I didn’t expect this conversation to hit me like it did.

But somewhere in the middle of it, I realized — we don’t stay stuck because we don’t know.

We stay stuck because we don’t trust ourselves to handle what comes after the decision.

This is the Season 3 finale of Unmute Yourself — and it’s the one that lingers.

In this conversation with Elizabeth Taylor, we talk about the quiet tension so many women are living in — knowing exactly what needs to change, and still hesitating.

Not because we’re unclear.
Because we’re afraid of what it might cost.

We unpack self-trust, identity, and the moment where you stop waiting to feel ready… and decide anyway.

If you’ve been circling a decision, avoiding a conversation, or holding yourself back from something you already know is yours — this episode will meet you there.

00:00 – Why this conversation surprised me
02:10 – The truth about feeling “ready”
06:25 – Where self-doubt actually comes from
11:40 – The cost of staying where you are
16:15 – What self-trust really looks like in real time
21:30 – The decision you already know you need to make
26:00 – Closing reflection

If you’re sitting on a decision right now — that’s exactly the work I do.
Book a strategy call: https://calendly.com/jennifer-flashlightthinking/strategy-call

Follow, subscribe, and stay connected: https://linktr.ee/unmuteyourselfpodcast

What decision have you been quietly avoiding — even though you already know?

Music: “Your Way” by Mark July
Licensed by Uppbeat
License code: KKHUU4BLYO3R5SKJ
https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/your-way

Connect with our guest: Elizabeth Taylor

Website: www.thecorporatebestie.com
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thecorporatebestie/

Connect with me (Jennifer)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifercartersocialimpact
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unmuteyourself
Website: https://flashlightthinking.com

#UnmuteYourself #SelfTrust #DecisionMaking #PersonalGrowth #Leadership #WomenInLeadership #PodcastFinale #MindsetShift #CareerGrowth #Confidence

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You’re Not Broken — You’re Disconnected

 She said, “Love yourself. You’re enough.”
 And I felt that one land in my body before my brain could even catch up.

 This conversation surprised me—in the best way.

I sat down with Wendy Vigdor-Hess expecting to talk about health. Nutrition. Maybe a few mindset shifts.

What we actually talked about was what it costs to abandon yourself… and what it looks like to come back.

Wendy’s work blends holistic health, embodiment, and shamanic practices—but what struck me most is how simple and human her message is:

You’re not broken.
 You’re just disconnected from yourself.

We talk about:

•  Why so many women feel like they don’t belong 
•  The quiet ways we betray ourselves to be liked 
•  Generational patterns we’re still carrying 
•  And what it really means to feel at home in your own body again 

This one felt grounding. Honest. A little emotional, if I’m being real.

And if you’ve been circling something—
 a decision, a boundary, a version of yourself you’re scared to fully step into—

This conversation might be the nudge you needed.

 00:15 – What this podcast is really about
 01:27 – Wendy’s unexpected path into holistic healing
 04:30 – What her work actually looks like in practice
 06:33 – Why people feel stuck (even when they’re “doing everything right”)
 09:42 – Shamanic practices… explained simply
 14:25 – Confidence, self-doubt, and becoming
 19:13 – Generational patterns & inherited beliefs
 23:22 – What Wendy is no longer hiding
 25:04 – “I’m not good enough” — and unlearning it
 27:04 – The truths we don’t talk about (but should)
 28:09 – Grounding, presence, and coming back to yourself
 32:09 – The one thing she wants you to remember

 If you’re ready to stop circling the decision you already know you need to make—
 let’s talk.
 https://calendly.com/jennifer-flashlightthinking/strategy-call

Subscribe, follow, and stay connected:
 https://linktr.ee/unmuteyourselfpodcast

She’s hosting a class on April 27 focused on working with the mother and the lineage—your connection to Earth Mother, your ancestral lineage, and your birth mother.

And what I love about how Wendy approaches this is…
you don’t need a perfect relationship with your mother.
She even says, it can be any kind of relationship, and your mother doesn’t even need to be alive.

This work is about awareness, clearing, and coming back into alignment with yourself.

If you’re feeling called to go deeper, you can learn more or sign up here:
https://www.thesanctuarycentres.com/

She also shares meditations on Insight Timer if you want a really accessible place to start.

Connect with our guest: Wendy Vigdor-Hess
Website: https://www.thesanctuarycentres.com/
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-vigdor-hess/

Connect with me (Jennifer):
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifercartersocialimpact
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unmuteyourself
Website: https://flashlightthinking.com

Where in your life are you abandoning yourself… and calling it “being nice”?

Music: “Your Way” by Mark July
Licensed by Uppbeat
License code: KKHUU4BLYO3R5SKJ
h

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I didn’t expect this conversation to stay with me the way it did.

It started with a simple question about clothing… and turned into something much bigger.

In this episode, I sit down with Elia Barriga Polo, textile designer and founder, whose work exists at the very beginning of everything we wear.

And what she shared shifted how I see something as simple as a shirt.

Because this isn’t just about textiles.

It’s about the way we move through life without questioning our choices—
 and what happens when we finally do.

We talk about:

• The reality behind clothing production
• Sustainability and consumer responsibility
• The hidden cost of fast fashion
• AI and the value of real expertise
• Resilience, patience, and building something meaningful

This is a conversation that invites you to pause and start paying attention.

Take the next step:
Book a private coaching call:
https://calendly.com/jennifer-flashlightthinking/strategy-call

Follow, subscribe, and stay connected:
https://linktr.ee/unmuteyourselfpodcast

Connect with our guest: Elia Barriga Polo
Website: https://roushastudio.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elia-barriga-polo/

Connect with Jennifer
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifercartersocialimpact/

Instagram: @unmuteyourself
Website: https://flashlightthinking.com

 What are you no longer willing to do on autopilot?

00:00 – Welcome & context
03:30 – Career beginnings
08:45 – Textile design deep dive
15:20 – Global experience
21:10 – Sustainability challenges
26:40 – AI in design
31:00 – Industry insights
36:20 – Growth lessons
40:10 – Consumption awareness
45:00 – Closing

 Music: “Your Way” by Mark July
 Licensed by Uppbeat
 License code: KKHUU4BLYO3R5SKJ
 https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/your-way

 #UnmuteYourself #LeadershipPodcast #SelfAwareness #Sustainability #PersonalGrowth #CreativeEntrepreneur

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Ever feel like the path you’ve worked so hard for… just isn’t yours anymore?

In this episode of Unmute Yourself, I sit down with Rachel Wagner-Kaiser—a data science and AI consultant, author, and former astronomer—to talk about the courage it takes to pivot when everything you’ve built feels like it’s on the line.

Rachel’s story is incredible: from earning a PhD in astronomy to stepping into AI and data science before it became “hot,” she shows us that growth often lives in the space of doubt, discomfort, and uncertainty. This isn’t a perfect story—it’s real, messy, and inspiring.

When we sit down, Rachel shares:

•  How to navigate a career pivot when you’ve invested years in one path 
•  Why fear, failure, and self-doubt aren’t just obstacles—they’re fuel for growth 
•  How to trust yourself even when the next step is unclear 
•  The truth about AI and machine learning beyond the hype 
•  The mindset shifts that help you embrace change and step into your own power 

If you’re feeling stuck, questioning your next move, or wondering if you’re capable of something new, this episode is for you. It’s a reminder that the life you’re meant to live might be just on the other side of fear—and the first step is saying yes to yourself.

If you’re carrying a decision you already know you need to make…
You’re welcome to book a private coaching call with me:
https://calendly.com/jennifer-flashlightthinking/strategy-call

Stay connected and don’t miss an episode:
https://linktr.ee/unmuteyourselfpodcast

Connect with our guest: Rachel Wagner-Kaiser
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rawagnerkaiser/

Connect with me, Jennifer
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifercartersocialimpact/
Instagram: @unmuteyourself
Website: https://flashlightthinking.com

 Where in your life are you being called to pivot—but still hesitating?

 00:00 – Welcome & Rachel’s journey
 02:00 – Early love for science
 04:30 – From astronomy PhD to pivot
 07:00 – Fear, doubt, and career change
 12:00 – What data science really looks like
 16:00 – AI: hype vs reality
 21:00 – Critical thinking in today’s world
 25:00 – Confidence and growth
 30:00 – Writing a book
 34:00 – Stepping outside comfort zones
 38:00 – Lightning round
 45:00 – Final reflections

 Music: “Your Way” by Mark July
 Licensed by Uppbeat
 License code: KKHUU4BLYO3R5SKJ
 https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/your-way

 #UnmuteYourself #CareerPivot #WomenInTech #PersonalGrowth #SelfTrust #AI #DataScience #MindsetShift #Leadership #GrowthJourney

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What if the thing that feels the most uncomfortable to understand… is actually the thing worth leaning into?

This conversation with Dr. Ewelina Kurtys lives right at that edge.

Because when we start talking about building computers using living neurons, it’s easy to jump straight to fear, assumptions, or even worst-case scenarios. But what I appreciated about Ewelina is how grounded, clear, and honest she is about what’s actually happening—and what isn’t.

Ewelina is a neuroscientist and strategic advisor at FinalSpark, a company working in biological computing. She made the leap from academia into startups, driven by curiosity and a desire to explore what’s possible beyond traditional paths.

And that curiosity led her here… to one of the most cutting-edge spaces in AI.

In this episode, we unpack:

•  What biological computing really means (and what it doesn’t) 
•  Why people are quick to fear what they don’t fully understand 
•  The role of ethics and philosophy in emerging technology 
•  How innovation actually happens in deep tech 
•  And how belief—yes, belief—even shows up in science 

But underneath all of that, this is really a conversation about perspective.

About how we decide what to trust.
 About how we respond when something challenges our worldview.
 And about whether we lead with fear… or curiosity.

00:15 – Welcome & episode intro

02:10 – From academia to startups

03:07 – Discovering FinalSpark

04:33 – What is biological computing?

05:41 – Why people are afraid

06:46 – Biggest misconceptions

08:32 – How neurons work

10:23 – What’s next for the tech

10:46 – Can this impact humans?

11:31 – Ethics & philosophy

13:41 – Communicating complex ideas

14:38 – Day-to-day in deep tech

15:28 – Excitement vs. caution

17:05 – Fear vs. expertise

18:30 – Building trust

19:02 – Lightning round

22:04 – Final takeaway

Connect with our guest: Ewelina Kurtys

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://finalspark.com/

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

Connect with Jennifer

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

Instagram: @unmuteyourself

Website: https://flashlightthinking.com

Ready to make a decision you’ve been avoiding?

https://calendly.com/jennifer-flashlightthinking/strategy-call

Watch the full episode and follow the podcast:

https://linktr.ee/unmuteyourselfpodcast

What fear might be shaping your perspective more than you realize?

Music: “Your Way” by Mark July Licensed by Uppbeat License code: KKHUU4BLYO3R5SKJ 

#UnmuteYourself #AI #Neuroscience #Leadership #Innovation #MindsetShift #WomenInTech #FutureOfWork

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What if the reason you feel stuck isn’t your circumstances… but your beliefs? What if the life you’ve been waiting for is already within reach—but your mindset is keeping you from stepping fully into it?

In this episode, Courtney Confare, founder of Encoded, shares how she built a life by design by rewiring her beliefs, trusting herself, and stepping into her identity before she had all the answers. From moving to a new city knowing no one, to building a network of hundreds of women, and launching a platform to help people uncover and rewire limiting beliefs, Courtney shows us that action, clarity, and self-trust create real transformation.

We explore:

•  Identity and belief systems: how your thoughts drive results 
•  Self-trust and clarity: why outsourcing your intuition holds you back 
•  Nervous system regulation vs. capacity: how to increase your threshold for stress 
•  Taking aligned action without force or friction 
•  Real-life examples of building a community and launching Encoded 
•  Practices for showing up as your full, empowered self every day 

00:00 – Welcome

00:16 – Meet Courtney

02:17 – Beliefs & “magic”

04:20 – Detachment & letting go

05:55 – Thoughts → feelings → actions → results

08:25 – How Encoded works: journal + app

10:06 – Moving to Austin & building a community

14:31 – Building self-trust & trusting your own voice

17:12 – Nervous system regulation vs. capacity

18:43 – Reframing rejection

22:13 – Lightning round: unmuting your truth

24:46 – Final takeaway

Connect with our guest: Courtney Confare
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.encoded.ai/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneyconfare/

Connect with Jennifer Carter:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifercartersocialimpact/
Instagram: @unmuteyourself
Website: https://flashlightthinking.com

 Ready to make a decision you’ve been avoiding?
 Book a strategy call

Watch the full episode and follow the podcast:
https://linktr.ee/unmuteyourselfpodcast

What belief are you ready to let go of today?

Music: “Your Way” by Mark July Licensed by Uppbeat 

License code: KKHUU4BLYO3R5SKJ https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/your-way 

 #UnmuteYourself #SelfTrust #MindsetShift #PersonalGrowth #Podcast

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I didn’t expect to laugh this much in a conversation about grief. But that’s Beth. And somewhere between the humor and the heartbreak… she said something I haven’t been able to shake.

 In this episode, I sit down with Beth Stowell Reed — a woman whose life has been reshaped by loss, resilience, and the quiet courage to begin again.

After losing her husband just months after his diagnosis, Beth had to rebuild a life she never planned for. Not in theory. In real time.

What struck me most wasn’t just her story…
 It was how she tells it: with humor, honesty, and a grounded self-trust that only comes from walking through something you can’t prepare for.

We talk about grief, identity, rebuilding, and the unexpected power of choosing yourself — even when everything feels uncertain.

This conversation is about what happens when life doesn’t go the way you planned… and who you become anyway.

 00:00 Welcome & Beth’s story begins
 01:30 Moving back home & starting over
 06:20 The diagnosis that changed everything
 08:30 Losing her husband & navigating grief
 15:40 Rebuilding life from the ground up
 19:00 Finding purpose & returning to work
 22:00 Writing, healing, and finding her voice
 24:00 Humor as a survival tool
 25:50 Letting go of perfection
 27:00 Boundaries, identity, and self-trust
 28:30 Final reflections: grace and patience

 If this conversation hit something in you… don’t ignore it.

Book a strategy call: https://calendly.com/jennifer-flashlightthinking/strategy-call
Follow & subscribe: https://linktr.ee/unmuteyourselfpodcast

What part of your life are you being asked to rebuild right now… and what would it look like to trust yourself through it?

Contact Our Guest – Beth Stowell Reed:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-stowell-reed/

Connect with Jennifer:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifercartersocialimpact/
Instagram: @unmuteyourself
Website: https://flashlightthinking.com

 Music: “Your Way” by Mark July
 Licensed by Uppbeat
 License code: KKHUU4BLYO3R5SKJ
 https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/your-way

 #UnmuteYourself #GriefAndGrowth #LifeAfterLoss #SelfTrust #WomenInLeadership #PersonalGrowth #HealingJourney #Authenticity

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Jodi Wilding had a life most people would romanticize: travel, freedom, adventure. And she walked away.

She chose the stable path, the path that looked right to others, and slowly… lost herself. I hear versions of this story all the time. Not because women don’t know what they want, but because they stop trusting themselves enough to go after it.

This episode is about that exact moment, when you realize something’s off, and you can’t unsee it.

We talk about:

•  Losing touch with your intuition 
•  The hidden cost of following the “right” path 
•  Burnout, guilt, and silent dissatisfaction 
•  What it takes to come back to yourself and reclaim your power 

If something in your life feels off, don’t ignore it. That feeling isn’t random — it’s your inner voice asking to be heard.

If you’re circling a decision you already know you need to make— let’s talk. https://calendly.com/jennifer-flashlightthinking/strategy-call

Subscribe, follow, and share: https://linktr.ee/unmuteyourselfpodcast

Connect with Jodi Wilding:

•  Email: [email protected]
•  Website: https://www.jodiwilding.com/
•  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodi-wilding/

Connect with Jennifer:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifercartersocialimpact/
• Instagram: @unmuteyourself 
•  Website: https://flashlightthinking.com

“Your Way” by Mark July | Licensed by Uppbeat | License code: KKHUU4BLYO3R5SKJ
https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/your-way

•  0:00 – Welcome & intro 
•  2:15 – Jodi’s early life & adventurous spirit 
•  5:30 – Choosing the “right” path vs. intuition 
•  10:45 – Signs you’re losing touch with yourself 
•  15:20 – Burnout, guilt & silent dissatisfaction 
•  21:00 – How to reclaim your power & trust yourself again 
•  26:50 – Closing thoughts & key takeaways 

What’s the decision you already know the answer to… that you keep circling anyway?

#UnmuteYourselfPodcast #JodiWilding #BurnoutRecovery #TrustYourself #SelfDiscovery #Leadership #WomenInBusiness #PodcastForWomen #InnerVoice #Empowerment

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There’s a difference between something being complicated…

and something just never being explained to you properly.

And I think a lot of us have been confusing the two—especially when it comes to money.

This conversation clears that up in a way that feels… surprisingly simple.

In this episode, I’m joined by Elsa Iris Reyes—finance expert, founder, and someone who went from not even knowing accounting was a career… to helping companies build real financial power.

We talk about:

•  Why finance feels intimidating (and how to make it make sense) 
•  What corporate taught her about power and decision-making 
•  The truth about raising money and giving up ownership 
•  How to start trusting your instincts in rooms that feel overwhelming 

This is one of those conversations that quietly shifts something.

 00:00 Welcome + why this conversation matters
 01:44 Elsa’s journey: from confused to expert
 06:00 Why finance feels inaccessible
 14:00 Raising money + giving up equity
 18:00 Representation gaps + who gets left out
 20:30 Learning to trust yourself
 23:30 Lightning round
 25:30 Final takeaways

If you’re carrying a decision you already know you need to make…
 you don’t have to sit in it alone.

Book a private strategy call:
https://calendly.com/jennifer-flashlightthinking/strategy-call

Subscribe, follow, and share the show:
https://linktr.ee/unmuteyourselfpodcast

 What would change if you trusted yourself with money?

Contact Our Guest – Elsa Iris Reyes:
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.toloacheconsulting.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elsairisreyes1990/

Connect with Jennifer:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifercartersocialimpact/
Instagram: @unmuteyourself
Website: https://flashlightthinking.com

 Music: “Your Way” by Mark July
 Licensed by Uppbeat
 License code: KKHUU4BLYO3R5SKJ
 https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/your-way

#UnmuteYourself #WomenInLeadership #MoneyMindset #FemaleFounders #LeadershipPodcast #WomenInBusiness #Confidence #DecisionMaking #Entrepreneurship #FinancialEmpowerment #PersonalGrowth

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There’s a moment in this conversation where everything shifts.

Patrice Shumate says:

“We don’t have a generosity problem.
We have a responsibility problem.”

And I just… stop.

Because that reframes everything.

This isn’t a polished conversation about leadership or impact.

It’s an honest look at what’s happening underneath the systems we trust.

Patrice has spent years working in philanthropy and social impact.

What she brings here isn’t theory.

It’s lived experience.
It’s observation.
It’s truth that’s a little uncomfortable to hear.

We talk about:
– The gap between giving and responsibility
– Why systems that are meant to help… sometimes don’t
– What it takes to question something you’ve been part of for years
– And the courage it takes to say what you actually see

If you’ve ever felt like something isn’t working —
but couldn’t quite name it…

This conversation will.

If you’re sitting on a decision you already know you need to make: https://calendly.com/jennifer-flashlightthinking/strategy-call

Follow, subscribe, and share:
https://linktr.ee/unmuteyourselfpodcast

What are you starting to see… that you can’t unsee?

Music: “Your Way” by Mark July
Licensed by Uppbeat
License code: KKHUU4BLYO3R5SKJ

Support the show