Lessons from a Girlfriend - Podcast with JODI NELSON, founder of "Play It Forward Adventures"

In a small township in South Africa, we built homes, planted gardens and loved on children. A very smelly district of Cologne, Panama found us rebuilding a church. Both, no matter the hardships and fears (and, believe me, both had some scary moments) were challenging but experiences I will never forget and that will shape me for the rest of my life.

JODI NELSON had similar experiences. She traveled to remote locations to offer aid and assistance. The relationships were incredible but extremely emotional. She also has taken adventure travel trips to exotic destinations where she found the scenery and activities challenging and invigorating. Leave it to this creative, passionate traveler to combine the two for the ultimate travel experience.

PLAY It Forward Adventures was born from these travels to allow travelers to: "Volunteer. Explore. Connect." Combining the emotional yet equally rewarding experience of humanitarian efforts with the beauty and exhilaration of active excursions, travelers balance their emotions with the culture, climate and citizens of a foreign country in a memorable manner.

Listen in to the podcast with Jodi for more about Play It Forward Adventures. You'll pick up your own lessons like these I learned:

* JUST DO IT - Jodi recognized the exhilaration and emotional impact of traveling both for adventure and to help others. She took her project management skills and applied them to making a huge difference in her life and the lives of her travelers as well as the people they meet and help. She didn't sit by and just go on her own trip once or twice a year - she shares them with others!

* GET EMOTIONAL - Helping out a family in Guatemala who has no home, is great. Seeing all the other neighbors who also live in shacks, is overwhelming. Jodi knows the emotional weight of making difference to people whose lives are so much different than our own. She balances this with adventures like hiking or kayaking. These excursions lift spirits and balance the heaviness of witnessing people's struggles.

* BUILD A COMMUNITY - One person (like Jodi) can do amazing things. A group of people can accomplish life-changing results. And, when we bond into a community, we have others who share in our joy and emotions, who celebrate and cry with us, who care. These Play It Forward Adventures are forming a community of caring and adventurous travelers.

For me, memories of South Africa and Panama remind me to be thankful for all that I have - a home, friends and family who are relatively healthy and safe, opportunities to earn a living and anticipation of good things ahead. Interested in experiencing life and adventures in a foreign country? Want to go somewhere with your family or friends where you'll make a difference and experience an unforgettable adventure? Listen in to Jodi Nelson of Play It Forward Adventures. Just do it.

Girlfriendology video interview with DIANA ZIMMERMAN, author of "Kandide and the Secret of the Mists"

Meeting inspiring girlfriends is always kind of magical! Author DIANA S. ZIMMERMAN, author of "Kandide and the Secret of the Mists," was in town recently for her national book tour. Diana had a spectacular 25-year career as "America's Foremost Lady Magician" and some of her magic acts are still being performed by her friends Lance Burton and David Copperfield! Now she is taking this mystical talent into a land of faeries and lessons on accepting others and ourselves.

I had the privilege of doing a video interview with Diana on her recent book tour. Kandide is written for 9-12 year olds but the story reaches all ages. Sneak peak:

What if everything you feared suddenly became your only hope?
What if everything you loved was suddenly taken away?

The book is inspiring but so it just being in the company of Diana!

Check out her new book for children (but with lessons that apply to all of us and with a 25% off code!).

Thanks Diana for your amazing interview! Remember girlfriends, like Diana, keep INSPIRING, appreciating and celebrating each other!

Legendary magician LANCE BURTON agrees: "Kandide is pure magic!"