Fireside Talk Radio

Anna Krafve Pierce shares tender family stories as she co-hosts with Cathy. Naturally, the tone was set for full out fun (which, by the way, often happens whenever Anna is around)! If you want some Thanksgiving inspiration, you'll love Anna’s laughter and Thanksgiving memories! Plus, she offers inspiration right out of her favorite childhood hymns. Wondering how to handle the stress (or stressful people) in your holiday lineup? You’ll love Anna’s insight about setting the table for happy holiday gatherings.

In this episode, Cathy and Co-host Anna Krafve Pierce brainstorm a gazillion ideas that will make your life easier for Thanksgiving, especially if you're entertaining toddlers. Cathy revels all the fun ideas she has for her own grands. Yep, they talk about how to make a Thanksgiving Kits. But in a surprise twist, Cathy's amazing tech genius, Roy Bryan, whispered the news moments before the show that we've hit TWO MILLION downloads since we began a year ago. So, Cathy and her creative, artist daughter went on air in full surprise mode.

Did she really just compare the family to squirrels because they chatter so much when they're together?! Anna and her mom brainstorm the best ways to have fun on the cheap. If your family has a, ahem, variety of personality types, you'll love the attitude and ideas of these two hilarious women.

Author Henda Salmeron joins Cathy to tell her story of how she became a political influencer, author, serial entrepreneur, breast cancer survivor, all-around amazing woman, and best of all, a mom. Henda began her life care-taking a mom who had serious mental and addiction health issues, which meant Henda was in danger from the men in her mother's life. Yet, she chose her mom's royal purple for her branding, in part because she no longer wishes for her "childhood to be different because it made me the woman I am today.” Known for her efforts to get Dense Breast Tissue notification accepted as the standard of care, she faced down both breast cancer and a heart attack in the same year. In this episode, Henda shares how running 100 miles in the Himalayas and becoming an amateur lobbyist became her strategy for beating the anxiety and depression she felt.

Have you received letter notifying you of your Dense Breast Tissue status? Faithful to get her timely mammogram, Henda Salmeron was shocked and devastated when she was diagnosed with a stage four breast cancer. On this episode she shares some of the high and low moments in her battle with breast cancer. She also invites women to join the effort to make Dense Breast Tissue notifications standard practice nationwide so all women will know their risk, including, for instance, women serving in our Armed Forces. Dense Breast Tissue means that tumors are more difficult to see on traditional mammograms. Hendra rallies women to take care of themselves by knowing if they have Dense Breast Tissue. Henda's Law requires health care providers to notify patients of their status.

Dr. Sasha Vukelja joins Cathy to talk about the best ways we can encourage families when mom is diagnosed with breast cancer. Especially for daughters, breast cancer looms dauntingly. Will Mom be there for me? Will I get breast cancer, too? These are just a few of the topics Sasha handles with experience and deep compassion. Jumping from hilarity to comfort, Sasha speaks with ease and insight, offering a half dozen practical tips. If you want to be a valuable friend in the crisis, you won't want to miss this!

In her humorous and down-to-earth way, Oncologist Sasha Vukelja, joins Cathy to have an authentic conversation about life and joy. Dr. V as her patients lovingly call her, salutes her adopted home, Texas, and talks about immigrating to America with her mother. She shares about her military service and falling in love with her hubby. She tackles tough subjects, including breast cancer, with compassion and her contagious joy, offering insight into how truth can be comforting. To understand how this amazing and influential doctor became the woman we all love and cherish, don't miss this episode.

Founder and CEO of Your Philanthropy, Dawn Franks joins Cathy to offer ideas about how to pass generosity down through the generations of your family. She talks about the impact grandparents can have. Offering practical tips, she suggests easy examples for cultivating the natural generosity of our children.

"The kind of giver you were destined to become showed as early a elementary school," Dawn says, to quote her new book Giving Fingerprints. If your little ones are already bringing you dandelions from the back yard, you'll want to tune in for Dawn's insight.

Author Dawn Franks discusses how our generosity is reflected in our Giving Fingerprints. The title of her new book reflects the extensive work and research Dawn has done throughout her career, first in helping nonprofits succeed with their fundraising, then in helping donors succeed in their giving. Acting as a bridge between nonprofits and donors, Dawn learned to help families pinpoint their shared values.

The Mindfulness Tri is not your typical triathlon. A triathlon with walking or running, yoga and meditation as it's three pillars, Mindfulness triathlons are popping up all over. Runner and Civic leader, Colleen Long joins Cathy to talk about the different ways we all experience anxiety and depression. A mom, wife, and talented financial advisor, Colleen shares from her own personal experience how exercise, taking thoughts captive, and plugging into community helped her on her journey. Her journey now includes bringing folks to gather to host the first Mindfulness Tri to the East Texas region. You won't want to miss what this amazing young leader has to say about self-compassion and community!

Runner, mom, wife, and professional financial advisor, Colleen Long never thought she'd be planning an event for her region that was almost unheard of there. Sure, everyone knows what a triathlon is, but a mindfulness tri? If you're wondering how to get enough energy just for today, much less anything else, you'll love Colleen's perspective on taking care of yourself! (And you can listen quietly without moving, if you like!) Soon, though, she'll have you inspired to stretch. Yep, Colleen advocates stretching physically, and in all other ways, too. In fact, she says taking a small step immediately increases your confidence and self worth. Maybe your small step today is simply to listen in for her beautiful thoughts. Please don't miss what this compassionate lady has to say!

offers all kinds of encouragement to those wishing they could bring a Mindfulness Triathlon to their community.