Ramona was working as a CEO when she finally hit her breaking point and decided to stand up for her values.  Now she does incredible work at a non-profit called Love146, who's mission is to end child trafficking.  We dive into what lead to her leaving a leadership role to pursue impact instead.   
 
✨ FREE GUIDE: Soften Your Inner Critic in 7 Days: A Guide to Stop Getting In Your Own Way

📍 Timestamps:

00:00 – Why Ramona’s Story Matters
00:55 – Ramona’s Journey: From California to Connecticut
01:32 – Challenges as a CEO
02:31 – The BLM Post Controversy
03:59 – The Breaking Point & Termination
05:46 – Starting Over: Finding Non-Profit Love146
06:14 – Love146’s Mission & Values
07:18 – Working in a Heavy Field & Finding Purpose
08:41 – Previous Nonprofit Experience
09:35 – Searching for Purpose in Work
11:04 – Finding Alignment & Balance
12:13 – Redefining Success & Family Expectations
13:18 – Why Impact Matters More Than the Ladder
14:05 – Continuous Learning & Growth
15:05 – How Ramona Defines Success
16:39 – Mental Health Then vs. Now
18:34 – Love146’s Work & How to Help

 💡Key Takeaways

In this episode you'll learn:

How to identify a misalignment in values
How to prioritize your mental health with your career 
How to find greater job satisfaction, purpose, and fulfillment
How to change your definition of success away from climbing a corporate ladder 
How to recognize signs of burnout 

 🚀 Start Here If You're New

1. Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: How to Trust Your Success as a High-Achiever | EP 45

2. Overcoming Others' Expectations: 3 Stages to Living an Authentic Life | EP 48

3. Should You Quit Your Job? How to Know When it’s Time for a Career Pivot | EP 39

 👥How To Connect

Workingtowardsourpurpose.com

Watch on YouTube

Substack

Instagram

LinkedIn

WTOP Merch

Feedback Form WTOP.com

Connect with Ramona:

• Learn more about Love146
• Donate to Love146

Today I talked to Eric Cuni, licensed marriage and family therapist, certified integrative mental health professional, also known as "The Burnout Professor," is a Leading Integrative Mental Health & Trauma Specialist, Keynote Speaker, and Fellow Trauma Survivor. She is on a mission to empower people worldwide with the skills to take control of their nervous system and thrive consciously.

✨ FREE GUIDE: Soften Your Inner Critic in 7 Days: A Guide to Stop Getting In Your Own Way

📍 Timestamps:

00:00 Meet Erica Cuni: Background and Life-Altering Accident
01:08 Erica’s Journey: From Trauma to Transformation
03:09 Burnout, Overwhelm, and Calming Your Mind
05:18 Integrative Mental Health: Mind, Body, and Gut Connection
06:26 After The Accident: How Erica Approached Holistic Healing
08:41 The Role and Reality of “Hustle”
10:15 Overcoming Old Patterns and Rewriting Your Inner Voice
11:45 Defining Success & Entrepreneurship
12:41 Advice for Pursuing Passion and Making Bold Moves
15:32 Building Community as an Entrepreneur
17:40 Never Stop Learning: Erica’s Ongoing Education and Spiritual Growth
19:42 Spirituality: What It Means and Erica’s Personal Experience
22:03 What’s Next for Erica & How to Connect

 💡Key Takeaways

In this episode you'll learn:

How to turn trauma into purpose
How to address burnout, stress, and overwhelm
How to regulate your own nervous system
How to listen to your authentic voice 
How to redefine entrepreneurial success
How to calm your mind through movement, yoga, exercise, and dance

 🚀 Start Here If You're New

1. Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: How to Trust Your Success as a High-Achiever | EP 45

2. Overcoming Others' Expectations: 3 Stages to Living an Authentic Life | EP 48

3. Should You Quit Your Job? How to Know When it’s Time for a Career Pivot | EP 39

👥How to connect:

Workingtowardsourpurpose.com

Watch on YouTube

Substack

Instagram

LinkedIn

WTOP Merch

Feedback Form WTOP.com

Connect With Erica:

• Erica's Website
• Follow on IG
• Follow on LinkedIn

When a stolen bike led Steve Roberts to skateboarding, he found a passion that inspired community, creativity, and purpose. In this episode, discover how the Push to Start program is changing lives and redefining what it means to work with purpose.

✨ FREE GUIDE: Soften Your Inner Critic in 7 Days: A Guide to Stop Getting In Your Own Way

📍 Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction of guest Steve Roberts and overview of his background
01:11 Steve shares how he got into skateboarding and its influence on his life
03:46 The origin story of Push to Start and its impact on youth and community
06:19 The meaning of community and Steve's approach to building it
07:20 College education, early career, and choosing a non-traditional path
10:10 Following intuition over traditional expectations and handling family pressures
13:56 Mentors that influenced Steve’s journey
16:28 Defining success personally and professionally
19:28 Lifelong learning, curiosity, and staying engaged with the community
21:37 Advice for those feeling stuck and the importance of support systems
23:41 What’s next for Steve and how listeners can support his work

 💡Key Takeaways
In this episode you'll learn:
How to build community through shared spaces
How to use skateboarding as a path to purpose
How to redefine success
How to navigate familial expectations
How to stay curious and continue learning
The importance of mentorship and networks
 
 🚀 Start Here If You're New
1. Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: How to Trust Your Success as a High-Achiever | EP 45
2. Overcoming Others' Expectations: 3 Stages to Living an Authentic Life | EP 48
3. Should You Quit Your Job? How to Know When it’s Time for a Career Pivot | EP 39

 👥How To Connect:

Workingtowardsourpurpose.com
Watch on YouTube
Substack
Instagram
LinkedIn
WTOP Merch
Feedback Form WTOP.com

In this first ever episode of Working Towards Our Purpose, Gino Cordone shares his journey from an unfulfilling engineering career to creating a life rooted in Purpose, Authentic Living, and mental health awareness. He reflects on navigating a career transition and building a meaningful business. The episode highlights how prioritizing values and connecting with inspiring people can lead to a more purposeful and fulfilling life. 

✨ FREE GUIDE: Soften Your Inner Critic in 7 Days: A Guide to Stop Getting In Your Own Way

📍 Timestamps:

00:00 – My Podcast Vision
00:33 – From Mechanical Engineering to Entrepreneurship
01:41 – High School Inspirations and College Choices
02:09 – Shop Class Lessons & Career Advice
03:02 – Choosing Engineering & College
03:59 – Backpacking Europe & Shifting Perspectives
05:05 – First Engineering Job at Electric Boat
06:44 – Frustrations in Corporate Culture
07:44 – Job Transition to Pratt & Whitney
09:28 – Realizing the Need for a Career Pivot
10:46 – Exploring a Career in Music & Podcasting
12:02 – Building A Side-Hustle
13:59 – Burnout During the Pandemic
15:18 – Quitting Corporate for Full-time Entrepreneurship
16:54 – Money Realities
18:07 – After Corporate Life
19:23 – Meaningful Projects & Building Purpose
20:40 – Importance of Networking & Community
22:32 – Why I Started This Podcast
22:56 – Challenging the “A Job’s Just a Job” Mindset
24:38 – Life After Quitting & A Call to Listeners

 💡Key Takeaways

In this episode you'll learn:

• Hear real experiences of struggling with dissatisfaction, lack of purpose, and the challenges of leaving a stable job
• Explore the inner conflict between following a conventional career path versus pursuing personal passions
• Gain perspective on the impact of community and networking
• Understand why finding meaning and purpose in your work can lead to a happier and more fulfilling life

 🚀 Start Here If You're New

1. Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: How to Trust Your Success as a High-Achiever | EP 45

2. Overcoming Others' Expectations: 3 Stages to Living an Authentic Life | EP 48

3. Should You Quit Your Job? How to Know When it’s Time for a Career Pivot | EP 39

How To Connect:

Workingtowardsourpurpose.com

Watch on YouTube

Substack

Instagram

LinkedIn

WTOP Merch

Feedback Form WTOP.com