Author: alisonpaulklak

Alison Paul Klakowicz is an Eastern North Carolina native, children’s book author, freelance writer, blogger, podcaster and creative writer. She is a military spouse who resides in Fayetteville, NC with her husband and son. She is a storyteller who shares about her writing journey, life in North Carolina— and features people and places that inspire.
Lifestyle, Writing, Podcasting, Military Life, Inspirtation, North Carolina

Veteran Voices

alisonpaulklak

Poetic Theater Productions' 5th Annual showcase of original work by #veterans, Veterans Voices, expressing their experiences and stories from within and beyond the #military will be held this coming Saturday, March 7th at 2pm Wild Project, 195 East 3rd Street, New York, NY. The event will feature theater, poetry and music. 
According to Eastern North Carolina native and veteran Omar Columbus— whose #poetry will be featured at the event, "Poetic Theater Productions' 5th annual showcase of original work by veterans, Veteran Voices calls upon the traditions of past warrior cultures such as the Greeks, Romans, and Native Americans, who welcomed their military home in rituals of storytelling.
Reviving these practices, military veteran artists take the stage to share their stories and experiences in a way that is both healing and informs others, sharing the moral burden of war.
Following the showcase, there will be a post-show discussion on the movement to support existing and new programming in New York which highlights veteran voices...

Lifestyle, Writing, Podcasting, Military Life, Inspirtation, North Carolina

Erika Wallgren- Helping others find their dream job

alisonpaulklak

Excellent career advice!

alisonpaulklak's avatarHodge Podge Podcast and Blog

Erika Wallgren, Life Coach

Many of us are working toward our dreams and are in need of an extra push to help us find the right path. Erika Wallgren is a military spouse, mother, educator and life coach on a mission to help others find a career they love and are passionate about.

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Erika on Hodge Podge Podcast about her life as a milspouse, college professor and what led her to career development coaching. She shared some wonderful information on how life and vocational coaching is important (and extremely rewarding) when trying to find the right career path.

Listen to our conversation here: https://anchor.fm/jalisonpaulyahoocom/episodes/Erika-Wallgren–Milspouse–Life-Coach–College-Communications-Professor-eb8eu2/a-ahfcbd

If you would like to learn more about Erika, and the services she provides, look here:

http://www.erikawallgren.com

Instagram.com/WallgrenErika

Facebook.com/WallgrenErika

-Alison Paul Klakowicz

Host and Creator of Hodge Podge Podcast and Blog

http://www.hodgepodgebyalisonklak.com

Author of the award-winning children’s book…

View original post 42 more words

Lifestyle, Writing, Podcasting, Military Life, Inspirtation, North Carolina, Military Community

Erika Wallgren- Helping others find their dream job

alisonpaulklak

Many of us are working toward our dreams and are in need of an extra push to help us find the right path. Erika Wallgren is a military spouse, mother, educator and life coach on a mission to help others find a career they love and are passionate about. I recently had the opportunity to speak with Erika on Hodge Podge Podcast about her life a milspouse, college professor and what led her to career development coaching.

Lifestyle, Writing, Podcasting, Military Life, Inspirtation, North Carolina

Happy Read Across America Day!

alisonpaulklak

Today is National Read Across America Day! 
What a wonderful way to celebrate by reserving an entire day to create awareness of the love and importance of literacy.
To learn more about how you can celebrate Read Across America Day, look here: https://www.readacrossamerica.org
In honor of Read Across America Day, I decided to share a reading of my book, Mommy's Big, Red Monster Truck with you!
Gather your children and put on your listening ears 👂 to enjoy my super cute travel and adventure picture book here:

Books, Lifestyle, Writing, Podcasting, Military Life, Inspirtation, North Carolina, Military Community, travel, Uncategorized

Sunday Brunch and Shopping Downtown Fayetteville, NC

alisonpaulklak

Sunny ☀️ Sunday afternoons call for much needed time with the greatest of friends. Slowing down the pace to prepare for the week ahead through hilarious chatter, eating delicious food, taking in the sights— and a bit of local retail therapy 🛍 on the side. This is exactly what my Sunday looked like and it was the best medicine this gal could ask for! Some dearest friends and I gathered Downtown Fayetteville, North Carolina for a ladies day out and brunch at the beloved Blue Moon Cafe 🌚 where we were treated to the tastiest delicacies and beverages.

Books, Lifestyle, Writing, Podcasting, Military Life, Inspirtation, North Carolina

Children’s Book Review- Winston the Wombat Book Series by Megan Cline

alisonpaulklak

Megan Cline has created an adorable series of books based around a precious Wombat personified as a little fellow named Winston who is learning how to do new things. Young children can easily become overwhelmed and frustrated when trying new things. In each book (Winston Winks, Winston's Wet and Winston Wiggles) the curious and thoughtful little wombat lead character tries hard to master each new skill with his family’s support and practice. The importance of patience and understanding is at the core of each book and a lesson that all families must master when helping little children to grow.

Lifestyle, Writing, Podcasting, Military Life, Inspirtation, North Carolina, Military Community, Uncategorized

Danica Thomas- Widowed Army Spouse, Service Member Suicide Awareness Advocate, Susan M. Tillis Foundation

alisonpaulklak

“I want to make a difference and make sure that our Veterans know there are many reasons to fight through the pain. They owe it to themselves and to those who lost their lives on the battlefield and the ones who lost their battle at home.” – Danica Thomas

Books, Lifestyle, Writing, Podcasting, Military Life, Inspirtation, North Carolina

Children’s Book Review- Super Max and the Math Menace by Heather E. Robyn

alisonpaulklak

"So, if you ever feel stuck and don’t know what to do, search deep down inside for the hero in you. It can help you find answers and help others too. Be the hero you know you have living in you."

Lifestyle, Writing, Podcasting, Military Life, Inspirtation, North Carolina

Yoga, Brunch and Bookclub- YES, Please!

alisonpaulklak

What better way to spend a day than in mindful reflection! Caring for your body and soul, eating delicious food and drinking blissful adult beverages while discussing thought provoking literature surrounded by fabulous company— AND in a beautiful setting?

Lifestyle, Writing, Podcasting, Military Life, Inspirtation, North Carolina

Shane McCarthy, Sandboxx Chief Marketing Officer, Keeping the Military Community Informed and Engaged

alisonpaulklak

Recently, I had the honor of speaking with Shane McCarthy, Chief Marketing Officer of Sandboxx an amazing veteran-owned platform that supports almost 2 million service members throughout their military journey. The organization assists recruits, active military, military families and their supporters to stay engaged and informed. Shane, a charismatic and intuitive Irish born and bred young professional, has lead a full array of enterprise marketing and business operation teams, building foundations that enable companies to scale for growth. A few years back when Sandboxx was in its start-up beginnings, Shane was eager to join the ranks of the company's industrious Marine Corps veteran founders and has embraced the organization's culture and mission. Over the past 5 years, Sandboxx has hired 50 team members, half of whom are veterans and military spouses. Due to the nature of military life, most of the Sandboxx military spouse team work remotely which is an extremely important current trend in assisting spouses with maintaining successful employment when considering the obstacles they face from PCS to deployments and beyond. Shane is passionate about this endeavor as well as spreading the message of the important services Sandboxx provides its consumers. He even provided tips to employers on hiring practices involving military spouses as well as advice for spouses seeking remote employment...