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Published on:

12th Sep 2024

Surprise! When Life throws you cancer…

What do you do when life hits you with a cancer diagnosis out of the blue?

Welcome to Season 3 of the Confessions of an Aging Ingénue with Jenni Tooley! Season Three is all about Cancer Chronicles! In true Jenni fashion, this is a raw, unfiltered journey through an unexpected twist in her life — her recent cancer diagnosis.

It begins with the surprising news she received right after what was expected to be a routine colonoscopy. Now, Jenni is determined to share every step of this journey with you—whether you're on a similar path or simply want to hear how she's handling this curveball.

In this episode, Jenni shares all about that shocking moment when she learned she had rectal cancer, and from there, she takes us through the whirlwind of emotions, decisions, and actions that followed—from assembling a self-care support team to managing the day-to-day challenges of life and health. Through her humor, vulnerability, and practical advice, Jenni plans to navigate this chaotic chapter of life with as much peace and joy as possible.

But don’t worry, this isn’t just for those facing cancer. Jenni’s experience is packed with insights and humor that anyone would find relevant. Whether you're dealing with a health crisis, supporting a loved one, or just finding your way through the ups and downs of life, there's something in this episode for you.

Expect a mix of practical tips, emotional support, and light-hearted moments as Jenni brings her characteristic warmth and honesty to every aspect of this new chapter.

Tune in to learn how to handle life’s toughest surprises with grace and grit! Staying strong—mentally, emotionally, and physically in the face of life’s unending rollercoaster ride.

If this episode resonates with you or could help someone you know, please share it! Your support means the world. Visit www.jennitooley.com to stay updated, join the community on Substack, and find out how you can support the podcast. You never know what exciting content may pop up next!

Disclaimer:

This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered or used as medical or legal advice.

Credits:

Special thanks to LEV in the Wild for the beautiful song "XYZ," courtesy of Holly Ragland. You can enjoy more of LEV's music at levinthewild.bandcamp.com.

A big shoutout to Bruce Richardson, our incredible sound designer, for crafting the intro and outro bumpers that set the tone for our episodes.

And a heartfelt thank you to Prettie Philippa, our amazing podcast manager, for keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes.

Thank you for tuning in, and we’ll catch you in the next episode!

Connect with me:

Instagram: Jenni Tooley

Facebook: Jenni Tooley

Website: Jennitooley.com

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About the Podcast

Confessions of an Aging Ingenue
from insecure ingenue to perimenopausal powerhouse
Go BTS into my creative life/career as I regain my integrity and create a system that aligns with my values and supports an abundant, healthy lifestyle.

It’s taken me decades to find my way back to me. The journey has been messy, out of control and all of the things I feared. I fear them no more. Take these stories as your own.

Imperfect. Unedited. Uncensored.
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About your host

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Jenni Tooley

Hi! I am Jenni Tooley and I have a lot going on! I tend to go where I am led, am highly adaptable and have a wide variety of transferable skills and talents. This means I have experienced a whole lot so far in life-- I have owned and operated my own cottage bakery, am a trained birth doula, am a yoga teacher, am a professional actor, have worked in non-profit development, launched a web series and just distributed my first feature film, STUCK. Oh! Did I happen to mention I've also been an actor for over 3 decades and played alongside in Richard Linklater's Boyhood? That all sounds amazing- and super woman-ish, right?

What you may not know is that although I am a creative human, I am also a messy one. I've been around lot of blocks and trudged through around and over some of the deepest blocks within myself. I know what it's like to feel stuck- unable to move forward. I know what it's like to be overwhelmed with self-doubt. I know what it's like to feel like I or what I do is never enough. I've spent years trying to "fix" myself. I have a "chick with a stick" in my brain that loves to whack me around whenever I make a mistake, show my imperfections, or am willing to be vulnerable. She thinks she's keeping me safe. But I'm tired of being abused by myself. My "good enough" is actually more than good enough. I don't have to go outside of myself for validation. And being vulnerable is really hot!

I won't claim to have completely overcome all these things-- after all I am human. But I've gotten through them and continue to build myself up rather than break myself down, most days:) Along my journey I have collected so many tools, a whole lot of experience, and have always been (it turns out) filled with wisdom. I am thrilled to be able to share all of this with you! I specialize in holding space for people, deeply listening, and being able to guide people back to the truth of who they are. The process isn't perfect. And I will never claim to have " the only 5 steps you need to fix yourself for good" because in my experience that's a bunch of hoo-ha. And it sets up a situation where if you didn't get fixed you think there must be something wrong with you(I know, I've had that experience).

I'd love to have you join me on this journey! www.jennitooley.com