GenerateHER

We often wait for big moments to feel joyful. But what if the magic is actually in the small ones?

In this episode, I reflect on how living in Paris has taught me to find beauty in the everyday. While my life might sound glamorous from the outside, the truth is it’s quiet, simple, and wonderfully routine. And yet, something about the way Parisians move through the world has shifted how I see my own day-to-day.

From how they introduce each other with intention to the way they arrange produce at the market, the French culture has a quiet genius for turning the ordinary into something memorable. I share stories from my own life, like a quarterly lunch that’s evolved into a mini tradition complete with riddles, and offer ideas for how we can create those small-but-special moments wherever we are.

This episode is an invitation to mark the moment, to be present, and to take joy seriously even on the most mundane of days.

Episode Breakdown

00:00 Introduction

02:33 Jane’s Life in Paris

03:16 Turning the Mundane into Extraordinary

04:10 Parisian Architecture and Markets

05:34 The Art of Introductions in France

07:22 Making Everyday Moments Special

08:05 Creating Special Activities with Friends

09:20 Quarterly Lunch Tradition

10:17 Hosting and Dinner Gatherings

12:24 Challenge: Transforming the Mundane

13:36 Parisian Inspirations for Everyday Life

Links

Connect with Jane Bertch:

Website: www.janebertch.com 

Instagram @janebertch

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

A French dinner party has taught me more than I ever expected about French culture, personal discovery, and the way we connect with each other.

After two decades of living in Paris, I’ve come to see these dinners as so much more than a meal. What strikes me most is how much thought goes into who’s invited, where they sit, and how the evening unfolds. Why does that matter? Because conversation is the heart of it all. And sometimes, real connection requires a little tension. Disagreement isn’t something to avoid. It’s often where growth begins.

I’ve learned that French etiquette—waiting to be seated, arriving fashionably late, skipping the wine gift—reflects something deeper: care, respect, and a sense of occasion. These details have changed the way I think about my own gatherings, and how I show up for the people around me.

In this episode, I’m sharing the quiet but powerful life lessons I’ve learned from the French dinner table. They’ve helped me find my voice, stay curious, and be more intentional in ways that go far beyond food. I hope they do the same for you.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Welcome to April in Paris

01:07 The Essence of French Dinner Parties

02:28 The Structure of a French Meal

05:58 Embracing Tension in Conversations

08:23 Finding Your Voice at the Table

10:57 Navigating Difficult Topics

12:24 The Art of Care in Hosting

14:01 Cultural Norms of Timeliness

15:52 Gifts and Etiquette for Dinner Parties

18:11 Seating Arrangements and Discussion Dynamics

19:41 Life Lessons from French Dinner Parties

Links

Connect with Jane Bertch:

Website: www.janebertch.com 

Instagram @janebertch

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

The boldest move I’ve seen isn’t building a dream life. It’s walking away from one when it no longer feels like yours.

When I met Eugenie Lambert Buckstein, I knew I wanted to share her story. She started in law, built a career in journalism, landed a job at CNN, and then walked away from all of it. Not because she failed, but because she started listening to herself more than anyone else.

In our conversation, Eugenie opens up about what it really felt like to make that shift. She talks about the pressure of expectations, the toll of covering traumatic news, and the quiet decision to try meditation—something that would completely reshape her life. That path led her to create Bloom, one of France’s first modern meditation centers and a place that holds space for personal transformation, curiosity, and connection.

What struck me most is how honest she is about the in-between moments. The doubt. The discomfort. The slow unfolding of a new version of yourself. It made me reflect on how often we stay where we are just because it’s familiar.

If you’ve ever felt the quiet nudge that something isn’t working anymore, I think this conversation will speak to you, just like it did to me.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction 

04:00 Eugenie’s Career Journey

11:12 The Concept of Système D

13:02 Transition to Meditation

16:36 Working at CNN and Meeting Christiane Amanpour

20:13 Discovering Meditation

23:13 Moving Back to Paris and Working Remotely

26:23 The Role of Intuition

30:47 Embracing Intuition and Creativity

34:15 Becoming a Meditation Teacher

37:17 The Importance of Community

40:57 The Concept of Bloom

44:31 Movement and Meditation

Links

Connect with Eugenie Lambert Buckstein:

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/eugenielovesbloom/ 

BLOOM on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/welovebloom.co/

Connect with Jane Bertch:

Website: www.janebertch.com 

Instagram @janebertch

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

As I celebrate the one-year anniversary of “The French Ingredient,” I’ve been reflecting on how book writing became an unexpected tool for personal development. What started as a guide to doing business in France turned into something much bigger: a memoire of reinvention, resilience, and the lessons hidden in life’s detours.

Writing through the uncertainty of the pandemic helped me process past experiences and recognize my own growth. It also made me realize that sharing personal stories isn’t just for writers. Writing can be a way to reflect, heal, and connect.

If you’ve ever hesitated to put your own experiences into words, I hope this episode helps you see storytelling in a new light. Every challenge holds an opportunity, and the stories we tell, whether in a book or in conversation, can inspire both ourselves and others.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 The Importance of April

02:23 The French Ingredient: A Year in Review

04:46 Writing During COVID

06:55 Writing as Therapy

08:03 Overcoming Difficult Moments

11:28 Embracing Differences

13:09 Accepting the Universe’s Plan

14:02 Sharing Your Story

15:07 The Impact of The French Ingredient

18:00 Share Your Story

Links

https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-french-ingredient-making-a-life-in-paris-one-lesson-at-a-time-jane-bertch/20258866?ean=9780593500422&next=t

Connect with Jane Bertch:

Website: www.janebertch.com 

Instagram @janebertch

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Strength is built in life’s toughest moments, but I’ve learned that those moments can also reveal something beautiful. Challenges shape us, resilience grows, and meaning can be found even in adversity.

March has always been a month of change for me. It’s a time of renewal, but it also carries reminders of hardship. Five years ago, the world changed in ways we never expected. That experience made me reflect on how joy and struggle often exist side by side. So how do we move forward when life throws the unexpected at us? I’ve found that overcoming obstacles starts with patience and acceptance. Fighting reality rarely helps, but focusing on what I can control does.

Mindfulness, grounding techniques, and social connection have been lifelines for me. These simple but powerful tools help us navigate tough times. I’ve also learned that shifting perspective can change everything. Reframing negative thoughts, journaling through uncertainty, and finding small ways to create joy—these things matter more than we realize.

Looking back, I see how every challenge I’ve faced has made me stronger in ways I didn’t always recognize at the time. Growth isn’t always obvious in the moment, but it’s happening. The question is, how will you use it?

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 March: A Month of Change and Transformation

02:07 Embracing Change and Reinvention

04:07 Tips to Get You Through Challenging Times

17:23 Post-Challenge Reflections

18:07 Reminders

Links

https://www.instagram.com/ajiriaki/

https://www.instagram.com/p/DG-xMdSidzg/

Connect with Jane Bertch:

Website: www.janebertch.com 

Instagram @janebertch

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Your dreams are a secret garden; how you care for them shapes what flourishes and what fades.

I’ve learned that personal growth and transformation are a lot like tending a garden. After leaving Chicago and building a new life in Paris, I realized that our inner dreams need patience, care, and the right environment to thrive. In this episode, I share the idea of a jardin secret, a secret garden where we plant our hopes and nurture them until they’re ready to bloom.

I walk through eight key insights on how to cultivate this inner space, reminding you that growth often happens beneath the surface before you see results. Just like plants need healthy soil, your mindset and emotional well-being shape what you’re able to create. I also talk about the importance of pruning distractions and protecting your dreams from negativity, giving them the space and support they need to take root.

Transformation isn’t linear, and every season serves a purpose. By honoring both the quiet moments and the times of bloom, you can embrace renewal, unlock new possibilities, and step into the next version of yourself with confidence.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction

02:44 Jardin Secret

05:59 Lesson 1: Give It Time

07:02 Lesson 2: Growth Takes Time

08:09 Lesson 3: Plant in Fertile Soil

09:17 Lesson 4: Regular Maintenance

10:32 Lesson 5: Pruning for Strength

12:03 Lesson 6: Removing Weeds

14:03 Lesson 7: Embrace Change

15:49 Lesson 8: The Importance of Winter

Links

Connect with Jane Bertch:

Website: www.janebertch.com 

Instagram @janebertch

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Rethinking success starts with a simple shift: experiment, stay curious, and let learning lead the way.

I’m sitting down with neuroscientist and entrepreneur Anne-Laure Le Cunff to talk about neuroscience, creativity, and personal transformation. What happens when we stop chasing a predefined version of success and start treating life as a series of experiments? Anne-Laure shares how a health scare pushed her to leave corporate life, study neuroscience, and build Nest Labs, a community that helps people stay productive and creative without sacrificing mental health.

She introduces the “experimental mindset,” a way to embrace uncertainty, learn through action, and reframe failure as progress. She also shares a simple brain hack: “curiosity snacks,” small shifts that turn impulsive habits into moments of meaningful exploration.

This conversation is a reminder that personal growth doesn’t require a perfect plan. Instead, understanding the brain and leaning into creativity can open new doors, helping us build a life that evolves with us.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction

02:40 Anne-Laure’s Career Journey

06:08 Managing Insecurity and Embracing Change

07:48 Personal Crisis and Realignment

09:21 Curiosity and Creativity Interconnection

10:17 Creative Processes and Community Feedback

12:37 Taking Risks and Community Support

14:03 Nest Labs Community Creation

16:40 Empowering Community Members

18:49 Fascination with Neuroscience

20:00 Stimulating the Brain: Curiosity Snacks

21:44 Book Introduction: Tiny Experiments

23:35 Experimental Mindset Concept

25:37 Intentional Imperfection Concept

29:13 Role Models and Personal Influence

31:07 Closing

Links

Connect with Anne-Laure Le Cunff, PhD:

NessLabs: https://nesslabs.com  

Anne-Laure's Book Tiny Experiments: https://nesslabs.com/book

Connect with Jane Bertch:

Website: www.janebertch.com 

Instagram @janebertch

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

What does it really mean to “be French”? Is it about the way I tie my scarf, the handbag I carry, or how I order my coffee? Or is there something deeper?

After more than two decades of living in Paris, I’ve wrestled with these questions myself. As an American woman running a business here, I’ve felt the pressure to fit in. But over time, I realized something surprising—my strength came from not trying to.

In this episode, I’m sharing what I’ve learned about French culture and mindset, from confidence and self-love to the importance of relationships and the art of conversation. I’ll talk about why women are so often made to feel like they need to mold themselves to fit an ideal and why embracing who you are can be a huge advantage instead.

Through my own experiences and observations, I hope to offer a fresh perspective on thriving in a new culture without losing yourself in the process. Whether you love all things French, are navigating life in a foreign country, or are building a career on your own terms, I think you’ll find something in this episode that resonates.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction

02:00 Accepting Cultural Differences

03:06 The Pressure to Be French

05:37 The Secret to Being French

06:09 Rule 1: Love Yourself

07:01 Rule 2: Be Cultured

08:19 Rule 3: Don’t Be Apologetic

09:57 Rule 4: Take Pride in Your Appearance

11:04 Rule 5: Master the Inside Voice

13:06 Rule 6: Be Discreet

14:00 Rule 7: Treat Friends Like Family

15:17 Rule 8: Respect Time

17:15 Closing

Links

Connect with Jane Bertch:

Website: www.janebertch.com 

Instagram @janebertch

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Success isn’t a finish line. It’s a long, unpredictable road filled with setbacks, small wins, and lessons along the way.

After completing a long-awaited renovation for my business, La Cuisine, I felt uneasy with the word success as people congratulated me. The glossy finish doesn’t tell the full story. This journey took seven years of struggles, delays, and setbacks that tested my patience and perseverance. I see this milestone as a réussite, a hard-earned achievement, but real success? That’s still unfolding.

In this episode, I reflect on what success really means, the weight of language, and the unseen challenges behind every big moment. What if true success isn’t about the big wins at all but about the resilience it takes to keep going?

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction

01:24 The Word “Success” and Its Impact

03:11 Cultural Nuances in Language

04:36 Réussite vs. Succès

05:08 Challenges of La Cuisine’s Renovation

07:03 Behind the Scenes of the Renovation

09:00 Measuring Success in Business

10:10 Long Journey to Success

11:05 Future of La Cuisine and GenerateHER

12:00 Personal Reflections on Success

13:05 Comparison and Joy

14:00 Final Thoughts and Weekly Wishes

Links

Connect with Jane Bertch:

Website: www.janebertch.com 

Instagram @janebertch

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Creativity isn’t reserved for artists—it’s how we solve problems, express ourselves, and reimagine what’s possible. But what happens when self-doubt creeps in or inspiration feels out of reach?

Jane Bertch sits down with illustrator and author Jessie Kanelos Weiner to talk about the creative process, embracing imperfection, and the unexpected paths that shape our work. Jessie shares her journey from Chicago to Paris, where she arrived as an au pair with a sketchbook and a dream but no clear roadmap. Over time, she found her voice through watercolor, eventually working with brands like Vogue and Cartier while developing a unique artistic identity.

Jessie and Jane explore the role of creativity in building confidence, why getting “messy” is often the key to progress, and how cycles of inspiration come and go. Jessie also introduces her new book, Thinking in Watercolor, a guide to unlocking creativity through daily artistic practice. Whether you’re an artist or just looking to bring more creative energy into your life, this conversation will leave you feeling inspired to start where you are.

Quotes

Links

Connect with Jessie Kanelos Weiner:

Jessie's substack ; https://jessiekanelosweiner.substack.com 

Jessie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessiekanelosweiner/?hl=en

Connect with Jane Bertch:

Website: www.janebertch.com 

Instagram @janebertch

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm