Elevated Focus

What would you do if someone told you you'd never be good enough to succeed?

For photographer Debra Rothenberg, being told she'd never make it didn't stop her from pursuing the career she loved. But the journey that followed took her places she could never have imagined.

In this episode of Elevated Focus, Julia sits down with Debra to explore following your passion, overcoming rejection, breaking barriers as a woman and the power of lifting others up along the way. From photographing some of music's biggest names to building a community of women supporting women, Debra shares the unexpected moments, people and decisions that shaped her career.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How one unexpected summer school experience changed the direction of Debra's life
• Being told she'd never succeed and what made her keep going anyway
• The unexpected opportunity that opened doors in the music industry
• How Debra turned her passion for Bruce Springsteen into a remarkable photography career
• Why taking risks and not accepting rejection led to some of her biggest opportunities
• The mentors who shaped Debra's journey and the lessons she still carries with her
• Why Debra believes her career really took off in her forties
• The challenges of being a woman in a male dominated industry
• What inspired Debra to create a community for female photographers
• Why helping other women succeed has become one of her proudest achievements
• The unexpected ways Debra found purpose and connection during the pandemic
• How her mother's encouragement shaped the woman she became
• Why Debra is questioning what it means to leave a legacy

Connect with Julia:

At the heart of Elevated Focus are conversations that remind women that we don't have to follow one path, fit into one role or have everything figured out.

And that's at the heart of Julia's work as a photographer and visual storyteller, too.

Julia helps women capture who they are in this chapter of their lives whether you're growing a business, stepping into something new or simply ready to feel seen as you again.

If you're ready to tell your story through photography or video, connect with Julia to find out more about working together.

Website: https://www.juliaxanthosliddy.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliaxanthosliddy/

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Debra Rothenberg

Website: https://debrarothenberg.com/

And if this conversation resonated with you, follow or subscribe to Elevated Focus, leave a review and share this episode with another woman who might need the reminder.

Post production: Kellie Ashton

What if the thing you've spent your whole life hiding could become your greatest strength?

For years, Tiffany Grant hid her vitiligo, until an unexpected encounter with a stranger completely changed how she saw herself.

In this episode of Elevated Focus, Julia and Tiffany explore self confidence, motherhood, embracing what makes you different and the power of kindness. From hiding her insecurities to finding an unexpected purpose, Tiffany shares how one moment can change everything.

In this episode, we talk about:

• What it was like growing up with vitiligo and the ways Tiffany tried to hide her skin
• The unexpected conversation with a stranger that changed how Tiffany saw herself
• The moment Tiffany realised just how much control her insecurities had over her life
• How one small decision opened doors Tiffany never expected
• What happened when Tiffany began sharing the very thing she'd spent years hiding
• Why finding people who understand your experiences can be life changing
• The unexpected identity struggle Tiffany faced when she stepped away from her advocacy work
• How becoming a mother brought up fears Tiffany thought she'd left behind
• The surprising way Tiffany's children see the very thing she once struggled to accept
• Why one experience on a New York subway has stayed with Tiffany for years
• How a simple act of generosity brought Julia and Tiffany together
• The neighbourhood project that started with one family and became something much bigger
• What Tiffany hopes her children will learn about kindness, compassion and accepting others
• The new passion Tiffany is exploring and where it might take her next

Connect with Julia:

At the heart of Elevated Focus are conversations that remind women that we don't have to follow one path, fit into one role or have everything figured out.

And that's at the heart of Julia's work as a photographer and visual storyteller, too.

Julia helps women capture who they are in this chapter of their lives whether you're growing a business, stepping into something new or simply ready to feel seen as you again.

If you're ready to tell your story through photography or video, connect with Julia to find out more about working together.

Website: https://www.juliaxanthosliddy.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliaxanthosliddy/

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Tiffany Grant

Website: https://www.itscalledvitiligo.com

https://livingdappled.com/

https://www.vitfriends.org/

And if this conversation resonated with you, follow or subscribe to Elevated Focus, leave a review and share this episode with another woman who might need the reminder.

Post production: Kellie Ashton

How do you find the strength to keep going when life changes in ways you could never have imagined?

In this deeply personal episode of Elevated Focus, Julia sits down with Maro Mitilinou for a powerful conversation about grief, faith, motherhood and finding strength through life's most difficult moments.

From growing up on the Greek island of Ikaria to experiencing unimaginable loss, Maro shares the experiences that completely changed how she sees life and the promise that continues to push her forward today.

This is a conversation about love, resilience, the signs we choose to believe in and what it really means to keep going when your life no longer looks the way you thought it would.

One story in particular left Julia speechless and it's one you need to hear from Maro herself.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The lessons Maro carried with her from growing up on the Greek island of Ikaria
• The moment Maro’s life changed in a way she never could have prepared for
• A promise she made to her son that still drives her today
• Where Maro found the strength to keep going when giving up would have felt easier
• The experience that made her question everything she believed about faith, grief and the signs around us
• One unexpected moment at the cemetery that brought Maro a sense of peace she couldn’t explain
• Why she believes our connection with the people we lose doesn’t simply disappear
• How grief completely changed the way Maro looks at everyday problems and life itself
• The place that became an unexpected form of therapy during one of the darkest periods of her life
• Why taking care of yourself isn’t selfish especially when other people rely on you
• The advice from Maro’s great grandmother that she didn’t understand as a teenager but lives by today
• How Maro turned her own experiences into a deeper desire to support and care for other women
• The conversation Maro had just days before her son died that she still replays today
• And the words she hears whenever she feels like she can’t keep going

Connect with Julia:

At the heart of Elevated Focus are conversations that remind women that we don't have to follow one path, fit into one role or have everything figured out.

And that's at the heart of Julia's work as a photographer and visual storyteller, too.

Julia helps women capture who they are in this chapter of their lives whether you're growing a business, stepping into something new or simply ready to feel seen as you again.

If you're ready to tell your story through photography or video, connect with Julia to find out more about working together.

Website: https://www.juliaxanthosliddy.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliaxanthosliddy/

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Maro Mitilinou

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/maro_holistic_esthetic

Website: www.slopewellnessny.com

And if this conversation resonated with you, follow or subscribe to Elevated Focus, leave a review and share this episode with another woman who might need the reminder.

Post production: Kellie Ashton

Have you ever had an idea you know you want to pursue but somehow keep finding reasons not to start?

In this episode of Elevated Focus, Julia sits down with writer, teacher, writing coach and internationally published poet Lisa Cappiello for a conversation about creativity, self belief and what really stops us from bringing our ideas into the world.

Together, Julia and Lisa explore the resistance so many of us experience when we're about to do something that matters to us: the fear, comparison, perfectionism and that little voice asking, “Who am I to do this?”

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why the biggest thing standing between you and your creative idea might actually be you
• The fear based thoughts that tell us we're not good enough
• Why creativity requires both inner work and practical action
• How to stop comparing your work to what everybody else is doing
• Why Lisa believes getting published is more attainable than many people realise
• How meditation, breathwork and journaling can help unlock creativity
• Learning to recognise and trust your intuition
• The difference between intuition and fear
• Julia's own creative project and why she hasn't started it yet
• Why accountability can help turn an idea into something real
• The power of finding a creative community where you feel safe enough to share
• What it means to stop apologising for being “different” and fully own who you are
• How the beliefs we developed when we were younger can continue to limit us as adults
• Learning to speak to yourself with the same kindness you naturally give other people
• Self love, ageing, body image and navigating perimenopause
• Why Lisa sees creativity as an act of service, rather than something that needs to prove your worth
• How one small opportunity at The Bookmark Shop turned into more than a decade of teaching and helping hundreds of people

And perhaps that's the reminder to take from this week's conversation: You don't have to know exactly where your idea will take you. You just have to be willing to begin.

Connect with Julia:

At the heart of Elevated Focus are conversations that remind women that we don't have to follow one path, fit into one role or have everything figured out.

And that's at the heart of Julia's work as a photographer and visual storyteller, too.

Julia helps women capture who they are in this chapter of their lives whether you're growing a business, stepping into something new or simply ready to feel seen as you again.

If you're ready to tell your story through photography or video, connect with Julia to find out more about working together.

Website: https://www.juliaxanthosliddy.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliaxanthosliddy/

Email: [email protected]

Book shop website: bookmarkshoppe.com

Connect with Lisa Cappiello

Instagram: Lisa Cappiello

Email: [email protected]

Lisa’s writing workshop: https://bookmarkshoppe.com/event/2026-09-14/fall-2026-writing-workshop

And if this conversation resonated with you, follow or subscribe to Elevated Focus, leave a review and share this episode with another woman who might need the reminder that she is so much more than the roles she plays.

Post production: Kellie Ashton

What happens when the faith you grew up with becomes something you choose for yourself?

In this episode of Elevated Focus, Julia sits down with Stefani, creator and host of That Orthodox Mama, for an honest conversation about faith, motherhood, marriage and learning to trust God's plan.

Stefani shares how growing up Greek Orthodox gave her a strong foundation, but it wasn't until adulthood that she began questioning what her faith actually meant to her.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Growing up Greek Orthodox and rediscovering your faith as an adult
• The unexpected moment in Penn Station that made Stefani question how confidently she was living her faith
• Why motherhood can completely change your relationship with faith
• Learning to let go of control and trust that life doesn't always have to follow your plan
• Stefani's story of meeting her husband and building a marriage with faith at its foundation
• The conversations couples should have before marriage about faith, values and how they want to raise a family
• Why Stefani narrowed her relationship non negotiables down to two things: belief in God and respect
• Looking at the qualities you want in a partner and asking whether you're cultivating those same qualities within yourself
• Why taking care of your body can be an act of nourishment rather than punishment or restriction
• Stefani's decision to stop drinking alcohol and what it taught her about facing things rather than numbing them
• The role of women within the Orthodox Church and recognising the individual gifts we each have to offer
• How Julia found a way to use her gift of photography to serve her own church
• WhyStefani started That Orthodox Mama and found the courage to share her faith publicly
• Using social media as a force for connection rather than being afraid of putting yourself out there
• Why it's never too late to change direction, reconnect with your faith or become a different version of yourself

Connect with Julia:

At the heart of Elevated Focus are conversations that remind women that we don't have to follow one path, fit into one role or have everything figured out.

And that's at the heart of Julia's work as a photographer and visual storyteller, too.

Julia helps women capture who they are in this chapter of their lives whether you're growing a business, stepping into something new or simply ready to feel seen as you again.

If you're ready to tell your story through photography or video, connect with Julia to find out more about working together.

Website: https://www.juliaxanthosliddy.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliaxanthosliddy/

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Stefani

Instagram: Thatorthodoxmama

And if this conversation resonated with you, follow or subscribe to Elevated Focus, leave a review and share this episode with another woman who might need this story.

Post production: Kellie Ashton

What if grief isn't something we need to “get over” but something we learn to navigate?

In this episode of Elevated Focus, Julia sits down with transformational life and grief coach Adrienne Petrino for an honest conversation about grief in all its forms.

It's a vulnerable conversation about loss, love, change, community and learning to make space for whatever you're feeling.

In this episode, we're talking about:

• Why grief isn't limited to death and can appear after betrayal, divorce, job loss and other unwanted changes
• How grief can show up physically through stress, tension, headaches and other sensations in the body
• Grieving someone who is still alive
• Why uncomfortable emotions aren't necessarily “negative” and what happens when we start treating them as information
• What to say when someone you love is grieving and you're terrified of saying the wrong thing
• Why supporting someone doesn't always mean trying to fix what they're going through
• Adrienne's experience of losing both of her parents and how differently grief can appear throughout our lives
• Julia's experience of losing her cousin Peter at 16 and the role faith has played in her grieving process
• Why there isn't a timeline for “getting over” someone you love
• How grief can coexist with happiness, laughter, love and joy
• The importance of community when grief and major life changes can feel incredibly isolating
• How Adrienne's own healing journey eventually led her to become a transformational life and grief coach
• Creating space to understand what you need rather than what other people think you should need

Connect with Julia:

At the heart of Elevated Focus are conversations that remind women that we don't have to follow one path, fit into one role or have everything figured out.

And that's at the heart of Julia's work as a photographer and visual storyteller, too.

Julia helps women capture who they are in this chapter of their lives whether you're growing a business, stepping into something new or simply ready to feel seen as you again.

If you're ready to tell your story through photography or video, connect with Julia to find out more about working together.

Website: https://www.juliaxanthosliddy.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliaxanthosliddy/

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Adrienne:

Website:   adriennepetrino.com.

Instagram: Adriennepetrino

Benjamin Hardy: Willpower Doesn't Work: Discover the Hidden Keys to Success

And if this conversation resonated with you, follow or subscribe to Elevated Focus, leave a review and share this episode with another woman who might need the reminder that she is so much more than the roles she plays.

Post production: Kellie Ashton

What happens when one of the most traumatic days of your life ultimately changes the direction of your entire future?

In this episode of Elevated Focus, Julia sits down with Erica Ginger, founder and owner of Owl’s Head Yoga, to talk about surviving 9/11, healing through yoga, becoming a young mother, trusting your intuition and eventually building a business rooted in community and purpose. It’s a powerful conversation about trauma, faith, motherhood and learning to listen to the voice within.

This is a conversation about the moments that change us, the whispers we sometimes ignore, and what can happen when we finally learn to trust ourselves.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Erica's experience surviving September 11th and how it changed her life
• Processing trauma and finding healing through therapy and yoga
• Why learning to trust your intuition has become such an important part of Erica's life
• Becoming a mother at 16 and how motherhood shaped the woman she became
• Losing loved ones, looking for signs and feeling connected to something beyond ourselves
• Navigating religion, spirituality and yoga without feeling like you have to choose between them
• Leaving the world of finance and eventually finding the confidence to become a yoga teacher and business owner
• Prenatal yoga, birth advocacy and helping women feel empowered during pregnancy and labour
• Giving yourself grace during the first year of motherhood and learning to accept your postpartum body as a new version of yourself
• Building Owl's Head Yoga as an inclusive, non judgmental community where people can use yoga as a tool to navigate life

Connect with Julia:

At the heart of Elevated Focus are conversations that remind women that we don't have to follow one path, fit into one role or have everything figured out.

And that's at the heart of Julia's work as a photographer and visual storyteller, too.

Julia helps women capture who they are in this chapter of their lives whether you're growing a business, stepping into something new or simply ready to feel seen as you again.

If you're ready to tell your story through photography or video, connect with Julia to find out more about working together.

Website: https://www.juliaxanthosliddy.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliaxanthosliddy/

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Erica Ginger:

Website:  owlsheadyoga.com.

And if this conversation resonated with you, follow or subscribe to Elevated Focus, leave a review and share this episode with another woman who might need the reminder that she is so much more than the roles she plays.

Post production: Kellie Ashton

Who were you before you became someone's mom, wife, colleague, caregiver or everything to everyone?

In this episode of Elevated Focus, Julia sits down with paediatrician, mother and entrepreneur Dr. Tali Caronia for an incredibly honest conversation about what it means to build a full life without losing yourself somewhere along the way.

Tali's path hasn't exactly been conventional. She originally planned to become a lawyer before an unexpected interest in medicine changed everything, leading her to completely switch direction and eventually build a career caring for children at Maimonides Hospital.

But this conversation goes far beyond her career.

From changing careers and raising boys to fitness, faith, friendship, entrepreneurship and doing things that scare you, this is a conversation about allowing yourself to be more than one thing.

If you're juggling a career, children, relationships and responsibilities and wondering where you fit into all of it, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why you can't be the perfect mother, wife, friend, professional and daughter all at once and why that's okay.
• The importance of giving yourself grace when you're juggling multiple roles.
• Remembering who you were before the titles of "mom," "wife" and your career took over.
• Letting go of mom guilt and creating boundaries around the things you need for yourself.
• Working on the frontline during COVID and the experiences that changed her outlook on life.
• The importance of community, connection and having other women in your corner.
• Allowing your children to find their own path and Tali's family's beautiful experience with faith and religion.
• Why doing something that scares you can help you continue evolving and growing.
• Starting a business alongside an already incredibly busy career and discovering another side of herself in the process.
• Why women don't have to fit neatly into one box.

Connect with Julia:

At the heart of Elevated Focus are conversations that remind women that we don't have to follow one path, fit into one role or have everything figured out.

And that's at the heart of Julia's work as a photographer and visual storyteller, too.

Julia helps women capture who they are in this chapter of their lives whether you're growing a business, stepping into something new or simply ready to feel seen as you again.

If you're ready to tell your story through photography or video, connect with Julia to find out more about working together.

Website: https://www.juliaxanthosliddy.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliaxanthosliddy/

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Dr Tali:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blacklotusmedical/

And if this conversation resonated with you, follow or subscribe to Elevated Focus, leave a review and share this episode with another woman who might need the reminder that she is so much more than the roles she plays.

Post production: Kellie Ashton

When was the last time you truly put yourself first?

Not because everything else was done, but because you realised you matter too.

In this episode of Elevated Focus, Julia sits down with health and wellness coach Cristina Rosenthal for a heartfelt conversation about self- care, perimenopause, boundaries and learning to reconnect with yourself in a world that constantly asks women to give more.

Together, Julia and Cristina explore why so many women spend years putting themselves at the bottom of the list, how our bodies naturally change through different seasons of life, and why perimenopause doesn't have to be something we fear, it can become an invitation to slow down, tune in and start caring for ourselves in a whole new way.

Whether you're navigating a career change, raising children, building a business or simply feeling like you've lost touch with yourself, this conversation is a beautiful reminder that taking care of yourself isn't selfish.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why so many women struggle to prioritise themselves without feeling guilty.
• Cristina's mission to help women reconnect with themselves through simple, sustainable habits.
• The connection between our mind, body and intuition and why slowing down matters.
• What every woman should know about perimenopause before she experiences it.
• Why the habits that worked in your twenties may no longer serve you in your forties.
• How cycle syncing can support your energy, creativity and wellbeing.
• Building healthier routines without trying to change your whole life overnight.
• The power of community, walking and finding accountability with other women.
• Meditation, mindfulness and protecting your mental wellbeing during life's busiest seasons.
• Learning to pause, listen to your intuition and trust what your body is trying to tell you.
• Why boundaries become one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself.
• The importance of gratitude, selfcompassion and embracing every new chapter with curiosity instead of fear

Connect with Julia:

If today's conversation reminded you that your story deserves to be seen, I'd love to help you tell it.

Whether you're launching a business, stepping into a new season of life, or simply ready to show up more confidently, I create photography and films that capture the heart of who you are and the story you're building.

Website: https://www.juliaxanthosliddy.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliaxanthosliddy/

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Cristina:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: cristina_rosenthal

And if you enjoyed today's conversation, don't forget to follow Elevated Focus, leave a review and share this episode with a woman who needs the reminder that she deserves to be at the top of her own list.

Post production: Kellie Ashton

Have you ever felt like part of you knows there's something more waiting but no matter how much you want to begin, something keeps holding you back?

In this deeply honest episode of Elevated Focus, Julia is joined by business coach and mindset mentor Madison Sorrentino for a conversation about identity, creativity, motherhood, fear and what it really means to stop hiding from the life you're meant to live.

Together, they reflect on Julia's own journey over the last two years, from feeling disconnected from herself and questioning her direction, to building a business that truly lights her up. They explore why so many women mistake feeling "blocked" for failure, when often it's simply a sign that something inside us is asking to be heard.

Madison also shares powerful tools for moving through fear, releasing shame and understanding the beliefs that quietly keep us playing small. Plus, you'll hear a live coaching demonstration that shows just how quickly our relationship with fear can begin to shift.

If you've ever felt like you're wrestling with your soul, questioning your next step or waiting for permission to fully become yourself, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why feeling "blocked" isn't always what it seems.
• The invisible battle so many women experience between responsibility and purpose.
• How motherhood can reshape your identity and your dreams.
• Why numbing ourselves with busyness, scrolling or distractions keeps us disconnected from what we really want.
• The power of saying your dreams out loud to someone who truly sees you.
• Releasing shame and learning to forgive yourself for past mistakes.
• Why asking for support is a strength not a weakness.
• Letting go of work that no longer aligns so you can create more of what lights you up.
• A live coaching session using tapping to help move through fear and take the first step towards a dream.

Connect with Julia:

If today's conversation reminded you that your story deserves to be seen, I'd love to help you tell it.

Whether you're launching a business, stepping into a new season of life, or simply ready to show up more confidently, I create photography and films that capture the heart of who you are and the story you're building.

Website: https://www.juliaxanthosliddy.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliaxanthosliddy/

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Madison:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram:@madisonsorrentino

And if you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who's ready to take the next step in their own journey.

Post production: Kellie Ashton