We Didn't Turn Out OK with Jennie Monness

Jennie Monness
  • 4.8 (25)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

For the last two decades, I've worked closely with infants, toddlers, preschoolers and their parents - listening, guiding and supporting families and their young children. I've connected with so many parents through my social media account, texts, calls, and leading moms' groups. When we have open, honest and vulnerable conversations - no matter who you are as a parent - that's how we connect, learn and grow. We also discover so much about ourselves and how that plays into our parenting. That's why I created We Didn't Turn Out Ok, a podcast where you'll hear real conversations about challenges we face in parenting, hear how we uncover the roadblocks, often from our own stuff, and listen to how we work through what's often keeping us stuck. There will be professionals in the field, noteworthy guests and everyone in between. Using my own parenting journey and approach, combined with research-backed best practices, I am determined to help us all move forward from our areas of where we "didn't turn out ok." Every guest will be sharing openly and honestly knowing that it will help them grow as a parent but will also help all of you listening. Welcome to We Didn't Turn Out Ok.

  1. Jul 27

    73: The Journey of Building a Family with Spring Fertility

    This episode is brought to you in partnership with Spring Fertility. What does it really mean to build a family? As someone who went through IVF myself, I know firsthand how emotional, complicated, and deeply personal the journey to parenthood can be. One thing I always realized during my journey was how much all of the conversations, tests and focus naturally centered around me. It made me realize how often fertility is viewed as a woman’s responsibility, when in reality, building a family has always been about both partners. That’s one of the many reasons I was so excited to sit down with Dr. Nicole Yoder, fertility specialist at Spring Fertility. In this conversation, we don't just discuss fertility treatment. We talk about what fertility care actually looks like today, when it’s time to seek support, the emotional weight of deciding whether your family is complete, and the pressure that comes with that decision. We also dive into a conversation that I believe deserves far more attention: male fertility. Dr. Yoder shares why she advocates for evaluating both partners early in the fertility journey and why approaching family building as a shared experience can save time, reduce unnecessary stress, and help couples feel supported from the very beginning. In this episode, we discuss: Why fertility care is about so much more than IVF When to see a fertility specialist and why many people wait longer than they need to The biggest misconceptions about fertility and family building Why evaluating both partners matters, and the often-overlooked conversation around male fertility The emotional process of deciding whether your family is complete Working parent guilt and the myth of “doing it all” Parenting children whose personalities are different from your own What caring for thousands of families has taught Dr. Yoder about becoming a parent A huge thank you to Spring Fertility for partnering with us on this episode and for the work they do supporting individuals and couples through every stage of the family-building journey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    73: The Journey of Building a Family with Spring Fertility

  2. Jul 10

    72: When No One Believes You: Alexandra Brook-Clark on Self-Trust, Healing and Identity

    Some conversations change the way you think. Others change the way you see yourself. This was one of those conversations for me. When Alexandra Brook Clark first started getting sick, she knew something was majorly wrong. But after doctor after doctor told her everything looked “normal,” she found herself facing a question so many people have had to ask themselves: Do I trust what everyone else is telling me, or do I trust myself? That question became the thread of this entire episode. Yes, we talk about chronic Lyme disease, mold illness, functional medicine, and creating a less toxic home. But what stayed with me most was Alexandra’s relentless self-advocacy, her willingness to keep searching for answers, and her refusal to let her diagnosis become her identity. One of my favorite parts of our conversation was talking about how easy it is to unconsciously become the anxious one, the sick one, the neurotic one and how healing often means letting go of the identity we’ve built around our suffering. We also explore the role psychedelics played in helping her reconnect with herself, release fear, and find the clarity that ultimately led her to create Armur Health. Whether you’re navigating a health journey, learning to trust your intuition, or simply wondering who you are outside of the hardest thing you’ve ever experienced, I think you’ll find something in this conversation. I absolutely loved this episode, and I can’t wait to hear what resonates most with you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    72: When No One Believes You: Alexandra Brook-Clark on Self-Trust, Healing and Identity

  3. Jul 3

    71: The Myth of Doing it All with Kim Ross

    This week on I’m joined by Kim Ross, founder and CEO of ORA, for a conversation about the invisible pressure so many mothers carry: to build, achieve, nurture, optimize, and somehow do it all without dropping a ball. Kim shares what it’s been like building a fast-growing wellness company while raising children, why she had to let go of the belief that she needed to do everything herself, and how entrepreneurship has forced her to become more flexible than perfect. We also unpack perfectionism, not just how it shows up in business, but how it eventually shapes the way we parent. Kim talks about intentionally letting her children see her make mistakes, apologize, pivot, and adapt, because those moments may be teaching them more than getting everything “right” ever could. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re giving enough to your family, your work, or yourself… this conversation is a reminder that maybe the goal was not doing it all and figuring out how not to. In this episode, we discuss: Building a business while raising young children Why asking for help can feel so uncomfortable The myth of “doing it all” Modeling mistakes and resilience for our kids Balancing ambition with presence Redefining what it really means to have “turned out OK” This episode is for every parent who’s ever felt stretched between the life they’re building and the people they love most. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    71: The Myth of Doing it All with Kim Ross

  4. Jun 19

    70: The Difference Between Conditioning and Who You Really Are with Jenna Zoe

    This week, I’m joined by Jenna Zoe, founder of My Human Design, the Align app and one of the most recognizable voices in Human Design. While Human Design may not be familiar to everyone, this conversation is ultimately about something much bigger: self-trust. Jenna shares her perspective on the shift we’re seeing from a more collective way of living - where success, parenting, education, and even identity were often defined by external expectations - to a more individual one. How more people are finding the courage to question what they’ve been told, explore different paths, and create lives that feel more aligned with who they truly are. We talk about how Human Design can serve as a framework for understanding ourselves and the people we love - not as a label or limitation, but as a tool for greater awareness and compassion. One of the ideas that resonated most with me was how often our suffering comes from trying to be someone we’re not. As parents, we can unintentionally do the same thing with our children. We may push a slow-to-warm child to be more social, encourage a cautious child to be more adventurous, or assume there is one “right” way to move through the world. What if instead we learned to better understand who they already are? Through her Align app, Jenna helps people discover their Human Design type and use that information to better understand their natural energy, decision-making, relationships, and parenting. The goal isn’t to put ourselves or our children in a box, but to reduce the exhaustion that comes from constantly working against our nature. Whether you’re familiar with Human Design or completely new to it, this episode is an invitation to consider what becomes possible when we spend less time seeking validation outside ourselves and more time learning to trust what already exists within. In this episode, we discuss: • The shift from external validation to self-trust • Why more people are questioning traditional paths and expectations • Human Design as a tool for self-awareness • Understanding your child’s unique temperament and needs • The difference between supporting growth and trying to change who someone is • Alignment, energy, and reducing unnecessary mental suffering Whether we’re talking about Human Design, parenting, or personal growth, I think so much of it comes back to the same thing: spending less time looking outside ourselves for answers and more time learning to trust what we already know (and feel) inside. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    70: The Difference Between Conditioning and Who You Really Are with Jenna Zoe

  5. Jun 12

    69: The Story Behind My Journey (And Why I'm Sharing It Now)

    This week’s episode is a little different. After a recent conversation with a guest discussing psychedelic-assisted therapy and healing, many of you reached out with questions about my own experience and what led me down this path. So today I’m scratching the surface on that personal story. In this short solo episode, I talk about the anxiety I’ve lived with since I was a teenager, the healing modalities I explored over the years, and what ultimately led me to pursue psychedelic-assisted therapy as part of my own journey. This episode is not medical advice, a recommendation, or an endorsement that this path is right for everyone. Psychedelic therapies carry risks, are not appropriate for every person or situation, and should only be considered with qualified medical and professional guidance where available. My intention is simply to share my experience honestly and provide context for why conversations about healing, self-awareness, and personal transformation have become increasingly important to me. As always, take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and make decisions in partnership with trusted medical professionals. Thank you for listening and for being open to these conversations. ⁠The heart openers behind my journey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    69: The Story Behind My Journey (And Why I'm Sharing It Now)

  6. Jun 5

    68: The Gift Your Child is Trying to Give You

    Julie Vincent is the founder of The Gifted Life, a movement and podcast redefining giftedness as every human’s birthright. After 12 years in corporate marketing, Julie became a coach and began noticing how many people had achieved traditional success on paper but still felt disconnected from their worth, meaning, and gifts. Then motherhood deepened that work in a way she never could have expected. Her son was labeled gifted in the traditional sense. Her daughter, born after what had been a normal pregnancy, spent time in the NICU before eventually being diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder, myotonic dystrophy. Julie shares the grief of letting go of the “mini me” daughter she had imagined, while also learning to see and celebrate the extraordinary child in front of her. In this conversation, we talk about how society uses the wrong ruler for our children and ourselves. We discuss giftedness, labels, IEPs, advocacy, emotional intelligence, and the difference between measuring children by metrics versus meaning. We also talk about the ways our children trigger us and teach us. From the birthday party where my daughter retreated back to me after I thought I was finally free to mingle, to Julie realizing her daughter’s “no fancy dresses” comment was showing her where she was over-controlling, we explore how our kids reflect back the places where we still equate their behavior, clothing, temperament, or success with our own worth. This episode is about parenting the child in front of you, not the child you imagined, feared, or thought you were supposed to have. It is about advocacy, acceptance, repair, and learning to see every child’s gifts especially when they don’t look the way the world taught us to recognize them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  7. May 21

    67: Psychedelics, Parenthood and Reconnection

    This week on We Didn’t Turn Out Ok, I’m joined by Michael “Zappy” Zapolin — founder of  ⁠Psychedelic Concierge⁠, and one of the leading voices helping bring more mainstream awareness and understanding to psychedelic healing. Zappy has worked with celebrities, CEOs, veterans and individuals from all walks of life. He is the creator of films including The Reality of Truth and Frequency featuring voices like Joe Dispenza, Marianne Williamson and Aubrey Marcus discussing healing, consciousness, transformation and human potential. This conversation goes far beyond psychedelics themselves. It’s really about healing. Survival mode. Emotional patterns. Motherhood. Identity. Fear. Connection. And what happens when people finally begin reconnecting with themselves in deeper ways. We talk about the changing landscape around psychedelic healing, why these modalities have carried so much stigma historically, and why both of us believe these conversations are becoming increasingly important - especially when approached responsibly, ethically, and with proper support and integration. We even get into the growing use of psychedelics for bio hackers like Bryan Johnson who are looking to extend their lives and the benefits of psychedelics for brain and mental health. I also share openly about my own experiences with several guided psychedelic journeys over the past year and how profoundly they’ve impacted the way I think about parenting, nervous system regulation, self-awareness, and healing. One of the biggest themes we explore is this: Motherhood can bring the deepest love and connection you’ve ever felt toward another human being… while simultaneously surfacing all the places you may feel disconnected from yourself in ways you never realized before. And perhaps that’s why so many mothers are craving deeper healing. We also discuss: why so many people feel emotionally stuck the difference between healing and escapism the importance of ethical guidance and integration why psychedelics developed such a complicated reputation historically what happens when parents begin healing themselves and how these experiences can shift the way we move through life, relationships, and connecting with our children.  I honestly believe many people are walking around disconnected from parts of themselves (and the world around them) and that there are layers of ourselves many of us never fully access until we experience “healing” of this depth. The more I experience and learn about this work, the more I realize that this is part of my calling because so many of us are functioning, succeeding, caregiving and showing up for everyone while quietly becoming more disconnected from parts of ourselves that we haven't had the space or safety to access. I honestly believe that at the least, everyone should learn more about this, now more than ever as it is gaining more and more science backed research, importance and approval at a government level because of the healing and profound nature of its impact on mental health and well being. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    67: Psychedelics, Parenthood and Reconnection

  8. May 14

    66: The Big Little Moments

    After more than fifteen years working to the top of luxury fashion, culminating in her role as COO of Brandon Maxwell, Lauren Phelps walked away. She had just lost her mother to brain cancer and was pregnant with her first son, and she realized something: the memories she carried of her mom weren’t the milestones or big moments, trips and celebrations. They were the in-betweens. The way her mother brushed hair away from her face during a bedtime story. The songs. The painting together on the back porch. She didn’t want to miss those moments with her own children. Today, Lauren is a fine artist working out of her studio at the historic National Arts Club in Gramercy Park, where her oils, charcoals, and pastels are devoted almost entirely to the bond between parent and child. She is currently illustrating a book with bestselling author Michael Sampson (out soon), with her own debut as author-illustrator launching in 2027. In this episode, Lauren and I get into the big little moments, and we bond, hard, over what it’s like to raise deep-feeling kids who show those feelings in wildly different ways. Our older ones tend to process through complication and quiet; our younger ones leave nothing unsaid. We close the conversation with Lauren in the middle of a real one: her 8-year-old is scheduled to perform an almost unbelievably complex musical piece in front of his entire school the next day, and he’s wavering. We talk through how to hold space for a child who is caught between wanting something and being terrified of it. (An update from Lauren the morning after we recorded: he performed. He was incredible.) This one is two moms pulling back the curtain on what it actually feels like to parent big-feeling children and on holding each other up while we do it. I hope it helps you and you connect with it the way we did with each other. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    66: The Big Little Moments
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Trailer

4.8
out of 5
25 Ratings

About

For the last two decades, I've worked closely with infants, toddlers, preschoolers and their parents - listening, guiding and supporting families and their young children. I've connected with so many parents through my social media account, texts, calls, and leading moms' groups. When we have open, honest and vulnerable conversations - no matter who you are as a parent - that's how we connect, learn and grow. We also discover so much about ourselves and how that plays into our parenting. That's why I created We Didn't Turn Out Ok, a podcast where you'll hear real conversations about challenges we face in parenting, hear how we uncover the roadblocks, often from our own stuff, and listen to how we work through what's often keeping us stuck. There will be professionals in the field, noteworthy guests and everyone in between. Using my own parenting journey and approach, combined with research-backed best practices, I am determined to help us all move forward from our areas of where we "didn't turn out ok." Every guest will be sharing openly and honestly knowing that it will help them grow as a parent but will also help all of you listening. Welcome to We Didn't Turn Out Ok.

Information

  • Creator
    Jennie Monness
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    73
  • Rating
    Explicit

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