Gratitude Geek: Business Education for Gen X Women Solopreneurs

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so every episode of Gratitude Geek this month honors thrivers who are living their legacy with cancer.This week, Kandas talks with Dr. Jess Bunin, a three-time cancer survivor, West Point graduate, retired Army colonel and physician trained in both psychiatry and internal medicine. Jess shares her cancer story, from thyroid cancer in medical school to Hodgkin's disease to a breast cancer that only showed up on an MRI. She also talks about pushing for the surgery she wanted when she didn't feel listened to, and how one night in the ER gave her an answer to "why me."Along the way, Kandas and Jess get honest about mental health after cancer, why women still get dismissed in healthcare, and how Jess wrote and published a leadership book in a matter of months. They also talk about how self-compassion and boundaries make room for gratitude, especially when you aren't feeling grateful at all.What you'll hearWhy high-risk women may need an MRI, since Jess's tumor never showed up on a mammogram or ultrasoundHow Jess chose a bilateral mastectomy with no reconstruction, and what it took to get her care team to hear herWhy you should talk with doctors and with women who've been through it, and keep a running list of questionsThe study showing doctors interrupt patients in as little as 11 secondsHow a conversation with a frightened patient turned Jess's "why me" into purposeWhy PTSD, depression and anger deserve a place in cancer careHow Jess went from retired colonel to author, speaker and business ownerWhy gratitude is hard to practice without self-compassion and boundariesAbout Jess Bunin, MDJess is a three-time cancer survivor, a West Point graduate and a retired Army colonel with 23 years of service. She is the author of Self-Awareness and Trust, Leading Healthcare Teams from the Inside Out, published in August. Jess lives with her wife and their pit bulls, whom she calls her children.Resources from this episodeSelf-Awareness and Trust by Jess Bunin, MD:  https://amzn.to/3W6zj2d Jess's free self-awareness worksheet:  https://lead.jessbuninmd.com/ In Shock by Rana Awdish: https://amzn.to/4zhMwnt Aftershock by Rana Awdish:  https://amzn.to/4z6q4gW Connect with Jess:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-bunin/ → Full show notes + links:  https://kandasrodarte.com/344  Gratitude Geek is the business education podcast for Gen X women solopreneurs who weave gratitude and appreciation into their business strategy. Hosted by metastatic breast cancer thriver, Kandas Rodarte, who co-creates spaces, opportunities, and conversations for women business owners. Subscribe to weekly emails: https://kandasrodarte.com/subscribe If you’re a woman creator looking for co-creation and collaboration opportunities in indie media, come to my free Creator Co-Lab Mixer. Register here https://kandasrodarte.com/mixer Gratitude Geek is a member of Marketing Podcasts Network. For network wide advertising options visit: https://marketingpodcasts.net/advertise Want to be a guest on Gratitude Geek? Send Kandas Rodarte a message on PodMatch here: https://kandasrodarte.com/podmatch Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Does your business feel like a giant boulder you're pushing uphill, with distractions and responsibilities weighing you down? In this episode of Gratitude Geek, host Kandas Rodarte distills insights from 11 incredible women who shared their perspectives on momentum in business. As we explore five key lessons, you’ll discover how to gain traction without sacrificing your well-being or getting overwhelmed by the daily grind.What you’ll learn in this episode:Getting Started: Understand the importance of that initial push to get your business moving and how momentum builds over time.Protecting Your Focus: Learn how to minimize distractions and say no to opportunities that don’t align with your North Star.Keeping Going When It's Quiet: Discover strategies for maintaining momentum even when you’re not seeing immediate feedback or results.Deciding What You're Moving Toward: Reflect on your purpose and ensure your actions align with your true ambitions.Building Support Into the Business: Explore how to create systems and support structures that free you up for creativity and growth.This episode is a deep dive into the multifaceted nature of momentum, illustrating that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Whether you’re looking for courage, focus, or a better system, these lessons are designed to help you find what resonates with you.Grab your notebook and get ready to take action! Choose just one idea from today’s discussion and implement the smallest version of it this week.👉 Full show notes + links:  https://kandasrodarte.com/343🍅 Join our supportive co-working sessions for women creators:  https://kandasrodarte.com/coworkingChapters:00:00 Understanding Business Momentum: The Challenge of Getting Started and Pushing Forward04:36 Doing It Scared and Protecting Focus: Key Strategies for Maintaining Business Momentum09:24 Keeping Momentum Alive During Quiet Periods and the Power of Consistent Feedback12:23 Building Momentum Through Practice and Consistency: Lessons from a Cellist and a Blogger15:08 Directing Your Movement: Aligning Business Growth with Purpose and Personal Desires17:30 Pivoting with Joyful Ambition: Frameworks for Navigating Change and Embracing Abundance19:51 The Flywheel Effect: How Momentum Creates Creativity, Peace, and Financial Growth21:51 Building Support Systems: Automating Business Processes for Scalability and Personal Freedom24:45 Rethinking Momentum: Embracing Varied Definitions and Gratitude for Sustainable Business Success27:16 Your Assignment: Implementing One Small Idea to Foster Business Momentum This Week Gratitude Geek is the business education podcast for Gen X women solopreneurs who weave gratitude and appreciation into their business strategy. Hosted by metastatic breast cancer thriver, Kandas Rodarte, who co-creates spaces, opportunities, and conversations for women business owners. Subscribe to weekly emails: https://kandasrodarte.com/subscribe If you’re a woman creator looking for co-creation and collaboration opportunities in indie media, come to my free Creator Co-Lab Mixer. Register here https://kandasrodarte.com/mixer Gratitude Geek is a member of Marketing Podcasts Network. For network wide advertising options visit: https://marketingpodcasts.net/advertise Want to be a guest on Gratitude Geek? Send Kandas Rodarte a message on PodMatch here: https://kandasrodarte.com/podmatch Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Can narrowing your niche actually give you more freedom, greater reach, and faster momentum?In Episode 342 of Gratitude Geek — the 12th interview in the Momentum Series — host Kandas Rodarte sits down with vision board leadership coach, author, and artist Janet Tanguay (The Hammock Way of Life, LLC).Janet shares how making a specific shift toward corporate vision boarding unlocked massive business growth, proving that narrowing your target market expands your opportunities. We also dive into the philosophy behind "The Hammock Way of Life," discussing how to protect your energy, keep your eyes on your "North Star," and set strategic "no" boundaries so you can build a successful business on your own terms.In this episode, you’ll learn:The Niching Advantage: Why focusing on a hyper-specific niche creates momentum rather than limiting your reach.Inclusive Vision Boarding: Creative techniques like 3D cake boxes for privacy and adapting workshops for neurodivergent thinkers and those with aphantasia.The Gratitude Loop: How celebrating small financial wins elevates your energy and attracts further abundance.Protecting Your North Star: The power of setting firm boundaries and saying "no" to misaligned opportunities.Outside-the-Box Exposure: How Janet used converted vintage cigarette vending machines (Art-o-mat) to gain global visibility for her artwork.Exclusive Freebie: How to claim a free ticket to Janet's virtual vision board or Energize Your Vision sessions.Connect with Janet TanguayWebsite: ⁠⁠https://hammockwayoflife.com⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠https://⁠linkedin.com/in/jazzyjan⁠⁠Book (The Hammock Way of Life): ⁠https://amzn.to/4dKpjBK⁠ (affiliate link)Show Notes & ResourcesFull Show Notes + Links: ⁠⁠https://kandasrodarte.com/342⁠⁠Art-o-mat Vending Machines: ⁠⁠https://https://www.artomat.org/⁠Gratitude Geek is the business education podcast for Gen X women solopreneurs who weave gratitude and appreciation into their business strategy. Hosted by metastatic breast cancer thriver, Kandas Rodarte, who co-creates spaces, opportunities, and conversations for women business owners.Subscribe to weekly emails: ⁠https://kandasrodarte.com/subscribe⁠Want to be a guest on Gratitude Geek? Send Kandas Rodarte a message on PodMatch here: ⁠https://kandasrodarte.com/podmatch Gratitude Geek is the business education podcast for Gen X women solopreneurs who weave gratitude and appreciation into their business strategy. Hosted by metastatic breast cancer thriver, Kandas Rodarte, who co-creates spaces, opportunities, and conversations for women business owners. Subscribe to weekly emails: https://kandasrodarte.com/subscribe If you’re a woman creator looking for co-creation and collaboration opportunities in indie media, come to my free Creator Co-Lab Mixer. Register here https://kandasrodarte.com/mixer Gratitude Geek is a member of Marketing Podcasts Network. For network wide advertising options visit: https://marketingpodcasts.net/advertise Want to be a guest on Gratitude Geek? Send Kandas Rodarte a message on PodMatch here: https://kandasrodarte.com/podmatch Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Business momentum can feel confusing when you are rebuilding after burnout, a health challenge, family changes, or a season that asked too much of you. In this episode, Kandas Rodarte talks with Scarlett Stanhope, founder of The Biz Hippie, about moving from high-achieving corporate burnout into a more values-aligned approach to entrepreneurship. Together, they explore what business momentum can look like when you stop measuring progress only by speed and start paying attention to capacity, support, gratitude, and the small choices that make a business sustainable. For Gen X women solopreneurs, this is a conversation about building forward without returning to the pressure that wore you down. What this episode covers: → Why a slow or “flat” start does not always mean your business efforts are failing, including Scarlett’s penny-doubling analogy for understanding gradual growth. → How to tell the difference between a small pivot and a deeper change in direction when your current business model no longer fits your life or values. → What it can look like to move beyond the Lone Wolf mindset and accept mentorship, community, and support while rebuilding. → How gratitude can help you stay steady through the natural highs and lows of business, without pretending difficult seasons are easy. → Scarlett’s perspective on time, energy, and money as resources to use more intentionally when making business decisions. Who this is for: Gen X women solopreneurs, coaches, consultants, and creatives who are rebuilding after health, family, or burnout challenges. If you want marketing and business growth that fit your real life—not more pressure to perform—this episode offers a grounded place to begin. Build momentum at a pace your real life can support. About the host: Kandas Rodarte is the host of Gratitude Geek and creator of the Gratitude Geek Lab. She helps Gen X women solopreneurs build resilient businesses through practical, experiment-driven growth and marketing without bro hustle. Her work makes room for the realities of health, energy, time, and life while helping women create businesses that fit. 👇 Explore Episode 341https://kandasrodarte.com/341 More ways to continue the conversation:– Guest website: https://thebizhippie.com/– Money Mindset Quiz: https://thebizhippie.com/quiz Chapters: 00:00 Intro and Momentum Series02:15 Meet Scarlett Stanhope07:40 Corporate burnout and change13:10 Understanding business momentum18:55 Pivoting and the slingshot effect24:30 Gratitude through business highs and lows30:15 The penny-doubling growth analogy36:40 Time, energy, and money41:50 Gratitude moment and wrap-up #GratitudeGeek #GenXWomenSolopreneurs #WomenInBusiness #MomentumSeries #MoneyMindset #AntiHustle Gratitude Geek is the business education podcast for Gen X women solopreneurs who weave gratitude and appreciation into their business strategy. Hosted by metastatic breast cancer thriver, Kandas Rodarte, who co-creates spaces, opportunities, and conversations for women business owners. Subscribe to weekly emails: https://kandasrodarte.com/subscribe If you’re a woman creator looking for co-creation and collaboration opportunities in indie media, come to my free Creator Co-Lab Mixer. Register here https://kandasrodarte.com/mixer Gratitude Geek is a member of Marketing Podcasts Network. For network wide advertising options visit: https://marketingpodcasts.net/advertise Want to be a guest on Gratitude Geek? Send Kandas Rodarte a message on PodMatch here: https://kandasrodarte.com/podmatch Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Are you waiting to feel "ready" before launching that next offer, raising your prices, or making a major pivot in your business? As Gen X women solopreneurs, we often fall into the trap of over-preparing out of fear, managing endless responsibilities in isolation, and letting unspoken expectations quietly stall our progress.In this episode of the Gratitude Geek Podcast, leadership coach Crystal Bell shares how to shatter this paralysis by mastering the art of "starting scared" and shifting from a clenched scarcity mindset into open, relationship-driven collaboration.By treating gratitude not as a passive cliché, but as an active, strategic "appreciation practice," you’ll discover how to get out of your head, put yourself back on your own business maintenance checklist, and build unstoppable momentum through small, courageous daily choices.If you are ready to stop playing small and start driving real business growth through authentic connection, this conversation is your ultimate roadmap.You will hear:Confidence Follows Action (Start Scared): Readiness and confidence do not arrive before you begin a new project; they are built after you take action. Stop waiting to feel fully prepared, and instead build your "starting muscle" by embracing the unknown and taking the first step anyway."Unclench" to Embrace Abundance and Collaboration: Operating from a scarcity, fear-driven mindset blocks your ability to receive new opportunities. By physically and mentally "unclenching," you release tension, shift to an appreciation practice, and open the door to expansive business collaborations.Speak Your Expectations Out Loud: An expectation that you do not actively share is merely a silent thought. To land top-tier podcast guests, secure raises, or establish boundaries in business and life, you must advocate for yourself and explicitly ask for what you want.Put Yourself on the Business Maintenance Checklist: You cannot run your business on an empty tank. Just like a car needs oil changes and fuel, or a vacuum cleaner needs its bag emptied, solopreneurs must actively maintain their own energy, mental health, and physical well-being to avoid sudden burnout.Beat the "Stuckness" Cycle in Two Practical Steps: Losing momentum is a normal, cyclical part of the entrepreneur journey. When you hit a rut, first give yourself a "permission slip" to slow down and rest without self-shame. Second, write down everything to declutter your brain, isolate the single task you have been avoiding, and commit to just one small action to trigger a dopamine reset.Resources & Links MentionedAllan Dib Interview: https://kandasrodarte.com/250Nikki the Death Doula Interview: https://kandasrodarte.com/271Creator Collab Mixers for Women: https://kandasrodarte.com/mixerCrystal Bell is a Michigan-based leadership coach, speaker, and founder of Clarity with Crystal, where she helps female entrepreneurs build momentum through small-group coaching circles called Clarity Collectives. Her own career journey is defined by significant pivots, having transitioned from her original training as a music teacher to becoming a software executive, a yoga studio owner, and an executive coach.Connect with Crystal Bell:Website: https://Clarity-With-Crystal.comLinkedIn: https://Linkedin.com/in/clarity-with-crystal  Gratitude Geek is the business education podcast for Gen X women solopreneurs who weave gratitude and appreciation into their business strategy. Hosted by metastatic breast cancer thriver, Kandas Rodarte, who co-creates spaces, opportunities, and conversations for women business owners. Subscribe to weekly emails: https://kandasrodarte.com/subscribe If you’re a woman creator looking for co-creation and collaboration opportunities in indie media, come to my free Creator Co-Lab Mixer. Register here https://kandasrodarte.com/mixer Gratitude Geek is a member of Marketing Podcasts Network. For network wide advertising options visit: https://marketingpodcasts.net/advertise Want to be a guest on Gratitude Geek? Send Kandas Rodarte a message on PodMatch here: https://kandasrodarte.com/podmatch Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.