Dr. Jodi Blinco on the Inner Alchemy of Being Human

What if the very chaos, fear, and stuck points you face every day were actually the raw ingredients for your greatest transformation? In this episode of Passion Struck, I sit down with Dr. Jodi Blinco—founder of The U School, ZenLeader, and Yoga Cowgirl—to explore the alchemy of being human.

Drawing from her groundbreaking book, Inner Alchemy: Transforming Everyday Bullsht Into Sunshine*, Jodi shares how to confront life’s messiest moments with courage, compassion, and humor, turning them into catalysts for growth and meaning. With over two decades of experience as a breakthrough coach, educator, and speaker, Jodi invites us to reframe our struggles, embrace imperfection, and unlock the unknown potential within us that can truly change the world.

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Unlocking Hidden Potential: Dr. Jodi Blinco on the Inner Alchemy of Being Human

In this transformative conversation, Dr. Jodi Blinco and I explore what it really means to embrace the human experience—the chaos, the imperfections, and the breakthroughs that come when we stop running from ourselves. Known for her work as founder of The U School, ZenLeader, and Yoga Cowgirl, Jodi brings decades of experience in leadership, coaching, and wellness to our discussion.

We dive deep into how fear, self-doubt, and digital distractions keep us stuck, and why compassion, presence, and intentional action are the antidotes. Jodi also connects her insights with themes from her earlier work, The Shadow Work Journal: A Guide to Integrate and Transcend Your Shadows, revealing how facing the parts of ourselves we often try to hide can actually unlock the very growth we’ve been searching for.

This is not just about learning techniques—it’s about stepping into a new way of being where imperfection, awareness, and courage converge to create true transformation.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:

• Break the Cycle: How to recognize when you’re chasing external validation instead of living authentically.
• Move Through Fear: Why anxiety and discomfort are signs of growth—and how to face them without shutting down.
• Name Your Triggers: The importance of identifying “stuck points” and how avoiding them compounds chaos.
• Choose Compassion: Why self-compassion is the first step toward breaking patterns that no longer serve you.
• Value Alignment: How to shift from surviving on distractions and regulators to thriving with purpose and presence.

WHY IS THIS EPISODE A MUST-LISTEN?

This episode is for anyone who feels stuck, burned out, or trapped in cycles that don’t align with who they really are. Dr. Jodi Blinco brings honesty, humor, and hard-won wisdom to help you see that the path to growth isn’t about perfection—it’s about courage, compassion, and the willingness to face yourself. By the end, you’ll walk away with the tools to embrace imperfection, break free from self-defeating patterns, and begin living into your unknown potential.

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The Themes of Inner Alchemy: Turning Life’s Chaos Into Growth

When Jodi Blinco joined me on the Passion Struck Podcast, one of the first things we unpacked was what she calls inner alchemy—this idea that the chaos, the setbacks, and yes, even the “bullsh*t” we face daily aren’t just obstacles. They’re actually the raw ingredients for growth.

We talked about how so many of us spend years running from those uncomfortable moments. The stuck points. The mistakes we’d rather sweep under the rug. The triggers that leave us spinning. Jodi has this gift of reminding us that pushing it all away doesn’t dissolve the problem—it compounds it. Inner alchemy begins when you’re finally willing to pause, look in the mirror, and ask: What is my role in all of this?

And it’s not about perfection. That was a theme we kept circling back to. Jodi was quick to point out that the real power lies in showing yourself compassion while you wrestle with those messy parts. Inner alchemy doesn’t happen because life suddenly gets easy. It happens when you bring presence and courage into the tough moments, when you decide to respond instead of react.

In her book, Inner Alchemy: Transforming Everyday Bullsht Into Sunshine*, she writes about the courage it takes to name your chaos. On the podcast, she went further—explaining that once you can identify your patterns and see them clearly, you start to realize that resilience, confidence, and clarity aren’t gifts. They’re forged. Every time you step into discomfort, you create a little more strength for the next time.

At its core, the theme of inner alchemy is about reframing struggle as transformation. Instead of waiting for the “right moment” or the “perfect conditions,” it’s about using whatever life throws at you as your training ground. Whether it’s fear of moving across the country, feeling trapped in a job that doesn’t fulfill you, or realizing your life has become a performance for other people’s approval—Jodi shows us that those very moments can become the spark for change if you’re willing to sit with them, learn from them, and then move forward intentionally.

That’s what makes inner alchemy such a human practice. It’s not lofty. It’s not abstract. It’s choosing to turn the everyday mess into the fuel that drives you toward your unknown potential—the part of you that can truly change the world.

Thanks, Dr. Jodi Blinco

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RESOURCES FROM THE SHOW WITH JODI BLINCO

Please note that some of the links on this page (books, movies, music, etc.) lead to affiliate programs for which The Passion Struck podcast receives compensation. It’s just one of the ways we keep the lights on around here. Thank you so much for being so supportive!

1. Dr. Jodi Blinco’s Website
2. Dr. Blinco’s Instagram
3. Dr. Blinco’s LinkedIn
4. BUY Dr. Blinco’s Book, ‘Inner Alchemy’
5. APA’s recognition of mattering as critical to child mental health
6. Passion Struck Core Value System: https://passionstruck.com/the-passion-struck-core-belief-system/
7. Listen to Passion Struck’s interviews with New York Times bestselling authors Gretchen Rubin and Seth Godin.
8. Check out Passion Struck’s Episode Starter Packs on Spotify or Passion Struck starter packs to get started with the podcast.

About Today’s Guest, Dr. Jodi Blinco

Dr. Jodi Blinco is a trailblazing author, speaker, and breakthrough coach dedicated to helping people lead with clarity, courage, and purpose. She is the founder of The U School, ZenLeader, and Yoga Cowgirl—ventures that blend strategy with soul to inspire transformative personal and professional growth.

Holding a Doctorate in Education and certified as a yoga instructor, Jodi brings both academic depth and holistic wisdom to her work, empowering individuals and organizations to unlock their potential, navigate life’s chaos, and create cultures rooted in connection and authenticity. Through her coaching, workshops, and bestselling books, she has guided people around the world to move beyond fear, embrace imperfection, and step into the unknown potential that can change their lives—and the world—for the better.

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