Episodes

  • Don't Start a Podcast Until You Know These Things | Julie Marty-Pearson

    Don't Start a Podcast Until You Know These Things | Julie Marty-Pearson
    Mar 24 2026
    Thinking about starting a podcast? Before you buy the mic and set up the hosting account, you need to hear this conversation. Julie Marty-Pearson has been in podcasting for nearly five years. She helps people launch shows, coaches podcast guests, and hosts three podcasts herself. She also tells people no when a podcast isn't right for them yet. That kind of honesty is exactly why this conversation matters. In this episode, we get into the real reasons people want to start podcasts, why most of them aren't ready, and what to do instead. We talk about the actual costs of launching in 2026 versus what it cost back when I started in 2014. We dig into the power of being a strategic podcast guest, how collaboration is changing the game, and why guesting might be all you ever need to move the needle in your business. We also go there on what it's like to be a woman putting her voice out in the world, dealing with trolls, bad reviews, and the freedom that comes from running out of Fs to give. If you have been on the fence about podcasting, this episode will help you get clear. Connect with Julie Marty-Pearson: Website: juliemartypearson.com Resources mentioned in this episode: Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/gratitudegeek PodMatch: https://kandasrodarte.com/podmatch (affiliate link) Notebook LM: https://notebooklm.google.com Cap Show: https://www.capshow.io HoneyBook: https://kandasrodarte.com/honeybook (affiliate link) Subscribe and Listen: YouTube: https://youtube.com/@gratitudegeek Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gratitude-geek/id820738086 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/27dh0T1PbwsWXxfmNWZPy8?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 Support the Show: If this podcast has brought you value, consider contributing to keep Gratitude Geek going strong. https://kandasrodarte.com/support Work with Kandas: Are you a woman solopreneur over 40 who has been through something hard like cancer, divorce, or loss? Kandas helps women rebuild their businesses with strategy, systems, and gratitude as a real business tool. https://kandasrodarte.com/start-here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    57 mins
  • Breast Cancer Support Resources Go Way Beyond Treatment

    Breast Cancer Support Resources Go Way Beyond Treatment
    Mar 17 2026
    Most women don't find out what breast cancer support resources are available until they're already in crisis. In this episode, Kandas sits down with Gretchen Awad, Executive Director of Susan G. Komen Northwest Ohio and Detroit, for an honest conversation about what Komen actually does on the ground — and how to access it. Full show notes + resources: https://kandasrodarte.com/315 Gretchen walks through Komen's four pillars — advocacy, research, financial assistance, and community education — and explains how to get help regardless of your zip code or financial situation. She's joined by Dr. Michelle D. Clark, a breast cancer survivor and board member for Susan G. Komen Detroit, whose own story brings the human side of everything Komen exists to do. Because this is Gratitude Geek, we also dig into something the medical community rarely talks about — how gratitude functions as a survival tool when your world has been turned upside down. This episode is part of Podcasthon, an international movement where podcasters around the globe spotlight their charity of choice during the same week. Resources mentioned: https://komen.org https://cancer.org https://podcasthon.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    47 mins
  • Your Broken Money Story Is Robbing You Blind | Bill Cates

    Your Broken Money Story Is Robbing You Blind | Bill Cates
    Mar 10 2026
    Your broken money story is robbing you blind — and most women solopreneurs don't even know it's happening. In this episode, Bill Cates, author of The Hidden Heist, helps you understand why your money mindset is the real thing holding your business back, not your strategy, not your marketing, and not the economy. Bill has spent 34 years helping financial professionals grow through referrals and has built and sold multiple businesses himself. He knows both sides of financial success and financial struggle, and he brings that hard-won experience directly to this conversation. Together we dig into why so many women over 40 undercharge, undervalue themselves, and wait to feel "ready" before they take profit or show generosity. Bill walks through how your earliest money beliefs are still running the show today, how to start rewriting that story, and why gratitude and generosity are actually wealth-building tools, not just feel-good habits. If your relationship with money needs therapy, this episode is a great place to start. Full show notes + links: https://kandasrodarte.com/314 Chapters: 0:00 - Breaking the money mindset holding women entrepreneurs back 1:45 - Bill's background: building, selling, and surviving bad partnerships 8:30 - Your broken money story and where financial beliefs come from 16:00 - Why women solopreneurs undercharge and undervalue themselves 22:30 - The wealth mindset shift: generosity and profit start NOW 28:00 - Borrowed trust, referrals, and rebuilding after a major life disruption 34:15 - Radical relevance: getting clear on your who to fix your money blocks 40:30 - Bill's moment of gratitude Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    Not Yet Known
  • Move from Operator to Owner in Your Business | Ral West

    Move from Operator to Owner in Your Business | Ral West
    Mar 3 2026
    Tired of doing everything yourself in your business? Airline founder Ral West shares how she escaped operator overwhelm to build systems, delegate, and sell her company to Alaska Airlines—practical steps even solopreneurs can take today.​ Perfect for Gen X women solopreneurs rebuilding after cancer, divorce, loss, or burnout. Learn non-hustle ways to automate, focus on profit over revenue, and weave gratitude into growth. In this episode: Ral's journey from exhaustion to business sale Operator vs. owner: Lead the orchestra, don't play every instrument Simple systems and AI automation for limited bandwidth Living in the "gain, not the gap" with gratitude Building a solopreneur "team" (VA, bookkeeper, mentors) Ral’s BOSS Mastermind: https://ralwest.com Join Gratitude Geek Lab for experiment-driven growth that fits real life. Links at kandasrodarte.com/313 Chapters:0:00 Intro1:45 Ral's Story6:30 Airline Secrets10:15 Gratitude & Gain13:45 Solopreneur Shift17:30 Operator vs Owner21:15 Build Systems26:45 Profit Focus30:00 AI Leverage34:30 Ral's Mastermind38:15 Gratitude Moment40:00 Outro Gratitude Geek: Business for Gen X women solopreneurs, gratitude-first. Hosted by Kandas Rodarte. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    43 mins
  • Digital Minimalism and Digital Overload | Kelsey Green

    Digital Minimalism and Digital Overload | Kelsey Green
    Feb 24 2026
    Feeling the weight of digital overload? Kelsey Green joins Gratitude Geek to break down digital minimalism and practical technology boundaries that help Gen X women solopreneurs reclaim focus and mental health without ditching tech entirely.​ Kelsey shares her journey from tech burnout—thinking she had ADHD—to liberation through Cal Newport-inspired principles: Does your tech serve your values, or are you serving it? Learn to scale back social media, use analog tools like paper planners, create physical phone boundaries, and prioritize high-quality hobbies over endless scrolling.​ Perfect for women rebuilding businesses after cancer, divorce, or burnout who want sustainable growth that fits real life. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Kandas's Digital Overload Experience00:42 Kelsey Green's Journey to Digital Minimalism02:06 ADHD vs Digital Overload: Is There a Connection?03:09 What Is Digital Minimalism? Core Principles and Resources04:36 Scaling Back Social Media and Finding Liberation07:06 Boundaries for Business and Online Presence08:40 The Impact of Digital on Social Skills and Community10:40 The Problem of Digital Persona vs Reality12:34 Practical Tips for Digital Boundaries and Notifications15:48 Creating Physical Boundaries for Phone Use17:04 The Shift from Desk Phones to Smartphones19:17 Using Analog Tools and Paper Planning23:55 Reclaiming Time: High-Quality Hobbies and Projects26:16 The Value of Boredom and Embodied Experiences28:11 The Art of Conversation and Face-to-Face Interaction32:13 Self-Accountability and Digital Boundaries35:16 Sharing Personal Stories and Boundaries in Content39:32 Balancing Vulnerability and Privacy Online41:51 Content Creation vs Consumption: Finding Balance44:59 The Power of Creating Over Consuming46:51 Learning from Beginners and Embracing Imperfection48:49 Building Connection Through Small Talk49:47 Practicing Curiosity and Asking Questions50:41 Gratitude as a Business Strategy52:08 Daily Gratitude Practice and Living with Intention Guest: Kelsey GreenFull Snow Notes + Links: https://kandasrodarte.com/312​ Join the Gratitude Geek Lab for experiment-driven solopreneur growth: kandasrodarte.com/lab Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    54 mins
  • Soul-Aligned Career Change for Gen X Women | Rachel Spekman

    Soul-Aligned Career Change for Gen X Women | Rachel Spekman
    Feb 17 2026
    Have you been earning a great income in a career that secretly drains your soul? In this episode, career coach Rachel Spekman helps Gen X women solopreneurs transition from miserable high-paying jobs to soul-aligned work using gratitude and authenticity. Full Show Notes + Links: https://kandasrodarte.com/311 In This Episode: • Reflect on what actually worked in past careers • Experiment with career changes without overcommitting • Simplify priorities and overcome imposter syndrome • Trust your experience for soul-aligned solopreneur work Rachel shares insights from 15 years in marketing, 10 years helping startup founders, and 5 years as a therapist. She discusses navigating career transitions, building an advisory board for solopreneurs, and using gratitude as a business strategy. KEY TOPICS: Soul-aligned career transitions for women over 40 Managing reputation and fear of judgment when changing careers Authenticity in marketing strategies Lessons from venture capitalism for Gen X entrepreneurs Creating an advisory board for your solopreneur journey Finding your values and green zones Overcoming isolation and building community CONNECT WITH RACHEL SPEKMAN: Website: https://www.rachelspekman.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelspekman/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MadeforMoreCoach CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Introduction: Career that looks good but feels wrong 02:18 - Weaving gratitude into business strategy 04:39 - Understanding soul alignment in career choices 07:13 - Role of confidence in career transitions 09:37 - Navigating imposter syndrome for women over 40 12:23 - Experimentation and incremental career changes 14:32 - Authenticity in marketing strategies 16:45 - Lessons from venture capitalism for Gen X women 19:37 - Creating an advisory board for solopreneurs 21:50 - Finding your values and green zones 24:01 - Importance of connection and community --- 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. Each week, Kandas interviews successful entrepreneurs, coaches, and business owners who share practical strategies for growing sustainable businesses after 40—especially for women rebuilding after life disruptions like cancer, divorce, or loss. Subscribe & Listen: https://gratitudegeek.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    33 mins
  • Vintage Reseller Freedom After 40 | Kira Hartley Klinger

    Vintage Reseller Freedom After 40 | Kira Hartley Klinger
    Feb 10 2026
    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
    Show more Show less
    40 mins
  • Pricing for Creative Entrepreneurs | Paul Pape

    Pricing for Creative Entrepreneurs | Paul Pape
    Feb 3 2026
    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
    Show more Show less
    49 mins