Ep. 121: The Messy Middle — When Life Makes You Put Your Dream on Hold

Ep. 124: How to Stop Comparing Your Life (and Your Content) to Everyone Else's | Mika Carr

Feeling behind because everyone else's content — or life — looks more put-together than yours? This episode is your permission slip to stop comparing and start posting anyway. Amanda sits down with her friend and coworker Mika Carr — video editor, content creator, and one of the very first people who told her "Yes, do the podcast!!!!" back when it was just an idea. What starts as a fun, low-stakes catch-up (card games, cheesecake, and one seriously delicious croissant) turns into a real conversation about the exhausting myth that you have to "batch content" to be legit, the career dream Mika abandoned before content creation ever entered the picture, and why the "post it anyway" advice beats waiting for perfect. Amanda also shares two moments from her intelligence-analyst days that taught her more about handling conflict and comparison than any leadership seminar ever could. In this episode we discuss: * Why comparing your content (or your career) to someone else's is quietly exhausting you * The forgotten career dream Mika had before content creation * Why "post it anyway" beats chasing a perfect algorithm strategy * Amanda's FBI story on standing your ground without losing yourself * Mika's closing advice on embracing change, even when it's scary If you've ever compared your behind-the-scenes to someone else's highlight reel — or wondered if you're "behind" in your career, your content, or your life — this one's for you. CHAPTERS: 00:00 — Welcome Back! 01:32 — How did this podcast actually start? 06:07 — Why does comparing your content to everyoneelse's feel so exhausting? 10:20 — What career did Mika almost pursue beforecontent creation? 20:29 — What does it mean to actually own the identityof “podcaster” or “creator”? 32:44 — Is free advice better than paid mentorship rightnow? 34:54 — What is the “millennial career crisis”everyone's talking about? 47:51 — Amanda's most humbling story from her FBIcareer 55:47 — What does it look like to pause your own careerto help family? 59:31 — Who shaped you the most without knowing it? 1:05:06 — How do you stop being afraid ofchange? CONNECT WITH MIKA: Find Mika on Instagram: @mikamcarr [https://www.instagram.com/mikamcarr/] CONNECT WITH AMANDA: Don't forget to subscribe for weekly content about identity, healing, purpose, and becoming your future self. Want to share your story or question for an upcoming Wanderer Wisdom Episode? Email us at hello@podcastforthelost.com [hello@podcastforthelost.com] * Website: https://www.podcastforthelost.com [https://www.podcastforthelost.com] * Instagram: @podcast.for.the.lost [https://www.instagram.com/podcast.for.the.lost] & @amanda.k.powers [https://www.instagram.com/amanda.k.powers] * TikTok: @podcast.for.the.lost [https://www.tiktok.com/@podcast.for.the.lost] * YouTube: @podcastforthelost [https://www.youtube.com/@podcastforthelost] * Substack: https://podcastforthelost.substack.com [https://podcastforthelost.substack.com] Amanda's Favorite Things (includes affiliate links): ShopMy [https://shopmy.us/shop/amandakpowers?Section_id=1567431&tab=collections] → Browse and shop the skincare, outfits, tech, and personal luxuries I actually reach for and use Momentum Shake (Free Variety Pack) [https://www.momentumshake.com/?sca_ref=9172528.hWgFiWJZTghkn6] - Highest quality protein on the market, replaces 20+ supplements IM8 Health [https://www.im8health.com/POWERS] - My comprehensive daily essentials for overall well-being, energy, digestion, and longevity Twenty2 Nutrition (5% Off) [https://www.twenty2nutrition.com/?smile_ref=eyJzbWlsZV9zb3VyY2UiOiJzbWlsZV91aSIsInNtaWxlX21lZGl1bSI6IiIsInNtaWxlX2NhbXBhaWduIjoicmVmZXJyYWxfcHJvZ3JhbSJ9&smile_referral_code=d17YWsox&st_intent=st%3Areferrals%3Acustomer-offers%3Ad17YWsox&utm_campaign=smileio_referrals&utm_medium=referral_url] - American made, third-party tested, and Informed Sport Certified supplements time___line [https://shop.timeline.com/POWERS] - 20% Off with code POWERS

Ep. 123: How to Survive the Messy Middle with Authentic Integration | Dr. Saidie Rodriguez, MD

Episode 123: What if feeling lost isn't proof that you're failing — but proof that you're finally doing it right? That question is basically the whole reason this show exists, and it's exactly whatI dig into with my guest this week: Dr. Saidie Rodriguez, MD — physician, coach, speaker, and host of soulSHINE: The Art of Becoming. Dr. Saidie has a name for that specific ache so many of us hit somewhere in our late 20s, 30s, and 40s: authentic integration. It's the idea that our most disconnected, unmoored seasons — the ones that can feel like a full-blown Millennial IdentityCrisis — are actually the ones where an old identity is finally loosening its grip so a truer one can take shape. Dr. Saidie built her career at the intersection of science and soul, helping high-achieving individuals move from performance to presence. We get into burnout, imposter syndrome, the “arrival fallacy,” and why self-awareness alone isn't enough to create real change — plus how to build the kind of self-trust thatkeeps you moving even when you're scared. If you've ever felt like you're not living up to the future version of yourself you're chasing, or you've quietly wondered whether feeling this uncomfortable means something is wrong with you — this one's your permission slip to stop rushing the messy middle. In this episode, you'll learn: * What “authentic integration” means and why identity loss can be a sign of growth, not failure * How the arrival fallacy keeps high achievers chasing the next goal instead of feeling present * Why self-awareness alone doesn't create transformation — and what actually does * How survival mode blocks creativity, and how to build internal safety instead * Why high-achieving women are especially prone to discounting their own pain and trauma * Practical tools for moving through fear, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome * Dr. Saidie's simple daily practice for living without regret Chapters: 00:00 - What If Feeling Lost Means You're Doing It Right? 01:34 - Meet Dr. Saidie Rodriguez, MD 02:23 - What Does “Becoming” Actually Mean? (And What Is the Arrival Fallacy?) 05:50 - Her Story: Successful on Paper, Disconnected on the Inside 12:09 - Can Science and Soul Coexist? Why She Almost Rejected Her Own Method 15:31 - Where Does Healing Actually Start When You Feel Lost? 26:05 - Survival Mode vs. Creation Mode: How Do You Build Real Self-Trust? 32:26 - Why Do High-Achieving Women Discount Their Own Trauma? 38:03 - What to Remember When You're Scared to Become Who You're Meant to Be 50:21 - What Do You Actually Want Out of Life? 55:42 - Her #1 Piece of Advice If You're Lost and Don't Know Where to Start CONNECT WITH SAIDIE: Website: https://soulshine.global/ [https://soulshine.global/] Instagram: @soulshine_global [https://www.instagram.com/soulshine_global/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SoulSHINE_global [https://www.youtube.com/@SoulSHINE_global] Podcast (Apple): soulSHINE: The Art of Becoming [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soulshine-the-art-of-becoming/id1831612144] Podcast (Spotify): soulSHINE: The Art of Becoming [https://open.spotify.com/show/6KOkEyzGgMDLI2QifC3XH0] Free Gift: 10-minute self-trust activation [https://www.soulshine.global/podcastgift] CONNECT WITH AMANDA: Don't forget to subscribe for weekly content about identity, healing, purpose, and becoming your future self. Wantto share your story or question for an upcoming Wanderer Wisdom Episode? Send Amanda a message here! [https://podcastforthelost.com/contact/#contact] Website: https://www.podcastforthelost.com/ [https://www.podcastforthelost.com/] Instagram: @podcast.for.the.lost [https://www.instagram.com/podcast.for.the.lost/]& @amanda.k.powers [https://www.instagram.com/amanda.k.powers/] TikTok: @podcast.for.the.lost [https://www.tiktok.com/@podcast.for.the.lost] YouTube: @podcastforthelost [https://www.youtube.com/@podcastforthelost] Substack: https://podcastforthelost.substack.com/ [https://podcastforthelost.substack.com/] Amanda's Favorite Things (includes affiliate links): * ShopMy [https://shopmy.us/shop/amandakpowers] - Browse and shop the skincare, outfits, tech, and personal luxuries I actually reach for and use * Momentum Shake [https://www.momentumshake.com?sca_ref=9172528.hWgFiWJZTghkn6] - highest quality protein on the market, replaces 20+ supplements * IM8 Health [https://www.im8health.com/POWERS] - most comprehensive daily essentials for overall well-being, energy, digestion, and longevity * Twenty2 Nutrition [https://i.refs.cc/d17YWsox] - 5% OFF American made, third-party tested, and Informed Sport Certified supplements * time___line [https://shop.timeline.com/POWERS] - 20% code POWERS

Ep. 122: Why You Make Your Worst Dating Decisions During An Identity Crisis | Alissha Davis

Episode 122: We're back from a short break and bringing you along the journey with some brand new guests! This week we are kicking things off with nomadic relationship expert and guide, Alissha Davis. You're the most self-aware you've ever been. You've done the therapy, listened to the podcasts, read the books. So why do you keep making your worst dating decisions right now — in the middle of a career change, a move, a total reinvention? In this episode — our very first conversation about love and relationships on the show — Amanda sits down with Alissha Davis [https://www.instagram.com/alisshagoesthere], dating and relationship specialist and founder of Nomad Love Lab [https://www.nomadlovelab.com/]. Alissha has spent 11 years living abroad, from Thailand to Brazil, studying what actually happens to our love lives when our identity is in flux. Her answer is equal parts science and soul: when you're in transition, your nervous system stops looking for compatible love and starts looking for anyone to hold onto. That dopamine hit, that sudden quiet, that feeling of "finally" — it isn't always destiny. Sometimes it's just your body finding a regulation source and dressing it up as fate. Together, Amanda and Alissha get into the science of why "quieter" gets mistaken for "right," the red flags we can't see in ourselves, and Alissha's CED Method [https://app.nomadlovelab.com/ced-dating] — Clarity, Emotional Regulation, and Discernment — for making grounded decisions in love. Alissha also shares her own raw story of grief, losing her father suddenly, and how she caught herself latching onto the wrong person while she was at rock bottom. This one is personal, a little vulnerable, and exactly what you need if you're trying to find love and yourself at the same time. What you'll hear in this episode: * Why self-awareness doesn't protect you from bad dating decisions * The "Anchor Effect" and what your nervous system does when your identity destabilizes * How to tell genuine connection from someone who just makes the uncertainty feel quieter * The CED Method: Clarity, Emotional Regulation, Discernment — and which one collapses first * The myth of being fully "healed" before you're allowed to love * How to determine when you're using dating as avoidance Chapters: 00:00 Why We're Finally Talking About Love & Identity 02:42 Meet Alissha Davis 09:16 Why You Shouldn't Pause Your Love Life During a Transition 16:57 Why Self-Awareness Doesn't Stop Bad Dating Decisions 21:52 The CED Method: Clarity, Emotional Regulation & Discernment 24:01 How to Know What You Actually Need in a Relationship 25:29 Emotional Regulation: Calming Your Own Nervous System 27:38 Why Clarity Comes First (and What Happens When It Collapses) 29:44 Comfort vs. Compatibility: Is It Love or Just Relief? 32:59 When "Couple Goals" Is Really Emotional Anesthesia 34:28 The Anchor Effect: How Identity Loss Creates Codependency 35:26 Alissha's Story: Grief, Clarity & Walking Away 38:40 How Living Abroad Reshaped Her View of Love 43:01 How to Date in the Middle of a Major Life Transition 46:26 Take the Risk: Advice for Anyone Who Feels Lost CONNECT WITH ALISSHA: Website - https://www.nomadlovelab.com/ [https://www.nomadlovelab.com/] Instagram - @alisshagoesthere [https://www.instagram.com/alisshagoesthere] & @nomadlovelab [https://www.instagram.com/nomadlovelab/] Coaching, Quizzes, Events - Sign Up Here! [https://bio.site/alisshadavis?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGnl_QG4fFT2p81XjN6WZo1BArf2kZBluUFylVShvg9JpW06Sy8QzKsW04WIco_aem_dhEKsfclGTEjcsmAHYcI7w] CONNECT WITH AMANDA: Don't forget to subscribe for weekly content about identity, healing, purpose, and becoming your future self. Want to share your story or question for an upcoming Wanderer Wisdom Episode? Email us at hello@podcastforthelost.com [hello@podcastforthelost.com] * Website: www.podcastforthelost.com [https://www.podcastforthelost.com/] * Instagram: @podcast.for.the.lost [https://www.instagram.com/podcast.for.the.lost] & @amanda.k.powers [https://www.instagram.com/amanda.k.powers] * TikTok: @podcast.for.the.lost [https://www.tiktok.com/@podcast.for.the.lost] * YouTube: @podcastforthelost [https://www.youtube.com/@podcastforthelost] * Substack: podcastforthelost.substack.com [https://podcastforthelost.substack.com/] DISCOUNTS & AFFILIATE LINKS: Momentum Shake – Free Variety Pack [https://www.momentumshake.com/?sca_ref=9172528.hWgFiWJZTghkn6] IM8 Health – Code POWERS [https://www.im8health.com/POWERS] Twenty2 Nutrition – 5% Off [https://www.twenty2nutrition.com/?smile_ref=eyJzbWlsZV9zb3VyY2UiOiJzbWlsZV91aSIsInNtaWxlX21lZGl1bSI6IiIsInNtaWxlX2NhbXBhaWduIjoicmVmZXJyYWxfcHJvZ3JhbSJ9&smile_referral_code=d17YWsox] PTULA Active – $10 Off [https://www.ptula.com/?influenceio_ref_code=PFfm1ycM-vnq&influenceio_deep_link=%2F] Oner Active – $10 Off [https://rwrd.io/ref_O9SIXJZ?c] MONDAY Swimwear – 20% Off [https://mondayswimwear.com/?sref_id=cznumk3&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=referral_program&utm_source=loyalty] BEIS Travel Luggage – $20 Off [https://prz.io/gXbxboETO] U BEAUTY – $25 Off [https://ubeauty.com/?referral_code=d9RZdr4XsAldbl3P2] Timeline – 20% Off (Code POWERS) [https://shop.timeline.com/POWERS] Fusionary Formulas – 15% Off (Code LOST15) [https://fusionaryformulas.com?sca_ref=11008005.OMJ25y2R0Hx0e0M]

Ep. 121: The Messy Middle — When Life Makes You Put Your Dream on Hold

Episode 121: In this solo episode, Amanda gets honest about what’s been going on behind the scenes: the creative burnout, the depressive fog, the guilt spiral of falling behind on the podcast, and the overwhelming pressure of trying to build something meaningful while still holding everything else together in real life. This is the messy middle in real time — that phase of thejourney where you’ve already decided to walk down a new path, but the path has forests, mudslides, and days where the quicksand just keeps pulling you under. It’s not pretty. It’s not polished. And it’s 100% real. In this episode, Amanda talks about: * What creative burnout actually feels like when your passion project becomes pressure * The comparison spiral of watching other creators and wondering what you’re doing wrong * Juggling a full-time job, family caregiving, and a dream that doesn’t fit neatly into the margins of your day * Why she’s been absent — and why she’s not going to pretend she has it all figured out * A personal life update that’s bringing both terror and a whole lot of hope   If you’ve ever felt like you’re failing at the very thing that’s supposed to save you — this one’s for you. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is show up exactly as you are. Chapters: 00:00 Navigating Overwhelm: A Personal Update 02:52 The Messy Middle: Embracing Life’s Challenges 05:07 The Struggle of Content Creation 07:31 Finding Balance: Work, Life, and Creativity 09:31 The Journey of Self-Discovery 11:25 Family Matters: Caring for Loved Ones 13:56 The Decision to Move: A New Chapter 16:01 Facing Change: Emotions and Expectations 17:57 The Importance of Authenticity 20:12 Looking Ahead: Future Aspirations Don’t forget to subscribe for weekly content about identity,healing, purpose, and becoming your future self. Want to share your story or question for an upcoming Wanderer Wisdom Episode? Email us at hello@podcastforthelost.com or fill out the Contact Form [https://podcastforthelost.com/contact/#contact]. Connect with Amanda: Website: www.podcastforthelost.com [https://www.podcastforthelost.com] Instagram: @podcast.for.the.lost [https://www.instagram.com/podcast.for.the.lost/] & @amanda.k.powers [https://www.instagram.com/amanda.k.powers/] TikTok: @podcast.for.the.lost [https://www.tiktok.com/@podcast.for.the.lost] YouTube: @podcastforthelost [https://www.youtube.com/@podcastforthelost/] Substack: podcastforthelost.substack.com [https://podcastforthelost.substack.com/] Discounts & Affiliate Support Links: Momentum Shake → Free Variety Pack [https://www.momentumshake.com/?sca_ref=9172528.hWgFiWJZTghkn6]  IM8 Health → Code POWERS [https://www.im8health.com/POWERS] Twenty2 Nutrition → 5% Off [https://www.twenty2nutrition.com/?smile_ref=eyJzbWlsZV9zb3VyY2UiOiJzbWlsZV91aSIsInNtaWxlX21lZGl1bSI6IiIsInNtaWxlX2NhbXBhaWduIjoicmVmZXJyYWxfcHJvZ3JhbSIsInNtaWxlX2N1c3RvbWVyX2lkIjoxNDc3MzIyMjE3fQ%3D%3D&smile_referral_code=d17YWsox&st_intent=st%3Areferrals%3Acustomer-offers%3Ad17YWsox&utm_campaign=smileio_referrals&utm_medium=referral_url] PTULA → $10 Off [https://www.ptula.com/?influenceio_ref_code=PFfm1ycM-vnq] Oner Active → $10 Off [https://rwrd.io/ref_O9SIXJZ?c]  MONDAY Swimwear → 20% Off [https://mondayswimwear.com/?sref_id=cznumk3]  Beis Travel Luggage → $20 Off [https://prz.io/gXbxboETO]  U BEAUTY → $25 Off [https://ubeauty.com/?referral_code=d9RZdr4XsAldbl3P2]  Timeline → 20% Off (Code POWERS) [https://shop.timeline.com/POWERS] Fusionary Formulas → 15% Off (Code LOST15) [https://fusionaryformulas.com/?sca_ref=11008005.OMJ25y2R0Hx0e0M] Factor Meals → Free First Box [https://www.factor75.com/freebox/MzcxNzYzNjkxLTAtNC01MC1GSg]

Ep. 120: How to Break Free From Generational Trauma, Societal Expectations, and Your Mistakes | Tavarus Taylor

Episode 120: What does it mean to break a chain you were born into? In this deeply moving episode, Amanda Powers sits down with Tavarus Taylor — Nashville entrepreneur, community advocate, drag performer Vivica Steele, and radio host of The Queen's Table — for one of the most layered and honest conversations this show has ever had. Tavarus opens up about growing up carrying an identity hedidn't yet have the language to explain, surviving a criminal justice system that took away his right to vote over a $5.44 check, getting laid off from corporate America and turning that betrayal into a thriving business, and the moment he realized his drag persona, Vivica Steele, wasn't just a performance. She was saving his life.   This conversation is about what it really looks like to carrygenerational trauma without letting it become your whole story. It's about LGBTQ+ identity, systemic injustice, radical self-acceptance, and the quiet everyday courage it takes to build a life on your own terms — even when the world around you keeps trying to write a smaller story for you.   What you'll hear in this episode: * How generational trauma shapes who you are before youeven understand it * What it actually costs to lose your constitutional rights — and what it takes to reclaim them * Why Tavarus walked away from corporate America and started a his own business * How drag became his pathway to self-love, purpose, and liberation * What "breaking chains" really means when you're the first in your family to do it * The one thing Tavarus says every lost person needs to do first — before any book, podcast, or sermon If you've ever felt like the story someone told about youwasn't yours to keep — this episode is for you. CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Introduction to Tavarus Taylor 01:35 - Understanding Identity and Trauma 07:54 - Overcoming Adversity and Self-Discovery 13:24 - Navigating the Criminal Justice System 17:43 - Empowerment and Community Advocacy 22:15 - Transitioning from Corporate to Entrepreneurship 25:07 - The Turning Point: From Employment to Entrepreneurship 27:43 - Embracing Identity: The Journey of Vivica Steele 30:15 - Navigating Life's Challenges: The Importance of Self-Love 35:21 - Creating Safe Spaces: The Queen's Table Initiative 42:37 - Building Meaningful Relationships: Love and Support 44:46 - Finding Your Path: The Power of Self-Reflection CONNECT WITH TAVARUS: Business Website: tntcommercialservices615.com [https://www.tntcommercialservices615.com] Vivica Steele Website: vivicasteele.com [https://www.vivicasteele.com] Vivica's Instagram: ⁠@vivicasteele615⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/vivicasteele615] The Queen's Table: acmeradiolive.com/the-queens-table [https://www.acmeradiolive.com/the-queens-table] The Queen's Table Instagram: @thequeenstable615 [https://www.instagram.com/thequeenstable615] Personal Instagram: ⁠@ttaylor608⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/ttaylor608] CONNECT WITH AMANDA: Don't forget to subscribe for more content about reclaiming your identity, finding your purpose, and steps for becoming your future self. Want to share your story or question for an upcoming Wanderer Wisdom Episode? Send Amanda a message here: podcastforthelost.com/contact/ [https://podcastforthelost.com/contact/#contact]   Email: hello@podcastforthelost.com [hello@podcastforthelost.com] Website: www.podcastforthelost.com [https://www.podcastforthelost.com] Instagram: @podcast.for.the.lost [https://www.instagram.com/podcast.for.the.lost] & @amanda.k.powers [https://www.instagram.com/amanda.k.powers] TikTok: @podcast.for.the.lost [https://www.tiktok.com/@podcast.for.the.lost] YouTube: @podcastforthelost [https://www.youtube.com/@podcastforthelost] Substack: podcastforthelost.substack.com [https://podcastforthelost.substack.com/]   AFFILIATE LINKS: Momentum Shake — Get a Free Variety Pack: momentumshake.com [https://www.momentumshake.com/?sca_ref=9172528.hWgFiWJZTghkn6] IM8 Health — Code POWERS: im8health.com [https://im8health.com/POWERS] Twenty2 Nutrition — 5% Off: twenty2nutrition.com [https://www.twenty2nutrition.com/?smile_ref=eyJzbWlsZV9zb3VyY2UiOiJzbWlsZV91aSIsInNtaWxlX21lZGl1bSI6IiIsInNtaWxlX2NhbXBhaWduIjoicmVmZXJyYWxfcHJvZ3JhbSJ9&smile_referral_code=d17YWsox] PTULA — $10 Off: ptula.com [https://www.ptula.com/?influenceio_ref_code=PFfm1ycM-vnq&influenceio_deep_link=%2F&utm_source=influenceio&utm_medium=referral_url&utm_campaign=influenceio_referrals] Oner Active — $10 Off: oneractive.com [https://rwrd.io/ref_O9SIXJZ?c] MONDAY Swimwear — 20% Off: mondayswimwear.com [https://mondayswimwear.com/?sref_id=cznumk3&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=referral_program&utm_source=loyalty] Beis Travel Luggage — $20 Off: beistravel.com [https://prz.io/gXbxboETO] U BEAUTY — $25 Off: ubeauty.com [https://ubeauty.com/?referral_code=d9RZdr4XsAldbl3P2] Timeline — 20% Off (Code POWERS): timeline.com/POWERS [https://shop.timeline.com/POWERS] Fusionary Formulas — 15% Off (Code LOST15): fusionaryformulas.com [https://fusionaryformulas.com?sca_ref=11008005.OMJ25y2R0Hx0e0M]