If you’re seeking deeper connections, hope through life transitions, and inspiration for your own purposeful living, this episode is for you. In this episode, I sit down with Iris Huang, multicultural executive coach, global citizen (hello, Uruguay + Taiwan roots!), and my inspiring peer from the Berkeley Executive Coaching Institute. This episode is a celebration of how two “third culture kids” find belonging, spark each other’s growth, and co-create meaning in a world that demands we code-switch every day. Iris and I break down how building connections online (yes, on a random alumni Zoom!) leads to powerful, real-world breakthroughs. Hear her story of feeling “stuck” on her path from corporate leader to solopreneur coach…and how a single conversation unlocked a wave of clarity and action for both of us. We talk about cross-cultural identity, what belonging really means, our favorite code-switching adventures (from Moscow to Dallas!), and why finding YOUR circle isn’t just heartwarming, it’s a survival skill for the soul. Packed with behind-the-scenes stories, actionable insights, and plenty of laughs (plus surprise Spanish!), this episode embodies the true spirit of the Circle of Influencers. Get ready to rethink how you connect, lead, and grow. Watch This If: • You’re experiencing or contemplating a major life transition and yearn for more hope, belonging, and purpose • You lead (or want to lead) with emotional intelligence and authenticity and wonder what it really takes to connect deeply in a digital age • You feel like an “in-betweener”—multicultural, multi-hyphenate, or just searching for your circle • You’re curious about how meaningful connection sparks personal growth, creativity, and resilience—especially for women, leaders, and entrepreneurs • You believe in the power of shared stories to transform, heal, and guide you toward purpose-driven living Episode Highlights (with Timestamps): 00:00 — Meet Iris Huang & the story of our first connection 02:13 — Recalling how a single breakout room sparked a lasting friendship 09:00 — Progress, paralysis, & the courage to start (the domain name story!) 17:00 — Hope and resilience: becoming your own challenger and finding your parallel people 25:00 — Code-switching, belonging, and building your herd across cultures 36:00 — Powerful moments of being “seen” as a multicultural leader 47:00 — Authentic leadership and emotional intelligence in action 56:00 — What elephants and humans teach us about connection 1:00:00 — Final reflections & staying connected in a changing world What You’ll Learn: • How to cultivate hope and resilience in the midst of uncertainty, change, or self-doubt • Why personal growth conversations—especially with fellow seekers and mentors—are catalysts for authentic leadership and purpose-driven living • The key mindsets and behaviors that drive emotional intelligence and meaningful connection (in life, leadership, and entrepreneurship!) • How to consciously create belonging and “find your herd,” whether in a new country, a new professional arena, or your own family • The truth about code-switching, self-acceptance, and redefining identity as a strength for career and life transitions • Actionable tips for sparking deep connections—digitally or in-person—and why every “hello” could change your life Resources Mentioned • StrengthsFinder assessment (discover your top strengths: https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths) • Alison Armstrong’s “Understanding Men” & “Understanding Women” courses: https://www.alisonarmstrong.com/ Contact Information: Guest: Iris Huang ● LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/irishuang1 ● Website: [Coming soon—stay tuned!] Host: Valerie Hope ● Website: https://www.valeriehope.com ● Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valeriehope/ ● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valeriehope/ ● Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ValerieVHope ● YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ConnecttoJoy #CircleOfHopePodcast #ExecutiveCoaching #cross-cultural #multicultural #Connection #codeswitching Know someone who’s nourishing their circle or needs a reminder that growth starts with connection? Rate and share this episode to invite others into our Circle of Hope. Join us in the conversation - drop a comment below if this story resonated or share how you’re rooting your life in hope and resilience! Don’t forget to subscribe, your next breakthrough might be just one episode away. Production Support: Lucy Hope - Podcast Editing, Copy, and Publishing.

If you’re a leader, coach, or seeker who wants to create deeper meaning, comfort with vulnerability, and lasting personal growth through your connections—this episode is for you. Welcome to Circle of Hope! I’m Valerie Hope, and in this episode, I reconnect with my fellow Berkeley Executive Coaching Institute graduate David Ooley for a transformative conversation about meaningful connection, authentic leadership, and navigating life transitions with grace and hope. In our heart-to-heart, David and I break open what it truly means to move from self-doubt to self-assurance, and how the right circle of influencers and experiences can pull off the suit of old roles and reveal our authentic selves. Whether you’re pivoting in your career, looking for purpose-driven living, or curious about developing more emotional intelligence, you’ll find insight, warmth, and practical inspiration here. Watch This If: • You crave meaningful personal growth conversations that go below the surface of “small talk.” • You’re in a life transition, feeling stuck, or seeking more purpose in your work and relationships. • You want actionable insight into building lasting, hope-driven connections and community. • You’re committed to developing authentic leadership and emotional intelligence in yourself or your teams. • You need permission (and tools!) to step beyond your comfort zone and say YES to new possibilities. Episode Highlights (with Timestamps): • 00:00 – Introduction & Why this episode matters • 02:13 – Our story: Reconnecting after years apart • 06:00 – Facing fear, embracing risk & choosing growth (David’s journey to Berkley Coaching) • 10:06 – Taking off the “corporate suit,” connecting to authentic self • 16:00 – How childhood stories shape our sense of purpose & possibility • 20:14 – The power of being seen, supported—and self-validated • 27:00 – Navigating career pivots: When to listen and when to chart your way • 32:00 – Building your unique “flavor” as a leader & creator • 38:05 – Technology, distraction, & the discipline of managing your attention • 44:01 – The transformative power (and challenge) of stillness and self-awareness • 50:00 – Posting for meaning, not metrics: Authentic connection online • 58:00 – Why generosity—towards self and others—is the core of community • 1:01:11 – Closing reflections & next steps for hopeful leaders What You’ll Learn: • How to recognize (and step through) the invisible barriers holding you back from growth and connection. • Why hope and resilience flourish through courageous vulnerability—and why it’s never too late to take a new risk. • Strategies for cultivating emotional intelligence and authentic leadership, even if it doesn’t come “naturally.” • Tools for detaching from outcome, self-validating, and toggling between being a student and a teacher in your own life. • How to mindfully manage technology, distractions, and social media for connection—not depletion. Resources: • Book: “Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us” by Daniel Pink • Book: “Reboot: Leadership and the Art of Growing Up” by Jerry Colonna • Book: “The Creative Act: A Way of Being” by Rick Rubin • The Daily Show with Jon Stewart • Berkeley Executive Coaching Institute Contact Information: Guest: David Ooley ● Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidooley_thehammock/ ● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-ooley/ ● Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.ooley.thehammock Host: Valerie Hope ● Website: https://www.valeriehope.com ● Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valeriehope/ ● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valeriehope/ ● Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ValerieVHope ● YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ConnecttoJoy #CircleOfHopePodcast #ExecutiveCoaching #LeadershipGrowth #Connection #Leadership Know someone who’s nourishing their circle—or needs a reminder that growth starts with connection? Rate and share this episode to invite others into our Circle of Hope. Join us in the conversation—drop a comment below if this story resonated, or share how you’re rooting your life in hope and resilience! Don’t forget to subscribe—your next breakthrough might be just one episode away. Production Support: Lucy Hope - Podcast Editing, Copy, and Publishing.

If you’ve ever wondered how life transitions, big or small, can nourish your hope, resilience, and relationships, you’ll want to pull up a chair for this heartfelt conversation. Welcome back to The Circle of Hope! I’m Valerie Hope, and today I’m joined by Rita Castillo Vela—a gifted educator, plant enthusiast, and master connector—whose journey from school principal to purpose-driven business owner is an inspiring lesson in personal growth through meaningful connection. This isn’t just a podcast episode about plants: it’s an honest, emotionally intelligent dialogue about how we root ourselves in hope, cultivate our circles, and grow through every messy twist and beautiful turn of change. We’re diving deep into everything from family traditions and self-doubt to authentic leadership and the vulnerable art of showing up for others. Watch This If you’re curious about : • Learn how to build a safe, purpose-driven circle—at work, home, or in your community • Discover ways life transitions can spark personal growth, even when it feels like you’re “the dead plant lady” • Explore how emotional intelligence and authentic leadership show up in small, daily acts (like exchanging a plant cutting) • Find practical inspiration for transforming failures into hope and resilience • Hear real talk on cultivating relationships, supporting others, and setting healthy boundaries Episode Highlights (with Timestamps): • 02:13 – Rita’s story: How generational plant care shaped her meaning of connection • 09:41 – The workshop that changed the rules—building deeper ties through shared vulnerability • 15:45 – How to turn failures into flourishing: teaching resilience in and out of the classroom • 24:00 – Big life transitions: Stepping away from education to root into purpose-driven living • 32:10 – “Giving the best of yourself”: Sharing, receiving, and reflecting on abundance • 40:08 – The spiritual exchange: Why energy and intentionality matter in community • 46:36 – Facing fear, redefining failure, and building hope • 54:00 – Curating your circle: How intentional conversations spark personal growth • 59:38 – Everyday practices for emotional intelligence, boundary-setting, and support • 1:02:14 – Reflection, gratitude, and a call to nurture your own circle of hope58:25 – Rituals of Intention: Setting the Tone, Honoring Each Connection What You’ll Learn: - How meaningful connection and personal growth conversations are cultivated—whether with plants or people - Practical ways to use emotional intelligence when navigating tough life transitions - Tools for authentic leadership: Building safe spaces, giving and receiving feedback, and empowering your circle - The transformative power of celebrating both wins and failures (and how that builds hope and resilience) - How rituals and intentionality can turn daily exchanges into opportunities for growth and deeper connection Contact Information: Guest: Rita Castillo-Vela ● Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enrooted_home_and_wellness/ Host: Valerie Hope ● Website: https://www.valeriehope.com ● Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valeriehope/ ● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valeriehope/ ● Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ValerieVHope ● YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ConnecttoJoy Production Support: Lucy Hope - Podcast Editing, Copy, and Publishing. #CircleOfHopePodcast #PlantCommunity #WomenSupportingWomen #connection Know someone who’s nourishing their circle—or needs a reminder that growth starts with connection? Rate this episode and Share it to invite others into our Circle of Hope. Join us in the conversation—drop a comment below if this story resonated, or share how you’re rooting your life in hope and resilience! Don’t forget to subscribe—your next breakthrough might be just one episode away.