Have you ever felt the sting of decisions past, that persistent whisper of 'what if'? I'm Carla Hudson, and in this heartfelt journey, I invite you to look at regret not as a shadow, but as a beacon guiding you to growth and self-improvement. We'll traverse my personal narratives, uncovering how to turn the echoes of 'should have' into a symphony of self-reflection and strategic action. Regret doesn't have to be the end of the story; it can be the compelling prologue to a chapter of transformati...
Feb 04, 2024•42 min•Ep. 165
Ever wondered why some people seem to effortlessly climb the ladder of success while others struggle to take the first step? That's a question I, Carla Hudson, tackle head-on, as we traverse the landscape of daily habits and their monumental impact on achieving our dreams. As someone who once found themselves amidst the clutter of abandoned resolutions, I've come to realize that true change doesn't come from fleeting bursts of motivation but from the intentional, everyday choices we make. Join m...
Jan 28, 2024•39 min•Ep. 164
Have you ever wondered if embracing a single, powerful word could redefine your entire year? That's exactly what I've done by adopting "elevated" as my guiding beacon, transforming every decision and action I take, from refining my personal style to making strategic professional moves. This episode is not just a revisit to the concept of a "word of the year"; it's a testament to the profound impact it can have on one's life trajectory. I'm not just talking the talk; I'm walking the walk, and in ...
Jan 21, 2024•32 min•Ep. 163
Have you ever found yourself on a treadmill of ambition, running tirelessly after each new goal without taking a moment to breathe and appreciate the present? Join me, Carla Hudson, as we unpack the often-ignored splendor of the journey towards our life's aims and the art of self-appreciation. As we navigate the push-and-pull of personal drive and satisfaction, I'll share stories and professional insights to help us all find peace in the present while keeping an eye on the future. This episode t...
Jan 14, 2024•40 min•Ep. 162
As we turn the page on another year, I, Carla Hudson, invite you to join me in a celebration of growth, purpose, and the power of intention. Picture this: a single word that can encapsulate all your goals and become the guiding light for your actions throughout the year. That's what we're exploring today, a tradition that's far more potent than any New Year's resolution. My own ascent to senior executive status has taught me that success isn't just about what we do, but also about who we become ...
Jan 07, 2024•32 min•Ep. 161
As we enter the new year, I find myself thinking about the untapped potential that lies within all of us, especially as we reach midlife. It's the season when those long-forgotten dreams nudge us gently, reminding us of what could be. Today, I want to take you on a journey of the possible, exploring the six transformative considerations that can help you reimagine not just the year ahead, but your entire future. We'll draw from Dale Carnegie's wisdom and recognize that our abilities often stretc...
Jan 01, 2024•47 min•Ep. 160
Have you ever felt like you're running on a treadmill, exerting a lot of energy but going nowhere? This episode might just be the catalyst for change you've been searching for. As the year winds down, join me in a powerful reflection on life's sticking points—those recurring patterns that have us feeling like we're reliving the same story over and over again. We uncover the roots of these life scripts, born from our childhood experiences and beliefs, and how they've been secretly directing our l...
Dec 31, 2023•39 min•Ep. 159
Today, we're delving into the transformative power of perspective on our lives, especially during the more difficult seasons of our life. Amidst sharing my own story of loss, we unravel the strength that comes from intentional thought, guided by the wisdom of Henry David Thoreau and the neuroscience insights from David Eagleman. Our brains are powerful interpreters, and by understanding this, we can learn to foster joy and resilience, even when adversity looms large on the horizon. Navigating th...
Dec 24, 2023•47 min•Ep. 158
Your December will never be the same after you listen to this power-packed episode! Uncover the art of decluttering your life - from possessions to relationships - and step into the new year with a refreshed mindset. I, Carla Hudson, invite you on this transformative journey, as we edit our lives in preparation for the year ahead. Like a book editor, we'll take a magnifying glass to our lives, taking stock of our possessions, relationships, and habits, to prune what no longer serves us. Kicking ...
Dec 17, 2023•40 min•Ep. 157
Ever wondered if your past is a stumbling block to your future? How about turning that narrative around and exploring the power of your past? I'm Carla Hudson, your podcast host, and today we're journeying together to rewrite our past narratives, guided by the insightful theory of narrative identity by Dr. Dan McAdams. We'll challenge the norm, perceive our past, present, and future as intertwined, and discover the hidden gems in our past experiences that can fuel our growth. We won't stop there...
Dec 10, 2023•31 min•Ep. 156
Are you ready to step into the spotlight of your life? Learning how to channel Leading Lady Energy can transform your career and your life. Drawing inspiration from the charming holiday movie, "The Holiday", we dive headfirst into the captivating concept of Leading Lady Energy. We'll unpack its essence in detail, providing you 5 ways you can embody this powerful persona. And drawing from a key message from that movie, we'll talk about what it means to have gumption and how to use that initiative...
Dec 03, 2023•36 min•Ep. 155
Can you believe that only 2% of people dare to venture beyond their comfort zones, while a whopping 98% prefer the familiarity of their safe havens? It's true! And as we age, the need to consciously step out of our comfort zones becomes even more critical. Welcome to a transformative journey where we'll brave the unknown, inviting discomfort and new challenges into our lives. Through this bold step, we unlock unlimited avenues for personal growth and a life brimming with purpose and meaning. Are...
Nov 26, 2023•39 min•Ep. 154
Ever find yourself stuck in the monotonous routine of life, feeling like you're just coasting along with no real direction or purpose? That's what we're addressing today. And we're going to shatter the illusion that we should settle for a plateau in midlife. Today we'll talk about the importance of steering your own life and the detrimental role a complacent mindset can play. And we'll discuss five key strategies you can use to break the plateau cycle and start to next level your career and life...
Nov 19, 2023•35 min•Ep. 153
As life's rollercoaster takes us through highs and lows, our reactions become the dictating factor of our experience. The lens through which we view our peaks and valleys is more than just a perspective, it's a potent tool that shapes our journey. This potent tool can transform the way we navigate through our situations, making the ride smoother and more enlightening. Parenthood. Career. Health. We often see life as a checklist, ticking off milestones as we go along. When we reach midlife, it's ...
Nov 11, 2023•37 min•Ep. 152
Ever felt like a fraud despite your accomplishments? Do you tend to attribute your success to luck rather than your abilities? This episode is for you. We're diving deep into the intriguing world of imposter syndrome, guided by the remarkable work of Dr. Valerie Young - the world's foremost expert on this topic. By shedding light on the five distinct types of imposter syndrome - Natural Genius, Superhero, Soloist, Perfectionist, and Expert - we aim to help you recognize its presence in your life...
Nov 05, 2023•44 min•Ep. 151
Ever felt like a fraud, even while standing amidst your hard-earned accomplishments? You're not alone. Welcome to a deep-dive discussion about Imposter Syndrome, that sneaky mental pattern that undermines your self-confidence and convinces you that you don't belong, even when evidence suggests otherwise. Join me, Carla Hudson, as we unpack the impact of this insidious phenomenon and reveal its roots often tethered to our early years. From cognitive dissonance to feeling like an outsider to an ir...
Oct 29, 2023•36 min•Ep. 150
Have you ever found yourself stuck in a proverbial dark hole, unable to see a way out? Be it a financial crisis, a health scare, or an unexpected career shift — we've all been there. But, how do we climb out? Join me as I share my personal journey of triumph over adversity and the five-step plan that guided me out of my own dark hole, offering a beacon of hope for those seeking to regain control. I'll guide you through the gritty reality of these disheartening situations, the importance of ackno...
Oct 22, 2023•42 min•Ep. 149
Ever felt that sense of emptiness in mid-career or mid-life, despite ticking off all the 'life checklist' boxes? You're not alone. This episode is an exploration of how societal programming sets our expectations and how it can feel as if the script runs out at mid-life. We bring to light how the rest of our life is ours to shape and fill with meaningful pursuits. Our discussion also ventures into the realm of day-to-day work and how to carve out purpose and satisfaction from it. We share insight...
Oct 15, 2023•42 min•Ep. 148
Are you at that midlife stage, feeling stuck in a corporate rut or mulling over a complete reinvention? Let me, Carla Hudson, guide you through reigniting your passion and creativity, and help you tackle the internal barriers that are holding you back. We will confront and conquer our inner critics, not by fighting them, but by truly understanding them. As someone juggling a corporate career and a business, I can tell you that it's not easy. The fear and self-doubt can be overwhelming. But what ...
Oct 08, 2023•39 min•Ep. 147
Can you imagine working in a place where trust is as elusive as a unicorn? Sounds like a nightmare, right? Well, stay with us as we walk through the shadowy corridors of such workplaces, revealing my personal experiences and insights. This episode is a deep dive into the murky waters of trust issues, where we unravel the invisible threads that bind us - or break us - in our professional lives. We map out the maze of larger companies with their structured policies, and contrast them with the free...
Oct 01, 2023•38 min•Ep. 146
Can you imagine hitting the peak of your happiness curve in your early forties? Imagine no longer, as we explore the U-shaped curve of happiness that suggests that's precisely when it happens. Today, we're talking about lessons learned from The Good Life, a new book that summarizes the insights coming out of the world's longest longitudinal study on happiness. We unveil the pivotal role of meaningful relationships in our happiness. Forget the old-age adage of physical and financial well-being be...
Sep 24, 2023•40 min•Ep. 145
Have you ever found yourself questioning, 'Is this all there is to life?' after seemingly checking all the societal boxes? If so, you're not alone. In our insightful conversation, we're unravelling the challenging reality of mid-career and mid-life crises. We share personal experiences and provide constructive advice on how to reinvent and embrace a new path, even when you're feeling stuck or plagued with feelings of discontent or anxiety. We delve into the intricacies of how our thoughts and em...
Sep 17, 2023•41 min•Ep. 144
What if the person you admired the most did something unthinkable? Imagine having a mentor whose actions disappoint you so profoundly that it shakes your belief in your own judgment. That's precisely what happened when an influential figure in my life, a person I deeply respected, made a series of unfortunate, (in my estimation), decisions. As we traverse this challenging journey, we'll explore how to manage and reconcile with disappointment stemming from unfulfilled expectations in relationship...
Sep 10, 2023•41 min•Ep. 143
There are times in our life when it feels like everything is out of control. And when that happens, for most of us, the natural reaction is to kick into high gear by trying to exercise some control. The problem is, we frequently try to control or change the situation or a person. And the truth is, we can't control other people and we can't control everything that happens to us. So on today's episode, we're talking about how to connect to the things that trigger us and most importantly, what to d...
Sep 03, 2023•34 min•Ep. 142
Why do we so often lean on the phrase "I don't know" even when deep down, we do know? That's the enigma we're unpacking today. I'm Carla Hudson, your host and guide on this self-discovery expedition. We'll brave the jungles of self-doubt, cross the deserts of denial, and scale the mountains of fear to explore why we often hide behind "I don't know." My own journey of self-coaching has opened my eyes to how this phrase impacts multiple life facets, and I'm eager to share these revelations with yo...
Aug 27, 2023•39 min•Ep. 141
Discover how to unlock your decision-making prowess and navigate mid-life with confidence and purpose. As we explore the art of decision-making in this episode, we promise to offer insights that will help you move forward rather than stay rooted in one place. We all face choices every day, some minor, some life-changing. As daunting as they may seem, these decisions shape our lives, our growth, and our progress. Ever wondered if all paths might lead to the same destination? We’ll challenge this ...
Aug 20, 2023•35 min•Ep. 140
Are you sailing through midlife like a ship lost at sea? In this episode of the Purposeful Career Podcast, I, Carla Hudson, tackle the topic of navigating failure. Drawing inspiration from a listener's raw and heartfelt email, I delve deep into the quagmire of feeling stuck and incapable of moving forward. We discuss society's checklist for us and why it's crucial to create an individualized list that aligns with our aspirations and desires. Failure defines us only if we allow it to. Instead, we...
Aug 13, 2023•39 min•Ep. 139
Ever wondered why reinventing yourself feels like moving mountains? Let me, Carla Hudson, guide you through this journey of transformation. Drawing from my extensive experience in both corporate and entrepreneurial worlds, we'll take a deep dive into the intriguing challenges of personal reinvention. We'll delve into why it's hard for yourself and others to see you in a new light and why personal growth is tricky, particularly when you're battling Imposter Syndrome or grappling with identity shi...
Aug 06, 2023•40 min•Ep. 138
What if you could take a step back from your life, examine it from a fresh perspective, and identify what's working and what's not, just like a brand strategist assesses a brand? Join me, Carla Hudson, as we navigate these interesting waters. The magic starts when we begin to view our lives from a less emotional, more pragmatic viewpoint, just as those managing a corporate brand would do. By doing this, we can effectively reposition ourselves for success. Together, we'll explore the fascinating ...
Jul 30, 2023•41 min•Ep. 137
Are you familiar with that all-too-common feeling of being overwhelmed in a chaotic work (or life) environment? I'm Carla Hudson, and in this episode, we tackle that struggle head-on. I share some strategies for how to stay grounded and in control of your energy in tough corporate settings. You'll hear about the rollercoaster ride of dealing with post-merger organizational changes, the often daunting reality of being an influencer within your company, and day-to-day challenges that can shake eve...
Jul 23, 2023•37 min•Ep. 136