Sparking Radiance

Genny Perez

Life has chapters that can leave us feeling dim, distracted, or even lost—but your Spark never leaves, it’s just waiting to shine again. I’m your host, Genny Perez—a Wife, Mom, and Friend who’s still figuring it out too. On Sparking Radiance, I share real stories, encouragement, and honest conversations as we grow through each chapter together. This isn’t about being perfect—it’s about choosing light, little by little, starting right from where you are.   Come join me, and let’s Spark some Radiance together! Follow the show on Instagram: @sparking.radiance  You can also visit www.sparkingradiance.com to learn more.  

  1. 5d ago

    Is What I am Doing in My Calling with Scott Maderer

    That nagging feeling of “there has to be more than this” can hit even when you love your family, you’re doing meaningful work, and you’re handling all the responsibilities. We sit down with Scott Maderer, co-founder of Inspired Stewardship and author of Inspired Living, to get practical about purpose and calling without turning it into vague motivation or a dramatic life overhaul. Scott starts by separating career from vocation. Your career can be the cart that moves you from point A to point B, but your vocation is the deeper calling that shapes how you show up as a spouse, parent, leader, friend, and business owner. From there, we walk through two hands-on ways to uncover what your calling might be: a look-back exercise that tracks what consistently gives you energy (and what drains it), and an unforgettable “airport layover” visualization that reveals what you truly want to say five years from now when someone asks how life has been. We also dig into the DISC assessment and why it’s one of the simplest, most useful personality and communication tools for real life. Scott breaks down D, I, S, and C styles, how they show up at home and at work, and how adapting your message can improve leadership, teamwork, and even sales results without changing who you are. If you’re in a transition, stuck in a job you hate, or unsure what you’re moving toward, Scott offers a clear next step: start weaving more of what you love into your life now, then build direction from there. Find out more about the Inspired Stewardship Program or Connect with Scott Maderer at: https://inspiredstewardship.com/radiance/ Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a spark, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Follow me on Instagram - @sparking.radiance

    42 min
  2. Mar 31

    When Life Disrupts You On Purpose With Chandrika Mackall

    A “good” job can still be the wrong fit and sometimes the moment you lose it is the moment you finally breathe. I’m sitting down with Chandrika Mackall, a beauty expert and permanent makeup artist who spent 20 years in a federal government career while quietly keeping her love for makeup artistry alive on the side. When that secure path ended, she didn’t panic-scroll job boards. She felt relief and took the leap into purpose. We talk about what it looks like to pivot careers in midlife, especially as women who’ve spent years putting everyone else first. Chandrika shares how creativity can feel like a gift you’re responsible for using, why spreadsheet life can drain an artist, and how to “feed” your passion even when you can’t quit your day job yet. If you’re exploring entrepreneurship, a side hustle, or a second-act business, her story brings real talk about risk, mindset, and trusting the nudge. The heart of this conversation is why beauty is more than appearance. From foundation matching after radiation to eyebrow solutions for people navigating cancer treatment, Chandrika explains how makeup, PMU, and brow work can restore confidence and help someone step back into the world. She also shares her vision for giving back through her More Than Makeup training program and a future nonprofit. Subscribe to Sparking Radiance, share this with a friend who needs a spark, and leave a review so more people can find the show. *You can find out more about the More Than Make up Training Program by following Chandrika on Instagram @cmack_beauty.   Follow me on Instagram - @sparking.radiance

    27 min
  3. Mar 17

    The Wake-Up Call with Dr. Edward De La Torre

    A surprise diagnosis can feel like a shock, but it can also be an invitation. When Dr. Edward De La Torre saw the warning signs of prediabetes, he didn’t wait for a “perfect” Monday. He went home, cleaned out his pantry, and started rebuilding his health with whole foods, lower sugar, better habits, and a long view of longevity. We get into what that really looks like day to day: the cravings, the adjustments, the setbacks, and the way the body can rebuild when you stay consistent. Dr. De La Torre brings a rare blend of experience across psychology, education, business, and leadership, and he connects the dots between mindset and behavior change in a way that feels practical. We talk about sustainable weight loss, nutrition awareness, alcohol moderation, and why progress often comes from small shifts over time instead of dramatic overnight transformation. If you’re trying to improve your wellness routine, lower blood sugar, or simply feel like yourself again, you’ll leave with clear ideas you can test and personalize. Then things take an unexpected turn into financial wellness and resilience. He shares how identity theft and fraud left him with debt in his name, and the concrete steps he took to protect himself: freezing credit, filing a police report, seeking legal counsel, and budgeting through the aftermath. The bigger lesson is the one that applies to everything: take accountability for what you can control, communicate early, and build a support network that keeps you steady. Listen through to the end for the mindset shift he keeps returning to: the power is in the presence. If the conversation helps you, subscribe, share it with someone who needs a spark, and leave a review so more people can find Sparking Radiance. Follow me on Instagram - @sparking.radiance

    38 min
  4. Mar 3

    We Packed Our Lives Into Eight Suitcases And Somehow Got Richer with Mackenzie Corona

    What if the richest version of your life isn’t bigger, faster, or louder—but slower, smaller, and full of presence? We sit down with McKinzie Corona, a critical care nurse turned expat mom, who traded the American rush for a walkable, family-first life in Mexico. Her story isn’t a highlight reel; it’s a candid look at mindset, logistics, and the very real moments that test your willingness to grow. We trace the journey from an itch to be more present to the steady steps that made a bold move possible—dual citizenship for the kids, visas, remote income through drop shipping, and a month-long scouting trip to choose a city. McKinzie shares how they sold almost everything, packed eight suitcases, and promised to give the new life time to take root. What followed surprised her: the way stillness reveals how deeply hustle culture lives in your body, the way peace can outrank productivity, and how parenting changes when time isn’t scarce. She describes letting her kids “live with me,” turning chores into connection, and discovering she thrives in a slower rhythm. We also get practical. Expect bureaucratic detours for banking, licenses, and immigration. Notice the security presence without panic. Carry pesos because cash is king. Learn tipping norms, watch how locals do it, and embrace being a beginner—right down to the haircut lost in translation. McKinzie's perspective on Mexico’s late-night plazas, family-friendly restaurants, and genuine greetings offers more than travel tips; it’s a guide to reshaping daily life around community and attention. The heartbeat of this conversation is a line worth pinning: change doesn’t guarantee comfort, but it almost always guarantees growth. If you’ve felt the nudge to live abroad—Mexico, Costa Rica, Portugal, wherever—start with small steps. Research neighborhoods, test remote work, take a scouting trip, and see how your nervous system responds. You don’t need to be fearless; you just need to be willing. Listen now, then tell us: what small step toward a slower, richer life can you take today? Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a spark, and leave a review to help others find the show. Make sure to continue to follow Mackenzie's adventure: @makenziecoronaa Follow me on Instagram - @sparking.radiance

    42 min
  5. Feb 19

    Redefining Success After Failure with Joshua Hernandez

    What if everything you built—your business, your title, your safety—disappeared overnight? We sit down with financial educator and 20-year entrepreneur Joshua Hernandez to explore how identity survives disruption and how resilience is forged through honest reflection, calculated risk, and the decision to begin again. Joshua shares the rise of his early career, buying his first home at 25, and the hard crash of 2008 that forced him to surrender the house and strip back to essentials. Instead of chasing pride, he chose process: buffers for downturns, leaner overhead, diversified income, and scenario planning that keeps cash flow steady when markets shake. He explains why risk is necessary, how to keep it calculated, and what “protecting the downside” looks like when you’re leading a people-centered business. We dig into daily practices that compound trust—showing up, keeping promises, and treating clients like family—because integrity is the best growth engine. Mindset threads through every chapter. The Magic of Thinking Big, The Greatest Miracle in the World, and What to Say When You Talk to Yourself didn’t just inspire him; they shaped a method for testing ideas before going all in. Joshua’s blueprint for aspiring founders is clear: test the waters to validate demand, then compress your learning curve with a mentor who has already walked the path. And beyond the spreadsheets, there’s a human turn—how salsa dancing at rock bottom led him to his future wife and a life of travel that expands perspective and fuels better decisions. If you’re rethinking success, rebuilding after loss, or simply ready to align ambition with a life you actually love, this conversation will give you tools and heart. Subscribe, share with someone who needs a spark, and leave a review to help more listeners find us.  What’s one risk you’re ready to take this week? Follow Josh on instagram @joshuaehernandez.  Follow me on Instagram - @sparking.radiance

    29 min
  6. Do it Afraid! with Melissa Fournier

    12/05/2025

    Do it Afraid! with Melissa Fournier

    Ever told yourself it’s too late to start? Meet Melissa Fournier, a wife and mom who walked into a women’s jiu-jitsu trial at 50, got hooked on the mats, and then decided to compete just four months later.  We dig into what  jiu-jitsu actually demands—submissions, leverage, and controlled pressure—and why technique beats brute strength at every level. Melissa opens up about training through fear, rolling with new partners, and learning to trust a respectful gym culture. With a shoulder injury, a volatile knee, and the normal bruises of live rounds, she still built cardio for four-minute bursts and focused on skill over weight cuts. The night before the tournament, she didn’t even know if she had a match. When one appeared, it was a woman 30 pounds heavier with multiple tournaments under her belt. Every advisor put the decision back in her hands. What happened next is the heart of the episode: she introduced herself to her opponent, grounded the moment in humanity, and chose to “do it afraid.” The first round ended fast with an arm lock. The second stretched to two and a half minutes of grit and defended grips. She lost the bracket and won something bigger—no lingering what-if, no quiet regret. We talk about identity change, adult learning, the power of community, and how to set goals that push without breaking you. If you’re craving a late start, a career pivot, or just one brave habit, this story gives you permission and a simple plan: show up, stay curious, and stack small reps. If this conversation sparked something, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a nudge, and leave a quick review so more people can find us. Your next brave step starts now. Follow Melissa on Instagram @eddienpnutsmom  Follow me on Instagram - @sparking.radiance

    29 min

Ratings & Reviews

About

Life has chapters that can leave us feeling dim, distracted, or even lost—but your Spark never leaves, it’s just waiting to shine again. I’m your host, Genny Perez—a Wife, Mom, and Friend who’s still figuring it out too. On Sparking Radiance, I share real stories, encouragement, and honest conversations as we grow through each chapter together. This isn’t about being perfect—it’s about choosing light, little by little, starting right from where you are.   Come join me, and let’s Spark some Radiance together! Follow the show on Instagram: @sparking.radiance  You can also visit www.sparkingradiance.com to learn more.