On this special episode of the Empower Sounds Podcast, I’m taking inspiration from Spotify Wrapped to create my very own 2024 Wrapped. Instead of music genres, I’m sharing the most important life lessons I’ve learned this year—one for each month.

From navigating visa struggles in Spain to learning the power of community, boundaries, and optimism, this episode is packed with personal stories, reflections, and lessons that I hope resonate with you too. I’ll also explore how stepping out of your comfort zone, setting boundaries, and celebrating small wins can transform your perspective.

What I Cover in This Episode:

✨ Why the small, mundane moments matter more than you think.

✨ How hard times can be the greatest teachers—and why growth comes from how you respond.

✨ The power of boundaries in relationships, friendships, and everyday life.

✨ Why trying new, scary things is the ultimate way to build self-trust.

✨ How to stop waiting for the “perfect moment” and start celebrating yourself now.

Key Takeaways:

1️⃣ Hard seasons bring the most growth.

2️⃣ Boundaries can be empowering, not limiting.

3️⃣ Life’s magic lies in embracing the process, not just the destination.

Let me know which lesson resonates most with you—and share your own wrapped moments from the year...

Let me know your thoughts and join our community

•Instagram: @EmpowerSounds

•TikTok: @EmpowerSoundsPodcast

•Linktree: linktr.ee/empowersounds

For inquiries, email us at [email protected].

Let’s wrap up the year together with inspiration and gratitude. ❤️

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🎙️ In this inspiring episode, Sandy Aziz, a lawyer, freelance journalist, and creative powerhouse, shares her journey of navigating rejection, building resilience, and thriving in her passions. Originally from Egypt and Texas, Sandy now lives in London, balancing her legal career with her creative endeavors, including writing for globally renowned publications like Teen Vogue, Notion, and 511 Magazine.

We cover:

💡 How Sandy transitioned from law school rejection to building an international career in competition law and journalism.

💡 Her creative journey—from pitching stories to landing bylines in iconic publications.

💡 The challenges and triumphs of balancing a dual career in law and writing.

💡 Why rejection is redirection and how it shaped her path.

💡 The making of the groundbreaking Silk Road Issue for 511 Magazine, a 700-page celebration of global cultures.

💡 How to build community, embrace faith, and navigate detachment while chasing your dreams.

💬 Key takeaways:

•Rejection is part of the process—it redirects you to where you’re meant to be.

•Community and faith can be powerful forces in overcoming self-doubt.

•Pursuing your passions with conviction leads to transformative opportunities.

Connect with Sandy Aziz:

🌟 Instagram: @TheSandakin

🌟 Writing Portfolio: www.sandyaziz.com

🌟 Explore 511 Magazine’s: https://www.5elevenmag.com/

Let me know your thoughts and join our community

•Instagram: @EmpowerSounds

•TikTok: @EmpowerSoundsPodcast

•Linktree: linktr.ee/empowersounds

For inquiries, email us at [email protected].

✨ If this episode resonated with you, don’t forget to leave a review, share it with a friend, and subscribe for more conversations with incredible women redefining success. ✨

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On today's episode of the Empower Sounds Podcast, I reflect on one of the most transformative experiences of my life: living alone abroad for the past year in Madrid. From navigating a new country and language to learning how to self-process emotions, this journey taught me valuable lessons about independence, boundaries, and personal growth. Whether you’ve lived alone before or not, this episode shares insights that are applicable to anyone looking to deepen their self-awareness and embrace their individuality.

What I Cover in This Episode:

🌍 Living Abroad: My experience moving to Madrid, adjusting to a new environment, and embracing the challenge of being in a country where I wasn’t fluent in the language.

💭 Self-Processing Emotions: The power of self-validation and building trust with yourself through practices like journaling, voice notes, and self-reflection.

🏠 Creating Your Space: How living alone helped me establish my own routines, take pride in my space, and build a home that reflects who I am.

🛠️ Coping Mechanisms: Why it’s important to understand your emotional responses and create healthy habits to manage stress, loneliness, and challenging situations.

🌟 Boundaries and Discernment: Lessons on who and what to let into your physical and emotional space, and how to protect your peace.

🤝 Balancing Loneliness and Happiness: How I learned to embrace loneliness without villainizing it and recognize that it can coexist with happiness.

 Key Takeaways:

1) Building trust with yourself is one of the most empowering things you can do.

2) Taking responsibility for your freedom and creating structure is essential for balance.

3) Loneliness can be a beautiful teacher that helps you understand what and who truly matters to you.

Reflection Prompts:

1.How do you process your emotions when you’re feeling overwhelmed?

2.What steps can you take to create a space (physical or emotional) that feels like home?

3.Who or what gives you energy, and how can you bring more of that into your life?

Let me know your thoughts and join our community

•Instagram: @EmpowerSounds

•TikTok: @EmpowerSoundsPodcast

•Linktree: linktr.ee/empowersounds

For inquiries, email us at [email protected].

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In this episode of the Empower Sounds Podcast, I sit down with Jaya the inspiring CEO and founder of Svaha USA, a groundbreaking clothing brand that’s redefining gender stereotypes and celebrating STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math). Jaya’s journey from fashion studies in India to launching a successful, inclusive clothing line in the U.S. is nothing short of empowering.

Driven by her daughter’s love for space and a desire to challenge societal norms, Jaya’s story offers valuable lessons in entrepreneurship, resilience, and shattering stereotypes.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

🧵 From Passion to Purpose: How Jaya’s love for fashion and her family inspired the creation of Svaha USA.

🎨 Why STEAM, Not STEM: The importance of integrating art into science and education—and how it’s reflected in Svaha’s designs.

🌍 Shattering Stereotypes: How Svaha challenges traditional gender norms in clothing and inspires meaningful conversations.

🚀 Starting Small, Dreaming Big: How Jaya launched her brand through a successful Kickstarter campaign and scaled it into a thriving business.

👩‍🔬 Collaborating with Trailblazers: The impact of working with inspiring women, including former NASA astronaut Karen Nyberg.

💡 Lessons in Resilience: Balancing entrepreneurship, motherhood, and self-care while building a purpose-driven brand.

Key Takeaways:

• The Power of Testing an Idea: Jaya’s Kickstarter strategy to validate her vision before scaling her business.
• Inclusivity Matters: How Svaha USA ensures its designs cater to all genders and fosters freedom of expression.
• Balancing Roles: Jaya shares her secrets to juggling being a mom and a CEO with efficiency and purpose.
• Turning Challenges into Opportunities: Jaya’s mindset of treating every challenge as a level to conquer in her entrepreneurial journey.

Resources Mentioned:

🔗 Svaha USA Website: svahausa.com

📲 Follow Svaha USA on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook: @svahausa

Connect with the Podcast:

📷 Instagram: @EmpowerSounds

🎧 Listen Everywhere: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts

📩 Email: [email protected]

Jaya’s journey reminds us all that the only limitations are the ones we place on ourselves. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a change maker, or someone passionate about creating inclusive spaces, this episode is for you.

✨ Listen now and get inspired to break boundaries and follow your dreams! ✨

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Welcome back to the Empower Sounds Podcast! In today’s solo episode, I’m diving into part two of my language-learning journey—from intermediate Spanish to fluency. Last week, I shared how I reached the intermediate level (B1) using a mix of Netflix, music, and self-study. If you haven’t listened to that episode yet, I recommend starting there!

In this episode, I explore my journey from B1 to C1, a level of advanced fluency, after moving to Madrid for a year. I discuss the challenges and growth that came with immersing myself in Spanish, from navigating daily life with a DIY level of Spanish to passing the challenging DELE C1 exam. I share the strategies that worked for me, the cultural experiences that helped me learn beyond the classroom, and the importance of consistency and accountability.

Key Topics Covered:

•📚 Immersive Learning: How moving to Spain and setting an intention to improve transformed my language skills.

•🧩 From DIY to Structured Learning: The importance of combining self-study with formal courses and daily Spanish interactions.

•🌍 Building a Life in Spanish: From navigating a Spanish gym to volunteering, I share how I incorporated Spanish into every aspect of my life.

•📖 Overcoming the Intermediate Plateau: Tips for pushing past the common “intermediate plateau” to reach advanced fluency.

•🎓 Preparing for the C1 DELE Exam: My approach to the exam, including tips on specific vocabulary, grammar, and the value of practice exams.

Whether you’re learning a new language or just curious about the journey to fluency, this episode offers practical tips and motivation to keep going, even when it gets tough. Listen in for my story and actionable advice on taking your language skills to the next level.

Resources Mentioned:

•Spanish with Vicente: https://www.youtube.com/@SpanishwithVicente

•ted talks in Spanish ( look this up on YouTube or Spotify or any other streaming platform and it'll come up)

•Italki for language partners : https://www.italki.com/

Connect with Me:

Need a Spanish-speaking buddy? Or maybe you’re learning another language? Hit me up on the podcast Instagram—let’s support each other on this journey!

Follow Empower Sounds

•Instagram: @EmpowerSounds

•TikTok: @EmpowerSoundsPodcast

•Linktree: linktr.ee/empowersounds

For inquiries, email us at [email protected].

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In this episode of Empower Sounds, I’m diving into my journey of learning Spanish from scratch to fluency, mostly through self-study! I share how I went from knowing no Spanish to confidently speaking, understanding, and even moving to Spain to truly immerse myself in the language and culture. 🌍💃

Language learning is so much more than just words; it’s about unlocking a world of new people, music, and experiences. I’ll guide you through the methods that worked for me—from music and Netflix to practical strategies like setting goals, using the 80/20 rule, and making Spanish a part of daily life. Plus, I’ll tackle the myth that you can only learn languages as a kid. Spoiler: it’s never too late!

Whether you’re just starting out or already learning, join me for insights, tips, and a roadmap you can adapt to your own language goals. And hey, if you need a language buddy, reach out to me on Instagram. Let’s make this language-learning journey fun and empowering...

Resources mentioned:

list of the 1000 most common words and other resources that are really good by Nathaniel Drew if you sign up to the free newsletter: https://www.nathanieldrew.com/language-learning-resources

my favourite apps

• language transfer
• quizlet
• memrise
• spanish dict amazing for translating

good grammar books:

• ELE actual
• Paul nobles spanish book ( the audiobook form is much better)

Other things you can do

• create a playlist of songs and then for writing practice you can translate them
• watching shows with subtitles of your target languages
• change the language on your phone

Connect with Me:

Need a Spanish-speaking buddy? Or maybe you’re learning another language? Hit me up on the podcast Instagram—let’s support each other on this journey!

Follow Empower Sounds

•Instagram: @EmpowerSounds

•TikTok: @EmpowerSoundsPodcast

•Linktree: linktr.ee/empowersounds

For inquiries, email us at [email protected].

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In todays episode, we are joined by Gabby Edlin, founder and former CEO of Bloody Good Period, a charity that has transformed how we address period poverty and menstrual equity for asylum seekers, refugees, and those without access in the UK. Gabby shares her journey, beginning with her creative roots and evolving into a powerful movement that has dismantled the stigma around menstruation and championed equality. Together, we explore the foundation and philosophy of Bloody Good Period and how Gabby’s mission has impacted communities across the UK.

Gabby highlights the importance of creating a sense of belonging and visibility for menstruators from all walks of life. We discuss the role of creativity in brand-building and how her unique approach has brought joy, humor, and advocacy to a traditionally taboo topic. Gabby also opens up about the challenges of being a female founder, facing stigma, and staying true to her values while leading a purpose-driven organisation. Now working as a brand nurturer, she continues to uplift purpose-led brands, helping founders bring authenticity, confidence, and connection to their work.

Key Takeaways

• Using Creativity to Break Taboos: Gabby’s creativity led to a brand that challenges conventional thinking around periods, creating both joy and essential change.
• The Power of Belonging: For many, Bloody Good Period is more than a charity—it’s a place where people feel seen and supported, especially those marginalised by society.
• Setting Boundaries as a Founder: Gabby reflects on the importance of avoiding burnout by setting clear boundaries and practicing self-care.
• .Creating Values-Driven Brands: Gabby explains the impact of brand identity and staying connected to core values, showing how authenticity fuels brand loyalty.
• Transition to Brand Nurturer: Now working one-on-one with founders, Gabby brings joy, confidence, and clarity to mission-driven brands looking to make an impact.

Resources Mentioned

• Bloody Good Period: https://www.bloodygoodperiod.com/
• Stay in the Room Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2feHTNMiKOZAdKMhWP7kpM
• Gabby´s website and brand nurturing services: https://www.gabbyedlin.com/

Follow Empower Sounds

•Instagram: @EmpowerSounds

•TikTok: @EmpowerSoundsPodcast

•Linktree: linktr.ee/empowersounds

For inquiries, email us at [email protected].

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In this episode, I sit down with Dawn, CEO of Reducing the Risk, a UK-based charity that provides crucial support to domestic abuse victims. With one in four women in the UK experiencing domestic abuse and two women dying weekly due to it, this conversation sheds light on a pervasive yet often hidden issue. Dawn shares the work her organization does with just 12 staff and over 5,000 volunteers, offering high-risk support, court representation, and community education.

We delve into the different forms of abuse, including emotional, economic, and coercive control, and explore how abuse impacts individuals and children over their lifetimes. Dawn discusses the importance of recognizing early warning signs, the role of cultural differences, and how technology can both empower victims and be used as a tool for control. She also emphasizes the need for non-judgmental support and highlights the responsibility of employers to implement domestic abuse policies.Dawn’s dedication to supporting victims and her vision for a safer future show that recovery is possible with the right support and understanding.

Key Takeaways:

1.Understanding Different Forms of Abuse: From financial to emotional, knowing the signs can make a life-saving difference.

2.Early Warning Signs: Recognize the ‘pink flags’ in relationships and understand the subtle shifts that might indicate control or manipulation.

3.The Role of Community Support: Learn how to be a non-judgmental listener and an effective ally for someone experiencing abuse.

4.Technology’s Double-Edged Sword: How technology can empower victims but also be used as a tool for control.

5.Supporting Children & Communities: Dawn shares her goal of raising awareness and support for children affected by abuse and uplifting entire communities through education.

Resources Mentioned:

•Learn more about Reducing the Risk and find support resources: https://reducingtherisk.org.uk/

•National Domestic Abuse resources. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/getting-help-for-domestic-violence/

Follow Empower Sounds

•Instagram: @EmpowerSounds

•TikTok: @EmpowerSoundsPodcast

•Linktree: linktr.ee/empowersounds

For inquiries, email us at [email protected].

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In this episode, I dive deep into the transformative power of therapy and share my personal journey of healing through one year of therapy. I open up about my mental health struggles at university and the stigma I felt around seeking help. Therapy changed my life in ways I didn’t expect, and today, I’m sharing the 10 most important lessons I learned from my experience.

I hope that by sharing these lessons, you’ll feel empowered to seek support, understand that your healing journey is unique, and recognize that you are worthy of all the help and healing available to you. Whether it’s through therapy or other outlets, you deserve to feel whole and supported.

Key Takeaways:

• Everyone Deserves Help: We often think our problems aren’t “big enough” to deserve therapy, but everyone is worthy of support, no matter how small or big the struggle.
• Healing Is Not Linear: There will be ups and downs, but the journey is about progress, not perfection. Every setback is a chance to grow.
• Self-Processing Emotions: Instead of running to others, learn to process your feelings first. Therapy taught me the importance of sitting with my emotions before sharing them.
• Your Story Is Not Defined by Negative Experiences: Bad things happen, but they don’t define your worth. It’s important to stop internalizing external events as reflections of who you are.
• Nervous System Regulation: Mental health is connected to how you treat your body. Learn how taking care of your nervous system can drastically improve your mental well-being.

Actionable Steps:

1.Seek Support: Whether it’s therapy or another form of self-care, know that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

2.Practice Self-Processing: Use journaling or voice notes to process your feelings before seeking external validation.

3.Focus on Nervous System Health: Implement small habits like somatic shaking, EFT tapping, or breathing exercises to help regulate your nervous system.

4.Curate Your Environment: Surround yourself with people, habits, and spaces that make you feel safe and supported.

Resources Mentioned:

https://mayaraichoora.com/

https://markmanson.net/books/everything-is-fucked

south asian advocacy on instagram @my.jyotiii

better help https://www.betterhelp.com/

free ai therapy tool: https://calmi.so/

mental health with the NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/

Follow Empower Sounds

•Instagram: @EmpowerSounds

•TikTok: @EmpowerSoundsPodcast

•Linktree: linktr.ee/empowersounds

For inquiries, email us at [email protected].

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Empowering Young Women with Role Models – Featuring Vicky Booth, CEO of Inspiring Girls International

In this episode, we sit down with Vicky Booth, CEO of Inspiring Girls International, to explore the transformative impact of female role models on young girls across the globe. Vicky shares how Inspiring Girls has grown into a global initiative, spanning 39 countries, and the pivotal role it plays in widening girls’ horizons by connecting them with incredible women from all walks of life.

We delve into the challenges young women face, from battling gender stereotypes to navigating career ambitions. Vicky also discusses the power of storytelling and how the #ThisLittleGirlIsMe campaign encourages women to reflect on their childhood selves and inspire future generations.

Vicky’s journey and her leadership at Inspiring Girls is a powerful reminder of how representation matters, and how small actions can lead to global change.

Key Takeaways:

1.The Importance of Role Models: Having visible female role models can significantly impact a young girl’s aspirations and her belief in what’s possible.

2.Smashing Gender Stereotypes: Girls still face limiting stereotypes, but early exposure to diverse career paths can help shift these perspectives.

3.Scaling a Global Initiative: Inspiring Girls has grown to 39 countries by tapping into local volunteers and creating accessible pathways for women to get involved.

4.The Power of Storytelling: Sharing personal stories helps girls relate to women in leadership roles, showing that success comes in many forms.

5.Participating in #ThisLittleGirlIsMe: This campaign invites women to share photos and stories of their younger selves, reminding us to speak kindly to our inner child.

Resources Mentioned:

•Learn more about the This Little Girl Is Me campaign and how to participate: https://inspiring-girls.com/thislittlegirlisme

•Support Inspiring Girls through the Big Give campaign by donating £11 on October 11th: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/help-raise-girls-aspirations-around-the-world/

•Volunteer with Inspiring Girls: https://inspiring-girls.com/who-we-are

Follow Empower Sounds

•Instagram: @EmpowerSounds

•TikTok: @EmpowerSoundsPodcast

•Linktree: linktr.ee/empowersounds

For inquiries, email us at [email protected].

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