Inspiring Conversations with Yelena Sedgwick of Yelena Talks

Today we’d like to introduce you to Yelena Sedgwick.

Hi Yelena, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today. 
My journey starts as a kid in a first-gen immigrant family from the Soviet Union. In the USA, we cherished freedom and education because back home, as Christians under communism, speaking your mind could get you in serious trouble. Growing up, I always wanted to help people but didn’t know how to put it into words. Psychology, counseling, and mental health weren’t things we talked about in my culture; they were kind of taboo. 

Despite this, I decided to study psychology, and it’s like everything just clicked into place. Doors opened, the right people came into my life, and it all felt like a mix of faith and taking action. Each step, whether it was choosing higher education, entering psychology, or later stepping into business, felt like walking into the unknown. But looking back, it all makes sense. 

I started off working as a mental health counselor in public schools, and I loved it. Working with teenagers, helping them find themselves and their path, was incredibly rewarding. But then, just before COVID hit, I took a huge step and started my own private practice. Leaving my stable job and then facing the pandemic was tough. It tested everything I believed in, but it worked out. Running my own business meant I could stay true to my values. 

When COVID began, I realized I needed to diversify. I got into coaching and completed an executive coaching program. Starting out, I wasn’t sure of my direction. I’m naturally reserved, so putting myself out there on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram was a big step. But as I found my footing, I began to attract clients who shared similar backgrounds to mine—first-generation adults from immigrant families with Slavic and Christian roots. My own experiences in coaching and counseling have been transformative, and now I’m passionate about helping others find the same freedom and understanding. 

I created the Talk Shoppe Membership specifically for women who want to discover their true selves, free from external influences. This platform helps them understand how their early life experiences, cultural upbringing, religious beliefs, and family dynamics might have impacted or even restricted their growth into healthy, independent adults. It’s a place for them to break free from unhealthy family cycles and grow. The more I’ve learned and grown, the more I’ve been able to share with others. 

On a personal note, a major highlight has been meeting my now husband. We got married this year and have started a new chapter in our home, which is a story in itself. To sum up, my life journey has been about faith, stepping into the unknown, and helping others find freedom and healing, just as I have. It’s deeply rewarding and not just professional; it’s personal. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I would not say journey has been completely smooth, but then, I don’t think any meaningful journey is. The unknown has a way of testing you to your core, bringing out all your fears, doubts, and insecurities. Growth never happens in the comfort zone, and my path has been no exception. As a first-generation immigrant, I was often stepping into unfamiliar territory. There was a lot I had to figure out on my own or seek help for. My parents, with their limited English and understanding of the systems here, couldn’t guide me through everything. For instance, I learned what a university was, how to obtain a psychology degree, or what the difference between a Bachelors or Master’s degree was, etc., through conversations with my friends’ parent. It’s been about stretching myself, reaching out, and asking for help, even when it was the last thing, I felt comfortable doing. I suppose the desire to achieve higher goals compels one to be a pioneer, possessing both motivation and tenacity. Otherwise, I would have simply sat back and allowed life, or what I refer to as the ‘generational cycle,’ to dictate my outcome. 

Starting a business right before COVID hit was a terrifying surprise, at least in the moment. It was a leap into the unknown, amplified by a global crisis. Then, putting myself out there on social media, being in front of a camera, and sharing my face, voice, and life publicly – that was a whole other level of scary. I had never been active on social media before, so this was new and daunting territory. People now see me as confident, but this confidence was developed and hard-earned. It’s been a process of deep personal healing, confronting every limiting belief, victim mindset, fear, trauma response, and insecurity that surfaced along the way. As noted in the previous question, this journey hasn’t just been about professional growth, but a profound personal transformation as well. 

We’ve been impressed with Yelena Talks, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The cornerstone of my practice is the deep, transformative work we do, going beyond surface-level solutions. We explore how early life experiences, cultural backgrounds, religious beliefs, and family dynamics have shaped my clients’ adult lives. This holistic approach aims not just at overcoming challenges but at unlocking one’s full potential, thereby breaking free from generational cycles of unexamined thought and behavior. 

In fact, the majority of my clientele consists of mothers with young children. These women vividly see the struggles they endured in their own upbringing and often recall vows they made to never repeat those patterns. Yet, they find themselves unintentionally replicating similar cycles with their own children. This realization motivates them to seek help, to break these cycles, which fundamentally involves inner healing work. It’s about equipping them with skills that not only aid in their personal growth and transformation but also help them in their daily interactions as mothers. As a result, they evolve into the confident women and mothers they aspire to be. This empowerment doesn’t just benefit them; it positively impacts their children, their partners, and their entire familial dynamic. 

What sets me apart in this field is my extensive background in psychology and a deep understanding of the human brain and nervous system, combined with a diverse educational background. My ability to translate complex psychological and spiritual concepts into practical, relatable language has been a foundational to my success. This skill is particularly evident in how I conduct my Talk Shoppe Membership, a monthly subscription-based community that supports women in their healing and growth journey. It’s more than just individual sessions; it provides a comprehensive range of resources, videos, and communal support crucial for the healing process. Additionally, I offer a free Maladaptive Schemas Assessment, which often inspires women to take their healing journey personally and invest in the Talk Shoppe Community. 

Brand-wise, I am most proud of my ability to connect with women, understand their internal ‘code’ – from their nervous system to family wounds – and guide them to align with their true values and identity. I have witnessed consistent success and breakthroughs with my clients, a testament to my own journey of healing and growth. I always prioritize being a student first, experiencing transformation myself before guiding others. 

Alongside this, I am passionate about helping women understand their essence, their feminine energy, and their biological mechanisms. There’s incredible power in a woman who is attuned to her body and emotions. She is the embodied woman. This attunement enables her to harness her innate strength. When we disconnect from our bodies and emotions, we risk becoming unembodied, leading to distress, dissociation, and a departure from our inner truth and wisdom. It’s crucial for women to grasp their unique biological and psychological makeup. There’s profound truth and understanding in knowing how we work, rest, create, and express ourselves. By fostering this understanding, I empower women to live in harmony with their natural rhythms and truths, unlocking a deeper sense of fulfillment and authenticity in their lives. 

For the readers, it’s essential to know that my services are not just about solving problems for them- that would keep us stuck in a codependent cycle, thus continuing the problem. My goal is to equip women as they create a life in harmony with their deepest values and desires, which requires women to be in tune and embodied in her truth. Whether through one-on-one coaching or the resources available in the Talk Shoppe Membership, my goal is to help women understand that everything in the external world mirrors their internal state. Therefore, if they are dissatisfied with what they see around them, they must first turn inward and cultivate the desired state; from this inner foundation, everything else will naturally flow. 

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Something that might surprise people who know me or my brand, is my musical inclination. From a young age, I’ve had a natural ear for music. I could hear a tune or a song and instinctively find it on the piano. Remarkably, I self-taught myself chords without any formal education when I was just a little kid. It’s only now, after completing music school and understanding music theory, that I realize how extraordinary this ability was for an 8-year-old. 

Despite my love for freestyling on the piano, I’ve always struggled with remembering or even paying attention to song lyrics. It seems my brain is wired to tune out words and focus purely on the melody and harmonies. Recognizing this, I’ve been working on developing the skill to pick up lyrics better so I can fully grasp and appreciate the stories and messages in the songs. This unique blend of musical talent and the challenge with lyrics adds another dimension to my understanding of how we all process and connect with art and expression differently. 

Pricing:

• Talk Shoppe Monthly Membership- $39.99/month, but pricing will increase in January.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://yelenatalks.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yelenatalks/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yelena-sedgwick/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@yelenatalks
• Other: https://yelenatalks.thinkific.com/products/communities/talk-shoppe-membership

Image Credits
Jenny Makhanov