But First, She Failed
Welcome to But First, She Failed. Do you want to have unshakable confidence when you go into that meeting- no matter who’s in the room? Do you want to quit that job that makes you unhappy and start that dream business or go after that dream job but you’re scared of failing? Or wonder how those wildly successful women that you look up to got to where they are today? What if failure is part of the journey towards success and purpose? Hey, I'm Paola Soares, a former journalist who feared, failed and overcame. I too dealt with imposter syndrome and compared myself to others in my industry. After being let go from a position that I thought was a dream job and feeling like I failed. I had a life changing revelation; every successful person fails, it’s part of the journey towards success and purpose. Join me as I talk to trailblazing women that share wisdom, strategies and get vulnerable about how moments of “failure” propelled them to where they are today. Get ready to get inspired!
Episodes
Are you trying to pursue your God-given calling all on your own? If so, you may be setting yourself up for unnecessary struggle. In this episode of But First, She Failed, Paola Soares shares why community and accountability are crucial to successfully walking in your God-given purpose.
We’ll dive into the powerful role that accountability plays in helping you stay consistent, why isolation can lead to burn...
Do you know whether or not your walking in your God-given calling when it comes to your career or business? In this episode of But First, She Failed, Paola shares 6 powerful signs to help you discern if you’re aligned with the unique purpose God created you for.
Through personal stories, biblical truths, and real-life examples, Paola unpacks how you can tell the difference between simply having a job or bu...
Do you have a career you’ve worked hard to build? Maybe you’ve stepped out and started a business? But deep down, you still wonder if you’re truly walking in your God-given calling…
In this episode of But First, She Failed, Paola unpacks the difference between building a career, running a business, and living out your true calling. Because here’s the truth: careers and businesses are good, but they will never fully sat...
Are your small business finances keeping you up at night? In this episode of But First, She Failed, Paola sits down with Danielle Hendon, Fractional CFO and founder of Four Corners CFO, to break down how entrepreneurs can gain financial clarity, prevent burnout, and finally start paying themselves with confidence.
Danielle explains the key differences between an accountant and a fractional CFO, and why hav...
Want to plan your next career move without the stress? In this episode, executive coach and HR consultant Kate Sargent shares how to navigate career transitions strategically, build a powerful support network, and use networking to open new opportunities.
We cover the rise of fractional HR services, how to approach negotiation with confidence and kindness, and ways to translate your skills across industrie...
Feeling lost in your career, business or more importantly when it comes to your purpose and calling? In this episode, host Paola Soares shares what she’s doing about it—and how you can find clarity, purpose, and peace in your season of uncertainty.
If you’ve been feeling stuck, disconnected from your calling, or unsure of your next step in business or life, this conversation is for you. Whether you're an e...
Feeling off-track with your goals? You’re not alone. In this episode of But First, She Failed, host Paola Soares walks you through a mid-year reset strategy to help you realign, refocus, and finish 2025 strong.
This episode is for high-achieving women, working moms, and goal-getters who are ready to take back control of their year. Learn how to reevaluate your goals, reconnect with your “why,” build system...
Struggling to stay motivated? Feeling discouraged and wondering if it’s even worth it to keep going? This episode is for you.
This week on But First, She Failed, host Paola Soares talks about what it means to show up even when you don’t feel like it—especially in those moments when confidence is low, self-doubt is loud, and the results just aren’t showing up yet.
Whether you’re building a busi...
In this episode of the But First, She Failed podcast, Paola Soares breaks down how to actually develop a growth mindset—one of the most powerful tools for personal and professional success.
You’ll learn how to start thinking differently, move past self-doubt, and build habits that support long-term growth. Whether you’re facing setbacks, navigating a career transition, or simply ready to level up, this epi...
Do you ever feel like you're not good enough at work, or worry you're falling behind in your career or business? In this empowering episode of But First, She Failed, host Paola Soares juxtaposes a growth mindset vs. a fixed mindset in various scenarios— especially in the workplace.
If you’re a woman chasing big dreams but battling low confidence, imposter syndrome, or fear of failure, this episode is for ...
What is the one trait or characteristic that all successful people have in common?
In this episode, host Paola Soares shares what she has learned after talking to countless trailblazers as well as reading books on this topic and being in proximity to many highly successful people.
In this episode she dives into the power of a growth mindset, what it is and the background on it as well as the ...
In this episode of the But First, She Failed Podcast, host Paola Soares welcomes Nikki Barua — serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, keynote speaker, and Interim CEO of Latinas in Tech — for a powerful conversation on thriving in the age of AI.
As artificial intelligence continues to rapidly transform the workforce, it’s no longer a question of if AI will affect our careers, but how. A recent McKinsey G...
In this episode of the But First She Failed podcast, Host Paola Soares tackles a topic that many of us face but few talk about openly—discouragement. Drawing from her own experiences, Paola unpacks how discouragement can silently impact our careers, businesses, dreams, and mental well-being.
She discusses the dangers of discouragement and reminds us that feeling discouraged doesn’t make us weak—it makes us...
In this episode of But First, She Failed, host Paola Soares sits down with her pastor Dawncheré Wilkerson to talk about her newly released debut book Slow Burn:The Work and Wonder of the Wait.
A renowned international pastor, speaker, singer, songwriter, and now author, DawnCheré has encouraged countless people to keep moving forward, even in seasons of waiting.
As the co-lead pastor of VOUS C...
In this inspiring episode of But First, She Failed, host Paola Soares sits down with Yuri Cordero, Vice President and Executive Producer of Univision’s iconic news show Primer Impacto. A trailblazer in Spanish-language media, Yuri shares her remarkable 30-year journey, how she broke barriers in a competitive industry, rose to the top, and built a legacy rooted in faith, resilience, and purpose-driven leadership.
In this episode, Host Paola Soares speaks with Jennifer Tsay, co-founder and CEO of Shoott.com, a fast-growing photography platform that’s transforming the way people book professional photo sessions. Jennifer shares her incredible journey from working in the corporate space to acting and into entrepreneurship, and how she leveraged her transferable skills, resilience, and a strong sense of purpose to scale a business ...
In this episode, host Paola Soares talks dives into the hidden dangers of perfectionism and how it can silently sabotage your career, business, and professional development. Over the past few weeks, we’ve explored perfectionism’s grip on our personal lives, but now it’s time to take a closer look at its impact on our professional worlds.
From procrastination and burnout to stifled creativity and impaired d...
In this episode, host Paola Soares talks about the root causes of perfectionism, is it genetic or environmental? What are developmental things in your childhood that could cause someone to be a perfectionist? And how to combat perfectionism when it pops up?
In this episode Paola continues the deep dive into the complexities of perfectionism and its origins. She explores how genetics, parenting, societal pr...
In this episode, host Paola Soares talks about being a high achiever vs. perfectionism and how to know the difference.
In this episode she goes over the various traits of a high achiever vs. a perfectionist and juxaposes them side by side so you can see which category you fall into. It’s always wise to reflect and see what’s healthy vs. unhealthy and this episode will give you the handles and information o...
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