DeepSummary
In this episode, Jennifer Brown and Alexandra Jamieson discuss the challenges and opportunities facing women leaders in their 40s and 50s. They explore the impact of external factors such as the pandemic, societal rollbacks of rights, and industry disruptions that have caused many accomplished women to be passed over or forced to reassess their paths. Jamieson shares examples of clients who have reinvented themselves by reconnecting with their values and getting creative.
Brown and Jamieson emphasize the importance of creativity, community, and cultivating resilience during these uncertain times. They use rich metaphors from nature, such as gardens and ecosystems, to illustrate the need for nurturing environments, complementary support systems, and patience. The creative process of collage-making is highlighted as a way to express oneself, process experiences, and generate new ideas.
Throughout the conversation, the two highlight the power of vulnerability, authenticity, and reclaiming one's narrative. They encourage women to explore their unique contributions, question systems that deplete them, and find joy in their work. Ultimately, Brown and Jamieson advocate for building communities of mutual support and exchanging wisdom as paths to thriving leadership.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Women leaders in their 40s and 50s are facing significant challenges due to external factors like the pandemic, industry changes, and societal shifts, leading many to reassess their paths.
- Creativity, community, and reconnecting with core values are vital for cultivating resilience, authenticity, and redefining success during this transition.
- The artistic process of collage-making can serve as a powerful tool for self-expression, processing experiences, and generating new ideas.
- Rich metaphors from nature, such as gardens and ecosystems, illustrate the importance of nurturing environments, complementary support systems, and patience in personal and professional growth.
- Vulnerability, reclaiming narratives, and building communities of mutual support and wisdom exchange are key to thriving as a leader.
- Continuously reinvesting in oneself and one's communities is essential for driving positive change and contributing unique value.
- Embracing the full range of emotions and expanding personal capacity for holding contrasting experiences is crucial for resilience.
- Redefining success on one's own terms, pursuing joy and purpose, and questioning depleting systems are paths to meaningful leadership.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Look at this beautiful thing I made. That really speaks to this part of me that I wasn't able to verbalize. I just taught a collage class a couple weeks ago, and one of the attendees had just lost a parent, and it was, oh, these three images reminded me of when I was a child with my caregiver, who was my parent, and, like, this is now what I'm going to put on my little altar that I've created at home. And it's really, like, giving me strength.“ by Alexandra Jamieson
- “So collage is such a great. I call it the gateway drug of arts, because anyone can do it. You don't need to have any art school training. You don't need to be an expert. You only need a pile of papers which normally would have been thrown away.“ by Alexandra Jamieson
- “I mean, you put a group of Gen X women around a pile of art supplies, and 2 hours just flies by.“ by Alexandra Jamieson
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Episode Information
The Will To Change: Uncovering True Stories of Diversity & Inclusion
Jennifer Brown
5/3/24
In this episode, Jennifer is joined by coach and artist Alexandra Jamieson as they explore the challenges and opportunities facing women leaders in their 40s and 50s. Through the lenses of their own experiences and those of their clients, Jennifer and Alex delve into the impact of external factors, the importance of creativity and community, and the power of reconnecting with one's values in the face of adversity. Using rich metaphors from nature and art, they illuminate the messy yet rewarding process of cultivating resilience, authenticity, and mutual support in a world that often presents significant barriers to women's advancement and well-being. Discover the inner and outer work required to thrive and lead in uncertain times.