Cultivate Your Joyful Life

Emily Liou
  • 5.0 (21)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

Cultivate Your Joyful Life is a personal growth podcast to help you create a fulfilling life in all areas from career to parenting, health to finances, and everything else in between. Certified life coach, Emily Liou, is on a mission to help you create a life you absolutely LOVE. It's easy to feel overwhelmed or not enough as you navigate life but through practical tips and inspiration from our guest experts and myself, this podcast aims to help you nourish yourself and tap into inner joy right now.

  1. May 24

    048. From W-2 to Business Owner: Trusting Yourself to Take the Leap w/ Holly Shuss | Inner Magic Review

    What does it actually look like to leave a stable job and start a business — not in theory, but in real life, with two young kids, postpartum fog, and zero entrepreneurial experience?In this episode, Emily sits down with Holly Shuss, a former Inner Magic client, for an honest update on her journey from corporate admin employee to solo bookkeeping business owner. This conversation is equal parts testimonial and practical roadmap for anyone sitting on a business idea they haven't acted on yet.Timestamps:0:00 — Welcome to Cultivate Your Joyful Life0:52 — So many of us have a dream we're letting fear hold hostage1:06 — Introducing today's guest: Holly Shuss, former Inner Magic client turned bookkeeping business owner1:26 — Holly's background: admin work, bookkeeping on the side, and searching for what's next3:01 — "I never thought I would be an entrepreneur" — how the idea snuck up on her3:01 — Postpartum, two kids in daycare, and the corporate schedule that just didn't fit anymore3:34 — How life kind of forced (or invited?) her into entrepreneurship — and why the pieces just started falling into place4:22 — Life design: figuring out what kind of life you want first, then finding the path that supports it4:43 — Freedom as a core value — and what it means to actually build toward it13:43 — How Holly found her bookkeeping coaches and the collective that made starting feel less alone13:43 — You don't need the five-year plan. You just need to follow your curiosity and take the next step16:36 — What it felt like in her last job: guilt, advocating for herself constantly, and a company that kept saying no17:28 — Every "no" gave her clarity. So if that's happening to you right now — pay attention13:43 — IFS (Internal Family Systems) — the "cheat code to life" she discovered in Inner Magic and has kept working with ever since15:23 — The part of her that said "you're not cut out for this" — what it was really protecting her from15:36 — Fear of failure, wanting to be accepted, and the work of calming that inner voice down16:30 — The first year: a client who couldn't pay, learning to price herself, and the W-2 to CEO mindset shift17:23 — The unglamorous reality of being a solopreneur (and why the trade-off is still worth it)22:43 — Limiting beliefs she had to work through: "Who am I to charge for this?" and "I don't know if I have the skills"1:05:39 — The Inner Magic goal-setting tool that helped her break the big dream into actual next steps1:07:41 — What self-trust means to Holly (this answer is so good)1:12:24 — Holly's final words about Inner Magic and how she credits it for where she is today1:25:06 — Where to find Holly + the bookkeeping services she offers1:30:05 — Wrapping up + how to connect and follow alongAbout Holly Shuss:Holly provides bookkeeping and accounting services to help small business owners get their finances organized and off their plate. She manages income and expense tracking, bill payments and invoicing, and keeps financials accurate and tax-ready — while providing clear, easy-to-understand reports so clients can make confident financial decisions and focus on growing their business.📩 holly.shuss@empowerap.com 🔗 LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-shuss/Resources & Links:RSVP for my FREE Masterclass: cultivitae.com/clearApply for a Strategy Call: cultivitae.com/applyLearn more about Inner Magic (6-month program): cultivitae.com/magicFollow Emily on social: @cultivitaeYou might also love:Ep. 047 — Why You Don't Trust YourselfEp. 044 — Normal Hard vs. Soul-Crushing HardEp. 043 — Why you can't figure out what you want anymore

    26 min

  2. May 17

    047. Why You Don't Trust Yourself

    Okay, I have to be honest with you — this episode came straight from my soul (and from a week on a Princess cruise with my mom, which… let's just say it was illuminating).If you've ever second-guessed a decision the moment someone raised an eyebrow. If you've ever needed five people's opinions before you could feel okay about a choice you already made. If you've ever wondered why, despite being a smart, capable adult, you just can't seem to trust yourself — this episode is going to feel like a warm hug and a lightbulb moment at the same time.I'm sharing what I realized about my own self-trust patterns on this trip, why so many of us struggle with this (spoiler: it goes back to childhood), and the actual, practical ways you can start rebuilding that trust — not through some dramatic transformation, but through the tiniest everyday decisions.There's also a really important reframe in here that I don't want you to miss: self-trust doesn't mean nobody ever disagrees with you. It means their disagreement no longer destabilizes you. That distinction changed everything for me, and I think it will for you too.Whether you're someone who overthinks every decision, constantly seeks reassurance, or just feels weirdly disconnected from knowing what you actually want — this one's for you.**********Timestamps:0:00 — Welcome to Cultivate Your Joyful Life1:21 — The teaser: what happens when someone asks "what do you want?" and you genuinely don't know1:22 — Back from a Princess cruise — and why traveling with family hits different when you've done inner work3:08 — Introducing today's topic: Why You Don't Trust Yourself4:17 — The Ram Dass quote that perfectly summed up the trip4:28 — How our childhood shapes our ability to trust ourselves as adults4:27 — Erik Erikson's 8 Stages of Development: the "autonomy vs. shame and doubt" stage explained7:28 — What it looks like when your choices are constantly corrected, criticized, or overridden (very personal examples here)7:42 — What happens when you grow up never being asked what you want — the story about my cousin Jacob11:00 — Self-trust can be rebuilt — here's how I started11:27 — Why I subconsciously moved to California right after college (I didn't even realize this until now)13:42 — The home purchase that changed things: buying a house without asking anyone's opinion first13:42 — Self-trust doesn't mean no one disagrees with you — it means the disagreement no longer destabilizes you16:49 — Reframing past "bad" decisions: they're not proof you can't be trusted, they're how you learned16:49 — Every decision is either a lesson or a celebration16:49 — Rebuilding self-trust starts small — ordering what you want, choosing the restaurant, buying clothes without polling your group chat17:52 — You are allowed to build a life based on your own values, preferences, and truth19:57 — Re-parenting yourself and giving your inner child the encouragement she never got19:57 — Why having my daughter Zoe has been one of the most healing things for my own self-trust journey21:37 — Wrapping up + final encouragement: start small, drop the good/bad labels, and trust the decision you make with the information you have right now22:23 — Thanks for tuning in + how to connect and follow along**********Resources & Links:Apply for a Strategy Call: cultivitae.com/applyLearn more about Inner Magic (6-month program): cultivitae.comFollow Emily on social: @cultivitaeYou might also love:Ep. 044 — Normal Hard vs. Soul-Crushing HardEp. 043 — Why you can't figure out what you want anymoreEp. 042 — Why You Can't Make Yourself Do the Thing

    23 min

  3. May 10

    046. Is It Me or Is It the Job? — A Framework for Discernment

    If you've ever gone home after a rough day at work and asked yourself, "Is it me… or is it the job?" — this episode is for you.This is honestly one of the most common questions I get from the women I coach. And it's a hard one, because the answer isn't always black and white.Sometimes it IS you (and that's okay — owning that is power). Sometimes it IS the job. And sometimes? It's both. Knowing the difference is everything.In this episode, I'm walking you through what I call the Six Layers of Excavation — a framework I use with my own clients to help you stop second-guessing yourself and finally get clear on where you actually stand.We go from the inside out, starting with your own patterns and blind spots, all the way to evaluating the environment itself.I also get into the four non-negotiables — the situations where no amount of mindset work or reframing is going to fix things, and where the only real answer is getting out. Because I never want you to use this framework to gaslight yourself into staying somewhere that's actually harmful.By the end, you'll have the clarity to make a decision you can feel grounded in — whether that's staying and advocating harder, or finally giving yourself permission to look for the door.******0:00 — Welcome to Cultivate Your Joyful Life0:52 — Free masterclass announcement: How to Figure Out Your Next Career Move1:44 — Introducing today's question: Is it me or is it the job?7:15 — Why this question is so hard to answer (and why we need a framework)7:15 — Starting from the inside out: why internal patterns come first7:15 — Layer 1: Is this familiar or is this new?9:19 — Layer 2: What am I bringing into this — consciously or not?12:16 — The four non-negotiables: when the answer is clear and it's time to go19:24 — Layer 3: Perspective and meaning (the bricklayer story)19:24 — Layer 4: Fit and alignment — normal hard vs. soul-crushing hard21:22 — Layer 5: Is this situational or systemic?23:44 — The most clarifying question of all26:03 — Bringing it all together: how to use this framework to make a grounded decision29:07 — Free masterclass reminder + how to connect*********Resources mentioned:Free Masterclass — 3 Steps to Getting Clear on Your Next Career Move: cultivitae.com/clearApply for a Strategy Call: cultivitae.com/applyLearn more about Inner Magic (90-day program): cultivitae.comFollow Emily on social: @cultivitaeYou might also love:Ep. 044 — Normal Hard vs. Soul-Crushing Hard (referenced in this episode)Ep. 040 — Are you job hugging?Ep. 039 — When your job keeps feeling wrong

    28 min

  4. May 3

    045. How do you seperate your career from your identity?

    Okay, real talk — this topic comes up constantly with the women I work with, and I knew I had to dedicate a full episode to it. If you've ever felt like changing jobs would mean losing yourself... this one's for you.This week, I'm diving deep into career identity fusion — what it is, why so many high-achieving women fall into it (hint: it's not your fault), and what it's actually costing you. Because here's what I want you to know: your career is what you do — it is not who you are. And once you really feel that in your body, not just understand it in your head, everything changes.I walk you through the telltale signs that you've over-identified with your job, break down how this wiring forms in the first place (hello, childhood conditioning and a culture obsessed with "what do you do?"), and share the four real costs of staying fused — from making good career decisions impossible to keeping you performing instead of actually living.I also get personal about my own journey — including how I used to tie my entire worth to how ambitious, smart, and hardworking I appeared, and how I finally started untangling that.And then I give you five practical, concrete steps to start separating your career from your identity — without blowing up your life or your career.If you've been feeling like your worth rises and falls with every performance review, promotion, or project outcome — this episode is for you.**********Timestamps:0:00 — Welcome to Cultivate Your Joyful Life0:54 — Introducing today's topic: How to separate your career from your identity2:46 — The telltale signs you're over-identifying with your job4:45 — What is career identity fusion (and how it's different from just loving your work)10:11 — What the fusion is actually costing you13:44 — Your career is what you do — your identity is who you are17:31 — 5 practical tips to start untangling your worth from your title17:37 — Tip 1: Notice how you introduce yourself18:39 — Tip 2: Map your identity outside the workplace19:31 — Tip 3: Invest in something you can't perform or get praised for23:17 — Tip 4: Get curious about the story you tell yourself24:58 — Tip 5: Give yourself permission to grieve24:57 — The payoff: what life looks like when you untangle career identity29:47 — Thanks for tuning in + free masterclass reminder.**********RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Free Masterclass — 3 Steps to Getting Clear on Your Next Career Move: https://cultivitae.com/clearApply for a Strategy Call — https://cultivitae.com/applyLearn more about Inner Magic (90-day program): https://cultivitae.comFollow Emily on social: @cultivitae**********YOU MIGHT ALSO LOVE THESE EPISODES:Ep. 025. The 9 patterns keeping you stuck from your dream life and careerEp. 028. Why do I feel so stuck?!Ep. 039. When your job keeps feeling wrong

    30 min

  5. Apr 26

    044. Normal Hard vs. Soul-Crushing Hard

    Okay, real talk — I recorded this episode while sick. Stuffy, congested, the whole thing. But I promised you a new episode every Sunday, and a promise is a promise. So here we are!This week, I'm breaking down something I see come up again and again with the women I work with: the difference between normal hard and soul-draining hard. Because here's the thing — not all hard is created equal. And if you can't tell the difference, you'll either stay somewhere you should've left long ago, or you'll blow up something that just needed a little more patience.I walk you through 11 different areas — energy, Sunday scaries, self-talk, growth, identity, tasks, time, wins, relationships, your body, and the big picture — and give you a real, honest T-chart comparison so you can take an honest look at your own situation.I also get personal. I share what it was like having a toxic boss who made me question my own work ethic (spoiler: I was putting in 40+ hours a week — it was him, not me), and why so many of the women I talk to end up in tears on our discovery calls — not because something's wrong with them, but because they've been powering through soul-draining hard for so long.If you've been feeling like you're losing your spark, questioning your worth, or wondering if you're "the problem" — this episode is for you.**********Timestamps:0:00 — Welcome to Cultivate Your Joyful Life1:07 — Introducing today's topic: Normal Hard vs. Soul-Draining Hard2:21 — Why this matters (especially for high-achieving women)4:35 — The 11 signs: starting with Energy6:35 — Sunday Scaries: dread vs. normal nerves7:56 — Self-Talk: "I'll figure it out" vs. "What's wrong with me?"10:36 — Growth: progress vs. spinning your wheels15:37 — Time: losing yourself in work vs. watching the clock crawl16:22 — Wins: meaningful vs. hollow victories17:19 — Relationships: healthy conflict vs. walking on eggshells19:07 — Your Body knows before your brain does20:49 — The Big Picture: the clearest sign of all22:51 — What to do if you're ready to make a change**********RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Free Masterclass — 3 Steps to Getting Clear on Your Next Career Move: https://cultivitae.com/clearApply for a Strategy Call — https://cultivitae.com/applyLearn more about Inner Magic (90-day program): https://cultivitae.comFollow Emily on social: @cultivitaeYOU MIGHT ALSO LOVE THESE EPISODES:Ep. 025. The 9 patterns keeping you stuck from your dream life and careerEp. 028. Why do I feel so stuck?!Ep. 039. When your job keeps feeling wrong

    28 min

  6. Apr 19

    043. Why you can't figure out what you want anymore

    Can't figure out what you want anymore? This one's for you.I'm Emily Liou, your Certified Life Coach, and in this episode I get real about something so many of us experience but rarely talk about — that nagging feeling of not knowing what you want, even when it comes to the smallest things.It started with tacos. Seriously. I found myself paralyzed at a Mexican restaurant, second-guessing every single option the server threw at me — and that's when it hit me: if we can't trust ourselves over a taco order, how heavy does that feel when the decision is about your career or your life?That's exactly what we're unpacking today. If you've been stuck in overthinking, spinning in indecision, or waiting for the "right" answer to appear before you make a move — this episode will help you understand why that's happening and what to do instead.Spoiler: the answer isn't more certainty. It's curiosity.Here's what we get into:0:00 — Welcome to Cultivate Your Joyful Life0:52 — The taco story that sparked everything (stay with me here)1:38 — Why indecision is slowly dimming your light2:28 — The real reason you can't trust your own preferences anymore3:24 — Why I'm trading certainty for curiosity — and why you should too4:25 — Clarity doesn't come before the decision — it comes after7:36 — The reframe that changes everything: stop asking "what should I do" and start asking this instead8:47 — Free training: 3 Steps to Finally Make Your Next Career Move → cultivitae.com/clear********RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Free Masterclass — 3 Steps to Getting Clear on Your Next Career Move: https://cultivitae.com/clearLearn more about Inner Magic (90-day program): https://cultivitae.comFollow Emily on social: @cultivitaeYOU MIGHT ALSO LOVE THESE EPISODES:Ep. 025. The 9 patterns keeping you stuck from your dream life and careerEp. 028. Why do I feel so stuck?!Ep. 039. When your job keeps feeling wrong

    10 min

  7. Apr 5

    042. Why You Can't Make Yourself Do the Thing

    Have you ever wanted to do something — send the application, pitch yourself for the promotion, launch the side project — but no matter how hard you try, you just… can't? You're not lazy. You're not broken. And you're definitely not alone.That's exactly what this episode is about, and honestly, it's one I've been wanting to record for a while because I don't think enough people are talking about what's actually going on beneath the surface.Here's what you'll get out of this one: a real understanding of why motivation and willpower aren't the problem — your nervous system is — and a simple, practical framework you can start using today to get unstuck without the guilt spiral.********Listen in as we cover:0:00 – Welcome & what this episode is really about0:54 – Why I don't believe anyone is inherently lazy or unmotivated2:06 – It all starts with your state of being (this one is *huge*)3:37 – How we can shift our state in literal nanoseconds4:16 – What most career coaches aren't talking about — but should be8:30 – Real client story: the "chronic freezer" who couldn't hit submit13:47 – Why knowing what to do isn't enough (the gas + brake pedal metaphor)16:37 – Getting back into your window of tolerance18:01 – Step 1 of the 3-part exercise: Name what you're actually feeling19:10 – Step 3: Ask yourself "what would feel like a relief right now?"23:23 – Resources, Inner Magic, and how to work with me********RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Free Masterclass — 3 Steps to Getting Clear on Your Next Career Move: https://cultivitae.com/clearLearn more about Inner Magic (90-day program): https://cultivitae.comFollow Emily on social: @cultivitaeYOU MIGHT ALSO LOVE THESE EPISODES:Ep. 008: I Hate my Job but I Can’t Quit w/ Megan MyersEp. 025. The 9 patterns keeping you stuck from your dream life and careerEp. 028. Why do I feel so stuck?!

    25 min

  8. Mar 29

    041. The Ideas Graveyard — and How to Resurrect the One That Keeps Coming Back

    In this episode, I'm diving deep into something I've been seeing over and over again in my strategy calls with incredible women—the "Ideas Graveyard." You know what I'm talking about, right? Those dreams and ideas that excite us for a moment... and then somehow end up buried under excuses, fear, and self-doubt.I recently wrapped up my 13th one-on-one call, and I've been talking to women from different industries, different cities, with totally different surface-level problems. But here's what struck me: underneath it all, they're all saying the same thing. They're playing small. They KNOW they're capable of more, but something keeps holding them back from reaching for it.Sound familiar?If you've ever felt stuck between "this is fine" and "I know I'm meant for more," this episode is for you. I'm getting real about the three sneaky excuses that keep us from resurrecting those ideas that keep whispering to us—and more importantly, I'm sharing a practical framework to actually get started.Whether you're the chief scientist who won't send out her portfolio, the marketing manager stuck on choosing a website name, or the high-achiever who keeps waiting for the "perfect time"—I see you, and I'm here to help you break through.Listen in as we explore:0:00 Why I'm on a mission to help you stop playing small2:42 The "Ideas Graveyard" vs. the Ideas Parking Lot—and why it matters6:48 Why credentials and certifications won't save you (a hard truth about coaching programs)11:26 The three common excuses holding you back from playing bigger11:37 Excuse #1: "I don't know what I want" (spoiler: yes you do)14:13 Excuse #2: "I'm not ready yet" (and why perfect timing is an illusion)16:57 Excuse #3: The hidden cost of your "safe" job21:46 A practical framework to get on the committed path (and finally DO the thing)28:00 How to join me for a strategy call (if you're ready for support)********This episode is for the smart, ambitious woman who's tired of watching her dreams collect dust. Let's resurrect that one idea that keeps coming back to you—because it's coming back for a reason.RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Free Strategy Call - I'm opening up my calendar this month for one-on-one strategy calls. No obligation, no pressure—just a chance for me to hear what's going on in your career and give you personalized guidance on your next steps. Apply at: cultivateyourcareer.com/applyFREE Live Masterclass - Join me for my brand-new 3-shift framework training. After coaching over 500 women, I've distilled the exact three steps you need to take (in a very specific order) to trust yourself again and get clarity on what's next in your career. Register at: cultivateyourcareer.com/clearRELATED EPISODES:Ep. 008: I Hate my Job but I Can’t Quit w/ Megan MyersEp. 028. Why do I feel so stuck?!Ep. 036. Why I quit a million dollar program

    30 min
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5
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

Cultivate Your Joyful Life is a personal growth podcast to help you create a fulfilling life in all areas from career to parenting, health to finances, and everything else in between. Certified life coach, Emily Liou, is on a mission to help you create a life you absolutely LOVE. It's easy to feel overwhelmed or not enough as you navigate life but through practical tips and inspiration from our guest experts and myself, this podcast aims to help you nourish yourself and tap into inner joy right now.

Information

  • Creator
    Emily Liou
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    48
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © CultiVitae Inc.
  • Show Website
    Cultivate Your Joyful Life

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