If You Knew Me

02/10/2023

She always had a good eye - even after going completely blind.

Tonje Thoresen worked in Paris as a fashion model, designer and photographer. Her life was made up of colors, patterns and details. Today, she sees something else: the possibilities of hope.

In 2018, Tonje experienced a traumatic brain injury. In an instant, she lost her eyesight. She spent a year d a half learning how to live as a blind person.

Our host Jamie Yuenger interviewed Tonje Thoresen to learn what happened, what she's learned, what she hopes to do now and how we can flourish when all seems dim.

This latest episode is now live. See bio for listening links.

02/05/2023

Ever feel like you're faking it? Maybe every day? We had the pleasure of speaking with Libby Ward, creator of about her daily experience of the Imposter Syndrome. Despite of her (or maybe because of her?) 1.5 million plus followers, Libby sometimes wonders if she is cut out to be "an influencer." It's nourishing to hear from an Internet-famous person how it feels to be admired for vulnerability when you are genuinely, right-this-very-minute feeling vulnerable. Libby's story is beautifully told. Be sure to listen and share: https://ifyouknewme.show/episodes

04/04/2023

April's episode is live. Thanks to Stephanie Sprenger of for her powerful story.

03/04/2023

Stephanie used to tra-la-la to toddlers. She used to sing to babies. And not just her own.

Stephanie used to be a music teacher for little kids. Everyone loved Ms. Stephanie! She came and played songs and made everyone feel special.

Except, a clear, strong voice kept calling to her. She kept ignoring it. The voice inside her that knew it was time to change.

Listen to "I kept losing my voice" and meet Stephanie Sprenger.

Stephanie is the co-host of the Mother Plus Podcast , the co-producer of the live storytelling show Listen To Your Mother, a writer, and a music therapist.

Listen now on all the platforms. Link: https://ifyouknewme.show/episodes

16/03/2023

Did you know that March is dedicated to Women's history?

The National Women’s History Alliance, which spearheaded the movement , selected the theme for 2023: “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.”

At If You Knew Me, we tell powerful stories from the inner lives of women. Our podcast show documents, shares and elevates women's true stories.

In late 2022, we formed a League of Women to support and expand our mission. We selected eight women leaders – forward-thinking ladies who wanted to bring an open-mind and open-heart to the work of documenting women's true stories.

This month, we are celebrating our League Ladies, one by one, and highlighting their diverse beliefs in the power of capturing and publishing women's stories.

Meet Dawn Roode, a founding League member.

Following a distinguished career in lifestyle magazines (Vogue, Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, Parenting, Latina), Dawn founded Modern Heirloom Books in 2016, combining her editorial expertise with her passion for memory-keeping and legacy preservation. As a personal historian, Dawn and her team capture stories through a series of one-on-one interviews, helping subjects recount their lives and discover meaning along the way.

While the end-product is a luxurious coffee table book that will captivate readers and be a gift for the next generation, Dawn stresses that the sacred space for story sharing is an equally compelling gift. Over the years Dawn has also carved out a niche creating tribute books honoring loved ones who have passed away, a unique endeavour that taps into her personal experience of loss and allows her to walk beside others on their grief journey towards a lasting celebration of life.

We appreciate Fredda's tenacity, out-of-box thinking and dedication to women's empowerment.

Learn more about our work of improving women's well-being through the power of story: https://ifyouknewme.show

13/03/2023

Did you know that this month is dedicated to Women's history?

The National Women’s History Alliance, which spearheaded the movement for March being declared National Women’s History Month, selected the theme fo 2023: “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.”

At If You Knew Me, we tell powerful stories from the inner lives of women. Our podcast show documents, shares and elevates women's true stories.

In late 2022, we formed a League of Women to support and expand our mission. We selected eight women leaders – forward-thinking ladies who wanted to bring an open-mind and open-heart to the work of documenting women's true stories.

This month, we are celebrating our League Ladies, one by one, and highlighting their diverse beliefs in the power of capturing and publishing women's stories.

Meet Fredda Herz Brown, a founding League member.

Fredda is the Founder of Relative Solutions. She used psychology, family systems and her nursing background to create a firm which addresses the needs of clients who join their emotional system to their economic one. Recently, she began transitioning the firm to the next generation of extraordinary consultants (all female).

On her reason for joining the League of Women of 'If You Knew Me', Fredda shares:

"Supporting 'If You Knew Me' was a no brainer for me. I respect Jamie and her work with families, admire her creativity and I feel so strongly about women and their narratives- developing one’s narrative and speaking it, is strength and capacity building. These are the underpinnings of my own professional and personal life."

We appreciate Fredda's tenacity, out-of-box thinking and dedication to women's empowerment.

Learn more about our work of improving women's well-being through the power of story: https://ifyouknewme.show

08/03/2023

The party goes on!

It's National Women's History Month. This year's theme is "Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories."

At If You Knew Me, we tell powerful stories from the inner lives of women. Our podcast show documents, shares and elevates women's true stories.

In late 2022, we formed a League of Women to support and expand our mission. We selected eight women leaders – forward-thinking ladies who wanted to bring an open-mind and open-heart to the work of documenting women's true stories.

This month, we are celebrating our League Ladies, one by one, and highlighting their diverse beliefs in the power of capturing and publishing women's stories.

Meet Sister Monica Clare, a founding League member.

Sister Monica Clare is the Sister Superior of a Convent in Mendham, NJ - The Community of St. John Baptist. They are vowed nuns in the Episcopal Church, living a life of prayer and service. Before she entered the Convent she worked in entertainment advertising in Hollywood for 20 years.

Sister Monica shares: "I support If You Knew Me because I feel like women's stories are not heard often enough. Our voices have been drowned out or silenced throughout history, and yet we are a vital part of history. 'If You Knew Me' provides a safe space for women to tell our stories, which can strengthen and support other women. Our voices can help with healing and hope."

We appreciate Sister Monica's generosity, humor and authenticity.

Learn more about our work of improving women's well-being through the power of story: https://ifyouknewme.show

06/03/2023

We continue to celebrate!

It's National Women's History Month. This year's theme is "Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories."

At If You Knew Me, we tell powerful stories from the inner lives of women. Our podcast show documents, shares and elevates women's true stories.

In late 2022, we formed a League of Women to support and expand our mission. We selected eight women leaders – forward-thinking ladies who wanted to bring an open-mind and open-heart to the work of documenting women's true stories.

This month, we are celebrating our League Ladies, one by one, and highlighting their diverse beliefs in the power of capturing and publishing women's stories.

Meet Elizabeth Doerr, a founding League member.

Elizabeth Doerr is a writer, mother, and small business owner in Portland, Oregon. She writes about issues of , , , , and . Her first book, co-written with Peterson, Roadways for People: Rethinking Transportation Planning and Engineering is out now, published by Island Press in December 2022.

Elizabeth earned a Maryland/Delaware/DC Press Association award for her 2015 Baltimore City Paper story about street harassment, "Stop Calling Me 'Baby.’” about women’s experiences—including her own—with street harassment.

You can find her work in Parents.com, Bloomberg CityLab, Scalawag Magazine, Portland Monthly, and Baltimore City Paper among other publications.

Elizabeth is principal and founder of social impact communications and writing firm, Doerr&Co and co-founder of the community for writer-moms, Scribente Maternum. She also helps authors get their books out into the world by offering book writing and editing services.

Elizabeth says: "It's so essential for us to hear women's stories. We often never think that our own story matters, but it always does and there will always be someone who can relate to or empathize with us. Sharing our stories offers a window into our unique way of manifesting resilience and If You Knew Me offers a convening point for support and community among women."

We appreciate Elizabeth's astute writing skills, ingenuity and sense of possible.

Learn more about our work of improving women's well-being through the power of story: https://ifyouknewme.show

18/02/2023

14/02/2023

This week on the podcast: Single-mom, Singer, and Seeker. Musician Hannah Aldridge shares how she made her musical way. Despite the shaming. Despite the self-doubt. And all the way around the world.

Hannah, Independent "Dark Country" singer-songwriter, grew up in a family in . In her 20s, she started playing music on stages close to home. After she broke from the church, her music evolved and she started touring around the world. Now, she creates haunting, searing sanctuaries wherever she goes.

Hannah's story asks this fundamental question: What if I'm a Mother + Musician? Or a Mother + an Artist? Or a Mother + a Business Owner? Do I get to do that, and how freely? In face of judgement, Hannah experienced a full on shame-train. But she's not alone. Maybe even you can relate? Meet Hannah Aldridge Music and listen to her episode - https://ifyouknewme.show

By the way, Hannah's story dovetails with a great podcast we just ran into called -- The hosts Stephanie and Stacey often talk about the conundrums women face when they are a mother PLUS something else. Hannah felt the full brunt of this. We recommend listening to Hannah's story and then following it up with a listen of

27/01/2023

We are starting a letter writing challenge for the month of February. Want to join us?

The goal is to reconnect with someone you love, leave a letter about yourself for your kids, or send something sweet to your friend or lover. If you've been meaning to (re)connect via a real letter, here's your chance!

Here's how you can take part:
1. Write a letter to someone you love - short or long!
2. Take a picture of some element of the letter experience (envelope, snippet of the letter, writing utensil, you writing your letter in a bay window, etc)
3. Post the photo and use the hashtag and tag us (If You Knew Me)
3. Tag one friend to invite to join you in this challenge!

Our friends at Heartell Press are partnering with us and offering one lucky participant a special gift. We'll choose a name from a hat (for real!) of all those who fully participated and send that person a beautiful set of gorgeous greeting cards from their collection.

Who in your life could you write a letter to? Your kids? Your friend? Letters can be so powerful! It doesn’t need to be long. Just from the heart ❤️

We’re doing the challenge throughout the month of February! Tag someone here who you think would enjoy this challenge - let’s spread the word!

27/01/2023

{NEW EPISODE LIVE}

This week, we are beginning a special, new series on our podcast called "Where She is Now". In the series, we do follow-up interviews with previous show guests. We ask what's happened in our guest's life since sharing her brave, personal story on our show. If you've ever wondered "what happened to that woman??" this is a beautiful opportunity to go deeper. In this first episode of the series, Brinda van den Berg follows-up on her powerful story of early mother-loss that she told in episode one. This is what's happened in Brinda's life since.

Tell us in the comments if there are other show guests you'd like us to do a "Where She is Now" episode with!

Much love to

CLICK THE LINK IN BIO TO LISTEN NOW

25/01/2023

"Give yourself the space to experience the depth of your emotions so that they do not control your behaviors." Thank you again for your wise words!

20/01/2023

{NEW PODCAST EPISODE}
How do you deal with your inner voice - that sneaky critic that often tells you you're not good enough? Do you tell it to shut up? Do you believe all the nasty things it says? Do you remind it of your goodness?

In this thought-provoking conversation, Jamie Yuenger speaks with master-level life coach Wendy Perrotti about her work helping women making changes in mid-life. "I think not enough attention gets paid to how many people - women especially - reinvent their lives from a series of really small things that led up to something that felt really big." Wendy offers practical actions for creating clarity on what you want and don’t want in your life, and she explains why so many of us get to a stuck as we approach 40. You're not alone!

This is a fun, probing conversation. Wendy looks at life's bumpy terrain with humor and she graciously offers us a no-willpower-required approach to moving closer to a life we love.

CLICK THE LINK IN BIO TO LISTEN NOW

17/01/2023

"Die with memories, not dreams." Thanks Seth Godin everyone listening to If You Knew Me needed that!

13/01/2023

This week: what to do when we're faced with two competing desires and there's possibly room for just one? Our guest is Mali Woods-Drake, an anti-racism and labor activist who wants to become a mother. For a decade, Mali's been utterly dedicated to "the cause" (worker's rights, anti-racism, health care) but last year, her heart started to sing a different tune. She feels called to motherhood. So, now what? Can she realistically do both?

Find listening links to Mali's on our website, in our bio or on your favorite podcast app!

Mali Woods-Drake is the co-founder of in Encinitas, California. She has worked alongside no.jjapparel and many others

13/01/2023

Help us choose the best coffee mug design! ☕ We are gifting limited-edition coffee mugs to each and every new person who supports If You Knew Me on Patreon before March 1st. Our goal is to have 200 show patrons by the end of 2023!

We have 3 possible designs. Which one do you like best? Tell me your pick in the comments and perhaps tell me why you chose that design. Love your feedback!

#1 If You Knew Me (with multiple choice options)

#2 If I really knew you, what would you tell me?

#3 Every woman has an untold story.

(The 4th image will be on the back of all the mugs).

Becoming a show patron gives you merchandise discounts and early access, behind-the-scenes videos, and the ability to submit ideas for show guests: patreon.com/ifyouknewme

09/01/2023

"Discontent is the secret door to significant and life-giving change." Thank you

06/01/2023

Today, we launch of our 4th season with Ulrika 'Red' Nilsson's story.

Red is what many of us call a “boss lady.”

She looks the part (just see the photo above!). Tall, smart as a whip, and exuding confidence - that’s Red. Except went she didn’t. Except with life handed Red lemons. 🍋 🍋 🍋

As a pre-teen, Red found a white spot on her leg that kept growing. In her mid-30s, her ob-gyn called her on her holiday with “news.” In her mid-40s, she almost didn’t make it to the emergecy room in time.

Red’s story is about what she did when life hander her a sh*t-sandwich. And what we might do, too.

We hope you enjoy Red’s story. Listen to her story here:
https://lnkd.in/eMzVrbuX

☝️Please share it with someone you love. ❤️

28/12/2022

Do you carve out (even a few moments) for your own solitude? When you do, what do you gain?

Quote by

27/12/2022

New podcast artwork for a new season! Our 4th season starts January 6th. Have you subscribed yet? Each week, we share a true story from the inner life of one woman. Stuff she doesn't even tells her closest friends. You won't want to miss the first episode with Red Nilsson.

Visit the website and subscribe on your favorite platform:

https://ifyouknewme.show

19/12/2022

Looking for a new, fantastic podcast? If You Knew Me tells true, powerful stories. We don't sell you on courses or modern guru gobbledegook. The fourth season begins January 6th. Find the link in bio ☝️to subscribe, or go to https://ifyouknewme.show and choose your fave platform. You might like Mary's story, or Jena's, or Arlean's, or Carrie's, or Sister Monica Clare's, or Anne's, or....

08/12/2022

"You have a duty to perform. Do anything else, do any number of things, occupy your time fully, and yet, if you do not do this task, all your time would have been wasted." by

07/12/2022

Do you long for an honest place to build real community with other women? In our latest episode, host talks about our decision to create a League of Women. Our League isn't transactional (you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours). Our League isn't a "networking" group. It's brave, change-making women joining together to work on something bigger than themselves. It's a no-bullsh*t space to meet other creators, believers, and dreamers.

Listen here: https://ifyouknewme.show/episode/bonus-our-not-so-secret-society

30/11/2022

We are currently building our 2023 League of Women to expand and elevate the work of “If You Knew Me.”

It's not an official advisory board. It's not a secret society.

Our League of Women is a tight-knit group of ladies who work strategically to 1. Have fun together 2. Strengthen the non-profit's podcasting, book and film works 3. Improve women's well-being through the power of story.

"If You Knew" publishes powerful, true stories from influential women, women you've never heard of and anonymous women.

We have invited select leaders from around the U.S. to join the League, but perhaps YOU or someone you know would be thrilled to support our mission of elevating women’s real stories.

Visit our website to learn more: https://ifyouknewme.show

The League will begin in early 2023. Reach out to learn more or receive our invitation materials. Share this post and spread the word.

03/11/2022

Welcome to Our New Monthly! What's Your Personal Breaking Point? - https://mailchi.mp/f1c4e8094c03/new-podcast-minas-story-her-poetry-7422125

01/11/2022

[New Podcast] "Who Identifies with the Wolf?" with Kimberly Ann Johnson - https://mailchi.mp/0eb3131ed65b/new-podcast-minas-story-her-poetry-7287981

Image by Mike Koubou

15/10/2022

This week we hear a story from Anne Zavorskas, that's her real name. Anne is 59 years old. That number is significant for her. For most of her life, she gave her sweat, blood and tears to corporate America. At this moment, she finds herself at a crossroads. She's a few years away from retirement. But for Anne, this moment feels like a beginning. The question is the beginning of what?

LISTEN: https://lnkd.in/evSdF6HC

VISIT OUR WEBSITE https://ifyouknewme.show/

SUPPORT US ON PATREON https://lnkd.in/emZ9Nn7W

06/10/2022

In this week's episode: “How can our bodies naturally help us heal?”

LISTEN https://lnkd.in/e5sBXYTv

Kimberly Ann Johnson is a sexological body worker, somatic experiencing practitioner, yoga teacher, postpartum advocate, and single mom. Working hands on in integrative women's health and trauma recovery for over a decade, she helps women heal from birth injuries, gynecological surgeries, and sexual boundary violations.

Kimberly is the author of 'Call of the Wild, How We Heal Trauma, Awaken Our Own Power and Use It for Good', as well as the early mothering classic 'The Fourth Trimester'. She is also the host of the podcast 'S*x Birth Trauma'. In this episode, Kimberly and I speak about why trauma lodges itself in our bodies, practices to help us come home to ourselves and what we can learn from wild animals about our own wild feminine selves.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE https://ifyouknewme.show/

SUPPORT US ON PATREON https://lnkd.in/emZ9Nn7W

30/06/2022

Our show's host Jamie gets married on July 1st (tomorrow!). As the finale for our second season, we thought it would be fun to invite journalist Rachel Hurn to interview Jamie on her pre-wedding musings: femininity, manicures, and second marriages. What does it mean to be a beautiful bride? What does it mean to take sacred vows a second time?

Listen to our second season's final episode: "I Do" here: ifyouknewme.show/episode/i-do

*We are taking a short pause while Jamie & Piet are on their honeymoon. 🌒 We will be back with new episodes on August 4, 2022. In the meantime, sign up for the podcast newsletter 💌: https://mailchi.mp/8c7b9110504b/sign-up-for-our-newsletter