Welcome to w/Jenni Tooley, an Audio Diary! I’m Jenni Tooley, a former actress and filmmaker turned writer and storyteller, sharing the truth about healing, survival, and the strange, often unexpected beauty that shows up in the middle of it all. From cancer diagnosis to recovery, from reinvention to rest, from breakdowns to quiet rebuilds—nothing here is polished or prescriptive. It's just me with my iphone wherever I'm at, doing whatever I'm doing- both literally and figuratively! If you’re navigating change, loss, healing, or just the slow unraveling of who you thought you were… you’re not alone. Come as you are. Stay as long as you need. And always remember that you are loved. www.jennitooley.com
Listen to episodes
43 recent
September 16, 202651 min
Who was that girl w/the ponytail?
Today I grabbed my book, Confessions of an Aging Ingenue , sat down with some water and snacks, and spent my lunch hour reading and reflecting with you. What started as a story about auditioning for Arlington Road turned into a conversation about how our stories evolve over time. Looking back 30 years later, I can see lessons about authenticity, letting go of desperation, trusting myself, and finding my own way that I couldn’t see back then. We also wandered through cancer recovery, personal rituals, mantras, gratitude, and the importance of making room for a little joy while we’re doing life. I’m grateful for the chance to revisit these memories with fresh eyes and even more grateful for the people who joined me along the way. What story from your past means something different to you now than it did when you were living it? And what are you grateful for in this moment? Oh yeah… if you’d like your own copy of Confessions of an Aging Ingenue , I have a few signed copies available. $35, signed, sealed, and delivered straight to you. Just send me a note and we’ll make it happen.Until next time- you are loved!Jenni Our stories keep changing as we do. If you want to keep exploring those stories with me—along with creativity, reinvention, and whatever comes next—subscribe at www.jennitooley.com and come along. Get full access to w/Jenni Tooley at www.jennitooley.com/subscribe
September 10, 202633 min
Living with 9/11
Twenty-five years after 9/11, I’ve decided to tell a story I don’t often tell—the story of what it was like to live just across the Hudson River from New York City as the towers fell. Twenty-five years later, this story continues to evolve. Memory changes. Perspective deepens. What remains constant is gratitude—for life, for healing, and for the reminder that even in the midst of uncertainty, we still have choices about how we meet the world. Join w/Jenni Tooley at www.jennitooley.com Hey everyone! I did this video live so that I wouldn’t try to go back and edit it or fix it in any way. And guess what? It still took me 5 days to decide to post it! I’ve been on the fence about it for a loooong time but after spending 4 hours at CarMax with a 23-year-old salesperson who kept asking me questions about what 9/11 was like because “he had never met anybody who was there”, I suddenly realized that I am now “somebody who was there”. I also realized that he hadn’t even been born when this happened… so here it is. Raw, real, and off the cuff. In September 2001, I was living in Weehawken, New Jersey, a single stop outside Manhattan. From the cliffs overlooking the river, I had an unobstructed view of the New York City skyline. On that beautiful September morning—blue skies, monarch butterflies, a cool breeze—I watched smoke pour from the World Trade Center and saw both towers collapse.What stands out most in my memory is the surreal contrast between the beauty around me and the horror unfolding across the water. Butterflies floated through the air while buildings fell. The river sparkled while people were running for their lives. My mind struggled to reconcile what my eyes were seeing. In this episode, I share what it was like to witness those events from a distance close enough to see, but far enough away that the full reality took years to process. I talk about the days and months that followed: the fear, the uncertainty, the military presence, the missing-person posters covering subway stations, the smell that lingered over the city, and the way trauma can settle into the nervous system long after a crisis ends. I also reflect on an unexpected lesson that emerged from that time. While riding through the Lincoln Tunnel in the months after the attacks, consumed by fear and hypervigilance, I realized I had a choice. I could spend my life anticipating disaster, or I could choose to be present for the life I was actually living. That realization became one of the most important gifts hidden inside an otherwise devastating experience. A decade later, during the Bastrop wildfires in Texas, a dream and the smell of smoke triggered memories I didn’t even realize I was still carrying. What followed was a profound release of grief, fear, and shock that my system had been holding for years. This isn’t a historical analysis of 9/11. It’s a personal remembrance of what it felt like to be there, how trauma can echo across decades, how communities respond in times of crisis, and how healing sometimes arrives long after we think we’ve moved on. Most of all, it’s a reflection on survival, resilience, and gratitude. Twenty-five years later, I’m grateful to be alive. Grateful for the healing that’s happened. Grateful for the people I love. And grateful for the reminder that even after immense loss, joy is still possible. Sometimes we don’t process a life-changing event when it happens. Sometimes we survive it, keep moving, and only years later discover what our hearts and bodies have been carrying. Healing doesn’t always happen on our timeline. But when we’re ready, what has been buried can finally rise, move through us, and become part of our story rather than something that controls it.You are loved:)Jenni Get full access to w/Jenni Tooley at www.jennitooley.com/subscribe
May 21, 202629 min
My body still remembers
Cancer Chronicles : Survivorship is a real-time audio journal of the lived experience after cancer treatment, where healing doesn’t follow a timeline and the body continues to speak long after medical care ends. In this episode, I reflect on survivorship as something embodied rather than conceptual. I share about the unexpected return of physical echoes from treatment, including moments from hospital stays that still live in the nervous system and body memory. One memory in particular — repeated IV attempts, blown veins, and alarm machines triggered by movement — opens into a larger reflection on how the body holds onto experiences long after they seem “over.” This is a conversation about what lingers, what resurfaces, and what it means to rebuild trust with a body that has been through a lot. Season 5: Survivorship is unfolding in real time. If you want to support me and this ongoing work, you can do so via Substack membership at www.jennitooley.com or direct support (Venmo @jenni-tooley, PayPal/Zelle: jennitooley@gmail.com). Thank you- you are loved. Jenni Get full access to w/Jenni Tooley at www.jennitooley.com/subscribe
February 16, 20260 min
My favorite kind of traffic jam
w/Jenni Tooley is a joy-supported venture. Share a smile. Become a member at www.jennitooley.com Or feed the geese via Venmo @jenni-tooley Get full access to w/Jenni Tooley at www.jennitooley.com/subscribe
January 27, 20266 min
Slow days, snow daze, and grounding for peace
What does a wren, a snow plow, and an excited dog have in common? Find out in this spontaneous video I shot from my front porch😊 If ya like it and want more, comment, subscribe, and/or send a little ❤️ via Venmo @jenni-tooley or zelle:jennitooley@gmail.com Www.jennitooley.com Get full access to w/Jenni Tooley at www.jennitooley.com/subscribe
December 3, 202525 min
Santa Came Early!
Join us for more fun at www.jennitooley.com Yipee Skipee Noodle Doodles! The print version of Better Homes & Boundaries: All Together Now is here! Let’s take a first peek together and I’ll tell you more about what’s in it and how MrJames and I made it! I ordered 10 total- 7 are accounted for, 3 are left. If you want one signed, sealed and delivered for $25 grab it now . I’m going to the post office tomorrow! You can also order a direct print copy here. Get full access to w/Jenni Tooley at www.jennitooley.com/subscribe
December 2, 202553 min
Holiday Episode: Everyone deserves a cookie
✨ Holiday Yum-Yum Giveaway! ✨ To celebrate my episode with Carolyn Haeler , founder of Mightylicious Gluten-Free , I’ve rounded up some of my favorites and am giving away a cozy holiday bundle!Three bags of Mightylicious gluten-free cookies A signed copy of Better Homes & Boundaries: All Together Now A bag of nuJava ground Guatemala Coffee from our friends at Just Bee Coffee Bar MrJames Workshop exclusive Eureka Billies sticker(Estimated value: $70+) HOW TO ENTER (up to 2 entries): Current Substackers Comment on this post → 2 entries People who found us from Social- thanks for stopping by! Follow + comment on IG → 1 entry Subscribe to this Substack → +1 entry Include a “heck yeah!” in your comment below and I will send you 20% off codes for Mightylicious cookies, nuJava Coffee, and select Mr. James Workshop goodies. Doors close on Dec 9. Winner announced Wednesday, Dec 10. Now on to the interview! Today we’re talking with Carolyn Haeler, founder and CEO of Mightylicious Gluten-Free. I hope you’re settling in with something warm and comforting, because this episode is all about comfort… in the form of cookies. Yes. COOKIES. And not just any cookies—gluten-free, vegan-friendly, actually delicious cookies that won’t crumble into sad, sandy disappointment the minute you look at them. In This Episode We Talk About: 🍪 A celiac diagnosis that changed everything for Carolyn🍪 The grief, chaos, and logistics of becoming gluten-free overnight🍪 Why a terrible $10 gf cookie in a checkout line changed her entire life🍪 How Carolyn tamed the wild chemistry of gluten-free & vegan baking🍪 How she built an entire national brand from her tiny New York kitchen🍪 The emotional side of food and why everyone should have a chance to enjoy it🍪 Holiday eating, boundaries, and making space for your needs🍪 Actual, real-life gluten-free baking tips from Carolyn herself 🍪 What community and partnerships look like to a very busy woman/mom/CEO About Our Guest Carolyn Haeler is the founder and CEO of Mightylicious, a gluten-free and vegan-friendly cookie and baking brand that has completely changed the texture game. She’s part chemist, part entrepreneur, part food whisperer—and fully committed to creating celebratory foods that everyone can enjoy. Find Mightylicious online at: mightylicious.com ( And if you try the brownie mix… report back. I need witnesses. ) Thank You for Being Here This episode is full of heart, honesty, body talk, holiday talk, vulnerability, cookies, chaos… basically everything I love. If it resonated, please share it with someone who needs a little sweetness today. And if you want more episodes like this—and more zines, stories, and soulful fun—make sure you’re subscribed to Jenni Tooley Presents at www.jennitooley.com You can also drop a cookie or two in the cookie jar via venmo @jenni-tooley Get full access to w/Jenni Tooley at www.jennitooley.com/subscribe
November 12, 20257 min
All Together Now: The Zine That Refused to Stay in Pieces
Welcome to an unexpected transmission from Jenni Tooley Presents! Check out what Jenni has to say about the latest version of Better Homes & Boundaries: Holiday Compilation and check out the fun yourself at www.jennitooley.com . Well… it happened again. The plan zigged, the muse zagged, and Better Homes & Boundaries decided it wanted to be one big, beautiful, 34-page, full-color limited edition—fresh off the press and delivered straight to your door via Lulu . So here it is! All Together Now! You’ve scrubbed the floors, untangled the lights, and maybe even made peace with Auntie M’s stuffing recipe. But before the season sweeps you up again, take a deep breath and make this one for you. All Together Now gathers all three volumes of the Better Homes & Boundaries holiday zine series into one cozy, punk-in-pink collection. Part survival guide, part sacred reminder, it’s an invitation to create peace, play, and permission right in the middle of the holiday madness. The Collection includes: * Vol. 1: Prepping Your Heart for the Holidays — gentle grounding before the rush * Vol. 2: Because Peace Looks Good on You — reclaim calm and joy (even in chaos) * Vol. 3: Self-Care in the Chaos — reminders to rest, breathe, and stay soft through it all Each Volume includes: -Reflections and rituals for grounding through the holidays- “Permission slips” to rest, reset, and redefine what celebration means- Tools for protecting your energy (and your joy)- Playful prompts and journal spaces for your own messy magic Whether you’re navigating complicated family gatherings, reclaiming old traditions, or just trying to remember to exhale between “yes” and “no,” this zine-book is your companion for a softer, saner season. Order direct from Lulu ! It’s hand-crafted honesty for the holidays — and a reminder that peace still looks damn good on you. Get full access to w/Jenni Tooley at www.jennitooley.com/subscribe
October 21, 202520 min
BHB [Not-So-Live]
Hi darlin! I am breaking out the chocolate ice cream as we speak!!! I know I said we’d do a livestream, but I gotta tell you just getting the “studio” set up for this one took it out of me, so I decided to record it instead. That way I wouldn’t have to add troubleshooting a livestream to my day:)This takes us to the value of acceptance and the beauty of the pivot. Both can make life a lot easier and fun- and are of great use in stressful situations like The Holidays (place echo sound effect here). Enjoy my first “not-so-live” stream since pandemic times. Me, my dog, my fish tanks, and a camera that almost didn’t survive the setup. If you’ve been wrestling with perfection or wondering how to stay sane (and maybe even joyful) through the holiday swirl, pull up a chair. Inside this cozy chaos: * The legend of the six-fingered cover goddess—and why I kept her that way. * A few deep breaths, a little laughter, and some truth about good enough being sacred. * A peek inside the Better Homes & Boundaries: Holiday Edition zine—including your official Permission Not to Engage permission slip. * Real talk about energy, imperfection, and finding joy when the world says “more, more, more.” This isn’t Martha Stewart. This is midlife, magic, and the moments no one posts about. So, grab your tea or cacao, take three breaths with me, and remember—you’re loved. Exactly as you are. Now I must keep the dog from eating whatever it is I tossed on the floor when I cleared my desk to make room for the Studio:)Love you!Jenni P.S. Don’t forget — preorders for the Better Homes & Boundaries 3-Zine Bundle are still open! Once we hit 10 orders, it all goes to print (and into your hands before Thanksgiving). Choose your own price — minimum $49 — and be part of this perfectly imperfect little experiment. Not into the printed bundle but want a digital version? Become a Studio Member. Or if you’d like to share in the celebration, you can buy me an ice cream via venmo @jenni-tooley Get full access to w/Jenni Tooley at www.jennitooley.com/subscribe
October 9, 202512 min
S4:EpH: Holiday Madness & the Birth of Better Homes and Boundaries
Oh, the holidays. 🎄 That sparkly, sugar-dusted time of year that somehow manages to bring out the best (and the absolute craziest) in all of us. In this episode I share a little behind-the-scenes peek at my own holiday history. I dip into how the evolution of my family traditions made me realize I needed to start doing things differently. Like, way differently. We’ll talk about:💫 How my “perfect holidays” started falling apart 💫 What 12 years of Al-Anon taught me about the holiday season💫 The real reason I used to get sick every year around this time💫 And how all of this inspired my newest creation: Better Homes and Boundaries: Holiday Edition - a three-part zine series and live workshop where I share spiritual principles and the tools that have made my life alot more livable. If the thought of juggling expectations, family drama, or just too many cookie exchanges already makes you tired… this episode is for you. 🪩 Mentioned in this episode: * Better Homes and Boundaries: Holiday Edition — the first in my 3-part holiday zine series * Better Homes and Boundaries: Holiday Edition LIVE — a 45-minute guided workshop to help you visualize, reset, and reclaim your holidays 💌 Find everything at jennitooley.com Support the podcast by becoming a paid subscriber or donating via venmo @jenni-tooley Get full access to w/Jenni Tooley at www.jennitooley.com/subscribe
Is this your show?
Claim this listing to keep it up to date, reach guests who want to pitch you, and manage bookings with Guestify.
