Elevated Focus

Julia Xanthos Liddy

Every woman has a story worth telling and when you're building something meaningful, the way you tell that story matters. Welcome to Elevated Focus, hosted by photographer and storyteller Julia Xanthos Liddy. Every Monday, Julia and inspiring guests share honest conversations to help you find clarity, build confidence and create a life and business that's uniquely yours. Because Julia's work has never just been about taking beautiful photographs, it's about helping women be seen. Follow and start your next chapter today.

Episodes

  1. 1 day ago

    EP 4: How to Declutter Your Mind, Home & Life | With Melanie Liss Cohen

    What if the overwhelm you're feeling isn't because you're doing too little but because you're carrying too much? In this episode of Elevated Focus, Julia sits down with midlife mindset reset coach Melanie Liss Cohen for an honest conversation about the many forms of clutter we carry, not just the piles in our homes, but the overflowing calendars, self limiting beliefs, mental noise and expectations that quietly steal our peace. Melanie shares her own journey from years as a weight loss coach to helping women create clarity in every area of their lives, opening up about ADHD, burnout, career pivots and self beliefs. If you've been feeling stretched too thin, constantly overwhelmed, or like you're carrying the weight of everyone else's needs before your own, this conversation is your reminder that transformation doesn't begin with a complete life overhaul. In this episode, we talk about Why clutter is so much more than what's sitting in your wardrobe or on your desk.The surprising connection between physical clutter and mental overwhelm.How ADHD shaped Melanie's life, career and understanding of herself.Breaking free from self limiting beliefs and redefining your identity after years in one career.Why your calendar should include your wellbeing, not just everyone else's priorities.The power of taking one small step instead of trying to change everything overnight.Letting go of relationships, responsibilities and expectations that no longer serve you.Creating more clarity, confidence and calm in the season of life you're in right now.Connect with Julia: If today's conversation reminded you that your story deserves to be seen, I'd love to help you tell it. Whether you're launching a business, stepping into a new season of life, or simply ready to show up more confidently, I create photography and films that capture the heart of who you are and the story you're building. Website: https://www.juliaxanthosliddy.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliaxanthosliddy/ Email: elevatedfocuspodcast@gmail.com Connect with Melanie: Melanie Cohen is a Midlife Mindset Reset Coach and creator of Lighten UP! She helps women in the messy middle of life release the physical, mental, emotional, digital, and calendar clutter that's keeping them overwhelmed so they can create more clarity, confidence, calm, and freedom. Website: https://melaniecohen.podia.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thoughtfully_coaching/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelanieThoughtFullyCoachingLissCohen Join Melanie this August! Lighten UP! Let It GO! 30-Day Decluttering Challenge – Starts August 11 Special for Julia's listeners: Use the exclusive Elevated Focus Podcast discount with this link: https://melaniecohen.podia.com/lighten-up-let-it-go-30-day-decluttering-challenge-august-2026?coupon=ELEVATED-FOCUS-PODCAST-DISCOUNT Lighten UP! Live Declutter With Me – August 22 https://melaniecohen.podia.com/declutter-with-me-live-workshop-august Schedule a complimentary Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/melanie-liss-cohen/20min And if you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who's ready to take the next step in their own journey. Post production: Kellie Ashton

  2. 27 Jul

    EP 1: Finding Your Purpose After a Career Change | With Pearl Gabel

    What happens when you realise the life you've worked so hard to build no longer feels aligned with who you're becoming? In the very first episode of Elevated Focus, Julia sits down with one of her oldest friends and former colleague, Pearl Gabel. Together, they reflect on their years as photojournalists at the New York Daily News, sharing stories from behind the headlines, the emotional toll of documenting tragedy and the unexpected ways those experiences shaped the women they are today. This honest conversation explores what it means to leave behind an identity you've outgrown, embrace change and discover that sometimes the most meaningful work begins when you're brave enough to start again. If you've ever felt stuck, questioned your path, or wondered if it's too late to reinvent yourself, this episode is for you. In this episode, we discuss: The emotional realities of life as photojournalists covering breaking news.Learning to trust your instincts when your work no longer aligns with your values.Why motherhood, career changes and life transitions can completely reshape your purpose.The courage it takes to walk away from a career you've worked so hard to build.Why there isn't always a "right" path and why that's okay.The importance of community, healing and surrounding yourself with people who lift you up.How storytelling has evolved from documenting people's hardest moments to helping women be seen in the most authentic way.Why the journey, not the destination, is where the real transformation happens. Connect with Julia If today's conversation reminded you that your story deserves to be seen, I'd love to help you tell it. Whether you're launching a business, stepping into a new season of life, or simply ready to show up more confidently, I create photography and films that capture the heart of who you are and the story you're building. Website: https://www.juliaxanthosliddy.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliaxanthosliddy/ Email: elevatedfocuspodcast@gmail.com Connect with Pearl: Pearl Gabel spent a decade as a news photographer in NYC before transitioning into public service and consulting. She built the NYC Mayor's Office video department, gave New Jersey its voice from the Governor's Office, was named to Fortune's 40 Under 40 and the PRWeek 50, and won an Emmy and multiple industry awards along the way. Most recently she led brand and creative for firms working in highly regulated industries and high-stakes issues. These days she works independently with mission-driven people and organizations in transition. Still scrappy. Find her at pearlgabel.com And if you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who's ready to take the next step in their own journey. Post production: Kellie Ashton

  3. 27 Jul

    EP 2:How to Reconnect With Your Creativity | The Artist's Way with Danielle Raskin Mayes

    Have you ever had an idea that wouldn't leave you alone? A quiet whisper telling you there's something more waiting for you but you weren't quite sure where to begin. In this episode of Elevated Focus, Julia is joined by jewellery designer, entrepreneur and close friend Danielle Raskin Mayes to reflect on their 12 week journey through The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. Together, they explore how creativity isn't reserved for artists, it's something every woman can reconnect with. From journaling and morning pages to self care, intuition and the courage to take baby steps, this conversation is an honest reminder that sometimes the smallest daily habits can lead to the biggest life changes. In this episode, we discuss: The power of having an accountability partner during seasons of growth.How journaling and morning pages create clarity and quiet the mental noise.How baby steps create lasting transformation.The importance of making space for new opportunities by letting go of what no longer serves you.Learning to trust the whispers that keep calling you towards something more.Building a business without losing sight of your passion.Why creativity belongs to everyone, not just artists.Connect with Julia If today's conversation reminded you that your story deserves to be seen, I'd love to help you tell it. Whether you're launching a business, stepping into a new season of life, or simply ready to show up more confidently, I create photography and films that capture the heart of who you are and the story you're building. Website: https://www.juliaxanthosliddy.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliaxanthosliddy/ Email: elevatedfocuspodcast@gmail.com And if you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who's ready to take the next step in their own journey. Post production: Kellie Ashton Colleen Dolan: www.cdolanmarketing.com Buy The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron here

  4. 27 Jul

    Ep 3: How to Connect With Your Authentic Self | With Kristen Cordero

    What if the answers you've been searching for have been within you all along? In this episode of Elevated Focus, Julia sits down with licensed therapist and embodiment coach Kristen Cordero for a powerful conversation about reconnecting with your authentic self, healing the parts of you that have learned to hide and understanding how your body holds onto experiences long after your mind has moved on. Together, they explore the impact of childhood wounds, societal expectations, ancestral trauma and perfectionism, and how somatic practices can help us move through fear instead of staying stuck in it. Kristen also guides listeners through a beautiful grounding meditation designed to help you slow down, tune into your body, and ask yourself one simple but powerful question. In this episode, we discuss: What it really means to live as your authentic self.How childhood experiences and societal expectations shape the beliefs we carry into adulthood.Why feeling "blocked" isn't something to fear, but an invitation to grow.The healing power of somatic therapy and why the body often knows what the mind doesn't.Kristen's own journey from burnout and chronic illness to becoming a therapist and embodiment coach.How inherited beliefs and ancestral trauma continue to influence our lives today.A guided grounding exercise to help you reconnect with yourself and understand what your body needs.Why learning to love every part of yourself, even the uncomfortable parts, is the foundation of lasting confidence. Connect with Julia If today's conversation reminded you that your story deserves to be seen, I'd love to help you tell it. Whether you're launching a business, stepping into a new season of life, or simply ready to show up more confidently, I create photography and films that capture the heart of who you are and the story you're building. Website: https://www.juliaxanthosliddy.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliaxanthosliddy/ Email: elevatedfocuspodcast@gmail.com Connect with Kristen Cordero. She is a Psychotherapist and Embodiment Coach. Her mission is to help women heal deep wounds, confront fears and live lives rooted in authenticity, peace and joy. After working together, clients often share that they feel lighter, more peaceful and aligned with their truth.Visit her website: www.kristencordero.comContact her: www.kristencordero.com/contactBook 1:1 session (20% OFF): https://calendly.com/kristencordero/journey-to-self-session-20-off  And if you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who's ready to take the next step in their own journey. Post production: Kellie Ashton

About

Every woman has a story worth telling and when you're building something meaningful, the way you tell that story matters. Welcome to Elevated Focus, hosted by photographer and storyteller Julia Xanthos Liddy. Every Monday, Julia and inspiring guests share honest conversations to help you find clarity, build confidence and create a life and business that's uniquely yours. Because Julia's work has never just been about taking beautiful photographs, it's about helping women be seen. Follow and start your next chapter today.