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. Shannon also discusses the importance of proper etiquette when encoun...
Mar 06, 2025•45 min•Ep. 388
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 authors by leaving reviews and sharing their books. Overall, Soul Dancing is a love story with a pa...
Mar 05, 2025•46 min•Ep. 387
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 touches on the importance of giving back to the community and the possibility of her books being ad...
Mar 04, 2025•46 min
Chatting about the start of a new series to honor women during Women's History Month
Mar 03, 2025•6 min•Ep. 385
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 loved ones in overcoming challenges. Ray also mentions his plans for a dystopian novel and expresse...
Feb 26, 2025•48 min•Ep. 384
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 book and the lessons learned throughout the process, emphasizing the importance of finding beauty in adversity ...
Feb 19, 2025•52 min•Ep. 383
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 serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the legacy we leave behind. Takeaways Melissa...
Jan 14, 2025•24 min
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 personal growth, culminating in Melissa's announcement of new beginnings as she embarks on a new pr...
Oct 16, 2024•23 min•Ep. 381
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, emphasizing the need for knowledge and resources to combat mold-related health problems. Mold exposure can lead to seriou...
Sep 18, 2024•48 min•Season 7Ep. 336
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 connection, and the unpredictability of the grief process. Alexandra emphasizes the importance of finding ...
Sep 11, 2024•46 min•Season 7Ep. 379
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 the importance of working with a professional esthetician and seeking regular check-ups with a dermatol...
Aug 07, 2024•45 min•Season 7Ep. 377
In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Melissa interviews Victoria, a spiritual therapist and author of the book Polly Parker Meets Her Shadow. They discuss the power of emotions and the importance of embracing them. They also talk about the concept of manifesting and how putting emotion behind our desires can help us attract what we want in life. Victoria reads a passage from her book and shares her journey as a writer. The conversation highlights the need for self-reflection, gratitude,...
Jul 31, 2024•46 min•Season 7Ep. 377
In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Melissa Vera interviews Laura and Joy about safety tips for women, specifically focusing on spring break safety, hotel room safety, road trip safety, technology safety, and online dating safety. They discuss the importance of being prepared and aware while traveling, including checking the car, carrying defensive tools, and knowing how to change a tire. They also emphasize the buddy system, staying with friends, and being cautious of drinks and poten...
Apr 10, 2024•57 min•Season 6Ep. 376
Today we are talking about the big M word, menopause. And most importantly, weight loss plan for menopause.""The mood swings, the depression, the hot flashes, the crankiness, and overeating are common symptoms of menopause.""The green teas, just don't think of green tea as the plain old peppermints, be memorable.""Setting goals, how important that is to set goals.""Do some flexibility and go for a little walk."In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Melissa discusses menopause and weight l...
Apr 03, 2024•57 min•Season 7Ep. 375
In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Melissa chats with Lisa, an expert on alienation, which is a form of child abuse. Lisa shares her personal experience of being alienated from her mother by her stepmother and the long journey it took for her to untangle the manipulation and realize the truth. She emphasizes the importance of parents prioritizing their children's well-being and maintaining a secure attachment to both parents. Lisa also discusses her book, 'Alienated When Parents Won't...
Mar 27, 2024•50 min•Season 7Ep. 374
In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Melissa interviews Dr. Alan Lindemann, an obstetrician with over 40 years of experience. They discuss maternal health and the importance of patient partnerships in achieving good outcomes. Dr. Alan emphasizes the need for doctors to listen to their patients and respect their choices. He shares his approach of pragmatism and flexibility in providing care. They also touch on topics such as the use of Pitocin in labor, hormone changes during pregnancy, ...
Mar 20, 2024•55 min•Season 7Ep. 373
Lane Igoudin discusses foster care adoption and adoption within the LGBTQ+ communities. Lane shares the story behind their book, 'A Family Maybe,' which details their experience adopting two children from the Los Angeles County foster care system. They explain their decision to choose foster care adoption and the different routes available to them. Lane also highlights the extensive certification process and requirements for foster parents. They discuss the emotional toll of the adoption process...
Mar 13, 2024•59 min•Season 7Ep. 372
In this episode of Chats in the Blog Cabin, Melissa Vera interviews Duygo Balin, a psychotherapist specializing in trauma and attachment. They discuss the importance of addressing trauma, the challenges of working with trauma, and strategies for self-care. They also explore the definition of trauma and the impact of unspoken trauma on relationships. Duygo shares insights from her book, 'Rewrite the Trauma Workbook,' which combines creative writing exercises and mindfulness practices to aid in tr...
Mar 06, 2024•47 min•Season 7Ep. 371
In this episode, Melissa interviews Ed Hajim, the author of 'The Island of the Four Ps,' a modern fable about preparing for the future. Ed shares his background and the decision to write the book, which was inspired by his fascination with fables and the desire to communicate a set of ideas. He discusses the importance of self-reflection and defining one's own life, drawing from his personal experience growing up in an orphanage. Ed also emphasizes the significance of creating a life plan and na...
Feb 28, 2024•1 hr•Season 7Ep. 370
In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Melissa Vera interviews Patricia, an adult romance author, about her book Sacrifices for Kingdoms. Patricia shares her background and passion for writing, as well as her inspiration from her travels and personal history. The book addresses social issues, particularly the need for gender equality in power. Patricia reads passages from the book and discusses the challenges and rewards of writing a trilogy. She also shares her plans for future books and...
Feb 21, 2024•54 min•Season 7Ep. 369
In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Melissa Vera interviews Ski Chilton, author of 'There's Another Way to Happiness.' Ski shares his journey from growing up in rural North Carolina to becoming a successful biochemist and professor. He discusses the importance of trust in the journey of life and the misconception of happiness. Ski emphasizes the power of mindfulness and self-observation in finding happiness and overcoming childhood trauma. He also shares the impact of his son's journey...
Feb 14, 2024•57 min•Season 7Ep. 368
Jennifer shares her journey into teaching, including her experience in Catholic and public schools. She discusses the challenges and rewards of teaching, the importance of observing different teaching strategies, and why she chose to teach French. Jennifer also addresses the teacher shortage and the reasons behind it. She emphasizes the reality of teaching and the need for work-life balance. Finally, she talks about her book, Teaching with Heart, and where to find it. In this conversation, Jenni...
Feb 07, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 7Ep. 367
In this episode, Melissa Vera interviews Laura Frombach and Joy Farrell, authors of 'Street Smart Safety for Women,' about the topic of domestic violence. They discuss their personal experiences with domestic violence and the realization of the correlation between domestic violence and mental illness. They also highlight the reasons why women stay in abusive relationships and the challenges they face in reporting domestic violence. The importance of documentation, finding victim advocates, and t...
Jan 31, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 7Ep. 366
Join us for a heartfelt conversation as we delve into the profound importance of embracing vulnerability with the inspiring Nikol Rogers. Discover how openness and authenticity can lead to deeper connections and personal growth. Hear her personal stories and gain insight into the transformative power of vulnerability. Don't miss this powerful discussion that will leave you feeling empowered and encouraged to embrace your own vulnerability. Listen now for an enlightening journey. Helpful Links: G...
Jan 24, 2024•55 min•Season 7Ep. 365
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Talia Boone as we delve into the incredible healing power of flowers. From their soothing scents to their vibrant colors, discover how flowers can uplift our spirits and bring joy to our lives. You won't want to miss this enlightening discussion that will leave you feeling refreshed and inspired. Tune in now to unlock the secrets of flower therapy with Talia Boone! Helpful Links: Website https://www.postalpetals.com/
Jan 17, 2024•48 min•Season 55Ep. 337
Get ready to be inspired as Olivier Mankondo discusses the powerful impact of a plant-based diet on overcoming illness in this Chats from the Blog Cabin Episode entitled It's Not Normal to Be Sick. Join us for an eye-opening conversation about the transformative effects of embracing a healthier lifestyle. If you're ready to take charge of your health and well-being, don't miss this epsiode! Listen now and start your journey towards a vibrant, sickness-free life. Helpful Links Free gift for Liste...
Jan 10, 2024•54 min•Season 7Ep. 363
Step into an enlightening dialogue with author Tarris Marie as we tackle the viewpoint of the broken and lost head-on. Gain invaluable insights, encouragement, and a renewed sense of hope as we navigate through stories of resilience and triumph over adversity. Feeling lost or broken? This video could be your guiding light towards healing! Don't miss out - listen now and be uplifted by this transformative conversation! Helpful Links Blaque Pearle https://amzn.to/3GoOxot Website: www.tarrismarie.c...
Jan 03, 2024•52 min•Season 7Ep. 362
Are you ready to elevate your New Year's celebration? In this exciting episode , Bridget Thoreson spills the beans on her top cocktail picks for ringing in the new year with flair. Whether you're hosting a party or having a cozy night in, these cocktail ideas will take your celebration to the next level. Get inspired and join us for a lively discussion about all things New Year's cocktails! Grab XOXO, A Cocktail Book: An Unofficial Gossip Girl Fan Book https://amzn.to/3Rj0JMf
Dec 27, 2023•20 min•Season 6Ep. 361
Get ready to dive into the enchanting world of A Bellwether Christmas as we sit down with Laurel Guillen to discuss the incredible Living Nativity experience. From behind-the-scenes insights to personal stories, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who loves the holiday spirit. Join us as we celebrate this beautiful tradition and discover what makes it so special. Click play now and be part of the magic! Helpful Links: 1. Grab A Bellwether Christmas https://amzn.to/47RTnGJ 2. Facebook.com/La...
Dec 18, 2023•47 min•Season 6Ep. 360
Discover a whole new perspective on emotional well-being in this captivating chat with Antonia Bowring! Dive into a compelling dialogue about creating space for authentic feelings and experiencing true emotional freedom. As Antonia shares her wisdom, you'll be inspired to embrace your emotions and prioritize self-expression. Ready for a breakthrough? Tune in and listen to the podcast now! Helpful Links Coach Yourself!: Increase Awareness, Change Behavior, and Thrive https://amzn.to/3GkJFjW TikTo...
Dec 14, 2023•52 min•Season 6Ep. 359
