The Story I'm Telling Myself

Is Head Trash Blocking Your Success?

Is your "head trash" standing in the way of your next big move? Grab the episode companion self-reflection guide [https://vod.hbportal.co/public/6966ae2985755800334a023c] We all carry a certain amount of mental slop—those reflexive, negative judgments we make about ourselves and the world around us. In this episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself, host Rita Ernst sits down with business owner, public speaker, and author Maggie Harlow to discuss how to clear the clutter. Maggie shares her powerful life transformation by adopting Byron Katie’s "The Work [https://thework.com/]" practice to dismantle self-limiting beliefs through two simple questions: "Is it true?" and Can I be absolutely sure it’s true?. From treating yourself with the kindness of a toddler to embracing the motto "the weirder, the better," this conversation is a masterclass in giving yourself the permission to say 'No' to head trash. Stop playing it small to fit a "prescriptive playbook" of conformity. Tune in to learn how to practice discernment over judgment and step into the freedom you deserve. Connect with Maggie Harlow [Maggieharlow.com] Watch for the summer release of her book, "Everyday Extraordinary." Connect with your host, Rita Ernst [https://www.igniteextraordinary.com/]

What Flaw are You Hiding?

Are you hiding your flaws? Grab the episode self-reflection guide here [https://vod.hbportal.co/public/6966ae2985755800334a023c] Host Rita Ernst sits down with Nicole Angai Galindo (Nic), founder of Guiding Brilliant Writers Publishing House, for a raw conversation on reclaiming identity from the shadows of stigma. For decades, Nick navigated a high-pressure career while managing a Bipolar diagnosis, often facing professional pressure to "shut up" and hide her reality. Nick shares her transition from the "Comparison Game" and the pursuit of perfection. We break down the "Self-Coaching Loop"—a practice of interrupting the negative "tapes" our brains play to keep us small. Whether you are struggling with a mental health diagnosis or feeling stuck in a "chapter" of your life you didn't write, this episode is your invitation to own your flaws and rewrite your potential. Key Takeaways: * How to discern when mental health struggles require professional intervention. * The danger of defining success through someone else’s "yardstick". * A framework for using writing as a tool for reinforcement and self-awareness. * Why we must stop being "meaning-making machines" that prioritize negative labels. Connect with Nic [hello@gbwpublishing.com]Grab the book "We Choose To Be More Than Our Diagnoses Vol.2" [https://mybook.to/MXZTn]Connect with Host Rita Ernst [https://www.igniteextraordinary.com/]

Are You Rejecting Yourself?

Is your physical appearance part of your "not good enough" story that is holding you back? Grab the companion self-reflection guide for this episode [https://vod.hbportal.co/public/6966ae2985755800334a023c] In this vulnerable episode of The Story I'm Telling Myself, host Rita Ernst sits down with Jacqueline Strominger, a high-performance success strategist and author, to discuss the journey from feeling "duck ugly" to becoming a "Confident Connector." Jacqueline shares her raw experience of being born premature with physical imperfections that led to a lifetime of deep insecurity, even after multiple corrective surgeries. Listeners will discover how to fire their internal narrator and stop borrowing confidence from others. Jacqueline breaks down her frameworks for building relationship capital, creating an awareness journal, and stepping into the role of the "CEO of You." Learn why your "vibe attracts your tribe" and how to challenge the internal lies that keep you from your full leadership potential. Key Takeaways: * Why physical changes don't automatically fix internal insecurities. * The "Negate and Advance" method for mindset shifts. * How to use the "Mirror Mantra" to rewire your brain for success. Be sure to share this episode with a friend and leave us a 5-star review. www.Jaclynstrominger.com Grab Jaclyn's book [https://amzn.to/4jzYoJv ] Connect with your host, Rita Ernst [https://www.igniteextraordinary.com/]

Who Are You Pretendiing To Be?

From Overachieving to Authentic Self-Care with Gerri Sapinoso Hudson Grab the complimentary self-reflection guide for this episode. [https://vod.hbportal.co/public/6966ae2985755800334a023c] In this episode of The Story I'm Telling Myself, host Rita sits down with Gerri Sapinoso Hudson, a self-care coach and the founder of Vision Bridge Leadership, to discuss the high cost of the "hyperachiever" lifestyle and the journey to reclaiming personal agency. Gerri shares a vulnerable look at her life as a first-generation Asian American woman navigating the "third culture"—a space pulled between roots and the American dream of academic achievement and corporate success. The Performance of Perfection For decades, Gerri lived by a script of obligation, believing that following the rules and achieving milestones would ultimately lead to happiness. She describes "growing up in corporate America," where she thrived in hierarchical systems by being compliant, respectful of authority, and careful not to take up too much space while making others look amazing. This perfectionism and "automatic pilot" mode created an idyllic-looking life from the outside that masked a lack of true self-knowledge. The 48-Hour Collapse The turning point of Gerri’s story is a harrowing 48-hour window that shattered her sense of safety. On a Tuesday morning, just before leading a corporate team off-site, her husband revealed a long-standing secret addiction. The very next day—her birthday—she learned she was being laid off. This total collapse stripped away the identity she had built around her career and family, forcing her to confront a life without the markers of value she had relied upon for 30 years. Reclaiming the Power to Choose Gerri details her arduous path through recovery, moving from the "victim story" and anger to a realization that she had been choosing to hold on for the wrong reasons. She highlights the transformative power of the proverb "let go or be dragged," emphasizing that true healing began when she reclaimed her power to choose her own path rather than following a predetermined social blueprint. A New Toolkit for Self-Care Moving beyond superficial self-care like "mani-pedis" or spa days, Gerri shares the modalities that provided true nourishment: Intense Exercise: Using CrossFit to process anger and change her physical state. Mindfulness & Meditation: Finding stillness to separate herself from "spinning thoughts". Journaling & Writing: Discovering her voice as an author and published article writer. Community: Reaching out to recovery groups and friends to learn she was not alone in her suffering. Know yourself deeply: Take the time to understand what actually works for you, regardless of societal expectations or social media trends. Healing is a journey, not a destination: It is never too late to start again or try something new. Forgiveness is for you: Choosing to forgive is a path to personal healing and happiness. Key Takeaways for Listeners: Listen now to discover how to find "safety in your own skin" and transition from a life of autopilot to one of radical authenticity. If this story resonates with you, please leave a five-star review and share the episode with a friend who may be struggling with their own "one story" trap. Connect with Gerri [https://bridgetoabetterway.com/] Grab Gerri's gift to you, her 7 day jumpstart [https://7dayjumpstart.blissselfcare.com/freejumpstartdownload]to start your self-care journey. Connect with your host, Rita Ernst [https://www.igniteextraordinary.com/]

Is Your Success A Prison?

Beyond the "One Story" Trap: Overcoming Burnout and Reclaiming Your Identity with Dr. Tasha Golden Grab the complimentary self-reflection episode guide [https://vod.hbportal.co/public/6966ae2985755800334a023c] In this transformative episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself, host Rita Ernst sits down with Dr. Tasha Golden—a former chart-topping singer-songwriter turned PhD researcher—to explore the invisible "walls" of the stories we tell ourselves. If you are a professional woman feeling the weight of burnout, questioning your career path, or struggling to find meaning beyond your job title, this conversation is your roadmap to a "through line" of true fulfillment. What You’ll Discover in This Episode: * The Identity Trap: How clinging to a "one story" narrative—the belief that there is only one path to success—can lead to catastrophic burnout and major depression. * The Art of Refusal: Why all creativity is rooted in the power to say "no" to the status quo and refuse to accept the world (or your life) exactly as it is. * Grief in Transition: Understanding that even positive career changes involve a natural process of grieving the old roles we played and the "source of pride" we are leaving behind. * Redefining Wellbeing: Moving beyond the "absence of disease" to a state of complete physical, mental, and social health that prioritizes connection, agency, and beauty. Featured Guest: Dr. Tasha Golden Dr. Tasha Golden is a renowned thought leader at the intersection of arts, science, and public health. From touring the world as a musician to conducting behavioral science research for organizations like Google and the Mayo Clinic, Tasha helps high-performers "re-see" their lives and work. She is a frequent contributor to Psychology Today and a powerful advocate for mental health systems change. Why Listen Now? You don’t have to wait for a crisis to "annihilate" your current story before you’re allowed to imagine a different one. Whether you're feeling "numb" in your current role or standing on the edge of a major life transition, Tasha’s story provides the permission you need to start your own "beautiful excavation" of what truly matters. Connect with Dr. Tasha Golden [https://www.tashagolden.com/tsitm] Connect with host Rita Ernst [https://www.igniteextraordinary.com/]