Episodes

  • Terrified to Change Careers Again? Burnout-Free Pivots for Gen X Women Solopreneurs | Arlene Cohen Miller

    Terrified to Change Careers Again? Burnout-Free Pivots for Gen X Women Solopreneurs | Arlene Cohen Miller
    Jan 27 2026
    Thinking about changing careers—or reshaping your business—after divorce, illness, layoffs, or other life disruptions, but terrified you'll just burn out again? This episode was made for Gen X women solopreneurs (40-60) rebuilding on their own terms, with zero bro marketing vibes. Former AV-rated attorney turned Work-Life Harmony and Leadership Coach Arlene Cohen Miller shares how she moved from the courtroom to coaching without frying her nervous system. We talk about practical experiments you can run while you still have clients and bills, how to set boundaries when you're "the glue" for everyone, and why letting yourself fail on a small scale is one of the safest ways to test a new business or career direction. If you want sustainable growth (not hustle culture), this conversation functions as business education you can actually implement: positioning your skills for a new lane, choosing the right kind of support (coach, mentor, strategist, or therapist), and designing a work rhythm that doesn't depend on burnout to be "successful." TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Introduction and Podcasting Journey00:47 Arlene's Transition from Law to Coaching (Career Change Origin Story)03:37 The Importance of Community and Support in Big Transitions05:53 Boundaries and Self-Care for Women in Demanding Careers07:32 Redefining "Selfish" Self-Care to Prevent Burnout11:19 Following Your Intuition and Continuous Learning in Midlife15:32 Foundations of Coaching, Certification, and Second-Career Skills16:47 Understanding Burnout and Knowing When It's Time to Pivot17:20 Coach vs. Mentor vs. Strategist (Who You Actually Need in Transition)22:12 Cultural Insights from Australia (And Why People Are People Everywhere)23:44 Practical Tips for Finding Serenity: Breathwork, Nature, Tiny Breaks30:59 Embracing Failure as a Learning Opportunity in Parenting and Career33:58 Outro WHAT THIS EPISODE IS REALLY ABOUT:Yes, we talk about parenting and letting your kids fail—but this is ultimately a conversation about how we as Gen X women let ourselves fail safely while we build a second (or third) act. Arlene walks us through the micro-experiments, boundaries, and inner work that allowed her to transition from law to a harmony-focused coaching practice without recreating the same burnout in a new career. CONNECT WITH ARLENE COHEN MILLER:Jewel Consultancy: https://jewelconsultancy.com ABOUT GRATITUDE GEEK:Gratitude Geek is the business education podcast for Gen X women solopreneurs rebuilding after cancer, divorce, or loss. Hosted by Kandas Rodarte, metastatic breast cancer thriver and growth coach. Subscribe for honest conversations, practical experiments, and permission to build your business on your own terms. Theme music by Rev Brock and Soul Lily. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    36 mins
  • Rebuild From Zero: Growth Hacking After Losing Everything | Peter Murphy Lewis

    Rebuild From Zero: Growth Hacking After Losing Everything | Peter Murphy Lewis
    Jan 20 2026
    When political turmoil in Chile pushed his adopted home “into disarray,” growth hacker and documentary filmmaker Peter Murphy Lewis lost his company, his community, and the life he’d spent 14 years building. In less than two weeks, he and his wife left everything behind and moved back to the U.S. with their three‑year‑old—starting again from his parents’ basement in Kansas.​ In this conversation with host Kandas Rodarte, Peter shares how he used a “do a lot with a little” growth‑hacking mindset to rebuild from zero, and what that looks like for solopreneurs—especially women over 40—who don’t have a big team or a big ad budget. From handwritten direct‑mail campaigns and simple cold calls to testing offers with TikTok and short‑form video, Peter breaks down practical, experiment‑driven marketing that doesn’t feel like bro culture.​ You’ll also hear the human side of disruption: PTSD, identity loss when your job title disappears, cultural shock moving from Santiago to small‑town Kansas, and how niche filmmaking about CNAs and nursing homes helped Peter find new purpose and impact. If you’re navigating a major life or business pivot, this episode offers both strategy and solidarity.​ Chapters: 00:00 Rebuild from zero: Peter’s 10‑day collapse00:53 Life disruptions, PTSD, and starting over​01:34 What growth hacking really means (without bro marketing)08:01 Experiment‑driven marketing for solopreneurs over 4013:37 Direct mail, cold calls, and why “old school” still works​19:06 Facing disruption: therapy, fear, and asking for help19:59 Identity beyond job titles and losing “entrepreneur”22:43 Hyper‑niche documentaries for CNAs and nursing homes28:00 Bicultural parenting and raising resilient kids33:18 Gratitude, legacy, and rebuilding a meaningful life Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    36 mins
  • 5 Simple Ways to Clear Physical & Mental Clutter | Kerry Thomas

    5 Simple Ways to Clear Physical & Mental Clutter | Kerry Thomas
    Jan 13 2026
    Feeling overwhelmed by clutter? You're not alone—and it's affecting more than just your physical space. Professional organizer Kerry Thomas reveals how clutter impacts your energy, mental clarity, and productivity, and shares 5 actionable strategies to clear it from your life. In this conversation, Kerry explains the connection between physical clutter, digital overwhelm, and mental/emotional energy. She shares practical systems for creating clutter-free zones, processing mail and email, and leveraging your unique learning style to stay organized long-term. Perfect for Gen X women entrepreneurs and solopreneurs who need organizing strategies that actually work—without adding more stress to your already full plate. CHAPTERS: 00:00 The Journey to Clutter Clearing 03:01 The Impact of Clutter on Energy 04:17 Understanding Energetic Clutter 06:36 Five Tips to Overcome Clutter 09:42 Creating Clutter-Free Zones 12:32 Processing Mail and Email 14:33 Leveraging Learning Styles for Organization 21:21 Exploring Mindset Techniques 24:02 Creating an Optimal Work Environment 29:11 The Power of Celebration and Gratitude 36:47 Taking Action: The First Step to Decluttering WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: • How clutter affects your energy levels and mental clarity • The difference between physical, digital, and energetic clutter • 5 proven tips to overcome clutter in your home and workspace • How to create systems that work with your learning style • Mindset techniques to maintain organization without overwhelm • Why celebration is key to staying clutter-free long-term ABOUT KERRY THOMAS: Kerry is a professional organizer specializing in energetic clutter—the mental, emotional, and spiritual clutter that keeps us stuck. She delivered a TEDx talk on how clutter affects us energetically and helps clients create organizing systems that match their unique style. Connect with Kerry: Website: https://www.conquerthechaos.com/ Show Notes: https://kandasrodarte.com/306 --- ABOUT GRATITUDE GEEK: Gratitude Geek is the podcast for Gen X women solopreneurs building genuine, lasting connections with clients, colleagues, and community. Host Kandas Rodarte believes gratitude is a business strategy that transforms how we show up in our work and lives. SUBSCRIBE & LISTEN: 🎥 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@gratitudegeek 🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gratitude-geek/id820738086 🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/27dh0T1PbwsWXxfmNWZPyB?si=2303ea26860c436e 🌐 Website: https://kandasrodarte.com CONNECT WITH KANDAS: 📬 Weekly Email: https://kandasrodarte.com/subscribe 📷 Instagram: https://instagram.com/gratitudegeek 💼 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/gratitudegeek Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    41 mins
  • 305: How to Actually Make Money as a Podcast Guest (Without a Huge Audience) | Jessica Rhodes

    305: How to Actually Make Money as a Podcast Guest (Without a Huge Audience) | Jessica Rhodes
    Jan 6 2026
    She’s booked 30,000 podcast interviews, and the guests who actually made money all did one thing differently. In this episode of Gratitude Geek, Kandas Rodarte and Interview Connections founder Jessica Rhodes break down how to turn podcast guesting into real revenue instead of chasing vanity metrics.​ You’ll learn why building real relationships with hosts beats obsessing over audience size, how niche shows often convert better than “big name” podcasts, and what realistic download numbers look like even for established brands. Kandas and Jessica also unpack guesting strategies, audience–message fit, and why consistency matters more than any single “big break.”​ They share practical tactics like collaborating on YouTube, repurposing interviews across platforms, using email and playlists to warm up your own audience, and applying gratitude as a business strategy to stay top of mind for referrals. If you’re a Gen X woman solopreneur who wants podcast guesting to actually lead to clients, this conversation is your playbook.​ Link to the full show notes and resources: https://kandasrodarte.com/305​ Timestamps00:00 The Evolution of Podcasting02:23 Guesting Strategies for Success04:30 The Importance of Engagement07:02 Visibility and Audience Growth09:46 The Value of Niche Targeting12:34 Building Relationships with Hosts15:31 Leveraging Social Proof18:28 The Role of Consistency in Podcasting20:08 Metrics and Engagement Strategies24:25 Evaluating Podcast Metrics26:28 The Importance of Relationships in Podcast Guesting28:11 The Role of Authenticity in Podcast Pitches29:27 Value in Storytelling and Lessons Learned31:52 The Longevity of Podcasts33:12 The Power of Collaboration in Podcasting35:06 Ethics of Content Sharing and Credit38:03 Gratitude as a Business Strategy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    44 mins
  • Why $10K Offers Fail Gen X Women (Build Sustainable Communities Instead) | Carol Tice

    Why $10K Offers Fail Gen X Women (Build Sustainable Communities Instead) | Carol Tice
    Dec 30 2025
    Are $10K offers really the only path to a successful online business? Writer and community-builder Carol Tice shares why the high-ticket guru model fails most Gen X women entrepreneurs—and what actually works instead: sustainable communities that fit real lives. 00:00 RV Living and Lifestyle Freedom 01:46 Building a $6M Community 07:26 Trust and Online Communities 14:26 How to Launch a Paid Community 17:32 Why the $10K Offer Model Fails 20:44 Finding Real Community Opportunities 25:55 Advice for Gen X Women Entrepreneurs 31:43 Closing Gratitude and Outro You'll learn how Carol built a $6M writing community without $10K offers or hype-driven funnels, the trust factors that make online communities thrive, and practical next steps for launching or pivoting a paid community in 2025 that aligns with Gen X women values. Connect with Carol Tice Website: https://www.skool.com/community-growth-academy/about YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CommunityGrowthAcademy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/business-book-ghostwriter-community-entrepreneur-carol-tice/ Free case study: https://pages.communitygrowth.school/cga-case-optin-page Full show notes: https://kandasrodarte.com/304 Join the Gratitude Geek community: https://kandasrodarte.com/lab Gratitude Geek is proud to be part of: Podmatch – https://kandasrodarte.com/podmatch Marketing Podcast Network – https://marketingpodcasts.com Feminist Podcasters Collective – https://feministpodcasterscollective.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    33 mins
  • 303: Podcast Predictions for 2026 for Gen X Women Podcasters (with Amy Stone)

    303: Podcast Predictions for 2026 for Gen X Women Podcasters (with Amy Stone)
    Dec 23 2025
    Podcast predictions for 2026 are already taking shape. In this episode of Gratitude Geek, Kandas Rodarte and Amy Stone dive into the trends that matter most for women podcasters, especially Gen X women building sustainable, story‑driven shows. They unpack fresh data about women‑hosted podcasts, CPMs, and listener growth, then connect it to real‑world decisions about ads, networks, YouTube SEO, and how to book (and be) better guests in 2026. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why women‑hosted shows make up a minority of podcasts but over‑index on downloads and ad revenue. How Gen X women have become one of the fastest‑growing podcast listener groups—and what that means for your content and offers. What’s changed in podcasting since 2016, from indie hosting and RSS to celebrity shows, video, and “is this even a podcast?” confusion. How bro marketing, culture, and power dynamics shape who gets booked, who gets paid, and who gets heard. Our podcast predictions for 2026: new creators, shifting CPMs, Substack / algorithm fatigue, SEO vs schema, and authenticity / verification tools. Practical moves Gen X women podcasters can make now: booking more women, using networks and directories wisely, and building collaborative communities instead of going it alone. About our guest Amy Stone is the host of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, an interview‑style podcast where she shares real turning‑point stories and practical strategies for navigating adult life with more honesty and less perfectionism. Links & resources Full episode show notes: KandasRodarte.com/303 Listen to Amy’s show: The Art of Imperfect Adulting Explore Gratitude Geek Lab: KandasRodarte.com/lab If this episode resonates Follow Gratitude Geek in your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode. Share this conversation with a Gen X woman podcaster who is ready to grow her show in 2026. Leave a quick rating or review to help more women find the show. Chapters 00:00 – Live Stream Blooper & Intro 02:30 – What Changed in Podcasting Since 2016 05:30 – Women in Podcasting: Stats That Matter 10:00 – Why Women Need to Book More Women 15:00 – Bro Marketing and Gendered Pitches 19:00 – Power, Culture, and Who Gets to Talk 26:00 – The Business of Podcasting in 2025 33:00 – Podcast Predictions for 2026 41:00 – What Gen X Women Podcasters Can Do Now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    44 mins
  • 302: Marketing With Meaning for Gen X Women Solopreneurs | Leslie Smith

    302: Marketing With Meaning for Gen X Women Solopreneurs | Leslie Smith
    Dec 16 2025
    When does values-based marketing stop feeling meaningful and start feeling performative? In episode 302 of Gratitude Geek, Kandas Rodarte talks with marketing and public relations veteran Leslie Smith about how solopreneurs can market with meaning without slipping into optics-driven or shallow campaigns. They explore why alignment matters more than visibility, how storytelling builds trust, and what small business owners can realistically do to support causes they care about. This episode is especially relevant for Gen X women solopreneurs who want their marketing to reflect their values, strengthen relationships, and support sustainable business growth in 2026 and beyond. Topics covered include:– What makes values-based marketing feel authentic versus fake– Why awareness alone isn’t enough– How alignment builds long-term trust– Practical ways solopreneurs can participate in meaningful marketing– Why press releases and blogging still matter 🔗 Show notes and resources:https://kandasrodarte.com/302 Chapters: 00:00 When values-based marketing feels off03:22 What values-based marketing actually means04:43 Authenticity versus performative marketing09:21 Audience alignment and shared values10:52 Why storytelling builds trust13:25 Community impact and collaboration15:54 Built-in opportunities for meaningful marketing19:35 Practical strategies for solopreneurs24:54 Press releases and blogging still matter35:01 Closing gratitude and final thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    37 mins
  • 301: 5 Goal-Setting Shifts You Need Before 2026 | Deb Eckerling

    301: 5 Goal-Setting Shifts You Need Before 2026 | Deb Eckerling
    Dec 9 2025
    If your goals keep fizzling out by February, this episode is your wake-up call. Award-winning author and goal strategist Debra Eckerling joins me to break down the five essential goal-setting shifts Gen X women solopreneurs must make before 2026. We dig into the real drivers of motivation, the role of personal growth in building momentum, and the overlooked power of celebrating small wins along the way. Deb also explains why traditional SMART goals fall short, how the DEB Method creates clarity you can actually act on, and how intentional networking accelerates every business milestone. If you’re ready to design a year that finally matches the vision in your head, this conversation gives you the tools to do it. In this episode:• Why SMART goals fail so many people• The DEB Method for building a life you actually want• How to post your goals everywhere (and why it works)• The science and strategy behind celebrating small wins• Using networking as a goal-achievement tool• How directed journaling reveals answers you didn’t know you had• What it really takes to stay consistent all year long Connect with Debra Eckerling:https://TheDEBMethod.com Full show notes:https://kandasrodarte.com/301 Chapters: 00:00 Intro & why most people set goals backwards01:01 The DEB Method explained07:41 Why SMART goals fail10:48 Post your goals everywhere12:52 Celebrate small wins to build motivation20:44 Mission and motto as your compass25:16 Directed journaling for clarity27:55 Track your progress like it matters32:47 How Deb landed Guy Kawasaki & Brian Tracy42:30 Deb’s moment of gratitude Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    45 mins