Podcasts about Erma Bombeck

Meet a Modern-Day Erma Bombeck! Brenda Prater Sellers has done it all: climbed Mt. Everest, chatted with celebrities, and written a book about her fabulous adventures. She's slept in some of the craziest places and learned a lot of lessons about perseverance, mental health, and supporting loved ones while inspiring others. Brenda shares her story, discusses her travels, and encourages readers to focus on what matters in life. Author of “You Slept Where? Calamities of a Clumsy Businesswoman.”January Jones Sharing Senior Success is broadcast live Thursdays at 3PM ET Music on W4CY Radio (www.w4cy.com) part of Talk 4 Radio (www.talk4radio.com) on the Talk 4 Media Network (www.talk4media.com January Jones Sharing Senior Success is viewed on Talk 4 TV (www.talk4tv.com).January Jones Sharing Senior Success Podcast is also available on Talk 4 Media (www.talk4media.com), Talk 4 Podcasting (www.talk4podcasting.com), iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, Pandora, Spotify, Audible, and over 100 other podcast outlets.

Our guest on the podcast today is Melissa Yamaguchi, who has been a student, educator, devoted practitioner, and teacher of Feng Shui and Energy for 28 years. Having traveled the world teaching lessons on the balance of the environment through the practice of Feng Shui, she found that it was all for naught if the person himself was out of balance. She began focusing, practicing, teaching, and subsequently speaking on the need for self-knowledge. Her classes are often sold-out venues thanks to her humorous delivery.Melissa's presentations have been described as “Erma Bombeck meets Dorothy Parker with a hard shot of truth. Her leadership is further rooted in her experience as the first President of the Professional Beauty Association and the first female President of The Salon Association, roles that showcase her leadership and influence.Melissa's expertise extends beyond Feng Shui. She has been featured in numerous publications, including The Huffington Post, and has spoken to many diverse audiences, from corporate leaders to civic organizations. She is also the Vice President and Co-Founder of the Mariel Hemingway Foundation, a vital resource for mental wellness, and the co-host of Out Comes the Sun, a podcast dedicated to exploring mental, physical, and spiritual health.In today's episode, Melissa brings her deep knowledge of Feng Shui and energy to illuminate the shifts from 2024's Year of the Yang Wood Dragon to 2025's Year of the Yin Wood-Snake. We'll explore how these transitions influence global dynamics, personal growth, and business innovation—and discover how we can harness these energies to thrive in the year ahead.Key TakeawaysMelissa's guidance on the elemental energies of 2026 and how the yin wood snake unlocks the energy of transformationDive deep into the revolutionary and evolutionary nature of our current timesHow energy moves in complex multi-directional patternsDiscover how global power dynamics are driven by resource competitionWhat influences Feng Shui and the elemental shifts are bringing to leadership and business dynamicsEpisode Resources:Yamaguchi Lifestyle WebsiteMelissa's Linkedin ProfileOther links for Melissa and her workSacredChangemakers.comOur Sacred CommunityJayne Warrilow on LinkedinThank you to our sponsor:A huge thank you to our Inner Circle members, podcast sponsors, and extended Sacred Changemakers community, all of whom are visible on our website and helping us make a global impact aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.If you would like to support our show:Please rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and other podcast platforms. We would be SO grateful.Sacred Changemakers is a transformation company that believes in change for good. We provide community and resources for changemakers (coaches, consultants, speakers, authors, business owners, leaders, and conscious humans) to awaken their purpose, lead with resonance, and change the world. Together, we are making a meaningful difference. If you are a fellow changemaker who would like the support of an incredible...

Les, Kurt and Jason are back to check in with each other because there's been a lot going on… and because Les and Kurt finally saw Demi Moore's face in her butt (because they saw The Substance). If the same thing happened to Kurt, he thinks a dermatologist may want Kurt to explain why it happened… but Jason thinks that would most certainly be the dermatologist's job. Then the guys dream cast that the perfect face talking from our butts on this should should be Blac Chyna, who thinks that Cardi B should be talking of HER butt when it comes to Offset. Then, the guys are ready to talk about the 2020 Netflix movie Holidate. Les picked the movie thinking it would be very much in the wheelhouse of this podcast, but it turns out that Holidate is a broad hard R romantic comedy in which we get to see Kristen Chenoweth play very much against type, a father daughter dance at a wedding done to a very inappropriate song choice, and some very unnecessary bowel movement sound effects. This movie did not (despite some confusion) feature Ryan Gosling OR Erma Bombeck.   Bluesky: lifetimeofhallmark Facebook : lifetimeofhallmark Instagram : lifetimeofhallmarkpodcast Threads: lifetimeofhallmarkpodcast TikTok: lifetimeofhallmarkpod

By the 1980s there was a new American family archetype that included stepparents, stepchildren, step-siblings, exes and new mates. This was this environemnt writer Delia Ephron stepped into in 1982. It wasn't long before Ephron, a talented writer who had already written several books, realized she needed to write a book about her new blended famikly experience. In this 1986 interview Ephron talks about her book Funny Sauce. Get your copy of Funny Sauce by Delia Ephron As an Amazon Associate, Now I've Heard Everything earns from qualifying purchases.You may also enjoy my interviews with Erma Bombeck and Suzanne Somers For more vintage interviews with celebrities, leaders, and influencers, subscribe to Now I've Heard Everything on Spotify, Apple Podcasts. and now on YouTube Photo by Wes Washington #divorce #strepmothers #blended families #family

The second play by Allison and Margaret Engel — about the life of American columnist and humorist Erma Bombeck — debuts in Iowa in December.

On Today's Episode Master Palmist Myrna Lou Goldbaum joins us for all new tall about her life as a palmist and encounters with skeptics and just the curious minds alike! Myrna Lou Goldbaum has read palms for 70+ years with documentation of 59,000 hands. She is a Master Palmist and a published author. List of famous people's palms she has read: President Gerald Ford Myrna Loy (Movie star) Phil Donahue (TV Talk Show host) Erma Bombeck (author) Clint Eastwood (actor) Chevy Chase (actor) Arsenio Hall (TV host, actor) Kevin Bacon (actor) Sly Stalone (actor) Ivana Trump Jackie Gleason (TV show) John Travolta (actor) Jan Fowler Mrs. America (in CA) Marla Martenson (Hollywood match Maker)) Peter Boyles (Radio talk Show host) Jacquie Jordan (agent, producer, author) Patricia Richarson (TV show host)) Dr. Steven Greer (Disclosure UFO) Stanton Friedman (UFO Reacher) Mayor of Santa Barbara   Mayor of Denver & wife David Brenner (comedian) Wayne Dwyer (lecturer, author) Dannon Brinkley (metaphysician) David Brenner (comedian) Broncos Football team (Denver CO) John Elway (quarterback Broncos) Pat Bohlen )Owner of Bronco team) Her Works Include's : Won 1st and second place in National Writing Contest - Colorado Independent Publishers Assn. Hosted/Produced her television show, SOUL MATE CONNECTIONS 800,000 hits on the website. 90-96% accuracy. In a survey by Alexa, Bing and Goggle won: #12th Best Palmist in the World #6th Best Palmistry website in the US Second place (600 applicants) on KHOW Denver radio station, for Clear Channel: “WHO WANTS TO BE A RADIO SHOW HOST?” Guest on numerous radio, podcast, and television shows Contributing writer for many metaphysical articles for magazines Seventeen Magazine: www.palmreaderofthemonthonline.com The accuracy rate is 90-95% in every reading. She has read palms for people in 94 countries.      --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dashitout/support

In part three of my conversation with multiple New York Times bestselling author Jacquelyn Mitchard, author of "A Very Inconvenient Scandal" and "The Deep End of the Ocean," among many other titles, we talk about how having writer friends is so important, even if you "jealous them", the vision of the future that's fueling her to keep writing, and the recent books that made her swoon. This week's episodes are replays. I have a ton of interviews on the books for the next few weeks so never fear–fresh content is on its way! In the meantime, enjoy this re-visiting of a conversation with a fiction legend. - The writers--and books--that make Jacquelyn jealous (a word that she uses as a verb, as in, "I'm jealousing her." - Her love for British crime shows, including the ones that are currently keeping her up way too late - The BBC podcast she's addicted to - The beauty of enjoying nature--through a window - The saying on the mug that she brought home from the Erma Bombeck conference that is her current motto - The songs Jacquelyn listens to when she needs a pick-me-up - The meal "that's probably 2,000 calories per bite" that she would ask for if someone said they would make her anything she wanted For full show notes with links to everything we discuss, plus bonus photos!, visit katehanley.substack.com. Thank you for listening! And thanks to this week's sponsor, Air Doctor Pro. Visit airdoctorpro.com and use code KATE to save 30% off an amazing indoor air filter *and* receive a free three-year warranty (an $84 value). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thank you for joining our conversation today as we kick off season 6 with a trip to Denver, some quick wardrobe changes, and more hilarious "Tails From the Dog Park." Tanya loved her trip to Denver and told all about the details and Jasa filled us in on what we didn't want to know about food. It was a fun reunion and, of course, way too long, per usual. But all in good, clean fun. We love you - thanks for hanging out here! Tanya Superlatively Yes website Superlatively Yes on Patreon Superlatively Yes Instagram Page Superlatively Yes Facebook Page Jasa's Instagram Jasa's Facebook Tanya's Instagram Tanya's Facebook Audiobooks:  Karen Kingsbury, The Chance Mark Hyman, Food Hoopla App Trivia Crack Game Wheel of Fortune Game TV: Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Prime Rescue Special Ops, Prime Australia  Interview with John-Paul Miller. (Mica Miller) The Perfect Couple Unfrosted The Big Year Cute and Fun links: Salt and Stone (Santal and Vetiver) Veronica Clog in Silver OPI Lincoln Park After Dark Kut From The Cloth Coated Wide Leg Jean Charlotte Tilbury In Love With Olivia Lipstick Chapters 00:00Catching Up on Recent Trips and Adventures 03:17Heartbreak Over Micah Miller's Alleged Treatment 08:03The Joy of Trivia Games and Hobbies 09:05Enjoying the Outdoors and Cherishing Time with Children 16:18Supportive Spouses and Happy Marriages 17:28Mindful Eating and Healthy Choices 23:16Hobbies and Creative Outlets for Joy and Fulfillment

>Plus, an interview with our very first guest in 2019: Missy Moore from Thunder River Theatre Company In this episode of the OnStage Colorado Podcast, hosts Alex Miller and Toni Tresca celebrate the 100th episode of the pod. It all started back in May of 2019 with our first guest, Missy Moore. Now the artistic director at Carbondale's Thunder River Theatre Company, Moore joins the pod to mark our 100th episode and to update us on what's up with TRTC.   This episode also includes a deep dive into the world of alternative Shakespeare. From Merry Wives of Windsor done as a '70s sitcom to versions of Hamlet written in Klingon, we take a look at some of the many curious ways in which the Bard's work has been reinterpreted over the centuries.   And we also discuss this week's Colorado Headliners, our Top 10 list of interesting shows and events upcoming. This week's Headliners:  21st Annual Sans Souci Festival of Dance Cinema — Aug. 30 through Sept. 1 at the Museum of Boulder Don't Tell Comedy - Aug. 30 in Denver's Baker area and Aug. 31 in Clayton. 2024 Queer Reading Series - And Toto Too Theatre Cp,[amu at Roaming Gnome Theatre, Aurora, on Sept. 3 Second Star on the Left - A burlesque musical from Bender Flames at Meow Wolf on Sept. 5-6 The Android's New Soul - A sci-fi musical by Dana Cain at 17 at the Bug Theatre, Sept. 6-15 Aurora Fox 40th Anniversary Gala - Sept. 7 Waitress - Arvada Center Aug. 30-Oct. 13 Afterschool Power Hour at Chaos Bloom - Aug 31 Headwaters New Play Festival at Creede Repertory Theatre - Aug. 30 Erma Bombeck at Wit's End – Denver Center Garner Galleria Sept. 4-22

In this fun bonus behind-the-scenes episode, Tara is joined by her friends Priscilla Kavanaugh, Terri Fry, and Rachael Kay Albers as they dive into motherhood, humor, and the wild world of online trolling. They chat about Erma Bombeck's witty take on parenting, the pressures of modern motherhood, and the magic of self-deprecating humor. The conversation then shifts to the dark side of social media: online trolls. They explore the trolls' impact on content creators, the human craving for validation, and the empathy gap in online interactions. With personal stories and laughs, they highlight the complexities of digital communication and the importance of kindness in the internet age. Tune in for a true “fly on the wall” discussion that blends humor, heartfelt moments, and a call for more empathy online. Links: https://www.instagram.com/itspkav/ https://www.instagram.com/momlikethat_/ https://www.instagram.com/rachael.kay.albers/

June, the month for Children's Day, Father's Day, Flag Day, a month for birthdays, wedding anniversaries, bridal showers, weddings, graduations, family reunions and the celebration of family. I find it very interesting that Children's Day and Flag Day fall on the same day and Father's Day and the first day of summer are also on the same day this year. It is such a joy to listen to the children, for they seem to be our master teachers. One boy, a fifth grader said, without my father, it would be like a ball without any air inside it. It seems that something and every child no matter how old yearns to be connected with his father in an affirming relationship. Their heartfelt responses can really warm your heart. A recent Gallup poll brought out that 70% use very positive words like "great," "fantastic," "tremendous," "close," or "warm" in describing their relationship with their father. Dr. Ken Canfield, Director of the National Center on Fathering states, "Children, particularly when they are young, think their father is the smartest, richest, and strongest man on earth." Research and the experience of fathers confirms this statement. And how do we describe our children and our grandchildren? The sainted Erma Bombeck, who was famous for her column, "At Wit's End," wrote in an article which appeared in May 1977, that bringing up children is like flying kites. The following are her warm thoughts. "I see children as kites. You spend a lifetime trying to let them off the ground. You run with them until you're both breathless, they crash. You add a longer tail. They hit the roof top, you pluck them out of the spout. You patch and comfort, adjust and teach. You watch them lift by the wind and assure them that someday they will fly. Finally, they are airborne, but they need more string and you keep letting it out. With each twist is a ball of twine. There is a sadness that goes with the joy because the kite becomes more distant. And somehow you know that it won't be long before that beautiful creature will snap the lifeline that bound you together. And soar as it was meant to soar - free and alone. Only then do you know that you did your job."A Bit of Wisdom: "The best things to give a child - roots and wings." H. Carter. "There is just one way to bring up a child in the way he should go and that is to travel that way yourself." Abraham Lincoln. Give your child or grandchild a hug! Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Dr. Luetta G. Werner Published in the Marion Record, June 4th, 1998.Download the Found Photo Freebie and cherish your memories of the past.Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast,Spotify,Stitcher, and Overcast. And don't forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I'd greatly appreciate it.Till next time,Trina

...would YOU do anything differently?  This thought-provoking subject was one of Erma Bombeck's most famous syndicated columns written back in 1979.  Bombeck, a funny, wise, and prolific writer, was followed for decades by 30 million newspaper readers across the USA and Canada.  Julie and Penny share her unforgettable column which just might stir up some deep thoughts of your own.   facebook.com/coupladustymuffins,instagram.com/coupladustymuffinscoupladustymuffins@gmail.com

In part three of my conversation with multiple New York Times bestselling author Jacquelyn Mitchard, author of "A Very Inconvenient Scandal" and "The Deep End of the Ocean," among many other titles, we talk about how having writer friends is so important, even if you "jealous them", the vision of the future that's fueling her to keep writing, and the recent books that made her swoon. - The writers--and books--that make Jacquelyn jealous (a word that she uses as a verb, as in, "I'm jealousing her." - Her love for British crime shows, including the ones that are currently keeping her up way too late - The BBC podcast she's addicted to - The beauty of enjoying nature--through a window - The saying on the mug that she brought home from the Erma Bombeck conference that is her current motto - The songs Jacquelyn listens to when she needs a pick-me-up - The meal "that's probably 2,000 calories per bite" that she would ask for if someone said they would make her anything she wanted For full show notes, with links to everything Jacquelyn and I discuss, plus bonus photos!, visit katehanley.substack.com. And if you'd like to receive these episodes ad-free, become a paid subscriber at katehanley.substack.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Karyl Miller joined me and talked about growing up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the late 1950's; being a loner; listening to radio and begging her father to buy a TV; going to Cal Arts for a summer program; not going to college; going to night fashion school; mom wanting her to marry a nice Jewish man; being inspired by Lily Tomlin; wrote spec scripts while designing dresses; met Garry Marshall; got a job writing interstitials for Love, American Style; wrote for a dress designer sitcom called Needles and Pins; her spec script got her hired for Lily Tomlin specials and season 3 of the Mary Tyler Moore Show; writing Lily Tomlin's monologues; turning down Lorne Michaels' offer for SNL; writing for Cher's 1975 variety show; her first MTM "Rhoda's Sisters Wedding" and the famous letter sequence; her other episode "WJM Tries Harder"; writing for Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice; writing a freelance episode of Karen; writing a Maude and being afraid of Bea Arthur; being brought into Diff'rent Strokes when Charlotte Rae wants a female writer and being fired after 9 days; teaming up with Richard Pryor to write a Sanford & Son that didn't get filmed; finishing writing a pilot Richard started; working on the Erma Bombeck sitcom Maggie; being picketed while going in to write Love, Sidney; writing an episode of the Bea Arthur sitcom Amandas; being a TV snob and not writing for "bad" shows; the nightmare that was The Cosby Show; Madeline Kahn; Kate & Allie; Foley Square; being on staff on My Sister Sam and fighting with Dianne English over an episode where Pam Dawber has an affair; writing an episode of David Rules; her career being hurt by turning down shows she didn't like and the shows she dd not hiring women; turning down The Love Boat; how doodling on scripts led to cartooning and creating her own font; becoming a political cartoonist and being the President of the Southern California Cartoonist Society

Join us as we welcome Erma Bombeck's daughter, Betsy, to today's show! She talks with us about growing up being written about, her brother's writing escapades and her mom's famous friends! 

Kim Gentry Meyer has been blessed with many gifts.  She is a talented poet, singer, songwriter, pianist and artist.  She was Mrs. Massachusetts in 2020 and recently released her debut album entitled Herald.  On this album she uses all of her God-given abilities.  She wrote all of the songs, painted a different sunset for each song, sang the songs and played piano.  Her goal is to use all of her gifts and talents to glorify the Lord.Kim was raised in a family with a long legacy of serving the Lord.  Her two great- grandmothers were in ministry.  One was an evangelist and the other was a church planter.  This was back in the day when women were somewhat limited in the role they played in church, especially in the deep south.  Today Kim leans into the Christian legacy of her family.  With a goal to Finish Strong, one of her favorite quotes is from Erma Bombeck.  It says, “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope I can say I have nothing left.  I used every-thing you gave me.”Be ready to be inspired to give everything you have for the kingdom of God after listening to this edition of FINISH STRONG!Support the showFearless Faith Websiteffaith.orgTo leave a review - Open Finish Strong on the Apple Podcast app and scroll down until you see "Ratings & Reviews". There will be a link to click so that you can "Write A Review"FacebookYouTubeInstagram

There's more to life than speeding it up. So much more! And in this edition of Doing What Works we'll give you a list of inaction items.Here are your show notes…Humanity isn't a hack.Silence is the only true religion.Erma Bombeck wrote a lot of clipworthy columns.

Also talk today's Punxsutawney Phil early Spring prediction, Harold Ramis and the 1993 movie Groundhog Day, Don Pardo and Jimmy Pardo, Walter Koenig, architect Louis Sullivan, Chicago School architecture, cornices, Charlie St. Cloud, Andrew Bird, Squirrel Nut Zippers, fun last names, Robert Frost, Klezmer, ottomans, boudoirs, Erma Bombeck, The Federal Duck, The Tupperware Song, Jalen Smith, the comic strip Life in Hell and much more

What a joy to interview author, humorist, friend and BAYarts Board President Mary Conway Sullivanvon on her new book  "What The Farm?"  A personal journey of one woman's perspective, jumping into her husbands dream of owning a farm in mid-Ohio. A blending of humor and heartfelt charm as Mary helps her husband's dream become a reality. A reality of chaos that collides across 250 acres of endless possibility. My read of "What The Farm?" took me back to my earlier readings of Erma Bombeck books I have always enjoyed. Laughing out loud as I turned each page. Enjoy the laughs Mary and I have on this fast paced podcast as she talks about her new book and expands on some of the many relatable, touching, and occasionally profane stories that capture farm life's essence while delivering universal truths that hit home. Or should I say, hit barn?" AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE  ON AMAZON   link https://a.co/d/cXCtVW2

Welcome to the Instant Trivia podcast episode 974, where we ask the best trivia on the Internet. Round 1. Category: That 1870s Show 1: This Norwegian's "Pillars of Society" debuted in Denmark in 1877. Ibsen. 2: "Yn Wyneb Y Nef" is one of the songs from 1878's "Blodwen", thought to be the first opera in this language. Welsh. 3: "Thespis", the first collaboration by this pair, opened in London in Dec. 1871 and ran for 2 months; they'd do better later. Gilbert and Sullivan. 4: This city just northeast of Nuremberg got on the opera map with the 1876 premiere of the full "Ring" cycle. Bayreuth. 5: Jacques Offenbach's 1875 operetta "Le Voyage Dans la Lune" was based on a novel by this man. (Jules) Verne. Round 2. Category: Send Me A Letter 1: At Harvard, this letter grade indicates "satisfactory comprehension of the course material". a C. 2: Curl your little finger under your thumb and spread your other 3 fingers to make this letter in ASL. a W. 3: In Morse code it's 3 dots. S. 4: A 6-string guitar's low and high strings are typically tuned to this note. E. 5: It denotes the horizontal axis in a Cartesian coordinate system. X. Round 3. Category: Water You Saying?. With Water in quotes 1: Scorpio or Pisces, for example. a water sign. 2: This was one of the sports Henry Winkler could do, so it's how Fonzie jumped the shark. water skiing. 3: Peppery salad vegetable. watercress. 4: Irish city famous for its crystal. Waterford. 5: Type of plain in Spain from which the rain mainly drains to one main vein. a watershed. Round 4. Category: French Class 1: French for "evening", it now refers to a party held in the evening. soirée. 2: When the French cook with champignons, they're adding these to the dish. mushrooms. 3: From "chanter", to sing, it's a female singer. chanteuse. 4: When you ask someone to "Fermez la bouche", you want him to do this. shut his mouth. 5: The 2-word phrase meaning "by airplane" often found on int'l air mail envelopes. par avion. Round 5. Category: Oh, Witty Woman 1: Lucille Ball once quipped, "The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly and lie about" this. your age. 2: Funny lady Roseanne used to joke that she wouldn't do this chore "'til Sears makes one you can ride on". Vacuum. 3: This country singer said, "I was the first woman to burn my bra--it took the fire department 4 days to put it out". Dolly Parton. 4: Erma Bombeck advised, "Before you try to keep up with" them, "be sure they're not trying to keep up with you". the Joneses. 5: 1893-born wit who reportedly said, "The first thing I do in the morning is brush my teeth and sharpen my tongue". Dorothy Parker. Thanks for listening! Come back tomorrow for more exciting trivia! Special thanks to https://blog.feedspot.com/trivia_podcasts/

A friend rotated my brain toward the subject of fame.He aimed my eyes in a new direction when he said, “Do you remember that thing you sent me 10 or 15 years ago?”I gave him the same blank look that you would have given him.He continued, “It was that thing Leonard Pitts wrote about being ‘the Man.'”I recovered it from the Random Quotes database at MondayMorningMemo.com, handed my phone to him and told him to read it out loud. When he was finished, we laughed together like two little boys who heard someone fart in church.Here it is:“I've got nothing against fame. I'm famous myself. Sort of.OK, not Will Smith famous. Or Ellen DeGeneres famous. All right, not even Marilu Henner famous.I'm the kind of famous where you fly into some town to give a speech before that shrinking subset of Americans who still read newspapers and, for that hour, they treat you like a rock star, applauding, crowding around, asking for autographs.Then it's over. You walk through the airport the next day and no one gives a second glance. You are nobody again.Dave Barry told me this story once about Mark Russell, the political satirist. It seems Russell gave this performance where he packed the hall, got a standing O. He was The Man. Later, at the hotel, The Man gets hungry, but the only place to eat is a McDonald's across the road. The front door is locked, but the drive-through is still open. So he stands in it. A car pulls in behind him. The driver honks and yells, “Great show, Mark!”The moral of the story is that a certain level of fame — call it the level of minor celebrity — comes with a built-in reality check. One minute, you're the toast of Milwaukee. The next, you're standing behind a Buick waiting to order a Big Mac.”– Leonard Pitts, January 14, 2008There is something about laughing with a friend that soaks into your heart and redirects your thoughts.I woke up the next morning thinking about fame, and how easily it comes and goes.I thought about Bill Cosby and Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart. And then my computer told me “Joe the Plumber” had died. Remember Joe the Plumber? He became a celebrity in 2008 when he asked Barack Obama a question. We learned later that his name wasn't Joe and he was never a plumber, but his perspective resonated with a lot of Americans.And then it hit me: Andy Warhol was a painter, but what we remember about him was his colorful comment about each person receiving “15 minutes of fame.”I could feel the freight train of curiosity gaining momentum in my mind, so I had to quickly decide whether to grab a handrail, swing aboard and see where it would take me, or spend the rest of the day regretting having missed the chance.I didn't want to live in regret, so I grabbed a handrail and was yanked off my feet into a noisy, rattling railcar.When my eyes had grown accustomed to the dust and the half-light, I found the following 19 statements carved into the wooden walls of that railcar. These statements were signed by Marilyn Monroe, Johnny Depp, Erma Bombeck, Tony Bennett, Emily Dickinson, John Wooden, Gene Tierney, Jack Kerouac, George Michael, Eddie Van Halen, Sinead O'Connor, Fran Lebowitz, Michael Huffington, Lord Byron, Arthur Schopenhauer, Michelle Pfeiffer, Clive James, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Davy Crockett.But not in that order. I'm not going to tell you who said what, because I don't want your reactions to be influenced by your memories of those people.“Wealth is like sea-water; the more we drink, the thirstier we become; and the same is true of fame.”“Fame is the thirst of youth.”“Don't confuse fame with success. Madonna is one; Helen Keller is the other.”“Fame comes and goes. Longevity...

Patrick answers listener questions about the rapture, is NFP ethical, and is cremation okay Christine (Email) – Special prayers for your son who last I heard was in France John – I need clarification of Catholic burial rules. Is cremation ok? Betty - Can you explain the rapture? Sarah reads a power letter by Erma Bombeck called “If I Had My Life to Live Over” Shawn - Follow up about drug addiction story and prayers being answered Email – Is NFP (Natural Family Planning) ethical?

And a special Mother's Day column from Erma Bombeck (my absolute favorite!)

Hey, Sisters. Yes, you already know and love New York Times bestselling author, Laurie Notaro. She's the funny, irreverent, modern-day Erma Bombeck. And she's on Sisters Cracking Up with more hilarity than ever. Notaro's book, Excuse Me While I Disappear: Tales of Midlife Mayhem, is loaded with important food for thought like, "Why is my ass where my belly used to be?" and "What's the deal with my eyebrows?" She also dives into her decision to "go gray" and advises us all to proudly follow suit. Laurie Notaro is the New York Times best-selling author of the humor memoirs, The Idiot Girls Action Adventure Club, Autobiography of a Fat Bride, I Love Everybody, and Housebroken, along with numerous others; two humor novels; and Crossing the Horizon, a novel of historical fiction that tells the true story of once famous and now forgotten aviatrices prior to Amelia Earhart. She resides in Eugene, Oregon, has a cute dog, a nice husband and misses Mexican food like it was her youth. Abby and Julie kick off the episode with musings about their own "gray" journeys and also reflect on an interesting dinner party question.    

As we bring in the new year, let's remember that any day can be special. In this episode of Thick & Thin, I take inspiration from writer Erma Bombeck to live life to the fullest. So let's all conquer our daily scaries, leave anticipatory regret in the past, and finally enjoy the now.  // Follow me on IG: instagram.com/katybellotte // Thanks to our sponsors: Search for a top-rated doctor today and download the Zocdoc app for FREE at https://www.zocdoc.com/thick This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/katy and get on your way to being your best self Sources: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/49262-if-i-had-my-life-to-live-over-someone-asked https://ermabombeckcollection.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRbg8SKy/ https://www.amazon.com/Cottage-Cheese-Cream-Thoughts-Bombeck/dp/0740721275 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-04-23-mn-61747-story.html https://www.teenvogue.com/story/zoey-101-time-capsule-spoilers https://www.tiktok.com/@sunday.nobody/video/7162587340274240810?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1 https://allthatsinteresting.com/flamin-hot-cheetos-sarcophagus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jimmy Ahmahdoofous's New Year resolutions that include dog porn, my guest's experience as a harpy, your chance to be featured on the next episode-  it's all here in this episode with Kris Keppeler, an actor, writer, narrator, and more. If you were born in the previous century, you might remember noted writers Erma Bombeck or Andy Rooney.  Enjoy Kris Keppeler's podcast Does This Happen To You? which has flavors of Bombeck and Rooney's narratives. 

Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died. -Erma Bombeck

Episode 126 Memoir-Palooza with Denise Massar     Today, I'm so happy to welcome back the very first guest of the show, an amazing writer and reader, and, not to brag, but my best friend and soul sister, Denise Massar. Denise is a memoir junkie, and it occurred to me that mid-December is a perfect time to host a Memoir-Palooza, since so many of us like to give them as gifts over the holiday season, and I thought it would be interesting to hear which ones she liked best over the last year. A lot of the ones we talk about today deal with grief and loss, which also makes a lot of sense to address right now, as the holidays can be rough for a lot of people. Denise is my all-time most trusted memoir resource, and I know you're going to love hearing her tell me why she thinks Memoirs are the Best Books Ever.   Denise Massar is an author, a mom via birth and adoption, and an adoptee. She writes about parenting, caregiving, racism, and anything else she can't stop thinking about. As a reader, she's most interested in stories about women's day-to-day lives—in the 80s when grade-school classmates were reading Judy Blume, Denise was into Erma Bombeck. Her essays have been published in RAISE Magazine, TODAY Parenting, An Injustice!, MUTHA Magazine, and Jane Friedman's blog. Denise's memoir, SEARCH HISTORY: A Memoir of Loss, Obsession, and Meeting My Mom at 40, is currently on submission. She is represented by Jacquie Flynn at Joelle Delbourgo Associates.     Follow the Best Book Ever Podcast on Instagram or on the Best Book Ever Website   Host: Julie Strauss Website/Instagram   Denise Massar Website/Instagram/Twitter/Facebook       Discussed in this episode:   Denise Massar on Best Book Ever Episode 002 Mothers of Sparta by Dawn Davies I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jeanette McCurdy A Three Dog Life by Abigail Thomas What Comes Next and How to Like it by Abigail Thomas Episode 097 – Lizbeth Meredith on “What Comes Next and How to Like It” by Abigail Thomas In Love: A Memoir of Love and Loss by Amy Bloom How We Fight For Our Lives: A Memoir by Saeed Jones Heavy: An American Memoir by Kiese Laymon The Liar's Club by Mary Karr The Salt Path by Raynor Winn Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed A Heart That Works by Rob Delaney Catastrophe Open: An Autobiography by Andre Agassi Spare by Prince Harry J.R. Moehringer     (Note: Some of the above links are affiliate links. If you shop using my affiliate link on Bookshop, a portion of your purchase will go to me, at no extra expense to you. Thank you for supporting indie bookstores and for helping to keep the Best Book Ever Podcast in business!)

We all know that person who is always embarking on new adventures and taking risks. It seems like they were born with an innate sense of courage - but the truth is, everyone has the potential for courage. Doubt is part of the podcasting process. Today I'm back from the Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop with some insights to help you get started and keep going.  I also made some mistakes that I will share and some insights on some tools and strategies.  Ready To Start Your Podcast You may think nobody would listen to you, but I'm here to tell you they will. I have proven strategies to help you identify exactly what your audience wants. You will sound professional, and won't have to spend a million dollars to sound great. Learn through our online tutorials, live group coaching and a private Facebook Group filled with brilliant podcasters. Join worry-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee. See schoolofpodcasting.com/listener QUESTION OF THE MONTH This month the question is from Patrick from the Big Seance www.bigseance.com and he wants to know: What standard or tradition in podcasting do you tend to ignore and why do you do it differently? Don't forget to say the name of your show and website, and a little bit about your show. I need your answer by 10/28/22 Leave Your Answer at  www.schoolofpodcasting.com/question Where I Will Be? I look forward to seeing you all, please come up and say hi. To see my full itinerary, go to schoolofpodcasting.com/where Mentioned In This Episode School of Podcasting Samson Q2U Microphone Zoom Podtrak Recorder/Interface Profit From Your Podcast Book My Spouse Has Dementia Convertkit Email Tool Substack Email List Tool Leighann Lord (Very Funny Lady) Erma Bombeck on Amazon (aff) Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop Elizabeth Gilbert Big Magic book (aff) Katrina Little Harry Durran Episode 767 Podcast Junkies Someday Is Today: 22 Simple, Actionable Ways to Propel Your Creative Life and Storyworthy by Matthew Dicks Time Table 00-00:55 Opening 56:00 Introduction 01:43:00 Because of My Podcast 03:50 Age is a Number 11:13 Join the School of Podcasting 12:36 Follow the Show 12:55 I'll start podcasting as soon as .... 16:18 Not Everyone Will "Get you" 18:00 Creepy Dudes ENOUGH! 19:42 Book Titles 20:15 Make the Podcast You Want to Hear 20:55 Someday is Today Snippet 24:45 Creators Create 25:54 Start where you are... 26:40 What is the worst thing that could happen? 27:06 What is Stopping You? 28:38 Getting Unstuck with Katrina Kittle 35:50 Notes on My Presentation 39:48 Tools and Strategies from The Event 46:13 Question of the Month 47:42 Where will I be? 48:25 Three Magic Words 50:12 Join the School of Podcasting 51:08 Bloopers This podcast is value-for-value enabled which means you can send boosts and boostagrams using a new modern app. You can also Buy Me a Coffee (or 5...). This podcast took 9 hours to research, record, edit, document, and publish.  Follow the Show and Never Miss an Episode on: Apple - Google - Spotify - Amazon      

Matt Bombeck is the son of Erma Bombeck, a writer who was well-known for her syndicated columns and 15 books written between 1965 to 1996. The Authors Luncheon, hosted by the Arizona Women's Board, pays tribute to the legacy of the ICONIC writer and mother of three.   Matt, who is himself a writer, joins Renee Dee to talk about his extraordinary family, comedic writing and honoring his mother's legacy.   We invite you to SUBSCRIBE!   You can find ICONIC LIFE on our website, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.   Follow Renee on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, & Clubhouse.   If you enjoyed today's podcast, I'd be so appreciative if you'd take two minutes to subscribe, rate and review ICONIC HOUR. It makes a huge difference for our growth. Thank you so much for supporting me to do what I do!

Hi 70's movie fans, today we gots 9 reviews for you. Can't wait to compare notes with you rad cinephiles. I do need to get this done quick. I've put it off and I need to go to work. Swigs espresso……… Let's go!!!! First off we have James Mason in Sidney Lumet's (Child's play 1972) Who would ever think that dark shit is goin on in a boys boarding school. Next we get great music and a cocaine slide show in (Super fly 1972). Next. Oh look y'all Ron O'Neil and Sheila Frazier are back in, oops, first we review (Detroit 9000 1973) Alex Rocco and rad Vonetta McGee Star in this gritty possibly PR for the police state film. Ok now it's (Super fly TNT1973) and Benson from the hit show Benson is in this sequel also Box from Logan's run. Also also, revolution! Moving on to (The grass is always greener over the septic tank 1978) Carol Burnett and Erma Bombeck! I loved diving into our dvd of this rare made for tv 70's treat. Coach is here in this as well. Moving onto (Bear island 1979). Based on a popular novel of that year. Here we have many great actors dealing with the pressures of ecology, explosions, snow, and nazi's. Ok next is the recently lost great actor James Caan, teaming again with Marsha Mason in (Chapter 2 1979) Rhoda is here too, so what can go wrong. Almost done, and, oh look I finally scored a copy of (Dreamer 1979). Here is a bowling movie that is really got a lot of bowling in it. The cover of this movie has Jack Warden drawn as a man living out his days happily inside of a bowling pin. Poster made me smile so much I had to buy it. Dreamer is actually the main characters name. He is fiercely dedicated to being great at bowling, and is played by the guy from the Star tours ride at EPCOT. Finally chums today we end our reviews today with another Carol Burnett made for TV movie called (The 10th month 1979) She's very serious in this one. Both of these tv movies are written by women and really get on film some outdated medieval treatment of women, the exposure and eradication of which were long overdue. Still long to go but after watching both of these I gotta say that the great Carol got even greater. It's a different day now but the coffee's finished and so am I. Thanks for listening, please spread the word. If you need any help acquiring any of these films, drop us a line and we'll help you out.

This time Rachel meets with Jen Mann. Jen Mann is best known for her wildly popular and hysterical blog People I Want to Punch in the Throat. She has been described by many as Erma Bombeck―with f-bombs. Jen is the author of the New York Times bestseller People I Want to Punch in the Throat: Competitive Crafters, Drop-Off Despots, and Other Suburban Scourges which was a Finalist for a Goodreads Reader's Choice Award. Her latest book Midlife Bites: Anyone Else Falling Apart, Or Is It Just Me? is a personal and darkly funny look at her midlife crisis. She is also the mastermind behind the New York Times bestselling I Just Want to Pee Alone series. Jen is a married mother of two children whom she calls Gomer and Adolpha in her writings―she swears their real names are actually worse. Download our free perry app to join the sisterhood and meet other perimenopause warriors, because perimenopause is so much easier when you are not alone. Disclaimer: This podcast is not medical advice, does not take the place of medical advice from your physician, and is not intended to treat or cure any disease. Patients should see a qualified medical provider for assessment and treatment. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/perryapp/message

Liz Alterman's Latest Novel Liz Alterman's Instagram Liz Alterman's TwitterLiz Alterman's Facebook Julia Daily's Twitter Julia Daily's FacebookJulia Daily's Instagram Julia Daily's Linked In Julia Daily's Goodreads Authors Over 50 Podcast Links:Amazon MusicSpotifyApple PodcastsGoogle Podcasts - authors over 50Julia Daily's WebsiteThank you, Holly Shannon, Zero to Podcast coach and host of Culture Factor 2.0. https://hollyshannon.com and Sean McNulty, Sound Engineer. 

Joyce Manalo, founder of Kala Health and Wellness, is a Certified Health Coach who is an advocate for diabetes and mental health awareness. Formerly a Community Health Worker in Dallas, TX, Joyce has an important perspective on health inequities and with the recent Supreme Court's decision related to women's health, some important thoughts on the state of women's health in Texas. Here's her YouTube channel!Bad news! The radio station's mechanism that records all the content failed halfway through the show and I lost the conversation with Chloe, Sari and Aileen about their uteruses, how they've impacted their lives and how the medical establishment has failed them. I wanted to share their backgrounds with you so that you can go out and get their memoirs which go into loads more details from what they shared during our conversation. We talked about how women's stories, now more than ever, are important to ensuring the truth about and support for women's bodies is shared with others.Chloe Caldwell is the author of three books: I'll Tell You in Person, Women, and Legs Get Led Astray. Her essays have been published in The New York Times, Bon Appétit, The Cut, The Strategist, BuzzFeed, NYLON, VICE, Longreads, and many anthologies. Her essay “Hungry Ghost” was listed as Notable in The Best American Nonrequired Reading 2017. She lives in Hudson, New York, and teaches creative writing online at Writing Workshops, LitReactor, and the Fine Arts Work Center. Find out more at www.chloesimonne.com. Her latest, The Red Zone is a searching, galvanizing memoir about blood and love: how learning more about her period, PMS, PMDD, and the effects of hormones on moods transformed her relationships—to a new partner, to family, to non-blood kin, and to her own body.Sari Botton is a Gen-X writer and editor living in Kingston, NY. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, the Guardian, and elsewhere. She is a contributing editor at Catapult, and the former Essays Editor for Longreads. She edited the award-winning, bestselling anthologies Goodbye to All That: Writers on Loving and Leaving New York and Never Can Say Goodbye: Writers on Their Unshakable Love for New York. She teaches creative nonfiction at Wilkes University, Catapult, and Bay Path University. She publishes the newsletters Oldster Magazine, Memoir Monday, and Adventures in Journalism.Her new memoir, And You May Find Yourself... is about “finding” yourself later in life—after first getting lost in all the wrong places. As Botton discovers, the wrong places famously include her own self-suppression and misguided efforts to please others (mostly men). In a series of candid, reflective, sometimes humorous essays, Botton describes coming to feminism and self-actualization as an older person, second (and third and fourth) chances—and how maybe it's never too late to find your way...assuming you're lucky enough to live long. Sari was last on the show talking about Oldster Magazine at the end of 2021. In Sari's memoir she has a chapter, "My Hysterectomy, a Love Story," which reflects on her journey to conceive and what she learned when she reach the end.Aileen Weintraub is the author of Knocked Down: A High-Risk Memoir, a laugh-out-loud story about a commitment-phobic Brooklyn girl who, after a whirlwind romance, finds herself living in a rickety farmhouse, pregnant, and faced with five months of doctor-prescribed bed rest because of unusually large fibroids. Publishers Weekly says, “Love, marriage, and a harrowing pregnancy yield a haunting story of survival in this gripping account.” Aileen has written for  the Washington Post, Glamour, Parents, Al Jazeera, Huff Post,NBC, Lit Hub and AARP among others. She is also the author of the middle-grade social justice books, Never Too Young! 50 Unstoppable Kids Who Made a Difference, which won a Parents Choice Award, and We Got Game! 35 Female Athletes Who Changed the World, A Mighty Girl Best Book of the Year. Aileen was recently chosen as Erma Bombeck's Humor Writer of the Month for Knocked Down. Find her on Twitter @aileenweintraub or drop her a note at Aileenweintraub.com Aileen was last on the show in February to talk about her book. In light of the recent Supreme Court decision, I am excited to hear her thoughts about the future of women's health and personal freedom.Today's show was engineered by Ian Seda from Radio Kingston.We also heard music from Shana Falana!Feel free to email me, say hello: she@iwantwhatshehas.orgLeave me a voicemail with your thoughts or a few words about who has what you want and why! (845) 481-3429** Please: SUBSCRIBE to the pod and leave a REVIEW wherever you are listening, it helps other users FIND IThttp://iwantwhatshehas.org/podcastITUNES | SPOTIFY | STITCHERITUNES: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/i-want-what-she-has/id1451648361?mt=2SPOTIFY:https://open.spotify.com/show/77pmJwS2q9vTywz7Uhiyff?si=G2eYCjLjT3KltgdfA6XXCASTITCHER: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/she-wants/i-want-what-she-has?refid=stpr'Follow:INSTAGRAM * https://www.instagram.com/iwantwhatshehaspodcast/FACEBOOK * https://www.facebook.com/iwantwhatshehaspodcastTWITTER * https://twitter.com/wantwhatshehas

On this episode, Barry shares a story entitled "The Lawn" that he traditionally reads around Father's Day that first appeared in an Erma Bombeck column in 1971.   

June. The month for Children's Day, Father's Day, Flag day. A month for birthdays, wedding anniversaries, bridal showers, weddings, graduations, family reunions and the celebration of family. I find it very interesting that Children's Day and Flag Day fall on the same day and Father's Day and the first day of summer are also on the same day this year. It is such a joy to listen to the children, for they seem to be our master teachers. One boy, a fifth grader said, "Without my father, it would be like a ball without any air inside it." It seems that something in every child, no matter how old, yearns to be connected with his father in an affirming relationship. Their heartfelt responses can really warm your heart. A recent Gallup Poll brought out that 70% use very positive words like "great," "fantastic," "tremendous," "close," or "warm" in describing their relationship with their father. Dr. Ken Canfield, Director of the National Center on Fathering states, "Children, particularly when they are young, think their father is the smartest, richest and strongest man on earth. Research and the experience of fathers confirms this statement." And how do we describe our children and our grandchildren? The sainted Erma Bombeck, who is famous for her column, "At Wit's End," wrote in an article which appeared in May 1977, that "bringing up children is like flying kites." The following are her warm thoughts: "I see children as kites. You spend a lifetime trying to get them off the ground. You run with them until you're both breathless, they crash, you add a longer tail. They hit the rooftop, you pluck them out of the spout. You patch and comfort, adjust, and teach. You watch them lift by the wind and assure them that someday they will fly. Finally, they are airborne but they need more string and you keep letting it out. With each twist of the ball of twine there is a sadness that goes with the joy, because the kite somehow becomes more distant and you know that it won't be long before that beautiful creature will snap the lifeline that bound you together. And soar as it was meant to soar, free and alone. Only then do you know that you did your job. A bit of wisdom: The best things to give a child - roots and wings. H. Carter. There's just one way to bring up a child in the way he should go. And that is to travel that way yourself. Abraham Lincoln. Give your child or grandchild a hug! Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G Werner Published in the Marion Record June 4th, 1998.Download the Found Photo Freebie and cherish your memories of the past.Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don't forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I'd greatly appreciate it.Till next time,Trina

Calling all parents - you need to listen to Mary Laura Philpott and read her insightful essays that speak to everyone who ever raised a child. In the vein of Erma Bombeck and Nora Ephron, her new book is “Bomb Shelter” - something she wishes she could build around her two children as they prepare to leave home and begin adulthood. Like all of us, she struggles with the realization she can't keep them safe. It's hard to imagine a writer could say something totally original about parenting and yet she does. She is witty and wise and the angst she feels about wanting to keep her kids safe applies to all of us.

Spring is here and many of you are preparing your fields for planting and putting in your gardens. It always reminds me of the verse, "A man shall reap what he sows," Galatians 6:7. Recently, my daughter from Wisconsin came to visit me and wrote me this poem about planting seeds of love. Dear mother, you always taught me that you will reap what you sow. So we should always do unto others what you want them to bestow. But there are days when it is hard to live those words, it's true. Yet, I remember the lessons you taught me in the example I learned from you. All those days you spent cooking and cleaning, the nights you worked without sleeping, the seeds of love you kept on planting is the love you now are reaping. Even now, as you lay on your hospital bed, and others must give to you. All those years you gave of yourself, those words are coming true. Yes, true living is in true giving, and His love is what we owe. Though it may be years before we realize that someday we will reap what we sow. Ruth Stuhr. Warm Thoughts: Grandmas can shed the yoke of responsibility, relax, and enjoy their grandchildren in a way that was not possible when they were raising their own children. And they can glow in the realization that here is their seed of life that will harvest generations to come. Erma Bombeck. Happy Planting! Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G. Werner Published in the Marion Record on April 25th, 1996.Download the Found Photo Freebie and cherish your memories of the past.Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don't forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I'd greatly appreciate it.Till next time,Trina

    “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me'” -Erma Bombeck   If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it. Matthew 10:37-39 NLT   And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.' The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' Mark 12:30-31 NLT   WHEN YOU ARE INTIMATELY CONNECTED WITH SOMEONE YOU HAVE A DEEP DESIRE TO DO WHAT THEY LOVE.   LOVING JESUS WITH ALL YOUR SOUL IS HAVING THE SAME DESIRES THAT HE DESIRED.   “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NLT   WHEN WE ARE TRULY ALL IN WE ARE WILLING TO GO ALL OUT   1. BELIEVED   WHEN YOU TRULY BELIEVE IN SOMETHING IT COMPELS YOU TO DO CERTAIN THINGS.    2. CHARACTER   “No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us” 1 John 4:12 NLT     When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money. Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. But Peter said, “I don't have any silver or gold for you. But I'll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man's feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them. Acts 3:1-10 NLT   OUR CHARACTER IS A REFLECTION OF THE LOVE AND PURSUANT NATURE OF OUR GOD!   3. BOLDNESS   But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you… Acts 1:8 NLT   “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?; So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.”Romans 10:14;17 NLT     “My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters.* I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ!—if that would save them.” Romans 9:2-3 NLT   But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8 NLT   Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Romans 12:9-10   LOVE IS NOT SPOKEN, IT IS EXPERIENCED   Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.” Luke 5:18-20 NLT   ACCEPT THE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY BUILD A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP SHARE YOUR PERSONAL STORY GIVE A PERSONAL INVITE

Episode 42   Declutter your mental and physical space and start focusing on things that bring value to your life. In this episode the Declutter Empress Daria Murphy joins Coach Kelly Marie to share her process of deciding what to keep and what has to go. If the thought of giving away something of sentimental value gives you anxiety, try this simple trick to keeping precious moments while creating your Oasis Space. Did you know? The word Worry is rooted in the Old English word for 'strangle'. Erma Bombeck told us “Worry is like a rocking chair: it gives you something to do but never gets you anywhere.” Instead, spend your energy on things within your control. #MentalHealthMonday #Buffalo #NewYork #BetheLight #FrontSeatLife #JazzCastPros #DeclutterEmpress #Cuttheclutter #OasisSpace    ABOUT THE GUEST   Derria Murphy is the founder and host of the Declutter Empress Radio podcast, a lifestyle podcast featuring snippets on how to live a clutter-free life. She is a strong believer in self-care and encourages anyone to live a joyful and clutter-free lifestyle on purpose. Each episode features actionable daily items for the journey to create your Oasis Space. Twitter - @deradiopod Listen on Apple Podcast and SoundCloud Declutter Empress Radio    Mental Health Resources  National Mental Health Association  https://www.mhanational.org/ Take a Mental Health Test  Call 211 or visit www.211.org for help finding public services in your area Suicide Prevention Helpline has someone for you to talk to 24/7 call  (800) - 273 8255 Text GO to 741741 to reach a trained crisis counselor  Questions for the Host: Email FrontSeatLife@gmail.com    Click Here to rate & review on Apple Podcast  Follow or Share this Podcast from Spotify Add this show to your collection on Pandora. Support the Show with a one-time donation Hosted by Coach Kelly Marie, founder of Front Seat Life LLC Produced by JazzCast Pros Podcast Concierge Service IG @Jazzytonair FB @JazzCastPros    

Don't waste your talent. Have you ever found yourself not gifted and talented in anything? Hey, you are not alone. Every history maker was once in your shoe. God has imparted much gift and talent in you. It's our responsibility to discover those gifts. We will never discover our gifts until we check them. The nicest cloth was in your closet for a year, but you didn't notice until you did a close-up check-up. God has given each one of us a gift and talent“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” – James 1:17, NIV"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me." — Erma Bombeck

Do you know how to enjoy your own company and be truly alone? In this episode, I chat with Rebekah Iliff about her new book "Champagne For One: A Celebration of Solitude". Rebekah is a writer, author, and entrepreneur. Her work has appeared in Forbes, Business Insider, New York Times, HuffPost Comedy, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Be You, and countless other publications. We talk about how you can enjoy solitude, how it positively impacts your mental health, and why you should ditch the shoulds and artificial timelines and enjoy your life today.  “We probably spend half of our lives alone on some level but I don't think we do it very well.” - Rebekah Iliff  “Solitude is kind of this proactive choice and a choice of self-love because we know that we need it and isolation is we're either forced into it or we're doing it because we can't function. And so from a mental health standpoint it's always good to be checking in if we're isolating or we're choosing an act of self-love.” - Rebekah Iliff What You Will Learn From This Episode Why learning how to love solitude is so important right now How we can let go of society's artificial timeline on things like marriage and having kids On losing a friend and how to handle the grief How to date yourself or manage Valentine's Day if you're single or in a complicated relationship Isolation vs solitude - how solitude and doing things alone positively impacts our mental health How to have more fun today About Rebekah Iliff: Rebekah Iliff is a writer, author, and entrepreneur based in Nashville, Tennessee. Her work has appeared in Inc., Entrepreneur, Mashable, Forbes, Business Insider, New York Times, HuffPost Comedy, Comediva, Points in Case, Weekly Humorist, Slackjaw Humor, Erma Bombeck blog, The Satirist, Little Old Lady Comedy, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Be You, and countless other publications. Her book, "Champagne for One: a Celebration of Solitude" (Collective Book Studio/IPG), is now on pre-order and will be released in the U.S. on February 8, 2022. Resources: Resources include affiliate links which support the website and podcast Pre-order Rebekah's book “Champagne For One: A Celebration of Solitude” All About Love by bell hooks How the Universe Works on Amazon Prime Lead Me Home on Netflix Connect with Rebekah rebekahiliff.com champagneforone.com Instagram Connect with Melanie mentalhealthandwealth.com melanielockert.com Instagram Support the podcast through Ko-Fi Buy Melanie's book “Dear Debt” Contact: mentalhealthandwealthshow@gmail.com   Want more content and support? Sign up for the Mental Hump Newsletter and get our free Mental Health and Money inventory worksheet. You can sign up at MentalHealthandWealth.com. Also, we host a Mental Health and Wealth Hangout every other Thursday over Zoom at 5 pm PT to chat about all things money and mental health. Join here!   Follow us on Apple Podcast or Libsyn! Love the podcast? Leave a review on iTunes!

In episode eight of Spirited Conversations, childhood friend Naomi shares personal experiences with the mischievous spirit of her father-in-law and the deaths of her father, mother, and sister. We discuss our shared faith and cultural traditions, encounters with eagles and doves, reference Erma Bombeck, and explore the challenge of "what do we do with the things?" after losing cherished family members. Music Credits: Intro/Outro by Teri (When Two Hearts Race); Transitions: Teri (When Two Hearts Race) and Allysen Callery (Gentle Is The Angel That Blows The Candle Out). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/teri-kennedy1/support

Fred outlines the benefits of laughter, which some say is the best medicine. www.rockysealemusic.com https://rockysealemusic.com/wow-i-didn-t-know-that-or-maybe-i-just-forgot https://www.facebook.com/150wordspodcast --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rocky-seale7/message

Teri discusses her new essay collection One Heart with Courage, plus her role as the director of the world's best (and friendliest) humor-writing conference. To purchase a copy of Teri's book (all proceeds go to the Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop Endowment Fund), visit: https://store.braughlerbooks.com/

Laura Jackson Roberts is an environmental writer and humorist from northern West Virginia. She holds degrees in environmental science and creative writing. A graduate of Chatham University, her work has appeared in many publications, including Hippocampus, Terrain.org, Brevity, Defenestration, Brain-Child, Bayou Magazine, The Museum of Americana, Animal, and the Erma Bombeck humor site. She's served as an editor for Literary Mama Magazine and is a VP of West Virginia Writers, the state's largest writing and literary organization. Laura lives and does freelance work in Wheeling, where she writes for Weelunk and is finishing a book of humorous essays on life in West Virginia.

Welcome today's Beacon Abigail Roberts.  She's a breath of fresh air!  Among her many achievements as a 19 year old college student, here are a few: She started a non-profit called "What's Your Dash?" as a 13 year old.  (You'll hear more about this during the show). She's a Division 2 athlete and scholar.  She's an actress and most of all, a compassionate young woman who has a heart for others and for God. If you're jaded about the future, or the younger generation, take heart and listen to this amazing guest!  She holds herself to a high standard and has dealt with perfectionism and people-pleasing, but she's learning how to give herself grace.  She says that it's only when we have an abundance of grace for ourselves that we can truly give it to others. We discuss many things that you will relate to, no matter your age. One of her favorite quotes is by Erma Bombeck that goes like this:  "When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left.  You could say I used everything you gave me." She mentions a favorite book/devotional called "New Morning Mercies." by Paul David Tripp  and also "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry" by John Mark Comer. Give Abi some love if you connect with her message.  Screenshot the show title and share it on social media or DM her on IG @Abigail.Roberts19.  You can also find out more about "What's Your Dash?" on the FB page of the same name. If you share on IG, tag me too @cari.normand, we want to thank you for the shares.  You can also email me @beaconsofbravery@gmail.com My hope for you is that you will be inspired to go out and live your purpose!

Click Here to Listen to the other parts in the seriesThe Art of Being a Wife (Part 1)The Art of Being a Wife (Part 2) - Building Up Your ManThe Art of Being a Wife (Part 3) - Praising the PositiveThe Art of Being a Wife (Part 4) - Embracing the DifferencesThe Art of Being a Wife (Part 5) - Leaning on GodThe Art of Being a Wife (Part 6) - Being His HelperThe Art of Being a Wife (Part 7) - Facing the StormsFamilyLife Today® Radio Transcript  References to conferences, resources, or other special promotions may be obsolete. Leaning on God Guest:                        Barbara Rainey                                            From the series:       Letters to My Daughters (Day 2 of 3)Air date:                     February 16, 2016                 Bob: Barbara Rainey says there's a lesson that every couple needs to learn really early in their marriage. The lesson is this: “You can't do this on your own.” Barbara: The bottom line is going to be the same for the rest of your life; and that is, when God brings you to a place that you realize you cannot do this thing called marriage, you can't do this thing called mothering, you can't even do the Christian life on your own—that you come to Him and you say: “I give up. I surrender—Your will, not mine.” Bob: This is FamilyLife Today for Tuesday, February 16th. Our host is the President of FamilyLife®, Dennis Rainey, and I'm Bob Lepine. We'll find out today just how important it is to have a spiritual foundation poured in your marriage if you're going to try to build a home on top of it. Stay tuned.  And welcome to FamilyLife Today. Thanks for joining us. I'm curious—did you think, when you and Barbara, in the summer of 1972—I guess September of '72 / late summer; right? Dennis: Right; right. Bob: That's when the two of you stood and faced one another and said your vows. Dennis: It was still summer in Houston. Bob: Did you think, “This is going to be a breeze,” or did you think, “I know there will be some challenges”? Dennis: I just didn't think. [Laughter] Honestly! I was in love. I was committed. I was ready to get on with life with my new bride and my new love. Honestly, I didn't do a lot of cost-counting; but I did make a commitment. Bob: We heard your wife laugh as you said, “I wasn't really thinking.” Barbara, welcome to FamilyLife Today. Barbara: Thank you. Dennis: Were you thinking, Barbara? Barbara: Not much more than you were. Bob: But were you confident? Barbara: Yes, I really was. Bob: Did you start marriage, thinking, “I can do this”? Barbara: Yes; I really did because I had grown up in a good home. My parents were not divorced. I had seen them work out their marriage and—though there were things I wanted to do differently—I felt like I could do this. Added to that, I was doubly confident because I was a Christian and my husband was. We were not just pew-warmers / we were committed Christ followers. I thought: “This is guaranteed to work because we've got the right ingredients: We love each other. We love the Lord. We are going to do this the right way. We're going to follow the instructions in the Bible—A+B=C. It's going to work out great!” Bob: The reason we're exploring this is because you've been spending a lot of time, recently, working on editing a series of letters—actually, emails that grew into letters. Barbara: Yes. Bob: Letters that you've written over the years to your daughters and your daughters-in-law, where you've just offered counsel from your own life and experience about getting married. Barbara: Yes. I started writing this series of letters the summer that both of our sons got married. It wasn't so much that I wanted to teach them—and I was invited to do so by the way—I didn't do this without an invitation. It was that I wanted to encourage them by sharing some of the stories of things that I had learned so that they would know that: “Oh, it's normal to have disagreements. Oh, it's normal for this to happen or that to happen,” so that they would understand the long view of marriage and the big picture of marriage. Dennis: One of the things that had occurred in our marriage that I think really pointed out the importance of perhaps Barbara doing this—early in our marriage, she had kind of run into the differences between us and how that was impacting her. Someone told us—and I don't remember who—but said, “You really ought to go spend some time with an older woman who has experienced more of life and been around the barn a few more times than you have.” Just to spend some time and to know that what you're going through is normal. Bob: Yes. Dennis: I think couples start out their marriage together and they get isolated. They don't realize that what they're going through is what everybody else is dealing with. But if they have someone who is seasoned / who's authentic—and not going to create some kind of pie-in-the-sky approach that's: “A+B=C, and you're going to have all your problems solved by sundown tonight,”—if you've got somebody who's real and helps you understand that it takes a lifetime to work out this thing called marriage. That's what really fueled Barbara in writing our daughters and our daughters-in-law to be able to enter in to these first months and years of their marriage. Bob: Barbara, one of the issues you felt like you needed to mentor your daughters and daughters-in-law in was this issue that we talked about—your confidence that you could be the wife and mom that God called you to be—that, at some point along the way, you kind of woke up and went, “This is harder than I thought it was going to be.” Barbara: Yes. I think that realization was an on-going realization. What I've realized, as I look back over my life, is that, along the way—from those early months of our marriage all the way up until the present—God has been saying to me, over and over again, “You can't do this on your own.” Now, my initial response is, “Oh, yes; I can.” Bob: Yes. Barbara: Because I've got—especially in the early years—a lot of motivation, a lot of energy, a lot of enthusiasm—to really do a good job being a wife. Most young women start out that way / most new brides start out that way. We're highly motivated, highly teachable, energetic, ready to go and be the best we can be; but God knows that, if we really are able to produce on our own, then our confidence is in our self and not in Him.  In this section of the book, I tell lots of stories of how God took me places where I realized I could not do it on my own; and I could not garner up enough strength on my own to see the situation through. Bob: The book you're talking about, of course, is called, Letters to My Daughters. It's your brand-new book. The subtitle is The Art of Being a Wife—Barbara Rainey is showing us on FamilyLife Today.  Barbara, you started marriage as a committed follower of Christ. You were involved in ministry, but there were cracks in your spiritual foundation that started to show up under the pressure of marriage— Barbara: Yes; they did. I first felt it most dramatically after our first child was born. We had moved for probably the fourth or fifth time—I can't remember. We'd moved a bunch in those first two-and-a-half years of marriage. I remember one day just feeling really overwhelmed with these jobs I had. I was a wife, and I was a mother—and it was 24/7. Our new little baby didn't come with an instruction manual, and I didn't know what I was doing. We lived in California, and my mother was in Texas. It's not like I could call her every day, or I could go visit her, or she could come over in the afternoon and babysit so I could take a nap. I mean, I was really very, very lonely. I was very isolated, and I was very bewildered as to how to make this thing work: “How do I do this wifing and mothering thing without any instructions?” I really remember feeling a sense of real aloneness in that season of my life. I tell a story in the book—would you like to hear it?—about how I ran away? Bob: You ran away?! Barbara: I ran away. [Laughter] Dennis: It wasn't far—but she did run away. [Laughter] Barbara: No; it wasn't far—No; it wasn't far—but I had this—it really is what it was though. I wouldn't have even said so at the time but, looking back on it, it really is a good expression of what I was feeling. I went—out of just sheer frustration—I wasn't really angry / I was just bewildered. I left Ashley sleeping in the crib or, maybe, she was in the infant seat or something in the living room. I don't even know what Dennis was doing, but all I remember is that I went into the bathroom in our bedroom / our master bathroom and shut and locked the door. It was a teensy little master bathroom—it had a tub, and a toilet, with a little tiny counter with a sink in the middle. I sat on the toilet. Then I got uncomfortable, and I sat on the side of the tub. Then that got uncomfortable, and so I sat on the toilet again. The walls started to kind of close in on me and I thought, “Oh, now what do I do?” I was just absolutely lost because I didn't know how to—I just didn't know how to do this thing. Finally, I came out. Thankfully my husband, in his love for me, did not go: “What an idiot you were! What were you thinking?”—you know, going in the bathroom and locking the door—“What was the point of that?” He didn't belittle me / he didn't make fun of me. He didn't criticize me. He, I'm sure, gave me a hug; and we sat down and talked.  Now, what it was all about—I can't even begin to tell you. What he said to me—I don't remember—but I remember the emotion of the moment—that I was lost. I didn't know how to do this thing called marriage, I didn't know how to do this thing called mothering, and I didn't know where to go for help. That was the first real sort of moment of awakening—when I realized this was all bigger than I could handle, and I needed something outside of myself to make it work. It was God's bringing me to this place of going, “You can't do this on your own.” Dennis: I think, as a husband—truthfully, I think I was clueless that she didn't feel that confidence. Barbara: Well, of course, you were! How could you know? Dennis: This was an internal battle she was fighting. Barbara: Yes. Dennis: So, when she did come out of the bathroom, I don't think I had realized that she had actually locked herself in there— Barbara: No; I'm sure you didn't. Dennis: —and had kind of run away from her responsibilities for a few minutes. I don't think you were in there—probably, an hour— Barbara: No; not more than an hour. Dennis: —but the point is—as a husband, at that point / however imperfectly you may love—but just allow your wife to express the inability and to express her need for something to change / something to be different for her to move forward.  I think marriage is an opportunity for us to finish the process of growing up. In fact, I think it was Erma Bombeck who used to say, “Marriage is the last chance God gives us to grow up.”  Bob: Yes. Dennis: I think it's one of the tools God uses in our lives to take us to the end of ourselves— Barbara: Yes. Dennis: —where He kind of puts an exclamation point at the end of the sentence that says: “You need Me! Signed, God.” Barbara: Exactly; exactly. Bob: But Barbara, you were a Christian—you studied the Scriptures, you were in church, you were— Barbara: Yes! That's what I thought! [Laughter] Bob: So, what was missing? Barbara: I think what was missing was an experiential understanding of my need for Christ. Yes, I knew I needed Christ when I received Him. Yes, I knew—had you asked me, an hour before I went into the bathroom and locked the door, “Do you need Christ?”—I would have said, “Of course!” But it was knowledge more than it was heart experience. God loved me enough that He wanted me to feel my need for Him—for me to experience that I could not do this on my own. I think God loves us enough that He wants to take it from merely head knowledge to heart knowledge. It was the process that God was beginning to work in my life, where He was showing me: “No, you can't do this on your own. Your knowledge of Me is not enough. You need to experience a need for the Holy Spirit to control your life—not just know it in your head that, ‘Yes, that's the way you're supposed to do it,'—but you need to be aware of your need for Me so you will, in fact, depend on Me.” Bob: Okay; so, you're aware of your need. Now, you're going to do something different than you were doing. What's that different thing? How does somebody come out of the bathroom and say: “Okay; I realize I need to rely on God, I need the Holy Spirit to work in my life; but what can I do to make that happen? How do I walk in the power of the Holy Spirit?” Barbara: For me, it was very much an on-going process. It was a growth that happened over decades. But, in that moment, as much as I knew how, in that day of my life, I said: “Father, I want to trust You more. I want to be filled with the Spirit. I want You to control my life. I want You to give me the power and the strength to live the way that You want me to live—to do this thing called marriage that You've designed. This was Your idea in the first place; so therefore, You know how to make a marriage work. I want to depend on You more than I have in the past.”  I believe that I did; but then there came another point, on down the road, where God said: “Okay; now, you need to step it up a notch. You need to trust Me some more,”— I was trusting myself again too much. There was another lesson; and then, a few years later, another one.  I think that, just as our children grow up, incrementally, through the years—they don't go from being a baby to being 18 overnight. Physical growth is a slow process. There are all kinds of little things going on in their bodies, as they grow up, that we can't even see. It does take a long time for an infant to become an adult. I think the journey is similar in our spiritual growth. We start out as spiritual infants. God gently and slowly works in our lives and our circumstances so that we become mature adults, spiritually, and don't remain infants. Bob: One of the areas where you had to learn to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit in your own life was when you decided you wanted to do a make-over project on your husband; right? Barbara: [Laughing] Yes, I did that. Bob: This was Extreme Makeover. Is that what you were—back before it was on TV—you were— Barbara: Yes.  Dennis: It felt that way! [Laughter] Barbara: Yes, it probably did. What is so sad about this story is that I really thought I was doing the right thing! I was a Christian and I thought: “Okay; if there are some problems”—and there were—“if there are some things that I think are not right in our relationship”—and there were those things that I thought weren't right—“What are you supposed to do about it? You're supposed to pray about it; aren't you? Yes, that makes sense.” I made this list—I began to make a list of all the things that I thought were not right—primarily were not right about him / not so much things that weren't right about me—because I really didn't think there were that many things— Bob: That was a small list / little, tiny list. So you're setting off to try to fix—what kinds of things were you trying to fix? Barbara: You know, that's what's sad—I can't even remember what they were—but I'm quite sure it was all personality related because, as Dennis said earlier—he would get an idea, and [snaps fingers] process it that fast, and he'd be off and running. He didn't think things through thoroughly like I did. He was much more spontaneous and spur of the moment. I'm sure it was related to these personality differences that I saw, early on. I made this list, and I thought that the right thing to do was to pray about all the stuff that needed to be changed in his life. Dennis: It was a long list too. Bob: Well—[Laughing] Barbara: It wasn't really that long. [Laughter] Bob: Is there something wrong with a wife identifying: “These are areas that I think God needs to be at work in my husband's life, and I'm going to pray about God doing that work”?  Barbara: Yes; I think it's probably not a real good approach.  Bob: Really?! Barbara: Really; because what happened to me is—I had this list of 10 or 12 things. I prayed about them every day. What happened was—I thought about them all day after I repeated them to God in the morning. I would say: “Okay, God. Here are the things I think You need to work on in his life.” It was as if they were written in neon block letters on his back. Every time I saw him, I saw what was wrong because I was reminding myself, every day——before God, of course—but nonetheless, I was reminding myself every day of what I didn't like and what I thought needed to be fixed. I decided—after doing this for a couple of weeks—I thought: “You know, I don't like the way this feels. This is not really a fun way to approach God.” It's not fun—the results in my marriage—I just didn't like the fact that I was constantly seeing all these things that I didn't like. Bob: [To Dennis] Did you have any idea there was neon on your back? Dennis: I think I did know about the list. Bob: Really? Dennis: I do, and I think I definitely felt it when she threw the list away.  Barbara: That doesn't surprise me— Dennis: Yes. Barbara: —because I felt it when I threw the list away too.  Dennis: I mean, all of a sudden, I've got my friend back instead of my judge. Bob: What prompted you to throw the list away? Barbara: I just began to realize that this wasn't fun. I didn't like focusing on everything that I thought was wrong with him. I thought: “You know, I didn't used to feel this way. I used to like all these things about him, and now I don't.” It wasn't this great revelation—I just thought: “You know—this isn't fun. I don't like the way this makes me feel. I don't like the flavor in our relationship.”  I told God specifically one day—and I remember saying this—I said: “God, if You want to change these things in his life, it is Your business. I am not going to ask You about this anymore because I don't like what this is doing to our relationship. If You never change him, that is fine with me. It's Your business, not mine. I'm going to move forward and not pray about all these things that I think need to be corrected anymore.” I tore up the list, and I literally threw it away. Within days, I wasn't thinking about all that stuff anymore.  Dennis: You know— Barbara: It was a great relief. Dennis: There's a common thread here—to what she's talking about—that I want Barbara to comment because this has been a theme of her life. You're talking about, first of all, coming to the end of yourself, not once, but on multiple occasions, where you realize you couldn't do this thing called “being a wife” / you couldn't do this thing called “being a mom”—and you couldn't change your husband. Barbara: Yes. Dennis: It's not you that's going to do any of this. You came to the conclusion that it had to be Christ in you and you yielded to Him. Barbara: Exactly. Dennis: What would you say to a wife, who's listening, who's going: “Got me!  I'm raising my hands, saying, ‘That's me you're describing'”? What's the hope? What's the solution?—not in terms of a formula—but what does she need to begin to practice? Barbara: I think the bottom line is going to be the same for the rest of your life; that is—when God brings you to a place that you realize you cannot do this thing called marriage, you can't do this thing called mothering, you can't even do the Christian life on your own—that you come to Him and you say: “I give up. I surrender. I need You. Will You empower me? Will you fill me with Your Spirit? Will You lead me?” because it really is coming to a point of giving up because what I was doing, when I was praying for you, is—I was trying to take over.  I was trying to tell God what I thought He needed to do in your life. I realized that I needed to give up. I need to let God do what He wanted to do, in His timetable. I basically—in essence, by saying, “I'm not going to do this anymore,'—I surrendered and I said, “Your will, not mine.” Bob: You know, just about every time I speak at a Weekend to Remember® marriage getaway—first night, I'll say, “If you brought your spouse here, hoping that together we could get her fixed or get him changed, I have bad news for you.” [Laughter] I say, “I'm not even going to be talking to your spouse this weekend. The only person I came here to talk to is you.” I think sometimes— Barbara: Yes. Bob: —rather than focusing on, “God change this other person,”—  Dennis: Yes.  Barbara: Yes. Bob: —our prayers need to be redirected: “Lord, change me.” Barbara: Exactly. Bob: I had to chuckle, Barbara, because, at the end of this “Note to Your Daughters,” as you shared this story—you said, “More stories about my failures to come. [Barbara laughing] Love you, Mom.” Really, this collection of letters that you've written to you daughters are lessons you've learned—  Barbara: Yes. Bob: —some of them through not doing it right. Barbara: Oh, lots of them learned through not doing it right because I think that's when God gets our attention. When we're sailing along, and everything's smooth, that's when we don't think we need God; but when we realize we can't do it, and we're making mistakes, then we go, “Okay; then maybe—maybe I need some help— Bob: Yes. Barbara: —“and God needs to be my help.” Dennis: —“and Jesus is that help.”  Barbara: Yes. Dennis: If the story of Easter is true—and it is / Christ is alive from the dead—then He can make this claim—He said in John 15, “I am the true vine.” Later on, in the same passage, He says, “As a branch cannot bear fruit by itself,”—does that sound familiar? Bob: Yes. Barbara: Yes. Dennis: “You can't do it on your own!”—“As a branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is who bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” If you've come to the end of yourself, it's a good thing! Barbara: It is—and that's what God was trying to show me through this story and many, many other circumstances in my life. He was saying: “Apart from Me you can do nothing. Do you get it?” Dennis: And I think life— Barbara: And I said, “Yes!” Dennis: And I think life is one long process of Him saying, “Do you get it yet?” Barbara: Yes, it is. Dennis: “Do you get it now?” [Laughter] Bob: And one long process of surrender because we keep doing it, as you said, over and over again. I think, in addition to the surrender then, there needs to be godly counsel that helps point us in the right direction—to help us correct the patterns that are the patterns of the flesh that are with us and point us to new habits, that are spiritually-informed and spiritually-motivated. Barbara, I think you are helping to provide the wise counsel for a lot of wives in what you've shared today and what you've written in your brand-new book, Letters to My Daughters: The Art of Being a Wife. We've got the book in our FamilyLifeToday Resource Center. It's brand-new—just now out in stores. We'd love for you to have a copy. Go to FamilyLifeToday.com or call 1-800-FL-TODAY. Ask about the book, Letters to My Daughters: The Art of Being a Wife by Barbara Rainey when you get in touch with us. We want to say a quick, “Congratulations!” and “Happy Anniversary!” to our friends, David and Diana Aguilar, who live in Union, Missouri. Today is their 29th wedding anniversary. The Aguilars listen to KSIV, out of St. Louis. They've been married since 1987.  We are the “Proud Sponsor of Anniversaries,” here at FamilyLife. We're celebrating our 40th anniversary this year; but honestly, it's not our anniversary that matters—it's all of the anniversaries that have happened because of how God has used FamilyLife in the lives of so many couples over the last 40 years. It's been humbling to be a part of that whole process. If you help support this ministry, as a Legacy Partner or as somebody who gives an occasional donation, you've been a part of the process as well. Your support is what makes FamilyLife Today possible. We could not exist and could not do what we do if it weren't for friends, like you, who help make this happen. This month, we are praying and asking God that He would raise up 20 new families in every state where FamilyLife Today is heard to be new Legacy Partners, joining with us here at FamilyLife. Would you consider being one of those new Legacy Partner families? All you have to do is go to FamilyLifeToday.com and click where it says, “DONATE.” The information about becoming a Legacy Partner is available there. Or call: 1-800-“F” as in family, “L” as in life, and then the word, “TODAY”; and say, “I'm interested in becoming a Legacy Partner.” Be sure to join us back tomorrow. We're going to continue talking about a wife's responsibility in her marriage. We'll talk tomorrow about what happens when a woman wants to be a helper but it starts to go bad—and it can do that. We'll talk about that tomorrow. Hope you can be here. I want to thank our engineer today, Keith Lynch, along with our entire broadcast production team. On behalf of our host, Dennis Rainey, I'm Bob Lepine. We will see you back next time for another edition of FamilyLife Today.  FamilyLife Today is a production of FamilyLife of Little Rock, Arkansas. Help for today. Hope for tomorrow.  Copyright © FamilyLife. All rights reserved. www.FamilyLife.com    

If I had my Life to live over by Erma Bombeck- https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/49262-if-i-had-my-life-to-live-over-someone-asked Listener Support Link:https://anchor.fm/pod-bytes/support --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pod-bytes/support

Today I'm talking with KariAnne Wood from the blog, Thistlewood Farms. KariAnne is a DIY and interior design blogger, but really she's an excellent storyteller. In this episode we explore how starting a blog can lead to multiple book deals. We delve into how KariAnne started her blog out a feeling of loneliness and then built it into a booming business! Her blog lead her to a huge publishing career. But what most impressed me most about KariAnne is how she's built such a deep connection with her community, and it's all been through authenticity. And wait until you hear her stories! Resources: Thistlewood Farms So Close to Amazing (book) The DIY Home Planner (book) You've Got This (Because God's Got You) (book) MiloTree Some of these links may be affiliate, meaning at no cost to you, I may make a commission. Transcript: How Starting a Blog Can Lead to Multiple Book Deals With KariAnne Wood Host: [00:00:03] Welcome to the Blogger Genius Podcast, brought to you by MiloTree. Here's your host, Jillian Leslie. Jillian: [00:00:10] Hello everyone. Welcome back to the Blogger Genius Podcast. Today, my guest is KariAnne Wood who is the founder and CEO of Thistlewood Farms. She is a lifestyle blogger, author, and speaker. So welcome to the show, KariAnne. KariAnne: [00:00:30] Thank you so much, I'm so glad to be here. Jillian: [00:00:33] So we were just talking about a whole host of things, the main thing I am curious about is, first of all, how you started your blog and how you ended up moving back into your childhood home? KariAnne: [00:00:49] Well, the blog kind of began out of necessity about 10 years ago, we were living in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex in McKinney, Texas, which is a very busy metropolitan area. KariAnne: [00:01:01] My husband and I, we were just tired of all the busy, and tired of the rat race and we wanted an adventure. So we gathered our four children up and we move to the middle of nowhere in Kentucky. KariAnne: [00:01:14] It was actually the suburb of a 500 person town. Cows were our neighbors. Target was crossing state lines. There were no stoplights in our entire county. And there I was in the middle of this rural paradise and I was lonely. KariAnne: [00:01:34] I wanted to really reach out and find a community of like-minded people that love to decorate and share their heart. And so I started a blog called, Thistlewood Farms. Jillian: [00:01:44] So wait, OK, so you move out there. You're living the dream and you're lonely. How do you feel? Like oh my God, we made the biggest mistake of our lives? KariAnne: [00:01:53] Well, everyone else, my four kids were like having the time of their lives. My husband was extraordinarily happy because we bought a business, and he was all consumed with the growing of the business and everybody was so happy except me. KariAnne: [00:02:07] And part of the reason why I was lonely is because we moved to an area where everybody was related. They came over on the Mayflower together, and they were all together and it was really hard to make friends and I definitely made some amazing friends. Building a blog to find a community KariAnne: [00:02:22] I'm not going to act like I was all by myself, but I just wanted people that had similar interests to me. And so that's really how the blog was born, kind of out of just looking for community. Jillian: [00:02:34] Interesting. And have you always had a designer's eye? Have you always been creative? KariAnne: [00:02:40] 100 percent. Like when I was younger, I had Barbie houses and I was like, forget about the Barbies, because I would just decorate their houses and then kind of plop them in. So yeah, I've always loved to decorate and I've always kind of been a very creative person. Jillian: [00:02:57] Now were you a professional decorator back in Texas? KariAnne: [00:03:01] No, I'm actually a decorator from the School of Hard Knocks. I say in all my books, I made every decorating mistake in the entire world. And so I went before everybody and made them all so I could save people from them, from making mistakes that I made along the way. Jillian: [00:03:21] That is that is terrific. OK. I have to just confess we are moving from Palo Alto to Austin over the summer. So if anybody, by the way, has been listening to this and is in the Austin area, please reach out because again I'm looking for friends, but I am now thinking about decorating and so I have a whole new interest, so tell me the biggest mistake people make. Design advice from a style blogger KariAnne: [00:03:44] Oh I think the biggest mistake that people made is following trends like looking online and finding something that looks very trendy, or someone is telling them this is the way to decorate and they go that route and it's not really them and it doesn't fit. KariAnne: [00:04:01] It's like trying to put a square peg into a round hole. And I'm always like, just go with what you like. Like if the current trend right now is all neutral and you love hot pink carpeting, you go for it. Embrace that and live that because that's how you are going to make your home truly one that you love, is by embracing what is truly you. Jillian: [00:04:21] OK here's one question, I go on to Pinterest. Let's say I type in kitchen remodels and they all look, they're gorgeous but they all look the same. KariAnne: [00:04:32] I know right. Jillian: [00:04:35] I feel like I'm being biased by the fact that I need a farmhouse kitchen with a big white sink and white cabinetry and you know like some bar stools and I feel like I love that now but I can't tell if I really love it, or if I'm being brainwashed into loving it. And if in six months everybody is going to be doing something else. KariAnne: [00:05:01] I am kind of with you in that you're second guessing yourself but I am a big fan of keeping your design, big design, expensive design choices neutral. Jillian: [00:05:13] OK. KariAnne: [00:05:14] In other words. So when you're looking at your kitchen I think keeping your cabinets relatively neutral, whether it's a white or it's a gray. KariAnne: [00:05:21] I think keeping those relatively neutral keeping your countertops relatively neutral and if you love color you can do that in other ways. So you have your big ticket items in your kitchen and those are all relatively neutral. KariAnne: [00:05:34] And then you're like you know what, there's too much neutral. You can always pop it out with like textiles in the room or you could pop it out with beautiful floral arrangements or adding in greenery or just baskets and different fun things in the space to liven it up so that you're not going the complete farmhouse route. KariAnne: [00:05:52] However, if you get in there and you love the neutral, go with it! Not just because people are telling you. Decorate with your heart, like look in that space and say, "Is this space something I want to sit across the Thanksgiving table from?""Is this a space I want to live in every single day?" If it is, go with it. Jillian: [00:06:10] OK. But I just feel like somebody is going to walk in, like in five years somebody is going to walk into my house and go oh my God, it's so 2018. KariAnne: [00:06:19] You know what, there is a chance they might do that, but that's why I think sometimes just making small changes along the way is good. KariAnne: [00:06:28] For example, I'll just give you a little story for me, I was all about neutrals. I mean my farmhouse, if you look at it it was all neutrals all into that. And then we purchased this home the home I grew up in. KariAnne: [00:06:43] And all of a sudden it's like I'm feeling like it needs color, like I went with a neutral look and now I'm going back and adding in color, pops of color, just because it's what the house needs. And so what worked at that farmhouse, is not necessarily working in this house. Jillian: [00:06:59] OK so now we can get off of my own little design issues and get back to your story. KariAnne: [00:07:06] You could always message me if you have questions. Jillian: [00:07:08] OK I'm serious because I love your aesthetic and I feel like I'm kind of flailing except for Pinterest and everything looks the same. Jillian: [00:07:15] So all right, so you move out to Kentucky. You're in the middle of nowhere, you're lonely. You want community, you start this blog. KariAnne: [00:07:24] Yes. And I had no idea of the world of blogging I had no idea people made money off of it. I had no concept of that. I was just doing it to join a community. What are the business opportunities that come from blogging? KariAnne: [00:07:33] And along the way these incredible business opportunities presented themselves and I kind of put on my marketing hat and I started marketing the blog. Jillian: [00:07:41] So wait, explain, what are these tremendous business opportunities? KariAnne: [00:07:44] Well along the way I have worked with, like for example, last year I worked with 53 different brands. Jillian: [00:07:51] Okay. KariAnne: [00:07:52] And so anyone from Wayfair to Sherwin-Williams to Frogtape and I work with them in a variety of different ways with different collaborations. Some I'm working on photography with them. Jillian: [00:08:08] What do you mean you're working on photography with them? KariAnne: [00:08:11] Like for example they would send me products and I photograph the products in my home and then they use it in their social media. How to collaborate with brands as a blogger Jillian: [00:08:16] So it's not you're not posting, you're like a paid photographer. KariAnne: [00:08:21] Well sometimes, it depends on the collaboration. Every collaboration is different. Some collaborations they send me the product, I post about it. I show how I've decorated my home on my blog. And then I give them the assets the photography assets to use on their own social. KariAnne: [00:08:35] Sometimes I'm literally just taking pictures of the product at my home for them to use on their own social or on their web site or in a blog post. Jillian: [00:08:45] And do they tag you? Do people know this is you or in that respect you're like a gun for hire with a beautiful home and a great taste? KariAnne: [00:08:57] It depends. Most of the time if they're using my images it would be written into the contract that they would tag me because I own the rights to those photographs. I mean depending on the contract and what's negotiated. But yeah they for sure would tag me. Jillian: [00:09:11] Okay. Got it. So you're a blogger, brands are I guess reaching out to you? KariAnne: [00:09:18] Yes. Well it's a little bit of both. I think when you're a blogger you know I'm the Queen of Hustles so I'm always like "Who did I work with last year? Let me approach them and see if they're interested in a new collaboration." or a lot of times brands do reach out to me. KariAnne: [00:09:31] I mean, probably one of my best tips as a blogger is a lot of times with a brand, I'll work with their PR agency. And that PR agency may have another client besides the client that I'm working with. KariAnne: [00:09:44] And I will say to the PR agency, "hey I've got this Bathroom remodel coming up, hey I've got this kitchen remodel, hey I'm redoing my front room. Do you have any clients that are a good fit for that?" And some of my best collaborations I've gotten because I worked the PR contacts that I already had. Jillian: [00:10:01] Got it. And then you end up hopefully getting free product. KariAnne: [00:10:06] Yes. Again each collaboration with a brand is different. I mean sometimes I'm using products that they send to me, sometimes I'm designing an inspiration board for them. I mean each collaboration looks different but typically it does involve some sort of pre product. Jillian: [00:10:23] Got it. Okay. So I mean, that's always a way for you. Lifestyle bloggers style bloggers DIY bloggers. Isn't that a nice way to reach out to a brand and say "I'm redoing my kitchen" like reaching out to say Whirlpool or something like that, how would you do that? KariAnne: [00:10:46] If I was going to go through a major remodel. I know I have kind of a long time ago when I first started blogging, one of the promises I made to myself, kind of one of the guidelines that built my business on is I never put anything in my home just to blog about it because then it's not authentic. And the readers know that. KariAnne: [00:11:05] So I there's many collaborations that I've turned down just because they're not a fit for my brand. It's not something that would work in my house. KariAnne: [00:11:14] Back when I was all neutral all the time. I mean if if a company that had a very colorful aesthetic with like super cool graphic prints and things like that that might not necessarily work in my space then that's probably not a company that I would have worked with. How to reach out to brands as a blogger KariAnne: [00:11:29] So a long time ago just set that forth. So if I was going, let's say I'm doing a kitchen remodel and I worked with a tile company in the past I've worked with a countertop company in the past typically I would reach out to them. KariAnne: [00:11:43] I have a pretty extensive network of contacts now because I've been doing this for 6 years. I would reach out to them say, "hey this is what I'm doing, is this a fit with your marketing budget? Is this something that you might be interested in?" KariAnne: [00:11:55] And sometimes it's a fit and sometimes not so much and sometimes the parameters that they would have, you'd have to wait a couple of months and I need the tile right then and probably that might not be a good fit or I need a countertop right then and it might not be a good fit. KariAnne: [00:12:10] But typically you're reaching out to the brands and saying here's my project can you come alongside me and partner with me. Jillian: [00:12:18] That's great. So let's say you're doing a kitchen remodel. How many brands would you want to partner with you with your kitchen? KariAnne: [00:12:25] I think it depends on the extent of what you're doing and kind of who you have in contacts and what would be a good fit. KariAnne: [00:12:33] So for example in my kitchen that I just redid I chose to reuse existing cabinets that we already had rather than reaching out to a cabinet brand. KariAnne: [00:12:44] Just because I already had the cabinets and I'm kind of frugal girl. And so it made more of a fit to do a post and show the readers hey look these were cabinets from another area of the house that we just repurposed added molding to and kind of redesign them to look like brand new cabinets for the kitchen. KariAnne: [00:13:02] So I think that totally depends on the scope of your project and what you need for that project. Jillian: [00:13:09] Got it. OK so let's let's go back to your story. So you're living in Kentucky and then all of a sudden you end up, because of family illness right? You end up moving back home. KariAnne: [00:13:26] Yes. We had some illness come up in our family that was it's a little bit overwhelming and so they just needed us. I mean it was kind of like step up time. KariAnne: [00:13:36] And so we knew that it was they just needed us and we needed to be home so I said to my husband oh my gosh if there's any way we could get back the family home that would be totally amazing. KariAnne: [00:13:49] My mom had sold it about five years ago to a wonderful couple. And I called her up one day and said hey you don't really know me. I'm KariAnne, and I used to live in your house. I would love to buy it. Is there any chance that you would sell it to me? And she was like wait, KariAnne, do you write a blog? Jillian: [00:14:10] No way! KariAnne: [00:14:14] So yeah, she totally read the blog. She's amazing girl like oh my gosh super amazing girl and she said actually yes we would totally sell it to you. KariAnne: [00:14:24] They had some circumstances in their lives where they were actually it wasn't on the market or anything but amazing timing. And so yeah we bought it from them and just never even went on the market. Jillian: [00:14:36] Oh my God. Well first of all I have to say I've been boggling your name by calling you KariAnne. And it's KariAnne. KariAnne: [00:14:43] Oh no worries. Jillian: [00:14:44] OK. But that is amazing so, a couple of things. How did you feel leaving your house in Kentucky that you had then remodeled? KariAnne: [00:14:52] I was literally, they were like prying my fingers off of the front porch pillar. I was in an emotional relationship. Jillian: [00:15:01] Really. OK. KariAnne: [00:15:03] Now it helps it helps that this house is so amazing like that helped in that, you know I've lived a lifetime in this house. I don't know if I would have traded it for any other house but this house. But I did love that farmhouse. Oh my gosh it was one of a kind. Jillian: [00:15:18] And I recommend people go to your blog because you have photos of both your current house and your old house. Like definitely check it out. It's gorgeous. KariAnne: [00:15:27] Thank you so much. It's a labor of love. Both of them. Jillian: [00:15:31] OK so how long ago did you move home? KariAnne: [00:15:35] Thanksgiving. Jillian: [00:15:36] Oh OK. So relatively recently. KariAnne: [00:15:38] Yes. Very very recently and so we've kind of been in a mad dash to really remodel this house because when you're a blogger you know I need places to photograph and I need rooms that look cute. KariAnne: [00:15:51] And I actually wrote a post on my blog that said every day I wake up and I try to make the house cuter than it was yesterday. Like that's my goal. KariAnne: [00:16:04] So today, either I'm going to add pillows or I'm going to paint something or I'm going to switch a bookcase around or do something so it just made me feel so much better and miss my old house less every day. I took a small step to making it cuter than it was the day before so it's a process. Jillian: [00:16:23] And how is the cuteness factor now? KariAnne: [00:16:25] It's getting there. I mean it needs so much work. Like in my mind I can see it all done. I feel like I'm running a design marathon like, "I'm coming, don't worry house I'll show up you'll be cute soon!" It's getting there, it's getting there. Jillian: [00:16:44] I love your use of the word cute for your stuff. It's so sweet. I mean again life is all about change and uncertainty. But at least you can control the cuteness. KariAnne: [00:16:54] That is so true. The best story ever of the house, this is literally the best story. So when my mom sold it, I was of course emotionally attached to this house too. And so my mom said "I'm selling it" my father passes away and my mom it's just too much house for her. So she had to sell it. KariAnne: [00:17:09] So she goes to sell the house and I go on like a farewell tour of the rooms like "bye dining room, having Thanksgiving was so awesome" and like "bye staircase where I said hello to Santa Claus" and like "bye kitchen where I met my husband" you know like "go have a nice life". KariAnne: [00:17:24] And as I'm literally about to head out the back door there is this bathroom with a mirror. And it's this giant ornate antique mirror not even my style or anything. And I look at that mirror and I had stood in front of that mirror in my wedding dress. KariAnne: [00:17:40] I had waited for my husband put my lipstick on before our first date in front of that mirror, and something just comes over me and I literally grab the mirror and I run out of the door with it like I'm like throwing in my car driving back to Kentucky. KariAnne: [00:17:55] And when we bought the house back I brought back that mirror and I put it right back where it was. Oh and an even better ending to the story is I have little twins that are in ninth grade and they just went to their first dance and they were standing in front of the mirror putting on their lipstick. Jillian: [00:18:16] Oh. Oh. KariAnne: [00:18:19] I know! Dude, I'm like full circle. Jillian: [00:18:21] Oh that's so sweet. Wow great story. Great story. OK. So now the one thing I want to talk about is books because you are an author you've written how many books? How to get a book deal as a blogger KariAnne: [00:18:37] I have. There's five books in all. Two are on the market currently. Another one is releasing September of 2018 and then there's another full color coffee table book that releases in March of next year (2019). And then one more after that. Jillian: [00:18:58] So based on interviews I've done in the past on this podcast with people who've written books most people say "I write books because it's a labor of love". "I write books because it puts my brand out there and establishes me as an expert. But books are not moneymakers. Books are a way to launch myself". Jillian: [00:19:21] And when we were talking you said well that's not exactly been true for me that I've actually made money from my books. KariAnne: [00:19:27] Yes 100 percent. I think probably the most important component is, when you're looking at publishing a book there are many different routes. KariAnne: [00:19:38] There is of course self publishing where you would publish it yourself and you put out all the money upfront and then you sell publish and sell it and market it yourself. KariAnne: [00:19:49] Then there is kind of like a hybrid where you have a company that publishes the book for you and then they provide you with copies and then you purchase them at a discounted rate and then you sell them and they maybe help a little with marketing but not that much. KariAnne: [00:20:04] And the route that I went which is the one I recommend is traditional publishing. Is working with traditional publishing house and I have been so fortunate to work with two incredible publishers that will ever and forever have my heart. KariAnne: [00:20:22] And the reason why I went that route and probably my best advice for anyone looking to publish a book or thinking about publishing a book is number one: I think it's so important that you build a platform because when you're going to that publisher and you have a message that you're going to get out there to the world, you want to come alongside that publisher you want to talk with the publisher about how your going to help the publisher sell the book. KariAnne: [00:20:51] You are going to help the publisher markets a book. Because just I think traditionally in the past sometimes you know authors they would send the manuscript to the publisher and then they would kind of sit back and wait for the publisher to do all the work. KariAnne: [00:21:05] Or in the case of self publishing, I mean they would probably do a huge majority of the work themselves but it would be so expensive to put all that money up front to get your book published to design your cover and all the all of that stuff. KariAnne: [00:21:18] So my best advice would be to start with your platform. Work on developing your platform work on developing your message work on developing your print your brand. So when you go into meetings with that publishing house you can say "hey this is what I'm bringing to the table". KariAnne: [00:21:35] My second piece of advice would be to get an agent. I have the most incredible agent. So fortuitous to find her and she has just really been the world to me. KariAnne: [00:21:49] The agent kind of knows the ins and out of the publishing world and they give you great advice and they know which publishing houses. I mean they make recommendations they make contacts for you at publishing houses. How to develop your platform as a blogger KariAnne: [00:22:01] And really those two things work on you're developing a platform. You bring something to the table don't just go to the publishing house and expect them to do all the work you show up. Jillian: [00:22:12] OK. All right so let's unpack this a little bit. OK. You start your blog. You start working on your platform which means your email list your social media. You know growing those platforms. KariAnne: [00:22:32] I think it's more than when I say build a platform. I think that numbers are very important. I mean obviously if I'm coming to you and I say I have X amount of people on Facebook or X amount of people on Instagram you know I think that's definitely important. KariAnne: [00:22:47] But I think the key components that so many of us miss in this world of blogging and social media and platforms is the influence is the influence factor. So I always tell people if you gave me a thousand loyal readers I could rule the world. How to find one thousand true fans as a blogger KariAnne: [00:23:05] And when I say that, I mean a thousand people that want what I have, that want to hear my message, that show up every day and they stand up and they're counted. KariAnne: [00:23:15] So when I was looking at developing my brand and developing my platform those were the people that I was looking for. When I was growing my blog I treated those people like they were my customers. KariAnne: [00:23:28] So if they had a decorating question, I didn't charge them for decorating advice. I really gave it. I spent hours putting together ways to help them or answer anybody's question they sent me. KariAnne: [00:23:39] I think I have a thing on my blog where I say "calling all questions" this is an unlimited question policy here at Thistlewood Farms, because those readers are the customers. KariAnne: [00:23:48] And I think people overlook that they just put messages out there and expect, "I wonder why no one's reading me," or "Wonder why no one is responding to me?" KariAnne: [00:23:56] It's because they are not in a relationship with those readers. They are not treating those readers with the respect that they deserve. And so I went out of my way to build that sort of platform. Jillian: [00:24:07] I think that is terrific in fact if you read my emails you see that I have actually sent out I think two e-mails about this concept of a thousand true fans. If you have a thousand true fans you can build a business. Jillian: [00:24:23] You do not need millions of fans. You need true evangelists. People who love you, believe in you, will buy from you. That's what you need for a business. I think that is just terrific advice. KariAnne: [00:24:37] Well, and so what I did was so, for example, and this applies not only in the publishing world but it applies and in the brand world as well. So I'll just give you one example, when I was looking to paint my house a color I went to my fans and I went to the people that read the blog and I said "What color would you paint the house?" KariAnne: [00:24:55] I gave them six options and we had over 700 people chime in. Not for a prize, not because we were giving anything away just because they wanted to be helpful. They wanted to show up and represent. KariAnne: [00:25:08] So I was able to go back to that brand and say, look 700 people are invested in what color I paint. Jillian: [00:25:15] Wow. Wow. KariAnne: [00:25:16] And I think that is the key component. So when you're talking to publishing houses, I mean that same applies in working with brands as well. You're saying to them I'm an influencer. I have the ability to influence people's buying decisions and I think that is a key component that is so overlooked when you're dealing with anyone. Jillian: [00:25:39] What's interesting is when we first started talking, you said start with your platform. And I said oh you know social media, email list and you're like, "No no no wait," I thought you were going to say really clarify your message. But that's not what you said. ADVICE: Be authentic as a blogger Jillian: [00:25:56] You said be authentic, be available. Really, you focused it on your fans not on your business and what your message was. Which I think is a really interesting differentiator. KariAnne: [00:26:11] Well I definitely think the message is important. When I counsel people on how to start a business or how to start a blog I always tell them, start as you go, like don't don't pull the rug out from under your readers. KariAnne: [00:26:24] In other words don't be all this direction and then all of sudden change midstream and like one day you're positive, full of energy and the next day you're complaining, you know. KariAnne: [00:26:33] Start as you go, develop that message, be true to who you are. But I do feel like if you're authentic and you are all about the people that are reading your blog, or participating in your business, the message authentically comes out. Jillian: [00:26:49] I agree. I agree. Again I think that the focus on your audience your community is really powerful. KariAnne: [00:26:58] I mean I literally was in tears when my first book was released and it was a best seller and it was on Amazon. You know at the top of the list and it had like the best seller tag on it. KariAnne: [00:27:12] People were screen shotting it and sending it to me and I was weeping because all of these people they weren't just celebrating the book. They were coming along for the journey. They're like "how can we help you get your message out there?" KariAnne: [00:27:30] And so it was as if you sat down with a thousand of your best friends and they're like, dude how can we help you? Jillian: [00:27:37] Wow. KariAnne: [00:27:38] "You've helped us all these years, how can we help you?" And I have never felt so humbled and so grateful and so appreciative and in my whole life than during that first book release. Jillian: [00:27:48] So let's look at that. You're making me tear up here. KariAnne: [00:27:53] I love it. Jillian: [00:27:54] So let's talk about this. So from the beginning you are cultivating this community that you care deeply about and that therefore in turn cares deeply about you. Jillian: [00:28:05] So you say to yourself, I want to write a book. And then what? How do you get an agent? How do you pitch yourself to publishers? How do you tell that publisher, "I've got these diehard fans?" KariAnne: [00:28:18] I think before we unpack that, I think an important component here is and this is something I try to explain this to people, I wish I could tell you I was a super incredibly brilliant person that sat down with this totally mapped out plan to get to the book. But it was so organically grown. KariAnne: [00:28:36] So I start a blog. I'm writing about decorating and actually I'm writing about nothing. I'm kind of writing about my toes sometimes like I mean a very lame messaging going on. KariAnne: [00:28:48] One day I remember I wrote a post "Don't you think I have very long toes?" and people were like "you do have long toes!" and so I had to hone my message a little bit. KariAnne: [00:28:57] But over time what happened was one day I told a story about something just because I'm kind of a storyteller. But I'm a decorating blog so I was like, How am I going to incorporate these stories? Do people even care about stories like this even a thing? And no one else was telling stories. KariAnne: [00:29:15] And so I told a story on my blog and the response was incredible. People were like oh my gosh like this is crazy. Tell more stories. What else are you doing? What other funny story you have? What else is going on in your life? Write a blog you want to read KariAnne: [00:29:27] And then the blog became kind of this hybrid of I would talk to you and show you these beautiful decorating pictures and then randomly tell you a story about how I stepped in dog poop and it was just like organically grown because it was a kind of blog that I wanted to read. KariAnne: [00:29:43] I didn't want to read a blog that said here are my curtains. Here's my rug. I wanted to write. I wanted a little meat. I wanted something interesting to go along with my curtains. KariAnne: [00:29:56] And so that's how the stories were kind of born. So I mean I think in the back of my mind I always had a dream about writing a book but it wasn't until this story started really taking off and I saw that that amazing wonderful community of people that read the blog really responded to the stories. KariAnne: [00:30:12] It's like the decorating brought them to the blog and the lifestyle brought them to their blog. Jillian: [00:30:17] And the beautiful photos and aspiration tips and I get it. But there is more. There is you! KariAnne: [00:30:24] But then you show up and I'm like hey take a seat in my living room and let me tell you let me entertain you. Jillian: [00:30:30] Right. KariAnne: [00:30:32] Let me tell you how I'm sliding down a hill after I spoke at a conference and ended up with mud all over my butt. You know, let me entertain you with my life, like these real actual things that happen to me every day of my life. KariAnne: [00:30:44] And so it really that was the combination that people really responded to, and so I thought maybe I could write a book. But I didn't know how to go about it. KariAnne: [00:30:53] So I did a little bit of research and actually reached out to some friends of mine and one of my friends was in the process of writing a book and I said, "How did you get started?" KariAnne: [00:31:01] She said the first thing is you want to find an agent. And so she gave me a bunch of different literary agencies and I wrote the most incredible pitch letter ever. Jillian: [00:31:12] OK. KariAnne: [00:31:14] It was quite entertaining. And I sent it out to these agencies to see if anybody would take a bite because this is an unknown world to me, this is something that is very different. I'm so thankful an amazing agency picked me up and I met my agent and really she kind of mapped everything out. KariAnne: [00:31:33] She was really instrumental because I didn't know where to start and she sat me down and said we're going to do this, and we're going to do this, and we're gonna do this, and you know for example the next step is you have to write a book proposal. How to write a book proposal KariAnne: [00:31:42] Well a book proposal is very intimidating for anyone who's never written one before. I mean they say that's what separates kind of the serious people from the not so serious people because the typical book proposal is about 10,000 words. Jillian: [00:31:55] Wow. KariAnne: [00:31:55] So it took me probably about four months to write the book proposal which is, like it was overwhelming. And my agent, her name is Ruth, she kept gently nudging me like, "Hey haven't heard from you on that book proposal yet, how's it going?" KariAnne: [00:32:15] And I just kept going and putting one foot in front of the other. And I think probably the hardest thing about writing a book is when you write a blog post it's 350 words and there's a beginning a middle and an end and you're done and you walk away. When you write a book it's 50,000 words. KariAnne: [00:32:32] And it's a beginning and then a whole lot of words. And then a middle and then a whole lot of work and then the end. So you got to shift your thinking a little bit. KariAnne: [00:32:43] But we we did the proposal and then she sends it out to different contacts that she has in the publishing world. And then we got some bids on the book and we looked at them and selected an incredible offer and went with that. And then the whole book writing process started. Jillian: [00:33:02] OK and how long did the book writing process take? KariAnne: [00:33:05] Well I'm kind of a fast writer just because I mean you've got to think of it this way, I was in training to write a book. I mean I write five blog posts a week. So that's training yourself to sit at the computer and write 400 words every day or five days a week. KariAnne: [00:33:21] And so I had done that for year after year after year so when they told me, you have to sit down and here's when your first chapter is due and here's when your second chapter is due and I pretty much stuck to my deadline. KariAnne: [00:33:32] I hear in the world, I don't know this for a fact, but I had heard that a lot of sometimes people don't stick to their deadlines. Jillian: [00:33:38] I've heard that too. Yes. KariAnne: [00:33:40] They get overwhelming, but I was pretty on it. And so I think the whole process of actually writing the book maybe took about nine months. Jillian: [00:33:49] OK. And what is the first book called? The book: So Close To Amazing KariAnne: [00:33:53] The first book is called So Close To Amazing. And it's actually a memoir. It's a memoir so it's trade paper which in publishing house terms means like it's a book book, was like writing and it's not for color. There are words and chapters and that type of thing. Jillian: [00:34:13] So it's not just a DIY book? KariAnne: [00:34:15] No it's a like a memoir, it's about my life it's about us moving. It's the story that I told you except with way more stories along the way. Jillian: [00:34:24] OK. OK. KariAnne: [00:34:26] Way more adventures in about. It's all about at the end of the day, the overarching message of the book is learning how to celebrate right where we are and realizing that the me of today is perfect. KariAnne: [00:34:40] I mean I think so many times, and that's what this book is about: The book was, we jumped to the country and I expect when we moved to the country everything's going to be perfect, and I'm going to be growing my own grain and I arrive in the country like, "wait, life is not exactly how I thought it was going to be" and I thought I was going to make friends and that didn't exactly work out. KariAnne: [00:34:58] It was like I was always looking for this amazing. Like I was like, Oh tomorrow is going to be amazing, if we just finished the house I'm going to be amazing, if I could lose another like 20 pounds I'll be amazing, if my hair was a little longer I'd be amazing. KariAnne: [00:35:11] And along the way and part of this whole journey was I discovered that the amazing was right there. Jillian: [00:35:19] Wow. KariAnne: [00:35:19] The amazing was the journey. Jillian: [00:35:23] Wow. Yes. I love that. I love that. That's amazing! KariAnne: [00:35:32] So I had been so close to amazing all along. There's the book. Jillian: [00:35:37] Right. So this book though, did it have photos of your beautiful house? Did it also have DIY? Or was it really just about your journey? KariAnne: [00:35:48] Well you know you read those books and at the end of each of the chapters they'll have a recipe. Jillian: [00:35:56] Yes, Ruth Reichl is one of my favorite writers and she's a food writer and she always puts her favorite recipes. KariAnne: [00:36:03] Yes. And so you always think you can have these recipes. Well when you read the book you'll understand I'm a horrific cook. Like I mean absolutely positively horrible cook. And so there was no putting any recipes like that would have been horrible. KariAnne: [00:36:19] So I put DIYs at the end of each chapter that I talk about in each of the chapters I work that DIY into the chapter. Jillian: [00:36:27] I love that. I love that. KariAnne: [00:36:30] And at the end is a DIY. The book is also full of total asides which is the way I talk, so I'll be in the middle of a story and then I'll be like total aside. Did you really like Shaun Cassidy when you were younger? You know like, why random thoughts, people were like wait where was she going? Jillian: [00:36:46] Oh that's terrific. KariAnne: [00:36:48] So yeah it's a little, I don't know if you remember there was a lady named Erma Bombeck. Jillian: [00:36:51] Yes yes. KariAnne: [00:36:53] It's a little like her. Jillian: [00:36:54] Oh OK. So you launched this first book. And again what I think is so interesting is, yes you are DIY, yes you have a great eye, yes you take beautiful photos, but there's a there there. Jillian: [00:37:08] There's a you with a message and you're living your life and you're sharing your life and you're going that extra mile, you're connecting. Blogging for comments and connection KariAnne: [00:37:18] Yes. Well I have been so blessed. It all started with the first little person who left a comment on my blog. And then you know some people blog for money some people blog for their egos. I blog for comments. Jillian: [00:37:34] Yeah. KariAnne: [00:37:36] Shameful. Jillian: [00:37:36] No, I get it. Oh my god I get like if if somebody emails me and says "I read your email" and it was somebody today, just emailed me and said "I really need it" Jillian: [00:37:47] It was something about I wrote an email. It's a sequence and there's one about Instagram, and it's like you have to show up for Instagram and somebody wrote back to me goes, "I really needed to hear this today." And I sit here and I just read that and I go "awww" and I write back and I just go "thank you so much." KariAnne: [00:38:05] Wow. Right. Jillian: [00:38:09] I love those. And I have a file I save called Love Letters where I will go through them on a bad day and I'll read them. KariAnne: [00:38:19] Me too! OK. Mine isn't called love letters. Mine is called KariAnne You're Amazing. Jillian: [00:38:27] Because there is something about it. Even why I love the podcast, just because I get to connect. And then if other people get to hear it and learn from it. I'm so happy about that. Jillian: [00:38:39] But at the end of the day, like being a blogger can be lonely having a company or multiple companies. It can be lonely. And so if I can hear other people's stories and if I can impart little bits of wisdom by being in the trenches. You know I feel like I've done my job for the day. KariAnne: [00:39:02] Well OK so I'm going to be totally shameful and transparent here. So sometimes I write a blog post especially if it's a good story. KariAnne: [00:39:10] And when you email me when you comment on the blog it leaves it has an email that comes through on my phone. And so I'll set the post to publish. And every time there's an email the phone will ding. KariAnne: [00:39:23] So the the post will go live. I don't know maybe seven and go out by email by like 7:15 and I lay there and I hear. Ding! Ding! Ding! And I'm like Yay! KariAnne, they're commenting! So yeah there's no greater joy for sure. Jillian: [00:39:42] I agree. And I think that there's you know what's so interesting is in every one of my podcasts I feel like I learn, and I step away with like a new realization and I feel like from this conversation that realization is the more you put yourself out there, and be vulnerable and be human the more you welcome people putting themselves out there and being human. KariAnne: [00:40:11] I 100 percent agree and I think what being online so much has taught me is that we live in a world where there are so many people that are hurting, and there are so many people that are not being heard. They're not being validated. KariAnne: [00:40:27] And you know it's almost like they're walking through life without someone taking a moment to say, "Hey look you're amazing. You got it." KariAnne: [00:40:36] And there is a post I wrote one time and I said the first line of it I think is just "In case no one else had mentioned it yet today like no one has said it. You're a rock star." Like let me be that person. Let me go first. You're incredible. You're funny. There is something you can do better than anyone else in this entire world. KariAnne: [00:40:54] And the response to that post was incredible because I feel like we as human beings have this longing for connection and we want our voices to be heard and we want people to understand us. KariAnne: [00:41:10] And so when somebody comes along and goes hey I'm gonna love you right where you're at. I'm going to accept you right where you are. I think that that is such an important message. Jillian: [00:41:20] And I think because we are so hard on ourselves. I was just having this conversation with somebody, I was at the Mom2.0 conference and I was talking to a woman and we were talking about if somebody could hear our own voices in her own heads, how horrified they would be. Jillian: [00:41:39] You know the messages we are telling ourselves of were not good enough and we're not thin enough and we're not young enough or good whatever, if somebody could hear that they would stop you and say "Stop it!" Jillian: [00:41:53] That is abusive, but somehow it's OK for us to do it within ourselves because nobody really can really hear it. And so this idea of, if only I could, like you, If only I could finish my house. If only I could move to the country and grow my own grains. I will be happy. Happiness has to happen right now Jillian: [00:42:20] And it's about really changing that perspective of saying no, happiness has to happen right now. KariAnne: [00:42:26] Well and it's funny, because back when I was telling you about the house trying to make the house cuter. I actually wrote a post on the blog and I had the twins for their first dance. KariAnne: [00:42:36] I had all these parents coming over. They were doing like a pre-dance party at our house and we hadn't really shown the house to anybody, and I spent days and days trying to make the house cute. KariAnne: [00:42:48] I would be like. "Come on House we're going to show them. We're going to show them we're cute." I was painting walls and putting up curtains and doing all this, and you know what happened? KariAnne: [00:43:00] People got here, and they walked around the house and all of a sudden these two beautiful adorable sweet identical twin daughters came down the stairs with their hearts in their eyes and these beautiful smiles on their faces. And no one's paying attention of the house, right. Jillian: [00:43:19] Right. Yes. You just gave me goosebumps. KariAnne: [00:43:21] The house was already cute enough. It was already cute enough. And here I was so obsessed and worrying about that, when I should have just paused and thought you know what the house and I were on a journey, and here are these beautiful girls and the day really is about them. Not about making your house cute right. Jillian: [00:43:41] Right. Oh I love that. Oh I love that. I want to say I have learned so much from you. KariAnne: [00:43:51] Oh I love that because I'm a little in awe of you. I could I could just sit at your feet and learn from you for sure ,you are amazing with everything you have accomplished. Jillian: [00:44:02] We will have to do a part two for sure. KariAnne: [00:44:05] Oh that would be awesome. Jillian: [00:44:06] So tell people, because again, we have much more to talk about. So tell people about your books and the books that are coming and then how people can reach out to you. Because what I love is you're available. KariAnne: [00:44:21] Yes 100 percent. So the first book is called So Close To Amazing and it's a memoir. It's a faith based book. I touch on my faith in the book. It's a faith based publisher called Tyndale. KariAnne: [00:44:34] This second book is all about decorating. It's called the DIY Decorate It Yourself Planner and it's literally the sassy girl's guide to decorating. KariAnne: [00:44:45] One of the chapters starts and it says, space planning is a lot like wearing Spanx to your high school reunion, like absolutely necessary. So there's a lot of like not intimidating. I kind of bring you along with me on my journey of decorating this house. KariAnne: [00:45:05] There are very specific things in there, like specific guidelines for how to choose a paint color, and how to plan out your spaces and how high to hang your chandelier over your dining room table and amazing stuff like that. KariAnne: [00:45:18] And the third book is actually a devotional book. Jillian: [00:45:20] Okay wait, I need that book. I need that book as we make our move to Austin. KariAnne: [00:45:25] OK. It's yours. I'll send it to you. Jillian: [00:45:27] I know nothing. I know nothing about the chandelier. KariAnne: [00:45:30] And I'll be available on speed dial. Jillian: [00:45:32] OK. I love it. I love it. I love it. OK. KariAnne: [00:45:37] You are kinda my neighbor. Jillian: [00:45:37] Yes. Oh my God. We will meet up together. KariAnne: [00:45:41] Yeah for sure. KariAnne: [00:45:43] The third book that's coming out. It's a devotional book but it's all just stories of encouragement. And it's called You've Got This Because God's Got You. KariAnne: [00:45:53] And then the last or the fourth book is actually, which I'm so excited about, I cannot wait for you to see it. It's a four color beautiful coffee table book. And it's called The Style Finder and it's, we traveled all over the country and photographed different bloggers houses. KariAnne: [00:46:12] And there's a whole questionnaire with what's your style? What your decorating style? And then we walk you through. Once you're we kind of pick out what's your favorite decorating style. We walk through, like here's your living room in this style. Here's your bedroom in the style. Here's your bathroom in the style and tips to kind of combine styles, too. Jillian: [00:46:29] OK that's fabulous. OK so then how can people reach out to you? KariAnne: [00:46:36] They can email me at Thistlewoodfarms.com. If you go on there, there's a contact form that they can just get right to me, or they can actually my email address is thistlewoodfarms@yahoo.com but they can go to the blog Thistlewoodfarms.com and there's a contact form. KariAnne: [00:46:52] And they can message me on Facebook, if they want to message me on Instagram with any decorating questions, I seriously could talk decorating, I mean till the cows come home as we say in Kentucky. And that's true. You come home. Jillian: [00:47:11] Thank you so much for being on the show. KariAnne: [00:47:14] It was absolutely my joy and my honor. Get more Instagram followers fast and free with MiloTree! Jillian: [00:47:19] Are you trying to grow your social media followers and e-mail subscribers. Well if you've got two minutes I've got a product for you. Jillian: [00:47:26] It's MiloTree. Jillian: [00:47:28] MiloTree is a smart pop up slider that you install on your site and it pops up and asks visitors to follow you on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest or subscribe to your list. Jillian: [00:47:43] It takes two minutes to install. We offer a WordPress plugin or a simple line of code and it's Google friendly on mobile and desktop so we know where your traffic is coming from. Jillian: [00:47:55] We show a Google friendly pop up on desktop and a smaller Google friendly pop up on mobile. Check it out. Sign up today and get your first 30 days free. Sign up for MiloTree now and get your first 30 DAYS FREE!