Step into the Pivot

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a time of reflection and advocacy, and we're thrilled to welcome back Andrea Nitta to "Step Into the Pivot." Celebrating Andrea's two years post-diagnosis, we emphasize the ongoing journey of self-care and management. Andrea's advocacy work, including her involvement in events like the More Than Pink Walk and her potential pursuit of a boar...

What if the key to saving your life lies in the power of early detection and the stories of those who've walked this path before you? Join us as we embark on a poignant journey through the evolution of breast cancer awareness with Host Theresa, who brings both statistical insights and personal reflections on her own experience of breast cancer. Theresa chronicles the remarkable progress in tr...

Join us as Michael Muirhead opens up about the profound impact of his son's recent move to Japan, exploring themes of flexibility, personal growth, and the intricate dance of supporting a loved one's dreams. Michael's candid reflections provide a touching and insightful look into the emotional and philosophical challenges of this significant life pivot. Listeners will be moved by Mi...

This episode covers sensitive topics. Listener discretion is advised. Please prioritize your well-being while listening. What happens when personal tragedy collides with professional life? Join us as we sit down with Scott Kelley, a leading figure in the retirement plan industry, who opens up about the heart-wrenching moment he learned of his brother's suicide during an intense work schedule....

What if you could transform your outlook on fatherhood through the lens of resilience and love? In this poignant episode of "Step Into the Pivot," we sit down with Steve Bush, a dedicated attorney whose life story is a testament to the enduring power of family bonds. From the moment his mother faced an unexpected pregnancy at 19 to the influential role of his grandfather, his stepfather&...

This episode covers sensitive topics. Listener discretion is advised. Please prioritize your well-being while listening. In our latest heartfelt episode, recorded live at Sway Live, we sit down with Sheri Fitts, a single mother who opens up about the profound struggles and triumphs of her son Garrett's battle with heroin addiction. Sheri's candid recounting of Garrett's time living...

What happens when life throws you a curveball, and you find your true calling in the most unexpected place? Dawn Mabery Chestnut, experienced a life-altering layoff from her political career only to discover her passion for financial literacy. Join us as Dawn shares her transformative journey of becoming a financial planner and what it means to align your career with your personal interests. From...

Can storytelling transform your life? Carolyn Marsh, a seasoned finance writer who stepped into the world of personal storytelling, certainly believes so. Encouraged by a friend, Carolyn took on the challenge of performing at The Moth, an NPR-affiliated storytelling event, with a theme centered on public transportation. This episode highlights the power of storytelling in creating human connection...

What happens when the demands of a high-pressure career in medicine overshadow your own health? Dr. Jyoti Patel shares her raw and compelling journey from being a dedicated integrative pediatrics and internal medicine doctor to a thyroid cancer survivor who had to learn the hard way about the importance of self-care. At just 29, Jyoti's diagnosis and subsequent metastatic recurrence forced he...

What if your financial advisor could understand your emotions as well as your accounts? Join us on Step Into the Pivot as we host Jennifer Rayner, a financial advisor turned fintech innovator, who shares her incredible journey through the financial services industry. From caring for her mother with dementia to making the bold decision to purchase an independent RIA firm, Jennifer opens up about th...

Ever wondered how childhood experiences shape our adult lives? Today, we bring you an extraordinary conversation with Nadine Youssef, assistant chief counsel at the Walt Disney Company and adjunct professor at Loyola Law School. Nadine shares her compelling journey from her early years amidst the turmoil of the Lebanese civil war to finding a new home in America at the tender age of eight. Her nar...

Ever faced a moment where your professional aspirations needed to align with your personal life’s goals? Brandon Shea, a financial services professional, joins us to share his journey from Nashville to Los Angeles and back again. Brandon's story is one of resilience and devotion, navigating the challenging move to LA, and the enriching experiences that followed both personally and professiona...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Ami Hindia, a veteran of Fidelity's workplace investing group, as she opens up about her incredible journey of prioritizing health and adopting a servant leadership approach. From overcoming breast cancer to transitioning into leadership and battling imposter syndrome, Ami's story is a testament to the resilience and power of embracing one'...

This episode is a masterclass in the importance of self-advocacy, especially for women in lower-level management roles. Teresa shares her insights on articulating one's value in the workplace, the psychological aspects of self-worth, and the necessity of flexibility in tough economic times. After experiencing the shock of being laid off after excellently managing a five-state region and a tea...

This episode covers sensitive topics. Listener discretion is advised. Please prioritize your well-being while listening. Can one person’s courage truly change others lives? Just days before his high school graduation, Lori's son, Josh, was injured during a school shooting. Josh displayed remarkable bravery by helping to disarm one of the shooters, tackling him to the ground. Lorie shares the...

Ever wondered how one can pivot from a life-altering trauma to newfound strength and purpose? Join us for an emotionally charged episode of "Step Into the Pivot" as we welcome Liam Polonijo, who bravely shares his story of resilience following a devastating car accident. This event not only left him with chronic back pain but also threw him into the deep end of emotional and mental chall...

What does it take to transition from working at a Registered Investment Advisory firm to founding your own consultancy and law practice? From navigating a difficult business partnership to launching her consultancy with a single client during a global pandemic, Bonnie reveals her passion for transforming the retirement plan industry and her determination to build a scalable platform for advisors....

Can rest be the ultimate productivity hack? This week on "Step Into the Pivot," we confront the exhausting culture of perpetual busyness and advocate for the revolutionary concept of "rest and receive." Teresa opens up about her conference-induced fatigue, setting the stage for a candid discussion with Ivana. Ivana takes us deeper into the necessity of genuine rest, dismantling...

When faced with life's toughest challenges, how do we find the strength to press forward? This week, we're joined by Kim Ryan, a beacon of resilience, whose story of loss and empowerment offers a guiding light. With a career spanning 25 years in the financial services industry, Kim opens up about the seismic shift her life took following her father's sudden passing. Her narrative un...

Ever wondered how to champion work-life harmony without sacrificing career success? Kristie Hill, a wealth management advisor from Northwestern Mutual, graces us with her compelling narrative of redefining the traditional work schedule to embrace the fullness of family life. Her courageous steps towards establishing a flexible work environment serve as a beacon for those seeking to align their pro...

As we wade through the waters of professional evolution and personal growth, Mel Doman joins us with a tale that transforms the way we think about mental health in the workplace. Stepping out from the traditional role of a clinical mental health therapist, Mel charts her foray into the world of organizational psychology—a move born from the conviction that the corporate environment is a breeding g...

Have you ever felt the weight of expectation pressing down on you, shaping your every move? Alice Tang, a trailblazing financial advisor, joins us to unravel the complexities of a life built under the ambitious eye of a 'tiger mother.' In a candid and inspiring session, Alice recounts her personal evolution from the youngest female manager at her first job to a beacon of guidance for wom...

Emerging from the depths of despair and the confines of a monastery, JR brings us a tale of raw human resilience that will leave you both moved and enlightened. His journey, marked by intense struggles with mental health and the daunting task of redefining his identity, unfolds in our latest episode, offering a rare glimpse into the transformative power of authenticity and vulnerability. As he rec...

Anna Maria Ponzi is the former owner and past president of Ponzi Vineyards in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.  She helped plant its original vines, worked on the bottling line, hosted guests in the tasting room and has made countless national and international sales calls. Maria Ponzi has served the state’s wine industry in myriad ways, including serving as an early ambassador for Oregon wine both nat...

In this episode, Theresa and Ivana discussed: Four research-backed strategies to prevent and manage burnout The physical, emotional, and mental symptoms of burnout and the importance of addressing them Tips on how to have quality self-care  Helping others and yourself overcome burnout  Key Takeaways: According to Johns Hopkins, the four things that we can practice to prevent and manage burnout are...