Everything Counts

Advice: Figure out how to hack yourself.

In this episode, we’re closing out Season 2 with our signature advice episode, but with a twist. No listener questions this time. Instead, Kristin and Loren reflect on what’s actually been working lately, from rethinking how we structure our time to reducing decision fatigue and figuring out how to “hack” ourselves in ways that make life feel lighter. Along the way, they break down workplace behaviors (it’s cool or straight to corporate jail), assign chaotic coworker energy to Real Housewives, and revisit some of the best advice from this season’s guests. From inventing your own job to shutting up the voice in your head, it’s a reminder that there’s no single path. But there are patterns, habits, and small shifts that can change everything. It’s part reflection, part chaos, and part practical wisdom. Exactly how we like to end a season. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2547426/fan_mail/new]

Liz: Lift as you climb.

In this episode, Kristin sits down with Liz (she, her), Global Co-Head of Brand Consulting at CAA, to talk about building a career that doesn’t follow a straight line and why that might be the point. From studying sociology and planning to become a social worker, to working a string of unexpected jobs, to eventually leading a global team connecting brands to culture, Liz’s path is a reminder that the most meaningful careers are shaped in ways we couldn’t have predicted. They talk about the importance of understanding people: what they care about, what they value, and how that shapes everything from consumer behavior to leadership. Liz reflects on how growing up with four sisters shaped her perspective and her commitment to “lifting as you climb,” along with honest insights on leading large teams, making decisions about where to show up, and letting go of the idea of perfect balance. At its core, this conversation is about adjusting your sails, trusting that things will come together over time, and remembering that not one chapter, good or bad, defines you. Because in the end, resilience matters more than any title and everything you experience along the way counts. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2547426/fan_mail/new]

Nicole: Rethink ambition.

In this episode, Kristin talks with Nicole—a literature PhD, high school teacher, and maker—about what happens when the life you worked toward doesn’t turn out the way you expected. From growing up in a working-class family where work was about survival, to navigating academia, nonprofits, and ultimately finding her way to teaching, Nicole shares a deeply honest look at ambition, burnout, and redefining success on your own terms. Together, they explore what it means to step off the “expected” path, build a life rooted in stability and creativity, and embrace moments where you’re not striving for more but simply figuring out what feels good. A conversation about detours, healing from survival mode, and why it’s okay to not always be climbing. How to get in touch: * SexyBeastJewelry [https://www.etsy.com/shop/SexyBeastJewelry?ref=shop_profile&listing_id=1502931713] on Etsy Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2547426/fan_mail/new]

Lauren: Stop waiting to be heard.

In this episode, Kristin talks with Lauren (she/her), founder of Hormonally, a nonprofit focused on hormone health education and access. Lauren shares how her work challenges a common assumption: that education alone leads to better health outcomes. In reality, many people still struggle to be heard, often leaving medical spaces feeling dismissed or unsupported. Together, they explore what it actually means to advocate for yourself especially when the system makes that difficult. From “care-seeking fatigue” to the gap between having information and knowing how to use it, this conversation gets honest about the emotional and practical barriers to getting care. Lauren also reflects on her nonlinear path—from personal loss to academia to founding a nonprofit—and why feeling off track might be part of building something meaningful. This episode is a reminder that your voice matters, even when it feels hard to use. And that learning to advocate for yourself is just as important as what you know. How to get in touch: * Hormonally [https://hormonally.org/] * Lauren Redfern [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-redfern-04052213b/] Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2547426/fan_mail/new]

Megan: Get your shit together.

In this episode, Kristin sits down with Megan (she/her), a senior accounting leader whose career has been shaped as much by intuition as it has by strategy. From her degree in fashion merchandising to navigating Big Four accounting and beyond, Megan shares how she’s built a career that blends structure, creativity, and strong instincts. They talk about what it really means to feel off track, the evolution from self-doubt to self-trust, and the importance of finding the right people and environments along the way. The takeaway: not all stuck moments are the same and knowing when to trust the vibes versus when to get your shit together might be the most important skill of all. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2547426/fan_mail/new]