Episode 11: Embracing Our Multifaceted Identities with Jenna Madden

We are so excited to share with you today our guest Jenna Madden. Jenna comes to us as a friend of our blog writer Jessica Garrison, as Jenna and Jessica went to high school together. Jessica brought Jenna to Melissa as we were working to find the right guest for our Pride Episode, and you are not going to be disappointed. They are so wise and insightful, another one of those really intuitive, emotionally intelligent, tuned in 20 somethings that just continue to impress and astound.

Jenna identifies as Non-binary, and uses they/them pronouns. Jenna defines themself as compassionate, empathetic and passionate, and really feels in their body and mind those things and that really informs where and how they spend their time and energy.

The work they do and are an advocate for includes not only causes in the LGBTQIA+ community, but also other communities that are marginalized . Your struggle is their struggle and they want to walk side by side with you in that. Jenna is a learner, and grew up in a family of educators so understands that life is a process and there's fluidity to it.

They have their core values that they live by that really come through in their character traits and work they do, but also understand that they’re always learning and growing and changing and that they must allow room for that with themselves as well as with other people. We are so impressed with Jenna's ability to know who they are and how they need to care for themselves. This, in turn, gives them so much strength to care so well for others and you’ll get to learn about some of that work in this episode.

Prioritizing Self Care - ( 3:24 )

Confidently Setting Boundaries - ( 12:44 )

Taking Care of Your Emotional Health as much as Your Physical Health - ( 19:45 )

Support self & other women unapologetically - ( 25:48 )

Coming Back to Your WHY and Your VALUES - ( 34:09 )

Living Out of Your Own Expectations - ( 36:57 )

Accepting the Layered Aspects of Yourself - ( 44:43 )

Living out FEEL, how does it affect your relationships - ( 47:13 )

5 Activities That Nourish You - ( 51:20 )

5 Words for How You Want to Feel in the Next Six Months - ( 51:46 )

Song Featured: Where’s My Jetpack?! - Computer Music All-Stars