Dr. Jacquiline Cox of Montgomery on Life, Lessons & Legacy

Dr. Jacquiline Cox shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Jacquiline, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
For me, integrity is the most important. Intelligence can open doors, and energy can push you through them, but without integrity you won’t be able to stand in the room for long. Integrity is the anchor that keeps everything else grounded. It’s about doing the right thing even when no one is watching, and that matters more to me than quick wins or surface-level success. I’d rather walk in truth and character than compromise who I am just to get ahead.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Dr. Jacquiline Cox, the founder of Listen Linda Brand & Marketing and Listen Linda Publishing. I’m a bestselling author, publisher, and coach who helps everyday people turn their stories into books that impact lives. What makes my brand unique is that I don’t just publish books—I build platforms. From book launches to podcasts, magazine features, and award campaigns, I create spaces where voices that are often overlooked can shine.

My own journey through grief, resilience, and faith taught me that words have the power to heal and transform, and I pour that same belief into every author I work with. Right now, I’m focused on helping writers through my 21-Day Author Bootcamp, hosting the Listen Linda Podcast, and expanding opportunities for authors through events like the Listen Linda Impact Awards. At the heart of everything I do is this mission: to make sure no story goes untold and no voice goes unheard.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I believed I wasn’t enough—that my circumstances, struggles, and the labels people put on me defined my future. Growing up in foster care and facing so many challenges made me think I had to shrink myself just to be accepted. Today, I no longer believe that lie. I know now that I am more than enough, that my voice has power, and that every hardship was shaping me to walk boldly in my purpose.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
Some of the defining wounds of my life came from losing people I loved, growing up in foster care, and facing rejection in places where I should have felt safe. Those wounds left scars, but they also shaped my resilience. Healing for me didn’t happen overnight—it came through prayer, therapy, writing, and surrounding myself with a faith-filled community. I turned my pain into purpose by using my story to help others heal and reminding them that wounds don’t have to define you—they can refine you.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes—the public version of me is the real me, but it’s not the whole me. What people see in public is my authentic heart, my passion, and my drive to inspire others. But like anyone, there are private layers of me that only my close circle sees—the vulnerable parts, the tears, the quiet battles. I don’t believe in putting on a mask, so what you see publicly is genuine, but it’s also balanced with the parts of me that I protect and nurture privately.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
What I think people will most misunderstand about my legacy is that it’s not about success, titles, or recognition—it’s about impact. Some may look at the books, the awards, or the platforms I’ve built and think that’s the whole story. But my true legacy is the lives I’ve touched, the people I’ve helped believe in themselves again, and the voices I’ve amplified. Legacy to me isn’t measured in accolades—it’s measured in hearts changed.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Photography provided by Listen Linda Brand & Marketing

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Highlighter Series
What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?

Coffee? Workouts? Hitting the snooze button 14 times? Everyone has their morning ritual and we

Highlighter Series
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?

Our deepest wounds often shape us as much as our greatest joys. The pain we

Highlighter Series
Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?

Culture, economic circumstances, family traditions, local customs and more can often influence us more than