Host Allegra Sinclair interviews Rachel Astarte, a psychotherapist and coach who helps women in midlife navigate challenges, develop their true selves, and step into mentorship. The episode covers a range of topics including:- Rachel Astarte's three-step process for redefining mentorship beyond traditional workplace settings.- The importance of healing childhood wounds, learning healthy boundaries, and understanding one's importance to collective consciousness.- The power and beauty of the Sacred Feminine and how women in midlife can embrace their self-creating potential.- The negative focus on aging and the importance of embracing perimenopause and menopause as rites of passage.- The importance of recognizing our own strengths and value, and how this can help us contribute to collective consciousness.Throughout the episode, Allegra and Rachel discuss how the broader definition of mentorship enables more people to participate, including those who may have made mistakes or feel like they are not "qualified" to be mentors. Rachel also highlights the importance of recognizing our own worth and the value of our experiences, which can be helpful to others seeking advice. The episode ends with Rachel offering a free workbook called "Polishing the Gem" for listeners interested in stepping into mentorship in midlife.Rachel Astarte is a post-menopausal woman who is a dedicated life coach and mentor. She is passionate about helping people to embrace their true selves and successfully navigate the challenges of life. Over time, Rachel's message has evolved as she gained clarity during her own personal experiences with perimenopause. She now believes that women in midlife should share their wisdom and mentor others to contribute to the greater good of collective consciousness. Rachel's mission is to encourage everyone to live their best lives and make a positive impact on the world around them.Resources mentioned:Rachel's website: https://rachelastartetherapy.com/Full show notes are available at https://allegrativity.com/122

In a world where stress and negativity seem to dominate, it's easy to overlook the power of gratitude. But expressing gratitude for the positive aspects of our lives is one of the simplest and most effective ways to enhance our wellbeing. Gratitude has been scientifically proven to have numerous benefits that can transform our lives in unexpected ways. In this episode, we'll explore eight hidden benefits of gratitude that you might not be aware of. From boosting your mental health to improving your relationships, these benefits offer compelling reasons why you should make gratitude a part of your daily routine. I added one gratitude habit to my daily routine, and it has blown me away with its effects. So if you're looking for an easy way to improve your life, stay tuned and discover how cultivating a thankful mindset could change everything.8 Hidden Benefits of Gratitude:The 8 Hidden Benefits of Gratitude are:Gratitude Reframes AdversityGratituder Strengthens RelationshipsGratitude Lowers StressGratitude Improves your HealthGratitude Increases Self-Esteem and ConfidenceGratitude Improves Sleep QualityGratitude Reduces MaterialismGratitude Boost CreativityGratitude Is A Habit (Not Just A Feeling!)Embracing a grateful spirit doesn’t mean you’ll never have another bad day. But it does mean that you’ll approach these days differently. Instead of cataloguing everything that’s going wrong, you’ll square your shoulders and look for the silver lining. Because you know if you search hard enough, you will find it. That’s the power of gratitude!Full show notes available at https://allegrativity.com/121

Are you ready to be blown away by Kristine Scott's journey to mastering the art of conflict resolution? Instead of shying away from difficult conflicts, Kristine dove headfirst into the topic, determined to gain a deeper understanding. What she found was truly inspiring: women have an innate ability to resolve conflicts. Armed with this knowledge, Kristine has helped countless women and revolutionized the way we approach conflict resolution. Join us as we delve into Kristine's journey and uncover how you too can tap into her 3 rings of conflict resolution to become a conflict resolutionary!In this episode, you will be able to:Recognize the intrinsic upper hand women possess in conflict resolution scenarios.Adopt a questioning and compassionate approach towards discord.Comprehend the effects of COVID-19 on professional disputes and communication.Learn about the 3 rings of conflict resolution and how to use themSpecial guest: Kristine ScottMeet Kristine Scott, an exceptional conflict resolution expert who began her career in social services, where she quickly realized the importance of effectively handling challenging situations. Over the past 20 years, Kristine has honed her skills in conflict resolution, becoming a sought-after trainer for clients ranging from the Seattle Space Needle to farmers markets and office teams. With a keen focus on helping people find their inner strength and remain calm in the face of adversity, Kristine's unique approach to conflict resolution has made her a go-to resource for women navigating workplace challenges.Women and Conflict: Understanding Social Conditioning and Natural AdvantagesIn today's modern workplace, it's crucial to recognize how society shapes the way women approach conflict resolution. See, women are often taught to avoid being too direct, demanding, or arrogant, which can make it seem like they're not as good at handling conflicts as men. But here's the thing: women have a natural advantage when it comes to resolving conflicts because they tend to be more aware of emotional and social needs. This awareness helps them navigate conflicts more effectively by prioritizing mutual benefit and fostering understanding among everyone involved.On the podcast, Kristine Scott points out that women aren't inherently wired to deal with conflicts differently than men. It's society's expectations that contribute to this disparity. Even with these external influences, Scott emphasizes that women tend to be more internally focused, which allows them to read situations better and respond with grace, ultimately leading to positive outcomes in conflict resolution.Recognizing the Toll of Conflict in the Workplace and Managing Body ResponsesConflict in the workplace can be physically and mentally exhausting, especially for women who may already feel pressure to suppress their emotions or concerns. To properly manage conflict, understanding how your body and mind respond to tension and identifying its effects is crucial. During the conversation, Kristine Scott highlighted the importance of being aware of one's physical and emotional responses to conflict. She discussed the necessity of managing these reactions and cultivating the skills to use them effectively, as well as recognizing when it might be time to step away from a harmful environment.The Opportunity for High Achieving Women in Conflict Resolution and Creating a Supportive EnvironmentHigh-achieving women have a unique opportunity to foster a culture of collaboration and respect by supporting one another in conflict resolution. By creating an environment that respects dissenting opinions and values a mutual-win approach, women leaders can champion better approaches to conflict resolution that benefit everyone involved. In the podcast, Kristine Scott encourages women to

Are you stuck in a rut, or facing a challenge that seems impossible? Maybe you have been wanting to make a huge change in your life but don’t know where to begin. Or maybe it’s time to take your career in a different direction and you need some help figuring out how best to do it. That’s where coaching comes into the picture. In this episode, you will be able to:Unearth the transformative impact of coaching on your personal growth and career success.Learn various coaching types tailored to specific goals, streamlining your journey for better results.Comprehend the vital role certified coaches play in delivering valuable guidance and support.Delve into the coaching process and understand the structure of an effective session.Recognize the importance of measuring coaching progress to ensure sustainable growth and development.A coach can help you implement what you learn and support your goals.Introduction to CoachingCoaching is a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. It involves working with an experienced coach who will support you in achieving a specific goal. Coaches bring an unbiased perspective to their clients' situations, allowing them to identify solutions and pathways that the individual may not have realized on their own. In the episode, host Allegra M. Sinclair emphasizes the importance of the coaching process in helping individuals grow in various aspects of their lives, such as increasing self-confidence, setting and achieving goals, and improving focus and conflict management skills. She believes that coaching offers a valuable combination of support, guidance, and accountability that can create sustainable change for clients, provided they take an active role in their own growth.Types of CoachesThere is a multitude of coaches available, each specializing in specific areas of personal and professional growth. Some common types of coaches include career coaches, health and wellness coaches, relationship coaches, executive coaches, performance coaches, spiritual coaches, money coaches, and body image coaches. Selecting the right type of coach to match your specific needs is crucial for getting the most out of the coaching relationship. Allegra M. Sinclair encourages listeners to research and choose a coach based on their unique requirements by seeking recommendations, checking out how a potential coach shows up online, and engaging in direct conversations with potential coaches to gauge their experience in your desired area of growth. She underscores the importance of partnering with a coach who aligns with yours goals and offers the support and guidance needed for a successful partnership.What to Expect from CoachingWhen starting a coaching journey, you should expect an initial assessment or questionnaire to help your coach tailor her approach. Confidentiality is paramount, and regular coaching sessions typically take place monthly or weekly, depending on individual needs. Clients may also be assigned homework to reinforce learning and track progress. Coaching is a two-way dialogue, requiring clients to actively engage, participate, and be willing to implement changes. Allegra emphasizes the importance of an open, honest, and collaborative relationship with a coach. She recommends that, throughout the coaching process, clients evaluate their progress and discuss any changes in goals or expectations with their coach, ensuring a productive and impactful experience. She invites listeners interested in pursuing coaching to visit her website, explore her expertise, and engage schedule a conversation to determine whether her services align with their personal and professional growth aspirations at https://allegrativity.com/discovery.

Have you ever been told that the only way to manage your emotions in the workplace is to suppress or ignore them? But this strategy has only left you feeling stuck, frustrated, and unfulfilled? If so, this episode is for you! Learn how to consciously address and guide your emotional responses, reduce the impact of emotional triggers, and enhance your emotional resilience, so you can become an emotionally savvy professional.In this episode, you will be able to:Uncover the power of the Emotionally Savvy Assessment (ESA) framework to navigate emotions in professional settings.Master four thought-provoking introspective questions for intentional emotional regulation.Delve into effective self-care practices to minimize vulnerability to emotional triggers.Develop emotional strength through journaling exercises and heightened self-awareness.Understand the value of seeking coaching to bolster your emotional skill set.The Emotionally Savvy Assessment (TM) was developed by Allegra Sinclair based on her experiences working in high-stress situations.Managing Emotions in the WorkplaceWhile emotions are an inevitable part of everyday life, maintaining professionalism and strong interpersonal relationships in the workplace are crucial for success. A deliberate and thoughtful approach to emotional management is essential for striking a balance between being authentic and avoiding career-limiting mistakes. This involves identifying emotional triggers, overcoming them, and being aware of both immediate and long-term consequences of one's actions. Adopting a proactive approach to managing emotions can help women achieve higher emotional intelligence and contribute to the overall success of their organizations. Allegra M. Sinclair emphasizes the importance of introspection and emotional awareness in the workplace. Her Emotionally Savvy Assessment (ESA) approach asks four reflective questions to help women identify their emotions and respond in a more intentional and constructive manner. Allegra encourages women to practice this approach regularly, achieving better emotional control and fostering improved relationships with their colleagues.

Have you heard the myths about dressing for confidence and success? Maybe you've heard that you need expensive designer clothes, that you have to wear a suit every day or that you have to dress in one specific style. The truth of dressing for success is far more complex. Listen to this episode of the podcast as Toi Sweeney shares the truth and debunks the myths about dressing for confidence and success.A TEDx speaker, entrepreneur, and host of the Well Dressed Brand TV show, Toi has a unique perspective on how dressing for confidence can lead to success in both personal and professional life.When Toi Sweeney ventured into the fashion and design industry, she had no idea her journey would lead her through a devastating business setback, a crushing personal tragedy, and an unexpected use of color and wardrobe as a business strategy. In this episode, you will learn:How Toi gathered the courage to step into an area in which none of the people looked like herHow to remain confident when you reach a bigger stage in your careerWays to refine your personal image with strategic wardrobe choicesWhat's more important than making a good first impressionHarnessing the power of color psychology to boost confidence and self-expressionWho is Toi Sweeney?Toi Sweeney, an accomplished fashion stylist and brand image strategist, joins Allegra M. Sinclair on Your Confident Self. With her impressive background as the founder and chief style officer of the Well Dressed Brand, Toi is a powerhouse in the fashion industry. From founding her own design firm, Her Majesty the Queen, to managing the image of almost 30 TV personalities at the leading home shopping network, she uses her background to tell original stories through fashion.The resources mentioned in this episode are:Consider reading Toi Sweeney's book, Secrets of a Well Dressed Brand, for more insights on building your personal brand and image.Tune in to the Well Dressed Brand TV show to learn more about style, confidence, and personal branding from Toi Sweeney.Visit Toi Sweeney's website, ToiSweeney.com, to explore her services, resources, and offerings.Watch Toi Sweeney's TEDx talk rejecting your story and embracing your adventure.Get full show notes at https://allegrativity.com/toi

Move towards it. If something scares you, move toward it. Particularly when it's something that scares you, that's not going to kill you but will elevate your life, why not do it?" - C. Rene WashingtonC. Rene Washington is a certified life coach, author, and speaker known around the world for encouraging women to pivot and coaching women to let stuff go. She is the creator and founding partner of Career Triage HQ, which provides coaching services to help women find the work that lights them on fire.C. Rene Washington was a passionate reader and had always wanted to write a book. One day, she was in an optical shop, where she met an older Black woman trying on glasses. When the woman expressed doubt about wearing the bold red glasses, C. Rene Washington encouraged her to take risks and embrace her true self. This experience inspired C. Rene Washington to realize that she too needed to take risks and discover her true self, beyond her roles and titles. She eventually took a girlfriend trip to Greece and saw how taking up space and embracing her true self was beneficial to those around her. She learned that when we focus on our true desires, it is not a solo journey, but one that takes many people with us.In this episode, you will learn the following:What is the power of taking up space and claiming your own as a woman?How do we choose who is worthy of our vulnerability?Who are we without our roles and titles?Resources:Career Triage HQC. Rene Washington, Mindset MavenTake the Trip! 4 Journeys Every Midlife Woman Needs to Live in Purpose and FreedomThe Wisdom of MenopauseFull show notes can be found at https://allegrativity.com/reneVisit https://allegrasinclair.com/qa to submit a question for a special Q&A episode of the podcast at the beginning of March!Connect with Allegra:Instagram: https://instagram.com/allegramsinclairTwitter: https://twitter.com/allegrasinclairPinterest: https://pinterest.com/allegrasinclairLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allegrasinclair

Several months back, I was checking my analytics for my podcast, and I noticed that I had passed the 100,000 download mark, and I put a note in my planner to put together some sort of celebration to thank all of my listeners for helping me reach this milestone. And then I blinked and six months had passed. Why am I telling you this? Because there are two phases to my celebration, and both of them will benefit you, my awesome listeners. Phase One, I'm going to do an All Q and A episode. So the last episode in the month of February will include me answering all of the questions that you submit. How can you submit a question? It's really easy. You can send me an email at podcast@allegrativity.com or you can go to the website at https://allegrativity.com/QA, and you can record your brief question right there and I'll answer it for you live on the show.Phase Two, is a contest where there's going to be a couple of different things that you can do to help me celebrate the milestone and then you'll get chances to win prizes. What kind of prizes? Mugs, t shirts, books, subscriptions to Audible, and a $500 coupon sponsored by one of my clients who wants to open up the world of coaching to one of you. So how do you get ready for Phase Two? All you need to do is make sure you're on my email list. You can make sure that you're subscribed to the email on that same page, https://allegrativity.com/qa You'll want to make sure you're on my email list because when I open up the phase where you can start doing little fun activities in order to get entries into the prize drawings, I am going to communicate all the details through email.So thank you so much for helping me reach this major milestone. I could not be more excited, and I can't wait to thank you in more tangible ways over the next few weeks.

In this week's episode of the Your Confident Self podcast, Allegra Sinclair interviews Trynette Lariba, the Curvy Fit RN. Trynette's programs challenge women to love their bodies unconditionally and accept who they are to help them fulfill their purpose. Trynette shared her experience going against what society portrays as normal and how she encourages women to stand out. Her purpose is to help women accept their body shapes to build up their confidence and earn the money they deserve.Submit your questions for the All Q&A Episode at podcast@allegrativity.com or visit allegrativity.com/QAGet your Affirmations for a Curvy Woman: bit.ly/curvygift

If you're a member of Gen X and tired of feeling unfulfilled by your career, this episode is for you. Kay Kirkman stops by the podcast to help you get unstuck and move toward the work you really want to do.We discussed:An explanation of who Gen X isWhat makes Gen X unique from Baby Boomers or MillennialsHow Gen X can learn to communicate their value at workWhy learning to pivot is a critical skill for this groupSteps to building your career passion.If you're not sure where to start with finding your career passion, get your Dream Job Discovery list from Kay at https://joyfuldreamlife.comFull show notes are available at https://allegrativity.com/gen-x-career-the-forgotten-generation/

While you may not realize it, the way you communicate affects every area of your life. From your job and your career to your personal relationships and friendships, you're constantly communicating. If you're not a skilled communicator that is an awful lot of opportunities for things to go wrong for you. Many people aren’t good at communicating. That’s because they’re using bad communication skills without even realizing it. There are five basic communication approaches and understanding them can be incredibly helpful when it comes to improving your communication. We are going to look at aggressive communicators, passive communicators, passive-aggressive communicators, manipulative communicators, and assertive communicators. A great way of looking at the different styles is through human behaviors. Five styles of communicators:Aggressive communicatorsPassive communicatorsPassive-aggressive communicatorsManipulative communicatorsAssertive communicatorsReviewing these five styles of communication can smack you in the face with some uncomfortable truths. You may realize you’ve been using a communication style that isn’t creating what you want in your relationships. Hang on, that's ok. You can't fix something you won't face.Keep in mind that the purpose of learning your communication style isn’t to beat yourself up for any perceived failures or flaws. Rather, the goal here is to learn how to embrace a healthier and more confident communication style.

Everyone expresses themselves differently. Your communication style can define you – it’s how you make yourself heard and your thoughts remembered. It’s the key to making meaningful connections that can influence every aspect of your life. The way you communicate reflects your inner thoughts and feelings. Your signature communication style is a combination of the various elements that make up who you are – your values, beliefs, knowledge, culture, personality, and more – all combined. This makes your signature communication style unique.In this episode we look at:How introverts communicateHow extroverts communicateHow your wardrobe is a form of communicationHow the way you make people feel is part of your communication styleThe main takeaway is – whatever communication style you have, own it!

If you want to become a great listener, you can. It just takes some practice and understanding of how people communicate. Being a great listener will help you develop your communication skills and ensure you have an easier time understanding what someone is saying directly and indirectly. Here are some top tips to help you take your listening skills to an even higher level. Secrets of great listeners:They stay present in the conversationThey avoid distractions when someone is communicatingThey avoid interrupting or talking over peopleThey pay attention to the person's body languageThey stay curious about what is being shared Listening is an important part of confident communication. There is a lot that can get in the way of great listening. Thankfully, these tips will help you be a more effective listener and build more confident communication skillsTo get updates whenever a new episode is published visit AllegraSinclair.com/follow

Of all the great communication skills, listening may be the most important. We often think speaking is the most valuable part of communication when in fact, listening is. Being an effective listener means more than taking in information in order to respond--much more! Listening to understand instead of listening to respond is powerful. What does listening to understand mean? Listening to understand means being fully present and engaged with the person who is speaking. It means giving them your undivided attention and trying to see things from their perspective.Learn:The critical differences between hearing and listeningWhy listening to learn is more difficult than listening to respondTwo simple tools to help you understand what is being saidRate and review this podcast on Podchaser.Follow this podcast at https://allegrasinclair.com/follow

Gary Chapman is the creator of the Five Love Languages concept. This concept ranks the ways we give and receive love into five categories:Words of affirmationQuality timePhysical touchActs of serviceReceiving gifts This episode may seem misplaced in a podcast series on confident communication but your love language is a form of communication. How you give and receive love is communicating to other people that you care and that they matter. When you feel connected and understood communication flows easily.  Communication skills don't apply to work situations only, they apply to all areas of our lives. So, take a few minutes to think about your love language and how you can use it to build deeper relationships with the people in your life.Love Language QuizYour Confident Self on Podchaser

The most important thing effective leaders have in common is their communication skills. Being a leader requires a lot of skill sets. Being able to communicate well is at the top of the list. If you're in leadership and you can't convey a message, bring people together, or help resolve complex problems you may not be in leadership very long. If you want to be a better leader you must improve your communication skills. It's important to increase your communication skills so you, and those depending on you, can thrive. Leaders who can't communicate effectively will have a hard time moving up in their careers. Leaders need to be able to communicate their vision, build trust, inspire others, and provide direction. Without effective communication skills, leaders will struggle in all of these areas.Listen to this episode to learn:Ways effective leaders communicate differentlyThe types of commnication training effective leaders need

Nonverbal communication makes up the majority of what is being shared between two people. Great communication includes speaking and listening, but what you're saying is emphasized by nonverbal gestures. As we communicate, our senses take in much more than what is being said audibly. We are paying close attention to other things too. Nonverbal communication includes things like: Body languageProximityGesturesFacial expressionsTone of voiceNonverbal communication is a vital part of communication. By being aware of nonverbal cues, we can better understand the message someone is trying to convey. We can also use nonverbal cues to our advantage to better communicate our own message.Full show notes are available. at https://allegrasinclair.com/your-confident-self

Dealing with difficult people can be exhausting. Even the most confident communicator takes a deep breath before engaging with someone who is difficult. Whether it's a difficult co-worker, client or family member, there are certain communication strategies you can use to diffuse the situation and keep your peace.It can be hard to know what to do when dealing with difficult people but silence is a valid choice.Many people are uncomfortable with silence but it's a powerful tool. Here you'll find:Tips for communicating with difficult peopleTips for removing yourself from unhealthy conversationsFull show notes are available at https://allegrasinclair.com/your-confidentself

Sometimes there are demands on your life that make self-care nearly impossible. As a result, self-care gets shoved way down the list of things you’d like to do but can’t or don’t. Sometimes this is temporary or situational and other times it becomes chronic. Even in the most difficult times, it is still possible to make self-care a priority. In this episode we look at:What self-care has to do with communicationWhat happens when self-care isn't a priorityHow you feel when you ignore self-careTips for keeping self-care a priorityWhat does self-care have to do with communication? Simply put, self-care makes you a better communicator. When you take care of yourself, you are able to show up as your best self in all areas of life. You have more energy and you're less stressed. When you're caring for yourself and taking time to restore and refresh, you are able to think more clearly.All of these things lead to improved communication. This makes your communication more understandable, clear, and confident.Self-care is essential in order to be a confident and effective communicator. When you're not taking care of yourself, you're more likely to experience stress and anxiety, which can lead to negative reactions and communication failures. However, when you make self-care a priority, you see vast improvements in all areas of your life, including your communication abilities.Full show notes are available at https://allegrasinclair.com/podcast

Confident communicators are influenced by other confident people. No one knows how to do life completely on their own. There's no instruction manual handed out when we are born. We learn about life and all there is to know through things that are taught and caught. Role models play a big part in how we develop. The stronger the role model, the stronger their influence. Role models are everywhere. You don't need to know someone personally for them to be a role model for you. Thanks to books, movies, and social media you can find influential people who communicate well and help you develop a more confident communication style. Here are some tips for finding high quality role models. Look for people who communicate with confidenceFind role models who make you feel good about yourselfChoose someone who is successful in the area you want to improve communicationFind people who inspire you to be, do, and have moreCast a wide net over a variety of peopleConsider what qualities you admire in others and find role models that possess these qualitiesBe bold and make healthy, new connectionsTake your time in choosing role modelsCommunication is essential for our everyday lives. We use communication to interact with others, share our thoughts. Developing a healthy communication style is easier when you have someone to show you the way. We can't expect to always know the best tips, tricks, and skills we need for confident communication. Thankfully we can observe or speak to people who influence us. If you want to see growth in your communication style, find and follow people who inspire you.Full show notes available at https://allegrasinclair.com/your-confident-self