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. Vintage Reseller Freedom After 40 | Kira Hartley Klinger

    3D AGO

    Vintage Reseller Freedom After 40 | Kira Hartley Klinger

    How can a vintage reseller build real financial freedom after 40? In episode 310 of Gratitude Geek with Kandas Rodarte, Etsy seller and storyteller Kira Hartley Klinger shares how she turned a vintage fabric side hustle into a six‑figure business growth story for Gen X women entrepreneurs. You’ll hear practical business ideas for women over 40, from smarter shipping and sales tax systems to using gratitude in business and storytelling to attract loyal customers without bro‑style hustle. Show notes + links: https://kandasrodarte.com/310 Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Kira's Journey01:00 Accidental Entrepreneur: The Start of an Etsy Business04:25 Navigating Shipping Challenges09:03 Turning Hobbies into Businesses11:08 Learning from Mistakes in Business14:25 The Freedom of Being Debt-Free15:56 Financing and Business Models18:15 The Interconnectedness of Business Ventures23:17 Empowerment Through Entrepreneurship After 4028:07 The Art of Storytelling in Business35:40 Teaching and Sharing Knowledge Through Craft 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 metastatic breast cancer thriver, rejects bro‑marketing by offering practical ways to use gratitude as a business strategy. Join the Gratitude Geek Lab for monthly experiment‑driven sessions where Gen X women solopreneurs test simple strategies, get gentle accountability, and build sustainable businesses that fit their real lives. https://kandasrodarte.com/lab Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    40 min
  2. Pricing for Creative Entrepreneurs | Paul Pape

    FEB 3

    Pricing for Creative Entrepreneurs | Paul Pape

    If you've ever felt guilty raising your rates, struggled with pricing objections, or wondered why clients don't see the value in your work, this conversation with Paul Eric Pape will change everything. Paul is a creative business strategist who's designed custom collectibles for Disney, Universal, and The Tonight Show. After 20 years of proving the "starving artist" myth wrong, he created Gamify Business—a methodology that translates intimidating business concepts into language creative minds actually understand. In this episode, Paul breaks down why most creative entrepreneurs are pricing their work like products instead of magic items, and how that single mindset shift can transform your business. You'll learn: The doubling rate strategy: how to price from apprentice to wizard level Why you only need 100 loyal supporters (not millions of followers) to build a sustainable business How to handle "that's too expensive" using gaming psychology instead of traditional sales tactics The difference between copyright and trademark—and what it means for fan art and creative work Why signing your work is the difference between being a crafter and an artist Contract negotiation lessons from working with billion-dollar companies The exact moment Paul realized he had to stop hiding behind his products and start selling himself This episode fills a critical gap in pricing psychology for high-ticket service providers—giving you the tactical frameworks and confidence to charge what you're actually worth. Show Notes + Links: https://kandasrodarte.com/309 CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to Pricing and Creative Strategy05:09 The Evolution of Working with Disney11:46 Understanding Your Worth as an Artist18:26 Emotional Connection in Art and Pricing22:44 Navigating Copyright and Trademark Issues28:25 Content Creation vs. Artistry28:54 The Hundred Rule and Social Media Impact30:11 Defining the Artist and the Creator35:23 The Value of Creative Expression40:15 The Importance of Signature in Art45:34 Gratitude and Life's Journey Gratitude Geek is the business education podcast for Gen X women solopreneurs rebuilding after cancer, divorce, or loss. Host Kandas Rodarte is a metastatic breast cancer thriver, growth coach, and digital marketing pioneer with 30+ years of expertise. Subscribe for weekly strategies on pricing, marketing, and building a business that fits your life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    49 min
  3. Terrified to Change Careers Again? Burnout-Free Pivots for Gen X Women Solopreneurs

    JAN 27

    Terrified to Change Careers Again? Burnout-Free Pivots for Gen X Women Solopreneurs

    Thinking about changing careers—or reshaping your business—after divorce, illness, layoffs, or other life disruptions, but terrified you'll just burn out again? This episode was made for Gen X women solopreneurs (40-60) rebuilding on their own terms, with zero bro marketing vibes. Former AV-rated attorney turned Work-Life Harmony and Leadership Coach Arlene Cohen Miller shares how she moved from the courtroom to coaching without frying her nervous system. We talk about practical experiments you can run while you still have clients and bills, how to set boundaries when you're "the glue" for everyone, and why letting yourself fail on a small scale is one of the safest ways to test a new business or career direction. If you want sustainable growth (not hustle culture), this conversation functions as business education you can actually implement: positioning your skills for a new lane, choosing the right kind of support (coach, mentor, strategist, or therapist), and designing a work rhythm that doesn't depend on burnout to be "successful." TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Introduction and Podcasting Journey00:47 Arlene's Transition from Law to Coaching (Career Change Origin Story)03:37 The Importance of Community and Support in Big Transitions05:53 Boundaries and Self-Care for Women in Demanding Careers07:32 Redefining "Selfish" Self-Care to Prevent Burnout11:19 Following Your Intuition and Continuous Learning in Midlife15:32 Foundations of Coaching, Certification, and Second-Career Skills16:47 Understanding Burnout and Knowing When It's Time to Pivot17:20 Coach vs. Mentor vs. Strategist (Who You Actually Need in Transition)22:12 Cultural Insights from Australia (And Why People Are People Everywhere)23:44 Practical Tips for Finding Serenity: Breathwork, Nature, Tiny Breaks30:59 Embracing Failure as a Learning Opportunity in Parenting and Career33:58 Outro WHAT THIS EPISODE IS REALLY ABOUT:Yes, we talk about parenting and letting your kids fail—but this is ultimately a conversation about how we as Gen X women let ourselves fail safely while we build a second (or third) act. Arlene walks us through the micro-experiments, boundaries, and inner work that allowed her to transition from law to a harmony-focused coaching practice without recreating the same burnout in a new career. CONNECT WITH ARLENE COHEN MILLER:Jewel Consultancy: https://jewelconsultancy.com ABOUT GRATITUDE GEEK:Gratitude Geek is the business education podcast for Gen X women solopreneurs rebuilding after cancer, divorce, or loss. Hosted by Kandas Rodarte, metastatic breast cancer thriver and growth coach. Subscribe for honest conversations, practical experiments, and permission to build your business on your own terms. Theme music by Rev Brock and Soul Lily. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    36 min
  4. Rebuild From Zero with Peter Murphy Lewis

    JAN 20

    Rebuild From Zero with Peter Murphy Lewis

    When political turmoil in Chile pushed his adopted home “into disarray,” growth hacker and documentary filmmaker Peter Murphy Lewis lost his company, his community, and the life he’d spent 14 years building. In less than two weeks, he and his wife left everything behind and moved back to the U.S. with their three‑year‑old—starting again from his parents’ basement in Kansas.​ In this conversation with host Kandas Rodarte, Peter shares how he used a “do a lot with a little” growth‑hacking mindset to rebuild from zero, and what that looks like for solopreneurs—especially women over 40—who don’t have a big team or a big ad budget. From handwritten direct‑mail campaigns and simple cold calls to testing offers with TikTok and short‑form video, Peter breaks down practical, experiment‑driven marketing that doesn’t feel like bro culture.​ You’ll also hear the human side of disruption: PTSD, identity loss when your job title disappears, cultural shock moving from Santiago to small‑town Kansas, and how niche filmmaking about CNAs and nursing homes helped Peter find new purpose and impact. If you’re navigating a major life or business pivot, this episode offers both strategy and solidarity.​ Chapters: 00:00 Rebuild from zero: Peter’s 10‑day collapse00:53 Life disruptions, PTSD, and starting over​01:34 What growth hacking really means (without bro marketing)08:01 Experiment‑driven marketing for solopreneurs over 4013:37 Direct mail, cold calls, and why “old school” still works​19:06 Facing disruption: therapy, fear, and asking for help19:59 Identity beyond job titles and losing “entrepreneur”22:43 Hyper‑niche documentaries for CNAs and nursing homes28:00 Bicultural parenting and raising resilient kids33:18 Gratitude, legacy, and rebuilding a meaningful life Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    36 min
  5. 5 Simple Ways to Clear Physical & Mental Clutter | Kerry Thomas

    JAN 13

    5 Simple Ways to Clear Physical & Mental Clutter | Kerry Thomas

    Feeling overwhelmed by clutter? You're not alone—and it's affecting more than just your physical space. Professional organizer Kerry Thomas reveals how clutter impacts your energy, mental clarity, and productivity, and shares 5 actionable strategies to clear it from your life. In this conversation, Kerry explains the connection between physical clutter, digital overwhelm, and mental/emotional energy. She shares practical systems for creating clutter-free zones, processing mail and email, and leveraging your unique learning style to stay organized long-term. Perfect for Gen X women entrepreneurs and solopreneurs who need organizing strategies that actually work—without adding more stress to your already full plate. CHAPTERS: 00:00 The Journey to Clutter Clearing 03:01 The Impact of Clutter on Energy 04:17 Understanding Energetic Clutter 06:36 Five Tips to Overcome Clutter 09:42 Creating Clutter-Free Zones 12:32 Processing Mail and Email 14:33 Leveraging Learning Styles for Organization 21:21 Exploring Mindset Techniques 24:02 Creating an Optimal Work Environment 29:11 The Power of Celebration and Gratitude 36:47 Taking Action: The First Step to Decluttering WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: • How clutter affects your energy levels and mental clarity • The difference between physical, digital, and energetic clutter • 5 proven tips to overcome clutter in your home and workspace • How to create systems that work with your learning style • Mindset techniques to maintain organization without overwhelm • Why celebration is key to staying clutter-free long-term ABOUT KERRY THOMAS: Kerry is a professional organizer specializing in energetic clutter—the mental, emotional, and spiritual clutter that keeps us stuck. She delivered a TEDx talk on how clutter affects us energetically and helps clients create organizing systems that match their unique style. Connect with Kerry: Website: https://www.conquerthechaos.com/ Show Notes: https://kandasrodarte.com/306 --- 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. SUBSCRIBE & LISTEN: 🎥 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@gratitudegeek 🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gratitude-geek/id820738086 🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/27dh0T1PbwsWXxfmNWZPyB?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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    41 min
  6. How to Actually Make Money as a Podcast Guest (Without a Huge Audience)

    JAN 6

    How to Actually Make Money as a Podcast Guest (Without a Huge Audience)

    She’s booked 30,000 podcast interviews, and the guests who actually made money all did one thing differently. In this episode of Gratitude Geek, Kandas Rodarte and Interview Connections founder Jessica Rhodes break down how to turn podcast guesting into real revenue instead of chasing vanity metrics.​ You’ll learn why building real relationships with hosts beats obsessing over audience size, how niche shows often convert better than “big name” podcasts, and what realistic download numbers look like even for established brands. Kandas and Jessica also unpack guesting strategies, audience–message fit, and why consistency matters more than any single “big break.”​ They share practical tactics like collaborating on YouTube, repurposing interviews across platforms, using email and playlists to warm up your own audience, and applying gratitude as a business strategy to stay top of mind for referrals. If you’re a Gen X woman solopreneur who wants podcast guesting to actually lead to clients, this conversation is your playbook.​ Link to the full show notes and resources: https://kandasrodarte.com/305​ Timestamps00:00 The Evolution of Podcasting02:23 Guesting Strategies for Success04:30 The Importance of Engagement07:02 Visibility and Audience Growth09:46 The Value of Niche Targeting12:34 Building Relationships with Hosts15:31 Leveraging Social Proof18:28 The Role of Consistency in Podcasting20:08 Metrics and Engagement Strategies24:25 Evaluating Podcast Metrics26:28 The Importance of Relationships in Podcast Guesting28:11 The Role of Authenticity in Podcast Pitches29:27 Value in Storytelling and Lessons Learned31:52 The Longevity of Podcasts33:12 The Power of Collaboration in Podcasting35:06 Ethics of Content Sharing and Credit38:03 Gratitude as a Business Strategy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    44 min
  7. Why $10K Offers Fail Gen X Women (Build Sustainable Communities Instead) | Carol Tice

    12/30/2025

    Why $10K Offers Fail Gen X Women (Build Sustainable Communities Instead) | Carol Tice

    Are $10K offers really the only path to a successful online business? Writer and community-builder Carol Tice shares why the high-ticket guru model fails most Gen X women entrepreneurs—and what actually works instead: sustainable communities that fit real lives. 00:00 RV Living and Lifestyle Freedom 01:46 Building a $6M Community 07:26 Trust and Online Communities 14:26 How to Launch a Paid Community 17:32 Why the $10K Offer Model Fails 20:44 Finding Real Community Opportunities 25:55 Advice for Gen X Women Entrepreneurs 31:43 Closing Gratitude and Outro You'll learn how Carol built a $6M writing community without $10K offers or hype-driven funnels, the trust factors that make online communities thrive, and practical next steps for launching or pivoting a paid community in 2025 that aligns with Gen X women values. Connect with Carol Tice Website: https://www.skool.com/community-growth-academy/about YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CommunityGrowthAcademy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/business-book-ghostwriter-community-entrepreneur-carol-tice/ Free case study: https://pages.communitygrowth.school/cga-case-optin-page Full show notes: https://kandasrodarte.com/304 Join the Gratitude Geek community: https://kandasrodarte.com/lab Gratitude Geek is proud to be part of: Podmatch – https://kandasrodarte.com/podmatch Marketing Podcast Network – https://marketingpodcasts.com Feminist Podcasters Collective – https://feministpodcasterscollective.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    33 min
  8. Podcast Predictions for 2026 for Gen X Women Podcasters

    12/23/2025

    Podcast Predictions for 2026 for Gen X Women Podcasters

    Podcast predictions for 2026 are already taking shape. In this episode of Gratitude Geek, Kandas Rodarte and Amy Stone dive into the trends that matter most for women podcasters, especially Gen X women building sustainable, story‑driven shows. They unpack fresh data about women‑hosted podcasts, CPMs, and listener growth, then connect it to real‑world decisions about ads, networks, YouTube SEO, and how to book (and be) better guests in 2026. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why women‑hosted shows make up a minority of podcasts but over‑index on downloads and ad revenue. How Gen X women have become one of the fastest‑growing podcast listener groups—and what that means for your content and offers. What’s changed in podcasting since 2016, from indie hosting and RSS to celebrity shows, video, and “is this even a podcast?” confusion. How bro marketing, culture, and power dynamics shape who gets booked, who gets paid, and who gets heard. Our podcast predictions for 2026: new creators, shifting CPMs, Substack / algorithm fatigue, SEO vs schema, and authenticity / verification tools. Practical moves Gen X women podcasters can make now: booking more women, using networks and directories wisely, and building collaborative communities instead of going it alone. About our guest Amy Stone is the host of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, an interview‑style podcast where she shares real turning‑point stories and practical strategies for navigating adult life with more honesty and less perfectionism. Links & resources Full episode show notes: KandasRodarte.com/303 Listen to Amy’s show: The Art of Imperfect Adulting Explore Gratitude Geek Lab: KandasRodarte.com/lab If this episode resonates Follow Gratitude Geek in your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode. Share this conversation with a Gen X woman podcaster who is ready to grow her show in 2026. Leave a quick rating or review to help more women find the show. Chapters 00:00 – Live Stream Blooper & Intro 02:30 – What Changed in Podcasting Since 2016 05:30 – Women in Podcasting: Stats That Matter 10:00 – Why Women Need to Book More Women 15:00 – Bro Marketing and Gendered Pitches 19:00 – Power, Culture, and Who Gets to Talk 26:00 – The Business of Podcasting in 2025 33:00 – Podcast Predictions for 2026 41:00 – What Gen X Women Podcasters Can Do Now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    44 min
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5
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38 Ratings

About

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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