The Confidence Lounge: Conversations that fuel your ambition & move your career forward.

Have you ever hit a major milestone and immediately downplayed it?

Got praised at work and brushed it off like it was nothing?

Or scrolled through LinkedIn and thought, “I’m so behind,” even when you’re actually crushing it?

That, my friend, is career dysmorphia - a powerful cognitive distortion that makes even the most accomplished women minimize their wins and doubt their worth.

In this episode I’m breaking down:

⚡ What career dysmorphia is and how it quietly erodes your confidence

🧠 How cognitive distortions exaggerate the negatives and shrink your wins

📱 Why comparison culture fuels feelings of “I’m behind”

💬 The subtle signs (like rejecting praise or chronic self-doubt) you might be missing

🚀 And the strategies to finally see your success clearly again

Because when you start seeing yourself accurately, everything changes - your confidence, your energy, and your opportunities.

Chapters:

00:00 — Understanding Career Dysmorphia

09:34 — Signs and Symptoms of Career Dysmorphia

20:29 — Overcoming Career Dysmorphia

LINKS:

Connect with me on LinkedIn

Have you ever walked into a room and felt everyone’s energy shift? The air changes. People sit up straighter. Heads turn.

That’s not luck. That’s not charisma you’re born with.
That’s presence and it’s 100% learnable.

Every week, my clients ask me, “Elyse, what do I do when the nerves hit before an interview or presentation?”
Their voice shakes, their heart races, their mind goes blank and they end up shrinking in moments that are supposed to define them.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what it actually means to command a room and how the world’s most magnetic women (think Beyoncé, Oprah, Michelle Obama) use intention, energy, and science-backed strategies to turn nerves into authority.

If you’ve ever wished you could walk into any room and have people feel your presence before you even speak - this episode is your guide.

Hit play to learn:

⚡Why presence matters more than perfection

⚡What science reveals about the body-confidence connection

⚡How small shifts in energy can change how every room receives you

Because presence isn’t about doing more - it’s about being more intentional.

Chapters:

00:00 The Power of Presence

07:09 Science Behind Commanding a Room

14:42 Practical Tips for Presence

You’ve made it to Day 3 of the Beauty Career Lab Primer Series and this is where everything comes together.

(and remember - even if you don't work in beauty, this still applies to you)

Now that you’ve learned how to spot your limiting beliefs and upgrade them, it’s time to put it all into action.

Today’s episode is all about momentum - how to move your career forward with clarity, confidence, and a mindset that actually supports the results you’ve been waiting for.

I’ll walk you through:
⚡️ Why success is determined more by your mindset than your strategy
⚡️ How to identify the version of yourself you’re becoming (and step into her now)
⚡️ The role fear plays in your growth and how to confront it with confidence
⚡️ How to set a “mental GPS” to guide your career in the direction you want
⚡️ Why future-focused thoughts are the secret to unlocking opportunities

This episode is your turning point - the moment you stop waiting to feel ready and start choosing the identity, thoughts, and mindset that move you toward the career you truly want.

🎧 Let’s lock in your mental GPS and move forward with unstoppable clarity and confidence.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Mindset for Career Advancement

01:36 The Importance of Identity in Career Success

05:27 Shifting Your Mindset: From Fear to Confidence

09:47 Programming Your Mental GPS for Success

LINKS:

⁠JOIN US FOR BEAUTY CAREER LAB LIVE ON 1/24⁠

⁠WATCH THE FULL PRIMER ON LINKEDIN⁠

⁠MESSAGE ME ON LINKEDIN WITH YOUR QUESTIONS⁠

Welcome to day 2 of our Beauty Career Lab Primer series where I am teaching you how to think like you are already qualified.

I had to bring this episode to you because this concept was a game-changer for so many women in who I have worked with over the years.

Today, I’m breaking down The Thought Closet Effect - a way of thinking that limits your career growth without you even realizing it.

We’ll talk about how your brain is like a “thought closet,” packed with thoughts that don't feel good to wear and how to finally clean it out.

Even if you’re not in beauty, this one is for you because if you’ve ever rejected yourself before someone else could, doubted your qualifications, or convinced yourself you “aren’t ready”… you’ll hear yourself in this episode.

Here’s what you’ll take away today:

⚡️ Why mindset shifts are essential for career growth
⚡️ How to spot self-rejection when it sneaks in
⚡️ The “red, yellow, green light” thought model to reframe your thinking
⚡️ How ChatGPT can act as your "thought stylist" to help you rewrite limiting beliefs into empowering ones
⚡️ Why readiness is a decision, not a feeling

Think of this as a closet clean-out for your mind because the thoughts you choose to wear every day determine the career you create.

🎧 Let’s dig into your thought closet and start trying on some better beliefs.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Mindset Shifts

01:35 Understanding Red, Yellow, and Green Light Thoughts

03:22 Self-Rejection and Overcoming Limiting Beliefs

04:40 The Thought Closet Effect Concept

08:09 Using ChatGPT for as your "Thought Stylist"

10:05 Action from Empowering Thoughts

LINKS:

⁠JOIN US FOR BEAUTY CAREER LAB LIVE ON 1/24⁠

⁠WATCH THE FULL PRIMER ON LINKEDIN⁠

⁠MESSAGE ME ON LINKEDIN WITH YOUR QUESTIONS⁠

Welcome to a special 3-day Beauty Career Lab Primer Series here on The Confidence Lounge!

Over the next three episodes, I’m giving you the exact tools I use with my clients to shift their mindset, unlock confidence, and move their careers forward.

I had to share this with you because it was so powerful.

Even if you’re not in the beauty industry - don’t sleep on this series.

These lessons apply to any ambitious woman who’s ready to stop letting self-doubt and limiting beliefs run the show.

In Day 1, we’re talking about the beliefs that are holding you back from landing the roles, promotions, and opportunities you deserve.

Here’s what you’ll take away from today’s episode:
⚡️ Your mindset is 80% of the battle in your career
⚡️ How your brain actually works (and how it’s been blocking you)
⚡️ Why negative thoughts are like mental stop signs—and how to rewire them
⚡️ How to shift your beliefs so you can create new results with confidence

This is about taking back control of your thoughts so you can move forward with power, clarity, and purpose.

🎧 Press play and let’s get started.

Chapters

01:22 Understanding Mindset and how it relates to your Career

03:32 The Science of the Brain and Why You Are NOT Wired For Success

05:14 The Reticular Activating System Explained (and why you need to know how to use this filter)

09:49 Identifying and Overcoming Mental Blocks

12:35 The Power of Green Light Thoughts

16:30 Mindset Study and Action Steps

LINKS:

JOIN US FOR BEAUTY CAREER LAB LIVE ON 1/24

WATCH THE FULL PRIMER ON LINKEDIN

MESSAGE ME ON LINKEDIN WITH YOUR QUESTIONS

Confidence isn’t something you fake - it’s something you embody when you’re rooted in self-worth and authenticity. And today’s guest proves it.

She’s been behind some of the most iconic moments in entertainment like helping launch Taylor Swift's very first tours, touring the globe with the Black Eyed Peas, and producing concerts with Madonna.

After 20+ years leading campaigns at the intersection of music, tech, and media, she uncovered the real secret to success: it’s not the big names, the accolades, or the spotlight - it’s owning your worth and showing up as your most authentic self.

In this episode, Executive Leadership & Empowerment Coach Candice Maskell pulls back the curtain to share her story, the lessons she’s learned from the top, and the simple tools you can use right now to stop performing for approval and start embodying real confidence.

If you’re ready to rise, inspire, and lead without losing yourself - this is the conversation you’ve been waiting for.

Because when you lean into your true self, bring out your authentic power, and feel at home in your own confidence…everything changes.

LINKS: Visit Candice's Website: www.candicemaskell.com
Connect With Candice On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candiceyusimmaskell/
Follow Candice On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
https://www.instagram.com/
Join Candice's Free Lunchtime Workshop: How to Lead Without Losing Yourself : September 26th 12pm PT/3pm ET.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Candice Maskell

02:58 The Journey from Entertainment to Empowerment

05:59 Finding Self-Worth and Authenticity

09:04 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

12:01 The Power of the Pivot

14:56 Embracing Vulnerability and Authenticity

17:49 The Inner Bully and Self-Compassion

20:51 Networking and Building Connections

23:53 Empowering Women to Embrace Their True Selves

26:52 Practical Steps for Self-Empowerment

29:45 Confidence as a Key Success Ingredient

Did you know the fear of public speaking ranks higher than the fear of death for most people?
I recently experienced what it felt like for this fear to overtake me which resulted in me blacking out on stage.

In this episode, I’m getting real about what that moment felt like in my body, why public speaking fear is so common, and the exact tools that helped me move through it (from meditation and visualization to breathing, support, and self-reflection).

If you’ve ever felt your heart race, your hands shake, or your mind go blank before speaking…this one’s for you.

🎧 Listen in to learn how to turn stage fright into confidence and why confidence doesn’t mean being fearless, but learning how to show up with fear.

LINKS:

Message me your public speaking fears on LinkedInListen to my podcast episode with Jen Olive - TedX Speaker Coach

OMG we did it - 200 episodes!

In this special major milestone episode, I’m sharing the top five lessons I’ve learned from pressing record 200 times, plus the inspirational story of how this podcast came to life.

I almost gave up on launching The Confidence Lounge.

I was a new mom, my parents were my primary caretakers, and I questioned whether I even had the time, energy, or ability to make this dream happen.

But I pushed forward anyway and that messy, imperfect action turned into something magical.

If you’ve ever wanted to start something new but felt not ready, not perfect, or even too overwhelmed, this episode is for you.

I’m sharing the real, behind-the-scenes journey of taking bold, imperfect steps and how it changed everything.

Press play and get ready to feel inspired, empowered, and reminded that you already have everything you need to start your own magic.

LINKS:

Get your Human Design

Connect with me on LinkedIn

Get ready for a raw, unscripted & gritty conversation today.

I had to get on the mic and share my full experience at Powerhouse Women with you and I am talking the highs, the lows, and the deep moments that shook me to my core.

This episode isn’t polished. There’s no script. Just me speaking straight from my heart to you.

Why does this matter?

Because growth doesn’t happen in isolation.

True career breakthroughs happen when you put yourself in the room with women who are already where you want to be, who hold you accountable, and push you to live up to your full potential.

If you want to:

✨ Feel your confidence surge

✨ Activate the woman you’re becoming

✨ Move your body, your energy, and your career forward

…then this episode is for you.

💡 Consider this your activation call - a reminder that the woman you’re becoming is already inside of you, waiting to step up.

Press play, and let’s get to work 💪

LINKS:

Learn more about the Powerhouse Women Event HERE

Connect with me on LinkedIn HERE

Visit my website HERE

If you’ve ever walked into a networking event and suddenly felt like you forgot how to speak, found yourself overthinking every word mid-conversation, or left wondering if anyone would even remember you - you are not alone.

You’re just stuck in a pattern that so many ambitious women in fall into.

The Networking Anxiety Loop – when the same thoughts and actions keep you feeling awkward instead of magnetic.

I know, because I used to live there.

I’d cling to my phone like a lifeline.

Hover awkwardly by the food table.

Pray someone—anyone—would come over and start talking to me.

The idea of walking into a room alone?
Torture.

Now? I can work a room with confidence, grace, and zero desperation because I stopped making a few small, sneaky mistakes that were silently wrecking my confidence and feeding my social anxiety.

In this episode, I’m breaking them down and giving you simple shifts you can use before you even step into the room so you can stop shrinking, start connecting, and leave every conversation knowing you were remembered.

🎧 Listen now to start owning every room you walk into with confidence.

LINKS:

Connect with me on LinkedIn

Hire me to teach a workshop on empowered networking