The Bucketwish With ERICKA NICOLE MALONE

Who Are You When the Camera Stops?

With guests Tara Punzone & Debra Mars "It was all a dream..." This week on The BucketWish Podcast, Erica Nicole Malone sits down for an intimate, soul-stirring conversation with two absolute powerhouses who are redefining what it means to live a multifaceted, audacious life. Meet Tara, the thick-headed rebel who stood as part of the resistance to keep her LA vegan Italian restaurant alive during COVID, and Debra, a corporate America veteran who stepped off the traditional path to build her own business and launch a national design line. They are proof that being a little "crazy" is exactly what it takes to jump off the cliff and land on your feet. But who are they when the cameras are off, the restaurant doors are closed, and it’s just them? In this beautifully raw episode, we strip away the titles and get down to the heartbeat of what drives us. Turn down the external noise and step into a space of unexpected inspiration, covering: The Anthems That Move Us: How a shared passion for music—from heavy metal and old-school blues to playing Biggie Smalls at closing time—reminds us that childhood dreams really do come to fruition. Gift vs. Purpose: Why being talented at something isn't the same as your true life calling, and how Debra discovered her ultimate purpose: unconditionally spreading joy and hope. The Magic of Simple Pasta: Tara shares her lifelong mission of spreading non-violence and love through food, proving that a plant-based life doesn't mean missing out on the things that bring us together. Sitting in Front of God: A profound, tear-jerking moment where Erica, Tara, and Debra discuss what they would say in a private conversation with the Divine—and the vital importance of giving ourselves more grace. There is so much heaviness in the world right now, but your piece of light can make a massive difference. Grab your coffee, find a moment of silence to just feel your breath, and join us for an episode that feels less like a podcast and more like church. Live a loud life. Come with us. Let's go. Tune in now on your favorite podcast platform! Go out, live your dreams, and do something special just for you—and we'll see you next week.

Creative Courage

Everyone has the idea. Almost no one implements it. In this episode of The Bucketwish, Ericka Nicole Malone sits with the question of why — and lands on creative courage as the missing variable. Not confidence, not capital, not a Rolodex. The willingness to jump into deep water knowing you can't yet swim, trusting you'll figure it out once you're in. She traces it through her own path: a Black writer from the South building plays with $25 checks from grandmothers on fixed incomes and $500 from a funeral home owner who signed the check while a mortician worked in the next room. Arriving in Hollywood to a chorus of don't expect to change anything and deciding, quietly, why not me. Producing Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story when similar projects already existed. Pivoting from screenwriter to documentary filmmaker and weathering the are you okay? phase that comes with any genuine reinvention. The throughline is practical: think smaller than you want to, keep your day job, write the business plan, ask ten people for a thousand dollars instead of one person for ten. And when the door slams — because it will — take the breath, retrace your steps, get back on the horse. A conversation for anyone sitting on an idea they keep almost starting.

Traditions Reimagined with Tara Punzone

In this week’s episode of The Bucket Wish, Erica Nicole Malone sits down with a true "change maker" and culinary rockstar: Tara Punzone, the visionary chef behind the renowned West Hollywood restaurant, Pura Vita Tara shares the deeply personal journey behind her new book, Vegana Italiana. It isn't just a cookbook—it’s a classy, story-filled tribute to her Southern Italian heritage and her Brooklyn roots. Tara discusses how she bridged the gap between her traditional Italian-American upbringing and her vegan lifestyle, proving that you don’t have to sacrifice flavor, family traditions, or your heritage to follow your heart. In this episode, we dive into: The Power of Heritage: How Tara’s grandparents' Brooklyn sandwich shop inspired her commitment to community and feeding the soul. Defying the "No": Tara’s hilarious and empowering story of being told she’d "never be hired" in a Roman kitchen because she was a woman—and how that fueled her fire to build her own empire. The Bucket Wish Philosophy: Why doing "you" and embracing the possibility of failure is the only way to catch the most amazing things in life. Dreams Beyond Borders: Tara reveals her long-held dream of opening a boutique vegan hotel and the importance of staying positive in a heavy world. Join Erica and Tara for an infusion of pure positivity and a reminder that your dreams are worth the "excavation" of your true self. Whether you are a foodie, an aspiring entrepreneur, or someone looking for the courage to start, this conversation will leave you inspired to move forward. --- "If you really feel that passion and you really believe that you want to do something... just do it. Try it. If you fail, you fail. But if you don't try, you could be missing out on one of the most amazing things in life." — Tara Punzone Follow The Bucket Wish: Don't forget to subscribe and join our community as we uncover the impossible together. See you next week!

Uncovering the Stillness with Tara Punzone and Deborah Mars

"I am so excited to have with me some of the most incredible women I have ever met." In this episode of The Bucketwish, Ericka Nicole Malone welcomes two dear friends who have paved impossible paths. First, the visionary Tara Punzone, owner and operator of Pura Vita in West Hollywood—the first 100% vegan Italian restaurant in the country. Tara shares the heart behind her journey, from her grandfather’s influence to her award-winning cookbook, Vegana Italiana, and how she found the endurance to keep her community fed through the hardest years. Ericka also sits down with the legendary Deborah Mars, an expert marketer and branding powerhouse who has shaped international icons (including Chester Cheetah) before pivoting into her true passion as a writer and creator. Deborah shares the powerful "COVID story" that led her to create her Black Santa line—a movement of representation born from a place of deep prayer and personal reboot. Together, they discuss the "Superwoman" myth and why the most creative thing you can do is finally show up for yourself.

Protecting the Little Girl Inside

Protecting the Little Girl Inside In this deeply moving episode of The BucketWish Podcast, Erica Nicole Malone sits down with the luminous Deborah, an entrepreneur and creative whose life story is a masterclass in resilience, boundaries, and the pursuit of joy. Deborah opens up about her personal evolution—from the rigid world of corporate suits and "church lady hats" to her current "Bohemian" era of luxury, kimonos, and self-chosen peace. She shares the poignant story behind her signature red-and-white kimono, a gift to herself that served as a catalyst for moving out of a mindset of lack and into a life of abundance. In this conversation, Erica and Deborah discuss: Honoring "Little Debbie":** Deborah keeps a childhood photo by her bed as a reminder to protect her inner child and trust her intuition. The Weight of Decade: Unpacking 50 years of "invisible" grief through counseling and finding the strength to put down the heavy burdens of the past. The Art of the Pivot: Moving from "hunting and killing" for a living to creating passive income and memorializing a legacy through writing. Guarding Your Peace: The necessity of "putting folks out of the car" and why Deborah no longer tolerates phonies, mean girls, or sarcasm masked as humor. *Finding Stillness: Why the biggest breakthroughs happen in the quiet moments and why you must be careful about who you speak your dreams to. Deborah’s mission is simple yet profound: to sprinkle joy. This episode is an invitation to get still, get brave, and finally start granting your own wishes. "Once you start adulting, you can't get so serious that you're not protecting the little girl inside. I have a responsibility to protect her."* — Deborah-Join the Movement: The BucketWish is more than a podcast; it’s a community dedicated to uncovering the impossible. Subscribe and join us each week as we share the stories that help you follow your dreams. Follow us on social media and share your own BucketWish today