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© 2026 Embrace the Squiggle
Description
The podcast where professional women share the real, unfiltered stories behind their career pivots and squiggly journeys. Whether you're contemplating a major career shift, feeling sidelined after a break, or simply questioning "what's next?" when the traditional ladder doesn't exist, this podcast is your career navigation companion.
Hosts Colleen and Kristine bring you weekly conversations with women who've navigated career uncertainty and emerged stronger, offering practical strategies and the permission you need to create your own squiggly path.
Subscribe now to transform your career squiggles from something you endure into something you embrace.
107 Episodes
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Ever had an issue that could be solved by a product, but no product exists? Well, thats exactly what happened to Carrie except she took it on an a problem to solve with a business! Carrie shares her tips on going from initial idea to launching a business. So if you have ever wanted to start a business, or already have an fine tuning your skills, this is a perfect listen! While training for the NYC Marathon in 2007, many people shared the complaint that they needed to wash their hair in the sh...
The new year doesn’t have to mean change. It can mean maintenance or shedding. But for Embrace the Squiggle, of course it means squiggling. This year you’ll notice some big changes for the podcast, with the introduction of 3 new co-hosts in February. So stay tuned to hear about how and why we are squiggling! Join us for to Embrace Your 2026 Squiggle: https://www.maxady.com/workshops Stay in Touch with Your Hosts: Colleen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/comara/Kristine on LinkedIn: ht...
The first thing we get asked when meeting people is often: what do you do for work? But what about: what do you love to do? How do you spend your time? Who are your friends? This episode is all about defining your life outside of your squiggly career! And Jenna is the perfect person to talk to about it. Jenna Anderson is an expert on making friends in the modern age and she shares her advice on TikTok and works as a friendship coach. Jenna shares her career journey from aspiring filmmaker to ...
Did you start your career in something super cool? Like TV or music or art. And now you're just a project manager!? Happens to us because our jobs need to fit our lives. This is exactly what happened to Anna Campbell and if this is relatable, listen on! Anna, a former TV producer turned product manager, shares her unconventional career journey. She started with her childhood aspirations to be an actor, transitioning to TV production, and eventually finding her way into product management. She...
Hospitalized for months without knowing why and soon after changing her whole career, talk about a squiggle! Colleen and Kristine chat with Nicole Nell, also known as DJ Nicki Nell, who shares her journey from a professional dancer to a sought-after DJ and entrepreneur. Despite facing challenges like a severe illness and the COVID-19 pandemic, Nicole successfully pivoted her career, launching Visual Sound Productions which includes divisions for weddings, multimedia, AV production, and talent...
Terrified to post? You're not alone AND you might be overthinking it. Christine Coughlin went from stay-at-home mom to founder of YVR Creatives by doing the thing that scared her: showing up online. She started with a blog about motherhood and identity, and now runs a content agency helping women entrepreneurs find their voice, build community, and grow businesses that actually feel good. This episode is your permission slip to stop perfecting and start posting! Follow Christine: https://www....
What would you do differently if you knew exactly how many Mondays you had left? Jodi Wellman went from corporate leadership to founding "4,000 Mondays" after watching her mother's dreams go unrealized. She shares her insights on living a squander-free life, inspired by her late mother's unfulfilled dreams, and emphasizes the importance of making intentional choices to enrich daily life. The conversation covers practical steps to overcome fear, seize opportunities, and savor the small moments...
In this milestone episode celebrating the 100th installment of Embrace the Squiggle, Kristine and Colleen reflect on recurring themes from hosting this podcast. Colleen shares the story of how her favorite job went to her least favorite after getting a new boss (tale as old as time). Kristine dives into how she guides clients navigating these big career decisions. And they discuss why your dream job may be very possible, you just have to ask. And from the bottom of our hearts: THANK YOU to al...
In episode 99 (!!) of Embrace the Squiggle, Colleen and Kristine welcome Kristie Raymond to discuss her journey - that all started by trying a bunch of stuff out. From launching Models Inc in 90's Boston with only a 1.5 years of professional experience, Kristie shares how her childhood dreams evolved through a diverse career path. On this journey she spotted a massive gap: where's the diversity in media? Enter Humankind – Kristie's company pushing for inclusive casting that actually reflects ...
Hair loss at 15. A twenty-year journey from hiding to helping others. This week's conversation is all about turning personal struggles into powerful purpose! We sat down with the incredible Tami Wong, founder of Hair Loss Pride, whose unexpected path from biotech professional to advocate and coach demonstrates how our biggest challenges can become our most meaningful work. Squiggles You'll Hear: Tami's journey from childhood dreams of becoming an artist and vet to healthcare and biotechHow be...
From NFL Sidelines to Therapy Office... What do professional cheerleading and mental health counseling have in common? More than you might think! This week we dive into the fascinating journey of Hannah LeBeau, who transformed from NFL cheerleader to mental health professional while discovering how these seemingly different worlds actually complement each other perfectly. 🔥 What You'll Hear: Hannah's path from childhood dance dreams to the NFL sidelinesHow growing up in a single-parent h...
Ever wonder what happens when you jump without knowing where you'll land? Kathy Martin is living proof that sometimes the most unexpected career paths lead to the perfect destination! We sat down with Dr. Kathy Martin, President and CEO of Glenmeadow senior living community, whose journey from sports management dreams to nonprofit leadership was anything but linear. What You'll Hear: How Kathy pivoted from personal training to academia to senior living leadershipWhy transferable skills matter...
Those words were never truer than when Kelly Paxton discovered that the most trusted employees (often women with spotless reputations) were quietly embezzling thousands or millions before anyone noticed. Kelly's career reads like a spy thriller! What started in the world of commodities trading led to law enforcement. Soon she's a federal special agent, weapon strapped to her hip, chasing criminals in high-speed pursuits... all while pregnant! But the most fascinating chapter began when Kelly ...
“Who am I when I'm not a teacher?” Our first-ever Part Two is here! We continue Lauretta's story after her difficult decision to leave teaching mid-year. In this episode, Lauretta shares how walking the Camino across Spain became an unexpected path to healing and rediscovery. She opens up about navigating her identity beyond "teacher" and the simple yet profound lessons she found along the way. What You'll Hear: Lauretta's experience walking the historic Camino de SantiagoHow this journey hel...
What happens when the career path you've dreamed about since childhood starts slowly crushing your spirit? This week, we're diving into the first part of our raw conversation with Lauretta Ruppert, whose journey from aspiring singer to passionate teacher to... well, you'll have to listen to find out! What You'll Hear: How Lauretta's childhood dream of being "on stage" transformed into a calling to teachThe beautiful full-circle moment of teaching at her own alma materThe rarely discussed dark...
What if the key to professional success isn't found in external achievements, but in understanding your own inner landscape? This week, we dive deep with Kay Tear, a business psychologist who transformed her own career by turning inward first. From aspiring actress to flight attendant to acclaimed author and coach, Kay's journey reveals how self-awareness becomes your greatest professional superpower. What You'll Hear: - How Kay turned "I'll try this until it's not fun anymore" into a surpr...
Ever felt like motherhood was supposed to put your creative dreams on pause? This episode will flip that narrative on its head! We sat down with the remarkable Tina Games, whose career journey proves that motherhood isn't a detour from your creative path, it can be the catalyst that brings your truest work to life. What You'll Hear: How Tina transformed from aspiring actress to author, coach, and government commissioner through life's twists and turnsThe moment motherhood gave Tina permission...
Okay Squigglers, we're doing something a little different in this episode (cause we are squiggly after all)! After watching Taylor Swift on the New Heights podcast, we couldn't stop thinking about the GENIUS business and life lessons hidden in that conversation. So naturally, we had to break it all down for you! What You'll Hear: How Taylor's master plan to buy back her music is the ultimate negotiation masterclassWhy sharing knowledge is good for allWhy managing your energy (not just your ti...
“You have to say yes to things in order to know what you're gonna say yes and no to.” Colleen and Kristine dive into Anita Costello’s squiggle, from her beginnings influenced by her mother's flair for fashion to discovering her passion in high school. Anita shares her path from studying journalism to transitioning into apparel design. The conversation explores her entrepreneurial journey, the importance of community support, and the development of her own fashion line, Biita. Anita offers ins...
Ever wondered how a creative soul thrives in the world of heavy machinery? This episode is your roadmap! Join us as we chat with the incredible Michele Downie, marketing powerhouse at American Crane and Equipment Corporation, who's smashing stereotypes and making waves in manufacturing. What You'll Hear: Michele's journey from artist to manufacturingHow her creative background became her secret weapon in a technical industryWhy AI tools are her friends for staying ahead of the curveHer refres...
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