Lessons from two Girlfriends - Coaching through emotional eating and challenges

We learn so much from our girlfriends. When it comes to emotional issues, we learn from the time we're small girls who pattern ourselves after our girlfriends to years when we hold each other up when tough times try to knock us down. From happy days to sad spells, we make it through emotional times with much thanks to, and reliance on, our girlfriends.

Two girlfriends spoke with Girlfriendology in previous podcasts. Each pulled from her life experience and her emotions - especially changes in life and challenging times. Both podcasts have just been re-mixed for better audio - so listen in!

Do you know what to do or say when a girlfriend (or anyone you care about) is going through tough times? How do you respond when your friend is dealing with the loss of a job, family member, marriage? CAROLINE CHESHIRE started a company to help all of us deal with emotional times and friends going through sadness and challenges. Caroline started HealingBaskets.com - an entrepreneurial business built on the perfect words and gifts for friends and family dealing with all kinds of emotional events. We've had great comments from this inspirational interview. Listen in to Caroline and next time you're at a loss for words, look to HealingBaskets.com for some wonderful ideas.

ELLEN SHUMAN is a respected emotional eating expert and coach. (Ellen's been on Oprah, featured in O Magazine and offers free weekly teleseminars on emotional eating.) She spoke with Girlfriendology about the importance of supportive girlfriends through emotional eating disorders. Listen in to our most popular podcast - just re-mixed for better audio.

As women, being emotional at times is part of our DNA - and what makes us very caring, loving, thoughtful friends. Listen in to Caroline and Ellen for ways to handle life when faced with emotions that need the advice of a girlfriend. You'll be glad you did!

Girlfriendology interview of NYT best-selling author CARLA NEGGERS

Tonight, at our local Joseph-Beth Booksellers store, I had the privilege of interviewing a New York Times best-selling author of romance suspence books. CARLA NEGGERS was in town for her national book tour. We were thrilled to interview her on the actual date of the release of her new book "The Angel."

Come back and watch our video interview with this wonderful author and inspiring woman. And, check out her site for her "Live Your Adventure" contest. Share your adventure dreams and you may be the lucky one to receive $1000 to live your adventure. Go for it! Thanks Carla! (And Barb and Kathy!) And thanks to you for visiting the Girlfriendology blog.

Mobile post sent by girlfriendology using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3

NOTE: Join in the May Girlfriendology Contest for a chance to win CARLA NEGGER's new book "The Angel" and stop by QUICKLY for the April contest. We have more prizes this month - send in your stories NOW! (Thanks Girlfriends!)

TIP TUESDAY #21 - Are you a locavore girlfriend?!

Right there on the front cover of our local weekly publication CityBeat was my old roommate and girlfriend, Valerie. So fun to see a familiar face on this newspaper and very cool to read about her and what's she's up to. Valerie is a 'locavore' - a person committed to eating food grown/produced within a 100 miles. I have so much to learn about this topic and am thrilled to have her blog as a resource to teach me! (See. We learn so much from our girlfriends!)

Sticking with our 'green theme' for April, this week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

Do you notice/shop for locally grown/produced food? What have you learned from that process? (that you can teach us girlfriends!)

I'd love to get your thoughts on how to go green and go local. How can we be a girlfriend to 'Mother Nature.' What's your tip? How can we eat more green and local, girlfriend?!

Meet my girlfriend Jennifer Davis, Dir. of BEADED HOPE

As girlfriends, we often are each other's best 'cheerleaders.' I think this happens because we love our friends unconditionally and we can see all their best traits. Fortunately, through our eyes their beauty, talents and special qualities all shine. And that's a very good thing!

Today we taped a video with my girlfriend JENNIFER DAVIS. Jennifer is the director of BEADED HOPE, an organization that gives women in South Africa a job creating beaded art, then sells it here in the U.S. and returns profits to support an AIDS hospice in Mamelodi, South Africa. (I've had the honor of going to the hospice and it is both impressive and emotionally ovewhelming.)

We'll have the video on this blog and YouTube, etc. later this week so come back and check it out. We taped at girlfriend Wendy's art gallery and coffee shop - RED TREE (a very cool place in Oakley/Cincinnati, OH).

I'm glad you have a chance to meet Jennifer through this message and the upcoming video. She's making the world better one bead (and girlfriend) at a time. I am proud to be a Jennifer 'cheerleader'! What girlfriend do you cheer for? Let her know that you're proud of her and that the world is a better place because of her. She'll no doubt feel the same way about you!

Mobile post sent by girlfriendology using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3

P.S. Mother's Day is coming (along with Girlfriend birthdays, etc.!) so check out Beaded Hope for gifts. Enter "GOGIRL" into the promotional code and receive a 15% discount. Looking and feeling good simultaneously would have been plenty - but to also give hope, that's something I can definitely cheer about! Thanks Jennifer! Thanks Red Tree!

Doing a favor for a girlfriend! (for traveling moms)

In a previous podcast we talked with Beth Whitman, author of Wanderlust and Lipstick: The Essential Guide for Women Traveling Solo. Beth replaced any fear of traveling alone, with inspiration for actively exploring this great planet. (Listen in to the podcast for some of her adventures and you'll want to plan a trip soon!)

I'm fortunate to have developed a friendship with Beth. She has shared ideas with me for Girlfriendology and been very helpful - she's become a girlfriend. So, what do you do when a girlfriend asks a favor? Well, if at all possible, you do it - right?

Beth asked me to share this with you, so here it is (and I hope you respond to her!):

I'm currently working on the third book in my Wanderlust and Lipstick series. This one is: For Women Traveling with Children and I am looking for women who would like to be interviewed for the book! If you have experience with traveling with your kid(s) domestically or abroad (even if the hubby/sig'o was with you), I'd love to hear from you to set up an interview.

If you have stories to tell, check out Beth's web site and leave your contact info. Thanks Girlfriends! (And listen in to the podcast to get some great travel inspiration!)

Springtime and thinking of girlfriendship!

I hope your day is beautiful and that you're enjoying a wonderful Saturday! I wanted to share this double gerbera daisy with you because it did remind me of friendship and, by supporting each other, we can grow strong and bloom.

Mobile post sent by girlfriendology using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3

This message also was inspired by this week being Earth Day and how we should appreciate the living, growing, inspiring world around us (and keep it that way!). Listen in to DEBRA QUARTERMAIN and her reclaimed life on our latest podcast. She'll inspire you to be thankful for shopping!

Happy Earth Day Girlfriends!

Nothing makes the earth seem so spacious as to have friends at a distance; they make the latitudes and longitudes.
Henry David Thoreau

How wonderful it is to have friends - both nearby and distant. What a wonderful earth to be home to us all!

Spend EARTH DAY celebrating life, inhaling sweet flowers and paying note to the budding trees and blooming spring flowers. Take a walk with a girlfriend. Share a potted plant with a neighbor. Leave a card for a friend. Then listen in to a special edition of the Girlfriendology Podcast for an inspiring interview with 'green girlfriend' DEBRA QUARTERMAIN. A creative designer and author with a fetish for jackets (primarily of reclaimed materials), Debra has taken a vow of reclaiming her life in 2008 by not purchasing any non-necessities as well as living a green livestyle through her travels, new old home, gift-giving, etc. Listen in for some great green tips and wonderful ways to take care of 'Mother Earth.'

Check out Debra's blogs - My reclaimed life and Confessions of a Stitch Chick, as well as a cool, creative conference for girlfriends - The Heart Sister's Creativity Spa. Thanks Debra!

Lessons from a Girlfriend - Podcast with SUZANNE GRACE-MAIDEN, Family Therapist and Relationship Podcaster

After listening to several episodes of TheDivaCast podcast, I knew interviewing the witty and energetic Suzanne would be fun. What I didn't know was that she has a heart-felt passion for her friends, and how she is an inspiration in what she does, the friendships she maintains and how she lives her life. I learned a lot from Suzanne (aka: Dear Zanny) and you will too in our new Girlfriendology podcast.

First, I'd like to introduce you to Suzanne. Suzanne says a resounding "YES" to the universe. She is high-energy, vivacious and funny. Wife, mother, girlfriend and Family Therapist, Suzanne juggles her career and family, as well as three positive, inspiring pocasts - TheDivaCast, Dear Zanny and InsytWorks.

Suzanne served five-years Active Duty Air Force in Europe during the cold war. She earned expert marksman status and was fondly dubbed by peers as "Barbie in Combat Boots." One of Suzanne's proudest achievements was logging solo hours in a Cessna. Even after tragically losing two close family members in bizarre circumstances, and battling a rare and deadly cancer, Suzanne stays optimistic. She not only sees herself as a cancer-survivor, but someone who truly lives and moves forward without limitation or fear.

After convalescing from cancer, Suzanne earned an M.A. in Counseling and currently practices as a Family Therapist. She hosts "Dear Zanny" - the first relationship advice podcast. Suzanne is married to the producer of both, TheDivaCast and InsytWorks. Together, they share their adoration for their beloved 11 year-old son. She lives life to the fullest - and you'll hear that passion come through her voice in all her podcasts!

Every person in this world is a lesson. Some teach us little things like how to sew or pick the best melon. Others teach us huge life lessons like how to be a better friend or how we can live a more responsible lifestyle. With Suzanne, the lessons are powerful and positive. And, with passion and purpose she builds into her family and friends - which alone is a great lesson.

A few things I learned from Suzanne:

* WE NEED GIRLFRIENDS - While I believe that, Suzanne, as an educated Therapist KNOWS that. She knows it not only from experience (example: the wonderful women who helped her deal with cancer) but she also knows it from the training and education she received to become a Therapist. It was confirming to hear how much emphasis she puts on friendships for her patients. She even weighs friendships into their diagnosis and treatment. It's THAT important.

* LIVE WITH PASSION AND PURPOSE - Suzanne has a zest for life that started long before she dealt with cancer. She was a soldier, pilot and adventurer. Then, she survived cancer and became a 'take on the universe' kind-of woman! To me, that's a great reminder to focus on the important things in life - loving people, making life better for others, etc. Suzanne 'gets' this!

* TURN ENERGY INTO GOOD THINGS - Suzanne could easily come home after a day of helping others in her daily Therapist practice, and just stop there. Instead, she invests her time in helping others. In addition to being a mother and wife, she is dedicated to her girlfriends and to others. Her three podcasts all provide positive, purpose-driven encouragement - through laughter and 'girlfriend time' on TheDivaCast, in giving advice on Dear Zanny or by sharing helpful insight on InsytWorks.

* HAVE FUN ALONG THE WAY - We talked to Suzanne after a relaxing trip to Aruba with her husband. Together they recorded several podcasts on the beach with an 'umbrella drink' in hand. Sure, they did some work but it was much more fun together in a wonderful place. Enjoy the little stuff. Don't take yourself too seriously. Make life fun. We only get one, so have fun along the way!

Thanks Suzanne (aka: Dear Zanny) for your wonderful perspective and thoughts on the psychological need for girlfriends on our podcast interview. You offered inspiring insight and contagious enthusiasm! Listen in to Suzanne on her podcasts and the Girlfriendology interview. You'll be glad you 'met' Suzanne! (Live your life with passion too!)

p.s. Contact 'Dear Zanny' with your relationship questions and comments! Suzanne would love to hear from you at 678-884-0524 or zanny(at)dearzanny.com. Thanks Girlfriends!

New Prizes for April Girlfriendology Contest!

Wow - how can it be April 16th already?!?! Spring fortunately has sprung and, like the tulips and daffodils, the Girlfriendology monthly contest is popping up - with prizes! Yes, we always reward the top five girlfriend stories with Starbucks gift cards (so you can take you and your girlfriend out for coffee on Girlfriendology) and the Girlfriendology Journal. NOW you also have an opportunity to win more prizes.

Thanks to Emily and Allison at National Geographic, Girlfriendology is also giving away five copies for
NOVEL DESTINATIONS: Literary Landmarks From Jane Austen's Bath to Ernest Hemingway's Key West by Shannon Mckenna Schmidt and Joni Rendon - who we'll talk to on an upcoming podcast! Thanks National Geographic Books!

Be adventurous! Write a story and possibly win some cool prizes! Not only will we give out the five Starbucks gift cards and the Girlfriendology Journal, but we'll also give away five copies of NOVEL DESTINATIONS from future podcast guests - the authors!

Remember, the April Girlfriendology contest is 'going green.' Earth Day is coming up and we're asking you to do a little 'recycling!' This month's contest asks YOU for YOUR stories of girlfriends who have made an impact on you in the past - perhaps school friends or girls you knew growing up, maybe it is women you've worked with or neighbors you've known for a long time. Just share your story and you could win a prize. And send in your 'recycled' girlfriend stories TODAY! (Visit April Girlfriendology contest for rules and contact info.) Thanks Girlfriends!

Want some creative girlfriend gift ideas? Listen in!

I've said it before, I'll say it again. One of the best benefits to girlfriends is how much we all learn from each other. From little things like celebrity trivia (like ... who got kicked off Dancing With The Stars!?), to big things like how to take care of our health and our loved ones.

Each month we ask YOU for YOUR thoughts and stories on girlfriends in our monthly Girlfriendology Contest. In March, since it was National Craft Month, we asked for your comments on thoughtful, creative girlfriend gifts you've given or received. We received a bunch of entries and some fabulous female friend stories. Thanks for sharing!

Check out the newest podcast for the stories and the winners. You're sure to get some great ideas for being the girlfriend with the PERFECT gift. After all, if you can't get inspired by your girlfriends, you can't get inspired!

Alas, it is the ides of April (ooh - tax day!), and we're half way through the month and another contest is happening. This month, in honor of Earth Day and our awareness of all things green, we're asking YOU to 'recycle' your girlfriend stories! Share a story of a girlfriend who meant a lot to you as a child or teenager. Tell us about an amazing woman whose friendship has followed you through different periods of your life - and been there for you no matter what! Just enter the contest - there are prizes! And, if you're selected, we may call you to interview you for our podcast next month. (Tell us a great story and we'll HAVE to talk with you!) Thanks Girlfriends!

TIP TUESDAY #20 - Help your girlfriends dress green?

Spring has sprung here in the mid-west. Bulbs have popped up and blooms have burst out,making it a colorful, wonderful reward for getting through winter! However, with it comes packing up the winter sweaters and returning the spring/summer clothes to the closet.

This annual rearranging ritual reminds me of all the stuff I have and don't wear. (Does it do that to you?) And, now with the focus on 'going green,' is it socially responsible for me to not buy more and/or be more conscious of what I buy?

In honor of the upcoming Earth Day, let's help each other figure out what it means to 'go green' as girlfriends. And, in the case of clothing, how can we feel good about our choices either not to buy new things (and we'll have a podcast this month with a woman, Debra Quartermain, who isn't buying anything new in 2008!) or to buying eco-friendly wearables?

So, this week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

Are you changing your clothes buying habits to 'go green?' If so, how. If not, are you making other changes that you feel better about (and that will help others be more green)?"

For me, I am avoiding stores where I'm tempted to shop. I have plenty so I'm trying to limit my purchases and be conscious of what I'm buying. I'm not saying I'm shifting to all organic materials and dressing in recycled coffee-bags (!), I'm just trying to make an effort to be more aware and open to better options.

But I need help! What are you doing to be more environmentally responsible? How can we be a girlfriend to 'Mother Nature.' What's your tip? How can we be more green, girlfriend?!

KRIS RADISH Video - Meet a great girlfriend author!!

Well, here it is ... the first Girlfriendology Video! Check it out as I interview girlfriend author KRIS RADISH! She was in Cincinnati for her new book - "Searching for Paradise in Parker PA."



Check out our Girlfriendology podcasts for our previous interview with Kris and visit www.KrisRadish.com for Kris' tour schedule, upcoming events and more info on her books. Thanks Kris and Cincinnati Joseph-Beth Booksellers!

Hangin' with best-selling girlfriend author KRIS RADISH

I had the honor of interviewing best-selling author KRIS RADISH tonight (see blog below for her great books!). She's in Cincinnati (at Joseph-Beth Booksellers) on her book tour for "Searching for Paradise in Parker PA" and took time out of her wildly busy day to talk with me about touring, her new book and the amazing women she's met on the book tour. Sign up for her newsletter to find out more about her upcoming Radish Retreat, etc. What a great girlfriend she is! Thanks Kris!!!

Mobile post sent by girlfriendology using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3

p.s. The interview video will be posted hopefully by this weekend. Also, listen to her previous podcast and send in questions for our next conversation. We'll interview Kris on a future podcast when she's back home after the tour.

Searching for Paradise with girlfriend author KRIS RADISH

We first met best-selling author KRIS RADISH through her wonderful girlfriend books:

* Elegant Gathering of the White Snows
* Dancing Naked at the Edge of Dawn
* Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral
* The Sunday List of Dreams

How could you not love a woman and her books that celebrate female friendship and demonstrate the power and potential of women as they lead ordinary, extraordinary lives?!

Kris spoke with us several months ago on our podcast and gave Girlfriendology her first sneak peak at Addy Lipton and the women (and men) of Parker, PA in her brand new book: Searching for Paradise in Parker PA.

Join Kris tonight in Cincinnati at Joseph-Beth Booksellers (Rookwood) at 7:00pm for a guaranteed wild book signing!

And, we'll videotape Kris at her book signing tonight so come back to Girlfriendology for our girlfriend videocast!

TIP TUESDAY #19 - Girlfriend Tips for going Green at Home

It may be trendy, and this may be Earth Day (month), but it's still 'not easy being green.' Organic, all natural, recycled, recyclable, tree-free papers, eco-friendly, soy ... the options are many and but the real choices (based on what's best for the environment, does the job and is cost effective) are few.

Who do you turn to in the real world for the real answers to confusing issues like green home products? Your girlfriends - of course! So, this week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

What are your tips for 'going green' for your home products?

For me, I've seen the new 'green' version of Clorox cleaning (non-bleach) products but I haven't tried them - have you? (If so, please comment!) My one tip is to use white vinegar for fabric softener. No chemicals, dyes or additives, it really does remove extra soap in fabrics and leaves you with soft, surprisingly pleasant-scented laundry!

So, girlfriends - go green for us! Together we can be a girlfriend to 'Mother Nature.' What's your tip? How can we be more green, girlfriend?!

Lessons from a Girlfriend - Podcast with STELLA GRIZONT, from Ladies Who Launch

Each of us are 'wired differently.' Some women are moms, some are moms of dogs/cats. Some of us love to cook, others just love to have someone cook for them (me!). Some women are 'home-bodies' and others (like previous podcast guest and travel solo author Beth Whitman of Wunderlust and Lipstick) love to explore exotic destinations. And then there are those who love working in a corporate environment and women who thrive as an entrepreneur. I am one of those women!

Actually, those women (female entrepreneurs) are 11 million strong in the U.S. and are growing at three times the number of male entrepreneurs. So, where to do these women go when they need a 'push' in launching their creative projects/businesses? One great resource is Ladies Who Launch - an organization that helps women successfully plant and grow their ideas into thriving businesses. To tell us about it, STELLA GRIZONT, Director of Incubator Development for Ladies Who Launch, joined us on a recent podcast to share information and resources for women with an entrepreneurial spirit and dream. (FYI - there is also a book for Ladies Who Launch: How to live your dreams and love your life!)

I totally enjoyed talking with Stella about Ladies Who Launch and their successful programs and resources for female entrepreneurs. I learned a lot from her too, like:

* FOLLOW YOUR PASSION - You can have all the resources, money and time but if you're not passionate about what you want to do, you may be successful but it will be more of a challenge and not as rewarding. Stick with what you're completely passionate about! (Like for me - promoting female friendship! I think Girlfriendology can make the world better and I'm passionate about that!)

* LOOK FOR RESOURCES - There's no reason to go it alone when you've got girlfriends who can help! Ladies Who Launch offers great resources for female entrepreneurs like events and entrepreneurial incubators - plus they have a book for anyone who wants to venture into their own venture.

* SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO JUMP - At 24, Stella was a Senior Brand Strategist at Young & Rubicam, one of the world's largest ad agencies. This prestigious position wasn't enough for her - she needed (you guessed it!) to do something for which she had passion. So, in 2007 Stella joined Ladies Who Launch full time as Director of Strategic Development working to expand the Incubator program into a global platform for women launchers. She develops new programming for members, trains leaders and continues to grow and garner the Ladies Who Launch brand experience.

Listen in to Stella on the newest Girlfriendology Podcast. Entrepreneurial dreams or not, you'll be inspired. Maybe to start your own business or just to start a new creative project. Or maybe you'll just be more equipped to inspire another girlfriend who may have dreams of being an entrepreneur. Inspire each other. That's what girlfriends do! Thanks Stella! Thanks Ladies Who Launch!

Great Girlfriend Story from my girlfriend Jill ...

It is Spring here in the mid-west and this morning was a perfect time to get together with friends for a puppy play date. (A perfectly muddy play date but still very fun!) My girlfriend Jill told me a great girlfriend story that I just had to share with you - in her words. So, everyone one ... Meet Jill! She's a blast and obviously a very loved girlfriend! Jill - thanks for sharing!

Mobile post sent by girlfriendology using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3

Which girlfriend should you celebrate with a "____ (her name) Day"?! Celebrate your girlfriends!

Life from New York ... Girlfriendology!

It was a rocking Friday night in NYC and I wished my girlfriends were there with me! Here's a quick message and photo from Time Square. It's just not as fun without a friend to share it with! Wish you were there!!

Mobile post sent by girlfriendology using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3

Where are YOUR favorite places for girlfriend trips? Big cities? Cruises? Spas? Share!

Hangin' with Smart Girlfriends at BlogHer NYC

If you listen to yesterday's post (a phone call message/image through Utterz), you know that I'm in NYC attending the BlogHer Business seminar. I've been in the techie world before and attended Comdex and other BIG technology conferences but this is the first with almost all women! Love it!!!

I'm getting a great response to Girlfriendology (after all - you can be, but don't have to be a Mommy, can be any age, race, political persuasion) - all girls/women NEED/Love/Have Girlfriends! I'm also meeting a lot of SMART women and am learning tons like:

* Manic Mommies - Erin spoke yesterday. They did a great Manic Mommies Escape weekend - complete with airport transport supplied by GM, etc. Cool event for a fun group of women!
* March of Dimes Blog (and Twitter) Queen Beverly - who blogs in english and spanish to help moms have healthy babies. (Talk about making a difference in people's lives!)
* Method, Graco, Kodak, HP, Microsoft and lots of businesses are blogging. Really interesting ways that they're communicating with the world about their businesses, causes, employees, etc.

Actually, there are too many amazing women here to mention all of them so I'll just have to stop there. Being around these women is just inspiring! If you're a blogger, I'd definitely recommend BlogHer (upcoming event in San Francisco). And, next time you're in a group of women, look for new girlfriends. I'm thankful and inspired by wonderful, SMART women who help each other and cheer for one another. Girlfriends - Life's better together.

Spreading the Girlfriendology word at BlogHer in NYC

I am on a mission to spread the word about the importance of female friendship - that's what Girlfriendology is all about! I attended BlogHer this week to promote Girlfriendology and learn from a lot of fabulous, smart, savvy, fun women how to use social media to inspire 'girlfriendship' around the globe. Here's my first ever Utterz message (audio recording) from a loud hotel lobby in NYC:

Mobile post sent by girlfriendology using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3

For info on making a similar pendant, visit GirlfriendologyToo - the blog for the creative side of girlfriends.