Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Her Intentional Reset: Career changes and second acts for women in midlife
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| From Corporate Sales to Functional Weight Loss: A Career Pivot Story | Brittany Gieske, FPN-P, Founder, The Metabolic Method, Ep. 26 | 08 Sep 2026 | 00:59:29 | |
Every doctor told Brittany Gieske the exhaustion, the stubborn weight, and the symptoms with no clear cause were just "normal" postpartum life. She didn't believe it — so she found the answers doctors never tested for, then walked away from a ten-year corporate career to make sure other women didn't have to go looking alone. Brittany is a functional diagnostic nutrition practitioner (FDN-P) and founder of The Metabolic Method, where she helps women get past the hormone, metabolism, and gut-health roadblocks that "eat less, move more" can't fix. In this conversation, she walks through what functional weight loss actually looks like, how she tested it on herself before building a business around it, and the financial and family trade-offs of leaving corporate to do it full-time. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
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CONNECT WITH SPONSOR: AION Listener promotion: 10% off with code MOLLY10, stackable with AION's current sale. HSA/FSA eligible. Website: https://www.aiongear.com/collections/mens-and-womens-workout-vest If HIR has been valuable to you, you can support the show here: https://ko-fi.com/herintentionalreset No pressure — just making it easy for listeners who want to say so. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hemlock/the-way-forward License code: RVGOVVHKDJFBKVJC This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through my link, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend books and resources discussed on the show that I genuinely use and believe in. | |||
| The Artist's Way at 40: One Woman's Unexpected Second Act + Special Announcement | (replay) Calleen De Oliveira, Ep. 25 | 01 Sep 2026 | 00:36:57 | |
You're good at your job, you're juggling everything, and somewhere underneath all of it there's a quiet question you haven't answered yet: what do I actually want to do next? The problem isn't that you don't know how to work hard — it's that no one ever taught you how to listen to yourself.
ABOUT THIS EPISODE: This week is a replay of one of our favorite conversations as we wrap up our first Her Intentional Reset Experience: The Artist's Way Creative Cluster. Molly shares how The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron kept showing up in her life right when she needed it — and why that's not as mystical as it sounds. Then she talks with Calleen De Oliveira, who used this exact book in her 40s to leave a 25-year advertising career, go to nursing school, and build a life she is proud of. What came out of those morning pages surprised even Calleen — and it went far beyond a career change. Plus: Molly shares how to join the next Her Intentional Reset Experience — The Artist's Way Creative Cluster, starting the week of October 5th.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN: [02:40] The three-day sequence that convinced Molly this book was worth paying attention to — and the neuroscience that explains why it happened [08:18] What The Artist's Way actually is — and why it's not just for people who want to paint [14:11] What morning pages did for Calleen that nothing else could: nursing school, sobriety, and a marriage she almost lost [20:26] What a real Creative Cluster looks like — Calleen's group of eight women stayed together for a decade [25:40] The right mindset to bring into this 12-week practice (and what Calleen says to anyone who doesn't want to commit) [33:33] How to join the next Her Intentional Reset Experience — The Artist's Way Creative Cluster, starting October 5th
RESOURCES: "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron: https://a.co/d/09E1ps0J "The Right to Write" by Julia Cameron | https://amzn.to/49wcc5i
Julia Cameron 12-Week Virtual Guide — available to HIRE: The Artist's Way Creative Cluster participants only.
PODCAST REFERENCES: Her Intentional Reset Experience (HIRE): The Artist's Way Creative Cluster Join our private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/herintentionalresetexperience
Register for weekly Zoom meetings: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/S33ThawJTsyLfEMjEDgl7Q
Website: https://herintentionalreset.com/community/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herintentionalreset.co/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587329908947
LOGISTICS: Her Intentional Reset Experience (HIRE) \Week 1 starts October 5th, 2026 – Week 12 the week of December 21st, 2026
If HIR has been valuable to you, you can support the show here: https://ko-fi.com/herintentionalreset No pressure — just making it easy for listeners who want to say so.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hemlock/the-way-forward License code: RVGOVVHKDJFBKVJC
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through my link, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend books and resources discussed on the show that I genuinely use and believe in. | |||
| Invisible to Iconic: How She Turned Her Colors Into a Passion-led Career Change | Marissa Ray, House of Colour, Ep. 24[replay + updates] | 25 Aug 2026 | 00:54:41 | |
There is a moment when something finally feels like you — not the version that carpools and manages spreadsheets, but the version that has been waiting. Marissa found hers in a color drape. She didn't blow up her life — she built a new one, slowly, intentionally, one client at a time, and she's here to show you exactly how she did it. ABOUT THIS REPLAY: This is an encore of Marissa's episode, with a fresh update on where Marissa is now. ABOUT MARISSA RAY: Marissa Ray went from dental office manager and self-described introvert to House of Colour franchise owner with a waitlist and a TV segment — not by quitting her life overnight, but by saying yes to one small thing that brought her joy and following it with intention. She built a thriving business from a converted storage room — one client at a time — while raising three daughters and navigating an adult ADHD diagnosis. Marissa is a curator of confidence, a mentor to fellow consultants, and living proof that building slow and building intentionally is not a weakness — it's the strategy. This conversation is a masterclass in building a part-time side gig into a full-time career pivot without burning down the life you already have. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN: [02:30] How Marissa reclaimed her identity and sense of self — and how that single spark became a career [27:00] What intentional, slow-build growth actually looks like — the real timeline, trade-offs, and mindset behind turning a part-time side gig into a full-time business [45:00] How an adult ADHD diagnosis reframed everything about the way Marissa runs her business — and why self-awareness is a superpower, not a setback [01:01:00] How to learn to sell without feeling salesy — and why believing in your own value is the skill that unlocks everything else [01:08:00] The Profit First method in practice: how Marissa pays herself first, gives intentionally, and builds a business that funds the life she actually wants UPDATE FROM MARISSA: Since our recording, Marissa is looking to grow her team. If you're interested in learning about a meaningful career with opportunities for personal and professional growth under the leadership of Minnesota's top House of Colour franchise owner, reach out with questions. Learn more about becoming a stylist: https://www.houseofcolour.com/become-a-stylist GUEST OFFER: If you're interested in finding your own colors and style, book an appointment. Come see Marissa or find a consultant near you — there may be other stylists in your area. View all House of Colour stylists: https://www.houseofcolour.com/find-consultant And if you think this could be a career fit for you, reach out. GUEST RESOURCES Books: "Profit First" by Mike Michalowicz — The small business financial system Marissa uses to pay herself first and manage cash flow intentionally "The Total Money Makeover" / Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey — The debt-free philosophy behind Marissa's family money decisions and college savings strategy "When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing" by Daniel Pink — The book that changed how Marissa structures her entire workday and week around energy peaks and lulls "Remarkably Bright Creatures" by Shelby Van Pelt — Marissa's favorite recent fiction read "It Sounds Like Love" by Ashley Poston — A romcom Marissa says stuck with her long after the last page Podcasts: The Lazy Genius Podcast by Kendra Adachi — Marissa's life-changing recommendation, and the source of the infamous "Change Your Life Chicken" recipe GUEST LINKS: Marissa Ray, House of Colour SW Minneapolis Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/houseofcolour.minneapolis.sw Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houseofcolour.minneapolis.sw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/houseofcolour-minneapolis-sw/ Website: https://www.houseofcolour.com/stylists/marissa-ray-southwest-minneapolis-minnesota Find a consultant near you: https://www.houseofcolour.com/find-consultant CONNECT WITH SPONSOR: AION Listener promotion: 10% off with code MOLLY10, stackable with AION's current sale. HSA/FSA eligible. Website: https://www.aiongear.com/collections/mens-and-womens-workout-vest CONNECT WITH HIR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herintentionalreset.co/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587329908947 Website: https://www.herintentionalreset.com
If HIR has been valuable to you, you can support the show here: https://ko-fi.com/herintentionalreset No pressure — just making it easy for listeners who want to say so. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hemlock/the-way-forward License code: RVGOVVHKDJFBKVJC
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through my link, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend books and resources discussed on the show that I genuinely use and believe in. | |||
| From Accountant to Author: Ruby Rayne’s Inspiring Second Act [replay + update], Ep. 23 | 18 Aug 2026 | 01:02:11 | |
Ruby wrote her first book on a dare — an accountant who'd never wanted to write, plotting a love story in her head at the kitchen table. Four books, a number-one release, and an Audible deal later, she'll tell you she still can't believe she did it. What she won't say upfront: she wrote the book that hit number one while going through breast cancer treatment — and did it anyway. ABOUT THIS REPLAY: This is an encore of one of our early episodes, with bonus content and a fresh update from Ruby added. After the cold open you'll hear a quick housekeeping note from Molly, and at the end we've added extended bonus conversation plus a summer catch-up on where Ruby is now. ABOUT THE GUEST: Ruby Raynes lives a double life — accountant by day, romance author by night. Under her pen name she writes the Love in Ink series: low-angst, high-spice MM romance that has built a devoted and growing readership. In four years she's published four books, landed an Audible deal, and watched every release go further than the one before. She wrote her third book, Jasper — the one that went to number one — while undergoing treatment for stage 3C triple-negative breast cancer. She lives in Minnesota with her husband, daughter, and a whole zoo of animals. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN: [03:10] The offhand comment from a friend that turned a lifelong reader into a first-time writer [04:57] Why MM romance freed her from a battle she'd been having with herself every time she read [08:14] The deliberate choice behind the book's setting — and the quiet safety signal woven through the story [10:18] Why she publishes under a pen name, and what "Ruby Raynes" has come to mean to her [11:26] The writing schedule of a full-time accountant: late nights, early mornings, 500 words a day [12:26] The full indie pipeline — alpha, beta, editor, proofreader, ARC — and what she got wrong the first time [14:26] How Kindle Unlimited actually pays, and why she's staying in it for now [16:23] Landing the Audible deal — getting ghosted, then getting the yes [20:12] Writing Jasper through chemo, and why that book became her lifeline [24:33] The one-to-three-percent outcome that left her cancer-free [31:37] Can indie writing replace a day job? Ruby's honest math on back catalog and margins [32:34] Hiring, firing, and finding the assistant who let her write, fight, and still be there for her family [38:11] What she hopes her daughter takes from watching all of this [41:23] Release-day nerves, imposter syndrome, and why it gets harder, not easier BONUS CONTENT IN THIS REPLAY: [52:24] A closer look at self-publishing on Amazon KDP — and why it costs nothing to start [54:01] Paperbacks, cover design, and why buying direct from an author's website matters [55:15] The Audible process and landing her dream narrators [57:05] The real-life friends who show up as characters — including a true story that made it into Jasper [59:32] A first tease of her Christmas novella UPDATE FROM RUBY (Summer): Molly reconnected with Ruby — in person! — this summer. Ruby's reconstructive surgery this past April went well and she's mostly healed. She attended RomantiCon with her best friend and extended the trip with a vacation in Provincetown. All four Love in Ink books are now available on Audible. And she's just done the cover reveal for her upcoming Christmas story — preorder link and blurb below. COMING SOON FROM RUBY — "Beautiful Mile" Release date: November 10, 2025. Preorder now — paperback available on Amazon or Ruby's website. Preorder: https://books2read.com/BMile-sm About "Beautiful Mile" A standalone holiday romance. When a wrecked car and a Minnesota blizzard strand a city guy two days before Christmas, the only shelter for miles is a cabin owned by a grumpy, fiercely attractive lumberjack who lives in the woods for the quiet — and now has an unexpected houseguest. Snowed in, sharing one broken couch, two people from completely different worlds discover the spark between them runs a lot warmer than the storm outside. Expect a dramatic first meeting, plenty of heat and humor, and all the warmth you want from a Christmas story. GUEST LINKS: Ruby Raynes Website: https://www.rubyraynes.com Series: Love in Ink — Finn, Jackson, Jasper, Dom (book five on the way) Available on Amazon, Audible, and https://www.rubyraynes.com (illustrated covers, book boxes, and more) CONNECT WITH SPONSOR: AION Listener promotion: 10% off with code MOLLY10, stackable with AION's current sale. HSA/FSA eligible. Website: https://www.aiongear.com/collections/mens-and-womens-workout-vest CONNECT WITH HIR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herintentionalreset.co/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587329908947 Website: https://www.herintentionalreset.com RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Until I Saw You by Diana Romaine Heated Rivalry (Ruby's happy-place watch) If HIR has been valuable to you, you can support the show here: https://ko-fi.com/herintentionalreset No pressure — just making it easy for listeners who want to say so. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hemlock/the-way-forward License code: RVGOVVHKDJFBKVJC This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through my link, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend books and resources discussed on the show that I genuinely use and believe in. Note: This episode discusses a cancer diagnosis and treatment. If any of this is close to home for you, take care while listening. | |||
| Returning to Engineering after 12 years at Home | Leah Tilstra [replay + updates], Ep. 22 | 11 Aug 2026 | 01:00:08 | |
Returning to work after a career break? Here's what stay-at-home moms get told: the years home don't count, you'll come back at a lower title, and you should take whatever salary is offered. Leah Tilstra rejected all three — and walked back into engineering at Abbott with a senior title and a sign-on bonus after twelve years raising four kids. How did she pull it off? She refused the apologetic part-time re-entry, used one old work relationship to land the right R&D team at Abbott, and walked into salary negotiations with a clear number and the willingness to be told no. The mantra she carries into every high-stakes room: "They didn't know me yesterday, but they'll remember me tomorrow." 🎧 A NOTE ON THIS EPISODE: This is a replay of Leah's original conversation — with a brand-new life-and-career update from Leah at the very end. Stick around after the interview for where things stand now, on both the family and career fronts. ABOUT THE GUEST: Leah Tilstra is a mechanical engineer and senior R&D engineer at Abbott, working on artificial heart valves in the TAVI space. Early in her career, she climbed quickly through medical device roles at Abbott, Zimmer Spine, and Boston Scientific, then made the intentional decision to step away for twelve years to raise her four children and support her family's move from Texas to Minnesota. During her career pause, she didn't just stay at home — Leah ran a nonprofit preschool, built a sewing business, coached middle school athletes, and led a moms' community group. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN: [00:14:59] The pharmacy wake-up moment that pushed Leah from "testing the waters" to returning to work full-time [00:22:18] The networking move — an old cube neighbor spotted in an org chart — that helped a stay-at-home mom return to engineering after a 12-year break [00:38:03] How to negotiate salary and a sign-on bonus after a long career pause — even when the company offers less [00:40:34] The one-line confidence script she repeats before any high-stakes room or interview [00:27:46] The "Shit My Wife Does" Google Doc that names the mental load every mom is carrying [00:54:53] Life update: dropping her oldest at the Air Force Academy, and a hard-won promotion to staff engineer GUEST LINKS Instagram: @illegallyblondie — https://www.instagram.com/illegallyblondie/ Facebook: @illegallyblond — https://www.facebook.com/illegallyblond LinkedIn: Leah Tilstra — https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-tilstra/ CONNECT WITH SPONSOR: AION AION weighted vests — HSA/FSA eligible. 10% off with code MOLLY10 — stackable with AION's current sale. https://aiongear.com/collections/mens-and-womens-workout-vest CONNECT WITH HIR Instagram: @herintentionalreset.co — https://www.instagram.com/herintentionalreset.co/ Facebook: Her Intentional Reset — https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587329908947 Website: https://www.herintentionalreset.com If HIR has been valuable to you, you can support the show here: https://ko-fi.com/herintentionalreset No pressure — just making it easy for listeners who want to say so. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hemlock/the-way-forward License code: RVGOVVHKDJFBKVJC | |||
| Why Taking a Break Might Be the Best Thing for Your Creative Journey | Molly Wipperfurth, Ep. 21 | 04 Aug 2026 | 00:13:37 | |
Six months in, Molly has a lot to celebrate — real connections she never expected and a podcast she taught herself from nothing that landed in the top 10% globally within three weeks. But being proud of something you built is exactly why you protect it. So this update is about what comes next: slowing down on purpose, and building a show — and a life — that she can actually sustain. ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In her second solo check-in, Molly shares one joy and one thing she's proud of, then gets honest about what's next for the show. She's taking August off to actually rest — the nervous-system reset she keeps hearing her guests describe but hasn't given herself — and moving to twice-a-month episodes when she returns, because the person she's becoming chooses quality over quantity. She closes with her favorite exercise from The Artist's Way: picturing yourself at 80, looking back on what you did after 50. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN: [00:43] The greatest joy of the whole thing — real connection over superficial small talk, and reconnecting with people she hadn't spoken to in 20 years [03:01] What she's proud of: interviewing is only 20% of the work, and she knew nothing about podcasting in January 2026 [04:05] Why rest became the priority — and the Meghan Johnson line about a full summer to rewire her nervous system that stuck with her [06:04] The August plan: a break from new episodes and a very budget-friendly family vacation [06:50] Why she's moving to two episodes a month — choosing sustainability and presence over powering through [08:09] The new rhythm: August break with favorite replays, a September 1st update, and something exciting tied to October [08:38] The Artist's Way exercise she returns to when doubt creeps in — describing yourself at 80, and what she's added about her kids CONNECT WITH SPONSOR: AION Workout vests: https://www.aiongear.com/collections/mens-and-womens-workout-vest Listener promotion: 10% off with code MOLLY10 (stackable on the current summer sale for workout vests; HSA/FSA eligible) CONNECT WITH HIR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herintentionalreset.co/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587329908947 Website: https://www.herintentionalreset.com RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron: https://a.co/d/09E1ps0J Her Intentional Reset Experience — The Artist's Way Creative Cluster: https://www.facebook.com/groups/herintentionalresetexperience Ep. 16 — Molly's six-month recap If HIR has been valuable to you, you can support the show here: https://ko-fi.com/herintentionalreset No pressure — just making it easy for listeners who want to say so. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hemlock/the-way-forward License code: RVGOVVHKDJFBKVJC This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through my link, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend books and resources discussed on the show that I genuinely use and believe in. | |||
| From Healthcare Operations to Elementary Education: A Midlife Career Pivot | Meghan Johnson, Ep. 20 | 28 Jul 2026 | 01:04:22 | |
A midlife career change she didn’t initially choose. Meghan spent years as the operations leader who had to deliver the layoff news — and she cried the first time she did it. Then, a few waves later, it was her. She handed over her badge in a parking lot, took a summer to stop bracing, and picked up a substitute teaching license just to have somewhere to be. A year later she’s halfway through a Master’s of Teaching, and about 95% sure this is her second act. Which, if we're honest, is about as sure as any of us get. ABOUT THE GUEST Meghan Johnson is a connector, planner, learner, sports lover, and recovering corporate dropout. After nearly 20 years in corporate America — including almost a decade in health insurance operations, leading organizations of 400+ people — an unexpected layoff prompted a career pivot she didn’t see coming. With a marketing degree and an MBA already on her resume, she’s back in school in her early 40s pursuing a Master’s of Teaching and a K-6 elementary license, with four young kids at home. She works as a building substitute at her kids’ elementary school and is aiming for long-term sub roles rather than her own classroom. Her story is a candid look at leaving corporate and building a second act career — the money math, the identity shift, and what career reinvention actually costs. KEY TAKEAWAYS
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN [03:31] What the health insurance culture actually rewards — and why “do more with less” wore her down [05:00] Climbing the ladder as a new mom, when nobody else in the room looked like her [08:20] The first time she thought about leaving — and the real estate license she got halfway through [11:30] When her values stopped matching the work: the loopholes she could use, and most people can’t [15:00] Delivering layoffs vs. receiving one — the badge, the parking lot, and the anger that lingered [18:30] How she and her husband explained the layoff to their kids without scaring them [21:20] Why she gave herself a full summer to rest before job hunting — and the logistics nobody warns you about [26:00] Why staying home full-time wasn’t the answer — and what a midlife career pivot actually required [28:30] Getting a short-call sub license in Minnesota: what it actually takes [31:20] The long-term first grade role she said yes to before she felt ready [34:30] Why she enrolled in a teaching program before she was sure — and why it was a low-risk bet [39:00] The retired teacher’s comment that made her think: maybe I am good at this [42:30] Why she’s targeting long-term sub roles instead of her own classroom [44:00] The hardest part: LinkedIn promotions, imposter syndrome, and detaching value from title [51:50] Which corporate skills transferred straight into a classroom — and which didn’t [54:40] The money conversation: severance, fixed expenses, and the real financial trade-offs of career reinvention [56:20] Benefits, the teacher retirement account, and what improved [58:30] What the whole experience taught her about trusting her gut earlier [01:00:20] Rapid Round: first grade chaos, the laundry hack (and 25 cents a pair for socks), You’ve Got Mail, and the mantra: you’re never going to have more time than you do right now IN THIS EPISODE WE COVER Midlife career change after a layoff · career pivot for women in their 40s and 50s · leaving corporate healthcare · going back to school in midlife · substitute teaching as a career path · career reinvention and second act careers · the financial realities of a midlife career pivot GUEST LINKS: MEGHAN JOHNSON LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghan-mccann-johnson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megthemcjohnson/ CONNECT WITH SPONSOR: AION Website: https://www.aiongear.com/collections/mens-and-womens-workout-vest Listener promotion: 10% off with code MOLLY10 — stackable with current Aion promotions. HSA/FSA eligible. CONNECT WITH HIR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herintentionalreset.co/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587329908947 Website: https://www.herintentionalreset.com Her Intentional Reset Experience — The Artist’s Way Creative Cluster: https://www.facebook.com/groups/herintentionalresetexperience RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Minnesota short-call substitute teaching license: https://mn.gov/pelsb/assets/Application%20for%20a%20Short-call%20Substitute%202026%20POST_tcm1113-743847.pdf If HIR has been valuable to you, you can support the show here: https://ko-fi.com/herintentionalreset No pressure — just making it easy for listeners who want to say so. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hemlock/the-way-forward License code: RVGOVVHKDJFBKVJC This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through my link, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend books and resources discussed on the show that I genuinely use and believe in. | |||
| “It’s Too Late For You”: the Menopause Dismissal That Sent Her to Nursing School in Her 50’s | Cindy Ravn, RN, PHN, APE, Ep. 19 | 21 Jul 2026 | 01:03:52 | |
Cindy spent 35 years in skincare and loved every bit of it — the thriving practice, the clients who felt like family. Then perimenopause hit, every test came back normal, and a doctor told her "it's too late for you" and wrote a prescription for antidepressants. What happened next wasn't a breakdown. It was an Indeed search, a midlife career change into an accelerated nursing degree in her 50s, and a new mission: making sure no woman gets dismissed the way she was. ABOUT THE GUEST: Cindy Ravn is a registered nurse and public health nurse providing reproductive and sexual health care at Planned Parenthood, while still running the nurse-led medical aesthetics practice she built over a decade in the Twin Cities. After her own perimenopause symptoms were dismissed, she trained as a menopause doula, then made a career pivot in her 50s, going back to school to become an RN — funding nursing school with her skincare practice and graduating cum laude. She starts nurse practitioner school this fall, with her sights set on women's health, and is building The Pause Project, a series of educational talks on menopause, sexual health, skin, and osteoporosis prevention. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN: [08:16] The post-COVID symptoms no test could explain — and why she knew it wasn't "just her" [09:57] The five words from her doctor that still sting — and how that dismissal became the catalyst for everything [13:32] The Indeed search that turned a menopause doula certificate into a nursing career [15:17] How her skincare practice paid for nursing school — no debt, and a built-in social life during the hardest years [25:31] The honest reality of an accelerated nursing program in your 50s: the confidence she "probably shouldn't have had," the tears, and the professor who wouldn't let her quit [30:28] Perimenopause misconceptions: why it can start at 35, why it's "puberty in reverse," and the symptoms nobody warns you about [50:34] The financial trade-offs: mission over paycheck, benefits math, and why she and her husband restructured who earns what CONNECT WITH CINDY RAVN Website: https://www.cindyravn.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cindyravn/ Facebook: Cindy Ravn Skin and Health —https://www.facebook.com/estheticrefinery RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE The Menopause Society — provider finder by zip code: https://menopause.org Dr. Kelly Casperson — You Are Not Broken podcast: https://kellycaspersonmd.com/you-are-not-broken-podcast/ You Are Not Broken: Stop "Should-ing" All Over Your Sex Life by Dr. Kelly Casperson: https://amzn.to/4fpdKjD The New Menopause by Dr. Mary Claire Haver: https://amzn.to/4gOiIZG The Menopause Manifesto by Dr. Jen Gunter: https://amzn.to/4hkDjEX Brain Food / The XX Brain / The Menopause Brain by Dr. Lisa Mosconi: https://www.lisamosconi.com/the-menopause-brain Dr. Vonda Wright — exercise and bone health: https://www.drvondawright.com/pages/meet-dr-vonda-wright Alloy: https://www.myalloy.com CONNECT WITH MOLLY & HER INTENTIONAL RESET Website: https://herintentionalreset.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herintentionalreset.co Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587329908947 SUPPORT THE SHOW If HIR has been valuable to you, you can support the show here: https://ko-fi.com/herintentionalreset No pressure — just making it easy for listeners who want to say so. Music from Uppbeat (free for creators) https://uppbeat.io/t/hemlock/the-way-forward License code: RVGOVVHKDJFBKVJC This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through my link, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend books and resources discussed on the show that I genuinely use and believe in. | |||
| Art Teacher to Jewelry Founder: How Larissa Loden Built a Business (and Life) That Fuels Her | Ep. 18 | 14 Jul 2026 | 00:54:20 | |
Larissa Loden never wanted to be an entrepreneur. She grew up watching her family's small business run on feast or famine and swore she'd never recreate that chaos — so she became an art teacher instead. Then her assistant principal handed her the permission slip that changed everything. A decade after that career pivot, she runs a multimillion-dollar jewelry brand — and the question she now says every woman rethinking her career should ask herself came from her own coach: is your business building you, or draining you? ABOUT THE GUEST: Larissa Loden is the founder and creative force behind Larissa Loden, a bold St. Paul-based jewelry and accessories brand. It started with a simple idea: you can look good, feel good, and do good all at the same time. Her midlife career change story is teaching art in Minneapolis to a handmade side hustle to a multimillion-dollar brand with a loyal community, national recognition — and over $150,000 donated to organizations aligned with her values. Beyond the brand, Larissa is an iPEC-certified coach, Substack writer, and speaker who helps entrepreneurs redefine success and build a second act that supports creativity, joy, and real life instead of burnout. Her story is a masterclass in career reinvention for women who want to build something of their own without blowing up the life that's working. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN: [03:59] Why she swore she'd never be an entrepreneur — and how eight years of teaching art turned into a jewelry business anyway [10:07] The one sentence from her assistant principal that became her permission slip for a full career transition: "You can always come back to teaching" [14:28] The "land of the shoulds" — how following everyone else's playbook made her start to hate the business she built [21:34] Losing 70% of revenue overnight in the pandemic, refusing to lay anyone off, and the Quarantine Craft Club pivot that turned e-commerce into her bread and butter [26:18] How she decides where the brand's 5% give-back goes — and why every organization gets vetted through Charity Navigator [32:46] The calm CEO playbook: no Shopify or Slack on her phone, no meetings before noon, and why "the more white noise I give myself, the better leader I am" [34:20] The coach's question every woman navigating a midlife career change should sit with — "Is your business building you or draining you?" — and what it means that you are the driver of your life [35:41] Redefining what success means to you: right-sizing the business, letting go of scaling, and watching it grow organically anyway [40:51] How The Artist's Way and morning pages became her daily non-negotiable — and her advice for pushing through the week 8–10 wobble GUEST LINKS: Larissa Loden Website: https://www.larissaloden.com Instagram (brand): https://www.instagram.com/larissaloden Instagram (founder): https://www.instagram.com/itsmelarissaloden/ Substack — The Unfucking: https://substack.com/@larissaloden?utm_source=top_search CONNECT WITH HIR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herintentionalreset.co/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587329908947 Website: https://www.herintentionalreset.com Her Intentional Reset Experience — The Artist's Way Creative Cluster: https://www.facebook.com/groups/herintentionalresetexperience RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron: https://a.co/d/09E1ps0J Walking in This World by Julia Cameron: https://amzn.to/4bBR0eY Hell Yeah or No: What's Worth Doing by Derek Sivers: https://amzn.to/4vZnqrZ How to Live by Derek Sivers: https://amzn.to/4fvIhNL If HIR has been valuable to you, you can support the show here: https://ko-fi.com/herintentionalreset No pressure — just making it easy for listeners who want to say so. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hemlock/the-way-forward License code: RVGOVVHKDJFBKVJC This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through my link, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend books and resources discussed on the show that I genuinely use and believe in. | |||
| From Vera Wang to Her Own Sustainable Label: Launching a Fashion Brand During Naptime | Sonja Nesse, Neranesse, Ep. 17 | 07 Jul 2026 | 00:56:17 | |
Sonja Nesse got into fashion — the industry she'd dreamed about since she was 16. Then she saw the inside: the waste, the conditions, the clothes made to last two washes. It conflicted with everything she valued. Instead of walking away, she carved out the work that brings her joy and built Neranese, a sustainable small-batch label made in Los Angeles that puts people and planet first. ABOUT THE GUEST: Sonja Nesse is the founder and designer of Neranese, a small-batch clothing line made in Los Angeles from low-impact and deadstock materials. She trained at UW-Madison and Fashion Institute of Technology, started her career designing for Simply Vera Vera Wang, and earned a Masters Degree in Design Management from Pratt Institute in New York City. Today she runs Neranese alongside a full-time design role and freelance brand consulting — while raising three girls, including twins. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN: [02:57] How creative reinforcement at home — and practical parents — turned a 16-year-old's sketches into a career plan [08:15] The morning of the 2008 crash: watching 75% of her company get laid off in a single day [15:11] The waste she couldn't unsee: 300 yards of fabric ordered "just in case," and the neon dye a factory begged her not to use [20:28] Launching Neranese during her baby's naps — and why her first collection missed the mark (nobody wanted dresses; they wanted tie-dye sweats) [25:55] Twins, a NICU, a move the same week as her C-section, and the phone call that erased the job she was counting on [29:13] Her dad's advice — never say no to an opportunity — and how it built her three-stream career [30:40] Why "what works for now" beats a 15-year plan — and the retirement party already on her calendar [36:19] The 12 people who touch a single dress before it reaches you: why machines don't make clothes, people make clothes [38:27] What actually makes a $68 organic cotton t-shirt cost $68 [41:53] Two things any consumer can do to shop more sustainably — no certifications required GUEST LINKS: Neranese Website: https://neranese.com Neranese Dune Pants (Sonja & Molly's favorite) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neranese_collection/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonjanesse/_ CONNECT WITH HIR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herintentionalreset.co/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587329908947 Website: https://www.herintentionalreset.com RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Shaina Mote: https://shainamote.com Jesse Kamm: https://jessekamm.com If HIR has been valuable to you, you can support the show here: https://ko-fi.com/herintentionalreset No pressure — just making it easy for listeners who want to say so. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hemlock/the-way-forward License code: RVGOVVHKDJFBKVJC | |||
| What I’m Learning About Midlife Career Changes 6 mo. In (15min.)|Molly Wipperfurth + (replay) Using Your Existing Skills for your Second Act | Joanna Ehresman, Fika Design | 30 Jun 2026 | 00:55:48 | |
Six months into this midlife career change experiment, Molly’s pulling back the curtain — not on a guest, but on herself. Two lessons the guests keep teaching her, two mind shifts that have quietly changed how she thinks about money and risk, two things that have flat-out not gone to plan, and two she’s reworking heading into the back half of the year. It’s an honest midyear check-in for any woman in her 40s or 50s rethinking her own second act. Then, rolling into the holiday weekend, she replays the episode that started it all: Joanna Ehresman, and the one piece of coaching advice — treat your next thing as an experiment — that took the pressure off everything. What You Will Learn — Molly’s Midyear Recap [00:48] Lesson one: almost no one pivots alone [01:37] Lesson two: real career change takes three to five years, usually built alongside the day job [02:53] Mind shift one: treating your next thing as an experiment — and the weight it lifts [04:32] Mind shift two: rethinking income and benefits — non-traditional money, and Melanie’s hospital-board health coverage workaround [06:11] What hasn’t gone well [09:03] What she’s working on: flipping the schedule [10:07] The inner work — doing the work [11:06] Feedback is a gift: the stories and voices Molly most wants to hear next Replay — Episode 1: Joanna Ehresman “Using Your Existing Skills for Your Second Act” After years in wealth-management marketing, Joanna’s role was eliminated in 2023. She rested, launched a fractional-CMO consultancy, then experimented her way into a created role at Fika Design Group — getting her foot in the door with a simple, honest ask: can I shadow you for a week? It’s a masterclass in career reinvention — bringing the skills you already have into the field you’ve always wanted. [13:46] Molly’s intro to the replay [14:05] Meet Joanna — growth strategist to interior-design operations [15:37] The marketing career, the rapid growth, and the 2023 layoff [16:42] Rest first — then choosing consulting over another full-time role [17:46] The podcast guest who reframed career moves as experiments [18:29] Finding a coach, listening to her gut, and “say what needs to be said” [22:23] The interior-design dream she’d been too scared to name [23:44] The job-shadow pitch — and how an honest ask opened the door [25:26] Turning a one-week shadow into a created, pilot-to-primary role [37:06] Letting go of an old identity — and the fear underneath it [38:59] The money math: equity, living below their means, working half as much [43:06] The strengths she carried straight into the new role [49:36] Where to find Joanna & Fika Design Group [51:01] Molly’s takeaway: pivots aren’t always linear — and you can build as you go [52:37] Bonus: the behind-the-scenes conversation and the “give yourself a year… we’ll see” permission that started it all Connect with HIR Instagram: instagram.com/herintentionalreset.co Facebook: facebook.com/HerIntentionalReset Website: herintentionalreset.com Email: molly@herintentionalreset.com Resources Mentioned in This Episode The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron: a.co/d/09E1ps0J Her Intentional Reset Experience — The Artist’s Way Creative Cluster: https://herintentionalreset.com/community/ OR facebook.com/groups/herintentionalresetexperience Connect with the Guest — Joanna Ehresman LinkedIn: Joanna Ehresman Fika Design Group (Instagram): @fika_design_group Support the Show If HIR has been valuable to you, you can support the show here: ko-fi.com/herintentionalreset No pressure — just making it easy for listeners who want to say so. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): uppbeat.io/t/hemlock/the-way-forward License code: RVGOVVHKDJFBKVJC
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| Leaving Healthcare to Build a Travel Company: Midlife Career Pivot | Melanie Kiss, Chicas Abroad, Ep. 15 | 23 Jun 2026 | 00:57:04 | |
Melanie had every reason to stay: the title, the paycheck, the 401(k) she’d be walking away from as a single woman with no one to fall back on. Then a mentor asked her one question that made all of that beside the point — how many women are you NOT reaching by playing it safe? ABOUT THE GUEST: Melanie Kiss spent nearly 30 years in healthcare before founding Chicas Abroad, a women’s adventure travel company she built on the side and didn’t go full-time on until 48. Now the author of two books — a practical travel guide and a reinvention memoir, When the Compass Shifts — she walks through the thoughtful, strategic five-year transition: the money math, the mentor question that reframed everything, and the dream she’d buried since she was 16. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
GUEST LINKS: Chicas Abroad Website: https://www.chicasabroad.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chicas_abroad/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chicasabroad LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chicas-abroad/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melaniekiss/ Podcast: Chicas Chat Book — Adventure More, Worry Less: https://amzn.to/4acOCef Book — When the Compass Shifts: https://amzn.to/3SlkvLr CONNECT WITH SPONSOR: Roots & Bloom Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootsandbloom_studio/ Listener promotion: Roots & Bloom 20% off plant purchase — mention "Her Intentional Reset" at checkout/to Ciera Curtis CONNECT WITH HIR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herintentionalreset.co/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587329908947 Website: https://www.herintentionalreset.com RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron: https://a.co/d/09E1ps0J Her Intentional Reset Experience — The Artist's Way Creative Cluster: https://www.facebook.com/groups/herintentionalresetexperience If HIR has been valuable to you, you can support the show here: https://ko-fi.com/herintentionalreset No pressure — just making it easy for listeners who want to say so. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hemlock/the-way-forward License code: RVGOVVHKDJFBKVJC
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| From Third-Grade Teacher to Global Entrepreneur in Midlife | Gina Oliver, Wave Enterprise Co. | 16 Jun 2026 | 00:53:03 | |
Gina realized teaching no longer fit, but the bigger pull was her desire to live abroad and build a life that felt more expansive than the one she had in Atlanta. This episode follows how that desire led her from the U.S. classroom to the Philippines, then into digital nomad life, expat living, and a location-independent business. Gina Oliver shares how she and her husband chose the Philippines, learned to navigate visas, housing, remote work, and culture shock, and eventually built Wave Enterprise into a location-independent podcast and social media studio. The conversation also gets practical about building a career abroad, finding community as an expat, and making your work support the lifestyle you actually want. ABOUT THE GUEST: Gina Oliver is the co-founder of Wave Enterprise Co, a location-independent podcast & social media management studio for female-owned wellness brands. After 7 years abroad, she’s unlearned a lot of societal norms & identified her core values: community, wellness, & connection. She hopes to inspire others to live well through her work & podcast, Ripple FX. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
GUEST OFFER: If you’re interested in building a life abroad, or you’re currently growing a business through social media and podcasting, you can book a free virtual coffee chat with Gina. She'd love to connect! GUEST LINKS:
CONNECT WITH SPONSOR: Roots & Bloom
CONNECT WITH HIR
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
If HIR has been valuable to you, you can support the show here: Kofi Support The Show
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through my link, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend books and resources discussed on the show and I genuinely use and believe in. | |||
| An Executive Coach on Facing Fear, Pivoting Careers, and Protecting Your Energy | Carrie Fabris, Career Frame | 09 Jun 2026 | 01:04:00 | |
At home with her young kids, Carrie found herself with the space to ask a question a lot of women in midlife quietly carry: if I could do anything I wanted, what would it be? The honest answer didn't fit the career she'd already built — and figuring out what to do about that took more than one try. ABOUT THE GUEST: Carrie Fabris spent 20+ years in corporate leadership at companies like Google, Travelocity, and Sabre before leaving to start her coaching firm, Career Frame. When it didn't take, she went back to corporate for two years — then relaunched, this time to make it stick. Now an executive coach and author of All In: A Working Mom's Unapologetic Quest for a Juicy Life, she works with senior leaders and teams, but the same lessons apply just as much to a working mom wondering what's next or trying to avoid burnout — including her "Return on Energy" idea: like ROI, but for your energy — are you getting a worthwhile return on what you pour into something, even if the payoff is down the road? WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
GUEST OFFER: Complimentary leadership quiz — “Discover Your Frame It Method Leadership Style” RESOURCES:
GUEST LINKS: Wildflower Macarons
CONNECT WITH SPONSOR: Roots & Bloom
CONNECT WITH HIR
If HIR has been valuable to you, you can support the show here: Kofi Support The Show
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through my link, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend books and resources discussed on the show and I genuinely use and believe in. | |||
| The Artist’s Way at 40: One Woman’s Unexpected Second Act | Calleen De Oliveira, Ep. 12 | 02 Jun 2026 | 00:34:38 | |
You’re good at your job, you’re juggling everything, and somewhere underneath all of it there’s a quiet question you haven’t answered yet: what do I actually want to do next? The problem isn’t that you don’t know how to work hard — it’s that no one ever taught you how to listen to yourself. ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, Molly shares how The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron kept showing up in her life right when she needed it — and why that’s not as mystical as it sounds. Then she brings in Calleen De Oliveira, who used this exact book in her 40s to leave a 25-year advertising career, go to nursing school, and build a life she is proud of. What came out of those morning pages surprised even Calleen — and it went far beyond a career change. Plus: Molly announces the first Her Intentional Reset Experience: The Artist’s Way Creative Cluster, and is giving away eight copies of the book to listeners who want to join. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
RESOURCES:
PODCAST REFERENCES:
Her Intentional Reset Experience (HIRE): The Artist's Way Creative Cluster
LOGISTICS: Her Intentional Reset Experience (HIRE)
If HIR has been valuable to you, you can support the show here: Kofi Support The Show
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through my link, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend books and resources I genuinely use and believe in. | |||
| Curating a Career Pivot and a Life That Fits | Jennifer Conrad, Founder & President Twigs, Ep. 11 | 26 May 2026 | 01:05:46 | |
From Wall Street trader to fashion entrepreneur, Jennifer Conrad moved from New York to Madison, WI, on September 11, 2001. While coping with the events of that day, Jennifer identified a need in her new city — and a vision for what to do next. So she did what a former day trader would do: she trusted her gut, moved quickly, and built it herself. Jennifer, Founder & President of Twigs, an elevated, fashion boutique, will discuss how she built this career pivot on instinct and discipline, how she's kept the business strong through pandemics and recessions for two decades, the importance of prioritizing your people, and what she's learned about building both a career and a life that fit. ABOUT THE GUEST: Twigs is an independent women's fashion boutique with locations in Madison and Brookfield, WI, with a nationwide online presence at shoptwigs.com. Jennifer opened Twigs on January 2002, drawing on the economics degree she earned at Columbia and a career as a money market trader at Citigroup. In 2012, Elle Magazine recognized Twigs as one of the best boutiques in America. What make’s Twigs stand the test of time is Jennifer’s approach to curation: a thoughtful mix of contemporary clothing, jewelry, and accessories for three generations of women — carefully pulling together pieces that are worth your time and attention. What keeps customers coming back is the Twigs team's ability to cultivate a community while providing exceptional customer service and attention to the little details. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
GUEST LINKS:
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
CONNECT WITH SPONSOR: Roots & Bloom
CONNECT WITH HIR
If HIR has been valuable to you, you can support the show here: Kofi Support The Show
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
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| How She Turned a Hobby Into a Business While Caregiving | Jenny Huynh, Wildflower Macarons, Ep. 10 | 19 May 2026 | 00:39:58 | |
You've got a hobby you can't stop doing. But between the caregiving, the family, the life that's already full, you're not sure there's room for it to become anything more — or if you're even allowed to find out. A gentle note before you listen: this episode includes Jenny's experience with postpartum depression and suicidal thoughts. If that's a tender topic for you, please take care with this one. Support resources are linked below. ABOUT THE GUEST: Jenny Huynh is the baker behind Wildflower Macarons, a home-based small business in Eden Prairie, Minnesota that she started in 2020 during a postpartum she didn't yet have a name for. Five years in, she's grown it from a kitchen hobby into a custom-order business known for intricate, hand-painted novelty macarons inspired by her Southeast Asian heritage — all while being the primary caregiver for her father-in-law and raising her own son. Her story is a real look at what it takes to grow a small business in midlife when life keeps adding to your plate, not subtracting from it. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
GUEST OFFER: Wildflower Macarons is generously offering Her Intentional Reset listeners 10% off first-time customer order. Reach out and mention Her Intentional Reset podcast. All details below. GUEST LINKS:
CONNECT WITH SPONSOR:
CONNECT WITH HIR
COMMUNITY CAUSES
ADDITIONAL LINKS
If HIR has been valuable to you, you can support the show here: Kofi Support The Show
Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/hemlock/the-way-forward
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| Career Pauses Aren’t Gaps: Returning to Engineering After 12 Years at Home | Leah Tilstra, Ep. 9 | 12 May 2026 | 01:00:25 | |
Returning to work after a career break? Here's what stay-at-home moms get told: the years home don't count, you'll come back at a lower title, and you should take whatever salary is offered. Leah Tilstra rejected all three — and walked back into engineering at Abbott with a senior title and a sign-on bonus after twelve years raising four kids. How did she pull it off? She refused the apologetic part-time re-entry, used one old work relationship to land the right R&D team at Abbott, and walked into salary negotiations with a clear number and the willingness to be told no. The mantra she carries into every high-stakes interview: "They didn't know me yesterday, but they'll remember me tomorrow." ABOUT GUEST: Leah Tilstra is a mechanical engineer and senior R&D engineer at Abbott, working on artificial heart valves in the TAVI space. Early in her career, she climbed quickly through medical device roles then made the intentional decision to step away for twelve years to raise her four children and support her family's move from Texas to Minnesota. During her career pause, she didn't just stay at home. Leah ran a nonprofit preschool, built a sewing business, coached middle school athletes, and led a moms' community group. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
GUEST LINKS
CONNECT WITH HIR
If HIR has been valuable to you, you can support the show here: Kofi Support The Show
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
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| From Spotify Exec to Solo Founder – Career Pivot | Courtney Reimer, Sounds Great Strategy, Ep. 8 | 05 May 2026 | 00:47:56 | |
You spent 20+ years building real expertise — the kind you can't fake — and now you're staring down a layoff, a restructure, or just a quiet voice asking if this is really it. What if the skills you've spent two decades building are the exact foundation you need for something that's finally yours? ABOUT GUEST: Courtney Reimer is the founder and principal strategist at Sounds Great, a podcast strategy company, and the host of the podcast Talking the Talk. After two decades as a senior executive at Spotify, Audible, MTV, and Discovery — including executive producing Archetypes with Meghan Markle — she was laid off and started her own business. In this conversation she walks through the real mechanics of a midlife career change: the "you're not your job" reframe from her husband, the moment she realized her expertise was worth paying for, the under-pricing trap, and why being 52 is an asset rather than a liability. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
GUEST OFFER: Sounds Great — Launch Podcast Accelerator — to find out more, email Courtney at: courtney@soundsgreatstrategy.com Website: https://www.soundsgreatstrategy.com Podcast: Talking the talk Additional Guest References
SPONSOR: Roots & Bloom -- follow on Instagram Mention Her Intentional Reset for 20% off code of plant purchase. CONNECT WITH HIR
If HIR has been valuable to you, you can support the show here: Kofi Support The Show
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| The Career Wakeup Call You Can’t Keep Ignoring: the Whisper, the Knock, the Frying Pan | Molly Wipperfurth, Host HIR, Ep. 7 | 28 Apr 2026 | 00:25:47 | |
The universe doesn't always shout — sometimes it whispers for years before it knocks. And if you keep ignoring the knock, eventually it hits you over the head with a frying pan — and for Molly, that frying pan had a name: layoff. ABOUT GUEST: If you're a woman in your 40s or 50s sitting with a quiet voice that keeps asking is this really it? — this episode is your origin story too. Her Intentional Reset host Molly Wipperfurth shares the real timeline behind her own midlife career change: the slow burn that started long before the layoff, the personal detour that clarified everything, and the decision to treat job loss as an invitation for genuine career exploration alongside her search for what's next. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY ROOTS & BLOOM Roots & Bloom is a mobile plant shop now popping up across the Twin Cities, founded by Ciara Curtis. From painting and planting to plant bingo, Roots & Bloom turns plants into a full self-care experience. Follow @rootsandbloom_studio on Instagram to see where the mobile shop is popping up next — and mention Her Intentional Reset for 20% off any plant purchase. Because taking care of yourself is always worth it. CONNECT WITH HIR
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| From Invisible to Iconic: One Mom’s Color Awakening | Marissa Ray, House of Colour, Ep. 6 | 21 Apr 2026 | 00:52:57 | |
There is a moment when something finally feels like you — not the version of you that carpools and manages spreadsheets, but the version that has been waiting. Marissa found hers in a color drape. She didn’t blow up her life — she built a new one, slowly, intentionally, one client at a time, and she is here to show you exactly how she did it. About Marissa RayMarissa Ray went from dental office manager and self-described introvert to House of Colour franchise owner with a waitlist and a TV segment — not by quitting her life overnight, but by saying yes to one small thing that brought her joy and following it with intention. She built a thriving business from a converted storage room — one client at a time — while raising three daughters and navigating an adult ADHD diagnosis. Marissa is a curator of confidence, a mentor to fellow consultants, and living proof that building slow and building intentionally is not a weakness — it is the strategy. This conversation is a masterclass in building a part-time side gig into a full-time career pivot without burning down the life you already have. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN: WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
GUEST OFFER: If you’re interested in finding your own colors and style, book an appointment. Come see me or find a consultant near you because there may be other stylists in your area. View all House of Colour stylists here: houseofcolour.com/find-consultant If you think this could be a career fit for you, reach out. If this episode resonated with you, subscribe on your preferred streaming platform and share it with one woman who needs to hear it. Every subscribe and every share helps this community grow. GUEST RESOURCES Books:
Podcasts:
GUEST LINKS Facebook Page URL: @houseofcolour.minneapolis.sw Instagram Username: @houseofcolour.minneapolis.sw LinkedIn Profile URL: @houseofcolour-minneapolis-sw Website:houseofcolour.com/marissaray You can also note that there are consultants across the US and can be found here houseofcolour.com/find-consultant CONNECT WITH HIR
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| Second Act Career: Corporate HR to Solo Founder | Carol Thompson, Thompson Professional Resources + PowerConnections. Ep. 5 | 14 Apr 2026 | 00:48:25 | |
You've spent years inside corporate America watching how the game is played — what gets negotiated behind closed doors, what's actually in that separation agreement, and what your employer is hoping you never think to ask. Carol Thompson spent 12 years as a corporate HR director before walking away to build her own consulting practice from scratch — and in this conversation she hands you both sides of the playbook: how to set your rates, land your first client, and build a location-independent business without a brick and mortar, how to job search in the age of AI including what recruiters actually want to see on your resume now, and the HR insider knowledge every employee needs before they're ever handed a severance package. ABOUT CAROL THOMPSON: Carol Thompson walked away from her corporate HR director role, turned her expertise into Thompson Professional Resources — a fully remote HR and legal consulting practice — and never went back to an office. She also coaches professionals through career transitions as part of the Power Connections outplacement team, sitting on both sides of the equation: helping businesses navigate HR and employment law, and helping individuals who've been laid off rebuild their confidence, navigate the modern job search, and land what's next. In this conversation, she delivers a dual playbook — the practical financial and strategic framework she used to build her second act career as a solo founder, and the job search tools every woman over 40 needs to compete in the age of AI: resume strategy, ATS systems, LinkedIn algorithms, and what to negotiate before you sign anything. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
GUEST OFFER: Carol is generously offering Her Intentional Reset listeners a complimentary career coaching consultation. Reach out and mention Her Intentional Reset podcast. All details below. GUEST LINKS
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| From Accountant to Author: Ruby Raynes’ Inspiring Journey – Midlife Career Change, Ep. 4 | 07 Apr 2026 | 00:54:25 | |
Ruby Raynes shares her extraordinary journey as both an accountant and a romance author in this engaging episode. Remarkably, she composed her third book, "Jasper," while battling breast cancer, demonstrating her resilience and dedication to her craft. In our conversation, Ruby illuminates the significance of her writing not only as a personal outlet but also as a means to amplify queer voices and foster community support. Her narrative underscores the importance of representation and the power of storytelling in creating spaces of acceptance and joy. Ultimately, Ruby's story is one of perseverance, self-discovery, and the unwavering belief in the transformative nature of love. Show notes: Ruby Raynes's journey is one marked by resilience and creativity, as explored in the latest episode of Her Intentional Reset. As a romance author, Ruby discusses her unique transition from a career in accounting to writing MM romance novels, shedding light on the motivation that fueled her passion for storytelling. She candidly reflects on her experiences as an author navigating the complexities of the publishing world, including the challenges of self-publishing and the significance of community support. Ruby's narrative is particularly poignant as she shares her battle with breast cancer, during which she wrote her third book, Jasper. This experience not only shaped her writing but also deepened her commitment to portraying queer joy and representation in her work. The episode serves as an inspiring call to action for listeners, encouraging them to pursue their own creative aspirations while highlighting the healing power of storytelling and community. Takeaways:
Find Ruby's Books: Love in Ink Series: Finn | Jackson | Jasper | Dom — Available on Amazon & Audible
Follow Ruby:
Book Recommendation From This Episode: "Until I Saw You" by Diana Romaine CONNECT WITH HIR Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/herintentionalreset.co/ Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587329908947 If HIR has been valuable to you, you can support the show here: https://ko-fi.com/herintentionalreset
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| When your hobby becomes your calling – Navigating a Passion-Led Career Change | Hailey Smith, Simply Creative, Ep. 3 | 07 Apr 2026 | 00:43:16 | |
A passion-led career change does not transpire instantaneously; rather, it is a gradual unfolding of deliberate actions and reflections. Hailey Smith's journey exemplifies this principle, as she transitioned from an essential worker to the founder of Simply Creative, a thriving art studio in Minneapolis. Throughout our discussion, we delve into the pivotal 2AM moment that catalyzed her decision to leap into entrepreneurship, as well as the meticulous planning she undertook to establish a sustainable business model. Moreover, Hailey shares invaluable insights on the significance of community, accessibility, and the importance of nurturing one's creative instincts. Listeners will glean practical advice on overcoming self-doubt and the transformative power of trusting in one’s passions, ultimately encouraging them to pursue their dreams with confidence. A paradigm shift towards a passion-led career is often perceived as an instantaneous transformation; however, the journey is typically characterized by a series of deliberate, incremental decisions. Hailey Smith, the visionary behind Simply Creative, shares her compelling narrative, illustrating how a pandemic-induced hobby blossomed into a flourishing art studio in Minneapolis. This episode unveils the intricacies of Hailey's journey, emphasizing that true passion-led career changes require time, perseverance, and strategic planning. From her initial explorations in jewelry-making to establishing a thriving business, Hailey's story serves as a testament to the power of creativity and community. Takeaways:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
Connect with Simply Creative Simply Creative Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplycreativemn Simply Creative Website: https://www.simplycreativemn.com Connect with HIR Instagram @https://www.instagram.com/herintentionalreset.co/ Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587329908947 If HIR has been valuable to you, you can support the show here: https://ko-fi.com/herintentionalreset No pressure — just making it easy for listeners who want to say so. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hemlock/the-way-forward License code: RVGOVVHKDJFBKVJC | |||
| Heart-Head Alignment: How She Left Accounting to Own a Gym | Tina Hegna, Burn Boot Camp, Ep. 2 | 07 Apr 2026 | 00:44:39 | |
She always knew she wanted to be an entrepreneur. She just needed something worth building. Tina Hegna spent over a decade in corporate accounting — not because she'd given up on that dream, but because the right application hadn't found her yet. Then she walked into a Burn Boot Camp class as a member, and everything clicked. What happened next was anything but simple — one franchise became three, a pandemic tested everything, and an intentional decision to scale back to one location turned out to be the most strategic move she ever made. In this conversation, Tina unpacks the full journey: the financial realities of franchise ownership, what her accounting background did and didn't prepare her for, and the heart-head alignment framework she uses to make every major decision in business and in life. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
GUEST REFERENCES
CONNECT WITH BURN BOOT CAMP MAPLE GROVE Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/burnbootcampmaplegrovemn Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/burnbootcampmaplegrovemn Website: https://locations.burnbootcamp.com/locations/maple-grove-mn/ Burn Boot Camp location finder and Start Strong Free Week details: https://burnbootcamp.com/ CONNECT WITH HIR Instagram @https://www.instagram.com/herintentionalreset.co/ Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587329908947 If HIR has been valuable to you, you can support the show here: https://ko-fi.com/herintentionalreset No pressure — just making it easy for listeners who want to say so. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hemlock/the-way-forward License code: RVGOVVHKDJFBKVJC | |||
| Midlife Career Change: Use Existing Skills to Land Your Dream Role – Joanna Ehresman, Ep. 1 | 07 Apr 2026 | 00:42:19 | |
A midlife career change can feel like trading everything you've built for a leap into the unknown — especially when you're starting over in a field that doesn't know your name yet. If you're a woman over 40 staring down a layoff, a restless feeling, or a career that no longer fits, the question isn't whether to pivot — it's how to do it without throwing away 20 years of hard-won expertise. Joanna Ehresman spent 13 years as a senior marketing executive in wealth management before a layoff forced the question she'd been avoiding: what do I actually want? Her answer was interior design — a passion she'd dismissed for decades as impractical. Using a job shadow strategy and the transferable skills she already had, she created a brand-new role at Fika Design Group without a design degree, a portfolio, or a clear plan. Six months in, she's not looking back. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN: ▸ [00:03:34] Career pivot decision-making: why defaulting back to the same industry after a layoff can stall your second act — and what to do instead ▸ [00:09:42] Job shadow career exploration: how to get inside a new industry with no experience, no portfolio, and no perfect pitch ▸ [00:12:39] How to change careers using transferable skills: from a one-week shadow to a paid pilot to a primary role — the step-by-step ▸ [00:25:33] Financial planning for a midlife career change: the real income trade-offs, dual-income considerations, and how to decide if the numbers work ▸ [00:29:28] Identifying transferable skills women over 40 underestimate: and what Joanna's employers say her true superpower is If HIR has been valuable to you, you can support the show here: https://ko-fi.com/herintentionalreset No pressure — just making it easy for listeners who want to say so. | |||
| Her Intentional Reset Trailer | 09 Mar 2026 | 00:01:55 | |
Support the show: https://ko-fi.com/herintentionalreset You’re capable, driven, and successful by every outside measure. But somewhere in the back of your mind, a quiet voice keeps asking: is this career still right for me? Her Intentional Reset — a podcast hosted by Molly Wipperfurth is for women in their mid30's, 40s and 50s navigating midlife career change. Each week, Molly talks with real women who’ve made career pivots — not because they had to, but because they wanted to. Honest conversations about what inspired the shift, the financial realities, the trade-offs, and what life actually looks like on the other side. If you’re a woman in midlife considering a career change, a second act, or just wondering if something better fits — this is where that conversation starts. New episodes every week. Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen. If HIR has been valuable to you, you can support the show here: https://ko-fi.com/herintentionalreset No pressure — just making it easy for listeners who want to say so. CONNECT WITH HIR Instagram @https://www.instagram.com/herintentionalreset.co/ Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587329908947 | |||