Shows
GenerateHEREP25: Season One Recap - And Your Summer School!Reinvention doesn’t require a grand plan. For me, it starts with curiosity, creativity, and the willingness to plant something new.
As I wrap up season one of GenerateHER, I’ve been thinking about what it means to grow as a woman in business, and as someone who’s built a life in Paris. This episode is my chance to reflect on the stories we’ve shared, the lessons I’ve learned, and the practices that continue to guide me.
I talk about nurturing your “secret garden,” those dreams and ideas you’ve planted...2025-05-2624 minGenerateHEREP24: The Amazing Woman Behind Paris’s Most Popular Journal Company: Natalie ValmaryA single journal Natalie Valmary carried on a family trip through Asia sparked one of the most beautiful brands I’ve ever encountered, and reminded me how important it is not to wait on your dreams.
In this episode, I sit down with Natalie, the founder of Louise Carmen, to talk about creativity, reinvention, and what it looks like to build a business that’s deeply personal. Natalie shares how her idea took shape during a year of travel with her husband and daughters, and how it grew into a beloved journal company based right here...2025-05-1941 minGenerateHEREP23: You’re Feeling Stuck Because You Forgot How Multidimensional You AreFeeling stuck might have less to do with your circumstances and more to do with only seeing one version of who you are.
As May rolled in, I realized I hadn’t made the progress I hoped for this year, and that left me feeling stuck. I’ve heard the same thing from so many smart, accomplished women in business who are committed to personal development but still feel like something’s missing.
I started asking myself: are we stuck, or are we just seeing ourselves through too narrow a lens? So often...2025-05-1222 minGenerateHEREP22: The Magic of Writing - And How It Can Change Your LifeWriting cracked open a new version of me that reshaped my identity, my community and my business.
For years, I didn’t think of myself as a writer. But when I started journaling, just a few sentences each morning, it became one of the most important tools in my self-development. Writing helped me make sense of what I was feeling, especially during hard times. It reminded me of the strength I’d already shown and helped me reconnect with parts of myself I’d almost forgotten.
In this episode, I’m sharing ho...2025-05-0518 minGenerateHEREP21: Molly Balint and Soft BusinessBuilding a business that actually feels like you starts with knowing the season you’re in and letting go of who you think you’re supposed to be.
I had the absolute joy of sitting down with Molly Balint for a conversation that felt equal parts grounding and eye-opening. Molly is the founder of the SOFT business movement, and someone I’ve admired for years, not just for the work she does, but for how she does it. From her family farm in Maryland, where she’s raising four daughters and running her own business, Molly bri...2025-04-2832 minGenerateHEREP20: I’m Still Finding My Voice(s) in ParisWe contain multitudes, and learning to honor every version of ourselves might be the most honest kind of authenticity.
After living in Paris for more than 20 years, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about identity, why we feel different in certain places, how we show up in different roles, and what it really means to find your voice.
In this episode, I’m sharing some of my own reflections, what it’s like to be an introvert who thrives professionally but needs quiet to recharge, and how I’ve come to un...2025-04-2116 minGenerateHEREP19: The Beauty of Parisians Is Their Ability to Turn the Mundane Into the ExtraordinaryWe often wait for big moments to feel joyful. But what if the magic is actually in the small ones?
In this episode, I reflect on how living in Paris has taught me to find beauty in the everyday. While my life might sound glamorous from the outside, the truth is it’s quiet, simple, and wonderfully routine. And yet, something about the way Parisians move through the world has shifted how I see my own day-to-day.
From how they introduce each other with intention to the way they arrange produce at t...2025-04-1415 minGenerateHEREP18: Life Lessons From A French Dinner PartyA French dinner party has taught me more than I ever expected about French culture, personal discovery, and the way we connect with each other.
After two decades of living in Paris, I’ve come to see these dinners as so much more than a meal. What strikes me most is how much thought goes into who’s invited, where they sit, and how the evening unfolds. Why does that matter? Because conversation is the heart of it all. And sometimes, real connection requires a little tension. Disagreement isn’t something to avoid. It’s often whe...2025-04-0723 minGenerateHEREP17: The Power of Meditation with Eugenie Lambert BucksteinThe boldest move I’ve seen isn’t building a dream life. It’s walking away from one when it no longer feels like yours.
When I met Eugenie Lambert Buckstein, I knew I wanted to share her story. She started in law, built a career in journalism, landed a job at CNN, and then walked away from all of it. Not because she failed, but because she started listening to herself more than anyone else.
In our conversation, Eugenie opens up about what it really felt like to make that shift. S...2025-03-3147 minGenerateHEREP16: Why I Wrote My Memoire, “The French Ingredient”As I celebrate the one-year anniversary of “The French Ingredient,” I’ve been reflecting on how book writing became an unexpected tool for personal development. What started as a guide to doing business in France turned into something much bigger: a memoire of reinvention, resilience, and the lessons hidden in life’s detours.
Writing through the uncertainty of the pandemic helped me process past experiences and recognize my own growth. It also made me realize that sharing personal stories isn’t just for writers. Writing can be a way to reflect, heal, and connect.
...2025-03-2420 minGenerateHEREP15: Tips to Get You Through Challenging TimesStrength is built in life’s toughest moments, but I’ve learned that those moments can also reveal something beautiful. Challenges shape us, resilience grows, and meaning can be found even in adversity.
March has always been a month of change for me. It’s a time of renewal, but it also carries reminders of hardship. Five years ago, the world changed in ways we never expected. That experience made me reflect on how joy and struggle often exist side by side. So how do we move forward when life throws the unexpected at us? I’ve fo...2025-03-1723 minGenerateHEREP14: What Is Your ‘Jardin Secret’ and How to Care for ItYour dreams are a secret garden; how you care for them shapes what flourishes and what fades.
I’ve learned that personal growth and transformation are a lot like tending a garden. After leaving Chicago and building a new life in Paris, I realized that our inner dreams need patience, care, and the right environment to thrive. In this episode, I share the idea of a jardin secret, a secret garden where we plant our hopes and nurture them until they’re ready to bloom.
I walk through eight key insights on how...2025-03-1018 minGenerateHEREP13: The Magical Brain with Anne-Laure Le Cunff, PhDRethinking success starts with a simple shift: experiment, stay curious, and let learning lead the way.
I’m sitting down with neuroscientist and entrepreneur Anne-Laure Le Cunff to talk about neuroscience, creativity, and personal transformation. What happens when we stop chasing a predefined version of success and start treating life as a series of experiments? Anne-Laure shares how a health scare pushed her to leave corporate life, study neuroscience, and build Nest Labs, a community that helps people stay productive and creative without sacrificing mental health.
She introduces the “experimental mindset,” a way to...2025-03-0332 minGenerateHEREP12: What It Really Means to Be FrenchWhat does it really mean to “be French”? Is it about the way I tie my scarf, the handbag I carry, or how I order my coffee? Or is there something deeper?
After more than two decades of living in Paris, I’ve wrestled with these questions myself. As an American woman running a business here, I’ve felt the pressure to fit in. But over time, I realized something surprising—my strength came from not trying to.
In this episode, I’m sharing what I’ve learned about French culture and mindset, fro...2025-02-2419 minGenerateHEREP11: What France Has Taught Me About the Word ‘Success’Success isn’t a finish line. It’s a long, unpredictable road filled with setbacks, small wins, and lessons along the way.
After completing a long-awaited renovation for my business, La Cuisine, I felt uneasy with the word success as people congratulated me. The glossy finish doesn’t tell the full story. This journey took seven years of struggles, delays, and setbacks that tested my patience and perseverance. I see this milestone as a réussite, a hard-earned achievement, but real success? That’s still unfolding.
In this episode, I reflect on what suc...2025-02-1716 minGenerateHEREP10: On Creativity with Jessie Kanelos WeinerCreativity isn’t reserved for artists—it’s how we solve problems, express ourselves, and reimagine what’s possible. But what happens when self-doubt creeps in or inspiration feels out of reach?
Jane Bertch sits down with illustrator and author Jessie Kanelos Weiner to talk about the creative process, embracing imperfection, and the unexpected paths that shape our work. Jessie shares her journey from Chicago to Paris, where she arrived as an au pair with a sketchbook and a dream but no clear roadmap. Over time, she found her voice through watercolor, eventually working with brands like Vogue an...2025-02-1034 minGenerateHEREP09: What You Need to Know About Role Models, and Why You Need One at Any Age!Role models shape how we see ourselves and who we become, yet many women hesitate to claim that title. Why do young women confidently identify their role models while seasoned professionals shy away from the idea?
Jane Bertch unpacks this disconnect, sharing insights from her research and personal experience. She breaks down the difference between mentors, sponsors, and role models, explaining why all three play a role in personal and professional growth. She also challenges the modern idea of an “influencer” and makes a case for seeking out role models who inspire action, not comparison.
2025-02-0323 minGenerateHEREP08: The Four Things You Need to Help You Take RisksTaking risks and embracing change are essential for personal transformation, and in this episode, Jane Bertch shares how curiosity, creativity, courage, and community serve as powerful tools for personal development.
Drawing on her own leap from Chicago to Paris and her journey of building a business, Jane offers her view on what it really takes to embrace change. How does curiosity help you take that first step? Why does creativity fuel your confidence? What role does courage play in everyday decisions? And how can the right community push you further than you’d go alone?
2025-01-2719 minGenerateHEREP07: Five Things I Have Learned About Asking for Help - Thanks to Life in FranceThoughtfully asking for help isn’t just about solving problems, but also about building meaningful relationships. For Jane Bertch, this practice has been a cornerstone of her personal and professional growth. Drawing from her years as a business owner in France, Jane contrasts the shallow, one-sided act of “picking people’s brains” with the enriching experience of fostering reciprocal relationships that allow both parties to grow and learn.
In this episode, Jane shares five practical strategies for approaching help with intention that turns it into a mutually beneficial exchange. She focuses on the importance of clear com...2025-01-2025 minGenerateHEREP06: Things I Have Learned From Living and Working In France for the Past 20 YearsBuilding trust and thriving in France means embracing patience, cultivating meaningful relationships, and balancing confidence with humility. Drawing from 20 years of life in France, Jane Bertch shares insights and life lessons that show the unique cultural values shaping her experience.
Jane reflects on the deep investment required to build relationships, where trust and understanding take precedence over quick connections, and offers a poignant nod to “Le Petit Prince.” Jane also explores how the French reverence for expertise influences business, where contracts are rooted in reputation and trust rather than mere transactions. What does it take to nav...2025-01-1322 minGenerateHEREP05: 6 Tools to Create a Flourishing 2025“Winter for me is never the end. It’s preparation for the beginning.” Jane Bertch offers a refreshing perspective on growth, as she draws inspiration from the quiet resilience of winter. For her, it’s not a season of endings but a time to reflect, recharge, and prepare for new opportunities.
In this episode, Jane shares her tools on personal development and transformation, and weaves in lessons from her life in Paris and experiences as a woman entrepreneur. How can we begin our journey to meaningful growth this 2025? Jane suggests starting with a single word to guide...2025-01-0622 minGenerateHEREP04: 4 Tips to Make Your New Year’s Resolutions Stick“Reinvention isn’t a one-time event. It’s a journey we take one step at a time, and we can take that journey whenever we choose.”
Joyeuses fêtes! With 2025 just around the corner, Jane Bertch invites us to embrace a kinder, more intentional approach to personal development and New Year’s resolutions. Wouldn’t it be better if resolutions felt inspiring rather than overwhelming? In this episode, Jane shares four meaningful rituals to help us reflect on the past, dream about the future, and set the tone for a fulfilling year ahead.
From refl...2024-12-2316 minGenerateHEREP 01: Welcome to GenerateHER“Reinvention isn’t a one-time event. It’s a journey we take one step at a time, and we can take that journey whenever we choose. Let’s do it together.”
Bonjour, les amis! Welcome to GenerateHER! Host Jane Bertch opens the door to conversations about personal transformation and the unique challenges faced by women who mean business. She kicks things off with her journey from the corporate grind to entrepreneurial freedom. With two decades of life and work in Paris shaping her story, Jane shares how reinvention became a driving force in her life—and how it ca...2024-12-1611 minGenerateHEREP 02: Your Ideas Are the Crystal Ball of Your Future“I do firmly believe that ideas are a psychological view into the future.”
In this episode of GenerateHER, host Jane Bertch, a Chicago native now thriving in Paris, invites us to reflect on the power of ideas. Sharing her journey from corporate life to launching a cooking school in the City of Light, she reveals how even the smallest ideas can lead to personal transformation and reinvention.
Jane encourages listeners—especially women in business—to see their ideas as more than fleeting thoughts. Could your next breakthrough already be within reach? Drawing on...2024-12-1623 minGenerateHEREP 03: 8 Tips to Get Out of Your Idea Desert“If you don’t know where you’re going, you cannot officially be lost.”
In this episode, Jane Bertch reflects on the art of idea generation and how to spark inspiration when you feel stuck. She shares her personal journey of reinvention and offers a renewed perspective on those moments of uncertainty we all face. What if not knowing your next step isn’t failure, but an opportunity to pause and reset?
Jane offers eight tips to generate ideas, from the power of mentoring and meaningful conversations to embracing creativity through reading and...2024-12-1621 min
Just Getting BetterDaring to Say Yes: Jane Bertch, La Cuisine ParisEvery version of yourself is Every version of yourself is worth exploring. There’s always another branch waiting to be born. exploring. There’s always another branch waiting to be born. – Jane Bertch
Michelle and Julia sit down with Jane Bertch, the inspiring founder of La Cuisine Paris and author of The French Ingredient: Making a Life in Paris, One Lesson at a Time. Jane shares her transformative journey from her roots in Chicago to building a successful business in Paris, a city she has called home for nearly 20 years. This conversation is packed with candid reflections on emb...2024-11-1342 min
Courageous Dreamers Win59. Jane Bertch - La Cuisine Paris“We all have the right to try something different, to express ourselves, to challenge ourselves,” says Jane Bertch, owner of La Cuisine Paris and author of the memoir “The French Ingredient.” In this episode, she joins Nesha Pai to share her journey from banking to entrepreneurship in Paris. Jane explains how a vision during a low point in her life led her to create La Cuisine Paris, overcoming skepticism from her family and the French community. She emphasizes the importance of listening to the universe and dreaming big, even in challenging times. This episode also delves in...2024-07-2435 min
Storytime in ParisEp. 70 - Jane Bertch, “The French Ingredient”Who on earth would be brave/crazy enough to move to Paris, quit their secure job in finance, and open a cooking school? The answer, of course, is Jane Bertch, founder of the iconic La Cuisine Paris, and author of “The French Ingredient.” In her beautifully-written memoir, Jane details how she transformed from banker to business-owner, all while navigating the inevitable cultural differences she faced as an American expat, and the countless curveballs life threw her way. In our conversation, Jane shares whether her vision of moody café-writing matched her reality, how owning a cooking school changed her r...2024-04-1031 min