Her Next Chapters

After five consecutive weeks of job search episodes, I'm hitting pause — and I'm making the case that you should too. In this episode, I share that I'm heading to Italy for a couple of weeks with my husband and two other couples who have been friends since the school pickup line days. All of our kids are now in college or beyond — and this trip is one of the unexpected gifts of the...

You're not 22. You're not looking for your first job out of college. And you're not willing to take just anything. So why are you searching like you are? In this episode of the Her Next Chapters job search series, I'm sharing one of the most underused strategies in a midlife job search: building a target employer list. Instead of reacting to job postings, you'll learn how...

In this episode of Her Next Chapters, we continue the job search series by talking about a commonly overlooked strategy: gathering references at the beginning of your job search — not the end. Most people wait until a final interview or job offer to think about references. But what if your references became part of your job search support team from the start? Christina shares: → why references are...

Are your job applications disappearing into a black hole? You're not alone — and it's not your resume. It's the system. In this episode, host (and career coach) Christina Kohl breaks down why the standard "apply online and wait" approach is failing midlife women in today's job market, and exactly what to do instead. Whether you're pivoting careers, stepping into...

If your job search feels scattered, frustrating, or like you're spinning your wheels… this episode is for you. In this second episode of the Job Search Series, we’re stepping back to something even more foundational than your resume or interviews: clarity. Because if you don’t know where you’re going, everything else—your resume, your applications, your networking, and how you show up in inte...

If you’ve been applying for jobs and not getting interviews, it’s not random - and it doesn’t mean you’re not qualified. In this episode of Her Next Chapters , we kick off a practical job search series for women who are ready for something new - whether you’re returning to work or feeling stuck in a role that no longer fits. We start with the resume problem that quietly holds people back: bullets...

Ever find yourself waiting to feel motivated before you start? You’re not alone. And it might be the exact reason you’re stuck. In this episode, I’m sharing a real-life moment from this week when I caught myself putting something off… and what I did instead. (Spoiler: motivation never showed up.) We’re flipping the script on the idea that motivation has to come first, and instead focusing on what...

I considered walking out of a tiny Tokyo restaurant because it felt uncomfortable, unfamiliar, and way too hard to navigate in English. It seemed like every head turned when we walked in, the menu was handwritten in Japanese, and then a “free delicacy” landed on the table that looked like chopped-up worms. That moment could’ve ended with us retreating to the nearest convenience store and calling i...

Career pivots rarely happen in a straight line. In this episode of Her Next Chapters , Christina talks with Brenda Brusegard, founder of Informed Tech Solutions, about her unconventional career journey from middle school science teacher to international educator to tech and AI consultant helping business owners streamline their operations.  Brenda spent more than 15 years in education, teaching in...

What happens when a lifelong identity no longer fits the season you’re in? In this episode of Her Next Chapters , Christina sits down with Kiersten Lortz, former professional violinist turned women’s empowerment coach, author, and founder of the Possibilities Conference. After a 25-year career in music, Kiersten made a bold midlife pivot to support women navigating identity shifts, career transiti...

What happens when grief, divorce, and a career crossroads all arrive at once? For parenting coach Alyssa Smith, they arrived together in 2022 — and changed everything. After 17 years in the classroom, Alyssa walked away from teaching, moved back to the States from South Korea, and spent six months coming home to herself. What she found on the other side was a completely new chapter — and a calling...

In this episode of Her Next Chapters , Christina sits down with Missi Bantner , an integrative neuro rehab, fitness, yoga, and nutrition coach and founder of Whole Life Health . With over 24 years in the wellness field, Missi shares her deeply personal career journey, including early burnout, recovery from an eating disorder, multiple professional pivots, and how her own healing led her to a truly...

What if your most aligned work sits at the crossroads of what you’ve done and what you’re drawn to now? Aimee Gindin’s career is a masterclass in the "winding path," featuring significant pivots from crisis counseling and a pre-med detour at Harvard to a 14-year climb up the marketing corporate ladder. At age 40, Aimee walked away from the C-suite to build a career rooted in empathy and...

Instead of New Year’s resolutions that fade fast, this episode explores choosing a word of the year —and why present became my anchor for 2026. We talk about what it really means to be present in midlife: not stuck replaying the past, not waiting for “someday,” but recognizing when the future you planned for is already here. I share the moment my husband said, “the future is now,” and how that lan...

December is often written off as a slow time for job searching, but it’s actually one of the best times of year to network . In this episode of Her Next Chapters , we’re talking about holiday networking and how to talk about your career during the holidays in a way that feels natural, confident, and human. If you’re in a career transition, returning to work after a break, navigating a layoff, or q...

In this week’s episode of Her Next Chapters , I sit down with mindset coach and former school principal Renee DeVore , whose story is one of the most powerful midlife reinventions I’ve heard yet. After a 25-year career in education — including 16 years as a principal — Renee walked away from her six-figure job, sold everything she owned, and moved to Mexico in search of alignment, authenticity, an...

As we head into Thanksgiving next week, the holidays can feel full, quiet, joyful, overwhelming, or… a mix of all of the above. In this episode, I’m sharing three simple ways to navigate the holiday with more ease, more intention, and a lot more compassion for yourself. First, I walk you through my 24-hour gratitude practice — a realistic, grounding approach to gratitude that actually works, espec...

In a year of major layoffs and shifting industries, Christina, a career coach, shares practical job search strategies for navigating transition through bridge roles —including temporary jobs , part-time positions , seasonal work , and volunteer projects . Discover how flexible roles can boost your confidence, refresh your skills, and lead to long-term success. Perfect for women returning to work,...

If you’ve ever told yourself, “I should be able to figure this out,” this episode is for you. I’ve been there, too—trying to do it all on my own because I can. But sometimes, doing everything ourselves comes at the cost of time, energy, and peace of mind. In this episode, I’m sharing why asking for help can feel so uncomfortable, how to recognize when it’s time to reach out, and how to know when i...

Christina celebrates 100 episodes of Her Next Chapters with a behind-the-scenes story that started in her closet — literally. From recording her first episode six times (and using paper towel rolls for soundproofing!) to finding her voice and confidence behind the mic, this milestone episode is both a celebration and an invitation. Through laughter and reflection, Christina shares what 100 episode...

Sometimes we all need permission to pause. In today’s episode, I open up about a heavy couple of weeks — the kind that stopped my momentum completely. I skipped recording the podcast and sending my newsletter, and for the first time in a long time, I let myself just… stop. And here’s what happened: the world didn’t end. That pause gave me clarity about how I want to move forward — including a big...

Thinking about returning to work or making a career change? Strategic volunteering might be the most overlooked tool in your job search toolkit. In this episode, Christina shares how the right volunteer opportunities can give you current experience, expand your network, and even strengthen your resume. From boosting confidence to uncovering new career interests, strategic volunteering isn’t just a...

Ready to restart your career—or finally make a change in the one you have? Before updating your resume, there are critical early steps that make all the difference in a job search. In this episode, Christina shares the four foundational moves she wishes she’d known when she returned to work after a 13-year career break. These aren’t the obvious tactics you’ve heard before. They’re the overlooked b...

Labor Day celebrates all forms of work, including the unpaid labor that maintains households and communities. The unpaid work we do builds valuable skills that can translate to professional opportunities when positioned correctly on resumes. • Unpaid labor has significant economic value, with stay-at-home moms providing work worth $184,000 annually according to Salary.com • Women shoulder more hou...

Your next chapter starts now. Back-to-school isn’t just for kids. I share what this season looks like in my home right now: a son starting his final semester of college, another settling into his first rental for sophomore year, and a daughter thriving in her first job as an Interior Designer. With the house, calendar, and routines shifting, I name the mixed emotions of this stage and offer a gent...