Building Resilience & Tenderness: Jenny O’Dell’s Journey from Survival to Self-Discovery

In this heartfelt and insightful conversation, Lorraine Connell speaks with Jenny O’Dell—life coach, Bowen work practitioner, and mother—about her path from a challenging childhood to a life centered on healing, connection, and intentional parenting. Jenny shares how moving frequently as a child and struggling with belonging shaped her values and her deep commitment to building community. The episode explores how Jenny’s experiences as a teenager influenced her approach to parenting and how her own journey of healing involved therapy, nervous system regulation through Bowen work, and deep self-discovery through the Enneagram and values-based coaching. She and Lorraine discuss the challenges of adolescence, the expectations placed on teens, and how healing generational wounds can transform the way we support the next generation. 🎧 This episode is also available in video format on YouTube. 💡 Key Takeaways: Jenny’s childhood of instability led to deep independence and a desire for belonging. Parenting is a cycle-breaking opportunity that requires self-work first. Bowen work therapy helps regulate the nervous system and provides a sense of safety. Teen friendships are foundational, and future planning often strains these relationships. Internal family systems and Enneagram-based coaching helped Jenny understand her inner world. Vulnerability, self-awareness, and asking for support are vital to adult growth. Transitioning from high school to adulthood is emotional and full of identity shifts. Coaching and therapy both have value—sometimes we need both at different times. 📬 Connect with Jenny: Email: @jenny.odell.coach LinkedIn: Jenny O'Dell Jenny is currently exploring the idea of launching her own podcast to share the power of Bowen work with a wider audience—stay tuned! 🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform and on YouTube! 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode with anyone navigating parenting, healing, or personal growth. #LeadersOfToday #JennyOdell #BowenTherapy #TeenLeadership #HealingJourney #ParentingWithPurpose #EmotionalWellbeing #CoachingAndTherapy #SelfDiscovery #BreakTheCycle #ResilientTeens #PeersNotFears