A Felt Experience | Podcast on RSS.com

A Felt Experience

A Felt Experience

by Maria Cardozo

Entrepreneurship Self-Improvement

Season 1

150. How to Measure Brand Photography ROI

👉 Book your free 30-minute Brand Audit I’ll look at your website and Instagram with you and we can talk about your positioning, visuals, personality, stories, colors, messaging, and the opportunities you have to better communicate the world your brand is here to create. How do you actually measure the ROI of brand photography? Sometimes it’s obvious. You launch something, people respond to the new visuals, your service is easier to understand, and sales go up. But sometimes the ROI isn’t immediately tied to a sale. It looks like people telling you, “I love your brand.” It looks like your audience coming alive again. It looks like wanting to market the crap out of yourself because you finally feel proud of how your business is being presented. 📌 In this episode, I talk about: Why photography ROI isn’t always immediately tied to sales — your offer, messaging, energy, identity, and other elements of your business matter too. How new brand images can create hype around an offer and show the evolution of who you’ve become, even when you’re selling the same offer. How my own Black Swan rebrand brought my audience back alive and made me feel more integrated, prolific, and excited to market myself. The feedback that tells you your branding is working: “You bloomed.” “I love your brand.” “I feel like I already know you.” How a strong brand can lead to opportunities beyond direct sales — podcasts, speaking, industry events, collaborations, referrals, and becoming the name people keep tossing around. 🎯 The Bigger Takeaway Brand photography is doing its job when it helps people see and feel the evolution of who you’ve become — but also when it changes how you show up. When you’re proud of the body of work you have to show, marketing gets easier. Pitching yourself gets easier. Charging high-ticket doesn’t feel so weird. You have a sturdy brand foundation that allows you to market the crap out of yourself. That counts as ROI. ✨ Mentioned in This Episode Courtney Kramer / Renaissance Healing — See Her Brand Project Courtney is a therapist who has built a distinctive brand that goes beyond simply posting educational content. Her branding has helped her stand out, become a name people talk about, and receive invitations into podcasts, events, and other industry opportunities. Shenna — Make One Day Happen / Sound Advisor Shenna works with athletes using sound and visualization to increase performance. Her brand images help make her work easier to understand while giving her powerful visuals to use in presentations, workshops, and the rooms she’s stepping into.

149. If You Resist A Polished Aesthetic

🎙️ Episode 149: Learn to Play the Game 🔗 Book a Brand Audit With Me If your online presence doesn't match how powerful your work feels in real life, let's look at it together. During this 30-minute session, we can talk about your positioning, colors, stories, visuals, or what you can do right now to make your brand more congruent with who you actually are in real life. 👉 Book Your Free 30-Minute Brand Audit I hate playing the algorithm game sometimes. I hate feeling like I have to be curated. I understand why my clients don't always want to look too polished. And I understand the frustration of feeling like there are all these stupid rules we have to follow just to get a seat at the table. But something I've been learning lately is: You gotta learn to play the game. In this episode, I tell you a story about spending four HOURS trying to get my dad a rental car—and the unexpected business lesson it gave me about branding, capitalism, algorithms, resistance, and our ability to adapt. 📌 In this episode, I talk about: Why adaptation is a massive business skill, especially when you don't like the rules of the game you're playing. The tension between wanting the results of a polished brand while also hating feeling curated or performative. Why beauty still sells, storytelling still creates connection, and a powerful online presence can still open massive doors for your business. Why sensitive and spiritual entrepreneurs can sometimes resist sharing their stories because they feel sacred—and how that can also keep people from connecting deeply with their work. How constantly resisting the algorithm, branding, money, capitalism, or the realities of running a business can keep us stuck in a spiral instead of learning how to work within the system. 🎯 The Bigger Takeaway You don't have to pretend the game is fair. You don't have to love every part of social media. You don't have to suddenly love curated feeds, algorithms, capitalism, or any of the other systems you're operating inside of. But you do have to learn how to adapt. Learn the branding game. Learn the algorithm game. Learn how money and credit work. Learn how to share your story in a way that creates connection. Learn how to make the system work for you without losing yourself inside of it. Because sometimes our resistance to playing the game becomes the very thing keeping us from getting where we want to go. Learn to play the game before you say “screw everything” and give up.

148. If People Don't Want Polished Content... Why Invest in Branding?

Everywhere I look, I see people saying: “People don’t want polished content anymore.” And honestly? I get tripped up by it too. Because when we're doom scrolling, of course we want to laugh, feel something, connect, and be entertained. We're not necessarily making level-five decisions about our businesses or our lives in that moment. But that's only one part of your marketing. In this episode, I'm breaking down the difference between creating content that gets attention and building a brand that makes people trust you when they're ready to make a bigger decision. 📌 In this episode, I talk about: Why “people don't want polished content” can be true for top-of-funnel content without making branding irrelevant. The difference between using images for content and using images to position yourself as the person people think of when they have a level-five problem. Why viral reels, funny content, and trending topics can grow your audience—but they're only one part of your marketing. How branding communicates things subconsciously: your values, your vision, the level you operate at, and whether someone feels safe putting their business in your hands. Why we want to bring people deeper into your world so they connect not only with your expertise, but with who you are and the way you carry yourself. 🎯 The Bigger Takeaway Keep making the viral reels. Keep making the relatable content. Keep creating things that get people through the door. But don't confuse getting someone's attention with becoming the person they trust when the stakes are higher. When someone is choosing their next accountant, real estate agent, coach, strategist, photographer, or service provider, they're asking different questions: Do you understand my vision? Do our values align? Do I trust you with my business? Do you operate at the level I'm looking for? That's where branding matters. Your content can introduce people to you. Your brand gives them an entire world to step into. 🔗 Ready to Look at Your Brand Differently? If your online presence doesn't match the level you operate at in real life, let's look at where the gaps are. 👉 Book your free 30-minute Brand Audit We'll look at how you're currently showing up and where there are opportunities to communicate more of your vision, values, individuality, and the depth of your work.

147. "I Don't Feel Like I'm The Person In The Photos."

🎙️ Episode 147: "I Don't Feel Like I'm That Person Yet" Have you ever looked at your brand photos and thought... "That doesn't even feel like me." Or maybe you've wondered if you're really qualified enough to invest in your brand because you don't feel as confident as you once did. In this episode, I share why your emotions don't determine your expertise, how grief and self-doubt can distort the way you see yourself, and why your identity often takes time to catch up to the evidence of who you've already become. If you've ever felt like you're still "becoming" the person in your photos, this conversation is for you. 📌 In this episode, I talk about: Why it's normal to feel like you're not "that person" yet—even after creating meaningful results. How grief, rejection, heartbreak, and life's challenges can temporarily disconnect you from your confidence. The difference between your current emotional state and your actual skill set. Why you can still confidently help people in Chapter 1, even if you're personally navigating Chapter 6. How brand photography becomes a mirror for the person you're growing into—not someone you're pretending to be. 🎧 Mentioned in This Episode Episode 142: 3 Things That Make Your Brand Look Expensive & Magnetic 🍎 Listen on Apple Podcasts 🎧 Listen on Spotify 💭 Ask Yourself Am I letting my current emotions define what I'm capable of? What evidence do I already have that I create real results? Am I dismissing my experience because I'm currently going through a difficult season? What would change if I trusted the evidence instead of the doubt? 🎯 The Biggest Takeaway You don't have to feel like the person in the photos every single day. Your confidence will rise and fall. Your emotions will change. But your experience, your skill set, and the lives you've already impacted are still real. Sometimes branding isn't about convincing yourself you're someone new. It's about helping your identity catch up to the person you've already become. 🔗 Ready to Build a Brand That Reflects Who You're Becoming? If your online presence no longer reflects the depth of your work—or the leader you're growing into—I'd love to help. 👉 Book Your Free 30-Minute Brand Audit Together, we'll uncover the parts of your brand that are ready to be seen so your online presence feels as authentic and powerful as your work does in real life. If this episode resonated with you, send it to another entrepreneur who needs the reminder that self-doubt doesn't erase the results they've already created.

145. You Don't Have To Play It Safe To Be Successful with Cat Del Carmen

In this episode, I'm joined by my client, Cat Del Carmen—business coach, marketing strategist, and host of the Show Up Real Podcast. Together, we talk about what it really looks like to stop performing who you think you're supposed to be, embrace your evolution, and build a brand that reflects who you actually are. 📌 In this episode, we talk about: Why authenticity is a practice, not a personality trait. Why showing up as your true self often feels uncomfortable before it feels aligned. How to stop building your brand around other people's expectations. Why your evolution should be reflected in your messaging, visuals, and leadership. How trusting yourself makes it easier to create content, make decisions, and lead your business. ✨ Featured Client Transformation ✨ See Cat Del Carmen's Brand Shoot — the visuals that supported her $80,000 launch. Cat is not only a former business coach of mine—she's also one of my clients. During her brand shoot, we intentionally created imagery that reflected the bold, authentic leader she had become, instead of the version of herself she thought a business coach was supposed to be. Those images became the foundation for launching her next chapter, leading to an $80,000 launch. You can also connect with Cat here: 🎙️ Show Up Real Podcast 📲 Instagram 💭 Ask Yourself Am I staying authentic to who I've always been… or to who I'm becoming? What part of myself am I still hiding because I'm worried how people will perceive me? Does my brand reflect the leader I am today? What would change if I gave myself permission to evolve? 🔗 Ready to Build a Brand That Feels Like You? If your online presence no longer reflects the depth of your work—or the leader you've become—I'd love to help. 👉 Book your free 30-minute Brand Audit If this episode resonated, send it to another entrepreneur who's ready to stop performing and start building a brand people don't just understand—they genuinely feel.

144. Content Problem vs Branding Problem

One of the biggest misconceptions I see as a brand strategist is people thinking they have a content problem—when they actually have a branding problem. The solution isn't always to post more. Sometimes the real issue is that people still don't understand why they should choose you. In this episode, I break down the difference between a content problem and a branding problem so you know where to invest your time, energy, and money as your business grows. 📌 In this episode, I talk about: The difference between content that gets you seen and branding that gets you chosen. How to know if your consistency is the problem—or if your positioning is. The signs you've outgrown content alone and are ready to build a brand people trust. Why getting shopped around, negotiating your prices, or only selling your lowest offer are often branding problems—not content problems. How becoming known for something specific changes the way people perceive your value. 💭 Ask Yourself Am I struggling because I'm not posting content enough… or because my brand isn't communicating my value? Do people know exactly what I want to be known for? Are people buying my premium offers—or only my lowest-priced services? Am I attracting the right opportunities, or just random projects? Do people see me as entertaining… or do they trust me? 🎯 The Big Takeaway Content gets people through the door. Branding gives them a reason to stay. The goal isn't simply to get more eyes on your business. It's to make it unmistakably clear why someone should choose you over everyone else. 🔗 Ready to Find the Gaps in Your Brand? If you're wondering whether you have a content problem or a branding problem, I'd love to help. 👉 Book your free 30-minute Brand Audit Together, we'll look at your website, Instagram, messaging, and positioning to identify what's keeping you from becoming the obvious choice for your dream clients. If this episode resonated, send it to another entrepreneur who's wondering why they're getting attention—but not the opportunities they know they're capable of.

143. The One Shift That Turns a Hidden Expert Into an Industry Leader

🎙️ Episode 143: Stop Waiting for the Internet to Be a Safe Place One of the biggest breakthroughs I've had this year came from therapy. In this episode, I share a realization that completely changed the way I think about vulnerability, visibility, and why so many conscious entrepreneurs stay hidden—even when they know they're meant for bigger stages. I realized I wasn't waiting to become more confident. I was waiting for the internet to feel safer. And that changes everything. 📌 In this episode, I talk about: Why so many sensitive and conscious entrepreneurs unconsciously wait for the internet to become a safer place before fully showing up. The surprising lesson my therapist taught me about vulnerability, silent expectations, and emotional resilience. Why resilience is built from the inside, not from people responding the way you hoped they would. How this same pattern keeps entrepreneurs from investing in their brand, sharing their story, and becoming known for their work. Why your leadership grows when you're willing to be seen—not when you stay protected inside your cocoon. 💭 Questions to Ask Yourself Am I waiting for the internet to feel safer before I become more visible? Where am I placing silent expectations on other people before I'm willing to fully express myself? Am I protecting my gifts… or hiding them? What would change if I trusted myself to hold my own vulnerability? 🎯 The Bigger Takeaway Your audience isn't responsible for making you feel safe. Your resilience is. The entrepreneurs who become unforgettable aren't the ones who wait until they stop feeling afraid. They're the ones who build enough self-trust to keep showing up anyway. That's where leadership is born. 🔗 Ready to Build a Brand That Reflects Your Leadership? If your online presence doesn't match how powerful your work feels in real life, I'd love to help. 👉 Book your free 30-minute Brand Audit If this episode resonated, send it to another entrepreneur who's been waiting for permission to take up more space. Your story might be exactly what someone else needs to hear.

141. Why Some Brand Shoots Increase Sales (And Others Don't)

🎙️ How to Make Sure Your Brand Is Attracting Aligned Clients A lot of people think brand photos are just about looking professional. I disagree. Your brand should answer one question: Why should someone choose you over everyone else? In this episode, I break down how brand photos and videos become strategic assets that solve real business problems—from attracting more aligned clients to improving conversions and making your leadership impossible to ignore. 📌 In this episode, I talk about: Why your brand should reveal the parts of you that make you the obvious choice, not just make you look professional. How to identify the gap between who you are today and how your brand is currently being perceived. Why the more established you become, the more your brand should reflect your individuality, not blend in. How soulful photos and videos help people feel what it's like to work with you before they ever book. Why people buy emotionally first—and justify their decision with logic later. ✨ Client Stories Featured ✨ Eunice Kim We shifted her brand from relatable motherhood content to the entrepreneur and business leader she had become. Instead of hiding her business background because of burnout, she embraced it on her own terms—and went on to book out her offers, host retreats, and step into a new level of leadership. ✨ Walli Miller Instead of leading with credentials, we showcased the story behind how she retired before 40 while living in New York City. Her brand became more aspirational than educational, and after sharing just one brand video, she started booking more sales calls because people could finally feel the result she was selling. ✨ Cat Del Carmen We created a brand that reflected who Cat actually is—not who she thought a business coach was supposed to be. By embracing her bold personality and leadership, she launched her offer with fresh visuals and went on to have an $80,000 launch. Brand Shoot: 🎯 Ask Yourself What part of yourself keeps attracting clients... but you're still hiding? What business problem should your brand actually solve? Are your photos simply showing what you do—or helping people feel why they should choose you? 🔗 Ready to Create a Brand That Converts? 🗓️ Free Brand Audit If this episode resonated, send it to an entrepreneur who's tired of looking professional—and is ready to become the obvious choice.

140. A Felt Experience - Why I Rebranded My Podcast

🎙️ The Black Swan Era: Why I Rebranded the Podcast Welcome to the newly rebranded podcast: A Felt Experience. In this episode, I’m sharing the story behind why this podcast changed — and why this rebrand feels like the most honest reflection of who I am becoming. For the last few years, my brand has been soft, airy, and rooted in creating a safe place to land. And that version of my brand got me far. It helped me build a six-figure business, support incredible clients, and learn how to be seen in my leadership. But after a huge season of change, grief, dating, heartbreak, self-trust, and reclaiming the parts of myself I used to suppress… I knew the outside of my brand needed to match what was happening on the inside. This episode is about the Black Swan era — the version of me that is more moody, more honest, more embodied, more sensual, more discerning, and no longer interested in shrinking her power to be understood. In this episode, I talk about: Why my brand no longer felt aligned with who I was becoming How dating, heartbreak, and ending a long chapter with my ex brought out a deeper version of me Why women’s anger, intensity, and ferocity are often pathologized instead of understood How the “dark feminine” became a powerful part of my rebrand Why soulful photos and videos help people feel your essence before they ever work with you This new era is about depth, truth, embodiment, and letting people experience the real energy behind your work. Because when your brand feels like you, people don’t just understand your work. They feel it. Ready for your own brand audit? If you’re listening to this and thinking, my online presence does not match how powerful my work feels in real life, I’m offering a special opportunity for podcast listeners to book a 30-minute brand audit session with me. We’ll look at what you can do right now to make your brand more congruent with who you actually are in real life. Book your brand audit HERE.

138. How I Help Closeted Mystics and Brujas Become Fearless Leaders Online

🔑 Episode Summary In this episode, I break down how closeted mystics, brujas, curanderas, and spiritual entrepreneurs become fearless leaders online through my work. This conversation is for the people who know they have powerful gifts, powerful healing, powerful ancestral wisdom… but being publicly seen in those gifts still feels unsafe. Maybe your work has stayed mostly word-of-mouth. Maybe people still don’t fully understand the depth of what you do. Maybe you know you’re meant for bigger stages, retreats, leadership, and deeper transformation work — but your online presence still feels hidden, vague, or overly filtered. This episode is about how we change that. 📌 In this episode, I talk about: Why many mystics and healers stay “closeted” online because of a deep visibility wound How I help clients create brands that feel sovereign, safe, powerful, and deeply trustworthy The exact ways we create emotional safety during shoots so you can express yourself honestly without feeling overexposed Why branding helps spiritual entrepreneurs become perceived as authorities immediately How high-quality photos and videos help people feel your essence instead of misunderstanding your work 🌿 Women I Mention in This Episode These are women I deeply admire because of how unapologetic, sovereign, and rooted they are in their visibility and leadership: Julie Piatt https://julie-piatt.mykajabi.com/ Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz https://www.kitchencurandera.com/ Christabel Mintah-Galloway https://www.christabelmintahgalloway.com/ 💬 Key Moments “Self-validation is the highest form of validation.” “Your work can be sacred without staying hidden.” “You get to teach people how to come correct when they enter your world.” “Branding lets people know: this is who you’re talking to.” 🎯 The Bigger Message A lot of spiritual entrepreneurs tell themselves: “My work is too sacred” “I don’t want people misunderstanding me” “Visibility doesn’t feel safe” But often… those are sophisticated ways of staying small. Because the reality is: 👉 people are actively searching for the work you do 👉 your lineage and perspective matter 👉 and your visibility may be the thing that gives someone permission to heal differently 🔗 Work With Me If you’re ready to: become more visible without abandoning yourself create a brand that feels powerful, safe, and deeply aligned and step into leadership at a higher level 🗓️ Free Brand Audit Call: https://calendly.com/mariacamilaphoto/30-minute-brand-audit-clone 🗓️ Book a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/mariacamilaphoto/30min 🎓 Free Training – Become Brand Shoot Ready: https://fabulous-surf-71618.myflodesk.com/brand-shoot-ready

1 of 15