On this episode of Real Talk with BELLA, Vanessa Coppes sits down with architect and designer Michael James Casey, the creative force behind MJCNYC. Known for crafting beyond buildings — from furniture to fashion — Michael’s work reimagines design as an act of identity, resilience, and rebellion.In this deeply honest conversation, Michael opens up about his journey to sobriety and how it became the foundation for his art, his purpose, and his renewed sense of belonging. From the precision of architecture to the bold storytelling of his pieces, his designs celebrate queer voices, underdogs, and anyone forging their own path outside the mainstream.A raw and inspiring dialogue about transformation, creativity, and the courage it takes to rebuild — not just your life, but the world around you.
Welcome back to Real Talk with BELLA! I’m your host, Vanessa Coppes, and after a little pause, your favorite BELLA mic is officially back on.Now let me just say—life has been lifing! Between running BELLA Media + Co., raising my amazing family, and producing some of our biggest magazine issues yet… we hit pause. But sometimes, you need to step back to breathe, to realign, and to come back even bolder—and that’s exactly what we’re doing today.On our relaunch episode, we’re celebrating PRIDE—with none other than our incredible cover star: the one, the only, Sherri Dindal, aka @therealslimsherri.Sherri is not only a proud voice in the LGBTQ+ community, she’s also a fearless advocate for inclusion, a powerhouse entrepreneur, and someone who always keeps it real.So sit back, turn up the volume, and let’s get into it…
Vanessa Coppes (EIC and CEO of BELLA Magazine) + Janene Mascarella (EIC of Beautify.tips by KISS) sit down with the extraordinary Jill Martin for an emotional and inspiring episode. Jill, a beloved TODAY Show host, entrepreneur, and style expert, graced the cover of BELLA’s Holiday 2024 issue, photographed by the iconic Nigel Barker. Her cover story is a beacon of hope, strength, and resilience, symbolizing her fight against cancer this past year. In this heartfelt episode, Jill opens up about her transformative journey, sharing how she faced one of the toughest battles of her life with unwavering determination. She discusses how she has turned her challenges into opportunities to advocate for others and inspire those going through their own hardships. The conversation also highlights Jill’s entrepreneurial side, including the story behind her best-selling Sherpa collection—luxurious, cozy, and stylish pieces designed to bring comfort and joy. From discussing her BELLA cover experience to her journey of hope, this episode is packed with moving moments, behind-the-scenes insights, and Jill’s powerful message of hope and resilience.
After experiencing a collapsed lung at 22-years old, getting sued by her doctor, ending up in a career she hated for 5 years, navigating the early years of entrepreneurship, and watching her multi-six figure yoga studio business go bankrupt as a result of the pandemic (while also navigating being a new mom), Kate knew she had to make a major change. Today, Kate is the co-owner and Yoga Director of YogaRenew and makes a six-figure salary. YogaRenew is an online teacher training school dedicated to making yoga teacher training + courses accessible to as many people around the world as possible so they can learn to teach yoga in a way that leaves a lasting, positive, life-changing impact on their students. Kate has helped thousands of yogis globally (like 20,000+) become certified yoga instructors through 200-hour, 300-hour, 500-hour, mindfulness, and ying yoga courses. She also helps with the company’s marketing, social media, public relations, and is working with the team to open YogaRenew’s first physical location in Hoboken, NJ in Q2 2022.
Starting and staying on the road to recovery can be challenging. An addiction is not easily overcome and recovery often requires constant accountability. Addiction affects you, your peers, your family and on today's Real Talk With BELLA episode comes from personal experiences from our EIC Vanessa Coppes. She interviews her husband Joshua about battling alcoholism, its effects, and consequences. With this interview, their hope is to help to break the stigma of addiction, give hope to others, and to show that healing doesn’t mean the damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls our lives. Listen now.
“My job sucks.” “The economy is terrible.” “I haven’t made a sale in weeks.” If you can relate to even 1 of these statements, you have probably become a victim of your own negative thinking. Have you ever considered that maybe the only thing stopping you from having a life and business you love is precisely that, negative thinking? Truth: It’s not the lack of resources or the ‘uncool’ mom you had as a kid or the other excuses we use to justify for not having the life we want. We all have reasons to feel bad at any time during our day. I get it, circumstances change for better or for worse in a flow of events. And naturally, we react to those circumstances just as we’ve been taught to by our families and friends. So does how we react to any given situation matter? Your reaction is energy and energy is everything.
Patty Lennon author of, "Make Space for Magic", talks about her journey of faith, inspiring women and inspiring women to find joy.
Jeremy Murphy is the founder of 360bespoke, a media agency that provides public relations, content development, reputation management and crisis communications for clients in categories such as luxury, arts, fashion/ beauty, hospitality, travel, media, start-ups and entrepreneurs. Previously, Murphy spent 14 years at CBS where he served many roles as a Vice President, most notably as a company spokesperson and Editor-In-Chief. In addition, he is a respected speech writer, having worked with shoe designer Steve Madden on his address to the Accessories Council; Elle magazine editor in chief Nina Garcia; media executive Dawn Ostroff (Spotify, Conde Nast, CW network) and artists like Usher, Dolly Parton, Indya Moore and Issa Rae. At 360bespoke, which he launched in 2016, Murphy has achieved national media placements for his clients in Vanity Fair, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Today, Robb Report, US Weekly, Vogue, People magazine, New York Post, WWD, Cigar Aficionado, Allure, InStyle, Harper’s Bazaar UK, Morning Joe (NSNBC), Fox Business, Town & Country, New York magazine, Billboard, The New Yorker, Good Day New York, KTLA Los Angeles, WNBC-TV New York, Scripps, Yahoo Business, Sinclair/Full Measure, KGO San Francisco, WGN-TV Chicago, Gotham, and the Daily Front Row among many other outlets. At CBS, Murphy oversaw all communications to media, including press releases, statements, announcements, executive biographies, as well as speeches for the company’s top leaders. He wrote remarks for CEO Leslie Moonves, CW president Dawn Ostroff, as well as executives in charge of all its divisions. Murphy also oversaw media relations for its local television, radio and out-of-home companies. He gained industry recognition when he created and edited CBS’ glossy magazine Watch, which redefined the perception of custom publishing. As its editor-in-chief, he built a respected masthead that featured top editorial talents like world-famous photographers Patrick Demarchelier, Ellen von Unwerth, Art Streiber and Ruven Afanodor, as well as fashion authority Kate Betts (former editor of Harper’s Bazaar and Time Design & Style); Time magazine columnist Joel Stein; New York Times contributors Ben Widdicombe, Frank DeCaro and Stuart Elliot; and Allure senior editor Kristin Perrotta as contributors. Working with these creative forces, he infused the magazine’s pages with elegant and timeless features, including recreations of French Impressionist paintings at the celebrated Hotel Plaza Athénée Paris; homages to Christian Dior and Babe Paley; and a cover shoot with actress Julianna Margulies by Demarchelier at the Hotel du Cap in the Côte d’Azur. The strategy successfully transitioned Watch from a publication to a brand encompassing print, television, online, video and social media. The pivot to luxury editorial also helped attract labels such as Tom Ford, YSL, Giorgio Armani, Dior, Givenchy, Salvatore Ferragamo, Valentino, Hugo Boss, Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton and Peninsula hotels as advertisers. Before CBS, Murphy worked as a reporter at Mediaweek, where he covered the nation’s top 50 markets. He began as a feature writer with Knight Ridder newspapers. In 2010, Murphy was inducted into the Florida Atlantic University Alumni Hall of Fame.
We kick off Mental Health Awareness month with author + advocate, Sarah Zabel. Sarah chats about her new book on depression, "Fighting Chance." Author Sarah Zabel graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy with a degree in computer science in 1987 and was commissioned a second lieutenant. She retired from the Air Force in 2018 as a major general and decided to turn her focus to her life-long love of learning and become a science writer. Inspired, intrigued and frustrated by an enduring friend’s battle with depression, she set herself the task of first coming to understand, and then to explain for other lay-persons, the science behind that devastating illness. Sarah does occasional consulting and other activities associated with her time as one of the military’s leaders in cyberspace operations and security, in the provision of communications and other services to a community, and leadership of a diverse workforce.
Founder + CEO of Dune Jewelry & Co., Holly Daniels-Christensen, chats about her new collections, experiential candles, the significance of personalized jewelry, the power of elements + gemstones, + the best gifts for Mother's Day! Listen to the full episode to learn more + get your orders in now, just in time to gift Mom with the perfect gift! Follow Dune Jewelry on Instagram!
Violette de Ayala about the decrease of women in the workplace (due to the pandemic) and what steps she takes with her international networking group to help women find new jobs. Violette is a women in business expert/founder of international networking group FemCity, which provides resources for female professionals and entrepreneurs through online business classes, virtual networking events & seminars.
A true healthcare visionary, Dr. Courtney is a powerhouse female orthodontist turned entrepreneur in NYC, breaking glass ceilings and setting new industry standards in this male dominated field with SmilePop. Dr. Courtney is a fearless businesswomen who, in the face of adversity, refused to give up on her vision: bring glamour, quality service and female comradery into the doctor visit experience. A Midwest farm girl at heart, she persevered through male superiors and peers dishonoring her skill and value by dealing lower salaries, failure to pay for services and overlooking her eminent skills. Her experiences pushed her to create an interactive & luxuriously brand narrative that’s unapologetically female (something seemingly nonexistent in the world of dentistry and orthodontics), catching the attention of pop-culture’s elite. International Women’s Day pushes the world to honor powerful women, highlighting outstanding role models and eliciting bold yet impactful goals. Is this something you’re interested in exploring? Happy to send through additional info or set up an interview with Dr. Courtney to discuss how she maintained an ambitious spirit that helped her over come challenges and create a strong sense of female empowerment.
Best-selling author, relationship expert and humorist, Lauren Peacock, launches The Divorce Case (TDC) subscription box, the next project from the creative multi-talent. The new subscription service makes the perfect gift for loved ones who are separated, divorced, or in the midst of a divorce. Peacock thoughtfully designed the box to include products that helped her get through her own divorce experience. “I created The Divorce Case because I remember what it was like going through a divorce. I remember wishing I had certain things readily available when I was feeling sad and alone. Most people don't realize that divorce can suck the life out of someone, so even trips to the store can be a big deal. Throw in Valentine’s Day and, oh yes, a worldwide Pandemic and you can see why you or someone you know would welcome this,” says Peacock. This is no standard subscription box: the monthly subscription also includes exclusive membership access to Peacock’s private online Facebook community, titled “The D-Deck” (yes, the “D” is for “divorce”), which will feature a weekly column filled with her own humorous and heartfelt advice about dealing with divorce, a curated list of viewing and reading materials from trusted sources, and an occasional guest speaker, as well as a private space to interact with fellow members of the TDC community.
Meghan Rose is a Los Angeles-based Spiritual Advisor, Tarot Card Reader, and Meditation Guide. In addition to working with corporate groups, hosting events, and working privately with her clientele she is also an author and writer of The Intuitive Tarot Manifestation™ Workbook, with the intention of helping others learn how to use Tarot for their own self-awareness journey. Meghan can be found leading classes and workshops with studios like The DEN Meditation, discussing her work on various podcasts (Evolve & Empower, Was That Good for You? With Raya Carmona, and more), and highlighted with brands like Gorjana, Michelob Ultra, and more. Connect with her and her work @meghanrosewellness.
If you're not familiar with Never Fully Dressed, you will be today. It's an amazing UK brand available on ShopBop, Nordstrom, and Asos. Founder, Lucy Aylen, is a mother of three, who after giving birth to her third child during the COVID-19 pandemic, buying back her stock from retailers and continuing to design every print and pattern, Lucy decided to take things a step further, developing styling videos for all pieces in her backyard. But that’s not all! While breastfeeding, Lucy continued to show how her collections filled a gap in the marketplace for stylish, trendy clothes that she could breastfeed easily in. We talk motherhood, business + how the pandemic has helped her pivot her brand and grow.
We talk to Anna Slayton, a Walden University Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) student and RN-BSN graduate. Anna saw the COVID-19 crisis mounting in New York City, and knew she had to join the fight as a relief nurse. She temporarily left her family in Texas to help save the lives of others. Anna shares a glimpse into the heartbreaking yet inspiring journey that led her to NYC. She worked 12-hour overnight shifts for several weeks at a nursing facility caring for elderly patients with COVID-19. During her time in NYC, Anna was able to reflect on and think about the challenges she’s faced during the past few years, as well as about her career and future. It was during this time that she decided her true calling was to help take care of children, especially after the tragic loss of her 2-year-old son. She’s using her education for good through her health coaching service, Kardia Wellness, so she can continue to help others.
Dr. Amra Sabic-El-Rayess is an activist, author, Muslim refugee and authority on rebuilding societies and civic institutions that have fallen into chaos. In fact, she’s a professor who lectures on radicalization, corruption and elite formation in societies at Columbia University. Her just-released memoir, THE CAT I NEVER NAMED: A True Story of Love, War, and Survival, is a harrowing account of how her family survived the Bosnian war’s ethnic cleansing campaign in the early 90’s. Amra’s journey has been described as Anne Frank’s if Frank hadn’t perished during the Holocaust. Her background and expertise converge with so many of America’s current cultural touch points: radicalization and the rise of hate groups, White supremacy, far right activism, BLM, racism, tribalism, exploding Islamophobia and anti-immigrant sentiment, civil unrest and social disintegration, and trying to stay hopeful in a country you don’t recognize. Dr. Sabic-El-Rayess is an expert because she has firsthand experience and she has since devoted her life to understanding how and why societies fall apart. Her advice is sought by US policymakers in the US Dept. of State as well as leaders of NGO’s and foreign governments.
Few have stood where Mark Henick has stood — and survived. With his heart pounding and the concrete beneath his feet crumbling, Henick expected that night on the overpass to be his last night ever. His near-death experience led to his powerful TEDx talk about suicide, which is one of the most watched in the world, and inspired his powerful new release, So-Called Normal: A Memoir of Family, Depression and Resilience.
It's Mental Health Awareness month and as advocates of mental well-being, we chatted with. Geraldine “Gerry” Viggiani a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Clinical Drug and Alcohol Counselor, and is Certified in Perinatal Mental Health. Gerry is also the CEO and Founder of Lotus Blossom Psychotherapy in Eatontown, New Jersey.
Lauren Vena is an Author and has been a professional Makeup Artist for 20 years, but she's proudest to say she's a Wife & Mother. Lauren says, "Sometimes managing everyday life, work, trying to keep up with a social life, makes us moms think, 'are we doing the best?'" Lauren hopes you enjoy this book—that it makes you smile and laugh, while realizing the true meaning behind it—that no matter what, our kids love us just as we are!