Overcome Stage Fright | Mahlena-Rae Johnson
Gratitude Geek
How to overcome stage fright as a woman entrepreneur and leader. Speaker and author Mahlena-Rae Johnson shares her 3-step framework (relax, relate, release) to help introverted women leaders conquer public speaking anxiety and step into their power on stage with confidence. In episode 296 of Gratitude Geek, I sit down with Mahlena-Rae Johnson—speaker, comedian, 6-time author, and self-proclaimed "Professor X for Introverted EdTech CEOs with Stage Fright"—to discuss how women can overcome stage fright and public speaking anxiety. Why do 80% of women experience stage fright compared to only...
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I Cut Off My Breasts Before Cancer Could Kill Me | Merit Kahn
Gratitude Geek
What if you could prevent breast cancer before it starts? And what if you could turn that journey—plus divorce and life's biggest challenges—into comedy gold? Comedian Merit Kahn joins host Kandas Rodarte to share her powerful story as a BRCA1 previvor who chose preventative mastectomy at age 40. Merit transformed her experience into a one-woman comedy show called "Optimistic Personality Disorder" and now helps women rewrite the stories that limit their lives. This conversation will make you laugh, think differently about genetic testing, and realize that you have the power to rewrite any...
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I Survived Abuse and Cancer—Here's What Healed Me | Deb Davis
Gratitude Geek
In episode 294, I chat with Deb Davis, breast cancer thriver and author of "The Faces of Transparency: What We Reveal," about healing, transparency, and self-advocacy. Deb shares her journey through abuse, breast cancer recovery, and the power of breaking silence. Together they explore three game-changing self-care practices, why transparency matters more than perfection, and how to truly support someone facing cancer—and what NOT to do. What You'll Learn: Three self-care practices that transform healing: saying no, listening to your body, and laughter as medicine Why transparency is the...
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Holistic Cancer Recovery Tools Your Doctor Won't Mention | Christie Going
Gratitude Geek
When you're diagnosed with cancer, your oncologist will tell you about chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. But what about the complementary therapies that could help you manage side effects, reduce pain, and heal more completely? In this revealing conversation, Kandas sits down with licensed massage therapist and reflexologist Christie Going to discuss the holistic modalities that most doctors never mention—not because they don't work, but because they're simply not part of standard oncology training. Christie specializes in breast cancer recovery and shares practical, accessible tools...
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I Chose the Harder Surgery & It Saved My Life | Erica Neubert Campbell
Gratitude Geek
What happens when you choose the harder path? Award-winning writer Erica Neubert Campbell shares her transformative breast cancer journey with host Kandas Rodarte in this powerful October breast cancer awareness episode. After watching her mother battle and lose her fight with breast cancer, Erica faced her own diagnosis with hard-won wisdom—choosing a double mastectomy over the easier lumpectomy option. Discover her life-changing nightly gratitude practice (the 5-5-5-3 method), learn how writing just one sentence per day led to publishing a vulnerable book with real surgical photos, and...
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How Resilience Built a Thriving Therapy Practice | Luba Patlakh
Gratitude Geek
Join us in this inspiring episode featuring Luba Patlakh, the Founder & Director of Kidology, Inc. As a resilient entrepreneur, Luba shares her remarkable journey from Manhattan broadcast journalism to establishing a thriving pediatric speech therapy practice. Discover how resilience is not just a personal trait, but a pivotal entrepreneurial superpower that shapes extraordinary businesses. Luba's story reveals the value of transferable skills from previous careers and the realities of running a healthcare practice. Tune in to learn how to transform setbacks into stepping stones for...
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Surprising Ways LEGO Creativity Boosts Curiosity and Confidence | Eric Archer
Gratitude Geek
LEGO isn’t just child’s play—it’s a tool for curiosity, confidence, and connection. In episode 290 of Gratitude Geek, host Kandas Rodarte sits down with Eric Archer, a middle school history teacher, lifelong LEGO builder, and dad of four, to explore how creativity with bricks shapes problem-solving skills and family bonding. From LEGO’s new “She Built That” campaign to conventions like Brick World, Eric shares how play inspires STEM engagement for girls, strengthens community, and even acts as self-care. Discover surprising ways creativity and curiosity can fuel both learning and...
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How Women Entrepreneurs Can Build Connection Through Podcasting | Alesia Galati
Gratitude Geek
Podcasting can feel scary, exciting, and life-changing all at once. On episode 289 of Gratitude Geek, I hang out with Alesia Galati of Galati Media, who’s all about helping women entrepreneurs find their voice and share it with the world. We laugh, we get real about imposter syndrome, and we dig into how gratitude and connection can sustain a podcasting journey. We also celebrate marginalized voices in literature and explore the joy of reading smutty books—because, yes, self-care looks different for everyone. If you’re ready to hear a heart-forward conversation about telling your story,...
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From Cult Survivor to CEO | Lydia Knight
Gratitude Geek
What if your darkest chapter became the foundation for your greatest success? In this episode of Gratitude Geek, Kandas Rodarte sits down with Lydia Knight, a cult survivor who rewrote her life and rose to become a 7-figure CEO and executive coach. Lydia shares how she transformed indoctrination into empowerment, why curiosity is more powerful than fear, and how the “algorithms” of our brains shape the way we lead, communicate, and connect. Her story is one of resilience, neuroscience, and practical strategies that every woman solopreneur can use to step fully into her own leadership. What...
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Self-Care Survival | Deb Davis, Nicole Havelka and Di Hilstad
Gratitude Geek
Running your own business is rewarding, but let’s be honest—it can also be exhausting, overwhelming, and sometimes downright soul-sucking. In this episode of Gratitude Geek, I chat with three powerhouse solopreneurs—Deb Davis, Nicole Halveka, and Di Hilstad—about survival-level self-care strategies for women over 40. From setting boundaries and asking for help to creating your personal “Survivor’s Toolkit,” we cover practical, real-world ways to protect your energy, thrive in your business, and still find time to breathe. Whether you’re facing burnout, health challenges, or...
info_outlineThis week on Be Who You Want to Be: Your Business, Your Life, the podcast for micropreneurs designing your business and your life on your own terms, host Kandas Rodarte is joined by the entrepreneurs’ therapist, Shulamit Ber Levtov.
Shula helps womxn entrepreneurs stay sane as they ride the emotional rollercoaster of running a business. As a former psychotherapist and trauma specialist, Shula brings a unique approach to emotional support and mental health for womxn entrepreneurs by using mental wellness and resilience KPIs.