Forties Stories

The Dalai Lama once said, "If you don't love yourself, you cannot love others. You will not be able to love others. If you have no compassion for yourself, then you are not able of developing compassion for others." Today is the launch of the #onekindsummer campaign on the pod, and we start by focusing on self-compassion. A lot of what I'm referencing today is from Dr. Kristin Neff's book called, "Self-Compassion – The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself." Brené Brown called it "a transformative read." It's a book every human should read.

I'm on a 4-week break from posting interviews, but in the meantime I want to take a few minutes each week to think about how we can spread kindness this summer and beyond. I think we can all do with a bit more kindness in the world. This isn't something more for your to-do list, and this isn't something you need to do it perfectly. It's just about showing up and being open if we choose to.

So stay tuned if you're interested. Interviews will resume on Tuesday, July 9th. Head to www.fortiesstories.com for a full transcript. This show is a labor of love for me, so I'd be grateful if you would rate or review it. Thank you!

Sharing my gratitude and announcing our #onekindsummer campaign. This summer let's spread kindness. This starts with kindness to ourselves first. It spreads to those around us – our family and friends. From there, it spreads to those beyond us – the bigger world. We're taking a 4-week break from interviews, so each week we'll have a mini episode to share some thoughts and research on the power of kindness, as well as some practical tips that you can use. Our minds love it when we ask big, expansive questions, so ask yourself at some point every day this week, "How can I spread kindness?" See what answers you get back.

Interviews will return on July 9. Subscribe to be notified. Let me know what you're doing this summer. How are you feeling? Are you celebrating something? Are you struggling? Do you have any summer goals or rituals? Go to www.fortiestories.com to let me know. If you are enjoying this show, please leave a review and share with a friend.

After taking her own journey to sexual freedom at age 42, Leah Carey is now passionate about breaking the silence, fear, and shame around women's sexuality and pleasure. She's also redefining what it means to be a "good girl." Leah and I talk about body neutrality, how we live in a sex negative society, and why it's important to examine the messaging we received about sex in childhood.

Leah Carey is a sexual communication coach who helps women learn to communicate about sex so they can get what they really want in the bedroom. She is the creator and host of the podcast "Good Girls Talk About Sex" and can also be found on YouTube. Head over to www.fortiestories.com to say hello and share your thoughts. If you are enjoying this show, I'd be grateful if you would take a moment to leave a rating or a review and share with your friends.

Lindsey Mead is a woman, a daughter, a mother, a sister, a wife, a friend, and a writer. She is also a runner, a sometime yogi, and a disillusioned MBA. She has a blog called "A Design So Vast" where she tries to find a coherent sense of self in all of these splintered identities. More recently, she is the editor of the book "On Being 40ish," which came out earlier this year. It is a compilation of personal stories about midlife by some of the very best writers. If you haven't checked it out yet, you will want to get your hands on a copy. Lindsey and I talk about how her childhood formed the life she's made for herself, her friendships, and how she feels about time. Please head over to www.fortiesstories.com to say hello and share your thoughts. I would be grateful if you would rate or review the show – thanks for your support!

I loved talking with my guest today about the science behind compassion. Dr. Amy Heard Davison is a licensed clinical psychologist in Northern Virginia. She has extensive experience and training in working with individuals facing medical, emotional, and relationship problems. Her work in medical settings has taught her the intricate link between our biological, emotional, and social health. She seeks to help patients connect mind and body in order to build a meaningful life.

We also talked about how Amy was part of the sandwich generation in her early 40s and how she's excited to help launch her teens. She also has a birthday tradition, which makes me want to start some of my own! In fact, Amy had her 50th birthday since we recorded. Happy birthday Amy! I truly hope that your 50s is even better than your 40s!

If you are enjoying the show, please scroll down and tap to rate it. If you have 30 seconds, please leave a review – I'd be grateful since this is a labor of love! Head over to my website www.fortiestories.com to say hello and share your thoughts. I'd love to hear what you think about compassion.

This week Daree Allen Nieves talks about her year since losing her husband - while they were practically newlyweds – and her grief process. We also talk about the benefits of journal writing to find your voice, how personal development is truly personal, and how Daree is finally taking a solo trip to Hawaii – something she's put off for many years. We recorded the interview on what would have been their 3rd anniversary – so this episode is a tribute to George Nieves.

Daree Allen Nieves is an authorpreneur and goal-getter. As a speaker and certified life coach, she is a presenter at workshops, conferences, and universities across the country. Daree is also a voice actor and the award-winning author of three self-help books. Finally, don't miss her podcast, "Kickin' it with Daree," which talks about the things in life that matter most.

If you are enjoying the show, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts which helps more people find the show, and share with a friend. Head over to www.fortiestories.com to say hello and share your thoughts. Thanks for listening!

My guest today is rocking her voice. Motrya Hanas Calafiura is the Special Assistant to the Provost at Georgetown University. She is also a wife, a mother to a 2-year-old son, and an all-around hustler. Motrya serves on the Board of Directors and is the Assistant Treasurer of the non-profit, Georgetown Village. She lives in Washington, DC.

Motrya and I talk about how she created a life she loves after a difficult childhood, about having an infant in your 40s when you have a demanding career, and also how much work it takes to bring good things to your life – including strong relationships.

Enter to win a copy of "On Being 40ish" by May 15th at midnight. Thanks to Lindsey Mead for donating a copy and her support! You can leave a review on iTunes or head over to www.fortiestories.com to subscribe to my newsletter or leave a comment on any episode that resonates with you. If you leave a review AND subscribe, you will be entered twice. A winner will be chosen at random. If you are enjoying the show, please tell a friend and also let me know. Thanks for listening!

On the show today is Erin Prather Stafford who is acutely aware that fixing gender imbalances in the media is key to changing gender disparity everywhere. Erin recently launched Girls That Create, which provides information and resources for developing creative thinking, boosting confidence, and growing skill sets. She is also the Executive Producer of WONDER WOMEN! The Untold Story of American Superheroines. Erin lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband and two young girls.

Erin and I talked about how all of us can - and should be - creators, how women do support one another, and how the role of women in the media has shifted - ever so slightly. She references some stuff from the 80s too - so I think you'll get a kick out of that.

Listen for details on how to win a copy of the book "On Being 40-ish." This fantastic compilation was edited by Lindsey Mead who has graciously donated a copy. Contest ends May 15.

Please show your love by leaving a review on iTunes or sending us an email. Find us at www.fortiestories.com Thanks for listening!

Nina Badzin says she was "almost relieved to turn 40" a couple of years ago. Nina is a freelance writer who has written a popular friendship advice column for years, so we dove into the topic: we talk about why Nina takes the time to make acquaintances, how to give your friends the benefit of the doubt, and why you may have to repeatedly reach out. I loved hearing about the fantastic ritual she does each year on her birthday (and am going to steal it), so you don't want to miss that. Nina lives with her husband and 4 kids in Minneapolis where she also leads a writing group for a co-working space and gets in her daily 10,000 steps.

Be sure to stay in touch by signing up for my newsletter at www.fortiesstories.com. Please support our show by hitting that subscribe button and sharing with friends. Thanks for listening!

This week Rachel Pieh Jones, a writer living in Djibouti with her family, shares her story. Rachel is active in helping out in the international school she and her husband founded there and makes time to run in what is the hottest country in the world. She has a well-known blog, Djibouti Jones, and has a book coming out this fall, "Stronger Than Death: How Annalena Tonelli Defied Terror and Tuberculosis in the Horn of Africa."

We talk about third culture kids and the challenge in sending them to college in a country they hardly know, her thyroid cancer diagnosis, and how her friendships have deepened.

I'm grateful to Rachel for taking a leap of faith and signing on to the interview before the show launched.

I will be doing some promos in May and have some exciting stuff on the horizon. Be sure to stay in touch by signing up for my newsletter at www.fortiesstories.com. Please support our show by subscribing and sharing with friends. Thanks for listening!