What if the secret to transformation wasn’t speed but consistency? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Hilda Fainsod, executive coach, podcaster, and author Hilda Fiallos, a transformation catalyst who’s helped leaders build sustainable growth and long-term impact. Hilda shares how true transformation starts by shifting everyday habits and tuning into what we practice not just what we say. With 10+ certifications and 20 years in coaching, Hilda breaks down why short-term gains won’t lead to long-term success, and how even a 2-minute gratitude routine can shift your entire day. Whether you’re building a business, changing careers, or rethinking your leadership style, this conversation will help you reset your mindset and commit to practices that last.

What You Will Learn:

Why transformation takes time and can’t be rushed.

How fast-paced habits and urgency culture block true change.

The difference between surface-level goals and deep transformation.

How to identify automatic routines that shape your life.

Why small, consistent actions are more powerful than big, unsustainable ones.

How to create simple habits that align with long-term goals.

What it means to coach yourself through change using micro-promises.

Why support systems like mentors and coaches accelerate transformation.

How to shift identity during a career or life transition.

The importance of investing time or money in your personal growth.

How a two-minute daily gratitude practice can anchor your mindset.

How to build new routines by starting with what already works.

Why defining who you want to become is the first step in transformation.

How self-awareness helps you replace habits that no longer serve you.

Why true transformation is more about what you practice than what you say.

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Have you ever felt like the title “writer” or “creative” belonged to someone else, someone more talented, more confident, or more “official”? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Amy L. Bernstein, author of Wrangling the Doubt Monster. Amy shares her powerful journey from the “wage world” to a fully creative life, highlighting how self-doubt held her back for years and what finally helped her reclaim the writer within.

If you’ve ever whispered “I’m not creative enough” or waited too long to own your identity, this episode will inspire you to give yourself permission and start taking bold, joyful steps toward your truest path.

What You Will Learn:

Why mindset shifts are more important than milestones when claiming your creative identity.

How to identify and break free from cultural and familial conditioning that reinforces self-doubt.

The power of giving yourself permission before taking action.

How starting small can lead to big creative breakthroughs.

Why success should be decoupled from money, especially in creative fields.

The hidden risks of staying in the “safe lane” too long.

Why creative pursuits are undervalued and how to reframe your relationship with creativity.

How to navigate fear, including fear of failure and fear of success.

What it means to discover your worth outside of a paycheck or title.

The transformational impact of book coaching and supporting other writers.

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Wickedly Smart Women: Trusting Intuition, Taking Action, Transforming Worlds by Anjel B. Hartwell

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What if the story holding you back isn't theirs, it’s yours? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Karen Sigalas, whose mission is to help ambitious women become respected, heard, and paid what they're worth. Karen blends science-backed mindset work with practical career strategies to help her clients own their voice, shift internal narratives, and rise confidently into leadership.

Through personal stories of overcoming bias in male-dominated industries and being underestimated due to her appearance, Karen reveals how our internal self-talk often does more damage than external critics.

What You Will Learn:

Why your internal dialogue often holds more power than external criticism.

How to recognize and shift limiting stories you tell yourself.

The difference between external validation and internal self-worth.

How to rewire your brain through gratitude and positive affirmations.

How neuroscience supports mindset work, especially the Reticular Activating System (RAS).

Practical ways to start your day with mindset rituals that boost confidence.

How to stop tying your value to your job title, income, or other people's opinions.

Why self-doubt is normal, and how to respond powerfully when it arises.

Tools to stop internalized oppression from dimming your voice.

How to transform microaggressions and subtle put-downs into moments of clarity and growth.

How to hold confident, non-defensive conversations in response to biased comments.

The importance of being seen, heard, and valued, especially for women of color.

How to lead without waiting for permission, titles, or external authority.

Why fighting harder isn’t the solution, and how reframing your energy can lead to peace and progress.

How gratitude and celebration can fuel forward momentum without burnout.

The long-term career impact of mindset traps and how to avoid them.

How to use personal leadership practices even if you’re not in a formal leadership role.

The power of storytelling to reclaim agency over your professional and personal narrative.

The connection between mindset, visibility, and earning power.

Why celebrating how far you’ve come matters more than obsessing over what’s next.

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Wickedly Smart Women: Trusting Intuition, Taking Action, Transforming Worlds by Anjel B. Hartwell

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Finding the Joy in Career Reinvention with Michelle Schafer - Ep.331

What if losing your job was the best thing that ever happened to you? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Michelle Schafer, certified coach, author, and career transition expert. After spending 25 years in what she thought were “secure” corporate roles, Michelle was twice restructured, which ultimately led her to create a thriving coaching business.

Michelle shares practical strategies for preparing for career change before crisis hits, negotiating from a place of value, and finding clarity around your next step, whether that means a new job or your own consultancy. This is a powerful conversation for anyone feeling the winds of change in their work life.

What You Will Learn:

How to reframe a job loss as an opportunity for growth and use it to pivot into more meaningful work.

Why job security is often an illusion and how to prepare yourself now for unexpected career changes.

Practical steps to stay ready for career opportunities.

The connection between self-worth and income and how to clearly communicate the value you bring to a role or a client.

How to explore if starting your own business is the right next step and what to expect in the beginning stages.

Tips for shifting your mindset around money so it supports your success instead of creating stress.

The power of surrounding yourself with mentors and community when making a major life or career change.

How to trust your instincts and move forward even if the timing feels uncertain or later in life.

Connect with Michelle Schafer

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Have you ever felt like you were just a supporting character in your own life story? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes life story coach and author Carrie KC West, who reveals how rewriting our personal narrative can transform deep-rooted trauma into purpose, power, and peace. Carrie shares her journey from a rocky start in childhood to rising in the corporate world and ultimately finding freedom and fulfillment through storytelling.

If you’re stuck in an old story or ready to leave a life that no longer fits, Carrie’s wisdom will light the path forward.

What You Will Learn:

How childhood trauma and family dynamics shape our internal narratives.

The healing impact of storytelling on personal growth and leadership.

Why identifying with your own protagonist energy changes everything.

How to recognize old stories and reframe limiting beliefs.

Practical ways to ground yourself in the present when triggered.

How to determine what “your table” looks like and claim your seat.

Why burnout often stems from unaligned life roles and outdated expectations.

How to exit corporate life with clarity, courage, and a plan.

Why external success doesn’t equal internal happiness.

The role forgiveness plays in reclaiming your authentic power.

Connect with Carrie KC West

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What if the very technology that pushed you out of your job became the vehicle for your success? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell interviews Tracy Beavers, a seasoned business and sales coach, who turned corporate downsizing into divine redirection. Tracy reveals how her career journey, from climbing roofs as an insurance adjuster to launching a top-ranked podcast, taught her to trust her gut, listen to divine nudges, and finally bet on herself.

With raw honesty and a whole lot of grit, Tracy shares how she went from being laid off and divorced to building a six-figure coaching business that empowers other women to show up online, get visible, and make sales with authenticity. Whether you're still in corporate or already forging your own path, this conversation is a masterclass in resilience, strategy, and spirit.

What You Will Learn:

How early childhood experiences can reveal natural strengths in sales and entrepreneurship.

Why witnessing a parent struggle in business can shape future career decisions.

How unexpected life changes like layoffs and divorce can lead to powerful reinvention.

What it means to recognize coaching as a calling before officially stepping into the role.

Why building a business alongside a full-time job can be a smart transition strategy.

How to cut expenses and plan financially to safely leave corporate life.

Which financial milestones and mindset shifts signal it's time to go all-in on a business.

Tips for involving family in building a business in meaningful and practical ways.

The importance of running your own race instead of comparing your success to others.

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Wickedly Smart Women: Trusting Intuition, Taking Action, Transforming Worlds by Anjel B. Hartwell

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Have you ever felt a quiet pull inside, a persistent tug toward something bigger than yourself? Something that keeps showing up, even when you try to take the “safe” path? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell interviews Alaina Baker, Executive Director of Uplift Malawi, to explore what happens when you finally answer that calling. From a Midwest childhood to leading a global nonprofit, Alaina shares how a career in corporate marketing couldn’t silence the voice inside telling her to make a deeper impact. What began as a side passion became her life’s mission, empowering children in Malawi through sustainable education, community development, and health access.

Alaina doesn't just talk about building schools, she reveals how Uplift Malawi creates entire ecosystems of support that meet students’ basic needs and set them up for long-term success. You’ll hear how they overcame corrupt contractors, how they use data to track impact, and how they’re tackling the HIV/AIDS epidemic with education and dignity.

This episode is more than inspiring, it’s a call to action for anyone who’s ever wondered if following their heart could change the world.

What You Will Learn:

The importance of building sustainable, community-rooted education models in places like Malawi.

How Uplift Malawi supports both students and teachers with housing, nutrition, and mental well-being.

What a 100% donation model is and how it builds trust with supporters.

How life skills programs like sewing, agriculture, and sanitation education help break the cycle of poverty.

Why menstrual education and gender-specific support are vital to keeping girls in school.

How access to clean water and solar energy transforms a school into a thriving community hub.

The ripple effect of educating one child and how it impacts entire families and villages.

What makes Malawi unique as a peaceful but underserved nation in need of educational support.

Why it takes long-term commitment, not quick fixes, to create global educational equity.

How to align your career with your deeper purpose by listening to your inner call for impact.

Connect with Alaina Baker

Uplift Malawi

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Wickedly Smart Women: Trusting Intuition, Taking Action, Transforming Worlds by Anjel B. Hartwell

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