Episode 226
Claudia Noriega Bernstein, Author of BRIGHTER DAYS
Claudia is an artist, writer, philanthropist, life coach, mentor, mother, and wife. During her career as a journalist, she has worked for magazines and television in South America and the US, touching on subjects from parenting, forgiveness, and growth to political issues.
"Everything I know about love is taught by the people who really never loved me. We strive to be loved… we do… and we hope to be loved back but sometimes what we give is not returned in the same authentic way… so let’s don’t allow this to change our hearts. Let’s learn from it. Keep on spreading love around as love is really all we need," says Claudia.
¿Alguna vez te has sentido perdida, confundida, desmotivada?
Llevo más de treinta años en un viaje de crecimiento personal. He cambiado la forma en la que como, la forma en que me visto, la forma en que pienso, la forma en que “digiero” las cosas y la forma en que gasto mi dinero, entre otras cosas, porque siempre sentí que todo era parte de convertirme en el Yo auténtico que estaba destinada a ser. Pero la sensación de vacío no desaparecía hasta que decidí buscar la felicidad dentro de mí, reconocer mis dones y apreciar lo que realmente es.
En este viaje, he aprendido que todos los días una versión de mí expira. Que me acerco más y más a quien estoy destinada a ser, convirtiéndome en mi verdadero yo. La persona que conociste o pensaste que era, ya no existe, ya que ella es sólo un boceto de la obra maestra que intento ser. También he aprendido que no necesito encogerme para encajar y que ese sentimiento de amor y aceptación debe comenzar conmigo.
Tu crecimiento es inminente y no le debes una disculpa a nadie. Aquí estoy compartiendo ejemplos y anécdotas de mi viaje para así mostrarle las lecciones esenciales que he aprendido, algunas historias que amo y memorias inspiradoras de familia, matrimonio, amor y ansiedad.
Después de leer este libro:
-Tendrás las herramientas que necesitas para evitar que el pasado se repita.
-Abrazarás tu poder y visualizarás la vida que deseas.
-Finalmente aprenderás cómo ponerte en primer lugar y no permitir que las conversaciones negativas dentro de tu cabeza, te impidan alcanzar tus sueños.
-Aprenderás a elegir tu tribu y dejarás ir a las personas tóxicas en tu vida.
¡Tu puedes vivir la mejor versión de tu vida! ¡Empieza ahora!
Claudia Noriega-Bernstein
Claudia es artista, escritora, filántropa, coach de abundancia/vida, mentora, madre y esposa. Durante su carrera como periodista y escritora, ha trabajado para revistas y televisión en el Peru y Estados Unidos, tocando temas desde la crianza positiva, el perdón y el crecimiento emociona, hasta temas políticos y de inmigración. Comenzó su carrera en televisión a los 17 años como actriz de la conocida telenovela Carmin con el personaje de Monica, donde co-protagonizo con el actor Jorge Garcia Bustamante, una de las telenovelas más populares del Peru y que se transmitió en más de 37 paises, así como Zańa y Kerara Marka, produccion filmada en el Cuzco. Participo en importantes campañas publicitarias internacionales como Levi’s entre otras, pero poco despues le encontró el gusto a la producción y a estar detrás de la cámara. A los 21 años y se convirtió en una de las
Co-productoras más jóvenes de su país donde escribió un manual que luego se usó para capacitar a otros productores jóvenes. Estudió Arte desde muy joven, desde acrílico y óleo hasta esculturas en piedra. Actualmente esta trabajando en una colección de pinturas que será expuesta en el extrajero el proximo año. También estudio Dirección de Cine y televisión.
Después de mudarse a los EE. UU., trabajó como modelo en la Florida y luego se mudo a Las Vegas donde produjo espectáculos musicales en importantes Hoteles del Strip de Las Vegas. Y otras ciudades
Hija del periodista, escritor y poeta Julio Noriega Garland, Claudia siempre tuvo un gusto especial para la escritura pero cuando se convirtió en madre soltera de tres hijas, tuvo que dejar de lado su pasión y explorar otros medios.
En 2008, mientras participaba en un entrenamiento de Inteligencia Emocional en Choice Center University, descubrió el “coaching” lo que se convirtió en otra de sus pasiones. “Ayudar a otros a encontrar su autoestima, crear relaciones sanas, su propósito de vida y convertirse en líderes auténticos, es mi misión; especialmente cuando los ayudo a mantenerse en su propio poder y tener claridad sobre quiénes son y a dónde quieren llegar poder convertirse en la mejor versión de ellos mismos.”
Ella ha dedicado los últimos doce años de su vida a empoderar a personas que bucan ser la mejor version de ellas mismas, especialmente a los niños y las mujeres. Como entrenadora de vida y abundancia( Life and Abundance Coach), ha ayudado a personas de diferentes orígenes a descubrir e implementar todo el potencial de sus propios poderes creativos para el crecimiento personal y la autocuración.
Nacida en el Perú, proviene de una cultura de tabúes y creencias que no siempre la habían empoderado para convertirse en lo que ella creía era su vocación. En el proceso de autodescubrimiento, se enamoró de sí misma nuevamente y encontró su pasión por ayudar a los demás.
Retribuir, pagar por “adelantado”, gratitud y amabilidad son sus pilares para un mundo mejor y les da crédito por inspirar su sistema de creencias y por transformar su vida.
En su libro Brighter Days, (disponible en español – Dias Felices), comparte las herramientas que aprendió para romper las creencias que la detuvieron en el pasado para crear la vida que quería. Claudia ha viajado por el mundo desde que era una niña y se inspira continuamente en la diversidad y belleza de la expresión y experiencias humana.
Claudia ayuda a varias organizaciones benéficas y tiene debilidad por los niños inmigrantes. Recibió el Premio de Embajadora de la Comunidad en el 2017-2018 de la Facultad de Derecho Boyd de la Universidad de Nevada en Las Vegas UNLV y el Programa Corte de Niños, que es una organización que ayuda a los niños que han sido abusados y descuidados, a familiarizarse con el sistema judicial; también recibió el Silver State Community Excellence Award en 2018 de la Asociación de Leyes del Interés Público por el trabajo que ella y su esposo Ed Bernstein realizan, brindando asistencia legal a niños indocumentados a través del Programa de Derechos del Niño de Bernstein.
Claudia esta casada con Ed Bernstein y tiene tres hijas de su anterior matrimonio, Thalia, Isabella y Sophia. Ella vive en Las Vegas Nevada con su familia y sus dos perros, Boyfriend y Bianca. Actualmente es la Directora de Marketing de su compañía de medios, creando, dirigiendo y editando anuncios de televisión. En su tiempo libre, le gusta pintar y esculpir tanto como viajar con su familia.
Have you ever felt lost, confused, unmotivated?
I have been on a personal growth journey for over thirty years. I have changed the way I eat, the way I dress, the way I think, the way I "digest" things and the way I spend my money, among other things, because I always felt that everything was part of becoming the authentic me that I was meant to be. But the feeling of emptiness did not go away until I decided to look for happiness within myself, recognize my gifts and appreciate what it really is.
On this journey, I have learned that every day a version of me expires. That I get closer and closer to who I'm meant to be, becoming my true self. The person you knew or thought she was, no longer exists, as she is just a sketch of the masterpiece I try to be. I have also learned that I don't need to shrink to fit in and that this feeling of love and acceptance has to start with me.
Your growth is imminent and you don't owe anyone an apology. Here I am sharing examples and anecdotes from my journey to show you the essential lessons I have learned, some stories I love, and inspiring memories of family, marriage, love, and anxiety.
After reading this book:
-You will have the tools you need to prevent the past from repeating itself.
-You will embrace your power and visualize the life you want.
-Finally you will learn how to put yourself first and not let the negative conversations inside your head stop you from reaching your dreams.
-You will learn to choose your tribe and let go of the toxic people in your life.
You can live the best version of your life! Start now!
Claudia Noriega-Bernstein
Claudia is an artist, writer, philanthropist, abundance/life coach, mentor, mother, and wife. During her career as a journalist and writer, she has worked for magazines and television in Peru and the United States, covering topics from positive parenting, forgiveness and emotional growth, to immigration and political issues. She began her television career at the age of 17 as an actress in the well-known telenovela Carmin with the character of Monica, where she co-starred with actor Jorge Garcia Bustamante, one of the most popular telenovelas in Peru and which was broadcast in more than 37 countries. , as well as Zańa and Kerara Marka, a production filmed in Cuzco. She participated in important international advertising campaigns such as Levi's among others, but soon after she found a taste for production and being behind the camera.
Younger co-producers from her country where she wrote a manual that was later used to train other young producers. He studied Art from a very young age, from acrylic and oil to stone sculptures. He is currently working on a collection of paintings that will be exhibited abroad next year. He also studied Film and Television Directing.
After moving to the US, she worked as a model in Florida and then moved to Las Vegas where she produced musical shows at major Las Vegas Strip Hotels. and other cities
Daughter of journalist, writer and poet Julio Noriega Garland, Claudia always had a special taste for writing but when she became a single mother of three daughters, she had to put her passion aside and explore other media.
In 2008, while participating in an Emotional Intelligence training at Choice Center University, she discovered "coaching" which became another of her passions. “Helping others to find their self-esteem, create healthy relationships, their life purpose and become authentic leaders, is my mission; especially when I help them stay in their own power and have clarity about who they are and where they want to be so they can become the best version of themselves.”
She has dedicated the last twelve years of her life to empowering people who seek to be the best version of themselves, especially children and women. As a Life and Abundance Coach, she has helped people from many different backgrounds discover and implement the full potential of their own creative powers for personal growth and self-healing.
Born in Peru, she comes from a culture of taboos and beliefs that had not always empowered her to become what she believed to be her calling. In the process of her self-discovery, she fell in love with herself again and found her passion for helping others.
Giving back, paying “up front,” gratitude, and kindness are her building blocks for a better world, and she credits them for inspiring her belief system and transforming her life.
In her book Brighter Days, (available in Spanish – Dias Felices), she shares the tools she learned to break the beliefs that held her back in the past to create the life she wanted. Claudia has traveled the world since she was a child and is continually inspired by the diversity and beauty of human expression and experience.
Claudia helps various charities and has a soft spot for immigrant children. She received the 2017-2018 Community Ambassador Award from the University of Nevada Las Vegas UNLV Boyd School of Law and the Children's Court Program, which is an organization that helps children who have been abused and neglected. , to become familiar with the judicial system; She also received the 2018 Silver State Community Excellence Award from the Public Interest Law Association for the work she and her husband Ed Bernstein do providing legal assistance to undocumented children through the Bernstein Children's Rights Program.
Claudia is married to Ed Bernstein and has three daughters from her previous marriage, Thalia, Isabella and Sophia. She lives in Las Vegas Nevada with her family and her two dogs, Boyfriend and Bianca. She is currently the Director of Marketing for her media company, creating, directing and editing television commercials. In her spare time, she enjoys painting and sculpting as well as traveling with her family.
Transcript
We're also going talk about how to unlock some of our thinking and approaches as we work on our creative projects. So my guest is Claudia Noriega Bernstein. Claudia, welcome to the show.
Claudia: Hi. I'm so happy to be in the show with you. And before I say anything, I need to congratulate you for your 200 episodes.
And I was thinking about that last week and I said, I don't care. I'm gonna be late, but I'm gonna congratulate him. .
persistence and, you know a [:There's so many of those that we're balancing. Her career is also included being a journalist for magazines and TV in South America and in the us and we're stamping our creative passport today to talk to Claudia in Las Vegas, Nevada. So Claudia, let's start with the title of one of your latest books.
Brighter Days. Yeah I think that's not only an optimistic view of the world, but I mean, we're all looking for brighter. In this contentious world that we live in, tell us about what this brighter days means to.
Claudia: Indeed we are all looking for brighter days, and I think we gotta start with brighter moments because my dad used to say to me, happiness is not a constant state.
and you are a happy person, [:I did it, I wrote it for my daughters pretty much. And I was so overwhelmed with the way a lot of people received it because I think it's so authentic and so transparent in so many ways, and. I mean, every outer has a different way of writing. I tell my stories, how I see them, how I feel them.
but always with light at the [:I, I got divorced when my youngest one was 11 months. So it was, it, it was a hard road. My, my ex-husband passed away. Three years is gonna be this year, and at the beginning he wasn't very happy with anymore. So he wasn't very much on board. But I had my boundaries, and we'll talk about boundaries because I feel that it's so important in relationships.
But at the end, I mean the last 10, 15 years more, or even 20 years, we managed to have a very Awesome relationship ? Yes. Sometimes I thought he forgot I wasn't married to him anymore and he texting,
Mark: Hey God. Yeah. What about this, It's interesting you say that you wrote this towards and for your daughters because in sharing some of your wisdom and life lessons, did, did you have in mind that these stories you were going to compile would all have a.
you say, a learning that you [:Claudia: I think when you are a coach, your family usually says, Don't coach me
Mark: Yeah. There you go. Again, being the motivational speaker, my husband
Claudia: said that to me two days ago. Don't scold me . Okay. And I'm not, but we are wired this way, ? So we try to find a positive outlook on, on every situation. We try to see the bright side of every day. And sometimes people react in different ways.
So then when I will go and say Well, this didn't work this way, but it's gonna work this way, so let's hope or for this, this and that. And then he will look at me and he goes, Don't coach me . But I, I truly feel in my heart that when things doesn't go the way we want, , it's because there is a lesson there.
e resist persists and we are [:Different stories and see what anybody can rescue out of those stories. See if every somebody maybe is going through the same thing and doesn't see that outcome as a possibility. So that's the reason why I pretty much did it.
Mark: Yes. Well, and I love the piece of the subtitle about confidence, resilience, and courage.
Again, these are all traits and not just personality traits, but I mean, sometimes we have to force ourselves to be confident, put ourselves out there in resilience, how do you see these three descriptors, these three adjectives or traits coming together? Confidence does breed courage, et cetera.
that everything starts with. [:Building. Who that person is meant to be. Mm. Because those limited beliefs, we carry them and we are attached to them because that's what is familiar to us. So what we do is I'm gonna, if, let's say, this is kind of silly but for example, I remember one time my, my family's very sarcastic. We're Latins, we're very sarcastic so
, but when you are a kid and [:So when I was in school, I didn't wanna be in sports that would hit my face because oh my God, God forbid I ruin my nose and it's the only beautiful thing I have in my face. You know what I'm saying? So we carry those things and when I work with my clients, I help them build different pillars.
The real, the. Killers that they should have in their life to create that person that they're meant to be. And that's where the courage come. That's where the resilience come because you fall and you get up, you that yourself and you keep on going, ? So one come next to the other one, .
ss to work on that and, and, [:It's me giving my power away to that person and allowing that person to describe
Mark: who I am. Yeah. Letting that get in. Yes. . Well, and Claudia part of the World of Creativity theme is also to help us all learn from the cultural upbringings and the life experiences of our guests. And so as a Latin X woman what, what is some of the things that you're describing in terms of confidence and resilience and courage that we might learn from your cultural upbringing?
don't talk when we are kids. [:So even now when I hear my, I have an adult, I have adult kids, so if one of my kids will brush me off, it's not that I'm gonna be offended, but that's not the way I raise you. You do not talk to me like that. I am your mother and you can be 26, 27, 30. I don't care. , Even in heaven, we have hierarchies.
the, the breakage, sometimes [:We are not in control of what the other person is going to do, and we immediately assume that because we are given it, we are entitled to receive it. and doesn't work that way. So it has been a lot of adapting to different cultures. And this is what I love to interact with people from other parts of the world because you learn so much, not only to accept other people, but you learn so much about you, about myself, meaning.
of the people is to protect [:So when we do that with ourselves, we are protecting ourself and we need to be brave enough to know when to say, No, I'm not accepting this behavior. I am not comfortable with this behavior. So that red rope will be in front of us and we will be this precious thing that we have to. From everybody else.
Mm-hmm. . So those boundaries are not to teach people how to behave. Those boundaries are to teach people how to treat us. I
Mark: love that visual metaphor and it really paints us very strong picture of the value of that painting or the value of that sculpture and the rope is meant to say, Hey, this is a very valuable piece of artwork.
ould, and we should consider [:Claudia: top of the list. Mm-hmm. , we should be the most valuable thing. We have. The same way that we should be our best friend, the same thing, the same way that we should be our biggest cheerleader.
It should always starts with us. And oftentimes, especially when you. From families or upbringings where you didn't feel that you were value or you were protected, or you were loved, or you were acknowledged, then you look for those validations somewhere else and you forget who you are. Yes. And you start moving your boundaries because you start shrinking to fit.
cause I have three different [:Mm-hmm. . They don't go and say, Well I need to feel love and this person is not exactly what I'm looking for, but he does A, B, C, and D and I'm gonna be in this relationship because that's how I want to feel. I wanna feel that I am loved. But then you are, you are looking for that affirmations somewhere.
When they should come from you, from their reflection in the mirror for, from the person that talks to you in your head. But first you have to have a serious conversation with those voices because those voices have all those limited beliefs that we've been carrying on since we were little, and those beliefs are not true.
e people, when you put those [:I'm gonna love you if you're a vegetarian, but then you don't love me. I mean, I am a vegetarian, but I'm saying You don't love me. Right.
Mark: And without those conditions. Mm-hmm. .
Claudia: Mm-hmm. , Yeah. The version of myself that you think I should be, and why would I give you my power Yes. Of who I am supposed to be?
Who I, who I want to be so strong.
and put them together as an [:I mean, it does say there's 80. Important lessons that you've learned in life. But I'm sure you didn't start with, let me make a list of 88 lessons. No. So , tell us a little bit, give us a glimpse behind the typewriter. .
Claudia: I'm gonna tell you the very short version. I was writing a parenting book. When people ask me, What, what do you do?
I always say, I'm a mom. I do a lot of other things. I wear a lot of other hats, but I'm a mom, so. I wanted to write a parenting book and we went on vacation with my husband to Miami. My computer crashed and. Half of my book got deleted. So I was like, I'm not writing anymore. I don't wanna know anything about this.
Forget it. This wasn't meant to be we look for signs everywhere, to convince ourself that that's that's exactly
Mark: right. Confirmation .
oard. But then Covid happens [:He was stuck here pretty much, and one thing lead to another one, and he was a publisher. And he said to me, Why don't we write your put your book together. You have all these notes. And I said, Because I don't know if I'm ready for that. And da, da, da, da, da. , but I like to do many things at the same time.
So I had a bunch of little stories that I thought one day I was gonna share with my daughters, and that's it. And he says, Well, why don't you write it? Why don't you put it together? You have stuff in Instagram that you write, you have stuff in your website. Why don't we put 'em. and then see what comes out of it.
halfway through I said, You [:I talk about death, I talk about being a single mother, relationships in divorce things that I experience with my daughter. Sometimes they're my teachers I, I learn with them every single day and, and it is such a joy I mean, sometimes, Miss them when they were little. I was saying that to my sister-in-law yesterday.
Not only because I loved my kids little and all the things that we did everything else, but when your kids are little, you can protect them. You can, you can have that bubble, they look at you like you are the best thing that ever happened in your life. , you have all the answers But when you have adult children, it is different.
You don't stop saying Don't [:I wanted people to see. What happened in a normal life. .
Mark: That's right. Yeah. And it's normal. Well, and you're describing, I wanted to ask you specifically about one of the themes, and that is forgiveness. Claudia as we go through life and even careers we change jobs and we look back and sometimes we do have these regrets.
And we wish we would've said something different or we wish we would've closed the conversation or ended the relationship in a different way. What, what can you share with us about forgiveness? For me,
Claudia: see, it always has been a gift that, a gift to myself when I forgive somebody, I am doing it for me often.
things to you and they don't [:Because you're hurt for 10 years. Something that you did to me when we were in college and the person goes, Oh my God, I had no idea. Or maybe that person will never call you because he really think everything that he says about you, you never know. But I think for forgiveness is some something that you give to yourself.
ving forward is either. Call [:If you are not able to do that, then learn from that situation so you don't repeat it. I, I have something back that says it's okay to make mistakes. Yeah, don't make the same mistake twice. Learn from it Appreciate that life is giving you another opportunity with maybe similar circumstances where you can be your higher self, your better self, and do something that might change the outcome of a situation that is.
Very similar to something that happens to you before. That is when when we have done something to somebody else, but when somebody does something to us, it's really a healing process that we have to go through. But never give your power away. Never give how you are going to feel, Be up to somebody.
You [:We say in it where it's coming from. Why is saying that? What was the journey of that person and not own it, not not take it with you, because those are their journeys and their opinions and the way they feel based on their own insecurities, fears, and circumstances has absolutely nothing to do with you.
I, That's what happened last [:Little princess. It was heartbreaking and I was not in a good place emotionally. And then I have a disagreement with one of my daughters that just threw me through a loop. Everything that I learn in paper sometimes goes to the toilet. Mm-hmm. , because I am human and I am gonna let my emotions take over.
t who I am. And I know that. [:And then something happen and we move it for this week. And then looking back, I'm like, You know what? Good. Because that give me the time to heal. And I, as we said before, we have to put ourself as a priority. We have to think, I need to take care of myself. I need to heal first, and then I can have a conversation with you, and then I can have a relationship with somebody.
nd with your pillars and not [:Mark: Yeah. So strong.
Well, thanks for sharing that. I mean, these are these principles and actions we, we don't just talk about them and write about them sooner or later. It does come up in life and we ha challenge ourselves to practice them, don't we? Yes. Yeah. Yeah. So powerful. Well, listeners, my guest has been Claudia Noriega Bernstein.
Claudia, I can't thank you enough for a wonderful conversation and thanks for sharing this book with us and the world brighter.
Claudia: Thank you so much for having me. This was a pleasure. I was so looking forward to talk to you. You're such an Abe person and I, I have listened to a lot of your podcasts and I love the way you empower your guests.
Really. You're doing an amazing job. Well, thank
hem and call us to action to [:Claudia: Yes, absolutely. And I always. To everybody that is going to a difficult time to journal if, if. If you are not able to buy my journals, grab a piece of paper and write what you feel and then come back and read it and see if you still feel that way and see what lesson you can get out of it. Because it certainly had helped me for many, many, many years and I think it's an amazing.
to get out of the funk, Especially
Mark: with your, Yeah, definitely. Well, and not only, a lot of people say writing these journals are first thing in the morning. You get the energy and the flow, but it's also, isn't it interesting to go back, I don't know, a year, five years, and you pull a journal off the shelf and you go, Wow, that's what I was dealing with.
but really wasn't. It didn't [:Claudia: it didn't matter at all. And I, I keep saying that to my girls. One day you're gonna look back at this and you're gonna say, Did I lose sleep thinking about this?
Mark: Yes. Listeners, I hope you've enjoyed this conversation as much as I have. Claudia Noriega Bernstein. You can find her on LinkedIn and her book website is brighter days book.com. Yes. Well, let's continue our worldwide journey. Come back again. Next time we'll be stamping our passport
to learn from another creator, how they get inspired, how they organize their ideas, as we've discussed today, to get 'em into a book, but then ultimately gain the confidence and the connections to launch our work out into the world. And that's what it's all. So until next time, I'm Mark Stinson and we're unlocking your world of creativity.
Bye for now.
