We ride at dawn / connect with me
Leadership coaching, new workshops, plant meditations + more
Hello friends!
Happy Friday, we made it. Dealing with tooth stuff (a root canal + new crown for me plus a new top tooth for my son) and stomach bugs over here, BUT the sun is shining in LA and time marches on, as my great-aunt Marion always reminded.
Though I wrote recently about feeling obsolete, I also have some irons in the fire (the two aren’t mutually exclusive). It’s been a while since I’ve shared an update just on offerings and ways to work together, so please read on!
Birdseed is my contemplative space for Buddhist-fueled writing + reflection. And in the rest of my life I am / have been a global communications executive, a speech writer, a yoga and meditation teacher, an artist, a coach, counselor, and strategist to both individuals and top global organizations.
At various times I’ve identified as a weirdo, a generalist, a multi-hyphenate, a shape shifter, confused / figuring it out, and also who the hell cares. I am a lot of things and I am a LOT. I am working on softening some while amplifying others. My goal is more open-but-discerning space with a revolving door, less hungry, hungry hippo TM.
I was speaking recently to a friend who’s a successful PR consultant and now also a doula about how she’s oddly hesitant to share her new work and that side of herself — even though it’s where she has so much energy and inspiration.
I’m always amazed at how we all keep ourselves constrained in the boxes of old or simple narratives just because they once worked. I am just as guilty of this!
Find the release valve and crank it wide open. Let yourself surprise yourself, allow yourself to keep growing.
Here is your permission to be lots of things at once, interchangeably, and tell the world about it whenever you want. It doesn’t confuse or undermine who you are to people, it enhances and in fact inspires. In that spirit, read on for a motley cruë of ways to work with me, be in space with me, or connect with me - IRL and over Zoom. For the savvy professional, for the grieving seeker, for the plant lover. I can’t wait.
I LOVE my clients + the folks who show up for my offerings! They seem to be deeply curious + searching folks, heartfelt + awakened to the wider world, + also badasses who are getting shit done + doing very big things. Does this sound like you?
If you want a sneak peek of what it might be to work with me, here’s a clip from 1991 where I espouse one of my central tenets of my self-work + coaching:
1:1 Leadership Voice + Narrative Coaching
Work with me to discern, clarify, + refine what it is your want to say, so you can show up authentically, grounded in your values + vision. I’ve been doing this in some form for more than a decade (TED talks, UN stages, top tier global outlets + more) and LOVE supporting folks in this way.
This is for you if…
You’re considering a job or career shift, and it’s been some time. You want to blow the walls off your old narratives + really mine your purpose now + how to articulate that to yourself + others.
You want to strengthen your grasp on your “voice” - meaning literally what you say (boundaries! clarity! be heard / listened to!), but also how you show up in your body + amplify your impact in the world.
You’re already in positions of power + you want to bring mindfulness to that. Really refine how you wield communications in all its facets to say what you mean + mean what you say.
If you’re curious at all, email me and let’s chat. I really believe in this work, & want to make it as accessible — especially to early- and mid/senior-level women — as possible. I’m your wing woman + your hype woman, + we will have fun!
"I was deeply moved by the safety of the space Jess held for me. She listened so wholly and would masterfully share back messaging that was concise, authentic and impactful. This was transformative for me. I found ways to say what I've never felt able to and felt so witnessed and affirmed by her in the process."
- Narrative coaching client
"I received so much value from working with Jess! She is intuitive, nimble, wise, creative, and an excellent listener. I was amazed by how quickly she put her finger on exactly what was holding me back. Jess is with you and also three steps ahead." - Narrative coaching client
1:1 Fertility Coaching / Perinatal Yoga + Meditation
Allow me to support you through ritual, mindfulness, yoga, + more during the wild + unknown times of trying to conceive, processing loss or uncertainty, pregnancy, or postpartum. I’ve spent almost 20 years working in reproductive justice in almost every type of role. I am passionate about creating + holding space for folks to show up with the vast + complex range of emotions they experience during this time. This is born of my own experiences where I desperately wanted / needed this but couldn’t find it.
This is for you if…
You’re considering or undergoing fertility treatment, looking for ways to make sense of it, get through it, stay grounded + connected to meaning.
You’re processing pregnancy loss, infertility, or complex emotions about an unintended pregnancy, miscarriage, abortion, or decision to be child-free.
You’re seeking to create a solid mindfulness practice to ground + support yourself during pregnancy + postpartum.
You’re something else all together (more here!)
This stuff is soooo complicated for many of us. For others, it’s simple. Regardless, mindfulness, self-reflection, and ritual can be enriching. We live in a world where our bodies + fertility experiences are legislated by others + commodified by multi-billion dollar industries. I work with folks to reclaim space for self-efficacy + bodily agency, working on the ability to show up to what is. If you’re curious at all, email me!
Commission a Painting of Your Placenta
I wrote about this here and here. All details + examples of paintings here.
This is a more intense 1:1 way to process and commemorate, honor, or meaning-make your pregnancy and birth.
We connect and discuss your story, all parts you want to share, and then I intuitively create a re-imagining of your placenta that reflects all the unique and complex flecks of that experience.
I share words with you about what came up and ship it to you. It’s a one-of-a-kind ritualized painting that brings your placenta back to you. It is my honor to offer this!
Monthly: Plant Meditations at Merrihew’s Nursery in Santa Monica
Saturdays at 9am at Merrihew’s Sunset Gardens. Rain or shine! Our outdoor space is covered and IMHO soft rain will 100% enhance the experience.
Next one is tomorrow, March 30th. We sell out, so grab a spot!
April gathering is the 20th. Tickets here.
I am interested in taking these “on the road” so to speak, holding these at other nurseries and gardens in the LA area. If you have ideas, leads, or interest here - let me know!
“I’m in awe of the way that Jess brings her love of the natural world into her guidance in such a humble yet powerful way while making it so relatable + down to earth.” - Plant meditation participant
April 20: Joy + Strength: A Prenatal Workshop for Expecting Folks (Los Angeles)
Stoked to be collaborating with my friend and fellow teacher (and hilarious, heartfelt person) Kat Colla to offer a luxurious, thoughtful two hours for pregnant people on Saturday April 20, 12:30-2:30pm. More info and register here!
May 4: Creativity Workshop: Paint Your Placenta! (Los Angeles)
(said in the style of “Wheel! Of! Fortune!” lol)
A special two hours devoted to grounding & holding space for you to connect with your own creative wellspring, reflect on your pregnancy and/or birth experience -- specifically your relationship with your placenta -- and... paint it.
We're not painting it literally (although you can if you want!), but figuratively and abstractly in a way that holistically honors your own unique experience (whatever that is!).
You do not have to be recently postpartum, or have carried a baby yourself or to term. This is a creative ritual to connect to the regenerative nature of yourself.
More details here and on my Instagram. Email me [jessmack@gmail.com] with Qs + to register. We’re going to keep this small + cozy!
"The perfect blend of vastness + structure in a remarkably caring space."
- workshop participant