From Overachieving to Authentic Self-Care with Gerri Sapinoso Hudson

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In this episode of The Story I'm Telling Myself, host Rita sits down with Gerri Sapinoso Hudson, a self-care coach and the founder of Vision Bridge Leadership, to discuss the high cost of the "hyperachiever" lifestyle and the journey to reclaiming personal agency. Gerri shares a vulnerable look at her life as a first-generation Asian American woman navigating the "third culture"—a space pulled between roots and the American dream of academic achievement and corporate success.

The Performance of Perfection

For decades, Gerri lived by a script of obligation, believing that following the rules and achieving milestones would ultimately lead to happiness. She describes "growing up in corporate America," where she thrived in hierarchical systems by being compliant, respectful of authority, and careful not to take up too much space while making others look amazing. This perfectionism and "automatic pilot" mode created an idyllic-looking life from the outside that masked a lack of true self-knowledge.

The 48-Hour Collapse

The turning point of Gerri’s story is a harrowing 48-hour window that shattered her sense of safety. On a Tuesday morning, just before leading a corporate team off-site, her husband revealed a long-standing secret addiction. The very next day—her birthday—she learned she was being laid off. This total collapse stripped away the identity she had built around her career and family, forcing her to confront a life without the markers of value she had relied upon for 30 years.

Reclaiming the Power to Choose

Gerri details her arduous path through recovery, moving from the "victim story" and anger to a realization that she had been choosing to hold on for the wrong reasons. She highlights the transformative power of the proverb "let go or be dragged," emphasizing that true healing began when she reclaimed her power to choose her own path rather than following a predetermined social blueprint.

A New Toolkit for Self-Care

Moving beyond superficial self-care like "mani-pedis" or spa days, Gerri shares the modalities that provided true nourishment:

Intense Exercise: Using CrossFit to process anger and change her physical state.

Mindfulness & Meditation: Finding stillness to separate herself from "spinning thoughts".

Journaling & Writing: Discovering her voice as an author and published article writer.

Community: Reaching out to recovery groups and friends to learn she was not alone in her suffering.

Know yourself deeply: Take the time to understand what actually works for you, regardless of societal expectations or social media trends.

Healing is a journey, not a destination: It is never too late to start again or try something new.

Forgiveness is for you: Choosing to forgive is a path to personal healing and happiness.

Key Takeaways for Listeners:

Listen now to discover how to find "safety in your own skin" and transition from a life of autopilot to one of radical authenticity.

If this story resonates with you, please leave a five-star review and share the episode with a friend who may be struggling with their own "one story" trap.

Connect with Gerri

Grab Gerri's gift to you, her 7 day jumpstart to start your self-care journey.

Connect with your host, Rita Ernst

Beyond the "One Story" Trap: Overcoming Burnout and Reclaiming Your Identity with Dr. Tasha Golden

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In this transformative episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself, host Rita Ernst sits down with Dr. Tasha Golden—a former chart-topping singer-songwriter turned PhD researcher—to explore the invisible "walls" of the stories we tell ourselves.

If you are a professional woman feeling the weight of burnout, questioning your career path, or struggling to find meaning beyond your job title, this conversation is your roadmap to a "through line" of true fulfillment.

What You’ll Discover in This Episode:

• The Identity Trap: How clinging to a "one story" narrative—the belief that there is only one path to success—can lead to catastrophic burnout and major depression.
• The Art of Refusal: Why all creativity is rooted in the power to say "no" to the status quo and refuse to accept the world (or your life) exactly as it is.
• Grief in Transition: Understanding that even positive career changes involve a natural process of grieving the old roles we played and the "source of pride" we are leaving behind.
• Redefining Wellbeing: Moving beyond the "absence of disease" to a state of complete physical, mental, and social health that prioritizes connection, agency, and beauty.

Featured Guest: Dr. Tasha Golden

Dr. Tasha Golden is a renowned thought leader at the intersection of arts, science, and public health. From touring the world as a musician to conducting behavioral science research for organizations like Google and the Mayo Clinic, Tasha helps high-performers "re-see" their lives and work. She is a frequent contributor to Psychology Today and a powerful advocate for mental health systems change.

Why Listen Now?

You don’t have to wait for a crisis to "annihilate" your current story before you’re allowed to imagine a different one. Whether you're feeling "numb" in your current role or standing on the edge of a major life transition, Tasha’s story provides the permission you need to start your own "beautiful excavation" of what truly matters.

Connect with Dr. Tasha Golden

Connect with host Rita Ernst

Breaking the Habit of Unworthiness

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Are you constantly "racing through time," feeling like you’re stuck in a whirlpool of overwhelm? You might tell yourself you just have bad time management, but the truth is often much deeper.

In this episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself, host Rita Ernst welcomes Coach Nadine Zeinoun to explore how your daily stress often serves as a mask for a narrative of unworthiness.

Nadine gets vulnerable, sharing her journey from living in "victim mode"—where she blamed her schedule, her family, and external environments for her lack of progress—to the life-changing realization that she was actually self-sabotaging. She reveals how she used "being busy" as a security blanket to avoid taking the risky steps necessary for true success.

In this episode, you will discover:

• The Overwhelm Mask: Why a lack of time management is often a symptom of the internal story that you are "not good enough" or destined to fail.
• Excuses vs. Reality: How to use Emotional Intelligence (EQ) to differentiate between naming your true reality and falling into the "trap" of limiting excuses.
• Physical Signals of Sabotage: How to recognize the weight in your chest and shoulders as a signal that your mindset is out of alignment.
• Breaking the Pattern: Practical strategies using self-talk, curiosity, and forgiveness to interrupt the habit of unworthiness and move back into a state of "flow."
• Character Strengths: How to leverage your unique strengths—such as kindness or perspective—to silence the "inner judge" and extend grace to yourself.

Stop hiding behind your to-do list and start uncovering the "jewels" that lie beneath your fears.

Listen now to stop the habit of unworthiness and reclaim your power. Don't forget to subscribe for more insights on rewriting the stories you tell yourself!

Connect with Coach Nadine:LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, FacebookGrab her Freebie: Leading through Emotional IntelligenceConnect with Host, Rita Ernst

From the Classroom to the Capitol: Navigating Power and Policy with Kentucky State Rep. Tina Bojanowski

What happens when a citizen with no political intentions is suddenly called to run for office?

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In this episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself, host Rita Ernst sits down with Kentucky State Representative Tina Bojanowski, PhD, to discuss her extraordinary transition from a full-time special education teacher to an influential voice in the Kentucky General Assembly.

Tina shares the vulnerable story of her "five-minute failure"—the day her initial 2016 filing paperwork arrived at the capital just past the deadline—and how that moment became the "spark" for a more intentional, research-driven path to leadership.

As a mother of a child with autism and a PhD in education and social change, Tina explains how she leverages her professional expertise to influence public policy even while serving in a "super minority".

This conversation goes beyond politics to explore the grit required to move the needle on education advocacy, the importance of relationship-building across party lines, and the essential self-care strategies—from butterfly gardening to setting boundaries—that keep a change agent grounded when carrying the weight of the world.

Key Takeaways from This Episode:

• The Transition from Advocate to Legislator: How personal experiences with special education and high-stakes testing drove a teacher to seek systemic change.
• Leading in the "Super Minority": Strategies for influencing legislation and gaining respect through meticulous research and preparation rather than partisan rhetoric.
• Policy vs. Politics: Why focusing on beneficial outcomes for constituents often requires voting outside of party lines.
• The Reality of the "Teacher-Legislator": Balancing a "part-time" government role with a demanding day job and the mental toll of public service.
• Mental Health and Grounding: The role of gardening, the Serenity Prayer, and "escaping" the 24-hour news cycle to maintain the capacity for long-term advocacy.

Connect with Rep. Tina Bojanowski:

Substack: ⁠TinaForKentucky.substack.com⁠ (Always free for followers!)

Email: tina.bojanowski@kylegislature.govConnect with Host, Rita Ernst

Listen and Subscribe: Don't miss an episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to hear more stories of individuals standing in their own way—and finding the courage to move.

In honor of a monumentous 50th episode, we deep-dive into the heart of mission-driven leadership and the systemic visibility gap in professional spaces.

Grab the Episode 50 companion Self-Reflection Guide

Host Rita Ernst sits down with Bobbie Carlton, the founder of Innovation Women, to challenge the staggering reality that two-thirds of all conference speakers are men. This imbalance doesn't just limit representation; it strips women of vital career and business opportunities.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The Power of Giving Yourself Permission: Bobbie shares her journey of moving from a passive observer of "male, pale, and stale" panels to an active leader who created a solution for underrepresented voices.
• Overcoming the Inner Critic: Explore how to navigate the comparison story and imposter syndrome that often hinder professional growth.
• The "Speaker Friends" Framework: Learn why building a cadre of supportive peers is essential to making progress and going farther together.
• Reconciling Social and Economic Capital: A raw look at the monetization trap—why having "skin in the game" through membership fees is crucial for value, sustainability, and avoiding burnout.
• Problem Orientation for Leaders: Strategic advice on stating a problem clearly, gathering a community, and focusing on the problem itself before rushing to a solution.

Featured Guest: Bobbie Carlton

Bobbie is a marketing expert and hero for female experts. As the driving force behind Innovation Women, Lioness Magazine, and Innovation Nights, she has dedicated her career to ensuring women have the tools and platform to claim their professional visibility.

Listen to "Where are the Women?" now and subscribe to join a community of women leading the way.

Connect with Bobbie: innovationwomen.com

Are you standing in your own way, feeling the pressure to completely "reinvent" yourself for your next chapter?

Go deeper with the companion Self-Reflection Guide

In this episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself, host Rita Ernst sits down with communications expert Donna Cravotta to challenge the narrative that career transitions require starting from scratch. Donna shares her powerful journey of moving from a high-stress, "golden handcuff" law firm career and a burnout-inducing agency to a life of intentional visibility and sustainable business.

The Core Conflict: Reinvention vs. Remembering

In this episode, Donna argues that many women over 50 face a form of systemic imposter syndrome, in which society pressures them to "sit down" or to feel invisible. Instead of discarding 40 years of wisdom, Donna teaches how to reclaim and upcycle existing experiences into a "third act" that feels both realistic and authentic.

In this episode, you'll discover

• The "Try to New" Framework: Donna details her transition from a standard "content audit" to a process she calls "Tried to New"—a combination of honoring what works from the past while strategically integrating new tools.
• The Business "Swedish Death Cleanse": Inspired by the Swedish practice of organizing one's belongings, Donna explains how she applied this to her business to decide what stays, what goes, and what gets recycled.
• The Dressing Room Metaphor: A standout moment in the episode where Donna describes the transition period as a "dressing room," where you can try on different versions of your professional self without the fear of being "insufficient" if they don't fit.
• AI as a Thought Partner: Discover how Donna uses Google NotebookLM and other AI tools not for "velocity," but as a mirror to help identify patterns and wisdom she had previously overlooked.
• The Power of Self-Trust: Donna shares her "Colander/Spaghetti Strainer" method for filtering external advice, reminding listeners that ultimately, you are the one with your own answers.

Why You Should Listen Now

Whether you are navigating an "empty nest," healing from a health issue, or facing a professional crossroads, this episode provides a roadmap for overcoming the inner critic and the "unreliable narrator" in your head. Donna’s story of walking away from a half-million-dollar contract to honor her own happiness is a testament to the power of permitting yourself to change.

Stop trying to kill your past to build your future. Listen to this episode to learn how to "call in your fleet" and show up 100% as yourself.

Connect with the Guest: Find Donna Cravotta at cravottamediagroup.com

Tune in to The Real 50 over 50 weekly livestream

Follow her Intentional Visibility Project on Substack.

Subscribe & Share: If this episode resonates with you, please leave a five-star review and share it with a friend who is currently in a transition period. New episodes of The Story I’m Telling Myself drop every Thursday!

Are You Trapped in a "Pity Party"? Rewriting Your Story with Stanford’s Dr. Fred Luskin

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In this powerful episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself, host Rita Ernst sits down with Dr. Fred Luskin, Director of the world-renowned Stanford Forgiveness Project, to explore how we can move past bitterness and choose forgiveness.

The Story: From Betrayal to a "Moment of Grace"

Dr. Luskin shares the raw, personal catalyst behind his life's work: a devastating betrayal and abandonment by his closest friend. For two years, he lived in a "self-indulgent stupor," allowing his inner critic and "reptilian brain" to justify his anger and tell him that life was unfair.

The turning point came during a humbling "moment of grace" in a supermarket. Standing amidst literal abundance while fuming over a missing item, Luskin realized his "pity party" had run out of gas. He recognized that his internal narrative was not just painful—it was a lie that ignored the unbelievable abundance surrounding him.

Key Takeaways for Your Resilience Journey:

• The Gratitude-Forgiveness Connection: Discover why forgiveness is essentially a choice between saying "thank you" or "no thank you" to life.
• Silencing the Inner Critic: Learn to recognize when your "inner nonsense" is distorting reality to protect your ego.
• Ego vs. Excellence: Fred discusses his work with Stanford athletes, teaching them to shift focus from ego-driven winning to the process of excellence and service.
• Cleaning Up Your Mess: Why self-forgiveness requires the humility to recognize your own problems and make amends before letting yourself off the hook.
• The "Hissy Fit" Against Life: Understand how we often judge all of life based on one negative experience, and how to reset your "algorithm" to notice the world's goodness instead.

Featured Spotlight

This episode is part of a special initiative highlighting The Forgiveness Project (UK), a nonprofit that shares transformative true stories of people choosing compassion over revenge to rebuild lives and communities.

Stop telling the story that keeps you miserable. Listen now to learn how to live life more skillfully, embrace your "good enough" self, and remember that, ultimately, "we’re all bozos on the bus".🎧 Listen to the full episode now and SUBSCRIBE to The Story I’m Telling Myself for weekly insights on mindset and personal growth!

Connect with Dr. Luskin

We are happy to be participating in Podcasthon 2026, a global initiative that highlights non-profit organizations worldwide. Please access the resources of The Forgiveness Project (UK) and consider donating to this life-changing work.

Are you intentionally creating the future you want, or are you just a passive participator in your own story?

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In this revelatory episode of The Story I'm Telling Myself, host Rita Ernst sits down with recurring guest and recently retired businessman Gary Spencer to explore the internal narratives that define our most significant life transitions.

Why You Should Listen

If you have ever felt like you are standing in your own way, this conversation provides a roadmap for moving from being "bent by the wind" of change to becoming an active initiator of your journey. Gary and Rita dive deep into how to maintain your character and intention when stepping into a space filled with unknowns.

In this Episode You'll Discover

The Personal SWOT Analysis: Move beyond business audits and learn how to apply Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats to your own life. Discover how to identify if you are the "weakest link" or a primary risk factor in your own growth.

Active vs. Passive Transitioning: Whether you are facing retirement, a career shift, or global uncertainty, learn to distinguish between responding to what happens to you versus initiating the life you want.

The "Yearly Word" Practice: Gary shares his transformative tradition of choosing a prophetic word—moving from "Resilience" to "Open"—to project into the future and remove the "planning blockages" obstructing his view.

Harmonizing Head, Heart, and Gut: Understand why your head and heart must resolve their relationship so you can trust the decisions your gut makes.

Jettisoning Life’s Clutter: Explore the metaphors of the "comfortable chair" and the "box of old screws"—the habits and artifacts of yesterday that we must jettison to move forward.

Final Takeaway

"The darkness does not have the power that you think it has." Gary illustrates this with the powerful story of a single match lighting a massive salt mine cavern, reminding listeners that their innate internal light is sufficient to dispel any darkness or uncertainty.

Stop letting the story own you and start owning the story. Listen now to discover how to strike the match of self-awareness and unblock your perspective for the season ahead.

Subscribe to The Story I'm Telling Myself for weekly insights on authentic leadership, mindset shifts, and overcoming self-limiting beliefs.Connect with Gary

Gary's company, which he founded with his sons: www.mngspencer.co.uk

Learn about Gary's leadership work: Caleb.org.uk