In My Non-Expert Opinion

267: “It all has to be in alignment. I have to be living very honestly in order to do my most honest work. And honesty is a fundamental requirement for the work that I do. I find that if I'm not living honestly, and it doesn't have to be a hundred percent, if I'm not living honestly in ways that are actually very important, I actually can't show up for my work in the way that I need to.” ~ Africa BrookeThis soul-baring conversation between Chelsea and Africa dives deep into self-censorship, shadow work, heartbreak, and the raw journey of sobriety. Together, they explore how our patterns in love and life reveal the unhealed parts of ourselves - the ones we try to tame, cage up, and discard. Yet the truth is: owning and integrating these parts and reclaiming our voice is a revolutionary act. Listen closely.Africa is a Zimbabwean-born consultant, developmental coach, speaker, and author of "The Third Perspective: Brave Expression in The Age of Intolerance." She is known for her work in overcoming self-sabotage and self-censorship. She hosts “Beyond the Self” and “Unthinkable Thoughts,” and is a frequent guest on TV, podcasts, and radio. This is an ep you don't want to miss!“What happens when we believe that there's a higher cost to telling the truth than to pretending?”“I decided to suffer out loud, and that was going against so many rules... I was just speaking into the void.”“I would choose people that I perceive to be lesser than me in some way, so that I get to be the superior one in the relationship... but it’s me they’re showing me.”“Instead of chasing the new self-concept of ‘I’m a good person,’ I had to accept all the shadowy components of myself and humanize myself.”“Be okay with talking about your interests... because that’s what makes it erotic. That’s what creates magnetism.”Chelsea & Africa remind us the path to empowered relationships and aligned work begins with radical truth-telling - to ourselves first.Connect with Chelsea: 💻 Website 🎤 1:1 Podcast Coaching 🎙 Launch your podcast with the ultimate podcast launch course - Mic Drop! 📲 Instagram 📲 ✈️ Slight Turbulence Substack - the travel magazine you wish existed on the back of airplane seats 🔗 Pitch Perfect is coming back late Fall 2025. Get on the waitlist here! 👀 Ready to launch your very own podcast? Grab my FREE cheat sheet right HERE. ☎️ Want to send a voice note to the podcast and have Chelsea answer you on air? Do so ⁠HERE⁠. 🫶 Don't forget to rate, review, and share in the group text. This podcast is free and ratings/reviews and shares are our currency. 🙌🏼 Want to contribute to IMNEO to show your appreciation (and keep us going?) Click HERE

266: “I used to have a very toxic relationship with work. Then I realized—I don’t have to work. Who said I have to work? I choose to play instead.” - Klara HascakovaIn this episode, Chelsea and Klara Hascakova explore the concept of "Antichrist Consciousness" (eek! provoking, but listen to the ep for an explanataion) and how collective thought patterns shape personal identity. Are we all really one? They discuss the impact of societal conditioning, the power of gamifying daily life, and why thinking about work and discipline differently can lead to a more fulfilling and energized, zesty existence.“It’s a collection of various collective consciousnesses that one individual is tapping into at any given moment.”“I used to have a very toxic relationship with work. Then I realized—I don’t have to work. Who said I have to work? I choose to play instead.”"The more energy you have, the more you can create your own reality. When you're drained, you default to following other people’s rules. But when you have energy, you feel bold enough to make things up as you go.”“I choose to have a playful attitude and I’m gamifying all my tasks so life feels fun and exciting, even when I do daily life stuff.”“If you outsource too much, you can lose touch with reality. One man I know outsourced everything, and his business started crumbling because he was too disconnected."“We don’t have to change the current systems. It’s more constructive to design your own system within them, one that works for you and keeps you energized.”This episode is an invitation to rethink the way we navigate work, identity, and play. You don’t have to work 9-5, grind your way to the top, or do anything the way other people say to. Whether it's shifting your mindset, questioning outdated societal narratives, or gamifying your daily tasks like a game of Mario Kart, Klára and Chelsea encourage listeners to scuba dive into self-inquiry and personal experimentation to create a life that feels truly aligned.Connect with Klara:💻 ⁠Website⁠📲 ⁠Instagram⁠🔗 LinkedIn🧩 ⁠Name Patterns Site⁠Connect with Chelsea: 💻 Website 🎤 1:1 Podcast Coaching 🎙 Launch your podcast with the ultimate podcast launch course - Mic Drop! 📲 Instagram 📲 ✈️ Slight Turbulence Substack - the travel magazine you wish existed on the back of airplane seats 🔗 Pitch Perfect is coming back late Fall 2025. Get on the waitlist here! 👀 Ready to launch your very own podcast? Grab my FREE cheat sheet right HERE. ☎️ Want to send a voice note to the podcast and have Chelsea answer you on air? Do so ⁠HERE⁠. 🫶 Don't forget to rate, review, and share in the group text. This podcast is free and ratings/reviews and shares are our currency. 🙌🏼 Want to contribute to IMNEO to show your appreciation (and keep us going?) Click HERE

265: "I came to a point of realization that everything here is made up. And why I couldn't be just another human being that is going to make something up? I have this audacity within me...I'm very courageous. I love to experiment and see if it's gonna work out. And so far, so good. I feel very supported in these bold choices." Klara Hascakova is a systems designer for geniuses, innovator, Name Patterns expert, and 5/1 Oxford-educated Reflector helping people gamify their lives, play with consciousness and operate outside of traditional conditioning.In this episode, Chelsea and Klara dive into the power of name patterns, why identity is more flexible than we think, how to gamify everything in life, and how designing personal systems can put you in an energetic surplus.Klara shares how changing her name for four years reshaped her self-perception, why she believes everything in life is made up, and how embracing bold experimentation can lead to radical freedom. Talk about AUDACITY!Snippets from the episode:"Identity is a flexible thing. We have way more control over it than we think.""If you outsource too much, you can lose touch with reality. ""The dominant systems we operate in were not designed for women's bodies. We need to learn how to move within them in a way that actually supports us.""I design my own systems—from the way I eat to the way I run my business—so they energize me instead of draining me.""I literally made it up. Everything here is made up. So why couldn’t I be just another human being who makes something up?"Connect with Klara:💻 ⁠Website⁠📲 ⁠Instagram⁠🔗 LinkedIn🧩 ⁠Name Patterns Site⁠Connect with Chelsea:💻 Website🎤 1:1 Podcast Coaching🎙 Launch your podcast with the ultimate podcast launch course - Mic Drop!📲 Instagram 📲✈️ Connect with Chelsea: 💻 Website 🎤 1:1 Podcast Coaching 🎙 Launch your podcast with the ultimate podcast launch course - Mic Drop! 📲 Instagram 📲 ✈️ Slight Turbulence Substack - the travel magazine you wish existed on the back of airplane seats 🔗 Pitch Perfect is coming back late Fall 2025. Get on the waitlist here! 👀 Ready to launch your very own podcast? Grab my FREE cheat sheet right HERE. ☎️ Want to send a voice note to the podcast and have Chelsea answer you on air? Do so ⁠HERE⁠. 🫶 Don't forget to rate, review, and share in the group text. This podcast is free and ratings/reviews and shares are our currency. 🙌🏼 Want to contribute to IMNEO to show your appreciation (and keep us going?) Click HERE

264: "“You believe in that shit?!” my date blurted out, eyebrows furrowing in disbelief. The cat was out of the bag: I was one of THOSE girls."LADIES - why the hell are men so triggered by astrology???I enlisted the help of on an astrologer who married a scientist to help me answer this question: Jaz Borri.Pssst - having these conversations is exactly how you take down the patriarchy... one witchy yap sesh at a time ;)This podcast is repurposed from my Substack: Slight Turbulence. Check it out!Did ya know... this isn’t the first time Jaz and I fell into a conversational whirlwind. Catch her on this ep of In My Non-Expert Opinion from 2023.I also got to appear on her show, The Esoteric Entrepreneur, TWICE last year (can you tell we’re a teensy bit obsessed with each other?) - tune in below:💳 REALITY CHECK: Paying Off $9K of Credit Card Debt🫖 STORY-TELLING: How to Tell a Tasty Tale & Spill Your Tea with GraceCONNECT WITH JAZCONNECT WITH CHELSEA:💻 Website 🎙 1:1 Podcast Coaching🎤 Launch your podcast with the ultimate podcast launch course - Mic Drop!📲 Connect with Chelsea: 💻 Website 🎤 1:1 Podcast Coaching 🎙 Launch your podcast with the ultimate podcast launch course - Mic Drop! 📲 Instagram 📲 ✈️ Slight Turbulence Substack - the travel magazine you wish existed on the back of airplane seats 🔗 Pitch Perfect is coming back late Fall 2025. Get on the waitlist here! 👀 Ready to launch your very own podcast? Grab my FREE cheat sheet right HERE. ☎️ Want to send a voice note to the podcast and have Chelsea answer you on air? Do so ⁠HERE⁠. 🫶 Don't forget to rate, review, and share in the group text. This podcast is free and ratings/reviews and shares are our currency. 🙌🏼 Want to contribute to IMNEO to show your appreciation (and keep us going?) Click HERE

263: "You can make a choice and still want to do the other thing. It’s not going to be like, 'Oh, it's all gone. The desire is gone.' I think that’s also a misconception because I made this choice, that means I’m all okay with it. Well, no, there are still parts of it that were fun, even though the majority of it was not fine. Let’s be honest here." — Nisha PatelIn this episode, Chelsea sits down with transformative Sobriety Coach and Licensed Counselor Nisha Patel to discuss the complexities of sobriety, especially in a booze-heavy culture where drinking is deeply ingrained in socializing, dating, and celebrating. They tackle everything from the emotional and psychological rollercoasters going sober puts you on, dodging relentless peer pressure, retooling relationships, and proving that you can have a blast without ever reaching for a drink.Snippets from the episode: If you’re in a business dinner or a social event, you don’t have to announce your sobriety to the world. You can just say, ‘I’m on a health kick,’ or ‘I don’t feel like drinking tonight.’ You don’t owe anyone an explanation. If someone is really pushing back on your choice not to drink, I’d throw it back on them—‘Why does my decision make you so uncomfortable?’ Often, it has nothing to do with you and everything to do with them. Dating sober is comical. You start realizing how much alcohol was masking genuine compatibility—or the lack of it. And yes, sober sex is different, but it’s also deeper and more connected. Celebration doesn’t have to mean alcohol. It could mean buying yourself your favorite dark chocolate, hosting a themed dinner with friends, or just sitting in gratitude and acknowledging your success. If you’re judging people who are drinking, ask yourself: What about their behavior is triggering me? Sometimes, it’s not judgment—it’s just recognizing a version of yourself that you’ve outgrown.Sobriety is not about deprivation; it’s about clarity, self-discovery, and redefining what truly brings joy and connection. Whether you’re sober-curious or fully committed, this conversation is a reminder that your journey is yours alone, and it’s okay to take it one day at a time.Resources: Marco Polo App Connect with Chelsea: 💻 Website 🎤 1:1 Podcast Coaching 🎙 Launch your podcast with the ultimate podcast launch course - Mic Drop! 📲 Instagram 📲 ✈️ Slight Turbulence Substack - the travel magazine you wish existed on the back of airplane seats 🔗 Pitch Perfect is coming back late Fall 2025. Get on the waitlist here! 👀 Ready to launch your very own podcast? Grab my FREE cheat sheet right HERE. ☎️ Want to send a voice note to the podcast and have Chelsea answer you on air? Do so ⁠HERE⁠. 🫶 Don't forget to rate, review, and share in the group text. This podcast is free and ratings/reviews and shares are our currency. 🙌🏼 Want to contribute to IMNEO to show your appreciation (and keep us going?) Click HERE

262: “Social media is like sprinkles on top. It's nice to have, but it's not necessary. You would not fill an entire ice cream cone with only sprinkles unless you were high!”In this raw, unfiltered episode, Chelsea unpacks the question on everyone's mind: What the F is going on with social media? She explores the political undercurrents shaping platforms like Meta and TikTok, examines algorithm shifts, questions the ethics of AI, and highlights why diversifying your content strategy is more important than ever.**Snippets** from the episode: We cannot avoid the fact that social media is political. When you look at its founders, how they operate, their board members, where their money goes—you can easily see their values. I want to be known for creating “moving mountains-level” content, not just quick, funny videos. Social media is the sprinkles, but podcasts and newsletters? That’s the actual ice cream. It started to feel like a toxic relationship where Instagram brings you flowers after treating you like shit. These platforms don’t care about your mental health or your income—they care about keeping you addicted. AI-generated models look flawless, but is it ethical? A skincare brand using AI images isn’t the same as seeing a real person using the product. It’s like selling a dream that doesn’t exist. Platforms can disappear overnight. MySpace didn’t resurge. Vine didn’t come back. If you’re building your whole business on TikTok, what happens if it DOES get banned again?This is for you if you’re an entrepreneur or creator navigating the chaos of social media. It’s a reminder that we control our digital footprint—and it’s time to invest in platforms we own, create content with purpose, and align our online presence with our core values.Resources:SubstackSlack & DiscordPatreonWhatsAppEp. 242 The History of Instagram… Time to Delete It?Ep. 244 - Selling Without Social MediaConnect with Chelsea: Connect with Chelsea: 💻 Website 🎤 1:1 Podcast Coaching 🎙 Launch your podcast with the ultimate podcast launch course - Mic Drop! 📲 Instagram 📲 ✈️ Slight Turbulence Substack - the travel magazine you wish existed on the back of airplane seats 🔗 Pitch Perfect is coming back late Fall 2025. Get on the waitlist here! 👀 Ready to launch your very own podcast? Grab my FREE cheat sheet right HERE. ☎️ Want to send a voice note to the podcast and have Chelsea answer you on air? Do so ⁠HERE⁠. 🫶 Don't forget to rate, review, and share in the group text. This podcast is free and ratings/reviews and shares are our currency. 🙌🏼 Want to contribute to IMNEO to show your appreciation (and keep us going?) Click HERE

261: “Leisure is one of my number one values. Friendships are some of my most important relationships and I would rather cut back on working and maybe sacrifice some income to be able to spend more time with my friends.”It’s here – the annual BUSINESS YEAR IN REVIEW! (Did I learn anything, or am I still winging it?)This time, I’m unpacking it all: losing a platinum client (ouch), a Christmas miracle pipeline save, de-centering urgency (hello, chill mornings!), and why contracts are basically your business bestie. Oh, and the mindset shifts that got me to $140k while taking nearly 2 months + Fridays off (because burnout? Not on my watch).This one’s raw, honest, and full of receipts – LFG.Snippets from the episode:On Boundaries and Rest:I didn’t want to dive into work right after the holidays. Cape Town summer is finite, and prioritizing friendships and memories felt more valuable than rushing into tasks.On Diversifying Income:If one-on-one work is your primary revenue stream, losing one client can disrupt your entire system. Diversifying offers, like group programs, can provide stability.On Contracts and Policies:Late fees, pause clauses, and cancellation notices are not just practical—they protect your time, energy, and resources.On Imposter Syndrome:If someone fills out your application or books a discovery call, they’re talking to you for a reason. Don’t say no to yourself before they even have the chance to.On Simplifying Launches:I reframed launching as just telling people about my offer for a concentrated time. I made it easy by using what I love—emails, podcasts, and simple visuals.Ending note:This episode is packed with actionable insights for entrepreneurs who value authenticity, strategic planning, andoo rest. Chelsea reminds us that running a business doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your peace or personal relationships.Resources mentioned: FocusMate to GSD Zencastr for guest podcasting Descript for recording solos HoneyConnect with Chelsea: 💻 Website 🎤 1:1 Podcast Coaching 🎙 Launch your podcast with the ultimate podcast launch course - Mic Drop! 📲 Instagram 📲 ✈️ Slight Turbulence Substack - the travel magazine you wish existed on the back of airplane seats 🔗 Pitch Perfect is coming back late Fall 2025. Get on the waitlist here! 👀 Ready to launch your very own podcast? Grab my FREE cheat sheet right HERE. ☎️ Want to send a voice note to the podcast and have Chelsea answer you on air? Do so ⁠HERE⁠. 🫶 Don't forget to rate, review, and share in the group text. This podcast is free and ratings/reviews and shares are our currency. 🙌🏼 Want to contribute to IMNEO to show your appreciation (and keep us going?) Click HERE

260: “I don't do well with vague, fluffy information. So when people just say, 'Oh, you know, I had a hard time and I learned a lesson and did some therapy and did this and that. And then I just woke up and I just realized it was gone.' I'm like, what did you do? How long did it take? How much money did you spend? What support systems did you have? Those are the nitty gritty details that have helped me. And so to be in service, I want to offer that to you too."It's your favorite episode of the year - the annual HONEST YEAR IN REVIEW: Personal Edition (be sure to ⁠⁠check out 2023's recap episode⁠⁠ and compare notes - was there actual progress made?)Chelsea invites all her 2024 skeletons in the closet onto the airwaves today, sharing everything from situationships (not again! didn't we learn?!), casual sex (or lack thereof), sober (kinda), and the inner demons she's tackling head on.Snippets from the episode: On Relationships:"The lesson I learned from this is that you do need to communicate early on and often, and you cannot use physical intimacy as the glue and the prayer, if you will, that you're going to end up together." On Sobriety:"Being sober, you have no excuse to say, 'OMG, I just said that because I was drunk.' It makes you reflect a lot." On Financial Goals:"Set a goal that is beyond yourself. Paying off debt and getting to zero is cool, but I needed something more emotional, like taking my family to Japan." On Travel and Intentionality:" If you're trying to pick a place to live, think about somewhere that you like who you are or you feel expanded or inspired to become who you want to be." On Budgeting:"Budgeting is just planning out your finances and putting your money where you want it to go. It’s about controlling your money instead of your money controlling you."This episode is full of the nitty gritty of Chelsea's personal life, so if you want to know what goes on BTS of a digital nomad, entrepreneur, writer, podcast host and lover of life - this episode is for you.Resources mentioned: Books:Connect with Chelsea: 💻 Website 🎤 1:1 Podcast Coaching 🎙 Launch your podcast with the ultimate podcast launch course - Mic Drop! 📲 Instagram 📲 ✈️ Slight Turbulence Substack - the travel magazine you wish existed on the back of airplane seats 🔗 Pitch Perfect is coming back late Fall 2025. Get on the waitlist here! 👀 Ready to launch your very own podcast? Grab my FREE cheat sheet right HERE. ☎️ Want to send a voice note to the podcast and have Chelsea answer you on air? Do so ⁠HERE⁠. 🫶 Don't forget to rate, review, and share in the group text. This podcast is free and ratings/reviews and shares are our currency. 🙌🏼 Want to contribute to IMNEO to show your appreciation (and keep us going?) Click HERE

259: This isn't your normal episode - it's a vlog from Chelsea's Substack: Slight Turbulence. ST is the wild child, rebellious, chaotic sister of In My Non-Expert Opinion; a creative playground where no topic is off limits. This vlog is about how Chelsea is doing the most - and hating it.If you enjoyed this vlog, you'll love other Slight Turbulence posts like: How TF Did I get into Berghain? - a full behind the scenes of how Chelsea got into Berlin (and the world’s) most exclusive nightclub dressed like a young mom shopping at a local farmer’s market Jellyfish Energy - searing poetry about an ex - you'll need ice to cool off after reading Or the infamous “The Grief Glowup” - the person the piece was written upgraded to the paid tier to access the post (yikes!)By paying $5/mo, or the price of an iced almond milk latte, you’ll get access to Chelsea’s most vulnerable writing, BTS posts and subscriber-only chats (and coming soon - workshops!)Subscribe to Slight Turbulence right HERE!PITCH PERFECT will be back in Spring 2025 - don’t worry! Join the waitlist now, and you'll be the first to know when doors reopen.Connect with Chelsea: Website 1:1 Podcast Coaching Book a 90 Min Consult Launch your podcast with tConnect with Chelsea: 💻 Website 🎤 1:1 Podcast Coaching 🎙 Launch your podcast with the ultimate podcast launch course - Mic Drop! 📲 Instagram 📲 ✈️ Slight Turbulence Substack - the travel magazine you wish existed on the back of airplane seats 🔗 Pitch Perfect is coming back late Fall 2025. Get on the waitlist here! 👀 Ready to launch your very own podcast? Grab my FREE cheat sheet right HERE. ☎️ Want to send a voice note to the podcast and have Chelsea answer you on air? Do so ⁠HERE⁠. 🫶 Don't forget to rate, review, and share in the group text. This podcast is free and ratings/reviews and shares are our currency. 🙌🏼 Want to contribute to IMNEO to show your appreciation (and keep us going?) Click HERE

258: “What if you died tomorrow? What regrets would you have? And what decisions can you make in this present moment to live a non-regrettable life?” - Chelsea RiffeIn this solo episode, Chelsea explores the concept of living a non-regrettable life, breaking down how intentional decision-making can lead to a life filled with meaning and joy. She shares her own non-regrettable decisions, like quitting a job, moving abroad and starting a podcast, and lays out practical steps for aligning your actions with your dreams, no matter how big or small.**Snippets** from the episode: The word 'decide' literally means to cut off—when you make a decision, you’re cutting off something to make space for something new. If I died tomorrow, I’d be so happy with what I’ve created for myself and the people around me because I designed my life intentionally. We live under this illusion that we have endless time, but the truth is, opportunities, your body, and your mind don’t wait forever. Build your life like a video game—drag and drop the things you love, delete what doesn’t serve you, and create your utopia. It’s not about perfection; it’s about showing up in a way that your future self will look back on and say, 'F yes, I’m so proud of us.'Your life is happening now, not someday in the future. Start making decisions that align with life you want to create, and live in a way that leaves no room for regret. Your story matters, expert or not. Resources:Personal Development Tools: The Wheel of LifeApps: The Libby app for free audiobooksMentions: Flynn SkidmoreDigital Tools: ChatGPT- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Did you miss out on **PITCH PERFECT**? Don’t worry! Join the waitlist now, and you'll be the first to know when doors reopen.Connect with Chelsea: 💻 Website 🎤 1:1 Podcast Coaching 🎙 Launch your podcast with the ultimate podcast launch course - Mic Drop! 📲 Instagram 📲 ✈️ Slight Turbulence Substack - the travel magazine you wish existed on the back of airplane seats 🔗 Pitch Perfect is coming back late Fall 2025. Get on the waitlist here! 👀 Ready to launch your very own podcast? Grab my FREE cheat sheet right HERE. ☎️ Want to send a voice note to the podcast and have Chelsea answer you on air? Do so ⁠HERE⁠. 🫶 Don't forget to rate, review, and share in the group text. This podcast is free and ratings/reviews and shares are our currency. 🙌🏼 Want to contribute to IMNEO to show your appreciation (and keep us going?) Click HERE