Episode 6

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Published on:

5th Apr 2023

The Gen-X Deception

Hello, amazing listeners!

Welcome to another episode of "Confessions of an Aging Ingénue." I'm your host, Jenni Tooley, your Aging Ingénue, and I'm genuinely thrilled to have you join me today.

Before we dive into the exciting content, I want to extend a special invitation to all of you. Join me in the confessional on Wednesday nights, the first Wednesday of the month, at jennitooley.com. Who knows, you might even find yourself in the confessor seat!

Now, let's jump into today's episode. As we navigate the uncharted waters of this first season, I've been sharing unedited and uncensored podcasts, delving into the making of "STUCK," which is premiering soon. But today, I have a different story to share, not exactly a "STUCK" tale, but a narrative that's intrinsically connected.

So, how do I begin? Well, Have I Told You About The Time? I was born a woman? Yes, I entered this world as a female human in 1972, experiencing the formative years of the mid-seventies, navigating the labyrinth of the eighties in middle and high school, finally graduating in 1990.

Back then, I perceived my Generation X as a time when women had shattered all barriers. But seeing a movie called "Maiden" gave me a fresh perspective on the era. The challenges these women faced mirrored the deep-seated beliefs of that time, beliefs I didn't even realize I was still battling.

As you follow the podcasts on the making of "STUCK," you'll notice a recurring theme. My recent realization about the persistent stereotypes during my youth adds another layer to my journey.

The juxtaposition of believing women could do anything while still encountering gender-based challenges hit me hard.

So, in today’s episode, I share my thoughts on this. Not to create divisions but to acknowledge the environment of my upbringing. The industry I work in, like Tracy's sailing world, has been historically male-dominated. It wasn't until "STUCK" that I experienced a balanced set, with remarkable women leading various roles.

So, join me as I reflect on these experiences, from facing criticism for making a film from a male perspective to realizing the imbalance in the roles women traditionally held on film sets. It's not about us versus them; it's about recognizing the journey and embracing the change.

Listen in to hear how this has played out for me and what I’ve come to learn.

Thank you for being here with me today. I'm Jenni Tooley, your host, eager to hear your thoughts on today's episode.

Please, don't forget to comment, review, follow, and subscribe— all those things that keep our podcast thriving.

Until next time, stay tuned and keep the conversation going. Your presence makes this journey even more exciting!

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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