My chat with Valerie Gibson, author, radio and television personality and sought-after speaker was one that piqued the most interest from my social circle. Valerie has appeared on many top American television shows and networks such as Dr. Phil, Montel Williams and Maury. She’s written a book, Cougar: A Guide for Older Women Dating Younger Men, which is a top seller in Canada and available across the U.S. and the U.K.
While we waited for our designated microphone time at the studio –we spent a few moments chatting on the couch. Valerie is very open, easy to talk to and has a lot of useful stuff to say about relationships. She is a transplanted Brit who grew up in a family where sex and relationships were not openly discussed. ("No sex please -we're British" -to quote the title of a play). Her dad was a colonel in the British Army.
During her time as a writer for the Toronto Sun she was initially the fashion columnist and took the name of the Toronto Sun (yes, our Toronto Sun) to the inner sanctums of the fashion world: Paris, Milan, etc.
She had a book out on relationships. When her editor at the newspaper found out how successful it was, read it and asked her to change beats and dish out relationship advice. She initially refused and finally caved in after being wooed with a few glasses of wine over lunch. (Note to self: cut out cocktails at business lunches).
Human sexual relationships seem to drive most of the stuff you see in the media (apart from politics –although the combination of sex & politics do make quite a lethal cocktail).We all want to be accepted, be loved by someone special and some of us even want long-term intimacy with a mate (and an official piece of paper that bears proof to that union).
According to Valerie, we live in a culture that has always been shy about embracing sexuality as part of a normal and wholesome life.
One thing she has learned through the many years of writing about relationships is that the basics of human sexuality have not changed. The same things that drove our ancient ancestors to seek connectedness are still in full force today, with minor social variations on this basic theme. Enter the cougar.
In Valerie’s view, many successful, independent women in their 40’s and 50’s who probably have been down the domestic route and don’t want anything serious relationship-wise, are finding their match in younger men who are into casual dating and having a good time without the pressure and drama of meeting the parents, settling down and raising a family.
Her book has been very well received. By her own admission she is very well qualified to be a relationship expert –having survived 5 marriages, she knows what NOT to do.
She spoke at length on extra-marital affairs, why so many men and women would risk losing so much of what they have worked hard for.
We gossiped a bit about high profile political/sexual scandals –US congressmen sending “improper” messages to congressional pages, senators embroiled in bathroom solicitation scandals.
I thought I would end by quoting her bio: “She is currently single and enthusiastically exploring the joys (and many hazards!) of the dating world and loves to help people enjoy and understand single life, no matter what their age.”
VALERIE’S WEBSITE AND HER BOOK:
http://www.valeriegibson.com
While we waited for our designated microphone time at the studio –we spent a few moments chatting on the couch. Valerie is very open, easy to talk to and has a lot of useful stuff to say about relationships. She is a transplanted Brit who grew up in a family where sex and relationships were not openly discussed. ("No sex please -we're British" -to quote the title of a play). Her dad was a colonel in the British Army.
During her time as a writer for the Toronto Sun she was initially the fashion columnist and took the name of the Toronto Sun (yes, our Toronto Sun) to the inner sanctums of the fashion world: Paris, Milan, etc.
She had a book out on relationships. When her editor at the newspaper found out how successful it was, read it and asked her to change beats and dish out relationship advice. She initially refused and finally caved in after being wooed with a few glasses of wine over lunch. (Note to self: cut out cocktails at business lunches).
Human sexual relationships seem to drive most of the stuff you see in the media (apart from politics –although the combination of sex & politics do make quite a lethal cocktail).We all want to be accepted, be loved by someone special and some of us even want long-term intimacy with a mate (and an official piece of paper that bears proof to that union).
According to Valerie, we live in a culture that has always been shy about embracing sexuality as part of a normal and wholesome life.
One thing she has learned through the many years of writing about relationships is that the basics of human sexuality have not changed. The same things that drove our ancient ancestors to seek connectedness are still in full force today, with minor social variations on this basic theme. Enter the cougar.
In Valerie’s view, many successful, independent women in their 40’s and 50’s who probably have been down the domestic route and don’t want anything serious relationship-wise, are finding their match in younger men who are into casual dating and having a good time without the pressure and drama of meeting the parents, settling down and raising a family.
Her book has been very well received. By her own admission she is very well qualified to be a relationship expert –having survived 5 marriages, she knows what NOT to do.
She spoke at length on extra-marital affairs, why so many men and women would risk losing so much of what they have worked hard for.
We gossiped a bit about high profile political/sexual scandals –US congressmen sending “improper” messages to congressional pages, senators embroiled in bathroom solicitation scandals.
I thought I would end by quoting her bio: “She is currently single and enthusiastically exploring the joys (and many hazards!) of the dating world and loves to help people enjoy and understand single life, no matter what their age.”
VALERIE’S WEBSITE AND HER BOOK:
http://www.valeriegibson.com
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