Is fear protecting your well-being—or is your ego protecting the identity you worked so hard to build?

In this episode of What Are You Talking About!, Tania and Marilyn go one layer deeper than unnecessary fear. They explore how fear and ego become tangled—and how concerns about judgment, rejection, embarrassment, failure, status or losing control can quietly keep us from becoming who we are meant to be.

Fear may say, “This isn’t safe.” Ego may say, “What will people think?” Both can create a real stress response, but they are not protecting the same thing. Sometimes the threat is physical or emotional harm. Other times, it is our reputation, competence, approval, lifestyle, career identity or familiar version of ourselves.

Tania and Marilyn examine why we remain in careers, relationships, roles and beliefs we may have outgrown. They discuss cultural expectations, the pressure to appear successful, perfectionism, changing direction and the grief that can accompany releasing an old identity. They reflect on Bill Gates leaving Harvard to build Microsoft; the idea of impulsive choices raised by the title Fools Rush In; and Dolly Parton as an example of extraordinary success grounded in humility and generosity.

Tania also shares insight from her contribution, “The Light and the Peek” (pp. 241–251), in Laura M. Sánchez Ramírez’s anthology Seeds of Purpose: Our younger and older selves remain connected: as children, we imagine the women we may become; later, we may mourn who we once were. Growth can involve grief—but grief does not mean the change is wrong.

Before fear makes the decision, pause and ask: Is this protecting my well-being, or protecting my ego? Sometimes the alarm warns of genuine danger. Sometimes it warns that you might be judged, fail or become someone new. Courage is not always pushing through fear; sometimes it is loosening your grip on who you thought you had to be.RESEARCH & REFERENCES

• Bill Gates—Source Code and his early life: Gates’s account covers his childhood, Harvard years and decision to leave college and create Microsoft with Paul Allen.

• Fools Rush In (1997): Film information and synopsis.

• Dolly Parton—Library of Congress: Biography and career timeline.

• Seeds of Purpose, curated by Laura M. Sánchez Ramírez.

• Peer-reviewed research: Dickerson and Kemeny explain how social-evaluative threat can activate the body’s stress response.

• Peer-reviewed research: Major and O’Brien review identity threat and its psychological effects.

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What are you waiting for before moving forward—more money, better circumstances, greater confidence, or the perfect time?

In Part 2, Tania and Marilyn continue their conversation with Evelin Andrade Baez about overcoming adversity, trusting life’s nudges, and taking the next step even when you do not feel ready.

Through experiences involving loss, motherhood, nursing, leadership, ADHD, faith, finances, and family, Evelin reminds us that our circumstances do not have to determine our future. Moving forward does not mean ignoring what we have experienced; it means honoring it without allowing it to keep us stuck.

The conversation also addresses the doubts that make us question our value: Who am I to do this? Will anyone take me seriously? What will people think? We do not have to be influencers, authors, or experts for our experiences to matter. What we have lived and learned may be exactly what someone else needs to hear.

You will also hear an honest discussion about aging, creativity, reinvention, and returning to the parts of yourself you may have set aside. Your life does not have to remain on hold until everything is perfect.

Give yourself grace when you need time to heal or adjust—but respect your time enough to keep building a life without regret.

THE 2-MINUTE TOOLS

Burn the List: Write down the fears, excuses, or limiting beliefs you are ready to release. Safely burn or tear up the list as a symbolic act of letting go.

Break the Plate: Write what has been holding you back on a plate, then safely break it inside a secure bag or container as a symbol of releasing its power.

Remember That Smile: Place a childhood photo that captures your genuine smile where you will see it daily. Let it reconnect you with your original joy, confidence, curiosity, and light.

You do not have to change your entire life today. Choose one small action and begin moving forward anyway.

SPANISH TO ENGLISH

“Ahora prepárate” — “Now get ready” or “Now prepare yourself.”

BOOKS MENTIONED

Unfu*k Yourself: Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Life by Gary John Bishop HarperOne, 2017 https://garyjohnbishop.com/books/

Worthy: How to Believe You Are Enough and Transform Your Life by Jamie Kern Lima Hay House, 2024 https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/737286/worthy-by-jamie-kern-lima/

Books are shared for informational purposes. WAYTA is not affiliated with or compensated by the authors or publishers.

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KEYWORDS

stop waiting, move forward anyway, overcoming adversity, women in midlife, personal growth podcast, finding your purpose, trusting your intuition, starting over in life, overcoming self-doubt, inspirational podcast for women

What are you waiting for—and whose voice is telling you “not yet”?

In Part 1 of our two-part conversation, Tania and Marilyn welcome Evelin Andrade to WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT! for an honest, heartfelt discussion about courage, starting over, and moving forward before you feel completely ready.

A nurse, leader, and mother, Evelin shares experiences of loss, responsibility, and personal growth. Together, we explore how the expectations we inherit—and the stories we repeat to ourselves—can influence what we believe is possible.

From the ripple effects of unexpected connections to a grandmother’s belief in her granddaughter’s potential, this conversation invites you to reconsider the limits you’ve accepted and make room for your next chapter.

IN THIS EPISODE • Recognizing the “not yet” messages that keep us waiting. • Questioning outside expectations and trusting our own direction. • Finding courage through vulnerability and life’s unexpected changes. • Allowing ourselves to learn instead of needing every answer first. • Seeing how small choices and connections can open new possibilities.

If you’ve been waiting for more confidence, someone’s approval, or the perfect moment, join us for a conversation about taking the next step with the life you have today.

REFLECT WITH US Where in your life are you telling yourself “not yet”? What is one small step you could take toward what matters to you?

THE CONVERSATION CONTINUES This is Part 1 of 2 with Evelin Andrade. Follow the podcast for Part 2 of “Stop Waiting! Move Forward Anyway.”

The following words are part of our Spanglish phrases--here is what they mean <3 ...

Spanish-to-English 🇪🇸 → 🇺🇸

04:17 — Todavía no — Not yet

05:27 — La loca — The crazy/wild one (affectionately)

05:55 — Niña, quédate tranquila — Sweetheart, calm down

06:25 — ¿Cuándo vas a madurar? — When are you going to grow up?

10:46 — Tú no eres mala — You are not a bad person

~11:00 — Tú vas a cambiar el mundo — You are going to change the world

12:42 — Échate vaselina — Literally, “Put Vaseline on yourself”; meaning, let others’ words and actions slide off you

~19:45 — Machista — Macho/traditionally controlling male

~19:48 — Celoso — Jealous/possessive

28:08 — Ya — Right/okay

31:58 — Tú tienes que… — You have to…

36:06 — El ojo ve para fuera, pero no para dentro — The eye sees outward, but not inward

~39:50 — Niña — Girl/sweetheart

~42:00 — Ir al Sol ☀️ — Go to the sun/look to the sun; turn toward light, hope & possibility

49:01 — Chica — Girl! (affectionately)

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Share this episode with someone who needs encouragement to begin. Follow, rate, and review to help more listeners find the conversation.

Of course YOU can!

Tania & Marilyn

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