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 right solutions for their lives, helping them find relief from anxiety, muscle tension, back pain, insomnia, inflammation, and depression. In this episode of Bucket List Careers, we dive into Lauren’s transformative journey, the power of CBD products and network marketing, and the exhilaration of pursuing a passion-fueled career shift that gives her more time flexibility!

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 vision of a store called The Makers NY that would serve as a hub for creativity in the community. Although she had owned a shop on the West Coast in the past and been featured in publications like Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, and Vogue, at the time of her dream, she had no plans to pursue entrepreneurship again. Listen in to hear all about Andrea’s journey to opening The Makers New York, which spotlights handcrafted fashion pieces with an emphasis on sustainability!

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 recent college grad. Learn more about her program at the link below and use the code A101 for a 20% discount! Listen to her Bucket List Careers episode now!

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. Claudia co-founded Sidekick Concierge to provide an ideal solution for busy professionals with active but aging loved ones who occasionally need support. Sidekicks are not medical aides; they are highly vetted personal assistants who can step in on-demand to help seniors tackle to-do lists, run personal errands, troubleshoot technology and organize paperwork, engage in social and cultural events, and, most importantly, provide cheerful companionship. In this episode, Claudia shares how her personal experiences inspired the creation of her new business, how to transfer valuable skills from previous industries, and what it takes to overcome the fear of failure when starting your own venture in a completely new landscape!

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 business dedicated to enhancing the financial operations of small businesses. In this episode, Jennifer shares her insights on career pivots and discusses her debut book, Align Your Business with the Real You. The book is aimed at individuals seeking to reinvent themselves and offers guidance on finding an authentic fit in their second, third, or even fourth career act!

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 take a bold step and establish Studio50Fitness in Mamaroneck, NY, just before the onset of the pandemic. Originally focused on dynamic group fitness classes like Mega, Hot Barre, Scorch HIIT, and Hot Flow Yoga, the studio has since expanded to include health coaching, weight loss programs, and non-surgical cosmetic and wellness treatments. In this episode, Michelle shares her journey of overcoming the challenges of running a fitness studio during COVID-induced closures and restrictions. She reflects on the valuable insights she has gained about herself along the way and highlights the essential mindset that she believes can lead anyone to cultivate a fulfilling career at any stage of life!

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 uplifting episode sets a positive tone for the year ahead, inviting meaningful self-reflection and growth!

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 created and led hundreds of indoor and outdoor programs, teaching mindfulness to thousands of adults, teens, and children in schools, businesses, and private settings, both locally and nationally. Don't miss this episode of Bucket List Careers, where you’ll discover the powerful story of Cheryl’s “next act” and learn how she successfully made this life-changing leap!

Learn more about Pause To Be Present here:

https://pausetobepresent.com/