Speak Your Truth and Look Good Doing It

Hosted by Maria Cardozo

Business Entrepreneurship Education

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137

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May 2026

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About the show

There are so many micro wins to be experienced when you're first putting yourself out there in a real and vulnerable way. Sharing all my tips and insights to help you feel supported as you're launching your brand and becoming an Industry Outlier. Follow me on Instagram @camilla_cct Listen on Apple Listen on Spotify

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May 9, 202633 min

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

🔑 Episode SummaryIn 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 woundHow I help clients create brands that feel sovereign, safe, powerful, and deeply trustworthyThe exact ways we create emotional safety during shoots so you can express yourself honestly without feeling overexposedWhy branding helps spiritual entrepreneurs become perceived as authorities immediatelyHow high-quality photos and videos help people feel your essence instead of misunderstanding your work🌿 Women I Mention in This EpisodeThese 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 MessageA 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 MeIf you’re ready to:become more visible without abandoning yourselfcreate a brand that feels powerful, safe, and deeply alignedand 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

May 1, 202625 min

137. How Brand Photos & Videos Change The Way People Treat You

🔑 Episode SummaryIn this episode, I’m breaking down how high-quality photos, videos, and a cohesive brand actually change your reputation—not just how you look online, but how people treat you, speak to you, and take you seriously.I share my own story of moving from being underestimated, overlooked, and having to explain my credibility… to becoming someone whose authority is assumed.This is about what happens when you stop hiding behind your work and start leading with your identity, your voice, and your presence.📌 In this episode, I talk about:Why posting only your work (and not you) creates a disconnect in trust and connectionHow not having a defined brand led to being underestimated, overlooked, and not taken seriouslyWhat I mean by actually “launching your brand” (your visuals, tone, identity, and consistency across every touchpoint)How branding creates perceived authority, so you stop over-explaining your experienceWhy your presence, energy, and story can do more heavy lifting than constant content or over-explaining your offer💬 Key Moments“How you show up online really dictates how people treat you.”“I am a legitimate business.”“I’m not just any photographer… I’m a big deal in the work that I do.”“Now I don’t have to explain my credibility. It’s assumed.”“Your essence and your presence build trust before you ever sell anything.”🔗 Work With MeIf you’re ready to stop being underestimated and start being seen at the level you know you’re at:🗓️ 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

April 10, 202618 min

134. 3 Ways To Upsell Your Services/Product Now

🔑 Episode SummaryIn this episode, I’m breaking down three ways you can start upselling your services right now using your brand — no waiting, no overcomplicating it.This was inspired directly from the brand audits I’ve been doing, where I look at your Instagram, your website, and your overall presence and show you what can be improved immediately so your brand can start selling in seconds.Because here’s the truth: 👉 You can create content on your phone and build momentum 👉 But when you’re ready to attract higher-level clients and enter a more premium market… your brand has to match that📌 In this episode, I talk about:Why sharing your story (and showing who you were) builds trust and makes people emotionally connect to your workHow your brand is everything — your visuals, your words, your energy, your point of view, your identityWhy showing the behind-the-scenes touches of your work increases perceived value instantlyHow to communicate your technique, modality, or “secret sauce” so people understand why you’re differentWhy your brand should make people feel like they’re stepping into a world they want to be part of🔥 Real Brand Examples I Mention:🌿 Kinfolk Optimal Living https://www.mariacamilaphoto.me/kinfolk → A brand that completely shifts the way you understand healing and the body🌊 Curve Body Lounge https://www.mariacamilaphoto.me/curv → Showing how technique, intention, and experience elevate perceived value🌺 Somos Muiscas https://somosmuiscas.com/ https://www.instagram.com/somosmhuyscas/ → A perfect example of craftsmanship, storytelling, and cultural depth increasing value💬 Key Takeaways:“A brand is not just a point of view. It’s everything.”“People need to feel your work before they buy from you.”“Perceived value changes everything — it’s what allows you to stop negotiating your worth.”“What makes you different is already there. You just have to make it visible.”🔗 Work With MeIf you want direct, personalized feedback on how to elevate your brand right now:🗓️ Free Brand Audit: https://calendly.com/mariacamilaphoto/30-minute-brand-audit-clone🎓 Free Training – Become Brand Shoot Ready: https://fabulous-surf-71618.myflodesk.com/brand-shoot-ready

April 1, 202623 min

133. Why and How I Paid $200+ For A Breathwork Session Last Minute

Client mentioned: https://www.makeonedayhappen.com/Brand's mentioned: https://www.owaken.com/Lukis Mac Music https://youtu.be/AmPsb-UVzw0?si=jBKsZXrjJNcrz6tU🔑 Episode SummaryIn this episode, I’m sharing a real-life experience of how I spontaneously paid $200+ for a 3–4 hour breathwork session—and why it was such a no-brainer for me to say yes.This is a deeper conversation about the power of branding, intentionality, and expression, and how creating a full-bodied brand experience builds trust before someone ever buys from you.I also share how I’ve been in a season of refining my business—moving from hustle into something more sustainable, regulated, and high-level—and how that shift is reflected in how I now see branding and leadership.📌 In this episode, I talk about:What I mean when I say a brand is everything—your visuals, your words, your music, your presence, your point of view, your energyHow multiple touchpoints over time (podcasts, music, content, visuals, live experiences) build deep trust with your audienceWhy creating a cohesive, intentional world makes people say yes quickly—and without hesitationThe difference between just “posting content” vs building a fully expressed brand that people can feelWhy investing in your brand and your expression pays off in high-ticket decisions and long-term loyalty💬 Key reflections from this episode:“A brand is not just a point of view. It’s everything.”“People need to feel your work before they buy from you.”“When your brand is intentional, it creates trust faster.”“It pays off to create a world your people can get lost in.”“You don’t wait for permission—you become the initiator.”🔗 Ways to Work With MeIf you’re ready to move beyond just “posting content” and actually build a brand that commands attention, trust, and high-ticket decisions:🗓️ Book a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/mariacamilaphoto/30min🎓 Free Training – How to Become Brand Shoot Ready: https://fabulous-surf-71618.myflodesk.com/brand-shoot-ready

February 2, 202653 min

132. $80k/month in Sales, Women in Sales, and Decentering Men with Lauren Hunziker

Guest: Lauren Hunzerker – Life insurance agency owner, leader, and advocate for women in male-dominated spacesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenhunz_9/🔑 Episode SummaryIn this episode, I sit down with Lauren to talk about women’s empowerment beyond buzzwords. This is a real, layered conversation about what it actually looks like to be a woman in leadership, especially in spaces that were never built for us.We talk about decentering men, power, privilege, integrity, and how empowerment isn’t something you claim when things are going well — it’s something you live when it costs you something. Lauren shares her lived experience as a top producer in a male-dominated industry, her personal story, and how she refuses to separate her values from her work.This conversation is about leadership, responsibility, unlearning, and staying true to yourself even when it’s uncomfortable.📌 In this episode, we talk about:What decentering men actually means (and what it does not mean)Why being the only woman in the room isn’t something to celebrate — it’s something to questionHow empowerment comes from healing, unlearning, and integration, not just confidenceWhy integrity shows up when you’re willing to lose approval, money, or relationshipsHow women are conditioned to prioritize men’s comfort over their own safety, needs, and truth🧠 Key themes from the conversation:Empowerment as a practice, not an identityWhy visibility and leadership come with responsibilityHow privilege works — and why fear of “getting it wrong” keeps people silentThe difference between performative empowerment and lived empowermentWhy empowered women empower other women💬 Quotes from the episode:“Empowerment isn’t something you just wake up with. It comes from unraveling.”“Women being empowered doesn’t take anything away from men.”“Integrity is who you are when it costs you something.”“If you’re afraid to get it wrong, you’re already standing in privilege.”“Empowerment is contagious.”🔗 Connect with LaurenInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenhunz_9/🔗 Resources🗓️ Book a Discovery Call with Me: https://calendly.com/mariacamilaphoto/30min🎓 Free Training – How to Become Brand Shoot Ready: https://fabulous-surf-71618.myflodesk.com/brand-shoot-ready

January 30, 202634 min

131. Sharing My Story On Domestic Violence and The Aftermath

🔑 Episode SummaryThis is a raw, tender, and intentional episode about sharing hard stories responsibly. I’m talking openly about a domestic violence experience I went through years ago and, more importantly, about the aftermath of what it’s like to carry those experiences as a woman, a leader, and a business owner.This episode isn’t about shock value or getting attention. It’s about truth-telling, discernment, and understanding that when we take up space publicly, there are real-life consequences in how people perceive you, treat you, and respect you.I share how I decided when to tell this story, why now, how I resourced myself before doing it, and why leadership requires bravery, integrity, and care for yourself and others.📌 In this episode, I talk about:Why sharing tender stories requires discernment, resourcing, and a clear “why”How visibility impacts real-world safety, reputation, and respect, especially for womenThe difference between sharing from a regulated, integrated place versus from dysregulationHow patriarchy, misogyny, and internalized beliefs show up in dating, business, and leadershipWhy telling the truth is part of women reclaiming power, even when it makes people uncomfortable💬 Quotes from the episode:“Truth telling has real life impact.”“Leadership isn’t becoming smarter. It’s becoming braver.”“You can be truthful, direct, and compassionate at the same time.”“If you’re going to share something tender, it needs to be connected to a bigger mission.”“This is what healing looks like. It’s tender sometimes.”🔗 Resources & Support🗓️ Book a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/mariacamilaphoto/30min🎓 Free Training – How to Become Brand Shoot Ready: https://fabulous-surf-71618.myflodesk.com/brand-shoot-ready

January 16, 202616 min

129. People Buy From You Because Of Who You Are, So Are You Showing Them?

🔑 Episode SummaryThis episode is about trust and why people actually choose to buy from you. Not because you addressed every objection perfectly. Not because you had the best funnel. But because of who you are and how people feel in your presence.I talk about how we’re drawn to people for reasons that aren’t always business-related — their energy, their style, the way they carry themselves, the way they speak, their voice, their embodiment. These are the things we don’t always say out loud, but they matter.This episode connects branding, visibility, nervous system trust, and why making the coolest, truest parts of you visible makes choosing you easier.📌 In this episode, I talk about:Why people trust and choose you based on energy, presence, and containment, not just credentialsHow devotion to yourself shows up in your body, your work, and your brand over timeWhy style, voice, pacing, and how you take up space are real trust-buildersHow brand photos and videos amplify what’s already magnetic about youWhy branding is not meant to compete with viral content — it supports commitment-level buying decisions💬 Quotes from the episode:“People are drawn to you for things that are not always business-related at all.”“It’s a devotion to yourself — tiny micro-decisions over decades.”“We’re beings first, thinking beings second.”“Brand photos are permanent. You want them to be an accurate representation of your greatness.”“Sometimes people choose you simply because you’re cool — and that’s okay.”🔗 Ways to Work With MeSweet Spot – a brand refresh for one location and updated visualsIndustry Outlier – a full-day shoot for leaders who want volume, variety, and spaciousnessPayment plans available. $500 deposit option open.🗓️ Book a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/mariacamilaphoto/30min🎓 Free Training – How to Become Brand Shoot Ready: https://fabulous-surf-71618.myflodesk.com/brand-shoot-ready

January 9, 202619 min

128. Being aware of your visibility wounds is not enough

🎙️ Being Aware of Your Visibility Wounds Is Not EnoughPodcast: Speak Your Truth and Look Good Doing It Host: Camila (aka Maya Camila) – Brand Strategist, Photographer & Videographer🔑 Episode SummaryToday’s episode is about showing up more unfiltered and why simply being aware of your visibility wounds is not the point. Awareness is the first step, but healing happens when you actually tackle it daily.Every single person building a personal brand has some visibility wound — being “too much,” too edgy, too emotional, too unprofessional, too whatever. I don’t care where you come from or how privileged you are. Everyone has something.Personal branding is one of the most powerful tools you can have. A resume and qualifications are not enough anymore. We need receipts. We need a body of work. We need people to feel trust with us. And for many of you, vulnerability is not a weakness — it’s your leadership tool.📌 In this episode, I talk about:Why awareness of your visibility wounds isn’t enough and how healing requires actionHow personal branding becomes a form of leadership, not just marketingWhy letting people see you in different states of being builds real trustHow privilege, perspective, and grounding yourself changes how seriously you take visibilityWhy thinking highly of your audience is non-negotiable if you want consistent results💬 Quotes from the episode:“Being aware of your visibility wounds is not the point. Awareness is the first step. The next step is actually tackling it.”“A resume or qualifications are simply not enough anymore. We need receipts.”“If you are not a man and you operate with different values, vulnerability is going to be your power.”“You are allowed to show up at 50% — and trust that your audience will still be there.”“I don’t believe in infantilizing people or managing other adults’ emotions for them.”🔗 Resources & Ways to Work Together🗓️ Book a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/mariacamilaphoto/30min🎓 Free Training – How to Become Brand Shoot Ready: https://fabulous-surf-71618.myflodesk.com/brand-shoot-ready

December 26, 202539 min

127. 2025 Core Business Lessons

🔑 Episode SummaryThis episode is a very personal reflection on the core lessons 2025 taught me about business, leadership, and myself. I share why I almost didn’t record this episode, how self-censoring and people-pleasing showed up for me, and why remembering my voice is essential to the work I do.This is about building a business that doesn’t require abandoning yourself. It’s about softness, vulnerability, discernment, and being honest about what actually sustains long-term success.📌 In this episode, I talk about:Why business gets harder when your needs aren’t being met, especially when you isolate, hide, or feel shame around money and successHow surrounding myself with women of color and people with lived experience expanded my range, depth, and leadership in businessWhy I no longer allow people who are not trauma-informed into the “cockpit” of my businessHow letting the wrong voices influence my vision caused me to abandon my softness, intuition, and missionWhy vulnerability is not optional in business, but a rite of passage for leadership, trust, and meaningful growth💬 Quotes from this episode:“Business problems start to align when you align.”“Who you allow into the cockpit of your business matters more than their technical qualifications.”“Vulnerability is not something you opt into. It’s required if you want a fulfilling business.”“If you want to be transactional, there are a million other places to go make money.”🔗 Resources & Links🗓️ Book a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/mariacamilaphoto/30min🎓 Free Training – How to Become Brand Shoot Ready: https://fabulous-surf-71618.myflodesk.com/brand-shoot-ready

December 20, 202555 min

126. What's Next? Career, Body, and Life Success - Now What? with Devin Hynes

🔑 Episode SummaryThis episode is a conversation about what happens after financial success—when the question is no longer “Can I make money?” but “What’s next for me?”I sit down with Devin, a previous client of mine, to talk about how her brand is evolving after experiencing powerful financial wins. We talk about visibility not as a growth tactic, but as a way to express the next identity she’s stepping into.This isn’t about scaling for the sake of scaling. It’s about discernment, integrity, and allowing your brand to reflect who you are now, not who you had to be to survive or prove yourself.📌 You’ll hear us talk about:How financial success creates a new question: “What do I actually want now?”Why visibility shifts when you’re no longer trying to convince or proveLetting your brand reflect where you’re going next, not just past resultsBeing in woman in C-suite roles Trusting your discernment after you already know you’re capableHow being seen becomes about expression and sovereignty, not validation💬 Quotes from the episode:“I’m not trying to prove anything anymore.”“Once you’ve made the money, the work becomes more about alignment.”“What’s next isn’t louder. It’s truer.”“I’m an expert on myself.”🔗 Connect with DevinInstagram: @functional_definitionWomen’s community: The Authenticity Collective🔗 Resources🗓️ Book a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/mariacamilaphoto/30min🎓 Free Training – How to Become Brand Shoot Ready: https://fabulous-surf-71618.myflodesk.com/brand-shoot-ready