Devin – wants to become more motivated. He had a very good life plan (and was following it) until he had a stroke at age 22 (August 2005). He had wanted to become an actor but has moved more into writing now because acting takes too much physical movement. He wants to be more motivated.

Lisa Avellino – specializes in nutrition and fitness and is a certified personal trainer who uses a 360 degree approach that encompasses the entire well-being of the client. As a 20 year industry veteran, her mission is to provide a customized, comprehensive program that focuses on healthy eating and positive lifestyle changes to support long-term health.

Richard – is at a cross roads in his life. He wants to be an actor, but has pressure from his family, and himself to instead lead a “normal life.” He is a returning caller.

Dana H. Glazer – The Evolution of Dad is a documentary about what it means to be an involved, contemporary American father. Following the personal journey of filmmaker and dad, Dana H. Glazer, the film explores how fatherhood has evolved over time, what its impact has been on family and society; and lastly, how fatherhood will likely continue to evolve.

It’s not enough to be an expert – you have to shout it from the rooftops. And not just one rooftop. Well, here. We’ll let him tell you.

Read the full article at Fast Company here.

Nick doesn’t just talk a good game, he puts his money where his mouth is. Yesterday, his latest book, Power Principles for Success, hit Amazon and became a best-seller in one day. We were lucky enough to get an advanced copy and it’s worth every penny of the $20 you’ll spend on it.

Nick Nanton (@nicknanton) is a best-selling author that consults for small- and medium-sized businesses on how to build their business through Personality Driven Marketing, Personal Brand Positioning, Guaranteed Media, and Mining Hidden Business Assets. He offers free articles, white papers, and case studies at his Web site. Nick has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Newsweek, FastCompany.com, and many more media outlets.

Edward & Cory – After Edward lost his job in October of 2009 it put a strain on his marriage. Almost a year later things have gotten worse. Edward needs career advice and relationship advice.

Su – has a video blog, a youtube channel and a Production Company. She wants advice on how to make money off of her passion of being in front of the camera.

Holly – is pursuing a career in acting. Despite the little support she has from her family she is moving forward with her dreams. However, she feels like the biggest obstacle in achieving her goals is herself.

Kirsten and Maria Palladino – Equally Wed is the nation’s premier same-sex and gay wedding magazine, providing gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender couples with a modern, elegant and unique guide to gay wedding planning, from ring shopping and proposing to tying the knot and living happily ever after—and everything in between.

I think I read somewhere this is considered one of the worst songs of the 1990s (or possibly all time). But I don’t agree with that, or my name isn’t Don Chumbawamba Kowalewski. I’m sorry, but didn’t Paris Hilton have a CD? Your Honor, I rest my case.

Maybe things aren’t going your way. Maybe your train got knocked off the track a bit and you can’t seem to get back on the rails. Maybe you were “pissin’ the night away” (which is how Brits or the Irish say ‘drinking’, I think). Or maybe you were “knocked down.” So “get up again”. Because, will anyone “keep you down?”

It’s nearly August. How are you doing with those New Year Resolutions? No, I’m not talking about crafting a list for 2011. I’m talking about 2010 and revisiting all the things you said you’d this year. There’s still time. Find that list, or get out a pen and paper and write them down again (YES! Write …them …down!). Don’t worry about a single thing you didn’t do during the first half of 2010. As Tony Robbins says, “what you did yesterday, or last month, or last year has absolutely no impact on what you do right now, at this very moment, and tomorrow.” I assume he’s not including ’sprained ankle’ on that list, because that absolutely would impact what you do today.

Tomorrow, Mel Robbins (the web site) will launch the “Your Better Half” campaign, designed to make the second half of 2010 your “best half ever” and we’re using a clever play on words, to boot. I hope you join us and play along on your home version (available wherever fine gifts and jewelry are sold).

We’ll be singin’ . . . when we’re winnin’!

I get knocked down, but I get up again. And you’re never gonna keep me down. -Chumbawamba, “Tubthumping”

Mark – listen here

Angela – listen here

Jackie – wants to start her own business (a mobile kitchen) however she seems to continually run into “obstacles.” These obstacles seem to be small things yet she allows them to get in her way (car accident five years ago and a pipe bursting in her kitchen a year ago were the two examples she gave). I think she needs to learn how to push through problems just as much as she needs business advice.

Rodney Balance, Jr. – Is there such a thing as a “no risk” investment? What do aggressive salespeople look for in investors? If you’ve got these questions, Rodney Ballance, Jr. has the answers! Rodney is a financial services industry expert, author, nationally syndicated radio host, and a regular contributor as a financial expert to the CBN television network!

Dr. Jagdish D. Kulkarni – The Center for Work-Life Policy has come out with new data that shows nearly one-third of women in the work place must take a leave of absence for two to three years for circumstances such as childcare or burnout. Do you want to know why more women today are feeling overwhelmed and oppressed by family and careers? Or, why connecting with loved ones and friends is becoming more difficult for some women? If so, then you won’t want to miss this interview with renowned physician and psychiatrist, Dr. Jagdish D. Kulkarni.

What’s everyone talking about ’round the water cooler? The cap on the oil spill? The new Supreme Court Justice? Or, like me, are they talking about Frank from The Bachelorette? Well, I’m going to talk briefly about Frank and what he did to Ali Fedotowsky. At first, yes, it seems horrible that Frank came on this show to try and help him get over his ex’, Nicole, and acted all into Ali for weeks and weeks, going as far as the final three and the fantasy dream date phase of the competition. Yes, I suppose he could’ve mentioned his ex’ and that he’s struggling with whether or not he’s over her (then again, that would’ve gotten him the first non-rose and he would’ve already been gone). Lord knows, Ali came into the show struggling with her own recent break-up.

But The Bachelorette, even at it’s worst, is ripe with lessons for our own relationships. As I’ve said before, that’s what makes this show work …bizarre, televised, and contrived, though it may be, there’s nothing that happens on this show that doesn’t also happen in the real world dating and relationship mine field.

Monday, we learned how important honesty is in a relationship. Whether newly dating or married for a decade, when the age old question is posed: “Is something on your mind?” Do you safely give your partner the space to openly and honestly answer? Do you have a safe environment in which to answer?

This question can be asked in many ways …”What’s wrong?”  ”Penny for your thoughts?”  ”Is something the matter?”  ”Do you mind if I tell you something you might not want to hear?”

They key is, create a scenario where it’s all right to ask – and equally OK to answer. Most of us don’t want to hear bad news. And many of us (guys, especially), when presented with a problem, we want to solve it. So in relationships, one partner might try and bring up something and the other partner will shoot it down, minimize it, and want to move it aside. Yellow flag! Can’t do that, or you might find yourself in Tahiti with Chris Harrison looking at you and thinking, “you ruined everything.”

Not many of us find ourselves in a situation like Ali and Frank, with a half-dozen potential suiters all carrying on like mountain goats trying to establish pack supremacy. Most of us simply have one on one relationships.

So the advice here is, when you ask your partner to share his or her thoughts, ask it and listen without judgement and without responding right away. In fact, if you want to respond, give it 24-hours …or a few days, then when you sit down again, calmly bring up the topic from a few days earlier and express your own open, honest opinion. And if you and your partner have discussed being able to talk openly, and you can create a plan of action for how to respond upon hearing something you might not want to hear, you’ll be happier in the long run. And eventually, you might not even need to set aside moments without TV and without distractions to safely and openly discuss what’s on your mind.

So, that’s it.

1. Discuss and plan for quiet, honest moments to talk about your feelings and the relationship and promise to react to one another without harsh judgement or opinion.
2. Make it a habit.
3. Be honest, otherwise it won’t work.

Now …if everyone reads this blog entry and follows these simple steps, the divorce rate in this country will drop by 10%, minimum. Good luck.

And for a less inspiring, more nonsensical reaction to Frank, Ali, and The Bachelorette, Don Kowalewski also writes a weekly column at spunkybean.

Erika – wants to know tricks that will help her keep away from the fridge at night. She wants to lose weight, but she’s a snacker. Erika called in on 7.8.10, but the connection was bad. This is a follow-up call.

Jeff Yeager – Do you want to know how you can travel the world without ever paying for lodging? Or what single driving tip can save you $30,000 during your lifetime? Jeff Yeager is the author of “THE CHEAPSKATE NEXT DOOR: The Surprising Secrets of Americans Living Happily Below Their Means” and he’s here to answer those questions and more!

Suzanne Phillips – Are you an animal lover? Do you want to know how our relationships with our pets can improve our relationship with our partners? Suzanne Phillips is co-author of the book “Healing Together: A Couple’s Guide to Coping with Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress” and she’s joining me today to talk about the differences between how we treat our animals compared with our human companions.

Danine Manette – listen here