My Simplified Life Michelle Glogovac

In this episode of My Simplified Life, host Michelle Glogovac sits down with petite-style coach Angela Foster. They discuss the challenges petite women face when shopping for clothes and the importance of understanding one's body type. Angela provides insightful advice on finding the perfect pants and shares some interesting facts about the history of women wearing pants.
 
What we’re talking about
Petite is more than just being short: There are seven different measurements that define petite sizing. Understanding these can help when shopping for clothes.
The universally flattering leg shape for petite women: According to Angela, the most flattering leg shape for most petite women is the skinny jean.
The emotional impact of clothes: Angela emphasizes our emotional connection with clothes and stresses the importance of maintaining a positive self-image when shopping.
The complexity of petite sizing 
It's not just about being shorter - the measurements for things like shoulder width, arm length, and torso length are all different. Understanding this can make shopping for petite sizes less frustrating and more successful.
Finding the most flattering leg shape for petite women 
Despite changing fashion trends, Angela maintains that skinny jeans are the most universally flattering style for petite women. This is valuable advice for those struggling to find flattering pants.
The emotional aspect of clothing 
Many women have emotional connections with their clothes, sometimes making shopping a stressful experience. Angela advises women to consider how their clothes make them feel and to strive for a positive self-image when shopping. This mindset can transform the shopping experience from a chore to a more pleasant activity.
 
LINKS MENTIONED
Website: https://angelastylecoach.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelastylecoach
Links, resources, and next steps to take with Angela by visiting the following link http://www.angelafoster.co/michelle

In this episode of My Simplified Life, host Michelle Glogovac chats with author Swan Huntley whose book, I Want You More, is out today! Swan shares her unique journey from childhood aspirations of being a writer to becoming a published author and ghostwriter. She also details her fascinating experiences with her unconventional career path, including working as a ghostwriter for a Real Housewife of New York City.
What we’re talking about
Swan has always known she wanted to be a writer.
Eavesdropping can be a valuable tool for writers.
Swan's career as a ghostwriter has been an enlightening experience.
Swan's early desire to be a writer
Swan Huntley knew she wanted to be a writer from an early age. As a child, she would encourage her friends to write books with her and was consistently drawn to documenting her experiences. Despite some detours along the way, Swan eventually realized her dream of becoming a published author, proving that it's never too late to pursue your passion.
The value of eavesdropping for writers
Swan shares how eavesdropping has become a favorite hobby and a valuable tool for her as a writer. By listening to conversations, she gains insight into real-life dialogue and human interaction, which helps her create authentic characters and narratives in her work. This highlights the importance of observation skills for writers.
Swan's enlightening experiences as a ghostwriter
Swan's career as a ghostwriter has provided her with unique opportunities and challenges. She shares how she navigates capturing someone else's voice and experiences while balancing her creative instincts. Swan's insights offer a fascinating glimpse into the world of ghostwriting and the complexities of shaping someone else's story while staying true to one's own writing style.
 
LINKS MENTIONED
Swan Huntley’s Website
www.swanhuntley.com 
I Want You More by Swan Huntley
https://zibbymedia.com/blogs/our-books/i-want-you-more 
Swan Huntley’s Instagram
https://instagram.com/swanhuntley

In this episode of My Simplified Life, Michelle Glogovac sits down with Darcy Guyant, a seasoned military veteran turned author. A former helicopter pilot, Darcy shares intriguing stories from his military service. He recounts his transition to volunteering at an elementary school and explains how he unexpectedly became an author. His journey is as unpredictable as it is inspiring, and he provides valuable insights into adapting to new roles and exploring unexpected paths.
What we’re talking about
The significance of documenting personal stories for future generations
The transformative power of volunteering
The journey of becoming an author
The significance of documenting personal stories for future generations
Darcy's decision to write a memoir was driven by his desire to leave a legacy for his granddaughter and future generations. His memoir, which contains twelve significant events from his life, is a rich source of personal history. This highlights the importance of documenting personal stories and experiences, providing valuable insights and context for future generations.
The transformative power of volunteering
Darcy's transition to volunteering at an elementary school has been transformative. Starting with a few hours a week, he soon found himself fully integrated into the teaching team and deeply engaged with the students. His story underlines the profound impact of volunteering, not just on the recipients of the service but also on the volunteers themselves.
The journey of becoming an author
Finally, Darcy's journey of becoming an author is fascinating. Despite having no formal training or lifelong desire to write, he successfully published a memoir and several children's books. His experiences illustrate that it's always possible to learn new skills or embark on new ventures and that outside encouragement and internal drive can lead to unexpected and rewarding outcomes.
 
LINKS MENTIONED
Darcy Guyant’s Website
https://www.DarcyGuyant.com
Darcy Guyant’s Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/darcy_guyant_author/
Darcy Guyant’s Substack Newsletter
https://mrdarcyguyant.substack.com/

In this episode of My Simplified Life, host Michelle engages in a conversation with Amy Nielsen, a former librarian who is now an author, literary agent, and developmental editor. Amy's inspiring journey from a homeless pregnant teen to a successful author and agent is the centerpiece of the dialogue. Amy shares how she used her traumatic experiences to create a fictionalized novel, providing hope and illustrating the power of resilience.
 
What we’re talking about
Using personal trauma in fictionalized stories
The power of encouragement and determination
The role of reading in survival and personal development
Using personal trauma in fictionalized stories 
Amy illuminates how she used her real-life experiences and traumas to write a novel rather than a memoir. The process allowed her to have creative liberties, decide the outcome, and distance herself from the fact that these events really happened to her. Fictionalizing also made the story more impactful and broadened her audience reach.
The power of encouragement and determination 
Amy’s journey from being a homeless pregnant teen to becoming a successful librarian, author, and agent showcases her incredible determination. Throughout her life, she received encouragement from teachers, community members, and even random people at the grocery store. This encouragement, coupled with her determination, helped her break free from her circumstances and create a better life for herself and her daughter.
The role of reading in survival and personal development 
Reading played a significant role in Amy's survival during difficult times. She would read books to remind herself that things could be worse or that they could get better. This love for reading was passed on to her daughters and eventually led her to a career as a librarian, where she could get books into the hands of children, especially those more reluctant to read.
 
LINKS MENTIONED
Amy Nielsen’s Website
http://www.amynielsenauthor.com
The Purcell Agency
http://www.thepurcellagency.com
Wild Ink Publishing
http://www.wild-ink-publishing.com
Giveaway
https://amynielsenauthor.com/2024/05/07/giveaway-for-listeners-of-michelle-glogovacs-my-simplied-life-podcast/

In this episode of My Simplified Life, Michelle Glogovac shares a conversation with Mary Jo Hoffman, an artist, photographer, and author of the book, STILL: The Art of Noticing. The discussion revolves around Mary Jo's journey of turning a daily habit into a decade-long project, the concept of self-patronage, and the importance of noticing the beauty of nature in our surroundings.
What we’re talking about
The importance of being patient and not rushing to monetize your creative work
The concept of the 72 micro seasons and how it can change the way you view your environment
The idea of self-patronage and how it can support your creative work
The importance of being patient and not rushing to monetize your creative work
The episode focuses on the importance of being patient and taking your time to monetize your creative work. Mary Jo shares her journey of turning a daily habit into a decade-long project. She emphasizes that persistence and patience allowed her to remain authentic and keep her creative work fun, which later resulted in an unexpected and overwhelming response from her followers when she released her book.
The concept of the 72 micro seasons and how it can change the way you view your environment
Mary Jo introduced the concept of the 72 micro seasons, which can drastically change how we view our environment. This ancient Japanese concept breaks the year into smaller periods, encouraging us to notice and appreciate the subtle changes in nature around us. Michelle shares how this concept has made her more present and observant in her daily life.
The idea of self-patronage and how it can support your creative work
Another significant takeaway from this episode is the idea of self-patronage. Mary Jo and her husband balanced their creative pursuits with practical jobs, allowing them to fund their creative work without the pressure of immediate monetization. This balance not only helped them enjoy their creative work more but also led to a pent-up demand from their followers, resulting in the successful launch of Mary Jo's book.
 
LINKS MENTIONED
Mary Jo Hoffman’s Blog
 http://stillblog.net
Mary Jo Hoffman’s Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/maryjohoffman/?hl=en
STILL: The Art of Noticing by Mary Jo Hoffman
https://www.amazon.com/STILL-Noticing-Mary-Jo-Hoffman/dp/1580936334

In this episode of My Simplified Life, we delve into the intriguing world of mystery writing with author Marcy McCreary. Marcy shares her journey from a marketing and sales professional to becoming a noted author of the Ford Family Mysteries series. She also discusses the process of writing her books and how real-life experiences often inspire her stories. This conversation takes a heartfelt turn as Marcy shares about her husband Lew McCreary's battle with dementia and their collective efforts to get his latest book published.
What we’re talking about
Real-life experiences can fuel the process of writing.
The importance of editing and refining as you write.
The personal impact of Lew McCreary's dementia on his and Marcy's lives.
Real-life experiences can fuel the process of writing
Marcy's writing process is largely intuitive, and she often draws inspiration from real-life experiences. She identifies as a 'panzer' or an intuitive writer, and she lets her characters lead her through the story. This approach allows her to create narratives that are relatable and grounded in reality.
The importance of editing and refining as you write
Editing and refining are integral parts of Marcy's writing process. She edits as she writes, reviewing the previous day's work before moving forward. After completing a draft, she takes a break before returning to edit with fresh eyes. This process helps ensure that her books are cohesive, engaging, and polished.
The personal impact of Lew McCreary's dementia on his and Marcy's lives
Lastly, Marcy shares her personal experience with her husband Lew McCreary's dementia. Lou, a critically acclaimed author himself, has been a significant part of Marcy's writing journey. His cognitive decline has had a profound impact on their lives, emphasizing the importance of cherishing our loved ones and their legacies. Despite the challenges, Marcy and Lew continue to work together to ensure that Loew's latest book sees the light of day.

LINKS MENTIONED
Marcy McCreary’s Website
https://www.marcymccreary.com/
Marcy McCreary’s Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/marcymccrearyauthor/
Lew McCreary’s Kickstarter
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lewmccreary/the-13th-step