GenerateHER

In this Season 2 finale of GenerateHER, it's time to reflect on a year of reinvention, courage, and creative growth. We revisit the most meaningful lessons of the season: from trusting intuition to cultivating our personal “Jardin Secret.” We share daily miracle practices, reframing magic as presence, connection, and openness. We close with a heartfelt invitation to embrace risk, community, and the next chapter of becoming.   Episode Breakdown: Intro - 00:00:00 Welcome - 00:01:19 Reinvention has no cap - 00:06:10 Miracles - 00:07:04 Jardin d'hiver - 00:11:16 Strategically mediocre - 00:15:29 Next steps - 00:18:22   Links: You can find Lindsey on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/lindseytramuta/ Or via her website: https://www.lindseytramuta.com/     Connect with Jane Bertch: Website: www.janebertch.com https://www.instagram.com/janebertch/   Add us to your favorite audio platform: https://linktr.ee/generateher Produced by Jane Bertch. Edited by Taisa Echterhoff.

In this episode of GenerateHER, Jane Bertch sits down with longtime Paris-based journalist, author, and storyteller Lindsey Tramuta. Together, they explore how finding a voice is a lifelong, evolving practice shaped by experience, courage, and curiosity. Lindsey reflects on living through cultural change, creative reinvention, and the importance of community as a source of grounding and growth. The conversation also touches on setting boundaries with media and protecting creativity in a noisy world.   Episode Breakdown: Welcome - 00:00:00 Intro - 00:01:18 Finding your voice - 00:04:13 Community - 00:12:32 Honesty - 00:19:56 Role models - 00:24:21 Journal - 00:31:57 Lindsey's inspirations - 00:37:07   Links: You can find Lindsey on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/lindseytramuta/ Or via her website: https://www.lindseytramuta.com/     Connect with Jane Bertch: Website: www.janebertch.com https://www.instagram.com/janebertch/   Add us to your favorite audio platform: https://linktr.ee/generateher Produced by Jane Bertch. Edited by Taisa Echterhoff.  

Today’s episode of GenerateHER is a reflective New Year conversation about intentionally choosing what to carry forward, and what to leave behind, as we step into 2026. We explore values like strategic procrastination, reciprocity, discretion, and the importance of real human connection. We reflect on balancing analog and digital living, honoring time, and resisting the pressure to constantly perform or overshare. This episode also looks honestly at the “dark side” of every value, reminding us that moderation and self-awareness matter.    Episode breakdown: Welcome - 00:00:00 Strategic procrastination - 00:03:57 Can we have a quick call? - 00:05:52 Consuming culture - 00:07:10 Living analog - 00:07:33 Being discreet - 00:08:50 Going all-in - 00:13:24   Links: Connect with Jane Bertch: Website: www.janebertch.com https://www.instagram.com/janebertch/   Add us to your favorite audio platform: https://linktr.ee/generateher Produced by Jane Bertch. Edited by Taisa Echterhoff.

Today’s episode is a reflective pause to close out the year. We look back on a full season of conversations, lessons, and questions, sharing what we’ve learned about growth, creativity, courage, and the power of showing up consistently. Rather than offering answers, this episode is about holding space: for reflection, for evolving voices, and for honoring the small steps that quietly shape our lives. A thoughtful invitation to slow down, listen deeply, and step into the next chapter with intention and community.   Episode breakdown: Welcome - 00:00:00 Why podcasting is important - 00:02:10 Your Jardin Secret - 00:09:16 A Send-off to the New Year - 00:13:30 Gratitude - 00:17:14   Links: Connect with Jane Bertch: Website: www.janebertch.com https://www.instagram.com/janebertch/   Add us to your favorite audio platform: https://linktr.ee/generateher Produced by Jane Bertch. Edited by Taisa Echterhoff.

In today’s episode of GenerateHER, we pause together from Paris as we near the end of 2025, taking a breath to plant early seeds for the year ahead and search for our fil rouge, the red thread that quietly connects our joys, strengths, and purpose. As we explore the themes of reinvention, community, creativity, and the courage to begin again, we’re reminded that growth is both exhilarating and tender, and that we don’t have to navigate any of it alone.   Episode breakdown: Welcome - 00:00:00 First lesson - Practicing in public - 00:08:56 Second lesson - Seeking creativity - 00:10:49 Third lesson - Strategic procrastination - 00:13:21 Fourth lesson - Just do it - 00:14:50 Fifth lesson - A unique way - 00:16:48     Links: Connect with Jane Bertch: Website: www.janebertch.com https://www.instagram.com/janebertch/   Add us to your favorite audio platform: https://linktr.ee/generateher Produced by Jane Bertch. Edited by Taisa Echterhoff.

Today I’m thrilled to introduce you to my guest, Lili Barbery—a woman many of you may already know from Instagram, where her presence radiates warmth, wisdom, and generosity. I met Lili about a year ago and, through the small glimpses she shares online, I’ve had the chance to discover more of who she is. You know how cautious I am with social media; I don’t believe in showing off, only in sharing. I believe in using our voices to uplift, inspire, and offer hope. Lili embodies all of this. In today’s conversation, we explore her remarkable journey—from shifting careers to rediscovering meaning, to embracing intuition and leaving room for the magic life can offer. I think you’re going to be captivated by this episode, and I can’t wait to hear what resonates with you. Episode Breakdown: Welcome - 00:00:00 Intro - 00:01:22 From Vogue to Wellness - 00:02:29 The Paris Attacks & A Crisis of Meaning - 00:03:55 A Life-Changing Encounter with Chef Olivier Roellinger - 00:10:08 Not Knowing the Plan: Making Space for the Unknown - 00:26:45 Receiving Miracles & Staying Open - 00:31:51   You can find Lili on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilibarbery/ Or on Substack: https://substack.com/@lilibarbery      

In this episode, we dive into the lessons I’ve learned from living and working in France: how confidence, transparency, and relationships shape the way we do business. We explore the value of knowing our worth, protecting what’s sacred in our connections, moving beyond transactional exchanges, pursuing excellence, and honoring true expertise. Reflecting on how these insights can guide us into a new chapter with authenticity, courage, and purpose.   Episode breakdown: Intro - 00:00:00 Reinvention - 00:03:00 The Power of Relationships - 00:05:11 First Lesson - Knowing your value - 00:06:38 Second Lesson - Protecting What is Sacred - 00:11:54 Third Lesson - Don't Be Transactional - 00:14:19 Fourth Lesson - The Pursuit of Excellence - 00:16:21 Fifth Lesson - Honoring Expertise - 00:17:38   Links: Connect with Jane Bertch: Website: www.janebertch.com https://www.instagram.com/janebertch/   Add us to your favorite audio platform: https://linktr.ee/generateher Produced by Jane Bertch. Edited by Taisa Echterhoff.

Today I am happy to welcome Davina MacPhail — a global impact professional, community builder, and founder of Naturally Connected. In this episode, Davina shares her journey across continents and careers, from corporate banking in Paris to building impact ventures in Cambodia and Canada. She reflects on the beauty of transitions, the courage to reset, and the power of showing up authentically. With warmth and wisdom, Davina reminds us that every change — whether chosen or unexpected — is an invitation to reconnect with ourselves and create the life we truly want.   Episode Breakdown: Welcome - 00:00:00 Intro - 00:04:27 The Art of Transition - 00:05:39 Opportunities and Constraints - 00:07:42 Lessons from Two Cultures - 00:14:21 Showing Up Authentically - 00:16:59

In this episode of the GenerateHER podcast we reflect on the idea of personal and seasonal growth through the metaphor of the harvest season in France. From Paris, we explore how the French concepts of récolte (harvest) and vendange (grape harvest) remind us to pause, reflect, and celebrate the fruits of our efforts—whether personal, professional, or emotional. Drawing lessons from champagne-making, we discover that pressure creates brilliance, blending past experiences shapes a brighter future, and imperfections give us our sparkle. This episode invites us to assess what has grown in our own “Jardin Secret,” to rest, plan, and dream for the seasons ahead, and to celebrate every win—big or small—as part of life’s ongoing, beautiful cycle of growth and renewal.   Episode breakdown: Welcome - 00:00:00 The Season of Harvest: Reflecting on Growth - 00:02:54 The Vendange: Lessons from the Grape Harvest - 00:04:36 Becoming Champagne: Beauty in Pressure and Imperfection - 00:05:29 The Meaning of Récolte: Our Personal Harvest - 00:10:09 Preparing the Next Season: Rest, Renewal, and Celebration - 00:12:08

In this episode of GenerateHER, we reflect on the “sweet sixteen” milestone of building a business in France and the lessons that come with longevity. Business and life intertwine, reminding us that relationships are everything, change is inevitable, and resilience is essential. From learning to let go in order to grow, to recognizing that coral doesn’t grow in still water, we explore how progress often comes through challenge. Along the way, we discover that happiness is a daily choice, the pace is always forward, and sometimes miracles arrive in the form of people.   Episode breakdown: Welcome - 00:00:00 Lesson 1 - Business is personal - 00:04:08 Lesson 2 - Change isn't optional - 00:11:14 Lesson 3 - Mindset and resilience - 00:14:29 Lesson 4 - Life and Perspective - 00:18:29 Final thoughts - 00:21:22

Paris reminds us that reinvention is always possible. In this episode of GenerateHER, we explore how the seasons of nature mirror our own cycles of growth, rest, and transformation. From role models like Edith Piaf and Marie Curie to everyday signals in our lives, we see that reinvention isn’t about erasing who we are but building upon it. Discover five timeless lessons to help us embrace change with authenticity, curiosity, and courage. Welcome: 00:00:00 Lesson 1 -  Turning weaknesses into strengths: 00:16:39 Lesson 2 -  Remaining authentic: 00:18:20 Lesson 3 -  Elevating others by elevating yourself: 00:19:21 Lesson 4 -  Being a voracious learner: 00:20:45 Lesson 5 -  Curious and adaptable: 00:21:59 Final thoughts: 00:23:07

Paris is humming with a special kind of energy right now. It's La Rentrée, a time of year for new beginnings and the perfect chance to reinvent yourself. That's why I'm so excited to announce that Season Two of GenerateHER is back! Get ready to discover five reasons La Rentrée isn't just a Parisian tradition—it's a mindset we can all embrace.   Welcome: 00:00:00 Lesson 1 - La Pause: 00:02:22 Lesson 2 - La Rentrée: 00:06:12 Lesson 3 - Connection: 00:07:27 Lesson 4 - Culture: 00:09:43 Lesson 5 - Back to School: 00:12:00 Final thoughts: 00:15:30

Reinvention doesn’t require a grand plan. For me, it starts with curiosity, creativity, and the willingness to plant something new.   As I wrap up season one of GenerateHER, I’ve been thinking about what it means to grow as a woman in business, and as someone who’s built a life in Paris. This episode is my chance to reflect on the stories we’ve shared, the lessons I’ve learned, and the practices that continue to guide me.   I talk about nurturing your “secret garden,” those dreams and ideas you’ve planted, and the importance of protecting them from negativity. I share why I believe creativity is non-negotiable. Without it, how can we reimagine our work, solve problems, or even see ourselves in a new way?   I also revisit some of my favorite conversations from this season: asking for help with intention, taking risks with courage, journaling as a business tool, and of course, the many lessons I’ve learned from French culture. From the art of a dinner party to the value of thoughtful relationships, life in Paris continues to shape how I show up in the world.   I hope this episode feels like a conversation with a friend, and that it leaves you thinking about your own next season. A bientôt, mes amis!   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 02:00 Season One Recap and Reflections 02:33 Planting and Protecting Your Secret Garden 05:26 How to Ask for Help Intentionally 05:56 Four Elements of Taking Risks 09:47 Journaling and the Power of Writing 12:00 Finding Beauty in the Mundane 16:21 Lessons from French Dinner Parties 17:59 Why Role Models Still Matter 19:15 What It Means to Be French 21:47 Looking Ahead to Season Two   Links Connect with Jane Bertch: Website: www.janebertch.com  Instagram @janebertch Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

A single journal Natalie Valmary carried on a family trip through Asia sparked one of the most beautiful brands I’ve ever encountered, and reminded me how important it is not to wait on your dreams.   In this episode, I sit down with Natalie, the founder of Louise Carmen, to talk about creativity, reinvention, and what it looks like to build a business that’s deeply personal. Natalie shares how her idea took shape during a year of travel with her husband and daughters, and how it grew into a beloved journal company based right here in Paris.   Natalie also opens up about the stroke that changed everything, and the clarity it brought about what really matters. That part of the conversation hit me hard. What do we do with the time we’ve been given? Are we spending it in ways that feel true to who we are?   This episode is full of inspiration for women, whether you’re starting something new or finding your way back to what you love. We talk about personal transformation, the quiet power of journaling, and what it means to trust yourself in life and in business.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Meet Natalie Valmary   03:48 How Louise Carmen Was Born   10:07 Family, Travel, and Creative Sparks   13:12 A Lifelong Love for Journals   17:08 Building a Brand with Purpose   24:26 A Health Scare Changes Everything   29:03 Growing the Business   33:57 Finding Strength in Hard Moments   39:10 Inspiration for Women    Links Connect with Natalie Valmary: Louise Carmen Website: https://louisecarmen.com Louise Carmen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louisecarmenparis/   Connect with Jane Bertch: Website: www.janebertch.com  Instagram @janebertch Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Feeling stuck might have less to do with your circumstances and more to do with only seeing one version of who you are.   As May rolled in, I realized I hadn’t made the progress I hoped for this year, and that left me feeling stuck. I’ve heard the same thing from so many smart, accomplished women in business who are committed to personal development but still feel like something’s missing.   I started asking myself: are we stuck, or are we just seeing ourselves through too narrow a lens? So often we’re reduced to one role… entrepreneur, parent, partner… and it’s hard to imagine what else we could be. But living in Paris has shown me how much power there is in being multi-dimensional. The culture here values boundaries, and those boundaries make space for different sides of a person to exist.   In this episode, I’m sharing what I’ve been learning, the practices that are helping me reconnect with other versions of myself, and a few questions I think are worth asking. What would happen if you stopped waiting for the next version of you to show up and started making space for her instead?   I hope this episode encourages you to do just that.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Reflections on Feeling Stuck 02:18 The Pressure of Being One-Dimensional 05:10 What Paris Taught Me About Complexity 07:56 Boundaries and Identity in French Culture 14:07 Tools for Personal Development 19:04 Do the Work   Links Connect with Jane Bertch: Website: www.janebertch.com  Instagram @janebertch Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Writing cracked open a new version of me that reshaped my identity, my community and my business.   For years, I didn’t think of myself as a writer. But when I started journaling, just a few sentences each morning, it became one of the most important tools in my self-development. Writing helped me make sense of what I was feeling, especially during hard times. It reminded me of the strength I’d already shown and helped me reconnect with parts of myself I’d almost forgotten.   In this episode, I’m sharing how writing has supported my personal development and opened unexpected doors, from writing a memoir during the pandemic to starting a newsletter and creating retreats for women. Each step brought me closer to a deeper version of myself.   What surprised me most was the sense of connection. When I shared my story, people reached out to say they saw themselves in it. That’s the real power of writing. It helps us realize we’re not alone.   If you’ve been craving a way to hear your own voice again, I hope this episode gives you the nudge to pick up a pen. I’ll also share a few things that have helped me along the way. What version of you might show up if you gave yourself permission to begin?   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Personal Journey 02:21 The Power of Writing 03:31 Journaling as Self-Development 05:06 From Memoir to Community 08:24 Finding My Voice Outside Business 11:48 Launching Generate Her Retreats 14:01 Tips to Start Your Writing Practice 17:28 Encouragement   Links janebertch.com/journal   Connect with Jane Bertch: Website: www.janebertch.com  Instagram @janebertch Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Building a business that actually feels like you starts with knowing the season you’re in and letting go of who you think you’re supposed to be.   I had the absolute joy of sitting down with Molly Balint for a conversation that felt equal parts grounding and eye-opening. Molly is the founder of the SOFT business movement, and someone I’ve admired for years, not just for the work she does, but for how she does it. From her family farm in Maryland, where she’s raising four daughters and running her own business, Molly brings such a clear sense of purpose and presence to everything she shares.   We talked about what it really means to be a woman in business right now, how easy it is to fall into the trap of doing all the things, all the time, and how freeing it can be to finally step back and ask: What actually works for me? What if success doesn’t have to look loud or busy? What if building something meaningful starts with knowing your season and giving yourself permission to grow at your own pace?   Molly’s idea of SOFT business hit home for me. It’s about building from a place of alignment, self-awareness, and grace, not guilt or pressure. And it reminded me why women supporting women isn’t just a nice idea. It’s necessary. When we share our stories honestly, we make space for others to do the same.   If you’ve ever felt the tension between who you are and who you think you’re supposed to be, I think this episode will speak to you the way it spoke to me.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 02:30 Meet Molly Balint: Life on a Farm and Online Beginnings 04:15 What Is the SOFT Business Movement? 10:00 Seasons in Life and Business 16:40 Building Community and Embracing Uniqueness 19:30 Rebuilding a Business with Intention 24:15 The Power of Experimentation 27:25 Finding Growth in the Messy Middle 28:45 Mentors and Role Models   Links Connect with Molly Balint: Website: https://www.mollybalint.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/molly.balint Molly’s Bio: https://www.mollybalint.com/bio   Connect with Jane Bertch: Website: www.janebertch.com  Instagram @janebertch Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

We contain multitudes, and learning to honor every version of ourselves might be the most honest kind of authenticity.   After living in Paris for more than 20 years, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about identity, why we feel different in certain places, how we show up in different roles, and what it really means to find your voice.   In this episode, I’m sharing some of my own reflections, what it’s like to be an introvert who thrives professionally but needs quiet to recharge, and how I’ve come to understand the many “voices” I use throughout my life. Some are bold. Some are quiet. All of them are mine.   I’ve wrestled with the idea of authenticity. Am I being true to myself if I act one way at work and another at home? For a long time, that question left me feeling off-balance. But then I started to realize that maybe finding happiness has less to do with choosing one version of yourself and more to do with accepting all of them.   So I’m asking: What if your different voices are all valid? What if your adaptability is actually a strength, not something to hide? This is a short, personal episode… one I hope will give you a moment of recognition, relief, or maybe a fresh perspective on the beautiful complexity of being human.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Life in Paris 01:48 Finding Your Voice 04:32 The Looking Glass Self 05:17 Multiple Versions of Self 08:03 Adaptability & Self-Preservation 10:00 The Petal Analogy 12:00 Avatars & Authenticity 13:06 Embracing All of You   Links Professor Bruce Hood: The Science of Happiness: https://www.amazon.com/Science-Happiness-Bruce-Hood/dp/139852638X   Connect with Jane Bertch: Website: www.janebertch.com  Instagram @janebertch Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

We often wait for big moments to feel joyful. But what if the magic is actually in the small ones?   In this episode, I reflect on how living in Paris has taught me to find beauty in the everyday. While my life might sound glamorous from the outside, the truth is it’s quiet, simple, and wonderfully routine. And yet, something about the way Parisians move through the world has shifted how I see my own day-to-day.   From how they introduce each other with intention to the way they arrange produce at the market, the French culture has a quiet genius for turning the ordinary into something memorable. I share stories from my own life, like a quarterly lunch that’s evolved into a mini tradition complete with riddles, and offer ideas for how we can create those small-but-special moments wherever we are.   This episode is an invitation to mark the moment, to be present, and to take joy seriously even on the most mundane of days.   Episode Breakdown 00:00 Introduction 02:33 Jane’s Life in Paris 03:16 Turning the Mundane into Extraordinary 04:10 Parisian Architecture and Markets 05:34 The Art of Introductions in France 07:22 Making Everyday Moments Special 08:05 Creating Special Activities with Friends 09:20 Quarterly Lunch Tradition 10:17 Hosting and Dinner Gatherings 12:24 Challenge: Transforming the Mundane 13:36 Parisian Inspirations for Everyday Life   Links Connect with Jane Bertch: Website: www.janebertch.com  Instagram @janebertch Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

A French dinner party has taught me more than I ever expected about French culture, personal discovery, and the way we connect with each other.   After two decades of living in Paris, I’ve come to see these dinners as so much more than a meal. What strikes me most is how much thought goes into who’s invited, where they sit, and how the evening unfolds. Why does that matter? Because conversation is the heart of it all. And sometimes, real connection requires a little tension. Disagreement isn’t something to avoid. It’s often where growth begins.   I’ve learned that French etiquette—waiting to be seated, arriving fashionably late, skipping the wine gift—reflects something deeper: care, respect, and a sense of occasion. These details have changed the way I think about my own gatherings, and how I show up for the people around me.   In this episode, I’m sharing the quiet but powerful life lessons I’ve learned from the French dinner table. They’ve helped me find my voice, stay curious, and be more intentional in ways that go far beyond food. I hope they do the same for you.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Welcome to April in Paris 01:07 The Essence of French Dinner Parties 02:28 The Structure of a French Meal 05:58 Embracing Tension in Conversations 08:23 Finding Your Voice at the Table 10:57 Navigating Difficult Topics 12:24 The Art of Care in Hosting 14:01 Cultural Norms of Timeliness 15:52 Gifts and Etiquette for Dinner Parties 18:11 Seating Arrangements and Discussion Dynamics 19:41 Life Lessons from French Dinner Parties   Links Connect with Jane Bertch: Website: www.janebertch.com  Instagram @janebertch Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm