Listen for REAL Jen Oliver

A REAL conversation with Alycia Anderson - a wheelchair user who responds with candor to discriminatory assumptions and uncomfortable conversations that happen in her presence or after she has rolled away.

I learned so much during this conversation with Emelda De Coteau. Our motherhood journeys look very different - as we talk about the emotional terrain of raising a child with unique needs.
Tears were definitely shed in this episode; Emelda speaks honestly about her journey as a mother to her vibrant, neurodivergent child. At one point, she describes how it feels to watch your child struggle to find a playmate and be understood by other children - and what you do and don't do in hard moments like that. It was a wakeup call for me. We delve into the practical aspects of parenthood that many families encounter, from advocating for suitable educational resources to nurturing communication with children who experience the world differently. This was a very REAL and important talk that sharpened and bonded both of us. May no parent feel alone on their journey!

I am back with the insightful Christie Watrous for a heartfelt conversation on the intricacies of sisterhood. We get REAL about the social conditioning that often pits women against each other and share our own journeys toward meaningful connections.

Christie and I discuss our shared passion around holding space for other women and the transformative experience of being seen in our most vulnerable moments. We emphasize the significance of environments that encourage curiosity over comparison.

I talk about my commitment to creating Red Tent (a best selling book by Anita Diamont)gatherings; the kind of where women can gather to find solace and solidarity amidst life's challenges. isterhood that holds the potential to transform personal growth and communal resilience.

My conversation with Christie Watrous expands my limited viewpoint…again. We unpack what it means to connect with our bodies and each other, defining intimacy and pleasure in REAL terms. Spoiler alert: intimacy and pleasure are not always sexual and wow sometimes they are - AND it can look different than what the culture dishes up.

As the founder of Embodied Life Transitions, Christie brings her personal experience of transformation and empowerment to our discussion, offering insights into reclaiming our bodies and desires. We talk candidly about our need to deconstruct shame narratives and embrace the pursuit of pleasure, which extends beyond the confines of the bedroom and into the joy of our simple daily rituals, from sipping a warm beverage to soaking in the melody of our favorite tune.

Christie and I confront our individual and collective truths - from unhealthy self-concepts to narratives that frame the end of a marriage as failure. Join the conversation.

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 lot of careful, race-related questions because I am so afraid of doing it wrong - but she gets me.

Our conversation highlights the importance of curious dialogue to create empathy and self-awareness. We talk about the importance of being in circles with safe people who get us and forged even greater bonds discussing grief and struggle. So grateful. Join us…

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 hope that revealing something this personal - and then unpacking all that it represents - sets the stage for deeper love for ALL of us… Join me.