The holidays have a way of magnifying family dynamics that already feel heavy, tense, or emotionally draining. In this episode of Empowered With Gina, Gina Zapanta breaks down how to recognize toxic family patterns during the holiday season and, more importantly, how to protect your peace without drowning in guilt.Gina explains why feeling dread, anxiety, or emotional exhaustion around family gatherings is not a character flaw or a lack of gratitude. It is a sign of growing self-awareness. She walks through common toxic behaviors that resurface every year, including emotional labor, dismissed boundaries, passive aggression, and behaviors that get excused simply because “it’s the holidays.”This episode offers practical guidance on how to stop overgiving, how to say no without overexplaining, and how to set boundaries that are realistic and enforceable. Gina also addresses the guilt that keeps people stuck in unhealthy patterns, including the fear of disappointing others, being judged, or being labeled selfish for choosing themselves.Listeners will learn how to limit their time, choose fewer events, create new traditions, and prepare exit strategies that prioritize emotional safety. Gina also prepares viewers for the backlash that can come when long-standing family roles change and explains why others’ discomfort is not a reason to abandon yourself.This conversation is for anyone who is ready to stop surviving the holidays and start moving through them with clarity, confidence, and peace. The holidays will come and go, but your mental health, self-worth, and well-being remain. Protect them.#toxicfamily #toxicrelationships #podcast #empoweredwithgina #empowered #holidays

If Becoming a Lawyer Has Ever Crossed Your Mind, Watch This.In this solo episode of  @empoweredwithgina  attorney and law firm founder Gina Zapanta speaks directly to women who feel they’re at a crossroads — women who sense there is more for them, especially those who have ever considered law school or dreamed of becoming a lawyer.Gina breaks down the truth about what a legal career really looks like, dismantling the myths made popular by TV and culture. She reminds aspiring attorneys that law is one of the most expansive and powerful professional paths available, opening doors to entrepreneurship, business ownership, policy, entertainment, sports, fashion, international work, and so much more.She offers full permission for women to pursue this path, emphasizing that capability is not the question — commitment is. Gina also challenges long-held beliefs about “dream schools,” explaining why the law school you attend matters far less than discipline, consistency, and securing the best financial package.This episode is a call to action for any woman who has felt the tug toward law but questioned whether she’s allowed, prepared, or worthy. Gina makes it clear: if the desire is in you, the path is for you.Topics covered:- How to know when you're meant for something more- Why law school is more accessible than most women realize- The real power and flexibility of a law degree- The myth of the “dream law school”- How to choose the right school (and why cost matters)- Building confidence, community, and purpose as a future lawyerFor questions or mentorship inquiries, connect with Gina on social or reach out directly. She is proud to lead by example as a Latina attorney, founder, and advocate for women choosing more for themselves.

In this episode of Empowered With Gina, California lawyer and creator Gina Zapanta sits down with attorney and business owner Jennifer Nakamura to talk about the moment every woman faces: the fear of leaving a “safe” job that’s slowly draining her.Jennifer shares how she went from calling her workplace “family” to realizing she was building someone else’s dream. After 12 years, she took the leap, launched her own law firm, and built a life on her terms — with all the free falls, payroll panic, discipline, and pride that come with true ownership.Gina and Jennifer break down the real side of entrepreneurship, including:Why staying in a job that feels safe but suffocating is the real riskThe identity shift required to stop being an employee and become an ownerHow fear shows up when you’re meant to growWhy community matters when you’re scared and stepping into the unknownThe mindset and discipline that actually sustain entrepreneursThe emotional reality of paying yourself, supporting family, and building a businessIn the second half of the episode, Jennifer breaks down estate planning in plain language — trusts, wills, probate, guardianship, blended families, and why every person (not just millionaires) needs a plan.This episode is for any woman standing at the edge of the leap… scared, curious, and tired of pretending she’s “lucky to be here.”Keywords: leaving your job, scared to quit, women entrepreneurship, starting your own business, toxic work culture, taking the leap, building your own life, Empowered With Gina, Gina Zapanta, Jennifer Nakamura, estate planning basics, trusts vs wills, California estate planning lawyer

In this powerful episode of Empowered With Gina, Gina dives into the real, often invisible cost of shrinking yourself. She breaks down how self-betrayal masquerades as “keeping the peace,” why women learn to make themselves smaller to avoid making others uncomfortable, and how that pattern erodes confidence, identity, and self-trust over time.

Gina shares the three major prices people pay when they shrink themselves: losing their sense of self, teaching others to undervalue them, and carrying long-term regret for the boundaries they never set and the life they never lived. She offers grounded, actionable steps viewers can start using today, from auditing where they’re dimming their voice to practicing small acts of power and anchoring decisions into a clear personal “why.”

Through honest examples from her own life as a mom, lawyer, and Latina leader, Gina shows how saying one small “no” can become the turning point toward living in alignment again. This episode is for anyone feeling overwhelmed, unseen, resentful, or disconnected from who they want to be.

Topics this episode covers:
• The invisible tax of shrinking yourself
• How self-betrayal becomes a habit
• What losing yourself really looks like
• How your boundaries train people to treat you
• Why regret is the most expensive cost of all
• How to stop shrinking yourself with practical steps
• Real-life examples of choosing self-alignment

If you’ve been living small, apologizing for taking up space, or ignoring your own needs to keep others comfortable, this episode will help you flip the script and choose yourself without guilt.

In this episode of  ⁨@empoweredwithgina⁩  Gina sits down with pastry chef, entrepreneur, and mother Amanda Moreno Erdoğan for a raw, grounded conversation about what reinvention actually looks like — not the pretty version you see online, but the real, layered, messy kind that happens when life forces you to grow.Amanda opens up about growing up in a big Mexican American family in East LA, watching her father, renowned attorney Greg Moreno, build a legacy that shaped her idea of impact and discipline. She shares how she built a fast-paced fashion career in New York, pivoted into the culinary world with zero experience, became an executive pastry chef serving some of the city’s biggest names, and later walked away from it all to move across the world with two small children.Together, Gina and Amanda talk about grief, identity loss, motherhood, marriage, career shifts, and the uncomfortable but necessary seasons where you feel completely unanchored.

Amanda breaks down how she rebuilt her confidence and community in Istanbul, launched her business A Treat Life, returned home during the pandemic, and eventually created a life and career that finally felt aligned.This episode is for anyone who’s been asking themselves, “Can I start over again?” or “Is it too late to change my life?” Amanda’s story is proof that reinvention isn’t a one-time event — it’s something you earn over and over again by choosing yourself, even when it’s hard.If you’re ready to redefine what your next chapter looks like, this conversation will meet you exactly where you are.

In this solo episode of  @empoweredwithgina  Gina gets real about one of the biggest lies women have been sold: balance. We’ve been told that if we just find the perfect routine or productivity hack, we can have it all — the career, the family, the peace. But Gina shares the truth she learned the hard way: balance isn’t real, and chasing it will leave you burnt out, resentful, and disconnected.Instead, she explains why alignment — not balance — should be the goal. Through raw personal stories and hard-earned wisdom, Gina breaks down how to shift from guilt to choice, how to protect your energy, and how to start saying “no” without apology.If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything “right” but still feel empty, this episode will change how you measure success.Watch now and start asking yourself the only question that truly matters:Does how I’m spending my time align with what actually matters to me in this season of my life?

In this episode of  @empoweredwithgina  host Gina Zapanta sits down with Dr. Yanira Hernandez, LCSW and Director of Palante Therapy, to talk about what “strength” really looks like for women and for children of immigrants. Dr. Hernandez shares her journey from South Central Los Angeles to UCLA and USC, why mental health support in schools matters, and how intergenerational trauma shows up in the body—especially during times of fear and uncertainty. Together, they dismantle the “do it all” myth, explore why asking for help is not weakness, and teach practical somatic tools (breath work, bilateral tapping/EMDR-informed techniques, body check-ins) to regulate the nervous system and reclaim agency. Viewers will leave with grounded strategies to set boundaries, reduce burnout, and model healthier strength at home and in community.What viewers will learn:- Why school-based mental health is essential—and where it falls short- How perfectionism and “never ask for help” conditioning harms women- Intergenerational trauma in immigrant families and how to unlearn survival mode- Simple somatic practices to calm the body and build real resilience- Scripts and reframes for guilt and shame when setting boundaries

In this episode of  ⁨@empoweredwithgina⁩  host Gina Zapanta sits down with Heather Reese—Pennsylvania personal injury attorney, plus-size model, and activist. Adopted from Peru and raised in Delaware, Heather shares how identity, privilege, and relentless networking shaped her path to a J.D., why Latina representation in law matters, and how to build a career that doesn’t cost you your health or self-respect.Heather opens up about her journey from adoption in Peru to becoming an attorney in the U.S., how she learned to set boundaries after burnout, and why redefining success as a woman in law starts with refusing to shrink for anyone.Together, Gina and Heather unpack the truth about representation, privilege, and the courage it takes to build a life that looks nothing like the one you were told to live.Topics include:➛The intersection of culture, confidence, and career➛ Setting boundaries without apology➛ Turning pain into purpose after divorce and burnout➛ Building a career that honors your peaceSelf-love as the foundation of power. Like this episode? Subscribe to Empowered with Gina 🎉

In this episode of @empoweredwithgina host Gina Zapanta sits down with actress, producer, and Mira LA founder Arianna Lemus for a raw conversation about what it really takes to turn rejection into power.Arianna opens up about her journey — from competing in pageants and facing heartbreak to creating a platform that uplifts women of color in film. She and Gina talk about the ego deaths, mindset shifts, and moments of courage that shaped her into the woman she is today.If you’ve ever been told no, this episode will remind you that rejection isn’t the end — it’s the beginning of who you’re meant to become.#EmpoweredWithGina #AriannaLemus #WomenWhoInspire #BecomingUnstoppable #MindsetMatters #RejectionIsRedirection #PersonalGrowth #ConfidenceIsPower #EmpowermentPodcast

In this episode of Empowered with Gina, attorney and founder Gina Zapanta sits down with Naibe Reynoso and Bel Hernández Castillo, the powerhouse duo behind LatinaFest, to talk about The Latina Power Shift — a movement redefining what representation looks like.

From Chicano activism to Emmy-winning journalism and producing, Naibe and Bel share how they turned frustration into fuel and built the nation’s largest outdoor festival celebrating Latina identity, entrepreneurship, and sisterhood. Together, they unpack the journey of reclaiming their voices in spaces that weren’t built for them — and why abundance, confidence, and community are no longer optional for women who lead.

They also reveal how LatinaFest is expanding nationwide, partnering with Gina’s Empowered with Gina women’s retreat in Louisiana to create even more spaces for connection, collaboration, and power.

If you’ve ever wondered how to turn barriers into blueprints, this episode will remind you: representation starts with you.

You’re not stuck because life’s unfair — you’re stuck because you keep defending the habits that hold you back. In this solo episode of Empowered With Gina, Gina Zapanta exposes how we use confidence to mask avoidance, and how saying “that’s just how I am” becomes the excuse that keeps us stagnant.Gina breaks down the real difference between self-awareness and self-sabotage, helping you see that most of what we call “personality” is really just protection — patterns we’ve outgrown but still cling to.If you’ve been wondering why change feels impossible or why you keep repeating the same cycles, this episode will give you the clarity (and the push) to finally move forward. Because empowerment doesn’t come from comfort — it comes from honesty, courage, and choosing better.#empowerment #growth #personalgrowth

In this exclusive  @empoweredwithgina  episode, Gina Zapanta interviews Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass inside City Hall for a powerful conversation about leadership, resilience, and fighting for justice.Mayor Bass opens up about the real challenges of leading Los Angeles — from self-doubt and public criticism to immigration, natural disasters, and creating opportunities for women and communities of color. She also shares her perspective on mental health, political pressure, and what it truly takes to stay focused in the face of fear and uncertainty.This interview goes beyond politics. It’s an unfiltered look at Karen Bass as a leader, a woman, and a human being committed to empowering others.Watch until the end to hear Mayor Bass’s advice on how to rise above fear, silence self-doubt, and keep moving forward when life feels overwhelming.#interview #losangeles #la #empowerment #empowered #womenempowerment

When does loyalty stop being a strength and start becoming self-destruction? In this episode of Empowered with Gina, Gina Zapanta breaks down the truth about toxic relationships — whether it’s friends, family, or even a partner — and why protecting your peace has to come first.

If you’ve ever felt guilty for pulling away from toxic people or pressured to stay “loyal” in unhealthy situations, this is your wake-up call. Gina explains how to spot the difference between real loyalty and fear-based attachment, why history with someone is not a reason to keep them in your life, and how to set boundaries without apology.

Protecting your peace will always look selfish to those who benefitted from you having no boundaries. But real empowerment means letting go of toxic relationships, ending one-sided friendships, and refusing to abandon yourself just to make others comfortable.

Your only true loyalty should be to your peace, your growth, and your purpose.

In this episode of Empowered With Gina, Gina sits down with Candice Horry—a mom, executive, and wife of NBA champion Robert Horry—whose story began with open-heart surgery at just two years old. Doctors warned she’d never play sports or have children; Candice became a multi-sport athlete, won the Girls Softball World Series at 12, and later welcomed two grounded kids. She shares how sports built her confidence, how she broke into television on Home Improvement, and why she pivoted to a lifestyle that prioritized family without abandoning ambition. Candice opens up about early marriage, respectful co-parenting after divorce, and navigating a public life with grace. Her message for women without a built-in cheer squad is direct: trust yourself, borrow belief from strong women until your own grows, and stop asking for permission you don’t need. This conversation is a masterclass in quiet discipline, community, and choosing the path that actually serves your life—not the one other people script for you.

Most women say they want a “good man” — but the truth is, many don’t end up with one. Not because good men don’t exist, but because women are taught to shrink, settle, and silence their standards just to be chosen. In this raw and unapologetic video, Gina Zapanta calls out the lies women have been told about being “too much” and exposes the real reason so many women tolerate inconsistency, immaturity, and crumbs in relationships.Gina breaks down what women actually want in a man — discipline, groundedness, accountability, and the ability to make her feel safe without controlling or dimming her light. This isn’t about alpha bravado or empty promises. It’s about consistency, direction, emotional maturity, and the kind of energy that builds trust and attraction.For women, this is your permission slip to stop lowering your standards. For men, this is your challenge to step up in your full masculine energy — not performative, but intentional. If you want to know what women are truly craving in a partner, watch this.#empowered #empower #relationships #relationshipadvice #selflove #personalgrowth

Most of us aren’t exhausted because we’re “doing too much.” We’re exhausted because we keep living for everyone else. You’re tired because you don’t know how to say no. You’re drained because you keep putting yourself dead last — convincing yourself that’s loyalty, strength, or love. But it’s not. It’s self-abandonment.In this episode of  @empoweredwithgina  , Gina breaks down the hard truth about why you’re burnt out and how to finally reclaim your peace. She shares the mindset shifts and daily practices that will help you start putting yourself first — without guilt, without apology, and without explanation.You can’t be the best partner, parent, friend, or leader if you’re running on empty. True strength starts with protecting your own energy. This is your permission to stop abandoning yourself, start saying no, and finally choose YOU.

Struggling to set boundaries without feeling guilty? Wondering why people don’t respect you, keep crossing the line, or why toxic friends, family, or relationships drain your energy? You’re not alone. In this episode of Empowered With Gina, Gina Zapanta breaks down the real reason people disrespect your boundaries — and how to finally stop tolerating it.You’ll learn why guilt makes boundary-setting feel so hard, how you’ve been teaching people to treat you, and what it takes to protect your peace in any relationship — whether it’s work, family, friendships, or love.This episode is for anyone who feels drained by toxic relationships, tired of being disrespected, and ready to set boundaries without guilt so they can finally protect their peace.

In this episode of  @empoweredwithgina  Gina Zapanta reminds women that big dreams don’t require bigger visions — they require better habits. Too often, we believe we’re “stuck” because we lack clarity or the right opportunity, when in reality, we’re missing the daily structure, discipline, and self-leadership it takes to bring our goals to life.Gina shares five powerful truths about why your habits matter more than motivation, why alignment is more important than struggle, and how to hold yourself to a higher standard without falling into the trap of perfectionism. From auditing your patterns to protecting your boundaries, this is a call to action for women ready to stop hoping for change and start creating it.If you’ve been dreaming big but feeling stagnant, this is your blueprint for finally building the life you’ve envisioned — one consistent, intentional habit at a time.

In this episode of Empowered with Gina, Gina Zapanta sits down with Margherita Giubilei — a driven, resilient, and inspiring attorney at Alder Law whose journey from a small town in Italy to the courtrooms of Los Angeles is anything but ordinary.

At 19, Margherita left behind comfort, family, and everything familiar to chase a dream across the world. With no connections, limited English, and nothing but grit, she carved a path for herself — first as a collegiate athlete, then as a law student, and now as a rising trial lawyer in one of California’s top plaintiff firms.

Gina and Margherita dive deep into what it really takes to build a life on your terms: sacrifice, self-belief, and an unshakable vision. They explore the cultural and emotional weight of leaving family behind, the fear and freedom of motherhood, and the power of doing the scary thing anyway.

Margherita’s story will challenge you to stop waiting for the “right time” and start betting on yourself. Because the life you want? It’s waiting on the other side of your comfort zone.

🔒 Bonus Segment for Members:

After the episode, Gina and Margherita share a private, unfiltered conversation about going back to work after having a baby — and why that choice made them both better. Become an Empowered With Gina member to access it now.

#empower #empowerment #podcast #interview

In this episode of ‪@empoweredwithgina‬ Gina Zapanta delivers a powerful message about the truth behind healing. She challenges the belief that therapy and journaling are enough when the real issue is the environment itself. Gina shares her personal experience with walking away from toxic people and spaces — and why emotional healing can’t happen without physical and energetic distance.She reminds listeners that choosing peace over appearances isn’t selfish — it’s necessary. If the people around you resent your growth, that’s not your problem to fix. This episode is for anyone who’s been doing “the work” but still feels stuck. Gina makes it clear: sometimes healing begins the moment you leave.