The Story I'm Telling Myself

Have you ever done everything right , followed the rules, checked every box, worked hard, and still wondered why things weren’t working out? You’re not alone. In this episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself , host Rita sits down with Jenn Whitmer , an international keynote speaker and workplace culture consultant, to challenge the hidden narrative that obedience guarantees success. Together, they...

Are you over 40 and wondering if it’s too late to pivot your career or redesign your life? In this empowering episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself , host Rita sits down with Andrea Bjorkman , CEO & Co-Founder of Find Your Fizz , to talk about breaking free from age-related stereotypes, self-limiting beliefs, and outdated societal expectations. At 58, Andrea left a high-level corporate execu...

In this episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself , Rita sits down with professional speaker and coach Olivia Fitchett to talk about overcoming crippling anxiety, self-doubt, and the self-limiting stories that hold so many of us back. Olivia’s inspiring journey, from growing up in Southern Indiana with clinical anxiety to unexpectedly landing a White House internship where she even crossed paths wit...

Are you ready to break free from limiting beliefs and step into unstoppable growth? In this episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself , Rita sits down with entrepreneur and community builder Sabrina Victoria , founder of Her Nation Global, to uncover how she transformed her life from victimhood to victor Sabrina opens up about the turning points that forced her to confront her inner narrative, growi...

In this deeply moving episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself podcast, Rita sits down with Karen Taylor , grief integration coach, to explore the complexities of grief, loss, and guilt. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Am I to blame?” after losing a loved one, this episode is for you. Karen shares her personal journey of grief after the tragic loss of her sister and explains the difference between...

In this episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself , host Rita sits down with Kelly Charles, a high-stakes communication expert, keynote speaker, and four-time author, to explore the stories we tell ourselves and how they shape our lives. Kelly opens up about her journey from thriving lawyer to professional speaker , sharing the pivotal moment when she realized she could “cashflow what she knew” inst...

Have you ever felt left out, unseen, or “not chosen” and instantly turned that moment into proof that you’re not enough? In this episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself Podcast , host Rita is joined by Tracy Borreson , a marketer and coach, to explore the powerful self-help concept of being “leavable.” High achievers and driven professionals often carry silent fears of abandonment, rejection, or b...

Will I Be as Good? The Leap from Corporate Peak to Entrepreneur with Susan Collins What if the best time to make a career change… is when you’re at your peak? In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Susan Collins , career strategist, coach, and “The Network Concierge” to talk about her bold decision to leave a thriving 25-year career in corporate talent acquisition to start her own business. S...

What’s Stopping You From Asking for Help? The hard truth every high-achiever needs to hear. If you’ve ever felt like asking for help makes you look weak, incapable, or not cut out for leadership, this episode is your permission slip to think again. In this honest and eye-opening conversation, host Rita is joined by Leanne Elliot , Chartered Organizational Psychologist and host of Truth, Lies, and...

What if the voice telling you “you’re not ready” is the very reason you need to step up? In this powerful episode of The Story I'm Telling Myself, we sit down with Elisa Juarez, author, speaker, DEIB consultant, and Board Chair of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, to explore what it takes to lead with purpose, even when imposter syndrome whispers, “Why you?” Elisa opens up about her journey na...

What do you do when life feels unbearable? When your body gives out, your joy disappears, and you feel like a burden to the people you love? In this powerful and emotional episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself , host Rita sits down with Misha Safran, a woman whose world was turned upside down by chronic illness, unimaginable grief, and internal self-doubt. Misha opens up about the darkest season...

Have you ever worked hard to prove your worth, only to feel invisible anyway? In this powerful episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself , Rita sits down with Sharon K. Summerfield , also known as, to unpack the painful and often hidden experience of being undermined at work . Sharon shares her personal story of working in a corporate environment where her contributions were quietly dismissed, her e...

Is “fine” really fine—or is it self-abandonment in disguise? In this special International Women’s Day episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself , host Rita sits down with poet, speaker, and women’s health advocate Susan LePLae Miller for a powerful conversation on self-abandonment, self-worth, and the journey to living in alignment with your values . From childhood trauma responses to the pressures...

The Power of the Pause: Finding Authenticity and Success in Business with Gary Spencer Do you really want a bigger business—or are you just chasing what looks like success? In this episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself , we sit down with Gary Spencer , a seasoned UK entrepreneur, to explore what happens when you stop following the crowd and start leading from a place of authenticity. Gary shares...

What do you do when life demands a decision that could risk everything you’ve worked for? In this powerful episode, Tiersa Hall—HR leader turned entrepreneur—opens up about her bold and emotional career pivot. At the height of her success as a Senior HR Director in the luxury resort industry, Tirsa’s life changed overnight when her twin daughters were diagnosed with autism. Faced with limited reso...

What if you could train your environment to help you become your best self? In this episode, our host Rita Ernst is joined by Melissa Robinson Hussain , a personal and professional development coach, self-coaching expert, and author of Positively Triggered . Melissa shares how she turned a period of personal burnout into a blueprint for transformation using what she calls positive trigger , intent...

What if grief wasn’t something to “get over,” but a doorway to deeper healing, mindfulness, and personal growth? In this soul-nourishing episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself , host Rita sits down with Carmen Alvarez —a mindfulness teacher, researcher, and Reiki practitioner—for a powerful conversation on grief, mental health, and emotional well-being . Drawing from her personal journey of loss,...

Welcome back to The Story I'm Telling Myself ! In this powerful episode, Rita is joined by sales coach and entrepreneur Rhonda Berns to unpack one of the most common yet paralyzing feelings in sales and social interactions: the fear of being the “prey.” Whether you're pitching your business, attending a networking event, or just introducing yourself, this conversation will change how you a...

Calling all entrepreneurs, visionaries, and high achievers — this episode is your sign to go big or go home . This Fat Tuesday, host Rita channels the fearless, festive spirit of Mardi Gras in a vibrant, high-energy conversation with the unstoppable Dr. Tandra Price — speaker, publisher, entrepreneur, and dream chaser extraordinaire . In this inspirational episode, “Can I Do That?” , Dr. Price sha...

What do you do when life throws you the unthinkable — right when everything was finally falling into place? In this deeply inspiring episode, Rita sits down with Debbie Potts , a 57-year-old virtual assistant and business owner, whose life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of ovarian cancer — just as she was preparing to move to Sweden and celebrate the...

Are you constantly juggling responsibilities, striving to be everything to everyone—and still feeling like you're falling short? In this heartfelt and empowering episode, Rita is joined by Angie Redmond, founder of Strive HR, to unpack the hidden cost of trying to do it all . If you're a high achiever or a recovering perfectionist struggling with the fear of letting others down, this conve...

What if getting laid off was the wake-up call you didn’t know you needed? In this empowering episode, host Rita is joined by leadership expert and resilience coach Vivian Blade , who opens up about her personal experience being laid off from GE during the 2008 financial crisis. They dive deep into the emotional toll of job loss, the identity shake-up that comes with it, and how to move forward wit...

What if your fear of being abandoned was never your fault? 🤍 In this heartfelt episode of The Story I'm Telling Myself Podcast with Rita Ernst, Srivastan Aravamudan (@sri) opens up about his powerful journey of overcoming deep fears of rejection, shame, and the heavy expectations placed on him. Together, we explore how fear of abandonment can silently shape our choices, relationships, and eve...

Breaking the Busyness Trap: How to Rest Without Guilt & Work Smarter with Leslie Minchin Do you ever feel like you're constantly chasing your to-do list, yet nothing really gets done? If you're transitioning careers or navigating a new chapter and feel like you're drowning in busyness, this episode will feel like a deep exhale. In this powerful conversation, we unpack the pressure...

Still doing too much for too little? Giving away your genius for free? Time to stop undercharging and start attracting high-value clients. 🎙️ New podcast episode out now! Learn how to price with confidence & own your worth. 🎧 Listen on Spotify | Apple | Audible | YouTube #KnowYourWorth #CareerChange #FreelancerLife #ChargeYourWorth #CreativeEntrepreneur #SideHustleTips #WomenInBusiness #Podca...