Chats from the Blog Cabin

In this deeply moving episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, host Melissa Vera sits down with acclaimed author Sue William Silverman to talk about the courage it takes to write the stories that hurt the most. Sue opens up about her journey of writing through a traumatic past that included childhood abuse and addiction, and how creative nonfiction and short essays helped her transform pain into powe...

What if the healing we’re searching for is waiting right outside our door? 🌿 In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin , host Melissa Vera sits down with author Diane , the writer behind the beautiful book Infinite Paradise, Witnessing the Wild . Together they explore the powerful connection between nature, healing, and creativity . Diane shares how writing this book became a heartfelt tribute...

What happens when life changes in an instant? In this heartfelt episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, host Melissa Vera sits down with Amanda, a stage two breast cancer thriver and author of Finding Hope and Joy in Cancer. Amanda opens up about the moment her life changed, the emotional and physical challenges of treatment, and the strength it took to keep moving forward when the road felt uncerta...

In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Melissa Vera highlights the life and legacy of Henrietta Lacks, an African-American woman whose cells, taken without her consent, have contributed to numerous medical breakthroughs. The discussion emphasizes the importance of informed consent, medical ethics, and the often-overlooked contributions of women in history. Melissa reflects on the impact of...

In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, host Melissa engages in a heartfelt conversation with writer Susie Eller, celebrating Women's History Month. They discuss Susie's journey as a writer, the importance of compassion in the writing community, and the changes in the publishing industry. Susie shares her experiences with personal loss and grief, emphasizing the power of community support an...

In this special Women’s History Month episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin , I’m sharing a heartfelt thank you to the woman and the movement that helped change my life. What started as simply following a program became something so much deeper. Through joining All In and watching the journey of Teddi Mellencamp , I found strength I didn’t know I had, courage to step forward, and confidence that ha...

Welcome to a brand new series celebrating the strength, stories, and impact of incredible women for Women’s History Month! In this special kickoff episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin , I’m reintroducing myself and sharing the heart behind this month-long journey of honoring women who inspire, uplift, and lead with courage. Throughout this series, we’ll dive into meaningful conversations, powerful...

In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Melissa interviews Mike, the author of 'Reviving Our Republic.' They discuss the historical context of George Washington's leadership, the inspiration behind the book, and the feedback it has received. The conversation delves into the relevance of Washington's legacy today, the challenges of immigration policy, and the importance of adh...

In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Melissa Vera speaks with Dr. Paul D. Corona, a psychiatrist and author of 'The Corona Protocol.' They discuss Dr. Corona's journey from family medicine to psychiatry, the importance of understanding the mind-body connection, and the role of medication in mental health treatment. Dr. Corona emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to pati...

In this heartfelt podcast episode, I reflect on the Super Bowl halftime show and the conversations that followed — especially the discomfort some expressed when a message of love came from a brown voice and in another language. I ask the honest question: Are we rejecting the message of love because of who delivers it? From a brief history lesson about the land we live on to my personal experiences...

In this episode of the Chats from the Blog Cabin podcast, host Melissa welcomes Bethany, an attorney and author of "The FemTech Revolution," to discuss the critical topic of women's health innovations and the role of femtech in addressing long-overlooked health issues. They explore how femtech is revolutionizing women's healthcare, from cycle tracking to menopause management, whi...

n this episode of 'Chats from the Blog Cabin,' host Melissa speaks with Dr. Alicia Lamborghini-West, a psychologist and co-author of 'Tipsy: A Woman's Self-Guided Method for Managing Alcohol.' They discuss the social pressures women face regarding alcohol consumption, the unique aspects of feminine drinking culture, and the emotional connections women have with alcohol. Dr. Ali...

In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Mark discusses his journey from corporate America to writing 'The Wellness Ethic.' He shares valuable lessons learned about change adoption, the importance of a wellness ethic, and how to shift from a negative to a positive mindset. Mark emphasizes the significance of family, well-being, and the mindset required to navigate life's challenge...

In this heartfelt episode, I share why the name Karen still matters deeply to me—and why it always will. While the world has turned the name into a punchline, I remember the Karen I knew: my sister. The kindest, funniest, most gentle soul I’ve ever loved. Thirty years ago, cancer took her from us far too soon. She never met her nieces. She never had children of her own. But she left behind somethi...

Some Christmas traditions stay with us long after the season ends. In this special holiday episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin , Melissa reflects on why White Christmas became her favorite Christmas movie—and how watching it with her dad created memories that still hold her heart today. Through faith, nostalgia, and gentle storytelling, she shares how God meets us in ordinary moments and uses mem...

In this delightfully honest and faith-filled episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Melissa shares the unexpected moment when her Alexa device became an accidental messenger of grace. After a flustered morning and a frustrated remark, Alexa responded with a line that stopped Melissa in her tracks: “I’m not stupid… I’m just charm­ingly challenged.” What begins as a funny tech mishap quickly turns in...

Hey friends, this is a quick update about Chats from the Blog Cabin. You may have noticed there wasn’t a new episode this past Friday, and there won’t be any new episodes this week. Melissa is currently walking through a very tender moment as she faces the heartbreaking decision to let her beloved cat, Travieso, sleep in the arms of Jesus.

In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin , Melissa sits down with author Dianne Parrish , creator of Something Better , to explore one of the most relatable parts of being human: the persistent longing for “more.” Why do we admire what others have while overlooking the value in our own lives? And what would happen if we slowed down long enough to really notice what’s already here? Together, Me...

In this week’s intro episode, we’re leaning into a topic that touches every single one of us: the quiet — and sometimes loud — longing for something better . Whether it’s a better job, a bigger house, more time, more peace, or even a “better” version of ourselves, our culture has conditioned us to believe happiness is always just one step ahead of where we are. But if we’re always chasing the next...

In this episode, Melissa opens up a conversation about The Awful Cupboard —the place where we store the things we don’t need anymore, but aren’t quite ready to release. Sometimes it’s a literal closet or drawer. Sometimes it’s an old belief, a past identity, or a dream we tucked away because life shifted. Together, we explore how to gently look inside that space without judgment, shame, or pressur...

In this heartfelt episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin , host Melissa Vera sits down with Dennis , a dedicated mentor from Big Brothers Big Sisters , to explore the transformative power of mentorship, compassion, and showing up for others . Through honest conversation and moving stories—especially his relationship with his mentee Mike, who faced mental health struggles—Dennis reveals how mentorshi...

Keywords volunteering, community service, Big Brother Big Sister, personal growth, mentorship, kindness, support, family, education, social impact Summary In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Melissa Vera discusses the importance of volunteering and shares her personal experiences with it. She emphasizes how volunteering can change lives, both for the volunteers and those they help. The c...

n this heartfelt episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Melissa reflects on the powerful truth found in the quote: “The grace of God means something like—here is your life. You might never have been, but you are, because the party wouldn’t be complete without you.” She opens up about how that same grace shows up every week through the stories shared by her incredible guests and the listeners who fa...

In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, host Melissa speaks with Terry, a cancer survivor, author, and speaker, about his journey of resilience. Terry shares his life-changing experience with a rare form of cancer at a young age and how he rebuilt his life through gratitude, support, and a positive mindset. They discuss the importance of surrounding oneself with positive influences, the fram...

In this heart-to-heart episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin , Melissa Vera reminds us that sometimes, the biggest shift we can make isn’t in our circumstances—it’s in our perspective. Instead of focusing on what’s missing or what went wrong, Melissa invites listeners to slow down and recognize the blessings already in front of them. Through honest reflection and southern charm, she shares how choo...