BUT FIRST, SHE FAILED - Career Growth, Women Entrepreneurs, Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Growth Mindset, Confidence

In this season finale of the But First She Failed podcast, Paola shares the emotional realization that led her to pause, pivot, and recalibrate this season of life and business. If you've been feeling overwhelmed, emotionally stretched thin, stuck in survival mode, or disconnected from the life you're working so hard to build, this episode is for you. Through personal stories, practical signs to l...

In this episode of But First, She Failed, host Paola Soares talks with women's coach, podcaster, and feminine leadership mentor Johanna Mäkilä-Manninen for an honest conversation around feminism vs femininity, feminine leadership, and what it truly means to embrace womanhood in today's world. Together, they explore why so many high-achieving women feel burned out, disconnected, and stuck in consta...

There's a quiet crisis happening right now—and most women think it's just them. Women who followed the "right" path… built the career… started the business… and still feel stuck, inconsistent, or unfulfilled. In this episode, Paola Soares, host of the But First, She Failed podcast, unpacks what's really behind the Great Millennial Career Crisis—and why so many women feel lost even after doing ever...

What happens when you slowly start becoming the version of yourself you never wanted to be? In this deeply personal episode, Paola Soares shares a story she doesn't often talk about—the season where she felt stuck, disconnected from her purpose, and dangerously close to giving up on her dreams altogether. Between leaving her career in national news and launching her podcast, there was a chapter fi...

What if the biggest thing holding you back isn't your strategy, your circumstances, or your resources—but the beliefs you've been carrying for years? In this Rewind episode of But First, She Failed, Paola Soares dives into the powerful and often hidden topic of limiting beliefs—the subconscious thoughts and narratives that shape how women show up in their careers, businesses, and everyday lives. T...

Feeling scattered, distracted, or stuck—and not sure what to focus on next? In this episode of But First, She Failed, Paola Soares shares a powerful Q2 reset with 5 simple steps to help women get clear, realign their priorities, and build real momentum—without overcomplicating the process. This episode walks through how to slow down, refocus, cut distractions, and simplify what actually matters in...

In this episode, Host Paola Soares sits down with former Today Show producer, storyteller, and founder of MyStoryPro AI, Patrice Poltzer, for a powerful and timely conversation on how to stand out in the age of AI—without losing your voice. As artificial intelligence continues to flood social media, email, and online platforms with content, many women are feeling more invisible than ever. The ques...

In this episode, Host Paola Soares delivers a powerful and timely message for the woman who feels stuck, discouraged, or on the verge of giving up on what God placed on her heart. After planning a completely different episode, Paola felt led in a different direction—sharing a word rooted in scripture, personal experience, and a recent moment where things didn't go as expected. In this honest and f...

Five years ago, Paola Soares pressed record on the very first episode of the But First, She Failed Podcast — not knowing who would listen, where the journey would lead, or how much she would grow along the way. In this episode, Paola pulls back the curtain on the real behind-the-scenes of five years of podcasting — the lessons, the mindset struggles, the moments of doubt, and the breakthroughs tha...

In this episode, Host Paola Soares sits down with author and Purpose Alignment Coach Nicole O. Salmon to unpack a surprising reason many women struggle to "find their purpose": quiet grief—the losses we move past but never truly mourn. If you've been praying for clarity but still feel stuck, disoriented, or emotionally drained, this conversation will help you name what's really going on and take a...

In this REWIND episode of But First, She Failed, Host Paola Soares revisits one of the most practical and powerful conversations on building a life that actually works for you — not against you. If you feel overwhelmed, behind, scattered, or like your home life constantly spills into your business goals… this episode is for you. Paola sits down with Chelsi Jo Moore, host of Systemize Your Life, a...

In this episode of the But First, She Failed podcast, host Paola Soares dives into a powerful shift that can take you from feeling scattered, exhausted, and overwhelmed… to clear, focused, and energized. If you've been feeling burned out, mentally drained, or frustrated that you're not making progress on your goals, this episode will challenge the way you think about productivity and time manageme...

In this episode, Host Paola Soares speaks with a pioneer and leader in the overcoming in this rewind episode, Host Paola Soares revisits a powerful and timeless conversation on how to permanently overcome limiting beliefs with renowned belief expert Shelly Lefkoe. Shelly Lefkoe is a pioneer in the field of belief elimination and the co-founder and President of the Lefkoe Institute. Her science-bas...

In this episode, host Paola Soares explores why so many goals and dreams quietly stall—not because of a lack of motivation, but because of unseen roadblocks most people aren't prepared for. If you've ever started the year feeling hopeful only to feel stuck, overwhelmed, or discouraged weeks later, this conversation will feel deeply familiar. Paola reflects on what truly gets in the way of follow-t...

In this episode, host Paola Soares explores why so many goals and dreams quietly stall—not because of a lack of motivation, but because of unseen roadblocks most people aren't prepared for. If you've ever started the year feeling hopeful only to feel stuck, overwhelmed, or discouraged weeks later, this conversation will feel deeply familiar. Paola reflects on what truly gets in the way of follow-t...

In this rewind episode, host Paola Soares continues the powerful conversation around limiting beliefs and how they quietly hold us back in our career, business, confidence, and personal growth. If you've ever felt stuck, doubted yourself, or questioned whether you're capable of more, this episode is for you. Paola breaks down five key steps for overcoming limiting beliefs, explores how these menta...

In this REWIND episode of the But First, She Failed podcast, host Paola Soares explores how limiting beliefs quietly influence your career, business, mindset, and confidence—often without you being fully aware of it. Limiting beliefs don't always show up as obvious fear or self-sabotage. More often, they appear subtly in your thought patterns, decision-making, career choices, and business actions....

In this episode, Host Paola Soares breaks down what a growth mindset really is — and why embracing it can change the entire trajectory of your year. Paola opens up about her own struggles with operating from a fixed mindset in the past and how learning to shift her thinking became a complete game changer in her career, confidence, and purpose. Now, she's sharing the mindset tools and perspective s...

In this episode, Host Paola Soares explores how to start setting healthy boundaries—especially during the busy holiday season when stress, expectations, and overcommitment can easily take over. Many women don't realize how poor boundaries quietly impact their careers, businesses, relationships, and emotional well-being. If you're feeling stretched thin, overwhelmed, or drained, this conversation w...

In this episode, Host Paola Soares explores what really happens when life feels "off," and why what many people call a midlife crisis or identity crisis is often something far healthier — a midlife readjustment, a season of reflection, realignment, and personal rebirth. Paola breaks down the difference between an unhealthy midlife crisis (reactive, fear-driven, impulsive) and a healthy midlife awa...

In this episode Host Paola Soares shares encouragement and practical insight for the moments when you're on the verge of quitting—whether it's your career, a dream you've been working toward, a business you've been building, or a calling that suddenly feels heavy. If you've been feeling overwhelmed, burned out, discouraged, or uncertain about your next step, this conversation will help you pause,...

In this REWIND previously aired episode, Host Paola Soares speaks with well regarded Time Management Coach, Anna Dearmon Kornick. Anna helps busy professionals master time management so they can stop feeling overwhelmed and start spending time on what matters most.   Anna knows a thing or two about managing time— with a long career trajectory in high level roles where time management is crucial fr...

In this Thanksgiving-themed episode, host Paola Soares guides listeners through a powerful "heart reset" using reflective gratitude journal prompts designed to help you slow down, breathe, and reconnect with what truly matters this season. Whether you're navigating uncertainty, feeling stretched thin, or craving clarity about your next step, this episode will help you pause, reflect, and tap into...

Birthday Episode + Giveaway on the But First, She Failed podcast. In this powerful conversation, Paola shares 40 Lessons at 40, offering the mindset shifts, purpose insights, calling breakthroughs, and growth lessons that have shaped her over the last decade. Through career pivots, moments of fear, seasons of uncertainty, motherhood, identity work, faith, and building a top 1% podcast, Paola has g...

Are you overthinking, spiraling in "what ifs," or feeling stuck because worry is draining your energy? In this powerful mindset-reset episode, Paola shares the exact reality check she had to give herself this week—one she knows many faith-driven, purpose-seeking women need to hear too. If you've been feeling unfulfilled in your current job, sensing you're meant for more, or trying to build a dream...