In this conversation, Miriam Simon shares her inspiring journey from a creative child dreaming of working in New York to a successful career in transportation and HR. She discusses the challenges of balancing motherhood with her career, the importance of mentorship, and the transformative power of writing. Miriam reflects on her past traumas and the lessons learned through unlearning negative patterns, emphasizing resilience and self-love. Her story is a testament to the strength of community and the importance of lifting others as we rise.Takeaways

Miriam always dreamed of working in New York, inspired by her childhood.

Her career in transportation led her to HR, showcasing her adaptability.

Balancing motherhood and career was a significant challenge for Miriam.

A pivotal moment for Miriam was realizing the need to unlearn negative patterns.

Trauma from her past shaped her resilience and drive for success.

Survival mode pushed Miriam to prioritize her basic needs and self-care.

Miriam's peak career moment led her to seek new opportunities and growth.

Writing became a therapeutic outlet for Miriam, allowing her to share her story.

Mentorship played a crucial role in Miriam's journey, helping her navigate challenges.

Miriam emphasizes the importance of self-love and resilience in overcoming obstacles.

00:00 Introduction and Host's Personal Reflection

02:32 Introducing Miriam Simon: A Story of Resilience

05:10 Miriam's Early Aspirations and Career Journey

09:51 Challenges and Triumphs in Miriam's Career

15:39 Balancing Motherhood and Career

19:56 Overcoming Personal and Professional Hurdles

32:18 The Turning Point: Prioritizing Self-Care

33:09 Balancing Family and Self: The Struggle of Saying No

33:40 The Weight of Burnout and the Journey to Self-Discovery

34:54 Coaching and Career Transformation

36:20 Reaching the Peak: Career Achievements and Reflections

37:28 Discovering Writing and Embracing Leadership

41:47 The Power of Sharing Your Story

46:47 Overcoming Fear and Embracing Visibility

49:44 Empowering Others and Building Movements

54:08 Reflections and Advice to Younger Self

56:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Ever wonder what it's like to build a tech startup with zero traditional business background? In this episode, we dive deep with Jereme Holiman, a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Urban Stems, who stumbled into the startup world from a fine arts background. Jereme shares his gripping journey from imagining a new floral gifting service with friends to navigating the highs and terrifying lows of running a VC-funded startup. He candidly discusses the humbling experience of failing spectacularly on Valentine's Day and the crucial lessons learned in scaling a business. Whether you're a passionate builder, considering the startup life, or just love a good success story mixed with hard-earned wisdom, this episode is packed with insights on resilience, adaptability, and the true cost of entrepreneurship.

What if you're not riding the highs or drowning in the lows—but just kind of... here? In this minisode, I talk about a feeling I’ve been sitting with lately: something that looks like calm but sometimes feels like avoidance, something that might be peace but also feels a little weird. I’m calling it neutral.

I’ll walk through how it’s been showing up in my life, why it felt so unfamiliar at first, and what I learned when I went down a rabbit hole of psychology, Buddhism, and my own messy reflections. Spoiler: this might actually be growth.

If you’ve ever been in that quiet in-between, where nothing’s “wrong” but everything feels a little off—or maybe just still—this one’s for you.

Entrepreneur and Navy vet David Franklin joins me to talk about grief, burnout, and what happens when purpose and passion start to drift. We dive into career pivots, mindful leadership, building healthtech with meaning, and the hard work of reconnecting with your why—especially after loss.

Michelle Moffitt spent 25 years as a pastor’s wife in a conservative church, doing everything “right” — until the system she trusted told her to repent for telling the truth. The conversation delves into her battle with spiritual disillusionment, burnout, and the complex process of finding her voice after years of living within an oppressive system. Michelle discusses her book 'Cracked Open,' which combines her personal story with scientific methods to help readers overcome limiting beliefs. The episode also touches on the importance of having a supportive personal board of directors and the journey of self-discovery through small, incremental steps.Lessons learned, full show notes, and bonus content at https://maricellaherrera.substack.com/ — subscribe for weekly extras.

It’s been a minute. In this solo minisode, I talk about what it means to feel stuck, to lose momentum, and to find your way back—imperfectly, honestly, and without a grand plan. From burnout and overwhelm to the tiny, radical act of just trying, this is an unfiltered reflection on showing up when everything feels like too much.

Also: shoutout to my inner critic, lovingly nicknamed “brain bitch.”

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 experience lead her to Google—a step she thought would be her redemption, only to find that the path to fulfillment is rarely a straight line.

We explore the difficult balance between wanting to give it your all and knowing when to go, and the emotional turmoil that follows when you decide it’s time to move on. Leah’s story is a powerful reminder to always ask for what you need—and to never let someone else’s opinion dictate your worth.

About Leah Farmer:

Leah Farmer is a professional coach, product leader, and advocate for well-being in the tech industry. With over 25 years of experience working in startups, scale-ups, and big tech, Leah has held executive roles like VP of Product and CPTO. She is now focused on coaching and mentoring leaders and teams to prevent burnout, improve communication, and build better culture for product growth. Leah is passionate about helping individuals thrive, combining her expertise in product management, leadership, and personal development to create lasting impact.

Key Lessons:

* Ask Boldly for What You Need: Leah’s story reminds us that we can’t assume others know what we need. Sometimes, asking is the only way forward.

* Pursue What Lights You Up: Leah’s journey shows us the power of embracing your strengths and actively seeking roles that excite and challenge you.

* Leave on Your Own Terms: Staying until you’ve given it everything can offer closure, but don’t stay so long that it starts breaking you.

* Lead with Humanity: She reminds us that true leadership goes beyond technical skills—connecting with your team on a human level is just as crucial for success.

* Process the Grief: Even if you’re ready to go, leaving a beloved job brings grief. Give yourself space to process it and move on with a clear mind.

Episode Notes:

[00:00] - Introduction and Maricella’s Updates

[04:35] - Early Career Aspirations

[05:24] - Transition to Product Management

[08:12] - Experience at Amazon

[10:44] - Leaving Amazon and Lessons Learned

[14:56] - Chasing Curiosity in Career

[24:00] - Moving to Europe and Klarna

[25:04] - Startup Experience in Berlin

[29:22] - The Breaking Point

[30:33] - Leaving the Boss, Not the Team

[35:27] - The Slow Burn of Decision Making

[37:13] - The Exhaustion Sets In

[41:49] - A Brief Stint at Google

[48:10] - Embracing Coaching

[51:30] - Finding Meaning in Coaching

[55:29] - Advice to My Past Self