Her Next Chapters

Christina Kohl
  • 5.0 (13)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

This podcast is for moms with an empty nest on the horizon who are reclaiming & redefining their identity outside of motherhood, which might include a job search. On this show we’ll have raw conversations about our ever-changing roles as moms, hear from women who restarted their careers, and share tactical tips for a successful job search after a career break. 

  1. 6D AGO

    105. Holiday Networking: How To Talk About Your Career During The Holidays (And Beyond)

    December is often written off as a slow time for job searching, but it’s actually one of the best times of year to network. In this episode of Her Next Chapters, we’re talking about holiday networking and how to talk about your career during the holidays in a way that feels natural, confident, and human. If you’re in a career transition, returning to work after a break, navigating a layoff, or quietly thinking about a job search in 2026, this episode will help you show up to conversations with more clarity and ease. You’ll learn: Why December and the holiday season are a unique opportunity for networkingHow to reframe networking so it doesn’t feel awkward, forced, or transactionalWhat to say when someone asks, “So what are you up to these days?”A simple elevator pitch structure you can use right awayHow referrals work and why networking matters more than online applicationsCommon mistakes to avoid when talking about your job searchHow small, low-pressure asks can lead to warm introductionsThese holiday networking strategies are especially helpful during end-of-year gatherings, but they work any time of year - at school events, community gatherings, volunteer roles, professional associations, and everyday conversations. Whether you’re restarting your career after a break, pivoting into something new, or preparing for a job search in the new year, this episode will help you think about networking as socializing with purpose - during the holidays and beyond.  Want to chat about your career goals? Schedule a free call HERE. Send me an email ---> christina@hernextchapters.com Connect with me on LinkedIn ---> www.linkedin.com/in/kohlchristina Grab the Free Strengths-First Resume Template - it's perfect for anyone in career transition, whether with a long career gap, a layoff, a career pivot, or just ready for a change.

    23 min

  2. DEC 3

    104. Leaving a Six-Figure Job to Start Over: Renee’s Story of Alignment and Purpose

    In this week’s episode of Her Next Chapters, I sit down with mindset coach and former school principal Renee DeVore, whose story is one of the most powerful midlife reinventions I’ve heard yet. After a 25-year career in education — including 16 years as a principal — Renee walked away from her six-figure job, sold everything she owned, and moved to Mexico in search of alignment, authenticity, and a life that actually fit. But her transition wasn’t linear. And it definitely wasn’t easy. In our conversation, Renee opens up about the deeper reasons she entered education, the years of ignoring the whispers that she was on the wrong path, and the panic attack that finally forced her to choose herself. She talks about trying (and failing) to transition into corporate, facing hundreds of rejections, and the moment she realized she had a gift she could build a business around. We walk through every chapter of her evolution — from launching an Etsy shop, to failed partnerships, to retreats, to TikTok growth, to finally creating Sol School, a year-long coaching and community experience for high-achieving women ready to leave burnout behind and design work on their own terms. This episode is a powerful reminder that: Reinvention in midlife is not only possible — it’s normalYour transferable skills can take you further than you thinkPivoting (again and again) is part of the process, not a sign you’re lostTaking action — even small, messy action — is what creates clarityYou don’t have to burn it all down to find your next chapterThe life you actually want might be on the other side of letting go of other people’s expectationsIf you’re a woman navigating a career transition, thinking about entrepreneurship, craving more freedom, or just trying to figure out what’s next after burnout or a career pause, Renee’s story will hit home in all the best ways. Doors to Sol School open December 8. Click HERE to learn more and/or email Renee and follow her on any of her social accounts: Email: renee@yoursoulgrowthjourney.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/coachreneedevore Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@yoursoulgrowthjourney Instagram: www.instagram.com/soulgrowthalchemy Want to chat about your career goals? Schedule a free call HERE. Send me an email ---> christina@hernextchapters.com Connect with me on LinkedIn ---> www.linkedin.com/in/kohlchristina Grab the Free Strengths-First Resume Template - it's perfect for anyone in career transition, whether with a long career gap, a layoff, a career pivot, or just ready for a change.

    52 min

  3. NOV 19

    103. Gratitude, Conversations, and a Thanksgiving That Feels Like You

    As we head into Thanksgiving next week, the holidays can feel full, quiet, joyful, overwhelming, or… a mix of all of the above. In this episode, I’m sharing three simple ways to navigate the holiday with more ease, more intention, and a lot more compassion for yourself. First, I walk you through my 24-hour gratitude practice — a realistic, grounding approach to gratitude that actually works, especially during stressful seasons. Next, we talk holiday conversations: how to avoid the awkward stuff, redirect questions you don’t want to answer, and start meaningful, low-stress conversations around the table. And finally, I’m acknowledging something we don’t talk about enough — not everyone spends Thanksgiving around a big table. If you’re navigating an empty nest, working, spending the holiday alone, or doing it differently this year, I’m sharing ideas to help you feel connected, supported, and grounded. Whether you’re gathering with family, spending the day solo, or still figuring out your plans, this episode will help you move into Thanksgiving with a lighter heart and a clearer head. Want to chat about your career goals? Schedule a free call HERE. Send me an email ---> christina@hernextchapters.com Connect with me on LinkedIn ---> www.linkedin.com/in/kohlchristina Grab the Free Strengths-First Resume Template - it's perfect for anyone in career transition, whether with a long career gap, a layoff, a career pivot, or just ready for a change.

    17 min

  4. NOV 5

    102. Bridge Roles: Smart Steps Between Where You Are and What’s Next in Your Career

    In a year of major layoffs and shifting industries, Christina, a career coach, shares practical job search strategies for navigating transition through bridge roles—including temporary jobs, part-time positions, seasonal work, and volunteer projects. Discover how flexible roles can boost your confidence, refresh your skills, and lead to long-term success. Perfect for women returning to work, midlife career changers, and anyone facing job loss or uncertainty in 2025. Listen for real-life examples, proven resources, and renewed hope for your next chapter. Resources mentioned: Christina's Strengths-First Resume Template Flexjobs - find vetted part-time work options Catch-a-fire - find impactful volunteer opportunities Want to chat about your career goals? Schedule a free call HERE. Send me an email ---> christina@hernextchapters.com Connect with me on LinkedIn ---> www.linkedin.com/in/kohlchristina Grab the Free Strengths-First Resume Template - it's perfect for anyone in career transition, whether with a long career gap, a layoff, a career pivot, or just ready for a change.

    14 min

  5. OCT 22

    101. Asking for Help (and Knowing When to Invest in It)

    If you’ve ever told yourself, “I should be able to figure this out,” this episode is for you. I’ve been there, too—trying to do it all on my own because I can. But sometimes, doing everything ourselves comes at the cost of time, energy, and peace of mind. In this episode, I’m sharing why asking for help can feel so uncomfortable, how to recognize when it’s time to reach out, and how to know when investing in support is actually the smartest move you can make. I’ll walk you through how to spot the moments when going solo is holding you back and how to reframe help as an investment, not an expense. You’ll learn:  ✅ Why we resist asking for help (and the myths we tell ourselves)  ✅ How to recognize when it’s time to stop doing it alone  ✅ What to consider before investing in professional or personal support  ✅ Everyday examples of help we already pay for—without hesitation  ✅ How investing in help can accelerate your progress and peace of mind By the end, you’ll see that asking for help isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom. And sometimes, the best investment you can make… is in yourself. Want to chat about your career goals? Schedule a free call HERE. Send me an email ---> christina@hernextchapters.com Connect with me on LinkedIn ---> www.linkedin.com/in/kohlchristina Grab the Free Strengths-First Resume Template - it's perfect for anyone in career transition, whether with a long career gap, a layoff, a career pivot, or just ready for a change.

    12 min

  6. OCT 8

    100. Imperfect Starts, Real Growth, and What’s Next

    Christina celebrates 100 episodes of Her Next Chapters with a behind-the-scenes story that started in her closet — literally. From recording her first episode six times (and using paper towel rolls for soundproofing!) to finding her voice and confidence behind the mic, this milestone episode is both a celebration and an invitation. Through laughter and reflection, Christina shares what 100 episodes have taught her about starting before you’re ready, taking imperfect action, and embracing every new chapter with courage. Whether you’re launching a dream, reentering the workforce, or simply figuring out what’s next, this episode will remind you that perfection isn’t required — only willingness. For those ready to reset their careers, Christina also shares details about her new Career Reset Accelerator, a 6-week guided program starting October 15. Want to chat about your career goals? Schedule a free call HERE. Send me an email ---> christina@hernextchapters.com Connect with me on LinkedIn ---> www.linkedin.com/in/kohlchristina Grab the Free Strengths-First Resume Template - it's perfect for anyone in career transition, whether with a long career gap, a layoff, a career pivot, or just ready for a change.

    14 min

  7. SEP 24

    99. Permission to Pause

    Sometimes we all need permission to pause. In today’s episode, I open up about a heavy couple of weeks — the kind that stopped my momentum completely. I skipped recording the podcast and sending my newsletter, and for the first time in a long time, I let myself just… stop. And here’s what happened: the world didn’t end. That pause gave me clarity about how I want to move forward — including a big announcement: Her Next Chapters will now release episodes every other Wednesday. This shift gives me more breathing room to work on new projects behind the scenes and to bring you episodes that are thoughtful, intentional, and full of value. If you’ve been feeling the weight of the world lately, this episode is your invitation to take a break too — to step back, breathe, and come back when you’re ready. Want to chat about your career goals? Schedule a free call HERE. Send me an email ---> christina@hernextchapters.com Connect with me on LinkedIn ---> www.linkedin.com/in/kohlchristina Grab the Free Strengths-First Resume Template - it's perfect for anyone in career transition, whether with a long career gap, a layoff, a career pivot, or just ready for a change.

    8 min

  8. SEP 10

    98. Strategic Volunteering – How Unpaid Work Can Jumpstart Your Job Search

    Thinking about returning to work or making a career change? Strategic volunteering might be the most overlooked tool in your job search toolkit. In this episode, Christina shares how the right volunteer opportunities can give you current experience, expand your network, and even strengthen your resume. From boosting confidence to uncovering new career interests, strategic volunteering isn’t just about giving back—it’s about moving forward. You’ll learn how to: Identify volunteer roles that align with your career goalsUse unpaid experience to showcase transferable skills on your resumeBuild relationships that can become valuable referencesExplore platforms like catchafire.org to find meaningful opportunitiesWhether you’re reentering the workforce, pivoting mid-career, or simply exploring your next chapter, this episode will help you see volunteering as more than service—it’s a powerful step toward professional growth. Find volunteer opportunities here: catchafire.org idealist.org unitedway.org Volunteers of America Want to chat about your career goals? Schedule a free call HERE. Send me an email ---> christina@hernextchapters.com Connect with me on LinkedIn ---> www.linkedin.com/in/kohlchristina Grab the Free Strengths-First Resume Template - it's perfect for anyone in career transition, whether with a long career gap, a layoff, a career pivot, or just ready for a change.

    12 min
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5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

This podcast is for moms with an empty nest on the horizon who are reclaiming & redefining their identity outside of motherhood, which might include a job search. On this show we’ll have raw conversations about our ever-changing roles as moms, hear from women who restarted their careers, and share tactical tips for a successful job search after a career break. 

Information

  • Creator
    Christina Kohl
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    105
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Her Next Chapters
  • Show Website
    Her Next Chapters