Chats from the Blog Cabin

In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Melissa engages with Sherianna, a writer and adjunct psychology professor, to explore the intersection of spirituality and personal growth. Shari shares her journey from a career in psychology to embracing her spiritual gifts, discussing the importance of vulnerability, intuition, and connecting with spirit guides. The conversation also delves into pra...

In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, the conversation centers around the critical issue of literacy, particularly focusing on children's reading proficiency. The host and guest discuss the alarming statistics regarding reading levels among fourth graders, the evolution of teaching methods from phonics to whole language, and the importance of parental involvement in children's lite...

In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, host Melissa welcomes Jackie, a passionate traveler and creator of The Historic Traveler blog. Jackie shares her journey from being a sports writer to discovering her love for travel and photography. The conversation explores the unique blend of travel and literature, highlighting how reading historic novels enhances the travel experience. Jackie discu...

Barbara Sommer Fagan shares her incredible story of escaping Nazi Germany as a refugee with her parents and starting a new life in the United States. She discovered her father's journal years later, which detailed their terrifying journey. Barbara reflects on her parents' courage, determination, and optimism in the face of adversity. She also discusses her own experiences, including her ca...

In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Melissa Vera discusses the importance of women's rights, confidence, and empowerment. She reflects on the historical struggles women have faced and the ongoing challenges in society. The conversation delves into factors affecting women's confidence, societal pressures, and the significance of community support. Melissa emphasizes the need for w...

In this episode of the Chats from the Blog Cabin podcast, Melissa Vera engages in a deep conversation with another Melissa about the importance of collaboration over competition among women in the workplace. They discuss the need for women to embrace their authentic selves, the challenges they face in traditional work environments, and the significance of creating safe spaces for open dialogue. Th...

In this engaging conversation, Melissa chats with Stephanie, the author of 'Sipping Sense', about her deep-rooted passion for wine and how it evolved from a hobby into a career. They discuss the importance of community, heritage, and the art of entertaining, as well as the journey of writing and publishing a cookbook that pairs recipes with wines. Stephanie shares her insights on debunking...

summaryIn this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, host Melissa engages with Caroline, author of 'Your Roots Cast a Shadow.' They discuss Caroline's diverse background, her work with Afghan girls, and the inspiration behind her book, which explores family history and the importance of preserving stories. The conversation delves into the challenges of researching family history, the i...

In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, host Melissa speaks with Sarah, a woman with a rich and diverse life story. Sarah shares her experiences growing up in England, living in Ghana, and moving to America, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of being in an interracial marriage during a time when it was not widely accepted. The conversation delves into her journey of writing a memoir,...

summaryStephanie shares her journey of starting her business, Fly Wines, during the COVID-19 pandemic. She discusses the challenges she faced in pivoting from the tech industry to the wine industry and the support she received from her team. Stephanie emphasizes the importance of supporting minority-owned and small businesses in the wine industry. She also talks about the criteria she uses to sele...

In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Melissa Vera and her guest discuss the nuances of ADHD, particularly in adults. The conversation delves into personal experiences with ADHD, the importance of understanding and coping with the condition, and the introduction of the ADHD Success Planner, a tool designed to help individuals manage their time and tasks effectively. The discussion emphasiz...

In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Melissa Vera welcomes back Deborah, a children's author, to discuss her new book, 'Daisy's Near Catastrophe,' and her previous work, 'Bethlehem Barn.' They explore Deborah's background in education, the importance of research in writing, and the themes of friendship and empowerment in her stories. Deborah shares her journey...

In this episode of 'Chats from the Blog Cabin', Melissa Vera engages in a heartfelt conversation with Dr. Carla Manley about the complexities of love, self-love, and the importance of understanding our relationships. They explore the themes of attachment theory, the impact of societal expectations on love, and the necessity of setting boundaries in relationships. Dr. Manley shares insights...

In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, host Melissa speaks with author Kim Pollock McGrath about her journey from being a first-grade teacher to becoming a children's book author. Kim shares her experiences with storytelling, the inspiration behind her book 'The Carefree Tumbleweed', and the importance of kindness and friendship in children's lives. They discuss the creative process of writ...

In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Melissa Vera interviews Shannon Walker, the founder of Northwest Battle Buddies, an organization that provides service dogs to veterans with PTSD. Shannon shares her personal connection to the military and her passion for animals, which led her to start training service dogs. She explains how Northwest Battle Buddies came about and the rigorous trainin...

In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Melissa Vera interviews author Gail Priest about her latest book, Soul Dancing. They discuss the inspiration behind the book, the process of writing it, and the themes of forgiveness and second chances. Gail shares how her own experiences and relationships influenced the characters and plot. The conversation also touches on the importance of supporting...

In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, host Melissa Vera interviews author Jane Cory about her writing journey, the inspiration behind her latest novel 'I Died on a Tuesday', and the themes of redemption and strong female characters in her work. Jane shares her experiences as a writer, the challenges she faced, and how her life experiences have shaped her storytelling. The conversation also...

Chatting about the start of a new series to honor women during Women's History Month

Ray, the author of Prom-Posal, shares his personal journey of moving to Las Vegas after witnessing the 9/11 attacks in New York. He also discusses his battle with multiple sclerosis and how it led him to retire early from Wall Street. Ray explains how he found solace in writing and how he discovered his voice as a young adult romance author. He emphasizes the importance of faith and the support of...

In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Melissa Vera welcomes back Lynette, who discusses her new book, 'In Search of Teresa.' Lynette shares her personal journey, including her experiences with trauma, her work with children, and her insights into mental health, particularly Dissociative Identity Disorder. The conversation delves into the ethical dilemmas faced while writing the boo...

In this heartfelt episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Melissa shares a deeply personal story about the loss of her childhood mentors, Miss Paula and Mr. Tony, who were tragically murdered. Through her reflections, she highlights the impact they had on her life, the importance of expressing gratitude to those who influence us, and the need for community support in times of grief. The episode serv...

In this heartfelt episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Melissa Vera pays tribute to Bill, a significant figure in her life and her family's journey. She shares personal stories of how Bill impacted her life, from helping her and her husband meet to providing support during challenging times, including immigration struggles. The conversation reflects on the importance of community, resilience, and...

In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Melissa Vera speaks with Laura, the author of 'The Toxic Mold Solution.' They discuss Laura's personal journey with mold exposure, the symptoms and health issues it caused, and the importance of awareness and testing for mold. Laura shares insights on functional medicine, mindfulness practices, and the process of mold remediation, emphasizi...

In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Melissa Vera interviews Alexandra about her book, The Suicide Club, and the topic of suicide prevention. Alexandra shares her personal experience of losing her husband to suicide and the challenges of raising their son as a single parent. She discusses the importance of open conversations about suicide and mental health, the need for support and connec...

In this episode, Melissa interviews Emily Trampetti, a licensed esthetician, about skincare. They discuss topics such as virtual skin coaching, the importance of home care, the impact of different climates on the skin, Emily's journey to becoming an esthetician, the role of marketing in skin care, the concept of clean beauty, and the signs to look for in potential skin issues. Emily emphasizes...