Lu Ann Cahn
Philadelphia
Author, Speaker, Temple Klein College of Media and Communication Director of Career Services, former NBC10 Reporter. Order I Dare Me : amzn.to/1d7Jzr1
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Tripp SxSis looking for a Book Know of any novels of characters in their 30s and going to the #college for the first time? Or even going back to college? #30s Educated by Tara Westover Liked by 142.1K PixThis memoir, while non-fiction, reflects the journey of a woman in her late twenties who, despite a limited formal education early in life, gets into prestigious colleges. To add a comment, download the Likewise app from your device's app store.
The Dare: When things feel broken; walk
It’s been a strange end to 2021. Despite my best efforts, I got COVID. I guess that’s a first time experience, right? I had no symptoms. I was fully vaccinated and boosted, so I’m grateful for that. Truly. Then suddenly our water heater broke in our house and the dishwasher too as if they were simpatico; connected in some way. Weird. And I watched the news which is enough to tell you there’s plenty broken out there. Quarantining in the house while feeling completely healthy drove me nuts.
Want to be Innovative? Find Problems to Solve! - Lu Ann Cahn
As I dare organizations and individuals and college students to Do the New, the word “innovation” comes up a lot. How do we create something new, do something new, stay relevant? My friend Greg Satell, has written a great book, called, “Mapping Innovation” and his theory is all great innovators do one thing: they look for problems to solve. Greg says you find “stuff to fix” and to do that you have to spend time discovering what that is and then work to find solutions.
When is the Right Time to Say No? - Lu Ann Cahn
I get asked this a lot, ” How can I say Yes to everything? I have too much going on already. I have trouble saying NO.” Yes takes us places we’ve never been before; yes opens up our lives to new possibilities. Yes, to doing one new thing every day for a year, led to a book, a new career, friends, and experiences that changed my life. And I know from talking to so many of you, hearing so many or your personal stories, YES has taken you to amazing places too.
Dare to Risk Your Heart: A True Valentines Story - Lu Ann Cahn
This is a story about…hmmm. Well, I guess it’s about, a dare, a first and simple act of love; the kind that speaks true “Valentines”. Not the kind you buy in a store. Well, my friend Julie suggested I come up to Allentown last weekend to cross country ski with her. I’ve never cross country skied so I’m intrigued of course. AHA! A cool first. I don’t own skis. She says she happens to have an extra pair, size 7 1/2. That’s my size! Feels karmic. I’m going.
Day 20 of #IDareMe30: Left My Modesty in the Hot Springs
I have to tell you that I still don’t know what to make of Hot Springs, Arkansas. It’s a place that was apparently popular with gangsters and gamblers in the early 1920’s. The weird thing is, it kind of feels like time stopped right after those guys all left town. It’s a perfect setting to shoot a gangster movie or a horror film. A horse track still draws in some gamblers from time to time but the town itself is diminished from what it used to be. The other business that remains in Hot Springs, AK?
Day 12 of #IDareMe30: KC BBQ and Pie in the Face
I’d never been to Kansas City before and I have to say I was thrilled that the NBC KC Live team welcomed me onto their morning show with open arms. I just didn’t know that would also come with pie in the face. To be fair, they told me to expect something messy. I pictured being dunked in BBQ sauce since KC is famous for their fabulous BBQ. We did get to try KC’s famous burned ends, beef ribs and creamy corn, (corn swimming in cheese). A tower of onion rings too.
Kansas City Live dares Lu Ann Cahn
Author, Lu Ann Cahn, is a woman crossing the country to complete 30 dares in 30 days. We presented her with a dare, thanks to Kansas City's long standing pie company, Tippen's! Follow Lu Ann Cahn on her challenge at http://luanncahn.com/ .
Day 11 of #IDareMe30: The Social Canvas in Des Moines
To be quite honest, by the time we got to Des Moines, we were pooped. The drive from Chicago was long. Alexa and I drove through snow, sleet and hail in our 2015 Nissan Altima which wasn’t phased by the weather one bit! (Thanks again Nissan Subaru of Concordville!) I could tell that we both needed something different; something a little less physical but stimulating in a different way. We had no real plans yet and we needed a good mother / daughter first time experience.
Day 10 of #IDareMe30: Flying High in Chicago
Martha Kadas dared me to take a flying leap in Chicago…on a flying trapeze. This is a woman who read I Dare Me and then took her own daring journey to the extreme: learning to fly a plane, did a polar bear plunge into water that was so cold it had the texture of a slushy and getting her master certification in scuba diving. Martha’s partner Nancy has joined her on all of these dares, but Saturday it was my turn.
Day 9: Embracing My Inner Indy Clown
I am telling you right now, something magical happened in Indianapolis. Betty Taylor is a fan who read I Dare Me and decided to go on her own year of first adventures, which she shared with me all along the way. When I started this #IDareMe30 tour, I knew I had to visit her and share a dare together. Betty was totally game, but here’s the thing: The dare she had her heart set on was to learn to be a clown with me. If you’ve read my book then you know I’m not exactly a clown person.
Day 8: Unfor-goetta-ble Cincy and Chilli
My fabulous Penguin editor of I Dare Me, Meg Leder, is originally from Cincinnati, (aka Cincy). When I told her I was looking for a good dare in Cincy she wrote: I used all of my reporter skills to find the best goetta experience, which led me to the owner of the leading Goetta brand in the US: Glier’s Goetta – The “O” is silent until you taste it! (That’s their motto – love it.) AND I discovered that I also love goetta! Philly, we have to “goetta” some of this stuff, because I am now a fan.
Day 7 of #IDareMe30: Eating Insects and a Roller Dare
Apparently not everyone wants to eat a scorpion in a lollipop. Go figure. I gave Pete Scalia at Fox28 Good Day Columbus this daring candy and this point was as close as he was getting to it! The employees of Accenture Consulting, however, gamely ate crickets and cheddar cheese larvae after I dared them to during a “lunch and learn”. Full disclosure, my cousin Karen Bratburd knew I was in town and recruited me to come speak to her office about facing fears and stepping outside your comfort zone.
Day 6 of #IDareMe30: Pittsburg, I love your Pancakes
One of the loveliest things about this #IDareMe30 journey so far, are the surprises. The things you don’t plan. We came to Pittsburgh yesterday thinking we were about to climb the steepest street in America, which we DID plan. Hiking up Canton Avenue is a good dare, especially in the snow. As Loraine said, “It’s like climbing a stairmaster!” Great leg workout, which I was thankful for because we were about to have some unexpected calories to work off.
Day 5: Sleepless and Skiing in Lewisberry, PA
Facing a real fear is the toughest and sometimes the most rewarding dare you can do. Kara Raudenbush (in the middle ) is fearless in so many ways. She is a wife, mother, a professional photographer, business owner and she has publicly battled MS, raising money for research dollars every year. But, even with all of that bravery, she’s spent her whole life afraid to ski. Her entire family skis. In fact they go on SKI VACATIONS where all they DO is ski, and Kara still never skiied… until yesterday.
Day 4 of #IDareMe30: Boston, Driving and Past Lives
My #IDareMe30 tour partner Loraine Ballard Morrill and I have decided you really just need to travel in the car with us to get a real sense of this road trip journey. Speaking of cars, shout out to Concordville Nissan Subaru for loaning us this amazing 2015 Nissan Altima. It got us through a snow storm the other day with no problem – seriously impressive! Yesterday we spent time in Boston learning how to make beautiful silk/felt scarves. “Felting” is the official term.
Day 3: I've Been "Reiki-ed"
Gina Johnson (in the tan sweater below) says that wanting to learn how to become a Reiki energy healer has always been a secret desire. That is, until she read my book I Dare Me and saw my Facebook post asking readers across the country to share their dare with me. “Come to Connecticut,” Gina wrote. “I want to learn how to do Reiki.” I have to say, I wasn’t quite sure about this dare. Chakras? Energy healing?
Day 2: "I Hope you DANCE" Dare
It’s hard to believe pretty, teeny Gladys Dweck from Brooklyn is 41 and a mother of four. It was also hard for me to believe she was afraid to dance. That’s what she told me after she attended an I Dare Me workshop I ran at the Canyon Ranch in Lenox, Massachusetts in early November. “What do you mean you can’t dance?” I asked her. “I mean I can’t dance”, she said, ” I have no rhythm.” I passed out a card that day asking those in the workshop to finish the sentence: I dare me to________.
Day 1: The PLUNGE BABY! BRRRRRR
The water was ICE today in Atlantic City, but I felt such warmth and support from my Damsels in Success Sisters: Loraine, Andrea, Kelly, Keir, Melanie, Sarah, Marsha, Alicia, Mina, Karen. Family: My husband Phil behind the camera, my daughter Alexa and her boyfriend Jadd. Friends: Gwen and Julie, Matt and MeeMee. You guys were so awesome today, whether you were taking the plunge with me or cheering me on from the shore.
The Tarot Card Reading from 5 years Ago...OMG
So this freaked me out this morning. Follow me on this. 5 Years ago I plunged into the Atlantic Ocean, the first of 365 Firsts to get life unstuck. New Years Day I will take the plunge again…this time with friends, fans and family to launch the 30 Dares in 30 Days I Dare Me Book tour in 30 different cities. As I was writing this post this morning, I remembered the tarot card reading I had done on day 152 of my journey in 2010. I decided to look at it out of curiosity, maybe for a little inspiration.
What Defines Success....? - Lu Ann Cahn
My husband Phil gave me this card Friday, my last day of my 40 year career as a news broadcaster. It seems perfect to me for so many reasons, including the fact that it reminds me of the beginning, the radio job I worked at writing scripts on a black Royal typewriter just like this with gold on the keys. And when I was that 18 year old starting out, I’m sure I dreamed of cars and a big house and clothes . I’m the daughter of a social worker and a secretary.
When One Door Closes...
My life’s work and passion since I was 18 years old is about to change, and it’s a big change. HUGE! I’m about to embark on what is perhaps the biggest dare of my life; an ending and a new beginning. You all have been so supportive and encouraging in your own ways and I wanted to share this news with you personally in hopes that you will come along with me on this next life adventure. First, I am leaving NBC10 WCAU, which has been my home for the last 27 years.
FEAR: Taming Our Mental Bully
I’ve been thinking about FEAR lately. It comes up in almost every discussion about daring yourself to try something for the FIRST TIME. There are legitimate FEARS. Jumping out of a plane? Absolutely. But that’s different.
I Dare Me: How I Rebooted and Recharged My Life by Doing Something New Every Day
Veteran journalist and eight-time Emmy award-winner Lu Ann Cahn is a reporter for Philadelphia’s WCAU-TV. She’s currently working on special in-depth projects and exclusive high profile interviews for NBC10 News at 11p.m. Lu Ann is admired by her colleagues and viewers for her personal story of beating breast cancer at the age of 35.
Stuck? 7 Ways to Reboot and Recharge Your Life
Ever feel like you’re living in “Groundhog Day?” Lost your best self somewhere along the way? I get it. I’ve been there. For over 30 years, I was a successful Emmy award-winning TV news reporter when I suddenly hit a wall. Wham. The economy tanked. Coworkers were losing their jobs. New technology came at me like a tidal wave. I had no interest in it. “I don’t text!” I would snarl. “Facebook is for kids!” I leaned on my experience and habits and suddenly I was being left behind, angry and frustrated.
Firsts Are the Antidote to Stuck
Feeling stuck in a rut? Leave your comfort zone in the dust and try doing something new today! I was leading a workshop at a recent conference when a woman bravely said what so many in the room were thinking: “I feel like I’ve lost myself. I’ve lost my best self. I don’t know where I went.” Other women nodded in agreement. It is no wonder. We pack our days with “to dos,” responsibilities, and “shoulds.” We take care of everyone else.
First leads to Silver Screen.....WHOA
This is my childhood friend Lori Brickman. We grew up together in Atlanta. I don’t think we’ve seen each other…hmmm…maybe since high school… But she read I Dare Me and Dared herself right into the movies… We’ll you’ll see. I love her story. Hope you do too. Here it is in Lori’s own words: Last summer I decided it was time to make a turn in my road of life. I wanted to do something creative, something that was fun and admittedly, would add a little cash to my bank account.
To My Breast Cancer Friends.... And Beyond
I had the honor of speaking at the Living Beyond Breast Cancer Annual Conference this weekend. 23 years ago, before pink ribbons and all the marches, we were fighting for research dollars, fighting to have our voices heard. We were naive back then. We thought we’d see breast cancer cured in 10 years if we just shouted loud enough. We didn’t know breast cancer is not a one headed monster but a 10 headed beast…different in different women. Though we don’t have a cure….something new has happened.
So, You Did the Ice Bucket Challenge? Next?
Did you feel it? I’m not talking about the icy cold water on top of your head. I mean, did you feel that little rush? That little shot of adrenaline? That little feeling of surprise even though you knew it was coming? That is what Firsts are like. That is what doing something new for the first time feels like. The reason the ALS ice bucket challenge is so wonderful is that anyone can do it.
Life and the Art of Sand Sculptures
If you’ve read I Dare Me you know that once a year we join my husband’s side of the family on St. Augustine Beach. And for the last 10 or so years I’ve been in charge of the annual day long sand sculpture project. Generally ” Aunt Lu Ann” gathers ideas from all those ages 16 and under, we debate, we vote, we design and then we build. We have built magnificent castles, a sea turtle, a mermaid, a dragonfly and one year we did Squarepants Bob . ( Squarepants came out kind of flat.
Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow, I Dare Me FIRST
I’ve always thought Andrea Lawful was a pretty daring woman. She says what she thinks and I love that about her. Now she insists I Dare Me has inspired her latest dare…well, a HAIR DARE. Here’s the BEFORE…Read on for the AFTER…in Andrea’s own words. For a few years now, I have been a part of this group called Damsels In Success and within the nucleus of these dynamic women, sat LuAnn Cahn who I just found to be sweet, gracious and an avid seeker of truth.
Creating Space for Something New
This week I reclaimed a small space in my house. It’s about 4 by 4 in our 2nd bedroom (we only have 2). It’s just enough room for a cardboard table I’ve turned into a desk and a spare chair I had in our bedroom. I know this is where I begin to work on NEXT. What is NEXT in this I DARE ME adventure? Honestly, I’m not sure. There are so many possibilities and directions to go in…writing projects, speaking engagements, teaching , back to school? I felt compelled to create my little space to “let IT in”.
Clean Your Closet? Then You Can Do Anything!
Yesterday, I just stared at my mess of a closet for awhile feeling overwhelmed. Ugh. I don’t want to do this. I HAVE TO DO THIS! Winter clothes were mixed up with Spring clothes, mixed up with stuff I hadn’t worn in years. I stepped over piles of shoes and purses that were beat. I looked at a favorite top that I’d worn for 10 seasons and would wear for 10 more if my husband hadn’t said “Really?
Lessons from CAMPOWERMENT
I just came home from spending 3 life changing days at Campowerment. First, I want to say, I don’t say “life changing” lightly. It just is. This morning I sorted and organized my mail with new techniques I learned. I walked my dog Star with my new interval walking program. I started putting in motion some of the next exciting pieces of my life. I came home with memories of jumping in a lake, climbing a tree and pushing myself off the top to zip line…ahhhhhh.
Dare Your Mom on Mother's Day
This week we celebrated my daughter Alexa’s 27th birthday and I made her a homemade birthday cake. ” Wow” , she said, “You made this?” It surprised me she didn’t remember SHE was the one who got me to take a “bake a cake from scratch” lesson four years ago. It was one of 365 Firsts during my year of firsts. She was the one who kicked me in the butt to begin with and convinced me to start a blog, to do something new every single day.
Big Firsts in the Big Easy
It’s our 32nd Anniversary. And we decided to celebrate with a big FIRST in New Orleans. I’d never been. It’s been over 20 years since Phil set foot in NOLA. Now I believe you don’t have to spend a dime or travel anywhere to do wonderful FIRST time adventures. But (okay, this sounds a little nuts) I love smelling new air sometimes. And as soon as I got off the plane in NO I knew I loved it…immediately the smell of water…the sea and then the most delicious aromas hit you.
Mother/Daughter Like "Giving Firsts" in Tenn.
I’ve heard from quite a few Mother/ Daughter teams taking on Firsts together. If you read I Dare Me, you know my Year of Firsts would never have happened without my daughter Alexa pushing me. Sometimes it really helps to have someone ready to cheer us on and join us in this personal journey. The experience bonds us and makes us feel closer to the ones we love. Lynn Sykes and her daughter Taylor live in Knoxville, Tennessee and agreed to share a little of their adventure together so far .
I Dare Me: How I Rebooted and Recharged My Life by Doing Something New Every Day by Lu Ann Cahn; Unabridged MP3 Audio Book; Narrator Lu Ann Cahn
One woman's quest to do one new thing every day of the year, what she learned, and what we all can gain from her journey... In 2009 veteran journalist and eight-time Emmy award winner Lu Ann Cahn was feeling angry and frustrated. The economy was tanking. Her job was changing. Budgets were being cut. She resented the new technology and social media she was being asked to embrace at work.
Realtor Starts Doing Firsts, Business Goes Up
Cindy Moore is a mother, grandmother and realtor in Joplin, Missouri. She started a year of firsts and says her Real Estate business took off. Coincidence? She doesn’t think so. Here she is with her grandson randomly putting encouraging notes on parked cars. Love it. Below is her guest blog. Every year, I choose a new word for the upcoming months. This year, through a series of synchronicities, the word chose me. Beyond is my theme for 2014.
Creating Small World Under Glass Feels Big
It’s been a long hellish week of snow, ice and freezing temperatures in Philly. Friday night after work I had this thought that I should cancel going to my First “Build a Terrarium Class” at City Planter. But I know from I Dare Me experience, your whole day can be turned around by SOMETHING NEW! So, I PUSHED myself to get there and was so glad because I was completely lifted as soon as I walked into the 4th street garden store.
I Dare Me: How I Rebooted and Recharged My Life by Doing Something New Every Day by Lu Ann Cahn; Unabridged MP3 Audio Book; Narrator Lu Ann Cahn
One woman's quest to do one new thing every day of the year, what she learned, and what we all can gain from her journey... In 2009 veteran journalist and eight-time Emmy award winner Lu Ann Cahn was feeling angry and frustrated. The economy was tanking. Her job was changing. Budgets were being cut. She resented the new technology and social media she was being asked to embrace at work.
The I Dare Me Club!
My cousin just wrote me and said she was inspired by I Dare Me to say Yes to a party; a party she almost backed out of because she was going alone, she only knew the host and no one else, and it was snowing. She remembered my book reminded her you have to PUSH YOURSELF sometimes to do new things…. She thought she’d endure a couple of hours and come home.
Lessons from My Daughter
Yesterday, for the first time, I realized my 57 year old fairly zippy self, was having trouble keeping up with my daughter’s 26 year old speedy pace on the streets of New York in the rain. Alexa expertly hailed cabs and navigated our path on crowded streets between interviews I was doing about I Dare Me; leading me, while I tried to remember that little girl who once tried to keep step with me saying ” I could dood it!” What I’ve learned from her in the past few years?
Do you PLAY? Lessons from Dodgeball.
Remember playing dodgeball as a kid? It was playground bragging rights in fourth grade if you were the last one standing in the circle; the one who dodged all the balls. I was pretty good at it….the dodging…not the throwing and hitting part. That might explain why I love the idea of playing as an adult and why I recruited my co-workers at NBC10 to play in the annual Bensalem Police tournament. We often forget as adults how to play.
Best Holiday Gift? A First Experience!
The best gifts don’t come in a box. They’re the ones that make memories; the experiences that you share with friends and family. Well, that’s what I think. Giving a First time experience is something that never gets old, outdated and you can’t outgrow because the recipient will always have it with them. It doesn’t need to be crazy like a ticket to jump out of a plane. Maybe it’s an art class, a cooking class or a chance to feed the seals at your aquarium.
Blog - Lu Ann Cahn
This weekend I experienced a First that reminds me once again, how connected we all are and the best gift we have to share is ourselves. Mindi Freedman bid on a brunch and book signing at my home to benefit Living Beyond Breast Cancer. She invited her good friends..all of them strangers to me when they walked in the door. … friends when they walked out. The common ground of children, jobs, dogs…our lives easily shared over coffee and my grandmother’s cheese souffle. We all took a chance.
I Dare Me By Lu Ann Cahn: Shaking Up A Routine With One New Thing A Day
In her new book, I Dare Me: How I Rebooted and Recharged My Life by Doing Something New Every Day, journalist Lu Ann Cahn recaps the success of her popular blog that chronicled an entire year of "firsts," from Latin dancing on the beach to taking an art class with a nude model.
I Dare Me: How I Rebooted and Recharged My Life by Doing Something New Every Day
I Dare Me: How I Rebooted and Recharged My Life by Doing Something New Every Day (eBook)
Author challenges herself to do something new every day in 'I Dare Me'
Nov. 5, 2013 at 7:46 AM ET Journalist and eight-time Emmy award winner Lu Ann Cahn decided to give her life a jump-start by endeavoring to try something totally new every day for an entire year. In "I Dare Me," she documents her "Year of Firsts." Here's an excerpt. Before I started my Year of Firsts, I was stuck. From the outside, my life at age fifty-three looked fine. I had a good job. I had plenty of accomplishments as a journalist. My marriage of twenty-five-plus years was stable.
I Dare Me the book : "How did it happen?"
So many people have asked me lately, “How did your blog become a book?” I wanted to share this with you because I think within the story is one of the best lessons I learned from doing a year of daily first time experiences. Here’s the quick version of the story. In an effort to do something new every day I had to volunteer and say YES to many things I wouldn’t have otherwise done. One day I said YES to fill in as a co-host for the now defunct 10! Show.
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