Melting Pot

Amy Meislin Pollack has been telling stories about a fourth-grader named Jelly Bean since 1960, first as a nine-year-old herself, then across 40 years in the classroom, and later with her own children and grandchildren. In this episode, Amy talks about turning six decades of storytelling into her three-book middle-grade series, The Adventures of Jelly Bean, and why she chose to write honestly about the things kids actually deal with, friendship, death, race, addiction and feeling unseen at home. We get into what four decades of teaching taught her about kids navigating change, and why she believes middle-graders are ready for harder conversations than adults often give them credit for.

[Jelly Bean Books, Teenage Books, Children's Author, Tween Reads, Parenting Books, Teacher, Parenting Teens, Childhood Grief, Real Talk For Kids, Podcast, Payal Nayar, Melting Pot Podcast]

#TeenParenting #ChildrenBehaviour #BooksForTeenagers #AdventuresOfJellyBean #Podcast

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In conversation with psychotherapist and author Phyllis Leavitt, this episode of The Melting Pot explores how childhood trauma quietly shapes who we become as adults.

Drawing on over three decades of clinical work with individuals, couples, and families, Phyllis unpacks how early wounds show up in our adult behavior, from the patterns we repeat to the walls we build in relationships.

She shares what healing actually looks like, and why understanding our past is often the first step toward reconnecting with the people we love. A grounded, deeply human conversation about trauma, growth, and the ongoing work of becoming whole.

[Childhood Trauma, Trauma Healing, Emotional Healing, Generational Trauma, Psychotherapy, Mental Health Awareness, Healthy Relationships,Podcast, Mental Health Podcast, Payal Nayar, Melting Pot Podcast]

#MentalHealthAwareness #ChildhoodTrauma #Psychotherapist #Podcast

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What does it take to build a restaurant that stands out in one of Europe's biggest food cities?

In this episode, we sit down with Anoushka Dasgupta of Little Andaman, a coastal Indian restaurant in the heart of Barcelona. Anoushka shares how her family opened the restaurant during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges of building recognition in a highly competitive dining scene.

She also talks about what makes Little Andaman unique, from its fresh coastal Indian cuisine to its creative cocktails, and how winning Joc de Cartes' Best Asian Restaurant award became a defining moment in their journey.

https://littleandaman.es/home/

[Little Andaman Barcelona, Ankita Dasgupta, Barcelona Restaurants, Coastal Indian Cuisine, Award-Winning Restaurant, Joc de Cartes Winner, Creative Cocktails, Restaurant Business, Melting Pot, Payal Nayar Podcast]

#LittleAndaman #BarcelonaRestaurants #IndianRestaurant #Barcelona #Podcast

Episode streaming on your preferred streaming platforms and on YouTube.

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For over four decades, Galería Cortina has been a part of Barcelona's vibrant art scene, bringing Modern, Contemporary, and art to collectors and visitors from around the world.

In this episode, Roque shares what it takes to run a gallery beyond the exhibitions we see. From curating collections and working with artists and collectors to managing the logistics behind every show, he offers an honest look at the dedication involved. We also explore what makes Galería Cortina unique, how it has built its niche over the years, and why creating a meaningful gallery experience is about much more than simply displaying great art.

https://www.galeriacortina.com/

[Barcelona Art Gallery, Contemporary Art Gallery, Modern Art, Fine Art,  Art Collection, Gallery Management, Art Exhibitions, Curation, Barcelona Art Scene, Melting Pot Podcast, Galeria Cortina, Art World Insights, Payal Nayar]

#Galeriacortinabarcelona #Barcelonaart #Artgallery #Podcast

Episode available on all podcast streaming platforms and on YouTube

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Ceramic artist and founder of Labori Ceramics, Marta Labori shares her journey into the world of porcelain and how a workshop years ago changed the direction of her creative life.

She talks about discovering a material she instantly connected with, the inspiration behind her handcrafted pieces, and how experimentation plays an important role in her process. Marta also reflects on how her thoughts, emotions, and everyday observations influence what she creates, allowing each collection to evolve naturally over time.

This conversation offers a thoughtful look into craftsmanship, creativity, and the patience behind making objects that are designed to be both beautiful and meaningful companions in everyday life.

[Labori Ceramics, Marta Labori, Porcelain Ceramics, Ceramic Artist, Handmade Ceramics, Barcelona Ceramic Artist, Porcelain Workshop, Ceramic Workshop, Creative Career, Melting Pot, Payal Nayar, Podcast]

#LaboriCeramics #Ceramics #Artist #CeramicStudio #Barcelona #Podcast

Episode streaming on your favourite podcast streaming platform and on YouTube

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Esther Maré's creative journey is a story of embracing change and trusting the creative process.

After beginning her career as an economist and later working in graphic design, she followed her passion to create Ate bonita, a handcrafted accessories brand rooted in originality and craftsmanship. She shares how discovering polymer clay opened up new creative possibilities, the importance of experimenting with materials. From changing careers to building a brand by hand, this conversation offers an honest look at creativity, craftsmanship, and the value of making something meaningful at your own pace.

https://www.atebonita.com/

[Esther Mare, ate bonita, Handmade Jewellery, Polymer Clay Jewellery, Polymer Clay Artist, Jewellery designer, Creative Journey, Career Change, Graphic Designer, Independent Designer, Craftsmanship, Barcelona, Podcast, Payal Nayar, Melting Pot]

#atebonitha #handmadejewellery #clayjewellery #Podcast

Episode streaming on your favourite podcast streaming platforms and on YouTube.

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Takisha Purcell, spiritual guide, healer and author, shares the pivotal moment that transformed her perspective forever. A single documentary on spirituality sparked a deep inner awakening, challenging everything she had been taught and leading her on a journey of healing, self-discovery, and spiritual truth.

She also shares how an inner voice inspired her to write Understanding The Truth About God Written in The Hearts of Men, turning years of reflection into a powerful memoir about faith and finding God within. If you've ever questioned your beliefs or searched for deeper meaning, this inspiring conversation is one you won't want to miss. 

[Spiritual awakening, Inner voice, God, Faith, Spirituality, Author, Podcast, Melting Pot, Payal Nayar]

#Spirituality #God #Podcast #Meltingpot

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For Rachel, opening a restaurant wasn't just about serving great food, it was about creating a space that reflects culture, memory and connection.

In this episode, she shares the story behind building her restaurant from the ground up, the careful process of shaping its menu and her mission to introduce people to the diverse and deeply rooted coastal cuisines of India, which often remain overshadowed by the country's more familiar North Indian dishes.

From the inspiration behind individual dishes to the philosophy that guides the entire experience, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at food as a way of preserving heritage and bringing people together across cultures.

https://www.mogbarcelona.com/

[ Mog, Goan Cuisine, Coastal Indian Cuisine, Southeast Asian Flavors, Indian Food Culture, Restaurant Stories, Chef Stories, Restaurant Founder, Barcelona, Podcast, Melting Pot, New Episode, Payal Nayar ]

#Mogrestaurant #Seafood #Barcelona #Barcelonarestaurant #Podcast

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Behind every spoonful of tiramisu is a story worth telling.

Valentina shares how her grandmother Pasqualina's treasured recipe inspired her to create a space where every dessert carries a sense of home and every detail is filled with intention. She opens up about the challenges of starting from scratch, taking on countless roles herself and preserving a piece of her Italian heritage while living far away from it.

Along the way, you'll discover the true meaning of tiramisu "lift me up" and why, for Valentina, it's so much more than a dessert. It's a memory, a connection and a way of bringing people together.

https://valentinaepasqualina.com/

[ Valentina e Pasqualina, Barcelona Cafe, Tiramisu, Grandmother Recipes, Tasting, Coffee, Italian Dessert, Family recipes, Food Stories, Podcast, Melting Pot, Payal Nayar ] 

#Barcelona #Barcelonacafe #Tiramisu #ValentinaePasqualina #Podcast

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