Ep. 42: Healing Through the Breaking Point: Vanessa Cornell on Self-Connection and Midlife Friendships
“I think there are great opportunities for deepening friendships at this point in our life. We know more who we are.”
~ Vanessa Cornell
If you're a Gen X woman who:
→ Feels disconnected or unsure of how to navigate midlife relationships,
→ Has reached a breaking point and is ready for personal growth and self-connection, or
→ Craves deeper community support and women’s friendships,
then this episode will help you embrace the power of self-discovery, healing, and creating authentic connections with other women.
In this powerful conversation with Vanessa Cornell, founder of Nushu, we explore how Vanessa healed through her breaking point when she wanted to burn down her entire life. Vanessa shares how she learned to reconnect to herself, allow herself to be seen and heard, and the vital role of women’s friendships in midlife. Vanessa opens up about how holding space for herself and others is the most powerful–and scary–action we can take to deepen our connection to ourselves and others.
As we dive into the concept of Moai—a lifelong support network of women—we discuss the importance of building community and how connecting with other women can help you move through life’s challenges with resilience and grace. Whether you’re looking for guidance on how to rise from your breaking point to discover who you really are, or build meaningful relationships, this episode offers a roadmap to healing and growth.
Plus, don’t miss the three key questions that Vanessa recommends asking yourself every day!
🗝️ KEY TAKEAWAYS:
[27:35] Hitting the breaking point and healing through it
[35:12] 3 questions women can ask themselves every day
[47:09] Understanding Space Holding
[01:04:39] Establishing strong relationships with women
[01:29:17] A New Perspective on Your Diva Era
⭐️ VANESSA’S BIO
Vanessa Cornell is a teacher, thought leader, and masterful space holder who convenes women through her groups, courses, and retreats to unlock their power and purpose.
Vanessa graduated from Harvard and went on to work at Goldman Sachs. She then dedicated ten years to growing, birthing and raising her five children. After a lifetime of overachieving and overgiving, Vanessa felt deeply disconnected from herself and experienced a breaking apart of everything she had known.
Since her personal awakening, Vanessa has dedicated herself to giving women the tools and confidence to step into their power and lead lives of joy and purpose. In 2017 she founded NUSHU, a women’s community grounded in wellness and empowerment.
Vanessa’s three loves in life are herself, her work, and her family; her incredible husband and five quirky, individual, sometimes challenging but always interesting and lovable children.
💞 VANESSA’S FREE DOWNLOAD
Five Minute Self-Care Challenge
💫 CONNECT WITH VANESSA
Social Media: @vanessacornell
Henry Cornell’s Spotify (Vanessa’s son)
🎧 WATCH/LISTEN TO THE EPISODE
🙏🏻 SUPPORT THE PODCAST
If you resonate with this episode, please remember to take a few seconds to leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with other Gen X’ers.
Also, if you’re enjoying The Gen X Shift podcast, please consider donating to help Michele with the tech, equipment, and resources needed to produce this podcast. The podcast is a one-woman, one-dog show right now, so every bit of support goes a long way.
#thegenxshiftpodcast #thegenxshift #lifefromthesummit