Over two decades ago, I failed to protect my son during a pivotal moment in his life. The memory of this experienced weighed on my soul and the guilt wasn't relieved until I took the brave step to engage in a meaningful conversation with him about it. The result was a new level of love, connection and understanding between the two of us.
This is the power of relationship repair and my guest Connie Jakab knows all about this.
From owning a hip hop studio to crusading for change in our education system, Connie Jakab is a maverick on the topic of belonging and how to make our workplaces, schools and homes become spaces for true connection and growth.
Connie recently made the courageous decision to leave the security of a steady income to pursue a full time entrepreneurial venture as a speaker, author and thought leader in the space of mental health awareness.
In this episode, you’ll hear why she made this brave decision and how her son’s struggles with mental health and suicide ideation was a catalyst for her writing the Bring Them Closer book series.
In this episode
Resources:
https://www.instagram.com/conniejakab
Free manifesto of encouragement:
https://jackiedumaine.com/manifesto
What’s your relationship like with money and finances? What does financial independence mean for you and why are so many women struggling to achieve it?
In this episode, I have a real and raw convo with Janine Rogan, Founder and CEO of The Wealth Building Academy, TedX Speaker and author of The Pink Tax: Dismantling a Financial System Designed to Keep Women Broke.
Here’s a glimpse into what we covered:
Janine’s mission is to educate and empower women to confidently and profitably grow their wealth so that we don’t have to stay stuck living a life that disempowers us
If you’re already passionate about building wealth, you might gain a new perspective and if the thought of wealth building intimidates you, Janine shares the one thing you can do right now.
Connect with Janine on Instagram
Visit the podcast page here: https://jackiedumaine.com
What does a 102 year old doctor and practicing life consultant (yes, she’s still working) have to say about love, life, laughter, labour and listening? You're about to find out.
In this episode, you’ll meet Dr. Gladys McGarey, a pioneer in the allopathic and holistic medical movements, co-founder of both the American Board of Holistic Medicine and the Academy of Parapsychology and Medicine, and founder of the International Academy of Clinical Hypnosis.
And most of this happened before women could even open their own bank accounts.
She’s recently published her newest book The Well-Lived Life and shares her 6 Secrets to Health and Happiness at any age.
We cover topics like:
Dr. Gladys is living proof that it’s never too late to live your life and you’re never too old to find your voice.
Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/begladmd/
Buy her book: https://gladysmcgarey.com/
If you’re in the process of revamping your life, you might want to start with revamping your wardrobe. Why? Because fashion, energy and manifestation are more connected than you think.
In this episode, I have an open conversation with Megan Szanik about how the clothes we wear can either dilute or amplify our energy and how we show up in the world and above all, how we show up for ourselves.
Megan is the owner, visionary and creator of Espy - a more-than-a-clothing boutique in the wonderful city of Calgary and in the amazing community of Inglewood, that specializes in using fashion as a vehicle to empower confidence in all folks of all sizes.
Over the year she’s collected numerous accolades for both her entrepreneurial and philanthropic endeavors but in today’s conversation we dig below the surface of it all and explore themes like curiosity, authenticity, human connection and how the state of your closet might be a clue as to how intentional you are (or aren’t) with how you live.
In this episode:
Resources:
Follow Megan on Instagram:
Much of the world is experiencing wildfires right now and you might be feeling helpless around what you can do and how you can support. In this impromptu and unedited episode, I share how digging into your memory bank for moments of joy can help shift the collective energy and offer a tribute to the land and residents of these beautiful places being affected.
In this episode:
Thank you to all the first responders: law enforcement, paramedics, firefighters and countless volunteers who are risking their lives to protect land, homes and lives.
I was going to share links to various organizations that need support right now, however there are too many to list. Please research the resources available in your community and find out how you can donate and support those who are affected, evacuated and displaced.
You’ve heard of Madonna, but have you heard of Natalie Clifford Barney?
If you’re inspired by women who live bold and unapologetic lives, this episode will give you a historic glimpse into the colourful and spicy world of a woman who, in the early 1900’s, decided to pursue every passionate pull of her heart, even if it meant being criticized and ostracized from of society.
In this episode:
Resources:
Your Invitation: Join the She Starts Now community
BOOK: Wild Heart: A Life: Natalie Clifford Barney and the Decadence of Literary Paris
FREE Download: Manifesto of Encouragement
Do you keep repeating a toxic pattern over and over knowing it’s harming you?
Being consciously aware that you’re engaging in (or about to engage in) something that you know going to hurt you later is the most painful type of awareness there is.
However, this pain is almost always a necessary and beautiful catalyst for transformation and change.
In this episode:
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Overwhelm. Guilt. Regret. Worry. Forgetfulness. Brain fog. If you’re feeling any of these more than you’d like to be and are desperate for some relief, there might be an important factor that you’ve overlooked.
If your energy is being scattered in a million directions, and there never seems to be enough time, chances are you’re living in the past or the future way more than you’re living in the right now (also known as your LIFE).
But what does being “present” mean anymore in a world full of distractions?
In this episode:
Grab a notebook, you'll need it!
Resources:
Need a boost of encouragement? Download this free manifesto: https://jackiedumaine.com/poem
Want to reach out? Email me: hello@jackiedumaine.com
For more content like this follow me on Instagram
What’s your relationship like with your intuition? You know, those nudges or gut feelings you get when you know something’s not quite right OR when something is full on right?
I’m joined by Certified Numerologist and Energy Strategist Jessica Cerato to talk about intuition and how the science of numbers (yes, it’s a science) can help you tap into yours along with real life tools you can start using right now to strengthen your inner guidance system.
And, if you often notice numeric patterns around you, like seeing the numbers 11:11, or 2:22, you’re going to find out why and what it means.
We also dive into our own personal experiences with following intuition and how a deep meditation led Jessica down a path from Wall Street to HR/Finance to becoming the numerology expert she is today and a fun story on how following my own intuition had me hanging out at an espresso bar in New York City with Simon Sinek.
In this episode:
Learn more about Jessica at:
https://www.instagram.com/jessica.cerato
Are you over 45 and feel like your having a breakdown? Check out this episode:
https://www.jackiedumaine.com/she-starts-now-episodes/8
Need a boost of encouragement? Download this free Manifesto of Encouragement (I wrote it just for you). www.jackiedumaine.com/poem
If you struggle to make confident decisions or if you're a self professed control freak - or, if you’ve ever caught yourself saying: “Why do things have to be so complicated?” in a burst of overwhelm, this one’s for you.
In this episode, I share how a simple realization about how we make a jigsaw puzzle can be a direct reflection of how we live our lives. This one shift can help you let go of needing to know the outcome while you learn to trust the process, trust your decisions and trust yourself.
If life feels complicated right now, this episode might help bring you closer to simplicity.
In this episode:
Resources:
Email: hello@jackiedumaine.com
Instagram: Jackie Dumaine
Podcast website: jackiedumaine.com/podcast
If you catch yourself falling into the comparison trap, you're going to get something out of this episode and if it feels like you may not be living as authentically as you’d like to be, I’ll share 5 questions that will lead you toward knowing yourself in a more connected way.
Get ready to head on a trip down memory lane, especially for any GenXers listening. I can pretty much guarantee a few laughs and some head nods as you think “yeah, I remember that”.
In this episode:
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
(listen to the episode to learn how to use these for maximum impact)
If this or any episode has made an impact in your life, I’d love to hear from you. DM me @jackiedumaine on Instagram or email hello@jackiedumaine.com
Need a boost of encouragement? Download this free Manifesto of Encouragement (I wrote it just for you). www.jackiedumaine.com/poem
Find the podcast show notes at: jackiedumaine.com/podcast
Check out the Okanagan - so beautiful!
BELONGING: What is true belonging? Why is it that so many of us feel incredibly alone even when surrounded by family, colleagues and friends?
In this solo episode, I get real, raw and vulnerable and openly share some of the struggles I’ve experienced for most of my life by confusing what it means to belong with the appearance of fitting in and the desire to be understood.
Thanks to Brené Brown's powerful and very important work on belonging, you'll learn the difference between true belonging and fitting in and how courage play an important role in fully owning who we are.
I also reference The Breakfast Club movie as an incredibly accurate representation of the quest to belong and how we all face the same challenges behind the curtains - regardless of what it looks like on the outside. GenXers, you're gonna love this.
Look, I don’t have life or myself all figured out and despite what you may see on social media, I struggle too. I really, really do. Some days a little. Some days a LOT.
I struggle with things like self acceptance, comparison and fully embracing every complex fraction and layer of what makes me who I am.
If you’ve ever struggled to belong, this one’s for you my friend.
In this episode:
Learn more about She Starts Now here: https://www.jackiedumaine.com/she-starts-now
If you have ever wished for more passion in your life OR maybe you think you’re living with a ton of it right now, you’re going to be blown away by what you’ll learn about what passion really means.
In this solo episode, I put my research hat on and dive into the history and the roots of the word passion and its connection to the words suffering and enthusiasm (this will shock you!)
I also share 5 action steps you can take right now to immediately bring more passion into your life. These action steps were inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci, you know the guy who painted the Mona Lisa which I’m sure was done with a whole lot of passion.
And lastly, we’ll explore if passion and security can co-exist.
Can a wildly passionate life be lived within the walls of your comfort zone?
In this episode:
The 5 Action Steps Suggested in this Episode (full details on how to practice them in the episode)
Book: How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci
FREE Download: A Poem of Encouragement
Official Podcast page: Head here
June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month and to recognize this, I've recorded a special "HE" Starts Now edition of the She Starts Now podcast.
If you have a boy, young man or adult man in your life or if you are one yourself, please listen to this intimate conversation with my friend Zak about the struggles men face when it comes to grief, shame, loneliness, addiction and vulnerability.
Zak is a tech and digital media entrepreneur based in Calgary, host of the CanadianPodcast and founder of a brand new initiative he recently launched with a team of men from across Canada.
This initiative is MenTell.ca
Their aim is to end the stigma surrounding men's mental health and to encourage men from all walks of life to use their voice - either in person or online - by sharing strategies on what’s helped them on the path to mental and emotional wellbeing.
Through storytelling, education and open conversations, the objective of MenTELL is to inspire at least one individual to realize they are not alone in this.
Zak believes that when men share what’s real for them, they become a beacon of hope not only for themselves but for todays and for tomorrow’s generation.
In this episode Zak openly shares about his own struggles and what helped him climb out of a very dark hole (and what can help you too).
In this episode:
Learn More & Get Involved:
https://www.instagram.com/mentell.ca/
"Step Into The Circle: The Compassion Prison Project
https://compassionprisonproject.org/
Have you ever let money shame hold you back from learning about investing? You’re not alone. This episode will help you shatter the beliefs that you don’t know enough, don’t have enough or that it’s too late.
From buying her first home at 20 to now owning 9 properties (and counting), Victoria Cluney is passionate about mentoring regular everyday women, just like you and me, on the rewards of building wealth through real estate.
In this heart-to-heart conversation you’ll learn how Victoria’s military background has helped her foster discipline and resilience, how she juggles motherhood alongside her dynamic career all while pursuing a master's degree in organizational psychology.
(hint, it’s all about values and boundaries!).
AND - you’ll learn why her most recent project of renovating a very dated ocean front motel in Nova Scotia is lighting her up (and it has nothing to do with money).
Victoria serves on the board of directors for Ottawa Real Estate Investing Organization and currently leads the Ottawa chapter of Real Estate InvestHER meetups, when she empowers women from all walks of life with the education and the community needed to invest in their first property and more importantly in their financial future.
In this episode:
Learn more about Victoria and her projects at jackiedumaine.com/podcast
{Solo} Explore five ways you might be negotiating your dreams, your goals, your happiness and yourself. You’ll learn the most important question to ask to determine if you’re negotiating your self-worth (your answer will confirm if you are or not).
If it turns out you ARE negotiating yourself, you’ll get one actionable tool you can start using today to change this AND I have a gift for you - it’s something that will give you a daily spark of courage and encouragement on the road to non-negotiable living.
In this Episode, You’ll Learn:
GET YOUR FREE MANIFESTO DOWNLOAD HERE:
https://www.jackiedumaine.com/manifesto
Or on instagram @jackiedumaine.com
If you believe in the power of music to help us heal our nervous systems and feel our emotions, this episode will have you humming sweet harmonies in your soul.
I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Desiree Dawson, an award winning recording artist, singer, songwriter, producer, yoga teacher, sound healing facilitator, CBC radio favorite, Key Change Artist and a Juno award nominee.
And, she’s so much more than that.
Desiree is an incredibly joyful and introspective young woman who is wise beyond her years. We explore what it takes to pursue a calling, the lessons she learned from deciding to live in an RV and the inspiration behind her soul touching and nervous system soothing lyrics.
And, a treat for you, she wraps up our time together with a special a capella performance of her brand new single, I Am Blessed.
In this Episode, We Discuss:
Get the show notes and links to follow Desirée at www.jackiedumaine.com/podcast
Why would a woman want to quit her very successful corporate career at the age of 51, in the middle of a pandemic, to pursue a career as an online influencer and image coach for women over 40? Because the desire to fully express her creativity and explore the bigness of her potential was far greater than the need for safety and security.
This isn’t a sugar coated episode that makes “quitting your job to follow your dreams” seem like a glamorous inspirational story worthy experience. It’s scary and it’s hard. And we dive into the truth of it all…
Jen Polt is the star behind the @ makingupforglossedtime Instagram account which she started as a passion project but it soon exploded into one of the leading resources 40+ women turn to for light hearted beauty, image and radical self-love midlife guidance.
In this Episode, We Discuss:
If you’ve been considering making a career shift after 40, this episode will give you the inspiration to see that it is possible and that above all, you fully deserve to step into the fullest expression of who you are - at any age.
All show notes are available at jackiedumaine.com
{Solo Episode} If you've ever found yourself wondering if you're going crazy, losing your mind, having a breakdown, or spinning into a mid-life crisis, what I'm about to share may help positively shift your perspective. In this episode of She Starts Now, I get real about my own story with inner chaos and how I learned to reframe the experience from something I desperately tried to escape from to something I learned to embrace.
Topics covered in this episode include:
Going through this type of experience is intense, but when embraced, it can be truly transformative. Tune in to learn how.
All show notes are available at jackiedumaine.com!
Resources Mentioned:
Join the She Starts Now Movement: shestartsnow.com
If you have a vagina, you’re going to want to listen to this episode.
In this episode of She Starts Now, I sat down with Maria Wu. During this conversation, we are going to get real and intimate about all parts of ourselves as women and how we can learn to relieve some of the shame and learn to love all of our flowery bits.
Maria Wu is a mother of three, sister of many, entrepreneur by trade, and philanthropist at heart. She is the Founder and CEO of Maud Medical Clinic, a vaginal health clinic in Bridgeland Calgary, aimed to advocate for access to equitable healthcare for Women.
Topics covered in this episode include:
Maria's story is going to inspire you beyond belief, so make sure to tune in!
All show notes are available at jackiedumaine.com!
Resources Mentioned:
Visit the MAUD Medical website: https://www.maudmedical.com/
Follow Maria on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealmariawu/
Follow MAUD Medical on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maudmedical/
Are you navigating the Imposter Complex?
In this episode of She Starts Now, I sat down with the majestic Tanya Geisler to talk about the Imposter Complex. This is something that so many high achieving women go through but the truth is, a graceful Imposter Complex could be one of the most beautiful things we could embody.
Tanya Geisler is a certified Leadership Coach, in-demand international TEDxWomen speaker, and writer who teaches leaders how to combat their Imposter Complex and lead with ICONIC impact so they can achieve their ultimate goals.
Topics covered in this episode include:
Tune in to learn more about how you can stop letting the Imposter Complex hold you back.
All show notes are available at jackiedumaine.com!
Resources Mentioned:
Visit Tanya’s website: https://tanyageisler.com/
Follow Tanya on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanyageisler/
Connect with Tanya on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanyageisler/
Life can change in an instant.
In this episode of She Starts Now, I sat down with Leslie Bangamba to talk about the day that changed the trajectory of her life. She shares how she took a tragic experience in her life and turned it into her life’s purpose.
Leslie Bangamba is a mother turned Child Safety Advocate and Content Creator after a life-altering traumatic incident involving her then eighteen-month-old daughter Amélie who nearly died from ingesting a lithium coin battery.
Topics covered in this episode include:
Tune in to learn more about Leslie’s story and how she made the most of her tragic experience.
All show notes are available at jackiedumaine.com!
Resources Mentioned:
Watch Leslie’s documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcFw7mfVYL0&feature=youtu.be
Visit Leslie’s website: https://www.lesliebangamba.com/
Follow Leslie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesliebangamba/
Follow Leslie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lbangamba
Check out Leslie’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/lesliebangamba/featured
What does gratitude mean to you?
In this episode of She Starts Now, I sat down with Carmelina Baccari to talk about her journey with cancer and how she uses this experience to inspire others to live lives of gratitude. I am so excited to share her story with you today.
Carmelina Baccari is, first of all, one of the most kind, brave, joyful, artistic, and beautiful-hearted women you’ll ever meet. And, she’s a Cancer Warrior. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014, she embarked on a courageous journey of healing and personal expression that not only inspired her to keep moving forward, it inspired others to evaluate the role of gratitude in their lives.
Topics covered in this episode include:
I find Carmelina to be incredibly inspiring so make sure to tune in to hear her story.
All show notes are available at jackiedumaine.com
Resources Mentioned:
Follow Carmelina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carmelinabaccari/
Visit Carmelina’s website: https://www.carmelinabaccari.com/
Follow Carmelina on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carmelina.baccari
Have you ever struggled to use your voice? Whether it’s with singing, speaking, or even just standing up for yourself, using your voice can be hard. If this sounds like you, you’re going to love this episode of She Starts Now. I sat down with Emma Harding who helps people use their voices with confidence.
Emma Harding is a voice coach with over 20 years of experience working with beginners to platinum-selling artists. She helps speakers, singers, and actors use their voices for their careers, confidence, and to step into their own spotlight
Topics covered in this episode include:
You have a voice, it’s all about the confidence you need to use it! Tune in to hear more from Emma.
All show notes are available at jackiedumaine.com.
Resources Mentioned:
Follow Emma on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockitvocalstudios/
Do you feel like you have a mountain of untapped potential trapped inside of you but you don’t quite know what it is? Or maybe you know what your strengths are, but the messages you were told as a kid made you hide them? If that’s the case, you’re going to love this episode of She Starts Now!
Jenny B is in the house to talk about using our strengths as a vehicle for personal and professional growth. She has so much value to offer so I am thrilled to be sharing this conversation with you today.
Topics covered in this episode include:
Tune in to learn more about how we can find our natural strengths and use them to create a meaningful life that we love.
All show notes are available at jackiedumaine.com.
Resources Mentioned:
Visit Jenny’s website: https://jennyb.ca/
Follow Jenny on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyb_yyc/
Follow Jenny on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennyb.yyc
Connect with Jenny on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennybyyc/