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The Happier Hour
The Happier Hour is a weekly live show hosted by Kathleen Butler Smith, and joined by a team of co-hosts. The one hour show features interviews with women from around the world sharing thought-provoking stories about their lives and how they were able to discover their next steps.
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Who Was Your First Crush?
The Happier Hour
Ann Moses
Former Editor of "Tiger Beat"
Ann began her career in journalism early – as a reporter for her Junior High School to the city newspaper “Teen Page,” in the Anaheim Bulletin. By the time she was in college, she was co-editor of the college newspaper and did freelance writing for a Southern California weekly music newspaper called Rhythm n News.
At age 19, Ann was hired as a feature editor at Tiger Beat magazine. She covered the teen idols of the 60s and 70s from the Monkees, to Bobby Sherman, to David Cassidy.
She also wrote a weekly column for the British music newspaper the New Musical Express called “Ann Moses Hollywood Calling.” During this time she also did interviews for NME of many stars who were not teen idols, such as Andy Williams, Nancy Sinatra, Tina Turner, James Brown, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Osmonds, and The Carpenters. On her 21st birthday in 1968, Ann was named Editor of Tiger Beat.
She edited Tiger Beat until her resignation in 1972.
She is now the author of her best - selling memoir
“MEOW! my Groovy Life with Tiger Beat’s Teen Idols”.
Thanksgiving Tips &Tricks
Melissa McNamara
Morphmom Daily 's Culinary Queen
"Sweet Melissa's" Thanksgiving Day Picks:
APPS:
Pamela Salzman's Raw Brussels Sprout Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
Food Network's Potatoes Au Gratin
Epicurious' Butternut Squash Soup with Cider Cream
What's Gabby Cooking's Best Mashed Potatoes recipes
TURKEY:
Half-Baked Harvest's Herb and Butter Roasted Turkey with White Pan Gravy
&
DESSERT
GOT FLOUR?
The Happier Hour
Jennifer Lapidus
Founder of Carolina Ground Flour Mill
&
Author of "Southern Ground"
RECLAIMING FLAVOR THROUGH STONE-MILLED FLOUR [A BAKING BOOK]
Jennifer Lapidus is transforming bakery offerings across the southern United States with intensely flavorful flour, made from grains grown and cold stone-milled in the heart of the South at Carolina Ground Flour Mill. While delivering extraordinary taste, texture, and story, cold stone-milled flour also allows bakers to move away from industrial commodity flours to create sustainable and artisanal products. Jennifer is bridging the gap between local farmers and bakers. Now, in her latest cookbook, “Southern Ground: RECLAIMING FLAVOR THROUGH STONE-MILLED FLOUR [A BAKING BOOK]" Jennifer celebrates the incredible work of bakers all over the South Serving instruction and insight into how to use and enjoy these flavor-forward flours of geographic distinction,
Jennifer has been featured in Peter Reinhart's book "Whole Grain Breads", The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Splendid Table, Bon Appétit, Food and Wine, Saveur, Taste of the South, and numerous other local publications. Jennifer sits on the board of Carolina Farm Stewardship Association and is co-organizer of the Asheville Bread Festival.
Everyone is Part of the Party!
The Happier Hour
Laura Taylor
Founder of Mingle Mocktails
Laura Taylor, a high performing software executive, mother of two teenagers and happily married wife of over 20 years, found herself drinking too much- turning to alcohol to relieve the stress of balancing a family, career, and appearances of an ‘ideal’ lifestyle while feeling broken inside. With hard work and support of those around her, Laura quit drinking and got sober 5 years ago. While re-entering social situations, she found that her only option was bland seltzer, leaving her feeling uncomfortable and left out. Inspired by successful female entrepreneurs including Sara Blakeley and Tory Burch, who granted Laura an honorary Tory Burch Fellowship, Laura set out on a mission to remove the stigma associated with sobriety. In 2017, Mingle Mocktails was born, providing a healthy and delicious solution.
Laura set out to craft her beverage from only the purest ingredients. The booze-free beverage is low- calorie, low-sugar and made from natural botanical ingredients, for a refreshing alternative anywhere, anytime. As a result of Laura’s hard work and dedication, Mingle Mocktails is available on her website, regional supermarkets, Amazon, as well as Whole Foods! The beverage is available in five flavors (Blood Orange Elderflower Mimosa, Cucumber Melon Mojito, Blackberry
The Art of Forgiveness..
The Happier Hour
Denise Gaffney & Dr. Veronica Ruelas
Co-Founders of Forgivity
The lack of forgiveness fluency manifests in mental and physical health challenges, staggering suicide rates, increased cultural division and malignant widespread hatred. It's a silent epidemic and a generational problem in our world. Denice and Veronica decided to do something about it and founded Forgivity, a healing movement using a modern approach to the age old wisdom of forgiveness. We believe that Forgiveness is one of the most fundamental needs of a human life.
After a highly successful 20-year career on Wall Street, where Denise brokered international billion-dollar deals, she shifted gears and obtained a certification in Energy Leadership Coaching. Denise supports leaders in moving beyond what they imagined as possible for their own performance and success.
Dr. Veronica Ruelas is an entrepreneur, doctor, author, speaker, certified yoga and meditation practitioner and philanthropist. For the past 20 years she ran a successful optometric practice, founded the non-profit ThirdEyeVision Foundation which brought free eye care and the founder and CEO of AshramChic.
How To Look Your Best..
The Happier Hour
Shaye Strager
Celebrity Stylist & Image Consultant
While New York City provided 2 decades worth of fashion experience, it is her return to the South that has given Shaye Strager a stylish playing field for her discerning eye. For most of her career, Strager advised Manhattan clients, from celebrities to CEOs, on the fine art of styling and reported on trends as an authority for national television audiences on CBS and ABC News platforms. As a former spokesperson for the jewelry industry, she rallied designers and the media with baubles and bijou.
Today, Shaye has transformed her career into a multi-city affair. She styles an impressive group of power players in various industries, keeping CEOS, executives and individuals visually on-message. On a broader scale, Shaye has written corporate dress codes for both luxury brands and smaller private firms. Her influence helps clients stay focused on gaining trust and credibility with their wardrobe choices whether in person, online or on their social media feeds.
Shaye’s mission? To educate and and empower her clients to make confident wardrobe choices; helping to identify their personal style and maintain it with updates that fit their budgets. For more information on Shaye and her fashionable practice, visit ShayeStrager.com
What's Your Story...
The Happier Hour
Laurie Gelman
Best-Selling Author
From talk shows and music shows to parenting shows and news, Laurie Gelman has a wide range of media talents. She now adds best selling author to the list with her brutal take on room parenting in both "Class Mom" , "You’ve Been Volunteered" and “Yoga Pant Nation: A Novel” Her most recent novel, "Smells Like Tween Spirit" was just released!
She began her career in Canada, then went on to co-host several shows in both Canada and the U.S. including the groundbreaking show Breakfast Time with Tom Bergeron for the f/X network. Laurie spent two years as a correspondent for ABC's Good Morning America, and, later, The Early Show on CBS. She was a contributing editor for the now defunct Cookie Magazine and a blogger for babycenter.com. More importantly, she was the class mom at her daughters' school for 5 years. She considers this the toughest job she has ever had. Laurie is married to Michael Gelman, Executive Producer of ABC's Live with Kelly and Ryan and is the mother of two beautiful girls.
The Gift of Giving...
The Happier Hour
Christina Sharkey Geist
Founder of Boombox
Author and Co-Founder of True Geist
After taking four years off when her kids were toddlers, Christina Geist started two small businesses and sold her first children’s book, "Buddy's Bedtime Battery", to Random House right around her 40th birthday. Her 2nd release "Sorry Grown-Ups, You Can't Go To School!" debuted at #4 on the New York Times Bestseller list. Her latest novel, "Buddy's New Buddy" will release this July!
In addition to publishing, Christina has spent the past 6 years as co-owner of a boutique branding firm, True Geist, and using that income as the seed capital, she in turn created her own brand, Boombox Gifts, an online boutique for personalized memory boxes co-created by family and friends. Boombox Gifts has been featured in numerous media outlets including, O Magazine, Today , Martha Stewart Weddings and USA Today , just to name a few!
Geist's early career spans news producing, public relations, marketing, brand and design strategy positions at large agencies like Arnold Worldwide and Interbrand, in house at Johnson & Johnson and inside growing startups. She lives in New York with her husband (and Ridgewood High School prom date), Sunday TODAY and Morning Joe host Willie Geist, and their kids, Lucie and George.
Twisted Family Values...
The Happier Hour
Victoria Chickering
Best Selling Author
Essayist & Lyricist
VC Chickering is the author of two hysterical novels published by St. Martin's Press: the four-generation dysfunctional family journey, TWISTED FAMILY VALUES; and the hilarious/scandalous suburban romp, NOOKIETOWN. Her essays have appeared in The Washington Post, Cosmo, and BUST magazines; Grown & Flown and Robot Butt sites; as well as the anthologies, “Mom’s Don’t Have Time To,” "A Girls Guide to Taking over the World," and "The BUST Guide to the New Girl Order."
Victoria has written on-air creative for Comedy Central, MTV, Lifetime, and Oxygen networks, as well as Discovery, NickMom, and Google. She was thrilled to have been named the Erma Bombeck Humor Writer of the Month for July, 2019 and is currently at work on a delightful historical romance about two friends traveling on Eurail passes in the summer of 1988.
Chickering lives with her family in New Jersey where she writes and performs witty original songs for her band, Tori Erstwhile and The Montys
Chickering lives with her family in New Jersey where she writes and performs witty original songs for her band, Tori Erstwhile and The Montys (found on the band’s YouTube channel). Visit vcchickering.com for entertaining links and follow her on Insta/Fb/Twitter @VCChickering.
All That Glitters Is Not Gold...
The Happier Hour
Jenny Reinhardt
New Jersey Artist
Jenny Flexner Reinhardt is a quickly emerging New Jersey artist who has had 7 solo exhibitions in the last three years, including My Sunny Disposition, Drive Like Your Kids Live Here!, Everything Must Go!, The Price of Sugar, Palimpsests, Not Your Average, and See You at the Movies. A selection of group shows includes Deadlocked and Loaded, Go Figure, and Rise. Jenny earned her Masters's Degree in Traditional Figure Painting, Cum Laude, from the New York Academy of Art, and soon thereafter received an Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant and an NYAA Merit Scholarship. Her BA is in English Literature from the University of Michigan. She currently works in a 2-story light-filled studio in the vibrant Valley Arts District of Orange, NJ.
“All that glitters is not gold” partly describes Jenny’s overarching artistic choices. As a contemporary woman, dazzled and subsumed by the trappings of contemporary culture, Jenny artistically marries the happy with the sad, the bright with the dark. Jenny’s art travels back and forth from the blinding distractions of the material here-and-now to the bliss of an abstract metaphysical experience. Jenny likes to hide ghostly clues within the glittering façade of “prettiness”. Supported by a strong foundation in traditional figure painting, Jenny now experiments with painting, collage, printmaking, and abstraction, and collage on plexiglass, LED-backlit lightboxes.
Raising Kids...
The Happier Hour
Melinda Wenner Moyer
Award Winning Editor, Author & Journalist
Melinda Wenner Moyer is a contributing editor at Scientific Americanmagazine and a regular contributor to The New York Times, Washington Post, and other national magazines and newspapers. She is a faculty member in the Science, Health & Environmental Reporting program at NYU’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. Her first book, How To Raise Kids Who Aren’t Assholes, was published in July 2021 by J.P. Putnam’s Sons. Excerpts have been published in The New York Times, The Atlantic, and Parents magazine, and the book is being translated into seven languages.
Melinda was the recipient of the 2019 Bricker Award for Science Writing in Medicine, and her work was featured in the 2020 Best American Science and Nature Writing anthology. She was also awarded a 2018 Alicia Patterson Foundation fellowship. Moyer’s work has won first place prizes in the Awards for Excellence in Health Care Journalism, the Folio Eddie Awards and the Annual Writing Awards of the American Society of Journalists and Authors. It has also been shortlisted for a James Beard Journalism Award, a National Academy of Sciences Communication Award and a National Magazine Award. She has a master’s in Science, Health & Environmental Reporting from NYU and a background in cell and molecular biology.
Got Sweets?
The Happier Hour
Elizabeth Schmitt
Owner & Board Stylist ATL Boards
Elizabeth Schmitt had a passion for food, entertaining and styling. She decided to take those hobbies and create a business based upon everything she loved, and ATL Boards was born! A former New Yorker, Elizabeth has lived in Florida, Connecticut and Paris before finally settling down in Atlanta, Georgia with her family and business.
ATL Boards is a Candy Charcuterie (aka candy board) company in Atlanta, GA. They sources the most unique candy from around the world to bring you the most fun and delicious custom created candy boards. They have been featured in Better Homes and Gardens, the AJC (Atlanta Journal-Constitution), the Atlantan, and Simply Buckhead.
What's Your Story?
The Happier Hour
Caytha Jentis
Award winning Writer
Playwright, Director & Producer
Caytha Jentis has written, directed and produced feature films, an online series, and an award-winning stage play that has been turned into a musical. She has several projects in various stages of development, and has an MFA in Screenwriting from UCLA and a BS in TV/Film from Syracuse University.
She began her career as a literary agent in New York and was profiled by the Writers Guild and Screenwriter Magazine. She is a member of the Writers Guild, Film Fatales and the Producers Guild.
Caytha's online comedy series , The Other F Word, streamed on Amazon and was one of its top series four months in a row. It now streams on The Girlfriend, AARP Gen X platform. It features: Steve Guttenberg, Judy Gold, Alysia Reiner and Gilbert Gottfried.
Caytha has also written 5 films, including, Bad Parents, which she also produced and directed, and currently streams on HBO, Hulu and Starz. It had previously streamed on Netflix and made the Redbox and iTunes top 20 comedy lists. The cast includes: Janeane Garofalo, Cheri Oteri, Christopher Titus and Kristen Johnston. She also wrote, And Then Came Love, a romantic comedy feature which now streams on Amazon. Its cast includes: Vanessa Williams, Eartha Kitt, Anna Camp and Ben Vereen. Her short film, April Showers, is currently doing the festival circuit.
Caytha received the NJ Playwrights Competition for her play, It’s All About the Kids and her new work Sex Work/Sex Play has been selected to be part of the Emerging Artists Spring New Works Series.
As a producer, Caytha produces films, storytelling events and The Gold Standard Arts Festival, the only festival to celebrate emerging and established older artists. Her website is www.foxmeadowfilms.com
How To Get Run Over By A Truck
The Happier Hour
Katie McKenna
Best Selling Author
Professional Speaker & Leadership Coach
On a sunny morning bike ride in Brooklyn, 24-year-old Katie McKenna was forever changed when she was run over by an 18-wheeler. Being crushed under a massive semi wasn't something Katie should have survived. After 10 hours of emergency surgery, she woke to find herself in a body and a life that would never be the same.
What began as a journal entry on a borrowed laptop during her extended hospital stay, became the best-selling memoir, How to Get Run Over by a Truck. Katie now travels the country, speaking to a vast array of audiences on how to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles with resilience, hope, humor and gratitude. As a professional coach, Katie has made it her mission to use her life experience, insights and passion to inspire and support others. Through one-on-one coaching, she gives clients the tools to tap into your grit, personal courage, and joy to overcome challenges big and small.
Her story inspires others to see how kindness can change the course of a person’s life, to delight in the beauty of the everyday, and to see the strength that lives within themselves.
Katie’s work has been featured in Health Magazine, Brooklyn Magazine, Reader's Digest, Chicken Soup for the Soul, and the Daily Mail as well as many other publications. Katie has spoken at Fortune 500 companies, and Hospitals, Medical Schools ,Conferences and Universities across the country. Most recently, Ellen DeGeneres and the writers of the award winning Broadway musical “Come from Away” have teamed up with Warner Brothers to develop a 1 hour drama based on Katie’s story.
Making The Invisible... Visible
The Happier Hour
Megan McDowell
Founder of Heatworks
Speaker & Therapist & Activist
Megan McDowell is a licensed therapist and the founder of Heartworks, a non for profit acts of kindness group. She is an enthusiastic leader that sparked a movement focused on conscious giving and self-awareness in honor of the kindness shown to her sister Maryanne after her brother-in-law, John Farrell, was killed on September 11, 2001. Her story is a motivational tale of turning a horrible tragedy into an incredible movement.
Heartworks is a local grassroots community of women committed to replicating and sustaining the palpable kindness of others by helping local families dealing with grief, illness and tragedy. Inspired by the mutual healing that takes place through receiving and giving, they offer hope to those in a true time of need.
Her story is known internationally, and has reached over 2 million viewers on Mike Rowe's hit show " Returning The Favor"!
What's Next
The Happier Hour
JJ Ramberg
Founder of Goodpods & DogDog.org
Former MSNBC Anchor
JJ Ramberg is an entrepreneur, television host, public speaker, podcast host, entrepreneur, best-selling author and mom.
She is the founder of Goodpods - the podcast player where you can follow friends, groups and influencers to see what they're listening to.
JJ is also the co-founder of DogDog.org, the search engine that supports shelter dogs each time you do a search. To date, they have raised more than $7 million to help dogs in need.
JJ has been honored for her work by organizations including the American Women’s Business Association, Self Magazine, The Association of Women Entrepreneurs and Executives, Small Business Influencers and the New York Enterprise Report. JJ was recently named to Inc Magazine's Female Founders 100 and Goodpods was listed as one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies.
Before Goodpods, JJ anchored the show Your Business on MSNBC for over a decade. She is also author of two books: The bestseller It’s Your Business and the children’s book The Startup Club.
Create A New Beginning
The Happier Hour
Kim Sleeman
Executive Director of The Warehouse NJ
After spending years volunteering with various organizations including The Peace Corps, Junior League of the Oranges and Short Hills and Bridges Outreach in Summit NJ,, Kim realized her passion was helping others in need. Kim refused to believe that her most impactful experiences were behind her and wanted to create a non-profit where she could wake up every day and be proud of the work she was doing. And she did just that! Kim founded The Warehouse NJ in June 2019 to help families and individuals transition from homelessness into new permanent housing.
The Warehouse NJ started very organically: Kim began collecting gently used furniture and storing it in her garage. Two and half years later Kim now operates out of a packed shared warehouse space in Orange NJ. She works closely with over 15 service agencies, providing each of her clients with furniture and household items helping to turn empty apartments into homes.
Kim’s clients come from all different circumstances, including those facing mental and/or physical challenges, victims of domestic abuse and victims of fire and flood. Kim also helps refugees from Afghanistan, Syria, Guatemala, and El Salvador relocating for the first time.
Speed of Passion
The Happier Hour
Yolanda Rabun
Modern-Day Renaissance Woman
Yolanda Rabun is a daughter, wife, mother, professional actor, motivational speaker, political scientist, a community activist for youth, corporate attorney, corporate executive, singer- songwriter, national recording and touring artist, theatre and music producer, music entrepreneur, and "not done." Often referred to as a multi-hyphenateor modern-day Renaissance woman
Yolanda serves as Senior Counsel and Corporate Executive with IBM Corporation’s IBM Research business. Triangle Business Journal awarded Yolanda the Top 40 under 40 Leadership Award and Women in Business Award. Yolanda also earned the Durham Chamber of Commerce Connector Award while serving on the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce. In 2021, Yolanda serves on the United Arts Council – Raleigh and Wake County Board of Directors. She is a member of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association, the Corporate Counsel Women of Color, and admitted to full legal practice in New York and Georgia.
Yolanda is also a chart-topping national jazz recording artist, an award-winning professional equity actor, and recognized by President Obama as the recipient of the President’s Call to Service Award. Along with numerous acting accolades, she has three solo albums and has topped several charts, including the U.K. Soul Top 30 chart. Yolanda has opened for and performed with such iconic Grammy award-winning artists as Jennifer Holiday, Stephanie Mills, Howard Hewitt, Clay Aiken, Ron Isley, and the Isley Brothers, and R&B singers Will Downing, KEM, and the world-renowned iconic drummer, Sheila E. Yolanda Rabun is a voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (The Grammys), a registered BMI songwriter and a publisher with both BMI and ASCAP.
Everything Has Its Place
The Happier Hour
Gabriela Mekler
Co-Founder of MUMI
As a former elementary school teacher, Gabriela Mekler knows a thing or two about organizing and keeping things tidy. The Mexican-born NYU graduate with a double major in Education and Psychology and a master's degree in School Psychology from Nova Southeastern University, uncovered her true calling during a family vacation with her best friend and current business partner, Maribel Moreno. While unpacking their luggage, they both discovered they shared a common obsession for keeping everything in its place.
That moment sparked the 2014 foundation of mumi, a company born with a simple yet monumental mission: to share with the world the liberating feeling of being well organized by offering products that deliver an efficient and practical way to stay organized at home, school, the office or when travelling.
The company built its reputation with its packing cubes, a product that is still today a central part of their brand and one of their bestsellers. Both Gabriela and Maribel feed their love and passion for mumi through their customers, seeing how engaged their followers are online and how much they connect with the brand once they enter the “mumi world.”
Today, they get orders from every continent, having leveraged on the power of social media to reach unexpected audiences around the world.
Secret Wisdom
The Happier Hour
Sarah Brokaw
Best Selling Author & Licensed Therapist
Podcast Host
Sarah graduated from Duke University, earned a Masters in Social Work from New York University, and received her License in Clinical Social Work in both New York and California. But, she didn’t stop there. Sarah also received specialized training in working with families and couples from the esteemed Ackerman Institute, and finished a postgraduate program at Fielding University for Executive Coaching. Additionally, Sarah is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and has completed the National Institute for Psychotherapies psychoanalytic training. She also recently completed Levels 1, 2, and 3 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy as well as specialized instruction in TRM (Trauma Resiliency Model), a mind-body approach for treating affairs and trauma.
Sarah’s professional experience includes therapy for latency-aged children at Four Winds Hospital and group therapy for individuals who either worked in the World Trade Center or were nearby during the 9/11 attacks.
Sarah is the author of the best selling book "Fortytude" which explores the core values that allow us to make the best of our forties. Inspired by the remarkable women Sarah met while researching Fortytude, she launched a discussion series called Wise Women of LA in which women of diverse backgrounds could meet, share and support each other in achieving their professional and personal goals. Sarah also created a podcast series called Shared Secrets in which men and women with wisdom to share graciously let us in on their secrets
Who Doesn't Love a Top Ten List?
The Happier Hour
Katie Daryl
TV Host and Executive Producer of "Top Ten Revealed"
The Greatest and Most Iconic Songs, Bands and Musicians
Katie Daryl has 15+ years of industry experience MTV, VH1, TMZ, HDNet, CBS, REELZ, AXS TV and Anheuser Busch. She also hosts & produces a variety of AXS TV’s digital programs including Music High 5, At Home and Social, Rock & Tell, and Stranded. Weekly Katie Daryl finds herself interviewing the best of the best for her show "Top Ten Revealed", from the rock star world such as Nancy Wilson, Mick Fleetwood, Alice Cooper, Finneas, Jason Mraz, Lady A, Carnie Wilson and more!
Katie Daryl started her broadcasting career as a part time radio DJ at the age of 15. In 2000, after being crowned Fiesta Bowl Princess, Katie was hired by MTV. She then became the co-host of The Mark Cuban Show for two seasons on UPN/CBS Dallas.
After pitching Mark Cuban a music TV show concept, Katie joined the HDNet team as host, producer and creator of True Music which aired weekly from 2002-2007. Concurrently, Katie produced and hosted over 250 episodes of Deadline! for HDNet. She has also worked with VH1 as a contributing music expert on a variety of their countdown themed shows and she toured with Dale Earnhardt Jr. hosting Budweiser’s One Night Stand parties.
In 2007 Katie helped with the launch of TMZ on TV as a producer & VO talent. She was responsible for daily radio call ins and live flash cam needs for national affiliates.
Branding & Marketing & Social Media
Oh My!
The Happier Hour
Lizzy de la Peña
Founder of The Millennials Collective
How do you increase your social media following?
How do you brand yourself?
How important is a website?
What are the three top marketing tips?
Although Lizzy began her career in advertising at JWT, her true passion was to transition to creative event production. Approximately 9 years ago, that is exactly what she did. Lizzy founded @millennialscollective, an event production company, in her NYC apartment and has never turned back!
The Millennials Collective is a boutique branding, design, and event house that specializes in sleek designs, impactful events, and organic connections that produce growth- exactly what we all need! Lizzy graduated with a BFA in fine art and art history and spent a year in Italy studying design...and the rest is history!
It's "Bow" Time
The Happier Hour
Lindie Royall & Becca Grider
Co-Founders of The Little Poppy Co.
In a short walk home, a brand new bow was lost, and Little Poppy Co. was born.
Started in 2015 by two Utah mothers, Lindie Royall and Becca Grider , Little Poppy Co. has exponentially grown into a multimillion-dollar company. As with most morphmoms, the partners found something missing in the market...and filled that gap. As mothers with young children, they realized the not only the desire for bows, but the realization they they were also lost all too frequently. They joined forces and created the ORIGINAL bow subscription service that offers stylish bows to surprise buyers( and children) every month.
Just Enough...
The Happier Hour
Liz Lange
CEO & Creative Director of Figue
Founder of Liz Lange Maternity
In 1997, Liz Lange pioneered "maternity chic" by creating stylish, body conscious clothes for pregnant women. Working alone out of a one-room office, she created Liz Lange Maternity, changing the face of maternity fashions and revolutionizing the category. A decade later it was one of the largest maternity apparel brands in the world and in 2007, after dressing every major pregnant celebrity, including including Cate Blanchett, Cindy Crawford, Gwyneth Paltrow, Julia Roberts, , Kate Winslet, and Reese Witherspoon, and opening multiple flagship Liz Lange boutiques and forging major licensing deals with Nike and Target, Liz sold the brand.
Liz is the also the author of "Liz Lange's Maternity Style: How to look Fabulous during the Most Fashion-Challenged Time" published by Random House.
In 2010 Liz' first women's ready to wear collection launched on HSN, Completely Me™ by Liz Lange.
In December 2020, Lange acquired Figue, a popular dress brand, of which she is now the CEO and Creative Director.
Lange is also the star of the popular Sony podcast, "The Just Enough Family."
Liz has been recognized with many awards including Crain's Rising Star Award, Crain's 40 under 40, Time Magazine's "most powerful entrepreneur's". In addition to all of her fashion press coverage, Liz has also been profiled in major business publications including the WSJ and Harvard Business Review. Liz has appeared on Oprah, CNBC, Fox News and Bloomberg
Liz is actively involved in many charities and was a spokesperson for cervical cancer awareness. She spends most of her time these days running Figue as its CEO and Creative Director, and also investing in other consumer facing brands.
She lives in NYC, East Hampton and Palm Beach with her husband, her two college aged children and her two dogs.
When Oprah Loves Your Dress...
The Happier Hour
Jean Marie Clarke
Founder PAX PHILOMENA
Jean Marie Clarke, founder of PAX PHILOMENA, is on a mission to share her life-long love and passion for beautiful textiles through this transnational clothing line. A quintessential citizen of the world, Jean Marie was born in Calcutta, India to Anglo-Indian parents, whose families had been living in India for five generations. She emigrated with her family to America at a young age as a British citizen and was raised in Phoenix, Arizona.
As the daughter of immigrants, she could not afford to buy clothes deemed “fashionable,” so she tailored and sewed her own clothing from original fabrics. Earning a scholarship to Princeton University, Jean Marie felt a calling to study art history, focusing on Italian Renaissance studies. She studied abroad in Rome, learned Italian, and fell in love with the sense of aesthetics that permeates the Italian culture.
After graduation, she met Antonio Ratti the owner of Ratti SPA Textile Mill in Como, Italy. Impressed with her passion for textiles, Ratti hired her to work from his Como office designing and selling printed fabrics for the American luxury home furnishings market. For the last two decades, Jean Marie has travelled the world representing European textile mills. However, always feeling a calling to India, she has finally stepped foot back on Indian soil and has created PAX PHILOMENA to combine her love of India and Italy with her passion for beauty, color, design, and comfort in clothing.
As part of Jean Marie's mission, a portion of all PAX PHILOMENA proceeds go to Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity who continue to serve others and spread peace in America, India, and throughout the world.
A Renaissance Woman
The Happier Hour
Eugenia Foxworth
Founder Foxworth Realty
Podcast Host "The Foxworth Theory"
The journey of renaissance woman Eugenia Foxworth has many milestones – scholar, fashionista, art curator, flight attendant, real estate business owner and organizational president, scholarship committee executive and, most recently, podcast host.
After a brief stint as a flight attendant for Eastern Airlines, Eugenia decided to follow her love for fine art and fashion. She first opened a Mexican clothing boutique in midtown Manhattan. Soon thereafter, she launched Foxworth Art Gallery, on the east side of the NYC. While simultaneously living out her passion for art, fashion and culture, Eugenia experienced a flood in her gallery. After many failed attempts at finding a new location with her broker, she decided to take matters into her own hands and obtain a real estate license so she could find her perfect place without having to rely upon others.
In 2008, Foxworth Realty opened its doors. She has since been honored as a “Woman of Excellence” by the New York Women’s Chamber of Commerce and highlighted by Real Estate Agent Advisor as “One of the Phenomenal Women in Real Estate”. On May 1st, 2021 she took on a new title as the President of FIABCI-USA. She is the first African-American to be elected to this position.
Eugenia Foxworth can add yet another milestone along her journey – podcast host for "The Foxworth Theory", a new series that will cover, of course, art, fashion and culture.
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Helping Mamas
The Happier Hour
Jamie Lackey
Founder & CEO Helping Mamas
After nearly 20 years as a social worker, Jamie Lackey saw first-hand that the mothers she served couldn’t afford the basic necessities to care for their babies and children. The statistics remain staggering – one in three women in Georgia can’t afford diapers. So, in 2014, she took a leap and founded Helping Mamas, with a mission to collect and donate baby supplies to organizations who serve women and children in need in Georgia.
Lackey successfully raised $100,000 in financial and $50,000 in in-kind donations in the first year alone and has worked tirelessly to grow the organization to include over 150 partner agencies across the state serving over 55,000 families to distribute over 1,000,000 essential baby items such as diapers, clothing, baby wipes, strollers and car seats.
In her role as CEO, Lackey oversees and manages volunteers, corporate groups and partnerships; prepares grants and works with an active board of directors; and handles the day-to-day operations to move the agency forward.
She is the recipient of the United Way of Metro Atlanta’s first annual Spark award, which recognizes a local nonprofit organization with the most innovative strategy to impacting poverty.
Jamie received a Master's in Social Work from the University of Georgia and Bachelor’s in Social Work from the University of Tennessee. Lackey is a working mother of two and resides in Snellville, GA.
Who Didn't Have a crush on David Cassidy?
The Happier Hour
Robyn Hadden
Actress, CSEP, Realtor & Founder RKH Management, LLC
Personal Assistant Michael Crawford & David Cassidy
Robyn Hadden, CSEP, started working in show business at the age of six. After graduating from college, she began her professional career at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino as a production assistant during the installation of the largest show at that time, EFX. After sitting next to the show’s star at a table read, she was hand picked to be Michael Crawford’s personal assistant. She continued this role with his successor, David Cassidy. She continued working with David as he opened two additional shows and toured the United States and United Kingdom.
Robyn earned her Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) designation from the International Live Events Association in 2000, then received her Master’s Degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2005. David Cassidy left Las Vegas and Robyn accepted a position at UNLV a year later as the event manager before serving as the Director of Alumni & College Relations at the UNLV College of Hospitality.
40 years old, divorced and single, Robyn followed her dream of becoming a mother. Her OB/GYN recommended a fertility clinic where she became a "Single Mother By Choice" (SMBC) through IVF and an anonymous donor. She became a mother to Jack in 2011. Late in December 2013, she met the love of her life, and she and Jack moved back to her hometown in October 2014 to join Scott and his son, Jordan in Ohio. Robyn continued her events management career as the Associate Director of Special Events at The Ohio State University.
At 50, she started her own company, RKH Management LLC, and just passed the Florida Real Estate License Sales Associates exam. She is currently working with a successful real estate team as their business manager.
Really Famous
The Happier Hour
Kara Mayer Robinson
TV Host and Producer Really Famous
Kara Mayer Robinson is a celebrity interviewer, TV talk show host, and host and producer of the TV and film talent-interview show Really Famous.
Kara interviews A-listers including Spike Lee, Tony Goldwyn, Mayim Bialik, Dennis Quaid, Talia Shire, Mike Rowe and Padma Lakshmi for television, podcasts, digital media, print and live events. The conversations are intended to reveal who the guests really are and how they really feel, in order to get to know the real person behind the fame.
Really Famous is available across a multitude of audio and video platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, YouTube, IGTV and Facebook Video.
Kara is also an esteemed journalist (The New York Times, The Hollywood Reporter, The Wall Street Journal, Emmy, Travel + Leisure, etc.) and Columbia University-trained psychotherapist.
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It's All About The Arts!
The Happier Hour
Fran Kirmser
Tony Award Winning Producer, Dancer & Author
Fran Kirmser is Two-Time Tony Award Winning Broadway Producer, fundraiser, former Dancer, and co-Author of the book A Life In Dance. Fran has her finger on the pulse of live performing arts and entertainment in New York City.
Her award-winning and fan-favorite productions include the rock musical HAIR, sports plays LOMBARDI and MAGIC/BIRD, and play revivals WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? and GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS starring Al Pacino. She’s helped produce the work of hundreds of artists throughout her 25-year career and has worked in Development at major institutions such as Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and Martha Graham Dance Company.
An entrepreneur and single Mom, she has run her own company for over two decades while raising a daughter. Fran’s passion is teaching young artists the business side of the arts and has done so at universities in half of our 50 states including NYU Tisch School of the Arts, University of California, Wayne State University, University of Hawaii, Alvin Ailey/Fordham and Columbia University among others.
How Does Your Garden Grow?
The Happier Hour
Sabina Carr
CEO of the San Antonio Botanical Garden
Sabina Carr is the chief executive officer for the San Antonio Botanical Garden. Sabina joined the San Antonio Botanical Garden in the fall of 2019 after an extensive national search. She arrived at a significant juncture for the public garden that had just transitioned to privatization in January 2019. Sabina directs all operations for the 38-acre public garden located in the heart of San Antonio’s cultural corridor, and under her leadership oversees fundraising, education, marketing, business administration and horticultural efforts with an annual visitation of 170,000 and a membership household base of over 11,000, doubled from 5,000 households during her tenure.
The Botanical Garden recently completed a successful $40M capital campaign that transformed the garden with stunning new gardens, facilities and amenities, including a culinary garden, an outdoor teaching kitchen, family adventure garden, and new state-of-the-art event and education center. Sabina has activated these new spaces with expanded hours, new events such as the Sips & Sunset in the Garden series, new art exhibitions including the world debut of Frida Kahlo Oasis and Origami in the Garden², and horticulture exhibitions such as Wildflowers in the Garden & Orchid Weekend. This activation has attracted more earned revenue and served to broaden audiences while connecting more people to the importance of plants in our lives.
She is Past President of the Board of the American Public Gardens Association, a national network of over 600 member gardens and over 9,000 individual members in 14 countries. Prior to joining the San Antonio Botanical Garden, Sabina was Vice President, Marketing for the Atlanta Botanical Garden where she helped lead the garden’s impressive growth over 15 years by quadrupling three key areas: annual operating budget, annual visitation and household membership. Before her career in public gardens, Sabina worked in New York City and held marketing positions with American Express, Conde Nast, and Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising. She holds a B.A, in English Literature from Southern Methodist.
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Paying It Forward
The Happier Hour
Simone Gordon
Founder of The Black Fairy Godmother Foundation
Simone Gordon, affectionately known as The Black Fairy Godmother, has been featured on almost every T.V. talk show and news outlet you can think of, from "The Kelly Clarkson Show" to "Good Morning America". And yet, the New Jersey native remains humble as the face of a network of 'guardian angels' who come to the rescue of thousands of women-led families living in abject poverty and experiencing domestic violence. Her motivation for helping women in crisis is deeply personal.
Simone desperately sought out resources to help take care of herself and her nonverbal, autistic son. Frustrated by the lack of available aid in her state, her motherly instincts kicked in, and she got creative. In countless Facebook groups, Simone unabashedly petitioned for help to secure food, diapers, and formula for her son. Humbly she encountered kind-hearted strangers, who she regards as guardian angels, offering emergency assistance in her time of need. However, the support and generosity didn't stop there; Simone was even able to return to school due to a guardian angel paying her unpaid tuition bill.
Overwhelmed with gratitude, Simone knew that her hardship could be the equivalent of someone else's point of no return. She felt compelled to pay it forward and began to research the various socio-economic conditions that disproportionately impact African Americans. Alarmed by the statistics, she sprang into action, creating a platform to help families in adverse situations, the mantra of her mission: "Women and children first." She began with a social media platform that ultimately evolved into The Black Fairy Godmother Foundation.
Today, a growing legion of international supporters, within the Black Fairy Godmother Network all agree, Black Fairy Godmother is a name perfectly befitting of a woman who remains a vigilant lifeline to many. The Black Fairy Godmother Foundation has been the recipient of a number of grants from various organizations, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Tony Burch/Upworthy Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Hospital Foundation, and the Grapevine Foundation, Benevity (partnership with Google).
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Calling The Shots
The Happier Hour
Joy Taylor
Radio Personality & Podcast Host
Television Host at Fox Sports 1
Joy Taylor co-hosts THE HERD WITH COLIN COWHERD, which airs weekdays on FS1, as well as the popular "Maybe I'm Crazy" Podcast. Taylor joined FOX Sports in March 2016 for the launch of SKIP AND SHANNON: UNDISPUTED and served as the moderator on the debate show until July 2018.
Prior to joining FOX Sports, Taylor spent the previous five years in Miami radio, including a successful three-year stint at 790 AM The Ticket, where she was co-host for the station’s top-rated morning-drive program, "Zaslow and Joy Show," after starting with the station as the show’s executive producer. Taylor also served as the host of "Thursday Night Live" and "Fantasy Football Today" on CBSSports.com.
A Pittsburgh native and the younger sister of former Miami Dolphins star Jason Taylor, she attended Barry University and earned her bachelor’s degree in broadcasting. While at Barry, she hosted her own radio show, "The Noise," and served as station manager for WBRY Radio.
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"The Bone Code"
The Happier Hour
Dr. Kathy Reichs
New York Times Best-Selling Author
Producer of the hit Fox TV series "Bones"
Kathy Reichs’s first novel Déjà Dead catapulted her to fame when it became both a New York Times and international bestseller and won the 1997 Ellis Award for Best First Novel. Her latest novel, The Bone Code, is Kathy’s twentieth entry in her series featuring forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan. In addition, Kathy co-authored The Virals young adult series with her son.
Kathy was also a producer of the hit Fox TV series, Bones, which is based on her work and her novels.
From teaching FBI agents how to detect and recover human remains, to separating and identifying commingled body parts in her Montreal lab, as a forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs has brought her own dramatic work experience to her mesmerizing forensic thrillers. For years she consulted to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in North Carolina and to the Laboratoire de Sciences Judiciaires et de Médecine Légale for the province of Québec. Dr. Reichs has traveled to Rwanda to testify at the UN Tribunal on Genocide, and helped exhume a mass grave in Guatemala. As part of her work at JPAC (Formerly CILHI) she aided in the identification of war dead from World War II, Korea, and Southeast Asia. Dr. Reichs also assisted in the recovery of remains at the World Trade Center following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Dr. Reichs is one of only 100 forensic anthropologists ever certified by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology. She served on the Board of Directors and as Vice President of both the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the American Board of Forensic Anthropology, and is currently a member of the National Police Services Advisory Council in Canada. She is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte.
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Oh Baby!
The Happier Hour
Fiona Sahakian
Founder of Posh Peanut
Fiona Sahakian founded Posh Peanut Children’s Boutique in the beginning of 2011 and it all began because of a genuine love for children, children’s clothing and an inventive excitement needing to be fulfilled. Fiona had been a successful hairstylist in Los Angeles CA for 12 years before fully committing her focus to growing her brand. Fiona decided it was time to begin a new chapter in her life and left her job as a hairstylist so she could fully immerse herself into the future of Posh Peanut.
Fiona initially launched Posh Peanut with children's clothing &accessories on Etsy.com and was soon kicked off the platform due to the brand’s outstanding success. She then created PoshPeanut.com, which is now available on Amazon, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue- becoming the number one baby brand and searched brand at Saks Fifth Avenue after Chanel.
They’ve built a huge following around the world and have solidified themselves as a favorite among celebrities including Chrissy Teigen, Kylie Jenner, Kate Hudson, Gabrielle Union, Mindy Kaling, Eva Longoria and more!
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"Is Your Partner Sports-Obsessed?"
The Happier Hour
Ernestine Sclafani Bayless
Bestselling Author
"Balls: How To Keep Your Relationship Alive
When You Live With A Sports Obsessed Guy."
Ernestine Sclafani Bayless enjoys spending free time shopping, going to concert, the movies, and the theatre: pretty much anything other than watching sports. When she started dating and then married Skip Bayless, one of the most influential figures in sports media, something had to give. And it did.
Ernestine's Amazon bestselling book explains just how to keep a relationship alive - and still going strong - while learning how to coexist with Skip's "other woman"- who she's come to know , live with and put a name to: sports.
For nearly three decades Ernestine built a reputation in the world of public relations by using chutzpah and charm to help other people and brands share their stories. Now it's her turn, with her literary debut of "Balls: How To Keep Your Relationship Alive When you Live With A Sports Obsessed Guy."
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"It ain't over until you say it's over"
The Happier Hour
Lesley Jane Seymour
Founder of Covey Club
&
Media Entrepreneur
Lesley Jane Seymour is a media entrepreneur and founder of CoveyClub a new club for life-long learners launched in February 2018 (Covey is a small flock of birds). CoveyClub allows women 40+ to bond over issues of interest and concern through webinars (Coffee & Conversation) or topics in the CoveyClub blog which is written and produced by the best journalists around the world. CoveyClub also weekly podcasts with women reinventing themselves (The Reinvent Yourself Podcast) and an app (CoveyConnect) where women can connect and talk with each other about similar interests.
From 2008-2016, Lesley served as Editor-In-Chief of More Magazine, the leading lifestyle magazine for women over forty with a readership of 1.5 million. She was also the Editor-in- Chief and Social Media Director of More.com, which attracted over 12 million monthly page views and 600,000 unique visitors. Before taking over More, Lesley served as the Editor-in- Chief for Marie Claire, Redbook, YM, and Beauty Director of Glamour, and copywriter and senior editor at Vogue.
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Everyone is Part of the Party!
The Happier Hour
Laura Taylor
Founder of Mingle Mocktails
Laura Taylor, a high performing software executive, mother of two teenagers and happily married wife of over 20 years, found herself drinking too much- turning to alcohol to relieve the stress of balancing a family, career, and appearances of an ‘ideal’ lifestyle while feeling broken inside. With hard work and support of those around her, Laura quit drinking and got sober 5 years ago. While re-entering social situations, she found that her only option was bland seltzer, leaving her feeling uncomfortable and left out. Inspired by successful female entrepreneurs including Sara Blakeley and Tory Burch, who granted Laura an honorary Tory Burch Fellowship, Laura set out on a mission to remove the stigma associated with sobriety. In 2017, Mingle Mocktails was born, providing a healthy and delicious solution.
Laura set out to craft her beverage from only the purest ingredients. The booze-free beverage is low- calorie, low-sugar and made from natural botanical ingredients, for a refreshing alternative anywhere, anytime. As a result of Laura’s hard work and dedication, Mingle Mocktails is available on her website, regional supermarkets, Amazon, as well as Whole Foods! The beverage is available in five flavors (Blood Orange Elderflower Mimosa, Cucumber Melon Mojito, Blackberry
Got Flour?
The Happier Hour
Jennifer Lapidus
Founder of Carolina Ground Flour Mill
&
Author of "Southern Ground"
RECLAIMING FLAVOR THROUGH STONE-MILLED FLOUR [A BAKING BOOK]
Jennifer Lapidus is transforming bakery offerings across the southern United States with intensely flavorful flour, made from grains grown and cold stone-milled in the heart of the South at Carolina Ground Flour Mill. While delivering extraordinary taste, texture, and story, cold stone-milled flour also allows bakers to move away from industrial commodity flours to create sustainable and artisanal products. Jennifer is bridging the gap between local farmers and bakers. Now, in her latest cookbook, “Southern Ground: RECLAIMING FLAVOR THROUGH STONE-MILLED FLOUR [A BAKING BOOK]" Jennifer celebrates the incredible work of bakers all over the South Serving instruction and insight into how to use and enjoy these flavor-forward flours of geographic distinction,
Jennifer has been featured in Peter Reinhart's book "Whole Grain Breads", The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Splendid Table, Bon Appétit, Food and Wine, Saveur, Taste of the South, and numerous other local publications. Jennifer sits on the board of Carolina Farm Stewardship Association and is co-organizer of the Asheville Bread Festival.
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School's Out...Now What?
The Happier Hour
Meg Ragland
President and Co-Founder of Plum Print
It was an overflowing art drawer in Meg Ragland’s Brooklyn kitchen that helped give rise to the formation of Plum Print. Her daughter (now 15) and twin boys (10) were prolific preschool artists. So Ragland teamed up with her cousin, who had the same “creative clutter” storage issue in Manhattan, to cofound Plum Print in 2012.
Plum Print takes the overwhelming piles of artwork that children create and turn them into elegant coffee table books. The company was founded in New York and moved their headquarters to Asheville, North Carolina in 2013. The company was profitable in just 10 months and has customers in all 50 states and around the globe. Plum Print has gained national media attention, appearing in magazines such as Parents, Good Housekeeping and Real Simple, and numerous blogs, including Gywneth Paltrow’s GOOP, and Cool Mom Picks, Plum Print has also been featured on the Today Show, Good Morning America, ABC World News and CNBC’s Power Pitch.
Before launching Plum Print, Meg was the health director at Family Circle magazine. A seasoned editor and writer, Meg has been published in Glamour, Self, Fitness, Health, Marie Claire, Child, and the Boston Globe. She regularly appeared on morning television discussing health, nutrition, fitness, psychology and parenting issues. She’s the author of Get A Freelance Life, mediabistro.com's Insider Guide to Freelance Writing.
How To Move Mountains!
The Happier Hour
Kara Richardson Whitely
Plus-Size Author, Public Speaker and Adventurer.
Against all odds, Kara took on Africa's highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, three times, conquered her fears and shared her incredible journey in her autobiography, "Gorge: My Journey Up Kilimanjaro at 300 Pounds and The Weight of Being".
The story is so inspirational that it is coming to the big screen and being made into a major motion picture by Amazon Studios. Chrissy Metz (This Is Us) is not only producing the film but starring in it as well.
Kara has been featured in The New York Times and on Good Morning America, The Today Show, CBS' The Talk and countless other media outlets. She is an influencer for L.L. Bean and a contributor for Backpacker. She helps brands achieve authentic growth by connecting with the untapped market of the 67 percent of women who are size 12 and above.
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Time to Travel!
The Happier Hour
Stephanie Linnartz
President of Marriott International, Inc.
Stephanie Linnartz is the president of Marriott International, Inc., the world’s largest hospitality company with more than 7,600 properties across 133 countries and territories and 30 brands. It also has the travel industry’s largest customer-loyalty program, Marriott BonvoyTM, which has more than 147 million members, and some of the most iconic brands in travel, including The Ritz-Carlton®, St. Regis® Hotels & Resorts, The Luxury Collection®, Marriott Hotels®, Sheraton®, W® Hotels Worldwide, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, Westin®, Renaissance® Hotels, and Le Méridien®.
Before her appointment as president in February 2021, Ms. Linnartz was Group President Consumer Operations, Technology and Emerging Businesses. Ms. Linnartz joined Marriott in 1997 as a financial analyst. Over the years, she worked in various roles within operations, finance, revenue management, sales, marketing, brand management, distribution, technology and digital. Under her leadership, the company launched a new home rental offering, Homes & Villas by Marriott International, and has expanded its consumer offerings to include travel categories beyond hotels, such as tours and activities, dining and transportation.
HBO...GO!
The Happier Hour
Nora Francescani Skinner
Senior Vice President, Drama Series HBO
Nora Francescani Skinner has worked as Senior Vice President, Drama Series at HBO since September 2015. While at HBO, she has been the point executive on Brad Inglesby’s MARE OF EASTTOWN starring Kate Winslet, Jesse Armstrong’s SUCCESSION, Damon Lindelof’s WATCHMEN, Richard Price’s THE OUTSIDER, Damon Lindelof’s THE LEFTOVERSand (upcoming) Mike White’s THE WHITE LOTUS, and Hagai Levi’s SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE starring Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac, among others.
Prior to HBO, Skinner was the Executive Vice President of Production and Development at Indian Paintbrush, a New York and Los Angeles-based production and financing company (The Grand Budapest Hotel, Moonrise Kingdom, Labor Day). Before joining Indian Paintbrush, Skinner was the Senior Vice President of Development at Scott Rudin Productions in New York, where she worked on The Social Network, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Moneyball, Revolutionary Road, The Other Boleyn Girl, The Fantastic Mr. Fox, and Julie & Julia, among other film, television and theater projects. In addition to working on the Tribeca Film Festival, Skinner served as the Director of Jane Rosenthal and Robert De Niro’s Tribeca Theatrical Productions and the Co-Managing Director of their Tribeca Theater Festival.
Film credits: Me & Earl & the Dying Girl (Executive Producer), directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon and written by Jesse Andrews, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (Executive Producer), directed by Stephen Daldry and written by Eric Roth, The Reader (Associate Producer), directed by Stephen Daldry and written by David Hare, starring Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes, Doubt (Associate Producer), written and directed by John Patrick Shanley, starring Meryl Streep, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams.
Artists For Change
The Happier Hour
Julia Verdin
Producer, Director and Writer
As a Director/Writer Julia Verdin’s credits include the feature film “ Angie: Lost Girls” starring Olivia D'Abo, Dylan Sprayberry, Anthony Montgomery and MC Lite. Julia also directed the award-winning short film “Lost Girls”and narrative short "Brown" about foster youth.
Julia is passionate about making social issue driven films as a writer/ director and using the power of film to shed light on important social and humanitarian issues. She has also created/directed short promos for non-profits and a short doc on Child trafficking.
Julia transitioned to directing from a successful producing career. She has produced 36 films, including theatrical releases “Merchant of Venice” with Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons, “Stander” with Thomas Jane and Deborah Unger, and “2 Jacks” with Sienna Miller, Danny and Jack Huston and Jacqueline Bisset, which played in many major film festivals including Sundance, Toronto, Venice, AFI, Montreal and London film festivals.
Fashion For The Face
The Happier Hour
Brigitte Reiss-Andersen
Celebrity Makeup Artist
Brigitte Reiss-Andersen's career as a fashion and celebrity makeup artist spans an impressive four decades at the top of her industry. She started her remarkable journey in Paris in the early 80’s, working in the inner circle of the Yves St Laurent Couture house. Soon, she was collaborating with the celebrated photographers, magazines and supermodels of that glamorous era.
After moving to New York, her career expanded further and Brigitte became one of the elite talents to regularly work for Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, In Style, Marie Claire and ELLE. To date her work has been featured on the cover of more than 200 magazines and in innumerable ad campaigns for major brands.
Brigitte has made up a long list of legends and stars in the entertainment industry: Mariah Carey, Taylor Swift, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sigourney Weaver, Glenn Close. She has worked with an impressive 28 Academy Award winners including Meryl Streep, Jane Fonda and Lupita Nyong’o.
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FINDING CURES. SAVING CHILDREN
The Happier Hour
Emily Callahan
Chief Marketing and Experience Officer, ALSAC
As Chief Marketing and Experience Officer for ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Emily Callahan oversees the development of marketing, brand and communications strategies that ensure promotion and protection of the St. Jude brand as a leading brand worldwide. Her teams are responsible for brand marketing; marketing research and strategy; enterprise content; public relations; crisis communications; entertainment marketing; patient relations; and marketing operations and analytics. She also oversees event experiences for St. Jude supporters as well as ALSAC’s Corporate Social Responsibility Platform.
Prior to joining ALSAC, Emily was the Senior Vice President of Global Marketing and Networks for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world’s largest breast cancer organization. Prior to joining Komen, Emily was a supervisor at Edelman Public Relations, the world’s largest independent PR firm.
Emily served as an adjunct professor in the graduate journalism program at the University of North Texas. She currently serves as a board member for the Ronald McDonald House of Memphis and co-chairs the Memphis Brand Initiative. She has received a number of accolades including the 2017 CMO Officers Award from The CMO Club, Non-Profit PR Director of the Year and Corporate Responsibility Co-Executive of the Year by PR News and the Dallas Business Journal’s and the Memphis Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40 awards as well as the Memphis Business Journal’s Super Women in Business distinction.
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Tiny Victories
The Happier Hour
Nicki Radzely
Co-Founder of Doddle &Co.
Nicki Radzely is an award-winning marketer and co-founder of Doddle & Co, an innovative line of children’s products she started with her partner,Janna Badger over Skype (when they lived on opposite sides of the globe). A Flint, Michigan native she built her now-million dollar company in Montclair, NJ. With bootstrap roots (Nicki has raised money on Kickstarter and Shark Tank), Doddle is now a favorite brand at Nordstrom, Pottery Barn Kids and Anthropologie and buy buy Baby, amongst 900+ national retailers big and small. They’ve been featured in Business Insider, People Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Good Housekeeping, Daily News, Mother Mag, Bloomberg News, Parents, and Pregnancy & Newborn not to mention a favorite among celebrities like Kylie Jenner. They were also just named one of the "Best Baby Pacifiers" of 2021 by What To Expect.
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The Confidence Code
The Happier Hour
Claire Shipman
Journalist & Public Speaker
NYT Best Selling Author
Claire Shipman is a journalist, author, and public speaker. Before turning to writing, Claire spent almost three decades as an award-winning television journalist. For the last 14 years Claire was a regular contributor to Good Morning America and other national broadcasts for ABC News. Before that she served as White House correspondent for NBC News where she regularly reported on presidential policy and politics for NBC Nightly News and TODAY. Prior to that, she worked for CNN for a decade, covering the White House, and also posted in Moscow for 5 years, covering the fall of the Soviet Union. Claire’s reporting from Moscow helped CNN earn a National Headliners Award, and a coveted Peabody award. She received a DuPont Award and an Emmy Award for coverage of the 1989 Tiananmen Square student uprising, and a DuPont Award for CNN’s coverage of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. She graduated from Columbia College and later earned a Master’s degree from the School of International Affairs there. She’s now a member of Columbia’s Board of Trustees. She lives in Washington, DC with her family.
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Modern Mom Probs
The Happier hour
Tara Clark
Author, Blogger & Social Media Influencer
Modern Mom Probs
Established in 2017, Modern Mom Probs is a parenting humor and lifestyle Instagram account developed by Tara Clark. She presents realistic issues facing modern parents in a humorous, heart-warming light. Tara creates content for the parenting powerhouse website Scary Mommy and was featured in (201) Magazine as an Influencer to Watch. Tara is a frequent guest on podcasts discussing modern parenting. These podcasts include Marriage and Martinis, Fun in a Mom Bun, Mother Her, and Breaking Down Parenting – The Parent Normal Podcast. She is the author of the book "Modern Mom Probs: A Survival Guide for 21 Century Mothers".
Tara Clark is the very funny and authentic voice of a generation of modern mothers. She got her start in social media while working at Nickelodeon, where she oversaw the social media accounts for Nick Jr. and Nick@Nite. Tara holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Villanova University and an MBA from Metropolitan College of New York in Media Management.
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What's Your Story?
The Happier Hour
Laurie Gelman
Best Selling Author
"Class Mom", "You've Been Volunteered"
and "Yoga Pant Nation: A Novel"
From talk shows and music shows to parenting shows and news, Laurie Gelman has a wide range of media talents. She now adds best selling author to the list with her brutal take on room parenting in both "Class Mom" and "You’ve Been Volunteered". Her most recent novel “Yoga Pant Nation: A Novel” is due to be released this summer!
She began her career in Canada, then went on to co-host several shows in both Canada and the U.S. including the groundbreaking show Breakfast Time with Tom Bergeron for the f/X network. Laurie spent two years as a correspondent for ABC's Good Morning America, and, later, The Early Show on CBS. She was a contributing editor for the now defunct Cookie Magazine and a blogger for babycenter.com. More importantly, she was the class mom at her daughters' school for 5 years. She considers this the toughest job she has ever had. Laurie is married to Michael Gelman, Executive Producer of ABC's Live with Kelly and Ryan and is the mother of two beautiful girls.
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All In The Family
The Happier Hour
Ann Mashburn
Chief Creative Officer & Designer
Mashburn, LLC
Ann’s career in fashion began in editorial at Conde Nast, where she served as an assistant to famed Vogue fashion editor and stylist Polly Mellen, Following her time at Vogue, Ann was then named fashion editor of Glamour and then went on to style at J.Crew.
In 2007, Ann, Sid & their five daughters moved to Atlanta to pursue his own line. Inspired by the beauty and attention to detail of shops in Tokyo & Milan, as well as the end-to-end service tradition of old-school American haberdashers, Sid & Ann opened a single men's shop, SID MASHBURN, on the West Side of Atlanta that year. And in 2010, they expanded the business with a full women’s line and shop, ANN MASHBURN, which is inspired by Ann’s time as a fashion editor.
Flagship SID and ANN shops opened in Houston in winter 2013, and the duo opened their third and fourth set of retail locations in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. and Dallas, fall 2015. The brand has since expanded to the West Coast, with the fall 2016 opening of a Sid Mashburn-only men’s shop in the Brentwood Country Mart in Los Angeles. In February 2018, Sid and Ann expanded their flagship Atlanta retail footprint with the opening of an adjacent Mashburn coffee shop and experiential lifestyle concept shop.
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"How to Make a Difference"
The Happier Hour
Andrea Verdone Gorsegner
Founder & President
Infinite Love for Kids Fighting Cancer
Andrea is an advocate and fundraiser for pediatric cancer research and a supporter of victims and their families. She began her career as a photography editor for In Style, Lucky, and Women’s Health magazines, but life took a drastic turn on August 16, 2012, when her daughter Natalie, now 11, was diagnosed with high-risk acutelymphoblasticleukemia. Twenty-eight heart-wrenching months later, Natalie was declared cancer-free in November of 2014.
Approximately six months into Natalie’s treatment, Andrea began fundraising, through her Infinite Love Facebook page, which evolved into a registered 501(c)(3), and to date has helped to raise over a million dollars for childhood cancer research.
In 2014, Andrea received the Humanitarian Award from the Arms Wide Open Childhood Cancer Foundation, in March of 2016 she was granted the Point of Light award and in February 2017 she was given an Innovators Award from BioNJ. Andrea and her family have appeared on the Today Show as well as in numerous publications including Parents magazine, The New York Daily news, and Women’s Health magazine to name a few. Andrea was interviewed by Joanna Gagis on her PBS show Life & Living, and she and her daughter Hannah were featured in People Magazine for shaving their heads. In addition, Hannah & Natalie Gorsegner wrote a song entitled “Fighter” with singer/songwriter Taylor Tote with 100% of the profits going toward childhood cancer research. Andrea was the Executive Producer for the filming of the music video for “Fighter” which won the “Best Home Grown Music Award” at the Garden State Film Festival as well as the “RWJ Barnabas Award” at the Asbury Park Music & Film Festival, and finally, won “Best Music Video” at the Los Angeles Movie Awards.
The Unexpected Journey
The Happier Hour
India Hicks
Designer, Entrepreneur & Best-Selling Author
Designer, entrepreneur, best-selling author, and mother of five, India Hicks was born in London, England, and comes from both British and design royalty. Her father was famed interior decorator David Hicks, and her mother is Lady Pamela Hicks, whose father was the last Viceroy of India.
India who has often made bold life choices, which have led to a multi-faceted, unexpected life journey. She has authored four design books, modeled for Ralph Lauren, among others, and been an on-air personality for networks ranging from Bravo to the BBC. She has had her hand in the design world for over two decades – from hotels to home collections.
In 2015 India launched her eponymous Direct Sales brand. British Heritage and a fresh perspective on island life informed this exclusive lifestyle collection. This closed its doors six years later just ahead of the pandemic.
More recently India launched a Podcast series - a look into the life her extraordinary mother Lady Pamela - recording wonderfully intimate conversations between mother and daughter.
In September 2020, India's new book ‘An Entertaining Story’ was published by Rizzoli. India now consults with fashion, home and lifestyle brands.
Living in the Bahamas for the past 25 years India was in the position to partner with the disaster relief agency 'Global Empowerment Mission' as an on the ground force, in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian and remains on their advisory board today. India also helped establish the Harbour Island Food Bank which provides sustained food security for those who lost their income as a result of the economic shut down in The Bahamas. She continues her volunteering work for both organizations.
Your Fully Charged Life
The Happier Hour
Meaghan B. Murphy
Best-Selling Author Your Fully Charged Life
Content Director at Woman's Day Magazine
Meaghan is a longtime magazine editor, writer, on-air lifestyle expert, podcaster, and certified trainer. Currently the content director at Woman's Day magazine, Murphy is a media veteran who previously served as executive editor of Good Housekeeping. She lives with her husband and their three children in Westfield, New Jersey.
Your Fully Charged Life is Meaghan's practical guide to bringing your best self to every moment, even when the pressures of daily life leave you feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and wallowing in negative thoughts. Spanning health, work, family time, and more, this book reveals small changes in outlook and habits that yield big results, without ever sacrificing who you are.
Meaghan’s mission is to help readers approach life in new ways, see things from a different perspective and take action when they might have otherwise done nothing or felt powerless or down. Her advice and tips and tricks inspire an incredible amount of natural and genuine energy, enthusiasm, joy and positivity. Part physical, part mental and emotional, Meaghan’s philosophy is a contagious zest for life that comes from feeling open and game, healthy and capable, motivated, optimistic and a bubbly punch of other positive emotions. And it’s all based on one principle: Every day, every hour, sometimes moment-to-moment, you can consciously choose to act in a positive way or look for the positive in situations.
Back In Studio!
The Happier Hour
Chassie Post
TV Style Correspondent, Host and Lifestyle Editor
Chassie Post is a sought after TV Style Correspondent, Host and Lifestyle Editor who is best known for bringing her upbeat style savvy and know-how to women across the country. As a guest on national television shows such as The Today Show, Extra, Entertainment Tonight, E!, Wendy Williams Show, GMA, The Insider, Access Hollywood, Live w/ Regis & Kelly, CNN, The Steve Harvey Show and more, Chassie covers the hottest trends in all things style: from fashion to design to entertaining to celebrity to wellness and beauty. Whether it’s dishing about Oscar red carpet looks or incorporating bold color into your décor, millions of viewers have seen her as their go-to style source.
Known for her keen and exuberant eye, Chassie started her career as an art gallerist, launching the Chassie Post Galleries in New York and Atlanta where she exhibited the work of emerging contemporary artitsts. She then shifted into media, joining the magazine world as an Editor and Stylist for national fashion, home and lifestyle magazines. She acted as Contributing Style Editor for Conde Nast's Domino and Cookie Magazines, representing the brands on television as style correspondent and as an editorial stylist for titles ranging from Glamour to O The Oprah Magazine. Her style advice has been featured in numerous publications such as House Beautiful, NewYorkTimes.com, Marie Claire, New York Post, Domino Magazine, Today.com, Living Etc. and more. Chassie also acted as Lifestyle Editor and TV Correspondent at Gilt.com, representing the site on-air as well as creating and producing their national broadcast segments. Most recently, she continues her work in editorial television as Lifestyle Correspondent for Yahoo.
This past December, Chassie launched a capsule collection of accessories entitled Sequin & Burlap which is available in limited editions on ChassiePost.com. She is also developing a new house tours show which launched in January called Chic & Awe, co-hosting with sister-in-law Sara Ruffin Costello.
"Icky Bits"
The Happier Hour
Marla Wynne
CEO - MarlaWynne Collection / WynneLayers
Marla Ginsburg spent 20 years behind the camera as one of the highest-ranking female television executives in Europe. Based in Paris, she produced some of the longest running international co-productions in television history, (Highlander and La Femme Nikita). However, all that changed in 2008, when, as Ginsburg likes to tell the story, she “landed on derriere, losing her job, her home, and almost her sanity.”
Ginsburg’s entrepreneurial reinvention that began in her garage and launched on TV retail over a decade ago is now a global lifestyle brand with sales in excess of $60 Million. Over the years, her product line has expanded to include handbags, jewelry, pajamas, outerwear and a diffusion label called “WynneLayers,” with several new and dynamic additional launches slated for Q4 in 2021.
Ranked as a top-selling brands on HSN in the US, QVCuk and TSC in Canada, MarlaWynne and WynneLayers are among the fastest growing apparel brands in the history of TV Retail. In 2019, Ginsburg’s brands were launched at QVC in Italy and QVC Japan. This year, the MarlaWynne brand collaborated with the national retailer, Chico’s, and featured in over 200 of their stores across the U.S..
Inspiration became a Passion
Passion became a Business
The Happier Hour
Holly Daniels Christensen
Founder &CEO, Dune Jewelry &Co.
Holly Daniels Christensen left home at 15 years old and never looked back, taking a variety of jobs with stints as a zookeeper, a pharmacy technician, a promotional model, a bartender and a cellphone, car and cruise salesperson. And she spent 14 years as a top agent in Boston’s highly competitive real estate market.
Meanwhile, Holly also spent years collecting "memories" from her many trips to the sea. Inspired by the motto “live for the moment, then take it with you,” she managed to accumulate a beautiful array of sands and other natural elements. In 2007, she took this passion one step further and turned these beach memories into unique, sand-filled jewelry designs that she made for family and friends while sitting at her kitchen table.
In 2010, she realized there was a broader demand for her jewelry and decided to turn her passion into a true business by starting Dune Jewelry. Over the past decade, Holly has grown the business to incorporate sand and natural elements from over 4,500 iconic and memorable locations around the globe, including sand from beaches and ballparks, soil, earth from hiking trails, clay from canyons, flower petals, power stones, golf course grass and more.
Thanks to this unique “bootstrap” entrepreneur who proved over and over again that she was unafraid of hard work, Holly’s Dune Jewelry was voted the 2016 Woman-Owned Business of the Year for Massachusetts and New England by the Small Business Association (SBA).
Good Things Come In Small Packages
The Happier Hour
Caren Sinclair-Kay
President of Dormify
Caren Sinclair-Kay is the President and on the Board of Dormify, a small space home decor e-commerce business, where she is responsible for overseeing all things related to the company's growth. Caren is seasoned e-commerce and digital media executive and entrepreneur who has started three online businesses over the past 15 years, two of which were acquired by strategic buyers. She started her digital career running business development and e-commerce at theglobe.com, a first-generation social network. She went on to become a Senior Executive at Oxygen Media and Rodale before starting her first company Red Jam Media in 2005. Red Jam Media was acquired by Third Age Inc. and Caren stayed involved to build ThirdAge into the largest content site/social network focused on baby boomers. Caren then co-founded and was the CEO of DoodleDeals, a discovery and daily deal site for young moms. DoodleDeals was acquired by Plum District (Kleiner Perkins, General Catalyst, Comcast Ventures) after only 18 months of launching and Caren stayed on to lead Strategic Partnerships.
Caren has been an Advisor to several early stage digital media and e-commerce companies including Greatist, Noom, Bare Snacks, Bluum, LOZO, Red Rover, and Kidz Central Station. She is very active in the start-up community having been an Advisor at DreamIt Ventures, a judge and Mentor for the Wharton Start Up Challenge, and a guest lecturer for various Entrepreneurship courses.
What You Say & How You Say It
The Happier Hour
Jane Hanson
Emmy award winning television journalist and Media coach
Jane Hanson has spent over 30 years helping people learn to communicate better.
Among her diverse array of media and presentation training clients: top tier leaders of corporations spanning the fields of finance, insurance, startups, technology, education, fashion and media; publishers and editors in chief of numerous national magazines; key opinion leaders in the pharmaceutical industry; politicians and world leaders, internet entrepreneurs; chefs and restaurateurs. She has also hosted programs on cable channels and private satellite broadcasts, covering nearly every subject, from healthcare to food to finance to religion. And she is a frequent speaker, emcee, host, and panel moderator. Events she has participated in range from the New York Emmys to Toys for Tots to the Race for the Cure to the Randall’s island Sports Foundation.
Jane Hanson grew up on the prairies of rural Minnesota, coming to New York three decades ago to join the NBC networks. She began as an anchor and correspondent for NBC New York in 1979. In 1988, Jane was named co-anchor of “Today in New York,” a position she held until 2003 when she became the station’s primary anchor for local programming and the host of “Jane’s New York”; She covered events ranging from the tragedy of 9/11 to the joy of Yankees victory parades to Wall Street and Washington; has interviewed presidents, business magnates, prisoners, and celebrities; traveled as far as the Gobi Desert of Mongolia and the great depths miles below New York City for her special reports. Most recently she hosted a daily entertainment and lifestyle program, New York Live, for NBC4 in New York City.
Jane has won 9 Emmy Awards. In addition, she was named Correspondent of the Year by New York’s Police Detectives and received a similar honor from New York’s Firefighters. She has also been the recipient of numerous other awards for her service to the community. Jane has served as the March of Dimes Walk-America Chairman, honorary chair for the Susan B. Komen Foundation’s Race for the Cure, and as a board member of Graham Windham, Phipps Houses, the Randall’s Island Sports Foundation, the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, and Telecare.
The Definition of Paradise
The Happier Hour
Caytha Jentis
Writer & Producer
Pooling To Paradise
Pooling to Paradise is an indie comedy about a ride-share that turns into an unexpected road trip to Paradise, Nevada for four strangers each at a crossroads in their lives.
Better yet...it is about the unexpected connection they all find which is something we could all use today!
Caytha Jentis has written, directed and produced feature films, an online series, and an award-winning stage play that has been turned into a musical. She has several projects in various stages of development, and has an MFA in Screenwriting from UCLA and a BS in TV/Film from Syracuse University.
She began her career as a literary agent in New York and was profiled by the Writers Guild and Screenwriter Magazine. She is a member of the Writers Guild, Film Fatales and the Producers Guild.
Her credits include:
The Other F Word, an online comedy series that streamed on Amazon and was one of its top series four months in a row. It now streams on The Girlfriend, AARP Gen X platform. It features: Steve Guttenberg, Judy Gold, Alysia Reiner and Gilbert Gottfried.
Bad Parents, which she wrote/produced and directed and currently streams on HBO, Hulu and Starz. It had previously streamed on Netflix and made the Redbox and iTunes top 20 comedy lists. The cast includes: Janeane Garofalo, Cheri Oteri, Christopher Titus and Kristen Johnston.
And Then Came Love, a romantic comedy feature which now streams on Amazon. Its cast includes: Vanessa Williams, Eartha Kitt, Anna Camp and Ben Vereen.
The One, a feature film drama.
Exposed, a feature film thriller.
She also wrote the award winning stage play It’s All About the Kids. A stage play version of Pooling to Paradise that has been selected to be part of NYC's Emerging Artists New Works Series in the Fall.
Broadway Will Be Back!
The Happier Hour
Betsy Dollinger
Founder and President
bd Productions
"Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise." - Les Miserables
And so will the curtain!
Founder and president of bd productions, Betsy has spent over 25 years in the theatre business, where she has worked on some of the most iconic shows in Broadway history, including CHICAGO and WICKED.
Betsy is currently a Producing Partner on the Broadway shows JAGGED LITTLE PILL and DIANA. Betsy has enjoyed varied roles throughout her career, including producing, marketing, casting, creative development, booking and touring. She created bd productions to offer marketing, creative development and executive producing services to clients. Current marketing clients include the Broadway productions of SIX and MRS DOUBTFIRE, the off-Broadway production and national tour of THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG and the upcoming productions of THE NOTEBOOK and DEVIL WEARS PRADA. bd productions grew out of bd marketing, a boutique entertainment and lifestyle marketing firm. Past clients included Broadway productions such as WICKED, IF/THEN and ANNIE, as well as restaurant and retail clients.
Prior to founding bd marketing, Betsy was the Director of Casting and Creative Development at National Artists Management where she oversaw the casting and creative development of Broadway shows, including CHICAGO, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN and GREASE. As the Director of Programming at Pace Theatrical Company (currently known as Broadway Across America), Betsy was responsible for programming all Broadway Show Series engagements in over 25 markets nationwide, and as the Director of the National Touring Theatre Council at the Broadway League, she developed marketing concepts, promotions and events for industry leaders from across the country.
NEED IT...MAKE IT
The Happier Hour
Janine Wallace
Founder of Cartwright
Janine Wallaceis a patent attorney, entrepreneur, mother of 3, and handbag aficionado. Before founding Cartwright, she founded and sold 2 startups, an application software company and a full-service intellectual property law firm. After which, Janine held executive positions as both a Patent Partner and Chief Legal Officer of direct to consumer brands.
A graduate of The George Washington University’s engineering program, Janine has a passion for STEM based thinking, which has most recently led her to design a carryall with an innovative locking mechanism - the Cartwright Privacy Bag. In 2020, the Cartwright bag was recognized by Forbes, Popsugar, MSN, and People as a best gift.
For her work supplying and donating medical masks to healthcare workers, Janine was named a 2020 Force for Change by NJ’s Leading Woman Entrepreneurs.
How Do You Get To Shark Tank?
The Happier Hour
Monica Ferguson
Co-Founder of The Solemates
Monica Ferguson is the Cofounder of The Solemates, a line of fashion solutions. Known for the namesake product, a patented heel cap that prevents high heels from sinking into grass and getting stuck in cracks, Solemates is an innovative brand that marries the concepts of beauty and cosmetics with the pragmatism of traditional shoe care. Solemates offers solutions to common shoe frustrations ranging from blisterprevention, comfort, foul weather protection, and more. Solemates are available in
10,000 retailers across the USA including CVS, DSW, David's Bridal, as well as onAmazon and the company website (www.thesolemates.com).
Solemates were featured on Shark Tank (Season 8, Episode 4) and in numerous media outlets including The Today Show, O Magazine, Us Weekly, Buzzfeed, People Magazine, Real Simple, and more. Celebrity customers include Carrie Underwood, Demi Lovato, Oprah Winfrey, Rachel Platten, Lauren Conrad, Viola Davis, Gayle King, and Natalie Morales.
Prior to launching Solemates, Monica worked at Goldman, Sachs & Co. in New York. Monica has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, MSNBC Your Business, Business Insider, Forbes, CNBC, & Fox 5 New York.
Monica graduated from Georgetown University with a degree in Finance and studied at Oxford University’s Trinity College. She obtained her MBA from Columbia
Local Businesses Supported...60
Meals Delivered...15,000
Money Raised...175,000
Front Line Workers Helped...Priceless
The Happier Hour
Katie Darcy
Founder of FLAG - Summit, New Jersey
At the beginning of the Pandemic, an incredible organization was born- FLAG (Front Line Appreciation Group). @FLAG.2020 was founded to help feed front line health care workers while simultaneously helping to keep local restaurants in business. When Katie Darcy, a mother of 4, learned about the mission she immediately became involved and founded a local chapter in Summit, New Jersey. Along with her children and the help of the community she managed to raise over $20,000 on her very first day!
As a Business Manager with fifteen years of diversified experience within the non profit, financial and legal sectors, Katie put her experience to work and established an incredible team of volunteers. Primarily serving health care workers at Overlook Hospital, she managed to raise enough funds to simultaneously support local restaurants and businesses as well. And with each month the program and the recipients have all grown as well.
Katie has been featured in numerous media outlets and was recently named a recipient of The Junior League of Summit's 2020 Jean Hudson Gano Community Service Award.
Be The First To Raise Your Hand!
The Happier Hour
Christina Geist
Founder of Boombox Gifts
Author and Co-Founder of True Geist
After taking four years off when her kids were toddlers, Christina Geist started two small businesses and sold her first children’s book, Buddy's Bedtime Battery, to Random House right around her 40th birthday. Her 2nd release Sorry Grown-Ups, You Can't Go To School! debuted at #4 on the New York Times Bestseller list.
In addition to publishing, Christina has spent the past 6 years as co-owner of a boutique branding firm, True Geist, and using that income as the seed capital, she in turn created her own brand, Boombox Gifts, an online boutique for personalized memory boxes co-created by family and friends. Boombox Gifts has been featured in numerous media outlets including, O Magazine, Today , Martha Stewart Weddings and USA Today , just to name a few!
Geist's early career spans news producing, public relations, marketing, brand and design strategy positions at large agencies like Arnold Worldwide and Interbrand, in house at Johnson & Johnson and inside growing startups. She lives in New York with her husband (and Ridgewood High School prom date), Sunday TODAY and Morning Joe host Willie Geist, and their kids, Lucie and George.
Be A Natural Beauty
The Happier Hour
Gillian Stollwerk Garrett
Founder of Gilly's Organics
A dreamer, writer, speaker, inspirer, "mixologist," and wellness advocate, you can find this mother of three whipping up batches of sugar scrub (and other splendid goodies for her line of products), and filling the shelves your local (NY/NJ/CT) Whole Foods with her line of all-natural beauty products.
As a child Gilly grew up in her parent's pharmacy always "mixing things"... clearly a foreshadowing of her future. After college, she worked in cable TV and then as a writer for Estee Lauder for many years. She eventually developed a passion for natural living and began making her own oils blends to help her dry skin and hair. After numerous requests for her products, she realized that it was time to turn that idea into a business...and @gillysorganics was born!
It's All About The Kids
The Happier Hour
Cara Natterson, MD
CARA NATTERSON, MD, is a pediatrician, consultant, and New York Times bestselling author of puberty and parenting books. In 2020, she launched OOMLA, a company dedicated to making puberty more comfortable, literally.
Cara’s journey through health advocacy began at Harvard College, Johns Hopkins Medical School, and the University of California at San Francisco. In 2000, Cara joined Tenth Street Pediatrics in Santa Monica, caring for thousands of kids from birth through their teen years. In 2008, she founded Worry Proof Consulting, a practice that gives parents time their primary doctors often don’t have to cover medical, behavioral, and parenting issues in depth. Cara travels the country speaking to both kids and parents about taking ownership of their health and wellness, translating cutting- edge research into understandable, actionable, and even entertaining information.
Cara has served on several boards as a Director or Advisor, including Starlight Children’s Foundation, The Honest Company, Zemcar, Baby2Baby, and The John Thomas Dye School.
And when she’s not doing any of this other stuff, she is spending time with the people who make her all the better at it: her husband and two teenage kids.
IVF, Unfiltered
The Happier Hour
Brett Russo
Author of "The Underwear in My Shoe"
After another call from the fertility clinic reporting negative test results, Brett Russo started to panic. Unrecognizable to herself after countless rounds of unsuccessful IVF, at thirty-eight she felt like a failure to herself, a disappointment to her husband, and the only female on Facebook without kids.
In The Underwear in My Shoe, Brett takes you on her journey through IVF, a story of personal struggle and isolation mixed with humor. She shows you that only when she truly lost herself did she discover her inner strength and a sisterhood in the other women going through IVF—discoveries that changed her forever.
Golf + Martinis = Golftini!
The Happier Hour
Susan Hess
CEO & Founder of Golftini
Golftini unknowingly erupted 15 years ago when owner and designer, Susan Hess, couldn’t find any stylish women’s golf clothes to wear on the course. She set out to the NYC garment district and found a sample maker, and designed her first skort. Soon after, Susan started selling skorts to friends and golf shops. After hearing about the PGA golf trade show, she signed up and received her first big order.
Sounds easy, right? No, not at all. While raising 3 boys, without a fashion degree or any business background she figured out how to make it work. All along the way, she’s met people that helped her and still gives back when she can help others.
"Older" is the new "Younger"
The Happier Hour
Pamela Redmond
New York Times Bestselling Author
"Younger" & "Older"
Pamela Redmond is the New York Times bestselling author of both humor books and novels, including "Younger," now a hit television show created by Sex & The City’s Darren Star, starring Sutton Foster and Hilary Duff. Thankfully for all of us, she has just released it's sequel, "Older"!
Her other books include the historical novel "The Possibility of You" and the bestsellers "How Not To Act Old" and "30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know By The Time She’s 30". She is also a name expert and the cocreator with Linda Rosenkrantz of a groundbreaking series on baby names and the world’s largest baby name website, Nameberry.
It's All About The Journey
The Happier Hour
Melissa Clayton
CEO and Founder of Tiny Tags
Melissa Clayton is CEO and founder of Tiny Tags, an online jewelry store designing and creating fine personalized jewelry for mothers. Tiny Tags’s mission is to celebrate children and each woman’s unique journey of motherhood. Redefining ‘mommy jewelry’ with simple and classic designs, Tiny Tags is adorned by celebrities and moms all over the globe. Tiny Tags has been featured in People Magazine, Instyle, Refinery29, WhoWhatWear and many more. From new moms to those wearing their necklaces in remembrance of their little ones, or as a symbol of strength for those loved ones dealing with a personal struggle.
As a former CPA who knew she had to break out on her own path, Melissa is obsessed with entrepreneurship and sharing the lessons she has learned along the way. Melissa holds a BA in Philosophy from University of Massachusetts and a MS in Accounting and MBA from Northeastern. Melissa is a wife and mother to three boys and resides in MA.
Play Like a Girl!
The Happier Hour
Kate T. Parker
New York Times Bestselling Author
&
Owner/Photographer @ Kate T Parker Photography
Kate is a mother, wife, Ironman, professional photographer and New York Times Bestselling author who shoots both personal projects and commercial work for her clients. Her STRONG IS THE NEW PRETTY photo series led to collaborations with brands such as Disney, Athleta, Kellogg’s, and NBC. It has also inspired Kate to launch a philanthropic arm of SITNP, partnering with organizations such as Girls on the Run, Girl Up, The Arthur Blank Family Foundation, Disney, Glam4Good, and The Bully Project by investing in children's’ health and education. Kate is also the author of Strong is the New Pretty: The Guided Journal, The Heart of a Boy and Play Like A Girl.
Her work has been featured in Huffington Post, O Magazine, A Mighty Girl, Vogue, Redbook, NY Magazine, People, Good Morning America, Shape Magazine, Buzzfeed, Self Magazine, DailyWorth, CNN, Vanity Fair Italy, Today Show, PDN, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Garden and Gun, and ESPN W.
It Takes A Village!
The Happier Hour
Brooke Markevicius
Founder and CEO of Allobee
Need a service? They have it!
Brooke started her career in Non-Profit management and then discovered a love of all things technology (she was fixing everyone's computer issues and suggesting ways to upgrade their systems) and decided to get a Masters in Computer Information Systems from Boston University.
She went on to work at Postmates in Operations until she left 5 years ago when she realized the lack of flexibility it provided for her as a new mother. Brooke went on to do freelance Web Development and IT Project Management before helping to co-found a co-working space for moms in Tacoma, Washington,, The Pod Works. There she saw that moms had created their own little economy buying and selling each other's goods and services. In an effort to get moms paid more and on a larger scale, Brooke took her tech skills and love for supporting mom-owned businesses and merged them into one idea, Allobee.
Allobee has become the one-stop shopping platform for small businesses, and startups, who need help either finding and/or providing their goods and freelance services.
How to Juggle Life both...
On and Off the NFL Football Field!
The Happier Hour
Atoya Burleson
Lifestyle Blogger & Podcast host of inSIDELINES
Atoya Burleson, the host of the successful podcast in SIDELINES, is also currently launching a lifestyle blog at atoyaburleson.com Atoya's podcast is based upon honest, raw, and hilarious conversations about football from the female perspective. Everything is drawn from her life as a wife, mother, and fan spending over 11 years in the NFL with her husband Nate Burleson. Atoya's lifestyle blog opens up her life and home by sharing all the things she’s learned and loved over the years - home design, decor, fashion, travel, lifestyle, being a MOMba, and her relationship with her husband Nate. Atoya's dream of giving women a voice in the sports world through connecting, empowering, and creating a safe place for other women to comfortably unveil themselves has finally come to pass!
Atoya is an accomplished educator, athlete and businesswoman with a Psychology degree and Masters's degree in Education. She was a Division 1 Collegiate hurdle champion at the University of Nevada Reno and helped lead her team to a Women’s team championship. She’s coached high athletes as well as worked within NCAA compliance and she continues to share her knowledge with student-athletes and those that are looking to further their careers both in education and sports.
Something missing in the market?
Make it!
The "Virtual" Happier Hour
Missy Tannen
Co-Founder of Boll & Branch
Missy Tannen is the Founder and Head of Product Design and Development of Boll & Branch, the world’s leading luxury and sustainable home brand. A passionate creative, Missy brings a fresh perspective to the textile industry, challenging conventional design and sourcing by launching the world’s first Fair Trade certified bedding in 2014. Believing in quality with a conscious Missy has been recognized by Fast Company, Architectural Digest and Forbes for her unique approach to textile development that produces award-winning products while ensuring ethical and sustainable practices at every step.
"All Politics is Local..."
The "Virtual" Happier Hour
with Heather Lende
New York Times Bestselling Author
OF BEARS AND BALLOTS: An Alaskan Adventure in Small-Town Politics
New York Times bestselling author Heather Lende has been writing about her hometown -- Haines, Alaska and about what community means since she published If You Lived Here, I’d Know Your Name in 2006 After the 2016 elections, Lende was inspired to take a more active role in politics and decided to run for office in Haines. And…She won!
HEATHER LENDE has contributed essays and commentary to NPR, the New York Times, and National Geographic Traveler, among other newspapers and magazines, and is a former contributing editor at Woman’s Day. A columnist for the Alaska Dispatch News, she is the obituary writer for the Chilkat Valley News in Haines and the recipient of the Suzan Nightingale McKay Best Columnist Award from the Alaska Press Club. Her previous bestselling books are Find the Good, Take Good Care of the Garden and the Dogs, and If You Lived Here, I'd Know Your Name. Lende was voted Citizen of the Year, Haines Chamber of Commerce, in 2004. Her website is heatherlende.com.
The "Virtual" Happier Hour
Mara Davis
Talent Booker at Adult Swim [Originals]
Radio and Television Personality
Mara Davis is a radio personality, emcee, brand ambassador and one of the most well known (and liked) media mavens in Atlanta. Davis is currently the co-host of the tv show Atlanta Eats and the host of Atlanta Eats radio. Mara is also a music contributor for Atlanta's NPR-WABE-FM and a brand ambassador for the Village Vets, Frye Boots and Karoo Glasses. She also launched the Atlanta build out for Tastemade, a global food community connecting the world through food. Mara was the host of the popular “Radio Free Lunch” request hour on Dave-FM – and now puts that musical knowledge and instinct to use every day booking guests for Adult Swim’s streaming shows… including Sting, Billie Eilish, Post Malone, Jason Isbell and many others you will hear about in the years ahead. Mara came to Atlanta for the classic rock station, Z-93 that became Dave-FM. She created the popular "Radio Free Lunch" a daily radio request show. Throughout her radio and TV career she's interviewed celebrities and chefs including Alton Brown, Hugh Acheson, Adele, Bradley Cooper, Robert Plant, Jane Fonda and won several "Best Of Atlanta" spots in Creative Loafing and Atlanta Magazine.
The "Virtual" Happier Hour
Katye Stanzak
Founder of The Vault, The Project Physique
and coreRIDE
How to combine food, fitness & fashion?
Just ask Katye
Katye is a classically trained chef, founder of the Project Physique & coreRIDE fitness methods and a lover of fashion. She is constantly evolving & her lifestyle brand is a dedication to all things FOODIE | FITNESS | STYLISH FUN.
The Pandemic Pivot
The "Virtual" Happier Hour
with Cate Luzio
Founder and CEO of Luminary
To Adapt or Stay the Course....
That is the question and Cate has the Answer!
After spending over two decades in corporate America leading global, multi-billion dollar businesses and P&Ls, Cate Luzio self-funded and launched Luminary roughly 18 months ago. Luminary is a global collaboration hub for women who are passionate about professional development and expanding their networks through community and content. Members have physical access in New York City to three floors of communal working and social space (including a rooftop deck, fitness and podcast studios and a beauty bar ) and a new Digital Membership and enhanced platform, hosting over 400 events, workshops and programs since March. Cate has also just recently launched the Luminary Collective, a virtual marketplace featuring over 200+ women-led businesses and services, many of which are experiencing extreme hardship during this difficult time.
The "Virtual" Happier Hour
Ilana Raia
Founder of & CEO of Etregirls.com
" to help girls raise their hands instead of lowering their standards."
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Between the ages of 8 and 14 girls’ confidence can drop by 30%
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By age 14 girls are dropping their sports at 2x the rate of boys
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The biggest fall off of girls in computer science remains between the ages of 13 and 17
But...what if they didn't?
What if, at exactly the time when some girls are quitting what they love they met the right female role model?
A former Skadden Arps lawyer and guest lecturer at Columbia University, Illana has been busy since 2016 founding Être - a resource and mentorship platform for girls approaching high school. She thinks of Être as knowledge strategy for girls - highlighting valuable tools and role models they will need to change the world - and contributes to HuffPost, Ellevate, Ms. Magazine and Thrive Global on these issues. Named a Mogul Influencer in 2017, Illana has appeared in the HuffPost "Talk To Me" video series, participated in the 2018 Balance Project Interviews and the 2019 #WomenWhoRock campaign, and has been featured on Cheddar TV and podcasts like The Other 50%, UBS’ Signature Series, Finding Brave and Women To Watch Media. Her journey from lawyer to founder was profiled in Forbes and Worth, and her award-winning book “Être: Girls, Who Do You Want To Be?” was released in Oct. 2019 on Day of the Girl.
The "Virtual" Happier Hour
Marylyn McLaughlin
Travel Blogger and Consultant
So you don't want to travel by planes or trains...
but that automobile is calling your name!
The "Drivable Vacation" is the new trendy Destination!
But where to go? Where to stay? What to do?
Just ask Marylyn McLaughlin, our resident morphmom travel guru about the latest and the greatest last-minute getaways!
The "Virtual" Happier Hour
Meredith Masony
Founder of That's Inappropriate and That's Inappropriate Parents
Meredith is the mother of 3 and the Founder of the social media empire, That's Inappropriate, with close to 3 million followers across all channels. She is a blogger, vlogger, podcaster, speaker, and author of "Scoop The Poop" who strives to help parents thrive instead of surviving through humor and honesty as they attempt to navigate daily struggles. Her mission is to educate parents about choosing their battles in life and helping women find themselves.
Meet The Moms
The "Virtual" Happier Hour
Denise Albert
Award-winning journalist, television producer and Co-Founder of The MOMS (TheMOMS.com) and Mamarazzi Celebrity Events.
Denise is a Former Senior Producer at Good Morning America, and Former President and Executive Producer at David Blaine Productions. She has contributed to The Huffington Post Parents and The Huffington Post Divorce, where she wrote a series called, “Divorce Diaries”. Denise previously served as a feature reporter for NBA-TV and a producer at Inside Edition. She was the Co-Host of MOMS & The City on NBC’s Digital Television Platform and Co-Host of The MOMS on SiriusXM Radio and Mamarazzi on People.com. The MOMS created a series called Mamarazzi. featuring celebrities in a town-hall discussion, including Emmy and Oscar winners, Sarah Jessica Parker, Will Smith, Nicole Kidman, Tina Fey, Hugh Jackman and Goldie Hawn.
Denise is not only a Breast Cancer Advocate but a Survivor as well! She has shared her story on People.com and had an on-going series at GoodHousekeeping.com.
We Come as Girls, We Leave as Women
The "Virtual" Happier Hour
Author-Chrishaunda Lee Perez
"We Come as Girls, We Leave as Women"
Join us for our weekly Happier Hour with author, Chrishaunda Lee Perez, as we discuss her Oprah Winfrey heralded coming of age novel which explores the difficult decisions and situations girls find themselves in as they approach womanhood. A must-read for women of all ages.
Chrishaunda Lee Perez is a writer, producer, creator, and orator. Ms. Perez serves as an advocate for women and teen girls, engaging groups around the world, enlightening audiences about bridging gaps between teen girls and women, encouraging adults to fully consider a teenaged girl's point of view, and elevating empathetic communication as a source of relieving certain traumas and strengthening human connection. They often serve as a key focus in her written works, including acclaimed historical fantasy/magical realism short film, "The Forever Tree" and powerful true story of miracles, "Share The Dream: Building Noah's Ark One Prayer at a Time". Currently, Ms. Perez is in pre-production for her first narrative film about two mothers and their sons and the debilitating effects of addiction.
Have you ever met a SUPERHERO??
The "Virtual" Happier Hour
Simone Gordon,
CEO & Founder The Black Fairy Godmother Organization, Activist, Motivational Speaker & Domestic Violence Specialist.
Simone is a single mom raising a son with autism and a full- time nursing student who is also saving the world...one emergency at a time. This 2020 Webby award winner devotes her life to helping women in crisis around the globe with emergency funds and supplies and does it all through her Instagram account.
Don't miss this opportunity to meet your SUPERHERO in person....
Click Here For The Taped Show
The New Face of the Workspace
We discuss the myriad of issues that returning to work brings. We will cover risk mitigation, legal ramifications and how to navigate the complexities of employment issues, including workplace safety and employee privacy. We will also learn how the workspace can and should adapt to protect employees and how co-working spaces are addressing the changing environment of shared space. We will share suggestions and opportunities from The Community Food Bank of NJ as to how you can help others during this challenging time. We hope to provide you with concrete tips and takeaways, so you return to work armed with a transition plan
Panel:
Kathleen Butler Smith (Moderator)
Founder - MORPHMOM
Janelle Edwards-Stewart - Employment Attorney
,Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C.
Pam Kapsimalis - Business Attorney,
Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C.
Sandee Markwith- -Principal of Studio 1200
Lynne Pagano - Co-Founder and COO of The Co-Co
Susan Present - Founding Chair,
Women Fighting Hunger Council of The Community Food Bank of NJ
The Yay in Every Day!
In case you thought you missed it...You are in Luck!
Virtual “How-To” Happy Hour
Meaghan B Murphy
Content Director of Woman’s Day Magazine
&
Author of upcoming 2021 release:
"The Fully Charged Life: A Radically Simple Guide to Having Endless Energy & Filling Every Day with Yay"
Grab a glass of wine and join morphmom and our co-host New Jersey Family as Meaghan teaches us all how to find that
Fully Charged Life…
Meaghan B Murphy, formerly Executive Editor of Good Housekeeping, is a writer, editor, on-air personality, lifestyle and health expert and influencer, a home-hack master and certified personal trainer. She is also a regular guest expert on “Today,” “Live with Kelly & Ryan,” “The Dr. Oz Show,” “Inside Edition” and many more.
Enjoy Our Taped Happy Hour
What's Your Story?
Virtual “How-To” Happy Hour
Author, Laurie Gelman
"Class Mom” and “You’ve Been Volunteered”
Where else can you ask TV personality & Best-Selling Author,
Laurie Gelman, how to share YOUR story?⠀
From talk shows and music shows to parenting shows and news, Laurie Gelman has a wide range of media talents. She now adds best selling author to the list with her brutal take on room parenting in both "Class Mom" and "You’ve Been Volunteered". She began her career in Canada, then went on to co-host several shows in both Canada and the U.S. including the groundbreaking show Breakfast Time with Tom Bergeron for the f/X network. Laurie spent two years as a correspondent for ABC's Good Morning America, and, later, The Early Show on CBS. She was a contributing editor for the now defunct Cookie Magazine and a blogger for babycenter.com. More importantly, she was the class mom at her daughters' school for 5 years. She considers this the toughest job she has ever had. Laurie is married to Michael Gelman, Executive Producer of ABC's Live with Kelly and Ryan and is the mother of two beautiful girls. Laurie's ability to talk and write openly and candidly about herself, AND the trials, tribulations and joys of being a wife, mother and woman gives her a unique voice as a writer and broadcaster.
The Art of the Road Trip
The "Virtual" Happier Hour
Cinda Boomershine
Influencer, World Traveler and Founder of Cinda B
Where else can you ask Cinda Boomershine,
Where to Road Trip? When to Road trip? How to Road Trip?⠀
With a passion for color and design, Cinda Boomershine started her Atlanta based interior design firm in 2002. After earning industry recognition, she joined the cast of TBS’s Movie and a Makeover as the on-air design expert for 9 years. In 2004 she launched cinda b , which combines travel bags, totes and accessories all manufactured in the United States and sold online and in over 500 stores internationally. In 2015 she sold her line to spend time with her family and devote her attention to 2 new business ventures and her upcoming book based on her family’s love of travel. Cinda is also very involved in the arts, women entrepreneurs, animal rights and the environment.
10 Things You Need To Know...
Elizabeth Schulte Roth
Founder of " 10 Things You Need to Know"
After many years as an editor for Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, and Details, Elizabeth Schulte Roth moved to Atlanta where she directed the public relations for the Tony Award-winning Alliance Theatre before launching two magazines (PaperCity and Atlanta Peach) as editor-in-chief. In 2012, she moved to Asheville, North Carolina, where she continues to write for various magazines and is the Brand Ambassador for the Italian jewelry designer Roberto Coin.
Laughter is The Best Medicine
Virtual Happy Hour
Danielle Silverstein,
Co-Founder of the Hit Podcast,
"Marriage and Martinis"
Please join Morphmom and our co-host, New Jersey Family, for cocktails, conversation and an hour of some much-needed humor!
Thank you to our partners Kathleen Entwistle and Zoom leaders at B.I.G. !
Today's Plan: Virtual Happy Hour
In case you thought you missed it...
you didn't!
Virtual Happy Hour
Heather Stillufsen,
Illustrator, Author and Founder of Rose Hill Design Studio,
exploring what inspires Heather to in turn inspire us all
each and every day!
Thank you to our Zoom leaders at B.I.G. !
Calling All Broadway Fans!
Morphmom is bringing the new hit Mrs. Doubtfire to your home
Please join us for a lively conversation about the making of Mrs Doubtfire and the all of the excitement behind the show!
We are thrilled to welcome:
Jenn Gambatese, who plays Miranda Hillard, is an actor, singer, teacher and writer whose work has enabled her to see the world and collaborate with some of the most wonderful artists imaginable.
https://mrsdoubtfirebroadway.com/cast/#cast-gallery-2
&
Lorin Latarro is one of the leading choreographers in the theatrical world today. On Broadway, she choreographed Waitress, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, and Waiting for Godot with Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen. https://mrsdoubtfirebroadway.com/cast/#creative-gallery-5
Virtual Happy Hour
Jude Connally Zimmerman,
Founder and CEO of Jude Connally Clothing
Please enjoy our taped Happy Hour as we explore the importance of reflecting on the "good ole days" when the future is so uncertain.
VIRTUAL HAPPY HOUR with GINNY BRZEZINSKI
Grab a glass of wine (or two) and enjoy our taped virtual Happy Hour with Author Ginny Brzezinski as we discuss her book
‘Comeback Careers: Rethink, Refresh, Reinvent Your Success—At 40 ,50, and Beyond’
Ginny teamed up with her sister-in-law, New York Times bestselling author and co-host of MSNBC's Morning Joe, Mika Brzezinski to show us that career reinvention is possible at any age.
Business as (Un)Usual.......Part3
Please enjoy our taped webinar- Securing your Business in the Months to Come . As a result of the COVID-19 crisis, businesses have entered a new reality of how to conduct business with emerging threats to success. This webinar is part of a series as we explore the next steps for businesses and discuss how they can move forward. Our distinguished panel addresses different threats businesses are facing including cybersecurity, virtual working environments, business and employment liability, and branding.
Additionally, Board President of Dress for Success Northern New Jersey, Melissa Hartzell, shares how to help women in your community during this difficult time. No matter the size or stage of your business, we hope to provide some answers in this time of uncertainty.
Panelists:
Kathleen Butler Smith Founder: Morphmom
Beth Guastella - Vice President and General Manager Jo Malone London, NA at the Estèe Lauder Companies
Bridget Guerrero - Global Security Operations Manager GoDaddy Inc.
Melissa Hartzell - President of the Board of Directors Dress for Success Northern New Jersey
Pam Kapsimalis- Business AttorneyPorzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C.
Melanie Lipomanis - Employment Attorney Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C.
Please enjoy our taped webinar which further explores the challenges companies are facing during this unprecedented COVID-19 crisis.
Our distinguished panel will address different aspects of your business from various legal and financial perspectives.
Additionally, Professional Speaker and Life Coach Katie McKenna will provide insight into overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Kathleen Butler Smith-Founder morphmom.com
Kate Anderson - Co-Founder iFundWomen, Inc.
Kelly Curtin - Bankruptcy Attorney-Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C.
Michele Fine CFP ® - VP and Private Banker J.P. Morgan Private Bank
Pamela Kapsimalis - Business AttorneyPorzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C.
Katie McKenna - Professional SpeakerLife Coach and Bestselling Author
How to Access The CARES Act!
Small business funding lifeline in the time of COVID-19!
Who can get government funds?
How do you apply?
When does it arrive?
Join Morphmom and our expert panel of Partners from the Law Firm of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP, Jane C. Luxton, Karen C. Bennett snd Katie Funk, on Tuesday, April 7th at 2 PM as we navigate The Who, What, When, Where and Why of the new small business relief act- “The CARES ACT”!
BUSINESS AS (UN)USUAL
No worries if you missed our webinar exploring the challenges companies are facing during this unprecedented crisis from a legal, financial, insurance, and marketing/social media perspective. We taped the event!
Panel:
Kathleen Butler Smith:
Moderator, CEO of MORPHMOM
Kerry Barrett:
Former New Anchor/Reporter, NBC News and Former Anchor, Fox News, Kerry Barrett Consulting
Janelle Edwards-Stewart:
Employment and Education Attorney, Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C.
Kathleen Entwistle:
Senior Vice President, Wealth Management,
UBS Financial Services Inc. and Host of UBS podcast
Stephanie Johnson:
Vice President, Employee Benefits, USI Insurance Services
Pamela Kapsimalis:
Business Attorney, Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C.