As we look ahead to 2023, we leave you with one of our favorite episodes to set you up for success in the new year. Takara is an Emmy-nominated producer and director making her way in a new industry. She's doubting her abilities and questioning the decisions that got her here. Stevon helps us tackle self-doubt by updating our definitions of success.

This episode originally aired on April 4, 2022.

Stevon Lewis is a licensed psychotherapist and coach. Learn more about his work here. If you loved this episode, be sure to listen to to-achievers.simplecast.com/episodes/giving-up-on-perfection-as-the-standard">Giving Up on Perfection as the Standard and to-achievers.simplecast.com/episodes/changing-your-mo-to-put-marriage-first">Changing Your M.O. to Put Marriage First.

We’d love to hear your stories of triumph and what's ahead as you grow. Send us an email or detailed voice memo to hello@talktoachievers.com, You might be on a future episode! Let’s connect on Twitter and Instagram at @TalkToAchievers and email us at hello@talktoachievers.com. And subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts.

David Bizzaro is an award-winning professional puppeteer, actor and filmmaker who has taken an unconventional path toward breaking into the entertainment industry. While successful, he sometimes feels pigeonholed by an industry that frequently treats him as a stereotype. Stevon offers strategies for standing out by emphasizing rather than downplaying our full selves.

Learn more about David's work as a professional puppeteer on his website. Stevon Lewis is a licensed psychotherapist and coach. Learn more about his work here. If you loved this episode, be sure to listen to to-achievers.simplecast.com/episodes/learning-to-trust-your-instincts">Learning to Trust Your Instincts  and Asking for What You're Worth and Meaning it.

We’d love to hear your stories of triumph and what's ahead as you grow. Send us an email or detailed voice memo to hello@talktoachievers.com, You might be on a future episode! Let’s connect on Twitter and Instagram at @TalkToAchievers and email us at hello@talktoachievers.com. And subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts.

Amanda has transformed her love of travel and living abroad into a lucrative career as the creator of a digital platform that celebrates Black expats. But her rigorous efforts to represent the full spectrum of the Black experience have started to feel like a burden. Stevon helps us avoid the pitfalls of perfectionism by sharing practical tips on how to worry less about the "how" and focus more on what we want to accomplish.

Stevon Lewis is a licensed psychotherapist and coach. Learn more about his work here. If you loved this episode, be sure to listen to to-achievers.simplecast.com/episodes/tackling-the-emotional-challenges-of-starting-a-new-business">Tackling the Emotional Challenges of Starting a New Business and to-achievers.simplecast.com/episodes/feeling-pressure-to-catch-up">Feelinge Pressure to "Catch Up."

We’d love to hear your stories of triumph and what's ahead as you grow. Send us an email or detailed voice memo to hello@talktoachievers.com, You might be on a future episode!  Let’s connect on Twitter and Instagram at @TalkToAchievers and email us at hello@talktoachievers.com. And subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts.

Chandi is a fundraising professional advancing her career in the nonprofit world. She’s the face of her organization and interacts with donors, but behind the scenes she often feels dismissed and overlooked. Stevon helps us develop a sense of belonging and get comfortable taking up space in rooms that don’t feel affirming.

Stevon Lewis is a licensed psychotherapist and coach. Learn more about his work here. If you loved this episode, be sure to listen to to-achievers.simplecast.com/episodes/learning-to-trust-your-instincts">Learning to Trust Your Instincts  and to-achievers.simplecast.com/episodes/still-needs-validation">Still Needs Validation. Please take a moment to take our listener survey. Your feedback is incredibly valuable to us and you might get a chance to win a gift certificate as a thank you from us. Find it to-achievers.simplecast.com">here.

We’d love to hear your stories of triumph and what's ahead as you grow. Send us an email or detailed voice memo to hello@talktoachievers.com, You might be on a future episode! Let’s connect on Twitter and Instagram at @TalkToAchievers and email us at hello@talktoachievers.com. And subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts.

Lindsey is a social media marketing leader who has witnessed his years of hard work and focus blossom into a successful career. As a newlywed, he feels torn between his desire to be a caring and attuned partner and his professional ambitions. Stevon helps us reevaluate our constant drive to produce and create a path forward towards a more harmonious work-life balance.

Stevon Lewis is a licensed psychotherapist and coach. Learn more about his work here. If you loved this episode, be sure to listen to to-achievers.simplecast.com/episodes/afraid-of-disappearing-in-the-role-of-mom">Afraid of Disappearing in the Role of Mom, and to-achievers.simplecast.com/episodes/tackling-the-emotional-challenges-of-starting-a-new-business">Tackling the Emotional Challenges of Starting a New Business. 

Please take a moment to take our listener survey. Your feedback is incredibly valuable to us and you might get a chance to win a gift certificate as a thank you from us. Find it to-achievers.simplecast.com">here.

"We’d love to hear your stories of triumph and what's ahead as you grow. Send us an email or detailed voice memo to hello@talktoachievers.com, You might be on a future episode! Let’s connect on Twitter and Instagram at @TalkToAchievers and email us at hello@talktoachievers.com. And subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts."

Tech founder Anna DeShawn is driven by her startup's mission to elevate the work of BIPOC and QTPOC creatives. But asking potential investors for support and capital makes her feel raw and vulnerable. Stevon breaks down how we can make key decisions and talk about money confidently when business feels personal.

Stevon Lewis is a licensed psychotherapist and coach. Learn more about his work here. If you loved this episode, be sure to listen to to-achievers.simplecast.com/episodes/asking-for-what-youre-worth-and-meaning-it">Asking for What You're Worth, And Meaning It and to-achievers.simplecast.com/episodes/when-everything-feels-like-a-personal-attack">When Everything Feels Like a Personal Attack.

Please take a moment to take our listener survey. Your feedback is incredibly valuable to us and you might get a chance to win a gift certificate as a thank you from us. Find it here.

We’d love to hear your stories of triumph and what's ahead as you grow. Send us an email or detailed voice memo to hello@talktoachievers.com, You might be on a future episode! Let’s connect on Twitter and Instagram at @TalkToAchievers and email us at hello@talktoachievers.com. And subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts.

Felicia Pride has big ambitions for her production company, Honey Chile, but her sense of responsibility makes it hard to acknowledge the value she brings to creative projects, collaborators, and her team. Stevon helps us avoid burnout by honoring our needs and asking others for the time and money we deserve.

Stevon Lewis is a licensed psychotherapist and coach. Learn more about his work here. If you loved this episode, be sure to listen to to-achievers.simplecast.com/episodes/when-self-doubt-creeps-up">When Self-Doubt Creeps Up and to-achievers.simplecast.com/episodes/feeling-pressure-to-catch-up">Feelinge Pressure to "Catch Up."

Felicia Pride is a  writer, producer and director. She's also the creator of and Head Honey at  chile.com/">HONEY CHILE. 

We’d love to hear your stories of triumph and what's ahead as you grow. Send us an email or detailed voice memo to hello@talktoachievers.com, You might be on a future episode! Let’s connect on Twitter and Instagram at @TalkToAchievers and email us at hello@talktoachievers.com. And subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts.

Risa is a therapist and writer who starts book projects with gumption and enthusiasm, but struggles to reach the finish line as self-doubt sets in. Stevon offers advice for standing up to our inner bully by building in down time and celebrating our accomplishments.

Lisa Williams is a writer and therapist. Learn more about her self-help book series, The Ultimate Toolkit Books  and her other projects here.

Stevon Lewis is a licensed psychotherapist and coach. Learn more about his work here. If you loved this episode, be sure to listen to to-achievers.simplecast.com/episodes/when-self-doubt-creeps-up">When Self-Doubt Creeps Up and to-achievers.simplecast.com/episodes/feeling-pressure-to-catch-up">Feelinge Pressure to "Catch Up."

We’d love to hear your stories of triumph and what's ahead as you grow. Send us an email or detailed voice memo to hello@talktoachievers.com, You might be on a future episode! Let’s connect on Twitter and Instagram at @TalkToAchievers and email us at hello@talktoachievers.com. And subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts.

Associate professor Michelle Espino Lira feels uncertain about how to prepare to grow professionally.  And Stevon offers advice on creating your own career rubric, and helps us figure out how to stay aligned with our purpose after significant benchmarks.

Stevon Lewis is a licensed psychotherapist and coach. Learn more about his work here. If you loved this episode, be sure to listen to to-achievers.simplecast.com/episodes/when-self-doubt-creeps-up">When Self-Doubt Creeps Up and to-achievers.simplecast.com/episodes/feeling-pressure-to-catch-up">Feeling Pressure to "Catch Up."

We’d love to hear your stories of triumph and what's ahead as you grow. Send us an email or detailed voice memo to hello@talktoachievers.com, You might be on a future episode! Let’s connect on Twitter and Instagram at @TalkToAchievers and email us at hello@talktoachievers.com. And subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts.

Akarsh never thought he would become an entrepreneur. As his product is about to launch, he doubts whether he can handle what's next. And Stevon offers advice on not catastrophizing, and helps us harness negative emotions in the face of business uncertainty.

Stevon Lewis is a licensed psychotherapist and coach. Learn more about his work here. If you loved this episode, be sure to listen to to-achievers.simplecast.com/episodes/deciding-when-to-quit-your-day-job">Deciding When to Quit Your Day Job and to-achievers.simplecast.com/episodes/learning-to-trust-your-instincts">Learning to Trust Your Instincts

We’d love to hear your stories of triumph and what's ahead as you grow. Send us an email or detailed voice memo to hello@talktoachievers.com, You might be on a future episode! Let’s connect on Twitter and Instagram at @TalkToAchievers and email us at hello@talktoachievers.com. And subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts.

In addition to a full-time gig, Leslie enjoys her freelance work as a writer, voice actor and audio creator. And big ambitions have her looking for the next big project, one that might become a dream job.  Stevon offers advice on figuring out the right time and necessary mindset to turn a side hustle into a promising career.

Stevon Lewis is a licensed psychotherapist and coach. Learn more about his work here. If you loved this episode, be sure to listen to to-achievers.simplecast.com/episodes/afraid-of-disappearing-in-the-role-of-mom">Learning to Trust Your Instincts and to-achievers.simplecast.com/episodes/still-needs-validation">Still Needs Validation.

We’d love to hear your stories of triumph and what's ahead as you grow. Send us an email or detailed voice memo to hello@talktoachievers.com, You might be on a future episode! Let’s connect on Twitter and Instagram at @TalkToAchievers and email us at hello@talktoachievers.com. And subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts.

Dr. Pipkins is dealing with her severe depression while running a business, which poses significant limitations. Stevon offers strategies for adjusting our expectations and adopting a strength-based approach to how we define our skills and successes.

Stevon Lewis is a licensed psychotherapist and coach. Learn more about his work here. If you loved this episode, be sure to listen to to-achievers.simplecast.com/episodes/afraid-of-disappearing-in-the-role-of-mom">Afraid of Disappearing in the Role of Mom and to-achievers.simplecast.com/episodes/feeling-pressure-to-catch-up">Feeling Pressured to "Catch Up."

We’d love to hear your stories of triumph and what's ahead as you grow. Send us an email or detailed voice memo to hello@talktoachievers.com, You might be on a future episode! Let’s connect on Twitter and Instagram at @TalkToAchievers and email us at hello@talktoachievers.com. And subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts.

Mesh credits much of his career success in the investment and media fields to feeling like an underdog who needs to prove himself. But he also recognizes this outlook has come at a great cost. Stevon helps us understand trigger responses to rejection, and offers tips for how to avoid taking things personally.

Stevon Lewis is a licensed psychotherapist and coach. Learn more about his work here. If you loved this episode, be sure to listen to to-achievers.simplecast.com/episodes/feeling-pressure-to-catch-up">Feeling Pressured to "Catch Up" and to-achievers.simplecast.com/episodes/learning-to-trust-your-instincts">Learning to Trust Your Instincts.

We’d love to hear your stories of triumph and what's ahead as you grow. Send us an email or detailed voice memo to hello@talktoachievers.com, You might be on a future episode! Let’s connect on Twitter and Instagram at @TalkToAchievers and email us at hello@talktoachievers.com. And subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts.

After building a stable career in the corporate world, Monica is ready to take risks and chase dreams she put off. But feels she's racing against the clock. Stevon helps us differentiate between safety and success, and gives advice on not discrediting our hard-earned accomplishments in pursuit of new goals.

Stevon Lewis is a licensed psychotherapist and coach. Learn more about his work here. If you loved this episode, be sure to listen to to-achievers.simplecast.com/episodes/learning-to-trust-your-instincts">Learning to Trust Your Instincts and to-achievers.simplecast.com/episodes/afraid-of-disappearing-in-the-role-of-mom">Afraid of Disappearing in the Role of Mom.

We’d love to hear your stories of triumph and what's ahead as you grow. Send us an email or detailed voice memo to hello@talktoachievers.com, You might be on a future episode! Let’s connect on Twitter and Instagram at @TalkToAchievers and email us at hello@talktoachievers.com. And subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts

Mykella is excited to become a mom, but fears she'll throw herself into the role and risk losing a fulfilling career as a media maker and the beautiful life she's created around it. Stevon shares strategies to remain adaptable and reframe our thinking when anticipating change. 

Stevon Lewis is a licensed psychotherapist and coach. Learn more about his work here. If you loved this episode, be sure to listen to to-achievers.simplecast.com/episodes/tired-of-always-being-in-charge">Tired of Always Being in Charge and to-achievers.simplecast.com/episodes/still-needs-validation">Still Needs Validation.

We’d love to hear your stories of triumph and what's ahead as you grow. Send us an email or detailed voice memo to hello@talktoachievers.com, You might be on a future episode! Let’s connect on Twitter and Instagram at @TalkToAchievers and email us at hello@talktoachievers.com. And subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts.

Hector feels pressured to set aside his creativity to dedicate his energy to business operations, but running his company this way feels soul-crushing. Stevon shares strategies for gaining back our confidence and reconnecting with our true selves.

Stevon Lewis is a licensed psychotherapist and coach. Learn more about his work here. If you loved this episode, be sure to listen to to-achievers.simplecast.com/episodes/when-self-doubt-creeps-up">When Self-Doubt Creeps Up and to-achievers.simplecast.com/episodes/tired-of-always-being-in-charge">Tired of Always Being in Charge.

We’d love to hear your stories of triumph and what's ahead as you grow. Send us an email or detailed voice memo to hello@talktoachievers.com, You might be on a future episode! Let’s connect on Twitter and Instagram at @TalkToAchievers and email us at hello@talktoachievers.com. And subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts.

As a serial entrepreneur, a mom, and the oldest daughter in an immigrant family, Georgie-Ann is a natural leader personally  and professionally. But this life-long tendency is beginning to take a toll on her. Stevon offers strategies for relieving the pressure to be all things to all people.

Stevon Lewis is a licensed psychotherapist and coach. Learn more about his work here. If you loved this episode, be sure to listen to to-talk-to-high-achievers-about-anything.simplecast.com/episodes/still-needs-validation">Still Needs Validation and to-talk-to-high-achievers-about-anything.simplecast.com/episodes/when-self-doubt-creeps-up">When Self-Doubt Creeps Up.

We’d love to hear your stories of triumph and what's ahead as you grow. Send us an email or detailed voice memo to hello@talktoachievers.com, You might be on a future episode! Let’s connect on Twitter and Instagram at @TalkToAchievers and email us at hello@talktoachievers.com. And subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts.

Vanessa is a highly motivated communications professional looking to move up in her career and make an impact in her community. But she feels overlooked in her personal and professional life. Stevon offers advice on radical self-acceptance, and shares tips on how to build self-confidence by being a work-in-progress.

Stevon Lewis is a licensed psychotherapist and coach. Learn more about his work here. If you loved this episode, be sure to listen to to-talk-to-high-achievers-about-anything.simplecast.com/episodes/still-needs-validation">Still Needs Validation and to-talk-to-high-achievers-about-anything.simplecast.com/episodes/when-self-doubt-creeps-up">When Self-Doubt Creeps Up.

We’d love to hear your stories of triumph and what's ahead as you grow. Send us an email or detailed voice memo to hello@talktoachievers.com, You might be on a future episode! Let’s connect on Twitter and Instagram at @TalkToAchievers and email us at hello@talktoachievers.com. And subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts.

Takara is an Emmy-nominated producer and director making her way in a new industry. She's doubting her abilities and questioning the decisions that got her here. Stevon helps us tackle self-doubt by updating our definitions of success.

Stevon Lewis is a licensed psychotherapist and coach. Learn more about his work here. If you loved this episode, be sure to listen to to-talk-to-high-achievers-about-anything.simplecast.com/episodes/still-needs-validation">Still Needs Validation.

We’d love to hear your stories of triumph and what's ahead as you grow. Send us an email or detailed voice memo to hello@talktoachievers.com, You might be on a future episode! Let’s connect on Twitter and Instagram at @TalkToAchievers and email us at hello@talktoachievers.com. And subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts.

Jessica is a licensed clinical social worker transitioning from working in corporate America to being an entrepreneur. But looking to others for approval and reassurance creates significant challenges. Stevon offers strategies for managing our need for outside validation.

Stevon Lewis is a licensed psychotherapist and coach. Learn more about his work here.

We’d love to hear your stories of triumph and what's ahead as you grow. Send us an email or detailed voice memo to hello@talktoachievers.com, You might be on a future episode! Let’s connect on Twitter and Instagram at @TalkToAchievers and email us at hello@talktoachievers.com. And subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts.

Black and brown folks reaching higher and defining success on their own terms. And host Stevon Lewis with strategies for leveling up.

Stevon Lewis is a licensed psychotherapist and coach. Learn more about his work here.

We’d love to hear your stories of triumph and what's ahead as you grow. Send us an email or detailed voice memo to hello@talktoachievers.com, You might be on a future episode! Let’s connect on Twitter at and Instagram @TalkToAchievers and email us at hello@talktoachievers.com. And subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts.