Live Your Jam

Women are the glue, the nurturers, the cheerleaders, the ones who make the magic feel effortless (even when it’s anything but). In this episode of Live Your Jam, Ellen names a “superpower” many women carry, attunement, the ability to read the room, anticipate needs, and hold emotional tone in families, communities, and workplaces.

And then she tells the truth, that superpower can work for you, and it can also quietly drain you.

Ellen explores how women are socially conditioned into roles that keep everything running, organizer, emotional anchor, peacekeeper, caregiver, the “operating system” of the household. The pattern is so normalized we don’t even see it until we feel exhausted, disconnected, and asking, “Where did I go?”

Ellen also connects chronic over-responsibility to the body, how stress and emotional suppression can show up physically over time. Most importantly, she offers a path forward that doesn’t require burning your life down. It starts with a simple pivot, take that same attunement you’ve used for everyone else, and turn it inward.

Because responsibility to yourself isn’t selfish, it’s stabilizing. And letting go of the “glue role” doesn’t mean you love less, it means you finally include yourself in the love.

You will learn:

• Why women so often become the emotional anchors at home, work, and in friendships
• What “the glue role” is, and why it’s so hard to step out of socially rewarded expectations
• The difference between emotional labor and mental labor (and why both are exhausting)
• How women learn attunement early, and why “connection equals safety” can become a lifelong pattern
• Why the body eventually speaks when you’re chronically over-functioning
• How to turn attunement inward with one question, “What do I need?”
• How to stop over-functioning without blowing things up, using gentle truth, boundaries, and full-body yeses
• A closing reflection to guide your next chapter, “What do you really want?”

👉 Watch the full conversation and subscribe for more stories about intuition, purpose, and living your jam.

We talk about:

• 00:00 Women’s roles, and the superpower of attunement
• 01:00 Women in caregiving professions, and why the percentages are so high
• 02:00 The “glue role”, organizers, emotional anchors, anticipating needs
• 03:00 Social conditioning, why stepping out of roles feels like swimming upstream
• 04:00 Motherhood and caregiving, when devotion blurs into self-disappearance
• 06:00 Invisible labor Part 1, emotional labor, what it is and where it came from
• 08:00 Invisible labor Part 2, mental labor, becoming the household operating system
• 09:00 Chronic stress and emotional suppression, the body’s warning signs
• 11:00 A personal story about stress, health, and what changed when life got quieter
• 12:00 How attunement is learned early, girls praised for harmony and emotional awareness
• 14:00 The superpower’s cost when it only goes outward
• 15:00 Turning attunement inward, “What do I need?”
• 18:00 Over-functioning, noticing what isn’t yours to carry
• 19:00 Precious energy, how doing everything for others steals time from you
• 20:00 Boundaries without drama, telling the truth gently, full-body yeses
• 22:00 Closing reflection, “What do you really want?”

Connect with Ellen

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liveyourjam
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/optimalleader/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liveyourjam
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnj7_LS2kaxfyPsAd1Hne8g
• Website: https://liveyourjam.com/

Nature is not a luxury, it is a nervous system reset.

In Episode 10 of Live Your Jam, Ellen McGinnis shares why the natural world is one of the most powerful tools we have for regulation, clarity, emotional steadiness, and reconnecting to inner wisdom.

Ellen explores how stepping out of “manmade boxes” and into the wild immediately softens the ego, shifts perspective, and returns us to a sense of awe. You will learn the science-backed reasons nature supports mental health and emotional resilience, including morning sunlight for circadian rhythm and cortisol balance, birdsong as a safety signal for the brain, and flowing water as a doorway into calmer brainwave states linked to creativity and intuition.

This episode also weaves personal stories across pivotal life transitions, from Starved Rock and Matheson State Park in Illinois, to the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain, to daily refuge hikes in Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley, and finally the forests of Switzerland that held Ellen through a life-altering season.

If you have been feeling overstimulated, stuck in mental loops, or disconnected from your body and intuition, this episode is your invitation back. Nature does not require effort. She requires presence.

You will learn:

• Why nature calms the ego and reconnects you to something larger
• How morning sunlight supports circadian rhythm, mood, and stress resilience
• Why birdsong can reduce stress and signal safety to the nervous system
• How water sounds create “soft fascination” and support intuitive brain states
• Why walking is one of the most powerful daily practices for mental clarity
• The difference between a hike and a pilgrimage (and why intention matters)
• Simple ways to bring nature into your day, even when life is full

👉 Watch the full conversation and subscribe for more stories about intuition, purpose, and living your jam.

#LiveYourJam #NatureAsMedicine #NervousSystemRegulation #MindfulnessTools #WalkingMeditation #EmotionalResilience #InnerWisdom #IntuitionPractice #SomaticHealing #StressReliefTools #CircadianRhythm #MorningSunlight #MentalClarity #PresencePractice #HealingInNature #GroundingPractices #ConsciousLiving #WellnessPodcast #SelfRegulation #InnerPeace

We talk about:

• 00:00 Welcome, Happy New Year, and 2026 as a “new beginnings” year
• 02:00 Why this episode is devoted to nature (and why it matters)
• 03:30 Nature as regulation, awe, and ego-softening
• 05:30 Morning sunlight, circadian rhythm, and healthy cortisol rhythm
• 07:00 Birdsong, safety signals, and calming the mind
• 08:45 Flowing water, “soft fascination,” and intuitive brain states
• 11:00 Walking as medicine, stress relief, and perspective shift
• 12:30 Early roots, Starved Rock and Matheson State Park memories
• 15:00 The Camino de Santiago, transition, symbolism, and intention
• 20:30 Berkeley refuge, Tilden Regional Park, identity, and healing seasons
• 25:30 Switzerland, forest solace, and community adventure
• 27:30 Simple daily invitations, bring nature into your life
• 29:00 Closing message, nature as the gateway back to yourself

Connect with Ellen

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liveyourjam
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/optimalleader/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liveyourjam
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnj7_LS2kaxfyPsAd1Hne8g
• Website: https://liveyourjam.com/

What if you are not your thoughts, and what if the emotions that keep repeating are not flaws, but unprocessed energy asking to be released?

In this episode of Live Your Jam, host Ellen McGinnis continues the conversation from Your Mind As Ally, Not Dictator and takes listeners deeper, beneath the thinking mind and into the heart.

This episode explores why mental noise blocks intuition, how emotional energy becomes stored in the body, and why resistance to pain creates repeating patterns in our lives. Ellen breaks down the concept of the pain body, how it feeds on rumination and emotional reactivity, and why awareness and presence dissolve its grip.

Drawing on the teachings of The Untethered Soul and The Power of Now, this conversation reframes healing as openness, surrender, and allowing emotions to move rather than suppressing or feeding them.

This episode is for you if you feel stuck in old patterns, emotionally triggered by familiar situations, or ready to live your jam from the inside out, with clarity, peace, and presence.

When you stop identifying with your thoughts, freedom begins.

You will learn:

• Why you are not your thoughts, but the awareness behind them
• How mindfulness and meditation quiet mental noise
• Why intuition is blocked by rumination
• The heart as the body’s emotional center
• How emotional energy becomes stored through resistance
• Michael Singer’s approach to releasing emotion
• Eckhart Tolle’s concept of the pain body
• Why emotional reactions often belong to the past
• How awareness dissolves emotional charge
• Letting emotions move instead of suppressing them
• Surrender as a path to healing

👉 Watch the full conversation and subscribe for more stories about intuition, purpose, and living your jam.

#LiveYourJam #MindAsAlly #PainBody #YouAreNotYourThoughts #MindfulnessPractice #EmotionalHealing #InnerAwareness #PresenceOverReaction #SpiritualGrowth #ConsciousLiving #EmotionalRegulation #NervousSystemHealing #MeditationPractice #LettingGo #InnerPeace #SelfAwarenessJourney #HealingFromWithin #AwarenessIsFreedom #LivingFromTheInsideOut #WellnessPodcast

We talk about:

• 00:00 Intro
• 02:00 You are not your thoughts
• 05:00 Mindfulness, meditation, and intuition
• 07:30 The heart as the emotional center
• 09:00 Stored emotional energy and resistance
• 12:00 Repeating patterns and emotional loops
• 15:00 The pain body explained
• 18:00 How the pain body feeds on reaction
• 21:00 Recognizing when the pain body is active
• 24:00 Awareness and presence as medicine
• 27:00 Allowing emotions to move
• 30:00 Surrender versus control
• 33:00 Personal story of healing through presence
• 36:00 Freedom through witnessing

Resources:

• Power of Now: https://eckharttolle.com/power-of-now-excerpt/ / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uXm65gtyAA
• Untethered Soul: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnGj7DUOsMg / https://untetheredsoul.com/untethered-soul

Connect with Ellen

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liveyourjam
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/optimalleader/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liveyourjam
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnj7_LS2kaxfyPsAd1Hne8g
• Website: https://liveyourjam.com/

What if fitness was not about chasing a body goal, but about respecting the vessel that carries your soul through this lifetime?

In this episode of Live Your Jam, host Ellen McGinnis sits down with her personal coach and strength expert Danny Matranga, a certified strength and conditioning specialist with over 15 years of experience, for a grounded, honest conversation about strength training, clean living, and mindset, especially as we age.

This episode reframes fitness as an act of self-love, not punishment. Together, Ellen and Danny explore why strength training is one of the most powerful tools for mental clarity, emotional resilience, and long-term independence, particularly for women over 50. They break down how often you really need to train, how to get strong without overwhelm, and why consistency matters more than intensity.

You will also learn the truth about popular supplements like creatine and collagen, what actually works, what is hype, and how to support brain health, joints, and longevity without overcomplicating your routine. The conversation cuts through nutrition noise with a simple, practical approach to eating clean using the 80/20 rule, focusing on protein, fiber, hydration, and reducing alcohol and ultra-processed foods.

This episode is for you if you feel intimidated by the gym, confused by fitness trends, or ready to care for your body in a way that feels supportive, empowering, and sustainable.

When you respect the vessel, everything else begins to align.

They discuss:

• Why physical health supports mental and emotional wellbeing
• The best type of strength training for healthy aging
• How often you really need to lift weights
• Strength training on a budget and at home
• Why form and effort matter more than fancy equipment
• Creatine benefits for strength, cognition, and brain health
• Collagen for joints, connective tissue, and aging
• A realistic approach to clean eating without rigidity
• Strength training for women over 50

👉 Watch the full conversation and subscribe for more stories about intuition, purpose, and living your jam.

#LiveYourJam #StrengthTrainingAfter50 #HealthyAging #MindBodyConnection #FitnessMindset #WomenOver50 #ResistanceTraining #CleanEating #CreatineBenefits #CollagenForJoints #MentalClarity #EmotionalWellbeing #LongevityLifestyle #StrengthForLife #NervousSystemHealth #SelfCareAsSelfLove #MindfulFitness #WholeBodyHealth #WellnessPodcast #PurposeDrivenLiving #BuildStrength #AgeStrong #LiveFromTheInsideOut

We talk about:

• 00:00 Respecting the body as the vessel of the soul
• 03:20 Why physical health supports mental and emotional wellbeing
• 07:45 Strength training, what actually works and why
• 12:10 How often you really need to lift weights
• 16:30 Strength training on a budget and at home
• 21:05 Why form and effort matter more than comfort
• 26:15 Creatine and collagen, what actually works
• 32:45 Clean eating without overwhelm, the 80/20 approach
• 38:40 Strength training for women over 50
• 44:50 Fitness as an act of self love and living your jam

Connect with Danny

• Website: https://www.corecoachingmethod.com/appbasedprogramming
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJoApjD1tVIRXmbFzyYbXnA
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danny.matranga/
• Podcast: Progressive Overload Project Podcast

Connect with Ellen

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liveyourjam
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/optimalleader/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liveyourjam
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnj7_LS2kaxfyPsAd1Hne8g
• Website: https://liveyourjam.com/

What happens when you stop letting your thoughts run the show and start using your mind as a powerful ally instead?

In this deeply grounded and heartfelt episode of Live Your Jam, Ellen McGinnis is joined by a very special guest, her son, Nate Putman, for a real, relatable conversation about mindfulness, mental loops, overthinking, and emotional awareness in everyday life.

Together, they explore how our thoughts shape our stress, our confidence, and our choices. Ellen breaks down the difference between mindfulness and meditation in a way that feels practical and accessible, not mystical or intimidating. She shares personal stories, simple techniques, and a powerful five second breath reset that anyone can use to calm the nervous system in real time.

This episode is especially powerful for teens, athletes, and high performers navigating pressure, injury, expectations, and the constant noise of modern life. It is also a must listen for anyone who feels trapped in overthinking or emotional rumination.

You will walk away with tools to quiet the mental chatter, reconnect with your intuition, and live with greater clarity, peace, and purpose.

When the mind becomes your ally instead of your dictator, everything changes.

They discuss:

• What it really means to make your mind your ally
• How to stop believing every thought you think
• Why mental loops and rumination drain your energy
• A simple five second breath reset that calms the nervous system
• The true difference between mindfulness and meditation
• How presence helps you hear your intuition more clearly
• How to break the cycle of overthinking
• Why mastering your thoughts gives you your life back
• How mental resilience supports healing, sports, and performance
• What it means to truly Live Your Jam

👉 Watch the full conversation and subscribe for more stories about intuition, purpose, and living your jam.

#LiveYourJam #MindfulnessPractice #YourThoughtsAreNotYou #MentalWellnessTools #InnerCalm #OverthinkingRelief #NervousSystemRegulation #MindsetReset #ConsciousLiving #BreathworkPractice #IntuitionFirst #MentalClarity #EmotionalResilience #HighPerformanceMindset #TeenMentalHealth #AthleteMindset #PresenceOverPressure #PersonalGrowthJourney #SpiritualButGrounded #ModernMindfulness #MentalStrength #SelfAwarenessTools #MindBodyConnection #QuietTheNoise #LiveWithIntention #PodcastForGrowth #WellnessPodcast

We talk about:

• 00:00 Introduction and the power of the mind as an ally
• 01:00 Why thoughts pull us out of the present moment
• 05:00 Mental loops and emotional replay
• 06:00 The five second breath reset technique
• 07:00 Mindfulness on the football field and in daily life
• 08:00 The difference between mindfulness and meditation
• 09:00 Why mindfulness can feel harder before it feels easier
• 10:00 Rumination, energy, and emotional release
• 12:00 Why you do not have to believe every thought
• 13:00 Living your jam through mental clarity and intuition
• 15:00 Final reflections on awareness, resilience, and growth

Connect with Nate

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nate.putman/
• X: @NatePutman9

Connect with Ellen

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liveyourjam
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/optimalleader/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liveyourjam
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnj7_LS2kaxfyPsAd1Hne8g
• Website: https://liveyourjam.com/

What happens when ancient spiritual tools become the compass that reconnects you to your deepest self?

In this episode of Live Your Jam, Ellen McGinnis sits down with Vivian, also known as GreenLion Goddess, a spiritual guide, intuitive, astrologer, and teacher who blends tarot, astrology, and energy work to help people trust their inner wisdom and navigate life with clarity.

Together, they explore how to listen to the quiet signals of the soul, how to work with the unseen world that surrounds us, and how ancient tools can illuminate modern life. Vivian shares her journey from childhood intuition, to tarot during grief, to reiki and energy work, to becoming a sought-after spiritual teacher, and how these practices help us return home to ourselves, especially during life’s biggest transitions.

They discuss:

• The three defining moments that opened Vivian’s spiritual path
• How tarot serves as a mirror rather than a predictor
• Why astrology is a lifelong study in understanding your soul’s blueprint
• How intuition speaks in symbols, nudges, and nonlinear knowing
• The loneliness epidemic and why spiritual connection matters now more than ever
• What it means to co-create with the universe instead of forcing outcomes
• How to build a personal relationship with your inner wisdom

Vivian’s story is a reminder that intuition is not a gift for the chosen few. It is a birthright. Her work invites all of us to slow down, listen inward, and trust the subtle threads of guidance that are always available.

If you have ever wondered how to use tarot or astrology for self-growth (not prediction), or how to reconnect with your inner compass, this episode will open the door to a deeper and richer relationship with your soul.

👉 Watch the full conversation and subscribe for more stories about intuition, purpose, and living your jam.

#LiveYourJam #EllenMcGinnis #GreenLionGoddess #TarotWisdom #AstrologyTools #IntuitionJourney #SpiritualAwakening #EnergyWork #LivingFromTheInsideOut #SoulGuidance #ModernMystic #WomenWhoRise #SpiritualTools #TrustYourInnerWisdom #SelfConnection #IntuitiveLiving #TarotForGrowth #AstrologyForLife #PurposePath #ConsciousLivingPodcast

We talk about:

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:00 Why ancient tools still matter in modern life
• 05:00 Discovering tarot after the loss of her father
• 07:00 Birth, death, and major life transitions as spiritual turning points
• 08:00 Leaving traditional work and stepping fully into spiritual work
• 10:00 The loneliness epidemic and how spiritual practices reconnect us
• 15:00 Tarot as a symbolic mirror rather than a fortune-teller
• 17:00 How tarot reflects your inner story and soul evolution
• 19:00 Future probabilities vs. self-reflection in readings
• 20:00 Using tarot to listen, evolve, and understand your deeper path
• 22:00 Astrology as a lifelong study of your soul’s blueprint
• 26:00 The power of intuition as a nonlinear and flowing language
• 30:00 How to partner with the universe in your daily life
• 35:00 Final thoughts on living from intuition and trust

Connect with GreenLion Goddess

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GreenLionGoddessTarot
• Website: https://www.greenliongoddess.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greenliongoddess_official

Connect with Ellen

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liveyourjam
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/optimalleader/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liveyourjam
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnj7_LS2kaxfyPsAd1Hne8g
• Website: https://liveyourjam.com/

What happens when a high-tech executive trades corporate success for a life of service and purpose?

In this episode of Live Your Jam, host Ellen McGinnis sits down with Dave Budnick, who left a 30-year career in the tech industry to build housing for homeless veterans and a memory care home for seniors. Together, they explore what it truly means to align your work with your values, and how success and service can thrive side by side.

They discuss:

• The moment Dave knew corporate life was no longer aligned
• How real estate became a tool for good
• The story behind the HomeBridge Foundation and Majestic Ridge Senior Care
• Why fulfillment, not status, defines real success
• How to build legacy projects that serve others and sustain you

Dave’s journey is proof that living your jam doesn’t mean giving up success, it means redefining it. His story will inspire you to lead with compassion, act with courage, and create impact where it matters most.

If you’ve ever wondered how to use your talents to make a difference, this episode is your blueprint for turning purpose into action.

👉 Watch the full conversation and subscribe for more stories about purpose, service, and the power of living your jam.

#LiveYourJam #EllenMcGinnis #DaveBudnick #PurposeDrivenLife #LeavingCorporate #SocialImpact #LeadershipWithHeart #LifeOfService #MeaningfulSuccess #RealEstateForGood #VeteransHousing #MemoryCareHome #CompassionateLeadership #RedefiningSuccess #MidlifeReinvention #AuthenticLiving #LiveYourValues #ServiceAndSuccess #PersonalGrowthPodcast #LegacyBuilding

We talk about:

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:20 How Ellen and Dave met in Silicon Valley
• 04:30 Dave’s early tech career and leadership journey
• 08:00 The breaking point that sparked change
• 12:00 Moving from corporate to service during the pandemic
• 15:00 Building homes for homeless veterans
• 18:00 Creating a new model for senior memory care
• 22:00 How service and success can coexist
• 26:30 Lessons in compassion, legacy, and fulfillment
• 31:00 The power of listening to your inner compass
• 35:00 Final reflections and takeaways

Connect with Dave

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davebudnick/
• Website: www.hfhousing.org
• Website: https://mrseniorcare.com/

Connect with Ellen

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liveyourjam
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/optimalleader/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liveyourjam
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnj7_LS2kaxfyPsAd1Hne8g
• Website: https://liveyourjam.com/

What does it really mean to understand your energy, and how it shapes every part of your life?

In this episode of Live Your Jam, host Ellen McGinnis is joined by her brother Matt McGinnis for an intimate and often hilarious conversation about energy, intuition, and living from the inside out.

Together, they explore:

• What “energy” really means (beyond science and spirituality)
• How to build a bridge between your human self and your soul
• The difference between high-vibration and low-vibration living
• Why overthinking lowers your energy (and how to shift out of it)
• How collective consciousness and compassion can transform our world

Ellen shares how tuning into your own energy can strengthen intuition, bring peace to chaos, and help you live with more alignment and purpose. Matt brings humor, curiosity, and a grounded perspective that makes this soulful topic relatable and real.

If you’ve ever wondered how to trust your inner guidance, protect your energy, or reconnect to what truly lights you up, this conversation is your invitation.

You don’t need to find your energy. You just need to remember it.

👉 Watch the full conversation and subscribe for more stories about purpose, presence, and the power of living your jam.

#LiveYourJam #EllenMcGinnis #EnergyAwareness #HighVibrationLiving #SpiritualGrowth #MindfulnessJourney #SoulConnection #PersonalTransformation #CollectiveConsciousness #IntuitionDevelopment #GroundingEnergy #EnergyHealingPodcast #EmotionalIntelligence #SpiritualAwakening2025

We talk about:

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:00 What “energy” really means
• 04:20 How Ellen discovered her intuitive gifts
• 06:45 Why we talk ourselves out of what we sense
• 09:10 The link between energy and emotional awareness
• 11:45 Understanding high-vibe vs low-vibe living
• 15:20 The role of intuition in decision-making
• 18:00 Practical ways to raise your vibration
• 21:30 Using energy for your highest good
• 25:00 Collective consciousness and global impact
• 29:45 Final reflections and takeaways

Connect with Ellen

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liveyourjam
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/optimalleader/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liveyourjam
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnj7_LS2kaxfyPsAd1Hne8g
• Website: https://liveyourjam.com/

What does it really mean to reclaim your personal power after years of putting everyone else first?

In this inspiring episode of Live Your Jam, host Ellen McGinnis sits down with Susan De Vira, a mother, traveler, and lifelong learner who rebuilt her health, confidence, and purpose after divorce and major life change.

From living rurally in New Zealand to starting over in the U.S., Susan shares her journey of:

• Trusting her intuition after losing her sense of self
• Rebuilding her health with the Wonder Woman program
• Letting go of perfectionism, people-pleasing, and self-doubt
• Finding strength in vulnerability and courage in discomfort

This conversation is for every woman standing at a crossroads wondering if it’s too late to begin again. Spoiler: it’s not.

You are not broken. You are becoming.

Listen now and learn how to turn self-sacrifice into self-sovereignty — one percent at a time.

👉 Watch the full conversation and subscribe for more real stories about reinvention, resilience, and living your truth.

#ReclaimYourPower #WomenReinvention #MidlifeTransformation #LiveYourJam #PersonalGrowth #SelfDiscovery #WonderWomanProgram #HealthJourney #EmpowermentPodcast #StartingOver #EllenMcGinnis #SusanDera

We talk about:

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:59 Susan's Life-Changing Journey
• 05:09 Starting a New Life in New Zealand
• 09:45 Challenges in Marriage and Personal Growth
• 12:51 Seeking Help and Reclaiming Power
• 15:23 Supporting Her Sons and Moving Back to the US
• 16:30 Facing the Empty Nest
• 16:47 A Journey to Tulum
• 18:20 Joining the Wonder Woman Program
• 19:31 Transformative Health Journey
• 21:05 Reconnecting with Self
• 23:02 Empowering Advice for Women
• 25:28 Reflections on Personal Growth
• 29:54 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Resources Mentioned

• Coach Molly K: https://www.instagram.com/coachmollyk/
• Wonder Woman Official: https://www.instagram.com/thewonderwomenofficial/
• Train With Joan: https://www.instagram.com/trainwithjoan
• Michelle MacDonald: https://www.instagram.com/michellemacdonaldofficial
• Pivot to Power: https://www.instagram.com/pivot.to.power
• Depth Counselor, Shirley www.depthcounsellor.co.nz

Connect with Susan

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susandevira

Connect with Ellen

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liveyourjam
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/optimalleader/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liveyourjam
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnj7_LS2kaxfyPsAd1Hne8g
• Website: https://liveyourjam.com/

In this conversation, I sat down with my very first guest, Dick Ayres – a global business leader who traded 25 years at GE for a life of purpose, impact, and alignment.

Dick shares how he went from senior executive at one of the world’s largest companies to co-founding Literrati, an environmental startup tackling global litter, and building a life rooted in values, family, and contribution.

Topics in this episode:

• Why Dick walked away from a thriving corporate career at GE
• The Be–Do–Have model and how it flipped his approach to life
• What it means to live from the inside out instead of the outside in
• Starting over with a blank sheet of paper and following intuition
• Building Literati into a global community and environmental force
• How volunteering and giving back brings unexpected fulfillment
• The importance of caring for the caregiver and making space for what matters

If you’ve ever felt “life is good, but could be better,” this episode will inspire you to pause, create space, and reimagine what’s possible.

🔔 Subscribe to Live Your Jam for bi-weekly conversations blending personal stories, soulful practices, and transformational tools to help you live your purpose from the inside out.

We talk about:

• 00:00 Welcome to Live Your Jam
• 03:15 From GE Executive to Entrepreneur
• 07:00 The “Itch” for Change
• 10:00 Discovering Coaching & the Be–Do–Have Model
• 14:00 Starting Fresh with a Blank Sheet of Paper
• 17:00 Building Literrati and Tackling Global Litter
• 21:00 Volunteering, Mental Health, and Community Impact
• 25:00 Living in Flow vs. Corporate Treadmill
• 27:00 Family Goal-Setting & Caring for the Caregiver
• 30:00 Finding Fulfillment in Small and Big Ways
• 32:00 Closing Reflections & Call to Action

Connect with Dick

• Website: https://www.litterati.org/
• Amafe: https://www.amafe.org/en-gb
• Grandes Amigos: https://grandesamigos.org/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dick-ayres-1a6a168/

Connect with Ellen

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liveyourjam
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/optimalleader/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liveyourjam
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnj7_LS2kaxfyPsAd1Hne8g
• Website: https://liveyourjam.com/