Cageless

Why are we so lonely? We spend most of our time on social media, yet feel more isolated than ever. Recapping David Brooks’ book "How to Know a Person", today I report research and reflect on friendship, the importance of being truly seen, and steps on how to implement human connection. Because after all, it is one of the most essential parts of a meaningful life.

RESEARCH & READING:

1. David Brooks, How to Know a Person — The Times Literary Supplementhttps://www.the-tls.com/politics-society/social-cultural-studies/how-to-know-a-person-david-brooks-book-review-joe-moran
2. The American Journal of Medicine — Research on Social Connection, Health & Well-Beinghttps://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343(24)00772-1/pdf
3. Stanford University — Good Social Relationships Are the Most Consistent Predictor of a Happy Lifehttps://ccare.stanford.edu/press_posts/good-social-relationships-are-the-most-consistent-predictor-of-a-happy-life/
4. The Happiness Equation — Arthur C. Brookshttps://www.forbes.com/sites/timmaurer/2023/04/23/the-happiness-equation/
5. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs — Belonging, Connection & Human Needshttps://nordiccopy.com/maslows-hierarchy-of-needs/

After a long hiatus (blame the microphone cords), Cageless is back! And a lot has changed. I am officially 30, newly engaged, and planning two weddings across two continents. In this honest episode, I share the story behind my surprise East Texas proposal, what intercultural love has taught me about myself, and why I'm finally giving my younger creative dreams a second wind.

This episode explores creativity without a timeline, the loneliness of creating in isolation, and why the most important moments in life are rarely the ones you planned for. Plus: Saint Teresa of Avila, the cultural gap between French and American communication, and why your twenties are your primer, not your prime. ;)

Cageless is a podcast about creativity, personal growth, and living life outside the box.

What if moving abroad, writing online, or starting over in your 20s isn’t running away? What if it is expanding? And perhaps where ever you run; there you are...

Valerie Estrina doesn’t just write about girlhood, comparison, self-worth, and identity—she names the things most of us are too scared to say out loud.

She is a writer and founder of club reticent—a global community based on Substack of observant, quietly powerful women who are redefining vulnerability, boundaries, and belonging on their own terms.

In this conversation, we dive into:

• Comparison hinders progress and enjoyment of experiences
• Growing a community online
• Valerie finding Substack as a safe space for her to share her work
• Re-navigating self-discovery in your 20s
• Language barriers enhancing observational skills
• So much more!

If you’ve ever daydreamed about moving abroad, becoming a writer, starting over in your late teens or twenties, or finally letting yourself take up space—this is the episode you’ll feel.

Click play.

Join club club reticent: https://clubreticent.substack.com/

Watch the full video on Substack: https://thejennijohnson.substack.com/

In this episode, I’m answering your questions and reflecting on what it’s really like to date /make friends in France vs. America. Think less “Emily in Paris,” and more (almost too chill) French nuances. I’m also talking about dealing with the language barrier in relationships, Texas Hunting Wives and the 50-50 rule.

Pardon My French(Man) TikTok: LINK

Substack: LINK

With the rise of Ozempic, plastic surgery and toxic societal expectations, how does American celebrity culture shape us? In this episode of Cageless, I explore what I’ve learned as an American woman who has healed from an eating disorder and now lives in Europe.

Let's stop letting body image, self-worth, and male validation control your life once and for all.If you're tired of chasing ever-changing ideals and ready to find peace, this is for you.

Subscribe to Cageless for weekly conversations about self-trust, womanhood, and healing in a world that wants you to shrink.

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📸 Instagram:   / jennijohnson  

🎤 Follow the Pod on YOUTUBE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVgiwXoXQhk&t=51s

Weight loss stats from Hims & Hers 2024 report, “The Shape of America,” 

I just got approved for my 4-year visa in France, and it hit me how much this place has shaped me. In this episode, I talk about French bureaucracy, living far from home, and growing older in a city that once felt like a dream and now feels like real life.

If you’re navigating your twenties, thinking about moving abroad, or just craving a slower, deeper way of living—this one's for you. I share thoughts on identity, courage, loneliness, and what it means to create a life you actually want in a country like France.

Follow me on

IG: https://www.instagram.com/jennijohnson

Substack: https://thejennijohnson.substack.com/

Sharing my growth in writing every day for 90 days on Substack. I talk about how the challenge changed my views on creativity, the routines I changed, and the surprising lessons I learned over the 3 months. If you’ve ever wanted to build a consistent creative habit or find inspiration in daily practice, this episode is for you.📚 Follow my 90 days of writing on Substack: https://thejennijohnson.substack.com/📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/jennijohnson

00:00 Start

02:00 Taking control of your life

TikTok star, professional Moulin Rouge dancer and entrepreneur Allie Goodbun joins me on Cageless to share her journey from a small-town to the most iconic stage in the world. Allie’s story is packed with bold choices, creative ambition, and the spirit of building a life you love on your own terms. We talk about:

-How taking big risks led Allie to her dream job in Paris;

-Why creating your own opportunities matters more than waiting for them to come to you; and

-The unexpected beauty of building a supportive community in a foreign city.

About Allie:

Allie Goodbun is a professional dancer at the Moulin Rouge, entrepreneur, and online creator. Originally from Canada, Allie moved to Paris after securing a coveted role at the iconic cabaret. She is the co-founder of Ready Freddy, a dance wear line designed with functionality and comfort for dancers, which has quickly gained traction worldwide. Allie shares her Parisian life and backstage experiences with her audience on social media, where she inspires others to create their own paths.

Follow Allie!

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/alliegoodbun/

TikTok

https://www.tiktok.com/@alliegoodbun

Shop Ready Freddie:

https://readyfreddieshop.com/

In this episode, I tell you when I started asking deeper questions and wrestling with what it meant to live the way of Jesus in our world. Not in the American Church system. I decided to let go of dogma and shame and deconstruct to align my life with Jesus’s heart through my own encounters, research and relationships.