pod bites: Unlock Your Child’s Full Potential with Billy Ivanova
“I have such an imposter syndrome about that, like I'm feeling like an imposter because I make a few mistakes from time to time. I have an accent. I'm taking action anyway. And I'm proving to myself that it doesn't matter if you have the goal and you're consistent.”
Our featured podcast host in this episode is Billy Ivanova, host of Unlock Your Child’s Full Potential.
In this episode Billy shares how having a podcast has helped her own parenting.
She has an online event coming up called Boost Your Child’s IQ and EQ.
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Billy’s links:
The podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/unlock-your-childs-full-potential-podcast/id1677778085
The website: www.unlockyourchildsfullpotential.com
The instagram: https://www.instagram.com/your_childs_full_potential
Billy’’s podcast picks:
The Mel Robbins Show: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mel-robbins-podcast/id1646101002
Crush the Rush: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/crush-the-rush/id1502925956
Prefer to read? Read the transcript below.
Got a show you’d love to hear on my podcast? Tell me about it!
Alison: Thank you for coming on, Billy. I'm excited to learn about your podcast and how you got into it. So welcome to the show.
Billy: Thank you for having me, Allison. Uh, I'm a mom of three girls, and, uh, after being a stay at home mom for quite some time, I'm currently the host of a parenting podcast called Unlock Your Child's Full Potential, where I aim to fill the gaps left by the school system and to help moms teach their kids the lessons that are going to prepare them for real life.
On the podcast, I talk to other moms, educators, experts, and I look for universal principles and practical tips that we can use to raise capable and confident young people who are kind, caring, and authentic, and who bring value to the world. Uh, how I came about it, [00:01:00] uh, I'm a fan of Catie Heller and her show.
And last summer I was listening to an episode of hers and she was advertising her course for podcasters. She said that each one of us has something of value to share with the world and having a podcast is a great way to get out there, find your people. And advertise your services. I didn't have a business back then, and I hadn't even thought about starting a podcast, but I knew I wanted to learn from Kathy and find my people.
So that's why I started it.
Alison: That topic you've got, it sounds like something that I know a lot of parents would be.
It feels like it's such a responsibility that you've, when you produce this, so when you do each [00:02:00] episode, like, do you feel that responsibility of, from other parents or do you just go with the flow?
Billy: I just have so many questions around parenting, and I want to, uh, get some answers. And that's why I talk to other parents and experts and actually ask the questions I'm interested in finding the answer to.
And I just get it out to the world. So other people like me can get inspiration and just do what they can to be a better parent.
Alison: Do you find that your parenting has changed since starting your podcast?
Billy: Yeah, very much because it, I'm so much more focused on that because I'm looking for ways to incorporate the advice of my guests in my own parenting approach. So yeah, quite a lot. And my family can feel the difference too, although I was pretty much very [00:03:00] intentional before that. So
Alison: yeah. I read somewhere that parents can't say that they're good parents.
It's only the child. that can say that you've been a good parent?
Billy: And also other people that can see how your child behaves out there in the world. And I've been getting quite a few compliments about how great my child, children are.
Alison: What, what one change have you made that you've learned from doing your podcast that you think has influenced your parenting now?
One change. Is there anything that stands out that's like an easy thing.
Billy: Yeah, there is one thing that comes to mind right now. I've always been, um, eager to take the time and answer my kids questions. Like, when they ask questions, I take them. [00:04:00] I really do try to give them all the information they want.
But on some topics, I was quite hesitant. And then one of my kids... Uh, relationship therapists told me that if they ask this, the question, they're ready to hear the answer. So now I don't stop myself if they ask me about intimate relationships or another topic that I might. may find it's too early to talk about, but if they are asking, maybe they're ready to hear that.
Not in deep details, but still, I have to, and I also always strive to be honest with them. Like, I don't lie to my kids, and I expect the same in return. So, the other day we talked about Santa, and if there's Santa or we buy the gifts, and now they know, because I didn't lie to them.
Alison: [00:05:00] That is such, um, a contentious topic.
I think the whole Santa, the elf on the shelf, um, we've brought up our son to be the same, like. We feel that when it comes to lying about Father Christmas and that whole elf on the shelf thing, if you're lying to your child about that, then you're kind of encouraging them to lie themselves to you about things.
Billy: Yeah, I wanted to keep the magic a little longer. They're nine and seven, but they asked me so straightforward. And I was like, no, it's a. good chance to model honesty. And in a time when, uh, I'm conflicted, how do I react? I tell them like the truth. That's what's important. Yeah.
Alison: You're a mom with kids, you say, this isn't [00:06:00] your business. So how do you make everything work so that you are giving to your family, but also creating this podcast? Well,
Billy: it took some time just to get used to all the different aspects of podcasting. And, uh, I'm sure I still get a hold of it, but, uh, it's getting better.
Um, I just try to have a regular routine, like on Mondays I do editing, for example. On Thursdays I have my interviews. I just like to have a routine so I know when to do what. And I also like to have a few episodes ready to publish, so. If life happens as it always does, I'm prepared.
Alison: That's actually very good tips, um, for any podcasters really to be, to have something ready, just in case you do have, you know, as you say, [00:07:00] life, you never know what life's going to throw at you.
Yeah.
Alison: Do you have, do you have any other tips that, um, for beginner podcasters or for women who were. Thinking about doing a podcast, but they're not quite dipped their toe in yet. I
Billy: have a tip. Yeah. And, um, the first one is to have a support group. Like, uh, if, uh, because, uh, there are always an inevitably dips in this journey.
And the people who will be able to understand you best will be other people who are podcasters, not your friends, not your spouse. And I say this because a few ladies and I formed a pod group after the course we took, and we meet every week for an hour on zoom and talk about our podcasts. We inspire each other to continue [00:08:00] to grow and expand.
We support each other when things don't go as planned. We share what tools, podcasting tools we love using. And these women have become my closest friends because we are united by a common goal and it makes it so much easier to just continue because you see how they continue and just, it's an inspiration, support group.
It makes a difference.
Alison: Thank you so much for sharing that. Yeah, there is no one else who knows what a podcaster is going through than another podcaster.
Billy: Exactly. And one more thing I would like to share with beginner podcasters. is to just start, take one step at a time. When I was starting, like the course ended, uh, in December and we were supposed to launch in January, but I lost momentum, I didn't [00:09:00] launch and I wasn't really sure on what my topic for the show will be.
So like three months went by without me starting and then. I said, you know what, everybody's starting, everybody's sharing how they launch, how it's awesome. I just got to start. And then all the clarity I needed came after I recorded 20 episodes and I aired them. You know, I realized what my message is. So clarity comes from action.
Just start, put one step, one foot in front of the other and don't overthink it.
Alison: That's the best advice, I think. Thanks for sharing that. 20 episodes, yeah. I think that we're always evolving as podcasters and finding our feet and yeah, finding what lights us up and our audience. Yeah.
Billy: Yeah. And you realize [00:10:00] what you really stand for after talking to so many people.
Alison: My podcast is to inspire women to podcast and also shine the light on those women who are podcasting already. And one thing that stands out about, stands out about you, Billie, is that you are not a native English speaker. So how have you found that with your podcasting?
Billy: Oh I have such an imposter syndrome about that, like I'm feeling like an imposter because I make a few mistakes from time to time.
I have an accent. So when I'm interviewing people, I take a lot of time editing out my mistakes because of what, because I don't like the way I sound. I don't know if it's the same for other people, but it's something I work on. I'm taking action anyway. And I'm proving to myself [00:11:00] that it doesn't matter if you have the goal and you're consistent.
I will find the people who don't care about the accent, who care about the content and it will be okay.
Alison: I think it shows that if you're determined enough that you can do it.
I guess, you know, some women might think, Oh, I, who am I to do this? I'm not an expert in this field, but they, they have a passion about it. You've overcome something that a lot of people would probably find the first hurdle and you're just doing it anyway.
Billy: Well, and the reason was because I could do it in my native language and there, there is an audience for my content, but I couldn't interview the people I wanted to hear from. So that's why I decided for a [00:12:00] better content, I have to do it in English and I don't regret that.
Alison: That's, yeah, I think you've made the right decision.
Billy: I hope so. And I'm getting better. I hope.
Alison: Now, before we started recording, um, you mentioned that you've got something, um, happening just in the next few days that you want our listeners to know about. Um, so can you tell us about that?
Billy: Yes. Thank you, Alison, for the opportunity. I just wanted to share with your listeners what I'm currently up to.
I'm planning my first online event, a free summit for parents on how to boost both their children's IQ and EQ. I have emo, uh, I have amazing speakers on each topic, which will give us practical exercises to help our kids improve their thinking skills and fun ways to nurture their emotional intelligence.
[00:13:00] This free summit is taking place live on Zoom on October 11th at 7 p. m. Eastern Time. Registration is now open and I would love for more people to come and learn these amazing tips. that they can incorporate in their daily routines. Um, all about giving kids a headstart in life. So that's why I'm doing it.
Alison: Cool. So yeah, we'll have the link in the show notes. So anyone who's interested will be able to register for that. But that sounds quite an incredible event really to improve the IQ and the EQ. Because I think a lot of us tend to focus mostly on the IQ, but really EQ is something that kids really need to have that focus on.
Billy: And a lot of people think they have to either focus on one or the other, and they can both be boosted if we just add a little tweaks to the way [00:14:00] we communicate and raise our children.
Alison: You mentioned earlier the Cathy Heller show is a podcast that you listen to. Can you share with us maybe one or two others that you like to listen to?
Billy: Oh yeah, I like to have two types of podcasts on my playlist. One is a business podcast and the other is, uh, like when I just want to put my earbuds on and relax. And I love Mel Robbins show. She's such an authentic person. And I laugh all the time when I listen to her and also I learned quite a lot of personal development stuff, but she's so funny.
And then, um, the business one right now, I'm listening to Crush the Rush, uh, with Holly Haynes. And, um, she's all about planning [00:15:00] our business around our family life and not the other way around. And that's what I love because my family is my priority and there are strategies that we can make it work.
Alison: I love that. It's life by design, making your business work around the family rather than putting the family second to the business. Yeah. I'll put those links in the show notes too, so thanks for sharing those. Is there anything else that you wanted to share about your podcasting journey so far?
Billy: I wanted to share that, uh, it's just, uh, for people who are just starting, start with a friend. It's was so daunting a task. Like [00:16:00] I have to interview another person and I have never done that before. How am I supposed to do it? If the other person is not friendly, if, uh, he or she thinks that, uh, I'm not good at what I do.
So I got my first interviews from my, uh, fellow, uh, podcasters from this course. And it was so much easier, like having a friend on the other side to just practice. So I just wanted to share this tip, start small, start with a friend to see that's Not a big deal. And then move from there.
Alison: And you don't even have to publish those, do you?
You can just use them, as you say, as practice.
Billy: Of course. Yeah. Cool. And usually these are the ones that are the best. So you end up publishing it.
Alison: Wow. Thanks for sharing that tip. That's, that's [00:17:00] actually a really good one to, good thing to end on. So thanks so much for coming on, Billie, and sharing about your podcast and how you make it work with your family.
And how beginner podcasters can also make it fit in with whatever they've got going on too.
Billy: Thank you for having me, Alison. It was a pleasure to be here.
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