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!

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!!!

May Girlfriendology Contest Prizes are coming!

Boring photo (sorry!) of just some of the book prizes from the May Girlfriendology Contest. (A few more winner addresses needed then they all be sent!) Coming your way (if you're one of the 30 winners!): "The Angel" by Carla Neggers (from our video), "Real You Incorporated" by Kaira Rouda (from our podcast), "Novel Destinations" by Joni Rendon and Shannon McKenna Schmidt (podcast) and "Paper Crafting with Carol Duvall" (podcast with TV star and 'the Queen of Crafts'!).


JOIN IN ON THE JUNE GIRLFRIENDOLOGY CONTEST for "Twenty Wishes" by Debbie Macomber, "Comfort Food" by Kate Jacobs, "Big BBQ Cookbook" by the BBQ Queens, "Attraction Action" by Jody England/BuzZen, "Trust Me" by, Brenda Novak, "Jumpstart the Art" by J.J. Virgin and our Starbucks and Girlfriendology Journal top prizes! Check out www.girlfriendology.com for more info.

Videos: http://www.youtube.com/girlfriendology

Podcasts: http://www.girlfriendology.libsyn.com/

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Lessons from a Girlfriend - Podcast with J. J. VIRGIN, fitness and nutrition expert

Fitness and nutrition can overwhelm me - do they you? I know I should eat and do certain things, but sometimes even if I do, nothing happens so I just go back to my previous eating and exercising habits. After years of low-fat/high-carb, low-carb/high-fat and every other diet in between, my body seems to do whatever it wants to do.

Okay, and even if you have the whole fitness/nutrition thing figured out (or you just got really, really good genes!), there still is the desire to be healthy and look young, right?

Our guest on the latest Girlfriendology Podcast has the answers! MENSA member, PhD in holistic and clinical nutrition with studies in bio-mechanics, sports medicine, exercise physiology, nutrition and aging, J.J. VIRGIN is an accomplished trainer, teacher and author. Her new book, "The Art of Losing It: Mastering Weight Loss in an Expanding World,"(with co-author, Dan O'Dowd) offers the help we need to get past diet resistant bodies and near-sleepless schedules, to find the healthy lifestyle that will give us balance in all areas of our lives.

J.J. has done post-graduate work in bio-mechanics, sports medicine, exercise physiology, nutrition and aging. She's a member of MENSA and appeared for several seasons as the fitness and nutrition expert on the Dr. Phil Show. She also was the "nutritional trainer for Superman" - how cool is that?!

We can all learn a lot from this smart, beautiful, amazingly-inspiring woman. Just a few of the lessons learned from J.J. Virgin:

* NO ONE SAID IT WOULD BE EASY - J.J. doesn't provide a quick 'magic' solution to weight issues, but she does simplify it and make it applicable to a realistic lifestyle. "The Art of Losing It" has taken her 25 years as a health care professional and celebrity nutritionist to the next level with her supercharged, clinically proven weight loss system.

* SLEEP! - We push ourselves too many hours every day, then so many of us struggle with getting a good night's sleep. J.J. has done the research and recommends sleep as one of the major factors in a healthy, long life. Her level of importance on this was impressive and impactful. Plus, that is one area of nutrition and fitness that is a good change in our life and has great results.

* YOU NEED YOUR GIRLFRIENDS - As J.J. says, "You HAVE to have a circle of support." She tells about girlfriends who met on a diet website and, through their friendship and support of each other, were successful in losing a lot of weight. Together we can accomplish our goals - with our girlfriends!

J.J. provided her new audio book, "Jumpstart The Art!" (companion book to "The Art of Losing It: Mastering Weight Loss in an Expanding World") as a prize in our Girlfriendology Contest. It was obvious in talking with her about toxins, sweeteners, the chemicals our body needs/produces and more, she is knowledgeable and someone with the answers. I appreciate that she offered these answers to us in her podcast and book!

Listen in to J.J.'s interview with Girlfriendology on our latest podcast, check out her website/book and sign up for her newsletter for a free report on weight loss myths. I know you, like me, will learn life-changing information!

Stay healthy girlfriend!

Girlfriendology May Contest Winners Announced on new podcast!

From Paula in South Dakota to Jane in Missouri to Debbie in Florida to Cathy in Georgia to so many others ... the map of all our winners would be spotted all over the place! We had so many wonderful, inspiring, funny and touching stories about girlfriends (and sisters who are also great girlfriends!) who sent in and won in our May Girlfriendology Contest. Listen to the NEW podcast for these inspiring stories and the winners of the 30 books plus Starbucks gift cards (to take you and your girlfriend out for coffee on Girlfriendology) and the Girlfriendology Journal.

We're in the midst of the June Girlfriendology Contest so send in your girlfriend stories (about any subject you'd like - any inspiring story about a female friend or a group of friends) to Girlfriendology. We have over 30 books to award for prizes in June. Winners will be established by a drawing of all contest responses. And, drumroll please! The PRIZES for the June Girlfriendology Contest are:

* Twenty Wishes - a wonderful, inspiring book by mega author DEBBIE MACOMBER.
* Comfort Food - a new novel by KATE JACOBS (author of The Friday Night Knitting Club) and a lovely story of a cooking channel chef and her adventures with food, family and friends.
* Trust Me - the new romantic thrilled by BRENDA NOVAK. First in 'The Last Stand' trilogy , follow these female friends though crimes, investigations and, of course, some romance.
* JumpStart the Art: The Art of Losing It - audio book by J.J. VIRGIN. Inspiration on The Art of Losing It! Mastering Weight Loss in an Expanding World.
* BBQ Cookbooks - A BIG and little (perfect size for a gift!) book so of Barbecue by the BBQ Queens themselves, KAREN ADLER and JUDITH FRETIG.
* BuzZen - The Law of Attraction meets Girls Night Out! Written by JODY ENGLAND, this book will bring your and your girlfriends, and you and your dreams, closer!

All these amazing authors have graciously given their time recently for podcast interviews! Listen in for wonderful women inspiration!

So, send in your girlfriend story NOW for one of our over-a-prize-a-day prizes!

And, if you'd like to tell this story yourself, please call 206-202-9005 and you can tape a message which will go on the contest podcast! We'd love to have your story in your voice on the podcast!

Reduce stress and make it a lot more fun! When is "Take your Girlfriends to work day"?

Today is "Take Your Dog to Work Day." Okay, here at Girlfriendology, every day is take your dog to work day! It is a wonderful environment to relieve stress, bring some humor (and sometimes unpleasant smells knowing my dog Brando!) to the home office, etc.

USAtoday wrote about what your dog can teach you about business in this article, like great lessons on loyalty, patience, acceptance and being grateful.

What can we learn about business from our girlfriends? I'd love your thoughts but I'll get us started:

* Relationships - There's so many books on the business relationships we have to develop with our coworkers, clients and colleagues. Why do we need the books? We don't 'get' it. Girlfriends do. Female friends understand' the importance of relationships. We value the personal bond between women that allows us to be ourselves and puts us not in a competitive situation, but a supportive, helpful, "I'll cheer for you no matter what" role. Like "man's best friend," this gets down to the real stuff like loyalty and affection.

* FUN - At my previous job, I would stop periodically throughout the day to visit with Carole or Katie - my girlfriends in the office. (After Lisa, Angie and Beth Anne left us!) I need the break in my day to relax, de-stress and laugh. Often my girlfriends are my sounding-board and assist me with problem-solving and brain-storming. I couldn't make it through an hour or two in the office without them. They kept me sane through many a seemingly sans-sanity situation!

* Learning - I learn so much from my girlfriends (and also from Girlfriendology Podcast guests!). My friends Katie and Angie are fashionistas so I'd often get style ideas and shopping pointers from them. Carole had been at the company much longer and understood a lot of the helpful history that was a great asset in strategizing and deciding the best course of action.

Dedication, passion, mentors ... so many things we learn from our girlfriends that easily apply to our business decisions and relationships. If Girlfriends ran businesses, it would be a friendly, social, successful and savvy world! So, what business lessons have you learned from your girlfriends?