Touched and Empowered

Touched and Empowered
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A Platform created to empower individuals to value their lives by hosting thinktank discussions that inspire positive action.

  1. 3d ago

    Halloween Costumes, Social Media & Bringing More Whimsy Into Everyday Life | EP 168

    🎃 A hippo onesie, a universe-inspired outfit, a six-foot inflatable Kirby, and a scarecrow costume designed to terrify unsuspecting kids? Welcome to Episode 168 of Touched & Empowered! Katie Miller and Ace Doligosa are getting into the Halloween spirit with a colorful conversation about costumes, creativity, nostalgia, social media, and why we could all use a little more whimsy in our everyday lives. From outrageous costume memories to creative merchandise ideas, this episode celebrates the joy of expressing yourself, trying something different, and not taking life quite so seriously. 👻 IN THIS EPISODE: 🎃 Halloween Costumes & Creative Inspiration Katie and Ace show off their Halloween looks, including a Hungry Hungry Hippos-inspired hippo onesie and a universe-themed outfit featuring a nebula corset and gold stars. They also explore the idea of rotating themed costumes with friends to keep things fun without spending a fortune every year. ✨ Gold Tattoos & Creative Merchandise Could gold temporary tattoos become the next fun merchandise idea? The conversation explores gold body art, sacred geometry, custom sigils, and how viewers could suggest designs through YouTube comments. There's even a practical tip for helping temporary tattoos last longer! 🎭 Unforgettable Costume Throwbacks Remember when creativity meant building something outrageous from scratch? Katie and Ace share memorable costume stories, from a six-foot inflatable Kirby made for an anime convention to a homemade scarecrow costume and an unforgettable spaghetti-themed outfit. 📱 Generational Differences & Social Media Culture The conversation takes a nostalgic turn as they compare the early days of MySpace, Friendster, and Xanga with today's interconnected social media world. They also discuss how constant cameras, online judgment, and cyberbullying concerns may influence the way younger generations express themselves in social settings. 🌈 Bringing More Whimsy Into Everyday Life Why wait for Halloween to have fun with your appearance? Katie and Ace encourage finding small ways to embrace creativity and self-expression every day, from glitter and bright colors to fairy hair and other playful touches that make ordinary moments feel special. 💡 THE BIG TAKEAWAY: You don't need a special occasion to express yourself, experiment with your style, or bring a little magic into your day. Sometimes joy comes from an elaborate costume. Sometimes it's a little sparkle in your hair. And sometimes it's simply giving yourself permission to be different, creative, and unapologetically YOU. 🎧 Tune in to Episode 168 of Touched & Empowered for Halloween laughs, nostalgic stories, creative inspiration, and a reminder to make room for more fun in your life. 💬 What's the most creative, ridiculous, or unforgettable costume you've ever worn? Tell us in the comments! And if you could design a gold temporary tattoo, would you choose sacred geometry, a personal symbol, a sigil, or something completely different? ✨ Challenge what you believe. Choose who you become. #TouchedAndEmpowered #HalloweenCostumes #SelfExpression #Creativity #Whimsy #SocialMedia #Nostalgia #PersonalGrowth #Halloween Social Media Links #TouchedAndEmpowered Instagram: @touchedandempowered TikTok: @touchedandempowered Facebook: @touchedandempowered Book Your Interview: https://touchedandempowered.com/book-appointment

    Halloween Costumes, Social Media & Bringing More Whimsy Into Everyday Life | EP 168

  2. Oct 19

    Growth Feels Uncomfortable: Trust Yourself, Embrace Uncertainty & Take the Leap | EP 167

    🚀 What happens when life takes you somewhere unfamiliar, and you have to trust yourself enough to keep going? Growth doesn't always happen in a straight line. Sometimes it arrives as an exciting new opportunity. Sometimes it's a relationship, a career shift, or a challenge that pushes you far beyond your comfort zone. And sometimes, it feels like you're snowboarding down a mountain without quite knowing how to navigate the terrain! In Episode 167 of Touched & Empowered, Katie Miller and Ace Doligosa explore what it means to embrace uncertainty, release old ways of thinking, and remain open to the experiences that help us grow. From stepping into new creative opportunities and navigating dating and client relationships to learning how to handle unexpected situations, this conversation explores the uncomfortable, and often surprising, moments that shape who we become. 🏂 Growth Doesn't Always Follow a Straight Line One of the biggest challenges of personal growth is realizing that progress isn't always gradual. Sometimes we experience sudden shifts that require us to rethink everything we thought we knew. A story about transitioning from icy East Coast snowboarding conditions to deep West Coast powder illustrates the importance of adapting, trusting yourself, and being willing to learn as you go. 🌌 Trust the Universe, and Yourself What happens when something unexpected throws you completely off balance? Ace shares a powerful story about falling down a flight of stairs while managing a dog's leash and reflects on the philosophy: "Trust the universe, and the universe will trust you." The conversation explores presence, intentionality, and how we respond when life doesn't go according to plan. 🌬️ Adventure, Risk & Knowing When to Trust the Process From ziplining in Cabo to navigating unfamiliar terrain, the discussion highlights the excitement of stepping outside your comfort zone while respecting the importance of preparation, safety, and awareness. 🌉 Learning to Communicate Across Different Worlds A hiking experience with technology interns from major companies offers another lesson in adaptability: different industries and cultures often speak different languages. Learning to understand those differences can help us connect, collaborate, and bridge gaps we might otherwise overlook. 💡 In this episode, you'll explore: Why growth can feel overwhelming, especially during sudden transitions How to release old beliefs and make room for new perspectives Why adapting is often more useful than trying to control everything How to trust yourself when entering unfamiliar territory The balance between taking risks and respecting safety Why support systems can help us grow beyond our comfort zones How openness and honest communication help us navigate uncertainty Why discomfort can be an invitation to move forward rather than a reason to retreat ✨ The takeaway? You don't need to have every answer before you begin. You need to stay present, remain open to learning, and give yourself permission to adapt along the way. Growth may not always feel comfortable, but you don't have to let uncertainty keep you standing still. 🎧 Join Katie and Ace for Episode 167 of Touched & Empowered, and discover how to approach life's unfamiliar landscapes with greater trust, openness, and courage. 💬 What's one unfamiliar experience that taught you to trust yourself more? Share your story in the comments! Challenge what you believe. Choose who you become. Social Media Links #TouchedAndEmpowered Instagram: @touchedandempowered TikTok: @touchedandempowered Facebook: @touchedandempowered Book Your Interview: https://touchedandempowered.com/book-appointment #TouchedAndEmpowered #PersonalGrowth #EmbraceUncertainty #TrustYourself #ComfortZone #Mindset #SelfDiscovery #LifeLessons #GrowthMindset

    Growth Feels Uncomfortable: Trust Yourself, Embrace Uncertainty & Take the Leap | EP 167

  3. Oct 12

    When You Feel Like You CAN’T: Breaking Mental Blocks, Finding Motivation & Getting Unstuck | EP 166

    Have you ever had one of those days when even the simplest task feels impossible? 😩 You know you can do it because you've done it a hundred times before, but today, something just isn't clicking. In Episode 166 of Touched & Empowered, Katie Miller and Ace Doligosa explore what it means to feel incapable, get stuck in a rut, and struggle to do things that normally come naturally. From Ace's unexpected battle with cutting a lemon to navigating workplace frustration, motivation, and the pressure we put on ourselves, this conversation reminds us that feeling incapable in a moment doesn't mean you're incapable as a person. 💭 In this episode, Katie and Ace discuss: 🧠 Why everyday tasks can suddenly feel overwhelming 💼 Quiet quitting, workplace culture, and knowing when you need a reset 🔄 How to break out of a rut and rediscover joy in the mundane 🎯 The difference between “I can't” and “I can't right now” 😰 How small frustrations can build up until everything feels like too much 🌬️ Simple grounding techniques, deep breaths, and sensory resets 🎶 How music and movement can shift your mood and build momentum 💡 Reframing expectations and recognizing when you're pushing yourself too hard The conversation explores how our physical state, emotions, environment, and mindset can affect what we're capable of doing in a given moment. Sometimes we need rest. Sometimes we need a different approach. And sometimes we're so attached to how something should happen that we can't see another way forward. Katie and Ace also share practical ways to shift your state, from taking three deep breaths and getting moving to putting on a song that changes your entire mood. Because sometimes, a little James Brown and a reminder to “Feel Good” are exactly what you need! 🎶 ✨ Here's your reminder: You don't always have to force your way through a mental block. Instead, get curious. Ask yourself: Is this a physical limitation, emotional roadblock, or mental block? Am I genuinely unable to do this, or am I expecting too much of myself right now? What small action could help me move forward? You don't have to solve everything at once. Sometimes the next step is simply recognizing where you are and choosing a different way forward. 🎧 Join Katie and Ace for Episode 166 of Touched & Empowered, a relatable conversation about motivation, mindset, workplace frustration, and learning to move forward without beating yourself up. 💬 What's your go-to song, trick, or reset when you feel stuck? Share it in the comments! Challenge what you believe. Choose who you become. Social Media Links #TouchedAndEmpowered Instagram: @touchedandempowered TikTok: @touchedandempowered Facebook: @touchedandempowered Book Your Interview: https://touchedandempowered.com/book-appointment #TouchedAndEmpowered #PersonalGrowth #Mindset #Motivation #MentalBlocks #FeelingStuck #SelfAwareness #WorkLifeBalance #EmotionalWellness

    When You Feel Like You CAN’T: Breaking Mental Blocks, Finding Motivation & Getting Unstuck | EP 166

  4. Oct 5

    Your Nervous System Is Overloaded: Stress, Triggers, Trauma & How to Recalibrate | EP 165

    🔥 It's hot outside... but is your nervous system feeling overheated too? In Episode 165 of Touched & Empowered, Katie Miller and Ace Doligosa turn a conversation about the heat wave into something much deeper: how we manage stress, anxiety, triggers, and the nervous system in everyday life. The nervous system has become a major topic of conversation, with countless "hacks" promising to help us calm down, regulate, reset, and feel better. But Katie and Ace question whether there really is a one-size-fits-all solution. Because every nervous system is different. What overwhelms one person may barely affect another. Traffic, breaking news, social situations, relationships, work, past experiences, and everyday stress can all contribute to the pressure we carry throughout the day. And sometimes, that pressure stacks up. Katie and Ace talk about trigger stacking and compare the nervous system to a pressure cooker; if we never give ourselves an opportunity to release the pressure, eventually something has to give. Ace shares personal experiences with anxiety and the different practices he has explored over the years, including chanting, meditation, infrared saunas, social connection, favorite activities, and taking intentional time to ground himself. They also explore the idea that sometimes we don't simply need to "reset" our nervous system. We may need to recalibrate it. The conversation gets deeper as Ace discusses shadow work and brain spotting, including his experience processing past wounds and moving out of survival mode. They emphasize that techniques such as brain spotting should be explored with a qualified specialist, particularly when working through complex trauma. And before the episode wraps up, Katie and Ace share a few simple practices you can try when you need a moment of calm—including box breathing, intentional breathing, meditation, and creating space to slow down. This episode is a reminder that taking care of yourself isn't always about eliminating stress. Sometimes it's about learning how to recognize what's happening inside your body, giving yourself permission to pause, and finding the practices that help YOU return to a more grounded state. 💭 What helps you regulate when life starts feeling overwhelming? 🎧 Tune in to Episode 165 of Touched & Empowered and join the conversation. Social Media Links #TouchedAndEmpowered Instagram: @touchedandempowered  TikTok:  @touchedandempowered  Facebook: @touchedandempowered  Book Your Interview:https://touchedandempowered.com/book-appointment Challenge what you believe. Choose who you become. #TouchedAndEmpowered #NervousSystem #NervousSystemRegulation #StressManagement #Anxiety #SelfAwareness #TraumaHealing #MentalWellness #Breathwork #PersonalGrowth

    Your Nervous System Is Overloaded: Stress, Triggers, Trauma & How to Recalibrate | EP 165

  5. Sep 21

    What Makes a Relationship Last? Trust, Connection, Reciprocity & Growing Together | EP 164

    What makes a relationship truly last? Is it how often you talk? How many years you've known someone? The number of likes, comments, or messages you exchange? Or is lasting connection built on something much deeper? In Episode 164 of Touched & Empowered, Katie and Ace take a thoughtful, and sometimes humorous, look at the different kinds of long-standing relationships we experience throughout our lives. From the people you can go years without seeing but reconnect with as if no time has passed, to the friends who are part of your everyday "soul tribe," they explore why relationships don't all require the same level of contact to remain meaningful. They also dive into the power of trust, reciprocity, generosity, and showing up when it matters most. Personal stories bring these ideas to life, including friendships that survived years without communication, unexpected community connections, professional relationships built through generosity, and moments when simply being there for someone created a bond that lasted for years. And then there's the digital world. Social media can make us feel like we're connected to people we haven't actually spoken to in months, or even years. Zoom can introduce us to incredible people, but meeting face-to-face can transform that virtual connection into something much more meaningful. Katie and Ace discuss the difference between digital engagement and genuine human connection, including how social media interactions can sometimes create the illusion of closeness. The conversation also explores how relationships change as we change. As we grow into new versions of ourselves, some relationships deepen, some shift, and others naturally fall away. That doesn't necessarily mean those relationships failed. Sometimes people come into our lives for a particular season, lesson, or purpose. Because every relationship has a story. Some people teach us.Some support us.Some challenge us.Some walk beside us for decades.And some may only be in our lives for a season, but leave an impact that lasts much longer. This episode is an invitation to think about the relationships in your own life and ask: Who are your people?What relationships have shaped you?Where could you be more intentional about staying connected?And are you measuring connection by genuine relationship or by social media activity? Because sometimes the most meaningful connections aren't the ones you talk to every day. They're the ones where trust has already been built, and when life happens, you know they'll be there. Social Media Links #TouchedAndEmpowered Instagram:@touchedandempowered  TikTok:  @touchedandempowered  Facebook:@touchedandempowered  Book Your Interview:https://touchedandempowered.com/book-appointment Challenge what you believe. Choose who you become. If this conversation resonates with you, share it with someone who has been an important part of your journey!

    What Makes a Relationship Last? Trust, Connection, Reciprocity & Growing Together | EP 164

  6. Sep 14

    Self-Care Isn’t Just Bubble Baths: Avoiding Burnout, Finding Joy & Breaking Autopilot | EP 163

    What if your self-care routine is actually making you feel like you're on autopilot? In Episode 163 of Touched & Empowered, Katie and Ace take a deeper look at what self-care really means, and why it has to evolve as our lives, goals, responsibilities, and needs change. Self-care isn't simply checking tasks off a list. For entrepreneurs and busy people especially, constantly grinding can eventually lead to physical, mental, and emotional burnout. The conversation explores how to create routines that actually recharge you, engage your curiosity, and help you reconnect with the things that make you feel alive. In this episode, they explore: 🧘 Why self-care routines need to evolve — What worked for you six months ago may not be what you need today. Self-care should change as your goals, energy, and life circumstances change. 🔥 The danger of constant grinding — Why pushing yourself nonstop can lead to exhaustion, burnout, and eventually the inability to perform at your best. 🎮 Gamifying your habits — From Habitica's Dungeons & Dragons-inspired approach to emerging self-care apps, Katie and Ace discuss how turning everyday tasks into games can make routines more engaging and rewarding. 🧠 Mental wellness beyond "robot mode" — Hygiene and daily responsibilities can become automatic. But are you actually present while you're doing them? 💡 Self-care and curiosity — True wellness may involve more than completing your basic routines. It can also mean giving your brain opportunities to explore, learn, create, and play. 🐕 What pets can teach us about rest — Midnight's routines, including crate training and sunrise adventures, become an unexpected lesson in the importance of structure, rest, nature, and knowing when to settle down. 🎨 Feeding your soul through hobbies — Interior design, vintage shopping, crafting, fashion, antique stores, and learning the stories behind old objects can all become ways to reconnect with curiosity and joy. 🧟 What "zombie mode" really feels like — The conversation touches on periods of extreme monotony, grief, and emotional exhaustion where life can feel like one long blur. 📅 Creating better rhythms — Instead of simply filling every available hour with work, Katie and Ace discuss using intentional weekly and quarterly rhythms to create space for rest, creativity, vacations, and recovery. At the heart of this episode is an important question: Are you taking care of yourself, or simply maintaining yourself? There is a difference. Self-care should create room for rest, curiosity, creativity, joy, connection, and renewal. Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is stop grinding long enough to figure out what actually feeds your soul. 🎧 Tune in to Touched & Empowered Episode 163 for an honest conversation about burnout, habits, mental wellness, hobbies, routines, and rediscovering what makes you feel like you. Challenge what you believe. Choose who you become. 👍 Like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs permission to slow down and take care of themselves. Social Media Links #TouchedAndEmpowered Instagram: @touchedandempowered TikTok: @touchedandempowered Facebook: @touchedandempowered Book Your Interview: https://touchedandempowered.com/book-appointment

    Self-Care Isn’t Just Bubble Baths: Avoiding Burnout, Finding Joy & Breaking Autopilot | EP 163

  7. Sep 7

    Why Is Asking for Help So Hard? Healing Childhood Patterns, Limerence & Learning to Receive Support

    Why is asking for help so difficult—even when you desperately need it? For many people, asking for help can bring up feelings of guilt, shame, fear, or the belief that they are somehow becoming a burden to others. In this episode of Touched & Empowered, Katie and Ace explore the deeper reasons people struggle to ask for support and how childhood experiences can shape the way we communicate our needs as adults. They discuss what happens when you grow up believing that you have to be the strong one, the helpful one, or the person who never causes problems—and how those patterns can follow you into relationships, careers, and adulthood. In this episode, they explore: 💭 Why asking for help feels uncomfortable — Where the fear of being a burden can come from and why receiving support may feel harder than giving it. 🧒 Childhood patterns & self-worth — How early experiences, family roles, shame, and unmet emotional needs can influence how we communicate our needs later in life. 🤝 The "I’ll help everyone except myself" pattern — Why some people become chronic helpers as a way of avoiding vulnerability and having to ask for support. 🔥 Reaching the breaking point — What happens when doing everything alone is no longer sustainable and asking for help becomes necessary. 🧠 Transformational coaching & healing — How creating a safe, non-judgmental environment can help people explore old emotional patterns and develop new ways of responding. ❤️ Healing the inner child — How seemingly innocent childhood experiences can take on powerful meanings and influence our adult relationships, confidence, creativity, and sense of security. 🔄 Limerence & attachment — The conversation explores intense romantic fixation, fantasy, separation anxiety, and the cycles that can develop when we're attempting to escape loneliness or emotional discomfort. 🌱 Breaking habitual patterns — Why transformation requires more than understanding what happened. It can also require learning to respond differently and develop deeper self-love. 🙋 How to actually ask for help — Katie and Ace encourage listeners not to stop searching for answers after one disappointing experience. Sometimes finding the right support means asking multiple people, exploring different perspectives, and finding the approach that fits you. The message is simple but powerful: You are not a burden because you have needs. Asking for help isn't weakness. Sometimes it is one of the most courageous things you can do. If you've spent years being the strong one, taking care of everyone else, avoiding vulnerability, or telling yourself you should be able to handle everything alone, this conversation may give you something to think about. 🎧 Listen to Touched & Empowered and explore what it means to stop surviving alone—and start allowing yourself to receive support. Challenge what you believe. Choose who you become. Social Media Links #TouchedAndEmpowered Instagram: @touchedandempowered TikTok: @touchedandempowered Facebook: @touchedandempowered Book Your Interview: https://touchedandempowered.com/book-appointment 👍 Like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs permission to ask for help. #TouchedAndEmpowered #AskingForHelp #EmotionalHealing #SelfWorth #InnerChildHealing #Limerence #Attachment #PersonalGrowth #SelfLove #TransformationalCoaching #MentalWellness #Podcast

    Why Is Asking for Help So Hard? Healing Childhood Patterns, Limerence & Learning to Receive Support

  8. Aug 31

    The Power of Joy: Why Laughter, Humor & Happiness Matter More Than You Think | Touched & Empowered

    What if joy isn't just something that happens to us—but something we can intentionally create? In this episode of Touched & Empowered, Katie and Ace explore the power of joy, laughter, humor, and finding light in the middle of life's challenges. Life can be heavy. There are moments of grief, stress, frustration, and uncertainty—but that doesn't mean we have to live in those emotions every moment. Sometimes, a little laughter can create the space we need to breathe, reset, and keep moving forward. Katie and Ace get real—and hilarious—as they talk about their personal humor styles, the unexpected joy found in pets, funny moments on social media, and why humor can actually be an important part of healthy relationships and effective leadership. In this episode, they explore: 😂 Why laughter can be so powerful — How humor can release tension, shift perspective, and give us emotional breathing room. 🧠 Joy as a choice — Finding moments of happiness doesn't erase grief or difficult experiences. Instead, joy can provide the contrast we need to keep moving. 😏 Personal humor styles — From dry, clever, occasionally dark humor to a warm and mischievous "chaos goblin" energy, Katie and Ace explore how our sense of humor evolves as we grow. 🐕🐈 The joy of pets — Midnight the dog and Misty the cat provide plenty of examples of how animals can bring spontaneous laughter and unexpected moments of happiness into our lives. 📱 Humor on social media — Why animal videos, voiceovers, and pets "talking" through communication buttons can make us laugh—and how humans naturally project personalities onto animals. 📂 The Happy Folder — Discover the simple idea of creating a digital collection of memes, funny videos, photos, and other things that make you smile—a personal nervous system reset button for stressful days. 💼 Joy in the workplace — Why creating moments of humor and lightness can help people connect, communicate, and work more creatively. 👥 Joy as a leadership tool — The hosts explore why effective leaders don't always have to be serious and how humor can break down barriers, reduce rigidity, and help teams perform at their best. At the heart of this conversation is a simple reminder: You don't have to wait for life to become perfect before you allow yourself to experience joy. Sometimes joy looks like laughing with a friend. Sometimes it's your dog doing something ridiculous. Sometimes it's an absurd meme at exactly the right moment. And sometimes, it's simply giving yourself permission to smile. 💬 What brings YOU joy when life gets heavy? Share your favorite source of laughter or joy in the comments! 👍 Like, Subscribe & Share this episode with someone who could use a little more joy in their day. Challenge what you believe. Choose who you become. Social Media Links #TouchedAndEmpowered Instagram: @touchedandempowered TikTok: @touchedandempowered Facebook: @touchedandempowered Book Your Interview: https://touchedandempowered.com/book-appointment #TouchedAndEmpowered #PowerOfJoy #Joy #Laughter #Humor #Happiness #MentalWellness #Leadership #SelfCare #PersonalGrowth #Podcast

    The Power of Joy: Why Laughter, Humor & Happiness Matter More Than You Think | Touched & Empowered
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About

A Platform created to empower individuals to value their lives by hosting thinktank discussions that inspire positive action.

Information

  • Creator
    Touched and Empowered
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    168
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Touched and Empowered
  • Show Website
    Touched and Empowered