Gratitude Geek is the podcast for micropreneurs seeking business education to boost entrepreneurship, marketing, and productivity. Each week, host Kandas Rodarte—digital marketing pioneer, breast cancer thriver, and productivity coach—interviews inspirational business owners who’ve built thriving brands and businesses with gratitude and appreciation. Join us to learn, grow, and foster authentic connections while sowing seeds of success and kindness.
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What If Your Biggest Doubts Are Actually Superpowers? | Dawn Ledet
Episode 282
Tuesday, July 29, 2025 • Duration 44:05
Struggling with self-doubt as a solopreneur? Self-trust coach Dawn Ledet reveals how your mindset, inner dialogue, and follow-through skills can unlock success after 40.
So many female entrepreneurs over 40 are held back not by lack of talent or hustle—but by self-doubt and second-guessing. In this episode, self-trust coach Dawn Ledet shares how your inner dialogue can become your biggest asset (instead of your sneakiest saboteur).
We dig into her 3E Success Method, how to rebuild self-trust after failure, and why having your own back might be the key to consistency and clarity in business.
If you’ve ever struggled to make decisions, follow through, or bounce back from perfectionism, this episode will help you see doubt in a whole new light.
Listen now to hear:
Why self-doubt might be pointing to your hidden strengths
The 3 essential skills every entrepreneur needs to succeed
The difference between confidence and self-trust
Real-world tools for getting things done—even when you don’t feel like it
How to start rebuilding trust in yourself todayConnect with Dawn Ledet
Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, comment & share!
Join the Gratitude Geek community and stay updated with exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and more. Sign up for our email list here: http://kandasrodarte.com/subscribe
Support Gratitude Geek Podcast
At Gratitude Geek, we aim to spread gratitude, sow seeds of appreciation, and harvest a bounty of generosity and kindness. As a listener, reader, and subscriber, you are part of this mission, and we are honored to have your support. If possible, please help finance the show: http://kandasrodarte.com/support
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in the show notes may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show!
Gratitude Geek is part of the Podmatch Network. Learn how Podmatch can help you grow your visibility: http://kandasrodarte.com/podmatch
Business After Breast Cancer | Deb Krier
Episode 281
Tuesday, July 22, 2025 • Duration 49:23
What happens when cancer crashes your life and your livelihood? In episode 281 of the Gratitude Geek podcast, I sit down with entrepreneur and cancer thriver Deb Krier to talk candidly about living with Stage 4 breast cancer while still showing up for your clients, your business, and most importantly—yourself.
Deb and I don’t sugarcoat anything. We’ve both walked through cancer diagnoses, nerve damage, port drama, chemo fog, and endless unsolicited “cures.” And yet—we kept going. Sometimes we paused. Sometimes we powered through. And we both learned how to run our businesses in radically new ways.
This is the episode I wish existed when I was first diagnosed. It’s equal parts support group, strategy session, and a little redhead sass.
In This Episode, We Talk About:
What “working through cancer” really looks like
Tools and therapies (traditional and woo) that actually help
How to decide what business tasks to keep, delegate, or drop
The mental game of staying visible while your body is falling apart
Why we should stop apologizing for our boundaries
Deb’s philosophy: “You’re the boss. Not cancer. Not your doctor. You.”
Deb Krier is the founder of TryingNotToDie.LIVE, a platform that empowers individuals navigating cancer to live boldly and on their own terms. A seasoned marketing and PR professional, Deb brings the same fearless spirit to her work as she does to her personal health journey. Diagnosed with Stage 4 triple positive breast cancer in 2015 and later thyroid cancer, Deb has refused to let illness define her. She now inspires others to take ownership of their journey, build resilient communities, and find purpose—no matter the diagnosis.
Gratitude Shoutout:
Joy-Driven Success: Transform Your Life & Business | Kimberley Mitchell
Episode 280
Tuesday, July 15, 2025 • Duration 50:33
What if joy isn’t a fleeting feeling but the ultimate business strategy?
In episode 280, Air Force veteran, mental health advocate, and transformational leader Kimberly Mitchell — known as the "Joy Warrior" — shares her Journey to Joy System. Kimberly reveals how healing your inner world and rewriting limiting beliefs can unlock unstoppable success in life and business.
We explore why so many women struggle with money mindsets, how to turn fear into fuel, and why curiosity (not hustle) is the ultimate growth tool. From roller skating as an adult to reframing joy in daily tasks, Kimberly’s stories will have you rethinking what’s possible for you and your business.
“Joy isn’t a reward at the finish line — it’s the fuel that gets you there.” — Kimberly Mitchell
Key Takeaways
Joy as a business strategy, not just a feeling
Why healing your beliefs is the foundation of success
How to transform money mindsets with respect and gratitude
The power of curiosity and rewriting your personal story
Embracing joy in "irrational" or unexpected ways to reconnect with yourself
2:00 — From Air Force to Corporate: Kimberly’s Journey
7:30 — Discovering the Power of Inner Work
12:00 — Overcoming Fear & Limiting Beliefs
17:00 — Joy as a Business Strategy
22:00 — Intention & Reframing
27:00 — Applying Joy Practically in Business
31:30 — Diversity, Openness & Community Impact
36:00 — Managing Money with Joy
Financial Clarity for Solopreneurs | Ahuva Gruen
Episode 279
Tuesday, July 8, 2025 • Duration 43:01
Ever feel like your bank account is speaking a language you don’t understand? It’s time to stop panicking and start profiting.
In this powerful episode of Gratitude Geek, I sit down with Ahuva Gruen — a fractional CFO (that’s Chief Financial Officer, your business’s financial brain!) and financial clarity coach for small businesses. We break down why clarity, not just cash, is the real secret weapon for solopreneurs.
Ahuva shares her journey from childhood wig sales and candy hustles to becoming a trusted CFO for growing businesses. We dig into how to price your offerings correctly (spoiler: include all your costs), how to stop underpaying yourself, and why chasing the lowest price is a trap.
If you’ve ever wondered:
Am I charging enough for my work?
Why is my cash flow always playing catch-up?
Should I turn my hobby into a business?
What numbers do I really need to watch?
This episode is your wake-up call — and your roadmap.
Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, comment & share!
How to Tell Your Business Story on TV | Michelle Rupp
Episode 278
Tuesday, July 1, 2025 • Duration 49:42
Telling your business story on TV isn't just about publicity — it’s about creating a legacy. In this powerful episode, Emmy Award-winning journalist and media strategist Michelle Rupp joins me to break down how to leverage your story to gain earned media, build trust, and create real community change.
We unpack Michelle's own experience of televising her heart surgery, why women’s health stories need more airtime, and how small businesses can turn one segment into long-term growth. You’ll learn how to craft an irresistible media hook, tailor your message to the right audience, and amplify your visibility far beyond your local news station.
If you’re tired of shouting into the void with ads that don’t convert, this is the episode you can’t afford to miss. Whether you're a solopreneur looking for more meaningful exposure or a business owner ready to step into the spotlight, Michelle’s insights will inspire and empower you to take bold action.
🎧 Tune in to discover how telling your business story on TV can become your most impactful marketing move — and maybe even change lives along the way.
Chapters:
00:00 Michelle’s Heart Surgery Story 05:05 Women’s Health Conversations 08:44 Helping Businesses Earn Media 12:24 Tailoring Your Media Strategy 13:39 Just Ask for Media Opportunities 27:19 Crafting a Strong Hook 39:25 The Power of Made-in-America 41:19 Amplify on Social Media 42:34 Nurture Media Relationships 48:44 Gratitude & Making It Count
Audiobook Narration Leads to Second Act Success | Paul Heitsch
Episode 277
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 • Duration 55:39
What happens when you pivot careers after 40 and land your dream gig? Paul Heitsch knows. A former composer and sound engineer, Paul stepped into audiobook narration later in life—and now he’s narrated over 380 titles, including the Omega Force sci-fi series by Joshua Dalzelle (episode 265).
In this candid conversation, Paul shares how he built a thriving voiceover business in his second act, what AI can’t replicate, and how storytelling is still a deeply human craft.
🎧 In This Episode:
How Paul found audiobook success after 40
What it takes to build a voice acting career from scratch
Why emotional nuance beats AI every time
Tools Paul uses to prep and record audiobooks
What aspiring narrators need to know (especially solopreneurs!)
How character voices are created—and remembered
The surprising freedom of starting over
🎙️ “If the work speaks to you, if you’re cut out for it, it’s the greatest job in the world.” — Paul Heitsch
📚 Want to hear Paul in action? Check out the Omega Force series by Joshua Dalzelle: https://amzn.to/4ng55D2
7 Brain Surgeries, 1 Mission (Advocating for Invisible Condition Patients) | Jeff Pearson
Episode 276
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 • Duration 50:12
Jeff Pearson looks perfectly healthy—but his brain tells a very different story.
In episode 276 of Gratitude Geek, host Kandas Rodarte chats with Jeff, a speaker, nonprofit founder, and host of Invisible Condition on e360tv. Born with hydrocephalus, Jeff has endured seven brain surgeries, six of them in just over a decade. But instead of giving up, he and his wife launched a nonprofit, a TV show, a caregiver support network, and a mission to bring hope to others living with invisible conditions.
Tune in to discover:
What it's really like living with a surgically-managed brain condition
How Jeff and Catherine launched Hydro with Hope and Invisible Condition University (ICU)
Why caregivers need just as much support as patients
How alternative therapies gave Jeff his life back when medicine said "just live with it"
The business reality of running a nonprofit with impact
Whether you're navigating your own invisible health journey or supporting someone who is, this episode will shift your perspective—and maybe even restore some hope.
In this emotionally grounding episode of Gratitude Geek, Kandas Rodarte welcomes back author and mindset coach Fletcher Ellingson to explore how we can build emotional resilience in a world that feels increasingly chaotic.
We dive into Fletcher’s signature framework from his book The Practice of Feeling Good — and unpack how fear is often just a story. Fletcher shares how to identify the root of that fear, reframe it, and begin practicing a new, empowering narrative. You’ll also learn why “feeling good” is a daily practice, not a personality trait or privilege.
Whether you’re facing uncertainty in business, health, politics, or life, this episode will help you reset your emotional default and take aligned action from a place of clarity and confidence.
Topics Covered:
The 3 core fears driving most anxiety
Why fear is just a future-based story
How to practice emotional resilience daily
The difference between habits and intentional practices
Why courage is only possible with fear
How to shift your mindset to feel grounded and empowered
Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, comment & share!
Join the Gratitude Geek community and stay updated with exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and more. Sign up for our email list here: http://kandasrodarte.com/subscribe
The ONLY Video Strategy Female Solopreneurs Over 40 Need | Jason Zygadlo
Episode 274
Tuesday, June 3, 2025 • Duration 49:30
Are you a female solopreneur over 40 looking to stand out in 2025? Discover how video can transform your business, build real connections, and help you shine in a crowded market—no matter what you’ve overcome.
Jason Zygadlo joins me for episode 274 of Gratitude Geek to explore the power of personalized video, authentic branding, and how his nonprofit ZIGGYSTRONG supports people navigating grief and adversity. Whether you’re rebuilding after cancer, divorce, or loss, this episode offers practical tips and heartfelt encouragement for women in business who lead with purpose.
🎧 Hosted by Kandas Rodarte, Gratitude Geek is the go-to podcast for resilient female solopreneurs who want to grow their business with authenticity and gratitude—without the hustle.
Loved this episode? Subscribe on your favorite podcast app and join the Robusta Small Business Percolator—a community for women over 40 building authentic businesses after adversity. 👉 http://kandasrodarte.com/robusta
This is Why 99% of Creators Don’t Succeed on YouTube | Jake Thomas
Episode 273
Tuesday, May 27, 2025 • Duration 47:53
If your YouTube titles aren’t getting clicks, your content isn’t getting seen. Period.
In episode 273 of Gratitude Geek, I sit down with Jake Thomas, the self-proclaimed YouTube title nerd behind CreatorHooks.com, who’s written 1,000s of titles responsible for nearly 100 million views.
We unpack the psychology of why people click, how to avoid common title mistakes, and how women over 40 can stand out on YouTube without falling into the clickbait trap. Whether you’re launching a channel or stuck in content limbo, Jake’s insights will help you write titles that actually convert.
If this episode gave you an “aha!” moment about YouTube or content strategy, share it with a friend—and don’t forget to subscribe.
Want support from fellow female solopreneurs over 40 building businesses with heart and guts? Join the Robusta Small Business Percolator at kandasrodarte.com/robusta.
Join the Gratitude Geek community and stay updated with exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and more. Sign up for our email list here: http://kandasrodarte.com/subscribe
Support Gratitude Geek Podcast
Deb’s moment of gratitude? This conversation. And I’m right there with her.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro: When business and cancer collide
02:30 Deb’s first diagnosis: Stage 0 to Stage 4 overnight
06:15 Chemo, septic shock, and working from a hospital bed
09:40 Why Kandas stopped her podcast—and what brought it back
13:10 Ports, Herceptin, insurance battles, and treatment evolution
19:30 Complementary therapies: What helped, what didn’t
24:00 Oncologists vs primary care: Why you need both
27:10 When to fire your doctor (and how to find a better one)
31:30 Humor as medicine: Princess Anastasia Beaverhousen enters
36:00 The real deal with medical marijuana and biosimilars
40:20 Cancer’s impact on business decisions and boundaries
44:10 Deb’s advice for newly diagnosed entrepreneurs
47:00 Kandas’ take: cancer doesn’t define your business
48:30 Moment of gratitude & wrap-up
If you're living with cancer and still running your business—or supporting someone who is—this episode is for you. Cancer might change your schedule, your capacity, and your boundaries. But it doesn’t get to take your voice.
Stay groovy, my friends.
===
Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, comment & share!
Join the Gratitude Geek community and stay updated with exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and more. Sign up for our email list here: http://kandasrodarte.com/subscribe
Support Gratitude Geek Podcast
At Gratitude Geek, we aim to spread gratitude, sow seeds of appreciation, and harvest a bounty of generosity and kindness. As a listener, reader, and subscriber, you are part of this mission, and we are honored to have your support. If possible, please help finance the show: http://kandasrodarte.com/support
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in the show notes may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show!
Gratitude Geek is part of the Podmatch Network. Learn how Podmatch can help you grow your visibility: http://kandasrodarte.com/podmatch
41:00 — Finding Joy in Tedious Tasks
45:00 — Embracing Fun & Irrational Joy
48:00 — Legacy, Curiosity & Empowering Women
49:30 — Gratitude & Closing
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Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, comment & share!
Join the Gratitude Geek community and stay updated with exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and more. Sign up for our email list here: http://kandasrodarte.com/subscribe
Support Gratitude Geek Podcast
At Gratitude Geek, we aim to spread gratitude, sow seeds of appreciation, and harvest a bounty of generosity and kindness. As a listener, reader, and subscriber, you are part of this mission, and we are honored to have your support. If possible, please help finance the show: http://kandasrodarte.com/support
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in the show notes may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show!
Gratitude Geek is part of the Podmatch Network. Learn how Podmatch can help you grow your visibility: http://kandasrodarte.com/podmatch
Join the Gratitude Geek community and stay updated with exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and more. Sign up for our email list here: http://kandasrodarte.com/subscribe
Support Gratitude Geek Podcast
At Gratitude Geek, we aim to spread gratitude, sow seeds of appreciation, and harvest a bounty of generosity and kindness. As a listener, reader, and subscriber, you are part of this mission, and we are honored to have your support. If possible, please help finance the show: http://kandasrodarte.com/support
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in the show notes may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show!
Gratitude Geek is part of the Podmatch Network. Learn how Podmatch can help you grow your visibility: http://kandasrodarte.com/podmatch
===
Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, comment & share!
Join the Gratitude Geek community and stay updated with exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and more. Sign up for our email list here: http://kandasrodarte.com/subscribe
Support Gratitude Geek Podcast
At Gratitude Geek, we aim to spread gratitude, sow seeds of appreciation, and harvest a bounty of generosity and kindness. As a listener, reader, and subscriber, you are part of this mission, and we are honored to have your support. If possible, please help finance the show: http://kandasrodarte.com/support
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in the show notes may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show!
Gratitude Geek is part of the Podmatch Network. Learn how Podmatch can help you grow your visibility: http://kandasrodarte.com/podmatch
Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, comment & share!
Join the Gratitude Geek community and stay updated with exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and more. Sign up for our email list here: http://kandasrodarte.com/subscribe
Support Gratitude Geek Podcast
At Gratitude Geek, we aim to spread gratitude, sow seeds of appreciation, and harvest a bounty of generosity and kindness. As a listener, reader, and subscriber, you are part of this mission, and we are honored to have your support. If possible, please help finance the show: http://kandasrodarte.com/support
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in the show notes may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show!
Gratitude Geek is part of the Podmatch Network. Learn how Podmatch can help you grow your visibility: http://kandasrodarte.com/podmatch
This episode is made possible by...
I use Victory Super Patch to help manage some of my neuropathy symptoms—it's drug-free, non-invasive, and honestly, a game changer.
I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
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Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, comment & share!
Join the Gratitude Geek community and stay updated with exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and more. Sign up for our email list here: http://kandasrodarte.com/subscribe
Support Gratitude Geek Podcast
At Gratitude Geek, we aim to spread gratitude, sow seeds of appreciation, and harvest a bounty of generosity and kindness. As a listener, reader, and subscriber, you are part of this mission, and we are honored to have your support. If possible, please help finance the show: http://kandasrodarte.com/support
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in the show notes may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show!
Gratitude Geek is part of the Podmatch Network. Learn how Podmatch can help you grow your visibility: http://kandasrodarte.com/podmatch
Support Gratitude Geek Podcast
At Gratitude Geek, we aim to spread gratitude, sow seeds of appreciation, and harvest a bounty of generosity and kindness. As a listener, reader, and subscriber, you are part of this mission, and we are honored to have your support. If possible, please help finance the show: http://kandasrodarte.com/support
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in the show notes may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show!
Gratitude Geek is part of the Podmatch Network. Learn how Podmatch can help you grow your visibility: http://kandasrodarte.com/podmatch
At Gratitude Geek, we aim to spread gratitude, sow seeds of appreciation, and harvest a bounty of generosity and kindness. As a listener, reader, and subscriber, you are part of this mission, and we are honored to have your support. If possible, please help finance the show: http://kandasrodarte.com/support
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in the show notes may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show!
Gratitude Geek is part of the Podmatch Network. Learn how Podmatch can help you grow your visibility: http://kandasrodarte.com/podmatch
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