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NURTURING THROUGH WORDS: WHY I WROTE MAMA'S LECHE!

NURTURING THROUGH WORDS: WHY I WROTE MAMA'S LECHE!

Bala Zuccarello
Michelle Hackney

Becoming a parent comes with a whirlwind of emotions, joys, and challenges—and for me, breastfeeding was at the heart of it all. I wrote Mama’s Leche, a bilingual English–Spanish picture book, to honor that intimate, sometimes complicated journey that so many parents experience. I partnered with my dear cousin, Mia Ortiz, who illustrated the heartfelt images in the book.

What makes Mama’s Leche special is its perspective: it’s told from the infant’s point of view. Through soft, gentle text and warm illustrations, children see what it feels like to be held, nourished, and loved during those quiet breastfeeding moments. Breastfeeding is more than nourishment; it’s a rhythm of closeness, trust, and connection—and our book invites readers to feel that bond firsthand.

Mia and I wanted to create a book that speaks to families in both English and Spanish, reflecting the diversity of homes and celebrating language as part of connection and culture. Writing it was deeply personal. I remembered my children staring into my eyes, their tiny hands touching my face for comfort, and the quiet moments that felt both magical and exhausting. I wanted parents to see themselves in the pages, to feel validated, and to know that a primal bond part of the story.

Mama’s Leche is more than a book—it’s an invitation. It invites parents to pause, breathe, and connect with their child in the midst of daily routines. It invites children to feel seen, safe, and nurtured...and it invites readers of all backgrounds to embrace the universal bond that grows through care and love.

Whether you’re a parent, a caregiver, or someone who simply wants to understand this intimate part of life, I hope this book resonates with you. My goal is for readers to walk away feeling encouraged, and inspired—reminded that every small moment of care matters.

Breastfeeding, parenting, and nurturing are journeys full of questions, learning, and love. With Mama’s Leche, I hope to celebrate that journey, one page at a time, and to share a message of warmth, connection, and bilingual joy with families everywhere.

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MY FIRST PODCAST GUEST...AND A SUPRISE COMENT

Bala Zuccarello

The illustrator behind my book, the classroom reaction I didn’t see coming.

Brandon D. Campbell
Feb 13

This episode is about more than art. It’s about partnership. It’s about intentional storytelling. And it’s about how visuals can help children feel safe enough to have the conversations many families avoid.

To everyone who attended my sold-out book release, I am deeply grateful. Seeing my family, friends, and supporters gathered in one space to celebrate Oh Brother, My Brother was emotional in ways I didn’t fully anticipate. There’s something powerful about watching a vision that started in your heart become real and shared. 

I celebrated with my mother and father at my first book release event for Oh Brother, My Brother. This week, I had the honor of visiting Baker Elementary School to read to Mrs. Campbell-Berry’s music class for Black History Month. When I held up the very first page and illustration of the book, a student blurted out, “This is going to be a good book!” 

Before I read a single word.

That moment reminded me why details matter. Why illustrations matter. Why representation matters.

I read my story, "Oh Brother, My Brother" at Baker Elementary School
And that brings me to this week’s podcast episode.

For the first time, I welcomed a guest to the Brandon D. Campbell Podcast—Shanzay Saquib, the illustrator behind Oh Brother, My Brother. Shanzay is based in Pakistan, and despite being 11 hours ahead, we built a creative partnership rooted in communication, trust, and shared vision.

What drew her to this project wasn’t just the storyline—it was the healing and resilience within it. She recognized that this book was meant to be more than pages and pictures. It was designed to be a bridge between parents and children, especially with the reflection questions at the end meant to spark deeper conversations.

One of the most powerful parts of our collaboration was the intentionality behind the characters. The church scene became one of her favorites. For me, the illustration of Ohmar sitting emotionally on the bench stands out. Those images carry weight.

We also had important conversations about cultural accuracy—hairstyles, urban neighborhoods, and the Black church experience. Shanzay didn’t just draw; she researched. She leaned in. She connected with the story from a place of respect.

Her advice to authors? Find an illustrator who connects with your story, not just your style, and then trust their creative process. Magic happens when collaboration replaces control. 

Her advice to aspiring illustrators? Start where you are. Don’t wait for perfection. Try different styles. Challenge yourself.


The stories we tell, and how we tell them, matter.

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THROW AWAY THE VISION BOARD!

THROW AWAY THE VISION BOARD!

Bala Zuccarello

Brandon D. Campbell

How SMART goals (not a vision board), peace, and purpose led to staying on course and overcoming challenges to completing the production of my debut book, "Oh Brother, My Brother."

Every January, many of us do the same thing.

We gather magazines, scissors, glue, and big dreams, and we build vision boards. Last year, I did it too, but with my family, in pajamas, with food on the table, and phones down. The experience mattered. The connection mattered. What I learned afterward surprised me. I’m done with vision boards, not because dreaming is bad, but because dreaming without goals costs me some of my peace. When I looked back at my vision board from last year, many things come true.

I bought a home.

I landed a book deal.

Business growth and opportunities. But emotionally, the year felt heavy.I wasn’t attracting. I was chasing.

I wasn’t centered. I was anxious.

I felt like I was constantly running, negotiating, fighting, and convincing. That’s when it hit me: my vision wasn’t specific enough to protect my nervous system. Vision boards can unintentionally blur emotional, spiritual, and mental boundaries when goals aren’t clearly defined. I experienced that firsthand in my business decisions, in family transitions, in grief, and in moments of deep self-doubt. And here’s the truth I had to face:

Peace doesn’t come from vision. It comes from clarity. That’s why I’m choosing goals, specifically SMART goals. Goals forced me to ask better questions:

  • What exactly am I working toward?
  • Is this measurable?
  • Is it attainable?
  • Is it relevant right now?
  • And when will I know I’ve achieved it?

When I shifted from abstract vision to concrete goals, something changed.

  • I stopped chasing.
  • I started trusting the process.
  • And most importantly, I found alignment.

This lesson resonates deeply with why I wrote ‘Oh Brother, My Brother.’ Oftentimes, we focus on accomplishing our dreams but don’t acquire what ensures those dreams don’t get deferred, or we don’t lose what we achieve, and that is true healing from our trauma. This book wasn’t born from a mood board or manifestation exercise.

It was written through intention, discipline, and commitment. It’s about bonding, but in a healthy way.

It’s about helping children feel safe expressing emotions.

And it’s about helping parents heal from their own unfinished stories. Just like goal setting, healing requires structure, patience, and honesty. So, if you love vision boards, keep them.

But don’t let them replace working on yourself. Because dreams without goals can feel exciting, but goals create stability, peace, and progress.

Watch the full episode at www.BrandonDCampbell.com

 


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