Small Talk! With Alec Cuenca - Motivation & Mindset Podcast

In this new episode, Rajiv Talreja breaks down the simple, obvious, and painfully common mistake that quietly destroys most businesses.

It’s not the economy.

It’s not the competition.

It’s not even the lack of skill.

It’s the business owner.

Rajiv explains why many entrepreneurs unknowingly sabotage their own success—by hiring the wrong people, avoiding uncomfortable decisions, and leading without clarity. He also reveals why growth always comes with a cost, why not everyone can grow with you, and how your identity as a leader shapes the entire culture of your company.

If you’re a business owner, a team leader, or someone dreaming of starting a business someday, this episode will open your eyes to the one shift that could save your business before it collapses.

Follow the podcast on IG: @smalltalkpodcasts with @aleccuenca_ and @rajivtalreja

In this new episode with Alec, Rajiv breaks down the painful truth behind why so many aspiring entrepreneurs never make it past the first stage. Rajiv shares how he became an “entrepreneur by force, not by choice,” and why early praise and empty encouragement almost destroyed his career. Instead of shortcuts and motivational hype, he reveals the real foundations every business owner needs — clarity, leadership, systems, and the willingness to outgrow who you used to be.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or frustrated because your business doesn’t seem to grow no matter how hard you work, Rajiv explains the precise blind spots holding most founders back. From mistaking passion for a plan, to building a job instead of a real business, to chasing success before building competence — this episode exposes the patterns that quietly kill 9 out of 10 startups.

This conversation will challenge your assumptions, confront your excuses, and push you to finally evolve into the entrepreneur your future needs.

Follow the podcast on IG: @smalltalkpodcasts with @aleccuenca_ and @rajivtalreja

In this special episode of Small Talk, we break down 30 years of financial lessons into a clear, practical, and honest conversation. No jargon. No hype. Just real wisdom you can apply today.

This episode goes beyond earning and saving — it’s about understanding how money affects identity, family, confidence, and the way you move through life. We talk about the mistakes most people don’t realize they’re making, how to build systems that protect your future, and why stability is more important than speed.

If you’ve ever felt behind financially, unsure of where to start, or overwhelmed by the pressure to “have it all figured out,” this episode is made for you. You don’t need to be perfect — you just need to begin.

Start with what you have. Do what you can. Your future self will thank you.

In this follow-up episode of Small Talk with Alec Cuenca, Nicole Alba opens up about her journey toward financial independence — and the truth behind growing up privileged yet wanting to build something on her own.

From her early years watching her parents work tirelessly to send her and her siblings to school, to realizing how money shapes our choices, Nicole shares a side of success that’s often left unspoken. She reflects on privilege, responsibility, and what it truly means to earn your own freedom.

Whether you’re navigating your 20s, chasing financial stability, or learning to build your own foundation — this conversation will remind you that your relationship with money will always reflect your relationship with yourself.

Follow the podcast on IG: @smalltalkpodcasts with @aleccuenca_ and @alba.nicoleee

In this Small Talk episode, Nicole Alba opens up about what truly happens behind the camera — the burnout, the silence, and the courage it takes to start again. Known for her calm yet insightful voice in the world of personal finance, Nicole reveals what pushed her to take a break at the height of her success, and what it really means to rebuild with intention.

She talks about the pressure of always having answers, the fear of making the wrong decision, and how learning to pause became her biggest act of maturity. This episode isn’t just about finance or content creation — it’s about rediscovering yourself when your passion starts to fade, and finding your voice again, even when it scares you.

If you’ve ever felt burnt out, lost your spark, or feared starting over, this conversation will remind you: it’s okay to begin again, even if you have to do it scared.

Follow the podcast on IG: @smalltalkpodcasts with @aleccuenca_ and @alba.nicoleee