Soft skills are having a moment. Or maybe they always deserved one, and it’s about time!

I recently came across a post from Harvard Business Review that stopped me mid-scroll.

Confession: I don’t love being the center of attention. I’m what they apparently now call an otrovert, somewhere between an introvert and extrovert. I also don’t love hearing my own voice (just ask anyone who’s heard my high school documentary voiceover work). And yet…here I am, launching a podcast.

About a year ago, I was convinced AI could never replace one of the most human of roles: supporting others through the messy realities of work and life.

But AI is advancing quickly. Just look at medicine.

Starting over mid-career can feel terrifying. After spending 10, 15, maybe even 20 years building expertise, climbing ladders, and shaping an identity around your work, it’s no small thing to imagine pivoting. I recently read a Forbes article that captured this so well. And, they get into Career Construction Theory, something I wasn't familiar with!

In 2023, I spent time in New Zealand and it’s one of the many places I could see my family living. The natural beauty is undeniable, but what struck me even more was the ease of life. People seemed not just generally, but genuinely, content.

In 2001, I spent two months in Costa Rica doing a Spanish immersion program. I lived with two families, one near San Jose and another in a small beach town, Playa Flamingo.

I’ve never been to Norway, but I’ve long been intrigued by Norway’s culture, natural landscapes, and approach to well-being. There’s just something they seem to get about balance, happiness, and connection that feels harder to hold onto here in the U.S. Especially now, but I digress.

Much like my reflections after Japan, South Korea left me inspired to rethink work, rest, and connection.

I just returned from 3 weeks in Japan + South Korea with my husband and son, and I’m still soaking it all in. This was our second trip to Japan, and once again I was struck by the attention to detail and precision woven into everyday life.

We don’t just choose our work habits (including those that aren't so healthy!). We often inherit them. From past jobs, managers, industries — even our parents and peers — many of the ways we do work aren’t consciously chosen.

Have you ever said yes to something just because you knew you could do it, even when you didn’t have the bandwidth? You’re not alone.

Many of us conflate capability or commitment with capacity. But they’re not the same.

We talk a lot about outcomes and performance when it comes to leadership, but what if we widened the lens?

More and more organizations are starting to measure leadership effectiveness through human-centered metrics like employee engagement, retention, psychological safety, and belonging.
It’s an encouraging shift. But I think we can go even further.

The June Gloom in San Diego has dissipated. Which means summer’s officially here. If you're someone who thrives on structure, momentum, and a to-do list that somehow grows overnight, 1) totally okay, 2) you're not alone, and 3) this is your gentle reminder that urgency culture doesn’t always take a break in June, July, and August.

Is it cliche at this point to say 'AI is here'?

AI isn’t just a glimpse into the future anymore. It’s an integral part of our daily lives. I use it regularly, not just because of my tech background, but because it’s a powerful tool that can truly amplify what we do and how we do it. This includes navigating career pivots.

Have you ever done an exit interview when leaving a job? I've done a few and have mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, it’s great that companies want to hear your story. And if they actually do something with those insights, even better. On the other hand, by the time you're chatting with HR, it's often too late for real change.

Sports are a big part of my family's world. And, honestly, they mirror a lot about how we show up in work and life. A couple of months ago, my son—a competitive tennis player until recently—decided to shift gears and lean seriously into pickleball, with plans to play his first Junior PPA Tour tournament in June.

When I was in college, I thought I had my career perfectly mapped out. International Relations major / Psychology minor → Grad school in Foreign Service → Diplomat for life. Done and done, right?

My son had spring break last week, so we packed up our Chinook camper van (an upgrade from our old 13' Scamp!) and set off for Death Valley National Park. Known for being the hottest place on earth in summer—and totally disconnected year-round—it felt like the perfect place for an off-the-grid adventure.

This Forbes article, "Employee Burnout: The Hidden Threat Costing Companies Millions", popped up in my inbox last week and highlights a growing crisis in the workplace: burnout.

We’ve all seen some version of the “ahhh, it’s Monday” meme. It’s funny…mostly because we’ve all felt it at some point. The “Sunday Scaries” and that Monday morning unease are so common, they’ve basically become a part of our cultural script. But what if they didn’t have to be?