Family – The BamCam

The Emotional & Financial Cost of Infertility with Alison and Adrian (Ep. 24)

By The BamCam | July 9, 2024

Today, Alison and Adrian share their emotional and financial struggle of growing their family. Listen as they reflect on the experiences of navigating fertility treatments, the emotional rollercoaster of hope and heartache, and their unwavering determination to build a family, no matter the cost or outcome.

Join them as they explore the twists and turns of their four-year-long journey (and it’s not over yet!) as they offer solidarity to those walking a similar path.

Understand the importance of resilience as Alison and Adrian highlight:

Their personal experience with infertility including IUI and IVF procedures
A look at the expenses associated with IVF and strategies they used to manage costs
The importance of further testing, possibly alerting family members to future obstacles for themselves
The value of support and community when facing such challenges
And more

Resources:

If you or someone you know is struggling with infertility, please message Alison on Facebook or use the email address below. She will be more than happy to connect to offer support and compassion.

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Connect with Adrian Castellano:

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Financial Intimacy: Tummy Bug Vs. Taco Truck (Ep. 22)

By The BamCam | June 4, 2024

Married couple, Alison and Adrian Castellano made a pact to have a quarterly Money Date, but recently, a tummy bug tried to derail their plans.

As part of the Financial Intimacy series, this episode shares how a 24-hour virus took hold of the Castellano household attempting to impact their quarterly connection. They embraced the ability to be flexible yet still committed as they pivoted from a fun night out at a local taco truck to pizza delivery in their pajamas.

Gain insight and inspiration for your Money Date as Alison and Adrian discuss their finances, celebrate their wins, and continue their plans for the future of their family.

Highlights include:

How Money Dates can strengthen your financial and personal relationship
Strategies to manage unexpected expenses
Examples of how they cut unnecessary spending
Their plans to grow their family and the high costs associated with IVF
The importance of having a plan but also being flexible as situations change
And more!

Resources:

Connect with Alison Castellano:

Connect with Adrian Castellano:

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Beyond the Forecast with Meteorologist, Harmony Mendoza (Ep.20)

By The BamCam | May 7, 2024

If you live in Alabama, you probably know “The Weather Lady,” Harmony Mendoza. It’s almost a year since she hung up her television hat after 13 years with WVTM 13, so we wanted to connect for a temperature check to see what she’s been up to.

Join our host, Alison Castellano and her husband, former meteorologist turned financial advisor, Adrian Castellano as they sit down with Harmony to discuss her transition from TV to philanthropy. Listen as Harmony shares insights from her broadcasting experience and involvement in community organizations like Black Warrior Riverkeeper and Goodwill.

She also delves into her passion for environmental issues and community service through the Vortex Project – a study with Dr. Laura Myers that they hope will enhance household risk, improve crisis communication during severe weather events, and save lives through improved warning systems.

Droplets of information shared in this episode include:

How Harmony embraced her “weather lady” persona and utilized social media
A glimpse into her personal life including her recent engagement
Goals for the Vortex Project and her partnership with Dr. Laura Myers
The role emergency managers and TV meteorologists play concerning community safety
And more

Resources:

Black Warrior Riverkeeper
Goodwill: Alabama
Magic City Classic
International Association of Emergency Managers—IAEM USA Region 4 Conference
Dr. Laura Myers, Senior Research Scientist, University of Alabama
To receive the Vortex Project Survey, email Dr. Laura Myers at Laura.myers@ua.edu

Connect with Alison Castellano:

Connect with Adrian Castellano:

Connect with Harmony Mendoza:

About Harmony Mendoza:

Harmony Mendoza has been actively forecasting the weather as an On-Air Meteorologist in The Deep South for almost 25 years. Meteorologist Harmony Mendoza can be seen on WVTM 13 On-Air/Online, serving as their Weekend Morning Meteorologist for almost 13 years.

Harmony received degrees from Florida State University, majoring in meteorology and geography and minors in physics and mathematics. After graduation, Harmony continued her education at Mississippi State University’s Certified Broadcast Meteorology Program emphasizing satellite interpretation.

After graduation, Harmony forecasted the weather for WRBL in Columbus, GA, then off to Sweet Home Alabama in 2010. Meteorologist Harmony Mendoza joined the WVTM 13 Weather team in 2010 and has seen central Alabama through record-breaking historic weather events including the April 27, 2011, Super Tornado Outbreak.

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Financial Intimacy: After The Money Date with Alison and Adrian (Ep.15)

By The BamCam | February 20, 2024

Join Alison and her husband Adrian as they share how their quarterly Money Date has helped them establish financial objectives, improve their communication, and plan for a future as a family.

They review the goals they discussed during their date including intentional spending, learning the difference between wants and needs, and how to stay focused on your goals and not compare yourself to those on social media.

Gain insight from Mr. and Mrs. Castellano as they discuss:

The purpose of a Money Date and how it can improve your financial intimacy
Why it’s important to provide praise and gratitude to your partner for their achievements
How a Money Date can make the topic of finances fun for couples
The value of gifting experiences rather than material items
Their plans and intentions for future money dates
And more