In this special episode, the mic turns around.

Former guest, author, and attorney Steven Eichenblatt returns to Heart-to-Heart with Abagaba — but this time, he takes the interviewer’s seat. Today, Steven guides host Abby Dominguez through a heartfelt conversation about her memoir, My Mom’s Incredible Voice.

Abby opens up about the memories that shaped her, the legacy of her mother’s voice. They explore themes of childhood, identity, resilience, and the power of honoring where we come from.

This episode is full of warmth, honesty, laughter, and beautiful reflection — the kind of conversation that reminds us why storytelling matters.

In This Episode We Talk About:

• ​ The emotional journey of revisiting childhood memories
• ​ Why personal stories help us connect, heal, and feel seen

About Steven Eichenblatt

Steven is an author and attorney who first joined the podcast to share his own powerful journey in the links below.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heart-to-heart-with-abagaba/id1767412992?i=1000734264493

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2p3Ds0wHU0FuOrXYR5Az5f

His thoughtful interviewing style brings out vulnerability, clarity, and connection in today’s conversation.

Steven’s Book: Pretend They’re Dead

https://a.co/d/9oG4zLI

Connect with Abby

https://www.abigailedominguez.com/

Podcast: Heart-to-Heart with Abagaba

Books: https://a.co/d/7rHWyqD

Heart-to-Heart with Abagaba: A Nanny/Teacher Reflection

https://a.co/d/9CxlrV7

My Moms Incredible Voice

Kira Hartley Klinger—online shop owner, indie author, and lover of all things odd and collectible—joins us to unpack the fascinating world of auctions and resale. She shares how she got started, the story behind “DodOddity,” her best (and weirdest!) money makers, and simple ways beginners can promote items on a tiny budget. We also chat about her indie author journey and what she’s writing next.

Highlights:

• How Kira found her way into resale

• “Grammy Whammy” + “DodOddity” explained

• Her best and strangest finds

• Low-cost advertising tips anyone can use

• Becoming an indie author

• What’s coming next for her

Connect with Kira:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/DodOddity?dd_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F

In this inspiring episode, Abby sits down with Sue Marasciulo — a graphic novelist, literacy advocate, and the creator of ten decodable graphic novels designed to help children of all ages fall in love with reading, including children who learn differently.

Sue shares the heart behind her mission: she’s not writing for fame, praise, or personal spotlight. She writes because she believes deeply that every child deserves a doorway into stories, especially those who struggle with dyslexia or traditional literacy paths.

Together, Abby and Sue explore:

• The moment Sue realized decodable graphic novels could change a child’s reading journey

• Why visual storytelling matters for developing readers

• How parents and educators can support kids who feel discouraged or left behind

• The relentless passion that drives Sue’s work — and why it’s “never about her”

• What it means to write stories that empower children to feel capable, confident, and excited about books

Sue’s mission is simple and profound: help children read — and love reading.

This conversation is full of warmth, practical wisdom, and the kind of encouragement families need.

Connect with Sue

Sue Marasciulohttps://suemarasciulo.comSue Marasciulo - Pat and Pal Books

In this inspiring episode, former athlete and longtime Nassau County Assistant District Attorney Ken Kunken joins Abby for a heart-to-heart conversation about resilience, purpose, and redefining what’s possible. After a football injury at Cornell University left him paralyzed from the shoulders down, Ken rebuilt his life with remarkable determination — earning multiple degrees, serving over 40 years in law, and becoming a devoted husband and father of triplet boys.

Together, they explore:

• The power of keeping expectations high — for yourself and others

• How faith, focus, and purpose sustain us through challenge

• Why Ken chose to share his story in I Dream of Things That Never Were

• The lessons he hopes to leave for his family and community

💛 A story of courage, gratitude, and hope that will stay with you long after you listen.

Connect with Ken : https://kenkunken.com/

Book : I Dream of Things That Never Were, The Ken Kunken Story https://a.co/d/iMTV3Co

What happens when a child’s deepest wound becomes the path toward truth and healing?

In this powerful episode, author and attorney Steven Eichenblatt joins Abby to share his journey from abandonment and silence to self-discovery and forgiveness.

Steven, author of Pretend They Are Dead, opens up about the day his father left, the years of confusion that followed, and the moment their lives collided again decades later. Together, they explore what it means to face pain without losing hope — and how breaking silence can become an act of love.

🎧 Tune in for a heart-to-heart on resilience, reconciliation, and the healing power of truth.

Connect with Steven: https://www.stevenscotteichenblatt.com/

Book : https://a.co/d/ei51J0t

In this heartfelt conversation, Abby sits down with Cindy Caprio Woulfe — certified meditation teacher, wellness advocate, writer, and mom of two — to talk about motherhood, mindfulness, and what it really means to nurture yourself amid life’s chaos.

Cindy opens up about her personal journey of rediscovering herself through motherhood and shares insights from her debut book, In the Weeds: A Guide to Saving Your Own Soul on This Crazy Journey Called Motherhood. Together, they discuss mental health, guilt, grace, and how even small acts of self-care can create ripple effects throughout the home.

If you’ve ever felt stretched thin or forgotten in the mix of motherhood, this conversation will remind you that your needs matter, your story matters, and growth often happens in the messiest seasons.

Highlights:

🌿 How Cindy’s personal challenges inspired In the Weeds

💛 Lessons learned through motherhood and mental health awareness

🌸 How mindfulness and nourishment practices support balance

☀️ Why self-care is not selfish, but sustaining

Connect with Cindy: https://cindycapriowoulfe.com/

Book : https://a.co/d/287y5UU

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/in-the-weeds-cindy-caprio-woulfe/1148377552

🎧 Listen in and take a breath — you’re not alone in this journey.

In this episode of Heart-to-Heart with Abagaba, I sit down with Sharon Dunlevy, a passionate educational advocate dedicated to helping children in foster care succeed academically and beyond. Sharon shares her journey, the challenges these students face, and the strategies she uses to empower foster parents, schools, and communities to support their educational success.

Sharon opens the conversation by explaining the key factors that contribute to positive educational outcomes for children in foster care, highlighting both systemic barriers and success stories. She dives into how foster parents can effectively advocate for the children in their care, offering practical tips, legal insights, and inspiring examples.

The discussion moves to creating trauma-informed school cultures, where Sharon explains what trauma-informed care looks like in practice, common misconceptions, and ways educators and administrators can make their classrooms and schools more supportive.

Finally, Sharon addresses the broader educational rights of students in foster care and the steps states and communities can take to improve graduation rates and assessment outcomes. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes collaboration, advocacy, and the power of education to change lives.

Listeners will walk away with actionable insights for fostering educational success, a deeper understanding of trauma-informed care, and renewed hope for the children in foster care who deserve every opportunity to thrive.

Connect with Sharon:

https://sharondunlevy.com/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/fosteradoptivefamilies

http://www.linkedin.com/in/sharondunlevy

This episode continues my heart-to-heart with Phyllis King, Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant, mom of four, and expert in helping families find rest and rhythm.

If you haven’t heard Part 1 yet, start there for the beginning of our conversation — then join us here as we pick up right where we left off, answering the final few questions about sleep, consistency, and hope for tired parents everywhere.

🎧 Listen in as we wrap up this warm, insightful conversation that every parent needs to hear.

In this episode, Abby sits down with Phyllis King, a Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant and mom of four, to talk about how exhausted families can find rest again.

Phyllis shares what inspired her to become a sleep consultant, the truth behind common sleep training myths, and the small daily habits that make a big difference at bedtime. She also explains how lack of sleep affects children’s mood, learning, and family harmony—and offers practical tips for parents of toddlers who love to stall and negotiate.

Highlights:

• The biggest myths (and controversies) about sleep training

• Why consistency is more powerful than perfection

• Signs it’s time to drop a nap or move to a big-kid bed

• How better sleep transforms family life and mental health

• Encouragement for exhausted parents everywhere

Connect with Phyllis King : https://beyondsleepsolutions.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phyllis.v.king/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/beyondsleepsolutions

Ten years ago, I met Elder D. Todd Christofferson when he visited the Philadelphia area.

That evening, I was asked to give the closing prayer—and afterward, invited to be the first to shake his hand.

It was a sacred experience that touched my heart in ways I couldn’t fully express.

So later that night, I sat down and recorded my thoughts—just me, my voice, and the Spirit I still felt.

A decade later, with the calling of our new First Presidency—President Dallin H. Oaks, President Henry B. Eyring, and President D. Todd Christofferson—I felt prompted to revisit that recording and share it publicly for the first time.

In this special episode, I take you behind the scenes of that night in Philadelphia, share my original 2015 audio, and reflect on how the Lord continues to guide, prepare, and remind us of His love in deeply personal ways.

✨ Listen in for:

• ​ The sacred story behind my encounter with Elder Christofferson
• ​ My original 2015 audio recording (unedited in spirit)
• ​ Reflections on how testimonies deepen over time
• ​ A message of faith, remembrance, and divine timing

🎧 Listen to this special reflection on Heart-to-Heart with Abagaba, and join me on Facebook at “Testimonies of Jesus Christ” for the full recording and continued reflections on faith and family.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/261891581188665