Life Actually with Mary Belle

Mary & Dave are back at it discussing the mental, emotional, and physical habits that contribute to a healthier lifestyle. Dave Reggina is a Deputy Commissioner in Greenburgh, New York, host of the No Snooze Podcast, co-founder of Action Cultivates Excellence (A.C.E.), a men's movement alongside Sean Degnan, and author of the book 30 Lessons to Lead. Together, Mary and Dave discuss healthy...

New Year, New You? Nah - Mary hates that phrase. New Year, Better You? That's more like it. Dave Reggina is back to kick off Season Two of Life Actually with Mary Belle. He's a Deputy Commissioner in Greenburgh, New York, host of the No Snooze Podcast, co-founder of Action Cultivates Excellence (A.C.E.), a men's movement alongside Sean Degnan, and author of the book 30 Lessons to Lead....

Dena Fenza is the founder of ‪@Miciamammas‬ and author of the cookbook, My Italian-American Table. Raised in a big Italian-American family in Brooklyn, Dena learned the power of tradition and a love of food—cooking side by side with her grandparents, passing down recipes that were not necessarily written down but always felt. From Sunday dinners to holiday feasts like the Seven Fishes, food was ho...

Dena Fenza is the founder of  @Miciamammas  and author of the cookbook, My Italian-American Table. Raised in a big Italian-American family in Brooklyn, Dena learned the power of tradition and a love of food—cooking side by side with her grandparents, passing down recipes that were not necessarily written down but always felt. From Sunday dinners to holiday feasts like the Seven Fishes, food was ho...

Judy Annunziata is an Italian-American entrepreneur and passionate foodie with deep roots in family, tradition, and hard work. The daughter of parents born in Italy, Judy grew up watching their incredible work ethic and determination. Values they instilled in her and her siblings from an early age. Raised in her family’s iconic restaurant, Umberto's of Mamma Marisa, which opened in 1976, Judy...

Judy Annunziata is an Italian-American entrepreneur and passionate foodie with deep roots in family, tradition, and hard work. The daughter of parents born in Italy, Judy grew up watching their incredible work ethic and determination. Values they instilled in her and her siblings from an early age. Raised in her family’s iconic restaurant, Umberto's of Mamma Marisa, which opened in 1976, Judy...

Dana Carretta-Stein is a trauma therapist, author, and consultant who somehow built two businesses from scratch while juggling motherhood, marriage, and the mental load of keeping everyone alive. She’s the founder of Peaceful Living Mental Health Counseling and The EMDR Coach—two trauma‑informed brands specializing in EMDR therapy and nervous system care. When she’s not working, you’ll find her wi...

Dana Carretta-Stein is a trauma therapist, author, and consultant who somehow built two businesses from scratch while juggling motherhood, marriage, and the mental load of keeping everyone alive. She’s the founder of Peaceful Living Mental Health Counseling and The EMDR Coach—two trauma‑informed brands specializing in EMDR therapy and nervous system care. When she’s not working, you’ll find her wi...

Sean Degnan is a dynamic entrepreneur, lifelong athlete, and passionate advocate for modern men’s leadership. Named one of Westchester County’s 40 Under 40 in Business in 2024, Sean is a partner of several successful ventures, including All in 1 Commercial Cleaning, established in 2017; The Sailhouse, a waterfront restaurant in Tarrytown, NY; and ACE (Action Cultivates Excellence), a men’s leaders...

Sean Degnan is a dynamic entrepreneur, lifelong athlete, and passionate advocate for modern men’s leadership. Named one of Westchester County’s 40 Under 40 in Business in 2024, Sean is a partner of several successful ventures, including All in 1 Commercial Cleaning, established in 2017; The Sailhouse, a waterfront restaurant in Tarrytown, NY; and ACE (Action Cultivates Excellence), a men’s leaders...

Erica Soto is a New Jersey–born, Mount Vernon–based Latina artist, entrepreneur, and founder of Enjoy Erica Art Studio—a mobile art experience brand that blends creativity, community, and empowerment. With a brush in one hand and vision in the other, Erica transforms blank canvases into spaces of healing, joy, and cultural celebration. Through her mobile art studio, Erica leads immersive paint-and...

Erica Soto is a New Jersey–born, Mount Vernon–based Latina artist, entrepreneur, and founder of Enjoy Erica Art Studio—a mobile art experience brand that blends creativity, community, and empowerment. With a brush in one hand and vision in the other, Erica transforms blank canvases into spaces of healing, joy, and cultural celebration. Through her mobile art studio, Erica leads immersive paint-and...

Back against the wall? Yvette Peguero will find a way to get it done. Owner and Founder of Evie’s Cleaners, she's a determined, hard working, successful business owner who turned a lay-off into a lifelong opportunity. A proud first-generation Latina and oldest of four, Yvette knows a thing or two about grit, growth, and getting it done. She’s a former corporate girly who worked over 10 years i...

A Latina who leads with love and humility...Yvette Peguero is the owner and Founder of Evie’s Cleaners, a determined, hard working, successful business owner who turned a lay-off into a lifelong opportunity. A proud first-generation Latina and oldest of four, Yvette knows a thing or two about grit, growth, and getting it done. She’s a former corporate girly who worked over 10 years in Sales and HR...

Tony Pec talks career path success from an engineering degree and hospitality jobs, to construction sites, a lip balm company (yes, you read that right), to social media marketing, to one of the most successful business owners I know - at just 31 years old. "The Famiglia Effect" is real - when you're around people who treat you like family, even without blood relation, you understand...

Tony Pec discusses the "immigrant edge" a work ethic and style of living derived from his grandparents. Growing up Italian-American? It's a way of life, filled with love, hard work, intense family loyalty, and genuinely helping others along the way. "The Famiglia Effect" is real - when you're around people who treat you like family, even without blood relation, you unde...

Dave Reggina does not shy away from how therapy has helped him become a better man, father, and partner. His communication has improved, he leads with more patience, he allows himself to be more vulnerable and emotional, and all of his relationships have improved because of it. What kind of books would he write if he was an author? Tune in to find out *and* hear a huge announcement. Dave is a lead...

Dave Reggina discusses the start of his personal journey from his younger years, health and family struggles, and career highs and lows, all of which have led him here. He's blazing a path forward for himself and others who are ready to learn how best to lead a successful, fulfilled, and intentional life. Dave is a leadership expert, keynote speaker, and Deputy Commissioner in the largest town in...

In this episode of Life Actually (Part II with Lauren Hornacek) I sit down with my best friend of 23+ years and talk about the ways in which we trust, love, support, and inspire each other. Beyond that, it's a great reminder to be intentional with who you share your life with; the good, the bad, the struggles, and the wins. Lauren Hornacek is an Executive Coach to highly accomplished women in fina...

Lauren Hornacek is an Executive Coach to highly accomplished women in finance. Most of her clients have achieved great levels of success and yet are left feeling completely overwhelmed, unfulfilled and chronically exhausted. Many of them know something needs to shift, but feel absolutely paralyzed around what to do next. Lauren knows that pattern all too well because she lived it for 10 years. As...

Louisa Vilardi is a multifaceted creative based in New York, working as both a portrait photographer and writer. Her work has been featured on prominent platforms including Scary Mommy, Love What Matters, Her View From Home, and Inspired Magazine. With a strong academic background in language and literature, Louisa spent over a decade as a high school English teacher before fully transitioning int...

Louisa Vilardi is a multifaceted creative based in New York, working as both a portrait photographer and writer. Her work has been featured on prominent platforms including Scary Mommy, Love What Matters, Her View From Home, and Inspired Magazine. With a strong academic background in language and literature, Louisa spent over a decade as a high school English teacher before fully transitioning int...

I'm sharing my favorite thoughts, insight, experiences, and tips from the first forty years of my life. From motivation, to body positivity, life hacks and more...I hope these resonate with you and inspire you to live your best life. **** Mary Belle is a wife, mom, author, new podcaster, and lover of food. Since graduating college from the University of Delaware (go Blue Hens!) with a degree i...

I'm sharing my favorite thoughts, insight, experiences, and tips from the first forty years of my life. From motivation, to body positivity, life hacks and more...I hope these resonate with you and inspire you to live your best life.****Mary Belle is a wife, mom, author, new podcaster, and lover of food. Since graduating college from the University of Delaware (go Blue Hens!) with a degree in...

When the going gets tough...the tough just keep on trucking. In this episode I talk about finding my confidence in various stages of life, being your best self even when you may not truly feel like it, and how to pass the same down to your kids. In short, celebrate all you can and if you don't love something, change it. **** Mary Belle is a wife, mom, author, new podcaster, and lover of food....