I Wonder If

Have you ever visited France? If so, how warmly were you received by the French people? Today, we’re in the exquisite Champagne region of France and we’re delighted to be interviewing the author, Janet Hulstrand. Janet is an American living in the French countryside near Essoyes, the small village where Renoir had his summer home. Over the years, Janet noticed that many Americans tended to get off on the wrong foot in France because they didn’t know the basic rules of French etiquette, and they didn’t seem to understand quite how important those rules are in France. So she decided to help them by writing a delightfully amusing book, called Demystifying the French, How to Love Them and Make Them Love You. Stay tuned, to find out more!

Janet is a writer, editor, and teacher, living between France and the United States. She has been creating, directing, and teaching literature courses for the Education Abroad programs at Hunter and Queens Colleges of the City University of New York in Paris, Hawaii, Florence, and Cuba since 1997. She teaches literary and cultural classes at Politics & Prose Bookstore in Washington D.C. and she also leads book groups at the American Library in Paris. Janet’s articles and essays have been published in Bonjour Paris, France Revisited, the Christian Science Monitor, International Educator, Smithsonian.com, and many more publications. Be sure to tune in today, to find out what Janet has done to help Americans understand why the French are the way they are.   

Show highlights:

• Janet discusses what motivated her to write a book. 
• Janet explains how she ended up moving to the French countryside.
• Over the years, she has watched Americans get off on the wrong foot in France.
• Janet explains why Americans are sometimes not received very warmly by the French.
• In her book, Janet shares the perspectives of several other people, as well as her own.
• Learning to speak French can be very challenging.
• The way the French greet people can really stress foreigners out!
• Janet talks about the time when France started to feel like home for her.
• Learning to respect the land you live in.
• “No” doesn’t always mean “no” to the French.
• Why you need to let the French help you solve a problem.
• Some advice for Americans who want to move to France.
• Janet talks about her inspirational Writing from the Heart workshops that aren’t really workshops.
• Janet loves to go to Paris very often!
• You can have some delightful interactions with most of the Champagne makers in Janet’s area.

Links and resources:

Janet’s website

Recommended book: The Bonjour Effect, The Secret Codes of French Conversation Revealed by Jean-Benoît Nadeau and Julie Barlow

Champagne Richardot in Loches-sur-Ource

Champagne Cristian Senez in Fontette

Are you in love with romance? And do you enjoy reading romantic stories? We’re in the City of Love today, and we’re excited to be interviewing writer, Lily Heise, aka La Tigresse. Lily knows that with perseverance and believing in your dreams, you can make anything happen. She’s been fascinated with France ever since she was a little girl, and she’s always believed she’s meant to be there. Now, she has been living in Paris for almost nineteen years, and in today’s episode, she talks to us about fulfilling dreams, romance in Paris, and the books she’s written. Stay tuned, to hear Lily’s story!

Lily is a romance and travel expert, and a freelance writer who grew up in rural Ontario, Canada. She’s written two books, Je T’Aime, Me Neither, and Je T’aime…Maybe?, and her travel articles have been featured in many different publications, including The Huffington Post, CondéNastTraveler.com, Business Insider, and Playboy.com. Be sure to join us today, to hear what Lily has to say about life, love, and living in Paris.

 Show highlights:

• Lily shares her ‘I wonder if…?’ moment.
• Lily has always believed that she’s meant to be in France.
• Some things just don’t work out in the way that we intended. 
• Lily talks about her first book, Je T’Aime, Me Neither, which is based on true stories. 
• The French can be quick to say “Je t’aime” and just as quick to say “Je ne t’aime plus”. 
• Friendship feeds our soul. Lily talks about her “Paris family”.
• Life in Paris can be a little more than just an innocent adventure…
• Why Lily wanted to write her first book.
• Lily is not afraid to show her vulnerability.
• Talking about long-distance relationships.
• Some awesome ideas for a romantic get-away.
• Dating in Paris is not for the faint-hearted!
• How things have improved in the online dating space.
• Some tips for successful online dating.
• All the most romantic places in Paris. 
• The fabulously romantic Laperouse restaurant has an interesting history with a naughty edge.
• There’s a special magic to Paris by night!

Links and resources:

Lily’s website  

Maison De Plaisirs Laperouse

What does International Women’s Day mean to you? And how do you celebrate the day? Today’s episode of the I Wonder If Podcast was recorded on the eve of International Women’s Day, 2020, and we have McCall Dempsey as our guest.

McCall is the writer of the popular blog, Loving Imperfection, and she’s the founder of Southern Smash, a program to raise awareness about eating disorders. In today’s episode, she talks about what inspired her to start Southern Smash, and she discusses her need to speak out in a way that is real, relevant, and effective. Stay tuned, for more! 

McCall is an eating disorder survivor and a passionate recovery advocate. She struggled with an eating disorder for 15 years before seeking help. Since then, raising awareness about eating disorders has become her passion and her life’s work. She travels all over the country, sharing her story of hope and healing. She has been featured in several national television, print, and online publications, including The Today Show, Women’s Health Online, and The Huffington Post. Be sure to tune in today, to hear McCall’s inspiring story and her wonderful message of hope.

Show highlights:

• McCall explains what International Women’s Day means to her.
• McCall’s  “I wonder if” moment.
• Southern Smash is now in its eighth season. McCall shares what inspired her to start it.
• How counseling assisted McCall in saving her own life.
• Moving beyond the comfort zone.
• Therapy has become McCall’s self-care.
• Recovery is a journey of self-discovery. 
• McCall shares her journey to recovery.
• The heartbreaking story about McCall’s daughter, Marjorie.
• Writing is McCall’s therapeutic tool.
• Gratitude is a practice.
• Finding balance.
• McCall has some truly incredible people in her life!
• McCall’s husband learned how to sit with her in her darkest moments.
• Scheduling time for some self-care.
• McCall talks about her imperfections.
• Staying connected as a family, and as a couple.
• What’s coming up for Southern Smash.

Have you ever considered making an off-the-wall dream a reality? Even if all the odds appear to be stacked against you? Our guest for today's show, Craig Carlson, went ahead and did just that. In 2003, he opened Breakfast in America, the very first American diner in Paris, even though it's a foreign country with a foreign language, he's not a cook, and he had never before owned a business of his own. This was followed, in 2006, by Breakfast in America 2. Since then, Craig's diners have been serving wholesome American breakfasts to the French, to American ex-pats, and hungry visitors from all over the world. Be sure to listen in today, to hear Craig's unique and inspiring story.

In today's episode, Craig talks about his New York Times bestselling book, called Pancakes in Paris, in which he shares his amusing experiences as a small business owner in France, trying to stay sane while coping with crazy cultural differences, rigid bureaucracy, and complex labor laws.

Craig has a background in journalism and he studied cinema at the University of Southern California, where he directed an award-winning short film and won the prestigious John Huston Directing Award. Craig's next book, Let Them Eat Pancakes, is due to be released in the summer of 2020. Tune in today, to find out more!

Show highlights:

• Craig shares the "I wonder if..." moment that led him into opening two American diners in Paris.
• Craig shares his back-story.
• The French had to learn that they could have breakfast at any time of the day at Breakfast in America.
• Craig talks about how he found the strength to reach for something greater, after the tough time he had while growing up.
• Looking back, Craig really appreciates all the help he got from "angels" throughout his difficult early years.
• Craig talks about his grandmother, who was a great storyteller and had a very positive influence on his life.
• Craig only discovered the diner breakfast culture after moving to California. 
• Craig discusses what he loves about Breakfast in America diners.
• It was very stressful for Craig to have to raise the money to start his business.
• Finding the right premises for his business was no easy task. 
• The kind of support that Craig has had from various people throughout his journey.
• Getting arrested!
• It's all about the feeling.
• Some say breakfast is the sexiest meal... 
• Doing business in France is different from doing business in America.
• Life has come full-circle for Craig.
• Craig talks about his new book, Let Them Eat Pancakes, which is coming out in June 2020.

Links and resources:

Facebook and Instagram: @pancakesinparis

Pancakes in Paris 

Let Them Eat Pancakes 

Breakfast in America website: www.breakfast-in-america.com

Do you live a mindful life? And have you ever learned to meditate? Today, we're in Paris and we're honored to be interviewing Fabrice Midal, the guru of meditation and mindfulness in France. Fabrice discovered meditation by accident at the age of twenty-one when a friend spoke to him about it while he was studying at the Sorbonne, thirty years ago. 

At first, he was a little afraid to try it out because nobody spoke much about meditation back then. When he did, however, he recognized something very deep there, and he knew that it was right for him, so he engaged with the practice and began to study meditation in earnest. 

In today's episode, Fabrice explains what mindfulness is, and he shares some of the struggles and challenges he faced when trying to find the most effective way to present meditation authentically. Be sure to listen in today, to hear the fascinating story of Fabrice's journey.

Fabrice has a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Paris and he is the founder of the Western School of Meditation. He had written more than thirty books, of which several have become bestsellers, including his latest book, The French Art of Not Giving a Shit. Tune in now, to find out more!

Show Highlights:

• Fabrice felt that it was his duty to teach meditation in a way that would be direct, down to earth, and would help people relate to their own lives.
• Fabrice has written more than thirty books, and he has tried to rethink Buddhism, to find its real meaning.
• Fabrice felt that we needed to find, within our own culture, where meditation would be honestly grounded. And that was how he developed his meditation technique.
• Many challenges went with opening of the Western School of Meditation.
• Fabrice wanted to make the teaching of meditation more profound and grounded, rather than making it simpler and lighter.
• Using mindfulness as a means of becoming able to say "no" to the things that are not right in the world.
• Why Fabrice feels that the way mindfulness is taught today is creating more confusion and suffering for people.
• Fabrice explains what mindfulness is.
• Developing the right attitude towards mindfulness with his book, The French Art of Not Giving a Shit.
• Any change begins with kindness towards yourself.
• Meditation, for Fabrice, is political, and it is rooted in the deepness of humanity. To meditate is to dare to be human.
• Developing gratitude rather than greed through meditation.
• Embracing suffering through meditation, and overcoming fear. And creating a better world for future generations through mindfulness.
• What equanimity means for Fabrice.
• There's a new kind of violence that has emerged in our society, that's causing people a lot of suffering.
• Talking about the idea of "coming home".
• Creating real intimacy through meditation.

Resources:

Maison de la Meditation Center in Paris

Fabrice Midal Website

Do you live a mindful life? And have you ever learned to meditate? Today, we're in Paris and we're honored to be interviewing Fabrice Midal, the guru of meditation and mindfulness in France. Fabrice discovered meditation by accident at the age of twenty-one when a friend spoke to him about it while he was studying at the Sorbonne, thirty years ago. 

At first, he was a little afraid to try it out because nobody spoke much about meditation back then. When he did, however, he recognized something very deep there, and he knew that it was right for him, so he engaged with the practice and began to study meditation in earnest. 

In today's episode, Fabrice explains what mindfulness is, and he shares some of the struggles and challenges he faced when trying to find the most effective way to present meditation authentically. Be sure to listen in today, to hear the fascinating story of Fabrice's journey.

Fabrice has a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Paris and he is the founder of the Western School of Meditation. He had written more than thirty books, of which several have become bestsellers, including his latest book, The French Art of Not Giving a Shit. Tune in now, to find out more!

Show Highlights:

• Fabrice felt that it was his duty to teach meditation in a way that would be direct, down to earth, and would help people relate to their own lives.
• Fabrice has written more than thirty books, and he has tried to rethink Buddhism, to find its real meaning.
• Fabrice felt that we needed to find, within our own culture, where meditation would be honestly grounded. And that was how he developed his meditation technique.
• Many challenges went with opening of the Western School of Meditation.
• Fabrice wanted to make the teaching of meditation more profound and grounded, rather than making it simpler and lighter.
• Using mindfulness as a means of becoming able to say "no" to the things that are not right in the world.
• Why Fabrice feels that the way mindfulness is taught today is creating more confusion and suffering for people.
• Fabrice explains what mindfulness is.
• Developing the right attitude towards mindfulness with his book, The French Art of Not Giving a Shit.
• Any change begins with kindness towards yourself.
• Meditation, for Fabrice, is political, and it is rooted in the deepness of humanity. To meditate is to dare to be human.
• Developing gratitude rather than greed through meditation.
• Embracing suffering through meditation, and overcoming fear. And creating a better world for future generations through mindfulness.
• What equanimity means for Fabrice.
• There's a new kind of violence that has emerged in our society, that's causing people a lot of suffering.
• Talking about the idea of "coming home".
• Creating real intimacy through meditation.

Have you ever dreamed of living a peaceful life in the French countryside? Today, we're with Ian Moore, at La Paz Valle de Loire, an enchanting country inn in the beautiful Loire Valley, in France. Ian and his wife, Natalie, opened La Paz Valle de Loire in January. 

It is an honor to interview Ian today. He is a professional stand-up comedian, operating between Britain and France, and when he is not on stage making people laugh, he is making jam and marmalade from his orchard, feeding goats, and making the beds at his inn. 

Ian has written three books- A la Mod: My So-Called Tranquil Family Life in Rural France, C'est Modnifique: The Adventures of an English Grump in Rural France, and most recently, Playing The Martyr. Be sure to join us today, to hear Ian's delightful story.

Show highlights:

• Ian shares his "I wonder if" moment, the moment that led him to his life in the country, in France.
• Ian talks about what it's really like to travel and work as a stand-up comedian.
• Ian talks about what his friends had to say about an English city-boy buying a fam in France. 
• Ian thinks that it's very important to maintain certain standards as a city-boy.
• The winters in the country can be hard, but the springs and summers are beautiful!
• Ian shares his long-suffering sentiments about Natalie and their boys having a sixth sense in locating animals in need of rehabilitation.
• The problem with goats.
• To go away, they have to get professional house-sitters in.
• Ian shares what it's like to be an ex-pat living in rural France.
• A sense of community is vital, and the local community has been very supportive of Ian and his family.
• Ian shares the story behind his property in rural France.
• They are very lucky to have the popular Beauval ZooParc twenty minutes down the road. 
• Rural life isn't easy for Ian and his family.
• Staying connected is pretty easy for Ian and Natalie.  
• The importance of being relaxed.

Links and resources:

Ian Moore Stand-up comedian - https://ianmoore.info/stand-up/

Ian Moore Author - https://ianmoore.info/category/author/

Beauval ZooParc - https://www.zoobeauval.com/

https://ianmoore.info

Today, we're in Fletcher, North Carolina, with Troy Ball, the author of Pure Heart, A Spirited Tale of Grace, Grit, and Whiskey. Troy is the founder of Troy and Sons, makers of the first American Moonshine, at Asheville Distilling. She is the very first woman in the country to found a whiskey distillery. 

Troy was raised a teetotaler. She had her very first sip of alcohol at the age of forty when she and her husband took a trip to France, and she decided to try a glass of wine. Now, she's distilling her very own brand of award-winning white whiskey. Tune in today, to hear Troy's story and find out what motivated her to start bringing her dreams to fruition.

Show Highlights:

• Troy explains what made her wonder if...
• The unique gifts that one of the Asheville locals gave her, to welcome her to the small rural town.
• The first moonshine that Troy tried out in Asheville was rot-gut terrible! That was how the seed was planted for her to start making her own fine white whiskey.
• Troy is the very first woman in America to found a whiskey distillery. 
• Before prohibition, North Carolina had the most licensed distilleries of any state in the country.
• Doing a lot of research to find out about all the different aspects of moonshine.
• Troy first decided to try her hand at distilling moonshine eleven years ago, using white corn.
• One of her best memories from the whiskey world.
• The recipe for a Mountain Margarita: 1 1/2 oz fresh lime juice, 1/4 oz fresh orange juice, 1 1/2 oz Troy & Sons Platinum Whiskey, 1/4 oz St. Germaine, sweetened with agave nectar.
• Troy's most challenging moment in the whiskey industry.
• It's very difficult to get a federal permit.
• Resources are the people who know more than you know. Troy is all about sharing.
• Luck is an attitude.
• Some great advice for young entrepreneurs.
• Changing people's lives with Brainy, an incredible patented herbal supplement to benefit the brain. With no chemicals! 

Links and resources:

Pure Heart, A Spirited Tale of Grace, Grit, and Whiskey by Troy Ball

Asheville Distilling - Troy & Sons - https://ashevilledistilling.com/

Mentioned - The Luck Factor by Richard Wiseman

Have you lost interest in sex? Would you like to learn how to rekindle the fire in your relationship? Today, we're in beautiful Asheville, North Carolina, to attend a couple's retreat, and to interview Laurie Watson, the host of the retreat. 

In today's episode, Laurie talks about the kinds of problems that couples experience sexually and she explains how she helps partners get emotionally and sexually connected. Be sure to listen in today, to find out what Laurie has to share about overcoming sexual problems in a relationship. 

Laurie is the director of Awakenings Counseling For Couples and Sexuality, with offices in Greensboro, and Raleigh, in North Carolina. She is an attachment-theory-based certified sex therapist and licensed marriage/family therapist. Laurie is the author of Wanting Sex Again, How To Discover Your Desire and Heal a Sexless Marriage. She's also a blogger for Psychology Today, and the co-host of the Foreplay Radio Podcast. Tune in today, to find out how you can change the world with love and sex.

Show Highlights:

• Laurie explains what inspired her to write her book, Wanting Sex Again.
• George Faller, an expert couples therapist, is the new co-host of Laurie's podcast, Foreplay Radio.
• Typically, there are many issues, other than sex, that also affect people's relationships.
• Laurie believes that although an emotional connection helps to heal many of the sexual differences that people experience, it is still necessary to work directly with sexuality. 
• Everyone is very different in terms of their personality make-up and their sexual needs.
• Laurie explains what motivated her to become a sex therapist.
• People are often nervous to talk to a therapist, so couples need a very safe place to talk about their intimate problems.
• Laurie explains why her couple's retreat is so special.
• Everyone has some sort of sexual issue at some point in their life.
• Laurie talks about the homework and the resources that she gives to couples.
• Getting on the same page with erotic language is very important for couples.
• Laurie shares her recipe for keeping her relationship hot.
• Laurie describes the type of self-care that she practices.
• It is very important to keep growing, and educating yourself.

Links and resources:

Foreplay Radio - https://www.foreplayrst.com/

For the Godman Love Map App, go to https://www.gottman.com/couples/apps/

Awakenings Counseling Podcaster - Foreplay Radio Sex TherapyAuthor -  Wanting Sex Again  Blogger - Psychology Today, WebMD Take our Love and Sex QUIZ to find out your love and sex style!

Mona McGregor, curious, inquisitive, maybe a bit intrusive. She doesn’t consider many topics off limits. You say intrusive, she says “interested.” As a sex therapist, mental health counselor, and coach, it’s been her love and pleasure to listen to her client’s stories and help them build their Ideal Life. “Off the couch” Mona is inviting you to ride shotgun as she hits the road, sets sail, and flies away to interview the mavericks, disrupters, the people with grit and determination, those people that dare to WONDER, and learn how they have taken their dreams and brought them to reality. So, if you want to learn about moonshine, dating in Paris, better sex, opening a country inn, the best pancakes outside of the US, being a burlesque dancer, the art of champagne, destination cooking classes, surviving Mardi Gras, raising oyster babies and what it takes to be one of the most influential people