Jen Porter's "Lioness Conversations" podcast typically features her interviewing other inspiring women, but in this uniquely heartfelt episode, the tables are turned. Her friend and former spiritual coach, Michelle Mullins, takes the helm to interview Jen herself, offering listeners a rare and intimate look into Jen's own "Lioness story." This powerful conversation reveals the profound journey Jen has undertaken to become the confident and purpose-driven leader she is today.

Jen shares how her collaboration with Michelle began three years ago during a "dry, hard, sad season" where she felt called to integrate her faith more deeply into her work but didn't know how. Michelle became her trusted spiritual coach, guiding Jen through a period she describes as a "cocoon" — a dark and scary metamorphosis. From this transformative period, Jen emerged, much like a "soaring butterfly," with crystal-clear purpose: to empower women to fulfill their God-given purpose in this world.

The episode highlights several key aspects of Jen's journey and her philosophy:

• The Power of Retreat and Deep Listening: Jen emphasizes her need for silence and solo retreats to engage in deep listening, both to herself and to God. This intentional practice helps her quiet external noise and discern her next steps, embodying a "counter-cultural" approach to productivity.
• Leading with Love and Excellence: Jen passionately articulates her belief that true leadership is an honor and should be rooted in love and care for people, rather than solely on metrics or performance. This "counter-cultural" perspective, deeply influenced by her faith, seeks to avoid burnout and foster deep, soul-satisfying impact.
• Trusting Self and Spirit: Jen discusses how a foundation of micro-decisions and trusting her inner peace has built confidence, allowing her to take risks and make decisions, even when the path isn't fully clear. She views trusting her instincts, intuition, and the Holy Spirit as one and the same.
• A Legacy of Faith and Community: Jen's heritage of strong, joyful women of faith, particularly her grandmother who embodied selfless care and purpose, profoundly shaped her. This lineage, coupled with her belief that "we're not designed to do life alone," underscores the vital role of community and mutual support in navigating life's challenges.
• The Lioness Within: Ultimately, Jen's mission is to help women recognize the "Lioness" within themselves – an inner strength that perseveres through trials and pushes past societal barriers. Her podcast and upcoming book serve as a mirror, inviting women to see themselves as brave, worthy, and capable of making their unique impact on the world, acknowledging the challenges and fears along the way to ensure relatability and genuine inspiration.

The episode culminates with Jen revealing her current "brave stretch": finishing her book and launching live coaching sessions on the podcast. These vulnerable steps, shared with the support of her community, exemplify her commitment to walking the talk and continuing to inspire women to embrace their own powerful purpose.

Find out more about Jen's work: https://www.jenportercoach.com/

And Michelle Mullins' work: https://www.spiritledvoice.com/

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to Lioness Conversations

00:57
The Journey of Faith and Leadership

05:55
Empowering Women Through Coaching

09:53
The Importance of Deep Listening

15:03
The Power of Retreats for Reflection

18:52
Leading with Love and Excellence

25:02
Finding Peace in Decision Making

30:00
Trusting Yourself and Taking Risks

34:12
Defining Personal KPIs for Life

38:29
Heritage of Faith and Purpose

42:29
Navigating Life's Battlefield

46:06
The Power of Community

53:54
Embracing the Lioness Within

58:55
Being Brave in Vulnerability

Krista Tan, co-founder of Talent Collective, has built a truly remarkable global community for women in talent acquisition (TA). In a landscape riddled with isolation and rapid industry shifts, Krista’s vision offers a vital lifeline. Her brave leap from a stable job, in the midst of personal upheaval, was fueled by the powerful conviction that "the whole is better than any of us individually."

Talent Collective tackles the loneliness of remote work head-on, fostering genuine connections, driving career advancement through networking and a dedicated job board, and keeping members ahead of crucial industry trends. It's a space where women can find mentorship, support, and tangible opportunities, all built on a reciprocal cycle of generosity. Krista’s journey is an inspiring testament to the power of trusting one's gut and the profound impact of intentional community building, proving that when women in TA come together, they are an unstoppable force.

This isn’t just a network. It’s a movement fueled by generosity, courage, and connection.

👉 If you’re in TA—or simply believe in the power of women supporting women—Talent Collective is a model worth watching.

Check out Talent Collective: https://www.talentcollectiveco.com/

Join the Lioness Community: https://www.jenportercoach.com/

Chapters

00:00

Introduction to Lioness Conversations

01:08

Building Talent Collective: The Vision and Mission

03:20

The Leap of Faith: Quitting the Day Job

06:00

Navigating Financial Risks and Backup Plans

10:53

Adapting the Business Model for Success

13:30

The Impact of Talent Collective on Women

18:35

Trusting Yourself: A Journey of Self-Discovery

22:48

Listening to Your Body: Trusting Intuition

27:26

The Power of Journaling and Reflection

32:54

Building Meaningful Connections in Your Career

36:32

The Future of Talent Collective: Intentional Growth

Are you living in your "zone of excellence" but secretly dreaming of your "zone of genius"?

This was a key theme in a powerful discussion between leadership coach Jen Porter and neuroscience expert Kristin Graham on the Lioness Conversations podcast. They dove deep into why so many high-achievers feel unfulfilled and how to break free from the "velvet rut."

Kristin Graham, founder of Unlock, explains that our brains are wired for safety, which often means sticking with what we're good at, even if it doesn't bring us joy. Making the leap to what you truly desire requires courage because you're starting with no proof of success.

The solution?
✨ Borrow Belief: Surround yourself with people who believe in you until you can build your own evidence.
✨ Listen to Your Words: Are you constantly feeding your brain negative self-talk? Actively replace it. Say your strengths and goals out loud.
✨ Savor the Joy: Intentionally pause to notice and feel moments of beauty and happiness. This creates a deeper imprint in your memory and combats your brain's natural negativity bias.

This conversation is a must-listen for any ambitious, heart-centered woman ready to lead with more confidence and joy.

Connect with Kristin Graham: https://unlockthebrain.com/

Connect with the Lioness Community: https://www.jenportercoach.com/

Chapters

00:00
Unlocking the Brain: An Introduction

02:58
The Power of Fewer Things Better

05:58
Desire and Identity: Finding Your True Self

09:04
The Science of Happiness: Gut-Brain Connection

12:11
Joy Deficiency: Rediscovering Fun

15:06
Navigating Grief: Embracing Duality

18:06
The Brain's Predictive Nature: Confirmation Bias

21:09
The Power of Words: Speaking Out Loud

23:55
Neuroplasticity: Rewiring Your Brain for Positivity

39:12
The Power of Receiving and Identity

44:06
Bravery and the Lioness Within

49:07
Transitioning from Corporate to Entrepreneurship

54:11
Borrowing Belief and Building Confidence

01:02:39
Legacy Work and Impact

01:05:07
Connecting and Collaborating for Growth