Meet Jodi Silverman

 

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jodi Silverman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jodi, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?

I believe optimism is closely connected to our resilience. I get my optimism from my father! Like him, I’ve always had this unique ability to see the glass not only half full, but sometimes even overflowing—even in tough times. Optimism doesn’t mean ignoring our emotions; instead, it’s about honoring them with curiosity and understanding, which helps us move through them to see a brighter perspective or outcome. For anyone who feels as if they “just weren’t born wired this way” I have great news, optimism can be learned, and here are two simple practices you can begin implementing right now: 1. Look for the Good an Savor it for 20 seconds. Example: Intentionally pay attention throughout your day Looking for The Good and when you see it, maybe a rainbow in the sky or a really cute dog, pause and take it in for at least 20 seconds. 2. Embrace a Gratitude Practice: Every day before you sleep think about and write down three things you are grateful for from the day. Both practices, when done daily, consistently over time, have the ability to change the neural pathways of your brain to lean more toward the positive. Still uncertain you have the ability to become more optimistic? Check out the book that changed everything for me: Learned Optimism by Martic E.P. Seligman, Ph,D I DARE YOU!

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I empower midlife women and moms to reconnect with their dreams and sense of purpose by guiding them on a journey of self-awareness and DARING—to say *yes* to new experiences and embrace their next chapter with enthusiasm. One of the most fulfilling parts of my work is supporting moms through the Empty Nest transition. After dedicating themselves wholeheartedly to raising their children, letting go is often one of the most challenging phases they’ll face. I have the privilege of offering strategies and insights to help these women reimagine motherhood and reignite forgotten dreams.

A key pillar of support I offer is through a vibrant membership community called Moms Who Double Dare, —a space grounded in connection, growth, and shared experiences. Here, members are encouraged to explore their inner selves, pursue new paths, and embrace the transformative power of DARING. (and forge new friendships)
We actually have a method for this called the DARE Method: more on that coming
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Moms Who Double Dare Membership Community: (get 1/2 off for being part of the Bold Journey Community)

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Great question! The single most transformative factor in my journey has been fully embracing and immersing myself in personal growth(I’m a self proclaimed personal growth junkie). It all started with asking myself the hard questions, responding with honesty—free from self-judgment—and then daring to say *yes* to the opportunities that followed.

In the area of self-awareness, I began uncovering and confronting the deep-rooted fears and limiting beliefs that had been holding me back. This daring work allowed me to make profound, lasting changes that reshaped not only how I saw myself but also how I showed up in the world. Doing this inner work has been the foundation for everything that came after, both in my personal life and in my impact on others.

My advice: Start with the inner work.
Where to begin? Try my DARE Method, which combines self-awareness through reflective questions with the courage to take action—the daring.

Step 1: Decide:
Everything starts with a decision. Choosing to embrace this next chapter of your life is the first step toward building new relationships with your adult children and rediscovering yourself.
Ask: Do I wish to continue doing what I’m doing or do I wish to discover more of what’s possible?

Step 2: Self-Awareness:
You can’t navigate your emotions—whether it’s fear, doubt, or uncertainty—until you first acknowledge them and understand why they arise. It’s perfectly normal to feel sad, angry, or stuck, but what matters is how you choose to respond and move through these feelings.
Without this awareness, it’s easy to remain trapped in negative emotions, which can prevent you from thriving and seeing the more optimistic view.
Becoming mindful of your thoughts and emotions is essential to living your best life and flourishing in midlife.

Ask: How am I feeling right now? Acknowledge those feelings, and then get curious. Once you understand why you’re feeling this way, ask: What’s one small step I can take right now to move through this emotion?

Step 3: Reimagine You:
For 18+ years, you’ve been your kids’ protector, likely putting everyone else—your family, your job—first. Now, it’s your time to focus on *you*, guilt-free.
Reconnect with the person you were before children, before being someone’s partner. Tap into the dreams you had for yourself and the person you’ve always wanted to become. Just imagine how grounded, energized, and confident you’ll feel when you step back into that version of yourself!

Ask: What did I love doing before I got married and became a mom? Make a list and rediscover those passions!

Step 4: Experience- Tackle those little things that you avoid because they scare you. Yep, those. Dare it forward and I promise, before you know it, you’ll be living the life you’ve imagined for yourself.

Ask: What’s one step I can take today that will move me forward, toward a goal, dream or desire? Not sure what your goals, dreams and desires are, no problem, I’ve got a list of 30 Doable Dares to help you figure it out.

Bonus Step: Join In:
Connection with like-minded women is vital—it’s the fuel that helps us thrive. Without community, we can feel isolated, but women thrive when supported by others. If you don’t already have a community, I have one for you. *Moms Who Double Dare* is the perfect space to connect with other women, rediscover yourself, and enjoy exciting, new experiences.

Midlife and Empty Nest aren’t meant to be navigated alone. You need a supportive team, and *Moms Who Double Dare* can be that team for you.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

In addition to Learned Optimism, two books played an important role in your development:

The first was an audiobook by the late Jim Rohn called The Art of Exceptional Living, which has since been transcribed into a physical book. The philosophies and life perspectives Jim shares resonated so deeply that, for the first time in my life, I felt seen, heard, and understood. (I listen to it every year.)

The top three takeaways from his book:
1. “The greatest value in life is not what you get—the greatest value in life is what you become.”
2. “Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day.”
3. “Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune.”

The other book I discovered just three years ago, Happy For No Reason by Marci Shimoff, validated everything I was learning and sharing with my community. It also helped me finally let go of my biggest limiting belief—that I wasn’t smart enough.

In addition, this book’s title caught my attention and resonated deeply with me. As I mentioned at the beginning of our interview, I consider myself highly resilient, with a unique ability to see the glass not just as half-full but even overflowing, especially during challenging times.

The top three takeaways from this book:
1. Your happiness is 100% up to you.
2. Don’t believe everything you think—learn to question your thoughts.
3. Surround yourself with people who lift you up, cheer you on, and challenge you.

Contact Info:

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