#15: Meet Catalina Nguyen this week on Cool Ass People Podcast. Catalina is not just Austin’s go-to food enthusiast, but also a registered nurse in a non-profit organization. We break down how she came from a family with a single mother and six siblings, and leveraged the lessons from having to help raise her siblings to become a registered nurse who helps underprivileged women and their babies transition to motherhood. We also break down her fitness journey, from teaching herself to do the splits at the age of 8, to winning first place in her first bodybuilding competition. While she's renowned for her foodie adventures on Instagram, this episode delves into the captivating narrative preceding her Instagram fame, showcasing her triumphs in nursing and beyond.

#14: Join me in this engaging episode featuring Ella Nilsson, a local Austin artist, studio owner, and skilled handywoman. Gain exclusive insights into the dynamic life of a successful artist and studio owner who fearlessly embraces both the artistry and craftsmanship realms. Explore the challenges of cultivating an artistic style that resonates with the public while remaining authentically true to Ella's original vision. Get ready to be inspired as she shares her process and unwavering passion for hands-on work that transcends traditional canvases. Brace yourself for laughter as we embark on hilarious tangents that will leave you chuckling long after the episode ends.

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#13: This week on Cool Ass People, we interview Dora Zeneth Reynosa, a badass Mexican Artist that is now a Dallas Resident making big waves in the art scene. In this episode, we discuss the connection between art and having spiritual awareness. Art is considered one of the ultimate forms of expression and with that comes the crazy journey to declare yourself an artist. Dora's insightful first-hand description helped me understand a little of what goes into being a successful artist, along with the importance of a solid support system.

#12: In this interview, we take a deep dive into the career of an individual who started as a cook,  worked their way through prep cooking, and ended up leading kitchen operations for twenty years. What makes his story truly extraordinary is how he fuses his collective experiences in life into his cuisine.

Join us as we explore his culinary journey where he got a chance to encounter a mentor at La Madeline, and the pivotal decision to embark on a journey to culinary school. From mastering the basics and delving into the history of cuisine, Erik’s passion and obsession for cooking excellence are evident.

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#10 Thalia and I discuss the careful consideration and self-awareness it takes to market yourself as your brand. By defining your personal values, strengths, and unique qualities you can start to foster a true community and tap into your full potential. 

Thalia has established a tight-knit community, by embracing her authenticity and transparency as core elements of her personal brand. We discuss how these qualities are often key to building strong and genuine connections with others that will often open up other doors in life. 

We also touch on when other doors in life close, and how to pivot and evolve in any industry while staying true to yourself and your core values. We hope this episode provides a foundation for creating a brand/ authenticity that resonates with both individuals and the community, but most of all yourself.

More from Thalia:

#8: Owner of Mithaas @mithaas_pk, Prarthan shares his wisdom on pursuing your passions while staying true to your roots. Join us for a deep dive into embracing intuition, starting with simple steps that evolve into masterful creations.

What sets PK apart? He effortlessly achieves beauty through simplicity, showing us how not to overcomplicate our creative journey. Patience and a focus on the process, not just the destination, are his secrets to success.

I've personally drawn inspiration from PK's playbook in life, making success feel attainable and enjoyable. If you ever wonder 'What would PK do?' in your creative endeavors, this conversation is a must-watch!

Let's dive into PK's journey and discover the path to creative freedom together

#7: Bylasan Shalabi is a Palestinian aspiring architect and owner of Byla Woodworks. Bylasan works at Lake Flato during the week, all while running Byla Woodworks in her free time.Through our conversation, we break down what it takes to balance having a full-time job while pursuing your passion. We then dive into breaking down how to follow your intuition to maximize your output and maintain the highest level of fulfillment.  Byla's astute insights reveal the keys to mastering self-awareness, body, and mind – forging a path to equilibrium and achievement that transcends her years.

#6: In this episode, we have the pleasure of introducing you to Karis Bishop, a super talented, female interior designer who leverages her sensibility to proportion, materiality, and storytelling to create beautiful ceramics. Her thoughtfulness shows in the contextually rich products she creates and markets. Listen in as we discuss how her education and travels around the world start to inform her pursuit of craft and handmade charm added to each project. If you thought it was hard enough to just create a beautiful product, Karis takes it a step further by having aesthetically pleasing, well executed color palettes matched by the attention to detail in each proportioned picture. Enjoy.

More from Karis: Instagram: Karis Bishop (@karisbee) | Instagram and Karis (@karis.texas) | Instagram Shop her ceramic on Etsy at: KarisTexas - Etsy