From Sephora exec to viral creator, Gay Italian Nonna (Monica) shares the wildly honest story of quitting corporate life, coming out later in life, and choosing self-love—publicly. This episode covers creativity vs. cultural pressure, TikTok fame born from a nightmare neighbour, dating yourself, mental health, manifestation, and why your body always knows the truth first. Funny, raw, and deeply affirming—this one’s about choosing yourself and trusting the pivot.

About Monica:

Monica Bancheri—also known as Gay Italian Nonna—is a Toronto content creator, talk-show host, and community builder who blends bold Italian energy with heartfelt LGBTQ+ advocacy. As the host of unMASCed, Monica creates safe, hilarious, and authentic spaces for queer stories to shine. Her mission: visibility, belonging, and always showing up as your whole self.

You can also follow Stacey Green (staceygreenliving):

TikTok / Instagram: @staceygreenliving

YouTube: @staceygreenliving

www.staceygreenliving.com

Video and audio production by: Rosanna Araujo @boymamaof4

In this episode of Things I Wish I Knew About…, Stacey chats with children’s book author Melanie Rose Fernandes about the unexpected path that led her to publishing ‘Ooey, Gooey, Chewy Bubblegum’.

Melanie shares how a forgotten Grade 11 project, rediscovered years later, became a published children’s book—along with lessons on confidence, creativity, and putting yourself out there. They talk about marketing when you are the brand, representation in children’s books, visiting schools to inspire young writers, and why sometimes the biggest life shifts start with one small choice.

A warm, inspiring conversation for writers, parents, and anyone navigating a non-linear creative journey.

About Melanie:

Hi, I'm Mel. I work in marketing and sales for a global food company and travel frequently to support customers across North America. Creativity has always been a big part of who I am, and I wrote my first children's book at 17. After years, I finally felt like it was time to share it with the world and now I'm combining my business background with my passion for storytelling to inspire young readers.

You can also follow Stacey Green (staceygreenliving):

TikTok / Instagram: @staceygreenliving

YouTube: @staceygreenliving

www.staceygreenliving.com

Video and audio production by: Rosanna Araujo @boymamaof4

In this solo episode, Stacey Green discusses the concept of designing your life, emphasizing the importance of clarity in understanding one's desires, taking action without waiting for motivation, and making present-day decisions that align with future goals. She highlights the significance of consistency in achieving desired outcomes and encourages listeners to embrace the journey of personal growth and change.

You can also follow Stacey Green (staceygreenliving):

TikTok / Instagram: @staceygreenliving

YouTube: @staceygreenliving

www.staceygreenliving.com

Video and audio production by: Rosanna Araujo @boymamaof4

In this solo episode, Stacey gets real about what it’s actually like to start and run your own business. From humble beginnings as a nutrition consultant to cookbook author and content creator, she shares the hard-earned lessons learned over a decade of entrepreneurship.

Tune in as Stacey breaks down her top 9 (okay, 10!) tips — from starting before you’re ready to celebrating the small wins. Expect honesty, laughs, and plenty of “I wish someone told me this sooner” moments.

If you’ve ever dreamed of building something of your own (or are in the messy middle right now), this episode’s for you.

You can also follow Stacey Green (staceygreenliving):

TikTok / Instagram: @staceygreenliving

YouTube: @staceygreenliving

www.staceygreenliving.com

Video and audio production by: Rosanna Araujo @boymamaof4

Stacey chats with Lauren Frances Smith, founder of Lo & Co, the storytelling jewelry brand turning intention into art. Lauren shares how she built her business from a single handmade bracelet into a movement — featured in Chatelaine, Canadian Living, and loved by brands like Maybelline and The Body Shop.

They dive into entrepreneurship, intuition, and the power of saying no so you can say yes to what really aligns.

About Lauren:

Lauren is the creative force and heart behind Lo & Co Jewelry, where she blends artisan craftsmanship, minimalist elegance, and soulful design. Inspired by everyday rituals and understated beauty, she handcrafts each piece with intention—turning fine metals and subtle accents into wearable statements.

With a background in [art/design / metalsmithing / small business] (you can insert whichever fits), Lauren launched Lo & Co to bring jewelry that feels personal—and effortless—to wear. Her designs cater to those who want daily staples, not flash, and she’s committed to ethical sourcing, slow production, and giving back to her community.

When she’s not behind her bench or sketching her next collection, Lauren can be found hunting for vintage beads, walking local trails, or sourcing inspiration in the quiet corners of city life.

You can also follow Stacey Green (staceygreenliving):

TikTok / Instagram: @staceygreenliving

YouTube: @staceygreenliving

www.staceygreenliving.com

Video and audio production by: Rosanna Araujo @boymamaof4

Think meal planning is boring? Think again. In this solo episode, Stacey Green—cookbook author and chaos coordinator—shares her 8 no-BS tips to make dinner time easier, faster, and way less stressful. From freezer hacks to theme nights (hello, Taco Tuesday), Stacey’s got you covered with real-life strategies that actually work.

Whether you’re feeding a family or just yourself, this episode will help you plan smarter, waste less, and maybe even enjoy cooking again.

Listen now and take the chaos out of “what’s for dinner?”

You can also follow Stacey Green (staceygreenliving):

TikTok / Instagram: @staceygreenliving

YouTube: @staceygreenliving

www.staceygreenliving.com

Video and audio production by: Rosanna Araujo @boymamaof4

This week, Stacey Green chats with poet Nicole Dalcourt, author of ‘What Remains.’ From childhood diaries to open mics and self-publishing, Nicole shares how writing helped her navigate illness, family struggles, empty-nesting, and grief.

It’s real talk about loss, resilience, and finding your voice—even when it shakes.

Grab What Remains on Amazon, Indigo, or Barnes & Noble.

Follow Nicole on Instagram: @nicoledalcourt

About Nicole Dalcourt:

Nicole Dalcourt is an award-winning Canadian writer and poet living on the outskirts of Toronto, Ontario. Her debut poetry collection, What Remains, uses a confessional voice to explore themes of grief, heartbreak, rebirth and belonging. Dalcourt’s work has appeared in Writerly Magazine, The King City Mosaic and on Howl Radio and the Viewless Wings Podcast. When not writing, Nicole hosts and participates in open mics around the region and pursues her passion for teaching poetry skills through in-person and online workshops and is host of The Portal writing circle.

You can also follow Stacey Green (staceygreenliving):

TikTok / Instagram: @staceygreenliving

YouTube: @staceygreenliving

www.staceygreenliving.com

Video and audio production by: Rosanna Araujo @boymamaof4

In this episode, Stacey Green and Sheetal Laar pull back the curtain on the world of real estate—from personal wins and lessons learned to must-know market trends. They break down the home-buying journey, demystify mortgages (fixed vs. variable), and unpack how interest rates really affect your bottom line.

Get the inside scoop on why trust is everything in real estate deals, how emotions play a huge role in buying a home, and what you really need to know about closing costs and conditional offers. Whether you're buying, selling, or just curious about the market, this episode is packed with real talk and practical tips you won't want to miss.

About Sheetal Laar:

Sheetal Laar is a passionate REALTOR® with Real Estate Homeward, based in Toronto (Queen Street East), helping clients find homes they love — whether in condos, heritage houses, or tiny homes. Known as the “not your average realtor,” Sheetal blends a love for design, architecture, and sustainability into her real-estate work to bring out the beauty and potential of every space.

She is deeply rooted in community and committed to green, responsible building practices, always looking for ways to make homes healthier, more efficient, and full of personality. Whether advising on condos with amazing amenities (yoga, indoor pools, terraces, bike rooms) or helping clients tackle the nuances of an older home or custom build, Sheetal’s approach is warm, honest, and detail-oriented.

You can also follow Stacey Green (staceygreenliving):

TikTok / Instagram: @staceygreenliving

YouTube: @staceygreenliving

www.staceygreenliving.com

Video and audio production by: Rosanna Araujo @boymamaof4