The Ambitious Introvert® Podcast

Ever notice how you're your own worst critic? Do you talk to yourself in ways you’d NEVER speak to another human? This episode is all about self-compassion - what it really means, the latest research behind it, and how it can transform both your mental and physical health.  After reflecting on my own experiences so far this year - as well as what I’ve seen with friends and clients - I realised that self-compassion (or more often, the lack of it) plays a huge role in so many areas of  our wellbeing and success. In this episode, I break down why we’re so quick to criticise ourselves, and how shifting to a more compassionate mindset can be life-changing.  What You’ll Learn in This Episode:💡 What self-compassion actually is - and why it’s VERY different from self-indulgence  🧠 The latest scientific research showing the powerful effects of self-compassion on mental and physical health  🚀 The real impact of self-criticism vs. self-compassion, how it influences your motivation, resilience, and overall wellbeing  💛 Simple ways to practice self-compassion (even if it doesn’t come naturally)  🔍 3 real-life examples of how self-compassion has played an important role in my life, my clients' journeys, and conversations with friends this year  Key Takeaways: - Self-criticism isn’t a motivator - it’s often a roadblock to success, making challenges feel heavier and harder to overcome (and using more energy…)- Simple mindset shifts can help you build a more compassionate inner voice and reduce the pressure you put on yourself.  - Self-compassion isn’t about making excuses - it’s about recognising that being kind to yourself fuels long-term growth and success.   If you struggle with perfectionism, harsh self-talk, or feeling like you never quite measure up, this episode is for you!  CONNECT WITH EMMA-LOUISE:Website: https://theambitiousintrovert.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmalouparkes/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmalouparkesSign up to receive my monthly Introverts Only digest, delivering all the best introvert-friendly resources straight to your inbox, minus the scroll here.PREMIUM SUPPORT: Interested in working with me 1:1? Learn more and apply here.

In this episode of The Ambitious Introvert® Podcast, I reconnect with my amazing former client Nicole Kepic, almost three years after we worked together. Nicole is a talented copywriter with over 20 years of experience writing for major brands like Kellogg's, Walmart, and Keurig. Today, she helps female coaches and creatives attract their ideal clients and sell out their offers with fun, feel-good sales copy.  But that’s not all - Nicole is also the author of the newly released book Don’t Ask Me to Be Loud: The Introverted Girl's Guide to Online Business. This relatable and practical guide shows introverts how they can build thriving, joyful businesses without being loud or bold. I’m thrilled to share this conversation because her book was a project we coached around back in 2022, and I couldn’t be prouder to see it out in the world. Nicole is opening up and sharing the behind the scenes of how it really feels to go from ‘idea’ to ‘published author’.What You’ll Learn:  How even short periods of coaching can create lasting mindset shifts that impact your business and life  The importance of working in your zone of genius to increase revenue, reduce burnout, and find joy in your work  The one thing I had Nicole do when she was my client that she hated (but has seen the benefit of for 3 years now!)How understanding your unique decision-making style can empower you to run your business & life with confidence and clarity  Resources:  🎧 Ep. 205 with Gay HendricksConnect with Nicole:🌐 https://nicolekepic.com/📖 Nicole's Book💌 Nicole on Instagram & LinkedIn  Additional Client Episodes:  🎧Lauren Lea 🎧Kendall Cherry 🎧Dr Clare Emma Wild 🎧Manisha Tare 🎧Emily Walker (& again) 🎧Julia de’Caneva 🎧Lesley CalvoCONNECT WITH EMMA-LOUISE:Website: https://theambitiousintrovert.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmalouparkes/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmalouparkesSign up to receive my monthly Introverts Only digest, delivering all the best introvert-friendly resources straight to your inbox, minus the scroll here.PREMIUM SUPPORT: Interested in working with me 1:1? Learn more and apply here.

Ever wondered what it really takes to thrive in your “Zone of Genius”? In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Gay Hendricks, a true legend in personal growth and relationship transformation. You might know him from his bestselling book The Big Leap, which has gathered a cult following in the entrepreneurial community.Gay shares the key concepts that have shaped his life and work, including how to uncover your unique genius, tackle the sneaky Upper Limit Problem that holds so many of us back, and rethink the way we manage time. His insights are game-changers for anyone who wants to create more impact, joy, and balance in life. And if that weren’t enough, Gay 100% identifies as an Ambitious Introvert too!If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of your next step, Gay’s wisdom will help you break through and move forward with clarity and purpose. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How to identify and operate in your Zone of Genius to create meaningful impact.  The Upper Limit Problem, and how unconscious beliefs can sabotage success.  Reframing time with the concept of Einstein time for less stress and greater efficiency.  The power of a simple, consistent meditation practice for mental clarity and energy management.   How simplifying your daily habits can majorly enhance productivity.   Resources Mentioned in the Episode:📖 The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks  📖 Your Big Leap Year by Gay Hendricks  🎙️ The Big Leap Podcast  About Gay Hendricks:  Gay Hendricks is a globally recognised expert in personal growth, relationships, and bodymind therapies. With a Ph.D. from Stanford and decades of experience coaching executives and leaders, Gay has authored numerous bestsellers, including The Big Leap. He is also the founder of The Hendricks Institute and Foundation for Conscious Living, empowering individuals to unlock their potential and live in their Zone of Genius.  Connect with Gay:🌐 http://www.hendricks.com/ http://www.foundationforconsciousliving.org/ 🎙️https://bigleappodcast.com/ CONNECT WITH EMMA-LOUISE:Website: https://theambitiousintrovert.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmalouparkes/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmalouparkesSign up to receive my monthly Introverts Only digest, delivering all the best introvert-friendly resources straight to your inbox, minus the scroll here.PREMIUM SUPPORT: Interested in working with me 1:1? Learn more and apply here.

As an ambitious introvert, your energy is your most precious resource - and how you use it can make or break your success. In this solo episode, I’m sharing a powerful end-of-year practice that will set you up for an energised 2025.  Whether you’re setting goals, choosing a word of the year, or just ready for a fresh start, this simple exercise will help you reflect on where your energy went in 2024 (and how to channel it more intentionally next year) . The best thing? You can do it in just 10 minutes.Tune in to learn how a few small shifts can have a massive impact on your energy, boundaries, and priorities in the new year! CONNECT WITH EMMA-LOUISE:Website: https://theambitiousintrovert.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmalouparkes/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmalouparkesSign up to receive my monthly Introverts Only digest, delivering all the best introvert-friendly resources straight to your inbox, minus the scroll here.PREMIUM SUPPORT: Interested in working with me 1:1? Learn more and apply here.

Ever feel like you're only seeing the highlight reel of other people's success? This episode of The Ambitious Introvert® pulls back the curtain as I chat with Amanda Riffee, an internationally recognised coach for women, event speaker, and host of the Unleashing You Podcast.  Amanda shares her journey of transitioning from 17 years in corporate—marked by burnout and personal tragedies - to creating a business and life she loves, free of burnout and full of intention.  In this episode, we discuss:  - The challenges Amanda faced, and the pivotal moments that sparked her transformation  - How to set boundaries and prioritise balance for better energy and mental health - Amanda’s insights on being ‘intentionally productive’ and leveraging cycle syncing for peak performance  - Her journey from corporate to coaching, including the limiting beliefs she overcame to thrive (see if you recognise any of these yourself!) - Why hearing other people’s backstory can inspire you to take the action you’ve been holding back on  If you’ve ever felt stuck with self-doubt, burnout, or fear of change, this episode is for you. CONNECT WITH AMANDAInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/amandariffee_coaching/LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-riffee/Website:https://acrprofessionalcoaching.com/CONNECT WITH EMMA-LOUISE:Website: https://theambitiousintrovert.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmalouparkes/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmalouparkesSign up to receive my monthly Introverts Only digest, delivering all the best introvert-friendly resources straight to your inbox, minus the scroll here.PREMIUM SUPPORT: Interested in working with me 1:1? Learn more and apply here.

Are you taking aligned, meaningful action toward your goals, or are you stuck in passive ‘dreaming’? In this solo episode of The Ambitious Introvert® Podcast I explore the difference between active and passive approaches to achieving what you want in life. I’ll share real-world examples of how passive actions can keep you stuck - and how active steps move you closer to success.  I’ll also share why introverts often shy away from action, and how to reframe it in a way that feels good. Tune in to learn:How to understand the key difference between dreaming about your goals (passive) and actively working toward them with intentional steps.  Real life examples or passive vs activeWhat aligned action is (and how to take it)Why introverts often fall into the ‘passive’ categoryWhy your beliefs around tiredness or Human Design may be holding you backIf you’re tired of waiting for your goals to magically show up, and ready to get into the driver’s seat instead ready for 2025, this episode is for you!CONNECT WITH EMMA-LOUISE:Website: https://theambitiousintrovert.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmalouparkes/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmalouparkesSign up to receive my monthly Introverts Only digest, delivering all the best introvert-friendly resources straight to your inbox, minus the scroll here.PREMIUM SUPPORT: Interested in working with me 1:1? Learn more and apply here.

Ever been told ‘just speak up more’ but weren’t sure how? Or sat in a meeting feeling like you’re happy just observing and don’t want to ‘add to the noise’? If so, this episode is for you!I interviewed global communication expert and bestselling author Jessica Chen about how introverted professionals can confidently stand out in the workplace. From her new book, Smart, Not Loud: How to Get Noticed at Work for All the Right Reasons, Jessica shares her proven strategies for advocating for yourself without compromising authenticity, or feeling like you need to be loud to be heard. From the Emmy-winning newsroom to her top communication agency, Jessica helps introverts to unlock their natural strengths in business communication.You’ll learn:How Jessica transitioned from Emmy-winning TV journalist to founder of Soulcast Media, where she’s taught over 2 million people how to master communication at work.What the "Babble Hypothesis" is, and how introverts can combat self-doubt, reminding us that what’s intuitive to you might not be as obvious to others.The 4A Sequence for Speaking Up, to help deliver your ideas with confidence in meetings.How to strategically ask for what you need without feeling ‘ick’Why managing your professional image is key for introverts, and how to do so in a natural wayCONNECT WITH JESSICABook: https://smartnotloudbook.comSoulcast Media: soulcastmedia.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicachenpage/CONNECT WITH EMMA-LOUISE:Website: https://theambitiousintrovert.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmalouparkes/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmalouparkesSign up to receive my monthly Introverts Only digest, delivering all the best introvert-friendly resources straight to your inbox, minus the scroll here.PREMIUM SUPPORT: Interested in working with me 1:1? Learn more and apply here.

In this week’s episode of The Ambitious Introvert® Podcast, I’m diving into a topic that sparked a surprising amount of interest—my decision to go sugar-free for September! A brief mention in my newsletter about losing 2 kilos while doing it led to an influx of questions: Why did I do it? How did I stay on track? And was it difficult? But this episode isn’t about sugar itself—it’s about the mindset and strategy behind successfully making any significant change in your life, especially through a 30-day challenge.Whether you’re looking to add a new habit or eliminate an old one, I’m sharing the 5 exact steps I use to make any 30-day challenge successful. Tune in to hear me share:- The power of keeping it simple - why overcomplicating your goals leads to failure- How giving your change a catchy name (like "Sugar-Free September") makes it stick- The importance of telling others, and the 3 benefits that can come from going public on your plans- Why preparation is key to sticking with a new habit - or breaking an old one- How adopting the identity of someone who has already succeeded helps you stay motivatedThese strategies have helped me navigate not just sugar-free months, but also caffeine-free stretches, daily yoga, personal development practices, consistently marketing my business and more. If you’ve been thinking about making a change, especially with the New Year on the horizon, this episode will give you a roadmap for success!EPISODE RESOURCESPodcast Interview with Sarah ElisabethCONNECT WITH EMMA-LOUISE:Website: https://theambitiousintrovert.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmalouparkes/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmalouparkesSign up to receive my monthly Introverts Only digest, delivering all the best introvert-friendly resources straight to your inbox, minus the scroll here.PREMIUM SUPPORT: Interested in working with me 1:1? Learn more and apply here.

If you’re an introvert who feels hesitant about showing up on camera, this week’s episode of The Ambitious Introvert® Podcast is for you. I’m joined by Shirlee Engel, a former TV correspondent turned entrepreneur and coach, who now helps business owners and professionals develop a magnetic on-camera presence.Shirlee shares how introverts can develop the confidence needed to shine on camera—whether you’re using video for your business, career, or personal brand. She breaks down how the skills needed for camera confidence extend far beyond the screen, helping clients to present themselves with authority in all areas of life.Tune in to hear Shirlee and I discuss:Why camera confidence is a learnable skill, and how introverts can excel with just a few of the right techniquesThe power of body language, voice, and mindset in improving your on-camera presenceHow to engage your audience by combining strategic messaging and delivery skillsShirlee’s advice for overcoming camera anxiety (spoiler alert - preparation and consistent practice are key!)The role video plays in building trust, visibility, and credibility—no matter your career or industryIf you’ve ever felt nervous or uncertain about putting yourself out there on video, this episode will give you practical tools and insights to help you show up confidently and authentically. CONNECT WITH SHIRLEEYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@be.camera.confidentLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shirlee-engel/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/be.camera.confidentWebsite: cameraconfident.caCONNECT WITH EMMA-LOUISE:Website: https://theambitiousintrovert.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmalouparkes/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmalouparkesSign up to receive my monthly Introverts Only digest, delivering all the best introvert-friendly resources straight to your inbox, minus the scroll here.PREMIUM SUPPORT: Interested in working with me 1:1? Learn more and apply here.

Are you feeling drained, unfocused, or constantly reaching for your phone? In today’s episode of The Ambitious Introvert® Podcast, I’m looking into how our love of a quick dopamine hit could be impacting our mental health and energy levels. As introverts, we need deeper, more meaningful experiences, yet the lure of instant gratification can pull us into unhealthy habits (hello doom scrolling and late night screen time). I’m sharing how to reclaim your focus, balance your energy, and break free from the dopamine trap, so you can perform at your absolute best.In this episode, I cover:What dopamine is, and why it’s essential for motivation and energy.  How our instant gratification society and social media are disrupting our natural dopamine levels.  Why seeking constant dopamine hits is NOT the same as building true self-worth. Key questions to ask yourself to reflect on your relationship with dopamine and instant gratification.  Tips for creating a healthier balance between fulfilling, meaningful activities and dopamine-driven habits.EPISODE RESOURCESJessica Lorimer - Selling To CorporateCONNECT WITH EMMA-LOUISE:Website: https://theambitiousintrovert.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmalouparkes/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmalouparkesSign up to receive my monthly Introverts Only digest, delivering all the best introvert-friendly resources straight to your inbox, minus the scroll here.PREMIUM SUPPORT: Interested in working with me 1:1? Learn more and apply here.