For Better or Hustle

In this special solo episode, I flipped the script and turned the mic on me. Using the thoughtful and reflective question cards from xoxo.sets, I asked myself the kinds of questions I usually ask my guests — and it got real.

From vulnerability and growth to old habits, big dreams, and the quiet parts I usually keep to myself, this episode is a window into who I am when the mics are on and off.

Expect honesty. Expect softness. Expect maybe a few unexpected confessions.

Whether you're new here or you’ve been riding with me since episode one, I hope this gives you a deeper look into the voice behind the mic — and maybe encourages you to ask yourself some of the same questions.

✨ Mentioned in this episode:

Like what you heard?

In this episode, we’re joined by Candace Dudley — educator-turned-entrepreneur, podcast host, and mom of three — who shares the pivotal moments that led her from the classroom to building her own business and launching her hit show, Podcasting Mentor: Better Brave.

Candace opens up about:

But this isn’t just about her story. We dive deep into your next move:

Whether you've said, "I think I want to start a podcast," or "I have no idea where to begin," this episode is packed with encouragement, practical tips, and real talk to help you take that next step with clarity and confidence.

Connect with Candace Dudley:

If you enjoyed this conversation, please consider leaving a rating or review — it helps more people find us and join the conversation!

In this episode of For Better or Hustle, host Alyxandra Wilkins delves into the concept of triggers—those emotional responses that can arise from past experiences. She emphasizes that triggers are universal and not a sign of weakness. The conversation explores how understanding triggers can empower individuals to navigate their emotional landscapes more effectively. Alyxandra also distinguishes between triggers and intuition, providing insights into how to recognize and manage these feelings. The episode concludes with a practical four-step approach to dealing with triggers, encouraging listeners to embrace their emotional responses as part of their healing journey.

In this episode of the For Better or Hustle podcast, host Alyxandra Wilkins interviews Thalea, a trauma-informed coach from Cape Town, South Africa. Thalea shares her personal journey from feeling out of place in the corporate world to discovering her purpose through travel and self-exploration. She discusses the importance of understanding trauma, both big and small, and how it impacts our lives. The conversation emphasizes the need for safe spaces to address these issues and the holistic approach required for healing.

Click here to follow to Thalea on Instagram

Looking to Connect with Thalea in other ways? Click here

In this episode of the For Better or Hustle podcast, Alyxandra Wilkins delves into the concept of toxic positivity, exploring its impact on emotional health and the importance of allowing oneself to feel and process emotions. She emphasizes that true healing comes from acknowledging pain rather than suppressing it, and discusses the need for emotional accountability while navigating personal struggles. The conversation encourages listeners to redefine their understanding of positivity, recognizing that it can coexist with pain and vulnerability.

We were taught to compete — now we’re choosing to connect.

In this episode, I’m getting real about how internalized competition between women starts, how I had to unlearn it, and what it truly means to support other women without shrinking yourself. From calling out jealousy without shame to celebrating someone else’s glow without dimming your own, this one is a reminder that healed women hype women.

Whether you’re struggling to build up the women around you or just need a reminder that there’s room for all of us to win — this episode is your wake-up call.

In this raw and reflective episode of For Better or Hustle, we unpack the quiet, harmful conditioning so many of us carry—internalized misogyny. From side-eyeing confident women to shrinking ourselves in rooms we were born to shine in, we explore how these patterns begin, especially in childhood homes marked by narcissism, emotional hierarchy, and conditional love.

We get personal, sharing what it looks like to grow up distrusting femininity and believing softness is a liability. Together, we walk through what it means to unlearn these beliefs, reconnect with our true selves, and learn to celebrate the women around us without comparison or competition.

This isn’t about shame—it’s about awareness, healing, and finally giving that younger version of ourselves the love and understanding she never received. If this episode hits close to home, good. That’s where the real work begins.

In this episode, I’m diving deep into a topic that has affected me personally and that I see hold back so many others — perfectionism. Whether it’s waiting for the perfect client, the perfect moment, or the perfect version of your offer, perfectionism can quietly kill your momentum, your confidence, and your business.

This conversation is also a special tribute to my dear friend Ily, who has been a constant reminder for me that showing up imperfectly is still powerful. I’m sharing some of the hard lessons I’ve learned about how perfectionism masks itself as preparation — and how I’ve learned to move forward anyway.

In this episode, I talk about:

Why perfectionism isn’t a high standard — it’s fear in disguise

The difference between excellence and perfection

What perfectionism has cost me in my own journey

How to start taking action even when things aren’t “ready”

The freedom that comes from choosing progress over perfection

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to stop overthinking and just start — this is it.

Looking for a health and wellness coach?

In this episode, I sit down with entrepreneur and mental health advocate Bradley Rausch for a raw and powerful conversation on navigating fear, imperfection, and building a life and business rooted in self-trust. From childhood anxiety and healing family wounds to frameworks for resilience and redefining success, Bradley shares his personal journey and practical tools that have helped him move through life’s toughest moments — and can help you do the same.

We dive deep into the difference between excellence and perfection, how to show up when you’re only at 40%, and why trusting yourself before you have the answers is the most important framework of all. Whether you’re struggling with burnout, fear of rejection, or just waiting for the “perfect” time to start — this episode will challenge, inspire, and encourage you to get out of your head and into action.

Highlights from this episode include:

The power of starting before you're ready — and doing it messy

Why competence and confidence aren’t the same thing

How to “return to baseline” emotionally when anxiety hits

The importance of choosing excellence over perfection

Reframing rejection and failure as fuel for momentum

Bradley is on a mission to make mental health conversations more tangible and actionable through his podcast Redefining Growth and his work with founders and creators. This episode is full of practical takeaways, mindset shifts, and a few analogies that will stick with you long after it ends (the slingshot one? Still thinking about it).

Want to Connect with Bradley? [LinkedIn] 

[Instagram]

Want to Listen to his Podcast? [Redefining Growth]

Confidence isn’t always loud, bold, or in-your-face—and believing it is can leave so many of us feeling like we’re “not enough.” In this episode, I’m breaking down the different expressions of confidence and how to own your unique presence—whether you’re soft-spoken, assertive, introverted, or extra. We’ll talk about why comparison steals your shine, how to rewrite what confidence looks like for YOU, and why the quietest person in the room can often be the most powerful.