Design Your Life, Your Way - Empowering Women Over 50 to Live Life On Purpose

Does this sound familiar? You've done everything "right" and still feel like you're holding yourself back. Today's guest wants you to know that after 50, it's time to stop playing small and consider that the boldest chapter of your life isn't behind you. Rather, it's waiting on the other side of a single courageous step. Audley Stephnson built his entire philosophy around one word: audacious. From an unexpected internship that led nowhere, to becoming the commissioner of a Canadian basketball league, to launching a podcast that grew to 600+ episodes, Audley’s journey is a masterclass in what becomes possible when you stop waiting for permission. In our conversation, we talk about how to recognize the thread of courage that's been running through your own life all along, how to challenge the beliefs that no longer serve you, and how sharing your messy, imperfect, real story can be the very thing that gives someone else permission to begin. In this episode, you’ll discover: What “audacious” actually means and why it’s self-defined, not one-size-fits-all (this reframe alone might change everything for you). How to spot the red thread of courage that’s already running through your life, even if you haven’t recognized it yet. A powerful tool for challenging the beliefs that once served you but are quietly keeping you stuck in patterns you’ve outgrown. Audley’s BOLD Framework — four principles for outlasting adversity, living your truth, and choosing growth even when life is hard. Why sharing your story — not a polished, finished version, but the real one — is one of the most powerful gifts you can give another woman. How we are all “undefeated” by our hardest moments — and how that reframe can shift everything when you’re in the middle of a valley. If you’ve been sitting on a dream or a pivot, this episode will remind you that you’re already more audacious than you think. About My Guest Audley Stephenson is the host of the Audacious Living Podcast, with over 600 episodes dedicated to helping people live life boldly through real conversations and purposeful action. He’s also the author of Living Your Best Audacious Life Ever: How Unleashing Your Inner Greatness Can Change the World. From his early days as a sports podcaster with media credentials in NBA locker rooms, to serving as commissioner of a Canadian basketball league, Audley’s life is a living example of what happens when you say yes before you feel ready. He lives and breathes the philosophy that audacity — in whatever form it takes for you — is always worth it. Connect with Audley: Website: bestaudaciouslife.com Podcast: Audacious Living Podcast Book: Living Your Best Audacious Life Ever (coming Fall 2026) Resources & links mentioned: The BOLD Framework: Better than yesterday | Outlast adversity | Live your truth | Disrupt the norm Gloria’s L.O.V.E. Method: Let go and let God | Open your heart to receive | Value your uniqueness | Embrace your divinity Podfest — the podcasting conference where Gloria and Audley first met Design Your Life, Your Way – next steps: Learn more about working with Gloria Grace at gloriarand.com Take my Personal Power Archetype quiz to help you identify your strengths for designing your next chapter: bit.ly/PersonalPowerQuiz If this episode spoke to you, leave us a review. Follow/subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Share this with a friend who’s ready to take a bold step but needs a little permission. Connect with me on LinkedIn @GloriaGraceRand to continue the conversation about midlife, courage, and living on purpose.

Are you feeling a lack of connection or community in this season of life? The women over 50 who are most alive have one thing in common, and it's not a morning routine or a business strategy. It's each other. In this edition of Design Your Life, Your Way, I dive into the essential need for deep, authentic connection for women in midlife. This solo episode is for the woman who feels something is missing from her life. Not achievements, but a true sense of belonging. I share the personal story behind the creation of the Soulful Women’s Network: how a “kick in the gut” moment led me to build a space where spiritually minded women can mastermind, grow, and thrive together. We talk honestly about why community isn’t a luxury but a lifeline, and how to find — or create — the kind of sisterhood that actually holds you. Key topics covered include: The Importance of Community After 50: Why we need to move past loneliness and find our “people” to navigate transition, grief, and growth. The Origin Story: How I navigated the shift from local in-person networking to building my own unique, soul-centered community. How to Build Your Own Group: Practical advice on determining your end goal, choosing your platform (Facebook, Meetup, etc.), and enlisting help. Designing Your Own Path: Why it’s okay if an existing community isn’t the right fit and how to take the “bull by the horns” to create what you need. Light Language Activation: I close the episode with a channeled light language transmission intended to help you release what no longer serves you and align with your soul’s highest good. Whether you are looking for a community to join or feeling called to start your own, this episode provides actionable insights on how to foster the sisterhood you deserve. Resources & links mentioned: Search for the Soulful Women's Network by name on Facebook or visit bit.ly/soulnetwork to see if our community is right for you Related episode: Breaking Free from Loneliness: Community After 50 Community platforms mentioned: Facebook Groups, Meetup, Skool, Heartbeat Book a 30-minute private Light Language session with Gloria Grace: tidycal.com/gloria3/single-light-language-session Design Your Life, Your Way – next steps: Get my free Personal Power Archetype Quiz to start designing your next chapter: bit.ly/PersonalPowerQuiz If this episode spoke to you, leave us a review. Follow/subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Share this with a friend who’s been feeling disconnected or lonely in this season of life. Connect with me on LinkedIn @GloriaGraceRand to continue the conversation about midlife, meaning, and living on purpose.

You've probably been holding on longer than you should — to a belief, a relationship, a version of yourself that no longer fits. This episode of Design Your Life, Your Way is about what becomes possible the moment you finally let go and live on purpose after 50. I'm starting a brand-new series with this episode: a monthly deep dive into each pillar of my L.O.V.E. Method, the heart of the Life on Purpose Framework that I use in coaching. We're starting at the very beginning: Let Go and Let God. This conversation is for the woman over 50 who has spent decades staying in situations that no longer serve you, or quietly carrying the belief that you're not quite worthy of the life you want. I get real about letting go of the limiting beliefs I'd been carrying that prevented me from living my life in a way that serves my soul. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why letting go of the belief that you're not worthy of happiness is the first and most powerful step toward designing your life your way How people-pleasing keeps you from the life your soul is actually asking for, and how to start loosening that grip What 17 years of meditation taught me about listening to my own inner wisdom and acting on it The difference between feeling fear and being controlled by it, and why 'feel the fear and do it anyway' is more than a bumper sticker You'll also receive a live light language healing transmission — a multidimensional energy healing practice I use with my clients — designed to help you release whatever has been keeping you stuck. Come ready to breathe, reflect, and begin designing your life, your way. Resources & links mentioned: Live Love Engage: How to Stop Doubting Yourself and Start Being Yourself — my bestselling book where the L.O.V.E. Method was born My YouTube channel where you'll find additional light language videos: youtube.com/@gloriagracerand Previous podcast episode: How to Know When It’s Time to Pivot After 50 The Parisian Agency: Exclusive Properties on Netflix NewRealityTV.com - where you can watch episodes of Design Your Life, Your Way Design Your Life, Your Way – next steps: Learn more about working with me: gloriarand.com Join the waitlist for our Good Grief Women's Retreat: goodgriefretreat.net Get your free Personal Power Archetype Quiz to start designing your next chapter: bit.ly/PersonalPowerQuiz If this episode spoke to you, leave us a review. Follow/subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Share this with a woman in your life who's been settling for less than she deserves. She needs to hear his. Connect with me on LinkedIn @GloriaGraceRand to continue the conversation about midlife, meaning, and living on purpose.

It's not unusual for a moment to arrive after 50 when the life you've built stops fitting who you've become. This edition of Design Your Life, Your Way is all about learning to trust that inner knowing to pivot, even when it asks everything of you. There often comes a time in midlife when the life you've been living no longer feels like your own. Maybe it's the marriage that drifted, a career that lost its meaning, or simply the growing ache of wanting something more aligned with who you are now. As you'll learn in this conversation, I reached a pivot point in my marriage that came about after years of inner work and courage-building. I also share the slower, sacred pivot in my professional life from SEO copywriter to midlife empowerment guide and light language channel. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why the pivot point often arrives not as a crisis, but as a quiet, undeniable knowing — and how to honor it. How years of inner work (meditation, journaling, coaching, retreats) can lay the foundation for courageous life changes. The role clarity plays in knowing not just when to change course, but which direction to move. How Gloria finally found the courage to leave a 30-year marriage — and how that decision helped both of them. Why your professional pivot may be a divine download waiting for you to catch up to it. A live light language transmission to help you release what no longer serves you and invite clarity in. Whether you’re standing at the edge of a major change or just beginning to hear the whisper that something needs to shift, this episode will help you recognize the signs, trust your inner wisdom, and take the first step toward designing your life your way. Resources & links mentioned: Laurie Jacobson's episode: Midlife Rebirth: Silence & Self-Love for a New Start Brand Clarity Workshop Series* with Tiffany Neuman: https://app.heartbeat.chat/yourlegacybrand/invitation?code=E24EE5 Book a complimentary 15-minute Light Language session: https://tidycal.com/gloria3/lightlanguageintro *FYI - I will receive compensation if you sign up for Tiffany's workshop. Design Your Life, Your Way – next steps: Learn more about working with Gloria Grace Rand: gloriarand.com Join the waitlist for our upcoming Good Grief Retreat: goodgriefretreat.net Get your free Personal Power Archetype Quiz to start designing your next chapter: bit.ly/PersonalPowerQuiz If this episode spoke to you, leave us a review. Follow/subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Share this with a friend who’s standing at her own pivot point. Connect with me on LinkedIn @GloriaGraceRand to continue the conversation about midlife, meaning, and living on purpose.

Have you ever felt something was broken inside of you after hitting a low point in your life? Sunshine Witchski spent years believing that until sobriety taught her that rock bottom was really the foundation she'd been building on all along. This episode is for any woman who's ever had to burn something down to find out who she really is. As you'll learn from my conversation with Sunshine Witchski, aka the Pink-Haired Sober Witch, recovery and magic turn out to be the same journey. Together, Sunshine and I explore what it means to face your shadows with grace instead of shame, why community after 50 is non-negotiable in the healing journey, and how spiritual rituals can become the anchor that holds you through life's most turbulent transitions. Whether you've wrestled with a substance, a behavior, or simply a version of yourself that no longer fits, you'll walk away with practical tools, a deeper sense of possibility, and the quiet reassurance that you are not too far gone. In this episode, you’ll discover: What "magic" really means and why prayer, affirmation, and intention-setting are all forms of it that you're likely already practicing. How Sunshine's rock bottom in 2019 became the doorway to her deepest spiritual awakening, and why that timing wasn't a coincidence. Why shame is one of the greatest relapse risks — and how learning to give yourself grace is not weakness, but radical spiritual strength. The three-step framework for anyone navigating change: desire, willingness, and finding the right community to walk alongside you. How integrating daily spiritual rituals (prayer, journaling, meditation) can shift you from reactive healing to proactive wholeness. Why a coach or mentor can reach places a friend simply can't — and how that investment is an act of self-love, not self-indulgence. About the Guest Sunshine Witchski is a trailblazing psychic medium, soul healer, spiritual advisor, high priestess, Reiki master, and bestselling author known as the Pink-Haired Sober Witch. After hitting her own rock bottom in 2019, she transformed her path of addiction recovery into a deeply rooted spiritual practice — and a movement. She is the founder of the Sober Witch Life Movement and The Sovereign Phoenix, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports witches in recovery with community, resources, and advocacy. Her mission: to help witches in recovery rediscover their magic, align with their highest purpose, and live the abundant life that sobriety makes possible. Connect with Sunshine Website: soberwitch.life Email: sunshine (at) soberwitch.life The Sovereign Phoenix Non-profit: thesovereignphoenix.com Resources & links mentioned: Dharma Recovery — Buddhist-aligned recovery support: recoverydharma.org SMART Recovery — secular, therapy-based recovery community: smartrecovery.org The Soulful Women's Network — Gloria's community for women over 50: bit.ly/soulnetwork Design Your Life, Your Way – next steps: Learn more about working with Gloria Grace Rand: gloriagracerand.com Personal Power Archetype Quiz — Discover your unique power profile: bit.ly/PersonalPowerQuiz If this episode spoke to you, leave us a review. Follow/subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Share this with a friend who’s navigating recovery, reinvention, or a spiritual awakening of her own. Connect with me on LinkedIn @GloriaGraceRand to continue the conversation about midlife, meaning, and living on purpose.

What if the reason your business feel harder than it should right now has nothing to do with strategy and everything to do with your body? If you're an over 50 woman who's been pushing through exhaustion, ignoring your body's signals, and wondering why your creativity has evaporated... this episode was made for you. In this solo edition of Design Your Life, Your Way, I get real about the undeniable connection between physical health, emotional resilience, and business success for midlife women. Drawing from my own recent season of sugar crashes, creative drought, and grief-carried back pain, I state what so many of us have normalized: depletion is not a bad of honor, and it was never part of the plan. Through my signature L.O.V.E. Method, you'll come to see how health is not another thing to optimize, but it's an act of self-trust, spiritual alignment, and sovereign self-love. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why your physical health is not separate from your business success — and how depletion quietly erodes your decision-making, creativity, and confidence. The three most common mistakes women over 50 make around health (and how to recognize them before your body screams instead of whispers). How the L.O.V.E. Method — Let Go, Open, Value, Embrace — applies directly to how you care for your body and honor your energy. Simple, brave next steps you can take today — not someday — to begin rebuilding your physical and creative vitality. How grief lives in the body, and why honoring what you’ve lost is sometimes the most important business decision you can make. You’ll walk away from this episode with a few honest questions to sit with, one brave step to take this week, and — if you need it most — a light language transmission to receive healing at the level where words can’t quite reach. Resources & links mentioned: Good Grief Women's Retreat - a loving, supported space for women ready to honor what they've been carrying: goodgriefretreat.net Previous episode on setting boundaries: Boundaries are Self-Care: How to Stop People Pleasing in Midlife Previous episode on mindful habits: Midlife Habits That Stick: Start Small, Stay Consistent Business Coach Vicki Ibaugh's LinkedIn profile: linkedin.com/in/vicki-ibaugh/ Design Your Life, Your Way – next steps: Learn more about working with Gloria Grace Rand: gloriagracerand.com Take the free Personal Power Archetype Quiz to discover your unique strengths and start designing your next chapter: bit.ly/PersonalPowerQuiz If this episode spoke to you, leave us a review. Follow/subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Share this conversation with a woman in your life who's been running on empty. She needs to hear this. Connect with me on LinkedIn @GloriaGraceRand to continue the conversation about midlife, meaning, and living on purpose.

What if the silence you've been avoiding in midlife is the very thing that could set you free? Laurie Jacobson spent years trying everything to find her way out of pain until 22 days of silence at a Buddhist monastery gave her what counseling and alternative modalities couldn't: her own self back. If you've ever felt like you were carrying something so heavy that it had become part of you, this conversation could be the thing you've been looking for. I sit down with author and health coach Laurie Jacobson who shares her journey to escape an emotionally abusive marriage led her to a Buddhist monastery and the inner freedom to finally walk away. Together, we explore what it really means to design your life on your own terms, especially in your 50s and beyond. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why the biggest hurdle women face after 50 isn't age; it's learning to embrace it as a new beginning rather than an ending. How a 22-day silent retreat cracked open one woman's heart and gave her the courage to leave an emotionally abusive marriage. The unexpected gift of impermanence: how meditation teaches us that pain, even the deepest kind, will pass. Why "on and off" is still a meditation practice, and why 5 minutes of stillness can be just as powerful as an hour on the cushion. The healing triad of self-compassion, forgiveness, and acceptance — and how to begin practicing each one today. What it means to become a non-judgmental observer of your own life, and why that inner spaciousness is pure freedom. How stepping outside your comfort zone isn't recklessness; it's the path to becoming who you're meant to be. Whether you've never meditated a day in your life or you're an on-again, off-again practitioner looking for permission to just begin again, this episode will meet you exactly where you are. About My Guest Laurie S. Jacobson is a writer, certified health coach, and the author of Unexpected Awakening: 22 Days at a Buddhist Monastery Freed Me from Abuse. Fascinated by the Buddha's teachings, she has channeled her lived experience of healing and resilience into health education programs, a monthly wellness column, and a book that is as much a love letter to suffering women as it is a testament to the transformative power of stillness. Her work is grounded in one simple truth: there is always a way through. Connect with Laurie: Website: lauriesjacobson.com Book: Unexpected Awakening — available on her website or Amazon Resources & links mentioned: Holosync - binaural beat meditation audio program available from Centerpointe.com Vipassana meditation — insight meditation practice taught at Theravada Buddhist monasteries Gene Keys - transformational system for shadow work and inner integration Building Your House of Health — Lori's free 24-page wellness guide (available at lauriesjacobson.com) Design Your Life, Your Way – next steps: Learn more about the Good Grief Retreat — a sacred space to process loss and rediscover yourself: goodgriefretreat.net Discover your unique gifts as a midlife entrepreneur with my free Personal Power Archetype Quiz: bit.ly/PersonalPowerQuiz If this episode spoke to you, leave us a review. Follow/subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Share this with a friend who's navigating grief, transition, or the beautiful (and sometimes messy) work of reinventing herself after 50. Connect with me on LinkedIn @GloriaGraceRand to continue the conversation about midlife, meaning, and living on purpose.

If you've ever felt lonely in a room full of people — or quietly wondered why connection feels harder to find the older you get — this episode is your permission slip to stop waiting and start reaching out. The sad truth is that loneliness among women over 50 is more common than most of us want to admit, and more complex than simply being alone. This week, I get vulnerable and share my own experience with loneliness, from the silence that followed my sister's passing to the unexpected friendships that bloomed at a podcasting conference. I explore why midlife transitions like divorce, empty nesting, and career changes can quietly shrink your circle — and what you can actually do about it. You'll walk away with practical, soulful strategies for finding your people, creating community when none exists, and remembering that even in your loneliest moments, you are never truly alone. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why one in three adults between 50 and 80 report feeling lonely — and why women are especially affected The important distinction between being alone and feeling lonely (and why understanding this changes everything) How major midlife transitions — divorce, empty nesting, loss, career changes — can quietly erode your sense of community without you even realizing it Practical ways to find your people, from conferences and retreats to Meetup groups and women's circles Why sometimes the boldest, most loving thing you can do is create the community you've been looking for How spiritual practices like meditation, journaling, and Light Language can help you feel connected even in your quietest, most solitary moments Why reaching out — to an old friend, a new acquaintance, or even yourself — is one of the most powerful forms of self-care you can practice Remember — you are never too old to start a new chapter. Resources & links mentioned: Soulful Women's Network — Join my own community for women over 50, meeting monthly in-person (Central Florida) and on Zoom. Find the free Facebook group by searching Soulful Women's Network on Facebook or go to facebook.com/groups/soulfulwomensnetwork Good Grief Retreat — A small, intimate retreat for women held in Black Mountain, North Carolina in June, co-facilitated by Gloria Grace, Patricia Alton, and Jessica Lee Alton. Designed for women navigating grief and loss of any kind — a relationship, a loved one, an identity, a season of life. Learn more at goodgriefretreat.netRegistration ends April 15th, 2026. Meetup.com — A free resource for finding local groups organized around shared interests, hobbies, or life stages PodFest — The podcasting conference where Gloria Grace made a meaningful new connection that led to a Light Language sharing event Wise Women's Retreat — An annual one-day retreat hosted by Katheryn Napier and Patricia Alton featuring talking circles, drum circles, and creative activities Design Your Life, Your Way – next steps: Get my free Personal Power Archetype Quiz to discover your unique strengths and start designing your next chapter: bit.ly/PersonalPowerQuiz Follow or subscribe to Design Your Life, Your Way so you never miss a conversation about midlife, meaning, and living life on your own terms. And if this episode spoke to you, please leave us a review. Know a woman who's been feeling quietly disconnected lately? Share this episode with her. Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do for someone we love is remind them they're not alone. Connect with me on LinkedIn @GloriaGraceRand to continue the conversation about community, purpose, and what it means to truly come home to yourself in this season of life.

If you've spent decades saying yes when you meant no, this episode is your permission slip to stop — and a gentle reminder that setting boundaries isn't selfish. It's sacred. Midlife women who engage in people pleasing often feel resentful, exhausted, or quietly invisible in their own lives. In this solo episode, I get real about my own lifelong journey as a people-pleaser that started in childhood and I name the real cost of living without boundaries: lost identity, low self-worth and a life that belongs to everyone but you. Together, we'll explore what boundaries really are (and aren't), why they're an act of self-love rather than selfishness, and how to start setting them even when it feels deeply uncomfortable. I'll share personal stories from my marriage, business, and coaching practice, and close with a Light Language transmission to help you energetically release the stress that keeps you saying yes when your soul is begging for rest. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why people-pleasing often starts in childhood, and why that pattern is costing you more than you realize now. The real reason boundaries feel selfish (they're not) — and the mindset shift that changes everything. How to identify where you need boundaries most, using your body as your guide. Simple, compassionate language to set limits and hold them — even when someone pushes back. How a Light Language energy transmission can help you release the stress of over-giving and come home to yourself. Whether you're navigating midlife reinvention, healing from years of caretaking, or simply ready to stop abandoning yourself — you'll walk away with clarity, practical language, and a renewed sense of permission to design your life, your way. Resources & links mentioned: L.O.V.E. Method — Gloria Grace's signature framework: Let Go and Let God / Open Your Heart to Receive / Value Your Uniqueness / Embrace Your Divinity Light Language Energy Healing Sessions — learn more at gloriarand.com/light-language-healing/ Design Your Life, Your Way – next steps: Personal Power Archetype Quiz — Discover your unique archetype and what it reveals about your path forward. Take the free quiz at bit.ly/PersonalPowerQuiz Good Grief Retreat — A sacred space to process life's many losses and rediscover yourself. Learn more at goodgriefretreat.net If this episode spoke to you, leave us a review. Follow/subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Share this with a friend who’s navigating transition, reinvention, or a fresh start after 50. Connect with me on LinkedIn @GloriaGraceRand to continue the conversation about midlife, meaning, and living on purpose.

What if the next chapter of your life isn’t a wind-down — but the most powerful, purposeful season you’ve ever lived? Social impact strategist Suzanne Smith says women over 50 aren’t running out of time to make a difference - they’re just getting started. Life after 50 used to mean you'd retire and settle down, play with the grandkids, maybe even do some traveling. But as you'll learn in my conversation with Social Impact Architects CEO Suzanne Smith, this season is prime for making an impact. A professor and TEDX speaker, Suzanne has spent decades studying and teaching what it makes to be a change maker. Together, we explore her signature Four T's Framework as a practical, soul-aligned map for giving back in ways that energize you rather than drain you. This is a conversation about reclaiming agency, reconnecting with purpose, and discovering that your life’s work has never been more valuable than it is right now. Whether you’re craving community, longing for meaningful impact, or simply ready to stop doom-scrolling and start hope-scrolling, this episode will leave you feeling grounded, encouraged, and ready to take that first small step. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why women over 50 are in a “powering up” phase — not winding down — and the science that confirms it. How the Four T’s Framework (Time, Talent, Treasure, Testimony) can help you give back in a way that fits your gifts, your schedule, and your soul. Why “energy management” matters more than time management — and how to choose service that fills you up instead of depleting you. The surprising truth about “talent”: you may be undervaluing the exact gift that others are desperately waiting for you to share. How using your voice — your testimony — on social media, in your community, and in classrooms can create ripple effects you’ll never fully see. A simple monthly practice to explore where you’re called to give back and build the consistency that brings real belonging and joy. How “hope scrolling” can shift your energy, your algorithm, and your sense of what’s possible in today’s world. About My Guest Suzanne Smith is a social impact strategist, professor, and TEDx speaker who helps people design lives of purpose and possibility. As CEO of Social Impact Architects, she guides changemakers at every stage, including those seeking a meaningful second act. Her 4 T’s framework blends strategy, soul, and storytelling to spark sustainable community impact. Her upcoming book, Flywheel, is a guide to professional change making, and her weekly Substack blog, Social Trendspotter, has over 13 years of archived insight on social change and community impac Connect with Suzanne Website: SocialImpactArchitects.com Substack: Social Trendspotter LinkedIn: @SuzanneSmithTX Resources & links mentioned: Suzanne's TEDx Talk: Everyone Is a Change Maker Find a Giving Circle: philanthropytogether.org Red Wine & Blue (organization I attended): redwine.blue Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: www.bbbs.org The Good News Network: A media resource for uplifting, solution-focused stories. Visit goodnewsnetwork.org Design Your Life, Your Way – next steps: If this episode spoke to you, leave us a review. Follow/subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Share this with a friend who’s navigating transition, reinvention, or a fresh start after 50. Connect with me on LinkedIn @GloriaGraceRand to continue the conversation about midlife, meaning, and living on purpose. Take my free Personal Power Archetype Quiz and explore your natural strengths as a midlife entrepreneur: bit.ly/PersonalPowerQuiz

Do you know what it's like to release 50 pounds off your body one year and put all that weight back on the next year? That's been the story of my life for the last decade. If you've ever let a healthy habit slide like I have, you'll want to listen to this episode. I'll share how you can rebuild those habits without shame - one doable day at at time. This one is for the woman over 50 who's felt the gap between who you know you're meant to be and the daily patterns that keep pulling you back. Here's the good news. You're not broken. You're human. You'll learn why starting small matters when it comes to making a change, and how consistency becomes your secret superpower. You'll hear real-life examples from my own training goals - to run a 10K and a half marathon this fall - and how I'm using structure, reminders, and accountability to make the habit "stick." Plus, I'll share a light language transmission to support your nervous system and your spirit. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why women in midlife are actually wired to build habits successfully — and why that's a scientific fact, not just a pep talk The truth about "starting over" — why you can reset at 2pm on a Tuesday, and why that grace is a spiritual practice, not an excuse How to use habit stacking and simple visual cues to anchor new behaviors into the routines you already have Why big lifestyle transitions (grief, divorce, empty nesting) are the wrong time to launch new habits — and what to do instead to care for yourself in those seasons The power of accountability — and how to find the right kind of support that feels like love, not pressure Whether your "habit" is about your health, your business, your spiritual practice, or simply giving yourself the care you've spent decades giving everyone else — this one is for you. Resources & links mentioned: Book: Atomic Habits by James Clear Book: The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron Google Voice-to-Text: alternative to written journaling if writing is a barrier. Support STEM education by sponsoring my 10K run at DisneyWorld: https://runsignup.com/gloriarand Design Your Life, Your Way – next steps: Learn more about working with Gloria Grace Rand: gloriarand.com/offerings Explore upcoming retreats for women over 50: goodgriefretreat.net Try a free 15-minute introductory Light Language session: tidycal.com/gloria3/lightlanguageintro If this episode spoke to you: Leave us a review. Follow/subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Share this with a friend who’s navigating transition, reinvention, or a fresh start after 50. Connect with me on LinkedIn @GloriaGraceRand and tell me: What’s the one small habit you’re ready to begin again… today?

What if the grief you're carrying in midlife isn't about your loss, but about the woman you're becoming on the other side of it? In this episode, you'll hear how a sacred retreat can foster sisterhood and healing to help you release what's heavy so you can reconnect with your true self. If you're a woman over 50 navigating loss - whether it's a loved one, a relationship, an identity, or something else - you'll want to tune in for this conversation as three of my trusted friends and fellow healers join me to explore our upcoming Good Grief Retreat. You'll hear about the healing power of nature and why the mountains of North Carolina provide the perfect container for this work. We'll also share some of the powerful retreat experiences we have planned, and how grief, when witnessed and honored, can become a doorway to deeper purpose, joy, and self-love. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why grief in midlife can be about growth—not just loss (and how it can clarify what’s real). How sacred space + sisterhood helps you heal faster than doing it alone (especially when you’ve been the strong one for everyone else). What it looks like to “let go” safely through rituals like a keening circle, light language, and gentle subconscious healing. How simple, soulful practices (labyrinth + creative honoring) can help you release, reconnect, and receive what’s next. About My Guests Katheryn Napier is a board-certified clinical hypnotist, Reiki master, and ordained minister with decades of experience helping people release trapped emotions, soothe the nervous system, and reconnect with inner wisdom. Patricia Alton is an advanced angel therapy practitioner, ordained shamanic minister, spiritual teacher, and Reiki master devoted to heart-centered healing and helping people feel less alone in their grief. Queen Jess Lee is a master spiritual channel, author, poet, and drama-therapy-trained facilitator who brings deep reverence for group healing, sacred land, and connection with the unseen (including loved ones who have crossed over). Resources & links mentioned: Learn more about the Good Grief Retreat: goodgriefretreat.net Elizabeth Kübler-Ross - stages of grief - ekrfoundation.org Design Your Life, Your Way – next steps: If this episode spoke to you, leave us a review. Follow/subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Share this with a friend who’s navigating transition, reinvention, or a fresh start after 50. Connect with me on LinkedIn @GloriaGraceRand to continue the conversation about midlife, meaning, and living on purpose.

When life feels scattered after 50, your instinct might be to "fix" everything fast - your relationships, your work, your next step. But what if it's not about fixing what's broken? Maybe it's about removing what's blocking the real you from emerging. If you're a woman over 50 whose life looks “fine” on the outside yet inside, something feels unsettled, foggy, or unfinished, you'll want to listen today. We explore why midlife transitions like empty nest, divorce, identity changes can make your world feel chaotic, and how you can lean into the first pillar of the L.O.V.E. Method - "Let go and Let God" for support. I'll share how Michael Singer's teachings on removing blocks instead of fixing problems inspired this episode, and why midlife chaos is often an invitation to rediscover who you are beneath the roles you've played. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why midlife chaos isn’t “you falling apart” - it’s often your soul asking for recalibration Why asking "Why am I not okay?" instead of "How do I fix this?" changes everything How “Let Go and Let God” can become “Let go and let God emerge through you,” by releasing the inner blocks that keep you disconnected from yourself Simple ways to make space for clarity (even if you don’t meditate How Light Language serves as energetic support to help release what's keeping you stuck If you stopped trying to “fix” your life for a moment… what truth might finally have room to find you? Resources & links mentioned: Michael Singer Podcast: Allowing Life to Remove Your Blockages Gloria's Book: "Live Love Engage: How to Stop Doubting Yourself and Start Being Yourself" Pam Gregory YouTube Channel: @PamGregoryOfficial Lee Harris website: leeharrisenergy.com Design Your Life, Your Way – next steps: Explore 1:1 coaching and energy healing at gloriarand.com Learn more and secure your spot for the June, 2026 Good Grief Women's Retreat: goodgriefretreat.net Get my free Personal Power Archetype Quiz: bit.ly/PersonalPowerQuiz If this episode spoke to you, leave us a review. Follow/subscribe to Design Your Life, Your Way so you never miss an episode. Share this conversation with a friend who’s navigating grief, transition, reinvention, or a fresh start after 50. Connect with me on LinkedIn @GloriaGraceRand to continue the conversation about midlife, meaning, and living on purpose.

If you're a woman over 50 feeling tired, anxious, and craving calm, this episode could be the solution you've been looking for. In this conversation with Ayurvedic practitioner Jonathan Glass, we'll explore how the 5,000-year-old system of Ayurveda understands the unique needs of women in midlife, and how simple daily shifts can help you build stress resilience, steady your nervous system, and restore your energy without pushing harder. This interview is for the woman who's spent decades caring for others, and is finally hearing the inner nudge that it's time to come to herself. We explore Ayurveda as a whole-life healing system, (not just a "diet" or body-type trend), and why honoring your unique nature matters more now than ever. Jonathan shares the five universal goals every human being is striving for, and how understanding them can help you design the next chapter of your life with clarity and self-compassion. Tune in to discover: How changing hormones naturally redirect your focus from others to yourself, and why that's not selfish — it's sacred. Ayurveda's five goals of life and how understanding these principles can guide your next chapter decisions. How to spot your personal "out of balance" patterns so you can respond earlier and more lovingly. Why supporting your nervous system and glands through diet, herbs, and lifestyle can make the next 20 to 40 years more vibrant. About my guest: Jonathan Glass is a naturopathic doctor and Ayurvedic practitioner who helps people restore health through integrative, nature-based medicine. He’s the co-founder of Healing Essence Center and author of Total Life Cleanse, a 28-day Ayurvedic-inspired program supporting detoxification and renewal. Connect with Jonathan: Website: HealingEssenceCenter.com Instagram: @jonathanglassnd Email: healingessencectr (at) gmail.com Book: The Total Life Cleanse - available on Amazon or Jonathan's website Resources & links mentioned: Be Here Now by Ram Dass – The book that first introduced Jonathan to meditation as a teenager Back to Eden by Jethro Kloss – Classic naturopathy guide that changed Jonathan's relationship with food Adaptogens – Herbal supplements that support adrenal health and hormone balance during midlife transitions The five goals of life: Dharma (purpose), Artha (economic security), Kama (pleasure), Moksha (freedom), Prema (love) Design Your Life, Your Way – next steps: If this episode spoke to you, leave us a review. Follow/subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Share this with a friend who’s navigating transition, reinvention, or a fresh start after 50. Connect with me on LinkedIn @GloriaGraceRand to continue the conversation about midlife, meaning, and living on purpose.

Don’t think for one second that your best years are behind you. They’re unfolding right now. Tune in as we shatter the myth that your most vibrant, purposeful life has an age limit. You’ll walk away with a simple, steady way to rebuild confidence and move forward with clarity. If you're a woman over 50 who's been told (or told yourself) that your biggest opportunities have passed, this show is your wake-up call. The reality is that this season of life can be your most authentic, courageous, and fulfilling yet. I'm sharing my own story of asking for a divorce after 30 years of marriage in my early 60s, alongside inspiring examples of women who've done TED Talks at 21 and 78, proving that your dreams don't have an expiration date. Whether you're yearning to write that novel, change careers, leave an unfulfilling relationship, or finally pursue the creative passion you shelved decades ago, you'll discover why now is exactly the right time. You'll walk away with practical steps to get clarity on your "why," overcome self-sabotage, and take your first baby steps toward designing your life, your way. You’ll discover: Why “starting over” after 50 is often a return to your truest self (not a failure or a setback). What your unfiltered words reveal about unconscious limitations around age, worthiness, and possibility - and how to transform them. A simple confidence-building path to get clear on your why, gather support, and take one baby step. A daily practice (even 15 minutes) that helps you stay consistent, so your next chapter actually gets built. Plus, I'll share a Light Language transmission to help you release limiting beliefs and step fully into this powerful chapter. Resources & links mentioned: Let’s Talk Fabulous Show — “Unstoppable at Every Stage: Rewriting the Age Narrative” featuring Macy Baxi, Tasha Garcia, Deb Krier, and Sharla Lee Shults Watch the episode here: youtube.com/@letstalkfabulousshow or on e360tv.com Podcast Guest Gloria Coppola – Author, retreat leader, and novelist who started writing fiction in her 60s while traveling the world (featured in the Live. Love. Engage. podcast). Design Your Life, Your Way – next steps: Ready to make your best years a reality? Book a complimentary clarity session to explore how midlife empowerment coaching and energy healing can support you in starting over and creating your most aligned life yet: EngagewithGloria.com If this episode spoke to you, leave us a review. Your words help other women discover that their best years are just beginning. Follow/subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Share this with a friend who’s navigating transition, reinvention, or starting over after 50. Connect with me on LinkedIn @GloriaGraceRand to continue the conversation about midlife, meaning, and living on purpose. Remember your best years aren't behind you. They're happening right now. The world needs the wisdom, gifts, and courage that only you, at this stage of life, can offer. It starts with you choosing to honor what your soul is calling you toward... today.

When things you once took for granted undergo a radical shift, it's normal to wonder if you'll ever feel passionate about life after 50 again. The good news is that you can rediscover your passion and purpose, and this show explains how. Women over 50 can get knocked sideways by major life transitions and/or the feeling that "there must be something more to life." Today, I share my own raw journey following the death of my sister and my unfulfilling marriage that caused me to lose sight of my business direction - only to discover that the confusion itself was leading me to a new purpose. You'll hear why it's OK not to have the answers right now, how to trust the messy middle of transformation, and what actually helps when you're trying to redesign your life from the ground up. Plus, you'll receive a light language transmission to support your own journey of rediscovery. You’ll discover: Why major midlife transitions can strip away your old sense of purpose, and why that's actually the beginning of something deeper, not the end The different ways grief can affect you and why giving yourself permission to feel all of the attending emotions is essential Simple practices and resources that helped me navigate my darkest moments Why "surrender and trust" became the two most powerful themes in my healing and how letting go of needing to know opened the door to clarity I couldn't have forced How speaking about spirituality and the L.O.V.E. Method (even when it felt scary and off-brand) unlocked my true purpose and made my feel light again The gift of a Light Language transmission designed specifically for women who are in the thick of transition and need support reconnecting with their inner wisdom Remember: It's okay not to know. The answers will come. You will find your passion again. Don't give up on you. I'm not giving up on you either. Resources & links mentioned: Daily Word magazine by Unity: https://www.unity.org/en/daily-word/mag Bob Sima's song: "I Don't Know (And That's Alright)" Good Grief Women's Retreat - June 25-29, 2026 in Black Mountain, NC (Early bird ends Jan. 31): goodgriefretreat.net Explore 1:1 coaching and other ways to work with Gloria Grace: gloriarand.com/offerings Take the Personal Power Archetype Quiz to discover your unique strengths as a midlife entrepreneur: bit.ly/PersonalPowerQuiz Book a private Light Language session to clear energetic blocks and reconnect with your divine nature: gloriarand.com/light-language-healing Design Your Life, Your Way – next steps: If this episode spoke to you, leave us a review. Follow/subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Share this with a friend who’s navigating transition, reinvention, or a fresh start after 50. Connect with me on LinkedIn @GloriaGraceRand to continue the conversation about midlife, meaning, and living on purpose.

What if the thing you're "fixing" about yourself isn't the problem at all... but a quiet fear of not being accepted? Today, I talk about the hidden cost to your self-worth of staying "presentable" and how you can reclaim the freedom to be fully you. Women over 50 have lived long enough to know that cultural pressure to look younger. While decluttering my mom's old recipe box, I came across evidence of that first hand in the form of a hair color ad from the 1970s. You'll hear how that ad prompted me to explore how fear and shame get packaged as beauty, belonging, and “nice and easy” solutions. You'll be invited to let go of the script, open your heart to your inner wisdom, value your uniqueness (gray hair and all), and embrace the truth about yourself that never needed fixing. You'll also hear a light language transmission intended to support clarity, self-trust, and emotional freedom so you can make decisions from love, not fear, and keep designing your life your way. Listen and discover: Why “beauty standards” often carry a hidden message of shame and how to spot it in everyday choices like hair color or dieting. The real cost of staying acceptable (time, money, energy - and the ways it can shrink your voice and visibility). A midlife reframe that aging isn’t something to hide; it’s something to celebrate, because wisdom is earned. A simple discernment practice for clarity: how to make choices from self-honoring truth (not fear of judgment). Resources & links mentioned: "Going Gray" book by Anne Kreamer Design Your Life, Your Way – next steps: If this episode spoke to you, leave us a review. Follow/subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Share this with a friend who’s navigating transition, reinvention, or a fresh start after 50. Connect with me on LinkedIn @GloriaGraceRand to continue the conversation about midlife, meaning, and living on purpose.

What happens when grief arrives uninvited? Not just from death, but from the quiet losses that reshape us after age 50. This conversation with author Laing Rikkers reveals how she transformed the sudden loss of her sister into a creative practice that led to deep healing, renewed purpose, and a choice to embrace joy. If you’re a woman over 50 who spent decades dealing with family, work, caregiving and managing expectations, this episode is for you. Laing and I talk about grief as more than death. It can be divorce, empty nest, health changes, career pivots, and the quiet loss of who you used to be. You’ll hear how simple creative rituals (like morning pages) can help you let go of what you’ve been holding, open your heart to what’s still possible, and reconnect to meaning without forcing “positivity.” Laing also offers a practical resilience framework so you can keep moving through hard seasons with steadiness and grace. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why grief in midlife often looks like identity loss (empty nest, divorce, changing roles), and why that's real grief, not "being dramatic." The "talk it, walk it, write it" approach to moving through heavy emotions and reconnecting with your inner wisdom. How creative expression (even if you don't consider yourself "creative") can be a powerful healing tool. The "sleep, eat, steep" foundation for building resilience through any transition. Why service can be healing. Not as self-abandonment, but as meaningful contribution that restores perspective and purpose. About Our Guest Laing Rikkers is an award-winning author, entrepreneur, and executive coach with over 30 years of leadership experience, including two decades in private equity. Afer losing her younger sister suddenly in 2019, she channeled her grief into creative writing which became the book, "Morning Leaves: Reflections on Loss, Grief, and Connection." Now a certified grief support specialist, Laing leads workshops and serves on the boards of Feeding San Diego and the Empowered Endings Foundation, helping caregivers and families navigate end-of-life challenges with compassion and practical support. Connect with Laing Website: laingrikkers.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/laing-rikkers Instagram: @morning_leaves_and_poetry Book: Morning Leaves: Cultivating a Life of Beauty, Meaning and Joy (Second Edition coming March 2026) Resources & Links Mentioned: The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron – the creative recovery classic that introduced morning pages Empowered Endings Foundation – supporting caregivers and providers around end-of-life care The Foundation for Art and Healing – research and programs on creative expression and wellness NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) – mental health support and resources University of Wisconsin Grief Support Specialist Training Design Your Life, Your Way – Next Steps: Learn more about coaching, energy healing, and the L.O.V.E. Method™ at: gloriarand.com/offerings Check out the Good Grief Women’s Retreat happening in June, 2026: goodgriefretreat.net Discover your unique strengths for designing your next chapter: bit.ly/PersonalPowerQuiz If this episode spoke to you: Leave us a review. Follow/subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Share this with a friend who’s navigating transition, reinvention, or a fresh start after 50. Connect with me on LinkedIn @GloriaGraceRand to continue the conversation about midlife, meaning, and living on purpose. Remember: Your mess is your message. You don't need to have it all figured out to show up.

Ever felt like you've been running someone else's race? If so, this episode is your permission slip to finally design your life in a way that fits who you are now, not who you were a decade ago. Welcome to the first edition of Design Your Life, Your Way - the podcast that's all about new beginnings after 50! When you tune in, you'll hear what led me to rebrand Live. Love. Engage. after 6 years and the deeper shift beneath it. If you're a woman in midlife navigating transitions like an empty nest, career pivot, relationship or identity shift, this episode is your invitation to step into what's next with intention and self-trust. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why gaining clarity on your brand and message can unlock years of stuck energy How a brand manual can be a game-changer for any business owner How life transitions in midlife like separation, career shifts, or an empty nest can become invitations to finally live on your own terms The power of aligning your work with who you are right now (not who you were five or ten years ago) What light language is, how it works, and how it can support emotional release and soul-level healing Why 2026 being a "1 year" in numerology makes this the perfect time for new beginnings and fresh starts Resources & links mentioned: Tiffany Neuman's Legacy Brand Workshop: https://yourlegacybrand.com/brand-clarity-workshop-series-grace-rand/ (Save $90 with my affiliate link) Check out New Reality TV: newrealitytv.com Curious about Light Language? Learn more here: https://gloriarand.com/light-language-healing/ Schedule your free 15-Minute introductory Light Language Session: bit.ly/lightlanguage15 Ali Rand's business management company: LiveInYourGenius.com Design Your Life, Your Way – next steps: Learn more about working with Gloria Grace Rand: https://gloriarand.com/offerings/ Check out the upcoming Good Grief Women's Retreat: goodgriefretreat.net Take the Personal Power Archetype Quiz: bit.ly/PersonalPowerQuiz If this episode spoke to you: Kindly leave us a review. Follow/subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Share this with a friend who’s navigating transition, reinvention, or a fresh start after 50. Connect with me on LinkedIn @GloriaGraceRand to continue the conversation about midlife, meaning, and living on purpose.

Many women carry a quiet tension into a new year: "I want to grow... but I don't want to lose myself in the process." In this encore conversation, I sit down with author and business coach Melissa LaPlante to explore what it really means to build a purpose-driven business after 50 - one that honors people, values, and the planet AND still creates real profit. Together, we talk about leadership without "boxes," how to recognize the gifts inside your team (and inside yourself), and why intention-led businesses aren't just kinder, they're often stronger. You'll also hear a grounded, relatable take on intuition - how to tell the difference between inner guidance and fear, and how to move forward even when your mind wants a guarantee. Expect a blend of spiritual perspective and practical energy: equal parts heart and "here's how." Transcript Key takeaways: Redefine “purpose-driven” as being intention-led: sustainable, socially conscious, and people-centered. Learn how to hire and lead “boxlessly,” looking beyond titles and degrees to real strengths and lived expertise. Recognize fear for what it is, and practice distinguishing fear from true intuitive guidance. Discover “abundance banking,” a way of leading and serving from what you do have: skills, wisdom, and presence, rather than scarcity. Normalize the rise-and-fall rhythm of business growth: big wins, recalibration, and returning to faith and self-compassion. Why this episode matters now Midlife has a way of refining you. What used to “work” may feel heavier now. All the hustle, proving, and pushing through. And as priorities shift, you may feel that spiritual tension that says, “I’m ready for success that feels true in my body and true in my spirit.” This conversation meets you right there with a reminder that your impact doesn’t require burnout, and your integrity doesn’t have to be the price of growth. If this episode speaks to you, especially that pull to lead with purpose and trust yourself more — listen all the way through, subscribe, and share it with one woman who’s building her next chapter with heart. Your share might be the exact nudge she needs right now. Resources: Join the Soulful Women's Network: https://www.facebook.com/groups/soulfulwomensnetwork Receive daily inspirational email messages: bit.ly/LoveLightNotes Need support? Go to engagewithgloria.com to schedule a call. Connect with Melissa LinkedIn & Instagram: @Boxlessbusiness Website: boxlessbusiness.com Connect with Live Love Engage: Send Gloria Grace a message ☕ Support the podcast ❤ Love this episode? Leave us a review and rating LinkedIn: Gloria Grace Rand Facebook: Gloria Grace Rand YouTube: Gloria Grace Rand TRANSCRIPT - Purpose-Driven Business After 50: Profit + Impact  An Encore Conversation with Business Coach Melissa LaPlante Introduction: Why Purpose-Driven Business Matters Now Gloria Grace Rand: A new year is upon us, a time when many of us set goals for our life and our business. And that's why I thought this would be a great time to present an encore episode of my interview with business coach Melissa LaPlante about building purpose driven businesses that make money and make a difference in the world. So stick around for a fascinating conversation. I am Gloria Grace Rand, founder of The L.O.V.E. Method and author of the number one Amazon bestseller, Live. Love. Engage. - How to Stop Doubting Yourself and Start Being Yourself. In this podcast, we share practical advice from a spiritual perspective on how to live fully, love deeply, and engage authentically so you can create a life and business with more impact, influence, and income. Welcome to Live. Love. Engage. Namaste. For the first time in six years on this podcast, I'm actually taking a break over the holidays. And when I come back in January, Live. Love. Engage. will be known as Design your Life, Your Way - empowering women over fifty to live life on purpose. And that's why I am actually replaying Melissa La Plante's episode today. Her message about merging abundance with impact, science with, spirituality and purpose with profit is exactly what many of you have told me you need to hear right now. So whether you're building a business, contemplating your next chapter, or simply wanting to show up more authentically in the world, this conversation is pure gold. Melissa and I dive deep into how to trust your intuition and business decisions. Why giving from your abundance creates more success than taking, and how that little voice inside of you, your own inner wisdom, is often trying to guide you toward something extraordinary. So grab your favorite beverage, get cozy, and let's revisit this enlightening episode. And remember. I'll see you in the New Year with Design Your Life Your Way, where we'll continue exploring how you can boldly live life on your terms and live fully, love deeply, and engage authentically along the way. now let's get into my conversation with Melissa. Welcome: Meeting Business Coach Melissa LaPlante Melissa LaPlante: Hi. Thank you so much for having me. I'm excited to be here and I'm just going to give you a super fair warning. I'm at in my home office and my dogs are in a conversation apparently, so apologies if you hear that in the background. But yes, I'm excited to be here. Thank you for having me. Gloria Grace Rand: Well, I, I'm glad that you're here and I'm glad the dogs are here too. You know, they'll probably add to the, they'll add to the atmosphere. It's always good. And I'm a dog lover and a cat lover, but I did close my door. Melissa LaPlante: I have both. Yeah, I love me some animals. Defining Purpose-Driven Business: More Than Just Serving a Need Gloria Grace Rand: Absolutely. So I thought we'd start off because I do want to dive into this, this topic because I think it's so important. But what, what exactly does a purpose driven business mean to you and how did you kind of discover your own alignment between, you know, making money, which is great, but also having an impact. Melissa LaPlante: You know, purpose driven. To me, and that's, I love that you started with that question because it's a, I think it's a misunderstood term in some degrees. I think that, you know, when you think of purpose driven, you think of, oh, my company has to be doing something for consumers that have a need. It has to be, you know, servicing a need. And that's not necessarily the case. Purpose driven is more about being intention led, knowing that, you know, you are showing up sustainably, socially conscious, you know, that you have. And sustainability is not just environmental sustainability. It's are the hours you're working your employees sustainable is the wage you're giving them sustainable, is the way they're being treated sustainable. And so, you know, purpose driven really means just understanding your effectiveness effect in the world and on your consumers and, and you know, and showing up in a positive and giving way versus what can we take? Right. And you know, I, I've always been, I'm a serial entrepreneur. I started my first business when I was 13 walking dogs ironically. And so, you know, it's just always been important to me to flourish in business. But as a person, my moral compass also leads me to be intention led and purpose driven. And I just became really good at that paradigm. Sustainable Business Practices: Beyond Environmental Impact Gloria Grace Rand: Well, I love that and I'm glad that you also clarified the difference between yes, maybe a purpose of being to earn a profit or to serve your customers, but really to have a much more deeper impact and not only, as you say, not only on the environment, but also your employees too. What? I've got, like, lots of questions, but one of the first things that popped into my head actually while we were talking about that is what are some of the benefits actually of having your business be that way, you know, have that specific. The Profitability of Purpose: Why Sustainable Businesses Earn More Melissa LaPlante: I love that you asked that question. You asked the best questions, Gloria. I love it. So, so there are so many benefits aside from, you know, all of the positives of the things I just listed. Harvard Business just did a study that businesses that are showing up sustainably are 400% more profitable than their unsustainable counterparts. And I don't know any CEO out there, myself included, who wouldn't love a 400% raise. So, you know, and so there's, you know, also when, you know, I'm known as the boxless business coaching consultant because so many years, you know, I've been coaching for almost 15 years in leadership and development in one way or another. And people always tell me, oh my God, you think so far out of the box. And I'm like, I don't have a box. There's no box. And so, you know, that's why I developed boxless business, because it shows up, you know, looking at the different aspects of the business in a way that is cohesive. Right. And I'll explain that a little bit more when we get into more of that. But, you know, I think the benefits are having dedicated subject matter experts that care, that want to show up because they're, they're being valued properly. Right. You know, you have increased profitability. I teach one to one problem solving. So, you know, I'm an autistic and ADHD individual. I, in a corporation, do not expect a corporation to educate every employee in the whole building on autism and make everything as autism friendly as possible. I would prefer that they just came to me and said, melissa, what is your actual struggle in this environment and what can we do to meet that need, period? They don't need to be dumping millions of dollars into one size fits all initiatives to directly meet the needs of their actual employees. So, you know, there's a lot of benefit to showing up this way....

Imagine being able to transform stress into success - even during the busy holiday season! Discover how you can start aging gracefully with self-trust by listening to this encore interview I did with career and leadership coach Jesseca Tighe. If you’ve been pushing, proving, caregiving, or carrying the weight of “it’s all on me,” this episode is a gentle wake-up call. Jesseca and I talk about why stress isn’t just an inconvenience, it can be information. Together, we explore the real warning signs of burnout, the three different types of burnout, and the small “micro-skills” that help your nervous system come back down to earth, especially when life at home and work both feel like full-time jobs. You’ll also hear a tender reminder that taking care of yourself isn’t selfish. It’s sacred. Transcript Key Takeaways: Recognize stress as a signal, not a character flaw and learn how to stop overriding what your body already knows. Identify the type(s) of burnout you’re experiencing so you can choose support that actually fits. Learn how to use simple breath-based “micro-skills” to calm your nervous system in the middle of real life. Release the belief that “more effort” is the answer, especially when your system is already depleted. Remember that rest is not scrolling, it’s restoring... and you’re allowed to choose what truly refuels you. Why This Episode Matters Now Midlife has a way of turning the volume up. Your priorities shift. Your nervous system gets less interested in performance and more devoted to truth. And in a world that still rewards over-functioning, this conversation offers a kinder path: letting go of what’s draining you, opening to support, valuing what your body is telling you, and remembering you were never meant to earn your worth through exhaustion. If this episode speaks to you and you can feel that quiet inner “yes” to doing life differently, subscribe to the podcast and share this episode with a woman you love who’s been carrying too much. And if you want to stay close as the show steps into its new identity in January 2026, make sure you’re connected to Gloria’s community so you don’t miss what’s coming next. Resources: Join the Soulful Women's Network: https://www.facebook.com/groups/soulfulwomensnetwork Receive daily inspirational email messages: bit.ly/LoveLightNotes Need support? Go to engagewithgloria.com to schedule a call. Connect with Jesseca Website: soulutionsforhealth.com Social Media: @JessecaTighe Connect with Live Love Engage: Send Gloria Grace a message ☕ Support the podcast ❤ Love this episode? Leave us a review and rating LinkedIn: Gloria Grace Rand Facebook: Gloria Grace Rand YouTube: Gloria Grace Rand TRANSCRIPT - Encore Episode: Transform Stress into Success: Aging Gracefully with Self-Trust Introduction: Why We're Revisiting This Conversation About Stress and Burnout Gloria Grace Rand: The holidays are here, a time for joy and laughter and for many people, stress. That's why I thought it would be a perfect time to present an Encore episode of my conversation earlier this year with career and leadership coach Jesseca Tighe about stress, burnout, and why taking care of yourself isn't selfish, it's sacred. So stick around because I also have some exciting news to share before we dive into the interview. I am Gloria Grace Rand, founder of The L.O.V.E. Method and author of the number one Amazon bestseller, Live, Love, Engage, How to Stop Doubting Yourself and Start Being Yourself. In this podcast, we share practical advice from a spiritual perspective on how to live fully, love deeply, and engage authentically so you can create a life and business with more impact, influence, and income. Welcome to Live. Love. Engage. Exciting Podcast News: Live. Love. Engage. Becomes Design Your Life, Your Way Gloria Grace Rand: Namaste. The holidays are here and as Jesseca Tighe taught me earlier this year during our conversation, stress isn't just an annoyance to push through, it's a gift. It's your body's way of saying, hey, I need you to pay attention to me. So that's why I'm taking a break from recording a full episode this week before my body starts to complain. And it's also giving me a chance to prepare for January 2026 when this podcast will return with a fresh new identity. Live, Love, Engage is becoming Design Your Life Your Way, a show dedicated to empowering women over 50 to boldly live life on their terms and on purpose. So pour yourself something warm, find a cozy spot, and let's revisit this conversation about choosing yourself, especially during a season that often asks us to do everything but that. And remember, I'll see you in the new year with Design Your Life Your Way, where we'll continue exploring how to live fully, love deeply, and engage authentically on your terms. So now let's jump into my conversation with Jesseca Tighe. Understanding Stress: Why It's Actually a Gift That Can Help You Heal Gloria Grace Rand: You said that stress is actually a gift that can help us heal. So that may sound counterintuitive to a lot of people. So I'm wondering if you could explain what you mean by that. The Science Behind Stress: Your Body's Built-In Warning System Jesseca Tighe: Yeah, yeah. So stress is really a low-grade fear response. It's a low-grade survival response. So when we talk about or when we think about our ancient ancestors, cavemen running from the saber-toothed tiger, and they had this fear response because that told them, hey, this saber-toothed tiger is after you. This is affecting your life. You need to fight or flee or freeze. That's another one. But you need to do something in order to save your life. Stress is actually a low-grade fear response. So it's telling your body and it's telling you that something's not right. That something's not right. You can't live like this. You can't do this anymore. You're way too stressed out. But we ignore it. And instead of thinking, okay, something doesn't feel right. Something is wrong here. I'm really under too much stress. We think of it as something to overcome. We think of it as something to just ignore. And it's something that's annoying. And it's this existential threat out there. But really, stress, it causes a toll on the body, on your health, on your mental health, and we really need to take it seriously. And so that's what I help people do. Stress as a Wake-Up Call: The Annoying Cousin in Your Basement Gloria Grace Rand: So it's really sort of, I guess, a wake-up call to start paying attention, it sounds like. Jesseca Tighe: It is. It is. Yeah. It's the annoying cousin in your basement that comes up every once in a while and knocks on your door going, hey, I'm still here. This isn't good for us. This isn't good for you. You have to do something different. And we say, no, whatever. I can get over it. It's fine. And then years down the road, we end up with stress-related conditions and we end up with mental health conditions. We end up with substance abuse conditions. It wreaks havoc on our body internally, which is completely invisible and we don't see it. And because it's not the saber-toothed tiger right there in front of our face, it's this essential threat out there. It's really coming up and saying, hey, in 15 to 25 years, you may or may not have a heart-related condition. And we're like, whatever. I got work to do. And we need to take these things seriously because we have a lot of research now on what stress is, what it does to the body, and why it's so important that we manage it. And we are still stuck, most of us are still stuck in a work culture that doesn't provide those resources or even worse, actively tries to destroy our health and well-being. From Healthcare Burnout to Coaching: A Personal Story of Transformation Gloria Grace Rand: Yeah. Now, I know that your background is in healthcare. So were you, because it sounded like I'm trying to remember now from reading your bio, you certainly were seeing how other employees were affected by stress, but was that something you were going through as well? And is that kind of what led you to make this transition? Working Yourself Into Illness: When Burnout Becomes a Health Crisis Jesseca Tighe: Yeah. Yeah, it was. So my path, my story is, it's not a linear path, like most people. So I have a PhD in psychology. I practiced as a mental health therapist for about 10 years, and then got an opportunity to work in administrative positions in healthcare and mostly in senior living, which was great. I really loved it at first, but living through COVID, living through just the industry changing into more of a corporate structure, it really, really affected me. And I got burnt out, you know, when, especially in healthcare, it's always do more with less. It's always work harder, faster, longer. There are no holidays. There are no breaks. It's 24-7, 365. You're getting calls on vacation. And I just, I was not doing well. I really worked myself into illness where I got COVID and E. coli poisoning at the same time, and I could not get well. It was really terrible. And I just, I knew that I had to make a change and I had to do something. Turning Crisis Into Opportunity: Starting a New Business From the Couch So while I was laid up on the couch for two months, I decided, well, I might as well use this time productively. And so I'd always wanted to work with people again individually. I always knew I was going to go back to that. So I thought, well, why not now? So I decided to hang out a shingle as my dad would say, and start my own business. And here I am, and I'm loving it. And I'm so glad that I made the switch. But while I was working in healthcare, I did have some tips and tricks and techniques that I did with my team to reduce turnover, reduce stress, to build resilience, build a cohesive team so that we all had time back in our day so that we could manage it

As a new year approaches, it's not unusual to start pondering what your next chapter will look like - especially, if there's a quiet longing inside you to stop pushing so hard, and start living in a way that actually feels like you again. In this solo episode, I invite you to imagine meeting the "true you" of December, 2026. This is not about pressuring you into another list of goals, but to reconnect with what your soul truly wants next. Show Notes | Transcript Join me as I share a tender, honest moment about grief, self-judgment, and the kind of coping many of us recognize. Then, you'll be gently guided towards a new way with aligned intentions rooted in worthiness, support, and trust in Divine timing. You'll also experience a practical mini-workshop using my L.O.V.E. Method, a simple, heart-centered framework to help you let go, open up to receive, value what makes you uniquely powerful, and embrace the truth of who you are... especially in midlife, when your priorities shift and your spirit starts asking for something more. Key takeaways: Recognize the difference between pressure-driven resolutions and soul-led aligned intentions that restore self-trust. Learn how to vision your next chapter without shrinking into practicality too soon, so your dreams have room to breathe. Discover why “less is more” in midlife. How choosing a few core intentions can create real momentum (without burnout). Create one simple daily/weekly practice that turns your intention into a lived experience - especially around boundaries, energy, and ease. Midlife has a way of clarifying what’s real: what you’re willing to keep doing and what your body and spirit are done tolerating. If this episode speaks to you, listen all the way through, and then share it with a friend who’s navigating her own reinvention after 50. And if you’re feeling that nudge: the one that says “I’m ready for clarity, I’m ready to come home to myself,” consider reaching out to explore a next-step clarity session with me, where you can name what you’re releasing, what you’re receiving, and what you’re building now... with support. Resources: Learn more about the Good Grief Women's Retreat: goodgriefretreat.net Join the Soulful Women's Network: https://www.facebook.com/groups/soulfulwomensnetwork Receive daily inspirational email messages: bit.ly/LoveLightNotes Need support? Go to engagewithgloria.com to schedule a call. Connect with Live Love Engage: Send Gloria Grace a message ☕ Support the podcast ❤ Love this episode? Leave us a review and rating LinkedIn: Gloria Grace Rand Facebook: Gloria Grace Rand YouTube: Gloria Grace Rand TRANSCRIPT - New Year, True You: Visioning Your Next Chapter Introduction: Envisioning Your Future Self Namaste. Imagine meeting the you of December 2026, one year from now. What is she doing? How is she being and what would she. Thank you. So as I mentioned, a year from now is December. Well, because this is December right now. And yeah, it's. That end of year is rapidly approaching. I mean, as I, I'm recording this, it's like we're already past a week into the month and it's going to be Christmas and New Year's or whatever holiday you celebrate, like in a blink of an eye, it seems like. And I know that a lot of time people are doing things like setting goals this time of year or they're doing vision boards about what they want to create next year. Thinking about doing a vision board myself. I have one that I've been looking at all year long and thinking I need to update it. So I also wonder if how much of what you've been doing, maybe you have been setting goals and things like that, that it's related around other people, maybe your family, your clients, your community. So if that is the case and you've been putting yourself last or nearly last, stick around. Because today we're not going to be doing resolutions. We're instead creating a vision for 2026 that's rooted in your soul, supported by your higher self and designed for the wise, radiant woman you are right now. Welcome to the Podcast: Empowering Women Over 50 But first, if you're new to the podcast, if you happen to have stumbled upon us, welcome. I'm so glad you're here. I am Gloria Grace, midlife empowerment guide and self love advocate for women over 50 who want to boldly live life on their terms. And I, yeah, I know all about the setting of goals and not necessarily having them work out because that happens sometimes. You know, I know I've certainly done that in the past in my business. And in fact, a couple, you know, a couple years ago I actually had, I bought this whole, it was like four volume set to use throughout the year of planners. They were one for each quarter of the year. And I started with all the good intentions and filled it out for like the first quarter. I think I did good. I think I did the whole first quarter. Second quarter started slipping back and wasn't doing it so much anymore. And, and then as often happens, those goals didn't materialize because what you focus on expands and conversely, what you don't focus on, well, maybe it doesn't necessarily contract, but it certainly doesn't expand very well if you're not paying attention to it. My Personal Weight Loss Journey: Breaking the Yo-Yo Cycle And I know also, and now that's for, you know, certainly in my business, but also even in my personal life. Now I've. If you have been someone who has actually subscribed to the podcast on YouTube and you've been watching episodes of me over the last few years and in fact, I've been doing this podcast now since. Well, we. This is our December marks the seventh anniversary. And I. I didn't actually call this season seven because. Well, I'm going to tell you about that a little bit later. Why. But anyway, so you're just going to have to keep tuning in to listen. But anyway, yeah, I started this in December, this podcast, this version in December 2019. And as I said, if you have happened to. And even if you haven't been subscribed on YouTube, go back in and go to my YouTube channel at Gloria Grace Rand R A N D and go ahead and look at my transformations over the last six years because you will see my face balloon and then get smaller and then balloon and, you know, and the rest of my body too, and then get smaller again because I have had a terrible habit of putting on £40 or so and then taking them off the next year because I'm realizing that, oh, I can't fit into my clothes anymore. I don't like this. I have to wear bigger sizes. I'm sure many of you out there could probably relate to this, right? And, you know, you start it off and. And the last time I did this was summer of 23, I believe. Yeah, I think it was the summer 23. And I actually went to a hypnotist and. And it worked for a while and I was releasing weight. And then over the holidays and Christmas time, I started indulging and put the weight back on. And then so by last, in the fall of 24, I was back up to where. Where I didn't want to be again, let's put it that way, a weight I didn't want to be. And I was miserable because it's like I was really, I think, beating myself up a little bit about the fact that how many times have I done this, Gloria? And really, I would say it's even gone back to like 2015, 2015. I got rid of a lot of weight. I was on a different program at the time and did really well. And then in 2016, my sister passed and I gave myself permission to eat my grief. So I did. And so this started this, this yo yo thing where it was like every year I was either putting weight on or taking it off, putting it on and taking it off. Finding What Works: The Post Diabetes Solution Well, thankfully the universe sent me a wonderful LinkedIn connection last year. A lovely gentleman who, you know, we, we connected a few times and he happened to mention in one of the last calls we had, last zoom calls, that he had discovered this book and he had gotten rid of a lot of weight and was feeling so much healthier. And so he suggested it to me and it's called Post Diabetes. And I got the book and I read it one week at a time, I should say, because it, the, the authors of the book don't want you to go ahead because it includes, it's basically a nine week plan to move you out of diabetes to so that you can be post diabetic. Now, I'm not. I have never been thankfully diagnosed as diabetic, but I knew the way I was going I could be really heading towards type 2 diabetes and I didn't want to do that. So I followed this program and the weight came off and it was pretty easy too. It was not challenging, really challenging at all. And so by this past spring, I'd say by March or April, I had actually released almost 50 pounds and I put a few of those back on. But I can still safely say that from compared to last October, October of 24 to now, which is December 25, I still have £40 off and I have released those pounds. I'm now putting them back on again. And I've been a little indulging this last week again. And I decided this morning that no, let's go back to eating good food. I don't need to do that anymore. It's like I still would like to release a few more, but heck, even if I stay somewhere within the this like a 10 pound range, pretty darn good. And it really feels good to know that I'm not going to go back because I'm, I'm not the person I was even a year ago. I'm not. I've grown a lot, personally and professionally. I've been. I worked with someone this summer on my branding and that's why I call myself now a midlife empowerment guide. You probably noticed again, if you've been subscribed to this podcast for any length of time, that I've sort of changed my titles over the years, over the years. But this is the one that's sticking because this is the one that really feels finally aligned and it feels good. So, all right, hopefully you see a little bit. Well, this is a little bit of my journey....

December is supposed to be “the most wonderful time of the year,” as the old song goes... but what happens when your heart just isn’t in the holiday spirit? In this solo episode, I invite you into an honest conversation about grief, loss, and the pressure to feel merry when your soul feels heavy. I share my own personal stories of navigating Christmas without family, discovering that grief doesn't follow a timeline, and it doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong either. We explore the many faces of grief: death, divorce, empty nests, lost dreams, changing identies, and the quiet ache of what might have been. Show Notes | Transcript In this episode, you'll get practical, tender advice on handling gatherings, managing the pressure of “holiday happiness,” and giving yourself grace. You're reminded that it’s okay to grieve, to feel joy and sorrow together, and to do the holidays in whatever way feels right this year. Key insights include: Understand why the holidays can intensify grief, from traditionals and family gatherings to cultural pressure to "be happy" Discover the power of self-compassion, boundaries, and saying “no” as acts of self-love during the holidays Remember that you can feel grief and joy at the same time—laughing, smiling, or enjoying a moment doesn’t mean you’ve “moved on” or betrayed anyone Hear how community, retreats, counseling, and support groups can offer steady ground when the waves of grief feel too big to handle alone As you finish this episode, take one slow breath, place a hand on your heart, and ask yourself: What is one small, loving thing I can offer myself today as I walk with my grief? Resources: If this episode speaks to your experience of grief - whether from death, divorce, transition, or lost dreams - you’re invited to take one small step of support: Download my free PDF "How to Respond When You're Grieving" guide: https://gloriarand.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/How-to-Respond-When-Youre-Grieving.pdf Learn more about our upcoming Good Grief Retreat: goodgriefretreat.net Take what resonates and leave the rest. No pressure. I'm just offering an open door if your soul is nudging you toward more support. Connect with Live Love Engage: Send Gloria Grace a message ☕ Support the podcast ❤ Love this episode? Leave us a review and rating LinkedIn: Gloria Grace Rand Facebook: Gloria Grace Rand YouTube: Gloria Grace Rand TRANSCRIPT Grief, Holidays & Healing After 50: You’re Not Broken Welcome to Live, Love, Engage Namaste. The holiday season is upon us. Joy to the world and all that, right? Well, not necessarily. The sad truth, I guess, is that it's also a time when grief can rear its ugly head. And that's what I want to talk about today. So sit down, if you're not already, pour yourself a cup of tea, maybe a glass of wine, or a glass of water, because we're going to have a heart-to-heart talk about this subject, because it is one that's near and dear to my heart. So first, in case this is your first time here, or you happen to have stumbled across the Live, Love, Engage podcast, welcome. I am Gloria Grace. I'm a confidence catalyst and self-love advocate who empowers women over 50, through my love method and energy healing, to boldly live life on their terms. Why the Holiday Season Can Amplify Grief And as I said, you know, this year, this time of year, it's, you know, it's supposed to be joyful, you know, and everybody's supposed to be happy and gay. Okay, not that, nevermind, you know what I mean. I'm showing my age when that word meant joy. And you know what? I think for some people, it still does. But anyway, if you've experienced a loss in the past year, maybe even the past five years, whether it's death of a friend or a loved one, or even a beloved pet, it can be tough to feel merry and bright. And I know firsthand what that's like. My Personal Story: Losing My Sister Two Days After Christmas It's nine years ago, but I still remember it like it was yesterday. My sister, older sister Michaela passed two days after Christmas. And yeah, and I tell you, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, I like, I could feel the end was near. And so, yeah, it was not easy. And it was not easy in the several years after that, you know, when Christmas would come up, and this time of year. And even now, still, I mean, even now, it was like little tears are coming up as I remember. Gosh, yeah, it's amazing. You know, our brains and our emotions are really powerful things and how they hold on to memories. Even, you know, things, and in fact, I even, you know, I could even go back farther and remembering where I was and when I heard about my older brother when he passed. How Holiday Memories Can Trigger Grief Unexpectedly So, and then, you know, when you come up with the holidays, it's like, and especially if you do happen to lose someone at this time of year, it's like every year, you know, even when you've gotten past, you know, that initial really tough stage of grief, and you're into the acceptance, it can still trigger things. In fact, I remember actually, last year, now that I think about it, last year at this time, I was driving somewhere, and I don't know, something happened. I just started tearing up, but I let the tears flow. And, you know, and then it passed, and I was okay again. But it was just that, those memories. But it's not even, you might not even be, that might not be what you're grieving. Grief Goes Beyond Death: The Many Types of Loss It might not be actually death of a person, specific person. It could be grieving your identity. Maybe this is your first year as an empty nester, and maybe your kids even, maybe they're away at college, and they're not able to come home for the holidays. Or maybe, like my daughter who lives in Europe, so thankfully she was home a couple months ago, but she won't be home for the holidays. I haven't spent Christmas with her for five years, and I've had to deal with that. Sometimes it might be that you're grieving, maybe the business you poured your heart into didn't make it. Or, you know, or some other dream that you had has died. Maybe a friendship ended this year, that one that you, maybe a long-held friendship, and for whatever reason, you know, it's over. Could be a marriage ending as well. So all of these things, all of these things can cause grief. And then the volume, the volume, I'm thinking ahead, it got ahead of me. The holidays can pump up the volume, as it were, on it. You're Doing Better Than You Think So, you know, loss and loneliness and longing for what was or could have been. So if any of you listening to this or watching on YouTube can relate to this, do what I did just then. Take a breath. Because here's the thing. You know what? You're doing better than you think. And you know how I know that? You're here. You're listening to me talk on this podcast right now. So that shows that, yeah, you're hanging in there. You're even looking for support. And we're going to talk more about that in a little bit. So pat yourself on the back right now. You know, go ahead. Say, yes, I'm here. I'm surviving. And I, this too shall pass, let me tell you. Why Grief Feels So Much Harder During the Holidays But so why does this time of year feel so much harder when you're grieving? Well, you know, there's the songs. Actually, I was just at a concert last night. And I don't think they did this song. But you know, it's the most wonderful time of the year. No, what is it? It's the most wonderful time of the year. There we go. I knew the song would come back in my head. Well, sure. Yeah, for lots of people. The Pressure of Holiday Cheer When You're Struggling But hearing all those songs about, you know, joy, like I said, joy to the world. And you know, all of these happy, wonderful songs. It can, you can start feeling some pressure from all that. And it can be quite exhausting. So guess what? You don't have to fake happiness. Because the people who love you are going to be able to handle your real feelings. Holiday Traditions and Rituals Can Bring Up Painful Memories Now, the holidays are also, it's all about, maybe not all about, but it's a lot about rituals and traditions, you know, the, maybe it's that holiday meal that you serve, or it's a religious service that you attend, or, you know, it's, you know, and no matter what religion you are, there's, there's a lot of holidays that come around this time of year, you know, not just Christmas, I'm, that's when I celebrate, but there's Hanukkah, there's, I know Kwanzaa, there's, there's, there's lots of them. So with all of those, there are traditions, like I know for Hanukkah, there's what the menorah, you like the menorah. And, and let's say if it is someone that you spent time with, you know, whether it was a loved one, or whether it's your spouse, or whatever, and they're not, you're not going to be spending the holiday with that person this year. You know, it's going to bring up memories, like, like, like, for me, when my sister was going through cancer, and I was out there, before Christmas, I was with her while she's going through treatments. She wanted to bake Christmas cookies. And that's something we always did in our family, is we every Christmas, my mom would go crazy sometimes, when I was really little, baking all these different, different kinds of cookies. The Pecan Crisps Story: Cherishing Memories Through Grief But my sister had a particular favorite, which is also my favorite. And they were these lovely, basically a sugar cookie with pecans sprinkled on top. So good. Just thinking about it now, I actually, actually made them for my daughter when she was here. So she would kind of kind of celebrated the holidays a little early with her. But anyway, so, so she wanted the cookies. I was like, okay, I'll bake, I'll bake these Christmas cookies for my sister....

What story do you tell yourself when things don't go as planned? Self-compassion for women over 50 isn't about lowering your standards. It's about releasing the grip of perfectionism that keeps you stuck. In this episode, I share the mortifying moment I almost ghosted three women who registered for my workshop... all because I made the fatal mistake my mother warned me about: assuming no one was there! What happened next reminded me why showing up matters more than showing up polished. And how my L.O.V.E. Method helped me move from self-criticism to self-grace in real time. Show Notes | Transcript This episode offers a real-world example of what self-compassion look like in action. Whether you're running a business, navigating a transition, or simply trying to silence that inner critic, you'll learn that self-compassion is a practice you can return to whenever things threaten to fall apart. What you'll take away: Why assuming silence means rejection is a limiting belief worth examining A simple way to notice when self-criticism is running the show, and how to gently interrupt it How to apply the L.O.V.E. Method when you mess up (without spiraling) The gift of showing up imperfectly for yourself and those waiting for you If you've been holding back because you're not "ready enough," this episode is for you. Sometimes your greatest teaching moments come wrapped up in your biggest mistakes. Finding purpose after 50 starts with grace. Midlife reinvention begins when you stop waiting for perfect. Resources: Join the Soulful Women's Network: https://www.facebook.com/groups/soulfulwomensnetwork Receive daily inspirational email messages: bit.ly/LoveLightNotes Need support? Go to engagewithgloria.com to schedule a call. Connect with Live Love Engage: Send Gloria Grace a message ☕ Support the podcast ❤ Love this episode? Leave us a review and rating LinkedIn: Gloria Grace Rand Facebook: Gloria Grace Rand YouTube: Gloria Grace Rand TRANSCRIPT Self-Compassion for Women Over 50: From Self-Criticism to Self-Grace Introduction: What Self-Compassion Really Means After 50 Namaste. On the day of my awakening your inner light workshop, I almost ghosted three women who wanted to explore my love method. Not because I didn't care, but because of one tiny notification setting and a big story I was telling myself. So today I am sharing what really happened and what it taught me about perfection and self trust and how you can use the love method the next time you mess up in your own life or business. But before we dive into all that, I want to welcome you to Live Love Engage. I am Gloria Grace, confidence catalyst who empowers women over 50 through my signature love method and energy healing to boldly live life on their terms. The Story Behind the Almost-Ghosted Workshop So if you, if you're a regular subscriber to the podcast and you've listened to the last couple of episodes, I think I mentioned, or especially the last one, I think you I mentioned that I was doing this workshop and I was really excited because I had done it in person here in Florida, I guess almost two months ago now, and, and it was really lovely and I thought, well, if I could do it in person, why not do it online with Zoom and we can have breakout rooms and all that fun stuff. So that's what I did. I, you know, decided I picked a date and, and set up the event and, you know, posted about it. And I wasn't getting any emails from Zoom about anybody registering. And in fact, even right up until I know a lot of, lots of people wait until the last minute. And so I was doing some last minute promotion as well. And the day before the workshop, I, I'm checking my email, you know, searching for Zoom, and it's like, nothing. I'm like, no. Oh, well, I guess it just wasn't meant to be. And I went about my day and, and then the morning of the workshop, you know, again, I checked again to see if anybody had registered and you know, you know, again, there were no emails from Zoom. When Limiting Beliefs Almost Won You, you may be guessing where this is going already, right? So it got to be about, I don't know, maybe 10 minutes before 2 o'. Clock. I was going to do this at 2 o' clock in the afternoon, I think Eastern time. So, but I don't know, 15 minutes or 10 minutes before I, for whatever reason, my higher self was telling me, go log on to Zoom. Log on to Zoom and check and just double check to see if anybody had registered. And so I did. And when I logged on, I saw that three people had registered. I'm. For those of you who are listening, I'm doing my home alone impression of, oh shoot. What was, what was the character's name that Macaulay Culkin played? I forget. Oh God, I should know it. But anyway, I'm doing my best, you know, or, and it's also the, what is it? The Munch painting of the. Oh, so holy. Holy moly. I'm like, okay, I've got three people that are expecting me to do a workshop in like a few minutes. Showing Up Imperfectly: What Happened Next So I like hurriedly went around my office trying to find the notes I had. I had like these like, I don't know, three by five cards or maybe even five by seven cards that I. Index cards that I had put together for the, the in person workshop that had all my lovely notes about everything. And so I still never found them. I don't know where they went. One of these days they'll show up, I guess. But thankfully I also knew before I created the cards that I had put an outline together on Google Drive. So I went to Google Drive, found that, printed it out. I was like, okay, all right. It's like. Because I, I knew in general what I wanted to do, but I also wanted to refresh my memory and so, so I did that. So I got, so I got my notes and I, I went into the Zoom and there was one woman, someone I, I know actually I knew all three people who had signed up as well. So they, they weren't complete strangers, which was very fortunate for me. So, so this one woman was there and, and she showed up and, and I said, you know, I'm so sorry. I like explained the whole thing to her that I didn't get any notifications and I didn't know anybody had signed up and, and, and, and she was the only person there. Now it was already about couple minutes after the start of the workshop and so she's like, well, maybe you should check with the other people. And I'm like, yeah, I think that's a good idea. So, so I left the room and went and sent emails out to the other two ladies and, and then came back into Zoom. And then sure enough, within a couple more minutes they both came in and now I'm going to breathe. Ah. Because that's what I was able to do then is to breathe and apologize and say, and to thank them for showing up and, and I went into the workshop what I wanted to share and it wasn't as polished as I had intended it to be. The Power of Done Over Perfect And I know I had. Yeah, I didn't quite do things in exact order that I wanted to do them either, but I did get all the we. I did the explanation of what the love method stands for. We did some experiential exercises. They got to do some, you know, reflections back and forth. We did some sharing, they did some journaling. And all in all, it turned out lovely. And they gave me some wonderful testimonials, which I just realized that I didn't. I was going to look them up before I started recording this podcast to tell you what they are. So you know what? I'm going to pause for one quick second and find them and then I'm going to come and then I'll continue the recording so I can get them. Because I can do this. I have control. Haha. So I'll be right back and you won't even notice how long I've been gone. What the Workshop Participants Said I love technology because, see, I'm right back and I have, I have their feedback forms. So I'm going to share with you a little bit about what they said. So one of the comments said, thank you for a delightful workshop. The processes you shared were simple to grasp, very meaningful, and showed exciting originality. I recommend it to anyone seeking fresh tools for enlightening their life. And let's see, the other next person said, yeah, the workshop was simple, interactive, personally fulfilling and informative. I'm open to this information and appreciate your personal guidance. And I also shared some light language and she loved that as well. She hadn't heard that before. And let's see. And then the last person said that, yeah, what, what they liked about the workshop was that it teaches you to listen to your inner intuition and to trust in God. And she loved breaking in, you know, doing the breakout rooms. And yeah, so I felt, I felt so great reading these, this feedback and knowing that showing up, showing up, that's, that's, that's one of the lessons learned here is that it's important to show up. And, and the, the first lesson, actually. Well, one of, one of the lessons that came to me also was I should have heeded my mother's warning. Never Assume: Lessons Learned from Tech Mistakes She always taught me to never assume. You know why? Because you make an a-s-s out of you and me. And so I just assumed that, that everything was right, set up with, with zoom, and that, you know, maybe it was some fault of theirs that they didn't send me notifications. Well, joke's on me because it was operator air. I am the person who didn't set up the notifications so that it would let me know when someone registered. So I put a note on my notes for the workshop that the next Time I run it when I set it up in zoom to check, check and make sure that I have those notifications on. Ah. Oh, my goodness. What. What an interesting. What an interesting experience. So what does all this mean for you? Well, before I get into that, I just want to take a moment. Hopefully you're not turned off so far, but I want to invite you to subscribe to the podcast if you aren't

What if the most powerful CEO move isn't fixing yourself, but befriending the dark side of yourself you've been hiding? In this revealing episode, I get real about the shadow side of entrepreneurship. Drawing from my own journey as a people-pleasing copywriter to a confident midlife guide, I share how our deepest wounds (control issues, perfectionism, conflict avoidance) secretly run our businesses. Instead of another self-improvement pep talk, you'll get something radical: permission to stop fixing and start feeling. Show Notes | Transcript Discover: The 4 Personal Power Archetypes—and which shadow patterns are quietly sabotaging your success Practical ways to apply the L.O.V.E. Method to transform your CEO mindset Why your "broken" parts are actually strategic advantages waiting to be embraced Ready to make peace with your shadows and lead from your whole self? Be sure to listen all the way to the end of this episode to hear a light language transmission designed to help you reconnect with what matters most. Resources: Discover your Personal Power Archetype: bit.ly/PersonalPowerQuiz Join the Soulful Women's Network: https://www.facebook.com/groups/soulfulwomensnetwork Receive daily inspirational email messages: bit.ly/LoveLightNotes Need support? Go to engagewithgloria.com to schedule a call. Connect with Connect with Live Love Engage: Send Gloria Grace a message ☕ Support the podcast ❤ Love this episode? Leave us a review and rating LinkedIn: Gloria Grace Rand Facebook: Gloria Grace Rand YouTube: Gloria Grace Rand TRANSCRIPT - Stop "Fixing" Yourself - Start Leading from Your Dark Side The Confidence Catalyst's Confession I'm curious about all of you business owners who are listening or watching to this podcast today. Who's really sitting in that CEO chair? Your highest self or your shadow self? Well, no matter how you answered that question, I've got good news for you. Because today we're going to be talking about, well, I should say, actually, we're not going to be talking about fixing what's quote unquote broken. Instead, we're going to talk about how to make friends with the parts of yourself you'd rather keep hidden. But before we get started, I want to welcome you to Live Love Engage. I am Gloria Grace, confident confidence catalyst, who's having trouble speaking today. But that's okay. Hey, you know, we're not perfect. What the heck? Let me try it again. I am Gloria Grace confidence catalyst who empowers women over 50 through my love method and energy healing to boldly live life on their terms. Operating from Shadow Self vs. Highest Self in Business So, yeah, being the CEO. Hmm. Are you the, Are you, are you operating from your highest self or is it your shadow self? You? And for me, I know I've definitely operated from that shadow self in my career as, as a business owner or entrepreneur or even just starting out as a freelance SEO copywriter. When Hiring Help Triggers Control Issues The. You know, I've talked about this on the show before and I know if you were a business owner, you've probably, probably heard this many times from lots of different people that if you want to grow your business, eventually you can't just be the sole person in your business. You need to hire help, you know, even if it's just on a part time basis. And I reached that point in my business where I realized that if I wanted to be able to continue serving my clients at a high level, that I needed to get help with managing like social media marketing, for crying out loud, and emails and all of that. And so I decided to hire a virtual assistant. Great, right? You'd think, except that I started getting very frustrated with her because she wasn't doing what I wanted her to do and she wasn't communicating with me very well. And I finally gave up and said, you know, this isn't working and I'm just not going to need your services anymore. Even though I really did need her services, the problem was not really with her. Now, first off, I should, I should have backed up and said that I had been really reluctant to hire someone for a long time because when you start your business and it's your baby, you know, you, you don't like turning over control, especially because, and, and this was Part of my issue with her is that I felt like she wasn't doing as good a job as I could do in some of these areas. And where it was take, maybe it was taking longer. I don't know. This was a long time ago now, but it was just really frustrating. I think it was mostly that she wasn't doing things the way I would have done. And because I wanted. Setting Clear Expectations: The Key to Delegation Success I have this idea of how it was supposed to be, and that's kind of a control issue. But as I said, it really wasn't her fault necessarily. She was doing what she thought was right. The problem was I didn't set expectations at the beginning. I did not give her a clear, even instruction on how I wanted things done. I didn't, you know, do like. Like nowadays I could do a nice screen capture, you know, and go through how I do things. And then I could have just given her that video and said, okay, this is how I do it. I'd like you to do it this way. Unless you have a more efficient way of doing it, which is. I'm also open to. And. And I should have said that I want to hear from you on, you know, Fridays or, you know, and so we can over what you did during the week. And then these are my plans for the following week, which the next time I decided to hire someone. That's what I did. And we had a much better relationship. Even when at one point she messed up and with something with my email, I remember, and she was so apologetic. She was so sorry. And it was like, you know, it's okay. You know, you're human, you make mistakes. We fixed it and, you know, it was okay, but we had a much better relationship because I set up expectations. And then I also, you know, made. Made peace with that part of myself that want to be in control. And I allowed her to come up with some better ways to do things, because not everybody is gonna. Somebody might have experience in an area that maybe I. I did, but she might have a more efficient way or a more efficient way that works for her. Honoring Different Working Styles and Personalities Yeah, let me. Let me clarify that because, you know, I think two people can attack a problem in a certain way, and they may think that this is the best way. Sure, it is for them. It's for their personality, and that's why it works. But somebody else would look at, say, that's crazy. I'm never going to create graphics that way. Are you insane? You know, as an example, that's going to take me too long to do. No, I'd much Rather do it this way, and because that's their personality, that's their experience, and that's how they've learned to do it, and it does work for them. So we have to be able to let go. We got to let go of that, that. That tendency to control. And where does this come from? The Roots of Control Issues and Shadow Behaviors Well, you know, wanting to be in control for me certainly came up growing up in a home where a lot of stuff was out of my control. There was a lot of family dysfunction. Growing Up with Alcoholism and Family Dysfunction You know, my dad struggled with alcoholism, and then my mom was trying to deal with that and keep. Keep a roof over her head. You know, she. She had to wound up taking a job. You know, she was working in the 70s. So we had two income families way back in the 70s. I know now it's, you know, much more common, but it wasn't necessarily that common back then. And I think one of the reasons was, is she couldn't necessarily rely on my dad. So she decided to take another, take a job. And. And some of these shadows also. So. So that's definitely one of my control issues, because I didn't. I would come home for school and not know, you know, what condition was dad going to be in, you know, and so in my life, wherever I could have control, I wanted to have control. People Pleasing and Perfectionism: The Good Girl Syndrome And that also led to other shadows that might show up in our. Not only in our personal lives, but in our business, which is things like people pleasing and perfectionism. Because also I was. I was the baby of the family. So I had. I had two older siblings. I had an older brother and an older sister. My older brother was 14 years older than me, and my sister was 10 years older than me. So really I was like truly the. The caboose, my mother liked to say in the family. So because they were so much older, and especially as I was growing up, they. My sister was a teenager. And so, you know, there's a lot of angst that goes on in those teenage years. And so I would see the fights that my sister and my mother had. My brother had joined the Navy. He left the house. He was like, I'm out of here. So I didn't even really get to know him that much as a kid, which is a great regret of mine. However, I decided that I was going to be the good girl in the family. I was going to do my best to not arouse the ire of my mother because she had a really good, quick, explosive temper, and I didn't like that. How Shadow Behaviors Show Up in Your Business So. So again, this led to things like being conflict, avoidance, and as a being in business, boy, you know, And I wrote about this in my book, Live Love, Engage how to Stop Doubting Yourself and Start Being Yourself. Because these things showed up in my business. These. These shadows that I had of, well, wanting to be in control, for one thing, but also conflict avoidance, where. Conflict Avoidance and Pricing Your Worth I know I've probably talked about this on the. On the show before, but one of my first steady clients was with a web designer for home builders, and she would have me write blog articles for her different clients....

What does finding grace look like when you've checked every box, built the life and business you were supposed to want, and still feel like something's missing? In this intimate solo episode, I talk frankly about the quiet ache of achievement without fulfillment. Through personal stories and scientific research, you'll be reminded why gratitude is not just about saying, "thank you." It's about building a life practice that brings more abundance, joy, and resilience. Show Notes | Transcript Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's a necessary ingredient to living boldly, especially for women over 50. This episode highlights the mental and physical benefits of gratitude, and offers practical tips for fostering more gratitude in your life. You'll also learn about upcoming changes to the podcast, plans for a transformative retreat in June, 2026, and an invitation to attend my Awakening Your Inner Light online workshop. You'll discover: Why complaining becomes a habit (and how gratitude breaks the cycle) A simple nightly practice that strengthens your connection to something greater How to write gratitude letters that heal—even to those no longer here If you're ready to stop performing and start feeling again, this episode is your permission slip. So, grab a cup of tea and let's get into why gratitude truly is the "spice of life!" Resources: Attend the "Awakening Your Inner Light" workshop on Nov. 20, 2025: bit.ly/innerlight2025 Learn about the upcoming Good Grief Retreat: gloriarand.com/good-grief-retreat Join the Soulful Women's Network: https://www.facebook.com/groups/soulfulwomensnetwork Receive daily inspirational email messages: bit.ly/LoveLightNotes Need support? Go to engagewithgloria.com to schedule a call. Connect with Live Love Engage: Send Gloria Grace a message ☕ Support the podcast ❤ Love this episode? Leave us a review and rating LinkedIn: Gloria Grace Rand Facebook: Gloria Grace Rand YouTube: Gloria Grace Rand TRANSCRIPT - Finding Grace When You've Done Everything Right (But Feel Empty) Welcome: The Power of Gratitude Practice for Women Over 50 Namaste. What are you grateful for today? Have you thought about being grateful for anything today? I hope you have. I'm grateful that you are here listening and or watching on YouTube. And that's what we're gonna be talking about today. We are talking about the power of gratitude, finding grace in gratitude, just appreciating gratitude for gratitude's sake, all of that. And what that has to do with living life with purpose and living life fully and loving deeply and engaging authentically and all the wonderful things that we've been talking about on this podcast for, can you believe, the last six years? Yeah, it's hard to believe that it's been that long. I can't believe it. But anyway, yeah, we're gonna get into all that in just a second. But for those of you who seem to have just stumbled onto this podcast today, I wanna welcome you and introduce myself. I am Gloria Grace. I am a confidence catalyst who empowers women over 50 through my love method and energy healing. to boldly live life on their terms.   Finding Purpose Through Daily Gratitude And this is such a big topic for me, living life boldly and doing it with gratitude. Sorry, my eye just moved to, I have a vision board up on my wall, and in the middle of the vision board it says, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. And that's really what it's all about, isn't it? I know life can be, challenging sometimes we all have our ups and downs when we're trying to grow our business when we're trying to just live life and especially this time of year as I'm recording this it is the middle of November and it's actually my daughter's birthday today as well. Happy birthday Allison and It's, this is the time of year where things just start getting really hectic, you know, with holidays and end of the year planning. And we've talked about that on this podcast a little bit. And I know we've talked about gratitude as well, but since Thanksgiving is coming up in a couple of weeks, I figured let's talk about it again because gratitude is the spice of life is what is coming to me.   Why Gratitude Matters for Living Authentically Well, yeah, I guess you could say that. I think. If you're not grateful for being alive, if you're not grateful for whatever you have, even being grateful for things you don't have. Without that expression of gratitude in your life, Life can be pretty lonely and unpleasant even, and expressing gratitude It just gives us more to be grateful for. I mean, plain and simple. And like I said, I know I've, I probably talked about this when I was doing, earlier this year, I was doing these Wisdom Wednesday videos on LinkedIn. And I know that I definitely talked about gratitude on there. So if I haven't talked about it on the podcast, you might want to. check me out on LinkedIn and see if you can find those old recordings somewhere. I'm sure if you search my name and then you search gratitude, maybe search Wisdom Wednesday as well, I'm sure it'll come up.   How Gratitude Improves Mental Health and Well-Being So why is gratitude so important? Because I'll tell you, for me, for one thing, it makes me feel good. I bet it makes you feel good too. When you start thinking about things that you are so happy that you have, or the people in your life that bring you joy, or the clients that you have, or maybe just being grateful that you get to get up in the morning and you know, kiss your spouse, or you get to play with your cats. I have cats, or your dog. But just to be so appreciative of whatever it is that you have. It can wipe away any bad mood that you have, because let's face it, things happen in our lives that knock us off balance or certainly you know you pick up the phone and look go scroll through social media or go to your news website and you're bound to look at something that could make your blood pressure rise. Well that's no way to be folks.   Living Fully and Loving Deeply: The Connection to Gratitude I, we've been talking about here, we've been talking about for the last six years on this podcast about how to live fully, love deeply and engage authentically. And gratitude plays a role in all of that. If when you're not grateful, for what you have. When you go around feeling miserable and complaining, and I know people like this. In fact, I was raised by someone like that, God rest her soul. My mom, she was a lovely lady in so many ways. She taught me, I mean, she taught me how to read when I was three years old for crying out loud. And she fostered in me a love of reading at an early age, because we used to go to the library, take out books all the time. She also fostered in me a good sense of justice and being able to, you know, to know right from wrong. And the importance of taking care of people who don't have as much as we have.   Learning Gratitude and Compassion Early in Life I don't know if I've talked about this before, but I remember one Halloween and maybe I was, I don't know, seven or eight years old possibly. Maybe even a little bit older probably because You know i'd already spent several halloween's going out and collecting candy you know saying trick-or-treat as we do here in the united states and you get candy well one year i remember that. I didn't go trick-or-treating for candy. Instead, I went trick-or-treating for UNICEF, the organization that helps children all over the world, helping them to be able to have enough food and, I think, medical treatment and things like that. I don't know exactly what their mission is, but I know that that's what I did. I remember carrying some little probably a cardboard container or something and going to my neighbor's houses and saying trick or treat for UNICEF. And I don't remember feeling like that was a burden. I was happy to do it. And I think that's, again, that's what I'm grateful for is that my mom taught me that it's important to think about others who are less fortunate than you are. I could always have, we have plenty to eat, and she could always get me candy some other time, so I could do this that time instead.   Breaking the Cycle of Complaining vs. Practicing Gratitude And I know I was starting to say that she did also like to complain. And I remember we would go out to eat at a restaurant and she would complain about her meal. And, and that happened frequently. And I think that because that just sort of became a habit that that's, she always seemed to have something to complain about. So, all right. So, so yeah. So when you're complaining, like I said, I love my mom, but this was a bad habit that she had of, instead of being grateful that we had money to be able to go out to eat to a restaurant, that she had a job that supported us, she would complain instead.   How Focus and Visualization Shape Your Reality And I do believe that being grateful for the things that we have in our lives just brings more to us. Because the converse is true. You know, what you focus on expands. And if you want to focus on having things to be grateful for, then be grateful for what you have now. And even express gratitude for things that you don't have. Because you can get into visualizing and I've got, oh, okay. I've got cats in the background that were, one had been sitting on a chair for a very long time and the other cat decided, it's my turn. So I'm grateful that I have cats that amuse me, even while I'm trying to record a podcast like this, but it's okay. okay where am i going with this all right let's focus focus sorry i'm letting the cats distract me i don't know or maybe not you know um oh i know what i wanted to talk to you about about gratitude so This is gonna be a shorter podcast than normal.   Life Transitions and Reinvention: What's Coming in 2026 ...

What if approaching the year-end for your business wasn't about goals or grind this time around, but grace? In this solo episode, I invite you to pause before the holidays and honor the year that’s been. Not through metrics or resolutions, but through meaning. Drawing from my L.O.V.E. Method™ (Let Go and Let God, Open Your Heart to Receive, Value Your Uniqueness, and Embrace Your Divinity), I share five powerful year-end rituals to help you release, reflect, and realign with your higher self. Show Notes | Transcript Through stories of self-doubt, surrender, and quiet revelation, including a deeply personal reflection from my son’s wedding, you'll be reminded that alignment isn’t strategy, it’s surrender. You'll discover: How to turn reflection into a sacred, soul-soothing ritual. Why “letting go” clears the way for true prosperity. Five practical rituals to complete your year with love and intention. If you’re ready to lay down the weight of what didn’t happen, and remember that you are already enough, this episode is your permission slip to rest, release, and reconnect with what matters most. Resources: Register for the Awakening Your Inner Light Workshop: bit.ly/innerlight2025 Join the Soulful Women's Network: https://www.facebook.com/groups/soulfulwomensnetwork Receive daily inspirational email messages: bit.ly/LoveLightNotes Need support? Go to engagewithgloria.com to schedule a call. Connect with Live Love Engage: Send Gloria Grace a message ☕ Support the podcast ❤ Love this episode? Leave us a review and rating LinkedIn: Gloria Grace Rand Facebook: Gloria Grace Rand YouTube: Gloria Grace Rand TRANSCRIPT Year-End Rituals for the Soul - Not the Spreadsheet A Reflective Conversation on Letting Go, Renewal, and Self-Love ️ Finding Peace Before the Holidays Namaste. If you found your way to this podcast today because you needed a few minutes of peace before the holidays swallow you whole, I'm so glad you did. Today we're going to be talking about year-end rituals—not the kind that involve complicated spreadsheets or aggressive goal setting that give you knots in your stomach. There's plenty of time for that. No, today we’re talking about the kind of ritual that soothes your soul. The kind that whispers, “You did it. You're still here. And that matters.” So let's take a breath together, shall we? And let me officially welcome you to Live Love Engage. Especially if it's your first time, I am Gloria Grace, confidence catalyst and self-love advocate. I empower mission-driven women over 50 through my signature L.O.V.E. Method and energy healing to boldly live life on their terms. A Personal Story of Self-Doubt and Alignment How One Moment at a Wedding Sparked a Lesson in Self-Worth Before we dive into year-end reflection, I want to tell you a story. A couple of weeks ago, I went on a two-day road trip from Florida to Virginia with my husband and daughter to attend our son’s wedding. It was the most time I'd spent with my husband since we separated three years ago—a deeply enlightening experience that brought up a lot of old, disempowering patterns of thinking. Hours before the ceremony, a makeup artist worked her magic. I looked in the mirror… and heard that old, stupid voice whisper: “Who do you think you are to feel beautiful?” For a moment, I almost let that voice steal my joy. That’s how sneaky self-doubt can be—it shows up right when life invites you to shine. But love called me back—in my son’s embrace, my daughter’s smile. Their presence pulled me out of my head and back into my heart. That’s when I remembered: Alignment isn’t another strategy. It’s a surrender. When you shift from fear to trust, everything you’ve been chasing begins to meet you halfway. Setting Down the Weight of the Year A Guided Reflection for Women in Transition Before we do any year-end reflection, can we just set down whatever weight you’re carrying? Maybe it’s shame about what didn’t happen this year. Or guilt about the clients you didn’t sign. The content you didn’t create. The version of yourself you thought you’d be by now. Put it down. Right here between us. I’ll hold it with you for a moment—and then we’ll leave it there. Let’s breathe again. And now, answer from your heart, not your head: What if nothing went wrong this year? What if every pivot was actually a course correction from your higher self? What if the exhaustion was your body whispering, “Something needs to change”? ✨ Reflecting Through the L.O.V.E. Method Spiritual Business Rituals for Year-End Clarity Let’s move through these reflections using the L.O.V.E. Method: L — Let Go and Let God What were you trying to control this year that the universe was already handling? O — Open Your Heart to Receive What came to you when you stopped chasing? Where did support show up that you almost missed? V — Value Your Uniqueness What made you different that you tried to ignore this year? Where did you compare yourself into paralysis? E — Embrace Your Divinity When did you feel most aligned, even if you were tired? What reminded you that you are love—not just doing loving things, but being love? Take time later to journal your answers. Because this—not your follower count or revenue—is what your year was truly about. Ritual 1: The Bonfire Letter Releasing What No Longer Serves You Write a letter to the year you’ve just lived. Thank it for the lessons—yes, even the painful ones. Start with honesty: “I’m angry this launch didn’t work.” “I’m frustrated that things didn’t turn out the way I hoped.” Then shift: “Thank you for teaching me patience. Thank you for showing me what needs to change.” Burn it safely in a fireproof container—or shred it. Let those ashes symbolize transmutation. This is your way of letting go and letting God. Ritual 2: The Completion Conversation Creating Authentic Connection with Your Business Have a heart-to-heart with your business. Ask: What did you need from me this year that you didn’t get? What did I give you that nourished us both? Treat your business as a sacred partner—because it is. Ritual 3: The Sanctuary Day Reconnecting with Your Inner Wisdom Pick a day before the year ends. No strategy. No planning. No content creation. Just be with yourself. Turn off your phone. Don’t journal. Don’t produce. Think of it as a mini spiritual retreat. Be still. Listen. Because your higher self already knows what your next step is. Ritual 4: The Soul Review Reflecting on Growth and Integrity Ask yourself three questions: When did I feel most alive this year? When did I betray myself—and what can I learn from that? What does my future self want me to know? These questions are not about fixing—they’re about remembering. ️ Ritual 5: The Permission Slip Jar Giving Yourself Grace in Midlife Reinvention Find a small jar. Write three notes and place them inside: I give myself permission to rest without guilt. I give myself permission to pivot midstream. I give myself permission to not have it all figured out. Keep this jar on your desk. Let it remind you that you are enough, even in the becoming. December Doesn’t Owe You Clarity Slowing Down to Receive Spiritual Guidance December doesn’t owe you a perfect plan. It offers rest. Integration. Space between the exhale and inhale. You don’t need to be new on January 1st. You just need to be more you. Ask yourself: Who do I want to become? How do I want to feel? What do I want to be known for—not by others, but by my own soul? Embracing Prosperity and Purpose Choosing a Word of Intention for the New Year Instead of resolutions, choose a word of intention—a feeling word. Something like Spacious. Courageous. Prosperous. For me, it’s Prosperity—in love, friendship, health, and purpose. Light Language Transmission A Sacred Closing Ritual for Healing and Alignment I always close my solo episodes with a Light Language message. Light Language is an energetic communication that speaks to your soul. You may not understand it with your brain—but your heart will. So if you’re driving, pause. Find a quiet space. Close your eyes. Set the intention: “May this message serve my soul’s highest good.” Then receive: Kama Shaka Shak… Let it wash over you. Closing Reflection Living Fully, Loving Deeply, Engaging Authentically Thank you for being here—for trusting yourself enough to listen to the voice that says: You are enough. You are love. You are exactly where you need to be. Until next time, be gentle with yourself. You’re doing better than you think. Go out and live fully, love deeply, and engage authentically.

What if you created space for a spiritual awakening during the holidays by giving yourself permission to fall apart, instead of holding it together? In this raw and restorative episode, I give you permission to fall apart, rest, and release what no longer serves you. Through my stories of loss, reflection, and divine renewal, you'll discover how unraveling can spark rebirth and lasting peace. This episode is for every woman, especially those over 50, who feels the weight of being “the strong one,” through the holidays. You’ll discover how burnout can become a breakthrough, and why your tears, pauses, and quiet moments might be the holiest thing you offer yourself this season. Show Notes | Transcript What you'll learn: How to turn holiday burnout into sacred awareness. Why rest is not weakness, but wisdom. How grief, stillness, and surrender lead to midlife reinvention. Steps toward living intentionally after 50 and reclaiming joy on your own terms. The spiritual link between burnout recovery and authentic fulfillment. Reflection Questions 1. What expectations am I ready to release this holiday season? 2. Where is my soul asking for rest or simplicity? 3. How might redefining success help me experience deeper peace? Resources: Join the Soulful Women's Network: https://www.facebook.com/groups/soulfulwomensnetwork Receive daily inspirational email messages: bit.ly/LoveLightNotes Need support? Go to engagewithgloria.com to schedule a call. Schedule your light language session: tidycal.com/gloria3/single-light-language-session Connect with Live Love Engage: Send Gloria Grace a message ☕ Support the podcast ❤ Love this episode? Leave us a review and rating LinkedIn: Gloria Grace Rand Facebook: Gloria Grace Rand YouTube: Gloria Grace Rand TRANSCRIPT Permission to Fall Apart: Spiritual Awakening Through the Holidays Opening: The December Business Burnout Cycle Namaste. Am I the only one who wants to throw it all away every December? Now, I don't mean cleaning out the junk so the house is clean for the holidays. I'm actually talking about scrapping the business and walking away. You see, this week's episode is supposed to be about managing seasonal triggers like they're items on a to do list. You know, check your boundaries, practice self care, set realistic expectations. But here's what I really want to say. What if the trigger is the business itself? What if every December you remember who you were before you became this entrepreneur version of yourself and you're not quite sure you'd like the trade you made? That's what we're really talking about. So not we're not going to be sharing tips or strategies, but the raw nerve underneath all of it. But as always, first, I do want to welcome you to Live Love Engage. Especially if this is your first time joining us. I really want to welcome you and introduce myself. I am Gloria Grace. I'm a confidence catalyst and self love advocate. And I empower the mission driven women over 50 through my signature love method, L-O-V-E method and energy healing to boldly live life on their terms. Now, I just realized I forgot my water today, but I'm just going to keep on rolling because that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to. I'm going to do this episode without water. So. So there you go. The Reality of Running a Business as a Woman Over 50 And see, that's what I think. This is what it is. I mean, this is what December feels like when you're a woman over 50 running a business. While, I don't know, it seems like the whole world is ending around you. Or maybe it's just your world or somebody else's world just ended. Or maybe you're watching everything you've built feel suddenly pointless. The Rage: When Everyone Else Checks Out But You're Still Showing Up You know, there you might be feeling a lot of rage, you know, that everyone else gets to check out for the holidays, but you're still showing up, still performing, still holding space for other people's transformations while yours is on hold. Maybe you're feeling some rage as your family still doesn't understand what you do, that you spent 30 years becoming someone else's definition of successful. Now you're finally doing your thing and it's frankly exhausting and lonely and nobody's throwing you a parade, for crying out loud. The Shame: The Hidden Feelings Entrepreneurs Don't Talk About Maybe there's some shame, you know, for not wanting to decorate, for resenting the clients who ghost you in December or for looking at your revenue and feeling that old familiar pit in the pit of your stomach, you know, am I worth anything if I'm not producing? Maybe it's for being spiritual but wanting to really just, I don't know, hit the next person who tells you to just surrender and trust, even if that's your higher self. Because I tell you, that's the message I've been getting for the last, I don't know, two years now. Ah, I know, I know, I know. I need to do that, right? Yeah, yeah, yeah. The Futility: When Your Business Feels Pointless Maybe it's that futility of sending another email or creating another offer or showing up on another zoom call when your, I don't know, mother, sister, best friend, marriage, body is falling apart. And then there's this voice that's whispering to you, what is the point? Who cares? Why am I doing this? The Truth We Can't Say Out Loud in Our Businesses And underneath all of it, the thing we absolutely cannot say in our businesses where we're supposed to be healed and empowered, is this. What if I don't want to keep going now? Not in a scary way, but just what if the version of success I've been chasing feels like a cage I built myself? What if I'm tired? What if I need to stop? But stopping feels like failure and I've already failed and at so many things. And this was supposed to be the thing. Getting emotional here. Oh, gosh. My Sister's Story: Running a Business While Grieving Yeah, I'm getting emotional because I'm thinking about, let's see, nine years ago. Okay, so I'm recording this in November. Well, actually, it's still the end of October. Wait a minute. It's still the end of October. This is going to be airing the beginning of November. The Phone Call That Changed Everything But nine years ago at this time, I was in Tucson, Arizona. I was at a hospital where my sister was dealing with complications from the cancer that she'd been battling for the last year and a half almost. And I had rushed out there in October, at the end of October, because I'd gotten this call from the nurse saying that your sister's. We're not sure she's going to make it. You need to come out here right now. So I hopped out of a plane. Thank God for Southwest Airlines at the time. They were really great and got me on a plane right away. And I even got TSA pre check, so I didn't even have to stand through the line, which was wonderful. And luckily she rallied. My sister did rally, but she also, you know, we just knew. It was like, you know, this is it. You know, the end is coming. And she'd already stopped Chemo going through any more radiation therapy just wasn't going to do anything anymore for her, for the tumor that she had. And so we opted to go get her into hospice care. And so she was in, in a, in a hospice facility for a little while. And then on November 11, I remember that it was Veterans Day, she went home. Balancing Business and Being Present During Grief They, the hospice people brought a bed to her home, which we set up in the living room. And that's where she stayed until the end of December. A couple days after Christmas was when she transitioned. And all the while that this was going on, you know, I'm running a business, I'm trying to run a business. Anyway, I mean, thankfully the fact that I'm a solopreneur and that I was doing digital marketing really at the time, as long as I had computer connection, I was able to do that. And I was also in the middle of, and I remember like recording videos while she was sleeping. You know, I would go out in the backyard and record a video because I was promoting a three day workshop that I had already postponed once due to a hurricane. And now it was going to happen in January. And like at the end of January was when the hotel was able to, to be open again. And so I was promoting this workshop, trying to keep the, keep things together, you know, keeping the word out all the while. My sister is starting to fade and man, oh man, let me tell you, the tension, you know, between grief and then, especially then the grief of losing her and then having to put this workshop on a month later. How Grief Changed My Business Forever Wow. It was, you know, it was not easy. You know, I, ah, I, you know, and I'm like, I'm looking at my notes right now and I'm not even sure what I want to say. But it just, you know, it was just realizing that trying to do all of this, it's just, it's just, it sucks. And, and I gotta tell you is that, you know, every year when, you know, the holidays come around, you know, I'm reminded of, of that time, you know, and, and just, yeah, just trying to do this. So, so I guess maybe this is the real holiday trigger that I'm trying to, trying to talk about today. It's not the past trauma, but it's, it's that present day realization that you've become someone who can function and you're not really sure that's a superpower or prison. What Do We Do With This? Permission to Fall Apart So what do we do with this? Because I can't just leave you in the pit with me. Even though part of me thinks there's something honest about staying here together for a minute. But first, and I mean this, stop trying to holiday proof your business like it's a house you're weatherizing. Your business is you. And if you're falling apart, it gets to fall apart, too. Because I tell you,...

If you've ever wondered how to grow your spiritual business without sacrificing your soul or burning yourself out, this conversation will feel like a breath of fresh air. In this episode, I sit down with Shilpa Lewis, AI strategist and host of the Omni Mindfulness podcast, to talk about how we can align our purpose with technology to amplify our message authentically. We dive deep into practical ways to use AI tools that enhance rather than replace your authentic voice. You'll learn how to create a symbiotic relationship with AI, training it to truly understand and reflect your essence. Show Notes | Transcript "We each have something so special - not just one thing, multiple things - and it's just often dormant for various reasons." - Shilpa Lewis As women over 50, we often feel conflicted about embracing technology while staying true to our spiritual essence. Shilpa shares her journey from corporate AI expert to spiritual entrepreneur, revealing how she harmoniously marries tech savvy with soul wisdom. We explore: What it means to be visible without being "on" all the time time How to honor your energy while sharing your gifts Why your lived experience is your most powerful marketing strategy Shilpa also shares her Omni Method, a beautifully grounded approach to staying aligned while you grow. It’s a conversation about purpose, pivots, and the quiet courage it takes to keep evolving. If your soul’s been whispering that there’s a gentler way to share your light, this episode is your invitation to listen. Resources: Join the Soulful Women's Network: https://www.facebook.com/groups/soulfulwomensnetwork Receive daily inspirational email messages: bit.ly/LoveLightNotes Need support? Go to engagewithgloria.com to schedule a call. Connect with Shilpa Website: omnimindfulness.com Podcast: Omni Mindfulness Connect with Live Love Engage: Send Gloria Grace a message ☕ Support the podcast ❤ Love this episode? Leave us a review and rating LinkedIn: Gloria Grace Rand Facebook: Gloria Grace Rand YouTube: Gloria Grace Rand TRANSCRIPT Introduction: Amplifying Your Authentic Message Without Burnout GLORIA GRACE RAND: Namaste. Would you like to know that you could actually grow your spiritual business online without sacrificing your soul or burning yourself up in the process? Well, stay tuned because that's what we're going to be talking about today, because my guest has a revolutionary approach for using AI and social media tools to amplify your authentic message while also staying completely aligned with your purpose, which is what I'm all about. So I love this, and I'm so excited to have her. But first, I do want to welcome you to Live Love Engage, especially if this is your first time joining us. I am Gloria Grace, founder of Align to Shine Academy, and I empower women over 50 to overcome life's challenges so they can embrace who they are, lead boldly, and shine their light in the world. And joining me today is a wonderful woman that I've known for a little while now. Her name is Shilpa Lewis, and she is known as your Go to Streamlining with System Sage. She's an AI and social media strategist meets spiritual strategist, and she helps soulful solopreneurs amplify their presence without burning burnout. As I mentioned, she's also a podcast host like I am. Her show is called the Omni Mindfulness Podcast, and she's creator of the Amplify Authentically series, which blends mindful tech with grounded, soulful strategy. And see, that's what being authentic is about, is, you know, making mistakes sometimes. So without further ado, I'm going to bring Shilpa up here and welcome you officially to Live Love Engage. SHILPA LEWIS: Well, namaste, Gloria, and thank you so much for this sweet, lovely, thoughtful introduction. And I'm so grateful to be here. What Does It Mean to Amplify Authentically? GLORIA: Oh, well, I'm really, you know, we've known each other for a little while, and actually, I was wonderfully invited me onto your podcast, and I appreciate that as well. So thank you for that. And I, you know, we're aligned in a lot of respects because we're, you know, we have this spiritual and then we have the practical side, but we'll kind of get into that a little bit more. But I do want to figure we just jump right in and talk about what does it mean to have amplify authentically. Now I can say it in a world where, you know, everyone's telling us to be louder or post more often. In fact, I know I wonderful, wonderful person that I follow is like, yeah, you can go ahead, post, post all the time if you want. Now it's like, oh, my goodness. So, yeah, what do you think about all of that? SHILPA: Absolutely. What a lovely question. I believe that Amplify Authentically really talks to the heart of what a lot of us feel when we want to step into the space that can be very intimidating, which is social media, and utilizing it to further our business. And we might be soulful solopreneurs, where being so present on camera and being so present in social media all the time can feel a little bit jarring, intimidating. And quite frankly, if you're spiritual, you find it energetically draining. So I always say you don't have to be louder to be present and allow people to know the value you provide so you can amplify those natural gifts and you can do it with authenticity. GLORIA: Sorry, I didn't mean to put that bug in your hand. Finding Your Authentic Voice in Business SHILPA: Certainly I'm yawning. Also, I feel like—and I always speak from the heart—is that many of us, as we become a little more jaded in the world of, say, corporate. I come from corporate, is that you start censoring everything you say and the pauses, the giggles, the stumbles on the words. And as I started to establish my business and establish my podcast, I had that little voice in my head and I had to, like, learn to tame it down and say, just be yourself. Because at the end, what marketing teaches you is that you want to attract what they call your ideal client avatar, and you probably don't want somebody who's always looking overly polished and has it all supposedly figured out. So one day I just had this, like, what you call it? Download. Why don't you call it Amplify Authentically? Which is essentially the way in which I'm delivering my service now within the umbrella of Omni Mindfulness. Omni Mindfulness is the podcast and business name. But what it is that I do, where I combine the tech with the spirituality, it comes through through Amplify Authentically. Why Your Soul Has a Strategy GLORIA: I love that. I want to ask you about how you actually decided to kind of put that together, but even before that, I think I'd about because there's some people out there who might be listening to this or watching us on YouTube who maybe have never really thought about bringing business and spirituality together. And you talk about, you know, that our soul has a strategy. So can you help someone out and maybe even just explain to them maybe why it's a good idea? SHILPA: Yeah. Let me put it this way. I feel like the reason why we do what we do at the end of the day is because we are on our spiritual journey to grow and get connected to whatever you want to call it, the universe or God. And when we lose ourselves, whether it's in our 9 to 5 job or in building a business, and trust me, I have—it is very easy to slip. But when we lose ourselves in that, we have lost our sight of the North Star. Why we're doing what we're doing, what is our purpose? What is our ultimate why? Maybe the smaller why is I want work-life balance. I want a job where I get to call the shots or do things on my own term. But maybe it's even slightly higher. I want to be more present for my family, my son. It could be even higher. I want to be the kind of soul who feels at the end of her life, she's truly put all of her energy into realizing who she really is and her connection to the universe. GLORIA: Yeah, I like that. That resonates with me a lot. And so I think that's so helpful. Shilpa's Journey: From Corporate to Spiritual Entrepreneur The Path from Computer Science to Spiritual Strategy GLORIA: Yeah, we're going to have you go through the Omni method, but let's keep talking a little bit about you. So I want to focus on you because, again, how did you—you mentioned that you come from a corporate background. So how did you wind up deciding to marry spirituality with sort of practical social media marketing? SHILPA: Yeah. To get a little bit boohoo, I also believe that we all have a soul strategy. You mentioned that just moments ago. Like an imprint, like we sort of have a calling and we are given the tools to be on that path. And in my case, I was born in a very traditional Hindu family where spirituality and meditation rituals were just part of what I was around all the time. So that was just an imprint in me. Whether or not as a young adult I was embracing it as effectively is another thing. You know, because I was born and raised in the States. I then lived in India during my very formative years as a teenager and then returned and immediately dropped straight into the very cerebral part of the brain. I joined a very challenging computer science program and had it set in my head. I will go off and get my PhD, which I went and got my master's, left without the PhD but it was a super driven and ambitious. And in those days computer science was like kind of like the new thing. Not a lot of women in particular were studying it. And I ended up focusing on AI well before it was trendy and ended up combining that with software engineering and design. Practiced something very different than AI, but came full circle in the last few years, realizing that it's something now that's becoming more utilized to streamline your efforts. And that was intersecting with when I was developing my ow

What if networking didn’t have to feel like a performance? In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Jen Fort, author, encourager, and creator of "Connectworking," to reimagine what connection can look like when it’s rooted in generosity, presence, and truth. Together, we explore how letting go of the “perfect pitch” and embracing authenticity leads to more meaningful relationships, both personally and professionally. Show Notes | Transcript "You have to get into a right mindset, I believe, when you start those conversations, because if not you'll come across as if you've got that loop playing in your head of well, why would somebody want to spend time talking to me?" - Jen Fort If you've ever felt like networking is one more thing you're supposed to be good at but secretly dread, consider this episode your permission to do it differently. You'll discover: Why the word "networking" itself makes people recoil—and what to call it instead The one question that opens doors without feeling salesy or awkward How to walk into a room where you know no one and become the person everyone wants to talk to (hint: arrive early) The "safari strategy" for reaching out to people without making them—or you—anxious Why leading with generosity isn't just nice, it's strategic A simple spreadsheet system for staying in touch without turning into a robot The power of a handwritten note in a world drowning in emails We also talk about something unexpected: how a LinkedIn connection led to a conversation that changed my health. It's evidence that real connections don't just help your business. They can also change your life. This isn't about collecting contacts. It's about building a circle of people who actually matter to you, and letting yourself matter to them. If you've been showing up to networking events with a knot in your stomach, or avoiding them altogether because they feel fake, this conversation might be the reset you need. Resources: Join the Soulful Women's Network: https://www.facebook.com/groups/soulfulwomensnetwork Receive daily inspirational email messages: bit.ly/LoveLightNotes Need support? Go to engagewithgloria.com to schedule a call. Connect with Jen Website: jen-fort.com Website: wisdomandwarnings.com IG and Facebook: @wisdomandwarnings Connect with Live Love Engage: Send Gloria Grace a message ☕ Support the podcast ❤ Love this episode? Leave us a review and rating LinkedIn: Gloria Grace Rand Facebook: Gloria Grace Rand YouTube: Gloria Grace Rand TRANSCRIPT: From Performing to Connecting: Finding Authenticity in Networking Guest: Jen Fort Host: Gloria Grace Rand Podcast: Live Love Engage Introduction: Moving Beyond Forced Networking Gloria Grace (Host): Namaste. Are you tired of networking that just feels forced and fake? Well, stay tuned because my guest and I are going to be talking about how asking the right questions and leading with generosity can actually transform that awkward small talk into powerful connections that actually help your business and soul thrive. But first I do want to welcome you to Live Love Engage, especially if this is your first time joining us. I am Gloria Grace, founder of Align to Shine Academy, and I help women entrepreneurs like you. I'm assuming that you are a woman entrepreneur listening to this, but I help you turn your inner critic into your greatest marketing asset. And joining us in just a moment is Jen Fort, and she is an author, encourager and creator of Connect Working, a new take on networking. That's all about real connection. She shares wisdom for life's milestones with heart, humor and honesty. And whether you're starting fresh or reaching out, Jen helps you grow your circle and your courage. One meaningful convo, she says in her bio at a time. So without further ado, I'm going to bring her on and welcome you, Jen, officially to Live Love Engage. Jen Fort (Guest): Well, hello, great to be here. Thanks for having me. Gloria Grace: Well, I am delighted to have you because I have been a networker now for well let's see, I guess well over 15 years, since I started my business way back in 2009. And it's been an interesting journey. Some days I like it, some days I don't. I even founded my own networking group in the past couple of years and so, but I know definitely, as an entrepreneur, it's not always easy. So I loved the name of your or how you phrase this as connect working. So I'm wondering what caused you to come up with that way of referring to networking. Did you have some type of, you know, bad oh, should we say experience that's the word I'm looking for that led to that. So I'm curious. From Corporate Career to Connect Working: An Unexpected Journey Jen Fort: Yeah. So this all came about? I had been working in the corporate world for almost 20 years and I had what I call an unexpected departure and which that caused a 180 degree pivot in my career and it landed me in the role of a career transition coach. So I catch people when they get laid off, help dust them off, figure out where they need to go next and I send them on their merry way with some tips and tricks and tools. And one thing I learned through those conversations because networking is such a big part of finding your next job or anything related to business but every time we talked about networking it almost looked like the person felt like they were going to go into a root canal. They just got that awkward, cringy kind of feel and look and they're like, oh, it's the last thing I want to be doing. So through those conversations I just thought you know, networking is really just about human connection view of what networking is. So it's really about human connection and, yeah, there is a bit of work to be done when you're trying to make those human connections. So I just kind of it just came to me one day. It's like it's connecting, it's working, it's connect working, and that's just kind of how the concept came up. Building Real Connections Through Authentic Conversation Gloria Grace: Well, I love that because, you're right, it is all about building connections, and I know one of the networking groups that I had joined years ago. What I loved, what made it different from some of the other groups that I had been attending in, was the fact that they would do masterminds during our luncheons and where we could talk not only about issues that were going on in our business but even in our personal lives and we and you know and that was encouraged that we could, you know, talk about and to really be real and Women's Prosperity Network. I will tell you that that's what. What the name of the organization was and is, and I'm still a member. Yeah, there were other networking groups that I've gone to where it was just you know people, just oh, here's my business card and you know, and it's like that's not really you know, I'd like to maybe get to know you. So, you know, I mentioned in the lead in here is that it's about asking right questions. So what's maybe like a favorite question that you have that you would like to ask people when you are first connecting with someone? The Power of Asking Better Questions Jen Fort: Well, if it is in a, especially if it's in a business scenario, I like to ask them what's the most interesting thing you've done this week? And it just gets off of the. It gets them curious about what's lighting them on fire. Because, if you think about it, when are people most open and engaging and wanting to have a conversation? When they're talking about themselves, right. So by you opening up a conversation with something that helps them share something they're passionate about or they're excited about, that just opens the door to a bit of a more genuine conversation, and then you can take and pivot a conversation in any direction pretty much, but it's really about getting them to talk about themselves really about getting them to talk about themselves. Common Networking Mistakes That Kill Connection Gloria Grace: Well, and actually I want to kind of go back here because I know I explained part of what the reason why I get turned off at times from networking Maybe. What are? Because, like I said, I think that's a huge mistake that people make is thinking they can just walk up and hand you their business card. What are some maybe other key mistakes that people might make when they do go networking that you've seen them make? That is going to maybe stop that connection from happening. Jen Fort: It's the intimidation factor of thinking that folks are higher in the food chain than they are. Because when you walk into, or whether it's virtually or in person, the automatic assumption that this person is out of touch, out of reach, that they are of an executive level and I am only a lowly manager or that. Why it's a little bit of that. It's the cliche term right now the imposter syndrome. Why would somebody want to talk to me? I'm just a blank, there's nothing interesting about me. So it's. You have to get into a right mindset, I believe, when you start those conversations, because if not you'll come across as if you've got that loop playing in your head of well, why would somebody want to spend time talking to me? It comes out in your mannerisms, your eye contact, your body language. So sometimes you just need to kind of pump yourself up a little bit and I kind of like having people practice casual, small conversations outside of a typical formal networking environment just to get comfortable with having random conversations with random people. Networking Tips for Introverts: Arrive Early and Be the Greeter Gloria Grace: Yeah, I think that's a really good suggestion for people to be able to do, because it does, it takes that intimidation factor away and it takes your nervousness away because especially and I go, I know, for me I'm I'm an introvert in some situations and and

What if the key to finding purpose after 50 wasn’t about doing more, but about being still? In this soulful conversation, I sit down with Larry Weingarten, author of The Philosopher’s Wrench, to explore how stillness, curiosity, and perspective can transform not only how we work but how we live. Larry’s story -- part contractor, part philosopher -- reveals how fixing what’s “broken” on the outside often begins with quiet repair on the inside. Show Notes | Transcript You’ll hear practical and profound insights on: Why stillness is a radical act of self-leadership after 50 How perspective can turn life’s breakdowns into breakthroughs What intentional living really looks like when you stop chasing and start listening Larry also shares lessons from his cat – namely, what our feline friends understand about life that humans have forgotten. If you’ve built, led, and served, and now feel called to redefine fulfillment on your own terms, this episode is your invitation to pause, breathe, and come home to yourself. Resources: Join the Soulful Women's Network: https://www.facebook.com/groups/soulfulwomensnetwork Receive daily inspirational email messages: bit.ly/LoveLightNotes Need support? Go to engagewithgloria.com to schedule a call. Connect with Larry Website: www.larryweingarten.com Book: The Philosopher's Wrench: Using Your Creativity, Heart & Tools to Fix the World Connect with Live Love Engage: Send Gloria Grace a message ☕ Support the podcast ❤ Love this episode? Leave us a review and rating LinkedIn: Gloria Grace Rand Facebook: Gloria Grace Rand YouTube: Gloria Grace Rand TRANSCRIPT Host: Gloria Grace, Founder of Align to Shine Academy Guest: Larry Weingarten, Author of "The Philosopher's Wrench" Episode Focus: How problem-solving mindsets can heal spirits and transform businesses Episode Introduction Gloria Grace: Namaste. Are you tired of seeing problems as roadblocks when they could actually be doorways to deeper wisdom? Well, stay tuned as I chat with a master problem solver who's going to share how the same mindset that fixes broken things can actually help to heal our spirits and businesses, too. Welcome to Live Love Engage, especially if this is your first time joining us. I am Gloria Grace, the founder of Align to Shine Academy, and I empower women over 50 to step into their highest potential with clarity and confidence. My guest today is Larry Winegarden, author of "The Philosopher's Wrench." He's a contractor who's been working with his hands for over 50 years, learning about fixing problems—both technical and human. He enjoys helping people and animals and respects the land that raised him. From Physical Tools to Life Tools Gloria: I'm really interested to talk with you because this has been a fascinating book so far. You're not the typical contractor I've encountered—you're much deeper. I'd love for you to share how you started making that connection between fixing physical objects and fixing human issues and emotional things. Larry: Well, if I look at tools, the word "tools," what comes to mind first is a pipe wrench, metal tools, power tools. But there are bigger tools if you think of it. Hope, particularly—very powerful tool. If you look at what hope can do versus what a pipe wrench can do? Hope can save lives. I've used it to prevent suicides. It's a very powerful tool. Acceptance is a tool. Being present or presence is a tool. So I had to step out of my comfort zone, which was just playing with pipes and metal things, and learn how to be of greater service. That's where working with the bigger tools has let me do a whole lot more. A Water Heater Story: Doing What's Right Gloria: Can you share a story about maybe fixing something like a water heater that taught you an unexpected lesson about life? Larry: There was a client who had a gas-fired water heater in his crawl space. It was unsafe in so many ways: Not properly vented—the vent pipe just went up against wooden floor joists and stopped The temperature and pressure relief valve had been capped off Not properly earthquake strapped (I'm in California where this is important) There were at least three different ways this water heater could kill the owner. I wouldn't leave the place until I had fixed all of that. I wasn't going to expose him to that risk. He wound up getting mad at me for basically not allowing him to be killed by his water heater. Gloria: Why do you think he got mad? Larry: Plumbers have a bad reputation—"what can I do to increase the bill?" But I like to be the plumber that goes around and saves people money by making their water heaters last five times the normal lifetime. I think he was scared, and justifiably perhaps. He may have been burned in the past by somebody else. Using Hope as a Tool: Preventing Suicides Larry: I was part of an investment situation where I lost a lot of money, and a number of other people lost all of their retirements. They were seriously talking about suicide because they had no idea how they could keep going. So I gave them different perspectives to play with, different points of view, and said, "How about if we did this or went down this road?" I know for certain that I prevented four suicides in that case because I helped them figure out a way to see hope. Hope is a really powerful tool. The Power of Quiet Mind and Business Success Gloria: You mention in your book about the power of openness and a quiet mind. How can our audience—women entrepreneurs who watch this show—apply those principles to business challenges? Larry: I try to find at least 30 minutes a day to have quiet—meaning no outside noises, influences, or electronics. But also making my mind still, letting my subconscious come up. Getting rid of all the noise so that what's been hiding in my subconscious can come up and be seen. My best ideas show up when I quiet my mind. Gloria: How did you develop this practice? Larry: As a five-year-old, I was told that my mom would very likely die of cancer. Before that, I was just a happy kid. After that, I couldn't even speak—I had to write notes to people. I was so anxious. I learned how to speak again by figuring out almost a little self-hypnosis trick of making things quiet inside so I could get past that block. Once I could do that, I thought, "Let's see if I can be quiet for longer." I found that if I could get that same quiet and expand it out for half an hour, all kinds of neat things happened. Things I forgot to do would pop up. My subconscious would present whatever I'd been missing—whether new business ideas or who I should be getting in touch with. From Law to Trades: Following Logic Larry: My father was a lawyer and really wanted his sons all to be lawyers. I saw what a messy trade that is—it involves people who make no sense at all. No logic. Everything is different. You can't trust what judges do. I thought physical things I'm pretty good at, and I like to deal with physics. It's concrete—you know what's going on. It all makes sense if you take the time to understand it. I can see corrosion processes in my mind or heat transfer going on. It just all makes perfect sense. Living Off the Grid: Efficiency and Independence Gloria: You live off the grid, which is something my daughter used to talk about doing. What's that been like for you, and how does it inform what you do in your life? Larry: I built this house you see around me and finished it roughly 20 years ago. It's off grid. The way to make that happen is to make it really energy efficient. This house uses about a tenth as much energy per square foot as the standard American home. I would have had to run 2/3 of a mile underground power line to get to the house—that would have been roughly $75,000 at the time. Instead, I spent about $5,000 to build a small solar system with battery storage. I saved $70,000, and my power doesn't go out. The going rate for housing in my area was around $250 per square foot. This house cost about $100 per square foot to build. Being efficient and off grid can actually cost substantially less. Practical Energy Efficiency Tips Gloria: How can we start moving towards being more self-sufficient and energy efficient? Larry: Start with what you can do with your own house to make it much more efficient. [Shows thermal camera image] This is a cat walking on carpet, taken with a thermal camera—a little plug-in device you can add to your phone called a FLIR one. Those footprints you see show how sensitive it is to heat. Imagine looking at your house with a camera like that, both inside and outside. You can see where the heat is leaking out and tell exactly what needs to be fixed—whether it's air leaks, thermal bridges, or whatever. For apartment dwellers, there's been a movement called "Guerrilla Solar" where you put your own photovoltaic panels in a window or on a porch and create your own power. Also explore whether your power company offers energy audits and tool lending programs. Life Lessons from Cats Gloria: You mention cats in your book, and I can see you're a cat lover like me. What lessons have you learned from being around cats? Larry: I have a cat named Prince who teaches me all kinds of things. Whatever he needs shows up for him. If he's hungry, food shows up. If he wants to play, everything is a cat toy. Life is real simple for him. If he wants my attention, he zigzags in front of my feet as I'm walking. I've never tripped over him or kicked him—I'm careful that way. He acts on what can go right. Humans act on what can go wrong. We think the saber-tooth tiger is lurking around the corner, but Prince knows his basic premise: "What can go right? I want the human's attention, so I'm going to zigzag in front of him." Always works. I've rescued kittens that were like a month old,...

You're sitting across from a potential client or a new acquaintence at a networking meeting when they make the most casual invitation: "So, tell me about yourself." And your mind goes blank. Not because you lack accomplishments. Not because your life hasn't been full, complex, and worth talking about. But because somewhere along the way, you stopped knowing how to answer that question without listing your roles, your résumé, or what you do for others. Dr. Dianne Olvera has spent decades studying why so many people, especially women who've spent years filling a variety of supportive roles, struggle to define themselves in midlife. What she's discovered and shares during our interview will make you rethink everything about how you communicate with others AND yourself. Show Notes | Transcript This episode is about reclaiming your voice that has gotten buried under decades of being told what to do, how to respond, and who to be. Dianne shares the subtle communication patterns that either drain your energy or fill your cup. And why the words you use (and the ones used on you) have shaped your reality more than you may have realized. You'll discover: Why self-awareness isn't selfish, and how asking yourself simple questions can rebuild confidence that external achievements never could The eye contact technique that shifts power dynamics instantly, whether you're dealing with a difficult person or standing up for yourself How the words you heard as a child are still running the show in your business, your relationships, and your internal dialogue Why "people become our words" and how to use this knowledge to transform the way you show up for clients, partners, and yourself The generalist vs. specialist framework that will help you stop butting heads with people who drive you crazy and start leveraging their strengths instead How to have empathetic conversations with teens (or anyone, really) that don't devolve into lectures or door-slamming by flipping the script on who does the talking Dianne doesn't deal in spiritual bypassing or toxic positivity. She's spent years as a diplomat navigating volatile conversations with controversial figures, raised a family across continents, and built a practice helping everyone from toddlers to executives learn how to define themselves, instead of being defined by others. If you've ever walked away from a conversation feeling smaller or caught yourself apologizing for emotions you have every right to feel, this episode might just be the permission slip you didn't know you needed to start speaking differently. To yourself, first and then, to everyone else. Resources: Join the Soulful Women's Network: https://www.facebook.com/groups/soulfulwomensnetwork Receive daily inspirational email messages: bit.ly/LoveLightNotes Need support? Go to engagewithgloria.com to schedule a call. Connect with Dianne Website: drdianneolvera.com Book: "The Power of Connection: Understanding Individual Differences to Uplift and Empower" Connect with Live Love Engage: Send Gloria Grace a message ☕ Support the podcast ❤ Love this episode? Leave us a review and rating LinkedIn: Gloria Grace Rand Facebook: Gloria Grace Rand YouTube: Gloria Grace Rand TRANSCRIPT Communication Strategies That Build Real Connection After 50 Full Episode Transcript Introduction: Why Some Conversations Energize While Others Drain Us Gloria Grace Namaste. Have you ever wondered why some conversations leave you energized while others drain your spirit completely? Well, today we are diving into the incredible power of connection that can actually transform your business relationships and personal relationships and maybe, maybe even in the process, bring some more abundance into your life. But first, I do want to welcome you to Live Love Engage. If this is your first time joining us, I am Gloria Grace, founder of Align to Shine Academy, and I empower women over 50 to step into their highest potential with clarity and confidence. And joining us in just a moment is Dr. Diane Olvera, and she is an amazing lady. She's an educator, an author, an expert in empowered education whose work was shaped by years of living in Argentina and Mexico during political and economic instability. And she's got a book called the Power of Connection, Understanding Individual Differences to uplift and empower. And it combines over four decades of personal experience with scholarly insight, providing practical tools for fostering more meaningful and effective relationships. And I know we can all use some of that. So without further ado, I'm going to bring her up and welcome you officially to Live Love Engage. Oh, good grief. I cannot hear you all of a sudden. That is strange. Oh, there we go. Dr. Dianne Olvera Thank you. It's pleasure to be here. From Stewardess to Diplomat: Dr. Olvera's Journey Gloria Grace Well, I am happy to have you here. And I. Yeah, you know, going over some of your bio, you certainly have led an interesting life. And I'm curious to know what actually first sparked your interest in really studying the power of connection and communication. Dr. Dianne Olvera Well, I moved to Argentina. I married an Argentine. I was a stewardess with TWA. And he that marriage didn't work out, but I stayed because we had a son. And then I was also teaching at the American School, and I met this lovely man who was a diplomat, and we both became diplomats for the American Embassy. And I had an opportunity to meet people in very high places that were sometimes very controversial. And I just couldn't understand how on one side they could be doing very devious acts, and on the other side, they could be speaking to me, and I could be completely blown over by how wonderful they were. So when we completed our work, I also needed to use a lot of my new strategies with these people because sometimes you did have some controversial issues that needed to be discussed. And the only way that we could do that would be to be very honest and open with each other. And there were times that you had to really maintain your integrity. So after we left Argentina, then we went to Mexico and became diplomats there, and they were having an economic crisis and so when you're a diplomat, you meet people from all over the world, and that's how. I don't know if you've seen, you know, Netflix the Diplomat, but it's. It's a way that we can create companionship and friendship across lines, and sometimes we may need each other in the future. So there, again, that involved a lot of important conversations that sometimes could be very volatile. Overcoming a Strict Upbringing to Find Better Communication Methods So when I got back to the States, you know, I came from a family where we were very. They were very strict, and we weren't allowed to talk. I got soaked behind my front teeth. If I answered back, I got the belt, I got the whip. So I finally said, there's got to be a way that we can learn to connect with anyone and be able to do justice and empower them and help these people be able to feel that they are worthy of our interactions. And so I spent the next 12 years in graduate school. I got a couple doctorates in bilingual special education and cultural differences. And I used much of my time after graduation to teaching college students. But then I also had a private practice, and that's where I developed my strategies on how anyone, from the most neurodiverse to the most gifted to the youngest, let's say two years old up to my age and more, how we could learn to talk with each other. It literally improved my marriage. My husband and I had a child. He was in middle school, and it improved our relationship with him. He is now an adult, and he uses it all the time in his work with his family. It's very powerful. And what he said to me the other day is, mom, this is very subtle. You don't know. People don't realize what you're doing. But you are able to literally turn relationships around just by the power of how you speak with them and how you look at them, how you use your body language. The Modern Communication Crisis: Why We're Not Listening Gloria Grace Wow, that's a really good thing to have. And I tell you, it's so important. Seems like even more these days where we've got so many. We're so caught up in indifferences and not listening to one another and not just wanting to, you know, everybody wants to be heard. We all want to be seen and want to be heard, but we don't necessarily then want to extend that to the other person because they feel the same way. And we can't be able to have a good, you know, communication if we're not willing to listen and let them be seen and heard as well. Dr. Dianne Olvera Yes. The Power of Eye Contact: A Diplomat's Secret Weapon Gloria Grace I want to get into your strategies in a moment, but I wonder if you could share with us first maybe a story about a time when effective communication really transformed a challenging situation. Dr. Dianne Olvera Oh boy, there have been so many. One time as a diplomat I was taken aside by someone and they're always testing you to see if how vulnerable you are to receive and to provide information. And I was very uncomfortable. And so I as this person spoke with me I lowered my eyes and then when the moment was right I raised my eyes. I looked him straight in the eye and I said we're done here. And I walked away. And I realized after going to graduate school that our eyes have power. And so I mean I use it all the time. I use it in my graduate classes. It was funny because one day I actually I was teaching a law class and one of my students was providing some very interesting information and I was listening to him and then I looked him straight in the eye and I said tell me more. And he just apologized. I am so sorry. And I said why are you sorry? I want to know more. ...

Does it sometimes feel like you're pushing a boulder up hill when it comes to achieving entrepreneurial success? As a confidence catalyst and self-love advocate for women over 50, I understand the rollercoaster of emotions that come with building a business and midlife reinvention. In this episode of Live Love Engage, I'm getting real about the messy, frustrating, and sometimes painful process of growth. I'm sharing a personal story about a business partnership gone awry and the valuable lessons I learned from that experience. It's a reminder that even when things don't go as planned, there's always an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. Show Notes | Transcript "You're allowed to be messy. You're allowed to stop, to rewrite. You are allowed to yell and still keep showing up for you because you are worthy, you are loved." - Gloria Grace Rand Embracing Your Natural Rhythm As mission-driven women, we often push ourselves to conform to societal expectations of productivity and success. But what if I told you that honoring your own unique rhythm could be the key to unlocking true fulfillment in your business and life? In this episode, you'll discover how to: Why respecting your emotional and physical cycles is crucial for success How to identify energy drains in your business and reclaim your time The importance of balancing masculine "doing" energy with feminine "allowing" energy A simple exercise to uncover your natural daily rhythm and boost productivity Women over 50 have a secret superpower: our emotions. Instead of seeing them as a hindrance, I'll show you how to harness your emotional intelligence to: Make better business decisions Connect more authentically with your audience Navigate challenges with grace and resilience Resources: Join the Soulful Women's Network: https://www.facebook.com/groups/soulfulwomensnetwork Receive daily inspirational email messages: bit.ly/LoveLightNotes Need support? Go to engagewithgloria.com to schedule a call. Connect with Live Love Engage: Send Gloria Grace a message ☕ Support the podcast ❤ Love this episode? Leave us a review and rating LinkedIn: Gloria Grace Rand Facebook: Gloria Grace Rand YouTube: Gloria Grace Rand TRANSCRIPT Embracing Your Natural Rhythm for Entrepreneurial Success Host: Gloria Grace Rand, Confidence Catalyst and Self Love Advocate Introduction Namaste and welcome to Live Love Engagement! If this is your first time joining us, I'm Gloria Grace, a confidence catalyst and self love advocate. I empower women over 50, especially mission-driven women, to boldly live life on their terms through my LOVE method and energy healing. The Reality of Midlife Reinvention Midlife is often thought of as this great time for reinvention. But if you think it's going to happen in a neat and clean way, forget about it. For many women over 50, reinvention can be messy and frustrating. And that's because we are emotional beings—which, as I'll reveal today, is actually our superpower. When Business Partnerships Go Wrong: A Personal Story The Challenge of Growing a Business Solo Some days, growing a business is not for the faint of heart. There are days when I just want to throw in the towel and get a freaking job. I bet many of you feel that way too. Sometimes it's because you're trying to do everything on your own. Sometimes it happens when you partner with someone and it doesn't work out as planned. My Partnership Experience A few years ago, I was approached by someone from my local networking circles. She connected with my Facebook videos and suggested we explore partnering together. At the time, I was in the middle of reinventing myself—pivoting from online marketing to focusing more on spirituality and self-love. We started meeting regularly, planning events, and recording videos together. We created a free Facebook group and were growing it slowly. Things seemed to be going well until she got involved in another challenge and unilaterally invited a large number of people into our group without discussing it with me first. The Lesson Learned This hurt my feelings because we were supposed to be partners. Rookie mistake: we did not set up a partnership agreement beforehand. Key Takeaway: If you're going to partner with someone, formalize the arrangement. Have something written down that outlines what each person will do. Don't be as "loosey goosey" as we were. I ultimately gave her the Facebook group and walked away from the partnership. That night, I was so upset that I wrote a poem—it just spilled out of me with all my hurt and pain. But it was a good lesson that prepared me for future partnerships. Embracing Your Natural Rhythm in Business Understanding Your Body's Wisdom Reinventing ourselves and growing our businesses isn't easy. It's like a roller coaster with lots of ups and downs. So what do we do about that? Honor yourself. Honor your feelings, honor your rhythm—your natural rhythm for how you go about life. As women over 50, even though our bodies might not be going through menstrual cycles anymore, I believe we still have natural rhythms that can affect us emotionally. I often find my rhythm is affected by lunar cycles—new moons, full moons. (Hospital workers will tell you that emergency rooms are much busier during full moons!) Designing Your Daily Schedule Around Your Energy Are you a morning person or an evening person? Morning people: Schedule creative and productive tasks early, then handle less demanding work in the afternoon Evening people: Handle administrative tasks (invoices, emails) in the morning, save creative work for when your energy peaks This applies to monthly cycles too. Plan certain tasks for the beginning of the month, others for the end, and always ensure you get enough rest along the way. The Importance of Self-Care You can't serve from an empty cup. You've probably heard that expression before—it means you can't keep running on empty. You've got to recharge your batteries. Introverts need long periods to recharge Extroverts get recharged in group settings Figure out what works for you and plan accordingly. Breaking Free from the "Go, Go, Go" Mentality Masculine vs. Feminine Energy in Business There's this idea, especially in Western culture, that we have to just go, go, go and get things done—constant meetings, constant push, push, push. This is a very masculine way of being. We all have both feminine and masculine sides. Sometimes we need to lean into our masculine energy to get things done, but don't do it at the expense of your feminine side—that softer, allowing, surrendering side that honors your natural rhythm. Reframing Failure That failed partnership could have really brought me down, but I recognized it as a sign from my inner compass that this person wasn't the right business partner for me. Failure is not a setback—it's a signal offering you an opportunity to reinvent yourself or do things differently. Practical Exercise: Identifying Energy Drains The Key Questions Ask yourself: What parts of your business are stealing your energy? Is it: Content creation? Balancing books? Scheduling social media posts? Something else? Once you figure that out, ask yourself why you're letting that happen. The Time and Energy Tracking Exercise Here's a powerful exercise I learned from a coach years ago: Track everything for a full week (including weekends) Write down the time and activity for every task from morning to night Add this innovation: Note your emotions at each moment Are you tired? Excited? Feeling "I have to do this but don't want to"? This can be incredibly eye-opening for identifying where your energy leaks are happening. The "Ignore the Clock" Experiment If you could run your day without worrying about all the things you "should" do, and if you could ignore the clock, what would your day look like? Would you be stressed because you're used to running on schedule? Or would you be able to get in flow and not obsess about time? Try handling your essential tasks first, then forget about the clock for the rest of the day. See how it feels. A Moment of Reflection Right now, as you're reading this, what are you feeling? Anxious, thinking "I don't want to do this"? Or excited, thinking "This sounds great! I want to get in flow and make midlife exciting"? Feel your feelings. Honor what's coming up for you. Energy Healing and Light Language [Note: At this point in the original podcast, Gloria shares a light language healing session. She offers free 15-minute introductory light language sessions for listeners.] Final Thoughts: Permission to Be Human You're allowed to be messy. You're allowed to stop and rewrite. You are allowed to yell and still keep showing up for yourself because you are worthy, you are loved. You are allowed to design your life your way. So be bold, be brave, be seen. The world needs you right now. Key Takeaways Midlife reinvention can be messy—and that's okay Always formalize business partnerships with written agreements Honor your natural daily and monthly rhythms Balance masculine "doing" energy with feminine "allowing" energy Track your time and emotions to identify energy drains View failures as signals, not setbacks You can't serve from an empty cup—prioritize self-care You have permission to design your life and business your way Next Episode Preview Join us next week for an interview with Dianne Olvera, educator, former diplomat, and author of "The Power of Connection: Understanding Individual Differences to Uplift and Empower." We'll explore the art of meaningful connection. Subscribe to Live Love Engagement on your favorite podcast platform or YouTube to never miss an episode. New episodes release every Tuesday. ...

In today's fast-paced world, the key to transforming your life into one filled with peace and abundance may lie in following Taoist philosophy. That's what our guest, Gerard Wouters, has discovered in his work as a Taoist therapist. Show Notes | Transcript "Success is that everything is going your way, that you hardly have any setback. And when you have a setback, you know what to do, you know what action you need to take to turn it around. That's what success is all about." - Gerard Wouters Gerard shares his fascinating journey into Taoist philosophy, including a serendipitous encounter with his teacher that led to years of intensive study. We discuss how this 2,600-year-old life philosophy can be applied to modern challenges, especially for women entrepreneurs seeking balance and fulfillment. In this episode, you'll discover: How to interpret setbacks as valuable messages from the universe The surprising connection between physical and emotional healing Why fear is the biggest obstacle to personal growth and success The power of creating emptiness to manifest your desires Key insights include: The importance of unlearning societal conditioning that no longer serves you How to recognize and decipher signs from the universe Why addressing physical issues is crucial for mental and emotional healing The true meaning of success from a Taoist perspective Gerard also introduces his unique approach to therapy, combining physical techniques with profound psychological insights. He explains how this method has helped countless individuals, including those struggling with depression and long-standing emotional issues, achieve remarkable transformations in just a few sessions. Whether you're grappling with fear, seeking to simplify your life, or simply curious about alternative approaches to personal growth, this conversation offers valuable insights and practical strategies. Tune in to learn how embracing Taoist principles can help you create a life of simplicity, joy, and genuine success. Resources: Join the Soulful Women's Network: https://www.facebook.com/groups/soulfulwomensnetwork Receive daily inspirational email messages: bit.ly/LoveLightNotes Need support? Go to engagewithgloria.com to schedule a call. Connect with Gerard Website: https://gerard-wouters.mykajabi.com/taoist-way-for-leaders-and-teams LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerardwouters/ Connect with Live Love Engage: Send Gloria Grace a message ☕ Support the podcast ❤ Love this episode? Leave us a review and rating LinkedIn: Gloria Grace Rand Facebook: Gloria Grace Rand YouTube: Gloria Grace Rand TRANSCRIPT How Taoist Philosophy Can Turn Setbacks into Success Signals with Gerard Wouters Introduction Gloria Grace: Namaste. Today we're going to be diving into ancient Taoist secrets that can transform your hectic life from... into... well, yeah, transform your life from being one that's hectic into one that's filled with simplicity, joy and success. And our guest today is going to explain how letting go of behaviors that no longer serve us can actually create space for the abundance and peace you've been searching for. But first, if this is your first time here, I would like to welcome you. I am Gloria Grace, founder of Align to Shine Academy. And I empower women over 50 to love themselves and the life they're living and to really be empowered with, to go forward with clarity and confidence. And I am so delighted to have an international guest joining us in just a moment. His name is Gerard Wouters and he is a Taoist therapist from Holland. He's an author, he's written seven books and been interviewed frequently on Dutch national TV. And his mission in life is to help people heal from mental issues and show how they can embrace the Taoist way to be happy and successful. So without further ado, I'm going to bring him up here and welcome you, Gerard, officially to Live Loving Age. Gerard Wouters: Thanks for the invite. Gerard's Journey into Taoism Gloria: Well, I'm glad to have you here because I think this topic is really interesting and I love exploring different spiritual philosophies. And so I'm really curious. I thought we could actually start off by asking, just finding out from you what actually first drew you to Taoist philosophy and maybe even also explain for those who are listening who may not know exactly what that is. I know we'll get into it more, but what drew you to that and how did it change your life before you started sharing it with others? Gerard: Taoism is a life philosophy and it's already 2600 years old. And I met my teacher at a business meeting. He was staring at me, very annoying. And as soon as the business meeting ended, I walked up to him and to my big surprise, he told me who I was, what my problem was, where it came from, etc. etc. That got me flabbergasted and very curious as to what this little man was. So I took him home and he stayed at my place for about five weeks or so. And of course he tested me like crazy because he wanted to know if I had the thing that he needed to absorb and implement this knowledge. Because like you said, it is very ancient and also very secret knowledge. And after five weeks he asked me, "Well, you know, do you want to learn this?" And I said, "You know what? You better believe it. I've seen so many funny things, strange things that I just cannot grab. And I just want to get to the bottom of this. So, hell yeah, I want to know everything." And so he started to travel up and down to my country, had a big house at that moment, and he had his own room. And he stayed with me for months and then went back again and then gone back for months. And after about four and a half years, five years, I asked him, "You know what? This knowledge is so incredibly valuable. It shouldn't stay in the monastery, it should be out there. So is it okay if I turn this into a professional treatment?" And he says, "Okay, that's good. And I'll check on you and see how you do it, how you implement this. But on one condition. I don't want to be a tourist attraction, so you do it without me and don't ever mention anybody where I am, who I am, because I want my peace." And I said, "Okay, if that's the only condition, there's no problem there." So from that moment, I started treating people this way. And I've been doing it for 28 years now. And this treatment is so incredibly effective that I can help people recover and cure in four two-hour sessions or a two-day workshop, which I would love to do in your country because I found out that 54 million people in your country suffer from depression. And that's incredible. The Power of Reading Body Language and Facial Expressions Gloria: Well, it is. I want to ask because I'm going to follow up with this in a second, but you mentioned something that intrigued me because you said that when you were first having him stay with you, that there were some things that were surprising. Could you maybe share another example? Gerard: Well, like him, I can say I'm specialized in facial expressions and body language and trust me, it goes a lot further than you think. So I had one situation with him. We were in a hotel, in a bar hotel, and at one moment there was an old couple passing by and he addressed her and told her, "I see you have cancer." And I said, "What?" And she immediately confirmed this. And he gave her some suggestions, some food suggestions. And then he said goodbye again. And I almost fell off my chair. I said, "You can't do this. What the hell are you doing out here?" He says, "You know, there's so many things that you don't know yet, but it's visible. Everything is visible in body language, in facial expressions." And he says, "I know you've got it too, but it needs to be fine-tuned." Gloria: Wow. Amazing. Oh my goodness. Gerard: And now when people come into my practice, I put them on the couch, give them a drink, and I immediately tell them what I see. I see you're a warrior, you've been abused, you have relationship issues. Everything is visible. And I surprise everybody with that. Gloria: Wow. Yeah, that's amazing. Gerard: And that's it. I don't have to give them a diagnosis. I just know. I see this, that's that and 99% accurate. Understanding Setbacks as Messages from the Universe Gerard: We all go through all kinds of processes, life processes. But the problem is a lot of people don't learn from it. And there's one very important thing. We all get setbacks. That's part of life. But you know what? A setback is nothing more than a clue or a sign that you are doing something that's not in order with your path. And I deciphered that. I learned people how to decipher setbacks. So it becomes a message that you can work with. You know, for example, when you've had an argument with somebody months ago, and at one moment you think, "You know what, let's have a talk and let's meet." So you call this person up, make an appointment, and a few days afterwards you drive up to him and on your way to him, you get a flat tire. There's your sign. Now there's two things you can do. Either you repair the flat and go to your friend, and I can assure you that you will not have a fine day because there are always new things happening. But what I learned people, is to turn around and walk away. So what you can do, and that's the Taoism philosophy, what you can do is you call your friends and you say, "You know what? I've got a flat tire and an incredible bad mood. So maybe you can understand that I don't want to come anymore, but maybe you can call me coming week and then we make a new appointment." So you leave it at him. You give him the choice and you leave it at him. When he doesn't call you after five weeks, you know that this is not a friend. Call you the next week. And this way, walking,...

Have you ever found yourself mindlessly scrolling through social media, only to realize you're feeling more anxious than before? If so, you're not alone. As someone who's recently fallen into the trap of "doomscrolling," I understand how easy it is to get sucked into the vortex of negative news and heated debates online. In this Live. Love. Engage. episode, I'm sharing my personal struggle with social media doomscrolling and offering practical strategies to break free from this harmful habit. As a Midlife Empowerment Guide and Self-Love Advocate, I believe it's crucial for mission-driven women over 50 to protect their mental health and cultivate positivity in their lives. Show Notes | Transcript "Be honest about your behavior. If you find that this (doomscrolling) is becoming a habit, ask yourself, what's going on? Why am I doing this?" - Gloria Grace Rand Why Breaking Free from Doomscrolling Matters Studies have shown that excessive consumption of negative content on social media can: Worsen depression and anxiety Exacerbate obsessive-compulsive tendencies Trigger post-traumatic stress symptoms As empowered women seeking to make a positive difference in the world, we need to be mindful of how we engage with social media and protect our mental well-being. Practical Strategies to Escape the Doomscroll Prison: I've compiled a list of 15 actionable tips to help you regain control over your social media habits. Here's a sneak peek at some of the strategies we'll explore: 1. The 5-second rule for breaking the scrolling cycle 2. Setting intentional time limits for social media use 3. Curating a more positive feed 4. Practicing mindfulness while engaging online 5. Using digital wellness apps to support healthier habits If you're ready to reclaim your time, energy, and peace of mind from the clutches of doomscrolling, this episode is for you. Tune in for practical wisdom, spiritual insights, and a touch of humor as we navigate the challenges of modern technology together. Resources: Join the Soulful Women's Network: https://www.facebook.com/groups/soulfulwomensnetwork Receive daily inspirational email messages: bit.ly/LoveLightNotes Need support? Go to engagewithgloria.com to schedule a call. Connect with Live Love Engage: Send Gloria Grace a message ☕ Support the podcast ❤ Love this episode? Leave us a review and rating LinkedIn: Gloria Grace Rand Facebook: Gloria Grace Rand YouTube: Gloria Grace Rand TRANSCRIPT Mindful Scrolling: How to Use Social Media Without Losing Yourself Opening Confession Gloria Grace: Namaste. I've got a confession to make. I have fallen into a terrible trap lately of going out to Facebook first thing in the morning, getting sucked into posts about politics and arguments and endless updates about things I just can't control. If you're like me and you have entered doom scroll prison, then today's episode is for you because we are going to plot our escape together because it's got to stop. And actually today I did better doing one of the things we're going to talk about today. But first, I do want to welcome you to Live Love Engage, especially if this is your first time joining us. I am Gloria Grace, midlife empowerment guide, confidence catalyst and self love advocate. And I empower mission driven women over 50 to boldly live life on their terms. And I do it through my signature love system and energy healing. The Problem with Social Media So it's interesting this idea about social media—it can be really great and it really helps bringing people together, and it's natural to want to go there to seek information and stay informed. But when it gets into a habit of where you're wasting time or spending too much time reading negative stories, studies have shown it can actually harm your mental health. It can worsen problems like depression and certainly cause anxiety, or worsen things like obsessive compulsive disorder and PTSD. As I said, the tool is not inherently bad. It's that unfortunately, as we all know, the algorithms love to serve up stuff that kind of gets you going. I want to share with you a bunch of ways that we can stop this doom scrolling because it's not good for us. And if we want to be empowered women and we want to be able to make a difference in the world and to make a positive difference—I know that you are here to make a positive difference in the world. And the more that we can fill our lives with positivity instead of the negativity, then that vibration will go out in the world. And even though right now it seems rather dicey at times, especially here in the United States, but even around the world, there's lots of sadness and chaos and violence and war—we've all been here before. Maybe not me, but our ancestors have all lived through this stuff before. And we will get through this too. We will. Because love always wins. Light always shines out of the darkness. Strategy #1: The Five-Second Rule So here's number one—you might want to get a pencil and piece of paper and write these down. The first one is to use the five second rule. So when you notice that you're starting to keep going and going and going and you're scrolling and it's like, "Oh, wait a minute, do I really want to do this?" just stop, take a breath, count to five. Well, count down from five—five, four, three, two, one. And then close out of your phone, or if you're on your computer, close out of that window and go do something else. I'm sure you have something else that you could be doing, whether it's in your work or your family life, whatever it is. Strategy #2: Set Time Limits Number two is another time related one, which is to just set a time limit. Set a timer and just do that so that when the timer goes off, if you want to set a timer on your phone or you can set a timer wherever else—my mother used to have actual real timers, remember those actual timers that you would turn? I used to have one of those to help me do laundry. Now it's like our phones, but the old analog days. Set a time, and then when that timer goes off, you're done. You gotta stop. Don't keep going. Honor yourself. Keep your commitment to yourself—that's one of the four agreements. Be impeccable with your word. So if you're telling yourself, "Okay, I'm going to honor that, I'm only going to spend 15 minutes on Facebook today," maybe just 15 minutes of going through the newsfeed—probably less than that might be better. Maybe five minutes might be enough, frankly. But then when that timer goes off, then say, "Okay, I'm gonna honor, I'm gonna be impeccable with my word, and I'm keeping my commitment." That's it. I'm done. Strategy #3: Seek Out Positivity Number three: seek out positivity. You get into this negative stuff. All right, you know what? Take a break and go find a funny video to watch on YouTube instead. Cat videos, baby videos. Oh, babies are so sweet. They always make you laugh. Read something good. Maybe find a spiritual passage to read. I subscribe to the Daily Word from Unity, and I always get them in my phone. So I have the Daily Word message. And those are really uplifting. Something to read. Practice gratitude. Say, "Okay, I'm off of this now. Let me just be grateful that I had a phone to use. I am grateful that I'm alive. I'm grateful that I can see or hear or whatever it is." Strategy #4: Notice Your Body Number four is to notice your body. If you're gonna go through social media, be mindful about it and pay attention to how your body is feeling. I know for me, when I get upset, my stomach starts to tighten up. So that might be something for you. Or maybe your neck tightens or your shoulders get tight. Pay attention to your body because your body is giving you a signal, and it's a wonderful thing. [Note: Gloria becomes emotional here, mentioning seeing her late sister Michaela in her reflection] Pay attention to how your body's feeling. And pay attention to what's your mind doing? How's your mind reacting? And if you don't like how you're feeling, that's your signal to say, "Okay, I think we're done. Let's take a break and go do something else." Strategy #5: Avoid Catastrophizing Number five is to avoid catastrophizing. Isn't that a lovely big word? Which basically means instead of jumping to "Oh my God, the world's gonna end, this is terrible," be more discerning and use your critical thinking skills and question what is a more realistic outcome of this situation rather than just immediately going to worst case scenarios. Instead maybe even ask, "Okay, what could be the best outcome of this happening?" Let your imagination run wild and try to think of something more positive about it. Strategy #6: Engage in Thought Stopping Number six is to engage in thought stopping, which means to pick up the phone consciously and with purpose. Just say, "Okay, I am consciously going to go in, I'm going to just review, scan a little bit just to see what my friends are up to on social media, or just do it for business for a little bit. I'm going to be really purposeful about what I'm using social media for right now." Approach it from that aspect because when you, as opposed to just going on and being mindless about it, we want to be more mindful and purposeful and say, "Okay, I'm going to go in and I'm going to comment on a bunch of posts. I'm going to check in with my Facebook group if you have one, or if you are a member of Facebook group, I'm gonna just go in the Facebook group. I'm not gonna go on the news feed, frankly." Strategy #7: Slow the Pace of Scrolling Number seven is to slow the pace of scrolling. So instead of just going blah, blah, blah, looking, looking, looking—no, focus on quality of content. So if you see something that catches your eye, then actually really stop and read it and then sort of take a moment to digest the information and again,...

What does it really take to improve mental health? In this powerful episode, visual artist and psychiatry professor Meghan Caughey shares her incredible journey from surviving schizophrenia to thriving as an educator and advocate. Show Notes | Transcript "Sometimes you just go through the fire, and then there you are, in the middle of the fire, and you deal with that. That might be your path." Meghan Caughey Meghan discusses the science behind art therapy, the concept of "making art from the edge of the bridge," and how creative expression can transform trauma into healing. She offers a unique perspective on recovery that combines lived experience with scientific understanding. In this episode, you'll discover: How creative expression can serve as a powerful coping mechanism during times of emotional turmoil The surprising scientific evidence supporting art's ability to rewire the brain and promote healing Why embracing your unique artistic voice is more important than technical perfection The potential of art as a complementary approach to traditional mental health treatments Key insights include: The measurable impacts of various art forms on brain chemistry and stress reduction How Meghan's Buddhist practice intertwined with her artistic journey to foster resilience The importance of challenging limiting beliefs about recovery and personal potential Why being present and supportive can be more powerful than having all the answers when helping someone in crisis Meghan also introduces us to the concept of "free drawings" - a technique that allows the unconscious mind to express itself through art without judgment or planning. This approach offers a gateway to self-discovery and emotional processing, even for those who don't consider themselves traditionally artistic. Whether you're navigating your own mental health journey, supporting a loved one through challenges, or simply curious about the healing power of creativity, this conversation offers valuable insights and practical strategies. Tune in to learn how tapping into your creative side might just be the key to unlocking greater mental wellness and personal growth. As German artist Gerhard Richter said, "Art is the highest form of hope." So why not pick up that paintbrush, pen, or instrument today? Your brain - and your spirit - might thank you for it. Connect with Meghan Art website: https://meghancaughey.com/ Memoir website: https://mudflowerbook.com/ Resources: Join the Soulful Women's Network: https://www.facebook.com/groups/soulfulwomensnetwork Receive daily inspirational email messages: bit.ly/LoveLightNotes Need support? Go to engagewithgloria.com to schedule a call. Connect with Live Love Engage: Send Gloria Grace a message ☕ Support the podcast ❤ Love this episode? Leave us a review and rating LinkedIn: Gloria Grace Rand Facebook: Gloria Grace Rand YouTube: Gloria Grace Rand TRANSCRIPT Live Love Engage Podcast: Lotus Blooms from Darkness: Finding Hope in Mental Health Challenges Guest: Meghan Caughey - Visual Artist, Cellist, and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Oregon Health and Science University Host: Gloria Grace, Founder of Align to Shine Academy Episode Topic: Art as a Pathway to Mental Health Recovery and Brain Healing Introduction Gloria Grace: Namaste. Are you ready to discover how creativity can literally rewire your brain and become your secret weapon for mental wellness? Well, stick with us because we're going to be exploring how making art from the edge of the bridge isn't just a metaphor. It's a powerful pathway to healing that can actually help entrepreneurs like you move from surviving to thriving. But first, I do want to welcome you to Live Love Engage, especially if this is your first time joining us. I am Gloria Grace, founder of Align to Shine Academy, and I empower women over 50 to step into their highest potential with clarity and confidence. And my guest today is an amazing woman. Her name is Meghan Caughey, and she was an artist and cellist from an early age. But then Meghan developed schizophrenia when she was a freshman in college. But she has recovered and now is a visual artist and assistant professor of psychiatry at Oregon Health and Science University. And I really looking forward to having her join us and talk to us a little bit about her journey and about art and the brain. So welcome, Meghan, to Live Love Engage. Meghan Caughey: Thank you so much, Gloria. I'm really happy to be with you today. Early Discovery of Art as Healing Gloria: I thought we'd actually start if you can maybe kind of take us back to when you first discovered this healing power of art, especially during your journey with schizophrenia. Meghan: Okay, well, can I go back even before that? This will date me, but I just want to say I have made art all my life, and I come from a family of musicians, and I had a great uncle that was a painter. But when President Kennedy was shot, I was in elementary school, and I think I was like 9 or 10 years old, and it was awful. And everyone was crying and it was tragic. And my response was to get a piece of paper and some pencils and draw a picture about it. So even then I knew that if there was something terrible and awful in our environment, something awful that happened to us that we didn't know how to handle emotionally or psychologically, that by making a picture about it, that that was the way to deal with it. And by the same token, when I was about the same age I had my Uncle Gene who worked in construction, and he had a terrible accident and had to be in the hospital and he died. And my response was to write a poem about it for him and that way helped me emotionally connect with him and it was healing for both me and my mother read it to him. That's just an example of before I even developed this hard to deal with psychiatric illness known as schizoaffective disorder or schizophrenia. I was making art from early, early on because it works, because it's powerful. The Onset of Schizophrenia Gloria: What happened when you were diagnosed then? Were you able to start kind of again going back to using art to be able to help? Meghan: Well, I was 19. I was a freshman in college at a school in Colorado. I went to Colorado not because I thought the school was any good, but because I wanted to be able to go backpacking in the Rockies. So that was my priority. And I got to school, new freshman and immediately took off backpacking. And this was the 70s. And then I was going to study art. I had gone back and forth between would my major be cello or visual art, and I decided on visual art. So I was taking an art history class. And one day early on I was in this big cathedral, big auditorium like classroom, and I had seats all the way back to the ceiling in the back. I was up by myself on the top row. And during the lecture when the professor was lecturing about famous artists, I started hearing something very small in the back of my brain. I didn't pay attention to it, but it got louder gradually during the course of the class. And I remember the teacher was showing work by Francesco Goya, if you all are familiar with his paintings. But I started listening more and more because I just couldn't tune it out. And then suddenly I realized that it was telling me I was bad. It was talking to me and telling me I was bad. And I didn't know what it was. It was awful. And so soon the class was over and the lights came on and I went running out of the classroom. I went going across the main campus, and there was this woman, this other student, walking towards me. It was a woman with blonde hair, blonde ponytail and a red sweater. And when she got up close to me, I looked at her face, and her face looked like a giant insect. Gloria: Oh, my goodness. Meghan: I was terrified. So I went running to get to my dormitory, running up to my room. And then when I was in my room, I went to the mirror and I looked at the mirror at myself. And I wasn't myself, was no longer a young woman. I was a beast with holes for nose and blood dripping down my mouth and awful eyes. It was the scariest. I can't really say how awful it was. And I saw that, and I thought my life would never be the same. I knew on some level that I had changed in a way that I just couldn't explain, couldn't understand. It was terrible. The Long Journey of Recovery Meghan: So I went through that year. When the snows came, this was Colorado, when the early first snows came, I'd been having these hallucinations. That's what they were, hallucinations. And I went out when the first snow came, and I was looking up at the snow, and it was such a relief to have the beautiful snow coming down. And some students came and said, you don't have your coat on, you don't have your shoes on. We're taking you to the student health center. They knew I was not doing well. And that was the beginning of being hospitalized many times through my life for the symptoms of schizophrenia and later schizoaffective disorder. I've been hospitalized over 100 times. Gloria: Wow. Meghan: But I'm over that now. But it's not like everything is totally simple, but my life has—no one ever thought that I would be able to have a career and a life that has meaning and I'm respected in my work and I love my life. And yet sometimes things are just better than we could ever imagine. The Lotus Revelation Gloria: What helped you to finally start being able to be where you are today? Meghan: Well, it's not a simple path. But when I was in high school, before I was even ever diagnosed with schizophrenia, I started studying Buddhism and started meditating. And then later, after I became symptomatic of schizophrenia, I had this kind of real strange life because on one hand I was having these terrible hallucinations and mind states....

If you're like some female entrepreneurs who cringe at the word "sales," this episode is for you. As someone who used to dread making sales calls because I was afraid of coming on too strong, I understand the discomfort. But what if I told you that sales could be an act of service rather than manipulation? Show Notes | Transcript "When you approach sales from that heart-centered way of being able to offer service, then it's easy to make a sale. It really is." - Gloria Grace Rand In this episode of Live Love Engage, I'm sharing my journey from sales-averse to sales-embracing, and how you can do the same. We'll explore why women over 50 have unique advantages when it comes to heart-centered selling. We'll also address potential hurdles like ageism and self-doubt, offering strategies to turn these challenges into opportunities. Discover how to: Approach sales conversations with genuine curiosity Use active listening to uncover client needs Offer solutions that truly serve your audience Handle "no" with grace (it often just means "not yet") Key insights include: How my first "sale" as an entrepreneur came from a place of genuine desire to help Why women over 50 are twice as likely to create successful businesses The importance of listening deeply in sales conversations Reframing sales as a sacred offering to serve others Practical tips for overcoming sales-related limiting beliefs A Gift for Your Energy Field As a special bonus, I'm offering a brief light language transmission to help clear any unconscious blocks holding you back from sales success. This energetic gift is designed to resonate with your DNA and open new pathways of abundance. Ready to reclaim sales as a heartfelt way to serve others? Tune in for practical wisdom, spiritual insights, and a dash of humor as we navigate the beautiful world of conscious selling. Resources: Schedule a free introductory light language session: https://tidycal.com/gloria3/lightlanguageintro Join the Soulful Women's Network: https://www.facebook.com/groups/soulfulwomensnetwork Receive daily inspirational email messages: bit.ly/LoveLightNotes Achieve emotional balance with a personalized 30-minute light language session: https://gloriarand.com/light-language-healing/ Need support? Go to engagewithgloria.com to schedule a call. Connect with Live Love Engage: Send Gloria Grace a message ☕ Support the podcast ❤ Love this episode? Leave us a review and rating LinkedIn: Gloria Grace Rand Facebook: Gloria Grace Rand YouTube: Gloria Grace Rand TRANSCRIPT Heart-Centered Selling: Top Strategies for Female Entrepreneurs 50+ Host: Gloria Grace, Confidence Catalyst and Self-Love Advocate Introduction: Reframing Sales Gloria Grace: Namaste. If you're like I was a few years ago and you hear the word sales and you go "ah," well, you're in the right place because today we are reclaiming sales as an act of service, not manipulation, which I think is one of the connotations that sales has. But first, as always, I want to welcome you to Live Love Engage. I am Gloria Grace, confidence catalyst and self-love advocate. And I empower women over 50 through my signature LOVE method and energy healing to boldly live life on their terms. As I mentioned, sales—sort of like systems a couple of weeks ago—not exactly my favorite subject. And I've been procrastinating on doing this episode because even though I know and I understand now that sales really is a service, there's still part of me at times that just feels icky about it. I'm just going to be honest, and that's a problem frankly, because it makes it challenging when you're in business if you've got this limiting belief about sales. My Sales Background That's what I did. I mean, when I first started my business way back in 2009 as an SEO copywriter, helping write content for business websites, that was what I decided to do. Before that I was an employee—I worked in television. I worked for a long time at the public television station down in Miami, Florida on the staff of the Nightly Business Report. Then I left that for a while and worked part-time at another television business news organization, and then finally became a stay-at-home mom for a while. So my previous experience of selling before that was: right after high school I sold shampoo door-to-door as a fundraiser for our band. I was a Girl Scout, so I sold Girl Scout cookies and did well with that. Although truth be told, it was really my mom who did well because she would sell them at work. I sold the most cookies in our troop one year because of that—where she worked, they were hungry for Girl Scout cookies and so I was happy to oblige. I even sold Tupperware for a little while when I was in my twenties, mostly because I had a good friend who was trying to get a Tupperware business going. Since I'd used Tupperware for years—my mom was a Tupperware customer—I thought, "Oh, okay, how hard can it be to sell Tupperware?" Direct sales and me are not a good fit, especially selling physical products. I didn't enjoy that. My First Real Sale: A Heart-Centered Approach Now when it came to promoting my business as a copywriter, I realized, "Oh, crap, I have to sell, don't I?" And what I discovered—and this is sort of the crux of what we're going to get into today—is that my very first sale came about as a result of hearing a presentation by a couple of life coaches. I belonged to a women's group at the time called Mothers and More. They gave this presentation to our group called "No is a Complete Sentence." I think I've talked about boundaries on the show before and how important they are for men and women, but especially women, because we tend to be caretakers. But we also have to learn to take care of ourselves, and that's where boundaries come in. We need to learn to say no. Even in business, sometimes we need to say no as well. So anyway, I'm listening to this presentation, and what was going on in my life at the time was that I was taking a course on SEO copywriting. I was studying with Heather Lloyd Martin—she was an SEO copywriter and had a course that I was taking. I was learning about this stuff, and I thought, "Well, you know, just for giggles, I'm going to Google this company and see if I can find them." They were life coaches in Orlando, and I knew enough about keywords to look for that. So I went to Google and searched for "life coaches Orlando," and I couldn't find their company. I looked and looked—went past page one, page two, nothing. Then I finally typed in the name of their company, which was Creating Your Masterpiece. Then they came up on Google. I said, "Let me look at their website. Let me see what the deal is here." What I found was that they did not have "Orlando life coaching" as a keyword phrase in the back end of their website. Even though I wasn't done with the course yet, I knew that I could help them. I suspected that if I was able to do this optimization, I had a good feeling that I could help them get onto page one of Google. This was way back in 2009, and it was much easier to get on page one of Google at that time. Now there are billions of websites, so it's a little more challenging. Overcoming Fear to Make the Sale So I called them up on the phone—no, wait. Did I call them? No, no, no, no. That would be too bold for this introverted girl. No, I sent them an email thanking them for their presentation. I said, "I noticed I was trying to find your website and I couldn't find it online. This is the reason why I think it's not showing up." Then I paused. I didn't send the email because fear came up for me. I'm like, "Oh, you know, what are they going to say? Are they going to respond positively? Who am I? I'm not even an official copywriter yet. I'm still just taking the course." All these thoughts started coming into my head, and I was like, "No, I really know what I saw on their website. I know what I saw on the code. I'm sure I could help them." And so I hit send. I got a call maybe the next day, or maybe later that day. They were like, "Oh my gosh, thank you so much! We just had this website designed and we don't understand why nobody is calling us. When can we hire you? How can we hire you?" They did hire me to do the work. Sure enough, they showed up on the first page of Google and their phone started ringing. As a result of that, one of the women belonged to a networking group, and she invited me to join it as well, which I did. She would constantly sing my praises, and I was able to get more business that way. The Key Lesson: Sales as Service The lesson I want you to take away from this story is that when you approach sales—and I wasn't even really thinking of making a sale, I wasn't really thinking of them being my first customer—I was just coming at it from "Oh my gosh, I need to be able to help these people. They're not showing up on Google. I know what can be done. I know I can fix it." When you approach sales from that heart-centered way of being able to offer service, then it's easy to make a sale. It really is. Advantages for Women Over 50 Now, for those of you who maybe have been listening to my podcast for a little while, you might have noticed that I changed my intro a little bit. I've been going through a program where I've been upleveling my brand and really honing in on who I want to serve. I really want to serve women over 50. Women over 50 have advantages when it comes to selling because by now you've got decades of business experience or even just industry experience that helps you with relationship management. Whether you've always been an entrepreneur or you've been in the corporate arena, or maybe you haven't even done that—maybe you've held jobs or maybe you've been a stay-at-home mom and now that your kids are out of the house,...

Conventional wisdom says the keys to entrepreneurial success lie in cultivating problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills. But what if I told you that the secret to success starts with your mindset? Many women entrepreneurs play small in their business because of limiting beliefs like, "you're not enough." It's time to break free from those limiting beliefs and embrace your authentic, empowered self. In this enlightening episode, I sit down with Kamini Wood, a multi-talented entrepreneur, author, podcaster, and certified life coach, to explore how we can overcome the barriers holding us back. Show Notes | Transcript "Awareness is only part of the way there. It's that doorway to change. Once we become aware of it, it's really up to us to then decide what... given my values of today and what's true about me today, what is it that I actually want to live into?" - Kamini Wood As the founder and CEO of Live Joy Your Way and creator of the Authentic Me method, Kamini helps high achievers overcome anxiety, stress, perfectionism, and more by empowering them to release trauma and rediscover their true selves. As we navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship and personal growth, Kamini offers invaluable insights on recognizing and overcoming limiting beliefs. In this episode, you'll discover: How to identify hidden limiting beliefs that may be sabotaging your business growth The importance of setting healthy boundaries as a form of self-care and relationship-building Practical techniques for cultivating self-compassion and mindfulness in your daily life Strategies to overcome perfectionism and take action in your business Key insights include: Why curiosity is a powerful tool for personal growth and resilience The role of gratitude in building optimism and bouncing back from challenges How to reframe past experiences and create empowering new narratives The importance of understanding your values and needs to live authentically Kamini also introduces us to her Authentic Me method, a powerful approach to helping individuals uncover their true selves by aligning with their core values and needs. This method offers a fresh perspective on personal development and entrepreneurial success. Whether you're struggling with imposter syndrome, perfectionism, or simply feeling stuck in your business, this conversation offers practical strategies and compassionate guidance to help you break through. Tune in to start your journey towards becoming the authentic, empowered entrepreneur you were meant to be! Resources: Join the Soulful Women's Network: https://www.facebook.com/groups/soulfulwomensnetwork Receive daily inspirational email messages: bit.ly/LoveLightNotes Need support? Go to engagewithgloria.com to schedule a call. Connect with Kamini Website: kaminiwood.com Instagram & Facebook: @itsauthenticme Connect with Live Love Engage: Send Gloria Grace a message ☕ Support the podcast ❤ Love this episode? Leave us a review and rating LinkedIn: Gloria Grace Rand Facebook: Gloria Grace Rand YouTube: Gloria Grace Rand TRANSCRIPT Compassion and Curiosity: The Keys to Entrepreneurial Success Episode Transcript - Live Love Engage Podcast Host: Gloria Grace Guest: Kamini Wood Episode Introduction Gloria Grace: Namaste. Tired of playing small in your business because you've got this inner voice telling you that you're not enough? Well, our guest today is going to explain how you can break through the barriers holding you back so you can finally embrace the authentic, empowered entrepreneur or professional that you were born to be. Before we get to her, and it's going to be awesome, I want to welcome you to Live Love Engage, especially if this is your first time joining us. I am Gloria Grace, the founder of Align to Shine Academy, and I empower women over 50 to step into their highest potential with clarity and confidence. Meet Today's Guest: Kamini Wood My guest today is Kamini Wood, and she is a multi-hyphenate person. She's an entrepreneur, an author, a podcaster, and certified life coach who specializes in helping high achievers overcome: Anxiety Stress Perfectionism ADHD Toxic relationships As the founder and CEO of Live Joy Your Way and the creator of the Authentic Me method, Kamini empowers individuals to break free from limiting beliefs, release trauma, and rediscover their authentic selves. This is actually Kamini's second appearance on Live Love Engage, so I want to officially welcome you back to our podcast. Kamini Wood: Thank you for having me back. I'm excited to be here with you. Recognizing Limiting Beliefs in Business Gloria: Limiting beliefs often lead to things like imposter syndrome for entrepreneurs in particular, but it's not always easy to recognize those things. How can we realize that maybe that's why we're sabotaging our business growth? We might have beliefs that we aren't even really aware of that could be causing that type of behavior. Kamini: That's such a great question, because I do think that oftentimes we are operating with stories, narratives, and limiting beliefs that we just don't know are there. We've never taken time to actually evaluate what are the things that we're saying to ourselves and where are those things coming from. Common Entrepreneurial Limiting Beliefs Especially as entrepreneurs, starting my business, there were a lot of limiting beliefs around: Could I do it? Am I enough to do it? Am I smart enough? Am I savvy enough? Am I committed enough? There's all of the "enough" limiting beliefs. The Power of Curious Questions For many of us, what we have to do is start asking ourselves deeper questions. If we notice that our inner critic is constantly nitpicking, or we notice certain patterns that we're seeing over and over again, we need to start asking more curious questions: Where is that stemming from? Where is the belief or storyline coming from? What is that story? Once we're able to identify and become aware of what that belief is or what the narrative is, then we have an opportunity to ask ourselves: "What do I want to do about this?" Awareness is only part of the way there—it's that doorway to change. Once we become aware of it, it's really up to us to decide what we want to do. Given my values of today and what's true about me today, what is it that I actually want to live into? Do I want to keep living into this old story? The Origins of Limiting Beliefs Gloria: Where do some of these limiting beliefs come from? I had limiting beliefs around money, and when I started digging into it, I was surprised where these things came from. Kamini: I have found that oftentimes the limiting beliefs that we have are deep-rooted and they're from: Childhood Sources Some experience or message we received in childhood Cultural upbringing Familial upbringing Societal influences Adult Experiences However, it's not just limited to when we were younger. A lot of us also have acquired certain limiting beliefs throughout our life. They come from either: Messages we receive Experiences we go through and we make them mean something That perpetuates the story or the limiting belief. The Power of Reinterpretation Gloria: I made up a story about something that happened to me when I was a kid. Going through a personal development workshop, I was journaling and all of a sudden it dawned on me: What if I totally misinterpreted the reaction that I had experienced? What if instead of them criticizing me, they were actually bragging about it? It totally rocked my world because I had just made up this story for years—like 50 years at that point. Our brains are amazing, but sometimes they over-rotate. Releasing and Reframing Limiting Beliefs Gloria: Once we've identified those beliefs, how can we start to either release them or reframe them so that we're able to start living that life that we want to lead? Kamini: Really, for me, what it comes down to is a couple of things: 1. Focus on Present Truth Ask: What's actually true about me at this current stage of my life? At the age that I'm at here and now, what's actually true? Oftentimes if we're dealing with limiting beliefs, we're dealing with an old story from a younger time period. 2. Connect with Your Values Lean into your own core values around what is meaningful to you. When you're thinking about these limiting beliefs and you've identified them, you know what's actually true about you, and you're aware of your values. 3. Take Values-Based Action Now you can start taking action. The frame that I move into is: Now that I know what's actually true about me today, and I know these things drive me, what is the values-based action I'm going to take? That's how we start moving through the limiting belief and rewriting whatever that narrative is. We have the ownership to do that, but we have to figure out what is actually meaningful to us and then figure out what action we want to take based on that. Rewriting Your Story Gloria: We can actually rewrite the stories, even the story that happened in the past that formed that limiting belief. You could just make up a new ending and create one that's empowering, because the brain doesn't know any better. Kamini: Absolutely. In those periods where we had that story or meaning that we made, we get to say, "And what else?" It's not toxic positivity—we're not saying let's just pretend. It's more like, "I can look at this differently." This is also how we can learn to work through and heal from trauma. Trauma is not the event—it's how we responded to it. If we keep reliving the same event the same way, we're not actually healing from the trauma. Instead, we start building up the ability to look at the trauma with a different lens. ...

Does the thought of needing to streamline business processes make you cringe, even though you know it's a necessity? You're not alone. As spiritual entrepreneurs, especially those of us over 50, we often resist the notion of creating structured processes. But what if I told you that embracing systems could be the key to unlocking more freedom and joy in your work? Show Notes | Transcript "Even though they (business processes) can be the bane of our existence at times, but when you get them working right and working for you, then it really works to just lighten your load and take some stress off of your shoulders." - Gloria Grace Rand In this Live. Love. Engage. episode, I'm diving deep into the world of business systems - why they matter, how they can help, and how to approach them without losing your mind (or your authenticity). Why Systems Matter for Your Business Systems might seem like a buzzkill for creative entrepreneurs, but they're actually your secret weapon for: Streamlining repetitive tasks - freeing up your time for what truly matters Ensuring consistency and quality - so you're not reinventing the wheel every time Scaling your business - because you can't do it all yourself forever Improving work-life balance - a top challenge for 63% of women over 50, according to my recent LinkedIn poll Key insights include: What common hurdles can keep you from implementing systems Why it's important not to let these obstacles hold you back The key areas where business systems make a big difference How to determine which system is right for you Why outsourcing might be the best way to streamline your business A Gift for You: Discover Your Personal Power Archetype As an example of how systems can work for you, I've created a free quiz to help you uncover your personal power archetype. This automated system delivers personalized results and follow-up emails, providing value to you while supporting my business. Go to bit.ly/PersonalPowerQuiz to take the quiz! Tune in to this episode for more practical tips, a dash of spiritual wisdom (including a special light language transmission), and guidance on making systems your ally in creating a business that truly serves you. Resources: Discover your Personal Power Archetype: bit.ly/PersonalPowerQuiz Join the Soulful Women's Network: https://www.facebook.com/groups/soulfulwomensnetwork Receive daily inspirational email messages: bit.ly/LoveLightNotes Need support? Go to engagewithgloria.com to schedule a call. Connect with Live Love Engage: Send Gloria Grace a message ☕ Support the podcast ❤ Love this episode? Leave us a review and rating LinkedIn: Gloria Grace Rand Facebook: Gloria Grace Rand YouTube: Gloria Grace Rand TRANSCRIPT - How to Streamline Business Processes Without Losing Your Soul Welcome to Live Love Engage with Gloria Grace Introduction: Why Systems Matter for Your Business Namaste! Does the idea of putting systems in your business make you jump for joy or cry in frustration? Today we're tackling this subject because I want you to be able to make systems your friend and not your nemesis. Welcome to Live Love Engage, especially if this is your first time joining us. I'm Gloria Grace, founder of Align to Shine Academy, and I empower mission-driven women over 50 to boldly live life on their terms through my signature LOVE method and energy healing—and yes, systems. The Reality Check: Why We Resist Systems Systems are something I've resisted in the past, but they're a big part of helping entrepreneurs create more flow in their business and make it run more efficiently. I recently ran a poll on LinkedIn asking about people's biggest challenges—particularly women over 50—and 63% chose work-life balance. One response that relates to today's episode said: "I can create all day long, but when it comes to creating the technical systems such as marketing apparatus needed to implement what I create, it taxes my brain." I can absolutely relate to this sentiment. Common Reasons Entrepreneurs Resist Systems Cost Concerns Initial investment in software Training expenses for employees Potential hardware requirements Budget strain considerations Complexity and Learning Curves Overwhelming software features Time investment required Frustration with new tools "I just want it done" mentality Integration Challenges Multiple tools that don't work together "Shiny object syndrome" with new tools Difficulty creating seamless workflows Why Systems Are Essential for Business Growth As solopreneurs, we wear many different hats—marketing, bookkeeping, sales, customer service—while also servicing our clients. With only 24 hours in a day, systems become crucial for: Streamlining Operations Reducing repetitive tasks: If you're doing the same thing over and over, it's a perfect opportunity for systemization Eliminating manual work: Free up time for higher-value activities Increasing efficiency: Six-step processes become automated workflows Ensuring Consistency and Quality Standardized processes prevent "reinventing the wheel" Clear expectations for employees and contractors Professional client experience every time Supporting Growth and Scalability Training and onboarding: Documented procedures make it easier to bring on team members Client onboarding: Systematic approach to welcoming new clients Accountability and visibility: Clear roles, responsibilities, and performance monitoring Long-term Financial Benefits Cost savings: More efficient operations reduce overhead Higher profits: Automation leads to better margins Reduced errors: Systematic approaches minimize costly mistakes Types of Business Systems Every Entrepreneur Needs 1. Accounting and Financial Management Popular tools: QuickBooks, FreshBooks Track sales, revenues, and profits Monitor quarterly performance Prepare for tax season 2. Task and Project Management Options include: Traditional: Physical planners and notebooks Digital: Trello, Asana, Notion Calendar-based: Google Calendar for recurring tasks Personal note: I have a love-hate relationship with some of these tools. Sometimes I prefer old-school methods, and that's okay! Use what works for you. 3. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Popular platforms: HubSpot, HighLevel, 17 Hats, Zoho Manage contacts and leads Track customer interactions Automate follow-up sequences 4. Marketing and Content Creation Systems Email Marketing Tools Platforms: Constant Contact, Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign Automated sequences: Set up drip campaigns for new subscribers Lead magnet delivery: Automatic follow-up for downloads Sales sequences: Nurture prospects without manual intervention Social Media Management Tools: Buffer, Hootsuite, or native platform scheduling Schedule posts in advance Maintain consistent presence Cross-platform content distribution Note: I now schedule directly through Facebook and LinkedIn to avoid potential algorithm penalties from third-party tools. Design and Video Creation Visual content: Canva for graphics and infographics Video tools: ClipChamp for video creation Opus Pro for turning podcast episodes into short social media videos 5. Communication Systems Meeting platforms: Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet Messaging: WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Google Spaces Virtual client meetings Team communication Client support channels 6. E-commerce and Payment Processing Payment systems: Stripe, PayPal, merchant accounts E-commerce platforms: Shopify for product sales Secure payment processing Inventory management Order fulfillment automation Specialized Systems for Content Creators For this podcast, I use several specialized tools: Recording: Streamyard for live streaming and recording Post-production: Capshow for creating show notes and social media content Content repurposing: Both Opus Pro and Capshow for video clips Before Implementing Any System: Key Questions to Ask The Time Audit Exercise Make a list of tasks that take you longer than they should. Time yourself on these activities—this data will help you identify where systems could have the biggest impact. The Stress vs. Value Assessment Ask yourself: Does this bring me closer to or further from my authentic self? Will this system bring me peace and joy, or cause more grief? Should I invest in software or hire someone who's already proficient? Listen to your intuition. Sometimes it's more cost-effective to hire an expert rather than spending your time learning new systems. A Personal Success Story: Automated Quiz System I created a quiz using Try Interact called "Discover Your Personal Power Archetype" for midlife entrepreneurs. This system includes: Interactive quiz functionality Automated email sequences based on results Personalized follow-up content Lead generation and nurturing You can check it out at: bit.ly/PersonalPowerQuiz The Role of AI in Modern Business Systems Artificial intelligence is transforming how we approach business systems. I used AI to help refine the email sequences for my quiz, making the process more efficient and effective. Note: I'll be diving deeper into AI and systems in an upcoming interview with expert Shilpa Lewis—stay tuned! Key Takeaways: Making Systems Work for You Benefits of Well-Implemented Systems: Process standardization across your business Software integration that creates seamless workflows Automated workflows that save time and reduce errors Consistency in client experience and business operations Scalability for business growth Peace of mind knowing important tasks are handled Trust Your Intuition Your higher self knows what's best for your busin

Facing an empty nest can feel like the end of an era. But what if it's just the beginning? In this episode, I sit down with Jennifer Dale, founder of Honest Heart Journeys, to explore how travel, sisterhood, and intuition create the perfect storm for awakening your authentic self and transforming your life and business from the heart outward. Show Notes | Transcript "Travel gives us that kind of opportunity where we examine our own lives and examine our own selves. Hopefully take time to reflect while we're doing it." - Jennifer Dale As a fellow advocate for women over 50, Jennifer shares her passion for creating transformative travel experiences that empower, foster personal growth, deep connections, and the courage to embrace new adventures at any stage of life. In this episode, you'll discover: How to harness the power of travel to gain fresh perspectives on your life and business The importance of intergenerational connections in fostering personal growth and healing Why sisterhood and authentic relationships are crucial for women in their 50s and beyond How to use themed journeys to facilitate deep personal transformation and spiritual growth Key insights include: The healing potential of women-only travel experiences for those navigating life transitions How cultural immersion can challenge our perceptions and redefine our values The role of mindfulness and reflection in maximizing the benefits of travel Why now is the perfect time to experience the world and cultivate cross-cultural understanding Jennifer also shares inspiring stories of transformation from her Honest Heart Journeys, including a powerful account of a woman who found her self-worth through the support of her travel companions. Whether you're seeking to reignite your passion for life, heal from past experiences, or gain fresh insights for your business, this conversation offers a compelling invitation to explore the world and yourself. Tune in to discover how embracing new experiences and authentic connections can lead to profound personal and professional growth! Connect with Jennifer Website: www.honestheartjourneys.com Instagram: @honestheartjourneys Facebook: Honest Heart Journeys Resources: My appearance on the Honest Heart Journeys Podcast: Episode 20 - Love Into Your Worth Join the Soulful Women's Network www.facebook.com/groups/soulfulwomensnetwork Receive daily inspirational email messages: bit.ly/LoveLightNotes Need support? Go to engagewithgloria.com to schedule a call. Connect with Live Love Engage: Send Gloria Grace a message ☕ Support the podcast ❤ Love this episode? Leave us a review and rating LinkedIn: Gloria Grace Rand Facebook: Gloria Grace Rand YouTube: Gloria Grace Rand TRANSCRIPT - From Empty Nest to Empowered: Travel as a Catalyst Episode featuring Jennifer Dale, founder of Honest Heart Journeys Introduction: Welcome to Live Love Engage Namaste. Imagine stepping away from life's noise to discover your deepest wisdom alongside women who truly see you. Today's guest is going to help us explore how travel, sisterhood, and intuition create the perfect storm for awakening your authentic self and transforming your business from the heart outward. Welcome to Live Love Engage, especially if this is your first time joining us. I am Gloria Grace, founder of Align to Shine Academy, and I empower women over 50 to step into their highest potential with clarity and confidence. Meet Jennifer Dale: Founder of Honest Heart Journeys Jennifer Dale is the founder of Honest Heart Journeys, a transformative travel community for women over 50. She's a blogger, speaker, and host of her own podcast called The Honest Heart. Jennifer is passionate about sisterhood, intergenerational understanding, and soulful adventures that foster personal growth, deep connections, and the courage to embrace new experiences at any age of life. The Inspiration Behind Honest Heart Journeys: Serving Women Over 50 Gloria: What inspired you to create Honest Heart Journeys specifically for women over 50? Navigating Life Transitions and Change Jennifer: I think that demographic is just navigating so much transition and change in our lives. We're empty nesters. Our marriage status may have changed. For me, I was at a point where I was leaving my career behind and really thinking about reconnecting with my life and considering my legacy. A Personal Healing Journey During COVID It really all began when I was on my own personal healing journey in 2020, just as COVID started. I left a job right at the beginning of COVID that had left me feeling pretty empty and frustrated. I had to reconnect with who I was. I had been working with teen women, so it was a beautiful time to move away from what I'd been doing and reconnect with my husband. We settled in an entirely different city and I really needed to heal from that situation and redefine myself. Redefining Womanhood and Sisterhood I recognize that the women I'd been working with, coming out of my own experience, it was time to redefine womanhood and sisterhood and how we are in community with one another. There are so many stereotypes about women and how they treat one another. Worth is a big thing so many of us deal with. I wanted to lift that sense that women can be there for one another. We don't have to compare and criticize. I was ready to look forward and nurture community, which is something I've done in my career for years. Building Community: Attracting Women Seeking Authentic Connection Gloria: Are you attracting women who are already friends, or people looking to form new friendships through these experiences? Breaking Down Barriers and Dropping Masks Jennifer: It's really both. There definitely are women in our demographic who are dropping a lot of labels and cultural expectations. Many come feeling trepidatious, saying "Are you kidding me? Spending all this time with a bunch of women? I’m not so sure I’m up for that." But they find that really honest, genuine connection with other people. Many have come home and said, "I don't know what just happened. I was there with you for 10 days, and I feel like all the women I met know me better than friends at home who've known me for years." Intergenerational Connections and Healing We also have intergenerational experiences where a mother brings a daughter, and you see healing in their relationship happening before you. Sisters celebrate milestones together, creating memories they'll always remember. The Power of Intergenerational Wisdom Gloria: I love how you foster intergenerational connections. As we get older, we have wisdom to pass along, but younger generations can teach us too. Learning from Each Other Across Generations Jennifer: I think we're at a stage where there's less hierarchy. Technology has changed so much in our lifetime that we're listening more to younger generations. They have access to information and can teach us. My hope is that the wisdom we've gained - caring less about what others think and living into our lessons learned - is respected more. In our trips, we explore other cultures where there's more appreciation for elders, and I see younger women appreciating us more and having more patience. Overcoming Fears About Women-Only Travel Gloria: What fears do you see before women commit to these journeys, and how do you help them through that? Understanding Sisterhood as a Verb Jennifer: The word "sisterhood" itself has mixed connotations. People might think of sorority experiences or surface-level interactions. I love thinking of sistering as a verb - to sister someone, to really walk beside them. Creating Deep Connections Through Shared Experiences What happens on these trips is women begin to recognize we connect around things we have in common - situations, lessons, challenges, questions we're asking. I've seen two women who both lost husbands in deep conversation, one sharing how she coped because the other had just experienced loss. Using Books and Workshops for Common Ground We always have a book that we read before we go, giving us common language and experience to connect around. The conversation goes deep because of that book. We do workshops before traveling so we're familiar with what we're doing. Example: The Camino de Santiago and Byron Katie's Work Every year we take a Camino trip on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain. We do the work of Byron Katie, learning how to question the beliefs in our lives that cause us suffering. We do it together and companion each other through the process. Finding Your Tribe: The Importance of Community After 50 Jennifer: Those support systems are built in for us early on - standing next to another mother at the soccer field, collaborating at the water cooler. But as we leave the office and our kids fly the nest, we ask: "What's my purpose now? Who are my people? What's my tribe?" Ready for Growth and Spiritual Development We need that so much now, and frankly, we're more ready for it than ever because we're curious. We want to grow spiritually, continue to be free. We've shed a lot of stuff and responsibilities that kept us busy for so many years. I love the idea that the best is yet to come, not behind me. The Travel and Personal Development Revolution Gloria: Each decade for me has gotten better than the last. I'm anticipating living a long time and want each decade to continue improving. The Fastest Growing Travel Segment Jennifer: When I started this during COVID, I realized the number one fastest growing segment of travel is women traveling. Women are going everywhere with a sense of courage and wanting to continue being active. Fusing Two Growing Industries Personal and spiritual development was also coming into play. We're fusing those two industries - travel and personal development - into one experience....

As midlife women entrepreneurs, we sometimes find ourselves staring at a blank page, desperately searching for inspiration. In this candid episode, I open up about my own struggle with creative block and share how I turned a moment of resistance into an opportunity for authentic connection. Show Notes | Transcript "Sometimes we're going to get stuck. It happens to everyone, and especially to entrepreneurs when you... just don't want to do something... for a variety of reasons." - Gloria Grace Rand Join me as I explore the importance of self-care, the power of flexibility, and the unexpected wisdom that can emerge when we embrace our imperfections. In this episode, you'll discover: How to overcome creative blocks and get unstuck in your business The true meaning of self-care beyond massages and wine My personal journey of releasing 50 pounds and the mindset shifts that made it possible The surprising impact of sugar on your creativity and business focus How light language can help release energetic blocks and enhance intuition Key insights include: Why giving yourself grace is crucial for long-term success The importance of reading food labels and understanding hidden sugars How eating well impacts your mental clarity and business performance The power of committing to your goals publicly Why experimenting with different approaches is key to finding what works for you I also share a powerful light language transmission designed to help you release energetic blocks and enhance your intuition. Whether you're struggling with creative blocks, seeking to improve your health, or simply looking for a dose of entrepreneurial realness, this episode offers compassionate guidance and practical strategies to help you navigate the ups and downs of business and life. Tune in to discover how embracing imperfection and prioritizing self-care can lead to unexpected breakthroughs in your entrepreneurial journey. Remember, it's okay to change course when something isn't working – flexibility might just be the key to your next big idea! Ready to experience the transformative power of light language? See the resources section in the show notes to book a personalized session and address your unique business challenges. Resources: Join the Soulful Women's Network here Receive daily inspirational email messages: bit.ly/LoveLightNotes Schedule your private light language session at bit.ly/LLEpodcast30 Need support? Go to engagewithgloria.com to schedule a call. Connect with Live Love Engage: Send Gloria Grace a message ☕ Support the podcast ❤ Love this episode? Leave us a review and rating LinkedIn: Gloria Grace Rand Facebook: Gloria Grace Rand YouTube: Gloria Grace Rand TRANSCRIPT Namaste. Have you ever been stuck for an idea and you had to get something done? Whether it was, let's say, writing a blog post or social media post or recording a podcast episode? Well, that's me today. That's what we're going to be talking about today because I, I had an idea. I had an idea, but I just didn't want to talk about it. So we're going to talk about something else. But before I get to that, I'm just going to leave you guessing. I want to welcome you to Live Love Engage, especially if this is your first time joining us. Hopefully you're still going to tune in after that weird intro. I am Gloria Grace, founder of Align to Shine Academy, and I empower women over 50 to overcome life's challenges so they can embrace who they are, lead boldly, and shine their light in the world. And I had every intention about talking about systems today, but I just am not feeling it. And I really wanted to get an episode recorded because this is my week to do it. So I'm recording this when I should have really recorded this about a couple of days ago, but that didn't happen. And that's why I decided to just go ahead. Even though I am feeling a bit stuck and not happy with my topic, even though I know it's a good topic and I'll get back to it, we will talk about systems. I can give you an excuse. One of the excuses is that my back has been bothering me and it started yesterday and I went to. Went for a lovely massage yesterday, which did help, but it's still wonky. And also just the idea of systems, even though I know that they're necessary and I know they're important for business, I just don't want to talk about them today. And in fact, if you're watching this on YouTube, which I hope you are, you, you probably may even notice that I'm not even dressed as fancy as I normally am. I didn't even put on a whole bunch of makeup. I've just got a little bit of lipstick on because I just want to be real today and, and talk about the fact that, yeah, sometimes we're going to get stuck. It happens to everyone, and especially to entrepreneurs when you. You're going through and you just don't want to do something and, and it can be for a variety of reasons. Maybe it is because your health isn't up to par. Maybe it's because something has happened in your life to shake you up a little bit and we've We've talked about that in the past, so I'm not going to dwell on that part of it too much because there, there are a few things that you can do when you are stuck. Number one is to just get started, just decide to do something and just say, you know what? I know I really don't want to do this, but I'm going to go ahead and do it and you can change topics. So, so what I did before I got online to record today's episode was I did some, some research. I was trying to find, you know, what are some current trends, what are some ideas, what could I talk about? Especially because I, I'm, I sort of tweaked the title of this podcast now to be Live Love, Engage, Soulful Success Secrets for Midlife Women. Because that really has been the focus of the podcast all year long and, and for sure. And so I decided to make it official. So it does show up that way on itunes or Apple podcasts. Sorry, I'm showing, showing my age. I've been doing this podcast for six years now, going into, at the end of the, this year of recording in 2025, we'll be starting our seventh season. And it used to be itunes, but now, of course, it's Apple podcasts. And it shows up with the new description and the new title on Spotify as well. So it must be elsewhere. Wherever you're favorite podcast platform is that you listen to it, you'll. You'll see that little tweaking because I wanted to use keywords, of course, and I've talked about keywords on the podcast in the, in the past, actually, not too long ago, in fact, but they are important. So I'm. My intention is that more people will find this podcast now, especially those who are looking for soulful success secrets. And you, if you happen to be a midlife woman like I am, and, and I am sticking with, okay, I'm a little past midlife because I am over 60, but I intend to live to be at least a hundred. So not that far over the midlife area. Anyway, where was I? I got, I got sidetracked. So if you're, if you get stuck. So I was doing this topic research and then decided, yeah, I don't like any of those either, but I'm just going to go ahead. I know that if I get Streamyard, I use Streamyard to record this podcast. If I just get it set up and I, and I start putting together my little notes like I always do, something will come to me. And so I Started off by talking about what happens when you do get stuck. And I think that, number one is, is the best way to go about it is to just decide, you know, what this has to get done. I'm just going to put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard or, or something and just, just get started. And what's the expression? You know, it's. It's a woman's prerogative to change her mind. So you can change your mind, you can change the topic. You don't have to stay married to it unless you are someone who is working at a job and you have to for. But if you are an entrepreneur, like I presume many of you are, then you have a little bit more flexibility. So I wanted to tell you that. And the other thing is that you can also, if you have the opportunity to say, I don't feel like doing this today, and if you can actually put it off for a day or put it off for maybe a couple of hours, then do that. Give yourself the grace to take a break, to put it aside. If it's something that's not totally on deadline for you, go for a walk, do something fun, put on some music and see if the creative juices will flow later, because most likely they will. But we have to give ourselves that time. And it's really important. You only get, well, you only get one life in this particular body, okay, in this incarnation. And whether you believe in reincarnation or not, whoever you are right now, as you are listening to this or watching it, that's who you are in this lifetime. And so make the most of it and be kind to yourself. I saw a friend posted on Facebook today about. She talked about how what self care is and that it's not just, you know, a glass of wine and a massage, although that is very important. Well, the massage part, I don't drink alcohol anymore and it seems like there's been some. Now there's ideas about that maybe it's not quite as healthy as, you know, it was once purported, but then again, there are so many things out there that it gets confusing about what the heck is healthy for us and what isn't. Which also leads me to part of what I also wanted to talk about today. But anyway, she talked about how that it's, it's self care is more than that. And I think I've mentioned this on the podcast as well, and that it's really, it's about taking care of you. And, and so yes, like I said, massages could be part of that. But it's also about getting plenty of sleep, getting good exercise or regular exercise of whatever that is. I mean, for me, I go for a walk every day at least once. Sometimes I'll do twice. I may go out. I go out first thing in the morning,...

High performance living isn't just about achieving goals. It's about thriving through life's toughest challenges. Joining me to share his formula for beating burnout is Christian Ray Flores, an entrepreneur, international recording artist, philanthropist, and high-performance coach who has lived an extraordinary life spanning multiple continents and cultures. Show Notes | Transcript "Everybody knows, okay, problems never go away. I don't care how healthy you are, how pretty you are, how rich you are, you will always have problems. It's just part of the human experience... if you're not going to escape it, at least beat it." - Christian Ray Flores Christian shares his journey from child refugee to pop star and philanthropist, revealing how these experiences shaped his understanding of resilience and antifragility. We explore the concept of post-traumatic growth and how it can be applied to both personal and professional life. In this episode, you'll discover: How to cultivate antifragility and grow stronger through life's challenges The power of curiosity in developing resilience and adaptability Why incorporating deep learning into daily life is crucial for entrepreneurial success How to leverage different cultural perspectives to strengthen your life and business Key insights include: The importance of balancing consistency with exploration in your daily routine Why rest and recovery are essential components of high performance How faith and spirituality can provide a framework for personal growth The value of aiming higher in life and business, despite the challenges Christian also shares his practical 80/20 formula for incorporating new learning and growth into your daily life, explaining how this approach can lead to transformational results in just 30 days. Whether you're an entrepreneur looking to build resilience in your business or simply seeking ways to thrive in an ever-changing world, this conversation offers valuable insights and actionable strategies. Tune in to discover how you can develop unshakable grit and turn life's challenges into opportunities for growth! Resources: Join the Soulful Women's Network here Receive daily inspirational email messages: bit.ly/LoveLightNotes Need support? Go to engagewithgloria.com to schedule a call. Connect with Christian Free Newsletter: christianrayflores.com Exponential Scorecard Assessment: xponential.life Connect with Live Love Engage: Send Gloria Grace a message ☕ Support the podcast ❤ Love this episode? Leave us a review and rating LinkedIn: Gloria Grace Rand Facebook: Gloria Grace Rand YouTube: Gloria Grace Rand TRANSCRIPT Namaste. Life always has a way of throwing us curveballs. Have you noticed that? Well, what if you could not only bounce back, but actually grow stronger through these challenges? Well, today's guest is going to explain how we can build unshakable grit and antifragility in our life and businesses, even when the world seems to be changing faster than we can keep up. But before I get to him, so. So you have a hint already. It's, it's, it's a gentleman. I want to welcome you to Live Love Engage, especially if this is your first time joining us. I am Gloria Grace, founder of align to Shine Academy. And I, I love empowering women over 50 to step into their highest potential with clarity and confidence. And in just a moment, I am going to bring on Christian Ray Flores. And I, I'm trusting that is how you pronounce his last name. I just realized I didn't ask him, but I'm, I'm guessing, I'm pretty sure it is, but. He is an entrepreneur, international recording artist, philanthropist, and high performance coach who empowers business and non profit leaders to reach and stay at the top of their game. And this gentleman has led an extraordinary life, going from a child refugee in Chile to entertaining millions as a pop star in Europe and leading philanthropic projects around the world. And that's just for starters. I mean, I could go on and on, but I can't wait to have you meet him. So I am going to, without further ado, bring him onto our stage and welcome you, Christian, to Engage. Hello. Thank you, Grace. Thanks for having me. Oh, well, I am, yeah, I'm just, you know, when, and I don't know even remember how we connected, probably your PR person or something, but it was like, you know, when I'm reading up on you, I'm going, oh my gosh, you've had this incredible, incredible life. So we're talking today about, you know, really about like resilience and, and you know, and having that fortitude to be able to not only bounce back but also grow. So what, you know, throughout all of your journey that you've had, what were some of the maybe key moments that taught you the most about resilience that, you know, those watching and listening today can apply in their own lives. Thanks for asking. I, I've had a very sort of early uncertainty as a child. You know, like when you're a refugee at age 5, you know, you're definitely in a very select group of people and, and then that kept sort of growing and changing. I basically Ended up moving to four countries by age seven. And, you know, but before I was 21, I had experienced a mil. A military coup in Chile, Latin America, a civil war in Africa, which was in Mozambique, where I lived and grew up from between 7 and 14 and the collapse of the Soviet Union, in Moscow, in Eastern Europe. So I mean, who does that, right? Who, who, who has that kind of experience on three different continents before you're even 20? So that's, that was sort of just a slice of, of that. And then of course, throw in some poverty, economic instability, even family drama, my parents got divorced. And so you have yourself a nice cocktail of challenges. Right. And I don't think there's like these sort of aha moments that are like, from one moment to another, you become enlightened. It's really more of a process, I think, and I think that's actually true of most people. It's really more of an evolution, a process that has almost like these quantum leaps every once in a while. And I think for me, that was. That was sort of the. Between 0 and 21, 25, I was sort of exposed to enough stress and enough sort of stressors, so to say that either I become sort of this perpetual victim or I develop some anti fragility so that I can not only, not only survive, but thrive in life. Now you mentioned anti fragility right there. And I had mentioned that in the bio, and I haven't actually come across that particular word before, so I wonder if you could define that a little bit. Just, you know, maybe it's just, just my, my ignorance, but I'd love to know what you mean by that and how can we really cultivate that? Yeah, but, you know, we talk about fortitude quite a bit or resilience quite a bit. That's sort of the, the main thing. Right. Antifragility was actually coined as a term by this guy, Nassim Taleb, who is a brilliant guy, He's a financier and entrepreneur, that kind of thing. There's actually a term in psychology that mirrors that, I think fairly closely. And the psychology term is post traumatic growth. And it's basically, you know, everybody knows ptsd. Very few people know that there's sort of this other side of trauma called post traumatic growth. And it's really fascinating because most of our sort of psychology, the discipline of psychology, focused very heavily on PTSD and on trauma. And then with maybe the last 20 years or so. So it's very recent, relatively speaking, the positive psychology movement, unearthed this other thing, right? This other capability that we have, which is post traumatic growth, but it's basically the ability to not only withstand obstacles and problems and stressors, either internal or external, but actually grow not in spite of them, but because of them. And to me that's one of the most amazing things that to, to dig into and to develop as a skill set, a human being. Because everybody knows, okay, problems never go away. I don't care how healthy you are, how pretty you are, how rich you are, you will always have problems. It's just that it's just part of the human experience. So if that's part of the human experience and you can't escape it, developing the ability to process obstacles and trauma and stressors seems to be like, okay, well you, if you're not going to beat it, if you're not going to escape it, at least beat it. Right? So that's basically the, the essence of it. Yeah. And I have heard of the term post traumatic growth before and, and I feel like that's definitely something that I've experienced in my own life because I, I mean certainly not same kind of childhood as yours, but I have, you know, I think everybody has their own, Everybody does stuff. Yeah, of course, of course, course that, that goes. But it is that you know, ability to, to then learn from it. Have you, have you found maybe in, in working with, with clients yourself? Is there, how should I phrase this? Is there a particular quality maybe that you see in someone that, where they, maybe they, they aren't growing yet, but they do have that potential to grow. So. Because I think, I mean, I think that quality is curiosity. That's the, that's the quality. It's the curiosity. That's all it is. Right. Like if you are at the very least open that your, you can interpret and navigate life different, differently from where what you have in the past. That's the quality. It's curiosity. Okay. You know, it's. Everything seems unsurmountable or hard to imagine for yourself when you're on this side of, of the question of, of the quest. Right. So yeah, be curious, ask questions, get guidance, read books, get coaching. Everybody can learn it. Everybody should learn it. As a matter of fact, I would say, yeah. Because it. Otherwise you're just stuck in that cycle of being wallowing in, in it and not getting anywhere. Yeah,...

Did you know that chakra healing can help entrepreneurs find the strength to move forward again when life's storms disrupt their business journey? I know from personal experience how losing a loved one can cause chakra imbalances that shake the foundation of your entrepreneurial spirit and wreak havoc on your day-to-day operations. Show Notes | Transcript "Even when you know life is giving you lemons, you can still come out the other side." - Gloria Grace Rand In this heartfelt episode, I open up about my own journey through grief after losing my sister and how it affected my business. I share how working with a spiritual coach and focusing on chakra healing helped me realign my purpose and reignite my passion for my work. Discover how to: Recognize signs of chakra imbalance in your business practices Use grounding techniques to stabilize your root chakra and business foundation Reignite your creativity when your sacral chakra feels blocked Reclaim your personal power and set healthy boundaries in your work Reconnect with your heart-centered purpose to attract aligned clients Key insights include: The impact of grief and life transitions on your business energy How undercharging and people-pleasing relate to chakra imbalances The importance of giving yourself time to grieve, even business changes Why investing in yourself leads to greater commitment and results How to use light language for chakra healing and business alignment I also guide you through a powerful light language transmission designed to help realign your chakras and bring your business back into flow. Whether you're feeling stuck, disconnected from your purpose, or simply in need of an energetic reset, this episode offers compassionate guidance and practical strategies to help you navigate business evolution during times of personal transition. Tune in to start harnessing the wisdom of your chakras and rediscover your authentic business path. Remember, even when life hands you lemons, you have the power to create something sweet and refreshing for your entrepreneurial journey. Ready to experience the transformative power of light language one-on-one? Book a personalized session and address your unique business challenges at bit.ly/LLEpodcast30 Related episodes: How to Gain Insight from Your Chakras with Dr. Susan Corso: https://gloriarand.com/how-to-gain-insight-from-your-chakras-with-dr-susan-corso/ Resources: Join the Soulful Women's Network here Receive daily inspirational email messages: bit.ly/LoveLightNotes Need support? Go to engagewithgloria.com to schedule a call. Connect with Live Love Engage: Send Gloria Grace a message ☕ Support the podcast ❤ Love this episode? Leave us a review and rating LinkedIn: Gloria Grace Rand Facebook: Gloria Grace Rand YouTube: Gloria Grace Rand TRANSCRIPT Namaste. If you are in a season of transition, let's say you're going through a divorce or separation or maybe you've lost a loved one, I know from experience that it can knock the wind out of your sails and leave you questioning how to move forward in your business. So today we're going to be talking about how you can actually explore how your chakras can guide you through this business evolution as you're going through these transitions and be able to find some grace through, through the process. So even when you know life is giving you lemons, you can still come out the other side. But first, I want to welcome you to Live Love Engage. Especially if this is your first time joining us. Whether you found us on YouTube or on one of the other wonderful audio podcast platforms. I am the founder of Align to Shine Academy and I empower women over 50 to overcome life's challenges so they can embrace who they are and lead boldly and shine their light in the world. So as I mentioned, if you are finding us somewhere and you'd like what you hear, I hope you that you will subscribe and hit that little notification bell on YouTube. I guess so. I, as I mentioned, right at the top there, I know exactly how a sudden event, let's shall we say, can like just really knock you around and have you start doubting what you're doing, the direction that you're taking in your life and your business. And for me, it was, I can't believe, almost 10 years ago, just about now as I'm recording this. And it was in, in, In July of 2015, my sister got news that she was certainly not expecting when she was diagnosed with stage four cancer. And unfortunately she transitioned like 18 months later. And when that happened, I mean, she was my big sister. She was the last member of the family, the immediate family that I grew up with. Both my parents have been gone for a long time and I lost a brother early on when I was a teenager. So she was, she was my rock, she was my cheerleader. And when I didn't have her around anymore, just tearing up, even thinking about it right now, that, yeah, it, it really, it messed me up for quite a while. You know, at the time my business was SEO copywriting and it was, you know, help writing content, small businesses for their websites and doing even a little social media. I was even doing some video SEO at the time as well. And so when I lost her, I, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do anymore. And, and thankfully I was in a Mastermind at the time that, that helped. I had a lot of coaches I was working with, but in particular I actually have a. I had had a friend who I'd known for a few years through women's networking group who was a spiritual coach. And she actually specialized in chakras and chakra healing. And her name is Sherinata Pollock. She's also really big into emf, snail and, and, and helping you to using Shungite to be able to offset some of these energies. So maybe I'll put a link to her site in the, in the show notes. But at the time she was, she was doing this spiritual coaching and helping you with your chakras and healing, like noticing when your chakras are out of balance and helping you to realign them. Now I'm not going to. Oh, also, at the time she also, she also saw for me, which is so, so prescient, I think is the word I'm looking for. Prescient. I'm not sure how you pronounce it. I've seen it in print before that she saw for me something about spiritual SEO, which I actually did an episode about just a couple of months ago on this podcast. So go check it out. I'll. I'll put the link to that in the show notes as well. So you can go, go check it out because that's a whole nother story. But I want to focus on chakras today, so I'm not going to go too deep into what chakras are. You can Google it or, you know, in fact, I even, I even had, a couple years ago, I think I had a woman who did, who talked about chakras. Her name was Susan Corso, as I believe. But chakras are essentially energy centers in the body and there are like seven main ones, you know, so well, starting at the bottom, we have the, the root chakra. And then you've got the, the, the sacral chakra, the solar plexus, your heart chakra, your throat chakra. Then you've got your third eye and the crown chakra. And then there's even. Cause I've studied some of this stuff before as well. There's even like one like above, I don't remember the name. And then one even like below your feet. There's another one in like the Earth. So it's a lot of stuff. But. But essentially, again, this is, you know, this comes from like Eastern, I guess, Indian origins philosophy. But, but they're like centers that they, they say are like energy centers that, that spin and when they're maybe stuck or not spin, that can show up in, in your life and in what's going on in your life. So it can also then affect your business because of course, as it's affecting you and in particular if you are, let's say a solo entrepreneur, then, you know, if you're the face of your business, you're the primary person in your business, if you're, you know, not feeling right or your, your mental state is not right, then that's going to show up in your business. And that's what we're going to really talk about today. So what I'm going to go through actually first, what I'm going to suggest that you do today is maybe pause this recording right now and go get yourself a pen and paper because I'm going to go through a lot of stuff today and you're going to want to take some notes and of course you can always listen to it again and, and go back and listen to the recording. But I really encourage you to grab a pen and paper because I'm going to go through a lot of stuff and I'm gonna, I'm gonna go through first. I'm going to tell you a little bit about each chakra, a little bit more in depth about what, what sort of, what their purpose is. But then I'm only going to focus on five of the seven today, so, and especially of like what it looks like when they're out of alignment and then give you some tips on how to get them back in alignment. And I'm also going to share a light language message as well to help with that. So. All right, so let me go through these again or go through these now and give you a little bit of information about, in, in case, especially if this is your first time and you're not familiar with, with, with chakra. So the root chakra, sort of as it implies, deals with your foundation and, and security and, and in business it can be really about sort of grounding your business purpose. The sacral chakra moving up is your creative center. You know, this is in, in women in particular. Well, I don't think men as well, you know, this is where, you know, babies. So this is, you know, your, your passion center and this is where you, if this is, you know, when it's in alignment, this is your ability to create authentic offerings. The solar plexus is going up now. This is your power center, your personal power center, your confidence and decision making. And so you want to be able to have a good Solar plexus in

Have you ever dreamed of entering the book publishing world to share your wisdom as a best-selling author? If you're ready to turn that dream into reality and amplify your message globally, you're in for a treat. In this enlightening episode, I sit down with Cathy Derksen, an international speaker and 18-time number one best-selling author, to explore the power of collaborative books and how they can elevate your visibility as an entrepreneur. Show Notes | Transcript "We all have a story that could help somebody else getting through similar challenges or overcoming a similar obstacle in their life." - Cathy Derksen Cathy shares her journey from being a first-time author to creating a platform that empowers women to share their inspiring stories. We discuss the surprising benefits of collaborative publishing and how it differs from traditional solo book projects. In this episode, you'll discover how to: The unexpected advantages of collaborative book projects over solo ventures How to leverage your author status to boost your credibility as an entrepreneur The mindset shift that occurs when women transition from aspiring authors to published best-sellers Common pitfalls to avoid when seeking publication and how to navigate them Key insights include: Why your unique story matters and how it can inspire others The importance of vetting collaborative publishers before committing to a project How to assess the value of different publishing opportunities The potential of using your book as a powerful marketing tool for your business Cathy also introduces the concept of author retreats, combining writing workshops with self-care and networking opportunities. She shares her vision for future projects, including exciting international destinations for these transformative experiences. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur looking to expand your influence or a spiritual healer yearning to reach a wider audience, this conversation offers valuable insights on how to share your wisdom through the written word. Tune in to learn how you can become a published author and open doors to new possibilities in your personal and professional life! Resources: Join the Soulful Women's Network here Receive daily inspirational email messages: bit.ly/LoveLightNotes Need support? Go to engagewithgloria.com to schedule a call. Connect with Cathy: website: inspiredtenacity.com LinkedIn: @cathyderkseninspiredtenacity Connect with Live Love Engage: Send Gloria Grace a message ☕ Support the podcast ❤ Love this episode? Leave us a review and rating LinkedIn: Gloria Grace Rand Facebook: Gloria Grace Rand YouTube: Gloria Grace Rand TRANSCRIPT Gloria Grace Rand Namaste. Imagine turning your wisdom into a best selling book that opens doors worldwide. Well, if you'd like to do more than imagine and actually get your message out in the world in a bigger way, you're going to want to stick around to hear my conversation with today's guest who helps women publish their stories. But first, if this is your first time to Live Love Engage, I want to welcome you and introduce myself. I am Gloria Grace, founder of Align to Shine Academy and I work with spiritually minded women entrepreneurs to break free from self doubt and step into their highest potential. And joining us in just a moment is Cathy Derksen and she is an international speaker and an 18 times number one best selling author. That's amazing. Kathy has created a platform for women to share their wisdom and inspiring stories in collaborative books and her programs allow you you to expand your global network, build your business and increase your visibility while becoming an international best selling author. And I am going to bring her on right now so we can get to talking all about the wonderful world of publishing and books and all that good stuff. So welcome to Live Love Engage, Cathy. Cathy Derksen Thank you for having me. Gloria Grace Rand Well, I appreciate, appreciate you. We just met recently and I was just really impressed by all the stuff that you're doing and I love that you're focused on helping women to get their message out. But I was wondering if you could maybe before we dive into really the nuts and bolts why this is important, can you take us back maybe to your first book and what inspired you to take that leap and maybe what surprised you most about the journey? Cathy Derksen Well, as most people that get into these multi author books, the first book that I was in, I was just one of the authors in somebody else's book. And before that one, I had actually never really thought of myself as becoming an author or getting involved in the publishing world at all. And really the main reason I got into that book, it was a local group here and I'd been aware that they had been doing some books, I think that was their fifth book that I jumped into. And it was at that point I had just been through a divorce, a complete career change. I was now a single mom with two teenagers and had I had gotten to the point where I felt like the dust was starting to settle on all of that. And I knew that my story could help other women going through a similar thing to really get through their own challenges and struggles and get through that kind of thing. So that at the time was really my only goal was just that knowing that that my story could help other women. And from there I loved the process of being in these multi author books where you're collaborating with a group of people, you're all putting your story and your wisdom out in the world. And as was mentioned, I am now have just on Friday hit 18 books that I have been part of and now seven of those are my books. So they're books that I have started with the theme and the title that I've created. I brought together the group of authors, I've you know, really coached them around developing their chapters and, and yes, release them out into the world as best selling authors. Gloria Grace Rand Oh, that's amazing. What, what types of categories have your books been in? Is it kind of stayed in one area or do you have a broad range? Cathy Derksen Well, all my books have a different theme. So based on that we do vary a little bit. And I don't know the names of the categories off the top of my head now there are several hundred of them so they've really diversified the categories. But some of the books that I've. And I'll focus mainly on the books that are my projects. So like I said, there's seven of them now. The first one was Embrace Courage, Midlife Awakening, Ripple, Effective Impact. The last three that I just had released actually in the last couple months were all focused on women in leadership in different areas. So one was focused on women in leadership or transforming leadership in business and community. One was on how women are impacting leadership in science and tech. And then the last one that we just released was specific to a community called Lead Hership Global. And, and so that book was Lead Hership Unveiled. So, so those ones being more on the leadership business side, other ones being more on the personal development and getting through challenges. But definitely a lot of focus is on women's biographies, women in business, personal development, but many categories. And that's part of the fun too of going through the Amazon launch and is that you can hit several categories with the same book. So you start with say three and as you hit number one of those ones you move to other categories and hit number one and some more categories and becomes almost part of that game of, of the Amazon system. Gloria Grace Rand Yeah, absolutely. I know having well published my own book and, and with, well, I didn't publish it myself, I did have a publisher but he was, yeah, picking out the, the categories that he thought for sure that I would be able to hit that number one status so I could, I could put that label on my book. In fact, there it is, it says Amazon number one. Bestseller. But actually, and speaking of that, I, I would love to know what you think about the, like, the power of collaborative books and how they differ from like solo books projects, especially maybe in terms of reach and impact. Cathy Derksen Yeah. And I think for a lot of people, they have the idea that they need to just focus on a solo book. But what I've seen is I would say the vast majority of people who start a solo book never finish it. Or they might finish it, but they never publish it. Or if they publish it, they don't do a bestseller campaign. And also, when you are in a solo book, it's just you and your community getting the activity and the visibility out there. Whereas with a collaborative book, you have all of those people's communities working together, building visibility and collaboration and connection. And most of my books, I have 20 women per book and they're, they are literally from all over the world. In the last book that we just released, we had us, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Dubai, Sweden, Netherlands, Germany. So all over the world. So imagine you're in a group of women from all over the world and you're each. If you go back and look at my social media over the last couple weeks, we are all liking sharing, reposting, you know, so everyone's community is just blending together. The last post that I did, I had over 1500 hits on it. And you know, that's because we are all meshing together with all these different ones. So, so I, I won't say that it's an easy thing to do to hit international number one, but when you have 20 people working together, it makes it a lot easier. Gloria Grace Rand Yeah, absolutely. And I do know it is, it is challenging to write your own book. I mean, it took me five years from the time that I first got the idea to when I finally even started to write it, and then, and then get it done....

Feel like unmatched business growth is out of reach? You might have an abundance wound - a deep-seated belief that you're not worthy of financial prosperity. In this eye-opening episode, I explore the hidden barriers that can block your path to financial success and share powerful strategies to heal your relationship with money. Show Notes | Transcript "You're doing not only yourself and your family and your business and your clients a disservice by not having money and by not being as successful as you'd like to be, then you're also unable to then share that wealth in the world." - Gloria Grace Rand As a recovering people-pleaser who's faced my own money challenges, I know how difficult it can be to break free from limiting beliefs. You'll hear about my own personal journey, including how childhood experiences and family attitudes shaped my view of wealth. And you'll discover why even spiritual entrepreneurs sometimes struggle to reconcile their values with financial success. In this episode, you'll learn: How to recognize the signs of an abundance wound in your life and business Why traditional gender roles and family dynamics can impact your financial mindset The surprising ways financial stress manifests in your body and emotions Practical techniques to rewrite your money story and create empowering new beliefs Key insights include: The importance of balancing giving and receiving in your business and personal life How life transitions like divorce or empty nesting can trigger abundance wounds Why raising your rates regularly is crucial for sustainable business growth The power of gratitude in attracting more financial abundance I also introduce you to the transformative practice of light language - a multidimensional form of communication that can help clear energetic blocks around money. You'll experience a brief light language transmission designed to release old abundance wounds and open you to greater prosperity. Whether you're struggling with undercharging, overgiving, or simply feeling stuck in your financial growth, this episode offers compassionate guidance and practical strategies. Tune in to start healing your abundance wound and create a more empowering relationship with money and success! Resources: Gain further insight from Mikelann Valterra's episode: Harnessing Goddess Energy and Financial Empowerment for Women Join the Soulful Women's Network here Receive daily inspirational email messages: bit.ly/LoveLightNotes Need support? Go to engagewithgloria.com to schedule a call. Connect with Live Love Engage: Send Gloria Grace a message ☕ Support the podcast ❤ Love this episode? Leave us a review and rating LinkedIn: Gloria Grace Rand Facebook: Gloria Grace Rand YouTube: Gloria Grace Rand TRANSCRIPT Namaste. What kind of money mindset do you have? Positive one that empowers women entrepreneurs to make smart decisions, set clear goals, and achieve sustainable growth. I hope so. However, if money isn't quite flowing into your business or your life the way you'd like, it may be due to an abundance wound. So today we're going to be examining the stories that can block financial success and help you heal that abundance wound. And we're going to be talking about what it looks like. So in case you think you don't have it, you may start to think otherwise. Possibly. I hope not. But first, as always, I want to welcome you to Live Love Engage, especially if this is your first time. Joining us, I am Gloria Grace, founder of Align to Shine Academy, and I empower women over 50 to overcome life's challenges so they can embrace who they are, lead boldly, and shine their light in the world. So what the heck is an abundance wound anyway? Well, it is a deep seated belief that you're not worthy of financial abundance. And it's really rooted in this belief that there's not enough or even more fundamentally, that I'm not enough. And I can relate to this one because I definitely, I definitely have had that come up in my life. I mean it definitely when I started, first started my business way back in 2009 and, and I wrote about this in my book Live Love Engage, that I discovered that I had a lot of like, limiting beliefs around money and, and in researching and you know, getting ready for this episode, also just sort of reminding myself of how that showed up for me. So let's talk about that a little bit. So it can be financially, of course it can show up with patterns like compulsive spending or on the other side, excessive saving, maybe a fear of investing, you know, getting into the stock market, or it's that constant sense of financial instability even when that's not how your life actually is or maybe circumstances have improved. Maybe it was that way at one time, but not anymore. And there can also be some, emotionally, it can show up as feelings of shame or guilt or fear around money and abundance and it's often triggered by early experiences or family attitudes. And again, I'll, I'll say for, from my experience growing up that my mom definitely had, was, was always feeling like we didn't have enough and she would rely on her mom to be able to help her out, to help our family out financially. And even though both my mom and dad worked and, and they did, and, and this is even in the 70s and then not many, not as many women were in the workforce. So, you know, they were working full time. And. And as my beloved sister, who's not with us anymore, used to. Used to needle me about. Is that you were. You were spoiled. Glor. I was like. And I realize now that, well, in a lot of ways, I mean, I did have some traumatic things in my childhood, but overall, I had dance lessons. In fact, my mom quit smoking to help pay for my dance lessons. I was in Girl Scouts. I had guitar lessons, I had organ lessons. So, you know, and then later on, my mom bought tickets to Broadway shows. We. We would have, you know, those, Those plans where you get, you know, what is the word? I can't think of it like packet and whatever. A package of shows that we would go to. So we were middle class for sure. We weren't. I mean, yes, during the. There was a recession in the 70s where we were eating a lot of Hamburger Helper, which I did not like, and we had to keep the thermostat turn down low in the winter. I grew up in Michigan because it was expensive to run the furnace, so we would have to, you know, layer up on clothes and put. We had. Luckily we had in. In one room of our house, we had a fireplace, so we would, you know, put a log in the fire and stay warm that way. But it's still. There was a lot of this stuff that showed up. And so in particular for. For women, let's say over 50, that a lot of times we might have internalized, you know, traditional gender roles, and that leads to. Can lead to guilt or hesitation around prioritizing their own ambitions, you know, whether it is working or. Or starting a business or, you know, spending family resources on their business, even if they're financially secure. And they may also have to grieve the lack of support from previous generations, and they're consciously going out and trying to choose new supportive communities. Now. Younger women, and I know sometimes we do have some younger women listening to this podcast, you may find that that abundance wound manifests as guilt over investing time and money in your business at the perceived expense of family needs. Or you might just, you know, again, as we get older, we do tend to be a little bit more financially secure. But when you're younger, you know, you're trying to pay for a house, you're trying to raise kids, you know, there's not as much necessarily disposable income, so you may tend to overwork in your business or, or again, you're not feeling worthy and you might suffer from imposter syndrome. So there's a lot, there's a lot that can happen here that can really, you know, bring up these issues around money where, where we don't feel like we have enough. And, and a lot of too is, you know, there's a lot of common money stories that especially. And again, I think I'm hoping. I know, I tried with my kids, I think, not to repeat these stories, hopefully, and they're doing pretty well. So I think, I think we're okay. But I know for, let's say, baby boomers in particular, and maybe Gen X possibly, I forget which generation came after, I guess Gen X. But you might have heard things like money doesn't grow on trees or you got to work hard for every penny. In fact, there's a lovely, you know, there was the old Huey Lewis and the new song. You know, you work hard for the money. So hard for the money. You know, we hear these things. It comes through. Oh, and in fact, even I'm thinking about it, it's not even from. We hear money stories in our culture. It's not even just even in our family, but you'll hear story, you know, songs, TV shows, you know, all kinds of stuff. Now, I know that I think a lot of people who listen to this podcast or watch it on YouTube are also probably spiritual, Spiritual entrepreneurs. And so there's a lot of. There's some limiting beliefs around that too. You know, stories like spiritual people shouldn't care about money where it's not spiritual to make a lot of money. And that's why a lot of spiritual entrepreneurs struggle, frankly, because they, they want to be able to just give their services away and not be compensated enough, you know, or. Or it's selfish to want more when others have less. That. That goes along also with that spiritual thinking or even for older, you know, folks, I'm, I'm. I'm too old to start over financially. Get that one out right now. You're never too old to start over. Oh, my gosh, that's ridiculous. But anyway, I want to mention right now that I would encourage you to go back and whether you're watching this on YouTube, go back and check previous episodes,...

Imagine if you were to experience true liberation from living behind a mask, so that you were finally able to speak your truth and fully embrace who you are. How would you feel?  Show Notes | Transcript "The armor in which you continue to place on your own being becomes that much more stifling to the true essence that we were brought into this earth of perfection in our imperfection." - Michelle Bishop In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Michelle Bishop, a certified life coach and author of "Choose You First," to explore the transformative power of self-love and authenticity. Michelle shares her inspiring journey from silent struggles to empowering others, reminding us that our stories - even the messy parts - can be exactly what someone else needs to hear. Discover how to: How to break free from self-doubt and reclaim your life after adversity The importance of embracing your authentic self and shedding limiting beliefs Why choosing yourself first is crucial for personal growth and healthy relationships Practical strategies for building inner resilience and creating a life filled with joy and purpose Key insights include: The impact of childhood experiences on our ability to speak up and express ourselves How vulnerability and authenticity can lead to deeper, more fulfilling relationships The difference between self-care and true self-love Why small, attainable goals are essential for lasting personal transformation Michelle also shares her personal story of overcoming grief, rediscovering her identity, and achieving remarkable physical and emotional healing. Her journey serves as a powerful reminder that it's never too late to choose yourself and create the life you desire. Whether you're struggling with self-doubt, seeking to build stronger relationships, or simply looking to live more authentically, this conversation offers valuable insights and practical strategies to help you embrace your true self and thrive. Tune in to start your journey towards self-love and personal empowerment! Connect with Michelle Website: Bishoplife.com Resources: Join the Soulful Women's Network here Receive daily inspirational email messages: bit.ly/LoveLightNotes Need support? Go to engagewithgloria.com to schedule a call. Connect with Live Love Engage: Send Gloria Grace a message ☕ Support the podcast ❤ Love this episode? Leave us a review and rating LinkedIn: Gloria Grace Rand Facebook: Gloria Grace Rand YouTube: Gloria Grace Rand TRANSCRIPT Gloria Grace Rand Namaste. Are you ready to meet someone who transformed her silent struggles into a powerful mission of inspiring others? Well, I hope so, because I am about to dive into a heart to heart conversation about breaking free from self doubt and finding the courage to share your truth. And I believe it's a journey that's going to remind you that your story, even the messy parts, could be exactly what someone else needs to hear. But first, I do want to welcome you to live Love Engage. Especially if this is your first time finding us and listening or watching, if you happen to be watching on YouTube. I am Gloria Grace, the founder of Align to Shine Academy and I work with spiritually minded women entrepreneurs to break free from self doubt and step into their highest potential. And that's why I really love our guests today because we are so aligned. Her name is Michelle Bishop and she is a certified life coach and author of the book choose you first. And she helps women reclaim their lives after adversity by embracing self love and building inner resilience. Again, two of my favorite subjects. And through coaching, workshops and speaking, Michelle empowers clients to shed limiting beliefs, strengthen self worth and create lives filled with joy and purpose. And I swear we must have the same website. I, I swear it, it is cracking me up so much because we're just like simpatico here. So I want to welcome you officially, Michelle, to Live Love Engage. Michelle Bishop Thank you, Grace, I really appreciate it. Gloria Grace Rand Oh well, I, I, I just love that you are on this mission to help women love themselves. And I, I know why it's important to me. But I'd love for you to share with our audience what, why is it important to you? Michelle Bishop What I have finally come to the understanding is that no one can feel your love but yourself. And people ask me, you know, why now? And I was like, well, it took almost 59 years to get here and a lot of life experience and through adversities, recognizing that no one can truly complete you unless you're complete yourself within. Gloria Grace Rand I can relate to that so much through personal experience as well. So, so tell us a little bit about your journey because I know part of it was, was you, you are not able, you weren't able to like speak up. I think for yourself as part, part of that. And so, so how did you wind up sort of reclaiming your life? Michelle Bishop When you say unable to speak up, that's accurate. The title of my book is choose you first. As adults, we have the opportunity to choose the decisions and our actions throughout life. But as a child, you have truly no choice. And so when you live in adversity abuse, you learn that as being your normal as opposed to when you might be wanting to speak out, then you're actually pushed down even further into that traps of emotional, possibly mental as well as physical abuse. And, and so you always lean towards taking the least path of resistance so you stay quiet in it. And it becomes a life pattern in so much that you do. And it often creates continued layers of mask that occur throughout the stages of, you know, infancy to even toddler to young, child to child to teenage to young adults, and then, you know, raising children, business. And as those masks continue and you do not speak up, you're thinking everybody, you're, you're doing for everyone else. But in turn the armor in which you continue to place on your own being becomes that much more stifling to the true essence that we were brought into this earth of perfection in our imperfection. Gloria Grace Rand Oh yeah, yeah, I, I definitely, like I said I could, I can relate to that as well because for me growing up it, I really kind of quickly learned it was better to just, you know, try to be not exactly invisible, but to just, you know, kind of like, okay, I want to make sure that I don't provoke, you know, my mom in particular and, and so let me just kind of, you know, try to be quiet and, and that, and not speak up. And yet I do know, and I might ask you, ask you about this if you found this, is that when I was away from my family, I was able to be much more of myself and could. And even in school I found myself in opportunities where I did speak up. Not all the time because I also got bullied in middle school, as I think a lot of people do, but I think especially in high school as I'm getting older. So did you find that, could you find it a little bit easier maybe outside of the family dynamic sometime to be able to speak up a little bit more? Michelle Bishop That's a great question. And I was I guess born very, very filled with love and with a sweet soul and kind. And so in that I really chose not to make a lot of waves. So if that was, I went to a very small private school went which was a great experience because it was a safe environment. But those days are very different back then than they are now. So even back then, if there was any type of questioning, it didn't occur because you didn't speak about it. But I really internalized my own self being by creating my own world of wonderment. I, I enjoyed times that were Quiet that I was in nature, or I would see a flower even. I don't know if you remember those. I think they call them dandelions. Like, you blow those. Yeah, you blow them as a child and just see all this, like, so, you know, it was more of a. Those were more my safe havens because I always felt like I was on the stage or had to act a certain way. My parents, well, my mother actually worked at the school as well, so that made it a lot more difficult. Gloria Grace Rand Yeah, that's true. I could. I could definitely see that. And yeah, I, I, I think my refuge was books. I was always reading. So that way, you know, wherever, you know, in school, at home, what have you. Michelle Bishop So isn't that interesting how we find our own little outlets? Gloria Grace Rand Absolutely. So what made the difference? What, what shifted for you? You finally decide to actually choose you, you yourself, first? Michelle Bishop Like I said, that is a long time coming. Actually, the deciding factor was ultimately when I was vulnerable, authentic and real. It was with the love of my life. I had met my husband, actually, in 1995, and we. He was in a marriage. I was getting ready to be married, and then was married and had two beautiful children. So we kind of drifted away. And then back in 2003, amazingly enough, when my mother had passed away, who was my abuser, I had run into him on one of the busiest days in our area, because it was fall and it's beautiful in the Smoky Mountains. And had. He thought I'd moved back to Florida. And we reconnected and ended up getting married. And I. Before we started our relationship, I'd said, do you want to know me? The real me, not the business person, not the. The mother, not the friend, not all these little channels I put myself in, but all of me. And he's like, absolutely. And so I was completely honest, completely vulnerable, and truly had first experienced love in its full entirety in our relationship. And then in 2019, he had a tragic accident and died. He was in a drowning accident, fell off of a yacht that. On. Off a business trip that I happened to not be with him, and drowned. And that was completely unexpected....

Do you long for a way to awaken your creativity so your content creation process happens with ease? If you're nodding your head, this episode is tailor-made for you. As a woman entrepreneur over 50, I understand the unique marketing challenges we face, especially when life throws us curveballs. Today, I'm sharing a powerful process that will help you tap into your inner wisdom and create content that aligns with your soul while attracting your ideal clients. Show Notes | Transcript "Getting to know and trust those inner hits, these sparks of inspiration that come through is really great because... you'll start to listen to them more and more, and you'll get more and more of them." - Gloria Grace Rand In this episode, I open up about my personal journey through grief, separation, and the challenges of maintaining both a spiritual practice and a business during difficult times. I share how these experiences have shaped my approach to content creation, offering insights that can help you navigate your own transitions with grace and authenticity. Discover how to: Tap into divine downloads for inspired content ideas Overcome common blocks like perfectionism and the need for external validation Create content that resonates with your audience on a deeper level Align your marketing with your soul's purpose Key insights include: The importance of self-forgiveness when making mistakes in business How to recognize and respect your life experiences as valuable content material Why embodying your message is crucial for creating magnetic content The power of delivering your message with confidence, even when sharing messy truths I also introduce you to the SACRED method, a unique approach I've developed to foster inspiration and connection with your higher self. This method combines practical steps with spiritual insights to help you create content that truly shines. As a special bonus, I share a brief light language transmission designed to clear energetic blocks and strengthen your connection to your inner wisdom. This powerful sound healing modality has been instrumental in my own journey and may offer you unexpected insights and clarity. Whether you're struggling to find your voice in your content or simply looking to deepen your connection with your audience, this episode offers compassionate guidance and practical strategies. Tune in to start tapping into your inner wisdom and create content that not only attracts your ideal clients but also aligns with the truth of who you are. Resources: Join the Soulful Women's Network here Receive daily inspirational email messages: bit.ly/LoveLightNotes Need support? Go to engagewithgloria.com to schedule a call. Connect with Live Love Engage: Send Gloria Grace a message ☕ Support the podcast ❤ Love this episode? Leave us a review and rating LinkedIn: Gloria Grace Rand Facebook: Gloria Grace Rand YouTube: Gloria Grace Rand TRANSCRIPT - Awaken Your Creativity: Content Creation with Heart and Soul Episode featuring a transformative content creation process for women entrepreneurs over 50 Introduction: When Life Challenges Impact Your Content Namaste. If you're feeling lost, in transition, maybe unsure of your next steps and stuck for ideas when it comes to content marketing, today's episode is for you. I'm going to be sharing a process that will allow you to tap into your inner wisdom and create content that aligns with your soul and attracts who you want to work with. Welcome to Live Love Engage, especially if you are new. I am Gloria Grace, founder of Align to Shine Academy, and I empower women over 50 and especially women entrepreneurs over 50 to overcome life's challenges so they can embrace who they are, lead boldly and shine their light in the world. Life Transitions That Disrupt Content Creation Common Life Changes After 50 When you reach a certain stage in life - and most of my audience is over 40 - you most likely have possibly become an empty nester or are about to become one. You may be going through relationship changes. Life happens. We get to midlife and sometimes it's losing a spouse to death, unfortunately, or a marriage breaking up. Maybe you've lost a loved one - it doesn't have to be a spouse. It could be a really close family member, like I went through when I lost my sister a few years ago. She was the last member of my immediate family that I grew up with. How Life Challenges Affect Business Owners When these things happen as business owners, they can really throw a wrench in the works and cause a lot of upheaval. For instance, you may have been a very spiritual person your whole life, and now suddenly, because of this life challenge, you're not feeling so spiritual anymore. That's what happened to me when my sister passed. I had been meditating daily for about six years, and it had really helped me through helping her with her cancer journey. But after she passed, I really felt alone and didn't feel that strong connection to my higher power, to my higher self, to God, Source, universe - however you want to call it. A Message of Hope for Those Struggling If you are right now going through something like that, and it may seem really challenging, and you're like "Am I ever going to feel like myself again?" - you will. You will. I'm feeling very emotional because I feel like there is somebody out there listening to this right now who is feeling that way. So I just want you to know that you'll get there. The Importance of Getting Support Don't Go Through Challenges Alone Don't think you have to do this alone. For me, I went to group grief counseling sessions a couple times. I went to a counselor. I did a lot of alternative healing modalities. I was in a mastermind at the time with wonderful, supportive people who helped me. I worked with different coaches along the way. When we're going through stuff, we get in our own little head and can't see the forest for the trees. If I'm speaking to you, pay attention - get help. You can schedule a call at engagewithgloria.com and let's chat. Either I can help you directly or I'll point you in the right direction. When Content Creation Becomes Challenging The Struggle with Authentic Content During Crisis When you go through these life challenges, it can make it challenging to create content, even on a regular basis, or content that feels genuine. Sometimes we may wind up buying programs that we think are going to help us, but because we're still in the midst of this life-changing thing, we're not able to give 100% to it. My Personal Experience with Misaligned Content I went through this a couple years ago when I separated from my husband. I thought this was great - I'm on my own, this is what I wanted. But I had to go through some grieving of the marriage that didn't last like I intended when we set our vows 30-plus years ago. I enrolled in a program to help me create a coaching program. I was following their recommendations, and some of the content I created got engagement, but it didn't result in sales. I didn't get any new clients. My belief now is that I wasn't fully ready and wasn't aligned with my soul. Learning from Mistakes I've since learned to take my time before making decisions because I'm a manifesting generator in human design. I need to sit with something before I invest. With that program, I probably saw it and thought "This is what I need" and invested right away. It didn't work so well, but I learned some good stuff. The Importance of Self-Forgiveness We make mistakes and it's okay. Self-forgiveness is really important. You want to give yourself some grace and know that sometimes you may make a mistake when you're in the throes of something. Just forgive yourself and try again. Understanding Divine Downloads What Are Divine Downloads? There's a term I've used before called a "divine download." Essentially, it's inspiration that comes out of nowhere. If you're a regular subscriber of this podcast, you know that inspiration really comes from your higher self or God or Source - whatever your beliefs are. My First Major Divine Download One of the first times I had a major divine download was when the idea popped in my head while I was meditating to write a book about love. I thought that was crazy. But I do have a book now called "Live Love Engage: How to Stop Doubting Yourself and Start Being Yourself," which includes the Love method. Love is an acronym. That's an example of a divine download. How Divine Downloads Show Up It's that sudden inspiration that comes to you. It can also be that idea that pops in your head while you're in the shower or doing dishes. It doesn't have to be during meditation. Guidance can show up in conversations with people - maybe there's a recurring theme that comes up. A Recent Example of Divine Guidance A couple weeks back, I was reading a book by an old client of mine, Vicki Kennedy. It's called "It's Never Personal" - I highly recommend it. She's a psychologist who weaves in spirituality, Buddhism, and Hinduism. As I was reading this book, I suddenly got this thought that when I wrote about the love method in my book, there was something before that needed to be talked about that I didn't do. The L in the love method stands for "let go and let God," including letting go of limiting beliefs. I realized it might be helpful if, before you delve into the love method, you figure out what your limiting beliefs are. Following the Divine Guidance Two days ago, I went to an event where a wonderful coach led us through a meditation where we reflected on our life ending. What came up for me was that before I leave this planet, I need to work on this new idea. Yesterday I spent about a half hour starting to write about it. Then this morning, as I was recording this (it's a Wednesday and normally I record a ten-minute Wisdom Wednesday),...

Have you ever considered that your deepest pain could lead to powerful personal growth? In this enlightening episode, I sit down with Craig Perra, founder of the Mindful Habit system, to explore the profound wisdom in our emotional wounds that can be revealed through self-leadership. Show Notes | Transcript "The deeper the wound, the greater the healing. And so your greatest pain becomes your greatest teacher." - Craig Perra Craig shares his inspiring journey from the depths of addiction and self-destruction to becoming a renowned life coach. His story is a testament to the transformative power of compassion, both from others and ourselves. "All behavior is need-seeking behavior," Craig reveals, offering a perspective-shifting insight that challenges our traditional views of "good" and "bad" habits. This understanding forms the foundation of his approach to healing and personal transformation. In this episode, you'll discover how to: How to recognize and communicate with different parts of yourself The surprising truth about anger and other 'negative' emotions Practical techniques for using mindfulness to navigate triggering situations Why breathing and gratitude are more powerful than you might think Key insights include: The Internal Family Systems model and its application in personal growth How our habits and patterns often stem from childhood experiences The importance of curiosity and compassion in self-leadership Why connection is crucial for overcoming addiction and emotional challenges Whether you're grappling with personal challenges, seeking to understand your emotional responses better, or looking to support a loved one through difficult times, this conversation offers valuable insights and practical strategies for growth and healing. Tune in to learn how embracing all parts of yourself - even the ones you've labeled as "bad" - can lead to profound personal transformation and a more fulfilling life. Connect with Craig Website: mindfulhabithelp.com Podcast: Sex Afflictions and Porn Addictions Resources: Join the Soulful Women's Network here Receive daily inspirational email messages: bit.ly/LoveLightNotes Need support? Go to engagewithgloria.com to schedule a call. Connect with Live Love Engage: Send Gloria Grace a message ☕ Support the podcast ❤ Love this episode? Leave us a review and rating LinkedIn: Gloria Grace Rand Facebook: Gloria Grace Rand YouTube: Gloria Grace Rand TRANSCRIPT Gloria Grace Rand Have you ever considered how the pain of betrayal could actually become the catalyst for your most powerful transformation? Well, today's conversation with our guest is going to dive deep into healing those invisible wounds so that you're able to reclaim your self worth and turn your journey of self love into a beacon of inspiration for others. But before we get there, I do want to welcome those of you who are maybe new to the podcast or welcome those of you who are wonderful subscribers. I want to welcome you back. And for those who are new, I am Gloria Grace, the founder of Align to Shine Academy. And I work with spiritually minded women entrepreneurs, help them to break free from self doubt and really, really step into their highest potential. And part of that is dealing with some of the things we're going to be talking about today. So in just a moment, I'm going to bring on Craig Perra, who is the founder of the Mindful Habit system. And Craig overcame his own mental health struggles and addictions to become a renowned life coach. And as a global leader in breaking self destructive habits, Craig's transformative approach blends mindfulness, self leadership and actionable strategies, empowering millions to create healthier, more fulfilling lives. So I can't wait to hear what he has to say on this subject. I hope you can't either. So without further ado, let me bring him up here and welcome you, Craig, officially to Live Love Engage. Craig Perra Thank you, Gloria. It's a privilege to be here. Namaste. Right back at you. I'm happy to be here. Look forward to this conversation we're going to have today. Gloria Grace Rand Yeah, absolutely, me too. And, and I know it's, you know, I guess we don't like to necessarily talk about, you know, having emotional wounds and things like that, but it does actually affect our, you know, behavior and, and it can affect our work and our family life. And I mentioned in your bio that you deal with self leadership and so I'm curious to know how that actually plays a role in the healing process. And yeah, we're going to start there and then I got a follow up question, but we'll start there. Craig Perra Yeah, no, great question. So self leadership is a term that comes from at least these two places that I'll talk about. So first is from a professional development leadership training, positive psychology, this notion of making proactive decisions, owning the outcome, you know, responsibility for what's happening in your life. So there's the leadership aspect of self leadership. That's also a term that has been embraced by the internal family systems model. And that's Essentially an evidence based, neuroscientifically sound behavior change modality referenced in popular culture in the Pixar movie Inside out, which is essentially leading the different parts of you to create positive outcomes. So for example, in our betrayed trauma work, there's a part that maybe gets angry and feels resentful for the choices that in my line of work that the husband made, to lie, to cheat, to know, keep a secret porn life. And so it's, it's essentially leading those parts to create positive outcomes. And it's a, it's a term that I love. It really is on the positive side. And, and I, that's my thing. I really try to focus on the positive side, strengthen the positive to, you know, strengthen the negative. So that's, that's basically what that term means. Gloria Grace Rand Well, I, I appreciate that and I love the example of, of Inside out, you know, that wonderful movie too, that I think that that helps to make things a little bit more relatable. So I appreciate you sharing that. So what's one practical technique that someone could start implementing today with regards to self leadership in I, I guess maybe either of those formats or both. Craig Perra So before the technique, it's really important to understand that in the internal family systems model and using basic self leadership principles that, let's take for an example, a spouse who is angry at her husband for the choices he's made, destroyed the family, kept sexual secrets, there is a deep, deep, deep sense of betrayal, trauma. And there's often a resentful part, there's often an angry part. And, and before we get to the technique, the insight that I want to share is that these parts, although perceived as bad or destructive or, or harmful to a, A, you know, a healthy reunion, the reality is that these parts are trying to protect you. In fact, the name for these types of parts in the internal family systems model is a protector. So anger is a protector. Anger is trying to protect the partner from making the same mistake. Again for trusting when she shouldn't trust, for the fear of letting her guard down. That angry part keeps her vigilant, for example. And so I, I think it's really important to understand that this behavior, although causing distress to the central nervous system, dysregulation, high blood pressure, heart issues, over time, that's the damage that stress and anxiety and anger can do. But they are serving a purpose and they are meeting needs. Self leadership requires you to understand the needs that these parts are meeting so you can lead that part to a healthy outcome. If that makes sense. Gloria Grace Rand Oh yeah, I love that, and, and, and it's. I so appreciate you doing that to, to explain because, yeah, so often we really do think that, oh, you know, anger is this, you know, emotion that we, you know, we have, but we don't necessarily, you know, sometimes we really do categorize it as bad, you know, and it's like, and I know that, like, and I'm just thinking back to, to my mom that, who had a lot of anger with my dad because he was an alcoholic. And so she would, you know, naturally, you don't like being married to someone who's involved in that. And so she had a lot of anger. But I can, but I also understand and can appreciate how that could be a protective mechanism. I never really thought about it that way, but it really is, you know, because it is, it's kind of, you know, protecting your heart because it's already been wounded once and you don't want to get it, continue to have that, you know, make it make it worse, you know, to really inflict more damage. So I appreciate that. Thank you so much. So how can then someone start kind of moving into, you know, using self leadership to say, okay, yes, I know I'm angry and I'm trying to protect myself, but I don't want to stay anger angry because as you said, it can really cause a lot of physical harm to the body. Craig Perra Yes. And so just like leadership requires us to lead, we might lead Johnny on our team and Karen on our team very differently. They have different needs, they have different desires, different goals. So I'm going to lead these two people on my team very differently. And one of the first things that people can do, which is a wonderful technique and it sounds absolutely crazy, but there is a lot of data to support the efficacy or effectiveness of talking to yourself in the third person. So one of the techniques that we have, and let's say we've got a partner who's resentful or angry or they're constantly ruminating, they're wondering, is he doing this, is he doing that? That part is trying to protect them. And, and one of the first things we do before we get to, you know,...

Are you ready to break free from the people-pleasing trap that has you constantly saying "yes" to clients who drain your energy? If so, join me for this empowering episode where you'll learn how to market with integrity and set healthy boundaries that honor your worth and fuel business growth. Show Notes | Transcript "No is a complete sentence. You are allowed to say no gracefully." - Gloria Grace Rand As a recovering people-pleaser myself, I understand the challenges of setting limits in business. I open up about my own journey, including how life transitions can sometimes knock us off course and reignite old patterns. But I've learned that boundaries are not just self-care – they're essential for attracting aligned clients and preventing burnout. Discover how to: Recognize the signs of people-pleasing in your marketing and client relationships Implement practical boundaries to protect your time and energy Attract aligned clients who respect your worth and value your services Market authentically from a place of confidence and self-respect Key insights include: Why your life experience is actually your competitive advantage How to handle objections without desperation or compromising your value The importance of creating content from a high-vibe state Why it's okay to pause your marketing during major life transitions I also introduce you to the transformative power of light language, a unique sound healing modality that can help clear blocks and strengthen your "boundary muscles." You'll experience a brief light language transmission designed to boost your confidence and self-worth. Whether you're struggling with undercharging, over-explaining your value, or simply feeling drained by misaligned clients, this episode offers compassionate guidance and practical strategies. Tune in to start setting healthy boundaries, honoring your value, and attracting the clients you're truly meant to serve! Resources: *I apologize, but the bit.ly link I mentioned in the podcast for a free 15 minute light language session doesn't work. This is the correct one: Schedule a free Light Language session: bit.ly/lightlanguage15 Join the Soulful Women's Network here Receive daily inspirational email messages: bit.ly/LoveLightNotes Need support? Go to engagewithgloria.com to schedule a call. Connect with Live Love Engage: Send Gloria Grace a message ☕ Support the podcast ❤ Love this episode? Leave us a review and rating LinkedIn: Gloria Grace Rand Facebook: Gloria Grace Rand YouTube: Gloria Grace Rand TRANSCRIPT Namaste. If you've ever found yourself saying yes to clients who drain your energy, this episode is your permission slip to do things differently because I'm going to be sharing some practical tools to help you to market authentically, as well as sharing some light language with you to strengthen your boundary muscles and help you develop renewed confidence in your own own innate worthiness. But first, I do want to officially welcome you to Live Love Engage. I am Gloria Grace, founder of align to Shine Academy, and I empower women over 50 to overcome life's challenges so they can embrace who they are, lead boldly, and shine their light in the world. And I hope that you are one of those lovely women who are listening or watching this podcast on YouTube right now. And I'm just going to even put in an early plug if not subscribed already. Make sure that you subscribe on your favorite podcast platform or on YouTube so you'll be connected with us. So yeah, this is, you know, boundaries. Sometimes we don't set boundaries because we are trying to please people and instead of pleasing ourselves. And I know that I've definitely experienced this in the past where I have been that people pleaser. And it even came up again, you know, I thought I sort of was having it handled and then, you know, when life throws you new challenges, it can come up again. And so I think the last time that I was really involved in this was shortly after my sister passed. I was in a coaching program at the time and you know, lovely, lovely coaches that were, they were helping me and, and they were really focusing at the time and helping me to choose a niche for. At the time it was really, I was still focused on doing copywriting and I, you know, went along with these recommendations even though my heart really wasn't in it. And I just felt like I was just throwing darts at a wall, you know, and nothing, nothing was sticking. And as a result, you know, for me and certainly for lots of other people who are people pleasers in business, then I was attracting clients that didn't really, they were misaligned, frankly. And I also, and was undercharging for my services and I'd been doing that for a very long time, frankly. And it just, I wasn't really sharing my authentic voice. And also being a people pleaser can really lead to a lot of resentment and burnout if you're not careful. So let's, let's talk about how this shows up in your marketing in particular, so it can be where you are over explaining what your value is and As I mentioned, undercharging for services for sure, and even apologizing for them, you know, when you are, let's say someone, you know, wants to, wants to hire you, but they feel that you were too expensive, then you might say, well, you know, yeah, I'm sorry. Or, you know, you, you might actually wind up lowering your prices in order to get that client when you need to be standing your ground and saying, no, this is my price. And if, you know, and, and there's other ways that you can handle someone who comes at you with, with that, you know, saying, oh, you're too expensive, well, you can offer them maybe something else of value and say, well, you know, maybe throw in a bonus, for instance, and also explain to them that the cost of not taking action, you know, could actually wind up costing them more in the long run. And so it's actually, your service might be really very affordable when they look, when they look at it from that perspective. So it's, you know, also part of it is maybe you're posting content that again, doesn't really align with you. And I know I have been guilty of that in the past where I was trying too hard to follow other people's examples and not really own the truth of who I am and to speak from the heart. And I've definitely do that now. I much prefer speaking from the heart and I encourage you to do that. And that's what I work with my clients on doing as well. So, speaking of clients, how does people pleasing and not having boundaries show up there? Well, I tell you, it's accepting boundary pushes, like, for instance, not, not establishing criteria of, say, okay, I'm going to be available between X and Y time and I'm not going to be available on the weekends. Let's say, you know, unless it's a, you know, a really dire emergency. And, you know, and then you could say, okay, well, you could, you could text me then, but it's really got to be an emergency. So not setting those boundaries can have you working all the time, you know, and, you know, these wonderful phones of ours, they're, they're great, but sometimes we just become really too tied to them and that can be a problem. And I, and I actually have, I've got a lovely testimonial I think I've got on my YouTube channel from, from a client. And this was when I was still doing mainly copywriting and that she, she raved about how I was always available to her. Yeah. Because I wasn't setting clear boundaries. I didn't set that at the outset of our relationship to say, okay, you can contact me. You know, I'll be available to you on these days, between these hours and you know, so you're, you're welcome to contact me then. Otherwise, you know, if it's not an emergency, you know, if it's after hours, I'll get back to you the next day. And I didn't do that. And in my efforts to be, you know, to please my client, I was putting too much stress on myself. So that's, that can happen. You know, again, maybe it's, it can also show up where you're doing. Yeah, you're doing like extra work maybe beyond the scope of what you originally signed up to do without charging extra for that. I, I had a quote in, or I had a little clause in my contract when I would, when I was working with copywriting clients, I did put that in to say, if this goes beyond the, the scope, then we're going to have to, I'm going to have to charge you extra. So I did learn that lesson also. It's avoiding difficult conversations, perhaps not even, you know, realizing that you've got a client that is just not a joy to work with, let's put it that way. A client who is draining your energy and, and it's just not worth it. And, and I'll again, I'll share an example from when I was a copyright. Well, I'll do copywriting and also coaching. So. But early on in my copywriting career, I had a lovely gentleman who wanted my help to help him website to be able to up there on Google, who wanted me to help him promote his business. And I get. And he would, you know, ask me to meet in person over coffee and we would strategize and then he wouldn't implement what I recommended. And it really started to be extremely frustrating with me, for me, I should say, because, you know, I was trying to be a nice person and trying to help him, you know, and give him all these great ideas. And then he was taking me away from other clients because I had to go. I had to drive somewhere and meet him in person. And so finally I just had to let him go. And then I've also had in coaching options or situations where I was, I was working with a client who again, just rejected everything that I was. Every recommendation, she's like, oh, I've tried that. Oh, no, that doesn't work. Oh, no, no, no, no, no. And as I was on, and this was, I was on a phone call with Her. And even just now I'm remembering this, it was like my stomach started to like really tighten up in

If you think the idea of harnessing goddess energy to achieve financial abundance seems too "out there," I invite you to keep an open mind while listening to this episode. Today's guest believes it's time to bridge the gap between spirituality and money. We dive deep into why many of us struggle to reconcile our spiritual beliefs with financial abundance, and how shifting this perspective can lead to profound personal and professional growth. Show Notes | Transcript "It's fun to work with goddess energy. (The Goddess) Lakshmi calls for us to be balanced around giving and receiving, and to value ourselves, and that's hugely important." - Mikelann Valterra Financial therapist and master money coach Mikelann Valterra joins me to explain how treating money as part of your spiritual journey can transform both your business and your relationship with wealth. Together, we unpack the concept of "noble poverty" and why it's crucial to release this limiting belief to fully embrace your potential for abundance. Discover how to: Reframe your relationship with money as a spiritual practice Overcome the "money fog" that keeps you from financial clarity Align your spending habits with your deepest values Embrace abundance without compromising your spiritual integrity Key insights include: The importance of addressing emotional and mental toxicity around money How to beautify your relationship with money through simple, practical steps The power of seeking positive money role models to shift your perspective Why simplifying your financial accounts can lead to greater peace and clarity Mikelann also introduces us to the concept of financial therapy and shares how treating money as a sacred tool can help us live our best life and live out our values.  Whether you're a spiritual entrepreneur struggling to price your services or simply looking to create a more conscious connection with your finances, this conversation offers valuable insights on integrating money into your spiritual practice. Tune in to start your journey towards a more abundant, aligned, and purposeful life! Connect with Mikelann Website: seattlemoneycoach.com Resources: Join the Soulful Women's Network here Receive daily inspirational email messages: bit.ly/LoveLightNotes Need support? Go to engagewithgloria.com to schedule a call. Connect with Live Love Engage: Send Gloria Grace a message ☕ Support the podcast ❤ Love this episode? Leave us a review and rating LinkedIn: Gloria Grace Rand Facebook: Gloria Grace Rand YouTube: Gloria Grace Rand TRANSCRIPT Gloria Grace Rand Namaste. If you've been keeping your bank account and your spiritual practice in kind of separate boxes, you may want to rethink that strategy, especially after you listen to today's episode because our guest is going to explain why treating money as part of part of your spiritual journey can actually transform both your business and your relationship with wealth. And I think anything we can do to enhance that is a good thing. So first, though, before I bring her on, because I know it's going to be amazing, I do want to welcome you to Live Love Engage, especially if this is your first time joining us. I am Gloria Grace, the founder of Align to Shine Academy, and I work with spiritually minded women entrepreneurs to break free from self doubt so they can step into their highest potential. And part of that is going to be, you know, owning our relationship with wealth. So let me tell you about today's guest. Her name is Mikelann Valterra and she's an author, a speaker, a financial therapist, and master money coach. And I just got struck by that financial therapist. I'm going to ask her about that. That's an interesting way to look at things. We've had yoga therapists on the show before now. I don't think I've had a financial therapist, but anyway, she helps women rise above the money fog, transform their relationship with money, and design their ideal life. And I'm all about that. So let's bring her on now. And I want to welcome you, Mikelann, to Live Love Engage. Mikelann Valterra I am so happy to be here, Grace. Thank you. I love listening to your show. It's very fun to be here. Gloria Grace Rand Well, thank you. I appreciate that. And I think before I want to, I know I want to dive into, like, why money and spirituality are separate, but I won't really. I'm intrigued because that, it's like I have, I'd read your bio a couple times, but it was like, for today, for whatever reason, I must be in that zone. Financial therapy. What? Why do you call yourself that? Mikelann Valterra What is that? Yeah, well, so I'll back up and put it in the context of money coaching. So I have been a money coach for 25, five years, believe it or not, and which is a crazy amount of time given that coaching has been around, maybe not a long time. And many people nowadays talk about money coaching, but I was one of the first in the country to get into money coaching. And so it used to be that people would see financial planner if they had questions on investments, maybe a credit counselor if they were struggling with debt. But the Truth is, Grace, most of us have both. You know, we want to build net worth. We don't want to go into credit card debt. And neither of those fields is particularly adept at the emotional side of money. And so, you know, we need both. So money coaches. Absolutely. Look at, you know. Yes. How do you plan and track money and how do you create a cash flow plan so that you feel totally in control of your money? And, you know, all these wonderful things that we may tiptoe around a little bit today, and few things are as emotional as money. You know, anyone says that money is not emotional, I think is, is a robot. Right. So, you know, financial therapy is looking at the emotional and psychological side of money. And what is the impact of our relationship to money on our life? What is our personal money personality type? What are our motivations around money that impact what we do around money? And you know, a lot of your listeners might be more familiar with the term money mindset. Right. What is your money mindset, which is just a newer, more modern way of talking about your personal financial psychology. And what we think about money has a huge impact on what we do with money. It's not just about learn what to do. What we think and believe has a massive impact on our relationship to money. And it's going to come out in, in what we're talking about today, which is spirituality and money. Gloria Grace Rand Yeah, it's, this is a subject that really hits home with me. In fact, I was actually having a discussion with a friend not too, not too long ago today about, about this, and it was sort of bringing up some stuff. Even though I've done a lot of work around this subject, there's always still layers to be unpacked and, and still some, you know, beliefs and things that are under the surface. So we'll probably get to that in a little bit. But let's, let's, let's dive into why is it that we feel that money and spirituality, I guess, why are they separate? Maybe even why? I think a lot of people feel that they really need to be separate. Mikelann Valterra Yeah. Boy, that is such a great question. A great place to start. And it's also, it's also a complicated one. Right. So many people I know, like my clients, like yours, are very, very spiritually minded. And so sometimes there's this feeling of is money going to taint the process? Right. If I bring up money, does that hurt my ability to truly help people? And so that, that can be a piece of it, which would be, you know, interesting to dig into. But, but I also think that for as much as people talk about holism and holistic being, we still treat money very, very separate. You know, we. We do talk a lot about, you know, spirit versus matter, and we so want to live lives that are more connected and more holistic. But the reality is so many of us put money on the material side. And because we see money as so, so material and of this world, we think that anything having to do with money will hurt or taint or cause harm to the spiritual world. And even yet, isn't it interesting, Grace? I mean, we, we give so much thought to our spiritual natures. Why do we want to separate money? You know, we want our relationship to money to help us grow spiritually, but we tend to ignore it when it comes to anything having to do with looking at our spiritual lives. Gloria Grace Rand Yeah. And we tend to forget. And this is something I've learned in working with actually different money coaches and things over the years, is that, you know, we call money currency, which is related to energy. So it's not really material as you're talking about, is it? It's really energy. So how can, you know, how can, can that help us to, you know, start to be able to reframe our relationship with money if we can start really owning that possibility that, that money is just this energy tool that's out there. Mikelann Valterra 100 percent. Yeah, 100 percent. I mean, money. I mean, you're right. Money is energy, and we can do anything with money. And, you know, it was interesting. I was talking to someone earlier today. Money makes you more of who you already are, you know, so if you're a kind and wonderful generous person and you win the lottery, you're going to become more generous. If you weren't a very nice person and you win the lottery, well, guess what? That's going to magnify that. So money can magnify who you already are. So it's not about the money. It's about, you know, who am I? What are my values? And the more you dig into your relationship to money, the more you can start to ask, how can I use money to live out my values? How can I use money to support my spiritual practice in the world? Right. And we can see it in a lot of different ways....