Moments With Marianne

What happens when one woman dares to challenge centuries of religious tradition, not with protest, but with compassion, wisdom, and an unwavering heart? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Cindy Rasicot on her Nautilus award-winning book This Fresh Existence: Heart Teachings from Bhikkhuni Dhammananda. Moments with Marianne airs in the Southern California area on KMET 1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio Affiliate!  https://www.kmet1490am.comCindy Rasicot is a retired psychotherapist and author of This Fresh Existence: Heart Teachings from Bhikkhuni Dhammananda, a Nautilus Gold and Special Honors: Ordained to Lead: Women’s Spiritual Legacy Award. In 2005 she travelled to Thailand with her family where she met Bhikkhuni Dhammananda — an encounter that changed her life forever. In 2020 she wrote the award winning memoir Finding Venerable Mother: A Daughter’s Spiritual Quest to Thailand. Her memoir is a soulful story of spiritual healing through her loving connection with Bhikkhuni Dhammananda. The

Did you know that according to research provided by the American Cancer Society, more than 2 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in 2025? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Mohit Manrao, Senior Vice President of US Oncology at AstraZeneca, on the rising caner rates among younger adults.  Moments with Marianne airs in the Southern California area on KMET 1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio Affiliate! https://www.kmet1490am.comMohit Manrao, Senior Vice President and Head of the US Oncology Business Unit at AstraZeneca, is responsible for leading commercial strategy and maximizing performance of their expansive oncology portfolio. Prior to assuming his current role in 2022, Mohit served as Vice President, Global Franchise Head Lung Cancer since 2020. Mohit joined AstraZeneca in 2012, holding various roles at the market, regional, and global-level across geographies, including Head of UK Oncology and Head of Daiichi Sankyo Alliance Europe. Mohit’s education includes Bachelor of Technolo

What if the future of fine jewelry isn’t just about sparkle, but about access, innovation, and redefining who luxury is really for? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Monil Kothari on the Haus of Brilliance Jewelry Collection.  Moments with Marianne airs in the Southern California area on KMET 1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio Affiliate!  https://www.kmet1490am.comMonil Kothari is the founder and CEO of Haus of Brilliance, a New York City-based fine jewelry brand rooted in the belief that luxury should be accessible to all. With over 13 years of experience, including early training in India and more than a decade leading operations in New York, Monil brings a global perspective and deep industry insight to his work. Since launching the brand, he has grown Haus of Brilliance from a family-rooted business into a major player in modern jewelry retail, with products available through Amazon, QVC, Kohl’s, Belk, 1stDibs, and the brand’s own e-commerce site. Known for its focus on quality, trend-dri

Can spending time among ancient trees truly awaken creativity, intuition, and even deep healing? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Ellen Dee Davidson on her new books The Miracle Forest: A True Story, Wind, and Sacred Forest Bathing: The Healing Power of Ancient Trees and Wild Places.Moments with Marianne airs in the Southern California area on KMET 1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio Affiliate!  https://www.kmet1490am.comAfter graduating from UC Santa Cruz, Ellen Dee Davidson spent years teaching elementary school, creative writing, and piano while raising her two daughters, Jessica and Michelle. She is the author of six published books and several magazine articles, including one on preserving ancient trees. Her works include The Miracle Forest: A True Story (a 2025 Nautilus Silver Award winner), Wind (a 2023 Nautilus Gold Award winner), and Sacred Forest Bathing: The Healing Power of Ancient Trees and Wild Places. Ellen lives among the redwoods in Humboldt County, where nature continues to

What does it mean to celebrate life in the face of profound loss, and how can that act transform not only grief, but those who witness it? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Myra Sack on her new book Fifty-Seven Fridays: Losing Our Daughter, Finding Our Way.Moments with Marianne airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio affiliate!  https://www.kmet1490am.comMyra Sack is the author of Nautilus award-winning memoir, "Fifty-Seven Fridays: Losing Our Daughter Finding Our Way," and founder of E-Motion, Inc., a nonprofit organization created to support community, movement and ritual to enhance coping and resilience. Myra's life changed when her older daughter, Havi, died on January 20, 2021 of Tay-Sachs disease. Myra is a certified Compassionate Bereavement Care provider, holds an MBA in Social Impact from Boston University, and graduated with a B.A. cum laude from Dartmouth College. Myra's writing has been featured in the Boston Globe, Kveller, People, Hadassah

What if the version of yourself you've spent years trying to fix just to blend in, was never broken to begin with? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Sol Smith on his new book The Autistic's Guide to Self-Discovery: Flourishing as a Neurodivergent Adult.Moments with Marianne airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio affiliate!  Sol Smith is an author and of the manager of the Neurospicy Community, which is the largest sup  port network for autistics and ADHDers in the world.  A certified autism specialist who is autistic, dyslexic, and living with ADHD. spent more than two decades as a college professor before shifting his professional focus to coaching other autistic and ADHD people to gain autonomy in their lives. Sol’s speaking skills have earned him a following of hundreds of thousands on TikTok and led to educational seminars about neurodiversity with corporations around the world.  http://www.ProfessorSol.comFor more show information visit: www.Marian

Have you ever felt like a part of you wants to change, but something keeps holding you back? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Britt Frank on her new book Align Your Mind: Tame Your Inner Critic and Make Peace with Your Shadow Using the Power of Parts Work.Moments with Marianne airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio affiliate! Britt Frank, MSW, LSCSW, SEP, is a licensed neuropsychotherapist, keynote speaker, and author. She received her B.A. from Duke University and her MSW from the University of Kansas, where she later became an award-winning adjunct professor. Frank speaks and writes widely about the brain and how to get unstuck from even the most long-standing habits and patterns. Her work has been featured by New York Magazine, The New York Times, Forbes, NPR, The Society for Human Resources Management, Psychology Today, and Esquire. https://www.brittfrank.com For more show information visit: www.MariannePestana.com

Why does child marriage still exist in nearly every U.S. state, and what can we do to stop it? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Donna Simmons on her new book Ashes to Flame: Transforming Trauma Into Purpose.Moments with Marianne airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio affiliate! Donna Simmons is a wife, mother, author, and dedicated advocate for breaking cycles of generational trauma and supporting mental health recovery. Appointed by the Governor to the Kentucky Juvenile Justice Advisory Board, she collaborates with leaders across the state to reduce juvenile system involvement and strengthen protective factors for at-risk youth. A survivor of child abuse and exploitation, Donna’s personal journey fuels her mission to help others transform pain into purpose.   Her memoir, Ashes to Flame, chronicles her experience of survival and healing, encouraging others to uncover their own inner resilience. Donna’s story has been featured in Good Housekeeping, Glam

What happens when a high-powered engineer walks away from corporate life to follow a dream rooted in ancestral wisdom, music, and the magic of nature? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Jennifer Elwell Comeau on her new books The Inside of ME, and A Moon in All Things. Moments with Marianne airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio affiliate!  Jennifer Elwell Comeau inspires humans to restore our sacred partnership with the rest of the natural world. A certified Forest Therapy Guide, singer-songwriter, and author-speaker, nature is Jennifer’s creative muse. Her Nautilus Gold-winning children’s book, “The Inside of ME” is a profound reminder of the magic that happens on the inside when we go outside. Her debut novel, A Moon in All Things, has been called “atmospheric and beguiling” by Kirkus Reviews, and her poems and essays are published in four anthologies. She has produced two albums of original music available on all streaming platforms. She partners wit

What if a broken sacred object set two young boys on a journey that would change not only their lives, but reveal the soul of a land and its people? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Kent Nerburn, PhD, on his new novel Lone Dog Road.  Moments with Marianne airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio affiliate! Kent Nerburn is the author of Lone Dog Road and 15 other books on spirituality and Native American themes.  He has been praised as one of the few American writers who can bridge the gap between Native and non-Native cultures.  Kent has twice won the Minnesota Book Award.  His book, Chief Joseph and the Flight of the Nez Perce, was a New York Times best seller, and his internationally acclaimed Neither Wolf nor Dog, which was the One Book South Dakota selection for 2019, is used in multi-cultural curriculums around the world. Kent is currently serving as cultural liaison to the International Smile Network in their work providing dental and cleft palate

What if everything you thought you remembered about your life, your love, or even your own mind wasn’t the full truth? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Lisa Loop on her new novel States of Matter. Moments with Marianne airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio affiliate!Lisa Loop (MFA UCR/PD) has published in NBC.com/THINK, The Coachella Review, Kelp, Ballast, Gastropoda, University of Alabama Z Publications, Gunpowder Press, and other places. She is the author of five books, two under the pen name Thora Wolf. A former Hollywood creative executive originally from Seattle, she lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their elderly Aussie Shepherd mix. https://www.lisaloop.comFor more show information visit: www.MariannePestana.com

What if the very things we’ve been praised for, working nonstop, shrinking to fit in, and always showing up strong, are actually costing us our mental health? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Dr. Kristen Guillory on The Power of Pause. Moments with Marianne airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio affiliate! Dr. Kristen Guillory is an acclaimed international speaker, author, coach, and mental health professional known for her transformative, heart-centered approach. Earning her Ph.D. by age 27, and has since delivered over 1,500 talks to audiences totaling more than 500,000 people. Blending humor, storytelling, and deep insight, Dr. Guillory empowers individuals to break free from emotional barriers and live with clarity, purpose, and ease. Her expertise has been featured on NBC, FOX, CBS affiliates, and Forbes. She is the author of Walking Through the Fog and Look, Stop Hiding, and the founder of Candid Conversations for Men — a powerful space for truth

What if lasting peace has been within you all along, just waiting to be awakened? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Awakened Zen Master Thich Dieu Thien on her work The Great Vow. Moments with Marianne airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio affiliate! Not in the broadcast area? Click here or your favorite radio app to tune in! Awakened Zen Master Thich Dieu Thien, also known as The Awakened One, is a globally respected spiritual teacher and the founder of Universal Door Meditation Center in Sugar Land, near Houston, TX. From a young age, she knew she did not belong to the human world of constant conflicts and duality, and longed to return to what she calls the Awakened Home, free from suffering, rooted in truth, love, and clarity. She became a Buddhist nun at 18 and explored countless teachings and methods, but none of that helped her return to Awakened Home. In April 2001, she fully awakened in Thailand, returning to the boundless wisdom and compassion

What if the key to healing your own trauma lies in breaking the patterns your family never could? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Donna Simmons on her new book Ashes to Flame: Transforming Trauma Into Purpose.Moments with Marianne airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio affiliate!  Donna Simmons is a wife, mother, author, and dedicated advocate for breaking cycles of generational trauma and supporting mental health recovery. Appointed by the Governor to the Kentucky Juvenile Justice Advisory Board, she collaborates with leaders across the state to reduce juvenile system involvement and strengthen protective factors for at-risk youth. A survivor of child abuse and exploitation, Donna’s personal journey fuels her mission to help others transform pain into purpose. Her memoir, Ashes to Flame, chronicles her experience of survival and healing, encouraging others to uncover their own inner resilience. Donna’s story has been featured in Good Housekeeping, Gl

What can a retired police officer teach us about healing a city, and ourselves through compassion? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Leatrice Woody on her work and new book Not Without Love: 7 Tasks To Check Off. Moments with Marianne airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio affiliate! Leatrice Woody is a retired Chicago police officer with over 21 years of service, now devoted to bridging the gap between law enforcement and the communities they serve. A lifelong Chicagoan and entrepreneur since age nine, she has launched multiple ventures—including three salons, real estate projects, and the patented Buff & Go portable nail salon, now sold globally. With a bachelor’s in business and communication, she is a certified life and business coach with Blue Heart Coaching, empowering others to succeed personally and professionally. Her four-time bestselling book, Not Without Love: 7 Tasks to Check-Off, offers practical tools for personal growth and trust-bui

Can sound really shift your energy, heal emotional wounds, and reconnect you with your soul’s wisdom? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Ashana on her work and book Crystal Singing Bowls: The Angelic Sound of Healing, Relaxation and Spiritual Awakening.Moments with Marianne airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio affiliate!Ashana is a multi award-winning musician and author and one of the premiere healing music artists and New Age vocalists of our time. As a world recognized Master of Crystal Singing Bowls, Ashana’s original sound is credited as pioneering an entirely new genre of healing music with crystal bowls. Her beautiful recordings are hailed by listeners all over the world as “breathtaking” and “a Gift from Heaven.” Ashana's best-selling book, Crystal Singing Bowls: The Angelic Sound of Healing, Relaxation and Spiritual Awakening, has won multiple awards and is hailed by sound healing practitioners as "soon to be a classic" in sound healing. Ashan

Is it possible to make travel sports season feel like a vacation? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Carolyn Antonini as she shares some of her best tips to help parents navigate their summer travel adventures for sporting events. Moments with Marianne airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio affiliate! Caryn Antonini is a multilingual entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, and media personality whose global upbringing sparked a lifelong passion for language and culture. A graduate of Georgetown University’s School of Languages and Linguistics, she created the award-winning Early Lingo Language Learning System and later launched Cultivated by Caryn, a media brand and radio show focused on culture, cuisine, and comfort, airing on six stations. She previously ran Present Perfect, a luxury gift business serving A-list clients in Los Angeles, and co-produced the Town Dish series honoring First Responders. Caryn has been featured on CNN, ABC, Fox, CBS, and NBC as an exper

Are you unknowingly overlooking simple safety steps that could protect your family or business? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Cathy Pedrayes on common safety mistakes and tips that could help prevent a major emergency.Moments with Marianne airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio affiliate!Cathy Pedrayes is a safety and cybersecurity expert with a passion for all things home tech, and as a mom, she knows firsthand how important  it is to keep your family safe. She brings a trusted voice and real-life parenting perspective to families looking to enhance their home security. With over 2.6 million TikTok followers, Cathy makes smart technology approachable, blending her media presence with practical tips that help households stay safe, secure, and connected. www.kwikset.comFor more show information visit: www.MariannePestana.com

What if the simple act of breathing, held the key to deep insight, inner peace, and even spiritual awakening? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Dr. Sarah Shaw on her new book Breathing Mindfulness: Discovering the Riches at the Heart of the Buddhist Path.Moments with Marianne airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio affiliate! Dr. Sarah Shaw is a faculty member and tutor at the University of Oxford and a visiting contemplative mentor at Brown University. She has taught and published numerous works on the history and practices of Buddhism. https://www.shambhala.com/breathing-mindfulness.html https://samatha.org   For more show information visit: www.MariannePestana.com

What if the very reason joy feels out of reach isn’t because you’re broken, but because your brain has been trying to protect you? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with MaryCatherine McDonald, PhD, on her new book The Joy Reset: Six Ways Trauma Steals Happiness and How to Win it Back.Moments with Marianne airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio affiliate! MaryCatherine McDonald, PhD, is a trauma researcher, author, and coach who helps people reframe trauma as a strength response and reconnect with joy. She’s passionate about making healing accessible, grounded, and even a little bit fun. https://alchemycoaching.lifeFor more show information visit: www.MariannePestana.com