Sometimes we all need permission to pause.

In today’s episode, I open up about a heavy couple of weeks — the kind that stopped my momentum completely. I skipped recording the podcast and sending my newsletter, and for the first time in a long time, I let myself just… stop. And here’s what happened: the world didn’t end.

That pause gave me clarity about how I want to move forward — including a big announcement: Her Next Chapters will now release episodes every other Wednesday. This shift gives me more breathing room to work on new projects behind the scenes and to bring you episodes that are thoughtful, intentional, and full of value.

If you’ve been feeling the weight of the world lately, this episode is your invitation to take a break too — to step back, breathe, and come back when you’re ready.

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Work with Me

Want an HR expert’s eyes on your resume?
Book a 30-minute Resume Review with Christina - live on Zoom, recorded, and focused on one goal: getting you interviews.

Want to talk through your career goals and explore next steps?
Schedule a career consultation to see how I can support you.

Email me directly at [email protected]

Connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kohlchristina

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Free Resource

Grab the Strengths-First Resume Template - ideal for career transitions, whether you’re returning after a break, navigating a layoff, pivoting roles, or ready for a change.

Thinking about returning to work or making a career change? Strategic volunteering might be the most overlooked tool in your job search toolkit.

In this episode, Christina shares how the right volunteer opportunities can give you current experience, expand your network, and even strengthen your resume. From boosting confidence to uncovering new career interests, strategic volunteering isn’t just about giving back—it’s about moving forward.

You’ll learn how to:

• Identify volunteer roles that align with your career goals
• Use unpaid experience to showcase transferable skills on your resume
• Build relationships that can become valuable references
• Explore platforms like catchafire.org to find meaningful opportunities

Whether you’re reentering the workforce, pivoting mid-career, or simply exploring your next chapter, this episode will help you see volunteering as more than service—it’s a powerful step toward professional growth.

Find volunteer opportunities here:
catchafire.org
idealist.org
unitedway.org

Volunteers of America

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Work with Me

Want an HR expert’s eyes on your resume?
Book a 30-minute Resume Review with Christina - live on Zoom, recorded, and focused on one goal: getting you interviews.

Want to talk through your career goals and explore next steps?
Schedule a career consultation to see how I can support you.

Email me directly at [email protected]

Connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kohlchristina

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Free Resource

Grab the Strengths-First Resume Template - ideal for career transitions, whether you’re returning after a break, navigating a layoff, pivoting roles, or ready for a change.

Ready to restart your career—or finally make a change in the one you have? Before updating your resume, there are critical early steps that make all the difference in a job search.

In this episode, Christina shares the four foundational moves she wishes she’d known when she returned to work after a 13-year career break. These aren’t the obvious tactics you’ve heard before. They’re the overlooked but essential steps that help you shift from scattered applications to a focused, confident job search.

Tune in to hear how to:

• Avoid the #1 mistake most job seekers make at the very beginning
• Reconnect with your network in a way that feels natural (not awkward)
• Eliminate last-minute stress before interviews
• Project confidence in every interaction

Whether you’re reentering the workforce, pivoting mid-career, or simply exploring what’s next, these strategies will help you start strong.

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Work with Me

Want an HR expert’s eyes on your resume?
Book a 30-minute Resume Review with Christina - live on Zoom, recorded, and focused on one goal: getting you interviews.

Want to talk through your career goals and explore next steps?
Schedule a career consultation to see how I can support you.

Email me directly at [email protected]

Connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kohlchristina

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Free Resource

Grab the Strengths-First Resume Template - ideal for career transitions, whether you’re returning after a break, navigating a layoff, pivoting roles, or ready for a change.

Labor Day celebrates all forms of work, including the unpaid labor that maintains households and communities. The unpaid work we do builds valuable skills that can translate to professional opportunities when positioned correctly on resumes.

• Unpaid labor has significant economic value, with stay-at-home moms providing work worth $184,000 annually according to Salary.com
• Women shoulder more hours of caregiving and housework weekly, regardless of employment status
• Include unpaid accomplishments on your resume when they demonstrate relevant skills for target jobs
• Personal example: coordinating complex medical care across 16 surgeries developed skills valuable for employer benefits and insurance positions
• Focus on quantifiable achievements rather than routine household tasks when translating unpaid work to resume content
• Take Labor Day as an opportunity to genuinely rest from both paid and unpaid labor

Grab my free resume template to learn how to include unpaid work in your resume, or book a personal resume review where we'll go through your resume line by line. 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Work with Me

Want an HR expert’s eyes on your resume?
Book a 30-minute Resume Review with Christina - live on Zoom, recorded, and focused on one goal: getting you interviews.

Want to talk through your career goals and explore next steps?
Schedule a career consultation to see how I can support you.

Email me directly at [email protected]

Connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kohlchristina

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Free Resource

Grab the Strengths-First Resume Template - ideal for career transitions, whether you’re returning after a break, navigating a layoff, pivoting roles, or ready for a change.

Your next chapter starts now.

Back-to-school isn’t just for kids. I share what this season looks like in my home right now: a son starting his final semester of college, another settling into his first rental for sophomore year, and a daughter thriving in her first job as an Interior Designer. With the house, calendar, and routines shifting, I name the mixed emotions of this stage and offer a gentle, practical way to step into your own next chapter.

You’ll hear:

• Real-life moments from this week that mark transition at home
• The identity shift of motherhood across seasons: hands on, hands nearby, hands off
• Why “empty nest” is a misnomer and how to see new space as capacity and choice
• A permission slip to equip yourself too: maybe a fresh resume format, updated headshot, or a simple morning routine
• 3 reflection questions to clarify what you want next
• A 45-minute reset you can do tonight: clarity sprint with a job posting, quick resume top-third audit, and a low-pressure network nudge
• An invitation to journal your answers and not white-knuckle these shifts alone

Resources mentioned:

• Limited free resume reviews for podcast listeners this month
• 1:1 coaching spots opening for fall. 

Next week:
Labor Day, why it matters, and how to turn caregiving and volunteering into resume gold.

Keywords: back to school, empty nest, motherhood identity, career clarity, resume refresh, return to work, midlife career change, women’s career coaching

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Work with Me

Want an HR expert’s eyes on your resume?
Book a 30-minute Resume Review with Christina - live on Zoom, recorded, and focused on one goal: getting you interviews.

Want to talk through your career goals and explore next steps?
Schedule a career consultation to see how I can support you.

Email me directly at [email protected]

Connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kohlchristina

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Free Resource

Grab the Strengths-First Resume Template - ideal for career transitions, whether you’re returning after a break, navigating a layoff, pivoting roles, or ready for a change.

I usually talk about careers in the context of landing a great job—but in this episode, we’re expanding the conversation to include building your own business.

My guest this week, Becky McCleery, went from teaching fourth-grade to running a thriving business as a solopreneur strategist and community builder. Her journey from passionate educator to unfulfilled working mom to successful entrepreneur is packed with lessons for anyone considering a career pivot, whether that’s finding a new role or creating one for yourself.

Becky and I talk about:

• How she transitioned from teaching to entrepreneurship while raising a family
• Why starting small beats waiting for perfection
• The 90-day rule every new business owner should follow before making big changes
• Common mistakes new entrepreneurs make—and how to avoid them
• The role of community in sustaining motivation and momentum
• Why an idea that already exists is a sign of market demand, not a reason to quit

This conversation blends inspiration with practical steps so you can explore self-employment with confidence—whether you’re leaving a traditional role, making a midlife career pivot, or building something entirely new.

You can connect with Becky on LinkedIn or at www.beckylytermccleery.com

You can learn more about Becky's free Soloprenuer Sisterhood or her paid Aligned Momentum Mastermind community for new and established business owners. 

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Work with Me

Want an HR expert’s eyes on your resume?
Book a 30-minute Resume Review with Christina - live on Zoom, recorded, and focused on one goal: getting you interviews.

Want to talk through your career goals and explore next steps?
Schedule a career consultation to see how I can support you.

Email me directly at [email protected]

Connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kohlchristina

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Free Resource

Grab the Strengths-First Resume Template - ideal for career transitions, whether you’re returning after a break, navigating a layoff, pivoting roles, or ready for a change.

In this episode, I share the powerful mindset exercise that helped me uncover the real reason I wanted to return to work after a 13-year career break. Learn how the “5 Whys” technique—originally developed at Toyota—can help you gain clarity, build motivation, and reconnect with your purpose during a job search, career pivot, or life transition. Plus, hear my personal story of how my why evolved from “paying off debt” to something much deeper. 

I've put together a curated podcast playlist specifically for job seekers with episodes on resume writing, LinkedIn optimization, networking, mindset management, and real success stories. Grab it using the link below. My fall group coaching program is coming soon—join the waitlist now for early access and bonuses!

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Work with Me

Want an HR expert’s eyes on your resume?
Book a 30-minute Resume Review with Christina - live on Zoom, recorded, and focused on one goal: getting you interviews.

Want to talk through your career goals and explore next steps?
Schedule a career consultation to see how I can support you.

Email me directly at [email protected]

Connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kohlchristina

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Free Resource

Grab the Strengths-First Resume Template - ideal for career transitions, whether you’re returning after a break, navigating a layoff, pivoting roles, or ready for a change.

I recently renewed my SPHR certification—60 hours of continuing education that represent more than just staying current. They reflect a deeper commitment to my growth, my clients, and the message I want to share with you today:

You don’t have to start over. But you do need to start moving.

In this episode, I’m sharing:

• What it looked like to retake the SPHR exam after a 13-year career break
• Why investing in yourself—certification or not—can build real momentum
• Practical ways to show employers (and yourself) that you're serious about your next chapter

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Staying current builds confidence and credibility
• You don’t need a credential to move forward, but small steps matter
• Professional development is a powerful signal—to yourself and future employers

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Work with Me

Want an HR expert’s eyes on your resume?
Book a 30-minute Resume Review with Christina - live on Zoom, recorded, and focused on one goal: getting you interviews.

Want to talk through your career goals and explore next steps?
Schedule a career consultation to see how I can support you.

Email me directly at [email protected]

Connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kohlchristina

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Free Resource

Grab the Strengths-First Resume Template - ideal for career transitions, whether you’re returning after a break, navigating a layoff, pivoting roles, or ready for a change.

Let’s be honest—“self-care” can feel cliché at best and selfish at worst, especially for moms who’ve spent years putting everyone else first. But what if the real problem isn’t the concept, but how we frame it?

In this episode, I share how the phrase Protect the Asset from Greg McKeown’s book Essentialism completely shifted the way I think about wellness, motherhood, and energy management. When we see ourselves as the asset, self-care becomes essential maintenance—not indulgence. This mindset shift was game-changing for me.

I share small but meaningful habits I’ve been building—like sleep, mindfulness, movement, and hydration—and why they matter so much in this season of life. Whether you’re deep in motherhood or navigating midlife transitions, this is a chance to reclaim your wellbeing, support your mental health, and show up as your best self.

And if you're ready to make a career comeback or pivot into work that lights you up, my group coaching program returns this September. Get on the waitlist HERE for early access and a sweet discount.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Work with Me

Want an HR expert’s eyes on your resume?
Book a 30-minute Resume Review with Christina - live on Zoom, recorded, and focused on one goal: getting you interviews.

Want to talk through your career goals and explore next steps?
Schedule a career consultation to see how I can support you.

Email me directly at [email protected]

Connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kohlchristina

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Free Resource

Grab the Strengths-First Resume Template - ideal for career transitions, whether you’re returning after a break, navigating a layoff, pivoting roles, or ready for a change.

Rejection hurts. But what if it’s actually redirecting you toward something better?

In this episode, I share a personal story about the time I lost what I thought was my dream home—and how that painful “no” made space for an even better “yes.” It’s a reminder that rejection isn’t always the end of the road. Sometimes, it’s a protective nudge toward something more aligned.

Whether you're facing job search setbacks, supporting your kids through disappointment, or just feeling the sting of something not going your way, this episode offers a gentle but honest perspective on how to process rejection without getting stuck in it.

We’ll talk about:

• Why “rejection is redirection” has become a guiding mindset for me
• How to honor your feelings while staying open to new possibilities
• What this means for career returners, especially when job applications go silent

If you’re in the messy middle of your next chapter, this conversation will help you reframe rejection as a sacred detour—not a dead end.

Ready to shift your perspective? Hit play—and let’s talk about what might be waiting for you on the other side of that closed door.

(And if you’ve been facing job search rejection and you're ready for support, my Career Comeback Accelerator opens this September. This 8-week group experience is designed to help you relaunch or pivot your career with confidence and clarity. Join the waitlist to get first access and a special discount. 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Work with Me

Want an HR expert’s eyes on your resume?
Book a 30-minute Resume Review with Christina - live on Zoom, recorded, and focused on one goal: getting you interviews.

Want to talk through your career goals and explore next steps?
Schedule a career consultation to see how I can support you.

Email me directly at [email protected]

Connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kohlchristina

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Free Resource

Grab the Strengths-First Resume Template - ideal for career transitions, whether you’re returning after a break, navigating a layoff, pivoting roles, or ready for a change.