Leah Farmer returned from her Christmas break to find herself inexplicably viewed as an outsider—a shift that led her to question her role, her relationships with her colleagues, and what she truly wanted. In this episode, Leah shares her journey from accounting to a successful career  as a product leader at some of the world’s top companies.  In this episode, Leah opens up about the painful realization that it was time to leave a job she loved (sound familiar?). She shares how that...

Do you ever feel that creeping sense of dread on Sunday afternoon, knowing Monday is just around the corner? What if that feeling extended beyond Sundays—what if it filled your whole week? Would you have the courage to walk away, or would you stay, hoping things will improve? My guest today asked herself these very hard questions. In today’s episode, I chat with Suguna Chunduri, a thought leader, advocate, nonprofit founder and generally great human being.  Suguna walked away from a...

Sh*t Curly Hair Is My Canvas In this episode, I sit down with Nicolle Lemonds, an incredibly talented hair colorist known for her expertise in working with curls (even if she doesn't have curls herself). After walking into a curly hair salon almost 14 years ago, Nicolle knew she’d found her calling and never looked back. For Nicolle, her work isn’t about having the same experience as her clients; it’s about understanding the power of individuality and helping others bring out their...

In this minisode, Maricella Herrera reflects on the unexpected lessons she learned from spending a week with her two-year-old nephew. What started as a playful getaway turned into a deeper exploration of the importance of play, imagination, and living in the moment. Maricella challenges the conventional wisdom of what adults should teach children and flips the script—what can we learn from them? Drawing from her own experiences and backed by research on the benefits of play, Maricella invites...

We all have moments when we question the path we’re on, but how do you know when it’s time to take the leap into something entirely different? Is there a downside to turning a passion into a career?  This episode dives into that moment of clarity when you realize it's time to pivot, and what happens when you trust your gut to pursue what truly lights you up. Ken Stanek shares his journey of leaving a stable career in design to embrace his passion for art—despite all the uncertainty that comes...

In this episode, host Maricella Herrera sits down with Lan Phan, a leadership educator and author, who helps us explore the true meaning of success and purpose. Lan's story is a testament to resilience, discovery, and the transformative power of community. She shares insights from her book Do This Daily: Secrets for Finding Success, Happiness, and Purpose in Work and Life, guiding us through the process of identifying and ranking our values, and introducing us to Ikigai—a Japanese concept for...

Quitting your job, starting a business, or making any major life change comes with its fair share of fear and uncertainty. Trust me, I know. As I've been on my journey of self-reflection, one dominant emotion that's continually surfaced is fear. Whether it's fear of failure, fear of being judged, or fear of the unknown, it's something we all face. But how do we manage this fear, and more importantly, how do we distinguish it from that subtle whisper of intuition? In today's episode, I sit...

People say silence is golden, and it can indeed be a powerful tool. But like many tools, it can be used for harm as much as for good. Have you ever felt like you have to dim your light to accommodate others? That you need to hold your tongue to keep the peace? Or that your opinion doesn’t matter, not because it isn’t valid but because nobody will listen? Silence. We’ve learned to silence ourselves and others, intentionally or not. The consequences of silence can be deeply harmful—from...

In this episode, host Maricella Herrera sits down with Lesley Jane Seymour, former editor-in-chief of More Magazine and founder of Covey Club. Lesley shares her journey of reinventing herself after the magazine's closure and her passion for helping women navigate midlife transitions. They discuss the challenges of working in a rapidly changing industry, the importance of having a reinvention plan, and the necessity for women to invest in themselves. Lesley highlights how communities like...

Remember during COVID when everyone kept saying, “Shakespeare wrote King Lear during the plague” or “now’s the time to start that new hobby!”? If you were, like me, more focused on maintaining your sanity rather than creating a masterpiece, those comments might have been a bit annoying but not quite motivating. Lately, I’ve been feeling a bit of déjà vu. Now that I don’t have a job, I keep telling myself that I should be using my time wisely and productively. But what does that even...

Host Maricella Herrera introduces her podcast, 'Sh*t I Just Quit My Job,' where she shares meaningful and inspiring conversations to help navigate career transitions. In this episode, Maricella talks with Jacqueline Oliveira Cella, who shares her 'midlife awakening' journey. Jacqueline, with over 15 years of experience in global health, wealth, and wellbeing sectors, discusses how she realigned her life and career purpose. They cover topics such as imposter syndrome, authenticity in...

In this episode of 'Sh*t I Just Quit My Job?', host Maricella Herrera talks about the emotional and practical aspects of taking a career break. She reflects on her breakiversary and discusses her journey with career coach Katrina McGhee, author of 'Taking a Career Break for Dummies.' Maricella asks listeners to share their own career change stories and emphasizes the importance of community in navigating job transitions. Katrina shares her own experience of leaving corporate life, overcoming...

In this episode of 'Sh*t I Just Quit My Job,' host Maricella Herrera converses with Minette Norman, a leadership coach and consultant, focusing on psychological safety in the workplace. Maricella, who has a deep-rooted passion for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, discusses how leadership and organizational culture are pivotal for fostering environments where employees feel safe to express themselves. Minette shares her extensive 30-year journey in tech, the politics that led her...

Reflecting on a Year-Long Career Break: Insights and Lessons Learned In this special mini-sode, host Maricella Herrera marks her one-year 'Breakiversary' since leaving her job. She shares personal reflections on taking a career break without a clear purpose, the challenges she faced, and the realizations she came to during this period. Maricella explores themes of creativity, joy, and reconnection, and discusses the importance of giving oneself grace and having regular self-check-ins. She...

Entrepreneurship is more than just a career choice; it's a spiritual journey that demands vulnerability, resilience, and a complete shift in mindset. In this episode, I sit down with Deb Boulanger, the inspiring CEO of Life After Corporate and founder of The Launch Lab for Women Entrepreneurs. Together, we dive deep into the emotional and psychological challenges faced by entrepreneurs, particularly women transitioning from corporate life. Deb’s story, takes us from her beginnings as a...

Ever feel like you’re running out of time, or maybe just not using it the best way? That’s been on my mind a lot lately. This week, I sit down with Aubria Ralph, a phenomenal woman whose relationship with time and planning left me both inspired (so much so that I decided to make this one a video) and a bit in awe. Aubria, who has worn many hats from professor to lawyer, and even author of seven children’s books, shares her unique approach to life, planning, and dreaming big. Our conversation...

Ever felt like you wanted to walk away but there was something holding you back? Almost like if you were frozen? In this episode, I chat with Carla Matero, who has navigated a fascinating career journey from academia to government to her own consulting practice. We dive into the challenge of staying too long in situations that don’t serve us and the importance of recognizing when it’s time to move on. Carla’s story highlights how fear and obligation can hold us back, eroding our confidence...

I’ve always considered myself an ambitious person, constantly chasing more recognition, more education, more success. But what happens when you get everything you thought you wanted and it still doesn’t feel right? This past year, I’ve been re-evaluating my relationship with ambition and success, and I’ve found that I’m not alone. In this episode, I sit down with Sheela Subramanian, who landed her dream job in 2020 but realized it wasn’t enough. She embarked on a "year of no," a period of...

Have you ever wondered why, despite ticking off every self-care task on your list, you still feel like you're barely scratching the surface of feeling good? Maybe it’s time to change your self-care routine for a dose of self-compassion. In today’s episode I sit down with Esther Boykin, we dive deep into the transformative power of self-compassion—a vital tool that might just be the missing piece in your mental wellness puzzle. Esther not only defines self-compassion but also breaks down...

Ever found yourself caught in the gap between wanting to act and taking the actual step? You're not alone. This episode tackles that very struggle. After my routine got thrown off a couple of months ago, I’ve been feeling frozen. I was a lot clearer on my goals, but I was stuck in the mud not moving toward them. So, I started asking myself: Why can’t I just get out of my own way? Turns out, fear has been quietly driving a lot of what I do (or don’t do). But what exactly am I scared of? In...

In a world that tells us to walk straight lines, Dr. Elijah Nicholas' story is a powerful testament to the beauty of the paths less trodden. From aspiring lawyer influenced by Malcolm X, through the disciplined ranks of the military, to the embrace of religion and a spiritual life as a trans man, Elijah's journey isn’t one story, but many. This episode isn’t just about one man's transitions; it’s about the transformative power of acceptance—of oneself, by others, and within a community. In...

People say rest is revolutionary, but how often do you take time for yourself? And in the rare case you do stop to take a breath, do you (like me) feel guilty?  The world is rigged for us to do, do and do. We’ve been told that to get ahead we must  aim higher and work harder than anybody else. The problem starts when our health - physical, mental and emotional - suffers from all of this doing.  Enter Erayna Sargent, my guest today.  Erayna is a burnout expert, an author and a speaker. Her...

Ever found yourself behind the wheel of a car that wasn't yours, metaphorically speaking? It's a ride down a road paved with expectations, signposts pointing towards someone else's dreams, and a destination that feels oddly unsatisfying. That's where Mahdi Davenport found himself, in the driver's seat of a life that was more about pleasing his father than fulfilling his own soul's desires. This week, we peel away the layers of societal shoulds and familial expectations to uncover the raw,...

My guest today is Karyn Parsons - author, film producer, and the founder of Sweet Blackberry, an award-winning series of children’s animated films and books sharing stories of unsung black heroes in history.  However, you might know her better as the one and only Hilary Banks, the character she played on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” Karyn's leap from the world of acting to becoming an author and the brains behind Sweet Blackberry wasn't something she'd always planned. And that's exactly...