Maria Palmer’s Remix – From Rock Bottom to Purpose
Gen-X Remix: Midlife, Laughs, and Next Acts

Friends, have you ever had something go so terribly wrong that you thought about giving up?
Today's guest, Maria Costanzo Palmer, shares how the worst day of her life led her directly to her purpose.

Maria is an award-winning author, speaker, home cook, and nonprofit professional. Named one of LA Weekly’s Top 15 Rising Authors to Watch, her co-authored book On the Rocks has won multiple awards, including the American Book Fest Award for Narrative Nonfiction and the 2024 New York Book Festival's Book of the Year.

In this heartfelt conversation, Maria opens up about growing up in her family's legendary Italian restaurant, a federal investigation that changed everything, and the powerful encounter with a “swearing, gambling Catholic nun” that redirected her life.
We also dive into the writing of On the Rocks — how she and her father, Joe Costanzo, worked together to capture his voice, their family's legacy, and the impact of second chances.

💬 Favorite Takeaways:

• How the worst moments can spark your life's true purpose.

• Why being someone’s “YES” matters more than you think.

• The beautiful (and hilarious) stories behind Maria’s journey, including a nun who redefines stereotypes.

• How to turn resilience into your greatest superpower.

🎧 Tune in to hear:
✔️ The rise and fall of one of America's top Italian restaurants
✔️ How Maria rebuilt her life and found her voice
✔️ The inspiring (and juicy!) behind-the-scenes of writing a memoir with her dad
✔️ The exciting next chapter for the Prima Donna legacy

🔗 Connect with Maria Palmer:
🌐 Website: www.mariacpalmer.com
📘 Facebook: Joe Costanzo Prima Donna
📸 Instagram: @joecostanzoprimadonna
📖 Grab your copy of On the Rocks wherever books are sold or through her website!

✨ Free Resources for Listeners:
🌟 Download my free flipbook, Escape with Confidence: A Step-by-Step Roadmap to Your Bold Next Act ➔ Click Here
🌟 Ready to start your next act? Join me in the Escape With Confidence Workshop! ➔ Sign Up Here

📢 If you loved this episode:
✔️ Follow Gen-X Remix: Midlife, Laughs, and Next Acts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.
✔️ Share it with a friend who needs a reminder that the comeback is always stronger than the setback.
✔️ Leave a review — it helps others find the show and keeps these inspiring stories coming!

💬 Final Note:
Keep rewriting the rules.
Keep chasing what lights you up.
And most importantly... be the YES for others.

Thanks for listening. Catch you in the next episode!