staff's blog

April is Earth Month. We've compiled a video of a few quotes about the environment for your contemplation. How will you appreciate the earth this month?

Video Editor: Victoria Ng

The Discovery Channel, expanding on its success with “Planet Earth,” has made a new television special, “Frozen Planet,” which will make its U.S. premiere on March 18 at 8 p.m. Four years in the making, employing 38 camerapersons working in the harshest conditions on the planet for a combined 2,356 days of filming — this seven–part series is a portrait of earth's polar regions. 

Vanessa Berlowitz (above) was one of the producers of “Frozen Planet.” Here are some of the feats this daring woman accomplished while working on the series:

• Spent three weeks filming female polar bears and their young cubs — while she herself was five months pregnant — in Svalbard, an archipelago in the Arctic.

• Camped on the Greenland ice sheet and flew dangerous aerials — the helicopter was nearly sucked into a giant waterfall in the ice. 

• Spent 2 1/2 months filming the most extensive library of Antarctic aerials to date, including flying around the crater of a live volcano and capturing the first aerials of the South Pole base.

• Lived aboard a Royal Naval icebreaker, HMS Endurance, for four months to film penguins, whales and spectacular Antarctic scenery.

When faced with a difficult situation with someone else, sometimes it's easy to let that person get to us. But it's important to have integrity and take the high road. Find this and more inspiration in our video tweets, presented here in video form. Look for more everyday on Twitter!

Animation: Marie Hankinson

If you come up against a challenge that seems insurmountable, know that you have what it takes to face it. Find this and more inspiration in our tweets, presented here in video form. Keep looking for them everyday on Twitter!

Today is International Women's Day. We've found inspirational quotes from three amazing women around the world.

You must learn to be still in the midst of activity and to be vibrantly alive in repose.
— Indira Gandhi, the third Prime Minister of India

It's a real focus on women as agents of change, women as leaders, and this is a really courageous group.
— Leymah Gbowee, Liberian peace activist responsible for leading a women's peace movement that brought an end to the Second Liberian Civil War

Don't follow the crowd, let the crowd follow you.
― Margaret Thatcher 

How are you celebrating? The Washington Post has suggestions of 10 ways, from the big — Defeat Sexual Harrassment — to the small — Wear Red Lipstick. Check it out here.

Click here for a story in the Christian Science Monitor about how countries around the world acknowledge this important day.

For Women's History Month, we put together a video of inspiring quotes from famous women in history. It's important to think about not only how amazing these women were, but also how far we've come. Take a look.

The first National Woman's Day was observed in the United States on February 28, 1909. The Socialist Party of America designated the day in honor of the 1908 garment workers' strike in New York. In 1975, during International Women's Year, the United Nations began celebrating the day on March 8.

This year, the theme of International Women’s Day is Empower Rural Women — End Hunger and Poverty. Rural women play a critical role in both developed and developing nations — they enhance agricultural and rural development, improve food security and can help reduce poverty levels in their communities. In some parts of the world, women represent 70 percent of the agricultural workforce, comprising 43 percent of agricultural workers worldwide.

Healthcare, education, gender inequality and limited access to credit, however, have posed a number of challenges for rural women. The global food and economic crisis and climate change have also aggravated the situation. It is estimated that 60 percent of chronically hungry people are women and girls.

So next Thursday, March 8, recognize the critical role and contribution of rural women in the world. Find an event to go to, if you can. More information here.

Here's a clip from one of our shows, "Innovate: Engineering Change," where geophysicist Hannah Abend talks about her desire to break new ground where not many women had gone before. Take a look.

I came across a blogger, Mighty Girl, who has a “Mighty Life List,” 100 things she wants to do in her life. Items range from the big — "Safari in Africa" — to the small — "Make butterscotch from scratch." And many of them are unique: “Pretend we’ve had a power outage,” “Write thank you notes to my teachers,” “Sleep in a treehouse.”

Reading her list got me thinking. I’ve always wanted to do big things like visit all 50 states and take my husband to Paris. But what about the small things, like experiencing Manhattanhenge? Riding a bicycle around Prospect Park? Making my own sushi?

I think it’s time to make my own. What about you?

— Sarah Tobol, Editor

Diamonds, and crystals, and sparkles, oh my! We went to the Jim Kempner Fine Art Gallery in New York City to see its latest exhibit, Bling!, curated by Dru Arstark. The work demonstrates the many ways bling can be presented and interpreted. Take a look.

Video Editor: Aurora Lucia-Levey

We all have the ability to make a difference. Try tackling small tasks today that have an impact on the lives of others. Find this an other inspiration in our motivational tweets, found here in video form. Keep looking for them everyday on Twitter!

Animation: Marie Hankinson

In 1999, Georgette Blau (left) launched On Location Tours, a company that tours locations featured in TV shows and movies. “I started On Location Tours because of my passion for TV shows, especially classic TV shows from the 70's and 80's,” Georgette says. “I loved the idea of walking in the steps of the characters, feeling as if you were part of the TV show. It was a great, off the beaten path way of seeing New York.”

When she first launched her company, it was one of three of its kind in the world. “Now, we're one of over 100! This growing tourism phenomenon prompted me to start the ATTAM [the Association for TV and Movie Tours].”

Georgette runs tours in New York and Boston, visiting sites that have been featured in TV shows such as “Sex and the City,” “Friends,” “Gossip Girl,” “Cheers,” and “Boston Legal.” The tours visit sites from movies including the Devil Wears Prada, Moonstruck, When Harry Met Sally, The Departed, and Good Will Hunting.

We asked Georgette a few questions about her business and inspiration, here’s what she shared with us:

Where do you think the drive to start your own business came from?  

I had always wanted to own a business, probably from the age of 8 or so. I love seeing something develop and grow from just a seed, and the freedom of wearing so many hats. It never gets boring! I double majored in college, however, in two very different things: English with a concentration in Creative Writing and Architectural Preservation. I wish I had studied business and entrepreneurship...I had to learn the tough way, via "on the job" training. I see entrepreneurship as the new American dream.

Who is someone that inspires you?

I am inspired by Saranne Rothberg; she launched a non profit company called Comedy Cures several years ago, after battling Stage 4 breast cancer. She's an extremely positive person, despite having survived so many obstacles in her life, and her company is not only wonderful in that it helps other cancer survivors, but has garnered great press and recognition over the years.

What advice can you give young entrepreneurs? Or women thinking about becoming entrepreneurs?

One piece of advice I always like to give to entrepreneurs starting out — especially those who are low on capital or have financial challenges — is to hire interns. Interns love being in a start-up environment and love getting credit for great experience, and are normally very passionate about their work.

For information on On Location Tours, visit www.screentours.com.

A group on a Boston tour outside the original Cheers

Photos courtesy of On Location Tours

If you focus your actions with an "I can do this" attitude, you'll accomplish more and better things. Find this and more motivation in our tweets, compiled here in video form. Keep looking for them everyday on Twitter.

Animation: Marie Hankinson

This time of year, whether you have a significant other in your life or you don't, it's always important to love yourself. DO NOT dwell on the negatives but DO get in touch with and appreciate yourself. Here are some ways to do that:

Don’t Judge Yourself

Whatever feelings and thoughts you have during this time, they’re ok. Don’t berate or judge yourself for being lonely or sad. Allow yourself these emotions really try to get to the root of where they come from.

Do Treat Yourself
Be with yourself in the moment. Treat yourself to something special — something you’ve had your eye on or an experience you’ve been wanting to try. Don’t worry if you don't have someone to do it with. Doing it by yourself will increase your self-intimacy and self-love.

Do Accept the Kindness of Others
When we are open to honoring ourselves, we experience more of our power. Try taking in the kind gestures of others — the people who acknowledge you every day — and see how you feel about yourself in turn. Is your attention more on the one person who is grumpy and takes their mood out on you? Or is it on the person who thanks you for holding the door open for them? By appreciating these small gestures, you can appreciate yourself more.

Do Find Your Passion
By knowing and reflecting on yourself, you can find your passion. As you search and grow, you’ll be more connected and appreciative of yourself instead of wishing you were with someone. You deserve to live fully and creatively! 

Adapted from Helene’s new book, In Her Power, now in stores and on Amazon, Barnesandnoble.com and Powell's.

We were at Heart Truth's Red Dress Collection 2012 Fashion Show, where celebrities like Rebecca Romijn, Gloria Estefan and Chaka Khan walked the runway in support of women's heart health. Take a look.

Video Editor: Victoria Ng

Walking into my power means bringing all of me in the door; my good parts, my bad parts and those parts I don’t want to claim. Because when I bring all of me in the door, I am grounded. I can use my gifts and I can dance with my demons, which means I can make a difference in the world.

—Ella L. J. Edmondson Bell, associate professor, Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth University (left)

This quote is featured at the top of the third chapter of Helene's book, In Her Power. That part of the book is about owning all of yourself, not only your strengths, but also your weaknesses. The book is now in bookstores, and you can also buy it on Amazon, BarnesandNoble.com and Powell's.

Jenna Goudreau from Forbes Woman interviewed Helene about the nine ways women self-sabotage. Check out the story here.

Watch a clip from one of our shows, "Make it Happen: Mentors, Dreams, Success," where Ursula Burns, now CEO and Chairman of Xerox, discusses growing up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan and her mother's positive influence on her.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in America. Which is why organizations like WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease are so important.

WomenHeart has partnered with the Million Hearts Initiative, the first national public health initiative aimed at preventing one million heart attacks and strokes over the next five years.

Led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevents and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Serivces, Million Hearts aims to improve prevention of heart disease and stroke by focusing on the “ABCS”: Aspirin therapy, Blood pressure control, Cholesterol control and Smoking cessation.

“If we successfully focus on and improve the statistics in these four areas, women will benefit, because women have particular needs in these areas,” affirms Lisa Tate, CEO of WomenHeart (left). “That’s why we’re behind the Million Hearts Initiative.”

Right now, there’s more women can do. The statistics are a bit shocking. According to a report by the CDC, less than half of people at risk of cardiovascular disease are taking aspirin, less than half of people with hypertention have adequately controlled blood pressure, less than half of people with high cholesterol have adequately controlled hyperlipidemia (fats in the blood), and only 23 percent of people who want to quit smoking get some kind of help.

“The goal of this campaign is to actually change those numbers,” Lisa asserts.

So WomenHeart will be spreading the word through its website, network of over 35,000 members, and volunteers. “One of the unique things WomenHeart does is train patients, volunteers we call WomenHeart Champions, to go out and speak to other women,” says Lisa. These Champions will deliver the Million Hearts message.

“Women should urge their friends and family members to make an appointment with a doctor, find out if they’re at risk,” Lisa urges. “There are so many things you can do to prevent heart disease if you know you’re at risk… Make sure you’re getting the right blood work done. Too often people wait to get those things checked out until they’re middle aged or older and they may have been at risk for a long time.”

By Sarah Tobol, Editor

Check out our Lifesyle feature this month: Be Smart About Heart Health!

Flowers are always a beautiful gift to give a special someone for Valentine's Day. Meet floral designer Rachel Cho, who from her studio in Manhattan and store in the Bronx puts together some beautiful displays. Watch how she mixes colors and textures — even lines a vase with leaves — so you can get inspiration to maybe do it yourself this year.

Video Editor: Victoria Ng

We visited Kee's Chocolates, a chocolate shop owned by Kee Ling Tong, who opened it in 2002 after leaving her job in the corporate world to pursue a dream. Take a look at our video below and watch Kee make passion fruit chocolate truffles in the shape of hearts — perfect for Valentine's Day.

Video Editor: Victoria Ng