Successful: The Podcast

By Karla Parra & Natalie Burk

A podcast about the real-life stories of women who are redefining success in life, at work, and on their own terms.... more

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FAQs about Successful: The Podcast:

How many episodes does Successful: The Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 44 episodes available.

Successful: The Podcast episodes:

May 31, 202214: Overcoming Fear & Imposter Syndrome with Megan Miller
Turning your passion into a career can bring up all kinds of emotions with imposter syndrome and fear of the unknown being two of the most common. Our guest this week, Spanish language entrepreneur Megan Miller walks us through her journey from consultant to business owner, and how she’s conquering her fears and facing her doubts along the way.
Key Takeaways:
You can battle imposter syndrome with certifications in your subject of interest

Music is a great tool for accelerating the language learning process

Being content and being complacent can be similar feelings

Life is too short to show up any less than 100%

For Megan, showing up 100% means having those ‘lightbulb’ moments with clients when she notices they figure out a concept or achieve a goal

Your first year as an entrepreneur can be an emotional rollercoaster, but it will even out over time

Success to Megan is the ability to completely serve someone else, and know what they need at that moment in time

The motivation to learn is the ignition that allows you to make the effort to learn anything new

Recognize that most people are trying their best in life

You can feel fear, but do the scary things anyway - this allows you to accept it rather than to fight it
Megan Miller is the founder of Aprovechar Language Solutions, LLC, which provides personalized, habit-based Spanish language and culture coaching programs to busy adults around the world.
She also helps IT companies in Latin America and Europe tell their stories for a U.S.-based audience through translation, editing, and localization projects. Megan has over 20 years of experience in Spanish and has been obsessed with learning and teaching all of her life: from living abroad at 19 in Madrid, Spain; travelling worldwide; and being a training consultant and language coach.
www.aprovecharlanguagesolutions.com
IG: @aprovecharlanguagesolutions
LI: @aprovechar-language-solutions
YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLhimOhw1TfPfgOM5JB9I7Q
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50min
May 24, 202213: Growing Through Criticism
It’s inevitable that we’ll face some criticism during our careers, but how do we handle it? Instead of thinking of criticism as something to fear, we can learn how to use these moments as opportunities to grow, learn from our mistakes, and question if the criticism was valid in the first place.
Key Takeaways:
Handling Criticism
If you feel emotional or triggered after receiving feedback, ask yourself why and investigate these emotions
Ask yourself what’s true and what’s perhaps another person’s interpretation of reality

If you find yourself triggered, notice if you feel safe in the situation and relationship

Notice your tendencies and fears that may have led to the feedback/criticism

Stepping back from a situation helps you gain perspective. This will allow you to reflect, question the narrative, and ask yourself what’s really going on and if it’s true. This can diffuse the negative reaction you may have.

Big ‘T’ truth, little ‘t’ truth: What is the reality (T) of the situation versus someone’s perception of reality or their truth (t)? Someone may have experienced the situation totally differently than you did. Investigate what’s true and what’s someone’s perception of the truth.

We have a choice to internalize criticism or not; it can be dangerous to associate feedback with one’s identity

Giving Feedback to Others
Make sure to set expectations of others at the beginning of working relationships

Give "good" feedback frequently, as it makes it easier to give constructive criticism when needed

Create a culture where people are expecting feedback on things that are working well (helps to remove fear around getting any kind of feedback)

Define your feedback style. For example: ‘The Sandwich Method’ is an approach that starts and ends with positive feedback, with constructive feedback given between

Remember: It’s not easy to give or receive feedback - it's all part of the human experience!
Armchair Expert podcast episode about shame: https://armchairexpertpod.com/pods/cathy-oneil
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32min
May 17, 202212: Living Intentionally with Sarah Leslie
Do you ever feel like your reality isn't what you think it should be?
Life coach Sarah Leslie lived with this feeling at her job as a clinical social worker before realizing that she could create her own reality by taking responsibility for her own happiness and living with intention. In this episode, Karla and Sarah discuss how we can shape our realities by changing our beliefs and thought patterns, and how taking action and listening to our intuitions are the antidotes for feeling unaligned in life.

Key Takeaways:
It’s okay to talk about unfulfilling life situations, but nothing will change unless we take action and follow through with what we want to do

It’s okay to change your mind about your path in life

Our beliefs and thoughts create our reality

We can choose the beliefs that serve us in order to develop the identity of who we want to be (i.e. Telling yourself ‘I am a person who works out every morning’ if that’s an identity you want to have)

Question your beliefs to uncover which ones aren't true, and which ones were placed there by others

Tuning into your intuition can help you uncover your life purposes (there isn’t just one!)

Purpose doesn’t have to be one thing, and it can change over time

Having someone to give you perspective and "hold up a mirror" to see what’s holding you back can be key to changing your life
More about Sarah:
Sarah is a licensed clinical social worker turned Life Coach, mentor, and trusted advisor. She spent the first 20 years of her career working from the therapy chair and as the Director of Clinical services over a 150-bed residential facility.

After a dramatic shift in her own life, she pivoted to life coaching in the virtual space allowing her the freedom to work from anywhere! She stands out from others in her field as she is fiercely committed to her own personal growth so that she can continue to push past her own limits. Now, she helps high-performing individuals become the CEO of their own lives where they are emotionally, physically, spiritually, and financially fit.

She enjoys spending time with people that energize her soul including her husband and two schnauzers. Last year she and her husband traveled around the country for 6 months in a camper van for their honeymoon to start their marriage off on a good foundation. They both love nature, being near the water and the mountains, cooking delicious meals, and having thought-provoking conversations.

Get in touch with Sarah at: https://sarahlesliecoaching.com/
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50min
May 10, 202211: Life Is A Dance
What if we could view life as a dance - a journey where we immerse ourselves in dancing simply to dance?
In this episode, Natalie and Karla talk about the pressure we put on ourselves to achieve, which can often steal enjoyment from the activities we pursue (whether it’s dancing or something else!). They discuss ways in which they're both aiming to get healthier and how too much of a competitive streak has gotten in the way of their goals. They also talk about activities that they're both pursuing in order to learn and practice enjoying the process without an outcome or achievement in mind.
Key takeaways:
Not everything we do in life is always going to be fun, but it's important to become aware of the ways in which we steal enjoyment from ourselves as we pursue goals and activities we like

Use the 80/20 rule: if 80% of the activity is enjoyable, don't throw in the towel (i.e., give up on what you're doing) simply because 20% of it isn't as enjoyable

Creative work takes time and effort, but it's important to look at the big picture of why we're pursuing our goals

Life is not about the destination, but rather, it's a dance. "The point is not to finish the dance, but to dance" - Alan Watts

Questions to ponder:
What activities can you immerse yourself in purely for the enjoyment of the activity versus the outcome or reward of it?

When do you notice yourself stealing enjoyment from the activities you’re pursuing? Why do you think you do it?

As you pursue various goals, what will help you feel supported to keep things fun? For example, would an accountability partner help?

Resources:
Alan Watts Organization: https://www.instagram.com/alanwattsorg/
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38min
May 03, 202210: Leaping into the Music Industry with Jane Kim
Can disliking your job be a good thing? It was for Jane Kim, our latest podcast guest. Disliking her HR corporate job "enough" led her to quit and leave it all behind. She didn't have a plan for what she would do instead, but she did know her passion: music.

In this episode, Jane shares with Natalie how she redefined success for herself to build a career in the music industry that lights her up. Jane shares the signs that told her it was time for a change and how her network supported her dreams as someone brand new to the industry. She also shares two key questions that have guided her decisions and that can support us all as we figure out what career path to pursue.

Key takeaways:
Disliking your job "enough" can be a blessing in disguise

It's important to pay attention to the signs that tell you it's time to leave a job - like not being able to sleep because you're anxious about waking up for work the next day

If you decide to quit your job, it's ok to not have a plan. You'll figure it out!

To figure out a new career path, tap into your network, be honest about what you know (and don't know) and be ok with working for free to gain experience

To redefine "success", also consider redefining "failure"

"Success" is an ever-evolving definition - keep exploring what it means to you!

Trust that everything will work out in the end. It usually does.

About Jane:
Jane Kim is an artist manager working with artists, producers, and DJs. Her agency Axiom Music also provides talent buying and agent services working with a wide range of genres of artists, managing music programming and festival booking in Dallas Fort-Worth. She is also an A&R for an artist mgmt company/label SMG Ent. (Audrey Nuna) based out of New York. Jane also has had success as a DJ working with brands such as Christian Dior and Ralph Lauren curating groovy disco house music interspersed with hiphop and dance songs. Contact Jane via e-mail at: [email protected]. You can also follow her on Instagram @snacksatparties and follow her music agency @axiommusic_.
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43min
April 26, 2022 09: Ways To Reduce Stress Anywhere
Do you ever feel stressed out and like you can’t find a way to relax after a tense moment? What if you could stop the stress as it’s happening? In this episode we introduce a few techniques that we’ve learned from Karla’s coaching education and one of Natalie’s favorite yoga teachers that help you to reduce the effects of stress on your body by lowering your adrenaline levels, evening out your breath, and giving your mind something else to focus on.
Key Takeaways:
Positive Intelligence reps or PQ reps, is a way to bring you back to the present moment by bringing your attention to any of your five senses. In turn this helps your brain to stop negative thought patterns by focusing elsewhere.
This can be anything from rubbing your thumb and forefinger together and really feeling the sensation or really feeling the water temperature when you’re washing your hands.
Resonance (or resonant) breathing is a technique that uses slowing down your inhales and exhales to about 5-7 breaths per minute (we usually take about double that amount). This can switch your body from using your sympathetic nervous system or your ‘fight or flight’ state to using your parasympathetic nervous system, otherwise known as your relaxation state.
Focusing on this technique of taking slower inhales and exhales (counting to 5-7 seconds on your inhales, pausing, and taking 5-7 second exhales) can lower your blood pressure, stress levels, heart rate, and is a great way to quickly relax your body
Sources:
PQ Reps ; Resonance Breathing Study ; Schuyler Grant clip about resonant breathing
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23min
April 18, 202208: Making Time for Joy - Natalie's Story
Natalie shares some of the formative experiences she's had that have shaped her views on life and work and how to find joy in the midst of it all. Key takeaways:
We make time for what we value, analyze what you're making time for and if it's serving your goals

Having hobbies outside of work helps you to find joy throughout your day

Taking time for yourself throughout the day can help you stay grounded and feel like you've had a more successful day. This can look like a 5 minute break to take a walk or take some deep breaths

Showing up as your authentic self will help you find your community and reduces the pressure to 'fit in'
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35min
April 12, 2022 07: Taking Action - Karla's Story
These next two weeks, we're trying something different! Instead of interviewing other women, we are interviewing each other so you can get to know us better.

In this latest episode, Natalie interviews Karla, who shares what it's like to be a Mexican/American nomad. Having grown up in Mexico with an American mom, Karla discusses what her Mexico and American cultures have taught her about work and family. She also shares how she changed her life from living in a city and working in a corporate job to moving into a camper and launching her own business.

Key themes:
-How culture shaped Karla's views on work, life, and family
-The decision-process to becoming a nomad and living on the road
-How to take action on our dreams, breaking big ones into small actions
-The big question that changed Karla's career trajectory
-Fighting fear by looking at the big picture of what matters most in our lives
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41min
April 05, 2022 06: Doing Gutsy Things
What does it mean to be "gutsy"? In this episode, we discuss our experiences doing gutsy things at work and in other areas of life, including speaking up for what's right and being honest about mental health. Karla shares a few different tactics that can help to ease fear before doing something gutsy, such as getting curious about your thoughts and understanding your emotional "elephant".
Key takeaways:
-To be "gutsy" means to show courage, determination, and spirit.
-Gutsiness is not just about chasing adrenaline-driven activities (like bungee jumping) but also about doing the things that scare us in our day-to-day work and home lives.
-Our emotions can be equated to an "elephant", which can be hard to tame. We need to get curious about our emotions in order to gain mastery over the "elephant".
-A way to combat nerves before doing something gutsy is to get curious and write down the thoughts are that are making you anxious. This will help you notice the fear-based lies coming from your brain. Once you write down and recognize these lies, cross them out with a big marker. Now, write down new thoughts that create more supportive emotions (such as excitement, a sense of fun) so you pursue the "gutsy" thing with more ease and flow.
-We can shift to courage and gutsiness when we let go of our egos and shift to serving others.
Resources:
Switch book by the Heath brothers: https://heathbrothers.com/books/switch/
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37min
March 29, 2022 05: Breaking Barriers with Stephanie Calderón
In this episode, Karla & Natalie speak with MBA student and former data analytics colleague, Stephani Calderón, about her journey and how she’s been breaking barriers in her education and career. The ladies discuss:

- Challenges and opportunities of being a woman in the workplace
- The benefits of having a community to support you and push you to ‘think bigger’
- Coming from an immigrant family
- Shifting from a career in consulting to attending an MBA program

Key Takeaways:
- Question your dreams to see if you can ‘think bigger’
- Build your ‘board of directors’, a community of people to push you outside your comfort zone and demonstrate what’s possible
- Find a mentor or someone to shadow in your career, someone who is doing the things that you would like to be doing
- Seek out opportunities to mentor others and raise up other women
- Think about addressing the gender and demographic gaps when building teams

Links: Subscribe to Karla's travel articles on: https://aventuraroad.substack.com/
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58min

FAQs about Successful: The Podcast:

How many episodes does Successful: The Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 44 episodes available.