Ignite & Inspire
Welcome to Ignite & Inspire, the podcast designed to spark your passion and elevate your everyday experiences. Whether it's personal growth, professional development, or enriching relationships, we delve into all areas of life to bring you the inspiration you need.
Hosted by Somer Van, Ignite & Inspire is a dynamic blend of solo episodes and engaging interviews with individuals who have remarkable stories and insights to share. Each episode, ranging from 30 to 60 minutes, is crafted to leave you feeling motivated and mentally stimulated.
Our mission is to create a safe space for Gen Z and younger millennial men and women, where inspiration is not just a fleeting moment but a lasting impact. Whether you’re tuning in for our audio-only episodes or joining us for the video-enhanced experiences, expect to leave with a fire ignited within you.
Join us on this journey of discovery and empowerment. Subscribe now and become a part of a community where every story has the power to inspire and every moment is an opportunity to ignite your potential.
Episodes
29 episodes
Ignite Your Vision: Preparing to make 2025 the Year of Action
As 2024 comes to a close, it's time to set our sights on the year ahead. In this reflective episode, I reflect on 2024 and guide you through actionable steps to prepare for a powerful and purpose-driven 2025. Whether you're mapping out personal...
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31:13
Inspired to Balance Life and Career with Authenticity ft. Chelsea Sparrow and Isabel Laurent
In this episode of Ignite & Inspire, I welcome Chelsea Sparrow and Isabel Laurent, two dynamic women shaping careers in tech and entertainment, for an inspiring conversation on career growth, facing fear and living authentically. T...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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36:31
inspired to impact: using your talents to enhance communities with Eric Julian
Whether you're interested in architecture, design, or personal growth, this episode is packed with insights that will ignite and inspire your journey. 🚀 In today’s conversation, I sit down with Eric Julian, a dynamic architect, engineer, and da...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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53:53
inspired to create: balancing passion and profession with Ary Williams
In this episode of Ignite & Inspire, I welcome my first guest - the talented Ary Williams, a multifaceted actress, model, makeup artist, and entrepreneur. Join us as Ary shares her inspiring journey of resilience and creativity, discussing ...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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54:10
fuel your fire: ignite & inspire goes visual!
Welcome to Ignite & Inspire, the podcast that empowers you to reignite your passion, beat burnout, and achieve your personal and professional goals. This platform is your source for actionable insights on personal growth, career advancement...
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2:23
pit stop: the role of faith & trust in overcoming challenges
In this pit stop episode, I take a moment to reflect on the whirlwind of change and growth in my life over the past few months. From putting in my two weeks at work to being accepted into grad school and taking the leap into video podcasting—th...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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28:04
why your vehicle might not be your passion—and that’s okay!
FYI - we’re not talking about cars.In this episode of Ignite and Inspire, we explore the concept of identifying and embracing the vehicle that will drive you toward your true purpose, even if it’s not your passion. Through pers...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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44:57
taking up space - no longer allowing my fear of being seen to hold me back
This episode is for me yall... I have a dear friend who I'm 100% confident that God often speaks to me through her... and she told me that my goals for this podcast are too small... CLOCKED ME right on Redonda Beach in Los Angeles. I hope that ...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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29:45
reflections from LA
Bare with me on this one yall. Take a little peak into my solo (ish) trip to LA! I hope that after listening to this episode, you feel inspired to (1) take that PTO and (2) recognize that a self compatible life is attainable. I needed this expe...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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25:00
deeper than the surface: fathers and figures
This episode is slightly different than usual and a bit outside of my comfort zone to showcase publicly, but I wanted to reflect on my relationship with pops in hopes of inspiring you to do the same. This episodes is a week late, but I just ret...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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25:02
liberating yourself from the pressure of validation: a self worth guide
Ok, I still code switch, but I'm learning to be myself in the various version of ME. In today's episode we dig into how our anxiety impacts our relationships. The process of breaking free from anxiety has been one of the most liberating experie...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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32:23
pit stop: permission to pivot
We need to take a pit stop. I'm checking in after some much needed maintenance. In this episode, I cue you into what's been cooking these past couple of months and setting foundation for what's to come. Exciting things ahead! Let's get it!
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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21:12
embracing the present, appreciating the past - no longer stuck on stupid
It's time we let the past be the past so we can prepare ourselves for an abundant future. In today's episode, we get real about allowing old memories and experiences dictate our present and future. I'm absolutely guilty of letting old emotions ...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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27:41
reflections after reading atomic habits by james clear
After reading Atomic Habits by James Clear, I'm extremely charged to think critically about the small (atomic) changes I can make to my everyday in order to make my actions/habits congruent with the life I want to live and the person I am...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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54:35
the power of anticipation
Coming in to inspire us all to lean into a new tool from our toolbox. In this episode we talk about anticipation. Anticipation is a superpower that when used for good - moves mountains... however when we lean into anxiety... anticipation can ei...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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33:36
the ultimate pursuit of happiness
The ultimate pursuit of happiness is the journey of pursuing yourself. We spend so much of our time and focus on pursuing dreams, our goals, people… and fail to apply those same methods in pursuing ourselves. In this episode we tal...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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39:58
let's talk about gossip
What if i told you that you're thinking about gossip all wrong. There are often negative connotations or sentiments around gossip, but in this episode... we explore not only the bad but the beauty of gossip as well. I hope that by the end of th...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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32:03
reclaiming my power
It's long overdue that we walk in our purpose and reclaim our power. I don't know about you, but my 2023 was the year of questions. I KNOW 2024 will be my year of answers. I hope after listening to this episode you feel inspired to reclaim your...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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35:28
pit stop: it's only the beginning
Let's take a quick pit stop and reflect on our first 10 episodes of I&I. This time I took a different approach and documented where I am in my podcasting journey through a series of questions. I hope that by the end of this episode. You fee...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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30:25
relationships: going after what i deserve
Relationships (in all forms) can be a sensitive topic. On this platform, I want to build comfortability in exploring how we conceptualize different concepts and perspectives regarding the relationships in our lives and how we approach them. In ...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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33:37
attracting ease and positivity
In this episode of Ignite & Inspire, I consider ways in which I may be overcomplicating my life and why I may do so. As we approach the new year and I continue to refine what my 2024 themes will be, I really want to continue on this journey...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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21:28
give yourself a break & respect yourself enough to rest
Growing up is realizing that resting is so much deeper than napping our taking a break. In today’s episode we talk about refueling our tanks in a more impactful way and how being intentional with the process can keep us refreshed from day to...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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22:42
new year, new us… creating our dream 2024
With 2 months left in the year, it’s time to start reflecting on how you want to show up in 2024. 2022 was… an experience to say the least so I was extremely serious about planning and strategizing for 2023. Listen to this episode to catch m...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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29:08
a plea for conscious living - empathy and curiosity
Let’s be honest about how many times we’re discouraged from being curious. Whether there be social constructs or an actual person preventing you from getting your questions answered- it’s time to get comfortable with being curious. In this epis...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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17:32
a new approach to self-regulation
Here’s a HOT TAKE, instead of controlling your emotions… you should aim to understand them. In this episode of Ignite & Inspire Podcast, we explore our understanding of emotional control. I hope you feel inspired to give yourself and oth...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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24:52