Liz Christensen Podcasts

Are you feeling trapped in a toxic work environment? You’re not alone. Many women share this sentiment, and it’s time we start talking about it. Join me in discussing the everyday toxic experiences we face at work and their long-term impact on our lives. Then, let’s explore why people stay in these situations and how to leave them. My guest for thi…

Do you ever find yourself struggling to balance work and personal life? As a high-achieving woman leader, you may feel like you’re constantly juggling multiple responsibilities, and sometimes your relationships can suffer. But don’t worry; you’re not alone. This week’s guest on the podcast is Michele Lisenbury Christensen, a master relationship coa…

Do you find yourself constantly working and struggling to make time for self-care? As deadlines approach and distractions abound, taking care of yourself might be the last thing on your mind. But what if I told you that even long-haul truckers had found a way to prioritize their well-being? Meet Hope Zvara, CEO of Mother Trucker Yoga, a company ded…

On this episode, Gary sits down with the 2022 AFCA NAIA National Coach of the Year and the Head Coach of the 2022 NAIA National Champion Raider football team, Matt McCarty. Matt reflects on his team’s successful season and the road to the championship. He’s cultivated a culture of excellence built on trust, mental conditioning, and discipline to do…

Do you think it’s possible to have it all? Do it all? And be everything you want to be? As professional women, we ask these questions ourselves all the time. In this episode, we have a special guest, Dr. Liz DeFinnis, an Alignment Coach who has successfully balanced multiple roles without compromising her priorities. With a Ph.D. in psychology and …

Life transitions can affect our careers in many ways, but few are as challenging as caring for aging parents while managing a responsible corporate position. Many of us may be facing this challenge now or will be soon. In this episode, I chat with Kim & Mike Barnes, award-winning journalists with more than 30 years of experience in TV. While their …

We call this show Tips for the Transition | The Career Roadmap for a reason. Transitions can be complicated and messy and often leave individuals feeling stuck in the middle. However, navigating transitions can be a smooth and successful experience with the right guidance. This show will explore the world of transitions with expert Annemiek van Hel…

For the working moms in our audience or anyone who struggles with work-life balance, I invite you to listen carefully to this conversation with Karen Clark Salinas. Her story will likely strike a chord, and her lessons about work-life balance are powerful. Like many women, motherhood, marriage, chronic illness, divorce, and blended families are all…

In this episode, Leslie welcomes guest Jacob Morgan. Jacob is a best-selling author and one of the world’s leading authorities on leadership, the future of work, and employee experience. He is a highly sought-after keynote speaker and advisor who has worked with organizations such as Microsoft, Disney, Pepsi, Mastercard, and IBM. As a trained futur…

You might notice a trend in our topics in the early part of this season because cultivating leadership qualities and skills are fundamental to our career and life success. Whether we’re leading a company, division, team, family, or ourselves, developing those hard and soft skills is essential. So, today we’ll unwind the narrative that leadership is…

In this episode, we’ll dig into how women can play the corporate game better, leverage our natural abilities and strengths, and use them to our advantage. Plus, we’ll get my guest’s perspective on leadership, and how women have levers they may not pull. My guest is Rochelle Janssens from Brisbane, Australia. Rochelle works with quietly determined c…

As I work with clients and talk with women in my group career roundtables, many are thinking about leaving corporate and becoming an entrepreneur. Having made that leap, I am keenly aware of some of the pitfalls and time suckers we can experience. And I wish I had my next guest to guide me through them. So, for those considering becoming an entrepr…

Do you attach who you are to what you do for a living? When I was laid off from my last corporate gig, I didn’t know who I was for a while because I was no longer a team leader. Sometimes we need to start over and reinvent ourselves. And many women ask, “who am I now that things have changed?” So, I invited my guest to share her story with you. Ave…

Do you ever find decisions challenging to make? Maybe you second-guess yourself and get stuck in decision paralysis. You’re not alone. It can happen to the best of us at any given moment, so I thought it would be a great topic to kick off the new season and the new year. Who doesn’t want to avoid decision paralysis and act with more peace of mind, …

What does success look like to you? Are you frantically running like a hamster? Are you living on autopilot to get through the day? Or, maybe you’re wearing the overwork, overwhelm, and burnout as a badge of honor? Perhaps it’s time we redefine success. Laura Rubin is a reformed hustle bunny, joy seeker, and lover of life. But, after years of ridin…

Have you reached a turning point in your career? Is it time to adjust your direction and reevaluate your vision? They say desperate times call for desperate measures. And my next guest has just the radical idea that might fit the bill for you. Katrina McGhee is a Career Break and Sabbatical Coach - a certified life coach with an MBA - who helps mid…

I’m excited to introduce you to Sarah Walton because you’ll love her energy and enthusiasm. But even better, you’ll want to pay attention to what she’s going to teach us. Do you sometimes notice that you feel tired all over? Your body, your brain, your spirit. Does it feel as if you’ve reached your limit? And do you wonder why that is and why every…

“A gathering is a moment of time that has the potential to alter many other moments of time.” - Priya Parker, The Art of Gathering Jenn David-Lang returns to the podcast, and we’re discussing how to maximize the power and significance of meetings. When most of us plan staff agendas or lessons, we tend to focus more on the logistics (PPTs, refreshme…

Let’s talk about THRIVING! It means different things to different people, so eavesdrop on our conversation and decide what it means to you. Kirsten Beske is a former litigation attorney. But, after the near-death experience of each of her two eldest children, she quit her 14-year law practice and pivoted into psychology. Then, after more than a dec…

Do you have a personal brand? Do you know how to create or improve it? This comes up with clients often, so I’m bringing you an expert on the subject. Along with personal leadership, personal branding can be confusing and a struggle. Sarah Ehlinger was an award-winning Designer, Creative Director & Brand Strategist for billion-dollar companies unti…

This episode is a bit of a departure from our typical conversations about career transition, but we’re going to weave a thread for you to follow and bring you back to it. So, let me ask you a question: what would you do if you felt left out and left behind—like a misfit? My guest felt those things so powerfully that she became radically inclusive a…

What happens when you set a big career goal and make all the sacrifices to achieve it, and something is missing? You find yourself unfulfilled, dissatisfied, and wondering why. My guest, Randi Roberts, has been there, and we’re going to explore the question, “Now What?” Randi and I share very similar backgrounds. She had a successful 30+ year caree…

In this episode, Gary talks with Liz Wiseman, author, researcher, and executive advisor who teaches leadership around the world. We discuss her New York Times best sellers Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter and The Multiplier Effect: Tapping the Genius Inside our Schools, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller, Rookie Smarts: Why L…

Have you ever created a dream or vision board that’s disappointed you that the plans you put on it never materialized? It turns out that your dream board may be narrowing your goals and keeping you from embracing opportunities. My guest, Jenn Trepeck, has been described as a “force of nature” in the wellness space and recognized as one of Podcast M…

Are you a doer? Or a workaholic? Do you feel guilty when you’re not busy accomplishing something? My guest calls herself an action addict, yet she now embraces an idea called authentic inaction. In today’s episode, you may discover what kind of doer you might be and where the obsession with being in constant action can lead. Renée Dineen has her Ma…

As a former educator and principal, Dr. Wilson has taken her years of experience and connections to gather accomplished leaders and practitioners into a community of coaching and support. Dr. Wilson is a certified coach, trainer and speaker on the John Maxwell Team. She is also the CEO and founder of Innovative Strategies Consulting located in Virg…

As a career and life coach, I often hear women say they want to find meaningful work that aligns with their purpose and brings out their passion. But then ask, “so how do I find my purpose and passion?” That’s the million-dollar question! And I love to invite guests on this show to talk about that—because we get great insights and different perspec…

Feeling stuck or limited is an all-too-common experience these days. But, unfortunately, it’s so prevalent among my audience and clients that we’re talking about feeling stuck again. Earlier this season, we talked about moving beyond your upper limits, reaching a ceiling, and being unable to move past it. Today, my guest will share her perspective …

We frequently talk about self-care on this show because busy professional women like us need to hear about it, sometimes more than once, and get different perspectives and approaches. Change can be terrifying, but there are moments in our lives where change is exactly what we need. We’re all different. Our situations are different. And what changes…

In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Joe Sanfelippo, our Leadership in Education Conference keynote speaker. We discuss the upcoming conference and his energizing keynote and breakout session for educators. We also chat about why teachers feel overwhelmed and how we can create value for those around us by leading with intention, connection and dire…

We must strike a delicate balance between career and caregiving, especially when the need arises unexpectedly. And because we must have open and honest discussions at home and work about the impact of caregiving, I invited Kelli Bradley to join us. She has been there and walks the talk. Kelli is the founder and creator of The Devoted Daughter, an o…

Our guest, Dr. Lisa Remy, joins us as the most recently named Executive Director for School Administrators of Iowa. Prior to starting this new leadership role, she served as the Superintendent of the West Des Moines School District where she guided the school’s culture around the slogan: Every Child Every Day. We discuss leadership lessons that inc…

Do you regularly make deposits in your savings account, college fund, or retirement plan? All of these are great practices, but what about investing in your mental and physical well-being? In this podcast episode, certified health coach and licensed professional counselor, Gina Ramirez, guides us through the importance of making daily deposits in o…

"Career Magic" is the key to unlocking a fulfilling and joyful work life, according to best-selling author and expert Patty Lennon. In her book "Make Space For Magic," Patty shares her unique approach of blending brain science and metaphysics to help individuals create their own career magic and turn their dreams into reality. As a keynote speaker,…

Have you ever noticed a repeating pattern in your career or relationships? Are you constantly attracted to toxic situations and not sure why? This could be a result of early trauma affecting your career choices. In this episode, we dive into the topic of trauma and career choices with special guest Stacy Backauskas — known as Staci B. She is an exp…

Not all of you are at the stage of considering the transition into retirement, but I’ll bet you know someone who is. And the kinds of questions that come up for those preparing for the transition into retirement can be very similar to the ones we ask ourselves in a mid-career transition. For instance, Who Am I—now that things are changing? And is t…

This episode welcomes the superintendent of the Cedar Rapids Community School District, the inspiring Noreen Bush. Noreen was named the 2021-2022 Iowa Superintendent of the Year and received the 2021 American Association of School Administrators Women in School Leadership Superintendent Award. Norene has dedicated nearly 30 years to public educatio…

Are you a busy career woman struggling to find the balance between your demanding job, family and caregiving responsibilities, and daily distractions? If so, you're not alone, as many women struggle to achieve work-life balance in today's fast-paced world. That's why I'd like to introduce you to Mridu Parikh, a former professional organizer and fou…

Let's delve into practical strategies for successfully navigating a career transition and making bold moves in both your career and life. Our guest, Gina Casbarro, has a captivating story of personal growth and transformation, leading her to become a certified Life Designer™ coach and feng shui consultant. With her experience, she now helps others …

Join me as I sit down with Tess Zigo to discuss her journey of making a successful career transition. After nearly a decade in corporate finance, Tess knew it was time for a change. She sought the help of a coach and went through a process of discovery that eventually led her to her true calling as a certified financial planner. With her background…

Join me in this episode as I talk about a career transition story of Joanne Kaminski, a former teacher and reading specialist who had to shift gears from teaching to starting her own online business. After going through trial and error, she discovered her next best move and now she is the founder of the Online Tutor Coach, where she empowers other …

In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Roark Horn to help celebrate his recent retirement from School Administrators of Iowa (SAI). He reflects on his robust experience in education, from educator to administrator, and eventually executive director of SAI. We talk about changes in education over the years, advocating for the profession, and leveragin…

Join us today as we introduce you to Megan Smiley, a woman who experienced the feeling of being stuck in her career as a corporate attorney. Her identity and definition of success were closely tied to her profession, but she found herself just going through the motions, asking "Is this all there is?" In this episode, we delve into Megan's journey a…

Do you feel like your job is draining the life out of you? Are you struggling with job dissatisfaction and burnout? You're not alone. In this episode, we're joined by Angela Wilson, a top expert in career transition, coaching, and mentoring. With years of experience helping women navigate unexpected career changes, Angela shares her insights and st…

Guest, Jessica Christensen shares about her vital work as Director of Community Development and Training for Please Pass the Love and a regional trainer for MidAmerica Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network (MHTTC). She helps districts build better systems to support mental health needs and offers educators tangible skill training to supp…

Are you feeling stuck in your career and unsure about your career vision? Do you need to take a step back and reevaluate your direction? In this episode, we’re joined by Katrina McGhee, a Career Break and Sabbatical Coach who helps mid-career women design bold and transformational life breaks to create happier and more fulfilling lives. With an MBA…

Are you a woman in business feeling overwhelmed and tired? Do you feel like you've reached your limit, and nothing seems to work? In this episode, we welcome Sarah Walton, a business mentor and expert in women's empowerment, who shares her knowledge and experience in helping hundreds of women start and grow businesses they love. With her extensive …

In this episode, we explore the powerful topic of finding your voice with Melanie Wood. Melanie shares her personal experiences with fear of using her voice, losing it, and ultimately finding it again. She's now an International Communication & Leadership Speaker and a best-selling author who teaches business leaders how to step up, step out, and l…

In this episode, we feature Anke Menzler, a career coach for women who comes to us from Marbach, Germany. Anke's passion is coaching purposeful and driven women who want to make a significant impact in their chosen professions. Her clients are ambitious, heart-centered, and soul-driven, and she helps them design their careers to live a life full of…

I hope you joined us last week for Part One of my conversation with Dr. Amy Beacom. We talked about the issues and opportunities working parents face when navigating parental leave within their careers. If you haven’t, be sure to check it out. We talked about how states and companies implement parental leave policies—if they even exist—and how comp…