STORY IDEAS

1. Aggressive Optimism® Isn’t About Fake Smiles—It’s About Real Possibility

Resilience isn’t about pretending everything’s fine. It’s about learning how to face what’s hard and move forward anyway. Aggressive Optimism® was born in the hardest chapter of my life—and it’s grounded in one belief: possibility is always there, if you know how to look for it.

Corporate tie-in: Emotional resilience for teams under pressure.
Student tie-in: How to build hope that actually works in real life.

2. There’s a Million Ways to Do Anything—Let’s Find Yours

Success doesn’t have a single blueprint. Whether you’re launching your company or reimagining your career, resilience starts with self-trust. I help audiences see that their path doesn’t have to match anyone else’s—it just has to match them.

Corporate tie-in: Reinventing how we lead, collaborate, and create.
Student tie-in: Permission to define success on your own terms.

3. Reinvention Isn’t Failure. It’s Strategy.

Every pivot begins with courage. I lost the life I thought I’d live—and built something better. Reinvention isn’t about bouncing back; it’s about building forward. I teach audiences how to use change as fuel for growth instead of proof of failure.

Corporate tie-in: Adapting with purpose during times of change.
Student tie-in: Turning setbacks into strategy.

4. Creative Brains Need Clarity, Not More Chaos

Overwhelm isn’t a lack of motivation—it’s a lack of structure. Real resilience comes from clarity, not hustle. I help creative thinkers quiet the noise, find their focus, and take aligned action that lasts.

Corporate tie-in: Burnout prevention through clarity and structure.
Student tie-in: How to find focus when your brain never stops.

5. When the Big Bad Shows Up—Ask for Backup

My resilience didn’t come from being strong—it came from learning to ask for help. After surviving trauma and PTSD, I learned that community is the real secret to healing. You don’t have to do it alone to prove you can do it.

Corporate tie-in: Building psychologically safe teams.
Student tie-in: The courage to ask for help and support your peers.

6. Optimism Isn’t Toxic Positivity. It’s Direction.

Optimism isn’t blind hope—it’s a compass. You can be honest about what’s hard and still choose to move toward something better. I show audiences how to use optimism as a practical tool for decision-making, not denial.

Corporate tie-in: Resilient leadership in uncertain times.
Student tie-in: How to stay grounded and hopeful in hard moments.

7. From Buffy to Bookstores: Building a Life That Actually Fits

I’ve lived a dozen lives—from Hollywood sets to small-town bookstores—and each taught me the same lesson: success isn’t one-size-fits-all. I share stories that help audiences see that resilience is really about building a life that fits who you are now.

Corporate tie-in: Authenticity as a leadership strength.
Student tie-in: Redefining your “dream” without losing yourself.

8. Feel Stuck? You Don’t Have to Burn It All Down

When things stop working, the answer isn’t to quit—it’s to realign. I help audiences recognize when they’re stuck in systems or stories that no longer serve them, and give them practical steps to move forward with purpose, not panic.

Corporate tie-in: Change management and mindset resilience.
Student tie-in: Rewriting your story when life shifts unexpectedly.

9. Aligned, Not Overwhelmed: Building a Life That Actually Fits

Success isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing what matters. In this talk, Jenna helps audiences explore what alignment really looks like — and how to build systems, boundaries, and choices that reflect it.

Corporate tie-in: Purpose-driven leadership and burnout prevention.
Student tie-in: Redefining success in your own terms.

10. You Don’t Need More. You Need Meaning.

The world tells us to do more, be more, achieve more—but resilience isn’t about addition. It’s about alignment. I help people come back to what matters, so their growth feels grounded, not exhausting.

Corporate tie-in: Sustainable success and well-being.
Student tie-in: Building a meaningful life instead of chasing approval.