Through the Sh#t with Jen McDowell

Sh#t in Three Acts | Kimberly Zimmerman-Rand

In the latest episode of "Through the Shit," host Jen McDowell welcomes Kimberly Zimmerman-Rand, financial counselor, consultant and coach, who shares her experience of professional growth after experiencing the same setback on three separate occasions. From rejection letters to unexpected firings, Kimberly's story is a testament to resilience and the strength of the human spirit. Kimberly relays her story of being forced to make a hard career pivot in her early 20’s, only to face the all-too-common experience of working for a micromanager who undermines her abilities. Her enthusiasm for her role was met with hostility that escalated to intimidation and eventually culminated in a shocking confrontation where he chased her across a parking lot and fired her on the spot. While the experience was disorienting, Kimberly quickly moved on to other roles only to have the same experience occur again and again over the course of decade. Through these experiences, Kimberly learned the importance of resilience in overcoming workplace challenges. She urges listeners to recognize their own strength and to understand that overcoming adversity is part of the professional journey. Her experiences serve as a reminder that setbacks can often lead to new opportunities and personal growth, emphasizing that we can indeed rise from the ashes of our trials. Discussion highlights include: - Making sense of the misalignment between your self-image and how others see you (and having the self-compassion not to let others shape your perspective) - Looking beyond our jobs as a source of identity - The consequences of ignoring your intuition - The importance of building both subject matter expertise and relational skills like self-regulation, seeing the big picture and getting yourself out of bad situations. - The importance of managing your own career trajectory and maintaining strong professional networks - How to navigate age/gender dynamics and have candid workplace conversations about expectations - How to identify red flags during the interview process - Finding clients who are values aligned and setting boundaries along the way Website: https://www.dragonflyfinancialsolutions.com/ [https://www.dragonflyfinancialsolutions.com/] LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlyzrand/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlyzrand/]

When Sh#t Strikes Twice | Monika Demel and Matthew Sommerfeldt

In this episode of Through the Sh#t, host Jen McDowell sits down with award-winning photographer Monika Demel and her husband, Matthew Sommerfeldt, as they reflect on Monika's two-time experience with breast cancer. Monika relays the ups and downs of her experience: receiving her first diagnosis right before Christmas, the difficult decisions regarding her treatment plan, and the parts of cancer recovery that no one talks about. Just as Monika thinks she's in the clear, she learns she needs to have additional surgery to remove the marker placed during her biopsy, followed by the discovery of new, fast-growing tumors and an extensive second surgery and grueling radiation protocol. Monika and Matthew reflect on the ways that people react to and process difficult news, comparing Monika's preference to work through her diagnosis privately with Matthew's preference to be surrounded by supportive people during his own cancer journey several decades prior. Given their differences in preference, they share tips for how they navigated the experience together, ensuring that they both had outlets to process what was happening. Monika also reflects on the impact of her diagnosis on her life and work, and the creation of the Brave Pink Warrior project to empower other women facing similar challenges. https://www.demelportraits.com/ [https://www.demelportraits.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/monikademel/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/monikademel/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-sommerfeldt-858ab315/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-sommerfeldt-858ab315/]

Ioana Bazavan | When Your "Best" is a Moving Target

In this episode of Through the Sh#t, host Jen McDowell sits down with Ioana Bazavan, a seasoned cybersecurity professional and coach as she reflects on her journey of "chosen sh#t" leading teams through major security breach recovery efforts. Between the grueling hours, strained relationships and the high-stress environments, Ioana emphasizes the importance of staying grounded and nurturing resilience when navigating turbulent waters. Ioana shares her experience leading back-to-back breach recovery efforts for Fortune 500 companies, noting that these situations demanded both technical expertise and emotional fortitude. Arriving at a client site to find executives in panic mode, she quickly learns that trust and communication are paramount. As a consultant, she must navigate the delicate balance of offering guidance while being perceived as an outsider, highlighting the necessity of emotional intelligence in leadership, especially during crises. Ioana reflects on the importance of corporate culture and basic kindness as people are navigating the worst days of their professional lives. She also talks about the importance of expectation setting--at home and at work--and learning how to indirectly influence others by maintaining a calm, consistent presence. Jen and Ioana discuss parallels between the challenges that occur at work and those that occur in our personal lives, noting that bad things can happen even when preventive measures have been taken. They also discuss the importance of recognizing that "doing one's best" is a moving target and that self-recrimination is a waste of energy. Ultimately, Ioana's journey through challenging cybersecurity breach recovery projects is a testament to the power of resilience. In sharing her experiences, she demonstrates the breadth and profundity of learning opportunities that can result from choosing to do hard things. Key takeaways include the importance of building relationships, maintaining consistency, having patience and restraint, and recognizing that resilience is forged through adversity. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ioanavb [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ioanavb]  www.oceanswellopps.com [http://www.oceanswellopps.com]

Shira | The Darkness is No Longer My Existence

In the latest episode of "Through the Sh#t," host Jen McDowell engages in a heartfelt conversation with Shira, whose journey of recovery from sobriety, an eating disorder, undiagnosed health conditions, and toxic relationships has become a powerful narrative of hope and authenticity. Now 23 years sober, Shira emphasizes that achieving sobriety did not automatically lead to a life filled with happiness; rather, it was the beginning of a series of challenges that required continuous introspection and healing. Hers is an ongoing journey of dealing with pain, finding strength in vulnerability and the power of self-worth to break free from cycles of toxicity. As part of their conversation, Shira reflects on how each challenge prepared her for the next and the small moments--like interventions from friends and her doctor--that played a pivotal role in her recovery. Jen and Shira also discuss the tools that have been important to Shira's recovery, including, self-reflection, boundary-setting, self-advocacy, and surrounding oneself with positive influences. Throughout her journey, Shira has learned to embrace her voice and authenticity. Now, as a Swiftie influencer, Shira connects with her audience through shared joy, kindness, and music. Her passion for Taylor Swift has not only brought her happiness but has also created a community where she can share her story and inspire others. Shira's journey from addiction and toxic relationships to embracing her true self is a powerful reminder that resilience and authenticity can lead to profound transformation. Her story illustrates that while life may present challenges, it is possible to rise above them and find joy in community and self-expression. Key takeaways include: 1. Healing is a continuous journey that requires confronting uncomfortable truths. 2. Surrounding yourself with positive influences is crucial for growth. 3. Embracing your authenticity can lead to genuine connections and fulfillment. 4. It’s never too late to pursue your passions and reinvent your life. sherahice.com [http://sherahice.com] shira.taylorsversion@gmail.com [shira.taylorsversion@gmail.com] https://www.tiktok.com/discover/shira-taylors-version [https://www.tiktok.com/discover/shira-taylors-version] https://www.tiktok.com/@shiras.version?_r=1&_t=ZP-94f7ZVpGk1P [https://www.tiktok.com/@shiras.version?_r=1&_t=ZP-94f7ZVpGk1P] https://www.facebook.com/share/1DxRWntdYZ/?mibextid=wwXIfr [https://www.facebook.com/share/1DxRWntdYZ/?mibextid=wwXIfr]

Ursula Taylor | From Righteous Rage to Self-Forgiveness

In this episode of "Through the Sh#t", host Jen McDowell engages in a thoughtful conversation with consultant and former litigator Ursula Taylor. Together, they explore the complexities of conflict and the often-overlooked power of communication, through Ursula's recent experience of feeling betrayed by her partner. Ursula reflects on her holistic approach to conflict resolution and how her significant emotional response in the moment unearthed valuable insights on self-forgiveness, self-awareness and personal growth. Ursula opines on the fact that life is filled with both big and small challenges that can knock us down. She advises against the common impulse to power through difficulties. Instead, she emphasizes the importance of pausing and reflecting inward and that consistent grounding practices, like meditation or exercise, can have a positive impact our daily well-being. She also stresses the importance of learning from these experiences, otherwise they can become recurring patterns in our lives. Jen and Ursula also discuss how miscommunication can create and perpetuate emotional turmoil, particularly when our true feelings are masked by anger or frustration. Ursula’s rage texting reflects a common reaction to emotional distress, reminding listeners that even those skilled in conflict resolution have opportunities to improve. A pivotal lesson from Ursula’s experience is the necessity of self-forgiveness in order to achieve inner peace. She urges listeners to express their emotions openly, stating the feelings aloud to create distance from guilt or shame and connect with the underlying need. This practice not only helps in processing emotions but also fosters healthier relationships with others. Ursula also shares lessons about the importance of allowing and channeling rage, apologizing from a place of authenticity rather than shame, and boundary setting, particularly when engaging with narcissists. Through Ursula's experience, we are reminded that we can transform our struggles into lessons for growth. By prioritizing ourselves and creating space for our emotions, we can resolve conflicts with grace and understanding. Remember, it’s not just about getting through the shit; it’s about learning and growing from it. https://conflictreimagined.com/ [https://conflictreimagined.com/]  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ursula-taylor-b0ba4729/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ursula-taylor-b0ba4729/]  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/narcissism [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/narcissism]