Podcast
Stroke It Guide Podcast
Hosted by Jenny Alday Townsend · EN
"Stroke It! Your Guide to Enhance every relationship, Especially You"
The podcast offers personal and professional growth advice from CEO's, CHO's and others rockin 'at life. It is for those wanting more peace, clarity, direction, passion, purpose, and happiness.
If this is you, let this podcast be your guide. This podcast will teach you how to care for yourself first then others. It will boost your confidence, self esteem and worth. You will become happy and fulfilled. So much so that you will have the power to give to others honestly and effectively.
Each episode offers positive self chatter featuring methods, tools, and coaching from Jenny herself towards creating positive mental health benefits first for yourself and then for the others around you as you lead from within your empire. Whether you use the STROKE IT guide on your spouse, your family members, your friends, or your executive, and management teams, applying what learned in these episodes will enrich how you DO LIFE with all those around you.
About the host:
Jenny Alday Townsend is a successful entrepreneur who has made it her mission to help others navigate the challenges of marriage, business ownership, and balancing both. After facing her own struggles in marriage and successfully overcoming them, she has developed a deep understanding of the complexities of relationships and the importance of effective communication. Jenny has since created The Stroke It Guide, which provides practical tools and strategies for individuals looking to improve their relationships. With a compassionate and empathetic approach, Jenny empowers her network to take control of their lives and relationships, and create a fulfilling and happy future for themselves.
32episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Ep 214 How One Layoff Sparked a Career Platform for Students
Mar 300:49:08Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Stroke It Podcast, Jenny sits down with entrepreneur and operations leader Emily McSherry, founder and CEO of Advize—a platform helping students explore careers through short, coffee chat-style alumni interviews and AI-powered recommendations.Emily shares how a major pivot accelerated her path: after graduating from UCLA Anderson and getting laid off when her department was cut, she went all-in on Advize at the moment she had the least to lose. She opens up about the real tradeoffs of entrepreneurship—moving, saving, living lean, and choosing long-term impact over short-term comfort.This conversation goes beyond careers into confidence, relationships, and action. Emily explains why students hesitate to reach out, how shared connections (like being alumni) make networking easier, and why a clear, specific ask changes everything.Jenny and Emily also talk about health, balance, values, and boundaries—why rest matters, how burnout shows up, and how structuring your time around your values can reduce anxiety and help you work smarter.They close with practical entrepreneurship lessons: stay close to the customer, test assumptions early, and build what your customer cares about. Emily leaves listeners with a challenge: write down your dream life, step into that identity, and take one aligned action today.If you’re a student, parent, or professional craving clarity, this episode is a reminder that clarity follows movement—and opportunity can start with one conversation.Resources Mentioned:Advize (free student access): students.advizehub.comLinkedIn: Emily McSherryAdvize NewsletterChapters00:00 – Common ground + connection01:20 – Meet Emily03:00 – Layoff → going all in05:00 – How Advize works08:30 – Why students don’t reach out12:30 – Action builds confidence15:30 – Values + the “thirds” framework20:00 – Workplace relationships + networking27:00 – Make a clear ask37:30 – Entrepreneurship tradeoffs39:00 – Build for the customer46:20 – Visualize it, then actOrder Stroke It now at jennyaldaytownsend.com/book. Your order includes a signed copy, shipping and handling, and great Bonus items!Follow the Stroke It Guide on socials to stay connected and to get tips on how you too can get your STROKE on'!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaldaytownsend/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestrokeitguideCheck out more about Jenny Alday Townsend by visiting http://www.jennyaldaytownsend.comDid you know there are free downloads available on my website? Go to All Products | Jenny Alday Townsend and snag the 4 Ground Rules to Elevate your life. Planning your future? Develop your 1-3-5 and change your life path!
Transcribe →Ep 213 Say Yes and Celebrate the Journey
Feb 1700:11:00Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Stroke It Podcast, Jenny reflects on a deeply personal milestone—10 years of building Music Compound from an idea that many people said wouldn’t work into a thriving, million-dollar community-driven music school.She shares what it felt like to say yes to a vision she couldn’t fully explain, especially as someone who wasn’t formally trained as a musician or educator. With naysayers in the background and doubt creeping in, Jenny explains how belief in the mission—and in herself—became the fuel that carried her through exhaustion, uncertainty, and seasons where quitting would have been easier.This episode is about more than business. It’s about grit. It’s about ownership. It’s about choosing to continue even when you don’t feel qualified. Jenny opens up about a time in her life when she was told she was “unemployable,” and how that painful season became the very redirection that led her to build something of her own.She introduces the Japanese concept of Ikigai—your reason for being—and challenges the idea that passion is something you simply “find.” Instead, she explains how clarity often follows movement, not the other way around. Purpose is built through action, curiosity, and the courage to take the next step before you feel ready.Jenny also shares why celebrating milestones matters, how success is truly measured in impact, and what it meant to see parents, students, and community members moved to tears at the 10-year celebration event.If you’re questioning your next chapter, feeling stuck in a season that doesn’t fit, or sitting on a dream you’re afraid to launch, this episode is your encouragement to lean in, plant the seeds, and take ownership of your story.Resources Mentioned:Jim Rohn – The Seasons of LifeChapters00:00 – Welcome + what this 10-year milestone represents01:20 – The early days: starting without credentials03:45 – Doubt, naysayers, and choosing belief06:10 – What grit really looks like behind the scenes07:45 – From “unemployable” to entrepreneur09:00 – Ikigai: building passion through action10:00 – Celebrate the milestones + take the leapOrder Stroke It now at jennyaldaytownsend.com/book. Your order includes a signed copy, shipping and handling, and great Bonus items!Follow the Stroke It Guide on socials to stay connected and to get tips on how you too can get your STROKE on'!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaldaytownsend/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestrokeitguideCheck out more about Jenny Alday Townsend by visiting http://www.jennyaldaytownsend.comDid you know there are free downloads available on my website? Go to All Products | Jenny Alday Townsend and snag the 4 Ground Rules to Elevate your life. Planning your future? Develop your 1-3-5 and change your life path!
Transcribe →Ep 212 DISC, Discipline & Sustainable Team Performance | Jenny Alday Townsend
Feb 300:48:27Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Stroke It Podcast, Jenny sits down with leadership trainer and coach Mbo’a Pascal for a powerful, practical conversation about personal wiring, discipline, and building sustainable success as both a leader and a human.Mbo’a shares how growth starts with awareness, acceptance, and adjustment—and why most people stay stuck because they never examine the subconscious patterns driving how they think, work, communicate, and relate to others. You’ll hear how being “high energy” and full of ideas can actually sabotage progress without structure, and why discipline—not motivation—is what turns vision into results.Jenny brings real-life examples from running a business for ten years, managing teams with very different personalities, and navigating the constant challenge of staying focused instead of chasing every new idea. Together, they unpack how understanding your wiring can help you stop trying to do everything yourself and start building systems—and teams—that actually support growth.They also explore workplace dynamics, including how leaders can treat employees the way they want to be treated, why DISC personality awareness changes communication, and how to connect an employee’s personal dreams to the company’s mission for deeper engagement. The episode wraps with a simple but powerful action step anyone can take to begin rewiring their leadership and life.Connect with Mbo’a PascalWebsite / Free DISC Assessment / Resources: https://mpenvisions.com/Chapters00:00 – Welcome + why this conversation matters for leaders01:40 – Mbo’a’s season of life + constant adjustment04:10 – How he got into leadership wiring and human behavior07:30 – Idea energy vs. discipline: the formula for disaster10:50 – Hiring executors vs. trying to do everything yourself14:20 – Jenny’s “step away from the business” turning point17:10 – The 4 wiring types: ideas, execution, support, systems20:45 – When to launch an idea vs. staying focused24:30 – Creating space for creativity if it doesn’t come naturally27:15 – Employees, communication, and treating people how they want31:10 – Cultural differences + leadership communication styles34:40 – Mental health, self-awareness, and hiring aligned people38:00 – Connecting employee dreams to company vision41:20 – How to help people dream bigger and believe it’s possible44:10 – Final advice: DISC, awareness, and intentional adjustment46:20 – Where to connect with Mbo’a + free assessmentOrder Stroke It now at jennyaldaytownsend.com/book. Your order includes a signed copy, shipping and handling, and great Bonus items!Follow the Stroke It Guide on socials to stay connected and to get tips on how you too can get your STROKE on'!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaldaytownsend/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestrokeitguideCheck out more about Jenny Alday Townsend by visiting http://www.jennyaldaytownsend.comDid you know there are free downloads available on my website? Go to All Products | Jenny Alday Townsend and snag the 4 Ground Rules to Elevate your life. Planning your future? Develop your 1-3-5 and change your life path!
Transcribe →Ep 211 Rethinking Money From the Ground Up
Jan 2000:46:52Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Stroke It Podcast, Jenny sits down with financial coach and author Scott Yamamura for a practical, mindset-shifting conversation about financial literacy, behavior, and building real momentum with money—especially at the start of a new year.Scott shares how he went from feeling like an “imposter” with personal finance to creating a simple framework he calls the Three Financial Epiphanies—easy rules of thumb designed to make money feel less overwhelming and more actionable. You’ll hear why he believes personal finance is mostly behavior, how marketing and “normal” spending habits quietly keep people stuck, and what it looks like to take ownership of your financial future without getting buried in complexity.Jenny brings real-life examples from running a business, managing shifting cash flow, and watching common spending patterns (hello, Starbucks and daily takeout) derail otherwise capable people. Together, they talk through practical ways to audit spending, reduce debt, start investing at any level, and build confidence over time.They also cover student loans and the pressure to follow the “default path,” plus a powerful story about front-loading a 529 plan and letting compounding do the heavy lifting. The episode wraps with advice for couples—why money tension is common, how to create shared alignment, and how understanding your “multiplying power” can help spouses work as a team.Connect with Scott Website / Book / Resources: FinancialEpiphany.comChapters 00:00 – Welcome + why this conversation fits the start of the year 01:09 – Scott’s season of life + how his journey into finance began 03:20 – Feeling financially “behind” and why money is mostly behavior 06:40 – The “Three Financial Epiphanies” explained (simple rules of thumb) 11:30 – Why most people look fine financially… until they don’t 14:10 – Paycheck-to-paycheck, debt, and the “path of snares and traps” 18:45 – How to start if you’re broke, stressed, or overwhelmed 22:30 – Student loans, college pressure, and being intentional 28:10 – The 529 front-load story: saving early and letting time work 33:00 – Where to invest (401(k), brokerage firms, and starting small) 36:30 – Daily spending habits that quietly drain future freedom 39:20 – Abundance mindset + taking ownership of your financial choices 41:30 – Marriage and money: teamwork, accountability, and “budget dates” 44:10 – Final takeaway: the 3 rules Scott wants you to remember 44:50 – Where to connect with Scott + closing call-to-actionOrder Stroke It now at jennyaldaytownsend.com/book. Your order includes a signed copy, shipping and handling, and great Bonus items!Follow the Stroke It Guide on socials to stay connected and to get tips on how you too can get your STROKE on'!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaldaytownsend/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestrokeitguideCheck out more about Jenny Alday Townsend by visiting http://www.jennyaldaytownsend.comDid you know there are free downloads available on my website? Go to All Products | Jenny Alday Townsend and snag the 4 Ground Rules to Elevate your life. Planning your future? Develop your 1-3-5 and change your life path!
Transcribe →Ep 210 Success Without Burning Everything Down
Jan 600:44:32Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Stroke It Podcast, Jenny sits down with attorney and podcast host Alexis Rosenberg (aka LitigationLex) for a real conversation about relationships—at work, at home, and with friends.They dig into what it actually takes to work with your spouse without letting work consume your marriage, why clear boundaries matter (and how to set them), and how Alexis stays productive without overcomplicating her schedule.You’ll also hear how her law firm has adapted post-COVID with remote staff, the challenges of training and onboarding virtually, and the practical systems she uses to keep people engaged—without pretending every workplace is a “family.”Finally, they talk about friendships and “finding your tribe,” including the difference between support and emotional dumping—and why having friends in different seasons of life matters.Connect with AlexisSocial (TikTok/Instagram/Facebook): @litigationlexLaw firm / fractional general counsel: Rosenberg Law (https://rosenberglawpa.com/alexis-rosenberg/)Course: Will be released under LitigationLexChapters00:00 – Friends aren’t your therapist00:13 – Intro to the show00:27 – Meet Alexis Rosenberg (LitigationLax)01:09 – Working with your spouse: what makes it work02:43 – The “division of labor” rule (and tiebreakers)03:57 – Protecting home time: no work talk boundaries06:52 – Venting vs problem-solving communication08:00 – Balance, productivity, and travel as a reset10:19 – Spontaneous trips (Paris in 24 hours)13:17 – Packing carry-on only (and why shoes are the enemy)16:53 – Managing a remote team: training and engagement19:36 – AI for onboarding and internal “how do I?” questions21:42 – Retention: PTO, respect, and being heard23:08 – Culture without the “we’re a family” cliché27:13 – PTO policies, trust, and avoiding resentment32:05 – Employees on your personal social media33:29 – The upcoming course + fractional general counsel38:43 – Friendships, seasons of life, and building your tribe42:09 – Closing advice: decide what you really want43:57 – Where to connect with Alexis44:13 – Final call-to-actionOrder Stroke It now at jennyaldaytownsend.com/book. Your order includes a signed copy, shipping and handling, and great Bonus items!Follow the Stroke It Guide on socials to stay connected and to get tips on how you too can get your STROKE on'!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaldaytownsend/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestrokeitguideCheck out more about Jenny Alday Townsend by visiting http://www.jennyaldaytownsend.comDid you know there are free downloads available on my website? Go to All Products | Jenny Alday Townsend and snag the 4 Ground Rules to Elevate your life. Planning your future? Develop your 1-3-5 and change your life path!
Transcribe →Ep 209 Rebuilding, Resetting, and Setting the Stage for 2026
Dec 3000:35:33Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Stroke It Podcast, host Jenny Townsend closes out 2025 with an honest year-end reflection—equal parts gratitude, behind-the-scenes reality, and a clear reset heading into 2026. Jenny shares what this year really looked like: big goals, unexpected losses, team turnover, hard conversations, and the humbling feeling of being back in “year one” even after years of growth.She walks listeners through the turning point that changed everything—implementing EOS and Traction, learning to lead with accountability, and realizing that goals don’t hit themselves without a real plan, role clarity, and ownership. Jenny breaks down the company’s critical number, what fell short, what got restructured mid-year, and why the second half of 2025 became a completely different business with a stronger foundation.On the personal side, Jenny shares the routines and mindset shifts that supported her through the grind—morning walks, rest, health changes, travel, coaches, and the books that helped her think differently. She also previews what’s ahead: celebrating 10 years in business, a 2026 theme word (“Resonate”), bigger targets, and a renewed commitment to build momentum with intention.What You’ll Hear in This Episode✅ The real reason 2025 didn’t go “according to plan” (and why Jenny won’t use excuses)✅ How EOS and Traction triggered major team shifts—and why that was necessary✅ The leadership change Jenny had to make: accountability, hard conversations, and ownership✅ The mid-year clarity moment that sparked restructuring, role changes, and new systems✅ Why “checking boxes” doesn’t move the needle—and what KPIs actually revealed✅ Health, routines, and rest: what Jenny leaned into to feel better and lead better✅ Travel highlights, perspective shifts, and the power of stepping away to reset✅ The books and coaches that influenced Jenny’s mindset going into Q1✅ 2026’s word “Resonate” and how it will guide decisions, culture, and growth✅ What’s coming next: 10-year celebration, new goals, and building real momentumResources Mentioned in This EpisodeBooks📘 Traction by Gino Wickman — goals, accountability, EOS & business systems📘 Seasons of Life by Jim Rohn — perspective on life’s phases 📘 Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey — mindset, resilience & humor📘 The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz — personal freedom & relationships 📘 The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber — small business fundamentals📘 Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist — meaningfuOrder Stroke It now at jennyaldaytownsend.com/book. Your order includes a signed copy, shipping and handling, and great Bonus items!Follow the Stroke It Guide on socials to stay connected and to get tips on how you too can get your STROKE on'!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaldaytownsend/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestrokeitguideCheck out more about Jenny Alday Townsend by visiting http://www.jennyaldaytownsend.comDid you know there are free downloads available on my website? Go to All Products | Jenny Alday Townsend and snag the 4 Ground Rules to Elevate your life. Planning your future? Develop your 1-3-5 and change your life path!
Transcribe →Ep 208 Love at First Kick and Happy Birthday, David
Dec 1600:08:48Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Stroke It Podcast, host Jenny Townsend shares a heartfelt birthday tribute to her husband, best friend, and business partner, David Townsend. Jenny takes listeners behind the scenes of their love story, from meeting as friends on a kickball field in 2009 to building a marriage that’s grown through real-life friction, different upbringings, and the kind of lessons you only learn by choosing each other over and over again.She reflects on what makes David such a steady partner, both at home and in business, and why being “friends first” laid a foundation that still holds 16 years later. Jenny also opens up about the balancing act of marriage, communication styles, compromise, and how making each other a priority changed everything after life “blew up” and they found their way back stronger.If you love real relationship stories, you’re celebrating someone special, or you simply need a reminder to appreciate the people who show up for you consistently, this episode is a warm, honest listen that will make you smile and reflect. It’s a celebration of love, teamwork, growth, and the quiet power of having a “soft place to land.”What You’ll Hear in This Episode✅ How a kickball friendship turned into a marriage (and why “friends first” mattered) ✅ The moment Jenny realized David was “that hot” and everything shifted ✅ The bold phone call that ended an engagement and started a new love story ✅ What Jenny admires most about David as a husband and partner ✅ Love languages, communication differences, and learning real compromise ✅ Building a life and business together (including buying a laundromat) ✅ How different childhoods created friction and growth in their marriage ✅ The mindset shift that helped them start prioritizing each other ✅ A reminder to celebrate others (and yourself) in small meaningful ways ✅ Jenny’s birthday message and invitation for listeners to encourage DavidChapters00:01 Opening and why this episode is extra special 01:10 Meet Jenny Townsend and the purpose of the podcast 02:05 Introducing David and celebrating his birthday publicly 03:05 How Jenny and David met playing kickball in 2009 05:12 “Love at first kick” and the moment he stood out 07:10 The day David showed up not in kickball clothes 09:35 The “loud and obnoxious” rumor and the plot twist 11:10 Giving him her number and the engagement-ending phone call 12:25 First real date watching the Dolphins and the start of “their story” 14:10 Dating, marriage, and building 16 years together 15:40 Jenny’s tribute to David’s steadiness, patience, and support 18:10 Business partnership lessons and “what funds the fun” 20:05 Different upbringings and the friction of merging worlds 23:05 The turning point: making each other a priority 25:30 Happy birthday message, listener Order Stroke It now at jennyaldaytownsend.com/book. Your order includes a signed copy, shipping and handling, and great Bonus items!Follow the Stroke It Guide on socials to stay connected and to get tips on how you too can get your STROKE on'!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaldaytownsend/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestrokeitguideCheck out more about Jenny Alday Townsend by visiting http://www.jennyaldaytownsend.comDid you know there are free downloads available on my website? Go to All Products | Jenny Alday Townsend and snag the 4 Ground Rules to Elevate your life. Planning your future? Develop your 1-3-5 and change your life path!
Transcribe →Ep 207 The Love Doctor’s Formula for Lasting Relationships
Dec 1100:49:03Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Stroke It Podcast, host Jenny Townsend sits down with internationally known “Love Doctor” Anil Gupta for a deep, practical conversation on love, marriage, friendship, and what it really takes to build relationships that last. From surviving financial collapse and near-suicide to rebuilding his life, marriage, and career, Anil shares the simple tools and frameworks he now teaches to couples, families, and even world leaders.Together, Jenny and Anil unpack why relationships and health are the two pillars of a meaningful life, how to choose the right partner (and be the right partner), and why so many of us were never taught the basics of communication, forgiveness, and emotional growth. Anil shares his “happiness formula,” his three non-negotiables for any relationship, and his ABCD method for spotting red flags before you get in too deep.If you’ve ever felt unseen in your marriage, disappointed by friends, scared to start over, or stuck in resentment you can’t quite release, this episode will give you language, tools, and hope. It’s down-to-earth, funny, and deeply honest—meant to help you love better, choose better, and show up as the best version of yourself in every relationship.What You’ll Hear in This Episode✅ Why Anil calls relationships and health the two most important parts of life ✅ The three traits to look for in any partner, friend, or business relationship ✅ How to use the “ABCD” rule to spot misalignment and collect the right data on people ✅ A simple “A, B, C” friend audit to protect your energy and time ✅ How to make new friends as an adult through proximity and shared interests ✅ The difference between giving your happiness away and choosing it on purpose ✅ Anil’s “G x G x G” happiness formula: give, gratitude, and growth ✅ Why making your partner your number one priority changes your whole family ✅ How small daily acts of kindness and appreciation rebuild trust and connection ✅ The role of forgiveness in healing infidelity, betrayal, and old family woundsChapters00:01 Meet Anil Gupta, the Love Doctor 01:42 Anil’s story, mission, and why relationships matter most 08:22 The happiness formula: G x G x G explained 13:40 Relationships and health as the core of a meaningful life 16:04 ABCD: always be collecting data on people 18:56 Friend audits: A, B, and C players in your life 20:30 Finding new friends and community as an adult 23:31 Dating smarter: the three-trait Smart Select System 26:56 What men and women really want but rarely say 29:20 Love languages, snuggle time, and learning to meet needs 35:26 Making your partner the priority (and what your kids learn from it) 41:44 Everyday appreciation, acts of kindness, and repair 42:10 Self-worth, forgiveness, and not giving your happiness away 45:40 Final encouragement: chOrder Stroke It now at jennyaldaytownsend.com/book. Your order includes a signed copy, shipping and handling, and great Bonus items!Follow the Stroke It Guide on socials to stay connected and to get tips on how you too can get your STROKE on'!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaldaytownsend/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestrokeitguide Check out more about Jenny Alday Townsend by visiting http://www.jennyaldaytownsend.com Did you know there are free downloads available on my website? Go to All Products | Jenny Alday Townsend and snag the 4 Ground Rules to Elevate your life. Planning your future? Develop your 1-3-5 and change your life path!
Transcribe →Ep 206 When Letting Go Is The Bravest Move
Dec 200:12:54Tap to summarizeIn this solo episode of The Stroke It Podcast, host Jenny Townsend opens up about one of the toughest parts of growth: choosing to walk away from people, places, and commitments that no longer align with who you are. She shares the story of stepping back from a women’s partnership she once loved and believed in, and what it looks like to honor your values even when it means leaving a table you helped build.Jenny also gets real about family patterns, holiday drama, and the quiet resentment that can build when you keep showing up out of obligation instead of genuine connection. From navigating hard conversations she’d rather avoid to seeing how other women quietly made the same choice to leave, she walks you through the inner work of asking: Who am I? Who do I want around me? And what kind of future am I really designing?If you’re heading into a new year feeling overextended, underappreciated, or out of alignment with certain relationships or roles, this episode will give you permission to pause, reflect, and create better boundaries—without feeling like a quitter. It’s honest, practical, and meant to help you protect your energy so you can pour into the people and spaces that pour back into you.What You’ll Hear in This Episode ✅ Why Jenny chose to walk away from a partnership she once dreamed about ✅ How to recognize when a group, role, or relationship no longer aligns with your values ✅ The tension between wanting to be honest and not wanting to hurt someone’s feelings ✅ Simple boundary shifts for friends or family who constantly “dump” on you ✅ How to stop being everyone’s free therapist and reclaim time for your own mental health ✅ Ideas for gently redirecting negative conversations or encouraging therapy and support ✅ Why it’s okay to skip family traditions that leave you anxious, resentful, or drained ✅ How to intentionally seek out rooms, communities, and careers that reflect where you want to go ✅ A year-end reflection practice to decide who and what comes with you into the new year ✅ Jenny’s reminder to be generous—with your time, energy, and love—without forgetting yourselfChapters00:00 Letting go without feeling like a quitter 00:51 New year, new lens on what no longer serves you 01:14 The women’s partnership Jenny chose to leave 02:21 Self-reflection and asking who you want at your table 04:22 Boundaries with negative, draining family members 05:12 Time limits, redirecting venting, and suggesting therapy 07:20 Choosing spaces and communities that lift you up 08:56 Reviewing the past year: what’s working and what isn’t 10:41 Walking away from family holiday drama 12:04 Final encouragement to stay true to yourself and let go with loveOrder Stroke It now at jennyaldaytownsend.com/book. Your order includes a signed copy, shipping and handling, and great Bonus items!Follow the Stroke It Guide on socials to stay connected and to get tips on how you too can get your STROKE on'!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaldaytownsend/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestrokeitguide Check out more about Jenny Alday Townsend by visiting http://www.jennyaldaytownsend.com Did you know there are free downloads available on my website? Go to All Products | Jenny Alday Townsend and snag the 4 Ground Rules to Elevate your life. Planning your future? Develop your 1-3-5 and change your life path!
Transcribe →Ep 205 Is Your Need for Control Blocking Your Growth?
Nov 2500:50:56Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Stroke It Podcast, host Jenny Townsend sits down with international speaker and Operations Genius founder Joanna Zhang for a raw, uplifting conversation about self-love, codependency, and what happens when you stop living your life for everyone else. Joanna shares her journey from financial planner, wife, and mom moving through divorce and burnout to experiencing a soul awakening that changed how she works, leads, parents, and loves.Together, Jenny and Joanna unpack what it looks like to move from people-pleasing and external validation to real self-acceptance, stronger boundaries, and a life that feels colorful again. They talk about the difference between pleasure and true happiness, how to refill your own cup, embracing feminine energy, and why letting go of control can actually make you a better leader at home and at work.It’s honest, emotional, and hopeful—especially if you’ve been feeling drained, over-responsible, or stuck in a “gray” season of life.ResourcesConnect with Joanna Zhang on LinkedIn Download Joanna’s free guide on reclaiming your time and energy through delegationLearn more about Jenny’s book The Stroke It GuideWhat You’ll Hear in This Episode✅ How Joanna moved from codependency and external validation to a powerful soul awakening✅ The moment she realized her life had turned “gray” and how she brought creativity and color back✅ The difference between short-term pleasure and deep, sustaining happiness✅ Why so many women, especially moms and high achievers, silence their own needs✅ How true self-love naturally creates stronger, healthier boundaries✅ Joanna’s “cup” analogy for burnout and why filling your own cup first changes everything✅ Practical ways Jenny and Joanna protect their energy, from me-time to hobbies to rest✅ How embracing feminine energy and letting go of control transformed their leadership, parenting, and relationships✅ Joanna’s final challenge to stop just talking about self-love and truly live itChapters00:01 Welcome and intro to Joanna and The Operations Genius00:53 Joanna joins the conversation and shares her current season of life03:25 Codependency, losing herself, and life turning “gray”07:05 Jenny’s near-divorce, burnout, and healing journey10:39 From self-worth and boundaries to deeper self-love11:13 Pleasure vs happiness and redefining what fills you up16:34 Boundaries, acceptance, and choosing love over fear21:19 The “cup” analogy and why burnout happens23:07 Me-time, hobbies, and respecting your own energy26:50 Handling “energy suckers” and releasing responsibility for everyone else34:48 Masculine vs feminine energy for women who lead and provideOrder Stroke It now at jennyaldaytownsend.com/book. Your order includes a signed copy, shipping and handling, and great Bonus items!Follow the Stroke It Guide on socials to stay connected and to get tips on how you too can get your STROKE on'!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaldaytownsend/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestrokeitguide Check out more about Jenny Alday Townsend by visiting http://www.jennyaldaytownsend.com Did you know there are free downloads available on my website? Go to All Products | Jenny Alday Townsend and snag the 4 Ground Rules to Elevate your life. Planning your future? Develop your 1-3-5 and change your life path!
Transcribe →