Episode One Hundred. Whitney Ann Jenkins: Reflections & Honoring 100 Guests

I grew up in West Virginia, where I first fell in love with nature, acting, music, and the performing arts. Though my wanderlust had me yearning for worldly exposure, travel, exploring bigger cities and greener pastures, (which I eagerly did), the arts culture in my hometown was incredibly rich, and the experiences I had during my formative years were invaluable. Some of my closest friends today are the same people I grew up exploring and playing with onstage as a kid.Beginning around the age of 8, I would re-enact my favorite movies in the backyard, roping my sister and best friend into my imaginative worlds. Even then, I was fascinated by dissecting the characters in a story, trying to understand the emotions behind them. It was my first connection to acting and psychology. Early on I understood that acting wasn’t about pretending—it was about finding the truth.This passion for understanding people led me to earn a Bachelor's in Theatre Arts in Acting, a Master's in Psychology, and embark on a PhD in Humanistic Psychology, where my research focuses on the mental wellness and boundaries of performing artists, challenging the romanticized notion of the starving artist, advocating instead for the option of a thriving, balanced life.My love for storytelling extends beyond the stage and screen into the realm of wellness. As a certified Integrative Wellness Coach & Energy Healer, I help clients achieve balance and clarity by blending creative insights with holistic practices. I believe that our stories shape us, and connecting with our true narrative is essential for living an authentic, fulfilling life.In addition, I host the Top 3% Podcast Unconditioning: Discovering the Voice Within where I’ve interviewed hundreds of guests about following their inner authentic voice and intuition. This rich catalog of wisdom not only serves as qualitative research but aids me to help anyone—artists and non-artists alike—align with their true selves and their authentic stories.Whether I’m delivering a soliloquy, presenting a research paper, or sharing insights from podcast guests, my passions for the creative arts and psychology continually inform and enrich one another. It’s all part of the grand performance that is my life—a sophisticated and whimsical blend of drama, intellect, and a touch of W(h)it.

 

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