What happens when you have four kids by age 27, right as the women's movement is taking off? Jennifer Manocherian's story reads like several lifetimes woven into one—and at 86, she's not done. From family therapist to divorce mediator to Broadway producer to novelist, Jennifer has reinvented herself more times than most people change jobs.

This conversation touches on resilience, letting go of guilt, and understanding that life is long enough to try again. If you've ever felt like you're running out of time or that you need to have it all figured out by a certain age, Jennifer's going to change your mind.

In this episode, we cover:

• (12:17) Creating art from mannequins while recovering from a broken back – Why Jennifer can't stop starting new projects.

• (16:01) The cusp of the women's movement – How Jennifer navigated her 30s with four kids, a traditional husband, and a burning desire to work that didn't fit the era's expectations

• (19:14) Getting her undergraduate degree at 34, while having her 5th child – Why alternative education programs gave Jennifer the flexibility she needed to finish what she started

• (23:41) Creating a PR department out of thin air – How Jennifer built a public relations role through sheer creativity and hustle

• (29:21) Walking away from Broadway – The moment Jennifer realized theatre producing was too hard on her family life, and why she had to shift her ambition to save what mattered most

• (38:10) "The worst thing is wanting something and not doing it" – Jennifer's philosophy on risk, failure, and why trying (even if you fail) beats regret every single time

• (52:45) The arbitrary pressure of "figuring it out by 40" – Jennifer's response to the idea that you need to have your life sorted by a certain age: "You take your temperature as you go along and readjust."

KEY TAKEAWAY

Life is long, and wanting something you don't pursue hurts worse than trying and failing. "I think the worst thing that can happen is wanting something and not doing it. I'm not afraid to risk making a mistake or being wrong."

About Jennifer Manocherian

Jennifer Manocherian, 86, has had more careers than most people have decades. She's been a publicist, family therapist, divorce mediator, Broadway producer, filmmaker, novelist, and screenwriting teacher—often reinventing herself just as she was getting good at the last thing.

Her creative work spans film (Family Blues on Amazon Prime, If I Tell You awaiting release), musical theater (Marry Harry, LULU), and novels (Alpha Bette, with a second in progress). She's also a wife, mother of five, grandmother of fifteen, great-grandmother of one, and a self-proclaimed creator of "weird art pieces."

At 86, she's still teaching, writing, and figuring out what's next—because as she'll tell you, life is long.

Connect with Jennifer

Website | https://jennifermanocherian.net

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/jennifermanocherian

LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-manocherian-2421855/

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/jmanocherian

About Andrea Barr, host of All Figured Out:

Andrea is a certified career and life coach for parents. Through her coaching, she supports parents in finding better work-life rhythms so they can continue to grow personally and professionally without sacrificing family time.

Connect with Andrea

Website | ⁠https://www.andreabarr.com/⁠  

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/allfiguredoutandrea 

⁠Resume Shop⁠ – Beautiful, customizable resumes to land your dream job

What does it take to walk away from 19 years of federal leadership to start completely over? Yaa-Hemaa Obiri-Yeboah shares her remarkable journey from political refugee to Rhodes Scholar to federal executive—and why she ultimately chose to leave it all behind. This conversation goes deep on career pivots, generational workplace dynamics, the messy reality of transitioning back to work after mat leave, and what it really means to "operate from your power." If you've ever felt successful on paper but unfulfilled in your soul, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we cover:

• (04:01) Surviving a political coup as an infant – How Yaa-Hemaa's family fled Ghana when her father refused to participate in a military coup, eventually landing in Canada as political refugees

• (18:19) The "public servant by day, singer-songwriter by night" era – How Yaa-Hemaa juggled federal leadership with performing at jazz bars and releasing an EP, all while appearing on CBC radio in the morning and rushing to work for executive meetings

• (23:26) Getting promoted while on maternity leave – Yaa-Hemaa passed executive-level exams and interviews when her son was under 3 months old, proving that motherhood doesn't pause ambition (even when you're sleep-deprived)

• (27:13) Why the pandemic was actually good for her family – With her parents moving in to create a supportive pod, Yaa-Hemaa had the village most working parents dream of during those early years

• (47:17) The return-to-office debate – Why mandating in-office days without intentional connection is missing the entire point (and frustrating everyone in the process)

KEY TAKEAWAY

Success on paper doesn't equal fulfillment in your soul—and it's okay to walk away from what looks good to find what feels right. "I wanna be able to operate from my power."

Connect with Yaa-Hemaa Obiri-Yeboah

Website | https://theyvariable.com/

LinkedIn | Yaa-Hemaa Obiri-Yeboah

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/itstheyvariable/ 

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@itstheyvariable

Online Course Career School by The Y Variable: Your First 30 Days…and Beyond 

Connect with Andrea

Website | ⁠https://www.andreabarr.com/⁠  

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/allfiguredoutandrea 

⁠Resume Shop⁠ – Beautiful, customizable resumes to land your dream job

108. Figuring out your legal rights at work (before you need them) with Erin Brandt

Sometimes you get a sinking feeling when you’re handed a new job offer because you might have no idea what you’re actually signing. Or you’ve found yourself wondering what you can and can't negotiate when you’re going on mat leave.

This episode is the legal safety net you didn't know you needed.

Employment lawyer Erin Brandt breaks down everything working parents need to know about their rights—from signing contracts to navigating mat leaves, getting fired, and everything in between. And she does it in a way that actually makes sense (no legal jargon, promise).

Whether you're accepting a new role, planning a leave, or dealing with a tricky work situation, this is the legal information you wish you'd had years ago.

In this episode, we cover:

Mat Leave & Parental Leave:

• (00:11:58) The 12 vs. 18-month EI trap (and why you should almost always choose 12 months)
• (00:13:24) How to communicate changing needs without jeopardizing your job
• (00:17:36) What employers can and can't do while you're on leave
• (00:24:50) Why short-term disability benefits matter more than you think
• (00:29:27) Feeling pressure to return from leave early
• (00:34:28) What happens if you don't accrue enough EI hours between babies

Before You Sign:

• (00:39:21) What to look for in an employment contract
• (00:40:38) How to negotiate termination clauses without losing the offer
• (00:45:34) Why that "standard" contract might not be so standard
• (00:49:44) The truth about non-competes—and when they're actually enforceable
• (00:50:35) Will pushing back on an offer get it rescinded?
• (00:57:48) Non-compete clauses when you want to quit
• (00:36:30) What "salary continuance" means and why it matters for EI eligibility

When Things Go Wrong:

• (01:03:00) How to know if you're experiencing discrimination vs. just a bad situation
• (01:05:19) The BC Human Rights Tribunal reality check
• (01:06:10) The real cost of not getting legal advice on a severance package
• (01:06:53) Why some people choose to fight—and others choose to walk away
• (01:08:11) What you're actually signing away in a settlement

KEY TAKEAWAY:

Communication is everything. Whether you're negotiating a contract, planning a leave, or navigating a termination—clarity, boundaries, and understanding your rights will always serve you better than staying silent.

RELATED EPISODES:

• Ep. 95: The emotional journey of surrogacy and parenting with Stephanie Bosello  – Spotify or Apple
• Ep. 94: How to co-regulate without losing yourself as a parent with Tracy Adams – Spotify or Apple

ABOUT ERIN BRANDT:

Erin (she/her) is an employment and human rights lawyer and is passionate about helping people create meaningful employment relationships and assisting to resolve conflict where those relationships break down. Erin is excited by new ideas that increase the value clients receive from legal services and enthusiastic about new technologies that make accessing legal services more convenient. She channels this passion and enthusiasm into solving workplace problems for both employers and employees

Website: portalaw.ca
LinkedIn: Erin Brandt

Instagram: @portalawbc

ABOUT ANDREA BARR, HOST OF ALL FIGURED OUT:

Andrea Barr is a certified career and life coach for ambitious parents and the host of the All Figured Out podcast. She helps parents find clarity, confidence, and career-family alignment without burnout.

Through her coaching, workshops, and podcast, Andrea shares the strategies and mindset shifts parents need to design careers that fit their lives—so they can thrive at work and at home.

Connect with Andrea:

Website: https://www.andreabarr.com/ 

Instagram: @allfiguredoutandrea

Resume Shop – Beautiful, customizable resumes to land your dream job

LEGAL DISCLAIMER:

This episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, please consult with an employment lawyer in your province.

Ep. 107: How to navigate work-life transitions with grace

Join the 2025 Success Luncheon in Vancouver on Nov. 25, 2025

This one’s for the parents at a crossroads. Whether you’re re-entering the workforce, navigating separation, or simply wondering what’s next, this conversation is a reminder that your current challenge is only a snapshot in time.

In this episode, Amanda Sayfy, Executive Director of Dress for Success Vancouver, shares what it’s really like to build a mission-led career while navigating parenthood, ADHD, and major life transitions.

We talk about what resilience actually looks like, why gender equity isn’t just women’s work, and how to find purpose—even when you feel like you’ve lost yourself.

In this episode, we cover:

• The emotional toll and unexpected gifts of career breaks

• How co-parenting helped Amanda redefine balance

• The power of role modelling and social capital

• What true dignity means in career transition

Related episodes:

Ep. 101 : What to do when life looks great on paper but still feels off with Christine Coughlin – Spotify, Apple or YouTube

Ep. 103 : How to stop spiralling and take action when you’re overwhelmed with Joanna Brewster – Spotify, Apple or YouTube

About Amanda Sayfy

Amanda Sayfy is a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment. As Executive Director of Dress for Success Vancouver, she leads with equity at the heart of her work, supporting over 2,000 women annually. A seasoned non-profit leader with 20 years of experience, Amanda brings strategic insight and diverse fundraising expertise to advance equitable employment access across Metro Vancouver.

https://dfsvancouver.ca/

About Andrea Barr, host of All Figured Out

Andrea Barr is a certified coach, speaker, and host of All Figured Out. She helps ambitious parents create clarity, calm, and confidence in their careers and lives—so they can thrive without sacrificing family time.

⁠ALL FIGURED OUT EVENTS: Online & IRL⁠⁠

Let's connect! ⁠Instagram⁠ • YouTube • Website • LinkedIn

Ep. 106: Figuring out how to shake things up for the last quarter and into 2026

ALL FIGURED OUT EVENTS: Online & IRL

This week, I'm on a solo dive into what it really takes to reinvent yourself—without burning out or blowing up your whole life.

Recorded in early October, this cozy, Q4 check-in is part reflection, part strategy session, and full of practical wisdom for parents who want to feel more aligned heading into the new year.

🎧 FULL SHOW NOTES & TAKEAWAYS

In this episode, we cover:

• How to identify the one area of your life that needs your focus most

• The power of the 20% rule

• How to quiet your mind in a noisy world

• How to invest in the right people (at the right time)

About Andrea Barr

Andrea Barr is a certified career and life coach for ambitious parents and the host of All Figured Out. She helps parents design careers and lives that feel fulfilling—without the burnout. @allfiguredoutandrea

Ep. 105: Figuring out how to harness your story and loss to build a business

Today’s episode is a special, off-schedule release in honour of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.

After enduring pregnancy losses, including a second-trimester miscarriage during the pandemic, Angel Leung realized she had the tools to advocate for herself—but most people don’t. So she created the kind of support she wished she had: clear, compassionate, personalized care for families going through the unthinkable.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Angel’s journey through loss 
• Pivoting from employee to entrepreneur
• Using lived experience to design meaningful, heart-led offers
• Building a business from your values (not just your resume)
• Claiming the niche that scares you—because it matters most
• Parenting through grief, and what our kids can teach us about loss
  

FULL SHOW NOTES & TAKEAWAYS

Related Episodes

Ep. 95: The emotional journey of surrogacy and parenting with Stephanie Bosello  – Spotify or Apple

Ep. 94: How to co-regulate without losing yourself as a parent with Tracy Adams – Spotify or Apple

Ep. 86: How to start a consulting business as a mom: Tiffany Rosik’s career pivot story – Spotify or Apple

About Angel Leung

Angel is the founder of Baby Bean Consulting, created from her passion to walk alongside parents through the heartbreak and hope of growing a family. She supports women and families navigating miscarriage, pregnancy after loss, and birth trauma — helping them feel seen and cared for when it’s hardest to find support.

A Registered Nurse with both clinical expertise and personal lived experience, Angel blends evidence-based care with heartfelt compassion and advocates for better understanding and support around perinatal loss.

📧 [email protected]

IG: @babybeanconsulting

LinkedIn

About Andrea Barr

Andrea Barr is a certified career and life coach for ambitious parents and the host of All Figured Out—the podcast and associated events for people who want more freedom and flexibility as they juggle work and life as parents.

Andrea leads in-person gatherings across Greater Vancouver and online workshops designed to spark conversation, inspire new strategies, and build community for the messy middle of modern parenthood.

🔗 Website | Events | Instagram

Ep. 104: Figuring out how to feed your family without losing your sanity

If the fridge is empty (again) and you’re spiralling about being a “real” adult - this one’s for you. Food blogger and mom of three, Madison Wetherill of Cook at Home Mom, joins me for a refreshingly realistic conversation about food, family, and finding ease in meal planning. 

→ FULL SHOW NOTES & TAKEAWAYS

In this episode, we cover:

• The hidden shame behind an empty fridge - and how to let it go.
• Why feeding your family doesn’t have to feel like another full-time job.
• How to build a sustainable meal planning system (even if you hate cooking).
• Ingredient prepping vs. meal prepping - and which one will actually save your sanity.
• Madison’s simple framework for easier grocery shopping, family meals, and realistic nourishment.

Related episodes:

Ep. 96: Feel better NOW and find joy in life's little pleasures with Catherine Roscoe Barr – Spotify or Apple

Ep. 89: Want to raise money-smart kids… but still figuring it out yourself? with Jessica Moorhouse – Spotify or Apple

Ep. 59: The 4 pillars of health for parents with Dr. Valerie Hertzog – Spotify or Apple

About Madison Wetherill

Madison Wetherill is the creator of Cook at Home Mom, where she helps busy families embrace wholesome, flavorful cooking. Madison’s blog offers meal plans, grocery tips, and kitchen hacks, proving healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated.

Madison’s free 5‑day weeknight dinner plan (with sides + grocery list)

Instagram: @cookathomemom

About Andrea Barr, host of All Figured Out

Andrea is a certified career and life coach for ambitious parents, and host of the All Figured Out podcast. She helps parents find clarity, confidence, and career-family alignment without burnout. Visit her website ⁠here⁠ and follow her on Instagram ⁠here⁠.

Ep. 103: Figuring out how to get un-triggered

What happens when your career is thriving, your life looks good on paper… and then everything changes? In this honest conversation, coach and emotional intelligence educator Joanna Brewster shares how a car accident, a lost sense of self, and a spark of purpose from her own son set her on a path of reinvention.

→ FULL SHOW NOTES & TAKEAWAYS

What We Cover:

• Joanna’s unexpected career pivots—from government to fashion to coaching
• How her son’s bedtime reflections revealed her next calling
• What emotional intelligence actually is (and how to build it)
• Naming your patterns so you can break them—with a real-life example that may resonate with you
• Why speaking up, setting boundaries, and knowing your values is the path home to yourself

Related episodes:

Ep. 99: Jealousy, parenting & career changes with Elana Sures – Spotify or Apple

Ep. 101 : What to do when life looks great on paper but still feels off with Christine Coughlin – Spotify or Apple

Ep. 94: How to co-regulate without losing yourself as a parent with Tracy Adams – Spotify or Apple

About Joanna Brewster

Joanna Brewster is an emotional intelligence and leadership coach who helps individuals and organizations move beyond autopilot living and leading, to see new options, and make intentional choices to create success and joy. She’s passionate about deepening self-awareness, conscious communication, and empathy for a deeper connection and understanding with ourselves and others.

She is an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and Emotional Intelligence Coach, with additional training in mindfulness, positive psychology, and neuroscience-backed tools to support lasting transformation.

Beyond her work, Joanna is a mom of two, with a secret, or not so secret, obsession for books and journals and finds her greatest peace and joy sitting by the ocean tuning into the messages of her heart.

Website: www.hearttalks.ca  

Instagram: @hearttalks__withjoannabrewster

About Andrea Barr, host of All Figured Out
Andrea is a certified career and life coach for ambitious parents, and host of the All Figured Out podcast. She helps parents find clarity, confidence, and career-family alignment without burnout. Visit her website ⁠here⁠ and follow her on Instagram ⁠here⁠.

Ep. 102: Figuring out the WILDER and family-friendly way to host & start something from scratch

FULL SHOW NOTES & TAKEAWAYS 

Watch this conversation on YouTube here!

Hosting can feel overwhelming, especially as parents. Between toys on the floor, bedtime chaos, and “not enough” stories running in your head, it’s easy to put off bringing people together. But what if gathering could be simpler—and more meaningful?

In this episode, Emily Shimwell, founder of Dine Wilder, shares how she’s hosted over 540 guests at her immersive long-table dinners in just one year. We talk about connection over perfection, starting before you feel ready, and how to host in ways that feel simple, soulful, and fun.

In this episode, we cover:

• How Emily started Dine Wilder before she felt “ready”
• The small details that instantly elevate a table
• Hacks for hosting with kids around (without losing your mind)
• Why human connection—not the menu—is the real star of any gathering
• The story behind FEAST, her upcoming day of food and connection in Squamish

GET TICKETS TO ‘FEAST’

October 26, 2025 — @ The Cheakamus Centre in Squamish, BC

Use the exclusive listener code ‘AFO20’ for 20% off your ticket.

Related episodes:

Ep. 65: A (camp)fireside chat about community and self-care with Gillian Behnke – Spotify or Apple

Ep. 96: Feel better NOW and find joy in life's little pleasures with Catherine Roscoe Barr – Spotify or Apple

Ep. 34: Danielle Wiebe on figuring out how to enter the world of entrepreneurship and the power of community – Spotify or Apple

Ep. 91: Feeling off? Use this 8-part check-in to realign your life  – Spotify or Apple

About Emily Shimwell

Emily Shimwell is a Yorkshire-born storyteller, experience designer, and lifelong connector. She’s the founder of Dine Wilder and co-founder of Graze Wilder, ventures rooted in her love of beauty, community, and bringing people together.

In just one year, Emily has welcomed over 540 guests to her immersive dinner retreats, each crafted to leave women feeling seen, celebrated, and deeply connected. More than just table settings and candles, Emily’s work is about sparking genuine human connection that makes every gathering unforgettable.

Follow Emily on Instagram at @emily_wilder or @dine.wilder.

About Andrea Barr, host of All Figured Out

Andrea is a certified career and life coach for ambitious parents, and host of the All Figured Out podcast. She helps parents find clarity, confidence, and career-family alignment without burnout. Visit her website ⁠here⁠ and follow her on Instagram ⁠here⁠.

Ep. 101: Figuring out how to pivot when “perfect on paper” still feels wrong

When your life checks every box—marriage, kids, the house—and you still feel off, what then? 

Former stay-at-home mom of three turned entrepreneur, Christine Coughlin, gets honest about identity shifts, guilt, and rebuilding a life that actually fits.

We dig into leaving a defining career, stay-at-home-mom life, the hobby-to-business trap, tricky marriage conversations, and how to follow curiosity without blowing up your world.

FULL SHOW NOTES & TAKEAWAYS

Watch on YouTube

What we cover:

How to know when “this isn’t it” (even if everything looks good on paper)What it looks like to turn a hobby inuto a business…and then burn it downHard spouse conversations when your dreams disrupt your initial agreementsHow to start a brand before you’ve “figured it out”A realistic take on balance when you’re stepping into something new

Related episodes (add links):

Ep. 96: Feel better NOW and find joy in life's little pleasures with Catherine Roscoe Barr – Spotify or Apple

Ep. 91: Feeling off? Use this 8-part check-in to realign your life  – Spotify or Apple

• Ep. 93: Redefining success as a mother (and human!) with Sara Demizio – Spotify or Apple

About Christine Coughlin

Christine Coughlin is a former Director of Operations turned entrepreneur, mom of three, and founder of YVR Creatives—a community that supports women building bold, personal brands.

After leaving her corporate career to become a stay-at-home mom, Christine found herself craving more than what traditional roles offered. A midlife awakening and a desire for purpose led her to launch The In Between, and later YVR Creatives, where she now empowers female entrepreneurs to share their passions with the world through events, community and content. 

In this episode, Christine opens up about identity shifts, letting go of guilt, and redefining success in motherhood, marriage, and career.

Website: yvrcreatives.ca  |  the-inbetween.ca

Instagram: @yvr.creatives  |  @iamchristinecoughlin

About Andrea Barr, host of All Figured Out

Andrea is a certified career and life coach for ambitious parents, and host of the All Figured Out podcast. She helps parents find clarity, confidence, and career-family alignment without burnout. Visit her website ⁠here⁠ and follow her on Instagram ⁠here⁠.