Her Next Chapters

I usually talk about careers in the context of landing a great job—but in this episode, we’re expanding the conversation to include building your own business. My guest this week, Becky McCleery, went from teaching fourth-grade to running a thriving business as a solopreneur strategist and community builder. Her journey from passionate educator to unfulfilled working mom to successful entrepreneur...

In this episode, I share the powerful mindset exercise that helped me uncover the real reason I wanted to return to work after a 13-year career break. Learn how the “5 Whys” technique—originally developed at Toyota—can help you gain clarity, build motivation, and reconnect with your purpose during a job search, career pivot, or life transition. Plus, hear my personal story of how my why evolved fr...

I recently renewed my SPHR certification—60 hours of continuing education that represent more than just staying current. They reflect a deeper commitment to my growth, my clients, and the message I want to share with you today: You don’t have to start over. But you do need to start moving. In this episode, I’m sharing: What it looked like to retake the SPHR exam after a 13-year career break Why in...

Let’s be honest—“self-care” can feel cliché at best and selfish at worst, especially for moms who’ve spent years putting everyone else first. But what if the real problem isn’t the concept, but how we frame it? In this episode, I share how the phrase Protect the Asset from Greg McKeown’s book Essentialism completely shifted the way I think about wellness, motherhood, and energy management. When we...

Rejection hurts. But what if it’s actually redirecting you toward something better? In this episode, I share a personal story about the time I lost what I thought was my dream home—and how that painful “no” made space for an even better “yes.” It’s a reminder that rejection isn’t always the end of the road. Sometimes, it’s a protective nudge toward something more aligned. Whether you're facin...

Midyear is the perfect time to pause, reflect, and reset—especially if those January resolutions have long faded into the background (you're not alone—most don’t make it past February!). In this episode, we explore how July offers a fresh opportunity to check in on your goals in a way that feels aligned with your real life right now. Whether you’re in the thick of summer with kids at home or...

Thinking about returning to work or making a career change this fall? Don’t wait until September to start. In this episode, I share a summer checklist of quick career-boosting tasks you can do in between everything else life throws your way. Reconnect with your network. Ask for references. Organize your interview outfits. Clarify what you’re looking for. And yes—even get help from your teen with y...

What happens when the community we built through our kids starts to fade? After years of bonding with other parents on sports sidelines, at school events, and in group texts, many women in midlife find themselves navigating a quiet but powerful shift—in friendships, identity, and purpose.  In this episode, I share how my own shift from new motherhood to empty-nester-in-progress revealed just how t...

Summer hits, and suddenly everything is off: school’s out, routines vanish, the weather changes our habits, and even good things—like graduations, college kids moving home, or family vacations—can leave us feeling scattered and unmotivated. If your energy is low and your to-do list feels overwhelming, this episode is for you. I’m sharing the truth that helps me every single time I feel stuck: Moti...

It's the first week of June, and with my college freshman home for the summer, I'm definitely facing the challenge of decluttering! I recently tackled my son Alex's overflowing room after moving him home from the dorm (barely fitting all his stuff in our SUV), a task that immediately brought back memories of my most popular episode with professional organizer Melina Kane . In this t...

My guest, entrepreneurial mom Gabs Hayes, reveals how building a seven-figure business the hard way taught her that success shouldn't cost families their well-being. After a transformative journey through career pivots, mental health struggles, and a fundamental shift in priorities, she shares powerful insights on redefining success on your own terms. • Building a sustainable business without...

Navigating the transition when college students return home for summer break presents both joys and challenges for the entire family. Christina is bringing her son Alex, a freshman at CSU, home for the summer after his first year of college. This episode explores how to adjust expectations and build new relationships with your young adults who have grown during their time away. • Students change s...

Graduation season brings a complex mix of emotions as we celebrate our children's achievements while also grieving the end of a significant chapter in our lives as mothers. This bittersweet transition marks not only our children's growth but also our own evolution from full-time caregivers to witnesses of their adult lives, prompting us to consider what comes next in our own journey. • T...

Have you ever wished for an easier way to check in on your loved ones' mental health without awkwardness or fear? Today's powerful episode introduces a life-saving communication shorthand that could transform how your family discusses emotional wellbeing. Born from personal experience, this simple numbered scale system creates a gateway to discuss even the heaviest topics, including suic...

Job searching can take a toll on your mental health. In this episode, I share practical strategies and my GRACE framework to help you stay grounded and resilient.  If you’ve ever felt like job searching is messing with your head… you’re not wrong. Behind every resume you send and interview you prep for is a whole swirl of emotions: hope, rejection, doubt, frustration. It’s a lot. Especially when y...

What do a toddler mom and an almost-empty nester have in common? More than you'd think. In this episode, Christina (navigating the early stages of an empty nest) and Susan Lee (mom to a 15-month-old) sit down for a raw, honest conversation about the identity shifts that unfold across every stage of motherhood. Together, they explore how to preserve your sense of self while embracing the ever-...

We explore the distinction between sleep and rest with wellness coach Alexandra Clifton, diving into practical techniques for calming your nervous system and protecting your energy during major life transitions. • Vagus nerve calming techniques including intentional yawning to increase oxygen flow and mental clarity • "Shalom My Body" exercises that combine breathing, body positioning, a...

Christina welcomes holistic wellness coach Alexandra Clifton to explore how busy individuals can break free from chronic stress and overwhelm with simple, sustainable lifestyle changes. Alexandra shares her journey from psychology studies to founding To Breathe Again, where she empowers people to cultivate lasting peace through neuroscience-based wellness strategies. • Moving from survival mode to...

A chance encounter on the ski slopes of Winter Park on April Fool's Day 1995 led to meeting my husband in the most unexpected way possible. • Brief encounter with a skilled skier who complimented my skiing ability by calling me "Susie Chapstick" • Had my skis stolen after lunch, causing a frustrating afternoon of riding ski lifts down, filing reports, and borrowing equipment • Disco...

Christiane David, personal finance coach and co-founder of Green Wealth Legacy, shares how changing your money mindset can transform your financial reality and create genuine financial intimacy. • Financial coaching differs from financial advising by focusing on day-to-day money management and emotional relationships with finances • The Mindset Money Map offers a seven-day process requiring just s...

This special episode features Jennifer Waines , Operations Manager at Dress for Success Denver , as part of the global Podcasthon movement highlighting nonprofits worldwide during the third week of March. Dress for Success began in New York in 1996 has grown to over 100 affiliates across multiple countries, with the Denver location serving 22,000+ women since 2006. While known for providing profes...

This week, I’m doing something a little different—I let ChatGPT interview me! The topic: “If I Knew Then What I Know Now” —advice career returners and career changers wish they had known earlier. In this unique episode, I hand the “mic” to ChatGPT (yes, really!) to ask me the big questions about my 13-year journey from stay-at-home mom back to HR professional—and the strategies that finally broke...

Big life changes always come with their fair share of surprises, and my leap from corporate to full-time coaching was no exception. As I hit the two-year mark, I’m taking a look back at what I thought would happen, what actually happened, and everything I’ve learned along the way. Spoiler: it hasn’t been a straight path! In this episode, I’m sharing the real, behind-the-scenes journey—navigating u...

Have you ever felt like your career path is leading you away from success and into confusion? In today’s episode, we dive deep into the transformative journey many women experience as they navigate the complexities of midlife career changes. Joining us is Jackie Brown , a career and leadership coach who specializes in helping individuals reclaim their sense of purpose and redefine their identities...

Embracing life after motherhood can lead to profound self-discovery and personal transformation. Guest Cathleen Mohr  shares her journey from a high-stress corporate career to becoming a family constellations facilitator, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and presence in nurturing relationships. • Introduction of Cathleen Mohr and her work • Discussion on her career in corporate America...