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Gratitude Geek

Gratitude Geek

By: Kandas Rodarte
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About this listen

 Marketing | Mindset | Growth Gratitude Geek is the podcast for female solopreneurs who are done with burnout, bro-marketing, and BS. Hosted by Kandas Rodarte—small business growth coach, metastatic breast cancer thriver, and relationship marketing expert—this weekly show serves up practical business tips mixed with soulful conversations. It’s where getting real about entrepreneurship meets strategy, systems, and a shot of truth. Whether you’re a coach, creator, healer, marketer, or midlife business badass reinventing yourself, you’ll find tools, stories, and strategies to help you grow your business with grace, not grind. What to expect: ✔️Relationship marketing that feels good (yes, you can ditch the cold DMs and fake funnels) ✔️Time-saving productivity hacks and automation tips designed for female solopreneurs who still want to feel human ✔️Email marketing, podcasting, and storytelling that connect you to clients who get you ✔️Conversations with thought-leaders who are building businesses their way—messy, meaningful, and totally aligned ✔️Real talk on navigating chronic illness, reinvention, resilience, and how to show up in business when life throws curveballs Kandas has been online since the days of dial-up. She's built and sold businesses, coached hundreds of women, and still believes the best marketing strategy is a greeting card and a warm intro. She brings decades of experience—and a don’t-hold-back attitude—to every episode. This is not: 🚫A hustle culture echo chamber 🚫A bro-marketing how-to manual 🚫Another cookie-cutter productivity podcast This is: ✔️Coffee-fueled creativity ✔️Values-driven business growth ✔️The occasional well-placed F-bomb of truth If you believe that connection matters more than conversion rates, that automation should never strip away authenticity, and that your business should serve your life—not the other way around—you’re in the right place. Pull up a chair. Grab your coffee. Let’s get geeky about gratitude, growth, and growing a business that fits your life. New episodes every week on Apple, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.2013-2025 Aqua Vista LLC for Kandas Nesbitt-Rodarte. All Rights Reserved. Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Marketing Marketing & Sales
Episodes
  • Self-Care Survival | Deb Davis, Nicole Havelka and Di Hilstad

    Self-Care Survival | Deb Davis, Nicole Havelka and Di Hilstad
    Sep 2 2025
    Running your own business is rewarding, but let’s be honest—it can also be exhausting, overwhelming, and sometimes downright soul-sucking. In this episode of Gratitude Geek, I chat with three powerhouse solopreneurs—Deb Davis, Nicole Halveka, and Di Hilstad—about survival-level self-care strategies for women over 40. From setting boundaries and asking for help to creating your personal “Survivor’s Toolkit,” we cover practical, real-world ways to protect your energy, thrive in your business, and still find time to breathe. Whether you’re facing burnout, health challenges, or just want to reclaim your calendar, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you survive—and even enjoy—entrepreneurship. Meet the Host Kandas Rodarte is a business coach, podcaster, and internet marketing pioneer who has been helping women solopreneurs over 40 grow businesses that fit their lives for decades. Living with metastatic breast cancer since 2014, she understands firsthand the importance of self-care, boundaries, and working smart—less hustle, more impact. Meet the Guests Deb Davis is an accomplished headshot photographer and author, known for her stress-free sessions and expert expression coaching. She serves as President of Professional Photographers of Michigan (2024–2025) and is an elite Associate with the Peter Hurley Photography Group. Deb helps professionals over 40 show up fully, inside and out, using photography as a tool to highlight confidence and authenticity. Her personal journey as a breast cancer survivor has reshaped her approach to self-care and legacy, making her a relatable guide for solopreneurs navigating life and work simultaneously. Nicole Halveka is a burnout recovery and prevention coach who helps solopreneurs thrive amid chaos. With a background in institutional church leadership and years of navigating conflict and change, Nicole emphasizes spiritual practices, intentional planning, and community support as keys to sustainable success. She founded her coaching business to pass along strategies that help women over 40 avoid burnout while building businesses that reflect their true values. Dianna “Di” Hilstad is a bold, creative entrepreneur and solopreneur coach who helps women build businesses that feel authentic. Known for blending strategy with sass, Di has reinvented herself multiple times, including navigating breast cancer, a hysterectomy, and a broken ankle. She champions asking for help, setting boundaries, and thinking outside the box, making her insights invaluable for women balancing health, life, and business. Links Deb: https://upage.in/deb Nicole: http://defythetrend.com/ Di: http://instagram.com/dihils Energy Mapping: https://designingyour.life/insights/find-your-flow-with-energy-maps/ Full Show Notes: https://kandasrodarte.com/287 Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to Self-Care for Solopreneurs01:01 – Deb Davis: Self-Care Journey and Insights01:50 – Nicole Halveka: Burnout Recovery and Business Growth03:40 – Facing Mortality: Deb’s Perspective on Legacy06:46 – Creating a Survivor’s Toolkit for Solopreneurs12:00 – Establishing Boundaries and Recognizing Limits19:15 – Di Hilstad: Asking for Help and Pausing When Needed22:35 – Lessons on Self-Care and Community Support25:18 – Setting Boundaries Through Asking for Help27:59 – Balancing Giving and Receiving29:08 – Understanding and Enforcing Boundaries31:51 – Impact of Personal Stories on Relationships37:40 – Navigating the Sharing of Personal Experiences40:07 – Lightning Round: Quickfire Insights === Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, comment & share! Join the Gratitude Geek community and stay updated with exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and more. Sign up for our email list here: http://kandasrodarte.com/subscribe Support Gratitude Geek Podcast At Gratitude Geek, we aim to spread gratitude, sow seeds of appreciation, and harvest a bounty of generosity and kindness. As a listener, reader, and subscriber, you are part of this mission, and we are honored to have your support. If possible, please help finance the show: http://kandasrodarte.com/support Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in the show notes may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show! Gratitude Geek is part of the Podmatch Network. Learn how Podmatch can help you grow your visibility: http://kandasrodarte.com/podmatch
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    46 mins
  • Why Chasing Joy Is Better Than Chasing Money | Gretchen Schoser

    Why Chasing Joy Is Better Than Chasing Money | Gretchen Schoser
    Aug 26 2025

    How one entrepreneur turned a mental health crisis into a mission-driven business

    Is money really the measure of success—or is joy the real currency of entrepreneurship?

    In episode 286 of Gratitude Geek Podcast, host Kandas Rodarte talks with Gretchen Schoser, founder of Schoser Talent and Wellness Solutions and co-host of the award-winning podcast Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads.

    After surviving a mental health crisis, Gretchen rebuilt her life and business from the ground up. Today she helps small business owners embrace people-first leadership, employee wellness, and authentic growth strategies. Together, we explore how gratitude, resilience, and humor can transform not only your business—but your entire outlook on success.

    This conversation is packed with wisdom for female solopreneurs, creative entrepreneurs, and small business owners who want to grow with purpose instead of pressure.

    What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
    • Why joy—not money—creates sustainable business success
    • How to reinvent yourself after personal or professional setbacks
    • Practical wellness habits to help entrepreneurs thrive
    • How gratitude builds stronger client and team relationships

    Time Stamps:

    00:00 – Intro: Chasing Joy vs. Chasing Money
    02:15 – Gretchen Schoser’s Mental Health Journey
    07:40 – From Pain to Purpose: Launching Schoser Solutions
    12:10 – People-First Leadership for Small Business Owners
    18:25 – Gratitude as a Business Growth Strategy
    23:50 – Using Humor & Honesty in Podcasting
    29:30 – Reinventing Entrepreneurship After Setbacks
    35:00 – Wellness Habits for Entrepreneur Success
    42:15 – Small Business Hiring & Team-Building Tips
    48:20 – Advice for Female Solopreneurs Over 40
    53:00 – Final Takeaways: Choosing Joy Every Day

    Connect with Gretchen Schoser:

    🌐 Website: https://schosersolutions.com
    🎙️ Podcast: https://goesoninourheads.net

    📖 Full Show Notes: https://kandasrodarte.com/286

    📥 Grab your free guide: Move the Needle: 8 Bold AI Experiments for Small Business Momentum → http://kandasrodarte.com/bold

    ===

    Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, comment & share!

    Join the Gratitude Geek community and stay updated with exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and more. Sign up for our email list here: http://kandasrodarte.com/subscribe

    Support Gratitude Geek Podcast

    At Gratitude Geek, we aim to spread gratitude, sow seeds of appreciation, and harvest a bounty of generosity and kindness. As a listener, reader, and subscriber, you are part of this mission, and we are honored to have your support. If possible, please help finance the show: http://kandasrodarte.com/support

    Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in the show notes may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show!

    Gratitude Geek is part of the Podmatch Network. Learn how Podmatch can help you grow your visibility: http://kandasrodarte.com/podmatch

    Show More Show Less
    55 mins
  • 3 AI Tools I Use Everyday | Kandas Rodarte

    3 AI Tools I Use Everyday | Kandas Rodarte
    Aug 19 2025

    In this solo episode of Gratitude Geek, I tackle a controversial claim about artificial intelligence:

    “The underlying purpose of AI is to allow wealth to access skill while removing from the skilled the ability to access wealth.” – @jeffowski

    I call BS.

    Instead, I share how AI actually levels the playing field and helps solopreneurs like me grow their businesses. You’ll hear how I use three powerful tools every day:

    • NotebookLM for research and repurposing podcast/blog content

    • ChatGPT (aka “River”) for brainstorming, clarity, and even pep talks

    • Canva’s AI tools for quick, professional graphics that save time

    Plus, I’ll update you on what’s new on the Gratitude Geek blog, and I’m announcing a brand-new free guide: 8 Bold Experiments to Move the Needle in Your Business.

    🔗 Download the free guide here → http://kandasrodarte.com/bold
    🔗 Explore the blog → http://kandasrodarte.com/blog
    🔗 Full Show Notes: http://kandasrodarte.com/285

    Whether you’re curious about AI, skeptical of the hype, or looking for practical tools to help your small business, this episode will give you fresh perspective (and a few bold experiments to try).

    ===

    Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, comment & share!

    Join the Gratitude Geek community and stay updated with exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and more. Sign up for our email list here: http://kandasrodarte.com/subscribe

    Support Gratitude Geek Podcast

    At Gratitude Geek, we aim to spread gratitude, sow seeds of appreciation, and harvest a bounty of generosity and kindness. As a listener, reader, and subscriber, you are part of this mission, and we are honored to have your support. If possible, please help finance the show: http://kandasrodarte.com/support

    Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in the show notes may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show!

    Gratitude Geek is part of the Podmatch Network. Learn how Podmatch can help you grow your visibility: http://kandasrodarte.com/podmatch

    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
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