A Wild and Precious Life

Author Jennifer Cross and her guests discuss life's many twists and turns that have led them to where they are today on their journey. Drawing on their own experiences, expert knowledge, and today's issues, topics stem from personal development and self discovery, relationship dynamics, healing from trauma, and mindfulness practices. Jen's hope is that listeners will be inspired to look at their own journey and become inspired to live their most authentic life. Every episode relates to a topic covered in one of Jen's published articles.

Surviving Co-Parenting with a Narcissist Featuring Alana Sharps

Nothing is more devastating in a relationship than the realization that your partner isn’t just difficult, but he is in fact a narcissist. To further complicate things, it isn’t just the two of you in the relationship. Somewhere along the way, you ended up having children. If leaving a narcissist wasn’t difficult already, children mean that you will be tied to your ex until the children are 18 and sometimes longer.“If you leave, you and the children will suffer.”I can’t tell you the number of...

03-23
26:04

A Conversation with an Ukranian Refugee Featuring Anastasia Vladychynska

With a war waging and finding herself a refugee from her home country of Ukraine, Anastasia still found ways to be grateful. She had her husband, her savings, and friends to give her shelter. However, many of her girlfriends weren't as lucky. When she learned of them stranded across Europe, she jumped to action and created a network to help them find jobs, homes, and safety. Listen now to learn how you can help Anastasia and her fellow refugees.Two weeks ago, Anastasia's bio...

03-17
35:17

Back Home Again Movie Featuring Charmaine Hammond and Michael Mankowski

Today is a very special episode! Jen is interviewing Charmaine Hammond and Michael Mankowski from the award winning movie, Back Home Again! After a large wildfire ravaged Michael’s hometown of Fort MacMurray, he took it on as a personal project to interview the citizens about their experiences in rebuilding their lives and the toll the fire took on them. This project became a larger endeavor as he discovered that many of the stories shared a common them-one of hope. Mi...

02-16
28:40

People Pleasing is Just Your Trauma Throwing a Tantrum Featuring Stephanie Costello

Why do we say yes when we want to say no? What do we volunteer, run ourselves ragged, and overextend our already overextended bodies?Because we want to fit in, we want to belong, and we are terrified of being left out. It doesn't have to be this way-we can learn to stop the madness. Join Jen and Stephanie Costello as they discuss how they battled their own internal struggles with people-pleasing, boundary setting, and serving themselves first.My guest this week is Stephanie...

02-02
43:23

Why We Should Embrace Rejection Featuring Codi Chen

How do you handle rejection? Why do we take it so hard when someone or something doesn't work out for us?Is it possible that rejection can be a gift?Join Jen as she reads from her article, Writing Rejection Sucks..But Only For a Minute, and then invites Codi Chen on to discuss writing, rejection, and how life has a way of always working out! To Learn More about Jen, her writing, and follow her on Social:https://linktr.ee/JenCrossCreativeCodi Chen is the co-creator of HeartWorks Writing!...

01-26
34:20

Raising Tweens in a Tik Tok World Featuring Dr. Bob Saul

Has Tik Tok become the main conversation topic in your house? Have you limited social media for your own kids only to have their friends share things with them? Join Jen as she reads from her article, Raising Tweens in a Tik Tok World, and welcomes Dr. Bob Saul to discuss how we as parents can stay connected to our kids in this age of social media.Dr. Bob Saul has been guiding the physical, behavioral, and mental care of children for over 40 years. His Parental Awareness Threshold is a simple...

01-19
29:04

Banishing the Bullies of the Past with Paul Levitin

Are The Ghosts of Bullies Past Inside Your Head? How Do We Banish Negative Self Talk For Good?"When you grow up in a home where the criticism and judgment are constant, your inner critic is a ruthless companion that never really leaves." Jen CrossJen is joined by Paul Levitin, host of the Healthy Happy Human Podcast where they discuss the effect positive affirmations have had on both of their lives and the importance of letting go of negative self-talk that doesn't serve you.Learn more about ...

01-12
34:31

Your Best Life on Your Own Terms Featuring Cathyn Melvin

Is it ever too late to hit the pause, rewind, or eject button? What happens when you find yourself on a path that makes you miserable? Jen says: Your best life isn’t a destination but a journey. I remind myself that the best is yet to come. Even when things are going well in my life, and I can’t imagine something better, I say to myself- “Just wait."After reading from her article, 5 Essentials to Crafting Your Best Life, Jen is joined by Cathlyn Melvin. Jen and Cathlyn discuss all...

01-05
42:12

Losing Alcohol to Find Yourself Featuring Alex Grimm

Have you ever found yourself drunk at an airport wondering how you got there? Has the question, "Am I an alcoholic" ever crossed your mind? Do you find yourself looking forward to that glass of wine or beer at the end of the day more than you used to?From Jen's article "Sobriety is the New Chic:""People can choose their habits, but some habits will choose them if they allow it. Alcohol or anything that alters your brain chemistry is one such thing."-Jen CrossAlex Grimm is an instr...

12-29
34:04

A Sit Down with The Passionistas Project-A Community about Female Empowerment

Isn't it amazing how a small group of like-minded women can come together and make a change? What happens though when you build a community of these women? Amy and Nancy Harrington decided to find out! Join us for a very special guest episode featuring The Passionistas Project, a female empowerment movement led by sisters, Amy and Nancy Harrington! Learn how they got started, what they have learned along the way, and how you can be a part of their community! To Fol...

12-22
35:36

Your Mindset is the Key To Your Happiness Featuring Denise Drinkwalter

Have you ever met someone determined to be unhappy? Have you ever felt trapped in a cycle of negative thoughts? How does mindset really affect our happiness and success? In this episode, Jen reads from her article:Want a Beautiful Life? Change Your MindsetThen, Jen is joined by her guest, Denise Drinkwalter. Denise is an Empowerment Life Coach fulfilling extraordinary work with women in their midlife years. She has an intuitive gift that affords her the ab...

12-15
43:10

Surviving Manic Mornings with Kids

Have you figured out how to be two places at once? Me neither!Jen welcomes Cara Tyrell of Core4Parenting to discuss the ins and outs of crazy mornings and the importance of good communication with your kids at any age. Jen shares how she handled her own manic morning with her youngest recently, and Cara weighs in on the importance of intentional parenting in stressful times.To Follow Jen and Read More of Jen’s Articles:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jencrosscreative/Twitter: https...

12-08
26:40

Navigating Holidays with Toxic Family

Nothing says, "Ho, Ho, Ho" like when your brother accuses you of being one on Christmas Eve. Ok, to be fair, he didn't say, "Ho" it more like gold-digging tramp...but that's all in the story. Listen to Jen read her article about how she dealt with her own toxic family and stick around for her discussion with EMDR expert and psychotherapist, Suzanne McColl, to learn tips and tricks for navigating your own family holidays. Be sure to listen to the full episode for some exciting news...

12-01
41:54

A Thanksgiving Greeting About Gratitude in Unexpected Places

This week, Jen shares her experiences that led her to pursuing her writing career more fully. Sometimes the things that let you down are the things that give you strength.Article Link:https://cjencross.medium.com/thanks-for-not-supporting-me-deb5f080fae3Link to Jen's Writing On Medium:https://cjencross.medium.com

11-23
08:23

How Forty Something Women Can Find Their Bliss Featuring Cystal Steers

The F*uck You Forties are a wild ride, but we as woman can ride the wave together. Jen will read her article, Five Things Every 40-Something Woman Should Have If She Wants to Be Happy, and then she will be joined by Crystal Steers, Founder of Chasing Happiness. They will discuss self care and what that means, finding connection and embracing all life in your forties have to offer. Practical tips from how to carve out self care in five minutes today and how to practice gratitude ar...

11-19
35:19

Are You Brave Enough to Quit? Featuring Chaya Lev

Today's episode is inspired by my Medium Article of the same name!https://cjencross.medium.com/are-you-brave-enough-to-quit-fd87e9057fe1I am interviewing Chaya Lev, an American ex pat and cancer survivor who after healing shed all the expectations of others to live her one wild and precious life in Israel while realizing a life long dream of teaching dance to others. You can follow Chaya's journey on Instagram @iamchayalev and at https://www.chayalev.comAnother mention, I made in the p...

11-11
25:42

A Wild and Precious Life Trailer

An introduction to a Wild and Precious Life.

11-04
00:37

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