Podcast Summary: She’s So Lucky – “The Top 7 Tips for Becoming the Luckiest Person You Know”

Host: Les Alfred (with co-host and special guests)
Date: December 23, 2025

Episode Overview

This special year-end episode of She’s So Lucky brings together the standout “luckiest moments” and actionable wisdom from an eventful season. Host Les Alfred and a diverse lineup of powerhouse women—including Nicole Walters, Shiata Njay, Gabrielle Union, Alexis Barber, and Taylor Rooks—share the habits, mindsets, and personal transformations that help them create their own luck. Whether you’re looking to kickstart a personal rebrand, stop self-sabotage, or simply show up more fully for yourself, these seven top tips will motivate and inspire you to live your luckiest, most abundant life as you head into the new year.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Stop Being Your Own Biggest Hater

Timestamp: 01:23–05:35

• Takeaway: The way you speak to and about yourself fundamentally shapes your reality, outcomes, and how others treat you. Rather than waiting for external validation or transformation (as the “90s teen movie” trope suggests), be your own biggest fan and advocate now.
• Key Points:
  • Don't let your inner critic and perfectionism paralyze you (“If you're waiting for something to be perfect, you are going to be waiting forever.” — Co-host, 03:12).
  • Progress requires action, not waiting for perfection.
  • “Being our own biggest fan is keeping our commitments to ourselves.” — Host, 05:15

Memorable Quote:

“Nobody is coming to save us and take our glasses off and give us a makeover and see that value that we don’t see in ourselves. We have to see it first, we have to project it, and then the world around us will get into line.” – Co-host (03:21)

2. Take Action in Alignment with Your Values (Nicole Walters Highlight)

Timestamp: 06:36–09:14

• Takeaway: Take unapologetic action on your dreams, even in the face of critics or naysayers. Cut out relationships and situations that drain or stress you—you deserve better.
• Key Points:
  • Haters will always have something negative to say—move forward anyway.
  • Sometimes radical change is required for peace (“People are out here drinking water, doing meditation, but keeping that person in your life who stresses you the hell out… that water is not going to do nothing. Get rid of them.” — Nicole Walters, 07:35)
  • Be responsive by preparing and knowing your values versus just reacting to life’s curveballs.

Memorable Quote:

“Write the damn book, do the damn podcast, get on the damn stage… for the people who have something negative to say… they’re going to keep saying it no matter what. So just do you. Action needs to happen in support of our values.” – Nicole Walters (06:36)

3. Learning is Action & The Power of Focused Growth (Shiata Njay Highlight)

Timestamp: 16:12–21:17

• Takeaway: Not all action is external—internal growth, learning, and self-reflection are also powerful forms of momentum. Incorporate both data-driven thinking and creative visioning for sustainable impact.
• Key Points:
  • Solitude and learning are crucial before launching an ambition (“There’s something about the reclusiveness or the incubation of it all… The goal is to absorb.” — Shiata Njay, 16:39)
  • Embrace both your analytical and artistic sides, especially as an entrepreneur.
  • Root your dreams in data and defend your vision, especially when navigating gatekeepers or skeptics.

Memorable Quote:

“You have to trust the universe, but you also have to do the work. The work got me into that room… The work got me the product…” – Shiata Njay (21:00)

4. Release Judgment (Self & Others): Own Your Story (Gabrielle Union Highlight)

Timestamp: 21:43–28:13

• Takeaway: Leaning into your authentic, specific story makes you both unique and universally relatable. Be selective about the feedback you take in and recognize that judgment (of self and others) often mirrors internal insecurities.
• Key Points:
  • Don’t accept every piece of feedback—be discerning (“If the note is illogical, impractical, unreasonable, I’m not taking it.” — Gabrielle Union, 22:24)
  • Self-judgment holds us back; self-compassion can unlock joy and progress.
  • Public failure feels like an ego death, but “everyone moves on”—don’t let shame or fear hold you hostage.

Memorable Quotes:

“Not every note should be taken. Even when it comes for me.” – Gabrielle Union (22:13)
“The only person who sees that [‘loser’ sign] is you. And perhaps family or friends that you need to cut off anyway.” – Gabrielle Union (27:08)

5. Don’t Shrink Yourself: Beyond Likability & Relatability (Alexis Barber Highlight)

Timestamp: 33:32–37:09

• Takeaway: Chasing “likability” and “relatability” is a trap, particularly for women. Instead, prioritize your own joy and authenticity—even if it means you stand out or are misunderstood.
• Key Points:
  • Confidence is often discouraged in women under the guise of “humility.”
  • You don’t owe anyone relatability. Your job is to be fully, powerfully yourself.
  • External validation is less important than internal pride.

Memorable Quotes:

“I'm not likable and I'm not relatable and I'm not having. I'm not interested in being like either of those things anymore because I'm much more interested in being happy and being myself.” – Alexis Barber (33:32)
“The pressure to be relatable is only put on successful women. Nobody tells a successful man he needs to be more relatable.” — Host (34:11)

6. Rebrand and Level Up – Creating a Personal Brand that Reflects Your Growth

Timestamp: 37:36–42:02

• Takeaway: Redefine yourself intentionally by choosing three words to embody and by consciously shaping your visual and narrative identity.
• Key Points:
  • Identify your three core values or adjectives for your next chapter.
  • Consider your story—know how you want to be known and the impact you want to have.
  • Re-examine how you spend your time and energy as you grow.

Actionable Steps:

• Select three words you want to embody (ex. “authentic, abundant, chic”).
• Reflect on your personal story—how do you answer “what do you do?”
• Audit your time use and realign it with your new identity.

7. Hold Your Vision & Tune Out the Noise (Taylor Rooks Highlight)

Timestamp: 42:35–46:20

• Takeaway: Anchor your self-worth in your own opinion. Constantly seeking outside opinions or anticipating negativity will limit your dreams and capacity for joy.
• Key Points:
  • Others’ limitations and projections are not your truth (“It’s silly to think someone else knows you more than you know yourself.” — Taylor Rooks, 43:06)
  • Accept that anxiety about joy and waiting for the “other shoe to drop” is common, but don’t let it shrink your happiness.
  • Distance yourself from social media noise in order to remain focused.

Memorable Quote:

“Your opinion is the opinion.” – Taylor Rooks (42:35)
“Social media will ruin you if you care too much about it. You can’t care about the comments of others.” – Taylor Rooks (46:20)

Standout Quotes & Timestamps

• “Stop being your own biggest hater.” – Host, 05:35
• “Action needs to happen in support of our values.” – Nicole Walters, 06:51
• “Learning is also a form of taking action.” – Co-host, 16:25
• “You have to trust the universe, but you also have to do the work.” – Shiata Njay, 21:00
• “Not every note should be taken.” – Gabrielle Union, 22:13
• “I'm not likable and I'm not relatable and I'm not interested in being like either of those things anymore.” – Alexis Barber, 33:32
• “Your opinion is the opinion.” – Taylor Rooks, 42:35

Notable Moments & Timestamps

• [01:23] Self-talk and perfectionism discussion: how internal narratives drive outcomes.
• [06:36] Nicole Walters on pushing past critics and knowing when to let go of relationships.
• [16:12] Shiata Njay emphasizes the importance of learning and strategic solitude before taking action.
• [21:43] Gabrielle Union on the power of specificity and self-judgment.
• [33:32] Alexis Barber shares her journey toward authenticity over likability.
• [37:36] Personal rebrand steps—selecting your three words for the new year.
• [42:35] Taylor Rooks on trusting your own vision and not being swayed by public opinion.

Conclusion

This episode is a warm, motivating, and highly actionable send-off to 2025, reminding listeners that luck is not random—it’s created through actions, mindset, and courageous authenticity. Whether you’re preparing for a new chapter or simply need a burst of inspiration, these seven tips offer a roadmap to becoming “the luckiest person you know.”

Recommendation:
For further growth, check out the full guest episodes linked in the show notes for deep dives on each topic.

Don’t forget:
Subscribe to She’s So Lucky for more weekly inspiration, and leave a comment sharing which “lucky tip” resonated most with you as you head into the new year.