The Flourish Careers Podcast

Conversations are at the heart of how we connect. But here’s the real question: are your conversations worth having? This discussion really opened my mind (and was so much fun!) as we explored what it means to have conversations that move us forward. Jackie Stavros and Cheri Torres joined me to explore Appreciative Inquiry, a strengths-based approach that shifts the way you connect with others and...

How often do we tell ourselves, “I’ll take the leap when the timing feels right”—only to keep waiting? In this conversation, Dr. Kasi Lacey discusses why that mindset keeps us stuck. She shares stories from breaking barriers in a toxic, male-dominated workplace to creating her own practice, inspired by her daughters. We talk about trading hustle for wholeness, turning comparison into curiosity, an...

You know that quiet nudge that doesn’t go away, no matter how practical you try to be? That’s your heart speaking. 💫 In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Jacqueline Boone, Founder of The Dream Academy, who shares her perspective on what she calls Heart Language—the idea that following your heart isn’t about learning something new, but remembering what’s always been there. Jackie opens up about h...

Sometimes a career shake-up isn’t the end, it’s the invitation to rebuild confidence and reimagine what success really means ✨ In this episode, I sit down with Stephanie Joong to talk about what it actually looks like to rebuild confidence after a season of doubt. She shares how grad school, breathwork, and new leadership roles helped her piece things back together—and why confidence isn’t a one-...

Have you ever felt like your budget was working against you instead of for you? 🙋‍♀️⁠ This week I sat down with financial educator and keynote speaker Linda Grizely to talk about her MeMoney™ framework. ⁠ This approach turns budgeting and money conversations into something that actually feels good.⁠ We talked about the stories we all carry about money (mine? “champagne taste and a beer wallet” —...

Here’s a secret: The most effective job search strategy doesn’t live on your LinkedIn profile—it lives in your mindset. How you think about your search shapes how you show up for it. Your inner dialogue, your self-belief, even how you handle the silence between opportunities, all matter. This week, I had the pleasure of talking with fellow career coach Michelle Schafer, who shares practical ways t...

Raise your hand if you’ve ever had a bad boss.⁠ 🙋🏼‍♀️ We’ve all felt the impact of leadership gone wrong. But memorable leadership? That’s different. This week, I sat down with Mark Carpenter—speaker, best-selling author, and master storyteller—who’s on a mission to increase the humanity in leadership. Together, we explore what it means to lead like a person (not just a position) and the three e...

What began as a creative distraction from an unfulfilling day job soon turned into so much more: a daily delight, a visibility boost, and ultimately, the launchpad for an entirely new chapter in her career. In this conversation, author and fellow career coach, Yolanda Owens, shares how a passion project became the launchpad for speaking gigs, business opportunities, and even a PBS web series (!!)....

This week I’m joined by Jena Dunay—founder of Recruit the Employer and host of Culture Uncovered and My Southern Godmother podcasts. We dive into two big topics: how to really understand a company’s culture (beyond the buzzwords) and the most creative ways to land the interview. From bold questions to viral resumes, Jena shares practical strategies, inspiring stories, and her level-headed approach...

This week, The Flourish Careers Podcast turns 3(!!) and we’re kicking off Season 10 with reflection, celebration, and impactful mindset resets. Here’s the thing—I used to think starting something new meant “starting over.” But what I’ve learned is that we never really start from scratch. Every skill, every experience, every connection we’ve built comes with us. It’s not starting over—it’s expandin...

What happens when the host becomes the guest? In this final episode of our Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Letting Go series, we’re flipping the script. My dear friends (and co-authors) Jackie Cetera and Amy Quesenberry take the mic and interview me about my chapter in the book, “Blood, Sweat, and Careers.” I won’t lie—I was nervous (still am). Sharing this story out loud is vulnerable. But like s...

What if the dream job… stops feeling like a dream? You’ve done all the “right” things—climbed the ladder, hit the milestones, made a real impact. From the outside, everything looks picture-perfect. But inside? You’re running on fumes. LaRhonda Dingle Magras is a fierce advocate for women, girls, and human rights, dedicating her life to this mission. But at some point, the mission was costing her…...

Marilyn Vetter is a beautiful example of what it means to lead with heart. She’s driven and accomplished, with an impressive career to show for it—but her path hasn’t always looked that way. For years, Marilyn was caught in the cycle of overwork and achievement addiction. In her chapter, Chasing Contentment, from Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Letting Go, Marilyn reveals the moment she chose to l...

Sometimes life presses pause on the path you thought you were on—and you're left to navigate what comes next. ✨ In this episode, we explore Dr. Susan E. Borrego's chapter "Letting Go of Being Let Go" from the best-selling book Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Letting Go. Sue speaks with grace and strength as she shares the raw truth of being pushed out of a successful leadership role—not for perfo...

What if the biggest thing standing between you and the life you really want… is a story you’ve been holding onto for too long? A story that says, “You need to have it all figured out.” “Certainty is safer than possibility.” “You’re not ready.”   This week on The Flourish Careers Podcast, I’m talking with Dominique Luster—archivist, storyteller, and founder of The Luster Company, where she’s devote...

Imagine how different our work environments could be if every leader approached challenges with compassion. Imagine how much more fulfilling our careers would feel if kindness led the way.  Now, imagine what’s possible when we let go of the self-sabotaging behaviors that keep us stuck—isolating, self-medicating, or holding onto past pain—and step into a life where we show up with intention and pur...

What if the bravest thing you could do is slow down? After years working in academia, with no real summers off, Jackie Cetera made a bold move: she let go of the hustle, tuned into her intuition, and finally gave herself the break she desperately needed.  What followed was a season of sunshine and self-discovery that changed everything. 😎 In this week’s episode, I’m delighted to share my conversa...

Let’s talk about something real…⁠ Fear. Doubt. Uncertainty.⁠ They have a sneaky way of showing up anytime we’re considering a change, especially when it’s tied to our careers or sense of purpose.⁠  Dr. Shawnté Elbert knows that feeling. When life threw her a curveball, she realized she had a choice: let fear run the show or practice something different.⁠  Her choice? Inhale faith. Exhale fear.⁠ It...

What happens when you listen and act on your intuition? A beautiful partnership and a bold collaboration begin. Today, we’re kicking off a very special season—one dedicated to celebrating the women behind the book Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Letting Go. To launch the series, I’m joined by the dynamic duo who brought this project to life: Jen Pestikas and Hope Mueller. Together, they describe t...

Is your work starting to feel a little… meh? Before you toss everything out the window and start fresh, hang tight—sometimes, all it takes is a slight shift to bring back that spark. In today's episode (the season 8 finale!), we're tackling creative rituals—simple practices that can help you feel more energized, inspired, and connected to your work. These aren't big, dramatic changes. We're talkin...

Tired of outdated career rules? Same! It’s time to flip the script. In today’s conversation, I’m joined by Jamie Jacobs—former corporate exec turned Founder and CEO of Gig Talent. Jamie is on a mission to reimagine how work gets done—with more freedom and intention. At its core, it’s about doing great work with great people. Jamie has built an impressive career as an HR leader, and her real superp...

✨ Have you ever found yourself instinctively reaching for a specific color, without even thinking about it?⁠ Maybe it’s a bold red blazer on a day you need extra courage… or a soft blue sweater when your spirit craves calm.⁠ Color is so much more than just style—it’s energy, emotion, and intuition speaking to us. 🎨⁠ I had the best conversation with intuitive artist Heather Eck about how color ca...

What if your second act could be even more meaningful than your first? Vasu Tolia is an extraordinary woman whose heart-led career path took her from medicine to art. She is a retired pediatrician who followed a quiet nudge that turned into a bold second act. After decades of caring for others through medicine, she channels that same compassion and creativity into her artwork. Her vibrant, sociall...

Born to be creative, forced to think corporate? You’re not alone. In this episode, I explore how creativity and courage can reignite your career, even if you don’t consider yourself “artistic.” Through stories and reflections, let's discover how to bring creativity into your work, spark new ideas, and feel more like yourself again. If you’ve felt stuck or disconnected, this is your invitation to p...

This week, we’re continuing the conversation from last week because one of the most common questions I get is: “How do I navigate salary negotiations in a way that feels confident to me?” This best-of episode from The Flourish Careers Podcast vault features a conversation with fellow HR leader Sabine Gedeon, and it’s one of our most-loved episodes for a reason. If salary conversations have ever fe...