Author/Speaker on midlife issues and women's friendships

Pat Shapiro does keynote presentations, lectures and workshops on women’s midlife issues, with a special interest in friendships. The following topics are adapted from her two books on midlife issues, HEART TO HEART: Deepening Women’s Friendships at Midlife and MY TURN: Women’s Search for Self After the Children Leave.

KEYNOTE SPEECHES

HEART TO HEART: A Celebration of Women and Friendship
Inspiring and entertaining, this lecture focuses on how our friendships enrich our lives, how to overcome the barriers that get in the way of true closeness and how to balance time for ourselves with time for others. The lecture unfolds through story telling: Pat’s own friendship story and the stories of some of the women she interviewed for Heart to Heart.

Women at Midlife: Becoming Whole
Through stories and humor, this lecture raises thought-provoking questions about how we can connect the many parts of our lives into a unified whole at midlife. It covers discovering passions, finding spirituality, nurturing friendships, and renegotiating relationships with our partners and grown children.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS AND WORKSHOPS

What Your Mother Never Told You About Friendship
We all get messages from our mothers about friendship: some spoken, some unspoken. Learn how those impacted on you, your choice of friends and the nature of your relationships. Discover what you can teach your mother and daughter about these special relationships.

The Trouble with Friends
Jealousy, anger and competition still plague women’s friendships in the 21st century. Learn how these emotions can challenge the closest friendships. Discover healthy ways to cope with your feelings.

Firm Friendships: Dive In or Bail Out
At some point, everyone evaluates her friendships. Do the positives outweigh the negatives? Am I truly valued? Learn how to deepen those relationships you care most about and let go gracefully of toxic friends.