Spending time with Girlfriends - like Carrie, from The Diva Cast

At our girlfriend dinner on Wednesday night, my friend Judy stirred and stirred her mixed fruit. She had more pineapple than other fruits and she couldn't mix it enough to make it look, as she said, "interesting". That's kind of how it is with a girlfriend group. You need some diversity, some difference in opinion and age, women with different backgrounds and lifestyles. Combine these together and you definitely get interesting.

Stir up five fun, fabulous, forty-something females from Atlanta, GA and you get not only interesting, but you get life, laughter, love and all kinds of conversations. CARRIE RUNNALS, one of The Diva Cast, spoke with me yesterday for our weekly Girlfriendology Podcast.


The Diva Cast is a podcast with Carrie and her Diva girlfriends Sharon, Suzanne, Julie and Amy. They discuss real life issues like marital counseling and sex, and interview authors and experts on all types of interesting subjects. Listening in is like overhearing a really fun conversation at a nearby table in a restaurant - only this way you're allowed to laugh out loud and share it with your friends!

Carrie shares her passions with Girlfriendology - for her friends (Divas and others), her family and her love of writing and books. Recently she started Words-to-Mouth, a blog and complementary Internet talk show introducing readers to authors beyond the printed page. Even with her busy Diva life (being a mom, wife, writer, investor, Podcast Diva and now with Words-to-Mouth), Carrie graciously spent time with Girlfriendology talking about her girlfriends and living life with passion. Listen in - you'll love listening to Carrie!

So, like that fruit salad, mix up a bunch of your girlfriends together and see how interesting the conversation gets!

P.S. It was great to talk with Carrie because she has become a girlfriend of mine from finding Girlfriendology online and recommending Girlfriendology to friends, mentioning it in interviews, etc. (Thanks Carrie!) She demonstrates to me the beauty of female friendship - where we help each other. Just think how wonderful the world would be if we all supported each other with friendship, ideas, assistance! Go for it!

Girlfriend Entrepreneurs Club - should you start one?

Tina is a interior/pillow designer. Judy is a techie and writer (with a talent for poems and being funny). Joyce is creating a shop for heirloom gifts for children. Paula and her daughters started a catering business. Helen (who joined us for the first time today) is working on a book and a new source of income. (Becky, "the Kitchen Goddess", and Melody, the Tupperware Manager Maven couldn't join us - but we missed you!) And, you know me, I'm dedicated to building Girlfriendology - a place for 'inspiration, appreciation and celebration of girlfriends.'

We're a diverse group - some are neighbors who've known each other for years, some are new friends and new entrepreneurs. We meet monthly to help each other grow our businesses and see our dreams become reality. And, to assist each other with challenges we struggle with, but also very much to celebrate our successes together.

WE ("Women Entrepreneurs," what WE call ourselves) met today to not only explore our dreams and businesses, but to discuss how our group can best benefits each of us. One part of our discussion this morning was men - should we allow them in the 'club?' It was a tough decision because we don't want to exclude other entrepreneurs who need a group to help them with their businesses. To be honest, I crave the unique strength, energy and support that I receive from women entrepreneurs - things that I very much benefit from and value. Nothing against men, but men and women communicate differently and, to me, it just seems to work best in an environment where WE 'speak the same language.'

Are you an entrepreneur or someone with a dream? Perhaps you should start a girlfriend club to help and hold each other accountable toward reaching your dreams. I'd highly recommend it as much for ideas and support as for the camaraderie and community. Not an entrepreneur? Start a Mommies group or book club, a group of girlfriends to go to dinner or bowling every month (or monthly GNO - 'girls night out'), a knitting night group or scrapbook 'sistas, take classes or experiment on gourmet recipes together. Just do life together. And who better with than your girlfriends?!

"Inspire, challenge and grow - with a girlfriends group," says life coach Debbie Lundberg

MBA, Author and Life Coach DEBBIE LUNDBERG talks with Girlfriendology on our most recent podcast regarding her philosophies on women. Starting out in a male oriented industry, she noticed women either supported each other to grow or held other women down. This initiated her life coaching (to primarily women, but also to men and organizations) as well as her active role in fostering growth in women.

She started a women's group - the Tampa VEGAs (for Vision, Experience, Growth and Appreciation) who encourage each other to grow, learn and be their best self. Their recent event, Choose to Inspire, inspired women to be empowered through organization of their home, meals, finances, life and spirit.

Come hear Debbie's advice for supporting other women, for starting a girlfriend's group and for making a difference in women's lives. Thanks Debbie!

Talking Girlfriends with the Crafty Chica (aka: how to start a girlfriend group. Join in!)

Take seven crafty, creative, fun chicas and what do you get?! The Phoenix Fridas! That is the girlfriend group that "the Crafty Chica" KATHY CANO-MURILLO started with six other creative, Latina friends (who all just happen to admire Frida Kahlo and dig being creative!). They were even awarded the Best Latina Art Collective by the Phoenix New Times earlier this year - they're award-winning, crafty, cool, creative chicas!

Kathy talked with Girlfriendology today about her fun, creative girlfriend group on our weekly podcast. You have to listen! I was smiling during the whole conversation! Her creativity is contagious. Her enthusiasm for her girlfriends is gregarious. Her sweet, kind, encouraging spirit is just what a girlfriend longs to hear. She rocks!

Just to share a bit about Kathy, she really doesn't have time to talk with Girlfriendology - but of course she did! She was in CA working on her upcoming line of craft products (which I'm sure will be fabulous!). She recently wrote her first novel and has several creative/crafty books which inspire people all over the globe. She has designed home goods for Lowe's and has fun, funky jewelry on Target.com.

But she did. And, she is fabulous. Listen. Enjoy. Then get inspired and start your own girlfriend group. And, share your stories with Girlfriendology. Muchas Gracias Kathy! You're a real girlfriend!

Girlfriend Groups - do you have one?

I planned not to go to my girlfriend group tonight. My web guy was supposed to meet with me on some updates so I cancelled the group - then he cancelled our meeting. My friend Tina called me right after I got his email, while I was still extremely frustrated with him. (He hasn't been easy to work with! I knew I should have hired a woman!) She was going to our girlfriend group and talked me into going, even if I was late.

What a great thing that was! We laughed, caught up on life, had some wine, shared our lives. All the stress disappeared as the friendships (and laughter) brought me back to the good things in life - girlfriends, good friends, people who love you and whom you love. Life is good. Girlfriends are great.

Do you have a girlfriend group? What is the basis of it - an activity? Something you have in common? A book club or garden group? Croppers or knitters? Spinners or yoga goddesses?! Having a group of women to support you is vital to your happiness, stability, patience with other things in life and your self confidence*.

Thanks Tina for calling and for prompting me to come to our group tonight. (Thanks too to Paula for hosting! Becky for feeding! and Judy for sharing and for listening to and enjoying the Kris Radish podcast!) Let Girlfriendology know about your group. Why is it special to you? What do you recommend in starting a girlfriend group?

If you don't have a girlfriend group, maybe you should start one. Make 'no stress' rules and invite your girlfriends to bring others. I'm sure you'll find them the perfect way to de-stress your day. Share your thoughts on comments or email ideas@girlfriendology.com. And keep meeting. Keep inspiring. Keep appreciating and keep celebrating girlfriends. Life is good. Girlfriends are great. (Thanks Tina - and Paula, Becky and Judy!)

*Join our next podcast for information on how having girlfriends affects your self esteem. Any questions on this subject, please let Girlfriendology know!

The girlfriends in your life and the special blessings they bring

Greetings from Minneapolis where I used to live. It has been eight years since I moved, but still my girlfriends go out of their way to maintain the friendships. (And I feel so blessed!)

This morning we had brunch with our friends Terri and Bill who also invited Lisa and Todd to join us for a fabulous meal. Terri didn't look at this event selfishly, as a time for us to just be together. She, always being thoughtful and so kind, invited others to share in the special event of friends being together.

I so much love that about Terri. She is one of the most thoughtful girlfriends I know. She always thinks of the most personalized acts and gifts. She goes out of her way to bring friends together and to make girlfriends feel special. Terri always gives thoughtful gifts, adds something to a menu that is special just for me/us or takes time to create a special event just to make others feel loved and appreciated. She inspires me to be a better friend.

Each girlfriend in my life offers different blessings. Amy and Kate (sisters and very dear friends) had us over for dinner tonight with a dozen of our friends (including great girlfriends Cara, Chandra, Sue, Barb, Kathy and Patty) which made it a memorable and wonderful evening. Cath sent me a hilarious story on herself today which cracked me up. Christy invited me into her home this afternoon in the midst of carpet shampoo'ing (and child 'potty' issues!) to spend time just catching up on life.

As I time looking at my girlfriends and what I learn from them, I recognize that I am nothing without them. To Barb, my creative, spiritual, loving 'sister' to Amy, my forever friend and inspiration, I am blessed with amazing girlfriends.

What can you learn from your girlfriends? In what ways do they bless you? What amazing women do you have in your life that you need to appreciate and celebrate?! Do it! Plan events with your girlfriends. Send notes to say Thank You. Call them just to check in on their lives. Show them that you love and appreciate them. Girlfriends are a blessing and, if you have a great group of girlfriends, you're truly blessed!

Entrepreneurial Girlfriends & Reducing Stress!

Great things happen when you share what is on your mind and in your dreams with other girlfriends!

At our monthly entrepreneurial girlfriends group today, Judy confessed that her creative brain is always busy and she has LOTS of ideas for businesses she could start. (And, she's right!)

From someone who knows personally, creative women sometimes get overwhelmed with innovative ideas and an excess of dreams. And, add a busy life with a full-time job, family and trying to follow our dreams 'on the side,' and you can end up with a whole mess of stress!

Meeting with other girlfriends and discussing your ideas, challenges and dreams is therapeutic. It just feels much better to know that others struggle with the same things and that encouragement and feedback are offered with a loving voice.

Thanks Judy for sharing your dreams and for helping me on my way to mine. I look forward to being your girlfriend through whatever creative, entrepreneurial roads we follow. I feel better, lighter and more focused - thanks to you!

Do you meet with your girlfriends to discuss your dreams? If not, should you?! Add a comment if you have a dream you'd like to get input on from helpful, caring female friends or tell about girlfriend groups and how they've helped you. I bet your stress level is much lower because of your great gal pals!

* Sorry about the bad photo Judy! I'm just learning how to work my new phone camera! I'll get you another time! Check out Judy's blogs: PublishSmart and Blind Hog Press.

Bookless Book Club - no stress girlfriend groups!

Thursday night was our monthly neighborhood women's book club. We don't believe in adding stress to any one's life, so reading the book is always optional. Hanging out with your neighborhood female friends is all that is required. In fact, in the summer we take a month off from books and just exchange magazines. It is a no-stress way to recycle and read new publications. And always a fun night!

As we sat in Judy's beautiful backyard garden, we caught up on life. Anne's new bra - partly to blame for that salsa drip on her shirt! Retired and with a social calendar to make us all dizzy, we heard about Peggy's target shooting at a police training camp. Four fatal shots in a row, we wondered how she got out of there without being recruited. Another Ann was taking a break from her infant to have some quality time with the neighborhood girlfriends. With a little nervousness, we heard about the snake in Judy's backyard the day before - right where we were sitting! Stories and updates kept us laughing all the way back down the street to our homes. It was a perfect night and a great neighborhood tradition.

Do you have a book club or neighborhood group? Do you meet up with other Moms or girlfriends on a regular basis? Please share your ideas and stories in this blog's comments.

And, if you don't have a group of women to get together with on a frequent basis, why don't you start one? It isn't hard and, like our 'bookless' book club, doesn't need to cost anything or add any stress. You don't even have to read a book. It could be a monthly gathering to discuss a new topic or a girls group dinner to try a new restaurant. I even heard about a group of women who get together to have dinner together and donate the money they would have spent going to a restaurant to a good cause - like Katrina homes or South African women. Go ahead. See what you can start!