Behind The Mic: A Whole Lotta Shift with Jen Ingram

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Hello, hello, amplify you Michelle Abraham, your host here today. And have I got a special interview for you. I know I say that every day. But I really do. I'm very excited about our behind the mic interview today with Jen Ingram. She is a podcaster with us and amplify you and her podcast is called a whole lot of shift. And it's for women who are multi passionate entrepreneurs, or with an entrepreneurial spirit. And she's got inspiration and motivation and education to really help them shift away from all the shots and a Shinsen as opposed to us and things that you know, make us feel like oh, as entrepreneurs, I shouldn't be doing this. And she's really going to help you find out what's really, truly possible. So, Jen, welcome to the show. So nice to have you here.

Thank you excited to be here.

Now I shared a little bit about with the podcast. Can you take us back to the inspiration? You're about 13 or 14 episodes in or 12 or 13 episodes in? And which is great. That's you know, first of all, congratulations, because 75% of podcasts. I don't know if you know this, don't make it past episode 12. So you are a rock star, he did it. And you're having fun, is what you told me earlier.

Yeah, I'm I'm actually having a blast. It's still, you know, it's funny, I wanted to be on a podcast or to have a podcast for several years, really kind of since I started getting into listening to podcasts, I was always like, I could do that. Like sounds like fun. And so you know, I was like the kid at school that would get in trouble all the time, because I talked too much. And then the teacher would sit me next to all the boys thinking that would stop me from talking only I've talked more. So I was like, I could do a podcast. But so what really became part of the inspiration was I wanted to get the message out more than than what I was able to do through maybe just networking in my local community or even on social media, I wanted really another way to get the message out to women who were really kind of maybe struggling in their side hustle and had all these amazing ideas. And we're trying to reach their full potential. But we're stuck in that whole thing of all the shoulds are supposed to is in the pressures of society. And I just wanted to get that message out. And I thought a podcast was an amazing way to do that. And I am having a blast. And so it is getting it is getting me exactly what I wanted. I wanted to have fun in my business, which is something that I preach to all my clients. And and I'm definitely having fun. And I'm getting the message out and have some met some incredible guests along the way. So yes,

yes, it's so good when you like finally get started. I know for me, it took me a little while to get started on my podcast. Once I started going. It's like, I did a podcast, this podcast. And then I'm like, Well, I have another idea for another podcast. And then another idea for another podcast. I'm stopping myself at for right now. No more podcasts. For me, I was still having so much fun with it. So I'm glad that you're having fun with your show. Now you mentioned that, you know the the entrepreneurial, spirited woman that you want to talk to is multi passionate for listeners that maybe don't know what that means. Can you just share what you mean by that?

Yeah, I think I think it's that woman who has really kind of approached life with that spirit of, hey, I want to try that. I want to learn about that. And was never afraid to just say, if that means I'm going to completely change gears if that means I'm in the middle of college and I'm almost done, but I'm going to change majors and add on to food whatever that looks like then I'm I'm willing to do that and just kind of sees like, Earth is her playground and something that she can dive into different areas because she has so many passions, you know, we're taught from an earlier age like, you know, pick something that you want to do and that needs to be the one thing that you live in and I just think that's got kind of a false pretense, really That's not how we are as humans, we have lots of thoughts and ideas and passions. And so why not just live that in your everyday life? So it's really about the woman who has that spirit who says, I'm not just one thing, I don't just have one single specialty, I'm good at a lot of things, and I enjoy digging into all of them.

Ooh, that's cool like that. So not just a nurse, I have a nurse that loves cryptocurrency and I love, you know, skiing and going on exotic trips. And hey, I make money from doing all these things to at the same time, right?

Exactly. Yes. Yes.

That's awesome. And so do you find that you know, the woman you're talking to? Is she like, still in a full time career doing a side hustle? Or she like finding the courage to like, make that leap? I know, your I know, you're actually your latest episode is called making the leap keys to the successful first year of business. So that's, I'm just curious if that's the really the woman that's like vote to take that leap.

Yeah, the woman who's about to take that leap, or maybe she already has. And the one thing I preach over and over is, this path to entrepreneurship is not completely linear. And just like you just mentioned, you could have so many passions, so you could have various streams of income. And so what might that look like? And so it's for that woman who says, either, hey, I'm trying to take this side hustle that I've had and leave my full time job, or maybe I've already made that leap. But I'm realizing that I need to build out some other sources of income too. And I don't know what that might look like for me. But yeah, really sitting in those first couple years of business or an outside hustle. Those are the clients that I work with, and really help get off the ground.

So great to have that support. And someone there, like also a podcast to listen to, that gives you all that support. But like, I remember the first few years of business for like kind of lonely and tough and like, you know, saturated with all sorts of guys in like government programs that weren't really aligned with like, what I wanted to do or where I was going. So it was an interesting, it was an interesting time. So that's awesome that there's some support for women that are just getting going.

Yeah, yeah, the support in a sense of community is so important. I mean, just, I remember when I, I, I was kind of thrown into the situation a little bit at one point where I was, I had lost my job, it was one of the points in which I was just doing some freelancing. But you know, it was exactly that where I would could message a friend, I'm like, Okay, you want to grab lunch today? And they're like, no, like, I'm working. And I'm thinking, I mean, I'm working to my schedule just looks a lot different. And it was kind of thin, when I started realizing, hey, my schedule looks a lot different than the average person, I'm not just Monday through Friday to five. And so you do kind of feel alone, like you're kind of off in your own little world. And I really wanted to give women a place to kind of land and a place to go and so offering that podcast and, and I created a community on social media for it as well.

That's awesome. I love it wherever you like 12 years ago, when I started my business that would have been exactly like the kind of group I was like, be totally dying to get in touch with and, and be a part of that community can really like support you for a long, long time in that those first lonely like few years this

year, yes. Yeah. And all the ideas running through your head and you're like, Is this even a good idea? Should I be doing this? Am I spending too much money on that? And just, Oh, yeah.

Yeah, it's I know, there's so many circles and you mentioned like the entrepreneurial path would look a little bit straighter. Have you had some more guidance? Mine was a very, like, you know, you know, very windy path to an overnight success some 10 years, right. So was so quick, something that's been surprising that you've learned from experience or experience from doing your podcast for the last few months?

Um, I think what's what's been interesting to me, so many people are nervous about even being on a podcast and I think it's one of those things that holds them back. And it's, that's been a little bit of an eye opener for me, because to me, it just seemed so simple, like, Oh, you're gonna hand me a microphone. Cool. And so but for so many people, you know, especially if you do have a fear of speaking, which is a very common fear for a lot of people. They they're almost intimidated to come on to a podcast and so that's been that's been interesting, but one Other things that I've loved is that because one of the things that I really hone in on with my, with my clients is kind of overcoming those fears and the imposter syndrome and, and all of these other things and being able to speak freely about your business and what you offer. And so then I get to kind of do that as a podcaster, too. And I'm like, Man, this is like a dream. I get to just have fun. And I'm still doing what I love. Like it's, it's just been amazing.

It's cool. And that's when you know, your podcast is really well aligned to you and your business. Right? Because you're, you're having I get it, it's actually technically you're working, but you're doing it. You do it well.

Yeah, I love it.

That's great. Well, did you have any fears or hesitations before you started?

Oh, my gosh, so many fears. I stayed stuck for so long. You know, it was it was funny to be now when I look back at where i i stayed stuck. And I think for me, it was because I had in my head that I needed to have certain pieces done before I could move to the next step. So in my mind, okay, well, I need to hand write out an intro when you handwrite out an outro and a trailer and do all these things. And I thought, I don't know exactly what I want to say I know that if I just start talking like the right thing will come and instead I stayed stuck forever on how I was gonna write this out. And then finally, one day, it just hit me and I was like, what if I just turn on the microphone, and I hit record and I record something. And then I see if I like any of that, and maybe I transcribe it and maybe then I've got it done. And so for me that was that was like the biggest thing to just overcome just hit the daggone record button. And and then it was just that simple. I mean, in like a Saturday afternoon, I was I was done with all these pieces to my podcast, like this was simple.

You're definitely a podcaster because that same thing I busy whenever you write something, I get this like big like mound of like anxiety, it's like, ah, like, this article is like such a big thing. And like if I just like hit record and like talk to it, I'll be done in like, so quick.

Done. Yeah. So I'm sure well, that's exciting.

That's, that's great that you kind of lucked into that. And you know, it's funny, because as we're revamping our entrepreneur, amplify you podcast launching program, that's something that we're incorporating in because I know it's a spot that a lot of people get second, we're gonna have open office hours where you come in and record so you come in and go to a breakout room and we have the coach will be there. And you just go and record right there. So hopefully that will help some people through that sticking point to of just getting it Diskin instead of having a scripted and write it out, just go and press record and get going.

Yes, oh, that's invaluable, honestly, that the office hours that are that are offered, those are just invaluable tools anyway, so that you can kind of break through all those ideas that you're having and figure out where you're stuck and why. So that's, that's gonna be a great offering. Yeah, I

think that will really, people get through that spot. I know somebody who will get stuck in that spot too. And just like, I think the clarity comes from speaking and speaking and pressing recording in sharing your message over and over again. And I think, you know, something I'm going to start suggesting people do is just go and get on a couple of podcasts that like you don't really like, you know, they're not the big show's it's, you know, small micro podcasts that you can practice sharing your message that might help to, I think, discuss now is now that you're behind the mic as a podcaster. I'm sure that message is super clear. And it's very, like, very fun to share. Because now you got that clarity. Right.

Right. It's super fun to share. And, and I agree prior to starting my own podcast, I had been a guest on a couple of podcasts. And that really kind of set everything off from there. Right. So I couldn't agree more, you know, see if, if you can you can find a podcast that you could be a guest on and given, give the waters a little test and see, it's a great, great option. That's awesome.

So what would be some advice you would give to someone say that are sitting at home right now listening to this episode thinking about doing a podcast? What What would you share with them?

Oh, man, I wouldn't share that. It's, first of all, it's just so much fun. If you're wondering if you're someone who maybe struggles with things like creating content or struggles when you are asked to sit down and write something or is struggling with clarity, or maybe you are finding even time and so this is interesting. I used to use time as somewhat of an excusable I can't go out and physically meet people, but you still want to in engage in those opportunities, but also, online networking meetings where there's you know, 50 people on a screen, you don't really get that one on one interaction you're looking for, I would say give podcasting a try. If you enjoy talking, and you want to create content in a, in a way that works better for you know, it's not just sitting down with a pen and paper, definitely give podcasting a try. It's, it is so much fun. And you get those connections that you're craving, through just having a good time and talking.

I love that that's such a good, it's such a good, it's such a good inspiration for people to hear that. And just just keep going, just keep going. Don't worry about it don't make it so difficult. Just getting going. Where does the name a whole lot of shift come from a

whole lot of shifts? I um, yeah. So I was trying to come up with a name. And you know what, it was funny, I got stuck on a name as well, which was something else that I was like, I don't want to be stuck on this. And so when I was really kind of playing around with Okay, well, what exactly do I do? What am I what am I creating? What's the transformation, right? And I started thinking about somebody who's leaving their nine to five, their nine to five shift or what have you, but that the changes that that occur, especially in your first couple years of business, and even to grow into the entrepreneur, those changes aren't necessarily business changes, those changes are self growth changes, the way that you as a person are going to change or shift is probably going to be more than you've ever done. And so it just kind of came to me like changing from a nine to five shift to making a shift as a person I was like, it's a whole lot of shifts.

And I was also thinking, like, instead of saying like a whole lot of shade, it's like a whole lot of shade. Because there's a lot of as a new entrepreneur to write

so many things to think about so much to do. Yeah, yeah. So that was that was where it came from was was just thinking about all the changes that occur. So

so I love it. Well, this has been super fun to chat with you behind getting a behind the mic, sneak peek into your new podcasts, a whole lot of shifts. Anything else you want to share with our with our listeners today before we let you go. And also where can we find out more information about how, obviously go check out Jen's podcast, a whole lot of shift, give her some love, give her a review, tell her how much you love it. And then anywhere else we can find how to work with you. Maybe someone's sitting at home wanting to become an entrepreneur. It's like, hey, gents, my girl. Let's go.

For sure. So go check out the whole leadership podcast on any of your favorite podcast platforms. We also have another community on Facebook. And it's a whole lot of shift Facebook groups. So I encourage you to go there and find it and become a member and really engage in that community is great. And you can find me on Facebook or Instagram under Gen. Ingram, I really encourage you to go out, give me a follow. I encourage that anytime you're going to be working with somebody where any kind of coaching or mentoring experience, go ahead and and see if you're aligned with them. And so go ahead and go out and friend that person and see what they're about and learn a little bit more about them. But yeah, I definitely recommend given the podcast and listen, you'll get to learn a whole lot more about me and you'll get a lot of tips and tricks along the way. So the only last thing I would say is if you're thinking about doing a podcast, stop thinking about it. Just do it. You won't regret it. Yeah.

Some great words of advice I love. All right, you heard it here amplify your family. If you're thinking about it, just go out and do it. Give us a call. We're happy to help you and Jen, thank you so much for sharing your time with us today. amplify your family. We'll see you again here next week on amplify you. Take care everyone.