Making Maps: build work that feels alive

Today's episode is a quick check-in from my desk to yours. A voice note where I sit with you in the messy middle, where there's a lot brewing, shifting, and drifting, plus a sense of stuckness while waiting for the new path to form. I hope this holds space for anyone else who recognizes that swirling uncertainty.

🌀 JOIN ME AT THE OCTOBER COMPASS CIRCLE

Free Zoom Gathering on Friday 9, 11 AM Central Time. Clarify what you want to create next month and what can help you take action, with a sprinkle of oracle card mag...

Today, I explore one the most typical obstacles that keeps us stuck (a potentially infinite list of things we need to do) and how asking different questions can help us get out of the mud.

🌀 JOIN ME AT THE OCTOBER COMPASS CIRCLE

Free Zoom Gathering on Friday 9, 11 AM Central Time. Clarify what you want to create next month and what can help you take action, with a sprinkle of oracle card magic. Sign up here: https://cal.com/october-compass-circle

💌 Get the written version of the podcast, along with news from t...

Today, I explore why even the most driven among us get stuck. Using my own "struggles" as a case study, I unpack the difference between “just doing it” and understanding the specific barriers that block our follow-through.

If you’ve ever felt paralyzed by the gap between intention and action, this episode is for you.

🌀 JOIN ME AT THE OCTOBER COMPASS CIRCLE

Free Zoom Gathering on Friday 9, 11 AM Central Time. Reflection, connection, and a sprinkle of oracle card magic. Sign up here: https://cal.com/october-compass-circle

💌 Get the written...

Lately, I've been noticing something: many of us are standing at the end of a cycle, sensing change coming but not yet seeing what lies ahead. And when the destination isn't clear, taking action can feel impossible.

In this episode, I share what surfaced in a recent conversation about prison abolition that reshaped how I think about uncertainty, solutions, and the questions we ask ourselves when we don't have answers.

There's an invitation here for how to keep walking even without a direction. If that resonates, join me.

🌀 JOIN ME AT THE...

In today's episode, I'm sharing a change that has been quietly taking shape: the podcast and newsletter have a new name. It all started when I noticed that the words my clients and listeners kept using were pointing to something I hadn't fully articulated yet.

I'll tell you the story of how the new name came to be, what it reveals about how I think about building a business, and the concept that now ties all my offerings together.

There's a new metaphor in town, and it might just change how you see your business...

In today's episode, I'm naming something I couldn't quite put into words until recently: the sense of subtle bewilderment that many of us are living with right now.

Between personal challenges, global crises, and the rising tensions in our countries, it makes sense that we feel lost.

I'll share what helped my activist group and how this inspired a free gathering I'm hosting next week.

We won't look for fixes. We'll give ourselves room to release. If you feel called to exhale with others, I'll hold the space.

🌗 JOIN THE...

In this episode, I'm wrapping up this five-part audioletter series with you. We began by acknowledging the exhaustion, delved into what's behind it, and discovered tools to help restore balance. Now, I’d love to share the one thing I genuinely hope will stay with you as you continue on your journey.

If you've been feeling stuck in the boom-and-bust cycle, this episode offers a different way out through gentle reframing and questioning to help you navigate the internal barriers that keep you from making space for restoration.

Let's discover together ho...

In this episode, I'm walking you through a practical tool designed to help you avoid depletion, restore capacity if exhaustion happens, and both nurture and root into your sense of agency.

We're not talking about a quick fix, but a living model that supports both your creative renewal and your daily choices in business and life.

This approach is the heart of Joyful Impact Summer Camp, which opens today. But even if you're not joining us, you can start using the tool yourself immediately.

Let's explore how to nurture capacity and creativity rather...

In this episode, I'm digging into what happens when the expansion stage of our work cycle meets the inevitable dip in late summer.

Last week, we named the "exploitation loop", that cycle of pushing until there's nothing left. Today, I want to explore what interrupts that loop before it burns us out completely.

How do you reconnect with what fuels you when you're disconnected? And what does it look like to arrive in Fall refreshed rather than resigned?

Let's explore this together, and reflect on what you could do to break out of...

In this episode, I'm unpacking what happens when we push ourselves until there's nothing left, physically, creatively, emotionally. I call it the "exploitation loop," and it shows up in our businesses, our creative work, and our lives.

Why do we keep exhausting ourselves even when we know better? Where does this loop come from? And why does it feel so automatic?

Let's explore this together. We'll start by naming what we're seeing, with space to reflect before seeking solutions.

🏕️ JOIN THE JOYFUL IMPACT SUMMER CAMP WAITLIST

Be the f...

In this episode, I'm reflecting on the paradox of knowing exactly what we need to recharge, yet forgetting to do it when life gets busy.

We're tired of running on empty, so why does that keep happening? And how can we break the loop?

REFLECT & CONNECT

🌱 Sit, walk, or dance with this question:

How do you want to feel when September comes, and it's time to dive back into your creative, impactful work?

💬 Email me or send me a voice note to share your reflections:

hello...

In today's episode, I share four practices that are truly supporting me on my healing journey and are helping me reconnect with my creative self.

REFLECT & CONNECT

🌱 Sit, walk, or dance with this question:

What's something you did this past month that made you feel, like, grounded, inspired, energized, creative...?

💬 Email me or send me a voice note to share your reflections:

hello@caretoimpact.com

https://www.speakpipe.com/InnerImpact

RESOURCES & NEXT STEPS

🎒 Embark on the FREE audio jou...

This episode wasn't what I planned. Showing up when life feels heavy is tough, and lately my energy has been at an all-time low. Still, I wanted to be here with you.

So today I share some reflections about letting go of perfection, honoring our needs, and flipping the script on the capitalistic culture of endless productivity. If you’ve ever felt like you’re not doing enough, I hope these reflections help remind you that existing truly is enough.

🌱 Work with this episode

Sit with this question in the next few day...

Today, we're wrapping up our mini-series, "In 2026, you don't need any more advice" exploring what life feels like when you truly trust your personal compass.

We touch on how deepening your inner trust can transform your relationship with uncertainty, open you up to meaningful experimentation, and help you make decisions with more clarity and confidence.

You'll hear about client stories and what they really achieved by building trust in their personal compass. And you'll have space and prompts to reflect on the results that you want to achieve in this season of your business and...

Today, I’m inviting you to reflect on what it really means to receive support on your journey, without giving away your power. This episode is all about the dance between self-trust and allowing someone to walk beside you as you reconnect with your personal compass to build your business and creative work in a way that feels truly you.

If you’ve ever felt you have to do it all alone, or that asking for help means losing your power, I truly hope this exploration will shift your perspective and show how nurturing, non-judgmental support can actu...

Feeling like you’re doing all the “right things” and still not finding the results, the joy, or the impact you’re looking for in your business or creative work?

In this episode, we’ll explore what’s the most empowering, yet counterintuitive and scary, thing you can do if you find yourself spinning your wheels and somehow still stuck.

Tune in to break the overwork-overwhelm loop and start moving forward!

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🎒 Grab the FREE companion resource for this series here: https://caretoimpact.com/no-more-advice/

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💬 I’d love to keep this conversatio...

Ever feel like business advice just isn’t cutting it anymore? Maybe the answers you’re looking for aren’t somewhere “out there”...

On this episode of Inner Impact, I share an essential shift that’s helped my clients find more clarity, ease, and alignment, without following anyone else’s rules.

If you're a socially conscious business owner or creative ready to break free from endless advice-seeking and second-guessing yourself, this episode is for you!

Give it a listen. You might just see your next steps in a brand new light. :)

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🎒 Grab the...

Ever found yourself endlessly seeking advice, hoping this time you’ll finally figure it all out, only to end up feeling even more lost?

That’s exactly where I begin in this episode, questioning our obsession with advice and exploring what it really costs us as socially conscious business owners and creatives.

Together, we look at why so many of us fall into the “how do I do this right?” trap and what shifts when you start reconnecting with your inner guidance instead.

Curious about nurturing your own way of working and leading? Tune in...

This episode arrives a little differently than planned, and that felt worth acknowledging. I start by sharing a few honest thoughts about timing, energy, and what it means to let yourself slow down without turning it into a problem to fix.

From there, I open a quiet space for reflection, the kind that doesn’t rush or demand conclusions. If the past year feels strangely far away, or if you’re unsure whether now is even the right moment to look back, this conversation is an invitation to listen inward and take things at your own pace.

Lately, I’ve been feeling a little lost in the details and longing for clarity about my next steps, so I decided to shake up things with a playful, sense-led visioning process.

In this episode, I invite you behind the scenes as I share my honest struggles, insights, and the creative approach I used to rediscover direction and flow.

We'll explore a gentle, feel-first guide to envisioning your year ahead, complete with reflection prompts and ideas to spark your own inspiration.

Curious to find out how you might align your work with what tr...

Ever find yourself pushing past your limits, even when your mind begs for a break? You’re not alone. This episode is my honest check-in, sharing the real struggle of honoring my own limits and trusting my process, even when the urge to push through is strong.

Join me for a couple of reflections and questions that might help you make peace with slowing down.

Resources & next steps

🎒 Embark on the FREE audio journey to reconnect with your personal compass

💬 Send me a voice note to share your reflections

💌 S...

Ever worked so hard to reach a goal, only to get there and think... wait, this doesn’t feel how I thought it would? That sudden disconnect, that sense that the finish line doesn’t actually deliver the joy or fulfillment you were hoping for, is at the heart of today’s conversation.

In this episode, I dig into why sometimes chasing outcomes can leave us strangely unsatisfied, and how tuning back into your own inner guidance can transform not just what you achieve, but how you experience the journey.

We’ll talk about recognizing which go...

Letting go may sound easy… until you’re actually faced with doing it. It's one of those phrases that float around in all the “growth” spaces, but what if our bodies tense up at just the mention of it?

In this episode, I share a personal story that made “letting go” a totally embodied practice, why our sense of safety plays a starring role in the process, and how nature can support us, too.

Whether you’re holding tight to old expectations or craving more calm, this is an invitation to notice, gently question, and maybe soften t...

I found myself hesitating before hitting record on this one. You know that familiar tug-of-war—wanting every piece of content to provide “value” in just the right way, polished and perfect. But what happens when “giving value” gets tangled up with feeling valuable yourself? In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on my own journey, sharing the real, unfiltered process of aligning my work with who I truly am, rather than with what I feel I “should” deliver.

We’ll chat about redefining what “value” means in business and creativity, and how the pressure to meet external expectat...

I have to admit: this season feels a little bit like standing on a cliff, ready to jump into something completely new. Here’s the truth: I’m finally letting myself create this podcast in a way that feels wholly, honestly me, with fewer scripts and more real conversation.

In this kickoff episode, I open the doors to what you can expect moving forward: a cozier, more candid space to listen inward, spark new insights, and encourage aligned action. If you’re craving a way to realign your work with what matters most to you, without losing the ca...

In this impromptu episode, I talk about something that often comes up in my coaching sessions, client check-ins, and even with friends: we want to celebrate, but we don’t know how.

So I decided to explore this a bit more deeply than I could in a newsletter. I share why celebration is not just a “nice-to-have,” but actually a key part of caring for ourselves and sustaining our energy for impact. I also offer a mix of coaching prompts and practical, low-pressure exercises to help you reconnect with what brings you joy and turn those insights into c...

What if our inner work was the most powerful tool for creating positive change—both in our businesses and the world?

In this final solo episode, I’m reflecting on the end of Season Two and weaving together the core threads that have run through every conversation we’ve had.

You’ll hear insights inspired by our guests Amelia Hruby, Kate Smalley, Elle Bower Johnston, Megan Leatherman, and Teresa Beehan—all shining light on what it really means to build a business (and a life) that feels aligned, nourishing, and impactful.

Here’s what I dig i...

Have you ever considered your business as a living, breathing partner rather than a mere machine?

In this episode, I dive into a mindful conversation with small business advisor and educator Kate Smalley, who brings a holistic perspective to nurturing a relationship with your business.

Kate Smalley leverages her 12 years of experience in marketing and her ongoing study in systems thinking and organizational development to help business owners build sustainable ventures.

In today’s episode, we explore:

What does it truly mean to build a business that feels good and aligned with our core selves?

In today's episode, I'm delighted to sit down with the inspiring Amelia Hruby.

Amelia, a feminist writer, podcaster, and small business owner with a PhD in philosophy, has fascinating insights on creating businesses that thrive through alignment and energetic sovereignty.

Here's what's in store for you in this enlightening conversation:

Can embracing sensitivity as a strength turn it into a superpower?

Today I'm joined by the insightful and dear friend Teresa Beehan, a career coach and former corporate employee, who shares her journey of turning sensitivity from a perceived obstacle into a powerful asset.

Together we explore:

What if (re)connecting with your inner magic could transform not just your life but your business, too?

Today I'm in conversation with Elle Bower Johnston, a body witch who uses an alchemizing blend of breathwork, somatics, and witchcraft to create microcosms of liberation and empower creative, queer, and changemaker communities.

Our chat dives into:

Did you know your business can find alignment and momentum by mirroring the natural world?

In today's episode, I'm delighted to be joined by Megan Leatherman, an anticapitalist teacher, writer, vocational guide, and naturalist. Megan shares her unique insights on how reconnecting with nature is key to building businesses that are not just sustainable but genuinely joyful and impactful.

Together we explore:

What if the bravest, most impactful work you could do started inside?

Today, I’m giving you a sneak peek into season two of Inner Impact, where I’ll be joined by wise and courageous guests who know what it means to do the messy, liberating inner work that leads to real, aligned change.

In this season opener, you'll get a taste of conversations with guests like Megan Leatherman, Elle Bower Johnston, Teresa Beehan, Amelia Hruby, and Kate Smalley—covering everything

In this episode of Inner Impact, we explore the powerful yet challenging process of connecting with your deepest desires. Together, we’ll reflect on how external influences and caregiving roles may have shaped your ability to name and honor what you truly want.

Through a grounding practice and reflective prompts, you’ll have the opportunity to tune into your heart’s wisdom, listen to what it needs, and take the first small steps toward aligning your actions with your inner desires.

This is our final episode before the holidays, and we’ll be back in January...

In this episode of Inner Impact, your host Giada welcomes the very first podcast guest: Amanda Laird, a feminist marketing strategist and business advisor. Amanda chats about her work philosophy, the concept of a feminist business, and how putting her principles into practice requires ongoing work.

The conversation dives into Amanda's journey, the importance of asking, 'What is enough?' and the transformative power of aligning your actions with your core self and values. Amanda keeps it real, sharing her inspiring personal practices and insights as well as challenges and life lessons that will resonate with many...

In this episode, I share some insights inspired by Omkari Williams’ book “Micro Activism”. We’ll explore how businesses can do more than just make transactions and actually be powerful forces for change.

One of the main ideas I will highlight is how even small, intentional actions can create meaningful ripples in the world.

As usual, I’ll also share some reflection prompts to help you think about the kind of legacy you’d like to leave and how you can take actionable steps to create it through your business.

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00:00:52 Business As A Tool For...

In this episode of Inner Impact, I’ll take you through a grounding practice and a soothing visualization exercise, helping you connect deeply with yourself, the present moment, and the feelings of calm, confidence, and power.

During the visualization, you’ll come across a special object that can guide you on your journey to inner alignment. To wrap things up and help you take meaningful steps forward, I’ll share three reflection prompts to help deepen your understanding and encourage you to put your new insights into (aligned!) action.

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[1:10] What We'll Do Today

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In this episode of Inner Impact, I take you on a journey of reflection that's all about boosting self-awareness and inspiring you to take aligned action in both your business and personal life. We dive into some reflection prompts to help you build or refresh your weekly review routine.

This episode is a gentle reminder that the journey toward aligned action begins with taking a moment to reflect and gain insight, starting with recognizing the lessons we can learn from the past week.

By taking time to celebrate your accomplishments while identifying areas for improvement...

In this introductory episode of Inner Impact, we'll explore three common patterns that might be holding you back from taking aligned action, we'll see how to move forward and what's the goal of this podcast, and I'll share what kinds of episodes you can expect.

Can't wait to get started with you on this exciting journey!

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00:00 Introduction to Inner Impact

00:44 The Challenge of Taking Aligned Action

02:22 Three Patterns That Hinder Progress

06:03 Finding Aligned Action

07:05 Episode Formats Overview

08:41 Reflection and Connection

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