What if redefining success means embracing imperfection, challenging societal expectations, and building a legacy of connection, empowerment, and purpose?
In this episode of Beyond the Quo, host Stacey Luces sits down with Violette de Ayala, Cuban-American serial entrepreneur, founder of FemCity®, international best-selling author, and advocate for women’s empowerment. Together, they explore the transformative power of authenticity, the challenges of stepping into leadership as a woman of color, and the evolution of beauty, identity, and legacy.
Stacey and Violette dive into what it means to challenge the status quo by showing up unapologetically, embracing the beauty of aging, and creating spaces for women to thrive. From personal anecdotes about navigating leadership to the lessons learned from imperfect beginnings, this episode offers practical insights and heartfelt moments to inspire anyone ready to live boldly and beyond the quo.

In this episode:
01:43 The Power of Vulnerability and Authenticity
04:17 Navigating Personal Challenges and Growth
08:24 Parenting and Individualism
13:44 Redefining Success and Wellness
17:59 Embracing Change and New Beginnings
25:07 Perception of Age in the Industry
26:58 Discovering Personal Journeys
29:09 The Power of Femcity/Challenges and Resilience for Women Entrepreneurs
41:42 Leaving a Legacy and Final Thoughts

Feeling inspired? Don’t keep it to yourself!
•        Subscribe to Beyond the Quo and leave a five-star review.
•        Share this episode with someone ready to embrace their authentic power.
•        Connect with Stacey and Violette on social media to join the conversation.

Connect with Stacey Luces:
•        Website: www.staceyluces.com
•        Instagram: @Stacey.Luces | @BeyondTheQuoPodcast
•        Rising Beyond Global Community: Join Here
•        YouTube: staceyluces/podcasts

Connect with Violette de Ayala: With over a decade of experience empowering women through FemCity®, Violette has created a community that blends collaboration, education, and inspiration. As a business strategist, speaker, and advocate, Violette continues to redefine leadership and support women in stepping into their full potential.
•        Instagram: @VioletteDeAyala
•        Website: FemCity.com
You’ve already done the quo—now it’s time to go beyond.

What if redefining success means honoring your roots, embracing your authenticity, and creating a legacy that inspires future generations?

In this episode of 'Beyond the Quo,' host Stacey Luces explores the concept of redefining success and creating modern legacies, particularly for immigrants, with guest Lola Small. Lola is a Taiwanese Canadian women's empowerment coach, business owner, bestselling author, and advocate for racial equity. 
The discussion touches on the blending of cultural heritage, lived experiences, and responsibilities to future generations. Stacey and Lola delve into topics such as the multi-faceted nature of legacy, from generational wealth to mental wellness and multicultural perspectives. 
They discuss personal experiences, including advocacy, navigating perimenopause, and the importance of core values like self-expression and fun. The episode also highlights the significance of authenticity, vulnerability, and the impact of loneliness in today's connected yet isolating world. Together, they introduce their Rising Beyond Global Community, which supports women of color in leadership.

You’ve already done the quo—now let’s go beyond.

In this episode: 
00:00 Introduction: Redefining Success and Legacy
02:41 Exploring Modern Legacies and Cultural Heritage
07:34 Navigating Identity and Advocacy
15:46 Challenges and Triumphs of Midlife
23:09 The Importance of Core Values and Self-Expression
26:59 Building Authentic Connections and Community

Feeling inspired? Don’t keep it to yourself!
•        Subscribe to Beyond the Quo and leave a five-star review.
•        Share this episode with someone who’s ready to embrace their next chapter.
•        Join the conversation on social media and connect with Stacey and her guests.

Connect with Stacey Luces:
•        Website: www.staceyluces.com 
•        Instagram: @Stacey.Luces ‍@beyondthequopodcast
•        Rising Beyond Global Community: https://www.skool.com/risingbeyondglobalcommunity/about 
•        YouTube: staceyluces/podcasts
•        Disclaimer: staceyluces.com/disclaimer

Connect with Lola Small:
With over two decades of experience in coaching, wellness, and leadership, Lola has empowered countless women to embrace their true selves, share their stories, and lead impactful lives and successful businesses. As a Certified Dream Coach, Certified Health + Wellness Coach, and a leader in women’s empowerment, Lola integrates mindset development, personal wellness, self empowerment, personal brand storytelling, and social justice advocacy into her initiatives, creating transformative experiences that drive real change. Lola is the co-founder of Black Lives Rising Media, a social enterprise dedicated to amplifying Black leadership in Canada, and a Managing Partner of RISE Integrated Sports + Entertainment, a sponsorship/marketing consulting agency built on the bedrock of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

•        LinkedIn: @ lolatsai
•        Instagram: @amplifywithlola
•        Rising Beyond Global Community: https://www.skool.com/risingbeyondglobalcommunity/about 

“What if the key to breaking free from the status quo wasn’t working harder but using laughter as the ultimate tool for resilience, clarity, and leading a life unapologetically true to yourself?”

In this episode of Beyond the Quo, host Stacey Luces sits down with Sam Ghanem, Strategic CEO of SG Inc., co-founder of Let’s Go 180°, and aspiring stand-up comedian. Sam’s story is anything but ordinary—she shares how comedy transformed her life from one of burnout and self-doubt to one of clarity, resilience, and authentic leadership.

Sam’s unique perspective, shaped by her journey from leaving home at 14 to thriving as a multi-faceted entrepreneur, is a masterclass in how vulnerability, humor, and authentic self-expression can redefine success.

Together, they explore the surprising intersections of humor and leadership and how laughter can help reframe challenges, the courage it takes to break free from societal expectations and embrace personal sovereignty and the transformational impact of small shifts—both personal and professional—on creating a life and legacy aligned with your truth.

This episode offers actionable insights on how to navigate life's ups and downs with a light-hearted perspective, reminding us that sometimes, the best way to overcome obstacles is to laugh through them.

In this episode:
• 03:49 Balancing Ambition and Self-Care 
• 07:24 Redefining Boundaries and Expectations
• 21:45 The Role of Humor in Overcoming Adversity
• 28:52 Redefining Success and Breaking Norms
• 36:54 The Power of Self-Reflection, Finding Purpose and Coaching
• 39:29 Embracing Vulnerability and Authenticity
• 45:02 The Importance of Community and Support

If you’re ready to redefine success and embrace authenticity in both your personal and professional life, tune in to this episode. Follow Beyond the Quo for more stories of resilience, courage, and reinvention.

You’ve already done the quo—now let’s go beyond.
Feeling inspired? Don’t keep it to yourself!
• Subscribe to Beyond the Quo and leave a five-star review. 
• Share this episode with someone who’s ready to embrace their next chapter.
• Join the conversation on social media and connect with Stacey and her guests.

Connect with Stacey Luces:
• Website: www.staceyluces.com
• Instagram: @Stacey.Luces ‍@beyondthequopodcast
• Rising Beyond Global Community: https://www.skool.com/risingbeyondglobalcommunity/about
• YouTube: staceyluces/podcasts
• Disclaimer: staceyluces.com/disclaimer

Connect with Sam Ghanem:
• Website: www.thinksgink.com/
• Instagram: @samwghanem @think_sgink_branding
• FB: @thINKsgINK

What if the key to true success wasn’t just hard work, but leading with kindness, embracing vulnerability, and fostering authentic connections?

In this powerful episode of Beyond the Quo, host Stacey Luces sits down with Michael and Dan Nathanson, brothers and business partners who have redefined success in the competitive real estate and mortgage industry. Grounded in family values, intentional networking, and a deep commitment to kindness, the Nathanson brothers share their remarkable journey of building a thriving business while navigating personal growth and midlife transitions.

The conversation delves into how they tackled insecurities, shyness, and the high failure rates in their industry to create a values-driven business, insights into their unique approach to building authentic relationships that drive success and we explore the wealth pyramid and what it truly means to achieve fulfillment beyond material success.

In this episode:

• 03:03 Challenges in the Real Estate Industry 
• 05:44 Overcoming Shyness and Personal Growth
• 10:24 Building Meaningful Relationships
• 15:53 Family Values and Community Impact
• 26:24 Redefining Wealth and Success
• 33:04 Taking Risks and Embracing Change
• 37:03 Practical Advice for Midlife Transitions
• 40:34 Building a Personal Brand and Community

Listeners will learn actionable strategies for overcoming fears, building genuine connections, and redefining success with authenticity and heart. Whether it’s taking bold risks, balancing family and career, or leading with kindness, this episode provides a roadmap for midlifers seeking purpose and growth.

If you’re ready to redefine success and embrace authenticity in both your personal and professional life, tune in to this episode. Share it with someone who could use inspiration to take action, build connections, and live unapologetically. Follow Beyond the Quo for more stories of resilience, courage, and reinvention.

Feeling inspired? Don’t keep it to yourself!

• Subscribe to Beyond the Quo and leave a five star review. 
• Share this episode with someone who’s ready to embrace their next chapter.
• Join the conversation on social media and connect with Stacey, Dan, and Michael.

You’ve already done the quo—now let’s go beyond. 
Connect with Stacey:

• Website: www.staceyluces.com
• YouTube: staceyluces/podcasts
• Instagram: @Stacey.Luces ‍@beyondthequopodcast
• Disclaimer: staceyluces.com/disclaimer

Connect with Dan and Micheal Nathanson:

• Website: www.NathansonBrothers.com
• LinkedIn: @ nathansonbrothers
• Instagram: @ daninboca ‍@ michael_nathanson25

Hook: What if everything you’ve been told about success is actually keeping you stuck? In a world where 70% of midlifers feel trapped in roles that don’t align with their true selves, it’s time to rewrite the rules. In this inaugural guest episode of Beyond the Quo, host Stacey Luces sits down with Sandra Soriano, founder of the lifestyle brand Unapologetic, for an honest and powerful conversation about breaking free from societal expectations and redefining what success looks like in midlife.

For too many midlifers, the stats speak volumes: over 70% of adults feel stuck in roles that don’t align with their true selves, more than 50% of single parents cite financial independence as their biggest challenge, and nearly 60% of women in midlife feel pressured to conform to outdated definitions of success and stability.

Together, Stacey and Sandra explore themes that resonate deeply with anyone questioning the status quo—feeling stuck, navigating major life transitions, and balancing personal growth with external pressures. Sandra shares her transformative journey from a 23-year marriage to becoming a single parent and entrepreneur, offering raw insights into resilience, authenticity, and building a life that truly feels like your own. Sandra’s story, rooted in her personal experiences and her mission through Unapologetic, inspires midlifers to take small, meaningful steps toward creating a life of freedom, empowerment, and joy.

This conversation is more than just inspiration—it’s a roadmap for midlifers who are ready to break free from the constraints of “should” and “must.” Sandra’s story reminds us that transformation doesn’t happen all at once; it’s built through courage, small decisions, and unapologetic living. ‍

In this episode:

• 00:24 | Common Midlife Concerns: Why so many feel stuck and disconnected in midlife. 
• 02:45 | Challenging Traditional Success: Breaking free from external definitions of success.
• 05:47 | Financial Confidence and Single Parenting: Sandra’s journey to independence and building a business.
• 16:17 | Embracing Self-Care and Empowerment: The crucial role of boundaries and self-love.
• 27:48 | Living Unapologetically: How Sandra’s brand and philosophy inspire resilience.
• 30:00 | The Importance of Support Networks: Building communities that lift us up.
• 31:37 | Defining Friendship Tiers: Rethinking relationships and priorities.
• 42:04 | Challenging the Status Quo: A call to redefine life on your own terms.

Feeling inspired? Don’t keep it to yourself! 

• Subscribe to Beyond the Quo and leave a five star review.
• Share this episode with someone who’s ready to redefine success and embrace their next chapter.
• Join the conversation on social media and connect with Stacey and Sandra.

You’ve already done the quo—now let’s go beyond.

Connect with Stacey:
• Website: www.staceyluces.com
• YouTube: staceyluces/podcasts
• Instagram: @Stacey.Luces ‍@beyondthequopodcast
• Disclaimer: staceyluces.com/disclaimer

Connect with Sandra:
• Website: https://unapologetic808.myshopify.com/
• Instagram: @808unapologetic

Hook - "Beyond the Quo: Where Midlife Isn’t the End. It’s the Unwritten Beginning."

What if everything you’ve been chasing—success, stability, approval—was never truly yours to begin with? This is where we unpack the lies of 'having it all' and rewrite the rules for a life that’s unapologetically yours. Join Stacey Luces in Beyond the Quo, a transformative podcast for midlife professionals ready to break free from the weight of societal expectations and live authentically. With raw vulnerability and unflinching honesty, Stacey shares her journey from a high-powered federal career to a life-altering moment on an operating table—a wake-up call that inspired her to abandon the status quo and create a life rooted in purpose and freedom.

This episode dives deep into the pressures of midlife: burnout, anxiety, and the relentless pursuit of “having it all.” Stacey explores how these challenges often leave us feeling unfulfilled despite outward success. Through compelling stories, thought-provoking conversations, and actionable strategies, Beyond the Quo helps listeners redefine success, reclaim their power, and step into a life that feels truly aligned.

Perfect for those who feel restless in the roles they didn’t fully choose, this podcast is an invitation to rise above limitations. Tune in weekly to hear inspiring guests share their journeys of reinvention, practical tools for prioritizing well-being, and bold strategies for breaking free from outdated norms. It’s not just about asking “Is this all there is?”—it’s about answering it with courage, clarity, and authenticity.

You’ve already done ‘the quo’—now it’s time to go beyond.

Connect with Stacey:

• Website: www.staceyluces.com 
• YouTube: staceyluces/podcasts
• Instagram: @Stacey.Luces ‍@beyondthequopodcast
• Disclaimer: staceyluces.com/disclaimer ‍

In this episode:
• 00:57 The Midlife Crisis and Beyond
• 01:49 A Life-Changing Moment
• 02:44 Reinventing My Life
• 04:42 The Beyond Movement
• 06:15 What to Expect from This Podcast
• 09:47 Join the Journey

A sneak peek at what's ahead on BTQ...