WOC and Allies: Business and Career Realtalk with Elaine Lou Cartas

Hosted by Elaine Lou Cartas

Entrepreneurship Careers Education

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Episodes

136

Latest episode

May 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Struggling with what to do next? Need honest realtalk cause you're tired of the curated highlight reels on the socials? And want strategies to get out of your own way? Your host, Elaine Lou Cartas, the oldest daughter of a Filipino immigrant, is an award-winning Business and Executive Career Coach for women of color and allies. Elaine is like you - she’s been fired, quit jobs, changed careers three times, and been in debt. Elaine’s success story? She’s always done what’s true to herself and wants you to know it’s possible too. She’s a former grassroots organizer and nonprofit fundraiser who raised $11 million. LA Weekly awarded Elaine as the #1 Thought Leader in 2023, and MSN recognized her as the Best Leadership & Executive Coach in 2024. Elaine has online courses with LinkedIn, Duke, Brown, Penn and USC. On the WOC and Allies: Business and Career Realtalk® Podcast (formerly known as the Color Your Dreams podcast), Elaine reminds you that your definition of happiness in work and life can evolve. Elaine's podcast guests include team members, clients, friends, and even family members who discuss real challenges and how they honored their own voices. As a business owner and career leader, this podcast is here to help you overcome overwhelm, while protecting your peace. So bring your coffee, tea, or boba for some realtalk every other Thursday! @elainelou_ // www.elainelou.com

Listen to episodes

60 recent

May 21, 2026Episode 13549 min

135: Workplace Trauma: What To Do When You're Stuck with Maya Borgueta, PsyD

Main PointsCommon themes I’m hearing from clients include burnout and microagressions. In this podcast episode, I connect with Dr. Maya Borgueta where we get into:What trauma actually is, and what it’s notThe workplace trauma trends we’re seeing now from blurred boundaries to layoffs and what to do about itWhy microaggressions is traumaticThe signs you might be carrying workplace trauma without realizing itResources Mentionedhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/https://stellanovapsych.com/maya-borgueta/Where We Can Connect:Schedule a Business & Career Review call with me to see if it’s a good fit to work together: elainelou.com/callCheck out our 300+ reviews on Google | LinkedIn | Youtube | WebsiteFollow the Podcast on AppleFollow the Podcast on SpotifyFollow Elaine on Instagram: @elainelou_Connect with Elaine on LinkedIn: Elaine Lou CartasCheck out our other podcasts for Women of Color

April 30, 2026Episode 1341 hr 0 min

134: Executive Influence at the Queen Mary: Using Conscious Conversations® to Lead, Communicate & Get What You Want

I did a talk on emotional influence and how to get raises and start a business at the Queen Mary in Long Beach. It was for a women’s retreat with Humansave, a nonprofit that helps survivors of human trafficking. In this episode we talk about:Why your nervous system is your biggest leadership asset (or liability)The one document that gets you the raise, and why you should talk to your boss before you demand a raiseHow to stop over-explaining and start leading with authorityMy follow-up formula on how I raised $11 million as a former fundraiserWhere We Can Connect:Schedule a Business & Career Review call with me to see if it’s a good fit to work together: elainelou.com/callCheck out our 300+ reviews on Google | LinkedIn | Youtube | WebsiteFollow the Podcast on AppleFollow the Podcast on SpotifyFollow Elaine on Instagram: @elainelou_Connect with Elaine on LinkedIn: Elaine Lou CartasCheck out our other podcasts for Women of ColorCheck out Humansave

April 16, 2026Episode 1331 hr 2 min

133: Balancing It All As a Woman: Leadership, Anxiety & Self-Advocacy with Amazon

As a female leader, unfortunately, you aren’t alone when it comes to leadership, anxiety and self-advocacy.This is part 2 of my keynote recording from SoCal Amazon Women’s Conference. But this time, I’m joined by 3 other incredible women of color operations leaders from Amazon who rose through the ranks quickly. In this episode, we get into:What it looks like to lead a team of 100+ while holding it together Why playing it safe is keeping you stuckHow your empathy and emotion are strengths, not liabilitiesThe importance of understanding seasons at your work Managing anxiety at work (We talked therapy & I shared the 2 therapeutic methods that actually helped me)How to advocate for yourself without feeling like you're braggingWhere We Can Connect:Schedule a Business & Career Review call with me to see if it’s a good fit to work together: elainelou.com/callCheck out our 300+ reviews on Google | LinkedIn | Youtube | WebsiteFollow the Podcast on AppleFollow the Podcast on SpotifyFollow Elaine on Instagram: @elainelou_Connect with Elaine on LinkedIn: Elaine Lou CartasCheck out our other podcasts for Women of Color

April 9, 2026Episode 13246 min

132: My Amazon Keynote: Why Conscious Conversations® Is Your Emotional Intelligence Supply Chain

My SoCal Amazon Women’s Conference Keynote is live, we cover:How your trauma responses are showing up at work; and what to do about itWhy communication works exactly like a supply chain (yes, really)Word-for-word scripts for your next difficult conversationOh, and there's a genuinely sweet moment with my dad that I did not plan for. You'll know it when you see it.Where We Can Connect:Schedule a Business & Career Review call with me to see if it’s a good fit to work together: elainelou.com/callCheck out our 300+ reviews on Google | LinkedIn | Youtube | WebsiteFollow the Podcast on AppleFollow the Podcast on SpotifyFollow Elaine on Instagram: @elainelou_Connect with Elaine on LinkedIn: Elaine Lou CartasCheck out our other podcasts for Women of ColorFollow, Rate & Review on Apple PodcastsAre you following the WOC & Allies: Business & Career Realtalk podcast? My team and I created this podcast for accessible education for women of color and allies. When you follow the podcast, it lets podcast streaming companies know that this podcast is a podcast fellow women of color and allies should listen to. If you are enjoying the show, I would love it if you would leave me a review on Apple Podcasts. This is one of the best ways to support the show and my team, and it helps other Legacy Leaders find it! Head over to Apple Podcasts to follow, rate and review now!

March 12, 2026Episode 13119 min

131: You’re not Behind, You’re Human. What to do & the Science Behind it

Every single time I listened to my body instead of pushing through, it worked out. The reality is, we are humans. We have a full life outside of work. I share more on this week’s episode: my personal stories, struggles and the science to embracing UN-PUSHING:In this episode, I share the practical, how-to techniques I taught in a live workshop with 19 minority-owned business owners and allies, including:The science behind rest, I got my bachelors in cognitive sciences the study of the brain (Yes, I’m a nerd)How I’m personally changing my old programming that use to be tied to output, and what you can do tooRELATED PODCAST EPISODESEpisode 36: Resting is a revolution: What we can learn from nature and seasons and how capitalism doesn’t honor rest with Brenda Moreno. Apple | Spotify | YouTubeEpisode 128: Burned out? You’re over-available to everyone & everything, here’s weird things I’m doing. Apple | Spotify | YouTubeEpisode 124: Addicted to Being Busy: Why High-Achieving Women Struggle to Rest (And How to Stop) Apple | Spotify | YouTubeWhere We Can Connect:Schedule a Business & Career Review call with me to see if it’s a good fit to work together: elainelou.com/callCheck out our 300+ reviews on Google | LinkedIn | Youtube | WebsiteFollow the Podcast on AppleFollow the Podcast on SpotifyFollow Elaine on Instagram: @elainelou_Connect with Elaine on LinkedIn: Elaine Lou CartasCheck out our other podcasts for Women of Color

February 19, 2026Episode 13019 min

130: Strengthening Communication in High-Stakes and Contentious Discussions

Main PointsWhen conversations get tense at work, how do you make sure you don’t over-explain, shut down or things escalate?In this episode, I break down how to communicate with confidence, clarity and composure when pressure is onHow to not over explainWhat to do if you really can’t meet a deadlineHow to give feedbackHow to handle contentious discussions without losing composureA 3 part structure on how to have your words landWhere We Can Connect:Schedule a Business & Career Review call with me to see if it’s a good fit to work together: elainelou.com/callCheck out our 300+ reviews on Google | LinkedIn | Youtube | WebsiteFollow the Podcast on AppleFollow the Podcast on SpotifyFollow Elaine on Instagram: @elainelou_Connect with Elaine on LinkedIn: Elaine Lou CartasCheck out our other podcasts for Women of Color

February 5, 2026Episode 12931 min

129: How to Grow & Scale Your Business with Executive Presence

Main PointsIt’s the second month of 2026 & despite the uncertainty, my business is growing not by hustling, but with more calmness and focus: In this episode, I share the practical, how-to techniques I taught in a live workshop with 19 minority-owned business owners and allies, including:How editing my P&L helped me measure ROI (one change led to 500% ROI, another to 5,000% ROI)How I increased email open rates from 25% to 75% through trust and storytellingWhy high-touch, human connection is a competitive advantage right nowHow sitting with discomfort leads to better business decisionsWhy scaling is about small, precise edits, not doing moreWhat made me cry to my therapistWhere We Can Connect:Schedule a Business & Career Review call with me to see if it’s a good fit to work together: elainelou.com/callCheck out our 300+ reviews on Google | LinkedIn | Youtube | WebsiteFollow the Podcast on AppleFollow the Podcast on SpotifyFollow Elaine on Instagram: @elainelou_Connect with Elaine on LinkedIn: Elaine Lou CartasCheck out our other podcasts for Women of Color

January 22, 2026Episode 12824 min

128: Burned out? You're over-available to everyone & everything, here's weird things I’m doing.

Main PointsBurnout seems to be a trending word, so what do we do? It’s not about working harder. In this episode I share:Why you SHOULDN’T be doing a lot in 1 day (it takes ~ 23 minutes to refocus)Why “doing nothing” is actually how clarity forms (there’s science behind it)Why and how over-availability becomes a survival skill especially for womenMy results of when I stopped designing my life around “urgency”Resources Mentioned:Episode 110: How EMDR Therapy HEALED Me (& why you might need it too) with Jennifer Oh, LCSW. Listen on Apple, Spotify or YouTubeWhere We Can Connect:Schedule a Business & Career Review call with me to see if it’s a good fit to work together: elainelou.com/callCheck out our 300+ reviews on Google | LinkedIn | Youtube | WebsiteFollow the Podcast on AppleFollow the Podcast on SpotifyFollow Elaine on Instagram: @elainelou_Connect with Elaine on LinkedIn: Elaine Lou CartasCheck out our other podcasts for Women of Color

January 8, 2026Episode 1271 hr 2 min

127: 2026 Marketing Trends: Why My ‘Losing’ Pitch Still Drove Sales (with Monica Schrock)

Main PointsWhy my losing pitch led to salesPersonal brand > AI: my actual techniques on how my conversion rate is 70%How I grew my email open rate from 10% to 75%Resources Mentioned:Connect with Monica SchrockFollowing Monica on Instagram: @moneyschrockConnect with Monica on LinkedInMonica’s Podcast: Play Like A TheyPorsche Human Made CartoonWhere We Can Connect:Schedule a Business & Career Review call with me to see if it’s a good fit to work together: elainelou.com/callCheck out our 300+ reviews on Google | LinkedIn | Youtube | WebsiteFollow the Podcast on AppleFollow the Podcast on SpotifyFollow Elaine on Instagram: @elainelou_Connect with Elaine on LinkedIn: Elaine Lou CartasCheck out our other podcasts for Women of ColorFollow, Rate & Review on Apple PodcastsAre you following the WOC & Allies: Business & Career Realtalk podcast? My team and I created this podcast for accessible education for women of color and allies. When you follow the podcast, it lets podcast streaming companies know that this podcast is a podcast fellow women of color and allies should listen to. If you are enjoying the show, I would love it if you would leave me a review on Apple Podcasts. This is one of the best ways to support the show and my team, and it helps other Legacy Leaders find it! Head over to Apple Podcasts to follow, rate and review now!

December 19, 2025Episode 12628 min

126: Birthday Reflections: Rest, Recalibration, and How I’m Setting Aligned Goals for 2026 (So You Can Too)

Why I stopped drinking alcohol, it’s been 9 months nowHow pausing, rest and reflection helped me getFive reflection questions to help you ensure your calendar & bank account aligns with your valuesResources Mentioned:Follow Elaine on Instagram for Philippines photos + reflections: @elainelou_El Nido ResortsWhere We Can Connect:Schedule a Business & Career Review call with me to see if it’s a good fit to work together: elainelou.com/callCheck out our 300+ reviews on Google | LinkedIn | Youtube | WebsiteFollow the Podcast on AppleFollow the Podcast on SpotifyFollow Elaine on Instagram: @elainelou_Connect with Elaine on LinkedIn: Elaine Lou CartasCheck out our other podcasts for Women of Color