PR Executive Lisa Woolery: From Writing Dreams to Widowhood—and Back Again

Valerie Smaldone: From #1 New York Radio Host to Feel-Good TV Producer

In conversation with Valerie Smaldone and host Helen Jonsen. Valerie Smaldone is an unforgettable voice behind the micand in front of the camera. She is a 5-time Billboard Magazine Award winner and is well known for her unprecedented success holding the #1 on-air position in the New York radio market. She has hosted, produced and createdseveral nationally syndicated programs featuring in-depth interviews with top recording artists such as Paul McCartney, Celine Dion, Rod Stewart, Elton John and Mariah Carey, among others. She co-founded Just Do Good Entertainment, producingcommunity-minded shows like “Divine Renovation” with Erik Estrada and “Finding Kindness,” plus a family book, while reflecting on caregiving, kindness after 9/11, and staying adaptable amid AI. Valerie’s earlier credits include hosting and producing a nationally syndicated radio program, “America Weekend with Valerie Smaldone…and Friends,” distributed through the Envision Radio Network.  As an actress on stage and screen, Valerie had a featuredrole in “Blue Bloods” on CBS, has been a recurring character in the Fox Television series, “The Following.” Other notable roles include Kara Angelo, a character she created in the play she co-wrote, entitled “Spit it Out!”  She has performed in several acclaimed Off-Broadway plays: “Spalding Gray: Stories Left to Tell” at the Minetta Lane Theatre, “Naked in a Fishbowl”at the Soho Playhouse, “Broadway’s Next Hit Musical” at The Triad, and “Girl Talk: The Musical,” among others. This Episode: 00:00 WhiteboardCareer Hack 00:31 Show Intro andMission 01:27 Meet ValerieSmaldone 02:27 Light FMBreakthrough 04:59 Acting AlongsideRadio 05:46 Leaving Radio in2008 06:54 Coaching andTransferable Skills 09:23 COVID Pivot toProducing 10:59 Thrown IntoDirecting 13:20 DivineRenovation Explained 16:12 More Projectsand Distribution 20:03 Elder Care andLife Balance 22:13 Future Plans andAI 23:47 Why KindnessDrives It All 26:07 Fun Life andBroadway Loves 29:03 FinalReflections and Wrap   RESOURCES https://valeriesmaldone.com/ [https://valeriesmaldone.com/] https://www.justdogoodent.com/ [https://www.justdogoodent.com/]   Producer/Host,TELLY AWARD WINNING NEW SERIES-Finding Kindness Producer/Director,Air Angels: Flight Helene Just Do GOOD Entertainment Presents, Officer Erik and the Very Special Dad-InternationalImpact Book Award winner Executive Producer, TELLY AND DAVEY AWARD WINNING Divine Renovation-The Series,hosted by Erik Estrada Director/ExecutiveProducer, NY FILM AWARD, LA FILM AWARD, ROME PRISMA AWARD WINNING FILM,TheThursday Night Club, featuring Gloria Gaynor www.justdogoodent.com [http://www.justdogoodent.com/]

Christine Koh: From Brain Science to Digital Media and Creative Diplomat

Welcome! This episode feels like sitting down with the smartest, funniest friend at the dinner table — the one who somehow makes you feel calmer and more ambitious at the same time. In this wide-ranging conversation, Christine Koh shares the winding path behind her kaleidoscope career — from music cognition researcher and academic to pioneering blogger, creative director, strategist, podcaster, and trustedadvisor to mission-driven leaders. She reflects on growing up in a Korean immigrant family, navigating a toxic workplace, becoming a mother, and ultimately choosing work that felt creative,meaningful, and deeply human. Along the way, Christine talks about launching Boston Mamas during the early blogging era, helping shape the future of influencer marketing through Women Online, and discovering her unique abilityto guide organizations through difficult conversations and moments of friction. The episode is also filled with joyful sidebars — from baking elaborate cakes and learning tennis in midlife to gardening, activism, parenting teens, and why curiosity may be the greatest career skill of all.   00:00 Curiosity To Campaigns 00:50 Show Introduction 01:46 Meet Christine Koh 02:41 Life Today AndWork 04:07 From Scarcity ToPhD 06:31 Leaving Academia 07:13 Boston MamasBegins 10:08 Making the Leap 12:18 Design BusinessTwist 13:52 Books PodcastsConsulting 16:32 Women OnlineImpact 20:07 Next steps: DiplomatPractice 23:10 Motherhood andMeaning 28:42 Speed Round Fun 34:09 Activism andGiving Back 37:14 Advice for Others   Resources: Where to find Christine https://www.christinekoh.com/ [https://www.christinekoh.com/] Podcast & Substack: Edit Your Life Substack: There’s Always a Story Recommended reading: BOOK Cleo Dang Would Rather Be Dead: A Novel by Mai Nguyen ------------About Your Host Helen Jonsen lives a kaleidoscope career built on decades of experience as a strategic adviser to corporate, nonprofit and public leadership, and a multi-platform journalist and speaker. As a speaker: Helen is available for keynote workshops and firesides on This Kaleidoscope Career, including women’s leadership and empowerment, and on topics to help you strengthen your spoken message and deliver it with confidence. Learn more at [https://helenjonsen.com/engaging-topics] helenjonsen.com [http://helenjonsen.com/] or email helen@helenjonsen.com [helen@helenjonsen.com]. Helen’s new book: This Kaleidoscope Career: Empowering Women to Build Unconventional Careers and Redefine Success will be published by De Gruyter-Brill in September 2026. Listen: In This Kaleidoscope Career podcast [https://www.helenjonsen.com/podcast-1]Helen helps leading women reframe their nonlinear careers across various industries, nonprofits and government, and helps others who aspire to unlock a successful kaleidoscope career. “This Kaleidoscope Career Podcast” is a production of helen jonsen media. [https://helenjonsen.com/] https://www.helenjonsen.com/#this-kaleidoscope-career [https://www.helenjonsen.com/#this-kaleidoscope-career] ---------- Online Course: Command the Room: Develop Your Signature Remarks Toolkit for Leaders Hosted and written by Helen Jonsen in production with GenConnectU and LinkedIn Learning: A practical communication course for leaders who want to speak with clarity, confidence, and impact. Register here [https://genconnect-courses.thinkific.com/courses/Command-the-Room-The-Signature-Remarks-Toolkit-for-Leaders?ref=6311fe] and use discount code: COMMAND15 for 15% off enrollment TKC pod is edited on Descript. Learn more here https://descript.cello.so/u00D6MnPTT0 [https://descript.cello.so/u00D6MnPTT0] Join Innovation Women. Do you want to speak for a living? Join a community of speakers supported by a platform. Learn more here: https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=96435&awinaffid=2281255&ued=https%3A%2F%2Finnovationwomen.com%2Fjoin%2F [https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=96435&awinaffid=2281255&ued=https%3A%2F%2Finnovationwomen.com%2Fjoin%2F] Affiliate Disclosure: This content contains affiliate links. helen jonsen media will receive a small commission at no cost to you.

PR Executive Lisa Woolery: From Writing Dreams to Widowhood—and Back Again

On this episode, Helen Jonsen sits down with writer, public relations expert, and self-described California Girl, Lisa Woolery, to talk about her “kaleidoscope career.” From teaching middle school English in SoCal to shaping messages in politics, public service, and corporate PR, Lisa built a life around words—until life rewrote the script. After relocating her family to Kansas for a quieter life, Lisa’s husband, Eric, died suddenly just months later. What followed was a season of grief, survival, and, eventually, a return to the creative work that had always been calling her. Lisa shares howloss led her back to writing—through her memoir The Widow’s Comeback, a daily grief calendar, and a growing community for widows—while opening the door to a new chapter as a literary consultant and novelist. It’s a conversation about resilience and reframing, and what it means to find your voice again when everything changes.   00:00 Writing Through Grief 02:03 Early Dreams and Teaching 03:12 Politics and Public Service 05:20 City PR to Corporate Offices 09:39 Family Pressures and Leaving Work 12:27 Moving to Kansas and Finding Voice 15:00 Dream Interrupted 16:46 Adoption and Building a Family 20:09 The Day Eric Died 23:07 Memoir Spark and Purpose 25:33 Sponsor Break 25:56 Publishing TheWidows Comeback 28:05 Workbooks andWidow Community 32:38 Literary Coachingand New Fiction 37:21 Kids Update andResilience 40:49 Life Now and Closing Reflections   Thanks to our sponsor: Support for This Kaleidoscope Career comes from Divine Asset Management, a woman-ownedfirm advising individuals, families, and business owners on long-term strategies that align wealth with values.Explore more at WorkWithDivine.com   About Helen Jonsen & This Kaleidoscope Career Helen Jonsen lives a kaleidoscope career built on decades of experience as a strategic adviser to corporate, nonprofit and public leadership, and a multi-platform journalist in front of the camera and behind the scenes. Helen is available as a keynote or workshop leader on This Kaleidoscope Career, and on topics to help you strengthen your spoken message to deliver it with confidence. Learn moreat [https://helenjonsen.com/engaging-topics] helenjonsen.com [http://helenjonsen.com/] or email helen@helenjonsen.com [helen@helenjonsen.com].   Helen’s new book: This Kaleidoscope Career: Empowering Women to Build Unconventional Careers and Redefine Success will be published byDeGruyter-Brill in September 2026. Listen:In This Kaleidoscope Career podcast [https://www.helenjonsen.com/podcast-1]Helen helps leading women reframe their nonlinear careers across various industries, nonprofits and government,and helps others who aspire to unlock a successful kaleidoscope career. “This Kaleidoscope Career Podcast” is a production of helen jonsen media. [https://helenjonsen.com/] https://www.helenjonsen.com/#this-kaleidoscope-career [https://www.helenjonsen.com/#this-kaleidoscope-career]   ---------- Online Course: Command the Room: Develop Your Signature Remarks Toolkit for LeadersHosted and written by Helen Jonsen in production with GenConnectU andLinkedIn Learning: A practical communication course for leaders who want tospeak with clarity, confidence, and impact. Register here [https://genconnect-courses.thinkific.com/courses/Command-the-Room-The-Signature-Remarks-Toolkit-for-Leaders?ref=6311fe] and usediscount code: COMMAND15 for 15% off enrollment   TKCpod is edited on Descript. Learn more here https://descript.cello.so/u00D6MnPTT0 [https://descript.cello.so/u00D6MnPTT0]   JoinInnovation Women. Do you want to speak for a living? Join a community ofspeakers supported by a platform. Learn more here: https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=96435&awinaffid=2281255&ued=https%3A%2F%2Finnovationwomen.com%2Fjoin%2F [https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=96435&awinaffid=2281255&ued=https%3A%2F%2Finnovationwomen.com%2Fjoin%2F]   AffiliateDisclosure: This content contains affiliate links.helen jonsen media will receive a small commission at no cost to you.

Meet Liz Dolan: From Nike to Satellite Sisters & Lizness School!

Host Helen Jonsen welcomes marketing executive and radio/podcasting pioneer Liz Dolan, known for co-creating Satellite Sisters and for CMO roles at Nike, the Oprah Winfrey Network, and National Geographic. Liz describes her current multi-project life in Santa Monica, including work with Oregon Sports Angels, an investment group, a nonprofit program training young people for sports journalism, and her podcast The Lizness School. As a working woman throughout her career, she has made her home in New York, Oregon and Los Angeles. 01:56 Liz Today 06:11 Brown to NYC 08:30 Nike Leap 11:28 Satellite Sisters Origin Story 20:44 Community Legacy 24:09 From Oprah to Nat Geo 27:43 Sexism and Workplace Dynamics 29:50 Early Podcast Sponsorship Lessons 31:49 Stanford 3rd/Third Reset 34:36 Cohort Community Reflections 35:57 Launching Lizness School podcast 39:10 Health Habits and Speed Round 44:16 Olympics Gigs and Career Advice Resources & Stuff We talked about: Liz on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-dolan-1b90584/ Satellite Sisters https://satellitesisters.com/ LIZNESS SCHOOL podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/17EfCHxnfXRLVEQ97tGLQv The Magic Boost (nonprofit) https://www.themagicboost.com/ Oregon Sports Angels (Investing) https://oregonsportsangels.org/ Co-Author:  You’re the Best  https://bookshop.org/shop/liandolan [https://bookshop.org/shop/liandolan] Satellite Sisters' Uncommon Senses [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8981646-satellite-sisters-uncommon-senses] What’s Liz reading: Flesh [https://www.google.com/search?q=Flesh&oq=Booker+Prize+Flesh&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCggAEAAY4wIYgAQyCggAEAAY4wIYgAQyBwgBEC4YgAQyBwgCEAAYgAQyBwgDEAAYgAQyCAgEEAAYFhgeMggIBRAAGBYYHjIICAYQABgWGB4yCAgHEAAYFhgeMggICBAAGBYYHjIICAkQABgWGB7SAQg0NTEwajBqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&ved=2ahUKEwi37rTE6YSUAxUsGFkFHfD8JCoQgK4QegYIAQgAEAY] by David Szalay [https://www.google.com/search?q=David+Szalay&oq=Booker+Prize+Flesh&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCggAEAAY4wIYgAQyCggAEAAY4wIYgAQyBwgBEC4YgAQyBwgCEAAYgAQyBwgDEAAYgAQyCAgEEAAYFhgeMggIBRAAGBYYHjIICAYQABgWGB4yCAgHEAAYFhgeMggICBAAGBYYHjIICAkQABgWGB7SAQg0NTEwajBqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&ved=2ahUKEwi37rTE6YSUAxUsGFkFHfD8JCoQgK4QegYIAQgAEAc] ----- About This Kaleidoscope Career Hosted by Helen Jonsen, journalist, strategic advisor, author, and speaker. The Kaleidoscope Career is a production of helen jonsen media. Learn more at thiskaleidoscopecareer.com https://linktr.ee/kaleidoscope.career.podcast?utm_source=linktree_ [https://linktr.ee/kaleidoscope.career.podcast?utm_source=linktree_] Support for This Kaleidoscope Career comes from Divine Asset Management, a woman-owned firm advising individuals, families, and business owners on long-term strategies that align wealth with values. Explore more at WorkWithDivine.com --- This Kaleidoscope Career celebrates women who twist and turn their skills, talents, passions, and experiences to create new and brilliant iterations of their careers. We meet women across sectors and industries, including some in C-suites, on stage, in medicine, consulting, advocacy, nonprofits, and entrepreneurship. Each of their stories is unique, and each one is inspirational. Helen’s book, This Kaleidoscope Career: Empowering Women to Build Unconventional Careers and Redefine Success, published September 2026 by global publisher De Gruyter-Brill. -- Invite Helen to be a guest speaker at your next event, conference , bookstore, library or book club! helen@helenjonsen.com https://www.helenjonsen.com/#this-kaleidoscope-career If you'd like to be a guest, apply here  https://forms.gle/KK7rrX5WaNTwJ3Qf7 [https://forms.gle/KK7rrX5WaNTwJ3Qf7] MORE TO LEARN! Command the Room: Develop Your Signature Remarks Toolkit for Leaders Check this out: An online course from Helen Jonsen in production with GenConnectU and LinkedIn Learning: A practical communication course for leaders who want to speak with clarity, confidence, and impact. Register here [https://genconnect-courses.thinkific.com/courses/Command-the-Room-The-Signature-Remarks-Toolkit-for-Leaders?ref=6311fe] and use discount code: COMMAND15 for 15% off enrollment ----- TKC pod is edited on Descript. Learn more here https://descript.cello.so/u00D6MnPTT0 [https://descript.cello.so/u00D6MnPTT0] ----- Join Innovation Women. Do you want to speak for a living? Join a community of speakers supported by a platform. Learn more here: https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=96435&awinaffid=2281255&ued=https%3A%2F%2Finnovationwomen.com%2Fjoin%2F [https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=96435&awinaffid=2281255&ued=https%3A%2F%2Finnovationwomen.com%2Fjoin%2F]  ----------- Affiliate Disclosure: This content contains affiliate links. helen jonsen media will receive a small commission at no cost to you. #thiskaleidoscopecareer #StrongWomenLead #leadership #careers

Meet Nicole R. Ferrera Superwoman & Commercialization Queen

About This Episode Nicole R. Ferrera has spent more than two decades at the intersection of media, advertising, and technology — and she has seen this industry from nearly every angle. She started as a media buyer at the major holding companies (WPP, IPG,Omnicom), moved to the publisher side at Viacom, helping offset linear television decline through digital revenue, and then worked in ad tech building solutions that work for both buyers and sellers. But Nicole's story doesn't live only inside the professional world. In this conversation, she opens up about a life-altering accident in college, a burnout that brought her to a breaking point during the pandemic, a late ADHD diagnosis that reframed decades of her life, a cross-country move from New York City toColorado — and the businesses she has built since, on her own terms and her own values. In this episode:Nicole's Early path The accident that changed her life The grad school of media Buyer-seller-builder Ethics in the start-up world Burnout big time Move from NYC to Colorado Her ADHD diagnosis The Superwoman Society and ADHD Aligned On being a mom first What's next? Resources & Links Mentioned * ADHDAligned.com — Nicole's new research-backed platform for women navigating ADHD at work and at home (launching soon) * Superwoman Society — Nicole's global mentorship network for women with ADHD; join as a mentor or mentee * NRFMedia.com — Nicole's media and advertising consultancy * CureSearch for Children's Cancer — curesearch.org [https://curesearch.org/] — funding the bridge between early-stage and late-stage pediatric cancer research * Innovation Women — Speaker network https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=96435&awinaffid=2281255&ued=https%3A%2F%2Finnovationwomen.com%2Fjoin%2F [https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=96435&awinaffid=2281255&ued=https%3A%2F%2Finnovationwomen.com%2Fjoin%2F] * ADDCA — The ADD Coach Academy, where Nicole completed her ADHD coaching training About This Kaleidoscope Career Hosted by Helen Jonsen, journalist, strategic advisor,author, and speaker. The Kaleidoscope Career is a production of helen jonsenmedia. Learn more at thiskaleidoscopecareer.com --- This Kaleidoscope Career celebrates women who twist and turntheir skills, talents, passions, and experiences to create new and brilliant iterations of their careers. We meet women across sectors and industries, including somein C-suites, on stage, in medicine, consulting, advocacy, nonprofits, and entrepreneurship. Each of their stories is unique, and each one is inspirational. Helen’s book, This Kaleidoscope Career: Empowering Women to Build Unconventional Careers and Redefine Success, will be published in September 2026 by global publisher De Gruyter-Brill. -- Invite Helen to be a guest speaker at your next event, conference , book store, library or book club! helen@helenjonsen.com https://www.helenjonsen.com/#this-kaleidoscope-career MORE TO LEARN! Command the Room: Develop Your Signature Remarks Toolkit forLeaders Check this out: An online course from Helen Jonsen inproduction with GenConnectU and LinkedIn Learning: A practical communication course for leaders who want tospeak with clarity, confidence, and impact. Learn to craft your SignatureRegister here [https://genconnect-courses.thinkific.com/courses/Command-the-Room-The-Signature-Remarks-Toolkit-for-Leaders?ref=6311fe] and usediscount code: COMMAND15 for 15% off enrollment TKC pod is edited on Descript. Learn more here https://descript.cello.so/u00D6MnPTT0 [https://descript.cello.so/u00D6MnPTT0] Join Innovation Women. Do you want to speak for a living?Join a community of speakers supported by a platform. Learn more here https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=96435&awinaffid=2281255&ued=https%3A%2F%2Finnovationwomen.com%2Fjoin%2F [https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=96435&awinaffid=2281255&ued=https%3A%2F%2Finnovationwomen.com%2Fjoin%2F]   Affiliate Disclosure: This content contains affiliate links. helen jonsenmedia will receive a small commission at no cost to you.