Bucket List Careers (Bleav, Christa Lauri)

Exactly one week after graduating from Northwestern Law School, Emily Shaules was diagnosed with fibromyalgia (aka chronic widespread pain). Thereafter her career choices were made in an attempt to adapt to the condition. She left law, moved to her dream city of Asheville, North Carolina, and took up acting. While pursuing an acting career she also became a founder and CEO of an energy bar company before taking a pause. Even though she was successful doing things she was passionate about, she still lived with chronic pain and desperately needed to scale back her hours of work. It was then that she pivoted once more and landed in her current role as a transformational life coach with a focus on women with invisible illnesses. Emily expands on what invisible illness really means, why she founded something called “The Canary Club” and how she’s found the most rewarding and healing work of her life.

As an accomplished keynote speaker, author, advisor, and podcaster, Stacy Sherman is fully dedicated to perfecting the art of customer experiences. With multiple leadership roles at major companies over the past 25 years, including Liveops, Verizon, Wilton Brands, AT&T, and Schindler Elevator, Stacy found her runway to launch her own business in the past year - Doing CX Right - turning her side hustle into her primary focus. Her educational mission is centered around assisting brands in going beyond mere customer service by enchanting and captivating their audience, establishing enduring connections with people, the epitome of a purposeful approach to business. In our conversation, we explore how Stacy fearlessly took the leap into entrepreneurship this year, balancing her roles as a mother of two and the family breadwinner.  In this episode Stacy shares a wealth of wisdom on the road to achieving both fulfillment and profitability in your career!

Like many Bucket List Careers guests, the pandemic changed the course of Spencer Carpenter’s career for the better. Spencer left the music industry when the pandemic brought his work to a halt. Since then he has found his professional purpose as a podcast booking agent. Through his work he supports talented entrepreneurs and thought leaders in helping them get their messages and knowledge out to the world. We talk in this episode about why he chose this unique space and all about the increasing value of podcast guesting, including its growth as a marketing tool for virtually any business.

In this episode, we dive into Jennifer Mullen's inspiring journey from a successful career in education to becoming a holistic health coach. Jennifer shares how she found her true passion in guiding others toward transformative wellness after transitioning from special education and sales for a clean-crafted wine company. She opens up about the bold decision to pursue her calling in integrative health coaching and discusses her experiences with imposter syndrome during her career pivot. This empowering conversation sheds light on how Jennifer became her own boss and is a must-listen for anyone seeking motivation and insights into following their passion. Tune in to the full episode on your preferred podcast platform or watch the video version on YouTube!

Dara Astmann crafted her dream gig as a coach for mothers seeking clarity, confidence, and purpose in their next step, whether it’s returning to the workforce after raising kids, renewing their professional purpose, or embarking on a mid-career pivot. Before she started her business, she spent nearly two decades in media and sales, most recently working for Paramount while being a mother juggling it all, so she relates deeply with her clients who are looking for balance that aligns with their own unique second story. Listen for coaching advice on how to find your Bucket List Career!

Kristen Larkin spent 16 years as a director and client relationship manager at UBS before making a major professional change. Switching gears from finance to art, she launched her own business, 22KATKRAFTS, which specializes in bespoke hand-painted glassware designs. Kristen also organizes public and private events, creating memorable "paint your own" experiences for her clients filled with artistry and camaraderie. In this episode, the witty and honest Mompreneur, philanthropist, and community leader shares how she navigated her transition from investment banking to entrepreneurship after her position was eliminated. Listen in to hear Kristen's story and decide for yourself if losing her job was actually a blessing in disguise!

David Kean became Founder/CEO of DDK Productions after merging his lifelong passions and professional experience to craft his ultimate Bucket List Career gig. Prior to striking out on his own, David worked at GroupM ESP (Entertainment & Sports Partnerships), where he served as a VP of Event Production, responsible for a wide variety of GroupM clients within the sports and entertainment landscape working closely with major Fortune 500 brands.  In this conversation we get the ins and outs of a dream pivot for a sports and performance fanatic with a keen business mind, plus Christa and David discuss how his previous gigs prepared him for sports marketing and event production on his own terms!

Lauren Porat is the owner and founder of YogaSpark, a hot power yoga studio with locations in New York City and Westchester County, NY, however she started her career on Wall Street in investment banking and investor relations. A major pivot! Unlike many Bucket List Careers guests, Lauren never found any of her career choices to be unfulfilling. She loved working in finance and loved working on her first startup Urban Interns - perhaps that's what makes her such a successful business owner. Lauren says she’s been lucky enough to view each of her roles as her dream job in that moment in time. So what prompted her pivot to entrepreneurship through yoga? She said it was “like a calling.” And that call to action has resulted in yoga studios that offer an amazing fitness experience, in a super fun, upbeat environment. At first Lauren said she did it for her and for the workout. But within a few months of opening, she realized something more was going on - creating a community, improving and changing lives. And slowly the mission became a less selfish one: to spread the Spark to more people!

Lauren DeFranco started her career in journalism at WFSB TV in Hartford, CT where she was an assistant to THE Gayle King (Oprah's bestie!) Lauren then landed at Channel 7 Eyewitness News in New York City, the top local station in the country, where she was a reporter in the field for 14 years. In this episode, we get to hear a behind-the-scenes perspective of what it's like to be a local TV reporter covering the biggest stories and, of course, we explore a passionate career transition! Lauren is now an artist and radio host on KJOY Radio. Her popular call-in show includes a professional dating coach, who helps singles find their soulmates and navigate the difficulties of dating in a pandemic. This is a classic pivot-centric BLC episode highlighting how Lauren finally became honest with herself, following her heart more and more in her journey to professional purpose!

New Orleans-based Michelle Norwood has over twenty years of experience building out bespoke events domestically and overseas.  Her wedding planning and design business has been featured in Vogue, the New York Times,  Martha Stewart Weddings, and she was named the top wedding planner in the world by Harper’s Bazaar!  But this founder didn’t start her career in the industry. In this week’s episode she walks us through her professional journey from her start working as a receptionist at 22, to the moment she decided to quit and pave her own path, to the most memorable events she has planned!

Jeremy George, founder of BucketMatch.ai and TEDx speaker, left behind 10+ years working at software and tech companies in sales and business development roles to build something that empowers people to pursue their bucket lists! Jeremy walks us through his transformative journey, including a 52-Week Challenge, his "what a year project", where he completed 52 bucket list items in a year, serving as the foundation for BucketMatch.ai, an online platform that helps individuals pursue their dream goals.  In this episode, Jeremy unpacks the importance of finding one's purpose, the impact of COVID-19 on his life choices, and the concept of Ikigai, emphasizing the significance of community support, goal setting, and the courage to take leaps of faith in pursuing a fulfilling life. He offers valuable lessons from this pivotal experience, illustrating how it informs his vision for helping others realize their potential. Tune in to learn how BucketMatch.ai encourages individuals to actively pursue their life goals!

Links:

Jeremy's TEDx Talk ⁠https://www.ted.com/talks/jeremy_geor... BucketMatch.ai ⁠https://www.bucketmatch.ai/⁠ Jeremy's Year in Review ⁠https://www.whatayearproject.com/⁠

Gill Tietz is a biochemist and former teacher who in 2019 got sober. She has since been documenting her journey online and helping others break free from alcoholism/addiction with her popular podcast @sober.powered, often utilizing her chemistry background to break down the science (and therefore, stigma) of addiction. In this insightful episode Gill shares the details of what scared her straight and how she broke a pattern of self-destructive behavior, while learning to stop equating career success with personal worth.  Gill also breaks down her slow and steady path to podcasting success (her show ranks in the top .5% worldwide) and gets real with Christa about the ups and downs of growing a show.

Donna Lennox's vision for her company Gear 80 extended beyond reintroducing a line of clutch bags from the 1980s, each adorned with the iconic bubble detail that once made them a fashion essential. Recognizing the emotional resonance the vintage style holds for so many (including herself), Donna is dedicated to transporting her customers back to the memories of their high school days. Drawing from decades of experience in fashion sales, Donna identified an untapped potential in reviving the GEAR brand with a modern twist and embarked on a journey to breathe new life into her career. Join us as we delve into Donna's professional evolution, uncover her founder story, and unravel the driving force behind Gear 80!

Anita Devlin, a recovery advocate, producer, author, and professional organizer, is dedicated to inspiring change through the power of organization. Her business, We Heave Ho, led by an all-female staff, offers in-home services for organization, decluttering, moving management, and occupied staging. By embracing the philosophy that "possessions fill voids, while simplicity creates space to breathe," Anita aims to transform living spaces and positively impact lives. Join Anita as she shares how embracing your life journey can lead to deep fulfillment at any age!

Matt Ellis worked in insurance, radio & education before taking the leap of crafting work in the sport he has always loved above all - cricket! A former school principal turned podcast host and writer, in 2012 he launched the Cricket Library Podcast, the first of its kind in Australia. Today, he works for Far West NSW, a professional first-class cricket team based in Sydney, New South Wales. Listen in to hear Matt's inspiring journey of pivoting to his passion, as he offers valuable insights on monetizing work in sports media and establishing yourself as an expert in the field of your dream sport!

Erin Jensen devoted her career to large tech and media companies such as Google and YouTube as well as fashion houses and well known consumer brands including Theory, LVMH and Calera Wine Company, before making her big pivot and crafting her own dream gig. The Harvard Business School grad is now co-founder of Timo & Violet, a sustainable, organic, and heirloom-quality line of children's goods. Timo & Violet was inspired by her son’s struggle with allergies. Erin found not only a gap and an opportunity in the market of luxury eco-conscious baby bedding and bath linens, but a passion that she shares with her business partner Ronit Weinberg. After only a few months of launching they’ve found incredible success with Timo & Violet goods sold not only online and in their brick and mortar store in Greenwich, CT, but also soon to be found in Saks 5th Avenue and other luxury stores.  Listen in for an inspiring career narrative and insightful pivot wisdom!

Founded in 2020 by Sara Roberts, Goldie Home emerged from Sara's passion for gathering with her family at the dinner table during the pandemic. With a diverse background in fashion, advertising, and publishing, including roles at Elle Magazine and LVMH, Sara channeled her creativity into making her own table linens using her watercolor paintings and ice dying techniques. What started as a personal exploration quickly gained momentum as Sara's work caught the attention of her family, friends, and others she couldn't meet in person due to pandemic restrictions. Thus, Goldie Home was born, named after Sara's maternal grandmother, Goldie, to represent the beauty of color and sophistication in design. With almost 20 years of experience in working with leading fashion media brands, Sara brings a unique blend of New York sophistication, European style, and Mediterranean color and light to Goldie Home. Her hope is to add something special to kitchens and dining room tables with her highly artistic pieces. Listen in to this episode to gain insights into the evolution of Goldie Home and find out how Sara Roberts is revolutionizing the world of table linens and unique pieces for the home with her singular approach.

Brooke Molinaroli tried her hand at various creative fields early on in her career but found herself continuously compromising with the pressure to find a more business-centric role. After graduating from Bucknell University, Brooke started working in galleries and then for design firms and photographers. This led to a ten year stint in digital, brand and social media marketing at British Telecom until she found a role that combined that experience with her love of art, working at the Dallas Museum of Art as the Marketing Director.  But something was missing in all of those roles and when she moved to the suburbs of NY,  Brooke had her pivotal moment.  With strong opinions about the good and the bad of the art world she decided to change the way people access contemporary artists and photographers, offering artwork at relatively accessible price points in a low-key and transparent way, using her own space as an exhibit venue.  Listen in to to hear a unique pivot and founder's story highlighting the origins of a singular business model in a traditionally challenging field!

Shani Lynn Sherman is proud co-owner of Locals 10538, a vibrant dining and event space dedicated to fostering a sense of community through its engaging live music performances, private party offerings and the tantalizing, locally-sourced seasonal cuisine crafted by her husband, acclaimed New York chef Peter Sherman. Drawing from her performance experience including notable musical theatre, TV and film roles (not to mention her title of Miss Indiana 1996), Shani's professional journey has seamlessly integrated critical facets of business she picked up along the way, leading to what she calls her most meaningful role as a successful restaurateur in her own hometown. In this insightful episode, Shani shares her pivot narrative highlighting how to achieve a delicate equilibrium in your career—a path that is not only personally rewarding and driven by passion, but also optimally harnessing a distinct skill set!

Jessica Saunders, a successful product liability defense attorney, recently became a published author with her debut novel, Love, Me, drawing from her experiences as a mother and lawyer. In this episode of Bucket List Careers, she reflects on how her friend's passing inspired her to pursue her creative dreams, discussing the challenges of balancing a passion project with her demanding career, and sharing insights into her writing and publishing journey!

Wendy Jones is a mother of four, lifelong athlete, writer, podcaster and wellness coach guiding parents and young athletes to view sports as self-discovery journeys, not just pursuits of scholarships, recruitment and medals. After overcoming injury playing college volleyball and a difficult divorce later in life, Wendy Jones learned firsthand about the transformative power of vulnerability and how our willingness to share stories is a way to heal. She recently pivoted from a 3rd generation family farming business to launch her own company Be Better Media. Wendy has authored the book 365 Days of Optimism - Mantras for Finding Confidence, Courage, and Self Love and publishes a weekly blog called The Optimists Journal, sharing stories and insights about her journey through parenthood and the game of life. Wendy is a certified Precision Nutrition and Life Coach, 200 hour yoga certified, and lives in Redondo Beach, CA. Listen in to this week’s episode of Bucket List Careers for an inspired conversation about overcoming perfectionism!

Dr. Brian Giordano was told not to bother applying to medical school because he wasn’t “pedigreed enough” and while he suffered from imposter syndrome early in his journey, this successful NY-based orthopaedic surgeon has built a booming sports medicine practice focusing on achieving peak performance and resilience to injury.  He’s an Assistant Professor and founder of the Hip Preservation Program in the Department of Orthopaedics, at the University of Rochester Medical Center, going from treating pro athletes while based in LA to healing high school competitors and “weekend warrior” athletes in upstate NY.  Brian says what he lacked in privilege growing up, he made up for with a strong family foundation in hard work, fearless commitment to being comfortable with things that are uncomfortable, and servicing people in need. In this episode, we dig into the headspace of a successful surgeon and dedicated father, what it takes to flourish in the highly competitive and ever-evolving field of medicine, and Dr. Giordano opens up about the urgent need for increased professional focus on mental wellness in today’s medical community.   

Dara Astmann’s bucket list career? Becoming a life and career coach who works with mothers to make themselves a priority - so that they in turn can figure out what is on their bucket list! We brought Dara back on the podcast to share how she pulled off her full pivot from corporate to entrepreneur, committing to her coaching business after nearly two decades in marketing and sales with Paramount. Dara’s guiding ambitious moms who are ready to confidently pivot towards a career that ignites both passion and balance. Whether returning to work after kids, managing the juggle of work-life balance, becoming unstuck with a mid-career pivot or renewing your professional fulfillment at any stage, Dara shares her tactics for turning the focus inward, allowing yourself to feel supported in your larger goals and dreams!

To learn more and sign up for Dara's new program go to https://beautiful-union-278.myflodesk.com/qcifpp007e

Genevieve Piturro led a successful career as a television marketing executive in New York City for more than a decade when a little girl’s question (“What are pajamas?”) changed the course of her life forever. At that pivotal moment, Genevieve decided to jump off the corporate ladder and began delivering pajamas and books to children in shelters. In 2001, she founded Pajama Program, which has been recognized nationwide for both its success and Genevieve’s story.  Genevieve published Purpose, Passion and Pajamas in August 2020 about her transformation from the corporate life to starting a nonprofit. An international speaker, consultant and author, Genevieve has made it her mission to inspire men and women across the globe to listen to their heart, inspiring others who are looking to change direction in their lives and “find their pajamas.”

Aviva Kamander, a seasoned Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and psychotherapist for two decades in New York, discusses her transformative journey from traditional therapy to coaching mission-driven business owners. She shares valuable insights in this episode on overcoming limiting beliefs, staying true to one’s values, and achieving a balanced, fulfilling life. Listen in for inspiration from her perspective on career changes at any stage and her ongoing challenge with self-promotion in her coaching business. Tune in to explore Aviva's journey and the lessons she’s learned along the way!

Growing up in the 80s and with over 20 years of experience in corporate marketing Chris Clews knew two things very well – 80s pop culture and business. So he combined the two and created “What 80s Pop Culture Teaches Us About Today’s Workplace”. He specialized in building brands, leading them through transition and spearheading sports sponsorships with NCAA Basketball, PGA, MLB, International Soccer and the UFC.  That skill set helped him build and launch his own brand as a full-time speaker and author. In this episode we learn how Chris made his transition to doing what he loves, his top business takeaways that draw from 80s wisdom and what it takes to live by the quote from his favorite, the poet laureate Ferris Bueller, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop to look around once in a while, you could miss it.”  

Stephanie Capuano was a PR professional with over 15 years of experience in pharmaceutical, fashion and beauty sectors across offices in New York, San Francisco and London when she decided it was time to create companies of her own. Using her marketing and consumer insights, the California native founded 31st State in 2017, an award-winning clean skincare company and the only natural and vegan skin care brand for Gen Z guys. Being a mother of two teen boys Stephanie created the line after being frustrated by the lack of available choices for her sons in the personal care market. Stephanie is also a founding partner in &Three Collective, a boutique travel company specializing in the ultimate African safari.  Her conversation with Christa delves into how Stephanie has crafted a bucket list career that's as multifaceted as she is and shares valuable takeaways on achieving professional purpose as a mid-career visionary and founder!

Fired 39% of the time in his career as a Los Angeles-based film producer, studio executive, and tech entrepreneur, John Tarnoff had learned the secrets of turning setbacks into successes. And when his tech startup folded at the end of the dotcom bubble in 2001, his "aha moment" happened - sending him back to school at age 50 to earn a master's degree in spiritual psychology.  Pivoting to a focus on people and career counseling, John networked his way to a new role as Head of Show Development at DreamWorks Animation from 2006-09. In this position, he developed culture-changing creative leadership training and college recruiting programs, now used by top universities and corporate clients.  Author of Boomer Reinvention: How to Create Your Dream Career Over 50, John shares his experiences in this episode and offers actionable strategies to those looking to find a meaningful job for the second half of life that can be not only financially successful, but personally fulfilling as well!

A self-taught local artist and art instructor, Meera Agarwal experienced a turning point in her life after a three month youth expedition to China. She quit her accounting job in Dubai and entered the field of corporate communications in the U.S. Even as she switched gears/countries, her art practice was a source of inspiration and later began pursuing it full-time as a working creative in her hometown of Rye, NY. A passionate instructor, Meera conducts art workshops for children and adults alike. She is also a certified Art-o-Mat artist, contributing to art vending machines nationwide. Recently, she expanded into public art with Rye Arts Center’s Rye’sAbove butterfly installation and contributed to the Rye Poetry Path. In this episode, we explore Meera's incredible career transition from accounting to becoming a full-time artist, delving into her journey of self-discovery, creativity, and the courage to pursue passion over convention!

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Co-Founder of Vengo Labs, Brian Shimmerlik had an entrepreneurial spirit from the start of his career that took him through several successful professional transitions. He started out in in finance in New York City at JP Morgan, but after 6 years ventured out to craft his own dream gig. Unsatisfied in banking, Shimmerlik enrolled in business school at NYU.  With no time to get to a store one night, he realized he wanted access to products when and where he needed them.  It was then that he developed the vision for Vengo, soon after entering start-up competitions, appearing on Shark Tank and winning millions in seed money to revolutionize the vending machine industry.  Since 2012 Vengo Labs has deployed thousands of sleek, wall-mounted high tech machines with vibrant digital screens offering convenience and entertainment to people on the go.  But while navigating the pandemic, Vengo pivoted once again.  Listen in to hear more on Brian's fascinating career twists and turns and how he and his partner morphed the business model to become more scalable and profitable as a Digital Out-Of-Home (DOOH) software company, now powering 27,000 screens across the country at gyms, colleges, bars/restaurants and retail stores!

Life and career coach Dara Astmann has found her Bucket List Career by helping fellow moms discover what is on their own Bucket Lists. As a part-time Ad Sales Executive at Paramount, Dara spent her non-working days as a mother to her two young children. Once they entered full-time school, Dara knew that she wanted to use her newfound free time to follow her other passion. This involved empowering mothers to make themselves a priority and to help them rediscover what is possible for their future. In this episode Dara explains how she transferred two decades of experience in media and sales to her bigger purpose - allowing women to assess what works for their family while finding something they enjoy doing today (which is often quite different from their career aspirations in their twenties). She focuses on helping others recognize their own values and passions so that they can get out of the daily monotony and claim purpose and excitement in their own lives!

Neil Rogers is a speaker and recently published author of the book, Bar Tips: Everything I Needed To Know In Sales I Learned Behind The Bar. This episode tracks a multi-pivot journey from bartending at Tia’s & Boston Sail Loft to consummate salesperson and entrepreneur.  He talks about struggling through school but finding his way, mastering sales performance and how bartending prepared Neil for it all -- landing ultimately in his role as owner and VP of Marketing & Sales at Rogers Marketing for nearly 26 years. There’s a lot of wisdom in this one for you if you’re seeking more meaning in a new professional space, and broader life lessons on transferring your skills to find more purpose on an unconventional path!

Sports was Doug Rifenburg's world from birth. His father Dick was an All-American with Michigan's vaunted football program, he played for the Detroit Lions and became a pioneering sportscaster in Buffalo, NY. His mother founded one of the first NFL cheerleading teams. Doug himself was a three sport athlete in school, including football at University of Buffalo and in addition to working for 25 years in various forms of sporting goods sales, he spent countless hours as a multi-sport youth coach for decades, both for his own kids and teams in underserved communities. But this man of faith says something seemed to be missing in recent years and he found himself praying on finding the missing piece to his professional puzzle.  Then one day, in an interesting turn of events, it all changed! Uplifting takeaways on seeking and achieving professional meaning in this episode. You'll learn what sparked Doug's realization that he could use his life-long skill set to build his global nonprofit Victory Sports and he shares how he's expanding on a dream that delivers so much more than a paycheck!

https://victorysports.org/

https://www.bucketlistcareerspodcast.com/

"When nothing is certain, anything is possible.” That is Heidi Zimmer's mantra and a piece of wisdom that gives us insight into how Heidi built Wild Rice Retreat in Bayfield, WI, during the pandemic.  Heidi is a real estate development professional and creative entrepreneur with 25+ years of experience in affordable housing, community and economic development as well as urban and rural planning. But she found her life’s work and what truly lights her up as Founder/Owner of Wild Rice Retreat.  Heidi recognized a void in health and wellness spaces in the midwest while practicing to become a yoga teacher and decided her home region needed a place for creativity, rest, wellbeing, and connection to nature.  Wild Rice Retreat is a first of its kind arts and wellness retreat center in the midwest and a place that yogis and anyone curious about health and wellness intentionally travel to.

Jamie was an Oxford-educated successful partner at a top NY-based hedge fund when at 35 years old he told his partner, "I just don't want to die and have my headstone say, "Here lies a hedge fund manager." He says it was then that he realized he was after something more soul-fulfilling, quit finance and gave himself 2 years to explore his options. Jamie pursued radio and TV with full force, even crossing the globe to create his on-camera hosting reel.  In this episode, we learn how he landed many successful partnerships with Conde Nast Traveller, TD Ameritrade, and more that focus on travel and financial education. And Jamie shares how he's simultaneously used his innate speaking ability to help raise millions of dollars for non-profits as a charity auctioneer while supporting an extensive community project in Cuba. Listen in for powerful takeaways on finding reward in reinvention!

It can be a powerful marketing tool, but authentic content creation on social media can also be daunting, especially in the beginning stages. Christa speaks from personal experience in this episode about how she tackled her own fears in this space. Even after an audience-facing career as a news anchor and years spent on stage as a vocalist, it felt unnatural and intimidating to be in front of the camera online when she launched her podcast in 2021. She said, “telling a news story is certainly different from telling MY story.” Listen for actionable tips, based on what we’ve learned from the many life and career coaches we’ve featured as guests, on creating content that resonates with your target audience through careful research, preparation, and practice!

After graduating from The School of Visual Arts in NYC Jeff Provenzano was your average broke recent grad, except for the fact that he had one thing he couldn't keep off his mind... skydiving, a hobby he had picked up during his freshman year. Soon he moved out to Arizona to live at Skydive Arizona, the largest skydive center in the world, for what he originally intended to be a gap year before focusing on career. His first home there? A tent. He continued to live a "ramen noodle" lifestyle, coaching and filming skydives and later, competing in the sport when his career took off after winning several international titles and later becoming a Red Bull athlete. This episode is all about following your instincts to create a path to monetizing doing what you love and showing up as your authentic self.

Brandon Smith is a forward-thinking technology leader currently serving as the Chief Product Officer at ArtHeart.ai, a trailblazing company in the world of artificial intelligence. His career has been defined by a keen ability to spot and harness emerging technologies well before they reach mainstream recognition. He made the Bucket List jump in 2017 starting his own consulting business then moving to his own startup in 2020. Since then, his career has been a roller coaster of highs and lows, exiting his first major startup after 18 months with an 8 figure sale. Brandon believes that whether a venture was a colossal flop or an unexpected success, each experience requires you to double your resilience and self-belief while surrounding yourself with a competent and supportive team. Previously, Brandon was a Director with PwC and served as a strategic consultant for many Fortune 100 companies. Armed with a background in Data Science and business analytics, he crafted innovative solutions that addressed critical challenges faced by large enterprises. He also was a former member of the prestigious General Electric Executive Leadership program, where he lent his expertise to a wide array of industries, spanning from light bulbs to oil rigs. Throughout his career, Brandon has consistently sought opportunities with the potential to ignite transformative organizational change, driven by his passion for technology and innovation.

A Philadephia-based PE teacher of 13 years, Jacqueline Butler transformed her life in a quest for more personal and financial freedom.  Now a globally ranked top 0.1% Etsy seller and mompreneur, she's also helping other moms do the same through her online courses and coaching.  This is an episode with many actionable how-to's on passive income, including strategies to supplement or replace your 9-5 income by selling digital products, best tips to get started without significant social media or paid advertising investment and why Jacqueline believes a pivot to financial freedom is much easier to achieve than you may think!

Lata Hamilton has worked with some of Australia’s biggest companies in various marketing roles but it wasn't until she embraced the move to organizational change management that she tripled her salary in a few years and launched her own training and consulting venture, Passion Pioneers.  A seasoned Change Management Consultant, Leadership Trainer, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Practitioner, and Confidence Coach, Lata shares how she is helping women change careers with confidence, earn their worth and realize that they can design their careers based on their dream lifestyle, and not the other way around!

Rhonda Petit was a successful sales manager in the medical field for over three decades until she decided to break free from a job and life that weren't serving her any longer. Sound familiar? Drawing on her extensive experience in the industry, Rhonda aimed to change the narrative of how the world views sales as a career and how salespeople approach their jobs. Unlike other sales manuals, Rhonda drew on her growth in spirituality to author, "The Spirit of Selling", during the pandemic.  After that, her journey to becoming an entrepreneur fell into place. In this episode, Rhonda delves into her coaching philosophies, including her belief that selling is 95% mindset and 5% mechanics. If you have a desire to understand the inner workings of your mind and how to use it to lead to sales success, then her book is for you. Rhonda now helps thousands of people achieve their personal and professional goals!

In this episode, we dive into the increasingly competitive landscape of college admissions. With acceptance rates dropping and test-optional schools gaining popularity, the pressure is on for teens and parents. Stacey Ross Cohen, the CEO and founder of Co-Communications, a New York-based PR and marketing agency, shares her wealth of expertise to help navigate these challenges. Having earned her stripes on Madison Avenue and major TV networks, Stacey brings decades of branding experience to the table. She knows what it takes to grab the attention of decision-makers in college admissions, scholarships, internships, and jobs. Now Stacey travels across the country, educating parents, teachers, and teens on creating a positive narrative and building a strong social media presence. In addition to sharing tips from her new book, "Brand Up: The Ultimate Playbook for College and Career Success in the Digital World," Stacey shares her personal journey with Christa. From starting her own business at 14 to building a successful marketing firm over the past 25 years, Stacey's experiences and insights are invaluable. Her understanding of the importance of standing out and being memorable allows her to offer empowering advice. Listen in to discover how Stacey can help you navigate the competitive college and career landscape!

Ed Cunningham knows a thing or two about career pivots. He's worn many hats throughout the years as a professional football player, ESPN sports commentator, filmmaker, and now host of the podcast “Let’s Huddle”. In this episode Ed shares insightful stories from on the playing field and off. He played center for five seasons in the NFL for the Arizona Cardinals and the Seattle Seahawks and prior to his pro football career, Cunningham played for the Washington Huskies, helping them win a national championship in 1991.  Ed’s professional evolution is packed with lessons for anyone interested in reinvention, delivering true advice for changing career direction, the value in a side hustle, and building your network. 

Stacy Huston is the Executive Director of SixDegrees.Org, a nonprofit founded by actor and philanthropist Kevin Bacon that uses social networking to amplify the unsung heroes and causes in communities everywhere.  Stacy is also CEO of Entertain Change, a social impact agency at the intersection of entertainment and philanthropy. She co-created and executive produced the #1 nonprofit podcast in the country, 'Six Degrees with Kevin Bacon', which features guests from different fields and backgrounds who are making a difference in the world, but as with our typical BLC guest, this list of accomplishments came a little later in her career evolution. Lets listen to what it took for Stacy to find this incredibly meaningful work and what advice she has for you to help launch your next act!

Growing up in a small village near Düsseldorf, Germany, Ute Londrigan was deeply inspired by her grandmother's tradition of crafting homemade liqueurs from locally sourced fruits in the basement. After a transformative shift from corporate positions that took her around the world, Ute decided to establish her own distillery in Mamaroneck, NY. Drawing from her grandmother's century-old tradition, Ute meticulously crafts liqueurs that honor the flavors of her German heritage. In this episode, we delve into Ute's remarkable transformation into a founder and mompreneur. We explore the artistry and craftsmanship behind Heimat New York's exquisite liqueurs, which are made using local fruits, bottled seasonally, and are entirely natural. Through our conversation, we witness the fusion of German heritage and the vibrant atmosphere of New York, as Ute creates a unique blend that embodies both!

Founder and CEO Karri Bowen-Poole has spent the last 10 years revolutionizing the way children learn and play with her innovative and educational playroom design services.  A longtime educator and mom, Karri was teaching at a local preschool when she had an epiphany: “What if I took the systems we use in the classroom and incorporated them into people’s homes?”  Her big pivot followed soon after and now her company offers traditional In-Person Design Services as well as E-Design Services for residential kid gyms and educational playrooms. She is also Co-Founder of Project Playroom which sells all of her favorite modern playroom products. In this episode Karri walks us through how she successfully transferred her skills and knowledge gained from working with children for over a decade into a thriving and rewarding business!

Hillary Weintraub had a successful career in finance on Wall Street and as the COO of a startup company when, at 41, she found herself as a production assistant (PA) on the set of a commercial. PAs are entry-level workers of the film and tv industry and it was a humbling career pivot, but now? Now, Hillary is thriving with her second successful career as a producer of TV commercials based out of NYC. This week's episode of Bucket List Careers delivers authentic lessons on reinventing yourself and overcoming self-doubt to achieve the career you were always meant to have!

Elyce Jacobson is a vegan chef that has had many passion-fueled career pivots over the years. In her mid-twenties she had an insatiable desire to leave the corporate world and become a chef and entrepreneur. She worked her 9-5 while attending culinary school at night. That was the beginning of a successful and intriguing trajectory that included several food businesses over the years from catering to cafes, the most well known of which was her restaurant Skinny Buddha Organic Kitchen with multiple locations in NY for more than a decade. She has since transitioned to the next chapter of her career as a private chef, educator and vegan consultant, helping individuals that want to add more plants to their plates and restaurants that want to add more plant-based recipes to their menus. With this work, she hopes to play a part in the changing landscape of plant-based cuisine that is currently taking place throughout the culinary world!

Claudia Kandel’s professional experience spans various industries and sectors, from small start-ups to established corporate giants. She began her career at the National Endowment for the Arts before moving on to brand management and new product development at General Mills and Kraft Foods. However, her true passion project emerged recently when she teamed up with like-minded former colleagues seeking professional change in a personally meaningful field—navigating care for their aging parents. Claudia co-founded Sidekick Concierge to provide an ideal solution for busy professionals with active but aging loved ones who occasionally need support. Sidekicks are not medical aides; they are highly vetted personal assistants who can step in on-demand to help seniors tackle to-do lists, run personal errands, troubleshoot technology and organize paperwork, engage in social and cultural events, and, most importantly, provide cheerful companionship. In this episode, Claudia shares how her personal experiences inspired the creation of her new business, how to transfer valuable skills from previous industries, and what it takes to overcome the fear of failure when starting your own venture in a completely new landscape!

Juna Bobby, MD was a successful practicing radiologist specializing in women's imaging in New York City when a major life event, the loss of both her best friend and her mother in a short timespan, brought her to a crossroads in her career.  From her first-hand knowledge of thousands of people's bodies over the years, Juna noticed a pattern. Just three major lifestyle factors were the primary cause of disease in her patients. (Listen to the episode to find out what they are.) This pattern sparked the creation of her business, MindBodySpace, counseling clients of all ages on illness prevention strategies. Listen in to this week's inspiring episode to hear all about Juna's career transformation and exactly what her version of Mind-Body Medicine is all about.

Some experts define procrastination as not just any delay but an irrational one – that is, when we voluntarily put off tasks despite believing that we will be worse off for doing so. But today's guest — life and career change coach Christine Meyer has a different take that she shares with us in this episode, one that flies in the face of traditional theories and anti-procrastination strategies. Listen in for a fresh approach to eliminating the very habit that may be standing in the way of your new professional chapter!

With extensive experience in sales, youth development, and now as a sports entrepreneurship coach based in Orange County, CA, Tony Everett's expertise spans over 15 years of harnessing the power of sports for success. Through his coaching, he guides individuals in finding fulfilling post-athletic careers. Tony is also the founder of PureGame, a nonprofit organization that uses sports to instill character and leadership skills in children. In this episode, Tony shares his unique formula for navigating professional reset challenges, offering valuable insights and strategies. He reveals that he once doubted his ability to run a company, but through personal growth, time, and a shift in mindset, he tackled this obstacle. Today, Tony is dedicated to helping others embark on their own mindset shift to launch the next chapter of their lives!

Ed Metzendorf is a self-proclaimed camp geek and it wasn't long before he walked away from a career in software to become a founder of the successful chain of Next Level Day Camps in the Northeast. However, his transition wasn't as unrelated as meets the eye. In 2000, he developed Bunk1.com, a summer camp technology company, which paved the runway for his big leap to doing what he loves most for a living. Listen in to this week's episode for Ed's take on the importance of balancing intensive sports and academic training with activities that allow kids to be kids, pivoting business through COVID-19, and the long-term value of keeping a hobby/side-hustle.

Marc Ronick is the producer of Bucket List Careers, a consultant, host and entrepreneur with a career spanning 17+ years in podcasting. Just like Christa, he pivoted from TV News during the pandemic. Marc then successfully launched a full-service podcast agency and has since become a symbol of innovation and empowerment in content creation. As the founder of iRonick Media, he provides comprehensive podcasting solutions, including production, consulting, and coaching. As the co-founder of NextGen Podcaster, he leads the way in teaching creators how to integrate AI-driven tools & resources into their processes. With an ongoing passion for building & growing communities, Marc hosts a daily virtual room on the Clubhouse app that covers a wide array of topics, resonating with audiences and building a community that transcends traditional podcasting boundaries. 

Does the "new year, new you" messaging we often hear at the beginning of a new year make you cringe? Surveys show that a small percentage of people succeed in keeping their New Year's resolutions, although goal setting still holds value in personal and career development! For those who've become frustrated by past failures, embracing the concept of anti-resolutions can be a more liberating and successful approach.  Listen in for Christa's ideas on embracing anti-resolutions or a “not-to-do” list, removing the pressure of what we should be doing in the new year and clearing the way for you to achieve your career transformation goals for 2024!

Jaymee Sire currently hosts Food Network’s first and only podcast “Obsessed”, the culmination of her nearly 20-year career in TV and media. With most of her experience in sportscasting around the country, she helped launch and anchor the morning installment of ESPN’S SportsCenter. But Jaymee had always cultivated other passions.  She was into cooking from a very young age and had started slowly pursuing a career in food media while she was at ESPN.  You may have seen her more recently as a guest host on Beat Bobby Flay, or as floor reporter for Iron Chef Showdown. And now, the Montana native who lives in Brooklyn, NY, also owns her own media company, creating content for brands focusing on food and her other big obsession - travel.  In this episode, Jaymee opens up about how she regrouped and transitioned after being part of ESPN’s massive round of on-air layoffs in 2017.  Jaymee also shares how she developed the mindset to make an almost immediate pivot from 16 years in sports news to prominent positions in food media. 

Jennifer Musser has navigated a diverse career path, from being a corporate rising star to embracing motherhood and experiencing a layoff. In her latest chapter, she has emerged with what she describes as a new, fresh, and improved version of her professional self! With over twenty years of experience in consulting and corporate finance, working for leading firms like PwC, Kroll, and Marsh & McLennan, Jennifer decided to forge her own path by founding JLM & Associates, a consulting business dedicated to enhancing the financial operations of small businesses. In this episode, Jennifer shares her insights on career pivots and discusses her debut book, Align Your Business with the Real You. The book is aimed at individuals seeking to reinvent themselves and offers guidance on finding an authentic fit in their second, third, or even fourth career act!

Listen in as Christa shares the wisdom she's gained from recent guests on how to use the SMART goals framework to bring your second act or career pivot dreams to life, the pros and cons of "diving in" as a solopreneur and actionable steps for feeling motivated throughout the end of the year!

Stefanie Schmidt, a lawyer turned clothing designer, was inspired to pivot her career after her mother was diagnosed with cancer, which heightened her awareness of the chemicals in everyday products and foods. When she couldn’t find easily accessible organic children’s clothing for her kids, she had the idea to start her own company. She soon learned that the U.S. lags behind in regulating potentially harmful chemicals in clothing. America only bans 11 chemicals compared to the EU's regulation of over 1,300. Stefanie left her role as general counsel for a financial tech firm to create a brand that prioritizes kids' health and happiness! This episode shares an honest and valuable narrative of Stefanie's pivot from lawyer to founder, detailing how she achieved early success despite having little knowledge about the fashion industry or building and promoting a brand!

Jordan Elizabeth Gelber is an accomplished actor, CEO, entrepreneur, founder of the OTT platform Aperteur and marketing agency STARBABY. She has been in digital marketing for over 10 years working with feature films, Fortune 500 companies, and more. In this episode Jordan tells us all about a career journey that involves difficult bosses, tears, struggles with ADHD and battling sexism in the workplace.

Cindy Olsen built a career in entertainment finance by climbing the ladder from the start of her career, but a pivotal moment happened when she was pregnant with her second child which changed everything - prompting her to reevaluate her professional life and redefine what success meant to her.  Today Cindy Olsen is a certified Kripalu Mindful Outdoor Guide and founder of Cindy By Nature. She is passionate about sharing the powerful physical and mental benefits of nature and mindfulness with others. Additionally, she runs award-winning mindful awareness programs for various schools, organizations, and private clients - a gig she says gives her more joy than she could have ever imagined!  This episode not only highlights her journey and advice for pivot-seekers, but also explores how Kripalu mindful outdoor experiences integrate elements of forest bathing, yoga philosophy and practice, Ayurveda, outdoor survival and connection skills, along with an overall focus on nature’s health benefits.

After her experience as a nanny, Maggie Pearson spent several years working as a personal chef in Rhode Island, bringing the same level of care to each family she served. It was rewarding to see how her cooking could make a difference in the lives of her clients, and wanted to share it with more. She started preparing meals at home and personally delivering as a way to take on more clients. Despite not doing any marketing, demand for services continued to grow. It became clear that there was a significant need in the market for an easy, high-quality meal delivery service that could meet the needs of busy families!

In 2016 she founded Feast & Fettle, hiring her best friend from high school, who quit her corporate job to join Maggie on the journey. Two years later, they invited another friend to join them as CEO and the business has since skyrocketed. Feast & Fettle is a 6-state, 10,000-member enterprise that still sticks to Pearson’s original goals, including the mission to make healthy eating accessible no matter where you are! Listen to this inspiring Bucket List Careers episode that follows Maggie’s passionate career journey and all the lessons learned along the way!

Timothy Gordon has a unique dream gig as an internationally recognized appraisal authority. He has been evaluating works of fine art, valuables and collections for over 25 years, having personally appraised millions of items of celebrities, high-profile collections, notable museums, and national parks. He has been a featured appraiser on the PBS production of Antiques Roadshow in Collectibles, Decorative Arts and Tribal Art.  The Emmy Award nominated program has nearly 8 million viewers per episode. Tim's career is one-of-a-kind and he loves what he does, so he makes a perfect Bucket List Careers guest! Listen in to this week’s episode of BLC to hear about his fascinating career path and some of the items he’ll never forget!

Lifelong traveler Rachelle Rayner shares her bold pivot story, leaving behind a career in commercial real estate in the suburbs of New York City to move to Morocco with her daughter, pursuing her dream of becoming a boutique hotelier in Marrakesh! Rachelle discusses the challenges of transitioning to entrepreneurship in a foreign city as an owner of a Riad, in addition to dealing with the aftermath of a recent earthquake. She also reveals her current project of opening a holistic wellness center and hospitality training center for women in Morocco. Listen in to hear her captivating journey and the interesting twists and turns of her fearless career reinvention!

A father of four living in central Michigan who pivoted out of marketing into ecommerce development, Jeff Howell found his most meaningful professional chapter after navigating the intricate process of helping his son secure a college football spot.  When his oldest son Josiah was beginning to believe he could play football post-high school, Jeff began to research the process of getting him noticed by college programs.  He was surprised that there wasn’t one repository of information to help and set out to piece together everything he’d learned by talking with other parents, coaches, online searching and finally, trial and error.  Now Jeff's Bucket List Career focuses on empowering parents and student athletes to competently navigate the college sports recruiting process.

A COVID-related near-death experience catapulted entrepreneur Daniel Snead into a career pivot. Daniel jumped from running a successful international network marketing business to founding Best Bet Skills Academy, where he helps students and young adults develop the social trades skills they need to create the life of their dreams. In this episode, Daniel offers valuable insights into how young people can pursue fulfilling and lucrative careers without debt by learning practical and applicable skills, while diving deep into the moments that changed his life forever.

Aimee Hofmann is an abstract artist who has been painting for 16 years. Her journey to finding her professional purpose and life’s work is one that is inspiring and filled with twists and turns. In '98, Hofmann earned a BS degree from the Stern School of Business at New York University. After graduating, she landed positions in marketing and public relations, but did not feel fulfilled. In search for an artistic outlet, she explored creative industries, i.e., make-up artistry and acting.  Suddenly, in 2006, she suffered from the neurological condition, Transverse Myelitis, which resulted in permanent paralysis. The hospital, where she was a patient, offered a therapeutic art program which prompted Hofmann to start painting in her hospital bed during her stay. After learning she would never walk again, it was art that, ultimately, gave her peace during the difficult stages of loss, grief, self-reflection and self-discovery. Throughout the years that followed, while facing life with a disability, she created a number of collections.  Aimee considers herself mainly a self-taught artist and her work has been exhibited at Carriage Barn Arts Center, Jamestown Arts Center, Blue Door Arts Center and Rye Arts Center.

When Chandler Bolt was at the College of Charleston in 2013 he co-authored and self-published a book on time management called "The Productive Person" and discovered the beauty of passive income. He soon dropped out of business administration studies and has since self-published six more best selling books and now teaches other people how to do it. He is the CEO of Self Publishing School and host of the 7 Figures Principles Podcast and The Self-Publishing School Podcast. Through his books, podcasts, social media content, and Self Publishing School he's helped more than 6,000 authors to write, market and publish their own books to grow their income, impact, and business.

Two best friends of 30 years have created a business together out of a passion for healthful living after suffering from invisible illnesses. Their signature product is nonoPASTA™, a gluten-free, adaptogenic superfood. It's pasta that tastes like your beloved wheat pasta, but is gluten-free, corn-free, soy-free, dairy-free, and has added adaptogenic herbs like spirulina, cordyceps, hemp, turmeric, and more. In this episode we hear all about the invisible illness and thyroid issues behind Tal and Rachel's health journey, what adaptogens can do to promote health and why business plans may not be as important as you may think! Rachel and Tal are also offering 15% off nonoPASTA™ on Amazon to BLC listeners! Code is in the episode!

Mary Olson Menzel started out her career as a TV reporter in Chicago, but at 23, struggling to pay the bills and unsure about a move to Wisconsin, something told her to switch gears. Through a twist of fate she landed a job at a recruiting firm, which happened to be the perfect fit for her at the time. Mary  easily and masterfully transferred her skills in interviewing and writing to a new industry she not only found rewarding but also made her a decent living.  But Mary was still seeking more meaning in her day to day work AND a gig that would enable balance for a busy mom of 3.  Listen in to hear how Mary successfully transitioned to Founder and CEO of MVP Executive Search and Development and how her young son helped put her on the the path to ultimate professional purpose!

Victoria Victory was a flight attendant with 3 kids in her thirties when she decided to go back to school to become a registered nurse - a bold move inspired by a life-threatening illness in college that had her paralyzed from the head down. Vicky shares how she fought her way back to health and how that experience shaped her mindset and ability to reinvent and relaunch - leaving the airlines to care for those facing health challenges of their own. This inspiring conversation delves into finding a career that ignites your purpose and rerouting your path to get there at any age!

Stacy Gallo always knew she wanted to work in entertainment, but couldn't put her finger on exactly what that was at the beginning of her career. Acting? Directing? Producing? She was working as an admissions officer when one of her friends, a freelance casting director, asked her to fill in on one of her jobs. Only then did Stacy find her true professional purpose.  Stacy quickly transferred her skills of finding the right students for universities to finding the right talent for television commercials. Everything about Stacy's personality, ambition, and creative eye played a part in her success.  She started her own company in 2008 and now Stacy Gallo Casting is one of the premiere casting offices in NYC.  This conversation not only reveals the ins and outs of building a career in casting, but also gives an honest look at what it takes to fearlessly pivot and craft your dream gig in a highly competitive industry, despite family pressure to play it safe!

Meredith Goforth had a thriving career as a Bookings Editor for several magazines in New York City when she left the industry to have her three children. They were "Irish triplets," or siblings all born within a year of each other. It was then that she realized the importance of organization for her busy Mom lifestyle, but it wasn't until her friend asked her how she organized her earrings that she had that "aha!" moment. She could do this for a living. House of PRIM was soon born - a professional, personalized organization service for everything from closets, pantries, playrooms, and more. In this episode, Meredith shares dos and don'ts on how to turn something that you're naturally good at and passionate about into your full-time role. Listen now!

Bridget Johns grew up on a farm in rural western Pennsylvania, but always had an innate wanderlust which led her to unique career experiences and travel.  She spent most of her career in retail, running the Ralph Lauren Home license business in Western Europe followed by roles at Tiffany & Co., L'Oreal and Links of London. However, her love for gift-giving and curiosity about consumer psychology eventually led her to start her own business, To & From, an app that serves as a gift-giving tool.  She designed the company's technology that helps a shopper work out what their intended recipient would want by way of a guided virtual process.  In six months she went from a loose idea to a functional product, with very limited funding and a team of part-timers – some of whom had never worked before (their "fabulous interns"). Listen in to hear about a unique and inspiring career journey from a female founder that is not afraid to open up about the twists and turns of becoming a successful tech entrepreneur!

Melissa Panszi Riebe shares her transition from a meaningful career in social work to pursuing her passion for making one-of-a-kind, handcrafted jewelry from new, vintage, and global materials. Inspired by her immigrant parents' success stories and driven by the belief in pursuing her creative dreams, Melissa took the leap into entrepreneurship after a pivotal conversation with a friend. Throughout the episode, Melissa discusses the importance of following your artistic drive, embracing the idea of "If not now, then when?" and taking action to turn a passion project into a successful business, even if you don't feel "ready". Tune in to learn more about Melissa's inspiring career evolution to founder and gain insights on crafting your own second act dreams!

In the 11 years Joanna Rein has been running Soggy Doggy she’s been approached many, many times to sell, or take on private equity investment in order to expand. Despite the temptation, she says she’s remained committed to holding on to her pet products business and operating it as a low volume/high margin enterprise.  It's a structure that’s given this mom of four the flexibility she prioritizes, while contributing to the family finances and pursuing her dream of being her own boss.  In this episode we explore how Joanna went from being a brand manager to founder of a multi-million dollar company, the obstacles involved in prototyping and how she fought back when faced with competitors who tried to knock off her original soggy doggy doormat and threatened to put her out of business.   

Charlotte Boyle, a designer and artist with a long career in fashion, always had a passion for baking, but it wasn't until the pandemic that she made a significant career change and became a founder! Formerly the global retail manager for Lulu Guinness, both in London and later in New York City, the mom of two who has also worked for a variety of children’s wear companies, decided to shift her focus in 2020. Combining her fashion and artistic sense with her love for baking, she started making visually appealing and delicious, healthy cakes using vegetables from her backyard garden and locally sourced, fair-trade ingredients. In this episode, Christa interviews Charlotte about her journey of blending childhood memories, baking, a design career, and a backyard garden to create Charlotte's Home Kitchen!

What do the last few Bucket List Careers guests have in common and what is most compelling about their transformations? Kicking off a series of new solo episodes, Christa shares her most valued takeaways from her last several guests.  This episode focuses on the power of resilience and pushing through uncertainty whether starting from scratch in a new industry, pivoting in midlife or becoming an entrepreneur at any age.

Alex Patterson started out in corporate law at Davis Polk in New York City and then quickly jumped ship to be in-house counsel for the global obstacle course company Tough Mudder, which at the time was newly founded. After 5 years there, working in various positions, Alex felt ready to take his big leap. He knew he wanted to stay in the ticketed experiential space with a physical element like Tough Mudder, but also wanted to lean more into new technology. After a year of developing different options Alex invented a tech-enabled escape room with a laser maze and a paint bomb ending that soon after opened in NYC to great success. In this episode, we explore the drive and mindset that lead to Beat the Bomb, how Alex created a highly scalable hybrid and why his pandemic pivots are now paying off.

Jeremy Casebeer is a 6 foot 5 pro beach volleyball champion from Santa Barbara CA. Married to a Brazilian volleyball star, they spend half the year living and training in Rio and are the only two in the world currently able to compete in pro tours in both the US and Brazil. But at the top of his game in 2019 when Jeremy won his first AVP tournament, he had an "a-ha moment" which he details in this episode that sparked a reset in pandemic lockdown. Jeremy walks us through how he’s used his platform as a pro athlete to become a world-wide sponsored ambassador for sustainability with non-profits like EcoAthletes, Parley for the Oceans and The Surfrider foundation.  This along with a new podcast focused on accelerating climate solutions and protecting our oceans is enabling Jeremy to combine his first love - beach volleyball - with work he feels has a larger impact and purpose!

It's never easy to pull off a mid-career pivot to start a new business of your own, but Chris Gargano knew his years in the world of professional sports combined with experience as a sports journalist had primed him for a meaningful second act as Founder of The Gargano Leadership Group. He was a reporter, anchor, producer and executive producer at various broadcast affiliates around the country before moving on to content management, including video production, social media and editorial for the San Francisco Giants, Oakland Raiders and New York Jets. But it was his decision to get a Masters Degree in Leadership Studies that set him on a new course!  Now he's helping businesses and executives improve their leadership and team-building skills.  Chris is also an adjunct professor at New York University teaching classes in leadership and recently launched his own podcast called "Keep The Line Moving".

Danielle Becker has a degree in graphic design and had a successful career in the fashion district of New York City, designing for brands like Hanes and Aeropostale and then as an Art Director at Macy's and Bloomingdales. But in 2017 Danielle left to pursue her own dream gig. Her business, Lefty’s Right Mind, was initially graphic design focused and then the “Aha!” moment came when a friend asked her to hand paint her bridesmaid's denim jackets for her wedding. The custom jacket concept catapulted her young company and soon she had customers asking her to paint all sorts of designer goods. Danielle's  craftsmanship skills are still her differentiator and Lefty’s Right Mind is experiencing year-after-year success in the bespoke, hand crafted market! Hear more about this founder's recipe for success!

Despite his full-time role at Paramount Global as a VP of advertising sales in the streaming industry, Pete Chelala has managed to pursue various creative endeavors that complement his work at the company. Prior to his involvement in media sales, Pete gained experience in production, working on commercials, music videos, and feature films in Los Angeles. Notably, he spent ten years as the host of the popular cooking show "The Gourmet Dude," showcasing his on-camera talents. Today, Pete is a producer for Audible, where he has received numerous awards for his original series "Can You Dig It?," exploring the origins of hip hop through the voice of Chuck D. But what truly sets Pete apart is his ability to seamlessly weave actionable advice into his engaging storytelling. Tune in and let's listen to the insights of this gifted and authentic creative professional!

Graze NY Founder Shari Ivler always had a creative eye. She went to art school at Syracuse University and worked in NY fashion for many years at Anthropologie, Hugo Boss, Juicy Couture and Bloomingdales doing styling and merchandising.  But despite her success, Shari developed an aching feeling she was destined for something else. A mother of 2, Shari decided to transfer her skills from fashion to food when, after years of impressing friends, family, and guests in her home with beautifully crafted charcuterie boards, she asked herself, “Why don’t I make this a business?” In 2018 she started Graze NY, a boutique catering company in Bedford NY — specializing in food "graze" boards, small bites, gift bags and baskets. At the time, there were not many businesses like hers. But, even now with more competition, she is still carving her own path, impressing customers, and most importantly, loving what she does!

Stephanie Bordas, owner of @brooklynboudoir, started out her career in the world of New York City television and film production as a director's assistant. After years of feeling something was missing and struggling to balance family life with demanding hours, she dipped her toes into her second act, starting out with a side hustle in freelance boudoir photography, which eventually became her full-time gig in a Brooklyn-based studio of her own. Stephanie says that boudoir, a photographic style featuring intimate, sensual, and romantic images of its subjects in a photographic studio, is her calling in life. She empowers her clients everyday with her photographs, helping women explore their sexuality and confidence in a safe space!

After rising in the ranks of banking management in New Jersey for over 20 years, Leila Karlsen made her career pivot to become an independent gourmet coffee shop owner.  The idea germinated while taking afternoon breaks from the bank at a local establishment.  Leila loved the atmosphere, community, and of course - the coffee.  She was chatting with the owners one day and that very conversation changed the course of her career path and second act.  In this episode Leila talks to Christa about how she transferred her professional skills to create something of her own, but struggled with the feeling that her career pivot from banking to coffee didn’t make sense.  Listen in for more on how the owner of Barista's Coffee House in Linwood NJ overcame her fear of the unknown and made her dream gig a reality!

Before launching her fitness studio, Michelle Gross dedicated her career to being an operating room nurse in New York City and Greenwich, CT, where she built a strong foundation in health and wellness. But after years of treating patients, Michelle finally discovered her true passion was rooted in prevention, inspiring her to empower individuals to avoid illness altogether! A transformative moment, influenced by her young (and super talented) Broadway star daughter, Leila, compelled Michelle to take a bold step and establish Studio50Fitness in Mamaroneck, NY, just before the onset of the pandemic. Originally focused on dynamic group fitness classes like Mega, Hot Barre, Scorch HIIT, and Hot Flow Yoga, the studio has since expanded to include health coaching, weight loss programs, and non-surgical cosmetic and wellness treatments. In this episode, Michelle shares her journey of overcoming the challenges of running a fitness studio during COVID-induced closures and restrictions. She reflects on the valuable insights she has gained about herself along the way and highlights the essential mindset that she believes can lead anyone to cultivate a fulfilling career at any stage of life!

Brian Fryer, aka “Coach Fryer”, played baseball professionally for the San Diego Padres for 8 years before he experienced chronic injuries and decided to make his big career pivot to network marketing. However, he did not find immediate success. In fact, in his first four years of network marketing Brian didn’t earn a single dollar in profit! He sought business mentorship, took courses, and eventually found great success, but then hit another roadblock when corporate closed their doors. Fast forward to today. Coach Fryer now has an online coaching business teaching aspiring network marketers how to find their next client on social media, teaching people how to be genuine with their marketing and grow six-figure businesses from home!

Stacey Creem was a successful New York attorney of 20 plus years when, approaching 50 and the reality of becoming an "empty nester," she was compelled to follow her lifelong passion for painting. At first, she reduced her hours in law, allowing herself Fridays to paint, but she soon realized she wanted to do this full-time. In 2020, Stacey earned her Certificate of Fine Arts from the New York Academy of Art in addition to her J.D. from New York University School of Law, and her B.A. from Tufts University. In her portraits, landscapes and still lifes, she explores the relationship between subject, color, brushstroke and composition to create fresh and contemporary perspectives that capture her unique worldview and joy of painting.  Her paintings, which often depict everyday objects and people, elevate the quotidian to images that convey emotions unique to each viewer that engages with them. Stacey’s recent solo exhibition at the Oresman Gallery in Larchmont, New York, entitled The Victory Farmers, highlighted a local growing project benefitting a local food pantry. The exhibit included original paintings and photographs depicting people in their home gardens and the produce they grew. Her work has been shown in galleries and museums in New York.

Jeremy Bollington spent more than 25 years in the finance world, working in London, New York, Hong Kong and back to NY. Mostly with HSBC (with a focus on Asia and other emerging markets), he ran relationships with Fortune 500 companies such as Coca-Cola, Nike and P&G. Headhunted in 2011 by Standard Chartered (another British bank with businesses in Asia/Africa), Jeremy ran their Americas business, in charge of 400 people across 10 offices in the US, Canada and Latin America.  Then he found himself unemployed for the first time at age of 49. Not ready to retire, Jeremy decided to kiss the banking world goodbye. Why? How? Listen in for his pivot to purpose, plus practical advice on transitioning to the franchise landscape from corporate America as well as EXACTLY what it takes to craft a second act that truly fuels you!

In this milestone episode, Christa reflects on the podcast's journey to #150, including recent changes and the transition to in-person recordings at a new studio. She shares insights on embracing a growth mindset, discussing how experimenting, making mistakes, and learning from failures can lead to personal growth and career advancement. From career pivot journeys to embracing new job opportunities, this episode offers actionable takeaways, including the importance of an open mind and willingness to explore new ideas. Listen in to gain valuable insights on navigating transitions and embracing change in your professional life!

A champion bodybuilder, personal trainer and comedian for the past 20 years, Andrew Ginsburg has trained clients privately in the morning, and performed stand-up comedy at night.  The New York City-born author of “Pumping Irony: How to Build Muscle, Lose Weight, and Have the Last Laugh” laughs throughout this episode and says he’s “just another Jewish comedian” but his unique career experience in bodybuilding and personal training is one that he draws upon in stand-up material that audiences love. Andrew currently has four comedy albums available on iTunes, has appeared on Saturday Night Live, The Sopranos and various soap operas and headlines regularly at major NYC comedy clubs. This father of 3 from Connecticut lives each day by the mantra, pursue work you love with fearlessness and humor and offers honest career-centric takeaways in this fun conversation you won't want to miss!

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Christa opens 2025 with a deeply personal solo episode focused on self-growth! She introduces "The Let Them Theory" from Mel Robbins' inspiring book, encouraging listeners to let go of others' opinions and prioritize what truly matters to them. Sharing her own struggle to balance dreams and family responsibilities, she connects the theory to the show's theme of pursuing professional fulfillment and encourages listeners to free themselves from the burden of controlling external situations. This uplifting episode sets a positive tone for the year ahead, inviting meaningful self-reflection and growth!

Is it counterproductive to fixate on finding your passion?  Or is your passion already in your day to day and you're just ignoring its ability to be transformed into a career? Some experts say the problem many face is not a scarcity of passion for something. The problem is a lack of productivity, perception and acceptance.  This "Christa's Takeaways" episode explores why many of us get sidetracked by the search for something that is most likely right in front of us. And she focuses on how to identify and redirect your mindset to recognize that the real problem isn’t passion - it’s priorities.

With a professional journey in tech startups, teaching, writing & speaking, Mark Herschberg's Bucket List Career narrative differs from most this podcast features in that it doesn't have one big pivot.  Instead, Mark's success and professional fulfillment stems from his ability to add careers in parallel. Mark then drew from this varied knowledge base and nearly twenty years of teaching at MIT’s “career success accelerator” program to also write a book that is apropos of what we do here at Bucket List Careers. His book is called The Career Toolkit, Essential Skills for Success That No One Taught You. This episode is for you if you're feeling lost and directionless in your career or would like to level up your skills, but don't know where to start!

A former elementary school teacher and mother of 4, Liz Woods created Ryemarkable Moms (a play on words involving her hometown of Rye, New York) to remind us that we are surrounded by real, authentic moms who are doing everything they can to make the world a better place. Ryemarkable Moms documents positive, inspirational stories of Rye Moms on social media. She also leads an educational online membership platform that offers monthly livestreams with experts on topics such as health, finance, menopause, helping our aging parents & more.  This episode explores Liz's concept: to learn together, connect, and take intentional steps to improve a mom's journey. Liz also talks to Christa about how she achieved her goal of monetizing a pursuit that aligns with a love of learning and positive outreach through social media!

Meet Colette Jane Fehr. She's a licensed marriage & family therapist, public speaker, and soon-to-be-published author. Like many guests on Bucket List Careers, Colette didn't start her professional journey in her current field. Originally working in corporate PR, marketing, and sales, she made a life-changing pivot after experiencing couples therapy. This moment made her realize she could make a profound impact on people's lives by drawing on her own experiences. With a leap of faith, Colette returned to school to focus on helping individuals forge securely attached, connected relationships with their partners. In this episode, we delve into the story of her flourishing couples therapy practice in Orlando, Florida, which she has nurtured over the past decade. We also explore her exciting plans for the next phase of her "act 3" in the realm of content creation. Plus, Colette shares valuable insights on the essential elements for achieving professional fulfillment and purpose in your career!

For over 25 years Ali Cocco spent her career surrounded by brilliant and charismatic sales leaders and had the opportunity to represent global media brands like MTV, Discovery, Comedy Central, Paramount, TLC, and Nickelodeon, to name a few. But at a certain point in her trajectory, Ali became restless and wanted something more, a business of her own that made more sense for who she had become at that point in her life. Ali turned to a coach to help identify and navigate her next phase and soon found her professional purpose in becoming a career change coach herself! There were some key events that played into her next pivot which Ali shares with Christa in this latest episode of Bucket List Careers along with multiple career transformation takeaways, including how to avoid the pitfalls of wanting change but not acting on it!

The Little Blazer Company came to life after Ria Morgan left her fast-paced career to become a mom and raise two beautiful daughters, Mila & Sofia. Ria always loved fashion that blends old with new and her staple go-to look was always the classic tweed blazer with jeans. After searching everywhere for her daughters to have a similar option in their wardrobe, she was uninspired by the choices available. Discovering a clear gender bias with limited choice for young girls, the concept of The Little Blazer Company as a gender-neutral option was born. Ria created a range of beautifully made blazers that are fun and easy to wear, while recognizing individuality by enabling and encouraging self-expression and the freedom of playfulness for all children.  Ria’s is an empowering narrative and in this conversation she shares how she pulled off launching a business at 40, while juggling all the daily commitments of a stay-at-home parent and securing substantial investment as a sole founder, without a background in retail or design. 

To kick off 2022, in her first ever “solo” episode, Christa gets personal.  Along with highlights and reflections on guest wisdom from the first year of her show, Christa previews what’s ahead for the podcast, talking details about guests booked for the beginning of ‘22 and for the first time answers listener questions about her “why'' in moving from TV news anchor to podcast host.