We Can Do Hard Things: Episode Summary - "Find Your ‘Tingle’ & Live Wild with Justina Blakeney"
Release Date: February 20, 2025
In this inspiring episode of We Can Do Hard Things, host Glennon Doyle is joined by her wife Abby Wambach, sister Amanda Doyle, and special guest Justina Blakeney, a multidisciplinary artist, designer, and New York Times bestselling author. The conversation delves deep into themes of belonging, self-respect, life force, creativity, and personal growth, all through the lens of Justina’s vibrant life and experiences.
Guest Introduction: Justina Blakeney
The episode kicks off with Abby eagerly introducing Justina Blakeney to the Pod Squad, highlighting Justina’s accomplishments and vibrant personality.
Abby Wambach [02:22]: "Justina Blakeney is a multidisciplinary artist, designer, and New York Times bestselling author. She is the founder and chief creative officer of the home decor brand Jungle O."
Justina herself describes her essence:
Justina Blakeney [06:08]: "When I think about what I try and exude, self-expression is really important to me. It's like trying to share my knowing and be known. And it feels good."
The Concept of Belonging
Abby initiates a heartfelt discussion on the concept of belonging, sharing her personal struggles with frequent moves and the elusive feeling of fitting in.
Abby Wambach [07:05]: "You have a realm. Your life is important."
Justina Blakeney [08:30]: Justina reflects on her multicultural upbringing in Berkeley, feeling like an outsider, and how this shaped her ability to blend into different environments. She emphasizes the balance between feeling included and standing out:
"I started to feel comfortable not fitting in and being okay with standing out more." [08:30]
Self-Sovereignty and Self-Respect
The conversation transitions to the powerful concept of self-sovereignty and self-respect, inspired by an anecdote from Glenn about Justina’s approach to dietary choices.
Justina Blakeney [13:30]: "Self-respect is an angle on self-love. It's about feeling respected by yourself."
Glennon Doyle [15:43]: Glenn contrasts self-respect with self-shame, highlighting the transformative power of a kinder inner dialogue:
"It's like, baby, your time is so important. You are such a sweet thing and I care about you." [16:12]
Meditation, Life Force, and Personal Health
Abby and Justina delve into the importance of meditation and listening to one’s body, sharing personal journeys toward better health and vitality.
Justina Blakeney [23:37]: She recounts her turning point post-COVID, where prolonged health issues prompted her to start meditation:
"That was really the beginning of my meditation practice... It can be a game changer." [23:37]
Abby Wambach [32:27]: Abby connects the concept of life force to Justina’s creative energy, discussing how maintaining vitality influences personal and professional decisions.
Justina Blakeney [32:06]: "I'm starting to feel the life force. It's the measure by which I'm evaluating all my business decisions." [32:06]
Creativity and Discipline
The dialogue shifts to balancing creativity with discipline, exploring how Justina maintains her artistic flow while managing responsibilities.
Abby Wambach [42:32]: "How do you balance creativity and discipline without becoming too rigid or too wild?"
Justina Blakeney [42:35]: Justina explains her approach to discipline, focusing on routines that support her creative endeavors rather than stifling them:
"I need discipline more around the other things to do things that I may have more avoidance around." [42:35]
Stuff and Self-Expression
Justina shares her passion for surrounding herself with meaningful objects, likening her home to a personal museum that tells her life story.
Justina Blakeney [45:35]: "Drawing, painting, illustrating faces creates an immediate connection... it's about finding resonances." [45:35]
Abby Wambach [48:00]: Abby likens Justina’s curated spaces to "music for your eyes," emphasizing the personal significance of beauty in her life.
Current Struggles and Future Projects
The conversation culminates with Justina opening up about her struggles with maintenance energy and her exciting upcoming projects.
Justina Blakeney [48:37]: She discusses the challenge of maintaining health and energy after achieving her goals, expressing the difficulty of shifting from a "go, go, go" mindset to one of maintenance:
"I'm struggling with that... getting more comfortable with never figuring it out." [50:58]
Despite these struggles, Justina shares her enthusiasm for future endeavors:
Justina Blakeney [54:35]: "I'm working on a book called 'Grow' with my mom, and I'm starting a song club because I love to sing." [54:35]
She emphasizes the healing power of community and creative expression:
"Singing in community is incredibly healing... It's instant harmony and embodied." [57:03]
Final Thoughts and Harmony
As the episode wraps up, Glenn and Abby acknowledge the harmony between Justina’s philosophies on creating beautiful spaces and living a harmonious life. Justina’s work and life embody a blend of creativity, self-respect, and vitality that inspires listeners to find their own “tingle” and live authentically.
Glennon Doyle [58:10]: "Your work is really, really special."
Justina Blakeney [58:17]: "The feeling is very mutual with you guys. So, yeah. So beautiful."
Abby Wambach [58:17]: "We love you, Pod Squad. Go check out Justina. You probably already know her, but if you haven't, just trust me. It'll just make you come to life a little more."
Conclusion
This episode of We Can Do Hard Things serves as a profound exploration of personal growth through self-expression, mindfulness, and community. Justina Blakeney’s insights offer valuable lessons on embracing one’s true self, maintaining inner harmony, and finding beauty in everyday life. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own lives, seek their “tingle,” and navigate the hard things with courage and authenticity.