ELLEN DEGENERES

I was on ten weeks of bedrest with my first child when Ellen launched her award winning Ellen Degeneres Show. I couldn’t wait for it to come on daily. Her witty humor that gets me every time, her love to dance and the great guest interviews were a highlight of my day

I was a fan of Ellen when she became the first lead role on a sitcom to acknowledge her homosexuality. I was so thrilled to finally see diversity being shared on TV as well as a woman stand in who she was unapologetically. I could only imagine the bravery she must have had to conjure up to lead this for the LGBTG+ community within the public’s eye I am sure Ellen was deeply hurt by the many who wanted to project their ignorance and cancel her. I would watch her and listen in awe as she stayed in love and forgiveness during this time.

It was the first time I sat with my own judgements around sexuality. Being brought up in the church, I was taught to never judge others but I still heard how certain things were declared as a “sin” I would practice discernment Did I believe this? The answer was a quick no for me. Ellen’s provided another opportunity to become a more open, loving and an inclusive human. It made me pay more attention to my values and look more critically at the things that were taught to me but were not my truth.

I believe Ellen was the catalyst in starting the process of normalizing and representing the LGBTQ+ community within media Her example through humor and love was an incredible way to influence some who may have prejudice. She made our world become more representative of all people. Is there any other way?

How to stand up and use your voice How to share your journey and life without holding back How to advocate and say unpopular things through love. How to own who we are as a woman and not be held back by our children, parents, partnerships and society. These are blessings Glennon has offered to us.

I was told to read Love Warrior shortly after separating I was tender and being judged by many through a private moment made very public because of my business success. I grieved and cried for a whole day when I finished the last page of that book. I read it cover to cover in a day and felt seen, expressed and I better understood myself because of Glennon's words. It was therapy. Then came Untamed A book for the modern woman who is willing to do something with her precious life and actually own her capacity. An unleashing of patriarchy and expired narratives. A beacon of light cast on a vision for having an “all life” as a woman today.

I became so liberated and expanded through Glennon’s books. I was untethered by so much that didn’t belong to me and felt like someone finally could say the words I have been craving to say I have a more courageous voice for women because of Glennon. I knew since I was a child that God wanted me to build the confidence of a woman and help her find her wings. Glennon mentored me in many ways to activate this even more within all I do.

I talk more about this in Jenuine Connection within this issue.