Tammy Gerhard Is Cultivating Community Through Coffee and Kindness
Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast
Release Date: 12/23/2024
Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast
In this powerful episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals podcast, host Jed Lee sits down with John Hoffman, author of "Liver: My Journey of Transplant Survival," to share an extraordinary story of medical resilience, hope, and personal transformation. Diagnosed with biliary atresia at just eight weeks old, Hoffman underwent his first experimental liver transplant in 1981 when liver transplants for infants were still a groundbreaking procedure. Growing up with a massive surgical scar and daily medications, he navigated childhood with remarkable normalcy, participating in sports and...
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Discover the Heartwarming World of Intergenerational Storytelling with Marie Nichols In the latest episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals podcast, host Jed Doherty sits down with debut children's author Marie Nichols to explore the magical world of "We're Going to the Dinosaur Forest" - a book that celebrates the unique bond between grandparents and grandchildren. Marie Nichols takes listeners on a delightful journey behind her first children's book, inspired by real-life adventures with her grandson Bracken. The book follows a young boy's imaginative expedition into the dinosaur forest...
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Dive into the Spine-Chilling World of Connecticut Horror: An Exclusive Interview with J J Alo Horror fans, get ready for a thrilling journey into the creative mind behind "The Street Between the Pines"! In this captivating episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast, host Jed Doherty sits down with debut horror author J J Alo to explore the dark and fascinating origins of his first novel. Alo's gripping story follows a struggling Gulf War veteran who uncovers a terrifying connection between a deadly creature and an abandoned facility - a premise that will send shivers down your spine....
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In a captivating episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast, Judy Humphrey shares her remarkable life story through her memoir "Between Hearts," a testament to resilience, humor, and personal growth. Humphrey's journey begins during the pandemic, when she decided to transform her extraordinary life experiences into a book. A former military wife who moved 17 times in 14 years, she offers a unique perspective on the challenges faced by military families. Her candid storytelling reveals the often-overlooked experiences of military spouses, particularly the strict social hierarchies and...
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Empowering Children Through Positive Affirmations: A Conversation with Author Tara Hubbard In this inspiring episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals podcast, host Jed Doherty sits down with pharmacist and author Tara Hubbard to discuss her transformative books that help children and teens build self-confidence and resilience through positive affirmations. Hubbard's first book, "Let the Sun Shine In," targets elementary school children, offering a unique approach to transforming negative thoughts into powerful, uplifting statements. Illustrated by a local Daisy Troupe, the book provides...
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Here is a 300 word, SEO-optimized summary of the episode in a friendly, casual style: Networking: The Secret Skill That Can Unlock Your Career Success In this episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast, host Jed Doherty sits down with Janaya Hernandez, author of "The Power of Connections: A Mentee's Guide to Networking Mastery." The two dive deep into the importance of networking and why it's a skill that should be taught in schools. Janaya explains that networking isn't just about finding a job - it's about building genuine, purposeful connections that can benefit you...
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Dive into the enchanting world of fairy tales with author Edward Ahern on the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast! In this captivating episode, Jed Doherty welcomes Edward to discuss his latest anthology, "The Wilch Made Me Do It," a delightful collection that blends retold classics with modern whimsical tales. Edward shares the inspiration behind his anthology, revealing his fascination with unearthing long-forgotten fairy tales from the 1800s and breathing new life into them. From Russian folktales to Native American stories, he's carefully curated a diverse array of tales, some of which he's...
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Wow, what an incredible life story Ron Pinciaro has! I really enjoyed chatting with him about his memoir, "Acknowledgement." It's clear he's been through a lot - from the secrets surrounding his parents' adoptions to the ups and downs of his 17-year life cycles. One thing that stood out to me was Ron's fondness for his Jesuit high school education. Like me, he really appreciated how the Jesuits encouraged questioning and intellectual curiosity. That seems to have served him well, even when he was struggling to figure out his path in life. It was fascinating to hear about Ron's early...
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Get ready true crime fans, because the CT Book Festivals podcast is bringing you an inside look at the "Connecticut Crime Trio" - three amazing authors who are experts in the world of thrilling crime stories. We've got Deborah Levison, author of the true crime book "The Crate" which delves into a shocking discovery on her family's property with ties to the Holocaust. Then there's TM Dunn, whose psychological thriller "Her Father's Daughter" explores the twisted mind of a serial killer. And rounding out the trio is Wendy Whitman, a former TV crime reporter whose novels "Premonition" and...
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Get ready to uncover the treasures of Connecticut's thriving literary landscape on the CT Book Festivals podcast! In this captivating episode, host Jed Doherty welcomes Luca DiMatteo, the author of the gripping mystery novel "Green Haven." Luca shares his inspiring journey, revealing how writing became a lifeline after a severe back injury forced him to retire from his medical career. As he navigates this new chapter, Luca has poured his passion into the Connecticut Book Festivals, a growing community of over 250 talented authors. Listeners will be enthralled as Luca delves into the...
info_outlineGrab a cozy cup of cocoa (or coffee if that's your thing!) and get ready for an inspiring chat with Tammy Gerhard, the author of the delightful children's books "Cocoa Hugs and Coffee Mugs" and her new "I Love My Community" activity book. Tammy joined us to share the story behind this heartwarming tale and talk about her mission to spread kindness and empathy through her work.
Tammy's book follows a young girl who loves cocoa but isn't a fan of coffee - sound familiar? The story explores how she learns to show love and acceptance to the people around her, even when they don't see eye-to-eye. It's a powerful message for these divisive times, and Tammy has a real gift for conveying it in a gentle, relatable way.
But Tammy's impact goes beyond the page - she's also the owner of Silk City Coffee Shop, a cozy community hub in Manchester, Connecticut. This isn't your average coffee joint; it's a place where people from all walks of life can come together, connect, and find common ground, no matter their differences. Tammy and her team have made it their mission to create a warm, welcoming space that brings out the best in everyone.
As we chatted, it was clear that Tammy's passion for building bridges and nurturing the next generation of compassionate leaders is at the heart of everything she does. She's not just selling books and serving up lattes - she's planting seeds of kindness that will hopefully blossom into a more understanding, empathetic world.
So the next time you're in the mood for a good read (and a great cup of coffee), be sure to check out Tammy's work. Who knows - it just might inspire you to start your own community-building adventure!