The Conversation with Amanda de Cadenet

Amanda is honored to sit down with Brittany Snow and Jaspre Guest, the incredible co-authors behind September Letters: Finding Strength and Connection in Sharing Our Stories.This inspiring project brings together heartfelt letters, notes, and conversations from friends, experts, and the September Letters community, all with a shared mission: to create a space where vulnerability leads to understanding, connection, and healing. Through this robust exchange of stories, we’re reminded that none of us are truly alone in our struggles. In this conversation, Brittany, Jaspre, and Amanda explore a range of topics—from therapy to metaphysics—and even tease about exciting new projects. It’s a meaningful discussion that will leave you feeling inspired, uplifted, and more connected to the people around you. Tune in and discover the transformative power of sharing our stories.

IN THIS EPISODE: 

• [1:43] Brit talks about how the book September Letters: Finding Strength and Connection in Sharing Our Stories has been received, and Jaspre discusses the origins of the book
• [4:51] Brit discusses when she first became aware of her mental health issues as a teenager
• [8:26] How Jaspre and Brit connected through acts of service, how helping others and sharing a personal mental health journey can be self-serving and talking about the solution more than the problem
• [19:24] Discussion of the lack of adequate help and the cost of therapy
• [21:07] Jaspre reflects on her childhood and discussion on metaphysics
• [30:10] Is the feeling intuition, or is it fear, and what about the guest’s charts
• [38:04 Jaspre and Brittany are making a documentary from The September Letters and Brit shares information about the film she has written and is directing

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Being able to recognize that you have a mental disorder is the first step. The second step is to talk to someone, whether a friend, family member or therapist.
• Some individuals exploit their mental health struggles on social media, portraying them in a manner that undermines the authenticity of the issue they claim to address, ultimately doing a disservice to those genuinely affected by mental health challenges.
• Being part of a community where others share your struggles can be therapeutic. When you serve others, you can set aside your own worries and uplift your fellow human beings.

RESOURCES:

The September Letters: Finding Strength and Connection in Sharing Our Stories 

Jaspre Guest - Instagram

Brittany Snow - Instagram

Brittany Snow and Jaspre Guest

About September Letters

Co-founded by Brittany Snow and Jaspre Guest, September Letters launched in September 2020. Creating an online platform that not only raises mental health awareness but provides support for those in need through the power of letter writing was paramount to them. 

September Letters: Finding Strength and Connection in Sharing Our Stories, released in May 2023 by HarperCollins, is an extension of Snow and Guest’s September Letters online mental health platform that collects letters in all forms—written, scribbled, typed, and doodled—from community members, friends, and celebrities like Maddie Ziegler, Hannah Bronfman, Kid Cudi, Joel McHale, Rebel Wilson and more. It also contains advice from mental health experts like David Kessler, Gretchen Rubin, Mark Epstein, Bob Roth and Jay Shetty.  

Activist and actress Brittany Snow has been championing conversations around mental health for more than fifteen years. She is a passionate and outspoken advocate for mental health awareness and wellbeing. She is the co-founder of the nonprofit movement Love is Louder with the Jed Foundation and MTV. In 2020, she started the letter-writing and therapeutic experience September Letters with her friend Jaspre Guest. She has written, directed and produced a movie about mental health and addiction that will be released in 2023. She is a metaphysics and science fiction fan and loves escape rooms, puzzles, and mysteries. She lives on hummus and guacamole, but not together. She hates air hockey and anything colonial. She hopes one day to have ten more rescue dogs because Billie and Charlie are her favorite things.

Creative entrepreneur and activist Jaspre Guest created her career by shunning traditional norms. Known as “the fixer”, she is the founder of boutique branding and PR agency Noise 784. Jaspre has led initiatives for a range of nonprofits, including It Gets Better, Global Citizen, the International Rescue Committee, Love Is Louder, and the ASPCA.  In 2020, she cofounded a letter-writing initiative, September Letters, with her friend Brittany Snow.  Jaspre’s next project, Finding Your Magic, will fulfill her desire to help people by creating a hub for healing. She has been featured in PEOPLE, E!, Forbes and Coveteur. Jaspre is obsessed with her fruit salad, aka her Pomeranians: Papaya, Fig, Rhubarb and Quince. 

About this podcast:

The Conversation with Amanda de Cadenet is a groundbreaking series of weekly interviews featuring candid conversations with impactful thought leaders. Host Amanda de Cadenet provides a platform for raw and honest discussions on a wide variety of topics, from porn to politics. Visit amandadecadenet.com to learn more and sign up for her newsletter. Follow Amanda on Instagram @amandadecadenet. Follow Amanda on Substack at amandadecadenet.substack.com.

For the first time we are making The Conversation original TV series interviews available on the pod. This is part of a miniseries featuring the first guests to appear on the show. In this mini episode we feature Jane Fonda. 

Listen as we discuss marriage and the journey of self-discovery as a woman. Jane offers valuable perspectives on self-awareness and crafting one's life path. She candidly reflects on her past marriages, revealing how they hindered her personal growth into the woman she has become today. 

IN THIS EPISODE: 

• [01:00] Amanda and Jane discuss the phrase “Til Death Do Us Part”
• [01:20] Jane refers to her book, My Life So Far, where she writes about what makes a marriage work 
• [02:08] The importance of knowing yourself and how women change after puberty from who they were to a people pleaser 
• [05:24] Jane reveals how she came to the place where a man no longer defines her, and she speaks about her marriage with Ted Turner
• [07:02] Jane answers rapid fire questions

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Jane Fonda is an inspirational figure for mature women aiming to explore their identity and prioritize self-care.
• Jane emphasizes the benefits of understanding your own identity before entering into marriage.
• Jane makes a great comparison between women pre-puberty and how they tend to shift to become a people pleaser after going through puberty. 

RESOURCES:

Amanda de Cadenet - Website

Amanda de Cadenet - Instagram

Jane Fonda - Website

ABOUT THIS PODCAST:

The Conversation with Amanda de Cadenet is a groundbreaking series of weekly interviews featuring candid conversations with impactful thought leaders. Host Amanda de Cadenet provides a platform for raw and honest discussions on a wide variety of topics, from porn to politics. Visit amandadecadenet.com to learn more and sign up for her newsletter. Follow Amanda on Instagram @amandadecadenet.

Amanda is honored to host Martha Beck, PhD, a Harvard-trained sociologist, world-renowned coach, and New York Times bestselling author. In this episode, they delve into Martha's latest book, "The Way of Integrity: Finding the Path to Your True Self," which has guided many on their journey to self-awareness. Tune in as they discuss integrity, spirituality, and overcoming fear. Martha shares her incredible journey of self-discovery and her sacrifices to attain true freedom. They also explore how to live in harmony with your integrity and intuition. Martha gives the listener powerful advice: "Wherever you are, whatever you're thinking, the exact opposite of your worst fear right now is your next step toward freedom. It’s your best next step." Welcome to The Conversation! Enjoy!

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [3:05] Martha begins by sharing a snippet from a poem by Stanley Kunitz and discusses her life change at age 29 and compares change to the metamorphosis of a caterpillar
•  [7:49] Discussion between the differences in metamorphosis for a woman's life between Western and Eastern cultures
• [9:58] Martha explains the life experience that prompted her to leave the Mormon church, write her latest book and chase the beautiful light
• [17:30] Martha shares her son has Down Syndrome, and he experiences the beautiful light Martha saw and why our culture doesn’t connect to it 
• [25:29] Living in integrity when those around you do not and how it has affected Martha’s career and she defines the word integrity
• [38:34] Amanda and Martha discuss ways they have connected with nature, and Martha defines how she refined listening to her intuition
• [47:10] How do people make the change to listening to their intuition, but financially they can’t make the jump
• [53:19] Martha talks about having prophetic dreams and encourages listeners to release their fears about finances
• [57:35] Martha discusses the book she is writing and talks about choosing curiosity and connection and how to differentiate between fear and intuition and integrity
• [1:09:52] Martha shares the outcome of living with integrity

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• The opposite of anxiety is calm and creativity. 
• We were not born to hate, exploit and kill each other. We were not born to fear. We need to live in love with each other.
• We each experience periods of metamorphosis in our lives, and the goal is to learn from each phase and emerge stronger on the other side.

RESOURCES:

Amanda de Cadenet - Website

Amanda de Cadenet - Instagram

Martha Beck - Instagram

About This Podcast:

The Conversation with Amanda de Cadenet is a groundbreaking series of weekly interviews featuring candid conversations with impactful thought leaders. Host Amanda de Cadenet provides a platform for raw and honest discussions on a wide variety of topics, from porn to politics. Visit amandadecadenet.com to learn more and sign up for her newsletter. Follow Amanda on Instagram @amandadecadenet.

BIOGRAPHY: 

Dr. Martha Beck is a New York Times bestselling author, life coach, and speaker. She holds three Harvard degrees in social science, and Oprah Winfrey has called her “one of the smartest women I know.” Martha is a passionate and engaging teacher, known for her unique combination of science, humor, and spirituality. Her newest book, The Way of Integrity: Finding the Path to Your True Self, was an instant New York Times Best Seller.

Archival episode with Alyssa Milano from the very first podcast series of The Conversation.  Amanda and Alyssa have a candid discussion about #MeToo, how to have difficult conversations with male friends accused of harassment, and how to overcome stigma.

In this enlightening episode of The Conversation, host Amanda de Cadenet is joined by Alexandra Pope and Sjanie Hugo Wurlitzer, authors of the groundbreaking book Wise Power: Discover the Liberating Power of Menopause to Awaken Authority, Purpose, and Belonging. Together, they explore the profound beneficial impact of the menstrual cycle on women's psychological, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Alexandra and Sjanie share their insights into the five phases of menopause, revealing how this transformative journey can be a powerful source of personal growth and empowerment. For those seeking further guidance, Red School offers online classes designed to deepen your understanding and support through this pivotal life stage. Welcome to the Conversation.

IN THIS EPISODE: 

• [00:43] Sjanie explains her history with Alexandra, the work they have done and the background of The Red School and the access women have to their studies online
• [4:16] Alexandra discusses the pain she had with her cycle and how that led her to recognize the benefits of menstruation
• [13:50] Alexandra and Sjanie discuss the first phase of menopause, which they call Betrayal and the mental breakdown that ensues
• [19:02] Alexandra discusses having support during menopause and being self-awareness, and she shares phase two, which is called Repair
• [22:18] Phase three is called Revelation
• [22:20] Phase four is Visioning
• [28:56] Phase five is Emergence, and they discuss the guidelines and tools that are shared in the book Wise Power
• [35:30] Discussion about HRT 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• The Red School offers online studies that last six or 12 weeks, including self-study programs. 
• Menstrual cycle awareness is when you stop, listen and respond to your body. 
• Understanding what is happening during menopause unleashes a power of liberation.

RESOURCES:

Red School - Website

Red School - Podcast

Menopause: The Great Awakener 

Wise Power Retreat

About This Podcast:

The Conversation with Amanda de Cadenet is a groundbreaking series of weekly interviews featuring candid conversations with impactful thought leaders. Host Amanda de Cadenet provides a platform for raw and honest discussions on a wide variety of topics, from porn to politics. Visit amandadecadenet.com to learn more and sign up for her newsletter. Follow Amanda on Instagram @amandadecadenet. Follow Amanda on Substack at amandadecadenet.substack.com.

BIOGRAPHY: 

Alexandra & Sjanie are the co-founders of Red School, and co-authors of  the iconic and hugely celebrated book from Hay House, Wild Power: discover the magic of the menstrual cycle and awaken the feminine path to power and their latest book Wise Power: Discover the liberating power of menopause to awaken authority, purpose and belonging (Hay House, Sept 2022).

They are pioneering the new emerging field of menstruality, creating a new lexicon and approach to women’s health and wellbeing; creativity and leadership; and spiritual life based on the power of our menstruality consciousness. 

Between them they bring over 60 years of experience. And today they teach worldwide on the psycho-spiritual process of maturation that unfolds from menarche to menopause and beyond. They’re committed to training the menstruality leaders of the future.

Archival episode with Erika Lust from the very first podcast series of The Conversation.  Amanda de Cadenet is with erotic filmmaker Erika Lust for a discussion on feminism, pornography, and how to talk to your kids about sex in a way that might shock you.

Archival episode with Connie Britton and Rebecca Traister from the very first podcast series of The Conversation. Amanda de Cadenet talks with actress and activist Connie Britton, as well as journalist and author Rebecca Traister, for a special round table conversation about call-out culture, raising kids in today’s world, and the double-edged legacy of women’s rage.

Archival episode with Sophia Bush from the very first podcast series of The Conversation.  Amanda and Sophia delve into the impact of attending an all-girls school, how to navigate a new era where straight white men *feel* marginalized, how trauma can actually inform powerful personal growth, and Sophia’s path to advocacy.

Welcome to The Conversation with Amanda de Cadenet. Today, we're honored to have Marisa Lee, the insightful author of Grief is Love, joining us. As a Black woman and author who has personally navigated the complexities of loss, Marisa brings a unique and powerful perspective to the grieving process. In this episode, she'll share four essential strategies to support those who are grieving and offer three actionable tips for friends looking to help someone through the pain of losing a loved one. Whether you're currently experiencing loss or supporting someone who is, share this episode, which is packed with invaluable insights. 

IN THIS EPISODE: 

• [8:01] Discussion of the loss of Amanda’s father, the book Grief is Love, written by Marissa, and how she classifies herself as a writer
• [15:32] Marisa discusses how people don’t deal with death realistically but choose to give it a moment and discussion regarding identifying with an object that makes you feel the presence of your loved one 
• [26:20] Marisa shares four key things people need to know about grief and her compassion for those who financially don’t have the time to grieve 
• [34:12] Marisa gives death statistics in the black community 
• [43:36] Marisa shares three ways to show up for someone who is grieving
• [47:07] How do you deal with people who don’t show up for you when they are needed, Marisa shares her next book project

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• You must permit yourself time and space to grieve when you lose a loved one.
• The stages of grief developed by Elizabeth Kubler Ross were designed for the person who is terminally ill, not their loved ones. 
• The death of a loved one is a tremendous loss. The loss of friends who don’t show up for you during that time compounds the loss in a way you don’t forget.

RESOURCES:

Grief Is Love Order on Amazon

Marisa Lee - Instagram

Marisa Renee Lee Website

About This Podcast:

The Conversation with Amanda de Cadenet is a groundbreaking series of weekly interviews featuring candid conversations with impactful thought leaders. Host Amanda de Cadenet provides a platform for raw and honest discussions on a wide variety of topics, from porn to politics. Visit amandadecadenet.com to learn more and sign up for her newsletter. Follow Amanda on Instagram @amandadecadenet. Follow Amanda on Substack at amandadecadenet.substack.com

BIOGRAPHY:  

Marisa Renee Lee is a called-upon advocate, writer, and speaker on coping with grief. In 2008, she lost her mother to breast cancer, in 2019 Marisa and her husband lost a much-wanted pregnancy, and most recently, she lost a young cousin to the COVID-19 pandemic. These losses transformed her life and led her to question what grief really is and what healing truly requires.

As a leading grief advocate, Marisa offers incisive and compassionate advice on managing life after loss with unique insights for women and African American communities. She recently partnered with Ritual's well-being app as a writer and narrator alongside other leaders in science, faith, and culture. Her first book, Grief Is Love: Living with Loss, was published in April 2022 under Hachette’s new imprint, Legacy Lit, and is already a national bestseller. 

As a former appointee in the Obama White House, Marisa previously served as the Deputy Director of Private Sector Engagement, a Senior Advisor on the Domestic Policy Council, and as the Managing Director of the MBK Alliance, the nonprofit born out of President Obama's call to action to address the barriers to success that boys and young men of color disproportionately face in their lives. She is a rabble-rouser of social healing and currently serves as CEO of the social impact consulting firm Beacon Advisors, co-founder of the digital platform Supportal, and founder of The Pink Agenda, a national organization dedicated to raising money for breast cancer care, research, and awareness.

Lee is a public speaker and regular contributor to Glamour, Vogue, MSNBC, and The Atlantic. She is a graduate of Harvard College and lives in the DC area with her husband Matt, son Bennett, and dog Sadie.

Archival episode with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand from the very first podcast series of The Conversation. Amanda de Cadenet speaks with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, aka “Tina” to her friends from back in the day. In the midst of her presidential run, Senator Gillibrand chats with Amanda about why she’s branded her campaign as feminist, embracing ambition, and how she manages to be both a present mom and a powerhouse politician.