Good Monday! I love technology right about now….I had a fun blog ready to go…filled with PICTURES and VIDEO and it just disappeared…FUN FUN. I am not letting this great on-air studio computer get me down…Look for my post later this afternoon…
KK
It has been awhile since I was really jazzed up about a new ‘up and comer’ in the music biz. (Well, I guess not terribly too long, I felt similar emotion regarding THE SCRIPT)
Anyhow, his name is Ryan Star-if you have been listening to Lake 961, you would have heard his debut single BREATHE.
I am a big fan of this guy…and I think he will go places in the industry.
Here is a little bit of insight from his debut album that just came out last week titled 11:59.
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I have heard it a million times, late at night on the self-help infomercials - “start living now.” I saw “Fight Club,” read “Brave New World,” and have always known that we are all high on “soma.” Not until now, in my last minute, do I get to really understand it all. My name is Ryan Star. My whole life I have been getting ready for a moment. I never slowed down to understand who I really am or what life means to me beyond music and beyond performance. The lyrics I have written since I was a kid have all been trying to tell me what I am just realizing. Life is RIGHT NOW. We are in it already. Make every moment count.
We all grew up hearing the romantic idea of carpe diem.
Seize the moment, live in the present tense. 11:59 is about just that. It’s the moment we witness a football player scoring a touchdown, the moment you achieve your greatness in whatever it is you do. For me, it is being on the stage.
Its moment like these - the now - that count in life. Let me turn the tables on you … what’s your 11:59?
Create a video explaining/illustrating your 11:59 moment - post it to our site here http://www.rstar.net/upload/ and make sure you put it in the “11:59 Contest” category (if you don’t your entry won’t be judged!).
You can view all entries here http://www.rstar.net/video/category/whats-your-1159/.
I have a feeling this guy will make it big! Watch out Howie Day-you have some competition!
Katie Kruz
I can’t believe my energy level on a MONDAY! Usually it takes me a whole POT of coffee to jump-start the week…I don’t know why but I will take the energy anyway I can get it.
I had a great weekend. I was hard at work on my GOLF CART float for the annual KRUZ Summer Golf Cart Parade that is happening August 14th! Every year we get together and pick a theme and transform our golf carts into floats! We are a bit sideways the KRUZ KLAN but we have such a good time.
As the years go by the competition gets intense as my great Uncle wins EVERY year with his cart! So it’s destination GET UNCLE BOB! lol
So we took the good part of Saturday to create, build and finalize our cart. This year the theme is Disney…I can not reveal what Disney movie we choose because competition could be snooping around for clues 
But we had a blast with it. Matt build the whole float and did such a great job…I did the paint work. I will post pictures after the parade!
HEARD ON TODAY’S SHOW:
After a day of outlet mall shopping and playing dodgeball with people all day I was SPENT. I come into the studios this morning and behold the solution to all my shopping worries….SWAP SHOPPING! I don’t know how I have missed this new poplular craze but I think I am in love!
Instead of Tupperware parties you can have SWAP parties! Even strangers are doing it online through trusted websites!
You can trade everything from clothes to DVD’s to unopened toiletries! WHERE HAVE I BEEN! ha!
The swap site is THRED UP or SWAPMAMAS.COM
Grab your girlfriends together and host a swap party!
Have a great week!
Katie Kruz
TELEVISION AT ITS BEST!
I blogged last week about two amazing shows this Summer. The one “If You Really Knew Me” aired on MTV but MOM and DAD I suggest you watch if you have high school kids.
MTV SERIES: “IF YOU REALLY KNEW ME”
ATTENTION MOMS AND DADS!!! An MTV for YOU and your kids! Challenge Day, an organization I have been involved with for a couple of years now has made such a tremendous impact on Middle and High School’s across the country. MTV has brought it into your living room! THIS SHOW IS A MUST SEE! Mom and Dad, don’t for a second think this is just another “one of those MTV reality shows.” IF YOU REALLY KNEW MEis powerful and educational. The show premiered July 20th but re-aired often on MTV. I HIGHLY recommend every parent with a child watch this show. It is just as powerful, if not MORE powerful for Mom and Dad as it is for the students. You can watch older episode’s online here. Otherwise set your DVR TUESDAYS ON MTV!
Show #2 THIS TUESDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BREAKTHROUGH WITH TONY ROBBINS on NBC
1. Tony has created six TV specials that you need to watch. They will run every Tuesday evening on NBC for the next six Tuesdays including THIS Tuesday.
2. I want to support Tony’s valiant effort to put something positive out there, and I hope you will as well. Everyone needs more and better tools and insights to improve their lives. You’re going to want to forward this to friends, clients, and family. And I’m going to ask you to do that right now.
About the TV Show:
After more than a dozen offers and years of turning away producers and networks, Tony finally found a format that appealed to him and one that can really impact you, your friends, family and clients.
You will be inspired, moved, motivated and profoundly affected. I mean this first episode is a knockout. Imagine you’re on your honeymoon and jump in the pool and hit your head on a step and, wham, you’re a quadriplegic for life.
That doesn’t just affect you. It seriously impacts your loved ones. In the very first episode, Tony shows you that “the story” you tell yourself shapes the entire quality of your life. Powerful. You have to see it.
Below, see what others have said about this profound television experience and the LINK that’s just for insiders.
Show this to everyone you know and why you want to do that:
Many of us (if not every single one of us) have forwarded on jokes and inspirational little ditties to our friends, families and even clients. It’s probably fair to say that none of those profoundly affected people or changed their lives. They might bring a little smile, but here’s why you want everyone to see this life-enriching show, Breakthrough with Tony Robbins. This show helps people (you as well) see that the “story” you tell yourself shapes the entire quality and destiny of your life. And that’s going to give you (and the folks you forward this onto) more than a little smile.
WATCH TONY’S PRIME TIME TV SHOW TUESDAY AT 8:00. Do it now. 
Here is the link to learn more about Tony’s FANTASTIC Television specials. WATCH the first one TOMORROW night on NBC. www.breakthroughinsider.com
Here’s what others are saying about this show:
“…Just when you thought summer TV lacked bite . . . here is a show that is full of humanity, compassion and hope . . . I was left feeling completely inspired & uplifted.”
Hugh Jackman
Actor & Producer
“…Phenomenal . . . Breakthrough is beyond imagination! Tony Robbins has created a television masterpiece. You will not touch the clicker! My wife and I couldn’t move - riveting, wonderful, inspiring and humbling!”
Larry King
Host of Larry King Live
“. . Smart, real, and extremely moving. A lesson in resilience, overcoming obstacles, and the indomitable human spirit.”
Arianna Huffington
Co-founder & Editor-in-Chief, The Huffington Post
“. . . It illuminates the humbling truth that many of the ‘problems’ we all struggle with are traps of our own making . . . Renew your faith that you can shape your own happiness with a little courage.”
Edward Norton
Actor, Screenwriter & Director
“. . . a life changing, powerful and entertaining demonstration of what’s possible when the human spirit is unleashed. Watch and enjoy!”
Paula Abdul
Pop Singer and Television Personality
“This extraordinary reality series reflects some of Tony Robbins’ most brilliant work. Breakthrough is a poignant example of how people can transform tragedy into opportunity . . . ”
Dr. Frank M. Dattilio
Department of Psychiatry Harvard Medical School
“Tony Robbins is a genius and Breakthrough is an impassioned experience not to be missed. His ability to strategically guide people through any challenge is unparalleled. ”
Steve Wynn
Chairman & CEO, Wynn Resorts
“We all search for an unadulterated raw experience and Tony Robbins delivers Breakthroughs that shine a loving light on the serpentine path called life. Get ready for some big time transformations by a big time personality.”
Dr. Mehmet Oz
Best selling Author & Host of “The Dr. Oz Show”
“Breakthrough opens the mind, moves the spirit and touches the heart – it is uniquely inspired. People who watch the show will go to sleep with more hope than they woke up with. ”
Donna Karan
World Renowned Fashion Designer
Please share your thoughts on these shows~
KATIE
I just wanted to let you know some EXCITING news regarding some organizations I have been apart of the last couple of years.
It is sooooooo neat that BOTH of the organizations have made it to TELEVISION!!!!!!!!!!
The first one is a TEEN program called Challenge Day…It is an amazing program. Some of you made have seen it on Oprah. Now they are doing a mini series on MTV!
I love this program soooooo much. I wish every public school can have a challenge day….I believe this is one step closer to achieving that! You can read up on what Challenge Day is all about below.
MTV’s “If You Really Knew Me,” on Tuesday, July 20th at 11:00 p.m. (Check your local listings). I can’t wait for TUESDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Moving on…
In October I walked on FIRE thanks to the incredible work Tony Robbins does. He is somewhat of a mentor for me (on a higher level) when it comes to my coaching. He is one of the BEST out there and I love his style. He is incredibly smart and will be on NBC later this month. His show is going to be 8 episodes I believe and he will of course use his coaching in the show but I believe it will almost be like an intervention type show. Really powerful, life changing show.
I HIGHLY recommend you check it out. I think by watching the show you will quickly see why I follow this man’s work and why I try pick up some of his expertise and resources in my coaching practice.
International star, bestselling author, philanthropist, advisor and inspirational speaker uses his extraordinary skills to help deserving individuals who have suffered terrible setbacks.
Premieres Tuesday, July 27 8/7c
I know Summer is busy but that is why they invent DVR! It’s a wonderful invention…I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend you DVR these upcoming shows and then let me know what you think!
Can I get a woooot wooooooooot?
Here is the letter from the Challenge Day leader,Dear Challenge Day Friends and Supporters,
For the past year, Challenge Day has been working in team with Arnold Shapiro Productions, MTV, and twelve schools across the United States to bring a transformative new series to television called “If You Really Knew Me.” The show premieres on MTV on Tuesday July 20th at 11:00 p.m.
“If You Really Knew Me” is a 12 episode series that allows viewers to follow students and their experiences before, during and after Challenge Day. Each episode takes place at a different high school, and follows five students from different cliques as they go through the life-changing experience of Challenge Day. Watch the amazing transformation each week as the students courageously open up for the first time. By dropping their waterlines and revealing who they really are, the students break down the walls between cliques, and work to change their view of school and each other.
“If You Really Knew Me,” on Tuesday, July 20th at 11:00 p.m. (Check your local listings). After the show, practice the tool of “If you really knew me” by having people share their experience of the show and how it applies to their lives (learn how to do this activity at http://www.challengeday.org/downloads/If_You_Really_Knew_Me.pdf). There will also be a discussion guide posted at http://www.challengeday.org/mtv after each episode of “If You Really Knew Me.” For these activities and more information about the show, please visit our website and MTV’s website at http://www.mtv.com/shows/if_you_really_knew_me/series.jhtml.
We believe the series will demonstrate that the miracles of connection and compassion are available to everyone.
We celebrate and thank you for your continued loved and support!
Please tell any one you believe might be interested or could benefit from this series.
http://www.challengeday.org
http://www.mtv.com/shows/if_you_really_knew_me/series.jhtml
P.s I saw INCEPTION….was confused the entire 2.5 hours….other than that, great idea-good special effects~
Katie
One of my favorite inventions as of late is the air conditioning. I always knew it was a helpful tool to fight off heat waves but I didn’t appreciate its creation until now. I have a window unit in my place and it is located in the living room only. Of course I am thankful for having A/C in general but at night, I really start wishing for central air. This has become so much more inconvenient than I ever thought. I am having company stay with me a couple of weekends coming up and I am so nervous they will sweat to death overnight! I mean, I can sweat and wish and hope at night but that is the last thing you want for your guests…to have a miserable overnight stay! It is uncomfortable enuff not being in your own bed for cryin out loud!
The learning in all this for me is that I now know how important it is to me to have central air for my next place of residence. Me and my window unit are ready for the heat wave for the rest of the week.
One of my most recent subscriptions is to SUCCESS magazine. I love this magazine. It is full of lots of great information on everything from business to your health to relationships. I have found it to be very valuable. Here is the link to the mag.
http://www.successmagazine.com
I read this article just minutes ago and it really got me thinking so I wanted to share it with you. It raises the question of “are you playing FULL OUT in your life right now?” I find that with Summer here it is easier for me to let my guard down and be more playful and experience new things (i.e. my recent hiking and camping adventures) . After reflecting from the below read, I came up with the idea that I love Summer so much that it actually hurts me in the long run. Let me explain:
I might be putting myself ‘on hold’ during the rest of the months that are not hot. HOW COULD THIS BE! It is almost like I just go through the motions of the dark days of Winter just for closer days of fun in the sun. It has become the standard joke that when it snows, even a tad bit, I “snow myself in”…No kidding, I do! Literally, I cancel my commitments and hide in the house. I choose to fear the snow and cold so bad that I break agreements with people! UGH! If that is not giving your power away than I don’t know what is. This article opened me up to this ‘A-ha moment.’ Thank you article, I will make new choices come December!
Happy reading,
Katie
www.coachkatie.com
When you are 80 years old, sitting in your porch rocking chair and reflecting on life, questions such as Did I live a useful life? will cross your mind. There’s no doubt this question will be important to you at 80, so it really should be important to you now.
Unfortunately, a lot of people make a habit of postponing life. They think that somehow, some way, somewhere at some time, life will get better. This rather poignant saying helps illustrate my point:
First I was dying to finish high school and start college. And then I was dying to finish college and start working. And then I was dying to marry and have children. Then I was dying for my children to grow old enough so I could return to work. Then I was dying to retire. And now I am dying and suddenly realize I forgot to live.
Isabel Moore said, “Life is a one-way street. No matter how many detours you take, none of them leads back.
And once you know and accept that, life becomes much simpler.”
I’ve understood for some time that the only day I have is today. Even so, having a heart attack a few years ago crystallized that concept in my mind. Life is a one-way street. This isn’t a dress rehearsal—it’s a live performance.
We need to take special care to live a useful life, starting now.
So what does it mean to live a useful life? For me, the usefulness of my life is determined by:
• The relationships I form
• The decisions I make
• The experiences I encounter
The Relationships I Form
Relationships help us define who we are and what we can become. More than almost anything else, relationships determine the kind of a life you lead. In fact, most people can trace their failures or successes back to pivotal relationships.
Our relationships with others fall into one of four categories:
1. Addition—Some relationships add to who we are.
2. Subtraction—Some relationships take a little bit out of us.
3. Multiplication—Some relationships can multiply our strengths, results and contacts.
4. Division—Some relationships can divide us.
Think about the people in your life. Where do they fit into these categories? I’m sure it wouldn’t take long to put names beside each category, right? Many of the sorrows we experience spring out of relationships with the wrong people. But it is also true that some of the greatest joys we experience in life develop as the result of our relationships with the right people. With that in mind, work to increase the time and energy you invest in the relationships that improve your life.
And, perhaps above all, work on becoming a person who improves others’ lives.
The Decisions I Make
Our decisions also determine the usefulness of our lives. One of my favorite quotes on making decisions comes from the great John Wooden, who said, “Make each day your masterpiece.”
There are two ingredients necessary to make every day a masterpiece: decisions and discipline. Decision-making takes care of goalsetting, but discipline also takes care of goal-getting. Decisions and discipline can’t be separated; one is worthless without the other.
Since I’m talking about living a useful life, let me share what I consider to be a few of my own life-changing decisions.
• I am committed to continual personal growth. I believe growth is happiness, it is essential. Out of my growth I live, and out of my growth, I give.
• I will give and serve on the front end. Many of the blessings I enjoy today are the result of the decision my wife, Margaret, and I made to try to live a life of giving with no strings attached.
• I will exhibit a great attitude, regardless of the situation.
Virginia Satir said, “Life is not the way it’s supposed to be. It’s the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference.” It’s not the circumstances life deals us that determine our success or failure. It’s our response to it.
The Experiences I Encounter
Finally, the experiences we encounter on a daily basis impact our ability to live a useful life. Joseph Campbell put it best, “People say that what we’re all seeking is meaning for life…. I think that what we’re seeking is an experience of being alive.”
Our experiences determine how fulfilling our life is, and there are four realms to every experience:
1. Entertainment—Absorbing experience through the senses
2. Educational—Participation of a person’s mind or body, sometimes both
3. Escapist—Completely involves the person, like going to a theme park
4. Esthetic—Immersion in an environment but not affecting it
Jim Gilmore was spot-on when he said, “The richest and most compelling human experiences draw from all four realms.” If you are a leader or a communicator, ask yourself: When I am communicating with or leading people, do I involve all four experiences?
Final Thoughts
If you’re not doing something with your life, it doesn’t matter how long it is. If you’re doing something with your life, it doesn’t matter how long it is. Life does not consist of years lived, but of its usefulness.
If you are giving, loving, serving, helping, encouraging and adding value to others, you have a useful life!
If you wish it, wish it LOUD!
Katie
The computer keys are echoing as I type…WHERE have I been???? Not here blogging that is for sure. I am creating this on a computer that is a bit under the weather. Just a warning-Don’t look for this to be prim and proper. Thanks!
WOW! What a weekend. I have to say this July 4th weekend was my favorite to date~
DREAMS DO COME TRUE!
Being in the radio biz, I have been blessed to meet many people and do some pretty neat things. This past weekend really proved that if you put something out there long enough, you get it~
My father said to me “so this is what paying for 4 years of college gets you.” YES SIR!
It has been a well over a decade now of attending annual Dave Matthews Band shows. About 10 years ago I got as close as anyone could get to meeting Dave Matthews. I was in college and packed up my buddies parents mini van and drove straight through to Virginia for a show. Awaiting us there were backstage passes for the Neil Young, Dave Matthews Band show.
Just imagine…16 hours in a car with a fellow die-hard Dave fan. For the entire 16 hours we were dreaming up different scenarios, conversations, looks, items we could have signed by the band etc…We needed to be sure we didn’t leave anything out and that we didn’t look like star struck super fans.
We arrive in the hometown of the band, Charlottesville Virgina. It was a cute city, brick roads and coffee shops. It created an inviting atmosphere for visitors.
However, even after 16 hours of dreaming up the “meeting” we were about to have with Dave, we were restless. So we continued to dream up different scenarios, conversations, looks, items we could have signed by the band etc.
Looking back on it, we were goofballs and no doubt one of those die hard fans that we were striving so hard NOT to be! LOL
Long story short….We get backstage….No sightings of Dave or any of the band members. No meet n greet, no after show…nothing. We were disappointed but it was still a great trip.
FAST FORWARD 10 YEARS… (more…)
June is here! I am surprisingly moving quicker after Memorial Day weekend then I thought. I hope you enjoyed the weekend and enjoyed some time off to relax and get excited for the beginning of some great Summer days! I was privledged to be able to see some friends and family I have not seen in a long while, experience ‘Chocolatefest’ for the first time, catch a Milwaukee Brewer game, celebrate at a graduation party, and spend some time on the lakes this weekend. Life is good. I just wanted to post a few pictures from the weekend and tell you that I just posted a new article about ‘Giving away our power’ to others. It is a must read. Sign up to get it for free at www.coachkatie.com
Beautiful Miller Park
(more…)
Always sharing the good resources for you. Have a great memorial day and enjoy the start to a great Summer!
P.S I am truly torn…who is going to WIN IDOL tonite?
Best,
Katie
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Who Do You Surround Yourself With?
www.warrior-women.com/blog
You likely grew up hearing people provide cautionary notes about who you choose to hang out with. The fact is, in order to live your best life, examining who you are surrounding yourself with is an important part of the process. Who are you allowing into your life and what role do they play? When you interact with these people do they reflect your core values? Do they help you live in alignment with your core values? And, what do you do when you are faced with people who do not reflect your core values?
Begin by examining those closest relationships you have. Are the interactions healthy (i.e. NO drama)? Do you pracitice your core values with these people? By the way . . . do you even know what your core values are? If not – you must begin your journey there. Being crystal clear about your core values and aligning your behavior around these is the heart of life. In your heart of heart; uninfluenced by the pain, the wounds and hurts you have recieved in life – deep in there, are your core values. Take the time to determine what they are and begin aligning your behavior – AND, your relationships to them.
So, I can hear you thinking – well the “world” doesn’t live by my values – how can I do this? At the risk of sounding like a bit of an old hippy – change begins with ONE individual. . . seriously. So, here’s the deal for me personally (and I believe this to be universal). I can only control the things I think and do, not how others think and act. This bears repeating . . . I can only control the things I think and do. This is a choice, a choice that needs to be made every day.
I choose to interact with integrity, honesty and compassion. Not always easy – so, it’s a practice. I like to surround myself with people who can be a mirror for me, this reminds to align with my basic principles and values. For example my interactions with Sara remind me not to be too harsh, Jim reminds me of the value of humility and Jeff keeps me in touch with the passion for what do. I am grateful to have many such friends who, maybe unknowlingly to them, very much influence me to live my best life. When I pay attention to who I am surrounding myself with, my life flows so much more easily. So, while many choices and actions made by others do not align with what I would have done or action I might take; this does not necessitate – in the bigger scheme of things - that I chose them.
People will come in and out of your world across a lifetime. You need to be thoughtful about who you allow into your inner circle – as these relationships are a direct reflection of who YOU are. Being the best you can possibly be requires choices to be made and conscious intent. For some, this process is a radical shift but, for many more, it is a process that is gradual – in either instance, it is all about putting forth your intentions. This will attract into your life the right teachers who come disguised as friends.
Snow in May? That is what makes living in the Midwest a GEM of a place. I have yet to see a snowflake though. Happy Mothers Day to all the Moms out there who work their butts off and give their best everyday! I honor you on your day and wish you had more days of appreciation that are strictly yours.
It is Saturday morning and I am enjoying a cup of very strong coffee. I can across this article and it really pulled at my heart strings this morning. It made me reflect on the following:
Sometimes we like to go into “rescue mode.” Our intentions are pure and we do it with love but what is the message that you might be sending? What would happen if you held the person capable of getting where they need to go? What if their process of getting there is just different from yours? It’s like we all have our own GPS systems for life and there are many different ways of getting to your final destination. What would happen if we held that person as whole and complete?
Butterfly Lesson
A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared, he sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and could go no further. So the man decided to help the butterfly, he took a pair od scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon.
The butterfly then emerged with ease. But it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that any moment, the wings would expand and enlarge to be able to support the body which would contract with time. Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It was never able to fly.
What the man in his kindness and hassle did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the opening were Creators way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it could be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.
Often times struggles are exactly what we need in life. If we were allowed to go through our lives without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as we could have been. We could never fly.
I love it!
Katie
