Please visit http://fairygodmotheradvice.com for podcast notes.

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"The minute you settle for less than you deserve, you get even less than you settled for." ~Maureen DowdMy friend posted this on her Facebook page last week.  Listen to the podcast to find out what happened as a result of her innocent act of kindness.

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There seems to have been some technical difficulty (you press to listen and nothing happens!) so I'm reposting this message from Monday.Spring technically arrived last Friday.  Despite snow flurries in some areas, gardeners, including the first lady, were hard at work prepping their gardens and tending to their seedlings, anxiously awaiting that moment when all chance of frost has passed.Listen to this podcast to find out how you can thaw out from being frozen by your fears.

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In last week's podcast, I mentioned that NOW is the time to take bold action instead of hiding under the bed covers curled up in a ball (hoping things will get better).In today's podcast, I encourage you to start developing your resiliency muscles again so that you can take bold actions.

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After being in a funk for a few weeks, I broke down sobbing while trying to record a podcast about how giving up on oneself is not an option.  The kind of crying where my face got all puffy and swollen.  Then I woke up the next day feeling like the crying had gotten the last of the "depression" stage, from the stages of grieving I spoke about last time, out of my system and I'm ready to go!  I'm ready to take ACTION so that I can make dust instead of being one of those poor people that eats other people's dust.  Listen to the podcast to find out why making dust is so important.

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 Last week, I caught a glimpse of banking CEO's being called on the carpet by Congress.  They were channeling their constituents' rage.People are outraged by the sense of unfairness and betrayal.  But, they may not realize that anger can also be part of a healthy process for being able to live happily ever after.

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All of my life I have been haunted by "spooks" (that's My Honey's nickname for them) that show up in my sleep.  Most people would call them nightmares.  Sometimes they are benign--like the ones where I'm assigned to teach an advanced calculus course--but other times they are flashbacks of my kidnapping by a child molester.  In this podcast, I share with you what I have learned along the way about my nightmares.

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What if...what IF you already have everything you need to live happily ever after?In this podcast, I revisit the famous Acres of Diamonds sermon.

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Today, we inaugurated our new president.  I thought I heard Mr. Obama say that it was time to embrace the fierce right now.  In this podcast, I explain what "the fierce right now" means and invite you to join me in my quest to attend Cinderella's Ball.Note: The (almost) daily musings url has changed to http://fairygodmotheradvice.com.

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During this holiday season, many of us are under a lot more stress than usual because of the current economic situation.  In today's podcast, I describe the lessons we can learn from a young woman I met on my commuter train.

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It is a common belief that a person's body completely regenerates itself every seven years.  And, while that may not be completely accurate, it still provides us with a good example of how to live our lives.Today's podcast explores the importance of sloughing off the physical and emotional "baggage" from our lives.

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A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that my sister has ADHD.  Well, I don't have the H part, but I do struggle with many symptoms of ADD, specifically difficulty focusing and impulsive behavior.  This tendency toward impulsive actions, coupled with struggles with self-esteem, creates a dangerous cocktail that can leave to a life filled with regrets.In today's podcast, I share with you how I learned to overcome feelings of guilt and regret that were plaguing me.

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People treat you differently depending upon the way you are dressed.  Conversely, you behave differently toward others depending upon how you are dressed.  Do you look nice, neat, and as if you care about yourself and others? (Note: I didn't say wearing the latest fashion) Then others will treat you with more respect than someone who looks like a slob.  But then again, when you respect yourself and show it through how you dress, it is easier to treat others with respect.In today's podcast, I share with you what happened when I cleared out my closet of the clothing that does not convey the image that I want to project.  I basically got a new wardrobe for next to nothing!

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I've been thinking a lot lately about covered wagons.  My great-grandparents and grandmother used a covered wagon, twice, when they moved.  All of their belongings were in that wagon.When My Honey and I moved back to California five years ago, we needed  a 26' moving truck AND our pickup was filled to the brim.Even though we try to live a simple life, we have more stuff than we need.  And, a lot of the stuff does not bring me joy.This summer, I'm playing the "Covered Wagon Game."  Listen to the podcast and see how you can play it, too.

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Memorial day is almost upon us and for many people, that means it is time to open their cottages for the summer season.In today's podcast, I talk about opening our metaphoric cottage--we don't have to have a "real cottage" to open for the summer--so that we can live happily ever after.

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I've worked with a lot of women, in various capacities, and one theme that seems to run through conversations I have with women is their tendency to believe that they are alone in their experiences.In today's podcast, I share with you why I think this phenomenon is happening.

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I love to sing and was in several choirs as a child and teenager.  As an adult, I was in church choirs off and on until I started graduate school.  About 15 years ago, I had the chance to take voice lessons.  This podcast will discuss what happened one day during a normal lesson and how my older sister's fiber art exhibition made me think of that voice lesson so many years ago.

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One of the things that struck me while talking to women on my recent speaking tour is how very hard it is for women to ask for help.  In today's podcast, I discuss why it is important to ask for help and share how Cinderella was able to get help to achieve the impossible.

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When Cinderella encountered difficult circumstances, she refused to identify with them.  In fact, she never, ever, forgot who she was at the core of her being.In today's podcast, I remind us that we are not our circumstances.

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Willa Cather once said that too often we look for others to create miracles for us.  In this podcast, I joke about examples of how we look for miracle cures to our misery.Cinderella had an amazing inner beauty.  As a result, good things happened to her.  Yes, she had to put up with some negativity from others, but in the end, she is the one who lived happily ever after because she created her own miracles.

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Did you watch the Academy Awards the other night?  Early in the show, I found myself choking up and crying.  Why?  Because the winners had dared to dream big and their dream came true.In this podcast, I encourage you, too, to dream big!

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For the past two days I have done nothing but lie on the sofa and watch cooking shows or read.  Listen to the podcast to find out why!

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If you receive two announcements, my apologies: I uploaded the wrong audio file the first time around.Do you ever have days when you just don't feel like yourself?  You might even comment about that feeling to someone...In today's podcast (#49, not #47 like I said in the podcast), we explore how using multiple personalities as a metaphor can help us live happily ever after.

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Would it surprise you if I told you that, like many people, I battle with the fear of success?  Sure, I have the fear of failure, but my fear of success can keep me trapped in the status quo if I let it.In today's podcast, I share my thoughts on how Cinderella's fairy godmother helped her overcome her own fear of success.

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Did you hear about the Christmas postcard that was mailed on December 23, 1914 to Ethel Martin of Oberlin, Kansas and was finally delivered this past week?  No one knows why it took so long or who had it all of this time.  I'm pretty sure that my Christmas cards are wherever that card was because we've only received two cards this year. In this podcast, I reminisce about the prizes My Honey and I used to give to whomever sent us the first card, the number of cards my parents received while I was growing up, a near-disaster that was averted, and why I think people don't send Christmas cards anymore. Please visit Fairy Godmother Coaching to learn more about me.

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Did you watch Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer the other night?  This Christmas special has been around since 1964.  At face value, it is a nice little story.  But, in this podcast, I explain what I've learned over the years about how people feel about The Island of Misfit Toys.To subscribe via iTunes, click here.Music: Dean Kreppaehne sings "Jolly Old St. Nicholas." Visit his website at http://www.deankrippaehne.com. This song is licensed under the Creative Commons Music Sharing License.

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My friend, Master Retreat Coach Jan Hornford, and I were talking this morning about holiday traditions.  She was saying that as a child, she loved all of the family traditions.  Then, when she became a mother, she discovered how much work it is to create the perfect Christmas...Jan seems to have perfect Christmases every year but she doesn't go bonkers creating them.  In today's podcast, I will share with you what Jan told me.Music: Dean Kreppaehne sings "Jolly Old St. Nicholas."  Visit his website at http://www.deankrippaehne.com.  This song is licensed under the Creative Commons Music Sharing License.  Until next time...remember to put the "Happy" back into "Happy Holidays!"Dr. Julie

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In today's podcast, recorded on Thanksgiving Day in the States, I provide a strategy for handling difficult family gatherings.

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After a 6 month hiatus, I'm back and ready for action!In this episode, subtitled, "When Did We Stop Enjoying The Holidays," I talk about how stressful the holidays have become and consider some of the reasons we no longer enjoy the holidays as a society.

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I am a big fan of The Secret but I have a very big concern that I discuss in this podcast.

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In today's podcast, I share Lynn Grabhorn's four basic steps to getting everything you want.

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In today's podcast, I ponder the question of what would have happened to Cinderella's dream if she hadn't made it out the door when the clock struck midnight.Music by Peopod and can be found at peopod.net

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In the movie The Secret, the teachers talk about how important it is to be grateful for what we have already.  I learned a very powerful lesson this past weekend on how being grateful helped me find magic in my closet.

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In today's podcast I describe how declaring 2007 at the magical year has encouraged a great deal of self-reflection on my part.

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This episode introduces My Magical Year.

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Ruffling FeathersIn today's podcast, I discuss how when you speak your truth, you end up ruffling feathers.Visit my website at www.fairygodmothercoaching.com

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Lately I've been learning a lot about the illusion of limitations.  While reading the Palace of Possibilities, I had an a-ha moment about where I got some of my beliefs about my limitations.

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I'm Picking Up Good Vibrations!In today's podcast, I discuss the importance of our personal energy vibrations and give a deep breathing/visualization exercise.

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Living Happily Ever AfterI've been thinking about the phrase, "They lived happily ever after."  I think we mistakenly believe that that means that everything was perfect.  Listen to my interpretation of that phrase in this podcast.

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Drama QueenIn today's podcast, I confess that I am a recovering Drama Queen...  Visit my website at http://www.fairygodmothercoaching.com

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I am not my woundedness.  In today's podcast, I share some of what I've learned on my journey to heal some deep childhood wounds.  Visit my website at http://www.fairygodmothercoaching.com and my blog at http://www.fairygodmothersdailymusings.blogspot.com

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As I watched the 49ers beat Oakland this afternoon, I got thinking about the 49ers glory days.  And that got me thinking about how easy it is to get stuck in the past.

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This podcast episode explores the relationship between what you eat and sexual health.

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We are bombarded by sex everywhere we turn.  This podcast is the first in a series on both my blog and podcasts where we will explore sex in a healthy and mature way.  My mother listens to the podcast, so you can be assured that it won't be too graphic.

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Last week I discovered that I needed rest...a lot of rest.  I ignored the "please rest" signals and ended up in trouble.  It has me wondering what other things I need but I am ignoring...

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I've been thinking about clutter a lot lately...

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Dare to be different~I am concerned about the subtle reduction in the choices available to us.  In this podcast I describe various examples--and couldn't remember the name of the Wanamaker department store!--and why this reduction in choices is so concerning to me.  Do you dare to be different?  Or are you going to be satisfied with McChoices?

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What is truly important to me?My laptop has finally returned home and *fingers crossed* I should be able to get back in the groove of a weekly podcast.In this podcast, I explore what it means to live with integrity.

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I like to tell people that I want to be Audrey Hepburn when I grow up because I love her sense of humor and her sense of style.  The truth is, I'm nothing like her and never will be.  However, when I was a little girl I wanted to be just like my Grandmother Lois.  Much to my delight, my siblings tell me that I am just like her.

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A Life Worth Living~How do you want to be remembered after you pass away?  How do you want people to think of you now?  We don't have to be famous in order to have a life worth living.  We can be "ordinary" women and still have a tremendous impact on people around us.  My father thought he was just an average man doing his life's work.  In the process, he changed the lives of countless young people.How do you want to be remembered?

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The Most Important Lesson My Father Taught MeMy father taught me many things, but listen to find out the most important thing he taught me and how it has shaped my life.

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I hate to admit it, but sometimes I start obsessing about things that are going on in my life.  Fortunately, I have learned strategies that help me let go of the obsessing.  Today, I talk to my friend, Retreat Coach Jan Hornford about how she helps women get off of the hamster wheel (including strategies you can do on your own).

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I don't know about you, but when an idea or solution is not coming to me naturally, I can't force it to arrive.  In fact, the more I try, the more stuck I become.  In today's podcast, I confess that I don't have any idea what I'm going to talk about in the podcast.

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Since 9/11, more people are choosing to carry their baggage with them onto the plane instead of checking it.  Even though I check my suitcase, I still usually end up carrying my computer bag, an overnight bag, and my handbag onto the plane with me.  The overnight bag is "just in case" my luggage gets lost.In today's podcast, I discuss the problems of carrying all this baggage with me and what it means symbolically.

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Today is Mother's Day and I want to honor all of my pioneering foremothers.  Through their difficulties and sacrifices, they created a DNA and spirit that enables me to achieve my dreams, hopes, and desires.  I thank them for the powerful gift they have given to me.

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Are you stuck in the past?  Many of us are and don't even know it.  I'm not talking about the kind of stuck in the past that causes our friends to ask Oprah to do a makeover.  I'm talking about emotions and memories that take up space and don't allow us to live in the present.I've been living in the past for the past few weeks on purpose so that I can say goodbye to yesterday.

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Do you ever feel overwhelmed by everything that you need to do?  Today's podcast focuses on how I overcome the desire to just lie down with a cold compress whenever I feel overwhelmed.

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Congratulations to my friend and client Suzanne for achieving one of her "big dreams" of earning her Ph.D.  There were moments when she wanted to quit (anyone telling you that they never thought about quitting while in the process of earning a doctorate is either delusional or lying) but she kept on believing. 

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The May issue of Oprah Magazine has an article highlighting the secret war going on: Women vs. Women.  Listen to my thoughts about this issue...

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Are you sure you're ready to meet Prince Charming?  Have you made room for him in your life?  What about the other goals you have?  Is there space for them?  It's time to make room for your dreams to come true! Make it a magical day! Dr. Julie Your Fairy Godmother Coach

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Lately I've been noticing that the people around me do a lot of "trash talking" about rich people...that somehow people who have money are evil.  This makes me cranky because it impacts how I think about rich people, too.  My goal is to become wealthy, but I can't as a long as I hang around trash talkers.  Listen in to find out the difference between being rich and being wealthy.

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Never Again Will I....So many of us do things because we "should" instead of out of a longing from the heart...Make it a magical day!Dr. JulieYour Fairy Godmother Coachwww.fairygodmothercoahcing.com

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Embracing Your Bitch Julie-Ann McFann, Ph.D., Your Fairy Godmother Life CoachLearn how embracing your bitch will enable you to be your authentic self and help you live happily ever after.

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Clap If You Believe! At the end of Peter Pan, Peter tells us to clap our hands if we believe in fairies. Being the fairy godmother, I, of course, clap my hands loudly. But I've been thinking a lot lately about other things I believe in.... Make it a charming day! Dr. Julie Your Fairy Godmother Coach http://www.fairygodmothercoachng.com

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Sleeping Beauty Knew When To Take A Nap I am back from my vacation and retreat. What can I say? It was exhilerating and I want to share my excitement with you.

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Who The Heck Do You Think You Are?? Unfortunately, too many women have heard this when we've started achieving success. Have you been "smacked down," too? Share your story at http://www.fairygodmothercoaching.com/blog.html Make it a charming day!

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Once Upon a Myth: The Fairy Godmother's Guide to Living Happily Ever After Personal Development Podcast for Women There is a pervasive myth that George Washington cut down a cherry tree when he was a child. What myths have we created about ourselves that served a purpose at one time but now are troublesome? Make it a charming day! Dr. Julie Fairy Godmother Coach http:www.fairygodmothercoaching.com

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Someday My Prince Will Come It is almost Valentine's Day and love is in the air...and all of the weird expectations that go along with it... If you'd like to make a donation to support my work, visit http://www.fairygodmothercoaching.com/Donation.html Make it a charming day! Dr. Julie~The Fairy Godmother Coach

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Snow White Learned Her Lesson About Food If we are what we eat, then a lot of us are in BIG trouble! Snow White learned the hard way that food may look enticing, but, if we're not careful, it can make us very sick. Regular listeners to the show will notice a change to the podcast. Because of your feedback, the coach-cast will now be available at the www.fairygodmothercoaching.com website instead of being part of the podcast. This will make it easier for our dial-up friend to listen to the show. www.fairygodmothercoaching.com

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The notion of living happily ever after gets ridiculed all of the time. But, if happiness is a choice, living happily ever after isn't as ridiculous as people make it out to be. When have YOU made the choice to be happy rather than be a victim of circumstances? Share your experiences by clicking on the "comment" button. And, as always, don't forget to visit the my website at http://www.fairygodmothercoaching.com

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After being away due to illness, it feels wonderful to be back at work on my Fairy Godmother's Guide to Living Happily Ever After podcast again! I've really been having to learn how to "trust the process" in the journey toward achieving my heart's desire. The journey doesn't always happen the way I want to but the detours always teach me something (whether I want them to or not!) Enjoy the podcast! Be sure to check out my website at http://www.fairygodmothercoaching.com If you are interested in being coached on the air, please drop me a line at julie@mcfanncoaching.com

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Do you still believe in Fairy Tales? I still believe in Fairy Tales, Fairy Godmothers and in living a magical life happily ever after. Because you are listening to this podcast, I am guessing that there are times when you long for a Fairy Godmother who would wave her magic wand and make all your dreams come true. Living happily ever after is a choice and within your reach. As your Fairy Godmother Coach, I will help you discover your inner Fairy Godmother and guide you toward creating an enchanted life where your dreams and wishes come true. Experience the magic when we work together. Visit my website at http://www.fairygodmothercoaching.com

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