Who We Remember Emily Bouchard On Her Stepmother - The Woman Who Chose Us
We ask each of our guests a simple yet profound question: "Whose life story from your own family would you most want to have documented on film?" and "How does your family's story shape your own personal and professional legacy?"
Today's guest: Emily Bouchard, Founder at Bouchard Bespoke Consulting
Emily's's pick: Her stepmother, Jan Goddard Finegold
Sound Bites
- "She didn’t replace my mother—she expanded our family. Her heart just made room for all of us."
- "Even as her body failed her, she woke up every morning, put on her wig, her scarf, her earrings and created something beautiful"
- "What she taught me, and what I now help families see, is that being a stepfamily isn’t a problem—it’s an opportunity to love expansively."
Summary
In this moving episode of Who We Remember, author and blended family expert Emily Bouchard honours her late stepmother, Dr. Jan Goddard Feingold — a pioneering pediatric neurologist whose life’s work saved premature infants from cerebral hemorrhages, the very condition that claimed Emily’s birth mother.
Emily shares the profound story of how Jan stepped into a grieving family and, with quiet strength, creativity, and unwavering love, reshaped their lives. As Jan’s body declined from a mysterious autoimmune illness, her spirit only grew — making art, building community, and modeling resilience to the very end. Emily reflects on how Jan’s embrace of blended family life, her values of inclusion, and her boundless heart laid the foundation for Emily’s own life’s work. This episode is a celebration of chosen love, legacy, and the power of living fully — no matter the circumstances.
About Emily
Emily Bouchard is a pioneering voice in the world of family wealth advising, with more than 20 years of experience helping affluent families navigate the emotional, relational, and leadership complexities that come with prosperity. A trusted consultant, author, and speaker, Emily brings deep expertise in blended family dynamics, succession planning, and intergenerational learning.
She is the founder of Bouchard Bespoke Consulting and serves as a fractional Chief Learning Officer, designing transformative learning experiences grounded in emotional intelligence, authentic communication, and financial acumen. Emily’s approach is rooted in a profound belief in the healing power of human connection—and horses. She lives on a ranch in California with nine horses and hosts immersive retreats that combine nature, self-discovery, and personal growth.
Join Us
Visit us at storykeep.com/podcast to learn more about how StoryKeep is preserving family histories. Subscribe on your favorite platform to catch new episodes released bi-weekly, available in both audio and video formats.
Join me, Jamie Yuenger, as we go on a journey of remembrance and discovery, celebrating the stories of those we cherish. Don’t miss our enriching journey—subscribe today and be part of "Who We Remember."
Credits
Produced by Jamie Yuenger and Piet Hurkmans. Our show’s musical intro and outro is taken from the track “Thursday” by the independent artist Nick Takénobu Ogawa. You can listen and support his music on bandcamp here