Behind the Mic: No Halos here We are Jen and Jane

This is amplify you the podcast about you discovering your message and broadcasting to the world. If you're a coach, author or speaker, you'll want to tune in. If you're looking for the best return on your time investment to get your message out to the world in a bigger way. We're giving you full access behind the scenes look of how we're running our podcasts, how our clients have found success, and what you can do to launch your podcast today. The world needs your message. I'm Michelle Abraham, the host join my family as we unleash your unique genius and find the connections you need to launch your venture today. Join us and let's get amplify. Hello, hello, amplify you Michelle Avraham, your hosts here. Let me tell you about the behind the mic interview I have for you lined up today. I am super excited. I have Jen and Jane with us from no halos here podcast. So Jenny Jane, Hey, how are you?

We are great. Thank you so much for having us here on the podcast. Here.

Yeah, super excited to dive into this. Woohoo. Awesome. Well,

let me tell our family a little bit more about you guys. Not only are you the amazing co hosts of the no halos, your podcast, but Jen also believes in the power and wisdom of women's voices. She's a guide for women who want to tune in and align their inner voice. So their outer voice can shine, uniting physical, mental and emotional and spiritual energies into a powerful voice ready to share your message very much aligned with what we do at amplify you. I love that. So passionate about being about energetic alignment and living from a place of personal power. Jean is a heart centered leader, entrepreneur, marketing strategist and HCI certified health coach, she leads others to play bigger, feel lighter, helping them see and navigate their blocks and connect more deeply with themselves. Together, Jean, Jen and Jane bring their wealth of experiences, healing modalities and compassionate methods of inquiry to get to the root of every challenge that clients bring to the table, bringing lasting change rooted in the power of radical responsibility and owning your shit. Love it, ladies. And I love to see how this has evolved and unfolded. And we're gonna get to that in a little bit. First of all, I just want to ask you this one question. Why podcasting? What inspired you to podcast? Good question.

That is, I don't think that was in the, in the that wasn't in the email you sent us. But it's a great question wasn't? Yeah, it kind of grew naturally. I think both of us. I'll let gene speak to her experience. But I'm pretty sure that both of us had our own idea like, well, we'll have a podcast one day. And then when the pandemic started in March 2020, Jane and I, you know, we had a friendship on the go, but it was, you know, whatever. We've just like, how can we how can we navigate this time with more grace for ourselves. And so we decided to get together on Zoom, no videos or phone call and meditate together at 7am Each morning. And that basically turned into some deeper conversations and some more, I guess, explorations of topics that shadowed edges of things that were like, oh, we can't talk about this in the public. And then we were like, we should start a podcast. So that's kind of what how it started. And then the why is one of those. We just, I don't know, again, that to you, Jane, because it was I just felt like it's a natural platform,

I think. Yeah, I mean, for me, personally, I have a marketing background. And I was building my coaching business. And podcasting just was something that felt more natural to me, I knew that I wanted something where I could start to share more of my voice. Video didn't feel like the thing. At the time, like when I was looking at different different tactics and things like that. And I don't know, podcasting, just kind of, like I say, felt natural. And I was drawn to it. But it sat there for a long time for me. And then as Jen said, it was more when our friendship kind of flourished. And we started exploring, working together in various ways. I think I said to Jen, it was in our one morning, I was like, you know, I think we should do a podcast. I'd also I had talked about doing podcasting with other people. And with a previous coach, actually, that was on my business plan. But it also for me, never felt aligned to do a solo podcast. That was something that kind of, again, every time I thought about it, I was like, I just doesn't I don't know. It just didn't feel feel right. And so, yeah, when these conversations started coming, and it all just kind of fell into place, and we were like, Let's do this. So yeah,

just felt right. And, yeah, it just felt right and ready to go and really Natural, it was a natural progression of the conversations that we were already having.

I would imagine there was some like conversations with recording this one.

Yeah. And we did, we often recorded it was funny, we'd be like in the middle of a really juicy conversation and, and Jen, because we meet on zoom cameras off at 7am. And then Jen and be like, I'm just gonna record this just in case. And so we'd start recording our conversations. But we hadn't really, when done any of the planning or had any of the framework work for how to turn those into podcasts. But yeah, absolutely. We actually probably have a whole archive of some really interesting stuff. Yeah. We went back and listen to Jenna BB

some good, like nuggets that you can pull out and like put in Yeah, and then have a conversation around what was going on? And that's so cool. Many ways to multi use your, your content? Definitely, definitely. Awesome. So how do you guys go from like, having two different businesses and two very different backgrounds, to then coming together and deciding, like, what is the content of the show going to be about? So? What was that process for you guys? Like?

Well, okay, um, yeah, I mean, it's evolved, continuing to evolve. So, like I say, when Jen and I met, we just we were in similar spaces. Again, like you say, different backgrounds. I like, you know, we often talk about how, you know, when you look at us, and on paper, were two very different people leading pretty different lifestyles. And yet, we had just these synchronicities, and these things where we connected and just lightbulbs would go off, and we'd have these aha moments together. And we just would go deeper and deeper. And we started in 2019. Jen, I think we hosted, we decided to co host a workshop in the fall of 2019. And then like, we just kind of knew, like, we got to do something together. And so that evolved. And then, like, we just shared, the inspiration for a lot of our podcast episodes came from those conversations. And that just has continued to grow. So we now work organically that has grown to we now are building out this brand of we are Jen and Jane. And we actually and we've got some offerings that we do together now. So we have our own individual coaching businesses, but we also have offerings that we do together, because we also started to realize that our skill sets are really complementary. And that, you know, what we bring from our coaching practices individually can actually be really magical, when we do it together. So that brings a lot of that together. And it brings a lot of our content for our podcast. And it's kind of the direction that we've gone. And just through that, we've also just continued to develop a deeper and deeper friendship kind of from a business and a personal place. And so I think we often, you know, we share inspiration, where, you know, if Jen's listening to a podcast, it's just like, oh, my gosh, this is, you know, so great. She'll send it to me, and vice versa. And then oftentimes, that also opens up the dialogue, where they will unpack things will be like, what did you think about this, like, or this brought this up from here, I was triggered by that. And that is kind of all of the stuff that we bring to the podcast. Jam, do you something to add there? I can, I

would say the order? Yeah, no, that was that was awesome. All of what Jane said. And we also the way we come up with topics, and sometimes is very intuitive. And so we really call on a lot of wherever we're moved. And wherever we flow to is quite often will drop into a meditation together. And then something will come into both of our experiences or both in into our field. And that really expands and deepens the conversation. So then we will springboard off that as a topic or as a direction or an avenue to take.

I love hearing your guy's story. So reminds me of how Evans and I first met on interviewing each other on a podcast and how that has turned into like really seeing like how we offer two different very different perspectives on the same subject of podcasting from two different backgrounds of expertise. But how amazing is that for your guys class, to have to have you guys and to two different, you know, backgrounds together under the same under the same program under the same, you know, under the same coaching umbrella to help their client just I'm sure that gets your clients so much more results faster, too.

Yeah, I think it's also I'll jump in with this one, Jane, because I think this is a very recent conversation we've had, as in light, I think it was just this past week, where we realized that through each of our own journeys, we cover very complementary areas, and because of the work I've done with Voice. A lot of my clients usually come from long term illnesses or chronic illnesses with thyroid. And so I'll go into the voice piece. And then Jane's experience which she all that prophecy, she can tell her more story is more to do with hips and lower body and pelvic floor. And there's a direct correlation between those two areas. There's a lot of complimentary and similar physiology between the vocal vocalists, muscles, and all that apparatus for speaking, as there is in women's sexual health. So it's kind of like we have everybody covered in every way, because we like basically have you covered head to toe because of our both our own experiences, bringing those together. And then where women where we see our clients struggling, is you there's a correlate strong correlation between those two areas.

Yeah. And add to that, actually, too, it's interesting, because that also kind of if you extrapolate that a bit to business and working with women in business, Jen, as she said, comes from a background of voice and vocal work. And so much of women in leadership is about finding your voice and using your voice, right. And I have a marketing background and come from that business strategy side of things. So it's also interesting. So bringing that to clients, if it's if it's a client that needs to, or sorry, is looking to, you know, strengthen leadership find their personal power. Again, it's all correlated, even with health and all of the things. And Jen and I've also really been, as we've been building our own business relationship, exploring that and what that looks like for us and how we each show up in our strengths in our own business, but also how we can support our clients.

Yeah, I love it. It sounds like your clients are super lucky. Yeah, no, it's amazing. And I want to dive into both of your expertise in a moment here. And I want to, I want would love to hear some of your expertise as our listeners are a lot of people looking at doing podcasts or starting podcasting, can you give us some voice tips that would really help us become better podcasters or better behind the microphone or even to find our voice. I know, it's something that takes a lot of practice to get comfortable sharing your voice. So yeah, share with us some great tips,

so many areas, I'll I'll try and share three tips and keep them straightforward and easy to adopt. So my first tip would be breathe, just breathe. And that by connecting to a lower body breath, you actually calm your nervous system down, especially if you're in those first five or 10 episodes and you're feeling nervous about speaking behind the microphone and sharing that just taking a moment taking five seconds to go breathing in and breathing out. And that will ground your energy deeper in your body making it easier to actually access your your true voice rather than speaking from a place of nervousness, which is often tight, and your audience will hear that tightness. So when you're speaking from a place of grounded calm, then you're going to be communicating from a place of grounded calm, and that will keep your listeners more engaged for longer, like this double triple whammy tip. My second tip would be if you get dry mouth, just bite your tongue and create more saliva. Be mindful of not drinking too much water because that will actually drive the saliva down you're down your throat and not in your mouth where you need it. So that helps. And then my third tip would be around over articulation. So sometimes English has a really lazy language, it's really easy to speak without actually moving our mouth or lips very much. And it's so much more helpful for listeners if you just to give a little bit more energy to the words being in front of you, rather than just at your face. So imagine that you're speaking to a person who's maybe two or three feet or away or about a meter away. And that will help you articulate your words a bit more clearly. And help your listeners understand your message more clearly.

Those are great I love it. I you shared with me that they are biting your tongue one a few weeks ago and I swear I've been using it so much is very helpful. All three of those are very helpful. I know that something that I really need to you know, I really need to ground myself before I start so that I'm not opinion talking up here. You know, like and running and running out of breath while I'm talking because I'm a fast speaker so really slowing down. Now I do want to recommend that you don't do that breath exercise into your microphone during an episode but yes, that could be pretty awful for listeners ears but I do. I do like the idea of Doing that grounding and calming yourself yourself down. I think that's a great, great tips. Thank you. Now, Jane, I'm gonna Yeah, Jane, I'm going to toss it over to you your background is in marketing and in wellness. So what are some things that you guys have done to, to promote your show to, to promote it, and also to keep yourselves like, feeling good about it less stressing about it and healthy in the in the great way that you guys have been able to continue and be successful at doing this together?

Yeah, so, I mean, we were still in the early days of building our brand. And we've really tried to do things organically. And in a, in a more intuitive way. So we started with the podcast, kind of thought we'll see where that goes, we then decided that, okay, we want to start to do more together and offer programs together. So we launched our we are Jen and Jane brand on Instagram, and Facebook. And we've really just started to build community there and started to build build that presence. I, I would say that, you know, this is this is also a like, it's not our one soul thing. So we each have our own things going on. And so that's presented an interesting challenge in itself, right? Where it's like, Whoa, are we all of a sudden gonna be marketing three different brands here? And what does that look like? So we've definitely had to had to navigate that. And like, it's sort of said earlier, we're starting to find our feet in terms of where our strengths are. So for example, my my strength, the strategy and that bigger visioning piece and knowing and looking at where all the different pieces come into play, and how they all work together. Jen strength is building community and, and so as we move into the new year, that's something that we're really going to focus on is how can we play to our strengths to build what we're building. And so we're going to be launching a community, and Jen is going to take the lead on what that looks like. And I'm going to be working with our VA kind of more in the background to look at, where do we need to show up? And what does that need to look like, but ultimately, you know, it really is sinking into our own knowing and our own intuition and showing up where it feels good, not where we think we need to, or following every next marketing strategy, you know, for your this funnel and have that funnel and all the things I think that's one of the biggest things that I've always kind of been this way where I've, I've always in the work I've done is really encouraged my clients to look at, like what feels good to you, just because somebody else is doing something, doesn't mean that it's the right thing for you to do. And I think that's really important. And so I knowing the intention behind that is something that I'd say, we're really doing. And then the other comment I would make on that is we're playing around with what planning looks like for us. And especially in the last two years, you know, doing even one year plans at this point, you know, they're getting thrown out the window within a couple of months. So we're taking a new approach to kind of look and go, Hey, like, what if we sat down and looked quarterly? Like what do we want to achieve each quarter? What are we going to talk about? What are our offers? And that kind of thing? What's, you know, there's the whole planning of the podcast piece, but even on a bigger level, what's the big picture? And what's the theme, and if we just sit down and do that quarterly and allow for that flow, to keep coming as we navigate this very uncertain world that we're in. You know, it's kind of a big thing that we've been talking about lately.

I love that so much great wisdom in what you're seeing. And I love what you're, you know, you guys are very much about organic, organic marketing and organic, organically how your how your partnership came together again, actually is only I think that's something in checking in with ourselves. Like, I feel like entrepreneurs especially have that shiny object syndrome, where we tend to bounce around and whatever is new, whatever is working for that person is going to work for us too. Exactly. Yeah,

love is so easy to get caught up in and we are not immune to that by any means. But we're fortunate in that we have each other to keep ourselves in check. We definitely do that. Sometimes we're like, Hey, did you see this? And that's like, Wait a minute. We don't need to do that just because they're doing that what we want to do.

So that's been super powerful. Having that awareness and just waking up to a different level of awareness around Do we really need that thing that that person talked about? And even, I'm actually really looking forward to this holiday break because we're recording this before before the holidays. And I'm looking forward to that break to work on a little bit more strategy in for myself in terms of cleaning up my inbox, and unsubscribing from things that I don't read anymore, and cleaning up my hard drive and deleting documents of old marketing strategy or old things that don't really fit any More was where I'm headed. where we're headed.

Totally agree with that I my computer just got a whole cup of coffee dumped on it a few weeks ago. I lost everything. But to be honest, it was actually nice to be able to start fresh with downloads and the down Pathak because there was nothing so far three weeks in that I'm missing this just goes to show you how much like extra clutter we have. My personal

email right now is out of control. And I actually had that thought the other day, I'm like, what if I just start a new email like and just, I yeah, I've thought about it, I don't think I'm gonna do it. There's a few other reasons but like the thought crossed my mind of like, because like you say what, I really miss those emails in there, probably not

Facebook deleted my entire account last year, everything after 13 years of being on there, the only thing is that I'm missing from there. Like I had 5000 Friends 65,000 likes on my Facebook page. The only thing that I'm missing after all that deleted Instagram On Facebook is a couple pictures that people tagged me in for my wedding. And a few pictures of my kids from when they were little, which Ryan probably have copies of anyway, somewhere. So it was alright, like it was actually it opened the door for new opportunities and new relationships.

I love that opening the door to new names, I think that's also defines how Jane and I started this work together is opening the door to those new opportunities and new friendships. Because relatively speaking, it is a new friendship and partnership for both of us. And it's, you know, I grew up in very close to the community where where Jane currently lives. And I was home on the weekend visiting and I thought, gosh, you know, there's a friend that I've been friends with since grade nine, who lives two doors down from my family house. And I haven't seen her in person. Like I've seen her once in person in the past probably three years. And she doesn't really know much about my life. And what I do and curious Jane and I with this newer friendship and it's just it's such a lovely place to be to explore what friendship can be as an adult, in a different way.

Yeah, when we're not in the same class of 30 kids and get to pick a friend from within. I always think your true friends come from like outside of those school years. You get the freedom to be who you are who you really are. I was one of those that small classroom, right? Totally. I love it. So as you guys are now co hosts of a podcast I see I'm seeing a lot of people thinking about starting a podcast. But it becomes a little bit overwhelming. But then they find someone that I can do it with as a co host. And it seems to be a little bit less overwhelming and more fun to do it with someone. What's your guy's big, biggest tips for people that are thinking about being a co hosts on a podcast now that you guys are several episodes into having this experience yourself? I love that question.

Yeah, I'll take it. I really feel like allowing things to unfold in a natural way, our podcast would not be the same if we hadn't had that literally year, almost a year of conversations before actually starting the podcast. And you know, allowing things to unfold in a way that feels really good and not pressured leads to more interesting conversations. And I think also leads to you being open to a bigger variety of topics. So yes, choose something but we're even finding that even we launched in April, and we're 40 ish episodes in. But we'd like to now re record our intro and outro because it is it will be a better reflection, a more accurate reflection of where our podcast is actually headed. So have those conversations First, don't get too caught up and over structuring and allowing more freedom and flow. That will be my that'd be my tip for people who were co hosting or even hosting.

Yeah, I think. And really, I mean, it's a big commitment, right, like to keep a podcast and that's the other like we've we made the commitment that we were going to launch this and we were going to launch an episode or we were going to release an episode every week. And I'm happy to say we've achieved that so far, from April through to the end of the year. We have not missed a week. But it is not easy coordinating schedules and making sure you've got enough episodes recorded and allowing even for that space where there's been a few times where we've recorded an episode and it's just like, oh, no, just didn't feel it. We need to, you know, re record that. So it is a time commitment. And it takes coordination. And so I think that that's something that's really important to remember. And yes, finding a co host can definitely release or sorry, relieve some of that overwhelm. But it can't be just anybody I guess it's sort of what I'm saying. Right, like, so making sure that you really do feel and have given thought to Can I work with this person? You know, in this way, whether if you've worked with them in a different in a business relationship in some way or some sort of relationship, I don't think I could just pick up and co host a podcast with anyone. You know, there's definitely considerations there.

Yeah, I think that's certainly important, an important piece that commitment, because it over time that commitments a long term commitment, not just a short, fun one, you've got to keep the keep the fun going to make it interesting. So to keep everyone wanting to, to continue on. And I know, I know, because we work with you guys that sometimes, if not both of you guys on the show. So, uh, can you share with us that a little bit about that strategy? And like how, like, sometimes it's just not both of you?

Yeah, that's actually something that was something else I was gonna say the beauty in having a co host and the way we've set ourselves up. I know not every everybody does this, some people really feel that they want each episode to have both people present, I'd say 80 to 90% of our episodes are both of us. But we have been able to, to miss the word I'm trying to say but to like back each other up when things come up. And like I say, with scheduling. I think also for Jen and I were fortunate, as I sort of shared earlier that we have, we have fairly different lifestyles, I have two children. Jen doesn't have children. She has two dogs, and likes to travel and has done, you know, has different things like that. But so when life has gotten busy for one or the other of us, we've sort of said, hey, we'll do a solo episode. And so yeah, that was an that was something we talked about and felt really comfortable with that we can each let our light shine. And as we said before, like there's a lot of magic that happens together. But we also recognize, I think that that gift that each of us has. And so that's something that we kind of consciously brought to this where we wanted to be able to show up individually as well.

Yeah. I have nothing else to add. That was great.

Yeah, no, I love it. Yes. And do you guys have a little signal so that you don't cut each other off? Like you could? Now, so I'm thinking there's some like telecommunications that go on, because you're both navigating each other speaking very well. So I'm just curious, for those that are thinking about having a podcast, you gotta have to have a signal, right? I

think sometimes I think because we have the video component, we can read each other's body language quite well. And so you know, Jane will know my expression of when I'm like, I got something God, I'm just like, and I'll know hers as well. Or sometimes we just cut each other off. We're like, Yeah, let's be real. Like we do that we like, I just want to finish the thought. So that's the reality of, you know, we're this French Canadian.

And we seem to have and I noticed we've done it in this to where we'll like, we'll pause and be like, did you want to start? Do you want to take that? Like, we kind of do this little polite dance sometimes, as well. But yeah,

it's nice for your listener. So today, you're not talking over each other, because you're giving some Cisco what, what I extrapolate from all of that is that you guys give each other space. And it might not be like the unmute mute button like signal specifically, but you can read each other as to when you want to add something in the conversation. I love that. Awesome. Yes. So guys, I was so excited. You're here with us today. This has been amazing. You guys are really sharing with us. Some really great nuggets of like, don't be afraid to start a podcast with someone else. It is a lot of fun. But it is a commitment does take some time, you guys have given us some amazing tips. Now I want to know you guys have created something together under your new Jen and Jane brand. And share with us what that is and where can listeners find out more about it.

Here's the pause Jane's like over to you, Jen. So we have created a beautiful tool called the empowerment playbook. And we deliberately called it a playbook because we want people to download it and have fun with it. And basically we created this as a process for you to sort of explore or look at something in your life that isn't sitting right with you or something that's bugging you. It could be a family situation, it could be a work situation health. Basically, it's a multi purpose tool. And you play through the playbook in terms of exploring or unpacking you like what am I feelings about the situation? And there's some guiding questions, but then we also provide suggestions about how you can play with the wisdom and the knowledge that you have inside you that's waiting to come forth then we help you embody that. So the tool encourages you to where do you feel those feelings in your body? Where can you release that? Do you need to move? Do you need to have an app do you need to rest or drink some Water. So tuning more deeply into the self, so that you can move through the thing that basically asked you to download the like drew you to download the playbook in the first place. And then you'll feel more empowered out the other side.

And if I can just add to that, please one of the things that I think makes this a little bit more unique than just another PDF download, and Jen failed to do add here is that Jen is a beautiful, gifted sound healer as well. And so she has created a sound bath to go with our playbook as well as a guided meditation. And so when you download the playbook, you get both of those audio files as well. And the meditation helps to just get you into that space to kind of go into that reflection place. And then the sound bath just again, is additional support to help move through that. So all of those things come together as a package with this offering.

Sounds amazing. And from getting to know you guys over the last year or so I know that what exactly we've put into this playbook in the Sandbox is how you guys treat your own business to like by tuning into the business itself. In what feels right. What's what's not feeling, right. So I appreciate that you guys are walking the talk and modeling this within your your new brand and working together too. So I think that's really fascinating. It's not often that happens in business or people are modeling what they are teaching somebody. So I love that you guys do that. And so where can we find out where to download that and how to get it?

Yeah, that's so that playbook is available if you go to we are Jen and jane.com. Forward slash playbook. Like Gretchen Yes, playbook. Yes. Like playbook empowerment playbook. It's our playbook. You can also find us on Instagram at we are Jan and Jane. And there's a link in our bio to download it there as well.

Yeah. Or it should be in the show notes. We've provided it to Michelle. So it'll be in the show notes for this episode.

Absolutely. I'll put it in the show notes. And before we let you guys go, can you just share with our friends at home that are thinking about starting a podcast? What is your one piece of advice or inspiration for one from each of you as we let you go today?

Be yourself unapologetically. Don't give up.

Make up on that one. Thank you.

Yeah, don't give up. It's a process. Yeah. And it you know, we're 40 episodes in. And I feel like we're just starting to get our feet under us.

Yeah, in getting your voice concrete, right. I think it takes many episodes to just get comfortable sharing your message in your voice. I love it.

And it just expands. So it's, you know, you're comfortable at the time. And as you proceed, you get more comfortable and you bring in guests and then that explorer opens the door to other topics and other ways to explore. So it's awesome. Keep going.

Love it. Thank you so much, ladies for joining us today. Oops, sorry. They kicked my chair. Thank you so much for joining us today and from our amplify you family we really appreciate all that you guys do and your episodes make sure you guys check out no heels your podcasts where you can see Jen and Jane in action on their podcasts and we were so lucky to be a part of your journey at amplify you so thank you so much for being with us today everybody and until next time go out there your uniqueness is your genius. No Forget amplifying it to the world is ours. Take care guys.

Thank you. Take care.