Finding Fabulous

Finding Your Fabulous Through Food, Family, and Reinvention with Dena Fenza EP 21

Kristin Hocker and Meghan Caponiti talk with Dena Fenza, founder of Micia Mammas, cookbook author, entrepreneur, and creator of a thriving Italian food and lifestyle brand. Dena shares her remarkable journey from growing up in a large Italian-American family in Brooklyn to navigating divorce, restaurant ownership, motherhood, and ultimately building a new life centered around her passion for food, family, and Italy. Throughout the conversation, Dena reflects on the lessons she learned from her grandparents, the challenges of running a restaurant while raising three children, and the courage it took to close one chapter of her life and begin another. What started as sharing family recipes during the pandemic evolved into a successful business that includes a cookbook, imported Italian products, olive oil production, and immersive tours in Tuscany. Key Points * Dena's love of cooking began in her grandparents' kitchen, where recipes were passed down through experience rather than written instructions. * After years of working multiple jobs, running a restaurant, and raising three children, she made the difficult decision to close her restaurant and focus on her family. * During the pandemic, she began sharing family recipes online, eventually transforming Micia Mammas into a successful business and personal brand. * Living part-time in Tuscany deepened her appreciation for quality ingredients, traditional food culture, and a healthier approach to eating. * Dena believes reinvention is possible at any age and encourages women to take small steps, trust the process, and never give up on themselves. Dena's story is a powerful reminder that life's setbacks don't define our future. Through resilience, hard work, and a deep connection to her heritage, she transformed challenges into opportunities and created a business rooted in passion and purpose. Her message is simple but inspiring: it's never too late to reinvent yourself, pursue your dreams, and create a life that feels truly fabulous. Connect with Dena Website [https://miciamammas.com/collections/frontpage] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/Miciamammas/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/miciamammas/?hl=en] Connect with Meghan and Kristin   Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/galsgetrealpod/]

The Movement Behind MilkMate and the Future of Working Parenthood EP 20

Patrice Meagher, founder and CEO of MilkMate, joined Kristin Hocker and Meghan Caponiti for a powerful conversation about entrepreneurship, motherhood, workplace equity, and building solutions that truly support working parents. Patrice shared how her years in commercial real estate, combined with her own experience pumping breast milk while working in demanding office environments, inspired her to create MilkMate, a breast pumping as a service company designed to remove stress and inefficiencies for working mothers. Throughout the episode, Patrice explained how MilkMate is helping companies rethink workplace wellness and employee support. She discussed the emotional and mental load many women carry when returning to work postpartum and emphasized that better workplace systems aren't just “nice to have,” they’re essential for retention, advancement, and equity. Key Points: * Patrice’s transition from commercial real estate into entrepreneurship and how her firsthand struggles as a working mother inspired the creation of MilkMate. * How MilkMate saves women significant time and mental energy by providing fully serviced pumping stations and support directly in the workplace. * The importance of creating workplaces where women feel “seen” and supported during the return-to-work journey after maternity leave. * Patrice’s candid discussion about fundraising, FDA approval, rejection, and the realities of building a startup from the ground up. * Why Patrice believes women’s leadership, efficiency, and problem-solving skills are critical to improving workplaces and industries across the board. The episode also explored larger themes around work-life balance, advocacy, resilience, and creating meaningful change for the next generation of women entering the workforce. Patrice’s honesty, humor, and mission-driven leadership made for an inspiring and deeply relatable conversation. Connect with Patrice Website [https://milkmate.com/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/milkmateinc/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/themilkmate/about/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/MilkMateInc] Connect with Meghan and Kristin   Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/galsgetrealpod/]

Reinventing Midlife with Style and Confidence with Leslie Wuischpard EP 19

Kristin Hocker and Meghan Caponiti sit down with Leslie Wuischpard, founder of Her Midlife Style, to talk about reinventing yourself in midlife, building confidence, and creating community through fashion and connection. Leslie shares how becoming an empty nester inspired her to launch an Instagram account focused on elevated everyday style for women over 50, eventually growing it into a thriving platform with more than 100,000 followers. Key Points * Leslie shares the emotional experience of becoming an empty nester and how that transition motivated her to start something entirely new for herself. * The conversation highlights how intimidating it can feel to put yourself online, especially in midlife, and why taking the first step matters more than perfection. * Leslie explains how supportive female communities on Instagram helped her grow both personally and professionally, proving that women truly can lift each other up. * The hosts and Leslie discuss affordable fashion, confidence-building style tips, and the importance of finding clothing that works for real women in everyday life, including tall women and women with adaptive clothing needs. * A major theme throughout the episode is that midlife can be the beginning of an exciting new chapter, not the end of one. The conversation encourages women to pursue passions, start businesses, and redefine themselves at any age. This conversation with Leslie is a reminder that midlife can be one of the most exciting and empowering chapters of life. What started as a way to navigate the emotions of becoming an empty nester turned into a thriving community centered around style, confidence, and connection. Leslie’s story proves that it’s never too late to start something new, learn new skills, or pursue a passion that lights you up. Through honest conversations about fashion, reinvention, entrepreneurship, and the importance of supportive female friendships, this episode encourages women to stop waiting for the “perfect” moment and simply begin. Sometimes the biggest transformations happen when you take that very first step. Connect with Leslie Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/hermidlifestyle?fbclid=IwY2xjawRqm_9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFtcWJObVdUc2JTVkZ4WGpFc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkJFVLJUtnhE40LdbxQwo99eAH8ScOPOUJzC_nhOFnz-6ib4nWZ31_tSLm40_aem_M6j2t_Y9a9b7R_L_0UM-lw] Connect with Meghan and Kristin   Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/galsgetrealpod/]

An Intentional Optimist: Lisa Walsh on Health, Healing, and the Power of Human Connection EP 18

Kristin Hocker and Meghan Caponiti sit down with Lisa Walsh, an author, content creator, and Director of Resident Experience, to explore her unconventional career path and deeply personal health journey. From working in publishing and marketing in Ireland to navigating kidney disease, dialysis, and ultimately a life-saving transplant, Lisa shares how resilience and optimism shaped her path. Lisa opens up about living with kidney disease from childhood, the realities of dialysis during COVID, and the emotional experience of receiving a donor kidney. She reflects on the profound connection she built with her donor’s family and how that relationship brought meaning, healing, and a new perspective on life. Key Points * Lisa’s career path wasn’t linear, moving from publishing to international marketing to senior living, showing the value of reinvention * She went through dialysis during COVID, which added isolation but also created meaningful connections with caregivers * Lisa chose to accept a “high-risk” kidney to increase her chances rather than continue waiting * She built a relationship with her donor’s family, creating a powerful connection rooted in gratitude and healing * Humor and openness helped her navigate emotional moments, including meeting the donor’s family for the first time * April’s Donate Life Month highlights how one donor can save multiple lives through organ, tissue, and eye donation * Lisa believes positivity is both natural and a daily choice, shaped by intentional habits * Her “fabulous” comes from connecting with people and finding joy in everyday interactions Lisa’s journey highlights how even the most difficult challenges can lead to purpose and connection. Her story isn’t just about survival, it’s about choosing optimism, embracing people, and finding meaning in every chapter of life.  Connect with Lisa Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/lisawwalsh/] Connect with Meghan and Kristin   Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/galsgetrealpod/]

Finding Strength in the Unexpected with Lee Woodruff EP 17

On this episode of Finding Fabulous, Kristin Hocker and Meghan Caponiti talk with journalist, author, and advocate Lee Woodruff to explore what it means to navigate life’s most unexpected challenges. Lee shares her family’s journey following her husband Bob Woodruff’s traumatic brain injury while reporting in Iraq and the long road to recovery that followed. She reflects on resilience, the power of community, and how purpose can emerge from hardship through the creation of the Bob Woodruff Foundation. The conversation also dives into mindset, healing, humor, and how women can redefine their next chapter with intention and courage. Key Points * Life unfolds in chapters shaped by both choice and circumstance, not a single linear plan * Resilience is built through small, daily actions rather than one defining moment * “Payback days” are a natural part of recovery after emotional or physical strain * Community support plays a critical role in navigating trauma and rebuilding stability * The “four F’s” framework for resilience: friends, family, faith, and funny * Hope is a deliberate choice that fuels forward momentum during uncertainty * The Bob Woodruff Foundation was created to turn personal tragedy into meaningful impact for veterans * Women in midlife are redefining success and creating new paths on their own terms * Storytelling and connection are powerful tools for healing and inspiration Lee’s story is a powerful reminder that even in life’s most devastating moments, there’s a path forward. Through resilience, community, and a commitment to finding meaning in the struggle, she and her family transformed hardship into purpose.  Her perspective encourages us to look for the small moments of “fabulous” each day and to trust that, over time, those moments build a life filled with strength, connection, and possibility. Connect with Lee LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-woodruff-629b3428/] Website [https://bobwoodrufffoundation.org/] Connect with Meghan and Kristin   Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/galsgetrealpod/]