Gratitude Geek

Feeling overwhelmed by clutter? You're not alone—and it's affecting more than just your physical space. Professional organizer Kerry Thomas reveals how clutter impacts your energy, mental clarity, and productivity, and shares 5 actionable strategies to clear it from your life. In this conversation, Kerry explains the connection between physical clutter, digital overwhelm, and mental/emotional ener...

She’s booked 30,000 podcast interviews, and the guests who actually made money all did one thing differently. In this episode of Gratitude Geek, Kandas Rodarte and Interview Connections founder Jessica Rhodes break down how to turn podcast guesting into real revenue instead of chasing vanity metrics.​ You’ll learn why building real relationships with hosts beats obsessing over audience size, how n...

Are $10K offers really the only path to a successful online business? Writer and community-builder Carol Tice shares why the high-ticket guru model fails most Gen X women entrepreneurs—and what actually works instead: sustainable communities that fit real lives. 00:00 RV Living and Lifestyle Freedom 01:46 Building a $6M Community 07:26 Trust and Online Communities 14:26 How to Launch a Paid Commun...

Podcast predictions for 2026 are already taking shape. In this episode of Gratitude Geek, Kandas Rodarte and Amy Stone dive into the trends that matter most for women podcasters, especially Gen X women building sustainable, story‑driven shows. They unpack fresh data about women‑hosted podcasts, CPMs, and listener growth, then connect it to real‑world decisions about ads, networks, YouTube SEO, and...

When does values-based marketing stop feeling meaningful and start feeling performative? In episode 302 of Gratitude Geek, Kandas Rodarte talks with marketing and public relations veteran Leslie Smith about how solopreneurs can market with meaning without slipping into optics-driven or shallow campaigns. They explore why alignment matters more than visibility, how storytelling builds trust, and wh...

If your goals keep fizzling out by February, this episode is your wake-up call. Award-winning author and goal strategist Debra Eckerling joins me to break down the five essential goal-setting shifts Gen X women solopreneurs must make before 2026. We dig into the real drivers of motivation, the role of personal growth in building momentum, and the overlooked power of celebrating small wins along th...

⚠️ TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains a discussion about suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out to a loved one, call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), or text TALK to 741-741 to text with a trained crisis counselor from the Crisis Text Line for free, 24/7. Please take care while listening and make sure you're in the right headspace. You are not alone. We Can Do...

Image Cycling - Ursula Mentjes, five-time bestselling author and business growth expert, reveals how to align your subconscious with true desires instead of ego-driven goals. === A note before you listen. Ursula Mentjes passed away on June 19, 2026, at the age of 52. She left behind her husband Tim, her son Lucca, and a community of thousands of entrepreneurs whose businesses and beliefs about the...

Learn how to sell art online without feeling salesy from Miriam Schulman, author of Artpreneur. Discover proven marketing strategies for artists, how to sell art on email, and why traditional business advice doesn't work for creative entrepreneurs selling art online. About Miriam Schulman Miriam Schulman is the author of Artpreneur: The Step-by-Step Guide to Making a Sustainable Living from Your C...

Self-care is not selfish and thanking yourself is essential for Gen X women. Licensed massage therapist Christie Going joins Kandas Rodarte to discuss why women struggle with self-gratitude, how to thank yourself daily, and practical self-care tips including their 30-day fitness challenge, hydration hacks, and why Snoop Dogg's "I want to thank myself" moment matters. What You'll Learn: Why self-ca...

How to overcome stage fright as a woman entrepreneur and leader. Speaker and author Mahlena-Rae Johnson shares her 3-step framework (relax, relate, release) to help introverted women leaders conquer public speaking anxiety and step into their power on stage with confidence. In episode 296 of Gratitude Geek, I sit down with Mahlena-Rae Johnson—speaker, comedian, 6-time author, and self-proclaimed "...

What if you could prevent breast cancer before it starts? And what if you could turn that journey—plus divorce and life's biggest challenges—into comedy gold? Comedian Merit Kahn joins host Kandas Rodarte to share her powerful story as a BRCA1 previvor who chose preventative mastectomy at age 40. Merit transformed her experience into a one-woman comedy show called "Optimistic Personality Disorder"...

In episode 294, I chat with Deb Davis, breast cancer thriver and author of "The Faces of Transparency: What We Reveal," about healing, transparency, and self-advocacy. Deb shares her journey through abuse, breast cancer recovery, and the power of breaking silence. Together they explore three game-changing self-care practices, why transparency matters more than perfection, and how to truly support...

When you're diagnosed with cancer, your oncologist will tell you about chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. But what about the complementary therapies that could help you manage side effects, reduce pain, and heal more completely? In this revealing conversation, Kandas sits down with licensed massage therapist and reflexologist Christie Going to discuss the holistic modalities that most doctors n...

What happens when you choose the harder path? Award-winning writer Erica Neubert Campbell shares her transformative breast cancer journey with host Kandas Rodarte in this powerful October breast cancer awareness episode. After watching her mother battle and lose her fight with breast cancer, Erica faced her own diagnosis with hard-won wisdom—choosing a double mastectomy over the easier lumpectomy...

Join us in this inspiring episode featuring Luba Patlakh, the Founder & Director of Kidology, Inc. As a resilient entrepreneur, Luba shares her remarkable journey from Manhattan broadcast journalism to establishing a thriving pediatric speech therapy practice. Discover how resilience is not just a personal trait, but a pivotal entrepreneurial superpower that shapes extraordinary businesses. Luba's...

LEGO isn’t just child’s play—it’s a tool for curiosity, confidence, and connection. In episode 290 of Gratitude Geek, host Kandas Rodarte sits down with Eric Archer, a middle school history teacher, lifelong LEGO builder, and dad of four, to explore how creativity with bricks shapes problem-solving skills and family bonding. From LEGO’s new “She Built That” campaign to conventions like Brick World...

Podcasting can feel scary, exciting, and life-changing all at once. On episode 289 of Gratitude Geek, I sit down with Alesia Galati of Galati Media, who helps women entrepreneurs find their voice and share it with the world. We get real about imposter syndrome, explore how gratitude and connection sustain a podcasting journey, and celebrate marginalized voices in literature. If you're a Gen X woma...

What if your darkest chapter became the foundation for your greatest success? In this episode of Gratitude Geek, Kandas Rodarte sits down with Lydia Knight, a cult survivor who rewrote her life and rose to become a 7-figure CEO and executive coach. Lydia shares how she transformed indoctrination into empowerment, why curiosity is more powerful than fear, and how the “algorithms” of our brains shap...

Running your own business is rewarding, but let’s be honest—it can also be exhausting, overwhelming, and sometimes downright soul-sucking. In this episode of Gratitude Geek, I chat with three powerhouse solopreneurs—Deb Davis, Nicole Halveka, and Di Hilstad—about survival-level self-care strategies for women over 40. From setting boundaries and asking for help to creating your personal “Survivor’s...

Is money really the measure of success—or is joy the real currency of entrepreneurship? In episode 286 of Gratitude Geek Podcast, host Kandas Rodarte talks with Gretchen Schoser, founder of Schoser Talent and Wellness Solutions and co-host of the award-winning podcast Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads. After surviving a mental health crisis, Gretchen rebuilt her life and business from the ground up....

In this solo episode of Gratitude Geek, I tackle a controversial claim about artificial intelligence: “The underlying purpose of AI is to allow wealth to access skill while removing from the skilled the ability to access wealth.” – @jeffowski I call BS. Instead, I share how AI actually levels the playing field and helps solopreneurs like me grow their businesses. You’ll hear how I use three powerf...

Are you missing out on clients because you’re not telling your story? In this episode of Gratitude Geek, Kandas Rodarte talks with Robert B. Foster—speaker, coach, and author of Shut Up and Grind—about the power of storytelling to grow your business and boost your confidence. Robert shares how to turn your life lessons into your most valuable marketing tool, connect authentically with clients, and...

Franchising isn't just for big corporations—it's a growth strategy female solopreneurs can use to scale smart and with heart. In episode 283 of Gratitude Geek, I sit down with franchise strategist and connector Brittney Lincoln, founder of Females in Franchising and VP at Limitless Franchise Growth. We dig into what makes a business franchisable, how to scale without burning out, and why helping o...

Struggling with self-doubt as a solopreneur? Self-trust coach Dawn Ledet reveals how your mindset, inner dialogue, and follow-through skills can unlock success after 40. So many female entrepreneurs over 40 are held back not by lack of talent or hustle—but by self-doubt and second-guessing. In this episode, self-trust coach Dawn Ledet shares how your inner dialogue can become your biggest asset (i...