What happens when your identity has been tied to one job for 22 years… and you decide to leave?

In this episode of Scale With Clarity, Brooke sits down with Meg Langland, Gallup Certified Strengths Coach, Etiquette Consultant, and former Director of Career Services, to unpack:

• The emotional transition from stable career to entrepreneurship

• How to leverage your strengths in ANY industry

• The networking strategy that protects you from layoffs

• Why pitching yourself feels uncomfortable (and how to reframe it)

• Reinventing your professional identity at any stage

If you're navigating career change, burnout, layoffs, or building something new — this conversation is both practical and reassuring.

Connect with Meg:

• Website

• LinkedIn

Connect with Brooke:

• ⁠⁠Brooke's Newsletter⁠⁠ -
• Looking for clarity on your next steps? Download my free ⁠⁠Clarity Compass⁠⁠.
• Looking to work with Brooke 1:1? More info ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.
• Connect with me here: ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠, ⁠YouTube

#CareerPodcast #EntrepreneurJourney #StrengthsCoaching #WomenEntrepreneurs #LeadershipDevelopment #CareerAdvice #NetworkingSkills #ProfessionalReinvention #ScaleWithClarity

Burnout doesn’t always look like collapse. Sometimes it looks like success — with no capacity left.

In this episode, Brooke Koeninger talks with leadership psychologist Elena Shirokaya about why so many high achievers stay stuck in exhaustion even after leaving corporate, changing roles, or “doing all the right things.”

They explore:

• Why burnout is often misdiagnosed or normalized

• How the nervous system drives leadership behavior

• What “performing calm” actually costs us

• Why rest can feel unsafe for high performers

• How leaders unknowingly pass stress down to their teams and families

If you’ve ever thought: “I should be happy — so why do I still feel like this?” This episode is for you.

Guest: Elena Shirokaya

Leadership Psychologist | Nervous System & Burnout Researcher

• LinkedIn
• Website

Connect with Brooke:

• ⁠⁠Brooke's Newsletter⁠⁠ -
• Looking for clarity on your next steps? Download my free ⁠⁠Clarity Compass⁠⁠.
• Looking to work with Brooke 1:1? More info ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.
• Connect with me here: ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠, ⁠YouTube

#BurnoutRecovery #LeadershipPsychology #NervousSystemRegulation #WomenInBusiness #CorporateBurnout #ScaleWithClarity

In this episode, Brooke sits down with Julie Bronsteatter, an executive coach who helps first-time executives lead with more confidence, clarity, and authenticity. They talk about why values work is often the fastest path to feeling grounded, how to tell the difference between “growth fear” and true misalignment, and why listening to your body matters more than forcing the next shiny step. Julie also shares the personal story that changed everything for her—navigating grief and burnout during COVID, leaving her corporate role, and finding her path into coaching.

Connect with Julie:

• LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/julie-bronsteatter
• Website - www.jbronsteattercoaching.com
• Julie's Masterclass: How to Build Mental Fitness - https://jbronsteattercoaching.vids.io/videos/aa9bddb71b1ee2c220/mental-fitness-masterclass

Connect with Brooke:

• ⁠Brooke's Newsletter⁠ -
• Looking for clarity on your next steps? Download my free ⁠Clarity Compass⁠.
• Looking to work with Brooke 1:1? More info ⁠here⁠.
• Connect with me here: ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠Instagram ⁠, YouTube

In this solo episode, I share my own story of leaving corporate...not from burnout or failure, but from a quiet sense that something no longer fit.

I talk about the uncertainty so many people are feeling right now, the thought patterns that keep us stuck longer than necessary, and why clarity doesn’t come from forcing big decisions...it comes from paying attention and taking small steps.

This episode isn’t about quitting your job.
It’s about slowing down enough to hear yourself again, redefining ambition, and giving yourself permission to explore what’s next without rushing or pressure.

If you’ve been feeling unsettled, curious, or quietly questioning your future, this episode is for you.

If you’d like a thoughtful, supported way to explore what’s next, you can learn more about mentoring here.

Connect with Brooke:

• ⁠Brooke's Newsletter⁠ -
• Looking for clarity on your next steps? Download my free ⁠Clarity Compass⁠.
• Looking to work with Brooke 1:1? More info ⁠here⁠.
• Connect with me here: ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠Instagram ⁠, YouTube

In this conversation, Brooke talks with Michelle Burke about her journey of transitioning from a corporate job to entrepreneurship, focusing on the importance of understanding financial health, taxes, and the mindset shifts required for success. Michelle shares her personal story of burnout and the steps she took to establish her own business, Health and Taxes, which aims to empower women business owners. They explore the significance of networking, setting up a business structure, and the importance of professional guidance in navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship.

Connect with Michelle:

• Her website: www.healthandtaxes.net

Connect with Brooke:

• ⁠Brooke's Newsletter⁠ -
• Looking for clarity on your next steps? Download my free ⁠Clarity Compass⁠.
• Looking to work with Brooke 1:1? More info ⁠here⁠.
• Connect with me here: ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠Instagram ⁠

In this episode, Brooke sits down with business coach and process strategist Lisa Klein to talk about what it really looks like to pivot—without shame—and build a business that supports your life. Lisa shares her journey from public accounting and corporate finance into entrepreneurship, plus practical strategies for simplifying your ideas into a clear plan. They also dive into lead magnets: what they are, how to create one that actually converts, and the biggest mistakes to avoid.

Connect with Lisa:

• Looking to work with Lisa? More info here
• Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn

Connect with Brooke:

• ⁠Brooke's Newsletter⁠ -
• Looking for clarity on your next steps? Download my free ⁠Clarity Compass⁠.
• Looking to work with Brooke 1:1? More info ⁠here⁠.
• Connect with me here: ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠Instagram ⁠

Former principal and teacher Renee DeVore joins Brooke to share her journey from burnout in education to building a life and business aligned with her values. They talk about the whispers that tell you something needs to change, the “micro moves” that make a big transition possible, redefining success beyond titles and salary, and why entrepreneurship is as much a mindset journey as it is a career shift. Renee also introduces The Sol School, her new container for people who feel called to leave traditional careers and want support, community, and a real runway into entrepreneurship.

Connect with Renee:

• More info on the Sol School ⁠here⁠
• Download her free resource: ⁠Honest Guide to Building Your First Business⁠
• Follow Renee on ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠

Connect with Brooke:

• ⁠⁠Brooke's Newsletter⁠⁠ -
• Looking for clarity on your next steps? Download my free ⁠⁠Clarity Compass⁠⁠.
• Looking to work with Brooke 1:1? More info ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.
• Connect with me here: ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram

In this episode, Brooke is joined by Amy Schons, former division president turned founder of Modwellship, a modern leadership community for executives and business owners who want to lead ahead without burning out.

After 19 years with one organization, including leading a division through the chaos of COVID, Amy realized she’d lost parts of herself to constant reaction mode. A combination of pandemic pressure, leadership strain, and personal loss pushed her to reevaluate everything: her values, her impact, and the life she wanted next.

Amy talks about what leadership looks like behind the scenes, the moment she knew she needed a coach, the questions she asked herself before leaving corporate, and how she rebuilt her identity while starting her business from zero.

If you’re feeling stuck, stretched thin, or wondering whether you’re meant for something different, this conversation will resonate.

What We Cover:

• Amy’s 19-year corporate journey and rise to division president

• Leading through COVID when the business went to nearly zero overnight

• Losing her sense of self and recognizing the need for outside support

• The personal losses that clarified her priorities

• Key questions she used to decide whether to stay or leave

• Transitioning into entrepreneurship without another job lined up

• Why she created Modwellship and what modern leadership really needs today

Connect with Amy:

• Modwellship Community - Link here
• Connect with Amy on LinkedIn

Connect with Brooke:

• ⁠Brooke's Newsletter⁠ -
• Looking for clarity on your next steps? Download my free ⁠Clarity Compass⁠.
• Looking to work with Brooke 1:1? More info ⁠here⁠.
• Connect with me here: ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠Instagram ⁠

Summary

What happens when the version of success you’ve worked so hard to build no longer fits the life you want?

In this episode, Brooke sits down with Kari Huske, former PwC leader turned business strategist and pricing expert, to talk about the messy middle of leaving corporate life and building a business on your own terms.

Kari shares her story of moving abroad, navigating identity shifts after motherhood, and rediscovering her professional confidence through entrepreneurship. Together, we unpack what it really takes to transition from corporate to solopreneur, how to value your expertise, and why pricing is both math and mindset.

You’ll hear:

• The pivotal moments that led Kari to start her own business

• The emotional and identity shifts that come with leaving corporate life

• Her three-pillar framework for confident pricing

• How to balance ambition with alignment as you grow

If you’ve ever wondered how to translate your corporate skill set into a business that feels meaningful and sustainable, this episode is full of clarity, honesty, and encouragement.

Connect with Kari:

• https://www.kh-strategies.com/
• Check out Kari's Pricing Check-up here
• Connect with Kari on LinkedIn and sign up for her newsletter here

Connect with Brooke:

• ⁠Brooke's Newsletter⁠ -
• Looking for clarity on your next steps? Download my free ⁠Clarity Compass⁠.
• Looking to work with Brooke 1:1? More info ⁠here⁠.
• Connect with me here: ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠Instagram ⁠

In this conversation, Brooke Koeninger and Lucy Regan explore the complexities of navigating life transitions, particularly for women in their 40s and beyond. They discuss the challenges of identity loss, the impact of significant life events on career choices, and the importance of self-discovery and values in finding purpose. Lucy shares her personal journey of overcoming obstacles and emphasizes the power of curiosity, community, and small steps towards change. The conversation highlights the significance of building trust in oneself and the role of visualization in achieving personal growth.

Resources mentioned in the show:

• Becoming friends with our saboteurs that are holding us back - explore what they are for you: ⁠https://www.positiveintelligence.com/saboteurs/⁠
• Defining your life guardrails - getting close and personal to live aligned to your Core Values:  ⁠https://brenebrown.com/resources/dare-to-lead-list-of-values/⁠

Connect with Lucy:

⁠ www.lucyregancoaching.com⁠ and ⁠LinkedIn⁠

Link to Lucy's “From Fear to a Hell Yes” coaching immersion on 11/11 and 11/13.  This 2-hour guided online experience is for women in their 40s–50s who are craving clarity, confidence, and momentum in what’s next but feel scared to make the wrong move, or unsure where to start.  ⁠Link here⁠

Connect with Brooke:

• ⁠Brooke's Newsletter⁠ -
• Looking for clarity on your next steps? Download my free ⁠Clarity Compass⁠.
• Looking to work with Brooke 1:1? More info ⁠here⁠.
• Connect with me here: ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠Instagram ⁠