Episodi

  • Episode 95: Creating New Worlds for Young Readers: Author Kristie Ferrugiaro on The Saga of the Selenixies, Fantasy, Friendship & Resilience

    Episode 95: Creating New Worlds for Young Readers: Author Kristie Ferrugiaro on The Saga of the Selenixies, Fantasy, Friendship & Resilience
    Jan 14 2026
    In this imaginative and inspiring episode, we sit down with emerging author Kristie Ferrugiaro, creator of the fantasy adventure series The Saga of the Selenixies, a captivating new world written to empower young readers through storytelling. Kristie introduces us to the Selenixies — mystical beings once united by an ancient crystal fortress until its destruction sent them scattering across different worlds. Separated from one another, stripped of their powers, and challenged by dark forces, the Selenixies must complete seven trials to restore their strength, rebuild trust in the Universe, and reunite before time runs out. Kristie shares how the story was inspired during COVID, as she watched her three sons create incredible mythical worlds at home using Tonka trucks, toys, and pure imagination. What began as imaginative play during an uncertain time became the foundation for a richly layered fantasy series rooted in creativity, connection, and resilience. More than just a fantasy novel, The Saga of the Selenixies explores powerful themes of teamwork, friendship, resilience, self-belief, and perseverance — showing young readers that the trials they face in life help shape who they become. Kristie also discusses her creative process, how she builds immersive worlds for children, and why stories that highlight cooperation and empowerment are more important than ever. This episode is perfect for parents, teachers, librarians, young readers, and aspiring authors looking for meaningful children’s fantasy books that blend adventure with emotional growth. Kristie’s work reminds us that we are strongest when we support one another — on the page and in real life.
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    31 min
  • From the NICU to Darcy’s List: How Darcy Santora Built a Family-Focused Community Helping Parents Find Safe, Fun Places in New Jersey

    From the NICU to Darcy’s List: How Darcy Santora Built a Family-Focused Community Helping Parents Find Safe, Fun Places in New Jersey
    Dec 19 2025
    In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, we sit down with Darcy Santora, the creator of Darcy’s List, a rapidly growing Instagram community that helps families discover fun, safe, and kid-friendly places in New Jersey and beyond. Darcy shares the deeply personal origin of Darcy’s List — a moment that began in the NICU with her third baby, when a nurse encouraged her to write down all the fun things she dreamed of doing with her child once they were home. What started as a simple list to cope became a powerful outlet for hope — and eventually evolved into a trusted resource for thousands of parents navigating life with kids. With a background in marketing, Darcy explains how her platform grew organically by focusing on authenticity, consistency, and genuine connection. She brings her audience along as she explores family-friendly destinations, indoor and outdoor activities, and local hidden gems — primarily across New Jersey, but increasingly expanding to nearby states and travel destinations.
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    33 min
  • Episode 93: Julia Au, Co-Founder of Tempaper & Co., Revolutionized Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper

    Episode 93: Julia Au, Co-Founder of Tempaper & Co., Revolutionized Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper
    Dec 5 2025
    In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Julia Au, co-founder and CEO of the nation’s first peel-and-stick temporary wallpaper brand and a true trailblazer in modern home décor. Julia shares the remarkable story of how she and her twin sister launched their business in 2008—long before peel-and-stick wallpaper became a trend—and how they grew it from a tiny self-funded startup into a national brand sold in Target stores across the country. Julia opens up about the early days: hustling through multiple jobs, working alongside her production-designer aunt on NYC film sets, researching wallpaper history from their apartment floor, and the long nights spent building prototypes with no roadmap and no investors. She reveals the pivotal phone call that transformed their company overnight—a call that led to an 1,800-store rollout at Target and permanently changed the peel-and-stick industry. We dive into the creative process behind reinventing wallpaper, why craftsmanship and domestic manufacturing matter, and how the company continues to lead with design, quality, and eco-friendly materials. Julia also shares her experience as a CEO, founder, and mom of two, discussing the mental load, discipline, and daily habits that help her run a thriving company while raising a family. Whether you’re a designer, entrepreneur, DIY décor lover, or mom building a dream from scratch, Nicole’s story is a masterclass in innovation, resilience, and the power of belief.
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    33 min
  • Episode 92: Grief, Grace & Giving Back with Rachel McGonigle

    Episode 92: Grief, Grace & Giving Back with Rachel McGonigle
    Nov 21 2025
    In this powerful episode, we sit down with Grief Coach Rachel McGonigle, a mother who turned unthinkable loss into a mission to support others walking through grief. Rachel shares her deeply personal journey navigating life after the loss of her twin girls—while still showing up as a mom to her son. She opens up about what it felt like in the early days, when the message was simply to “deal with it” or figure it out alone. Instead of accepting the stigma of silence, Rachel did the opposite: she dove into learning, healing, and gathering every resource she could find. And she refused to keep any of it to herself. That desire to learn and share ultimately led her to write her book, The Truth About Healing After Loss: A Proven Way Forward For Grievers Who Reject The “Forever Broken” Narrative and Want To Heal. In it, Rachel challenges outdated beliefs about grief and offers a path forward for those who want to heal without feeling guilty for it. Today, she uses her education, personal experience, and compassion not as a way to erase pain, but to empower others to move through it with support, honesty, and hope.
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    33 min
  • Episode 91: Rooted in Flavor: Chef Grace Crossman’s Journey from Cardinal Provisions to Mabel

    Episode 91: Rooted in Flavor: Chef Grace Crossman’s Journey from Cardinal Provisions to Mabel
    Nov 7 2025
    In this inspiring episode of Mom Boss Chronicles, we sit down with Grace Crossman, owner and head chef of Cardinal Provisions in Asbury Park and the newly opened Mabel at Bell Works. Grace shares her story of how passion, creativity, and community fueled her journey from a small local kitchen to leading two beloved culinary destinations. She opens up about her deep love for cooking, her connection to the Asbury community, her garden initiatives in her neighborhood, and how she’s cultivating both her restaurants and her growing family. From balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood to fostering sustainability and local partnerships, Grace gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build a legacy rooted in purpose — and flavor. If you love food, community, and stories of women redefining success on their own terms, this episode is a must-listen.
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    27 min
  • Episode 90: How One Prosecutor Redefined Success Through Love, Family, and Purpose

    Episode 90: How One Prosecutor Redefined Success Through Love, Family, and Purpose
    Oct 22 2025
    In this inspiring episode of Mom Boss Chronicles, we sit down with a remarkable guest whose life took an unexpected turn from the fast-paced world of law to a more balanced, purpose-driven life. Once on track to become a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, she was fiercely career-focused—until meeting the man who would become her husband changed everything. She opens up about how marriage and motherhood reshaped her definition of success, the challenges of stepping off the traditional career fast track, and how she continues to pursue her passion for law in a more flexible way. Today, she’s also making a difference locally as a Board of Education member, proving that ambition doesn’t disappear—it evolves. Tune in for a conversation about career pivots, identity, motherhood, and the power of choosing fulfillment over perfection.
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    34 min
  • Episode 89: Redefining Health Through Hormone Therapy, Weight Management & More

    Episode 89: Redefining Health Through Hormone Therapy, Weight Management & More
    Oct 8 2025
    In this episode of Mom Boss Chronicles, we sit down with Dr. Danielle Biggs, MD and Dr. Corinne Espinosa, DO — two powerhouse physicians who balance their demanding careers in the ER with running their own thriving private practice, NuGen Medical. Passionate about transforming patient care beyond the hospital walls, they share how their journey led them to open a practice focused on hormone therapy, weight management, peptide therapy, and holistic health and wellness. We dive into: ⚕️ What inspired their transition from emergency medicine to integrative wellness care 💡 The role of hormone health in energy, mood, and longevity 🥗 Practical tips for sustainable weight management 🧬 How peptide therapy is changing the future of medicine 👩‍⚕️ Their unique perspective as women doctors balancing career, business, and family If you’re curious about modern, science-backed approaches to feeling your best from the inside out, this empowering episode is a must-listen. https://nugen-medical.com/home/
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    34 min
  • Episode 88: Catching up with photographer Megan Khichi

    Episode 88: Catching up with photographer Megan Khichi
    Sep 22 2025
    In this episode of Mom Boss Chronicles, we sit down with Megan Khichi, a beloved local photographer who shares her inspiring journey into photography. From her early love of Jane Magazine—where she landed an internship—to being the friend who always had her digital camera in hand, her path was filled with creativity, passion, and plenty of twists along the way. After friends and family began raving about her portraits, she found herself pursuing photography more seriously. She opens up about her many career changes, including a decade-long career as a special education teacher, which while rewarding, took an emotional toll. She also talks about the encouragement of her supportive husband and the joy of raising her three active, sporty daughters. Through it all, she discovered that capturing life’s moments behind the lens is where her heart truly belongs. Join us for this inspiring conversation about resilience, creativity, and finding purpose in unexpected places. Perfect for anyone balancing career pivots, family life, and the pursuit of passion. IG: megankhichiphoto
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    50 min