Help, Please

First, I should tell you that I am about to blow you off so I can go watch the second season of The Office (American-style) with Steve. I think it is important that you know where our relationship stands right now, you and me.

Second, I am going to add indignity to insult by asking for your help, despite the blowing. I am writing an article (!) for a magazine (!!) and I need some help finding sources. Since the collective y'all always know everything, I thought I could save myself another fruitless 90 minutes in the nonfiction stacks of the library (Patrick scored two books on asteroids and a coffee table-sized book on Hanukkah traditions, so the trip was not a complete loss but still) and just ask you:

I need to talk with life coach/therapist/self-help author(es/s) in an effort to glean some insights for this piece I am doing. If you know anyone who fits the bill and who you think would consent to be interviewed by me, please post or shoot me an email and I will be eternally grateful. I might even be willing to bribe you, so add that to your considering factors. In the latter category of general self-help (with an eye, maybe, towards life affirmation stuff) do you have any recent book suggestions? I read 19th C fiction and what I do not know about anything after whalebone corsetry could fit into Almack's. You are, of course, free to post anything that occurs to you in the comments, but if you prefer more private communication my email is up there and I promise to treat your information with professionalism, courtesy and respect.

Third, because I DO take your advice so literally I am volunteering at Patrick's school tomorrow. I am looking forward to it. New posts from me all over the place, I hope, at some point tomorrow and Friday. And holy cow! Did I tell you that Steve's birth half-brothers came to visit us for the weekend from New England? Remind me. I'll tell you about that.      

Comments

[Cat, Galloping]

I haven't read it, but the title and a couple of interviews about He's Just Not That into You have changed my life. I don't need it for dating, but I think about it in relation to job searches (both on the hiring and the looking end) and friendships.

Wait. You wanted a self-help book reco for your article or a general book reco?

[Jenn]

My neighbour just started up her "life coach" business -- she went to school for it and everything. She's a very gregarious lady and I am sure would be interviewed. Can you use Canadians? She is an interesting person as her husband is a current olympic gold medal winner perparing for 2010, and he's a current world record holder in his sport -- so they are all about the whole rah rah thing. If you want -- I can contact her. Just drop me a line.

[jonniker]

I don't want to write any specific advice here, as it could go on for hours, but I'm a journalist for a living, and one thing I'll tell you is: don't be afraid to be pushy and ask whoever you want for whatever you want. Especially if you're writing for an even slightly minorish magazine. Seriously.

[Katie]

Run, don't walk, to Andrea at Superhero Journal (http://www.superherodesigns.com/journal/)

Also, Lori at Crazy Aunt Purl (http://www.crazyauntpurl.com/)

[chira]

Another Canadian life coach... she specializes in new moms and their challenges.
She is lovely.
http://www.listenincoaching.com/

You don't even have to bribe me!

[Claire]

I second Andrea at Superhero Journal... She is a life coach herself, and seems to have quite a network of other resources that she might pass on as well!

[Jessica]

I know this lovely lady in the DC area .. she's a life coach, smart, successful, and I bet she'd do an interview if you asked nicely. :)

http://mwcoachingblog.blogspot.com/

[Laura]

I third Andrea at Superhero Journal. She also worked with SARK (http://www.planetsark.com/), who has many publications that may be of use or interest to you in your project. Good luck!

[Mardougrrl]

I fourth Andrea at Superhero Journal, and nominate Kate Swoboda at http://www.selftaughtgirl.com. She's a life/creativity coach and I think she would be willing to help you. And I am not sure if she counts as a life coach type, but Barbara Sher's books tend to be wonderful. As are Martha Beck's.

Good luck!

[babelbabe]

I am in no way recommending this book per se, but I will tell you that it is flying off the shelf at the library, and people are raving baout it. I am crying a little bit inside, as I myself am immersed in Andrea Barrett's new novel...so sue me.

The Secret - Rhonda Byrne

It's apparently the fix-your-life book of the year. Just ask Oprah.

[Henny Penny]

I liked Midlife Crisis at 30, which features stories of very successful women who were struggling professionally at 30. It peters out by the end, but the beginning and middle is very good.

A blog coach I read is http://lifeatthebar.wordpress.com/

[Anne]

Martha Beck? I only know her because she has written about her son with Down Syndrome and I've seen her on Oprah. I dunno, watch Oprah for research?

[Roberta]

As parents, aren't we all life coaches? Cuz, gosh, that's the first thing *I* thought of. I had no idea it was an actual career path.

[Kate]

I cannot say enough good things about my dear friend Karen Alonge--- she is not only a great life coach, but she offers real-life parenting coaching as well.
She is remarkably free of artifice and bullshit and her positive energy just shines.

http://www.karenalonge.com

She also has a blog: http://www.karenalonge.com/blog.html

And even if you don't connect for this project, she is a wonderful, down to earth, intelligent and creative person well worth knowing.

[Denise]

A friend of mine is a coach. She does business coaching but also has personal clients, too. This is her business web site. She's an interesting person with a pretty fascinating background.

http://www.target-teams.com/

[jessica]

Check out hayhouse.com...there are a ton of authors on there and I'm sure you could find quite a few to help you out.

[Sarah]

Okay, so slow, looks like I'm about the fifth person ready to recommend Andrea at Superhero Journal. Oh well! Good luck!

[Lulu]

Have you read Danny Wallace's Yes Man? It's not exactly a self help book, per se, but it's a quick, goofy, life-affirming read.

http://www.dannywallace.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=6&page=1

[Heather]

No feedback on the life coaching thing (I could probably use one!!!), but have fun tomorrow volunteering at Patrick's school. I just recently signed up to lead my daughter's Girl Scout troop. I'm looking forward to it.

[C.]

Not knowing exactly what you are writing.

Susan Anderson
http://www.abandonment.net/author.frame.html

I also have a good therapist, if you want his name/info shoot me an email.

C.

[Sassy]

Okay, I can't hear the words "Life Coach" without thinking of Doc Ali from Scott Baio is 45 and Single. I have no idea how serious the magazine you're writing for is, but if it could use a little light-hearted/pop-culture reference, here's her url: http://www.screamandrunnaked.com/
I know I personally would read any article that referenced her...SBi45aS was our shameful pleasure all summer.

[L]

I love Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series of books. They're set in the 17th century, and the main character is a WW2 era nurse who finds herself transported back in time. It sounds like it could be cheesy, but I love the writing. Something more contemporary, but also lovely, is Sun at Midnight by Rosie Thomas.

[bec 37]

General self-help book--
Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy by David D. Burns. Designed to help those who don't necessarily need antidepressants, but are feeling down about themselves and/or their lives.

[Sharon]

First, with no offense to any recommenders, you would prob. HATE the Secret, since you are a logical person (see the article in Scientific American). Second, its totally unrelated, but for some reason I've been thinking about school stuff for you and my advice is to deal with the school stuff w/Patrick NOW. If he's not being challenged there, etc., your ability to deal with it is much better now than it will be in a few short months when two new people join your household! Do not delay - I think you'll regret it!

[jaybee]

can't remember the author's name but i think she is a therapist. Anyway, Blessings of a Skinned Knee is one of the best parenting books i've read in a long time. Read it whether or not you use her for your story

[Lynnette]

How about "Starting Over" life coach Rhonda Britton? I kind of liked the show, in a trainwreck sort of way. Her website is http://www.fearlessliving.org/ She is the first person I ever heard of using the label "Life Coach."

[Meegan]

My mother does coaching, but more in a career sense. In fact she just returned from Hong Kong where she worked with employees of the leading supplier of networking equipment & network management for the Internet. Don't know if speaking with her would be of interest to you or not. She does a fair amount of interpersonal work with her clients, delving into their backgrounds before arriving at the career level. Email me if you'd like more info.

[FENICLE]

Are you kidding? The Office is top priority around here!

[Christy]

Read the Diana Gabaldon "Outlander" series. 6 books full of gratuitous whalebone corsetry. And time-travel.

More than enough to keep you busy until the 13s arrive.

[Christy]

Read the Diana Gabaldon "Outlander" series. 6 books full of gratuitous whalebone corsetry. And time-travel.

More than enough to keep you busy until the 13s arrive.

[Leggy]

Just read your other post at Redbook. I hope you are okay and tell those babies to say put for at least another six weeks!

[victoria]

Julia: please be ok! I would bring you more books and lovely snacks if I could. Julia's uterus: STOP THAT RIGHT NOW. This is no time for contractions, young lady. Person who steered around a pregnant lady who'd just taken a spill in front of your car: you suck.

[PiquantMolly (AKA Mollywogger)]

If you haven't yet read A.S. Byatt's "Possession," I don't want to read another post until you've flown yourself to the nearest book-acquisition point and secured it. I devoured the book and love it with my entire heart and soul. All of Victorian charm of 19th century writing and all of the depth of a recent Booker Award prizewinner.

Sigh.

[Cat, Galloping]

I just read your Mom Moment post and am freaking out just the tiniest bit. But you, you sound so calm. Thinking of you guys.

[Shandra]

Just read your Mom Moment and can't find my password so I nipped over here to say that I hope all goes well and am thinking about you! I bet it will be fine.

29 weeker, c. 1971 :)

[PiquantMolly (AKA Mollywogger)]

Gah! Again, just returned after stopping by Redbook. Terrifying! I'm thinking of you.

[sinda]

Renee Trudeau, in Austin - http://www.careerstrategists.net/

[Midsummer Night]

Praying for you and the 13's.

[nate]

Hang in there, 13s...

[Liz]

Julia--I am another lurker who is hoping that you and the 13s are home safely now.

[lizneust]

And yet another lurker, thinking of you, the 13s, Steve and Patrick. Fingers, toes and eyes crossed.

[squashi]

you are in my foremost thoughts.

[Amber R]

Another lurker stopping by to say thinking of you and your family. Sending lots of prayers your way!

[Dara]

OMG...praying for you and those babies.

[Karen (lurker)]

Frequent lurker--just read your Redbook post. Here's some happy anecdotal evidence: I had a positive fetal fibronectin test, along with frequent, regular contractions, when I was 30 weeks pregnant with my first child. Not only did I *not* deliver in the next two weeks, but the kid stayed stubbornly in place until 41.5 weeks, and even then refused to descend past -1 station. I'll keep my fingers crossed for similarly good results in your case. (I know it's a whole different ballgame with twins.)

[Beth]

Oh Julia! Oh, no. I am praying that the 13s stay put for many weeks to come. It sounds like that test is not terribly useful as a predictor when it comes back positive, which is a good thing. Although, I daresay that is far more comforting for me, as I am not you.

[MJ]

My toes and fingers are crossed that the darling 13s stay put.

[Accidental Ppet]

Holy freakin' hannah, girl.

Praying.

[May]

Julia,

Longtime lurker here. I have a similar story to tell regarding my daughter's dramatic entrance into the world. In short, hospitalized at 24 weeks 4 days, immediate steroid shots and tocolytics (including that old espresso wannabe, terbutaline) and a grand total of 9 weeks of hospital bedrest, on top of an ill-fated 10-day attempt to do bedrest at home thrown in there somewhere.

So, I am at your disposal if you ever need an understanding ear, regarding all these fun things, FFN, etc. I'm at problemuterus at gmail dot com. I also have a PhD in biology which I use to teach community college bio classes, so I have some science nerd insight into the whole preterm labor thing and experience at translating medspeak into plain english.

And, to top it off, I'm one day behind you, gestationally speaking, with a singleton pregnancy.

Best of luck.

[Aurelia]

I'm praying for you and the 13s and Steve.

I pray they can stop it, and if not that they can get you to a good NICU hospital. Gulping seriously....take care.