Passport Mommy

Michelle speaks with Michelle Abate, head of marketing at Crystal Springs Resort.  Crystal Springs Resorts' two properties are the Grand Cascades Lodge and Minerals Hotel.  Along the Appalachian Mountain Range and set among three world-class golf courses, Crystal Springs Resort is a destination for families, couples, weddings and girlfriend getaways.   Enjoy the Reflections Spa, the incredible wine cellar and the biosphere pool.   There are activities all day long for the entire family, including rock climbing, axe throwing, building your own stuffed animal and so much more!  The cuisine is outstanding.  Listen to the entire show to hear all you can expect at this one of a kind resort conveniently located in northern New Jersey.

Calling Tan France a busy man is an understatement, as the Queer Eye’s fashion expert is also an author, designer, TV host, a father of two young kids, and he just completed a major home renovation. Yet, he still seems to have it all together. How does he do it? Tan France joins Michelle to talk about the new Citi Shop desktop browser extension that finds savings for you. Tan divulges some of his savvy tips for keeping his home and family looking their best, while saving time and money. According to the World Bank, climate-related disasters and natural hazards push 26 million people into poverty each year, putting these populations in need of access to technical, financial and institutional resources to be more resilient in responding to climate change. To help address these issues, IBM has committed to invest $45 million in donations of technology and services over the next five years through the Sustainability Accelerator program. . Justina Nixon-Saintil, IBM Vice President and Chief Impact Officer, discusses with Michelle more details about the Sustainability Accelerator program and Resilient Cities cohort.  Director of the Veterans History Project, Monica Mohindra talks to Michelle about the Women of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion – with the goal of inspiring more women and minorities to contribute their story to the Veterans History Project or VHP. The 6888th collection tells the story of the only all-African American, all-female unit deployed overseas during WWII. The spring season just started and with it, allergy symptoms are already in bloom! But the source of your family’s coughing, sneezing and headaches may actually be poor indoor air quality. During National Autoimmune Awareness Month also in March, the organic experts at Natural Home Solutions encourage home and business owners to test their indoor air quality to prevent health issues.  Natural Home Solutions Owner Laura Champagne joins Michelle with some very helpful information on detecting and treating mold in your home and what to ask about mold in your child's school.  Siblings Charlie and Cheryl Young bring their childhood fantasies to life in their new historical fiction novel, Houdini’s Last Handcuffs. This book brings the famous magician Harry Houdini to life.  On Halloween, three children—a brother, sister, and their friend—receive an Ouija Board from a family friend. After a séance, the magician Houdini is brought back to life, but not by the séance itself. Houdini needs the children’s help to retrieve his notebook of scientific formulas. However, the formula for his return is flawed. Houdini, the family, and many close friends are part of The Inner Circle, a clandestine group using science, math, and physics for mankind’s good, as opposed to the Outer Circle, which uses them for evil. The notebook contains the formula that everyone wants.  

Michelle stayed at the Diplomat Beach Resort over the winter holidays and celebrated NYE there with an amazing balloon drop and party!  The new family suite was amazing and a great place to stay with sweeping views of the beach and intercoastal.  The kids (and adults!) loved the kids club and the restaurants and cafes were top notch!  Michelle speaks with other guests who had similar experiences at the Diplomat. They talk activities, culinary, spa and wellness and the kids club.

"Everyone Wins" Nominee Gift Bag continues to garner worldwide attention and spark conversation. Their gifts are famous for being fun, fabulous and unique, and also serve to elevate small businesses, minority-owned brands, female entrepreneurs and companies who give back. Michelle speaks with Lash Fary, the owner of Distinctive Assets, who puts together the bags87 and discusses all of the fun brands in this year's gift bags.Spot bitcoin E-T-F’s – ever heard of them? They’re making the news these days. With the Securities and Exchange Commission approving some to be traded on the major stock exchanges – the flood gates have opened for all investors to more easily include crypto in their portfolios.  John Hoffman, head of Distribution and Partnerships at Grayscale the world’s largest crypto manager, talks with Michelle about why one should be infesting in them.Emmy-nominated Rachel Hanfling is your guide to clear, confident, charismatic speech. A former producer for Oprah and Anderson Cooper, she’s coached clients to become go-to experts, land deals on Shark Tank, sell out on QVC, dominate worldwide speeches, generate explosive sales, nail workplace politics and more. She’s taught at Harvard, internationally, and across the US. Rachel is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She is mom to twin boys and a dog in New York City. To learn more about Rachel, visit rachelhanfling.com.  Check out her advice here: https://www.rachelhanfling.com/5minutesMarch is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on MS, a disease that affects an estimated 900,000 people in the U.S.Today, we explore a less talked about and often misdiagnosed related condition of MS called Pseudobulbar Affect, or PBA, which may cause sudden, frequent, uncontrollable episodes of crying or laughing in patients with MS. Dr. Mayer Joshua Hasbani, a renowned neurologist, shares insights from his own clinical experience with patients who experience PBA.

American Dream, in North Jersey, is the perfect place to spend Spring Break with the kids! With activities like Nickolodean Universe, the best indoor amusement park, DreamWorks Waterpark, the largest indoor waterpark, Big Snow, the country's only indoor ski facility, ice skating, and so much more, your kids and you will be entertained for days!March is National Women’s History Month and Brooke Goff, a 37-year old entrepreneur from Connecticut, has already made history by becoming the first female football player at her middle school, becoming the first openly-gay lawyer in her state and opening the first all-female law firm. She joins Michelle to encourage women that you can be pregnant, a mother and still be have a poowerful business.Scientific Wellness is a new approach to healthcare that focuses on using data and technology to prevent diseases as well as promote overall health and wellness. It represents a shift from traditional approaches that primarily focus on treating diseases after they have developed. The goal is to identify the early signs of disease and intervene before symptoms occur, potentially extending the healthy lifespan of individuals. This approach involves collecting and analyzing a wide range of personal data, including genetic information, blood tests and microbiome analysis, with the help of artificial intelligence. Dr. Nathan Price, Chief Scientific Officer for Thorne, joins Michelle to talk about what they offer to help you take control of your health.

Rachel Winter (Academy Award-nominated producer, Dallas Buyers Club) and Rachel Steinman (mental health advocate) have been best friends for over three decades and just wrote a new book together, Stay Golden, Girls: Friendship is the New Marriage. From friend's celebrating "Galentine's Day" to news stories about women choosing to live with their best friends in "mommunes"... Platonic love and prioritizing friendships is definitely a trending relationship story. Stay Golden, Girls: Friendship is the New Marriage is a gift book, a love letter, and a celebration of the bonds of female friendship formed from laughter, trust, loyalty, and love. It features short inspirational and fun essays along with bright and happy illustrations, pop culture references and celebrity quotes. Perfect for friend’s birthdays, weddings/bridal shower gifts, Mother’s Day and more. When the total solar eclipse of 2017 passed through her hometown, Nebraska mom Jayme Sandberg didn’t think much about it and almost missed one of nature’s most awe-inspiring sights right in her backyard. Fast forward several years later to another chance to see a rare total solar eclipse in the U.S. and Sandberg is not only chasing it, she’s sharing her personal story—along with her popular new children’s picture book—to make sure parents like her and elementary kids across the country take full advantage. Told from the Sun’s perspective as the Moon boldly prepares to block the light of our brightest star, Total Solar Eclipse: A Stellar Friendship Story shows readers how to safely view a total solar eclipse while also demonstrating the unexpected ways we shine working together. With its memory page in the back, the book doubles as a one-size-fits-all souvenir.

Emily Kaufman joins Michelle to talk about some great family travel ideas, including some of the best all-inclusive resorts. She emphasizes why where you stay can make or break your trip.As the turning point between colonial origins and the free nation of America, the American Revolution holds persisting importance. Backed by the American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati, Jack D. Warren, Jr.’s, book Freedom: The Enduring Importance of the American Revolution is a profound look into British America, the Revolutionary War, the birth of a new nation, what freedom truly means, and how the events of the past hold significant importance even in modern society.BAB or Big Ass Bag is a new mobile app that allows you to close ALL of your browser tabs on the internet and put any online item into ONE universal shopping cart (separated by however categories you may need). You can add items to these carts from any online stores such as: JCPenney, Michaels, Nordstrom, Nike, Target etc.! Sharing with friends & family is a breeze as is the checkout process. And you can see everything in ONE place so you can make smart purchasing decisions. Michelle talks with rockstar CEO Jenae Goodin about the app and why every busy mom needs to download it! Older adults (age 65 and over) often shoulder a significant portion of healthcare costs but may not always receive the care they prefer. Shared decision making, which involves patient-clinician discussions to decide on tests, treatment and care, and balances clinical evidence with patients’ preferences and values, shows promise for engaging patients in their healthcare decisions. This month, FAIR Health, with generous support from The John A. Hartford Foundation, launches FAIRHealthOlderAdults.org, a free website that offers tools, educational content and resources to help older adults and family caregivers plan for care relevant to older adults. Nicole Iny is the Executive Director of Grants and Consumer Education at FAIR Health.

Dr. David Friedman is the director of heart failure at West Carver Medical in Huntington, NY. He joins Michelle to talk tips for how you can maximize your office visit which often goes by too fast. He also talks AI and sports clearances and how wearables can play an instrumental part in monitoring your health.Brett Larkin, yoga expert, mom, entrepreneur, founder of Uplifted Yoga, and host of the Uplifted Yoga Podcast. Her new book YOGA LIFE: Habits, Poses, and Breathwork to Channel Joy Amidst the Chaos, is out now and offers strategies on how to incorporate an effective yoga practice into even the most chaotic schedule.One Million Truths (OMT),, a science-based initiative dedicated to building solutions to resolve racial conflict by leveraging the power of artificial intelligence (AI), had Phase II of its project lauch on January 16, 2024, the National Day of Racial Healing, beginning with a two-year effort to collect stories from Americans nationwide about the impact of racial and ethnic conflict. The project, originated by Mark Eckhardt, CEO of COMMON, a worldwide organization dedicated to helping organizations solve the world’s most challenging problems, was founded in 2020, at the height of the George Floyd protests. OMT seeks to address the underlying causes of racial and ethnic conflict by answering the critical question, “What’s working to address racial conflict and what isn’t?”

Michelle and her family sailed the Sky Princess over Christmas break and it was the BEST time ever! The kids had a blast in the kids club, Michelle and family thoroughly enjoyed the Enclave and spa, top notch cuisine and the best entertainment! On this show, Michelle talks with some of the key players at Princess Cruises who make your cruising experience so memorable! Hear about the ship Michelle sailed on, the Sky Princess, as well as their newest ship, the Sun Princess launching soon!

HealthCare.gov Open Enrollment is the time for those who don’t have health insurance to find an affordable quality plan. Millions of people lack the peace of mind we get from having health insurance and this is the time for them to take advantage of the excellent coverage and prices available at HealthCare.gov. Select a plan by January 16 for coverage starting February 1. Michelle and her family spent a few days at Lago Mar Beach Resort and Club after the holidays and had such an enjoyable time! This wonderful family friendly resort is the perfect spot for a relaxing retreat while the kids enjoy the beach playground, oversized chess board, basketball, tennis, mini golf, ice cream shop and playing on the beach. Michelle talks with Debbie Banks Snyder, Owner and VP about their versatile suites rooms and all the resort and club has to offer multigenerational families.Autumn Caviness, Director, RealTalk, BigFuture talks to Michelle about the overwhelming feelings for students may deal with trying to figure out what comes next after high school. Every student should be able to access the tools and resources they need to unlock their future. That’s where BigFuture comes in. BigFuture provides free college and career tools to help students choose the best option for them.

American Heart Association Volunteer Medical Expert Dr. Mike shares how to be prepared for a heart-related emergency ahead of big family gatherings and holiday parties. He discusses why everyone from 9-99 can learn CPR and how it could save a life in an emergency.Soy, almond, oat, coconut, cashew, hemp, rice, macadamia, rice—vegan milk varieties abound these days, and for good reason. Shoppers who want to help support the growing movement, let mother cows keep their newborn, slash greenhouse gas emissions, and cut out cholesterol are ditching dairy, meaning that supermarkets and even small stores are packing their shelves with a plethora of plant milk choices, and coffee shops are dropping the extra charge for vegan milks—gaining a whole latte love from conscientious consumers. From rich and creamy coffee “creamers” to protein powerhouses for smoothies to delicious dairy-free eggnogs for vegan (or lactose intolerant) families and holiday guests, there’s a plant milk to satisfy any taste craving, dietary or nutritional need. Marissa Price, a social media manager for PETA, discusses how easy it is to find just the perfect vegan milk for your listeners during the holidays and beyond.It’s cold and flu season and staying healthy is top of mind. People often use common cold and flu remedies that purport to suppress symptoms, unaware that the latest science has shown that commonly used over the counter products result in prolonging the sick days and even causing secondary infections. Even the FDA has recently started reexamining previously allowed over the counter ingredients. An FDA advisory committee recently unanimously voted that phenylephrine, a common decongestant saddled with many side effects, is ineffective. The same vigilance is now being applied by the FDA to other active ingredients, which given decades of independent research against are also teetering being delisted. Dr. Nazlie Latefi, Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Applied Biological Laboratories, has been on the forefront of cold and flu research decades.

As temperatures continue to drop outside and heat starts pumping inside, you’ve probably noticed a change in your skin. Body care can be even more challenging when the seasons transition, so it’s helpful to follow guidance from board-certified dermatologists to ensure your daily routine helps combat dry skin.No matter your skin type, it’s beneficial to adjust your body care regimen with the seasons. Stressors like changes in humidity, holiday travel and winter weather can strip the skin of moisture. It’s important to find products that penetrate the skin’s surface to nourish and restore a dry, thirsty skin barrier. Board-Certified Dermatologist, Dr. Cheri Frey shares the most prestigious ingredients in skincare, how you can keep your body moisturized this winter, and how to break the perpetual dry skin cycle and replenish your skin barrier.COVID continues to be a concern for many Americans. If you plan to visit family this holiday season, especially the elderly or people with compromised immune systems, getting an updated COVID vaccine can help protect yourself and those around you. Novavax has an updated COVID-19 vaccine this vaccination season. The vaccine, developed using a well-established technology also used to develop other vaccines, is widely available at a range of retailers, including Costco, CVS Pharmacy, Giant, Publix, Rite Aid and Stop & Shop, as well as in physicians’ offices and through government programs. The company believes that it is important to talk with your doctor or pharmacist about the COVID-19 vaccine option that is best for you and your loved ones. Dr. Bob Walker, senior vice president and chief medical officer at Novavax talks more about why getting a COVID vaccine is still important and the vaccine options available.Whether you’re attending a holiday work party or planning the perfect outfit to meet your significant other’s family for the first time, piecing together holiday looks can be challenging. Help is just a phone call away! Bahar Takhtehchian talks about the launch of Stitch Fix’s holiday party hotline where callers can send in their burning holiday party questions to receive personalized styling tips directly from Stitch Fix’s expert stylists.Toys are more than just fun and games. In fact, experts have found that children can learn a lot from playing. That’s why this holiday season parents should consider giving educational toys that improve motor skills, teach about shapes and symmetry, or inspire family bonding. Parenting expert and TLC Host Amanda Mushro of @LIFEHACKS is teaming with LEGO to discuss the importance of choosing gifts that enrich the lives of children, while also sharing details about a special event for kids ages 9 to 99.It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and for many of us, also the most expensive! With gifts, parties, food and decorations, your holiday shopping list can come with a hefty price tag. But you can use this season as an opportunity to educate kids about finances, too. It’s a great time to start building good money habits that will stick year-round. Matt Gromada, Head of Family Banking at Chase, joins Michelle with tips to help kids and parents start those much-needed money conversations.This holiday season, families across the country are facing increased challenges, but The Salvation Army continues to love and serve nearly 24 million people living in the United States across its 7,000 centers of operation throughout the entire year. The Salvation Army relies on funds from public support to provide food, housing, and other services, and during a typical year, anywhere from 40%-60% of funds raised come directly from public and individual contributions.Through the annual Red Kettle Campaign, which kicks off on Thanksgiving Day, and with the help of generous contributions, The Salvation Army can continue to meet the immediate and long-term needs of millions of individuals and families this holiday season and year-round. Commissioner Kenneth G. Hodder, national commander of The Salvation Army, shares details on the importance of the Red Kettle Campaign, how these resources are needed year-round, and how your support will help your neighbors in need this year and next.

It’s never too early to get a jump start on your holiday shopping, especially when it comes to the gadgets that everyone will want this season. If you have a tech enthusiast on your holiday shopping list, find out the latest must-have items you need to start shopping for! Retail expert Justine Santaniello talks about her top tech gifts for the 2023 holiday season. Justine will showcase gifts that not only feature next-level technology, but also offer unique ways to spend quality time with family and friends through the holiday season and beyond. Clinical depression, also known as major depressive disorder (MDD), is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. MDD symptoms may include depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities, change in sleep, appetite or weight, diminished concentration, feelings of worthlessness, decreased movement and slowed thoughts, suicidal ideation and/or fatigue or loss of energy. Approximately one-third of adults in the U.S. with MDD may have treatment-resistant depression (TRD) – which means they haven’t responded adequately to two or more antidepressant medications during the same depressive episode.Dr. Chepke, a Board-Certified psychiatrist in Huntersville, North Carolina specializes in treating adult patients with treatment-resistant depression, and discusses the signs and symptoms of challenging-to-treat depression and outline a treatment option for treatment-resistant depression, including SPRAVATO® (esketamine) CIII nasal spray, along with the risks and benefits of taking the medication.Thanksgiving is the busiest travel week of the year when parents face the stress of traffic and sometimes the challenge of dealing with a child who is car sick. Pediatrician and Social Media Star, Dr. Mona Amin, identifies factors that can cause kids to feel queasy while traveling and provide tips for helping little ones avoid car sickness

Honorary PhD and award-winning Inc. 5000 CEO Dr. Darnyelle Jervey Harmon has used her seven-figure coaching enterprise to help hundreds of her clients leverage the Move to Millions® Method and move closer to and beyond the million-dollar mark. In Move to Millions, she shares her paradigm-shifting truths to give business owners the confidence and step-by-step techniques to advance beyond the messy middle and defy the statistics plaguing most small businesses.Part memoir and part methodology, Move to Millions helps entrepreneurs simplify their processes to multiply profits, by breaking down complex topics and illustrating their worth through raw personal anecdotes. Dr. Harmon puts in the work so business owners can be empowered, entertained, and equipped to leave the headaches behind and enjoy everything that truly matters, without compromising on their values in the process.In less than six months on the international screenplay circuit, Bad Love Tigers has already amassed an incredible 300 awards. Dr. Kevin Schewe, is the author of the award-winning Bad Love Tigers original screenplay and joins Michelle to talk about the book, as well as, his other product lines.

Mimi Stuart is the owner of the Children's Acting Academy in NYC and joins Michelle to talk about the history of the academy and her classes and shows for all ages. The winter season is starting soon! She also offers terrific tips if interested in getting your children involved in acting and/or modeling. Check out her program here!Thanksgiving is just a few days away. You’ve made the lists, you’ve invited the family, you’ve done the shopping and now, if you bought a frozen turkey, it’s go time. That means it’s time to take that turkey out of the freezer. Charla Draper, is an expert with the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line, and joins Michelle to discuss when the best time is to defrost the turkey and how best to prepare for Thanksgiving.SafeRide4Kids.com is on a mission to save lives and reduce emotional suffering by preventing children from being injured or killed in car crashes, from conception forward. Greg Durocher, CEO of SafeRide4Kids.com. got his start in Child Passenger Safety back in 2000, when he was early in his career as firefighter & paramedic. He has been an instructor of the Child Passenger Technician certification curriculum since 2001 and is still a member of the instructor team in Colorado. His wife, Amie, has been an certified Child Passenger Safety Technician since 2003. Michelle talks to Greg about this wonderful car seat safety device that can be your answer for traveling and not schleping the heavy car seats anymore to the airport!Thanksgiving is the busiest travel week of the year when parents face the stress of traffic and sometimes the challenge of dealing with a child who is car sick. Pediatrician and Social Media Star Dr. Mona Amin talks about factors that can cause kids to feel queasy while traveling and provide tips for helping little ones avoid car sickness.

An accomplished hospitality executive, Joel Bourassa brings more than 20 years of experience in management, marketing and sales to his new position as general manager. A native of nearby Lincoln, New Hampshire, his career also includes time as Regional Director of Resorts for Vacation Resorts International; General Manager of InnSeason Resorts; and International Director of the Ski New Hampshire Association. Joel talks to Michelle about the history of the property, what one can expect when visiting, activities and things to see in the area, and their plans for the near future.For the family who lives season to season – football, basketball, softball… – one of the most exciting times has just begun: shopping season. The cooling temperatures and holiday décor mean it’s time to lace up those shopping shoes and start checking gifts off your list… But, if shopping isn’t your sport, you may need some coaching – and Lifestyle Expert Kia Malone is here to help! She joined Michelle from DICK’S Sporting Goods in Orlando to talk holiday gift ideas.As the premier Generation Z military figure, Matthew Weiss speaks from his own experience as well as his extensive research into the subject. Weiss sums up the key message of his book: “We must rebuild the value proposition of military service by demonstrating the benefits of the world’s greatest physical social network.” Already reaching #1 in Amazon’s Military Life & Institutions category and #7 in Amazon’s Military Families category, it’s clear that people are fascinated by Weiss’s book. We Don’t Want YOU, Uncle Sam sends a critical message to all generations regarding the evolution of recruiting and the importance of patriotism.

Emulait is the first baby feeding system designed to emulate the experience of breastfeeding. Combining four years of research, seven patented technologies, 3D scanning and FDA-approved medical grade materials, Emulait replicates the mother's breast shape, color, elasticity, texture and feel, creating an unparalleled bottle feeding experience. Founded by serial entrepreneur, Shilo Ben Zeev, after witnessing his wife and daughter struggle with breastfeeding, Emulait seeks to close the gap between breast and bottle for good. Elisabeth Rohm is a big fan and spoke with Michelle about her work with Emulait and what makes it such a great addition for new moms.October is National Women’s Small Business Month, and despite the continued impact of inflation and rising costs of doing business, most women business owners continue to remain optimistic about their business outlooks. A new Bank of America report found that more than three-in-five women entrepreneurs are anticipating revenue growth over the next 12 months, and nearly three-quarters feel equipped to survive a recession. Carol Lee Mitchell, Head of Small Business, Strategy at Bank of America chats with Michelle about the results of their report.For the family who lives season to season – football, basketball, softball… – one of the most exciting times has just begun: shopping season. The cooling temperatures and holiday décor mean it’s time to lace up those shopping shoes and start checking gifts off your list… But, if shopping isn’t your sport, you may need some coaching – and Lifestyle Expert Kia Malone is here to help! She joined Michelle from DICK’S Sporting Goods in Orlando to talk holiday gift ideas.Karen Ballou, a beauty industry veteran, founded Immunocologie, a skincare line that takes a unique approach by supporting the skin's immune system through microbiome balance.Many people are unaware that the skin has its own microbiome, just like the gut. It plays a crucial role in the body's immune system, and Immunocologie is the first skincare line to address this aspect of skin health directly. Michelle talks to Karen about all of the benefits of the product line for keeping the skin and body healthy and radiant.