Stroke It Guide Podcast

Ep 219 The Hard Truth About Why People Stop Taking You Seriously

Welcome back to another Quickie episode of The Stroke It Podcast with host Jenny Townsend. This episode is all about one thing most people say they want… but very few actually practice: commitment. Not the pretty, motivational version of commitment. The real version. The kind that shows up in your calendar, your habits, your relationships, and your follow-through. Jenny breaks down why wanting something is not the same as committing to it, and how constantly canceling, procrastinating, overpromising, and waiting for motivation can quietly destroy your goals, relationships, confidence, and self-trust. In this honest and empowering conversation, Jenny shares: * Why people stop inviting unreliable people * The difference between motivation and commitment * How self-trust is built through consistency * Why integrity matters more than perfection * The hidden sacrifices behind a “dream life” * What distractions may be keeping you from your goals * How commitment impacts relationships, business, health, and personal growth Jenny also opens up about the sacrifices she made to build the life and business she has today, and challenges listeners to ask themselves one powerful question: What are you willing to give up to create the life you truly want? If you’ve been feeling stuck, inconsistent, resentful, or disconnected from your goals, this episode is the wake-up call you may need. Listen now and start committing to the life you say you want. Order Stroke It now at jennyaldaytownsend.com/book [http://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/ [https://www.instagram.com/jennyaldaytownsend/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestrokeitguide [https://www.facebook.com/thestrokeitguide] Check out more about Jenny Alday Townsend by visiting http://www.jennyaldaytownsend.com [http://www.jennyaldaytownsend.com] Did you know there are free downloads available on my website? Go to All Products | Jenny Alday Townsend [https://www.jennyaldaytownsend.com/category/all-products] and snag the 4 Ground Rules to Elevate your life. Planning your future? Develop your 1-3-5 and change your life path!

Ep 218 Are You Actually Showing Up for the People Who Matter Most?

Relationships don’t fall apart overnight. More often, they fade quietly through missed calls, ignored messages, and the moments we chose not to show up. In this quick but powerful episode of The Stroke It Podcast, host Jenny Townsend delivers a direct and honest message about connection, accountability, and what it really takes to build meaningful relationships. She challenges a tough idea right from the start: if your relationships feel one-sided or nonexistent, it might be time to look inward. This episode is a reminder that connection doesn’t require perfection. It requires effort. A simple text. A returned call. A commitment to be present when it matters. Jenny shares real-life examples, personal reflections, and practical ways to rebuild connection in your life without overcomplicating it. From friendships to family to your partner and even yourself, how you show up determines everything. If you’ve been waiting for someone else to reach out first, this is your sign to stop waiting. In This Episode • Why lack of connection is often a reflection of our own actions  • The simple habits that strengthen relationships over time  • How avoidance, resentment, and past experiences hold you back  • Why small gestures matter more than big ones  • The importance of responding, acknowledging, and being present  • How to create space in your schedule for meaningful connection  • Showing up for yourself as the foundation for showing up for others  • How to navigate guilt, missed opportunities, and reconnecting  • Why energy and intention shape every interaction  • The one action you can take today to strengthen any relationship This episode is your reminder that the people who matter most are worth your time, your energy, and your effort. And it starts with showing up. If this message resonates, share it with someone who might need it. Order Stroke It now at jennyaldaytownsend.com/book [http://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/ [https://www.instagram.com/jennyaldaytownsend/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestrokeitguide [https://www.facebook.com/thestrokeitguide] Check out more about Jenny Alday Townsend by visiting http://www.jennyaldaytownsend.com [http://www.jennyaldaytownsend.com] Did you know there are free downloads available on my website? Go to All Products | Jenny Alday Townsend [https://www.jennyaldaytownsend.com/category/all-products] and snag the 4 Ground Rules to Elevate your life. Planning your future? Develop your 1-3-5 and change your life path!

Ep 217 Why You Need to Invest in Yourself Before You Build Anything

Entrepreneurship, relationships, and personal growth all start in the same place—how you show up for yourself. In this episode of The Stroke It Podcast, host Jenny Townsend sits down with DeDee Cai, motivational speaker, sales strategist, and founder of Fit to Profit, to unpack what it really takes to build a business and a life that actually feels aligned. DeDee shares her deeply personal journey—from early entrepreneurship and burnout to a pivotal life moment that reshaped her purpose and led her to help women build confidence, use their voice, and create meaningful impact. What started as a path toward therapy evolved into a powerful mission to help others step into who they’re meant to be. The conversation dives into the reality behind entrepreneurship, the importance of aligning your business with your values, and why self-care isn’t optional if you want to operate at a high level. DeDee breaks down her “four F’s” framework—faith, fitness, family, and fulfillment—and explains how structuring your life around your values can change everything. You’ll also hear a refreshing perspective on relationships, why intentionality matters more than proximity, and how your capacity to show up for others is directly tied to how you show up for yourself. If you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of your next move, this episode is a reminder that clarity doesn’t come from doing more—it comes from getting honest about what matters most. In This Episode • Why entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone—and how to know if it’s for you  • How DeDee turned personal adversity into a purpose-driven business  • The “four F’s” framework for building balance and clarity  • Why self-care directly impacts your ability to perform and lead  • How to identify and live by your core values  • The truth about passion, burnout, and building a business long-term  • Why relationships require intentional effort and alignment  • How to overcome self-doubt and trust your intuition  • The role of speaking, storytelling, and visibility in business growth  • The one simple action you can take today to start changing your life Order Stroke It now at jennyaldaytownsend.com/book [http://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/ [https://www.instagram.com/jennyaldaytownsend/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestrokeitguide [https://www.facebook.com/thestrokeitguide] Check out more about Jenny Alday Townsend by visiting http://www.jennyaldaytownsend.com [http://www.jennyaldaytownsend.com] Did you know there are free downloads available on my website? Go to All Products | Jenny Alday Townsend [https://www.jennyaldaytownsend.com/category/all-products] and snag the 4 Ground Rules to Elevate your life. Planning your future? Develop your 1-3-5 and change your life path!

Ep 216 We Failed EOS for 6 Months… Then This Changed Everything (Grind Season Truth)

Many businesses talk about implementing systems like Traction and EOS—but far fewer actually follow through with the discipline required to make them work. In this episode of The Stroke It Podcast, Jenny Townsend shares a raw and honest look at what really happened behind the scenes during her team’s first year implementing EOS—and why simply having the framework wasn’t enough. For the first six months, the team had the language, the meetings, and the intentions… but they weren’t consistently tracking results or holding each other accountable. It wasn’t until mid-year—when they committed to uncomfortable conversations, ownership, and real follow-through—that things began to shift. Jenny introduces the concept of “Grind Season,” also known as planting season—the period where the most important work happens long before results show up. It’s the season defined by urgency, discipline, and doing the unglamorous work required to create momentum. She breaks down how compressing timelines, focusing on a critical number, and leaning into high-effort marketing strategies helped the business go from falling behind to building real traction toward their goal. You’ll learn why giving yourself too much time can actually hurt performance, how urgency sharpens focus, and what it really takes to execute on systems like EOS in the real world. If you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, or someone working toward a big goal, this episode is a reminder that success isn’t built when things feel easy—it’s built in the seasons where you choose to show up anyway. In This Episode • Why most teams fail when first implementing EOS  • The difference between having a system and actually executing it  • What “Grind Season” (Planting Season) really means for your business  • Why Q1 can determine the success of your entire year  • How urgency eliminates distractions and increases productivity  • The power of setting and focusing on a critical number  • Real examples of grassroots and community-based marketing strategies  • Why compressing timelines can accelerate results  • How accountability and uncomfortable conversations drive growth  • The mindset shift required to create long-term momentum Order Stroke It now at jennyaldaytownsend.com/book [http://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/ [https://www.instagram.com/jennyaldaytownsend/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestrokeitguide [https://www.facebook.com/thestrokeitguide] Check out more about Jenny Alday Townsend by visiting http://www.jennyaldaytownsend.com [http://www.jennyaldaytownsend.com] Did you know there are free downloads available on my website? Go to All Products | Jenny Alday Townsend [https://www.jennyaldaytownsend.com/category/all-products] and snag the 4 Ground Rules to Elevate your life. Planning your future? Develop your 1-3-5 and change your life path!

Ep 215 Why So Many Retirees Feel Lost (And How to Reinvent Your Life After Work)

Many people spend decades planning financially for retirement—but very few plan for what life actually looks like after they stop working. In this episode of The Stroke It Podcast, Jenny Townsend sits down with former CFO turned retirement coach Lisa Haynes to explore the emotional and identity shifts that happen when a career ends and the next chapter begins. After more than 30 years in corporate America, Lisa Haynes realized retirement isn’t simply about leaving work—it’s about reinventing yourself, rediscovering purpose, and designing a life that still feels meaningful. They discuss why traditional retirement is changing, why more people are choosing entrepreneurship later in life, and why planning your purpose is just as important as planning your finances. You’ll learn how to prepare for the transition before retirement arrives, avoid the isolation many retirees experience, and start asking the bigger questions about legacy, fulfillment, and what you truly want your life to look like. If you’re approaching retirement, considering a career pivot, or simply wondering what your next chapter might hold, this conversation will challenge you to think bigger about what comes after your career. In This Episode • Why retirement today looks different than it did for previous generations • The emotional side of retirement most people never plan for • How identity shifts when you leave your career behind • Why many retirees end up “unretiring” • The importance of rediscovering purpose and passion • How to reinvent yourself at any stage of life • Practical strategies like pause before you pivot and stack small wins • The legacy question everyone should ask themselves Connect with Lisa Haynes Website: https://retiredandkillingit.com [https://retiredandkillingit.com/] LinkedIn: Lisa J. Haynes Instagram: @retiredandkillingit Order Stroke It now at jennyaldaytownsend.com/book [http://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/ [https://www.instagram.com/jennyaldaytownsend/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestrokeitguide [https://www.facebook.com/thestrokeitguide] Check out more about Jenny Alday Townsend by visiting http://www.jennyaldaytownsend.com [http://www.jennyaldaytownsend.com] Did you know there are free downloads available on my website? Go to All Products | Jenny Alday Townsend [https://www.jennyaldaytownsend.com/category/all-products] and snag the 4 Ground Rules to Elevate your life. Planning your future? Develop your 1-3-5 and change your life path!