Lessons from a Girlfriend - Podcast interview with KAIRA ROUDA

I know, you can't judge a book by it's cover, but you can make a pretty good assessment of the book by talking with the author. You can tell by listening to KAIRA STRUDIVANT ROUDA that she knows 'her stuff' and that she has the knowledge and passion to really launch entrepreneurial women.

President of Real Living (one of the fastest growing real estate company in the U.S.) and creator of the Real Living brand, Kaira is passionate about entrepreneurism, marketing and the power of women in the workforce and beyond. A published author, journalist, marketing executive and business owner, she built her career by working in marketing for national brands and large regional advertising agencies. She is also a contributing writer and editor for national and regional publications. In addition to this, and an active volunteer schedule, Kaira is also a wife and mother of four.

With all this, Kaira found time to talk with Girlfriendology on our podcast about her new book - Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs. Together we discussed the importance of female friendship (aka: support) as an entrepreneur and we learned a lot, like these 'Lessons from a Girlfriend':

* BE YOU - This book is no fluff. It is a great guide to living a life you love and creating a career of your dreams. As the title references, you need to be 'you' to be a happy, fulfilled, successful entrepreneur. The book helps you identify your 'word' - a description that is the core to building the career and lifestyle that is uniquely perfect for YOU. And, Kaira (whose word is "visionary" - which is true!) shows us how YOU are the brand and how that is a very good thing. (Read the book - you'll agree!)
* HAVE TIME FOR YOU - Kaira's days are filled with running a successful company, fulfilling her book PR, volunteering and more - PLUS being a wife and mother of four. The most frequent question asked of her is "How do you do it?!" Listen in for her answer and be prepared to be inspired from a realistic and inspiring woman! (Great lesson there!)
* DREAM BIG - Kaira believes you hold the cards (and the real you) to a wonderful, BIG life. In fact, in her book she wrote: "Allow yourself to think big, be ambitious. This is your life, so get it right." Such a great reminder on the important things in life and the role we all need to take in getting our life right.

Women are starting businesses at twice the rate of men and 1 out of 11 women are an entrepreneur - that's a lot of us! Maybe there's an entrepreneurial dream inside you (or a girlfriend) or perhaps you just need to jumpstart your goals.

Listen to Kaira on this inspiring podcast. Read an excerpt, check out Kaira's web site and definitely get her book Real You Incorporated (for you and/or a friend). Isn't it comforting to know that the woman you dream to be, is already inside of YOU - just waiting to emerge!? Thanks Kaira for your interview, book and overall guidance. We all benefit by your visionary inspiration!

Mr. Big, Mom's Girlfriend and Female Friendship

I found the following wonderful story on the Blond & Blithe blog. It is a beautiful, happy, sad story on girlfriends. Thanks Emily for writing it and for granting me permission to feature it here. Check out her blog for more fun, feminine stories and take a lesson from Emily to cherish your time with girlfriends!

Mr. Big to Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte: "You're the loves of her life and a guy's just lucky to come in fourth."

Big, of course, understood, (even if it was ficticious), that a woman's friends are everything to her, especially as we get older and more independent. Sometimes, in some ways, more important than our love relationships with our men. We turn to our friends when things go wrong with our love relationships, our jobs or with other friends. Our girlfriends are our confidants. Only a few friends of mine know EVERYTHING about me-secrets that I would faint over it they became public knowledge-Things I couldn't hold in-but just had to get out. My truest friends are like living, breathing vaults. What I tell them gets stored safely and kept from being revealed. At my age, when I get stressed about things, and just can't take them anymore, calling my mother is not what I prefer. Instead, I think about unloading on my girlfriends because I know they will always listen and won't be parental. We encourage each other to talk, divulge, and lend our shoulders to cry on and in some way, we kind of enjoy it. We are each other's therapist. I love my friends deeply and with all my heart. They know who they are. I look forward to being with them as much as I can, and treat my monthly gatherings like religious events-they're not to be missed. Because being with the girls is important in keeping a woman's soul content. It's necessary for the health of my mind and my well being. Without them I'd be forever lost.

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My mom called me in the middle of the day last Wednesday with a pleading tone in her voice. "Would you please pick me up today and take me to the hospital to see Dorothy-she's taken a turn for the worse, and they don't think she'll make it through the night." Dorothy is my mom's friend of 30 years and she is dying of lung cancer. I knew my mom had no way to get to the hospital on her own, because she has a difficult time seeing when she drives. I had so much to do that day-a doll to make for a Mother's Day order and I was dug in and on a roll and I didn't want to leave because I had a strong desire to finish and get it mailed out. But, more than wanting to finish that doll, I had a knawing feeling that I was the only way my mom would get to see Dorothy while she was still alive and I didn't want to be the reason why she was denied that right, particuliarly since I was basically available and able to do it. I knew this was important to her, so I agreed to take her to the hospital.

While in the car travelling to the hospital, my mom reflected on her years of friendship with Dorothy and, through tears, told me Dorothy is her only girlfriend and she will be so lost without her. My mom is going to be 80 in November and Dorothy just turned 71. My mom kept saying, "I never thought I'd be seeing this day-I thought she would be burying me. Why does God take the good ones?" I really didn't know what to say, so instead, I just lent an ear to her painful memories.

We got to the hospital and didn't know what to expect, because she hadn't seen Dorothy since before she got diagnosed with cancer just before Easter. With trepidation, we entered the room and saw Dorothy lying in the bed, asleep with her mouth wide open and drawn in, and she was beginning the shallow type of breathing called 'chain stoking, which is characteristic of impending death. I recognized it from going through this when my mother-in-law was dying of cancer. They can hear you, all you have to do is go up to them and say their name and they open their eyes for a few seconds and acknowledge you then go back into what seems a semi-coma.

The tears came quickly for my poor mom. She absolutely hated seeing her best friend lying there helpless and ready to die. She just kept saying, "What am I going to do without her? She's my only girlfriend." It tore my heart out listening to her. I imagined the future and being in her shoes. What if it was one of my precious girlfriends lying there dying? I would be absolutely besides myself with grief. My friends are so important to me-now more than ever in my life, I have needed them like a daily dose of vitamins. What is my mom going to do?

I urged her to go by Dorothy's side and talk to her-to let her know she's there and that she should tell her the things she wants her to know before she passes. This was her only chance. She stood there, stunned, tears running down her wrinkled cheeks. All she could do was gently and lovingly rub her friend's arm from elbow to wrist, incapable of saying a word. "Mom," I encourged, "Talk to her. She can hear you."

"Dorothy...it's Ann. I'm here. I love you." Dorothy very briefly awoke, nodded her head and told her, very weakly that she loved her, too. Oh, my God, it was so sad. Tears welled up in my eyes and it was all I could do to keep from crying, but I had to be strong for my mom.

We sat there for a few hours and watched her rest. I sat at the foot of her bed and watched Dorothy's chest rise and fall, and I could see her heart beating through her hospital gown. Her poor heart was working as hard as it could, but soon, very soon, it would beat it's last. Her breaths were distant and long, and I found myself breathing in time with her. I felt short of breath because her breathing rhythm wasn't enough for me to sustain myself comfortably. I imagined if that's what dying felt like. (Trust me. In a quiet room with a dying person, there's not much to do and your imagination can run away with you.) Each breath was followed by the next in what seemed like an eternity. She appeared to be gasping for air because she was only breathing with one lung-the other was full of cancer and wasn't functioning. As she lay there, I got fearful, and kept thinking she was going to die right in front of me. I watched her and thoughts flooded my mind of when she was healthy-she was so funny, and full of life. She and my mom were both career waitresses. Dorothy had just quit working less than a year ago. These women both worked hard their entire lives and had a real commonality. They understood eachother. They confided in eachother, cried together, and shared laughter and joys. It was all about to come to an end.

The nurse came in and asked Dorothy if she wanted her to call her daughter from Pennsylvania, and she slowly nodded her head yes, and said very stongly, "I love her!" I won't ever forget that. I plan on telling her daughter Dianna what she said. I know it will make her feel good.

My mom called me yesterday and told me Dorothy passed at 7am while her priest was praying over her. She died peacefully and with God. Now my mom is friendless and my heart truly aches for her. What is she to do? She's almost 80, and it's probably too late for her to make new friends, at least the the kind with deep bonds of trust that's shared between two women that only comes after a long time of sharing and caring. After 45 years of life together, my mom and I have the same elements of a friendship, hewn from decades of familiarity, and weathering difficult stages of life together, finally popping to the surface in one piece and still loving eachother. We see each other as equals now. I'm still 'the kid' but in some ways, my mom is now seeing me as a confidant - a friend. I find myself turning to her at times of stress. I love her. I enjoy her company. It's time for me to step up to the plate and take her under my wing. My mother needs a friend now and that friend is me.
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Emily - thanks so much for sharing this story with Girlfriendology and for your beautiful, wonderful blog. For your gracious sharing of this story and for the example of friendship that you set, thank you. Your mom, me, you ... we all need girlfriends.

TIP TUESDAY #22 - Girlfriends: what's your favorite internet contest?

Lately Girlfriendology has been getting some great attention. Publishers and manufacturers are sending books, bags, jewelry, etc. to give away as prizes. In May, we have over 40 prizes to give away in our monthly Girlfriendology Contest. (And, all you have to do is send us a short girlfriend story - this month based on a birthday event/gift between girlfriends.) You can see all the prizes here - so send in your stories to contest@girlfriendology.com! (And, your stories will inspire others when shared on our podcast!)

As girlfriends often offer, I'd love your advice on our contest. So, this week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

What's your favorite internet contest? Do you enter online contests? Why or why not?(And, what would inspire you to share a girlfriend story?)

What inspired this TIP TUESDAY question was a popular, fun review and contest site. Shannan is a working mom who blogs about her life as happily married, mother of two boys (hence her 'testosterone jungle' world!). Her one blog, MommyBits, shares updates and lessons on being a mom. Her other blog, MommyBitsReviews, is a review/contest blog by Shannan and her girlfriend, Kathi. In addition to advice you can trust (come on - if you can't trust your girlfriends, who can you trust?!), they also have regular contests (like this one for Pizza Hut!).

Check out MommyBitsReviews for contests/reviews on everything from pasta to software, juice to make-up. Then stop back at Girlfriendology for our May Girlfriendology Contest. We have fab books by wonderful women authors ready for prizes. Be a girlfriend and share your girlfriend story!

Lessons from a Girlfriend - Podcast with KRISTEN BEIREIS

Isn't it funny how you meet and find girlfriends? Some of mine are from college or previous jobs, others are neighbors or friends from organizations (like my friend Vicki), some friends are friends of friends or just women that I found we have something in common. All of them leave imprints on our lives. And, all of us have the opportunity to inspire others and to help them on their journey to a happy life (as they also accompany us on this adventure!).

KRISTEN BEIREIS believes we need girlfriends to help us in so many areas of our lives. As a life, career and business coach, she helps her clients explore ways to 'love Mondays' and their lives. As a girlfriend, she supports her friends in the same process of identifying their dreams and encouraging them as they reach to achieve it.

Kristen spoke with us this week on our podcast (now semi-weekly!). Wise beyond her years and enthusiastic about life and her profession, friends and family, Kristen uses lessons learned in her life to help her clients and girlfriends live happy. A few lessons from Kristen:

* BE HAPPY - From her cheery voice and her contageous enthusiasm, you know Kristen is a nice person, a good girlfriend and a positive influence to all around her. Her coaching business, Amazing Steps, is about helping people be happy in their careers - which may mean changing careers or staying where they are and making it what they really want. She helps us find our passion and turn it into a career so we 'love Mondays' - and that's a happy thing!
* BE A FRIEND - As Kristen shares in this podcast, girlfriends often are our support systems that help us make transitions in our lives. So, girlfriends play a large role in our careers. Support from girlfriends is sometimes how we get the courage to admit that something isn't working. And, they're there for us to help us figure out the best solution - which is great since they know us so well and are acting on our behalf.
* BE CREATIVE IN MAKING AND MAINTAINING FRIENDSHIPS - Kristen is a social media maven and uses the internet to find, establish and grow her friendships. She embraces sites/networks like Twitter and Facebook* to find new friends who have common interests and even possibly work together in the future. Communication with internet friends is different than with face-to-face friends, Kristen explained, but it doesn't mean they are any less a girlfriend. Some of the friends she has made over the internet are the ones with whom she shares more openly.

I met Kristen online and am happy to have found her! Be open to meeting new girlfriends. Explore new friendships and make contacts online or even in-line at your local grocery store! Just connect with other women - you never know when you'll make a great new girlfriend!

Check out Kristen on AmazingSteps.com and VirtualHelper4u. And, listen in to Kristen on our latest semi-weeklyGirlfriendology podcast. Thanks Kristen!

Tune in Wednesday for our podcast interview with Kaira Sturdivant Rouda, President of Real Living real estate company and author of Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs. (And, enter the contest for a chance to win a copy of her great book!!)

* Check out the Girlfriendology Facebook group to meet some great girlfriends too!

Helping a girlfriend through a transition - Chocolate helps!

My thoughtful girlfriend Jennifer (from my entrepreneurial group in blog below), gave me this wonderful orange daisy chocolate to celebrate my leaving a job and moving forward toward my dreams. (Recognize the flower in the Girlfriendology logo?!) She wasn't the only girlfriend who marked this change in my career and life with a gift or card. My friend Katie (who is so dang thoughtful!) gave me a bottle of wine, some girlfriend gifts, cards and a note that was so sweet - I'll save it forever. My girlfriends Carole, Becky, Barb, Dana and Cath all shared meals with me last week (and bought - you kind, generous girlfriends!).

Even on her girlfriend weekend, my sweet girlfriend Ellen called from FL to ask how my last day was. Numerous emails and calls came from girlfriends near and far to mark this new chapter of my life. Each one showed their support and love - which I do not know what I would do without!

Thanks to all of you! Thanks for your friendship, love and support. And, thanks for being the inspiration for Girlfriendology. We can make the world a better place - one friendship at a time. THANKS GIRLFRIENDS!

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Have a dream? Start a Girlfriend group!

Big or small, dreams are passionate goals that can transform our lives. And, the people who help us in reaching them, are indispensible mentors and cheerleaders. In many cases, girlfriends are the ones who help us see and reach our dreams. And, when you bring a group of girlfriends together, with the goal of challenging and helping each other, magical things can happen.

I know. Several times in my life, as I was following my entrepreneurial goals, I found (or started) a gathering of like-minded women to help each other. Shown here are a few of my WE (women entrepreneurs) group. Each have different skills, experiences, personalities and passions. Our dreams and businesses are diverse, but our friendship and support for each other keep us together and actively stretching ourselves.

WE meet monthly to discuss our updates, challenges, achievements and goals. WE hold each other accountable and offer grace if we were not able to achieve what we had hoped. WE listen, cheer, share, brainstorm and support.

Meet my WE girlfriends: Tina (top left) is the owner of Casa DeLorenzo - and makes exquisite custom pillows, as well as offering Interior Design Services. Jennifer is the Director of Beaded Hope - Beaded Hope's mission is to fight HIV/AIDS one person at a time by providing South Africans with the opportunity to earn an income, support their families and nurture their creativity while preserving age-old beadworking traditions.* (Jennifer - Sorry for the closed eyes photo!) Judy is a writer with lots of experience, promise and ideas for PublishSmart. Joyce (bottom right) is opening an online store of beautiful heirloom clothes and gifts for children - watch for HeirloomsToBe.com!

Do you have dreams? Aspirations? Creative ideas you'd love to pursue? You don't need to go it alone - bring along your girlfriends! Start a girlfriend group and dream together. Share the successes and struggles, joys and jolts along the way. But you'll love the company along with you on the journey!

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NOTE: Jennifer also 'stars' in our upcoming Girlfriendology video which should be posted early next week. However, in the meantime, she is offering a discount on BeadedHope.com for Girlfriendology girlfriends! Just enter "GOGIRL" in the discount code for 15% off until May 15th. Thanks Jennifer!

Girlfriendology Contest PRIZES - May (Kinda like gifts for my girlfriends!)

If I could, I'd give all my girlfriends gifts - all the time. I'd spoil them with surprises on their doorstep; thoughtful, fun cards with meaningful messages; gift certificates for mani/pedi pampering handmade presents to show how much they mean to me. Giving gifts to girlfriends is, in my opinion, even better than receiving gifts. We get to brighten her day and build into an important relationship. We can express our love and support and feel the joy that comes from making someone special feel special.

Each month on Girlfriendology we have a contest to ask YOU for YOUR girlfriend stories. This shameless begging for events and lessons from girlfriends is a great resource for then sharing your stories and motivating others (who hopefully share their story and the circle of 'great girlfriendship' expands making the world a better place for us all - seriously!).

The May Girlfriendology Contest asks you for ideas, memories and gratitude for special girlfriend birthdays. Birthdays are our day for special attention and a great opportunity to show friends and family how much we love them. And, since we're often rushed for time or stressed with too much to do, these shared ideas can inspire us to do the little (or big) things that make your favorite gal pal overlook the age and just be happy for being born around the same time as YOU.

This month several publishers have provided their books and items as additional PRIZES. Each day a girlfriend story submitted with be selected at random and she will receive one of the following great books:

NOVEL DESTINATIONS: Literary Landmarks From Jane Austen's Bath to Ernest Hemingway's Key West by Joni Rendon and Shannon McKenna Schmidt. We'll interview Shannon and Joni on a podcast for next week about this book that invites readers to follow in the footsteps of much-loved authors, discover the scenes that sparked their imaginations, glimpse the lives they led, and share a bit of the experiences they transformed so eloquently into print. We'll find out their behind-the-scenes adventures of writing this amazing book together - as literary, and literally, girlfriends!

THE ANGEL, by CARLA NEGGERS. Carla is the New York Times bestselling author of THE WIDOW, ABANDON, BREAKWATER and DARK SKY. Her books have been translated into dozens of languages and earned her critical praise and the loyalty of readers. I had the honor of doing a video interview with Carla this week on her book tour (video to be up early next week - tune in!) - she's great and I know you'll love her new hardcover book!

REAL YOU INCORPORATED: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs, by Kaira Sturdivant Rouda. Kaira is an author, popular speaker, wife, mother of four and President of Real Living real estate company. Her new book is an essential guide for women who have entrepreneurial dreams. (And, if you don't have those, wouldn't you love to give this to a girlfriend who does?! Enter the contest!!) Listen to the May 7th podcast interview with Kaira!

So girlfriends, while my budget and time allocation prohibit me from being the generous gift-giving girlfriend that I'd love to be, I am thrilled to be able to show my appreciation for your sharing of girlfriend stories with Girlfriendology with the above prizes. I look forward to your stories and to sending you something special. Thanks for being great girlfriends and for sharing your girlfriend birthdays with Girlfriendology!

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.

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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!

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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.

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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!!!

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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.