E30 Shaping Your Narrative: The Empowerment of Deciding What You're Known For

A thought that I had recently inspired this episode.   The concept of choosing what we are known by others.  Connecting with people who have recently resonated with my journey, has brought me to the realization that we have the ability to shape our own narrative. From transitioning out of a corporate job to pursuing more meaningful work, to doing more music projects, I reflect on how my decisions and authenticity have impacted how I am perceived by those around me.  It's my second solo episode, and I'm still working through the uncomfortableness of it.  Thanks for listening! 

• You get to decide what you're known for
• How you perceive yourself differs from how others see you
• Pursuing passions and defining yourself
• Embracing uncomfortable challenges for personal growth
• You can shape your own narrative

Connect with me:

• Subscribe to my Substack
• Follow me on IG
• pleasantpodcasts.com
• If you would like to start your own podcast you can download my free Podcast Launch Roadmap to help you get started

A business that was built during the pandemic to allow health care workers to have a little bit of self care. 

Today I sit down with Dimitri Cotman, the founder of Zenith Point Candles, as he shares his inspiring story of building a successful business from the ground up. From the challenges of starting a new business without any prior business knowledge to the importance of community support and self-care, Dimitri's journey is a testament to the power of determination and purpose. Join me as we delve into Dimitri's entrepreneurial endeavors, his passion for creating high-quality products, and the meaningful impact his business has had on his community. Get ready to be inspired by Dimitri's perseverance, personality, and insight into the world of entrepreneurship.

Bio:
Dimitri Cotman was raised New Haven, CT in a home where education and church were prioritized. His parents instilled in him the importance of excelling in school and attending church regularly. Dimitri also grew up with his grandfather and spent a lot of time in a homeless shelter supporting his community.  From an early age he used his personality to brighten peoples days and make connections.  A skill that he took with him when he started his own business Z.Nith Point Candles, where he hand crafts candles, body butters, bath balms, and room sprays. 

Topics in this episode:

• Getting a good education 
• A business born from a pandemic hobby 
• The difficulties first charging for your products
• Collab accelerator program
• How community can support you
• Community service 
• Getting your product into stores

Connect with Dimitri:

• Shop Z.Nith Point Candle
• Follow Z.Nith Point on IG
• Follow Z.Nith Point on FB

Find Z.Nith Point locations

• Anna V. Salon in Wallingford, CT
• Avant Garde Salon in Branford, CT
• Gracious Gifts & Home in Branford, CT
• Stoney Creek Depot in Branford, CT

Connect with me:

• Subscribe to my Substack
• Follow me on IG
• pleasantpodcasts.com
• If you would like to start your own podcast you can download my free Podcast Launch Roadmap to help you get started

From selling insurance to learning how to grow mushrooms, Patrick Blanchette has found purpose in his work.  He is founder of Union City Farms, a gourmet mushroom farm.  After I read an article online where Patrick was quoted in saying, ”I could literally do my entire job without thinking” I knew I had to reach out and have him on the podcast.  We talked about how he found meditation which led him to leaving his career in insurance and finding purpose in growing mushrooms.  Patrick emphasizes the negative impact of processed food and chemicals on our collective consciousness and shares how changing our diet can improve sustainability and well-being. He also delves into the healing properties of psilocybin mushrooms, the importance ignoring negative thoughts, and the expansion of his mushroom shop. In this episode we explore the power of purpose, holistic living, and the positive impact of following one's heart.

Bio: Born as a twin, Patrick Blanchette has always been competitive, leading him to a career in sales. He started off selling Kirby vacuum cleaners, which gave him valuable experience in talking to people and learning sales. This led him to explore different sales options, eventually landing him in the insurance industry. While it was fun at first, Blanchette started asking the bigger questions in life like why are we here, and what is our purpose.  That led him to believe selling insurance wasn't his reason for being here.  That's when he quit and started looking for his purpose.  He found it in mushroom farming and opened Union City Farms, a grower of gourmet mushrooms. 

Topics in this episode:

• Being a twin and a competitive spirt 
• Being introduced to meditation and mindfulness 
• Realizing when a career isn't serving you anymore
• Quitting a corporate job with nothing lined up
• Using Meditation to let go of negative thoughts 
• Learning how to grow microgreens and mushrooms
• Finding a love for learning after school
• Benefits of eating different types of mushrooms

Book recommendations
Dr. Joe Dispenza - Breaking The Habit of Being Yourself: How to Lose Your Mind and Create a New One
Pema Chödrön - Taking the Leap: Freeing Ourselves from Old Habits and Fears

Connect with Patrick:

• Follow Patrick on IG
• Follow Patrick on FB
• Go to Union City Mushroom Farmhouse

Connect with me:

• Subscribe to my Substack
• Follow me on IG
• pleasantpodcasts.com
• If you would like to start your own podcast you can download my free Podcast Launch Roadmap to help you get started

Are you someone who think's they can't meditate? If you are, you better tune in to this episode with Kobéy Smith.  As someone who used to believe the same, Kobéy might just be the guy to get you to rethink what meditation is.  We talked about the stigma of what people think it is, and what it actualy can be.   We also discuss his entrepreneurial journey and the power of failing and pivoting and not giving up.  Lastly Kobéy is a podcaster too, and we both agreed on the importance of authenticity in the podcasting world.

Bio: Kobéy Smith is a certified meditation instructor, mental health advocate, and small business support specialist with the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce. Whether it's through his expertise in mental health or business, Kobéy is dedicated to using his skills to advance the well-being of those around him.  As the founder of Kobéy Enterprises, he is always evolving his business and he learns and grows.  Kobéy is also a podcaster, his show Chattin' with Kobéy can be found on all streaming platforms. 

Topics in this episode:

• Having gratitude for the people who encouraged you
• Stigmas of mental health 
• Living with severe anxiety
• How to start meditation if you think you can't 
• Self care as an entrepreneur 
• How to avoid burnout
• Creating Kobéy Enterprises 
• Not being afraid to fail
• What the Chamber of Commerce does for businesses 
• Starting a podcast
• Being your authentic self

Connect with Kobéy:

• Follow Kobéy on IG
• Chattin' with Kobéy Podcast
• Connect on LinkedIn

Connect with me:

• Subscribe to my Substack
• Follow me on IG
• pleasantpodcasts.com
• If you would like to start your own podcast you can download my free Podcast Launch Roadmap to help you get started

This summer, the powder ridge mountain of Connecticut will be the home of the first annual Transcend yoga and wellness Festival, and today I sat down with Allie O'kane, the creator and founder of this amazing event. Allie shares her inspiring story of pursuing her passion for yoga, holistic healing, and above all helping others. She discusses the challenges of balancing a 9to5 job with her endeavors, her journey with different types of yoga, and bringing her vision for the Transcend Fest to life. Join me as we delve into Allie's transformative journey and learn how she is working towards her purpose.

Bio: Allie O'kane is a certified yoga teacher with a passion for holistic healing. After completing her 200-hour training in Vinyasa and power yoga, she went on to gain certifications in reiki and crystal healing. Allie discovered Kundalini yoga and found it to be the perfect fit for her teaching style. Now certified at 500 hours, she focuses on teaching Kundalini yoga and offering astrology readings, crystal healing, and reiki. Always eager to expand her knowledge, Allie continues to seek out new certifications and opportunities for growth in her practice.

10% offer code for Transcend tickets: GETLIFTED

Connect with Allie:

• Follow Allie on IG
• Learn more about Transcend Yoga and Wellness Fest
• Allie's Kundalini Yoga membership group 

Connect with me:

• Subscribe to my Substack
• Follow me on IG
• pleasantpodcasts.com
• If you would like to start your own podcast you can download my free Podcast Launch Roadmap to help you get started

Today I reflect on the one year anniversary of the podcast and the 3rd year anniversary of me deciding to leave the corporate life.  I talk a little bit about my journey of entrepreneurial challenges, redefining how my business serves me, and how embracing my authenticity will lead me to my next step. In this shorter episode I take an introspective dive into my own path towards purpose.

Connect with me:

• Subscribe to my Substack
• Follow me on IG
• pleasantpodcasts.com
• If you would like to start your own podcast you can download my free Podcast Launch Roadmap to help you get started

In this episode I spoke with author, speaker, founder of the nonprofit Pajama Program, and someone who was featured on Oprah, Genevieve Piturro.  I was so inspired by her book Purpose, Passion, and Pajamas, that I had to have her on the podcast.  We had such an inspiring discussion I'm really excited to share this episode.  Genevieve takes us on a journey from her traditional Italian upbringing to her successful corporate career and ultimately to the moment of realization that led her to create a lasting impact through following her heart and leaving behind a successful career.  We explore the power of following one's passions and uncovering one's purpose, the impact of trusting the process, and the importance of finding support from your people. Listen as Genevieve shares her wisdom and experiences, inviting us to reflect on discovering our own unique purpose and inspiring change, no matter how daunting it may seem.

Genevieve Piturro was born into a loving Italian-American family, where she felt the pressure to uphold traditions. However, she had a different calling in life. After working in a successful corporate career, Genevieve had an encounter with a group of children living in a homeless shelter, which changed the trajectory of her life. She founded the non-profit organization "Pajama Program," which provides new pajamas and books to children in need.  She has since dedicated her life to helping those less fortunate. Genevieve's story is a testament to following one's passion and making a difference in the world.
 
Topics in this episode:

• Leaving a corporate career for something more
• Starting a non profit from nothing
• Feeling guilty for not caring about your corporate job anymore 
• Struggling between financial stability and the desire to make a difference
• Making decisions with the heart and the head
• What being on the Oprah show was like 

Connect with Genevieve:

• Genevieve's Book: Purpose, Passion, and Pajamas
• Pajama Program
• Genevieve's website 
• Follow Genevieve on IG
• Watch Genevieve on Oprah
• Exercise to find your purpose 

Connect with me:

• Subscribe to my Substack
• Follow me on IG
• pleasantpodcasts.com
• If you would like to start your own podcast you can download my free Podcast Launch Roadmap to help you get started

In today's episode of Working Towards Our Purpose, I sat down with Alex Angeloff, owner of Remedy Co and The Cultured Cafe. Alex shares his journey from a background in drug dealing and spending time in prison to founding a craft CBD company, and later opening a cafe that specializes in fermented foods.  We talk about personal growth, healthy eating, and the impact of aligning values with actions. Join me for an insightful and inspiring conversation as we delve into Alex's path to purpose-driven entrepreneurship.

Alex Angeloff grew up in Westville in New Haven and comes from a long line of pharmacists. He bounced around from college to college before finally deciding to quit attending and going all in on his CBD business.  He now has multiple employees that help him run his CDB store in Wallingford and his health cafe in New Haven.
 
Topics in this episode:

• Feeling constrained by the traditional educational system
• Dropping out of college
• Having a positive mindset in prison
• Being a pioneer in the CBD space
• Opening a storefront in a laboratory space
• Starting a second business 
• Running a health cafe in New Haven
• Hiring people and creating systems
• Advocating for a holistic approach to health

Connect with Alex:

• Cultured Cafe
• Follow Alex on IG
• The Remedy Co.
• Cultured monthly membership boxes

Connect with me:

• Subscribe to my Substack
• Follow me on IG
• pleasantpodcasts.com
• If you would like to start your own podcast you can download my free Podcast Launch Roadmap to help you get started

In this episode of Working Towards Our Purpose I talk to my friend Chelsea Paquin about journey from finding her footing in various marketing career paths, to navigating the challenges of van life, to embracing her passion for astrology. Chelsea reflects on her transition from traditional employment to freelancing after getting fired from a job.  She also talks about her experiences living in a van with her boyfriend for the past 4 years, and her deepening interest in astrology.  We explore the importance of being open-minded and the impact astrology has had on our personal growth. We discuss Chelsea's podcast "The Moon in Your Mind" and how she is transitioning from doing it with a cohost to going solo.  Chelsea gives various 1:1 astrology readings and has just opened up her very own membership! Links below!
 
Topics in this episode:

• From getting fired to freelancing 
• Converting a van into a living space
• Getting used to van life
• Introduction to astrology 
• My first astrology reading
• Starting a podcast with a friend 
• Continuing a podcast solo

Connect with Chelsea:

• Chelsea's website
• Follow Chelsea on IG
• Winter Wellness Membership
• The Moon and your Mind Podcast
• Get an astrology reading by Chelsea

Connect with me:

• Subscribe to my Substack
• Follow me on IG
• pleasantpodcasts.com
• If you would like to start your own podcast you can download my free Podcast Launch Roadmap to help you get started

Derek Okley is an educator, business strategist, coach, and author who uses podcasting as a means to empower individuals and showcase the incredible work being done by ordinary people in their communities. He was initially inspired to pursue a career in education after witnessing the positive impact of his mentor in the special education department at a school in Brooklyn. This led him to work in a dropout prevention program where he absorbed valuable lessons and experiences. Seeking new challenges, Derek ventured into applying the knowledge he had acquired and spent several years teaching in East New York, Brooklyn. 

In this episode Derek shares his journey of following intuition, embracing change, and finding success in unexpected places.  Derek let's his curiosity lead him to making connections that lead him to finding her purpose.  He got into podcasting in the early days, and now teaches kids to podcast.  We talk about so many different things in this episode, but most of all I appreciate Derek's energy and motivational way of speaking.  Tune in to hear his whole story and all of the wisdom he shares!
 

Topics in this episode: 

• Working with kids at schools in Brooklyn 
• Leading with curiosity
• Learning how to sew 
• Attending the Fashion Institute of Technology
• Not worrying about what others think
• Personal Growth and Learning from Experience
• Taking a job not for pay but for alignment 
• Finding community in running 
• Using podcasting to tell peoples stories 

Connect with Derek:

• Derek's website
• Follow Derek on IG
• Behind the Wheel Podcast
• Download Derek's Book "Mine Ur Own Business"

Connect with me:

• Subscribe to my Substack
• Follow me on IG
• pleasantpodcasts.com
• If you would like to start your own podcast you can download my free Podcast Launch Roadmap to help you get started