From My Mama's Kitchen® Talk Radio (FMMKTalkRadio)

Every once in a while, life presents an unexpected challenge that requires you to stay in faith; that all things are meant for some greater good, perhaps not seen immediately, but non the less for the “Greater Good.”

Until we are able to put ourselves beyond our comfort zone, we will not realize we have what it takes to make a difference in our life and in others as well.

At 13 years old, Melinda Marchiano began feeling ill. No one took her seriously except her mom Lee. Together they started on a journey that eventually tested their faith, while strengthening their love for one another when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma in December 2007.

Now cancer free Melinda had written a memoir titled, Grace – a child’s intimate journey through cancer and recovery which recently won the 2010 International Book Award, to help inspire others.

Please call 347.327.9995 on Tuesday June 29th from 10-11am CST US to join Melinda, her mom Lee, and I live on the air with your questions and personal stories.

Forced to live with her father by a judge who deemed her mother’s lifestyle, “unnatural”, Melissa Hart was only allowed to visit her mother and her partner two weekends a month. During these short stays, she embraced the culture of her mother’s neighborhood, seeking solace in quesadillas, musicals, and her mother’s ramshackle VW bus.

Melissa and I will be discussing her fleeting moments with her mother, her unfolding adoration of Oxnard’s Latino culture, and the ways in which she’s molded by the polarity of her parents’ worldviews – “ a touching and reflective look at one girl’s struggle with the dichotomies of class, culture, and sexuality!

Melissa Hart teaches journalism at the University of Oregon and memoir writing for UC Berkeley’s online extension program. Her essays have appeared in The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, The Advocate, Fourth Genre, and High Country News. She is also a contributing editor to The Writer Magazine.

Please call 347.327.9995 on Tuesday June 22nd from 10-11am CST US to join Melissa and I live on the air with your questions and personal stories.

From My Mama’s Kitchen Presents… “When did I get like this?” A visit with Amy Wilson, author and performer of the off Broadway hit “Mother Load.”

After seven years of raising kids, Amy Wilson has an overriding daily thought: she sucks at being a mother.

The Screamer, the Worrier, the Dinosaur-Chicken-Nugget-Buyer, and Other Mothers I Swore I ‘d Never be – Amy quickly discovered after having children that things don’t always work out according to plan.

Any mother who wants what is best for her child – and what mother doesn’t? – can soon, despite her best intentions, find herself on a fruitless and losing quest for perfection.

Amy finds great humor in her own journey, first to achieve what she is told is “best” for her children, then to ignore those same voices once she realizes that is not the mother she wants to be either!

Amy and I will be discussing her funny, endearing celebration of a mother’s quest to provide what is best for her kids in the age of too many options. It’s also about the doubts almost anyone has facing a giant life change, and their ability to preserve in the face of that change.

Please call 347.327.9995 on Tuesday June 15th from 10-11am CST US to join Amy and I live on the air with your questions and personal stories.

As a songwriter, Karen is a Grammy-nominee.

As a vocal artist, Karen has been heard on national radio and television jingles.

As a solo artist, Karen has had 9 nationally-charted singles.

As an entrepreneur, Karen has overcome many music industry obstacles by forming her own record label (with 6 nationally released CDs), and her own music publishing and merchandising companies.

As an author, Karen has recently penned her first book entitled “On Angel’s Wings,” which includes a companion CD.

As a keynote speaker, Karen has inspired, motivated, encouraged, and entertained thousands.

As a marketer, Karen’s objective is clear: To make a difference in the world as the ‘Song Guru’ – - – a woman of wisdom and compassion who uses the power of music to open hearts and minds – - – to remind us that we are all together in this strange and wondrous journey of life.

As a philanthropist, Karen donated her time and talent to “The Planet Earth Project.” The song (which she recorded in 7 different languages) was set to footage furnished by NASA, and won an International Video Award.

As a daughter, Karen is fortunate to have experienced many memorable moments with her late mother who have made such a positive difference in her life with motherly love.

Please call 347.327.9995 on Tuesday June 8th from 10-11am CST US to join Karen and I live on the air with your questions and personal stories.