The Green Heart Living Podcast

Next Step Education with Meghan Schelzi

Meghan Schelzi is bringing the work of Transformational Literacy into schools. Her vision? "Every child deserves the tools to be a successful and confident reader."

On this episode, we talk about:

• Having the courage to follow your purpose
• The garage academy she created in the middle of the COVID-19 epidemic
• How to encourage reading and literacy skills in kids
• What supports teachers need to thrive

You can learn more about Meghan and her work at:

https://nextstepeducationtutoring.com 

Path to Purpose with Maria Jefferson

How can we heal what we would rather forget? Can we heal the trauma living in our bodies? Could our challenging life experiences be a guide toward our purpose?

 

In this episode, I interview Maria Jefferson, trauma and relationship specialist, licensed professional counselor, and author of the new book, Path to Purpose: A Journey to Healing from Complex PTSD.

 

In "Path to Purpose," she shares her personal experience with complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and workplace trauma—and how she’s navigated being the wife of an Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) veteran with combat theater exposure. She also shares her parent's immigration story—including needing to flee their home country of Chile for their lives—and her recent travels there to uncover her past.

 

She shows her path to healing the trauma that lived in her body and how you can navigate this path, too.

 

Learn more at: https://purposepathct.com

Centering Equity in Your Organization with Jenora Ledbetter

In today's rapidly evolving landscape, fostering equity within organizations is not just a moral imperative but a strategic necessity.

 

In this episode, I interview Jenora Ledbetter about her new book, Centering Equity in Your Organization: A Guide to Building Bridges, Not Barriers, which provides a comprehensive roadmap for leaders and change-makers seeking to cultivate inclusive cultures that drive sustainable success.

 

Through engaging storytelling and research-backed methodologies, Centering Equity in Your Organization challenges traditional paradigms and offers innovative approaches to address systemic barriers and promote fairness and justice within the workplace. Whether you're a seasoned executive, HR professional, or aspiring leader, this book will empower you to navigate complexities, leverage diversity as a strength, and create environments where every individual can thrive.

 

To learn more: https://theselfcarenetwork.org

Visited Mom Today with John D. Scully

What if you could still have meaningful connections with your loved ones—even after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis?

 

On this episode I talk with John D. Scully, author of Visited Mom Today: Conversations through the Lens of Alzheimer's & Dementia.

 

In his book, John shares the secret to connecting with those suffering from Alzheimer's/dementia. He had observed how staff interacted with his mom and the other residents in her memory care unit. He discovered that the connection lies in stepping into their world, instead of reminding them what is no longer possible in this one.

 

John's conversations with dozens of residents will have you laughing out loud, tearing up, and reflecting on your own life experiences. 

Green Heart Writing Circle Fall 2024

When we put our stories out there, we no longer have to carry them alone. The world carries them with us.

Looking for a compassionate, creative community to write with? 

Having trouble getting your book written?

Want to have more fun and connection in your life?

My 9-week Green Heart Writing Circle will be starting in early September 2024. This episode covers all the details. 

To see all the details in writing:

https://www.greenheartliving.com/writingcircle

Don't let your story go unwritten!

PS - Early Bird pricing available through August 31st.

From Shoebox Accounting to Financial Succe$$

Do the finances in your small business feel overwhelming and out of control?

In this episode, I talk with Trish Maselli about how small business owners can take control of their money and find financial success.

Her newly released book From Shoebox Accounting to Financial Success: 9 Strategies to Take Control Over Your Money is a must-read for small business owners. The book provides valuable info on business structure, understanding and minimizing taxes, and managing your business to increase profits.

Trish Maselli, EA is an IRS Enrolled Agent and the owner of Clear Cut Accounting Services. She has worked with small business owners in different industries and helped them to obtain financial success. This book will show you how you can, too.

 

The paperback and ebook are now available on Amazon. 

 

To learn more about Trish and her work:

www.clearcutaccountingservices.com

The Bend in the River with Jackie Baldwin

Since she was a young child, Jackie Baldwin felt drawn to the water. In 2020, she set out on a course to segment-paddle the entire 410 miles of the Connecticut River from “source to sea.” On this journey, she has found healing and spiritual growth, and she shares this with us in this episode and in the pages of her new book, The Bend in the River. Her brave and engaging storytelling of her experiences of trauma, healing, and self-discovery are sure to inspire those on their travels toward “the bend in the river.”

Her new book is available in ebook & paperback on Amazon.

You can follow her source-to-sea journey (with her trusty companions Baxter & Lulu by her side) go to her IG: @CTRIVERPUPS

 

I Did It for Her with Daisy Plaza

"Her final words were a promise I knew I had to keep. I have to tell the story...MY story."

 

Author Daisy Plaza experienced trauma and violence in her home from a young age: abuse as a child, gang membership, and intimate partner violence. It was everywhere she turned. It was what she knew.

 

Rather than letting this dampen her spirit, she used her experiences navigating trauma to help others on the front lines of the emergency room. In her newly released book I Did It for Her, Daisy shares how she was able to leave behind pain, trauma, and violence (including escaping a gang, an abusive marriage, and, even, a serial killer) - and focus on healing and showing her four children unconditional love and how to be strong no matter what the circumstances.

 

I Did It for Her is now available in paperback and ebook on Amazon. 

 

Trigger warning: This podcast would be rated PG, but the book does include some graphic descriptions of violence. Its focus, however, is on how Daisy moved through these experiences, learned from them, and used her inner strength to leave this all behind so she could heal.

Where Are All the Kids? with Teri Leonard Michaud

How far would you go to save your family?

In this episode, I speak with author Teri Leonard Michaud about her newly released book Where Are All the Kids?

Where Are All the Kids? reads like fiction but is based on a true story - that of Teri's own family. Set in 1958, when women had limited opportunities and independence, Teri's mother battled to keep her large Catholic family together, despite her husband's rampant alcoholism. 

Together, we talk about what it was like to write a story so close to home, tips for writers, and the healing available through writing.

Where Are All the Kids? published by Green Heart Living Press and is available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.

 

My DIY Writing Retreat in the Berkshires

Yes, there are lots of things you can do to make your home a cozy, productive, retreat-like environment, but sometimes, you just need to get out of dodge!

In this episode, I talk about some of the benefits of writing retreats - and a creative way I got to create my own writing retreat experience - for free!

I'd love to hear of any DIY Writing Retreats you may have done! Please share!