Meet Theresa Maria Villarreal

We recently connected with Theresa Maria Villarreal and have shared our conversation below.

Theresa Maria, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

Even as an author and co-founder of The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast, bits of imposter syndrome still appear—especially when I meet legends like Lois Lowry, or incredible inspirations like Kwame Mbalia and Emmy-winning screenwriters like Max Beaudry. I remind myself that everyone started somewhere, and even the most accomplished creatives were once in my shoes. Focusing on curiosity, learning from these experiences, and remembering that my voice as both a writer and a podcast host matters helps me push past doubt. Every story I tell and every conversation I share reinforces that I belong in this space.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m Theresa Villarreal, an author and co-founder of The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast, which is part of our newly founded media company, The Storyteller’s Shelf Foundation LLC. As an author, I create stories and resources for young readers and families, including my Adventures in Oculus middle-grade series, my daily devotional Roots and Wings: A Daily Devotional for Moms of School-Aged Kids, and my educational coloring book series. I’m also actively working on other author projects that I hope to share soon.

Through our podcast, my co-host Jackie García-Morales and I connect with incredible creators, from Lois Lowry to Kwame Mbalia and Emmy-winning screenwriters like Max Beaudry, sharing their insights and inspiring stories with our audience.

This year, we’re especially excited about our upcoming holiday book drive, in partnership with Books Between Kids, which will help provide books to children in need and foster a love of reading. Every aspect of my work—from writing and podcasting to community outreach—is focused on creativity, storytelling, and meaningful connections.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, three qualities have been most impactful in my journey: resilience, curiosity, and the ability to connect with others.

Resilience has helped me keep going despite setbacks, self-doubt, or creative blocks—reminding me that persistence matters more than perfection. For those early in their journey, I’d say embrace failure as part of learning and view each challenge as an opportunity to grow.

Curiosity has driven me to explore new ideas, formats, and collaborations, from writing books and devotionals to hosting a podcast and founding a media company. Early creators can cultivate curiosity by reading widely, asking questions, and staying open to inspiration from unexpected places.

Finally, the ability to connect with others—mentors, peers, and audiences—has been crucial. Relationships open doors, spark collaboration, and provide guidance. My advice is to network authentically, listen generously, and seek communities that support your growth.

Together, these qualities have shaped my career, and they can guide anyone working to make their creative vision a reality.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Absolutely! Through my author work and The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast, we’re always looking to collaborate with creators, organizations, and corporate partners who share our passion for storytelling and children’s literature. This includes authors, illustrators, educators, librarians, publishing professionals, and businesses interested in supporting literacy initiatives.

We’re especially excited about partnerships that help us grow the podcast and support community projects, like our upcoming holiday book drive in partnership with Books Between Kids. If you’re interested in collaborating—whether as a podcast guest, creative partner, or corporate sponsor—you can connect with us via email at [email protected]
or visit our website at thestorytellersshelfpodcast.com
. We love building partnerships that inspire, empower, and make a meaningful impact for young readers.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Theresa Villarreal
Jackie García-Morales
Brian Brinlee
Max Beaudry
Kwame Mbalia
Lois Lowry

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