Gratitude Geek | Business Education for Gen X Women Solopreneurs

Kandas Rodarte | Gen X Growth Coach for Women Solopreneurs
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Gratitude Geek is the podcast for Gen X women solopreneurs who've faced major life challenges like cancer, divorce, or loss—and are rebuilding their businesses and lives with strategy, systems, and gratitude as a powerful business tool. Host Kandas Rodarte—a Gen X metastatic breast cancer thriver, growth coach, and digital marketing pioneer with 30+ years of expertise—interviews inspirational Gen X women entrepreneurs who've transformed adversity into wisdom and business growth. Each week, you'll discover practical strategies for marketing, productivity, building genuine client connections, and creating a business that fits your life. Whether you're starting over after a difficult season or simply ready to grow your business with more authenticity and less hustle, this podcast will help you learn, grow, and foster the connections that matter most. Join the Gratitude Geek community and turn gratitude into your competitive advantage.

  1. Chronic Stress Is Destroying Women Solopreneurs | Dr. Sara Love

    7 HR AGO

    Chronic Stress Is Destroying Women Solopreneurs | Dr. Sara Love

    If you're a woman solopreneur who's been through cancer, divorce, or a major life disruption, your body is keeping score. Chronic stress doesn't just feel bad — it rewires your gut microbiome, tanks your sleep, and quietly undermines your ability to run a business. And most of us were raised to push through it alone. Dr. Sara Love is a licensed naturopathic physician in Oregon with 16 years of practice. She's also the founder of Lichen & Leaf, a small-batch herbal tea company she built specifically because her patients were too stressed to take a break — so she gave them something worth stopping for. In this conversation, Dr. Sara breaks down the stress-gut connection most doctors never talk about, why women solopreneurs are carrying so much of this physically and not just emotionally, and what you can actually do about it without spending money or overhauling your life. She shares her three non-negotiables for stress management: getting outside for 30 minutes a day, building a real sleep routine, and taking actual breaks — scheduled ones, on your calendar, with no screens. We also talk about the Pomodoro method, the ritual of a proper tea break, and why accepting help is a health strategy, not a character flaw. Topics covered in this episode include chronic stress and gut health, stress management for women solopreneurs, naturopathic medicine and lifestyle strategies, sleep hygiene for women over 40, time in nature as medicine, burnout prevention for solopreneurs, and building community after a life crisis. Connect with Dr. Sara Love: 🔗 Website: https://lichenandleaf.com 🔗 Use code GRATITUDE25 for 25% off your order Also Mentioned: 🔗Radical Remission by Kelly Turner, PhD: https://amzn.to/3OkFso8 (affiliate link) 🔗Pomodoro Co-Working on Mondays inside Gratitude Geek Lab: https://kandasrodarte.com/lab Continue the conversation at https://kandasrodarte.com/318 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    39 min
  2. Gratitude Practice | Heather Vickery

    31 MAR

    Gratitude Practice | Heather Vickery

    You’re feeling stressed and scattered in your business, but gratitude feels too woo to help. In this episode of Gratitude Geek, Heather Vickery and Kandas Rodarte break down how gratitude builds real clarity and ease—not just forced positivity—for Gen X women solopreneurs. Heather, a transformation coach who’s used gratitude through major life transitions, shows how it fits into business as a practical tool, backed by positive psychology and neuroscience. You’ll learn: How gratitude shifts stress into problem-solving perspective Why specific, honest gratitude beats vague “thankfulness” Simple habit stacking to make gratitude doable in real life How speaking gratitude out loud amplifies the effect If you’re a Gen X woman solopreneur wanting gratitude as a business strategy, this is your starting point. Timestamps00:00 – Introduction and Heather's story03:15 – Gratitude as a business tool07:40 – Science of gratitude and mindset shifts12:10 – Practical exercises and habit stacking18:55 – EFT tapping and emotional tools24:30 – Implementing gratitude daily30:05 – Final takeaways Links & resourcesFull show notes and resources: https://kandasrodarte.com/317Heather's gratitude journals: https://amzn.to/4v1y7du (affiliate) Stay connectedListen on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@gratitudegeekJoin the Gratitude Geek Lab: https://kandasrodarte.com/labConnect with Kandas on Threads: https://threads.com/gratitudegeek Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    43 min
  3. Don't Start a Podcast Until You Know These Things | Julie Marty-Pearson

    24 MAR

    Don't Start a Podcast Until You Know These Things | Julie Marty-Pearson

    Thinking about starting a podcast? Before you buy the mic and set up the hosting account, you need to hear this conversation. Julie Marty-Pearson has been in podcasting for nearly five years. She helps people launch shows, coaches podcast guests, and hosts three podcasts herself. She also tells people no when a podcast isn't right for them yet. That kind of honesty is exactly why this conversation matters. In this episode, we get into the real reasons people want to start podcasts, why most of them aren't ready, and what to do instead. We talk about the actual costs of launching in 2026 versus what it cost back when I started in 2014. We dig into the power of being a strategic podcast guest, how collaboration is changing the game, and why guesting might be all you ever need to move the needle in your business. We also go there on what it's like to be a woman putting her voice out in the world, dealing with trolls, bad reviews, and the freedom that comes from running out of Fs to give. If you have been on the fence about podcasting, this episode will help you get clear. Connect with Julie Marty-Pearson: Website: juliemartypearson.com Resources mentioned in this episode: Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/gratitudegeek PodMatch: https://kandasrodarte.com/podmatch (affiliate link) Notebook LM: https://notebooklm.google.com Cap Show: https://www.capshow.io HoneyBook: https://kandasrodarte.com/honeybook (affiliate link) Subscribe and Listen: YouTube: https://youtube.com/@gratitudegeek Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gratitude-geek/id820738086 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/27dh0T1PbwsWXxfmNWZPy8?si=2303ea26860c436e Website: https://kandasrodarte.com Connect with Kandas: Weekly Email: https://kandasrodarte.com/subscribe Instagram: https://instagram.com/gratitudegeek LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/gratitudegeek Support the Show: If this podcast has brought you value, consider contributing to keep Gratitude Geek going strong. https://kandasrodarte.com/support Work with Kandas: Are you a woman solopreneur over 40 who has been through something hard like cancer, divorce, or loss? Kandas helps women rebuild their businesses with strategy, systems, and gratitude as a real business tool. https://kandasrodarte.com/start-here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    57 min
  4. Breast Cancer Support Resources Go Way Beyond Treatment

    17 MAR

    Breast Cancer Support Resources Go Way Beyond Treatment

    Most women don't find out what breast cancer support resources are available until they're already in crisis. In this episode, Kandas sits down with Gretchen Awad, Executive Director of Susan G. Komen Northwest Ohio and Detroit, for an honest conversation about what Komen actually does on the ground — and how to access it. Full show notes + resources: https://kandasrodarte.com/315 Gretchen walks through Komen's four pillars — advocacy, research, financial assistance, and community education — and explains how to get help regardless of your zip code or financial situation. She's joined by Dr. Michelle D. Clark, a breast cancer survivor and board member for Susan G. Komen Detroit, whose own story brings the human side of everything Komen exists to do. Because this is Gratitude Geek, we also dig into something the medical community rarely talks about — how gratitude functions as a survival tool when your world has been turned upside down. This episode is part of Podcasthon, an international movement where podcasters around the globe spotlight their charity of choice during the same week. Resources mentioned: https://komen.org https://cancer.org https://podcasthon.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    47 min
  5. Your Broken Money Story Is Robbing You Blind | Bill Cates

    10 MAR

    Your Broken Money Story Is Robbing You Blind | Bill Cates

    Your broken money story is robbing you blind — and most women solopreneurs don't even know it's happening. In this episode, Bill Cates, author of The Hidden Heist, helps you understand why your money mindset is the real thing holding your business back, not your strategy, not your marketing, and not the economy. Bill has spent 34 years helping financial professionals grow through referrals and has built and sold multiple businesses himself. He knows both sides of financial success and financial struggle, and he brings that hard-won experience directly to this conversation. Together we dig into why so many women over 40 undercharge, undervalue themselves, and wait to feel "ready" before they take profit or show generosity. Bill walks through how your earliest money beliefs are still running the show today, how to start rewriting that story, and why gratitude and generosity are actually wealth-building tools, not just feel-good habits. If your relationship with money needs therapy, this episode is a great place to start. Full show notes + links: https://kandasrodarte.com/314 Chapters: 0:00 - Breaking the money mindset holding women entrepreneurs back 1:45 - Bill's background: building, selling, and surviving bad partnerships 8:30 - Your broken money story and where financial beliefs come from 16:00 - Why women solopreneurs undercharge and undervalue themselves 22:30 - The wealth mindset shift: generosity and profit start NOW 28:00 - Borrowed trust, referrals, and rebuilding after a major life disruption 34:15 - Radical relevance: getting clear on your who to fix your money blocks 40:30 - Bill's moment of gratitude Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    43 min
  6. Move from Operator to Owner in Your Business | Ral West

    3 MAR

    Move from Operator to Owner in Your Business | Ral West

    Tired of doing everything yourself in your business? Airline founder Ral West shares how she escaped operator overwhelm to build systems, delegate, and sell her company to Alaska Airlines—practical steps even solopreneurs can take today.​ Perfect for Gen X women solopreneurs rebuilding after cancer, divorce, loss, or burnout. Learn non-hustle ways to automate, focus on profit over revenue, and weave gratitude into growth. In this episode: Ral's journey from exhaustion to business sale Operator vs. owner: Lead the orchestra, don't play every instrument Simple systems and AI automation for limited bandwidth Living in the "gain, not the gap" with gratitude Building a solopreneur "team" (VA, bookkeeper, mentors) Ral’s BOSS Mastermind: https://ralwest.com Join Gratitude Geek Lab for experiment-driven growth that fits real life. Links at kandasrodarte.com/313 Chapters:0:00 Intro1:45 Ral's Story6:30 Airline Secrets10:15 Gratitude & Gain13:45 Solopreneur Shift17:30 Operator vs Owner21:15 Build Systems26:45 Profit Focus30:00 AI Leverage34:30 Ral's Mastermind38:15 Gratitude Moment40:00 Outro Gratitude Geek: Business for Gen X women solopreneurs, gratitude-first. Hosted by Kandas Rodarte. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    43 min
  7. Digital Minimalism and Digital Overload | Kelsey Green

    24 FEB

    Digital Minimalism and Digital Overload | Kelsey Green

    Feeling the weight of digital overload? Kelsey Green joins Gratitude Geek to break down digital minimalism and practical technology boundaries that help Gen X women solopreneurs reclaim focus and mental health without ditching tech entirely.​ Kelsey shares her journey from tech burnout—thinking she had ADHD—to liberation through Cal Newport-inspired principles: Does your tech serve your values, or are you serving it? Learn to scale back social media, use analog tools like paper planners, create physical phone boundaries, and prioritize high-quality hobbies over endless scrolling.​ Perfect for women rebuilding businesses after cancer, divorce, or burnout who want sustainable growth that fits real life. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Kandas's Digital Overload Experience00:42 Kelsey Green's Journey to Digital Minimalism02:06 ADHD vs Digital Overload: Is There a Connection?03:09 What Is Digital Minimalism? Core Principles and Resources04:36 Scaling Back Social Media and Finding Liberation07:06 Boundaries for Business and Online Presence08:40 The Impact of Digital on Social Skills and Community10:40 The Problem of Digital Persona vs Reality12:34 Practical Tips for Digital Boundaries and Notifications15:48 Creating Physical Boundaries for Phone Use17:04 The Shift from Desk Phones to Smartphones19:17 Using Analog Tools and Paper Planning23:55 Reclaiming Time: High-Quality Hobbies and Projects26:16 The Value of Boredom and Embodied Experiences28:11 The Art of Conversation and Face-to-Face Interaction32:13 Self-Accountability and Digital Boundaries35:16 Sharing Personal Stories and Boundaries in Content39:32 Balancing Vulnerability and Privacy Online41:51 Content Creation vs Consumption: Finding Balance44:59 The Power of Creating Over Consuming46:51 Learning from Beginners and Embracing Imperfection48:49 Building Connection Through Small Talk49:47 Practicing Curiosity and Asking Questions50:41 Gratitude as a Business Strategy52:08 Daily Gratitude Practice and Living with Intention Guest: Kelsey GreenFull Snow Notes + Links: https://kandasrodarte.com/312​ Join the Gratitude Geek Lab for experiment-driven solopreneur growth: kandasrodarte.com/lab Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    54 min
  8. Soul-Aligned Career Change for Gen X Women

    17 FEB

    Soul-Aligned Career Change for Gen X Women

    Have you been earning a great income in a career that secretly drains your soul? In this episode, career coach Rachel Spekman helps Gen X women solopreneurs transition from miserable high-paying jobs to soul-aligned work using gratitude and authenticity. Full Show Notes + Links: https://kandasrodarte.com/311 In This Episode: • Reflect on what actually worked in past careers • Experiment with career changes without overcommitting • Simplify priorities and overcome imposter syndrome • Trust your experience for soul-aligned solopreneur work Rachel shares insights from 15 years in marketing, 10 years helping startup founders, and 5 years as a therapist. She discusses navigating career transitions, building an advisory board for solopreneurs, and using gratitude as a business strategy. KEY TOPICS: Soul-aligned career transitions for women over 40 Managing reputation and fear of judgment when changing careers Authenticity in marketing strategies Lessons from venture capitalism for Gen X entrepreneurs Creating an advisory board for your solopreneur journey Finding your values and green zones Overcoming isolation and building community CONNECT WITH RACHEL SPEKMAN: Website: https://www.rachelspekman.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelspekman/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MadeforMoreCoach CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Introduction: Career that looks good but feels wrong 02:18 - Weaving gratitude into business strategy 04:39 - Understanding soul alignment in career choices 07:13 - Role of confidence in career transitions 09:37 - Navigating imposter syndrome for women over 40 12:23 - Experimentation and incremental career changes 14:32 - Authenticity in marketing strategies 16:45 - Lessons from venture capitalism for Gen X women 19:37 - Creating an advisory board for solopreneurs 21:50 - Finding your values and green zones 24:01 - Importance of connection and community --- ABOUT GRATITUDE GEEK: Gratitude Geek is the podcast for Gen X women solopreneurs building genuine, lasting connections with clients, colleagues, and community. Host Kandas Rodarte believes gratitude is a business strategy that transforms how we show up in our work and lives. Each week, Kandas interviews successful entrepreneurs, coaches, and business owners who share practical strategies for growing sustainable businesses after 40—especially for women rebuilding after life disruptions like cancer, divorce, or loss. Subscribe & Listen: https://gratitudegeek.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    33 min
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Gratitude Geek is the podcast for Gen X women solopreneurs who've faced major life challenges like cancer, divorce, or loss—and are rebuilding their businesses and lives with strategy, systems, and gratitude as a powerful business tool. Host Kandas Rodarte—a Gen X metastatic breast cancer thriver, growth coach, and digital marketing pioneer with 30+ years of expertise—interviews inspirational Gen X women entrepreneurs who've transformed adversity into wisdom and business growth. Each week, you'll discover practical strategies for marketing, productivity, building genuine client connections, and creating a business that fits your life. Whether you're starting over after a difficult season or simply ready to grow your business with more authenticity and less hustle, this podcast will help you learn, grow, and foster the connections that matter most. Join the Gratitude Geek community and turn gratitude into your competitive advantage.

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