147. A Decade of Failing Forward Into Faith: Paola Soares on Overcoming Fear and Finding Purpose with Johanna Mäkilä-Manninen
Release Date: 10/22/2025
170. How to Know When It’s Time to Pause, Pivot & Recalibrate (Season Finale)
BUT FIRST, SHE FAILED - Career Growth, Women Entrepreneurs, Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Growth Mindset, Confidence
In this season finale of the But First She Failed podcast, Paola shares the emotional realization that led her to pause, pivot, and recalibrate this season of life and business. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, emotionally stretched thin, stuck in survival mode, or disconnected from the life you’re working so hard to build, this episode is for you. Through personal stories, practical signs to look out for, and transformational questions to ask yourself, Paola opens up about motherhood, burnout, hustle culture, ambition, and the pressure high-achieving women often feel to keep pushing...
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169. Why High-Achieving Women Are Relearning Femininity in Motherhood, Marriage, and Leadership with Johanna Mäkilä-Manninen
BUT FIRST, SHE FAILED - Career Growth, Women Entrepreneurs, Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Growth Mindset, Confidence
In this episode of But First, She Failed, host Paola Soares talks with women’s coach, podcaster, and feminine leadership mentor Johanna Mäkilä-Manninen for an honest conversation around feminism vs femininity, feminine leadership, and what it truly means to embrace womanhood in today’s world. Together, they explore why so many high-achieving women feel burned out, disconnected, and stuck in constant hustle mode—and how reconnecting with femininity can transform the way women show up in motherhood, marriage, leadership, business, and everyday life. Johanna shares how ambitious,...
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168. The Great Millennial Career Crisis: Why You Feel Stuck (Even If You Started) + What To Do Next
BUT FIRST, SHE FAILED - Career Growth, Women Entrepreneurs, Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Growth Mindset, Confidence
There’s a quiet crisis happening right now—and most women think it’s just them. Women who followed the “right” path… built the career… started the business… and still feel stuck, inconsistent, or unfulfilled. In this episode, Paola Soares, host of the But First, She Failed podcast, unpacks what’s really behind the Great Millennial Career Crisis—and why so many women feel lost even after doing everything “right.” This conversation goes beyond surface-level advice and dives into the deeper truth behind: Feeling stuck in your career or business Starting and stopping...
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167. How I Almost Gave Up on My Dreams: The Story That Changed Everything
BUT FIRST, SHE FAILED - Career Growth, Women Entrepreneurs, Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Growth Mindset, Confidence
What happens when you slowly start becoming the version of yourself you never wanted to be? In this deeply personal episode, Paola Soares shares a story she doesn’t often talk about—the season where she felt stuck, disconnected from her purpose, and dangerously close to giving up on her dreams altogether. Between leaving her career in national news and launching her podcast, there was a chapter filled with uncertainty, unfulfilling jobs, and a quiet but heavy question: “Is this really it?” This episode walks through the internal battle of starting and stopping, losing momentum, and...
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166.How Limiting Beliefs Are Secretly Holding You Back (+ 7 Common Ones to Break) (REWIND)
BUT FIRST, SHE FAILED - Career Growth, Women Entrepreneurs, Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Growth Mindset, Confidence
What if the biggest thing holding you back isn’t your strategy, your circumstances, or your resources—but the beliefs you’ve been carrying for years? In this Rewind episode of But First, She Failed, Paola Soares dives into the powerful and often hidden topic of limiting beliefs—the subconscious thoughts and narratives that shape how women show up in their careers, businesses, and everyday lives. These beliefs are often formed early on and reinforced over time, quietly influencing decisions, confidence, and the willingness to take action. The challenge? Most people don’t even realize...
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165. Reset Your Focus for Q2: 5 Steps to Get Clear & Aligned To Have Your Best Year Yet
BUT FIRST, SHE FAILED - Career Growth, Women Entrepreneurs, Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Growth Mindset, Confidence
Feeling scattered, distracted, or stuck—and not sure what to focus on next? In this episode of But First, She Failed, Paola Soares shares a powerful Q2 reset with 5 simple steps to help women get clear, realign their priorities, and build real momentum—without overcomplicating the process. This episode walks through how to slow down, refocus, cut distractions, and simplify what actually matters in this season—so progress finally starts to feel aligned again. Whether navigating a transition, building something new, or trying to get back on track after feeling inconsistent, this...
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164. AI Can’t Replace This: How to Stand Out & Become Irreplaceable with MyStoryPro AI Founder Patrice Poltzer
BUT FIRST, SHE FAILED - Career Growth, Women Entrepreneurs, Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Growth Mindset, Confidence
In this episode, Host Paola Soares sits down with former Today Show producer, storyteller, and founder of MyStoryPro AI, Patrice Poltzer, for a powerful and timely conversation on how to stand out in the age of AI—without losing your voice. As artificial intelligence continues to flood social media, email, and online platforms with content, many women are feeling more invisible than ever. The question isn’t just how to use AI—it’s how to rise above it. Patrice brings a unique perspective, blending her background in national television with her expertise in storytelling and emerging...
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163. She Will Not Fail: A Word for When You Feel Lost, Discouraged, or Ready to Give Up on Your Purpose
BUT FIRST, SHE FAILED - Career Growth, Women Entrepreneurs, Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Growth Mindset, Confidence
In this episode, Host Paola Soares delivers a powerful and timely message for the woman who feels stuck, discouraged, or on the verge of giving up on what God placed on her heart. After planning a completely different episode, Paola felt led in a different direction—sharing a word rooted in scripture, personal experience, and a recent moment where things didn’t go as expected. In this honest and faith-filled conversation, she opens up about a recent setback in her own journey and the deeper lesson it revealed—one that speaks directly to seasons where nothing seems to be working despite...
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162. 5 Hard Lessons From 5 Years of Podcasting: The Truth About Success No One Talks About
BUT FIRST, SHE FAILED - Career Growth, Women Entrepreneurs, Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Growth Mindset, Confidence
Five years ago, Paola Soares pressed record on the very first episode of the But First, She Failed Podcast — not knowing who would listen, where the journey would lead, or how much she would grow along the way. In this episode, Paola pulls back the curtain on the real behind-the-scenes of five years of podcasting — the lessons, the mindset struggles, the moments of doubt, and the breakthroughs that only came through persistence and faith. For anyone who has ever started something meaningful — a business, a calling, or a dream — and questioned whether to keep going, this conversation...
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161. Why You Can’t Find Your Purpose: Quiet Grief, Identity Shifts & Clarity with Nicole O. Salmon
BUT FIRST, SHE FAILED - Career Growth, Women Entrepreneurs, Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Growth Mindset, Confidence
In this episode, Host Paola Soares sits down with author and Purpose Alignment Coach Nicole O. Salmon to unpack a surprising reason many women struggle to “find their purpose”: quiet grief—the losses we move past but never truly mourn. If you’ve been praying for clarity but still feel stuck, disoriented, or emotionally drained, this conversation will help you name what’s really going on and take a healthy next step forward. Inside this episode, we talk about: How unprocessed grief can clog discernment and distort self-perception Identity shifts that happen as you evolve (not...
info_outline✨ Special Episode: From Failure to Faith — Paola’s Interview on The Vibrant Flow Podcast ✨
This week on But First, She Failed, host Paola Soares shares something a little different. Recently, she was invited to be a guest on 🎙️ The Vibrant Flow Podcast with Johanna Mäkilä-Manninen —a friend of But First, She Failed.
Paola loved Johanna’s thoughtful questions and the authentic flow of their conversation so much that she asked if she could share it here with you. 💛
In this inspiring interview, Paola opens up about her decade-long journey of overcoming fear of failure, healing from shame, and learning to fail forward into faith. She shares behind-the-scenes moments from her career in national news, the painful season of being let go, and how God used that experience to redirect her toward her true calling—helping women step boldly into the purpose He designed for them. 🌿
🌸 About The Vibrant Flow Podcast:
Hosted by Johanna Mäkilä-Manninen—a multi-passionate artist, women’s coach, English MA graduate, mama, and wife—The Vibrant Flow Podcast is for the ambitious, faith-led woman ready to step fully into her calling, unapologetically and in full feminine flow. The show blends faith-based coaching, feminine leadership, and creative personal branding to help women break free from shame, self-sabotage, and comparison while elevating their God-given expression.
🎧 Go listen: The Vibrant Flow Podcast for the full interview! In this episode only part of the full episode is shared so if you enjoyed make sure to go to The Vibrant Flow Podcast to listen to the rest of the convesation! Johanna is also about to launch her 12-Week Personal Branding Incubator—links to both below!
💬 Community Update:
The next Community Accountability Call is happening in early November! 🙌
It’s designed for women who feel unfulfilled professionally and sense God calling them to step into something new—whether that’s launching a business, starting a brand, or pursuing a deeper sense of purpose. You’ll receive live coaching, feedback, and encouragement from Paola and a circle of like-minded women who will cheer you on every step of the way. (Sign-up link in the show notes!)
🌿 In This Episode:
• Overcoming fear of failure and redefining success through faith
• Healing from shame and finding identity in God
• Navigating comparison and imposter syndrome
• Feminine strength, calling, and purpose
• Learning to pause, trust God’s timing, and walk in your unique assignment
✨ Connect with Johanna:
🎧 Listen to the full interview on The Vibrant Flow Podcast:
👉 From Head to Heart: Feminine Embodiment and Magnetic Presence (Spotify)
💖 Follow Johanna on Instagram:
👉 @thevibrantflowwithjo
🌸 Learn more about Johanna’s 12-Week Personal Branding Incubator:
👉 thevibrantflowpodcast.com/beta-group-2025
💻 Let’s Connect:
👯♀️ Join the FREE BFSF Accountability Community Call!
If you’re ready to get out of your head and finally start walking in the purpose God has for you, this is your chance to do it with community. During this 1-hour session, you’ll connect with like-minded women, share what you’re working on, get live coaching and encouragement, and gain clarity around your calling so you can take bold next steps.
💡 Spots are limited — and this may be one of the last times I offer this call for free before transitioning into a membership community. Don’t miss the chance to be part of it!
📲 Instagram: @butfirstshefailed
🌐 Website: Paolasoares.com
🎙 Book a Mentorship Session: Click Here
📩 Join the Weekly Newsletter + Take the Boss Woman Profile Quiz: Sign Up
▶️ Follow on YouTube: Watch Here
✨ FREE RESOURCE: 6 SIGNS YOU ARE OR AREN'T WALKING IN YOUR GOD-GIVEN CALLING --> paolasoares.com/calling