Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! — the podcast where we explore leadership, healing, identity, and the stories that help us reclaim our voice and lead with intention.

In this deeply moving episode, Yo welcomes author Lena Fein to talk about her memoir, Shattering the Mirror, and the healing journey that unfolded after a lifetime of living behind distorted beliefs formed through childhood trauma.

Lena shares how achievement, perfectionism, and high performance became her armor — and how, later in life, she began peeling back the layers to rediscover her true self, her voice, and her heart.

Together, Yo and Lena explore:
✨ Healing in layers over time
✨ Moving from survival to wholeness
✨ Reclaiming the parts of ourselves we left behind
✨ Releasing shame and self-rejection
✨ Finding courage to tell our stories
✨ Learning to surrender instead of holding on so tightly
✨ The connection between voice, breath, heart, and healing
✨ Why healing and authentic self-expression are possible at any age

Lena also shares one of the original songs that became part of her healing journey and reclaiming of her voice.

💡 In this episode:

The metaphor behind Shattering the Mirror
How trauma shaped Lena’s self-worth and identity
Why achievement became survival
The role of somatics, singing, dancing, and writing in healing
Recording her audiobook and reclaiming her voice
Seeing both the loving and painful sides of her parents
Why mature women are resonating deeply with her memoir
What Lena would tell her 20-something self today
“Blessing the moment instead of cursing the moment”

🎧 Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome & introduction
01:30 What “Shattering the Mirror” means
03:00 Lena’s hope for readers and healing later in life
04:20 Achievement and perfectionism as protection
10:00 Reading her audiobook aloud and reclaiming her voice
15:30 The complicated relationship with her parents
20:00 The healing journey beyond writing
23:50 Singing, breath, and reclaiming her voice
27:00 Surrender and self-forgiveness
31:20 Why writing your story matters
35:30 What Lena would tell her 20-something self
37:45 “Blessing the moment instead of cursing the moment”
39:00 Lena’s butterfly card choice and brave wings metaphor

🦋 About Lena Fein:
Lena Fein lives in San Francisco and is a retired high-tech executive, nonprofit founder, artist, singer, dancer, and writer. Her memoir, Shattering the Mirror, explores her journey through childhood trauma toward freedom, clarity, authentic self-expression, and love.

🔗 Connect with Lena:
Website: https://shatteringthemirror.com
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Shattering-Mirror-Memoir-Lena-Fein/dp/B0FDX5R89C
Instagram: @lenafein.author
Facebook: Lena Fein
Contact: author.Lena.Fein@gmail.com

💌 Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead!
Website & Shop: https://girltaketheleadpod.com
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/272025931481748
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@girltakethelead
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girltakethelead
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yocanny/

🎧 Listen on YouTube Music, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen or view your podcasts.

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