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Listen for REAL

I'm Jen - a white, cisgendered, straight-identifying, American-born woman with a history of Christian and conservative influences. My lived experience is one of solid economic security and educational privilege. All of this shaped the lens through which I viewed life for the majority of my adult years - and it created a comfortable echo chamber where “my existing views were neatly reinforced and alternative ideas were rarely considered…”

This no longer works for me.

I decided to pursue meaningful work, passion projects, and relationships that would serve as "antidotes to the echo chamber." This podcast is part of that work. Rather than put people in stereotypical boxes - I want to grow more curious and open minded. This means listening deeply to another person’s perspective, especially those who differ from me. It means challenging my old paradigms and assumptions.

I pursue this on a public platform because I want to foster this mindset shift in our culture. My guests and I believe that conversations heard here will spur more healthy exchanges, marked by a spirit of inquiry with and for the people in our lives (especially those whom we don’t know or understand yet).

Join the conversation.

Visit other offerings by Jen

Recent Episodes

March 18, 2024

Two women and a conversation about race and grace

Here I am, a white chick, learning what’s appropriate to ask of a black woman when it comes to her lived experience. Thank God for Wanda Smith who is grace and wisdom embodied into one beautiful human. I ask a …

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Feb. 17, 2024

The Valentine letter I received

A love letter ended up in my hands. It’s the week of all things LOVE and I’m feeling moved to record an impromptu, mini-episode with just us…you and me – as I share a message received on Valentine's Day. I …

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Feb. 13, 2024

REALity check: Listening to our bodies

Another REALity check on the couch with one of my besties - Christina and I share honest stuff about our bodies and how to process emotions and the sensations we feel. It gets pretty personal at points.

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Feb. 1, 2024

Adversity to REAL Impact with Dr. Sarah Almilli

This talk with Dr. Sarah Almilli underscores the very reason I started this podcast! We start with my recap of when I was called a racist (among other fun things) on social media – and my determination to pursue conversations …

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Jan. 15, 2024

A spiritual conversation with no suitable title

I love convos where we explore spirituality without arguing religion, dogma, and “which faith corners the market on righteousness.” My beliefs have shifted profoundly over the years and a spirit of inquiry and exploration feels like church to me. Thanks …

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Jan. 8, 2024

This is the face of PTSD?

Megan O’Connor was a 15-year career firefighter and medic when I met her; a woman of huge kindness and empathy while being equally determined and strong. AND she was suffering greatly. These things can be true at the same time.

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Jan. 1, 2024

Redefining Success: From Big Law to Self-Care

A killer conversation with Julian Sarafian, former big law attorney turned private practice advocate for content creators, social media influencers, and startups. Julian's journey is a revelation about the intense pressures of high-powered professions and a testimony to choosing work …

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Dec. 25, 2023

Embracing peace in the wake of loss

A REAL conversation about losing Mom. Christina Fichera is back - and unpacks her recent experience of watching her mom die and the random hospice pamphlet that changed her own grieving process.

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Dec. 19, 2023

How to begin again, NO MATTER WHAT

“Embrace the suck.” Not quite what I expected to hear from Marine widow Erin Nichols as she opens up about her commitment as a young wife of a deployed soldier, her husband Sam’s catastrophic injury while serving in Iraq, and …

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Dec. 7, 2023

Imposter syndrome, DEI=B, and reframing the word “should”

I often wonder, “Who do I think I am? I’m having conversations around topics that I don’t fully understand. What if I say something wrong…what will people think?” Yep, imposter syndrome still rears its ugly head with me - and …

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Nov. 27, 2023

Speaking y(our) truth by getting out of your head

Sara Bareilles sings, “...let your words be anything but empty…” and I discuss this concept with Eliza Maroney as a guest on her podcast last Spring. AND, in listening back to the podcast, I notice a slightly hollow sound in …

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Nov. 20, 2023

We decide the end of the story even when we didn’t choose Chapter 1

I can’t get over this deep convo with Albert Chavez and the commonalities we share, despite vastly different backgrounds. A boy raised around violence, addiction, and fear teaches this “educated” white girl about excellence.

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