In this engaging conversation, Melissa chats with Stephanie, the author of 'Sipping Sense', about her deep-rooted passion for wine and how it evolved from a hobby into a career. They discuss the importance of community, heritage, and the art of entertaining, as well as the journey of writing and publishing a cookbook that pairs recipes with wines. Stephanie shares her insights on debunking wine myths and the emotional experience of holding her published book for the first time.

Key Takeaways

• Stephanie started a wine club to learn and create community.
• Her journey in wine began with a restaurant experience.
• The wine club gained fame after being featured in Newsweek.
• Sipping Sense is a tribute to her heritage and legacy.
• The book aims to debunk common wine pairing myths.
• Recipes in the book are inspired by family traditions.
• Wine can enhance the experience of entertaining guests.
• The process of writing the book took about two years.
• Stephanie's daughter helped with taste testing and feedback.
• Wine has the power to bring people together.

Helpful Links

summaryIn this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, host Melissa engages with Caroline, author of 'Your Roots Cast a Shadow.' They discuss Caroline's diverse background, her work with Afghan girls, and the inspiration behind her book, which explores family history and the importance of preserving stories. The conversation delves into the challenges of researching family history, the impact of cultural and religious divides, and the resilience of women in Caroline's family. Caroline shares surprising discoveries from her research and reads excerpts from her book, reflecting on cultural adaptation and identity. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the themes of Jewish heritage, cultural identity, and the importance of preserving family stories. They discuss the challenges of navigating cultural differences, the awakening of activism through personal history, and the emotional journey of writing a memoir. The conversation emphasizes the significance of understanding one's roots and the impact of immigrant narratives on society.

Key Takeaways

• Caroline's diverse experiences shape her storytelling.
• The importance of women's voices in history.
• Researching family history can reveal surprising truths.
• Cultural divides can impact family relationships.
• Historical context enriches personal narratives.
• Resilience is a recurring theme in family stories.
• Education for Afghan girls is crucial for their empowerment.
• Erasing history prevents learning from past mistakes.
• Personal stories are interconnected with global events.
• Cultural adaptation is a journey filled with challenges. A uniformed soldier cradling a large gun stands out front.
• Churches are easily accessible, unlike synagogues.
• I was meeting people who I'm pretty sure I was the first Jewish person that they ever met.
• A certain level of activism really woke up in me.
• I want to follow in that.
• I refuse to let that go.
• I had a lot of rejections for this book.
• I was completely by myself when I received my book.
• We need to invest in our elders.
• Everybody is an immigrant.

Helpful Links

• Website https://www.carolinetopperman.com/

• Grab Your Roots Cast a Shadow https://amzn.to/41MNpVK

• @carolinetopperman on social media.

In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, host Melissa speaks with Sarah, a woman with a rich and diverse life story. Sarah shares her experiences growing up in England, living in Ghana, and moving to America, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of being in an interracial marriage during a time when it was not widely accepted. The conversation delves into her journey of writing a memoir, navigating a male-dominated workplace, and her efforts to give back to the community in Ghana by supporting young entrepreneurs. Through her story, Sarah emphasizes the importance of love, resilience, and understanding across cultures. In this conversation, the speaker shares her journey of giving back to the community in Ghana through a loan program, emphasizing the importance of empowering individuals rather than providing handouts. She reflects on her experiences navigating different cultures, the challenges of raising a multicultural family, and the motivation behind writing her book. The discussion also touches on the dynamics of women in male-dominated fields and the significance of building bridges in mixed-race relationships.

Key Takeaways

• Sarah's life spans three continents, reflecting her diverse experiences.
• Interracial marriage was a significant challenge in the past.
• Writing her memoir was a way to capture vivid childhood memories.
• Navigating a male-dominated workplace required resilience and strategy.
• Family support played a crucial role in her journey.
• She created a successful business after leaving a toxic work environment.
• Sarah's experiences highlight the importance of empathy and understanding.
• Her efforts to support entrepreneurs in Ghana demonstrate her commitment to giving back.
• The journey of writing a book can be both challenging and rewarding.
• Cultural differences shape our identities and experiences. I've always had a sort of bit of a social conscience.
• It's very important for business people to realize that they have to make money.
• I firmly believe that whatever money I might have to help needy people, this is a much more effective way.
• It's a great richness in my life.
• I love that because a lot of people don't know what it's like to live in another country.
• I was able to just see my own blindness.
• I think mixed couples need to recognize that we remain something of a mystery to many Americans.
• You have to be ready to adjust a lot in a relationship.
• I think it's very difficult still in some professions for women.
• Bridge building remains a work in progress.

Helpful Links

1. Grab Worlds Apart https://amzn.to/3X19nTh

2. Connect with the author on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-lutterodt-ph-d-4a848470/.

summaryStephanie shares her journey of starting her business, Fly Wines, during the COVID-19 pandemic. She discusses the challenges she faced in pivoting from the tech industry to the wine industry and the support she received from her team. Stephanie emphasizes the importance of supporting minority-owned and small businesses in the wine industry. She also talks about the criteria she uses to select wineries to work with, including sustainability and diversity. Stephanie explains the wine tasting experience and the importance of understanding your own palate. She invites listeners to explore different wines and expand their wine knowledge.

Helpful Links

• www.flywines.club

Key takeaways

• Starting a business during challenging times requires determination and support from a strong team.
• Supporting minority-owned and small businesses in the wine industry is important for promoting diversity and inclusivity.
• Understanding your own palate and preferences is key to enjoying and appreciating wine.
• Exploring different wines and expanding your wine knowledge can enhance your wine tasting experience.

In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Melissa Vera and her guest discuss the nuances of ADHD, particularly in adults. The conversation delves into personal experiences with ADHD, the importance of understanding and coping with the condition, and the introduction of the ADHD Success Planner, a tool designed to help individuals manage their time and tasks effectively. The discussion emphasizes the significance of self-care through planning and prioritizing, and how these practices can empower individuals with ADHD to thrive in their personal and professional lives.

Key Takeaways

• ADHD can affect anyone, and understanding it is crucial.
• Adult diagnoses of ADHD can be empowering and positive.
• Planning and prioritizing are forms of self-care.
• The ADHD Success Planner is customizable for individual needs.
• Using a calendar is essential for effective time management.
• Weekly planning sessions can help maintain focus and organization.
• It's important to be kind to ourselves when managing tasks.
• ADHD is not a deficiency; it's a different way of thinking.
• Creating a personalized system can enhance productivity.
• Everyone can benefit from structured planning, not just those with ADHD.

Helpful Links

Antonia

• Coach Yourself!: Increase Awareness, Change Behavior, and Thrive https://amzn.to/3P6M328

• adhd success planner

https://www.ab-strategies.com/store/adhd-success-planner

SAVE50 - 50% discount

• Website: www.ab-strategies.com

• TikTok: @antoniabowring963

• IG: antonia_abstrategies

• Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonia-bowring/

In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Melissa Vera welcomes back Deborah, a children's author, to discuss her new book, 'Daisy's Near Catastrophe,' and her previous work, 'Bethlehem Barn.' They explore Deborah's background in education, the importance of research in writing, and the themes of friendship and empowerment in her stories. Deborah shares her journey as a writer, her commitment to giving back through book sales, and her aspirations for future projects, including pursuing an MFA in writing for children.

Helpful Links

• Grab Bethlehem  Barn https://amzn.to/3D0a1JT

• Grab Daisy's Near CATastrophe https://amzn.to/3BgaUxl

• Website www.debrawestgatesilva.com

Takeaways

• Research is crucial to ensure accuracy in storytelling.
• Daisy's Near Catastrophe is based on a true story of a lost kitten.
• The bond between pets is a central theme in Deborah's writing.
• Deborah incorporates educational elements into her children's books.
• A portion of book sales is donated to organizations supporting therapy dogs.
• Bethlehem Barn retells the Nativity story from the animals' perspective.
• Deborah's writing journey was influenced by her background in education.
• The importance of teaching children about empathy towards animals.
• Deborah plans to pursue an MFA in writing for children.
• Engaging children through storytelling can empower them.

In this episode of 'Chats from the Blog Cabin', Melissa Vera engages in a heartfelt conversation with Dr. Carla Manley about the complexities of love, self-love, and the importance of understanding our relationships. They explore the themes of attachment theory, the impact of societal expectations on love, and the necessity of setting boundaries in relationships. Dr. Manley shares insights from her book 'The Joy of Imperfect Love', emphasizing that love is a journey filled with imperfections and that self-love is essential for nurturing healthy relationships. The discussion also touches on the influence of media portrayals of love and the importance of self-reflection in personal growth.

Helpful Links

• www.drcarlamanly.com

• The Joy of Imperfect Love: The Art of Creating Healthy, Securely Attached Relationships https://amzn.to/4czLZ5s

Takeaways

• Self-love is essential for loving others well.
• Perfectionism can hinder emotional well-being.
• Understanding attachment theory helps in forming secure relationships.
• Love requires ongoing effort and communication.
• Boundaries are crucial for healthy relationships.
• Societal expectations can distort our view of love.
• Self-reflection aids in resolving conflicts.
• Friendships require vulnerability and trust.
• Love is often messy and imperfect.
• Cultivating joy is vital for mental health.

In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, host Melissa speaks with author Kim Pollock McGrath about her journey from being a first-grade teacher to becoming a children's book author. Kim shares her experiences with storytelling, the inspiration behind her book 'The Carefree Tumbleweed', and the importance of kindness and friendship in children's lives. They discuss the creative process of writing and illustrating children's books, the significance of reading to children, and the joy of sharing stories that teach valuable life lessons. Kim emphasizes the importance of resilience and staying true to oneself, encouraging listeners to never give up on their dreams.

takeaways

• Kim Pollock McGrath was a first-grade teacher for 29 years.
• She found inspiration for her writing after personal losses.
• The Carefree Tumbleweed teaches children about friendship and kindness.
• Kim emphasizes the importance of being kind to everyone.
• She believes that most people are nice, despite occasional unkindness.
• Her books are designed to be interactive and engaging for children.
• Kim's writing process involves a lot of feedback from kids and teachers.
• She aims to create books that can be used in classrooms.
• Reading to children is crucial for their development and imagination.
• Kim encourages others to pursue their dreams and share their stories.
• 
  

Helpful Links

• Facebook author page: Kim Pollock McGrath Children's Author

• Grab The Carefree Tumbleweed https://amzn.to/4k1MKYW

• website kimmcgrath.net

• Her Author’s Page https://amzn.to/3XuodSF

In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Melissa Vera interviews Shannon Walker, the founder of Northwest Battle Buddies, an organization that provides service dogs to veterans with PTSD. Shannon shares her personal connection to the military and her passion for animals, which led her to start training service dogs. She explains how Northwest Battle Buddies came about and the rigorous training process the dogs go through. Shannon also discusses the importance of proper etiquette when encountering a service dog and how people can support the organization.

takeaways

• Northwest Battle Buddies provides service dogs to veterans with PTSD
• The organization trains dogs from shelters and purpose breeds them
• The dogs undergo extensive training to ensure they have the right temperament and skills
• Proper etiquette is important when encountering a service dog
• People can support Northwest Battle Buddies through donations and fundraising

Helpful Links

• Northwest Battle Buddies https://northwestbattlebuddies.org/

• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/northwestbattlebuddies/

• YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-T7QmOqo20RIRvzhe9ZEmQ

• Facebook https://www.facebook.com/NorthwestBattleBuddies/

In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Melissa Vera interviews author Gail Priest about her latest book, Soul Dancing. They discuss the inspiration behind the book, the process of writing it, and the themes of forgiveness and second chances. Gail shares how her own experiences and relationships influenced the characters and plot. The conversation also touches on the importance of supporting authors by leaving reviews and sharing their books. Overall, Soul Dancing is a love story with a paranormal twist that explores the complexities of relationships and the power of forgiveness.

Helpful Links

• Grab Soul Dancing  https://amzn.to/3yTO3qk

• Gail's other books https://amzn.to/3Xgyz7E

takeaways

• Soul Dancing is a women's fiction book with a paranormal twist, exploring themes of forgiveness and second chances.
• The book was inspired by the idea of an older woman coming back in a younger woman's body and having to choose between her husband and a new love interest.
• The characters in the book were influenced by the author's own experiences and relationships.
• Supporting authors by leaving reviews and sharing their books is important for their success.
• Soul Dancing is a love story that delves into the complexities of relationships and the power of forgiveness.