What if joy isn’t a fleeting feeling but the ultimate business strategy?

In episode 280, Air Force veteran, mental health advocate, and transformational leader Kimberly Mitchell — known as the "Joy Warrior" — shares her Journey to Joy System. Kimberly reveals how healing your inner world and rewriting limiting beliefs can unlock unstoppable success in life and business.

We explore why so many women struggle with money mindsets, how to turn fear into fuel, and why curiosity (not hustle) is the ultimate growth tool. From roller skating as an adult to reframing joy in daily tasks, Kimberly’s stories will have you rethinking what’s possible for you and your business.

“Joy isn’t a reward at the finish line — it’s the fuel that gets you there.” — Kimberly Mitchell

• Joy as a business strategy, not just a feeling
• Why healing your beliefs is the foundation of success
• How to transform money mindsets with respect and gratitude
• The power of curiosity and rewriting your personal story
• Embracing joy in "irrational" or unexpected ways to reconnect with yourself

Connect with Kimberly Mitchell

🖇️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oekimm/

📝 Show Notes: https://kandasrodarte.com/280

Timestamps:

• 0:00 — Welcome & Introduction
• 2:00 — From Air Force to Corporate: Kimberly’s Journey
• 7:30 — Discovering the Power of Inner Work
• 12:00 — Overcoming Fear & Limiting Beliefs
• 17:00 — Joy as a Business Strategy
• 22:00 — Intention & Reframing
• 27:00 — Applying Joy Practically in Business
• 31:30 — Diversity, Openness & Community Impact
• 36:00 — Managing Money with Joy
• 41:00 — Finding Joy in Tedious Tasks
• 45:00 — Embracing Fun & Irrational Joy
• 48:00 — Legacy, Curiosity & Empowering Women
• 49:30 — Gratitude & Closing

===

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

Ever feel like your bank account is speaking a language you don’t understand? It’s time to stop panicking and start profiting.

In this powerful episode of Gratitude Geek, I sit down with Ahuva Gruen — a fractional CFO (that’s Chief Financial Officer, your business’s financial brain!) and financial clarity coach for small businesses. We break down why clarity, not just cash, is the real secret weapon for solopreneurs.

Ahuva shares her journey from childhood wig sales and candy hustles to becoming a trusted CFO for growing businesses. We dig into how to price your offerings correctly (spoiler: include all your costs), how to stop underpaying yourself, and why chasing the lowest price is a trap.

If you’ve ever wondered:

• Am I charging enough for my work?

• Why is my cash flow always playing catch-up?

• Should I turn my hobby into a business?

• What numbers do I really need to watch?

This episode is your wake-up call — and your roadmap.

Connect with Ahuva Gruen:

🌐 Website: https://www.agfinancialcpa.com/

🎁 Free Resource from Ahuva: Get her guide “10 Biggest Financial Mistakes Businesses Make (and How to Avoid Them)” at http://ahuvacfo.com

🖇️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahuvagruen/

📝 Show Notes: https://kandasrodarte.com/279

===

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

Telling your business story on TV isn't just about publicity — it’s about creating a legacy. In this powerful episode, Emmy Award-winning journalist and media strategist Michelle Rupp joins me to break down how to leverage your story to gain earned media, build trust, and create real community change.

We unpack Michelle's own experience of televising her heart surgery, why women’s health stories need more airtime, and how small businesses can turn one segment into long-term growth. You’ll learn how to craft an irresistible media hook, tailor your message to the right audience, and amplify your visibility far beyond your local news station.

If you’re tired of shouting into the void with ads that don’t convert, this is the episode you can’t afford to miss. Whether you're a solopreneur looking for more meaningful exposure or a business owner ready to step into the spotlight, Michelle’s insights will inspire and empower you to take bold action.

🎧 Tune in to discover how telling your business story on TV can become your most impactful marketing move — and maybe even change lives along the way.

Chapters:

00:00 Michelle’s Heart Surgery Story
05:05 Women’s Health Conversations
08:44 Helping Businesses Earn Media
12:24 Tailoring Your Media Strategy
13:39 Just Ask for Media Opportunities
27:19 Crafting a Strong Hook
39:25 The Power of Made-in-America
41:19 Amplify on Social Media
42:34 Nurture Media Relationships
48:44 Gratitude & Making It Count

Connect with Michelle Rupp

• Website: https://www.memorableresultsmedia.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-rupp-96ab588
• Show Notes: https://kandasrodarte.com/278

===

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

What happens when you pivot careers after 40 and land your dream gig? Paul Heitsch knows. A former composer and sound engineer, Paul stepped into audiobook narration later in life—and now he’s narrated over 380 titles, including the Omega Force sci-fi series by Joshua Dalzelle (episode 265).

In this candid conversation, Paul shares how he built a thriving voiceover business in his second act, what AI can’t replicate, and how storytelling is still a deeply human craft.

🎧 In This Episode:

• How Paul found audiobook success after 40
• What it takes to build a voice acting career from scratch
• Why emotional nuance beats AI every time
• Tools Paul uses to prep and record audiobooks
• What aspiring narrators need to know (especially solopreneurs!)
• How character voices are created—and remembered
• The surprising freedom of starting over

🎙️ “If the work speaks to you, if you’re cut out for it, it’s the greatest job in the world.” — Paul Heitsch

📚 Want to hear Paul in action?
Check out the Omega Force series by Joshua Dalzelle: https://amzn.to/4ng55D2

Connect with Paul Heitsch

• 🌐 Website: https://paulheitsch.com
• 📖 Audiobooks: https://amzn.to/3T4s3iN (affiliate link)
• 📝 Show Notes: https://kandasrodarte.com/277

Listen Next: http://kandasrodarte.com/265

===

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

Jeff Pearson looks perfectly healthy—but his brain tells a very different story.

In episode 276 of Gratitude Geek, host Kandas Rodarte chats with Jeff, a speaker, nonprofit founder, and host of Invisible Condition on e360tv. Born with hydrocephalus, Jeff has endured seven brain surgeries, six of them in just over a decade. But instead of giving up, he and his wife launched a nonprofit, a TV show, a caregiver support network, and a mission to bring hope to others living with invisible conditions.

Tune in to discover:

• What it's really like living with a surgically-managed brain condition

• How Jeff and Catherine launched Hydro with Hope and Invisible Condition University (ICU)

• Why caregivers need just as much support as patients

• How alternative therapies gave Jeff his life back when medicine said "just live with it"

• The business reality of running a nonprofit with impact

Whether you're navigating your own invisible health journey or supporting someone who is, this episode will shift your perspective—and maybe even restore some hope.

🎯 Mantra of the episode: Launch and Adjust.

===

Connect with Jeff Pearson
📺 TV Show: https://e360tv.com/networks/play_series/invisible-condtion
▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InvisibleCondition/streams
📝 Show Notes & Resources: https://kandasrodarte.com/276

===

This episode is made possible by...

I use Victory Super Patch to help manage some of my neuropathy symptoms—it's drug-free, non-invasive, and honestly, a game changer.

💥 Save 25% on your first order: http://kandasrodarte.com/superpatch

I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.

===

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

In this emotionally grounding episode of Gratitude Geek, Kandas Rodarte welcomes back author and mindset coach Fletcher Ellingson to explore how we can build emotional resilience in a world that feels increasingly chaotic.

We dive into Fletcher’s signature framework from his book The Practice of Feeling Good — and unpack how fear is often just a story. Fletcher shares how to identify the root of that fear, reframe it, and begin practicing a new, empowering narrative. You’ll also learn why “feeling good” is a daily practice, not a personality trait or privilege.

Whether you’re facing uncertainty in business, health, politics, or life, this episode will help you reset your emotional default and take aligned action from a place of clarity and confidence.

• The 3 core fears driving most anxiety
• Why fear is just a future-based story
• How to practice emotional resilience daily
• The difference between habits and intentional practices
• Why courage is only possible with fear
• How to shift your mindset to feel grounded and empowered
• Simple tools to regulate your nervous system
• Gratitude as a radical act of self-regulation
• Flexibility vs. rigidity in emotional survival

• Website: https://fletcherellingson.com/
• Book: https://bookshop.org/a/111345/9781954757394 (affiliate link)
• Show Notes: https://kandasrodarte.com/275

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

Are you a female solopreneur over 40 looking to stand out in 2025? Discover how video can transform your business, build real connections, and help you shine in a crowded market—no matter what you’ve overcome.

Jason Zygadlo joins me for episode 274 of Gratitude Geek to explore the power of personalized video, authentic branding, and how his nonprofit ZIGGYSTRONG supports people navigating grief and adversity. Whether you’re rebuilding after cancer, divorce, or loss, this episode offers practical tips and heartfelt encouragement for women in business who lead with purpose.

Connect with Jason Zygadlo
🌐 Website: https://www.careercoachbyob.com/
📝Show Notes: https://kandasrodarte.com/274

🎧 Hosted by Kandas Rodarte, Gratitude Geek is the go-to podcast for resilient female solopreneurs who want to grow their business with authenticity and gratitude—without the hustle.

Loved this episode? Subscribe on your favorite podcast app and join the Robusta Small Business Percolator—a community for women over 40 building authentic businesses after adversity. 👉 http://kandasrodarte.com/robusta

If your YouTube titles aren’t getting clicks, your content isn’t getting seen. Period.

In episode 273 of Gratitude Geek, I sit down with Jake Thomas, the self-proclaimed YouTube title nerd behind CreatorHooks.com, who’s written 1,000s of titles responsible for nearly 100 million views.

We unpack the psychology of why people click, how to avoid common title mistakes, and how women over 40 can stand out on YouTube without falling into the clickbait trap. Whether you’re launching a channel or stuck in content limbo, Jake’s insights will help you write titles that actually convert.

Connect with Jake Thomas

Website: http://creatorhooks.com

Creator Hooks Newsletter: https://sparklp.co/1274efaf/ (affiliate link)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-thomas-creator-hooks/

Show Notes: https://kandasrodarte.com/273

If this episode gave you an “aha!” moment about YouTube or content strategy, share it with a friend—and don’t forget to subscribe.

Want support from fellow female solopreneurs over 40 building businesses with heart and guts?
Join the Robusta Small Business Percolator at kandasrodarte.com/robusta.

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