Sparking Radiance

Genny Perez
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  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Life has chapters that can leave us feeling dim, distracted, or even lost—but your Spark never leaves, it’s just waiting to shine again. I’m your host, Genny Perez—a Wife, Mom, and Friend who’s still figuring it out too. On Sparking Radiance, I share real stories, encouragement, and honest conversations as we grow through each chapter together. This isn’t about being perfect—it’s about choosing light, little by little, starting right from where you are.   Come join me, and let’s Spark some Radiance together!

  1. MAR 31

    When Life Disrupts You On Purpose With Chandrika Mackall

    A “good” job can still be the wrong fit and sometimes the moment you lose it is the moment you finally breathe. I’m sitting down with Chandrika Mackall, a beauty expert and permanent makeup artist who spent 20 years in a federal government career while quietly keeping her love for makeup artistry alive on the side. When that secure path ended, she didn’t panic-scroll job boards. She felt relief and took the leap into purpose. We talk about what it looks like to pivot careers in midlife, especially as women who’ve spent years putting everyone else first. Chandrika shares how creativity can feel like a gift you’re responsible for using, why spreadsheet life can drain an artist, and how to “feed” your passion even when you can’t quit your day job yet. If you’re exploring entrepreneurship, a side hustle, or a second-act business, her story brings real talk about risk, mindset, and trusting the nudge. The heart of this conversation is why beauty is more than appearance. From foundation matching after radiation to eyebrow solutions for people navigating cancer treatment, Chandrika explains how makeup, PMU, and brow work can restore confidence and help someone step back into the world. She also shares her vision for giving back through her More Than Makeup training program and a future nonprofit. Subscribe to Sparking Radiance, share this with a friend who needs a spark, and leave a review so more people can find the show. *You can find out more about the More Than Make up Training Program by following Chandrika on Instagram @cmack_beauty.   Follow me on Instagram - @sparking.radiance

    27 min

  2. MAR 17

    The Wake-Up Call with Dr. Edward De La Torre

    A surprise diagnosis can feel like a shock, but it can also be an invitation. When Dr. Edward De La Torre saw the warning signs of prediabetes, he didn’t wait for a “perfect” Monday. He went home, cleaned out his pantry, and started rebuilding his health with whole foods, lower sugar, better habits, and a long view of longevity. We get into what that really looks like day to day: the cravings, the adjustments, the setbacks, and the way the body can rebuild when you stay consistent. Dr. De La Torre brings a rare blend of experience across psychology, education, business, and leadership, and he connects the dots between mindset and behavior change in a way that feels practical. We talk about sustainable weight loss, nutrition awareness, alcohol moderation, and why progress often comes from small shifts over time instead of dramatic overnight transformation. If you’re trying to improve your wellness routine, lower blood sugar, or simply feel like yourself again, you’ll leave with clear ideas you can test and personalize. Then things take an unexpected turn into financial wellness and resilience. He shares how identity theft and fraud left him with debt in his name, and the concrete steps he took to protect himself: freezing credit, filing a police report, seeking legal counsel, and budgeting through the aftermath. The bigger lesson is the one that applies to everything: take accountability for what you can control, communicate early, and build a support network that keeps you steady. Listen through to the end for the mindset shift he keeps returning to: the power is in the presence. If the conversation helps you, subscribe, share it with someone who needs a spark, and leave a review so more people can find Sparking Radiance. Follow me on Instagram - @sparking.radiance

    38 min

  3. MAR 3

    We Packed Our Lives Into Eight Suitcases And Somehow Got Richer with Mackenzie Corona

    What if the richest version of your life isn’t bigger, faster, or louder—but slower, smaller, and full of presence? We sit down with McKinzie Corona, a critical care nurse turned expat mom, who traded the American rush for a walkable, family-first life in Mexico. Her story isn’t a highlight reel; it’s a candid look at mindset, logistics, and the very real moments that test your willingness to grow. We trace the journey from an itch to be more present to the steady steps that made a bold move possible—dual citizenship for the kids, visas, remote income through drop shipping, and a month-long scouting trip to choose a city. McKinzie shares how they sold almost everything, packed eight suitcases, and promised to give the new life time to take root. What followed surprised her: the way stillness reveals how deeply hustle culture lives in your body, the way peace can outrank productivity, and how parenting changes when time isn’t scarce. She describes letting her kids “live with me,” turning chores into connection, and discovering she thrives in a slower rhythm. We also get practical. Expect bureaucratic detours for banking, licenses, and immigration. Notice the security presence without panic. Carry pesos because cash is king. Learn tipping norms, watch how locals do it, and embrace being a beginner—right down to the haircut lost in translation. McKinzie's perspective on Mexico’s late-night plazas, family-friendly restaurants, and genuine greetings offers more than travel tips; it’s a guide to reshaping daily life around community and attention. The heartbeat of this conversation is a line worth pinning: change doesn’t guarantee comfort, but it almost always guarantees growth. If you’ve felt the nudge to live abroad—Mexico, Costa Rica, Portugal, wherever—start with small steps. Research neighborhoods, test remote work, take a scouting trip, and see how your nervous system responds. You don’t need to be fearless; you just need to be willing. Listen now, then tell us: what small step toward a slower, richer life can you take today? Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a spark, and leave a review to help others find the show. Make sure to continue to follow Mackenzie's adventure: @makenziecoronaa Follow me on Instagram - @sparking.radiance

    42 min

  4. FEB 19

    Redefining Success After Failure with Joshua Hernandez

    What if everything you built—your business, your title, your safety—disappeared overnight? We sit down with financial educator and 20-year entrepreneur Joshua Hernandez to explore how identity survives disruption and how resilience is forged through honest reflection, calculated risk, and the decision to begin again. Joshua shares the rise of his early career, buying his first home at 25, and the hard crash of 2008 that forced him to surrender the house and strip back to essentials. Instead of chasing pride, he chose process: buffers for downturns, leaner overhead, diversified income, and scenario planning that keeps cash flow steady when markets shake. He explains why risk is necessary, how to keep it calculated, and what “protecting the downside” looks like when you’re leading a people-centered business. We dig into daily practices that compound trust—showing up, keeping promises, and treating clients like family—because integrity is the best growth engine. Mindset threads through every chapter. The Magic of Thinking Big, The Greatest Miracle in the World, and What to Say When You Talk to Yourself didn’t just inspire him; they shaped a method for testing ideas before going all in. Joshua’s blueprint for aspiring founders is clear: test the waters to validate demand, then compress your learning curve with a mentor who has already walked the path. And beyond the spreadsheets, there’s a human turn—how salsa dancing at rock bottom led him to his future wife and a life of travel that expands perspective and fuels better decisions. If you’re rethinking success, rebuilding after loss, or simply ready to align ambition with a life you actually love, this conversation will give you tools and heart. Subscribe, share with someone who needs a spark, and leave a review to help more listeners find us.  What’s one risk you’re ready to take this week? Follow Josh on instagram @joshuaehernandez.  Follow me on Instagram - @sparking.radiance

    29 min
  5. Do it Afraid! with Melissa Fournier

    12/05/2025

    Do it Afraid! with Melissa Fournier

    Ever told yourself it’s too late to start? Meet Melissa Fournier, a wife and mom who walked into a women’s jiu-jitsu trial at 50, got hooked on the mats, and then decided to compete just four months later.  We dig into what  jiu-jitsu actually demands—submissions, leverage, and controlled pressure—and why technique beats brute strength at every level. Melissa opens up about training through fear, rolling with new partners, and learning to trust a respectful gym culture. With a shoulder injury, a volatile knee, and the normal bruises of live rounds, she still built cardio for four-minute bursts and focused on skill over weight cuts. The night before the tournament, she didn’t even know if she had a match. When one appeared, it was a woman 30 pounds heavier with multiple tournaments under her belt. Every advisor put the decision back in her hands. What happened next is the heart of the episode: she introduced herself to her opponent, grounded the moment in humanity, and chose to “do it afraid.” The first round ended fast with an arm lock. The second stretched to two and a half minutes of grit and defended grips. She lost the bracket and won something bigger—no lingering what-if, no quiet regret. We talk about identity change, adult learning, the power of community, and how to set goals that push without breaking you. If you’re craving a late start, a career pivot, or just one brave habit, this story gives you permission and a simple plan: show up, stay curious, and stack small reps. If this conversation sparked something, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a nudge, and leave a quick review so more people can find us. Your next brave step starts now. Follow Melissa on Instagram @eddienpnutsmom  Follow me on Instagram - @sparking.radiance

    29 min
  6. Being You Begins with Noticing You - With Dr. Massiel Perez-Calhoon

    11/18/2025

    Being You Begins with Noticing You - With Dr. Massiel Perez-Calhoon

    What if self-care wasn’t a luxury at all, but a set of small, repeatable habits that protect your health and energy every single day? We sit down with Dr. Massiel Perez-Calhoon—professor, author, and founder of Do Well at Being You—to flip the script on what it means to take care of yourself without the guilt or the fluff. Forget the stereotype of spa days and scented candles. We explore micro habits you can weave into real life in minutes and why those tiny choices make a big difference. Dr. Perez-Calhoon shares her journey from personal trainer to educator and researcher, including her work on workplace wellness and why people struggle to participate. She breaks down the pillars of sustainable self-care: stress and emotional regulation, physical health and disease prevention, restoration and sleep, relationships and community, boundaries and purpose, and self-respect anchored in your values. We talk about using breathwork before meetings, affirmations to prime focus, water breaks between tasks, stretching during errands, gratitude lists on commutes, and lunch walks that reset the nervous system. These aren’t add-ons; they’re a blueprint for avoiding burnout. We also get practical about preventive care. Annual checkups, blood pressure tracking, and paying attention to “silent” signals like fatigue or muscle twitches can catch problems early. Dr. Perez Calhoon underscores how ignoring the body’s dashboard is like driving with the low-oil light on—something will give. By responding sooner, we model healthy behavior for kids and colleagues, we protect our relationships, and we make better choices with our limited time. The message is simple: adapt your routines to the season you’re in, trade minutes for habits that compound, and let purpose and joy be part of your daily currency. Connect with Dr. Massiel Perez-Calhoon @dowellatbeingyou Subscribe, share this episode with someone who needs a nudge toward sustainable self-care, and leave a quick review to help more listeners find the show. What micro habit will you start today? Follow me on Instagram - @sparking.radiance

    32 min
  7. The Confidence to Begin Again with Fernanda Bell

    10/30/2025

    The Confidence to Begin Again with Fernanda Bell

    What if the life that looks perfect on paper feels hollow in your chest? That’s the tension Fernanda faced after years of doing everything “right”—earning, achieving, collecting the markers of success—yet coming home to quiet emptiness. Her answer wasn’t another hustle hack. It was a hard reset: strip away the noise, sit in silence, and rebuild on unshakable principles. We dive into her path from a strict Latin upbringing and early single motherhood to a bold pivot that cost her comfort but returned her identity. Fernanda explains why values and wants can shift, but principles like honesty, service, and reliability keep you grounded through every season. She shares the surprising power of intentional isolation to hear your own voice in a world that never stops talking, and how clarity often starts with naming what you refuse to carry forward. Creativity threads through her story. After two decades in fashion styling, she found new energy by weaving that eye for design into real estate and interiors—turning houses into sanctuaries that hold laughter, prayers, and growth. We get practical too: a three-step confidence builder (get quiet, choose five goals in five months, curate your circle), why small wins compound faster than big resolutions, and how to spot environments that feed performance over purpose. Her take on style is refreshingly honest—pairing accessible pieces with thoughtful investments and honoring designers’ craft over labels—because integrity looks good on everyone. If you’re navigating a career pivot, craving real confidence, or trying to make your outside life match your inside truth, this conversation offers a blueprint you can use today. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a spark, and leave a quick review to help more listeners find the show. What are you ready to let go of so you can make room for what fits? Connect with Fernanda @realtor.fernandabell  Follow me on Instagram - @sparking.radiance

    42 min
  8. Mindset is a Choice: When Humility becomes a Hiding Place - With Justin Grajeda.

    10/20/2025

    Mindset is a Choice: When Humility becomes a Hiding Place - With Justin Grajeda.

    What if happiness wasn’t luck but logistics? We sit down with Justin Grajeda, a real estate entrepreneur and coach who turned a decade of anger into a daily practice of clarity, gratitude, and growth. He doesn’t romanticize positivity; he operationalizes it. From the first glass of water and a sunrise walk to strength training, sauna time, and an audiobook, Justin shows how feeding the mind before the body sets the tone for the day—and why skipping those anchors makes stress louder and choices harder. We get into the deeper pivot points too. Therapy opened the door, and a core lesson crystallized: motion creates emotion. By changing posture, breath, and pace, he primes confidence and momentum on command. In business, he translates that insight into systems: documented processes for rentals, flips, and client work that buffer chaos and protect attention. When turbulence is expected, you don’t panic—you execute. That same mindset applies to digital life and relationships, where decluttering inputs shapes a healthier algorithm for your mind. Justin also challenges a sneaky limiter: performative humility. He tells the story of dressing down to avoid “showing off,” only to realize he was shrinking his identity. Upgrading his environment wasn’t vanity; it was alignment with the person he was building. From there he lays out five practical steps anyone can use: mindset, goals, budgeting, lifestyle, and a quantum leap—picking a bold target and reverse engineering it with small, consistent actions. Whether you want more peace, better health, or scalable income, the throughline is choice. You don’t have to stay where you are, and you don’t need permission to start. If this resonates, tap follow, share it with a friend who could use a reset, and leave a quick review. Tell us: which habit will you automate this week—and what leap are you aiming for next? Find Justin on Instagram @Justincoaching_ or via TikTok @Chulis El Inversionista.  Follow me on Instagram - @sparking.radiance

    36 min
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About

Life has chapters that can leave us feeling dim, distracted, or even lost—but your Spark never leaves, it’s just waiting to shine again. I’m your host, Genny Perez—a Wife, Mom, and Friend who’s still figuring it out too. On Sparking Radiance, I share real stories, encouragement, and honest conversations as we grow through each chapter together. This isn’t about being perfect—it’s about choosing light, little by little, starting right from where you are.   Come join me, and let’s Spark some Radiance together!

Information

  • Creator
    Genny Perez
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Sparking Radiance
  • Show Website
    Sparking Radiance