Ann Quasman's WomanTalkLive A more conscious conversation

This Week on WomanTalk Live – “Frumpy to Fabulous: Five Fixes to Flaunting It” with Natalie Jobity

        
Natalie Jobity                      Guest Co-Host, Susan Bishop

One of my favorite types of show on Oprah was the “do over” show – when someone submitted a friend, family member or co-worker for a style redo.  Some of those women were in their 50’s and had hair 5 feet long because they hadn’t cut it since they were in high school.  Others only had one uniform they wore all the time and  that was sweats and tennis shoes.  Others were living in the Dynasty 80’s and still wearing those huge shoulder pads in their jackets and waltzing into a room like Alexis Carrington.  Others wore their mother’s jeans.

And, the best part of the show was when the revamp was done and the “new” look was displayed.  The curtain would come back, the audience would gasp and viola!  – a fabulous, chic and stylish woman came out in all her glory.

This week, one of those magic makeover mavens is joining my guest co-host, Susan Bishop, and me on the show and we’ll be talking about how to upgrade your look from frumpy to fabulous.

Natalie Jobity of Elan Image Management is the bestselling author of Frumpy to Fabulous: Flaunting It.  Your Ultimate Guide to Effortless Style.  She works individually with women and groups as an image consultant, fashion consultant, personal shopper, branding/style coach and more.

Natalie is passionate about being the facilitator of transformation that is the hallmark of polishing and refining one’s image and presence.

Join us this week and find out how to release your image “saboteurs” and unleash your fabulous style potential.  When the curtains are drawn…watch out!

Saturday, May 19th, from 6:07-7:00 pm ET on Talkradio 680 WCBM Baltimore or “Listen Live” online   

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Be sure to check out last week’s show when I talked with Molly Shattuck of Molly Shattuck Vibrant Living about giving back to the community and making it a family affair.  As the founder and leader of the United Way of Central Maryland’s Families Living United program and the UWCM’s Healthy Food Ambassador, Molly shared the importance of instilling the giving back value in our children and the benefits that result for the family as a whole, individuals in need and the entire community.

If you missed the show or you want to share it with a friend, listen here.

On My Mind: Emerging

“If nothing ever changed, there’d be no butterflies.”   - Author Unknown

I was thinking about this week’s topic and how we often get stuck in a rut…doing the same thing, looking the same way, and never venturing out of our comfort zone.

When it happens with me, I’m not sure if it’s because I’m lazy or if fear is holding me back.  But, it’s always one of them.

And, then, there are times when I don’t give myself credit for the forward movement.  I only look at what hasn’t been accomplished yet.  It usually takes someone on the outside to say, “Hey…look at what you’re doing!”, and, then I go, “Oh, yeah… I am.” 

I encourage you to do two things this week.  First, acknowledge what you do and get done on a regular basis.  It’s a lot.  Be sure to look in the mirror and give yourself some credit.

And…take a baby step towards making a change that brings you out of your autopilot comfort zone.  Go shopping and buy that bright tangerine top.  You don’t need another black one.  Get a new hairdo.  Take the zumba class instead of yoga.  Volunteer for a charity.  Take your kids or someone else’s to the zoo.  Speak up in an office meeting.

And, as the stars, planets, sun and moon align, the butterfly will emerge from its cocoon. You’ll be beginning anew.  All sorts of things are possible then.

WTL Wrap-Up – “Giving Back: Make It a Family Affair”

Molly Shattuck

This past weekend, Molly Shattuck joined me in the studio.  She’s a woman on a mission.   Several missions, in fact.

Not only does Molly believe that living a vibrant life involves giving back, she’s a big believer in teaching kids to give back.  And her own family practices what she preaches and she wants to encourage other families to join in.

Besides the obvious benefits of helping the community and having a tangible impact on another individual’s life, family volunteering can be fun; it can be a real bonding experience for family, friends or colleagues; and, it can be a child’s first lesson in charity.

As the founder and leader of the United Way of Central Maryland’s Families Living  United program and the Healthy Food Ambassador for UWCM, Molly helps coordinate many activities such as the Stone Soup Gatherings and the Harvest Helper events – perfect events for the whole family to support.  In four Stone Soup Gatherings over the past year, more than 460 volunteers of all ages have fed 4,000+ hungry people in Baltimore more than 550 casseroles and 3,200 sandwiches.  It’s amazing what can get done in these two-hour events!

If you missed the show or want to share it with a friend, it will be posted in the podcast archive later on this week – around Wednesday or Thursday.  Listen in and find out how you, your family and friends can come together for the good.

This Week on WomanTalk Live – “Giving Back: Make It a Family Affair” with Molly Shattuck

Molly Shattuck

Several years ago, I interviewed the amazing Bettie Youngs, Ph.D., Ed.D., a teacher of the year, a university professor and Pulitzer-Prize nominated author, who is one of the Founders of Kids Korps and one of the authors of Teaching Kids to Care.  During that show, Bettie talked about the importance of families and communities coming together to teach our kids empathy and integrity – teaching them to care, and overriding the tendencies of selfishness, self-absorption, complacency, bullying and isolation.

My guest this week practices that in her own life with her family and with the Baltimore community as a whole.  She’s on a mission to make a positive difference and she’s doing it.

Molly Shattuck is the creator of the Vibrant Living Philosophy.  A visionary whose energy is second only to her generous spirit, Molly has changed the lives of thousands with her proven approach to creating and maintaining a healthy and vibrant lifestyle.  Recognized for becoming a cheerleader at the age of 38 and after having three children, Molly knows how to set a goal and achieve it!

As an accomplished business woman and part-time coach of the Baltimore Ravens Cheerleaders, Molly fully embraces life by setting and achieving extraordinary goals.  “Can’t” is not in her vocabulary.

Molly has been an avid volunteer with United Way of Central Maryland for 20 years. She and her husband served as co-chairs of the 2011 private sector campaign.  In addition, Molly serves as UWCM’s Healthy Food Ambassador, and is the founder and leader of UWCM’s Families Living United program.

Molly believes that to live a vibrant life, it’s important to give back to your local community by helping others in need and by protecting the environment. And it’s our responsibility as adults and role models to set a positive example for our children  – our own and those who are in our lives.

Join us this week and find out how and why volunteering together with children and friends is so meaningful and contagious for all involved.  Making a difference and leading the way…what a beautiful legacy to share with others.

Saturday, May 12th, from 6:07-7:00 pm ET on Talkradio 680 WCBM Baltimore or “Listen Live” online   

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Susan, Amy, Jodi and Beth

Be sure to check out last week’s show when Guest Host, Susan Bishop talked with Amy Connolly, Jodi Hume and Beth Terrence about how women are influencing change in the workplace.  Tune in to find out how organizations are starting to honor and value the “feminine” traits for the purpose of greater effectiveness and success.

If you missed the show or you want to share it with a friend, listen here

On My Mind: The Joy of Being the Queen

“A woman in harmony with her spirit is like a river flowing. She goes where she will without pretense and arrives at her destination prepared to be herself and only herself.”   - Maya Angelou

About three years ago, I read The Queen of My Self: Stepping Into Sovereignty in Midlife to prep for an interview with the author, Donna Henes.  I recently picked up the book again, and realized why I loved it so much the first time.

Author Donna Henes, aka Queen Mama Donna – the City Shaman from Exotic Brooklyn, New York, spoke to my heart. She challenges the paradigm of the three stages of a woman’s life which has traditionally been broken down into the young woman (the virgin), the nurturer (the mother), and the wise elder (the crone). In between, the nurturer and the crone, Mama Donna adds the midlife “Queen” to the paradigm.

The Queen has a whole new lifetime ahead of her to let her self truly blossom. It’s the time when she can remember who she is, what gifts she brings, and start doing what will allow her to enjoy the fruits of an influential, passionate and powerful maturity.

Whoo hoo! Mama Donna makes it sound like so much fun! And, we thought we were supposed to dread getting more mature. Not a chance, sister!

And, on another note…Happy Mother’s Day to all of you moms and to all women who share their nurturing spirit with the world.