Podcast appearances and mentions of mary fran bontempo

Gratitude is a tool that connects us to our happiness, success and power.  ~ Kristin Smedley & Mary Fran Bontempo NOTE** This episode was previously aired, but it's fun, has a great message and deserves to be run again! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!! Has it ever occurred to you that gratitude can help you tap into your power? We don't often think of thankfulness as a powerful thing. In fact, some of us feel that being grateful may make us seem weak. Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we are card-carrying members on the gratitude train. Even in our darkest hours, we were thankful for those slivers of light that held us up and gave us hope, whether they came from friends, family, or the experts who helped guide us through our crises. Training the mind to focus on blessings instead of lack opens up the spirit, and okay, we're going a little woo-woo here (with Mary Fran's blessing), the universe, to provide opportunities, connections and the strength to move forward instead of stewing in a pot of blech. Gratitude provides focus, as well as the positive energy necessary to make decisions and take action. This Thanksgiving, remember to be truly grateful for blessings both big and small. Live with an open heart and mind and use gratitude as a tool to live a Brilliantly Resilient life! Happy Thanksgiving! XO, KS & MFB

By making best friends with denial and distraction, I was refusing to see what "could be" going on in my life, which was that my son had been struggling for a very long time with substance abuse issues. I kept holding onto what I thought my life and my son "should be," instead of facing and dealing with the truth. ~ Mary Fran Bontempo Have you ever known that a crisis was barrelling down on you but you refused to see it? Some truths are just too hard to face, leading us to deny their existence and distract ourselves with just about anything to keep from facing reality. We're taught from a young age that if we follow "the rules," things will be okay. Do the right thing, and good will follow. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, it doesn't always work out that way. Yet, giving up on that myth is scary, and can open a Pandora's box of life messes that we just don't want to face. Mary Fran Bontempo, co-founder of Brilliantly Resilient, knows the perils of focusing only on what she thought her life "should be," based on living by the rules. Knowing that her son was having some challenges, Mary Fran denied the severity of what she intuitively felt was wrong, because that wasn't what her life "should be" manifesting. If you follow the rules, things will be okay, right? But by ignoring the truth of what "could be," which was, in fact, that her son had spiraled into serious addiction, Mary Fran almost lost her child. We cannot navigate challenges if we deny them. It's essential to see truth. Maybe what's happening shouldn't be--terrible things shouldn't happen to good people--but only by acknowledging what could be the truth can we begin to find solutions and make our way back to the light. Tune in for more of Mary Fran's insights on this episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast, and be sure to get her book, The 15 Minute Master, which tells the story of her son's addiction and how she and her family made their way back to health and healing. Let's be Brilliantly Resilient together! XO, Mary Fran & Kristin

From the archive: This episode was originally recorded and published in 2021. Our interviews on Entrepreneurs On Fire are meant to be evergreen, and we do our best to confirm that all offers and URL's in these archive episodes are still relevant. Mary Fran Bontempo and Kristin Smedley know their brilliance. But they didn't always. Both Kristin and Mary Fran know what it feels like to be sucker punched by life. But they refuse to let those sucker punches define them. Together they created Brilliantly Resilient - a show, podcast, program and now a book to teach others how to Reset, Rise and Reveal their Brilliance to the world! Top 3 Value Bombs 1. Do not be married to outcomes. There's always going to be something that pushes you off course, but the beauty is there's also opportunity in that. 2. When you are executing your brilliance, everything is aligned and you're feeling good. But don't assume that it will get you to exactly where you want to go. 3. There are core values in how you live your life - once you align the things you do with your core values, then exponential success happens. Get $100 off with promo code FIRE - Discover your Brilliance Sponsors HubSpot There's a better way to win, and it all starts with the new HubSpot Sales Hub. It's smart software for smart sales teams that feels good to use! Try it for yourself at HubSpot.com/sales Thought-Leader Ever thought about giving a TEDx talk? Visit Thought-Leader.com/fire to join a free training and learn how to land a TEDx Talk and spread your message to millions Policygenius Your loved ones deserve a financial safety net. You deserve a smarter way to find and buy it. Visit Policygenius.com to get your free life insurance quotes and see how much you could save

From the archive: This episode was originally recorded and published in 2021. Our interviews on Entrepreneurs On Fire are meant to be evergreen, and we do our best to confirm that all offers and URL's in these archive episodes are still relevant. Mary Fran Bontempo and Kristin Smedley know their brilliance. But they didn't always. Both Kristin and Mary Fran know what it feels like to be sucker punched by life. But they refuse to let those sucker punches define them. Together they created Brilliantly Resilient - a show, podcast, program and now a book to teach others how to Reset, Rise and Reveal their Brilliance to the world! Top 3 Value Bombs 1. Do not be married to outcomes. There's always going to be something that pushes you off course, but the beauty is there's also opportunity in that. 2. When you are executing your brilliance, everything is aligned and you're feeling good. But don't assume that it will get you to exactly where you want to go. 3. There are core values in how you live your life - once you align the things you do with your core values, then exponential success happens. Get $100 off with promo code FIRE - Discover your Brilliance Sponsors HubSpot There's a better way to win, and it all starts with the new HubSpot Sales Hub. It's smart software for smart sales teams that feels good to use! Try it for yourself at HubSpot.com/sales Thought-Leader Ever thought about giving a TEDx talk? Visit Thought-Leader.com/fire to join a free training and learn how to land a TEDx Talk and spread your message to millions Policygenius Your loved ones deserve a financial safety net. You deserve a smarter way to find and buy it. Visit Policygenius.com to get your free life insurance quotes and see how much you could save  

In our newest episode of PenPodcast we are joined by Mary Fran Bontempo. Mary Fran is a speaker, author, podcast host and humorist who teaches audiences to control their most powerful influence: Self-Talk. A two-time TEDx presenter and author of The Woman's Book of Dirty Words, and Not Ready for Granny Panties, Mary Fran proves small changes in self-talk generate big life changes, allowing individuals to be positive, productive and vital in a rapidly changing world. A Huffington Post, Thrive Global contributor and regular columnist for numerous websites, Mary Fran's work has been honored by the YWCA, the Erma Bombeck Writer's Workshop and Humor Press, among others. A frequent media guest and speaker, audiences delight in her empowering and entertaining message. Mary Fran engages, uplifts, motivates and inspires audiences with practical wit and wisdom, leading to professional and personal success. How do you cope when you wake up one day and learn that your son is a heroin addict? No one is immune to crisis, regardless of the details. Yet even without challenges, everyday life can push us to the edge. During my crisis, a simple, effective system evolved, one that worked for everything, and still does. Join me as we laugh (yes, laugh!), learn, and make life better with The 15 Minute Master—15 Minutes at a time! Website: https://www.maryfranbontempo.com/ Contact: media@maryfranbontempo.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pen-podcast/support

Mary Fran Bontempo is a force of natureA successful columnist and humorist, Mary Fran found herself in an industry that was rapidly changing, marginalizing her and forcing her into an unwanted and unplanned obsolescence. But she wasn't ready to be “old,” or to let her voice be silenced. Mary Fran reinvented herself, and became a sought-after public speaker and author. And then life delivered what she calls the “Sucker Punch.”Her story of how she navigated her son's overdose and addiction recovery, kept her family together, and became a thought leader, TEDx Speaker, and renowned podcaster is inspiring.This is a great conversation that will show you the power of resilience, hope, and faith. Check out Mary Fran's books, podcast, and speaking by clicking the button and links below.Start writing today. Use the button below to create your Substack and connect your publication with Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

When Life Hits You Hard, What Do You Do Next?Click here to download the pdf transcript of this episode!When life hits you hard, sometimes you don't know what to do next. In this episode, we'll find out. Music by Tommy Walker (Music shared on The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast is authorized under BMI license #61063253 and ASCAP license #400010513 )Also check out our friends Kristin Smedley and Mary Fran Bontempo's great podcast, Brilliantly Resilient! (I was a guest on their show in August of 2020!) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

What would you do if the doctor told you your newborn son would be blind for the rest of his life? Or as a mom, finding out that your son was a heroin addict? Kristin Smedley & Mary Fran Bontempo had to answer the big questions in life when their children forced them to change direction, and shift all hopes and dreams. "This is a parent's worst nightmare, and I was living it." If you are a parent, this is a heartwarming episode on resilience, parenting, and learning to shine despite every setback possible. How these two souls found each other to do the work they do, it a gift from above. Authors of Brilliantly Resilient: Reset, Rise & Reveal Your Brilliance! Kristin and Mary Fran will make you laugh and cry at the same time. https://brilliantlyresilient.net/ About Kristin Smedley With two of her three children born blind, Kristin Smedley was thrown into a mother's nightmare with her dreams for her sons' futures torn apart. Determined that her boys would become productive, vital individuals, Kristin dove headfirst into uncharted waters to equip her sons with the skills and tools they needed to build successful, happy lives. Kristin partnered with Comcast to encourage and promote equipment for the visually impaired, testified before the FDA for legislation for better services for the blind, founded a non-profit for genetic disease research, delivered a TEDx talk centered on setting Extraordinary Expectations, and wrote a book showing both blind and sighted readers the possibilities that exist with imagination and determination. Kristin's boundless energy and generous spirit allow her to carry her message of empowerment and hope to audiences beyond the blind community through her motivational speaking and programs. Find her at: www.kristinsmedley.com. About Mary Fran Bontempo Mary Fran Bontempo is an award-winning 2-time TEDx speaker, author, humorist and podcast host who teaches audiences to uncover their brilliance and resilience 15 minutes at a time. A sought-after presenter, Mary Fran is author of The 15 Minute Master and The Woman's Book of Dirty Words and co-founder of the Brilliantly Resilient LIVE show and podcast. Mary Fran proves small changes can create life-altering transformations, allowing individuals to be positive and successful in a rapidly changing world. A Huffington Post, Thrive Global contributor and columnist for numerous websites, Mary Fran created a life-affirming brand of wisdom and wit after meeting the challenge of her son's heroin addiction. A frequent media guest and speaker for corporate, faith-based, and educational organizations, audiences of all ages delight in her empowering and entertaining message. Find her at: www.maryfranbontempo.com. Awakened Nation® Host: Brad Szollose: Fueled by the passion to ignite game-changing conversations, award-winning author Brad Szollose created Awakened Nation®—a podcast dedicated to deeper conversations with today's cutting edge entrepreneurs, idea makers and disruptors, bestselling authors, activists, healers, spiritual leaders, professional athletes, celebrities and rock stars...conversations that take a deep dive into the extraordinary. This podcast will challenge your beliefs and make you think. Think Art Bell meets Joe Rogan. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/awakenednation/support

We are Mary Fran Bontempo and Kristin Smedley, and we know our Brilliance. But we didn't always. In fact, we know what it feels like to be lost, afraid, unproductive, unsuccessful and unhappy-in other words, BROKEN. That's a lot of yuck, but without it, there would have been no need for RESILIENCE, the key to uncovering your BRILLIANCE. We've learned our lessons the hard way, with few resources and little guidance. And while the road was rough–like ugly crying rough–we also managed to come through with skills, tools and strategies that helped us not only survive, but thrive, in crisis and beyond. Connect with them:Email: howdy@brilliantlyresilient.netWebsite: https://brilliantlyresilient.net/Facebook: @BrilliantlyResilientInstagram: @brilliantlyresilientYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUu4adubD7za8um9SEEpxZA Do you get yourself in your way of your success story? Check out our free webinar at https://event.webinarjam.com/channel/TWT

In this episode, Melinda Emerson chats with Mary Fran Bontempo about managing uncertainties in business. They discuss Mary's 3-step approach to resilience, the value of recalling better times, and various stress management techniques. The conversation also covers tools for business growth, maintaining motivation in tough times, and the role of a personal mission in driving purpose.

Mary Fran Bontempo is the Co-Founder of Brilliantly Resilient, a podcast that teaches audiences strategies and tools to thrive in the face of adversity and beyond. Mary is a TEDx speaker and the author of four books, including The 15-Minute Master, which focuses on her son's heroin addiction and how to navigate a crisis. She is a Bucks Happening Author Award winner and was recognized as a 2017 YWCA Woman Who Makes a Difference. Mary has been featured in numerous publications, including Thrive Global and Huffington Post. She is also a featured columnist for Best Kept Self and Women's Voices Magazine. Mary joins me today to discuss how you can be brilliantly resilient and prepare for unexpected moments, such as the epidemic crisis. She shares her strategy for being brilliantly resilient in three steps and highlights the importance of taking a moment to breathe, not giving in to your fears, and finding the skills and actions that will help you move forward. She also shares how faith and her tribe of people are vital resources for finding motivation and offering support as a coping mechanism. “Everyone has natural gifts - that is where your brilliance lies.” - Mary Fran Bontempo This week on the SmallBizChat Podcast: Resources Mentioned: Connect with Mary Fran Bontempo: Fix Your Business! Are you ready to run your business with intention? Ready to create a business that allows you to live your dream life and take those dream vacations you deserve? Then you need a copy of my latest book: Fix Your Business: A 90-Day Plan to Get Back Your Life and Remove Chaos From Your Business. Fix Your Business gives you concrete advice on the problem areas many small business owners face as well as the step-by-step process to find solutions so you can live the life of your dreams. It's time to take back control of your business and change how your business is run. Order your copy of Fix Your Business and design your business - and life - with intention. Let's End Small Business Failure - Together! Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of the SmallBizChat Podcast - the show on a mission to improve small business success. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us a rating and review. Help us spread the word and end small business failure by sharing your favorite episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media. Visit our website or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, or YouTube for more great content, tips, and strategies to improve your small business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kristin Smedley and Mary Fran Bontempo faced devastating challenges as young mothers.  Kristin found herself raising two blind sons and Mary Fran navigated  her son's heroin addiction. Refusing to be defined by their challenges and determined to survive and thrive, Kristin and Mary co-founded Brilliantly Resilient offering skills, tools, strategies and action plans to help others navigate through challenges and reset with resilience to rise and reveal the brilliance within.  Kristin and Mary Fran are resilience experts, TedX speakers, best selling authors, program creators and presenters and media hosts, with over 250 interviews conducted and followed in 700 countries.  Their latest book, Brilliantly Resilient, is an Amazon Best Seller. What You Will Hear in This Episode:  Kristin Smedley and Mary Fran personal stories What Kristin learned about herself when she found her first son was blind The dangers of assuming challenges What Mary Fran learned about herself when faced with her son's heroin addiction Letting go of the things that don't matter and focusing on the things that do Lessons learned by Kristin and Mary on women dealing with resilience How Kristin and Mary met What they have learned from each other Quotes “When you are faced with a challenge or a crisis, you have a decision to make. Either visit the place of crisis or live there.” “We do the best we can with what we know at the time we are going through it.” “We need to look at how we are looking at our challenges. Look for the possibility and potential of a way out.” “Life is not perfect. We will face challenges every day.” “Surrender is not a defeat. It is an action step.” Mentioned: brilliantlyresilient.net The 15 Minute Master Amazon Brilliantly Resilient Podcast Apple Podcast  https://bonniemarcusleadership.com/  Gendered Ageism Survey Results Forbes article 5 Tips to own the superpower of your age Not Done Yet! Not Done Yet! Amazon Bonniemarcusleadership.com The Politics of Promotion Fb @Bonnie.Marcus LinkedIn: @Bonniemarcus Twitter: @selfpromote IG: @self_promote_

Gratitude is a tool that connects us to our happiness, success and power. ~ Kristin Smedley & Mary Fran Bontempo Has it ever occurred to you that gratitude can help you tap into your power? We don't often think of thankfulness as a powerful thing. In fact, some of us feel that being grateful may make us seem weak. Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we are card-carrying members on the gratitude train. Even in our darkest hours, we were thankful for those slivers of light that held us up and gave us hope, whether they came from friends, family, or the experts who helped guide us through our crises. Training the mind to focus on blessings instead of lack opens up the spirit, and okay, we're going a little woo-woo here (with Mary Fran's blessing), the universe, to provide opportunities, connections and the strength to move forward instead of stewing in a pot of blech. Gratitude provides focus, as well as the positive energy necessary to make decisions and take action. This Thanksgiving, remember to be truly grateful for blessings both big and small. Live with an open heart and mind and use gratitude as a tool to live a Brilliantly Resilient life! Happy Thanksgiving! XO, KS & MFB

When Life Hits You Hard, What Do You Do Next? Click here to download the pdf transcript of this episode!   When life hits you hard, sometimes you don't know what to do next. In this episode, we'll find out.    The Dr. Lee Warren podcast is brought to you by I've Seen the End of You: A Neurosurgeon's Look at Faith, Doubt, and the Things We Think We Know, available from Waterbrook/Penguin Random House for pre-order now everywhere books are sold. Don't forget to support your local booksellers!   Go to my website www.wleewarrenmd.com for more information about my letter, this show, my books, and more.   Music by Tommy Walker (Check out his video and devotional here   Also check out our friends Kristin Smedley and Mary Fran Bontempo's great podcast, Brilliantly Resilient! (I was a guest on their show in August of 2020!)   (Music shared on The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast is authorized under BMI license #61063253 and ASCAP license #400010513 )

Stephanie Olson talks to co-founders of Brilliantly Resilient. Mary Fran Bontempo and Kristin Smedley are Resilience experts, TEDx speakers, best-selling authors, media hosts, content creators and presenters who have been featured on Entrepreneur.com, Thrive Global, Medium and others, co-founders of Brilliantly Resilient, and pretty darn funny. But, as a young mother, Kristin found herself raising two blind sons; Mary Fran navigated her son's crushing heroin addiction. With few resources, they were determined to survive and thrive. They founded Brilliantly Resilient to teach others to come through challenges Brilliant, not broken, with tools, strategies, and an action plan to Reset with Resilience, Rise and Reveal the Brilliance within us all.https://brilliantlyresilient.net/https://www.facebook.com/BrilliantlyResilienthttps://www.instagram.com/brilliantlyresilient/https://stephanieolson.com

Kristin Smedley Knows How Life Can Knock Us Down But she also knows how sometimes those "sucker punches" can create amazing opportunities for personal growth. Join us for an inspiring conversation with TedX speaker, author, and resilience rock star Kristin Smedley. Kristin's website Kristin's book, Thriving Blind Kristin's latest book, Brilliantly Resilient (with Mary Fran Bontempo)

Oh, say it isn't so!! It's just about the end of summer, and this is week 10--the last week--of our Summer of Giveaways Reading Contest!  We've been blessed to feature some amazing authors and friends to help you on your resilience journey. Now this week, we're getting back to basics--US! Our week 10 giveaway features a copy of Brilliantly Resilient: Reset, Rise & Reveal Your Brilliance, as well as a copy of The 15 Minute Master by MFB, Thriving Blind by KS, and maybe a surprise or two! There's no better way to jump into fall than by renewing your committment to your own Resilience and Brilliance--and we'll show you how in this easy-to-read (did you expect anything else?) gem chock full of Brilliantly Resilient wit and wisdom. Head over to Instagram and the Brilliantly Resilient Facebook Community to enter for your chance to win! Let's get Brilliantly Resilient together! XO KS & MFB

Mary Fran Bontempo is a speaker, humorist, and podcast host. She is a 2x TEDx speaker. Mary Fran Bontempo is also an author of four books and was a former newspaper columnist. Her recent book, The 15 Minute Master, narrates her journey of her son's heroin addiction. For more than 30 years, she has used her insights to uplift audiences. She believes in the power of making small changes to create long-lasting results. ------------------------- Thanks for listening to The Funky Brain Podcast with Dennis Berry! Dennis is a Life Coach for Addiction Recovery and Life Mastery. If you are struggling with any type of addiction like alcohol, food, porn, drugs, or shopping, reach out for help. Asking for help is the first step in solving the addiction puzzle. Maybe you're not struggling with an addiction, but you are simply “stuck” in life and don't know how to push through. Dennis is the master in helping people get laser-focused, accomplishing their goals and dreams, and achieving life mastery on every level. Dennis works with people worldwide and currently has clients in England, Australia, and India. Zoom is a beautiful tool for helping people all over the world.

How do you go from the dark pit of blindness and the death bed of heroin addiction to sitting next to Deepak Chopra with raving fans around the world? That's the journey Kristin Smedley and Mary Fran Bontempo share in their programs, podcast, Best Selling book... and on live stages, podcasts and shows. Website: https://brilliantlyresilient.net/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BrilliantlyResilient Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinsmedley/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinsmedley/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/KristinSmedley Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUu4adubD7za8um9SEEpxZA Brilliantly Resilient on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Brilliantly-Resilient-Reset-Reveal-Brilliance-ebook/dp/B08NTRL2LN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=75LMT0U796C8&dchild=1&keywords=brilliantly+resilient&qid=1627065343&sprefix=brillantly+res%2Caps%2C170&sr=8-1   To learn more about James, visit Professor of Perseverance. You may also contact him through email, James@professorofperseverance.com or call 615 – 336 – 2181

Today on Feminine Roadmap we talk about the process of living brilliantly resilient. Guests Mary Fran Bontempo and Kristin Smedley share their mission to help others live brilliantly resilient so that they can come through struggles and setbacks brilliant and not broken. Resilience, it turns out, exists in everyone, we don't have to go look for it but only to activate it. Both women learned this when they experienced major personal setbacks that were catalysts for them to activate their own resilience. When the women met they realized that they shared intense sucker punches from life that they were both able to overcome. Together they decided to create a platform to help others activate their resilience just as the world was collectively experiencing shut down due to the pandemic. Join us to hear about their amazing journey and the powerful process that they developed to empower people to be brilliantly resilient. Grab a cuppa something wonderful, a friend in the trenches with you and press play!

Welcome to The Big Impact Ep 208 as we welcome the co-authors of the best-selling book, "Brilliantly Resilient: Reset, Rise and Reveal Your Brilliance" - Kristin Smedley & Mary Fran Bontempo. With two of her three children born blind, Kristin Smedley was thrown into a mother’s nightmare with her dreams for her sons’ futures torn apart. Determined that her boys would become productive, vital individuals, Kristin dove headfirst into uncharted waters to equip her sons with the skills and tools they needed to build successful, happy lives. Kristin partnered with Comcast to encourage and promote equipment for the visually impaired, testified before the FDA for legislation for better services for the blind, founded a non-profit for genetic disease research, delivered a TEDx talk centered on setting Extraordinary Expectations, and wrote a book showing both blind and sighted readers the possibilities that exist with imagination and determination. Kristin’s boundless energy and generous spirit allow her to carry her message of empowerment and hope to audiences beyond the blind community through her motivational speaking and programs. Find her at: www.kristinsmedley.com. Mary Fran Bontempo is an award-winning 2-time TEDx speaker, author, humorist, and podcast host who teaches audiences to uncover their brilliance and resilience 15 minutes at a time. A sought-after presenter, Mary Fran is author ofThe 15 Minute Master and The Woman’s Book of Dirty Words and co-founder of the Brilliantly Resilient program, show and podcast. Mary Fran proves small changes can create life-altering transformations, allowing individuals to be positive and successful in a rapidly changing world. A Huffington Post, Entrepreneur.com, and Thrive Global contributor and columnist for numerous websites, Mary Fran created a life-affirming brand of wisdom and wit after meeting the challenge of her son’s heroin addiction. A frequent media guest and speaker for corporate, faith-based, and educational organizations, audiences of all ages delight in her empowering and entertaining message. Find her at www.maryfranbontempo.com. --------------- BECOME A BIG IMPACT "INSIDER" We need your help to continue presenting the Big Impact each week. You can now share a MONTHLY gift via PATREON  or make a ONE TIME donation via PAYPAL BIG IMPACT VIDEO CHANNEL - You'll find free VIDEOS of our podcast interviews HERE SUBSCRIBE to the Big Impact Podcast for free! Apple - Google - Stitcher - Spotify - iHeart

Get ready to laugh and learn as Kristin Smedley and Mary Fran Bontempo share their train wrecks and how they came through it stronger.  They show us how to uncover our resilience when life hits us hard, and then discover our brilliance to take our journey in a new direction.  Kristin and Mary Fran guide us through their formula of Reset, Rise & Reveal, with actionable steps they used to achieve their success.     Description: Courage Up Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1526947990801218/ Courage Up Show Notes https://www.mingshelby.com/podcast Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/mingshelby/

Resilience, Courage, Relationships, Family, Change Summary   Devastating life events can happen. The question is: If or when they do, can we be resilient enough to overcome them and thrive? We'll look at that in our Thought of the Day. And in our interview segment, Kristin Smedley and Mary Fran Bontempo, two women who have had to be resilient, will share with us how to be brilliantly so. That and more on today's show.   Bob's Thought of the Day   We'll explore:   A fascinating question: How is it that some people are able to live fruitful and productive lives despite going through traumatic situations, while others are never able to recover? The inspiration that comes from seeing others turn a catastrophic situation into something positive.   Interview with Kristin Smedley & Mary Fran Bontempo     You'll discover:   Kristin and Mary Fran's story of creating Brilliantly Resilient. Why it is not helpful to say to someone, “everything happens for a reason.” How small, intentional steps can help you get out of a big crisis. Three steps to becoming brilliantly resilient: reset, rise, reveal. A success story from someone who'd been sucker punched but was brilliantly resilient. The importance of not being married to outcomes.   Click to Tweet   “We wanted to be the resource we didn't have.” @MaryFBontempo @KristinSmedley #resilience On this episode of The Go-Giver, discover the 3 steps to becoming brilliantly resilient. @MaryFBontempo @KristinSmedley #resilience “What can you actually do in this moment to effect change?” @MaryFBontempo @KristinSmedley #resilience   Interview Links   BrilliantlyResilient.net Brilliantly Resilient: Reset, Rise & Reveal Your Brilliance! by Kristin Smedley & Mary Fran Bontempo Thriving Blind: Stories of Real People Succeeding Without Sight by Kristin Smedley The 15 Minute Master: How to Make Everything Better 15 Minutes at a Time by Mary Fran Bontempo Brilliantly Resilient Podcast Brilliantly Resilient Programs Free Resources Connect with Brilliantly Resilient on Facebook Follow Brilliantly Resilient on Instagram Brilliantly Resilient on YouTube   Connect with Mary Fran Bontempo on LinkedIn Follow Mary Fran Bontempo on Twitter   Connect with Kristin Smedley on LinkedIn Follow Kristin Smedley on Twitter   Resources   Endless Referrals: The Go-Giver Way  Order The Go-Giver Order The Go-Giver Leader Order The Go-Giver Influencer GoGiverSalesAcademy.com Endless Referrals: The Go-Giver Way 2-Day Workshop TheGoGiver.com GoGiverSpeaker.com Burg.com  How to Post a Review

Mary Fran Bontempo is an award-winning author and 2-time TEDx speaker who teaches audiences how to uncover their brilliance and resilience 15 minutes at a time. Although not in recovery herself, she watched for years as her son David struggled with addiction for years. She saw the early warning signs, but like many parents, she justified what was happening. In retrospect, Mary has come to understand how hard it can be to see situations like this for what they really are. "The two closest companions in crisis are distraction and denial." You deny the family member's addiction, and then you distract yourself with excuses. After being admitted to two in-patient treatment centers, David was finally able to get sober. Mary made it her mission to help the family members of addicts through her writing and speaking engagements. Her most notable books are Brilliantly Resilient and The 15 Minute Master. The 15 Minute Master offers a process to help families navigate the challenges of addiction through mindfulness and a series of simple questions. You can learn more about Mary and her books by visiting MaryFranBontempo.com Do you want to take your recovery to the next level? Sobriety Engine is an incredible online community where you can find a ton of great tips, tools, and support from other men and women in recovery. Visit SobrietyEngine.com to join today. If you're ready to get fit and start living a healthier lifestyle while supporting your sobriety then you can learn more about having Jonathan as your personal fitness and nutrition coach at RCVRHealth.com

Mary Fran Bontempo and Kristin Smedley know their brilliance. But they didn’t always. Both Kristin and Mary Fran know what it feels like to be sucker punched by life. But they refused to let those sucker punches define them. Together they created Brilliantly Resilient--a show, podcast, program and now a book, to teach others how to Reset, Rise and Reveal their Brilliance to the world! Top 3 Value Bombs: 1. Do not be married to outcomes. There’s always going to be something that pushes you off course, but the beauty is there’s also opportunity in that. 2. When you are executing your brilliance, everything is aligned and you’re feeling good. But don’t assume that it will get you to exactly where you want to go. 3. There are core values in how you live your life - once you align the things you do with your core values, then exponential success happens. Get a FREE 15-minute call to hone in your value system and begin to discover your brilliance - Brilliantly Resilient  Sponsors: ZipRecruiter: Let ZipRecruiter take hiring off your plate so you can focus on growing your business. Try ZipRecruiter for free at ZipRecruiter.com/fire! Thinkific: Get on the fast track to launching a course that will sell! Sign up for Amplify 2021 for free at Thinkific.com/amplify!

Mary Fran Bontempo is an award-winning 2-time TEDx speaker, author, humorist and media host who teaches audiences to uncover their brilliance and resilience 15 minutes at a time. A sought-after presenter for corporate and association events, Mary Fran is author of The 15 Minute Master and co-founder of Brilliantly Resilient. Mary Fran proves small changes can create life-altering transformations, allowing individuals to be positive and successful in a rapidly changing world. A columnist for numerous websites, Mary Fran created a life-affirming brand of wisdom and wit after meeting the challenge of her son's heroin addiction. A frequent media guest and speaker, audiences of all ages delight in her empowering and entertaining message. Social Media Handles: Websites: www.maryfranbontempo.com & www.brilliantlyresilient.net Instagram: @maryfbontempo Facebook: @maryfbontempo

In this episode, Melinda Emerson and Mary Fran Bontempo discuss strategies for navigating current challenges and financial stress in business. They explore Bontempo's 3-part strategy: Reset, Rise, Reveal. The conversation also covers coping mechanisms, importance of physical activity, favorite business tools, and motivational tips.

Mary Fran Bontempo is the Co-Founder of Brilliantly Resilient, a podcast that teaches audiences strategies and tools to thrive in the face of adversity and beyond. Mary is a TEDx speaker and the author of four books, including The 15-Minute Master, which focuses on her son's heroin addiction and how to navigate a crisis. She is a Bucks Happening Author Award winner and was recognized as a 2017 YWCA Woman Who Makes a Difference. Mary has been featured in numerous publications, including Thrive Global and Huffington Post. She is also a featured columnist for Best Kept Self and Women's Voices Magazine. Mary joins me today to discuss how you can be brilliantly resilient and prepare for unexpected moments, such as the epidemic crisis. She shares her strategy for being brilliantly resilient in three steps and highlights the importance of taking a moment to breathe, not giving in to your fears, and finding the skills and actions that will help you move forward. She also shares how faith and her tribe of people are vital resources for finding motivation and offering support as a coping mechanism. “Everyone has natural gifts - that is where your brilliance lies.” - Mary Fran Bontempo This week on the SmallBizChat Podcast: Resources Mentioned: Connect with Mary Fran Bontempo: Fix Your Business! Are you ready to run your business with intention? Ready to create a business that allows you to live your dream life and take those dream vacations you deserve? Then you need a copy of my latest book: Fix Your Business: A 90-Day Plan to Get Back Your Life and Remove Chaos From Your Business. Fix Your Business gives you concrete advice on the problem areas many small business owners face as well as the step-by-step process to find solutions so you can live the life of your dreams. It's time to take back control of your business and change how your business is run. Order your copy of Fix Your Business and design your business - and life - with intention. Let's End Small Business Failure - Together! Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of the SmallBizChat Podcast - the show on a mission to improve small business success. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us a rating and review. Help us spread the word and end small business failure by sharing your favorite episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media. Visit our website or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, or YouTube for more great content, tips, and strategies to improve your small business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Life will throw us all some major sucker punches at one point or another. We will get knocked down. Mary Fran Bontempo discovered that her son was a heroin addict at about the same time her career in the newspaper industry was facing major cultural shifts and an uncertain future. Kristin Smedley's first son was born blind. Then, her second son was born blind as well. Today, Mary Fran and Kristin co-produce the Brilliantly Resilient Podcast in addition to leading other advocacy groups. On this episode, they share their personal stories, and teach us a think or two about resilience and hope. Go Phils!

About Mary Fran Bontempo Mary Fran Bontempo is an award-winning 2-time TEDx speaker, author, humorist and podcast host who teaches audiences to uncover their brilliance and resilience 15 minutes at a time. A sought-after presenter for corporate and association events, Mary Fran is author of The 15 Minute Master and The Woman's Book of Dirty Words and co-founder of the podcast 4 Chicks Chatting. Mary Fran proves small changes can create life-altering transformations, allowing individuals to be positive and successful in a rapidly changing world. A Huffington Post, Thrive Global contributor and columnist for numerous websites, Mary Fran created a life-affirming brand of wisdom and wit after meeting the challenge of her son's heroin addiction. She is a frequent media guest and speaker, audiences of all ages delight in her empowering and entertaining message. First Phase Mary Fran's first phase was fairly typical--married, had three kids, church singer, youth minister, substitute teacher, and worked in the family recruiting business with her husband. She also wrote a humorous local newspaper column. The Day the Rug was Pulled Out from Under Her  On Mother's Day 2010 Mary Fran that her son was a heroin addict.   The suspicions were there, but as a mom, it was easy to deny them.     As a mom of an adult child, her hands were somewhat tied.   Both are common emotions in such circumstances. The two companions, not friends, of crisis are denial and distraction. An addict will get high, then there will be a period that is like a train wreck and you are ready to do something, and then they pull back.   Almost as though they know you are ready to intervene. Mary Fran suggests that if you feel in your gut that something is wrong, it is.   Address it.  Don't deny it.  And don't let yourself be distracted. First Steps for Crisis Management  The first steps for crisis management are: Research - find resources. Talk to other for outside help. Remember - There is no shame in this. Everyone knows someone who is affected by this.  The odds are that if you were not doing drugs with your child, you weren't lighting up a joint with them, you didn't cause the addiction.   The three C's of addiction: 1st C - You didn't cause it 2nd C - You can't control it 3rd C - You can't cure it Getting a child into recovery is the best feeling ever.  You can finally sleep.   Your child is finally with people who can help him/her and he/she is safe. It's a very dark time, but getting treatment is the beginning of the light. The Second Phase The 15 Minute Master People often say to take life one day at a time.   But with an addict, you often have to take life in 15-minute increments.   You can get through anything in a 15-minute time frame.  It's about taking one action at a time. The experience of living 15 minutes at a time led Mary Fran to write her book, The 15-Minute Master.   She now applies this principle to every aspect of her life. Mary Fran also speaks on it and leads workshops to teach others how to survive and thrive 15-minutes at a time. The 15 Minute Master is broken down to 15 minutes, three main questions, one action step. Three questions are: What can I do about this? The question is not: what do I want to do. The outcome is the main goal, but what are the resources? The next question is: What should I do? Should I act or not? And the third question is: What am I going to do about this? Do I need courage?  Do I do nothing and let it evolve?  Do I need to take a step back and let someone else handle it? Who Are You Going to Call? If you can't solve the problem, call in the experts.  Don't be afraid to ask for help, but first, identify that you do indeed need the help. Sometimes you need to surrender.   That doesn't mean to give up.   It means to give yourself time to process what's happening and allow yourself the grace to let someone else help.  Turn things over to God, or your higher power. Be gentle with yourself and give yourself time to heal.   There will be PTSD.  Trust has been broken and has to be rebuilt.  You may forgive, but you'll never forget.  The relationship has been destructed and must be rebuilt.   It is a process.  There must be grace all around it. Mary Fran's Two Other Books: Not Ready for Granny Panties The Women's Book of Dirty Words Mary Fran's favorite dirty word is, relax.  Just relax really means shut up and leave me alone.   If told to relax, Mary Fran has learned to do just that. Change is another dirty word.  But look at change as opportunity not a threat. Advice The best advice is to find a purpose in the horror.  Sometimes that is to serve others. Find your brilliance.  You have gifts.   Identify them and use them to serve others because you will be serving and fulfilling yourself at the same time! Your gifts don't have to be used in a traditional way.   You may have the gift to teach, but that doesn't mean that you have to be in the classroom.   Teaching can be accomplished in different ways such as through speaking and writing. Use your passion and it will gift others and yourself. Dream Life Recovery Mary Fran has always been active in the recovery world.   She is now on a mission to help bring families into the recovery process.    Dream Life Recovery is building a resource for families of addicts to turn to. Today Mary Fran is working for her son and writes blogs for Dream Life Recovery.  She writes pieces from the perspective of a parent.   There is also a video series she is working on with her son. You can learn more by visiting Dream Life Recovery. Learn more about Mary Fran: Website LinkedIn Facebook   Learn more about your host, Robyn Graham, click HERE.  To learn about The Brand Marketing Insider by Robyn Graham, click HERE.  Book a Brand Marketing Strategy Session HERE. Ask Me Anything HERE. Connect with me, Robyn Graham: Website | Instagram | LinkedIN | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Pinterest    

Mary Fran Bontempo is a two-time TEDx speaker, award-winning author, humorist, and podcast host. She is also a a resilience rockstar and co-founder of Brilliantly Resilient. Her programs and work are full of empowering, practical wit and wisdom helping others to find personal and professional success with a healthy dose [...] The post Becoming a 15 Minute Master appeared first on AuthorExpertWire Podcast.

Humor might seem like the furthest thing from your mind right now, but the truth is, it’s times like this that we need it most - especially when we’re trying so hard to maintain connection! What’s the point of humor in the workplace? Mary Fran Bontempo to the rescue! She takes the points Kelly & Lara made in episode 51 and expands beautifully. Yes, there are downsides of not having/allowing in the workplace! Humor humanizes and relaxes us and it’s a great tool in business.  What happens when there’s resistance to humor and how do you incorporate it into even the most serious of roles and situations?  Where do you even start? Hint: you may have noticed a trend in that everything starts with you! What are some best practices for humor in the workplace?  Kelly’s nervous giggle is explained ...and we learn how her father (our unofficial 3rd host) used humor as a helicopter pilot trainer!  Learn more about Mary Fran Check out Brilliantly Resilient

My special guest, Mary Fran Bontempo, shares her personal story with addiction and family and how to be resilient in a world that comes crashing down around you. Plus 3 questions to help you handle problems 15 minutes at a time. Learn more about Mary Fran Bontempo and Shape It Up by visiting show notes here.  

Welcome to the Brilliantly Resilient podcast with Mary Fran Bontempo and Kristin Smedley! Our usual line is "What's your train wreck?" But as of this launch, we've got a global train wreck on our hands, and it's the perfect time to uncover our Brilliance and Resilience. On this first episode, we're blessed to have one of our favorite friends with us--Chip Baker of The Success Chronicles! Tune in and listen as Chip sprinkles us with his wisdom and positive energy. Time to get Brilliantly Resilient!!!

Vulnerability is the quality or state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally. Sounds pretty frightening, doesn't it?   Yet, we have to allow ourselves to be vulnerable if we want to create a life we desire.  Courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to act anyway.   We all live with fear.   It isn't an emotion that we can suppress completely, but what we can do is talk to ourselves and change our mindset surrounding it.    Join me as I share my journey with embracing vulnerability, overcoming fear through courage and leaning on my tribe, and how I am now able to do things I couldn't do in the past.     I didn't do it alone.  I was blessed to have a support system, my husband and my tribe, Mary Fran Bontempo, Kristin Smedley and Kathy Marcino, my co-hosts at 4 Chicks Chatting.     Brene Brown and her book, The Gift of Imperfection was a big influence for Robyn.     To learn more about your host, Robyn Graham, click HERE.     To learn about The Brand Insider by Robyn Graham, click HERE.     To connect with me, Robyn Graham: Website | Instagram | LinkedIN | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Pinterest

Have you ever been told to "take it one day at a time?" How about 15 minutes instead? Chick Mary Fran Bontempo's just released new book, The 15 Minute Master--How to Make Everything Better 15 Minutes at a Time, tells the story of a struggle with heroin addiction and the the process that evolved that saw Mary Fran and her family through the storm. The lessons learned work in crisis and beyond. Tune in to learn more about this inspiring journey!

Mary Fran Bontempo, an award-winning speaker, author, and humorist, just came out with a crisis management book called, “The 15 Minute Master.” The book promises to teach readers “how to make everything better 15 minutes at a time.” With no advance warning, host Dean Rotbart decided to test the premise on Mary Fran, herself, using his stopwatch to give her exactly 15 minutes to explain her method, why it works, and how business people can apply her lessons both at work and in their personal lives. “15 minutes could save you more than just car insurance premiums,” Rotbart says. “In a crisis, it could save your backside.” Click here to hear Mary Fran Bontempo’s July 2017 interview on Monday Morning Radio. Photo: Mary Fran Bontempo, The 15 Minute Master Posted: November 11, 2019 Monday Morning Run Time: 22 minutes 32 seconds

Mary Fran Bontempo is a two-time TEDx speaker, author, and humorist who teaches audiences to control their most powerful influence: Self-Talk. Author of The Woman’s Book of Dirty Words, and Not Ready for Granny Panties, She’s written for multiple online platforms, including The Huffington Post and Thrive Global. After thirty years’ experience as owner of a full-service recruiting firm, and finding herself in the middle of a perfect life storm—turning 50, a crashing economy, and most devastating, a son with a heroin addiction—she created the blog, Not Ready for Granny Panties, authoring two books in the series and developing a life-affirming brand full of practical wisdom and wit. She proves small changes in self-talk yield big life changes, allowing individuals to redefine their lives both professionally and personally in a rapidly changing world. In today’s conversation, Mary Fran shares her personal story and how she was able to navigate through the perfect storm that had been stirred up in her life. Reframing words and getting back to their root definitions, Mary Fran enlightens us to the power of words and how even seemingly negative words to be used to move us forward with confidence, clarity and freedom. Key Takeaways You can’t be married to an outcome. You have to be willing to start something and just see where it’s going to go, be willing to evolve with it, and sometimes be willing to jettison if things don’t work out. You are not going to defeat the negative voice in your head by learning something new. You’re going to defeat it by remembering what you already know about yourself. Many of us do not work in our area of brilliance, because we believe there is not enough struggle in that. Recognize that you’re already a change expert. You rebuild every day. The word “NO” can be both a weapon and a savior, it just depends on how we use it. Stop saying no to your possibilities. Say no to your presumed obligations, which are mostly self-imposed. Not everything has to be awesome. Sometimes it just has to be done. You need to learn to embrace intentional ignorance and use that as a way to de-clutter your life, de-clutter your mind, and learn how to focus on what’s really important. Practiced intentional ignorance can truly be bliss. Turning your preconceived notions upside down. Resources The Woman’s Book of Dirty Words Not Ready for Granny Panties Blog:  http://www.notreadyforgrannypanties.com Connect With Mary Fran Bontempo Website: https://www.maryfranbontempo.com Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMaryFranBontempo/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MaryFBontempo You Tube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS0vPX-haXfDNFHWOQ1DgFA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryfranbontempo Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/maryfranbontempo/ Huffington Post:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/author/maryfran-222

The 4 Chicks Chatting are a power group of women involved in lots of cool things. They have a podcast where they talk about business and personal development, humor, inspirations, empowerment and whatever comes to mind. The 4 Chicks consist of Robyn Graham @robyngrahamphotography, Kristin Smedley @kristensmedley, Kathy Marcino @kmmdisc and Mary Fran Bontempo @maryfranbontempo.

Mary Fran Bontempo is an author and humorist who teaches audiences to control their most powerful influence: Self-Talk. Author of The Woman’s Book of Dirty Words, and Not Ready for Granny Panties, Mary Fran is a Huffington Post and Thrive Global contributor as well as co-founder of the podcast, 4 Chicks Chatting. A frequent media guest and speaker, audiences delight in her empowering and entertaining message. Watch Mary Fran's Talk HERE Connect with Mary Fran HERE. BeTheTalk is a 7 day a week podcast where Nathan Eckel chats with talkers from TEDx & branded events. Tips tools and techniques that can help you give the talk to change the world at BeTheTalk.com !

Mary Fran Bontempo is an author and humorist who teaches audiences to control their most powerful influence: Self-Talk. Author of The Woman's Book of Dirty Words, and Not Ready for Granny Panties, Mary Fran is a Huffington Post and Thrive Global contributor as well as co-founder of the podcast, 4 Chicks Chatting. A frequent media guest and speaker, audiences delight in her empowering and entertaining message. Watch Mary Fran's Talk HERE Connect with Mary Fran HERE. BeTheTalk is a 7 day a week podcast where Nathan Eckel chats with talkers from TEDx & branded events. Tips tools and techniques that can help you give the talk to change the world at BeTheTalk.com !

Mary Fran is a humorist, author, blogger, and presenter. Look for her upcoming podcast: 4 Chicks Talking; From Hot Mess to Success. Learn more about her at www.maryfranbontempo.com and follow her blog: www.notreadyforgrannypanties.com. Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at NicoleChristina.com. You can become a patron of the Show at Patreon.com.

We need to take responsibility for our own self-talk, as it influences us and those around us. Whether using excuses, rationalizations, or even problem after problem … our self-talk affects us. Self-talk directly impacts our success because it shapes our perspective of what's happening and what we can do about specific situations. Listen in as Jess Dewell talks with special guest Mary Fran Bontempo – learn how to quit being nice, start saying no, and use self-talk to lift ourselves (and those around us) up successfully.

Mary Fran is a speaker, author, and humorist who teaches audiences to clean up their dirty words and control their most powerful influence: Self-Talk. Top 3 Value Bombs: 1. You get to choose the way to live your life—your life, your choice. 2. There’s no need to be ashamed of your past experiences; it’s a part of you. 3. Vulnerability and authenticity go hand-in-hand. Visit Mary Fran’s website Sponsors: Omaha Steaks: The perfect holiday gift for your clients, employees and partners! Omaha Steaks has a huge variety of gift options to choose from and flexible gift plans for businesses of all sizes. Right now you can get their exclusive holiday gift package for $59.99. Visit OmahaSteaks.com and type EOF in the search bar! eHarmony: Put a stop to playing around with online dating apps that don’t net results! When you’re ready to start a meaningful relationship, there’s one app that’s built to bring you real love: eHarmony. Visit eHarmony.com and enter promo code FIRE at checkout to get a FREE month when you sign up for a 3 month subscription.

Writers and speakers pursue their craft for all kinds of reasons. Today's guest will remind you of the most important “why”—connecting with an audience and changing their lives. She shares her speaking and writing journey, and will challenge you to go deeper with the process.

Hosted by Lynnis Woods-Mullins. Guest MARY FRAN BONTEMPO is a speaker, author and humorist who teaches audiences to control their most powerful influence: Self-Talk. Author of The Woman’s Book of Dirty Words, and Not Ready for Granny Panties, Mary Fran proves small changes in self-talk yield big life changes, allowing individuals to be positive, productive and vital in a rapidly changing world. A Huffington Post and Thrive Global contributor, and regular columnist for Women’s Voices Magazine and Best Kept Self, Mary Fran inspires and motivates readers and listeners to tame the self-talk beast, leading them to personal and professional renewal and success. After thirty years’ experience as owner of a full-service recruiting firm, and finding herself in the middle of a perfect life storm—turning 50, a crashing economy, and most devastating, a son with serious addiction issues—Mary Fran created the blog, Not Ready for Granny Panties, authoring two books in the series and developing a life-affirming brand full of practical wisdom and wit. A frequent radio guest and speaker, audiences delight in her empowering and entertaining message. Find her at www.maryfranbontempo.com.

Hosted by Lynnis Woods-Mullins. Guest MARY FRAN BONTEMPO is a speaker, author and humorist who teaches audiences to control their most powerful influence: Self-Talk. Author of The Woman’s Book of Dirty Words, and Not Ready for Granny Panties, Mary Fran proves small changes in self-talk yield big life changes, allowing individuals to be positive, productive and vital in a rapidly changing world. A Huffington Post and Thrive Global contributor, and regular columnist for Women’s Voices Magazine and Best Kept Self, Mary Fran inspires and motivates readers and listeners to tame the self-talk beast, leading them to personal and professional renewal and success. After thirty years’ experience as owner of a full-service recruiting firm, and finding herself in the middle of a perfect life storm—turning 50, a crashing economy, and most devastating, a son with serious addiction issues—Mary Fran created the blog, Not Ready for Granny Panties, authoring two books in the series and developing a life-affirming brand full of practical wisdom and wit. A frequent radio guest and speaker, audiences delight in her empowering and entertaining message. Find her at www.maryfranbontempo.com.

Forty-five years ago, comedian George Carlin immortalized seven words too profane for the broadcast airways. When you heard them, you knew exactly why the government banned them. By contrast, the eleven words that are the focus of The Woman’s Book of Dirty Words, by businesswoman Mary Fran Bontempo, seem perfectly innocuous on the surface, including: vacation, dinner, holidays, adventure, and change. Yet Mary Fran’s premise is that some everyday words, such as these, carry a powerful emotional load – especially for middle-age women like her – that marketers, journalists, and middle-age women themselves seldom recognize as being explosive – but most definitely are. Host and reputation coach Dean Rotbart says not everyone will agree with Mary Fran’s list of dirty words – but her book is an important reminder of the care that all wordsmiths must take in realizing that what they write and speak may be skewed by the prisms of age, gender, race, nationality, and life experience. Photo: Mary Fran Bontempo, The Woman's Book of Dirty Words  Posted: July 24, 2017 Monday Morning Run Time: 40 minutes 46 seconds 

I spoke with Mary Fran Bontempo about bad words. Mary Fran has a great sense of humor and you can tell by the name of her blog, “Not Ready for Granny Panties.” She is also the author of 3 books. Today we talked about her latest book, “The Woman's Book of Dirty Words”. These bad words aren't what you might think they are. Before we talked about Mary Fran’s book, I just had to go over an article on her website about “Shhssing your brain” Do you ever feel like you just can’t shut your brain off? This is called ‘brain chatter’, Mary Fran explains where she discovered this and what you can do to help yourself. We also touched on Mary Fran's son and how she and her husband dealt with his heroin addiction. Her advice is to not think you're going to fix it. Get professional help! Onto the dirty! The ‘bad words’ that Mary Fran goes over with us in this podcast: * Fine * Adventure * Nice * No (We even did a little role-playing on how to say no) * Balance The constraints that we put on ourselves to become spectacular…we treat ‘fine’ like it’s a dirty word like there’s something wrong with being okay and good enough Mary Fran and I even did a little role-playing on the bad word “NO” and how to say it. Not sure if we will win any Grammy's for our performance but needless to say, it was a lot of fun! I also asked Mary Fran to give us one of the eleven commandments to staying out of granny panties. Thou Shalt Stop ‘Shoulding’ Thyself Mary Fran says we are always filling our days up with things we should and shouldn't do. The word “should” very often equals obligation and the word “shouldn't” often equals denial. We need to change that language to change these to must and want. Sounds like good advice to me! If you would like to check out Mary Fran's blog go to http://www.notreadyforgrannypanties.com/ and Mary Fran’s website is http://maryfranbontempo.com/. Also, as I promised in the interview, here is a link to Mary's Blog post on Brain Chatter Books The Woman’s Book of Dirty Words, Not Ready for Granny Panties—The 11 Commandments for Avoiding Granny Panties Everyday Adventures: Or, As My Husband Says, “Lies, Lies and More Lies” Special Thanks to: * Angie Strehlow who helps us get great guests that help us with our retirement lifestyle while keeping everything on track…and helps with these show notes! * Les Briney, my husband, and Danny Ozment of Emerald City Pro who edits the show and makes my guests and me sound terrific * Henry Shapiro, host of Retired Excited that airs on Fridays * YOU for telling your friends about the show, leaving comments below, and sharing episodes you really like on Facebook, and reviewing the show on iTunes This post about retirement and Retirement Lifestyle first appeared on http://RockYourRetirement.com        

I spoke with Mary Fran Bontempo about bad words. Mary Fran has a great sense of humor and you can tell by the name of her blog, “Not Ready for Granny Panties.” She is also the author of 3 books. Today we talked about her latest book, “The Woman's Book of Dirty Words”. These bad […] The post Bad Words with Mary Fran Bontempo: Episode 080 appeared first on Rock Your Retirement.

Terri: Welcome back to Heartrepreneur® Radio. This is Terri Levine, Chief Heartrepreneur® and Business Strategist. And I am super-duper excited about today’s episode and I’ll tell you why. A couple of months ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Mary Fran Bontempo who I’d wanted to meet for a long time. Her name kept flying […]

Terri: Welcome back to Heartrepreneur® Radio. This is Terri Levine, Chief Heartrepreneur® and Business Strategist. And I am super-duper excited about today’s episode and I’ll tell you why. A couple of months ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Mary Fran Bontempo who I’d wanted to meet for a long time. Her name kept flying around in my local community, and I’m like, how have I not met this woman yet? And I actually got to hear her speak, and I was blown away, totally blown away. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! Here’s How » Join Heartrepreneur® Radio community today: heartrepreneur.com Heartrepreneur® Radio Facebook Terri Levine Twitter Terri Levine Instagram Heartrepreneur® Radio Pinterest Terri Levine YouTube Terri Levin LinkedIn

Mary Fran Bontempo joins Charlie to discuss how aging can be a gift, and how to make words like change, fear, and fine not be dirty words. They also discuss how much of our identities is fixed by the stuff we accumulate.   Key Takeaways: [1:19] - Introduction to Mary Fran Bontempo and how she got started in her writing career. She talks about how her creativity grew from a really dark spot in her life. The fear and hesitance of her situation sparked her creative process. [2:30] - Many people who are in the “fall/mid-winter” stage of their lives are reluctant to pursue creativity. Why? We should embrace creativity throughout the many years of our lives. Yes, there may be many more things on our plates, but that doesn’t mean we can’t make time for something new. [4:15] - What would you say to someone who is unsure of where to start and how to keep up? We can choose to continue to evolve with new technology developments and try things out to see what works. [6:48] - Mindset around aging - how do we see it as a gift rather than a sentence? Mary Fran talks about a new way to define where we are now; sometimes we have to learn to disengage from the expectations of our “now” to break into something new. [8:49] - Mary offers three tips and strategies for parents wanting to lean out of the routines that are no longer as relevant to where they are now. [9:56] - Charlie follows up on that discussion with ideas about a few different types of dependency: negative codependency and interdependency. This relationship between child and parent can be scary for parents when it no longer exists in the same capacity. [12:18] - As the average lifespan is increasing, we have more time - before, while, and especially after - having kids, that has so much potential for becoming a time of creativity. [13:55] - What are some of the fears that prevent us from doing the things we know we need to do to continue progressing? This is especially applicable for young people. [18:02] - There are often a host of opportunities available to us. As we are moving forward in our lives, it may be more beneficial to make decisions that will keep you moving forward, rather than getting stuck waiting around for something to come along. You may end up opening more doors for yourself! [19:25] - Charlie discusses the shift from a “career world” to a “project world.” What does that mean for younger generations as well as older generations of entrepreneurs and forward thinkers? [23:20] - Change as a dirty word. Change often comes hand in hand with fear - we think it will wreak havoc on our lives, but Mary Fran encourages us to remember that we deal with change on a regular basis and we can handle it. This perspective can help carry us through bigger changes in our lives. [26:35] - We typically underestimate our own capabilities. How will we respond when we receive the “cosmic kick in the butt?” Our response can show us what the full range of what we are capable of - don’t get too comfortable. [28:48] - The dirty word fine. Mary Fran and Charlie discuss different uses of the word ‘fine’, and the pros and cons of accepting fine and also exploring new words to define a similar state. [31:47] - Charlie talks about some societal norms we encounter when talking about our current state. How do people typically respond when we share some of the things we’re grateful for, versus the things that bother us? [35:01] - The self-talk that we run through our head is a choice, and we can choose to use that to put something positive out into the world. Conversely, we can change our self-talk to encourage better attitudes for the things coming ahead, creating a flow between the subconscious and the conscious. This can have a great effect on how we feel about getting older and our place in the world. [38:13] - Mary Fran encourages an exercise to gather a group of friends and write an introduction or a statement, in the hopes that we will begin to regard ourselves the way our friends regard us. [41:47] - When we start letting some stuff go and refine what we want our space to look like, we can redefine what we want our lives to look like. Releasing some of the stuff in our lives can allow a great amount of growth moving forward. This holds true for material possessions as well as emotional baggage that can weigh us down. [47:04] - The way we live our lives now is different - pursuing experiences is becoming more important than pursuing material goods. And we do acquire stuff, we use it! [51:57] - We should strive to define ourselves on the basis of who we want to be, no matter our age or place in life. It all begins in the “six inches between your ears.” Be intentional in your self-talk.   Mentioned in This Episode: Creative Giant Campfire Facebook Group The Woman’s Book of Dirty Words - Mary Fran Bontempo The Upside of Your Dark Side - Todd Kashdan and Robert Biswas-Diener The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up - Marie Kondo Episode 20 with Jennifer Boykin Episode 15 with Lucy Pearce

Mary Fran Bontempo is an award winning author, speaker and humorist who believes in the power of women. For over 30 years, Mary Fran has written for and about women and girls, sharing laughter, joy and (sometimes hysterical) tears. Founder of the lifestyle blog, Not Ready for Granny Panties, Mary Fran is the author of […]

Your Host Lynnis Woods-Mullins with Guest Mary Fran Bontempo.MARY FRAN BONTEMPO is an author, speaker and humorist who teaches women to control their most powerful influence: Self-Talk. Author of “The Woman’s Book of Dirty Words,” and “Not Ready for Granny Panties—The 11 Commandments for Avoiding Granny Panties,” Bontempo proves small changes in self-talk yield big life changes, allowing women to be positive, productive and vital in a rapidly changing world. A regular columnist for “Women’s Voices Magazine” and “Best Kept Self,” a site for the self-care of entrepreneurs, Bontempo inspires and motivates readers to tame the negative self-talk beast, while reminding them to grab their share of joy along the way. A frequent radio guest and speaker, audiences delight in her empowering and entertaining message. Find her at maryfranbontempo.com.

Your Host Lynnis Woods-Mullins with Guest Mary Fran Bontempo.MARY FRAN BONTEMPO is an author, speaker and humorist who teaches women to control their most powerful influence: Self-Talk. Author of “The Woman’s Book of Dirty Words,” and “Not Ready for Granny Panties—The 11 Commandments for Avoiding Granny Panties,” Bontempo proves small changes in self-talk yield big life changes, allowing women to be positive, productive and vital in a rapidly changing world. A regular columnist for “Women’s Voices Magazine” and “Best Kept Self,” a site for the self-care of entrepreneurs, Bontempo inspires and motivates readers to tame the negative self-talk beast, while reminding them to grab their share of joy along the way. A frequent radio guest and speaker, audiences delight in her empowering and entertaining message. Find her at maryfranbontempo.com.

We women talk ...a lot.  Yet, the words that take others to their happy place often make us miserable.  Words like "dinner", "holidays" and "vacation" can leave us breathing into a paper bag with our heads between our knees. But it doesn't have to be that way.  Tune in as Mary Fran Bontempo, award winning author, speaker, humorist and teacher shares with us in her humorous and witty way, how to refine the "dirty words" that make women cringe.  Mary Fran will make you laugh and help you realize that there are ways to reset expectations while going through life with a sense of humor and joy. Mary Fran Latest Book - The Woman's Book of Dirty Words Wellness Woman 40 and Beyod E-Magazine Mary Fran's Blog - Not Ready For Granny Panties  

It happens to the best of us. On a day like any other, you look in the mirror and find a cranky, worn-out, middle-aged woman staring back at you. A woman who is firmly strapped into a giant pair of GRANNY PANTIES. Yes, aging is inevitable, but looking, and acting, like your grandma is not. So join Mary Fran Bontempo and I as we chat about a new set of Commandments that will enable you to avoid the Granny Panties and love life in the middle years. You'll laugh, learn a few things and with any luck, bid a permanent goodbye to GRANNY PANTIES and the old hag in the mirror! Join us a for a great laugh and some inspiration too!   DeStress The Mess in 21 Days! Click Here for More Info Wellness Woman 40 and Beyond Magazine -Subscribe Now!   Wellness and Business Success Webinar -FREE Listen Now! Dr Leslie Brown,MD  OB/GYN  DrBev Mental Health Counseling      

Creating a dynamic and delicious life that celebrates your WOW factor, while daring to be audacious in thoughts, words, actions and emotions, is 100% possible at any stage in your life! Women aren't always ready to embrace this belief because they are too busy being all things to all people and placing their needs on the back burner.   Enter award winning author, humorist, speaker and teacher Mary Fran Bontempo and her empowering message for women “in the middle”!  Mary's book, Not Ready for Granny Panties: The 11 Commandments for Avoiding Granny Panties, inspires women to regain control and reclaim their focus, energy and fun. Join host, Michele Mattia, and Mary at 2pm ET for an engaging and eye opening conversation about releasing the “Granny Panty Mindset” and reviving you! If you are interested in being a guest on The Life's Dash with Michele Mattia, please send an email to RadioGuest@MicheleMattia.com!

Award winning author, humorist, speaker & teacher Mary Fran Bontempo has been writing for &  about women for over 25 years. With wit and humor, she delivers a message that inspires women to make themselves a priority in their own lives and grab their fair share of joy as they meet life’s challenges head-on. A  former newspaper columnist , Mary Fran realized that she’d have to do some reinventing in her writing life; that’s when she created Not Ready For Granny Panties—starting with a blog, then a book and finally a lifestyle. The reinvention taught Mary Fran that not only could an “old dog” learn new and interesting tricks, but there was fun to be had in the process—a message she shares with women eager to learn how to remain relevant and embrace life in a rapidly changing world.  Mary Fran’s second book, Not Ready For Granny Panties—The 11 Commandments for Avoiding Granny Panties, offers readers a new “bible” to help women reclaim their lives, their vitality and their fun. readers embark on a hilarious ride that also provides sound advice for living life in the middle years to the fullest. Mary Fran’s first book, Everyday Adventures or, As My Husband Says, “Lies, Lies and More Lies,” was published in 2007. Her work has received notable mention by the Erma Bombeck Writer’s Workshop and Humor Press, among others. She speaks frequently at women's events and writer's seminars and currently writes for her blog,(www.notreadyforgrannypanties.com). Both books are available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.com.  

Creating a dynamic and delicious life that celebrates your WOW factor, while daring to be audacious in thoughts, words, actions and emotions, is 100% possible at any stage in your life! Women aren't always ready to embrace this belief because they are too busy being all things to all people and placing their needs on the back burner.   Enter award winning author, humorist, speaker and teacher Mary Fran Bontempo and her empowering message for women “in the middle”!  Mary's book, Not Ready for Granny Panties: The 11 Commandments for Avoiding Granny Panties, inspires women to regain control and reclaim their focus, energy and fun. Join host, Michele Mattia, and Mary Fran at 2pm ET for an engaging and eye opening conversation about releasing the “Granny Panty Mindset” and reviving you!

Creating a dynamic and delicious life that celebrates your WOW factor, while daring to be audacious in thoughts, words, actions and emotions, is 100% possible at any stage in your life! Women aren't always ready to embrace this belief because they are too busy being all things to all people and placing their needs on the back burner.   Enter award winning author, humorist, speaker and teacher Mary Fran Bontempo and her empowering message for women “in the middle”!  Mary's book, Not Ready for Granny Panties: The 11 Commandments for Avoiding Granny Panties, inspires women to regain control and reclaim their focus, energy and fun. Join host, Michele Mattia, and Mary at 2pm ET for an engaging and eye opening conversation about releasing the “Granny Panty Mindset” and reviving you! To participate in today's show, send email to Connect@MicheleMattia.com, call the studio line (714) 333-3349 or post to Michele's Life Design facebook page.