5 Ways To Transform Your Workspace to Promote Success
This blog was written by Reagan Bosshardt, our winter of 2023 intern. Reagan is a student at Goucher College graduating in 2025. Her goal is to have a job in marketing focusing on social media or a company’s website presence.…
5 Ways To Get The Most Out Of Your Internship
As a college student, there is a big push to get out there in the world and get experience. This is my first internship and I would like to share some tips on things that I believe make an internship…
Sustainable Agriculture: Protecting Our Environment, Business & Community
The term “sustainable agriculture” is a hot topic but what does it mean and how does it work in practice? Kevin Warring, of Persistence Creek Farm, teaches us how their farm uses sustainable practices that minimize fertilizers, maximizes yields, and…
Empowering the Dying and the Ones Who Care for Them
My Mom died in 2012 from pancreatic cancer. It was a terrible part of my life and I miss her everyday. You may be surprised to though, that the months and years leading to her death were also some of…
5 Steps to Make Decisions Easy
Most people hate making decisions. Whether it is what to wear to a party or what color to paint our kitchen, the process can be intimidating. So how can we change this narrative?
Planning a Wedding you Enjoy
There are so many benefits to composting: minimizing your food waste, creating a fertilizer in which you know the contents, and you’re doing a small part in affecting climate change.
Turn Table Scraps Into Rich Soil with Worms
There are so many benefits to composting: minimizing your food waste, creating a fertilizer in which you know the contents, and you’re doing a small part in affecting climate change.
GROW YOUR BUSINESS THROUGH PUBLIC SPEAKING
Leisa Reid teaches us how to use speaking gigs to grow your business in this interview including how to get booked and rebooked as well as how to write your speech and focus on your target audience.
Alternative uses of farmland is key to preserving open space
Ravens Crest, the home of Retreat & Learn, also serves as a test site for MissionGO — a Baltimore based company developing and testing unmanned aircraft systems (you may know them as drones) for the eventual purpose of transporting organ…
Government Contracting: difference between Direct Cost and an Indirect Cost?
The FAR clause 31.201-1 reads, “The total cost, including standard costs properly adjusted for applicable variances, of a contract is the sum of the direct and indirect costs allocable to the contract, incurred or to be incurred, plus any allocable cost of…
Doing the Same Thing Expecting Different Results
In this two part series of videos my horse and I amble around our farm while I ponder why we keep trying the same approach expecting different results.
What is a Wrap Rate and How Can It Make Pricing Proposals Easier?
A wrap rate is a simple way to calculate what rate you can charge to the government under a Cost Plus Fixed Fee or Cost Reimbursable contract. The way you calculate the rate you can charge is typically done this…
First Tattoo: Choosing an Artist & Design, Safety and What to Expect
I don’t have a tattoo… but I have to admit I’ve thought about it and honestly I’m a little chicken…
BASICS OF SKIN CARE, SUNBLOCKS AND ANTI-AGING
It is embarrassing how lazy I am with my skin care. I go to bed with makeup on at least once a week and generally do the minimum I can to get by and look at least ok. So I’m…
Guilt, Grief and Caregiving of an Independent Dying Parent
Add New Post Site Icon Save draft Preview(opens in a new tab) Publish Add title GUILT, GRIEF AND CAREGIVING OF AN INDEPENDENT DYING PARENT This blog is not just about my journey. I want to share other peoples stories. It…
Speaking to Medical Staff for Your Loved One
My Mom died of pancreatic cancer. As she became weaker, it was exhausting for her to communicate with medical staff. Because I spent so much time with her I had a decent idea of what the answers were but I…
Executors Guide to a Stress Free Administration
A couple of years ago I got a phone call while I was on vacation from the grandson of a family friend. He had bad news… his grandmother … and my friend… had passed away. I suddenly realized why he…
Guilt After Someone Dies: The What Ifs
My fourteen year old daughter’s friend died. Fourteen year old kids are not supposed to die and when they do, it is hard to wrap your head around it.
Government contracting: What is a Direct Labor Rate?
The direct labor rate is the cost of the labor of your employee per hour. It’s the cost of paying the employee and does not include the Overhead and General & Administrative costs of running your business. The cost is…
5 Tips For when your parent starts dating after their spouse dies
My Dad started dating pretty quickly after my Mom died. It shocked some. It shocked me. Didn’t he love Mom? How could he betray her that way?
I Should Have Worn the Bikini
I sit at my high school alma mater athletic fields and share some stories about myself during the awkwardness of middle school and high school.
Haunted By A Book Idea? Hiring a ghostwriter can bring it to life
I have a bunch of book ideas and not enough time or talent to get them to paper. I have pondered hiring a ghostwriter but needed to know more so I interviewed Courtney Kelly, an experienced ghostwriter. We went through…
Growing Food in Small Spaces: Patios, Yards & Containers
There is nothing like growing and eating the food your grow yourself and Woody DeLauder shared how to grow food whether you live on a farm, a suburban lot or a just have a city patio.
Thriving In An Unsettled Business Environment
I know many of us are scared and worried about the current business environment. And it’s true — these are more tumultuous times than usual. But from adversity comes innovation and challenges can shake up our normal routines so we are…
Happy & Healthy WITHOUT Giving up Favorite Food and Drinks
I’ve been struggling with how TO make eating well a long-term lifestyle. I feel great when I’m eating more vegetables, less carbs and exercising but it is hard to keep it going week after week so I reached out to…
What Do You Say to Someone Grieving?
Whether someone has lost a parent, a child, or a friend, we want to console and bring comfort but its hard to know what to say. I think every situation is different and what works for one person may not work…
Finding the Hero in Dying
There are many moments in my life that defined and changed me. The death and dying process of my Mom ranks high. My Mom died in 2012 after 3 1/2 years of having pancreatic cancer. We congratulate people fighting cancer…
Developing Rates for Government Contracts, Part 2
For this post, we will delve into what makes up the “pools”, how they are approved by the government and how you use the pools to develop the price per hour you can charge to the government.
Developing Rates for Government Contracts, Part 1
This post give you the basics on how to create an indirect rate structure so you can bid on government contracts.
Ten Things to Banish the Winter Blues
During my Tuesday Sunrise videos, I shared I was feeling the winter blues. There wasn’t anything really “wrong” but I just felt blah and unmotivated. I asked for ideas to help shake the blues and got some good ones! Following…
Two Steps to Move from Struggle to Strength
Brianna Bowling interviews Megan R. Fenyoe, LCSW and best-selling author of You Are Enough. Megan gives us concrete steps to transform negative self-talk into positive self-empowerment because YOU ARE ENOUGH!
Key Things Parents Can Do to Help a Pre-Teen Reach Full Potential
Brianna Bowling interviews Dr. Ali Lankerani, Clinical Neuroscientist and creator of the Amazing Parents Network. He guides us through three key things parents can do to help their pre-teens reach their full potential.
Benefits vs Features to answer “So What?”
Bottom line is that your client wants to know that your solution is going to benefit them and benefit them better than anyone else.
The Most Important Element of Success in Business… and its not Talent or Expertise
Action will get you further than talent or expertise and even hard work.
How Do I Create Goals to Meet MY needs and Not Everyone Else?
Ever feel like you live your life to please your parents, spouse, friends or society? Brianna Bowling interviews Kelly Travis, creator of the She Doesn’t Settle podcast and a health and success coach, as she leads us through steps to…
Recreational Oystering
Learn a little about recreational oystering – how it is done and the hard work required as well as the things done to make sure there are oysters for the future.
Electoral College: Does My Vote Matter?
Michael Maibach (Founder of Center For the Electoral College) recently explained to me the history of the Electoral College and how it works and if our vote really matters when using an electoral college system.
Core Values of Management – Discipline, Affirmation and Tools
Over the years of owning and managing my companies, I’ve narrowed the core values of management down to three main concepts. Discipline, Affirmation and Tools.
Angel Investing: What is it and Is it for Me?
Greg Cangialosi from the Baltimore Angels teaches us in this interview about angel investing, who makes a good angel investor and what types of companies make a good angel investment.
Rejection – The Kick in the Butt We All Need:
When I was in fifth grade, our class got to try out for the school chorus. All but three kids were selected. Yup. The three not chosen were myself and two boys who didn’t want to be in it anyway.…
Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters In the End
Each of us will eventually face the dilemma of quality versus quantity of life — certainly for ourselves, but most likely also for a loved one. Read the book, Being Mortal, now. Before you are in the crisis.
ASHES TO ART: Finding Joy and Purpose in Adversity
In 2012, Lori Joseph was driving back to her home in Nebraska from Colorado with the devastation of wildfires in her rear view mirror. This blog and video share how she helps people find joy and purpose in life.
Upcoming Suicide Prevention Learning Series
Upcoming Suicide Prevention Learning Series… please share with those that may want to participate as either survivors, family or professionals.
Making the Most of a Modified College Social Life During a Pandemic
As a parent of a college-age student, I want to know how they connect with fellow students and get involved safely. Join our panel from UMW, Goucher and UMBC to get some tips and help.
Five Point Plan for a Child’s Success from a Mother of Five
Danielle Davis raised five children to successful adulthood and shares her 5 point plan to help you kid’s have their own success.
My Favorite Things…
Since I sold my business in 2018, my business life has drastically changed including that I am nearly always working from my home office and so this post is to share some of the things that make my office work…
Sex Over 40: Why Is It Different and How Can I Make It Better?
Sex doesn’t have to be boring or hurt or stop just because you are over 40. Raylene answers all our questions … about lube, libido and just how the clitoris works.
What is Palliative Care and When Is It Appropriate?
Recently speaking with a friend whose mother was sick, I suggested she should look into palliative care. The response was a look of shock and surprise. “She’s not dying.”
STRATEGIC STORYTELLING FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING
What are the best methods to onboard new staff members during and after COVID-19? This post discusses job description development, virtual tours, and emotions your employees may be feeling and how to help them.
Core Values of Management – Discipline, Affirmation and Tools
Over the years of owning and managing companies, I’ve narrowed the core values of management down to three main concepts. These core values apply whether I am managing an individual, a team, a project or my entire company. They are…
Integrating New Staff Members: Hiring, On-Boarding, and Inclusion
What are the best methods to onboard new staff members during and after COVID-19? This post discusses job description development, virtual tours, and emotions your employees may be feeling and how to help them.
How To Use Writing to Work Through Grief
Grief comes for many reasons… the loss of a child, a parent, or friend. It also comes from the loss of what “could have been” – the marriage that didn’t last due to divorce, a health issue that keeps you…
Scientific Research: careers, education and what researchers actually do day to day
Forrest Bowling answers our questions about his education path as a doctoral candidate in Biochemistry and what exactly a scientific researcher does.
Background, lighting, Audio, and Camera Placement for Online video
Learn about background, lighting, and camera placement for online videos and interviews.
What Mother’s Really Want For Mother’s Day… and Every Day
I bet there is some young father right now scrambling to figure out what to get his wife for Mother’s Day. Because of COVID-19, restaurants are closed, most stores are closed for shopping, and you can’t travel. But I have…
You Can’t Change how people act, but you can change how you react
This morning I was out by the river at South Hatton and I was thinking of a story I read before bed (if you want to read it you can find it in this book – Being Ok Just Isn’t…
Suddenly Homeschooling? Tips Tricks and Sanity During Remote Learning
Benita Wicks gives us some tips to help us survive and even thrive while our kids are learning at home in this video filmed live. Benita has a BS in Early Childhood/Elementary Education and is certified K-6 and middle school…
Yoga: More than a Pose
Satyam shares how yoga and proper breathing can calm the mind and relieve stress. Satyam is the founding director of Renaissance Yoga and is also an instructor at our all-day retreat in September. #yoga#retreatandlearn#calmthemind
Block Therapy To strengthen your Diaphragm, increase Oxygen Level, and Support Immune System
Rachael Aberle teaches us how block therapy can release & strengthen your diaphragm to clean your lungs, increase blood oxygen level, and support your immune system. In a time where we are all feeling a lot of anxiety and stress,…
Clarity During the COVID-19 Crisis
Feeling overwhelmed by the noise of COVID-19 and looking for some clarity in finding the next steps as we enter a new normal? Dr. Gwen Schiada introduces us to her 7L Framework to help. (Shhh… we also have a little…
Three essential oils to help anxiety and stress
Join Holly Dunbar, owner of New Moon Bodywork & Botanicals, in this Facebook Live video where she shares three essential oils that can help relieve anxiety and stress. Most importunately, she gives us helpful tips on how to use them…
Retreat & Learn 