Shows
The Rejected Pre-Med Podcast: For Anyone Who’s Faced RejectionStop Rejecting Yourself: Intuition, Action and Redefining Success With Author Karan WadhwaniIn this powerful episode, Valeria sits down with multidisciplinary artist, author, and businessman Karan Wadhwani to talk about how rejection often starts from within—and how embracing intuition, creativity, and spiritual practice can lead to a more fulfilling and resilient life.In This Episode, We Explore:Why “others can only reject you when you reject yourself”The difference between fear and intuitionBuilding resilience through adaptability, self-trust, and self-compassionWhy being your own best friend is the key to overcoming external and internal rejectionWhat it means to be successful—and how to redefine failureTai Chi, spirituality, and how martial...2025-07-2146 min
The Rejected Pre-Med Podcast: For Anyone Who’s Faced RejectionAdaptation, Community Support & Transformation: How Rejection Fuels Resilience (with Dr. Michael Ungar)Discover the real meaning of resilience with Dr. Michael Ungar, Canada Research Chair at Dalhousie University and the world’s leading social work scholar. In this inspiring conversation, Dr. Ungar unpacks the science of adaptation, the power of community support, and how moments of rejection can spark profound transformation in your life.🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn:🌱 Why resilience is not a fixed trait—it’s a skill anyone can develop through adaptation and community support. 💡 How setbacks, rejection, and failure can be stepping stones to transformation and personal growth. 🏘️ The vital role of community support syst...2025-05-291h 09
Tactical EmpathyThe Power of Self-Awareness and Empathy with Valeria RusnakIn this conversation, Erin chats with Valeria Rusnak as she discusses her journey as a podcaster and community leader, focusing on the themes of rejection and empathy. She emphasizes the importance of removing shame associated with rejection and how empathy can serve as a powerful tool in understanding others. Valeria shares her insights on establishing emotional boundaries, practicing empathy in real-life situations, and the significance of self-awareness in developing empathy skills. The discussion also touches on the challenges people face in practicing empathy and offers practical tips for listeners to enhance their empathetic abilities....2025-04-3026 min
The Rejected Pre-Med Podcast: For Anyone Who’s Faced RejectionRejection is Redirection: Harnessing Personal Growth, the STOP Technique, and Silencing Your Inner Critic with Dave Robens, MOT & CoachWhat IF rejection could be the spark for your greatest personal growth? In this inspiring episode, Dave Robens, MOT & Coach, shares his raw story of facing rejection from Occupational Therapy school—despite better grades and a stronger application—and how he transformed that setback into a powerful redirection. Learn how Dave used the energy of rejection to silence his inner critic, embrace the STOP technique, and ultimately build a meaningful, resilient career as an Occupational Therapist.We dive deep into how your responses and reactions to negative thoughts can shape your reality, and why the language you use...2025-04-1853 min
The Rejected Pre-Med Podcast: For Anyone Who’s Faced RejectionRediscovering Your Worth After Rejection – A Talk with Miss Teenage Canada 2024Feeling rejected or doubting your worth? In this powerful episode, we chat with Arianna Ramsay, Miss Teenage Canada 2024, as she opens up about overcoming self-doubt and embracing resilience.From her early steps into the pageant world to becoming an advocate for body positivity and anti-bullying, Arianna shares how rejection became her stepping stone toward success and purpose. As a trailblazer and founder of H.E.R.O Canada, she encourages us to redefine success, embrace our unique beauty, and build a strong support system.🌟 Key Takeaways: ✔️ Overcoming rejection and self-doubt ✔️ Redefining success on your own terms ✔️ Th...2025-02-2550 min
The Rejected Pre-Med Podcast: For Anyone Who’s Faced RejectionFacing Rejection & Finding Self-Love – A Data Scientist’s Mental Wellness JourneyWhat do you do when the path you thought was meant for you suddenly shifts? In Episode 8 of The Rejected Pre-Med Podcast, Gurmol Sohi, a former pre-med student turned data scientist, opens up about his unexpected journey after choosing not to pursue medical school. He shares how rejection led him to discover a new, fulfilling career in data science and the lessons he learned along the way.In this episode, we explore:The importance of having faith in yourself and the role it plays in personal growth and resilience.Practical tips for maintaining mental wellness and...2025-01-1845 min
The Rejected Pre-Med Podcast: For Anyone Who’s Faced RejectionWhy Rejection, Emotional Validation & Forgiveness Build True ResilienceFeeling overwhelmed by rejection and life’s challenges? In this deeply personal and unscripted episode of The Rejected Pre-Med Podcast, I share my own journey through a tough time in my life, where I’m processing rejection, feelings of uncertainty, and personal struggles. This episode is raw, unplanned, and completely improvised—but I hope it resonates with you.I talk about the importance of embracing rejection as a tool for growth, the power of validating our emotions, and how compassion and forgiveness can strengthen our resilience. Through this episode, I want to remind you that it’s okay not...2024-11-3014 min
The Rejected Pre-Med Podcast: For Anyone Who’s Faced RejectionFrom Pre-Med to Oxford: Overcoming Burnout & Embracing Entrepreneurship – with Sachi ChanStruggling with rejection and questioning your future in medicine? In this episode of The Rejected Pre-Med Podcast, I chat with Sachi, a former pre-med student who found an unexpected yet fulfilling path after not being accepted into medical school. Sachi's journey led her to the prestigious University of Oxford, where she discovered a new passion for creating a thriving newsletter for health science students.We dive into the emotional and mental challenges of facing rejection, dealing with burnout, and navigating the uncertainty that comes with reevaluating career paths. Sachi shares practical advice on maintaining mental wellness during...2024-11-1742 min
The Rejected Pre-Med Podcast: For Anyone Who’s Faced RejectionRejection Sensitivity & How to Deal With It – A TedX Speaker’s Advice with Richard Lee ThaiEver felt like rejection hits harder than it should? In this episode, I chat with connection coach and TEDx speaker Richard Lee-Thai about rejection sensitivity and rejection dysphoria—how these emotional responses affect our resilience and growth. Richard shares his personal journey of rejection, we dive deep into understanding rejection sensitivity, and explore Jia Jiang’s intriguing experiment where he sought rejection over 100 days to overcome his fear. Tune in for a thoughtful discussion that can help you reframe how you perceive and handle rejection.Resources mentioned:More on Rejection Sensitivity: HealthyGamerGG YouTube VideoJia Jiang's TED Talk...2024-10-1335 min
The Rejected Pre-Med Podcast: For Anyone Who’s Faced RejectionFrom Rejection to Resilience: My Story & How to Bounce Back StrongerStruggling to bounce back after rejection? In the episode, I dive into how I've built resilience after facing rejection and share practical tips to help you navigate challenges with confidence. Drawing on my personal experiences and insights from experts like Dr. Kristin Neff, Brene Brown, and Gretchen Rubin, I explore how resilience involves becoming comfortable with uncertainty, mastering emotional regulation, and practicing self-care through self-love and self-compassion. Tune in for actionable advice that can help you strengthen your resilience and embrace life's challenges.Resources mentioned:Dr. Kristin Neff’s WebsiteDr. Kristin Neff TED TalkThe Gifts of Im...2024-08-2321 min
The Rejected Pre-Med Podcast: For Anyone Who’s Faced RejectionGetting Into Med School on the 7th Try – A Doctor’s Story of PerseveranceEver wondered how persistence and resilience can help you get into medical school after multiple rejections? In this episode, I interview Dr. Alain Gauthier, a doctor who applied to medical school seven times before he finally got in. He shares his inspiring story and offers valuable advice on overcoming rejection, staying hopeful, and pushing forward no matter the obstacles.You’ll hear about his powerful journey and how music, particularly U2's "Zoo Station," kept him resilient during tough times. The lyrics of this song helped him stay focused and motivated through his final med school interview....2024-07-2724 min
The Rejected Pre-Med Podcast: For Anyone Who’s Faced RejectionHow I Found Happiness After Rejection (And How You Can Too)Feeling stuck after rejection? Wondering how to find happiness again? In this episode, I share practical resources and personal advice on staying happy and navigating life after feeling rejected. Drawing from both research and personal experience, I’ll guide you through steps to rediscover joy, even after setbacks.If this episode resonates with you, please consider supporting the podcast by visiting buymeacoffee.com/valeriarusnak. Your support helps us continue these important conversations!Resources:The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin: Gretchen Rubin’s WebsiteThe Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron – a life-changing book for me.Social...2024-07-2717 min
The Rejected Pre-Med Podcast: For Anyone Who’s Faced RejectionMy Med School Rejection Story & Why I Started This PodcastRejected from Med School? My Story & Why I Started this PodcastRejection hurts—especially when it’s your dream on the line. In this episode, I open up about my experience being rejected from medical school and writing the MCAT three times. I also share why I started this podcast and how I hope it can be a source of support for anyone struggling with setbacks and figuring out their next steps.💬 Let’s connect: If you need someone to talk to about rejection or feeling lost, you can book a private meeting with me: calendly...2024-07-2712 min