My Brain Está Spicy

S2.E7 - Leaving Corporate Without Losing Yourself

Leaving Corporate Without Losing Yourself Life has been busy and tender, so Melisa is hosting a solo evening edition — but she’s not alone. She’s joined by business coach and social media strategist Kate Astill, whose journey from medical scientist to yoga teacher to business coach is a masterclass in rebuilding your work life without losing your mental health. Together they talk about burnout, undercharging, late ADHD/autism diagnoses, hustle culture, and the quiet grief that follows career transitions. They unpack why so many women recreate corporate patterns inside their businesses and what it actually looks like to build work that supports your nervous system, your joy, and your real life. If you’re craving more freedom, softness, or clarity in the way you work, this one will land. 0:00 Introduction and Life Updates 03:12 Meet Kate Astill: From Medical Scientist to Business Coach 08:04 Navigating Business Challenges and Mindset Shifts 35:01 The Power of Collaboration and Connection 36:13 Managing Stress and Self-Awareness in Business 53:46 Exploring Possibilities and Personal Growth Guest — Kate Astill | Woman CEO Podcast - Business Coach & Social Media Strategist Website: (www.womanceo.com.au) IG: @kateastill_  and @wamanceosayings - (https://www.instagram.com/kateastill_/) (www.instagram.com/womanceosayings) With a background in wellness and a sharp eye for marketing, Kate brings a unique blend of strategy and soul to everything she does. She understands that building a business isn’t just about the numbers—it’s about alignment, clarity and confidence. After years of coaching, content creation and helping brands grow from the ground up, Kate now specializes in supporting female entrepreneurs who are ready to show up fully, attract aligned clients, and turn their message into momentum. Her approach is equal parts mindset and marketing—practical, personalized, and rooted in purpose. Kate is on a mission to simplify business, remove the fluff, and give women the tools, strategy and support they need to grow sustainably. She believes in making money your way—without burning out or becoming someone you’re not.   Whether you're refining your offers, mapping out your content strategy, or scaling your brand, she’s here to guide you every step of the way.   ________________________________________     Have a hack you want to share, want to send us some love or have an idea for an episode? Email us at thespicybrainpod@gmail.com   Also follow us on Instagram : (https://www.instagram.com/mybrainestaspicy)   Product & Service Links: Some of the links we share may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them—at no extra cost to you! We only recommend products and services we genuinely love and believe could be helpful. Your support helps keep My Brain Está Spicy running, and we appreciate you!   Gin Gin Chews - (https://gingerpeople.com/products/gin-gins-original-ginger-chews/) Loop Earplugs - (http://rwrd.io/wu8npep?c) Avulux Migraine Glasses - (https://avulux.com/) LMNT Electrolytes - (https://drinklmnt.com/) Buoy - (https://justaddbuoy.com/collections/all?snowball=MELISA34040&utm_source=snowball&utm_medium=default-program&utm_campaign=MELISA34040) IWC Chiropractic - Orlando Network Spinal Practice - (https://www.integratewellnesscenter.com/)   ___________________________   Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are for informational & entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not doctors, lawyers, financial advisors, or other qualified licensed professionals. For questions about your health, legal, or financial situations, please consult the proper professionals. Listeners should not disregard symptoms or delay in obtaining medical assistance from qualified medical professionals for any conditions they may have.   Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are for informational & entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not doctors, lawyers, financial advisors, or other qualified licensed professionals. For questions about your health, legal, or financial situations, please consult the proper professionals. Listeners should not disregard symptoms or delay in obtaining medical assistance from qualified medical professionals for any conditions they may have. Distributed by Genuina Media [https://www.genuinamedia.com/en/] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

S2.E6. Travel Anxiety & Falling in Love with the World Anyway - ft. Bianca Alba from This Latina Travels

Description: In this heart-opening episode of My Brain Está Spicy, Melisa and Christy are joined by Bianca Alba, the voice and creator of This Latina Travels!, for an honest and empowering conversation about travel anxiety, courage, and what it means to fall in love with the world—even when your brain gets spicy. Bianca is the voice and creator of “This Latina Travels!” – a podcast about travel through the eyes of a First-Generation Latina traveler and college grad sharing all her travel experiences first-hand. As a little girl living in a single-parent household, trips and vacations were just a dream and felt unreachable. This Latina Travels is more than just Bianca telling you about her experiences—it’s a true reflection that dreams can become reality. To date, Bianca has traveled to six of the seven continents in the world, and her goal is to encourage and support women who look like her to travel the world too. Together, the trio dives deep into what travel anxiety really feels like—the panic before a flight, the overstimulation in airports, the fear of losing control, and the healing that comes from stepping into the unknown anyway. Melisa shares her body’s reactions to anxiety mid-travel, Christy recalls a life-changing trip that reshaped her sense of safety, and Bianca opens up about getting sick abroad and how that experience transformed her approach to fear and gratitude. In this episode: What travel anxiety feels like (in your body and mind) Getting sick abroad and learning to ask for help How fear of flying and solo travel shows up for anxious minds Reclaiming joy and peace through exploration Why traveling as a Latina is both empowering and revolutionary Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer 01:19 Meet Our Guest: Bianca Alba 05:14 Personal Stories of Travel Anxiety 10:09 Handling Travel Anxiety: Tips and Experiences 38:06 Navigating Anxiety While Flying 39:57 Overcoming the Fear of Solo Travel 49:33 Empowering Latina Women to Travel 54:44 The Joy and Liberation of Travel Guest — Bianca Alba | This Latina Travels! Podcast: This Latina Travels! Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/thislatinatravels) Website: (wwwthislatinatravels.com) Contact: thislatinatravels@gmail.com   Have a hack you want to share, want to send us some love or have an idea for an episode? Email us at thespicybrainpod@gmail.com Also follow us on Instagram : (https://www.instagram.com/mybrainestaspicy)   Product & Service Links: Some of the links we share may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them—at no extra cost to you! We only recommend products and services we genuinely love and believe could be helpful. Your support helps keep My Brain Está Spicy running, and we appreciate you!   Gin Gin Chews - (https://gingerpeople.com/products/gin-gins-original-ginger-chews/) Loop Earplugs - (http://rwrd.io/wu8npep?c) Avulux Migraine Glasses - (https://avulux.com/) LMNT Electrolytes - (https://drinklmnt.com/) Buoy - (https://justaddbuoy.com/collections/all?snowball=MELISA34040&utm_source=snowball&utm_medium=default-program&utm_campaign=MELISA34040) IWC Chiropractic - Orlando Network Spinal Practice - (https://www.integratewellnesscenter.com/) Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are for informational & entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not doctors, lawyers, financial advisors, or other qualified licensed professionals. For questions about your health, legal, or financial situations, please consult the proper professionals. Listeners should not disregard symptoms or delay in obtaining medical assistance from qualified medical professionals for any conditions they may have. Distributed by Genuina Media [https://www.genuinamedia.com/en/] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

S2.E5. - Becoming Melisa: The Power of Showing Up Unfiltered

In this intimate “get to know me” episode, Melisa steps into the hot seat — unfiltered, unmasked, and unapologetically herself. Christy leads a reimagined 21 Questions that peels back the layers of identity, ambition, and the strength it takes to live authentically as a disabled Latina woman. From childhood dreams to navigating ableism, resilience, and radical honesty, Melisa shares the stories that shaped her voice — and the fire that keeps her showing up even when the world expects her to shrink.   We explore: authenticity as survival - disability, visibility & belonging - bicultural identity and resilience - humor as healing - showing up in your truth, even when it’s uncomfortable   0:00 Introduction and Disclaimer 01:04 Life Catch Up 05:10 Christy’s Health Journey 15:14 Getting to Know Melisa 38:34 Eggs and Quirky Eating Habits 40:06 Reflecting on Marriage and Relationships 43:11 Navigating Vulnerability and Personal Growth 49:38 Spicy Questions and Heartfelt Memories If you’ve ever been told you’re “too much” — or felt pressure to make yourself smaller — this episode is your permission slip to be loud, tender, and entirely yourself.  YouTube Camping ASMR Channel Links: RYUCAMP - https://www.youtube.com/@RYUCAMP KirinCamp - https://www.youtube.com/@KirinCamp Go4x4 - https://www.youtube.com/@go4x4media Atik Family - https://www.youtube.com/@AtikAilesi Yoyo Camp - https://www.youtube.com/@yoyocamp   Have a hack you want to share, want to send us some love or have an idea for an episode? Email us at thespicybrainpod@gmail.com Also follow us on Instagram : (https://www.instagram.com/mybrainestaspicy)   Product & Service Links: Some of the links we share may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them—at no extra cost to you! We only recommend products and services we genuinely love and believe could be helpful. Your support helps keep My Brain Está Spicy running, and we appreciate you!   Gin Gin Chews - (https://gingerpeople.com/products/gin-gins-original-ginger-chews/) Loop Earplugs - (http://rwrd.io/wu8npep?c) Avulux Migraine Glasses - (https://avulux.com/) LMNT Electrolytes - (https://drinklmnt.com/) Buoy - (https://justaddbuoy.com/collections/all?snowball=MELISA34040&utm_source=snowball&utm_medium=default-program&utm_campaign=MELISA34040) Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are for informational & entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not doctors, lawyers, financial advisors, or other qualified licensed professionals. For questions about your health, legal, or financial situations, please consult the proper professionals. Listeners should not disregard symptoms or delay in obtaining medical assistance from qualified medical professionals for any conditions they may have. Distributed by Genuina Media [https://www.genuinamedia.com/en/] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

S2.E4. - Therapy Isn’t a Dirty Word – Why Latinos Deserve to Heal Too

Why is therapy still treated like a dirty little secret in so many Latino households? In this episode, Melisa and Christy sit down with Dr. Lisette Sanchez—a bilingual and bicultural psychologist, writer, international speaker, and founder of Calathea Wellness, a virtual platform for first-gen professionals. Raised in Southern California by Salvadoran and Mexican immigrant parents, Dr. Lisette brings both professional expertise and lived experience to the convo. Together, we unpack: * Why therapy is still taboo in our families * How silence, guilt, and “aguántate” culture impact mental health * The power of tears as medicine * Boundaries as survival + liberation This one is real, raw, and necessary for anyone who’s ever been told therapy “isn’t for us.” Healing is for all of us—and it starts when we stop whispering and start talking. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction + Welcome 01:18 – Catching Up and Life Updates 04:26 – Meet Dr. Lisette Sanchez 07:54 – Therapy Experiences and Cultural Stigmas 39:02 – The Power of Tears 42:37 – Navigating Family Dynamics 47:05 – Boundaries as Love Language 01:06:22 – Spicy Questions + Closing Links on the Science of Tears:  The Chemistry of Tears by SciPlanet - https://www.bibalex.org/SCIplanet/en/Article/Details?id=19105 [https://www.bibalex.org/SCIplanet/en/Article/Details?id=19105] All About Emotional Tears by American Academy of Opthamology - https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/all-about-emotional-tears [https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/all-about-emotional-tears]   About Dr. Lisette Sanchez: Dr. Lisette is a bilingual and bicultural psychologist, international speaker, writer, and founder of Calathea Wellness [https://www.calatheawellness.com], where she supports first-gen professionals navigating identity, belonging, and intergenerational healing. Whether through therapy, writing, or public speaking, she helps individuals transform cultural complexity into clarity, pride, and purpose. Follow Dr. Lisette: 🌐 Website: calatheawellness.com [https://www.calatheawellness.com] 📲 Instagram: @thefirstgenpsychologist [https://instagram.com/thefirstgenpsychologist] 💼 LinkedIn: thefirstgenpsychologist [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefirstgenpsychologist/] 📺 YouTube: @thefirstgenpsychologist [https://www.youtube.com/@thefirstgenpsychologist]   Connect with Us: 📱 IG + YouTube: @mybrainestaspicy [https://instagram.com/mybrainestaspicy] 💌 thespicybrainpod@gmail.com   Product & Service Links: Some of the links we share may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them—at no extra cost to you! We only recommend products and services we genuinely love and believe could be helpful. Your support helps keep My Brain Está Spicy running, and we appreciate you! * Gin Gin Chews  [https://gingerpeople.com/products/gin-gins-original-ginger-chews/] * Loop Earplugs  [http://rwrd.io/wu8npep?c] * Avulux Migraine Glasses  [https://avulux.com/] * LMNT Electrolytes  [https://drinklmnt.com/] * Buoy  [https://justaddbuoy.com/collections/all?snowball=MELISA34040&utm_source=snowball&utm_medium=default-program&utm_campaign=MELISA34040] Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are for informational & entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not doctors, lawyers, financial advisors, or other qualified licensed professionals. For questions about your health, legal, or financial situations, please consult the proper professionals. Listeners should not disregard symptoms or delay in obtaining medical assistance from qualified medical professionals for any conditions they may have. Distributed by Genuina Media [https://www.genuinamedia.com/en/] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

S2.E3. - Christy Unmasked : Joyful Kid to Spicy Brain

What do parasailing, cassette tapes, and Anne Hathaway have in common? Christy’s mental health journey. In this spicy origin story episode, Melisa interviews Christy with questions about childhood, coping, and coming home to herself — Scorpio-style. We uncover childhood memories, early signs of anxiety, coping mechanisms (including a VERY creative one), and the moment she realized, "Oh, this is deeper than just stress." Whether you're navigating your own mental health journey or just need some safe, soulful girl talk — this episode is full of honesty, humor, healing, and hella spicy brain vibes. Expect laughter, tenderness, and zero small talk. A must-listen if you’re healing from anxiety, curious about therapy, or just want a mental health podcast that feels like a deep convo with your smartest, funniest friend. 00:00 Introduction and Disclaimers 01:04 Origin Episode: Christy's Story Begins 03:41 Deep Dive: Childhood Memories and Coping Mechanisms 33:48 Societal Programming and Personal Struggles 34:55 Journey into Mental Health Awareness 48:13 Embracing Vulnerability and Evolution Have a hack you want to share, want to send us some love or have an idea for an episode? Email us at thespicybrainpod@gmail.com Also follow us on Instagram : (https://www.instagram.com/mybrainestaspicy) Product & Service Links: Some of the links we share may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them—at no extra cost to you! We only recommend products and services we genuinely love and believe could be helpful. Your support helps keep My Brain Está Spicy running, and we appreciate you! * Gin Gin Chews  [https://gingerpeople.com/products/gin-gins-original-ginger-chews/] * Loop Earplugs  [http://rwrd.io/wu8npep?c] * Avulux Migraine Glasses  [https://avulux.com/] * LMNT Electrolytes  [https://drinklmnt.com/] * Buoy  [https://justaddbuoy.com/collections/all?snowball=MELISA34040&utm_source=snowball&utm_medium=default-program&utm_campaign=MELISA34040]   Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are for informational & entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not doctors, lawyers, financial advisors, or other qualified licensed professionals. For questions about your health, legal, or financial situations, please consult the proper professionals. Listeners should not disregard symptoms or delay in obtaining medical assistance from qualified medical professionals for any conditions they may have. Distributed by Genuina Media [https://www.genuinamedia.com/en/] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.