Listen for REAL

She was discovered hitchhiking on a busy interstate. Barefoot. Tasmanian devil boxer shorts. Ripped t-shirt. Her dog — off leash — right beside her as cars raced past them. That's the story Michele Capots told her 16-year-old nephew over dinner. The nephew who had just ghosted her after finding out she'd been hospitalized for severe depression. This episode is about what happens when you finally s...

J. Ross Parrelli is a rapper, slam poet, educator, and founder of Beats Lyrics Leaders — a hip hop arts education organization that has worked with over 50,000 students across 150+ classrooms, from military academies to Native American reservations. In this conversation, J. Ross and Jen go deep on what it actually costs to speak your truth and what it gives back. J. Ross shares the story of being...

Episode overview In this candid, tender conversation, Jen Oliver and Jen Aks discuss what it means to tell the truth and end a relationship—especially when it was seemingly “really good.” There was no villain and no tidy explanation that satisfies logic. Jen Aks shares the pivotal choice to leave her 20-year marriage, the internal cost of trusting her body when her mind demanded proof, and how tru...

I once believed -  ignorantly - that “guidance” according to our star signs & astrological charts was for softheaded people needing the power of suggestion to make decisions. This conversation with Rachel Loewenherz blew my echo chamber wide open.  Rachel shares her journey from a traditional background, Ivy League education, and corporate career to embracing spirituality and astrology. Along the...

I was always intrigued by the premise behind “Love Is Blind” - a reality show where singles try to find a match and fall in love -- without ever seeing each other face-to-face, as emotional connection attempts to conquer physical attraction. Full disclosure, I don’t watch TV so I haven’t seen an episode but still, the notion of moving beyond physical appearance and chemistry feels simultaneously i...

My conversation with Dr. Kasi Lacey speaks to a common experience among many; a woman and leader confronting the glass ceiling in an organization. Kasi was passed over more than once for positions she was eminently qualified for “because they were instructed to hire a man…” Her encounter with gender bias became an inflection point; she did a new thing and made the decision to walk in and “act like...

In this conversation, Amber Abila and I discuss the challenges many of us face when it comes to listening to our bodies, setting boundaries, and giving voice to what’s true for us. Amber is a binge and overeating coach, while I coach people to speak with impact and clarity from their truest voice. We both see huge overlap in our coaching practices and agree that listening to our body is crucial fo...

I don’t often use the word “enlightening” but this conversation with Lara Waldman was just that. We explored our stories of spiritual awakening, the ways that we understand this elusive term called “manifestation,” and our unique journeys of self-discovery. This was a topic of conversation that I once would have labeled heretical and taboo because it didn’t align with my limited viewpoint or echo...

When echo chambers collide you get the best conversation! I sat down with Justin Cauthen, a man with 20 years of military service and five combat tours to his credit - not to mention leadership roles in situations and countries where hostility is often the norm. His story is powerful. And so is his heart. We talked about things that matter deeply—PTSD, suicide, the ripple effect trauma has across...

Y’all, this episode with Bara Mann was one that I want you to be a part of. We talked about belonging, identity, and the stories we tell ourselves—especially the ones that no longer serve us. Bara shared her childhood moments of trying to fit in - and I talked of what that looks like as an adult. I’ve been that chameleon too—fitting in everywhere, but not necessarily showing all of me . This conve...

Reading “Horribly Lovely” was exactly that…and, I could not stop turning the pages. My conversation with the author, Jon Kohrs, went deep as we talked about his “Horribly Lovely” journey. I will avoid spoilers, but this newly released book may cause you to reconsider many things. I confess to sitting in judgment of people and behaviors that Jon’s writing exposes; from addiction to marital infideli...

Janice and I unpack our personal fears and the unique way she continues to overcome hers. I am someone who has historically craved certainty and safety - and as usual – my perspective shifts and so does our conversation! Our discussion pivoted into dating, love and our own relationships and divorces. We got into communication and breakups and the way fear can be both debilitating and liberating. I...

One year ago, a Valentine’s Day love letter came my way and I recorded my thoughts about it. This week’s episode is a replay and is the perfect precursor to my next conversation in which I unpack all that has changed (or not) in the last year…Join me. About Jen Oliver: Jen Oliver is a speaker, podcaster, and communications coach - equipping people to speak with greater impact and presence. Whether...

I am honored to be in conversation with Mark Patinkin, finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in international reporting, as he shares an array of human stories that help us to grasp the complexities of life and war in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. Patinkin moves from armchair commentaries to analyst to storyteller and beautifully amplifies voices and perspectives that need to be heard. He goes into th...

My limited view on love and relationships has been blown wide open again. Anna K. Morris is on the “couch” with me and we talk super candidly about true love and knowledge of self in our romantic partnerships. This is NOT the rom-com, cultural ideal, religiously formed, or social media driven version of “love and romance.” We talk about the REAL, exciting, painful, ego-challenging and even non-con...

My friend and guest, Kelley Sewell, says her voice felt small in her younger years –yet when she wrote, she found solace and empowerment in the act of writing—her pen becoming a powerful tool to express what couldn’t always be spoken. Join me in an intimate conversation with Kelley, a skilled book editor and writer, as we unpack the journey of discovering our true voice through writing, speaking a...

I loved my conversation with Brad Walsh, a boudoir photographer and male ally in the women’s empowerment space. Brad has a quality about him that makes a potentially sensitive topic totally accessible - we delve right into the art and beauty we’ve uniquely experienced when clothing is removed.  This chat transcends lingerie, eroticism and taking pictures purely to create turn-on in another person...

I am “on the couch” in conversation with Saloma Fisher who lived until age 32 in a conservative Amish community; we covered stuff that shocked me right out of my own misconceptions. Yes, there are the typical things many are aware of…no cars, modern conveniences, outside influences, music, or TV. BUT, the drinking, partying and “bed courting” that begins for some Amish youth around age 16? Lesser...

We got passionate and informed in this episode. I had the honor of hosting @TracyDeTomasi, CEO of Callisto, a survivor-founded nonprofit that has been able to create an encrypted platform allowing sexual assault survivors to find others harmed by the same perpetrator, without requiring them to report or come forward publicly. With a match in the Callisto Vault system, survivors receive free and co...

Oh this conversation, EEEEEEK! Femily Howe joins me on the “couch” and we cover the best stuff - from unconventional relationships to gender equity at its creative and inclusive best in our corporate cultures. Add in a killer discussion on feminism and the value of keeping our labels and then top the conversation off with Femily’s expanded definition of queer – and my echo chamber is blown-all-the...

This conversation was powerful and a testimony to what is possible! Jacia Kornwise shares parts of her compelling journey from victimhood to survivorship, illustrating the liberating tool of emotional and physical expression. Her energy, clarity, strength and ability to thrive inspires me… Join us as we explore the deep-seated connection between trauma, movement, and healing.  Her insights are enr...

I  spoke with Lisa Howard because I recall making assumptions about “activists” in previous years, especially as it relates to climate change. Full disclosure, I KNEW NOTHING about the state of our planet or the climate and simply parroted what I would hear conservative pundits assert. .   SO now, I have conversations like these to learn, expand my perspective, and shift where necessary. This conv...

I am upping the ante on REAL conversations as I sit down with my close friends, Jill Osur and Lisa Orrell.  Jill and Lisa's not-so-random meeting led to a partnership that's as dynamic as it is loving. Their relationship teaches and challenges me and our open-hearted talks underscore the power of honest friendships - the kind in which we can show up authentically while paving the way to a more equ...

I am doing my level best to get out of my head and connect more deeply with my soul and this conversation with Michal Spiegelman was right on time (aren’t all REAL conversations that way?) Michal is a master at helping us to tune into and dialogue with our soul. We discuss the spectrum of experiences and emotions that come with living soulFULLY –  and Michal explains the difference between soul-ca...

My preconceived notions on the gender transition experience got BLOWN UP thanks to this conversation with Andrea Leigh - a powerful woman of influence straight outta Oklahoma - with an affinity for fashion, tattoos, sports cars, Harleys and guns. Andrea has the unique perspective and wisdom that comes from living a full and satisfying life as a man and now, as a woman. She has strong opinions abou...