Café with Monica

Today I'm sharing a handful of reasons why entrepreneurs should go to therapy! Whether you need help with setting boundaries, you're battling perfectionism or procrastination, or you simply need tools to help you delegate or hand off specific tasks, this episode is for you! Let's be real, you started a business to make money and help others, but there may be certain things that can be standing in your way. I'm breaking down how to combat these issues and how therapy can help! If you're ready to enter a safe space to reconnect with your true, authentic self, press "play."    Resources Mentioned:  Check out the youtube channel here

I am celebrating 3 years of podcasting and can't wait to share my journey in this bonus episode and what's next for me. I can't express how grateful I am for your support throughout these 3 years and can't wait to continue delivering you content you love. In this episode, I share my podcasting journey and fears I had to recently overcome. So grab your coffee or drink of choice and let's just talk about it. Resources Mentioned:  Subscribe to the youtube channel here

Have you ever felt the nudge to compare yourself to someone else's life? As an entrepreneur, they don't tell you the part where comparison likes to creep in at a moment's notice. Comparison is the process of constantly evaluating our own behavior, thoughts, emotions, relationships, businesses, house, clothes, looks, and lives to each other. It's one of the most damaging internal narratives we can have. With comparing comes fear of failure, fear of not being or doing enough and it can be so debilitating sometimes.  So if you ever got caught in the comparison trap I hear you, I've been there, and so has my guest. I'm so thrilled to share Tess's story and insights into her own comparison experiences, how it affected her as a photographer, and what steps she took to create a shift.  Enjoy this chat amongst friends and tell me have you ever compared yourself to someone. About the Guest:  Tess is a documentation photographer based in Austin, Texas. . She graduated from Ut with a degree in Journalism and Cultural Anthropology. Tess knew she wanted to share diverse stories through photography and so then pursued her venture as a documentarian photographer in 2014. Tess is passionate about documenting the important moments in life from weddings, to just a typical day in life.    Guest Contact: Follow Tess Rolli on Instagram, check out her website here. Resources Mentioned:  Book: Atlas of the Heart by Brene Brown

Do you struggle with ADHD? Did you know there's so many misconceptions people have about what ADHD is like and even less information about how it affects women entrepreneurs? That's why I decided to bring business coach Jessi Romero, to share her unique challenges as a female entrepreneur with ADHD. We chat about stigma in the Latinx community and cultural impact. Jessi also shares some tangible tips to help you overcome challenges and embrace your wonderful brilliant ADHD brain.  About the Guest:  Jessi Romero is the founder of the ADHD Entrepreneur. Jessi created a community of over 35,000 women to support them as they navigate ADHD while running their businesses. Jessi teaches ADHD entrepreneurs how to run a business the ADHD-friendly way that works for their brain and doesn't lead them to burn out Guest Contact: Follow Jessi Romero on Instagram, check out her membership here. Resources Mentioned:  Join the ADHD Female Entrepreneurs Facebook Community  Listen to the ADHD Owned Podcast 

Have you ever experienced that little voice inside your head that tells you're not good enough, you're not smart enough, or confident enough and you wish you could just shut that shit down!!!!!  Well, today's guest confidence coach Misty Nobegra shares her 3 step process on how to recognize what's holding you back, how to move towards self-confidence, and how to become an unstoppable human. This is an episode we can all relate to. We deserve to be the best versions of ourselves and it starts with becoming self-aware of what holds us back.   Grab your coffee and let's talk about it.  About the Guest:  Misty Nobrega, founder, and CEO of Misty Nobrega Coaching is a Confidence Coach who helps powerful women build the unshakable confidence they need to become unstoppable.   Misty founded MNC on a belief that women CAN and SHOULD be masters of their own destiny - though they rarely feel like they are. Misty has worked with dozens of women in both her 1:1 Life Coaching Model and her flagship group program The Confidence Project, to touch on key issues that make you feel weighed down, insecure, and victimized by your circumstances. This work is designed to help women release the opinions of themselves and others so they can step into the power that's already within. Misty also uses her knowledge and experience as a Certified Integrative Nutritionist to help women get right with their bodies once and for all. MNC's ability to look at the WHOLE picture provides a potent space for transformation unlike any other. Guest Contact: Follow Misty Nobrega on Instagram, check out her website here.

Everyone tells us that entrepreneurship can be a lonely journey, but no one knows the vulnerable truth of how loneliness in entrepreneurship feels even when you are surrounded by friends and family who love you. We're afraid to let people know the reality of what's going on because we don't want to undermine our own efforts or look like we don't have it all together.  This mindset can lead us to feeling burned out and disconnected. That's why in today's episode I chat with Jessica Sanchez, a Dallas business owner, about loneliness, how we can combat it, and vulnerable truths no one talks about.  Get ready to feel heard, understood and inspired.    About the Guest:  Jessica Sanchez, a USAF Veteran, mom, creative, entrepreneur, and founder of the ColorPOP Print Studio. Jessica knows firsthand how hard it is to start a business or learn a new trade without having the proper resources due to a lack of self-funding or knowledge.  Jessica is now educating other business owners on how to start their own printing business and utilize e-commerce as a selling tool.  Guest Contact: Follow Jessica Sanchez on Instagram, check out her website here.

Do you think she just woke up one morning and said, “I'll think I'll go to law school (I mean be an entrepreneur) today”….

Curious to know what it's like to work alongside your partner in business. In today's episode, I bring branding/boudoir photographer Joelle Elizabeth & entrepreneur/business coach Lyndon to talk all about their transition into working together. They share their story, struggles along the way, tips on how they keep a happy marriage, and how they work on their mental health through self-care. About the Guests:  Jo & Lyndon are a husband & wife team and the duo behind Jo & Co — a place for creative entrepreneurs to be supported through photography & education. When they're not working, you can find them reading a book or en route to their next destination. Guest Contact: Follow Joelle & Lyndon on Instagram, watch their journey on Youtube, and check out their website here.    

It's a New Year and you're ready to hit all your goals and make some serious changes, but oh here comes the self-sabotage train to fit up. Been there done that girl, and I know you deserve better whether you want to admit to yourself something has to change. Self-sabotage is when we actively or passively take actions to prevent ourselves from reaching our goals. These behaviors can affect nearly every aspect of your life that's why for today's episode I share what self-sabotaging is,  signs/behaviors to be on the lookout, and five actions steps to take to stop self-sabotaging in order to reach your desires and goals.  Are you ready to be loveling called out? Resources Mentioned:  Book A Consult For Mental Health Coaching

Have you ever struggled with figuring out what you should be doing and constantly are listening to the world's message of who you should be? Here's the thing you are uniquely designed, you have innate gifts and traits that help you live your dream life effortlessly. That's why I brought Human Design Expert Erin Claire, who is a projector by the way to share her words of wisdom on Human Design. Erin shares all about Human Design, self-care tips for each design type, and how you can use these insights to reach your full potential.   About the Guest:  Erin Claire Jones uses Human Design to help thousands of individuals and companies step into their work and their lives as their truest selves and to their highest potential. Her work as a guide, coach, and speaker has attracted a growing community of over 100,000 people who turn to her teachings for practical tools, digestible tips, and deeper self-knowledge they can access to live with greater ease and authenticity every single day. With work featured in Forbes, Mindbodygreen, Well&Good, and Nylon; words shared on over 100 podcasts such as Almost30, That's So Retrograde, Highest Self, and Chatty Broads; and conversations with crowds of hundreds around the world, Erin's insights are highly sought-after because they make Human Design pragmatic, tangible, accessible — and immediately applicable to everyday life.   Guest Contact: Follow Erin Claire on Instagram, check out her website here. Resources Mentioned:  Grab Your Human Design Blueprint: a personalized guide to their unique design: erinclairejones.com/blueprint Use Code: CAFEWITHMONICA for 10% off Look Up Your Design Here   Grab Your Ticket to Boundaries Like A Boss Here 

Have you ever stopped to wonder what scripts from others have you adopted that are not serving you? If you'd reflect back on moments in your life will you realize that many of the actions you took (or didn't), choices you made (or didn't), and priorities you set (or didn't) happened by default; guided by the expectations of society and others, and not by your own inner compass. According to cognitive psychology, each of us has a life script or schema - whether we are aware of it or not. A life script is another way of describing the meaning we attribute to the events that happen to us.  In this episode, I'm joined by coach Hayden Humphrey to discuss how exploring the patterns in your life and breaking the scripts that no longer serve you can help you create the positive changes you need. Hayden and I talk about a common life script we had to break and that is need to please. So grab your coffee and hop on over to take a listen. About the Guest:  Hayden Humphrey is a multi-passionate success coach, mental health advocate, entrepreneur, YouTuber, and founder of WearLife. Hayden's mission is to help people create their own lives by challenging them to break up with the scripts that hold them back.  Guest Contact: Follow Hayden on Instagram, check out his website here.

Do you struggle with time management? Did you know your time management can be a protective factor against burnout? As entrepreneurs, we get to decide when and how we show up in our business, but the shift from employee to entrepreneur can be hard if we don't learn how to manage our time. We know we have to set our own limits and boundaries when it comes to prioritizing things in our business. In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Amanda Chay a naturopathic physician, and time&business strategist for high achieving entrepreneurs to help us understand the role time management has on burnout and how we can use it to prevent it or avoid it altogether. About the Guest: Dr. Amanda Chay is a Naturopathic Physician and time + business strategist for high-achieving entrepreneurs. Dr. Amanda Chay runs a busy clinic, online hormone education platform, and stress support supplement company. Through her work, she has seen the devastating effects of chronic stress & overwhelm have on our business, health, and happiness. After 4+ years of being a doctor and CEO, 8+ years of post-secondary education, and 10 years in the service industry, Amanda is on a mission to  help entrepreneurs streamline their services & pricing, get their time back, and maximize efficiency Guest Contact: Follow Dr.Amanda Chay on Instagram

Have you ever wondered why some days you feel on top of the world and others days you feel like complete shit? Well, it may have to do with your menstrual cycle. Throughout your menstrual cycle, your hormones shift, causing you to feel and act differently depending on the time of the month. In this episode, I am joined with Leah  Brueggemann, a hormone coach, and Certified Functional Diagnostic Nutritional Practitioner, and chat all about tracking your cycle and how to adapt your diet, exercise routine, and workflow based on the different phases of your cycle. More about the guest: Leah is a Certified Functional Diagnostic Nutritional Practitioner & Hormone Coach, who specializes in balancing hormones naturally.  Leah has helped so many women achieve painless periods, stable moods, and finally feel like themselves again. Guest Contact: Follow Leah on Instagram or Tik Tok or check out her website here.

Networking is changing not only are many more of us working from home but professional and industry events of all sizes were canceled or shifted to online formats. With this shift, it may have you question how do I stand out from the crowd how do I build authentic relationships with people. In this episode, I am joined with Ana Laura a career and leadership coach who specializes in helping ambitious BIPOC women transition and elevate their careers. We chat about all things networking, how COVID-19 has created a shift to more online events, and do's & don'ts you should know before networking.  More about the guest: Ana Laura is a Career & Leadership Coach and a Talent & Culture Partner for an organization in Texas. She currently lives in San Antonio with her husband and daughter. You can find her working on working with clients, selection design, engagement, equity and inclusion work, talent management, and being a super momma and wife. Guest Contact: Follow Ana Laura on Instagram, check out her website here. Resources Mentioned: Download Powerful Action Verbs To Stand Out here

Do you struggle with self-care? Yes! Don't worry many people do. Self-care is a general term that describes everything you do deliberately for your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. As simple as it sounds, many of us pay little attention to self-care. This is why ‘deliberately' is one of the most important words in the definition. You need to be conscious of your well-being before you can achieve true self-care. It starts from the simple acts like not checking emails at night when you know it affects your sleep and extends to more important decisions like going for a vacation or booking a massage when you feel you need one. Self-care encourages you to maintain a healthy relationship with yourself so that you can transmit good feelings to others. In this episode, I am joined with Alicia Walton founder of She Matters, a self-care box curated specifically for women to prioritize self-care. We chat about her story and why she was forced to prioritize self-care, the impact it has made, and how she turned her passion into purpose.  More about the guest: Alicia Walton is a recent MBA Grad, huge self-care advocate,  a wife, mom of two, and founder of She Matters a ꜱᴇʟꜰ ᴄᴀʀᴇ ʙᴏx subscription, for women to prioritize self-care.  Guest Contact: Follow Alicia on Instagram, check out her website here. Resources Mentioned:  Grab your self-care box today here

Has clutter and mess created more stress and anxiety in your life? To the brain, clutter represents unfinished business and this lack of completeness can be highly stressful for some people. Did you know there are ways to take back control of your life and it starts with your environment? In this episode, I'm joined by Lisa Tselebidis, a professional organizer and KonMari Certified consultant and we chat all about the mental health benefits of tidying and how it can shift our mindset. More about the guest: Lisa Tselebidis, a professional organizer and KonMari Certified consultant. She helps women go from overwhelmed and stressed out to organized and thriving by guiding them through a systematic decluttering process, setting up organizational systems, and implementing new habits. Lisa truly believes that having a home in which you are only surrounded by items you love can be life-changing in many ways Guest Contact: Follow Lisa on Instagram, check out her website here. Resources Mentioned: Lisa' KonMari Category Checklist

How many of you have been personally victimized by your own brain?  Like seriously we work so hard to build our business only to have self-doubt creep in to make us question everything!  If you've been there or you are there this episode is for you. In this solo episode, I share 8  tips for acknowledging, eliminating self-doubt, and directing your entrepreneurial energy toward more productive ways of thinking because the trust I know where you're coming from and it's not easy. Are you in Texas and want support on overcoming self-doubt, schedule a free consultation here.

Anyone else feels like the first half of the year kicked your ass? Or is it just me

This week's episode is one of our past guests Susie Robb. If you have not listened to her first episode you need to. It's episode 41 where we talk about turning pain into purpose and now we get to hear about how Susie was able to successfully run an online business during Covid-19 and how she regained back momentum to focus on herself.  I love episodes like this where I can get to catch up and see our past guests grow and scale their business. If you need tangible tips on how to set your business up for success and how to regain your power & establish healthy habits then this episode is for you.    Guest Contact: Follow Susie on  Instagram, check out her website here.

“You choose your future with your actions each day” -Jame Clear  You need to let go of your busy badge of honor: it's not serving you and it's taking away your time and energy, instead, move your mindset to create long-lasting habits and rituals that are life-giving and create a sense of peace and purpose for your day.  In this episode, Lupe & I chat about creating healthy daily rituals that will not only keep you on track but also promote a healthy lifestyle.  Lupe gives us insights on how she creates her daily rituals as a business owner. She shares tangible tips to help you get started in creating those healthy daily rituals, steering you in the right direction.   More about the guest: Lupe Prado, a Career & Life Coach who helps clients get clarity and take action towards finding work they LOVE. Lupe comes from a corporate background in public accounting in the oil & gas industry. She has received her Master of Science in Leadership & Organization Development & Coaching. Lupe is also the host of Paid Vocation, a podcast geared toward sharing insightful information about different careers   Guest Contact: Follow Lupe  on Instagram, check out her website here.

How’s your relationship with money?  Do you find yourself overspending?  Trying to start a budget but having no financial boundaries?  This episode is meant for you! Today’s guest is debt-free money coach Ayana. Ayana shares her insights in how to make your relationship with money better, how to quit overspending, how to bring up conversation about money, the challenges to become debt free, and understanding toxic emotional spending cycles. This episode is jam packed with tangible tools to start healing your relationship with money and set healthier money habits.  More about the guest: Ayana Campbell Smith is a debt-free money coach with a passion for helping millennial women and couples get unstuck and become financially empowered so they can ditch debt, save more, and win with money! In August 2019, she launched Millennial Money Guide. Through her email newsletter, Instagram, blog, and money coaching programs, Ayana shares practical tips and money advice to help young adults navigate the sometimes intimidating and often misunderstood world of personal finance.   Guest Contact: Follow Ayana  on Instagram, check out her blog here.  

Where are my Enneagram 8 business Owners At?

68. The Healing Power of Telling Your Story with Jose Lugo  Telling your story can be the most powerful medicine on earth.  I’m serious scientifically you turn off the body’s stress responses and flip off toxic stress hormones. Each of us has a constantly unfolding narrative, a hero in a novel no one else can write. And yet so many of us leave our stories untold when this happens, we wind up feeling lonely, like no one is dealing with what we are dealing with, out of touch with our life’s purpose, and feeling like something is out of alignment.  Today’s guest Jose Lugo shows an example of the healing power of telling your story and the power of vulnerability. This episode is a special one for me because I resonated with Jose’s story because many of the men I grew up with had similar stories that were left untold. I am excited to hold space for Jose today as he shares the struggles he faced with addiction, family conflict, and finding purpose.  This episode is for all the men out there whose stories were never told; may we change the narrative on men's mental health.   More about the guest: Jose Lugo is an ex-LA gang member who has found the value in his own story. He currently travels the U.S. listening to and sharing people's stories as the founder of We Are All One Story. Jose is finishing his memoir, Love, Faith and Violence: A True Song and Story, set to release this year.   Guest Contact: Follow We Are One Story on Instagram, check out their website here.

What separates successful business owners from all the others it’s clearly one key thing – an entrepreneur mindset.  No matter what the problem small business owners face, in crisis or under regular circumstances, their mindset has a huge impact on the outcome.  In this week’s episode, I chat with Molly Ho an amazing digital product expert to discuss all things mindset and entrepreneurship. Molly Ho shares her experiences from working a minimum wage job to going into business for herself. She gives tangible tools to overcome mindset blocks and build confidence to grow and scale your business with digital products. More about the guest: Molly Ho is an Asian-American entrepreneur who helps aspiring and new entrepreneurs with their mindset, marketing, and money, so they can create their dream life and business. She has created an amazing community of over  17,000 Instagram followers, has sold over 1,000 design templates, and helped hundreds of entrepreneurs with her marketing courses; myself included. She is also the founder of Keep Getting Paid, a one-stop-shop for all your business and marketing needs.    Guest Contact: Follow Molly Ho on Instagram, check out her website here.  

Has there ever been a time where you didn’t feel confident in your life? You trusted those around you, but yourself not so much.   Self-confidence is understanding that you trust your judgment and abilities and that you value yourself and feel worthy, regardless of any imperfections or of what others may believe about you.    In this episode, I am so excited to be joined by Danielle Hawthorne, an entertainment journalist, confidence coach, and host of the Confidence Collective podcast. She has worked alongside some of the biggest names and studios in Hollywood. Danielle built the career of her dreams traveling the globe interviewing some of the biggest actors and directors. And now she is on a mission to help women build confidence and achieve their goals and dare to create a life they love. Danielle gives us insights into her confidence journey.    So grab your coffee because today we are choosing confidence!   Guest Contact: Follow Danielle  on Instagram, check out her website here.

Showing up online can be really scary! Did you know one of the most common fears entrepreneurs have is fear of failure and judgement? These fears stop us from showing up and moving forward with our business. Overcoming this fear and truly knowing how to show up in the online space can be a game changer that’s why I have asked marketing and visibility expert Madison Tinder today on the podcast. Madison shares her journey starting her business and ways she used visibility strategies to scale, grow, and create impact.  More about the guest: Madison is passionate about helping female entrepreneurs get more visible, step into that badass CEO role & make an impact. Madison is the amazing brains behind the new e-commerce business called Soulful Scrunchies bringing us serious 80’s vibes with a modern luxury look.  Go check them out over at @shopsoulfulscrunchies Madison is also the host of @soulfulsocial podcast where she touches on all things entrepreneurship, marketing, and mindset.    Guest Contact: Follow Madison  on Instagram, check out her website here.

63. #DatingAdvice during COVID-19 with Dr. Christie Kederian Dating is hard enough. Now mix in a global pandemic and it makes you feel like there is no hope to meet someone that can become your life partner. That’s why I am joined on today’s episode with Dr. Christie Kederian, a nationally renowned relationship expert who specializes in helping clients create lives they love and find the love they deserve. We talk about finding the right partner and navigating virtual dating during COVID-19.    More about the guest: Dr. Christie has an extensive career as a professional matchmaker and relationship expert for eHarmony and Match.com affiliate company, Christie has helped hundreds of people find love and improve their relationships. She is a "Triple Trojan" receiving her Bachelor's, Master's & doctoral degree at the University of Southern California in Psychology and Marriage and Family Therapy.   She is also a radio host, of The Lyrical Therapy Hour and has been a featured expert in ABC, NBC, KTLA, the Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Cosmopolitan and many more.  Guest Contact: Follow Dr. Christie Kederian on Instagram, check out her website here.

2020 was A HOT MESS! Can I get an Amen! And a while everything around the world seemed chaotic life didn’t stop. We had to roll with it and that is just what my guest today did. In this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing an amazing entrepreneur Liz Mcvoy who not only gave birth during COVID-19, while working a full-time job but also scaled her business. Liz provides insights into the world of motherhood and entrepreneurship. Liz also shares her expertise in video marketing and showing up confidently. Liz’s message is about resiliency and preserving no matter what the circumstances are. I know you will enjoy just as much as I enjoyed having her on.    More about Liz: Liz Mcvoy is a Video and Marketing Consultant with over ten years of experience, who founded a creative marketing agency where she helps entrepreneurs and brands have greater visibility and impact in their field. Liz loves to share how to use storytelling via video, to attract, engage, and convert clients into your business. So if you’ve been struggling with video marketing @lizmcvoycreative has got your back!   Guest Contact: Follow Liz on Instagram, check out her website here.

Do you feel like you ALWAYS have to be plugged into your business?  Have you been told that if you are not doing anything that you are considered lazy? Maybe you have a massive to-do list and want to take back control of your time energy?   If you resonated with any of that, you arrived at the right place. I am thrilled to have had Grace Blacksea come on to the show and share her game-changer insights on productivity and what it means as a business owner. Grace and I chat about burnout, time management, owning your unique way of doing things, and so much more.    More about Grace: Grace is the Ceo of Quench Collective, an online community for female entrepreneurs and leaders. Grace teaches female founders how to uplevel their strategy, systems, and mindset so they can generate more impact and income by leveraging their most valuable asset, their time. Grace’s mission is to help women banish burnout, scale smarter not harder, and truly step into the role of CEO.    Guest Contact: Follow Grace on Instagram, check out her website here.

60. Overcoming Burnout with Hannah Nieves Are you feeling burnout? Does your job not fulfill you anymore? Are you exhausted and wish you had the tools to overcome it?I believe we can learn through other people’s experiences that’s why I interviewed Hannah Nieves, an extraordinary Latina entrepreneur who has an amazing story to share about how she overcame burnout and created a life and business she loves. In this episode, Hannah will share her journey and insights into her zone of genius on how to promote yourself authentically within your business.    More about the guest: Hannah Nieves has extensive experience in marketing, branding, and PR. Hannah knows what it takes to build, market, and promote authentic brands and create results. Hannah is also the host of The Thrive Society Podcast where she shares inspiring stories and strategies from aspiring entrepreneurs and brands looking to level up their business. Hannah has been featured in Forbes, Business Insider, and In style. Hannah is your go-to gal when it comes to elevating your luxury brand.  Guest Contact: Follow Hannah  on Instagram, check out her website here.

“I’m a perfectionist!”. How many times have you used your perfectionism as an excuse? Raise Your Hand…. Perfectionism can often feel like a strength, a way to accomplish all the things, get rewarded, and avoid the criticism. But it also creates unnecessary stress and anxiety. Am I right?  While hard work and achievement matters, they aren’t always what matters most. That’s why I chat with my good friend Valerie Rocio, as she shares her struggles with her own perfectionism as an entrepreneur and how she navigates this within her business. She shares tangible tips on how to start the process of overcoming perfectionism.  More About the Guest: Valerie is the CEO & Founder of Lumos Creative. Lumos Creative was established in September 2018 with a mission to provide small and woman-owned businesses with quality content to give them a competitive advantage. Valerie began as a solopreneur offering videography, photography and social media management. In the past year Lumos Creative has grown to a team of 6 female creatives, now offering: Social Media Management, Video and Photography, Graphic and Web Design, Branding and Strategy, Blog Writing, and Pinterest Management. Valerie is also the host of the You Glow Girl Podcast.    Guest Contact: Follow Valerie on Instagram at @valerierocio, check out her business website @lumoscreative.

Join me today as I ramble about 2020. I wanted to say how grateful I am for you listening to the podcast. I can't wait to step into 2021 and season 4 of the podcast. Watch out because it is going to be AMAZING!

IT'S THE HOLIDAYS FOR ME   The holidays are not always easy. They can bring up triggers, drama, and bottled up emotions. That’s why thanks to @iamhellostudios I was able to get together with the ladies of the @selfcare.gang podcast Devyn & Desireé to spill all the tea on how to handle the holidays whether you're spending it alone, going to see family, or using this time to reflect we talk about it all. We share personal advice on handling the holidays and how to protect your peace.   More about the guests: Devyn & Desireé are the hosts of the @selfcare.gang podcast. Devyn is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate and Desireé is a Mental Health Advocate pursuing a degree in rehabilitation counseling. They chat about all things mental health, pop culture, and tackle some heavy topics. These Black Queens are not afraid to tell it how it is while also providing empathy and compassion so go and show some love over at their podcast.  Follow Devyn @sentfromdevyn & Desireé @itsdesicakes Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Café with Monica podcast.

I am so honored to have today’s guest on the podcast Jo Lam,  a first-generation immigrant, spiritual gangster, domestic violence survivor, and Founder & Ceo of Project Beauty. Project Beauty is a nonprofit dedicated to empowering individuals through beauty and self-love. This episode is very special as we spread awareness of Domestic Violence. Did you know? On average, 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States — more than 12 million women and men over the course of a year. Disclaimer: We talk about some heavy stuff in this episode, and I want to caution you to listen to this episode with someone you trust.  To reach out to Jo and help support her cause follow: @project_beauty_dfw @dallasbeautywellness --- www.theprojectbeauty.org

Values are important because they guide our beliefs, attitudes and behaviour. They help us to grow and develop. They help us to create the future we want to experience. In this episode, Dr. Lauren Cook shares how she has helped others with creating value informed decisions that are in alignment with their lives. Dr. Lauren shares her insights on how identifying your values can be helpful to overall wellness. We also share exciting news on The Hearth Virtual Conference, which she will be hosting on World Mental Health Day October 10th. This conference is filled with amazing topics on fostering resilience, helping you learn coping skills, how to let go of shame and guilt, and cultivating healthy relationships.    Guest Contact: Follow Dr. Lauren Cook on Instagram @dr.laurencook and check out her website drlaurencook.com.   Resources Mentioned: Events: The Hearth Conference: Use discount code: CAFEWITHMONICA Course: The Decision Principles  Books: The Sunny Side Up Name Your Story

In today’s episode, I chat with Maham Qadri, founder of Texapreneur, an online platform that highlights Texas Entrepreneurs. Maham and I chatted on what it was like to start this business during a pandemic, why it’s important to build each other up, and how she got to where she is now. Maham is truly inspiring and she reminds us that taking messy action can yield results. Maham gives great insight and advice to new and aspiring entrepreneurs.    More about the guest: Maham Qadri is the CEO & Founder of Texapreneur. This company was founded in April 2020. Maham wanted to shed light on the importance of supporting locals and to empower and showcase other entrepreneurs in the state of Texas. Maham is extremely passionate on the importance of women supporting women, individuals supporting individuals, and overall wanting to inspire people as well as be inspired daily. Maham hopes to motivate individuals, business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs via her Texapreneur platform. Guest Contact: Follow Maham on Instagram @texapreneur.

Spending day after day in the same place can make even the best couple a little stir-crazy.  That’s why I finally convinced my husband Adam to come on the podcast to share how we have been navigating COVID-19 and our mental health.   No relationship is perfect and we know that relationships take work. If you are struggling right now because you're spending way too much time with your significant other this episode is just for you. In this episode, we share advice and insights on living in a one-bedroom apartment, marriage, having a new pet, and how we have grown in our relationship.

Entrepreneurship can be tricky to navigate and sometimes we find ourselves feeling lost because we don’t have a sense of purpose. In this episode, I invited Miracle, a young entrepreneur to share how she discovered entrepreneurship and the importance of having a purpose and finding your voice. You will feel so inspired and just ready to take on any challenges after listening to this episode.  More about the guest: Miracle Olatunji is an award-winning Gen Z entrepreneur, international speaker, women’s advancement advocate, and author of Purpose: How to Live and Lead With Impact. She has been honored as a Young Global Leadership Scholar, Youth Entrepreneur of The Year, a 40 Under 40 Woman to Watch, and a grand prize winner of the World Series of Entrepreneurship. Her work has been featured in Forbes, Thrive Global, Technical.ly, The Female Lead, and other leading publications. She was a member of the advisory board for the Diamond Challenge, one of the world's largest entrepreneurship competitions for high school students and she continues to work with other organizations that empower future innovators and world-changers. Guest Contact: Follow Miracle  on Instagram @miracleolatunji, you can book her for your next speaking engagement here. Resources Mentioned: Book: Purpose: How to Live and Lead With Impact

Grab your favorite notebook and pen because in this solo episode I am sharing tangible ways you can start to put self-love into action.   Personally, self-love was a foreign concept to me for a long time. I didn’t realize I was not intentionally finding ways to show myself love until my therapist in graduate school pointed it out. I had just left a 3-year relationship when I found myself searching for ways to provide the love that I no longer received from another person. I remember my therapist asked me to note what my ex-boyfriend provided me in terms of love and asked me how I can replicate that and provide it to myself. It was then that self-love became an intentional and purposeful act.    Putting self-love into action not only makes us healthier people, but it also makes us better in our relationships and communities. It makes us better for us, better for others, and better for our lives.  

Do you want to know your deepest desires, drive, passions, and strengths?   Have you heard about the Enneagram?   The Enneagram is a powerful tool for psycho-spiritual growth. It does not put any of us in a ‘box’. It helps us work with our nuanced personality differences by tapping into our unique shadows and strengths. Cool Right? Well here’s a treat for you. I am so excited I got to chat with Michael Shahan, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Kansas City, Missouri all about the Enneagram and how he uses this as a tool to help his therapy clients. Michael has a wealth of knowledge on the Enneagram and I swear this episode will make you feel like you are chatting over coffee with your best guy friend. Who wouldn’t want that? Michael shares how each enneagram shows up in their unique ways in relationships. It’s such a binge-worthy episode!    After you take a listen you're gonna want to follow Michael over on his Instagram @michaelshahan_therapy where he provides awesome relatable memes and insights using the enneagram.    You can also  connect with Michael  on his website over at www.michaelshahan.com 

Are you fearlessly chasing after your dream?  My guest today sure is and she is spilling the tea on how she is doing it all and the struggles that come along with it.  One of the greatest things I get to do when interviewing people for the podcast is getting a glimpse into their lives and their story. In today’s episode, I chatted with one of my favorite people to follow on the internet, Madison Anaya.  Madison not only shares my love for the Office but in helping women by creating community and showing up authentically.  Madison Anaya is a speaker, writer, conference host, content strategist, and community builder who helps millennial women live with purpose, love their work, and make an impact. She's the host of The Fearless Chase Community + Podcast which is full of resources and events for female creative entrepreneurs choosing to fearlessly chase after their biggest dreams. You can find Madison on Instagram@madisonbaileyanaya Join the Fearless Chase Community on Facebook Listen to her podcast here Want to get help on content strategy check out her website at www.madisonanaya.com  

Do you feel uncomfortable talking about SEX better yet low sex drive?    I remember the first time I had to talk about sex with my mom it was not your typical the birds and the bees type conversation. To be honest I don’t even know where that phrase came from.   But anyway talking about sex was awkward for me. I remember talking to my first romantic partners about sex was awkward too and then there's talking to my gynecologist yikes even scarier.    So here is the conversation I wish I had when I was younger. In this episode, I chat with Dr. Lyndsey Harper about sex, sex drive, questions to ask your gynecologist, and so much more.    More about my guest:  Dr. Harper is the Founder and CEO of Rosy, a women’s health technology company that connects women who have sexual health concerns with hope, community, and research-backed solutions. She has been named Forbes Top 53 Women Disrupting Healthcare, People Newspapers’ 20 Under 40, and a Top Innovator in North Texas for 2020. Follow Dr. Harper on Instagram at @lydnseyharpermd Download the Rosy App Here

DOES FEAR CONTROL YOU? Has it ever stopped you from doing what you really want to do? Have you felt like if only it wasn't there you would be able to accomplish much more? If there answer yes! I got your back. In this episode, I talk about how to start letting go of fear with some practical tips to use. Are you ready to tackle your fear? Jump on a FREE Mental Health Clarity Call with to get started Click Here.

SETTING BOUNDARIES IS HEALTHY! Really excited to share my conversation with Therapist Mary Beth Somich who focuses on family dynamics and boundary setting in her therapy practice. Her style of family therapy involves building respect and boundaries in the home environment by examining relationships and communication patterns. She shares her insight on how she works with clients on finding their limits to establish healthy boundaries.  This episode is filled with tangible tips to help with setting boundaries in all areas of your life. Boundaries create emotional health and are created by people with emotional health. They are something you can start working on today with the people close to you and you’ll begin to notice a difference in your self-esteem, confidence, and emotional stability. More about the guest: Mary Beth Somich is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Private Practice in Raleigh, North Carolina who works with teens & young adults, and specialize in family dynamics. In addition, she provides support to other therapists in establishing their private practices as well as leveling up on Instagram and building their social media presence. Mary Beth's Instagram  Need help on setting boundaries I got you let's jump on a FREE Mental Health Clarity Call. Click Here

Guilty of Procrastinating?  You have probably researched a million articles on How To Stop Procrastinating and still feel lost. It's like what the heck right you love achieving you feel some days you are on top of the world and then something you don't want to do comes up and your like maybe later which only leads to feeling more frustrated.  In this episode, I share my insights on what has  helped me stop procrastinating and how you can help stop your procrastination.   Want to work with me? If you’re in the Texas I offer online counseling. I am accepting NEW counseling clients! Just simply contact me here. Sign up for my monthly recap email here filled with free guides, mental health tips, and encouragement on how to live your best life.  If you just want general tips and want to check out what I am up to follow me on social media:  Follow Me on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and or contact me here.  If you liked this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate & review on Itunes here. No Itunes? No problem, you can subscribe/follow the podcast on Spotify.

Café with Monica Podcast is celebrating 1 year.. I cannot believe it. I am so grateful for all of you. Every review, every dm, every heart felt share of the podcast means so much to me. You made this possible. I am so proud of what the podcast has become and can’t wait to continue to deliver you some amazy episodes diving into entrepreneurship, anxiety, perfectionism, and everything in-between.    Celebrate with my by sharing your favorite podcast episode and tag me :D Want to work with me Schedule a FREE Mental Health Clarity here   Follow me on Instagram here

Therapists spill the tea... Yes, you heard that right on this episode I chat with another fellow therapist Mary Beth to share our personal therapy experience stories. I share the much-anticipated story about how I ended the relationship with my previous therapist. We talk about therapists do's and don’ts. We also share resources on how to find a therapist that is the right fit for you. Guest Contact: Mary Beth's Instagram  Not sure if you need therapy or maybe coaching let's jump in a FREE Mental Health Clarity Call. Click Here

HOW THE POWER OF RESILIENCY CAN CHANGE YOU LIFE I believe we all have the ability to build our resiliency.  Resiliency is a key tool to overcome some of life's toughest challenges. This week I want to share a story of an amazing lady who  against all odds became stronger for her and her son. I am so honored to be sharing Steff’s story on the podcast this week. This episode is filled with courage and vulnerability. Steff shares her story of abuse, transformation, and healing.  We get to dive into Steff’s experience and why she makes mental health and physical health as top priorities in her life.  Guest Contact: Follow Steff on Instagram Interested in working with Steff on your health journey check out her website.  Are you struggling with healing? Are you ready to make the step towards transformation? Then therapy may be for you! Pop on a FREE 25 Minute Consultation with Monica here. 

LEARN HOW TO TURNING PAIN INTO PURPOSE I received an email from Susie where she shared a small piece of her story and ladies I was hooked. First, she was a Brené Brown fan just like me so she spoke my language. I knew I had to get her on the podcast. In this episode, Susie shares how she turned pain into purpose going through a divorce, sharing her experience in therapy, how that affected her entrepreneurial journey, and real talk about self-worth. Want to turn your pain into purpose? Book a 15 minutes consultation with me to talk about therapy can help. Click Here

All my Latinx ladies, do you have a mama con drama? Say no more, I brought Zeahlot Lopez, licensed counselor and marriage and family therapist to talk about all things relationships with our mothers and how to start the healing process.  Side note: a difficult mother can include your biological mother, step-mother, mother-in-law, and or the motherly figure who raised you. I love this episode because Zeahlot shares her own personal experience with her mom. Zeahlot gives us tangle action steps  to start working on our relationships with our mommas what more can you ask for. You also get to hear how Zeahlot focuses on self-care as a busy Latinx business owner and how she is expanding her services to reach more people.  Guest Contact: Follow Zeahlot & Vida Therapy Inc on Instagram, check out their website to check out counseling services and coaching services.  Check out Zeahlot’s Vida Therapy Shop  Interested in Therapy with Monica Click Here to Schedule a Free 15 Minute Consultation