Holidays are for embracing traditions, old and new. FFY Host Melanie Young spent years traveling the world at Christmas to experience global holiday customs. That changed when she returned to Tennessee to spend the "Last Christmas" years with her widowed mother who passed away on December 22, 2022. Melanie discusses managing her emotions when a loved one no longer has a seat at the table and shares uplifting stories of her mother's "Perfectly Purple Christmas Eve" dinners, always colorful! Fearl...
Dec 25, 2024•36 min
The country of Portugal is home to the production of Port, one of world's most complex and deeply satisfying fortified wines. Port production dates back centuries and is a time-honored process. Kopke, established in 1638, is Portugal's oldest Port house. Carla Tiago, longtime winemaker at Kopke, explains how Port is made, the different styles, including white, tawny and ruby, and terms to know on a Port label. She discusses serving Port and pairing with foods, from savory and sweet to cheese Fea...
Dec 19, 2024•54 min
Did you know that 33 million Americans live with food allergies? Learn ways to protect yourself and loved ones who live with food allergies, especially when traveling, dining out, attending parties and weddings. If you are the food preparer, find out what you can do to be vigilant when planning your menu. Dr. Kelly Cleary, Senior Director of Education and Support Programs for FARE (Food Allergy Research Education), discusses food allergies and taking life-savings precautions. www.foodallergy.org...
Dec 11, 2024•43 min
Southern cooking is as diverse and culturally rich as the different populations who comprise this region of the U.S.A. "When Southern Women Cook" (America's Test Kitchen) delivers 544 pages filled with stories from 70 southern women writers and 300 recipes. The book was spearheaded by Cook's Country Editors, Toni Tipton-Martin, an award-winning food journalist and author, and Morgan Bullard. They discuss the intersection of food and women's empowerment and the food cultures of the South. Fearles...
Dec 04, 2024•49 min
After finding handwritten recipe binders from her deceased mother and grandmother, Fearless Fabulous You's Melanie Young decides to preserve their memories by preparing the dishes and writing about these two empowering women. She says, "making a family recipe and sharing a story about the person who used to prepare it can be an emotional glue that binds everyone together to recognize that person who is no longer seated at the table." Turn making an old family recipe into a new holiday tradition....
Nov 27, 2024•37 min
Looking for a crisp, dry white wine that delivers notes of lemon, lime, grapefruit, pear, wild asparagus and fresh-cut grass, sometimes with a hint of flint? Consider Sauvignon Blanc, a versatile wine whose personality reflects the areas where it is produced around the world. Of note: Bordeaux Blanc, Loire Sancerre, New Zealand, Chile, South Africa, Sonoma and Napa. Melanie Young discusses styles of Sauvignon Blanc and pairings such as shellfish, sushi and tomato salad with herbed goat cheese. F...
Nov 20, 2024•33 min
Have you been told that you are overqualified for a job you're pursuing? Or is it actually ageism? While elected politicians and corporate CEOs work well past "retirement age" with constituency support, a double standard exists in many company workforces where "younger means more able." Melanie discusses ways to counter ageism, reboot, repackage and present yourself to land that job or new career with empowerment coach, Maria DeLorenzis Reyes, founder/CEO, Training Innovations and MDR Brands. Fe...
Nov 13, 2024•50 min
Feeling anger or frustration by this year's 2024 election results? Or maybe it's something else. Has someone in your life let you down. Perhaps you are grieving an irreplaceable loss. Fearless Fabulous You's Melanie Young says she has experienced the same feelings off loss many times, but she learned never to give up or turn in the towel. She shares ways to re-channel your grief and anger to move forward. Fearless Fabulous You is broadcast live Wednesdays at 12 Noon ET on W4WN Radio - Women 4 Wo...
Nov 06, 2024•23 min
Benedictine monk, Dom Pérignon, may have seen stars when he tasted his first bottle of bubbly before it officially became Champagne. But four women became Champagne’s leading ladies in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Each built successful champagne houses after their husbands died unexpectedly. These Veuves (French for Widows) are Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin (Veuve Clicquot), Louise Pommery, Champagne Pommery, Mathilde Emilie Perrier, Laurent-Perrier and Madame Elisabeth “Lily” Bollinger. Fea...
Oct 30, 2024•46 min
RSV is a common infectious respiratory virus that is easily transmittable. Those infected have cold-like symptoms. The good news is an RSV vaccine can help reduce the risk of contracting the virus. This is important for older Americans over the age of 60 who may have a higher risk for contracting RSV, especially those living with chronic health conditions, says Robert H. Hopkins MD, medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID). He explains vaccine guidelines. Fearle...
Oct 23, 2024•18 min
Thanks to advancements in scientific research and technology, detection and treatment of breast cancer is helping to save more lives. Still, early detection is key, and women need to be proactive about their breast health. Dr. Laurie Kirstein MD, a board-certified surgical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses the latest developments for early detection and mammogram guidelines for women of all ages, and latest treatments for both early and late-stage breast cancer. Fea...
Oct 09, 2024•49 min
When are you getting married? When are you having children? How much did that cost? Are you sick? These a few of the awkward questions people ask without thinking of the consequences. "Conversation skills include knowing how to ask a proper and polite question and how to respond to an awkward one," says Fearless Fabulous You's Melanie Young. She provides examples of how to rephrase a question to make someone feel at ease and how to respond to or deflect a question you would rather not answer. Fe...
Oct 02, 2024•49 min
Sicily is a popular destination for its natural resources, culture, wine and food. Sicily is also home to Mount Etna, Europe's largest, still active volcano. Throughout Etna's lava strewn mountain slopes are ancient vineyards which produce wine grapes unique to Etna DOC, a protected designation for this region. Whites include Carricante and Catarrato and reds Nerello Mascelese and Nerello Cappuccio. Fearless Fabulous You's Melanie Young shares wine and travel tips from her recent visit to Etna F...
Sep 25, 2024•43 min
The U.S.A. discards nearly 60 million tons -120 billion pounds every year. That’s nearly 40% of the entire U.S. food supply, or around 325 pounds of waste per person. In her new book, "No Scrap Left Behind: My Life Without Food Waste," Teralyn Pilgrim shares clever ways to upcycle leftovers, repurpose table scraps and ultimately trim the grocery bill on average $100 a month (about $1300/yr.) -all while tackling the global impact of our massive food waste problem. Time to Trim Your Waste! Fearles...
Sep 18, 2024•46 min
Heart valve disease affects more than 5 million people in the U.S. and leads to 25,000 deaths each year. Aortic stenosis, the most common form of heart valve disease, affects 5% of people 65 and older. Heart valve symptoms may be subtle and develop slowly over time, putting a life-threatening strain on your heart. Early diagnosis of heart valve disease is key says Janet S. Wright, MD, FACC, Director of CDC’s Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention. Learn signs and how to reduce risk. Fe...
Sep 11, 2024•33 min
Silence is golden but a buried gem amid the constant buzz and noise surrounding us. Stillness is also important, but many feel pressured to always keep going and doing Women have had to work harder to push forward, speak out and take action to Make Progress and Be Somebody. That is achievement in one aspect of life. But it's also important to embrace stillness and silence and tune out the physical noise around you and the mental noise inside your head to center yourself and achieve calm. Fearles...
Sep 04, 2024•30 min
Imagine you are holding a set of five keys. Each key can be used to unlock an aspect of your life: Your Mind, Your Soul, Your Heart, Your Talent and Skills, Your Happiness and Definition of Success. Which would you unlock first and what you do to open the door to your future? Keys can unlock your potential and open a heart, or they can be used to shut yourself in and protect you from pain. You can feel keyed up and stressed or freed up and lighter in spirit. Key into this podcast and listen. Fea...
Aug 28, 2024•21 min
Size matters but not always. You must size up a situation or a person where it really counts. It's not just by the numbers but by one's actions and their impact. One must measure a person's character over one's wealth. Small acts of kindness can deliver large amounts of hope. But being small minded, tearing others down to look better and sizing people up by their material wealth rather than strength of character is petty. Be open-minded and not small-minded. Hope has no boundaries. Fearless Fabu...
Aug 21, 2024•32 min
Women have forged new paths and broken glass ceilings over the last 50 years, but many social stereotypes and pressures remain. Pressures to maintain an appearance, marry and have children, excel in a career, attain social status and serve one’s community are examples. Fearless Fabulous You Host Melanie Young addresses coping with social pressures with Alicia Lamberghini-West, Psy.D. a licensed psychologist and author of “Your Life, Your Way – Become Aware of Social Pressures Limiting Women” Fea...
Aug 14, 2024•50 min
Women's rights have come a long way thanks to activists who used their voices to drive change. Examples include the right to vote (19th Amendment 1920), Equal Pay Act (1963), Equal Rights Amendment (1972), Roe vs Wade (1973), Women's Educational Equity Act (1974) and Pregnancy Discrimination Act (1978). Until the 1970s, women could not acquire credit or a mortgage. There are always challenges, from equal pay and gender quality to reproductive rights and affordable health care. Use Your Voice. Fe...
Aug 07, 2024•40 min
The joys and challenges of motherhood are numerous. But many women are childless by choice or by circumstances. After being asked many times “Why don’t you have children?” Fearless Fabulous You’s Melanie Young says, “Just because I am not a mother does not mean I am selfish or my life as a woman is incomplete. There are no right or wrong directions in how we choose our lives. I respect and appreciate all mothers (and dads) and ask that those of us who remained childless receive equal respect. Fe...
Jul 31, 2024•28 min
"How do you do? What do you do?" How many times have people asked you this? And how do you respond? Americans, in particular, tend to ask that question. Fearless Fabulous You's Melanie Young shares tips to navigate these personal questions about your life, career, in-between times, job interviews and those awkward moments when you prefer to keep matters private. Learn how to convey confidence, be emphatic and nail that "elevator pitch" about "what you do and who you are"....in your own voice. Fe...
Jul 24, 2024•37 min
Have you ever referred a piece of business to a colleague without accepting anything in return other than a thank you...or vice versa? You are a good egg. But if you expect to be paid for referrals or your sage advice and ideas, then you need to be a hard-boiled. Establish your terms on what you can offer and expect in return. Offer help but also set boundaries. Most businesses involve a transaction of goods and services. Here are some tips on not getting poached or burned in the process. Fearle...
Jul 17, 2024•32 min
Are you living with clutter in your home? How does clutter making you feel? Mental clutter is as important to clear out as the physical. Yet, many wait too long to start the process. Certified KonMari Method (TM) Organizer Jenny Albertini discusses the mental impact of clutter with Fearless Fabulous You's Melanie Young, including how to take steps to mindfully manage your head space, home environment and time. Albertini is author of Decluttered: Mindful Organizing for Health, Home, and Beyond. F...
Jul 10, 2024•51 min
Millions of travelers are hitting the highways and skies, a record number since the pandemic. Joanna Teljeur, consumer advocate and senior editor for Air Advisor, joins Melanie Young to discuss tips to make airline travel hassle-free, from trip planning to insurance to packing essentials. Know your rights if your flights are delayed or cancelled and do your homework when visiting other countries to see what medications, prescription or otherwise, may or may not be legal. Travel smart and safe! F...
Jul 03, 2024•51 min
Over 70% of American women travel solo. Are you one of them? Solo travel can offer a one-of-a-kind experience. Fearless Fabulous You's Melanie Young spent years traveling solo. She shares tips, resources and anecdotes to travel smart and safe. Research destinations to learn customs, dress codes and treatment to women. Try to make local contacts and always let someone know where you are. She says: "You don't have to be single to travel solo. If your partner doesn't travel, just take the trip!" Fe...
Jun 26, 2024•54 min
Social media has its good side and its bad side. Statistics show social media apps can be addictive and potentially harmful to your mental health, especially for young people. Even the U.S. Surgeon General has called for warning labels on social media apps. Why spend your time scrolling your phone checking in and comparing your life to others when you can just enjoy your own life? Fearless Fabulous You's Melanie Young shares 20 fun, creative, enriching ways to digitally detox from social media. ...
Jun 19, 2024•45 min
Have you been saving a special bottle of wine to drink or a piece of fine jewelry to wear for "that special occasion?" Why wait for a day or event that may or may not occur? After opening three "special occasion" bottles of wine one night that were all past their prime, Fearless Fabulous You's Melanie Young says, "why wait?" Use your best silver and china. Wear your good jewelry and clothes. Plan that trip you have put off. Make a date to see friends. And drink that great bottle of wine. Now! Fe...
Jun 12, 2024•21 min
Scientific research has shown a direct link between alcohol consumption and reduced health risks, including several cancers. The World Health Organization says no amount of alcohol is safe. Wine writer and cancer survivor Melanie Young share her decision to continue drinking wine in moderation while accepting her risks. She notes ultra processed foods, those high in nitrates, saturated fats, sugar and sodium are also unhealthy. Consume in moderation or abstain. Your body. Your choice. Fearless F...
Jun 05, 2024•34 min
"After being single and successful on my own, I refuse to be a Plus One in a couple and in a society where men still receive preferential and deferential treatment over women. Stand up for being the One and Only You," says FFY Host Melanie Young. She addresses the frustration of being treated as an "invisible woman" and subtle- or not so- indignations. "Defy Invisible. Remain Invincible," she says. Women are not fragile and transparent like glass. We are strong prisms with many points of light. ...
May 29, 2024•30 min
