Woman, I Am You

Welcome to the powerful conclusion of Season 2 of Woman, I Am You! On this week's episode, I sit down with the inspiring and accomplished Lisa Foster to tackle a challenge we all face: how to keep working on ourselves when life feels like a whirlwind of competing priorities. Lisa, a trailblazing real estate developer, community leader, and award-winning entrepreneur, shares her personal journey of navigating high-pressure situations and juggling responsibilities without losing sight of her goals or well-being. In this episode, Lisa opens up about: ✨ Her strategies for distinguishing between urgent and important tasks ✨ The mental models she uses to regain clarity when feeling overwhelmed ✨ How she balances long-term ambitions with day-to-day demands ✨ Practical tips for saying "no" without guilt and prioritizing what truly matters ✨ Unconventional productivity hacks that have transformed her focus If you've ever felt paralyzed by too many responsibilities or struggled with guilt over deprioritizing certain areas of life, this conversation is for you. Lisa offers relatable anecdotes, actionable strategies, and invaluable advice for thriving in life's busiest seasons. Join us for this inspiring and empowering finale that's packed with gems to help you regain control, realign with your purpose, and redefine balance on your own terms.

In this episode of Woman, I Am You, we dive into the real struggles of managing life when everything feels like a priority—something we all face. From juggling work, family, and personal goals to finding time for self-care, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. But here's the key takeaway: it's not about doing it all; it's about doing what truly matters. I share practical strategies like creating a “reality list,” setting boundaries, delegating tasks, and prioritizing rest. Remember, you can't pour from an empty cup, so schedule time for you. Life is busy, but with intentional choices, it's possible to find balance and keep working on yourself. Let's build a life that supports joy!

In Episode 19 of Woman, I Am You, we dive deep into the art of trusting yourself and the process with the incredible Ms. Catrice Armstrong, an Expert Brand Strategist and powerhouse entrepreneur. Together, we explore the delicate balance between perseverance and pivoting, uncovering how to overcome fear, self-doubt, and perfectionism to make empowered decisions. Through candid stories and actionable insights, Catrice shares pivotal moments from her journey, offering strategies to trust your intuition, embrace vulnerability, and lean into the unknown. If you've ever questioned your path or wondered how to recognize when it's time to push forward or change course, this episode will inspire and equip you to take the next step in your journey. Tune in for an empowering conversation that could redefine how you view trust, resilience, and success!

This episode of Woman, I Am You is a must-watch if you've ever felt stuck, doubted yourself, or wondered whether to keep pushing toward your goals or pivot to something new. We're diving deep into what it truly means to trust yourself and trust the process, exploring why so many of us struggle with fear, impatience, and comparison, and offering practical strategies to break free from self-doubt. If you've ever questioned your path or found yourself overwhelmed by setbacks, this episode will inspire and empower you to embrace uncertainty, learn from challenges, and take confident steps forward. It's a reminder that growth takes time, and every step—no matter how small—moves you closer to where you're meant to be. Join us and take the first step toward rediscovering your power and purpose.

In this episode of Woman, I Am You, we dive into the profound yet often hidden forces of self-doubt, guilt, shame, and how these can hold us back from reaching our full potential. Joined by Attorney India Rios, an inspiring trademark and business law expert dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs, we explore what it means to “play it small” and how to shift our self-talk to break through these limiting beliefs. India shares her personal journey and insights on facing self-doubt and guilt, and the turning points that helped her overcome them to build a thriving career. Listeners will gain valuable tools to recognize and reframe these emotions, along with advice on embracing confidence, letting go of perfectionism, and prioritizing their own needs without guilt. Prepare for a conversation that will challenge you to acknowledge what's held you back—and inspire you to move forward with courage and clarity.

In this transformative episode of Woman, I Am You, we dive deep into the silent struggles of self-doubt, shame, guilt, and the tendency to play small. These emotions often creep into our lives unnoticed, influencing our choices, holding us back, and limiting the joy and fulfillment we deserve. Together, we'll unpack what each of these feelings looks like, exploring how they shape our decisions and keep us stuck in a cycle of disempowerment. But it doesn't stop there—this episode also offers powerful strategies to raise awareness, recognize when these thoughts arise, and ultimately redirect the internal conversation. By learning to shift our self-talk, we can break free from the grip of self-doubt and step boldly into a life that honors our true potential. Tune in and discover how to move past limiting beliefs and create a more compassionate, empowering dialogue with yourself.

In today's episode, we will discuss, “Seeing Yourself in A Situation. How Can We Take A Step Back and Watch Ourselves From The Sidelines? Are We Leading with Love, Anger, Fear?” Joining us today is a very special guest, Ms. Portia King. Portia King is a multi-media personality, host and moderator based out of Chicago. Her elegance, confidence and personality have allowed her to work with various local and national outlets and brands such as REVOLT TV, Warner Brothers, the United Center, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Defender and Paramount Pictures. In 2018, she launched her first original content series Maven Muse, which highlights various artists, influencers, and icons making prominent waves throughout society. Portia is also the creator of The Maven Method: Media Training for Artists & Talent.

In Episode 4, "Seeing Yourself in a Situation," we explore the power of stepping back and observing ourselves from the sidelines. What does it mean to watch ourselves in real time, and how can this shift in perspective reveal whether we're leading with love, anger, or fear? This awareness is crucial because it allows us to better understand how we project our emotions onto others. Often, we assume the worst of people or situations, misinterpreting their actions through the lens of our own unresolved feelings. By taking a step back, we can begin to notice these emotional projections and gain clarity instead of making assumptions. Strategies for making this shift include practicing mindfulness, pausing before reacting, and engaging in self-reflection. By seeing ourselves clearly, we can change how we interact with others, leading to more conscious, authentic relationships.

On this episode, we connect with Ms. Nadia Patterson, who is an Integration Developer for Endeavor Health, she is a wife and mother of 2 wonderful boys and has recently taken on a new challenge as co-owner of New Line Tavern, a neighborhood bar in Chicago's Fulton River District. We discuss times in her life where she was disconnected to her inner voice, her thoughts on distinguishing the differences between outside influences and her own voice and the importance of living an authentic life, one that's full of joy.

In this powerful episode, we explore the importance of staying connected to your inner voice, especially when life feels overwhelming. Discover why tuning into your authentic self matters and what happens when you lose that connection. We'll uncover common reasons for feeling disconnected and share practical strategies to help you rediscover your inner voice, so you can move forward with renewed clarity and purpose. Tune in for an empowering conversation that will inspire you to reclaim your voice and live more authentically!

In this episode, we explore the concept of finding inner joy and its significance in our lives. We discuss the various "joy stealers" that can negatively impact our perspective, including external pressures, overthinking, and unrealistic self-expectations, all of which can disconnect us from our true happiness. By identifying these challenges, we aim to empower listeners to make meaningful changes that foster a deeper connection with their inner joy. Join us as we embark on this journey toward a more joyful and fulfilling life. Intro/Outro Song: Woman, I Am You - Written and Performed by Nickole Ragsdale

As we walk along this journey, how do we help the next person find their way as we continue to find our way? How does paying it forward impact the lives of others and you as well? Interview: Larvetta Loftin In this episode, we have the privilege of welcoming an extraordinary guest, Larvetta Loftin. She will share her unique perspective on the importance of paying it forward and how it has shaped her life and success. Larvetta Loftin, an award-winning marketing expert, business brand coach, and thought leader, is the founder and CEO of the L3 Agency. Her work, which includes building “love connections” between global brands like Bacardi, General Motors, and Verizon and the diverse women who love them, is truly inspiring. She is also the producer and host of Black Businesses Matter, a weekly podcast with over 1500 listeners.

In this episode, I will be interviewing Ms. Katie Moore. She is the owner and CEO of four Kiddie Academy's;  Bolingbrook, Darien, Oak Park, Countryside/LaGrange, and is looking to open up her 5th location in Orland Park. She is also the owner of RK Hair Salon in Chicago, On Par Sports Bar & Grill in Darien, and the co-owner of Sky Zone Trampoline Park in Chandler, Arizona. Katie will discuss her experiences as a serial entrepreneur, how she has managed multiple businesses with systems and processes that she has in place, and the importance of surrounding herself with a diverse community of people who help support her mission and vision.

Episode 8 focuses on creating a mental model of what you want to achieve. It involves forming a clear and detailed cognitive representation or framework of your goals, desires, and aspirations in your mind and putting it down on paper. This mental model serves as a blueprint or plan that helps you understand, visualize, and strategize how to attain your objectives. Now, you can take action on your ideas and turn them into tangible outcomes.

In this episode, I have the pleasure of having a very special guest. Ms. Monika Zbella. Monika is a native of Tarnow, a small town in Poland. She is a licensed esthetician, nail technician, CEO and owner of Magnolia salon, and mother of two amazing kids. Monica has over 20 years experience in the beauty industry.

Where are we spending our time and energy? There are events, challenges, and experiences in our lives that are out of our control. Where do we place our time and energy? Is it problem thinking, complaining and negative, or possibility thinking, positive and solution-based thinking? What is the story we tell ourselves? Do we speak negatively to ourselves about what we are capable of, or do we speak positive thoughts that help push us forward to the next steps of our journey? What roadblocks are we creating for ourselves that we are unconscious of that keep us from pursuing and accomplishing our dreams?

In this episode, Ms. Shannon Bonner explores what guides her decisions, when it is time to pivot, how she has overcome challenges, and what she has learned along the way. She will provide ideas and suggestions on how to get clear about what you want out of life and ensure that your choices and decisions are aligned. Guest: Melanie K. Hall - Instagram - @melaniekhallcpc, @insightstherapeuticservices

Let's explore how behaviors shape choices and choices create habits. I've learned that when the three align, we begin to see opportunities where we had not before. Together, we'll reflect on choices, ponder purpose, and make decisions that serve our dreams. I'll share my journey of separating from my husband and how it led to profound self-discovery. We'll wrap up with key action steps to pursue your dreams. What behaviors and habits would you like to change? Where do you begin? I had to examine my behavior, figure out my purpose, and determine whether my habits supported it. If I want to change my life, what does that look like?

In this episode, we continue discussing acceptance with Melanie K. Hall. Melanie is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Certified Anger Management Specialist-II, an EMDR Therapist, Lead Psychotherapist, and CEO of Insight Therapeutic Services, LLC. She is at the forefront of providing transformative mental health services for counseling and coaching, with a group practice dedicated to helping individuals and couples navigate life's challenges, focusing on emotional regulation and effective communication. Melanie has created relationship cards called “We Didn't Have that Conversation,” found on www.insightsts.com/cards.

In this episode, we dive into the pivotal realization that understanding who you are is the key to unlocking gratitude for your present and paving the way for the positive changes you desire. I'll share a piece of my life-changing realization, and I hope my revelation will catalyze your self-awareness. Grab your journal and take notes. Episode 2 is about empowering you to embark on a journey of self-reflection and transformation. Gain valuable insights that will encourage you to create the positive changes you've longed for.

This episode introduces who Nickole Ragsdale is and what Woman I Am You is all about.  It is the story of what prompted me to begin this journey to start a podcast to empower, encourage, inspire, and enlighten women to move through what has held them back in the past and give them the tools to help take the steps moving forward to find your joy and become the best you. Each episode will provide suggestions, ideas, and solutions to possibilities, along with other women's stories and real-life experiences.