The Empowered Brain

I sat down to create a podcast episode on imposter syndrome, and realized that I couldn't simply talk about imposter syndrome without first addressing why it's so pervasive.

You see, impostor syndrome is intricately woven into the societal fabric of the patriarchy. Imposter syndrome happens when we internalize the inferiority brought on by the patriarchy and other systems of oppression.

But, we don't have to be victims of this.

In the next few episodes, we're going on a journey through history, society, and our personal experiences to understand the patriarchy's roots, its intersections with various identities, and most importantly, what we can do to not be victims of this, and instead break it down.

In Part 1 you'll learn:

• The origins of the patriarchy: from the evolutionary theory to present day

• Where the patriarchy developed

• Examples of how it persists in the modern world including work, relationships, finances, parenting, etc.

Links: 

• Connect with me on: IG and FB. 

• Watch my free class and learn how to get more done in a day without stress and burnout. 

• Get your free copy of the Podcast Study Guide.

• Subscribe for weekly tips and strategies to empower your brain.

Learn more about The Journey, the only comprehensive coaching program for high-achieving women, that will teach you, in just 12 weeks, how to get more done, feel better, and overcome imposter syndrome.

In this episode, I share with you a step-by-step journaling practice to help you stop avoiding or feeling ashamed by your negative thoughts, but instead see them with compassion, and move on.

Links: 

• Connect with me on: IG and FB. 

• Watch my free class and learn how to get more done in a day without stress and burnout. 

• Get your free copy of the Podcast Study Guide.

• Subscribe for weekly tips and strategies to empower your brain.

Learn more about The Journey, the only comprehensive coaching program for high-achieving women, that will teach you, in just 12 weeks, how to get more done, feel better, and overcome imposter syndrome.

You are not your thinking brain.

There may be times when you think you're lazy, selfish, disappointing, or a failure. Maybe there are times you think you'll never find love or you'll never stop feeling like an imposter.

But, sweet friend, these things are just thoughts. 

And, you are not your thinking brain.

In this episode, I teach you a simple mnemonic to help you separate your core self from your thinking brain.

When you practice this and start noticing the thoughts your brain offers you, you can then shift and start thinking, feeling and doing things that are actually aligned with your core self (instead of your thinking brain).

Separating yourself from your negative thoughts, helps you start to create the results you want in your life now.

Links: 

• Connect with me on: IG and FB. 

• Watch my free class and learn how to get more done in a day without stress and burnout. 

• Get your free copy of the Podcast Study Guide.

• Subscribe for weekly tips and strategies to empower your brain.

Learn more about The Journey, the only comprehensive coaching program for high-achieving women, that will teach you, in just 12 weeks, how to get more done, feel better, and overcome imposter syndrome.

We are continuing our exploration of fear and its various manifestations. If you haven't listened to Episode 112 yet, I highly recommend you go back and check it out—it sets the stage for today's discussion on apathy and its intriguing relationship with fear. 

Now, let me clarify upfront that when I refer to apathy in this episode, I'm talking about those moments when we feel unmotivated, indifferent, or just downright blah. This is different from cases involving depression or recent traumatic events. So, if you've ever experienced thoughts like "who cares" or "it doesn't matter," then this episode is a must-listen for you.

We delve into the apathy cycle and how it subtly influences our actions, from avoiding tasks on our to-do lists to indulging in endless Netflix binges, apathy can seep into various aspects of our lives. 

But here's the kicker: apathy is fear in disguise.

In this episode you'll learn:

• How fear manifests as apathy

• How your brain processes apathy and uses it as a protective mechanism 

• How the apathy cycle keeps you trapped and sabotages your progress.  

• How to recognize fear's disguise as apathy and break the apathy cycle.

Links: 

• Connect with me on: IG and FB. 

• Watch my free class and learn how to get more done in a day without stress and burnout. 

• Get your free copy of the Podcast Study Guide.

• Subscribe for weekly tips and strategies to empower your brain.

Learn more about The Journey, the only comprehensive coaching program for high-achieving women, that will teach you, in just 12 weeks, how to get more done, feel better, and overcome imposter syndrome.

Hey there, fearless listeners (pun intended)! In this podcast, we're diving deep into the topic of fear and how it affects all of us, sometimes in the sneakiest of ways!. 

You may see me, look at my degrees, or what I've accomplished and think that I must be fearless. But, OMG, sweet friend, that couldn't be further from the truth.

I still experience a ton of fear (all the time!), and I do my best to stumble through it and keep going. 

Because fear is something we all encounter, and its roots run deep. 

Yes, it's an evolutionary response… 

However, for many of us, especially women and people of color, fear goes beyond the evolutionary response. For women, people of color, and other marginalized communities, generations of complex trauma have been passed down, shaping our fears and behaviors. 

Acknowledging the ways fear shows up in our bodies is crucial, as our fear response is hardwired, acting even before our brains process it. 

But, you can break this generational cycle of fear. 

In this week's podcast episode, I show you exactly how. 

Remember, you are your ancestors' wildest dreams, and when you choose action over fear, you honor their legacy and pave the way for a future free from these inherited fears. Sending you so much love today as you choose courage over fear. 

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The sneaky ways fear shows up (i.e. there's more to that feeling of apathy you're experiencing)

• The science of the fear response 

• How generational trauma affects the way you react to fear

• How to outsmart your brain and your fear response and take action in the face of fear. 

• How fear manifests in your body and how to acknowledge when its present 

• How to start the healing process to break the cycle of generational trauma and move towards a life of courage and action.

Links: 

• Connect with me on: IG and FB. 

• Watch my free class and learn how to get more done in a day without stress and burnout. 

• Get your free copy of the Podcast Study Guide.

• Subscribe for weekly tips and strategies to empower your brain.

Learn more about The Journey, the only comprehensive coaching program for high-achieving women, that will teach you, in just 12 weeks, how to get more done, feel better, and overcome imposter syndrome.

In this episode, we dive into the stress trauma continuum. 

Before I get into it, I want to remind you that if you're experiencing signs of chronic stress or burnout, you are not alone, and there is help available. If you find yourself constantly exhausted, emotionally drained, or lacking a sense of personal accomplishment, you may be on the path to burnout. But don't worry, identifying these symptoms is the first step to healing. Trust me, I've been there, twice! First as a clinician, and then leading a department through COVID. I know the struggles of burnout firsthand. If you're experiencing signs of stress (could be apathy, sadness, or a general "blah" feeling), I want to help you, please reach out for support. You can email me at [email protected]. 

The stress trauma continuum ranges from healthy stress that stimulates creativity and satisfaction to toxic stress leading to burnout or even trauma. Whether you find yourself thriving today or barely surviving, you'll want to take a listen to this episode to learn all the different ways stress can show up as well as the difference between good and bad stress. 

If this episode helped or inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag me, @vanessacalderonmd.

In this episode you'll learn: 

• How chronic stress and burnout are common issues that many people face today.

• How to recognize the signs of burnout which is crucial for seeking help and support.

• How to identify healthy stress. Stress can be healthy when it challenges and stimulates us, but chronic stress can become toxic and lead to burnout.

• How to prevent burnout.

• How to overcome burnout and trauma.

• How to stay in a state of genuine thriving.

Links: 

• Connect with me on: IG and FB. 

• Watch my free class and learn how to get more done in a day without stress and burnout. 

• Get your free copy of the Podcast Study Guide.

• Subscribe for weekly tips and strategies to empower your brain.

Learn more about The Journey, the only comprehensive coaching program for high-achieving women, that will teach you, in just 12 weeks, how to get more done, feel better, and overcome imposter syndrome.

Is there an area of your life where you're not getting the results you want? Maybe you have a grant proposal that you keep putting off. Perhaps it's with your health goals. Maybe you're stuck in a job that you don't love but you're putting off making a change. 

Instead of procrastinating on creating the results in your life that you want, I want to help you start taking action right now.This minute. 

If this is you, then you're going to want to listen to this podcast episode. 

If there's an area in your life where you're feeling dissatisfied or unhappy, this episode is for you. 

You'll learn powerful strategies and techniques to help you make the changes necessary to create the life you want without feeling overwhelmed.

See Full Show Notes by clicking Here.

Get your free copy of the  self regulation tools

Follow Vanessa at: 

IG: @vanessacalderonmd

FB: Vanessa Calderon MD

Learn more and subscribe at:

www.vanessacalderonmd.com

The Journey (to your empowered brain)

Learn more and join the Journey at: www.VanessaCalderonMD.com/join

About the Podcast

This podcast is for all women, those that identify as leaders and those that don't, yet. You'll learn how to let go of guilt and self-doubt so you can show up with confidence everywhere you go. No more questioning if your idea is good enough to share, if it's worth it to speak up, or if you're a good enough leader. All that self-critical B.S. stops now. Listen in as masterful educator and Harvard grad physician, Dr. Vanessa Calderón, teaches you how to let go of the things standing in the way of your success as a leader. Get ready, this podcast will accelerate your personal and professional growth.

Dr. Vanessa Calderón, MD, MPP has over 20 years of leadership experience. She is a Harvard grad, ER physician, Life and Leadership coach, and a mother of 2. She's a first generation Latina and is dedicated to uplifting her community. She's the founder of the Latina Leadership Accelerator, where she uses education and coaching to support the personal and professional development of women at all stages of their lives and careers.

This is Part 2 of our Self-Forgiveness series. In this episode, I interview Dr. Melissa Parsons, a colleague and friend.

We talk about the things that keep us from forgiving ourselves and she teaches a process to process, forgive and move on. 

See Full Show Notes by clicking Here.

Get your free copy of the  self regulation tools

Follow Vanessa at: 

IG: @vanessacalderonmd

FB: Vanessa Calderon MD

Learn more and subscribe at:

www.vanessacalderonmd.com

The Journey (to your empowered brain)

Learn more and join the Journey at: www.VanessaCalderonMD.com/join

About the Podcast

This podcast is for all women, those that identify as leaders and those that don't, yet. You'll learn how to let go of guilt and self-doubt so you can show up with confidence everywhere you go. No more questioning if your idea is good enough to share, if it's worth it to speak up, or if you're a good enough leader. All that self-critical B.S. stops now. Listen in as masterful educator and Harvard grad physician, Dr. Vanessa Calderón, teaches you how to let go of the things standing in the way of your success as a leader. Get ready, this podcast will accelerate your personal and professional growth.

Dr. Vanessa Calderón, MD, MPP has over 20 years of leadership experience. She is a Harvard grad, ER physician, Life and Leadership coach, and a mother of 2. She's a first generation Latina and is dedicated to uplifting her community. She's the founder of the Latina Leadership Accelerator, where she uses education and coaching to support the personal and professional development of women at all stages of their lives and careers.

Despite what your saboteur (i.e. inner critic) may be telling you, you have no bad parts.

That's right, every version of you deserves love and acknowledgment.

If there are parts of you that you've been shaming, today is an opportunity to heal that part of you and let it go.

How?

You do this by practicing one of the greatest acts of self-compassion, self-forgiveness.

The practice of self-forgiveness allows you to see all versions of your past self with loving curiosity. It allows you to learn, grow, and let go of whatever guilt, judgment, or shame has kept you stuck.

Self-forgiveness is liberating and helps you create more clarity and space in your life for things that matter.

This week on my podcast, The Empowered Brain, I teach you a gentle and effective step-by-step process to help you access old wounds and practice self-forgiveness.

Take a listen and share it with a friend. Podcast Episode #109: Self-Forgiveness Part 1.

See Full Show Notes by clicking Here.

Get your free copy of the  self regulation tools

Follow Vanessa at: 

IG: @vanessacalderonmd

FB: Vanessa Calderon MD

Learn more and subscribe at:

www.vanessacalderonmd.com

The Journey (to your empowered brain)

Learn more and join the Journey at: www.VanessaCalderonMD.com/join

About the Podcast

This podcast is for all women, those that identify as leaders and those that don't, yet. You'll learn how to let go of guilt and self-doubt so you can show up with confidence everywhere you go. No more questioning if your idea is good enough to share, if it's worth it to speak up, or if you're a good enough leader. All that self-critical B.S. stops now. Listen in as masterful educator and Harvard grad physician, Dr. Vanessa Calderón, teaches you how to let go of the things standing in the way of your success as a leader. Get ready, this podcast will accelerate your personal and professional growth.

Dr. Vanessa Calderón, MD, MPP has over 20 years of leadership experience. She is a Harvard grad, ER physician, Life and Leadership coach, and a mother of 2. She's a first generation Latina and is dedicated to uplifting her community. She's the founder of the Latina Leadership Accelerator, where she uses education and coaching to support the personal and professional development of women at all stages of their lives and careers.

Raise your hand if you procrastinate… even just a little bit.

If you catch yourself procrastinating and you notice it's getting in the way of your productivity, then this episode is for you.

In this episode you'll learn:

• The exact reason why you procrastinate (hint: it's not just about avoiding the task)
• You'll understand the exact things you specifically do when you procrastinate (even the one's that sort of feel productive)
• 3 effective strategies to stop procrastinating and start getting more done

See Full Show Notes by clicking Here.

Get your free copy of the  self regulation tools

Follow Vanessa at: 

IG: @vanessacalderonmd

FB: Vanessa Calderon MD

Learn more and subscribe at:

www.vanessacalderonmd.com

The Journey (to your empowered brain)

Learn more and join the Journey at: www.VanessaCalderonMD.com/join

About the Podcast

This podcast is for all women, those that identify as leaders and those that don't, yet. You'll learn how to let go of guilt and self-doubt so you can show up with confidence everywhere you go. No more questioning if your idea is good enough to share, if it's worth it to speak up, or if you're a good enough leader. All that self-critical B.S. stops now. Listen in as masterful educator and Harvard grad physician, Dr. Vanessa Calderón, teaches you how to let go of the things standing in the way of your success as a leader. Get ready, this podcast will accelerate your personal and professional growth.

Dr. Vanessa Calderón, MD, MPP has over 20 years of leadership experience. She is a Harvard grad, ER physician, Life and Leadership coach, and a mother of 2. She's a first generation Latina and is dedicated to uplifting her community. She's the founder of the Latina Leadership Accelerator, where she uses education and coaching to support the personal and professional development of women at all stages of their lives and careers.