Women from every walk of life reveal how they got to where they are today, sharing their wisdom and the lessons they have learned along the way.
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OTerrious Podcasts
Embark on a captivating journey with us as we celebrate the complexity, magic, and uniqueness of Black Culture. Brace yourself for thought-provoking conversations, powerful insights, and an electrifying atmosphere that will leave you yearning for more. The Culture Caviar Podcast is the ultimate destination for those seeking an enthralling exploration of Black Culture's hidden gems.
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Mrs. Santa Says When I was growing up, I was that girl who was always singing into her hairbrush! -Candy O’Terry Welcome to the holiday edition of The Story Behind Her Success! For the next 23 minutes, I’ll share listener emails as well as three of the holiday songs I’ve recorded over the years. Whenever I interview a woman, I always ask her if she…
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In the beginning, I was usually the only woman in the room. That was great, because it was memorable, and it was also bad, because it was memorable. -Maureen Rystrom Meet a woman who is at the top of her game in a male-dominated field. As Partner & Vice President of Marketing at J. Calnan & Associates, jcalnan.com, Maureen Rystrom oversees the cons…
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I don’t do well with injustice. -Christine Anastos 10 years ago, environmental engineer Christine Anastos knew something was wrong with her health. When tests came back normal, her care team suggested Christine see a psychiatrist. Her answer? “There’s nothing wrong with my brain. I know my body well.” It wasn’t long before Christine was diagnosed w…
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Don’t expect people to be who they seem on the surface. – Dafna Krouk-Gordon In 1980, Dafna Krouk-Gordon founded her human resources agency in one room above a drug store, with just one employee. 45 years later, Toward Independent Living and Learning (www.tillinc.org) is thriving, with 1,000 employees throughout Massachusetts and into New Hampshire…
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Our SOF warriors, or Special Operations Forces, are never really home. They are either deployed or in training for 9 months out of the year. As a spouse, you have to figure out how to connect through the distance and build your community where you are. -KaLea Lehman As a military spouse, this week’s guest understands what the words “service” and “s…
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Let’s transform the classroom into a place where mistake-making is an opportunity to learn and children feel a sense of connection, value, and belonging. -Noel Foy aka Neuro Noel Meet neuroeducator, anxiety/executive function coach, and author, Noel Foy. She travels the country, sharing her skill set with children, parents, and teachers. Today, in …
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There’s a stigma around the word “underwear”. You don’t talk about it until you don’t have it. -Catherine Maloy This week’s guest is a mom who saw a simple need for children in crisis and made it her mission to do something about it. Catherine Maloy is the Founder & Executive Director of a non-profit called Cocotree Kids www.cocotreekids.org. Let’s…
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Facing an illness is very much like being a buoy: we have to rise up, we have to learn to float, and carry ourselves in the storm. While we’re staying afloat in the storm, we are also a beacon for others. -Lorna J. Brunelle There are lots of stories about the ties that bind mothers and daughters. When Lorna Brunelle’s mother, Wanda, was diagnosed w…
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That little girl in the hayloft always wanted to be a writer. I’m the poster child for following your dreams in midlife because I didn’t write my first book until I was 55. -Hank Phillippi Ryan Imagine a 43-year career as an investigative reporter with 37 EMMYs and 14 Edward R. Murrow awards. Now imagine a brilliant midlife move, where all that exp…
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When the scariest thing happens and you get through it, you realize that you’re stronger than you ever thought you could be. -Jenna McCarthy Making that appointment to schedule her first mammogram was on Jenna McCarthy’s mind for a while. At 41, she just wanted to get it over with and “check that box.” What she didn’t expect was what happened next.…
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There’s a difference between doing what you’re good at and doing what you love. -Dayla Arabella Santurri In this week’s episode of The Story Behind Her Success, I welcome longtime friend Dayla Arabella Santurri into my living room for a masterclass in reinvention, fearlessness, and the power of “yes”. From running the iconic Scullers Jazz Club to p…
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Radical is the Latin term for “root”. Years ago, the radical mastectomy was developed, with the belief that if the surgeon dug deeper into a woman’s chest, they could get to the root of the cancer. -Judy Pearson Not so long ago, cancer was the “C” word and no one talked about breast cancer, especially women who emerged from their brutal treatments …
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I’ve always wanted to keep people company and make them laugh. I want to hear what people are going through, because chances are, I’ve already gone through the same thing. -Kendra Petrone Meet a talented young woman who is part of the only all-female morning show on the radio in Boston. The legendary Magic 106.7/WMJX www.magic1067.com has been a fe…
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Nobody ever says, “I can’t wait to go to a nursing home.” Instead, they say, “keep me at home for as long as possible,” and that’s exactly what we do. -Meg Hogan Growing old is hard, right? Now imagine how difficult it is for a senior citizen who doesn’t have the means to take care of themselves. How about a person with disabilities whose family ne…
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Enjoy this beautiful life you’ve been given. Don’t ever take it for granted. -Melissa Dupuis It’s been two years since Melissa Dupuis shared her story on this series, and what a couple of years it has been. At only 38, this wellness enthusiast, Pilates instructor, and former professional ballet dancer was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. Her l…
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There are no bad experiences, just the ones you don’t learn from. If you don’t learn from bad experiences, you will make the same mistakes over and over and over again. -Gwen Borden & Amy Goober This week’s story features a mother and daughter who have written a love story, filled with priceless advice for us all. The book, entitled My Mother Alway…
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People will tell you everything you need to know. You just need to LISTEN to what they are saying. -Karen Marinella Hall Out of the blue, I got an email from a fan of the show about this week’s guest…and I cannot wait for you to meet her. Many news anchors are beautiful. They can walk the walk and talk the talk, but there’s something missing behind…
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When something bad happens to you, how do you grieve it without getting stuck in suffering? -Halley Elwell Imagine being 11 years old when your face suddenly begins to change. Tumors form on your jaw, and the diagnosis is an incurable condition called Neurofibromatosis. This is the story of singer/songwriter Halley Elwell www.halswellmusic.com. Rai…
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It’s very easy to focus on fixing your failures. But how do you take what is successful and keep building on that? The answer is: focus on what you do well and make it even better. -Zenobia Moochhala Meet entrepreneurial superstar Zenobia Moochalla. Born in Mumbai, India, Zenobia came to the United States at 20 to attend Brandeis University and is …
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Every week, I have access to astronauts, researchers, and scientists as a NASA Solar System Ambassador, and it’s beyond a dream come true. -Pat Monteith Pat Monteith remembers hearing John F. Kennedy tell the nation that we would send a man to the moon by the end of the 1960s. On that day, the president’s words shaped her lifelong fascination with …
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I was in my 20s when I read the book: Breaking the Glass Ceiling, and I remember saying to myself: I’m gonna do that. -Carol Conway Bulman Carol Conway Bulman is the proud daughter of real estate legend Jack Conway, but becoming CEO and Chairman of his real estate empire wasn’t handed to her. In this up-close and personal interview, Carol shares he…
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When we first moved to Nashville, we lived in a pitiful apartment, and Wynonna, Ashley, and I slept in one bed. All we had to eat was bologna and crackers. -Naomi Judd The story you are about to hear is a piece of country music history because it is the final full-length interview featuring country music superstar Naomi Judd. Sadly, Naomi took her …
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There is something about facing down your biggest fears that really changes you on an elemental level. -Laura DeSisto Happy 4th of July weekend, everyone! This week’s success story is a listener favorite…and perfect to listen to in the car on your way to the beach. You may have heard that it’s the 50th anniversary of the movie that made a lot of pe…
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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 …
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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 …
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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, i…
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Success isn’t grades, money, or status. It’s fulfillment, joy, and kindness that come together to allow you to live your best life. – Colleen Esposito Welcome back to part 2 of my interview with my daughter, Colleen Esposito, co-author of Nelson’s Garden and our follow-up children’s book, Nelson’s Garden & the Free Little Flower Stand. It’s been a …
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Getting a book published is not for the faint of heart. It’s kind of heartbreaking because you have this book you’ve poured your heart and soul into, and you’re hoping readers will love it, too. -Colleen Esposito I’ve wanted to introduce my daughter, Colleen, to you for the longest time, and here she is! Recorded from the window seat in her home ju…
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They always say, you can’t choose your sister, but I would choose mine. – Linda Wong Chu If you are ever visiting the Boston area and you need a hot tip for the best Chinese food around, the family-owned Kowloon is the place to go! We’re on the road to Saugus, Massachusetts, for this episode, and you better believe there will be a takeout bag of Ko…
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A good outfit can make you feel confident. Uncommon Threads is a non-profit that boosts the self-esteem of low-income women through the power of clothes. We focus on dignity and respect. -Susan Kanoff Meet Susan Kanoff, style blogger, influencer, and Founder of uncommonthreads.org. A life-long fashionista with a heart of gold, she has spent her car…
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My daughter Dalia taught me about courage, sweetness, patience, and love. I am who I am because of her. We were meant to be together. -Jessica Fein Welcome to part two of my interview with Jessica Fein, author of Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams and Broken Genes. Jess and her husband, Rob, adopted three children from Guatemala. When their …
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We spent five years trying to have a baby and then decided to make the switch from baby making to family making – Jessica Fein We’re back in my cozy living room for this episode of The Story Behind Her Success. I’m learning that when you’re sitting on a comfy couch with the fire going, the time you spend together feels more like a chat between frie…
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There were two flashes of white light at my feet, like quick fireworks, and then everything went black. My brain knew that my right leg was beyond repair. -Roseann Sdoia Materia April 15, 2013: That’s the day the bombs went off at the Boston Marathon finish line. This is the story of an innocent bystander who lost her right leg when the second bomb…
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We are on a mission to inspire and empower children and families to discover, imagine, and grow together. -ErinGallagher The living room edition of the series continues with an interview with Erin Gallagher, a young mother of three who teamed up with a friend and neighbor to create the Children’s Museum of Franklin. www.childrensmuseumfranklin.org.…
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Being a scientist is a way of looking at the world, and asking the question ‘why’ without your own pre-conceived notions. I’ve learned that it’s also a great way of doing business. -Julia Wrin Piper How do you go from scientist to CEO? Meet Julia Wrin Piper. She’s got degrees in Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, and Evolutionary Biology from UC/Berk…
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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 …
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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 chocol…
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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…
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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 r…
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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…
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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, beg…
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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 experi…
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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 yea…
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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 …
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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.…
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I was a teenager when I picked up the guitar, and suddenly, I had the one thing I’d been looking for to craft the songs I’d been waiting to write. -Sarah Blacker This up-close and personal interview was recorded in my living room with a singer/songwriter who grew up down the street. We met when she was a teenager…and a friend of my daughter Colleen…
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I want older women to know: if you want to do something, get out there and do it, sister! Don’t sit around and think: I’m too old. No, you’re not! -Tracey Wheeler Noonan It’s been about 10 years since I’ve interviewed Tracey Wheeler Noonan and let me tell you, this girl is on fire. She and her daughter, Dani took a unique way of making cupcakes in …
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The biggest skill I use is listening. Grievers don’t need to be fixed. They need to be heard. – Louise Strasenburgh The holidays are supposed to be joyful, but if you’ve lost someone you love, they can be tough. This week’s guest is here to help. Louise Strasenburgh is a grief recovery specialist and the author of the book The Space In My Heart. In…
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We must all be compassionate. You never know what someone else is going through. – Keely Krantz Keely Krantz got her start in PR, eventually leading the launch of high-profile, global brands. A proud Boston College graduate, she was fortunate to have a mentor who had broken through glass ceilings and believed in passing it on. Says Keely “Janet Die…
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I point out my student’s strengths so that they can start believing in themselves. Every child has a craving to learn. They are just like little sponges. –Jen Dugan Agne When you think back to your education, was there one teacher who saw your talents before you did? Meet my longtime friend Jen Dugan Agne. A 5th-grade teacher at the Marie Hastings …
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