In this special in-the-car episode, Mimi chats with Caren Martinez—content creator, aspiring UX designer, and multi-hyphenate creative—about the beauty and chaos of choosing your own path, one pivot at a time. Over chamomile tea and matcha, they explore the messy middle of life, where nothing goes as planned, and that’s exactly the point.

In this episode, Caren shares:

• How a sushi restaurant encounter sparked her 11-year journey into content creation

• Why she’s pivoting into UX design in her mid-thirties

• The emotional reality of juggling a full-time job, school, and caregiving

• Navigating the double pressure of Hispanic and Mormon cultural expectations around marriage and kids

• The lessons she's learning about boundaries, burnout, and being okay with not having it all figured out

• Her evolving relationship with the Mormon faith, and why it's okay to wrestle with it

• Thoughts on free will, fate, and the beauty of letting life unfold

Bonus: Caren is co-hosting a Morocco group trip this October! Details inside the episode.

Follow Caren:Instagram & TikTok → ⁠@myworldmytravels⁠

🎧 Listen if you’ve ever:

• Questioned your timeline
• Felt behind in your thirties
• Needed a reminder that it's okay to change your mind
• Wanted to cry it out, then get up and try again

🌟 Reminder: What if it all works out?

In this episode of Explore with Mimi, Merve Karakus shares her journey of leaving a 12-year banking career to study mindfulness and Buddhist philosophy, spending seven months at Tibetan Buddhist centers. She discusses breaking free from societal expectations, embracing self-compassion, and the need for emotional openness in corporate culture. Merve also shares practical mindfulness techniques to reduce stress, balance ambition, and find deeper fulfillment.

In this episode, we cover Amy Ward’s journey which is a testament to the power of embracing uncertainty and trusting the process of growth. From starting as a criminal defense lawyer in Australia to working across the Middle East, she has consistently chosen courage over comfort. Now, as a commercial and technology lawyer, she is passionate about global governance, AI literacy, and creating meaningful impact through innovation and collaboration.

Key Takeaways:

• Taking Bold Risks: Moved to Dubai with no prior international experience, cold-called law firms, and built a successful global career.

• Overcoming Fear: Cried daily during the first six months abroad but persisted, proving that fear is part of growth.

• Building Resilience: Grit is developed through repeated exposure to difficult situations—she suggests crossing off days on a calendar as a way to push through tough times.

• Adapting to Change: Faced unexpected financial and cultural challenges but learned to plan for worst-case scenarios while embracing possibilities.

• Neurodivergence & Work: Views her neurodivergence as a strength, working in focused bursts rather than traditional 9-5 structures, and advocates for flexible work environments.

• Global Impact & Future Goals: Developing a policy-sharing platform to help governments adopt best practices more efficiently, with a focus on reducing inequality and driving innovation.

Final Thought:"At the end of the day, it might not work out, but what if it does?"

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyelizabethward/

Email: [email protected]

In this candid conversation, Mannu shares her journey as an architect detailing her rise, burnout, and eventual decision to prioritize mental health and authenticity. Key highlights include:

• Career Journey: Mannu quickly scaled her studio successfully, but the pressures of managing everything alone led to burnout. COVID-19 provided the pause she needed to reflect and slow down.
  
• Family and Cultural Expectations: She discusses the challenges of meeting traditional Indian parental expectations around stability and success. Honest, difficult conversations with her family eventually led to greater understanding and support.
  
• Design Philosophy: Mannu views design as a tool to evoke emotions and enhance human experiences, drawing inspiration from architects like Christopher Alexander. She embraces imperfection and believes in creating spaces that feel alive and authentic.
  
• Personal Growth: Breaking free from generational expectations, Mannu reflects on the importance of self-validation, safe spaces, and embracing her authentic self. She emphasizes that true fulfillment comes from aligning creativity with personal values.
  
• Balancing Creativity and Business: Mannu discusses setting boundaries, focusing on meaningful projects, and trusting financial stability will follow.
  

Final Takeaway:
Mannu encourages listeners to embrace life’s imperfections, find their unique creative voice, and prioritize authenticity over societal pressures.

Saku The Studio Instagram :https://www.instagram.com/sakuthestudio/ 

Mannu’s Personal Instagram :https://www.instagram.com/evolvingmannu/ 

In this episode of Explore with Mimi, we speak with Nomin Bayasgalan, an actress, model, 9-5er , and former Miss Universe Canada contestant. Born in Mongolia and having lived in five countries, Nomin shares how she transformed self-doubt into success through manifestation, mindset, and discipline—from landing a film role with no prior acting experience to competing in bodybuilding and beauty pageants.

Key Topics Include:

Nomin’s story is a powerful reminder that with the right mindset, discipline, and willingness to step outside your comfort zone, success is within reach. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on manifesting opportunities, embracing challenges, and thriving in unexpected places!

🎧 Tune in now and get inspired to create your own extraordinary path!

Nomin’s instagram : https://www.instagram.com/nominbay/ 

Nomin’s Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/nominbay

In this episode of Explore with Mimi, host Mimi Zheng dives into a fascinating conversation with Melissa Lambour, a spiritual globetrotter and founder of Cosmic Roadmap. Melissa shares how she turned her wanderlust into a purpose-driven career by helping others find alignment and belonging through astrocartography.

Key topics include:

Astrocartography and Cosmic Travel: Melissa explains how the energies of specific locations can support personal goals, from love and career to spirituality and self-discovery.

Life Transitions: Melissa shares her inspiring story of retiring at 39 after a 13-year career with the Department of Defense and pursuing the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement. She also opens up about her evolution into an open marriage and how it has transformed her perspective on love and relationships.

Overcoming Fear and Taking Leaps: Melissa inspires listeners with her courageous decisions to leave her job, move to Bali, and embrace new chapters of personal and spiritual growth.

Generational and Ancestral Healing: The discussion explores how astrocartography can be used to break generational patterns and heal ancestral traumas.

Practical Tips: Melissa shares how to connect with the energy of a place—even from afar—through sensory experiences, decor, and meaningful items.

Retreats and Mentorships: She highlights her upcoming retreats in Guatemala and Bali and the transformative power of guiding clients through their cosmic journeys.

Melissa’s story is a compelling reminder to embrace change, follow your intuition, and trust that “what if it all works out.”

Melissa’s website : https://cosmicroadmap.newzenler.com/  

Melissa’s instagram : https://www.instagram.com/cosmic.roadmap/ 

Melissa’s podcast : https://cosmicroadmap.newzenler.com/podcast 

Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) Movement resources : https://smartasset.com/retirement/fire-blogs-and-websites-you-need-to-know 

The episode begins with Milena sharing her experience of leaving her secure life in a job and relationship to move to Bali, embracing the unknown despite not having all the answers.

Mimi and Milena recount how they met serendipitously in Bali and discuss the transformative energy of the place. Mimi expresses the desire for her podcast to inspire and support listeners through stories of bold life changes.

The conversation shifts back to Milena's journey, including quitting her job, ending a long-term relationship, and dedicating herself to somatic attachment healing.

Milena offers a practice session, guiding Mimi through grounding and observing bodily sensations linked to her anxieties about launching the podcast. Mimi acknowledges her fears, finds clarity, and ends the session feeling more empowered.

The episode wraps up with mutual gratitude and an invitation for listeners to connect with Milena on her Instagram for further support.

Milena’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connect_in_and_out_/

Milena’s Website: https://www.connectinandout.com/