Satisfied & Content

Many people find elements of shame and self-loathing when faced with having to ask for assistance. This week, as COVID-19 turns American society into a mosaic of anxiety, I speak with Amina Bey, executive director of Newark Emergency Services for Families. We discuss the vulnerability involved in accepting help but also the strength in knowing how to ask for it. In addition, we explore how to listen to people seeking assistance and also graceful ways to let people know when you are unable to assist them.

There are certain fabrics and accessories that just won't work in your favor if you're going to be at the center of a forum or panel as its moderator or facilitator. Sofistafunk Creative Director Arlinda McIntosh www.sofistafunk.com and The Accessories Vault Image Consultant Maryam Baqqi-Schwerdt @vaulttheaccessory both share valuable guidance on how to make an appearance that is practical and comfortable, yet still stylish!

As awkward and as difficult as these kinds of talks may be, e-cigarettes and the vaping industry have a stronghold on American teen culture. The onus is on parents to explore this topic with their tweens and teenagers so that nicotine addiction doesn't end up making itself at home in your child's body and mind. With flavors like Unicorn Puke and Cotton Candy, you better believe that you'll want to discuss with your teen their thoughts on vaping and whether they've done it. You'll hear some practical tips, reflections from teens who vape, as well as straight-no-chaser insight from a doctor.

There are a few ways to avoid the dreaded telltale signs of nervousness -- a dry mouth and slick, sweaty, clammy palms. In this episode, I share tried and true solutions, as well as what we could learn about avoiding nervous chaos by watching NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg and rapper DMX.

From corporate dinners to the beauty salon or barbershop, there's a way to use one's cell phone so that you are presenting yourself as a considerate and self-aware person. We discuss cell phone use in seven areas: corporate dinners, public transportation, hair salons/barbershops, trade shows, school performances, and open floor plan office settings.

There's no reason you shouldn't show up fully as yourself in intimate relationships. Using language that is clear is essential to fostering an authentic experience with our loved ones. However, the use of vague and ambiguous language has become a thorn in the sides for many who do not feel heard or genuinely acknowledged by their partners.

Many gym members feel intimidated, ashamed, awkward, or just plain have no idea that fitness professionals are there to answer questions and guide them in using weights, machines, and other gym tools properly. Learn what to ask and what to be wary of when conversing with your fitness professional. You deserve to get clear and useful information from a staff member who is knowledgeable -- but you can't be afraid to ask!

How do you handle a person who has no sense of the right time and place to discuss or inquire about money-related topics? Whether someone thinks you're spending too much money on shoes or whether they're putting you on the spot as a potential investor in their startup -- there's a way to help them understand that you have a standard for when someone brings up personal financially centered conversations with you. Some people are nosy, have an agenda, or are just plain nosy! Either way, you shouldn't have to squirm under their inappropriate comments and inquiries.

Some people are comfortable discussing that number on the scale, their fitness regimen, or their nutritional habits as well as failures. And then there are folks who want to know a little too much about others' private state of affairs when it comes to that waistline, body fat percentage, or weight loss surgery. Is it a crime to discuss our bodies or inquire about the bodies of others? In this episode, we discuss the delicate dance of navigating these kinds of conversations.

Ah, the New Year is upon us and everyone is making the loftiest of declarations. But how many of us are truly going to see them through? This episode explores how we can put a stop to the falling prey to deferred dreams and the vacuous resolutions that end up forgotten and deflated.