Ashleigh Bergman: Building a Jewelry Brand with Heart and Soul

How Storytelling Connects Us to History, Each Other, and Ourselves | Bianca Sams

What happens when creativity, history, and humanity collide in the hands of a gifted storyteller? In this episode, I’m joined by Bianca Sams [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bianca-sams-bb236a24/], playwright, TV writer, historian at heart, and creative force, for a deeply moving conversation about storytelling, forgotten history, creativity, and the courage to build your own path. We explore Bianca’s journey from acting to playwriting and television writing, and how her fascination with untold stories led her to research overlooked moments in American history. Bianca shares the inspiration behind her work, exploring the lives of unsung heroes like Claudette Colvin and Black World War II soldiers whose stories of love, sacrifice, and resilience were buried by history. From researching archives in Paris to writing for television and theater, Bianca explains how storytelling can bridge cultures, connect generations, and help people see themselves reflected in history. In this episode, she reveals the importance of preserving human stories, creating art with purpose, and refusing to wait for permission to pursue your creative calling. Grab a drink! This conversation will inspire you to think differently about history, storytelling, creativity, and the power of human connection. Timestamps: (00:00) Intro & welcome toast (01:08) Toasting friendship and storytelling (01:52) Meeting at Paris playwright workshop (03:44) Researching a WWII love story (06:47) The “wait, what?” story test (09:33) WWII romance shaped by racism (16:52) Writing others’ stories with care (20:25) Claudette Colvin before Rosa Parks (25:41) Unsung heroes who inspire change (29:07) Why history feels disconnected (29:40) Teaching history through human stories (31:17) Theater builds empathy through stories (33:01) Writing for stage and screen (36:06) Finding hope inside hard stories (38:29) One story, many storytelling formats (41:32) Start your own party (47:56) Legacy lives through human connection Connect with me: Official website: https://www.backofyards.com/ [https://www.backofyards.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muccidiana [https://www.instagram.com/muccidiana]  Check out The Snugawinks of Cuddleton Falls: https://www.snugawinks.com [https://www.snugawinks.com]  Connect with my guest: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bianca-sams-bb236a24/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bianca-sams-bb236a24/]

Ashleigh Bergman: Building a Jewelry Brand with Heart and Soul

What happens when a love for jewelry and a passion for empowering others come together to create a thriving business? In this episode, I’m joined by Ashleigh Bergman [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleigh-cohen-bergman-5b220764/], founder of Milestones [http://www.ashleighbergman.com], jewelry entrepreneur, and creative powerhouse, for an inspiring conversation about turning passion into purpose, entrepreneurship, and the deeply personal connections jewelry can foster. We dive into Ashleigh’s journey from working at Fred Segal to becoming the senior jewelry buyer at Anthropologie, and how these experiences led her to launch her own brand, Milestones. Ashleigh shares how her deep-rooted love for jewelry, influenced by her family’s history, and her own entrepreneurial spirit propelled her to create a business that’s about much more than selling jewelry. From crafting meaningful connections with her clients to navigating the challenges of running a successful business, Ashleigh explains how Milestones is more than just a jewelry brand, it’s a community where personal growth, style, and authenticity shine through. In this episode, she reveals the importance of personalized customer service, maintaining authenticity, and the value of self-purchases in building confidence. Grab a drink! This conversation will inspire you to think differently about jewelry, business, and the magic of authenticity. Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (03:52) Ashleigh's early jewelry origins and family (05:37) Working at Fred Segal at 14 (11:09) Building trust through online presence (14:07) The inspiration behind starting Milestones (17:25) Understanding the meaning behind Milestones (19:51) The value of buying jewelry for yourself (22:07) Repurposing family jewelry and passing it down (25:40) Keeping jewelry memories alive (29:15) Inner flame igniting outer sparkle (31:50) Stacking confidence with jewelry (34:02) Artistry in combining different pieces (36:23) Balancing legacy, family, and business (40:50) Real talk styling advice from Ashleigh (43:48) Meaningful heart heirloom and family ties (45:53) How Ruby got her name Connect with me: Official website: https://www.backofyards.com/ [https://www.backofyards.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muccidiana [https://www.instagram.com/muccidiana]  Check out The Snugawinks of Cuddleton Falls: https://www.snugawinks.com [https://www.snugawinks.com]  Connect with my guest: Official website: http://www.ashleighbergman.com [http://www.ashleighbergman.com]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleigh-cohen-bergman-5b220764/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleigh-cohen-bergman-5b220764/]

Alex Spitz: From Overwhelmed New Mom to Building a Nationwide Mom Support Community

What happens when a new mom turns isolation, anxiety, and overwhelm into a movement that supports mothers across the country?  In this episode, I’m joined by Alex Spitz [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandraspitz/], entrepreneur, founder of New Mom School [https://newmomschool.com/], and mother of two, for an honest conversation about postpartum challenges, maternal mental health, and building the kind of support system most women never receive. We talk about her early experience with motherhood, where feelings of loneliness, relationship strain, and uncertainty led her to question everything, and how joining a simple mom group changed her life. Alex shares how that moment inspired her to create New Mom School, now a growing nationwide network that provides structured, research-based support for mothers during the first year postpartum. From soothing a crying baby to navigating feeding choices and emotional overwhelm, she explains how education and community can transform the motherhood experience. From scaling a business to 29 franchise locations to doing the inner work required to lead with empathy, this episode explores the realities of entrepreneurship while raising a family. Alex also reflects on identity, healing, and what it means to move from surviving motherhood to truly becoming within it. Grab a drink! This is a conversation that will change how you think about motherhood, support, and what women really need to thrive. Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (01:34) Porch banter and iced tea obsession (03:51) Entering retreat while feeling broken (06:33) Feeling seen and supported by women (08:29) Finding emotional safety in coaching spaces (10:16) Postpartum isolation and early motherhood struggles (11:15) Middle school betrayal and lasting impact (12:16) Discovering power of mom support groups (12:58) New Mom School growth and expansion (13:17) Unexpected realities of early motherhood (19:04) Curriculum focused on supporting the mother (22:15) Group circles based on baby age (24:00) Instructor training and supporting new moms (25:54) Research based approach to mom groups (26:37) Rebuilding community and emotional support systems (27:16) Teaching baby soothing and early challenges (28:20) Feeding choices without guilt or shame (32:07) Mom guilt and emotional breaking points (35:28) Parenting trends and leading with empathy (38:18) Franchising challenges and letting go control (41:14) Building culture and supporting franchise moms (44:52) The gap in postpartum care system (46:21) Expanding access and insurance possibilities (51:29) Advice for new moms feeling lost Connect with me: Official website: https://www.backofyards.com/ [https://www.backofyards.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muccidiana [https://www.instagram.com/muccidiana]  Check out The Snugawinks of Cuddleton Falls: https://www.snugawinks.com [https://www.snugawinks.com]  Connect with my guest: Official website: https://newmomschool.com/ [https://newmomschool.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandraspitz/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandraspitz/]

Arlene Malinowski on Growing Up With Deaf Parents and Finding Her Voice

What happens when a storyteller explores identity, language, and human connection across two worlds? In this episode, I’m joined by Arlene Malinowski [https://www.linkedin.com/in/arlene-malinowski-5921aab2/], Chicago playwright, performer, writer, and director of education and faculty for the Chicago Dramatists [https://www.chicagodramatists.org/] who grew up as a CODA, for an honest conversation about navigating life between deaf and hearing cultures, the power of storytelling, and how personal experience can become a bridge to empathy. We talk about the creation of her solo show (What Does the Sun Sound Like? [https://www.arlenemalinowski.com/what-does-the-sun-sound-like]) and book (Solo: The Everything Guide to Writing, Performing, and Producing Your One-Person Show [https://www.amazon.com/Solo-Everything-Performing-Producing-One-Person/dp/0810149710]), where deeply personal stories come to life through humor, vulnerability, and cultural insight. Arlene shares what it means to grow up translating not just language but emotion, how deaf storytelling traditions shaped her voice, and why stories have the power to transform how we see one another. From balancing art and making a living to investing in craft and finding purpose in creative work, this episode explores the realities of building a career rooted in passion and meaning. Arlene also reflects on family, belonging, and the moments that define who we are across different communities. Grab a seat! This is a conversation that will change how you think about communication, identity, and connection. Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (02:34) Growing up with deaf parents and early identity (03:19) What Does the Sun Sound Like and sensory imagination (06:37) Navigating code-switching between deaf and hearing worlds (11:22) Inside the deaf community and experiences in deaf church (13:54) What it really means to be CODA (child of deaf adults) (15:33) The origin of the show and the idea of coming home (19:24) How art, politics, and empathy intersect in storytelling (23:04) Traditions of storytelling within deaf culture (24:41) Figuring out a career path and creative direction (27:09) Balancing two tracks: passion and making a living (28:17) How a day job supports and fuels artistic work (28:54) The importance of investing time in craft (30:41) Why this book needed to be written (31:10) The creative dynamic behind the coauthor collaboration (33:17) What readers will take away from the book (34:38) The brain science behind why stories resonate (35:37) Transformation, meaning, and personal impact (38:58) Why solo shows create such strong audience connection (42:05) The “last sip” story and what it reveals (43:47) A sign language “meet the parents” moment (45:54) The “Penis Colada” story and its cultural context Connect with me: Official website: https://www.backofyards.com/ [https://www.backofyards.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muccidiana [https://www.instagram.com/muccidiana]  Check out The Snugawinks of Cuddleton Falls: https://www.snugawinks.com [https://www.snugawinks.com]  Connect with my guest: Official website: https://www.arlenemalinowski.com/ [https://www.arlenemalinowski.com/] Check out What Does the Sun Sound Like?: https://www.arlenemalinowski.com/what-does-the-sun-sound-like [https://www.arlenemalinowski.com/what-does-the-sun-sound-like] Check out Solo: The Everything Guide to Writing, Performing, and Producing Your One-Person Show: https://www.amazon.com/Solo-Everything-Performing-Producing-One-Person/dp/0810149710 [https://www.amazon.com/Solo-Everything-Performing-Producing-One-Person/dp/0810149710] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arlene-malinowski-5921aab2/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/arlene-malinowski-5921aab2/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arlenemalinowski/ [https://www.instagram.com/arlenemalinowski/]

Luis Salgado's Journey from Puerto Rico to Broadway

What happens when an artist reflects on legacy, passion, and human connection? In this episode, I’m joined by Luis Salgado [https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-salgado-artist/], a multifaceted performer, director, choreographer, educator, and founder of Salgado Productions [https://salgadoproductions.com/] and R.Evolución Latina [https://revolucionlatina.org/], for an honest conversation about his journey from Puerto Rico to Broadway, the power of cultural roots, and his mission to empower others through art. We talk about his work on On Your Feet and his latest production of 1776 at Ford’s Theatre [https://fords.org/performance/1776-2026/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23556959646&gbraid=0AAAAAp9WefLvhCHHRasfj9t6b824Iin5N&gclid=Cj0KCQiAhtvMBhDBARIsAL26pjGJ5UGZwumdZOj_DzgLR-ph4YR2pQQOacydSYQEQi-utu5hM-ViSwQaAi9iEALw_wcB], where history, artistry, and personal responsibility intersect. Luis shares the challenges of directing with limited time and resources, his dedication to elevating Latino voices in theater, and how he uses his platform to give back to the next generation of artists. From building community through art to balancing personal sacrifice and artistic fulfillment, this episode dives deep into the realities of a career built on passion, persistence, and purpose. Luis opens up about his relationship with his son, the lessons he's learning as a father, and the invaluable support of his family. Grab a seat! This is a conversation that will make you rethink what it means to truly shine. Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (00:39) Friends and collaborators: Diana talks about their collaboration (01:49) Rehearsing 1776 in DC: Rehearsing 1776 in Washington, DC (02:57) On your feet Chicago sprint: Fast-paced rehearsals for On Your Feet (05:33) Why this story hits now: On Your Feet's timely impact. (07:45) Opening night satisfaction: Luis expresses joy at opening night success (10:51) Directing your own son: Luis discusses directing his son (16:38) Roots in Puerto Rico: Embracing Puerto Rican roots in art (19:52) From dreamer to leader: Transitioning from dreamer to leader (23:03) Naivete, grit, and money lessons: Learning through struggle and financial challenges (25:53) Humility and gratitude: The importance of humility and gratitude (27:09) Burger King sacrifice: Luis’ mother’s sacrifice for small joys (29:25) Dare to go beyond: Embracing the motto "dare to go beyond." (30:50) Broadway setbacks: Overcoming Broadway challenges and setbacks (32:14) Founding R.Evolución Latina to uplift Latino artists (34:48) Free arts camp impact: Providing arts education to underserved youth (37:10) Writing as liberation: Writing as personal and collective liberation (42:39) New shows and gala: Upcoming projects and a gala performance (47:16) Saved You a Seat: A listener shares a heartfelt message (48:45) Final plot twist dream: Luis’ dream of gifting his mother a home Connect with me: Official website: https://www.backofyards.com/ [https://www.backofyards.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muccidiana [https://www.instagram.com/muccidiana]  Check out The Snugawinks of Cuddleton Falls: https://www.snugawinks.com [https://www.snugawinks.com]  Connect with my guest: Official website: https://salgadoproductions.com/ [https://salgadoproductions.com/] Official website: https://revolucionlatina.org/ [https://revolucionlatina.org/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-salgado-artist/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-salgado-artist/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lsalgadoart/ [https://www.instagram.com/lsalgadoart/]