Full Circle: Cristal Torres DeHerrera on Service, Leadership, and Coming Home

Full Circle: Cristal Torres DeHerrera on Service, Leadership, and Coming Home

Christy Belz welcomes longtime friend and civic leader Cristal Torres DeHerrera, Chief Operating Officer of the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, for a conversation that spans decades of friendship and a career that defies a straight line. From M&A law to city government to one of the country's busiest airports — and finally, to the zoo that always felt like home — Cristal's story is about returning, again and again, to the values her parents instilled in her. This is a warm, honest conversation about mentorship, courage, and what it looks like to choose your family when it matters most. Listen on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/second-chances-with-christy-belz/id1708890614], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6eYE6yH8wMFz2nWSwGQj5g?si=9cblWVU_TceEaL5-gxyiXQ], Amazon Music [https://q4k0kx5j.r.us-east-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fmusic.amazon.com%2Fpodcasts%2Fea569de0-9686-4674-9632-dc42aa745ad6/1/010001961e085703-d20bfc89-724e-4681-a67c-ddd2c99abaef-000000/XGfuHPvVDUzrn7BwERcDxILpbYw=421], iHeartRadio, [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-second-chances-with-christ-272162560/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@christybelz/shorts] or wherever you get podcasts! Key Takeaways  * Community as a Foundation: Cristal shares how her parents' deep involvement in social justice movements shaped her belief that true success means lifting others, not just yourself.  * The Power of Honest Feedback: She reflects on a pivotal moment at Brownstein where seeking brutal, unfiltered feedback from a mentor completely transformed her career trajectory.  * Mentor, Sponsor, and Board of Directors: Cristal breaks down the three types of advocates every woman needs and explains why each one plays a distinct and irreplaceable role.  * Courage to Leave the Law: She opens up about how stepping away from her legal identity — first for city government, then the airport, then the zoo — required more courage than any career achievement.  * Conservation as Community: Cristal talks about why leading the Denver Zoo feels like a full-circle return to her core values of belonging, equity, and uplifting communities. Connect with Cristal Torres DeHerrera:  Website: https://denverzoo.org/ [https://denverzoo.org/]  Glowing Wild: https://denverzoo.org/events/glowing-wild/ [https://denverzoo.org/events/glowing-wild/]  Email:  Connect with Christy Belz:  Website: https://christybelz.com [https://christybelz.com]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christybelz/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christybelz/]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christybelzcoach/ [https://www.instagram.com/christybelzcoach/]  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristyBelzCoach/ [https://www.facebook.com/ChristyBelzCoach/]

SECOND CHANCES Kami Guildner: What Is Happening Is for Me

What does it look like to lose everything you built — and discover it was actually a gift? Kami Guildner spent over two decades in the oil and gas industry before an unexpected layoff cracked her life open. What followed was a spiritual awakening, a career reinvention, and an unlikely set of teachers: horses. Today she's the founder of the Extraordinary Women Ignite Conference, host of the award-winning Extraordinary Women Radio, and a business coach helping high-achieving women find their voice, their vision, and their next level. In this episode, Kami shares what the corporate world taught her, what the horses showed her, and why the moment everything falls apart might be exactly the moment you've been waiting for. What We Cover * How losing her job of 20+ years became the best gift she never asked for * The spiritual awakening that followed — and how horses became her greatest teachers * What equine-assisted coaching actually looks like, and why it works * How to shift from "this is happening to me" to "this is happening for me" * Why community isn't just a nice-to-have for women entrepreneurs — it's the whole strategy This Week's Guest: Kami Guildner Business coach, storyteller, and founder of the Extraordinary Women Ignite Conference and Extraordinary Women Radio. Cami combines soul and strategy to help women entrepreneurs raise their voices, expand their visibility, and build businesses that actually light them up. https://www.kamiguildner.com [https://www.kamiguildner.com] If This Episode Moved You Share it with a woman who's standing at a crossroads and calling it a crisis. And if you're ready to find your voice and your people, look into what Kami is building — it exists because she refused to let a layoff be the end of her story. Connect with Christy Belz:  Website: https://christybelz.com [https://christybelz.com]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christybelz/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christybelz/]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christybelzcoach/ [https://www.instagram.com/christybelzcoach/]  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristyBelzCoach/ [https://www.facebook.com/ChristyBelzCoach/]

Tania Zeigler on Identity, Leadership, and Second Chances

Christy Belz welcomes executive coach Tania Zeigler of Burn Bright Coaching & Consulting to explore how second chances show up not just in dramatic moments, but in the quiet, everyday choice to realign. Tania shares her journey from growing up Korean-American in small-town Wisconsin to a 17-year career at Kaiser Permanente, surviving a postpartum hemorrhage, and founding her own coaching practice. This is a candid conversation about identity, resilience, and what it means to stay open even when you're afraid. Listen on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/second-chances-with-christy-belz/id1708890614], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6eYE6yH8wMFz2nWSwGQj5g?si=9cblWVU_TceEaL5-gxyiXQ], Amazon Music [https://q4k0kx5j.r.us-east-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fmusic.amazon.com%2Fpodcasts%2Fea569de0-9686-4674-9632-dc42aa745ad6/1/010001961e085703-d20bfc89-724e-4681-a67c-ddd2c99abaef-000000/XGfuHPvVDUzrn7BwERcDxILpbYw=421], iHeartRadio, [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-second-chances-with-christ-272162560/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@christybelz/shorts] or wherever you get podcasts! Key Takeaways  * Belonging as a Universal Need: Growing up as a minority in Wisconsin, Tania's longing to fit in was really a longing to belong — one she eventually learned to embrace.  * Second Chances Are Quiet: Tania reframes them as everyday check-ins — small pauses to ask whether you're in alignment and what you want to choose next.  * Joy and Fear Are Flip Sides: A life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage taught Tania that real courage means staying open even when you're most afraid.  * The Meeting That Changed Everything: A staff meeting that imploded pushed Tania to reset and ask her team to tell her the truth — and every single one of them stayed.  * Good Coaches Do the Work First: Tania believes you can't coach others through what you haven't faced yourself. Connect with Tanie Zeigler:  Website: https://www.burnbrightcoach.com/ [https://www.burnbrightcoach.com/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tania-zeigler [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tania-zeigler]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mythicaltania/ [https://www.instagram.com/mythicaltania/]  Connect with Christy Belz:  Website: https://christybelz.com [https://christybelz.com]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christybelz/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christybelz/]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christybelzcoach/ [https://www.instagram.com/christybelzcoach/]  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristyBelzCoach/ [https://www.facebook.com/ChristyBelzCoach/]

Mental Health in Motion: Nikki Dority’s Real-Life Approach to Bipolar Disorder

Episode Description: Dr. Nikki Dority, a successful entrepreneur, physical therapist, biomechanist, movement specialist, and mother who shares her journey of living with bipolar disorder. Dr. Nikki opens up about her experiences with mania, depression, and the challenges of balancing her personal and professional life.   Show notes: In this episode of the NEW You, Network for Empowering Women podcast, Christy Belz interviews Dr. Nikki Dority, the founder of Nurture, a well-care marketplace rooted in community, dedicated to providing self-care options for all. She shares her journey from growing up in a chaotic household to serving in the army and eventually starting her own businesses. Nikki opens up about her experience with bipolar disorder and how it has shaped her life. She discusses the challenges of managing her mental health while running a business, being a mom, and maintaining relationships. The discussion highlights the importance of prioritization, setting boundaries, and practicing self-care.   Listen in to be inspired and enlightened by Nikki's narrative of determination and empowerment. In this episode, you will learn the following: * Prioritize self-care: the importance of prioritizing self-care and setting boundaries. Say no when necessary and not try to please everyone. Taking care of your own well-being is essential. * Seek support: the importance of having a support network like the value of therapy, having understanding friends and family, and potentially joining support groups.   * Normalize mental health: view mental health challenges as part of their journey and to work towards acceptance and understanding. * Practice open communication: the importance of open communication, both with loved ones and with oneself. Being honest about one's needs and challenges can lead to healthier relationships and a better understanding of oneself. Visit Dr. Nikki Dority’s social media pages LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-nikki-dority-pt-mspt-dpt-ocs-0498b52 [http://linkedin.com/in/dr-nikki-dority-pt-mspt-dpt-ocs-0498b52] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikki_dority/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/nikki_dority/?hl=en] Websites: balanceptdenver.com [http://balanceptdenver.com] and visitnurture.com [http://visitnurture.com] Learn more about Christy Belz Social Communications: Website: https://christybelz.com/ [https://christybelz.com/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristyBelzCoach/ [https://www.facebook.com/ChristyBelzCoach/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christybelzcoach/ [https://www.instagram.com/christybelzcoach/] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christybelz [http://linkedin.com/in/christybelz]

Karen Casey Cortese: The Philanthropy of Showing Up

SECOND CHANCES Karen Casey Cortese: The Philanthropy of Showing Up What does it look like to build a life around purpose — not just talk about it? Casey Cortese grew up in a small town in Wisconsin, found her calling through an international travel and service organization, and went on to lead national philanthropic strategy for one of the country's largest financial firms — engaging over 33,000 employees in meaningful community service along the way. Her answer to that question is grounded and generous: real change happens when we stop writing checks and start showing up. In this episode, Casey shares her concept of immersive philanthropy, what it took to bring that vision inside a major corporation, and why empathy — not strategy — is the real engine of impact. What We Cover * How a small-town Wisconsin girl found her purpose through international travel and community service * What immersive philanthropy actually means — and why it outlasts traditional giving * How Casey engaged 33,000 employees in causes that genuinely moved them * Running marathons on all seven continents in 12 days — and what she was raising money for * Why lifelong learning isn't a buzzword — it's a leadership practice This Week's Guest: Casey Cortese Philanthropic strategist, global adventurer, and former head of national philanthropic strategy at Charles Schwab. Casey has spent her career helping individuals and organizations move from good intentions to genuine impact. www.linkedin.com/in/caseycortese [http://www.linkedin.com/in/caseycortese] If This Episode Moved You Share it with someone who's been waiting for the "right time" to get involved. And if you're leading a team or an organization, ask yourself: are you giving people a real chance to connect with something that matters? Learn more about Christy Belz and Follow Along: Website: https://christybelz.com/ [https://christybelz.com/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristyBelzCoach/ [https://www.facebook.com/ChristyBelzCoach/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christybelzcoach/ [https://www.instagram.com/christybelzcoach/] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christybelz [http://linkedin.com/in/christybelz]