Sometimes we can have a plan, and then something unforeseen and/or unavoidable happens…and all of sudden our plan falls to the wayside, and we have to figure out a different path to get us to our destination.

In this episode of the SWAG and S.O.U.L. Show, Christina Farinacci-Roberts and Anniedi Essien explore the perseverance and resilience required to stay dexterous and responsive when life throws us curveballs. Through their stories, they highlight how detours can lead to unexpected opportunities and growth, encouraging listeners to reflect on their own journeys and the resources they have to navigate life's twists and turns.

Catalyst for the Detour: Christina recalls how a devastating discovery took the trajectory of her professional life off course and reaffirms that even with crystal clarity on your goals and an anticipated path, your life can still be disrupted and rerouted.

Staying Agile as You Determine the New Path: Anniedi shares a similar story of an unexpected challenge she experienced and emphasizes the importance of being open and adept to change, as well as how fortunate and fulfilling surprise detours can be.

Embracing opportunities for new discoveries and adventures: Christina and Anniedi discuss the power in reframing the need to course correct as invitations to learn valuable lessons, flex different muscles and pursue new experiences.

Takeaways

• Not everyone has a GPS for life's detours.

• Education can be a key to unlocking opportunities.

• Unexpected challenges can lead to new paths.

• Vulnerability can foster growth and connection.

• Detours often reveal our true character.

• Embracing discomfort can lead to personal development.

• Support systems are crucial during challenging times.

• Reflection on past detours can uncover hidden blessings.

• Leadership involves deciding whether to turn around or keep going.

• Resources are essential for navigating life's journey.

Life will always require some degree of course correction. Therefore, rather than expecting life to always go as planned, we should anticipate some redirection from time to time and be determined to make the most of it. We can choose to turn around, or we can choose to keep going, so let’s always commit to stay true to our calling.

"And there was something about us coming together in that moment of so much chaos for the world but also for our own individual journeys that required us to show up in a really raw, vulnerable way that felt exposed in a way to say, I am building in public. I am gonna show you the messy parts. I'm gonna show you when things don't go my way. I'm gonna show you what it really takes to achieve this dream that I hold so dear to my heart. There was something about that detour that required both of us to really be faithful, right, to the vision that we had cast for ourselves. And so I think the detours, the question of do you turn around or do you continue forward despite all obstacles, that really, I think, revealed to us what we were made out of.”

- Anniedi

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Sometimes giving ourselves permission is harder than finding the courage to take the steps. How can we navigate the uncertainty and possibility of pursuing life off the beaten path?

Welcome to the SWAG & SOUL show, a virtual road trip between two entrepreneurs and BFFs, Christina and Anniedi, as they share their experiences, insights, and camaraderie on this journey of change and growth.

In this Episode:

• Pivots and Butter Biscuits: Anniedi and Christina reminisce about their adventurous trips and the importance of giving themselves permission to pivot in life. They share personal stories of tears and uncertainty during pivotal moments.

• Designing Your Life: Anniedi talks about the power of design thinking and how it helped her find her purpose and personal mission during challenging times. Embracing the uncertainty and surrendering to possibility can lead to unexpected paths.

• Navigating Pivots Together: The hosts highlight the significance of having a supportive community during pivots. Embracing change and navigating the unknown is easier when you have trusted friends and colleagues on the journey.

Embracing pivots and giving ourselves permission to explore new paths can be challenging but can lead to unexpected growth and opportunities. Sometimes, the journey requires tears and uncertainty, but the result can be a more fulfilling and purpose-driven life.

"Sometimes giving ourselves permission is actually quite the hurdle to go over. And if you can give yourself that permission, then that just gives so much more runway for you to be able to actually achieve these ambitious goals that you set for yourself, and even the small, tiny ones that you initially set, because sometimes we're not ready to go all in like that."

- Chistina

Book a SWAG & S.O.U.L. Strategy Sesh with Anniedi and Christina ⁠here⁠.

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Are you seeing the results that you want right at the speed that you thought you would? And if not, how does this make you feel right now? What would it look and feel like to you?

A lot of times people want the quickest way to success. They want to get the cheat sheet to be able to get all the answers on the quiz.

What if instead, you got on the bicycle and just saw where the bicycle takes you? Anniedi and Christina discuss how they came to realize that slowing down can actually fasten up your journey.

Highlights of the Episode:

• A Destination Wedding Journey:  The hosts share a humorous tale of a destination wedding journey that required multiple modes of transportation. It reminds them of how often in life they may be rushing through, seeking the quickest path to success without taking the time to savor the journey.

• The Importance of Slowing Down: They discuss the value of embracing uncertainty and trusting the process of slowing down, even when pursuing ambitious goals. They share personal experiences of starting their joint venture during a pandemic and the initial challenges they faced.

• Collaboration and Support: The hosts emphasize the significance of collaboration, camaraderie, and moral support in the entrepreneurial journey. They share how their partnership and support for each other helped them overcome obstacles and propel forward.

The hosts encourage listeners to reflect on their own journeys, asking if they are seeing the desired results at the expected speed. They suggest taking the time to savor the moments and consider how slowing down can ultimately lead to accelerated success. They invite listeners to share their experiences in the YouTube comments and explore the concept of the pause before the propeller.

"We think about what our desired mode, our preferred mode of transportation is. I feel like I'm always wanting to be in that racecar. I'm so urgent, like I want to move to the next thing without hesitation. I want to go the fastest way possible. And I feel like in that adventure heading to that destination wedding, it gave me a wake-up call. Was I just racing through life? Was I just on this fast track? Did I really need to, perhaps, slow down to really take the scenic route?"

- Christina

Book a SWAG & S.O.U.L. Strategy Sesh with Anniedi and Christina ⁠here⁠.

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Are you using your roadmap, or are you relying upon somebody else's? How long would you follow a path that is not for you before realizing it’s not what you want?

Join Anniedi and Christina as they dive into analyzing the path you are following and making sure you are following YOUR path.

Episode Highlights:

• The Necessity of Having a Plan: Having a plan can accelerate your pace, clarify your priorities, and give you a roadmap to follow in pursuit of your goals. But sometimes, external and internal factors can challenge your plans, making it essential to adjust and realign.

• Embracing Chaos and Uncertainty: Life often throws unexpected challenges our way, and having a plan doesn't always mean a smooth journey. Embrace chaos and uncertainty, and remember that sometimes the detours and unplanned moments can lead to profound experiences.

• Surrendering and Redefining Goals: If life takes unexpected turns, be willing to release rigid expectations and redefine your goals. Trust that whatever is meant to happen will unfold in due time, and opportunities for growth and fulfillment may come from unexpected sources.

Remember that everyone has their unique path and timeline. Don't compare your journey to others, and be mindful of whose roadmap you're following. Embrace uncertainty and trust in your ability to navigate life's twists and turns with swag and soul.

"Have your goal be in pen. But with the plan and the timing, you kind of have to have it in pencil, because you have to be able to account for and adjust one stuff happens in real time."

- Christina

Book a SWAG & S.O.U.L. Strategy Sesh with Anniedi and Christina ⁠here⁠.

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Have you ever felt paralyzed with fear when making a choice? So instead you sit in that paralysis and weigh out the options, prolonging making a decision?

In this episode of the SWAG & S.O.U.L. Show, Christina Farinacci-Roberts and Anniedi Essien discuss the concept of crossroads in life and the fear of making wrong choices.

Episode Highlights:

• Crossroads and Choices: Christina and Anniedi share personal experiences of facing crossroads in their lives, such as choosing college majors and career paths, moving to new cities, and navigating relationships.

• Fear of Wrong Choices: The hosts acknowledge the fear of making wrong decisions and feeling stuck forever, which can lead to analysis paralysis and hesitation, keeping you stuck when you are trying to move forward.

• Embracing Uncertainty: They encourage listeners to give themselves permission to pause, explore, and be open to possibilities, even if it means stepping into the unknown.

Christina and Anniedi emphasize that crossroads are a natural part of life, and it's okay to make choices and learn from them. They encourage listeners to be authentic, align their decisions with their values and visions, and embrace the journey with audacity and confidence.

"We want you to think about what big decisions are on the horizon for you? What Crossroads are you experiencing? What's making butterflies in your stomach?"

- Anniedi

Book a SWAG & S.O.U.L. Strategy Sesh with Anniedi and Christina ⁠here⁠.

Share Your Thoughts and Leave Us Some Love here.

Stay Connected with Anniedi here and follow her on LinkedIn here.

Stay Connected with Christina here and follow her on LinkedIn here.

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Are you in the driver's seat? And if the answer is yes, do you know where you're going and why you want to get there? In this episode of the Swag and Soul Show, Christina and Anniedi take you on a virtual road trip as they explore the idea of driving off the beaten path. They share their personal journeys of navigating uncertainty and pursuing life outside the traditional definitions of success. Along the way, they discuss the importance of surrendering to the journey, being open to new opportunities, and reimagining the path to success.

The Backseat Drivers of Life: Christina and Anniedi discuss how societal expectations and the opinions of others can often push us into trajectories that we never intended for ourselves. They share personal stories of facing criticism and judgment from friends and family when they decided to make unconventional choices.

Reinventing Yourself: The hosts reflect on the challenges they faced during the pandemic and how it forced them to pivot their businesses. They talk about the importance of surrendering to the unknown and finding creative ways to reimagine their paths to success.

Embracing the Journey: Christina and Anniedi emphasize the significance of being present in the journey and not just fixating on the destination. They encourage listeners to embrace detours and alternative paths, as these can lead to unexpected opportunities and growth.

Life's journey is filled with uncertainty and possibility. Driving off the beaten path requires courage, creativity, and a willingness to surrender to the unknown. By being open to new opportunities and reimagining the way forward, we can unlock limitless possibilities in both our personal and professional lives.

"There's always the backseat drivers on the journey who have got so many opinions right on the right course to take what path to be on. But so many times we find ourselves in the passenger seat of our own journey where we are driving in the direction of goals that maybe we didn't even set for ourselves."

- Anniedi 

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Stay Connected with Anniedi here and follow her on LinkedIn here.

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Welcome to SWAG & S.O.U.L, the podcast hosted by Christina Farinacci-Roberts and Anniedi Essien. Together, they delve into purpose-driven paths with inspirational leaders who are making a global impact. Christina, a former educator turned Founder and Chief Catalyst Officer, and Anniedi, the Chief Swagger Officer and CEO of Idem Spark, bring their unique perspectives to the forefront.

If you're tired of the "business as usual" mindset, this podcast is your oasis of fresh ideas and new paradigms. The traditional work and life models are broken, and SWAG & SOUL is here to provide holistic, human-centered approaches for work-life harmony. Join us on this transformative journey as we explore change, growth, and retrospection, unlocking limitless possibilities and manifesting your destiny while pursuing your wildest ambitions.

The key to your success is within reach, and SWAG & S.O.U.L is your trusted guide. Buckle up for an exhilarating ride into a brighter future!

Look out for the first episode dropping on the 30th of September