Jay Shetty & Kris Jenner ON The Story Behind the Cameras

How do you marry building an empire with being a compassionate mother?

In this On Purpose episode, Jay Shetty sat down with Kris Jenner, businesswoman and television personality, for a deeply personal and insightful conversation. She opened up about her journey from working in her grandmother's candle shop to becoming a six-time mother and a successful entrepreneur.

Lessons from Two Working Matriarchs

Kris Jenner told Jay Shetty that she was predominantly raised by her mom and grandmother, both of whom were strong, working businesswomen. They showed her from the beginning that a career is essential for personal pride and for providing for your family. Therefore, Jenner learned from them how to be a strong, intelligent, caring, loving mother, as well as a working woman.

Kris Jenner was inspired by her mother and grandmother, and work became a part of her lifestyle. Her mother also taught her that presentation is important, and made her aware of how she shows up in the world every day. In this context, Jenner learned first-hand how to balance a career with maintaining a home, and already at sixteen, she dreamt of having a large family, including six children, which she eventually had.

Developing a Working Mindset

Jenner's grandmother was initially an accountant who later opened a candle business in California. Then, her mother opened another store nearby. They were entrepreneurs who woke up at 5 am every day, kept a structured routine, and dressed immaculately before going to work. They taught her the rewarding feeling of concluding the day after completing a full day's labor.

Kris Jenner told Jay Shetty that her first job was at her grandmother's candle store when she was 12, where she learned to meticulously wrap gifts and make bows in the back room. Her grandmother taught her that, no matter what you do in life, you must always give your very best. This advice applied not only at work, but also to chores at home. When Jenner did something well, she was praised, and this attention to detail gave her the confidence to always apply herself, no matter how small her task may be.

After working various jobs, Jenner eventually became a flight attendant. She told Jay Shetty that it was an amazing job where she learned organizational, people, social intelligence, and essential personal service skills, such as pouring coffee and interacting with the public. She understood how demanding the personal service business is and developed a great respect for those careers. It taught her negotiation skills and how to pursue a goal even when all odds seem against it. She believes that if someone says no, then you're talking to the wrong person.

The Rise of Technology Through the Decades

Having lived for seven decades, Jenner recalls a childhood of freedom, including driving around in the backseat of her mother's convertible. She shared with Jay Shetty how excited she was about getting her first color TV and the bizarre feeling of getting her first iPhone. She explained that technology advanced very quickly in the past decades, and living through it gave her a great perspective.

Kris Jenner noted that the pace of modern life is one of her biggest challenges. She believes that people, especially younger generations, need to slow down and be more present in the moment, without constantly looking forward to the next thing. She told Jay Shetty that distractions are everywhere today, and people are so busy capturing the moment with photos and videos that they fail to simply enjoy it as it unfolds.

Compared to the time when phones were a home accessory, the world today is seeking instant gratification, Jenner noted. While she celebrates the progress and acknowledges that today's world is wild and amazing, she admitted that she worries deeply about the impact of social media and its darker side on her grandchildren. She told Jay Shetty that all her children are responsible for trying to control screen time, but emphasized that the modern environment is simply a different place with a lot of noise.

Her advice for her children is to be kind and treat everyone with love. One should drown out the noise and not read negativity online, because protecting one's peace is the most important thing. She believes it's best to focus your energy on love, joy, and peace rather than being overwhelmed by constant incoming work, conflicts, or negative energy.

Forgiveness, Compassion, and the Expanding Family Unit

Kris Jenner told Jay Shetty that her family's success stems from setting good examples and actively helping her children identify and pursue their passions. Even though these were unclear in the beginning, she ensured that each and every one of her six children felt seen as an individual, too.

She added that once her children found their calling, their focus, determination, and work ethic were second to none. She stresses that when one family member succeeds, the entire family celebrates, creating a halo effect where one person's business success benefits everyone personally.

Kris Jenner extended her love not only to her biological children and grandchildren but also to their partners. She told Jay Shetty that, even if things didn't work out between her children and their partners, they are still her grandchildren's fathers, and, therefore, part of the family. She believes that love is love, and it doesn't simply turn off because someone made a mistake.

Love After Conflict

Jenner believes it's essential to keep the grandchildren's fathers involved in their lives, and she welcomes them at family events. She told Jay Shetty she set this pattern early in life; after divorcing Robert Kardashian Sr., she ensured he knew he had an open door in her new marriage, and was welcome to come for holidays and celebrations and spend time together. This created an environment in which the children could maintain a sense of normalcy, protected from the emotional damage of parental conflict.

Now, Jenner applies the same rule to her children's former partners, who continue to join them on occasion. She teaches her children that they must forgive those who have treated them badly, not just for the other person, but because holding onto unforgiveness is not good for their souls and places too much pressure on their hearts.

When it comes to maintaining love for people she has a difficult history with, Kris Jenner felt very emotional. She explained to Jay Shetty that communication and compassion are key to understanding the other person's perspective. She believes you must forgive, even if you don't forget, or you'll remain stuck forever.

The Weight of Mental Health

Kris Jenner often stands up for the underdog because many people are misunderstood; there is an overwhelming volume of people hurting and struggling today, and the suicide rates amongst young people are unprecedented. She confessed to Jay Shetty that this struggle is heavy on her heart, even though she does not have an immediate family member currently dealing with it.

Jenner feels that society makes the situation worse through online negativity and criticism. She is now actively learning more about issues like dementia and Alzheimer's, but she admitted that the sheer volume of mental health struggles today is very confusing because she has never experienced it at this level. Jenner finds it tragic that, unless the people affected choose to speak up, nobody knows what they're truly experiencing internally. So, she advocates more love and compassion, as well as greater support for people in need.

Grateful for a Fulfilling Life

Before starting anything, Jenner turns to the divinity with a prayer. She shared with Jay Shetty that her daily routine involves waking up with a prayer of gratitude, thanking God for waking her up, and asking for guidance on how to spend her time. She also prays constantly for the safety and peace of her family, her heart, and the world.

Now 70, Jenner described the current chapter of her life as the best, because she gets to focus on her happiness, and enjoys the ride and being present with her family. She wants to continue working indefinitely, just as her mother and grandmother both worked into their 80s. Jenner told Jay Shetty that she loves what she does and finds purpose and satisfaction in her career. Working alongside her family makes it even easier for her because she feels it would have been very lonely to work alone in the entertainment industry.

Looking back, Kris Jenner wouldn't change any of the hardships she's been through, because they fueled her personal development the most; she views challenges as opportunities for growth. Currently, she focuses her efforts on learning patience and not losing her temper over things that don't matter or that she can't control. She is grateful for the experiences and lessons she received, and for the opportunity to be a mother to six beautiful children, whom she loves unconditionally.

More From Jay Shetty

Listen to the entire On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast episode “KRIS JENNER: The Untold Story of Family, Love, and Forgiveness” now in the iTunes store or on Spotify. For more inspirational stories and messages like this, check out Jay’s website at jayshetty.me.