WOC and Allies: Business and Career Realtalk with Elaine Lou Cartas

Main Points It seems like every millennial I’m talking to is going through a mid-life crisis. My former client turned friend and fellow coach, Meredith Herrera, and I talka bout: Why your 20% might already be everyone else's 100%, and why it’s OK not to give your 100% The difference between burnout & outgrowing something  What her dad said when she told him she was "unemployed"...

Main Points Common themes I’m hearing from clients include burnout and microagressions. In this podcast episode, I connect with Dr. Maya Borgueta where we get into: What trauma actually is, and what it’s not The workplace trauma trends we’re seeing now from blurred boundaries to layoffs and what to do about it Why microaggressions is traumatic The signs you might be carrying workplace trauma witho...

I did a talk on emotional influence and how to get raises and start a business at the Queen Mary in Long Beach. It was for a women’s retreat with Humansave, a nonprofit that helps survivors of human trafficking. In this episode we talk about: Why your nervous system is your biggest leadership asset (or liability) The one document that gets you the raise, and why you should talk to your boss before...

As a female leader, unfortunately, you aren’t alone when it comes to leadership, anxiety and self-advocacy. This is part 2 of my keynote recording from SoCal Amazon Women’s Conference. But this time, I’m joined by 3 other incredible women of color operations leaders from Amazon who rose through the ranks quickly. In this episode, we get into: What it looks like to lead a team of 100+ while holding...

My SoCal Amazon Women’s Conference Keynote is live, we cover: How your trauma responses are showing up at work; and what to do about it Why communication works exactly like a supply chain (yes, really) Word-for-word scripts for your next difficult conversation Oh, and there's a genuinely sweet moment with my dad that I did not plan for. You'll know it when you see it. Where We Can Connec...

Every single time I listened to my body instead of pushing through, it worked out. The reality is, we are humans. We have a full life outside of work. I share more on this week’s episode: my personal stories, struggles and the science to embracing UN-PUSHING: In this episode, I share the practical, how-to techniques I taught in a live workshop with 19 minority-owned business owners and allies, inc...

Main Points When conversations get tense at work, how do you make sure you don’t over-explain, shut down or things escalate? In this episode, I break down how to communicate with confidence, clarity and composure when pressure is on How to not over explain What to do if you really can’t meet a deadline How to give feedback How to handle contentious discussions without losing composure A 3 part str...

Main Points It’s the second month of 2026 &  despite the uncertainty, my business is growing not by hustling, but with more calmness and focus:  In this episode, I share the practical, how-to techniques I taught in a live workshop with 19 minority-owned business owners and allies, including: How editing my P&L helped me measure ROI (one change led to 500% ROI , another to 5,000% ROI ) How...

Main Points Burnout seems to be a trending word, so what do we do? It’s not about working harder. In this episode I share: Why you SHOULDN’T be doing a lot in 1 day (it takes ~ 23 minutes to refocus) Why “doing nothing” is actually how clarity forms (there’s science behind it) Why and how over-availability becomes a survival skill especially for women My results of when I stopped designing my life...

Main Points Why my losing pitch led to sales Personal brand > AI: my actual techniques on how my conversion rate is 70% How I grew my email open rate from 10% to 75% Resources Mentioned: Connect with Monica Schrock Following Monica on Instagram: @moneyschrock Connect with Monica on LinkedIn Monica’s Podcast: Play Like A They Porsche Human Made Cartoon Where We Can Connect: Schedule a Business &...

Why I stopped drinking alcohol, it’s been 9 months now How pausing, rest and reflection helped me get Five reflection questions to help you ensure your calendar & bank account aligns with your values Resources Mentioned: Follow Elaine on Instagram for Philippines photos + reflections: @elainelou_ El Nido Resorts Where We Can Connect: Schedule a Business & Career Review call with me to see...

This episode is the replay of my biggest talk to 10,000+ AI founders and engineers at /function1 Dubai. I spoke about Emotional Intelligence (EI) at an AI conference, and they listened. I broke EI down in a way technical audiences understand: patterns → systems → data → small improvements. Because no matter how advanced AI becomes, the most complex system I’ll ever work with is a human. In this co...

Addicted to chaos and busyness? Maybe it’s cause your body learned that busyness felt safe. In this episode, we explore how to unlearn that pattern. I share the science behind why high achievers struggle to rest including the dopamine loop of achievement , the cortisol trap , and the trauma of chaos. You’ll learn why rest is important for your nervous system resetting. I’ll share how to replace ov...

Main Points Money isn’t just math,  it’s a relationship. In this conversation with Certified Financial Planner and poet Uchechi Kalu, we unpack the real stories behind your bank account: Why your money mindset starts with culture & family, not spreadsheets. Uchechi’s 3-part framework: Technical · Psychological · Cultural; and how to use it like a wheel. The “Cost of Being You” exercise that re...

How do you even start a business in 2025!? I sat down with my client (and friend) Uchechi Kalu, CFP®, 2024 Olympic Poet to talk about what it really looks like to go from being laid off… to working with over 700 clients, landing contracts with 5 major literary arts organizations, and already hitting 50% of her 2026 revenue goal. Uchechi’s layoff story and what it was like to start from zero Why st...

Do you remember when the American Psychological Association came at us in 2023 and declared that middle age starts at 35 ? The absolute disrespect…In this episode, I’m talking about the conversations I’ve been having with so many of my clients that I’ve also been going through myself. Maybe you’re feeling like: “I’m done giving 100%—even my 20% is what most people call their 100.” “I don’t need an...

My turning point internship story that taught me doing great work isn’t enough—you also need to understand workplace culture, politics, and unspoken power dynamics . How to deal with workplace politics without being dirty How emotional intelligence (EI) drives leadership success research shows it outperforms technical skills and IQ. The four trauma responses (fight, flight, fawn, freeze) at work a...

Being “the only” in the room, the only woman, the only woman of color, the youngest person, the only one who thinks differently can be both an honor and a heavy responsibility. In this episode, I share how to navigate that experience while still earning respect, making an impact, and opening doors for others to join you at the table. You’ll hear: My personal journey of being “the only” from being...

The science behind why your brain craves busyness (Answer: dopamine) How I’ve been rewiring my busyness cravings (& how you can too) What “rest guilt” really means, and how to repattern it especially if you’re a first-gen immigrant like me 5 questions to help you reconnect with the version of you beyond your job title. Resources Mentioned: Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hershey Episode 114: My 1...

Today, I celebrate 8 years in business, and in true realtalk fashion, I’m keeping it REAL so you don’t have to repeat it. In this episode I’m honest about: Following copy-and-paste frameworks I didn’t believe in Burning myself out where one day I slept at 9PM and woke up at 6PM the next day  Hose I use to joke, “I’m a broken Asian - I don’t understand numbers” (until a mentor called me in) Thinkin...

Things are feeling heavy especially as a woman of color navigating work, family and everything else, so how do you even work right now in this chaos without betraying yourself?  How do you make sure you honor yourself? How do you advocate and educate WITHOUT the burnout? Or how do you not feel guilty if you don’t have it in you?  How can you be transparent with colleagues with how you’re feeling,...

I just ended an incredible May, increasing my revenue by 65%. This month, I’m working on 2 courses for a company and partying a lot. But it’s not what you think, I have kid birthday parties literally every weekend #weold We’re half way through the year, and it’s my half-time, so I’m doing my own mid-year check-in to hopefully motivate you to also do your OWN mid-year check-in. Special bonus, I’m a...

Replay + Breakdown of My SCMSDC #1 Pitch (& why that wasn’t even my goal) This episode isn’t just for business owners, it’s for leaders, job seekers, and anyone navigating relationships (yes, even the hard conversations with loved ones). Whether: You're pitching an idea at your next team meeting Prepping for a job interview Or presenting to a client This episode is your reminder that pitc...

I always get asked, ““Elaine, how are you even getting all these speaking gigs and clients when you don’t even have 5,000 followers on IG or LinkedIn!?” Great question. And the truth is... I don’t. 😅 But what I do have are real relationships and a strategy that works offline . I’m headed to the B3 Conference for Minority Business Owners next week in LA—where I’ll be speaking, pitching (as a final...

“Ugh that generation is so entitled!” But are they really? As Jackie Dacanay shares, “The problem isn’t Gen Z asking so much, it’s not having the conversation early enough.” So how do you lead a team made up of Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers especially when there are unspoken biases, stereotypes, and different values at play? In this fireside chat I had at HR Retail, I talk with Jackie Dacanay...