Dare On with Jodi

Do you have a secret dream? Are you dimming your light because of the fear that people will judge you for what you really want to do with your life?

If you are keeping this secret dream hidden because of doubt and fear,  my next guest  is going to share with you how to unleash that. Cheldin has played a huge role in pushing me toward my own secret dream. She and her team helped me start my own digital talk show, which led me to daring to enter the podcast world!

*******************************************************************************************

❤️Your Dare for this week is to answer the following questions that Cheldin poses: 

• Who are you? 
• What do you want? 
• And why do you deserve it? 
• Use these three questions as your handbook for learning to scream your dream.

More about Cheldin:
Cheldin is the CEO and Executive Producer of This Is It Network. It is a global female, minority owned digital streaming platform. She is an immigrant from Sierra Leone, West Africa, a former division one athlete, a mother of two, an adjunct professor, a personal branding expert, and an author. Cheldin works diligently to encourage her audience to no longer whisper their wishes, but to scream their dreams.

Connect with Cheldin
Website
LinkedIn
Instagram

🤗  Who Double Dare Membership Community & Jodi  HERE

A vibrant community of midlife women and moms who connect, learn, grow, and enjoy meaningful experiences together. With a blend of virtual and in-person events, we offer a sense of belonging no matter where you are. Find your place here!

Send me a quick note/message- what stood out in this episode!

Have a thought? Suggestion? Leave Jodi a Voice Message HERE.  

She returns every one!

Change can be daunting. It brings about uncertainty, fear, and often pushes us out of our comfort zones. But here's the thing….change is inevitable, especially as we navigate the landscape of midlife. And while it may seem scary, it's also the key to unlocking our next chapter, a chapter that can be filled with hope.

Dive into the transformative power of embracing change in midlife with today’s guest, Patti Diener. She is an author, an entrepreneur, and a seeker of the best life possible. Taking early retirement at age 53,  Patty made the choice to live a more fulfilled life rather than the status quo that was expected of her.

She created a place for midlife people to connect and feel seen with her podcast and her community called Beautiful Second Act. Now, after almost three years, she's made another shift, another change, listening to her true calling. Patti writes full time and is opening up to new adventures in the writing community.


❤️Your Dare for this week: Ask yourself this burning question, “Am I brave enough to disappoint others in order to stop disappointing myself?  Am I brave enough to stop?” Asking yourself this burning question is where CHANGE happens!

Jodi adds a double dare to sit with these questions and answers and let them flow!

About Patti Diener

Patti Diener is an author, an entrepreneur, and a seeker of the best life possible. Taking early retirement at the age of 53, Patti made the choice to live a more fulfilled life rather than the status quo that was expected of her. She created a place for midlife people to connect and feel seen with her podcast and community called, Beautiful Second Act. Now, after almost three years, she's made another shift, listening to her true calling. Patti writes full time, and is opening up to new adventures in the writing community.

Connect with Patti
Podcast
LinkedIn

🤗  Who Double Dare Membership Community & Jodi  HERE

A vibrant community of midlife women and moms who connect, learn, grow, and enjoy meaningful experiences together. With a blend of virtual and in-person events, we offer a sense of belonging no matter where you are. Find your place here!

Send me a quick note/message- what stood out in this episode!

Have a thought? Suggestion? Leave Jodi a Voice Message HERE.  

She returns every one!

Can you really unlock purpose, meaning and fulfillment in your life through something as simple as playing?!

Society has tried to tell us that playing is just for kids. I’m here to remind you that it’s not. We were all once kids who would play for hours, and there is always a part of us that misses those moments & experiences. Just because we are in midlife does not mean that we can’t find joy in playing once again!

When I was a kid, I remember feeling FREE. I felt light. I felt I was invincible. I was in my element, feeling joyful, content, and confident. I wanted to get back to this feeling again, which is why I created the Moms Who Dare space. By daring and doing, we find more playfulness, light, and freedom in our days. 

We may not be able to go back in time, but we can change how we perceive play as adults to help us find more purpose and meaning!

3 Benefits of Playing

• Benefit #1: Playing helps you explore passions.  Through play, it's common and often possible to stumble upon activities that bring us joy and fulfillment. We can gradually discover our passions and gain insights into what gives our lives meaning, 
• Benefit #2: It helps foster self discovery. When we play, we let go of our inhibitions and societal expectations, allowing our true selves to emerge.  This authenticity enables us to better understand our values, strengths, and aspirations, ultimately leading us toward a clearer sense of purpose.
• Benefit #3: Play promotes personal growth.  And this is where daring came from. Play often involves overcoming challenges and pushing us beyond our comfort zones. These experiences help us develop resilience, perseverance and other valuable life skills  as we navigate obstacles and achieve personal milestones through play.

Your Dare for the Week

Your dare ❤️ this week is to dare to play. 
Start with a list.
Have you ever wanted to learn a new game? Maybe you've wanted to take a class.  Maybe you have this innate artistic calling, this urge that I want to draw, I want to paint, I want to do pottery. Write a list of everything that you've ever liked doing and ever thought about doing, without judgment. Don't overthink it, just make a list. 

Then look at the list, And start daring to try everything on your list.  Here are some simple ways to bring PlayBlack back into your life. The next time you're driving and you drive by that neighborhood playground in your area, don't drive by it. Turn into the parking lot and go sit on the swings and swing.

Remember, play serves as a catalyst of self discovery and personal growth,  enabling us to uncover our passions, strengths, and values, and ultimately leading us towards a fulfilling and purpose driven life.

Resources Referenced in the Episode

• Episode 52 of Beyond Empty Nest : I’m Not Smart - Transforming Self-Talk for Empowerment
• Grab  30 Days of Doable Dares

🤗  Who Double Dare Membership Community & Jodi  HERE

A vibrant community of midlife women and moms who connect, learn, grow, and enjoy meaningful experiences together. With a blend of virtual and in-person events, we offer a sense of belonging no matter where you are. Find your place here!

Send me a quick note/message- what stood out in this episode!

Have a thought? Suggestion? Leave Jodi a Voice Message HERE.  

She returns every one!

Have you ever had something you’re passionate about achieving but that you’ve put on the backburner for various reasons? Maybe you pursued a different career, or were raising a family, or maybe you were simply trying to navigate the demands of life and somehow that passion became buried. 

Does this sound like you? If so, this week we’re going to explore the idea of reigniting your passions, hobbies and dreams so that you can lead a truly fulfilling life. 

Meet Melissa Davey, this week’s inspiring guest. She is 73 and retired from a lengthy corporate career in 2016 to pursue her passion of becoming a filmmaker. The work she has been doing as a successful filmmaker has been truly incredible.

Melissa is a true testament that it’s never too late to learn something new, or go after what really lights a fire within you…and that this too can be YOUR story!

❤️Your Dare for this week is to make a list of all of the things that have interested you or that you’re curious about. Maybe there's only one thing or maybe there's 10. 

Then, let one come to the top, one that's the most inspiring and interesting to you.  I dare you to sit with that for a while and then make a list of all of the reasons why you shouldn't do it  or couldn't do it.  And then make a list of the reasons  why you should and what you need in order to make that start to happen.

Connect with Melissa:
Website
LinkedIn

About Melissa Davey

Melissa Davey Documentary Filmmaker Melissa Davey, age 73, retired from a lengthy corporate career in 2016 to pursue her third act and dream of becoming a filmmaker. Melissa began her early career in Legal Services pursuing Chapter 766 compliance and advocacy for disabled children. It was there, in the late 70’s, that she became connected to and passionate about disabilities and Social Security law. As a Paralegal, Melissa represented more than one thousand individuals before the Social Security Administration and was a national substantive law trainer for the Legal Services Corporation

🤗  Who Double Dare Membership Community & Jodi  HERE

A vibrant community of midlife women and moms who connect, learn, grow, and enjoy meaningful experiences together. With a blend of virtual and in-person events, we offer a sense of belonging no matter where you are. Find your place here!

Send me a quick note/message- what stood out in this episode!

Have a thought? Suggestion? Leave Jodi a Voice Message HERE.  

She returns every one!

Based on a recent article in Forbes Health, young adults 18 to 25 in the U. S. experience the highest rates of mental illness at 36. 2%, followed by those ages 26 to 49 at 29. 4%. Adults ages 50 and over are at almost 14%.  That's us. Anxiety isn't just reserved for just the young or the old, it does not discriminate.

I want to further surprise you to learn that anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, and panic disorder are some of the most commonly diagnosed mental health conditions in the U. S. affecting 42.5 million adults.  

My guest today is known as The Anxiety Healer and has found the sweet spot on how to use social media to connect with those suffering with anxiety so that they feel seen, heard, and most importantly, understood.  Alison Cepenaro, licensed therapist, author, podcast host, and holistic healer specializes in cognitive behavior therapy and mindfulness based positive psychology for adolescents and adults with anxiety disorders. She is a CEO and founder of the Anxiety Healer Community, boasting over 550, 000  members on Instagram and TikTok.

Alison also spreads awareness and holistic healing methods for anxiety. Her book, “The Anxiety Healer's Guide”, offers a comprehensive toolkit for overcoming anxiety. And through her podcast, “The Anxiety Chicks”, Allison destigmatizes mental health and shares her journey to recovery, providing a judgment free community globally. 

If you’re experiencing anxiety, whether it be smaller moments or through the lens of anxiety disorder, Alison will help guide us toward healing today.

❤️Your Dare for this week is a DOUBLE DARE! 

• Dare #1: Drink one glass of water every morning for the next week. Take note of the changes you experience. 
• Dare #2: Figure out one tool for your toolkit to start with to help you heal. 

About Alison Seponara

Alison Seponara is a licensed therapist, author, podcast host, anxiety educator, and holistic healer. Alison owns a private practice outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in which she specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based positive psychology with adolescents and adults who struggle with anxiety disorders specifically related to health, relationships, and grief & loss. Along with her private practice, Alison is the CEO and founder of the mental health and wellness community known as The Anxiety Healer. 

Resources Referenced in the Episode

Book: The Anxiety Healers Guide (A must have gift for your kids transitioning out of the nest!)

The Anxiety Chicks Podcast

🤗  Who Double Dare Membership Community & Jodi  HERE

A vibrant community of midlife women and moms who connect, learn, grow, and enjoy meaningful experiences together. With a blend of virtual and in-person events, we offer a sense of belonging no matter where you are. Find your place here!

Send me a quick note/message- what stood out in this episode!

Have a thought? Suggestion? Leave Jodi a Voice Message HERE.  

She returns every one!

All right, ladies and gentlemen, if you're out there listening, who else here identifies themselves as a fixer? I'm here to tell you that most women do, especially moms. And look, it makes sense, right? When our children are born, they're a hundred percent reliant on us to thrive, to eat, to be changed, to be safe.

So naturally we become the fixer of all things. The problem with this  occurs when we don't begin to shift out of fixer mode as our children grow up. 

Today, I'm sharing the #1 parenting shift we all must learn and practice that will empower, equip, and instill confidence in our children and actually relieve our stress as well, believe it or not.

And do you know what that number one parenting shift is?  It's going from fixer to coach.  

So  what's our goal as parents?  Take a minute. What is our goal as parents?  It's to raise our children to become great adults. 

It’s making crucial shifts within how we support our children at each stage of life that makes the difference for everyone.

How to Move from Fixer to Coach

1. Self-awareness - In order to make shifts or changes within ourselves and others, we have to be aware of ourselves. So it's learning how to make this shift, being aware of when we're In the fixer mode, so we can snap out of it a little quicker and shift over to coach.
2. Ask Questions - The fixer is always trying to solve the problem for their child versus the coach or the advisor asking questions to help their child figure out the best course of action or the best solution. 
3. Be Kind and Gentle With Yourself - This is something I am constantly working on. So be kind, be gentle to yourself. Give yourself grace. If you go to fixer, when coach would have been better, it will happen. 

By making this shift from fixer to coach, you are giving your sons and/or your daughters the best gift ever: empowerment and confidence.

Don’t forget to download the incredible resource I’m offering to you all to support you in making this shift! Review the five questions every mom must have in her parenting toolbox. And yes, there's a link in the show notes below to grab this whole resource. It's a four page “fixer to coach” resource that you can just download, print out and have with you. Hint: Number one is the permission question. This is my go to question.

Your Dare for the Week

❤️Your Dare for this week:  Begin to practice simply by asking the number one question, the permission question all week for everyone you come in contact with. Whether it's at the beginning of the conversation or when they're finished bitching and moaning, ask them, so was this just a venting session or did you, are you asking me for an opinion or thought?  And you know, you can move to the clarification question if they say, well, I wanted your opinion. What exactly are you asking me, what exactly are you asking me for here? 

Resources Mentioned

The #1 Parenting Shift Every Mom Must Make to Empower, Equip and Instill Confidence in Their Children Resource - https://dareontowhatsnext.com/parentshift

🤗  Who Double Dare Membership Community & Jodi  HERE

A vibrant community of midlife women and moms who connect, learn, grow, and enjoy meaningful experiences together. With a blend of virtual and in-person events, we offer a sense of belonging no matter where you are. Find your place here!

Send me a quick note/message- what stood out in this episode!

Have a thought? Suggestion? Leave Jodi a Voice Message HERE.  

She returns every one!

Downsizing. It’s a term filled with promise, but also with uncertainty.

As we transition into the empty nest phase, downsizing becomes increasingly appealing. Yet, the mere thought of parting ways with a lifetime of memories can be overwhelming. Where do we even begin? What do we keep and what do we let go of? And perhaps most dauntingly, how do we conquer the fear of saying goodbye to cherished possessions?

Today we’re joined by an expert in the art of downsizing—Rita Wilkins, affectionately known as The Downsizing Designer. With her wealth of experience as a nationally recognized interior design and lifestyle expert, Rita is here to shed light on all your downsizing dilemmas.

From TEDx talks to her book, "Downsize Your Life," Rita has dedicated her career to helping individuals reimagine their spaces and, by extension, their lives.

Together, we’ll explore the benefits of downsizing—not just for our physical spaces, but for our health and lifestyle.

❤️  Your DARE for this week begins with making a list. Take out pen and paper, find a peaceful spot—perhaps in nature or a quiet room—light a candle, and reflect. Ask yourself: What do you want? What do you need? What are your wishes, and what do you feel is lacking in your life? Begin with these questions. If you seek assistance, Rita's website is an excellent resource for support.

🤗  Who Double Dare Membership Community & Jodi  HERE

A vibrant community of midlife women and moms who connect, learn, grow, and enjoy meaningful experiences together. With a blend of virtual and in-person events, we offer a sense of belonging no matter where you are. Find your place here!

Send me a quick note/message- what stood out in this episode!

Have a thought? Suggestion? Leave Jodi a Voice Message HERE.  

She returns every one!

Today, we will discuss a topic close to the hearts of many women in our Moms Who Dare community: prioritizing oneself during change and transition.

For many mothers and fathers, parenting often becomes synonymous with their identity. But once your children leave the nest and go on their own adventures, we can find ourselves at a crossroads, grappling with the profound question: who am I outside of parenthood? The shift from full-time caregiver to reclaiming one's individuality can feel daunting, overwhelming, and at times, downright terrifying. Yet, there lies an opportunity for profound growth, self-discovery, and reinvention.

Enter Michael Dear, a therapist, coach, and speaker who specializes in helping individuals unearth their innate greatness, reignite their passions, and chart a course toward a fulfilling future.

Drawing upon his eclectic background in therapy and entertainment, Michael infuses his work with humor, compassion, and practical wisdom. He understands that life is a journey meant to be savored, not endured.

So, let’s dare to embrace the beauty of our evolving identities and the endless possibilities that lie ahead.

❤️  Your Dare for this week is to challenge yourself to engage in something daily that pushes you beyond your comfort zone. It doesn't have to be grand; it could be as simple as purchasing something you wouldn't typically consider or greeting the person in front of you in the checkout line.

Connect with Michael
Website: here.

LinkedIn here

🤗  Who Double Dare Membership Community & Jodi  HERE

A vibrant community of midlife women and moms who connect, learn, grow, and enjoy meaningful experiences together. With a blend of virtual and in-person events, we offer a sense of belonging no matter where you are. Find your place here!

Send me a quick note/message- what stood out in this episode!

Have a thought? Suggestion? Leave Jodi a Voice Message HERE.  

She returns every one!

In today's fast-paced and often stressful world, it's easy to get caught up in the negativity and frustration that seem to surround us. It feels like people are quicker than ever to become irritable over trivial matters, adding to the tension and stress we navigate daily. But with all of this chaos, a simple remedy is often overlooked: smiling.

Yes, you read that right—smiling. It's a small gesture that holds immense power to transform your mood and the atmosphere around you. In today’s episode, we dive into three compelling reasons why smiling is a game-changer in our quest for happiness and well-being.

❤️  Your Dare for this week has two parts. First, SMILE!  Smile intentionally and unabashedly. Start your day with a smile, whether it's while brushing your teeth, making breakfast, or even during mundane tasks like checking emails. Let that smile permeate every aspect of your day. 

Second, spend a day smiling at everyone you encounter, whether it's the person next to you in traffic, a stranger at the supermarket, or someone you're speaking to on the phone. Watch how this simple act of kindness brightens not just their day but yours as well.

Let's make the world a brighter place, one smile at a time.

🤗  Who Double Dare Membership Community & Jodi  HERE

A vibrant community of midlife women and moms who connect, learn, grow, and enjoy meaningful experiences together. With a blend of virtual and in-person events, we offer a sense of belonging no matter where you are. Find your place here!

Send me a quick note/message- what stood out in this episode!

Have a thought? Suggestion? Leave Jodi a Voice Message HERE.  

She returns every one!

Midlife is often marked by transitions, both expected and unexpected. Could improv help us thrive during these changes?

To answer this question, my friend and the architect behind Unscripted Productions, Will Dennis, is joining us. As a seasoned teacher, improv virtuoso, certified coach, and devoted husband and father, Will uses the principles of improv to apply to many aspects of life, such as work, parenting, relationships, and mindset. He is here to guide us through the maze of midlife with humor, wisdom, and radical acceptance.

So, grab your favorite notebook and pen as we learn how improv can help us through the maze of midlife.

❤️  Your Dare for this week is to take five minutes and practice a Jesuit-inspired meditation. Here are the steps:

1. Every four hours, pause.
2. Reflect on the past four hours.
3. Ask yourself these three questions: What moment was a ‘yes’ moment? What moment was a ‘no’ moment? What do I need for the next four hours?
4. Determine your needs for the next four hours.

🤗  Who Double Dare Membership Community & Jodi  HERE

A vibrant community of midlife women and moms who connect, learn, grow, and enjoy meaningful experiences together. With a blend of virtual and in-person events, we offer a sense of belonging no matter where you are. Find your place here!

Send me a quick note/message- what stood out in this episode!

Have a thought? Suggestion? Leave Jodi a Voice Message HERE.  

She returns every one!