This week's show answers the question: Can you achieve lasting Confidence Through Plastic Surgery or Botox or Liposuction or Injections?

In this episode my daughter, Rachel, shares her personal story about her confidence battling cancer.

My guest, Marina Tolentino shares her story about how she found the confidence to begin an entirely different career after Covid wiped out her small business.

I have invited Personal Coach and Brand Strategist, Kristen Hartnagel on the show to talk about
Music for Courage and Confidence.
If you want to watch the Youtube video, go to https://youtu.be/66Cko3dAqcE
Kristen has used music in her coaching and therapy for a number of powerful reasons, such as:

* As a Meditation device to calm Overthinking
* As a healing energy to create greater inner harmony
* As a way to breakthrough boundaries

Music is one of the most powerful forces in the world.
And when used to “focus” and “empower” it leads to incredible amounts of both Courage and Confidence.
Here is the link to Kristen’s free song:  https://kristenhartnagel.com/getstarted/
Kristen Hartnagel is keynote speaker, a personal brand expert, and coach at the globally renowned Brand Builders Group.
She works with clients including New York Times bestselling authors, celebrities, billionaire influencers, CEOs, and entrepreneurs guiding them to tap into their unique gifts and talents to attract the right opportunities and people into their lives.
Through her company Evolve Now, she helps individuals break through belief barriers and reach their next level of greatness.
If you would like to work with Kristen, you can reach her at
kristen@brandbuildersgroup.com
 
Any questions or comments for me?  tony@javabud.com

Today's show is all about how to embody True Confidence to best start and succeed in a new business as a woman.

Special Guest Larissa Salazar, Brand Strategist and Master Business Coach with Brand Builders Group, shares her story about how she got a bad reputation in college and how she was finally able to create the Confidence necessary to own it while empowering herself at the same time.
For years she denied, fought and resisted this unearned bad reputation and lost a lot of time, energy and focus because of it.
Then, after finally distancing herself from her college past, a random Instagram post led to being called out again for something she didn’t even do, years earlier…the bad reputation returned.
Then, something miraculous happened…
Larissa was able to shift her energy and accept the unjust past reputation and finally freed herself from the pain and emotion that dwelled in her for so long.
Larissa not only shares her personal story but also provides what Confidence technique worked for her and what you can do if you’re ever faced with the same type of injustice.
If you would like to check out the YouTube video of the show:  https://youtu.be/fL7qApB82vA

It’s been a while but I’m back with a new show geared towards Women’s Confidence.
I am transitioning the Surrounded by Idiots Podcast to the She Talks Confidence Podcast.
So, the next few shows will be here but soon I will transition to the new show’s podcast platform.
I will let you know when and where, so in the meantime, I hope you enjoy this week’s show.
The new show will be an interview format, each week bringing on a powerful woman to share a story of Confidence or lack of Confidence and how she was able to learn and grow and become more empowered through her experience.
I kick off the new format with a terrific guest, Gia Lacqua

Gia is a widely-regarded empowerment coach and motivational speaker. She is also the author of the Limitless Little Leaders children’s book series, a board member with the Girl Scouts of Northern NJ, a girl-mom, and women’s advocate.
She brings 20 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry leading companies, teams, and individuals through strategic change and growth, and most recently served as Vice President of a Fortune 100 Company.
She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Human Development, and she is a Trauma-Informed Certified Coach. Her insights have been featured in well-known media outlets such as Thrive Global and Authority Magazine. As an empowerment coach she supports high-achieving women who are overwhelmed and unfulfilled find her inner harmony and reclaim her life so she can show up as the extraordinary woman she knows she is capable of being.
In the show Gia talks about a terrible health scare that finally got her to prioritize herself, creating Confidence in who she is and how she wants to show up, everyday, for not only her daughter and her clients, but for herself.
If you’re interested in speaking with Gia, you can contact her at gia@gialacqua.com
I hope you enjoy the show and, as usual, if you have any comments, send me a note at tony@javabud.com

This week, I decided to share with you the most amazing books I have ever read AND the one big mistake most people make when they buy a self-help book.
Link to the Youtube Video
There are literally thousands of personal development and self-help books that are published every year, but it seems there are just a few that rise to the top and have stood the test of time.
The books I discuss are the ones that have impacted me, my life, my journey the most.
The Power of Now by Eckhardt Tolle – The most life-changing book I’ve ever read.
He is a master at simplifying the complicated world and his ability to teach the awareness of the “now”.
You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero – I love this girl.
When I first read the book I could have sworn she ripped off my stuff online…of course she didn’t but that’s how in sync I am with her writing.
She pulls no punches and provides an easy to follow guide on the forces that shape ones life and how to get them to work in your favor.
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl – Concentration camp survivor, he single-handedly changed psychology with his insights and the creation of his theory of Logotherapy.
The theory is based on the importance of defining and prioritizing the “meaning” of things in your own life.
Poke the Box by Seth Godin – Marketing master, he is all about self-acceptance and authenticity.
His books are short, cheap but to the point and very powerful.
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie – I’m thinking I don’t have to say a whole lot about this one because you’ve probably read it already. If not, now is the time.
This book is the basis for all the self help stuff out there today.
Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins – He is the big man on campus and this very detailed offering is brimming with useful tools and techniques to move you to action.
Along with these amazing books, I also have a couple of honorable mentions that I talk about. Let me know if you have read any life-changing books…I’m always looking for my next read.

Hint: It has something to do with yourself

This week's podcast episode is all about the power of controlling your thoughts and emotions even though the world seems to be unraveling at the seams.