This Kaleidoscope Career Podcast

From Host Helen Jonsen Welcome to This Kaleidoscope Career with thoughts about how women are doing it differently. As the colors of a kaleidoscope shift and tumble to create amazing and unique images, our skills, talents, experience and passions can create unique careers that are anything but linear. After four decades as a journalist, writer, strategic comms pro and professional speaker, I have l...

In conversation with Valerie Smaldone and host Helen Jonsen. Valerie Smaldone is an unforgettable voice behind the micand in front of the camera. She is a 5-time Billboard Magazine Award winner and is well known for her unprecedented success holding the #1 on-air position in the New York radio market. She has hosted, produced and createdseveral nationally syndicated programs featuring in-depth int...

Welcome! This episode feels like sitting down with the smartest, funniest friend at the dinner table — the one who somehow makes you feel calmer and more ambitious at the same time. In this wide-ranging conversation, Christine Koh shares the winding path behind her kaleidoscope career — from music cognition researcher and academic to pioneering blogger, creative director, strategist, podcaster, an...

On this episode, Helen Jonsen sits down with writer, public relations expert, and self-described California Girl, Lisa Woolery, to talk about her “kaleidoscope career.” From teaching middle school English in SoCal to shaping messages in politics, public service, and corporate PR, Lisa built a life around words—until life rewrote the script. After relocating her family to Kansas for a quieter life,...

Host Helen Jonsen welcomes marketing executive and radio/podcasting pioneer Liz Dolan, known for co-creating Satellite Sisters and for CMO roles at Nike, the Oprah Winfrey Network, and National Geographic. Liz describes her current multi-project life in Santa Monica, including work with Oregon Sports Angels, an investment group, a nonprofit program training young people for sports journalism, and...

About This Episode Nicole R. Ferrera has spent more than two decades at the intersection of media, advertising, and technology — and she has seen this industry from nearly every angle. She started as a media buyer at the major holding companies (WPP, IPG,Omnicom), moved to the publisher side at Viacom, helping offset linear television decline through digital revenue, and then worked in ad tech bui...

Meet Laura Pensiero, RDN Registered Dietitian, Chef, Author, Consultant and Speaker Owner of Gigi's Trattoria in Rhinebeck, NY   From studying nutrition, working at NY’s premier hospitalsto sharing a kitchen with world-renowned French chefs to becoming an accidental restaurateur. Meet the tenacious Laura Pensiero, the owner and driving forcebehind GiGi’s Trattoria in Rhinebeck, New York, and a...

In this episode of This Kaleidoscope Career: Naeemah Elias went from a Harvard scholarship to life on stage to State Street and beyond.   Host Helen Jonsen introduces Naeemah Elias, a former actor and Harvard graduate who became the second Black woman managing director at State Street before founding Elias Presence Ventures.   Naeemah is the first puppeteer to be a guest on This Kaleidoscope Caree...

Host Helen Jonsen welcomes you to Season 4 of This Kaleidoscope Career, and previews upcoming guests and new content across platforms! Welcome to This Kaleidoscope Career with thoughts about how women are doing it differently. As the colors of a kaleidoscope shift and tumble to create amazing and unique images, our skills, talents, experience and passions can create unique careers that are anythin...

Meet Lauree Ostrofsky Support for This Kaleidoscope Career comes from Divine Asset Management, a woman-owned firm advising individuals, families, and business owners on long-term strategies that align wealth with values. Explore more at WorkWithDivine.com In this episode of Kaleidoscope Career, host Helen Jonsen sitsdown with Lauree Ostrofsky, an empathetic coach and business consultant with a com...

In this episode of This Kaleidoscope Career, host Helen Jonsen interviews former Forbes Executive Editor, Technology Betsy Corcoran, an innovator at the intersection of education and technology. Support for This Kaleidoscope Career comes from Divine Asset Management, a woman-owned firm advising individuals, families, and business owners on long-term strategies that align wealth with values. Explor...

Season 3/ In this enlightening episode of Kaleidoscope Career, host Helen Jonsen delves into the dynamic career journey of Molly Tschang, CEO of Abella Consulting and founder of Say It Skillfully, Inc. Molly shares her career evolution from aspirations of marine biology to chemical engineering, and from key roles in companies like DuPont, IBM, and Cisco Systems to her impactful work in leadership...

Join host Helen Jonsen in conversation with Jory Des Jardins, long-considered a Silicon Valley innovator, including advice for entrepreneurs and those adding optionality to their work lives. In this episode, the co-founder of BlogHer and Optionality and currently leading CANDOR Partners, Jory, talks about her entrepreneurial journey in Silicon Valley. She discusses how she manages her multifaceted...

In this episode of `This Kaleidoscope Career`, host Helen Jonsen interviews Lisen Stromberg, a successful author, entrepreneur, and advisor. They discuss the challenges and opportunities that come with non-linear career paths, especially for women balancing work and caregiving roles. Lisen shares insights on her approach to time mastery, theimpact of workplace culture, and the importance of collab...

  In this episode of 'This Kaleidoscope Career,' host Helen Jonsen welcomes Sherice Torres, a seasoned chief marketing officer with experience spanning Google, Meta, cryptocurrency, and electric vehicles. Sherice shares the twists and turns of her extensive career, including her recent sabbatical, 'Project Lotus,' which she used to reclaim joy and redefine success.  Sherice explain...

Early and mid-career fellowships, entrepreneur accelerators, and fully-funded higher ed programs can be huge stepping stones in any career. For Dr. Vicki Johnson, they have provided skill-building experiences around the world and laid the groundwork for her entrepreneurial move into helping others do the same, ProFellow.com. Learn more about This Kaleidoscope Career as Helen Jonsen interviews Vick...

In this episode of This Kaleidoscope Career, host HelenJonsen interviews Catarina Dolsten, a medical doctor turned management consultant, Catarina shares her journey from practicing medicine in Sweden to her work in maternal and child health in Sub-Saharan Africa and Bangladesh,and eventually founding the Aktum Group in the United States. Learn More about Catarina Dolstenon Linkedin https://www.li...

In this episode of 'This Kaleidoscope Career,'host Helen Jonsen is joined by Kym McNicholas, CEO of the Global PAD Association. Kym shares her remarkable career journey that spans from being ashy college student aspiring to become an athletic trainer, to becoming aprofessional water skier, sports, tech and business journalist, and now anadvocate for Peripheral Artery Disease awareness.   Global PA...

Navigating This Kaleidoscope Career with FranHauser   In this episode of 'This Kaleidoscope Career,'host Helen Jonsen converses with Fran Hauser, a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and bookstore owner.   She is passionate about helping women acceleratein their careers by writing, speaking, investing in women’s start-up ventures, and in book consulting.   Fran discusses her diverse traj...

Nikki Green is a Life and Business Resiliency Expert who has worked in the international business industry for more than 20 years. Empowering young people to reach their full potential is her greatest passion, and as an inspiring keynote speaker, Nikki will motivate your organization or event attendees. With her company, Green Chameleon Collective, Nikki has dedicated her life to assisting others...

Bonnie fills us in on her version of This Kaleidoscope Career starting as an underpaid kindergarten teacher and landing in the C-suite of a med-tech company. She is now an expert on gendered ageism in the workplace, an executive and advocated for the advancement of women. Learn more about Bonnie at Bonnie Marcus Leadership https://bonniemarcusleadership.com/ And on Substack at Own Your Ambition ht...

Julie Cole is an award-winning entrepreneur, best-selling and award-winning author and media personality. As a lawyer who wanted out of corporate life she co-founded Mabel's Labels, to offer a solution to other moms needing to keep track of their kids' things. Not only did she and her three cofounders build a business started in her basement, she was an early adopter of social media and co...

Navigating This Kaleidoscope Career: A Conversation with Jennifer BrownLearn more @ Jennifer Brown Speaks In this engaging episode, Helen interviews Jennifer Brown, a prominent speaker, author, and thought leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Jennifer discusses her eclectic daily routine, her transformative journey from a nonprofit 'do-gooder' and classical singer to becoming a succ...

Key Takeaways from Interview Susan Colantuono's and Helen Jonsen's Discussion: A kaleidoscope career utilizes fundamental skills and talents in various roles and industries throughout one's professional life. Business disruptions (e.g. pandemic, AI, etc.) are changing how people work and view their careers Nonlinear career paths are becoming more common and accepted Key to navigating a kaleidoscop...

After 27 years in journalism, Leslie catapulted into an "accidental career." Wanting to help after 9/11, she delivered daily bowls of homemade soup to 9/11 firefighters. The soup was a hit. In 2003, Café of Love opened in Mt. Kisco. From there she built the Ladle of Love brand. Leslie describes her offerings as contemplative food, food that has consciously been thought about in terms of who grows...