Keywords

coaching, personal growth, transformation, ambition, purpose, self-doubt, ideal life, women empowerment, high achievers, entrepreneurship, community support

Summary

What happens when you have the title, the success, the achievements - and you still feel like something’s missing?

In this episode, Hannah shares her journey from thriving in a corporate career to stepping into her calling as an executive life coach. We talk about redefining ambition, navigating career transitions, and discovering a purpose that feels aligned. Hannah and I explore:

• Why success doesn’t always equal fulfillment
• The quiet “not enough” feeling that many people carry
• How your purpose isn’t fixed - it evolves as you do
• What it really means to design your ideal life (hint: it starts with your everyday experience)
• And why joy and fun are not luxuries - they’re essential

This episode is an invitation to pause, reflect, and ask yourself: Am I chasing success - or creating a life that actually feels good?

If you’re questioning your next chapter or craving deeper purpose, this conversation will remind you: you don’t have to abandon ambition - you just have to align it.

Takeaways

Achievement is often confused with self-worth.

Many high achievers struggle with feelings of not being good enough.

Community support is vital during major life transitions.

Your purpose can evolve and change over time.

Defining an ideal life involves envisioning daily experiences.

Joy and fun are essential for a fulfilling life.

Unhealthy ambition can lead to burnout and dissatisfaction.

Women often face unique pressures regarding purpose and achievement.

It's important to explore interests without the pressure of outcomes.

Sound bites

"What do you actually truly want?"

"I always confused achievement for love."

"You can shift and change your purpose."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Living, with Dr. Monica Shah

01:57 Hannah's Journey: From Corporate to Coaching

05:41 Patterns in High Achieving Women

08:29 Societal Influences on "I'm Not Enough" Beliefs

11:33 Healthy Ambition vs. Unhealthy Ambition

14:31 Challenges in Career Transitions and Entrepreneurship

18:22 Support Systems When Going Against the Grain

22:34 Confronting Parts During Times of Change

24:16 Coping with Isolation and Financial Fears as an Entrepreneur

27:22 Understanding Purpose and Purpose Anxiety

31:29 Finding Purpose in Your Day-to-Day

34:07 Women and Purpose

35:05 Crafting Your Ideal Life

37:37 Joys of Leading An Ideal Life

40:05 Locating Your Internal Compass

42:04 Finding Community and Starting Small

44:10 Joy for the Sake of Enjoyment

45:26 Where to Find Hannah

47:11 Outtake

47:49 Subscribe

Follow Hannah Kissel on Instagram

Connect with Hannah Kissel on LinkedIn

Access the Free Career Confidence Course

Visit www.hannahkissel.com

Keywords

creativity, success, rejection, aging, single life, risk-taking, personal growth, artistic journey, resilience, personal fulfillment

Summary

What does success really mean - especially in the arts, in Hollywood, and in life?

In this conversation, Ulka shares her journey from a stable IT career in Montreal to pursuing her passion for the arts in LA. We highlight how aging in Hollywood brings both challenges and hard-earned wisdom, and why embracing your current chapter - whether single, partnered, thriving, or uncertain - is essential to living well. Ulka discusses redefining success in the arts, especially when life doesn’t follow the traditional timeline, and encourages listeners to take risks and follow their curiosity. We look at the benefits of late career transitions, challenging the idea that it’s ever “too late” to pivot or start something new, and underline how growth happens when we stay curious and honest with ourselves. Through honest reflection on creativity, aging, singledom, rejection, and personal growth, this conversation reframes what it means to live a fulfilling and meaningful life.

If you’re seeking clarity, inspiration, and permission to define success for yourself, this episode is for you. By questioning traditional prescriptions for happiness, we open space for more authentic ways of living and creating.

Takeaways

Making a big life change can start with a quiet decision.

Success in the arts is not solely defined by monetary gain.

Rejection is often not personal; it's about fit.

Aging in Hollywood can be challenging, but wisdom grows with age.

Living authentically means embracing your current situation, whether single or partnered.

Curiosity can lead to unexpected opportunities and growth.

It's important to redefine what success means to you personally.

Taking risks is essential for personal fulfillment and growth.

Your past experiences can inform and enhance your current pursuits.

Focus on the process rather than the outcome to find fulfillment.

Sound bites

"No knowledge is wasted."

"What am I aging into?"

“Action begets action.”

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Living, with Dr. Monica Shah

00:33 Ulka Mohanty: A Modern-Day Renaissance Woman

01:33 The Journey to LA: A Leap of Faith

08:37 Redefining Success in the Arts

14:32 Navigating Rejection and Building Resilience

20:42 Benefits of Late Career Transitions

27:45 Challenging Traditional Prescriptions

30:16 Cultural Pressures to Be in Partnership

33:49 Navigating the Question of Singledom

37:10 Aging in Hollywood: Shifting Perspectives

42:07 Embracing Curiosity, Risk, and Action in Your Life

47:52 Where to Find Ulka

49:46 Outtakes

50:55 Subscribe

Website: www.ulkamohanty.com

Instagram: @UlkaM

Keywords

mental blocks, podcasting, self-doubt,motivation, perfectionism, resilience, procrastination, overcoming challenges, self-criticism,self-compassion

Summary

In this solo episode, Dr. Monica Shah shares her journey of launching a podcast while navigating various mental and physical blocks. She discusses the common challenges people face when trying something new, including time management, life circumstances, overwhelm, procrastination, perfectionism, and self-doubt. Dr. Shah emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and resilience in overcoming these obstacles. The conversation serves as a guide for listeners who may be facing similar blocks to embarking on something new, encouraging them to embrace their unique paths in life.

Takeaways

It's normal to feel nervous when starting something new.

Common blocks include time management, life circumstances, and overwhelm.

Self-doubt is a common barrier to pursuing goals.

Motivation often comes after taking action, not before.

Perfectionism can hinder progress and creativity.

Procrastination often stems from fear and overwhelm.

Comparison to others can diminish motivation.

Setting external deadlines creates accountability and can distract from mental blocks.

Self-criticism is detrimental; self-compassion is crucial when facing challenges

Embrace the journey and learn from each experience.

Sound bites

“Work in the windows of time.”

"Done is better than perfect."

"Just start somewhere and you can modify as you go."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Living, with Dr. Monica Shah

00:37 Pulling Back the Curtain: My Podcast Journey

02:51 My Why

04:11 Block #1: Time

05:38 Block #2: Life

06:12 Block #3: Overwhelm

07:05 Block #4: Intellectualizing

08:19 Block #5: Procrastination

09:26 Block #6: Perfectionism

11:22 Block #7: Motivation

12:50 Block #8: Self-Doubt

13:34 Block #9: Vulnerability

14:39 Block #10: Social Comparison

15:35 Setting Goals and Deadlines

16:31 Block #11: Self-Criticism

18:42 Reconnecting with My Why

19:30 First Solo Show Done!

20:59 Please Like, Share, and Subscribe

Passengers on the Bus metaphor (from ACT)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z29ptSuoWRc