Kathy's Blog

In How Did I Get Here Episode 102, join me for the career reflections of Debbie Thibault, IT Director with the OIT for the State of Colorado. A journey shaped by being the youngest of three girls and not wanting to be left behind and by an insatiable appetite for learning and building new things.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 101, join me for the career reflections of Lori Dubois, owner & chief storyteller at Marketing Troubadour, LLC. A journey guided by curiosity and learning, driven by a desire to learn things from the ground up.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 100, join me for the career reflections of ME! — Kathy Lawless, life story curator & podcaster. A journey that starts with always saying yes to doing more and taking on more responsibilities, then with experience & wisdom shifts to being more intentional about what’s next.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 99, join me for the career reflections of Jeff Harry, international positive psychology play speaker. A journey inspired by the movie Big with Tom Hanks back when Jeff is in the third grade. Prompting him to start writing to toy companies at that age and through high school, asking about the types of jobs they offer.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 98, join me for the career reflections of Donna Riccardo, speaking power specialist. A journey with dreams and desires for what she wants to do and be, but where fear causes her to freeze and feel stuck.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 97, join me for the career reflections of ClaireYvonne Naisbitt, executive & life coach. As a young person her decisions are based on her heart, gut and what piques her interest & curiosity. Which is how she chooses her college, major and career. A hard worker and determined not to fail, she’s top of her class and receives a premier job opportunity at an oil & gas company resulting in a successful 20-year career.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 96, join me for the career reflections of Helen Young Hayes, founder & CEO of Activate Workforce Solutions PBC. A journey with roots in China and Mississippi, then onto Yale, Wall Street and Colorado. She discovers her love for economics at Yale then takes a research analyst position at an investment firm which leads to a 20-year career retiring as Chief Investment Officer.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 95, join me for the career reflections of Jamie Dandar McKinney, president of Jamie Empowers. A journey that starts with a knowing about wanting to go into business, but uncertain what that really looks like. After college, Jamie’s recruited into the automotive industry, enticed by a company car, phone and management training. Quickly she discovers she’s the youngest employee, and only the third female out of 400, so right away her peers start testing her.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 94, join me for the career reflections of Kelli Hansen, founder of BCC Evolution. A story about turning tragedy into action and making a difference.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 93, join me for the career reflections of Kim Lakin Creger, instructor & facilitator for Darkness to Light the Stewards of Children. After raising her kids, she discovers Darkness to Light the Stewards of Children and finds it helps her in dealing with the abuse she experienced as a young girl and inspires her to help other kids and now her grandchildren stay safe.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 92, join me for the career reflections of Bill Roth, founder of the Basics Team. As a young man he knew he wanted to be a businessman. Whether working for himself delivering two paper routes, mowing lawns, shoveling snow — or working for someone else at the local brickyard, turf farm or driving a truck.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 91, join me as I recap and highlight key characteristics, strengths, ah ha moments and words of wisdom from my last ten interviews Ep. 81-90.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 90, join me for the career reflections of Porcia Chen Silverberg, chief re-inventor and creativity officer. She starts her story with “I was made in Taiwan”, and goes on to talk about immigrating to the United States as a teenager, a defining and impactful event in her life.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 89, join me for the career reflections of Maggie Drucker, chief relationship officer for ProsperBridge & queen of culture for RISE. She’s at her best when managing a half dozen priorities and activities all at once. She discovers this in college and that it’s a theme throughout her life.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 88, join me for the career reflections of Leslie Jones, founder & CEO of SpiralMethod, executive coach and master facilitator. A journey that starts in mental health, left turns into selling computers, then the “ah ha” that she likes selling ideas more that things.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 87, join me for the career reflections of Mel Austin, founder of Squeaky Clean Comedy. A journey that starts in the Marines as a Bulk Fuel Engineer, he then leverages his talents as a “professional passer of gas” to enter the business world, starting as a delivery driver for a propane company where he moves into sales and sales management.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 86, join me for the career reflections of Valerie Recore, productivity specialist. A journey that starts in mental health working with teens, then earns a masters degree in adult learning where she’s introduced to books and concepts about productivity & time management. She’s intrigued, makes productivity her area of expertise and now her business.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 85, join me for the career reflections of Gail Hamilton, motivational speaker and author. A journey about facing fears and overcoming obstacles – blindness, abuse, discrimination, depression, and suicide. Now on the other side of these obstacles, she’s sharing her story to help others see that they too can get to the other side and create and live the life they desire.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 84, join me for the career reflections of Christine Valenzuela, owner of Pearl & Thistle. A journey with themes steeped in music, ministry, motherhood and manifesting opportunities that fit her life while fulfilling her passion to keep learning and growing.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 83, join me for Part Two of the career reflections of Komal Goyal, managing partner at 6e Technologies. Born and raised in India, a defining moment for her as a young woman, is choosing education and a career over the tradition of marriage. Leading to another pivotal decision, counter to the wishes of her mother and the norms of her culture, accepting a job in a city far from her family.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 82, join me for the career reflections of Komal Goyal, managing partner at 6e Technologies. Born and raised in India, her journey is one of perseverance and breaking traditions – cultural, gender and family traditions.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 81, join me for the career reflections of Yolanda Webb, Executive Director of the Office of Adult Aging & Disability Services for the State of Colorado and Principal Advisor at WEBB Advisory Group. A journey guided by a curiosity and passion to understand humanity, regardless of whether she’s working in mental health, state services, or her own businesses.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 80, join me as I recap and highlight key characteristics, strengths, ah ha moments and words of wisdom from the last eleven interviews Ep. 69-79.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 79, join me for the career reflections of Jess Sato, co-founder of 2 Smart Girls. A move from the Midwest to the Middle East at age 10 significantly impacts her outlook on the world and her career. She learns the language, loves the culture and decides she wants to become an international lawyer.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 78, join me for the career reflections of Veronica Munoz, executive director of ACG Denver. Faced with the reality, and sacrifices, to become a professional ballerina, she shifts her sights to her next interests, being academically challenged and international business.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 72, join me for the career reflections of Eleanor Allen, CEO of Water for People. A journey that goes left and right and not necessarily always up and to the right, guided by intuition, adventure and where she can make the biggest impact. Oh, and water!

In How Did I Get Here Episode 71, join me for the career reflections of Jen Coken, executive leadership coach, Fortune 500 speaker and imposter syndrome expert. A journey that starts in politics, crosses into non-profit organizations, with stints in consulting, corporate and stand-up comedy, and now coaching.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 70, join me for the career reflections of Jamie Walsh, ADHD coach. A journey filled with pivots, which may not seem unusual, except that as time goes on the pivots are more frequent and driven by fear and lack of confidence.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 69, join me for the career reflections of Cynthia James, transformational coach, international speaker & best-selling author. A journey with a dream to become an actress and singer — which she achieves — performing in theatre, television & films!

In How Did I Get Here Episode 68, join me as I recap and highlight key characteristics, strengths, ah ha moments and words of wisdom from the last seven interviews.

https://youtu.be/rrwdiLb38YE Curating Career Life Stories: How Did I Get Here? Episode 67 - An interview with Tamara Alexander-Johnson Join me for the career reflections of Tamara Alexander-Johnson, commercial corporate real estate leader. A journey from a rural...

In How Did I Get Here Episode 66, join me for the career reflections of Georgia David, Community Engagement Manager for Water for People. A journey that starts by following her interests in sports and marketing, landing internships and paid roles in high-profile sports organizations and giving her great exposure to for-profit and non-profit organizations.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 65, join me for the career reflections of Russell Kyncl, financial planner and writer. The son of a minister growing up in rural Colorado, his plans for college are more about learning to be a better thinker than preparing for a career.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 64, join me for the career reflections of Susie Wargin, realtor, DJ and sideline reporter. A journey that starts with landing her radio dream job, taking risks and saying yes to new opportunities leading her into television, until one day, when the demands of these dream jobs become too much.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 63, join me for the career reflections of Donna Deteau, Mindset & Success Coach. A “crackpot problem solver” she uses her creativity genes to think outside the box. And to successfully navigate leadership roles in both corporate and non-profit organizations, until she finds that she’s really at home being an entrepreneur.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 62, join me for the career reflections of Michelle McGlade, CEO & founder of Evolutionize Media. A journey of success in whatever field she enters, but that comes with physical distress to her health.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 61, join me for the career reflections of Nancy Sullivan, Chief Energy Officer (CEO) of Transition Points, LLC. She’s also an author, speaker, facilitator and executive coach. Her first memory of public speaking is in the second grade and loving it! While she didn’t know what her career would look like, she knew she wanted to be on stage.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 60, join me in celebrating the one year anniversary of starting this podcast! Whoo hooo! And, celebrating Episode 60 — two major milestones in my podcast journey!

In How Did I Get Here Episode 59, join me for the career story reflections of David Blaha, former executive at American Express now pursuing entrepreneurial and consulting ventures. A 30-year journey that starts in telemarketing because he needs a job, but he then becomes very purposeful about his career moves acquiring the acumen and experience needed to become general manager.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 58, join me for the career story reflections of JC Heinen, Executive Coach & Founder of Jessie’s Heart Foundation. A journey with themes steeped in responsibility, risk taking and intuition.

https://youtu.be/7qdIYzZbd5U Curating Career Life Stories: How Did I Get Here? Episode 57 - An interview with Danyle Dupray Join me for the career story reflections of Danyle Dupray, Digital Marketing Specialist. A journey that starts with a learning disability, that...

In How Did I Get Here Episode 56, join me for the career story reflections of Dr. Debbie O’Reilly, Human & Animal Chiropractor, Acupuncturist & Holistic Healer. Initially her career choices were guided by how fast she could get started. She did not want to go to school for very long because she was ready to get started on her career.

https://youtu.be/Y52dR0GcBH8 Curating Career Life Stories: How Did I Get Here? Episode 55 - An interview with David Harriman Join me for the career story reflections of David Harriman, Independent Home & Auto Insurance Broker. David begins working odd jobs at a...

In How Did I Get Here Episode 54, join me for the career story reflections of Phillip Aronoff, Chief Number Cruncher at By the Numbers B and A. What starts as a part time job in high school working in his mom’s bookkeeping business ends up a lifelong career in accounting.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 53, join me for the career story reflections of Katie Brinkley, Social Media Strategist. As an only child she’s super active, so her parents keep her super busy with sports, horseback riding, acting and modeling. She keeps herself busy by creating a radio show in her bedroom, commercials and all.