Episodes

Jen and Sherry cover new ground - shining light and changing the dialogue around darker topics like addiction, abuse, and prostitution. Come for the chat, stay for the epiphanies! We found our way to what feels true; heroines can travel from an existence defined, too often, by shame - to a full life of awe and wonder. Same heroines, new mindset.

Jen and Julia skip the platitudes and go straight into the REAL toll of grief and loss. Julia shares her unique story and how it led to a book, TEDx talk, and an entire body of work around her 5 Realizations for processing loss.

Jen and Matt dive into counter-cultural beliefs around education. While many appear to thrive in our traditional system of schooling - many other children languish. We discuss parenting with high expectations and consistency, leading by example, and educating kids to become self-sufficient adults. How do we empower our brilliant young heroes to make unique contributions to the world - rather than suck it dry?

Jen and Angie discuss stories of romantic love, beyond an idealized “you complete me” model of attraction between man and woman. Jen’s view on love expands as she admires the depth of connection between the lesbian characters in Angie's book. Can these varied love stories (fictional and real life) inspire greater possibilities in all of our relationships, regardless of where we land in gender identity or sexual orientation? Definitely.

This was the conversation that started it all….recorded in February 2020, weeks before life was altered by the pandemic. It is now being released because it is as relevant as ever. Jen discusses personal identity and core beliefs with dear friends and fellow podcasters and creators, Shannon Curtis and Jamie Hill. From lived experience to spiritual roots - these are three very different people having one beautiful conversation. Anyone who heard episode one of Listen for REAL knows that this couple played a major role in the launch of this podcast and the sense of community that Jen strives to create with her own work.

Sean tells the story of nearly being killed in an accident at age 13 - he was given the gift of survival and a vision for a long life of no regret or remorse. This leads Jen to open up and share her struggle with alcohol and recent decision to quit drinking. Many of us spend our lives trying to escape the present moment to get to the next one.

Sean and Jen discuss their white privilege and the idea that we are all influenced by racism if we live in the US. Sean created and delivered the epic TEDx talk, "Dear Racism, A Break-Up Letter from a White Man" - leading to this conversation, They explore the creative process, Divine downloads and sacred messages that need exposure and a willing vessel to evolve.

"You can't tell me it isn't raining outside, just because you're warm and dry indoors..." This is not your typical DEI conversation. Jen and Valerie talk bias and inequality with regard to women in the workplace - oh and newsflash? Hollywood is not as "progressive" as one would think in this regard. Women need to be in the room and influencing the decisions, period.

Jen goes solo and declares that y(our) stories hold the power to change humanity. Audacious? Maybe, but our stories matter. Jen shares a chapter from her own life and also expands on the importance of listening deeply to others. She learned big things reading Tarana Burke's recent book including the stories behind the me too. organization and subsequent #metoo movement.

Jen owns the callous and ignorant manner in which she tossed around terms like: immigrant, illegal, refugee, and asylum seeker. Her largely erroneous assertions led to this vital conversation recorded two years ago - pre-pandemic and in a different political climate. We were determined to finally broadcast this episode because the topic is forever relevant. Jen asks questions of herself and of a pervasive, cultural narrative around immigration - chatting with three people who know of what they speak. Vanassa and Kerry share openly about their relationships with the faces and souls behind these terms and Jawad* (a SIV/Special Immigration Visa holder) provides his harrowing, real world experience fighting terrorism alongside US forces.

Invest 90 seconds into feeling something now OR stuff it and foster a lifetime of neuroses- good times! Jen and Kim discuss love of self as a prerequisite to loving others. It's not hippy, self-indulgent, or weird...it's essential. We expand into eating disorders and other process addictions.

Jen and Kim flesh out trauma, boundaries, and feelings - plus a whole lot more. Kim is a highly sensitive human (and therapist) who feels everything - while Jen explains living disconnected from her body and soul much of her adult life.

Jen admits her tendency toward overwhelm and occasional tantrums when "things don't go right" - while Amanda provides methodical, constructive guidance with her #icann method of problem solving. These two couldn't be more different when it comes to life and career choices, but what a conversation!

Jen confesses her ignorance regarding feminism, patriarchy, misogyny and other big words that she pretty much ignored or misjudged. Julie Gohring is a progressive thinker and feminist focused on human rights and equality. A random question about “mansplaining” brought them together and it has led to many REAL conversations since…

Jen embarks on a second episode with her friend and relationship guru, Staci Bartley, to discuss the institution of marriage over history (shocking!) and the origin of the shame and guilt often attributed to the marriage narrative. As you may recall from their first episode, Jen admits her view on marriage has been limited - the "holy grail and right way” being a long term, contract/covenantal marriage. Staci brings a new perspective stating that relationships may be better under a “lease option” scenario. A definite #antidotetotheechochamber kind of episode.

Jen hosts friend and relationship guru, Staci Bartley, to discuss marriage and a whole new perspective on long term happiness. Both women talk candidly about their own marriages (past and present) and the idea that a successful marriage is not limited to the one model that Jen held dear for the past 5 decades. Staci proposes questions such as, "Is it possible that our concept of marriage is dead since it does not guarantee the life and outcome many of us (including Jen) crave?"

Jen talks candidly about why she created this podcast; from the embarrassing truth of being called out on social media to recognizing and owning her own limited viewpoints.