The Empowered Brain

You all know the inner critic, it's that internal judgmental voice in our heads and depending on how you have it trained you can experience it in 3 different ways:   - Judgement towards yourself - Judgement towards others - Judgement towards circumstances   Everyone has an inner critic, even the person that appears to be the most confident. Why? Because the human brain evolved to have an inner cri...

Being confident is easy when you can draw on evidence that you're good at something.  But how do you build confidence around something you've never done? On this episode I walk you through the 4C's, a formula to build confidence that's easy to understand and to put into practice.  Listen and learn:   - What the 4C's are  - How to create confidence around a new skill, as a beginner  - How to manage...

Resilience is the ability to thrive in challenging circumstances – it means you can bounce back quickly from difficult situations.  Resiliency is commonly mistaken with endurance which is a more rigid mindset where you're continually pushing your body and mind to the limit without giving up. Mindfulness is often the one thing people tout when talking about resilience, but to be truly resilient in...

There's a ton of data to show the more emotionally intelligent you are as a leader, the better your overall metrics are (team dynamics, team engagement, end-of-year revenue) including your happiness, career longevity and sense of purpose. On this weeks podcast, I bring on a Latina Leader and Mindfulness expert, Paula Castillo MPP, to teach you one incredible skill, Non-Violent Communication, to in...

It's check in time for your New Years Resolutions! If you've slowed down on your goals and aren't as excited about them as you were when you were setting them, you're not alone.  Most people lose steam about 20 days. If this is you, it's okay and it's not too late to get back on track with your goals.  Listen in to learn a process to get you back and on track and 4 powerful questions to ensure you...

Have you ever wondered how some people are able to get so much done regardless of whatever events life throw their way? For example, how does a young mom of 2 kids under 5, run an entire Emergency Department, exercise daily, have a great marriage, and start a successful business? It all starts with one thing: Creating Intentional Thoughts. On this weeks podcast, I introduce you to a powerful and s...

Did you know people that choose to be optimistic versus pessimistic live longer, are less stressed, depressed and age slower (literally, their skin has less wrinkles and they look younger).   Yes, some people are just born happier than others, in fact 30% of optimism is genetic, but this also means that 70% is a skill you can learn.   Now, the purpose of life isn't to be happy all of the time, the...

This episode was inspired by a young Latina patient I cared for who's deep shame around sexuality led to a serious illness that could have been easily prevented. I left that patient encounter fired up and determined to take action to eliminate the stigma around sexuality in our communities. I dedicate this episode to her, and to all other women who are still learning how to let go of shame and emb...

As you start off the New Year, I'd like you to ask yourself what lessons from 2021 do you want to bring with you into 2022? What will help you succeed? What will help you create happiness, peace and joy?   In this episode, I share with you the 4 lessons I took away from 2021 and am bringing with me into 2022.   They'll help you: Create joy in all you do Achieve success and enjoy the process along...

As you're getting ready to crush 2022, I want to offer you three secrets that will help you achieve all the goals you set and two common pitfalls to watch out for.   Follow Vanessa at:  IG: @vanessacalderonmd FB: Vanessa Calderon MD Learn more at: www.vanessacalderonmd.com Email: Vanessa@vanessacalderonmd.com   Coaching for Latina Leaders Want access to my all-inclusive individual 1:1 coaching pro...

I'm not just a Latina leader, I'm also a boots on the ground ER Doc and physician leader. This week I'm sharing some recent COVID updates so you're ready to answer your family's questions over the holidays.   We cover:   The basics of vaccine availability and efficacy Why the vaccine was developed so quickly What the vaccine protects you from Kids and the vaccine Who should get the booster Vaccine...

Register for FREE training here: Do Big Things in 2022 At this time, every year, I map out what i'm going to create. And, guess what? I'm 95% effective in achieving everything I set out to do.  I want to teach you how to do the same thing. Next week, I'm teaching a free training: Do Big Things in 2022, where I'll teach you the exact step by step process I use to create and execute all your goals f...

What do you need to do big things? To lead, to run for office, to start a business?   I'm talking to the first Immigrant and Latina Mayor of Arvin, California. She shares wisdom, inspiration and practical tips to sh*t done like a Chingona with no B.S.   Plus, I'm hooking you up with a very special bonus. All the details are in the episode.   Enjoy.   Follow Vanessa at:  IG: @vanessacalderonmd FB:...

Imagine what it would be like to create a ton of success without all the self-criticism and judgement?   I want you to think of self-compassion as your ticket to doing just that.   Listen in as I break down the science of self-compassion, why it's hard to practice it, and some really easy ways to practice self-compassion regularly.   Plus, I'm hooking you up with a very special bonus. All the deta...

Did you know practicing gratitude has the same effect on your brain as taking the anti-depressant, Prozac?   On Thanksgiving week, I want to share with you three gratitude practices that actually work and will tilt your brain towards positivity.   In this episode you'll learn: How gratitude works and how it remodels your brain The most influential studies on gratitude Three gratitude practices tha...

Do you catch yourself consistently saying: "But I'll feel guilty."   Is guilt one of your go-to emotions in life?   Let me let you in on a little secret: You're not alone.   Guilt is a common emotion. It's also a normal part of human evolution. However, indulging in guilt, being overwhelmed or paralyzed by guilt, or experiencing guilt when things have NOTHING to do with you, is a trauma response....

We resist anxiety, anger, sadness and other hard emotions. But resisting them only make them stronger. What if, instead of resisting, we were willing to be brave and process the emotion. On this episode I'm going to teach you how to process hard emotions and why it's important for the brain to do so. You'll learn a  technique that may seem counterintuitive but has worked for centuries.   The Leade...

Want to get more done with the time you have?   The solution isn't getting a better scheduling system and it's definitely not sacrificing sleep to get it done.   In this podcast I'll teach you the power of Intentional Scheduling , it's the exact thing I use and what I teach all my clients.   Their results are always so profound. In fact, this is what my clients have said after using it:   "For the...

Do you want to accomplish every goal you set?   Whether your answer to this is "Hell Yes!"   I want to invite you to a FREE COURSE next Wednesday, 11/3/21 at 3p PT.   I'm going to teach you a simple and clear process to achieve your goals. It's exactly what I use and the reason I do everything I say I'm going to do without burning out.   Don't worry if you can't make it in person, if you register...

People pleasing is a trauma response and it gets in the way of you leading and living with integrity. Here are some signs you may be doing it to:   You're quick to agree or at least pretend to agree with things (even when you really don't). You feel uncomfortable at the thought that anyone could be mad at you (just the thought of it makes you want to vomit). You have a really hard time telling oth...

You've likely heard of code switching. You know, the ability to speak/communicate a certain way with one group of people and a different way with another group? Code switching can sometimes feel inauthentic, a hassle, like one more thing you *have* to do to be effective in the workplace. But what if code switching was an asset? What if embracing the multifaceted wholeness of you are gave you a leg...

This is the last episode of the Relationships podcast and what better way to end the series than by getting personal about my own marriage.   I talk with Dr. Kate Mangona, the host of Medicine, Marriage and Money. She get's me to open up about my own relationships and the limiting beliefs I had about marriage. We go deep and talk about:   How to choose to make your marriage successful everyday How...

The human body is made to do 2 things: REPRODUCE and SURVIVE.   Does this mean that the brain is either having sex or in survival mode?   I speak with sex expert and urologist, Dr. Kelly Casperson . This women is brilliant! She works with reproductive organs for a living and now teaches women how to get what they want out of sex.   We cover so much good stuff, including:   How to not get stuck in...

Why is it that the more you excel in your career the less likely you are to excel in your marriage, but the opposite IS NOT true. Listen as I speak with Dr. Alexandra Stockwell, a marriage and intimacy expert, and learn about: Burnout and stress and it's effect on your marriage or other romantic relationships. How you define burnout and how it shows up on the gender spectrum. How chronic stress sh...

This episode is GOLD!   I interview Marriage Expert and Best Selling Author, Maggie Reyes. She drops so much wisdom, you're gonna want to listen to this one twice.   We cover it all (and include so many tangible takeaways):   -Why a successful marriage is key to continue to excel in your career. -The health effects of an unhealthy relationship -How it only takes one person to elevate your marriage...