Need some creative inspiration? Someone to help you create the life of your dreams? Perhaps a muse could help!

Meet INGRID ELFVER, modern-day muse. Ingrid helps women overcome their blocks and freely reach for their dreams.

Not sure what a modern-day muse is or does? Listen in to this Girlfriendology podcast for women. You just might find insight and inspiration into reaching for your goals!

What’s YOUR spark, your energy and passion?

• Are you looking to fire up your creativity at work and at play?
• Want to ignite your professional skills, communications, and effectiveness at work?
• Are you someone with ENERGY and A PASSION, but you’ve gotten so scattered you don’t know where to begin?
• Do you sometimes light up to the point of tingling when you think about all you want to accomplish in the life…and you’re gutsy enough to admit you need a helping hand?

Listen in to this Girlfriendology podcast for women for guest, STEPHANIE COLLINS. Stephanie coaches women to find your spark and to achieve your dreams.

Girlfriends always share the best advice! That's why we asked STACEY CREW to work with Girlfriendology as our organizational girlfriend guru. Through her company and books, Stacey helps women take charge of their lives by being organized.

Listen in as Stacey shares some fabulous advice and is the organized girlfriend we would all love to have!

Stacey has authored two books: The Get Organized Guide for Busy Women and The Get Organized Guide for New Moms and has a new book on the way - The Organized Mom. Her company, Clear Vision, helps women get organized and improve their lives. Also, check out her blog for more info.

And stop back by Girlfriendology.com for more insight and help from Stacey - our new Girlfriend Guru of Organization!

Every friendship is an opportunity to inspire, support, share life and celebrate together. This month, our Girlfriendology monthly contest asked you for your stories on the wonderful women who we call our best friends, girlfriends, BFFs or gal pals.

Listen in as we hear from Girlfriendology girlfriends about their friendships - and prepare to be inspired!

Thanks girlfriends for sharing! And, stop by Girlfriendology for our monthly contest. Send in your story for prizes and to inspire others!

It is a tough fact, but most of us have dealt with breast cancer of a friend, family member or personally. With 2 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S., it's way too common.

Today's podcast is with PR expert, wife, mom and breast cancer survivor, TAMI BOEHMER. Tami spoke candidly with Girlfriendology about going through breast cancer with the hope of giving great girlfriend advice on how to be a friend to a girlfriend with cancer. Listen in as Tami shares advice on how to be a thoughtful, considerate and loving friend during this stressful, scary and sometimes sad time.

Thanks Tami so much for sharing your life and thoughts with us. You've made a difference in how we women take care of our friends!

Tami is interested in finding out your stories on people who have overcome cancer to do amazing, inspiring things. Check out her blog and send her information on your stories.

Related articles: 10 ways to be a better friend to a girlfriend with cancer, Pink Gifts - great girlfriend gifts for friends with breast cancer and More Pink Gifts.

We can all learn a lot from other women. From little things like cooking tips to monumental needs like taking care of our kids or parents, together we share the burden of life and, thankfully, with our girlfriends, it's a lot more fun.

Now add up all those experiences and girlfriend lessons for years (or decades) and you have a wonderful generation of women who have so much to share and appreciate each other as only women who've been there for each other for years can. Meet the Baby Boomer Women!

Leading this charged girlfriend group is DOTSIE BREGEL. She recognizes the power and potential of women coming together. In fact, she started the National Assn. of Baby Boomer Women and became the voice of Boomer Women.

Want to be inspired? Learn about this generation (be it yours, your mother's) from this amazing voice of Baby Boomer Women, Dotsie Bregel. Learn more too at BoomerWomenSpeak. And listen in for this great podcast for women!

There's something special in conversations between women. Much  more than words and syllables, feelings and comfort are passed among friends and a sense of calm is generated. Get together with your girlfriends TODAY if you doubt this!

Our guest today understands this bond and communication. She explored it in it's depth in her new book, "A Page Out of Life." KATHLEEN REID focused on women sharing their lives through a scrapbooking club, where their photos and memories come to life in their friendships. Or, as Kathleen says it in her book:

"When frazzled mother of four Ashley Gates lets her best friend drag her to a meeting of the local scrapbook club, she's amazed at the way old photos and mementos can bring vivid color -  to sepia-toned memories.”

The book is "A Page Out of Life,” the story of the twists and turns in the lives of the women of Belloix, Alabama"s scrapbooking club.

Listen in as Kathleen shares the pages of her life with us - from her author girlfriends, to the friends and family who support her, to exploring the lives of these wonderful female characters.

Thanks Kathleen for sharing 'a page out of YOUR life' with Girlfriendology!

Do you talk with your girlfriends about money? Share your economic questions or celebrate your financial fitness? Most of us don't, and that's why we're excited to start the conversation!

Today on the Girlfriendology podcast for women, we are going to pull some weeds. Metaphorically speaking. We'll be talking to JUDITH STEPHENS about acquiring a healthy money mindset - about pulling the weeds of financial lack and limitation.

Her website - YesToFinancialFitness  - is all about empowering people to learn how to earn more, how to get rich if that is their desire, how to build long-term wealth, and how to tap into various forms of abundance and prosperity.

Join in the conversation - or start one with your girlfriends. Together we can take control of our finances and get into financial shape - thanks to Judith!

Check out Girlfriendology for more info.

I'm sorry. I forgive you.

When was the last time you heard either of those statements? When was the last time you felt regret - and then extended an apology to the recipient of your actions or words?

There's a cleansing power of saying "I'm sorry" - or any words used to express regret.

PROJECT FORGIVENESS is an online effort to remind us of this power and to encourage us to participate in their program of forgiveness. Spokesperson ILYA WELFELD shared insight into the program, what types of forgiveness have been requested and why it is so important to go through this process.

Join us on this interesting and inspiring conversation with Ilya. Visit Project Forgiveness and read, or post, amazing apologies.

You don't have to be Bette Midler to know that wives are the 'wing beneath the wings' of soldier and military men (and husbands of women in the Armed Forces). They often have the challenge of keeping the family going in the absence of their parent and in dealing with the stress of worry, moving to new places and more.

I've wondered how military wives utilize their girlfriends in these situations so I asked one. TAMMY MUNSON is an Army wife/mom, military blogger, WAHM and social media manager. She keeps busy but not too busy to stay in touch with other Household6 women. (Household6 is the military term for a wife of a military man.)

She combines this love of her military lifestyle with her social media skills by blogging about Household6 and ParentZone. And, she even took time out of her busy schedule to talk with Girlfriendology about how she and her girlfriends support each other through deployment, moves and whatever life holds for them.

Thanks Tammy for being our military girlfriend and for sharing your insight and inspiration with us!

Even in a huge city like NYC, it can be tough to meet new friends. And, without fun friends to explore such a wonderful city, it isn't quite as fun - right?

Well, look no further NYC women! AMANDA HOFMAN is the ambassador of female friendship and fun in NYC. She started Urban Girl Squad - a social network for women in their 20s who are looking to find friendship in a comfortable, safe environment that just happens to also be really fun!

From salsa dancing to cooking lessons, Amanda and her Urban Girl Squad girlfriends explore the city and all it's wonderful venues together - which just happens to be a wonderful environment for meeting friends. And, as the group grows, the diversity and friendships change which, like NYC, keeps it vibrant and always an amazing adventure.

Listen in as Amanda shares her story about starting and growing the Urban Girl Squad. Let her energetic, positive approach inspire you - then call up some girlfriends and start exploring your town. Life really is better together - with your girlfriends!

You trust your girlfriends, right? Well, of course! We trust our friends to give us good advice and to be there when we need them - like when we get make-up on our clothing and need help!

GIGI GARNER (daughter of movie/TV star James Garner) recognized this universal need for sharing Girl Talk - all the little tips and tricks that women share when we're just hanging out together. So, she asked several of her celebrity girlfriends (including Jamie Lee Curtis, Joan and Melissa Rivers, Naomi Judd, Shari Belafonte) as well as lots of other extraordinary women for their best girlfriend advice. She compiled it all in her new book: Girl Talk: Celebrities and Extraordinary Women Share Secrets. And she shares a bunch of them in our latest podcast.

Listen in for her life in Hollywood and all the fun tips and tricks she shares. Thanks Gigi for letting us in on the Girl Talk!

Think back to your teens, 20's, possibly 30's, 40's ... whenever! Each decade brought new friends, relationships, jobs and lessons.

YANA BERLIN thinks women in their 40's are special. They have the knowledge from their 20's and 30's, and they still have so much ahead of them to experience. So, she started Fabulously40.com - a social network for women that catalyzes its members to celebrate and embrace their life.

Listen in as we talk with Yana about what's so special about the 40's and how we really do need our girlfriends (that's consistent throughout our lives!). Thanks Yana for your interview and inspiration!

Are you a hard-working self-starter who’s feeling rattled or confused by the way your life’s turning out?

Maybe a hard-won dream really isn’t ‘doing it for you’, at least not the way you thought that it would. Maybe a string of great positions haven’t turned out so great for you, and you’ve got a feeling you’ve missed your calling. Or maybe you’ve lost your mojo - or control of your own time - and the idea of living without either just plain gives you the willies.

If any of this describes your recent experience, and you’re not sure what to do or where to begin, you can relax because you’re in the right place.

It’s more than possible to live a life you love. To have the time, energy and mojo for what matters most to you. To do passionately meaningful work that makes the difference you crave AND the money you need. And to do it all in the company of people you enjoy spending time with, at a pace that leaves plenty of room for what you love.

In fact it’s more than possible, provided you put yourself and what’s most important to you at the center of your life!

Meet LISSA BOLES, life coach who can make life changes for you. With her husband, Randy, they coach people into creating the life of their dreams.

It's the little things. The people who say 'thank you' and open doors for others. Going out of our way to help others. Smiling at a stranger or helping an older person to their car with their groceries.

Peggy Post, daughter-in-law of etiquette legend Emily Post, talked with us on this Girlfriendology podcast about manners and especially about saying 'Thank You.' Author of dozens of books and magazine articles on etiquette, Peggy believes in the little things - but in doing the little things well. Like saying 'thanks' and 'please.'

The occasion is National Thank You Day - Sept. 22. Sponsored by Merci Chocolates, this is a day to be reminded of the simple but meaningful sign of appreciation and gratitude.

THANKS Peggy! It was a delightful conversation on a very important subject that we need to remember every day.

Have you hugged a girlfriend today? Told a friend how dear she is to you? Sent a kind email or even a real card? Celebrate National Women's Friendship Day everyday by building those connections and recognizing the value of girlfriendship.

Listen in to this podcast about National Women's Friendship Day and the August Girlfriendology contest. You'll be inspired by how other women are recognizing and appreciating their friendships. Their stories are heartwarming and funny, enlightening and compassion. It will be like a visit with a dear friend ... listen in!

p.s. And don't forget the Sept. Girlfriendology contest. Send your stories of back-to-school girlfriends - friends who helped you make it through school and whose friendships helped you make memories as well as survive Chemistry. Send your stories to contests (at) girlfriendology (dot) com or leave a message (with your contact info) at 206-202-9005.

You can change the world. We all can. We just have to make that decision and start on the path.

Our guest on this podcast is doing just that. PAULA CONSTANTINO left the world of law (after starting law school at 40 years of age) and started to build networks of mentors. That lead to her road to changing the world. From there she started "1000 Women Can Change the World" - a non-profit that will bring information and resources to women in need and will set up systems for us to share our knowledge for the greater good.

Listen into this podcast with Paula. Check out her website. And, if you can, get involved - donate, get on their mailing list, tell your friends. You can join Paula in changing the world. Go for it girlfriends!

Watch out! KK and SalGal are on this week's Girlfriendology Podcast and they've been known to get a little wacky ... like their 'nekkid' radio show, test driving their mom's wheelchair in their neighborhood and making midlife health care videos take a totally new slant.

They are, after all, the MIDLIFE GALS. Two twisted sisters from Texas, KK and SalGal have their own wild and wacky radio show on BlogTalkRadio, do videos and have a wild blog. They frequently drag in their mother (as they love to call her, "The Ancient One"), their BFF (Sweet Pea, the daughter of a licenced beautician) and, in this case, me who was somewhat ill-equipped to keep them on track on this podcast! Listen in to hear how it went!

I bet KERRI NEUBEK could beat me in a game of Monopoly. Or you. or Warren Buffett. She's a 'game person' and has been since she and her sister, PATTI, grew up playing games.

Only thing is ... they ran out of games. As adults, they couldn't find a good girlfriend game - so they created one! Hello "What's a DAME to do?!"! Through their company, Games for Dames, Kerri and Patti created a hilarious game of 'dame dilemmas' that not only has a table (or floor) of women rolling in laughter, it also may teach you a little bit about your friends.

Check out her podcast interview with Girlfriendology for how they came up with the game, some wacky examples and some fun ideas for getting together with your girlfriends over a little game for us 'dames!'

And join us next week for more hilarious conversation as we talk with KK and SalGal of the twisted Texas sisters who are making fun of their midlife life. Listen in for the Midlife Gals as we chat over aging, friends and their 'nekked' radio show!

Just a simple girlfriend story can inspire another woman to call up a friend. Hearing about women who call each other every day could inspire someone to send a card or leave a kind note for a friend. One good deed, one great story can influence others to strengthen their friendships and make memories with the special friends in their lives.

Join us for several girlfriend stories submitted by YOU about your friendships. Listen in for inspiration and ideas. Think about who these stories make you think, "I wonder what she's up to or what's going on in her life?" Then, act on them and rebuild the relationships that make us healthier, happier, less stressed and live longer - our girlfriends.

And, once you listen, send us your story for the September Girlfriendology Contest. (We've got a back-to-school theme going - tell us about your friends from school and why they made that time of your life fun and memorable!) Send your stories to contest (at) girlfriendology (dot) com or call and leave a message (with your contact info) at 206-202-9005. Thanks Girlfriends!

Are you single? (Or do you have single girlfriends?!) Are you (they) Available and Happy? Either way, you'll want to listen in and tell your girlfriends about our Girlfriendology podcast guest.

RUTA FOX has designed the first line of beautiful jewelry for single women. Her Ah Ring (for Available and Happy) is perfect for the pinky of single women who want their own jewelry. And, her company, Divine Diamonds provides several beautiful jewelry items that each express unique, lovely qualities.

Listen in for Ruta's inspiring story (from getting Oprah's attention to celebrities like Kirsten Dunst, Teri Hatcher and Anne Hathaway!). And, do a little shopping at Divine Diamonds. (Mention "Girlfriendology" as the promotional code for a $10 discount.)

Thanks Ruta for sharing your happy jewelry and inspiring story!

Just think of the dreams we could reach, the goals we could achieve the world it would be if we were intentionally taught as a young person how to be a leader! KELLY CURTIS sees the potential of this and is preparing the tools to bring out the power in young people.

Her book, Empowering Youth: How to Encourage Young Leaders to Do Great Things, is a hands-on guide to developing the best in young people: their vision, creative power and drive to make the world an inclusive, sustainable place. She also develops research-based products for prevention-minded educator through her company Empowering Youth. And, she also shares her thoughts on her blog - Pass the Torch.

Listen in as Kelly shares her wisdom on empowering youth and the lessons that we can apply to their, and our, lives. Thanks Kelly!

JANET WISE spent 10 years at Fortune 500 companies learning about professional development programs. What did she learn? That there is a reason why companies invest millions of dollars in developing their leadership talent.

Now she designs and implements networking, consulting and training programs for women entrepreneurs to help them become highly-motivated and successful. Her company, WISE Solutions (based on Women Inspired to Seek Excellence) offers Power Plans, Mastermind Alliances and even Power Parties - all designed to develop skills and inspire women. And she does!

Listen in as she shares her philosophies and helpful advice.

Thanks Janet!

LINDA HOLLANDER, the "Wealthy Bag Lady" talked with Girlfriendology about starting a business - with your best friend, and staying best friends! Listen to her inspiring story about coming out of an abusive relationship to writing books, running events for Women in Business and more inspiration.

For more information, please visit Girlfriendology. Thanks!

Description to come! (and on www.girlfriendology.com)

Just to stereotype a little here, women generally like to shop. Right? Yes, all but for one thing - cars!

For every woman who has struggled through the process of buying a car and then dealt with the stress of maintenance which is often described in foreign terms and conditions, there finally is a girlfriend to help! Meet JODY DeVERE - aka: AskPatty.

Jody started AskPatty.com as the online source of automotive advice for women. With years of experience as an entrepreneur and a higher than average knowledge of cars and dealerships, she set out to help other women make the buying and maintenance process much easier and less stressful.

One great example is the directory of female-friendly dealerships on the AskPatty.com website. Also, there is a panel of female experts to help you understand your car, how to drive and maintain it, etc. There is even information on her site and in this interview on how to cut back on your gasoline costs by maintenance and driving recommendations.

Listen in for this wonderful car-girlfriend! Thanks Jody for sharing your automotive advice and wonderful wisdom for all us gals on the road!

And, come back on Thursday for Alissa Kriteman, author of "Meet the Dreamer: Alissa's Four Cornerstones for Living the Life of Your Dreams" and host of the show "Just for Women."

Thanks girlfriend!

Remember your favorite aunt? Was she really a sister of your mom or dad, or perhaps was she your mother's best friend? Or a dear woman who just wanted to 'be' your family?

Our Girlfriendology podcast guest, MELANIE NOTKIN, loves being an aunt. And, she knows there are ABRs (Aunts By Relation) and ABCs (Aunts By Choice). In fact, with only 45% of women being mothers, aunts are definitely 'in!'

Join us in this fun conversation about what makes someone family and how we can learn from Melanie's site, SavvyAuntie.com, how to really be a savvy auntie!

Thanks Melanie!

From 'aunts' to 'autos' ... come back next week as we talk with JODY DeVERE, aka: Ask Patty. AskPatty.com is the automotive expert site for women. Learn some great car tips as well as how we can learn a lot from each other about purchasing, services and enjoying our autos!

Girlfriendology spoke with CLAIRE MYSKO, author of "Girls Inc. Presents: Amazing You!" - a no pressure guide to being your best self.

Listen in as we discuss the 'supergirl dilemma' - the pressure by girls to be perfect. Hear how we can help them realize that they are amazing just the way they are - and how we as women, can accept ourselves too.

Claire has served as the director of the American Anorexia Bulimia Association, the Executive Editor of SmartGirl, and the Assistant Director of Communications for Girls Inc. She is also the co-founder of Inside Beauty, an outreach program dedicated to promoting healthy body image.

For more information, visit Girlfriendology.com.

Thanks Claire!

Join us next time for Melanie Notkin, founder of SavvyAuntie.com.

Are you overwhelmed and unorganized? (Or is it just me who feels that way?!) Do you wish for more 'me,' or even girlfriend, time? Need some good 'ole girlfriend advice on how to make life a little less stressful and a lot more fun?

Meet our Girlfriendology podcast guest: MONICA RICCI. Monica is the most organized girlfriend you'll probably ever meet. She knows the ins and outs of organizing your home and office. And she is knowledgeable in time management practices that we can all benefit from. (Which will give us more time with our girlfriends!)

You may know Monica from HGTV's "Mission Organization," or from various corporate sponsorships. She works with individuals and businesses to gain control and be more efficient. And, she does so in a way that you learn how to make life changes that will pay off big time! Check out her business: Catalyst Organizing and her blog. Also, revisit the F.A.I.T.H. system she talks about in this podcast.

Come back on Sunday for our conversation with Claire Mysko, author of "Girls Inc. Presents: Amazing You!" - a no pressure guide to being your best self. Even we grown-up girls need to hear these lessons in getting past the "superwoman dilemma" that we have to be perfect.

Please stop by Girlfriendology.com - our new site! Podcasts will all be uploaded there soon. Thanks!

Do you have dreams? Do you support your friends and their pursuit of happiness? As girlfriends we're charged with being there for our friends and being the helpful, supportive and cheerleader person on their way to following their passion.

Our guest on this (our 51st) podcast is SUSAN WILSON SOLVIC. Susan is the founder of SBTV.com (Small Business Television - the online news network for businesses), women's entrepreneurial professor and advocate, former lawyer and author of The Girl's Guide to Building a Million Dollar Business. (A book I'd highly recommend! I bought it as soon as it came out last fall!)

But first I want to establish that this information is for all women - whether we're an entrepreneur, career women or stay-at-home mom – because we can all learn something of value from our expert today on following our dreams and it might be something that we need to hear for ourselves or for a girlfriend.

So listen in to this inspiring woman - SUSAN WILSON SOLOVIC!

Come back next time (Thursday evening) to hear from organizational guru MONICA RICCI. Monica runs Catalyst Organizing Solutions, has written several books and was the expert organizer on "Mission Organization" on HGTV. Come learn how we can free up our life (for more girlfriend time!) by applying some of the organizational tools Monica offers.

And, don't forget our July Girlfriendology Contest! We have 50 prizes in honor of our 50th podcast. Send your girlfriend story into contest (at) girlfriendology (dot) com or leave a message with your contact information at 206-202-9005.

Just a reminder to keep inspiring, appreciating and celebrating girlfriends. That's what we do!

Blame it on Kris Radish. Oh, and you. Best-selling author, Kris Radish, agreed to a phone interview with Girlfriendology in Sept. 2007 and the rest is history. (And she's to 'blame' on the Girlfriendology videos as well!)

Where do YOU come in? Well, you've listened and, thankfully, you've told your friends and they've listened, and told their friends ... you get the picture. AND, if that wasn't enough, you shared your girlfriend stories in the monthly contests which make great podcast script material.

So, here we are on the BIG 5-0. Listen in to catch up on any amazing women that you've missed along the way. Hear a few surprise guests wish us well as Girlfriendology.com continues to grow. And, prepare with us for the next generation of new conversations with inspiring, amazing women.

Remember - together we can make the world a better place, one girlfriendship at a time.

NOTE: Girlfriendology podcasts will soon be moving to www.girlfriendology.com. However, we'll have these up for a couple months here at www.girlfriendology.libsyn.com as we make the transition. The new shows will be posted with their podcast number as referred to in this anniversary recap. But for now, please listen to these fabulous females as their share their lives, passions, girlfriends with us.

Again, THANKS for listening! And thanks for hanging out at Girlfriendology.com - the online community for women based on inspiration, appreciation and celebration of girlfriends!

Do your girlfriends give you romantic advice? Have they introduced you to a 'potential' partner or been there for you when you cried over a break-up? Girlfriends do that. We listen, we advise (hopefully only when asked) and, above all, we care.

Our new guest on the Girlfriendology Podcast is author CARLY PHILLIPS. She has written dozens of romantic fiction novels which have landed her on the New York Times Bestseller list. (Her latest book, Hot Property, is one of the 50 prizes in the July Girlfriendology Contest in celebration of next week's 50th podcast!)

Would you be surprised to know that this romance author's girlfriends have listened and given her romantic advice? They do, on a regular basis. But, they aren't your average group of girlfriends. They're all published writers who help each other through plots and characters, stories and angles.

Meet the Plotmonkeys. These four female authors (including our guest Carly) help each other plot out plots, read manuscripts and just share in the day-to-day writing process. These girlfriends take trips together and share each others lives. Plus, they have an awesome blog!  Thanks Carly for talking with us on your birthday!

Join us next time for our 50th Podcast! Party time!!!!!

(And join in on the contest to win one of our 50 prizes this month!) Thanks Girlfriends!

Sometimes you just 'connect' with people. They say, blog, write, design something that you so strongly identify with that you just want to hear, read or see more!

Well, meet some of these women! Shirley, Elizabeth, Pamela, Cheryl and so many more offer words of encouragement, funny tales and inspiring stories in their entries into the June Girlfriendology Contest. Listen in to hear how girlfriends take care of each other, support one another and have lots of fun together.

Prizes for the June Girlfriendology Contest included 30 books by authors from previous podcasts: Susan Mallery, Carly Phillips (actually on the next Girlfriendology podcast), J.J. Virgin and others. Plus, the top five winners receive a $10 Starbucks card to take them and their girlfriend out for coffee on Girlfriendology. The top winner receives a Girlfriendology Journal also.

Join in NOW for the July Girlfriendology Contest! In celebration of our upcoming 50th Podcast (this is our 48th!), we'll have 50 prizes to award in July. And, there are even more ways to win: 1. Send a girlfriend story to contest@girlfriendology.com, 2. Leave a comment on our iTunes page, 3. Record a message with your girlfriend story on our voice mail - 206-202-9005 (and make sure to leave your email information) and 4. Send us a photo of you (and/or a girlfriend) in a Girlfriendology shirt!

Now listen in to these fabulous, inspiring women. Then share your girlfriend story with us for the July Contest. Together we can make the world a better place, one girlfriendship at a time!

Isn't it fun to take a girlfriend out to dinner on her birthday? Want to do it - for FREE?! Well, our girlfriend JULIE NORTHROP is just the gal you want to know!

Julie started FreeBirthdayTreats.com as a way of sharing the birthday celebration with everyone by offering tons of info on what you can get for free on your birthday. And, that includes adults, kids and even pets!

Listen in as Julie share some great tips on fun and frugal birthday celebrations! Thanks Julie!

And come back next time to hear from YOU! Girlfriends from all over the U.S. submitted their favorite gal pal stories and will win one of our 30 prizes in the June Girlfriendology Contest. Listen in for amusing and inspiring stories!

(And join in the July Girlfriendology Contest - we have 50 prizes in celebration of our upcoming 50th podcast! See Girlfriendology.com for the rules and multiple ways to win!)

Our guest on this Girlfriendology podcast shares my belief that women instinctively know that time spent with other women - is priceless.

From the classic "girl's night out” to more travel oriented girl's weekends away - women need a girl's-only get together once in a while to re-energize, rejuvenate and rejoice in each other. It's a lot of just plain fun to be with the girlfriends in your life that mean so much to you.  

Back to today’s guest. HEATHER HILLS' passion is to provide an easy way to plan those girlfriend getaways in ways that won’t break the budget. She developed ChickVacations.com to help consult, organize, and plan what some are calling  "staycations” - that is, having the time of your life with friends without having to travel far to do it. Whether you and your girlfriends want a quick weekend getaway, an intergenerational women's adventure trip, or just a holiday shopping trip, listen in to Heather’s great ideas and inspiration for your next girlfriend's weekend!

Just a quick reminder to join in on the July Girlfriendology Contest. In anticipation and celebration of our 50^th podcast (this being our 46^th!) we’re going all out with prizes! Yes, your heard correctly – 50 prizes! And there are multiple ways to participate like sending us your girlfriend story, calling your story in to 206-202-9005 or leaving a nice comment for us on iTunes. Or just send us a photo of you in a Girlfriendology shirt. Sign up for the newsletter to stay in the know on new prizes and contests. We’re going to have even more in coming months!

Onto our next Girlfriendology podcast ... Do you have a birthday coming up? Or planning a girlfriend or family members special day? Want to plan a fun day – and not spend a lot of money? Our guest on the next Girlfriendology Podcast is JULIE NORTHROP. She started FreeBirthdayTreats.com to help us all find great deal and fabulous freebies for adults, kids and even pets. Don’t miss out on some great girlfriend advice on free birthday treats next time on the Girlfriendology Podcast.

Here's a one word description for today's Girlfriendology guest: Amazing.

MARSH ENGLE is the founder of the Amazing Woman Initiative - a way to focus in on the amazing greatness within each and every one of us.

For example … Think about what it means to be a firefighter and what trust it takes. Then think about being among the handful of New York Fire Department female firefighters who rolled with their crews on the morning of 9/11.    

Marsh Engle spent a year of her life discovering the amazing stories from the women of the NYFD, and that's just one amazing girlfriend perspective we're going to explore on today’s Girlfriendology podcast.

Join us as we talk with this AMAZING woman - Marsh Engle!

She’s written books on Amazing women as well as received recognition and awards for her initiatives - including an Amazing Woman’s Day that is taking place all over the world, with an event in Palm Springs planned for July 19^th.

Join us next time as we take a girlfriend getaway trip to talk with Heather Hill from Chick Vacations. Women's travel is the fastest growing leisure travel segment - because it's fun! Find out from Heather how you and your girlfriends don't have to go that far to have a crazy-fun weekend with your favorite gal pals.

Also, our 50th podcast is coming up! In celebration, we're giving away 50 prizes in our July Girlfriendology Contest. Visit www.girlfriendology.com for more info and win some great books, Starbucks gift cards and more. You only hit 50 once so we're going all out!

Thanks Girlfriends for listening in!

 

Wikipedia reports that 55% of all books purchased are romance fiction. Actually, that genre exceeds even major league baseball! And who is one of the major contributors to that successful segment?

Our Girlfriendology podcast guest has written over 100 romance fiction novels and is no where near running out of ideas. Meet SUSAN MALLERY, author of the new Bakery Sisters series and lots of favorite female fiction. Simple ... she writes books for women that women want to read!

Now was does 'chick lit' have to do with female friendship? Actually, when it comes to Susan Mallery, lots! Susan credits her girlfriends (many of whom are writers) for inspiring, supporting and encouraging her. She regularly meets with her author gal pals to take a break from writing, laugh together and just get re-energized to go back to writing so many books!

And, Susan's a sweetheart and shared her newest novel with us for the July Girlfriendology Contest so send in your girlfriend story and win a copy of Sweet Talk, by Susan Mallery.

Join us next time for an amazing woman - MARSH ENGLE. She started the 'Amazing Woman Initiative,' wrote books on Amazing Women and has an "Amazing Woman's Day 2008" event coming up on July 19th in Palm Springs. Come hear about your amazing spirit and those amazing women who bless our lives!

Love a good GNO? (Girl's Night Out) Or, basically any time spent with your girlfriends? Of course - who doesn't?!

Our January 2008 Girlfriendology Contest featured ideas on events with your fabulous gal pals. Re-recorded and re-mixed for your listening pleasure, we're re-releasing the January Contest winners podcast. Listen in!

And, every month we have contests at www.girlfriendology.com/contest with LOTS of PRIZES. Join in and win! Thanks Girlfriends!!

Katie Hacker wrote the book on beading. Okay, actually she's written over 20 books on beading and other creative hobbies. And, she's a regular contributor to Beads, Baubles and Jewels on PBS. She spoke with Girlfriendology back in December and her faithful following fans continue to listen in to this talented designer and wonderful creative girlfriend.

Check out the 'new and improved' audio for Katie's podcast interview with Girlfriendology. You'll be inspired creatively and you might even have to get some of your girlfriends together to craft!

We've updated and remixed our Girlfriendology interview with Life Coach DEBBIE LUNDBERG. Even months after the interview, this podcast continues to have lots of downloads - so Debbie keeps inspiring women through Girlfriendology! (And we've updated her coming events - see below!)

Life coach DEBBIE LUNDBERG believes women should support women and she actively pursues this as a life coach and leader of a women's organization, the Tampa VEGAs. Taken from an acronym for Vision, Experience, Growth and Appreciation, the VEGAs are committed to not only having fun together but also challenging each other to grow and learn. Debbie and VEGAs have hosted a "Choose to Inspire" woman's seminar on organization but not just getting our homes in order. Their focus was holistic on organizing your spirit, life, finances, meals and home - and it was met with approval and appreciation! Join us as Debbie tells why a girlfriend's group is important and how to set guidelines. Hear about her book and her advice for women in order to support each other.

Debbie's current events:

Life Works I...Enhancing Your Life Personally & Professionally
Tuesdays beginning July 22, 2008 through August 29, 2008 Register Now

Moms Embracing Beauty! Growth & Learning Forum
With an opportunity for the first 100 registrants to be entered in a drawing for a complete makeover!
Thursday, October 9, 2008 Register Now

For more information on Debbie visit www.debbielundberg.com, learn more about the VEGAs at www.tampavegas.com and their seminar series www.choosetoinspire.com.

Today's Girlfriendology podcast guest falls into the "passionate about playtime" category! While traveling to such exotic locations as Kenya, Venezuela, Argentina and Mexico, our guest found her experiences - some volunteering and some adventurous vacation travel - lacking what the other could provide.

In 2007, JODI NELSON came up with the concept of an all-encompassing travel experience that would give back to others yet still satisfy the need for active adventure ... and launched Play It Forward Adventures.

A new concept in travel, Play It Forward Adventures merges active outdoor adventures with humanitarian efforts abroad to empower and enrich lives. Listen in as Jodi shares how Play It Forward truly provides an experience suitable for their tagline:  "Volunteer. Explore. Connect."

Next podcast we'll explore the world of romance fiction and find out why women LOVE a good romantic story! Author of over 100 romance fiction novels, SUSAN MALLERY. She'll share romantic advice, how her girlfriends share ideas with her and more on this fun, female conversation!

We're going to take a slight detour today from GIRLfriendology to GRILLfriendology as we talk with one of the famous Kansas City BBQ Queens - KAREN ADLER.

Karen is a self-confessed "foodie," as well as president of Pig Out Publications. Sure, she's got over a dozen cookbooks in publication, but she and her slow-smokin' barbecue partner and girlfriend, Judith Fertig, love nothing more than a good old-fashioned barbecue cook-off. Their favorite is competing in the "Battle of the Sexes Barbecue Contest" - and they've won that more times than not!

We're firing up the grill and cookin' up something special today on this Girlfriendology podcast ... it's gonna be smokin'!

Join Girlfriendology on the next podcast for JODI NELSON, founder of "Play It Forward Adventures." Sure to inspire and possibly motivate you to take a trip, Jodi will tell us how she takes women (and men) on travel adventures where you not only see the country, hike or kayak through it but you also get to help out families while you're there. A very rewarding, challenging and definitely memorable adventure for you and your girlfriends (or family, partner, etc.). Listen in as Jodi encourages us to "Volunteer, Explore and Connect!"

See you next time! Remember - keep inspiring, appreciation and celebrating girlfriends. That's what we do!

Commenting on her experience with our guest today, Suzanne Sommers said, "Every once in a while, someone comes along who connects the dots and takes the mystery out of losing weight."

Girlfriends, we're about to connect the dots with a woman who has done post-graduate work in biomechanics, sports medicine, exercise physicology, nutrition and aging and has a PhD in Holistic and Clinical nutrition. And that's just scratching the surface.

J.J. VIRGIN has also appeared for several seasons as the fitness and nutrition expert on the Dr. Phil Show, and includes "nutritional coach for Superman" on her resume. How cool is that?!

J.J.'s new book (with co-author, Dan O'Dowd) "The Art of Losing It: Mastering Weight Loss in an Expanding World"* addresses all the key areas we'll discuss on this podcast: overcoming diet resistance, what types of foods and when to eat them, how sleep impacts our weight and, of course, how our girlfriends can help us in our fitness progress.

Does fitness and nutrition overwhelm you, like it does me? Do you struggle with a diet resistant body? Stay tuned for a Girlfriendology chat with "superWOMAN" J.J. Virgin!

THANKS J.J. for your life-changing inspiration! Check out J.J.'s website for more information and subscribe to her newsletter for a free report on "The Seven Biggest Mistakes to Avoid in Weight Loss."



Coming up on the next Girlfriendology Podcast:  Okay, I might not have planned this well to follow J.J.'s diet inspiration, but out guest on the next Girlfriendology podcast is one of the BBQ Queens, Karen Adler. We'll just try not to be too tempted by her barbecue expertise and focus more on her friendship with her BBQ Queen partner and co-author of some of her cookbooks, Judith Fertig and their friendship and business partnership that has seen them through girlfriend grillin' like no one else! Can you say pearls and tiaras to barbecue in?!

The May Girlfriendology Contest had more entries than ever before - so we posted the top 15 on our blog and let you vote. Through emails and comments, you selected ... Yep, we're going to make you listen to the podcast to hear the inspiring stories and see who won all the books, Starbucks giftcards and Girlfriendology Journal.

AND, please send in your stories for the June Contest. Again, we have more prizes than days in June and you could both win a book (and maybe a Starbucks giftcard to take your girlfriend out for coffee on Girlfriendology) as well as inspire other girlfriends!

Remember the 'Law of Attraction' and the focus it received on Oprah and in the news a few years ago? It certainly caused a stir and rightly so as it inspired so many of us to rethink our lives and start attracting our dreams.

JODY ENGLAND studied the law of attraction and, along with her girlfriend Kim Yardlay, decided to take the Law of Attraction closer to a reality for all of us who aspire to living life to our potential. A successful entrepreneur and former therapist, counseling at-risk families, children, and individuals, Jody has transformed her unique blend of experience as a leading voice in both the business world and the nonprofit arena, to empowering women to grant themselves permission to unlock their personal power.

Together Jody and Kim founded BuzZen. BuzZen is a company founded on the principles of contribution and inclusion, designed to appeal to women of all backgrounds, religions and ethnicities and welcome one and all. They believe that through connecting at our deepest level of “sister,” we are all empowered and enriched.

This may sound somewhat magical or metaphysical, but actually it is more about growing with girlfriends and having a fun time doing that! Or, as BuzZen puts it: "It's like the Law of Attraction meets Girls Night Out!" (Does that put it in a more FUN perspective for you? It does for me!) PLUS there is even inspiring shopping for yourself and girlfriends!

Listen in to our wonderful conversation as we explore how this law of attraction is actually put into action to make a wonderful transformation in our lives. And, hear how having other women on the same journey can be part of 'The Hive' and inspire and challenge each other to reach greatness!

You can be part of the 'The Hive' too! Jody generously offered a free two month membership to 'The Hive' (the interactive online community of women BuzZen members!). So try it out and see what all the Buzzzz is about!

Thanks Jody!

On our next podcast, the winners of the May Girlfriendology Contest share their inspiring stories! And, don't forget to enter the June Girlfriendology Contest! We have over 35 prizes and just ask for you to send a story about an amazing girlfriend or a friend who has gone out of her way for you to contest@girlfriendology.com or leave a message (with your email address spelled out) at 206-202-9005. Go to our blog to see all the great prizes too!

Due to technical difficulties (seriously!), our new podcast with DEBI SILBER, The Mojo Coach, won't be posted until Wednesday evening. But I promise it will be worth the wait! (Get your Mojo Meter rising just by listening to this inspiring podcast!)

However, we do have two new version of great previous podcasts:

* CARRIE RUNNALS - founder of WordsToMouth.com, an online book review site with podcasts and author interviews. Get to know your favorite authors and find out about great new books on WordsToMouth. Also, Carrie is one of The Diva Cast - a podcast with girlfriends. Join these five, fun, fabulous, forty-something friends as they get real and share life together - with a few thousand of their favorite fans!

* MARYBETH BOND - the Gutsy Traveler shares her advice for women travelers with great ideas on trips for you and your girlfriends. Listen in as Marybeth shares why women's travel is growing so much and how to plan your own girlfriend get-away! Marybeth PODCAST

Meet Carrie and Marybeth, then come back next week and get your Mojo going with Debi Silber. And, remember to keep inspiring, appreciating and celebrating girlfriends - that's what we do. Thanks a lot girlfriends! Thanks a lot Carrie, Marybeth and Debi!

BRENDA NOVAK fans around the world are lucky she's a fast typist! Not only did it lead her into becoming an author, it now is a wonderful benefit to readers as she write several books every year! The latest, Trust Me, is a romantic thriller that is the first of 'The Last Stand' trilogy (or more!). Read the first chapter of Trust Me on her website too!

Listen in to this inspiring interview with author, mother (of five!), fundraiser Brenda Novak. And check out her website to find out more about Trust Me and her other books, make a contribution to her Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and enter the "That's What Friends Are For" contest and possibly win a seven-day cruise for you and a friend!

And, don't forget the June Girlfriendology Contest! You can win a copy of Brenda's new romantic thriller, Trust Me!

Join us for the next Girlfriendology Podcast as we talk with 'The Mojo Coach' - DEBI SILBER. She'll share her lifestyle fitness program - a plan so EVERY mom can look, feel and live her best! Listen in!

Thanks Girlfriends! Thanks Brenda!

The Girlfriend Factor was conceived over two very cold glasses of beer on a very hot summer day in Palm Desert, CA in the summer of 2005. JOAN BUSICK and Michele Moore, long time friends and business associates, decided to start a non-profit organization to ensure that higher education and occupational training are financially accessible to all adult women who choose to improve their economic position and strive for self-sufficiency.

Roxanne, Diana, Patty, Anna, Lucilla, Karen, Donna and all the other women who are Go Girl! Grant recipients are real women with real dreams and goals. Listen in as Joan tells us how The Girlfriend Factor is changing these lives and of many other women. You can help in all kinds of great girlfriend ways! (Camp Go Girl, Shopping, Sponsorships - YOU can make a difference and have fun with The Girlfriend Factor!)

Check out: The Girlfriend Factor for more information, the Girlfriendology Blog for "Lessons from a Girlfriend" - a summary of our conversation and what I learned from Joan and Girlfriendology.com - a place for inspiration, appreciation and celebration of girlfriends!

And join us next time for an interview with BRENDA NOVAK, award-winning author of romantic suspense books like her new book Trust Me. She also shares info on a wonderful contest for friends (to win a cruise!). Thanks Girlfriends!