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.

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