Join the conversation with Cherisse Fortunato, author and self-proclaimed recovering people pleaser, as she shares intimate stories about overcoming her people-pleasing along her path to self-discovery. Starting with her childhood background, we follow the timeline of her healing journey through aspects of her life- romantic relationships, friendships, family, and parenthood. Cherisse shares actionable steps she’s taken to be able to set boundaries and start putting her own self care at the forefront of her healing journey.

Cherisse also dives into her experiences working in radio, her transformative journey into motherhood, and the significant impact of her brother's passing. We dive into what motherhood looks like when trying to end the people pleaser cycle. She offers valuable insights and lessons she aims to pass on to her daughters including resources for parents. 

Cherisse talks about her new memoir, All In: Lessons Learned Through the Loss of a Beautiful LIfe. She delves into how her brother's death inspired her to write her memoir aimed at spreading kindness and combating the stigma surrounding mental health She shares practical advice for anyone struggling with similar issues. 

Read Cherisse’s memoir -

All In: Life LessonsLife lessons learned through the loss of a beautiful life

Resources:

Good Inside by Dr. Becky Kennedy

"The Magic of Not Giving a F*ck"- Ted Talk by Sarah Knight

About the Guest:

Cherisse Fortunato

I am a mom of two daughters, teacher aide at Clarence Center Elementary, and first time author. My book, All In, shares my story of the loss of my brother Justin to suicide, and how his loss along with becoming a new mother shortly after, taught me invaluable lessons. Most importantly- only by loving and understanding ourselves can we offer our most genuine and gracious self to others. My book is available on Amazon or nfbpublishing.com

@cherissefortunato on Instagram

Cherisse's Facebook page

Cherisse's memoir

Timestamps:

01:14 Guest Introduction: Cherisse Fortunato

02:51 Defining People Pleasing

03:19 Personal Reflections on People Pleasing

03:55 Enneagram and Helper Personalities

04:46 Balancing Self-Care and People Pleasing

09:25 Childhood Impact on People Pleasing

12:22 Personal Relationships

14:32 Romantic Relationships and People Pleasing

17:05 Navigating Social Interactions

23:07 Navigating Friendships and Energy Management

23:49 Overcoming FOMO and Embracing JOMO

25:51 Tools for Self-Reflection and Healing

27:26 Parenting and Personal Growth

29:13 Book Recommendations and Influences

30:54 The Power of Saying No

34:00 Writing a Memoir: A Journey of Healing

41:04 All In: Lessons from Loss and Love - a Memoir by Cherisse Fortunato

44:31 Final Thoughts and Bumper Sticker Wisdom

About Your Host

• Work with Jenny - Book 1:1 Reiki or psychic channeled reading sessions. Offered virtually or in person in Buffalo, NY.

Diary of a Recovering People Pleaser

Copyright 2024 Jenny Leckey LLC

Diary of a Recovering People Pleaser website

“Healing is a time to be playful...letting go, loosening your grip, being in the here and now, having some fun, having some laughter and joy."- Jenny Leckey

Jenny Leckey is back with a new season of the Diary of a Recovering People Pleaser Podcast! In this episode, she reintroduces herself and the podcast's mission to offer a supportive, inclusive space for people pleasers at any stage of their healing journey. 

She shares her own background, from radio to teaching, and now to energy healing and spiritual mentorship. She stresses the importance of feeling seen through shared stories and how it can start to change your habits and rewire your brain. 

Jenny also introduces her personal definition of people pleasing and offers advice for starting your recovery journey through journaling and taking small, joyful self care steps to start to change your life.

00:00 Welcome Back to the Podcast!

01:16 Meet Your Host: Jenny Leckey

03:31 Understanding People Pleasing

04:26 Defining People Pleasing

05:57 The Healing Journey

08:34 Journaling: Practical Tips for Recovery

About The Host:

• Work with Jenny - Book 1:1 Reiki or psychic channeled reading sessions. Offered virtually or in person in Buffalo, NY.

Diary of a Recovering People Pleaser

Copyright 2024 Jenny Leckey LLC

Diary of a Recovering People Pleaser website

"I think that is all about being raised male, right? That self-silencing, not being able to express your true feelings about something." - Jeff Jolton

In this episode, Jeff Jolton, an industrial organizational psychologist, shares his personal journey of overcoming people pleasing behavior in the work place and in his personal life. Jeff opens up about his struggle with balancing professional demands while also being a father and husband. He discusses how his people pleasing tendencies were driven by a pursuit of perfection in all the roles he plays in his life. 

He discusses societal expectations on men, particularly the different forms of people pleasing between genders, and how they affect personal boundaries and self-worth. Jeff also provides practical advice on setting boundaries, recognizing personal wants, and the importance of being present. 

This episode offers valuable insights for anyone struggling with people pleasing and how to find a work-life balance.

00:54 Professional Journey and People-Pleasing Tendencies

03:25 Balancing Work and Family

04:03 Gender Dynamics in People-Pleasing

11:17 Realizations and Turning Points

15:50 Setting Boundaries and Workplace Culture

22:50 The Power of Asking 'Why'

24:25 Dealing with Inner Criticism

28:15 Embracing Self-Worth

32:33 The Importance of Community

36:12 Improv and Personal Growth

40:27 Final Thoughts and Advice

About the Guest:

Jeff Jolton

A husband, dad of two grown boys, a life-long consultant, improv actor, dog lover and cat owner. Been in Buffalo now over 10 years - the longest I've ever lived anywhere. Went to college at Lawrence University (Psychology) and got my PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Ohio University, and have worked as a consultant most of my career - helping organizations with leadership development, employee engagement, and workforce transformation. My work has allowed me to travel around the country and the world - I've been a lot of places, but haven't seen a lot (hotels, offices, and board rooms) but exposed to a range of cultures, people, and dynamics.

@jajolton on Instagram

About the Host:

• Work with Jenny - Book 1:1 Reiki or psychic channeled reading sessions. Offered virtually or in person in Buffalo, NY.

Copyright 2024 Jenny Leckey LLC

"Not only is it about taking the action, but it's also about the story that you tell yourself before, during, and after these types of experiences." - Jenny Leckey

In this episode, Jenny tackles the challenges for people pleasers in a restaurant setting. She shares her personal journey after being diagnosed with celiac disease and how it forced her to advocate for her dietary needs. 

Jenny provides practical tips on how to start small by asking for what you need in a dining experience, emphasizing the importance of taking up space and asserting oneself. Whether it's requesting a different dressing or sending food back, Jenny encourages listeners to practice self-advocacy and celebrate their successes. She ends with a personal challenge for you to start taking people pleaser recovery steps when you dine out.

00:00 People Pleasing at Restaurants

00:41 Personal Experiences with Celiac Dietary Needs

02:00 Overcoming People Pleasing at Chipotle

04:05 Practical Tips for Advocating Your Needs

06:47 Your Two Week Challenge

Want to be a guest on the show? Email Jenny: [email protected]

• Work with Jenny - Book 1:1 Reiki or psychic channeled reading sessions. Offered virtually or in person in Buffalo, NY.

Copyright 2024 Jenny Leckey LLC

"Every time you say yes to yourself, you're just getting a little bit closer to your authentic self, and the closer you get to that, the more amazing this time on this earth will be." - Jessie Mancuso

In this episode, Jenny hosts a heartfelt conversation with Jessie Mancuso, a yoga and meditation teacher from North Buffalo, NY. Jessie shares insights on tapping into inner wisdom, the transformation yoga has brought into her life, and the importance of giving yourself the option to make new choices.

 They explore themes of authenticity, self-reflection, and the power of meditation. Jessie also opens up about her experience with sobriety, the impact of saying no to people pleasing, and the significance of building a relationship with oneself through daily self check-ins and purposeful solo time. 

00:52 The Concept of Inner Wisdom

02:02 Struggles with People Pleasing

04:40 Breaking Free from Alcohol

12:55 Yoga Off the Mat: A Way of Life

15:52 The Power of Saying Yes to Yourself

21:04 Navigating the Emotional Slide

22:07 Embracing Growth and Authenticity

23:57 The Power of Honest Conversations

25:21 Daily Habits for Personal Growth

26:04 Listening to Your Inner Wisdom

31:32 Understanding and Honoring Your Needs

32:18 The Importance of Self-Care

37:23 The Healing Power of Meditation

Resources Mentioned:

The Radiance Sutras: 112 Gateways to the Yoga of Wonder and Delight by Lorin Roche

Instinctive Meditation with Lorin Roche

About The Host:

• Work with Jenny - Book 1:1 Reiki or psychic channeled reading sessions. Offered virtually or in person in Buffalo, NY.

Copyright 2024 Jenny Leckey LLC

Mentioned in this episode:

April Spiritual Retreat

Join us for our Spring 2025

“What you focus on, you're paying for. When you're paying your attention, is it reaping the benefits? Are you getting the reward out of it?" - Jenny Leckey

In this episode, Jenny shares the story of how of dealing with a severe cold & fever led to a profound realization about the importance of paying attention to what truly matters. 

She discusses how being forced to slow down and rest stripped away the unnecessary stress and people pleasing tendencies that often burden our lives. Jenny dives into the concept of 'paying attention' and explores how our focus, energy, and mindset are like currency, urging listeners to evaluate whether their attention is truly serving their highest good. This episode encourages reflection on daily habits, people pleasing behaviors, and the true value of where we direct our life force energy.

00:12 The Impact of Illness on Perspective

01:40 The Concept of Paying Attention

02:54 Evaluating the Worth of Your Attention

03:52 People Pleasing and Energy Management

05:31 Self-Reflection and Personal Growth

07:43 Practical Tips for Mindful Attention

10:23 Next Steps

About the Host

Want to be a guest on the show? Email Jenny - [email protected]

• Work with Jenny - Book 1:1 Reiki or psychic channeled reading sessions. Offered virtually or in person in Buffalo, NY.

Copyright 2024 Jenny Leckey LLC

Mentioned in this episode:

April Spiritual Retreat

Join us for our Spring 2025

“We're moving away from the hierarchy of 'The teacher knows and the student is learning.' “ - Jenny Leckey

In episode 31, Jenny discusses the importance of tuning into yourself rather than seeking external validation. Jenny explores how people often look outside themselves for answers on social media, especially on platforms like TikTok, and how this is slowing down the healing process.

She emphasizes that true wisdom comes from within- when you learn something new on your healing journey, it's really awakening dormant knowledge and intuition you had all along.

Jenny speaks about the link between people pleasing and abandoning one's true self, explaining how reconnecting with your inner self can lead to personal growth and healing. 

Through meditation and self-awareness practices, listeners can begin to recognize those 'aha' moments that resonate with their inner truth that's been there all along. Jenny encourages her audience to reflect on what this episode awakens within them and to share their experiences.

00:18 Seeking Answers Within

01:43 The Journey of Remembering

03:05 Internal Discernment vs. Confirmation Bias

03:52 Awakening Dormant Knowledge

06:07 People Pleasing and Self-Connection

07:33 Integrating New Knowledge

09:57 Practical Steps to Self-Awareness

10:47 Conclusion: Embrace the Aha Moments

About The Host

Want to be a guest on the show? Email Jenny: [email protected]

• Work with Jenny - Book 1:1 Reiki or psychic channeled reading sessions. Offered virtually or in person in Buffalo, NY.

Copyright 2024 Jenny Leckey LLC

 "I realized that if I say no to someone and it's going to make them not love me, then they probably don't."- Tracie

In this insightful episode, Jenny has a conversation with Tracie, a self-described recovering people pleaser, who shares her deep and personal journey of overcoming a lifetime of people pleasing. 

Tracie delves into how her childhood trauma in an abusive household wired her to strive for the approval of others. She also discusses the impact of a toxic workplace where her people-pleasing tendencies were manipulated, leading to severe health issues. Through therapy and self-reflection, Tracie found her self-worth and provides practical advice on setting boundaries and healing. Key themes include childhood trauma, toxic workplaces, and finding self-worth. 

Jenny and Tracie also share useful tools, books, and concepts to aid you on your healing journey.

00:33 Childhood Struggles and People Pleasing

04:32 Defining People Pleasing

11:50 Workplace Challenges

16:05 Quitting and New Beginnings

20:42 The Fear of Letting Go

23:25 Techniques for Anxiety Relief

26:17 The Power of Saying No

30:37 Overcoming People Pleasing in Academia

33:43 Resources for Recovery

36:26 Embracing Self-Worth

38:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Books Mentioned in the Podcast:

How to Stop Breaking Your Own Heart by Meggan Roxanne

Not Nice by Dr. Aziz Gazipura

No Mud, No Lotus by Thich Nhat Hanh

About The Guest:

Tracie Groves

I’m a recovering people pleaser. At 50, I reached my rock bottom and quit my job of almost 20 years, went back to school and did the hard work through therapy, meditation, and journaling to heal and finally live my best life.

About the Host:

Want to be a guest on the show? Email Jenny: [email protected]

• Work with Jenny - Book 1:1 Reiki or psychic channeled reading sessions. Offered virtually or in person in Buffalo, NY.

Copyright 2024 Jenny Leckey LLC

“"It's like the devil, you know, Right? It's the comfort, you know.” - Jenny Leckey

In this episode, Jenny discusses her transformative six-month coaching program with her Ayurveda coach, Dawn. She delves into the importance of saying goodbye to habits and relationships that no longer serve us, especially in the context of people pleasing. 

Jenny shares her personal journey, including past experiences with depression, friendship breakups, and finding out she has celiac disease. She emphasizes the need to create space for new, healthy habits by releasing old patterns and poses the critical question to listeners: What are you ready to say goodbye to?

00:00 Introduction to My Ayurveda Journey

00:24 The Struggle with Habit Change

01:09 Connecting Habit Change to People Pleasing

01:58 Saying Goodbye to People Pleasing

03:36 A Painful Goodbye: Ending a Friendship

07:08 Discovering the Root Cause of Fatigue

09:18 The Importance of Saying Goodbye

10:03 Reflecting on What to Say Goodbye To

12:32 Conclusion: Embracing Change

Check out more about Ayurveda with Dawn

Want to be a guest? Email Jenny: [email protected]

• Work with Jenny - Book 1:1 Reiki or psychic channeled reading sessions. Offered virtually or in person in Buffalo, NY.

Copyright 2024 Jenny Leckey LLC

"Underneath all the people pleasing, underneath all the molding yourself to make other people feel comfortable, underneath all of that protective layer is your true essence, and people can see it."- Jenny Leckey 

In this episode, Jenny recounts a transformative lesson during an improv class years ago. She shares how her improv teacher saw that she wasn’t taking up space on stage, instead worrying about everyone else (classic covery people pleasing). He encouraged her to do the opposite - that she was allowed to take up space. This eye-opening advice encouraged her to start changing this habit in other areas of her life.

Jenny reflects on how being open to feedback and receiving new perspectives from others can lead to significant self-discovery and change. She discusses how having a growth mindset is key as well as being open to feedback in order to grow and change.  

00:00 Introduction: A Pivotal Improv Moment

01:57 The Lesson: Taking Up Space

03:51 Reflection: The Impact of Words

05:56 Conclusion: Embracing Growth

Want to be a guest on the show? Email Jenny: [email protected]

• Work with Jenny - Book 1:1 Reiki or psychic channeled reading sessions. Offered virtually or in person in Buffalo, NY.

Copyright 2024 Jenny Leckey LLC