Charis & Jess
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Jess: [00:00:00] If you're not getting the answers, if something doesn't seem right, if something's not resolving, [00:00:05] if there's something underlying that's just [00:00:10] pulling at you- ... trust that. Look for something else. Ask for something [00:00:15] different.
[00:00:20]
Charis: Welcome back to the Harness Your Health Podcast. I am Charis Sederberg, and [00:00:25] I am here with Jess Verrall today. Jess, thanks so much for joining [00:00:30] me.
Jess: Thank you so much for having me. I'm very excited.
Charis: I know. This is gonna be really [00:00:35] fun. So for any listeners that are on my email list, you know about [00:00:40] what we're gonna talk about today if you've read my emails, because I have been talking about this [00:00:45] collaborative book effort.
And it's something that I have never participated in [00:00:50] before, but always have had a love and passion for writing, and [00:00:55] really never figured out how to mesh that or maybe didn't even have it on my [00:01:00] radar to be honest. Definitely not as a nurse not since I've been working in the field of [00:01:05] nutrition and wellness.
And so this opportunity came up. I [00:01:10] read some post online, Jess was looking for wellness [00:01:15] practitioners to collaborate on this project, and I put my name in the [00:01:20] hat, and I was one of the chosen people. So I feel very fortunate to [00:01:25] be in this group of women, happens to be all women on this project.
so Jess, [00:01:30] can you just tell us a little bit more about what this project is?
Jess: Yeah. Absolutely. [00:01:35] So The Integrated Bodies is a collection of stories [00:01:40] from practitioners who are integrating different [00:01:45] modalities. As someone who has navigated a bit [00:01:50] of some health issues in the past as well as those of my loved ones [00:01:55] I've been really frustrated with the systems and how siloed [00:02:00] everything is.
And as someone, my background is in health and wellness as well as [00:02:05] energetics, and so I- know how interconnected they [00:02:10] are, and I'm really grateful to have that. But then thinking about, I [00:02:15] actually get really passionate about this, so I'm gonna take a deep breath, about the people who don't [00:02:20] have that awareness or that knowledge, or they don't, they can't [00:02:25] advocate for themselves necessarily in, in that same way to [00:02:30] not be able to necessarily receive the care that I really think that we all [00:02:35] deserve.
Charis: I could not agree more. Everyone knows my background. I'm a nurse. I have been a nurse [00:02:40] for a long time. I haven't worked as a nurse for quite a while now. And I believe in medicine very [00:02:45] much for w- what we need it for. If you need a surgery, you need a treatment- ... yes, we [00:02:50] need that, right? But I think our medical model doesn't do a great job of [00:02:55] really supporting people in a holistic way, and our body and mind [00:03:00] and everything is completely connected in every way.
And so it really [00:03:05] was my understanding of this that launched me into this holistic world [00:03:10] because I didn't know what I didn't know, and I think that's where a lot of people are. [00:03:15] They just grew up in our Western society. They grew up with our healthcare system. They [00:03:20] think that's the trajectory that they need to be on.
And with this [00:03:25] podcast and everything I've done, have really tried to open people's minds to that you [00:03:30] have so much control over your health and ability at a foundational level [00:03:35] to augment your health and really take extreme control over your [00:03:40] health. There's lots of people who have demonstrated this.
So it can definitely be in [00:03:45] combination with your medical providers, but also can be on your own. And [00:03:50] so one of the things I remember is we were on a call, I feel like it was about a month [00:03:55] ago. It was the first call that I had ever done with the other group of women who are writing [00:04:00] chapters in this book, and I didn't know any of these people.
I literally didn't have [00:04:05] any sense of them, even from an online perspective. Definitely not [00:04:10] personally. Just felt very cohesive and a commonality of even [00:04:15] though we all had these different perspectives and different backgrounds, we were coming [00:04:20] together for that common good.
So I love that you have that [00:04:25] driving you with this project because it is about my health and your [00:04:30] health and my family and your family, but it really is about everyone.
Jess: 100%, yeah. And [00:04:35] the group is amazing. It's been wonderful to read and to [00:04:40] just experience everyone coming together for this.
But I agree, and that [00:04:45] was a big part of my passion of doing this, was [00:04:50] sharing, " Look, there are other ways. There are other [00:04:55] things," for people to be able to open their mind to perhaps something they had [00:05:00] never considered or to learn about something or to read a perspective that you [00:05:05] have or one of the other authors has about something that could really [00:05:10] change the trajectory of their life and their health.
And that, to me, is what it's all about.
Charis: [00:05:15] Absolutely. I think it reminds me so much... I think you have a child, right? It reminds me [00:05:20] of, potty training or if your child isn't sleeping, like sleep training, [00:05:25] right? Yeah. It's a parenting thing that you may not have ever done before. You talk to all the [00:05:30] people.
You get all the insight, right? And then you make your own informed choice of what's [00:05:35] best for your child and your family. And so you're not necessarily, like, following a [00:05:40] formula or following a framework. I think that's one thing with my own [00:05:45] professional career in holistic nutrition that I got really fed up with is we don't [00:05:50] have to have this flowchart.
We don't have to have these steps that are, like, in [00:05:55] stone, right? Every person is individual and unique. And I think [00:06:00] people try and make it more simple or make it into that flowchart [00:06:05] to understand it, right? Because one person's experience might be different than the [00:06:10] other person's experience, yet they have the same diagnoses, right?
And so it's just [00:06:15] frustrating to me because I think it has to go back to the individual person. [00:06:20] The individual person really needs to understand what their [00:06:25] goals are and what's happening with them so that they can influence that greatly [00:06:30] and make those decisions.
Jess: Absolutely. And what works for one person may not work [00:06:35] for another.
We're all so unique, and to have a one-size-fits-all [00:06:40] blueprint is so frustrating for me. It's frustrating with health. It's frustrating with [00:06:45] business. It's frustrating with relationships. It just doesn't work across the board. We are [00:06:50] not the same. We're not the same as anybody else. We have unique perspectives and [00:06:55] backgrounds and DNA and air quality and [00:07:00] everything.
Everything is so unique about us that it really does need to [00:07:05] be individualized. And I really truly believe that [00:07:10] while we may not be educated in every single [00:07:15] nuance of health and wellness or medicine or nutrition or any of those things, that we [00:07:20] really need to be our own best advocates. And
there's a component [00:07:25] of us that we know better than anybody else ever could, that any lab test is gonna [00:07:30] tell us, that any, expert is going to tell us. It's such an important [00:07:35] caveat and it's such an important I think component of being [00:07:40] human here on this earth at this time and recognizing that.
And if [00:07:45] there's something that, that comes across is giving people the [00:07:50] understanding and fundamentals to advocate for themselves a bit more.
Charis: Absolutely. [00:07:55] So some of it is information, but I think anybody would argue that we don't [00:08:00] have any lack of information anymore. So sometimes the information makes things more [00:08:05] complex.
I think it's also helping build people's self their [00:08:10] ability to drive their health and their wellness, and that they are in charge.[00:08:15]
Not to make it like a power or control thing, but it really is you [00:08:20] in the driver's seat, and having that self-confidence that you can do it. [00:08:25] And then you go into your appointment with your clinician, and you take that [00:08:30] information, and you integrate it into what feels right to you, and it's tapping into that [00:08:35] intuitive nature.
What I hear from people all the time is like but did you see this [00:08:40] lab result?" Or, "Did you see this, comment from my doctor?" And I [00:08:45] often ask them, "But what do you feel? And what do you think?" And they sometimes can't [00:08:50] answer that. And I put myself into this category too. I'm no different than anyone [00:08:55] else.
I was raised in Western culture. I am a nurse. I'm married to a [00:09:00] doctor. We live and have lived that life very much. But [00:09:05] what I've also learned with my own health experiences and health experiences of my [00:09:10] family members, working in the Western medicine system, now working more as a [00:09:15] holistic practitioner, is that we can take that [00:09:20] self-confidence and really have it foster into something that we don't even realize [00:09:25] it could be.
So it's empowerment, right?
Jess: 100% empowerment. [00:09:30] If you're not getting the answers, if something doesn't seem right, if something's not resolving, [00:09:35] if there's something underlying that's just [00:09:40] pulling at you- ... trust that. Look for something else. Ask for something [00:09:45] different.
Do different things, and incorporate different things, and it's not [00:09:50] just necessarily looking at different components of, okay [00:09:55] this, specific doctor didn't work. Let me find another doctor within that same realm. [00:10:00] Maybe you try acupuncture. Maybe you try meditation. Maybe you need to [00:10:05] have some more mindfulness practices.
Maybe, there's an energetic component [00:10:10] to it. We are connected on so many levels. And I really think when [00:10:15] we are And I know because I've experienced this too, when we're [00:10:20] looking at all elements of that and utilizing them to work together, [00:10:25] we are going to have such a better experience of ourselves as [00:10:30] humans in this body here.
Our mental capacity is going to be better. We're going to feel [00:10:35] better. We're gonna show up better, and it's going to help on so many [00:10:40] levels.
Charis: And that transcends to everything else, right? It transcends to our family, our relationships- ... our [00:10:45] professional relationships, our imprint that we leave in our society and our [00:10:50] community.
It matters so much, and I think the people who feel that and [00:10:55] understand it, they can tell you. And so if you're not in tune with that, what I [00:11:00] don't want to have happen here, if someone's listening to this and they're like that's just so over my [00:11:05] head," or, "I don't even know like, where I would even start with that," this [00:11:10] book is gonna be coming out soon.
So I would say- Absolutely ... let's start with the book, [00:11:15] and read it from the context of... I only know what my chapter says, but [00:11:20] read it from the context of I'm going into this with an open mind- ... and I'm [00:11:25] gonna take it in and just let it sit. One of the things I love to do is a lot of people [00:11:30] refer to it as journaling.
I kind of joke around, it's like jotting, jotting notes. [00:11:35] And because there's all different kinds of journaling, right? It doesn't have to be perfect between the lines and [00:11:40] complete sentences. But I jot down notes. I'll wake up in the [00:11:45] morning or after I come back from exercising is often the times where my brain is thinking of [00:11:50] the things, and I just make a bunch of notes.
And so that's one of my favorite [00:11:55] things to recommend to people. It could be on a note on your phone or something too. [00:12:00] But just read the book. Take your time and read it, and see how that [00:12:05] feels to you 'cause something will resonate with you from the book. There's no question. [00:12:10] Because I haven't really mentioned this, but this is- episode is gonna come [00:12:15] out soon, and it's gonna be the start of me interviewing other people who are [00:12:20] contributing to this book.
So in my podcast, if you don't follow my podcast, you should do that so that [00:12:25] you make sure and get notified of those interviews when they come out. But listening to [00:12:30] the person being interviewed and then reading the book is really such a great place to start [00:12:35] and just have your thoughts come out in some way, shape, or form.
That would be my [00:12:40] suggestion. Do you have anything to add to that?
Jess: No. I'm sure I do. But no, [00:12:45] that's absolutely such a great that's such a great suggestion because [00:12:50] it is. It's go into it open-minded, see what pings you. If [00:12:55] something gets a reaction from you one way or another, I always say "Look at [00:13:00] that.
There's something in there for you." And if you're [00:13:05] curious, you see the podcast episodes, you learn more about the practitioners. Everyone [00:13:10] has social media, so go and follow and [00:13:15] find out a little bit more about their perspective and what they're doing. And, if [00:13:20] there's something that really aligns with you, then maybe next steps are there.
[00:13:25] And the really hope and intention is that it opens up the [00:13:30] perspective of- More possibilities and more avenues and more of that [00:13:35] empowerment. Yeah.
Charis: Okay. I just realized, and you're gonna chuckle at [00:13:40] this because we talked about it at the beginning, but I said I was gonna read your bio- ... at the beginning.
So [00:13:45] in a very organic way, I'm gonna do that now because I have a couple questions that [00:13:50] I really wanna ask you about how your work and how you're pulling [00:13:55] people together, because that really is seem like the magic sauce of what you do. [00:14:00] So Jess Verrill is a USA Today bestselling author, publishing [00:14:05] strategist, and founder of House of Indigo, where she helps women turn their [00:14:10] ideas, expertise, and lived experience into powerful bodies of work.
[00:14:15] She specializes in the intersection of authorship, publishing, visibility, [00:14:20] and legacy, helping women articulate what they know and position it in a [00:14:25] way that creates lasting authority. Jess is especially passionate about the stories [00:14:30] and wisdom that emerge when women reach a threshold in their lives and decide to [00:14:35] create something meaningful from what they have lived.
So [00:14:40] let's pull that apart a little bit. We talked a little bit about it already, and you are [00:14:45] obviously the woman that brought us all together. What is it about this [00:14:50] collaborative process? Because I don't know if I've talked about this with the podcast, but [00:14:55] both of my sons, who are both teenagers, are very interested in being writers, [00:15:00] and they talk a lot about it being a very lonely kind of [00:15:05] existence.
One of them is very extroverted. And we've talked a lot about how it doesn't [00:15:10] need to be that way. You can certainly get involved with certain people, or if you have different jobs, [00:15:15] obviously you're not gonna be like Stephen King necessarily in his house- Me? ... [00:15:20] on the beach, right? Sitting there all day by yourself writing.
But what i- [00:15:25] is it about this collaborative nature of bringing people together to build [00:15:30] this?
Jess: Yeah. Such a great question, and there are so [00:15:35] many ... It's not a simple answer. There are so many layers and [00:15:40] facets to it. First, from like- ... a strategy standpoint, [00:15:45] we're stronger when we come together.
And when we [00:15:50] are looking at putting a book out and you have [00:15:55] 20 people sharing their stories, and 20 people sharing it to their audiences, and [00:16:00] 20 people getting it out there, and marketing it, and promoting it, on top of the [00:16:05] efforts that myself and my team do, it's going to just get out there a lot [00:16:10] more.
And so the, the impact that is [00:16:15] possible is just, it's multiplied, right? And I love that part about it. When [00:16:20] you think about storytelling, I always have this very specific image [00:16:25] that comes to me of this, indigenous [00:16:30] setting where there's a storyteller and the, the community is sitting [00:16:35] around the fire, and they're telling stories, and they're telling stories of the hunt or h- what [00:16:40] their days were like, and all of that.
And it's always been such a [00:16:45] community-oriented way of sharing information and [00:16:50] connecting and, Yes, books in and of itself, you have a book and, you're [00:16:55] reading it and you're connecting to that in an energetic sense. You're connecting to that, that [00:17:00] community. But I think there's something incredibly powerful when we're coming together and we're sharing our [00:17:05] voices.
And besides the strategy standpoint, besides that, [00:17:10] there's a lot of healing that happens. There's a lot of connections [00:17:15] that happen. I work mostly with women. I don't exclude men, but I work mostly with [00:17:20] women. And the women who come forth for [00:17:25] this are just-- they're like wanting to they're wanting [00:17:30] like their collaboration sisters to do well.
They're wanting to have [00:17:35] those connections. They're wanting to have those relationships. They're looking at doing business [00:17:40] and life and play. They're looking at doing things differently. And we live [00:17:45] in such a world that we are so [00:17:50] disconnected in so many ways, or we might only get a snippet of something on social [00:17:55] media, or we might, pass by someone or whatnot.
And so [00:18:00] having this intentional space of let's come together, we all have the [00:18:05] same vision, we all have the same purpose, we're all coming together to [00:18:10] support this project and subsequently each other [00:18:15] through that is just really powerful. And I'm [00:18:20] finding now more than ever because I've been doing this, I think I did my [00:18:25] first collaborative book in 2020.
But [00:18:30] now even more than ever, more than I've ever seen, people are really [00:18:35] craving the community. They're really craving these conversations. They're really [00:18:40] craving the depth because we've lost so much of it through our [00:18:45] screens and through all of this.
Charis: Yeah, I couldn't agree more.
The pandemic definitely did [00:18:50] that to us, right? Made us even more reliant on all the technology, which is [00:18:55] wonderful. I use technology every day. It's, it has its place. But it does not [00:19:00] replace a human connection. And, I talk to people a lot online, [00:19:05] and I would much rather talk to them where I can see their face.
And I say [00:19:10] often that's like the nurse in me, but it's really just the human in me, right? And you're right that [00:19:15] everybody from all differing l- walks of life are craving this, are [00:19:20] wanting this. So I think you're definitely onto something here [00:19:25] because people are signing up for it, right? They're like, "I wanna be a part of that."
And [00:19:30] it's just such a beautiful way to share something with others because, [00:19:35] sure, if you write a book on your own as a single author, someone buys your book, that's [00:19:40] wonderful, but putting all these people in one, quote-unquote, "room" [00:19:45] or book together is really exponentially powerful, [00:19:50] just like you mentioned.
So I just love that you're doing this. I [00:19:55] think about all the different things I'm involved in. I teach at the Nutrition Therapy Institute, [00:20:00] so students, I'm talking to them in their early coursework for a few of the [00:20:05] classes that I teach. I also teach the business readiness class about when they're about ready to [00:20:10] finish.
And so they don't even realize all the possibilities that [00:20:15] are there for them. And they are I think, in this linear fashion, which [00:20:20] I think a lot of practitioners are of you're taught to do something a certain way. You [00:20:25] do training throughout your career. You take your patients or your clients through this [00:20:30] process, and you don't really think about that more creative or outside the box [00:20:35] options that are available to you, right?
Jess: It's so true. And I think [00:20:40] from a, a reader's perspective too just looking at the flip side of things [00:20:45] too, it's- I love books, obviously. I love working with authors. I [00:20:50] have some incredible books that are coming out this year and next year on our [00:20:55] calendar, and it's it's really amazing to be able to work one-on-one with someone [00:21:00] and be able to look at their ecosystem, the strategy, the positioning.
[00:21:05] Okay, this is how this is gonna fit in. What are your big goals? It's really powerful, and I love [00:21:10] that. And from a readership's perspective of, [00:21:15] buying 15 books and reading all of those is a lot different than [00:21:20] being like, "Okay I can read a chapter of this person, and then [00:21:25] if I am intrigued, I will lean in a little bit more deeper."
So it's more of a date [00:21:30] as opposed to "Oh, I'm gonna marry you." Like- ... 'cause it feels so much [00:21:35] more of a commitment not only for the author, but for the reader too, of having [00:21:40] this, this entire book about one subject or one thought process or one [00:21:45] perspective, when you can have, this, this buffet of, [00:21:50] oh, what is that?
And I think it, it just makes it a really nice experience for them as [00:21:55] well.
Charis: For sure. It's just a really different way of reading, right? And I know a lot of people [00:22:00] who are, like, very goal-oriented, they're like I started that book, so I have to finish it," but [00:22:05] just it's maybe not the book for them, right?
And so a book like this is very different 'cause you [00:22:10] might read a chapter and you're like, "Wow, that's really cool, but I don't know how that would [00:22:15] align with what my life or my health," but then you read the next chapter and it's completely different, [00:22:20] right? So it's just like what you said, it has so much depth and [00:22:25] variety to it that there will be something for everyone.
And like I said [00:22:30] earlier my goal with everything is the empowerment of [00:22:35] using that information and how it sits with you and what, it can do to help you [00:22:40] on your journey.
Jess: Absolutely. And it's really fun, too. I get asked the question a [00:22:45] lot of don't the chapters feel does it feel [00:22:50] disconnected or like- Yeah
you're going from one thing..." There's always a thread. [00:22:55] And it's more so than I could plan. There, it just, [00:23:00] it alway- they always come together so beautifully- ... where there's [00:23:05] just that, that thread that weaves things together, and it's [00:23:10] m- brings that cohesiveness to it as well.
Charis: That's awesome.
That thought popped [00:23:15] into my head at somewhere along the, this last few months. And I just told [00:23:20] myself, "I'm not going there 'cause I don't have to worry about that. But I'm sure Jess has it handled." But [00:23:25] I was curious, right? I'm like, "Okay, I'm writing about digestion and the [00:23:30] connection with the nervous system, and how is that gonna connect with the next person?"
But [00:23:35] I love it that you just have this trust for the process, and that it works itself [00:23:40] out.
Jess: It absolutely does. And, that's a part of my [00:23:45] process with a project like this with selecting authors. I was [00:23:50] very I was very mindful in my [00:23:55] selection of who wanted to come in. And again, part of [00:24:00] it, this is all of how I work.
You will learn, and you probably already have seen- ... is it's [00:24:05] strategy and intuition. I use both of those. So I look at [00:24:10] what someone has to offer, what they're bringing to the table their [00:24:15] expertise, their professionalism. But then it's also does this feel like this is a good fit?
And there are [00:24:20] things that I do that I go into that a little bit more energetically [00:24:25] just to make sure, and it is always... It hasn't failed me.
Charis: You're obviously [00:24:30] very in tune with yourself, hence the position that you're in. I love that. And I [00:24:35] think, it's interesting because if you think about, like- Even just in [00:24:40] nursing, when you're learning to be a nurse and your first job, it's all about [00:24:45] practicing things, practicing skills.
There's not a lot of osmosis teaching or whatever. [00:24:50] Maybe there is to a certain degree. But to me, this is much more of like being [00:24:55] around you helps also burn that into me, right? To be [00:25:00] like, "Okay, yeah, strategy, intuition," and trusting myself because I [00:25:05] think people t- do tend to lean a certain way.
Some people are definitely more [00:25:10] linear, maybe strategic, and then other people are much more [00:25:15] organic, intuitive, right? I always say my parents, my dad was more of a [00:25:20] dreamer. My mom was very pragmatic. And I feel I'm a half [00:25:25] of each. I definitely have the more strategic [00:25:30] pragmatic personality, but I also have the creative intuitive part of my [00:25:35] personality too.
So it's just, this is the kind of thing for me when I read something [00:25:40] and it sparks something in me or gives me little goosebumps or whatever, I'm just like, "I need to [00:25:45] know more about that."
Jess: Yeah, no, I love it. And that's exactly, [00:25:50] that's how I feel myself, I have a degree in science, and I've studied energetics for [00:25:55] 20 years.
I... And it- to me, it's like they [00:26:00] complement each other so well because you have the structure of either the [00:26:05] strategy or the logical component or the more grounded tangible things. And then [00:26:10] within that, once you have, I would imagine... I was never a nurse, but I [00:26:15] have watched a lot of them, or, really good nurses or really good physicians [00:26:20] or anyone really in their trade or their practice.
And the [00:26:25] ones who are always exceptional have that level of [00:26:30] instinct and intuition. They've learned. They know. They've got it all [00:26:35] up here. And then because they have that, they can relax enough [00:26:40] that they're like, "This is what I'm feeling." " I have all of these things here that are [00:26:45] like my brain is flagging, but this is the one.
And I know that because [00:26:50] it's just an instinct." And I feel like that's how... It's just like [00:26:55] a perfect blend of them,
Charis: yeah, no, I know exactly what you're talking about 'cause we've all seen the [00:27:00] clinician who's just so f- like laser focused and blinders on. The [00:27:05] patient can be, like, crying or visibly upset- and they're just like, "Nope, we're gonna do this thing, [00:27:10] and we're gonna do this" and basically seems like ignoring, right? And so [00:27:15] it really... I would say to any person who's new in their career as a [00:27:20] clinician, it's okay. You're gonna develop this sense over time but trust [00:27:25] yourself and use your humanness to really guide you when you're taking care of other [00:27:30] people because it is a human on the other side of the encounter, right?
Jess: [00:27:35] Absolutely. Yeah. And, one of my... I have the most amazing doctor. I just... [00:27:40] He, yeah, m- I g- he's just amazing. And [00:27:45] he will... Again, I do have- more knowledge than [00:27:50] maybe everyone does about the, the human body and my health and taking things. But [00:27:55] he will, we'll talk about things, and he'll give me a series of options of [00:28:00] "Here's...
You could do this. What do you think?" Or, "What i- [00:28:05] what is your feeling?" And that, it just makes him... He's already [00:28:10] good. It just makes him that much better because he is also [00:28:15] trusting in me and giving g- it, it feels like more of a [00:28:20] collaboration than a dictatorship. And I think- ... as you said, there's a person.
It [00:28:25] adds that, that humanity back into into things, and [00:28:30] it's beautiful.
Charis: Yeah. It's really important. I think from what I hear, it [00:28:35] seems to be, like, medical schools, nursing schools some of these [00:28:40] Western, training grounds are doing a better job of that. I think some of it is a [00:28:45] personality thing, people definitely have a personality more towards thinking of things [00:28:50] in that way. But whenever you can have a collaborative experience with your [00:28:55] clinician in whatever that means to you, that is the best for [00:29:00] all parties, and back to the empowerment thing, right?
Jess: And it's [00:29:05] okay to, it's okay to do that,
Charis: yeah. Absolutely. [00:29:10] So one of the things that you commented on when I was gathering your [00:29:15] background and things is that you wrote this statement, and I [00:29:20] just wanna bring it up here 'cause I just think it's just such a beautiful part of your work. But, [00:29:25] "Women don't need to become someone else to be visible.
My work [00:29:30] is about helping women articulate what is already true and valuable in their [00:29:35] experience, then giving it structure, positioning, and a platform to reach the people [00:29:40] that need it." And I would say just from doing what I [00:29:45] do now, doing what I used to do, what I hear from so many people [00:29:50] is that's what they need, is that person to help guide [00:29:55] them.
It's almost like a coach or- An advisor, right? That's [00:30:00] not telling them, "You need to follow this 10-step process." It's like pulling [00:30:05] out of them what they're really looking for. Because if you ask someone, [00:30:10] like, "What... If you could have your dream business or your dream career, what would that be?" [00:30:15] A lot of people just shut down, right?
They're like, " I don't even know how to [00:30:20] think about that." Because they picture this linear path of what our [00:30:25] society has told us that something is. And so this is, to me, [00:30:30] just, the book collaboration is a big part of your work, obviously, but [00:30:35] you also do this more intensive work with women. So do you just wanna [00:30:40] comment on this a little bit more and tell us a little bit more about it?
Jess: Yeah, I think there's a few [00:30:45] things that happen. We tend to forget to [00:30:50] realize how far we've come or how much we actually do know or the wisdom or [00:30:55] the expertise that we have and how impactful that [00:31:00] would be for somebody else, because we've lived it. We've gone through the moment to [00:31:05] moment, the day by day.
But when you stop, one of the things I'll often have [00:31:10] clients do if they're having a hard time seeing value or what needs to come through, it's like look [00:31:15] back at where you were, who you were three years ago, five years ago, [00:31:20] and look at, not necessarily pick apart all of the things that you've [00:31:25] gone through, because we don't necessarily need to do that.
But look at, what are [00:31:30] some of the big things that you've overcome? Where were you in this version of [00:31:35] yourself? And what things were you wishing [00:31:40] for or hoping for or dreaming of that this version of you has now?" Yeah. [00:31:45] And that could be as simple as, "I experienced a very [00:31:50] significant loss, and I have overcome that and worked through grief [00:31:55] and have reclaimed my life, and I'm now in this process of living in a [00:32:00] different way."
Or it could be, it could be, like, a myriad of things, right? [00:32:05] But that is one simple thing that I always have [00:32:10] everyone do. Even if you wanna write a book or have a business or not look back, because so [00:32:15] often we don't value what we've actually come away with, or we don't even [00:32:20] realize it, so we can't value it, right?
We're just going along. And there's [00:32:25] another to-do list. There's another thing. There's another there's always another. And so much of it is slowing [00:32:30] down and looking at that. I'm also, one of [00:32:35] my, one of my skills is I'm really good at seeing patterns and hearing things that [00:32:40] people aren't saying and reading underneath what is going on.
I'm [00:32:45] able to flag things and highlight those and bring them out a little bit [00:32:50] more. But, in the case of books which is my primary [00:32:55] medium I do work with people with their business strategy, but books is my [00:33:00] primary. I love books. But I touched upon it a little bit before.
It's zooming [00:33:05] out again. So much is like, both zooming out and being really present. [00:33:10] And so being able to go between those what are we feeling? What is [00:33:15] present? And then also big picture, not necessarily what is the [00:33:20] business you wanna create, but how do you wanna feel? Are you interested in [00:33:25] speaking?
Are you interested in doing workshops? Do you wanna be a writer, or are you just [00:33:30] really interested in being, like, the best financial expert that you can be? You know, what [00:33:35] is, What is your thing? And giving options [00:33:40] and feeling what lights them up, and then following that path until [00:33:45] we have almost the puzzle pieces that have come together then it's like, [00:33:50] "Okay.
Based on this, let's backtrack and connect the [00:33:55] dots." And that's a bit of how I work with people when we're first starting [00:34:00] out. It's a bit of a process of going through and asking a lot of [00:34:05] questions and seeing where things want to come together. But then from that [00:34:10] place, it's like- Oh, and something lands in them.
And from that [00:34:15] place, it's like, okay, now we take that, and we build everything around it. [00:34:20] And that is our, that's our North Star. That's our guidepost. And my [00:34:25] job is to help navigate that. Maybe [00:34:30] co-captain in a way of like, oh no, no, no. Don't get distracted by that [00:34:35] really... it's like we're on a ship.
I know that island looks amazing, and you wanna go [00:34:40] over there and grab the coconuts and whatever, but we're headed here. That's not part of the [00:34:45] path. So it's it's really fun, and it's really beautiful.
Charis: [00:34:50] Absolutely. You're talking about it in context of your work 'cause that's how I asked you the question, but when you were [00:34:55] saying that, I was thinking this is, can apply to literally anything for [00:35:00] anyone, right?
It can apply to a kid thinking about what they wanna be when they grow [00:35:05] up. It can apply to someone who is changing careers. It can apply to your health. [00:35:10] It can apply to your parenting. Literally having that kind of philosophy where you're [00:35:15] actually asking what do I want? How do I wanna feel?
What do [00:35:20] I wanna spend my time doing, right? Those things are really important. And I [00:35:25] think in this day and age of like, so much influencer activity [00:35:30] and the, following the flashy thing, I think people are getting a little bit tired of [00:35:35] that, too, right? They're-- we're conditioned to do that.
But when you actually have someone that [00:35:40] asks you some of those more reflective questions, it feels good. You're [00:35:45] like, oh, it feels like it's about me, right?
Jess: And I think that's how it [00:35:50] all should be. That's how I think we should do life. And that is [00:35:55] definitely how we should do business.
I have clients who are like, " I [00:36:00] hate doing TikTok, but everyone tells me I need to do TikTok." And it's [00:36:05] like, don't do it. Yeah. Don't do it. Yeah. If your energy is gonna resist it, if [00:36:10] you are miserable over there, like TikTok, it's not for everyone. For some [00:36:15] people, that is yes, that is a good strategy for them.
But everyone is so [00:36:20] unique, similar to health and, i- in every single way. [00:36:25] We are so unique that it really truly is about finding, [00:36:30] What works for you and is what is going to be the best [00:36:35] experience.
Charis: I could not agree more. So we are getting close to time. I wanna [00:36:40] respect your time but I do wanna talk a little bit about this project.
So obviously [00:36:45] we mentioned it. If you're not on my email list, go to my website, [00:36:50] primetonourish.com, jump on my email list, and then you'll have all the information about the book coming out. I will be [00:36:55] posting on social media too, and the other collaborators. But you want to find out [00:37:00] about upcoming episodes, so subscribe to my podcast.
I will be talking about the book for [00:37:05] weeks as it comes out in its different forms. But just tell us also [00:37:10] a little bit about your project, The Unwritten Road, and we'll obviously [00:37:15] have your website in the show notes so people can find you there.
You have some great [00:37:20] freebies on there, and it talks a little bit about your work. But can you tell us a little bit about The [00:37:25] Unwritten Road?
Jess: Yes. So this is a collaborative book as [00:37:30] well. And what we do they're all a little bit different [00:37:35] because the energy of each of them and what each one wants and what's going on is a bit [00:37:40] different.
But for this particular book, this is there's a, [00:37:45] a lot of support from me. It's creating this safe [00:37:50] space for you to go into an experience [00:37:55] or component of your life that maybe didn't go the way as planned [00:38:00] Or to take from where you are right now and write [00:38:05] your next chapter into being. And so it really is like this [00:38:10] very transformational experience where we are connecting [00:38:15] you more into your voice, connecting you more into your passion.
There [00:38:20] is a very healing, transformational component of it. There are some, some [00:38:25] energe- there's energetics in everything I do. It's just who I am. And there's a component [00:38:30] of that, but we are working through really opening up your [00:38:35] voice and writing your story in this capacity, whether it [00:38:40] is rewriting, whether you wanna use a, a pen name because it feels like it's [00:38:45] not sensitive and you want to, have a revenge story, or if it [00:38:50] is your happily ever after that you're writing and, some sort of Cinderella [00:38:55] whatever story.
I'm not telling anyone how to do it. I'm giving you the space [00:39:00] to look at your life and some experiences that you would like to reclaim your [00:39:05] energy from. Because what we're doing in these, when we are sharing our [00:39:10] stories in this way, is we're pulling our energy and our attention back from them, [00:39:15] and it's almost like a stake in the ground of like, "No more."
I'm not reliving [00:39:20] all of that. I'm not... that doesn't matter. I'm here now, and this is what I'm doing with it, [00:39:25] and moving forth." So imagining your life as the way that you want it to [00:39:30] unfold. And it's they're so fun and they're really powerful, and [00:39:35] the people who come in are just...
I have women who I've worked with [00:39:40] on, I think, five projects before, because every time they come [00:39:45] in, they're like, "This is my favorite thing." They just come in and they have such a, a [00:39:50] great experience and meet people and have that community. And then we publish [00:39:55] it, and it's super fun.
In my team, we do very high-level production, so [00:40:00] it looks like any book you would pick up off of Barnes & Nobles [00:40:05] or wherever- ... which is always very important to me. We're coming together for that now, and we'll be starting [00:40:10] soon.
Charis: Awesome. If you want to learn more about Jess and all of her [00:40:15] work, you can go to her website, and we will have that link in the show notes.
And I [00:40:20] just appreciate your time so much, Jess, and I know we're gonna be chatting a little bit more [00:40:25] coming up in the next month or so as this book comes out into the world. And [00:40:30] I just can't thank you again for putting me in this position to [00:40:35] be, in this group of women. It's been fun so far.
Jess: I'm so glad.
Thank you [00:40:40] for having me, and thank you for showing up and sharing your wisdom and your [00:40:45] story. And i- I mean, it truly is an honor to be able to get to do what I do, so thank you.
Charis: [00:40:50] Thanks so much.
The information shared on this podcast is for [00:40:55] educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. I am [00:41:00] not a medical doctor, and this content is not intended to diagnose, [00:41:05] treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult with a qualified healthcare [00:41:10] professional before making any decisions related to your health, especially if you have a medical [00:41:15] condition or are taking medications
