You & I

I chose today’s question because when I read between the lines, I felt a sense of desperation, that the asker was stuck in a cycle and at a loss. 

They write:

How do you stay driven? How do you dream big and remind yourself about that dream in the middle of procrastination or feeling overworked? I work six days, and there are times when I work hard and then I crash. And it doesn't feel right. Do you have tips for being consistent and focused on work? 

We got this question over Instagram, but we want to keep our askers anonymous so I’ve decided to name you…tired dreamer.

It needs to be said, I am not a professional, just someone with some personal experience to share. I do hope this is helpful, but as always, take the advice that resonates and ignore what doesn't. And don’t hesitate to seek out professional help through a trusted source. We’ve provided links on our website in case they are needed.

Tune into the episode wherever you listen to your podcasts to hear Jackie ponder our listener's question and give her own personal experience navigating similar feelings.

This podcast is produced by More Good Media.

Episode Resources:

Jackie Kai Ellis: Website / Instagram

You & I Podcast: Website

Resources on finding trusted professional help can be found here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We loved this month’s question because it was so raw, and it’s a topic every woman we know has grappled with on some level: maternity. Whether it’s to become a mother or not, dealing with miscarriages and feeling in some way broken, or not wanting kids and being made to feel by society, somehow, broken too. 

They write:

I live in Victoria, born in Namibia. 63 and never had children purely by circumstance and then later by choice. So often people feel children give them purpose but what do I have to say? The childless one... would love to hear other people's thoughts on this.

-The childless one

We often don’t talk about all our struggles around maternity. It’s often steeped with so much shame. This question hit so powerfully because the childless one, so bravely and matter-of-factly says, in essence, “I don’t know” in a world where we all feel like we are supposed to know, with such certainty, all the time.

Jackie is sitting down with Talia Kleinplatz who grew up always assuming she’d have children, but over the years, allowed herself the space to question what she truly wanted for her life, to say “I don’t know” and the freedom to make a new choice, to not to have children. Her meandering path was full of gentleness, full of intention, and just full of love for herself and her community. Jackie and Talia share their personal journeys around deciding whether or not to become mothers. This conversation is raw and powerful and we hope it opens up an opportunity for continued conversation on a subject that is so often ignored. We hope you got something helpful out of this…if anything, know that you’re not alone. You see, we all struggle, mourn, yearn, question, laugh and cry. No matter our age, background, or titles, at our core, we are all not so different, You & I.

And make sure to tune in until the end of the episode to hear the question for next month. And if you have had the same personal experience and are interested in being a guest of that episode, OR if you have a short word of wisdom, write to us on the contact page on our Website or DM us on Instagram. And of course, please submit your questions there too.

Episode Resources:

Jackie Kai Ellis: Website / Instagram

Talia: Instagram

More Good Media: Website / Instagram

You & I Podcast: Website

Resources on finding trusted professional help can be found here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, I’ll be doing something a little different. We’ve gotten so many amazing submissions (about love, life, career) that one episode a month wouldn’t have been enough to really dig into them. So we decided to add a mini pod every month as well, where I’ll be answering one of your questions solo…like today!

I’ve discussed today’s question with my friends over the past few days, and the fascinating thing is that it’s one that is vague enough, and yet specific enough that each person projects their own experience onto the way they read the question. It’s like a good song, or a great lyric. It’s just enough to trigger a memory and not so much that you can’t believe it’s not about you.

They write:

“A question that I didn't know how to answer and it’s “obsessing” me every day, is how can something work NOW when it never had worked in the PAST?“

We got this question over Instagram, but we want to keep our askers anonymous so I’ve decided to name you…now and then. Thank you for your question, now and then.

It needs to be said, I am not a professional, just someone with some personal experience to share. I do hope this is helpful, but as always, take the advice that resonates and ignore what doesn't. And don’t hesitate to seek out professional help through a trusted source. We’ve provided links on our website in case they are needed.

This podcast is produced by More Good Media.

Episode Resources:

Jackie Kai Ellis: Website / Instagram

You & I Podcast: Website

Resources on finding trusted professional help can be found here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the first episode of You & I, an advice podcast exploring the questions we’ve all asked ourselves. This month's question comes from a place where most of us have been, and yet it doesn’t dilute the feelings of confusion, anxiety, feelings of being lost and yearning for a dream that has not yet crystalized.

They write..

How to figure out your next career (despite financial risks)?

Recently impacted by a layoff, I'm contemplating how to start over or "pivot" into a new career field. I've been wanting to shift careers for years, and now have a true impetus to figure out what's next (I felt stuck due to "golden handcuffs" and lack of clarity on what else I could do). I'm having difficulty finding a north star. I admire all the different careers you've had -- many of which, I aspire to be, if not for the financial risks. Would appreciate any advice you have on finding a new career. Thank you. -Wisdom Seeker

Jackie is sitting down with her good friend and go-to person when she is feeling stuck, Sandra Birkenhead, to dive into how they have navigated these moments in their own lives and offer their own wisdom on the subject. Jackie and Sandra also touch on imposter syndrome, working through financial stories and fear, lifting the pressure to find the perfect career, creating space for curiosity during career pivots and so many other beautiful tangents. We hope you enjoy this episode!

And make sure to tune in until the end of the episode to hear the question for next month. And if you have had the same personal experience and are interested in being a guest of that episode, OR if you have a short word of wisdom, write to us on the contact page on our Website or DM us on Instagram. And of course, please submit your questions there too.

Episode Resources:

Jackie Kai Ellis: Website / Instagram

Sandra Birkenhead: Website / Instagram

You & I Podcast: Website

Resources on finding trusted professional help can be found here.

*Correction: Jackie and Sandra met in 2005, not 1995 as was recorded in the episode

**It needs to be said, I am not a professional, just someone with some personal experience to share. I do hope this is helpful, but as always, take the advice that resonates and ignore what doesn't. And don’t hesitate to seek out professional help through a trusted source. We’ve provided links on our website in case they are needed -JKE

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An advice podcast hosted by Jackie Kai Ellis exploring the questions we’ve all asked. We all struggle, mourn, yearn, question, laugh and cry. No matter who we are, at our core, we are all not so different after all, You & I. You & I is a space for stories, like mirrors, that reflect us all. Questions that we have all wondered in wee hours. Stories that, when shared, inspire us with their honesty, bravery. And through the shared wisdom of the community around us, we come away knowing the most powerful idea, that we are not alone, you & I. Each episode Jackie will sit down with a new guest to explore some of these very questions asked by our community. Connect with us to ask a question, tell us your story or offer a word of advice or encouragement. You are our community, let’s create a safe space to be vulnerable and powerful.
Visit our Website to learn more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.