Rise + Rebel

Aya Hojadova
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Entrepreneurship

Rise + Rebel Radio is a podcast for people who are becoming. Hosted by Aya Hoja, this space explores what it means to rise with elegance & rebel with purpose. Through intimate reflections & lived experience, Aya speaks to the quiet seasons of becoming, the fire that follows silence, & the courage it takes to stop asking for permission. This is not a podcast about perfection. It’s a place for honesty, presence, & depth. This is for people who feel deeply, live thoughtfully, & know there is more forming beneath the surface. Rise when the world is is quiet. Rebel when your soul is loud.

  1. 3d ago

    AI Did Not Replace My Creativity. It Helped Me Build What Was in My Head.

    In this solo episode of Rise + Rebel Podcast, Aya Hoja reflects on how AI has helped her organize her creativity, build faster, and turn scattered ideas into real execution across podcasting, newsletters, commercial real estate, Rise + Rebel Shop, brand strategy, content, and business planning. This is not an episode about AI replacing the human voice. It is about using AI as a thinking partner while staying connected to your intuition, taste, lived experience, relationships, and creative source. Because AI can help build the bridge, but the human still has to walk across it. Subscribe to Rise + Rebel Podcast for conversations on creativity, entrepreneurship, identity, personal growth, visibility, intuition, and becoming who you were always meant to be. Join the Rise + Rebel world: risewithaya.com/start-here

  2. Aug 2

    The Burn as a Mirror: Woody Harris on Welcome Home, Ritual & Coming Back to Yourself

    In this episode of Rise + Rebel Podcast, Aya sits down with Woody Harris to talk about Welcome Home Burn, burn culture, integration, ritual, music, community, shadow work, play, and what it means to come back to yourself after stepping outside of the default world. Woody is a therapist, clinical supervisor, podcaster, music lover, geek enthusiast, Deadhead, gamer, and now, a burner. With over 35 years of studying psychology and almost 20 years as a therapist, Woody brings a thoughtful, deeply human lens to the burn experience. Together, Aya and Woody reflect on what it feels like to enter a temporary community, how each burn carries its own medicine, and why these spaces can become mirrors for our boundaries, joy, discomfort, grief, freedom, and personal growth. We talk about Welcome Home Burn, the effigy burn, integration, enchantment withdrawal, volunteering, radical inclusion, gifting, play, the power of music, and the difference between consuming an experience and helping co-create it. Woody also shares a powerful reflection on the burn as an experiment in community, ritual, alchemy, and reconnection. We explore what it means to bring the lessons of the burn back into the default world, rather than leaving them behind when the event ends. This episode is for anyone who has ever felt changed by a temporary space, a powerful community, a ritual, a dance floor, a fire, or a moment that reminded them who they really are. In this episode, we talk about: Welcome Home Burn and burn cultureWhat integration feels like after a burnEnchantment withdrawal and returning to the default worldBurns as medicine, mirrors, and ritualsThe effigy burn and releasing what no longer servesShadow work, boundaries, authenticity, and personal growthMusic, dancing, play, and emotional alchemyVolunteering, gifting, and co-creating communityRadical inclusion, participation, and open-heartednessHow to bring the burn back into everyday life To connect and learn more about Woody Harris, check out his website here: https://dafostherapy.com/ Subscribe to Rise + Rebel Podcast for conversations on identity, creativity, transformation, courage, community, and becoming who you were always meant to be.

  3. Jul 19

    The Little Whispers: Michelle Doan on Building Emani, Healing Her Skin & Trusting Herself

    In this episode of Rise + Rebel Podcast, Aya sits down with Michelle Doan, founder of Emani Vegan Cosmetics, for a conversation about beauty, intuition, sensitive skin, self-advocacy, and the courage it takes to build something from lived experience. Michelle shares her story of leaving Vietnam as a child, spending time in a Thai refugee camp, growing up as an immigrant, and eventually creating a beauty brand after years of struggling with painful cystic acne and sensitive skin. What began as a personal need became a clean beauty brand rooted in skin health, ingredient education, and helping women feel more confident in their own skin. But this conversation goes far beyond skincare. Michelle and Aya talk about trusting the “little whispers,” learning when to say yes and when to say no, building a business as a woman, overcoming shame, stepping out from behind the scenes, learning how to receive, and becoming your own advocate through every season of life. We also explore practical beauty wisdom for sensitive skin, hormones, aging, menopause, skincare ingredients, and why self-care does not have to be complicated to be powerful. This episode is for the woman learning to trust herself, advocate for herself, receive what is meant for her, and rise into the version of herself she used to hide. In this episode, we talk about: Michelle’s journey from Vietnam to North AmericaHow cystic acne led her into clean beautyThe birth of Emani Vegan CosmeticsTrusting intuition and the “little whispers”Saying yes, saying no, and taking the leapWomen, shame, visibility, and learning to receiveWhy business mirrors back who you areSensitive skin, acne, aging, hormones, and menopauseThe three P’s of skincare: potency, penetration, and proven resultsBecoming your own advocate in beauty, business, and life Learn more about Michelle Doan and Emani Vegan Cosmetics here: https://linktr.ee/emanicosmeticsofficial?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=74d745cd-5767-4715-90f0-1d4e38be1116 Explore Emani, follow Michelle’s work, and support the brand she built from lived experience, sensitive skin wisdom, and a deep desire to help women feel confident in their own skin. Subscribe to Rise + Rebel Podcast for conversations on creativity, entrepreneurship, identity, personal growth, and becoming who you were always meant to be.

  4. Jul 5

    When There’s No Script: Andrew Ginsberg on Comedy, Creativity & Becoming Yourself

    What happens when the role you were praised for is no longer the role you are meant to play? In this episode of Rise + Rebel Podcast, Aya sits down with comedian, podcaster, and creative Andrew Ginsberg — someone she first met years ago in the San Francisco corporate days. Back then, Andrew was already funny, magnetic, and able to command a room. But behind the corporate role, the benchmarks, the praise, and the external validation, there was another question starting to rise: Is this really who I am meant to be? This conversation goes far beyond comedy. Andrew and Aya talk about leaving the corporate script, finding your voice when there is no clear role to play, dealing with rejection, learning how to believe in yourself without applause, choosing love over fear, and trusting the creative ideas that are trying to move through you. We also talk about entrepreneurship, manifestation, curiosity, the muse, the power of showing up, and how one unexpected idea turned into Andrew’s side project, Cannabis Curious Seniors. This episode is for anyone who has ever felt successful on paper but quietly wondered if there was something more honest, creative, free, and alive waiting underneath. In this episode, we talk about: Leaving corporate life and stepping into comedyWhat happens when there is no script anymoreRejection, failure, and building emotional staminaWhy external validation can keep us trapped in a roleManifestation, creativity, and following curiosityBecoming a vessel for creative ideasWhy the journey matters more than the outcomeLearning to trust the role that already lives inside you Subscribe if you’re becoming who you were always meant to be. Listen + follow Rise + Rebel Podcast on YouTube and all podcast platforms. Start here: risewithaya.com/start-here Guest links: Andrew Ginsberg: AndrewGinsberg.com Instagram: @thisisginsberg Cannabis Curious Seniors: CannabisCuriousSeniors.com

  5. Jun 21

    Beginning From Within: Carol Reid on Courage, Healing & Claiming Your Space

    What if courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to keep walking anyway? In this episode of Rise + Rebel, Aya sits down with Carol Reid — speaker, coach, educator, caregiver, model, and contributing author of The Courage to Begin — for a powerful conversation about courage, healing, self-doubt, transformation, and what it means to begin from within. Carol’s chapter in The Courage to Begin is titled Beginning From Within, and in this conversation, she shares what those words mean to her now. She opens up about finally telling her story, feeling exposed in the process, and discovering freedom on the other side of being honest. We talk about fear, courage, caregiving, 12-step healing, learning to love the little girl within, claiming your space, and the moment Carol said yes to modeling at 70 — even though she was afraid. This episode is a reminder that you do not have to feel fully ready to begin. You can be afraid and still take the next right action. You can carry doubt and still claim your space. You can begin again from within. In this episode, we talk about: • What Beginning From Within means to Carol now • How courage carried her through fear and self-doubt • Why sharing her story felt both frightening and freeing • Her journey through caregiving, healing, and 12-step recovery • How she learned to see her own beauty from the inside out • Saying yes to modeling at 70 • Why safe spaces matter • The power of boundaries, support, and resourcefulness • What it means to take the next right action Subscribe if you’re becoming who you were always meant to be. Join Aya’s Inner Circle: risewithaya.com/start-here Learn more about Carol at http://www.CarolReidSpeaks.com Schedule a Complimentary Consult: http://calendly.com/carolreid Connect with Carol Reid on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/reidempowermentllc

  6. Jun 7

    Stop Waiting to Be Invited: Keisha Brooks on Creativity, Boundaries & Building Your Own World

    In this episode of Rise + Rebel, Aya sits down with Keisha Brooks, producer, actor, writer, creative, and founder of Helping Hands Productions, for a real conversation about creativity, resourcefulness, boundaries, and building your own world. Keisha shares how her father taught her to get things done, how her mother modeled service and helping others, and how both shaped the woman she is today: generous, direct, resourceful, and deeply committed to creating a life on her own terms. This conversation moves through acting, modeling, production, veganism, success, self-worth, asking for help, bartering, follow-through, and the moment you realize your time is not free. At its core, this episode is about not waiting to be chosen. It is about using what you have, asking the right questions, protecting your energy, and creating the opportunities you wish existed. Subscribe if you’re becoming who you were always meant to be. Learn More and Connect with Keisha Brooks: linktr.ee/Helpinghandsproductions Join Aya’s Inner Circle: risewithaya.com/start-here

  7. May 31

    Peace Is the Strategy: How to Build Without Burning Out

    What if peace is not the opposite of ambition, but the strategy? In this solo episode of Rise + Rebel, Aya reflects on what her Asia trip taught her about chaos, boundaries, asking for help, visibility, and building a life and business without burning out. This episode explores the difference between being peaceful and staying quiet, why asking for help is not weakness, and how many of us make life, business, content creation, and visibility harder than they need to be because we are trying to do everything alone. If you are building something meaningful whether that's a business, brand, creative project, podcast, shop, career, or new version of yourself; this conversation is a reminder that you do not need chaos to prove you care. Subscribe to Rise + Rebel for honest conversations on identity, transformation, entrepreneurship, visibility, creativity, personal growth, and building a life with intention. Join the Inner Circle newsletter for deeper reflections behind the episodes: newsletter link Explore Rise + Rebel: https://riseplusrebel.riverside.com/ Connect with Aya: https://www.risewithaya.com/link-in-bio #RiseAndRebel #PersonalGrowth #Entrepreneurship #BuildingABrand #BurnoutRecovery #MindsetShift #Boundaries #AskForHelp #WomenInBusiness #Visibility #PeaceIsTheStrategy

  8. May 24

    Before You Travel to Asia: Rookie Mistakes I Made So You Don’t Have To

    Before you travel to Asia, especially for business, sourcing, markets, shopping, or your first major international adventure, there are a few mistakes you want to avoid before you even land. In this episode of Rise + Rebel, I’m sharing the real lessons I learned from traveling through Asia, including China, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. This is a “go prepared so you can actually enjoy it” episode. Whether you are planning a sourcing trip, traveling solo, visiting markets, exploring a new country, or simply stepping into a new version of your life, this conversation will help you move with more awareness, respect, and confidence. Listen to the full episode for the stories, the chaos, the lessons, and the deeper reflection on what travel teaches us about who we are becoming. Rise when the world is quiet. Rebel when your soul is loud.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Rise + Rebel Radio is a podcast for people who are becoming. Hosted by Aya Hoja, this space explores what it means to rise with elegance & rebel with purpose. Through intimate reflections & lived experience, Aya speaks to the quiet seasons of becoming, the fire that follows silence, & the courage it takes to stop asking for permission. This is not a podcast about perfection. It’s a place for honesty, presence, & depth. This is for people who feel deeply, live thoughtfully, & know there is more forming beneath the surface. Rise when the world is is quiet. Rebel when your soul is loud.

Information

  • Creator
    Aya Hojadova
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Aya Hojadova