You Can Do This!

Hidilyn Diaz, Margielyn Didal, Alex Eala, The Filipinas national football team, Meggie Ochoa, Bianca Bustamante, Irish Magno, the RP Blu Girls, Josie Gabuco. If you don’t know these names, it’s important that you do. Because in the tales of their triumphs and tribulations lie invaluable life and career lessons that can spur each of us into action. Whether you are trying to climb up the corporate ladder in a male-dominated industry or striving to be the best version of yourself, this episode is for you.

Sharing the winning strategies of these champions is award-winning journalist and advocate for women Ceej Tantengco Malolos whose podcast “Go Hard Girls" is  the Philippines’ first show focused on women athletes. One of only a few women working in the PBA, she is the social media manager of the Meralco Bolts. She also wrote the Fantastic Filipinas children's books which features groundbreaking women from history and heads business development at Pumapodcast.

Did you know that some of our most puzzling and long-lasting mental and even physical health issues can be traced to trauma—possibly as far-reaching as from our childhood? Some of it might have even been inflicted by seemingly harmless incidents in our childhood such as disparaging comments made by a tita, tito, parent, other relative or caregiver!

Tackling this phenomenon is Gang Capati, a trauma and neuroscience research fellow of Boston's Trauma Research Foundation doing clinical research on the brain and behavior. This Clinical Trauma Therapy Professional and trained mental health creative arts therapist is the founder of Project Steady, a mental health initiative focused on wellness programs and creative arts therapy for adults and teenagers, as well as the pro-alternative education non-profit organization RockEd Philippines.

His ID on Instagram simply says “I like making people on the Internet smile,” but his impact extends way beyond that. “My ‘Why’ as a creator is to ‘Find the funny,’” says one of the most renowned comedy content creators in the Philippines with 3.3 million followers on Facebook, 2.2 million on TikTok, and 503,000 on Instagram.

“Davao Conyo,” a.k.a. Phillip Te Hernandez is a mind reader who brings our innermost thoughts to life, infusing even the most mundane moments with his intelligent brand of comedy. His hilarious skits force us to confront our most awkward, insecure, and hypocritical moments, whether it's navigating social faux pas, feeling out of place, or being jologs amongst the sosyal. An astute observer of life, he seamlessly blends humor with honest commentary, opening our eyes to reality while leaving us in stitches—such that we never anticipate or mind the occasional paid ad placements in his videos, thanks to his non-salesy integration, often even enjoying or being persuaded by them. So much laughter (and learning!) in this episode!

We all know that life is unpredictable, and so is love. We may love someone so much today, but things change, and people change, and it’s good to know we can arm ourselves with practical wisdom—and a legal safety net—that could protect your heart—and your assets?

Whether you're walking down the aisle or just curious about your options, join us as we uncover the knowledge you need to protect your financial future and to empower yourself in love and the law.

Back on the show after our hit episode, “Ep.117: Top 5 Dating Red Flags According to an Annulment Lawyer” where she recommended that couples get prenups, is the Managing Partner of King & Graido Law and a seasoned practitioner in the fields of family, tax, and corporate law. She earned both her law and bachelor's degrees from the Ateneo de Manila University.

When we get a seat at the table or gain any kind of influence, it is our responsibility, even in our own little way, to ensure that other women also get their seats, get their voices heard, and get their paths illuminated. In the way that a rising tide lifts all boats, when women champion women, lifting each other ensures empowerment and success for all.

Rissa Mananquil Trillo is a UN Women Champion and a vocal advocate for women empowerment and gender equality since 2020. This award-winning entrepreneur is regarded as a pioneering force in homegrown beauty businesses as the co-founder of Happy Skin. Awarded Woman Entrepreneur of the Year in 2017 by EOY Philippines under Ernst & Young, she is also the author of the best-selling book Read My Lips: What It Takes to Build a World-Class Homegrown Brand. She has an Executive MBA from the Asian Institute of Management and is a Business Sustainability Management alumni of the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership.

Want to be an entrepreneur? Check your childhood for signs of early makings! As a young girl, Anne Arcenas-Gonzales had a knack for selling things to people and mounted her own garage sales at home—but never thought entrepreneurship would be her destiny. After she became a mother at 19, she got a corporate job after college, but she wanted to define her own destiny. So, out of her childhood bedroom and with no business background, she founded and built the retail company Terry, S.A. 20 years ago with her husband Freddy.

And just like the best entrepreneurs could sell ice to Eskimos, bringing the Brazilian brand Havaianas here revolutionized the way Filipinos wore the _tsinelas—_by turning it from humble home footwear staple into a trendy, and eventually, cult collectible fashion essential. Now recognized as the "flip-flop queen,” Anne was named one of Go Negosyo’s 55 Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs in 2016 and employs almost 300 people in her Great Place To Work-certified company.

Get a mini-master class from her in this episode about entrepreneurship as a mindset and attitude; its rewards and challenges, empowering women, and creating one's own path in business and in life.

“Empowered women empower women,” but sadly, there still exists a phenomenon called the “Pull Her Down” Syndrome, as coined by OG feminist Gloria Steinem. Perhaps women were taught to be competitive with one another because there was such a scarcity of jobs at the top.

It’s time to reverse that stereotype and encourage women to support each other instead of tearing each other down. Let’s tap into our collective power and trade the old mentality of  “You can’t sit with us” for “A rising tide lifts all boats!”

In this special #ListenToWomen collaboration, I am joined by my fellow podcasters and media veterans Bianca Gonzalez (Paano Ba ‘to, Anima Podcasts) & Ceej Tantengco-Malolos (Five Minutes Lang, Go Hard Girls, Pumapodcast) in an insightful conversation about this and other challenges women face—in the spirit of amplifying women's voices and  fostering empowerment. Because women who speak also know how to listen.

“If love truly is enough, why aren’t there more people in relationships? And why aren’t people happier than they appear to be when they're together?” asks relationship coach Nikki Porter, whose mission is to help women and men pursue a deeper, more grounded love for themselves and their romantic partners.

So, yes, cliché aside, learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all. It’s not easy, and takes a lot of work—inner work, but not doing it can negatively impact the quality of your relationships, especially your romantic ones. In this episode, Nikki helps you get started in doing the work so you can become a better partner and better you in relationships, just as she does in her podcast Nuggets of Nikki. She is also a radio jock for Monster RX93.1, where she hosts two shows, GoodVibes and Heard On Thursdays.

The quality of a couple’s intimacy is one of the most significant predictors of the relationship’s health and stability—it’s the glue that holds a relationship together. But when couples get   caught up in their day-to-day problems and responsibilities, they can lose track of each other, resulting in the decline of passion and intimacy as time goes on. The lack of intimacy is one of the most common causes of relationship distress and a top reason for divorce.

Getting intimate with intimacy in this episode is award-winning sex and relationships therapist, educator, and broadcaster Dr. Rica Cruz. She has a PhD in Psychology and a Diplomate in Clinical Sexology from the American Board of Sexology, the only Filipino to be a part of the editorial board of the Journal of Sex Research.

It’s that time of year when we see red, literally (hello, Valentine’s Month) and figuratively, when those who are unhappy about their relationship status are prone to bouts of FOMO—especially amidst societal expectations on finding, falling, and feeling in love as prerequisites for happiness.

But are romantic relationships necessary to lead a happy life? They shouldn’t be, says Cat Triviño, co-founder and Chief Product and Data Officer of global mental health organization MindNation which provides mental health services such as talks, training, and therapy to businesses here and abroad. Her personal journey and struggles with anxiety and depression have led her to a lifelong commitment to fight for mental healthcare accessibility and affordability. Whether you're single, taken, or navigating the “It’s complicated” state of something in between, this episode is all about embracing and celebrating life. It's time to be happy with your life, right now!

Make sure you finish Part 2 of our fun (and factual!) conversation about what you need to know about dating today and the strategy and skills you need to develop so that “finding love becomes easy,” as Coach Vee says.

Listen, learn, and let love through with Vanessa Antonio, the first and only US-Certified Matchmaker and Dating Coach in the Philippines. The founder of Singles Events Manila, the only dating organization in the country that inspires successful single professionals find true love, she has an M.A. in Sociology, studied at the famous Gottman Institute, and teaches men and women the science of dating, flirting and confidence in interacting with the opposite gender. She has helped over 100 singles find love in the Philippines and abroad.

Raise your hand if you (or so many people you know) are attractive, accomplished, and amazing—yet seem to be “unlucky in love.” But, does luck really have anything to do with it? Or does it require quite a bit of effort, or a strategy?

This episode’s guest expert says you can find love effortlessly, and in fact, that is her mission. The first and only US-Certified Matchmaker and Dating Coach in the Philippines, Vanessa Antonio is also the founder of Singles Events Manila, the only dating organization in the country that inspires successful single professionals find true love. She has an M.A. in Sociology, studied at the famous Gottman Institute, and teaches men and women the science of dating, flirting and confidence in interacting with the opposite gender. She has helped over 100 singles find love in the Philippines and abroad. Listen, learn, and let love in!

Vacation over. Back to life, back to reality, and back to the frantic pace of everyday life. And if there’s one thing that will never change in life, it’s  change—and challenges, and chaos! Wish you could give your mind the peace and quiet of a vacation anytime, anywhere, having to go on holiday?

Riza helps us achieve just that, just as she guides the listeners of her Heal & Flow meditation podcast where she addresses disruptors of inner peace such as Overwhelm, Getting Triggered, and Envy as she encourages them to Find their Truth, Nurture Softness, and Meet Themselves Where They Are (titles of some of her episodes). She’s been practicing yoga asana & meditation since 2014 and teaching them since 2016. An aspiring devotee on the path of Bhakti yoga, she has also been a Reiki master since 2020.

Since we interviewed her in Ep. 23 (“You Can Stop Yo-yo Dieting & Hating Your Body”), the message of this registered nutritionist-dietitian (RND)/social media star has become even louder and clearer: Life’s too short to keep saying no to wonderful experiences while being trapped in the vicious cycle of torturing ourselves to attain the “perfect” body. This realization has been the turning point in her journey from former ballerina/master dieter/binge eater to BS Community Nutrition graduate of UP Diliman, founder of HEAL, nutrition coach, content creator, and podcaster whose goal is to make nutrition fun, easy, and accessible while focusing on having a healthy relationship with food and the body.

Her hundreds of thousands of followers devour her content showing herself eating whatever she wants, and see every real and un-posed inch of her body—including her cellulite, bloated food baby, and other wobbly bits, in addition to her impressive muscles and toned physique that inspire them to be as active and strong as she is as well.

Watch or listen to us unpack all the body image/binge-eating baon and baggage in this eye-opening convo and learn how to practice what Jo preaches: “Balance, nourishment and respecting your body.”

“They say money is the No.1 cause of stress in the world, but it doesn't have to be,” says financial coach and financial literacy advocate Alyanna Pabalan. Starting with “no money at all,” she now coaches people on removing their money blind spots and creating the right mindset and proactive and sustainable habits, behaviors, and strategies. Her mission is to help Filipinos take control of their finances, make sound decisions consistently, and expand their minds to what’s possible—using money as a tool to live their best lives.

The CEO and co-founder of Born2Win Philippines Forex trading education provider is also a Certified Executive Coach, a Certified Life Coach, a Certified Master Practitioner in Neurolinguistic Programming, and a Certified Master in Business Management.

“Plans are nothing; planning is everything,” Dwight D. Eisenhower once said. This might explain why New Year’s resolutions really don’t work! This episode might finally unlock the key to how to make our goals and dreams come true, and all it takes is strategic planning. Think about it: We do strategic planning at work, why not do it for our own lives?

Darlyn Ty Nilo (who taught us how to do a personal year-end review in the previous episode) has made a career and an empire out of personal strategic planning and has helped thousands of Filipinas achieve their goals and dreams. The creator of the famous Belle de Jour Power Planner and other cult favorite journals, notebooks, tools, and products is the CEO of Viviamo, Inc. and the president of the Iconic chapter of Business Network, Inc. She says, “Time is not something you find, it is something you create.”

Before you veg out on the couch, numb yourself with leftovers, and forget about the unpleasant parts of the year that’s ending—carve out 15 to 30 minutes today, open your old paper or digital planner and reflect on all the highs and lows that transpired this year. What for? Only by looking back can we more effectively use our realizations to plan for the coming year (which you will do in the next episode).

Sharing her year-ender review method is Darlyn Ty Nilo, the creator of the famous Belle de Jour Power Planner and other cult favorite journals, notebooks, tools, and products that have empowered thousands of Filipinos in the last 18 years to “try, dare, experience, and live.” She is the CEO of Viviamo, Inc. and the president of the Iconic chapter of Business Network, Inc.

This is Part 2 of a powerful conversation that unpacks a serious and often heartbreaking topic that touches so many lives: overcoming alcoholism and addiction. Whether you want to help a loved one or yourself, this episode is packed with insights and information to help you navigate the challenging journey of recovery.

Shedding light in this episode is Barni Alejandro, an International Certified Addiction Specialist with personal experience in overcoming decades of trauma and addiction.  She now helps others do the same by harnessing her first-hand knowledge together with her expertise which is backed by a certificate of Professional Achievement in Counseling Theories, Skills, and Practice, and solidified by studies in Emeritus Addiction Studies in partnership with Asia Metropolitan University.

Today, Barni embraces her new role and persona as The Sober Chef (@thesober_chef on IG), in addition to being known as the chef and co-owner of The Sexy Chef health food delivery service along with her sister, Rachel Alejandro, with whom she has also co-authored two best-selling cookbooks.

This is Part 1 of a powerful conversation that unpacks a serious and often heartbreaking topic that touches so many lives: overcoming alcoholism and addiction. Whether you want to help a loved one or yourself, this episode is packed with insights and information to help you navigate the challenging journey of recovery.

Shedding light in this episode is Barni Alejandro, an International Certified Addiction Specialist with personal experience in overcoming decades of trauma and addiction.  She now helps others do the same by harnessing her first-hand knowledge together with her expertise which is backed by a certificate of Professional Achievement in Counseling Theories, Skills, and Practice, and solidified by studies in Emeritus Addiction Studies in partnership with Asia Metropolitan University.

Today, Barni embraces her new role and persona as The Sober Chef (@thesober_chef on IG), in addition to being known as the chef and co-owner of The Sexy Chef health food delivery service along with her sister, Rachel Alejandro, with whom she has also co-authored two best-selling cookbooks.

Ever wish you could argue skillfully and confidently the way a lawyer does? Want to learn how to articulate your thoughts persuasively, maintain composure under pressure, or turn any disagreement into a constructive dialogue? Whether you find yourself in a boardroom debate, a disagreement with a colleague, or a heart-to-heart discussion with a loved one, mastering the skills of a successful argument is an essential life skill.

Teaching us the basics here is accomplished lawyer, executive coach and life coach Atty. Anthea Magpantay, who taught Argumentation and Debate for Speech Communication at UP Manila before she worked to fight graft and corruption as a prosecutor at the Office of the Ombudsman for 14 1/2 years. Today, she coaches high-performing professionals and leaders to achieve clarity, momentum, purposeful growth and balance in their careers and lives.

Struggles are a part of life, but no matter what life throws our way, it is how we respond to the trials that determines our destiny.

Marge Aviso is a living example of how strategic mindset shifts can propel us to heights we might never have dreamed of. The daughter of a seaman and a sari-sari store owner in San Rafael, Bulacan, this nursing graduate came from humble beginnings. On her journey to success, she faced blow after blow, including teenage pregnancy, an abusive relationship, and financial turmoil. Yet, through her resilience and ability to overcome adversities, she built a global BPO that created thousands of jobs and opportunities in her hometown. After a few years of success, however, financial mismanagement drove it to the brink of bankruptcy. But she slowly rebuilt it—and emerged as a powerhouse entrepreneur and advocate for women empowerment in the tech industry.

The award-winning CEO of Telework PH Outsourcing Solutions Inc. is also a sought-after consultant, mentor, and speaker, and is the subject of a movie about her inspiring life called Miss Probinsiyana.

Ever find yourself holding back, hesitant to fully express who you really are or market your capabilities and true potential? How many great opportunities have you declined, dreams put on hold, or opinions left unsaid due to the silent weight of fearing what others might think of you?

Helping unravel the layers of this universal struggle and explore ways to overcome this fear is Julian Cañita, an internationally certified executive coach renowned for guiding CEOs and leaders towards exponential growth. Being bullied severely in grade school and struggling to fit in in high school and college could have traumatized him to forever cower in the shadows with the belief that he was not enough. But today, he courageously embraces his authentic self, leveraging his humorous and down-to-earth personality as he fearlessly motivates huge audiences, markets his services all over social media, and empowers others to do the same so they can make meaningful impact, experience joy and limitless possibilities in their lives.

Even if I’m no longer the EIC of Cosmopolitan, I still get a lot of DMs asking, “Paano ba lumandi?”  mostly from women in their 30s and 40s who are re-entering the dating scene, never really learned how to flirt and make the first move, or have lost their confidence in leveling up their landi game. Unfortunately, I’m out of practice when it comes to this (except with internal landi with my husband of 14 years), so I decided to outsource this topic to the viral Queen of Landi, Joelle.

While she always stresses that she is not a psychologist or relationship expert, the frank, fearless, feminist, and sound dating and relationship tips she dispenses has catapulted her TikTok account Joelle Oh Well to half-a-million follower fame! Also gaining ground is her podcast called Paano Kung? where she explores all the possibilities in life, love, and landi. A professional voice artist, events host, DJ, experience collector, and storyteller, Joelle has come to be known for the mantra she admonishes all her dating disciples with: “Remember, Wag Tanga!”

Step 1: Stop running away from conflict! Whether it's a disagreement with a colleague, a spat with a friend, or a clash with a loved one, conflicts are an inevitable part of life. And knowing how to resolve conflict is a skill that's vital not just in the workplace but also in our personal relationships.

Giving us practical strategies and tips to help you navigate and transform conflicts into opportunities for growth and stronger connections is Mia Corpus, the executive director of The Conflict Resolution or Core Group Foundation. With two decades of experience in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), she is a certified mediator and executive coach with a deep passion for bridging differences and fostering harmonious human interactions—whether she is addressing personal challenges or managing large-scale regional disputes.

Who knew that the things her parents once worried about and her peers bullied her for—“weird” things like talking to herself, having imaginary friends, forever daydreaming, being an introvert, having a restless ADHD brain, and even having curly hair—would one day make her world-famous and generate millions in followers and (most likely!) revenue?

Her hilarious and thought-provoking skits skewer the absurdities of modern Pinoy life with her sharp wit and keen observations. A master of the satirical skit, she uses her platform to challenge social norms and stereotypes in the funniest way that has resonated with countless people! Whoever said Pinoys don’t get satire has never watched her videos!

This hit content creator, commercial and music video director, NFT (non-fungible token) artist, singer, perfumer, author, and entrepreneur proves that being weird is actually the greatest asset a person and a professional creative can have and should be embraced, not downplayed. Get inspired and motivated to unlock your own power of self-expression by owning and embracing your authenticity.

It’s clear: When women lead, things just work better. For decades, science has shown that  organizations and countries with female leaders actually outperform their peers on many levels. Why, women have been the backbone of families and communities for millennia! So why are so many women still hitting glass ceilings and facing hurdles when it comes to leadership, decision-making, and economic opportunities?

The first step, however, lies within us—in changing the story we tell ourselves about our own capabilities, and in claiming, owning, and optimizing our own power as leaders. Sharing their knowledge and insights about this are Niña Terol and Candice Quimpo, founders of Imaginable Impact, an inclusion studio on a mission to co-create a more diverse and equitable world where women thrive and get equal access to leadership, economic empowerment, and wealth-building opportunities at various stages of their lives.

Whether you are or aspire to be a female leader or founder, or are an advocate for women's entrepreneurship, get ready for some serious inspiration, knowledge, and a ton of motivation.

Whether you think you haven’t been yourself lately or that there’s really nothing wrong with you, it’s time to stop putting your mental health in the back seat and take charge with a solid, pro-active plan the same way we address our physical health and fitness.

Not paying attention to our mental health affects our overall well-being and quality of life, what with the daily psychological distress we experience in today’s post-pandemic world besieged by a mental health epidemic and a fast-paced culture complicated by the illusion of perfection on social media, plus looming threats of genocide and global destruction.

This episode’s guest Steph Naval teaches us how to do just that. With the vision of changing the mental healthcare system in the Philippines for all Filipinos, the award-winning entrepreneur and mental health champion is the founder and CEO of Empath, a wellness company that provides non-judgmental, well-supported, nurturing, and empathic community-curated mental healthcare services and solutions to individuals, workplaces, schools, and non-profits. Empath serves over 2,900 returning Individual clients and more than 80 communities. Steph is currently working on being a licensed Community Psychologist.

Science shows that humans judge each other within seven seconds of meeting for the first time—making snap conclusions about their age, competence, likability, education level, lifestyle, income, and social class. What’s more, 55% of first impressions are made by how we look, 38 % by how we sound, and only 7% by what we actually say. Also, it takes only 1/10 of a second for people to decide if a person is trustworthy.

Whether or not you consider this fair, one thing is certain: You never get a second chance to make a first impression. And in today’s competitive world, it helps to be prepared to always project a positive and attractive vibe. Helping us achieve that is Olen Lim, the global President of the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) and a Certified Image Professional. She has transformed the personal and professional image of countless high-profile clients, providing personalized solutions to enhance their personal brand. In the last 18 years, this sought-after speaker and consultant has left a lasting impact on individuals and businesses worldwide.She holds a double degree in Psychology, Guidance and Counseling and Marketing Management and was a top runway, print, and commercial model in her past life.

In the Philippines, divorce is still a distant dream, and annulment is no walk in the park. In a country where 'forever' still really means forever, knowing who you're marrying is crucial. Love is great, but it can’t sustain a long marriage if you and your partner are not on the same page about how you're going to lead the rest of your life.

Sharing her insights from years of experience to help you avoid marriage pitfalls is Atty. Clarizel King, managing partner of King & Graido Law, a seasoned practitioner in the fields of family, tax, and corporate law. She believes that the finest legal solutions can be found outside the courtroom and seeks innovative solutions to complex legal challenges. Atty. King earned both her law and bachelor's degrees from the Ateneo de Manila University. She is taking her time and practicing due diligence in picking a life partner before settling down.

Whether you’re a business owner, a leader with an advocacy, or an enthusiast who wants to gather like-minded people with shared interests, seek support, opportunities for growth, or even create social change, building a community can become a highly rewarding asset as well as a way to change the world for the better.

Laid off at the start of the pandemic, the former advertising executive-turned-homebody put up a Facebook group called Home Buddies. In three years, it has exploded to become the largest FB community in the Asia-Pacific region (excluding India), with a community of 3.2 million online “neighbors” or kapitbahays, and won $80,000 in funding from Meta’s Facebook’s 2021 Community Accelerator Program, besting 13,000 other applicants. Her new group Hangout Buddies, “a travel and tambay community,” now has 210,000 members.

Frances shares her inspiring story of passion, creativity, and resilience, her mission to promote inclusivity and improve lives, plus valuable insights and tips for wannabe community builders.

Pinch me, I’m dreaming, it’s Dolly de Leon! Get to know the Triangle of Sadness breakout star like you’ve never known her before in our candid and revealing chat. Behind her Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations, LA Critics’ Best Supporting Performance award, "30 of the World's Most Famous Stars” citation by British Vogue, and other accolades is the story of “a struggling, angry, bitter, desperate actor trying to support her family of four kids, saying yes to every job but never hating it and never complaining about it.”

Dolly shares how she overcame the most trying moments in her life and what kept her going and believing—because it would take 33 years of playing nameless and line-less characters in movies before she would finally get her first lead role in local mainstream cinema in A Very Good Girl opposite Kathryn Bernardo, and even more Hollywood productions such as Grand Death Lotto with Awkwafina, Simu Liu, and John Cena; Between the Temples with Jason Schwartzman and 9 Perfect Strangers with Nicole Kidman.

Most important of all, now that she has a louder voice and a global platform, Dolly speaks about advocating for social justice in her industry and country, as well as the importance of kindness and generosity in making the world a better place. You cannot miss this episode!

Four years before her company became a million-dollar corporation in 2021, Lay Mijares could not even open a bank account because she did not have the P5,000 minimum needed to do so.

Here’s the remarkable journey of a self-made Gen Z millionaire who defied the odds and her humble origins from a poor family in Pampanga and transformed her insecurities into an empire. From battling powerlessness to embracing strength training at age 13, she catalyzed a passion that would fuel her professional success. at At age 20, she built her personal training company from the ground up. Laystrength Inc., is now a fitness, nutrition, and wellness company that provides virtual services here and in the US, and is changing how home service fitness is being delivered.

If you’ve ever found yourself hiding behind excuses for not going after what you want in life such as, “I’m too old, too young, too shy, too busy, or too broke,” this episode is your wakeup call.

Hate the sound of your voice? You are not alone. Who doesn’t want to have a more resonant voice, speak more clearly and confidently, be listened to and understood by people, and feel more comfortable speaking in public?

I once hated my voice too, until this episode’s guests became my voice and speech mentors. Ron & Joyce Burton Titular are two of the country’s most iconic voices-turned-certified Vocal Yoga HLM coaches who have have been teaching their “Best Voice Ever” workshops for almost 20 years. You might recognize her iconic voice from the ads of Dove, Cebu Pacific, 2nd Avenue, and the voiceovers for Bb. Pilipinas and other beauty pageants and major events. She is also a TV host, actress, model and beauty queen. Ron is a broadcaster with 30 years of radio experience as a network director, station manager, event host, talent trainer, audio producer and radio announcer. Together, they can help you, just as they helped me and thousands of people from all over the world, discover just how wonderfully powerful your voice is.

Are there talents and skills you never thought you had, or know that you do have but never had the confidence to harness them for profit? Pumping us up in this episode with a boost of can-do encouragement so we can have faith in our abilities is the multi-talented and enterprising King of the Side Hustle, Stanley Chi.

Here’s the lineup of his many talent and revenue streams: He’s a podcaster (Underpaid), standup comedian, TV host, events host, art director, producer, cartoonist, writer, blogger, vlogger, columnist, author of 12 books including Suplado Tips and Pogi Points, t-shirt entrepreneur, social media and digital marketing strategist—he even once joined a traveling circus!

Join our fun and funny convo and get inspired by Stanley’s story and street smarts—and be infected with his gung-ho attitude so that like him, you’ll always be open and ready to see life’s many possibilities and tap into opportunities instead of hiding behind obstacles and excuses.

Feeling swamped by your to-do lists, deadlines, responsibilities, decisions, expectations? Juggling more than you can humanly handle? If you’re looking to regain your sense of control and reclaiming your peace, focus, and equilibrium, this episode is for you.

Coach Andrea See helps leaders and teams not just survive but thrive in the face of overwhelm. An International Coaching Federation-Certified executive coach and life coach, she partners with clients to evoke transformative clarity, achieve breakthroughs in performance, and sustain shifts in culture. Learn why we get overwhelmed, how it affects us, how she has helped others conquer it, and actionable strategies you can start implementing today.

Still dreaming of the life you truly deserve? A life filled with purpose, joy, and fulfillment—but you don’t know how to make it a reality? Or maybe you're stuck in a rut or in your comfort zone, facing uncertainty, or just lacking clarity?

Helping you create the life you've always envisioned is Roq Cleo, an award-winning design thinking expert, brand and growth hack marketing strategist, and visual communication expert who helps both individuals and organizations with product, service, and process innovation. He applied design thinking to his own life, using it to get out of poverty, develop the skills he needed,  and steer the course of his life towards success. In this episode, Roq teaches us how to apply it to your own life or to any of your problems using this 5-step process: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test.

How do you make your mark in a world where every kind of space is already so saturated, and every field, so competitive? Whether you're a content creator, an entrepreneur, or simply want to differentiate yourself in any niche, get ready to be inspired and empowered to shine bright amidst the competition.

Yanking us out of our comfort zones is top content creator, events host, and DJ Jaz Reyes, who is known for her humorous, scroll-stopping, and conversation-provoking content. Also an award-winning filmmaker and former Ateneo courtside reporter, Jaz always has a fresh and unconventional take in whatever she does. Listen to our lighthearted but deep-diving convo on how to sustain creativity, avoid the comparison trap, overcome the fear of judgment and failure, and many more.

“Everyone has the right to pleasure. It is nothing to be ashamed of,” proclaim sisters Belle and Ava Daza, the women behind the sexual wellness brand Jellytime and  the groundbreaking "The Sexytime Podcast.” Their bold, brave vision? “To change the landscape of conversation and create safe spaces around sex and pleasure.”

Enjoy this episode’s deep dive into sex, pleasure, and self-care without shame from the women who are challenging taboos in our still semi-conservative society. Be among the women they are encouraging to put themselves and their pleasure first as they courageously leverage their huge platforms and influence to achieve their mission.

We introverts already know it: Networking is crucial for success. But it still strikes terror in our hearts, for what could be scarier than small talk? An overwhelming crowd? Very possible rejection and judgment? The pretension? The social anxiety?

Pushing us to leave our comfort zones and navigate the social landscape adeptly is Elbert Or, an introvert who is also a certified team coach, senior consultant for Management Strategies, and a board member at the World Institute for Action Learning. The co-founder of Pushpin Visuals, a design studio focusing on social impact and advocacy-based work, he is also an award-winning children's and comic book author. Elbert is also the founder and first president of the Iconic chapter of BNI or Business Network Inc, the world's largest business networking and business referral organization.

In a world that's all about looks and unrealistic standards, loving your body—as it is right now, and unconditionally—can be tough. What does it mean and take to truly love your body? And why is it so important to do so? Discover what truly weighs us down as we debunk myths, challenge misconceptions, and share practical tips on how to embrace, love, and build a positive relationship with our bodies free from shame, judgment and unrealistic expectations.

Kate Moynihan-Gonzalez is the founder of Body Love Somatic, a bottom-up approach healing modality that focuses on tension-trauma release and nervous system regulation. A health and wellness industry fixture for 30 years, Kate is also one of three co-founders of The Body Love Women’s Circle and Body Love Programme with Dr Lia Bernardo and Luna Marie Garcia.

Why are we such experts on all our weaknesses, but not when it comes to our strengths? Why do we love overthinking all the reasons we can’t achieves omething instead of tapping into what we do well? Studies show that people who focus on using their strengths are three times more likely to report having an excellent quality of life, are six times more likely to be engaged on the job, and are 12.5% more productive! 

Flipping the switch in our heads to take us from being paralyzed by our weaknesses to unlocking our highest potentials using our authentic strengths is Valee Rivas, a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, a NLP Master Practitioner, a certified executive coach, and an  ICF Associate Certified Coach. 

Ever found yourself hesitating to speak up in meetings, during heated family discussions, or when having to confront a bully? Are you the quiet one in your group, too self-conscious to express your thoughts or opinions? You are not alone. I was that person, too, for a long time.

In this episode, Coach Gidgette Faustino helps you unlock the power of your voice and discover the freedom that comes from confidently expressing and asserting yourself in any situation. With more than 20 years of communication experience in advertising and media, she is an expert in creating, strategizing and executing and conveying important messages to the public. As an ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC), she helps people communicate courageously and strategically to achieve their desired success.

What happened to your goals? Did bad habits or real life get in their way? Or did you procrastinate and wallow in inertia? Good news: You can still hit the reset button, refresh, and reclaim your resolutions and plans.

Coach Nikka Santos works with clients to sharpen their focus and increase their mental and emotional agility. An International Coaching Federation-certified and credentialed-leadership coach, she is the founder of The Future Leaders Program and a Care Coach for the world’s leading coaching platform, BetterUp, where she provides resilience coaching to drive employee engagement, productivity, innovation and business growth for companies like Google, Warner Media, Chevron, and NASA.  

Our fathers raised us in the best way they knew, and we hold them in high regard with love, gratitude, and respect for their efforts. The way they formed bonds with us during our upbringing greatly influences our sense of security, stability, courage, confidence, and self-worth—even into adulthood. These deep-rooted influences often manifest in certain struggles we face in our relationships, and can be traced to "Father Wounds" or "Daddy's Issues" (a term preferable to "Daddy Issues" which unfairly places blame on women for the dysfunction). Thus, the first step towards healing and triumphing over these wounds is to explore our past experiences that were less than ideal. 

Sharing her expertise in this episode is Aileen Santos, an internationally certified relationship coach, life skills and conflict resolution trainer and counselor who has a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology and is a Certified Neuro-Linguistic Programming Practitioner.

For anyone who’s ever struggled with being different and being denied their goals and dreams for not conforming with the norm, Miss Mela Habijan’s message for you is: “No matter how the world sees us, being different is a gift, and even if the world keeps saying no to us, we need to keep saying yes to ourselves.” You, too, can use whatever makes you different to transform your life and make it flourish and shine—whatever your gender identity, sexual orientation, life choices, race, shape, size, or economic status. Get inspired by the positivity and uplifting spirit of the first-ever Miss Trans Global, LGBTQIA+ inclusion and equal rights warrior, host, writer, actress, brand ambassador, content creator, and peanut butter maker who dreams of having her own family someday.

Do we really still need to uphold high standards of English language fluency when audio and video are replacing reading and writing and when the consensus seems to be “it doesn’t matter how you say it, as long as your message is understood”? Instagram’s @‌misschiefeditor addresses this issue and shares her five-step improvement plan to help you stand out and succeed in a competitive job and business market—just as she does for her followers with her practical tips and irreverent, tongue-in-cheek content. The English Studies graduate with a major in Language from the University of the Philippines Diliman is currently working towards a graduate certificate in business communication from Harvard University. She was an editor at BusinessWorld, writes for CNN Philippines and is a senior editor at Fortune 500 firm AECOM. She is also a member of ACES: The Society for Editing, an international professional alliance of editors dedicated to improving the quality of the written word.

There’s no such thing as being too old to achieve anything, proves this former stay-at-home mom who made a name for herself in at age 49 as the first female and first Filipino-American executive chef at Hollywood’s iconic Yamashiro restaurant. There, she enjoyed fame and success cooking for celebrities such as Bruno Mars, Cardi B, Jojo Siwa, Paris Hilton, H.E.R., Jennifer Hudson, and JoKoy. In 2023, she moved back to the Philippines after over 30 years after she was named Philippine Airlines’ Assistant Vice President for Catering Operations. But she was no overnight success. Her journey started when she was born in her grandfather’s bakery in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte. She was always passionate about food and loved to bake and cook, but she was preoccupied with motherhood. She was a medical biller, makeup artist, and real estate agent before she finally decided to get a culinary degree from the Academy of Culinary Education in California, but still “just for fun.” After graduation, she resumed housewifehood for two more years until a friend urged her to apply at Yamashiro for an opening for a pastry chef. She did so reluctantly, and was shocked to get the job—and to have to fight for survival in the toxic macho environment of an all-male kitchen. Listen to this episode to hear the rest of this inspiring story!

Struggling with abandonment or trust issues? Anger management problems? Perfectionistic and obsessive tendencies? A lack of assertiveness or people-pleasing patterns? All these can be manifestations of childhood trauma, which, when left unhealed, can damage our self-esteem and well-being and debilitate us from living our best lives. Unpacking this for us is Harriet Hautea Hormillosa, PhD, RGC, who pioneered the long-running Reparenting the Child Within workshop which she has held over 500 times in the last 29 years, producing tens of thousands of graduates. The founder of the Reintegration for Care and Wholeness Foundation has also trained under world-renowned transformational coaches such as Anthony Robbins, Louise Hay, Marianne Williamson, Deepak Chopra, and Wayne Dyer.