Turning 30 is something that a lot of us dread. It’s as if the age that we thought was so “old” when we were young has finally crept up on us and there’s nothing that you can do about it. A lot of us are scared to turn 30 because we loved our 20s so much. In our 20s we had the freedom to figure it out but once you turn 30, you feel like you should …

Do you feel like you’re always running on empty? Like you’re stuck in a negative energy cycle that no matter what you do, you just can’t seem to get out of? In this episode, we’re delving into the complex world of personal energy and its profound impact on our lives with my guest, Rebecca Ahmed. Rebecca is an award-winning speaker, business consult…

When I have guests on my podcast, I always like to have a topic, but sometimes there’s beauty in having a conversation with a guest about one thing and it surprisingly leads to something we didn’t even plan for. What started as an interview about redefining failure and success turned into a really beautiful story of how a former professional poker …

In this episode, I am sharing my raw and honest journey as a new mom struggling to navigate the mental load of motherhood. From juggling the demands of working from home and taking care of my child full time to hosting this very podcast, I'm opening up about the overwhelming challenges I face daily. I'm getting candid about the emotional and mental…

Most of my life, I was the Katie that everyone expected me to be, it wasn’t until I was an adult that it all started to seem inauthentic. Once I discovered who I truly was, that's when everything changed for me. Maybe you’ve had a similar experience or are on your journey of finding who you truly are and that’s why you’ve decided to listen to this …

One thing I love about doing this podcast is that I get to have conversations with people who are much smarter than me and this interview is no exception. I loved getting the opportunity to talk to Dr. Jackie Heller, MD, a psychoanalyst, who is board-certified in psychiatry and neurology. She recently published a book, now an Amazon Bestseller: Yes…

I'm sharing my birth story! At 6 months postpartum, it was very therapeutic for me to reflect on everything that occurred when I brought my daughter into this world. While it was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do physically, mentally, and emotionally, it was the most intense and remarkable experience. Words don't do it justice. Whethe…

Being an introvert in the workplace or leadership position can be intimidating, right? In this empowering episode, I am joined by the lovely Julianna Yau Yorgan, a professional coach for introverts. During our conversation, we explore the unique strengths and perspectives of introverted individuals. Julianna even debunks some common misconceptions …

In this deeply personal episode, I reflect on my pregnancy journey, detailing the emotional ups and downs, the physical challenges, and the profound lessons I learned along the way. From the initial shock of discovering I was pregnant to navigating the complexities of pregnancy and ultimately welcoming my daughter into the world, I am sharing my ra…

Let’s talk about self-worth, shall we? When it comes to confidence, I feel like self-worth is something that is often overlooked, but it’s vital to our confidence. When we’re born we have so much self-worth. But as we start to grow up, that’s when our self-worth begins to get holes poked in it. There are people and experiences that we all encounter…

Do you find it hard to set boundaries? Girl, me too. I think most people struggle with identifying when a boundary needs to be set AND actually setting that boundary. I’ve learned the hard way why setting boundaries is so important and I am sure many of you have to. We don’t see many great examples of healthy boundary setting and why we all get int…

Denial. It’s not something that anyone wants to talk about, right? But we all have experience with it. That’s why I’m so excited to introduce you to Dr. Jane Greer. Dr. Jane Greer is a Marriage and Family Therapist, Psychotherapist, author, radio host, and creator of “SHRINK WRAP,” the popular commentary on what we can learn from the trials and tri…

Have you been searching for love for a long time? Or does your life feel out of balance? Do things just feel off, or do you feel like something is missing? Well, my friend, this episode is for you! I am delighted to introduce you to Feng Shui expert, Patricia Lohan. Not only is she an expert in the art of ancient energy work, but she’s also a manif…

Do you wish you were more confident when it comes to speaking? Whether we’re in front of a group or a single person, a lot of us struggle with feeling confident when we speak. And there might actually be things that we’re doing or saying if we speak that immediately undercut our credibility. Maybe your voice shakes, or you sway a lot. Or if you’re …

When was the last time you got what you wanted? Having a hard time thinking about it? Me too! As women, we’ve been conditioned to settle for less and not even take what’s given to us. But guess what- you CAN get what you want and you WILL get what you want after you finish listening to this episode. I loved the conversation that I had with my guest…

When I think of someone confident, the word happy also comes to my mind. It seems that those who are the most confident in themselves are the most secure and seem the most happy by definition. I think that throughout our confidence journeys, we’re trying to find the things that will make us happy, the things that make us feel most alive and secure …

Are you frustrated with yourself? Do you find yourself complaining or are you constantly stuck in a rut? In this episode, we talk about one of my favorite topics and that’s Confidence Through Consistency. Consistency is super important to me, but it’s something that I often struggle with and I think that many of you may struggle with too to some de…

Are you blocking your business’ growth and success? Many CEOs are the bottleneck of their business – in this episode, we talk all about how to get yourself out of the way so that you can scale more quickly and sustainably (without burnout) in your business and in life! Lauren Goldstein is the founder and CEO of the award-winning and globally recogn…

Whether or not being a mom is something that's in your future, trying to juggle a life and a career is something that a lot of women worry about. There's a lot of shame and guilt that women feel when it comes to navigating motherhood and having a successful career. That's why I am so excited to bring you this interview with Samantha Tradelius. A bo…

In life, we'll always go through different seasons, eras (hey swifties), chapters, whatever you want to call them and it's all about how we choose to navigate them. If you're looking for some encouragement for the season you're in right now, look no further. This episode is for you. Plus, I've been keeping a little secret and you'll have to listen …

Do you build things up so much in your mind only to be disappointed by the outcome? You're not alone. My guest, Jenna Brocious, and I talk about how it all comes down to our need to control things, and when we release that control that's where true freedom begins! Jenna Brocious is a speaker and creator of positive intention prayer cards. Her missi…

Most of us have to work to afford the life that we want, but many of us are in jobs that we don't enjoy or have caused us to feel burnt out. Are you ready to find a job or career that you love? It's possible! My guest in this episode is Leading Career Development Expert and Multi-Best-Selling Author, Vicky Oliver. She's the author of many best-sell…

At the end of the day all we truly want is to be happy, right? But what does happiness really mean to us? And why is it not something that we feel like we can have? Why does being happy seem so unattainable? In this episode of the Contagious Confidence Podcast, we talk about: What is holding us back from being happy Why making changes is necessary …

Do you find it hard to stand up for yourself? This episode is for YOU! Christen Yuan is a Master Life Coach certified by the Elementum Coaching Institute. She is the Host of the Modern Day Asians Podcast where she talks about the challenges she faces as an Asian American and offers coaching on how to start overcoming those struggles. Her passion is…

When it comes to confidence, mastering your mindset is one of the hardest and most important things you can do. In this episode of the Contagious Confidence Podcast, we talk about: The importance of making mindset shifts How to make mindset shifts Examples of ways you can shift your mindset Different scenarios that can affect your mindset Tips for …

Divorce. Is not a word we love to hear. Right?! If you want a divorce. You’re not the only one. In the United States, between 35%-50% of first-time marriages end in divorce. Many women have and will face a divorce, which is why when given the opportunity to have my guest, Nanci Smith, Esq on my podcast, I jumped at the chance. Nanci Smith is an att…

Because we all need a reminder to be kind to ourselves. In this episode of the Contagious Confidence Podcast, we talk about: Why being kind to yourself is important Why you're not alone in this Giving yourself grace Surrounding yourself with kind people What you're going through right now is temporary Stay Connected: Katie’s IG: @katieehawkes Podca…

The word negotiation feels big and scary, doesn’t it? I’m always like– I’d rather not. The thing is, negotiations can make us feel uncomfortable or make us feel like we should already be on the defense. I think a lot of us go ahead and tell ourselves we’re going to lose anyway so we don’t even try. Negotiating is most common regarding jobs, salarie…

Making friends is hard. Keeping friends is even harder. Especially as an adult. Everyone has their own lives and schedules, and it gets so discouraging at times. When you do try and make time to see a friend or plan something it could be weeks before your schedules actually line up. Friends are such an important part of our lives, but I am starting…

When we’re young, we’re taught that it’s not okay to have an ego. That ego is a negative thing. Right? But the truth is, we all have an ego. No matter how much we don’t want to admit it, we're born with an ego and it never goes away. I love how Oprah describes the ego on her Super Soul Sunday podcast she says that ego is …a person's sense of self-e…

If you feel like you have to be productive all of the time, you're not alone. There's actually a term for it and it is called Internalized Capitalism. Productivity is valued and leisure is not. Why? Because we tie our self-worth to how productive we are. You can break free of this mindset. This is something that so many of us struggle with and it s…

What do you think of when you hear the word "brave"? I think of people who have, despite their fear, conquered something. It’s also a word that my guest in this episode has chosen to be her word of the year for 2023 and what inspired her to reach out to me to be on this podcast and start her YouTube channel. Juliet Rath is a newlywed and young prof…

The time has finally come, the end of Book 2! This week Julianna and Keerstan discuss the episodes The Guru and Crossroads of Destiny, to wrap up this season of Ember Island Players! Thank you for listen to season 2! See you soon for bonus episodes and Book 3! Want to support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/emberislandplayerspod Credits: Moder…

What is holding you back from pursuing your dreams and desires? If you have an idea or there’s something that you have always wanted to do- what’s stopping you? Episode mentioned: How Living in Pleasure & Joy will Lead to Financial and Emotional Abundance with Jen Szpigiel Follow my mother-in-law's art journey: @cindyhawkesart In this episode of th…

In this bonus episode, Keerstan and Julianna pause before the season finale due to Julianna's sore throat, to discuss who among the other characters in Avatar would make a good Avatar. Want to support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/emberislandplayerspod Credits: Modern Mythos Network intro and outro written and performed by Sean McNeilly The …

Beauty and confidence - they have a lot to do with each other. Think about someone you think is super confident. Do they believe they’re beautiful? You bet they do! When you’re your most confident self, believing you are beautiful comes to you a lot easier. It doesn’t mean that you won’t have your moments where you pick yourself apart, but confiden…

This week Julianna and Keerstan try to stay positive while they storm the Earth Kingdom Palace, discussing Book 2 Episode 15: The Earth King! Want to support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/emberislandplayerspod Credits: Modern Mythos Network intro and outro written and performed by Sean McNeilly The Ember Island Players theme Music Credit: “S…

A new year is always a good time to start fresh. For many, it’s a clean slate, a good jumping-off point. Some people come up with resolutions, or if you’re like me, you set goals, or finally make the leap and start something you’ve been putting off because a new year always gives us a renewed perspective on things. For the first time in a few years…

This week Keerstan and Julianna double up so they can end on a happier note, discussing Book 2 Episodes 16 and 17, Appa's Lost Days and Lake Laogai! Want to support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/emberislandplayerspod Credits: Modern Mythos Network intro and outro written and performed by Sean McNeilly The Ember Island Players theme Music Cre…

This week Julianna, and Keerstan welcome Alyse Hogan back to the podcast, this time IRL, as the trio hold back tears discussing Book 2 Episode 15: Tales of Ba Sing Se! Want to support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/emberislandplayerspod Credits: Modern Mythos Network intro and outro written and performed by Sean McNeilly The Ember Island Play…

This week Keerstan and Julianna make it past the outer wall, and discuss Book 2 Episode 14: City of Walls and Secrets! Want to support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/emberislandplayerspod Credits: Modern Mythos Network intro and outro written and performed by Sean McNeilly The Ember Island Players theme Music Credit: “Secret Tunnel” by august…

This week, Julianna and Keerstan do another double episode, discussing The Serpent's Pass and The Drill! Want to support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/emberislandplayerspod Credits: Modern Mythos Network intro and outro written and performed by Sean McNeilly The Ember Island Players theme Music Credit: “Secret Tunnel” by augustodiniz Album A…

This week Keerstan and Julianna double up once more, and discuss the episodes The Library and The Desert! Want to support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/emberislandplayerspod Credits: Modern Mythos Network intro and outro written and performed by Sean McNeilly The Ember Island Players theme Music Credit: “Secret Tunnel” by augustodiniz Album …

This week, Julianna and Keerstan double up and discuss episodes The Chase and Bitter Work! Want to support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/emberislandplayerspod Credits: Modern Mythos Network intro and outro written and performed by Sean McNeilly The Ember Island Players theme Music Credit: “Secret Tunnel” by augustodiniz Album Art Credits: Ph…

This week Keerstan and Julianna welcome friend and podcaster Alyse to discuss the much loved episode Zuko Alone! Want to support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/emberislandplayerspod Credits: Modern Mythos Network intro and outro written and performed by Sean McNeilly The Ember Island Players theme Music Credit: “Secret Tunnel” by augustodiniz…

This week Julianna and Keerstan finally meet the newest addition to the Gaang, Toph Beifong, in the episode The Blind Bandit! Want to support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/emberislandplayerspod Credits: Modern Mythos Network intro and outro written and performed by Sean McNeilly The Ember Island Players theme Music Credit: “Secret Tunnel” by…

This week Keerstan and Julianna gush about Avatar Kyoshi, as they discuss the episode Avatar Day! Want to support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/emberislandplayerspod Credits: Modern Mythos Network intro and outro written and performed by Sean McNeilly The Ember Island Players theme Music Credit: “Secret Tunnel” by augustodiniz Album Art Cred…

This week Julianna and Keerstan take a detour and meet some swampbenders while discussing the episode The Swamp. Want to support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/emberislandplayerspod Credits: Modern Mythos Network intro and outro written and performed by Sean McNeilly The Ember Island Players theme Music Credit: “Secret Tunnel” by augustodiniz…

This week Keerstan and Julianna return to find Omashu in ruins as they discuss the episode Return to Omashu! Want to support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/emberislandplayerspod Credits: Modern Mythos Network intro and outro written and performed by Sean McNeilly The Ember Island Players theme Music Credit: “Secret Tunnel” by augustodiniz Alb…

This week Julianna and Keerstan go deep into a cave to discuss fan favorite episode The Cave of Two Lovers! Want to support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/emberislandplayerspod Credits: Modern Mythos Network intro and outro written and performed by Sean McNeilly The Ember Island Players theme Music Credit: “Secret Tunnel” by augustodiniz Albu…