Click here to listen to the podcast.

In today's business podcast, we will talk with Boomer Expert, Beverly Mahone, about the needs of Boomer Women and the opportunities that affords entrepreneurs for new business ideas.

Beverly's main career was as a television specialty areas for Women Boomers extends through three major topics:

1. The body changes a women experiences during midlife and menopause.
   
   
   
2. Dealing with younger, less experienced women being promoted above you in your career, and
3. The Christian side of the Boomer journey.

Bev focuses on sharing with women the subjects that their others never told them about middle age and growing older.

She shares some of the top things that Boomer Women are willing to pay for:

1. Herbal supplements that help with menopause.
2. Cosmetics and things that help you look better.
   
3. Clothing that helps women look nice (and not like they're wearing a tent dress)
4. Spas
5. Internet Networking for women who are transitioning after corporate careers.
   

Beverly Mahone is a motivational speaker with more than 25 years of experience in the broadcast medias of television and radio.

She draws from professional, spiritual and life experiences to encourage individuals to strive for professional and personal excellence. Beverly Mahone is available to speak to your group.

Check out Whatever! A Baby Boomer's Journey Into Middle Age
Whatever! is an inspirational and humorous look at growing older through the eyes of a self-proclaimed diva and baby boomer. Topics include weight gain and menopause, middle age dating, raising teenagers, etc....

Also check out the 40+ Seminars at the online International Podcasting Expo, October 20-22, 2006.

We are also giving away

1. Pamela Pro, the $25 program that works with Skype.
   
2. Also a $20 Podcasting Handbook multimedia ebook,
   
3. Free recording, editing and mixing programs,
4. More freebies.

I hope to meet you there!

Penny Haynes, 1st Podcast Publishing and Digital Business Books

Click here to listen to the podcast.

This is Lori Arriaga with this weeks edition of Words for the Week Christian Podcast brought to you by Encouraging Audiobooks.

I publicly want to thank Penny for being so very patient and gracious with me while teaching me how to get things done and putting up with my rather disappointing “hiccup” last week.

While we are still meeting on Fridays for the Christian Women’s Gathering and everyone is still welcome to join us in the audio conference room, we won’t be recording them to post up on Words for the Week any more. I will instead be sharing with you short devotional thoughts God has put on my heart each week.

This weeks message is on confidence. I believe it is a timely message I myself need to address because of how my lack of confidence has surfaced lately.

This past week God sent encouragement to me on the very subject first from my sister who sent me a book by Joyce Meyer called “The Confident Woman” and then the very next day I received a CD from singer and songwriter with a song titled “I’m walking in God’s total confidence”

It has been something I struggle with, not so much in my spiritual walk with the Lord or encouraging others spiritually but more so when it comes to the business aspect of my website ministry. I tend to get intimidated easily by those who are known as experts in their field and those who seem to have it all together. I put very high expectation on myself and find it hard to see myself as knowing much because I know just how much more I still need to learn or how much I need to improve.

I believe we all struggle with not having confidence in one area or another making this a message we all can relate to. This past week I started reading The Confident Woman by Joyce Meyer and will share a few things that really helped me in regards to my lack of confidence.

First, I realized my lack of confidence was due to concentrating too much on my weaknesses lately rather then my strengths. Confident people concentrate on their strengths while delegating those things that are their weaknesses.

Next, I learned that even while I feel like I’m in over my head sometimes while trying new things or taking a risk I can still feel confident because I am secure in who God made me.

Last, I realized that when I am not confident in who I am, I am actually rejecting myself and how God has made me. I’ve always thought I accepted myself and who God has made me but I realize now I don’t when I start comparing myself or being envious of others wishing I had the gifts and talents they have.

Our confidence in who God has made us to be is what gives us permission to be different and unique and to keep getting up and moving forward even after we fail.

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. - Jeremiah 17:7

Before we end with a song I invite you to attend our upcoming online Virtuous Women’s Retreat October 24^th-25th where you will receive lots of inspiration, fellowship and fun. Visit the website at: www.christianwomensresources.com for more information. Have a wonderful week full of God’s blessings.

Listen to “I’m walking in God’s total confidence” by Jacquelene Dyles Peters.

This is Lori Arriaga signing off now of this edition of Words for the Week, sponsored by Encouraging Audio Books.

Click here to watch the video!

In today's comedy clip podcast, I am sharing a homegrown version of one of those emails that was sent to me with tons of moving pictures and funny titles.

Since I can never capture those images on a document, I decided to create a funny video version of it, with music. I hope you will like my little creation! Thanks to Kim Bloomer of AspenbloomPetCare and AnimalTalkNaturally for sending it my way. She always has funny stuff!

If you get a funny email that we can pass around, send it to me at customerservice@encouragingaudiobooks.com.

I will create a short video from it with my name on it and YOUR company name on it! You can send it out to your friends, and I'll release it on Comedy Clip of the Week! Great viral marketing.

Again remember the online International Podcasting Expo, October 20-22, 2006.

Over 40+ hours of podcasting seminars, workshops and networking events on your computer - all you need is an internet connection, and if you're reading that, we know you already have that! Plus, you get

• the 40+ recordings of all of the events,
  
• the Podcasting Handbook Multi-Media Ebook (a $20 value)
  
• Pamela Pro for Skype (a $25 value)
• Free Audio Recording, Editing and Mixing programs
• and other giveaways,
  
• all for only $25.

Looking forward to talking with you online at the Expo!

Penny Haynes, 1st Podcast Publishing & Encouraging Audiobooks.

Click here to listen to the podcast.

Since we've had a hiccup in this week's Christian Podcast audio recording, I'm putting up a special recording of scriptures mixed with music to help encourage you.

Please share it with whoever you think can be encouraged. There is no advertising, no promoting - it doesn't even say who created it. It's my way of sowing into the lives of those who are hurting, as I and many others have hurt before.

Be blessed and have a great week!

Penny Haynes

I think you will agree that we have a fabulous line-up of podcasters and podcasting seminar topics for the International Podcasting Expo, October 20-22, 2006, and I don't even think we've finished adding to the podcasting seminar schedule!

• 1.GRAND MARSHALL: Elisabeth Lewin, owner of PodcastingNews.com, and Podcaster for the La Leche League
• 2.KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Andy Wibbels, author of BlogWild!
• 3.KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Matt Mullenweg, creator of WordPress
• 4.Eric Olson, FeedBurner - Using Feedburner
• 5.Andrew Schlichting, PRWeb Podcast - Using Press Releases to Market Your Podcast
• 6.Penny Haynes, Organizer of the International Podcasting Expo - Introduction to Podcasting
• 7.Penny Haynes, Organizer of the International Podcasting Expo - Podcasting to Increase Search Engine Rankings
• 8.Jason Van Orden, author of Promoting Your Podcast - Guerrilla Podcast Marketing
• 9.Michael Baumgarten (My Baby Monster) and Andy Bowers (The Sugar Monster, also Podcaster for Slate and NPR) - Podcasting with Children and other Monsters: A Lesson in Playful Learning
• 10.Dick Schiferli, Pamela (Creator of the Skype-related program Pamela)
• 11.Carter Harkins, innerTOOB.com (Creator of interactive podcasting service) - "Interactive/Conversational Podcasting: Inviting You Audience to Participate"
• 12.Mike Cecotka - Why VideoPodcasting?
• 13.Anthony Caporale, Executive Producer of the video podcast, "Art of the Drink" - Introduction to VideoCasting
• 14.Anthony Caporale, Executive Producer of the video podcast, "Art of the Drink" - Advanced VideoCasting
• 15.George Smyth, President of the Association of Music Podcasting - What music can I use in my podcast and where can I find it?
• 16.Leila Thigpen, Professional Vocal Coach - Vocal Techniques for Podcasters
• 17.Dr. Kathy King and Peter Yanke, partners in iLearnRadio.org and CoolCastRadio - "Internet Radio Stations? What's the Difference? What's the Benefit for Podcasting? Possible Ways to Build your Audience"
• 18.Michael Sharp, PhoneCasting.com - PhoneCasting - The future of podcasting
• 19.Deborah Micek, Advanced Business Blogging, Author of Secrets of Online Persuasion - Secrets of Podcasting Persuasion
• 20.Dave Nelson, creator of TalkShoe.com - A New Way To Record Podcasts
• 21.Budd Poston, Podcaster (Hawaii Local Style) - Defining Your Target Market workshop
• 22.Jim Gray, Quikonnex - Explaining RSS Feeds
• 23.Peter Davis, ClickCaster - Podcast User and Market Trends
• 24.John Havens, About.com Guide to Podcasting - The Real ROI for Podcasting: B2B & B2C business applications every company should employ
• 25.Jay Kelly, Oak Grove Media - Acquiring VC Funding or Angel Money for your Podcasting Company or Project
• 26.Bill Grady, Host of "You Are The Guest" - Conducting and Recording Interviews: Researching and Writing Questions So You Can Interview Anyone In the World on Any Topic
• 27.Rich Roszel, Podcaster for Crown Financial Ministries Advanced Podcasting Gear
• 28.Sujatha Jagannathan, owner of Podbazaar, the Indian Podcast Directory -
• 29.Jack Gu, owner of Podlook, the Chinese Podcast Directory -
• 30.Karin Hoegh, Journalist and owner of the Danish resource site PodBlog.dk Syndication: How to Publish Your Podcast on a Webpage
• 31.Bertrand Lenotre, owner of Podemus, the French Podcasting Directory - Quel futur pour le podcasting en France et en Europe? (in French)
• 32.Loic le Meur, the most famous French Blogger and Podcaster - What about European podcasting? (in English)
• 33.Boaz Ordan, Israeli Podcaster for Tcast - Podcasting out of the U.S - tips & Tricks....
• 34.Nicole Simon, Bloxpert.com
• 35.Brit Malka & Cyril Malka (Host of French Podcast, Psychocasting)
• 36.Jill Hart, Christian Work At Home Mom Talk Radio Creating Niche Market Talk Radio Shows
• 37.Dan Kuykendall, Podpress - How to use PodPress
• 38.David Chmura, ProfCast - Educational Podcasting
• 39.Leesa Barnes, Caprica Plan a Killer Podcast
• 40.Frank Thoennes & Jerry Gorman, PodshowCreator.com
• 41.Douglas Snodgrass, WilFlipson Show Advanced Wavepad Editing
• 42.Chuck Russell, Church of the Resurrection - Beyond the Sermon: Podcasting Ideas For Churches (Round Table Discussion)
• 43.Dave Jackson, School of Podcasting - Explaining Different Audio Formats

---

Penny Haynes, 1st Podcast Publishing

Click here to listen to today's podcast

In today's business podcast, we will talk with Julie Kryk of Shoulder Candy, an innovative Canadian business that rents out designer handbags.

This is a very gratifying interview, since Julie's company exemplifies several previous Brain Storm! Business Podcasts. She not only pursued her passion for purses, but she also found a niche that no one else in Canada was covering and cornered that market.

Julie recognized the difference in the Canadian markets and the US Markets.

She also realized that more people live outside urban areas, and don't have a Louis Vuitton store nearby. Shipping was a logical way to conduct business. So far, the handbags are steadily being rented.

Her idea was so innovative that media coverage pushed her out into the foreground, bringing free publicity.

She has been featured on Citv TV Toronto, CTV Canada AM "Consumer Reports with Pat Foran", The Toronto Sun, The Chronicle Herald, A-Channel, Canada.com, Canoe.com, The Winnipeg Sun, The Ottawa Sun, The Windsor Star, CBC Radio, Vancouver 24 Hours, Luxist.com, CKLW Radio, The Edmonton Sun, The Vancouver Province. Add to that word-of-mouth referrals, and that creates a very popular business.

One man's shipping nightmare is another man's dream business.

Julie realized that, although there were companies doing something similar in Europe and the USA, no one was shipping to Canada, thanks to Duties and Customs, etc. The name, "Shoulder Candy", just came to her while she was brainstorming. She grabbed the domain name, registered the business and started renting out multi-thousand dollar bags.

Rent your choice of 80 handbags, including Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Chloe

The premise is simple: visit the site, http://www.ShoulderCandy.com, choose the designer handbag of your choice, and that purse is shipped to your door. Rentals are billed weekly, and round trip shipping is included in the rental fee of the handbag. Borrow the handbag for a little as one week or as long as you like. No membership fees, late fees, shipping charges or time limits.

Shoulder Candy is a woman's dream, and a man's escape route!

For special occasions, or possibly just as a treat, women who appreciate fasion designer handbags, this is a dream come true. But for the man who never knows what to get the love of his life, and dreads gift buying, this is also a dream come true. Get her a gift certificate and let her pick the purse of her dreams. She'll love you forever!

Julie is also a singer-songwriter who has been performing since her teens.

She has graciously allowed us to share one of her songs on the podcast, so take advantage of this business woman's musical talent as well. Julie now has video of her performance with U2 on VH1 / MuchMoreMusic. Click here to view it.

Check out our 40+ speakers and topics on marketing via podcasting and blogging!

We are very privileged to have Elisabeth Lewin, the owner of PodcastingNews.com, as our Grand Marshall and Keynote Speaker at the International Podcasting Expo. Matt Mullenweg, creator of the world reknowned WordPress blogging software, is also a Keynote Speaker, as well as Andy Wibbels, the original blogging evangelist and author of BlogWild!

Unlimited access tickets are still only $20 until the end of September, and then are $25 in October.

This includes download recordings of every session, which turns out to be about $.50 per session! So come and join us and learn how you can market and brand your business with podcasting and blogging. I hope to meet with you there.

Penny Haynes, 1st Podcast Publishing and Digital Business Books

Click here to listen to today's podcast

In today's business podcast, we will look at another niche market business that is using free seminars with top-rated speakers to meet the needs of moms who are also business owners.

Vicky McMahon of BizMomSolutions shares how the idea for this 12-week series of business and personal teleseminars came to be. As a life coach and also a mom, she realized that her weakness came in the form of problems with time management. She wondered where she could get help with the areas that hindered her business, as well as her family life.

So Vicky decided to put together Experts in life strategies, time management, business strategies and more.

Her goal was to make these seminars easily accessible to mothers who also needed to balance their responsibilities for their husband and children. Once a week would provide a constant stream of mentoring and education that could move each woman that much closer to her business and family goals.

To find out more about the seminars, speakers and schedules, go to http://www.BizMomSolutions.com.

Click here to listen to the podcast.

This is Penny Haynes and Lori Arriaga with this weeks Words for the Week, a Christian podcast. Bringing you our Christian Women’s Gathering, a place where women can come together in fellowship and be transparent with one another, sharing our trials and victories, sharing the Word and lifting each other up in prayer in order to give hope and encouragement to one another. There is something so wonderful about hearing how God is working in another person’s life and knowing that we are not alone in our struggles, giving us the strength we sometimes need to go on and become the virtuous women God has called us to be.

Today I talked about the need for more worship in my life with music which was inspired by our last gathering when Penny forwarded her ministry music to me she used to do.

Although I consider my prayer life to be a form of worship in my life, I feel a need to have some worship in my life that isn’t so controlled as it is in prayer where I lay out my requests to God for what I desire. With music you are more apt to let go and allow God and the Holy Spirit to move in your heart however he wishes.

Penny agreed saying worship with music is a time where we can forget about ourselves. She was reminded of when she attended Max Lucado’s church where he said something she would never forget. That worship is an act of recalibrating our spirits. Most of the time, we are in the center of our world and we are on the throne. Worship takes us off the throne and puts God back on the throne, the way it should be with God in the center.

I believe God put it on my heart because of my reserved nature. I worry about what I sound and look like around others when it comes to worship with music. Not allowing God to be the one on the throne even though I feel like everything inside of me wants to let go.

Unlike me, worship comes very easy and natural for Penny. She reminded me how worship is not really music or singing but is an act of service or giving yourself up to God acknowledging His power and presence. I agreed in what she was saying and believe many things I do is an act of worship but I really would love to be able to worship God through music and song. There is just something different about that form of worship.

Penny stated the emotional factor associated with music tends to release our emotions and is more socially acceptable but If your not used to expressing yourself through your emotions with moving around, raising your hands or dancing, or you attend a more reserved congregation, then those kinds of external pressures will indeed squash the leadings of the holy spirit and your body and soul moving to the music.

She suggested the best thing for me to do to put on some praise and worship music is when there is nobody else around and to just let myself go in the presence of the Lord. Then once I get comfortable with myself, it will become easier to be comfortable around others in praise and worship.

Worship also has nothing to do with talent and not even the music because you can have absolutely no musical talent and still be worshiping God with every fiber of your being.

There is two ways to worship, with familiar and with unfamiliar music.

Worshiping to familiar music allows you to not focus on the words but to just enter into Gods presence of God to release your spirit and communicate to God.

Unfamiliar original music is also very good to listen to. Sometimes the words to a new song can catch you off guard where it will grasp your heart and break down your barriers in such a way that sometimes you could just drop to your knees right then and there. This can make a great impression on your heart and be a catalyst in your life for change.

This week Penny needed to rest while because she was sick but felt a great sense of peace that she hadn’t felt for a while when it came to her business. Even though she had much work to do and would miss out on a paycheck from not working she felt at peace. Normally this would have freaked her out but she totally believes she is in the center of Gods will and that what she is doing in her business is making enough money to cover things. God showed Penny she can stop and relax when needed.

The Fall always is the best time of year for her because it brings back great memories of when her and her husband co-pastored the singles together which also helped to heal her broken spirit.

Another thing God did for Penny this past week was give her a resolve about the direction to go with her business which she felt great anguish about before. She was given a resolve with who she is trying to reach and what it is she is trying to do. No longer feeling the need to do things she doesn’t have the desire to do even if others expect it of her or think less of her in her industry.

Her counselor confirmed what she has been feeling when he shared how people used to tell him “why don’t you write books or do speaking engagements”. He basically said the real joy for him was in helping his patients, not in getting recognition from his colleagues. It was a huge thing for Penny to be able to let go of other peoples expectations of her and let her be about what God has called her to be and about her business.

God has since blessed Penny even more on a project she is doing pre-sales on and has received fabulous responses and connected with another woman who may have opened a huge door for her business. We then discussed how this peace she has felt this past week didn’t come without intense anguish first. But at this moment she is very content with her life, although things aren’t perfect. She can rest in the sure knowledge that God is leading and in control. It makes up for all the garbage you have to go through sometimes.

The Fall on the other hand for me, causes me to struggle in many ways. I like the Fall in one sense of getting on a schedule for the school year but the colder, darker and shorter days makes it harder for me to get moving in the mornings and evenings in order to accomplish anything.

The lack of sunshine and our environment can and does affect people to the point of even getting very depressed. There are certain vitamins we receive from the sun and when we don’t get as much sunshine we lack these vitamins, causing us to not function as well during this time of the year. Christians don’t always feel great and aren’t always “happy-clappy” as Penny put it. The difference is that Christians have a lot more help from the outside and inside.

A scripture that encouraged me this past week was John 14:12-13 – I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father, and I will do whatever you ask in my name so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.

In the old testament and when Jesus walked this earth, his spirit was with us but once He went to be with the Father, His spirit now lives in us, giving us great power to do even greater things then he did when done in his power, according to his word and in his name because there are so many more vessels he can work through.

God wants us to do and experience great things in our lives but even after a mountain top experience where we have done something we feel good about and worked within our gifts, we still can have down times just as Elijah did right after God rained down fire for him on the prophets of Baal. It is something we need to continually work towards is finding that place of trust and peace in God in all areas of our lives. Just because we have it in one area it isn’t necessarily going to reflect in other areas of our lives.

It is also very encouraging to know that we are not alone and we are all a part of something so much bigger then ourselves. We all have different gifts to enjoy and appreciate. Which is all part of the bigger plan we are a part of.

It’s always encouraging to remember we are not alone in our struggles and we hope that our Christian Women’s Gathering is an encouraging place where women can come together and help one another by sharing our struggles and our victories with another, giving a Word from the Lord and lifting each other up in prayer.

Before ending in prayer, Penny requested we pray a specific prayer for her family and a friend of her son. Last year her son mentioned a friend of his who is alienated from his family and classmates in school had said he became a Wicken. He dismissed it thinking it was just a way for him to try to connect with others.

This year he started wearing black and drawing all over his arms. When he came over to their house Penny’s husband mentioned to the friend that the pentagram on his arm was Satanic but the boy said no it’s Wicken and people get that confused. Her husband was pretty agitated and went into his room. He turned on the TV and there was a special on Discovery about death metal music, Wickens and pentagrams.

Penny thought that was strange enough but what she and her son were not aware of until later was what her husband encountered during the day. They have rental houses and the previous two boys who rented the place trashed the place. When her husband was showing the place to a woman interested in the grounds, the woman said the previous renters were Wicken because she found a stone with a pentagram painted on it and they found knives were thrown at the walls and property. Before they left they prayed over the property.

So when he came home and saw his son’s friends arm with a pentagram on it and then turned on the TV with the TV special about Wickens and pentagrams, he became even more agitated. Penny and her family are taking it very seriously now and believe that God is really very concerned for this boy and not to dismiss it. She requests that prayers be lifted up for guidance on how to handle this and reach this friend of their son without lecturing him.

We invite anyone who is interested in joining our Christian women’s gathering to go to the audio conference room held each Friday’s at 9:00 am CST / 10:00 am EST. We look forward to meeting you and encouraging one another in the Lord.

This is Penny Haynes and Lori Arriaga wishing you a wonderful week full of God’s blessings.

Sponsored by Encouraging Audio Books and Christian Women’s Resources.

Click here to listen to today's podcast

Welcome to another edition of the Comedy Clip of the Week Podcast!

We hope you have been enjoying these comedy clips. Last week's funny video from Comedy Central resulted in some surprised responses on the website. Hehehehehehe. Yeah, the surprise is what definitely caused the humor!

This week, Melvin George II of NotCool1.com is back, and talking about powerful women...

Is it Martha Stewart? Oprah? Condoleeza Rice? You'll have to listen to find out!

Another reminder about the upcoming Online International Podcasting Expo, October 20-22, 2006.

We have world reknown leaders in their industries working with us, including Elisabeth Lewin of PodcastingNews.com, Matt Mullenweg of WordPress and Andy Wibbels of BlogWild! Tickets are only $20 for 40+ seminars, workshops and networking events (about $.50 per event!) during September. Prices go up to $25 in October, so get your ticket now! Admission to the seminars includes download access to all of the event recordings as well!

Penny Haynes, 1st Podcast Publishing & Encouraging Audiobooks

Click here to listen to the podcast.

In today's business podcast, we will brainstorm about animal business with Animal Nutrition Expert, Kim Bloomer, of Aspenbloom Pet Care and Animal Talk Naturally.

We have spoken about many different niche target markets in previous Brain Storm! Business Podcasts, but never the animal niche market. Kim Bloomer is an authority on animals, dogs in particular, is currently studying for a Bachelor of Science in Holistic Nutrition & Doctor of Naturopathy, and is the only person she is aware of that provides consultations on animal nutrition. She is also the Organizer for the online Virtual Dog Expo coming up September 22-24, 2006.

Kim has a "bird's eye" view of the animal business market, because she works with doctors, trainers, retailers and every other type of animal entrepreneur.

With that in mind, we talk about the different types of products and services that presently exist, and some surprising innovations that have come on the scene. I even came up with my own idea...although after further research, it may or may not be that great. <smile> But you all must know that THAT never stopped me from trying again!

People with pets, especially people without children, tend to treat their pets AS children.

As such, people are willing to spend a lot of money to take care of their animal "child", from special food and supplements, special medical care, and products designed to protect and preserve. This is a huge market, and if we think about our recent studies on Baby Boomers and their effect on the economy because of their longevity, if Boomers have pets, there's money to be found in serving their needs.

So brainstorm along with us in this business podcast as we discuss the possibilities, as well as the present opportunities.

If you have a dog, I encourage you to check out the online Virtual Dog Expo. Tickets are only $12.95, and you will have access to over 20 seminars on all sorts of dog subjects. If you go, look for me - I may just pop in on behalf of our new puppy, Champ. (You can watch a video about him at http://www.PennyHaynes.com, below my bio - look for NEW ADDITION TO THE FAMILY! <SMILE>)

Penny Haynes, 1st Podcast Publishing & International Podcasting Expo, October 20-22, 2006.

Click here to listen to the podcast.

Penny Haynes and Lori Arriaga share with you in this weeks Words for the Week, the Christian Podcast what we call our Christian Women’s Gathering where we can be transparent with one another by sharing our struggles and our victories in order to encourage, share a word from the Lord and pray for one another and to inspire us to be the virtuous women God calls us to be.

We talked last week about how God impressed on my heart to be more intense and persevering in my prayers which weighed heavily on my heart especially when it came to my husband with the loss of his brother. This week I was more diligent and persevering in my prayers and even though this was a very busy week being the first week of home schooling, He lightened my spirit. It’s amazing how praying to God helps us to rely on Him and when we do He lightens up our spirit within us. Since He lightened up my spirit, I was then able to pray believing that He will answer my prayers on behalf of my husband and others. God is so good, He has already begun to answer my prayers and work in my husband’s heart to lighten up his spirit also in regards to his brother’s death.

Penny on the other hand struggles more in believing the prayers for herself will be answered because of an incorrect view of God which she shared in last weeks Words for the Week. She was inspired to find a Word from the scriptures to help her change her view of God and He gave her a couple scriptures of His character that she has placed on her computer and PDA as reminders of his love for her.. One of the scriptures that provided her comfort was Isaiah 49:15 NIV - “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.”

I shared one of my favorite scriptures that also reflects Gods nature and has always helped me through the trials in my life since becoming a Christian. It is Psalm 62:5-8 - “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”

After hearing the scripture I shared, Penny began to wonder if somehow the Lord is trying to tell her to get back into music and ministry because she had put that exact scripture to music some ten years ago and then a pastor had also reminded her of her music ministry some ten years ago and how she did it not for the title or recognition but because she loved to do it and has gotten away from it since leaving the church where she was hurt by those in authority. Penny has asked that I go ahead and add the Psalm she put to music and if anyone is interested in being encouraged by her music, she will post a link where she has saved around 90 minutes of music and ministry.

Along with God working on my heart about being more diligent and persevering in my prayers, He has also helped me to make it more of a lifestyle rather then sitting down for an extended period of time to pray, although that is good also. Since I struggle with keeping my mind focused while praying, it helps for me to send up prayers all day long while in the midst of my day. Another thing that has really helped my prayer life and which I love to do is pray the scriptures because it gives me confidence my prayers will be answered since I know I am praying for the will of God in my life. I would also meditate on scriptures and some for months at a time in order to change my views on things and see things as God does. Not until God changed my view would I begin to meditate on another scripture. As I meditated on the scriptures, it then made it much easier for me to memorize them, which helped me to plant the Word of God in my heart.

Penny would like to get back to memorizing scripture herself and feeding her spirit man in order to replace all the bad tapes playing in her mind. She was encouraged at what I was saying because it reminded her that when she feels at a loss, all she needs to do is find a scripture that deals with the subject that she is struggling with or thinking about and pray and meditate on that so she doesn’t have to force or fake feelings or emotions. Being more assured and confident of His listening since she is praying His Word. She asked for some accountability which we all need it at times in order to help her get back to feeding her spiritual man like she used to. One good thing in her spiritual walk is that God has given her a song for the first time in a long time and is thinking this might be the beginning of her healing.

I have agreed to send her a word for the week from the scriptures that will help her get a correct view of who God is and how much he cares for and loves her. She hopes that by taking these baby steps she will begin to focus on just one scripture at a time to meditate on the whole week so the Lord can minister to her through the Word of God.

We ended in prayer and I added Penny’s beautiful music she did some ten years ago based on Psalm 62 about God being our refuge.

Again, if anyone is interested in joining us, we’d love to have you and so we invite you to go to www.audioconferenceroom.com every Friday at 9:00 am CST /10:00 am EST to give and receive encouragement to one another as women.

This is Lori Arriaga and Penny Haynes with this weeks Words for the Week wishing you a wonderful week full of God’s blessings.

Sponsored by Christian Women’s Resources and Encouraging Audio Books.

In today's comedy podcast, we will see a video from Comedy Central about a cure for ADHD.

I thought it was hysterical, as did the person who sent it to me. I attempted to contact Comedy Central to make sure that it was ok that I share this, but since it is very clearly a Comedy Central video, and I am giving Comedy Central all of the credit, and NO ONE at Comedy Central even dignified my contact attempt with a response, I'm sharing it here.

And if they don't like it, they can blame the person who sent it to me. hehehehehe (I'll narc on her in a second! <smile>)

So enjoy this great video, and share it as you please. Just tell them that Encouraging Audiobooks and 1st Podcast Publishing sent you!

And remember the International Podcasting Expo, an online event happening October 20-22, 2006. If you have wanted to know more about this podcasting phenomenon, this is your chance to learn a lot for very little. I hope to hear you there!

Penny Haynes

Click here to listen to the podcast.

In today's business podcast, we will discuss brainstorming possibilities that could help rebuild New Orleans after the devestation of Katrina.

I don't claim to be an expert on this subject, nor do I claim to know the answer. However, I do believe, as you will hear in this podcast, that someone has to do SOMETHING, instead of sitting in committees and arguing among councils. And that someone needs to be entrepreneurs and businesses that can revitalize an important part of our country.

After I finished business podcasting about New Orleans, I found a very interesting article about why giving money to third world nations doesn't change their economic status.

I found a strange correlation between what he wrote about these poor countries and what is being written about New Orleans. The argument seems to center around how much money should New Orleans get, and what should be done with it. However, if this article by Rob May on Businesspundit.com is accurate, throwing money into New Orleans won't change its situation.

What New Orleans needs is revitalization via business opportunities.

The problem is, of course, how can you have a business, if you don't have anyone living in the city to become employees or consumers? Its a cart and horse issue; the population can't survive without businesses returning, but businesses can't return until there's a population to run and be served by these businesses.

I think Donald Trump offers a solution...

I mention something that Donald Trump (of "Apprentice" fame) did in his autobiography that has always stuck in my mind. The City of New York had a project it just could never finish. It lingered on and on, until Trump said, "Just give it to me and I'll do it myself."

And he did it - on time, under budget.

Maybe returning New Orleans into an economically thriving center shouldn't be left to the politicians or the government. Maybe it should be left to the brainstorming entrepreneurs and the risk-taking businesses. We discuss many business ideas that could be utilized to revitalize New Orleans and benefit your business at the same time.

I am posting another streaming version of this audio podcasts here in this post, with the ability for you to add your comments and ideas at any point within the audio.

You can post a text, audio or video commentary, and everyone will be able to review it. This is something new from my friends at innerTOOB, partners with us in the International Podcasting Expo, October 20-22, 2006.

The podcasting seminar schedule is filling up, and Elisabeth Lewin of Podcasting News will be our "Grand Marshall", opening up with the 8pm Public Keynote Address. Its open to everyone, so come and join us. Go to http://www.InternationalPodcastingExpo.com to find out more.

Until next week, this is Penny Haynes, of 1st Podcast Publishing and Digital Business Books (DigBizBooks.com).

You can read the article by Rob May here...

[Read More!]

Click here to listen to the podcast.

Penny and I at Words for the Week, the Christian Podcast started the Virtuous Women's Gathering as a way for us to take a break and meet and discuss real issues that we have come across at one time or another in hopes of building a great friendship in the Lord. We also hope to inspire one another to a deeper walk with God by being real and sharing our struggles, victories, a word of encouragement from the scriptures and our experiences, and to pray for one another.

We'd like to share our first meeting with Words for the Week about some real issues we have had in the past and currently some that we still struggle with. We ended with a time to lift each other and our families in prayer and a word of encouragement: Mark 11:24 "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours".

Do you struggle with a wrong view of yourself and have a hard time seeing yourself as God does, as the precious child of God who loves you unconditionally?

Have you been hurt by the church, those in authority and/or another fellow Christian?

Do you struggle with having the discipline to pray and read the Word of God?

Do you struggle with doubt and believing God will answer your prayers?

Do you have a victory story to share with others about a struggle in your roles as a wife, mother, homemaker and work at home mom in order to give hope and encouragement to others?

Do you feel God calling you to more intense, perservering prayer in your life? Is He calling you to intercessory prayer?

Let's gather together in order to give hope and encouragement to one another and let our experiences be used for God's glory.

If any of you listening to Words for the Week can relate to any of the above struggles we shared or if you have other trials or victories to share and would like to give or receive hope and encouragement for your walk with God, and want to pray for one another, we offer you an open ivitation to join us for our Virtuous Women's Gathering that we have each Friday at 10:00 am EST, 9:00 am CST at http://www.AudioConferenceRoom.com.

Until next week, this is Lori Arriaga of Christian Womens Resources and the Virtuous Women's Retreat.

For more inspirational and faith building audios, go to http://www.EncouragingAudiobooks.com.

Click here to listen to the comedy podcast.

In today's comedy podcast, we will share the humor and stylings of the fabulous Melvin George II, of http://www.NotCool1.com.

Today he talks about divorce and marriage, two favorite subjects for comedians. As always, he's keeping it clean, something which I appreciate in a comic.

On a not so funny note, we want to share our condolences to the family of Steve Irwin. There was something so wonderful about his humor and quirky personality. I don't think I know of a single person who disliked Steve. Here's a tribute to Steve Irwin.

Until next week...and remember, you can find more free audio at http://www.EncouragingAudiobooks.com.

Penny Haynes, 1st Podcast Publishing & International Podcasting Expo

The International Podcasting Expo 6-minute Video Tour is now available (in English AND French)!

To view the video without having to wait for it to load, click the innerTOOB button.

This is REALLY cool...like NOTHING you have ever seen before. Thanks to Carter at innerTOOB and his fabulous new creation, I can put posts throughout the video with more information. You just click the glowing bulb and see what I have to say.

Even COOLER though is that YOU can register and put YOUR comments about your International Podcasting Expo experience on there as well - in text, audio and video! I invite those of you who have participated in the Expo to add your comments (and your website or podcast link) to the posts.

For those of you who want to download the .flv (Flash) file, click here

For a little larger version (that takes about 1 minute to load), with a live Table Of Contents that allows you to go directly to a particular part of the video, click here. ***Note: There is a little 15 second looping video that plays while the movie is loading.***

In today's business podcast, Delores Hagan, a coach and author about Boomer Beauty (for the 60+ female) joins us.

We discuss being a Baby Boomer and marketing to Boomers. She starts by discussing the invisibility that older Boomers experience in our culture. Younger people are noticed and waited on, while the Boomers seem to melt into the background.

This reminded me of a quote from actress Gwyneth Paltrow when she was in the movie "Shallow Hal" with Jack Black.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with it, it's a story about a very shallow guy who starts seeing women for who they are in the inside, instead of what they look like on the outside. Gwyneth Paltrow had to wear a huge suit to make her look like she was 300 pounds. She decided to try an experiment and put on the costume and went down to the hotel bar to see what the reaction would be...

Gwyneth Paltrow had the shocking experience of being invisible!

No one even looked at her. It was if she was invisible. Quite a shocker for the young and beautiful, head-turning actress. She said she never knew that there was such an attitude toward fat people before that time.

Baby Boomers seem to deal with this issue as well, and that's where Delores' niche market comes into play.

Sometimes Boomers don't feel good about themselves, and move into the background never to return. Delores shares her background in teaching in modeling, and how she developed this business concept based on the desire that Baby Boomers have to make themselves feel better. We then move into a discussion on the differences in Boomer fashion.

How does Delores reach Boomers? Good question...

That's what she's working on right now. She should probably check out Boomer Cafe, an 8 year old site featuring articles by and for Baby Boomers, and Baby Boomer Headquarters, both high ranking Google sites for Boomers. She should surround herself with Boomer resources and become the "go to" person for Boomers.

Baby Boomer Model Calendar?

Delores stated that my suggestion about creating a calendar of stunning older woman reminded her of the movie Calendar Girls. But I assured her that I didn't think these Boomers taking off their clothes would be a good and profitable thing. <smile>

Listen to the brainstorming ideas we throw around - you may find something that fits YOUR business.

Create fashions for Boomer women. Team up with companies already working on niche marketing for Boomers. How about a Model Search for Boomer Women? So many options - so little time!

As always, just a reminder about the online International Podcasting Expo, October 20-22, 2006.

Andy Wibbels, author of Blogwild! will be one of our Keynote Speakers, so I'm VERY psyched. We have our 6 Minute Video Tour available in English and now in French thanks to Podemus, the French Podcasting Directory. We also have our first commercial in Danish thanks to Karin Hoegh of PodBlog.dk!

Tickets are only $20 for unlimited access to all of the Podcasting Seminars PLUS all of the downloadable recordings from the Expo.

Seats are limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. I hope to meet you all there!

Penny Haynes, 1st Podcast Publishing & DigBizBooks.com

Hi, my name is Lori Arriaga of Christian Women's Resources. I will be hosting Words for the Week for Penny from here on out and hope to bring you lots of inspiration as well. I wanted to start by sharing with you a little bit about myself and what has been the greatest thing I have learned since becoming a Christian.

For more inspirational and faith building audios, go to http://www.EncouragingAudiobooks.com.

In this comedy podcast, Melvin George II explains the misunderstandings about black ice.

Visit Encouraging Audiobooks for more family friendly comedy downloads, and NotCool1.com for more from Melvin George II.

Penny Haynes, 1st Podcast Publishing & International Podcasting Expo, October 20-22, ONLINE!