Two weeks from tomorrow I will head to Atlanta for Catalyst East.

Love. It.

Seriously, I can’t wait. I can’t wait to caravan down with friends. I can’t wait to be inspired. I can’t wait to hear some of today’s best speakers talk about issues that are relevant to me, my church, my leadership, and my faith.

I can’t wait to see old friends.

And I am even excited to meet a few new friends.

Here are a few of the Catalyst events I am especially looking forward to…

On Wednesday evening, I am attending Brad Ruggles’ Bloggers Meetup. It was a GREAT TIME last year. This year it will be even better because it is supporting Thrive Africa, an incredible organization led by my friend Alece. So get down to Atlanta early, pay your $5, and come hang out! Details here.

On Thursday, I am attending the Cultivate Her and Leading and Loving It luncheon sponsored by Mercy Ministries. I know that is a mouthful, but essentially all you need to know is this…if you are woman attending Catalyst, you should be there! Space is limited so be sure to RSVP sooner rather than later. Details here.

Are you attending Catalyst? If so, what are you looking forward to? Who are you excited to hear? Who are you hoping to meet?

PS – It’s not too late to register for the conference. Just go here and the Catalyst concierge team will take care of you. And don’t forget the Catalyst Labs ticket. You wouldn’t want to miss Pete Wilson, Michael Hyatt, and Anne Jackson, now would you?

Right now I am making the journey home after three long-but-amazing days in New York City for the O’Reilly’s Tools of Change for Publishing conference.

And while I am feeling the pressure to get out a thought-provoking blog post, I feel like all my circuits are…well, a little overloaded.

Here’s are just a few of my miscellaneous thoughts from thirty thousand feet… (more…)

Today I am contributing to the Cultivate Her blog. Below is a preview. You have to hop over there to read the whole thing…

When I was in school, I was kind of a “crammer.” You know…I’d wait until a few days before the test, try to jam everything I might possibly need to know into my brain, ace the test (this might or might not be an exaggeration), and then forget everything?

All this to say..I remember very few facts or formulas that we were taught in school. (Don’t ask me to list the state capitals, Presidents, or chemical elements. All those things went in one ear, hung out for awhile, but then flew out the other.)

But there is one formula I remember. And truth be known it has helped me out of a pinch or two.

I took this peer counseling class and they taught us a quick, but very helpful, formula for assertive communication (aka how to get your point across without offending friend and colleagues).

(click here to read more…)

…that this year is off to a slow start.

But, well that is just not the case. I can’t believe how much has already happened in 2010. And get this…it is only January 13. (more…)

So, it is time you all found out the truth about me. I used to be a serious bully. Really I was. I made kids cry at school, for sport. Check out this video for my “bully” story.

Cultivate Her – “Bullies” from Jenni Catron on Vimeo.

Pretty painful, huh? (more…)

I am so excited about the week that lies ahead. I’m excited because it’s a short week thanks to the Labor Day holiday. I’m excited because I am going to Wicked for the first time on Wednesday night. I’m excited because I head to Chicago Friday afternoon to see the city and hang with my friend Sarah. And most importantly, I’m excited because Friday is the inaugural Cultivate Her event.

My friend and Cross Point Executive Director, Jenni Catron, has been talking about wanting to create a venue “to encourage, support and empower other women leaders” for as long as I’ve known her. So finally this week, her dream is going to be a reality. (more…)