In this interview, Liz Batsche, founder of Well-Hosted, shares her unique approach to the art of hosting. She discusses how hosting skills can be applied across various contexts, from personal gatherings to professional settings, emphasizing the importance of 4 key principles: presence, observation, signature style, and emotional connection. Liz also reflects on her career journey, the power of self-trust, and practical tips for enhancing your hosting and interpersonal skills.

Topics we discuss include:

The definition of hosting as a mindset and practice

The H-O-S-T framework: Human-centered observation, Signature style, Taste

The role of emotional intelligence and presence in hosting

Career journey from banking to entrepreneurship and the red thread of hosting

Practical tips for self-hosting and creating memorable experiences

The impact of style and authenticity on confidence and connection

The importance of self-trust and intuition in decision-making

How to assess and improve your hosting skills

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and guest background

01:20 Defining the practice of hosting

02:27 The H-O-S-T framework explained

04:07 Details of observation and signature style

05:15 Career journey and the red thread of hosting

12:16 The impact of layoffs and entrepreneurial reset

13:36 Bringing the hosting framework to business

15:41 The importance of making others feel seen

18:23 Gaps and opportunities in hosting skills

22:46 Assessing and improving hosting abilities

26:49 Early influences and childhood hosting memories

32:46 Creating a feeling and self-hosting

40:19 Style, authenticity, and professional presence

42:08 Lessons from luxury brands and client experience

45:27 Shifting from answers to confidence in leadership

46:48 The role of self-trust and intuition

48:20 How to connect with Liz and upcoming offerings

50:48 Parting words and final insights

Resources:

Well Hosted Website - ⁠https://www.wellhosted.com⁠

Liz Batsche on LinkedIn - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizbatsche⁠

Susie Welch's Institute of Flourishing - ⁠https://www.instituteofflourishing.com⁠

LinkedIn - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizbatsche⁠

Continue to Evolve Your Path:

Did you enjoy this episode? Leave us a 5-star review and share it with someone who would appreciate listening!

Follow us on Instagram @evolve.your.path and visit www.evolvedpotential.co for more information on coaching.

Alison Kinsey shares her journey from high-paying tech sales to a fulfilling career break, exploring her values, challenges, and new pursuits like podcasting and RV living. Discover insights on redefining success, embracing non-linear paths, and prioritizing well-being.

Key topics we discuss:

Career transition from tech sales to personal fulfillment

The impact of layoffs on mental health and well-being

Building a life aligned with core values of freedom, fun, and community

A non-linear career path can lead to greater fulfillment.

Prioritizing mental health and well-being is crucial during transitions.

Living intentionally, such as RV life, can align with personal values.

Chapters:

00:00 The Journey of Reinvention

02:58 Rediscovering Creativity and Curiosity

06:11 Life in Tech Sales: The Reality

08:55 Health Impacts of Corporate Life

11:53 The Layoff: A Turning Point

14:56 Embracing Minimalism and Financial Shifts

17:57 Values and Non-Negotiables Post-Layoff

20:53 Finding Purpose in the Unconventional

22:50 Leaving Home for New Adventures

25:49 Embracing the RV Lifestyle

28:30 Navigating Career Changes and Income

31:25 The Challenge of Visibility

35:52 Resonating Stories and Community Impact

39:20 Taking the Leap: Overcoming Fear

40:33 Exploring New Creative Outlets

Connect with Alison:

Real Time Creator Podcast

Alison Kinsey on Instagram

Did you enjoy this episode? Leave us a 5-star review and follow Evolve Your Path on Instagram!

Summary

In this engaging interview, Kima Sargsyan, a Senior Strategy Director at HUGE, shares her insights on career experiments, cultural analysis, AI leadership, and personal growth. Discover how to navigate the messy middle of life and career with wisdom, curiosity, and strategic thinking.

Notable quotes:

"Don't judge Gen Z, learn from them"

"Zoom out and find joy in the process"

"Nothing is as serious as we think"

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:00 Career Experiments and Assumptions

03:16 Cultural Influences and Personal Growth

06:59 Brand Strategy and Cultural Analysis

08:42 Curiosity as a Guiding Force

10:30 Navigating Stakeholder Relationships

11:24 Writing and Complex Thinking

16:51 Recommended Reads and Influences

20:27 Imagining the Future

22:42 Imagining a Brighter Future with AI

23:54 Demystifying AI Leadership

25:51 AI in Healthcare: A Tool for Connection

27:13 Finding Inspiration in Unlikely Places

32:05 The Challenges of Branding Strategy

35:12 Deciding What to Say No To

42:13 Navigating the Messy Middle of Life

43:17 Connecting and Engaging with Kima Sargsyan

44:43 Introduction to Evolve Your Path Podcast

45:10 Transitioning and Resources for Growth

Connect with Kima:

LinkedIn

Substack

Did you like this episode? Be sure to leave a 5-star review and share with someone who would enjoy it!

Follow Evolve Your Path on Instagram, as well.

In this episode, EYP Host Megan Flanagan interviews Maggie Blackburn, a former tech product marketer who quit her job in November 2024 after 10 years of climbing the corporate ladder. Now, her work isn’t just one thing anymore, and she finally gets the freedom to choose what she wants to do. She is a Corporate Events Freelancer, Retreat Planner, Community Builder, Airbnb Superhost, Coach, Pilates Teacher, and Writer of the Feel Free Newsletter.

Maggie was born in Shanghai, China and adopted at three months old. She grew up in the Bay Area, went to school at Cal Poly, and has been living in Brooklyn, NY for the last 4 years.

Key topics we discuss include:

• Definition of a portfolio career
• Experimentation and testing new opportunities
• Building self-trust and overcoming fear
• Community and networking in career development

Chapters:

00:00 Understanding Portfolio Careers

07:57 Navigating Career Changes During COVID

13:41 The Experimentation Phase of a Portfolio Career

19:02 Coaching Multi-Passionate Women

24:52 Finding Community and Inspiration

43:03 Introduction to Evolve Your Path Podcast

43:28 Transitioning and Resources for Growth

Connect with Maggie:

Website: www.maggie-blackburn.com

Instagram: @maggieblackburn

Newsletter: https://maggieblackburn.beehiiv.com/

Bonus: See Megan's feature on Maggie's Beehiiv!

Follow Evolve Your Path:

@evolve.your.path (IG)

Substack

In this episode, Megan Flanagan interviews Stephanie Reese about her diverse career journey, from French studies to startup leadership, and her insights on fractional work, leadership, and work-life balance. They explore challenges, soft skills, and lessons learned from living abroad and working in startups.

Key topics we cover include:

• Career transitions from software engineering to COO
• Fractional work and entrepreneurship
• Soft skills for leadership and challenging conversations
• Lessons from living abroad in Germany and France
• Building systems, processes, and guardrails in startups

Chapters:

00:00 The Unplanned Journey: Embracing Opportunities

07:50 Finding Interest in Challenges: Career Evolution

10:42 Integrity and Values in Startups

13:23 Transitioning from Software Engineer to COO

15:51 Work-Life Balance: A Personal Perspective

18:51 Cultural Insights from Living in Europe

21:20 The Art of Knitting: Lessons in Patience

24:02 Navigating the Fractional Path: Challenges and Insights

26:38 Creating Systems: The Operations Mindset

29:19 Revenue and Relationships: Key Metrics for Success

31:56 Introduction to Evolve Your Path Podcast

32:22 Transitioning and Resources for Growth

Connect with Stephanie:

LinkedIn

Connect with Evolve Your Path:

Instagram: @evolve.your.path

Join our Beyond the Surface group for women in Denver.

We're back for Season Two with new guest, Carly Valancy!

Carly Valancy is the founder of Reach Out Party and TETHER, and co-founder of Momentum Growth. She helps creative people find their people through intentional networking, community building, and connection. A former Head of Brand & Marketing at Primer, Carly is known for her "100 Days of Reaching Out" challenge and her Anti-Networking events that prioritize depth over volume. She's been featured in CNBC and teaches at Harvard and Boston College on the power of human connection.

Join the Reach Out Party:

https://carlyvalancy.com/reach-out-party

Connect with Carly on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyvalancy/

Did you like find this episode valuable?

Leave us a 5-star review and/or share with someone who might enjoy listening!

Unlock the secrets to living a fulfilling, multi-faceted professional life with Jenny Calvert. In this episode, we explore the significance of energy awareness, breaking free from societal constructs, and creating multiple income streams aligned with your passions.

In this episode:

• Jenny shares her journey from corporate burnout to passion-driven work in coaching, facilitation, and community building
• How to recognize and shift energetic states from destructive (catabolic) to constructive (anabolic) energy
• The power of unlearning stories that limit your potential and recognizing "capital T" vs. "lower T" truths
• Practical tips: starting an energy journal to identify patterns of engagement and energy drain
• Navigating multiple identities without feeling confined by labels or expectations
• Embracing "heavy" versus "light" mode: the importance of deep work and intentional growth
• How to explore multiple income streams while honoring your values and avoiding burnout
• Strategies for owning your narrative when balancing diverse professional roles

Resources:

• Deep questions workbook for energy awareness (free)
• Scott Barker - Personal Journey
• Heavy/Theory Substack
• Chani Planner for mindfulness
• Scott Barker's Wake Up Call Newsletter
• Life Audit workbook

Connect with Jenny:

• LinkedIn
• Website (coaching)

Connect with Evolve Your Path:

Instagram

Substack

Slack Channel

In this episode, Megan hosts Emily Hollender, a marketing and community-building expert, to explore how passions like surfing influence personal well-being and professional success. They dive into strategies for transitioning to freelance work, building authentic client relationships, and navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship with confidence.

About Emily:

Emily Hollender is a brand marketing and community-building leader with over a decade of experience driving growth at category-defining startups, including Rent the Runway, The Wing, and Tia. She's best known for building and scaling RTR's Campus Ambassador Program, launching The Wing's Digital Membership, and driving Tia's Go-to-Market expansion. Currently, through her fractional marketing practice, Next Wave Marketing, Emily partners with early-stage consumer brands to unlock sustainable, community-led growth. She also teaches the popular Maven course From Full-Time to Fractional: A Step-by-Step Launch Playbook for Senior Leaders, equipping experienced operators with the tools to launch successful independent practices.

In this episode:

• Emily shares her journey from corporate startups to freelance community strategist
• How surfing fosters grounding, resilience, and community connection
• Common misconceptions about marketing and how to define your niche
• Strategies for acquiring first clients through authentic networking
• Managing imposter syndrome and self-doubt as a fractional professional
• The importance of clear scope, outcome alignment, and setting boundaries
• Insights into creating impactful messaging and evolving your personal brand
• How to test new markets and opportunities without overcomplicating branding
• Practical tips for overcoming mindset blocks and taking small, actionable steps
• The value of community and relationships in business growth and fulfillment

Links:

About Emily: www.emilyhollender.com / https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-hollender/

Fractional Practice: www.nextwave.marketing

Sign up for Emily's Maven Course:

https://maven.com/emily-hollender/full-time-to-fractional?promoCode=EVOLVE25

Promo Code: EVOLVE25

Resources:

• Blue Crush – Inspiring film about women surfers
• Toxic Grit by Amanda Getz – Navigating a portfolio career
• Setting the Table by Danny Meyer – Relationship-focused leadership
• Old Girls Club

This episode offers actionable insights for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in blending personal passions with professional pursuits to craft a fulfilling, resilient career.

In this episode of the Evolve Your Path podcast, host Megan Flanagan speaks with career coach Julia Cohen about navigating career transitions, identifying personal values, and the challenges of the current job market. Julia shares her non-linear career journey, emphasizing the importance of aligning one's work with personal passions and values. They discuss the significance of self-reflection in career choices, the role of coaching in personal development, and practical strategies for job seekers, including interview preparation and creative approaches to job searching. The conversation highlights the need for patience and kindness during the job search process, as well as the importance of being proactive and resourceful in finding opportunities.

Guest Bio:

Julia Cohen is a certified career coach with 12 years of experience in operations and product management before transitioning into coaching. She now works with professionals across industries who are navigating what’s next — whether they’re exploring a career pivot, seeking work that better aligns with their values, returning to the workforce after a break, or stepping into a new leadership role. Her goal is to help you gain clarity, rebuild confidence, and take practical steps toward a career that feels fulfilling and sustainable.

Chapters:

00:00 Navigating Career Journeys

03:20 Defining Personal Success

06:18 Identifying Values and Interests

09:15 Career Coaching Insights

11:46 Long-Term Career Planning

14:31 Current Job Market Challenges

17:20 Interview Preparation Strategies

20:06 Cutting Through the Noise

22:57 Creative Job Search Strategies

25:33 Final Thoughts and Advice

28:25 Introduction to Evolve Your Path Podcast

28:50 Transitioning and Resources for Growth

Connect with Julia:

LinkedIn

Follow Evolve Your Path:

Substack

Instagram

Apply to join our Slack Community!

Join coach Bryan Collins of Poetic State to discover how embracing your unique identity, cultivating vulnerability, and visualizing future success can transform your personal and professional life. In this episode, we explore the power of authenticity, the importance of meaningful connection, and practical frameworks for unsticking yourself in a world full of possibilities.

Key topics:

• The role of authentic branding and messaging in building trust and connection
• How embracing your 'weird' or unconventional qualities fosters greatness
• The metaphor of life as a "space in a hole in the wall" practice for unique identity
• The significance of “moon boarding” and visual mood-boarding for envisioning goals
• Strategies for identifying when you’re truly stuck and how coaching maintains momentum
• The impact of future visualization: acting like your successful self
• The importance of humility, vulnerability, and self-awareness in creative reinvention
• How creatives process decision-making amid abundant possibilities
• Overcoming scarcity mindset to attract the right clients and opportunities
• The benefits of ongoing maintenance and routine in personal development

Resources:

• Moonboarding — For creating inspired visual goals
• Future Self Visualization Techniques — Practical ways to activate future success
• Book: Atomic Habits by James Clear — Building habits for routine maintenance

Connect with Bryan:

LinkedIn

Poetic State - coaching & website

Connect with Evolve Your Path:

Substack

Instagram

Slack Channel