In this episode of The Stroke It Podcast, host Jenny Townsend shares a heartfelt birthday tribute to her husband, best friend, and business partner, David Townsend. Jenny takes listeners behind the scenes of their love story, from meeting as friends on a kickball field in 2009 to building a marriage that’s grown through real-life friction, different upbringings, and the kind of lessons you only learn by choosing each other over and over again.

She reflects on what makes David such a steady partner, both at home and in business, and why being “friends first” laid a foundation that still holds 16 years later. Jenny also opens up about the balancing act of marriage, communication styles, compromise, and how making each other a priority changed everything after life “blew up” and they found their way back stronger.

If you love real relationship stories, you’re celebrating someone special, or you simply need a reminder to appreciate the people who show up for you consistently, this episode is a warm, honest listen that will make you smile and reflect. It’s a celebration of love, teamwork, growth, and the quiet power of having a “soft place to land.”

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

✅ How a kickball friendship turned into a marriage (and why “friends first” mattered)
✅ The moment Jenny realized David was “that hot” and everything shifted
✅ The bold phone call that ended an engagement and started a new love story
✅ What Jenny admires most about David as a husband and partner
✅ Love languages, communication differences, and learning real compromise
✅ Building a life and business together (including buying a laundromat)
✅ How different childhoods created friction and growth in their marriage
✅ The mindset shift that helped them start prioritizing each other
✅ A reminder to celebrate others (and yourself) in small meaningful ways
✅ Jenny’s birthday message and invitation for listeners to encourage David

Chapters

00:01 Opening and why this episode is extra special
01:10 Meet Jenny Townsend and the purpose of the podcast
02:05 Introducing David and celebrating his birthday publicly
03:05 How Jenny and David met playing kickball in 2009
05:12 “Love at first kick” and the moment he stood out
07:10 The day David showed up not in kickball clothes
09:35 The “loud and obnoxious” rumor and the plot twist
11:10 Giving him her number and the engagement-ending phone call
12:25 First real date watching the Dolphins and the start of “their story”
14:10 Dating, marriage, and building 16 years together
15:40 Jenny’s tribute to David’s steadiness, patience, and support
18:10 Business partnership lessons and “what funds the fun”
20:05 Different upbringings and the friction of merging worlds
23:05 The turning point: making each other a priority
25:30 Happy birthday message, listen

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In this episode of The Stroke It Podcast, host Jenny Townsend sits down with internationally known “Love Doctor” Anil Gupta for a deep, practical conversation on love, marriage, friendship, and what it really takes to build relationships that last. From surviving financial collapse and near-suicide to rebuilding his life, marriage, and career, Anil shares the simple tools and frameworks he now teaches to couples, families, and even world leaders.

Together, Jenny and Anil unpack why relationships and health are the two pillars of a meaningful life, how to choose the right partner (and be the right partner), and why so many of us were never taught the basics of communication, forgiveness, and emotional growth. Anil shares his “happiness formula,” his three non-negotiables for any relationship, and his ABCD method for spotting red flags before you get in too deep.

If you’ve ever felt unseen in your marriage, disappointed by friends, scared to start over, or stuck in resentment you can’t quite release, this episode will give you language, tools, and hope. It’s down-to-earth, funny, and deeply honest—meant to help you love better, choose better, and show up as the best version of yourself in every relationship.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

✅ Why Anil calls relationships and health the two most important parts of life
✅ The three traits to look for in any partner, friend, or business relationship
✅ How to use the “ABCD” rule to spot misalignment and collect the right data on people
✅ A simple “A, B, C” friend audit to protect your energy and time
✅ How to make new friends as an adult through proximity and shared interests
✅ The difference between giving your happiness away and choosing it on purpose
✅ Anil’s “G x G x G” happiness formula: give, gratitude, and growth
✅ Why making your partner your number one priority changes your whole family
✅ How small daily acts of kindness and appreciation rebuild trust and connection
✅ The role of forgiveness in healing infidelity, betrayal, and old family wounds

Chapters

00:01 Meet Anil Gupta, the Love Doctor
01:42 Anil’s story, mission, and why relationships matter most
08:22 The happiness formula: G x G x G explained
13:40 Relationships and health as the core of a meaningful life
16:04 ABCD: always be collecting data on people
18:56 Friend audits: A, B, and C players in your life
20:30 Finding new friends and community as an adult
23:31 Dating smarter: the three-trait Smart Select System
26:56 What men and women really want but rarely say
29:20 Love languages, snuggle time, and learning to meet needs
35:26 Making your partner the priority (and what your kids learn from it)
41:44 Everyday appreciation, acts of kindness, and repair
42:10 Self-worth, forgiveness, and not giving your happiness away
45:40 Final encouragement: ch

Order Stroke It now at jennyaldaytownsend.com/book. Your order includes a signed copy, shipping and handling, and great Bonus items!

Follow the Stroke It Guide on socials to stay connected and to get tips on how you too can get your STROKE on'!

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestrokeitguide

Check out more about Jenny Alday Townsend by visiting http://www.jennyaldaytownsend.com

Did you know there are free downloads available on my website? Go to All Products | Jenny Alday Townsend and snag the 4 Ground Rules to Elevate your life. Planning your future? Develop your 1-3-5 and change your life path!

In this solo episode of The Stroke It Podcast, host Jenny Townsend opens up about one of the toughest parts of growth: choosing to walk away from people, places, and commitments that no longer align with who you are. She shares the story of stepping back from a women’s partnership she once loved and believed in, and what it looks like to honor your values even when it means leaving a table you helped build.

Jenny also gets real about family patterns, holiday drama, and the quiet resentment that can build when you keep showing up out of obligation instead of genuine connection. From navigating hard conversations she’d rather avoid to seeing how other women quietly made the same choice to leave, she walks you through the inner work of asking: Who am I? Who do I want around me? And what kind of future am I really designing?

If you’re heading into a new year feeling overextended, underappreciated, or out of alignment with certain relationships or roles, this episode will give you permission to pause, reflect, and create better boundaries—without feeling like a quitter. It’s honest, practical, and meant to help you protect your energy so you can pour into the people and spaces that pour back into you.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

✅ Why Jenny chose to walk away from a partnership she once dreamed about
✅ How to recognize when a group, role, or relationship no longer aligns with your values
✅ The tension between wanting to be honest and not wanting to hurt someone’s feelings
✅ Simple boundary shifts for friends or family who constantly “dump” on you
✅ How to stop being everyone’s free therapist and reclaim time for your own mental health
✅ Ideas for gently redirecting negative conversations or encouraging therapy and support
✅ Why it’s okay to skip family traditions that leave you anxious, resentful, or drained
✅ How to intentionally seek out rooms, communities, and careers that reflect where you want to go
✅ A year-end reflection practice to decide who and what comes with you into the new year
✅ Jenny’s reminder to be generous—with your time, energy, and love—without forgetting yourself

Chapters

00:00 Letting go without feeling like a quitter
00:51 New year, new lens on what no longer serves you
01:14 The women’s partnership Jenny chose to leave
02:21 Self-reflection and asking who you want at your table
04:22 Boundaries with negative, draining family members
05:12 Time limits, redirecting venting, and suggesting therapy
07:20 Choosing spaces and communities that lift you up
08:56 Reviewing the past year: what’s working and what isn’t
10:41 Walking away from family holiday drama
12:04 Final encouragement to stay true to yourself and let go with love

Order Stroke It now at jennyaldaytownsend.com/book. Your order includes a signed copy, shipping and handling, and great Bonus items!

Follow the Stroke It Guide on socials to stay connected and to get tips on how you too can get your STROKE on'!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaldaytownsend/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestrokeitguide

Check out more about Jenny Alday Townsend by visiting http://www.jennyaldaytownsend.com

Did you know there are free downloads available on my website? Go to All Products | Jenny Alday Townsend and snag the 4 Ground Rules to Elevate your life. Planning your future? Develop your 1-3-5 and change your life path!

In this episode of The Stroke It Podcast, host Jenny Townsend sits down with international speaker and Operations Genius founder Joanna Zhang for a raw, uplifting conversation about self-love, codependency, and what happens when you stop living your life for everyone else. Joanna shares her journey from financial planner, wife, and mom moving through divorce and burnout to experiencing a soul awakening that changed how she works, leads, parents, and loves.

Together, Jenny and Joanna unpack what it looks like to move from people-pleasing and external validation to real self-acceptance, stronger boundaries, and a life that feels colorful again. They talk about the difference between pleasure and true happiness, how to refill your own cup, embracing feminine energy, and why letting go of control can actually make you a better leader at home and at work.

It’s honest, emotional, and hopeful—especially if you’ve been feeling drained, over-responsible, or stuck in a “gray” season of life.

Resources

Connect with Joanna Zhang on LinkedIn
Download Joanna’s free guide on reclaiming your time and energy through delegation
Learn more about Jenny’s book The Stroke It Guide

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

✅ How Joanna moved from codependency and external validation to a powerful soul awakening
✅ The moment she realized her life had turned “gray” and how she brought creativity and color back
✅ The difference between short-term pleasure and deep, sustaining happiness
✅ Why so many women, especially moms and high achievers, silence their own needs
✅ How true self-love naturally creates stronger, healthier boundaries
✅ Joanna’s “cup” analogy for burnout and why filling your own cup first changes everything
✅ Practical ways Jenny and Joanna protect their energy, from me-time to hobbies to rest
✅ How embracing feminine energy and letting go of control transformed their leadership, parenting, and relationships
✅ Joanna’s final challenge to stop just talking about self-love and truly live it

Chapters

00:01 Welcome and intro to Joanna and The Operations Genius
00:53 Joanna joins the conversation and shares her current season of life
03:25 Codependency, losing herself, and life turning “gray”
07:05 Jenny’s near-divorce, burnout, and healing journey
10:39 From self-worth and boundaries to deeper self-love
11:13 Pleasure vs happiness and redefining what fills you up
16:34 Boundaries, acceptance, and choosing love over fear
21:19 The “cup” analogy and why burnout happens
23:07 Me-time, hobbies, and respecting your own energy
26:50 Handling “energy suckers” and releasing responsibility for everyone else
34:48 Masculine vs feminine energy for women who lead and provide

Order Stroke It now at jennyaldaytownsend.com/book. Your order includes a signed copy, shipping and handling, and great Bonus items!

Follow the Stroke It Guide on socials to stay connected and to get tips on how you too can get your STROKE on'!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaldaytownsend/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestrokeitguide

Check out more about Jenny Alday Townsend by visiting http://www.jennyaldaytownsend.com

Did you know there are free downloads available on my website? Go to All Products | Jenny Alday Townsend and snag the 4 Ground Rules to Elevate your life. Planning your future? Develop your 1-3-5 and change your life path!

In this episode of The Stroke It Podcast, host Jenny Townsend takes you on a short but powerful journey through the “seasons of life,” inspired by Jim Rohn’s classic book Seasons of Life. Jenny reflects on why winter, spring, summer, and fall aren’t just weather patterns, but a framework for how we move through challenge, growth, momentum, and harvest in our businesses, relationships, and personal lives.

She weaves in her own story, the shifts she’s experienced this year with Music Compound, and why a few lines from her original song “New Day” hit differently when you realize that Amazon doesn’t deliver money trees—and that today really is the best day to plant your next seed. Along the way, she invites you to pause, journal, and honestly name the season you’re in so you can stop fighting it and start thriving in it.

It’s hopeful, honest, and a great listen if you’re feeling in-between seasons, navigating change, or just needing a reminder that every sunrise is a fresh start.

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Resources

Jim Rohn’s book Seasons of Life
Jenny’s book The Stroke It Guide
Jenny’s original song “New Day”

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

✅ Why “Amazon doesn’t deliver money trees” — and what that really means for taking action today
✅ How Jim Rohn’s Seasons of Life reframed the way Jenny looks at change in business, marriage, and family
✅ A simple breakdown of the four seasons: winter (challenge), spring (planting), summer (growth), and fall (harvest and release)
✅ How recent “seasons” at Music Compound pushed Jenny to look for the lessons inside each transition
✅ Questions to help you identify what season you’re in right now — and what it’s asking of you
✅ Why journaling on the how, why, and what of your current season can shift your mindset and your next steps
✅ The story behind Jenny’s song “New Day” and how its lyrics line up with the seasons framework
✅ An invitation to stop comparing, stop living in the past, and start planting new seeds even when tomorrow isn’t guaranteed
✅ How The Stroke It Guide ties into this message by helping you better “stroke” yourself, your spouse, friends, family, employers, and employees
✅ A closing challenge to share wisdom forward by sending this episode to five friends who might need it

Chapters

00:00 quick welcome
00:35 Why Seasons of Life hit home for Jenny this year
01:15 The four seasons: winter, spring, summer, and fall in your life
02:15 How these seasons show up in business, family, and personal growth
03:10 “New Day” lyrics and why today is the best day to plant a seed
04:00 Journal prompts, book mentions, and challenge to share the episode

Order Stroke It now at jennyaldaytownsend.com/book. Your order includes a signed copy, shipping and handling, and great Bonus items!

Follow the Stroke It Guide on socials to stay connected and to get tips on how you too can get your STROKE on'!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaldaytownsend/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestrokeitguide

Check out more about Jenny Alday Townsend by visiting http://www.jennyaldaytownsend.com

Did you know there are free downloads available on my website? Go to All Products | Jenny Alday Townsend and snag the 4 Ground Rules to Elevate your life. Planning your future? Develop your 1-3-5 and change your life path!

In this episode of The Stroke It Podcast, host Jenny Townsend sits down with entrepreneur, author, and “No Half Cakes” founder Jim Sabellico to talk about what happens when success costs you the moments that actually matter. Jim tells the story behind his personal creed — walking into his son’s birthday party after a long workday and seeing a half-eaten cake — and deciding right then he would never bring “half a cake” home again. That moment became the fuel for helping high achievers calm the chaos, prioritize family, and show up fully in every area of life.

Jenny and Jim dig into his “six slices” of a whole life (spiritual, physical, emotional, relationships, finances, and career), why hustle culture quietly wrecks homes, and how leaders can model boundaries without losing credibility. They also get super practical about communication in marriage, being seen and heard, choosing better circles, and why consistency matters more than the perfect plan. If you’ve ever chased the next revenue goal and missed the real celebration at home, this one will hit.

It’s honest, relational, and a great listen for leaders, spouses, and anyone trying to build a life that feels as good on the inside as it looks on the outside.

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Resources

Jim Sabellico's site and “No Half Cakes” framework: nohalfcakes.com

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

✅ The “half cake” story — and how missing one birthday became a life reset
✅ Why Jim says real success should never cost your soul, health, or family
✅ The six slices of life to keep in harmony (not “balance”)
✅ How to show up as the same person at work, at home, and with friends
✅ Why leaders can’t force boundaries on their team — they have to model them
✅ The four things people crave at work and at home: to be loved, appreciated, seen, and heard
✅ How to talk to both the leader and the employee about burnout and over-serving
✅ Communication that actually lands: what’s meant, said, heard, and understood
✅ Why consistency beats perfection, and why “show up today” is the real win
✅ Guardrails in marriage — taking “divorce” off the table so you can have real conversations

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and the story behind “No Half Cakes”
03:25 The night everything changed: coming home to a half-eaten birthday cake
07:10 Redefining success so it doesn’t cost your family
10:45 The six slices of life and why harmony is better than balance
15:20 Leaders first: modeling boundaries and letting your team see your weakness
20:05 Being loved, appreciated, seen, and heard — what people actually want
24:30 Talking to the employee who can’t stop serving everyone else
28:15 Choosing better rooms: mentors, circles, and getting around healthy people
32:40 Presence, hobbies, and finding joy now (not “one day”)
36:55 Communication that lands: what’s meant v

Order Stroke It now at jennyaldaytownsend.com/book. Your order includes a signed copy, shipping and handling, and great Bonus items!

Follow the Stroke It Guide on socials to stay connected and to get tips on how you too can get your STROKE on'!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaldaytownsend/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestrokeitguide

Check out more about Jenny Alday Townsend by visiting http://www.jennyaldaytownsend.com

Did you know there are free downloads available on my website? Go to All Products | Jenny Alday Townsend and snag the 4 Ground Rules to Elevate your life. Planning your future? Develop your 1-3-5 and change your life path!

In this episode of The Stroke It Podcast, host Jenny Townsend turns a last-minute guest no-show into a real, unscripted conversation with two key team members from Music Compound. Membership Director Alyssa and instructor/operations lead Taylor share what it’s actually like to work inside a growing, creativity-first organization — the wins, the culture, and a few places they’d love to streamline.

You’ll hear how Jenny uses validation, flexibility, and growth opportunities to keep her team invested — and you’ll also hear, very honestly, how too many channels or rapid-fire ideas can overwhelm people on the front lines. Alyssa talks about being “all in” since 2017, why being seen matters more than perks, and how choosing a word of the year helps her stay grounded. Taylor shares how teaching, band programs, and student performances fuel him — and why leaders should understand the day-to-day if they want long-term buy-in.

It’s candid, team-centered, and perfect if you lead people, want to build a stronger culture, or just love hearing how a creative business keeps its heart.

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What You’ll Hear in This Episode

✅ Why Jenny put the Music Compound team on mic — and why showing off your people matters
✅ Alyssa’s journey from “every role” to key leader (and why words of affirmation work)
✅ How validation, inclusion, and being “in the loop” make team members feel essential
✅ Where communication can break down — too many tools, not enough filters
✅ Taylor’s perspective from the teaching side: energy, performances, and keeping it fun
✅ Honest feedback for leaders: react slower, simplify, and know what your team actually does
✅ Why culture at Music Compound = community through music

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and why this episode is different
02:15 Meet Alyssa — membership, culture, and feeling valued
07:40 What validation looks like on a real team
12:30 Feedback for leaders on reacting and communicating
16:55 The “word of the year” practice
20:40 Student performances and parent moments
24:05 Meet Taylor — music, bands, and operations
28:10 Love languages at work
32:45 Culture at Music Compound
37:20 Where leaders can improve
42:00 Energy and schedules
47:10 Give people their flowers
50:30 Jenny’s closing encouragement

Order Stroke It now at jennyaldaytownsend.com/book. Your order includes a signed copy, shipping and handling, and great Bonus items!

Follow the Stroke It Guide on socials to stay connected and to get tips on how you too can get your STROKE on'!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaldaytownsend/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestrokeitguide

Check out more about Jenny Alday Townsend by visiting http://www.jennyaldaytownsend.com

Did you know there are free downloads available on my website? Go to All Products | Jenny Alday Townsend and snag the 4 Ground Rules to Elevate your life. Planning your future? Develop your 1-3-5 and change your life path!

In this eye-opening episode of The Stroke It Podcast, host Jenny Townsend talks with trauma-informed healer Emma Lyons about how family dysfunction and intergenerational trauma shape the “inner narcissist” — that shaming, controlling voice that keeps us small. Emma shares how she reclaimed her power by naming that voice, setting boundaries (including going no-contact), and rebuilding her nervous system from the inside out.

From scapegoats and golden children to enmeshment and conditional love, this conversation explains the roles in narcissistic family systems — and why confronting a narcissist almost never works. Instead, Emma offers a path to becoming “un-shameable”: break the trance, stop feeding the shame voice, and come back to your own truth.

You’ll learn how to tell intuition from self-attack, why shame is about control (not growth), and how to model change without trying to fix everyone else. It’s direct, compassionate, and built for anyone ready to end the cycle and choose self-leadership.

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What You’ll Hear in This Episode

✅ Family roles 101: scapegoat, invisible child, golden child, enabler
✅ Covert vs. overt narcissism—and why calling it out backfires
✅ Intuition vs. “inner narcissist”: the one-question test
✅ Why shame keeps you stuck (and why empathy—not shame—drives growth)
✅ Emma’s B.R.E.A.K. method to dismantle the shame voice
✅ Boundaries, no-contact, and healing your nervous system
✅ Modeling change instead of fixing others—becoming truly un-shameable

Resources & Links

Free guide from Emma: 5 Signs It’s Time to Break Up with Your Inner Narcissist – https://subscribepage.io/GtaJ5s

Follow Emma on Instagram: @trauma.mmatrix
Learn more: Search Trauma Matrix on your favorite platforms
Connect with Jenny on Instagram: @thestrokeitguide
Share this episode with someone who’s ready to break the cycle

Chapters

00:00 Welcome & why most families carry dysfunction
04:12 Emma’s story: distance, discovery, and going no-contact
11:08 Family roles: scapegoat, invisible child, golden child, enmeshment
18:45 Covert vs. overt narcissism (and the danger of confrontation)
25:30 Intuition or inner critic? The quick litmus test
31:05 Shame isn’t a healthy motivator—here’s what actually heals
36:22 Emma’s B.R.E.A.K. method to end the shame trance
44:10 Boundaries, nervous-system safety, and modeling change
52:05 Resources, free download, and how to connect with Emma

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Email: contact@j

Order Stroke It now at jennyaldaytownsend.com/book. Your order includes a signed copy, shipping and handling, and great Bonus items!

Follow the Stroke It Guide on socials to stay connected and to get tips on how you too can get your STROKE on'!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaldaytownsend/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestrokeitguide

Check out more about Jenny Alday Townsend by visiting http://www.jennyaldaytownsend.com

Did you know there are free downloads available on my website? Go to All Products | Jenny Alday Townsend and snag the 4 Ground Rules to Elevate your life. Planning your future? Develop your 1-3-5 and change your life path!