Let's get this party started! For this final episode of season two I wanted to do something a little different and talk about travel stories. I sat down with two of my great friends, Shannon and Nasreen to talk all things travel from: food, getting proposed to by strangers, spontaneous tattoos, and spending time in an elephant sanctuary -- just to name a few. While we can't wait to have our passports stamped once again, we're excited to take a trip down memory lane recalling our memorable travel experiences. So sit back, and enjoy the episode! I'm also happy to announce that there will be a season 3 of this podcast!

(TW/CW: Planes and flight discussed 26:02 - 36:42)

🎙🎮Shannon:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blerds-and-nerds-podcast/id1298502491

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-black-column/id1533370404

https://www.instagram.com/luv_shenanigans/

https://www.instagram.com/blerdsnerds/

https://www.instagram.com/theblackcolumn_/

🍪Nasreen:

https://www.instagram.com/nasreensbakeshop/

https://www.instagram.com/nazzledazzle12/

🎙Social Media & Podcast Links:

https://linktr.ee/Unpackingstories

✉️ Email me:

[email protected]

🎶 Music by: GurtyBeats

https://linktr.ee/gurtybeats

This week's storyteller is Enzo Domingo! Enzo dives into his journey of personal growth, life lessons, heartbreak, and finding comedy through it all… literally. We chat about his transition through majors in school, the ambition he had jumping into video production, and how he landed a job as a Studio Director before graduation. As many hopeless romantics do, he made a pivot from New Jersey to Virginia for both love and his career and takes us through that time in his life and what he's up to now! From improv classes to virtual comedy shows, Enzo talks about a superstition he has about comedy and his love life. So, grab a drink and get ready for a fun time!

I wanted to take a moment and wish a huge congratulations to Reé. I had her on last season- the episode called Under Construction. We had a chance to hear her story and she spoke about the process of releasing her first single, which she recently did! Her FIRST SINGLE is called R.A.B and I'm so proud and beyond excited for her! Check it out, I'll have it in the description below.

🎤 Enzo Domingo:

https://www.instagram.com/enzondomingo/

https://twitter.com/enzodomingo?lang=en

🎶 R.A.B by Reé:

https://open.spotify.com/track/1Nzd2fYRGIMleyJy01j90U?si=9NY8yMclRmS-hHeCH284kA&dl_branch=1

Under Construction- Unpacking Stories Season One, Episode Seven:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EK1Rvt8yRYE

🎙Social Media & Podcast Links:

https://linktr.ee/Unpackingstories

✉️ Email me:

[email protected]

🎶 Music by: GurtyBeats

https://linktr.ee/gurtybeats

Hello and welcome to another episode of Unpacking Stories! I'm so stoked to introduce this week's storyteller **drumroll please** Toni Marinucci! Toni is a fellow podcaster of the Tips With Toni Podcast, Registered Dietitian, Health and Wellness coach whose passion is to help people live happier and healthier lives.

Toni takes us through some of the happiest moments growing up on Long Island to recalling some of her darkest moments with her relationship with food. We dive into her process of slowing down, becoming introspective, and getting honest with herself about navigating her relationships with food and partners. Going through her career from graduating as a Registered Dietitian and working many jobs thereafter, life has always brought out her leadership skills and she had the realization she wanted to work for herself to help others and share her message. Drawing from her own experiences, she became the founder of Tips With Toni which has led to much success like achieving one of her dreams and conquering her fears of stepping onto a TEDx Talk stage!

(TW/CW: Eating Disorders, Weight, and Body Image)

🍎 Toni Marinucci:

https://www.instagram.com/tips_with_toni/

https://www.instagram.com/tipswithtoni_podcast/

https://tipswithtoni.com/

Once Upon A Diet | TEDx Lakeland University:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJreg5-oOuw

🎙Social Media & Podcast Links:

https://linktr.ee/Unpackingstories

✉️ Email me:

[email protected]

🎶 Music by: GurtyBeats

https://linktr.ee/gurtybeats

Hello friends and welcome back to another episode of Unpacking Stories!

From enjoying Kafta and kicking a soccer ball in the streets of Istanbul, Turkey to venturing to the US, today's storyteller Ogulcan is taking us through his journey. He recalls the special realization he had the moment he received his diploma. He talks about moving to the US alone at age 22 and the tough conversations he had with his friends and family before coming to New York City. We discuss his explorations of Miami and San Diego as well as making ends meet in America. We also chat about taking the time to enjoy the little moments in life, and reflecting on life's lessons.

🗺 Ogulcan Sahin:

https://www.instagram.com/muratogulcansah/

🎙Social Media & Podcast Links:

https://linktr.ee/Unpackingstories

✉️ Email me:

[email protected]

🎶 Music by: GurtyBeats

https://linktr.ee/gurtybeats

Welcome back to Unpacking Stories!

Did you know that if you are a storm-chaser and you see a tornado, you reward yourself with a steak dinner? Well this week's storyteller is Meteorologist Addison Green. Addison talks about the time he saw not one, not two, but thirteen tornadoes in Kansas. If you love weather, or hearing about weather phenomena from someone who has experienced them firsthand, you need to hear Addison's story! Addison takes us through his journey being raised by two educators, making the pivot from computer science to meteorology and talks about the opportunity he had to be a Weather Producer in NYC. Addison shares how he deals with online negativity to the classic "get mad at the weatherman," dives into his time working at CBS "The Early Show" and the long drives from Albany to NYC he did while working two jobs and completing his internship. He takes us through his experience reporting outside in Snow Storms, Storm Chasing, the nerve-wrecking experience of driving away from a tornado, and the aftermath of some devastating storms and why certain hurricane names will never be used again.

(TW/CW: Mental health and Seasonal Depression discussed)

☔️⛅️ Addison Green:

https://www.instagram.com/addisongreenwx/

🎙Social Media & Podcast Links:

https://linktr.ee/Unpackingstories

✉️ Email me:

[email protected]

🎶 Music by: GurtyBeats

https://linktr.ee/gurtybeats

Welcome back, friends!!! I hope you are all doing well and having an amazing week. This week's storyteller is Aashna. Aashna dives into her journey growing up in India, having the privilege to attend boarding school in Singapore, and going to college in the US. She shares her experience majoring in Psychology and Theater and tells us about the time she directed a play about psychological torture for her thesis and the color psychology behind the production. Aashna shares her journey with grief and we dive into the realities of finding a therapist you connect with. Aashna gives tips about how to search for a therapist or counselor, and shares her goals of becoming a Diversity Consultant. She is a light in this world and I'm so grateful to have this chance to sit and unpack her journey- Thank you, Aashna!(TW/CW: Blood, Suicide discussed)

Mental Health organizations:

www.mhanational.org

www.nami.org

Sites to find a therapist:

www.psychologytoday.com

www.betterhelp.com

www.talkspace.com

www.thriveworks.com

A free & confidential hotline for people in crisis:

Text SILENCE to 741741

🧠❤️ Aashna:

[email protected]

🎙Social Media & Podcast Links:

https://linktr.ee/Unpackingstories

✉️ Email me:

[email protected]

🎶 Music by: GurtyBeats

https://linktr.ee/gurtybeats

Welcome back to Season Two of Unpacking Stories! Oftentimes the most inspiring stories are the ones that surround us. From finding a home in a new country, becoming your own boss, storm chasing, overcoming life's challenges, and sometimes scary travel experiences. Each week Mel will 'unpack' her guests' stories, their path, and the pivotal moments in their lives!

🎙Social Media & Podcast Links:

https://linktr.ee/Unpackingstories

✉️ Email me:

[email protected]

🎶 Music by: GurtyBeats

https://linktr.ee/gurtybeats

Happy Monday, friends!

This week's storyteller is Desiree Vazquez, a queen of many talents. She takes us through her life: from growing up in the Bronx, to venturing out on her own in California. Desiree shares the struggles and successes of her journey as a producer, singer, and actress. Desiree talks about growing up quickly, toxic relationships, re-discovering herself, her craft, and finding inner-peace through it all. She is truly a Reé Of Lyte!

Thank you so much for all of your support throughout the first collection of stories. We look forward to bringing you Collection Two very soon. In the meantime, catch up with past episodes on both podcast & YouTube!

(TW/CW: Abuse discussed)

🎶Desiree Vazquez:

https://soundcloud.com/reeoflyte/keep-your-head-up-mashup

https://desvazquez.com

https://www.instagram.com/ree.of.lyte/

🎙Social Media & Podcast Links:

https://linktr.ee/Unpackingstories

✉️ Email me:

[email protected]

🎶 Music by: GurtyBeats

https://linktr.ee/gurtybeats

Hey Friends! Sending so much love and light to you in this new year.

This week's storyteller is Shannon Talley. She is the host and mastermind behind the Blerds and Nerds Podcast. She shares stories about growing up in NYC, the Disney ride that sparked a fear of elevators, her drive to always go after her goals, and what inspired her to start her first podcast. We talk about her career in TV production and technical directing. Shannon also tells us about the time she made a big mistake during a job interview for the Maury Show. She talks candidly about the times she has donated her eggs, why she did it and her experiences throughout that process. Shannon is very insightful and we find out about her secret talent… singing! Rate, review, subscribe, comment, like & all that jazz. Thanks so much!

(TW/CW: The process of egg donation discussed)

🎮Shannon Talley:

https://www.instagram.com/luv_shenanigans/

https://www.instagram.com/blerdsnerds/

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blerds-and-nerds-podcast/id1298502491

🎙Social Media & Podcast Links:

https://linktr.ee/Unpackingstories

✉️ Email me:

[email protected]

🎶 Music by: GurtyBeats

https://linktr.ee/gurtybeats

Happy New Year's, friends! Today's storyteller is Josue Chanduvi. Josue is the Chef and Owner of the restaurant "Grandma's Spanish Kitchen." He shares stories about his upbringing and some serendipitous encounters that led to life lessons beyond starting a business at 19. Josue talks about the time he had recurring dreams about his grandmother, which inspired him to open his own Candy Shop. Josue expresses the struggles and success of opening up his first restaurant inspired by the Cuban and Peruvian cuisine he grew up with (Grandma's Spanish Kitchen was recently featured in Travel + Leisure "The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2021." Huge congrats, Josue!🎉). Trust me you'll be left hungry and inspired after this episode… A recipe for a great day!

👨🏽‍🍳 Josue Chanduvi:

https://www.instagram.com/josuechanduvi_/

https://www.instagram.com/grandmasspanishkitchen/

https://www.instagram.com/grandmascandyshop/

https://www.instagram.com/grandmas__sewing/

🎙Social Media & Podcast Links:

https://linktr.ee/Unpackingstories

✉️ Email me:

[email protected]

🎶 Music by: GurtyBeats

https://linktr.ee/gurtybeats