GenerateHER

EP24: The Amazing Woman Behind Paris’s Most Popular Journal Company: Natalie Valmary

A 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 in Paris.
 
Natalie also opens up about the stroke that changed everything, and the clarity it brought about what really matters. That part of the conversation hit me hard. What do we do with the time we’ve been given? Are we spending it in ways that feel true to who we are?
 
This episode is full of inspiration for women, whether you’re starting something new or finding your way back to what you love. We talk about personal transformation, the quiet power of journaling, and what it means to trust yourself in life and in business.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Meet Natalie Valmary  
03:48 How Louise Carmen Was Born  
10:07 Family, Travel, and Creative Sparks  
13:12 A Lifelong Love for Journals  
17:08 Building a Brand with Purpose  
24:26 A Health Scare Changes Everything  
29:03 Growing the Business  
33:57 Finding Strength in Hard Moments  
39:10 Inspiration for Women 
 
Links
Connect with Natalie Valmary:
Louise Carmen Website: https://louisecarmen.com
Louise Carmen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louisecarmenparis/
 
Connect with Jane Bertch:
Website: www.janebertch.com 
Instagram @janebertch
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP23: You’re Feeling Stuck Because You Forgot How Multidimensional You Are

Feeling 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 we’re reduced to one role… entrepreneur, parent, partner… and it’s hard to imagine what else we could be. But living in Paris has shown me how much power there is in being multi-dimensional. The culture here values boundaries, and those boundaries make space for different sides of a person to exist.
 
In this episode, I’m sharing what I’ve been learning, the practices that are helping me reconnect with other versions of myself, and a few questions I think are worth asking. What would happen if you stopped waiting for the next version of you to show up and started making space for her instead?
 
I hope this episode encourages you to do just that.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Reflections on Feeling Stuck
02:18 The Pressure of Being One-Dimensional
05:10 What Paris Taught Me About Complexity
07:56 Boundaries and Identity in French Culture
14:07 Tools for Personal Development
19:04 Do the Work
 
Links
Connect with Jane Bertch:
Website: www.janebertch.com 
Instagram @janebertch
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP22: The Magic of Writing - And How It Can Change Your Life

Writing 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 how writing has supported my personal development and opened unexpected doors, from writing a memoir during the pandemic to starting a newsletter and creating retreats for women. Each step brought me closer to a deeper version of myself.
 
What surprised me most was the sense of connection. When I shared my story, people reached out to say they saw themselves in it. That’s the real power of writing. It helps us realize we’re not alone.
 
If you’ve been craving a way to hear your own voice again, I hope this episode gives you the nudge to pick up a pen. I’ll also share a few things that have helped me along the way. What version of you might show up if you gave yourself permission to begin?
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Personal Journey
02:21 The Power of Writing
03:31 Journaling as Self-Development
05:06 From Memoir to Community
08:24 Finding My Voice Outside Business
11:48 Launching Generate Her Retreats
14:01 Tips to Start Your Writing Practice
17:28 Encouragement
 
Links
janebertch.com/journal
 
Connect with Jane Bertch:
Website: www.janebertch.com 
Instagram @janebertch
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP21: Molly Balint and Soft Business

Building 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 brings such a clear sense of purpose and presence to everything she shares.
 
We talked about what it really means to be a woman in business right now, how easy it is to fall into the trap of doing all the things, all the time, and how freeing it can be to finally step back and ask: What actually works for me? What if success doesn’t have to look loud or busy? What if building something meaningful starts with knowing your season and giving yourself permission to grow at your own pace?
 
Molly’s idea of SOFT business hit home for me. It’s about building from a place of alignment, self-awareness, and grace, not guilt or pressure. And it reminded me why women supporting women isn’t just a nice idea. It’s necessary. When we share our stories honestly, we make space for others to do the same.
 
If you’ve ever felt the tension between who you are and who you think you’re supposed to be, I think this episode will speak to you the way it spoke to me.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Introduction
02:30 Meet Molly Balint: Life on a Farm and Online Beginnings
04:15 What Is the SOFT Business Movement?
10:00 Seasons in Life and Business
16:40 Building Community and Embracing Uniqueness
19:30 Rebuilding a Business with Intention
24:15 The Power of Experimentation
27:25 Finding Growth in the Messy Middle
28:45 Mentors and Role Models
 
Links
Connect with Molly Balint:
Website: https://www.mollybalint.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/molly.balint
Molly’s Bio: https://www.mollybalint.com/bio
 
Connect with Jane Bertch:
Website: www.janebertch.com 
Instagram @janebertch
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP20: I’m Still Finding My Voice(s) in Paris

We 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 understand the many “voices” I use throughout my life. Some are bold. Some are quiet. All of them are mine.
 
I’ve wrestled with the idea of authenticity. Am I being true to myself if I act one way at work and another at home? For a long time, that question left me feeling off-balance. But then I started to realize that maybe finding happiness has less to do with choosing one version of yourself and more to do with accepting all of them.
 
So I’m asking: What if your different voices are all valid? What if your adaptability is actually a strength, not something to hide? This is a short, personal episode… one I hope will give you a moment of recognition, relief, or maybe a fresh perspective on the beautiful complexity of being human.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Life in Paris
01:48 Finding Your Voice
04:32 The Looking Glass Self
05:17 Multiple Versions of Self
08:03 Adaptability & Self-Preservation
10:00 The Petal Analogy
12:00 Avatars & Authenticity
13:06 Embracing All of You
 
Links
Professor Bruce Hood: The Science of Happiness: https://www.amazon.com/Science-Happiness-Bruce-Hood/dp/139852638X
 
Connect with Jane Bertch:
Website: www.janebertch.com 
Instagram @janebertch
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP19: The Beauty of Parisians Is Their Ability to Turn the Mundane Into the Extraordinary

We 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 the market, the French culture has a quiet genius for turning the ordinary into something memorable. I share stories from my own life, like a quarterly lunch that’s evolved into a mini tradition complete with riddles, and offer ideas for how we can create those small-but-special moments wherever we are.
 
This episode is an invitation to mark the moment, to be present, and to take joy seriously even on the most mundane of days.
 
Episode Breakdown
00:00 Introduction
02:33 Jane’s Life in Paris
03:16 Turning the Mundane into Extraordinary
04:10 Parisian Architecture and Markets
05:34 The Art of Introductions in France
07:22 Making Everyday Moments Special
08:05 Creating Special Activities with Friends
09:20 Quarterly Lunch Tradition
10:17 Hosting and Dinner Gatherings
12:24 Challenge: Transforming the Mundane
13:36 Parisian Inspirations for Everyday Life
 
Links
Connect with Jane Bertch:
Website: www.janebertch.com 
Instagram @janebertch
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP18: Life Lessons From A French Dinner Party

A 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 where growth begins.
 
I’ve learned that French etiquette—waiting to be seated, arriving fashionably late, skipping the wine gift—reflects something deeper: care, respect, and a sense of occasion. These details have changed the way I think about my own gatherings, and how I show up for the people around me.
 
In this episode, I’m sharing the quiet but powerful life lessons I’ve learned from the French dinner table. They’ve helped me find my voice, stay curious, and be more intentional in ways that go far beyond food. I hope they do the same for you.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Welcome to April in Paris
01:07 The Essence of French Dinner Parties
02:28 The Structure of a French Meal
05:58 Embracing Tension in Conversations
08:23 Finding Your Voice at the Table
10:57 Navigating Difficult Topics
12:24 The Art of Care in Hosting
14:01 Cultural Norms of Timeliness
15:52 Gifts and Etiquette for Dinner Parties
18:11 Seating Arrangements and Discussion Dynamics
19:41 Life Lessons from French Dinner Parties
 
Links
Connect with Jane Bertch:
Website: www.janebertch.com 
Instagram @janebertch
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP17: The Power of Meditation with Eugenie Lambert Buckstein

The 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. She talks about the pressure of expectations, the toll of covering traumatic news, and the quiet decision to try meditation—something that would completely reshape her life. That path led her to create Bloom, one of France’s first modern meditation centers and a place that holds space for personal transformation, curiosity, and connection.
 
What struck me most is how honest she is about the in-between moments. The doubt. The discomfort. The slow unfolding of a new version of yourself. It made me reflect on how often we stay where we are just because it’s familiar.
 
If you’ve ever felt the quiet nudge that something isn’t working anymore, I think this conversation will speak to you, just like it did to me.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Introduction 
04:00 Eugenie’s Career Journey
11:12 The Concept of Système D
13:02 Transition to Meditation
16:36 Working at CNN and Meeting Christiane Amanpour
20:13 Discovering Meditation
23:13 Moving Back to Paris and Working Remotely
26:23 The Role of Intuition
30:47 Embracing Intuition and Creativity
34:15 Becoming a Meditation Teacher
37:17 The Importance of Community
40:57 The Concept of Bloom
44:31 Movement and Meditation
 
Links
Connect with Eugenie Lambert Buckstein:
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/eugenielovesbloom/ 
BLOOM on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/welovebloom.co/
 
Connect with Jane Bertch:
Website: www.janebertch.com 
Instagram @janebertch
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP16: 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.
 
If you’ve ever hesitated to put your own experiences into words, I hope this episode helps you see storytelling in a new light. Every challenge holds an opportunity, and the stories we tell, whether in a book or in conversation, can inspire both ourselves and others.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 The Importance of April
02:23 The French Ingredient: A Year in Review
04:46 Writing During COVID
06:55 Writing as Therapy
08:03 Overcoming Difficult Moments
11:28 Embracing Differences
13:09 Accepting the Universe’s Plan
14:02 Sharing Your Story
15:07 The Impact of The French Ingredient
18:00 Share Your Story
 
Links
https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-french-ingredient-making-a-life-in-paris-one-lesson-at-a-time-jane-bertch/20258866?ean=9780593500422&next=t
 
Connect with Jane Bertch:
Website: www.janebertch.com 
Instagram @janebertch
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP15: Tips to Get You Through Challenging Times

Strength 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 found that overcoming obstacles starts with patience and acceptance. Fighting reality rarely helps, but focusing on what I can control does.
 
Mindfulness, grounding techniques, and social connection have been lifelines for me. These simple but powerful tools help us navigate tough times. I’ve also learned that shifting perspective can change everything. Reframing negative thoughts, journaling through uncertainty, and finding small ways to create joy—these things matter more than we realize.
 
Looking back, I see how every challenge I’ve faced has made me stronger in ways I didn’t always recognize at the time. Growth isn’t always obvious in the moment, but it’s happening. The question is, how will you use it?
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 March: A Month of Change and Transformation
02:07 Embracing Change and Reinvention
04:07 Tips to Get You Through Challenging Times
17:23 Post-Challenge Reflections
18:07 Reminders
 
Links
https://www.instagram.com/ajiriaki/
https://www.instagram.com/p/DG-xMdSidzg/
 
Connect with Jane Bertch:
Website: www.janebertch.com 
Instagram @janebertch
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm