She Became CEO

Епізоди

• 
  E67 | The Footprints We Leave in Each Other's Souls 13.06.2026 5хв

  This is a short and personal episode, recorded on a meaningful date. It is about love, trust, patience, and the unexpected teachers life sends our way. If something in it stays with you, you will know what to do with it. In this episode: What unconditional trust actually looks like The lessons that come without words Why your footprint in the world matters more than you think A quiet reflection on love, loss, and what remains
• 
  E66 | When did you last say "I love you" to a friend? 07.06.2026 8хв

  This episode didn't come easy, because it was difficult to find the right words. It is a continuation of my previous episode in which I shared that my friend Don McNeill lost his son, Tim.  In this episode, I am sharing what shifted in me due to Tim's passing. It is a short episode, but it didn't come easily.  I knew what I wanted to say, but since I wanted it to come from my heart, I didn't want to script it. However, as I started recording, I stumbled, so I deleted quite a few beginnings. But then, I thought I would just let it be and live as is, even if my speech has longer pauses than normally and even if it sounds cheezy, because "Be who you are" is my motto and "Be" is my second name officially in my American passport. Ilze Be Berzina https://SheBecameCEO.com
• 
  E65 | When Love Stays After Someone Leaves 30.05.2026 12хв

  This week's episode is personal. My friend Don McNeill lost his son Tim — a man he chose to love, raised as his own, and loved completely. Tim fought cancer for two years. There were signs of recovery. And then he was gone. This episode is for Don. And it is for everyone who has ever lost someone they loved deeply — and is still carrying that loss, quietly, alongside everything else life asks of them. We also revisit a story from Episode 39 — the Padre story — and how I first heard it in a room full of grief, and laughed until I couldn't stop. Because that is what life is like. In this episode: The story of Don and Tim — and what chosen love looks like in practice. A tribute to our friend Lee Tyler, who left us in September 2023 with grace, humor, and peace. Why grief doesn't ask permission to stay — and what it means to let it be without letting it take over. The difference between sweeping sorrow under the rug and learning to feel it fully. Why choosing joy is not a betrayal of the people you have lost. It is how you honor them. Referenced in this episode: Episode 39 — Don McNeill: Humor, Mark Twain, and the Art of Telling True Stories She Became CEO homepage — shebecameceo.com
• 
  E64 | I Almost Lost My Memory. Here's How It Gets Stolen — And How to Fight Back. 24.05.2026 21хв

  In this episode, I talk about memory loss and cognitive decline — what actually causes them, how early the damage begins, and what any of us can do right now, without a doctor's appointment or an expensive protocol. I also share my own experience recovering from memory and sleep problems, and why I believe that cognitive decline is largely preventable — not inevitable. If you are worried about your memory, your parents' memory, or your risk of Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease as you age, this episode is for you. In this episode: How cognitive decline begins decades before symptoms appear — and what the early warning signs actually look like The role of sugar, processed food, and insulin resistance in Alzheimer's disease and memory loss Environmental toxins linked to Parkinson's disease — including pesticides, industrial chemicals, and air pollution — and simple steps to reduce your exposure Why the brain may perform better on ketones than on glucose, and what that means for your diet What good sleep actually does for the brain overnight — and the one eating habit that disrupts it The research on exercise and brain health that surprised me Creatine — what it is, why it matters for brain energy, and why it is worth knowing about Why I respect doctors, but encourage you to lead your own health journey A message to my parents, and to anyone watching someone they love begin to change Keywords: memory loss prevention, cognitive decline, Alzheimer's prevention, Parkinson's disease causes, brain health diet, ketogenic diet brain health, environmental toxins brain disease, how to protect your brain, brain health for women over 50, midlife brain health
• 
  E63 | The Networking Mistake Nobody Talks About (And How to Fix It) 16.05.2026 11хв

  Everyone talks about following up after networking events. Fewer people talk about why most of that follow-up goes nowhere — and almost nobody talks about the real opportunity that most business owners walk past every single time. In this episode, I react to networking expert Cass Thompson's five most common networking mistakes. I agree with most of what she says — but I also have some reservations, and I share them honestly. Then I reveal what I think is the biggest missed networking opportunity of all. It has nothing to do with your elevator pitch, your business card, or your LinkedIn profile. It has everything to do with how you walk into the room and who you're actually looking for when you get there. I also share a real example from my own event organizing background that shows exactly how collaboration between business owners can create opportunities none of them could create alone. This is also my second unscripted episode — let me know in the comments if you prefer this format. In this episode: Cass Thompson's five networking mistakes and my honest reaction to each Why the standard follow-up advice is harder to execute than it sounds The one networking opportunity almost nobody is talking about A real example of what business collaboration could look like in practice Why your ideal client probably isn't in the networking room — and where the real opportunity is Mentioned in this episode: Cass Thompson — networking and connections expert and podcaster She Became CEO podcast — available wherever you listen to podcasts Have you made any of these networking mistakes? Are you planning to approach your next event differently? Leave a comment and let me know. And if you're enjoying the unscripted format, I'd love to hear that too. Follow or subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next.
• 
  E62 | What Is Your Podcast's Job? How I Redefined Mine After Trauma and Burnout 09.05.2026 10хв

  Each podcast needs to have a job. I learned it from a podcasting expert. It’s a valuable thought. I spent some time pondering, and I figured out what the job of my podcast is. It will help me stay on track.
• 
  E61 | Invisible Value: Monetizing the Skills You Take for Granted in Midlife 02.05.2026 12хв

  Young men are in crisis. Midlife adults are sitting on untapped value. And the loneliness epidemic isn’t going away. This episode connects all three — and asks what you might be able to do about it.
• 
  E60 | How I Use Ancient Symbols and Tesla's Numbers to Help Midlife Entrepreneurs Find Clarity 25.04.2026 23хв

  Most of us try to build a business with words. A mission statement. A vision document. A goal-setting template. But what if the most important things you want to build toward do not actually live in language at all? In this episode, I open with something unexpected — a summary of myself generated by an AI after a week of working together. What came back was not just a professional profile. It was a mirror. And it raised a question worth sitting with: what does it mean to be genuinely multifaceted in a world that keeps asking you to pick one thing? From there, I move into territory She Became CEO has never explored before. The neuroscience of how the brain processes symbols differently from words. The oldest continuously used symbol system in Europe — hiding in plain sight in Latvian folk costumes and woven belts since the Iron Age. Tesla's 3, 6, and 9. A birth date that encodes yin and yang and 111. And the ancient practice of sigil work — encoding intention into a personal symbol created by your own hand — as a starting point for building a business from the inside out. This is episode 60. The bridge number. Something has been growing underground. Today it comes above the ground. In this episode: What the AI said about me after one week — and why it matters for anyone who has ever struggled to explain what they do in one sentence. Why symbols activate a broader network in the brain than words do — and what that means for how you set intentions. The Latvian ornamental tradition and why women have been encoding prosperity and protection into geometric symbols since the Iron Age. What a sigil is, where the word comes from, and how to create one using NLP principles. Tesla's numbers, vortex math, and one very interesting birth date. Four in-person experiences I am designing around vision, numbers, colors, and voice — and the larger vision they are building toward. A Midsummer night in North Carolina on June 20th into June 21st — and an invitation to be there. Mentioned or referenced: Tesla's 3, 6, and 9 — vortex mathEpisode 58 — The Seed StoryThe Sigil & Sisterhood gathering — coming soonJāņi — Latvian Midsummer celebration If something in this episode made you feel seen: Reach out directly or stay close via the newsletter — including what is coming this Midsummer. 🔗 shebecameceo.com/podcast-newsletter-subscription/  About She Became CEO I am Ilze Berzina — Amen University Certified Brain Health Coach, business mentor, and guide for women navigating midlife transition. I come from a maternal lineage of Latvian women with intuitive gifts and bring thirty years of entrepreneurial experience to every conversation.
• 
  E59 | Health, Business, and Becoming Your Own Advocate with Dr. Heather Skeens 19.04.2026 40хв

  This episode brings together two themes that run through this podcast: health and money—and how closely they are connected, especially in the second half of life. I sit down with Dr. Heather Skeens, a physician with a rare combination of expertise in ophthalmology and functional medicine, and the founder behind multiple ventures that aim to rethink how we approach health. In this conversation, we talk about what happens when the traditional healthcare system looks at the body in parts—and what becomes possible when someone chooses to see the whole person instead. Dr. Skeens shares the personal turning point that changed how she practices medicine, and why she believes patients must become active participants in their own care. Her message is simple, but not easy: listen to your body first, ask questions, and do not stop until you understand the “why.” At the same time, she speaks directly to healthcare providers, reminding them that patients often reveal the answers—if someone is willing to listen carefully enough. We also move into entrepreneurship. Dr. Skeens explains how she made the decision to leave a traditional practice model and build something of her own, even without formal business training. Her perspective on risk, independence, and purpose will resonate with anyone in midlife who is questioning whether it is too late—or too complicated—to start over. If you are someone who feels that your energy, clarity, or health is not where it should be… if you have been told everything looks “normal,” but you know it is not… or if you are thinking about building something new but worry your body may not keep up—this conversation will give you a different way to look at both your health and your choices. Dr. Skeens is the author of Unshackled: Why Medicine Is Failing Doctors (and Patients) —and How We Can Break Free, a book written for both patients and physicians, calling for a more human, connected, and root-cause approach to care. You can learn more about her work through her website (BellaSeeBeauty), her company Aligness, and her presence on platforms like YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. This is a conversation about responsibility, awareness, and possibility—at a stage of life where many people begin to realize that both health and financial freedom require more intentional choices.   Host: Ilze Be Berzina https://ilzebe.com  https://shebecameceo.com   Guest: Heather Skeens, MD CFMP Link to Heather Skeen's book "Unshackled: Why Medicine Is Failing Doctors (and Patients) —and How We Can Break Free" on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Unshackled-Medicine-Failing-Doctors-Patients/dp/1953183972/  Links to BellaSeeBeauty and Aligness, Heather Skeen's businesses mentioned in this episode: https://bellaseebeauty.com/  https://alignessq.com/ 
• 
  E58 | Three Stories for Easter: A Boat, a Rope, and a Seed 05.04.2026 8хв

  Three Stories for Easter: A Boat, a Rope, and a Seed Stories have a way of reaching us differently than direct advice. In this episode, I share three simple stories—not to explain them, but to invite you to think. Storytelling is one of the oldest forms of communication. It works through images, metaphors, and meaning that often speak directly to the subconscious. That is why the same story can feel different depending on when you hear it and what you are going through. This episode is an opportunity to slow down and notice how stories influence the way we interpret situations, make decisions, and structure our thinking. Without overanalyzing, you may begin to see: How storytelling shapes perception How metaphors carry meaning beyond words how certain patterns of thinking can be restructured simply by seeing something differently how messages that seem simple on the surface can reveal deeper insight over time If you are interested in communication, messaging, and the role of storytelling in personal and professional life, this episode offers a different way to learn—through metaphors that resonate with you. Sometimes, the most effective way to learn is not through explanation, but through reflection. Listen, and notice what stands out to you.Reach out for storytelling and messaging support at [email protected] 
• 
  What E57 | What Happened When a Simple Call Turned Into a Political Conversation 29.03.2026 22хв

  A simple birthday call turned into a conversation about politics—and a reminder of how quickly people form strong opinions about complex decisions. In this episode, I reflect on that moment and take it further by working through a detailed and highly opinionated article by a Latvian journalist. I walk through her arguments, her historical references, and her perspective on Iran, global conflict, and recent geopolitical decisions. You will hear about: how narratives are formed and repeated what happens when facts, interpretations, and emotions get mixed together why large-scale events become simplified into labels and what it takes to speak about difficult topics without avoiding them This is an episode about thinking, speaking, and staying grounded when the subject is emotionally charged. If you’ve ever hesitated to express your thoughts because a topic felt too complex or too controversial, this episode will give you a different way to approach it. If you want to express your ideas more clearly, handle difficult conversations with more confidence, and build stronger messaging in your personal or professional life, reach out to me.
• 
  E56 | Working Internationally, Cultural Differences & Latvia Through American Eyes 22.03.2026 53хв

  If you’ve ever worked with people from different cultures, traveled abroad, or simply wondered why people behave so differently depending on where they are, this episode will likely stay with you. In this conversation, I invited someone who knows me well—my partner, Scott—to share what he noticed when stepping into my world: Latvia, my background, and the way I see people, business, and culture. We talk about what it actually feels like to move between countries—not as a tourist, but as someone trying to understand how people think, communicate, and work. You’ll hear: What changes when you work with international teams Why the same behavior can mean something completely different in another culture What surprised him most about Latvia, from daily life to deeper history The difference between surface-level friendliness and real connection Why Americans (and not only Americans) often misunderstand the rest of the world How travel forces you to question your own assumptions There’s also a more personal layer in this episode. If you’ve followed me for a while, disappeared with me, and are now seeing me return, you’ll understand more about what my life looks like behind the scenes. This is not a structured interview. It’s a real conversation. And somewhere in it, there’s a message I think matters: You can’t understand people—or business—without understanding context.In this episode, I also mention my webpage https://ilzebe.com/careers The URL of the podcast website is https://shebecameceo.com 
• 
  E55 | Hiring Tips for New Entrepreneurs: How to Build a Team and Avoid Costly Mistakes 15.03.2026 20хв

  If you are starting a business and thinking about hiring help, this episode may save you time, money, and frustration. Many early-stage entrepreneurs quickly discover that coming up with an idea is the easy part. The real challenge begins when you start building a team, outsourcing work, and figuring out how to turn your experience into a functioning business. In this episode, Ilze shares three real stories from her own entrepreneurial journey that offer practical lessons for new and aspiring entrepreneurs. You will learn: Hiring tips for beginner entrepreneurs how to recognize red flags when outsourcing work why the cheapest service provider can become the most expensive mistake how previous experience can become the foundation for a new business direction why you don’t always need a perfect plan before taking action Ilze also reflects on her experience building and managing a translation company in Latvia, training employees, and working with international teams. Those lessons now inform the work she is developing through ILZE BE LLC, where she supports professionals and organizations with documentation, writing, translation, proofreading, and administrative preparation. This episode is especially relevant if you: • are starting a business with limited resources• are thinking about hiring your first contractors or assistants• want practical entrepreneur tips based on real experience You will also hear Ilze’s perspective on passion projects, persistence, and building a business later in life — especially for women transitioning into a new phase after raising families. If you are trying to turn your experience into something meaningful and sustainable, this episode will give you ideas to think about before making your next move. For coaching or collaboration inquiries:[email protected] 
• 
  E54 | An Important Conversation through Art: Latvian Singer Atvara & Her Contest Winning Song 08.03.2026 25хв

  In this episode, I explore how storytelling can happen through stage art. Using the performance of Latvian singer Atvara, whose song “Ēna” won Latvia’s national Eurovision selection contest Supernova, I look at how music, staging, and visual effects can communicate a powerful story—even when the audience does not understand the lyrics. To test how effective that storytelling is, I also share reactions from several YouTubers who watched the performance without knowing Latvian and tried to interpret the visuals. You can listen to this episode as audio, but if you enjoy the intersection of music, art, and technology, you may also want to watch the video version on my YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@SheBecameCEO
• 
  E53 | What If We Listened to Kids with Leah Ellis, Founder of The Society of Child Entrepreneurs 01.03.2026 36хв

  In this episode, I sit down with Leah Ellis, mother of four and founder of The Society of Child Entrepreneurs (SoCE) — a nonprofit teaching children ages 6–17 real entrepreneurship through hands-on business experience. Leah’s mission is rooted in something deeply personal. As a child, she was told to shrink. Today, she teaches kids to stand up — sometimes literally on chairs — and use their voices. We talk about: Why Leah rejects the phrase “children are the future” How kids build real businesses (from 3D printing to book-recommendation services) The mindset shift from profit to impact in a nonprofit model How to test demand before launching a business What kind of risk you should accept — and what kind you should limit Why children don’t need protection from responsibility — they need support How adults can mentor child entrepreneurs (even without kids at home) As an Amen University-certified brain health coach, I was especially intrigued by the idea of directing open neural plasticity responsibly. When confidence is nurtured early, adults don’t have to spend decades rebuilding it.   About Leah Ellis Leah Ellis is a mother of four and the founder of The Society of Child Entrepreneurs (SoCE), a nonprofit dedicated to helping children ages 6–17 build confidence, leadership, and real-world business skills through hands-on learning. Through business fairs, curriculum, and coaching, she helps children launch real ventures, learn financial literacy, and develop resilience through experience, not theory. At the heart of her work is a simple belief:When kids are trusted with responsibility and supported by the community, they rise. Important note: Programs currently operate in South Central KansasCurriculum expansion planned nationally and beyond 🔗 Website: SOCEICT.org🔗 Facebook: Society of Child Entrepreneurs About the Host and the Podcast Ilze Be Berzina SheBecameCEO.com
• 
  E52 | Weight Loss: Why You Can’t Separate Hormones from the Nervous System 22.02.2026 28хв

  In this episode, I respond to requests to speak about weight loss in midlife — especially the relationship between hormones and the nervous system. I share my personal experience and the information I’ve collected over the years from listening to hundreds of hours of podcasts and reading extensively on metabolic health, thyroid function, insulin, menopause, and nervous system regulation. Topics include: Estrogen, serotonin, and midlife metabolic shifts Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and common myths Thyroid–insulin connection Low-carb, ketogenic, and carnivore approaches Ketones and fat adaptation Sleep, cortisol, and circadian rhythm Why nourishing the body may be foundational for nervous system balance Sources and voices mentioned in this episode: Dr. Peter Attia Dr. Andrew Huberman (Huberman Lab) Dr. Sara Gottfried (The Hormone Cure) Dr. Lisa Mosconi Dr. Elizabeth Bright Dr. Anthony Chaffee Rina Ahluwalia (The Primal Podcast) Dr. Robert Kiltz Steven Bartlett The Williams Table (90-Day Carnivore Update) This is not medical advice. It is an invitation to research, discern, and consider your options. If this episode resonates, please rate and follow the podcast.And if you’d like me to explore a related topic, feel free to reach out. Host's email: [email protected] https://shebecameceo.com https://ilzebe.com
• 
  E51 | I Got Interviewed by John Solleder: Communication, Trauma, and Becoming CEO of Your Voice 15.02.2026 38хв

  This episode is different from the others—because this time, I’m the guest. I’m sharing a few fragments from Leave Nothing to Chance, where host John Solleder interviewed me. It was my first time ever being interviewed on someone else’s podcast, and John made it easy. We talk about communication, why listening is the foundation of clear messaging, how trauma can shape how we speak and relate, and how I work with both organizations and individuals to clarify what’s not working—and what to do next. You’ll also hear the story behind my original podcast name, Ill Zebra’s Transformations, and why She Became CEO is about more than business: it’s becoming CEO of your voice, health, money, and relationships. If you’re an experienced entrepreneur, I also recommend checking out Leave Nothing to Chance—John’s audience is slightly different from mine, and you may love it. In this episode Why clear messaging starts with listening Communication as an art: talking with people, not at them Trauma, compassion, and what changes after hard life events How I begin organizational work (interviews + defining outcomes) The “Ill Zebra” story and the transformation behind it A simple clarity exercise for 2026: where you are → where you want to be → resources you already have Mentioned Leave Nothing to Chance (John Solleder) She Became CEO (Ilze Be)
• 
  E50 | Authenticity Has Boundaries: Building Community With Discernment with Paige Royal 07.02.2026 50хв

      In Episode 50 of She Became CEO, I welcome back my very first podcast guest, Paige Royal, for a conversation about community—how we build it, how we belong, and how we sometimes outgrow it. We talk about authenticity versus “filtering” ourselves in different spaces, loneliness (including the kind that comes from language and cultural barriers), and why shame—especially around money—keeps people quiet. I also share how learning English as a 12-year-old became my way into the wider world, and eventually into business and leadership. Connect with Paige: https://www.paigeroyalcoaching.com/ My newsletter: https://shebecameceo.com/index.php/podcast-newsletter-subscription/
• 
  E49 | Jermaine Ee on Legacy, Loss, and the Conversations We Avoid 31.01.2026 34хв

  This episode was recorded just before Ilze travels to Latvia to visit her parents—during their birthday month—and shortly after Jermaine lost his mother. Jermaine asked to be on the podcast not to promote a product, but to honor his mom by sharing her story and the lessons she left behind. What unfolds is a quiet, deeply human conversation about parents, time, migration, money, and the conversations we postpone because they feel uncomfortable—or too final. In this episode, we talk about: Losing a parent and what it changes about how we relate to time Growing up in a communal culture where family always came first Reinventing oneself later in life—and learning, sometimes late, to enjoy it Why gratitude can feel complicated after loss The small moments we dismiss that end up mattering the most How encouragement from loved ones can help us reclaim joy Why clarity around money, wishes, and legacy is an act of love Jermaine also shares the personal story behind HeirLight—a will-making app he is building in honor of his mother. Designed as a calm, guided experience, HeirLight helps people face one of adulthood’s most avoided tasks with clarity and care. As Jermaine says in the episode: clarity is love, in practical form. This conversation isn’t about productivity or hustle.It’s about courage, tenderness, and choosing not to wait. About the guest Jermaine Ee is a founder and storyteller interested in how we spend our time, the work we do, and what we leave behind. His career has spanned ed-tech, logistics, toys, political campaigns, executive search, and impact projects, always focused on helping people make better decisions about their futures. Born in Los Angeles and raised between LA and Malaysia, he reflects often on belonging, identity, and the quiet instructions we leave behind for the people we love.   Connect with Jermaine Ee through his website: https://heirlight.com/en 
• 
  E48 | Starting a Business Without Being on Camera — eBay Income with Paul Apollonia 24.01.2026 38хв

  This episode is for people who want to create income without being on camera, without “selling themselves,” and without a large upfront investment. My guest, Paul Apollonia, has been buying and selling on eBay since 2001. Over the past two decades, he has built a sustainable eBay business, weathered economic downturns, and helped individuals and businesses turn overlooked items into real income. In our conversation, Paul shares why eBay is a particularly strong option for people who are: camera-shy or introverted, navigating layoffs or career transitions, short on startup capital, looking for a realistic side gig that can grow over time. We also talk about pivoting, mindset, and why practical skills often matter more than hype when money is tight. What We Cover in This Episode Why eBay selling does not require video, personal branding, or public speaking How Paul pivoted from IT → auto detailing → online selling Starting with what you already own—or can source for free Why selling needs often works better than selling “wants” The power of niches and overlooked items Real examples of ordinary objects that sell surprisingly well What actually makes an eBay listing effective When coaching helps people move faster than trial-and-error Why eBay works well for introverts and people who prefer minimal interaction Using eBay as a side income vs. a primary business How small businesses can turn excess inventory into cash About the Guest Paul Apollonia has been selling and buying on eBay since 2001 and became an eBay-trained Education Specialist in 2009. He teaches both new and experienced sellers how to succeed on eBay and works closely with businesses to help them turn excess or idle inventory into cash. Paul has taught: stay-at-home parents, small business owners, executives and employees,helping them create additional income streams through eBay. He teaches in classroom settings, small groups, and 1:1, and continues to support clients through Zoom, phone, and email. Paul is also the founder and facilitator of a monthly eBay E-Commerce Sellers Circle, launched in 2013. What began with just two members has grown to over 540 sellers, connecting beginners and experienced sellers from across the U.S. and beyond.