The Conscious Edge Podcast: Redefining Wealth as a Whole Human Experience

Get full show notes at www.consciousedge.com/ep088 When you avoid a hard conversation, it doesn’t just disappear. It silently taxes your time, your energy, and your momentum. In this episode, we explore how expanding your relational capacity can completely transform how you lead and communicate. I’m joined by real estate investor and client Sandra McEwan, a former pharmacist who rebuilt her career after inheriting her father’s properties and diving head-first into investing. She recently faced a conversation she’d been avoiding for months.  What unfolded on the other side wasn’t conflict but clarity, relief, and renewed trust. If you’ve been carrying the weight of a conversation you don’t want to have, this episode will show you how grounded, compassionate leadership creates connection instead of rupture. 📝 Top 3 Takeaways from the Episode: Avoidance Has a Cost: Delaying hard conversations fragments focus, drains energy, and stalls momentum. When Sandra addressed the issue directly, her project moved forward immediately. Testing Your Big Assumption Accelerates Leadership: Using Immunity to Change™, Sandra tested the belief that honesty would create fallout. Instead, she discovered that steady truth builds trust and strengthens relationships. Compassionate Accountability Builds Trust: Clear expectations held with compassion create safety. When boundaries are grounded, leadership becomes simpler and connection deepens. 🎧 Related Episodes You May Enjoy: Ep 68: Tough Conversations Made Easier: Accountability for Leaders who Value Kindness and Compassion Ep 82: Emotional Capacity – Turning Reactivity into Power Ep 86: Relational Capacity – Boundaries That Build Trust & Compassionate Leadership Connect with Sandra McEwan If you're interested in learning more about investing out of state, exploring partnership opportunities, or you’re looking for a mid-term or long-term stay in one of her Augusta properties, you can reach her here: Instagram: @sandras_rei_voyage Sandra transitioned from a 26-year career in pharmacy into real estate investing and now manages a portfolio of small multifamily properties in Augusta, GA. She generously came on the podcast to share her experience as a client inside The Conscious Edge. Learn more about The Exponential Entrepreneur:  A year-long coaching experience for women entrepreneurs who want a business that feels meaningful and sustainable—one that supports fulfillment, presence, and the life they’re building, not one that drains their energy or demands they become someone they’re not.

Get full show notes at www.consciousedge.com/ep087 As the year winds down, Jonathan and I sat together for a heartfelt, unscripted conversation about what truly shaped us in 2025 and who we’re choosing to become in 2026. If you’ve been craving a moment to pause and reorient your inner compass, this episode will feel like a deep exhale. We unpack joy, unexpected challenges, recalibration, and the moments that quietly changed everything. As Jonathan put it, “Some challenges were necessary; they revealed what truly matters.” Before you dive in, here’s a simple reflection to ground you:What was one moment in 2025 that unexpectedly shaped you for the better?Give yourself 10 quiet seconds to answer, it will shift the way you receive this conversation. 📝 Top 3 Takeaways from the Episode: Challenges Aren’t Setbacks, They’re Signposts: Both of us experienced moments that were undeniably hard… yet they became catalysts for clarity, redirection, and self-trust. We explore how reframing difficulty as “necessary growth” changes everything. Joy Is Found in Alignment, Not Achievement: From hosting retreats to watching clients transform to watching lifestyle shifts become “the new normal,” we talk about how fulfillment came from alignment with our values, and not all the external milestones.  Intention Is the Portal Into 2026: Instead of chasing the next big goal, we share the invitations we’re answering as we step into the new year: presence, expansion that feels good, and letting joy become a daily rhythm, not a reward.  🗓️A Look Ahead: Episode 88 Next Week: Starting 2026 With the Conversation You’ve Been Avoiding We’re kicking off 2026 with a powerful story from real estate investor Sandra McEwan, who finally had a conversation she’d been avoiding for months. What followed wasn’t conflict, but clarity, trust, and momentum. This episode shows what becomes possible when you lead with grounded honesty. 🎧 Related Episodes You May Enjoy: Ep 81: Energetic Capacity – Lead from Alignment, Not Overdrive Ep 47:The Journey from Compliance-based Bookkeeping to Powerful Finance-driven Business Decisions with Accountant Jenn Baas Ep 35: What You Need to Know Before Making a New Year’s Resolution Learn more about The Exponential Entrepreneur:  A year-long coaching experience for women entrepreneurs who want a business that feels meaningful and sustainable—one that supports fulfillment, presence, and the life they’re building, not one that drains their energy or demands they become someone they’re not. This work blends science-based coaching, soul-purpose alignment, and practical business strategy to help you communicate expectations clearly, uphold boundaries without guilt, and lead with compassionate accountability. The result is meaningful financial growth, steadier emotions, and protected energy. It also gives you more time for what matters most: your children and loved ones, travel and adventure, rest, and true personal restoration. Connect with Us:Share your takeaway or ask a question by sending a DM on Instagram → @aleciastg If this episode brought you clarity or relief, pass it along to a friend who’s been feeling stretched thin. Disclaimer:  The Conscious Edge and all content published by Alecia St. Germain and Jonathan Dugger is for general information, education, and entertainment only. We are not liable or responsible for any negative outcomes resulting from the use or application of information shared in this podcast or on our website. This podcast and any linked materials are not intended as personal advice, medical advice, or mental health treatment. Please consult a qualified medical or mental health professional if you need such services. Please be advised that all investing and entrepreneurial endeavors involve risk. The use of the information and linked materials is at the listener’s own discretion and risk.

🌟 Join the Capacity Series and get instant access to all 5 replays → consciousedge.com/capacity Get full show notes at www.consciousedge.com/ep086 Most entrepreneurs aren’t struggling with people… they’re struggling with relational capacity. If you avoid hard conversations, take responsibility for others’ emotions, or secretly resent how much you’re carrying, this episode will show you why your boundaries aren’t working and what compassionate accountability actually looks like. In Episode 86, we break down the exact scripts, expectations, and leadership shifts that help you communicate clearly, protect your time and energy, and build relationships that feel respectful and easeful again. 📝 Top 3 Takeaways from the Episode: Why Your Boundaries Aren’t Working (and What to Do Instead): Rules try to control people. Expectations create shared clarity. Boundaries communicate what you will do. This distinction is the foundation of relational capacity and changes every relationship you’re in. Compassion + Accountability = Trust That Lasts: Most entrepreneurs lead with compassion but avoid accountability. In this episode you’ll hear exactly how to pair “I see you” with “we agreed to this,” so you deepen connection without sacrificing yourself. Your Nervous System Reacts to Boundaries and So Will Theirs: When you begin holding people accountable, expect emotional responses. Some will rise. Some will step away. Your job isn’t to manage their discomfort; it’s to stay rooted in your leadership and let clarity sort your relationships for you. 🎧 Related Episodes You May Enjoy: Ep 81: Energetic Capacity – Lead from Alignment, Not Overdrive Ep 82: Emotional Capacity – Turning Reactivity into Power Ep 84: Time Capacity – Reclaim Your Time & Lead with Aligned Focus  Learn more about The Exponential Entrepreneur:  A year-long coaching experience for women entrepreneurs who want a business that feels meaningful and sustainable—one that supports fulfillment, presence, and the life they’re building, not one that drains their energy or demands they become someone they’re not. This work blends science-based coaching, soul-purpose alignment, and practical business strategy to help you communicate expectations clearly, uphold boundaries without guilt, and lead with compassionate accountability. The result is meaningful financial growth, steadier emotions, and protected energy. It also gives you more time for what matters most: your children and loved ones, travel and adventure, rest, and true personal restoration. Connect with Us:Share your takeaway or ask a question by sending a DM on Instagram → @aleciastg If this episode brought you clarity or relief, pass it along to a friend who’s been feeling stretched thin. Disclaimer:  The Conscious Edge and all content published by Alecia St. Germain and Jonathan Dugger is for general information, education, and entertainment only. We are not liable or responsible for any negative outcomes resulting from the use or application of information shared in this podcast or on our website. This podcast and any linked materials are not intended as personal advice, medical advice, or mental health treatment. Please consult a qualified medical or mental health professional if you need such services. Please be advised that all investing and entrepreneurial endeavors involve risk. The use of the information and linked materials is at the listener’s own discretion and risk.

🌟 Join the Capacity Series and get instant access to all full replays → consciousedge.com/capacity Get full show notes at www.consciousedge.com/ep085 Most entrepreneurs don’t have a time-management challenge.  They have a capacity challenge. If you’re a business owner or real estate investor who feels like you’re doing all the things but still not moving the needle, this episode will help you shift out of urgency and into aligned, intentional focus. I used to say, “I don’t have time” constantly, until I realized it was actually my nervous system signaling overwhelm, not my calendar. 📝 Top 3 Takeaways from the Episode: The New Productivity Paradigm: Why “I don’t have time” keeps you trapped in reactive mode and the mindset shift that immediately expands your Time Capacity. Where Your Time Is Really Leaking: How urgency, overbooking, and misaligned commitments quietly drain your focus and slow your growth (especially when you’re juggling business, family, and leadership). Aligned Rhythms That Work: A simple way to use the Leadership Rhythm (Focus Out → Focus On → Focus In) to reclaim your energy, solve for bottlenecks in your business, and prioritize what matters so business becomes sustainable and fulfilling.  🎧 Related Episodes You May Enjoy: Ep 81: Energetic Capacity – Lead from Alignment, Not Overdrive Ep 82: Emotional Capacity – Turning Reactivity into Power Ep 83: Financial Capacity – The Wealth Shift from Proving to Purposeful Growth Learn more about The Exponential Entrepreneur:  A year-long coaching experience for women entrepreneurs who want a business that feels meaningful and sustainable—one that supports fulfillment, presence, and the life they’re building, not one that drains their energy or demands they become someone they’re not. This work blends science-based coaching, soul-purpose alignment, and practical business strategy to help you communicate expectations clearly, uphold boundaries without guilt, and lead with compassionate accountability. The result is meaningful financial growth, steadier emotions, and protected energy. It also gives you more time for what matters most: your children and loved ones, travel and adventure, rest, and true personal restoration. Connect with Us: Share your takeaway or ask a question by sending a DM on Instagram → @aleciastg If this episode brought you clarity or relief, pass it along to a friend who’s been feeling stretched thin. Disclaimer:  The Conscious Edge and all content published by Alecia St. Germain and Jonathan Dugger is for general information, education, and entertainment only. We are not liable or responsible for any negative outcomes resulting from the use or application of information shared in this podcast or on our website. This podcast and any linked materials are not intended as personal advice, medical advice, or mental health treatment. Please consult a qualified medical or mental health professional if you need such services. Please be advised that all investing and entrepreneurial endeavors involve risk. The use of the information and linked materials is at the listener’s own discretion and risk.

🌟 Join The Capacity Series:  The free 5-week training to expand what you can hold emotionally, energetically, financially, so success feels sustainable.   Get full show notes at www.consciousedge.com/084 It’s time for another Monthly Money Talk with Zen Jenn, and this month we’re going straight into the patterns that silently sabotage your growth. Joining me is fractional CFO and financial strategist Jenn Baas of Peak to Peak Solutions, the woman I consider the go-to for understanding the financial heartbeat of a healthy business. In this episode, we unpack why your business feels harder to grow than it should, and why the real issue has nothing to do with strategy and everything to do with the hidden dysfunctions that only show up when you expand. Whether you’re raising your prices, serving more clients, or stepping into the next level of leadership; your financial foundations will amplify what’s there. Jenn and I break it all down so you can build a business that grows clean, not chaotic. 📝 Top 3 Takeaways from the Episode: 1. Growth exposes the dysfunction you’ve been unconsciously managing.  Small businesses can hide inefficient processes, unclear roles, and messy workflows, but as soon as you grow, those cracks widen. Jenn explains why growth doesn’t create problems… it reveals them. 2. Expand your business model before you expand your revenue.  If you want to grow sustainably, your systems, financial structure, and capacity plan must come first. Otherwise, growth becomes overwhelming instead of exciting. 3. Money is an amplifier, not a solution.  More money won’t fix what’s not working in your business. Instead, it magnifies the patterns already there. That’s why mindset and financial strategy must evolve together. 🎧 Podcast episodes related to this one that might interest you: Episode 83 - Financial Capacity: The Wealth Shift From Proving to Purposeful Growth Episode 80 - When Growth Stops Feeling Good: How to Build a Healthy Business That Grows Sustainably with accountant Jenn Baas Episode 47: The Journey from Compliance-based Bookkeeping to Powerful Finance-driven Business Decisions with Accountant Jenn Baas  Wondering how coaching could support you? Start by filling out my Conscious Business Alignment Assessment: www.consciousedge.com/assessment I’ll personally review your responses and share where things may be out of alignment, what opportunities you might be missing, and where it may be time to invest in resources—whether that’s hiring a team, building infrastructure, or developing your leadership and mindset.  Disclaimer (www.consciousedge.com/podcast-disclaimer) Connect with Us: Send questions and feedback to hello@consciousedge.com or DM @aleciastg on Instagram

🌟 Join the Capacity Series — get the replays and next live dates at consciousedge.com/capacity Get full show notes at www.consciousedge.com/083 If you’ve ever hit an income plateau, watched money flow out as quickly as it comes in, or felt pressure to “prove yourself” financially… you’re not imagining it. Most women entrepreneurs don’t have a strategy challenge; They have a financial capacity challenge. In this episode, I’m breaking down why your nervous system, beliefs about money, and internal definitions of safety and worthiness determine the income you can hold and how to shift from pressure and proving into purposeful, aligned growth you can actually sustain. 📝 Top 3 Takeaways from the Episode: 1. Your financial ceiling isn’t logical, it’s emotional.  You can have the strategy, the mentor, and the plan… but if a certain income level feels unsafe, overwhelming, or tied to pressure, your nervous system will sabotage the result. We break down how income ceilings show up and how to expand them consciously. 2. Proving keeps you in overwork. Purpose creates sustainable growth.  When money becomes proof of worthiness, achievement, or being “enough,” you’ll hustle harder than necessary and still feel like it’s not enough. We explore how to shift from pressure-based goals into purposeful growth that matches your true vision. 3. Financial capacity shapes how much money you can earn, hold, and manage.  Money is more than math.  It’s memory, meaning, and emotion. When you untangle old stories about safety, scarcity, and worthiness, you create a grounded financial foundation that allows income to grow without overwhelm, self-sacrifice, or burnout. 🎧 Podcast episodes related to this one that might interest you: Episode 79: You’re Not Behind: How Capacity Shapes Your Potential Episode 81: Energetic Capacity: Leading from Alignment, Not Overdrive Episode 82: Emotional Capacity: How to Stop Letting Your Reactions Run the Show Wondering how coaching could support you? Start by filling out my Conscious Business Alignment Assessment: www.consciousedge.com/assessment I’ll personally review your responses and share where things may be out of alignment, what opportunities you might be missing, and where it may be time to invest in resources—whether that’s hiring a team, building infrastructure, or developing your leadership and mindset.  Disclaimer (www.consciousedge.com/podcast-disclaimer) Connect with Us: Send questions and feedback to hello@consciousedge.com or DM @aleciastg on Instagram

🌟 Join the Capacity Series — get the replays and next live dates at consciousedge.com/capacity Get full show notes at www.consciousedge.com/082 In today’s episode, Alecia St. Germain brings you Session 2 of The Capacity Series all about emotional capacity.  It’s the ability to feel fully, stay present, and respond instead of react. Emotional capacity isn’t about being calm all the time. It’s about being able to notice what you feel, stay grounded in your body, and choose your next move with intention, instead of letting old protection patterns run your day. 📝 Top 3 Takeaways from the Episode: Protection patterns are not flaws.  They’re bids for safety.  Fight, flight, freeze, fawn, and feign all began as your nervous system’s way of protecting you. When you stop judging them, you can finally work with them rather than against them. Awareness is the bridge between reactivity and regulation.  The moment you recognize what’s happening, “I’m freezing,” “I’m fawning,” “I’m in judgment,” “I’m overwhelmed,” you create the space to choose a different response. You always have a choice: notice → regulate → act with alignment. Once you can name the pattern and the emotion underneath it, you can slow down, regulate your nervous system, and take aligned action instead of reactive action. 🎧 Podcast episodes related to this one that might interest you: Episode 79: You’re Not Behind: How Capacity Shapes Your Potential Episode 81: Energetic Capacity: Leading from Alignment, Not Overdrive Wondering how coaching could support you? Start by filling out my Conscious Business Alignment Assessment: www.consciousedge.com/assessment I’ll personally review your responses and share where things may be out of alignment, what opportunities you might be missing, and where it may be time to invest in resources—whether that’s hiring a team, building infrastructure, or developing your leadership and mindset.  Disclaimer (www.consciousedge.com/podcast-disclaimer) Connect with Us:Send questions and feedback to hello@consciousedge.com or DM @aleciastg on Instagra

🌟 Join the Capacity Series — get the replays and next live dates at consciousedge.com/capacity Get full show notes at www.consciousedge.com/081 When you’ve been operating at full throttle for too long, even small wins can start to feel heavy. In this first episode of The Capacity Series, Alecia St. Germain unpacks what energetic capacity really means and why more hustle isn’t the answer. You’ll learn how to spot the subtle signs of energy leaks, why over-efforting keeps you stuck, and how to lead from alignment so that your energy, body, and business can support each other again. 📝 Top 3 Takeaways from the Episode: You can’t out-hustle misalignment: When you’re in sync with your purpose, energy renews itself. Awareness creates expansion: Capacity grows in small, safe stretches, not big unsustainable leaps. Your leadership rhythm matters: Balancing Focus Out, Focus On, and Focus In restores flow and fuels long-term success. 🎧 Podcast episodes related to this one that might interest you: Episode 79: You’re Not Behind: How Capacity Shapes Your Potential Wondering how coaching could support you? Start by filling out my Conscious Business Alignment Assessment: www.consciousedge.com/assessment I’ll personally review your responses and share where things may be out of alignment, what opportunities you might be missing, and where it may be time to invest in resources—whether that’s hiring a team, building infrastructure, or developing your leadership and mindset.  Disclaimer (www.consciousedge.com/podcast-disclaimer) Connect with Us: Send questions and feedback to hello@consciousedge.com or DM @aleciastg on Instagram

🌟 Join The Capacity Series, a free 5-week training to expand what you can hold financially, energetically, and emotionally so success feels sustainable. Register now at www.consciousedge.com/capacity Get full show notes at www.consciousedge.com/ep080 This week kicks off our brand-new Monthly Money Talks with Zen Jenn, bringing the strategy and structure that ground the science and soul of conscious business growth. If you’ve ever hit a point where your business growth stops feeling good, this episode is for you. Fractional CFO and financial strategist Jenn Baas (aka Zen Jenn) joins me to unpack the hidden reasons growth becomes stressful, why so many entrepreneurs feel shame about money, and how to create sustainable financial success without burnout. We talk about the emotional and energetic side of business finances, how big assumptions drive over-expansion, and what it really takes to build a profitable business that also feels peaceful and aligned. 📝 Top 3 Takeaways from the Episode: 1️⃣ When Growth Serves a Big Assumption, It Leads You Off Course: Sometimes the drive to grow comes from an unconscious belief that bigger means better or that success will finally make you feel safe, worthy, or free. We explore how these hidden money beliefs can drive over-investment and create misaligned decisions that drain both your finances and energy. 2️⃣ Shame Keeps You Stuck, Awareness and Compassion Move You Forward: Financial shame thrives in secrecy. Jenn shares how to move from judgment to curiosity so you can manage your money with clarity and confidence. You’ll learn how to release guilt, rebuild trust with your numbers, and take small steps toward financial alignment. 3️⃣ Build a Healthy Business First and Let Growth Be the Byproduct: Sustainable business growth starts with a healthy foundation. When your business is financially organized, emotionally grounded, and energetically aligned, expansion happens naturally. Focus on creating stability and your growth will follow. 🎧 Related episodes you’ll love: Episode 47: The Journey from Compliance-based Bookkeeping to Powerful Finance-driven Business Decisions with Accountant Jenn Baas  Episode 49: Finding the Right Financial Experts for Your Team and Your Role as the Business Owner with Jenn Baas Wondering how coaching could support you? Start by filling out my Conscious Business Alignment Assessment: www.consciousedge.com/assessment I’ll personally review your responses and share where things may be out of alignment, what opportunities you might be missing, and where it may be time to invest in resources—whether that’s hiring a team, building infrastructure, or developing your leadership and mindset.  Disclaimer (www.consciousedge.com/podcast-disclaimer) Connect with Us: Send questions and feedback to hello@consciousedge.com or DM @aleciastg on Instagram

🌟 Join the Capacity Series — get the replays and next live dates at consciousedge.com/capacity Get full show notes at www.consciousedge.com/079 Have you ever felt like you’re not living up to your potential? In this solo episode, I’m breaking down why that feeling is often a misunderstanding of what “potential” really means. You’re not behind.  You’re simply performing at your current potential for the capacity you have right now. I’ll share how to grow that capacity through the natural cycle of expansion and how the five dimensions of capacity shape what’s possible for you next. 📝 Top 3 Takeaways from the Episode: Your potential is limited only by your capacity: You’re already performing at your potential for where your capacity is today. Once you understand that, shame and judgment turn into clarity and choice. Each dimension of capacity unlocks a new level of potential: Emotional, energetic, time, financial, and relational capacity all influence how much you can hold and create. Knowing which one needs attention helps you grow in a sustainable way. Expansion follows a repeatable cycle: Capacity grows through awareness, activation, expansion, integration, and embodiment. It’s not a one-time fix—it’s a rhythm you can return to each time you level up. 🎧 Podcast episodes related to this one that might interest you: Episode 76:  Imposter Syndrome in Business: From Feeling Like a Fraud to Leading with Abundance Episode 77: Fake It ’Til You Make It: Authenticity vs. Deception in Business and Leadership Episode 78: Title: How to Stop Fearing Failure and Start Using It to Fuel Your Growth Wondering how coaching could support you? Start by filling out my Conscious Business Alignment Assessment: www.consciousedge.com/assessment I’ll personally review your responses and share where things may be out of alignment, what opportunities you might be missing, and where it may be time to invest in resources—whether that’s hiring a team, building infrastructure, or developing your leadership and mindset.  Disclaimer (www.consciousedge.com/podcast-disclaimer) Connect with Us: Send questions and feedback to hello@consciousedge.com or DM @aleciastg on Instagram

Take the Conscious Business Alignment Assessment Discover what’s holding your business back and where to focus next to grow with clarity and confidence. 👉 www.consciousedge.com/assessment Get full show notes at www.consciousedge.com/078 We’ve spent the last few weeks unpacking imposter syndrome and whether “fake it ’til you make it” helps or hurts. This week, Jonathan and I take it one step further with a specific process for unpacking failure so it actually works for you instead of against you. We’re breaking down how to process the emotions that come with failure, extract the data it reveals about your inner patterns, and make small, strategic shifts that move you closer to success. Because every entrepreneur fails, but the ones who learn how to interpret failure are the ones who grow faster and more sustainably. 📝 Top 3 Takeaways from the Episode: Treat success and failure equally: Most of us obsess over what went wrong but barely pause to celebrate what went right. Giving success and failure equal attention helps you build awareness, balance perspective, and create emotional resilience. Learn how to process failure instead of avoiding it: Pause before jumping into fix-it mode. Feel the emotions, notice the stories your mind tells you, and look at what the data of failure is revealing about your inner patterns and beliefs. Failure is rarely all or nothing: When something doesn’t work, it doesn’t mean it’s over, it often means you’re just a few tweaks away from breakthrough. Seeing nuance helps you move forward faster and with more self-trust. 🎧 Podcast episodes related to this one that might interest you: Episode 76:  Imposter Syndrome in Business: From Feeling Like a Fraud to Leading with Abundance Episode 77: Fake It ’Til You Make It: Authenticity vs. Deception in Business and Leadership Wondering how coaching could support you? Start by filling out my Conscious Business Alignment Assessment: www.consciousedge.com/assessment I’ll personally review your responses and share where things may be out of alignment, what opportunities you might be missing, and where it may be time to invest in resources—whether that’s hiring a team, building infrastructure, or developing your leadership and mindset.  Disclaimer (www.consciousedge.com/podcast-disclaimer)

Take the Conscious Business Alignment Assessment Discover what’s holding your business back and where to focus next to grow with clarity and confidence. 👉 www.consciousedge.com/assessment Get full show notes at www.consciousedge.com/077 “Fake it ’til you make it.” Is it a valuable mindset hack for overcoming imposter syndrome — or does it make you feel like a fraud? In this episode, Jonathan and I break down the real intention behind the phrase, how to recognize when you’re using it productively versus deceptively, and how to find the angle that’s true for you so you can lead with integrity and alignment. 📝 Top 3 Takeaways from the Episode: “Fake it till you make it” is about practice, not pretending. We unpack the real origin of the phrase as a way to practice new, healthy behaviors before they feel natural in recovery communities. It’s not about pretending you’re someone you’re not; it’s about embodying the habits and mindset of who you’re becoming. 2. The difference between alignment and manipulation. If “faking it” feels deceptive, that’s a signal you’re out of alignment. Authentic confidence grows when your actions match your values, even if you’re stretching into a new identity. Manipulation and posturing, on the other hand, create dissonance and others will pick up on it too. 3. Find your true angle.You don’t need to have all the answers. Reframe “fake it” as “find the version of this that’s true for me right now.” When you anchor in authenticity and intention, you naturally show up with the confidence, credibility, and energy that attract trust. 🎧 Podcast episodes related to this one that might interest you: Episode 76:  Imposter Syndrome in Business: From Feeling Like a Fraud to Leading with Abundance Wondering how coaching could support you? Start by filling out my Conscious Business Alignment Assessment: www.consciousedge.com/assessment I’ll personally review your responses and share where things may be out of alignment, what opportunities you might be missing, and where it may be time to invest in resources—whether that’s hiring a team, building infrastructure, or developing your leadership and mindset.  Disclaimer (www.consciousedge.com/podcast-disclaimer) Connect with Us: Send questions and feedback to hello@consciousedge.com or DM @aleciastg on Instagram

Take the Conscious Business Alignment Assessment Discover what’s holding your business back and where to focus next to grow with clarity and confidence. 👉 www.consciousedge.com/assessment Get full show notes at www.consciousedge.com/076 If you’ve ever worried someone might “find you out,” this episode is for you. Jonathan and I unpack imposter syndrome, why it shows up even when you’re successful, and how it keeps you trapped in the exhausting loop of proving yourself. We explore the psychology behind feeling like a fraud, the relationship between perfectionism and the fear of failure, and how to shift from self-criticism to mindful self-compassion. You’ll learn practical ways to collect evidence of your success, challenge limiting assumptions, and lead your business from a place of abundance and peace instead of fear. 📝 Top 3 Takeaways from the Episode: Imposter Syndrome is rooted in big assumptions that keep you proving yourself. Even with evidence of success, your brain hunts for flaws to confirm the story that you’re not enough. When you spot those patterns, you can rewrite them and finally lead from abundance instead of fear. Growth requires a healthy relationship with failure. Perfectionism convinces you that mistakes are dangerous, but failure is just feedback. When you see it as data, not a verdict, you create space to stretch past your perceived ceiling and find peace in your own growth. Knowing you’re enough is the foundation of sustainable success. When you stop trying to earn your place and start trusting your value, everything changes. Receiving praise, help, or payment isn’t arrogance, t’s alignment. 🎧 Podcast episodes related to this one that might interest you: Episode 30: When Opportunity Knocks and You’re Not Ready Episode 19: What Mindfulness Actually is and How to Use It Daily Episode 17: The Journey to Release Shame Wondering how coaching could support you? Start by filling out my Conscious Business Alignment Assessment: www.consciousedge.com/assessment I’ll personally review your responses and share where things may be out of alignment, what opportunities you might be missing, and where it may be time to invest in resources—whether that’s hiring a team, building infrastructure, or developing your leadership and mindset.  Disclaimer (www.consciousedge.com/podcast-disclaimer) Connect with Us: Send questions and feedback to hello@consciousedge.com or DM @aleciastg on Instagram

Elevate your leadership, your impact, and your results. Begin with the Conscious Business Alignment Assessment: www.consciousedge.com/assessment Get full show notes at www.consciousedge.com/075 Did you know 65% of businesses fail within the first 10 years? I don’t want you to be part of that statistic. In this episode, I’m talking about what it really takes to build a business that goes the distance. It’s not just about making money.  It’s about leadership, alignment, and the financial habits that keep your business sustainable and fulfilling for the long haul. 📝 Top 3 Takeaways from the Episode: Your business needs more than money. Cash flow matters, but real sustainability comes when you grow into the leader your business needs and build financial habits that support both your goals and your values. Hitting pause isn’t optional. Slowing down to review your numbers, your systems, and your capacity isn’t a luxury. It’s how you protect yourself from burnout and make sure your business supports the life you actually want. Growth takes more than hustle.  Scaling isn’t about piling on more work. Without structure and support, you’ll keep hitting the same plateau. The right systems free you up to thrive as a whole human, not just a business owner. 🎧 Podcast episodes related to this one that might interest you: Episode 47: The Journey from Compliance-based Bookkeeping to Powerful Finance-driven Business Decisions with Accountant Jenn Baas Wondering how coaching could support you? Start by filling out my Conscious Business Alignment Assessment: www.consciousedge.com/assessment I’ll personally review your responses and share where things may be out of alignment, what opportunities you might be missing, and where it may be time to invest in resources—whether that’s hiring a team, building infrastructure, or developing your leadership and mindset.  Disclaimer (www.consciousedge.com/podcast-disclaimer) Connect with Us: Send questions and feedback to hello@consciousedge.com or DM @aleciastg on Instagram

🌟 Wondering how coaching could support you? Start with the Conscious Business Alignment Assessment at www.consciousedge.com/assessment. Get full show notes at www.consciousedge.com/ep074 In this episode, I catch up with former client Veronica Ferrante, once called the “Queen of the Poconos” and now expanding her realm into new markets. When we worked together, Veronica wrestled with a belief that if she couldn’t be the best, she should quit altogether. Years later, that same belief has been reshaped into her unique value proposition: delivering her very best in hospitality, every single time. Her story is especially inspiring for women entrepreneurs and real estate investors who want to grow wealth without burning out. From navigating the chaos of COVID-era short-term rentals, when “any house would rent,” to expanding her company, Ideal Stays, nationwide, Veronica shows how alignment and mindset shifts echo long after coaching ends. 📝 Top 3 Takeaways from the Episode: Your limiting beliefs hold clues to your purpose: Veronica’s “be the best or quit” mindset once drained her, but it revealed her drive to set a new hospitality standard in short-term rentals. The market doesn’t reward average anymore: During COVID, renters “just wanted to go anywhere.” Today, only short-term rentals with strong amenities, thoughtful design, and professional management succeed, especially for women entrepreneurs and investors who want passive income without constant stress. Alignment ripples outward: By redefining “best” as bringing her best, Veronica built a team that now carries her standards forward and often executes them even better than she could alone. As she says in the episode, “I realized being the best wasn’t about me. It’s about creating experiences where my team often does it even better than I could.” The inner work starts with you, and it shapes the people you hire and the clients you attract. 🎧Resource mentioned in this episode: Follow Veronica (Nica) on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/nicaferrante/ Follow  Ideal Stays: https://www.instagram.com/ideal.stays/ Check out Ideal Stays: https://www.idealstaysusa.com/ Wondering how coaching could support you? Start with the Conscious Business Alignment Assessment. It takes about 10 minutes and pinpoints where you’re out of alignment, what to prioritize next, and where to invest (team, systems, leadership). I personally review every submission and send feedback within 3 business days. Take the Assessment: www.consciousedge.com/assessment Disclaimer (www.consciousedge.com/podcast-disclaimer)

🌟 Wondering how coaching could support you? Start with the Conscious Business Alignment Assessment at www.consciousedge.com/assessment. Get full show notes at www.consciousedge.com/ep073 If you’ve ever caught yourself comparing your business to someone else’s or judging how another entrepreneur markets themselves, this episode is for you. Jonathan and I dive into how judgment, of both others and of ourselves, influences the way we show up. We talk about the fear of being judged, why that fear holds us back from sharing the stories that create real connection, and how to check in with your own intentions before you decide what to share. 📝 Top 3 Takeaways from the Episode: Judgment makes you hold back:  When you question other entrepreneurs’ motives, it can creep into your own decisions and cause you to hold back. The stories and experiences that could help your audience most never get shared. Your people need connection more than perfection:  Some will resonate with what you share and some will judge, but your audience needs those points of connection to feel seen. When we shared openly, albeit reluctantly, about neurodivergence, listenership spiked significantly. That’s the power of showing up authentically for the people who need you. Check your intentions, not theirs: You’ll never truly know if someone else is sharing from authenticity or manipulation, you only see their actions. What matters is clarifying your own intentions and trusting others to discern for themselves. 🎧 Podcast episodes related to this one that might interest you: Episode 12: Processing What You Think Other Believe About You Episode 7: Choosing Self-Compassion Over Self-Criticism Episode 2: What to Do When Judgment Steals Your Joy Wondering how coaching could support you? Start with the Conscious Business Alignment Assessment. It takes about 10 minutes and pinpoints where you’re out of alignment, what to prioritize next, and where to invest (team, systems, leadership). I personally review every submission and send feedback within 3 business days. Take the Assessment: www.consciousedge.com/assessment Disclaimer (www.consciousedge.com/podcast-disclaimer)

📝Get full show notes at  www.consciousedge.com/ep072 Seattle-based lender Melissa Korda funded 209 investor loans / $118M in 2024. After 20 years in collegiate/pro sports (master’s in Kinesiology) and years of flips, COVID ended the “safe” path and she rebuilt from the ground up as a loan officer. Today she holds 3 long-term rentals, invests passively, and teaches women how to use private lending and creative capital to build aligned wealth. We get into the pride-swallowing first step, why joy is the compass, and how our dinner-table talks about college, AI, and success have changed. 📝 Top 3 Takeaways from the Episode: Learn as you go, with guidance, or you’ll never start:  You will never feel fully “ready.” Get educated, get a mentor or coach, then move. The real growth happens in motion. Melissa’s pivot worked because she took the next honest step and let each rep become tuition for the bigger deals. The gift in every project, regardless of the check you cash, is the capability you build. Those lessons are what make the larger, later deals run smoothly. Redefine success, for you and your kids: Our households aren’t having the same “college or bust” talk we grew up with. Trades are valuable, entrepreneurship is learn-by-doing, and yes, AI is reshaping what’s needed. We even call out current data around computer-science grads and why the “right path” is the one that fits the human in front of you.  Traditional paths rarely create real wealth, creative ones do: From Melissa’s lending seat, we unpack why MLS-only hunting and bank-only financing weren’t built to help you break the mold and how alternative lenders and relationship-driven deal flow open better opportunities. 🎧Resource mentioned in this episode: Get in touch with Melissa: mkorda@cvlending.com Follow Melissa on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/melissakorda.lender.re/ Wondering how coaching could support you? Start with the Conscious Business Alignment Assessment. It takes about 10 minutes and pinpoints where you’re out of alignment, what to prioritize next, and where to invest (team, systems, leadership). I personally review every submission and send feedback within 3 business days. Take the Assessment: www.consciousedge.com/assessment Disclaimer (www.consciousedge.com/podcast-disclaimer) Connect with Us:Send questions and feedback to hello@consciousedge.com or DM @aleciastg on Instagram

Running a brick-and-mortar business often means choosing between growth and survival.  Do you hire the team you need or expand into the space your business deserves?  In this episode, I sit down with my client Katie Kim, a visionary developer and educator who has made it her mission to change that story. Katie shares how she helps entrepreneurs leverage real estate not just as a place to operate, but as a powerful tool for adding income streams, unlocking hidden incentives, and creating long-term wealth—even beyond the day you exit your business. Having closed her first deal at just 15, she’s spent decades making real estate development more accessible for business owners. Her work is deeply purpose-driven, answering her own calling to help others use real estate as a foundation for growth, stability, and legacy. 📝 Top 3 Takeaways from the Episode: Add income streams through ownership: Stop thinking of rent as just an expense. Owning or strategically structuring your business location can turn your space into a wealth-building asset. Leverage incentives you didn’t know existed: Katie reveals the economic development and community-based programs most small business owners never hear about—and how they can lighten your debt load and accelerate growth. Plan for a wealth-building exit: Whether you sell your business or pass it on, holding the real estate keeps income flowing and creates powerful options for your retirement and legacy. 🎧Resource mentioned in this episode: To learn more about how Katie can support you visit https://www.katiekim.com/. FREE Real Estate Development Deal Checklist – https://www.katiekim.com/checklist Follow Katie on Social Media: @TheKatieKim Interested in Working Together? Learn more about The Exponential Entrepreneur (www.consciousedge.com/apply):  A full year coaching experience for women in real estate and entrepreneurship who don’t need more strategy and suspect they themselves are the biggest obstacle in the way.   Disclaimer (www.consciousedge.com/podcast-disclaimer) Connect with Us:Send questions and feedback to hello@consciousedge.com or DM @aleciastg on Instagram

Get full show notes at www.consciousedge.com/ep070 Working with your partner can be incredibly rewarding and incredibly challenging. In this episode, I sit down with my client, coach, and fellow entrepreneur Amanda Rockrohr, who helps couples navigate the unique dynamics of running a business together. She shares not only what it takes to thrive in business with your partner, but also the powerful shifts she’s made in the last year through coaching. 📝 Top 3 Takeaways from the Episode: Doing business as a couple requires intentional structure: Amanda explains how she and her husband clarified roles, set boundaries, and created annual retreats so they could stay aligned in both love and business. Confidence comes from doing the inner work: Before coaching, Amanda struggled with indecision and leaned heavily on others for validation. She realized the answer wasn’t going to come from another program or tactic, it was her mindset.  By uncovering her Big Assumptions, she shifted from second-guessing every decision to trusting her voice and leading with confidence. Confusion isn’t always what it seems: Amanda realized she was unconsciously using “confusion” as a way to control situations. Once she saw this pattern, she not only gained clarity in her own opinions, but also began communicating more clearly with her husband.  Ultimately, it transformed the way they collaborate and make choices together. 🎧Resource mentioned in this episode: Doing Business as a Couple Free Resources https://stan.store/doingbusinessasacouple Follow Amanda on Instagram: @amandarockrohr Follow Doing Business as Couple on Instagram: @doingbusinessasacouple Interested in Working Together? Learn more about The Exponential Entrepreneur (www.consciousedge.com/apply):  A full year coaching experience for women in real estate and entrepreneurship who don’t need more strategy and suspect they themselves are the biggest obstacle in the way.   Disclaimer (www.consciousedge.com/podcast-disclaimer) Connect with Us: Send questions and feedback to hello@consciousedge.com or DM @aleciastg on Instagram

🌟 Build a business that supports your life, not the other way around. Get full show notes at www.consciousedge.com/ep069 Motherhood changes everything, including how you run your business. In this episode, I share the lessons I wish I had known before becoming a mom, the hidden assumptions that keep women playing small, and the mindset shifts that make it possible to thrive as both a caregiver and an entrepreneur. Whether you’re planning for kids, raising littles, caring for school-aged children, or supporting aging parents, this conversation will give you perspective and tools to grow a business that truly supports your life. 📝 Top 3 Takeaways from the Episode: Plan for your stage of life: I wish I had known how much motherhood would impact my energy, time, and business decisions. Each stage—planning, preschoolers, school-age kids, or caregiving parents—requires a different kind of strategy. Don’t fall for the either/or trap: So many women believe they have to choose between being a good mom and building a thriving business. That assumption keeps you from finding solutions that allow you to design a business that supports both your family and your ambitions. Support isn’t optional, it’s essential: If I could go back, I’d plan for and invest in help sooner, whether through childcare, business hires, or financial buffers. Support creates freedom, prevents burnout, and allows your business to grow with you. 🎧 Podcast episodes related to this one that might interest you: Episode 22: The Real Reasons You Don’t Have Time Episode 24: Creating a Calendar that Feels Fun Interested in Working Together? Learn more about The Exponential Entrepreneur (www.consciousedge.com/apply):  A full year coaching experience for women in real estate and entrepreneurship who don’t need more strategy and suspect they themselves are the biggest obstacle in the way.   Disclaimer (www.consciousedge.com/podcast-disclaimer) Connect with Us: Send questions and feedback to hello@consciousedge.com or DM @aleciastg on Instagram