The Real Intelligence Podcast with Jenny Swim

Send us Fan Mail Rejection doesn’t just hurt—it trains your system. In this episode, Jenny Swim explores why rejection lands in the brain and body as something consequential—and how, over time, it begins to shape who you trust, how much you risk, and how open you stay. You’ll learn the five common response patterns to rejection, the hidden cost of “just getting over it,” and the difference between...

Send us Fan Mail Leadership isn’t just strategy—it’s discernment. Every day, subtle forces shape how we think, what we prioritize, and the decisions we make—often without us noticing. In this episode of The Real Intelligence Podcast , Jenny Swim reveals the hidden pressures influencing modern leaders and why awareness is critical. Learn the three most common influence traps—urgency, conformity, an...

Send us Fan Mail You’re clear on the goal. You know exactly what to do. You’re motivated. And it’s still not working. If you’re a high-functioning leader or achiever, your first instinct is to push harder — tighten habits, optimize systems, fix your mindset. But what if the problem isn’t discipline? In this episode of the Real Intelligence Podcast, Jenny Swim introduces a powerful reframe: most st...

Send us Fan Mail Forgiveness vs Reconciliation — and why confusing them keeps you stuck. In this episode of The Real Intelligence Podcast , Jenny Swim sits down with speaker, author and mental health advocate Ganel-Lyn Condie to untangle one of the most misunderstood concepts in personal growth: forgiveness. Forgiveness is not access. It is not trust. And it is not reconciliation. Together, they e...

Send us Fan Mail Feeling unsettled by world events, in the middle of a transition, or unsure of your next step? In this episode of the Real Intelligence podcast, Jenny Swim explores the skill of orienting —the simple but powerful practice of knowing where you are physically, emotionally, mentally, and relationally. You’ll learn how orienting helps you differentiate what’s yours to carry, pause str...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Real Intelligence Podcast , Jenny Swim explores observation as a defining skill shared by experts across disciplines, from leadership and parenting to aviation, medicine, and emergency response. Drawing on neuroscience and the OODA Loop (Observe–Orient–Decide–Act), Jenny shows how observation creates the critical pause between stimulus and response—and why o...

Send us Fan Mail As we head into a new year, many of us feel pressure to set goals and make resolutions—only to feel overwhelmed, resistant, or unsure where to start. In this episode of The Real Intelligence Podcast , host Jenny Swim introduces a powerful but often overlooked precursor to goal setting: visioning . Using relatable examples from everyday life—like building a home or creating with Le...

Send us Fan Mail What if simplifying your life isn’t about doing less—but about living more intentionally? In this episode of The Real Intelligence Podcast , host Jenny Swim is joined by Alish Anderson , a wife, mother of four, former teacher, and longtime practitioner of intentional living, to explore simplicity as a strategy —not a shortcut. Together, they unpack how cutting the non-essential cr...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Real Intelligence Podcast , Jenny Swim explores the gift of pain—and why it remains one of our greatest teachers, even though we instinctively try to avoid it. Whether emotional, social, spiritual, or physical, pain often triggers familiar reactions: fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. Together, we’ll: Rethink our relationship with pain Recognize our automatic p...

Send us Fan Mail High performers are trained to push, optimize, stay sharp, and deliver. But what if your body is quietly deciding your timeline—and you’re fighting it without realizing it? In this episode of The Real Intelligence Podcast, Jenny Swim and Dr. Cynthia Sumner break down why your body is often ahead of your mind, signaling emotional gaps, stress limits, and belief patterns long before...

Send us Fan Mail One year ago, Come Home to You invited you to reconnect with yourself and your inner wisdom. Today, the journey evolves. In this milestone episode, Jenny Swim introduces The Real Intelligence Podcast and explores what real intelligence truly is—how we understand and move through the world. We break down the three key elements of real intelligence: how we perceive ourselves, how we...

Send us Fan Mail Breakthroughs aren’t smooth — they’re messy, uncertain, and often feel like failure. But what if those moments of chaos are signs your system is reorganizing for something greater? In this episode of Come Home to You , Jenny Swim unpacks the real science of breakthroughs — what neuroscience, nature, and even the CIA’s Aldrich Ames investigation reveal about transformation. You’ll...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever felt something was off but couldn’t name it? Maybe it’s tension at work, restlessness in a relationship, or an emotion you can’t quite identify. That’s the fog of awareness without the clarity that leads to action—and it can quietly drain your energy. In this episode, we explore how the simple act of naming what’s really happening can spark powerful aha moments —turn...

Send us Fan Mail Boundaries are meant to safeguard our wellbeing—but sometimes the very limits we set start working against us. A boundary that once created safety can become a wall that blocks connection, growth, and even innovation. In this episode of Come Home to You , Jenny Swim explores what happens when boundaries backfire . You’ll learn how to recognize the difference between healthy limits...

Send us Fan Mail Empathy is a powerful connector—it allows us to lead, parent, and relate in ways that are authentic, supportive, and deeply human. But when empathy slips into over-identifying or carrying someone else’s pain as our own, it can quickly lead to overwhelm and burnout. In this episode, Jenny explores how to practice empathy in ways that strengthen connection without draining your ener...

Send us Fan Mail What if the beliefs holding you back didn’t even start with you? In this episode, we’re diving into the hidden influence of family generational patterns—the beliefs, behaviors, and roles that get passed down through families, often without us even noticing. We’ll talk about what these patterns are (and why they’re so sneaky), how to spot when you’re living out an inherited script...

Send us Fan Mail How do you get past “Fine,” “Good,” and “Okay” when talking with your kids? In this episode of Come Home to You , Jenny Swim answers a listener’s question about asking curiosity-based questions that feel natural—not like an interrogation. Building on Episode 23 ( The Power of Questions ), Jenny shares five practical techniques to create deeper, more engaging dialogue: making it fu...

Send us Fan Mail What if play isn't just for kids—but a powerful, untapped instinct that fuels emotional intelligence, creativity, and leadership? In this episode, Dr. Patricia Hohlbein joins us to challenge our cultural conditioning around productivity and "wasted time," revealing how play is actually essential to how we think, connect, and thrive. We explore Patty’s fascinating do...

Send us Fan Mail In a world flooded with information, curated images, and competing voices, it’s easy to lose track of what’s real. How do you know what to trust—online, in conversation, or even within yourself? This episode dives into the growing challenge of discernment in both our personal and professional lives. From algorithm-fed narratives to the quiet undercurrents of self-doubt, we explore...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we explore the underestimated power of asking better questions—not just of others, but of ourselves. Whether you're leading a team, navigating a tough conversation, or sitting with your own inner conflict, the way you question matters. We'll explore: How to shift from judgment to genuine curiosity,  Why simple, open-ended questions can be powerful connec...

Send us Fan Mail What does it really mean to be in the driver’s seat of your own life—aware, engaged, and choosing your next move without white-knuckling the wheel? We often find ourselves caught between what we can’t control and the pressure to manage everything else. On one side is the urge to over-function; on the other, the sense that life is just happening to us. This episode explores that in...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Come Home to You , we explore a kind of confidence that doesn’t rely on performance, perfection, or praise. This is character-based confidence —a grounded trust, rooted in who you are, not just what you can do. We’ll look at how to build confidence anchored in an internal reference point —your inherent worth. You’ll learn how courageous authenticity and integrit...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we dive into “the gap” —the often overlooked but deeply fertile space between where you are now and where you want to be. This in-between can feel uncertain, even disorienting—but it’s also where clarity forms, creativity stirs, and transformation takes place. We’ll explore the gift within this space by examining three core elements: discomfort, control, and aware...

Send us Fan Mail Feeling torn between what you should do and what you truly want? In this guest episode, Carrie Dowling introduces The Four Factors —her grounded, values-based tool that brings clarity and confidence to your decision-making. Carrie unpacks how roles and expectations can cloud your judgment, how core growth-oriented values help reveal who you are and what you really want, and how to...

Send us Fan Mail Your window of tolerance is more than a stress gauge—it’s a reflection of your current capacity to engage, respond, and lead with presence. In this episode, we explore your window of tolerance, why it matters, and what it reveals about how you're relating to stress, challenge, and change. You’ll learn how to spot the signs of nervous system overload, why pacing is essential f...