What would you do differently if you knew exactly how many Mondays you had left? Jodi Wellman went from corporate leadership to founding "4,000 Mondays" after watching her mother's dreams go unrealized.

She shares her insights on living a squander-free life, inspired by her late mother's unfulfilled dreams, and emphasizes the importance of making intentional choices to enrich daily life. The conversation covers practical steps to overcome fear, seize opportunities, and savor the small moments that make life worthwhile. Jodi also provides a glimpse into her book 'You Only Die Once' and offers advice on how to approach life with a mindset that balances ambition and contentment.
Connect with Jodi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fourthousandmondays/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fourthousandmondays/

4,000 Mondays: https://fourthousandmondays.com/

You Only Die Once Book: https://fourthousandmondays.com/book/

Stay in Touch with Your Hosts:

• Colleen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/comara/
• Kristine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinethody/

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts for more conversations that transform career complexity into your competitive advantage!

In this milestone episode celebrating the 100th installment of Embrace the Squiggle, Kristine and Colleen reflect on recurring themes from hosting this podcast.

Colleen shares the story of how her favorite job went to her least favorite after getting a new boss (tale as old as time). Kristine dives into how she guides clients navigating these big career decisions. And they discuss why your dream job may be very possible, you just have to ask.

And from the bottom of our hearts: THANK YOU to all the squiggly listeners who have supported us these last 100 episodes.

Get the Embrace the Squiggle Journal: https://feelgoodshoplocal.com/product/embrace-your-squiggle-your-journal-for-change/ or on Amazon

Stay in Touch with Your Hosts:

• Colleen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/comara/
• Kristine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinethody/

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts for more conversations that transform career complexity into your competitive advantage!

In episode 99 (!!) of Embrace the Squiggle, Colleen and Kristine welcome Kristie Raymond to discuss her journey - that all started by trying a bunch of stuff out.

From launching Models Inc in 90's Boston with only a 1.5 years of professional experience, Kristie shares how her childhood dreams evolved through a diverse career path. On this journey she spotted a massive gap: where's the diversity in media?

Enter Humankind – Kristie's company pushing for inclusive casting that actually reflects the world we live in. Listen in for the real talk on breaking down barriers in media and why representation isn't just nice to have – it's necessary. Kristie discusses the challenges and successes in advocating for the inclusion of historically excluded groups, especially those with disabilities, in media. Tune in to hear about Kristie's inspiring squiggles and the impact of just trying stuff.

Connect with Kristie Raymond: linkedin.com/in/kristieraymond

Humankind: https://www.youarehumankind.com/

Stay in Touch with Your Hosts:

• Colleen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/comara/
• Kristine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinethody/

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts for more conversations that transform career complexity into your competitive advantage!

Hair loss at 15. A twenty-year journey from hiding to helping others. This week's conversation is all about turning personal struggles into powerful purpose!

We sat down with the incredible Tami Wong, founder of Hair Loss Pride, whose unexpected path from biotech professional to advocate and coach demonstrates how our biggest challenges can become our most meaningful work.

Squiggles You'll Hear:

• Tami's journey from childhood dreams of becoming an artist and vet to healthcare and biotech
• How being laid off became a hidden blessing that led to writing a children's book and starting a company
• The 20-year emotional journey of coming to terms with hair loss
• How Hair Loss Pride was born from the support Tami wished she'd had

This conversation is a beautiful reminder that our most challenging experiences often lead us to our most meaningful work!

🌟 Connect with Tami:

• Website: https://therealtamiwong.com/
• Instagram: Instagram (@hairlosspride)
• TikTok: @‌hairlosspride
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hairlosspride

👯‍♀️ Stay in Touch with Your Hosts:

• Colleen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/comara/
• Kristine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinethody/

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts for more conversations that transform career complexity into your competitive advantage!

From NFL Sidelines to Therapy Office... What do professional cheerleading and mental health counseling have in common? More than you might think!

This week we dive into the fascinating journey of Hannah LeBeau, who transformed from NFL cheerleader to mental health professional while discovering how these seemingly different worlds actually complement each other perfectly.

🔥 What You'll Hear:

• Hannah's path from childhood dance dreams to the NFL sidelines
• How growing up in a single-parent household shaped her views on identity and stability
• How her cheerleading experience informs her therapy practice
• How Project Sideline was born to mentor dancers navigating professional cheerleading

This conversation is a masterclass in trusting yourself enough to combine seemingly unrelated passions into something uniquely powerful.

🌟 Connect with Hannah:

• Instagram & TikTok: @‌hannahlebeau_
• Business Pages: @‌projectsideline_

Stay in Touch with Your Hosts:

• Colleen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/comara/
• Kristine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinethody/

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts for more conversations that transform career complexity into your competitive advantage!

Ever wonder what happens when you jump without knowing where you'll land? Kathy Martin is living proof that sometimes the most unexpected career paths lead to the perfect destination!

We sat down with Dr. Kathy Martin, President and CEO of Glenmeadow senior living community, whose journey from sports management dreams to nonprofit leadership was anything but linear.

What You'll Hear:

• How Kathy pivoted from personal training to academia to senior living leadership
• Why transferable skills matter more than industry-specific experience
• Kathy's refreshing take on career pivots and why you should take the leap no matter the mystery around the corner

This conversation is packed with wisdom for anyone considering a bold career move or wondering if their winding path actually makes perfect sense!

Connect with Kathy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-martin-a45a095/

Stay in Touch with Your Hosts:

• Colleen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/comara/
• Kristine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinethody/

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts for more conversations that transform career complexity into your competitive advantage!

Those words were never truer than when Kelly Paxton discovered that the most trusted employees (often women with spotless reputations) were quietly embezzling thousands or millions before anyone noticed.

Kelly's career reads like a spy thriller! What started in the world of commodities trading led to law enforcement. Soon she's a federal special agent, weapon strapped to her hip, chasing criminals in high-speed pursuits... all while pregnant!

But the most fascinating chapter began when Kelly noticed a pattern in some fraud cases. The embezzlers weren't who everyone expected. They were trusted bookkeepers, administrative assistants, and office managers AKA the women who no one expects to steal. This revelation launched her into becoming the Pink Collar Crime expert, where she now helps organizations protect themselves from the people they least suspect.

If Kelly's last name sounds familiar, that's because squiggliness runs in the family—she's the mother of previous guest Lili Paxton (Episode 85)!

Connect with Kelly:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellypaxton/
• Listen to Fraudish with Kelly Paxton: https://open.spotify.com/show/3w4zRjgH0p2RXFuoyFtPG5
• Connect with Kelly: https://kellypaxton.com/
• Gets Kelly’s Book Embezzlement: How to Detect and Prevent Pink Collar Crime https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QBYKJR1?tag=kellypaxton-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1
• Her book recommendation: If You Love it Let it Kill You By Hannah Pittard https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217387666-if-you-love-it-let-it-kill-you

Stay in Touch with Your Hosts:

• Colleen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/comara/
• Kristine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinethody/

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts for more conversations that transform career complexity into your competitive advantage!

This episode was produced by Lili Paxton 

“Who am I when I'm not a teacher?” Our first-ever Part Two is here! We continue Lauretta's story after her difficult decision to leave teaching mid-year.

In this episode, Lauretta shares how walking the Camino across Spain became an unexpected path to healing and rediscovery. She opens up about navigating her identity beyond "teacher" and the simple yet profound lessons she found along the way.

What You'll Hear:

• Lauretta's experience walking the historic Camino de Santiago
• How this journey helped her process leaving the classroom
• The surprising ways simplicity and movement restored her sense of self
• How this transformative experience shaped her new career direction and reignited her creativity

This conversation is for anyone wondering what comes after a difficult career transition.

Follow Lauretta on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@thelaurettaann

Connect with Lauretta: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauretta-ruppert-a79ab5218/

👯‍♀️ Stay in Touch with Your Hosts:

• Colleen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/comara/
• Kristine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinethody/

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts for more conversations that transform career complexity into your competitive advantage!

#EmbraceTheSquiggle #TeacherBurnout #CareerTransition #MentalHealthAtWork #EducationReality

What happens when the career path you've dreamed about since childhood starts slowly crushing your spirit?

This week, we're diving into the first part of our raw conversation with Lauretta Ruppert, whose journey from aspiring singer to passionate teacher to... well, you'll have to listen to find out!

What You'll Hear:

• How Lauretta's childhood dream of being "on stage" transformed into a calling to teach
• The beautiful full-circle moment of teaching at her own alma mater
• The rarely discussed dark side of teaching post-pandemic
• Moving away from teaching and what to do next

This episode is for anyone who's ever wondered if it's okay to leave something you once loved—or if your worth is tied to your ability to endure difficult circumstances.

And this is the FIRST time we’ve done this, but Lauretta’s story was so juicy we had to split it up into 2 parts. So stay tuned for Part 2 next week where Lauretta reveals her surprising new chapter and her transformative experience walking the Camino!

Connect with Lauretta: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauretta-ruppert-a79ab5218/

👯‍♀️ Stay in Touch with Your Hosts:

• Colleen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/comara/
• Kristine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinethody/

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts for more conversations that transform career complexity into your competitive advantage!

#EmbraceTheSquiggle #TeacherBurnout #CareerTransition #MentalHealthAtWork #EducationReality

What if the key to professional success isn't found in external achievements, but in understanding your own inner landscape?

This week, we dive deep with Kay Tear, a business psychologist who transformed her own career by turning inward first. From aspiring actress to flight attendant to acclaimed author and coach, Kay's journey reveals how self-awareness becomes your greatest professional superpower.

What You'll Hear:
- How Kay turned "I'll try this until it's not fun anymore" into a surprisingly effective career strategy
- Why understanding your inner world transforms your leadership ability (and relationships!)
- How embracing curiosity over certainty opened doors Kay never imagined
- This conversation is your invitation to approach your career with more curiosity and less judgment!

📚 Connect with Kay:
Books:
Overcome Anxious Attachment: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Overcome-Anxious-Attachment-Unshakeable-Relationships/dp/B0F5GW8LB8 
Overcome Imposter Syndrome: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Overcome-Imposter-Syndrome-Understand-Authentically/dp/B0FMRZD395 

Socials:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaytear/ 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@businessreimagined7413 
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kay_tear 
Website: http://www.businessreimagined.co.uk 

👯‍♀️ Stay in Touch with Your Hosts:
Colleen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/comara/ 
Kristine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinethody 

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts for more conversations that transform career complexity into your competitive advantage!