GenerateHER

In this episode of the GenerateHER podcast we reflect on the idea of personal and seasonal growth through the metaphor of the harvest season in France. From Paris, we explore how the French concepts of récolte (harvest) and vendange (grape harvest) remind us to pause, reflect, and celebrate the fruits of our efforts—whether personal, professional, or emotional. Drawing lessons from champagne-making, we discover that pressure creates brilliance, blending past experiences shapes a brighter future, and imperfections give us our sparkle. This episode invites us to assess what has grown in our own “Jardin Secret,” to rest, plan, and dream for the seasons ahead, and to celebrate every win—big or small—as part of life’s ongoing, beautiful cycle of growth and renewal.

Episode breakdown:

Welcome - 00:00:00

The Season of Harvest: Reflecting on Growth - 00:02:54

The Vendange: Lessons from the Grape Harvest - 00:04:36

Becoming Champagne: Beauty in Pressure and Imperfection - 00:05:29

The Meaning of Récolte: Our Personal Harvest - 00:10:09

Preparing the Next Season: Rest, Renewal, and Celebration - 00:12:08

In this episode of GenerateHER, we reflect on the “sweet sixteen” milestone of building a business in France and the lessons that come with longevity. Business and life intertwine, reminding us that relationships are everything, change is inevitable, and resilience is essential. From learning to let go in order to grow, to recognizing that coral doesn’t grow in still water, we explore how progress often comes through challenge. Along the way, we discover that happiness is a daily choice, the pace is always forward, and sometimes miracles arrive in the form of people.

Episode breakdown:

Welcome - 00:00:00

Lesson 1 - Business is personal - 00:04:08

Lesson 2 - Change isn't optional - 00:11:14

Lesson 3 - Mindset and resilience - 00:14:29

Lesson 4 - Life and Perspective - 00:18:29

Final thoughts - 00:21:22

Paris reminds us that reinvention is always possible. In this episode of GenerateHER, we explore how the seasons of nature mirror our own cycles of growth, rest, and transformation. From role models like Edith Piaf and Marie Curie to everyday signals in our lives, we see that reinvention isn’t about erasing who we are but building upon it. Discover five timeless lessons to help us embrace change with authenticity, curiosity, and courage.

Welcome: 00:00:00

Lesson 1 -  Turning weaknesses into strengths: 00:16:39

Lesson 2 -  Remaining authentic: 00:18:20

Lesson 3 -  Elevating others by elevating yourself: 00:19:21

Lesson 4 -  Being a voracious learner: 00:20:45

Lesson 5 -  Curious and adaptable: 00:21:59

Final thoughts: 00:23:07

Paris is humming with a special kind of energy right now. It's La Rentrée, a time of year for new beginnings and the perfect chance to reinvent yourself. That's why I'm so excited to announce that Season Two of GenerateHER is back! Get ready to discover five reasons La Rentrée isn't just a Parisian tradition—it's a mindset we can all embrace.

Welcome: 00:00:00

Lesson 1 - La Pause: 00:02:22

Lesson 2 - La Rentrée: 00:06:12

Lesson 3 - Connection: 00:07:27

Lesson 4 - Culture: 00:09:43

Lesson 5 - Back to School: 00:12:00

Final thoughts: 00:15:30

Reinvention doesn’t require a grand plan. For me, it starts with curiosity, creativity, and the willingness to plant something new.

As I wrap up season one of GenerateHER, I’ve been thinking about what it means to grow as a woman in business, and as someone who’s built a life in Paris. This episode is my chance to reflect on the stories we’ve shared, the lessons I’ve learned, and the practices that continue to guide me.

I talk about nurturing your “secret garden,” those dreams and ideas you’ve planted, and the importance of protecting them from negativity. I share why I believe creativity is non-negotiable. Without it, how can we reimagine our work, solve problems, or even see ourselves in a new way?

I also revisit some of my favorite conversations from this season: asking for help with intention, taking risks with courage, journaling as a business tool, and of course, the many lessons I’ve learned from French culture. From the art of a dinner party to the value of thoughtful relationships, life in Paris continues to shape how I show up in the world.

I hope this episode feels like a conversation with a friend, and that it leaves you thinking about your own next season. A bientôt, mes amis!

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction

02:00 Season One Recap and Reflections

02:33 Planting and Protecting Your Secret Garden

05:26 How to Ask for Help Intentionally

05:56 Four Elements of Taking Risks

09:47 Journaling and the Power of Writing

12:00 Finding Beauty in the Mundane

16:21 Lessons from French Dinner Parties

17:59 Why Role Models Still Matter

19:15 What It Means to Be French

21:47 Looking Ahead to Season Two

Links

Connect with Jane Bertch:

Website: www.janebertch.com 

Instagram @janebertch

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

A single journal Natalie Valmary carried on a family trip through Asia sparked one of the most beautiful brands I’ve ever encountered, and reminded me how important it is not to wait on your dreams.

In this episode, I sit down with Natalie, the founder of Louise Carmen, to talk about creativity, reinvention, and what it looks like to build a business that’s deeply personal. Natalie shares how her idea took shape during a year of travel with her husband and daughters, and how it grew into a beloved journal company based right here in Paris.

Natalie also opens up about the stroke that changed everything, and the clarity it brought about what really matters. That part of the conversation hit me hard. What do we do with the time we’ve been given? Are we spending it in ways that feel true to who we are?

This episode is full of inspiration for women, whether you’re starting something new or finding your way back to what you love. We talk about personal transformation, the quiet power of journaling, and what it means to trust yourself in life and in business.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Meet Natalie Valmary  

03:48 How Louise Carmen Was Born  

10:07 Family, Travel, and Creative Sparks  

13:12 A Lifelong Love for Journals  

17:08 Building a Brand with Purpose  

24:26 A Health Scare Changes Everything  

29:03 Growing the Business  

33:57 Finding Strength in Hard Moments  

39:10 Inspiration for Women 

Links

Connect with Natalie Valmary:

Louise Carmen Website: https://louisecarmen.com

Louise Carmen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louisecarmenparis/

Connect with Jane Bertch:

Website: www.janebertch.com 

Instagram @janebertch

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Feeling stuck might have less to do with your circumstances and more to do with only seeing one version of who you are.

As May rolled in, I realized I hadn’t made the progress I hoped for this year, and that left me feeling stuck. I’ve heard the same thing from so many smart, accomplished women in business who are committed to personal development but still feel like something’s missing.

I started asking myself: are we stuck, or are we just seeing ourselves through too narrow a lens? So often we’re reduced to one role… entrepreneur, parent, partner… and it’s hard to imagine what else we could be. But living in Paris has shown me how much power there is in being multi-dimensional. The culture here values boundaries, and those boundaries make space for different sides of a person to exist.

In this episode, I’m sharing what I’ve been learning, the practices that are helping me reconnect with other versions of myself, and a few questions I think are worth asking. What would happen if you stopped waiting for the next version of you to show up and started making space for her instead?

I hope this episode encourages you to do just that.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Reflections on Feeling Stuck

02:18 The Pressure of Being One-Dimensional

05:10 What Paris Taught Me About Complexity

07:56 Boundaries and Identity in French Culture

14:07 Tools for Personal Development

19:04 Do the Work

Links

Connect with Jane Bertch:

Website: www.janebertch.com 

Instagram @janebertch

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Writing cracked open a new version of me that reshaped my identity, my community and my business.

For years, I didn’t think of myself as a writer. But when I started journaling, just a few sentences each morning, it became one of the most important tools in my self-development. Writing helped me make sense of what I was feeling, especially during hard times. It reminded me of the strength I’d already shown and helped me reconnect with parts of myself I’d almost forgotten.

In this episode, I’m sharing how writing has supported my personal development and opened unexpected doors, from writing a memoir during the pandemic to starting a newsletter and creating retreats for women. Each step brought me closer to a deeper version of myself.

What surprised me most was the sense of connection. When I shared my story, people reached out to say they saw themselves in it. That’s the real power of writing. It helps us realize we’re not alone.

If you’ve been craving a way to hear your own voice again, I hope this episode gives you the nudge to pick up a pen. I’ll also share a few things that have helped me along the way. What version of you might show up if you gave yourself permission to begin?

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Personal Journey

02:21 The Power of Writing

03:31 Journaling as Self-Development

05:06 From Memoir to Community

08:24 Finding My Voice Outside Business

11:48 Launching Generate Her Retreats

14:01 Tips to Start Your Writing Practice

17:28 Encouragement

Links

janebertch.com/journal

Connect with Jane Bertch:

Website: www.janebertch.com 

Instagram @janebertch

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Building a business that actually feels like you starts with knowing the season you’re in and letting go of who you think you’re supposed to be.

I had the absolute joy of sitting down with Molly Balint for a conversation that felt equal parts grounding and eye-opening. Molly is the founder of the SOFT business movement, and someone I’ve admired for years, not just for the work she does, but for how she does it. From her family farm in Maryland, where she’s raising four daughters and running her own business, Molly brings such a clear sense of purpose and presence to everything she shares.

We talked about what it really means to be a woman in business right now, how easy it is to fall into the trap of doing all the things, all the time, and how freeing it can be to finally step back and ask: What actually works for me? What if success doesn’t have to look loud or busy? What if building something meaningful starts with knowing your season and giving yourself permission to grow at your own pace?

Molly’s idea of SOFT business hit home for me. It’s about building from a place of alignment, self-awareness, and grace, not guilt or pressure. And it reminded me why women supporting women isn’t just a nice idea. It’s necessary. When we share our stories honestly, we make space for others to do the same.

If you’ve ever felt the tension between who you are and who you think you’re supposed to be, I think this episode will speak to you the way it spoke to me.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction

02:30 Meet Molly Balint: Life on a Farm and Online Beginnings

04:15 What Is the SOFT Business Movement?

10:00 Seasons in Life and Business

16:40 Building Community and Embracing Uniqueness

19:30 Rebuilding a Business with Intention

24:15 The Power of Experimentation

27:25 Finding Growth in the Messy Middle

28:45 Mentors and Role Models

Links

Connect with Molly Balint:

Website: https://www.mollybalint.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/molly.balint

Molly’s Bio: https://www.mollybalint.com/bio

Connect with Jane Bertch:

Website: www.janebertch.com 

Instagram @janebertch

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

We contain multitudes, and learning to honor every version of ourselves might be the most honest kind of authenticity.

After living in Paris for more than 20 years, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about identity, why we feel different in certain places, how we show up in different roles, and what it really means to find your voice.

In this episode, I’m sharing some of my own reflections, what it’s like to be an introvert who thrives professionally but needs quiet to recharge, and how I’ve come to understand the many “voices” I use throughout my life. Some are bold. Some are quiet. All of them are mine.

I’ve wrestled with the idea of authenticity. Am I being true to myself if I act one way at work and another at home? For a long time, that question left me feeling off-balance. But then I started to realize that maybe finding happiness has less to do with choosing one version of yourself and more to do with accepting all of them.

So I’m asking: What if your different voices are all valid? What if your adaptability is actually a strength, not something to hide? This is a short, personal episode… one I hope will give you a moment of recognition, relief, or maybe a fresh perspective on the beautiful complexity of being human.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Life in Paris

01:48 Finding Your Voice

04:32 The Looking Glass Self

05:17 Multiple Versions of Self

08:03 Adaptability & Self-Preservation

10:00 The Petal Analogy

12:00 Avatars & Authenticity

13:06 Embracing All of You

Links

Professor Bruce Hood: The Science of Happiness: https://www.amazon.com/Science-Happiness-Bruce-Hood/dp/139852638X

Connect with Jane Bertch:

Website: www.janebertch.com 

Instagram @janebertch

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm