Brave Enough to Be

Big news on the podcast today: I’m taking a break! I’ve decided to take the month of April off from releasing new episodes, for a couple of reasons — all which I talk about in today’s episode, of course — but mostly because I needed more space.

Yes, in this moment in time where I seemingly have more space in my life than I ever have before . . . I need more.

I assumed when this all began — when we first found out that we were pretty much forced to stay inside and cut back on all of the activities we’d normally fill our lives with — that I would relish the opportunity to spend more time on my personal projects like this one; that I would fill that extra space with the opportunity to show up more, to work harder. 

But all that this extra space has shown me is how badly I want to pause; how much I need to take a step back and clear certain things from my life so that I am even more clear on what I want to put back into it.

In today’s episode, I dive deeper into:

• Why forced pattern interrupt — like quarantining to stop the spread of a virus — can be a good thing
• How and when I first realized I needed a break
• Why it’s historically been so hard for me to stop doing something once I’ve started
• What I’ve learned about why taking a break — or stopping something altogether — can be so valuable
• Why this break isn’t just about resting for me, but about making room in my life
• What I plan to do while I’m not sharing new podcast episodes every week
• . . . and even more :)

I promise this is not an April Fool’s Joke! It’s a much-needed pause and reset on this podcast that I love so dearly (and if you don’t believe me, I’ll remind you like 17 times in this episode). 

I’m excited for some time away and I’m excited for whatever’s next when this break is over!

In the meantime, please stay connected by signing up for my weekly missives in the Sunday Night Newsletter! And if you have any feedback for me on how I can make this podcast even better for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out :)

I’ll miss you this next month! I hope you stay safe, stay healthy, and I’ll talk to you again soon.

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Follow Me:

Website

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Other Notable Links:

Brave Enough to Be - Episode 16

Goodreads

Karissa Kouchis

Sunday Night Newsletter

Enneagram

CREDITS

Editing & Sound Engineering: Jordan Johansen

Music: “Kenton” by Dr Crosby (Licensed via Marmoset)

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Dr. Monikah Ogando.

Dr. Monikah is CEO and Founder of the award winning firm CEO Mastery, an executive and leadership development firm working with exceptional leaders who want to elevate brand position, engage their people, and increase profits while honoring their true purpose. 

In addition to Dr. Monikah’s success with CEO Mastery she took her first company to rank as one of Inc 500's fastest growing private companies in the United States. She is the author of 3 books, twice a TEDx speaker and keynotes in the areas of leadership, marketing and communication.

With a background in finance and holding two doctorates, in Psychology and in Comparative Religions, Dr. Monikah has become a foremost authority in building sustainable, leveraged and profitable enterprises. 

And as an Organizational Psychologist & Leadership Coach, Dr. Monikah matches data with dharma, results with relationships and leadership with service. She has served as a mentor to entrepreneurs through MicroMentor USA, to emerging women leaders through Women for Women International, Girls, Inc., as well as Big Brother Big Sister, and she regularly mentors business owners through her Thrive Tribe growing online community.  

Dr. Monikah has had the most intriguing and inspiring life journey, and today we talk about what she has learned — and what she now teaches — from the different ups and downs that life provided her.

We also talk about:

• What moving from the Dominican Republic to the US taught her about taking the right next steps when you can’t see the whole journey ahead

• How she went from being an executive assistant at a financial services company to creating her own training curriculum to becoming an Inc. 500-recognized entrepreneur and finance coach 

• What getting cancer taught her (and healed within her) about her relationship to the feminine and motherhood and internalized misogyny — and why she says it was the best thing to ever happen to her

• How your chakras can you show you what to do next in uncertain times — in your business and in your life

• . . . and so much more.

Dr. Monikah is also just bright and brilliant and funny and radiates warmth and kindness. It was truly an honor to get to share space with her for this conversation. 

I’m so grateful to have been connected to Dr. Monikah. I learned so much from her and from our conversation and I’m sure you will too.

—

Follow Monikah:

• Facebook

• Twitter

• Instagram

• LinkedIn

• Free Gift for Brave Enough to Be Listeners

CREDITS

Editing & Sound Engineering: Jordan Johansen

Music: “Kenton” by Dr Crosby (Licensed via Marmoset)

This solo episode was inspired by something that’s been on my mind recently — why I’m so resistant to rest.

While the rapid spread of COVID-19 has kept me indoors and created newfound space in my schedule, I’ve started to recognize how desperate I am to fill that space with productivity — new projects, more work, online classes, a new workout — instead of giving myself the opportunity to pause, get present, rest, and reassess who I am and how I want to show up for myself and my communities.

In today’s episode, I dive deeper into:

• Why resting is so hard — for me personally, but also for a lot of people
• Why rest is so necessary, physically, mentally, and spiritually
• Why I’m giving myself permission to binge-watch mindless television (Love Is Blind, anyone?)
• How we can find the balance between resting and getting shit done
• Why resting is actually an act of bravery

While being productive seems like an admirable character quality, it’s not all that impressive when it keeps you from taking care of yourself and connecting with the people you care about.

Today’s episode is really me teaching you what I need to hear — and I think perhaps you may need to hear it too.

Let’s be brave enough to rest in this crazy, chaotic, uncertain time — and learn that it’s okay to rest in the future, too.

I hope you enjoy my ramblings on rest! :) And I hope you’re staying healthy (and staying inside) out there.

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Follow Me:

• Website
• Instagram

Other Notable Links:

• Sunday Night Newsletter
• Enneagram
• Love is Blind
• Brave Enough to Be Instagram

CREDITS

Editing & Sound Engineering: Jordan Johansen

Music: “Kenton” by Dr Crosby (Licensed via Marmoset)

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Laura Gevanter.

Laura Gevanter is a PSYCH-K® Facilitator, a Conscious Alignment intuitive Coach, a workshop leader, and retreat host.

She has a Psychology degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and Life Coaching certification from the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching in New York City. And she has completed the Basic, Advanced and Health & Wellness PSYCH-K™ workshop trainings. 

Since 2006, she has been working with clients to become conscious of the interconnection between body, mind and soul. By examining the beliefs that may be limiting them, gaining clarity on what they want and then transforming those beliefs into supportive ones, many have experienced extraordinary results. 

Today Laura and I talk about what PSYCH-K is and the powerful transformational work that it’s used for; we talk about limiting beliefs — how to identify them and how to reprogram them; and we talk about the unique blend of science and spirituality that informs all of Laura’s work.

We also talk about:

• How (and why) to get into a whole brain state while doing PSYCH-K
• The difference between Newtonian and Quantum physics — and how the latter explains more spiritual theories like the Law of Attraction
• How and why she uses muscle testing (in person and remotely) to determine whether a belief has truly been reprogrammed
• Why this work has made her so much more compassionate
• The sad reason that many people will live their whole lives without changing
• . . . and so much more.

Laura’s work is fascinating and I am so excited to share our conversation with you — and hopefully, have my own PSYCH-K session soon too!

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Follow Laura:

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Laura’s Podcast

Other Notable Links:

• Brave Enough to Be Episode 3: Stephanie St. Claire
• PSYCH-K Centre International
• The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks
• Dr. Bruce Lipton
• Human Design

CREDITS

Editing & Sound Engineering: Jordan Johansen

Music: “Kenton” by Dr Crosby (Licensed via Marmoset)

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Kara Cutruzzula (rhymes with Methuselah).

Kara is a writer in New York who works across many different creative platforms. 

As a journalist, she's been a writer and editor for The Daily Beast, Newsweek, Billboard, Tasting Table, and MONEY magazine. Her writing about work, productivity, and creativity has been featured in the New York Times, TIME, Medium, and other publications. 

She also writes plays and lyrics for musical theater, and is currently a member of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop. 

For the past three years, she's written a weekday newsletter called Brass Ring Daily, which exists to encourage people to work on their own creative projects.

And her motivational journal called Do It For Yourself, a collaboration with designer Tessa Forrest, will be published in September by Abrams Noterie and is available for pre-order now!

Today Kara and I talk about how to listen (and commit) to your creative urges and how creative constraints actually give us more freedom.

We talk about how she found her way to writing when she never considered that path as a kid and why she loves musical theater (as an audience member and a creator).

We also talk about:

• Why she started Brass Ring Daily, her newsletter that Lifehacker called “a life coach in your inbox” — and why she decided to send it out every single weekday
• The behind the scenes on how she finds and creates the content that helps her get newsletter out every day
• The linear but lengthy way she climbs the steps of the ladder toward a new creative pursuit
• What she does with all of her creative ideas to ensure they move beyond the idea stage (or make their way out of her head)
• . . . and so much more.

Kara’s writing and work has brought so much joy and inspiration to my creative life, and I’m really excited to share our conversation knowing it will likely bring the same to yours!

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Follow Kara:

• Website
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Brass Ring Daily Newsletter
• Do It For Yourself: A Motivational Journal

Other Notable Links:

• Our Stop by Laura Jane Williams
• Open Book by Jessica Simpson
• Sunday Night Newsletter
• Brave Enough to Be Episode 5: Erin Claire Jones
• Evernote

CREDITS

Editing & Sound Engineering: Jordan Johansen

Music: “Kenton” by Dr Crosby (Licensed via Marmoset)

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Lisa Governo-Hurd.

Lisa is a retired LAPD Police Detective, a wife, a sister, a friend, and a mother to two wonderful children — one of whom is me :)

Today my mom and I talk about what it was like being a single mother in her early twenties, how she parented two very different children in a way that allowed us both to develop into our own people, and why she believes that parents shouldn’t demand respect from their children. 

We talk about the intuitive way she found the perfect professional path for her, the importance of bringing empathy to your job — and to all of your interactions, and the value of consistency in your work and in your life.

We also talk about:

• The role her childhood played in shaping the mother and professional that she became
• Why she believes she developed such close relationships with my brother and me
• What she wants people to know about police officers and how she feels police officers should approach the work that they do
• What women often uniquely bring to their roles in law enforcement
• What the next phase of her life looks like after 30+ years in the same career and raising children
• Who her favorite kid is ;)
• The big, brave step I didn’t even know she wanted to take!
• . . . and so much more.

Though I often fangirl over the woman I am lucky enough to call my mother, our conversation reminded me of how truly thoughtful, empathetic, and inspiring she is. 

I have learned SO much from her over the course of my life, and I continued to learn about her and from her in this conversation.

I hope you find as much value in our conversation — and in our relationship to each other — as I have throughout my life.

—

Other Notable Links:

• Brave Enough to Be Episode 11: Jessica Ciencin Henriquez

CREDITS

Editing & Sound Engineering: Jordan Johansen

Music: “Kenton” by Dr Crosby (Licensed via Marmoset)

Welcome to the second solo episode of Brave Enough to Be!

On today’s episode, I’m sharing what I originally thought this episode would be about — why I’ve been so resistant to wearing my hair in it’s naturally, wildly curly state — and then, dive deeper into what’s underneath that resistance instead. Beyond that, I talk about the reasons underneath why we do anything that no longer feels good to us (or don’t do the things that do feel good).

Throughout the episode, I share:

• Why it’s so important to dig deep into the places where we’re resistant, afraid, or simply feel stuck

• How to start looking underneath and identifying the benefits, beliefs, and negative stories that we’re telling ourselves — and start telling some new ones

• Why it’s so hard to dig deeper and where you can start looking today

• . . . and lots more!

I love sharing these short, solo episodes with you — and I hope that my sharing will help support you too!

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Follow Me:

• Sunday Night Newsletter

• Website

• Instagram

Other Notable Links:

• Brave Enough to Be Episode 7 with Jen Underwood

• Powell’s Books

• Brave Enough to Be Episode 11 with Jessica Ciencin Henriquez

• Russell Wilson & Ciara Article

• Brave Enough to Be Instagram

CREDITS

Editing & Sound Engineering: Jordan Johansen

Music: “Kenton” by Dr Crosby (Licensed via Marmoset)

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Jessica Ciencin Henriquez.

Jessica is a writer (yes, I very clearly have a podcast guest type), editor, and teacher who is best known for her personal essays and narrative journalism, with pieces that have been featured in the New York Times’ Modern Love column, Self Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Teen Vogue, Time, and Parents, among many others. Her essays have also been featured in multiple anthologies, including: Oprah's Little Guide to The Big Questions. She is the author of the forthcoming memoir: If You Loved Me You Would Know, and she currently lives and writes in Bali.

Today, Jess and I talk about writing, of course, but it goes so much deeper than that: We talk about moving past the fear of judgment; having hard, honest conversations; deepening our empathy for and curiosity about the people around us; and designing the lives we want to live.

We also talk about:

• How a Craigslist ad became her most popular piece of writing
• How she shifts her own negative beliefs
• How teaching writing became a masterclass on teaching life
• Why she chose to move to Bali and how the move has already changed her
• Why her brave next step will require her to finally put down roots
• . . . and so much more.

In this conversation, Jess showcases what it looks like to live a life of intention: to choose who you want to be and how you want to show up and the impact you want to have in the world — and then to choose actions every single day that align with that vision. She doesn’t claim to be perfect at it, but I was so inspired by her example!

Our conversation reminded me of the good in everyone around me (and in myself!) and in every experience I’ve ever had. I hope this conversation inspires you to see that — and believe that — too.

—

Follow Jess:

• Website
• Instagram
• Twitter

Other Notable Links:

• Sunday Night Newsletter
• Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo
• Jess’ Craigslist Post
• Jess’ Modern Love Essay

CREDITS

Editing & Sound Engineering: Jordan Johansen

Music: “Kenton” by Dr Crosby (Licensed via Marmoset)

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Kerry Graham.

Kerry is an incredibly invested teacher and a great writer — and she is one of the first followers of this very podcast who wasn’t my best friend or my mom :)

Kerry is also a writer, with work appearing in several publications including the Huffington Post and Thought Catalog, and a weekly collaborative newsletter she founded called In This Together. 

Today Kerry and I talk about why bravery is a discipline — and how she builds that muscle through practicing being brave every single day, with her students, in her writing, by taking care of her mental health, and more.

We also talk about:

• How (and why) she became a teacher after swearing she’d never be one
• The ways that her high school students encourage and inspire her to be brave
• Why she decided to write and share publicly about her decision not to have kids
• How she’s started to shift away from letting other people’s opinions influence her

In this conversation, Kerry helps to highlight that being brave doesn’t always look like the big, sweeping, life-changing-in-a-split-second actions we sometimes assume it does. 

Being brave also looks like choosing to own your decisions about your body and your life, taking care of your mental health, and sharing the things we feel the most shame about.

Kerry and I share so much in common as writers and as humans, and I’m really grateful that we got to share in conversation about the really beautiful and brave ways that she shows up in the world.

In today’s conversation with Kerry, I hope you got to see the seemingly small (but actually very big) ways you can practice being brave in your own life starting right now.

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Follow Kerry:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• In This Together Newsletter

Other Notable Links:

• Kerry’s Decision to Remain Child-Free Essay
• Kerry’s People-Pleasing Essay
• Kerry’s Anxiety Essay
• Kerry’s Interview on Maybe Someday

CREDITS

Editing & Sound Engineering: Jordan Johansen

Music: “Kenton” by Dr Crosby (Licensed via Marmoset)

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Octavia Sisley.

Octavia and I first met as riders at RevCycle, a cycling studio in Los Angeles. We later worked together in the studio, often folding towels side-by-side in the early 5am shifts. 

A little over two years ago, Octavia’s body began to suddenly and rapidly shut down. She quickly found herself blind, paralyzed, and suffering from constant chronic pain that doctors couldn’t explain.

While she was eventually blanket-diagnosed with fibromyalgia, she soon learned that she was suffering from a mind-body illness called TMS or Conversion Disorder, a mental condition that causes devastating neurological symptoms that can’t be explained by medical evaluation.

Today Octavia and I talk about what she’s learned from the unthinkably hard reality of these last few years, how she began to recover, and how she continues to motivate herself to turn her pain into purpose every single day.

We also talk about:

• How and why her body started to shut down after the loss of her two brothers
• The experience of her body shutting down and living with chronic pain, paralysis, and blindness, day in and day out for two years
• How she began her own recovery and kept her determination strong even as doctors couldn’t figure out how to treat her or outright didn’t believe her
• How she’s doing now, just four months after standing again for the first time in two years
• . . . and so much more!

Octavia is such a brave warrior superhero human, and I am constantly in awe of her and how she shows up in the world.

If you’ve ever suffered from chronic pain — or even the pain of heartbreak — I know you’ll be moved and inspired by her resilience and her message of hope and healing.

—

Follow Octavia:

• Instagram
• Octavia’s GoFundMe

CREDITS

Editing & Sound Engineering: Jordan Johansen

Music: “Kenton” by Dr Crosby (Licensed via Marmoset)