Changing The Game

Jordan Duren
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Careers

Changing the Game is a podcast that highlights bold, inspiring women who are redefining leadership and carving their own paths across different industries, backgrounds, and life chapters. Hosted by Jordan Duren, each episode dives deep into the stories of female leaders who have navigated transitions, taken risks, and challenged the status quo. From corporate trailblazers to creative entrepreneurs, these women share the real, unfiltered truths behind their journeys—what it took, what they learned, and what they’d tell the next woman ready to rise. If you’re ready to break the mold, own your story, and lead with purpose, this show is for you. -------------------------------------------- About Shift Group: Shift Group bridges the gap between military veterans, former athletes, and the business world through coaching and career upskilling. Our mission is to help these individuals unlock their unique skills and experiences and match them with top-tier companies in need of resilient, coachable, and team-oriented professionals. The Shift Connect platform accelerates learning and streamlines the hiring process by connecting employers with pre-vetted candidates who are ready to excel. Customers reduce hiring time, lower costs, increase growth rates, and improve retention. Shift Group is committed to helping businesses build high-performing teams and supporting veterans and athletes in their career development. Discover how Shift Group can transform your hiring process and unlock the potential of exceptional talent. Visit us at shiftgroup.io to learn more.

  1. Aug 27

    The High Achiever’s Guide to Knowing When It’s Time for a Change | Miranda Holder

    #42: Former elite rower and Division I coach Miranda Holder built much of her identity around pushing harder, competing and succeeding. Then, at 25, a heart condition unexpectedly ended her elite rowing career and forced her to figure out who she was without the sport that had defined so much of her life. In this episode of Changing the Game, Miranda shares her journey from elite rowing to coaching at programs like Georgetown and Northeastern, navigating burnout, and eventually building a new career as an executive coach and founder of Holder Leadership. We talk about why high achievers can do everything “right” and still feel like something is missing, why you can’t always think your way through a major life or career transition, and how learning to listen to your body can help you make better decisions. Miranda also breaks down the science behind nervous system regulation, the difference between intuition and your body simply seeking safety, and practical ways to start building a stronger connection with yourself. In this episode: Losing her athletic career after a heart condition diagnosis at 25Finding an identity beyond being an athleteWhy athletes are so good at pushing through discomfortMiranda’s transition from Division I coaching to executive coachingRecognizing burnout before it forces you to stopWhy doing everything “right” can still leave you feeling unfulfilledHow your body can provide information your analytical brain missesIntuition vs. your nervous system seeking safetyPractical ways to get out of your head and into your bodyLearning to trust yourself during career and life transitionsConnect with Miranda at https://www.holderleadership.com/

  2. Aug 20

    From D1 Athlete to CEO: Redefining High Performance with Kristin Belleson

    #41: Former University of Iowa swimmer Kristin Belleson spent years in a sport where hard work gave her a sense of control over her own results. Then she entered the working world and learned an important lesson that not everyone operates with the same intensity, and you can’t control every outcome. Today, Kristin is the CEO of the National Eczema Association and a longtime leader in mission-driven healthcare organizations. In this episode of Changing the Game, Kristin shares what the transition out of Division I athletics really felt like, how she found a new sense of purpose through her career, and how her definition of high performance has evolved as she’s become a leader. In this episode: Kristin’s journey from Iowa swimming to CEONavigating identity after college athleticsWhy athletes can struggle when everyone around them doesn’t operate at the same intensityLearning to focus on what you can actually controlFinding purpose through mission-driven workHow athletics shaped Kristin’s leadership styleWhy progress over perfection still counts as changing the game

  3. Aug 13

    Winning the Interview, Training for Life: Kylie Casey on the Athlete Career Transition

    #40: Former Virginia Tech softball player Kylie Casey knows what it takes to perform under pressure, whether it's on the field, selling in the OR, or across the table in an interview. After her playing career ended, Kylie moved from coaching and college athletics into medical device sales and recruiting, where she spent years interviewing candidates and helping build high-performing teams.  Now, she's the founder of The Interview Locker Room, helping athletes learn how to confidently tell their story and prepare for what's next. In this episode of Changing the Game, Kylie shares why preparation, self-awareness, and coachability can separate great candidates from the rest and why the skills athletes build through sports can become an advantage long after the game ends. In this episode: Kylie's journey from Virginia Tech softball to medical device sales and recruitingNavigating identity after your athletic career endsThe three qualities Kylie looked for when interviewing candidatesHow athletes can confidently tell their storyWhy interviewing is a skill that needs to be trainedBuilding The Interview Locker RoomHelping high school, college, and professional athletes prepare for their next arenaWhy coachability matters at every stage of your career

  4. Aug 6

    Why Being Wrong Might Be Your Greatest Strength | Stefanie Francis, Founder of Hootology

    #39: Former Division I volleyball player. Art major. NYU professor. Founder. Stefanie Francis has built a career by questioning the way we're taught to think. In this episode of Changing the Game, Stefanie shares why uncertainty can be a strength, how sports taught her to embrace the uncomfortable, and why the best leaders aren't always searching for the "right" answer. From her journey as a D1 athlete at George Washington to coaching, teaching global market research at NYU, and founding Hootology, this conversation explores curiosity, creativity, leadership, and what it really means to build a life that feels authentic. In this episode:  How sports shaped Stefanie's approach to leadership  Why creativity and competition aren't opposites  The problem with "right or wrong" thinking  What teaching at NYU taught her about curiosity  Why founders should embrace uncertainty  Building confidence by questioning assumptions  How to create a life that feels authentic  Why athletes make great entrepreneurs

  5. Jul 30

    How College Athletes Should Prepare for Life After Sports | Carly Kastens (NIL Expert)

    #38: NIL has changed college athletics forever, but according to Carly Kastens, the biggest opportunity isn't just making money. It's using your time as an athlete to figure out who you are beyond the uniform. In this episode of Changing the Game, Jordan sits down with Carly Kastens, former Division I volleyball player at Dartmouth College and Director of College Client Engagement at Altius Sports Partners. Carly has spent the last six years helping universities and student-athletes navigate NIL, revenue sharing, and the rapidly changing landscape of college athletics. Together, they discuss why athletes shouldn't wait until graduation to start building their future, how the skills developed through sports translate into the workplace, and why your story can open unexpected doors. Whether you're a current athlete, former athlete, coach, or simply navigating your own career transition, this conversation is full of practical advice on building an identity that lasts long after the uniform. In this episode:  Carly's journey from Division I volleyball at Dartmouth to Altius Sports Partners  What NIL really is (and what most people misunderstand)  How college athletics is changing behind the scenes  Why internships and networking matter for athletes  The transferable skills employers want from former athletes  How to prepare for life after sports before your career ends  Why your personal story is your biggest competitive advantage

  6. Jul 23

    How Sports Create Elite Problem Solvers | Diane Conklin on Leadership, Resilience, and Business Success

    #37: Former University of Missouri softball player Diane Conklin was part of the first generation of athletes to compete under the NCAA. Since then, she's built and led a multi-million dollar marketing company, coached entrepreneurs around the world, and spent decades helping others solve problems, lead with confidence, and embrace change.  In this episode of Changing the Game, Diane shares why the greatest skill athletes develop isn't just discipline or work ethic. It's problem solving. She explains how that mindset shaped her career, why embracing change builds resilience, and how athletes can confidently forge their own path long after the game ends.  In this episode:  Transitioning from the AIAW to the NCAA  Why athletes are elite problem solvers  Building a multi-million dollar marketing business  How to embrace change with confidence  The mindset behind resilience  Forging your own path despite outside opinions  Diane's Dozen: the lessons sports taught her

  7. Jul 16

    How to Build a Business You Can Actually Walk Away From | Kimberly Wasney

    #36: Most business owners don't start thinking about selling until they're ready to walk away. Kimberly Wasney believes that's already too late. In this episode, Kimberly shares why the best exits are built years in advance, how founders can create businesses that thrive without them, and why your identity matters just as much as your valuation. From helping scale Packed with Purpose from $150K to $9 million as employee number one to co-founding Ripple's Edge Advisors, Kimberly brings a unique perspective on entrepreneurship, leadership, and building companies designed for longevity. In this episode:  Why founders should plan their exit years before selling  The "European Vacation" exercise every business owner should try  Building a business that doesn't depend on you  Scaling from $150K to $9M as employee #1  Why so many founders regret selling their business  Separating your identity from your work  Lessons from sports that translate to entrepreneurshipFollow Kimberly: @Kimberly Wasney on LinkedIn Learn more: Ripple's Edge Advisors

  8. Jul 9

    How High Performers Get Unstuck | Leadership Lessons from National Champion, Madeline Davis Tully

    #35: Former Princeton National Champion rower, Division I coach, and leadership coach Madeline Davis Tully believes confidence isn't something you're born with. It's something you earn through action. In this episode of Changing the Game, Madeline shares what years of competing, coaching championship teams, and now coaching ambitious professionals have taught her about leadership, identity, and sustainable high performance. From navigating life after sport to learning when working harder isn't the answer, this conversation is packed with practical advice for anyone ready to take the next step in their career. In this episode: Why confidence is built through action, not mindsetTransitioning from athlete to professionalLeadership lessons from coaching championship teamsHow to stop feeling stuck in your careerWhy doing less can actually help you achieve moreFinding purpose after sportBuilding a career that's aligned with your valuesWhether you're a former athlete, an emerging leader, or simply someone chasing your next level, this episode will challenge how you think about growth, success, and leadership. Follow Madeline:MDT Leadership: https://www.mdtlead.com/ Substack: https://mdtlead.substack.com/

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Changing the Game is a podcast that highlights bold, inspiring women who are redefining leadership and carving their own paths across different industries, backgrounds, and life chapters. Hosted by Jordan Duren, each episode dives deep into the stories of female leaders who have navigated transitions, taken risks, and challenged the status quo. From corporate trailblazers to creative entrepreneurs, these women share the real, unfiltered truths behind their journeys—what it took, what they learned, and what they’d tell the next woman ready to rise. If you’re ready to break the mold, own your story, and lead with purpose, this show is for you. -------------------------------------------- About Shift Group: Shift Group bridges the gap between military veterans, former athletes, and the business world through coaching and career upskilling. Our mission is to help these individuals unlock their unique skills and experiences and match them with top-tier companies in need of resilient, coachable, and team-oriented professionals. The Shift Connect platform accelerates learning and streamlines the hiring process by connecting employers with pre-vetted candidates who are ready to excel. Customers reduce hiring time, lower costs, increase growth rates, and improve retention. Shift Group is committed to helping businesses build high-performing teams and supporting veterans and athletes in their career development. Discover how Shift Group can transform your hiring process and unlock the potential of exceptional talent. Visit us at shiftgroup.io to learn more.

Information

  • Creator
    Jordan Duren
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    43
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Shift Group
  • Show Website
    Changing The Game