Facing Fear and Cultivating Courage with Jessica Nabongo

A bittersweet announcement today - Her Life By Design podcast is ending indefinitely. Stay in touch with me over on Instagram at @ChristinaGalbato.

We’re venturing into an avenue that we haven’t really explored on Her Life By Design in the past. In this episode, we’re talking all about dating, love, and relationships. And Maria Avgitidis from Matchmaker Maria, the Ask a Matchmaker podcast, and Agape Match, is here to help us answer all our burning relationship questions.   Maria shares how her matchmaking process work, including how she determines potential matches. She shares her advice on the best questions to ask potential matches if you’re on online dating apps, and the intangible green flags you should be on the lookout for on your first date. Maria also explains the different phases of love to us along with tips for cultivating a deeper love, leading to a successful relationship. From attachment styles to dating app fatigue, Maria’s here to drop her wisdom of all things dating, love, matchmaking, and relationships.   Timestamps: How Maria became a matchmaker [4:16] Is matchmaking right for you and how Maria’s matchmaking works [13:49] How Maria determines a potential match [22:40] Great questions to ask your matches if you’re on online dating apps [27:54] Intangible green flags to look for on your first date [37:41] The different phases of love [42:01] Tips for cultivating a deeper love and a successful relationship [44:11] How to sus out your own attachment style [47:08] Are people getting dating app fatigue and tips for meeting people in person [51:28]   Resources: https://www.instagram.com/matchmakermaria/  https://agapematch.com/join-database/ 

As influencers, entrepreneurs, and business owners, pitching and PR are some of the most essential skills to have. Jennifer Jaden is the founder of Gal Media, a PR agency that works with emerging brands, products, and influencers.   She joins the podcast today to share her story about starting Gal Media. We talk about how she found her first clients, what the most challenging part of growing and scaling a business is, and what she notices is the current trend on social media. Jennifer also offers her expertise by sharing tips on getting your name out there (even if you can’t afford a PR retainer), how to pitch yourself to media outlets, and what you should do if you ever receive bad press.   This is an important episode for influencers, business owners, and public figures alike. So tune in, take notes, and receive some guidance on how you can manage your pitches and PR like a professional.   Timestamps: Pitching yourself for a podcast [00:54] How and when Jennifer founded Gal Media [2:50] How Jennifer found her first clients [4:28] The most challenging part of growing and scaling Gal Media [6:34] Tips for pitching yourself to media outlets [15:20] Current trends in social media [18:51] How Jennifer manages her time [23:36] Tips for managing bad press as a public figure and influencer [25:41]   Resources: https://www.galmediagroup.com/  https://www.instagram.com/galmedia/  https://www.instagram.com/jenniferjaden/ 

Siff Haider is the co-founder of the nutraceuticals brand, Arrae. She’s an entrepreneur, content creator, and the host of the Dream Bigger podcast. We have a great conversation on the podcast today about how Arrae started as an idea and how she turned it into reality.   We discuss how she took Arrae and grew it using influencer marketing, so if you’re an ecommerce entrepreneur or business owner, her tips will be incredibly helpful when it comes to getting your business out there. We also talk about the importance of self-care routines and setting boundaries as an entrepreneur.   More specifically, Siff and I both share our experiences with journaling, how we got into the process, and the difference we’ve seen in our lives since adopting the practice. Tune in to hear Siff’s take on launching and running a business, managing mental health, and the importance of self-care.   Timestamps: How Siff started and co-founded Arrae (2:51) How Siff took her blog and turned it into a business (6:48) Tips for starting a brand new ecommerce business (11:29) The process of starting a nutraceuticals company (13:57) How Siff got the word out about Arrae (15:24) Tips for hiring influencers for your marketing campaign (19:44) What’s next for Arrae? (22:42) What Siff does aside from taking Arrae to soothe her bloat and anxiety (23:40) Siff’s morning routine (25:18) How to get started with journaling (29:15) How Siff became more introspective (35:35) Boundaries that Siff has in place for social media (38:25)   Resources: https://www.arrae.com/  https://www.instagram.com/arrae.co/ 

My guest today is one of the most impressive women I’ve ever met. Jessica Nabongo is a writer, photographer, entrepreneur, travel expert, influencer, and public speaker. You might know her from her blog, The Catch Me If You Can. Or maybe you know her as the first black woman on record to visit every country in the world.   Today, I speak to Jessica about how she accomplished her incredible goal of traveling to every country in the world. I ask her about the important lessons she’s learned about life from her experiences, how she manages her fears, and how the pandemic changed her business and life. Jessica also shares how she became a “digital nomad” in a time when working remotely wasn’t a known option.   We also dive into a conversation about writing, specifically what the process of writing her book was like. And of course, I couldn’t leave a conversation with Jessica without asking her about the countries that surprised her, countries with the best food, and countries with the nicest people.   Timestamps: Why Jessica decided to visit every single country in the world (3:37) Transitioning from a secure 9-5 job to working remotely to starting her business (6:21) Jessica’s process of earning an income as an influencer (10:38) How Jessica manages and faces her fear (12:35) What other countries do better than the US (14:57) Does Jessica still have the itch to travel? (18:55) How Jessica’s business and life changed and pivoted during the pandemic (21:11) The process of writing her book (24:31) Top lessons about life that Jessica learned from traveling the world (27:27)   Resources: https://thecatchmeifyoucan.com/  https://thisisthecatch.com/  Pre-order Jessica’s book: https://thecatchmeifyoucan.com/book 

When I was thinking about season 3 of Her Life By Design, I knew I wanted to invite a wider variety of guests and experts to help and inspire you to design your life both personally and professionally. This is why I’m so excited to have Tallene Hacatoryan on today’s episode.   Tallene is a registered dietitian who was diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) at 18. Disheartened by the solutions provided to her, she set out on a mission to confront the underlying issues of PCOS. After studying nutritional science, speaking to countless experts, and working with her husband, Ciroc (a PCOS-focused personal trainer), she developed a program, social media presence, and podcast that has helped thousands of women manage their PCOS symptoms.   In our conversation, Tallene shares the reasons behind turning her knowledge into her business. We also discuss the health consequences of leaving PCOS untreated, how diet and exercise can help you manage PCOS, and if intermittent fasting is beneficial to people with PCOS. If you've been recently diagnosed with PCOS, or you've had PCOS for a while and you're finally wanting to face these symptoms head-on and heal the underlying cause, this episode is for you.    Timestamps: What inspired Tallene to turn her knowledge into a business (4:14) What are the consequences of not treating PCOS (7:56) Why going gluten-free and dairy-free can help you manage the symptoms of PCOS (11:24) Should your exercise routine change because of PCOS (16:08) Finding balance between diet, exercise, and PCOS (19:48) Can intermittent fasting help with PCOS (22:38) How Tallene manages her Instagram (28:40) Rapid-fire round with Tallene (31:39)   Resources: https://pcosweightloss.org/  Tallene’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcos.weightloss/ 

We’re welcoming Lindsay Silberman back on today’s episode of Her Life By Design. You might remember her from the first season of the podcast but just to refresh your memory, Lindsay is a luxury travel influencer turned CEO and founder of the company Hotel Lobby Candle.   Lindsay and I have a great conversation that touches on both the personal and professional sides of being a female entrepreneur. We kick off with a discussion about Lindsay’s decision to freeze her eggs and what that process was like for her. Then, we talk about how she takes care of her mental health as a public figure and how shifting from influencer to CEO changed her views on social media. Finally, we’re discussing all things business as Lindsay shares details on growing her company, Hotel Lobby Candle, and how she took it from ideation to execution.   Timestamps: Why Lindsay decided to freeze her eggs and what the process is like (4:03) How Lindsay takes care of her mental health as a public figure (11:29) Lindsays’ relationship with social media (13:20) How building Hotel Lobby Candle shifted Lindsay’s view on social media (16:03) The changes that Lindsay noticed in the influencer marketing industry (22:20) What is Hotel Lobby Candle? (24:37) Things that contributed to the growth of Hotel Lobby Candle (30:45) Rapid-fire round with Lindsay (35:24)   Resources: https://hotellobbycandle.com/  Lindsay’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaysilb/  Hotel Lobby Candle’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hotellobbycandle/ 

As you already know, I’ve been open and transparent about my sobriety journey. Through sharing my story, I’ve received countless messages from many women wanting to start their sobriety journey as well.   This is why I’m so excited to have Amanda White on Her Life By Design today. Amanda is a licensed therapist and the founder of a therapy practice in Philadelphia called Therapy for Women's Center. She's also been featured in Forbes, Washington Post shape, Women's Health magazine, and she's also the author of the book “Not Drinking Tonight: A Guide to Creating a Sober Life You Love”.   Amanda is here to offer us guidance on how shame and trauma can eventually lead to numbing behaviors. She also shares and discusses tools on how we can better sit in our feelings, regulate our anxiety and nervous system, and establish safety within ourselves. We dive into an honest conversation about sobriety starting with evaluating and renegotiating our relationship with alcohol to navigating social situations when sober. This is an honest conversation about mental health and how we can evaluate and soothe our numbing behaviors.   Timestamps: Shame and trauma and how they can lead to numbing behaviors (7:20) Tips for feeling your feelings and not running away from them (10:35) How toxic positivity can contribute to the inability to feel your feelings (13:20) Tips for regulating anxiety and your nervous system (17:07) Amanda’s favorite ways of establishing safety within yourself (19:35) How to evaluate and renegotiate your relationship with alcohol (23:49) Navigating social situations when you’re sober (26:20) Some signs to look out for if drinking has evolved into a problem (29:44) Addictive behavior patterns that Amanda sees in her clients (36:17) Mental health questions rapid-fire with Amanda (38:38)   Resources: Not Drinking Tonight: A Guide to Creating a Sober Life You Love Therapy for Women Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapyforwomen/ Amanda’s website: https://amandaewhite.com/  Therapy for Women Center’s website: https://therapyforwomencenter.com/ 

Her Life By Design is finally back after a long hiatus!  To catch you up to speed, I’m sharing a personal update on my struggles over the last few months of 2021. I open up about my sobriety journey by sharing my personal history with alcohol, the moment I realized I needed to change, and what sobriety has taught me thus far. Last but not least, I share an update of what you can expect from this new season of Her Life By Design from the types of topics we’ll be discussing to the wonderful guests that’ll be invited to the show. I hope you enjoy this episode and I can’t wait to share more with you. Time Stamps: The two biggest life changes that happened last year (6:02) What happened when I shared my sobriety story (7:46) My history with alcohol (8:53) What I learned about living a sober life (19:11) Gaining clarity on my relationship (19:42) Resources: Instagram

Podcasting is one of the best ways to build authority and trust with your audience. Whether you’re planning on launching a podcast of your own, or you want to land more placements as a guest on podcasts, Scout Sobel is the go-to expert you want to talk to.   Scout is the founder of Scout’s Agency, co-host of the popular Okay Sis podcast, and the host of SCOUT podcast. She’s also the author of The Emotional Entrepreneur, a book that helps Millennial and Gen Z women navigate the emotional challenges of launching, running, and scaling a business. She joins the podcast to chat about starting a podcast, growing your new podcast, and pitching yourself as an irresistible podcast guest. Scout also shares her personal story on how being diagnosed with bipolar disorder made her a better entrepreneur.   This is a raw and honest conversation about riding the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, sprinkled with tons of tangible tips on how you can find success in the world of podcasting.   Time Stamps: Scout’s journey into the world of podcasting [2:13] How podcasting has changed over the years [8:23] Tangible tips for starting a podcast successfully [11:24] Should you monetize your podcast? [14:10] How ads and brand partnerships work on podcasts [15:00] How to grow your podcast and increase your number of downloads [22:17] Sending a stand out podcast pitch [26:01] How being diagnosed with bipolar disorder made Scout a better entrepreneur [28:40] Scout’s tips for pulling yourself out of a slump [35:49] Tips for balancing a busy schedule [40:46] About Scout’s book, The Emotional Entrepreneur [44:53] Resources: Scout’s website: https://www.scoutsobel.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scoutsobel/ Purchase Scout's book - The Emotional Entrepreneur: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578951754 Get Yourself as a Guest on Podcasts course: https://scoutsagency.teachable.com/p/get-yourself-as-a-guest-on-podcasts/ (get 20% off with code HERLIFEBYDESIGN)