I launched my first business in 2008. Infuse Yoga Spa was my vision for an urban oasis of holistic health, wellbeing and community in the middle of the concrete jungle of Chicago. I wrote a business plan, quit my “day job” of 8 years in arts administration and took the leap with confidence, energy, a little bit of savings and a generous loan from my parents and two uncles.

5 years later, in 2013, I locked the door to the beautiful vintage storefront for the last time, dropped the keys through the mail slot, drove the Zipcar packed with my last few personal items halfway to my new apartment and then pulled over underneath the el train tracks to sob uncontrollably, saying good-bye at last to my dream.

What followed was an intense period of mourning and probably the first time I have ever truly experienced depression. I was bankrupt, not eating well, at a loss for what to do next and, in fact, completely uninspired to do much of anything, especially teach yoga. Most days I just wanted to stay under the covers and hide.

One thing I was doing was listening to podcasts. It was a form of escapism that somehow felt more productive and less dismal than watching Netflix. Podcasts like Elsie’s Yoga Class and Tranquility du Jour with Kimberly Wilson helped me meditate on days I really didn’t feel like meditating and imagine the lifestyle I really wanted to create for myself (and had somehow missed the mark on with my yoga business.)

In fact, Tranquility du Jour is the first podcast I ever listened to (back before I even knew what a podcast was.) At the early signs that my business was in trouble, a friend and colleague recommended I check out Kimberly’s website because there was something about her multi-passionate brand that reminded my friend of me. See Kimberly is not just a podcaster, she’s a yoga teacher & studio owner in the DC area. She’s a writer, a fashion designer, a counselor and she leads these incredible retreats all around the world.

I used to listen to her podcast on her website (until I learned about the whole iTunes thing) and eventually, I purchased her Conscious Business e-course along with a 60min private phone coaching. Kimberly gave me a lot of ideas, one of which was to consider starting my own podcast so I could expand my business model outside of the confines of the brick & mortar yoga studio in Chicago and start building a global audience and potential client base. In fact, my meditation teacher, Elesa Commerse, had been giving me similar “get out of the yoga studio box” counsel for months.

But at that time, I was so busy just trying to keep the box afloat… launch a podcast?! Great idea, but not right now.

So what happened next? Listen to Episode 033 and find out!

Create Your Own Podcast

Podcast Envy is for you if you are dreaming of having your own show and would like a guide, coach, cheerleader and, yes, even intuitive tech support on your side. Our first group Launch Pod starts May 15th, 2017 and by the end of June, you will have everything you need to launch. Yes, we’ll talk about microphones and software, yes we’ll learn about how to make money with podcasts, but ultimately this program is for you because you want to connect, to reach out into that mysterious void and find actual humans who are ready to hear your message and engage with all the gifts that you have to offer.

Learn more about Podcast Envy and get my complimentary audio download & worksheet 5 Ways to Expand Your Reach with Podcasting.

Join Isabelle Rizo’s Singularity Circle

The Singularity Circle is a paid group mastermind for creative visionaries to support us in stepping into leadership and greater visibility in our communities and industries. It’s about clarifying your story, aligning your work around your values and vision for your life, and creating strategic partnerships and alliances. This work has been so valuable for me and right now, Isabelle has a few new spaces in the Circle available until mid-May, 2017 (or until they are filled.)

As a bonus for my community, when you join, you will get her Reinvent Your Money Story course for FREE ($195 value) plus a free 20min consultation with me about how to get the most out of your mastermind Circle experience. 

When you apply, be sure to tell her you heard about it from me, and your membership will help support The Creative Impostor!!!

Check out the Singularity Circle here!

Isabelle also has an incredible free Facebook community called the Singularity Storyteller Incubator, where you can get a glimpse into her approach b/c she is always on FB Live in there!

Get Charlotte Elea’s Daily Tarot Package

Charlotte’s approach to using tarot and oracle cards as well as meditation and dreamwork to communicate with and TRUST your intuition has been instrumental in helping me stay focused and confident on this creative path (which often makes me feel like an impostor!) 

For a limited time, Charlotte is offering our community an exclusive package and opportunity to connect with her for just $99.

This includes:

1. Enrollment in DAILY TAROT: An Intuitive Discovery Course

2. A Tarot Deck (shipped to you at no additional charge)

3. 30-Minute Intuitive Session with Charlotte Eléa

Get exclusive access to Charlotte’s generous offer here! 

Get to know Charlotte in her private Facebook Group: The Sacred Sojourner Space.