A new way to shape your memoir, find your message, and share your truth. 🎧 INTRO Hey friends, welcome back to Your Voice Matters . I’m Jen Chambers, and I’m ridiculously excited about today’s episode. We’re flipping the script this week—literally. We’re talking about writing your life story… as a TED Talk. Now, I’m not just saying this as someone who binge-watches TED on YouTube in fuzzy socks with tea—although, yes, guilty. I’m saying it as someone who actually hosted a TEDx event—TEDxVenetaWo...
Jun 15, 2025•13 min
Send us a text What if you don’t need to write an entire memoir—but just one powerful story that captures a moment of change? In this final episode of the Write Your Story series, Jen guides you through how to craft one personal narrative that holds the emotional depth and power of a full-length book. Whether you’re brand new to writing or deep into your draft, this episode will help you zoom in on a life-shaping moment and tell it with clarity and heart. ✨ What’s inside: A grounding meditation ...
May 31, 2025•27 min
Send us a text ✨ In this special episode of Your Voice Matters with Jen Chambers , we begin a 12-week creative recovery journey inspired by Julia Cameron’s beloved book The Artist’s Way . Week One is all about recovering a sense of safety —unlearning creative fear, quieting the inner critic, and making space for your true voice to emerge. 💬 Jen shares personal insights, practical tools, and reflective prompts to help you uncover and challenge the limiting beliefs that have held your creativity ...
May 29, 2025•22 min
Send us a text In this week’s Your Voice Matters , Jen walks you through the transformation phase of storytelling: revision. Not just about fixing grammar or trimming words, revision is where your story takes shape, gains power, and becomes the version that speaks to others—and to you. 📚 Highlights include: 3 deep-dive revision exercises to make your chapters pop Tips from Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne & Dave King (memoirists, this one’s gold too!) How to cut 10% from a s...
May 23, 2025•16 min
Send us a text What if personal growth isn’t about “fixing” yourself—but about discovering new layers of who you already are? In this inspiring episode of Your Voice Matters , Jen shares her own ongoing journey of growth, from training to become a yoga teacher to strumming her way through ukulele lessons to experimenting with electronic music production (spoiler: it’s weirdly meditative, and she shares a tiny piece at the end of the episode). We explore how trying new things opens creative doorw...
May 23, 2025•24 min
Send us a text Ever get stuck in a scene that just won’t move? Or find yourself over-explaining something that felt so powerful in the moment? You’re not alone—and today, we’re cracking the code on pacing and structure. In this episode of Your Voice Matters with Jen Chambers , we’ll explore how to keep your story emotionally rich and well-paced so your readers stay engaged from start to finish. Through writing exercises, real memoir examples, a calming mini-meditation, and practical storytelling...
May 16, 2025•17 min
Send us a text In this special episode of Your Voice Matters with Jen Chambers , we’re diving into healing and reclaiming our power—one breath, one choice, one story at a time. Drawing from the transformative "Paths to Recovery" section of The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, we explore what it means to own your story, reconnect with your body, and trust your intuition again. You’ll learn: How trauma affects self-perception and embodiment The power of self-leadership and finding ...
May 15, 2025•34 min
Send us a text Theme isn't just for English class — it's the emotional heartbeat of your story. In Week 9 of our Write Your Story series, we’re exploring how theme gives your writing depth, clarity, and resonance. Whether it’s resilience, freedom, love, or transformation, your theme helps guide both you and your reader toward meaning. 🎧 In this episode: How to uncover the theme in your personal story Using symbols and motifs to reinforce your message A simple rewrite trick to help your theme sh...
May 09, 2025•16 min
Send us a text 🎸 Ready to swap your mom jeans for a band tee and hit that music festival like the seasoned legend you are? In this solo essay episode, Jen shares a heart-filled, humor-laced how-to on embracing live music—no matter your age, stage, or sock-and-sandal situation. From navigating digital tickets to packing the ultimate concert survival kit (hello, band-aids and earplugs), this is your permission slip to dance like nobody's watching... or like you still own your original Doc Martens...
May 08, 2025•16 min
Send us a text What happens when your story tugs at the tender parts of your heart? In this week’s episode of Your Voice Matters , we explore how to write through difficult emotions — not by forcing the pain out, but by approaching it with intention, safety, and self-compassion. Jen gently guides you through techniques like the two-versions method, sensory grounding, and finding flickers of strength in your hardest scenes. You’ll hear powerful examples from memoirs like The Glass Castle and When...
May 02, 2025•17 min
Send us a text In this powerful episode of Your Voice Matters , host Jen Chambers honors the extraordinary life and legacy of Hazel Ying Lee — the first Chinese American woman to fly for the U.S. military, and a fearless pioneer who refused to let racism, sexism, or wartime danger ground her dreams. Born in Portland, Oregon, Hazel blazed trails both in the skies and in history books. From elevator operator to high-speed aircraft pilot, she carved her path with courage and defiance — flying for C...
May 01, 2025•12 min
Send us a text Welcome to Week 7 of the Write Your Story series on Your Voice Matters with Jen Chambers ! Whether you’ve jotted a few lines on a napkin, filled pages in a journal, or simply spent time reflecting—guess what? It all counts. In this episode, Jen gently guides you from scattered thoughts to story structure, helping you shape your personal narrative for the upcoming anthology Woven With Light, Mended With Gold (or wherever your words are meant to go). You’ll learn: Why every scribble...
Apr 25, 2025•15 min
Send us a text In this special bonus episode of Your Voice Matters , I’m sharing a heartfelt, laughter-filled, and deeply real panel conversation originally recorded on The Midlife Butterfly Podcast with the ever-inspiring Kena Siu. I was joined by five phenomenal women and dear friends: Dana Hunter Fradella – Girls Who Recover Jama Pantel – Brand Building: Living the Whole Picture Tracy Hill – A Beautiful Fix Casey Taton – Inner Spark Kena Siu - Midlife Butterfly We got vulnerable about what it...
Apr 23, 2025•1 hr 15 min
Send us a text This week on Your Voice Matters with Jen Chambers (formerly Resilient with Jen Chambers ), we’re digging deep—into the details that bring your personal story to life. In Week 6 of our How To Tell Your Story series, we explore how rich, specific imagery can unlock memory, deepen emotional connection, and help your story resonate on a whole new level. Whether it’s the smell of your grandmother’s perfume or the creak of a familiar hallway floor, the smallest details often carry the m...
Apr 11, 2025•13 min
Send us a text What would you do if fear wasn’t running the show? In this episode of Resilient with Jen Chambers , we’re talking about doing the things that scare us—not the "run-from-a-bear" kind of fear, but the quieter, sneakier kind that pops up when you’re about to try something brave and bold. Jen shares the behind-the-scenes story of organizing and hosting a TEDx event in her small town—from the nerve-wracking first steps to the unforgettable moment on stage. She talks about the fear, the...
Apr 10, 2025•24 min
Send us a text Hello, Resilient Listeners! This week’s episode is a little different—I’ve lost my voice and can’t record, but I didn’t want to leave you without some inspiration. For this week’s How To Tell Your Story exercise, I invite you to explore a powerful writing prompt: write about one room from your life. Maybe it’s the bedroom where you grew up, the basement that gave you chills, or even a garden that felt like home. Set a timer for ten minutes and describe this space in rich detail—wh...
Apr 04, 2025•4 min
Send us a text Join Jen Chambers in one of the most loved episodes of this show for a magical conversation with Gilly the Sunshine Wizard! Gilly (pronounced Gill-y), an international sorcery sensation and advocate for queer, trans, and autism acceptance, shares their journey from Alabama to the mystical mountains of Colorado. Discover how Gilly uses their unique brand of wizardry to spread positivity and build community. In this episode, Gilly recounts a day filled with enchanting experiences, f...
Apr 03, 2025•28 min
Send us a text Welcome to the (former) final episode of our four-week How to Tell Your Story series! You’ve identified your story, shaped it, and refined your words—now it’s time to take the next step: sharing your story. In this episode, we’ll tackle: ✨ Overcoming fears about sharing your story ✨ Polishing your final draft for clarity and impact ✨ Different ways to share, from private reflection to public storytelling Your story has power, and your voice matters. Whether you’re writing for your...
Mar 28, 2025•23 min
Send us a text In this episode of Resilient with Jen Chambers , we’re diving into practical tools for building resilience when adversity strikes. Join Jen as she shares actionable steps to help you face challenges head-on, reframe difficulties as opportunities for growth, and cultivate self-compassion along the way. This episode also features a guided meditation to reconnect with your inner strength and a discussion of key themes from Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl—a timeless explo...
Mar 27, 2025•17 min
Send us a text In Week 3 of How to Tell Your Story , we’re diving into the art of Writing with Impact . Now that you’ve discovered and shaped your story, it’s time to refine your words and bring your narrative to life. In this episode, we’ll explore three key techniques to elevate your storytelling: ✨ Show, Don’t Tell – Create vivid, immersive scenes that draw readers in. ✂️ Cut the Fluff – Trim unnecessary words to make your writing clearer and more powerful. 🗣 Write with Your Own Voice – Craf...
Mar 21, 2025•15 min
Send us a text In this episode of Resilient with Jen Chambers , I chat with the incredible Casey Taton about the little things that make a big difference—dance parties, shower sprinkles, and finding joy in everyday moments. We talk about the power of movement, the importance of community, and why stepping into the water (or the boxing ring!) can be just what your soul needs. Get ready for an uplifting conversation about resilience, self-care, and showing up authentically in your own life. @catat...
Mar 20, 2025•17 min
Send us a text Ready to transform your life experiences into a captivating narrative? Join Jen Chambers in Week 2 of our "How to Tell Your Story" series, "Shaping Your Story." This week, we dive deep into structuring your personal journey using the powerful "Before, During, and After" framework. Learn how to craft a compelling story by adding emotional depth through sensory details and flashback freewrites. Discover how to identify the heartbeat of your story—the core message that resonates with...
Mar 14, 2025•15 min
Send us a text What does it mean to truly celebrate life, even in the midst of challenging circumstances? In Part One of this conversation, Jen talks with Casey Taton, who has dedicated her life to bringing smiles to children in hospitals. Through her organization, Little Moments Big Dreams Celebrations, Casey creates personalized parties and events that uplift both children and their families. Learn about the practical steps she takes to make these celebrations happen, and hear the emotional st...
Mar 13, 2025•32 min
Send us a text Your story matters, and in this special four-part series, How to Tell Your Story , Jen Chambers helps you uncover, shape, and share your personal journey of resilience. In this first episode, Finding Your Story , Jen guides you through reflective exercises to identify the key moments that have shaped you, discover the themes within your experiences, and define why your story needs to be told. Whether you’ve faced chronic illness, loss, or other challenges, your voice is powerful, ...
Mar 07, 2025•21 min
Send us a text ✨ Episode Title: The Power of Vulnerability ✨ Hey, resilient souls! 💛 Vulnerability can feel intimidating—it’s uncomfortable, messy, and sometimes even scary. But here’s the truth: it’s also where the magic happens. ✨ In this episode of Resilient with Jen Chambers , we’re talking about why opening up is actually one of the bravest things you can do. I’ll share simple ways to embrace vulnerability, a soothing meditation to help you find strength in it, and my favorite takeaways fr...
Mar 05, 2025•22 min
Send us a text Chronic pain affects millions of people worldwide, impacting daily life in ways that can feel overwhelming. But there is hope. In this episode of Resilient with Jen Chambers , we dive into practical strategies for managing chronic pain, from mindfulness techniques to movement, alternative therapies, and even cannabis education. I share insights from experts like Dr. Steven Standiford ( The Pain Relief Secret ) and resources from the U.S. Pain Foundation, along with my own experien...
Feb 26, 2025•20 min
Send us a text In this continuation of my conversation with Cathy Beederman, we explore the creative ways she tracks her chronic illness symptoms, the importance of community, and the role of social media in connection and support. Cathy shares her experiences using health-tracking apps like Visible and Guava, the challenges of data collection, and how small adaptations—like voice dictation—help her stay engaged with her health. We also discuss the evolution of online communities, the importance...
Feb 20, 2025•42 min
Send us a text Navigating Chronic Illness & Podcasting with Cathy Beederman In this episode of Resilient with Jen Chambers , I sit down with Cathy Beederman, host of That Chronic Thing podcast, to talk about the realities of living with chronic illness. I start you right in the middle of our conversation so you feel like you're right on our Zoom call. We start talking about our pets (her senior dog is the cutest) and then discuss everything from mobility aids and energy management to the uni...
Feb 12, 2025•33 min
Send us a text ✨ Episode Title: A Meditation for Difficulties On today’s episode of Resilient with Jen Chambers , I’m sharing A Meditation for Difficulties , a guided practice from the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center. Life’s challenges can feel overwhelming, but mindfulness can help us navigate them with greater clarity and compassion. This meditation is designed to support you in moments of struggle, helping you cultivate resilience, presence, and inner peace. Take a deep breath, find a ...
Feb 05, 2025•13 min
Send us a text Exploring resilience through storytelling, this episode highlights the journey of a writer navigating anxiety along with the intricacies of the publishing world. Our conversation touches on mental health management, ethical communications, and the importance of authentic voices in writing. • Discusses managing chronic illness through writing • Explores resilience built through rejection in publishing • Launch of Keen Communications and its mission • Emphasizes targeted audience id...
Jan 29, 2025•35 min
