What if midlife isn’t a crisis—but a powerful invitation to come home to yourself? In this heartfelt and practical episode of The Small Victories Podcast, Pauline Victoria sits down with Caroline Sposto, author of Savvy Survival: An Uplifting Playbook for Navigating Midlife and Beyond, to talk about navigating change with grace, courage, and clarity.
Whether you’re recovering from divorce, downsizing your home, reimagining your purpose, or simply wondering what’s next, Caroline reminds us that reinvention isn’t required—rediscovery is. You don’t need to become someone new; you just need to reconnect with who you’ve always been.
Key Takeaways:
Rediscovery is more empowering than reinvention. You’re not broken or outdated—you’re layered, experienced, and ready to realign with your true self.
You already have what you need within you. Success in the second half of life comes from remembering your natural talents, not chasing someone else’s idea of success.
Don’t build a new life in the framework of your old one. Releasing what no longer fits makes space for joy, adventure, and authentic alignment.
The people around you shape your possibilities. Choose to plant yourself in soil that nourishes your growth.
Practical survival matters. Knowing how to handle daily logistics—from car maintenance to estate planning—creates emotional safety and builds confidence.Your story matters. The “baggage” you carry may actually be the most interesting, resilient, and beautiful part of who you are.
You are stronger than you think. With a little help, a clear plan, and a lot of heart, you can thrive through any transition life throws your way.
Reflection Questions:
What parts of your younger self are calling to be remembered and expressed in this season of life?
In what ways are you still trying to fit your life into an outdated framework—and what would it look like to build something completely new?
Connect with Caroline Sposto: 🌐 Website: www.carolinesposto.com 🌐 Savvy Civility: https://www.savvycivility.com
Get the Book: 📖 Savvy Survival is available now on Amazon in Kindle and paperback formats.
Subscribe and leave a review if this episode encourages you. Keep showing up for yourself—one small victory at a time.
Have you ever believed that your emotions or past struggles defined who you are? In this transformative episode of The Small Victories Podcast, trauma recovery coach Richard Tierney invites you to see your story differently. He explains why instincts and emotions are not flaws, but God-given tools for survival, healing, and thriving.
Through raw honesty and practical insight, Richard shares how trauma is often not our fault, how diagnoses can sometimes be misguided opinions, and how we can break free from the weight of the past by giving it back to our younger selves. You’ll also hear his simple yet powerful tools—like smiling for three minutes or asking God for just three minutes of peace—that can shift your mindset immediately.
Key Takeaways:
Your trauma is not a personal failure—it’s often the result of being “collateral damage,” not a targeted victim.
A diagnosis is ultimately an opinion; it may not define the truth of who you are.
Healing begins when we stop carrying the past into the present and give it back to the version of ourselves who survived it.
Choosing joy, even for three minutes at a time, can rewire your emotional state.
Giving God a second chance can open the door to peace, purpose, and victorious living.
Reflection Questions:
What past event are you still carrying into your present that might belong to your younger self?
How might your life feel different if you gave God a second chance to show His love and guidance?
Connect with Richard Tierney: 📧 Email: richard@traumarecoveryanonymous.com 🔗 LinkedIn: Richard Tierney
In this powerful and energizing episode of The Small Victories Podcast, host Pauline Victoria is joined by Dr. Nicole Bradford—speaker, transformational life coach, and founder of Maintain the Flame—to unpack what it truly means to live audaciously authentic. If you’ve ever felt like you were playing a role, shrinking yourself to fit in, or suppressing your joy to make others comfortable, this conversation will ignite your inner fire.
Dr. Nicole shares her personal story, the consequences of living out of alignment, and how to shift your mindset to reclaim your joy and peace. She also walks us through her signature MAINTAIN Framework—an empowering blueprint to help you stay grounded in your truth, take aligned action, and live with radical integrity.
Whether you're navigating empty-nesting, career transitions, or simply waking up to your own desires after years of self-sacrifice, this episode will give you permission to be who you are and pursue what lights you up.
Key Takeaways:
Authenticity isn't a trend—it’s a choice to stop suppressing your joy for the sake of others.
Living for others' approval is a moving target that leads to burnout. Peace and alignment come when you live for yourself.
Mindset is foundational. You must see the life you want before you can step into it.
Being authentic doesn’t mean being loud—it means being real. Your peace, energy, and alignment are the truest markers of whether you’re living authentically.
Your soul is not for sale. Don't trade your truth for acceptance, comfort, or fear.
The MAINTAIN Framework offers 8 key pillars:
M – Mindset
A – Action
I – Intention
N – Nurture yourself
T – Time & Tenacity
A – Authenticity
I – Integrity
N – Non-negotiables
You’re never too old or too late to reclaim your fire. Reinvention isn’t required—rediscovery is.
Reflection Questions:
Where in your life have you been suppressing your truth or joy in order to maintain comfort or keep the peace?
What mindset shift would help you step more fully into your audaciously authentic self?
Connect with Dr. Nicole Bradford: 🌐 Website: www.maintaintheflame.net 📧 Email: info@maintaintheflame.net 📱 Instagram: @maintaintheflame
Get the Book: 📖 My Soul Is Not for Sale: Removing the Lies, Labels, and Limitations is available now on Amazon. A must-read for anyone ready to stop dimming their light.
If this episode reignited something in you, be sure to share it with a friend and subscribe for more conversations that help you live boldly and beautifully—one small victory at a time.
If you’ve ever thought, “It’s just easier if I do it myself,” this conversation will change your mind.
In this episode of The Small Victories Podcast, I’m joined by Molly Rose Speed, founder of Virtual Assistant Management, to talk about the mindset, process, and power of hiring the right virtual assistant. Molly shares why delegation is more than offloading tasks—it’s about reclaiming your time, protecting your energy, and creating space for the work only you can do.
From knowing when you’re ready to hire, to identifying what to delegate first, to ensuring your VA matches your voice and vision, Molly breaks down how to build trust, train effectively, and create a win-win partnership that fuels your business and your life. If you’ve been wearing 27 hats and wondering why you’re exhausted, this is your sign to make a change.
Key Takeaways:
Delegation is a skill, not a weakness—letting go starts with one small task and grows from there.
Your inbox, calendar, and social media are prime areas to outsource so you can focus on high-value activities.
Clarity is critical—know who you are, who you serve, and what you need before you hire.
The right VA can become a trusted partner who supports your goals and grows with your business.
Time is your most valuable currency—don’t fill freed-up hours with busywork; invest them where they matter most.
Reflection Questions:
What’s one recurring task in your business that drains your energy and could be delegated this month?
If you freed up five hours a week, how would you intentionally use that time to grow your business or improve your life?
Connect with Molly Rose Speed:
🌐 virtualassistantmanagement.co
📸 Instagram: @mollyrosespeed
💼 LinkedIn: Molly Rose Speed
You’ve worked hard to build your brand—your name, logo, tagline, and reputation are the result of your vision, creativity, and grit. But here’s the question: is it truly yours?
In this episode of The Small Victories Podcast, I sit down with Anita Mar, founder of Trademark Angel, to unpack why trademarks aren’t just a legal formality—they’re a strategic shield for your business. Anita explains how trademarks safeguard your brand identity, help you stand out in the market, and ensure you have the legal leverage to protect what you’ve created.
From clarifying the difference between trademarks, copyrights, and patents, to walking you through when and how to register, Anita breaks down this often-overlooked step in building a sustainable business. Whether you’re a product-based entrepreneur, a service provider, a podcaster, or a coach, this conversation will change the way you think about protecting your work.
Key Takeaways:
Reflection Questions:
If someone else started using your business or brand name tomorrow, how much would it impact your reputation, revenue, and audience trust?
Which part of your brand identity (name, logo, tagline, product name, etc.) is most worth protecting right now?
Connect with Anita Mar: 🌐 Website: trademarkangel.com 📸 Instagram: @trademark.angel 💼 LinkedIn: Anita Mar ▶️ YouTube: Trademark Angel Channel 📘 Facebook: Trademark Angel
What if the lowest moments of your life—addiction, mental illness, homelessness—were not the end of your story, but the very soil where redemption takes root? In this deeply raw and moving episode of The Small Victories Podcast, Michael Smith shares his remarkable journey from being a homeless veteran battling bipolar disorder and addiction to becoming a voice of hope and an advocate for breaking the stigma around mental illness.
Michael’s story is not sugar-coated—it’s the unvarnished truth of despair, survival, and the persistent hand of God guiding him toward healing. Through near-death moments, psychiatric stays, and years of isolation, Michael learned that the light is always there—you just have to take the next step toward it.
Key Takeaways:
Your darkest chapters don’t define you—they can equip you to help others who are still in the fight.
Small groups and community can be lifelines for those feeling trapped in isolation.
Mental illness and addiction are not signs of weakness—they can be paired with profound gifts and purpose.
Faith often works quietly in the background, even when you can’t yet see the bigger picture.
Hope begins with one brave step forward—even if that step is simply reaching out to someone who understands.
Reflection Questions:
Where in your life have you believed the lie that it’s “too late” for you—and what small step could you take toward hope today?
How might you offer compassion instead of judgment to someone struggling with mental illness or addiction?
Connect with Michael Smith:Website: https://theguttergospel.com/home
Storytelling is powerful—it can heal, inspire, and connect. But without care, it can also harm, misrepresent, or re-traumatize. In this insightful conversation, Thomas Wilson, founder of RH Creative Advocacy and Storytelling, shares how to tell your story with both authenticity and responsibility.
Through his work in the mental health and neurodiverse communities, Thomas has developed a deep understanding of how to balance vulnerability with boundaries, so that your story empowers rather than overwhelms. This episode will shift the way you think about sharing your truth, especially in the age of social media.
Key Takeaways:
Storytelling is both a personal right and a community responsibility—your words have power, and with that power comes accountability.
Vulnerability creates connection, but it must be balanced with healthy boundaries to protect both yourself and your audience.
Not all visibility has to come through one platform—choose the avenues that align with your well-being and strengths.
Boundaries aren’t walls; they’re safety rails that allow you to share more effectively and sustainably.
Accountability in storytelling means considering the potential impact of your words while staying true to yourself.
Connection starts with honesty, clarity about your role in relationships, and the courage to say “no” when needed.
Reflection Questions:
What parts of your story feel important to share, and what boundaries do you want to set to protect yourself and others?
How can you tailor the way you share your story so it aligns with both your comfort zone and your desire to make an impact?
Connect with Thomas Wilson:
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/ndttrpg
What if anxiety wasn’t a red light telling you to stop—but a yellow light asking you to pause, pay attention, and proceed with care?
In this episode of the Small Victories Podcast, Pauline Victoria sits down with Shelley Martinez—licensed psychotherapist, transformational life coach, and creator of the Inspired Life Alchemy Method—to shift our perspective on anxiety. Shelley draws from over 30 years of experience helping individuals transform anxiety into peace and confidence using the science of neuroplasticity and mind-body techniques.
Whether you're a high-functioning achiever quietly battling perfectionism or someone who feels anxiety in everyday tasks, this episode offers practical tools, science-backed insights, and hope for a more empowered way of being.
Key Takeaways:
Anxiety is not a red light—it’s a yellow light: a signal to pause and become present, not to stop living.
High-functioning anxiety often shows up as perfectionism, procrastination, irritability, or control issues—not always as panic or worry.
The brain can rewire itself through neuroplasticity; repetition of calming, grounding, and gratitude practices literally reshapes how we respond to stress.
Calming the body first (via breathwork, bilateral movement, or even a five-minute dance party) is essential before calming the mind.
Your thoughts follow your feelings—use tools like the “tiara trick” and intentional self-talk to shift your emotional state from the inside out.
Gratitude isn't just feel-good fluff—Shelley shares a brain-training technique using three new things daily that reprograms your mind for peace and optimism.
Reflection Questions:
In what ways does anxiety show up in your life that you may not have noticed before—like perfectionism or over-control?
What daily practices can you commit to in order to retrain your brain toward peace, confidence, and presence?
Connect with Shelley Martinez: 🌐 Website: https://shelleymartinez.com 💝 Free Tools & Resources: Available on her website
In this episode of The Small Victories Podcast, Pauline Victoria sits down with Jonathan Taylor—hailed by the Philadelphia Inquirer as America’s leading classical guitarist. But Jonathan is far more than a musical virtuoso—he’s a modern-day Renaissance man who has built a multifaceted career blending art, entrepreneurship, and resilience.
From nearly losing his life in the Amazon to saving someone else's through the power of music in India, Jonathan shares a journey that goes far beyond talent—it's about transformation. He challenges the illusion of perfection, explores the true meaning of mastery, and reminds us that perseverance is the gateway to becoming who we’re meant to be.
Whether you’re a speaker, coach, artist, or entrepreneur, this conversation will inspire you to embrace your unique expression, recommit to your craft, and keep showing up—especially when it gets hard.
Key Takeaways:
Mastery is not about perfecting the work—it's about refining yourself in the process.
Resilience is forged not just through big wins, but in your willingness to do hard things, over and over again.
True success lies not in recognition, but in becoming who you are called to be.
Music, like all great art, has the power to heal and transform—even save lives.
Courage and commitment are the foundation of any meaningful pursuit.
Life is meant to be an adventure—embrace the uncertainty, the beauty, and the challenge.
Reflection Questions:
Connect with Jonathan Taylor:
YouTube: @jtclassicalguitarmastery
SoundCloud: Jonathan Taylor Albums
Instagram: @jtclassicalguitarmastery
Facebook: Jonathan Taylor
Apple Music: Jonathan Taylor on Apple
What if your anxiety wasn’t something to fight, but something to listen to?
In this deeply insightful episode of The Small Victories Podcast, trauma-informed healer Toni Stevens of Toni’s Healing Room shares her personal journey of overcoming anxiety—not with prescriptions, but by tuning into the body’s wisdom. From her early experience with meditation to building her “MMM” method—Meditation, Mindset, and Movement—Toni guides us through powerful tools that help us reconnect with our bodies, release trauma, and break free from emotional addiction.
Whether you identify as an anxious person or not, this episode will challenge your definition of healing, and offer a new perspective on how stress, fear, and disconnection are often stored in the body, waiting to be released through gentle, consistent awareness.
Key Takeaways:
Anxiety is often a physical experience first—your body may be telling you something before your mind catches on.
Healing starts by creating stillness and safety in the body through breath, presence, and daily practices.
Emotional patterns, including anxiety and stress, can become addictive due to the chemicals released in the brain—and breaking the cycle requires conscious repetition.
Trauma doesn’t have to be big to be impactful; even small moments can shape deep-seated beliefs about ourselves and the world.
Meditation doesn't have to be long or complicated—even 30 seconds of focused breath can shift your energetic state.
Movement is essential for releasing stuck emotions—whether through dancing, stomping, or even screaming.
Your self-talk matters: speaking to yourself like your own best friend builds emotional safety and rewires negative thought loops.
Reflection Questions:
In what ways is your body trying to communicate with you right now—and are you listening?
What belief, pattern, or emotion might you be unconsciously addicted to, and how might your life expand if you released it?
Connect with Toni Stevens: 🌐 Website: www.tonishealingroom.com.au 📷 Instagram: @tonis_healing_room 📘 Facebook: Toni’s Healing Room 💼 LinkedIn: Toni Stevens
What if success isn’t about the next win—but how you handle what’s in the way?
In this soul-stretching conversation, Pauline sits down with Lincoln Stoller, therapist, hypnotherapist, and founder of MindStrengthBalance.com, to explore the truth behind sustainable success, mental resilience, and why struggle might be the very thing shaping your fulfillment.
Lincoln brings a deep and refreshing perspective on achievement, therapy vs. coaching, why goals alone can leave us feeling empty, and how failure is often the only way we truly build a meaningful life. If you’ve ever reached the top of your game and still felt unsatisfied—or are currently in the messy middle—this episode will remind you what truly matters on the journey.
Key Takeaways:
Coaching helps you achieve goals—therapy helps you understand why you’re chasing them in the first place.
Success without self-awareness often leads to burnout, emptiness, or regret.
Struggle isn’t a sign you’re failing—it’s a sign you’re growing. Embrace it.
You can’t find the path without mapping the territory. Failure defines direction.
Material wins are external—but satisfaction is internal. Learn to cultivate both.
Reflection Questions:
Are you chasing success—or creating satisfaction?
What failure in your life could actually be defining your map, not destroying your momentum?
Connect with Lincoln StollerWebsite: https://www.mindstrengthbalance.com
This episode is your invitation to let go of perfection, embrace your path, and start redefining success as something deeply personal and profoundly fulfilling. Remember—small victories aren’t just signs of progress. They are the proof that you're growing through the journey.
What if you didn’t need paid ads, a big team, or years of struggle to build a successful business? What if all you needed was strategy, grit, and an unshakable belief in yourself?
In this powerful episode of The Small Victories Podcast, Pauline Victoria sits down with Jeanne Omlor, a former solo parent who went from deep in debt to building a multimillion-dollar business—organically and ethically. No ads. No fluff. Just pure connection, heart-led strategy, and relentless action.
Jeanne shares how she broke through limiting beliefs, built her business using high-touch social selling, and mastered the mindset that turns “I’ll try” into “I will.” If you’ve ever felt stuck, scared, or uncertain in your business journey, this episode will reignite your faith in what’s truly possible.
Key Takeaways:
You don’t need paid ads to scale—you need powerful conversations, consistency, and clarity.
Eliminate the word "try" from your vocabulary and replace it with "do." Your language shapes your results.
Success comes from locking all your escape doors. Commit fully—especially when there’s no Plan B.
Fear, not lack of skill, is the real reason we procrastinate. Most business problems are emotional, not tactical.
Being imperfect is relatable. Let go of the need to look polished and choose connection over perfection.
Reflection Questions:
What are you telling yourself is “too hard” that might actually be your breakthrough path?
What would shift in your business if you believed you were worthy and ready right now?
Connect with Jeanne OmlorWebsite: https://jeanneomlor.com
This episode is your permission slip to stop waiting and start building—with the tools you already have and the heart you’ve always had. Tune in, take notes, and take action. Because small victories lead to massive transformation.
What if failure wasn’t something to fear—but a tool for transformation?
In this inspiring and eye-opening episode of The Small Victories Podcast, Pauline sits down with Patrick Boylan, founder of MuseFlow.ai, a music education platform that flips the script on how we learn by turning failure into a pathway for creativity, confidence, and joy.
Whether you're a musician, entrepreneur, or lifelong learner, Patrick challenges us to reframe our relationship with failure, perfectionism, and progress—and shows how small, messy steps can lead to massive breakthroughs.
🎵 Learn how MuseFlow uses real-time feedback, bite-sized learning, and flow-state mechanics to make music learning feel more like play and less like pressure.
Key Takeaways:
Reflection Questions:
Where in your life or business are you holding back because you’re afraid to fail?
What would be possible if you gave yourself permission to learn imperfectly?
Try MuseFlow.ai with 50% Off Visit https://museflow.ai Use Coupon Code: VICTORY50 for 50% off for life as a Small Victories Podcast listener!
This episode is your reminder that growth comes not from getting it perfect—but from showing up, playing through the mess, and celebrating your small victories along the way.
In this empowering episode of the Small Victories Podcast, host Pauline Victoria welcomes Suzan Peltekian, transformational coach and founder of Supercharge with Suzan, to help you awaken to the truth of who you really are. Suzan delivers powerful insights on how to break free from subconscious programming, stop living as a victim of circumstances, and step fully into your brilliance.
Key Takeaways
🌟 Your brilliance is already within you — awareness is the key to unlocking it. You are not your past, your circumstances, or your labels. The first step is becoming conscious of the limiting beliefs and patterns you’ve been living under.
🌟 Your subconscious mind drives up to 98% of your results — it’s time to retrain it. By shifting your thoughts, words, and self-talk, you can start to rewire your inner programming to support your highest vision.
🌟 Radical responsibility sets you free. The more you own your life — the good, the bad, and the hard — the more you gain the power to transform it.
🌟 Who you are being matters more than what you want. You don’t get what you want; you get who you are. To manifest your dreams, you must align your identity and daily habits with the life you desire.
🌟 Mirror work and intentional affirmations can open the door to self-love. Speaking kindly to yourself, celebrating your uniqueness, and treating yourself with the same compassion you’d offer a child or best friend will begin to shift your inner world.
🌟 You are here to co-create — not stay stuck. Even challenges, losses, or limitations can become the soil for growth when you remember you were made for more.
Reflection Questions for You:
1️⃣ What is one old story or limiting belief about yourself that you are ready to release?
2️⃣ How can you speak to yourself with more love and encouragement today — as if you were your own best friend or beloved child?
Connect with Suzan Peltekian:
🌐 Website: superchargewithsuzan.com
📱 Instagram: @superchargewithsuzan
In this episode of the Small Victories Podcast, Pauline sits down with Jason Yarusi—entrepreneur, real estate investor, coach, and creator of the Live 100 framework—to unpack how we can stop feeling stuck and start making steady, lasting progress. Jason shares his personal journey and his Break, Build, and Magnify system, which offers a practical path to move beyond overwhelm and rebuild a life aligned with your true values.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
Why small, consistent actions create massive change: Big breakthroughs aren’t built overnight; it's the 1% improvements you make daily that compound into extraordinary results.
How to set yourself up for sustainable success: Instead of setting unrealistic goals that backfire, Jason teaches how to create habits and routines that are simple, repeatable, and scalable over time.
How to reframe problems as opportunities: Jason shares how adopting an entrepreneurial, problem-solving mindset allows you to face setbacks with resilience and purpose—turning obstacles into stepping stones.
Reflection questions for you:
What is one area of your life where you need to pause and take an honest, no-judgment look at your current reality?
What small, achievable step can you commit to right now that would move you closer to your vision of success?
Connect with Jason Yarusi:
🌐 Website: www.jasonyarusi.com
📸 Instagram: @jasonyarusi
In this insightful episode of The Small Victories Podcast, Pauline sits down with Jeremy LaDuke, founder of The Climb Club and Epic Nine, to unpack how real marketing goes far beyond flashy ads and clever slogans. Jeremy shares his powerful philosophy: marketing is about human connection, storytelling, and empathy—because people buy with their hearts before their heads.
Together, they explore why traditional marketing advice often fails small businesses, how to make your brand emotionally resonate, and why playing it safe can actually be the riskiest move of all. Whether you're a solopreneur, coach, speaker, or small business owner, this episode is your guide to creating marketing that’s not only seen—but remembered.
🎯 Key Takeaways:
❤️ People buy emotionally first, then rationalize—your marketing must win hearts before minds.
📖 Storytelling and vulnerability help build authentic connections that naturally differentiate your brand.
🚩 Playing it safe in your messaging often makes your brand forgettable; smart, measured risks create memorability.
🔄 When everyone in your industry is “zigging,” find ways to “zag” and stand out—without compromising your core values.
💭 Even bold marketing moves that don’t immediately convert can still deliver valuable brand visibility and audience growth.
🌀 Reflection Questions:
In what ways can you share more of your authentic story or personal journey to build deeper trust with your audience?
What’s one “safe” part of your current marketing that could use a bold, creative twist to grab attention and stand out?
📬 Connect with Jeremy LaDuke:
🌐 Website: www.epicnine.com
🌐 The Climb Club: www.theclimbclub.com
📘 Book: www.theclimb.guide
🔗 LinkedIn: Jeremy LaDuke
What if your many passions, talents, and interests weren’t a distraction—but your superpower? In this eye-opening episode of The Small Victories Podcast, host Pauline Victoria sits down with Dustin PolyInnovator, a self-proclaimed polymath and multidisciplinary innovator, to challenge the status quo around niching down and to celebrate the freedom and potential of living a multi-passionate life.
From knowledge management systems to content strategy to the mindset shifts required to embrace your full self, Dustin shares insights for creators, entrepreneurs, and curious humans who are done trying to fit in a single box.
If you’ve ever felt “too much” or “all over the place,” this conversation will help you reframe that as your gift—not your weakness.
🎯 Key Takeaways:
🔄 You don’t have to niche down forever—“temporary niching” allows for growth while honoring your multidimensional self.
💡 A polymath is someone with multiple expert-level skills and insatiable curiosity—not just someone who “does a lot.”
🌱 Being a “jack of all trades” is not a flaw—in fact, the full quote reveals it can be better than mastery in one thing.
🌐 Your personal brand is like an octopus—your diverse passions are simply different arms stemming from one core identity.
📚 Knowledge management (through tools like Notion or Obsidian) is essential for organizing your ideas, content, and growth across disciplines.
📈 Curiosity is a skill you can train—when you lean into it, it leads to deeper learning and unexpected breakthroughs.
⚙️ Batching, automation, and intentional content planning can help manage the energy and time of pursuing multiple interests.
🧠 Success isn’t about limiting yourself—it’s about integrating all of who you are into how you show up in life and business.
🌀 Reflection Questions:
What parts of yourself or your interests have you been suppressing in the name of “staying focused”? How might integrating them bring you more fulfillment?
In what ways can you start honoring your curiosity more—whether through learning, creating, or simply exploring without a defined outcome?
📬 Connect with Dustin PolyInnovator:
🌐 Website: polyinnovator.space
📧 Email: dustin@polyinnovator.space
What if fear, perfectionism, and self-doubt weren’t signs to stop—but invitations to rise? In this transformative episode of The Small Victories Podcast, Pauline Victoria sits down with courage coach and transformational life + career guide Miriam Rachael Freed to unpack what it really means to live a courageous, authentic, and joy-filled life.
With a deep background in trauma-informed education, somatic work, and subconscious reprogramming, Miriam helps creatives and entrepreneurs unlearn the beliefs keeping them stuck and gently step into their truest selves—with clarity, softness, and aligned action.
This isn’t about following a “proven system.” It’s about listening to the truth of your own heart—and building a life from the inside out.
Key Takeaways:
💡 “Courage of heart” is different from performative courage—it comes from authenticity, not pressure.
🌱 You don’t need to become someone else to succeed—you need to remember and reclaim who you already are.
🧠 Fear of judgment—not lack of knowledge—is often the real reason we don’t take the first step.
🔄 Lasting transformation starts with self-awareness, followed by nervous system regulation and new daily rituals.
🔁 Breakthroughs often feel sudden—but are usually the result of steady, unseen inner work.
💥 Courage isn’t just for you—it creates ripple effects that uplift others.
🎯 Success isn’t just results—it’s loving who you are, what you do, and how you do it.
🛑 Self-sabotage often looks like “putting the thing before the thing.” Call it out and simplify your next step.
🌈 A fully courageous life doesn’t mean a perfect life—it means having the resilience to rise, rain or shine.
Reflection Questions:
Where in your life are you waiting for clarity instead of taking one small courageous step toward it?
What story or pattern are you still carrying that no longer belongs to the version of you you’re becoming?
Connect with Miriam Rachael Freed:
🌐 Website: miriamrachaelfreed.com
📸 Instagram: @miriamrachaelfreed
💼 LinkedIn: Miriam Rachael Freed
What if adversity could be the catalyst for your greatest transformation?
In this powerful and honest episode of the Small Victories Podcast, Pauline Victoria sits down with Alan Lazaros—CEO of Next Level University and host of a global top 100 self-improvement podcast—to unpack the often misunderstood difference between self-belief and self-worth, and why both are necessary to live a fulfilled, aligned life.
Alan shares his deeply personal story of loss, trauma, achievement, and awakening—from losing his father at 2 years old, to surviving a near-fatal car accident at 26 that shifted his life’s direction. Through this lens, he teaches us how true transformation starts not with doing more—but by knowing, accepting, and honoring who we truly are.
Key Takeaways:
🎯 Self-belief is your confidence in what you can do. Self-worth is your confidence in who you are. You need both.
🧭 Transformation requires the journey of self-awareness → self-acceptance → self-improvement—in that order.
💡 You don’t rise to the level of your dreams; you fall to the level of your beliefs.
🧱 If you don’t consciously assign goals to yourself, you’ll unconsciously “stumble upon” a life that doesn’t serve you.
⚖️ High achievers often suffer from low self-worth. Achievement alone won’t make you feel worthy.
💥 Adversity is only an advantage if you believe you can turn it into growth. Without belief, it’s just pain.
🚧 Saying yes builds self-belief. Saying no builds self-worth.
🌟 Self-worth is cultivated by honoring your core values and setting boundaries—even if it means disappointing others.
Reflection Questions:
Where in your life are you saying “yes” when your heart is really saying “no”? What boundary is waiting to be honored?
Do you base your worth on what you achieve—or who you are at your core?
Connect with Alan Lazaros: 🎧 Listen to the Next Level University podcast and explore coaching resources at: www.nextleveluniverse.com 📲 Instagram: @alazaros88 📲 Instagram (podcast): @nextleveluniverse
In this powerful episode of the Small Victories Podcast, host Pauline Victoria welcomes Mark Rodriguez, founder of Warrior Life Academy, a man whose life story is nothing short of miraculous. After surviving two double lung transplants and battling a terminal diagnosis, Mark shares how he went from dying man to warrior coach—turning pain into purpose and adversity into impact.
Through his raw and transparent journey, Mark unpacks the mindset, faith, and warrior spirit it takes to not only survive life’s darkest moments but rise above them transformed. He shares a deeply personal framework for healing that goes beyond physical recovery: one that begins with accountability, demands inner healing, and leads to true elevation and purpose.
This episode isn’t just inspirational—it’s transformational. If you’ve ever felt stuck, unworthy, broken, or lost in your life, Mark’s journey reminds us that we’re never beyond redemption, never too far gone to be used by God, and never without a fight worth fighting.
Key Takeaways:
You are the leader of your own life. No one else can make the decision to fight for your future but you.
Healing starts with accountability. You can't grow into your purpose without first taking radical ownership of your past.
Your inner warrior doesn’t always yell—it serves, smiles, and chooses gratitude. Strength comes in many forms, including quiet persistence.
Self-care is a reflection of self-respect. You can’t pour from an empty cup—and you can’t lead others well if you’re abandoning yourself.
You were made for more. Every mistake, every wound, and every scar can be used for good when surrendered to God.
Quitting is hard. Fighting is harder—but worth it. You must choose your hard. Only one leads to transformation.
True victory is living as the person God always knew you could be. And that means embracing the fight, not avoiding it.
Reflection Questions for the Listener:
What area of your life are you avoiding accountability in—and how might taking ownership lead to your healing?
Are you speaking life over your situation, or are you unintentionally giving power to defeat through your words and actions?
Connect with Mark Rodriguez:
🌐 Website: www.thewarriorlifeacademy.com
🔗 LinkedIn: Mark Rodriguez on LinkedIn
🎥 YouTube: Warrior Life Academy
