The Kindling Project

Mel chats with Brenda Naomi Rosenberg, a peacemaker and author, and discusses her work bringing communities together and moving from hate to hope to healing. She shares her experiences working with various groups, including Girl Scouts, police departments, and different religious affiliations. Brenda emphasizes the importance of listening and acknowledging the pain and tension in conversations. Sh...

Mel & Mic delve into their aspirations and their passion for igniting sparks within their community. They emphasize the importance of taking action and finding one's rhythm in pursuing goals, regardless of scale. Together, they discuss the creation of Spark events like Nora's art exhibit and Sonja's cooking class, which serve as platforms for showcasing talents and fostering com...

Join us as we dive into the world of pickleball with Leslie White and Christy Howden, founders of Wolverine Pickleball. In this episode, Leslie and Christy share their journey of building a successful pickleball facility and creating a strong community around the sport. They discuss the popularity of pickleball, its inclusive and social nature, and how they connected to start the business. The con...

In this episode, Mic engages in a dynamic conversation with Dr. Amanda Tracy, delving into holistic health and focusing on the intricate phases of menopause and perimenopause. Dr. Tracy candidly shares her journey in the realm of women's hormonal health, unraveling the nuances between menopause and the often-overlooked yet crucial stage of perimenopause. Tune in as she explores nutrition&apos...

Sometimes we are forced into a life shift that changes how we view this life. Rachael Phillips re-evaluated her career and the hurry she fostered when she was faced with breast cancer.  Mel and Mic discuss with Rachael her new focus on choosing love over fear and her work with women entrepreneurs to live in alignment with their desired feelings. This episode explores the power of choice, nurturing...

Stacey Kulongowski, former Google executive and founder of The BND Group, opens up about her pivot into coaching and finding true fulfillment. Learn how she found the grace to leave behind a successful career for personal growth and inspiring others.  Stacey's energy is sure to inspire you to press on! This episode: • Explores imposter syndrome • Emphasizes the value of honesty and communicat...

When starting your kindling project, doors open and close all the time. It's up to you to figure out which opportunities feel right to you.  Yolanda Williams shares her experiences, in starting her own business, Creme Blends, and the challenges she faced as an entrepreneur. She talks about the importance of not waiting for the perfect moment to start, the shift from retail to e-commerce, and...

Pregnant Sara Moylan had a problem with her bust being cumbersome when she went to work out. She had to wear two ill-fitting sports bras that made her feel horrible. This was the spark for her company, SHEFIT, which creates performance gear and sports bras to deliver total control and confidence for women. SHEFIT has landed on the Inc. Fastest Growing Companies list more than four consecutive time...

Join Mic and Mel in a heartfelt conversation as they reflect on the past year and dive into the magic of the holiday season. They cover it all, from heartwarming holiday cards to the joy of giving gifts. They also share their incredible experiences with The Kindling Project, exploring the impact they've made and the valuable lessons they've learned along the way. But wait, there's m...

This is a replay of our conversation with Princess! Princess Castleberry is on a journey to break free from unconscious agreements. She helps her clients unleash the power of collective responsibility and tap into their inner strength to lead fulfilling lives. As a TEDx Keynote Speaker, Wellness + Risk Consultant, Coach, Author, and CEO of GO BEYOND WELL, Princess is an expert in equipping people...

This is a replay of our conversation with Amy Peterson. Meet Amy Peterson, a trailblazer driven by a deep passion that inspires. She keeps a box of rejection letters as a reminder of her determination to succeed and has created a company dedicated to empowering women. Rebel Nell is not just a business; it exists to provide equitable employment opportunities and support for women facing barriers to...

When a marriage is in trouble, a woman needs someone who has been through it and can offer solid advice as she navigates this unknown journey. In this episode, Nanette Murphy, a life transition coach for women going through a divorce, courageously shares her story of divorce and personal growth with Mel and Mic. Her candid reflection on the impact of infidelity on her marriage and the lack of supp...

Let's explore the enchanting realm of success through the art of manifestation, mystical practices, and ancestral connections.  Despite the challenges of being a solo entrepreneur with a physical store, April Eckwielen shares her journey of achieving success in Florida with her metaphysical shop, "The Still Room." It's crucial to acknowledge and celebrate our achievements while...

So many people take a cancer diagnosis as a death sentence. But our guest, Kimberly Willis took it as a doorway to step into a new career helping others through this difficult situation. Kimberly shares her journey of overcoming cancer and finding strength to pursue her passion in entrepreneurship and coaching. In this conversation with Mel and Mic, they discuss financial management, building a co...

What do you do when you get laid off from your corporate job and can't find a good position to jump into? You reinvent yourself and go off-script. Savita found herself at a this crossroad and walked down a path she had not yet traveled. She took classes to get certified in 2 different careers and launched her own brick and mortar business in her 50's. Monica chats with her about her jour...

Do you find the voices in your head telling you to keep quiet, to not stand out, to be normal?  Erin Wiley discusses with Mic and Mel the reasons those voices began and persist and shouldn't be ignored. She discusses what Inner Child work is and why it can be helpful to healing. Erin also explores the potential of plant-based medicines and psychedelics for healing, shared insights on therapy...

We all struggle with self-doubt… and even more so when you step out to start your own business. Mic chats with Emily and her mentees, Nicole Kucab, Amanda Lynch and Kimberly Hermann, about their journey as a stay-at-home moms turned successful businesswomen. They share struggles and lessons learned and the importance of finding balance in work and family life. They also talk about the invaluable s...

Our guest Mallory gets to travel and talk with women all over the globe as apart of her YouTube series, Walk a Mile.  Mallory shares about her project that showcases the stories of women in 26 different countries to inspire viewers to donate and support these women and their communities.  Both Melissa and Mallory emphasize the importance of approaching one person or cause at a time. This episode w...

Melissa welcomes guest Ber-Henda Williams, a life and business coach for soul-led feminine leaders and advocate for pursuing passion projects. They discuss their unique perspectives on the intersection of creativity and business, challenging the worship of money and capitalism. Ber-Henda's approach embraces a spiritual and feminine perspective, challenging the traditional male-oriented approa...

Sometimes life throws us curve balls that lead us to our next great thing.  Mel and Mic are joined by their guest Rachelle, who shares her remarkable journey of building a thriving special needs program non-profit out of necessity. Frustrated by the lack of support, she took matters into her own hands. Rachelle's story is filled with determination, sacrifice, and the unwavering belief that th...

We all have a story to tell! We have Kate Milligan, the creator and host of 1 Girl Revolution podcast and a passionate advocate for women's empowerment joining us in this episode. Kate dives deep into how telling our life stories can be empowering and important for us as women. She shares her personal journey of overcoming bullies, fear and obstacles to pursue her own passions, along with her...

We all struggle with body image, our health, and making healthy decisions at some point in our lives. Holistic Nutritionist Melanie Samuels has a great story of how she shifted from working in the television industry to helping women. Melanie talks about the importance of taking control of our health, understanding inflammation, and listening to our body as we begin to eat more whole foods. She to...

Discover the inspiring story of Celeste Mergens, a renowned thought leader and changemaker featured in prestigious publications such as Oprah's O Magazine and Forbes. Her organization, Days for Girls, has reached over 3 million women and girls in 145 countries, championing Women's Health and Menstrual Health Equity. Now, in her powerful new book, "The Power of Days: A Story of Resil...

Let's go, G.N.O! Mel and Mic get real about what community means for them and how it's changed over the years. Are we prioritizing it as much as we used to in our younger years? Where do you find belonging and happiness nowadays? Take Action Now! Learn more about The Kindling Project at our website  and join our Facebook group for women looking for that extra kindling to start their next...

We can't believe we're starting Season 3 of The Kindling Project Podcast! Lots of exciting updates and a special announcement...Mel & Mic give an update now that their kids are off to college and share what's in store coming up this season. Including: - TKP's very first in-person event - New website and TKP email newsletter - New opportunities and resources for women to sta...