04: Expert Enough: Breaking Free from Imposter Syndrome as Women of Color
Release Date: 11/21/2024
EP 26 How to Build a Personal Brand Rooted in Confidence, Clarity & Courage
Espiritu Coffee Chats
From ESL Teacher to Empowered Brand Photographer: Carina Flechner on Confidence, Visibility & Building a Purpose-Driven Business In this inspiring episode, we sit down with San Diego-based personal branding photographer and empowerment coach, Carina Flechner, to explore her powerful journey from a 23-year career in education to capturing the true essence of women through branding photography. Carina shares how live music, a secondhand camera, and a desire for purpose-led work ignited her pivot into personal brand photography, and how she now helps women step into their power, reclaim their...
info_outline
EP 25 Love & Legacy: Building a Business with Your Partner (Without Breaking Up)
Espiritu Coffee Chats
Love, Money & Legacy: Chris on Balancing Business, Creative Purpose & the Future of Finance In this refreshing episode of Espiritu Coffee Chats, we sit down with Chris, co-founder of Surje Coffee and Valerie’s partner, for a soulful and smart conversation on navigating love, business, and the evolving economy. Chris is the first masculine energy to grace the podcast, bringing grounded wisdom, intuitive financial literacy, and a unique blend of creativity and discipline. From how to survive building a business with your fiancé to why everyone needs a "tripod life" (doing what you...
info_outline
EP 24 From Fear to Financial Flow: : Rethinking Money, Bitcoin & A Real Talk About Money
Espiritu Coffee Chats
In this episode of Espiritu Coffee Chats, Valerie sits down with her fiancé and business partner, Christopher Yian, to unpack one big question: what does it mean to make money human again? Chris opens up about his 10-year college journey, his learning with Bitcoin and financial freedom, and how he turned a traditional Environmental Health & Safety career into a path of entrepreneurship, curiosity, and purpose. Together, they explore the deeper layers of money, mindset, and meaning—how our relationship with wealth can shift from stress and survival into sovereignty and empowerment....
info_outline
EP 23 Ayahuasca Round 2- Ancestral Healing Quantum Lessons Radical Acceptance
Espiritu Coffee Chats
In this powerful episode of Espiritu Coffee Chats, Arlene and Valerie share their most recent ayahuasca experiences—Arlene’s third journey and Valerie’s fourth. Together, they open up about the sacred healing, grief release, ancestral wisdom, and spiritual downloads they received while working with a male shaman for the first time. From navigating ancestral lineage grief, radical acceptance, and Reiki self-healing to visions of Egyptian goddess energy, light codes, and even conversations with beloved pets who’ve passed on—this episode dives deep into the transformational power of...
info_outline
EP 22 Hispanic Heritage Month: Empowering Latina Voices in Business & Community
Espiritu Coffee Chats
In this special Espiritu Coffee Chats episode, hosts Arlene Salcedo and Valerie Urrutia celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by highlighting the voices of three inspiring Latina entrepreneurs who are transforming business, community, and culture in San Diego and beyond. Meet our powerhouse guests: Jazmine Conejo, founder of Biz Bitches Community, who shares her journey of building authentic communities for women entrepreneurs while creating systems that empower female-led businesses. Connect with Jazmin Instagram @jazminmcornejo @bizzbitchcommunity and on her website Pam...
info_outline
Ep 21 Closing the Coffee Shop, Opening New Doors: Lessons in Business, Healing & Community
Espiritu Coffee Chats
In this candid catch-up, Arlene and Valerie open up about closing Surge Coffee’s brick-and-mortar shop, the lessons learned from running a San Diego coffee business, and how that journey sparked a deeper commitment to community events, wellness practices, and holistic entrepreneurship. They share stories of resilience, including hosting the first drag show in East County San Diego, navigating health challenges, and finding new opportunities through real estate investing and spiritual community building. Tune in for real talk on: What it takes to run (and close) a coffee shop business in...
info_outline
EP 20 Grounding in Fall For Vata Season: Ayurveda Rituals for Balance, Healing & Renewal
Espiritu Coffee Chats
In this episode of Espiritu Coffee Chats, hosts Arlene Salcedo (founder of Luna Soul Wellness, spiritual mentor, healer, and Ayurvedic practitioner) and Valerie Urrutia (owner of Surge Coffee) dive into the wisdom of Ayurveda to explore Vata season—the transitional time from late summer into fall and winter. Arlene shares how Vata season, governed by air and space, influences our body, mind, and emotions. From allergies and restlessness to scattered thinking and anxious energy, this season can leave us feeling ungrounded. But Ayurveda provides us with timeless tools to restore balance....
info_outline
EP 19 Why Coaches & Healers Are Turning to Human Design Certification
Espiritu Coffee Chats
In this episode of Espiritu Coffee Chats, hosts Arlene Salcedo, spiritual mentor, healer, and founder of Luna Soul Wellness, and Valerie Urrutia, owner of Surge Coffee, dive deep into the transformative world of Human Design. Arlene opens up about her journey with Human Design—from discovering her true energy type as a Projector to weaving this system into her spiritual business and family life. She also shares the vision behind her Human Design Certification Program, designed for coaches, healers, therapists, and entrepreneurs who want to embody alignment, expand their spiritual toolbox,...
info_outline
EP 18 The Joyful No: Why Boundaries Are the Secret to Entrepreneurial Freedom
Espiritu Coffee Chats
🎙️ Espiritu Coffee Chats | Episode 18: Choosing Joy with India Pierrce, Founder of The Joy Collaborative In this episode of Espiritu Coffee Chats with Arlene Salcedo and Valerie Urrutia, we sit down with our dear friend and biz bestie, India Pierrce—the powerhouse behind The Joy Collaborative. India is a consultant, educator, and self-proclaimed Joy Ambassador who helps individuals, teams, and organizations reimagine their relationship with work, culture, and leadership by centering joy as essential, not optional. India shares her powerful journey from burnout and overwork to building a...
info_outline
EP 17 Donald Trump’s Astrology & Human Design: Ego, Power, and What’s Ahead
Espiritu Coffee Chats
In this episode, we dive deep into Donald Trump’s Human Design chart and Astrology to uncover the hidden influences shaping his presidency, decisions, and future. From his defined Ego Center and Gate 26 (the Trickster Gate) to his powerful 11th House Sun placement, we explore how his chart reveals both his strengths and shadow tendencies. You’ll hear: Why Trump’s Human Design Gate 26 makes him persuasive, but also manipulative. How his missing Gate 44 affects his ability to think long-term. The impact of his Leo Rising and 11th House Sun on his role in the collective. What...
info_outlineEpisode 4: In this heartfelt and empowering episode of Espiritu Coffee Chats, Valerie and Arlene dive deep into the topic of imposter syndrome and how it has shaped their personal and professional journeys. Valerie opens up about her experience as a self-taught coffee roaster and the founder of Surge Coffee in San Diego. She shares how stepping into the coffee shop industry—and the role of CEO—left her grappling with feelings of unworthiness and the fear of not measuring up. Through perseverance, confidence, and building community, Valerie has found her voice as a respected coffee expert, roaster, and business leader in San Diego.
Arlene reflects on her own struggles with imposter syndrome as a spiritual practitioner and holistic healer. Despite earning numerous certifications in astrology, human design, Ayurveda, and yoga, she realized that true expertise comes not from the paper but from lived experience and passion. Now, she stands confidently as a guide in spirituality and holistic wellness, embracing her role without the need to prove her worth.
Valerie and Arlene share practical tips for overcoming imposter syndrome, offering guidance and encouragement for anyone navigating self-doubt—whether in their careers, education, or personal lives. They also explore how imposter syndrome uniquely affects women of color and how to cultivate self-trust and authenticity in a world that often overlooks their contributions. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about stepping into your power, embracing your expertise, and reclaiming your confidence.
Subscribe, rate, review, and share this episode with someone you love!
How to connect with us:
Social media
Arlene Salcedo: https://www.instagram.com/lunasoulwellness/
Valerie Urrutia: https://www.instagram.com/surjecoffee/
Websites:
https://www.lunasoulwellness.com/
https://surjecoffee.com/pages/coffee-subscriptions
https://www.lunasoulwellness.com/apothecary