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PODCAST

The Stories That Sparkle

I’m Hella Rader—divorced, middle-aged, childless (no cat) lady, the first American of my family, the only daughter born to German immigrant parents, and a full-time writer. The Stories That Sparkle is the space I created for women you have never heard of and could easily pass on the street to share, in their own voices, the intricacies of their stories about starting over in life, building community, inhabiting their bodies and more. With a good sense of humor, open heart and open mind, I let my

society & culture

All Episodes

56:08

Reclaim My Sparkle

The Stories That Sparkle ·

2025/10/22

To close out Domestic Violence Awareness month, Zoie (their mom is Jenn, who shared her story in Episode 21: I Stand By Me) joins me via Zoom and shares their experience as a kid coming of age in a home impacted by domestic violence. Zoie is an inspiration to me about how to set boundaries, make choices around relationships, and reclaim the sparkle within. This story perfectly illustrates that no matter our age or circumstance, our stories have so much to offer to each other. Pro Tip: get yourself a

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62:19

Brewing Up the Third Place

The Stories That Sparkle ·

2025/10/15

IIn this episode of the Stories That Sparkle Podcast, Holly and I get to know each as she tells me about how she and her business partner Bonnie started Winchester Brew Works ten years ago. At the time, it was the only women-owned brewery with a woman as the brewer in the state. Wow! Holly’s easy-going vibes and chilled out approach to even the scariest moments make her the perfect person to create a place for community to happen and to make space for everyone to belong. She really knows how to brew

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63:50

Let It Begin With Me

The Stories That Sparkle ·

2025/10/08

In this episode of the Stories That Sparkle Podcast, Jaclyn shares how her passion and desire for connection (to family, community, and food) pushed her to make a change which then led her to start a regenerative vineyard, farm market and community center in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Located less than two hours outside of Washington, DC, Patti’s Place and Laurel Grove Wine Farm stand as the incredibly inspiring result of what is possible when I am willing to let it begin with me.So, I invite you

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99:07

I Stand By Me

The Stories That Sparkle ·

2025/10/01

In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness month, I invited Jenn to join me via Zoom to discuss her journey as a survivor, her healing through movement and dance, and her commitment to stand by (as in for) herself (as much as she welcomes her community to stand by and with her). At the end of our conversation, we also discuss Jenn’s experience with relationships, dating and finding joy in her body as part of her healing. It is an honor to call Jenn a friend and to share with her a community of

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51:21

Give Back Creatively

The Stories That Sparkle ·

2025/09/24

In this episode, Meredith and I talk about a lot of things including how she became a creative solo-preneur with a design company, detaching with love, and giving back to help build community. Buoyed by her faith, Meredith is an inspiration to me about how to radiate joy after deep loss and heartache and how to show up and serve even when it’s not in my comfort zone. And she brought me Owly, my plant companion on the Discoball Tour. It was a pleasure to start my roadtrip with this conversation and

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58:32

The Art of Balance

The Stories That Sparkle ·

2025/09/17

In this episode, I chat with Caroline, an incredibly talented actor and teacher (acting/public speaking/yoga—I refer to what she and I work on together as feminine movement) about what success as an actor means to her today, the difference between a want and a need, and the lows she has overcome at different times in her career. She is a shining example of the art of balance. She has helped me personally with all three (and then some) over the last year and a half, and I am beyond grateful she is

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68:29

Face the Fear

The Stories That Sparkle ·

2025/09/10

I'm kicking off a little mini series about creativity with three different women who do three very different things. In this episode, I sit down with Laura, an old friend of mine with whom I reconnected recently. She's an incredibly talented woman who works as a writer, producer, director, and actor. And most recently, she is a documentary filmmaker with her debut doc short, Tiny Movements. Together, we talk about facing the fear to use our creative gifts to be a force for good in this world.So, I

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56:28

Intentional Intimacy

The Stories That Sparkle ·

2025/09/03

Partners sleeping in separate bedrooms (or, as The NY Times calls it, “sleep divorce”) is a topic many different people have a bajillion different thoughts—and feels—about. Does it reinforce intimacy? Does it mean there’s a problem in the relationship? Does it represent the end or an expansion? Does it mean it’s time to leave or an opportunity to be even more intentional? And all the other things you might be thinking.This one took two sessions because the first time, I was so uncomfortable with all

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50:12

Trust the Nudge

The Stories That Sparkle ·

2025/08/27

This episode of the Stories That Sparkle Podcast is the last of three conversations I recorded while on the road around Atlanta, GA, and it bookends the trip perfectly. My bestie Lucy and I lounge around in our PJs, sip coffee in her sunroom, and talk about her journey after receiving a breast cancer diagnosis. Hint: her story honors the fear and anger while also celebrating the love and service. Lucy is a funstigating adventurer who insists on having a good time (we are two feathers of a bird),

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60:54

Open to Receive

The Stories That Sparkle ·

2025/08/20

In this week’s episode of the Stories That Sparkle Podcast, I sit down with Kathryn, who is a woman I have known for almost twenty years, and from whom I have learned a lot of important spiritual lessons.This is the second conversation I recorded on my 10-day driving tour outside of Atlanta, Georgia. Because so much came up for me during that trip and by the time I got to Kathryn’s house, I really wanted to ask her about how she grows through the good. The result is a continuation of the back and

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72:08

Run To Your Life

The Stories That Sparkle ·

2025/08/13

This episode of The Stories That Sparkle Podcast is the first in a trio of conversations I recorded on a mini driving tour around various towns outside the perimeter of Atlanta, GA. Over ten days, I covered 1,400 miles start to finish, stayed in multiple homes, and recorded three different with women I know. It was a trial run in preparation for the big cross-country tour I am doing in September (more about that at the end of this episode). While I did not plan it—at least not intentionally—all

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57:01

Manifesting the Upper Shire

The Stories That Sparkle ·

2025/08/06

In early June, I loaded up my recording equipment, and drove to Hillsdale, NY to meet up with Joanna. The last time we saw each other was sixteen years ago when we both lived in NYC and she would crash the East Village Radio recording studio while Ruth and I were live on the air with the Hella Fabulous Show. But, from the way we launched right into our raucous conversation and finished each other’s sentences, you would think we hang out every day. Anyways, Joanna has lived at least 4, or maybe 5,

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59:41

Embrace My Body's Strength

The Stories That Sparkle ·

2025/07/30

In this episode of The Stories That Sparkle podcast, Natalie shares about how becoming a runner helped her bring order into chaos and embrace her body’s strength. We also discuss health & wellness, ways in which we talk about our bodies, and how we could shift the conversation about our body image issues. And I just love Natalie’s effort to pass on a new vocabulary and open dialogue to her daughter.So, I invite you to get comfortable, sit back, and listen in.All these women are amazing and they

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55:45

Trust The Process

The Stories That Sparkle ·

2025/07/23

In this episode of The Stories That Sparkle podcast, I sit down with Vanessa, a woman who knows what she wants and is not afraid to ask for it, to talk about how she connects to purpose in her work, steps in to help out no matter her title, and always remembers to trust the process. I will definitely have her back to talk about a whole lot of things we get to at the very end of this episode.Alll these women are amazing and they share their stories with such courage. Please help me get the word out:

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64:33

The Healing Power of Community

The Stories That Sparkle ·

2025/07/16

In this episode of The Stories That Sparkle, Mandy shares about the devastating loss of her mom, the need to confront her own anger in order to move through her grief, and the healing power of a community that never stopped showing up. Mandy is one of the most exuberantly loving people I know, and a woman who knows how to hold space when you’re struggling.I want to give you a brief content warning for discussion of mental illness, depression and suicide including the description of finding a loved

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54:32

One Woman Show

The Stories That Sparkle ·

2025/07/09

Three years ago, I stuck a big post-it note on my wall. It’s still up there, even if a little bit faded. On it, I wrote: “Within two years—I will have a very different job and the way I make my money will look NOTHING like it does now. One. Woman. Show.”Then I got nervous. I did not want to limit or “tell” the Universe or the God of my Experience aka my Higher Power, the Still Small Voice, what to do (or how) so I added a “?” and then an addendum caveat: “Or? No limit on what. No rush—do not push

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57:00

Change by Degrees

The Stories That Sparkle ·

2025/07/02

In this episode of The Stories That Sparkle podcast, Carrie and I crisscross time and space, loop around only to come full circle as we chat about her evolving experience of motherhood and her own growth as seen through the lens of giving birth to four amazing kids. This episode concludes the series on Change with a BANG! Carrie is as magical and funny as she is wise and loving so we cover: Motherhood. Change by Degrees and as Natural Disaster. The Three C’s of Change: Control, Curiosity, Choices

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53:42

Keep It Simple

The Stories That Sparkle ·

2025/06/25

In today’s episode of The Stories That Sparkle, Shelley shares about a time in her late 30s when a confluence of major changes (including a serious health situation) hit her all at once and how, twenty years later, she chooses to keep it simple. Shelley is a survivor who has learned how to live every day. And I won’t lie, this conversation was, at times, hard for me and brought up some active vulnerabilities.Which brings me to a brief content warning: This episode includes discussion of

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56:37

The Overview Effect

The Stories That Sparkle ·

2025/06/18

In today’s episode of The Stories That Sparkle, Shyama shares with me how what felt like a near-death experience changed everything—how she practices medicine, who she lives with. and how she sees herself. She also shares about how she uses the perspective of astronauts to look back on her life without regrets. It gave me a whole different way to look back on my own life. And I cannot wait to have Shyama back on the pod to talk about...MENOPAUSE!So, I invite you get comfortable, sit back, and listen

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62:25

Let The Plan Evolve

The Stories That Sparkle ·

2025/06/11

In this episode of The Stories That Sparkle, I take notes while Mascha, a woman who not only knows how to adjust spines (she’s a chiropractor) but also plans, describes how she reaches the goals she sets. Spoiler Alert: it involves flowing with the changes—in life, and in business. Her spirit is so buoyant and uplifting, I could sit and listen to her for hours.If you are local to the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, and in need of a chiropractor, I cannot recommend Dr. Mascha Williams, D.C. (that's

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