Becoming You Podcast

Welcome back, or "ciao amici"! In this deeply personal catch-up episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on the last 90 days, an adventure that's included moving the entire family (and dog!) to Sicily for a sabbatical AND launching a beta product, PitchWell. It's been a time of immense "good and growth, the hard and the holy".

I'm sharing what it's really like to live abroad past the "vacation phase", navigate being a beginner again, and build a startup from Sicily. This episode is part travel diary, part startup update, and all about what happens when you say yes to the things you "can only imagine".

In This Episode, I Share:

• The launch and growth of PitchWell, the AI-powered visibility platform, and what it was like to ship the next version from Sicily.
• The "good" of living in Italy: increased family time, daily walks, and dinners together.
• An update on learning the language (I've graduated from survival A1 to elementary A2!).
• How this adventure is building "chosen resilience" for the whole family, instead of resilience that comes from trauma.
• A story about my nine-year-old son's newfound confidence and a rainy crepe adventure.
• The "growth" (or hard parts): the mental load, the 9-hour time zone difference for calls, and the nightly exhaustion from being a beginner.
• The incredible creative energy of Sicily and how it feels like a "magic school".
• The difference between transparency (sharing when it's wrapped in a bow) and vulnerability (sharing while you're still in it).
• Why I'm practicing "devotion over discipline".
• What you can expect for the new season of the Becoming You podcast.

Favorite Quotes:

• "I was giving you a preview of season my life that I didn't even understand how it was going to unfold."
• "We're past the vacation phase."
• "It's chosen resilience instead of like resilience that you have to survive."
• "I think Italy's made me a beginner again and I think I was afraid to be a beginner."
• "Transparency is sharing when it's like wrapped up in a bow... Vulnerability is sharing while we're still in it."
• "If you are imagining it, which means that you can create it."
• "Visibility is a devotion to your gifts. It's not a performance."
• "Show up authentically and you never need to show up perfectly."
• "If you've ever wondered if you peeked, you haven't."

🌿 Resources & Links:

📖 Download your free copy of the Balance Blueprint – a simple tool to help you reset your week and bring more clarity, joy, and intention into your everyday rhythm: https://bit.ly/rebeccasbalanceblueprint

📲 Subscribe for more soulful, strategy-filled episodes: https://www.youtube.com/rebecca.cafiero

Sara Chambers is a brand strategist, TEDx speaker, best-selling author, and the CEO of Elly and Nora Creative, a full-service agency that builds brave, bold, brag-worthy brands for entrepreneurs who are ready to lead with purpose and power. With a background in marketing, PR, and communications for nonprofits and a variety of personal and lifestyle brands, Sara has spent nearly two decades helping thought leaders clarify their message, amplify their mission, and own their space. She's also the founder of Chicks Who Give a Hoot, a nonprofit mobilizing women entrepreneurs as a force for good through media, mentorship, and community. Do It Fat is her first book. Proceeds from the first week of sales will benefit The Body Positive https://thebodypositive.org/, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering self-love, body trust, and empowerment. This partnership reflects the book's core message: that healing self-worth leads to greater agency, mental well-being, and autonomy. In This Episode, We Share:

• The staggering statistic: 85% of women surveyed in the U.S. have delayed a major life opportunity simply because of how they felt in their body.
• How the weight loss industry (over $70B annually in the US) and the beauty industry ($100B globally) use shame as a business model and create problems to sell you solutions.
• Why body hatred isn't a personal failing, it's culturally conditioned and tied to capitalism.
• A discussion on how body trends (from heroin chic to Brazilian butt lifts ) are designed to keep women chasing an ever-moving goalpost.
• Sara's personal journey: why losing a significant amount of weight was more triggering than she expected and didn't solve the underlying issues.
• Rebecca's personal story about getting breast implants in her 20s and later having them removed for her health and as an example for her daughter.
• Why this conversation isn't just about weight, it's also about aging and other forms of physical criticism.
• The critical link between branding and personal development: You can't fully embody your brand if you haven't done the "inside job".

Favorite Quotes:

• "How much impact has stayed silent and quiet and unseen... because women have not brought their ideas... because they didn't like what they saw in the mirror."
• "How much soul joy has been suffocated because of the lack of personal permission to show up as you are?"
• "Shame is absolutely a business model."
• "It doesn't matter if you're a size 2 or a 22, looking in the mirror with eyes of criticism is a universal experience."
• "Happiness is when your expectations meet the outcome... We're trying to change the outcome and what I'm saying is can we change the expectations?"
• "You will never see a side by side before and after picture of my body change... I'm not done. My body is not over. And it's always changing."
• "The body that you live in is not determinant of whether or not you are good enough for that opportunity."
• "You don't owe the world a smaller version of yourself. You just owe it the truest one."

🌿 Resources & Links:

• Get Sara's Book & Free Workbook: Visit doitfatbook.com to buy Do It Fat: An Unapologetic Guide for Taking Up More Space Regardless of Your Size and download the free companion workbook with journaling prompts and bonus resources.
• Connect with Sara: Follow her on Instagram @SaraChambersCreative and learn more about her branding agency at LAnoraCreative.com.
• 📖 Download your free copy of the Balance Blueprint – a simple tool to help you reset your week and bring more clarity, joy, and intention into your everyday rhythm: https://bit.ly/rebeccasbalanceblueprint
• 📲 Subscribe for more soulful, strategy-filled episodes:https://www.youtube.com/rebecca.cafiero
• Do It Fat Book https://www.doitfatbook.com/
• Personal Website https://www.sarachamberscreative.com/
• Agency Website https://ellyandnoracreative.com/
• Non-Profit https://chickswhogiveahoot.com/
• Podcast - Chicks Who Give A Hoot https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chicks-who-give-a-hoot/id1190961475

In this high-energy and deeply personal episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on the second big secret I've been keeping. PitchWell, my new AI-powered visibility platform built for thought leaders, experts, and entrepreneurs who are ready to be seen.

What started as a soul slap at a women's event in Palo Alto turned into a whirlwind of ideation, innovation, and execution, and I'm taking you behind the scenes of it all. From building a startup in 60 days using AI and no-code tools to reimagining how visibility and PR should work in today's noisy, algorithm-driven world, this episode is part masterclass, part origin story, and all heart.

In This Episode, I Share:

• The moment the idea for PitchWell hit me, and why I had to create it

• How I used ChatGPT to brainstorm, plan, and prototype the entire platform

• What it looks like to humanize AI while keeping authenticity front and center

• Building a startup (and team!) in record time, with minimal resources

• The core features of PitchWell: Winsley the pitch assistant, credibility scoring, gamified momentum, and more

• Why I believe credibility is the new currency, and how to claim yours

• My vision to democratize PR and remove gatekeeping from media access

• How you can get involved as a founding user in the Expert Visibility Challenge

Favorite Quotes:

"What if I built the thing that I wish existed?"

"AI has made idea execution faster and more accessible and less intimidating."

"How do I create the integrity of it still being a human voice, but powered by AI?"

"Credibility is currency—especially in this day of AI noise and domination."

Action Steps & Takeaways:

• Explore no-code tools and AI to take your ideas to market faster

• Streamline your visibility efforts by focusing on consistency, not perfection

• Let your authentic voice lead—AI is a support, not a replacement

• Say yes to early opportunities—join the Expert Visibility Challenge

• Use constraints as creative fuel to innovate and build momentum

Resources & Links:

Download your free copy of the Balance Blueprint – a simple tool to help you reset your week and bring more clarity, joy, and intention into your everyday rhythm: https://bit.ly/rebeccasbalanceblueprint

Subscribe for more soulful, strategy-filled episodes: https://www.youtube.com/rebecca.cafiero

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, I'm finally sharing the full story of our family's move to Italy, a dream over a decade in the making. From the first conversations with my husband about living abroad to packing up our life and saying yes to a brand new chapter in Sicily, I'm taking you behind the scenes of the emotional, logistical, and entrepreneurial journey it took to get here.

I open up about why we chose Sicily, how we're navigating parenting and business in a brand-new country, and what it means to align your life with your values, even when the path is uncertain. Whether you're dreaming of a big move, craving more connection with your family, or wondering how to build a life that feels like you, this episode is filled with the lessons, stories, and soul-stretching decisions that brought us here.

In This Episode, I Share:

• Why moving to Italy has been a dream for over a decade

• The process of choosing Sicily, and what makes it feel like home

• How we planned this as a family (yes, even our dog Olive is here!)

• Restructuring my business for more freedom, creativity, and joy

• Our schooling decision for the kids, and why we chose full cultural immersion

• What I'm letting go of to make space for something new

• How I'm embracing uncertainty, discomfort, and deep trust in this season

Favorite Quotes:

"This is probably the biggest logistical thing of my life because this isn't just a decision for me or my business. It involves my husband, my children, schooling, working, and even our dog Olive."

"Would I regret it if I didn't take the sabbatical…this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity at an age where my kids want to still hang out with me?"

"It was just this beautiful litmus test with everything I was offering—'Is this just something I do that's a good idea, or does it light me up?'"

Action Steps & Takeaways:

• Revisit your 'someday' dreams—and ask what's really stopping you

• Let flexibility be your superpower in seasons of transition

• Explore education options that align with your family's values

• Say goodbye to obligations that no longer feel aligned

• Choose the experience over the ease—it's where the magic lives

Resources & Links:

Download your free copy of the Balance Blueprint – a simple tool to help you reset your week and bring more clarity, joy, and intention into your everyday rhythm: https://bit.ly/rebeccasbalanceblueprint

Subscribe for more soulful, strategy-filled episodes: https://www.youtube.com/rebecca.cafiero

In this heartfelt and candid episode, I'm sitting down with my husband, Igino Cafiero, to share an unfiltered look inside our 14-year relationship. From meeting on Match.com to navigating long-distance dating, marriage, miscarriage, entrepreneurship, and raising two kids, we're opening up about the real moments that have shaped us—both the beautiful and the hard.

Together, we talk about what it takes to build a resilient marriage, why radical honesty has been our compass, and how we keep growing individually and together. Whether you're in a long-term partnership or dreaming of one, this conversation is an invitation to reflect, connect, and remember that no relationship is perfect—but it can be perfectly yours.

In This Episode, We Talk About:

• Our origin story (and why Igino thought I was a "bit much" at first)

• The lessons we learned from long-distance dating

• How we've navigated big life transitions: career pivots, miscarriage, and identity shifts

• Our approaches to communication and conflict resolution

• Parenting philosophies and what we hope our kids learn from watching us

• Why vulnerability is the foundation of intimacy

• The importance of supporting each other's dreams (even when they don't make sense to anyone else)

• Practical advice for staying connected through every season

Favorite Quotes:

"Anything is possible. In the array of things that are possible, we should just do that." – Igino

"If you want to do this, then I'm going to be doing it despite the fact that it's not popular. And I'm not going to please people." – Rebecca

"Most of the problems [in relationships] stem from not feeling seen, not feeling heard, not feeling valued." – Igino

Action Steps & Takeaways:

• Prioritize Communication: Be willing to have the hard conversations and stay open, even when it's uncomfortable

• Practice Radical Accountability: Own your role, apologize often, and focus on solutions

• Invest in Your Relationship: Make space for connection without kids—date nights, walks, and time away matter

• Support Each Other's Growth: Celebrate your partner's passions and give each other room to evolve

• Remember Repair: Every relationship has ruptures—what matters is how you repair and move forward together

🌿 Resources & Links:

Download your free copy of the Balance Blueprint – a simple tool to help you reset your week and bring more clarity, joy, and intention into your everyday rhythm:

https://bit.ly/rebeccasbalanceblueprint

Subscribe for more soulful, strategy-filled episodes:

https://www.youtube.com/rebecca.cafiero

In this special business bestie episode of Becoming You, I'm joined by my dear friend and Enneagram wizard, Tracy O'Malley, for a candid, hilarious, and deeply practical conversation about the paradox of visibility—why we ache for it, why we sabotage it, and how our Enneagram type quietly dictates both.

We unpack the emotional rollercoaster of being seen, the sneaky ways we hide (even while appearing visible), and why alignment matters more than any perfectly polished pitch. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a coach, or simply someone craving more impact, this episode will help you understand your unique relationship with visibility—and show you how to step forward without losing yourself.

What We Cover

• The Paradox of Visibility: How the desire to make an impact collides with the terror of being truly seen.

• Visibility, Enneagram-Style: A type-by-type exploration of why you resist the spotlight and how to navigate it.

• Self-Sabotage & Resistance: The hidden patterns that keep you playing small—and how to interrupt them.

• Vulnerability as a Superpower: Why showing your messy, tender parts is the gateway to connection and trust.

• Authentic Alignment Over Hustle: Because if you're not aligned, the spotlight will chew you up every time.

• Practical Strategies by Type: What visibility can look like for each Enneagram, from structured plans to spontaneous sharing.

• Action Over Avoidance: Simple ways to start showing up, even if your voice is shaking.

Notable Quotes "Visibility isn't necessarily the goal. Alignment is. Because without alignment, the spotlight will break you every time." — Tracy O'Malley "Visibility is a mirror. There can be a reckoning, because it really confronts us with identity—whether it's our real identity or the one we're trying to put on." — Rebecca Cafiero "We want people to see our brilliance without exposing the things we feel may be broken." — Tracy O'Malley "The only thing keeping you from being visible and being seen and heard and valued for your genius is you." — Rebecca Cafiero

Tracy O'Malley Enneagram expert, leadership coach, speaker, and creator of the Enneagram Blueprint—helping thousands of leaders leverage their personality for growth and impact. 🔗 tracyomalley.com 📸 Instagram: @tracy_omalley

Resources Mentioned

• Tracy's Enneagram Blueprint — A deep dive into discovering your true type and patterns.

• Tracy's Podcast — Check out her episodes on resistance by type.

• Book: How to Do the Work by Dr. Nicole LePera (mentioned in our chat)

• Inside Out (movie reference for all you Enneagram Fours)

Action Steps to Take

• Discover your true Enneagram type (hint: free quizzes often miss the mark—get professional guidance).

• Reflect on how your type shapes your visibility story and identify the pattern you're ready to break.

• Choose one visibility action this week—no matter how small—that feels aligned and true to you.

• Pair this episode with Tracy's podcast on resistance to deepen your self-awareness toolkit.

• Remember: your next opportunity is waiting, but you have to pitch yourself first.

Resources & Links:

Download your free copy of the Balance Blueprint – a simple tool to help you reset your week and bring more clarity, joy, and intention into your everyday rhythm:

https://bit.ly/rebeccasbalanceblueprint

Subscribe for more soulful, strategy-filled episodes:

https://www.youtube.com/rebecca.cafiero

In this solo episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on what it takes to feel visible and confident—before you think you're "ready."

Over the years, I've seen so many brilliant women (including myself!) get stuck in comparison, perfectionism, and impostor syndrome. Today, I'm sharing the mindset shifts and tactical tools that have helped me—and my clients—step into the spotlight with more ease, clarity, and purpose.

From my 3-part framework for defining your unique expertise to actionable tips for pitching yourself, this episode is your reminder that you don't have to wait for permission. You can start showing up now, exactly as you are.

What I Cover in This Episode:

• Why the myth of "feeling ready" keeps you stuck (and what actually creates readiness)

• The most common visibility blocks (hello, comparison-itis and "info-crastination")

• My Unique Expert Experience Framework to define what makes you magnetic

• How to pitch yourself for opportunities instead of waiting to be discovered

• The difference between tactical tweaks and real energetic alignment

• Ways to update your self-vision as you evolve into the next version of yourself

Quotes from the Episode: "Visibility doesn't start with the pitch. It starts with believing you have something worth sharing."

"You don't become visible once you're ready. You become ready by being visible."

"You are not competing with anyone else. You're magnetic. You're becoming whoever you're meant to be."

Tools + Resources I Mention:

• My 4-in-1 Pitch Template

• Pitch Club (my DIY PR program)

• Entrepreneur Magazine (shoutout to Jason Feifer)

• Canva + social media templates

• Enneagram (for deeper self-awareness)

Action Steps & Takeaways:

• Stop waiting for the perfect moment—start showing up today

• Map your unique expertise by combining lived experience, education, and passions

• Notice when you're in comparison or perfectionism and choose imperfect action instead

• Proactively pitch yourself instead of hoping to be "discovered"

• Keep updating your self-vision as you grow and evolve

Want More?

Download your free copy of the Balance Blueprint – a simple tool to help you reset your week and bring more clarity, joy, and intention into your everyday rhythm:

https://bit.ly/rebeccasbalanceblueprint

Subscribe for more soulful, strategy-filled episodes:

https://www.youtube.com/rebecca.cafiero

In this empowering in-person conversation, Rebecca Cafiero is joined by habits expert, bestselling author, and former tech executive Alessia Citro to unpack the truth behind habit formation and how to build a life that actually supports the woman you're becoming.

Alessia shares her deeply personal journey from burnout and overachievement to the creation of her Higher Self Habits method, designed specifically for high-performing women craving alignment, energy, and meaning.

Through science-backed insight and feminine wisdom, this episode reveals why rigid routines don't work—and how to design habits that do. If you're ready to close the gap between who you are and who you know you're meant to be, this episode is your roadmap.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How Alessia's personal burnout became the catalyst for redefining success

• Why habits are the "invisible architecture" of identity

• The ACTS method: Ambition, Capability, Trigger, Satisfaction

• How to sync your routines with your feminine energy cycles

• Real-world tips for eliminating friction and making success easier

• The surprising power of celebration, visualization, and community

• Why flexible routines create consistency (especially for moms!)

Notable Quotes:

"Habits are the invisible architecture of our lives." – Alessia Citro

"If you cannot get yourself to do a behavior, ask yourself WTF: Where's The Friction?" – Rebecca Cafiero

"Your identity should create your habits. Who are you identifying as, and are you acting as them?" – Alessia Citro

"You cannot read the label from inside the jar." – Alessia Citro

Resources Mentioned:

• Alessia's book: Higher Self Habits

• ACTS Framework (Ambition, Capability, Trigger, Satisfaction)

• Free Guides & Visualization Tools → alessiacitro.com/gift

• Atomic Habits, Tiny Habits, The Power of Habit, High Performance Habits

• Five Minute Journal, sauna blanket, Stanley Cup (habit stacking tools)

• Happier podcast by Gretchen Rubin

• The Balanced Blueprint: https://bit.ly/rebeccasbalanceblueprint

Action Steps for Listeners:

• Audit your current habits—are they aligned with the life you desire?

• Apply Alessia's ACTS framework to build sustainable, joy-filled routines

• Give yourself permission to evolve with your natural energy rhythms

• Eliminate friction by preparing in advance and designing with intention

• Surround yourself with people who embody the habits you're building

In this inspiring solo episode, Rebecca Cafiero shares her journey balancing entrepreneurship, family life, and her passion for travel, specifically as she prepares for a month-long European trip.

Through transparent storytelling and actionable strategy, Rebecca unpacks what it takes to design a life and business that honors ambition and joy. From planning extended time off and traveling with kids to leveraging tools like AI for smarter travel, this episode is your permission slip to live first, without sacrificing momentum in your business.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, a busy parent, or simply dreaming of your next adventure, you'll walk away with tangible tips to help you create a life you don't need a vacation from.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The difference between building life around your business vs. building your business around your life

• Rebecca's framework for scheduling 4–6 weeks of vacation each year

• How to integrate work and travel without burnout or guilt

• Ways to empower your team and optimize delegation while you're away

• Travel planning hacks using AI, credit card points, and booking platforms

• How to travel with kids in a way that's enriching and manageable

• The importance of energy management over packed itineraries

• Real-world systems to design unforgettable experiences with ease

Notable Quotes:

"You don't have to wait to live until all your work is done—you can build your life and your business, your passion, or your pursuit at the same time." – Rebecca Cafiero

"Value doesn't mean you're always available." – Rebecca Cafiero

"You deserve to live a life that you don't need a vacation from. But you also deserve to be able to take some incredible vacations that are fun, expansive, and memorable." – Rebecca Cafiero

Resources Mentioned:

• AI Tools: ChatGPT (for itinerary planning, capsule wardrobe)

• Travel Tools: Honey (browser plugin), United MileagePlus, Amex/Chase points

• Booking Platforms: Airbnb Experiences, TripAdvisor, Yelp

• Project Management: ClickUp, Google Drive

• Packing Tips: Capsule wardrobe guide (available via DM or email to Rebecca)

Action Steps for Listeners:

• Schedule your most important life events first, and build your business around them

• Communicate vacation plans clearly with your team and clients

• Use tech, points, and AI to streamline travel logistics

• Prioritize curated experiences over jam-packed schedules

• Involve your kids in planning to make trips meaningful and memorable

Resources & Links:

Download your free copy of the Balance Blueprint – a simple tool to help you reset your week and bring more clarity, joy, and intention into your everyday rhythm:

https://bit.ly/rebeccasbalanceblueprint

Subscribe for more soulful, strategy-filled episodes:

https://www.youtube.com/rebecca.cafiero

In this value-packed, in-person interview, Rebecca sits down with master business mentor and "coach's coach" Amanda Walker to discuss what every entrepreneur needs now more than ever—trust, frameworks, and results-driven offers.

With skepticism rising in the online space, Amanda and Rebecca tackle what they call the "trust recession" in coaching—and how coaches can rise above the noise by building real transformation into their businesses.

From Amanda's proprietary Small Bite Offer methodology to her proven process for transforming lived experience into repeatable frameworks, this conversation is a must-listen for any coach or service provider ready to scale with substance over hype.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why the coaching industry is experiencing a trust recession

• How to turn your lived experience into a proprietary framework

• The power of frameworks to boost confidence, clarity, and client outcomes

• Why marketing results is more effective than selling "coaching"

• How Amanda uses Small Bite Offers to build trust and create conversion

• Examples of frameworks working across industries (not just coaching)

• Actionable tips for building a signature process that scales with ease

Notable Quotes:

"Every coach should stop selling coaching and start selling results." – Amanda Walker

"The beauty that sets you apart is when you capitalize on your lived experience." – Amanda Walker

"People don't like surprises unless you're delighting them. Frameworks show them what's next." – Rebecca Cafiero

Resources Mentioned:

• Best Damn Coach Program

• Amanda's limited podcast series: How to Find Clients

• Small Bite Offer Workshop

• Dave Ramsey's "7 Baby Steps" framework

• The Pitch Club (Rebecca's event)

• Loom (for client delivery)

Action Steps for Listeners:

• Stop selling time, start selling outcomes—your clients care about results

• Build your framework from your lived experience, not borrowed tactics

• Create a Small Bite Offer to deliver a quick win and earn trust

• Niche down by owning what makes your approach uniquely yours

• Plan for scale—make sure your client experience is repeatable and transformational

Resources & Links:

Download your free copy of the Balance Blueprint – a simple tool to help you reset your week and bring more clarity, joy, and intention into your everyday rhythm:

https://bit.ly/rebeccasbalanceblueprint

Subscribe for more soulful, strategy-filled episodes:

https://www.youtube.com/rebecca.cafiero