Episode Description:
In this uplifting 45 Forward conversation, host Ron Roel sits down with Stephanie Larkin, founder and “Head Penguin” of Red Penguin Books, and her mother Christine Ruggieri, who now works alongside her daughter as Customer Service Director. Together, they share an inspiring story of transformation—from Stephanie’s unconventional leap from web development to publishing, to Christine’s journey from the U.S. Postal Service to mastering the digital world.
Along the way, we explore how Red Penguin has changed hundreds of lives “one book at a time,” what it means to build a multigenerational workplace grounded in creativity and family, and how storytelling—both on the page and in life—can empower people at every stage of aging to reinvent themselves and stay connected with purpose.
About the Guests:
Stephanie Larkin is the founder and president of Red Penguin Books and Web Solutions, a book and web publication company “head penguin” of Red Penguin Books, an independent publishing company that works with authors of all genres from around the world. Red Penguin Books has published hundreds of titles by writers across six continents. An author herself, Stephanie wrote Bookology, along with several other books on writing and publishing, and she has ghostwritten numerous nonfiction works. She is also the host of The Author Corner, an award-winning educational cable TV series airing in Queens and Long Island on Verizon and Optimum, and available worldwide on podcast platforms. Guided by the motto “Changing lives … one book at a time!”, Stephanie is passionate about helping authors bring their voices to the world.
Christine Ruggieri
While raising two children as a single mother, Christine Ruggieri built an inspiring career with the United States Postal Service—rising from selling stamps at the window to serving as the Head of Safety and Health for the Northeast Region. When her children became teenagers, she returned to college and proudly graduated the very same week her son earned his degree.
After remarrying, Chris traveled the world several times over and later devoted herself to caring for her husband during his battle with Alzheimer’s. Today, she continues to lead a life of purpose and connection—working alongside her daughter Stephanie as Customer Service Director at Red Penguin, volunteering at her local nursing home, and cherishing time with her growing family of five grandchildren (soon to be seven through marriage!).
Contacts:
Website: https://redpenguinbooks.com
The 3-Legged Stool of Retirement Security: Medicare, Social Security & Wealth Planning Episode description: Navigating Medicare and planning for retirement can be daunting—especially when the information you receive isn’t always clear. This week on 45 Forward, host Ron Roel talks with Joe Battaglia, CEO of Senior Services of North America, about how to build financial
Read MoreAging Well with a Plan: Inside Fountaingate Gardens Episode description: In this episode, I talk with Stuart B. Almer, President and CEO of the Gurwin Healthcare System, about the rise of Life Plan Communities—also known as Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs)—and how they’re redefining what it means to age with security, connection, and
Read More