West Coast Women Rising for Women Entrepreneurs, Business Growth and Self-Development

Empowering Minds Network
Empowering Minds Network
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West Coast Women Rising features the stories, strategies, and journeys of up-and-coming powerhouse women entrepreneurs who are building businesses while continuing to build themselves. Hosted by JJ Flizanes, the show spotlights women centered on and around the West Coast who are creating meaningful businesses, pursuing bigger visions, and recognizing that sustainable success requires more than a great business plan. Through candid conversations about entrepreneurship, business growth, leadership, mindset, relationships, health, personal growth, and the lessons learned along the way, West Coast Women Rising explores both the professional and personal sides of becoming a successful entrepreneur. You'll hear from women at different stages of the journey—what they're creating, what they've overcome, what they've learned, and the tools and self-development practices helping them grow into the women capable of leading what they're building. If you're a woman entrepreneur looking for inspiration, practical insight, meaningful conversations, and examples of what's possible, West Coast Women Rising is a place to discover women worth knowing—and ideas worth taking with you.

  1. Oct 7

    Ep. 58: Your Core Wound Map

    What if you’ve done years of personal growth, therapy, healing, and self-development—and you’re still getting triggered by the same things? In this week’s episode, I’m doing something a little different. I’m handing the microphone over to my dear friend, Empowerment Strategist, and host of the Open Heart Healing Podcast, Vesta Hurlbutt, to interview ME about the work that has become such a huge part of my life: the Core Wound Map. Vesta has been part of this journey almost from the beginning. She has experienced the Core Wound work herself, trained in the process, and watched it evolve over the years—so she was the perfect person to ask me the question: Why now? Why is it finally time for this book? The truth is, I thought I was writing a book. What I realized along the way was that I was actually creating a process—one that could help people identify the core wounds underneath their triggers, recognize the patterns those wounds created, and begin changing the way they respond. Because identifying your wounds is only the beginning. In this conversation, we talk about: How the Core Wound Map evolved from my own experience with Imago work into the process I use todayWhy understanding your patterns can change the way you look at your triggers, relationships, and pastThe difference between identifying a core wound and actually rewiring the patternWhy you can intellectually understand where your reactions come from and still continue having themWhy our relationships can become powerful opportunities for healing old woundsThe role of support, stretching, and practice in creating new responsesWhy this book has taken me years to complete—and why I finally know it’s readyLearning to trust your intuition even when other people don’t understand the timingWhy I’m especially interested in helping people who have already done a LOT of work on themselves and are wondering, “Why am I still getting triggered?” YOUR CORE WOUND MAP — PRE-LAUNCHYour Core Wound Map: Why You’re Still Getting Triggered After All the Work You’ve Done—and What Will Finally Change It is officially in pre-launch. And this isn’t simply about pre-ordering a book. During the pre-launch, there are opportunities to go deeper, experience the Core Wound Map process, access special bonuses, and even help me test and refine some of the newest pieces of the work before the final book is published. If you’ve been doing the work but know there’s another layer you haven’t uncovered yet, I created this for you. Learn more and join the pre-launch here: https://www.jjflizanes.com/map ABOUT VESTA HURLBUTTVesta is the host of the Open Heart Healing Podcast, where she explores emotional healing, nutrition, menopause, personal growth, and the everyday trigger moments that can become opportunities to understand and heal ourselves more deeply. Search for Open Heart Healing Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. And remember: Healing is when you are different in the same situation.

  2. Sep 15

    Ep. 57: Why Your Discomfort Is the Beginning of Your Breakthrough

    What if the discomfort you’re experiencing isn’t a sign that something has gone wrong—but an indication that something is ready to change? Most of us want to get rid of discomfort as quickly as possible. We distract ourselves, numb it, push through it, treat the symptom, blame the circumstances, or retreat back into familiar patterns. But whether your discomfort is physical, emotional, relational, or simply a feeling that you’re stuck, frustrated, anxious, or disconnected, it may be trying to get your attention. In this episode, JJ Flizanes explores why discomfort can become the catalyst for some of our greatest breakthroughs—and why we often don’t make meaningful changes until staying where we are becomes more uncomfortable than moving forward. JJ shares examples from her own recent healing journey and relationships to illustrate how an uncomfortable experience can expose deeper beliefs, fears, core wounds, and patterns we may not have realized were running our lives. Because when fear is making your decisions, fear has the power. But when you become willing to examine what’s underneath the fear, you have the opportunity to choose something different. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why physical and emotional discomfort can be valuable informationHow fear, resistance, and control can keep you repeating old patternsWhy treating the symptom may not address what’s happening underneath itHow your subconscious beliefs and core wounds influence what you allow yourself to receiveWhy vulnerability can require more strength than staying in controlHow discomfort can create the opening for new awareness and new neural pathwaysWhy feeling stuck, frustrated, anxious, or “off” may actually mean you’re ready for changeHow leaning into discomfort instead of running from it can become the beginning of your breakthrough JJ also connects this conversation to the Core Wound Map and the importance of identifying the beliefs underneath our habitual reactions. You can’t change a pattern you don’t know is there—and understanding the root gives you a place to begin. Your discomfort doesn’t have to be something you fear or immediately try to escape. It may be an invitation. You may not be falling apart. You may be standing at the edge of your next breakthrough. https://jjflizanes.com/restore

  3. Aug 12

    Ep. 56: The Signs Your Body Is Giving You That You’re Not Healing

    The Signs Your Body Is Giving You That You’re Not Healing You may be getting everything done. You’re showing up for work, taking care of your responsibilities, exercising, eating well, and doing all the things you’ve been told will make you healthier. But what if your body is telling you a different story? In this episode, JJ explores the difference between actually healing and simply becoming really good at coping or high functioning. Poor sleep, digestive issues, constant worry, difficulty recovering, recurring illness or injury, chronic tension, emotional reactivity, and a lack of joy can all be signals worth paying attention to. And healing works in both directions. Your mental and emotional state can influence your physical health—but your physical health can also affect your mood, resilience, energy, and ability to regulate your emotions. JJ introduces the 5 Levels to Restore Health—Physical, Mental, Emotional, Relational & Environmental, and Purpose & Spiritual—and invites you to consider whether you've been trying to address your health through only one level while another has been asking for your attention. In this episode:The difference between healing, coping, and high functioningPhysical signs that your system may be strugglingWhy knowing your patterns doesn't necessarily mean you've healed themHow sleep, digestion, stress, inflammation, and recovery can affect emotional healthHow thoughts, emotions, relationships, and environment can influence the bodyWhy healing needs to work in both directionsHow to identify which of the Five Levels may be missing from your healing journeyWhy healing is when you become different in the same situation Take the Quiz: Are You Healing or Just Coping?Discover whether you're creating lasting change—or simply getting better at functioning around patterns that haven't changed. https://jjflizanes.com/stuck The 5 Levels to Restore Health — LIVENovember 6–8, 2026 | Redondo Beach, California Join JJ Flizanes for an intimate, interactive weekend exploring the five interconnected levels that influence your health and ability to heal. Inspired by Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt's Five Levels of Healing and expanded with science and practical applications in functional health, neuroscience, epigenetics, nervous system regulation, emotional healing, relationships, and purpose. Special guest Dr. William Davis, bestselling author of Wheat Belly and Super Gut, will join JJ to explore the physical foundations of restoring health. Early Bird: 50% off through September 1st. Learn more and reserve your seat: https://jjflizanes.com/restore Use code: 5LEVELS50

  4. Jul 29

    Ep. 55: How Cancer Taught Her to Trust Life, Not Fear It with Sandy Duarte

    How Cancer Taught Her to Trust Life, Not Fear It with Sandy DuarteWhat if the greatest challenge of your life became the very thing that awakened your purpose? In this deeply moving episode of West Coast Women Rising, JJ Flizanes sits down with actress, author, wellness facilitator, and cancer survivor Sandy Duarte to explore how a Stage 4 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosis transformed every aspect of her life. Rather than asking, "Why me?" Sandy chose a different question: "What is this here to teach me?" Together, JJ and Sandy dive into the powerful intersection of mindset, healing, intuition, and entrepreneurship. They discuss the importance of becoming the CEO of your own life, trusting your body's wisdom, and allowing even life's greatest hardships to become catalysts for growth, service, and deeper purpose. This conversation is about far more than cancer. It's about resilience, self-advocacy, creating a meaningful business, and discovering that healing often begins long before the body catches up. In This Episode You'll Learn:Why Sandy gave herself only 24 hours to ask "Why me?" before choosing a different path.How writing her book during chemotherapy became an anchor of hope and purpose.The surprising mindset shift that led Sandy to thank cancer for changing her life.Why JJ believes every adult should take an acting class to develop empathy, emotional flexibility, and presence.The powerful connection between emotional healing, physical health, and business success.How to become a stronger advocate for your own health instead of blindly outsourcing decisions.JJ's personal story of trusting her intuition over medical pressure and why listening to your body matters.How sound healing, yoga, and intentional practices supported Sandy's recovery alongside conventional treatment.Why healing the "cancer of the mind" can be just as important as healing the body.Practical ways to build a purpose-driven business without relying on hustle and burnout.How small, consistent actions rooted in service create long-term success.Why joy, creativity, compassion, and contribution are sustainable foundations for entrepreneurship. Key TakeawayHealing isn't simply about overcoming illness—it's about learning to trust yourself, honor your intuition, and choose growth instead of fear. Whether you're navigating a health challenge, building a business, or simply searching for more meaning, this episode is a reminder that your greatest obstacle may also become your greatest teacher. Connect with Sandy DuarteLearn more about Sandy's work, retreats, sound healing, yoga, and her book Cancer Ramblings by connecting with her online and following her journey. If this conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that even life's hardest chapters can become the beginning of something extraordinary. https://www.cancerramblings.com/

  5. Jul 22

    Ep. 54: 5 Ways to Allow in More

    5 Ways to Allow More Into Your LifeHave you ever noticed that sometimes life gives you exactly what you've been asking for—but you somehow push it away? Whether it's a compliment, a new opportunity, more money, love, or support, receiving isn't always the problem. Allowing is. In this solo episode, JJ explores the subtle but powerful difference between receiving and allowing, and why your ability to truly let good things into your life has less to do with positive thinking and more to do with your subconscious beliefs, emotional patterns, and nervous system. Drawing from coaching clients, the Roadmap to Emotional Healing, the Law of Attraction, and years of teaching personal transformation, JJ shares five practical ways to increase your capacity to receive abundance without sabotaging it. If you've ever felt like you're working hard but still blocking what you desire, this episode will help you recognize the patterns keeping you stuck—and what to do instead. In this episode, you'll learn:The important difference between receiving and allowingWhy your emotional frequency—not your thoughts—determines what you're attractingHow scarcity energy silently blocks abundanceWhy enjoying the present moment is essential to creating what you want nextHow to recognize and move beyond your upper limitsWhy focusing on your future is more powerful than repeatedly analyzing your pastThe role of bold, aligned action in creating lasting changeHow identifying your core wounds helps you stop repeating self-sabotaging patternsSimple ways to shift your energy and become more available for joy, love, health, and abundance JJ also shares personal stories about surrendering control, trusting the timing of the universe, and how changing your internal state can open the door to unexpected solutions. If you're ready to stop chasing and start allowing, this episode offers practical tools to help you expand your capacity for happiness, success, and fulfillment—without forcing or striving. Mentioned in this episode:Roadmap to Emotional Healing – Identify your core wounds and rewire emotional patterns.The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks – Learn how to recognize and overcome your upper limits. 54: The life you desire isn't just about attracting more—it's about becoming someone who can fully receive and sustain it. This episode will help you begin that process.

  6. Jul 1

    Ep. 53: The Invisible Collapse: What Women Are Being Called to Build- Part 2

    The Invisible Collapse: What Women Are Being Called to BuildWhat if the biggest challenges facing women in business today aren't visible on a balance sheet? In this thought-provoking roundtable discussion, Ventura County Business Women founder Tawney Noriega is joined by empowerment strategist JJ Flizanes and entrepreneur Raini Stefan to explore what they call "The Invisible Collapse"—the shifting business landscape that is forcing women to rethink how they lead, grow, market, and sustain their businesses. Together, they unpack the old business models that are no longer producing the same results and examine what women are being called to build instead. Topics include: • Why hustle culture is losing its appeal and effectiveness • The growing trust recession and how buying behavior has changed • Building authentic relationships in an increasingly skeptical marketplace • The evolution of leadership and the identity shifts required for growth • Moving from solopreneur thinking into true business ownership • The difference between discipline and burnout • Nervous system capacity and its impact on business success • Why emotional resilience has become a critical leadership skill • Balancing intuition, strategy, and data-driven decision making • Marketing, visibility, and trust in a noisy digital world • How authenticity is becoming a competitive advantage • The importance of adaptability, curiosity, and personal growth in uncertain times Throughout the conversation, the panel challenges traditional definitions of success and explores how women can create businesses that are both profitable and sustainable without sacrificing their health, values, or sense of purpose. The discussion highlights a powerful truth: the future belongs to leaders who are willing to evolve. As old systems, expectations, and business models begin to break down, women are being invited to build something different—businesses rooted in trust, integrity, connection, and alignment. If you've been feeling the pressure of changing markets, shifting consumer behavior, leadership challenges, or the tension between ambition and well-being, this conversation offers both validation and a new perspective on what is possible. Because sometimes collapse isn't the end of something. Sometimes it's an invitation to build something better.

  7. Jun 24

    Ep. 52: Ask the Experts Community Q&A -Part 1

    Ask the Experts: Community Q&AWhat happens when experienced women business owners come together to answer the questions that keep entrepreneurs up at night? In this Community Q&A edition of Ask the Experts, West Coast Women Rising co-host and Ventura County Business Women founder Tawney Noriega sits down with empowerment strategist JJ Flizanes and entrepreneur Raini Stefan for an honest conversation about the realities of building a business in today's changing landscape. Drawing from questions submitted by community members, the panel explores the challenges many women face as they grow their businesses, navigate uncertainty, and learn to trust themselves as leaders. Topics include: • How to grow a business without everything depending on you • Creating systems, support, and scalability as a solopreneur • Deciding which business investments are worth making • Avoiding shiny-object syndrome and evaluating return on investment • Breaking free from the feast-or-famine cycle • Building consistent revenue through strategy, resilience, and adaptability • The qualities that create successful business owners • The role of integrity, humility, curiosity, and self-awareness in long-term growth • Navigating leadership transitions and overcoming imposter syndrome • Building confidence when speaking to decision-makers, executives, and leadership teams Throughout the conversation, the panel shares personal stories, hard-earned lessons, and practical insights on entrepreneurship, leadership, mindset, and business growth. Whether you're a new entrepreneur, a seasoned business owner, or somewhere in between, this episode offers a powerful reminder that business growth isn't just about strategy—it's also about personal growth, resilience, and learning to trust your own voice. Because sometimes the answers we need most come from honest conversations with women who have been there too.

  8. Jun 17

    Ep. 51: Ko-Create Marketing with Kristen Fickeisen

    Marketing That Actually Works: Clarity, Connection & Strategy with Kristen of KoCreate MarketingIn this episode of West Coast Women Rising, JJ Flizanes sits down with marketing strategist and entrepreneur Kristen of CoCreate Marketing to discuss the realities of entrepreneurship, the evolution of marketing, and why clarity is the foundation of business growth. From yoga studios and meditation retreats to running a boutique marketing agency, Kristen shares how listening to what people actually need led her to build a thriving business. In This Episode You'll Learn:Why many entrepreneurs struggle because they market without a strategyThe importance of message clarity before investing in marketingHow to identify the real audience for your products and servicesWhy AI can support your business—but can never replace human connectionThe role data plays in making smarter business decisionsHow collaboration and partnerships can accelerate growthWhy successful entrepreneurs focus on solving problems, not selling servicesThe power of listening to your audience and allowing your business to evolve Key Takeaways1. Marketing Starts with ClarityBefore worrying about social media, funnels, or advertising, Kristen emphasizes understanding: Who you helpWhat problem you solveWhy your solution matters When your messaging becomes clear, the right people begin to find you. 2. Stop Posting Without a PlanMany business owners spend time creating content but have no strategy behind it. Kristen explains that every piece of content should support a clear message and guide potential clients toward a next step. 3. Your Audience Will Tell You What They NeedBoth JJ and Kristen share how some of their most successful offers emerged because people asked for them. Rather than guessing what customers want, start conversations, ask questions, and pay attention to what people are already requesting. 4. Data is Your FriendTracking the right metrics helps you determine: What's workingWhat's notWhere to focus your energy You don't have to scrap everything when something isn't working—often a few adjustments make all the difference. 5. Relationships Will Always MatterIn an AI-driven world, businesses that continue talking directly with their customers will have the greatest advantage. Human connection remains the most valuable marketing strategy available. Memorable Quote"The businesses that stick around are the businesses that keep talking to people."About KristenKristen is the founder of KoCreate Marketing, a boutique marketing agency that helps entrepreneurs create clear messaging, build strong business foundations, and implement effective marketing systems. Her services include: Marketing strategy and consultingSocial media managementEmail marketingSales funnelsAI and automation systemsFounder Build Lab accelerator program Resources & LinksKoCreate Marketinghttps://kocreatemarketing.com Business Growth QuizGrowth Systems Assessment: Growth Systems Quiz Follow KristenInstagram @kocreatemarketing Ventura County Business WomenVentura County Business Women (VCBW) Connect with JJ FlizanesWebsitesJJ Flizanes Official Website PodcastsSpirit, Purpose & Energy Podcast

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West Coast Women Rising features the stories, strategies, and journeys of up-and-coming powerhouse women entrepreneurs who are building businesses while continuing to build themselves. Hosted by JJ Flizanes, the show spotlights women centered on and around the West Coast who are creating meaningful businesses, pursuing bigger visions, and recognizing that sustainable success requires more than a great business plan. Through candid conversations about entrepreneurship, business growth, leadership, mindset, relationships, health, personal growth, and the lessons learned along the way, West Coast Women Rising explores both the professional and personal sides of becoming a successful entrepreneur. You'll hear from women at different stages of the journey—what they're creating, what they've overcome, what they've learned, and the tools and self-development practices helping them grow into the women capable of leading what they're building. If you're a woman entrepreneur looking for inspiration, practical insight, meaningful conversations, and examples of what's possible, West Coast Women Rising is a place to discover women worth knowing—and ideas worth taking with you.

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