutra: Founder, The Creative Confidant, thecreativeconfidant.com -229

March 15, 2023Episodesthestorybehindhersuccess

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When we talk about people, it’s very easy to talk about the things we don’t do well. We easily go to our weaknesses. My job is to encourage people to think about their strengths and what makes them a leading product. -Joanna Dutra

Today’s story is all about using our gifts, talents, and collective experience to create a new chapter in our lives. Joanna Dutra plays the piano and the violin. She sings and she’s even a stand-up comedian. After spending 20 years developing brand identities for Fortune 500 companies, she decided it was time to use her skills to help people instead of products. As the founder of The Creative Confidant. www.thecreativeconfidant.com Joanna is sharing what she knows with clients who come to her in search of a personal brand that reflects “who they are and where they stand.” In this interview, Joanna credits her grandfather with inspiring her work ethic. Born in Italy, he came to the United States at 9, unable to speak English. His compelling personality and zest for life propelled his personal and financial success story despite many obstacles. The way he lived his life became a roadmap for Joanna. A graduate of Georgetown University, it was Joanna’s love of sports that brought her to Boston where she has remained for decades, raising two daughters who inspire her every day. A big believer in taking chances, Joanna says: “We don’t grow when we are comfortable. We only grow when we are uncomfortable.” For 24 minutes of passion, purpose, and high-spirited wisdom just hit that download button. #passion #confidence #coaching

Carrie Allen: Managing Partner, Captains of Innovation, captains.cic.com -228

March 9, 2023Episodesthestorybehindhersuccess

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It’s hard to Innovate because It’s not a linear process, it’s often circuitous. So if you fail, pick yourself up and learn from it. You might go in a new direction. -Carrie Allen

Having a great idea and acting on it, nurturing it into reality, and believing in its merit is a lot like finding buried treasure at the bottom of the ocean. If your idea works, the rewards are huge. Carrie Allen has spent her career focused on innovation: helping people steward new ideas, methods, and products. Her clients are trailblazers who have taken great ideas and turned them into dreams come true to form thriving businesses. As Managing Partner of CIC Captains of Innovation in Cambridge, MA. she and her team provide bespoke white glove innovation consulting from new idea generation to commercialization, and in the process, www.captains.cic.com is creating a global network of doers and dreamers in a city that is home to both MIT and Harvard. Says Carrie: “the companies that succeed are those that can navigate ambiguity.” Raised in Kentucky by her father, after her parent’s divorce divided the family in two, Carrie admits to learning how to be resilient as a child and names her beloved grandmother as her role model. Her passion and determination are evident in everything she does, including taking on work-life balance in a blended family with love and grace, while scratching her own creative itch with handcrafted linens she markets through her website: www.augusttable.com. For a brief encounter with a creative guru, hit that download button. #innovation #entrepreneur

Francesca Amari Part 2: Cabaret Singer francescaamari.com -227

March 1, 2023Episodesthestorybehindhersuccess

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I don’t need to be a big star. I don’t have to be defined by how much money I’m making. If I’m performing, that is success to me. – Francesca Amari

Welcome to part 2 of my conversation with uber-talented cabaret singer Francesca Amari. Recorded in my rental car, in the parking lot of a hotel beside a highway in Thousand Palms, California, this interview is full of wisdom for anyone with a dream. Francesca has been singing for decades and through it all, she has maintained a career as an entertainer on her own terms: “Your dream might need to include options and you might need to do other things that fuel your passion.” A lifelong fan of the music of Linda Ronstadt and the genius of Gilda Radner, Francesca has created tributes to both women that are instant sellouts. Her award-winning weekly live stream performance called Cocktails & Cabaret was launched in 2020 as a way to stay connected to her fans and is thriving 150 weeks later! www.francescaamari.com. In this interview, you’ll hear Francesca singing stunning harmonies with the Boogie Woogie Babie as well as clips from her favorite theatre performances, plus, she’ll explain her philosophy about sharing the stage with others and the key to her success which works no matter what you do for a living. Says Francesca: “Be authentic and real. Don’t try to make your life seem like what it’s not. Tell the truth.“ #cabaretsinger #lindaronstadt #gildaradner #palmsprings #carkaroke

Francesca Amari Part 1: Cabaret Singer, francescaamari.com -226

February 23, 2023Episodesthestorybehindhersuccess

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I am an honest singer. I screw up on stage, I own it. I laugh at myself. I look at people when I sing, I don’t sing over them. I’m just really human. -Francesca Amari
Our west coast swing continues with an interview that ended up taking place IN MY RENTAL CAR! Francesca Amari is a fabulously talented cabaret singer, so when she agreed to be on the show, we made a plan to do the interview at a television station in Thousand Palms, California where she just happened to be filming that day. At the last minute, the studio we were supposed to record in became unavailable, so we punted and ended up driving to a hotel parking lot, right beside “the 10” which is California’s mega highway. As I set up my microphones and recording equipment, Francesca and I bonded over our love for 12-time Grammy winner Linda Ronstadt. Bonus: you’ll hear us sing one of Linda’s signature songs, LIVE from the front seat. This interview is a deep dive into the heart and mind of someone who has been singing since she was about 2 years old, first with her siblings as The Amari Sisters and later on iconic stages and legendary venues from New York City to Hollywood, California. Francesca is a master at the craft of cabaret singing and is willing to tackle just about every kind of vocal from pop tunes to Broadway, to Jazz to Big Band. Her tributes to Linda Ronstadt and Gilda Radner are instant sellouts and her fans follow her wherever she goes. During the pandemic, she missed performing so much, she created a weekly live-stream event called Cocktails & Cabaret which earned her the 2021 BroadwayWorld Palm Springs Award for “Best Streaming Concert/Cabaret. www.francescaamari.com. Part One of our time together includes Francesca’s firm belief that she doesn’t pick the songs she sings, they pick her. She also offers plenty of wisdom about harmonizing and sharing the stage with others. Says Francesca: “Your talent shines more when you are with other people who are also talented. “ No matter what you do for a living, Francesca’s interview is full of the kind of wisdom you need to put your goals and dreams in motion. #cabaretsinger #lindaronstadt #gildaradner#palmsprings #carkaroke

Rosa Hu: Creator & Designer, House of Who -225

February 16, 2023Episodesthestorybehindhersuccess

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Style is your aura. It’s your energy. -Rosa Hu

In the spotlight, creator & designer Rosa Hu. Born in New York City and raised in Southern California, Rosa’s parents escaped communist China and settled in Taiwan. When it was time to go to college, the two came to the United States and never left. As a child, Rosa was obsessed with style and never wanted to do anything but fashion. Armed with a degree from the Fashion Institute of Design & Marketing, she started a career at 19, working her way up the ladder as an assistant to designers at big clothing manufacturers. By the time she was in her mid-twenties, Rosa was burned out and her dream of being in fashion was fading fast. Enter the legendary Trina Turk www.trinaturk.com who mentored Rosa and suggested she work for her evolving brand on a freelance basis. Says Rosa: “I learned early in my career that it is not how much money you have in the bank, it is how happy you are, doing what you love.” Now the designer of her own line called House of Who, (follow her on IG @House_of_Who) Rosa creates mystical adornments for the body, soul, and space. Her success story includes the lessons she has learned as a Chinese-American woman who was determined to forge her own path in a culture that is often driven to the point of exhaustion. The owner of two mid-century modern units at the legendary Ocotillo Lodge in Palm Springs, Rosa is proud to open the doors of her brilliantly bohemian bungalows during Mid-Century Modern Week. In this interview, she passes on lots of wisdom including: “Don’t ever think you can’t do anything for any reason. Not for being a minority. Not for being a woman. Never let anything stop you. Ever. “ #fashion #trinaturk #palmsprings #midcenturymodernweek #ocotillolodge

The Story Behind Her Success with Candy O'Terry

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