Jen Porter's "Lioness Conversations" podcast typically features her interviewing other inspiring women, but in this uniquely heartfelt episode, the tables are turned. Her friend and former spiritual coach, Michelle Mullins, takes the helm to interview Jen herself, offering listeners a rare and intimate look into Jen's own "Lioness story." This powerful conversation reveals the profound journey Jen has undertaken to become the confident and purpose-driven leader she is today.

Jen shares how her collaboration with Michelle began three years ago during a "dry, hard, sad season" where she felt called to integrate her faith more deeply into her work but didn't know how. Michelle became her trusted spiritual coach, guiding Jen through a period she describes as a "cocoon" — a dark and scary metamorphosis. From this transformative period, Jen emerged, much like a "soaring butterfly," with crystal-clear purpose: to empower women to fulfill their God-given purpose in this world.

The episode highlights several key aspects of Jen's journey and her philosophy:

• The Power of Retreat and Deep Listening: Jen emphasizes her need for silence and solo retreats to engage in deep listening, both to herself and to God. This intentional practice helps her quiet external noise and discern her next steps, embodying a "counter-cultural" approach to productivity.
• Leading with Love and Excellence: Jen passionately articulates her belief that true leadership is an honor and should be rooted in love and care for people, rather than solely on metrics or performance. This "counter-cultural" perspective, deeply influenced by her faith, seeks to avoid burnout and foster deep, soul-satisfying impact.
• Trusting Self and Spirit: Jen discusses how a foundation of micro-decisions and trusting her inner peace has built confidence, allowing her to take risks and make decisions, even when the path isn't fully clear. She views trusting her instincts, intuition, and the Holy Spirit as one and the same.
• A Legacy of Faith and Community: Jen's heritage of strong, joyful women of faith, particularly her grandmother who embodied selfless care and purpose, profoundly shaped her. This lineage, coupled with her belief that "we're not designed to do life alone," underscores the vital role of community and mutual support in navigating life's challenges.
• The Lioness Within: Ultimately, Jen's mission is to help women recognize the "Lioness" within themselves – an inner strength that perseveres through trials and pushes past societal barriers. Her podcast and upcoming book serve as a mirror, inviting women to see themselves as brave, worthy, and capable of making their unique impact on the world, acknowledging the challenges and fears along the way to ensure relatability and genuine inspiration.

The episode culminates with Jen revealing her current "brave stretch": finishing her book and launching live coaching sessions on the podcast. These vulnerable steps, shared with the support of her community, exemplify her commitment to walking the talk and continuing to inspire women to embrace their own powerful purpose.

Find out more about Jen's work: https://www.jenportercoach.com/

And Michelle Mullins' work: https://www.spiritledvoice.com/

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to Lioness Conversations

00:57
The Journey of Faith and Leadership

05:55
Empowering Women Through Coaching

09:53
The Importance of Deep Listening

15:03
The Power of Retreats for Reflection

18:52
Leading with Love and Excellence

25:02
Finding Peace in Decision Making

30:00
Trusting Yourself and Taking Risks

34:12
Defining Personal KPIs for Life

38:29
Heritage of Faith and Purpose

42:29
Navigating Life's Battlefield

46:06
The Power of Community

53:54
Embracing the Lioness Within

58:55
Being Brave in Vulnerability