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Faith Hill and Tim McGraw – Country Music Royalty

After talking with Tim McGraw and Faith Hill for a couple of hours I came away feeling like we were old friends catching up on life.

Yes, they are Country Music Royalty who have collectively sold 70 million records, and received seven Grammys, 26 Academy of Country Music Awards, 14 Country Music Association Awards, 14 American Music Awards, and seven People Choice Awards, but they are also real, down-to-earth people like you and me. They are a loving couple, and devoted parents. They have experienced the thrill of being on stage in front of millions of people, and they have known hardship and heartache.

Before we spoke I wondered if Faith would mention being adopted, and if Tim would tell the story of how he didn’t know who his real father was until he was eleven years old. I hoped they would be open because those are the kind of stories that offer comfort and inspiration to so many others who have traveled a similar path. They did not disappoint. They were incredibly gracious, forth-coming, completely without any pretense.

I love asking questions that allow people to dip their toe into the pool of self-reflection or to dive in whole-heartedly. And that’s exactly what Faith and Tim did. They said it was one of the best interviews they’ve ever done. I think that’s because they understood that I am truly interested in illuminating what’s in a person’s soul.

Even if you’re not a fan of country music, you will fall in love with this couple. Their Soul-to-Soul conversation will touch your heart.

Best of the 70th Golden Globe Awards – 2013

By Marsala

I enjoy watching award shows like the Golden Globes and the Oscars. Like most women who appreciate fashion, I enjoy oohing and aahing. However I can’t get into it like the TV commentators, the fashionistas, the reporter and bloggers do who spend so much time analyzing which stars wore plunging V-necklines or slits that exposed too much leg, and who deserves to be on the best-dressed list or vanquished to the worst-dressed list. In the larger scheme of things, it doesn’t matter. It’s all subjective anyway. Some people loved Nicole Kidman’s Alexander McQueen gown with its mesh-lined ribcage, while others hated it. The same is true of Halle Berry’s pink-patterned, thigh-high Versace, or Jennifer Lopez’s see-through Zuhair Murad number. (I think Anne Hathaway was perfection in that white-beaded strapless Chanel.)

I watch these awards shows hoping to be more than entertained. I want to be inspired. I want to glean some pearls of wisdom from these brilliantly talented people that I can apply to my own life.

Taylor Hicks: From Obscurity to American Idol to the Neon Lights of Las Vegas!

By Marsala

Have you ever had a dream so big it consumed you? So big you were willing to crawl into bed with hardship and heartache, rejection and disappointment, fear and frustration. And then one day when you had almost nothing left to give, when you’d been passed over and turned away countless times, when you were feeling beaten down and had all but given up, when you were wondering if it was crazy to still believe that you might still make it as a singer-musician-performer in this crazy, unpredictable world, a national disaster occurred that left misery, destruction, and devastation in its wake and altered the trajectory of your life.

It didn’t matter if it was destiny or the Divine, suddenly you were given the opportunity to go someplace you’d never been before – Las Vegas, the Entertainment Capitol of the World – and hours after arriving you found yourself standing in front of three judges named Simon, Paula and Randy, who held your dream, your very life, in their hands.

Dancing with the Stars – Another Mirror Ball for Apolo Anton Ohno?

By Marsala

It doesn’t matter if he’s competing in the Olympics or on Dancing With the Stars, Apolo Anton Ohno shows us what Commitment, Focus and Perseverance look like!

Last week 23 million people watched Dancing with the Stars and saw Apolo Anton Ohno and his partner Karina Smirnoff dance the Viennese Waltz to a tender Rascal Flats song about a woman battling cancer who only feels safe in the arms of the man she loves.

“He holds her close and for a moment she’s not scared,” says Apolo before the performance. “I am going to have to get to a place where I can show emotions I’ve never shown before.”

Gay rights: Melissa Etheridge, Suze Orman, Carson Kressley, Dave Koz & Sally Field speak out

By Marsala

I didn’t plan it that way, but the last four celebrities I’ve interviewed have all been gay. I find it interesting that I even say that because I certainly don’t say “Oh, the last 12 people I’ve interviewed have been heterosexual.”

But I say it happily because with every ounce of my being I believe in every human being’s right to love and be loved by whoever they choose. I believe everyone should have the same benefits that come with being legally married, and the same opportunity to be parents, often times to kids who would otherwise languish in the foster care system.

Suze Orman: Living a Rich and Satisfying Life

By Marsala

I was so excited to interview Suze Orman because I love everything she stands for, things like delayed gratification, fiscal responsibility, and knowing the difference between what you want and what you truly need.

In the interview which is on another page, Suze validates the principles that I learned at an early age that have served me well. When I started babysitting at the age of 13 I earned 50 cents an hour. I remember how excited I was when the going rate increased to 75 cents and then it was a whole dollar.

After spending five long hours with hyper kids or a fussy infant and coming home with a hard-earned $5.00, I quickly learned to question the value of what I wanted to buy rather than squander it thoughtlessly.