Uncorked with Funny Wine Girl

In the few minutes I waited to see the ball drop on New Year's Eve, I saw at least three different weight loss ads or commercials for a gym--something you couldn't avoid given that Planet Fitness was a major sponsor for the NYE event on ABC. During this time of year, you will see and hear all the ways you can change and achieve goals and resolutions. Having goals and making healthy changes...

Happy New Year! A new year comes with many hopes, dreams and possibilities. Some might seem small, like hoping to not have too many hot flashes, while others are clearly bigger in importance, like wishing my father has the best possible health outcomes with his illness and hoping my business experiences more success. This is also the time when many of us look back on the year that just passed to s...

We know the saying: behind every good man is an even better woman (something like that). For centuries we've heard so much about Santa Claus, but what about the woman who cares for him when he has the sniffles and keeps his belly full so he stays energized to reach every child's home on Christmas night?! My guest this week is none other than Mrs. Claus, the great woman behind one of the mo...

This week's episode is a departure from my usual format because I am flying solo. There has been a lot of heaviness with much violence and sadness in the news so I would like to lighten things up if I can. I'm sharing some of my joyful memories of Rob Reiner's movies and reading from a book that I was just gifted: " Tomorrow, Adventures in an Uncertain World," by Bradley Trev...

"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year." — Charles Dickens  This week I'm joined by one of my favorite repeat guests: Gab Bonesso, a Pittsburgh comedian, children's performer, public speaker and mental health advocate. We're talking about creating comedy, joke stealing, caring for family members and the joy of Christmas. Thank you to my podcast s...

No matter what holiday you celebrate, there's one thing I think we can all agree upon; she probably doesn't need another candle! I don't want to dim the light on any candle lovers or candle makers out there (I know lovely women who make amazing candles) but it's become a bit of a trope for women to regift candles because they've received so many through the years. This week my...

I think it's safe to say that we've all struggled at one time or another carrying bags from the store. There's no doubt we can all relate to having our hands full--attempting to minimize trips back and forth to the car. My podcast guest this week has created something to not only make it easier for us to carry these heavy bags but she's made it possible to go hands-free to be safer...

Have you ever responded to someone asking how you're doing with an "I'm fine"? I have many times throughout the years. Although I am also known to share exactly what's going on with me--sometimes to my friends' chagrin--because they tell me people don't want to hear about it. Manny times we say "I'm fine" rather than express our emotions. South Central P...

Scranton native Natalie Jurosky returns to the podcast this week to share her passion to make music fun for young girls while helping them to gain confidence, musical skills, understand the business side of music, engage them in team work and encourage them to have a blast rocking out together! Natalie founded the nonprofit Scranton Girls Rock and will lead the organization's second summer cam...

Imagine knowing that you're one decision away from being without a home. We're in a time right now when many people are not getting the assistance they need and are experiencing food insecurity. Thankfully local businesses and organizations are stepping up to help but it's still a problem. See a list of resources for Luzerne County here . My guest this week, Holly Spece, understands wh...

Happy Halloween! This week is all about seasonal spooky fun! If you enjoy all things Halloween, like a casual conversation and don't mind a few adults words, then give this episode a listen. I'm chatting with two of my besties: Oliver Ord (aka Ollie, my number one fan and amazing friend) and Gab Bonesso, Pittsburgh comedian, performer for children, mental health advocate and cool human! I...

It probably has one of the most iconic musical themes of any show on television and it does address stories "ripped from the headlines" but does Law and Order SVU show a realistic view of what happens when someone is sexually assaulted? That is just one topic discussed on this week's episode that takes a broader view of how the justice system fails survivors and what my guests are do...

When the system fails you, what do you do? I believe many of us are experiencing system failures in a variety of areas of life these days so we can relate. This week my incredibly brave and strong guests stood up when the justice system failed a young woman who was violently sexually assaulted in Kansas. In this episode you will hear from Hilary Klotz Steinman, the director of the powerful documen...

The leaves are falling, the spice is pumpkin'd. We're falling into autumn but the holidays are just around the corner. It's a great time to talk about budgeting and communicating with your kids about the value of time and money. It's also a great time to think about setting boundaries so you'll have time for yourself as the season gets busy. My guest this week is master budgete...

Hello October! As we settle in to cooler temperatures and hanging Halloween decorations, we can start thinking about Election Day, which is just about a month away. And sure, it's not a Presidential Election, but local elections matter even more because they affect where you live in a very real way. My guest this week is Vanessa Lienert who has returned to PA to grow her family and her flowers...

Picture it. You're digging your spoon deeper and deeper into that rocky road because your relationship is on the rocks and you feel like wallowing. What pairs well with an ice cream binge? A Rom Com...maybe. A murder story...perhaps. But how about some sappy music. Something like "All by myself" "Love Will Lead You Back" or "Everyday Is Like Sunday" I'm sure y...

She's back. I've honestly lost count of how many times this week's guest has been on the show but every single time is a delight. Pittsburgh-based comedian, mental health advocate and speaker, performer at assemblies for children, and all-around kind & cool gal Gab Bonesso is on the show with me this week. We chat about "sick days" for entrepreneurs, sharing good stuff on...

September is a great month to enjoy the cooler temps and all that NEPA has to offer. My guest this week, Julie Esty, is talking about some of the wonderful events coming up that she's involved in that shine a light on our local history in northeast PA. When she's not riding on trains and educating students or tourists about some folks from our past , she's out in the Dunmore Cemetery b...

She's made her way from Maine to NYC to NEPA and the Poconos and she's about to kick off the first-ever NEPA Comedy Fest. She's Jessica Delfino--a mother and a mother folker who performs original funny folk songs and material about her life. And she's talking with me this week about being a hardworking woman in comedy and how she, along with many amazing comedians, are building up...

One of the things I am not particularly proud of is the fact that I don't enjoy reading books. I like to write, but when it comes to reading, I prefer shorter narratives. However, I love to celebrate authors and I'm excited that there has been a renewed interest in physical books. My guest this week is Michelle Haring, owner of Cupboard Maker Books in Enola, PA. Michelle and I talk about t...

Judy Youshock had a successful career in property management for a few decades, but when her bosses decided to retire she had to ask herself: what next? The answer was simple: help others simplify their lives. So she started her business Simplify NEPA ( https://simplifynepa.com/ ) to help others by offering to clean, organize and de-clutter. Over the past 8 years she's grown the business to ha...

There was such a feeling of fun and excitement when I chose my bold colored, striped spread for my twin dorm room bed, posters to hang on the wall and courses to take at Penn State. I don't recall anyone giving me mace or offering tips or advice on how to stay safe when walking alone or heading off to a frat party. Thankfully, I managed to make it through my years without being assaulted or ha...

There's no question that spending too much time on our phones or kids on their gaming systems has its risks and harm. But, there is a possibly bright future for young people who learn the ins and outs of gaming and other technology. My guest this week is Katona Miller, supervisor of Scranton School district's STEM Academy. We talk about the versatile skills her students learn when it comes to team...

The first weekend in August is electrifying here in the Electric City! This week I share some of my favorite memories of the events taking place, make suggestions for visitors, and share my appreciation for my hometown and region of NEPA. Below are links to events talked about in the episode. Appreciate artists from NEPA at First Friday Scranton, check out the map of where art will be, click here...

My guest this week is Stephanie Uhranowsky who has been finding radical joy in reconnecting with the Earth. She wants to continue to build a deeper, reciprocal, and meaningful relationship with the land and its other-than-human beings. In our conversation we discuss not only Stephanie's joy in connecting with the Earth, but also redefine community and explore Stephanie's survival skills an...