Traditions Reimagined with Tara Punzone

The Power of the Hum: Front Porch Wisdom & The Legacy of Mahalia Jackson with Valerie Nero

In this deeply moving episode of The Bucket Wish, host Erica Nicole Malone sits down with an extraordinary woman who completely changed her life: minister, entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker Valerie Nero. As the niece of civil rights icon and "Queen of Gospel" Mahalia Jackson, Valerie shares intimate, never-before-heard stories from her childhood. Step inside Mahalia's vibrant home as Valerie recalls playing in her aunt's famous wig closet, getting "Shirley Temple curls" in her hair, and witnessing the exact lineage of strength that led Mahalia to shout, "Tell 'em about the dream, Martin!" at the historic March on Washington. But this episode is also about Valerie’s own fierce journey of perseverance. Together, Erica and Valerie dive into: The Power of the Hum: How the old-school tradition of humming brought healing and comfort through generations of hardship. Shrewd Business & Intuition: The sharp business acumen and protective foresight passed down by the women in Valerie’s family. Surviving Life’s Darkest Places: A raw, honest look at how Valerie survived the grief of COVID, losing her beloved brother, and a volatile separation from her mother by tapping directly into her DNA of resilience. Auntie’s Winning Wisdom: Valerie’s passion for launching a new movement to bring "kitchen table and front porch guidance" to a generation of young women who desperately need a village. Get ready to laugh, cry, and feel the undeniable spirit of the ancestors. "It is amazing when people transition. It's like they become you. Their spirit comes into you... and that gives you the strength." — Valerie Nero Connect with The Bucket Wish Community: Go out, live your dreams, and do something special just for you. Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and join us next week for another inspiring story!

Unlocking Your Inner Funny

Vulnerability, Healing, and Comedy with Susanna Spies Welcome back to The Bucket Wish—which started as a documentary but has officially blossomed into a movement! Each week, host Erica Nicole Malone takes you on a journey to uncover hidden parts of yourself, face the seemingly impossible, and fearlessly chase your dreams. In this episode, Erica Nicole Malone is joined by her brilliant friend, veteran comedian, and premier comedy coach, Susanna Spies. Erica opens up about facing one of her own ultimate bucket list wishes: stepping up to the microphone to perform stand-up comedy. Together, Erica and Susanna pull back the curtain on what it really takes to find your comedic voice, master the stage, and use humor as a powerful tool for emotional survival and healing. What You’ll Discover in This Episode: Stand-Up vs. Improv: Susanna breaks down the technical differences between navigating a spontaneous improv scene and meticulously crafting a stand-up set (from premises to act-outs). The Vulnerability Leap: How to push past being a private person, embrace the fear of the unknown, and authentically connect with an audience. Comedy as a Form of Ministry: A deep dive into how humor helps us navigate heavy times, lower our blood pressure, and find a cathartic release from life’s biggest struggles. Your Voice is Plentiful: Why comedy has no expiration date, why you should never try to emulate anyone else, and how to start finding the funny in your everyday, mundane experiences. "Funny is a bone. You’ve got funny bones out the gate. But I’m less interested about coaching how to be funny, and I’m more interested about how to teach you how to share who you are through comedy." *Susanna Spies* Connect with the Movement Don't let regret dictate your journey—get in front of it and enjoy the ride! There is no right or wrong when you trust your vision. Go out, live your dreams, and do something special just for you. Subscribe & Review: If this episode inspired you to dust off your own bucket list, please leave us a review and share this episode with a friend who needs a laugh today! Tune in Next Week: Join us every week for more incredible, soulful, and inspiring stories. See you next time!

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!