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Family & Parenting Lifestyle Living Society & Culture U.S

Matrescence Optimization Expert, Loni Brown, Reveals the Five Biggest Mistakes Busy Moms Make

Every day, over 24 million mothers in the U.S. struggle to balance careers and family life, according to USAFacts.org. The myth of “having it all” often leaves working moms feeling like they’re doing something wrong. Unfortunately, there are few experts who can provide the practical and tactical solutions needed to help them learn the skills they need to manage professional demands while maintaining a healthy and organized home life.

As a successful entrepreneur and mother of three, Loni Brown is a Matrescence Optimization Expert and she understands this struggle first hand. Matrescence, or the process of becoming a mother, is a term first coined by Dana Raphael, Ph.D., in the mid-1970’s. Loni was a full-time executive running a business and felt the pressure of balancing her career, motherhood, and a home life that usually resulted in putting herself last and she knew there had to be a better way. “You’re this firecracker at work but think you have to wear the supermom cape and feel like you’re failing at home,” she says. “The guilt keeps you trapped in a cycle of feeling swamped and stressed, but it doesn’t have to be this way.” 

Determined to break the cycle, she started developing systems to create a healthy, organized home without sacrificing her professional goals and removing the extreme mom-guilt and stress. She founded Wholesome Nest, a company devoted to helping busy moms learn how to live happier, more fulfilled lives without the overwhelm. Loni has identified five of the biggest mistakes busy moms make and has practical solutions to help them not only create a healthier home life, but also thrive in motherhood.

Mistake #1: A Lack of Systems Leads to Mental Clutter. One of the most significant mistakes is moms don’t have systems in place at home and Loni emphasizes the importance of treating home management with the same efficiency they do at work. “Not having systems at home are a recipe for mental clutter. Implementing a home management system can transform your life,” she explains. “I created a Hub, an online command center, that consolidates everything from shopping lists to doctor information. All of the key people in my life like my husband, babysitter, and housekeeper, have access to this hub so we have one place where all the schedules, checklists, and contacts are stored.” This type of tool allows moms to communicate and delegate tasks effectively plus reduces the mental load of carrying everything in their heads.

Mistake #2: Tidying Up is a Band Aid, not a Cure, for Physical Clutter in the Home. While tidying up can provide a quick fix when guests are coming over, it doesn’t address the root cause of physical clutter and can lead to overwhelming messes over time. To truly tackle physical clutter, it’s crucial to establish a system for organizing the home. Loni suggests creating designated spots for everyday items and setting up routines to maintain order. This approach not only keeps the house organized, but also saves time and is sustainable in the long term.

Mistake #3: Not Having an Integration of Online and Offline Systems. To maintain a well-organized home, it’s essential to bridge the gap between online tools and physical spaces. Take the online hub offline by integrating systems in the home. For example, posting routines and checklists on paper in the laundry room or kitchen can ensure that everyone in the household knows their responsibilities and can contribute to maintaining order.

Mistake #4: Thinking They Have to Do It Alone. Many moms feel they have to do everything themselves, but Loni challenges this notion.  Since matrescence is not an easy transition for many women, she urges moms to enlist support and leverage some of their professional skills at home. “Whether a mom has a dynamic career or a demanding job, they often leave their professional skill set at the office,” she says. “You should set up systems at home just like you would at work and don’t be afraid to delegate tasks to the kids, your husband, and other members of your household. You don’t need to be Wonder Woman.”

Mistake #5: Overlooking the Role of Family Members in Home Management. Involving children in home management tasks not only lightens the load but also teaches them valuable life skills. “Integrating age-appropriate family help can free up time for family activities and create bonding opportunities when you make cooking dinner a family affair that also teaches them their way around the kitchen,” Brown explains. Assigning simple chores to children and teens can make them feel involved and responsible, giving moms more time for themselves. 

Matrescence Optimization Expert, Loni Brown, is Matrescence Certified and the Founder of Wholesome Nest. She is on a mission to help modern, career-oriented moms reduce the overwhelm and burnout in motherhood with practical, but often overlooked solutions. Through her content, resources, programs, and services, Loni has helped thousands of moms detox, declutter, and design their homes and lives. Her secret sauce includes sharing her simple systems for managing a home with the same efficiency and ease she’s learned from running a business and teaching busy moms how to turn the chaos in their lives into calm.

She actively connects on social media, offering solutions that help working women thrive in modern motherhood. Her community, Thriving Mamas, provides support to working moms navigating the complexities of working life and family life, equipping them with tools to reclaim their identity and purpose, and fostering a balanced, fulfilling life as both professionals and mothers.

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Business Education Marketing & Sales Professional Services U.S

Karwanna D. Irving, Government Contract Strategist, Shares the Best Untapped Secret to Grow Revenue for a Small Business

Amid economic challenges, many entrepreneurs are unaware of an untapped income source that could offer consistent revenue for their business. According to the Small Business Act of America, the federal government is mandated to allocate 23-26% of its budget to small businesses. These contracts may be one of the best resources for a steady stream of income once the process is understood, including common pitfalls to avoid, and learning practical strategies for crafting winning bids.

The government defines a small business as one with fewer than 500 employees and annual revenues of $20 million or less over the past five years and they allocate over $1.8 trillion each year to invest in small businesses.

Dr. Karwanna D. Irving is a Government Contract Strategist and the author of Don’t Duck The Government – They’ve Got Your Money. She discovered this important resource when she was barely making thirty thousand dollars a year as a photographer and videographer and recalls, “One of my clients was a billionaire and when I asked him how he became so successful, he told me about how government contracts helped build his company. It took me a few years to figure it out, but once I landed my first one for seventy thousand dollars, I doubled my annual income. When I saw how simple it was to grow my revenue with this system and business model, I landed two more projects within six months and made multiple six-figures.” 

Karwanna was recently interviewed on Tampa Bay’s Morning Blend TV program and shared how she helps entrepreneurs learn how to apply for and secure government contracts as one of the fastest ways to grow their business whether a person works at home or is just starting a business. “Most home based and small businesses are still using outdated methods to bring in business, making less than one hundred thousand dollars a year, and they don’t know about the government resources that can help them close the revenue gap,” she says. “I want them to know that there is a better way and it’s a game changer since it will not only grow their revenue, but give them consistent income when they learn how to do it.”

 

 

 

Many small business owners may believe it will take five years to achieve consistent profitability and are often intimidated by the proposal submission process for government projects, but securing government contracts is viable for all types of small businesses. In fact, Karwanna is dedicated to teaching women entrepreneurs and small business owners how to navigate these challenges and each month, she leads a Five Day Challenge on How to Grow Your Small Business with Government Contracts. She has developed the following four-step system designed to grow businesses by securing government projects that also helps eliminate the need to chase clients or customers.

Step 1 – The Business Foundation. Validating a business means having all the documents in order and this may include necessary licenses, insurance, and organizational structure. This foundation makes it attractive to government agencies.  

Step 2 – Get Certifications. This is crucial since government agencies are mandated to allocate a certain percentage of their budget to businesses in categories such as women-owned and/or minority-owned enterprises. Certifications will help win more project bids.

Step 3 – Marketing is Key. This focuses on creating a compelling capability statement that ensures the contracting officers reviewing the application consider these businesses first when relevant contracts arise. 

Step 4 – Writing Proposals. Crafting persuasive and compliant proposals that demonstrate a thorough understanding of the project, approach, and pricing strategy is key to winning bids.

Dr. Karwanna D. Irving is a Certified Business Coach and Government Contracts Strategist who is also the Author of 10 Habits of The Highly Effective Entrepreneur. She’s helped over 300 small business owners generate more than $20 million in revenue by sharing her method of how to land government contracts. Through her Five Day Challenge on How to Grow Your Small Business, she guides business owners and entrepreneurs in becoming pre-qualified and adept at securing profitable government projects as a previously untapped resource to grow revenue.

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Business Marketing & Sales Media & Communications Professional Services U.S

Marianne Schwab, Former Talk Show Producer, Shares Why Media Coaching is Crucial for Entrepreneurs Before TV Interviews

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Being a guest on a TV talk show or radio program is a great way for entrepreneurs to build credibility as an expert in an industry. However, it’s not as easy as many experts make it look, especially those who are well seasoned in how to interview with the television media.

Generally, this is how it works: An expert like an online entrepreneur, influencer, or possibly a non-fiction book author hires a publicist and then that publicist may succeed in booking a coveted TV interview for their client to promote their brand, product, or service. 

What most entrepreneurs and experts don’t understand is getting booked on a TV interview is just the first step and what happens next determines if they gain the credibility they’re looking to achieve with an engaging on-camera interview or dismantle it all together if they are not prepared.

According to Marianne Schwab, a former national network TV talk show producer and author of The Insider’s Guide to Media Training, many publicists will only help a client prepare with very basic media training. She emphasizes “Some publicists do an amazing job of prepping their clients for an interview but so many do not and drop the ball. When I was working on Live daily talk shows, I’d work directly with expert guests to develop the interview segment into our show’s version of infotainment. Guests only have about four-to-five minutes to nail their topic or demo and my job was on the line if each segment wasn’t the best it could be or if a guest was a flop.”

Media coaching, also known as media training, is a valuable service that is available and essential for experts who are just starting out to get booked as guests on talk shows. Depending on the coach, they not only help clients maximize the time they have for the interview by dialing in a targeted yet engaging message, but they also prepare them to look confident on-camera. Here are three key things to know about media coaching before a scheduled TV talk show interview:

1. Experts Make Interviewing Look Easy. The biggest secret TV viewers may not know is that even the most experienced on-camera experts prepare and rehearse for every single TV interview. Marianne says, “Think of it this way, professional baseball players don’t show up for the World Series like they’re there for batting practice.  They spend thousands of hours preparing for the big game under the guidance of their coach. TV interviews work the same way – you don’t just show up and wait for the questions to be thrown at you when you can prepare responses in advance.”

2. Avoid Looking Like Bambi in Headlights. Media coaching is essential to learn the skills of mastering the message and time constraints of a TV interview, handling nerves, and according to Marianne, “You only have one chance to get it right when it comes to a talk show appearance and that’s where media coaching comes in. Knowing what to say when you get a curve ball question so that you have a response and not a reaction is key to an on-camera delivery with poise and polish.” 

​3. Skipping Media Coaching is a Recipe for an On-Camera Disaster. As a producer, Marianne Schwab’s number one goal is to make sure that when her clients get in front of the camera that they look and do their best. “Every expert that I’ve ever worked with for TV appearances invests time in preparing for each and every interview so that when the red light on the studio camera goes on, they look like they’re making it up on the spot, but what most people don’t know is that they spent hours making it look effortless. Even if you’re experienced with social media videos, do not skip media coaching. If you do, you’re gambling with your reputation since you could derail your credibility and all you’ve worked so hard for when landing a TV interview,” she concludes.

Marianne Schwab has worked as a talk show producer in New York and Los Angeles and is currently the Executive Producer of CMP Media Cafe. She works with professionals, high level entrepreneurs, and non-fiction book authors to help them fast track their success in becoming a recognized expert in the media. Through personalized media coaching and guidance, she helps clients navigate the intricate world of media appearances. She shares broadcast public relations tips on Instagram and has created an online training that shares her insider secrets to promoting a business on TV talk shows with details for the types of experts producers love to book as guests.

Categories
Business Education Marketing & Sales Professional Services U.S

Karwanna D. Irving, Government Contract Strategist, Shares the Best Untapped Secret to Grow Revenue for a Small Business

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Amid economic challenges, many entrepreneurs are unaware of an untapped income source that could offer consistent revenue for their business. According to the Small Business Act of America, the federal government is mandated to allocate 23-26% of its budget to small businesses. These contracts may be one of the best resources for a steady stream of income once the process is understood, including common pitfalls to avoid, and learning practical strategies for crafting winning bids.

The government defines a small business as one with fewer than 500 employees and annual revenues of $20 million or less over the past five years and they allocate over $1.8 trillion each year to invest in small businesses.

Dr. Karwanna D. Irving is a Government Contract Strategist and the author of Don’t Duck The Government – They’ve Got Your Money. She discovered this important resource when she was barely making thirty thousand dollars a year as a photographer and videographer and recalls, “One of my clients was a billionaire and when I asked him how he became so successful, he told me about how government contracts helped build his company. It took me a few years to figure it out, but once I landed my first one for seventy thousand dollars, I doubled my annual income. When I saw how simple it was to grow my revenue with this system and business model, I landed two more projects within six months and made multiple six-figures.” 

Karwanna was recently interviewed on Tampa Bay’s Morning Blend TV program and shared how she helps entrepreneurs learn how to apply for and secure government contracts as one of the fastest ways to grow their business whether a person works at home or is just starting a business. “Most home based and small businesses are still using outdated methods to bring in business, making less than one hundred thousand dollars a year, and they don’t know about the government resources that can help them close the revenue gap,” she says. “I want them to know that there is a better way and it’s a game changer since it will not only grow their revenue, but give them consistent income when they learn how to do it.”

Many small business owners may believe it will take five years to achieve consistent profitability and are often intimidated by the proposal submission process for government projects, but securing government contracts is viable for all types of small businesses. In fact, Karwanna is dedicated to teaching women entrepreneurs and small business owners how to navigate these challenges and each month, she leads a Five Day Challenge on How to Grow Your Small Business with Government Contracts. She has developed the following four-step system designed to grow businesses by securing government projects that also helps eliminate the need to chase clients or customers.

Step 1 – The Business Foundation. Validating a business means having all the documents in order and this may include necessary licenses, insurance, and organizational structure. This foundation makes it attractive to government agencies.  

Step 2 – Get Certifications. This is crucial since government agencies are mandated to allocate a certain percentage of their budget to businesses in categories such as women-owned and/or minority-owned enterprises. Certifications will help win more project bids.

Step 3 – Marketing is Key. This focuses on creating a compelling capability statement that ensures the contracting officers reviewing the application consider these businesses first when relevant contracts arise. 

Step 4 – Writing Proposals. Crafting persuasive and compliant proposals that demonstrate a thorough understanding of the project, approach, and pricing strategy is key to winning bids.

Dr. Karwanna D. Irving is a Certified Business Coach and Government Contracts Strategist who is also the Author of 10 Habits of The Highly Effective Entrepreneur. She’s helped over 300 small business owners generate more than $20 million in revenue by sharing her method of how to land government contracts. Through her Five Day Challenge on How to Grow Your Small Business, she guides business owners and entrepreneurs in becoming pre-qualified and adept at securing profitable government projects as a previously untapped resource to grow revenue.

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Family & Parenting Health & Medicine Lifestyle Living U.S

Top 5 Mistakes Parents Make with Autistic Children: Insights from Severe Autism Specialist Lyndsy Moffatt

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Non-verbal autism is a condition affecting a significant number of children across the United States and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1 in 36 children in America are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In fact, 30-35% of people with autism are non-verbal or minimally verbal and it can severely impact a child’s ability to express their needs, thoughts, and emotions. This often leads to frustration and a heightened sense of isolation.

Lyndsy Moffatt is a Severe Autism Specialist with over a decade of experience in supporting families with autism. Her story started when her son, Dominic, exhibited severe non-verbal autism symptoms from an early age. Despite her concerns, doctors initially dismissed his condition as normal, but at age five, Dominic still wasn’t talking, was still in diapers, and had extreme sensory issues and self-harming behaviors. 

Feeling hopeless and unable to secure a timely medical diagnosis, Lyndsy started researching on her own. She stumbled upon an alternative treatment, The GAPS Diet developed by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, that reversed the majority of her son’s symptoms within six months. “Had I listened to the ‘Autism Experts’ and conventional doctors, my son would probably still be hitting himself 100 times a day,” Lyndsy reflects. “After years and years of painstaking research and trial and error, I finally came across something that helped my child’s autistic symptoms. Who would have thought that the key started with something as basic as his diet?”

Through her experience in seeing her son’s transformation, Lyndsy became a Certified GAPS (Gut and Psychology Syndrome) Coach and holistic nutritionist. She has helped hundreds of families reduce and alleviate autism symptoms in their children and created The Free Autism Guide for parents navigating challenges with their child. According to Lyndsy, there are five mistakes parents of children with autism are making and she has insights on how to avoid them.

1. Waiting for a diagnosis to do anything. Lyndsy was told she’d have to wait an entire year to get an appointment with a doctor for an evaluation regarding Dominic’s symptoms. She knew she couldn’t sit around and wait to start helping him. She says that many parents are waiting six months or even longer to get a diagnosis. This critical time could be used to make healthy changes that could lead to significant progress. Lyndsy advises, “You might as well start taking action when you presume your child has autism and get started because that is precious developmental time. Whereas it’s never too late to make changes, waiting a year will cost you later.”

2. Referring to your children as nonverbal or nonspeaking in front of them. Lyndsy wants parents to know, “Your children are listening, whether you think they are or not, and your words have the power to impact their development and growth. Be careful what you believe about their lack of abilities and what you say about them because they will most likely absorb and adopt those beliefs, too.” 

3. Not realizing diet is the key to helping a non-verbal or minimally-verbal child. Lyndsy is the author of The Gut Healing Guide that has been instrumental in helping parents navigate a healthy diet plan for their child. This nutritional protocol is the foundation for correcting imbalances that can exacerbate the negative symptoms of both nonverbal and minimally-verbal autism. Also, feeding a child fast foods and processed foods could be the direct cause for many of the symptoms they may be experiencing since these foods often contain harmful additives. Studies have shown that certain foods can be instrumental at reversing the behavioral abnormalities associated with ASD. 

4. Purchasing synthetic vitamins to supplement The GAPS Diet. Mainstream vitamins are not all created with the best ingredients. According to Lyndsy, “Unfortunately, most brands use harmful synthetic vitamins that cannot be processed by people with autism due to their body’s unique genetic makeup and they often make the problem worse. As a Certified GAPS coach, I help people differentiate the organic whole food based supplements that do exist from the harmful synthetic versions. For instance, many children with autism would benefit from vitamin B12, but most people do not know the difference between natural and synthetic B12. Natural B12 is made from bacteria that grows in soil and in our intestines, as well as some algae and seaweed species. But synthetic B-12 is made from cobalt and cyanide that is fermented together to produce it. The body doesn’t recognize synthetic vitamins the same way it does natural vitamins and often times this can make the behavioral problems even worse.” 

5. Parents ignore their own needs because their child’s care is consuming them. Parents of children with autism often neglect themselves and try to focus on their autistic children’s needs rather than their own. This is a big mistake because healthy and rested parents are much better equipped to support their children effectively. Lyndsy confirms this, “I see many parents that don’t eat healthy and take care of themselves, so they cannot help their child from a superior place. The healthier and happier you can become will have a direct correlation on your child’s health and happiness too.” It is also essential for parents to pay attention to getting proper sleep and eating a healthy diet for themselves. 

Lyndsy Moffatt is well known for her holistic approach to autism spectrum disorder. As a Certified GAPS (Gut and Psychology Syndrome) Coach and Founder of SpectrumABLE, she supports parents of children and adults with autism worldwide, helping alleviate autism symptoms through nutrition, detoxification, and mindset while embracing healthier lifestyles. Parents can connect with her on Facebook or through her website. Her work is inspired by her own son’s remarkable transformation from severe nonverbal autism to thriving, achieved through The GAPS Diet and various other protocols she teaches in her online course. She is also a sought-after speaker, sharing her knowledge globally at health events and educational institutions.

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Business Marketing & Sales Media & Communications Professional Services U.S

Marianne Schwab, Former TV Talk Show Producer, Reveals 4 Ways TV Interviews Build Credibility for Non-Fiction Authors

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In today’s competitive market, non-fiction authors face the tremendous challenge of standing out and establishing their credibility to draw attention to their book. Building a media presence is essential, but it’s not just about selling books; it’s about becoming a trusted voice in their niche. Local TV talk show interviews can significantly improve an author’s profile, leading to more opportunities in speaking engagements, additional media appearances or collaborations, and even securing national media interviews over time.

Based on her insider knowledge as a former national TV talk show producer, Marianne Schwab knows what producers look for in a guest. She also coaches authors on how to create a compelling message and interview on talk shows with confidence. She says there are four key ways that authors can build credibility as leading experts and take their careers to the next level, especially when they understand how to leverage local media appearances.

1. Establishing Credibility and Authority. Appearing on local TV talk shows instantly boosts an author’s credibility that can set them apart from other experts and authors. Marianne emphasizes, “When viewers see you on TV, they perceive you as an authority in your field. When I was a producer on the inside of talk shows, I wanted to book an expert who had great problem solving tips. I’d scroll through their table of contents to pick out of the best bits, like two or three problems that the author solves as a professional and refers to in the book, and those solutions would become the focus of the segment.”

2. Enhanced Speaking Opportunities. Being featured in the media can open doors to new speaking engagements since event organizers often look for speakers who have that experience. TV talk show appearances demonstrate that an author can not only deliver valuable content, but it is also an impressive credential to promote to potential attendees to get them to purchase admission to the event.

3. Increased Book Sales. Media exposure can definitely increase book sales but the appearance alone needs to be leveraged with other media to maximize impact. “When you’re seen as an expert on TV, viewers are definitely more inclined to purchase your book for further insights and this visibility can drive additional sales,” says Marianne. “However, the author should never rely on the broadcast alone. They need to obtain a digital clip of the interview and embed it strategically on their website, book funnel pages, and social media platforms so that everyone in their audience can see the interview. I work with clients to design an interview framework that is compact, positions them as a leading expert, builds trust in their expertise with problem solving tips, and impacts viewers in a way they’ll want to work with them or buy their book. They can also take their best soundbites from the interview and create shorts, reels, or ads so that one TV interview can actually generate over 20 pieces of content to build interest and drive additional sales when leveraged in this way.” 

4. Networking and Collaboration. TV talk show interviews can lead to new networking opportunities and collaborations. By focusing on local talk shows, producers, hosts, and other guests can become valuable contacts that can lead to further media appearances and other career-boosting opportunities. When authors make a good impression, they can navigate the media landscape so they become sought-after on-air media contributors and reach new heights in their careers.

The exposure gained from local TV talk shows is one of the best ways for authors to position themselves as leading experts because the programs offer a significant platform to impact their audience in a memorable way. Marianne has worked with numerous non-fiction authors to help them become the go-to experts in their fields and explains, “Local talk shows are often overlooked as a starting point for media, but they hold immense power for authors. When I was producing for national shows, I wouldn’t even consider booking a guest unless they had the experience of interviewing on local talk shows first.”

Marianne Schwab has worked as a talk show producer in New York and Los Angeles and is currently the Executive Producer of CMP Media Cafe. She works with professionals, high level entrepreneurs, and non-fiction book authors to help them fast track their success in becoming a recognized expert in the media. Through personalized media coaching and guidance, she helps clients navigate the intricate world of media appearances. She shares broadcast public relations tips on Instagram and has created an online training that shares her insider secrets to promoting a business on TV talk shows with details for the types of experts producers love to book as guests.

Categories
Culture, Society & Lifestyle Family & Parenting Lifestyle Living U.S

Caris Snider, Author of Anxiety Elephants, Advocates Mental Health Awareness with Groundbreaking Book Series

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Anxiety is often likened to an elephant in the room affecting millions of people worldwide and what many don’t know is that it is the number one mental health struggle across all age groups. From teenagers grappling with the issues of adolescence to adults juggling the overwhelming demands of modern life, people often feel alone as they wrestle to manage the symptoms and challenges of anxiety.

Caris Snider is an anxiety advocate, speaker, and author of the groundbreaking series of books, Anxiety Elephants, that provides a roadmap for understanding the complexities and burdens of dealing with the symptoms of this common mental battle. Drawing from her own struggles with anxiety, she shares, “When I first started dealing with symptoms, it felt like I had an elephant on my chest. I also thought I was all alone and, as a person of faith, I didn’t think I was supposed to have these problems. When I found a way through the darkness, I wanted to share what I discovered to help others dealing with anxiety and that led me to write my first book, a 10-Day Devotional on stomping out Anxiety Elephants.”

Snider’s first book was so well received that she saw a need to create a series on the topic that would help moms, children, and teens through their daily struggles and shared some of the coping techniques for confronting their fears while also embracing a future filled with promise.

The beginning to understanding how to conquer anxiety is awareness. “Some people don’t even realize that they’re experiencing signs of anxiety,” according to Caris. “Symptoms have many forms and can include having a rapid heart rate, feeling breathless, having sleepless nights, being overly emotional to the point of bursting into tears, or even being afraid that something really bad will happen. I want you to know that you have the power to take back control and that’s why I’ve written this series of books.”

One of the features that makes the Anxiety Elephants book series unique is that Caris Snider has included action steps for readers to take in each book to help them conquer the problem. Here are three things she suggests to do when someone is experiencing symptoms.

1.    Deep Breathing Helps Calm the Anxiety.  Caris says that, “When fear grips you, take a moment to pause and engage in a deep breathing exercise. This simple practice helps shift your focus from the emotional part of our brain to the thinking part,” and provides a soothing effect similar to a massage for the mind.

2.    Focus on Gratitude. When anxiety hits, think about good things to activate positive emotion. “Cultivating a mindset of gratitude helps reframe your perspective and fosters a sense of positivity even in the midst of anxiety,” Caris shares. It sounds simple, but it can be a game changer.

3.    Dump the Negativity from the Brain. For anyone struggling with anxious thoughts, Caris has a brain dump exercise. “Take post-it notes and jot down negative thoughts, then tear them up and discard them. Then, you want to replace these negative thoughts with positive truths. You may want to keep post-its handy, like in the car, so you can write them down whenever you have anxious thoughts.” This exercise helps rewire the brain to almost physically let go of anxious thoughts by tearing them up and then take control of the mind and emotions replacing negative ideas with positive ones.

With a degree in Child Development, Caris Snider is a Speaker, Anxiety Advocate, and Author, who is on a mission to confront the number one mental health struggle with her transformative Anxiety Elephants book series. This includes the best-selling children’s book, There’s An Elephant on My Chest that she uses as an ice-breaker and tool to engage with children and teens when speaking at schools to share her practical solutions on how to shrink those “elephants” as well as ways on how to talk through anxiety with trusted adults.

Beyond school settings, Caris is dedicated to making a lasting impact and speaks at community groups and women’s conferences to give insight and support for moms struggling with anxiety or helping them understand how to help their children navigate it. She loves connecting with parents on Instagram and directly through her website since she is committed to help moms, children, and teens find freedom from fear in the fight against anxiety.

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Hospitality Lifestyle Living Travel U.S

Months After the Lahaina Fires, Visitors Respectfully Return to the Island as Maui Tourism Recovers

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In August 2023, historic Lahaina in West Maui was devastated by a fire that destroyed the town. It left residents with unimaginable grief over the loss of lives, homes, and livelihoods where local jobs, local businesses, and the entire community rely on tourism. Maui is known for its incredible beauty found nowhere else in the world and as the island officially began welcoming visitors back in early November, Mike White, who managed two prestigious hotels on Maui for over 35 years and is a Member of the Board of Directors for the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, shared how the people of Maui are doing in the midst of recovery.

White, who was interviewed by AM Northwest at the Maui Ocean Center, said, “As you can imagine, the people of Maui are hurting. And everyone is navigating it differently. It is going to take some time to process, heal, and focus on rebuilding their lives. But our people are resilient, hard-working, and have a lot of aloha toward each other and will get through this just fine.” He added, “But it is important to realize that 85% of the jobs on Maui are either fully or partially dependent on tourism. So the return of visitors to Maui is critical to our recovery.”

Although, Lahaina remains closed to the public out of respect for the community and as debris removal and clean up efforts have started, many people do not realize it is just a small pocket of West Maui and most accommodations have reopened except for Lahaina Town proper. The vast majority of Maui was unaffected, untouched, and has remained open including Kahului, Wailuku, Kīhei, Wailea, Upcountry, and Hānaare that have been welcoming travelers.

Since so many people are looking for ways to support Maui, Mike White has some suggestions, “If you already love Maui, then we’d love to welcome you back and if you’ve never visited before, then it’s time you did and experience hiking through rainforests, walking on mountaintops, and tasting delicious local produce at a roadside farm stand. Here at the Maui Ocean Center, you can learn about Hawai‘i’s marine life including conservation initiatives aimed to protect our oceans. Supporting these local spots is the most generous way you can help Maui residents and businesses right now.”

Hawai’i Tourism Authority (HTA) wants visitors to come and enjoy all Maui has to offer and also wants them to know that they can compassionately express the aloha spirit in several ways. First, they ask for sensitivity for residents still healing from the Lahaina event and that visitors refrain from asking what they’ve been through since even a well-meaning question may be difficult for some still navigating what happened. Second, there are still areas that are closed to the public so they appreciate that visitors respect these closures. Finally, the HTA expresses mahalo for understanding and anyone wanting to visit the island or find out more about how to be a part of the Maui recovery can go to GoHawaii.com/Maui.

 

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Culture, Society & Lifestyle Family & Parenting Lifestyle Living U.S

Dr. RJ Jackson, Teen Life Coach, Shares His Secrets on How to Motivate an Unmotivated Teenager

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The teen years can certainly be difficult and over 80% of teenagers struggle with confidence and motivation that often results in having few close friends and a lack of drive to achieve their goals. Dr. RJ Jackson (Dr. RJ) is on a mission to not only help teenagers tackle some of their toughest challenges, but also create a bridge that allows parents and teens to communicate effectively.

According to Dr. RJ, the two biggest problems teens face are confidence and motivation. He explains, “Most parents believe that this is caused by social media, but this has actually been a problem for teens long before social media existed. For example, if your child is shy and maybe has a resistance to try new things, it’s most likely a confidence issue. Or if your child procrastinates and you have to force them to do things, it’s most likely an issue with motivation.”

Parents and teachers may think that this is typical or normal behavior for a teen and that willpower is the answer to get their child to do their chores or homework, but as Dr. RJ shared on a recent interview with We Are Austin, willpower doesn’t work. “Willpower doesn’t work because what we’re asking a child to do is to overcome something that is painful. You see, all humans are wired the same – they want to avoid pain and pursue pleasure,” he says. “For example, you have a child who hates school and homework so that’s in the pain category and then you’re expecting this child to do something they don’t like. And when they do the thing they don’t enjoy, it brings more pain. This is why willpower will never work and will never be sustainable.” 

Dr. RJ Jackson says that the number one way he has found to flip the switch for an unmotivated teen is conditioning. He takes the two categories of pain and pleasure and helps the child decide how to sort it effectively, “For example, when we have a child who wants to make friends, but all the things required to make new friends include meeting new people and trying new things that is in their pain category, they naturally won’t do it. Conditioning is when we take those activities that cause pain and show them how to move them into their pleasure category so they’ll naturally re-condition their mind and that’s how we flip the switch.”

As a leading authority in teen development, Dr. RJ Jackson has coached over 10,000 teens in the past decade and is dedicated to helping teenagers maximize their full potential. In his book, Parenting Happy Teens: It’s An Inside Job, he helps parents understand the reasons why teenagers make self-destructive choices, experience so much stress, worry, and unhappiness, and he shares how they can overcome these challenges. He loves connecting with parents and teens on Instagram and directly through his website since he is committed to making a lasting impact on the next generation. 

 

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Author Marsha Gray Hill Shares How to Turn Grief into Guidance in a Post-Pandemic World

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No one has escaped the events of the last four years unscarred when the world felt like it was upside down. Marsha Gray Hill is no exception when she, like so many people around the world, lost a parent in the midst of the global pandemic. As she tried to process her grief, she directed her emotions into writing a book, Grief and Grit(s), designed to help others who not only suffered loss during the pandemic, but also wants them to know they are not alone.

“It was so important for me to write this book about my mama, Adaline Gray, that I lost during the pandemic. She wasn’t just a number but an extraordinary woman who lived an extraordinary life,” Marsha shares. “Losing a mom at any age is naturally difficult, but it was very traumatizing for me since she wasn’t allowed to die with dignity which everyone deserves. If we don’t talk about what happened to my mama and so many others, we’re going to miss out on everything we can learn from it and that’s why I wrote this book.”

In Grief and Grit(s), Marsha writes about the challenges she experienced when she unexpectedly found herself in the position of being a caregiver for her mother when she developed dementia and the assisted living apartment that was her residence was no longer an option. Marsha eventually had to hire someone to care for her mom when she could not longer do it on her own and then when the pandemic hit, it made it worse, “Our parents take care of us growing up and it never occurred to me that I’d end up taking care of my mama when she developed dementia and became like a child,” she says. “It was a challenge to find home care workers who were not only caring and trustworthy, but also compassionate for someone with dementia.”

When Marsha Gray Hill was recently interviewed on Tampa Bay’s Morning Blend, she shared these three guidelines for anyone who finds themselves in a similar care giving role like she did.

1. It is important to get support and not go it alone. It’s so easy to get burned out so don’t be afraid to reach out to others, like family or friends, that may be able to help.

2. Make sure to research home care providers and options. When it’s not possible to care for a parent directly, it’s important to research the best facilities or home care providers that are the best fit. And when working with an agency, be mindful that sometimes they’ll say they’re sending their best person when they may just be sending whoever is available.

3. Install a camera to remotely monitor that proper care is being provided. “One of the best things I did was install a camera so that I could remotely check in on my mom and see if she was getting proper care. We do this with children and nanny cams, to protect them so it’s natural to do this for the elderly who can’t speak for themselves,” Marsha shared. She also added that it’s important to let care givers know about the camera and she felt it helped them be more accountable.

Shocked by society’s neglect of the elderly, particularly evident during the pandemic, Marsha is on a mission to elevate awareness and dignity for seniors and through her book, Grief and Grit(s), she offers invaluable insights to help others navigate the complexities of grief and caregiving. She connects with readers on Instagram to share her ongoing journey. Her book is distributed by Simon & Schuster and available through her website at MarshaGrayHill.com, online outlets and at book stores across the country.