Inheritance

Amanda Patrick joins me for a conversation about inheritance—what we’re given, what we absorb, and what we eventually have to decide to do with it.In this episode, Inheritance, Amanda shares the story of her childhood—marked by poverty, neglect, and profound loss—and the long, complex path of what it means to carry that forward into adulthood.At just 13 years old, Amanda experienced a tragic event that would shape the course of her life. What followed were years of survival—leaving home at 15, navigating instability, masking pain, and building a life from the ground up without support. But as Amanda shares, survival is only one part of the story.This conversation explores what we inherit—not just from our families, but from the environments we grow up in. The patterns we learn. The coping mechanisms that once kept us safe. And the difficult, often painful work of deciding what we keep… and what we lay down.We talk about:Growing up in neglect and the loneliness that lingers long afterTrauma, coping, and the masks we learn to wearAddiction, sobriety, and the turning point into motherhoodThe power of long-term therapy and self-awarenessEstrangement, boundaries, and the grief that comes with choosing distanceAnd how healing can evolve into serviceToday, Amanda is the co-founder of LADR Consulting, a speaker, and the founder of Gift-a-Family—an initiative that has raised over $200,000 to support children who might otherwise be overlooked during the holidays.Her story is not linear. It’s not simple. But it is deeply human.And at its core, it’s about this:We don’t get to choose what we inherit.But we do get to choose what we do with it.GUEST INFORMATIONAmanda Patrick is a business strategist and co-founder of LADR Virtual Assistants, where she helps entrepreneurs streamline operations and build scalable systems. She is also a speaker and philanthropist, and the founder of Gift-a-Family, a community initiative that has raised over $200,000 to support hundreds of children. Through her “Drop the Mask” presentations, Amanda works with youth to build confidence, resilience, and self-trust. She’s also a proud mom and pickleball enthusiast.Connect with Amanda:Instagram: @amandalelepatrickInstagram: @ladrcoachingInstagram: @gift_a_familyWebsite: https://www.ladrconsulting.com/CONTENT NOTEThis episode includes discussions of childhood trauma, neglect, addiction, and suicidal ideation. Please take care while listening and choose a time and space that feels supportive.SUPPORT RESOURCESIf this episode brought something up for you, you don’t have to sit with it alone.Canada: Call or text 988Simcoe County Crisis Line: 1-888-893-8333U.S.: Call or text 988Australia: Lifeline 13 11 14Host/Producer/Writer/Director: Jenn St JohnEditor: Andrew SchillerWebsite: www.jennstjohn.caFollow along:Instagram: @jenn_stjohnLinkedIn: Jenn St JohnIf this episode spoke to you, share it with someone who might need to hear it too.Subscribe, leave a review, or just send a little love—your support helps these conversations reach the people who need them most.