In this episode of The Fearless Road, host Michael Devous sits down with Catrin Skaperdas, a young podcaster and marketer who has moved to Italy and started her own podcast called "Italian, For Sure". They explore Catrin's journey of self-discovery, her experiences with travel and living abroad, and her insights on finding one's path in life. The conversation delves into topics such as overcoming fear, embracing new perspectives, and the challenges of starting a podcast in a foreign country.

Major Takeaways:

• Life paths are not fixed and can change throughout one's lifetime
• Traveling and experiencing different cultures can broaden one's perspective and open up new possibilities
• Overcoming fear and stepping out of one's comfort zone is crucial for personal growth
• Starting a new venture, like a podcast, doesn't require perfection - it's more important to begin and improve along the way
• Understanding that different people have different priorities and definitions of success can help in finding one's own path

Key Highlights:

[5:52] - Catrin discusses her view on life paths and how they are formed by daily decisions and experiences
[7:55] - Catrin shares how traveling impacted her worldview and opened her mind to new possibilities
[20:54] - Discussion on overcoming fears when moving to a new country and starting a new life
[26:35] - Catrin talks about her experience with imposter syndrome and how she overcame it
[40:26] - Insights into starting a podcast and the importance of "just starting" even if things aren't perfect

Best Quotes:

"For me, your path is just a combination of all of the decisions that you make throughout your life, all the information that you have received throughout your life that has allowed you to make those decisions." - Catrin Skaperdas

"Everything is made up. It's all a construct of your experiences, of what you have been exposed to." - Catrin Skaperdas

"You can adjust as you go down the fearless road. It's not fixed." - Catrin Skaperdas

Action Items or Steps:

1. Reflect on your current life path and consider if it aligns with your true desires and values
2. Seek out new experiences and perspectives, whether through travel or engaging with diverse communities
3. When starting a new venture, focus on taking action rather than striving for perfection
4. Build a strong support system to help overcome self-doubt and imposter syndrome
5. Regularly reassess your goals and be open to adjusting your path as you grow and change

References:

• Italian, For Sure podcast: https://italianforsure.com
• QC Spa of Wonders in New York (mentioned as an example of Italian business expanding to the US) (https://www.qcny.com/en)
• "How I Built This" podcast with Guy Raz (mentioned as an inspirational resource for entrepreneurs) (https://www.npr.org/series/490248027/how-i-built-this)

Additional Insights:

• The importance of understanding cultural differences when moving to a new country
• The value of creating content that bridges cultural gaps and provides authentic insights
• The role of podcasting in sharing diverse perspectives and experiences
• The challenge of balancing one's career aspirations with the desire for personal growth and exploration

Additional Links

• Italian, For Sure Podcast:
  • https://open.spotify.com/show/10R9fg4Fi7oS3N1rNUzoZY?si=4af8f561729347fb
  • https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1737711228?mt=2&ls=1
• Italian, For Sure Website: ItalianForSure.com
• Italian, For Sure YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@italianforsure
• Instagram and TikTok: @ItalianForSure
• The Fearl

In this 2nd part of The Fearless Road Podcast, what if you could transform your pain into a source of strength? Best-selling author and professional speaker Santou Carter joins us on this episode of the Dive deeper into the entrepreneurial journey with Santou Carter, multi-award-winning therapist and international bestselling author, on Part 2 of this Fearless Road Podcast. Explore the profound impact of early childhood experiences on shaping resilience and the ability to overcome adversity. Santou shares her personal story as a child war refugee, highlighting the challenges of navigating loss, confusion, and the struggle to be understood – feelings many entrepreneurs grapple with when facing setbacks.

This episode also delves into the power of honesty and self-compassion in the face of grief. Learn how embracing vulnerability and communicating authentically, even during difficult times, can strengthen your integrity and attract a community that resonates with your values. Santou emphasizes the importance of prioritizing self-care and setting healthy boundaries, empowering entrepreneurs to lead with authenticity and build a sustainable business and personal life.

Key Highlights:

• Early Childhood and Resilience: Santou shares her powerful story as a child war refugee, linking early life experiences to building resilience later in life.
• The Power of Community: Discover how proactive community building can provide a vital support system for entrepreneurs facing challenges.
• Discerning True Allies: Learn to identify and leverage relationships that offer genuine empathy and compassion.
• Honesty and Self-Compassion: Embrace vulnerability and communicate authentically to build integrity and attract a supportive community.
• Prioritizing Self-Care: Set healthy boundaries and prioritize self-care to navigate the emotional demands of entrepreneurship.

Quotes:

• Santou Carter: "That wound still kind of lives in me and comes up in unexpected times."
• Santou Carter: "...sometimes you can withdraw, and you can feel lonely and isolated...that's the time when you need to be proactive in reaching out to people who are understanding and going to be supportive."
• Santou Carter: "So grief kind of swings back and forth like a pendulum. Sometimes you're having dark days and low days, and then sometimes you swing out of that."
• Michael Devous: "When we use those little white lies, we're lying to ourselves...undermines our integrity, our personal integrity."
• Santou Carter: "Like attracts like. So if you're wanting someone to be kind to you, be kind to yourself, you know what that looks like."

Takeaways:

• Early childhood experiences can significantly influence an entrepreneur's resilience and ability to overcome adversity.
• Building a strong support system is crucial for navigating the challenges of the entrepreneurial journey.
• Entrepreneurs need to discern their true allies and cultivate relationships that offer genuine support.
• Honesty and self-compassion are essential for maintaining integrity and attracting a community that aligns with your values.
• Prioritizing self-care and setting boundaries are vital for achieving long-term success in business and personal life.

Supporting Links:

• Santou Carter's Website: griefsupport.co
• Free Resources: griefsupport.co/freeresources
• Contact Santou: griefsupport.co/contact
• Podcast Competition: griefsupport.co/podcast

Important Links:

• Santou Carter's Website: griefsupport.co
• Fearless Road Podcast:https://www.youtube.com/@TheFearlessRoad
• Michael Devous Coach & Speaker: https://michaeldevousjr.com/

Entrepreneurs, are you equipped to handle the emotional turmoil that inevitably comes with the highs and lows of the journey? In this insightful episode of the Fearless Road Podcast, multi-award-winning therapist and international best-selling author Santou Carter provides invaluable tools for navigating grief and loss – challenges that extend beyond the personal and deeply affect the entrepreneurial spirit. Discover the STEER method – encompassing Spirituality and Religion, Tools and Techniques, Education, Emotions, and Relationships – and gain a profound understanding of how these elements contribute to holistic well-being, especially during times of immense stress.

Learn how to break down communication barriers, overcome isolating defense mechanisms, and foster genuine connections, vital skills for any entrepreneur leading a team. This episode provides a roadmap for self-compassion, guiding you to develop a resilient new identity and recognize the immense personal growth that emerges from navigating life's transitions. Santou's wisdom extends to the importance of open-mindedness in spiritual and religious practices, encouraging us to embrace the diverse expressions of faith that fuel our inner strength.

Key Highlights:

• Introducing the STEER Method: Santou Carter shares her unique framework for coping with grief, encompassing spirituality, tools, education, emotions, and relationships.
• The Power of Self-Compassion: Michael and Santou emphasize the importance of being kind to oneself during grief and learning to self-soothe.
• Grief as a Catalyst for Change: They discuss how grief can lead to personal growth, expanded awareness, and increased compassion for others.
• Cultural Sensitivity and Diverse Perspectives: Santou highlights the need to understand and respect individual expressions of spirituality and faith traditions.
• Vulnerability as a Superpower: Michael shares his belief that vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness.

Quotes:

• Santou Carter: "Self-compassion is really, really key. Learning to be gentle with yourself."
• Michael Devous: "When I'm in grief mode, my autonomic system...begins before I even know I'm in that state."
• Santou Carter: "The work really is about expansion and an expansion of perspective and awareness."
• Michael Devous: "You must be aware that's your shifting and adapting cause all humans do, we're built to do it."

Takeaways:

• Grief is a complex and multifaceted experience that impacts all areas of life.
• Self-compassion is crucial for navigating grief and finding healing.
• Grief can be a catalyst for personal growth and expanded awareness.
• It's important to be open-minded and respectful of diverse perspectives on grief and spirituality.
• Seeking support from others is essential during the grieving process.

Persons of Note Mentioned:

• Santou Carter: Multi-award-winning therapist, international bestselling author, professional speaker, coach, and trainer.
• Michael Devous: Host of the Fearless Road podcast.

Supporting Links:

• Santou Carter's Website: griefsupport.co
• Free Resources: griefsupport.co/freeresources
• Contact Santou: griefsupport.co/contact

Important Links:

• Santou Carter's Website: griefsupport.co
• Fearless Road Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFearlessRoad