Nourishing the Soul with Family Stories and Culinary Heritage

In the latest podcast episode, listeners journey through poignant and heartwarming stories highlighting maternal love's complex and beautiful facets, the profound impact of maternal figures in our lives, the resilience they instill in us, and the cultural traditions that shape our identities. It celebrates the diversity of human experience, the strength we derive from our roots, and the surprising joys that family and food bring to our lives.

The episode begins with a powerful personal narrative shared by Virginia, the show's producer. She recounts her transformative decision to leave an abusive relationship on Valentine's Day, turning a day typically associated with romantic love into a symbol of self-love and independence. This sets the stage for a broader conversation about how holidays can unexpectedly influence our lives and the importance of personal growth and storytelling in healing.

As the episode progresses, the discussion turns to the resilience required when faced with adversity. The significance of storytelling is highlighted, suggesting that our lives are like movies in which we are the actors, directors, and writers. The episode touches on the necessity of curiosity as a force for peace and creativity and how it can lead to personal growth, even amidst the trials of life.

Johnny Tan brings an international flavor to the conversation, recounting anecdotes of family nurturance from his childhood in Malaysia to the guidance he received from his Italian foster mother in Missouri. These stories of cultural richness emphasize the food that nourished him and the recipes that fed his soul, leading to the creation of a cherished cookbook that celebrates the stories binding us together.

The podcast delves into themes of consciousness, authenticity, and the legacy of our past. It ponders the mind's default mode network, how it defines our sense of self, and considers the therapeutic power of writing. Reflecting on our responsibility to honor our history and shape our future, the episode encourages listeners to embrace their histories to forge authentic identities. The conversation explores the concept of the 'genius zone,' where each individual's unique talents and passions lie. The episode underscores the importance of self-awareness in recognizing and utilizing these gifts. Additionally, the narrative weaves together the interconnectivity of life, from the culinary adventures that span continents to the unexpected encounters that lead to lifelong connections.

The podcast episode examines the importance of honoring our past and the wisdom that comes with age. It reflects how our memories and history contribute to our identity, influencing our present decisions and future paths. The chapter also contemplates the impact of technology on our lives, highlighting the balance of gains and losses that come with progress and innovation.

In conclusion, it reminds us of the unbreakable bonds and deep-seated values that make us who we are, encouraging us to celebrate life's relationships and the stories that connect us.

Listen to this episode at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2267353/14357033

VBT-Guest Author Spotlight Donna McDine

Donna McDine is an award-winning children's author, Honorable Mention in the 77th and two Honorable Mentions in the 78 th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competitions. Her stories have been published in many print and online publications and her interest in American History resulted in writing and publishing The Golden Pathway. Donna has two more books under contract with Guardian Angel Publishing, The Hockey Agony and Powder Monkey . She writes, moms and is the Editor-in-Chief for Guardian Angel Kids and Publicist for the National Writing for Children Center from her home in the historical hamlet Tappan, NY. McDine is a member of the SCBWI and Musing Our Children. What excites you most about your book’s topic? Why did you choose it? The Underground Railroad was a pivotal time in American history, one that should never be repeated. It is my hope by keeping history alive for each generation that these huge mistakes will never reoccur. Q. How lon

Websites, Blogs and Newsletters

Marketing and promoting is a subject that confuses many writers. Whether you write fiction, nonfiction, for adult or children readers, are self-published or traditionally published, all writers need to promote themselves. And one of the best ways to do that is through the internet. I put these three together because in reality everyone has their own idea on how to market themselves on the internet. I personally use all three ways to market my work and myself. I know others who use only one form to promote themselves. Whichever you choose, make sure you keep it updated with the most current information about you. Another thing to think about is what you are going to post on your websites, blogs, or in your newsletters. Jan Fields, an instructor at the Institute of Children’s Literature, Editor of Children’s Writers enews said in the February 14, 2008 issue, “We live in the information age and little things can become big things really fast. For example, although it is true that ed

Interview Friday with Karen Cioffi, author of "Walking Through Walls"

Karen Cioffi is an advocate of education, reading, and the environment. She loves how reading can spark a child’s imagination and bring him or her to new worlds and on amazing adventures. Along with writing children’s books, Karen is a ghostwriter and freelance writer, and has several nonfiction books on writing and book marketing. She has lived in New York City all her life, and two of her favorite sayings are: “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” American proverb “Be the change you want to see in the world.” M. Ghandi VS: I want to thank you for being my guest here on The Writing Mama today, Karen. To start things off, what do you do to help balance your writing life with your family life? Karen: My family life keeps interrupting my writing life. J Obviously, family obligations and responsibilities must come first. And, with MS, it’s not always easy keeping up with everything. When I get overwhelmed, I tell myself the only writing obligation that I have to meet on a tim

VS Grenier ~ Award-Winning Author, Speaker & Podcaster

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