Her Next Chapters
This podcast is for moms with an empty nest on the horizon who are reclaiming & redefining their identity outside of motherhood, which might include a job search. On this show we’ll have raw conversations about our ever-changing roles as moms, hear from women who restarted their careers, and share tactical tips for a successful job search after a career break.
Episodes
98 episodes
98. Strategic Volunteering – How Unpaid Work Can Jumpstart Your Job Search
Thinking about returning to work or making a career change? Strategic volunteering might be the most overlooked tool in your job search toolkit.In this episode, Christina shares how the right volunteer opportunities can give you current ...
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12:08
97. The Overlooked First Steps of a Successful Job Search
Ready to restart your career—or finally make a change in the one you have? Before updating your resume, there are critical early steps that make all the difference in a job search.In this episode, Christina shares the four foundational m...
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12:21
96. Your Unpaid Labor Deserves Recognition and Rest This Labor Day
Labor Day celebrates all forms of work, including the unpaid labor that maintains households and communities. The unpaid work we do builds valuable skills that can translate to professional opportunities when positioned correctly on resumes.
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12:59
95. Back-to-School Season: Time for a Career Reset for Moms
Your next chapter starts now. Back-to-school isn’t just for kids. I share what this season looks like in my home right now: a son starting his final semester of college, another settling into his first rental for sophomore year, and a d...
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12:54
94. From Teacher to Solopreneur: Becky McCleery’s Tips for Starting a Business While Raising a Family
I usually talk about careers in the context of landing a great job—but in this episode, we’re expanding the conversation to include building your own business.My guest this week, Becky McCleery, went from teaching fourth-grade to running...
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32:49
93. The 5 Whys Technique (And Why You Should Try It Today)
In this episode, I share the powerful mindset exercise that helped me uncover the real reason I wanted to return to work after a 13-year career break. Learn how the “5 Whys” technique—originally developed at Toyota—can help you gain cl...
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10:09
92. Reclaiming Your Professional Confidence
I recently renewed my SPHR certification—60 hours of continuing education that represent more than just staying current. They reflect a deeper commitment to my growth, my clients, and the message I want to share with you today:You don...
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9:53
91. Protect the Asset: My Biggest Takeaway from the book Essentialism, by Greg McKeown
Let’s be honest—“self-care” can feel cliché at best and selfish at worst, especially for moms who’ve spent years putting everyone else first. But what if the real problem isn’t the concept, but how we frame it?In this episode, I...
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14:56
90. Rejection (job search or otherwise) reframed as redirection
Rejection hurts. But what if it’s actually redirecting you toward something better?In this episode, I share a personal story about the time I lost what I thought was my dream home—and how that painful “no” made space for an even b...
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13:10
89. Midyear Reset: Redefining Your Goals
Midyear is the perfect time to pause, reflect, and reset—especially if those January resolutions have long faded into the background (you're not alone—most don’t make it past February!). In this episode, we explore how July offers a fr...
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12:28
88. Don’t Wait for September: Build Job Search Momentum This Summer
Thinking about returning to work or making a career change this fall?Don’t wait until September to start. In this episode, I share a summer checklist of quick career-boosting tasks you can do in between everything else life throws your w...
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11:29
87. From Empty Nest to What’s Next: Rebuilding Community and Identity
What happens when the community we built through our kids starts to fade? After years of bonding with other parents on sports sidelines, at school events, and in group texts, many women in midlife find themselves navigating a quiet but powerful...
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10:52
86. When Summer Shakes Up Your Routine, Reset with This Simple Micro-Step Strategy
Summer hits, and suddenly everything is off: school’s out, routines vanish, the weather changes our habits, and even good things—like graduations, college kids moving home, or family vacations—can leave us feeling scattered and unmotivated....
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15:34
85. Summer Refresh: Declutter with Guest Melina Kane (Replay)
It's the first week of June, and with my college freshman home for the summer, I'm definitely facing the challenge of decluttering! I recently tackled my son Alex's overflowing room after moving him home from the dorm (barely fitting all his st...
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43:40
84. Mental Health Awareness for Moms: Barefoot in the Grass: A Burnout Recovery Story
My guest, entrepreneurial mom Gabs Hayes, reveals how building a seven-figure business the hard way taught her that success shouldn't cost families their well-being. After a transformative journey through career pivots, mental health struggles,...
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41:05
83. When College Kids Come Home: Navigating the Summer Transition
Navigating the transition when college students return home for summer break presents both joys and challenges for the entire family. Christina is bringing her son Alex, a freshman at CSU, home for the summer after his first year of college. Th...
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10:41
82. When They Graduate, So Do You: Navigating the Space Between Pride and Nostalgia
Graduation season brings a complex mix of emotions as we celebrate our children's achievements while also grieving the end of a significant chapter in our lives as mothers. This bittersweet transition marks not only our children's growth but al...
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10:46
81. The 1-10 Scale Every Family Should Know About
Have you ever wished for an easier way to check in on your loved ones' mental health without awkwardness or fear? Today's powerful episode introduces a life-saving communication shorthand that could transform how your family discusses emotional...
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18:39
80. Job Searching and Mental Health: A Survival Guide during Mental Health Awareness Month
Job searching can take a toll on your mental health. In this episode, I share practical strategies and my GRACE framework to help you stay grounded and resilient. If you’ve ever felt like job searching is messing with your head… yo...
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23:02
79. Two Moms. Two Seasons. One Honest Conversation, with Guest Susan Lee
What do a toddler mom and an almost-empty nester have in common?More than you'd think.In this episode, Christina (navigating the early stages of an empty nest) and Susan Lee (mom to a 15-month-old) sit down for a raw, honest conversa...
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38:23
78. Rest Isn’t Lazy - It’s Strategy. Part 2 with Guest Alexandra Clifton
We explore the distinction between sleep and rest with wellness coach Alexandra Clifton, diving into practical techniques for calming your nervous system and protecting your energy during major life transitions.• Vagus nerve calming tec...
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20:31
77. Emotional Resilience Isn’t a Myth (It’s Neuroscience) with Guest Alexandra Clifton
Christina welcomes holistic wellness coach Alexandra Clifton to explore how busy individuals can break free from chronic stress and overwhelm with simple, sustainable lifestyle changes. Alexandra shares her journey from psychology studie...
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32:25
76. My Favorite April Fools Story: A Disrupted Day with a Perfect Ending
A chance encounter on the ski slopes of Winter Park on April Fool's Day 1995 led to meeting my husband in the most unexpected way possible.• Brief encounter with a skilled skier who complimented my skiing ability by calling me "Susie Ch...
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11:20
75. Unlock Financial Freedom: Change Your Mindset... with Guest Christiane David
Christiane David, personal finance coach and co-founder of Green Wealth Legacy, shares how changing your money mindset can transform your financial reality and create genuine financial intimacy.• Financial coaching differs from financia...
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33:46
74. Podcasthon: Empowering Women, One Outfit at a Time. Guest Jennifer Waines, Dress for Success
This special episode features Jennifer Waines, Operations Manager at Dress for Success Denver, as part of the global Podcasthon movement highlighting nonprofits worldwide during the third week of March. Dress for Success be...
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23:47