147. A Decade of Failing Forward Into Faith: Paola Soares on Overcoming Fear and Finding Purpose with Johanna Mäkilä-Manninen

In this season finale of the But First She Failed podcast, Paola shares the emotional realization that led her to pause, pivot, and recalibrate this season of life and business. If you've been feeling overwhelmed, emotionally stretched thin, stuck in survival mode, or disconnected from the life you're working so hard to build, this episode is for you. Through personal stories, practical signs to look out for, and transformational questions to ask yourself, Paola opens up about motherhood, burnout, hustle culture, ambition, and the pressure high-achieving women often feel to keep pushing through every season. In this episode, you'll learn: Signs you may be living in survival mode

In this episode of But First, She Failed, host Paola Soares talks with women's coach, podcaster, and feminine leadership mentor Johanna Mäkilä-Manninen for an honest conversation around feminism vs femininity, feminine leadership, and what it truly means to embrace womanhood in today's world. Together, they explore why so many high-achieving women feel burned out, disconnected, and stuck in constant hustle mode—and how reconnecting with femininity can transform the way women show up in motherhood, marriage, leadership, business, and everyday life. Johanna shares how ambitious, faith-led women can soften out of overthinking, perfectionism, good girl conditioning, and performance-based living… and step into a more confident, radiant, and aligned expression of feminine power. In this episode, listeners will discover: ✨ The difference between feminism and femininity ✨ What feminine leadership really looks like in modern womanhood ✨ Why high-achieving women often feel disconnected from their feminine energy ✨ How femininity impacts motherhood, marriage, emotional wellness, and leadership ✨ The psychological, emotional, and health benefits of leading from feminine energy ✨ How to build, nurture, and lead without losing yourself in the process This episode is for mothers, wives, entrepreneurs, and women who are ready to lead with both strength and softness.

There's a quiet crisis happening right now—and most women think it's just them. Women who followed the "right" path… built the career… started the business… and still feel stuck, inconsistent, or unfulfilled. In this episode, Paola Soares, host of the But First, She Failed podcast, unpacks what's really behind the Great Millennial Career Crisis—and why so many women feel lost even after doing everything "right." This conversation goes beyond surface-level advice and dives into the deeper truth behind: Feeling stuck in your career or business

What happens when you slowly start becoming the version of yourself you never wanted to be? In this deeply personal episode, Paola Soares shares a story she doesn't often talk about—the season where she felt stuck, disconnected from her purpose, and dangerously close to giving up on her dreams altogether. Between leaving her career in national news and launching her podcast, there was a chapter filled with uncertainty, unfulfilling jobs, and a quiet but heavy question: "Is this really it?" This episode walks through the internal battle of starting and stopping, losing momentum, and almost accepting a life that felt out of alignment. But it also reveals the pivotal moment when someone stepped in, believed in her, and refused to let her stay stuck. Because sometimes the breakthrough doesn't come from doing more—it comes from someone reaching out their hand when you've stopped reaching for your own future. This is a story about identity, self-belief, and the power of not doing it alone. If you've been feeling inconsistent, discouraged, or afraid you might become the woman who gives up on her dream… this episode will meet you right where you are.

What if the biggest thing holding you back isn't your strategy, your circumstances, or your resources—but the beliefs you've been carrying for years? In this Rewind episode of But First, She Failed, Paola Soares dives into the powerful and often hidden topic of limiting beliefs—the subconscious thoughts and narratives that shape how women show up in their careers, businesses, and everyday lives. These beliefs are often formed early on and reinforced over time, quietly influencing decisions, confidence, and the willingness to take action. The challenge? Most people don't even realize they're operating from them. This episode unpacks what limiting beliefs are, where they come from, and how they can manifest in subtle but impactful ways—from fear of failure and fear of success to feelings of not being good enough, not qualified enough, or not worthy of more. Paola also walks through 7 of the most common limiting beliefs that may be keeping women stuck, playing small, or second-guessing their next step—whether in their career, business, or pursuit of a bigger purpose. For anyone feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure why progress feels harder than it should, this conversation offers clarity, awareness, and the first step toward breaking free. Because the truth is—what feels like reality may actually be a belief that can be changed. ✨ Ready to finally take action on the dream God has placed on your heart? Join Paola for the Spring BFSF Dream Community Call—a free live experience designed to help women get unstuck, gain clarity, and start showing up consistently. On this call, she'll walk through the 5 key shifts needed to move forward with confidence, and open up space for: Live coaching, encouragement, and feedback on the dream or project you're stepping into