May 17, 2025 • 33 mins
In this episode...
I sit down with debut author Isabel Bolt—a woman whose life has been anything but predictable. From raising a family and navigating a decades-long career, to surviving breast cancer (twice), divorce, and the wild world of online dating in her 60s—Isabel shares the raw, hilarious, and deeply moving lessons behind her first book.
We talk about the pressure of expectations, the beauty in life’s detours, and how storytelling can become a powerful act of healing. Isabel’s honesty, humor, and hard-won wisdom remind us that the real magic often happens in the mess—and that it’s never too late to find your voice, your story, and your power.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
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(00:05):
Welcome to the Powerof Authority Spotlight.
I'm your host, Michelle Prince,founder and CEO of Performance
Publishing Group, making a Difference.
One story at a time, we'll beshining the light on successful
founders, entrepreneurs, businessowners, and leaders that are getting
results and making a difference.
We'll talk about how they builttheir businesses are creating
(00:26):
movements and leveraging thepower of authority in their.
Own lives.
Be sure to stick around to theend of the show and we'll reveal
how you can be our next guest.
Let's get started.
Hey everybody and welcome to the Power ofAuthority Spotlight, where we shine the
light on entrepreneurs, founders, leaders,people that are doing extraordinary
(00:48):
things, they're making a difference,and they're telling their story.
And our guest today is someone veryspecial to me and I can't wait to let you
get to know her 'cause just so much fun.
, and her name is Isabelle Bolt andshe grew up in Chicago, Illinois,
attended Loyola University.
Throughout her life, she's assumedvarious roles including daughter,
sister, wife, mother, patient.
(01:09):
Lover, friend and professional, all ofwhich featured a cast of characters.
She's still trying to figure out theplot, but Isabelle currently lives
in Dallas, Texas, and she's recentlywritten a book that is so extraordinary
that I can't wait to tell you about.
And this book, by the way, it alreadyis a five star book with over 50
reviews and it just debuted in January.
(01:30):
So it's pretty recent.
, but let's, we'll get tothe book in just a minute.
First, let's go ahead andwelcome Isabelle to the show.
Welcome, Isabelle.
Hi, Michelle.
Thank you.
Oh my gosh, I'm so excited you're here.
This, this conversation has beena long time coming because you
and I met how many years ago now?
Probably three, I think.
(01:50):
Three maybe three and a half.
It's been a while.
Yeah.
But, , I just have to share realquick, , briefly how we met, right?
So we met in directly,not about your book yet.
But some professional channels, , doingsome, some, , conference together.
And I remember you and I having dinnerone night we met in Dallas and you
(02:12):
just kind of casually mentioned thatwe've thought about writing a book.
Do you remember that conversation?
I do, I do.
I, I remember a tiny bitdifferent in that, , I, you
said something, I said somethingabout writing and you said, well.
I'm a publisher for specializingin first time authors.
And I mean, it was such kismet at thatmoment and I really believe in signs
(02:32):
and I, it had been way in the back of mymind, but you know, how was I gonna do it?
Who was I gonna do it with?
When was it gonna happen?
How was it gonna, and then you'resitting right across dinner from me
and a total happenstance meeting.
And so it was, it was one of thosesigns that I thought, uhoh, now
the ball is just starting to roll.
I know, I know.
And I'm so grateful for that.
, connect Oh, me too.
(02:53):
How that whole thing came about.
But, , your book, his, firstof all, let me, let's tell
everybody what the, the title is.
It's called, the Secret toHappiness is Low Expectations.
And if you are looking for a boringbook with a lot of just, you know,
boring, , concepts, and this is not thebook for you, but if you wanna have a
good laugh and learn a little bit alongthe way, this is an extraordinary book.
(03:15):
In fact, , on Amazon, there wasan anonymous review I just have to
read because I think this reallysums up your book perfectly.
, so, so it's again, anonymous reviewsays A humorous rev revelatory easy
for me to say a humorous revelatoryrom through life's constant
surprises I dove into Isabelle Bolts.
(03:37):
The secret to happiness is lowexpectations, expecting a gentle
guide on finding joy in the every day.
Instead, I got a hilarious masterclassin life's unpredictability, a book
that's as sharp and witty as andas refreshingly honest as that one
friend who always tells it like it is.
Isabel's storytelling is like acocktail of humor, wisdom, and charm.
(04:00):
Her chapter titles had me grinningand not sure what to anticipate.
As often comes when youlower your expectations and
simply laugh at the chaos.
What an incredible review.
Isn't that great?
And that's anonymous.
I don't know, you know, I know if it wasfriend or foe or what, but found the book.
That's, that's fantastic.
And I, I do, I do think thatit, it's interesting how
(04:21):
people have received the book.
'cause what I intended for it to be.
Then once, of course it's published,you don't get to read it for people.
People are reading it and making theirown conclusions and it's, it's been
such a kick to hear how relatable itis, how much people laughed about it.
'cause it was intended to be a humor,humor book about looking at life through a
(04:41):
lens and kind of in the rear view mirror.
The happenings in your life and, , whetherit was raising kids or, , having
a lake house or being a workingprofessional and traveling, , aging,
retirement, like it's all in there.
And, , a little bit something foreverybody, but the people who have
written in reviews, it seems likeeverybody there was a different
take on it, which is interesting.
(05:02):
Yeah.
Well, I think everybody wants to, Imean, first of all, everyone can relate
with the topics, you know, in the end.
Yeah.
The ups, the downs, mm-hmm.
But you've just been away withhumor, which, which I think is great.
And it's really not your first timeto be writing with humor, though.
Is it your Christmas?
No, it's not.
No, it's not.
I, , actually, the way I started,, the, the book or how the book came
(05:24):
together was years and years ago.
, I always collected a scrapbookand it wasn't for photos,
like more, most people do.
It was words.
It was words.
It was, , maybe.
Snippets from sermons, , happy, funnyepisodes that happened in the family.
Ridiculous things at work.
, everything would be in the script.
Book.
I used to write on matchbooks oron, you know, envelopes and put it
(05:47):
in the console of my car and then Iwould collect it all and just keep
it in a basket and then I'd put it inwriting 'cause it was no computers.
Then we're talking 40 years ago that Istarted, you know, just doing it for fun.
Well then when the kids were born, Igot married and the kids were born.
I started getting these Christmas letters.
, and you know, all of 'em are theperfect families with honor roll
(06:08):
students and the husband justgot a promotion and he was taking
everybody to Hawaii for the holiday.
I mean, every single one was one of those.
Exactly.
And I thought, wow, we're doingsomething wrong here in this house.
So I started kind of a campaign andevery year I would write kind of an anti
Christmas letter that just would talkabout what happened with our family.
(06:29):
Really in during the year andfolks got such a kick out of it
that people started like asking ifthey could send to their friends.
And previously I almost hadpeople subscribing in my Christmas
letter because they wanted toknow how things really were going.
And so, , and I, after my divorce,I kind of stopped for a few years
'cause it was a little bit of a saddertime, but then I picked it up again.
, just talking about work, travel.
(06:53):
Weddings Lake house.
It was, it just goes on and on.
And, , I now, of course it's on a computerwhere I, where I have all of it and, and
literally it's 52 pages, single spaced.
I couldn't get all of it into thebook, but it, it, it was a, it's a
container for a lot of moments inepisodes that really were tickled me.
So I've read one of those Christmasletters or two, maybe, maybe a
(07:15):
couple actually at this point.
But, , they're, they're hilarious.
But, but also, I mean, 'cause it's somuch of your personality, but I've seen
how you've taken so much of that, mm-hmm.
This, that you, you did withall those letters into the book.
And you've been thinking though aboutwriting this book for how long now?
I was probably seriously thinking aboutit for about six or seven years because
(07:37):
even in my sales job that I had for manyyears, I, I love to do storytelling.
And it got to the point where every timeI would visit, , one of my distributors
before I could do a product presentation,they'd always say, oh, Isabelle,
before you start, tell us about whenthe fireman came, when your oven was
on fire from the lasagna or Isabelle.
Tell us about how the boatcaught on fire in the middle
(07:57):
of the lake or Isabelle, what.
Tell us about when you ran outta gas.
I mean, it would be all thesestories and they would be constantly
retold and they'd go, okay, nowyou can do your presentation.
And every time something hilarioushappened within the family or
friends, everybody would look at meand go, okay, that goes in the book.
You gotta put that in the book.
That's so it, there was a constant,like an undercurrent of one of
(08:20):
these days this book is gonna come.
The hard part was though,what was it going to be about?
It's not a how to book.
And I didn't figure it wasgonna be an inspiration book.
, what was it?
Just about my family andwork and funny things.
So it took me a while to kindof feel what, how that was gonna
all come together in order to beentertaining and, and and relevant.
(08:42):
Well, I think you nailed it truly.
And I know it did take a little whileto just get that exactly solidified.
Yes.
But I think you really truly nailed it.
'cause it is, it is a perfectblend of your stories.
The funny stories, your obviously your.
We're gonna be talking about someof your stories here in a minute.
, but also though, with some reallyapplicable, you know, it's not like
somebody had to know you to know, to, tolearn something, something through some
(09:06):
of your stories, you know what I mean?
Well, and you know, it's, it'sfunny you mention that, Michelle,
because several of my friends, andit kind of hurt my feelings at first.
They said, well, you know, do you thinkanybody's going to really get it or
be interested if they don't know you?
And I thought, oh.
You know, I kind ofnever thought about that.
And the happy, you know, outcome ofthat is that there's been so many
(09:28):
people who don't have a clue about methat have picked up the book and, and
it's in book clubs everywhere now.
And I mean, people I've never met.
They still got a kick out of it.
So I'm glad I had more universal appealthan some of my friends first thought.
You're gonna have to have a littlehigher expectations next time, Isabelle.
Right?
Change the title.
(09:51):
There are so many goodstories, so many good chapters.
I'm curious though, what'syour favorite chapter?
I think, . Well, it, it is really hard'cause they all, they all standalone,
they're all kinda like little pearlsthat are strung together on a necklace.
But I'll kind of switch the questionaround and say that I think the chapter
titles are the things that made me roarwhen I finally got, I, I actually did the
(10:13):
titles before I wrote any of the copy.
And there's things like the laborcomes after the delivery, , which
is true to anybody who's had kids.
, there's been a mistake.
I got the wrong families.
Which is something my son said whenwe put him in timeout when he was six.
, playing with Matches, my chapter ononline dating in your fifties, , six
(10:35):
Saturdays and a Sunday retirement.
So just, I just got such a kickout of putting those together and
then, then writing from there.
So I, I, I think the chapter titlesthemselves are my favorite for sure.
For sure.
And we have to talk about the wishbone.
Yes.
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Playing the wishbone, becauseyou're also wearing a wishbone.
I'm wearing my Wishbone.
(10:55):
Yes.
It was a gift from a friendafter I got published.
, yes, very important because 10, it's,it's also the subtitle of my book,
, 10 years ago, one of my very goodfriends, she happens to be featured
in the book, , her name is Karen.
She sent me, she's known for kindof oddball gifts, and so I get this
giant gold wishbone in the mail.
I thought, oh, now where's this gonna go?
(11:17):
So I put it on the coffeetable, , in case she came over.
Uhhuh, of course, we all havethose and, but, but what she
wrote in my, my card was so, , soimportant and, and never forgot it.
And she said, Isabelle, everywoman needs to have a wishbone,
a funny bone, and a backbone.
(11:39):
And, and what she was talkingabout is we all need our dreams.
We all need a sense of humorand we all need courage.
And that's, it's always resonated with me.
Every woman can identify with that and I.
Truly, I made it the subtitleof my book because there's a
lot of all of it in the book.
Yeah, it is all it.
(12:01):
A hundred percent.
And I, I just, the visual, it's sucha good visual and I love that you
have the necklace because, , it isthat reminder, but, but not just
the funny bone, the wishbone, butalso that backbone piece of it.
And you talk a lot about thatbecause you don't talk about just.
Great things and perfect moments Inthe book, like we talked about, you did
(12:22):
also write about some painful moments.
What was that like and how, how was, , youknow, was it hard, I guess, sharing some
of your, your more personal and difficultmoments that you've been through?
, yes, because everythingisn't a laugh for sure.
And , at first I wasn't sure I was goingto even share as much as I did, but, but
then the book wouldn't have authenticity.
(12:42):
So, , I did have a couple, , battleswith cancer and, , I did get a divorce.
I did have my heart broken afterthe divorce, , with the guy.
And so there, it was hard, mainlybecause I have, I have a difficult time
living in the moment, and by writingabout this, I had, I had repressed
(13:03):
a lot of the feelings that I hadabout all of those, those happenings.
I kind of, I didn't, I went throughit, but I wasn't really in it.
So, , I think in writing the book, Ididn't ever expect that it would be
cathartic as well, but it really was'cause it kind of brought up all the
old feelings that I kind of didn'twanna face at the moment 'cause I was
so distracted with the other chaos.
(13:24):
So it's, it's good sometimes to sitwith it and realize, , you know, how
you've grown from it and how the folksaround you supported you in every way.
So it, yeah, so there's alittle blend of that as well.
Yeah, for sure.
I always tell people that, you know,writing a book no matter what the subject
is, because we've all been through stuff.
Mm-hmm.
It, it's a little bit like pullingoff a bandaid sometimes, though.
(13:45):
I mean, it's, that's agood, that's a good analogy.
Yeah.
Yeah.
'cause it's not, but, but thenonce you do, you're kind of like,
oh, okay, now I feel better.
You know?
It, it, it is, it, it's a release.
It's a, it's a way of releasing.
And, , and also I think,
. As I was writing it and kind of gettingalmost toward the end, because as you
know, I, I wrote it in four months.
It took 40 years, butwrote it in four months.
(14:06):
, and around the third month I washaving a lot of thoughts about
maybe I'm not gonna publish.
I will publish it, you know, with, withMichelle and performance publishing, but
maybe I just give it to close friendsbecause some of the stuff in there was
vulnerable and I thought, well, anddoes anybody really care about my story?
And.
(14:26):
Maybe once it gets out there,people would look at me differently.
, maybe I don't need all that out there.
And then I talked to a very good friendof mine, he happens to be a former
boss of mine in Boston, , a gentleman.
And he said, Isabelle, there you go again.
You're trying to control theoutcome, which is my specialty.
But she, he said, let that book goand for once in your life, just stay
(14:49):
curious about how it'll be received.
And he said, you're going to.
You're gonna steal so much joy frompeople if you don't just let it go.
, and he kind of, I waited alittle bit and then I thought,
no, I, I think I'm going to.
So it's a risk to be an author.
It really is a risk, especiallywhen you're telling your own story.
(15:09):
Mm-hmm.
Because you never know howthat's gonna be received.
And in fact, a lot of people cameback to me and went, I had no idea.
Like, they thought theyknew me and they're like, I.
We didn't know that about youand how you seem so vulnerable in
that and, and maybe that's good.
Maybe that's good that now it's out.
I, I think it is good.
I mean, it, I, I, I knowhow you feel though.
I mean, I've written bookstoo where you share things.
(15:30):
In fact, funny enough, just this lastweek I was with some, an aunt who, who
doesn't live, , lives farther away andwe don't see each other that often.
And she was just reading a book, oneof my books that I wrote a couple years
ago, and she was like, I had no idea.
I.
And I think that's kind of the wholepoint of writing a book and being
authentic is we going back to yourChristmas letters, we assume everyone
(15:54):
else has it all together, or nobodyelse is dealing with this, or I don't
wanna burden someone with my problems.
Mm-hmm.
But the truth is that's how we, thatis how we help people, you know?
I mean, even going back to your reviewfrom that anonymous woman mm-hmm.
That like, mm-hmm.
Made her, you know, it tickledher funny bone, but it also
brought some other things up.
And had you not shared yourstory, you know mm-hmm.
(16:17):
Driving people from that.
So what's great adviceand it's, it's relatable.
People say it was very relatable andthat they kinda saw themselves in
some of the stories, which is great.
And, , I think overall just having,, being able to look in the rear view
mirror of your life after six decades, I.
You see all the interconnectednessthat you never knew what
(16:38):
was happening at the time.
It, it kind of, you know, chokesyou up a little bit because
you never know how important arelationship or situation might be
until it's in the rear view mirror.
Because we can't see the futureand sometimes we're not even
starring in our own lives.
Sometimes what's going on with usreally is helping somebody else.
(17:01):
And, and although I never intended itfor to, to be an inspirational book.
It's very interesting, Michelle,that a lot of the reviews that I've
read use the word healing, which isvery, I'm very complimented by that.
, healing and inspirational.
'cause it does put all thepuzzle pieces together.
Yeah.
When you look in the rear viewmirror about why something happened
the way it did, and it might'vebeen nothing to do with you.
(17:24):
Wow.
Yeah.
And I love you said that, , evenbefore you wrote the book, you've
mentioned the rear view mirror.
And I love that analogy though.
Yeah.
You know?
Yeah.
Yeah.
It's a big part of your story.
So if it's okay, I have to share one of myfavorite, . Moments with you through this
whole book journey was your book signing?
, you've done, oh, we're gonna talk aboutall the book signings you've done,
(17:46):
but the one that I was able to attendin the Dallas area and in Dallas.
All yes.
Oh my gosh.
First of all, just to seeyour family, your friends, and
everybody there to support you.
But second of all, because I knowthe story of almost everybody
in that room because a lot ofthem are in the book, , yes.
You know, under different names.
But, . So special.
But it made me really curious though,what did all your friends and family,
(18:07):
especially the ones who made their wayinto the book, think about Oh yeah.
About them and, and, andwell, , you had to change some
of the names of the innocent.
I did have to change some ofthe names of the innocent Anna.
One of the, one of the funny stories,offshoots of it was that I, I, my
ex-husband did not wanna be in the book.
, he knew he had to be in the book,but didn't want his name in the book.
(18:27):
And I said, look, the people who know us.
Know who you are in the book.
The ones who don't know us doesn'tmatter anyway, but he didn't buy it, so
I said, okay, I'm gonna name him Jeff.
The problem was that when Igave my boys the book, I gave
them them a raw manuscript.
You know, I gave everybodya raw manuscript who was
prominently featured in the book.
(18:49):
And, , I went to Greg, my younger son,and, , we talked about it and I said,
oh, and by the way, I named Daddy Jeff.
And of course that, thatgot to be kind of a joke.
And then, , I called my older sonand he said, oh mom, I can't make it
over, but can you run by my officeand I'll just come down and grab it?
And I said, absolutely.
So I ran by David's office and he runs outand I roll down the window and I hand him
the book and he goes, okay, thanks mom.
(19:11):
I'll, you know, I'll call youtonight Anyway, I forgot to
tell him I changed the name.
So he starts, he starts readingthis book, Michelle, and he's
on the third or fourth page.
And he goes, who the hell is Jeff?
And how could she make me find out,make us find out through a book
(19:31):
that she, she had another, what?
Marriage before my father.
Oh my God.
And then it took, it took himtwo more pages to go, oh, it's
my father with a new name.
So, yeah, that was pretty darn funny.
, the kids remembered a lot of thethings that, you know, their,
their feedback was awesome.
They thought, you know, and plus theyliked it because now they got a keepsake.
(19:53):
All the funny things they did andsaid and how it all came together.
, a lot of my girlfriends, they,they were yelling at me, why
didn't you put this thing in?
Why didn't you put that time in?
But you have to, you have to cut it off.
I said, first of all, theremight be a sequel, so sit down.
But, , but a lot of 'em wanted me toadd different things and then it's,
in terms of the work memories I had,they couldn't put all of them in there
because it might hurt some people.
(20:14):
Do you know what I mean?
Like, if you kind of poke fun.
I did not want this book tobe a tell all embarrassing.
Thing for people.
It had to be light, lighthearted, and Iwanted to pick and choose and kind of,
, pull it together in, in the right contextwhere there'd be enough funny things,
but not a tell all book about everybody.
But, and my sister, she'sgot the longest chapter.
(20:36):
She doesn't think it's long enough.
That was her, , two sets,but, but they all said.
You know, that was it.
You nailed it.
You know, there's no eexaggerations in there.
It is who we are and what we are,and they all got a kick out of it.
I was really happy about that.
Oh, I'm so glad.
Yeah.
Those, mm-hmm.
Those stories are hilarious.
And I just, and it was so nice justputting their stories with a face
(20:57):
and meeting people with the face.
Yeah.
It was, that was one of my, I thinkthat party was one of my highlight reels
of my life, because all my differentgroups of friends and family and
acquaintances were all there and under.
A lot of 'em didn't even know eachother, but to have everybody you love
in one room, it's kind of touching.
It really was wonderful thatthey all showed up for me.
(21:20):
And you were surprised.
I do recall, I don't, I don'tknow if anybody's gonna show up.
Hmm?
I said, Michelle, I thinkonly 10 people are coming.
I was like 60.
Not surprised.
Oh my God.
Anybody else who knowsyou, but I know you.
Aw, I was so grateful that day.
It was so much joy.
Yeah.
Well.
Zig Ziglar used to always say it.
(21:40):
And, and I, I, I really try tocommunicate this as well with people
thinking about writing a book.
It's not about the book, first of all.
Mm-hmm.
But it's kind of the process.
It's, it's who you become as aresult of writing a book because
it is such a personal journey.
Mm-hmm.
How has writing book changed you?
Well, in a, I think ina lot of different ways.
(22:02):
, it's,
it's made me realize.
That humor really isa love language to me.
I often sign my books that way.
Humor is the sixth love language.
And I think that it was basically whatwhat I started it was gonna be, and what
(22:22):
it ended to be were two different things.
Because at the end of it, I justwanted to tell some funny stories.
Mm-hmm.
But at the end, I realized that itwas a giant love letter to life.
That's kind of all I can tell you.
Hmm.
I'm writing that down.
What you just said, humor.
Yeah.
Love language.
Yes.
It is a sixth love language.
(22:43):
And I did dedicate the book also to, , toall of us who were born with a sense
of humor and somehow manage to keep it.
Because if you don't haveone, life is very hard.
You have to find the fun in or the funnyin a lot of situations that otherwise
are not, they're untenable, but yeah.
And sense of humor isn't based onwhat you've been through either.
(23:05):
It's a choice because you'vebeen through things just like
many others, and yet you right.
Have a funny bone.
So you're, yeah.
You gotta hit protect it backbone.
Mm-hmm.
Yes, yes.
No, it was, it's been a, a greatexperience and I, I can't believe a
year ago, you know, I was still in thethick of it, writing it, and, , no, I'm
(23:27):
really, and I, and I'm, you know, proudI, there's a sense of pride in having.
Your story out there.
And , it's something that it'll alwayscherish because now everything's kind
of in one place and people can readit and they see themselves in there.
It's just, it's fun.
It really has been fun.
It's such a good book andpeople are growing crazy over
it because not only, yes.
(23:47):
So you had your Dallas book signing, talkabout all the sprint events and things.
I know you have a Chicagobook signing or had Oh yeah.
Like Houston, Minneapolis, Boston.
Tell us everything.
Okay, so I had the Dallas one.
The Dallas one was my gift to thebook launch team and all my friends.
And after that, , my girlfriend Karen,she's a, a socialite in Chicago actually.
(24:09):
And so she had a beautifulreception for me at the Women's
Athletic Club on Michigan Avenue.
And there was folks there and therewas a lady there who was the editor
in chief of classic Chicago Magazine.
She loved the presentation so much'cause we did a presentation instead
of just a party, like a q and a.
And , so she interviewed me and I wasjust in classic Chicago magazine as a
feature on Easter, which is terrific.
(24:32):
And then, , through a friend ISouthlake is a little, , suburb
that's right by DFW airport.
And my son works at avery, , upscale brokerage there.
As a residential realtor.
So, , his boss called, , the clearblue sky and said, you know what?
A couple, these women have read thatbook and I wanna have a party for you.
(24:53):
Why don't we have a q and a?
So he opened his office and we hada beautiful party and a q and a.
, my son was the moderator.
It was a little bit frightening,but we had a good time.
I saw some people Ihaven't seen in many years.
, and by virtue of that, , they're going todo a future article for me in Southlake
style, which is their magazine that comesout once a month, which is so wonderful.
(25:14):
'cause that's where actuallyI raised the children.
, we raised the children, sothat's coming out in June.
And then, , Houston is in two weeks.
, then, , August is gonnabe Minneapolis and Boston.
All these are like friends or friendsof friends who've read the book.
And want to kind of spreadthe gospel, so to speak.
And I just think it'sgonna be so much fun.
Oh my God.
(25:34):
Yeah.
So it's been, it's been wonderful.
I truly think this is just the beginning.
Like I, I just, oh, you truly, you are.
No, you really are.
You're remarkable.
Everyone who's met you feels the exact,but I do think this book is speaking
to so many, it's just speaking toall the things that women go through.
Right.
And yeah.
But doing it in a funnyway that makes, mm-hmm.
(25:56):
We're just kind of laughing at thenot so great stuff all the time.
Right, right.
But yeah, but doing it together,which is, which is mm-hmm.
So you're Well, and it's,it's, , I think it makes people
pay attention a little bit more.
Yeah.
I, many people came up to me afterthe book signings and said, wow, the
fact that you captured the stuff thatyour kids said and that you were able
(26:18):
to write down, you know, funny thingsthat happened because you forget.
You just forget.
So you pay at now?
I think some people are paying moreattention to situations and, and
funny things that are happeningand, and all these happenstance
meetings you happen to, to have.
And, , nothing's random, youknow, when you think about it.
(26:38):
And all of our lives are, you know,painted in different ways, but.
You know, pay attention.
'cause my scrapbook is not finished yet.
Right.
It's, it's alive and well and, , gettingfatter and fatter and so, , yeah.
So I think it makes people kind ofnotice more that happenstance meetings
and, you know, signs that you, youfind that are urging you one way or
(27:00):
another, , can be a lot of adventures.
So, yeah.
One last question and yeah.
Aside from, you have all of these,the book signings coming up and
all of these events, but, but whatis your next, what, what is the
next, , what's the next for Isabel?
Hmm.
Oh my gosh.
It's,
. I'd have to give a lot of thought.
I would like to do another book.
, one of my, you know, one of mychapters is Rations and Rants,
(27:23):
which is his, my son's name forthe restaurant he wants to buy me.
I love to cook.
And he named it Rations and Rants becauseI'm, I always, I'm giving everybody my
opinion whether they want it or not, whileI'm in the kitchen or serving dinner and,
. I thought to myself, maybe I shoulddo a cookbook with all my rants in it.
Now here's my favorite recipesand here's the rant that goes
along with each one of those.
(27:45):
I don't know that I'm just kindof playing with that one right now
and seeing if that would even haveany, , could get any traction.
But, , but yeah, I might do an offshootof one of the chapters and make it
a whole book, is what I'm thinking.
So I love the idea of a cookbook.
I think you should do that no matterwhat because you, you know, okay.
I love to cook know about you.
I, I have not, , had, I've never hadone of your meals, but I hear about
(28:05):
your, the meals you've made for thekids, even when they were like younger
at the lake house and stuff like that.
So I know you're a good cook,and I say get those down.
And, , okay.
The rants are what peopleare gonna really wanna read.
So I I, oh, there's plenty in this book.
Yeah.
But I never run out of 'em.
That's the beauty.
That's the beauty, right.
, right.
, and I'm just gonna put a bug in your earand I'm not sure that this is gonna come
of anything, but I just, like I said, Iwrote it down and I absolutely love it.
(28:27):
That humor is the sixth love language.
And there is just something to thatand there's something to reminding.
Just reminding people of that.
So maybe, maybe there's somethingelse to expand upon in that, because
I think that's a really great concept.
Well, there's something here.
Just real quick.
I just, I just thoughtthis while you're talking.
(28:47):
Yes.
, this is the last page of the bookactually, and I say, so what, what is,
what is, is the secret to happiness?
Low expectations?
I'm not sure, but whatI know is what's real.
It's always worth it.
Regardless of what we are expecting.
And then I say often in our lives, wedon't realize the significance of a
relationship or situation until muchlater when the experience has passed.
(29:08):
So I pay attention and I say in themeantime, I've learned that there is
more carbonation in life if you embraceyour funny bone, wishbone and backbone
humor is both a love language and armor.
Dreams are fuel, and we arestronger and braver than we think.
That is so beautiful and thisis that everyone listening needs
(29:30):
to get again, it's the secret.
, hold up that cover again.
I wanna, I want everyone to seethat cover 'cause it's gorgeous.
I love this color cover.
Love the colors.
It's so cute.
It's so you.
The secret of happiness of two Happinessis low expectations by Isabelle Bolt.
And where can they get in touch with you?
Get a copy of the book.
What's the best way to,to reach out to you?
(29:50):
It's on both Amazon and onBarnes and Noble websites.
And, , I will say that if youwant to get on my Instagram, I
have a special Instagram that'scalled at Isabelle Funnybone.
So that's easy to to remember.
And each of the reels or the, theposts that we've done on there, , it
talks about a chapter in the book.
And behind the chapter title is seemingly.
(30:14):
Pictures that seemingly don't go together,but when you read the book, you'll see
the breadcrumbs because every one of thosechapters has those images in it somehow.
So it's kind of a little bit of a wordsearch kind of thing, but, , people
have really liked it, so it's hilarious.
You have to, everybody listening, goto Instagram, , at Isabelle Funnybone,
right, at Isabelle Funnybone, right?
(30:35):
Correct.
Awesome.
Well, you, and thanks in advancefor everybody who's bought the
book and come to the signings and,
. Thanks in, in advance foreverybody who does go pick one up.
Absolutely.
Well, thank you so muchfor being on the show.
This is so much fun.
Thanks, Michelle.
I really, truly just know that this isthe beginning of something beyond what you
can imagine and, and, well, you were mylaunching pad, so I'll never forget that.
(30:57):
And, , I really treasure ourfriendship as well, so thank you.
I do too.
All right.
Well, everyone, that is it forthe Power of Authority Spotlight.
Definitely go out, get the book, goto Amazon right now and grab a copy.
, the secret to Happinessis low Expectations.
Expectations Bolt, BOLT,and , like lightning.
Like I love that.
(31:19):
I dunno, I heard you say that,but that, that is so true.
You are so much like lightning.
, and just encourage everyonelistening that, you know, I,
there's so many great stories andso many good, , lessons learned.
Yes, it is funny.
But just that whole, theconcept of the whole.
You know, looking in the rearview mirror and all the things
that are ahead of us, right?
(31:40):
There's so many good things regardlessof, of what's happened in the past.
And, , but this book is just sucha great reminder of, of how to use
that wishbone, the funny bone andthe backbone in all that you do.
So thanks for listening.
We'll see you next.
Thank you, Michelle.
Thanks.
Bye-bye.
Bye-bye.
(32:03):
Thanks so much for listening tothe Power of Authority Spotlight.
If you are a successful founder,entrepreneur, business owner, or
leader that's getting results andmaking a difference, and you'd like
to be on this program, please visitperformance publishing group.com/podcast
to apply.
That's Performancepublishing group.com/podcast.
(32:26):
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(32:47):
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(33:08):
and follow me on LinkedIn,Facebook, and Instagram.
Thanks so much for listening,and we'll see you next time.
Welcome to the Powerof Authority Spotlight.
I'm your host, Michelle Prince,founder and CEO of Performance
Publishing Group, making a Difference.
One story at a time, we'll beshining the light on successful
founders, entrepreneurs, businessowners, and leaders that are getting
results and making a difference.
We'll talk about how they builttheir businesses are creating
(00:26):
movements and leveraging thepower of authority in their.
Own lives.
Be sure to stick around to theend of the show and we'll reveal
how you can be our next guest.
Let's get started.
Hey everybody and welcome to the Power ofAuthority Spotlight, where we shine the
light on entrepreneurs, founders, leaders,people that are doing extraordinary
(00:48):
things, they're making a difference,and they're telling their story.
And our guest today is someone veryspecial to me and I can't wait to let you
get to know her 'cause just so much fun.
, and her name is Isabelle Bolt andshe grew up in Chicago, Illinois,
attended Loyola University.
Throughout her life, she's assumedvarious roles including daughter,
sister, wife, mother, patient.
(01:09):
Lover, friend and professional, all ofwhich featured a cast of characters.
She's still trying to figure out theplot, but Isabelle currently lives
in Dallas, Texas, and she's recentlywritten a book that is so extraordinary
that I can't wait to tell you about.
And this book, by the way, it alreadyis a five star book with over 50
reviews and it just debuted in January.
(01:30):
So it's pretty recent.
, but let's, we'll get tothe book in just a minute.
First, let's go ahead andwelcome Isabelle to the show.
Welcome, Isabelle.
Hi, Michelle.
Thank you.
Oh my gosh, I'm so excited you're here.
This, this conversation has beena long time coming because you
and I met how many years ago now?
Probably three, I think.
(01:50):
Three maybe three and a half.
It's been a while.
Yeah.
But, , I just have to share realquick, , briefly how we met, right?
So we met in directly,not about your book yet.
But some professional channels, , doingsome, some, , conference together.
And I remember you and I having dinnerone night we met in Dallas and you
(02:12):
just kind of casually mentioned thatwe've thought about writing a book.
Do you remember that conversation?
I do, I do.
I, I remember a tiny bitdifferent in that, , I, you
said something, I said somethingabout writing and you said, well.
I'm a publisher for specializingin first time authors.
And I mean, it was such kismet at thatmoment and I really believe in signs
(02:32):
and I, it had been way in the back of mymind, but you know, how was I gonna do it?
Who was I gonna do it with?
When was it gonna happen?
How was it gonna, and then you'resitting right across dinner from me
and a total happenstance meeting.
And so it was, it was one of thosesigns that I thought, uhoh, now
the ball is just starting to roll.
I know, I know.
And I'm so grateful for that.
, connect Oh, me too.
(02:53):
How that whole thing came about.
But, , your book, his, firstof all, let me, let's tell
everybody what the, the title is.
It's called, the Secret toHappiness is Low Expectations.
And if you are looking for a boringbook with a lot of just, you know,
boring, , concepts, and this is not thebook for you, but if you wanna have a
good laugh and learn a little bit alongthe way, this is an extraordinary book.
(03:15):
In fact, , on Amazon, there wasan anonymous review I just have to
read because I think this reallysums up your book perfectly.
, so, so it's again, anonymous reviewsays A humorous rev revelatory easy
for me to say a humorous revelatoryrom through life's constant
surprises I dove into Isabelle Bolts.
(03:37):
The secret to happiness is lowexpectations, expecting a gentle
guide on finding joy in the every day.
Instead, I got a hilarious masterclassin life's unpredictability, a book
that's as sharp and witty as andas refreshingly honest as that one
friend who always tells it like it is.
Isabel's storytelling is like acocktail of humor, wisdom, and charm.
(04:00):
Her chapter titles had me grinningand not sure what to anticipate.
As often comes when youlower your expectations and
simply laugh at the chaos.
What an incredible review.
Isn't that great?
And that's anonymous.
I don't know, you know, I know if it wasfriend or foe or what, but found the book.
That's, that's fantastic.
And I, I do, I do think thatit, it's interesting how
(04:21):
people have received the book.
'cause what I intended for it to be.
Then once, of course it's published,you don't get to read it for people.
People are reading it and making theirown conclusions and it's, it's been
such a kick to hear how relatable itis, how much people laughed about it.
'cause it was intended to be a humor,humor book about looking at life through a
(04:41):
lens and kind of in the rear view mirror.
The happenings in your life and, , whetherit was raising kids or, , having
a lake house or being a workingprofessional and traveling, , aging,
retirement, like it's all in there.
And, , a little bit something foreverybody, but the people who have
written in reviews, it seems likeeverybody there was a different
take on it, which is interesting.
(05:02):
Yeah.
Well, I think everybody wants to, Imean, first of all, everyone can relate
with the topics, you know, in the end.
Yeah.
The ups, the downs, mm-hmm.
But you've just been away withhumor, which, which I think is great.
And it's really not your first timeto be writing with humor, though.
Is it your Christmas?
No, it's not.
No, it's not.
I, , actually, the way I started,, the, the book or how the book came
(05:24):
together was years and years ago.
, I always collected a scrapbookand it wasn't for photos,
like more, most people do.
It was words.
It was words.
It was, , maybe.
Snippets from sermons, , happy, funnyepisodes that happened in the family.
Ridiculous things at work.
, everything would be in the script.
Book.
I used to write on matchbooks oron, you know, envelopes and put it
(05:47):
in the console of my car and then Iwould collect it all and just keep
it in a basket and then I'd put it inwriting 'cause it was no computers.
Then we're talking 40 years ago that Istarted, you know, just doing it for fun.
Well then when the kids were born, Igot married and the kids were born.
I started getting these Christmas letters.
, and you know, all of 'em are theperfect families with honor roll
(06:08):
students and the husband justgot a promotion and he was taking
everybody to Hawaii for the holiday.
I mean, every single one was one of those.
Exactly.
And I thought, wow, we're doingsomething wrong here in this house.
So I started kind of a campaign andevery year I would write kind of an anti
Christmas letter that just would talkabout what happened with our family.
(06:29):
Really in during the year andfolks got such a kick out of it
that people started like asking ifthey could send to their friends.
And previously I almost hadpeople subscribing in my Christmas
letter because they wanted toknow how things really were going.
And so, , and I, after my divorce,I kind of stopped for a few years
'cause it was a little bit of a saddertime, but then I picked it up again.
, just talking about work, travel.
(06:53):
Weddings Lake house.
It was, it just goes on and on.
And, , I now, of course it's on a computerwhere I, where I have all of it and, and
literally it's 52 pages, single spaced.
I couldn't get all of it into thebook, but it, it, it was a, it's a
container for a lot of moments inepisodes that really were tickled me.
So I've read one of those Christmasletters or two, maybe, maybe a
(07:15):
couple actually at this point.
But, , they're, they're hilarious.
But, but also, I mean, 'cause it's somuch of your personality, but I've seen
how you've taken so much of that, mm-hmm.
This, that you, you did withall those letters into the book.
And you've been thinking though aboutwriting this book for how long now?
I was probably seriously thinking aboutit for about six or seven years because
(07:37):
even in my sales job that I had for manyyears, I, I love to do storytelling.
And it got to the point where every timeI would visit, , one of my distributors
before I could do a product presentation,they'd always say, oh, Isabelle,
before you start, tell us about whenthe fireman came, when your oven was
on fire from the lasagna or Isabelle.
Tell us about how the boatcaught on fire in the middle
(07:57):
of the lake or Isabelle, what.
Tell us about when you ran outta gas.
I mean, it would be all thesestories and they would be constantly
retold and they'd go, okay, nowyou can do your presentation.
And every time something hilarioushappened within the family or
friends, everybody would look at meand go, okay, that goes in the book.
You gotta put that in the book.
That's so it, there was a constant,like an undercurrent of one of
(08:20):
these days this book is gonna come.
The hard part was though,what was it going to be about?
It's not a how to book.
And I didn't figure it wasgonna be an inspiration book.
, what was it?
Just about my family andwork and funny things.
So it took me a while to kindof feel what, how that was gonna
all come together in order to beentertaining and, and and relevant.
(08:42):
Well, I think you nailed it truly.
And I know it did take a little whileto just get that exactly solidified.
Yes.
But I think you really truly nailed it.
'cause it is, it is a perfectblend of your stories.
The funny stories, your obviously your.
We're gonna be talking about someof your stories here in a minute.
, but also though, with some reallyapplicable, you know, it's not like
somebody had to know you to know, to, tolearn something, something through some
(09:06):
of your stories, you know what I mean?
Well, and you know, it's, it'sfunny you mention that, Michelle,
because several of my friends, andit kind of hurt my feelings at first.
They said, well, you know, do you thinkanybody's going to really get it or
be interested if they don't know you?
And I thought, oh.
You know, I kind ofnever thought about that.
And the happy, you know, outcome ofthat is that there's been so many
(09:28):
people who don't have a clue about methat have picked up the book and, and
it's in book clubs everywhere now.
And I mean, people I've never met.
They still got a kick out of it.
So I'm glad I had more universal appealthan some of my friends first thought.
You're gonna have to have a littlehigher expectations next time, Isabelle.
Right?
Change the title.
(09:51):
There are so many goodstories, so many good chapters.
I'm curious though, what'syour favorite chapter?
I think, . Well, it, it is really hard'cause they all, they all standalone,
they're all kinda like little pearlsthat are strung together on a necklace.
But I'll kind of switch the questionaround and say that I think the chapter
titles are the things that made me roarwhen I finally got, I, I actually did the
(10:13):
titles before I wrote any of the copy.
And there's things like the laborcomes after the delivery, , which
is true to anybody who's had kids.
, there's been a mistake.
I got the wrong families.
Which is something my son said whenwe put him in timeout when he was six.
, playing with Matches, my chapter ononline dating in your fifties, , six
(10:35):
Saturdays and a Sunday retirement.
So just, I just got such a kickout of putting those together and
then, then writing from there.
So I, I, I think the chapter titlesthemselves are my favorite for sure.
For sure.
And we have to talk about the wishbone.
Yes.
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Playing the wishbone, becauseyou're also wearing a wishbone.
I'm wearing my Wishbone.
(10:55):
Yes.
It was a gift from a friendafter I got published.
, yes, very important because 10, it's,it's also the subtitle of my book,
, 10 years ago, one of my very goodfriends, she happens to be featured
in the book, , her name is Karen.
She sent me, she's known for kindof oddball gifts, and so I get this
giant gold wishbone in the mail.
I thought, oh, now where's this gonna go?
(11:17):
So I put it on the coffeetable, , in case she came over.
Uhhuh, of course, we all havethose and, but, but what she
wrote in my, my card was so, , soimportant and, and never forgot it.
And she said, Isabelle, everywoman needs to have a wishbone,
a funny bone, and a backbone.
(11:39):
And, and what she was talkingabout is we all need our dreams.
We all need a sense of humorand we all need courage.
And that's, it's always resonated with me.
Every woman can identify with that and I.
Truly, I made it the subtitleof my book because there's a
lot of all of it in the book.
Yeah, it is all it.
(12:01):
A hundred percent.
And I, I just, the visual, it's sucha good visual and I love that you
have the necklace because, , it isthat reminder, but, but not just
the funny bone, the wishbone, butalso that backbone piece of it.
And you talk a lot about thatbecause you don't talk about just.
Great things and perfect moments Inthe book, like we talked about, you did
(12:22):
also write about some painful moments.
What was that like and how, how was, , youknow, was it hard, I guess, sharing some
of your, your more personal and difficultmoments that you've been through?
, yes, because everythingisn't a laugh for sure.
And , at first I wasn't sure I was goingto even share as much as I did, but, but
then the book wouldn't have authenticity.
(12:42):
So, , I did have a couple, , battleswith cancer and, , I did get a divorce.
I did have my heart broken afterthe divorce, , with the guy.
And so there, it was hard, mainlybecause I have, I have a difficult time
living in the moment, and by writingabout this, I had, I had repressed
(13:03):
a lot of the feelings that I hadabout all of those, those happenings.
I kind of, I didn't, I went throughit, but I wasn't really in it.
So, , I think in writing the book, Ididn't ever expect that it would be
cathartic as well, but it really was'cause it kind of brought up all the
old feelings that I kind of didn'twanna face at the moment 'cause I was
so distracted with the other chaos.
(13:24):
So it's, it's good sometimes to sitwith it and realize, , you know, how
you've grown from it and how the folksaround you supported you in every way.
So it, yeah, so there's alittle blend of that as well.
Yeah, for sure.
I always tell people that, you know,writing a book no matter what the subject
is, because we've all been through stuff.
Mm-hmm.
It, it's a little bit like pullingoff a bandaid sometimes, though.
(13:45):
I mean, it's, that's agood, that's a good analogy.
Yeah.
Yeah.
'cause it's not, but, but thenonce you do, you're kind of like,
oh, okay, now I feel better.
You know?
It, it, it is, it, it's a release.
It's a, it's a way of releasing.
And, , and also I think,
. As I was writing it and kind of gettingalmost toward the end, because as you
know, I, I wrote it in four months.
It took 40 years, butwrote it in four months.
(14:06):
, and around the third month I washaving a lot of thoughts about
maybe I'm not gonna publish.
I will publish it, you know, with, withMichelle and performance publishing, but
maybe I just give it to close friendsbecause some of the stuff in there was
vulnerable and I thought, well, anddoes anybody really care about my story?
And.
(14:26):
Maybe once it gets out there,people would look at me differently.
, maybe I don't need all that out there.
And then I talked to a very good friendof mine, he happens to be a former
boss of mine in Boston, , a gentleman.
And he said, Isabelle, there you go again.
You're trying to control theoutcome, which is my specialty.
But she, he said, let that book goand for once in your life, just stay
(14:49):
curious about how it'll be received.
And he said, you're going to.
You're gonna steal so much joy frompeople if you don't just let it go.
, and he kind of, I waited alittle bit and then I thought,
no, I, I think I'm going to.
So it's a risk to be an author.
It really is a risk, especiallywhen you're telling your own story.
(15:09):
Mm-hmm.
Because you never know howthat's gonna be received.
And in fact, a lot of people cameback to me and went, I had no idea.
Like, they thought theyknew me and they're like, I.
We didn't know that about youand how you seem so vulnerable in
that and, and maybe that's good.
Maybe that's good that now it's out.
I, I think it is good.
I mean, it, I, I, I knowhow you feel though.
I mean, I've written bookstoo where you share things.
(15:30):
In fact, funny enough, just this lastweek I was with some, an aunt who, who
doesn't live, , lives farther away andwe don't see each other that often.
And she was just reading a book, oneof my books that I wrote a couple years
ago, and she was like, I had no idea.
I.
And I think that's kind of the wholepoint of writing a book and being
authentic is we going back to yourChristmas letters, we assume everyone
(15:54):
else has it all together, or nobodyelse is dealing with this, or I don't
wanna burden someone with my problems.
Mm-hmm.
But the truth is that's how we, thatis how we help people, you know?
I mean, even going back to your reviewfrom that anonymous woman mm-hmm.
That like, mm-hmm.
Made her, you know, it tickledher funny bone, but it also
brought some other things up.
And had you not shared yourstory, you know mm-hmm.
(16:17):
Driving people from that.
So what's great adviceand it's, it's relatable.
People say it was very relatable andthat they kinda saw themselves in
some of the stories, which is great.
And, , I think overall just having,, being able to look in the rear view
mirror of your life after six decades, I.
You see all the interconnectednessthat you never knew what
(16:38):
was happening at the time.
It, it kind of, you know, chokesyou up a little bit because
you never know how important arelationship or situation might be
until it's in the rear view mirror.
Because we can't see the futureand sometimes we're not even
starring in our own lives.
Sometimes what's going on with usreally is helping somebody else.
(17:01):
And, and although I never intended itfor to, to be an inspirational book.
It's very interesting, Michelle,that a lot of the reviews that I've
read use the word healing, which isvery, I'm very complimented by that.
, healing and inspirational.
'cause it does put all thepuzzle pieces together.
Yeah.
When you look in the rear viewmirror about why something happened
the way it did, and it might'vebeen nothing to do with you.
(17:24):
Wow.
Yeah.
And I love you said that, , evenbefore you wrote the book, you've
mentioned the rear view mirror.
And I love that analogy though.
Yeah.
You know?
Yeah.
Yeah.
It's a big part of your story.
So if it's okay, I have to share one of myfavorite, . Moments with you through this
whole book journey was your book signing?
, you've done, oh, we're gonna talk aboutall the book signings you've done,
(17:46):
but the one that I was able to attendin the Dallas area and in Dallas.
All yes.
Oh my gosh.
First of all, just to seeyour family, your friends, and
everybody there to support you.
But second of all, because I knowthe story of almost everybody
in that room because a lot ofthem are in the book, , yes.
You know, under different names.
But, . So special.
But it made me really curious though,what did all your friends and family,
(18:07):
especially the ones who made their wayinto the book, think about Oh yeah.
About them and, and, andwell, , you had to change some
of the names of the innocent.
I did have to change some ofthe names of the innocent Anna.
One of the, one of the funny stories,offshoots of it was that I, I, my
ex-husband did not wanna be in the book.
, he knew he had to be in the book,but didn't want his name in the book.
(18:27):
And I said, look, the people who know us.
Know who you are in the book.
The ones who don't know us doesn'tmatter anyway, but he didn't buy it, so
I said, okay, I'm gonna name him Jeff.
The problem was that when Igave my boys the book, I gave
them them a raw manuscript.
You know, I gave everybodya raw manuscript who was
prominently featured in the book.
(18:49):
And, , I went to Greg, my younger son,and, , we talked about it and I said,
oh, and by the way, I named Daddy Jeff.
And of course that, thatgot to be kind of a joke.
And then, , I called my older sonand he said, oh mom, I can't make it
over, but can you run by my officeand I'll just come down and grab it?
And I said, absolutely.
So I ran by David's office and he runs outand I roll down the window and I hand him
the book and he goes, okay, thanks mom.
(19:11):
I'll, you know, I'll call youtonight Anyway, I forgot to
tell him I changed the name.
So he starts, he starts readingthis book, Michelle, and he's
on the third or fourth page.
And he goes, who the hell is Jeff?
And how could she make me find out,make us find out through a book
(19:31):
that she, she had another, what?
Marriage before my father.
Oh my God.
And then it took, it took himtwo more pages to go, oh, it's
my father with a new name.
So, yeah, that was pretty darn funny.
, the kids remembered a lot of thethings that, you know, their,
their feedback was awesome.
They thought, you know, and plus theyliked it because now they got a keepsake.
(19:53):
All the funny things they did andsaid and how it all came together.
, a lot of my girlfriends, they,they were yelling at me, why
didn't you put this thing in?
Why didn't you put that time in?
But you have to, you have to cut it off.
I said, first of all, theremight be a sequel, so sit down.
But, , but a lot of 'em wanted me toadd different things and then it's,
in terms of the work memories I had,they couldn't put all of them in there
because it might hurt some people.
(20:14):
Do you know what I mean?
Like, if you kind of poke fun.
I did not want this book tobe a tell all embarrassing.
Thing for people.
It had to be light, lighthearted, and Iwanted to pick and choose and kind of,
, pull it together in, in the right contextwhere there'd be enough funny things,
but not a tell all book about everybody.
But, and my sister, she'sgot the longest chapter.
(20:36):
She doesn't think it's long enough.
That was her, , two sets,but, but they all said.
You know, that was it.
You nailed it.
You know, there's no eexaggerations in there.
It is who we are and what we are,and they all got a kick out of it.
I was really happy about that.
Oh, I'm so glad.
Yeah.
Those, mm-hmm.
Those stories are hilarious.
And I just, and it was so nice justputting their stories with a face
(20:57):
and meeting people with the face.
Yeah.
It was, that was one of my, I thinkthat party was one of my highlight reels
of my life, because all my differentgroups of friends and family and
acquaintances were all there and under.
A lot of 'em didn't even know eachother, but to have everybody you love
in one room, it's kind of touching.
It really was wonderful thatthey all showed up for me.
(21:20):
And you were surprised.
I do recall, I don't, I don'tknow if anybody's gonna show up.
Hmm?
I said, Michelle, I thinkonly 10 people are coming.
I was like 60.
Not surprised.
Oh my God.
Anybody else who knowsyou, but I know you.
Aw, I was so grateful that day.
It was so much joy.
Yeah.
Well.
Zig Ziglar used to always say it.
(21:40):
And, and I, I, I really try tocommunicate this as well with people
thinking about writing a book.
It's not about the book, first of all.
Mm-hmm.
But it's kind of the process.
It's, it's who you become as aresult of writing a book because
it is such a personal journey.
Mm-hmm.
How has writing book changed you?
Well, in a, I think ina lot of different ways.
(22:02):
, it's,
it's made me realize.
That humor really isa love language to me.
I often sign my books that way.
Humor is the sixth love language.
And I think that it was basically whatwhat I started it was gonna be, and what
(22:22):
it ended to be were two different things.
Because at the end of it, I justwanted to tell some funny stories.
Mm-hmm.
But at the end, I realized that itwas a giant love letter to life.
That's kind of all I can tell you.
Hmm.
I'm writing that down.
What you just said, humor.
Yeah.
Love language.
Yes.
It is a sixth love language.
(22:43):
And I did dedicate the book also to, , toall of us who were born with a sense
of humor and somehow manage to keep it.
Because if you don't haveone, life is very hard.
You have to find the fun in or the funnyin a lot of situations that otherwise
are not, they're untenable, but yeah.
And sense of humor isn't based onwhat you've been through either.
(23:05):
It's a choice because you'vebeen through things just like
many others, and yet you right.
Have a funny bone.
So you're, yeah.
You gotta hit protect it backbone.
Mm-hmm.
Yes, yes.
No, it was, it's been a, a greatexperience and I, I can't believe a
year ago, you know, I was still in thethick of it, writing it, and, , no, I'm
(23:27):
really, and I, and I'm, you know, proudI, there's a sense of pride in having.
Your story out there.
And , it's something that it'll alwayscherish because now everything's kind
of in one place and people can readit and they see themselves in there.
It's just, it's fun.
It really has been fun.
It's such a good book andpeople are growing crazy over
it because not only, yes.
(23:47):
So you had your Dallas book signing, talkabout all the sprint events and things.
I know you have a Chicagobook signing or had Oh yeah.
Like Houston, Minneapolis, Boston.
Tell us everything.
Okay, so I had the Dallas one.
The Dallas one was my gift to thebook launch team and all my friends.
And after that, , my girlfriend Karen,she's a, a socialite in Chicago actually.
(24:09):
And so she had a beautifulreception for me at the Women's
Athletic Club on Michigan Avenue.
And there was folks there and therewas a lady there who was the editor
in chief of classic Chicago Magazine.
She loved the presentation so much'cause we did a presentation instead
of just a party, like a q and a.
And , so she interviewed me and I wasjust in classic Chicago magazine as a
feature on Easter, which is terrific.
(24:32):
And then, , through a friend ISouthlake is a little, , suburb
that's right by DFW airport.
And my son works at avery, , upscale brokerage there.
As a residential realtor.
So, , his boss called, , the clearblue sky and said, you know what?
A couple, these women have read thatbook and I wanna have a party for you.
(24:53):
Why don't we have a q and a?
So he opened his office and we hada beautiful party and a q and a.
, my son was the moderator.
It was a little bit frightening,but we had a good time.
I saw some people Ihaven't seen in many years.
, and by virtue of that, , they're going todo a future article for me in Southlake
style, which is their magazine that comesout once a month, which is so wonderful.
(25:14):
'cause that's where actuallyI raised the children.
, we raised the children, sothat's coming out in June.
And then, , Houston is in two weeks.
, then, , August is gonnabe Minneapolis and Boston.
All these are like friends or friendsof friends who've read the book.
And want to kind of spreadthe gospel, so to speak.
And I just think it'sgonna be so much fun.
Oh my God.
(25:34):
Yeah.
So it's been, it's been wonderful.
I truly think this is just the beginning.
Like I, I just, oh, you truly, you are.
No, you really are.
You're remarkable.
Everyone who's met you feels the exact,but I do think this book is speaking
to so many, it's just speaking toall the things that women go through.
Right.
And yeah.
But doing it in a funnyway that makes, mm-hmm.
(25:56):
We're just kind of laughing at thenot so great stuff all the time.
Right, right.
But yeah, but doing it together,which is, which is mm-hmm.
So you're Well, and it's,it's, , I think it makes people
pay attention a little bit more.
Yeah.
I, many people came up to me afterthe book signings and said, wow, the
fact that you captured the stuff thatyour kids said and that you were able
(26:18):
to write down, you know, funny thingsthat happened because you forget.
You just forget.
So you pay at now?
I think some people are paying moreattention to situations and, and
funny things that are happeningand, and all these happenstance
meetings you happen to, to have.
And, , nothing's random, youknow, when you think about it.
(26:38):
And all of our lives are, you know,painted in different ways, but.
You know, pay attention.
'cause my scrapbook is not finished yet.
Right.
It's, it's alive and well and, , gettingfatter and fatter and so, , yeah.
So I think it makes people kind ofnotice more that happenstance meetings
and, you know, signs that you, youfind that are urging you one way or
(27:00):
another, , can be a lot of adventures.
So, yeah.
One last question and yeah.
Aside from, you have all of these,the book signings coming up and
all of these events, but, but whatis your next, what, what is the
next, , what's the next for Isabel?
Hmm.
Oh my gosh.
It's,
. I'd have to give a lot of thought.
I would like to do another book.
, one of my, you know, one of mychapters is Rations and Rants,
(27:23):
which is his, my son's name forthe restaurant he wants to buy me.
I love to cook.
And he named it Rations and Rants becauseI'm, I always, I'm giving everybody my
opinion whether they want it or not, whileI'm in the kitchen or serving dinner and,
. I thought to myself, maybe I shoulddo a cookbook with all my rants in it.
Now here's my favorite recipesand here's the rant that goes
along with each one of those.
(27:45):
I don't know that I'm just kindof playing with that one right now
and seeing if that would even haveany, , could get any traction.
But, , but yeah, I might do an offshootof one of the chapters and make it
a whole book, is what I'm thinking.
So I love the idea of a cookbook.
I think you should do that no matterwhat because you, you know, okay.
I love to cook know about you.
I, I have not, , had, I've never hadone of your meals, but I hear about
(28:05):
your, the meals you've made for thekids, even when they were like younger
at the lake house and stuff like that.
So I know you're a good cook,and I say get those down.
And, , okay.
The rants are what peopleare gonna really wanna read.
So I I, oh, there's plenty in this book.
Yeah.
But I never run out of 'em.
That's the beauty.
That's the beauty, right.
, right.
, and I'm just gonna put a bug in your earand I'm not sure that this is gonna come
of anything, but I just, like I said, Iwrote it down and I absolutely love it.
(28:27):
That humor is the sixth love language.
And there is just something to thatand there's something to reminding.
Just reminding people of that.
So maybe, maybe there's somethingelse to expand upon in that, because
I think that's a really great concept.
Well, there's something here.
Just real quick.
I just, I just thoughtthis while you're talking.
(28:47):
Yes.
, this is the last page of the bookactually, and I say, so what, what is,
what is, is the secret to happiness?
Low expectations?
I'm not sure, but whatI know is what's real.
It's always worth it.
Regardless of what we are expecting.
And then I say often in our lives, wedon't realize the significance of a
relationship or situation until muchlater when the experience has passed.
(29:08):
So I pay attention and I say in themeantime, I've learned that there is
more carbonation in life if you embraceyour funny bone, wishbone and backbone
humor is both a love language and armor.
Dreams are fuel, and we arestronger and braver than we think.
That is so beautiful and thisis that everyone listening needs
(29:30):
to get again, it's the secret.
, hold up that cover again.
I wanna, I want everyone to seethat cover 'cause it's gorgeous.
I love this color cover.
Love the colors.
It's so cute.
It's so you.
The secret of happiness of two Happinessis low expectations by Isabelle Bolt.
And where can they get in touch with you?
Get a copy of the book.
What's the best way to,to reach out to you?
(29:50):
It's on both Amazon and onBarnes and Noble websites.
And, , I will say that if youwant to get on my Instagram, I
have a special Instagram that'scalled at Isabelle Funnybone.
So that's easy to to remember.
And each of the reels or the, theposts that we've done on there, , it
talks about a chapter in the book.
And behind the chapter title is seemingly.
(30:14):
Pictures that seemingly don't go together,but when you read the book, you'll see
the breadcrumbs because every one of thosechapters has those images in it somehow.
So it's kind of a little bit of a wordsearch kind of thing, but, , people
have really liked it, so it's hilarious.
You have to, everybody listening, goto Instagram, , at Isabelle Funnybone,
right, at Isabelle Funnybone, right?
(30:35):
Correct.
Awesome.
Well, you, and thanks in advancefor everybody who's bought the
book and come to the signings and,
. Thanks in, in advance foreverybody who does go pick one up.
Absolutely.
Well, thank you so muchfor being on the show.
This is so much fun.
Thanks, Michelle.
I really, truly just know that this isthe beginning of something beyond what you
can imagine and, and, well, you were mylaunching pad, so I'll never forget that.
(30:57):
And, , I really treasure ourfriendship as well, so thank you.
I do too.
All right.
Well, everyone, that is it forthe Power of Authority Spotlight.
Definitely go out, get the book, goto Amazon right now and grab a copy.
, the secret to Happinessis low Expectations.
Expectations Bolt, BOLT,and , like lightning.
Like I love that.
(31:19):
I dunno, I heard you say that,but that, that is so true.
You are so much like lightning.
, and just encourage everyonelistening that, you know, I,
there's so many great stories andso many good, , lessons learned.
Yes, it is funny.
But just that whole, theconcept of the whole.
You know, looking in the rearview mirror and all the things
that are ahead of us, right?
(31:40):
There's so many good things regardlessof, of what's happened in the past.
And, , but this book is just sucha great reminder of, of how to use
that wishbone, the funny bone andthe backbone in all that you do.
So thanks for listening.
We'll see you next.
Thank you, Michelle.
Thanks.
Bye-bye.
Bye-bye.
(32:03):
Thanks so much for listening tothe Power of Authority Spotlight.
If you are a successful founder,entrepreneur, business owner, or
leader that's getting results andmaking a difference, and you'd like
to be on this program, please visitperformance publishing group.com/podcast
to apply.
That's Performancepublishing group.com/podcast.
(32:26):
Also, if you got some.
Out of this interview,please share this episode.
Just do a quick screenshot withyour phone and text it to a
friend or post it on the socials.
If you know someone that would be a greatguest, tag them on social media to let
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I love seeing your postsand guest suggestion.
(32:47):
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Ratings and reviews go a long way to help.
Promote the show and meana lot to me and my team.
Wanna know more?
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(33:08):
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Thanks so much for listening,and we'll see you next time.
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