Root to Rising

When Your Dream Career Doesn't Go as Planned Most people think successful careers follow a straight line. Michelle Rosar's story proves the opposite. Before leading partnership marketing for the San Francisco 49ers , Michelle thought she'd become a psychologist. A last-minute major change, unpaid internships, mascot jobs, and countless career pivots eventually led her to one of the most respected...

Leaving college is supposed to feel exciting. For many graduates, it feels overwhelming instead. In this episode of Root to Rising , Christine Hummel sits down with recent University of Tennessee graduate Hannah Dettmann for an honest conversation about navigating life after college, overcoming self-doubt, and redefining success on your own terms. Hannah opens up about moving away from home, learn...

Episode Overview In this episode of Root to Rising , Christine Hummel sits down with leadership strategist, coach, author, and podcast host Gia Lacqua to explore what happens when outward success no longer matches internal fulfillment. Gia shares her transition from a Fortune 100 Vice President in ethics and compliance to becoming a coach, speaker, and creator of What the Shift . The conversation...

Finding Your Worthy Career with Melissa Lawrence What if the key to career success isn’t climbing the next rung of the ladder—but finding work that truly aligns with who you are? In this episode of Root to Rising, Christine Hummel sits down with career and leadership coach Melissa Lawrence, founder of Your Worthy Career, to discuss the power of purpose, confidence, and creating a career path that...

Episode Description What does it really feel like to graduate high school and step into the unknown? In this special graduation edition of Root to Rising, Christine Hummel sits down with three recent high school graduates—Kate, Sam, and Megan—to talk about the excitement, stress, uncertainty, and opportunities that come with starting a new chapter. From choosing colleges and majors to navigating t...

What if confidence isn't something you find—but something you build? In this inspiring episode of Root to Rising, Christine Hummel sits down with confidence coach, speaker, and founder of Inspire Her Coaching, Tricia Conyers, for a powerful conversation about self-doubt, personal growth, career transitions, and the courage it takes to create the life you truly want. Drawing from her own journey fr...

SPECIAL GUEST CO-HOST: RORY LATORIA Guest hosting this special Root to Rising episode, continuing the meaningful conversations Christine Hummel built this platform around. How Grief, Reinvention & Self-Belief Can Completely Change Your Life Most people don’t end up where they originally planned. For Jenna Cordaro , that meant navigating childhood loss, identity shifts, career pivots, imposter...

Episode Overview In this episode of Root to Rising , host Christine Hummel sits down with AJ, a corporate controller in the automotive industry, to unpack a powerful story of resilience, identity, and growth. AJ shares her journey of becoming a mother at 15, navigating life without a traditional education path, and rising through a male-dominated industry—all while learning how to balance ambition...

🧠 Episode Summary In this episode of Root to Rising , Christine sits down with national and international correspondent Robert Ray—someone who’s not only covered some of the world’s most intense moments, but also happens to be a father of four daughters. From war zones to natural disasters, Robert shares what it really takes to report under pressure—and how those experiences shape the way he show...

✨ Episode Overview In this episode, Christine sits down with Sandy Loreaux, a seasoned biopharma executive turned executive coach, to explore her journey through high-stakes leadership, personal evolution, and redefining success. From being known as a “crisis manager” in corporate America to stepping away at the peak of her career, Sandy shares powerful insights on confidence, leadership, motherh...

Key Themes 1. Non-Linear Career Paths Are Normal Jen’s journey: math/science → journalism → software → biopharma No “perfect plan”—careers evolve through exploration Important takeaway: Your path doesn’t need to make sense upfront 2. Follow Curiosity, Not Just Credentials Started as a temp answering phones → taught herself coding Took initiative by learning beyond her role Lesson: Growth comes fro...

🔑 Episode Summary In this episode, Christine sits down with former podcast host and tech professional Olivia Wherry to discuss career growth, navigating rejection, breaking into competitive industries, and building confidence as a young professional. Olivia shares how curiosity, persistence, and storytelling helped her land a role in the music tech industry—and why embracing discomfort is key to...

Episode Overview In this special episode of the Root to Rising Podcast , the roles are reversed. After previously appearing as a guest, Rory Latoria returns—but this time as the interviewer—turning the spotlight on host Christine Hummel to explore the experiences, mindset, and philosophies that shaped her leadership journey. From leaving a sorority after realizing it wasn’t aligned with her values...

Episode Summary In this Terrific Topic Tuesday episode of the Root to Rising Podcast, Christine sits down with recent graduates Ellie and Megan from the University of Alabama for a rapid-fire question round about confidence, relationships, success, and navigating life in your early twenties. Through honest and spontaneous answers, the conversation explores Gen Z perspectives on confidence, social...

Episode Overview What really happens after graduation? In this candid follow-up episode, Christine welcomes back her very first guests, Ellie and Megan, one year after their debut. Now officially post-grad, they’re sharing the real, unfiltered truth about job hunting, rejection emails, networking strategy, and building confidence in interviews. If you're navigating the “what now?” phase after coll...

Episode Overview In this episode of Root to Rising , Christine sits down with Kaitlyn Jerard, a recent University of South Florida graduate to talk about navigating post-college uncertainty, studying abroad in Florence, and choosing experiences over pressure. Caitlin shares her journey from Illinois to Florida, her decision to study abroad in Italy, and why she’s prioritizing travel before steppin...

✨ Episode Summary In this powerful and deeply reflective episode of Root to Rising , Christine Hummel sits down with co-host Catherine Chialdikas and special guest Xanthe , a singer-songwriter originally from Australia whose journey spans continents, creativity, and courageous self-trust. Xanthe shares her story of growing up between Australia and the United States, navigating family change, rede...

🌱 Episode Overview In this episode of Root to Rising , host Christine Hummel sits down with healthcare leader Mary Beth for a powerful conversation about intentional leadership, career pivots, and redefining success on your own terms. From being a first-generation college student to leading through some of healthcare’s most complex challenges, Mary Beth shares how personal loss, resilience, and p...

✨ Episode Overview In this episode of Root to Rising , Christine Hummel sits down with Allison Augsburger , a registered dietitian and integrative nutritionist, to unpack what it really means to listen to your body, advocate for yourself, and build a career that aligns with your values. Allison shares her personal health journey—one that traditional medicine couldn’t fully explain—and how it ulti...

✨ Episode Overview In this special Thirsty Thursday edition of Root to Rising , Christine Hummel sits down with recent college graduates Emma and Josie —best friends turned Nashville roommates—who share their honest experiences navigating post-grad life, careers, confidence, and community. From choosing majors and landing jobs right out of college to moving to a new city without a “perfect plan,”...

🌱 Episode Overview The first interview of 2026 sets the tone for Root to Rising ’s mission: creating space for women to share their stories, find confidence, gain knowledge, and live with purpose. Christine Hummel is joined by Rory Latoria , a health coach, yoga and Lagree instructor, and former advertising professional, for a deeply honest conversation about identity, career pivots, self-trust,...

From Curiosity to Confidence: Taking Risks, Leading with People, and Building a Life That Grows With You Host: Christine Hummel Guest: Kam (Kathy Anne) McManus, Chief Customer Officer at CDK Global 🌱 Episode Overview In this episode of Root to Rising , host Christine Hummel sits down with Kam McManus—global leader, mentor, and Chief Customer Officer at CDK Global—for an honest and powerful conver...

Episode Summary In this inspiring conversation, host Christine Hummel welcomes guest Elizabeth — a recent chemical-engineering graduate turned project engineer — to share her journey from middle school science-lover, through college and internship challenges, into a professional career. Together they explore the pressures women face in STEM and career building, the value of mentorship and support,...

In this episode of Root to Rising , Christine sits down with Hannah Palumbo , a single mom of two boys whose vulnerable TikTok about going from a “10/10 wife” to “0/10” and rebuilding herself back up quietly went viral. Hannah opens up about the rating scale that started as a TikTok trend but became a powerful reflection tool for her own life: how she slowly went from feeling like a 10/10 wife to...

In this inspiring conversation, Christine welcomes Monica , a dynamic leader, mother of two, and purpose-driven professional who shares her winding path from aspiring physician to corporate VP and mom. Monica opens up about the pivots in her life, the fears she had to face, the mentors who shaped her, and the intentional choices that led her to personal and professional fulfillment. This episode d...