The host of the Meetup with MeLa podcast, Melissa-Lauren Hooks aka "MeLa", meets with Julian from the "Jabbering with Jules" segment and our special guest and teen, Emily Raimondi.  Jules interviews Emily and asks about her passion behind her business, Emily's Cupcakes for a Cause, that was started to raise funds and awareness for the the Travis Roy Foundation.  Emily discusses her experience, passion, and drive for thinking and caring about others  in her world and community around her.  She gives us some great ideas about how we can all get started with raising funds for important topics that surround us, how to start a business, and/ or fulfilling a passion that is unique to us. Emily is a young woman and teen , that brings about great inspiration through her actions, and advice.  Jules and MeLa have the amazing opportunity of taste-testing Emily's tasty treats.  MeLa ends the show by hosting a trivia game about close-up desserts!!! Who do you think knows these desserts better, Jules or Emily???? Watch the show to the end to find out!!! If you have a sweet tooth, you will not want to miss it!  See how many you get right, and who the winner is!!! Enjoy the show!!!!!   Thanks for watching!!!!  To order cakes/ desserts from Emily for your next special event or just because, please visit [email protected] or on Facebook or Instagram at Emily's Cake for a Cause.  Close-up Dessert Trivia was retrieved from buzzfeed.com and smoothradio.com.

The host of the Meetup with MeLa podcast, Melissa-Lauren Hooks aka "MeLa", meets with Julian from the "Jabbering with Jules" segment and our special guest, Michelle.  Michelle discusses the group that she is the founder of that explores the world of paranormal activity.  Michelle informs us of the best way to go on a ghost hunt, shows pictures, and audio tracks of her investigational findings.  In addition, she shares some of the highlights on paranormal activity, and becoming an investigator yourself.  The show ends with some famous ghost trivia.  See how many you get right, and who the winner is!!! Enjoy the show!

The host of Meetup with MeLa, Melissa-Lauren Hooks aka "MeLa", interviews the business owner/ business consultant of Financial Education Services, Valerie Tridenti. Valerie discusses her journey regarding her educational background, passion to help people, and longing for financial independence that made owning her own business a reality.  Valerie features the many services that Financial Education Services provides to its clients to assist in them reaching their financial goals for a full and more balanced life.  Valerie also offers some great words of advise for other interested in starting their own business.  You can contact Valerie directly about the diversity of financial services that she offers by visiting her website at www.ucespp.net/Vmcgill.  Enjoy!  For the month of March, Valerie, and other women were featured on the Meetup with MeLa podcast to share their passion for different topics and their businesses.

The host of Meetup with MeLa, Melissa-Lauren Hooks aka "MeLa", interviews Rhode Island State Representative Marcia Ranglin-Vasell.  Rep. Ranglin- Vassell chares her story with us about her life before politics, her passion and motivation for the community she lives in, and what she hopes to accomplish on a state level.  We touch on the importance of topics such as gun violence, a living wage, access to doulas, and more.  Rep. Ranglin-Vassell also shares a poem out of her book, Journeys.  Such an amazing woman who shares her warmth, passion, light, and purpose with us all.    To contact Rhode Island State Representative Marcia Ranglin-Vasell, all constituents can reach her at [email protected].    To volunteer or to donate to her re-election, the website is www.marciaforri.com.    She can also be reached on Facebook at RI State Representative Marcia Ranglin-Vassell, on Twitter @Mranglinvassell, and IG is @Rep.Marcia    Enjoy! It's MeLa time!  For the month of March, Rep. Marcia Ranglin-Vassell, and other women were featured on the Meetup with MeLa podcast to share their passion for different topics.

The host of the Meetup with MeLa podcast, Melissa-Lauren Hooks aka "MeLa", co-host with the host of the Jabbering with Jules segment, Julian.  Julian honors this special guest aka his mother, Manuela, in the spirit of Women's History Month.  Manuela is an educator, who specializes n delivering supportive service to college students.  We get the inside scoop of the realities of working in a college during the times of COVID.  Manuela shares what some of the challenges, highlights, and experiences have been while striving to deliver a quality service during times of COVID.  Watch all the way to the end to see the trivia game that Manuela and Julian play to see who wins!  For more closeup trivia images featured in this episode, visit www.insider.com

The host of Meetup with MeLa, Melissa-Lauren Hooks aka "MeLa", interviews Anna Medeiros, the owner of Anna Kay Photography.  Anna discusses how she started her business and her passion for photography, and the quality services she provides to her clients.  Anna shares her journey of being business owner while perfecting her trade.  Anna Kay Photography has a new studio located in Barrington, RI.  To learn more about Anna Kay Photography, view the business website at www.annakayphoto.com.  In addition, Anna Kay Photography also can be found on the following social media platforms www.facebook.com/photosbyannakay and www.instagram.com/annakayphoto.  For the month of March, Anna, and other women will be featured on the Meetup with MeLa podcast to share their passion for different topics.  Enjoy!

The host of Meetup with MeLa, Melissa-Lauren Hooks aka "MeLa", interviews Lila Turner, the founder and acting manager of the Youth Choreographer's Project located in Los Angeles, California.   Lila talks passionately about the non-profit business that she created for the youth in her community focused around dance and self-expression.  Lila discusses what it is to be a business owner; especially during times of COVID, and how her vision continues to evolve and "pivot" to meet the needs of the community she had lived in.  For the month of March, Lila, and other women will be featured on the Meetup with MeLa podcast to share their passion for different topics.    To learn more about the Young Choreographer's Project and/ or to donate to this worthy cause, please visit the website at https://ycpla.org/ or the YCP- More Than Just Dance Video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyBnSLdzksQ.  Those who make donations get premium access to the end of program student debuts featuring the dance piece thy have compiled over the course of the students' involvement in the YCP session.

The host of Meetup with MeLa, Melissa-Lauren Hooks aka "MeLa", interviews Stephany who explains the ins and out to meal planning and meal preparation.  Her helpful tips will save time, money, and the aggravation of being asked, "what's for dinner?"   This is truly a topic that affects us all!  For the month of March, Stephany, and other women will be featured on the Meetup with MeLa podcast to share their passion for different topics.    If you, your family, or someone you know is experiencing food insecurities during these very trying times, please reach out to Call the USDA National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273). Information is available in English and Spanish.  In RI, you can contact https://www.unitedwayri.org/get-help/2-1-1/ or dial 211 for more information on how to secure food in your area.

The host of Meetup with MeLa, Melissa-Lauren Hooks aka "MeLa", interviews the candidate, Hillary Lima, who is running for the District 4 councilwoman seat in Coventry, RI.  Hillary talks about her experience, inspiration, and skill set that will make her a great councilwoman to represent District 4 in Coventry. Hillary is being featured in honor of March's Women's History Month to honor and celebrate women and their accomplishments.    Election Details: Town Council District 4 General Election Tuesday, May 04, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM EDT Coventry Senior Center, 50 Wood St, Coventry, RI 02816, USA   To learn more about the election, and Hillary can be found on the following website and social media platforms. www.hillaryforcoventry.com  www.facebook.com/hillaryforcoventry www.twitter.com/hillarylimaRI www.instagram.com/hillaryforcoventry

The host of the Meetup with MeLa podcast, Melissa-Lauren Hooks aka "MeLa", introduces a new podcast segment geared toward kids and teens.  Julian aka "Jules" will discuss different topics such as a gaming, Godzilla vs. King Kong, school, social life, and other topics that affect kids and teens.