Hi friends, I’m returning from an extended hiatus from podcasting to share this impromptu solo episode from the heart on a period of depression I experienced recently and one of the biggest lessons it’s taught me about living. Let me know how this lands and remember that you are never alone in any of this. 💙

Reflections on my break from podcasting, my latest calling, and what a calling feels like

Hello dear listeners, happy 2025. I'm returning to my podcast after an 8-month hiatus during which time much has shifted for me internally and externally. In this episode, I share why I took a break, what's changed since we last chatted, and my intentions for this next season of Ampersand. Thank you all so much for your patience during this time in which I stepped away from this means of creative expression to explore other facets of my life. For those interested in joining me or continuing to accompany me in my imperfect, curious, and open-hearted journey, be sure to subscribe to my podcast on your preferred platform. I'm still taking a break from Instagram, Substack, and LinkedIn, so this is the best place to be notified when my subsequent episodes air. With warmth and care, Jenny

Hello dear listeners. This episode wraps up season 1 of Ampersand, after which I’m taking a break to focus on other priorities and reflect on what I’d like to center in season 2.  To conclude this season, I invited several people who inspire me to record or write their responses to three questions:  1. What’s one of the greatest life lessons you’ve learned and can you share some of that story behind it? 2. What’s one of the biggest things you’ve let go of in your life, whether it’s a way of being, a place, people, etc? What prompted this decision, and how did it catalyze growth or transformation? 3. What advice would you give to a younger version of yourself? This episode compiles responses from 18 beautiful humans (myself included!). I hope you enjoy it. As always, it’s a pleasure and honor to share this content with you.  From my heart and soul to yours (and until next time), Jenny

I recorded this guided meditation on a day when I didn't sleep well the previous evening and felt called to record this to support folks who feel tired, exhausted, or low-energy for one reason or another. My intention with this meditation is to help you carve out the next 10 minutes for you and to give you permission to rest and receive. With restfulness and tenderness, Jenny

Join me in this guided meditation focused on supporting you in reconnecting with self-trust in periods of uncertainty where you may feel like you're in a void, you're sitting before the unknown or the great mystery, or you're in this liminal space between where you were and wherever you're meant to be next. I hope you enjoy this one. With love and care, Jenny

Tune into the transformative journey of Stace Povey, former founder and lead facilitator of Dreamglade, an ayahuasca retreat center nestled in the Amazonian jungle of Iquitos, Peru that I’ve had the honor of visiting in 2017 and 2022. Join us as we delve into his relationship with the medicine of ayahuasca, other plant medicines and mind-altering substances, tracing the evolution of his relationship with these powerful tools from his earliest encounters to how he relates to them today. In this candid and refreshing conversation, Stace shares the story of how his path unexpectedly led him to Peru, the experiences that shaped his calling to establish Dreamglade, and the remarkable journey of running and ultimately transitioning this retreat center to new ownership after 10 years. His decisiveness and unwavering trust in the face of monumental transitions offer invaluable insights for anyone navigating periods of change, providing solace and inspiration in the midst of endings and new beginnings. I hope you find this conversation valuable and inspiring and that it finds you at the right time in your life.  About Stace: Stacy Stephen Povey was born in London, England, but has spent the last 16 years living in Peru. He has dedicated most of that time to helping as many people as possible through working with the local medicinal plants and indigenous healing practices. His journey began at 18 years old, where he realized that the thing that scared him more than anything else was that one day, he would reach the end of his life and he would look back with enormous regret that he had not lived it to the absolute fullest. He vowed, then and there, that he would live his life in such a way that when he reached a ripe old age, he could write a book about it all.  Since that fateful decision, his journey has been one filled with some pretty epic adventures, with extensive travels to all corners of the globe, including 3 Atlantic crossings by sailboat and driving an old army truck, solo, across the Sahara desert. In the 90's he organized underground dance parties in the South of Portugal.  His most recent quest was building a beautiful Shamanic Healing Center in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon rainforest. He ran that very successful and highly regarded healing center, Dreamglade, for 10 years and personally helped facilitate the healing journeys of over 2000 guests. Stace currently lives in the Northern Amazon region of Peru with his Peruvian partner and 3 beautiful children. Connect with Stace: Coaching website - https://thehighestversion.coach/  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stace_elate/  Stace’s Book Recommendations: Eckhart Tolle’s “A New Earth” - https://shop.eckharttolle.com/products/a-new-earth-awakening-to-your-lifes-purpose  Neale Donald Walsch’s “Conversations with God” - https://www.amazon.com/Conversations-God-Uncommon-Dialogue-Book/dp/0399142789 By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that the entire contents are the property of Jenny Chen, or used by Jenny Chen with permission, and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except as otherwise provided herein, users of this Podcast may save and use information contained in the Podcast only for personal or other non-commercial, educational purposes. No other use, including, without limitation, reproduction, retransmission or editing, of this Podcast may be made without the prior written permission of Jenny Chen, which may be requested by contacting [email protected]. This podcast is for educational purposes only. The host claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly due to the use, application, or interpretation of the information presented herein.

When was the last time you listened, truly listened, to the sound of your voice? When was the last time you shared words of love, care, and gratitude for yourself and your voice from a place of deep presence? This guided meditation allows you to explore these two questions in a safe space. If you're ready to meditate on this, find a quiet spot where you'll be undisturbed for the duration of the meditation and press play. I'll be here, and we'll meditate together.

Take a meditative walk with me. I guide you inward, outward, and back again, supporting you in slowing down, tuning in, and bringing a fuller presence to this simple and beautiful act of walking.

Hey there, perfectly imperfect human. If you've ever experienced sadness or depression and wondered how you might relate to these oftentimes big and charged emotions in healthier ways, this episode is for you. Rishi and I delve into the depths of these emotions and share our own dance and relationship to them, normalize them, discuss nourishing ways of relating to them and welcoming them, unpack "depression imposter syndrome" and why we sometimes question the validity of our own depression, how to practice bearing witness to someone’s humanity, and much more. I begin this episode with a raw and honest reflection on some of my fears around publishing it, how I moved through them with Rishi’s support, and why I'm choosing to publish it now. If you'd prefer to move straight into the content, the episode officially starts at 13:59 with a grounding practice. May this deep and soulful conversation serve as a reminder of your own humanity, the importance of allowing and relating to the full spectrum of emotions so that we can experience the fullness of life, and the great medicine and teachings of sadness.  About Rishi: Rishi is a performance artist, community organizer, and leadership coach. They weave spaces that inspire creativity in everyday contexts, and enlist folks to partake together in playful disobedience. They’re an organizer for Stone Soup, produce small-scale intimate immersive theater, and particularly love community spaces where people are willing to turn towards one another to carry the load together.  Connect with Rishi: Website - https://rishi.garden/  Newsletter - https://read.rishi.garden/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rishter/ Connect with me:  Website - https://byjennychen.com/  Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/byjennychen⁠ Read my blog - https://ampersandwithjennychen.substack.com/  Subscribe to my mailing lists - https://forms.gle/E3zA2F97vDNrBRXe7  Want to work with me as a medicine guide, psychedelic prep & integration coach, spiritual death & rebirth doula, heart-centered space holder, podcast guest, or something else? Schedule a *free* intro call: https://calendly.com/by_jennychen/intro-call  Receive 10% off my favorite ceremonial cacao, Ora Cacao, when you apply the following discount code at checkout: JENNY25931 - https://ceremonial-cacao.com/  By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that the entire contents are the property of Jenny Chen, or used by Jenny Chen with permission, and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except as otherwise provided herein, users of this Podcast may save and use information contained in the Podcast only for personal or other non-commercial, educational purposes. No other use, including, without limitation, reproduction, retransmission or editing, of this Podcast may be made without the prior written permission of Jenny Chen, which may be requested by contacting [email protected]. This podcast is for educational purposes only. The host claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly due to the use, application, or interpretation of the information presented herein.