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The Empowered Brain

Vanessa Calderon: Physician, Educator, Master Coachwww.vanessacalderonmd.com
The Empowered Brain is the only podcast that uses science, psychology and coaching to help you rewire your brain, become more effective create a happier life. Listen and learn how to master your mind, master your emotions, thrive amidst daily stressors, and master time. Dr. Vanessa Calderón is a Harvard grad, Physician, Master Coach, and mother of 2. She has over 20 years of clinical and leadership experience and is the founder of the The Journey (to your empowered brain). The Journey uses the latest science in neuroplasticity, resiliency and psychology to help people: (1) Master their Mind and become more effective in all areas of their lives; (2) Master their Emotions and heal from past traumas; (3) Master Stress and Resilience and thrive amidst life's everyday stressors (4) Master Time, create healthy boundaries and have more time for people they love. Learn more at: www.vanessacalderonmd.com/join
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Episodes

127. Turning Workplace Challenges into Opportunities: Strategies for Managing Difficult Employees who you can't fire (including former bosses)

​​Raise your hand if you're a leader or a manager and have had to manage a difficult employee. What about a difficult employee you couldn't fire? If this is you, you're going to want to check out this week's podcast episode. We dive into detailed strategies for turning these workplace pain points into opportunities. Links: Connect with me on: IG and FB . Watch my free class and learn how to get more done in a day without stress and burnout. Get your free copy of the Podcast Study Guide . Subscri...

Nov 01, 202333 min

126. Unlocking Self-Validation: Breaking Free from Invalidation Patterns

Does any of this self-talk sound familiar? "I shouldn't be mad at this." "This isn't a big deal." "I was just lucky." What about ignoring your sense of hunger, thirst, or even the need to empty your bladder so you can get more done. These are all incredibly common forms of self-invalidation, which is another way to say self-rejection. On this week's podcast, we talk about all the sneaky ways self-invalidation shows up, why we've developed these habits, and how to start practicing self-validation...

Oct 25, 202328 min

125. What's Possible: Overcoming Procrastination with Self-Compassion

This week I bring you the last episode in our "What's Possible Series," where you get to learn from my students, as I celebrate them, and let them serve as an example of what's possible for you. Hearing these examples is important because without knowing what's possible for us, we usually let past failures, and other people's fears dictate our future and our potential. But your past does not dictate who you will become. You and the choices you make today dictate your future. Listen in and learn ...

Oct 18, 202343 min

124. What's Possible: Breaking Free from People-Pleasing and Showing up with Confident Authenticity with Sneha

Have you ever seen someone's success and your brain immediately tried to make excuses as to why they were able to do that but those results are not possible for you? If so, I totally get you. This thought-trap is so common, I do it too, and it's getting in the way of you creating the changes you want to make in your life. The changes you want to make are possible for you right now, no matter the circumstances. This week on the podcast, we're continuing the "What's Possible" series, interviews wi...

Oct 11, 202359 min

123. What's Possible: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Getting Promoted at Work, and Improving my Marriage (while raising 3 young kids) with Dr. Angie

Have you ever seen someone's success and your brain immediately tried to make excuses as to why they were able to do that but those results are not possible for you? If so, I totally get you. This thought-trap is so common, I do it too, and it's getting in the way of you creating the changes you want to make in your life. The changes you want to make are possible for you right now, no matter the circumstances. This week on the podcast, you'll hear the first episode in the "What's Possible" serie...

Oct 04, 202352 min

122. Sustaining a Conference High: Keeping the spark alive with strategies for long-term motivation

How many times have you left a conference inspired and motivated, only to forget everything and go back to your old ways a few weeks later? The "Post-Conference High" is a common phenomenon. In this episode, I walk you through step-by-step strategies to help you keep the conference spark alive, with strategies for long-term motivation. Links: Connect with me on: IG and FB . Watch my free class and learn how to get more done in a day without stress and burnout. Get your free copy of the Podcast S...

Sep 27, 202322 min

121. Decision Making: The Power of Balancing Emotion and Logic

In this episode, we dive into the art of making decisions that truly matter, embracing both the wisdom of our emotions and the clarity of logic. You'll understand why it's important to include your emotions and the balance between the heart and the mind. You'll also learn: Why women have been afraid to use emotions when making decisions How avoiding your emotions is harmful in the long term How to overcome biases when using your emotions for decision-making Links: Connect with me on: IG and FB ....

Sep 20, 202328 min

120. Breaking Through Imposter Syndrome: Empowering Your Success

A note to all the smart women who feel like Imposters: If you ever feel insecure, inadequate or like a fraud, I want you to know that it has NOTHING to do with you, or how capable you are. The truth is that even the most successful women at the heights of their careers, including Oprah, Michelle Obama, and Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor, have also experienced imposter syndrome. In this podcast episode we'll explore the phenomenon of imposter syndrome and its impact on women. You'll learn...

Sep 13, 202337 min

119. PART3: Unraveling the Patriarchy: Past, Present, and Persistence

I sat down to create a podcast episode on imposter syndrome and realized that I couldn't simply talk about imposter syndrome without first addressing why it's so pervasive. You see, impostor syndrome is intricately woven into the societal fabric of the patriarchy. Imposter syndrome happens when we internalize the inferiority brought on by the patriarchy and other systems of oppression. But, we don't have to be victims of this. In the next few episodes, we're going on a journey through history, s...

Sep 06, 202340 min

118. PART 2: Unraveling the Patriarchy: Past, Present, and Persistence

I sat down to create a podcast episode on imposter syndrome and realized that I couldn't simply talk about imposter syndrome without first addressing why it's so pervasive. You see, impostor syndrome is intricately woven into the societal fabric of the patriarchy. Imposter syndrome happens when we internalize the inferiority brought on by the patriarchy and other systems of oppression. But, we don't have to be victims of this. In the next few episodes, we're going on a journey through history, s...

Aug 30, 202326 min

117. PART 1: Unraveling the Patriarchy: Past, Present, and Persistence

I sat down to create a podcast episode on imposter syndrome, and realized that I couldn't simply talk about imposter syndrome without first addressing why it's so pervasive. You see, impostor syndrome is intricately woven into the societal fabric of the patriarchy. Imposter syndrome happens when we internalize the inferiority brought on by the patriarchy and other systems of oppression. But, we don't have to be victims of this. In the next few episodes, we're going on a journey through history, ...

Aug 23, 202339 min

116. Befriending your mind: A Powerful journaling practice to shift away from negative self-talk

In this episode, I share with you a step-by-step journaling practice to help you stop avoiding or feeling ashamed by your negative thoughts, but instead see them with compassion, and move on. Links: Connect with me on: IG and FB . Watch my free class and learn how to get more done in a day without stress and burnout. Get your free copy of the Podcast Study Guide . Subscribe for weekly tips and strategies to empower your brain. Learn more about The Journey , the only comprehensive coaching progra...

Aug 16, 202315 min

115. How to separate your core self from your negative thoughts

You are not your thinking brain. There may be times when you think you're lazy, selfish, disappointing, or a failure. Maybe there are times you think you'll never find love or you'll never stop feeling like an imposter. But, sweet friend, these things are just thoughts. And, you are not your thinking brain. In this episode, I teach you a simple mnemonic to help you separate your core self from your thinking brain. When you practice this and start noticing the thoughts your brain offers you, you ...

Aug 09, 202319 min

114. Apathy: Why you feel "Blah" and another way fear shows up

We are continuing our exploration of fear and its various manifestations. If you haven't listened to Episode 112 yet, I highly recommend you go back and check it out—it sets the stage for today's discussion on apathy and its intriguing relationship with fear. Now, let me clarify upfront that when I refer to apathy in this episode, I'm talking about those moments when we feel unmotivated, indifferent, or just downright blah. This is different from cases involving depression or recent traumatic ev...

Aug 02, 202312 min

113. Why you're afraid to take action

Hey there, fearless listeners (pun intended)! In this podcast, we're diving deep into the topic of fear and how it affects all of us, sometimes in the sneakiest of ways!. You may see me, look at my degrees, or what I've accomplished and think that I must be fearless. But, OMG, sweet friend, that couldn’t be further from the truth. I still experience a ton of fear (all the time!), and I do my best to stumble through it and keep going. Because fear is something we all encounter, and its roots run ...

Jul 26, 202326 min

112. The Stress-Trauma Continuum

In this episode, we dive into the stress trauma continuum. Before I get into it, I want to remind you that if you're experiencing signs of chronic stress or burnout, you are not alone, and there is help available. If you find yourself constantly exhausted, emotionally drained, or lacking a sense of personal accomplishment, you may be on the path to burnout. But don't worry, identifying these symptoms is the first step to healing. Trust me, I've been there, twice! First as a clinician, and then l...

Jul 19, 202329 min

111. How to change any area of your life you're not happy with

Is there an area of your life where you’re not getting the results you want? Maybe you have a grant proposal that you keep putting off. Perhaps it’s with your health goals. Maybe you’re stuck in a job that you don’t love but you’re putting off making a change. Instead of procrastinating on creating the results in your life that you want, I want to help you start taking action right now.This minute. If this is you, then you’re going to want to listen to this podcast episode. If there's an area in...

Jul 12, 202322 min

110. Self-Forgiveness Part 2: How to Practice Self-Forgiveness with Dr. Melissa Parsons

This is Part 2 of our Self-Forgiveness series. In this episode, I interview Dr. Melissa Parsons, a colleague and friend. We talk about the things that keep us from forgiving ourselves and she teaches a process to process, forgive and move on. See Full Show Notes by clicking Here . Get your free copy of the self regulation tools Follow Vanessa at: IG: @vanessacalderonmd FB: Vanessa Calderon MD Learn more and subscribe at: www.vanessacalderonmd.com The Journey (to your empowered brain) This eviden...

Jul 05, 202340 min

109. Self-Forgiveness Part 1: A Step-by-step process to forgive and stop shaming yourself

Despite what your saboteur (i.e. inner critic) may be telling you, you have no bad parts. That’s right, every version of you deserves love and acknowledgment. If there are parts of you that you've been shaming, today is an opportunity to heal that part of you and let it go. How? You do this by practicing one of the greatest acts of self-compassion, self-forgiveness. The practice of self-forgiveness allows you to see all versions of your past self with loving curiosity. It allows you to learn, gr...

Jun 28, 202326 min

108. 3 Tools to Stop Procrastinating

Raise your hand if you procrastinate… even just a little bit. If you catch yourself procrastinating and you notice it's getting in the way of your productivity, then this episode is for you. In this episode you'll learn: The exact reason why you procrastinate (hint: it's not just about avoiding the task) You'll understand the exact things you specifically do when you procrastinate (even the one's that sort of feel productive) 3 effective strategies to stop procrastinating and start getting more ...

Jun 21, 202316 min

107: How to Turn off Your Work Brain and Stop Thinking About Work at Home

If you have a hard time turning off your work brain when you're at home… If you feel guilty during your family time because you can't stop thinking about work… If you struggle being present with people you love because you're always thinking about work… Then, you're going to want to listen to this episode. Because there is a reason why you're hypervigilant and always thinking about work… but… …It's not because it will make you more prepared or more successful. In this episode you'll learn: Where...

Jun 14, 202323 min

106. Bare Minimum: How to Give Yourself Grace in times of Transitions

Life's big transitions, i.e. moving cities, starting a new job, divorce, or leading your first retreat - affect our brain, body and spirit in ways we’re not always conscious of in the moment. These events take a large toll on our energy. Though we may understand this, many high-achievers tend to muscle their way through these transitions, thinking that if they stop to take a break they may be seen as weak. In this episode, we talk about what's behind this fear, and how to give our brain, body, a...

Jun 07, 20237 min

105. Radical Acceptance and how to get more done without the stress

What's causing you the most stress in life isn't actually what you think is causing you stress. If that statement threw you for a loop, then you’ll want to check out this week’s podcast episode. In this episode, we dive into the root cause of your daily frustrations and stressors. You’ll learn how to let go of the one thing leading to 90% of your daily stress, so you can be more productive and get more done. See Full Show Notes by clicking Here . Get your free copy of the self regulation tools F...

May 31, 202311 min

104. One Simple Question to Shift from Stress and Burnout to Equanimity

You know that old adage, "Humans are creatures of habit?" Well, it's an adage because it's true. We tend to do the same thing over and over again, even if it's leading to results that make us unhappy, like strained relationships, overworking, anxiety, and burnout. In this episode, we dig into why we do that, plus I'll share 2 questions that will help you disrupt your old ways of doing things, and start creating habits and new ways of doing things that will make you happier, more productive, and ...

May 24, 202310 min

103. The Difference Between Commitment and Motivation

Despite popular belief, you need very little motivation to get stuff done. If that sentence threw you for a loop, then you're going to want to check out this podcast episode. In this episode I break down what you actually need to achieve the goals you set, and why you can't always rely on motivation. See Full Show Notes by clicking Here . Get your free copy of the self regulation tools Follow Vanessa at: IG: @vanessacalderonmd FB: Vanessa Calderon MD Learn more and subscribe at: www.vanessacalde...

May 17, 20238 min

102. Boundaries: How to Make Setting them Less Hard

Listen, sweet friend, setting a work boundary will never feel easy! So if you're waiting for it to not be uncomfortable before you start, you're going to be waiting a very long time! But here's the thing, though, they're uncomfortable, setting work boundaries are important! It's how you protect your precious time and how you ensure you prioritize what matters most (your mental health and the people you love). In this episode, we break down exactly why setting boundaries is uncomfortable (it's no...

May 10, 202315 min

101. How to Lean Into Your Intuition

I like to think of intuition as a superpower. It's an inner knowing that is always with you and can help guide you in the right direction. The problem is, most of us have been taught to distrust our intuition (this is especially true if you identify as a woman or WOC). But you can learn how to access your intuition and lean into it in times of need. In this episode, I'll walk you through 3 simple steps you can take to start accessing your intuition today. See Full Show Notes by clicking Here . G...

May 03, 202316 min

100. How to Access Your Limitless Potential

Want to access your limitless potential, and keep expanding beyond your wildest dreams? Improve your relationships, crush your fitness goals, or finally get that passion project off the ground? In this episode, I share the 3 things you need to access your limitless potential. These are the exact principles I follow that have sky rocketed my results in all areas of my life, I only wish someone would have shared them with me years ago. See Full Show Notes by clicking Here . Get your free copy of t...

Apr 26, 202326 min

99. How to use Mindful Listening to improve your relationships

Practicing mindful listening will deepen your relationship with the people you love and help you be more open-minded. Though you might think you're a good listener there are a few subtle things that tend to always get in the way. In this episode, you'll learn: What it actually means to listen mindfully The three most common things that will ALWAYS get in the way How to practice mindful listening even when it's hard See Full Show Notes and Transcripts by clicking Here . Get your free copy of the ...

Apr 19, 202323 min

98. Shame, guilt and self-compassion when it comes to past mistakes (including divorce)

This week on the podcast we dive deep into the unescapable human emotions of shame and guilt through the lens of divorce. You'll learn: The four most common origins of shame and how they show up for you. Where the deep guilt and stigma associated with divorce comes from How to process shame and guilt How self-compassion is the antidote to shame and guilt Simple and effective self-compassion practices you can start using now Marissa Baker of The Sun Happens Podcast can be found on IG @TheMarissaB...

Apr 12, 202354 min
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