Going There with Jen

Today, I sat down with Sally Hope, a Life Coach, spiritual guide, and overall rock-n-roll superstar.Sally is no stranger to pain nor does she shy away from the hard subjects (which is why I love her so damn much). Sally’s story is multilayered and complex, and from the layers, she has built for herself a business and a passion for helping others through pain. Through her coaching, writing, and online teaching, Sally gives us a glimpse into our darker sides, while also equipping us to make it through to the light. From her difficult childhood, the too-soon death of her father, and all the challenges of running your own business, Sally shares the parts of her story that are as real as they are inspiring. Are you willing to check your preconceived notions at the door, and embrace life in all its realness? Do you want to hear stories of wild Montana living, epic rock-n-roll memories, and all the little pieces that make Sally’s story unique? Yeah?Come jump in. It’s a wild ride.   Listen in to hear Sally and I talk about: One of Sally's darkest moments, where she knew she could use her blogging platform to write about real life.Learning to accept extreme emotions and sometimes wanting to shine and other times needing to hide away and trying to balance the two when shades of grey don't come naturally.Vulnerability with the hard parts of childhood, and the grief over losing her dad including the abandonment she felt and still carries into relationships.The meaning behind the band name Poets and Pornstars (Sally was the bassist) and how it helped her further understand the human condition.  A close look at Sally's LOVE technique and other ways she equips others to heal and grow...including herself.Resources:The Wildheart RevolutionInstagram @SallyHope Sally Hope’s CoachSally's Book Recommendation: I Need Your Love – Is that True? By Byron Katie See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Life is hard. Welcome back to the safest place for life to be hard. On this podcast, I want to dare to discuss topics that are a little taboo or a bit uncomfortable. The payoff? Light! When we enter the darkness, light shines through brighter than before. That is why I am so happy to have Emelia Symington Fedy here with me today. Emelia dives headfirst into the difficult stuff of life because she believes in the hope and healing that comes forth when we do. I am delighted to share her story.  Emelia and I immediately bonded over mental illness, crappy childhoods, and our mutual desire to create a podcast. We do discuss all of those things, but first, we dared to go just a little bit deeper. Today, Emelia and I talk about something not many women want to talk about—not wanting to be a Mother and bad experiences of Motherhood. Through satire and comedy, Emelia looks deep into herself to tell brutally honest stories of her flat out miserable motherhood experience. Rather than gloss over the unpleasant parts of motherhood, we push the boundaries to bring to the surface the darker parts of motherhood to then bring forth the light.Amazing things happened here. Today is a celebration of life, of truth, and of a ferocious battle for personal growth and fulfillment. You do not want to miss out on Emelia’s story.   Listen in as Emelia and I Talk About…Emelia opens up about her emotional and physical hardship in Motherhood. We define “radical inconvenience” as a way to set boundaries and give full love to our families. There is a beautiful give and take in spiritual partnership. Hear how we navigate our relationships. Emelia shares her dreams for future success, and how her family factors into it. See what’s next for Emelia!  Resources + People Mentioned tryingtobegood.com/subscribe for 50% off my podcast memoir Trying to be Good…the healing powers of lying, cheating, stealing and drugs when it releases this winter. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Life is hard. 

Welcome back to the safest place for life to be hard. On this podcast, I want to dare to discuss topics that are a little taboo or a bit uncomfortable. The payoff? Light! When we enter the darkness, light shines through brighter than before. That is why I am so happy to have Emelia Symington Fedy here with me today. Emelia dives headfirst into the difficult stuff of life because she believes in the hope and healing that comes forth when we do. I am delighted to share her story. 

 Emelia and I immediately bonded over mental illness, crappy childhoods, and our mutual desire to create a podcast. We do discuss all of those things, but first, we dared to go just a little bit deeper. Today, Emelia and I talk about something not many women want to talk about—not wanting to be a Mother and bad experiences of Motherhood. Through satire and comedy, Emelia looks deep into herself to tell brutally honest stories of her flat out miserable motherhood experience. Rather than gloss over the unpleasant parts of motherhood, we push the boundaries to bring to the surface the darker parts of motherhood to then bring forth the light.

Amazing things happened here. Today is a celebration of life, of truth, and of a ferocious battle for personal growth and fulfillment. You do not want to miss out on Emelia’s story.  

 

Listen in as Emelia and I Talk About…

• Emelia opens up about her emotional and physical hardship in Motherhood. 
• We define “radical inconvenience” as a way to set boundaries and give full love to our families. 
• There is a beautiful give and take in spiritual partnership. Hear how we navigate our relationships. 
• Emelia shares her dreams for future success, and how her family factors into it. 
• See what’s next for Emelia! 

 

Resources + People Mentioned 

• tryingtobegood.com/subscribe for 50% off my podcast memoir Trying to be Good…the healing powers of lying, cheating, stealing and drugs when it releases this winter. 

Today's solo riff is around loneliness. Every single goddamn time I talk about loneliness, I hear, "me too...me too...me too...thank you for talking about the taboo.".And it kills me because loneliness is such a silent killer and WE ALL KNOW IT.If we know it then why are so many of us lonely?Why? Because being an adult can be hard. Making friends as an adult can be even harder. Putting yourself out there for rejection? Um...friendship is just one more opportunity for someone to hurt or reject us.BUT. Loneliness IS. A. KILLER.Let's let that sink in. One more time for the folks in the back. Loneliness is a killer. Part of my healing has been exploring my loneliness. I've craved women friends my entire life but when you have the story that you're not a very nice person, you kind of don't really feel like making friends.So I had to address that story first - was I a good or bad person? Was I nice, kind, and worthy of friendship? Could I maintain a friendship?That took a few years to address. And the answers were thankfully, yes.So then I had to go about finding women that interested me enough to step outside my comfort zone.And I had to say, "Hey - I'm lonely. Anyone else lonely? Yeah? Let's see if we might be friends."....This is a short episode so I'm going to leave some intrigue and just tell you...go listen.I'm no longer lonely. The work was not easy.There is literally nothing special about what I did other than make the vulnerable ask.Let me know if you need help making the vulnerable ask. I have some ideas for you. Listen in as I riff on: Being blown away by the reception of Going There and the people reaching out to share their own stories and say THANK YOU.Struggles with loneliness my entire life and what I finally did 2 years ago, at age 45, and why I am no longer lonely.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Becoming comfortable and confident in who you are is not just about who you are today. Sometimes, it takes us looking into the hard parts of our past to see how it has shaped us. My guest this week is Marie Poulin, a designer and digital strategist who tends to focus on helping other people reach their full potential. Once Marie began to turn that personal development onto herself, she discovered a key to her past that changed everything. Growing up with a parent suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder radically changes your view of the world. Marie and I bonded instantly over this shared experience, and we hope that by sharing our stories, we can inspire and encourage more individuals who have been hurt. Marie is an open book; her life has been anything but easy. The imprint of her difficult childhood is still something she struggles with today, but it’s a battle worth fighting.     Now, Marie is redoubling her efforts to continue her personal journey of healing and growth. Listen this week as Marie shares her bold 100 Day video initiative, her brave experiences with improv, and making new shifts in her business. There’s a little something for everyone in Marie’s story, so prepare to be encouraged!Listen in to Hear Marie and I Talk AboutThe impacts of growing up with a Borderline Personality ParentThe balance between Vulnerability and how much should be shared on Social Media.Finding the courage to speak through improv classes and 100 Day challenges. Resources + People Mentioned The Body Keeps The Score by Bessel van der Kolk: https://www.amazon.com/Body-Keeps-Score-Healing-Trauma/dp/B00OBT7KAO/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1507836936&sr=1-1&keywords=the+body+keeps+the+scoreMarie’s Medium Article: https://medium.com/@mariepoulin/i-am-a-child-of-a-borderline-mother-5568fc793766Stop Walking on Eggshells: https://www.amazon.com/Stop-Walking-Eggshells-Borderline-Personality/dp/1572246901The Meisner technique: http://www.themeisnercenter.com/history.htmlMarie’s Website: http://mariepoulin.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When tragedy strikes, your world shifts. Everything you thought was unimportant before has taken on a new shape and color. Certain parts of your world come into sharp focus, and we cling to what we know and what we remember to help us recover and heal. There is no grief like losing a loved one, but despite that loss, we can still honor their memory and treasure their wisdom.  My guest today is Jesse Kahat, who two years ago lost her Mother to a battle with terminal cancer. After receiving the terminal diagnosis, Jesse began to see her Mom in a new light. She understood just how compassionate, kind, and wise her Mom was, and Jesse wanted to hold onto those pearls of wisdom while she was still around. Jesse began to chronicle all of her Mother’s wisdom, and that has led to the legacy that is the Pearls From My Mom Podcast. Jesse’s podcast celebrates dedication to the lovely journey of motherhood. After finding healing and peace by documenting her Mother’s impact after she was gone, Jesse wanted to help other women document their own experiences of motherhood. She was tired of feeling alone, so she stepped out in boldness and started a movement that is impacting so many women. It’s just one of the many ways that Jesse honors her Mother in the small ways. So go ahead, take your Pearls of Wisdom today. Maybe this will inspire you to call or write your mom a letter afterwards like it did me.Listen in as we discuss•    Jesse’s grieving process and her goal to always honor her Mother’s memory. •    Ways that we as women can support one another through the podcast medium. •    What it means to leave a legacy. Jesse’s BioJesse was born and raised in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, where she studied Theatre at the University of Northern Colorado. After graduating college she moved to and lived in Kansas City and then Tennessee before returning home. She met and married a French Canadian and moved to Quebec where she currently lives with her husband and two children. When her mom was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2014, Jesse founded Pearls From My Mom as a means to share the pearls of wisdom given to her by her mom. She now runs a podcast dedicated to helping women share the stories of their moms in an effort to let people who are grieving know they are not alone. Jesse's motto for Pearls From My Mom is; sharing to keep the legacy alive.  Links to Jesse’s website and social media●   Website●    Facebook●    Twitter and Instagram handle: @PearlsFromMyMom●    Jesse’s new podcast, Pearls From My Mom and her new Facebook group:See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the pursuit of physical health, we often neglect to work out our confidence muscles. Have you ever found yourself frustrated with the numbers on the scale, and asked, “Why can’t I just be happy?” Where are the warmth and the self-love that all of these “healthy” people seem to radiate? Have you ever stopped a moment to wonder if there is pain behind the smile? How lucky we are, then, to have a person like Rita Chand here on this earth. I’ve never met anyone who exudes warmth, kindness, and acceptance like Rita. After struggling with her weight all her life, Rita knew it was time to take her health into her own hands, but the diet industry lets her down again and again. Today, Rita is going to share how she worked through difficult family relationships, built up her confidence and self-love, then transformed her health from the inside out. Rita is such an inspiration to me because she isn’t afraid to share how she made it through the “Messy Middle.” When our Instagram is filled with Before and After photos, it’s tempting to look at the middle of your own journey and despair. Rita wants to change that, one warm hug, big smile and affirming word at a time. Rita is such an inspiration to me because she isn’t afraid to share how she made it through the “Messy Middle.” When our Instagram is filled with Before and After photos, it’s tempting to look at the middle of your own journey and despair. Rita wants to change that, one warm hug, big smile and affirming word at a time. Listen in as Rita and I talk about:  •    Her health journey filled with ups, downs, and all-arounds.•    How Rita’s weight became a point of contention with her mother, and then a moment of connection. •    A look at the holistic habits we can use to improve our health. Rita’s inner transformation is truly inspiring and a story worth hearing. Resources + People Mentioned:The Year of Yes by Shonda RhimesWorld Domination SummitMeet Rita! Rita is an overall good human. She's committed to making a difference in the world, her own small world and the larger collective. This past year has been one of the most transformative years she's ever had, starting with her health and then her career. Just a few months ago, she started her dream job and hasn't looked back since. There's a level of happiness that Rita now exudes without doing anything. It's just how she now lives her life. She's good at always finding a bright-side in every situation and people love her for it. She's hugged her way around the world in her quest to bringThere's a level of happiness that Rita now exudes without doing anything. It's just how she now lives her life. She's good at always finding a bright-side in every situation and people love her for it. She's hugged her way around the world in her quest to bring connection back to her own life, and after beginning the infinite game of wellness this year, she's out to disappear the perpetual cycle of disappointment that is the diet industry.Rita's mission: To empower people to believe the world is filled with possibility. Rita’s Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lolaspeaking/Website: https://liferising.wordpress.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oftentimes, people have trouble letting out the pain they have inside so they learn to channel the emotions into other ways..sometimes healthy and other times not so healthy. Thankfully, my friend Shelley decided to channel her pain into something almost other-worldly.Shelley Rezai is an amazing painter who lets grief flow from her fingertips to paint exquisite artwork that makes you feel...really, truly feel.Peaceful, tranquil, a healing deep breath...In this episode, Shelley and I explore the influences her mother's addiction, recovery, and death have on her art, how to get back up when you lose your support system and how pain can be used as a driver in a person’s life.As always, we talk about the silver linings. And laugh. A lot.Listen in to hear Shelley and I talk about:The lessons parents learn from their children (like being afraid and doing it anyway!).Shelley’s immense love for her mother and the journey of losing her.How pain has influenced Shelley’s ethereal artwork.How Shelley's overcoming grief and her path to self-empowerment.Resources + People MentionedVisit Shelley's website to see some of her absolutely gorgeous artwork: shelleyrezai.comMeet Shelley Shelley is a mama, artist & dreamer who believes creativity soothes the soul. As a painter, Shelley is drawn to the feminine themes from the beauty of women's bodies, to blooming flowers and the wild sea. The way the waves create tension and glide over one another in the same instance or a flower blooms and reveals herself to the sun...each of these moments creating a dance. This movement is why she's so drawn to the process of painting. The dance of the paint with the brush, the way water can float over the canvas and the push and pull of the colors all mesmerize her. Painting is meditative for Shelley, transcending her perfectionism and allowing herself the release of self-expression.   Shelley's love of that flow is what she's often trying to capture. She wants you to feel a sense of lightness, an ethereal feeling, a moment of pause, of breath. A deep breath that fills you up and lightens you at the same time. Shelley's hope is that her art makes you feel and if it can add a little beauty or inspiration to your life, even better. Shelley's Website: shelleyrezai.comInstagram: ShelleyRezaiArtSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's conversation features the extra(and I do mean extra)ordinary Natalie Vartanian. Natalie is an experienced speaker, life coach and writer about relationships, intimacy, and sex and I knew we'd have no problems going deep fast. Plus? She's sexy as hell...amiright?!Natalie opens up about her father's suicide and lifelong impacts including struggling with intimacy and feeling unlovable. She goes deep and raw - opening up about her heartbreaks and fears, and shares her own unique way of healing.We have lots of moments of tears, deep breaths, and wanting to reach across the screen to give each other mama bear hugs.And as always, we talk about the silver linings. And laugh. A lot.Listen in to hear Natalie and I talk about:Natalie's father's suicide when she was quite young and the lifelong impacts it's had on her relationships and struggles with intimacy.How we dealt - and are still dealing - with fathers' with tortured souls.Allowing yourself to be the one breaking down and be the burden in a relationship when you're used to being the 'strong one'.Feeling unlovable and ways we can move through the awful feelings which we know aren't true.The last time Natalie astonished herself and my confession of something I've always dreamt of being (hint: it has to do with a pole).Resources + People MentionedListen to Natalie's first solo episode on her new podcast, Taboo and Turn OnCurious about your own natural strengths? Find out at StrengthsFinderCheck out Natalie's first book which will be available February next year >sexmoneygodbook.comMeet NatalieNatalie Vartanian is a certified life coach, relationship expert, business strategist, writer, and speaker/teacher.Her mission is to inspire people to dream big and take the risks to have it all and live a turned on life. She has worked with women from across 5 continents to help them get the sex lives and the relationships they want, in addition to connecting to their passion work in the world and building business that make a difference in a way that feels fun, easy, and alive.Her work has been featured in elephant journal, YourTango, and Good Men Project. She is the host of the podcast, Taboo and Turn On, and previously co-hosted Sex the Podcast. Natalie is working on self-publishing her first book this year about her sexual escapades and revolutions.Natalie's Website: thisturnedonlife.comBook Waiting List: sexmoneygodbook.comInstagram: thisturnedonlifeFacebook: thisturnedonlifeLove + Healing NeededThank you so much for listening! If you loved this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review in iTunes or join the conversation on Instagram using #mystorymyvoice and/or #healthepartsthathurt.Do you have a story you're ready to tell? Head over here and we'll be in touch shortly.Do you know someone who might benefit from hearing this episode? Please share this with them and remember - we are never alone!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kerrie Blazek is a dear sweet and super courageous soul sister of mine and I just KNEW she needed to be my first guest and thankfully, she said YES!We’ve had very different journeys in life but we share similar stories around emotional traumas in our childhood and the lifelong effects (good and not so good) including our tendency to isolate, the sadness behind the smile, bouts of melancholy, and struggles with confidence.And as always, we talk about the silver linings. And laugh. A lot.LISTEN IN TO HEAR KERRIE AND I TALK ABOUT:What it was like being raised by two very much in love but very mentally ill parents.Kerrie’s decision not to have children and why she makes for an awesome middle school teacher (I think middle schoolers are assholes but Kerrie disagrees).The shame she carries around something she said to a student once (she apologized immediately) and the realization of where it came from and the awareness around how it’s impacted her life.The feelings behind her smile (if you’ve ever met Kerrie, one of the first things you notice is her smile and then her deep belly laughs).RESOURCES + PEOPLE MENTIONEDBusiness Awesomizer FABEKU FATUNMISEMAMA GENA’S SCHOOL OF WOMANLY ARTSMEET KERRIEKerrie Blazek is a pleasure catalyst, former Headmistress of Merrymaking at Whiskey & Whimsy, and current cocktail server at the JW Marriott.Kerrie happens to know a thing or two about whiskey. While it’s always been her favorite drink – complex, interesting, and multi-faceted like Kerrie – she proved her dedication to the spirit by earning an 8-hour Bourbon Academy certificate from the Filson Society in 2013. Yup, you read that right. Kerrie has an education in whiskey!She is a veteran traveler who traveled over 18 months roadtrippin’ with her dog (and a bottle of Jameson.) Therefore, she also knows a thing or two about adventures. Her latest: kicking off Twisted Whiskey Sisters with her co-conspirator, Hillary Lake.Kerrie is a hodgepodge of wicked and whimsical, and pretty damn hard to pigeonhole.Her mission: Provide women with the freedom + space to become the most delicious, fully expressed version of themselves. You can find Kerrie at [email protected]. LOVE + HEALING NEEDEDThank you so much for listening! If you loved this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review in ITUNES or join the conversation on INSTAGRAM using #healthepartsthathurt.Do you have a story you’re ready to tell? HEAD OVER HERE and we’ll be in touch shortly.Do you know someone who might benefit from hearing this episode? Please share this with them and remember – we are never alone!NEVER MISS AN EPISODE LISTEN ON ITUNESLISTEN ON STITCHERLISTEN ON GOOGLE PLAYSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.