Studio Within Podcast

It's Mental Health Awareness Month! So, let's take a moment to check in with our mental health, but also shed light on how you can support loved ones who struggle with mental illness. In this episode of Studio Within, I share tips and advice for supporting people who are suffering. Whether it's your friend, your partner, a family member, or a stranger who happens to be pouring their heart out to you, these insights will help you be present with someone when they are hurting. [Disclaimer: This information is not meant to treat mental illness or substitute professional medical advice, counseling, or therapy.]Let's make each other feel seen, heard, and understood instead of judged or overlooked. Practice deep listening, hold space for all emotions and reactions, and then ask, “what does support from me look like to you now?”Go to the show notes hereFollow WITHSAARA

Are you curious about what it's like to have a coach or what it's like to be in a coaching session?  This episode will give you major insights into both!In this episode of Studio Within, I welcome Samantha Chesler, a coach, mentor, and teacher who's passionate about helping people discover their inner leader and realize that they are not dictated by their inner critic. Tune in as we talk about why Samantha became a coach after 16 years of teaching, how she supports her clients through coaching, and what she's learned from teaching in 12 different countries. You'll also get to hear a quick sample of coaching!  “Everybody's why is different but if you live with the knowledge of that purpose and you move in the direction towards your why, your life will be so much more fulfilled.” - Samantha Chesler Go to show notes hereFollow me on IG here

In this episode of Studio Within, I talk about what coaching is, the benefits of working with a coach, and why coaching is so transformational. What is the difference between therapy and coaching? Is coaching right for me? How does a coach/client relationship work? I address all these questions and more, so get cozy and tune in!“Coaching will challenge you in very unexpected ways. It will make you question some of your own biases, thoughts and habits. It will literally provoke your thinking.” - Saara SihvonenNow more than ever, people are signing up for coaching programs and hiring coaches to guide them through everything from eating healthy to starting a business. Coaching has so many benefits and I want to shine light on why coaches can be so helpful for models and talents who want to grow and succeed in the fashion and entertainment industry. Show Notes: https://www.onlinestudiobywithsaara.com/blog/whatiscoachingandwhydoesitworkssowellLearn more about WITHSAARA:https://www.withsaara.com/

In this episode of Studio Within, I talk about why and how positive psychology can holistically transform talent development and the fashion industry.Positive psychology provides evidence-based information, tools, and practices that models and talents can benefit from… so why aren't they more prevalent in the fashion industry? This is the problem that inspired Studio Within, WITHSAARA Wellbeing Platform, and the Thriving Talent Training. Listen in to learn about my own experience working with positive psychology as a model and practices I've used to feel more empowered, happier, and even improve my performance.Go to show notes here.Follow WITHSAARA

In this episode of Studio Within, I talk about 3 useful questions for fashion models and talents working in fashion.  Using these questions, you'll be able to get clear on your goals, your boundaries, what success looks like to YOU, and most importantly what gives you meaning in life. After some reflection, you'll feel more resilient, driven, and empowered in your career.As Fashion Week takes place all over the world this month, I wanted to share the specific, important insights I've learned throughout my career as a fashion model by sharing my personal answers to these 3 questions.Read show notes here: https://www.onlinestudiobywithsaara.com/blog/3-questions-that-will-help-you-boost-your-career-in-fashion

How do actors take care of their mental health? In this episode of Studio Within, I welcome Alina Tomnikov, an internationally recognized Finnish-Russian actress based in Helsinki, Finland. Listen in as we talk about how Alina stays mentally sane and healthy as an actress. She speaks on the power of letting go, finding and listening to your own voice, and asking for help when you're struggling. We also discuss the importance of recognizing your worth and figuring out what mental health tools work best for you.Read show notes here:  https://www.onlinestudiobywithsaara.com/blog/how-to-stay-mentally-healthy-through-times-of-struggle-with-finnish-russian-actress-alina-tomnikovFollow Alina Tomnikov: www.instagram.com/alinatomnikov Follow WITHSAARA: https://www.instagram.com/withsaara/?hl=fi

This is a special week here at Studio Within! We are intentionally celebrating the first year of podcasting. And what better way to celebrate the first birthday of Studio Within than reflecting on the past episodes and answering the question: How can each episode of Studio Within podcast make your life better?If you are a new listener this is a great episode to start with or if you are a seasoned Studio Within listener but you have missed a few episodes here and there this episode will give you a good summary of all the past episodes so you will know which ones to add on your podcast list! If you like to celebrate more, make sure to tune into the previous episode (EP25) where Dan Lim, my guest host,  and I are celebrating this special birthday together. And to make it even more fun, Dan is taking the microphone from me and becomes the host of the episode and I will be put on the hot seat on my own show ;) Tune into the episode here: https://www.onlinestudiobywithsaara.com/blog/dan-lim-interviews-me-for-studio-within-s-1st-birthday

Happy 1st Birthday to the Studio Within Podcast! We're switching things up for this special anniversary episode… Today, I'm in the hot seat as a guest on my own show!I welcome Daniel "Dan" Lim, Co-Host of The LITO Podcast and Co-founder of LITO Academy, a membership group for visionary entrepreneurs to celebrate this special anniversary with me. I can guarantee you one thing from this episode: loads of laughter! We laughed, celebrated, and covered some of my most important takeaways from the first year of podcasting.  And to you my loyal listener, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to tune into Studio Within episodes. It means a lot. I hope I will be able to share more meaningful and FUN conversations with you in the future. Read the show notes here: https://www.onlinestudiobywithsaara.com/podcastTune into The Lito Podcast here: https://litolabs.com/podcastFollow me on IG here: https://www.instagram.com/withsaara/?hl=fi

Happy New Year to you all! Do you want to know a more powerful way to boost your success, achievement, well-being, and joy in 2022? Hint: It's not New Year's resolutions!In this first 2022 episode of Studio Within, I welcome Netta Lehtonen, a coach, positive psychology expert, and Founder of Joylla, Finland's leading positive psychology training company. Tune in as we talk about the importance of character strengths, what they are, and how you can start to develop your own signature character strengths to create well-being in 2022. Go to episode show notes here Follow Netta on Instagram: www.instagram.com/joyllafiVisit Joylla's website: www.joylla.comConnect with me here: www.instagram.com/withsaara

"When your 'why' is strong, your doubts and the fear will weaken."In this episode of Studio Within (the last episode of 2021!), I talk about how our actions in life are influenced by the fear of failure. I also share a few ways you can navigate and overcome your fear of failure, no matter what area of life it's in. You'll learn how to turn that fear into a powerful fuel for growth, embodying your fullest potential, and uncovering your inner glow.Go to show notes hereFollow WITHSAARA on IG here

What are the most important things you need to know in order to have a thriving career in fashion or entertainment? I have the answers for you… all six of them!In this final episode of the Thriving Talent Series, I reflect on the six major lessons from these conversations, as well as my own modeling career, that will give you the unbreakable foundation you need to thrive in fashion and entertainment… and in life in general! Plus, tune in to find out how you can join Rejection Cure, my free mini training that teaches you how to deal with rejection like a pro.Go to show notes hereJoin FREE Rejection Cure Training hereFollow WITHSAARA on IG

With so much going on in the world, pursuing a career in modeling, acting, or any other form of talent can seem intimidating… but when you know the tools for thriving, your potential is limitless.In this episode of the Thriving Talent Series, I welcome model and entrepreneur, Avril Guerrero, to share her definitions of thriving, freedom, and independence. She shines light on how she started modeling as a teenager and what has empowered her to thrive in her career for 14+ years, and why she decided to pursue higher education and entrepreneurship alongside modeling.If your goal is to work as a talent in fashion or entertainment, this episode is a must listen. Go to show notes here Follow WITHSAARA on IG

In this second guest episode of the Thriving Talent Series, I welcome high fashion model, Lina Berg, to share her unique perspectives as a model and the key lessons she's learned from almost a decade in the industry.Lina Berg is a 31-year-old high fashion model based in Berlin, Germany. After starting her career at 24, she's worked with some of the most prestigious clients in fashion, including Burberry, Versace, Givenchy, Vogue Paris, Interview Magazine, and Zara.Get ready for honest thoughts and insightful tips on how you can build a thriving career as a fashion model. Enjoy the episode!Psst...! I've added a full list of the tips for thriving as a talent Lina shares with us on the show notes so you can easily check them out there if you're in the rush!Find episode show notes hereFollow WITHSAARA on IG hereSee how we can work together here

In this first guest episode of Thriving Talent Series, I welcome top model and actor, Angela Ruiz, to share her special formula for thriving as a talent in fashion and entertainment. You'll learn the coping method she used as a model in the (very) long casting line for Calvin Klein, her expert insights on making money as a talent, and how to cope with judgement, rejection, and uncertainty. Angela also highlights the importance of remembering who you really are and what you love.Go to show notes here Follow me on Instagram here

Have you always dreamed of working in fashion and entertainment but you're unsure of how the industry works and how to become successful? Are you already in the industry but feeling uninspired? If you want to feel fired up, perform with passion, and unleash your full potential as a talent, this episode is for YOU!In this episode, I kick off the Thriving Talent Talks where we will discover what enables talents to thrive and build successful, long-term careers. I also share with you the key elements that have enabled me to thrive as a model in fashion for 10+ years. In future episodes, you'll hear from some of the industry's most successful talents on what they do to achieve their goals AND thrive in fashion and entertainment.Tune in and get ready for happier and healthier career in fashion and entertainment. Go to show notes here.Visit my website here.Take me to Instagram here.

Want to have better, more meaningful conversations with your loved ones or colleagues?  Tune into this episode and find out how curiosity, deep listening, and acknowledgment can improve and enhance your next conversation.Go to show notes hereVisit my website hereFollow me on IG

Have you got something you still want to achieve this year? Or are you simply wanting more focus and motivation for the rest of the year? Look no further than to this first ever bonus episode in which I will share a powerful intention word strategy with you.If you listened to episode 2 Effective Goal Setting For Your Wellbeing (one of the most popular episodes so far!) and you already set yourself an intention word, this is a chance for you to do an intention word check-in. It's never too late to set yourself an intention word! Whether you're listening to this episode in January, June, or December, try creating one today and see how it impacts the rest of your year!Go to show notes hereTune into episode 2 on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyFollow me on instagram here

“If you are deeply craving to recharge your mental energy, this is it.”Welcome to Season 2 of Studio Within! This season, I'm focusing on sharing insight into what it takes to thrive as a creative, fashion model, influencer, and artist in the world of fashion and entertainment. And of course, you'll keep getting tools and strategies from the world of positive psychology that will help you thrive personally and professionally. In this episode, I reflect on the past few months I've spent in my little Finnish cabin in the woods, as well as the importance of resting and recharging, getting away from city life, and enjoying everything nature has to offer. If you've been stuck inside, unable to travel and explore, this episode is dedicated to you! You'll learn how to cultivate the Finnish cabin life (or mökki) mindset, even if you're stuck in the city, and why it's so rejuvenating for the mind, body, and soul.Enjoy the episode!Go to show notes hereFollow me on IG here

What does authenticity mean to you? How authentically are you showing up in your life? In this final episode of season one, we dive deep into what authenticity means. I share a few different definitions of authenticity and what is required to live authentically, as well as why authenticity and being true to ourselves is deeply important to our human nature. I ponder the connection between authenticity and intuition, self-awareness, vulnerability and courage, while exploring what positive psychology has to say about being authentic.Excited for Season 2 of Studio Within podcast? Me too! I'll be taking a break this summer to make sure next season will be extra special for you, but be sure to stay connected with me to receive updates on the premier of Season 2. Sign-up for my e-mail list here to be the first one to hear when season 2 kicks off!Follow me on IG here.And if you're tuning in on Apple Podcasts, I'd appreciate a lot if you could leave me a review. Thank you so much! 

Today, I welcome Andy Proctor, a well-being expert, Host of the More Happy Life podcast, and Psychology PhD student studying how human friendship impacts health and wellness. Together, we discuss his research about human connection, his eye-opening theories on adult friendship, and how a lack of social connection has become a predictor of poor health outcomes. Since Andy is also a social media marketing expert, we talk about how social media has impacted the way people connect and use their time, as well as practical strategies for creating more meaningful friendships through social media platforms and apps. Expect eye-opening insights, research studies and fun tips on how you can create more meaningful connection with your friends.You can find the episode show notes hereTune into More Happy Life Podcast hereFollow Andy on Instagram hereFollow WITHSAARA on Instagram here

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s talk about ways you can promote your mental health and wellbeing! It’s so beneficial to learn how to best take care of yourself so you can avoid falling into the dark and gloomy feelings of helplessness. In today's episode, I talk about why it’s important to have fun, the effects of having more fun and experiencing more joy in life, and simple methods for boosting positive emotions and your mood based on positive psychology research.I hope this episode will inspire you to do something FUN today just for the sake of it! You can find the show notes hereFollow me on IG hereVisit my website here 

Struggle is a part of life. There's just no way around it. That's why learning how to become more resilient is fundamental to our mental wellbeing. By understanding how you can cultivate resilience, you’ll be able to bounce back better from life’s challenges. Resilience is essential for a thriving sense of ambition and happiness in life. In fact, it’s one of the top 10 skills you should learn if you intend on creating a successful, flourishing life for yourself.Today, I explain what resilience is, what it’s not, and why it matters to your mental health and well-being. I also speak openly about my struggle with loneliness and we'll finish with three things that you can do to improve your resilience.Enjoy the episode!You can find the show notes here Follow me on IG hereVisit my website here

Ready to rethink what the word 'success' means to you? Today, I welcome Kiira Korpi, a modern day thought leader, figure skating artist, internationally recognized children’s rights advocate, and inspirational coach from Finland who’s currently living in New York City. Kiira is the author of an incredible memoir, Kiira – Ehjäksi Särkynyt (Kiira – Broken into Wholeness), which is set to release an updated English version in late 2021. Kiira and I share a passion for positive psychology, so in this conversation, you’ll hear about her relationship with success and inner freedom, along with her wisdom-filled thoughts on what the true meaning of success is. She speaks about her experience with fears and insecurities, and how positive psychology has benefitted her mental health. We discuss the importance of mental training and life coaching, as well as using positive psychology as a self-care tool and to prevent suffering.You’ll also learn three practical ways you can benefit from adopting the pro athlete attitude in your mental fitness training.You can find the episode show notes here: https://www.onlinestudiobywithsaara.com/blog/rethinking-success-with-olympic-figure-skater-kiira-korpiFollow Kiira https://www.instagram.com/kiira_korpi/?hl=fiFollow WITHSAARA https://www.instagram.com/withsaara/?hl=fi

How do you stay hopeful when there’s a global pandemic? Why is hope so powerful? What does hope even mean? Covid-19 has cause many of us to hope for a healthy, stable future that’s full of connection and freedom. Feeling sense of hopefulness about the future can be hard especially when we are faced with uncertainty and disappointments caused by the Pandemic.In today's episode, I share with you how my recent fashion runway experience inspired me to do this episode.  We'll talk about what hope means and how it’s defined in positive psychology research, how to enhance your feelings of hopefulness, and what has made me more hopeful in life, especially during this pandemic.You’ll also learn the three components of hope based on Charles Snyder’s hope theory, as well as three powerful ways you can enhance hopefulness in your life starting today! Plus, you’ll hear me read an awe-inspiring excerpt from one of my favorite books, Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl.“Hope is about wanting an outcome that makes your life better in some way.”Visit my website: www.withsaara.com Connect with me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/withsaara Visit the Studio Within podcast hub for all the show notes: www.onlinestudiobywithsaara.com/podcast 

What do you want in life? Many people would answer that question by saying happiness or things that bring them happiness. That’s because it’s such a huge part of human thriving in this world. Happiness is a serious topic and it’s important to know what it is and what it isn’t so that we can create more happiness in our lives.Today, I share with you three misconceptions or pitfalls of happiness that have emerged from positive psychology research, along with how our awareness of these pitfalls can help us think about happiness in healthier, more constructive ways. I speak about topics like hedonic adaptation, the role of materialism in happiness, negativity bias, the impact of social media on mental health, the benefits of engaging in flow experiences, and the five elements of well-being.“We simply don’t find happiness. I think we uncover it by doing, by experimenting, going outside of our comfort zones, failing, loving, breaking up, trying… as long as we are active, not passive.”

Positive psychology isn’t about being positive all the time. We’re all human, we still have struggles… but we can live well despite the struggles if we know how to best think about and approach the good and bad parts of life.Get cozy and listen to this beautiful conversation with social entrepreneur and champion of change, the Co-Founder of The Change Lab, Louis Alloro. Louis is here to discuss the power of positive psychology and the science of wellbeing and to provide practical tools you can use to integrate positive psychology into your daily life to nurture wellness. Tune in to learn how you can be an active participant in your own wellness journey, creating a ripple effect of lasting change in your community!Psst... If you're loving the episodes of Studio Within Podcast and you're listening this on Apple Podcasts... Make sure to leave a review before you leave! I would appreciate it a lot, thank you!

Have you ever wondered how talent management in fashion really works? What is the role of a talent agent? What does an agent have to say to the aspiring talents who are wanting to come into the fashion industry? I’ve got some answers for you in this episode. I welcome the Founder and Owner of Brand Model Management, Toni Korpineva, to the Studio Within Podcast, and I had some questions for him. Toni has been my mother agent for over 10 years and he has been the backbone of my success as a model. He is honest, straightforward and he doesn't sugarcoat things so this a unique perspective to hear if you're thinking about a career in fashion and entertainment. We dive deep into Toni's unique philosophy and how his passion for history shapes his talent management style. This episode is split into two parts for your convenience. So make sure you listen to part one before tuning into this part two.

Have you ever wondered how talent management in fashion really works? What is the role of a talent agent? What does an agent have to say to the aspiring talents who are wanting to come into the fashion industry? I’ve got some answers to you in this episode. I welcome the Founder and Owner of Brand Model Management, Toni Korpineva, to the Studio Within Podcast. Toni has been my mother agent for over 10 years and he has been the backbone of my success as a model. He is honest, straightforward and he doesn't sugarcoat things so this is a unique perspective to hear if you're thinking about a career in fashion and entertainment. We dive deep into Toni's unique philosophy and how his passion for history shapes his talent management style. This episode is split in two parts for your convenience. Make sure to tune into the part two which is published right after this first one. Link to the show notes: https://www.onlinestudiobywithsaara.com/blog/thetruthbehindtalentmanagement

Today I'm excited to welcome Finnish top model, Kirsi Pyrhönen, to Studio Within Podcast. Kirsi starred on the cover of Vogue Italy at the age of 16, but soon after her breakthrough moment she decided to take a step back from fashion modeling. Now, ten years later, she is making a comeback and has learnt invaluable lessons from the burnout she went through.Join us as Kirsi and I have a warm, encouraging, and realistic conversation about what led her to take a step back from modeling, how she was able to enforce boundaries when her success was accelerating too fast, and how her unique journey has shaped the wise woman she has become. We speak on the pressure to be a certain size, the need for supportive agents, and learning how to slow down and say no.Tune in now.

In this first guest episode of Studio Within, I welcome my friend, fellow Finnish model, and passionate multimedia artist, Jessica Luostarinen. Jessica is a true ray of sunshine and she’s here to talk about finding your passions in life, fueling your life with creativity, and the struggles she’s faced in modeling. She shares her thoughts on the importance of feeling all your feelings and emotions and saying yes to your dreams and desires. "Finding your passion starts from curiosity." Jessica Luostarinen. Tune in now!

In this episode of Studio Within, we’re talking about the difficult, yet powerful reality of rejection. This month, I’m dedicating lots of time to sharing stories of growth and courage in the fashion world, as February is known as Fashion Month in the industry. Models and talents of all kinds experience rejection constantly. Though it’s part of life, rejection can be very damaging to our mental health and wellbeing if we don’t know how to properly work with it.Tune in as I share 3 powerful ways to cope with rejection and prevent the potential pain it can cause us, including learning to explain the causes of rejection in realistic and optimistic ways, doing the inner work to boost self-awareness, and remaining resilient when faced with rejection.Go to show notes here: https://www.onlinestudiobywithsaara.com/podcast

Let's talk about goals! Goals are important to your wellbeing, satisfaction and hopefulness in life, and staying driven and empowered to create the life you want to live. In this episode, I talk about a few scientific reasons for why setting goals is impactful to our health and wellbeing, as well as what types of goals will get you results. I share simple, yet guaranteed ways to reach your goals this year based on positive psychology research and from my experience on the road as a model. “Nothing flames up my energy more than a big, badass goal, but I do think that we have to have a mix of realistic goals and also goals that are really making us stretch way more than we think we’re capable of.”

In this pilot episode of Studio Within, I share with you why I started my wellbeing platform, WITHSAARA, as well as this podcast, which will give you more insight into what has brought me here with you today. I describe some of the issues I’ve seen within the fashion industry and the modeling profession, from the chaos of the model’s lifestyle to the self-criticism that comes from all the loneliness. I talk about how focusing on nurturing your inner glow can help you achieve happiness and success on a whole new level, while breaking down the relationship between inner glow and outer glow. Then, I share a few practical strategies you can start using today to boost your inner glow.Go to show notes here: https://www.onlinestudiobywithsaara.com/podcast