Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Carol Muleta. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Carol , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

After an unexpected, and animated, conversation with God, I declared, “I’m taking a nap!”. My plan that day was to get my twin sons off to school and begin work on an upcoming parent workshop.  I could not do that because I was too restless.  Almost 13 years prior to that day, God had given me a vision that I would teach parents, near and far, essential skills for raising children who are confident, courageous, and capable of living up to their full potential. I suppose he thought I would be up to the task as I had been navigating a challenging terrain with one of my sons who had been diagnosed with developmental delays. I had my doubts. God met my skepticism with assurance that not only would people want to hear me speak; they would pay to hear me speak. He described His plan and gave me instructions about where to find the help I would need. His vision seemed to me a vast, torrential sea of possibility that up to that particular day, I had barely waded into. I had immersed myself in parent education and child development, but I hadn’t made the bold, strategic steps needed to fully activate the knowledge and make the impact He had described. Yet, I was frustrated that what He described so vividly had not materialized. Not even close. I prayed sincerely, “Lord, I am not happy where I am. I want to expand my platform…I need a breakthrough.” Emotionally spent, I lay down.

About 15 minutes in, the phone rang. I checked Caller ID and saw it was one of my colleagues in parent education. Reluctantly, I picked up. Apparently, a popular, local radio station was looking for a parent educator to come on air the following evening for a segment on teen parents, and they wondered if I would do it. I thought, “Wow, God. You work fast!” Without thinking twice, I accepted the assignment. Then I remembered, I had never spoken on the air. Yikes!! Sitting across from the host and another guest, my knees were shaking and I was sweating like crazy, but I was so glad I said YES. I had taken a courageous step toward the breakthrough I had been seeking. I was invited back to the station for another interview a month later. Mere weeks after that, I met a radio team leader who invited me to join a dynamic group of women hosting their own shows on another station. This opportunity to host my own show only came up because I had, offhandedly, mentioned my previous two radio appearances to her. What started as an experiment manifested into the expansion I had prayed for. I went on to host that show for six years and my platform, The Parenting 411®, was born. I transitioned from radio to podcasting in 2021 and I haven’t looked back.

Carol , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a Parenting Strategist & Consultant, and creator of The Parenting 411, a parent resource hub where I deliver information parents need from sources they can trust. I give parents tools and strategies to courageously connect to their children and confidently give them skills for life, so they can courageously and consciously savor the joy of the parenting journey. I reach parents through keynotes, webinars, coaching, and The Parenting 411® Podcast. I was named 2019 District of Columbia Mother of the Year® by American Mothers, Inc. As host of the Parenting 411 radio show on Baltimore’s Radio One talk radio station, I was named Radio Personality of the Year at SpeakerCon 2019. I am a 6x best-selling author.  My signature talk, “Scaling Up: From Marketing Manager to Mother of the Year” has inspired many. I am the proud mom of twin sons who are now thriving, young adults.

Have you ever had to pivot?

The most monumental pivot in both my career and life was the decision to transition from a corporate marketing manager to a stay-at-home mom. Before the birth of my twins, my days were spent leading cross-functional teams and developing marketing information systems, and managing a product portfolio generating over $1B in annual revenue. I initially anticipated returning to work post-maternity leave, but as I delved into motherhood, I found myself captivated and wholly enchanted by my children.

The challenge of tending to the myriad needs of two infants was both exhaustive and daunting, yet it was a labor of love that I came to cherish. As my maternity leave stretched to a year, we received a diagnosis indicating developmental delays in one of our sons. After seeking a second opinion, we assembled a team of professionals dedicated to helping our son overcome these developmental challenges.

Considering the demanding schedule of appointments and therapies, I made a conscious decision that if my son was going to spend so much time shuttling to appointments, I should be the one driving, and caring for him and his brother, full-time. Though my husband and I hadn’t previously considered my staying home, he respected my decision and offered unwavering support.

Choosing to stay home heralded a period of remarkable personal growth and learning. Through interactions with therapists and personal research, I gleaned insights into child development, learning strategies to nurture each child’s unique talents while fostering their bond as twins. I engaged in parenting classes which were based on positive discipline, a philosophy that deeply resonated with me. Initially, I thought these newly-acquired skills and knowledge would solely benefit my family. However, as my understanding deepened, I perceived parenting as not just a responsibility, but a form of ministry, seeing parallels between guiding my children and my spiritual journey.

In the profound dream I described earlier, God explained that that my role would extend beyond parenting my children—I was destined to support and educate other parents. Though skeptical, I heeded this calling. With my children entering kindergarten, I underwent training to facilitate parenting classes and actively participated in school boards, further enhancing my knowledge and understanding of child education.

In time, I founded a parent education company. The journey might have been long and winding, but I am now fulfilling my destined role, imparting wisdom and making a positive impact on the lives of parents and families alike.

Can you open up about a time when you had a really close call with the business?

A few months into my tenure with a radio broadcasting team, the co-host of our parenting show unexpectedly stepped down. Since I was still a nervous newbie, the team leader worried that I might leave, too.  I did not plan to quit, but the fear that this ‘adventure’ might end soon gnawed at me. Following a heart-to-heart with my husband, I resolved to continue, eager to discover the opportunities that lay ahead.

This decision required me to assume greater responsibility for finding guests and planning the episodes. I meticulously sifted through my contacts, identifying individuals whose expertise and insights would resonate with parents seeking guidance. Through a gradual and deliberate process, I not only curated a list of potential guests but also had the privilege of engaging with a diverse and fascinating group of people willing to share their wisdom on air.

My initial comfort zone was live, in-studio interviews; however, as confidence blossomed, I found ease in solo hosting and accommodating guests via call-ins for their convenience. The departure of other hosts on our team provided an opportunity to expand my airtime, challenging me to scout for additional captivating guests for interview segments.

This unexpected journey of professional growth has been a blessing in disguise. Besides acquiring segment production and interview skills, I developed a finesse in engaging with experts and celebrities while bolstering my public speaking capabilities. My voice, sometimes recognized by listeners even in public spaces, earned me the ‘Radio Personality of the Year’ accolade at SpeakerCon during my fourth year in the industry. SpeakerCon is a premier conference attended by professional speakers and entrepreneurs from various fields.

Thanks to the skills and experiences I gained on radio, I was able to seamlessly transition to podcasting in 2021. Today, The Parenting 411^® Podcast stands as a cornerstone of my dedicated resource hub for parents, fulfilling my commitment to deliver “information parents need from sources they can trust.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theparenting411.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_parenting_411
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theparenting411
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolmuleta
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheParenting411

Image Credits
Roy Cox Photography; TheOneBlackEye; Media Expertzy