Conversations On Life, Work, And Love: Recent Episodes
Conversations on Life, Work, and Love
On Conversations On Life, Work, And Love with Coaches Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs, we will discuss the issues that Gen X women face every day and in extreme situations. Nothing is off the table! We’ll have subject experts from time to time and others to share their inspiring stories. We believe that you are never too old to learn, grow, change, and heal. We are all on our own journeys. We hope to shed light on a path that leads to joy, wellness, purpose, and peace.
This week coaches Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs chat with Deanna Marie about living with an alcoholic. There is so much out there for the alcoholic, but not so much for spouses. Taking care of yourself is the first step in healing from being with an alcoholic or addict. Then you must address your codependency. If you are making your decisions around their drinking, then you are codependent. Whether you choose to stay or go, you are worthy of a good life, and don't have to live in their hell.
Connect with Deanna Marie at www.deannamarielifecoaching.com
Author and Hypno-therapist Pamela Topjian joins coaches Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs to share her story and discuss her book, I Didn't Come This Far, to Only Come THIS Far. We discuss doing what you love and not what you don't. She discusses the importance of doing the work to heal so that you can build a life you love. Her story is one of betrayal, abuse and neglect that was healed through therapy, writing and art and is now happy and full.
Connect with Pamela:
www.petsitroseville.com
www.hypnobreakthrough.com
On this episode, Coaches Bonnie and Remi chat with Laura Marie Rubin about being a "Wild Awake Woman." The focus of the conversation is on identifying how you want to show up in the world and then pursuing a life that achieves that. With the goal being, that you lived the life you wanted...no regrets, no bitterness.
Connect with Laura Marie:
www.wildawakewoman.com
On Instagram at LivingWildAwake.
Coaches Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs have a conversation about men and the concerns women have with them. They start with Man vs. Bear. Women are raised to fear men and they should be. 1 in 3 women have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner.
Men objectify women and treat women as their father treated their moms. They are generally not taught emotional intelligence. They stonewall and generally don't accept their partner's influence.
What can we do? Create a safe place for men to express their feelings. Help them develop their emotional intelligence. Mirror the way you want them to behave and react. Applaud positive behaviors. Have deep meaningful conversations.
Moms how are you raising your boys??
Need help? Check out these references:
Domestic Violence Hotline: 1.800.799.7233
https://www.thehotline.org
https://www.womenhelpingwomen.org/home/services/
https://www.rainn.org/resources
https://www.nsvrc.org/find-help
https://youtu.be/3UGjdaNjxA8?si=ev7F3eDfew1igoFvYouTube video Bonnie mentioned re: raising boys.
This week coaches Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs chat with teacher Joy Robertson about her new book: How to Teach Joy—A Simple Guide to Nurturing a Child's Development. Joy discusses the process of writing her first book, what went into it, and the mental fortitude it took to get it done. She also discusses changing her life's path at 49 and how thrilling yet terrifying it is. She encourages women to build their tribe. She encourages parents to be present with their young children and enjoy playing with them and connecting with them. The more purposeful we can be with early childhood the better it will be for the Universe.
Her book launches on Sunday, June 23. Join the launch on Zoom from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84959703764
Purchase her book: How To Teach Joy: A Simple Guide to Nurturing a Child’s Development https://a.co/d/dC4Fey9
Check out her website: www.teacherofjoy.com
Bonnie and Remi have a conversation with transformational coach and COO of Lumia, Chris Clark. They discuss tearing down, rebuilding, and coming into alignment with self. They examine suffering and the activated nervous system. They discuss life's journey and finding what is not yet healed, then doing the work to heal.
More on Chris Clark:
www.firebirdrise.com
Coaches Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs have a conversation with sociologist, parent and teen relationship coach, and author, Laura Lyles-Reagan about the importance of having conversations with our children and with people in general. There is a parenting movement away from an authoritarian style and into a conscious parenting style. The purpose of the switch is to create humans that can critically think, be able to process their emotions, and believe that they are important. It's focused on having genuine, thought-provoking conversations. The conversations need to be focused on reinforcing that they matter, the emotional content of the day, and affirming love. Genuine questions need to be asked. The parent's role is to honor the gifts and struggles of their children and help them become their best selves. Laura specifies that the most important times for parents to show up for their kids daily are when they first wake up, after school, and before bed.
Imagine if we were having these conversations not only with our children but the people in our lives in general. What a different world it would be.
For more on Laura:
Website: https://lauralreagan.com/
Book: How to Raise Respectful Parents
Holistic Health Practioner and Life Coach, Bonnie Blackstone chats with Remi Gibbs about her new program - Self-Care To Move Forward, a 9-week customized coaching experience designed to take you from surviving to thriving when you're going through an extremely stressful time. Learn how her program can work beautifully in sync with therapy or on its own to help you learn to nourish your body, regulate your nervous system, and make goals and plans for your future.
Self-Care To Move Forward with Coach Bonnie Blackstone www.bonnieblackstone.com
Midlife Unraveling with Coach Remi Gibbs: www.renovatedrealities.com
Amy Hensley of Sip & Wishes joins coaches Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs for a conversation on creating an end-of-life experience on your terms. Amy is a hospice nurse who has seen too many conversations not be had. What would you want for yourself if you were to be placed on a feeding tube or ventilator? When would you want your loved ones to pull the plug? What would you want for yourself if you were no longer able to make decisions for yourself? Someone needs to know. Amy talks about how to have these conversations in a serious, yet light-hearted way that will bring you and your favorite people closer.
You can find out more about Amy and Sips & Wishes at: https://www.sipsandwishesparty.com/
Work with Remi: https://www.renovatedrealities.com/
Sign up for the midlife unraveling group coaching program: https://mailchi.mp/renovatedrealities/midlife-unraveling-july-2024
Work with Bonnie: https://bonnieblackstone.com/
Life Coach and Positive Psychology Practitioner, Remi Gibbs chats with Coach Bonnie Blackstone about the woman's midlife unraveling. Remi reads Bréne Browns, The Midlife Unraveling to start off the conversation. She discusses the common path that women go through on the unraveling journey...the life review, developing into who you want to be, losing your identity, facing your traumas so you can heal, and searching for peace. She states that our primary purpose through the phases is to learn, grow, heal then ultimately share our knowledge. She shares how her coaching practice helps women identify what they want out of life and build a happiness practice.
Connect with Remi to thrive through the midlife unraveling @ www.renovatedrealities.com
Read The Midlife Unraveling by Bréne Brown: https://brenebrown.com/articles/2018/05/24/the-midlife-unraveling/
This week Bonnie and Remi chat with author and relationship coach Dr. Alexandra Stockwell about long-term relationships and intimacy. The ladies discuss figuring out what you want in your relationship. They discuss what intimacy is and how to build more in your relationship. They discuss how to approach a breach of trust and how to grow together in your intimacy as you age together. Did you know women peak in their 60's? And if a man is willing, a sensual relationship doesn't need to end if physical issues present themselves.
Find our more about Dr. Alexandra Stockwell at www.alexandrastockwell.com
Work with Remi: https://www.renovatedrealities.com/
Work with Bonnie: https://bonnieblackstone.com/
This week coaches Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs discuss the importance of safety and security in relationships. Safety and security run deeper than finances. It's about being a soft place to land, being able to speak and feel without fear, and being able to have discussions without repercussions. We need to be able to provide our own safety net, not just depending on our partners. Communication is key! Remember to give gratitude and appreciation to your partner and yourself.
This week coaches Bonnie and Remi have a heartfelt conversation with Jill E. Schultz about shame. Specifically, the shame attached to being molested as a child and the behaviors that manifest because of it. Jill is on a mission to bring this conversation to light and help people shed their shame. The ladies discuss what goes into healing and how common it is to be molested as a child. This is a taboo conversation that we all need to be having.
Jill is the author of: Liberated—Releasing the Dark Cloud of Shame
You can find out more information about Jill at: www.jilleschultz.com
This week coaches Bonnie and Remi had a great chat with Stephanie McLaughlin about her Forty Drinks Project. At the age of 40 she endeavored to have 40 drinks with 40 friends. This experience changed her life and changed how she perceived herself. It helped her identify her top character strengths and a flawed view of herself. The discussion continued to include the midlife unraveling for women. Stephanie recommends everyone does something like this as it is a profound experience and a gift that you can give yourself.
Check out her podcast: The Forty Drinks Podcastwhere she has conversations with people around turning 40 and what happened in their life.
This week coaches Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs discuss the advice they would give their 18 year old selves. They talk about the importance of being aware of your surroundings, self protection, finances and being prepared. Nobody can protect you, but you. Your peace is important. Protect it.
Sara Alvarado joins coaches Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs for a messy conversation on losing a loved one to Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's is known as the long goodbye. You lose your loved one twice, once to the disease and again to death. Pre-planning is key to this disease. It will provide your support team so much peace with the process. And just know whatever emotions you are feeling is ok. It's a roller coaster.
Death over Dinner helps with the hard conversation.
This week coaches Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs have a chat with author and coach Katrina McGhee about how to take a career break. Katrina takes us through her 20-month career break journey. She explains the process of how to go about planning for a career break starting with creating a purpose statement and then figuring out your budget. She advises that it takes about 3 months to reset and get your mind ready for the next chapter. Katrina explains how to embrace and explain the break when you are ready to head back to work.
Katrina's book: Taking a Career Break for Dummies is available on Amazon
Work with Katrina: kmcgheecoaching.com
Coaches Remi Gibbs and Bonnie Blackstone chat with Miriam Rachel about her story, extreme people-pleasing and setting boundaries. Miriam is an author, podcast host, and Tarot card reader. The conversation twists into the mystic and becomes very fascinating.
Find more about Miriam at www.miriamreadstarot.com
This week coaches Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs talk with Jacki James. Jacki shares the story of her son Peyton's experience with bullying. Bullying that was so bad, that he eventually took his life. It's a soul-crushing story that's led to a legacy in the form of Kindness Matters. Words have power and you can't take them back. We can all be a little kinder to one another...pass it on.
Follow Kindness Matters here:
https://www.facebook.com/kindnessmatters13
Coaches Remi Gibbs and Bonnie Blackstone chat with CPA Samantha M. Besnoff about the financial elements of starting a small business. The ladies discuss business structures, paying taxes, and knowing when to take the leap from your corporate gig.
Connect with Samantha at:
www.yourfinancialmaven.com
podcast: Your Financial Maven
Breast cancer survivor Jamie Vaughn joined coaches Bonnie and Remi on the show this week to discuss what it's like to have breast cancer and what to do to make sure you catch it early. Statistically, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Catching it early is the key to overcoming it. Make sure to be your own advocate always advising when something isn't right and asking for what you need.
Tune into Jamie's podcast at Test Those Breasts.
This week Coaches Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs chat with Joy Stone who is an Anxiety Coach, Positive Psychology Practitioner, and Yoga Psychology Practitioner. Joy teaches that anxiety is focused on yesterday and tomorrow with the present moment being where peace resides. Most of us lose sight of our true selves and have to work at reconnecting. This is best found through meditation. Your brain is an evidence-finding machine, not fact-finding. What you already think, believe, and feel is your story—even if it's not. Nothing is missing in you. Forgive yourself for any misunderstandings.
More about Joy:
Website: www.joystonecoaching.com
Book: If I'm so Spiritual Why am I Still So Anxious
Podcast: Wake Up with Joy Stone
The book Remi referenced:
Build the Life You Want by Arthur Books and Oprah Winfrey
This week Bonnie and Remi have a very enlightening chat with Spiritual Director Rev. Christine Davies about engaging with your spiritual self and dealing with grief and loss with others and with yourself. There are so many golden nuggets in this episode! They cover:
- How to listen and talk with others dealing with grief
- Having difficult conversations about planning for death
- The long good-bye through dementia and Alzheimer's
- Taking care of yourself when dealing with personal grief
- The importance of connecting with self, others and all that is
- And simple rituals you can incorporate into your life to connect with your spiritual self.
Book:
The Rabbit Listened—how to comfort and heal the people in your life by carefully, lovingly, and gently listening.
Resource:
Fivewishes.org to find resources on how to have difficult conversations on planning for death
Get Christine's free gift, and newsletter and work with her:
www.christinevdavies.com
This week coaches Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs chat with Stephany Ann about being married to two narcissists. Stephany discusses the stages of being married to a narcissist: feeling so much love, being devalued, and experiencing cognitive dissonance. She talks about using EFT to heal herself after exiting the marriages. She discusses getting out of victim mentality and learning the lessons needed to move forward. She discusses the importance of setting boundaries, forgiveness, and overcoming shame. Make sure to listen to the end.
Today coaches Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs chat with holistic nutritionist, Karen Salinas. The ladies discuss the importance of eating fruits and veggies ideally organic, getting your fiber, moving your body and getting in some breathing time daily. They even talk about healthy poop! Yep, we did!
Contact Karen Salinas:
On Facebook: Holistic Healing Nutrition
Coaches Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs have a conversation with guest Maria Schroeder about divorce while being a SAHM in middle age, raising strong daughters, healing, and moving on. Maria gives a testament to the benefits of yoga and the importance of having a girlfriend to hold you up. Her gratitude for life lessons is quite impressive and can be appreciated by everyone.
Coaches Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs discuss a year of being podcast hosts. The overall themes that kept presenting themselves were to surrender and build your connections. Based on high listenership, we need more shows on addiction especially from the loved one's perspective as there aren't many resources for us. We want to hear more stories and continue to grow our community. Thanks for spending your time with us!
Reach Bonnie: www.bonnieblackstone.com
Reach Remi: www.renovatedrealities.com
This week coaches Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs explore the benefits of traveling. Inspired by the movie A Walk in the Woods, the ladies discuss how travel changes you. Travel opens your mind to new experiences, cultures, people, and food. It allows you to walk in the footsteps of history. If you could go anywhere, where would it be?
This week coaches Bonnie and Remi discuss setting New Year's resolutions...eh...goals or intentions. Make sure to understand your why! Make them realistic and achievable. Make a plan with steps to follow. Do the planning before you get started so you can run with it. And get an accountability partner...a coach! Make 2024 your year!
To book Bonnie as your coach, go to www.BonnieBlackstone.com
To book Remi as your coach, go to www.renovatedrealities.com
This week coaches Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs talk about getting back on track when you fall off the wagon. Blow your diet? Start fresh tomorrow. Quit exercising? Put your athletic shoes next to your bed so they are the first thing you see in the morning. Schedule your activities into your calendar. Just start!
Coaches Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs discuss how to manage your stress and prioritize your self-care during the holidays. Start with making an honest assessment of your situation, physically, emotionally, and financially. Protect your peace and make good choices for yourself. Own your holidays and don't be afraid to speak your truth. Set your boundaries and find your joy!
Bonnie's 6-week, personally curated Holiday Survival Plan - is designed to get you through the holiday stress and anxiety.
Buy it here: https://buy.stripe.com/aEUg06e1x8ks4U0cMS
Remi's 6-week self-care coaching plan: Receive a customized self-care plan followed by 6—30 minute accountability check-ins to see how you are doing and make adjustments as needed. Get yourself making good decisions for yourself in the new year. Email: remi@renovatedrealities.com to get signed up.
Happy Thanksgiving to You and Yours! Please enjoy this encore presentation of Lessons In Gratitude.
Life can often come at you hard somedays! We know the benefits of living in a state of mindfulness and acceptance. But, what about those days when you just can't seem to find it within?
Join hosts Bonnie and Remi on this week's episode for a deep dive into "Gratitude". What does it mean? What are the benefits? And, how do I create a daily gratitude practice? From the smallest enjoyment - a quiet morning, good coffee, comfortable bed, to the greatest appreciation - a loving partner, good friends, a job you love... learn to recognize them and reflect upon them to find joy, purpose, abundance and appreciation everyday!
References:
Emmanuel Dagher, The Core Work Method)
Martin Seligman , Authentic Happiness
Bonnie www.bonnieblackstone.com
Remi www.renovatedrealities.com
https://positivepsychology.com/gratitude-appreciation/
https://positivepsychology.com/perma-model/
https://emmanueldagher.com
This week coaches Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs discuss manifesting the life you want.
Steps:
-
Step out of victim mentality
-
Clearly define what you want
-
Sit in gratitude
-
Inspired Action
-
Surrender
For more on this topic, check out Dr. Michael Beckwith.
This week coaches Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs talk about setting an umbrella goal, connecting with your why, and then affirming your master goal each day so you're making better decisions for yourself in each moment.
Coaches Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs discuss how to stay grounded during scary times. Skip the news and just read the headlines! Center yourself by surrendering to what will be, remember to breathe, trust your intuition, and talk to your friends about how you're feeling.
This week coaches Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs talk with Influencer Lisa Campos. Lisa talks about being a single mom, having a career, and a love for her small town. Her passion for her small town turned into a side business that turned her into an Influencer in her community. The ladies discuss resilience and following your dreams.
This week coaches Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs talk about having the blues and what to do to pull yourself out of them. So much came up in this conversation. Self-care is always the biggest thing we find to be sliding when things go to hell. When you are taking care of yourself things just seem to go better overall. They talk about the importance of accepting and surrendering and just how important it is to have a supportive, non-judgmental community of people to share your struggles and triumphs with.
This week coaches Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs had a great conversation with financial coach Judy Easley-Marshall. The discussion centered around what to do with your finances when retirement is on the horizon. Most of us aren't rich and we weren't taught how to save for retirement, because our parents didn't generally have to with pensions. Judy's top suggestions are to start with your debt, max out your 401K to the match point from your employer and/or invest in a Roth IRA, invest in mutual funds, and get a side hustle if you need extra funds to pay off debt or contribute to your savings. We have to be real with ourselves about our financial situation, stop being afraid, and build a strategy to get us where we need to go. And lastly, make sure to celebrate your successes!
Judy's book recommendation on the topic:
50+ Ways to Make Extra Money or Keep More of the Money You Have by Jen Nash
To work with Judy:
www.judymarshallandassociates.com
More on Judith Kay, the author: https://judithkaywrites.wordpress.com/
This week coaches Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs chat with author and marriage coach Theresa DeWit. Theresa discusses ways that we can better connect with our partners through touch, active listening, and laughter. Overcoming infidelity and how to get what you want in your marriage are discussed. Being direct with our partners is the only way to ensure understanding.
Check out Theresa DeWit's book, Less Conflict, More Joy on Amazon.
Connect with Theresa on Facebook:
Joyfully Married is her business page
Less Conflict More Joy is her Christian women's group.
This week coaches Remi Gibbs and Bonnie Blackstone talk with Kim about her challenges with boundaries and how they impact her business and life. Kim discusses her desire to throw in the towel with her pet-sitting business because she doesn't have time for herself or her family. She struggles with pride and guilt regarding this because she's built it into a profitable business. She knows she's done because the passion is gone. However, she has no idea what is next for her. We talk about forgiveness and finding your passion in order to be able to move forward.
In this episode, hosts Remi Gibbs and Bonnie Blackstone chat with a special guest, Alexis Cardenas. It took a health crisis for Alexis to stop, surrender, and open up to her life's higher calling. Today, she is a thriving entrepreneur, living her passion and purpose as an Herbalist specializing in creating customized blends that address the whole person - body, mind, and spirit. She candidly shares her journey and what it means to be an example to her young daughters of a woman who is living in alignment with her true self.
Herbin Wellness Apothecary + Tea Bar, 801 E Tyler Ave, Harlingen, TX, United States
alexis@herbinwellness.com
herbinwellness.com
Coach Remi: www.renovatedrealities.com
Coach Bonnie: www.bonnieblackstone.com
Coaches Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs discuss how to start loving yourself regardless of what you see in the mirror. Remi shares her story of being hit by a car when she was seven years old, living with the scars, and learning to accept her appearance. She provides steps to help others be able to see themselves in a positive light. It all starts with acceptance.
Reach coaches Remi and Bonnie:
for Remi- www.renovatedrealities.com
for Bonnie-www.bonnieblackstone.com
This week coaches Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs talk with Megan Mary from Women's Dream Analysis. We discuss how understanding our dreams is a self-care practice for understanding our internal guide. Megan says it's important to unearth your dreams and decode them to uncover their significant meanings. Your mood before, during, and after a dream is significant in interpreting a dream. We also discuss how to become lucid in a dream and how to better recall your dreams. If you are curious about your dreams, tune in!
Contact and learn more about Megan Mary:
Women's Dream Analysis
Women's Dream Enlightenment Podcast
Recommended books:
Lucid Dreaming by Stephen Laberge
Women's Bodies, Women's Dreams by Patricia Garfield
This week coaches Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs talk about the importance of building connections and ways to do it. Building friendships and connections as an adult isn't easy. As a matter of fact, it's a lot like dating. Building the courage to ask someone that you find interesting out for coffee to get to know each other better can be intimidating. It's easier if you pick people that you know you have common interests with or common connections. Pick an interest to dig into, volunteer, join a civic organization, hang out in your favorite coffee shop, or join a fitness studio that appeals to you to find people with common interests. Then put on your big girl panties and ask someone out for a friendship date! Having a community is good for your well-being and happiness!
This week hosts Remi Gibbs and Bonnie Blackstone chat with Dr. Kristin Wild about how to overcome auto-immune disorders. Dr. Kristin advised that 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed with an auto-immune disorder, so learning how to combat them is imperative. We must take care of our bodies through nutrition and movement and our mind through our thoughts and emotions as well as develop our spiritual selves and examine our environments. She says we first need to start with the science, then move into the psychology of what's going on with us.
One of her favorite tricks is to teach our brains to look for "this or better". Tune in to hear more!
Contact Dr. Kristin:
www.modernhealthsolution.com
Recommended Books:
Molecules of Emotion by Candace Pert
Dying To Be Me by Anita Moorjani
In this episode, Bonnie and Remi take a trip down memory lane in anticipation of Bonnie's upcoming 40th High School Class Reunion. Join in the fun and nostalgia as they chat, unscripted, about the anxiety and excitement, the swift passage of time, music, movies, books and boys, and the bonds of friendships through the years.
Email your own high school class reunion experience to: Conversationsonlifeworkandlove@gmail.com
Coach Bonnie Blackstone - www.bonnieblackstone.com
Coach Remi Gibbs - www.renovatedrealities.com
This week coaches Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs talk with the Confident Body Coach, Lizzie Merritt. Lizzie teaches women how to be happy while they are on their diet journey vs. waiting to be happy until they lose weight. The coaches discuss ways to shift your mindset from negative to neutral and how to show gratitude for your body. Lizzie encourages people to engage their 5 senses while on their weight loss journey, think about the things that they love connected to those senses, and practice them. She also suggests writing yourself a positive note daily to carry with you that helps shift your negative self-regard.
Recommended books:
The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Anchor
Mindset by Carol Dweck
You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
Where to find Coach Lizzie Merritt:
Website: https://confidentbody.coach/
Podcast: The Confident Body
Book: You Are A Miracle
Coaches Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs were guests on the Happy Hour on The Ranch podcast hosted by Shannon Jamail. Tune in and listen to the coaches being coached. Share in our AHA moments.
Join Coaches Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs as they discuss being an empty nester with Bobbi Chegwyn. On this show, we discuss what empty nest grief is and how to move through it and thrive on the other side of it. Bobbi discusses how we're left with holes in our 6 core needs once our children leave the household. To repair the holes we have to go through the stages of acceptance, awareness, and action. Ultimately the action of being of service will pull you through. Bobbi would like to make talking about this emotional process more common so women can better plan for it.
More about Bobbi Chegwyn:
Website: www.inspiredemptynest.com
Podcast: Fly Mom Fly
Book: The Post Nest Plan now available on Amazon
This week coaches Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs interview Lesa Edwards, CEO of Exclusive Career Coaching. Lesa is one of only 35 Master Resume Writers, a Certified Job Search Strategist, and an award-winning podcaster of The Exclusive Career Coach. She discusses tips on how to brand and market yourself, things to include in your resume, and how important networking is while doing your job search. She also discusses how to pivot your career, and the importance of LinkedIn. Your mindset was the most crucial job search element that came out of this conversation. You have to go into a new career search in a good place with yourself, feeling confident and in control.
How to find Lesa Edwards:
Website: https://exclusivecareercoaching.com/
Podcast: The Exclusive Career Coach
Recommended book: True Purpose by Tim Kelley
Join Remi through her coaching business, Renovated Realities, for her first women's retreat held on South Padre Island, TX November 10 - 13, 2023. This first retreat is highly discounted and is limited to only 8 women. For more details and to get registered click here: https://fb.me/e/fA6p83HPH Registration closes July 30 or when it is full.
This week Bonnie and Remi talk with coach Anna Charles, the host of 90 Days Later a podcast for high-achievers seeking freedom around alcohol. Anna helps people change their relationship with alcohol so that they can gain control back of their lives. Anna says alcohol is just a liquid in a glass and it only has power if you give it to it. She says the process of gaining your control back requires learning why you drink, expecting failures and learning from them, building new habits, and most importantly being kind to yourself.
Website:
www.90dayslater.co
Podcast:
90 Days Later on Apple
Recommended Books:
The Alchemist and The Pilgrimage by Paulo Coelho
Atomic Habits by James Clear
For more on moderation:
Moderation.org
On this episode, hosts Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs discuss living authentically; what it means, why it's important, and how to do it. We must start by taking off our masks, understanding ourselves, being honest with ourselves and others, being vulnerable, and being in constant awareness of what's important to us. It's a balance of being aligned with our values and the world that we find ourselves in.
Books:
Authenticity by Stephen Joseph
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown
Tools:
https://www.viacharacter.org/ for Character Strengths
https://brenebrown.com/resources/dare-to-lead-list-of-values/ for Core Values
https://www.ramseysolutions.com/personal-growth/mission-statement-101 for Personal Mission Statement
https://www.renovatedrealities.com/post/who-are-you Remi's Blog on Authenticity
In this episode, coaches Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs talk with Kelly about being in the Sandwich Generation. The Sandwich Generation= struggles of finding time for yourself while raising children AND caring for an elderly parent. When you are overwhelmed what can you do to release some of your burden and start making yourself a priority? How do you set healthy boundaries? We talk about these things and much more.
If you are dealing with aging parents you may also hear some good tips on this episode that you haven't thought about.
This week hosts Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs talk about their love for author Judy Blume. They dive into the taboo topics of menstruation, developing breasts, and religion as covered in Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. They tell their stories of growing up in the 80s and going through these phases themselves. They discuss some of Judy's more mature books, Forever and Wifey. If you are a Judy Blume fan you will not want to miss this one. It will stir up all kinds of memories of your childhood.
In this week's episode, hosts Remi and Bonnie chat with Aimee Wilson and Melissa Lopez, who share their insight into what it means to be a Millennial woman in this era - their biggest fears and challenges, their perspective of the generation before them and their vision for the generation of young women they are raising. The conversation goes deep into generational expectations, faith and spirituality and the legacy of the labels we women place upon ourselves.
Remi - www.renovatedrealities.com
Bonnie - www.bonnieblackstone.com
Drop us a message at conversationsonlifeworkandlove@gmail.com
This week, Coaches Bonnie and Remi discuss communication skills. A lot goes into effective communication. You need to know your audience, read body language and actively listen. Timing for a conversation can be crucial to get the results you desire. To diffuse heated moments, use "I" and "feel" statements. Mirror back what you have heard. Remain calm. Use your words. And always ask for what you want. Don't assume someone else knows.
Send us an email: conversationsonlifeworkandlove@gmail.com
Bonnies Website: www.bonnieblackstone.com
Remi's Website: www.renovatedrealities.com
This week hosts Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs speak with The Joy Activator, Dina Sabnani. Dina is a very spiritual person who connects faith and personal responsibility through Theta Healing. She teaches individuals and groups about happiness and joy and the thought process required to bring them out of you. She says happiness is a choice and you get to choose. She also states that, what you think about, you bring about.
The Mantra:
As I think, so I feel
As I feel, so I do
As I do, so I have
Recommended books:
The 4 Agreements - Don Miguel Ruiz
The Alchemist - Paulo Coehlo
The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari - Robin Sharma
Contact Dina:
www.dinasabnani.com
hello@dinasabnani.com
Instagram: @thejoyactivator
Today coaches Remi Gibbs and Bonnie Blackstone chat with Becky about her lack of confidence in her sales skills with her newish job. She's feeling pressure to perform because she has set big financial goals for herself in order to create residual income for her retirement as well as care for herself day-to-day. Becky identifies her challenge as having a hard time "pushing people". As Remi and Bonnie dig into this subject, Becky realizes that she is overly concerned with the big picture and that she isn't creating small goals for herself to create moments of achievement. She also realizes that she isn't putting her authentic self into the process, she's just going through the motions and hoping people will want to buy. Bonnie and Remi give Becky some words of wisdom and assign her some homework that she will be able to implement immediately.
If you would like to be coached on the podcast, send an email to conversationsonlifeworkandlove@gmail.com outlining your situation of where you are now and where you want to be.
This week, hosts Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs discuss what it means to be a GenX woman. They went rogue and off-script for the first time. If you were born between 1965 to 1980, we're talking to you. We discussed the change in the family landscape including divorce, working moms, and being latchkey kids. We discussed the pressure of carrying the torches of the women that came before us. And we discussed the life review we have in our 40's and the healing that takes place in our 50's. We talk about money, being a sarcastic bunch, and that we have to be our own advocates. Now get off our lawns!
Join us for the conversation. Hot mess or just right? Let us know.
Find us on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter or send us an email to conversationsonlifeworklove@gmail.com
Book mentioned:
Why We Can't Sleep: Women's New Midlife Crisis by Ada Calhoun
This week Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs interview Shannon Jamail. Shannon operates Retreat Ranch, hosts the Happy Hour at the Ranch podcast, and is the author of the book Surrender. She is also a yoga teacher instructor. Shannon discusses how sitting with your pain, fully accepting it and not wishing for it to be gone is the path to joy. She also says that "What we focus on grows. Joyful moments create more joyful moments." The more we surrender control—the more we allow—the more we will receive. Get ready to be inspired!
Recommended books:
The 4 Agreements
How to Win Friends and Influence Others
Think and Grow Rich
More on Shannon:
Book: Surrender
Podcast: Happy Hour at the Ranch
Website: www.mindbodycomplete.com
email: Shannon@mindbodycomplete.com
Find her on: Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest
On this episode, hosts Bonnie and Remi talk about their experiences living with and loving an addict. Find out what it took for each of them in their situations to detach from the addict, love the person within the addict, and most importantly how they were able to find peace and the courage to finally prioritize their own identities through education and self-care.
Dopesick - Limited series on Hulu, Exploring the epicenter of America's struggle with opioid addiction
Chasing The Scream, Johann Hari
In The Realm Of Hungry Ghosts, Gabor Mati
Unbroken Brain, Maia Szalavitz
Co-Dependent No More, Melody Beattie
Women Who Love Too Much, Robin Norwood
What Happened To You, Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey
Al- Anon
Bonnie - www.bonnieblackstone.com
Remi - www.Renovatedrealities.com
Life can often come at you hard somedays! We know the benefits of living in a state of mindfulness and acceptance. But, what about those days when you just can't seem to find it within?
Join hosts Bonnie and Remi on this week's episode for a deep dive into "Gratitude". What does it mean? What are the benefits? And, how do I create a daily gratitude practice? From the smallest enjoyment - a quiet morning, good coffee, comfortable bed, to the greatest appreciation - a loving partner, good friends, a job you love... learn to recognize them and reflect upon them to find joy, purpose, abundance and appreciation everyday!
References:
Emmanuel Dagher, The Core Work Method)
Martin Seligman , Authentic Happiness
Bonnie www.bonnieblackstone.com
Remi www.renovatedrealities.com
https://positivepsychology.com/gratitude-appreciation/
https://positivepsychology.com/perma-model/
https://emmanueldagher.com
On today's podcast, Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs discuss what it means to be mindful and how to incorporate it in your life. When your mind is full of anxiety, take a moment to ask yourself, "Am I ok in this moment?", if you find that indeed you are, say to yourself, "In this moment, I am ok." This will bring you back to the moment. Consider doing some mindful walking, mindful eating, meditating, doing some yoga and just breathing. Listen in to hear some of the health benefits of living mindfully. And remind yourself to, "Just Breathe".
Yoga Channel:
Yoga by Adrienne
Bonnie: www.bonnieblackstone.com
Remi: www.renovatedrealities.com
For more on Mindfulness, check out Remi's Blog: The Art of Mindfulness
Hosts Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs discuss Radical Acceptance on today's podcast. What does it mean? Put simply, it means you have to accept and reconcile your past so you can move forward and live in the present. It requires forgiveness, not so much for your perpetrator, but to set yourself free from the chains that bind you.
If you are ready to radically accept your circumstances, reach out to Bonnie for coaching.
www.bonnieblackstone.com
This week hosts Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs talk with guest Sandra Vitallo about meditation and yoga. Sandra owns Whole Life Wellness Center in Harlingen, Texas. She has lived a life of curiosity that led her to the healing arts. She describes meditation as an opportunity to be still, breathe, relax, listen, and be present. She says to start with 5 minutes and practice daily. Yoga builds strength, balance, and flexibility, and strengthens your spirituality. You will feel healthier quickly with regular practice. Start with Hatha Yoga to learn the basic poses and do it at least three times a week.
Items mentioned by Sandra:
Muse Headband
YogaNanda
Autobiography of a Yogi
How Yoga Works by Michael Roach
Find Sandra:
https://www.wholelifewellnesscenter.com/
This week hosts Remi Gibbs and Bonnie Blackstone discuss how unresolved trauma leads to disease—physically and mentally. The root cause of many autoimmune diseases is unresolved trauma. There are ways to work autoimmune diseases that traditional Western medicine does not recognize. You need to work with the entire body, mind, and spirit connection. Heal your body and heal your mind. Tune in and find out how.
Books mentioned:
No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz
What Happened To You? by Dr. Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk
Doctor Mentioned:
Dr. Keesha Ewers
Connect with the hosts for 1:1 coaching and speaking engagements:
Contact Remi Gibbs at remi@renovatedrealities.com, www.renovatedrealities.com
Contact Bonnie Blackstone at Bonnie@bonnieblackstone.com, www.bonnieblackstone.com
autoimmunedisease #trauma #coaching
This week hosts Bonnie and Remi discuss why telling your story is important—vulnerability leads to authenticity. They also discuss the difference between therapy and coaching. Therapy helps you process trauma and coaching moves you forward from surviving to thriving. Lastly, they discuss the importance of taking care of yourself and the elements of self-care. They are ready to hear your voices!
Contact Bonnie:
www.bonnieblackstone.com | bonnie@bonnieblackstone.com
Contact Remi:
www.renovatedrealitites.com | remi@renovatedrealities.com
Michelle Gerbozy joins hosts Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs to discuss how to treat Narcissistic Abuse Syndrome. Most people that suffer show up to a therapist and say, "I think I might be going crazy." Learn what therapy would look like to overcome the PTSD responses to Narcissistic Abuse and how Coaching can help to keep moving you forward and help you create a gentle life for yourself.
Recommended Reading:
Women Who Love Psychopaths: Inside the Relationships of inevitable Harm With Psychopaths, Sociopaths & Narcissists by Sandra L. Brown
Sign up for Sandra L. Brown's survivor newsletter: https://saferelationshipsmagazine.com/newsletter-sign-up
Contact Michelle Gerbozy for counseling in CO and TX:
https://lighthousecounselingtx.com/
Licensed counselor, Michelle Gerbozy joins hosts Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs today to discuss Narcissism. In part one, she clearly defines narcissism and narcissistic behaviors such as blame-shifting, rage, and manipulation. They have a total lack of insight into their behaviors. About 6% of the population meets the formal criteria of being a narcissist. All psychopaths are also narcissists. Michelle states that the reason narcissism hasn't been bred out is that it actually has a place in society. Tune in for all of the details.
Book Mentioned:
The Three Faces of Evil by Christine Louis de Canonville
Contact Michelle Gerbozy for counseling in CO and TX:
https://lighthousecounselingtx.com/
Sally Mainprize, the founder of Iron Peacock Events, joins hosts Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs this week. Sally left corporate America late in her career to start her own business. She built her business with a heart and soul: Love. Care. Serve. Share. She believes our purpose in all we do is to lift those up around us. She ties all of this into how she runs her business, and how she works with her clients and team.
Key thoughts on starting a business:
- Build your business without debt
- Be courageous—don't let fear stop you
- Believe in yourself—make the leap
Work with Sally: www.ironpeacockevents.com
Recommended reading:
Love Does by Bob Goff
EntreLeadership by Dave Ramsey
Coaches Bonnie and Remi discuss Ikigai this week—finding purpose in your work and life. Ikigai wakes you up in the morning and leads you away from a mundane, status quo-driven lifestyle. It empowers you and drives your actions: your purpose.
It’s about spending as much time in flow as possible—doing the things that make you lose all sense of time.
Ikigai is the intersection of:
What you love
What you are good at
What the world needs
What you can get paid for
Resources:
Learn more about Ikigai on Positive Psychology
Download the Ikigai worksheet here
Download the values exercises here
Today we interview coach and co-host, Remi Gibbs. Remi discusses her healing journey of dealing with an autoimmune disease caused by the traumas of growing up with alcoholic parents. She shows us some vulnerability discussing her jumping-off point into a self-care protocol. Remi discusses the role that spirituality plays in her life and that everything comes down to spreading kindness and connecting to all that is. She discusses her path to coaching, how it's helped her and the how and why she works with women in midlife/midcareer.
You can contact Remi through her website:
www.renovatedrealities.com
Recommended reading:
What Happened to You? by Dr. Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey
Designing Your Life by Bill Burnet and Dave Evans
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown
Today we interview coach and co-host, Bonnie Blackstone. Bonnie shares her journey from massage therapist to coach and discusses how being groomed, molested, and raped by a family member shaped her story and life. She discusses having an addicted child and how that led to her raising her grandchild. Bonnie discusses the importance of sharing your story and how coaching helps you find your voice and way to radical acceptance.
Recommended Books:
Atomic Habits by James Clear
What Happened to You? by Bruce Perry M.D. and Oprah Winfrey
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
Bonnie's Contact Information:
www.BonnieBlackstone.com
Email:Bonnie@BonnieBlackstone.com
Facebook: Bonnie Blackstone, Certified Life & Health Coach
Instagram: BonnieBlackstoneselflovecoach
Conversations on Life, Work, and Love with Coaches Bonnie Blackstone and Remi Gibbs discusses the issues that Gen X women face every day and in extreme situations. Nothing is off the table! Guests will include subject experts and those with inspiring stories.
We believe that you are never too old to learn, grow, change, and heal. We are all on our own journeys. We hope to shed light on a path that leads to joy, wellness, purpose, and peace.
Join us every Thursday for new episodes of Conversations on Life, Work, and Love.
Contacts:
Remi Gibbs: www.renovatedrealities.com
Bonnie Blackstone: www.bonnieblackstone.com