Ann Quasman's WomanTalkLive A more conscious conversation

WTL Wrap-Up: “Being There – Giving Back Through Mentoring” – a Conscious Conversations Café Show

LaQuisha Hall, Ann, Alexia Clifton
and Kim Fabian

There’s no doubt about it, when we invest time in our young people, it pays off in so many ways.  And, my guests last week talked about the importance of giving back, what they specifically are doing , the results they’ve witnessed and what it means to them personally.

From teaching kids about fitness/nutrition/good health to preparing students for workplace success to building self-esteem in young girls and educating them about issues of sexual assault and domestic violence… each one of them is making a big difference in the lives of the young people they work with.

Not sure how you can become involved or make a difference?  Listen in to hear the heartfelt messages shared by  Alexia Clifton  – a health, fitness and wellness consultant with over 20 years of experience in the fitness industry; Kim Fabian – a Senior Vice President for Junior Achievement of Central Maryland; and, LaQuisha Hall – Mrs. Essence 2013, the founder of iEAT (Empower. Aspire. Transform.) and Queendom T.E.A. Mentoring, and the author of Positively Bodyful, a self-esteem journal for girls.

The podcast will be posted in the podcast archive later on this week.  It’s the October 5th show.

WTL Wrap-Up: “No Surprises – Year-End Tax Planning Considerations and What to Prepare for in the Coming Year”

Ann and Leonard Raskin

The more things change when Congress makes or doesn’t make decisions… the smarter we need to be with our money.  And in the last quarter of the year, it just makes sense to have a good idea of the tax law changes that will be affecting you and to know what may be coming up in the New Year.

From my conversation with the WTL Wealth Expert, Leonard Raskin, the CEO of Raskin Global and Women Getting Wise on Wealth, one thing is for sure – nothing is simple anymore and everything changes from year to year.

We discussed changes in itemized deductions, the new unearned income tax, the new Medicare tax, the new capital gains tax, the new top income tax bracket and changes that same-sex married couples will be facing.

It’s becoming quite clear that one of the smartest things anyone can do is sit down and have a discussion with an advisor who can steer you in the most prudent direction for your personal situation.  It only makes sense.

If you missed the show, tune in to find out how you can be smart with your money and head into the tax season with NO surprises.

The podcast will be posted in the podcast archive later on this week.  It’s the September 28th show.

WTL Wrap-Up: “Where Has All the Romance Gone? (And How to Find It)”

Bob and Lori Hollander with Ann

For all of the little girls who were raised on fairy tales of happily ever after, Prince Charming, and no bumps in the road… well, now that you’re grown up and lived life a bit, you know that’s not the way life really is… especially when it comes to no bumps in the road.

As relationship counselors for over twenty years, my guests  last week, Lori and Bob Hollander of Relationships Work, know that no matter how much love there is, every relationship goes through cycles.  And, a few of those cycles can put an end to a relationship if the partners are not cycle savvy AND are not prioritizing their relationship.

Lori and Bob believe, in spite of the challenges, there is hope for couples to continue to have romance over the life of their relationship.

If you missed the show, tune in to find out how you can be smart about your relationship cycles and how you can keep the romance ALIVE!

The podcast will be posted in the podcast archive later on this week.  It’s the September 21st show.

WTL Wrap-Up: “Cleaning Up the HeadTrash”

Tish Squillaro

Whether you’re a business leader, entrepreneur, volunteer, a parent or navigating a relationship, you have to survive in a complex world.   You have to make a host of decisions every day, some of them challenging.  And, many of those decisions can be made even more difficult by all the “stuff” that’s crammed into your head – “stuff” that gets in the way.

Business consultant, Tish Squillaro, calls the “stuff” that gets in the way of making solid decisions, HeadTrash, and in the new book she co-authored with Timothy Thomas, HEADTRASH: Cleaning Out the Junk that Stands Between You and Success, the 7 demons of HeadTrash are exposed – all having an impact on you, your business or workplace environment, your employees and your family:

Fear, Insecurity, Control, Paranoia, Arrogance, Anger and Guilt

Once identified and becoming aware of your version of “HeadTrash”, then you can choose to trash that junk once and for all.

If you missed the show, tune in to find out how you can make smarter, more efficient decisions without the HeadTrash.

The podcast will be posted in the podcast archive later on this week.  It’s the September 14th show.

WTL Wrap-Up: “Creating an Independent Life”

Renee, Ann and Katie Allston

After spending fourteen years of her 46 year-old life in prison at various times since the age of nineteen, Renee could have easily given up all hope.  A victim of child sexual assault and adult sexual assault, she had struggled with substance abuse and mental health issues for many years.

While incarcerated, she heard about the work being done at Marian House.  She was pretty sure she wouldn’t be welcomed there.  She didn’t feel like she would be “good enough” for the program that had turned so many women’s lives around.

When she went for her interview and stepped through the door, she made a vow to herself and to Marian House, a transitional and permanent housing program serving homeless women in Baltimore, that she was ready and committed to turn her life around.  And, she did.

Listen in to hear Renee’s powerful story and hear more about the special and powerful work being done at Marian House from Katie Allston, the Executive Director of this 31 year-old treasure and transformation maker located in Baltimore City.  And, you’ll also hear about the upcoming Marian House 5K Race to Embrace Independence on September 28^th, the annual fundraiser.  I’ll be emceeing for the 4^th year and I can promise you, it’s always a wonderful way to spend a fall, Saturday morning.

The podcast will be posted in the podcast archive later on this week.  It’s the September 7^th show.