Life’s Next Lesson Plan Podcast

With 29 years of teaching behind her and 58 podcast episodes under her belt, Rachel wraps up season one of Life’s Next Lesson Plan with an open letter to you—her listeners. This episode isn’t about interviews or expert advice. It’s about reflection, gratitude, and a little bit of humor. Whether you're a fellow educator, a lifelong learner, or standing at your own personal crossroads, this heartfel...

In today’s episode, I sit down with the incredibly brave and authentic Sammy Christofferson, whose career journey is a perfect reminder that sometimes the degree you earned isn’t the life you’re meant to live forever. After just a few years in the classroom, Sammy knew something wasn’t sitting right — with her evaluations, the lack of flexibility, and the system that didn’t fully value her as an e...

Hey friends, This episode is raw, real, and—let’s be honest—brutally honest. After 29 years in the classroom, I’m down to my final days as a teacher. This isn’t just a farewell; it’s a reckoning. I’m pulling back the curtain to share what I built, what I loved, what nearly broke me, and what I’m carrying with me into whatever comes next. ✨ Whether you’re a fellow educator, someone navigating a ma...

In today’s episode, Sydney Benson takes us on a journey from high school rejection to becoming an influential PR professional working with top-tier brands like Aveda, Sherwin-Williams, and Xfinity. Sydney shares how a moment of disappointment—being rejected from her high school dance team—became the catalyst for discovering her true passion in journalism and public relations. Join us as we explore...

What do you do when you're standing at the edge of something new... but you have no idea what comes next? In this heartfelt solo episode, Rachel gets honest about the scary, foggy space between letting go and beginning again. Building on her transition out of a 29-year teaching career (as shared in Episode 35), she explores what it means to sit with the unknown—and why rushing toward answers may c...

What if your biggest block to wealth isn't in your bank account—but in your beliefs? In this powerful episode of Life’s Next Lesson Plan , I sit down with Rebekah Kiger , a trauma-informed money mindset coach who helps women rewrite their financial stories and create abundance without burnout. From growing up in generational poverty to becoming a sought-after mentor and creator of the ALIGN Method...

After 29 years in the classroom, I made the hardest decision of my life: to walk away from teaching—with no pension, no benefits, and no clear plan forward. In this deeply honest episode of Life’s Next Lesson Plan , I’m sharing what it really looks like to start over in your 50s. From the fear of leaving job security and identity behind to navigating the unknown of midlife career reinvention, I wa...

In this reflective and inspiring episode, I sit down with Betsy Korbinyr, a retired social worker, self-proclaimed umbraphile and the author of Time, Beauty, and Grief: A Hike Through Wisconsin’s 50 State Parks . At 65, Betsy set out on a transformative year-long Quest to hike five miles in each of Wisconsin’s state parks—an adventure of physical resilience, emotional healing, and profound self-di...

Have you ever introduced yourself and realized your job title or your child's name came before your own? In today's episode, I’m getting deeply personal as I explore what it means to reclaim your identity beyond being a parent, spouse, or employee. As I prepare to leave my teaching career and watch my daughter head off to college, I’m asking myself: Who am I now? If you’ve ever felt lost when life...

Join host Rachel for an inspiring conversation with Elizabeth Sweet, a talented journalist and the passionate founder of Fill The Stands. Liz has carved a unique path by blending her love for sports and her storytelling prowess. In this episode, you'll discover: Liz's journey into the world of journalism and her early passion for the field. The powerful story behind Fill The Stands: how Liz, a for...

In this heartfelt solo episode, Rachel explores the idea that we are all mentors—whether we realize it or not—and reflects on the unexpected teachers who have shaped her life in powerful ways. Inspired by a passage from Siri Lindley’s Finding a Way , she dives into the lessons she’s learned from three deeply personal influences: her grandmother, her significant other, and her biological parents. R...

In this episode of Life’s Next Lesson Plan , I sit down with Laura Flowers, a former school psychologist turned life coach and Reiki master. Laura and I connected through a podcasting group, and I recently had the pleasure of being a guest on her show, Rediscovering You . Like me, she’s passionate about helping people navigate crossroads, reconnect with their values, and live authentically. After...

This week, I’m facing a huge milestone—my daughter, my only child, is turning 18. And in just a few short months, she’ll be heading off to college in another state. While I always knew this day would come, the reality of it has hit me in a way I wasn’t entirely prepared for. In today’s episode, I’m sharing my personal journey through the stages of parenting that led to this moment—co-parenting, di...

In this episode of Life’s Next Lesson Plan , I sit down with Tracy Weber, a Transformational Nurse Health & Wellness Coach, to discuss her journey from traditional nursing to holistic health, the healing power of nature, and how hiking can be a path to wellness. With over two decades of experience in nursing, massage therapy, yoga, meditation, and somatic emotional release, Tracy has created a...

In this special episode, the tables are turned as I step into the guest seat on Rediscovering You with life coach and school psychologist Laura Flowers. Rediscovering You is dedicated to empowering women to break free from feeling stuck—whether in career, relationships, or personal growth. Laura and I dive deep into my decision to leave my long teaching career behind, the emotions and challenges t...

In this episode of Life’s Next Lesson Plan , I sit down with Brittany Emond, a former student whose career journey has taken her from aspiring magazine journalist to a thriving role in employer branding. Brittany shares her personal story of self-discovery, career pivots, and valuable lessons learned along the way. Memorable Moments & Lessons Learned: Brittany recalls a pivotal moment in high...

Have you ever caught yourself scrolling through social media, wondering why someone else’s life seems so perfect? The career success, the happy family, the dream vacations—it can feel like everyone else has it all figured out. But here’s the truth: comparison is stealing your joy. In this episode, I’m sharing my personal struggles with comparison—how it shaped my self-perception and the steps I’ve...

In this episode of Life’s Next Lesson Plan, host Rachel engages in a compelling conversation with Starr Sackstein, an educational consultant, TED speaker, and author renowned for her innovative approaches to assessment and student empowerment. Starr shares her journey from classroom teacher to educational leader, offering insights into transforming traditional education models. Guest Introduction:...

This episode is different. It’s raw. It’s personal. And it’s something I’ve been holding in for a while. Today, I’m setting aside my planned script and following my heart. I’m sharing my journey—one of resilience, anxiety, transformation, and finding my way forward after decades of living in survival mode. Inspired by Siri Lindley’s book Finding a Way , I’ll explore how the values we live by (or i...

In this episode, I sit down with my second cousin, Reagan Zimmerman Shrestha , a brilliant MIT graduate and engineer at Ford Motor Company . We dive into her journey from high school robotics to racing cars and breaking barriers as a woman in STEM . Reagan shares the unexpected way she ended up at MIT , her experiences in a male-dominated field , and the lessons she’s learned about work-life balan...

What if I told you that managing time isn’t the secret to a fulfilling, high-performing life—but managing your energy is? All this time, I was aiming to create more time when maybe I’ve had it wrong. In today’s episode, we break down key takeaways from The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz and explore how your energy—not your time—is your most precious resource. Learn how ali...

In this episode of Life’s Next Lesson Plan , host Rachel sits down with award-winning educator, author, and speaker Michael Hernandez to explore innovative strategies for fostering authentic learning experiences in today's AI-driven educational landscape. Michael shares insights from his latest book, Storytelling With Purpose: Digital Projects to Ignite Student Curiosity , and discusses his online...

This week I am sharing and exclusive look into my first episode of my Live & Learn Patreon podcast designed to share more intimate stories, deeper discussions, and actionable lessons. In this episode, I’m following up on one of the most powerful writing lessons I taught during my 29 years in the classroom as a follow-up to the lesson on "The Danger of a Single Story" TED Talk and Malcolm Gladw...

In this inspiring episode of Life’s Next Lesson Plan , host Rachel sits down with former student Blake Leeson—a professional volleyball player whose journey is as remarkable as it is motivational. From his early days at Homestead High School to walking on to the men’s volleyball program at Ohio State University, Blake shares how his path has been defined by daring to do the things that scare him t...

Imagine if the world's greatest innovators had waited for the perfect moment to act. In today's episode, we'll explore how embracing action over hesitation can lead to remarkable achievements. Segment 1: Small Wins Build Momentum Segment 2: The Power of Action Over Perfection Segment 3: Practical Confidence-Building Exercises Key Takeaways: Confidence is a skill developed through practice. Compete...