Creative by Nature Podcast with Jess Madenford

I'm the Daughter of a Hoarder: When Telling the Truth Feels Like Betrayal

For years, I avoided telling this part of my story. Not because I didn't love my mom. Not because I wanted to blame anyone. But because somewhere along the way, I learned that protecting the people I loved mattered more than telling the truth about my own experience. In this deeply personal episode, I'm sharing what it was like growing up with a mother and grandmother who struggled with hoarding, mental illness, addiction, and emotional disconnection. But this conversation isn't really about hoarding. It's about the secrets we carry. It's about the shame that keeps us silent. It's about becoming the "good girl," the caretaker, the protector—and what happens when those roles follow us into adulthood. As I reflect on memories from my childhood and the aftermath of my mother's passing, I explore the hidden beliefs that shaped me for decades: that telling the truth was dangerous, that protecting others was my responsibility, and that sharing my experience somehow made me a bad daughter. In this episode, I talk about: • Growing up around hoarding, secrecy, and emotional disconnection • The burden of carrying family secrets • How childhood experiences shape our relationship with truth and self-expression • The "good girl" role, people-pleasing, and becoming a caretaker • Shame, guilt, and complicated grief after the loss of a parent • Why telling the truth about your experience doesn't erase your love for someone • Learning to hold compassion and honesty at the same time • The healing power of self-expression and storytelling If you've ever struggled with family dysfunction, estrangement, complicated grief, people-pleasing, or the fear of speaking your truth, this episode is for you. You are not alone. Sometimes healing begins when we stop protecting everyone else and finally make space for our own story. Tune in and join me for this honest conversation about shame, truth, healing, and what it means to come home to yourself. Find Jess at thejourneytohere.net [http://thejourneytohere.net]

My Childhood Home Burned Down: The Memories, Grief, and Healing It Brought to the Surface

Sometimes a loss isn't really about what was lost. Almost two months ago, my childhood home burned to the ground in a tragic house fire that claimed the lives of a mother and her six children. While the house hadn't belonged to my family for years, watching it disappear brought forward emotions I never expected. At first, I thought I was grieving the loss of a home. But what surfaced was much deeper. I found myself grieving multiple versions of the same loss: childhood memories, family stories, old identities, unresolved pain, burnout, people-pleasing patterns, and the version of myself I spent years trying to hold together. In this deeply personal episode, I share what happened when my childhood home burned down, how grief showed up in layers, and the surprising connection between this loss and a healing journey that began nearly a decade ago. This conversation explores what happens when something from your past finally disappears—and what remains when you can no longer hold onto what once defined you. This episode is ultimately a reflection on grief, healing, identity, and the courage it takes to release what no longer belongs to us. If you've ever found yourself grieving a place, a relationship, a role, a dream, or a version of yourself, I hope this conversation reminds you that healing isn't about rushing forward. Sometimes it's about honoring what was, making space for what is, and trusting what is still becoming. Connect with Jess: thejourneytohere.net [https://thejourneytohere.net/]

Blue Aura Energy: Expression, Communication, and Creative Confidence

In this final episode of the Energy of Color series, we’re exploring blue aura energy — the energy of communication, authentic self-expression, intuition, and creative truth. If you’ve ever struggled to speak up for yourself, set boundaries without guilt, trust your intuition, or express yourself creatively without second-guessing everything… this episode is for you. Jess dives deep into the connection between blue aura energy and the throat chakra, exploring how people-pleasing, burnout, overgiving, and fear of being misunderstood can disconnect you from your voice and your creativity. She also shares personal stories about her own healing journey, spiritual awakening, creative burnout, and the process of reconnecting with her authentic self-expression. Inside this episode, you’ll learn: * What blue aura energy represents * The connection between creativity and self-expression * How people-pleasing impacts your voice and intuition * Signs your throat chakra may be blocked or wounded * What empowered blue energy looks and feels like * The differences between dark blue and light blue aura energy * How spiritual awakening can deepen creative expression * Why trusting yourself is essential to creative confidence * Ways to reconnect with your intuition, boundaries, and authentic voice This episode is a gentle reminder that your voice matters. Your creativity matters. And you do not have to keep shrinking yourself to make other people comfortable. Whether you’re an artist, intuitive, healer, highly sensitive person, or simply someone learning how to trust yourself again, this conversation invites you to reconnect with your truth and express yourself more fully. If this episode resonates with you, be sure to share it with someone who may need this reminder too — or send them the aura color episode that instantly made you think of them. Listen now and begin reconnecting with the voice that’s been within you all along. Connect with Jess on Instagram - jessica.journeytohere Grab some freebies! Free Resources [https://thejourneytohere.net/free-resources-for-creative-healing-spiritual-growth/] Take the Aura & Personality Quiz! [https://the-journey-to-here.newzenler.com/fs/colors-of-you-an-aura-personality-quiz]

Orange Aura Meaning: Creativity, Movement & Emotional Expression

What if the restlessness, emotional heaviness, or creative block you’ve been feeling is actually your energy asking to move? In part 2 of the Energy of Color series, Jess explores orange aura energy — the vibrant energy connected to creativity, joy, emotional expression, movement, and the sacral chakra. This episode is a heartfelt conversation about reconnecting with yourself through creativity, intuition, and authentic self-expression. Jess shares personal stories and intuitive insights about how movement, art, and creative practices can help you process emotions, release stress, find clarity, and reconnect with your inner knowing during difficult seasons of life. You’ll also learn what orange energy looks like when it’s balanced, what happens when it becomes wounded or blocked, and why creativity can be such a powerful tool for healing and self-discovery. If you’ve been craving more inspiration, emotional freedom, playfulness, or creative flow, this episode is a gentle reminder that creativity isn’t just something you do — sometimes it’s the very thing that helps you come back to yourself. Tune in now to explore orange aura energy, sacral chakra healing, emotional wellness, and the healing power of creativity. Click here for FREE resources [https://thejourneytohere.net/free-resources-for-creative-healing-spiritual-growth/] to support your creative healing, intuition, and spiritual growth. Connect with Jess at thejourneytohere.net [https://thejourneytohere.net/]

Magenta Energy: Bold, Creative, and Fearlessly Authentic

What if your creativity isn’t scattered… but expansive? In this episode, we’re diving into the vibrant, imaginative world of magenta energy—the aura of visionaries, dreamers, and deeply expressive souls. If you’ve ever felt like your ideas come faster than you can keep up with, or like your creativity doesn’t fit inside a box, this conversation is for you. Magenta energy blends intuition with imagination, allowing you to see possibilities where others see limits. But with that gift can also come challenges—like burnout, boredom, self-doubt, or feeling misunderstood. Inside this episode, we explore what it really means to live with magenta energy—both the beauty and the growing edges. You’ll hear reflections on: *  What magenta energy looks like in your daily life and creative expression  *  Why you might jump between ideas (and why that’s not a flaw)  *  The emotional experience of being a deeply creative, non-traditional thinker  *  What happens when your creativity feels blocked or overwhelming  *  How to move from self-doubt and frustration back into flow  *  The difference between unbalanced vs. empowered magenta energy  *  Letting go of guilt when something no longer lights you up  This episode is also a gentle reminder that your creative rhythm doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s—and that your uniqueness is not something to fix, but something to honor. If you’ve been craving permission to trust your ideas, follow your inspiration, and embrace your creative identity more fully… this is your invitation. Tune in and reconnect with the visionary within you. Resources mentioned in this episode: 🔗 A Guide to Reconnecting with Your Creativity [https://the-journey-to-here.newzenler.com/f/a-guide-to-reconnecting-with-your-creativity] 🔗 Aura Personality Quiz [https://the-journey-to-here.newzenler.com/fs/colors-of-you-an-aura-personality-quiz] 🔗 Friendly Guide to Understanding Your Aura & Chakras [https://thejourneytohere.net/2026/03/29/aura-colors-meaning-a-friendly-guide-to-understanding-your-energy-and-chakras/]