Networking is not about collecting contacts.

It is about building meaningful connections that create opportunity, growth, and alignment.

In this episode of the Nutmeg Lit Fest Podcast, Janaya Hernandez explores what it truly means to leverage networking with intention and authenticity. From career growth to creative impact, this conversation breaks down how relationships, when nurtured properly,y can open doors long before you ever knock.

Janaya shares insights from her work as an author, leader, and community builder, including lessons from her book The Power of Connection. This episode is for professionals, creatives, and leaders who want to stop networking out of obligation and start connecting with purpose.

Listen in and be reminded

• Why networking works best when rooted in service
• How to shift from transactional to transformational connections
• Practical ways to build relationships that support long-term success
• Why your story presence and consistency matter more than the title
• That your next opportunity may already be connected to someone you know.

In this episode, we sit down with Tammy Gerhard, author of Cocoa Hugs and Coffee Mugs and I Love My Community: Kids Activity Book, for a thoughtful conversation about storytelling, connection, and building community through children’s literature.

Tammy shares how her work centers warmth, belonging, and everyday moments that help children understand connection at home and in the world around them. We discuss why representation and community matter in early reading, how stories can spark meaningful conversations between adults and children, and what inspired her to create books that are both comforting and empowering.

This episode is a celebration of storytelling as a bridge between generations, neighborhoods, and shared experiences.

We explore:

• How children’s books can nurture empathy and confidence

• The role of community in shaping young readers

• Why everyday stories matter just as much as big adventures

• Using books as tools for connection at home and in classrooms

If you love books that bring people together and stories that center care, creativity, and community, this episode is for you.

In this episode of the Nutmeg Lit Fest Podcast, host Janaya Hernandez is joined by Anna Laurie, author of The Infamous 8: The Birthday Party Adventure, for a thoughtful conversation on food allergy awareness, education, and empowerment through storytelling.

Anna shares her journey as an advocate and author, discussing how her professional background in food allergy and wellness inspired her to write directly for children. The conversation explores the importance of helping kids understand food allergies in an age-appropriate way, building confidence in social settings, and encouraging self-advocacy from an early age.

This episode also features our signature segment, From the Page, where Anna reads a passage from The Infamous 8, offering listeners a glimpse into the heart of the story and the conversations it’s designed to spark among children, parents, and educators.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Food allergy awareness through children’s literature
• Educating children without creating fear or overwhelm
• Confidence and self-advocacy for kids and families
• How storytelling supports safer, more informed communities

New episodes of the Nutmeg Lit Fest Podcast drop every Tuesday.

Nutmeg Lit Fest Podcast — Where stories speak.

In this heartwarming episode of the Nutmeg Lit Fest Podcast, we sit down with Heidi Rocha, author of the beloved Sparkly Smiles Series, to explore how storytelling can inspire healthy habits in children—one joyful page at a time.

Heidi shares how her children’s books transform everyday dental routines into engaging adventures that help kids build confidence, reduce fear, and develop lifelong healthy habits. We talk about the power of relatable characters, playful learning, and how stories can support parents, educators, and caregivers in making wellness fun and approachable.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, librarian, or children’s author, this episode highlights how intentional storytelling can shape positive behaviors and meaningful family moments.

Tune in for a conversation filled with creativity, compassion, and smiles.

In this episode, author Wendy Haller joins the Nutmeg Lit Fest Podcast for a thoughtful conversation about writing, emotion, and the stories that stay with us.

Wendy shares the inspiration behind her novel The Flannigan Girls, reflecting on family relationships, quiet moments of connection, and how emotion shapes both the writing process and the reading experience. We talk about trusting the story as it unfolds, writing with honesty, and allowing space for reflection on the page.

During our From the Page segment, Wendy reads a short passage from The Flannigan Girls, offering listeners a glimpse into her voice and the heart of the novel.

This episode is a calm, reflective conversation for readers and writers who appreciate stories rooted in emotion, connection, and the moments that shape who we become.

Every book has a story behind it and every author has a moment when they decide to tell it.

In this launch episode of the Nutmeg Lit Fest Podcast, we sit down with Jack Matthews ;author, storyteller, and founder of Nutmeg Lit Fest , for a conversation about writing, vision, and the journey behind the page.

Rather than focusing on plot, this episode centers the author: the creative process, the challenges of writing, and the moments that shape both the work and the writer. Jack reflects on his path to storytelling, the role of community in the literary world, and what it means to create space for authors to be seen and heard.

The Nutmeg Lit Fest Podcast is officially launching!

New episodes drop every Tuesday, featuring conversations with authors, poets, and creatives sharing their books, journeys, and the stories behind their work.

This podcast is an extension of Nutmeg Lit Fest’s mission to amplify voices, celebrate storytelling, and build authentic creative community.

Nutmeg Lit Fest authors are invited to be featured guests.

Interested in being interviewed? Apply to join us on the podcast and share your creative journey.

All Nutmeg Lit Fest authors are encouraged to Subscribe, follow, and stay connected ,because this is where stories speak and authors connect.

Welcome to the Nutmeg Lit Fest Podcast! Where stories speak.

This podcast celebrates authors, storytellers, poets, and creatives from Connecticut and beyond. Each episode shines a light on the voices, stories, and creativity shaping our literary community.

Whether you’re a writer, a reader, or someone who simply loves the power of storytelling, this podcast is for you.

Get ready for inspiring conversations, creative insights, and stories that connect us all.