Heroine

What is chronic stress? Unlike acute stress, chronic stress is constant and low-grade, wearing and tearing on the nervous and immune systems over time. You may not even realize you’re being affected, but studies show that chronic stress makes it harder for us to be creative, think outside the box, and be mentally flexible. In this flash wisdom episode, host Maria Molfino explains how this form of stress cripples our energy and willpower, inviting the inner critic to come out and play. Practice some compassionate self-inquiry to reveal the impact chronic stress has over your life and learn basic steps you can take to keep it in check.Show Notes: -Download Maria’s free Creative Confidence Playbook at mariamolfino.com/free-playbook-Music by Lucia Lilikoi at lucia.bandcamp.com

A big piece of the heroine’s journey is reclaiming what’s been lost. For some of us, it’s our intuition, our creativity, or our sense of self trust. For Eileen Fisher, it’s been her voice and her courage to lean into difficult conversations. This design magnate has scaled an incredible organization that generates over $300 million a year in revenue, but she didn’t have an easy start or a path paved with roses.What makes her shine even more is her passion for sustainability, empowering women, and living life with purpose. In her interview you’ll learn the conditions she’s created for her success, her thoughts on purpose and embodiment, and the principles that guide her leadership today. Show Notes:-Eileen’s upbringing: Early desires for a simplified wardrobe, the subconscious influence of Catholic school uniforms, and making her own prom dress. [3:25]-How she used her math skills to help her in business and in finding creative expression. [8:23]-Falling in love with the concept of simplicity and putting together her first pieces. [11:47]-How a design-thinking mindset gave her the confidence to move her ideas forward. [16:12]-Eileen’s biggest challenges starting out (and how she overcame most of them through sheer resourcefulness). [17:31]-Overcoming her fear of communication and reclaiming her voice. [22:23] -On being a mom, getting divorced, and trying to run a business (the toughest part of her journey). [26:18] -The quality that allowed her to keep going during the hard times. [30:38]-Meaning, purpose, and other principles that guide Eileen’s leadership today. [33:12]-Beyond profits: The importance of sustainability, organic materials, and supporting women’s bodies. [39:15]-Eileen’s daily advice for supporting relaxation (which in turn, supports creativity). [45:33] Discover Eileen’s newest initiative, the Learning Lab, where she is creating opportunities for people to get enlivened and inspired through a focus on the mind-body connection, creative leadership, and purpose-driven living. With online and on-site workshops and events, the Learning Lab offers space to try on new ways to live and work that feel more integrated and authentic.Connect soon and sign up to be a part of Eileen's vision at www.eileenfisherlearninglab.comMusic by Lucia Lilikoi: lucia.bandcamp.comSponsor:UENOhttp://ueno.co

A big piece of the heroine’s journey is reclaiming what’s been lost. For some of us, it’s our intuition, our creativity, or our sense of self trust. For Eileen Fisher, it’s been her voice and her courage to lean into difficult conversations. This design magnate has scaled an incredible organization that generates over $300 million a year in revenue, but she didn’t have an easy start or a path paved with roses.What makes her shine even more is her passion for sustainability, empowering women, and living life with purpose. In her interview you’ll learn the conditions she’s created for her success, her thoughts on purpose and embodiment, and the principles that guide her leadership today. Show Notes:-Eileen’s upbringing: Early desires for a simplified wardrobe, the subconscious influence of Catholic school uniforms, and making her own prom dress. [3:25]-How she used her math skills to help her in business and in finding creative expression. [8:23]-Falling in love with the concept of simplicity and putting together her first pieces. [11:47]-How a design-thinking mindset gave her the confidence to move her ideas forward. [16:12]-Eileen’s biggest challenges starting out (and how she overcame most of them through sheer resourcefulness). [17:31]-Overcoming her fear of communication and reclaiming her voice. [22:23] -On being a mom, getting divorced, and trying to run a business (the toughest part of her journey). [26:18] -The quality that allowed her to keep going during the hard times. [30:38]-Meaning, purpose, and other principles that guide Eileen’s leadership today. [33:12]-Beyond profits: The importance of sustainability, organic materials, and supporting women’s bodies. [39:15]-Eileen’s daily advice for supporting relaxation (which in turn, supports creativity). [45:33] Discover Eileen’s newest initiative, the Learning Lab, where she is creating opportunities for people to get enlivened and inspired through a focus on the mind-body connection, creative leadership, and purpose-driven living. With online and on-site workshops and events, the Learning Lab offers space to try on new ways to live and work that feel more integrated and authentic.Connect soon and sign up to be a part of Eileen's vision at www.eileenfisherlearninglab.comMusic by Lucia Lilikoi: lucia.bandcamp.comSponsor:UENOhttp://ueno.co

We live in a culture that medicates feelings. Women are especially under constant pressure to restrain our emotional lives; we apologize for our tears, suppress our anger, and tone down our passion out of fear of being called hysterical.Join Maria in this flash wisdom episode about the 7th block to your creative confidence and expression: numbing feelings. Learn the consequences of this tendency, such as missing out on feelings essential to the creative process, and the important role feelings play in creative leadership. Maria offers empowering wisdom to help you bring this tendency into your awareness and leverage your feelings to great effect.Show Notes: -Download Maria’s free Creative Confidence Playbook at mariamolfino.com/free-playbookReferences: -Medicating Women’s Feelings by Julie Holland (NY Times, Feb. 2015)-Brené Brown: The Power of Vulnerability (TEDx Houston, Jun. 2010)-Music by Lucia Lilikoi at lucia.bandcamp.com

We live in a culture that medicates feelings. Women are especially under constant pressure to restrain our emotional lives; we apologize for our tears, suppress our anger, and tone down our passion out of fear of being called hysterical.Join Maria in this flash wisdom episode about the 7th block to your creative confidence and expression: numbing feelings. Learn the consequences of this tendency, such as missing out on feelings essential to the creative process, and the important role feelings play in creative leadership. Maria offers empowering wisdom to help you bring this tendency into your awareness and leverage your feelings to great effect.Show Notes: -Download Maria’s free Creative Confidence Playbook at mariamolfino.com/free-playbookReferences: -Medicating Women’s Feelings by Julie Holland (NY Times, Feb. 2015)-Brené Brown: The Power of Vulnerability (TEDx Houston, Jun. 2010)-Music by Lucia Lilikoi at lucia.bandcamp.com

Imagine graduating from college and flying to Europe for your first job as a journalist. Instead of things going as planned, you end up bartending in the red-light district to survive. That’s Andrea Mallard’s “fall from grace” story, but it’s not where her story ends.From making friends with the head pimp on the street to becoming Chief Marketing Officer at the inspiring and innovative company, Omada Health, Andrea’s journey is filled with personal insights about finding the creative confidence to lead on your own terms. In her interview she busts a few myths that keep you second-guessing yourself, shares her perspective on work cultures that support whole people, and offers advice on how to integrate work and home life.Show Notes-Maria introduces Andrea Mallard. [1:45]-The “lost year”: How Andrea ended up stranded in Paris and tending bar in the red-light district. [3:55]-The wake up call she needed to stand up for herself and land a job at Forbes Magazine. [9:59]-Analytic vs. creative and Andrea’s decision to be both, plus the epiphany that helped her get confident fast. [14:52]-The big secret around feeling like an imposter and how to stop getting in your own way. [20:02] -On sexism in the workplace, being a working mom, and how to integrate work and home life together. [25:00]-Why it's so important to be your authentic self at work. [30:52] -Andrea talks about being a leader on her own terms and shares a 100% unique example of creative confidence. [35:31]-The most exciting thing about working at Omada, plus Andrea’s advice to her younger self. [40:48] References: www.andreamallard.comOmada Health: www.omadahealth.comMusic: Lucia Lilikoi at lucia.bandcamp.com

Imagine graduating from college and flying to Europe for your first job as a journalist. Instead of things going as planned, you end up bartending in the red-light district to survive. That’s Andrea Mallard’s “fall from grace” story, but it’s not where her story ends.From making friends with the head pimp on the street to becoming Chief Marketing Officer at the inspiring and innovative company, Omada Health, Andrea’s journey is filled with personal insights about finding the creative confidence to lead on your own terms. In her interview she busts a few myths that keep you second-guessing yourself, shares her perspective on work cultures that support whole people, and offers advice on how to integrate work and home life.Show Notes-Maria introduces Andrea Mallard. [1:45]-The “lost year”: How Andrea ended up stranded in Paris and tending bar in the red-light district. [3:55]-The wake up call she needed to stand up for herself and land a job at Forbes Magazine. [9:59]-Analytic vs. creative and Andrea’s decision to be both, plus the epiphany that helped her get confident fast. [14:52]-The big secret around feeling like an imposter and how to stop getting in your own way. [20:02] -On sexism in the workplace, being a working mom, and how to integrate work and home life together. [25:00]-Why it's so important to be your authentic self at work. [30:52] -Andrea talks about being a leader on her own terms and shares a 100% unique example of creative confidence. [35:31]-The most exciting thing about working at Omada, plus Andrea’s advice to her younger self. [40:48] References: www.andreamallard.comOmada Health: www.omadahealth.comMusic: Lucia Lilikoi at lucia.bandcamp.com

Do you hold back from going after what you want because you’re too tied to how things will turn out? Host Maria Molfino shares how our attachment to outcomes is keeping us from the joy and pleasure of our creative process. In this short 'n' sweet episode, learn how to create space between your work and the results and maintain a healthy outlook around how other people perceive you and your own expectations.Show Notes:-Download Maria’s free Creative Confidence Playbook at mariamolfino.com/free-playbook-Music by Lucia Lilikoi at lucia.bandcamp.com

Do you hold back from going after what you want because you’re too tied to how things will turn out? Host Maria Molfino shares how our attachment to outcomes is keeping us from the joy and pleasure of our creative process. In this short 'n' sweet episode, learn how to create space between your work and the results and maintain a healthy outlook around how other people perceive you and your own expectations.Show Notes:-Download Maria’s free Creative Confidence Playbook at mariamolfino.com/free-playbook-Music by Lucia Lilikoi at lucia.bandcamp.com

Katie Dill, Head of User Experience Design at Airbnb, grew up with a creative background that was far from typical. So how did she land her dream job at a company centered around creating unique experiences for their users? Katie shares all about her journey, which often required her to step outside her comfort zone, and how she found her niche. Learn specific ingredients designers have that are useful to leaders, how she handles growing pains and tough feedback, and her wisdom on the relationship between luck and creating opportunities.Show Notes:-Katie’s outdoorsy upbringing as a talented problem-solver and trouble-maker. [4:30]-How she discovered her niche and figured out how to make a career out of it (despite feeling out of her element). [10:58]-On her transformative trip to Italy, where she learned how much there is to gain by going outside your comfort zone. Plus, how to talk yourself out of talking yourself out of things. [15:58]-Creating opportunity vs. Luck (and the relationship between them). [20:17]-The different types of designers at Airbnb, Katie’s own creative vision as a designer, and how being creative makes her a better leader. [24:48]-Do women have a secret superpower they need to unlock? Katie, Maria, and Linda discuss. [29:19]-Dealing with transition: How Katie used positive self-talk, self-reliance, and self-confidence to adapt. [34:43]-Her biggest career challenges. [41:44]-How Katie handles growing pains and critical feedback (including the toughest pieces of feedback she’s ever received). [46:35]References: Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg Music: Lucia Lilikoi at lucia.bandcamp.com

Katie Dill, Head of User Experience Design at Airbnb, grew up with a creative background that was far from typical. So how did she land her dream job at a company centered around creating unique experiences for their users? Katie shares all about her journey, which often required her to step outside her comfort zone, and how she found her niche. Learn specific ingredients designers have that are useful to leaders, how she handles growing pains and tough feedback, and her wisdom on the relationship between luck and creating opportunities.Show Notes:-Katie’s outdoorsy upbringing as a talented problem-solver and trouble-maker. [4:30]-How she discovered her niche and figured out how to make a career out of it (despite feeling out of her element). [10:58]-On her transformative trip to Italy, where she learned how much there is to gain by going outside your comfort zone. Plus, how to talk yourself out of talking yourself out of things. [15:58]-Creating opportunity vs. Luck (and the relationship between them). [20:17]-The different types of designers at Airbnb, Katie’s own creative vision as a designer, and how being creative makes her a better leader. [24:48]-Do women have a secret superpower they need to unlock? Katie, Maria, and Linda discuss. [29:19]-Dealing with transition: How Katie used positive self-talk, self-reliance, and self-confidence to adapt. [34:43]-Her biggest career challenges. [41:44]-How Katie handles growing pains and critical feedback (including the toughest pieces of feedback she’s ever received). [46:35]References: Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg Music: Lucia Lilikoi at lucia.bandcamp.com

Continuing the series on the blocks to creative confidence, host Maria Molfino reveals the fifth block: Comparison. Comparison is an ugly face of the inner critic, and a huge de-motivator. Learn what comparison feeds on, how it can warp your standards for success, and what you can do to keep it in check.Show Notes:-Download the free Creative Confidence Playbook at Mariamolfino.com/free-playbook-Music by Lucia Lilikoi at lucia.bandcamp.com

Continuing the series on the blocks to creative confidence, host Maria Molfino reveals the fifth block: Comparison. Comparison is an ugly face of the inner critic, and a huge de-motivator. Learn what comparison feeds on, how it can warp your standards for success, and what you can do to keep it in check.Show Notes:-Download the free Creative Confidence Playbook at Mariamolfino.com/free-playbook-Music by Lucia Lilikoi at lucia.bandcamp.com

In this episode, host Maria Molfino takes on two inspirational women in one go: Elle Luna, a SF based artist and author, and Susie Herrick, a licensed therapist with over 20 years experience and author of an upcoming memoir, Aphrodite Emerges (to be released in the Fall).They tackle some big themes, the biggest being inner misogyny. Hear about their journeys and the challenges they faced, how to know when you’re following expectations vs. your deeper calling, the expansive power of dreaming bigger, and their upcoming workshop Aphrodite Emerges: Activate the Goddess Within (now open for enrollment at www.aphroditeemerges.com).Show Notes:-On Susie’s spiritual upbringing, and her earliest realizations of negative self-talk and the conflicting expectations within women in our society. [3:54] -Considering our ‘should’s: Where they come from, what they’re like for women, and how they imprison us. Plus, the powerful one-liner Elle read about Susie that caused them to meet. [8:36]-The insanely busy, exhausted, dried up, and deeply dissatisfied state Elle was in before turning things around. [11:46]-How do you cross over from discontent and inner dissonance to other side? Susie shares her own experience. [13:33]-Elle reads from their book, Aphrodite Emerges, about destroying ego and accepting new callings for life. [18:55]-On the conflict women face in a “balanced” work culture and the kinesthetic experience of ‘should’ and ‘must’. [23:46]-Culturally inherited misogyny: The oldest prejudice. [27:03] -Coming to terms with the social emotions of blame and shame. Plus, how Susie’s relationship with her father strengthened after opening up to him about some buried issues. [32:23] -Elle and Susie talk about their upcoming workshop in August, Aphrodite Emerges: A Journey to Unleash the Godess Within. [39:58]References: Aphrodite Emerges retreat info at http://www.aphroditeemerges.comThe Crossroads of Should and Must by Elle LunaMisogyny: The World’s Oldest Prejudice by Jack HollandSponsor:UENO http://ueno.coMusic: Lucia Lilikoi lucia.bandcamp.com

In this episode, host Maria Molfino takes on two inspirational women in one go: Elle Luna, a SF based artist and author, and Susie Herrick, a licensed therapist with over 20 years experience and author of an upcoming memoir, Aphrodite Emerges (to be released in the Fall).They tackle some big themes, the biggest being inner misogyny. Hear about their journeys and the challenges they faced, how to know when you’re following expectations vs. your deeper calling, the expansive power of dreaming bigger, and their upcoming workshop Aphrodite Emerges: Activate the Goddess Within (now open for enrollment at www.aphroditeemerges.com).Show Notes:-On Susie’s spiritual upbringing, and her earliest realizations of negative self-talk and the conflicting expectations within women in our society. [3:54] -Considering our ‘should’s: Where they come from, what they’re like for women, and how they imprison us. Plus, the powerful one-liner Elle read about Susie that caused them to meet. [8:36]-The insanely busy, exhausted, dried up, and deeply dissatisfied state Elle was in before turning things around. [11:46]-How do you cross over from discontent and inner dissonance to other side? Susie shares her own experience. [13:33]-Elle reads from their book, Aphrodite Emerges, about destroying ego and accepting new callings for life. [18:55]-On the conflict women face in a “balanced” work culture and the kinesthetic experience of ‘should’ and ‘must’. [23:46]-Culturally inherited misogyny: The oldest prejudice. [27:03] -Coming to terms with the social emotions of blame and shame. Plus, how Susie’s relationship with her father strengthened after opening up to him about some buried issues. [32:23] -Elle and Susie talk about their upcoming workshop in August, Aphrodite Emerges: A Journey to Unleash the Godess Within. [39:58]References: Aphrodite Emerges retreat info at http://www.aphroditeemerges.comThe Crossroads of Should and Must by Elle LunaMisogyny: The World’s Oldest Prejudice by Jack HollandSponsor:UENO http://ueno.coMusic: Lucia Lilikoi lucia.bandcamp.com