Cake For Dinner

Surviving the Darkness: Nadine Crocker on Suicide, Sobriety & Turning Trauma Into Art

Nadine Crocker is an actor turned filmmaker whose life story is nothing short of extraordinary. In this deeply emotional and raw conversation, Nadine opens up about her suicide attempts, her journey into sobriety, the generational trauma she had to break, and the passion behind her film Continue—based on her true story.
She shares:How addiction and suicidal ideation shaped her early lifeThe moment that changed everythingWhat sobriety has meant to her survivalWhy she had to walk away from toxic family systemsHow she raises a neurodivergent child with compassion and awarenessThe behind-the-scenes truth about writing, directing, and funding ContinueThe healing power of storytelling and vulnerabilityAnd how she’s turning her pain into purpose through her nonprofit work
If you or someone you love struggles with mental health, this episode is a lifeline.If you’re a creator, this episode will inspire you to make the work that scares you.If you’re human, this episode will move you.
Trigger Warning: Suicide, addiction, trauma, eating disorders.
Learn more and Continue the FIlm: https://www.continuethefilm.com/aboutusFollow Nadine: https://www.instagram.com/nadinecrocker/Follow Keesha: https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscottFollow The Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/cakefordinnerpod
https://keeshascott.com/
00:00 — Introduction01:00 — Surviving a suicide attempt & why sobriety saved her life02:23 — From Fresno to LA: chasing acting dreams03:30 — Moving to LA alone at 1605:07 — Landing Hannah Montana & early career struggles06:45 — Raising money & writing a film no one wanted to fund07:58 — Why great filmmaking requires risk08:51 — Stigma, shame & the first film festival Q&A10:26 — Using film to break the silence around suicide12:33 — How her real life shaped the script16:57 — What was fictional and what was real in Continue17:44 — Her real mental health journey: AA, outpatient, recovery19:12 — The authentic friendships that helped her heal21:10 — Her husband’s role in the movie (and real life!)23:55 — Parenting after trauma & the power of empathy24:45 — Eating disorders, self-harm & darkness26:30 — Advice for young girls struggling with depression27:28 — Finding tools to get through tomorrow29:18 — PTSD diagnosis & generational trauma31:32 — How sobriety reshaped her life33:14 — Boundaries, family separation & inner peace35:18 — The team she built to stay healthy36:37 — Emotional sobriety & community37:30 — Parenting a neurodivergent child41:22 — Coping with autism diagnosis + therapy journey42:08 — Marriage, partnership & surviving together47:00 — Nadine’s creative process: writing films in 5 days48:09 — Her nonprofit + mission for mental health advocacy49:02 — Turning pain into purpose

How Cancer Gave Me the Courage to Build a Completely New Life

In this weeks episode, Kerry Coyle opens up about her emotional journey through stage 3 breast cancer, parenting as a single mom, the trauma of losing her own mother young, and the courage it took to rebuild her entire life from scratch.
Kerry shares how cancer became a breaking point and a turning point — pushing her to leave a 20-year career, launch two new businesses (The Curative & The Tox Delray), embrace vulnerability, and finally live a life aligned with who she truly is.
This conversation is raw, funny, emotional, inspiring, and deeply relatable for any woman who has faced adversity, motherhood challenges, divorce, or reinvention.
If you’re navigating your own transformation or healing journey… this episode may be exactly what you need. 💗
Follow me on IG : https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott
 
00:00 – Introduction03:11 – Discovering the Lump & Immediate Fear05:45 – Double Mastectomy & Lymph Node Concerns06:49 – Going Through Cancer While Dating Someone New07:50 – Asking for Help During COVID Restrictions09:46 – The Hardest Part: Parenting Through Cancer11:38 – Determined to Not Look “Sick”13:07 – Fear of Recurrence & Mental Health After Treatment14:21 – How Cancer Changed Her as a Parent15:44 – Feeling “The Best” During Treatment Through Lifestyle Changes17:06 – Why Post-Cancer Was Harder Than Chemo18:53 – Reinventing Her Life After Cancer20:07 – Launching The Curative & The Tox22:23 – What Lymphatic Bodywork Actually Does25:33 – Finding Fulfillment in Her New Work26:05 – Co-Parenting With Intention After Divorce28:06 – Motherhood, Insecurities & Keeping It Real31:26 – The Car Line Story You Have to Hear33:52 – Letting Go of Perfection & Being Yourself36:02 – The Cake Segment: Closing Moments & Laughter

Amy Liu, Founder of Tower 28 | Building a Beauty Empire While Raising a Family

On this weeks episode, we sit down with Amy Liu — founder & CEO of Tower 28 Beauty, mom of three, and one of the most authentic voices in the clean beauty space.
Amy opens up about the real journey behind building one of Sephora’s fastest-growing brands while navigating motherhood, marriage, identity, burnout, and the pressure to be “everything” to everyone.
From launching Tower 28 with a Shopify template and an iPhone…to dealing with imposter syndrome in rooms filled with powerhouse women…to raising kids inside the business…This conversation is a masterclass in founder grit, resilience, mothering while building, and choosing yourself — without losing what matters most.
If you're a mom building a business, a founder searching for purpose, or someone craving a real look behind the highlight reel… this episode will stay with you.
CHAPTERS00:00 — Introduction01:40 — The Eczema Story That Started Tower 2804:04 — The Loneliness of Building Something From Scratch05:51 — Why Amy Never Felt “Obsessed” With Makeup07:59 — Imposter Syndrome at a Room Full of Founders09:45 — The Unexpected Impact of Tower 28 on Young Girls12:21 — Hustle, Grit & Building While Mothering13:56 — Taking Four Years Off & Reinventing Herself16:04 — The Moment Her Husband Said “Why Don’t You Just Quit?”18:08 — Finding Her First Investor20:25 — The Power of Saying Your Dreams Out Loud23:14 — Launching Tower 28 With a Mood Board & an iPhone24:38 — The Emotional Story of Her Friend Who Passed Away26:47 — How Tower 28 Landed in Every Sephora in a Year27:26 — Walking Into Sephora and No One Knew Her Brand29:11 — Naming Tower 28 & Its California Roots30:33 — Raising Kids Inside the Business31:20 — How Marriage Became the Foundation for Her Success33:04 — Building a True Partnership at Home38:31 — Mom Guilt, Parties, Pressure & Perspective40:06 — What Her Kids Think of Her Work41:06 — Why Female Friendships Matter More Than Ever44:23 — The Women Founders Who Inspire Her45:41 — The Struggle to Be Present with Your Kids48:04 — Clean Beauty Summer School & Giving Back52:34 — Why Community Matters More Than Competition
Connect with Amy : https://www.instagram.com/amyliu_t28Connect with Keesha : https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott

How to Go from Stay-At-Home Mom to Social Media CEO

Caroline joins Cake For Dinner for an unfiltered conversation about building Shop With Caroline, turning vulnerability into influence, and redefining success at 50. From hacked accounts to viral videos, this is a story of resilience, authenticity, and empowerment for women everywhere.
Chapters:00:00 – Introduction03:00 – How Shop With Caroline began10:00 – Building trust through connection14:00 – Empowering women through social media20:00 – Going viral and growing the business28:00 – Family, boundaries, and partnership33:00 – The cellulite video and self-acceptance39:00 – Living freely and fully41:00 – Jewelry, joy, and gratitude
Connect with Caroline: https://www.instagram.com/shop.with.carolineConnect with Keesha: https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott

How Letting Go Can Get You Your Life Back...

Today we sit down with Allison Doss, author of The Unbossing, to share an unfiltered story of motherhood, addiction, loss, and redemption.
Allison opens up about losing custody of her two sons during the darkest chapter of her addiction — and the years of healing, faith, and surrender that followed. From her husband’s transition and her struggle with control to the miracle of rebuilding her family, this episode reveals what it truly means to let go and trust God’s plan.
If you’ve ever battled guilt, shame, or the weight of trying to fix everything as a mother — this conversation will move you, inspire you, and remind you that healing is always possible.
00:00 – Introduction02:55 – Why Allison wrote The Unboxing04:13 – When her husband came out as transgender07:34 – Learning to let go as a mother08:45 – Losing custody and rebuilding her relationship with her sons10:25 – Finding purpose in recovery and sharing her story publicly14:50 – Helping other women heal through honesty and humor21:07 – Practicing grace and surrender as a mother in recovery23:19 – How her husband’s transition led to spiritual awakening26:30 – Sobriety, self-awareness, and living without shame33:05 – Tattoos, symbolism, and the story of transformation35:03 – Reflections on aging, motherhood, and gratitude40:00 – Closing thoughts: purpose, surrender, and God’s timing
💬 Key Themes-Motherhood and addiction recovery-Letting go of control and finding faith-Rebuilding relationships after trauma-Shame, surrender, and self-forgiveness-Finding purpose through pain
Connect with Allison:
https://www.instagram.com/therealbossdossConnect with Keesha:https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott
 

Fit, Strong & Mom: How to Get in the Best Shape of Your Life — No Matter Your Age

What if your best body — and your best self — come after motherhood?In this episode, Pamelyn Rocco joins us to break the myths about fitness, aging, and what it really means to be a strong, confident mom.
Pamelyn opens up about her personal transformation, balancing motherhood with self-care, and how women in their 30s, 40s, and 50s can still get into the best shape of their lives. From strength training and nutrition to mindset and self-worth, this conversation reminds every mom that it’s never too late to start — and you deserve to feel amazing in your own skin.
 
00:00 – Intro01:15 – The moment she realized her old habits stopped working04:00 – Losing muscle after 40 and how to rebuild it06:15 – The mindset shift that changed everything09:30 – Why strength training is the key to longevity12:45 – Simplifying nutrition: macros for moms18:30 – The emotional side of weight gain and self-worth24:20 – Motherhood and rediscovering yourself28:10 – What Pamelyn teaches her daughters about health33:00 – How GLP-1s affect women’s health and muscle38:00 – Small daily actions that lead to transformation42:20 – Parenting, business, and balance as a single mom45:00 – “Cake for Dinner” — self-compassion and motherhood
 
💬 Key Takeaways
Why moms over 40 can still be in peak physical shape
The power of lifting weights and rebuilding muscle
How to fuel your body with the right nutrition — not restriction
Balancing self-care with parenting guilt
Teaching your kids what healthy really looks like
Connect with Pamelyn : https://www.instagram.com/houseofpamelyn/
Connect with Keesha : https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott 

More Than Survival: How One Mom Chose Joy and Power After Cancer

At just 29 years old — two days before her son’s first birthday — Ashley Catronio was diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer. What followed was a journey that would change everything: from facing chemo while raising a baby, to navigating marriage and self-worth as her body changed, to choosing not to undergo reconstructive surgery and embracing a new definition of femininity.
 
Ashley opens up about the raw realities of motherhood, identity, healing, and resilience. She shares the fears and guilt of parenting during treatment, the unexpected challenges of life after cancer, and how choosing joy and authenticity became her superpower.
 
This conversation is for every woman who’s ever felt like life knocked her down — and needed a reminder that strength isn’t about what we endure, but how we rise.
 
00:00 – Intro: Welcome to Cake for Dinner
01:00 – Meet Ashley: Mom, business owner, cancer survivor
02:00 – How cancer changed her approach to life and motherhood
04:40 – Diagnosed at 29: The shocking moment that changed everything
06:00 – Chemo with a baby: Motherhood through the hardest season
09:20 – Finding strength in motherhood and purpose in pain
13:05 – Vulnerability in marriage: “I told him he could leave”
14:11 – Why Ashley chose NOT to reconstruct after surgery
17:00 – Redefining femininity and self-worth after cancer
19:00 – Living life fully: Surfing, creativity, and saying yes
21:00 – Building Room Eight: Fashion, expression, and empowerment
27:42 – Life after cancer: The hidden struggles people don’t see
32:01 – Parenting wins: Raising resilient, emotionally strong kids
34:18 – Lessons learned and reflections on contentment
37:37 – Final thoughts: Choosing joy after adversity
 
Cake For Dinner is also available on Spotify and YouTube!
 
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott
 
Keesha Scott is the cofounder of Guardian Recovery, a national behavioral health company, where she oversees the Adolescent Program. She’s also a writer, podcast host, and mother of three. With a master’s degree in psychology and certification as a parenting coach, she blends professional expertise with real-life experience to support families and spark honest conversations.

Board Certified Dermatologist Explains Botox, Natural Alternatives, and Being Your Own Advocate

This week on Cake for Dinner, I’m joined by Dr. Jordana Herschthal, M.D., board-certified dermatologist at The Herschthal Practice in Boca Raton, for a fun and fascinating conversation about all things skin.
From lasers and injectables to how expectations around aging have shifted through the years, Jordana breaks it all down in a way that’s approachable, insightful, and easy to understand. We talk about what’s worth your time (and money), the science behind today’s most popular treatments, and why subtlety is the real secret to aging well.
It’s an episode full of practical tips, expert advice, and a fresh perspective on how to care for your skin at every stage — without the overwhelm.
 
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscottKeesha Scott is the cofounder of Guardian Recovery, a national behavioral health company, where she oversees the Adolescent Program. She’s also a writer, podcast host, and mother of three. With a master’s degree in psychology and certification as a parenting coach, she blends professional expertise with real-life experience to support families and spark honest conversations.

Healing After the Hurt: From Trauma to Transformation with Amanda Marino

Today’s guest is Amanda Marino, founder of Next Level Recovery and one of the fiercest women I know. You might recognize her from A&E’s Intervention, but what I admire most is how she’s turned her own story into a mission to help others heal. She’s a mom of two, an unstoppable entrepreneur, and the definition of grit with heart.
 
Cake For Dinner is also available on Spotify and YouTube!
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott 
Follow Amanda: https://www.instagram.com/amandamarinoofficial/
 
Keesha Scott is the cofounder of Guardian Recovery, a national behavioral health company, where she oversees the Adolescent Program. She’s also a writer, podcast host, and mother of three. With a master’s degree in psychology and certification as a parenting coach, she blends professional expertise with real-life experience to support families and spark honest conversations.

Braunwyn Windham-Burke | Cake for Dinner w/Keesha Scott #5

Join me for a deeply honest conversation with Braunwyn Windham-Burke — former Real Housewives of Orange County cast member, mother of seven, and a voice of unflinching truth on her journey to sobriety.
From life in the spotlight to the struggle behind closed doors, Braunwyn’s story isn’t one you’ll forget. We talk motherhood, addiction, identity, reinvention, and everything it takes to rise from the ruins of public scrutiny into the clarity of recovery. Whether you know her from Bravo or you’re just here for raw, real storytelling — this is for anyone who’s ever felt broken, misunderstood, or desperate for a second chance.
Tune in. Her journey is your permission to start again.
 
00:00 – Intro
05:25 – Hitting rock bottom & deciding to quit
10:00 – The accountability of reality TV
13:00 – Seven kids & sobriety during motherhood
15:00 – Sobriety, the pandemic, and sexuality
18:00 – Coming out later in life
20:00 – How kids responded to sobriety & divorce
23:00 – Motherhood, social media, and authenticity
30:00 – Advice for women hiding parts of themselves
31:30 – Confidence, faith, and self-esteem in your 40s
 
Cake For Dinner is also available on YouTube and Spotify!
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott
Keesha Scott is the cofounder of Guardian Recovery, a national behavioral health company, where she oversees the Adolescent Program. She’s also a writer, podcast host, and mother of three. With a master’s degree in psychology and certification as a parenting coach, she blends professional expertise with real-life experience to support families and spark honest conversations.