Embrace the Squiggle – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of Embrace the Squiggle, Colleen and Kristine sit down with Maggie Clancy, an entrepreneur and riding academy owner, to discuss resilience, leadership, and making bold career shifts.

From an early dream of medical school to building a thriving horse business, Maggie shares the lessons she’s learned along the way—including how working with horses shaped her leadership skills. She also opens up about the challenges of running a business from her own property, setting boundaries as an entrepreneur, and the tough decision to shut down an app she developed.

This episode explores:
✅ The power of asking, “Do you need me to listen or help solve this?”
✅ How resilience and adaptability fuel long-term success
✅ The realities of business ownership and boundary-setting
✅ Why knowing when to pivot is a critical leadership skill

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a leader, or someone navigating career changes, Maggie’s story is packed with valuable insights.

🎧 Tune in now! And don’t forget to leave us a rating—it helps more people find the show!

Connect with Maggie:
🔗 LinkedIn
🐴 Strides Riding Academy
📸 Instagram
📘 Facebook

Want to be a guest on Embrace the Squiggle in 2025? Apply here: Guest Application

🔗 Follow Colleen & Kristine:
🌟 Colleen | LinkedIn
🌟 Kristine | LinkedIn

In this episode of Embrace the Squiggle, Colleen and Kristine tackle two impactful listener questions that highlight the challenges of leadership and the importance of work-life balance.

💡 Leadership Challenges: Listener 1 writes in about how to handle inaccurate data from colleagues that’s impacting her reports and reputation. Colleen and Kristine share strategies for:

• Communicating effectively with your team.
• Building trust to address issues constructively.
• Creating a collaborative work environment to solve recurring problems.

⏳ Reclaiming Your Balance: Inspired by listener 2 who realized her life was entirely defined by work, the hosts discuss actionable ways to:

• Set boundaries and reclaim personal time.
• Develop a multifaceted identity outside of your career.
• Prioritize your well-being without sacrificing professional growth.

Packed with relatable stories and practical advice, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating career challenges or striving for personal growth.

Interested in being a guest on the podcast in 2025? Fill out our application here https://forms.gle/QX6a9a7cV76VYzbt9

Connect and learn more from Colleen at www.maxady.com and on Linkedin at www.linkedin.com/in/comara

Connect and learn more from Kristine at https://www.kristinethody.com and on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinethody
Subscribe to the podcast Embrace the Squiggle and listen every week for a new career adventure!

And please leave us a rating on your podcast app, it really helps us out!

This episode of Embrace the Squiggle, Colleen and Kristine discuss OOO (aka out of office) and reflect on the importance of preparing for time off. They share strategies for leaders and team members to ensure smooth operations during absences, such as clear communication, setting boundaries, and delegating tasks. If you’re about to take some time off, this episode is for you! And if you don't have any vacations planned right now, this is your reminder to plan some time off. 

Interested in being a guest on the podcast in 2025? Fill out our application here: https://forms.gle/QX6a9a7cV76VYzbt9

Connect and learn more from Colleen at www.maxady.com and on Linkedin at www.linkedin.com/in/comara

Connect and learn more from Kristine at https://www.kristinethody.com and on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinethody

Subscribe to the podcast Embrace the Squiggle and listen every week for a new career adventure!

And please leave us a rating on your podcast app, it really helps us out.

This week Colleen chats with Jess Colson, a dynamic professional with a background in higher education fundraising, sports management, and nonprofit leadership. A lover of all things sports, Jess chooses to invest her time into running a successful softball training company, NWS Fastpitch, and advocating for equity for women in the sports industry. After thousands of casual conversations between friends remarking on how sports impacted their careers and relationships, Jess launched The Postgame Amateurs Podcast in 2022 to shine a light on the incredible women who “went pro” in something other than athletics. Jess has been a staff member of Girls Inc. of the Valley since 2019, currently serving as the Director of Development and Communications where she drives fundraising strategies and external communications.

Jess shares her non-linear career journey from aspiring teacher and veterinarian to fundraiser and business owner. She discusses her experiences at Six Flags, her involvement with Girls Inc., and her venture into coaching young softball players through her business, NWS Fast Pitch. Highlighting the importance of trust, communication, and leadership, Jess offers valuable insights into managing teams and navigating career transitions.

Follow Jess on Instagram @‌jesscolson_

Connect with Jess on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-colson-mba/

Connect and learn more from Colleen at www.maxady.com and on Linkedin at www.linkedin.com/in/comara

Connect and learn more from Kristine at https://www.kristinethody.com and on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinethody
Subscribe to the podcast Embrace the Squiggle and listen every week for a new career adventure!

And please leave us a rating on your podcast app, it really helps us out.

This episode of Embrace the Squiggle Kim Isil gets coached LIVE! Kim reached out to us on TikTok and we are so happy to dig into her career squiggle with you live. Kim shares her unconventional career journey from aspiring veterinarian to becoming a flight attendant for the military, and later moving into HR and recruiting, Kim's story is filled with unexpected twists and turns. The discussion delves deep into career transformations, exploring the importance of finding passion, building connections, and being open to new industries. This episode is full of practical advice on how to approach career change with curiosity and strategy.

Connect with Kim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-isil-780b845/

Connect and learn more from Colleen at www.maxady.com and on Linkedin at www.linkedin.com/in/comara

Connect and learn more from Kristine at https://www.kristinethody.com and on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinethody
Subscribe to the podcast Embrace the Squiggle and listen every week for a new career adventure!

And please leave us a rating on your podcast app, it really helps us out.

This week on Embrace the Squiggle we get into confidence and how to ind your most confident self! Suzanne Parker Joins us to share her dynamic career journey from music education to nonprofit leadership. Suzanne shares all about her evolving career path that led her to the nonprofit sector. They discuss Suzanne's impactful work with Girls Inc., an organization dedicated to empowering young girls through health, education, and leadership programs, and emphasizes the importance of confidence-building and community involvement.

Connect with Suzanne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzanne-parker-70548313/

Check out Girls Inc.: https://www.girlsincvalley.org/

Connect and learn more from Colleen at www.maxady.com and on Linkedin at www.linkedin.com/in/comara

Connect and learn more from Kristine at https://www.kristinethody.com and on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinethody
Subscribe to the podcast Embrace the Squiggle and listen every week for a new career adventure!

And please leave us a rating on your podcast app, it really helps us out.

Colleen and Kristine explore time management techniques for leaders, discussing the challenges of delegating tasks, adjusting to new roles, and understanding personal time management styles. They share insights on setting effective boundaries, communicating clearly, and making productive use of resources. Tune in to discover strategies that help reclaim your time, master delegation, and boost efficiency!

Connect and learn more from Colleen at www.maxady.com and on Linkedin at www.linkedin.com/in/comara

Connect and learn more from Kristine at https://www.kristinethody.com and on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinethody

Subscribe to the podcast Embrace the Squiggle and listen every week for a new career adventure!

And please leave us a rating on your podcast app, it really helps us out.

This week on Embrace the Squiggle, Kristin Fichera joins us to share her experiences figuring out that her dream job was the first job she ever dreamed of. Her story involves significant life decisions and a pursuit of happiness that aligns with her own values. She highlights the importance of authenticity, networking, and making career decisions from a position of strength. Kristen's story is a testament to embracing the unexpected squiggly turns in one’s career while staying true to personal values and happiness.

Connect with Kristin:

Kristin's Insta

Insta: MsFishHasAWish

Kristin on TikTok

Connect and learn more from Colleen at www.maxady.com and on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/comara

Connect and learn more from Kristine at https://www.kristinethody.com and on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinethody
Subscribe to the podcast Embrace the Squiggle and listen every week for a new career adventure!

And please leave us a rating on your podcast app, it really helps us out.

In this episode of Embrace the Squiggle, Kristine and Colleen dive into an enriching conversation with longtime listener Laurel McLaughlin about the transformative impact of international experiences on empathy and career development. Laurel shares her journey from studying art history and teaching abroad to working in web communications at Clark University, highlighting the importance of creativity, adaptability, and continuous learning. Tune in for insights on weaving diverse experiences into a fulfilling career and the value of liberal arts education.

Connect with Laurel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurel-mclaughlin-4331a3b1/

Connect and learn more from Colleen at www.maxady.com and on Linkedin at www.linkedin.com/in/comara
Connect and learn more from Kristine at https://www.kristinethody.com and on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinethody
Subscribe to the podcast Embrace the Squiggle and listen every week for a new career adventure!

And please leave us a rating on your podcast app, it really helps us out.

Colleen and Kristine speak with Ashley Tresoline who shares her career journey from aspiring figure skater to holistic personal chef and food educator with her business, Bella Foodie. Diagnosed with MS at 21, Ashley recounts her struggle and how she learned to leverage nutrition to manage her symptoms. She discusses her first job in finance, transitioning into entrepreneurship, and the importance of balancing medical and holistic treatments. Ashley offers insights on healthy snacking, the power of nutrition, and maintaining a positive outlook despite challenges.

Connect with Ashley:

On Linkedin 

On Facebook

On Instagram

Connect and learn more from Colleen at www.maxady.com and on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/comara
Connect and learn more from Kristine at https://www.kristinethody.com and on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinethody
Subscribe to the podcast Embrace the Squiggle and listen every week for a new career adventure!

And please leave us a rating on your podcast app, it really helps us out.