She Rises

On this episode of She Rises, host Giovanna Capozza talks with Linda Graham, author of Resilience: Powerful Practices for Bouncing Back from Disappointment, Difficulty, and Even Disaster. Giovanna and Linda discuss the power of resilience and the fact it is trainable and recoverable. The world constantly throws obstacles at us that make us feel like we will break, and today, we find power in knowing we can survive by practicing simple exercises to retrain our level of resiliency.   Linda shares her definition of resiliency and different levels of disturbance.    Linda discusses how people respond differently to different events at different times in their lives.   Linda explains where resiliency lives in our brain and exercises to strengthen the capacity of our brain to increase our range of resilience. Remembering one moment where you felt safe can activate the release of oxytocin and decrease blood pressure, which allows your body to find a sense of ease and calm. Linda talks about the power of giving yourself permission to breathe in fully and exhale fully in order to reset the nervous system.   When we understand something, we’re more likely to do it. When we experience the benefit, we’re more likely to repeat it and make it a new, active habit. Linda discusses fight/flight/freeze responses and exercises we can do to physically change our reaction to each. Linda explains how to notice the shift in your nervous system and build your response flexibility.   Linda discusses the addictive quality of positive stress. Linda shares the power of mindfulness and mindful movement. Memorable Quotes: We learn resilience from experience. We have the power to choose experiences now to strengthen the brain to make ourselves more resilient. Little and often; small practices repeated many times is how the brain learns and rewires itself for resiliency. We’re learning how to pay attention to the experience in our bodies and deciding how we want to respond and how we want to channel energy. If we can relax our attention and let the brain come up with its own answers, that’s where our insights and intuitions happen. Shit happens, but shift happens, too. Resources Mentioned: Linda Graham’s Book Flow

Welcome back to another episode of She Rises! Today, Giovanna Capozza talks with Alexia Vernon. Alexia is a speaking and leadership coach and author of the book Step into Your Moxie: Amplify Your Voice, Visibility, and Influence in the World. Alexia has committed her life to show women how to “step into their moxie®” and has delivered transformational keynotes and corporate training for Fortune 500 companies, college campuses, professional associations, the United Nations, and delivered a TEDx talk on the future of feminism. Alexia understands what it’s like to be terrified to speak and shares practical ways to shift this fear. She discusses her own experiences of using her voice and what it means to connect with others in a way that inspires change. Alexia presents a soul-stirring call to action for women to speak up for themselves, their ideas, and the issues that matter most to them.        Alexia gives a glimpse into her struggle with finding her own voice.   Alexia shares how she learned to shift fear and step into greatness. Alexia explains the benefits of role-playing and preparing for public speaking. Giovanna talks about the differences between being prepared and winging it. Alexia discusses why visibility is a responsibility and not just an opportunity. Alexia explains how visibility helps us connect with others more, even if you don’t have a huge platform. Alexia shares how she cultivates her own voice and message. Alexia discusses the difference in focusing on the source of an issue instead of the symptoms. Alexia talks about point of view and how to hone in on what message you want to share. If you’re not a little disruptive, you’re not helping others have a profound shift in their life. Alexia explains compassionate confidence and unapologetically speaking your truth. Giovanna and Alexia emphasize the need for responsible communication. If what you choose to speak about aligns with your values, and you’d be out of integrity by playing it safe and small, be ready to rise through discomfort and rise into leadership.   Memorable Quotes: Learn to be with discomfort. Use meditation and powerful visualizations to enjoy and be grateful for experiences that make you nervous. When a lot of people saying something similar, it’s a sign that the world needs that message.     Would you rather be liked or would you prefer to have impact? When we are in our truth, those who really need us will raise their hands and those in our communities will show up more powerfully.   We are fortunate that we can have a voice and that we can step out and speak up.     Resources Mentioned: Alexia Vernon’s Website Alexia’s Book: Step into Your Moxie

In this special episode, Giovanna dives into a topic near and dear to her heart: The Hero’s--or Heroine’s--Journey. Sometimes we get to a place in our lives where we feel stuck. Maybe we feel like we are in a cave; we have no energy or inspiration. Or maybe we’re actually in an upswing and there’s lots of inspiration. The challenge is that sometimes we can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel or we even believe there is no end to the tunnel. Understanding the heroine’s journey as a model of looking at the cycles of your life and where you are in your world, and what the next phase for you is, can be very calming and helpful.   Giovanna explains what the Hero’s (Heroine’s) Journey entails. Giovanna discusses her “Ordinary World” and her “Call to Adventure”. Giovanna challenges listeners to determine what stage of the Hero’s Journey they are in. EVERYONE gets a call and many people “Refuse the Call” or ignore it. Giovanna talks about her experience of  “Meeting the Mentor”. “Crossing the Threshold” is scary because it means you’re leaving the Ordinary World and entering the Special World. Giovanna shares what challenges arise after Crossing the Threshold. “Entering the Cave” is where you go within and into the deepest darkest parts of yourself.   Giovanna talks about “The Ordeal” and the “Dark Night of the Soul”and feeling completely alone. Giovanna shares her own experiences of “Reward” and “Resurrection”. Giovanna explains “The Greater Becoming” and why “Returning with Elixir” is required to help others.    Giovanna relates the cycle to fear and failure and what keeps us from our “Greater Becoming”. Tweetable Quotes: Recognize that your situation is temporary and that there’s a way to ALLOW yourself to be here.   Leaving the old behind and understanding you’re stepping into the unknown can be scary but is necessary in your journey of becoming. Pause and reflect: Where are you in the cycle? Just knowing where you are in the cycle can be reassuring. When there’s understanding, we can dissipate fear. We often get stuck in parts of this journey because we judge our failures and our fears. What if we understood that it’s just a cycle? It’s not going to serve you to do what everyone else is doing. What if you’re meant to pave your own path? To go your own way? To answer your calling?   Resources Mentioned: Joseph Campbell: The Hero’s Journey

On this episode of She Rises, host Giovanna Capozza talks with Ruby Fremon. Ruby is a coach for the new generation of thought leaders and her no-bullshit approach ignites true transformation, while flipping fear into actualized ambition, and doubt into absolute confidence. Ruby works with leaders, from artists to entrepreneurs, who are ready to rise above their limitations and amplify their message. Coaching hundreds of clients, she is a catalyst for change and is hugely successful at helping her clients embody radical resiliency and an unstoppable mentality. Her bold, no-nonsense approach to help leaders rise up, fulfill their missions and make their voices heard. A warning that we will swear on this show and some f-bombs will be used! So, settle in and get ready for this really frank, open, honest, and down  to earth conversation with someone who admire for her ability to not give a F***!! Ruby shares her past struggles with depression and addiction and how she got to her “F*** it” place. Giovanna discusses the power of self-expression and vulnerability. Ruby explains why her nickname is the “Voice Catalyst”. Ruby shares what it means to express yourself and learn how to open your throat chakra. How to navigate fear and judgement and understand that failure is going to happen. Ruby encourages others to face their fears and know you have the choice to keep going. Giovanna discusses the power of being in touch with yourself. Ruby talks about the value of creating your own container and category for yourself. Ruby shares what step will help overcome fear and allow for more self expression. Ruby explains conquering bullshit with CPR: courage, persistence, resilience Tweetable Quotes: There is such a potency to truth because it bridges a connection to others. It’s not about what’s outside of us; it’s about tapping into what’s within us and finding freedom to express ourselves. Purpose outweighs bullshit. If you’re in touch with your purpose for the expression, that in and of itself will take you through the fear. We are anxious because we are denying pieces of our f****ing truth. Whatever the one tiny piece of action you can take today that will put you on the other side of fear, DO IT. Do it today. The only way through is through action. Take ownership of your actions and know that you are the only thing holding you back.   Everyone is dealt the same amount of courage.     Resources Mentioned: Ruby Fremon Conquer Your Bullshit with C.P.R.

On this episode of She Rises, host Giovanna Capozza talks with coach, writer, and speaker, Dr. Mandy Leto. She is a champion of people seeking more, which typically includes more light, more peace, more purpose, and more authenticity. She works with high achievers who are ready to redefine success without taking the off-ramp into self-help oblivion. Mandy herself is a high achieving woman, a type A personality, and she has found a way to live a life that is more balanced and more supportive of her personal health. Mandy and I both discuss our real-world, real-life, rock-bottom moments. We dive into what it looks like to ignore burnout, what the early signs of burnout are, and what it feels like to hit the burnout wall. We go into Mandy’s personal story and the lessons she received along the way, and the ones she imparts to clients in and out of the corporate world who are ready to live a life that has more balance, purpose, and peace. Mandy shares her journey and how she normalized symptoms of burnout. Mandy explains how she looked for quick fixes to keep holding herself up. Mandy discusses what it means to over-identify with achieving and lose your identity. Giovanna shares her own struggle with chronic fatigue and burnout. Giovanna discusses the difficulties of being instead of doing. Mandy shares her gratitude practices and ways to feel more embodied. There is this wisdom, there is this being in our bodies, there is this being able to embrace a whole new era with excitement and anticipation. Practices to slow down and to practice gratitude. Mandy discusses what it means to over-yes and over-give and the need for boundaries. Remember to put yourself into your life. Mandy encourages people to not listen to the negative “2AM voices” and recognize them as a symptom of burnout.      Memorable Quotes: “Life tells you nothing. It shows you everything.” Who am I when I don’t have to be “somebody”? I can be who I want. I don’t need to hustle for worthiness or be somebody for somebody else. Be grateful to be in this vessel, be in a constant state of marveling about what the body is able to do and what we put it through. It’s a tremendous piece of machinery that we own.    Resources Mentioned: Tribe of Mentors by Tim Ferriss

On this episode of She Rises, host Giovanna Capozza interviews Megan Llorente, a female-led entrepreneur and transformative coach taking people deeper than themselves to uncover their dharma. Megan’s created a personal growth organization called Women in Dharma. Megan talks about her She Rises story when she realized she needed to reinvent. She explored a lot of opportunities but landed on coaching. Megan explains what the Enneagram is and what it’s for. We have all nine of the Enneagram energies within us, but one usually rises to the surface. Megan compares the Enneagram to other personality typing systems such as Myers-Briggs. The Enneagram doesn’t define you, you choose what is and is not a healthy or unhealthy state. Megan introduces the concept of Dharma - the energy of being aligned on the path that the universe has set you on. When you’re in Dharma, the abundance flows effortlessly. When you’re in Dharma you learn to start living with the flow of your own life. We are multidimensional and you don’t have to choose one talent or focus. Megan talks about how her Dharma has shifted and changed over the years. Take one step at a time, you don’t have to accomplish it all overnight. Tweetable Quotes: It takes stepping back and looking at your own self deep within, we’re used to looking externally for the answers. The Enneagram is to understand yourself and give you a deep understanding of others. At the end of the day, the Enneagram is a tool, it doesn’t define you. I only want to spend my time on things that are Dharmic. Resources Mentioned: GiovannaCapozza.com The Enneagram Institute

On this episode of She Rises, host Giovanna Capozza interviews Yvonne Tally, author of Breaking Up With Busy, she leads meditation and destressing programs for corporations, individuals, and private groups in Silicon Valley. She’s an NLP Master Practitioner, co-founder of Poised Inc. and the founder of the Sisterhood of the Travelling Scarves. Yvonne shares her story of breaking up with busy. After a panic attack due to her busy lifestyle, she realized she needed to help people. We’ve turned the leisure life into the busy life, it makes us feel important and connected. Yvonne talks about how she went from an anxiety attack to mindfulness. How can women identify themselves as overscheduled, and not “lazy.” Business has a big impact on every aspect of our personal wellness and relationships. Yvonne explains the difference between being busy and being productive. Taming time is about choosing to make priorities and thinking of time as a resource. Yvonne explains the role of silence in combatting the busy life. Everything in this world comes from human imagination, even nature. Shift your energy and thoughts toward what you want to create instead of what you fear. The three things you can do to become aware of the pace you’re in each day. Tweetable Quotes: We wear being busy as a badge of honor. In our culture with social media, we fake happiness. The brain can’t multi-task, so the things we’ve been doing are in conflict with one another. If everything is important, then nothing is important. If we’re too busy we can’t even set our priorities. Resources Mentioned: GiovannaCapozza.com Breaking Up with Busy: Real-Life Solutions for Overscheduled Women - book by Yvonne Tally Sisterhood of Traveling Scarves

On this episode of She Rises, host Giovanna Capozza interviews Julie M. Simon, a licensed psychotherapist and life coach with over 27 years of experience helping overeaters and author of When Food is Comfort and The Emotional Eaters Repair Manual. Julie tells the story behind how she arrived on the topic of overeating. Body shaming and exposure to perennial dieting kickstarted an unhealthy relationship with food. At an early age many children are taught that food is comfort and children are not attuned to their emotions. When our brain is forming, we need consistent and sufficient emotional nurturance. The logical and soothing part of the brain need to be properly wired to the emotional part. Caregivers need to be well tuned in to themselves and those they care for. Julie goes over the emotional eating checklist from her book. Julie talks about ways you can fix the damage done during childhood. The inner nurturer can step in and regulate and attune you. Your inner nurturing voice will provide hope. Overeaters resist the practice of having a nourishing voice and having dialogues with themselves. How to talk to yourself in an emotionally kind way and stop resisting nurture. Tweetable Quotes Over time I found all of the imbalances that underlie our relationship with food. There’s got to be some difference between people who get addicted to substances and people who don’t. Emotions point us in the direction of our needs. Resources Mentioned GiovannaCapozza.com www.overeatingrecovery.com

On this episode of She Rises, host Giovanna Capozza interviews Amber Runyon, candlemaker and storyteller. She founded Legacy and Eleventh Candle Co. to bring hope to women in the U.S. and Ethiopia. Amber saw women in Ethiopia being sold to brothels in broad daylight. How do we go from raped to redeemed and move women to a place of wellness? Discuss how you can make a pledge to help victims and survivors. Share the story of the entrepreneurial side of your business. Amber discusses the importance of mentoring and being mentored. They’ve built a team and taken their business from $250 to over $1 million in revenue. Amber now has the ability to know that if she’s not healthy the company isn’t healthy. What Amber is learning and still has to practice daily it’s that one is enough. Discuss the list of values on the Eleventh Candle Company website. The four core values are to redeem, restore, empower, and equip in that order. Begin to dream like little girls again because the world feels really dark right now. Amber explains where the Eleventh Candle Co name came from. Tweetable Quotes If we teach broken women to dream like little girls again, it will be a force that the world has yet to see. A lot of people think of human trafficking as something that happens “over there,” and not in our own backyards. People need three things to thrive - safe place, safe people, and purpose. I’ll never stop working until everyone has the ability to have a safe place, safe people, and purpose. You are the only thing that you are radically responsible for. Resources Mentioned GiovannaCapozza.com Eleventh Candle Co.