Today I am happy to welcome Davina McPhail — a global impact professional, community builder, and founder of Naturally Connected. In this episode, Davina shares her journey across continents and careers, from corporate banking in Paris to building impact ventures in Cambodia and Canada. She reflects on the beauty of transitions, the courage to reset, and the power of showing up authentically. With warmth and wisdom, Davina reminds us that every change — whether chosen or unexpected — is an invitation to reconnect with ourselves and create the life we truly want.

In this episode of the GenerateHER podcast we reflect on the idea of personal and seasonal growth through the metaphor of the harvest season in France.

In this episode of GenerateHER, we reflect on the “sweet sixteen” milestone of building a business in France and the lessons that come with longevity. Business and life intertwine, reminding us that relationships are everything, change is inevitable, and resilience is essential.

Paris reminds us that reinvention is always possible. In this episode of GenerateHER, we explore how the seasons of nature mirror our own cycles of growth, rest, and transformation. From role models like Edith Piaf and Marie Curie to everyday signals in our lives, we see that reinvention isn’t about erasing who we are but building upon it. Discover five timeless lessons to help us embrace change with authenticity, curiosity, and courage.

Paris is humming with a special kind of energy right now. It’s La Rentrée, a time of year for new beginnings and the perfect chance to reinvent yourself. That’s why I’m so excited to announce that Season Two of GenerateHER is back! Get ready to discover five reasons La Rentrée isn’t just a Parisian tradition—it’s a mindset we can all embrace.

Reinvention doesn’t require a grand plan. For me, it starts with curiosity, creativity, and the willingness to plant something new.   As I wrap up season one of GenerateHER, I’ve been thinking about what it means to grow as a woman in business, and as someone who’s built a life in Paris. This episode is my chance to reflect on the stories we’ve shared, the lessons I’ve learned, and the practices that continue to guide me.   I talk about nurturing your “secret garden,” those dreams and ideas you’ve planted, and the importance of protecting them from negativity. I share why I believe creativity is non-negotiable. Without it, how can we reimagine our work, solve problems, or even see ourselves in a new way?   I also revisit some of my favorite conversations from this season: asking for help with intention, taking risks with courage, journaling as a business tool, and of course, the many lessons I’ve learned from French culture. From the art of a dinner party to the value of thoughtful relationships, life in Paris continues to shape how I show up in the world.   I hope this episode feels like a conversation with a friend, and that it leaves you thinking about your own next season. A bientôt, mes amis!   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 02:00 Season One Recap and Reflections 02:33 Planting and Protecting Your Secret Garden 05:26 How to Ask for Help Intentionally 05:56 Four Elements of Taking Risks 09:47 Journaling and the Power of Writing 12:00 Finding Beauty in the Mundane 16:21 Lessons from French Dinner Parties 17:59 Why Role Models Still Matter 19:15 What It Means to Be French 21:47 Looking Ahead to Season Two   Links Connect with Jane Bertch: Website: www.janebertch.com  Instagram @janebertch Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

A single journal Natalie Valmary carried on a family trip through Asia sparked one of the most beautiful brands I’ve ever encountered, and reminded me how important it is not to wait on your dreams.   In this episode, I sit down with Natalie, the founder of Louise Carmen, to talk about creativity, reinvention, and what it looks like to build a business that’s deeply personal. Natalie shares how her idea took shape during a year of travel with her husband and daughters, and how it grew into a beloved journal company based right here in Paris.   Natalie also opens up about the stroke that changed everything, and the clarity it brought about what really matters. That part of the conversation hit me hard. What do we do with the time we’ve been given? Are we spending it in ways that feel true to who we are?   This episode is full of inspiration for women, whether you’re starting something new or finding your way back to what you love. We talk about personal transformation, the quiet power of journaling, and what it means to trust yourself in life and in business.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Meet Natalie Valmary   03:48 How Louise Carmen Was Born   10:07 Family, Travel, and Creative Sparks   13:12 A Lifelong Love for Journals   17:08 Building a Brand with Purpose   24:26 A Health Scare Changes Everything   29:03 Growing the Business   33:57 Finding Strength in Hard Moments   39:10 Inspiration for Women    Links Connect with Natalie Valmary: Louise Carmen Website: https://louisecarmen.com Louise Carmen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louisecarmenparis/   Connect with Jane Bertch: Website: www.janebertch.com  Instagram @janebertch Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Feeling stuck might have less to do with your circumstances and more to do with only seeing one version of who you are.   As May rolled in, I realized I hadn’t made the progress I hoped for this year, and that left me feeling stuck. I’ve heard the same thing from so many smart, accomplished women in business who are committed to personal development but still feel like something’s missing.   I started asking myself: are we stuck, or are we just seeing ourselves through too narrow a lens? So often we’re reduced to one role… entrepreneur, parent, partner… and it’s hard to imagine what else we could be. But living in Paris has shown me how much power there is in being multi-dimensional. The culture here values boundaries, and those boundaries make space for different sides of a person to exist.   In this episode, I’m sharing what I’ve been learning, the practices that are helping me reconnect with other versions of myself, and a few questions I think are worth asking. What would happen if you stopped waiting for the next version of you to show up and started making space for her instead?   I hope this episode encourages you to do just that.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Reflections on Feeling Stuck 02:18 The Pressure of Being One-Dimensional 05:10 What Paris Taught Me About Complexity 07:56 Boundaries and Identity in French Culture 14:07 Tools for Personal Development 19:04 Do the Work   Links Connect with Jane Bertch: Website: www.janebertch.com  Instagram @janebertch Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Writing cracked open a new version of me that reshaped my identity, my community and my business.   For years, I didn’t think of myself as a writer. But when I started journaling, just a few sentences each morning, it became one of the most important tools in my self-development. Writing helped me make sense of what I was feeling, especially during hard times. It reminded me of the strength I’d already shown and helped me reconnect with parts of myself I’d almost forgotten.   In this episode, I’m sharing how writing has supported my personal development and opened unexpected doors, from writing a memoir during the pandemic to starting a newsletter and creating retreats for women. Each step brought me closer to a deeper version of myself.   What surprised me most was the sense of connection. When I shared my story, people reached out to say they saw themselves in it. That’s the real power of writing. It helps us realize we’re not alone.   If you’ve been craving a way to hear your own voice again, I hope this episode gives you the nudge to pick up a pen. I’ll also share a few things that have helped me along the way. What version of you might show up if you gave yourself permission to begin?   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Personal Journey 02:21 The Power of Writing 03:31 Journaling as Self-Development 05:06 From Memoir to Community 08:24 Finding My Voice Outside Business 11:48 Launching Generate Her Retreats 14:01 Tips to Start Your Writing Practice 17:28 Encouragement   Links janebertch.com/journal   Connect with Jane Bertch: Website: www.janebertch.com  Instagram @janebertch Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Building a business that actually feels like you starts with knowing the season you’re in and letting go of who you think you’re supposed to be.   I had the absolute joy of sitting down with Molly Balint for a conversation that felt equal parts grounding and eye-opening. Molly is the founder of the SOFT business movement, and someone I’ve admired for years, not just for the work she does, but for how she does it. From her family farm in Maryland, where she’s raising four daughters and running her own business, Molly brings such a clear sense of purpose and presence to everything she shares.   We talked about what it really means to be a woman in business right now, how easy it is to fall into the trap of doing all the things, all the time, and how freeing it can be to finally step back and ask: What actually works for me? What if success doesn’t have to look loud or busy? What if building something meaningful starts with knowing your season and giving yourself permission to grow at your own pace?   Molly’s idea of SOFT business hit home for me. It’s about building from a place of alignment, self-awareness, and grace, not guilt or pressure. And it reminded me why women supporting women isn’t just a nice idea. It’s necessary. When we share our stories honestly, we make space for others to do the same.   If you’ve ever felt the tension between who you are and who you think you’re supposed to be, I think this episode will speak to you the way it spoke to me.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 02:30 Meet Molly Balint: Life on a Farm and Online Beginnings 04:15 What Is the SOFT Business Movement? 10:00 Seasons in Life and Business 16:40 Building Community and Embracing Uniqueness 19:30 Rebuilding a Business with Intention 24:15 The Power of Experimentation 27:25 Finding Growth in the Messy Middle 28:45 Mentors and Role Models   Links Connect with Molly Balint: Website: https://www.mollybalint.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/molly.balint Molly’s Bio: https://www.mollybalint.com/bio   Connect with Jane Bertch: Website: www.janebertch.com  Instagram @janebertch Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

We contain multitudes, and learning to honor every version of ourselves might be the most honest kind of authenticity.   After living in Paris for more than 20 years, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about identity, why we feel different in certain places, how we show up in different roles, and what it really means to find your voice.   In this episode, I’m sharing some of my own reflections, what it’s like to be an introvert who thrives professionally but needs quiet to recharge, and how I’ve come to understand the many “voices” I use throughout my life. Some are bold. Some are quiet. All of them are mine.   I’ve wrestled with the idea of authenticity. Am I being true to myself if I act one way at work and another at home? For a long time, that question left me feeling off-balance. But then I started to realize that maybe finding happiness has less to do with choosing one version of yourself and more to do with accepting all of them.   So I’m asking: What if your different voices are all valid? What if your adaptability is actually a strength, not something to hide? This is a short, personal episode… one I hope will give you a moment of recognition, relief, or maybe a fresh perspective on the beautiful complexity of being human.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Life in Paris 01:48 Finding Your Voice 04:32 The Looking Glass Self 05:17 Multiple Versions of Self 08:03 Adaptability & Self-Preservation 10:00 The Petal Analogy 12:00 Avatars & Authenticity 13:06 Embracing All of You   Links Professor Bruce Hood: The Science of Happiness: https://www.amazon.com/Science-Happiness-Bruce-Hood/dp/139852638X   Connect with Jane Bertch: Website: www.janebertch.com  Instagram @janebertch Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

We often wait for big moments to feel joyful. But what if the magic is actually in the small ones?   In this episode, I reflect on how living in Paris has taught me to find beauty in the everyday. While my life might sound glamorous from the outside, the truth is it’s quiet, simple, and wonderfully routine. And yet, something about the way Parisians move through the world has shifted how I see my own day-to-day.   From how they introduce each other with intention to the way they arrange produce at the market, the French culture has a quiet genius for turning the ordinary into something memorable. I share stories from my own life, like a quarterly lunch that’s evolved into a mini tradition complete with riddles, and offer ideas for how we can create those small-but-special moments wherever we are.   This episode is an invitation to mark the moment, to be present, and to take joy seriously even on the most mundane of days.   Episode Breakdown 00:00 Introduction 02:33 Jane’s Life in Paris 03:16 Turning the Mundane into Extraordinary 04:10 Parisian Architecture and Markets 05:34 The Art of Introductions in France 07:22 Making Everyday Moments Special 08:05 Creating Special Activities with Friends 09:20 Quarterly Lunch Tradition 10:17 Hosting and Dinner Gatherings 12:24 Challenge: Transforming the Mundane 13:36 Parisian Inspirations for Everyday Life   Links Connect with Jane Bertch: Website: www.janebertch.com  Instagram @janebertch Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

A French dinner party has taught me more than I ever expected about French culture, personal discovery, and the way we connect with each other.   After two decades of living in Paris, I’ve come to see these dinners as so much more than a meal. What strikes me most is how much thought goes into who’s invited, where they sit, and how the evening unfolds. Why does that matter? Because conversation is the heart of it all. And sometimes, real connection requires a little tension. Disagreement isn’t something to avoid. It’s often where growth begins.   I’ve learned that French etiquette—waiting to be seated, arriving fashionably late, skipping the wine gift—reflects something deeper: care, respect, and a sense of occasion. These details have changed the way I think about my own gatherings, and how I show up for the people around me.   In this episode, I’m sharing the quiet but powerful life lessons I’ve learned from the French dinner table. They’ve helped me find my voice, stay curious, and be more intentional in ways that go far beyond food. I hope they do the same for you.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Welcome to April in Paris 01:07 The Essence of French Dinner Parties 02:28 The Structure of a French Meal 05:58 Embracing Tension in Conversations 08:23 Finding Your Voice at the Table 10:57 Navigating Difficult Topics 12:24 The Art of Care in Hosting 14:01 Cultural Norms of Timeliness 15:52 Gifts and Etiquette for Dinner Parties 18:11 Seating Arrangements and Discussion Dynamics 19:41 Life Lessons from French Dinner Parties   Links Connect with Jane Bertch: Website: www.janebertch.com  Instagram @janebertch Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

The boldest move I’ve seen isn’t building a dream life. It’s walking away from one when it no longer feels like yours.   When I met Eugenie Lambert Buckstein, I knew I wanted to share her story. She started in law, built a career in journalism, landed a job at CNN, and then walked away from all of it. Not because she failed, but because she started listening to herself more than anyone else.   In our conversation, Eugenie opens up about what it really felt like to make that shift. She talks about the pressure of expectations, the toll of covering traumatic news, and the quiet decision to try meditation—something that would completely reshape her life. That path led her to create Bloom, one of France’s first modern meditation centers and a place that holds space for personal transformation, curiosity, and connection.   What struck me most is how honest she is about the in-between moments. The doubt. The discomfort. The slow unfolding of a new version of yourself. It made me reflect on how often we stay where we are just because it’s familiar.   If you’ve ever felt the quiet nudge that something isn’t working anymore, I think this conversation will speak to you, just like it did to me.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Introduction  04:00 Eugenie’s Career Journey 11:12 The Concept of Système D 13:02 Transition to Meditation 16:36 Working at CNN and Meeting Christiane Amanpour 20:13 Discovering Meditation 23:13 Moving Back to Paris and Working Remotely 26:23 The Role of Intuition 30:47 Embracing Intuition and Creativity 34:15 Becoming a Meditation Teacher 37:17 The Importance of Community 40:57 The Concept of Bloom 44:31 Movement and Meditation   Links Connect with Eugenie Lambert Buckstein: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/eugenielovesbloom/  BLOOM on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/welovebloom.co/   Connect with Jane Bertch: Website: www.janebertch.com  Instagram @janebertch Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

As I celebrate the one-year anniversary of “The French Ingredient,” I’ve been reflecting on how book writing became an unexpected tool for personal development. What started as a guide to doing business in France turned into something much bigger: a memoire of reinvention, resilience, and the lessons hidden in life’s detours.   Writing through the uncertainty of the pandemic helped me process past experiences and recognize my own growth. It also made me realize that sharing personal stories isn’t just for writers. Writing can be a way to reflect, heal, and connect.   If you’ve ever hesitated to put your own experiences into words, I hope this episode helps you see storytelling in a new light. Every challenge holds an opportunity, and the stories we tell, whether in a book or in conversation, can inspire both ourselves and others.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 The Importance of April 02:23 The French Ingredient: A Year in Review 04:46 Writing During COVID 06:55 Writing as Therapy 08:03 Overcoming Difficult Moments 11:28 Embracing Differences 13:09 Accepting the Universe’s Plan 14:02 Sharing Your Story 15:07 The Impact of The French Ingredient 18:00 Share Your Story   Links https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-french-ingredient-making-a-life-in-paris-one-lesson-at-a-time-jane-bertch/20258866?ean=9780593500422&next=t   Connect with Jane Bertch: Website: www.janebertch.com  Instagram @janebertch Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Strength is built in life’s toughest moments, but I’ve learned that those moments can also reveal something beautiful. Challenges shape us, resilience grows, and meaning can be found even in adversity.   March has always been a month of change for me. It’s a time of renewal, but it also carries reminders of hardship. Five years ago, the world changed in ways we never expected. That experience made me reflect on how joy and struggle often exist side by side. So how do we move forward when life throws the unexpected at us? I’ve found that overcoming obstacles starts with patience and acceptance. Fighting reality rarely helps, but focusing on what I can control does.   Mindfulness, grounding techniques, and social connection have been lifelines for me. These simple but powerful tools help us navigate tough times. I’ve also learned that shifting perspective can change everything. Reframing negative thoughts, journaling through uncertainty, and finding small ways to create joy—these things matter more than we realize.   Looking back, I see how every challenge I’ve faced has made me stronger in ways I didn’t always recognize at the time. Growth isn’t always obvious in the moment, but it’s happening. The question is, how will you use it?   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 March: A Month of Change and Transformation 02:07 Embracing Change and Reinvention 04:07 Tips to Get You Through Challenging Times 17:23 Post-Challenge Reflections 18:07 Reminders   Links https://www.instagram.com/ajiriaki/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DG-xMdSidzg/   Connect with Jane Bertch: Website: www.janebertch.com  Instagram @janebertch Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Your dreams are a secret garden; how you care for them shapes what flourishes and what fades.   I’ve learned that personal growth and transformation are a lot like tending a garden. After leaving Chicago and building a new life in Paris, I realized that our inner dreams need patience, care, and the right environment to thrive. In this episode, I share the idea of a jardin secret, a secret garden where we plant our hopes and nurture them until they’re ready to bloom.   I walk through eight key insights on how to cultivate this inner space, reminding you that growth often happens beneath the surface before you see results. Just like plants need healthy soil, your mindset and emotional well-being shape what you’re able to create. I also talk about the importance of pruning distractions and protecting your dreams from negativity, giving them the space and support they need to take root.   Transformation isn’t linear, and every season serves a purpose. By honoring both the quiet moments and the times of bloom, you can embrace renewal, unlock new possibilities, and step into the next version of yourself with confidence.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 02:44 Jardin Secret 05:59 Lesson 1: Give It Time 07:02 Lesson 2: Growth Takes Time 08:09 Lesson 3: Plant in Fertile Soil 09:17 Lesson 4: Regular Maintenance 10:32 Lesson 5: Pruning for Strength 12:03 Lesson 6: Removing Weeds 14:03 Lesson 7: Embrace Change 15:49 Lesson 8: The Importance of Winter   Links Connect with Jane Bertch: Website: www.janebertch.com  Instagram @janebertch Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Rethinking success starts with a simple shift: experiment, stay curious, and let learning lead the way.   I’m sitting down with neuroscientist and entrepreneur Anne-Laure Le Cunff to talk about neuroscience, creativity, and personal transformation. What happens when we stop chasing a predefined version of success and start treating life as a series of experiments? Anne-Laure shares how a health scare pushed her to leave corporate life, study neuroscience, and build Nest Labs, a community that helps people stay productive and creative without sacrificing mental health.   She introduces the “experimental mindset,” a way to embrace uncertainty, learn through action, and reframe failure as progress. She also shares a simple brain hack: “curiosity snacks,” small shifts that turn impulsive habits into moments of meaningful exploration.   This conversation is a reminder that personal growth doesn’t require a perfect plan. Instead, understanding the brain and leaning into creativity can open new doors, helping us build a life that evolves with us.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 02:40 Anne-Laure’s Career Journey 06:08 Managing Insecurity and Embracing Change 07:48 Personal Crisis and Realignment 09:21 Curiosity and Creativity Interconnection 10:17 Creative Processes and Community Feedback 12:37 Taking Risks and Community Support 14:03 Nest Labs Community Creation 16:40 Empowering Community Members 18:49 Fascination with Neuroscience 20:00 Stimulating the Brain: Curiosity Snacks 21:44 Book Introduction: Tiny Experiments 23:35 Experimental Mindset Concept 25:37 Intentional Imperfection Concept 29:13 Role Models and Personal Influence 31:07 Closing   Links Connect with Anne-Laure Le Cunff, PhD:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neuranne NessLabs: https://nesslabs.com   Anne-Laure's Book Tiny Experiments: https://nesslabs.com/book Connect with Jane Bertch: Website: www.janebertch.com  Instagram @janebertch Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

What does it really mean to “be French”? Is it about the way I tie my scarf, the handbag I carry, or how I order my coffee? Or is there something deeper?   After more than two decades of living in Paris, I’ve wrestled with these questions myself. As an American woman running a business here, I’ve felt the pressure to fit in. But over time, I realized something surprising—my strength came from not trying to.   In this episode, I’m sharing what I’ve learned about French culture and mindset, from confidence and self-love to the importance of relationships and the art of conversation. I’ll talk about why women are so often made to feel like they need to mold themselves to fit an ideal and why embracing who you are can be a huge advantage instead.   Through my own experiences and observations, I hope to offer a fresh perspective on thriving in a new culture without losing yourself in the process. Whether you love all things French, are navigating life in a foreign country, or are building a career on your own terms, I think you’ll find something in this episode that resonates.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 02:00 Accepting Cultural Differences 03:06 The Pressure to Be French 05:37 The Secret to Being French 06:09 Rule 1: Love Yourself 07:01 Rule 2: Be Cultured 08:19 Rule 3: Don’t Be Apologetic 09:57 Rule 4: Take Pride in Your Appearance 11:04 Rule 5: Master the Inside Voice 13:06 Rule 6: Be Discreet 14:00 Rule 7: Treat Friends Like Family 15:17 Rule 8: Respect Time 17:15 Closing   Links Connect with Jane Bertch: Website: www.janebertch.com  Instagram @janebertch Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Success isn’t a finish line. It’s a long, unpredictable road filled with setbacks, small wins, and lessons along the way.   After completing a long-awaited renovation for my business, La Cuisine, I felt uneasy with the word success as people congratulated me. The glossy finish doesn’t tell the full story. This journey took seven years of struggles, delays, and setbacks that tested my patience and perseverance. I see this milestone as a réussite, a hard-earned achievement, but real success? That’s still unfolding.   In this episode, I reflect on what success really means, the weight of language, and the unseen challenges behind every big moment. What if true success isn’t about the big wins at all but about the resilience it takes to keep going?   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 01:24 The Word “Success” and Its Impact 03:11 Cultural Nuances in Language 04:36 Réussite vs. Succès 05:08 Challenges of La Cuisine’s Renovation 07:03 Behind the Scenes of the Renovation 09:00 Measuring Success in Business 10:10 Long Journey to Success 11:05 Future of La Cuisine and GenerateHER 12:00 Personal Reflections on Success 13:05 Comparison and Joy 14:00 Final Thoughts and Weekly Wishes   Links Connect with Jane Bertch: Website: www.janebertch.com  Instagram @janebertch Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm