Chats from the Blog Cabin

Andrew, a father of 10, shares his journey of balancing work and family life and the importance of seeking help and support as a father. He discusses the societal pressure on men to be strong and not show vulnerability, and how he decided to pivot and start helping other dads. Andrew emphasizes the importance of being present for his children and the positive impact it has had on their relationships. He also talks about the challen...

In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, the host engages in a deep conversation with Alex, a CEO in the pharmaceutical industry, about the gut microbiome and its significance in health. Alex shares his unique journey from growing up on a farm to becoming an entrepreneur focused on natural health solutions. He discusses the importance of human milk oligosaccharides in restoring gut health and the challenges faced in the pharma...

In this episode of 'Chats from the Blog Cabin', host Melissa interviews Matthew, an inspiring individual with autism who has pursued his dream of becoming a teacher and author. Matthew shares his journey, discussing the challenges he faced, the importance of perseverance, and how he aims to motivate others on the autism spectrum. He reflects on his experiences in the classroom, the impact of his teaching, and the rewarding ...

In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Melissa speaks with Scott, a manifestation and mindset coach, about his journey from engineering to personal development. They explore the concepts of manifestation, the law of attraction, and the importance of mindset in achieving personal goals. Scott shares his experiences with personal development, martial arts, and the transformative power of gratitude and self-care.

The conversati...

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 practical approaches like spirit walks...

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 literacy development. The guest shares ...

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 discusses her approach to curating trave...

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 career in advertising, the loss of a ...

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 women to uplift each other and share...

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. The conversation also highlights the ...

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 wine myths and the emotional exper...

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 impact of cultural and religious div...

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, navigating a male-dominated workpla...

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 select wineries to work with, including...

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 emphasizes the significance of self-care th...

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 as a writer, her commitment to givi...

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 from her book 'The Joy of Impe...

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 writing and illustrating children's boo...

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 training process the dogs go through. Shan...