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

Finding Your Voice, Reclaiming Your Power, and Embracing Vulnerability

Episode Description:

In the final part of this inspiring interview, Michael Devous continues his conversation with Maria Failla, the plant enthusiast and host of Growing Joy with Plants. Maria shares her personal journey of healing from depression and rediscovering her voice through a daily practice of connecting with nature. They delve into the importance of mindfulness, routine, and embracing vulnerability in both personal and entrepreneurial life. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration to overcome challenges, find their true voice, and cultivate a life filled with joy and authenticity.

Key Highlights:

• Nature as a Healer: Maria's personal experience of overcoming depression through daily walks in nature.
• The Power of Routine and Mindfulness: How simple practices like walking in nature and caring for plants can create a sense of grounding and well-being.
• Finding Your Voice: Maria's journey of rediscovering her voice and passion through connection with nature.
• The Role of Vulnerability: The importance of embracing vulnerability as a path to joy and authenticity.
• The Ascend Hub: A community for support and growth, where entrepreneurs can connect with like-minded individuals and find resources for their journey.

Quotes:

• Maria Failla: "I left a lot in that forest. I'd leave my tears, I'd leave my laughter, I'd leave my neutrality, my numbness."
• Maria Failla: "It was this really beautiful way of literally truly finding my voice again... of just like reconnecting with myself and finding kind of my personality again."
• Michael Devous: "Sometimes, if you can kind of learn to trust your body and to have your body connect with nature and kind of show you the real truth of the matter, that can be really helpful."
• Maria Failla: "You can create a mindfulness routine with your houseplants. You don't have to go get immersed in the forest to experience the benefit."
• Maria Failla: "I think the last couple of years have only shown us how quickly [life] can be taken away. So what do I have to lose? Why would you not live life this way? Why would you not commit to living life in a vulnerable, authentic, fearless way?"

Key Takeaways:

• Nature can be a powerful tool for healing and overcoming challenges.
• Establishing a routine of connecting with nature can foster mindfulness and improve well-being.
• Finding your voice and embracing vulnerability can lead to greater joy and authenticity.
• The Ascend Hub offers a supportive community and resources for entrepreneurs on their journey.

Important Links:

• Book: Growing Joy with Plants by Maria Failla https://a.co/d/3uOlfOM
• Podcast: Growing Joy with Plants https://growingjoywithmaria.com/podcast/