By Jenny Emerson
The podcast currently has 17 episodes available.
As I close out this season on the podcast, I want to share a treasure and resource with you in the person of Anita Pringle. Anita is a licensed counselor and the Clinical Director at The Refuge Center for Counseling.
From a young age, Anita knew she wanted to be a counselor. Anita certainly got her wish, but in a slightly different way than she had planned. What she didn’t know is that through the experience of her own grief, she would be able to minister to many others who were walking out their own grief.
In this episode, Anita shares about the many seasons of her life, from a single adult, single parent, married, and now widowed. Anita has discovered a significant perspective that has allowed her to live a full and purposeful life, even when seasons are sprinkled with loneliness and challenge.
In this episode we’ll explore:
If you enjoyed this episode I invite you to take a screenshot and tag me on your Instagram stories @realtalkaboutthesinglelife and tell me what you think!
Could you use some support to better navigate the challenges and harness the joy of being a single person? Contact me to schedule a free consult to see how you learn to write a love story that is true to you, whether that includes a relationship or not!
Listen + subscribe on iTunes // Stitcher
Referenced in the ShowJenny's Website
Connect with Anita Pringle and the Refuge Center
If you haven’t already joined my Facebook community for single women, we would love to see you there! Share your questions and comments there after the show!
In the midst of so much uncertainty from day to day, it’s hard to feel like we have any control at all. When I’m stuck in a fearful state, I spend a lot of time planning for things that might not even come to pass. Do you get stuck here too? What I’ve discovered is that my thought life is perhaps the most important thing I can control and makes the most impact on those around me. I have also learned that if I’m honest, a lot of my own suffering can be self-inflicted.
So what’s the remedy for all of this chaos in our heads? Choose joy instead. Find your people and find ways to connect, even if it’s tricky. Take time to take inventory of all those things you’ve loved in the past. Then add all those things you’ve ever wanted to try-even if they sound crazy. Then go do them and let me know the results. And the best part of joy? It’s never limited!
In this episode we’ll explore:
If you enjoyed this episode I invite you to take a screenshot and tag me on your Instagram stories @realtalkaboutthesinglelife and tell me what you think!
Could you use some support to better navigate the challenges and harness the joy of being a single person? Contact me to schedule a free consult to see how you learn to write a love story that is true to you, whether that includes a relationship or not!
Listen + subscribe on iTunes // Stitcher
Referenced in the ShowJenny's Website
If you haven’t already joined my Facebook community for single women, we would love to see you there! Share your questions and comments there after the show!
If 2020 hasn’t been a giant reminder, when it comes to disappointment, none of us are getting out of here unscathed. Disappointment is a part of life, but it can be so easy to begin to think we should expect it or that it has something to do with our worth. If you find yourself getting stuck saying things like “this always happens to me” or “this figures”, it’s time to start analyzing some of those thought patterns so you can recognize the choices you have to make the moment disappointment strikes.
If you haven’t caught my story by now, I have navigated a lot of disappointment and grief in recent years. I’ll recap some of that in this episode. I am not done healing, but I’m making progress and I want to share the tools I’ve found that have made the biggest impact on my ability to move forward. Friend, there’s nothing wrong with you. Disappointment does hurt. We’ve got to acknowledge the hurt and sit in a moment. But we can’t stay there forever. In time, you always have the choice to stay bitter, pretend it didn’t happen, or use it for good. What will you choose?
In this episode we’ll explore:
If you enjoyed this episode I invite you to take a screenshot and tag me on your Instagram stories @realtalkaboutthesinglelife and tell me what you think!
Could you use some support to better navigate the challenges and harness the joy of being a single person? Contact me to schedule a free consult to see how you learn to write a love story that is true to you, whether that includes a relationship or not!
Listen + subscribe on iTunes // Stitcher
Referenced in the ShowJenny's Website
If you haven’t already joined my Facebook community for single women, we would love to see you there! Share your questions and comments there after the show!
Did you think you’d be in a relationship by now? Being single longer than you intended can mean that you have let go of hopes that came along with having a spouse or partner in the picture. This can certainly include having a family. But my guest and dear friend Sara Sweat decided that she wasn’t willing to give up on that desire. Instead, she decided to reimagine her future, and pursue that dream, while accepting the challenges that come with solo-parenting. In this episode, Sara helps us understand the distinction between single parenting and solo parenting and why even on the hard days, it has been 100% worth it.
Because Sara is a tribe sister and soul mate, I have had a front-row seat to the unfolding of the miracle that her son is. We talk about the way she relied on her village from early pregnancy until now. Though taking such a non-traditional route like solo-parenting can be scary, Sara was delighted to discover how many people were so eager to support her. We also talk about the interesting challenge of dating as a solo parent. Sara shares how dating is both trickier and simpler in this season of her life. If you’re single and the dream of having children is not something you’ve been able to release, I challenge you to listen to Sarah’s story and consider the possibility that you might not have to let go of that dream.
In this episode we’ll explore:
If you enjoyed this episode I invite you to take a screenshot and tag me on your Instagram stories @realtalkaboutthesinglelife and tell me what you think!
Could you use some support to better navigate the challenges and harness the joy of being a single person? Contact me to schedule a free consult to see how you learn to write a love story that is true to you, whether that includes a relationship or not!
Listen + subscribe on iTunes // Stitcher
Referenced in the ShowJenny's Website
Connect with Sara on Instagram
instagram.com/a.life.curated
If you haven’t already joined my Facebook community for single women, we would love to see you there! Share your questions and comments there after the show!
Do you believe that there is just one amazing person out there for you? And IF you find them, then the rest of your life would just fall into place? You know, I sometimes wish there was an easy 3 step process to finding your soul mate. But the reality is, this traditional concept of a “soul mate” can really mess with our hearts and minds because it’s not rooted in reality. In this episode, I am going to point out all the problems that surface when we are waiting for this “soul mate” to finally arrive. That future partner? They are not going to complete you. They are only the icing on the cake. You my friend, ARE the cake. Do you believe it?
So then do we just toss out the idea of a soul mate? I don’t think that’s really necessary. I propose that all we need to do is broaden our definition of a soul mate. I even go so far as to say that our need for a soul mate can actually be found in a lot of friendships in addition to our partner. Sometimes a spouse or partner is really receptive and encouraging when we are in need. And sometimes a girlfriend is just a better person to process with. So then what is the sign of a true soul mate? Listen in to find out!
In this episode we’ll explore:
If you enjoyed this episode I invite you to take a screenshot and tag me on your Instagram stories @realtalkaboutthesinglelife and tell me what you think!
Could you use some support to better navigate the challenges and harness the joy of being a single person? Contact me to schedule a free consult to see how you learn to write a love story that is true to you, whether that includes a relationship or not!
Listen + subscribe on iTunes // Stitcher
Referenced in the ShowJenny's Website
If you haven’t already joined my Facebook community for single women, we would love to see you there! Share your questions and comments there after the show!
Well, the time has finally come to dive into all things dating apps! The emotional responses that come when the conversation turns to dating apps is always a mixed bag. They can be an exciting new way to connect but they can also lead to discouragement, sometimes all in the same week! I’ve used these apps and coached women who use these apps, so I’ve taken all this experience and packed it into this one episode. The key to online dating is in setting realistic expectations and always finding the opportunity to learn more about yourself, even if the date doesn’t lead you directly to the altar.
Navigating the world of online dating is a lot simpler if you know what you should include and what you should leave out when it comes to creating your profile. How will I attract the right person? Is there such a thing as being too honest? (Ahem, yes!) How long should we chat on email or through messaging before setting up a time to meet? I will cover all these questions and more! I’m also going to help you understand why being intentional about your expectations can allow you to enjoy the process more often. Listen to learn some of my best tips on creating your profile, how to handle the first few dates, and how to be a decent human, even when you’re not interested!
In this episode we’ll explore:
If you enjoyed this episode I invite you to take a screenshot and tag me on your Instagram stories @realtalkaboutthesinglelife and tell me what you think!
Could you use some support to better navigate the challenges and harness the joy of being a single person? Contact me to schedule a free consult to see how you learn to write a love story that is true to you, whether that includes a relationship or not!
Listen + subscribe on iTunes // Stitcher
Referenced in the ShowJenny's Website
If you haven’t already joined my Facebook community for single women, we would love to see you there! Share your questions and comments there after the show!
It’s not uncommon that when a relationship ends, we find ourselves having to work through rediscovering our identity. Our most significant relationships are a huge piece of who we are. When a relationship ends, our identity can be dismantled. Though we know it’s not true in our minds, it’s hard to escape feeling like we are damaged goods. It’s hard to believe we could even consider the possibility of being in a relationship again. Could you trust yourself to make good decisions about dating? Could you be vulnerable and trust again? These are the questions we have to ask when we begin to do relationship recovery, whether it be a break-up, a death, or a divorce. It’s all difficult work.
We may know what that pain feels like as a woman, but today’s guest is going to round out the story for us. Brandon Wetzler is a coach for divorced men. He helps men navigate the heartache or divorce and begin building an honorable life they can take pride in. He speaks about the often overlooked need men have to express their emotions and be nurtured. We also discuss how critical it is to be authentic at every stage of the dating game. We agree on a few other topics like our love of cheese and the fact that being alone is better than being with someone who makes you feel lonely. Join us to explore the other half of the conversation you might be missing.
In this episode we’ll explore:
Connect with Brandon
Website
If you enjoyed this episode I invite you to take a screenshot and tag me on your Instagram stories @realtalkaboutthesinglelife and tell me what you think!
Could you use some support to better navigate the challenges and harness the joy of being a single person? Contact me to schedule a free consult to see how you learn to write a love story that is true to you, whether that includes a relationship or not!
Listen + subscribe on iTunes // Stitcher
Referenced in the ShowJenny's Website
If you haven’t already joined my Facebook community for single women, we would love to see you there! Share your questions and comments there after the show!
Are you someone who can dine alone in a restaurant? Or does the experience just overwhelm you? I have to tell you that now, when I’m craving sushi, I sure as heck ain’t gonna wait until my girlfriends can make it. I’m happy to go alone because I can truly enjoy it!
Dining alone doesn’t make you a loser-it just means you’re hungry. I was reminded of this in the book Single: The Art of Being Satisfied, Fulfilled, and Independent by Judy Ford. It’s a book I have read and reread and I want to share some nuggets of truth with you from this book. I am all about sharing the tools and resources that have affirmed me and given me a fresh perspective about enjoying my singleness. Listen in as I share my top 10 takeaways from this treasure.
In this episode we’ll explore:
If you enjoyed this episode I invite you to take a screenshot and tag me on your Instagram stories @realtalkaboutthesinglelife and tell me what you think!
Could you use some support to better navigate the challenges and harness the joy of being a single person? Contact me to schedule a free consult to see how you learn to write a love story that is true to you, whether that includes a relationship or not!
Listen + subscribe on iTunes // Stitcher
Referenced in the ShowThe Book: The Art of Being Satisfied, Fulfilled, and Independent
Jenny's Website
If you haven’t already joined my Facebook community for single women, we would love to see you there! Share your questions and comments there after the show!
Sometimes it’s just a lot of energy to show up single to another happy hour with all those couple friends. But it kind of rubs salt in the wound when you have to show up to the wedding of your last single girlfriend. It’s a time to celebrate and be happy for them, but there’s nothing that could make you feel more alone.
Y’all, it IS hard. There is no mistaking that. And it's appropriate to take time to grieve that you don’t have the relationship that you might be longing for just yet. But there’s a real danger in comparing your life with everyone else’s or even with what you think you should have achieved by now. You haven’t failed my friend. Your life is simply unfolding differently. In this episode, I am challenging you to get unstuck in your disappointment. I want you to pull it together and show up in a big way to celebrate your friend for that one evening. Remember, your circle of friends is going to change with the different seasons of life. Embrace the gifts that those changes bring. And perhaps most importantly, remember to stop judging your insides with other people’s outsides.
In this episode we’ll explore:
If you enjoyed this episode I invite you to take a screenshot and tag me on your Instagram stories @realtalkaboutthesinglelife and tell me what you think!
Could you use some support to better navigate the challenges and harness the joy of being a single person? Contact me to schedule a free consult to see how you learn to write a love story that is true to you, whether that includes a relationship or not!
Listen + subscribe on iTunes // Stitcher
Referenced in the ShowJenny's Website
If you haven’t already joined my Facebook community for single women, we would love to see you there! Share your questions and comments there after the show!
I am not quick to play the victim when it comes to living the single life. But you know who woke me up on my birthday in the middle of a pandemic? Fear! I came out swinging trying to fight all those voices that were telling me that I wasn’t worth as much since I was alone again on another birthday. It can be challenging enough to be single any other day of the year, but being single during a season of social distancing is a whole other beast!
Sure, I may have been saved from fighting with a spouse. I may also have all the free time, flexibility, and independence I could ever want right now, but that doesn’t mean I’m not lonely. As strange as it is to say, being lonely is exhausting while being alone can be a gift. It’s everything at once. This is exactly why I say this is not a conversation about either this or that, but of both. It’s time to stop minimizing and dismissing one another’s pain. It’s time to listen-and do so without offering a side of your best advice.
In this episode we’ll explore:
If you enjoyed this episode I invite you to take a screenshot and tag me on your Instagram stories @realtalkaboutthesinglelife and tell me what you think!
Could you use some support to better navigate the challenges and harness the joy of being a single person? Contact me to schedule a free consult to see how you learn to write a love story that is true to you, whether that includes a relationship or not!
Listen + subscribe on iTunes // Stitcher
Referenced in the ShowJenny's Website
If you haven’t already joined my Facebook community for single women, we would love to see you there! Share your questions and comments there after the show!
The podcast currently has 17 episodes available.