Private Practice Startup Podcast
Episode: Up Close and Personal with Ernesto Segismundo
Hosts: Dr. Kate Campbell & Katie Lemieux
Guest: Ernesto Segismundo, LMFT
Date: November 12, 2019
Episode Overview
In this engaging "Up Close and Personal" episode, the Private Practice Startup hosts, Kate Campbell and Katie Lemieux, take a deep dive into the personal and professional life of Ernesto Segismundo, a licensed marriage and family therapist, entrepreneur, and founder of Filmit.com. Selected by audience votes for this series, Ernesto opens up about his colorful childhood, family dynamics, entrepreneurial journey, the profound impact of losing his mother, and his personal views on money, business, and living authentically.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Ernesto’s Roots: Childhood & Culture
[03:03-08:12]
- Background: Born in the Philippines, raised in Kauai, Hawaii. Ernesto describes a laid-back island upbringing where education was not a priority for him, despite it being highly valued in his family.
- Teen years: Struggled with focus due to ADHD; often in detention.
- “You know those kids where you're sent to detention?...That was me.” [03:03, Ernesto]
- Family Structure: Second youngest, with three sisters (whom he pranked mercilessly) and an adopted older brother.
- Prankster nature: Ernesto shares mischievous tales involving soy sauce in hair spray and shaving cream in shampoo.
2. Influence of Culture and Family
[07:24-13:25]
- Filipino Culture: Boys are doted upon (“The boys never do anything wrong. Never ever.” [11:41, Ernesto]).
- Sibling Dynamics: Ernesto reveals light-hearted rivalry and pranks with his sisters.
- Most Embarrassing Story: Shared a school incident where he pantsed a friend, to his family’s mortification.
3. Pivotal Moments: Death of Ernesto’s Mother
[13:32-18:43]
- Profound Loss: Ernesto’s mom passed away suddenly while preparing for his birthday; he reflects on holding her funeral on his birthday and the deep impact this had.
- Life Perspective: Her death became a catalyst for a richer, fuller life and a reevaluation of what truly matters.
- “In her death, I found life. I learned how to live. Everything just became richer and fuller.” [14:25, Ernesto]
4. Authenticity and Living "Out of the Box"
[18:43-20:33]
- Online Presence: Hosts mention Ernesto’s relatable posts about his dad, food, and travel.
- Past as a Performer: Appeared on MTV's “Say What? Karaoke,” with a phase as a hip hop dancer.
- “You will see this Filipino kid with red hair doing backflips on stage.” [20:21, Ernesto]
5. Addictions, Joys, and Indulgences
[23:18-26:48]
- Starbucks Obsession: Noted for frequent food and coffee posts.
- Material Joys: Shoes, electronics (five drones!), gambling (maintains a “Vegas fund” and openly discusses using money for joy).
- Losses: Talks about losing a drone to the ocean and having $12,000-worth of equipment stolen in Canada.
- “I have a bank account on the side that has Vegas funds.” [25:07, Ernesto]
6. Launching Filmit.com and Video’s Power in Private Practice
[28:43-30:39]
- Origin Story: Inspired by the real estate industry’s use of video marketing, Ernesto created his own therapy promo video, leading to rapid client growth and the birth of Filmit.com.
- Impact: Video became a powerful tool for practice growth, a trend he encourages other therapists to embrace.
7. Overcoming Money Shame & Therapy’s Value
[30:39-34:26]
- Money Trauma: Raised in a culture where therapists should provide services for free, compounded by family stories of negative cash flow.
- “The money shaming has a lot to do with taking the money as a mental health professional...there's a lot of shame involved.” [31:37, Ernesto]
- Therapeutic Growth: Used counseling to address money shame; now helps others notice their own emotional reactions to financial conversations.
- “If you start stuttering...let's talk about that. That could be the key to your wealth building journey.” [33:00, Ernesto]
8. Money Mindset, Abundance, and Celebrating Wins
[34:26-37:16]
- Rewarding Yourself: Learned to embrace spending on experiences, not just things.
- “Now I'm addicted to experiences of life…I love art, I took communion at the Vatican, saw the art of Michelangelo.” [36:13, Ernesto]
- Hosts’ Perspectives: Open sharing by Kate and Katie about overcoming scarcity mindsets and celebrating abundance.
9. Work-Life Integration, Alignment & Purpose
[37:16-41:52]
- Global “Office”: Ernesto speaks to building a life of freedom, where business and life blend seamlessly.
- “My office is the world.” [37:33, Ernesto]
- Loss & Authentic Living: Death of his mother deepened his appreciation for relationships; encourages alignment between business and personal values.
- “The more that your business reflects your value system, the more your world becomes enhanced.” [39:34, Ernesto]
- Empowerment: Pushes listeners to ask, “Does your business make you happy?”
10. Looking Ahead: Expansions & New Projects
[42:01-43:34]
- Practice Growth: Planning to expand his group practice, Kat Family Therapy, and to bring CEU conferences to attractive destinations for work and family.
- “I want to create CEU conferences in places where you can take your families.” [43:00, Ernesto]
Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)
- “In her death, I found life. Everything just became richer and fuller.”
[14:25, Ernesto] - “You are a mental health provider. Why are you charging 175, $200?...so there’s a lot of shame involved.”
[31:37, Ernesto] - “My office is the world.”
[37:33, Ernesto] - “I love shoes. I don't like other people's feet...feet on my head, on my face.”
[47:19, Ernesto] (Lightning round, humorous moment) - “Peppermint mocha with whipped cream. Grande.”
[46:46, Ernesto] (On his favorite Starbucks drink)
Noteworthy Segments (Timestamps)
- Childhood stories and sibling pranks: [03:03-11:33]
- Mother’s influence and loss: [13:32-18:43]
- Online persona & MTV hip hop background: [18:43-20:46]
- Drones, gadgets, and gambling: [23:38-26:48]
- Promotional video success & Filmit.com origin: [28:43-30:39]
- Money shame and therapy industry challenges: [30:39-34:26]
- Work-life integration and meaning: [37:16-41:52]
- Future visions for group practice and CEU retreats: [42:01-43:34]
- Lightning round (fun facts and quirks): [43:48-49:54]
Lightning Round Highlights
- Battle Animal: “A fricking giraffe...their necks and their heads actually become their weapon.” [44:07, Ernesto]
- Quirky Food Habit: “Doritos with chopped jalapenos in the bag...it's freaking heavenly.” [45:41, Ernesto]
- Pumpkin spice lattes?: “Hell to the freaking no.” [46:38, Ernesto]
- Biggest Fear: “I don't like other people's feet...feet on my head, on my face.” [47:19, Ernesto]
- Favorite Netflix/Prime series: “How the Universe is Made” and “Finding Bigfoot.” [48:14-49:02, Ernesto]
Takeaways for Private Practitioners
- Authenticity breeds connection: Let your quirks show—clients and colleagues connect with the real you.
- Video is powerful: Harness it for marketing and authentic self-presentation.
- Money mindset matters: Seek counseling for money shame; embrace abundance and reward yourself.
- Align business and life: True integration brings joy and freedom—build a practice that reflects your values.
- Embrace the journey: Even loss and setbacks can lead to profound personal growth and business innovation.
Final Thoughts
This episode is an honest, inspirational, and humor-filled exploration of how embracing your authentic self and tackling personal and cultural barriers can transform your life and your business. Ernesto’s vulnerable storytelling, the hosts’ supportive camaraderie, and plenty of laughs make this a must-listen for any mental health professional or entrepreneur seeking joy, authenticity, and abundance on their private practice journey.