Beyond The Margins with Jen Chambers

This week's episode is the audio from a live Podcasting Office Hour I hosted on 6/6/16. This hour is all about editing your podcast. I shared how-tos, tips, and tricks to make it easy and fun. As my own podcast coach Cathy Heller says, "Make it fun and it will get done." That's great advice.

When I switched podcasting hosts, some episodes did not transfer over, so I'm reposting here. This episode originally came out 02/13/26. This episode is full of great advice from seasoned podcasters who answered my questions about what they wish they’d known before starting their podcasting journey.

In switching from another platform, some episodes did not transfer, so I'm reposting them here. This originally aired on 5/15/26. Today’s episode is the full audio of a recent Podcasting Office Hour I hosted for the members of my Podcasting Classes. I talk a bit about monetization and go over some examples of the equipment my library recently purchased. I share these as good options for your o...

In switching this show from another platform, some episodes did not transfer, so I'm reposting them here. This episode originally aired on 05/08/26. In today’s episode, I sit down with 81-year-old storyteller, lifelong learner, and future podcaster Ardean Maxey for a moving conversation about aging, memory, community, libraries, loss, change, and the stories that connect generations. We talk a...

In switching this show from another platform, some episodes didn't translate, so I'm reposting them here. This originally aired on 5/01/26. “They called me a warrior, but I didn’t want to fight.” Today I’m sharing an interview with my friend, musician, teacher, and mom, Jen Sennett Franklin. That one line from this interview says everything. We love neat language around suffering. We wrap...

In switching this show from a different platform, some shows didn't translate, so I'm reposting them here. This originally aired on 3/14/26. It’s hard to believe how many years have passed since the world first began shutting down in response to COVID-19 . For many of us, those years feel both distant and strangely close. Life slowed. Plans changed. Entire ways of living vanished overnight...

In transferring this show from another platform, some episodes didn't translate, so I'm posting them here. This originally aired on 3/27/26. When we talk about Oregon history, the same names tend to rise to the surface. We talk about explorers, pioneers, and political leaders. But what about the women who quietly reshaped the foundations of democracy here? In this episode of Beyond the Mar...

In transferring this show from another platform, some episodes didn't transfer, so I'm reposting here. This originally aired on 1/23/26. You may have heard all the chatter about going back to analog things for 2026 and beyond. I want to share the things I do that are analog, or Granny-core, or goblin-core, old-fashioned, basic, whatever you want to call it, and see if there are some that you like....

In transferring the show from another platform, some episodes didn't translate, so I'm reposting them here. This originally aired 1/16/26. Today’s episode is a general check-in and a comeback from the great sickness of 2025-26. It’s also an announcement that I received a Storytelling Fellowship from Oregon Humanities, and an exploration of that project.

In transferring this show from another platform, some episodes didn't translate, so I'm reposting them here. This originally aired on 1/09/26. The beginning of the year asks a lot of us. Be new. Be better. Be motivated. Be ready. This week on Beyond The Margins , I’m pushing back on that noise. After being sick through the end of the year and into January, I had to stop—even with episodes...

In transferring this show from another podcast provider, some episodes didn't translate, so I'm repeating them here. This originally aired on 12/19/25. Fireside Stories This week, we’re creating tangible memories and stories: story stones, handwritten cards, apple cider & cinnamon shortbread, and memory garlands. Slow down, honor your memories, and create new stories this season. Which...

In importing this show from another podcast provider, some episodes didn't translate, so I'm repeating them here. This originally aired on 12/07/25. Week 5 of The Slow Season is all about Cozy Corners . Discover simple handmade rituals, winter snacks, and journaling prompts to create your personal sanctuary this season. Slow down, sip your tea, and craft a space that welcomes presence and...

In switching from another podcast provider, some episodes didn't translate, so I'm repeating them here. This episode originally aired 11/27/25. Week 4 of The Slow Season is here: Winter Light . This week, we explore small, intentional ways to bring warmth and light into our homes and hearts. Recipes, DIY crafts, and reflections encourage mindful moments in a season that can feel rushed or...

In switching from another podcast provider, some episodes didn't translate. This episode originally aired 11/21/25. Week 3 of The Slow Season is here! This week, we explore Kitchen Rituals —simple, handmade moments in the kitchen that ground us in presence and intention. Recipes I talked about in this episode are HERE .

This week on The Slow Season , I’m talking about the simple, sacred act of making things by hand—especially during the coziest, slowest time of year. We’ll craft together through five handmade gifts: -dried cinnamon-sugar apple slices -orange garlands -rolled beeswax candles -rosemary sea salt -little sachets filled with scent and care Plus, my favorite ginger shortbread recipe—complete with glute...

In switching podcast hosts, this episode did not transfer. It originally aired 10/30/25). This week feels like slow magic. Halloween parties, spooky stories, and a cozy writing robe in progress (more on that later). I’m leaning into this idea of a “slow season” — where creativity has space to breathe and we remember what we actually love about this time of year. And this week’s cozy ritual? Brewin...

“Midlife isn’t a crisis. It’s an awakening. It’s your soul calling you home.” — Kena Siu This week on Beyond the Margins , I sat down with empowerment guide Kena Siu , whose work helps women reconnect to the wholeness that’s always been theirs—body, mind, heart, and sensual self. Kena believes that joy, pleasure, and presence are sacred tools for healing. Through her Midlife Butterfly community, s...

A new way to shape your memoir, find your message, and share your truth. 🎧 INTRO Hey friends, welcome back to Your Voice Matters . I’m Jen Chambers, and I’m ridiculously excited about today’s episode. We’re flipping the script this week—literally. We’re talking about writing your life story… as a TED Talk. Now, I’m not just saying this as someone who binge-watches TED on YouTube in fuzzy socks wi...

Send us a text What if you don’t need to write an entire memoir—but just one powerful story that captures a moment of change? In this final episode of the Write Your Story series, Jen guides you through how to craft one personal narrative that holds the emotional depth and power of a full-length book. Whether you’re brand new to writing or deep into your draft, this episode will help you zoom in o...

Send us a text ✨ In this special episode of Your Voice Matters with Jen Chambers , we begin a 12-week creative recovery journey inspired by Julia Cameron’s beloved book The Artist’s Way . Week One is all about recovering a sense of safety —unlearning creative fear, quieting the inner critic, and making space for your true voice to emerge.  💬 Jen shares personal insights, practical tools, and ref...

Send us a text In this week’s Your Voice Matters , Jen walks you through the transformation phase of storytelling: revision. Not just about fixing grammar or trimming words, revision is where your story takes shape, gains power, and becomes the version that speaks to others—and to you.  📚 Highlights include:  3 deep-dive revision exercises to make your chapters pop Tips from Self-Editing for Fict...

Send us a text  What if personal growth isn’t about “fixing” yourself—but about discovering new layers of who you already are? In this inspiring episode of Your Voice Matters , Jen shares her own ongoing journey of growth, from training to become a yoga teacher to strumming her way through ukulele lessons to experimenting with electronic music production (spoiler: it’s weirdly meditative, and she...

Send us a text Ever get stuck in a scene that just won’t move? Or find yourself over-explaining something that felt so powerful in the moment? You’re not alone—and today, we’re cracking the code on pacing and structure.  In this episode of Your Voice Matters with Jen Chambers , we’ll explore how to keep your story emotionally rich and well-paced so your readers stay engaged from start to finish. T...

Send us a text In this special episode of Your Voice Matters with Jen Chambers , we’re diving into healing and reclaiming our power—one breath, one choice, one story at a time. Drawing from the transformative "Paths to Recovery" section of The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, we explore what it means to own your story, reconnect with your body, and trust your intuition ag...

Send us a text  Theme isn't just for English class — it's the emotional heartbeat of your story. In Week 9 of our Write Your Story series, we’re exploring how theme gives your writing depth, clarity, and resonance. Whether it’s resilience, freedom, love, or transformation, your theme helps guide both you and your reader toward meaning.  🎧 In this episode:  How to uncover the theme in yo...