Advertise on podcast: Unfiltered With Kara Vaval

In this episode, Nerissa and I talk about tuning out societal noise, owning your voice, and choosing growth on purpose. We talk about breaking free from the pressure to be who the world expects and finally stepping into who you truly are. Nerissa Trindade, a neuro-transformational coach, international keynote speaker, and two-time bestselling author. Once terrified of public speaking, Nerissa now moves audiences around the world through powerful storytelling, inspiring insights, and dynamic delivery. As the founder of Speak for IMPACT and Say Yes to You, Nerissa has helped leaders and changemakers across 52 countries discover their you-nique superpower, unlock their full potential, and step into the next best version of themselves. With an approach that bridges generations and fuels both personal and professional growth, Nerissa truly believes in growing through life, not just going through it. https://www.instagram.com/nerissa.trindade https://www.facebook.com/nerissatrindade9 https://www.linkedin.com/in/nerissatrindade https://www.nerissatrindade.com

Chanae Wood is an attorney, a wife, a mother, a founder, a creator …. Yes, she is "all the things" and we love it!  In this episode, Chanae and I discuss the challenges and the blessings of being a multifaceted woman who juggles multiple roles in her life, normalizing showing up fully with all of who you are. Chanae’s journey is a testament to living against the grain and shattering the invisible boxes women are often placed in. Her story is a testimony to the liberation that comes when you reject those limits and step fully into who God created you to be. Find more information about the conference here: https://www.envisionmeconference.com/ Find Chanae at Chanaelavette.com or @chanaelavette on social media

In this episode, I sit down with attorney, influencer, founder and speaker Jessica Telhirian for a real conversation about personal branding, authenticity and what it actually means to show up as yourself in a profession that often forces people into boxes. Jessica’s presence in the legal space looks nothing like the outdated “lawyer mold” and that’s exactly why her voice is so powerful. We talk about building influence without watering yourself down, choosing authenticity over approval and why the most magnetic brand you’ll ever build is the one rooted in who you truly are, not who the profession says you’re supposed to be. If you’ve ever felt pressure to shrink, sanitize, or shape-shift to belong, this conversation is your permission slip to stop. IG/TIK TOK/Twitter -jessica_esquire IG Business: attorneyjessica and @lawyerbaes www.thetlgfirm.com www.tlgaccidentattorneys.com

In this episode, I sit down with executive coach, speaker and leadership strategist Jessica Rivera, to talk about what it really means to communicate and lead with clarity, courage, and authenticity. Jessica shares her journey from corporate banking, often as the only woman and only woman of color in the room, to becoming the leader she never had. We unpack the inner work behind self-leadership, how to stop shrinking or overthinking what others think of you, and why using your voice boldly is non-negotiable for your next level. Jessica also breaks down how she went from being terrified of public speaking to coaching top leaders and speaking on major stages. If you're ready to lead with more power and show up as the truest version of yourself, this conversation is exactly what you need. @jessicarivera.co www.jessicarivera.co

In this episode of The Unfiltered with Kara podcast, I sit with my photographer and videographer, Jordan Alieair for a deep, soul-stirring conversation around the many layers of the human experience and how to navigate the highs and the lows of life. We talk about how to sit with loss and grief and how to allow life’s events to shape us into who we’re ultimately meant to become. This conversation is a powerful reminder that even in your darkest seasons, there is an opportunity for growth, power and purpose to emerge. It will leave you reflecting on your own path and how every chapter, no matter how painful, has been preparing you for the beauty that lies ahead.

On this episode of Unfiltered with Kara, I sit down with the incredible Melissa Crook to dive into her powerful F.E.E.L. Framework (Finding Empowerment, Embracing Layers)—a transformative approach to navigating life’s challenges with authenticity, emotional awareness, and resilience. Melissa shares how this simple yet profound method can help you connect more deeply with yourself, process emotions in a healthy way, and create a life that feels aligned and empowered. Whether you’re in the middle of a transition, healing from the past, or simply ready to live more intentionally, this conversation will inspire you to truly feel your way to freedom. Find out more info at: www.embracinglayers.com

In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with one of my closest friends to unpack the lies we once believed about ourselves—lies that made us question our worth and settle for less than we deserved. We dive into how those beliefs took root, how they showed up in our relationships and decisions, and the powerful shifts that happened once we began to unlearn them. This is a raw and empowering conversation about remembering who you are beneath the conditioning. If you’ve ever doubted your value or felt stuck in patterns that dim your light, this episode is for you.

RHONA BENNETT Member of the legendary ‘funky divas’ En Vogue, a Broadway Executive Producer, accomplished actress, and Founder of Personal Power University. With 36 years professionally in the entertainment industry, Rhona Bennett's talent has graced the studio, the stage and the screen. As a singer/songwriter/actress/dancer / author / 'Personal Power' Life Coach and overall creative spirit, Miss R&B has been afforded the opportunity to travel to many places around the world. Some of her accolades include being the 'First Lady' of Darkchild with her debut solo effort on Rodney Jerkins’ Darkchild/Sony imprint; her now classic role as “Nicole” on the Jamie Foxx Show in Jingles 2000; her beginnings as a Mouseketeer with the likes of Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, and other industry titans from the show; her “BIG BREAK” coming from the media giant, Oprah Winfrey, on her television series “Brewsters Place,” and her current tenure with the legendary 'Funky Divas' En Vogue, which has been a recurring collaboration for over 20 years. Check out the original Lifetime Television movie, “An En Vogue Christmas”, starring Miss R&B along with her band mates (Terry Ellis and Cindy Herron-Braggs)! You can also check out her global outreach coaching school, Personal Power University, established in 2016. Her motto: "I believe in personal growth and contribution until we leave the planet." Find all her information here: https://www.instagram.com/officialmissrnb/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/rhonabennett7 https://www.youtube.com/user/Rhonabeezone/videos https://www.rhonabennett.com

I talk about redefining yourself and raising the bar on your finances! I had the honor and privilege of being invited onto the “We got issues” show hosted by none other than the Super Bad All Day Long Powerhouse @gloriamayfieldbanks and her super bad “Force of Friendship” girlfriends. I have been looking up to this woman since my Mary Kay days. I’ve watched her build her GloNation empire and continue to influence women from all walks of life to rise to their highest potential so you knowwwwww I brought the 🔥🔥🔥 to her show!!

Yes, there will be necessary losses on your growth journey. Don’t fret.. it is what it is 🤷🏽‍♀️ Remember that people come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. You can’t take everyone with you everywhere you will go on this journey. You are graduating into the next season of your life and no, not everyone from this season will come along with you AND that shouldn’t stop you from ascending and transcending the space you’re currently in. You will soon align yourself with people who are vibrating at the frequency you are moving into. Take your Leap!

Real talk.. I was a broke lawyer…(2 words that should never go together) and that is why I share this story…. I didn’t want to ACT like a lawyer with money in the bank, I wanted to BE a lawyer with money in the bank… and enjoy that lifestyle! There’s an assumption that by virtue of being an attorney, one is financially set. That is actually pure b******t! The truth is, many lawyers are slaving in dead end law jobs, barely making ends meet and asking themselves, like I once did: “Is this it? Is this what I busted my ass all these years for?” No one in law school prepared me for the cold hard truth that the lifestyle I saw lawyers living on TV was the exception not the rule; that to create that lifestyle, I could not count on a partner to deem me worthy of a large enough salary without wanting my soul in exchange; that I would not only need to go in business for myself and that I would have to reprogram my mind around money so I could go from employee mentality to a businesswoman mindset. When I shifted my mindset, my habits changed and lo and behold, my income shifted. I realized that my scarcity mindset was keeping me trapped in undesirable circumstances that only I had the power and control to change.

REAL TALK ALERT 🚨It’s time to step into your power ladies!! Let’s talk about “Securing the bag” … But first, can we establish that YOU ARE THE BAG!?! Financial independence changed my life because I realized I didn’t need to depend on anyone but ME! I felt empowered to take control over my life and my dreams when I overcame social stigmas and gained financial freedom! I did it MY WAY on my OWN TERMS. And guess what? I have never felt HAPPIER, been MORE SUCCESSFUL, MORE FREE, and felt MORE ME. 👏🏾 So ladies, don't forget that you are and ALREADY have everything you need! You have already fought hard and overcome so many obstacles to get you to this point you’re at now (especially my fellow lawyers.. I KNOW the price you paid..) Don’t settle for a mundane life or mediocre pay. YOU DESERVE MORE. And when you feel inspired and start believing it, you won’t stop until you achieve it!🤩

Chuck Garcia is the founder of Climb Leadership International and coaches executives on leadership development, public speaking, and Emotional Intelligence. He is an Amazon best selling author, professional speaker, an Amazon best-selling author, and Talk Radio Host of A CLIMB TO THE TOP: Stories of Transformation. Chuck also teaches Leadership Communication at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Engineering. He is also a mountaineer and has climbed some of the world’s tallest peaks, including Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Elbrus, the Matterhorn, as well as mountains in Alaska and the Andes. Website chuckgarcia.com Social Media https://www.instagram.com/aclimbtothetop/ https://www.facebook.com/chuck.garcia.545 https://twitter.co@aclimbtothetop https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-garcia-015128/

Whether it’s not speaking up when you have something to say or playing small because you don’t want to make the people around you feel uncomfortable, dimming your light is never OK. You are here to shine your light onto this world and doing anything less than that is a disservice to yourself, to those connected to you and to your maker.