Listen to the Full Conversation

Listen to the full episode of Mompreneur Talk with Cathy Gagliardi and discover how storytelling can help children and families find strength during life’s most challenging moments.

In this inspiring episode of Mompreneur Talk, children’s book author Cathy Gagliardi shares her journey, the lessons that inspired her work, and the importance of resilience, hope, and storytelling in the lives of children and families. Through her books and personal experiences, Cathy demonstrates how even the darkest moments can lead to healing, growth, and purpose.

Life doesn’t always go according to plan. As parents, we want to protect our children from pain, disappointment, and loss, but difficult moments are an inevitable part of growing up.

The question becomes: How do we help children process emotions they may not yet fully understand?

In a recent episode of Mompreneur Talk, host Karla Campos sat down with children’s book author Cathy Gagliardi to discuss the power of storytelling, resilience, and how books can help children navigate challenging experiences. Inspired by personal experiences and a journey of triumph over tragedy, Cathy has dedicated her work to creating stories that encourage hope, healing, and emotional growth.

Stories Help Children Understand Big Feelings

Children often struggle to put complex emotions into words.

Fear.

Sadness.

Frustration.

Uncertainty.

Books provide a safe space for children to see these emotions reflected in characters and situations they can understand. Through storytelling, children learn they are not alone in what they are feeling.

A well-crafted story can open the door to conversations that might otherwise feel difficult for both children and parents.

Resilience Is Built One Story at a Time

Resilience is not something children are born with. It is developed through experiences, guidance, and the examples they encounter along the way.

One of the themes discussed during Cathy Gagliardi’s appearance on Mompreneur Talk is the idea that difficult experiences can become opportunities for growth. Her work highlights how hope and perseverance can emerge even during life’s darkest moments.

For parents, this serves as an important reminder:

Children do not need a perfect life to thrive.

They need support, encouragement, and examples of people who overcome challenges.

Stories can provide those examples.

The Power of Reading Together

In today’s digital world, families have endless entertainment options competing for attention.

Yet reading together remains one of the simplest and most powerful ways to connect with children.

Shared reading time can:

• Strengthen parent-child relationships
• Improve communication skills
• Encourage empathy
• Build confidence
• Create meaningful conversations

Sometimes a story becomes more than a story. It becomes an opportunity for healing, understanding, and connection.

Lessons for Mompreneurs

While Cathy writes for children, her message resonates with entrepreneurs as well.

Every business owner experiences setbacks.

Every entrepreneur faces moments of doubt.

Every mompreneur encounters challenges that test her resilience.

The ability to continue moving forward despite obstacles is what transforms difficult chapters into meaningful stories.

As entrepreneurs, we often focus on the next goal, the next launch, or the next milestone. But growth frequently happens during the difficult moments we never planned for.

About Cathy Gagliardi

Cathy Gagliardi is a children’s book author, speaker, and advocate for resilience whose work is inspired by her personal journey of overcoming life’s challenges. Through her stories, Cathy helps children and families navigate difficult emotions while promoting hope, courage, and healing. Her books encourage young readers to discover their inner strength and remind them that even the darkest moments can lead to growth and new beginnings.

The post How Storytelling Can Help Children Navigate Life’s Hardest Moments, Cathy Gagliardi first appeared on Mompreneur Talk Podcast.

Listen to the Full Conversation

Listen to the full episode of Mompreneur Talk with Andrea Ferreira and discover how introverted entrepreneurs can build powerful personal brands while staying authentic.

In this episode of Mompreneur Talk, Andrea Ferreira shares her perspective on entrepreneurship, confidence, personal branding, and what it means to build a business while staying true to yourself.

When people think of personal branding, they often picture someone who loves the spotlight, thrives on networking, and never hesitates to share their story online.

But what if you’re an introvert?

That question was at the heart of a recent conversation on Mompreneur Talk with image consultant and entrepreneur Andrea Ferreira. During the episode, Andrea shared insights on how entrepreneurs can build a strong personal brand without pretending to be someone they’re not.

For many mompreneurs, the idea of self-promotion can feel uncomfortable. Between family responsibilities, client work, and the everyday demands of running a business, creating content and putting yourself out there can easily fall to the bottom of the priority list.

Yet visibility matters.

Personal Branding Is About Trust

One of the biggest misconceptions about personal branding is that it’s about becoming famous.

In reality, personal branding is about helping people understand who you are, what you do, and why they should trust you.

Your personal brand is often the first impression potential customers have of your business. Before someone schedules a consultation, purchases a product, or hires your services, they’re likely searching online to learn more about you.

That means your website, social media profiles, podcast interviews, and content all contribute to your reputation.

Introverts Have a Unique Advantage

While extroverts may seem naturally suited for networking and public speaking, introverts often excel at listening, building meaningful relationships, and creating thoughtful content.

These qualities can become powerful personal branding assets.

Rather than focusing on becoming louder, introverted entrepreneurs can focus on becoming more visible in ways that feel authentic.

That might include:

• Sharing lessons learned from their business journey
• Writing blog posts that answer common customer questions
• Appearing as a guest on podcasts
• Publishing helpful social media content
• Building deeper relationships with their audience

Authenticity often resonates more strongly than constant self-promotion.

Visibility Creates Opportunity

Many business owners wait until they feel completely confident before sharing their expertise publicly.

Unfortunately, confidence often comes after action, not before it.

Every blog post, podcast interview, speaking engagement, or social media update creates an opportunity for someone to discover your business.

For mompreneurs, visibility isn’t about ego. It’s about creating opportunities, building credibility, and reaching the people who need your products or services.

Start Small

If building a personal brand feels overwhelming, start with one small step.

Update your professional headshot.

Share your story on your website.

Post one business lesson you’ve learned this week.

Record a short video answering a frequently asked question.

Small actions performed consistently often create the greatest long-term impact.

About Andrea Ferreira

Andrea Ferreira is an introverted entrepreneur, image consultant, and personal branding advocate passionate about helping women build confidence and visibility. She works with professionals and business owners to develop an authentic personal brand that reflects who they are and supports their business goals.

RELATED EPISODES

How Storytelling Can Help Children Navigate Life’s Hardest Moments, Cathy Gagliardi

June 10, 2026

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The post What Introverted Entrepreneurs Can Teach Us About Building a Personal Brand, Andrea Ferreira first appeared on Mompreneur Talk Podcast.

Albuquerque, NM — March 2026 — The New Mexico Local News Fund announced that its annual statewide gathering, the New Mexico News Summit 2026, will take place on March 20–21 at the UNM Continuing Education Conference Center. This year’s theme, “Local News in a Digital World: Navigating the New Information Era,” reflects the rapidly evolving landscape facing journalists, newsrooms, and communities across the state.

The two‑day summit brings together reporters, editors, publishers, technologists, educators, students, and community leaders to explore the challenges and opportunities shaping local news in an era defined by digital transformation, AI‑driven tools, and shifting audience behaviors.

“Local news is essential to strong communities, but the tools, expectations, and information systems around us are changing faster than ever,” said organizers from the New Mexico Local News Fund. “This summit is designed to help newsrooms adapt, innovate, and build sustainable models that serve New Mexicans today and in the future.”

A Focus on Innovation, Access, and Community

This year’s programming highlights several core areas:

AI and emerging technologies in journalism
Sessions will explore how artificial intelligence, automation, and digital tools can support reporting, strengthen workflows, and improve access to trustworthy information, while also addressing misinformation and ethical concerns.

Bilingual and community‑centered storytelling
With New Mexico’s rich linguistic and cultural diversity, the summit emphasizes inclusive reporting practices and strategies for reaching multilingual audiences.

Sustainability and newsroom resilience
Panels will examine funding models, collaborative reporting, and community partnerships that help local news thrive in rural and urban areas alike.

Digital skills for modern newsrooms
Workshops will offer hands‑on training in audience engagement, data journalism, multimedia storytelling, and platform‑specific strategies.

A Statewide Effort to Strengthen Local News

The New Mexico News Summit has become a cornerstone event for journalists across the state, offering a rare opportunity for cross‑newsroom collaboration and shared learning. Attendees include representatives from legacy newspapers, digital startups, public media, student publications, and independent outlets.
The 2026 summit continues the Fund’s mission to support a vibrant, equitable information ecosystem, one where communities have access to reliable, culturally relevant news and where journalists have the tools they need to succeed in a rapidly changing media environment.

Event Details
New Mexico News Summit 2026
March 20–21, 2026
UNM Continuing Education Conference Center
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Tickets and additional program details are available through The New Mexico Local News Fund Summit.

The post New Mexico News Summit 2026, Focused on Local News in a Digital World first appeared on Mompreneur Talk Podcast.

What began as a routine adventure for nearly 100 tourists quickly became one of New Zealand’s most devastating natural disasters. Located in the Bay of Plenty, Whakaari / White Island had long been a popular destination for thrill-seekers and nature lovers drawn to its steaming vents and surreal volcanic landscape.

Whakaari / White Island Eruption Timeline: A Day of Shock and Survival

At 2:11 PM local time, just minutes after visitors had entered the crater, the volcano erupted without warning. A towering column of ash and steam shot two miles into the sky, engulfing the island in toxic gases and debris. Many of the victims were part of a tour group from the cruise ship Ovation of the Seas, and wore gas masks to explore the crater’s edge.

The eruption was classified as a phreatic event, meaning it was caused by steam pressure rather than magma movement, making it nearly impossible to predict. Survivors described the explosion as eerily silent and sudden, with no time to react. Rescue efforts were swift but dangerous, as emergency crews risked their lives to retrieve those stranded on the island. A total of 47 people were on the island at the time of the eruption. In addition to the 22 fatalities, 25 others were injured, many with life-altering burns.

In the aftermath, questions arose about tour safety protocols, the risks of visiting active volcanoes, and the emotional toll on survivors and families. The tragedy sparked global conversations about adventure tourism and the balance between thrill and responsibility.

Today, White Island remains off-limits to tourists, and its story lives on through documentaries, survivor accounts, and ongoing investigations. It serves as a sobering reminder of nature’s unpredictability.

Ever found yourself in a wild, risky moment, whether on a family trip, solo adventure, or just trying to keep everyone safe?

The post The 2019 White Island Tour Volcano Eruption first appeared on Mompreneur Talk Podcast.

Lauren Spierer was a 20-year-old Indiana University student who vanished in the early hours of June 3, 2011, after a night out in Bloomington, Indiana. She was last seen walking alone near 11th Street and College Avenue around 4:30 a.m. Her disappearance sparked national attention and remains one of the most haunting unsolved cases in recent college history.

Investigation Status

• Despite extensive searches, interviews, and media coverage, Lauren’s body has never been found, and no one has been charged in connection with her disappearance.
• A new book titled College Girl, Missing by investigative journalist Shawn Cohen includes new witness testimony and explores the case in depth.
• Theories range from accidental overdose to foul play, but none have been proven.

As a mom, what would you have done in this situation? Drop your thoughts below.

The post Lauren Spierer’s Disappearance first appeared on Mompreneur Talk Podcast.