New Podcast Posted - Heather Hills, ChickVacations.com

As friendly and helpful as her photo looks(!), HEATHER HILLS is a genuinely nice person. So nice that she started a business just to help women plan special trips together with less stress and even less budget. (That's my kind of girlfriend!)

Heather started ChickVacations.com - a travel company dedicated to girlfriend getaways (aka: female friends and family fun!). Instead of lavish, expensive trips, Heather plans travel packages for domestic, nearby trips - which is perfect in today's $4+/gallon gas prices!

Listen in to Heather as she shares her travel wisdom and inspiring ideas on the new Girlfriendology Podcast. Then, start planning a trip (possibly with ChickVacations.com) with your favorite gal pals!

TIP TUESDAY #28: How to make a Girlfriend Laugh!

No, I'm not running for President (except President of Girlfriendology), but my hilarious girlfriend Jill sent me the above very viral marketing video. (THANKS JILL!)

Why not surprise your girlfriend with your vote for President? Or just send her a funny email with Monk-Email (from Career Builder) or ... (insert your comment/link here!)

Share your funny ways to say HI, make your girlfriend laugh or just make her day through online sites, jokes or other harmless antics!

What are your favorite funny sites to share with girlfriend?

Let's all share a couple favorites so we can pass them along to our girlfriends, who'll share them with their friends, and on and on! Just a bunch of fun, funny female friends - fabulous! (Hey - and we can all run for President!)

Lessons from a Girlfriend - Podcast with MARSH ENGLE, Amazing Woman Iniatitive

You are amazing.

Yes, you are. MARSH ENGLE told me. Marsh actually sees how amazing each of us is - she started the "Amazing Woman Initiative" to help us focus on the amazing nature inside every one of us. From the "Amazing Woman" books she has written, to the "Amazing Woman's Day 2008" events that will start on July 19th in Palm Springs, Marsh is globalizing this powerful message to generate positive energy, transformation and self-recognition for all women.

Her energy is contagious and her message is empowering to all women who hear it. So, here's MY Lessons from a Girlfriend but, with the concept of 'amazing women' so unique to each woman, I'm sure you'll learn lessons that apply to you. Thanks Marsh for sharing these lessons:

* RECOGNIZE OUR OWN AMAZING NATURE - How powerful that Marsh took the experience of healing after losing her mother into a national movement of inspiration (and even recognized by Congress!). Marsh believes that every woman has an amazing nature within us - and thanks to her, we get the find the area deep inside of us that brings us the greatest joy. But it is really important that we recognize the amazing spirit within us!

* BE DARING AND BOLD - Step out. Marsh didn't just feel this amazing spirit within, and keep it to her self. She had a dream of sharing this passion for women and our amazing natures to be identified, celebrated and set free. Now she hosts events all over the world on discovering their, and other women's, amazing spirit.

* SPREAD THE WORD - Did Marsh keep it to herself? Did she recognize the amazing nature of women and just tell a few close friends? Of course not. Amazing women look for ways to build into other women, to inspire, to create opportunities for other women and to celebrate the beauty that lies within every one of us. Thankfully Marsh recognized this amazing spirit in women and used her talents to bring this powerful Amazing Woman Initiative to the world.

To join in on this Initiative, join Marsh and some amazing women on July 19th in Palm Springs for the Amazing Woman's Day 2008 event. Or check out her website for future events in the U.S. and abroad. Thanks Marsh! You're Amazing!!

Lessons from a Girlfriend - Podcast with SUSAN MALLERY, mega romance novelist

Do you read romance novels? Love a good love story? Crave an escape to a story about 'happily ever after' relationships? Then you probably already know our Girlfriendology Podcast guest SUSAN MALLERY!

Susan is an amazing author of over 100 romance fiction books and she keeps going, and going! She's writes books for women that women want to read. In fact, romance novels is the largest genre of books and even surpasses Major League Baseball for revenue!!

What does 'chick lit' have to do with Girlfriendology and female friendship? well, once you hear Susan's interview, you'll realize that Susan's girlfriends are core to her success and prolific writing!

So, what lessons did I learn in our conversation with Susan? Here's just a few - but listen in to see what inspiration Susan can offer you too!

* FOLLOW YOUR PASSION - Susan just took an eight week class and knew that she HAD to write romance novels. She never looked back. Many times we lack the courage to share what we dream of doing, but like Susan, we should just go for it! As girlfriends we can support and encourage our friends to go after their dreams. That's what girlfriends do!

* FIND LIKE-MINDED GIRLFRIENDS - Susan has a girlfriend group with other authors and gets together with them (even though they live in different states) on a frequent basis. It's THAT important. Together they share ideas and dreams, help each other through questions and struggles, and celebrate each others successes. What a wonderful way to have 'co-workers' and friends around who get what you do and help each other out.

* FRIENDS ARE FAMILY YOU CHOOSE - In Susan's words, if the guy doesn't work out, you can boot him to the curb! You're born with your family but you get to pick your friends. My girlfriends are my sisters who believe in me, challenge me, cheer for me and make me a better person. There is a world of women out there and finding some who become sisters are worth all the effort!

Susan Mallery is obviously prolific and talented at writing. With 100+ romance novels, she's successful at what she loves. But, in this great conversation with her, I found out her passion doesn't come to life just on the pages of her romance fiction, but in her gratitude of her girlfriends and their impact on her life. Wow. Thanks Susan for your time to talk and for the inspiration you shared with our podcast listeners.

Thanks too for your gift of several copies of Sweet Talk, your new novel with the Bakery Sisters. To possibly win one of our 50 PRIZES in the July Girlfriendology Contest (including this new book by Susan Mallery), send your girlfriend story in to contest (@) girlfriendology (dot) com, fill out our form at Girlfriendology, leave a comment on our iTunes site or send us a photo of you in a Girlfriendology shirt. Lots of prizes! Lots of ways to win!!!