Jen Gotch is OK...Sometimes

Hello, hello. Today, I'm going to take you on a journey...through my bookshelf. And when i saybookshelf, I mean the piles of books that are literally all over my house. No space is safe. Not the bathroom, not the kitchen, not the bedside table. Honestly there are books in my bed under the covers. I’m sleeping with books—there, I said it! Consider this chapter one in "Books Jen Loves and Feels Like You Will Love, Too!" If you’re looking to enhance your personal growth, open your mind, or create more positive opportunities in your life, these books will be great tools for you. So without further adieu, boooooooks!

Two years ago, I was at one of the lowest points in my life. I was getting a divorce, self medicating with food and alcohol instead of proper medication, digging ~deep~ into my anxiety, and fueling toxic relationships and toxic work behaviors. I generally felt like...a mess. Thanks to a ton of work (over months and years), focus, patience and a true desire to heal, I am in a much better, healthier place today. Having come out on the other side of that experience, I wanted to share what I did and how I did it. If you’re in a low place and need some guidance on how to find your way back to yourself, definitely give this episode a listen!

The best and brightest female entrepreneurs, creatives, and founders get really real with host Noor Tagouri when it comes to nurturing self-development and well-being in a bustling, always-on world. Whether it’s identifying a sense of purpose in your day-to-day, finding productivity hacks, taking care of relationships, changing careers, or cultivating a greater sense of self-love, this podcast presented in partnership with TUMI is an unmissable toolkit for the on-the-go individual in search of a happier, more fulfilling life.​

On last week’s episode of JGOK, i took you inside my depression and you lived to tell, Yahoooo. This week i thought i would give you some more pointed information on depression - the different types, the symptoms and some ways to identify and work through the issue.  If you or a loved one have depression or have ever suspected you have depression, this will be a really informational listen. Check it out!

This week, I wanted to share something a bit more intimate (if that's even possible) and take you inside my depression. Think of it like a phone call from me to you, while i'm going through a depressive episode. I figure since we are best friends now, you'd want me to call you when I'm feeling low. And then, next week I'll follow up with a full, incredibly useful episode explaining everything I know about dealing with depression.

Have you ever had a creative block? Yeah, me too—and they are the worst, especially when your job is tied to your creative performance. And even if it isn't, we all want to be able to access our own creativity. That's why I want to use this episode to get to the root of creative blocks, outline some reasons why we get them, and of course, offer some solutions to get past them. Oh, also, there’s singing. OK, let's knock the socks off these blocks.

Hi. Welcome to an episode about having emotions in the workplace—also known as crying at work. As a C-level work crier, I wanted to share some of my most emotional experiences with you. I also want to discuss how we can regulate and manage our feelings as both employees and bosses, without making work a cold-hearted place where emotions are non-existent. I'm not crying, you're crying. JK, we're all crying.

In this episode, I am going to talk about my good buddy, anxiety. This is a mental health issue that I have struggled with for a large portion of my life and one that has been on my mind a lot lately. Over the last eight months or so, I have been actively trying to understand and reduce it—and I actually think a lot of my efforts are paying off. So, here’s what i’m going to do: I'll tell you a bit about what anxiety feels like for me (and probably for a lot of people), and then I’m going to talk you through identifying your own anxiety. Plus, I'll share some tips on how to manage it. If you’re suffering from anxiety (and 40 million of us are), this one's for you!

Alright, here it is, the "Everybody quit social media right now!" episode. Not really, but at the least, I want us all to become aware of how and when we use social media and identify what our intentions are when we use it.  Let's take a step back and evaluate whether or not we think we are addicted. Oh, and even more importantly, let's recognize that it can contribute to our anxiety and depression and obviously our FOMO. I'll share some ways that we can combat the downsides of social media and embrace the positive aspects. 

Let’s start a movement by setting a positive example. Set boundaries with your social media, be intentional, avoid the obvious pitfalls, pass it on. Tell your friends. We can do it. Bye.

This episode is dedicated one of the topics I get the ~most~ requests for: THERAPY. I am so excited to answer many of the questions you've emailed me, messaged me, or stopped me in the street to ask. Today, I’m talking about my own experience with therapy to give you insight on what to expect, how to find a therapist, the benefits and responsibility of therapy, tips on financing therapy, and a whole lot more. Therapy is another great way to invest in your mental health and personal development, so I wholeheartedly support it. It is an investment that you make in yourself—and you're absolutely worth it!