You didn’t expect this to be your life. You’re running a business, managing a household, and raising kids, yet somehow, your marriage feels like it’s falling apart. If you’ve ever thought, “Do I even want to go home tonight?” you’re not alone. Successful women in their 40s are increasingly saying, “Enough is enough.” Let’s unpack why.

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Introducing Empower X

Why are so many successful women finding themselves at a crossroads in their marriages? Despite their incredible career achievements, high-achieving women face unique challenges that can lead to stress, resentment, and even divorce. Empower X is here to change that.

Starting February 19, this transformational mastermind group, led by award-winning therapist Veronica Cisneros, LMFT, is designed for entrepreneurs, executives, and ambitious women who are ready to master marriage, motherhood, and career—without sacrificing any part of themselves.

Whether you're balancing career growth with family life, seeking to overcome guilt and stress, or determined to break free from the cycle of frustration in your relationship, Empower X offers the tools, strategies, and support you need to thrive. Together, we’ll redefine success on your terms and create a life where your relationships and ambitions flourish side by side.

Don’t wait. Join the movement and take the first step toward your breakthrough today.

Want to join me on this journey? Visit https://veronicacisneros.org/empowerx to get started. Together, we’ll rewrite your story.

Being a mother and a business owner isn’t about doing it all—it’s about doing what truly matters. In the latest Empowered and Unapologetic podcast, Veronica Cisneros chats with Jen Morris, founder of Renegade Motherhood, on balancing the chaos of motherhood with the demands of running a business. From embracing the messy seasons of life to outsourcing what drains you, Jen shares how prioritizing your passions and building community can transform both your career and your home life. Her advice? Forget perfection. Start now, embrace the chaos, and bet on yourself—you’ve got this.

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Empower X: Master Marriage, Motherhood, and Your Career Successful women often find themselves overwhelmed by the pressures of excelling in both their careers and relationships. That’s why Empower X, starting February 19, is here. This mastermind group, led by Veronica Cisneros, LMFT, equips entrepreneurs, executives, and ambitious moms with the tools to prioritize their careers, strengthen relationships, and thrive in every area of life. With mastermind sessions, one-on-one coaching, and a supportive community, Empower X is your chance to break free from guilt, resentment, and overwhelm. Join us to redefine what success looks like—on your terms.

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Do you ever feel like you’re sprinting on a treadmill that won’t stop? Balancing work, family, and everyone else’s needs while wondering if there’s more to life? Let me tell you, I’ve been there. But here’s the thing: transformation doesn’t come from adding more to your plate. It starts with rewriting the narrative you’ve been living by—and I’m here to help you create your blueprint for 2025.

“When was the last time you felt enough?”

Let that question sink in for a moment. Most of us spend our days hustling to meet everyone’s expectations—our bosses, kids, partners—while ignoring what we truly need. Silence feels unbearable because it forces us to confront truths we’ve buried under our busyness.

This week, I challenge you to carve out 10 minutes of true silence each day. No phone. No distractions. Just you. What bubbles up might surprise you—maybe it’s fear of not measuring up, frustration from sidelining your dreams, or longing for deeper connection. Whatever comes up, sit with it. This is where transformation begins.

• Transform your life with a clear blueprint for 2025.
• Self-reflection is crucial for understanding your true desires.
• Silence can reveal the truths we’ve been avoiding.
• Childhood chaos can shape our adult lives, but it doesn’t have to define us.
• Rewrite fear-based beliefs to unlock your potential.
• Identify and release habits that no longer serve you.
• Take one brave action each week to foster change.
• Surround yourself with a supportive community of women.
• Celebrate every small win to acknowledge progress.
• You are capable of creating a life that feels unapologetically yours.

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Ever feel like the holidays turn into a pressure cooker of stress, chaos, and unmet expectations? You’re not alone—but what if I told you joy isn’t something you need to find, it’s something you need to recognize?

In this episode, Dr. Shahana Alibhai shares the surprisingly simple tools to help us ditch the holiday overwhelm and stretch the joy already hidden in plain sight. Dr. Alibhai, a TEDx speaker, family physician, and bestselling author of Feel Better, shared her wisdom on navigating emotions, sidestepping holiday traps, and embracing joy in the chaos.

“We do not suffer from a lack of joy, simply a lack of recognizing it,” she said, hitting the nail on the head. Together, we explored how to create authentic happiness amid the holiday hustle. Let’s dive into the key takeaways from this insightful episode!

• We often misinterpret our emotions, labeling them as good or bad.
• Recognizing joy requires intentionality and mindfulness.
• Joy stretching helps elongate moments of happiness.
• Productivity should not replace our pursuit of joy.
• Modeling emotional awareness for children is crucial.
• Rupture and repair in relationships is essential for emotional growth.
• Gratitude can shift your perspective during challenging times.
• Emotional awareness is a skill that can be developed over time.

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Ever feel like your marriage and business are battling for the top spot in your life? Spoiler alert: You’re not alone. The good news? Balance isn’t about choosing sides—it’s about designing a life where both can thrive. Ready to learn how? Let’s dive in.

Hey, it’s Veronica Cisneros, LMFT, here, your trusty guide to navigating the wild world of marriage, motherhood, and business. If you’ve ever felt like your career is in a tug-of-war with your family life, then buckle up. Today, I’m bringing you some golden nuggets of wisdom from my recent chat with Kay Lee Fukui, entrepreneur, co-creator of Power Couples by Design, and someone who knows a thing or two about thriving at home and in business.

Kay Lee’s story isn’t just inspiring—it’s a wake-up call for every couple juggling their relationship while running a business. Let’s dive into the juicy details.

• Hidden costs of prioritizing business include stress and resentment.
• Conflict resolution is crucial for maintaining a healthy relationship.
• Clear communication involves understanding each other's needs and expectations.
• Scheduling regular check-ins can help manage conflicts effectively.
• Defining roles based on individual strengths can minimize misunderstandings.
• Setting boundaries and scheduling time for family can prevent burnout.

We kicked off our conversation with a question that’s probably been on your mind: What are the most common challenges for married entrepreneurs? Kay Lee’s answer hit home.

“The business becomes the mistress,” she shared, reflecting on her own childhood as the daughter of a workaholic entrepreneur. Her dad’s absence at family events, including her high school graduation, left a lasting mark. Sound familiar?

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Ladies, let’s talk about the struggle that so many of us face daily: the digital rabbit hole. You know, the one where you pick up your phone “just for a minute” and suddenly it’s 1 a.m., your thumb aches, and TikTok has taught you seven ways to fold a fitted sheet you’ll never actually try. In this week’s Empowered and Unapologetic podcast, I sat down with entrepreneur, speaker, and author Palak Dave, founder of Embria, a lifestyle brand dedicated to helping us reclaim our lives from the grips of constant screen time.

“We are lab rats in the digital experiment.” – Palak Dave

Palak didn’t mince words when she explained how we’re living in uncharted territory. Technology, she pointed out, has advanced so rapidly that we’re essentially guinea pigs in a massive global trial. “Before this era, there was no precedent, no research to rely on,” she said. “It’s like when people smoked on airplanes and thought it was normal—it’s only after decades of harm that rules changed.”

And here’s the kicker: our devices and apps are designed to keep us hooked. Palak equated it to gambling. “It’s like a slot machine. The endless scroll, the dopamine hits—it’s all engineered to keep you coming back.”

• We are living in an era of digital experimentation.
• Digital overload can negatively impact emotional well-being.
• Embracing simplicity can lead to a more fulfilling life.
• Digital overload can be managed with intentional boundaries.
• Self-care should focus on what you truly need, not trends.
• Morning routines set the tone for the day.
• Listening to your body is key to self-care.
• Prioritize meaningful connections over digital distractions.

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“Shit, she’s going to call me out.” You bet your ass I am. Welcome back to the Empowered and Unapologetic podcast, ladies! I’m Veronica Cisneros, your host, your cheerleader, and occasionally, your digital detox drill sergeant. Today’s episode hit close to home for me—and probably will for you, too. It’s about digital consumption, mental health, and how our phones quietly creep in and mess with our lives.

Joining me is the brilliant Jennie Ketcham Crooks, a licensed clinical social worker, anxiety and OCD specialist, and author of Look Up: The 30-Day Path to Digital Minimalism and Real-Life Maximalism. If anyone can make us rethink our scrolling habits, it’s Jennie.

• Digital consumption can have a significant impact on mental health, especially for high-achieving women.
• Using smartphones as a way to escape uncomfortable situations or avoid emotional experiences can lead to addictive behaviors.
• Social media is a comparison machine that can exacerbate feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy.
• Practicing self-awareness and intentional digital consumption can help reduce anxiety and improve overall well-being. Practice narrating your actions when using your phone to increase mindfulness and reduce automatic behavior.
• Take three minutes of mindfulness before engaging with technology to create a mindful pause and be intentional with phone usage.
• Create a personalized plan for digital minimalism by determining what tasks are actually required and choosing when to engage with technology.
• Embrace anxiety as a natural response and practice radical acceptance, offering kindness and curiosity towards the experience.
• Increase self-kindness by practicing 10% more kindness towards oneself, which can lead to reduced phone usage and a healthier mindset.

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Surviving the holidays as a newly single parent feels like trying to decorate a shattered Christmas ornament—you’re desperately holding it together, but the cracks are impossible to ignore.

Hi, I’m Veronica Cisneros, LMFT, and welcome to Empowered and Unapologetic. This one’s personal. If you’re navigating the holidays while dealing with betrayal, infidelity, or divorce, all while trying to shield your kids, this is for you. The holidays, a time for joy and connection, can feel soul-crushing when you’re struggling to hold it all together. But I see you. I’ve been you. And I’m here to help you not just survive but step into your strength with honesty and a whole lot less guilt.

“The emotional toll of trying to protect your children from the truth of who their father has become is a weight no one should carry alone.” - Veronica Cisneros

Let’s start with the reality. This season might not look anything like what you planned. You might be holding on by a thread, doing everything to make things seem normal for your kids. But deep down, it’s far from normal, and you’re exhausted.

I know this pain because I’ve lived it.

• The holidays can be particularly challenging for newly single parents.
• Protecting children from the truth can lead to greater emotional damage.
• Honesty is crucial in teaching children about relationships and boundaries.
• Setting boundaries is essential for personal well-being and for teaching children about respect.
• Children need to see the reality of their parent's actions to build resilience.
• It's important to validate children's feelings when their expectations are not met.
• You don't have to fix your partner's relationship with the kids; let them own their choices.
• Establishing non-negotiables helps in setting effective boundaries.
• Letting go of the need to shelter everyone from the truth is empowering.
• Every step toward honesty and empowerment is a step toward healing.

When my husband Willie asked for a divorce just months after our daughter Aliyah was born, I was in denial. There’s no way this is happening, I thought. I was determined to protect our family, to keep the “happy home” alive, no matter what.

But it wasn’t happy. It was exhausting.

During Aliyah’s first Halloween, I drove hours just so Willie, busy with work as a drill instructor, could see her dressed as a bumblebee. She had no idea what was happening. But I did it anyway. I was clinging to the illusion of a family that no longer existed.

And Christmas? I vividly remember decorating the tree and videotaping Aliyah’s first Christmas. “Look at what Daddy made,” I said, pointing to decorations he didn’t even touch. Why did I do that? Because I wanted to believe in something that wasn’t real.

“I wanted to create a false sense of reality for her first Christmas—not for her, but for me. I wasn’t ready to admit the truth.” - Veronica Cisneros

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Does the thought of navigating holiday finances with your ex make you want to run for cover?

Welcome back to Empowered and Unapologetic! I’m Veronica Cisneros, a licensed marriage and family therapist, and today we’re diving into something that hits close to home for so many—navigating financial decisions during the holidays while going through a divorce. I know, it’s a lot. The holidays, which used to be filled with joy and tradition, can now feel like a minefield of tension and dread. Splitting expenses with someone you no longer trust can bring up every fear and anxiety, especially when your kids are caught in the middle.

But here’s the thing—I’m here to walk through this with you. We’re not just tackling budgets and logistics today; we’re unpacking the emotional weight behind these challenges. Why do we, as women, feel like we have to hold everything together, even when it’s tearing us apart? And how can we show up for ourselves and our families without compromising our sanity?

So grab a pen, find a cozy spot, and let’s talk. This isn’t just about money—it’s about reclaiming your peace and setting the stage for a holiday season that feels stable and manageable, even in the middle of a storm. Let’s get started.

• Codependency often stems from childhood experiences.
• Compromising oneself can lead to emotional and mental strain.
• Awareness of patterns is crucial for personal growth.
• Setting boundaries is essential for emotional health.
• It's important to identify non-negotiables in relationships.
• Conversations about boundaries should be calm and planned.
• Emotional regulation is key during difficult discussions.
• Modeling healthy boundaries teaches children valuable lessons.
• Seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.
• Protecting your peace is a priority, not a luxury.

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Ever feel like balancing career and motherhood is a never-ending juggling act where something’s always about to fall?"

Hello, and welcome back to the Empowered and Unapologetic podcast! I’m your host, Veronica Cisneros, and today, I’m thrilled to introduce you to Kathy Sullivan—a powerhouse executive coach and change agent. As the owner of Talent Principles, Kathy has spent years empowering women to break through barriers at work and beyond. She's here to share some insight into her journey, her work with high-achieving women, and the wisdom from her book, Moms Eat First: Five Principles to Prioritize Yourself and Create the Change You Crave.

• Reflection is key to self-preservation and understanding what is important to you.
• Rediscovering possibilities is essential to feeding your soul and dreaming big.
• It's never too late to reset your priorities based on what is important to you.
• Amid adversity, you can reclaim power through choice and perseverance.
• Peace prevails when you release what you can't control and focus on what you can.
• Organizations can better support working moms by providing flexibility, support, and pay equity.
• Maintain resilience and personal growth by defining self-care, knowing yourself, and celebrating wins.

Kathy’s story is one of resilience, as she balances her successful career as an executive coach with being a single mom of two. “Day by day,” Kathy says. For her, it was a journey of self-reflection and learning to prioritize herself. She describes how her background in HR and organizational development, coupled with her own life experiences, shaped her approach to empowering women. Kathy understands the unique challenges women face in balancing career aspirations with family life.

"Many women feel guilty about not being able to ‘do it all.’ But self-care is the foundation that lets us show up as the best version of ourselves." - Kathy Sullivan

Through her work, Kathy has noticed recurring struggles faced by ambitious women, especially mothers. Guilt often tops the list, as women juggle professional roles, parenting, and societal expectations. This guilt can sometimes turn into what Kathy calls “mom-gree”—a blend of responsibility overload and resentment from trying to do it all.

As a mother and executive, Kathy recognized the need for women to reframe their mindset, letting go of guilt and unrealistic expectations. Kathy encourages women to question: What am I feeling guilty about? Are these responsibilities real, or are they imposed by societal expectations?

"Understanding our guilt and our ‘responsibilities’ lets us release what’s not serving us and helps us create a new vision of balance." - Kathy Sullivan

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