The Empowered Brain

In this episode, we dive into the stress trauma continuum.    Before I get into it, I want to remind you that if you're experiencing signs of chronic stress or burnout, you are not alone, and there is help available. If you find yourself constantly exhausted, emotionally drained, or lacking a sense of personal accomplishment, you may be on the path to burnout. But don't worry, identifying these sy...

Is there an area of your life where you're not getting the results you want? Maybe you have a grant proposal that you keep putting off. Perhaps it's with your health goals. Maybe you're stuck in a job that you don't love but you're putting off making a change.    Instead of procrastinating on creating the results in your life that you want, I want to help you start taking action right now. This mi...

This is Part 2 of our Self-Forgiveness series. In this episode, I interview Dr. Melissa Parsons, a colleague and friend. We talk about the things that keep us from forgiving ourselves and she teaches a process to process, forgive and move on.  See Full Show Notes by clicking  Here .   Get your free copy of the  self regulation tools Follow Vanessa at:  IG: @vanessacalderonmd FB: Vanessa Calderon M...

Despite what your saboteur (i.e. inner critic) may be telling you, you have no bad parts.   That's right, every version of you deserves love and acknowledgment.   If there are parts of you that you've been shaming, today is an opportunity to heal that part of you and let it go.   How?   You do this by practicing one of the greatest acts of self-compassion, self-forgiveness.   The practice of self-...

Raise your hand if you procrastinate… even just a little bit.   If you catch yourself procrastinating and you notice it's getting in the way of your productivity, then this episode is for you.   In this episode you'll learn: The exact reason why you procrastinate (hint: it's not just about avoiding the task) You'll understand the exact things you specifically do when you procrastinate (even the on...

If you have a hard time turning off your work brain when you're at home…   If you feel guilty during your family time because you can't stop thinking about work…   If you struggle being present with people you love because you're always thinking about work…   Then, you're going to want to listen to this episode.   Because there is a reason why you're hypervigilant and always thinking about work… b...

Life's big transitions, i.e. moving cities, starting a new job, divorce, or leading your first retreat - affect our brain, body and spirit in ways we're not always conscious of in the moment.    These events take a large toll on our energy.    Though we may understand this, many high-achievers tend to muscle their way through these transitions, thinking that if they stop to take a break they may b...

What's causing you the most stress in life isn't actually what you think is causing you stress.   If that statement threw you for a loop, then you'll want to check out this week's podcast episode.    In this episode, we dive into the root cause of your daily frustrations and stressors. You'll learn how to let go of the one thing leading to 90% of your daily stress, so you can be more productive an...

You know that old adage, "Humans are creatures of habit?" Well, it's an adage because it's true. We tend to do the same thing over and over again, even if it's leading to results that make us unhappy, like strained relationships, overworking, anxiety, and burnout. In this episode, we dig into why we do that, plus I'll share 2 questions that will help you disrupt your old ways of doing things, and...

Despite popular belief, you need very little motivation to get stuff done. If that sentence threw you for a loop, then you're going to want to check out this podcast episode. In this episode I break down what you actually need to achieve the goals you set, and why you can't always rely on motivation.   See Full Show Notes by clicking  Here .   Get your free copy of the  self regulation tools Follo...

Listen, sweet friend, setting a work boundary will never feel easy! So if you're waiting for it to not be uncomfortable before you start, you're going to be waiting a very long time! But here's the thing, though, they're uncomfortable, setting work boundaries are important! It's how you protect your precious time and how you ensure you prioritize what matters most (your mental health and the peopl...

I like to think of intuition as a superpower. It's an inner knowing that is always with you and can help guide you in the right direction. The problem is, most of us have been taught to distrust our intuition (this is especially true if you identify as a woman or WOC). But you can learn how to access your intuition and lean into it in times of need. In this episode, I'll walk you through 3 simple...

Want to access your limitless potential, and keep expanding beyond your wildest dreams? Improve your relationships, crush your fitness goals, or finally get that passion project off the ground? In this episode, I share the 3 things you need to access your limitless potential. These are the exact principles I follow that have sky rocketed my results in all areas of my life, I only wish someone woul...

Practicing mindful listening will deepen your relationship with the people you love and help you be more open-minded.   Though you might think you're a good listener there are a few subtle things that tend to always get in the way.   In this episode, you'll learn:   What it actually means to listen mindfully The three most common things that will ALWAYS get in the way How to practice mindful liste...

This week on the podcast we dive deep into the unescapable human emotions of shame and guilt through the lens of divorce.   You'll learn: The four most common origins of shame and how they show up for you. Where the deep guilt and stigma associated with divorce comes from How to process shame and guilt How self-compassion is the antidote to shame and guilt Simple and effective self-compassion prac...

You are what you think.  Neuroscience tells us, your thoughts and perceptions is what create your reality.  So it makes sense to start thinking your thoughts on purpose.  In this episode, you'll learn how you form your thoughts, and how to change any thoughts you have, so you can start creating the results you want.   See Full Show Notes and Transcripts by clicking  Here .   Get your free copy of...

Get your free copy of the  self regulation tools   As a high-achiever, you may have internalized the idea that you need to earn the time to rest.   It may show up as you saying, I'll take a break and rest after I've done xzy.   Have you ever wondered where this habit came from?   Tune in to the podcast this week, The Empowered Brain, and learn why this developed and how to let it go.   See Full Sh...

Get your free copy of the  self regulation tools   What if I told you that every time you said "I don't have time for this" what you're really doing is making an excuse to avoid something that in fact you don't really want to do.   When we say: "I don't have time" what we really mean is: I don't want to I'm afraid to I don't think I can   In this episode we talk about time and how it relates to ou...

Get your free copy of the  self regulation tools   Modern life is full of everyday stressors that build on each other and can manifest as chronic stress in our brain and bodies.   Unless you choose to live a remote monastic life, you will experience these stressors.   In this episode, I teach you 7 super simple and highly effective tools that you can use throughout your day to manage your stress r...

How do you create self-confidence?   We often think we create self-confidence by getting another degree, certificate, or training. But, true authentic confidence is built authentically.    In this episode, we discuss why insecurity and self-doubt are second nature for women, and how to cultivate true authentic self-confidence, that no degree or title can ever give you, and no person can ever take...

You know how excited you get at the beginning of every year when it's time to set a New Year's resolution.  You think to yourself, this year is finally the year that it's going to happen. I'm finally going to lose the weight, or train for that marathon, or change jobs. Then what happens? A few weeks go by, and you slowly start to lose motivation. Then you slowly start to quit, and next thing you k...

You know how excited you get at the beginning of every year when it's time to set a New Year's resolution.  You think to yourself, this year is finally the year that it's going to happen. I'm finally going to lose the weight, or train for that marathon, or change jobs. Then what happens? A few weeks go by, and you slowly start to lose motivation. Then you slowly start to quit, and next thing you k...

You know how excited you get at the beginning of every year when it's time to set a New Year's resolution.  You think to yourself, this year is finally the year that it's going to happen. I'm finally going to lose the weight, or train for that marathon, or change jobs. Then what happens? A few weeks go by, and you slowly start to lose motivation. Then you slowly start to quit, and next thing you k...

Self-expression is a vital piece of creating a fulfilled life. It's also the at the core of how we connect, navigate and grow with each other.   Though neuroscience backs this up, it's still challenging for most people to feel comfortable and confident full expressing themselves.   In this weeks episode we discuss: The cultural differences of self-expression. Why some cultures have evolved to valu...

How does perfectionism show up for you?   Are you spending an extra 20 minutes rewording an email because you want to make sure it's perfect?   Are you taking forever to start a project, because you want to make sure you'll have the exact right amount of time to get it done?   Are you short or rude with your loved ones, because they didn't do the dishes the right way?   However it shows up for you...