Buongiorno… or perhaps Buonasera—depending on where you are in the world.

Today’s episode is a heart-opening love letter to Florence, Italy. And if you’ve ever stepped foot in a foreign city and felt inexplicably at home—like your soul had been there before—this story will speak to you.

I’m joined by the beautiful and wise Melinda Gallo, writer, intuitive expat, website developer, and author of the exquisite new book Messages from Florence—a collection of soulful reflections, photography, and poetic messages received through her 21-year journey of living in Florence.

Melinda didn’t plan to live in Italy. But after arriving for what was meant to be a three-month break to learn Italian and find inspiration, the city had other plans.

Within weeks, she had an apartment, a job, and a whole new life—and she’s been guided by Florence ever since.

Inside this romantic, soulful episode, we talk about:

• How Melinda followed her intuition (and left a successful tech career in Paris) to start over in Italy
• Why Florence became her muse, her teacher, and her greatest guide
• The story behind her book Messages from Florence and how it was divinely downloaded over years of quiet communion with the city
• The creative rituals and intuitive practices that shaped her path
• What it truly means to lead a heart-centered life
• A beautiful $10-off gift for Messages from Florence—link below!

Melinda’s story reminds us that reinvention doesn’t always begin with a plan. Often it begins with a feeling… and the courage to follow it.

🛍️ Grab Melinda’s stunning book with $10 off:
Available via the Portal of Joy → www.marladiann.com/podcast/portal

Resources + Links:
www.melindagallo.com

https://www.facebook.com/LivingInFlorence

https://www.instagram.com/melindagallo

Marla’s favorite mentoring – Helping ambitious women redefine and integrate new success metrics that honor their feminine arts & wisdom blended with masculine strategies creating a new identity, next chapter and new relationship with money.

Her next 90-day Soul-Led Next Level Portal begins in late January 2026. Curious? Book your Soul-Led-Next-Chapter Call: https://tinyurl.com/soul-led-call