Relationships 2.0 With Dr. Michelle Skeen

This week on Relationships 2.0 my guest is Dan Millman, author of The Four Purposes of Life: Finding Meaning and Direction in a Changing World About the book: The literal millions who have read Dan Millman’s books know that he approaches the complex topic of life’s meaning with a unique and exceedingly appealing blend of wisdom, wit, and practicality. His insights connect with people where they are — and then move them forward. Those at a crossroads, facing a challenge, or simply seeking a deeper understanding of themselves and the workings of the world will find realistic, doable action steps. These practices amount to the kind of “Humanity Curriculum” many of us never studied. As readers Learn Life’s Lessons, Find Career and Calling, Discover Life’s Path, Attend to the Arising Moment, and for “extra credit,” Explore Spiritual Purpose, insights accumulate. Direction is clarified and the authentic and unique life purpose each of us is meant to live illuminated. About the author: Most people who’ve read Way of the Peaceful Warrior (or seen the movie) already know a few aspects of my life. And you may have seen my summary bio at my website, as follows:”Dan Millman, a former world champion athlete, coach, martial arts instructor, and college professor, is author of Way of the Peaceful Warrior (adapted to film in 2006), and numerous other books read by millions of people in 29 languages. Dan teaches worldwide and has influenced people from all walks of life, including leaders in the fields of health, psychology, education, business, politics, sports, entertainment and the arts. Dan and his wife, Joy, live in Northern California. His most recent book is The Four Purposes of Life.

This week on Relationships 2.0 my guest is Dan Millman, author of The Four Purposes of Life: Finding Meaning and Direction in a Changing World About the book: The literal millions who have read Dan Millman’s books know that he approaches the complex topic of life’s meaning with a unique and exceedingly appealing blend of wisdom, wit, and practicality. His insights connect with people where they are — and then move them forward. Those at a crossroads, facing a challenge, or simply seeking a deeper understanding of themselves and the workings of the world will find realistic, doable action steps. These practices amount to the kind of “Humanity Curriculum” many of us never studied. As readers Learn Life’s Lessons, Find Career and Calling, Discover Life’s Path, Attend to the Arising Moment, and for “extra credit,” Explore Spiritual Purpose, insights accumulate. Direction is clarified and the authentic and unique life purpose each of us is meant to live illuminated. About the author: Most people who’ve read Way of the Peaceful Warrior (or seen the movie) already know a few aspects of my life. And you may have seen my summary bio at my website, as follows:”Dan Millman, a former world champion athlete, coach, martial arts instructor, and college professor, is author of Way of the Peaceful Warrior (adapted to film in 2006), and numerous other books read by millions of people in 29 languages. Dan teaches worldwide and has influenced people from all walks of life, including leaders in the fields of health, psychology, education, business, politics, sports, entertainment and the arts. Dan and his wife, Joy, live in Northern California. His most recent book is The Four Purposes of Life.

This week on Relationships 2.0 my guest is Shawn T. Smith, author of Is He Worth It? How to Spot the Hidden Traits of Good Men. About the book: Where are the good men? Good men are everywhere, and they are looking for terrific women. So why are they hard to find? And why do so many women make life-altering mistakes by choosing the wrong men? The answer is distressingly simple. Good men don’t always know how to attract women, and women don’t always recognize good men. It’s as if there is a wall between the most compatible people. But don’t despair! Is He Worth It? holds time-tested wisdom for spotting good men who are searching for great relationships. You’ll learn… The three pillars of a good man. Great relationships begin with the best raw material. Men of character possess these basic traits. The twelve-point man inspection. Men who succeed in relationships have the right tools for lasting romance. This quiz will help you evaluate his relationship readiness. Ten self-deceptions that lead to costly relationship errors. Life is too short to suffer through bad relationships. Find out how to avoid common mistakes women make when choosing men. Written by a happily married man who is also a clinical psychologist, Is He Worth It? is a sweet celebration of romance, and it’s the perfect guide to finding love in these complex times. About the author: Shawn Smith is a clinical psychologist in Denver, Colorado and the author of four psychology books. He also writes a blog at ironshrink.com, where he answers important questions such as: Can dogs learn to read? Why do I feel amorous when I have a cold? Is my ex possessed? Shawn’s writing is light-hearted, impeccably researched, and always useful.

This week on Relationships 2.0 my guest is Shawn T. Smith, author of Is He Worth It? How to Spot the Hidden Traits of Good Men. About the book: Where are the good men? Good men are everywhere, and they are looking for terrific women. So why are they hard to find? And why do so many women make life-altering mistakes by choosing the wrong men? The answer is distressingly simple. Good men don’t always know how to attract women, and women don’t always recognize good men. It’s as if there is a wall between the most compatible people. But don’t despair! Is He Worth It? holds time-tested wisdom for spotting good men who are searching for great relationships. You’ll learn… The three pillars of a good man. Great relationships begin with the best raw material. Men of character possess these basic traits. The twelve-point man inspection. Men who succeed in relationships have the right tools for lasting romance. This quiz will help you evaluate his relationship readiness. Ten self-deceptions that lead to costly relationship errors. Life is too short to suffer through bad relationships. Find out how to avoid common mistakes women make when choosing men. Written by a happily married man who is also a clinical psychologist, Is He Worth It? is a sweet celebration of romance, and it’s the perfect guide to finding love in these complex times. About the author: Shawn Smith is a clinical psychologist in Denver, Colorado and the author of four psychology books. He also writes a blog at ironshrink.com, where he answers important questions such as: Can dogs learn to read? Why do I feel amorous when I have a cold? Is my ex possessed? Shawn’s writing is light-hearted, impeccably researched, and always useful.

This week on Relationships 2.0 my guests are SARK and Dr. John Waddell authors of Succulent Wild Love: Six Poweful Habits For Feeling More Love More Often About the book: A new philosophy of love and relationships for everyone Relationships do not require compromise or sacrifice You can create joyful solutions instead SARK has made a career out of sharing her personal, journal-like writings and art, and inspiring others with her vulnerable and honest journeys toward self-acceptance. She has helped her legions of fans craft lives filled with joy, creativity, and self-love — and she even married herself in a “statement of self-liberation” described in Succulent Wild Woman. And yet SARK had one big secret wish: overcoming her fears to commit to an intimate life partnership. So she embarked on a “Covert Love Operation,” and, after much soul-shaping, it culminated in her meeting psychologist and spiritual teacher Dr. John Waddell — and discovering Succulent Wild Love. They now teach and mentor together using the principles in this book — six powerful habits that can transform any relationship or open you to create the partnership you want. Over 175 pieces of SARK original art included About the authors: SARK (Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy) is a bestselling author, artist, and teacher. She comes from a background of creative expression and inspires others through her teachings in her 16 bestselling books, products, and programs to support empowered living. SARK’s purpose is to be an uplifter, a transformer, and a laser beam of love. She does that through her art, words, and spirit. For over 30 years, Dr. John Waddell’s work has focused on helping individuals and couples lead happier lives. Whether in his clinical psychology practice or in his teaching of metaphysics, his approach has been to provide concrete tools and practices that help people create the lives they want.

This week on Relationships 2.0 my guests are SARK and Dr. John Waddell authors of Succulent Wild Love: Six Poweful Habits For Feeling More Love More Often About the book: A new philosophy of love and relationships for everyone Relationships do not require compromise or sacrifice You can create joyful solutions instead SARK has made a career out of sharing her personal, journal-like writings and art, and inspiring others with her vulnerable and honest journeys toward self-acceptance. She has helped her legions of fans craft lives filled with joy, creativity, and self-love — and she even married herself in a “statement of self-liberation” described in Succulent Wild Woman. And yet SARK had one big secret wish: overcoming her fears to commit to an intimate life partnership. So she embarked on a “Covert Love Operation,” and, after much soul-shaping, it culminated in her meeting psychologist and spiritual teacher Dr. John Waddell — and discovering Succulent Wild Love. They now teach and mentor together using the principles in this book — six powerful habits that can transform any relationship or open you to create the partnership you want. Over 175 pieces of SARK original art included About the authors: SARK (Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy) is a bestselling author, artist, and teacher. She comes from a background of creative expression and inspires others through her teachings in her 16 bestselling books, products, and programs to support empowered living. SARK’s purpose is to be an uplifter, a transformer, and a laser beam of love. She does that through her art, words, and spirit. For over 30 years, Dr. John Waddell’s work has focused on helping individuals and couples lead happier lives. Whether in his clinical psychology practice or in his teaching of metaphysics, his approach has been to provide concrete tools and practices that help people create the lives they want.

This week on Relationships 2.0 my guest is Ruth Danner author of Making a World of Difference One Quilt at a Time: Inspiring Stories about Quilters and How They Have Touched Lives About the book: Quilts exemplify precious things: comfort through the warmth they provide; community, since they are often created by groups; and love, given the time and effort they require. With this in mind, legions of kindhearted quilters all over the world choose to donate their labors of love to people in need. Ruth McHaney Danner has gathered fifty-four heartwarming stories of quilters who make their compassion tangible one stitch, square, and quilt at a time. Each story introduces a quilter or group of quilters, ranging from a blind woman in Texas to preschoolers in Australia. Their gifts have the power to make recipients feel cherished and supported, even though they may never meet face-to-face. These wonderfully inspiring stories show that every quilter who has ever wondered, “But what can I do?” can do something that will help someone. About the author: Ruth McHaney Danner, the author of What I Learned from God While Quilting, has written extensively for various publications. She has made dozens of quilts for charitable organizations and for individuals in need, and many of her projects have won awards. Her sewing room in Spokane, Washington, overflows with stacks of fabric, bags of scraps, and an endless supply of UFOs (unfinished objects).

This week on Relationships 2.0 my guest is Ruth Danner author of Making a World of Difference One Quilt at a Time: Inspiring Stories about Quilters and How They Have Touched Lives About the book: Quilts exemplify precious things: comfort through the warmth they provide; community, since they are often created by groups; and love, given the time and effort they require. With this in mind, legions of kindhearted quilters all over the world choose to donate their labors of love to people in need. Ruth McHaney Danner has gathered fifty-four heartwarming stories of quilters who make their compassion tangible one stitch, square, and quilt at a time. Each story introduces a quilter or group of quilters, ranging from a blind woman in Texas to preschoolers in Australia. Their gifts have the power to make recipients feel cherished and supported, even though they may never meet face-to-face. These wonderfully inspiring stories show that every quilter who has ever wondered, “But what can I do?” can do something that will help someone. About the author: Ruth McHaney Danner, the author of What I Learned from God While Quilting, has written extensively for various publications. She has made dozens of quilts for charitable organizations and for individuals in need, and many of her projects have won awards. Her sewing room in Spokane, Washington, overflows with stacks of fabric, bags of scraps, and an endless supply of UFOs (unfinished objects).

This week on Relationships 2.0 my guest is Kelly Skeen co-author of Communication Skills for Teens: How To Listen, Express & Connect for Success. About the book: If you’re like most teens, a ton of your communication is done through texting and social media. But when you spend so much time looking at a screen, it’s easy to forget how to engage in real-life, face-to-face communication — a critical skill for your future success! As you become more dependent on your phone and the Internet, your ability to connect in person may diminish. Communication Skills for Teens is a must-have guide for keeping your communication truly real. With advice from teen coauthor Kelly Skeen, you’ll have everything you need to communicate more effectively in every area of your life — with friends, family, dates, and on job interviews. Packed with practical tips and exercises, this book offers powerful communication techniques and shows you how to apply them in the real world — without technology. If you’re ready to be the best communicator you can be, this book is your go-to guide! From Kelly: I’m a college student living in Washington, D.C. I love to ski, read, and spend time outside, whether it’s exploring nature or wandering around the city. I’m passionate about education and its transformative power. Working with kids is a very important part of my life. My two big dogs look more like mops than animals. Mac & cheese is a staple in my diet. I order it any chance I get and dream of keeping track of it all in a food journal.

This week on Relationships 2.0 my guest is Kelly Skeen co-author of Communication Skills for Teens: How To Listen, Express & Connect for Success. About the book: If you’re like most teens, a ton of your communication is done through texting and social media. But when you spend so much time looking at a screen, it’s easy to forget how to engage in real-life, face-to-face communication — a critical skill for your future success! As you become more dependent on your phone and the Internet, your ability to connect in person may diminish. Communication Skills for Teens is a must-have guide for keeping your communication truly real. With advice from teen coauthor Kelly Skeen, you’ll have everything you need to communicate more effectively in every area of your life — with friends, family, dates, and on job interviews. Packed with practical tips and exercises, this book offers powerful communication techniques and shows you how to apply them in the real world — without technology. If you’re ready to be the best communicator you can be, this book is your go-to guide! From Kelly: I’m a college student living in Washington, D.C. I love to ski, read, and spend time outside, whether it’s exploring nature or wandering around the city. I’m passionate about education and its transformative power. Working with kids is a very important part of my life. My two big dogs look more like mops than animals. Mac & cheese is a staple in my diet. I order it any chance I get and dream of keeping track of it all in a food journal.

This week on Relationships 2.0 my guest is Laura T. Coffey author of My Old Dog: Rescued Pets with Remarkable Second Acts. About the book: “No Dog Should Die Alone” was the attention-grabbing — and heart-stirring — headline of journalist Laura T. Coffey’s TODAY show website story about photographer Lori Fusaro’s work with senior shelter pets. While generally calm, easy, and already house-trained, these animals often represent the highest-risk population at shelters. With gorgeous, joyful photographs and sweet, funny, true tales of “old dogs learning new tricks,” Coffey and Fusaro show that adopting a senior can be even more rewarding than choosing a younger dog. You’ll meet endearing elders like Marnie, the irresistible shih tzu who has posed for selfies with Tina Fey, James Franco, and Betty White; Remy, a soulful nine-year-old dog adopted by elderly nuns; George Clooney’s cocker spaniel, Einstein; and Bretagne, the last known surviving search dog from Ground Zero. They may be slower moving and a tad less exuberant than puppies, but these pooches prove that adopting a senior brings immeasurable joy, earnest devotion, and unconditional love. About the author: Laura T. Coffey is a self-avowed dog nut and a longtime writer, editor, and producer for TODAY.com, the website of NBC’s TODAY Show. An award-winning journalist with more than two decades of experience, Laura has written and edited hundreds of high-profile human-interest stories over the years. She loves dogs and she loves people — and it shows in her writing. Laura lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Michael, their son, Tyler, their two senior dogs, Frida and Manny, and their giant 14-year-old cat, Diego. Connect with Laura at www.myolddogbook.com.

This week on Relationships 2.0 my guest is Laura T. Coffey author of My Old Dog: Rescued Pets with Remarkable Second Acts. About the book: “No Dog Should Die Alone” was the attention-grabbing — and heart-stirring — headline of journalist Laura T. Coffey’s TODAY show website story about photographer Lori Fusaro’s work with senior shelter pets. While generally calm, easy, and already house-trained, these animals often represent the highest-risk population at shelters. With gorgeous, joyful photographs and sweet, funny, true tales of “old dogs learning new tricks,” Coffey and Fusaro show that adopting a senior can be even more rewarding than choosing a younger dog. You’ll meet endearing elders like Marnie, the irresistible shih tzu who has posed for selfies with Tina Fey, James Franco, and Betty White; Remy, a soulful nine-year-old dog adopted by elderly nuns; George Clooney’s cocker spaniel, Einstein; and Bretagne, the last known surviving search dog from Ground Zero. They may be slower moving and a tad less exuberant than puppies, but these pooches prove that adopting a senior brings immeasurable joy, earnest devotion, and unconditional love. About the author: Laura T. Coffey is a self-avowed dog nut and a longtime writer, editor, and producer for TODAY.com, the website of NBC’s TODAY Show. An award-winning journalist with more than two decades of experience, Laura has written and edited hundreds of high-profile human-interest stories over the years. She loves dogs and she loves people — and it shows in her writing. Laura lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Michael, their son, Tyler, their two senior dogs, Frida and Manny, and their giant 14-year-old cat, Diego. Connect with Laura at www.myolddogbook.com.

It is to be loved, celebrated, anticipated, and welcomed as a gift of love and nurturance to you. Can you envision pleasure with food with this much potency? So, how to get out of the stressed-state (the battle) and in the pro-active pleasure state of eating? Let’s get practical: 1. Slow way, way down. Relaxation and slowness are key to increasing attentiveness, sensuality, and pleasure. This then optimizes your ability to truly taste, digest, and set up the proper hormonal cues for pleasurable satiation (in contrast to feeling bloated and engorged from unaware-hurried eating). 2. Notice fearful thoughts and/or body sensations. Pause and send some thanks to these thoughts and feelings. They are your cues for you to get on track to joy, peace, and pleasure again. But, in no way are the fears going to drive and determine your actions this season. Instead, breathe into them instead of fighting them. Then try some gentle challenges to shift the energy…”Is this really true?”, “What is that I do want?”, “How do I want to feel?” 3. Eat food with increased sensuality. Pick up one holiday treat, find a beautiful plate, sit down, and look at it for awhile. What is happening in your mind and body? Smell the treat, take one bite, set the treat down, and chew it as sensuously and slowly as you can. How does it really taste? What is happening in your body? Breathe deeply and chew some more. Pause and look at the treat again. Notice how enticing it is. Take another bite. 4. Trust. Your body was designed for pleasure around food. This is a primal mechanism designed to help you find that which your body needs. The cues get distorted with all the food and lifestyle chaos around us. But the internal cues of pleasure are still there and can be fine-tuned the more we slow down and heed them. About Margaret: My name is Margaret and I eat naked. That’s really all you need to know about me, but if you’re curious to know more… I love food and everything about it: growing it, cooking it, eating it, healing with it, talking about it, understanding it, relating to it. Food is such an integral part of our life. We have to eat it multiple times a day just to survive and, as one of my teachers said, “We are, at our most basic level, walking food.” True that. I had my first powerful experience with the fundamental importance of food in my mid-20s when a change to my diet resolved a chronic skin condition I’d struggled with for years. At the time I was deeply immersed in the world of social ventures and business consulting, first with the boutique consultancy Spark Strategies and then as VP Member Development withCanadian Business for Social Responsibility. Fast forward a few years and I realized my true calling was food and health, and, more specifically, using the former to achieve the latter. I became a Certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP) and Certified Nutritional Therapy Consultant (NTC) at the Nutritional Therapy Association (a school I recommend highly if you’re considering a career in nutrition) and then drew inspiration from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition where I learned from some of the top minds in the field (personal favorites were Sally Fallon of the Weston A Price Foundation, Dr. Mark Hyman, and Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way). Since then, I’ve become a Certified GAPS Practitioner, a Certified Healing Foods Specialist and also studied with the incredible Mark David at the Institute for the Psychology of Eating. www.eatnakednow.com

It is to be loved, celebrated, anticipated, and welcomed as a gift of love and nurturance to you. Can you envision pleasure with food with this much potency? So, how to get out of the stressed-state (the battle) and in the pro-active pleasure state of eating? Let’s get practical: 1. Slow way, way down. Relaxation and slowness are key to increasing attentiveness, sensuality, and pleasure. This then optimizes your ability to truly taste, digest, and set up the proper hormonal cues for pleasurable satiation (in contrast to feeling bloated and engorged from unaware-hurried eating). 2. Notice fearful thoughts and/or body sensations. Pause and send some thanks to these thoughts and feelings. They are your cues for you to get on track to joy, peace, and pleasure again. But, in no way are the fears going to drive and determine your actions this season. Instead, breathe into them instead of fighting them. Then try some gentle challenges to shift the energy…”Is this really true?”, “What is that I do want?”, “How do I want to feel?” 3. Eat food with increased sensuality. Pick up one holiday treat, find a beautiful plate, sit down, and look at it for awhile. What is happening in your mind and body? Smell the treat, take one bite, set the treat down, and chew it as sensuously and slowly as you can. How does it really taste? What is happening in your body? Breathe deeply and chew some more. Pause and look at the treat again. Notice how enticing it is. Take another bite. 4. Trust. Your body was designed for pleasure around food. This is a primal mechanism designed to help you find that which your body needs. The cues get distorted with all the food and lifestyle chaos around us. But the internal cues of pleasure are still there and can be fine-tuned the more we slow down and heed them. About Margaret: My name is Margaret and I eat naked. That’s really all you need to know about me, but if you’re curious to know more… I love food and everything about it: growing it, cooking it, eating it, healing with it, talking about it, understanding it, relating to it. Food is such an integral part of our life. We have to eat it multiple times a day just to survive and, as one of my teachers said, “We are, at our most basic level, walking food.” True that. I had my first powerful experience with the fundamental importance of food in my mid-20s when a change to my diet resolved a chronic skin condition I’d struggled with for years. At the time I was deeply immersed in the world of social ventures and business consulting, first with the boutique consultancy Spark Strategies and then as VP Member Development withCanadian Business for Social Responsibility. Fast forward a few years and I realized my true calling was food and health, and, more specifically, using the former to achieve the latter. I became a Certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP) and Certified Nutritional Therapy Consultant (NTC) at the Nutritional Therapy Association (a school I recommend highly if you’re considering a career in nutrition) and then drew inspiration from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition where I learned from some of the top minds in the field (personal favorites were Sally Fallon of the Weston A Price Foundation, Dr. Mark Hyman, and Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way). Since then, I’ve become a Certified GAPS Practitioner, a Certified Healing Foods Specialist and also studied with the incredible Mark David at the Institute for the Psychology of Eating. www.eatnakednow.com

This week on Relationships 2.0 my guest is Robert James author of Next: The Search for My Last First Date. About the book: Bob's book is a chronicle of his dating adventures as a "normal" middle-aged man living in Florida. Here is Bob's description of his situation following his divorce: In my forties, with a few extra pounds, I had concerns—I hadn’t dated in well over twenty years. Could I get the mojo back? Were all the good girls already taken? Holy crap! What was I going to do? I had to get back into shape! If I did find women who had potential, would they find me interesting? Attractive? Sexy? I’m a pretty confident guy, have a good job, know lots of people. But what did I know about women and dating? I thought about dating the same way I did in college. But I was going to soon find out things had changed—a lot. Where was I supposed to start? Bob found himself navigating a new (for him) online dating world. Besides the few time he was fixed up by well-meaning friends, he had no shortage of first dates from Match.com. His book chronicles, in short form, his experiences--funny, sad, cringe-worthy, crazy, and alarming. Tune in and find out his current relationship status! About the author: "Robert James is a lifelong resident of Florida, and is a businessman who loves wine, cooking, travel and enjoying outdoor activities. He has run with the bulls in Pamploma Spain, raced cars, and loves having new experiences in which to write about. Prior to writing his debut book, NEXT! The Search for My Last First Date, his writing was limited to business proposals."