In this episode, Raquel sits down with ICF-certified coach Valerie Friedlander, who helps high-achieving women navigate professional transitions and build meaningful, values-aligned success. Valerie shares how her journey—from growing up Quaker and in a home impacted by alcoholism, to climbing the corporate ladder, becoming a mom, and eventually pivoting into coaching—taught her about agency, discernment, and what it really means to design life on your own terms.

She explains how movement, time in nature, and spiritual practice (rooted in Quaker traditions of silence, waiting on the inner light, and communal discernment) keep her grounded while running a business in a capitalist culture that constantly pushes urgency and scarcity. Valerie also talks about the discomfort and necessity of speaking truth to power: challenging harmful systems in places like public schools, naming problems without being “the problem,” and using privilege to advocate for those with less time, capacity, or safety.

Together, Raquel and Valerie explore non-linear career paths, the tension between visibility and safety (including showing up authentically on platforms like LinkedIn), and how stories, including The Lord of the Rings, shape how we understand agency, community, and courage. Listeners will walk away with grounded reflections and practical invitations around embodiment, community, and creating a more honest relationship with career and self.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit raquelsands.substack.com