Dr. Castillo returns to the podcast today, not to discuss his groundbreaking research, but to delve into his new book, Building Your Epic Life: Your Journey, Your Way, Your Masterpiece, and explore the philosophy behind it. Offering listeners a blend of personal stories and practical advice, he shares his insights on transforming values and dreams into a tangible blueprint for a fulfilling life.

Throughout the episode, Dr. Castillo conducts an exploration of the profound themes of resilience, mentorship, and intentional life design. He opens up about his personal struggles and how they inspired him to write a book focused on helping others navigate their own challenges, emphasizing the importance of viewing failures as learning opportunities. Highlighting the power of having a strong support system of mentors and role models, the discussion also covers practical strategies for creating a roadmap for your life, complete with actionable exercises to help you define your purpose and stay on track. This episode is truly overflowing with wisdom for anyone ready to build their own epic life.

Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Introduction to Dr. Luciano Castillo and his new book 02:07 - The personal struggles that inspired "Building Your Epic Life" 05:15 - Developing a resilient mindset to overcome obstacles 07:27 - Embracing failure as a key to resilience and success 19:13 - The importance of mentors and role models for growth 29:00 - Designing a "life blueprint" based on your values 37:00 - Using the book's exercises for actionable steps 40:14 - The five pillars of a well-rounded life 42:25 - What's next for Dr. Castillo and the book's message 47:47 - Who the book is for and where to find it

Key Takeaways: "As big as you could see somebody is, behind that, there's a lot of failures." "I'm always asking, even in any experience... what is the lesson behind that?" "When we're talking about the struggle, I mean, it is real. We all have a real struggle." "Failure, if you learn and you keep at it, could be the biggest lesson for you." "You have to adapt." "You want people that you could resonate with, that you could connect with. And you don't even have to have the same religious view or political views." "A leader is there to serve others. It’s not about glorifying themselves." "When you know where you're going, there's something different about you."

Links: B-Xcellent Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@b-xcellentpodcast Building Your Epic Life: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/building-your-epic-life-luciano-castillo/1147940980

Dr. Brandon Harrison-Smith broadcasts from the podcast's new home at Morgan State University with a major announcement: the "B-Xcellent" vision is expanding into "DARE to STEM," a new movement designed to empower future STEM leaders. This initiative moves beyond the podcast to foster community, discovery, and hands-on engagement, transforming the platform into a comprehensive resource for students and professionals in the STEM fields.

Born from community feedback, "DARE to STEM" is built on four pillars: Discover, Achieve, Reach, and Empower. The initiative relaunches the "Step into STEM" hands-on science event and introduces a library of career resources for navigating internships, grad school, and the workforce. As you will hear, the podcast's core mission of amplifying authentic voices in STEM remains central, providing strategies and stories to inspire excellence.

• The podcast moves to its new home at Morgan State University.
• The "B-Xcellent" brand expands into the "DARE to STEM" movement.
• DARE stands for Discover, Achieve, Reach, and Empower.
• The podcast continues with a new season featuring diverse industry voices.
• "Step into STEM," a hands-on community science event, is relaunched.
• New career resources will guide students through internships and beyond.
• The core mission remains: helping you be excellent in STEM.

Dr. Brandon Harrison-Smith is back with an in-depth exploration of imposter syndrome, a pervasive challenge that students and professionals alike may find themselves facing..

Through the story of Maya, a first-generation college student, Dr. Harrison-Smith illustrates the subtle pressures and biases that can trigger feelings of inadequacy, particularly for underrepresented groups in academia. He explains how imposter syndrome manifests in various forms, including perfectionism and fear of failure, and reveals the ways these feelings undermine confidence and performance.

Dr. Harrison-Smith then goes on to offer valuable strategies to recognize, understand, and combat imposter syndrome, encouraging listeners to embrace their abilities and navigate challenges with confidence. Ultimately, this episode highlights that imposter syndrome does not have to limit one’s academic or professional success. Instead, with the right mindset and tools, listeners can turn self-doubt into an opportunity for growth, unlocking their full potential.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Introduction to Imposter Syndrome

01:09 Maya’s Story A First Generation Student’s Struggle

04:41 What is Imposter Syndrome?

05:50 Types of Imposter Syndrome Explained

06:46 How Imposter Syndrome Affects Performance

07:20 Key Drivers of Imposter Syndrome

07:47 Strategies to Combat Imposter Syndrome

09:10 Important Reminders as You Begin This New Semester

Key Takeaways:

"Imposter syndrome is a pattern where an individual doubts their accomplishments and fears being exposed as a fraud."

"Maya's story is one that many first-generation and underrepresented students can relate to."

"The microaggressions, though small in isolation, accumulated, leaving Maya feeling isolated and unsupported."

"Imposter syndrome may affect as many as 82% of people at some point in their life."

"Recognize that it's okay to feel this way. Acknowledging it is your first step."

"Challenge those negative thoughts. Replace 'I'm not good enough' with 'I've worked hard to be here and I deserve this.'"

"Learning thrives from the meeting of minds and the collective generation of ideas."

"Connect with others. Sharing your feelings can be incredibly liberating."

"Seek out mentors who can offer guidance and reassurance. They've likely been where you are."

"Your potential is not measured by how easily you succeed, but how resilient you are as you navigate your path to success."

Links:

B-Xcellent Podcast: https://engineering.purdue.edu/Engr/Academics/Graduate/b-xcellent/index_html