Lauren Tetenbaum has taken on many roles throughout her career - but they all share a common mission: to empower, support, and connect women. Early in her journey, Lauren earned both her Master of Social Work (MSW) and Juris Doctor (JD) degrees simultaneously in her hometown of New York City after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania. As an immigration lawyer, she provided compassionate support to clients escaping persecution, abuse, and trauma. She later shifted her focus to maternal ...
Jun 26, 2025•15 min•Season 2Ep. 170
Whitney Faires is an internationally recognized coach, keynote speaker, and leadership strategist who empowers her clients to overcome obstacles and achieve extraordinary levels of performance with greater fulfillment. She spent 16 years at Intuitive Surgical, where she led global leadership development and helped scale a $2B business line. Now she helps high achievers—especially those ready for something more—pivot into values-aligned leadership roles with clarity and confidence. A leading auth...
Jun 12, 2025•20 min•Season 2Ep. 169
Fitness entrepreneur Brian Mazza founded High Performance Lifestyle Ventures — which offers a powerful 4-day retreat packed with human performance growth in an immersive, team-driven environment. Guests can expect keynote speakers, sunrise yoga & meditation, multiple HIIT classes, and more to help them unlock their full potential and kickstart the next chapter of their life. In this studio episode of Bucket List Careers, Brian shares how he carved his career path, seized every opportunity to...
May 29, 2025•23 min•Season 2Ep. 168
For twenty years, Ali Pearlman worked in the fast-paced world of New York City fashion, using her skills in styling, marketing, and show production with big companies, celebrities, and innovative designers. Then, as a journalist, her thoughtful pieces were featured in The New York Times, New York Daily News, and amNewYork. But it wasn't until 2024 that Ali decided to take her diverse career experiences, love for sustainable practices, and her roots in Los Angeles and start something new. She ope...
May 08, 2025•21 min•Season 2Ep. 167
Betsy Parker is the CEO of Sunny, an innovative nonprofit dedicated to helping people build stronger, more fulfilling relationships. Under her leadership, Sunny’s team of designers, behavioral scientists, content creators and technology experts develop practical, research-backed solutions that help individuals and workplaces feel more connected. Throughout her career, Betsy has been an organization builder, with a track record of scaling new businesses, launching high-growth initiatives, and ele...
Apr 24, 2025•19 min•Season 2Ep. 166
Lauren Magel was an English as a Second Language teacher when the pandemic inspired her to reimagine her career. A devoted mother of three and a five-time NYC Marathon finisher, she turned to CBD products to alleviate muscle recovery and back pain. The relief she experienced shattered her initial skepticism. Today, Lauren is a passionate hemp wellness educator with Green Compass, offering a full line of USDA-certified organic hemp wellness products. She guides individuals in discovering the righ...
Apr 10, 2025•19 min•Season 2Ep. 165
Andrea Moore Beaulieu’s exciting color palate, unique fabrications, and gender-neutral designs are the signature aesthetic for her fashion brand MOORE, which was launched in 2013. Andrea has been sewing her entire life, went to school for Fashion Design, and honed her skillset while working for other brands nationwide. But it was a dream that prompted Andrea to open her storefront in Larchmont, NY in 2024! She was fully occupied as a stay-at-home mom to twins when she awoke one night with a visi...
Mar 27, 2025•17 min•Season 2Ep. 164
Heather Redisch is an adulting expert who spent most of her career in talent management until she saw a blank space. Now, she coaches thousands of rising and recent college grads on job searching, interviewing, and negotiating. After years in executive recruiting, Heather recognized that there is a massive discrepancy between the expectations of recent grads and their employer. So she created her business to help bridge the gap! Heather’s Adulting 101 Masterclass is a valuable resource for any r...
Mar 06, 2025•20 min•Season 2Ep. 163
Claudia Kandel’s professional experience spans various industries and sectors, from small start-ups to established corporate giants. She began her career at the National Endowment for the Arts before moving on to brand management and new product development at General Mills and Kraft Foods. However, her true passion project emerged recently when she teamed up with like-minded former colleagues seeking professional change in a personally meaningful field—navigating care for their aging parents. C...
Feb 20, 2025•16 min•Season 2Ep. 162
Jennifer Musser has navigated a diverse career path, from being a corporate rising star to embracing motherhood and experiencing a layoff. In her latest chapter, she has emerged with what she describes as a new, fresh, and improved version of her professional self! With over twenty years of experience in consulting and corporate finance, working for leading firms like PwC, Kroll, and Marsh & McLennan, Jennifer decided to forge her own path by founding JLM & Associates, a consulting busin...
Feb 06, 2025•18 min•Season 1Ep. 161
Before launching her fitness studio, Michelle Gross dedicated her career to being an operating room nurse in New York City and Greenwich, CT, where she built a strong foundation in health and wellness. But after years of treating patients, Michelle finally discovered her true passion was rooted in prevention, inspiring her to empower individuals to avoid illness altogether! A transformative moment, influenced by her young (and super talented) Broadway star daughter, Leila, compelled Michelle to ...
Jan 23, 2025•16 min•Season 1Ep. 160
Christa opens 2025 with a deeply personal solo episode focused on self-growth! She introduces "The Let Them Theory" from Mel Robbins' inspiring book, encouraging listeners to let go of others' opinions and prioritize what truly matters to them. Sharing her own struggle to balance dreams and family responsibilities, she connects the theory to the show's theme of pursuing professional fulfillment and encourages listeners to free themselves from the burden of controlling external situations. This u...
Jan 09, 2025•12 min•Season 2Ep. 159
Cheryl Brause co-founded Pause To Be Present in Westchester, NY, a premier mindfulness and meditation studio. However, she wasn’t always an entrepreneur! Cheryl spent most of her career as an investment banker with Goldman Sachs and then as a corporate litigator. After a decade of personal practice and training, she decided to pivot her career to focus on something that truly inspires her: teaching the transformative practice of mindfulness meditation! With Pause To Be Present, Cheryl has create...
Dec 12, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 158
Jeremy George, founder of BucketMatch.ai and TEDx speaker, left behind 10+ years working at software and tech companies in sales and business development roles to build something that empowers people to pursue their bucket lists! Jeremy walks us through his transformative journey, including a 52-Week Challenge, his "what a year project", where he completed 52 bucket list items in a year, serving as the foundation for BucketMatch.ai, an online platform that helps individuals pursue their dream go...
Nov 21, 2024•17 min•Season 1Ep. 157
Mary Olson-Menzel's impressive career journey began in TV news, but after several successful transitions, she found her ideal role as an executive coach, entrepreneur, and author of the national bestseller “What Lights You Up?” Mary shares how her new book guides readers in navigating the complexities of the modern world to uncover their professional purpose! With over 30 years of leadership experience across diverse industries, including media, technology, and healthcare, she has collaborated w...
Nov 07, 2024•17 min•Season 2Ep. 156
Aviva Kamander, a seasoned Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and psychotherapist for two decades in New York, discusses her transformative journey from traditional therapy to coaching mission-driven business owners. She shares valuable insights in this episode on overcoming limiting beliefs, staying true to one’s values, and achieving a balanced, fulfilling life. Listen in for inspiration from her perspective on career changes at any stage and her ongoing challenge with self-promotion in he...
Oct 24, 2024•18 min•Season 2Ep. 155
Shani Lynn Sherman is proud co-owner of Locals 10538, a vibrant dining and event space dedicated to fostering a sense of community through its engaging live music performances, private party offerings and the tantalizing, locally-sourced seasonal cuisine crafted by her husband, acclaimed New York chef Peter Sherman. Drawing from her performance experience including notable musical theatre, TV and film roles (not to mention her title of Miss Indiana 1996), Shani's professional journey has seamles...
Oct 10, 2024•29 min•Season 2Ep. 154
Jess Galica has an extensive business background, working in management consulting at Bain & Company and holding positions at Apple, Siemens, and various start-ups. In 2020, she shifted her focus to researching and writing about women's experiences in the workplace, driven by her own journey into motherhood. Drawing from her personal story and research involving over 150 successful women, she has become a leading authority on women's career reinvention. Jessica holds an MBA from MIT's Sloan ...
Sep 26, 2024•19 min•Season 2Ep. 153
The brains behind Su Casa Mezcal and a well-known name in the wine and spirits industry, Joey Angelo had twenty years of sales and marketing experience before his "aha moment" led to the creation of his own unique brand of mezcal, the fastest-growing liquor category in the US. Su Casa Mezcal was born after Joey co-founded the popular canned margarita brand MARGS and served as President/Co-Owner of VIVA XXXII Tequila. Additionally, he was an early investor in Rumble Boxing, a high-profile fitness...
Sep 12, 2024•17 min•Season 2Ep. 152
In this episode, we dive into Jennifer Mullen's inspiring journey from a successful career in education to becoming a holistic health coach. Jennifer shares how she found her true passion in guiding others toward transformative wellness after transitioning from special education and sales for a clean-crafted wine company. She opens up about the bold decision to pursue her calling in integrative health coaching and discusses her experiences with imposter syndrome during her career pivot. This emp...
Aug 15, 2024•18 min•Season 2Ep. 151
In this milestone episode, Christa reflects on the podcast's journey to #150, including recent changes and the transition to in-person recordings at a new studio. She shares insights on embracing a growth mindset, discussing how experimenting, making mistakes, and learning from failures can lead to personal growth and career advancement. From career pivot journeys to embracing new job opportunities, this episode offers actionable takeaways, including the importance of an open mind and willingnes...
Jul 25, 2024•8 min•Season 2Ep. 150
A self-taught local artist and art instructor, Meera Agarwal experienced a turning point in her life after a three month youth expedition to China. She quit her accounting job in Dubai and entered the field of corporate communications in the U.S. Even as she switched gears/countries, her art practice was a source of inspiration and later began pursuing it full-time as a working creative in her hometown of Rye, NY. A passionate instructor, Meera conducts art workshops for children and adults alik...
Jul 11, 2024•14 min•Season 2Ep. 149
Stefanie Schmidt, a lawyer turned clothing designer, was inspired to pivot her career after her mother was diagnosed with cancer, which heightened her awareness of the chemicals in everyday products and foods. When she couldn’t find easily accessible organic children’s clothing for her kids, she had the idea to start her own company. She soon learned that the U.S. lags behind in regulating potentially harmful chemicals in clothing. America only bans 11 chemicals compared to the EU's regulation o...
Jun 27, 2024•20 min•Season 2Ep. 148
Anita Devlin, a recovery advocate, producer, author, and professional organizer, is dedicated to inspiring change through the power of organization. Her business, We Heave Ho, led by an all-female staff, offers in-home services for organization, decluttering, moving management, and occupied staging. By embracing the philosophy that "possessions fill voids, while simplicity creates space to breathe," Anita aims to transform living spaces and positively impact lives. Join Anita as she shares how e...
Jun 20, 2024•20 min•Season 2Ep. 147
Donna Lennox's vision for her company Gear 80 extended beyond reintroducing a line of clutch bags from the 1980s, each adorned with the iconic bubble detail that once made them a fashion essential. Recognizing the emotional resonance the vintage style holds for so many (including herself), Donna is dedicated to transporting her customers back to the memories of their high school days. Drawing from decades of experience in fashion sales, Donna identified an untapped potential in reviving the GEAR...
Jun 13, 2024•18 min•Season 2Ep. 146
After her experience as a nanny, Maggie Pearson spent several years working as a personal chef in Rhode Island, bringing the same level of care to each family she served. It was rewarding to see how her cooking could make a difference in the lives of her clients, and wanted to share it with more. She started preparing meals at home and personally delivering as a way to take on more clients. Despite not doing any marketing, demand for services continued to grow. It became clear that there was a s...
May 16, 2024•23 min•Season 2Ep. 145
Dara Astmann crafted her dream gig as a coach for mothers seeking clarity, confidence, and purpose in their next step, whether it’s returning to the workforce after raising kids, renewing their professional purpose, or embarking on a mid-career pivot. Before she started her business, she spent nearly two decades in media and sales, most recently working for Paramount while being a mother juggling it all, so she relates deeply with her clients who are looking for balance that aligns with their ow...
May 09, 2024•19 min•Season 2Ep. 144
Tamara Witham is a certified financial planner who started her own investment advisory firm, GreenLife Advisors to help people achieve their long-term goals, from saving for their children’s education and weddings to their own retirement. Roughly half of her clients are first-generation Americans and foreign-born permanent residents and the other half are women. In this episode Tamara talks about the fear of making a mistake in her career evolution (she left her well-paying job at a hedge fund t...
May 02, 2024•18 min•Season 2Ep. 143
Lata Hamilton has worked with some of Australia’s biggest companies in various marketing roles but it wasn't until she embraced the move to organizational change management that she tripled her salary in a few years and launched her own training and consulting venture, Passion Pioneers. A seasoned Change Management Consultant, Leadership Trainer, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Practitioner, and Confidence Coach, Lata shares how she is helping women change careers with confidence, earn their ...
Apr 25, 2024•17 min•Season 2Ep. 142
Kristen Larkin spent 16 years as a director and client relationship manager at UBS before making a major professional change. Switching gears from finance to art, she launched her own business, 22KATKRAFTS, which specializes in bespoke hand-painted glassware designs. Kristen also organizes public and private events, creating memorable "paint your own" experiences for her clients filled with artistry and camaraderie. In this episode, the witty and honest Mompreneur, philanthropist, and community ...
Apr 18, 2024•17 min•Season 2Ep. 141
