Monday, October 25, 2021

Book Blast and Giveaway - Lady and the Tribe: How to Create Empowering Friendship Circles by Brenda Billings Ridgley

Welcome to my stop on the book blast for Lady and the Tribe: How to Create Empowering Friendship Circles by Brenda Billings Ridgley. This book blast was organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. On my stop, I have an excerpt from the book. There's also the blast wide giveaway for a chance to win a $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card. Be sure to visit the other stops on the book blast for more content. Enjoy!
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Title: Lady and the Tribe: How to Create Empowering Friendship Circles
Author: Brenda Billings Ridgley
Publisher: Whole You Media
Publication Date: September 22nd 2021
Print Length: 234 pages
Genre: Self-Help
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Wives, mothers, and career women—we have all fallen victim to the silent epidemic that is, literally . . . letting ourselves go. Not the makeup free, yoga pants, weight gain routine. Little by little, we have allowed our preferences, interests, and individuality to slip away until we no longer recognize ourselves outside of our role as wives, mothers, or professionals. Who we are has become what we do.

In the process, our friendships have become the casualty of a “busy life” and lack consistency and depth. We have a gaping hole inside us that longs to be filled. How do we reclaim who we really are and fill this empty space that seemed to appear from nowhere? The answer lies in our Tribe. Our best friends see us more clearly than we see ourselves and are representations and extensions of our individuality. They are our companions, cheerleaders, and counselors—always in our corner. They are the branches of our tree of life that lift and support us, so we can flourish. Our Tribe is the family with whom we choose to live our life . . . with no strings attached.

Lady and the Tribe is a blueprint for building deep connections. As you read, you’ll be swept away on a journey of friendship as the author shares her own personal stories and those of other women. In the process, you’ll discover how to find, nurture, and deepen friendships and create a Tribe culture that is unique to you.

We can become whole again through the power of connection.

When three or more gather, we are Tribe.

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EXCERPT:
Loneliness Can Be Lethal

Since we live in this global, socially connected world, how is it possible for anyone to be lonely? Psychologically speaking, loneliness does not necessitate social isolation. Being lonely means feeling detached from others yet having the desire for a connection or a relationship.

Why is loneliness so lethal? As human beings, one of our greatest needs is to be seen, acknowledged, and cared for. We want to belong and be a part of something larger than ourselves. More so than men, women need to maintain close connections. Relationships increase serotonin and oxytocin, the bonding hormone. In times of stress, women don’t just experience the drive toward fight or flight—they also release oxytocin. This hormone surge can compel women to “tend and befriend.”

Research is clear. Close friendships are necessary for optimal health and well-being. A longitudinal study of aging found that strong social networks lengthen survival among older people. Dr. Amir Leving suggests that social connections are the most powerful way for us to regulate our emotional distress and that proximity to someone you are securely attached to is the most effective way to calm yourself.

An article in the New York Times reported that close relationships create positive mental and physical reactions in our body, mind, and heart. We are less likely to experience high levels of loneliness when we feel supported by intimate and close relationships. Strong relationships with close friends or family benefit us greatly and fulfil our social needs.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
BRENDA RIDGLEY is an author, speaker, and girlfriend guru who loves helping women connect, find success, and discover joy through friendship. Her mission is to start a movement: women coming together to build thousands of new Lady Tribes around the globe. Through her workshops, vlogs, blogs, and book clubs, Brenda helps women connect and communicate with respect, love, and trust. She holds an MA in human resources and has spent decades cultivating her own Tribe.
 
A Colorado girl at heart, Brenda lives in the Carbon Valley area with her husband, Parker, two kids, Parker Jr. and Gillian, and pooch, Perry. She enjoys hiking and has conquered Longs Peak and several other 14’ers.

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GIVEAWAY:
Brenda Billings Ridgley will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter. Good luck!

(All the Ups and Downs is not responsible for this giveaway, its entries, or the prize. Goddess Fish Promotions assumes all responsibility for this giveaway.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

109 comments:

  1. I love the cover and think the book sounds great.

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    1. Thank you Sherry! I also love how the cover turned out and if I may say so, it looks and feels even better in person! ;’)

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    1. Hi Deborah, thanks for the question! Once hit with the book’s inspiration, the material and stories came to fruition in just under 10 weeks. It was a joyful process and I am grateful!

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  3. Lady and the Tribe: How to Create Empowering Friendship Circles by
    author Brenda Billings Ridgley sounds like an informative and interesting book.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  4. Thank you for featuring Lady and the Tribe on All the Ups and Downs! I am happy to answer any questions!

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  5. This cover is so vibrant! I absolutely love it!

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    1. Amy thank you! I wanted the tree to blossom as a reflection of the full, flourishing life we achieve through connection. ❤️

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    2. Thank you Laura! You are not alone in feeling this way. We are disconnected as a society, but we can fix it! My goal is to help create 1000 Lady Tribes in 2022. From there we can exponentially make a difference!

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    3. I truly NEED to read this book!

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    4. Amy I hope you do and please follow up with me to let me know your thoughts!

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  6. Oh this is so true, and something I really need to work on in my life!

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    1. Thank you Laura! You are not alone in feeling this way. We are disconnected as a society, but we can fix it! My goal is to help create 1000 Lady Tribes in 2022. From there we can exponentially make a difference!

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  7. I have a question for your readers. How have you connected with your friendships since social distancing was introduced in 2020?

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  8. Sounds quite helpful. I enjoyed the excerpt.

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    1. Thank you Katie! I hope my readers will enjoy a nice balance of information and friendship stories as well as a blueprint for finding and building friendships.

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  9. this sounds like a wonderful book, congrats on the release

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  10. This looks like an important book that is very relevant to me. Good work.

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    1. Thank you Paige, I really hope you love it! Thanks for the well wishes.

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  11. What a lovely premise for this book - a must read for me...

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    1. Michele, thank you. I appreciate that! I would love to hear back what you think of it!

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  12. I enjoyed the excerpt. Thank you for the giveaway!

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  13. do you have others read your work before you submit it to your editor/publisher? thanks

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    1. Hi Le P! Yes I did have several rounds of family and friends reading the entire manuscript before I sent it to my editor. That's what friends are for right? :')

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  14. This looks really cool, best wishes to your blitz.

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  15. Thank you Calvin, I appreciate your kindness!

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  16. It sounds like an interesting book. Thank you for sharing.

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  17. I love the book cover ,so colorful. :)

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  18. Sounds like a great book. I like the cover and excerpt.

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  19. This sounds like an interesting book and I also like the cover.

    abfantom at yahoo dot com

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    1. I hope everyone enjoys the balance of stories, facts and action plan. Thank you Ann!

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  20. The cover is so pretty and the topic sounds like a good one.

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    1. Thank you Lisa! I love the way the cover turned out too!

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  21. The book sounds very interesting. I've definitely lost connection since covid began.

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    1. You aren’t alone Pippirose! We all need to be more intentional to keep our connections growing. Thank you!

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  22. Replies
    1. Debbie thank you! I hope it makes a positive impact for women.❤️

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  23. Debbie thank you! I hope it makes a positive impact for women.❤️

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  24. Looks like an interesting book.
    Thanks for the contest. 

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  25. I like the idea of the book. It sounds really intriguing.

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    1. David thank you! It would make a great stocking stuffer for the women in your life! Even men have enjoyed it as a way to understand us better... lol!

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  26. The colorful leaves on your book cover make it very eye catching!

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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    1. Thank you Nancy! We played around with a bunch of colors and I am so happy with the way it turned out!

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  27. This is a great self help book.
    Thank you for sharing it with us.

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    1. Barbara I really hope it is helpful to a bunch of women in reconnecting to find joy! It is my pleasure to share this with you!

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  28. Cover looks great! Excerpt sounds interesting.

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  29. Sounds interesting. Would really like to read.

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    1. Please let me know what you think of the book! I would love your feedback Dianne! Thank you!

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  30. What an interesting premise for a book. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  31. Sounds like one that will keep me interested and reading.
    heather
    hgtempaddy

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  32. Do you have any advice for new writers?

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    1. Absolutely Jamie! My advice is to find something you are passionate about, dive in and learn as much as you can! When you are excited about your subject the words will come to you with ease and the writing process is creative and fun. Also, give yourself a small "do-able" daily or weekly goal. My goal was 500 words a day and some days that didn't happen and that's ok. I did meet my weekly goal most weeks. Thank you for the question!

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  33. Do you always like being an author?

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    1. Hi David! To be honest this is all pretty new to me so, YES, it is very exciting! I have found there is so much more to it than just writing a book! The real work starts once it is out of your hands as a writer and trying to get it out into the world for everyone to see. It is challenging and a little overwhelming at times but when you believe in your message its important to keep putting it out there! Thank you for the question David!

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  34. What's your favorite book to re-read?

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    1. Thank you Slehan for the question! You know I rarely re-read a book. I have read many great books but there are sooo many books to read and so little time! I have read a book and then listened to it on audio. Books like Conversations with God, Think and Grow Rich and the Stand by Stephen King are some examples. What are your favorite books to re-read?

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  35. Replies
    1. Thank you Jodi! Do you see the woman in the tree trunk?

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  36. Thank you Jodi! Do you see the woman in the tree trunk?

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  37. What kind of dog is your pooch Perry?

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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    1. Oh Nancy he is the sweetest old guy. He is a 13 year old Shih-poo. Still ornery and adorable like a pup. Thanks for asking!

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  38. sounds like a fun one

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    1. Daniel I think readers will have some fun with the stories and even may shed a few tears. Thank you for the comment!

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  39. What's your favorite book genre?

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    1. Hi David! I would say I most often purchase and read personal growth books, however if I were to read for entertainment only I would choose a thriller of some sort. Thank you for your question!

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  40. Replies
    1. lildevilgirl22 thank you so much! I am so proud of the way it turned out!

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  41. So true. Too often we become know for what we can do for others as women and not who we truly are. Look forward to reading.

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    1. Oh thank you for this insight Reecan0811! We are givers, that is our nature but we need to remember to "fill our own tank" with our own interests, activities and meaningful friendships! Thanks for your comment!

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  42. I think that the cover of your book has an interesting design.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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    1. Thank you Nancy! Do you see the woman in the tree trunk?

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  43. Sounds like an informative book. Thanks for sharing!

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  44. Thank you for such an interesting excerpt - well done!

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  45. I am glad you found it interesting Barbara! Thanks so much for the encouragement!

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  46. Thank you everyone for being such a great interacting group! I appreciate your kind words and support and hope we can stay connected! Have a great weekend!

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    1. I love to listen to the Alex Rainbird channel as well as Eckhart Tolle and Abraham Hicks. Thanks for the question Jamie!

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  48. There is nothing but truth in your excerpt

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  49. LAST DAY
    Thanks for the contest.

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  50. I hope you will consider taking a closer look Drea! Thank you! ❤️

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