The Lit' Lunch

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On this uplifting episode of Lit Lunch, Giselle Quintanilla sits down with bestselling and award-winning author Maria Carrion for a transparent, hope-filled conversation about resilience, healing, and the power of sharing your story. From surviving domestic violence and chronic illness to overcoming financial hardship and family trauma, Maria Carrion opens up about her journey to freedom, self-worth, and empowering others, especially women, to believe in themselves and rewrite their futures.

Listeners will discover:

• How writing "Fighting All Battles into Success" helped Maria Carrion heal and why your voice matters, no matter your past or language barriers

• Practical encouragement for women overcoming adversities, abuse, chronic illness, poverty, or isolation and the path to abundance and renewed faith

• Candid insights on receiving critical feedback, the discipline it takes to rewrite, and why excellence matters in telling your story

• The role of community, mentorship, and even vulnerability in forging genuine connection with the next generation and helping your children heal

• Why healing requires intentional pursuit and what it really means to move from pain and uncertainty into clarity, purpose, and lasting impact

If you need hope, community, or the push to begin your own healing journey, pull up a chair for this honest, compassionate lunch hour. You'll walk away believing you're not alone and inspired to turn your battles into breakthroughs.

Guest Bio:

Maria Carrion is the bestselling and award-winning author of "Fighting All Battles into Success," a certified life and success coach, NLP practitioner, speaker, and domestic violence advocate. As founder and CEO of Maria Carrion Author Services LLC, she guides women in overcoming obstacles through her women's mindset and habit coaching program. Through her writing, speaking, and workshops, Maria Carrion empowers others to change their mindset, face their fears, and develop habits for long-lasting results. Her mission is to help women shift from scarcity to abundance and turn their dreams into reality.

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Giselle Quintanilla sits down with Catherine Allen-Carlozo, a seasoned financial advisor and author, for a transparent and empowering conversation about the money stories that shape women's lives. Together, they unpack how the beliefs we inherit around money affect our relationships, self-worth, and future, and show how every woman can rewrite her financial narrative, no matter her starting point.

Listeners will discover:

• Why understanding your "money personality" (beyond just spender or saver) is the first step to financial confidence and healing

• Real talk about breaking generational money cycles and how awareness leads to action even for single moms, widows, or anyone feeling overwhelmed

• Compassionate advice for having honest and supportive money conversations with spouses, children, and aging parents

• How small, non-judgmental steps (like tracking spending and journaling) add up to lasting change

• Encouragement that you are not alone; every story is unique, and self-worth is more important than net worth

If you're ready for a judgment-free, hope-filled space to reflect on and transform your relationship with money, pull up a chair. This episode is packed with grace, wisdom, and real-life strategies to help you choose the financial story you want to live and pass on.

Guest Bio:

Catherine Allen-Carlozo is a financial advisor with over 30 years of experience helping individuals and families build secure and meaningful financial futures. As a senior advisor at HFM Investment Advisors, LLC, she specializes in retirement planning and wealth management, guiding clients through complex decisions with clarity and purpose. Catherine Allen-Carlozo is passionate about helping people—especially women—move from uncertainty and avoidance to confidence and action, shifting their internal narratives from "I hope that I can" to "I know that I can." She is the author of The Money Stories That Shaped Us: Awareness, Action, and the Story You Get to Choose Next, a guide for women looking to better understand and transform their financial lives.

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Giselle Quintanilla hosts Markia Hall for an uplifting, transparent conversation about faith, community, healing, and the journey behind her book, The Hospital Movement. Together, they dig deep into what it means to navigate personal trials, share authentic stories, and build a movement that meets people where they are with hope and compassion.

Listeners will discover:

• How The Hospital Movement uses powerful, interconnected stories to mirror real-life struggles like addiction, trauma, and searching for worth through a faith-based lens.

• Honest insights on why the timing of your calling may "develop" you, not just "delay" your dreams, even when life takes a sharp detour.

• The creative inspiration for framing the church as a hospital, a place of true healing, deliverance, and hope for anyone who feels broken or alone.

• Practical encouragement for writers and dreamers: why it's okay to pause, regroup, and relaunch with new strength when life interrupts your plans.

• Exciting previews of community-building events, including a unique "healing latte" coffee chat, and an invitation to be part of Markia's forthcoming stage play.

If you're struggling with isolation, life's tough seasons, or just need to know you're not alone, pull up a chair. This episode is a heartening reminder that your pain can become purpose and your story matters.

Guest Bio Markia Hall is the visionary CEO of Marvelous Wonders Inc., a Christian entertainment company devoted to inspiring faith through literature and stage productions. With a professional background in marketing and hospitality in the pharmaceutical industry, she's recognized as a powerhouse executive and white-collar warrior. Markia partners with top clients to drive brand growth and kingdom impact. She's the founder of the Marvelous Wonders Movement, a purpose-driven coach, and a passionate writer and speaker committed to transforming lives. Holder of degrees from St. Joseph's University and George Washington University School of Business, Markia is also a devoted mom to her teenage daughter, Marley Olivia. Her book, The Hospital Movement, is both a heartfelt novel and a ministry serving those in need of hope and healing, one story at a time.

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Giselle Quintanilla welcomes Ely Delaney for a candid, energizing conversation on the heart and strategy behind successful email marketing and how building authentic relationships can transform your business. Drawing on over 20 years of experience, Ely shares practical wisdom, mindset shifts, and the surprising power of follow-up not just to increase sales, but to foster trust and real connection.

Listeners will discover:

• How treating your list as real people, not transactions, builds loyalty and long-term success
• The 7 virtues from Ely's new book, The Follow-Up Code, and why ancient wisdom still fuels modern marketing
• Why most email marketing falls flat, and how to re-engage your audience after years of "doing it wrong"
• Insights on blending technology (like AI) with your organic, authentic voice for messages that truly resonate
• Inspiration for experts and aspiring authors to finally get their message out and why your book matters for impact and credibility

If you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck in business, or simply craving real connection, grab your lunch and join this Lit Lunch episode for a dose of encouragement. You are not alone; there's hope, inspiration, and practical help in every story shared.

Guest Bio: Ely Delaney

Ely Delaney is the creator of the Follow-Up Rockstar System and is known as the "People Whisperer." With a passion for connecting people through the art and science of relationship-focused email marketing, Ely helps entrepreneurs go from surviving to thriving by building strong connections and following up for life. He's an Amazon bestselling author of Marketing Tidbits, Networking Tidbits, and The Follow-Up Code: 7 Virtues for Building Trust Through Email. As a teacher and strategist, Ely has empowered more than 1,400 students worldwide through his Networking Like a Rock Star training, transforming the way leaders and business owners communicate, connect, and grow.

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Ansonia Smith-Gibbs joins us for a heartfelt conversation about legacy, resilience, and the unspoken power of the women who shape our lives. In this episode of Lit Lunch, Ansonia shares the stories behind her memoir, Molding a Black Princess, offering listeners a reminder that their story and their family's story matter deeply.

Listeners will discover:

• How Ansonia's childhood diaries transformed into a book that honors the powerful matriarchs in her life

• The invaluable lessons learned from her mother, grandmothers, and great-grandmother, who each contributed to her growth, confidence, and sense of purpose

• Honest dialogue on breaking stereotypes about Black women and overcoming the limitations society tries to impose

• The crucial role generational wisdom plays in building self-worth, courage, and thriving against the odds

• Practical encouragement for parents and families to pour love and legacy into their children, knowing every word and action helps form a future

If you've ever felt unseen, underestimated, or in need of hope from real-life stories, this compassionate episode will remind you: you are not alone. Come for the literature, stay for the life-giving community.

About the Guest

Ansonia Smith-Gibbs is a gospel music expert, podcaster, and author of three books, including Molding a Black Princess. Born in the early '60s and raised on the West Side of Chicago, Ansonia was shaped by generations of women who instilled strength, faith, and resilience. Her memoir pays tribute to her mother, grandmothers, great-grandmother, and cousin, sharing the practical wisdom and memories that molded her into the woman she is today. Ansonia is also the creator and host of the "Let's Talk Gospel Music Gold" podcast and radio show, continually lifting up untold stories and voices in gospel music and beyond.

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Giselle Quintanilla sits down with Ronaldlyn Latham (affectionately known as "Ronnie") for a heartfelt conversation on love, loss, healing, and starting over. From unimaginable personal tragedy to finding renewed purpose, this episode is a testament to hope and the power of community. If you're navigating grief, searching for meaning after loss, or wondering how to date again when your world has turned upside down, pull up a chair—this one's for you.

Listeners will discover:

• The story behind Gracefully Broken: Beautifully Restored, where 13 grieving mothers come together to share their journeys from sorrow to healing

• What it means to walk through deep grief and come out with a restored sense of purpose, especially after losing a spouse and a child

• Candid, compassionate advice for women (and men) navigating the world of dating after profound loss, including the importance of healing before seeking new relationships

• The difference between genuine connection and the pitfalls of post-grief vulnerability plus key lessons on discernment, self-worth, and emotional safety

• Why Ronaldlyn Latham champions speaking affirmations, staying rooted in faith, and how her brand "Speak What You Seek Until You See What You Said" continues to uplift women everywhere

If you need comfort, connection, or a reminder that you're not alone, especially in the dark valleys, this Lit Lunch conversation delivers wisdom, hope, and practical encouragement you can hold onto.

Guest Bio: Ronaldlyn Latham

Ronaldlyn Latham, fondly known as Ronnie, is an author, speaker, and dedicated public servant residing in southern New Jersey. With over 23 years (and counting) of federal government service, she is a proud Strayer University alumna with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Ronnie is the visionary author of Gracefully Broken: Beautifully Restored, an anthology of hope and healing featuring 13 grieving mothers, and also penned Love, Lust, and Starting Again: A Spiritual Guide for Dating After Losing a Spouse, a deeply personal reflection on rediscovering self-worth and spiritual discernment after devastating loss. Ronnie leads within Mending Hearts Ministry, serves at The Perfecting Church, and inspires many with her signature affirmation: "Speak what you seek until you see what you said." Through her books and her brand, she uplifts others to find purpose and peace on the healing journey.

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We're inviting you into an uplifting conversation with award-winning author and writing coach LS Kirkpatrick. From grieving pets and healing childhood wounds to empowering new writers, LS shares heartfelt wisdom and tools for those facing loss, change, or simply longing to feel less alone on their journey. Discover the story behind "Baxter's Heart" and how writing can be a path to hope and healing, no matter your age or circumstance.

Listeners will discover:

• How "Baxter's Heart" gently guides children—and adults—through grief, offering comfort after losing a pet or loved one

• The importance of understanding how pets and people both process loss, and why open conversations are healing for families

• Practical steps for writers: the roles of alpha and beta readers, why every book needs an editor, and insider tips on publishing outside Amazon

• Why it's okay to start small with an anthology or creative collaboration, letting your story, art, or poetry reach hearts in unique ways

• Encouragement for anyone feeling awkward around grief, with compassionate advice on supporting loved ones simply by showing up and listening

If you're seeking hope, real talk about loss, or are an aspiring author unsure where to start, pull up a chair for this vulnerable and empowering lunch hour where stories become a lifeline and every voice matters.

Guest Bio: LS Kirkpatrick

LS Kirkpatrick is an award-winning international bestselling author, speaker, and multi-genre storyteller. She writes everything from children's books to faith-filled encouragement and leadership guides. LS also creates and leads collaborative anthologies, giving writers a platform to share meaningful stories with readers around the world. As a writing coach and publishing guide, she helps authors navigate the modern book market while building a library of books that offer hope, courage, wisdom, and transformation.

She is an accomplished multiple #1 international bestselling author, inspirational speaker, and the host of the podcasts Wisdom on the Front Porch and Reading between the Words.

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Giselle Quintanilla welcomes Dr. Paula Hollis for an open, encouraging conversation about grief, resilience, and the healing power of sharing your story. Dr. Hollis draws from her own life's losses—and her transformative work as an author, coach, and anthology curator to demystify the process of grieving, shine a light on hidden gifts, and equip listeners to move forward with renewed hope and intentionality.

Listeners will discover:

• The inspiration behind The Gift in Grief anthology and how real people are finding hope by sharing their stories of loss and transformation

• Why grief is about more than the loss of a loved one; it's about identity, health, seasons of life, and even unrecognized losses, and why every form of grief deserves to be acknowledged

• Dr. Hollis's approach to uncovering the "gift" in grief through powerful keywords like growth, gratitude, tenacity, and transformation

• The idea of being "graced to grieve" and how her 40-day devotional companion provides practical encouragement for anyone navigating tough transitions

• Practical, compassionate tools from coaching to personal growth academies and devotionals that empower individuals to find meaning and purpose beyond their pain

If you're carrying private pain, missing hope, or simply longing to know you're not alone, pull up a chair. This episode brings real stories, honest faith, and expert encouragement for anyone journeying through loss toward wholeness.

About Dr. Paula Hollis

Dr. Paula Hollis is a visionary author, transformational speaker, life transitions coach, and curator of The Gift in Grief anthology series. As a widow, mother, and grandmother, Dr. Hollis brings a wealth of personal experience to her work, specializing in guiding individuals through pivotal life shifts and helping them break through limiting beliefs. With dozens of books (and counting), she partners her professional expertise as a certified life transitions coach (John Maxwell Academy) and master energy leadership coach to help people embrace change, process loss, and actualize their full potential. Through her House of Growth and House of Healing resources, Dr. Hollis equips others to grow, heal, and thrive one story at a time.

Giselle Quintanilla is joined by Michelle Faust and Daniel Faust for a real, hope-filled dialogue on faith, personal surrender, and building stronger marriages. Together, they share their journey from marital crisis to transformation, guided by surrendering to God and learning to understand each other beyond surface-level connection.

Listeners will discover:

• Michelle Faust's message of walking in daily freedom through surrender, not just salvation for Christian women
• Daniel Faust's insights on getting a "doctorate" in your spouse and why real connection takes continual learning and effort
• Honest talk about overcoming "the mess" (mental, emotional, social, spiritual, and sexual challenges) through practical and spiritual means
• A compassionate discussion for those facing tough marriages, trauma, or isolation, with encouragement that healing and restoration are possible
• If you need hope, practical wisdom, or just reassurance that you're not alone on your journey, pull up a chair for this intimate lunch conversation where faith, literature, and real-life stories come together to inspire and heal.

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Daniel and Michelle Faust are Christian authors and speakers. Daniel is a Military veteran, and Michelle is a podcaster who helps women live free through a life fully yielded to God. Through Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching, Michelle guides others to release control, trust God deeply, and walk in everyday surrender. Her message is simple but powerful: real transformation begins when we stop striving and start surrendering. Together they wrote a number of books, including Elements of Surrender, which explores what it truly means to yield every part of life to the Lordship of Christ. Through Scripture and honest reflection, it exposes self-effort, control, and misplaced identity while inviting believers into deeper trust and obedience. Surrender is not weakness but freedom—learning to release understanding, outcomes, and recognition to God. In that yielding, faith is refined, identity is restored, and a deeper friendship with God begins.

Giselle Quintanilla welcomes Raul Marin, award-winning poet, author, and speaker whose journey from rejection and addiction to healing and hope is as inspiring as his poetry. Together, they explore the power of vulnerability, faith, and gratitude on the path to self-acceptance and personal growth.

Listeners will hear about:

• Raul Marin's lifelong love for poetry and the classic voices who shaped his work
• Breaking cultural and societal barriers as a Latino man to embrace storytelling and healing
• Why poetry, like all art, is a timeless, living expression, and an invitation to community
• The transformative gift of gratitude and how it changes our lives from the inside out
• The meaning behind "Wise Wolf" and stepping boldly out of the cave of shame

If you're feeling stuck or questioning your voice, this conversation will remind you: you're not alone, and your words matter. Bring your lunch, find comfort at our table, and let Lit Lunch inspire you to keep going one poem, one story, one day at a time.

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Raul Marin, also known as Wise Wolf and DJ Rumba, is an award-winning poet, speaker, author, and entrepreneur. He is a Maxwell Leadership speaker, coach, and trainer. For 20 years, he has entertained thousands of guests as a DJ and has helped hundreds of students in their academic and professional goals as an adult ESOL educator and community engagement specialist. Through his books and entrepreneurial purpose, his mission is to inspire others to achieve greatness with gratitude and to help men heal and recover from addiction.