Embrace La Música

In today's episode, Dominique dives into this idea that decisions have to be either A or B....so many of us struggle with binary thinking. She shares a conversation that changed her perspective and what she's learning about life, love, and decisions these days.

Well hello again after 6 weeks of some serious rest from the podcast, we are back talking about the importance of rest especially after this exhausting couple of years. Also, how it feels being rusty at something and needing to ask for help when we don't know something as well as the risks we can take along the way towards the unknown.

Hope you're encouraged by today's episode and share it with a friend. 

Episodes mentioned today were:

In this episode, Dominique remixes part of episode 29 with today's as she also needed the reminder that she can't do it all. Saying no to what's not important and yes to less is key to success and fulfillment along with taking care of ourselves and asking for help.

In this episode, Dominique tells a story in which a co-worker said "I see you." and how she's been thinking about these three words and the power they hold when we acknowledge others by seeing them. Get 4 tips on how to be more intentional with seeing others by listening to today's episode and sharing with your friends.

In this episode, Dominique talks about the importance of grace and empathy with yourself following this crazy year we've all experienced. She models it, posting this episode a couple of days late, as life simply gets in the way sometimes. It's easy to fall into the comparison trap or feel upset about our lack of progress at times. And it turns out, most of our friends are doing the same as Dominique shares. So tune in and listen as she encourages us with a couple of stories from the past few weeks.

Todo comenzó cuando ella trabajaba en una fábrica de plásticos y se preguntaba por la contaminación que se estaba produciendo. Paulina Lopez es ingeniera industrial y científica con su doctorado en biotecnología.

Al ver la necesidad en México de menos contaminación y más educación sobre los suministros de limpieza y los productos químicos que se utilizan, comenzó Green Supplies MX. Es una empresa que abastece y produce localmente productos de limpieza no tóxicos y biodegradables.

Durante los últimos 18 meses, lo que comenzó como ver una necesidad en su comunidad, se convirtió en una idea y un sueño ahora está floreciendo y cambiando de hogar en todo el país. Escuche la pasión y el corazón de Pau mientras nos cuenta cómo comenzó su empresa y sobre su amor por la ciencia, su familia y sus sueños para el futuro.

Únase a Dominique hoy mientras aprende más sobre cómo una doctora terminó dirigiendo uno de los restaurantes más tradicionales aquí en Guadalajara. Lupita Salcedo habla sobre sus platos favoritos en el restaurante, los mayores desafíos que ha enfrentado como propietaria de un restaurante y cómo equilibra la vida con una carrera, una familia y su propia salud mental. Y su mensaje al final es clave para todos, todos podemos apoyarnos y como ella dice "Todas somos chingonas" y siempre debemos apoyarnos.

Jump on today’s episode as Dominique unpacks what is traditionally a business term and how it affects all of us every single day in the big and the little decisions. Whether it’s about the food you order on a menu, the people in your life or the career moves, so much of our decisions are based on cost-sunk bias.

The 4 questions asked are:

1. In what areas of your life may a cost-sunk bias be persuading or influencing your decisions?
   
2. If you were able to identify an area, what actions could you take to change that direction?
   
3. Are your daily habits and actions working in your favor for the life you want to be creating?
   
4. What sort of decisions may change if you look at life from a zero-budget instead of building on the way things have always been done?
   

Ever look at someone else and wonder if they're just lucky? Today Dominique ponders the question about luck, hustle and sacrifices that go into success. After hearing from a world champion boxer over the weekend about his story, she was reminded how so much of success is what we can't see behind the scenes.

Ever struggle being in the moment? Like having a to-do list? Can't figure out how to be more present? Listen to today's episode as Dominique talks about what is helping her get more sleep at night, take better care of herself and enjoy life more.

Join us today as we listen to Mary McPherson's story about the surprises life has brought her along her journey, from moving to Mexico, meeting her husband, getting pulled back into education despite not wanting to, unemployment right before the pandemic, to two miscarriages, the challenges and joys of homeschooling, and how they are learning to make it all work and thrive in the middle of a global pandemic.

Mary's testimony is encouraging as she teaches us about running her own business, having the flexibility to homeschool, spend time with her children and constantly empowering other women to follow their dreams. Listen to this episode and share with a friend going through a rough season.

Checking in with ourselves is always worth the time. Without all the distractions from our busy lives pre-pandemic, are we taking the time to really ask ourselves the essential questions?

Take a listen to this short and sweet episode to remind yourself where you're going and how you're spending your days.

Después de casi un año con Embrace la Música, pensé que ya era buena hora invitar a mi media naranja compartir su perspectiva de la vida de nuestro matrimonio, compartir su historia de como llego a Mexico y reírnos un poquito el día de hoy.

Esperemos que este episodio sea el primero de muchos para poder animar otras parejas en esta jornada.

Con mucho amor amigos, Walter y Dom

Bonus Episode for all the Dreamers or People Seeking Growth in 2021.

In Episode 39, I ask you to ask yourself 7 questions that help shape your future. Feel stuck? Not sure where to go? What to ask? How to take action towards a life that is fulfilling and one you want to live? Listen to today's episode and get the FREE PDF that goes along with it to help shape your future.

2020, you've taken so much away. And yet, you've reminded us what's important at the end of the day.

If 2020 was wrapped with a bow, we may all have different contents or stories to tell from our year. Some of great sorrow and loss. Some of adventure and failure. Some of taking risks and excitement. Some of loneliness and some of desperation not having a moment to yourself.

But just as the ribbon that wraps our gifts under our trees holds the precious contents inside, the ribbon that ties us all together in 2020 is stronger than ever before. The worldwide collective feeling of empathy and understanding, knowing that we’re all going through this at the same time is seriously unbelievable.

This gift of empathy, this gift of connection and understanding is what I want to remember from this year.

Anybody else hyper aware of how certain apps on your phone are making you feel? Or wanting to manage your time better? In this episode, Dominique confesses how much mindless scrolling was affecting her own personal well-being and how she's working on being more intentional with her time, her phone and her goals.

Maybe you'll resonate to what she has to say as all the stats show that phone and app usage are up significantly as people crave connection but often lose hours while scrolling, comparing and getting lost in different apps.

Be inspired with another vulnerable and personal episode talking about handling criticism, letting go of expectations and being intentional (for real) with our habits to be in a healthier state of mind closing out this crazy year on the calendar.

What about you? Do you make your decisions based more on your heart or more on your head? Emotions vs. Intellect some say. As I was looking at some big decisions this last week, my therapist helped me see more clearly how we all make decisions, with either our head and our heart.

And it turns out that in life, we need to use both. And we need to ask ourselves which makes more of a difference down the road.

Truth be told, there are many right decisions we could make in our lives. Many paths we can take and find happiness along the way, no one path guarantees a fulfilled ending. It’s more about the journey and the road we’re traveling and learning to enjoy the moment, the days, the minutes you have in front of you.

All this and more is what I dive into today on the podcast and talk about why I've followed my heart in more recent years and months to take risks and try something new, learn about it on today's episode and share with your friends.

"Don't be afraid to have new experiences and step out of your comfort zone" is the advice that Dr. Michelle Dynes leaves us with after she speaks of her journey as a career driven mom who started at Mayo Clinic and has since opened doors with international health organizations throughout the last 20 years of her career.

From moving cross-country to pursue education and careers, to now moving internationally to continue working with global health initiatives, Michelle shares her perspective on why getting out of our comfort zones is a good thing.

She gives us advice on how to raise children who truly care about others and speak up as activists, on how to maintain your relationship with your spouse when so much time has been spent apart over the years and how to truly make decisions as a family. She talks about their adoption journey, personal challenges she's had to overcome and the hardships of being a mom who has to travel for her job.

Michelle is married to my older brother and I consider her my big sister. Her motivation to do hard things, her passion to keep learning and helping others, and her willingness to try new things and walk through open doors has always encouraged me. This episode was so special as Michelle is family to me and an inspiration to all who listen to her.

From being a Pharmacist to being a Makeup Artist and YouTube sensation, Afoma (who goes by Amofa for her brand) talks to us about her journey from Nigeria to the US to Mexico and how life has been for her and her family. She's married and they have two beautiful twin boys. Afoma shares her perspective on the Black Lives Matters movement as she talks about her own fears raising two black boys who may want to return to the US one day as adults. She talks about diversity and the need to be open and willing to unlearn and educate yourself on history and the richness that comes from embracing skin color.

I'm so grateful to Afoma, her family, her heart, her brilliant mind as she shares tips for all the listeners on growing a following, getting started with your business online and pursuing your passion, as she says "Just do it!" and don't be afraid to get started.

Listen today and share with your friends.

Afoma is super active on Social Media, sharing makeup tutorials and videos about life in Mexico.