Bucket List Careers

Bleav Life & Leisure
  • 5.0 (67)
  • CAREERS
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Join host Christa Lauri for Bucket List Careers, a podcast that delves into cool jobs with the people who do them, the HOW behind their pivots, and secrets to successfully monetizing doing what you love. Christa was a New York-based news anchor, business show host, and reporter in the field for years. Now she's made her pivot to share stories that will inspire you to identify your purpose, remove roadblocks, and initiate the launch of your Bucket List Career!

  1. 1D AGO

    Ep 185 The "Why Not?" Mindset: How Five Love Larchmont Came to Life with Amy Pepe

    You don't always need a perfect plan to start over career-wise—you just need the courage to ask, 'Why not try?' In this episode, we’re joined by Amy Pepe, the creative force behind Five Love, a unique gift boutique in Larchmont that prioritizes experience and connection. Amy shares her inspiring transition from marketing and graphic design to full-time stay-at-home mom, and the pivotal moment while working at a local flower shop that reignited her professional passion. It’s a candid conversation about the "identity shifts" we experience and the courage it takes to start something new! Key highlights include: The Power of the Pivot: Moving from a career pause back into the workforce and rediscovering your sense of self. Navigating "Mom Guilt": An honest look at the emotional hurdles of building a business while raising a family. The "Why Not?" Mindset: Why you don’t need to have every answer before taking a leap of faith. Building Community: How Amy turned a spark of creativity into a business rooted in local connection. Whether you’re in the middle of a career break or looking for the sign to start your next chapter, this episode is a powerful reminder that it is never too late to rediscover what lights you up!   In this episode, we’re joined by Amy Pepe, the creative force behind Five Love, a unique gift boutique in Larchmont that prioritizes experience and connection. Amy shares her inspiring transition from a career in marketing and graphic design to a full-time stay-at-home mom, and the pivotal moment while working at a local flower shop that reignited her professional passion. It’s a candid conversation about the "identity shifts" we experience and the courage it takes to start something new. Key highlights include: The Power of the Pivot: Moving from a career pause back into the workforce and rediscovering your sense of self. Navigating "Mom Guilt": An honest look at the emotional hurdles of building a business while raising a family. The "Why Not?" Mindset: Why you don’t need to have every answer before taking a leap of faith. Building Community: How Amy turned a spark of creativity into a business rooted in local connection. Whether you’re in the middle of a career break or looking for the sign to start your next chapter, this episode is a powerful reminder that it is never too late to rediscover what lights you up. Would you like me to draft a few catchy titles or show notes for this episode as well? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    17 min

  2. MAR 26

    Ep 184 Blueprints to Briefs: The Birth of Paradis Sport with Sarah Weihman

    After 23 years as an architectural and landscape designer, Sarah Weihman didn't expect a pair of underwear to change her life. But when her go-to activewear brand sacrificed quality for cost, the former D1 athlete realized a glaring gap in the market: most women’s performance underwear is designed by men with little regard for fit or durability. In this episode, Sarah shares how she pivoted from running her own architectural and landscape design practice, to becoming the CEO and Founder of Paradis Sport. Driven by a mission of sustainability and performance, Paradis is the only brand on the market that fit-tests products with elite and professional athletes. Tune in to hear: The Bold Pivot: How Sarah transitioned from a successful 23-year career to a completely new industry. Performance First: Why "good enough" isn’t enough when it comes to women's activewear. Sustainable Innovation: The research behind fiber technology and ethical manufacturing. Community Power: Building a brand for a crew of bold, determined women who refuse to compromise on comfort. Ready to upgrade your activewear? Experience the difference of performance-driven comfort for yourself. Listen to the full episode to grab an exclusive discount code for your first order at ParadisSport.com! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    20 min

  3. MAR 12

    Throwback Episode: From Wall Street to Ear Piercing Innovator, The Louisa Serene Schneider Story

    The idea behind Rowan was born when Louisa Serene Schneider took her teenage nieces to get their ears pierced at the mall and found the experience lacking in both safety and celebration. Determined to fix a broken industry, she created a nationwide brand where ear piercing is treated as a safe medical procedure and a joyful life milestone—performed exclusively by licensed nursing professionals. Rowan has 100 or more ear-piercing studio locations across 33 states in the U.S. as of early 2026. In this episode, Louisa discusses: The Wall Street Pivot: Her transition from a high-powered finance career—covering consumer retail at JP Morgan and trading at Morgan Stanley—to becoming a venture-backed founder. Scaling Through Challenges: How she navigated the pandemic to grow Rowan’s at-home services and eventually expand to over 100 retail studios. Empowering Nurses: Why Rowan’s business model is a game-changer for medical professionals seeking flexible, creative, and empowering alternative career paths. Modern Leadership: Her commitment to maintaining flexible work patterns and a supportive company culture for her entire team.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    23 min

  4. FEB 19

    Ep 182 Grants to Gains: How Margaret Egiziaco's Pivot is Disrupting the Fitness Industry for Moms

    In this episode, Margaret Egiziaco talks leadership, legacy, and the art of the pivot! Before disrupting the fitness industry, Margaret navigated high-stakes government recovery. As Director of the Small Business Recovery Program following Superstorm Sandy, she spearheaded the distribution of $55M in federal HUD-DR funding to New York’s small businesses—proving that impact requires both strategic urgency and a whole lot of heart. Today, she’s channeling that same mission-driven energy into a new frontier: building a fitness community designed specifically for moms! ‍‍️‍️ In this episode, we dive into: The Bold Pivot: Moving from government leadership to entrepreneurial grit. Pressure-Tested Leadership: Lessons learned from managing multi-million dollar disaster recoveries. Purpose-Built Spaces: Why moms deserve a fitness environment that integrates, rather than excludes, their reality. Whether you’re looking to reinvent your career or turn a personal passion into a community movement, Margaret’s story is your blueprint for starting over with purpose! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    15 min

  5. JAN 29

    Ep 181 From Traditional Finance to Values-Driven Entrepreneurship: Rebecca Kushner's Leap of Faith

    Meet Rebecca Kushner, a CPA and Fractional CFO who took the leap from a traditional corporate accounting and finance career to build a business on her own terms. Driven by a desire to marry her financial expertise with her personal values, Rebecca now helps holistic health practitioners and service providers navigate the "scary" side of their business with heart and humanity. Whether you're looking for inspiration for your own career pivot or need a roadmap for your business's financial health, Rebecca shares the substance of how she works. We dive into: Financial Empowerment: How she uses personalized financial strategy to help clients understand their numbers without the overwhelm. Pricing for Profit: Actionable insights on optimizing pricing and capacity so your business supports your life, not the other way around. The "Human" CFO: Why she believes financial decisions should be aligned with your values and long-term vision. The Career Leap: What it really takes to transition from a corporate role to a values-driven entrepreneur.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    16 min

  6. JAN 15

    Ep 180 New Year Intentions: Career Clarity and New Programs with Coach Dara Astmann

    Searching for career clarity in 2026? Career coach Dara Astmann returns to the podcast to discuss navigating career transitions for moms. Drawing from 20 years of experience in media and sales, Dara offers actionable advice on defining your "second act" and building a supportive professional community. Listen in for new year reflections and a first look at her latest coaching programs designed to help you transition with confidence!  As promised in the episode, here's a link to Dara's Career Path Tracker: https://daraastmann.myflodesk.com/tracker The Career Path Tracker helps you stop spinning, keep options open, and move forward with clarity and confidence. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    18 min

  7. 12/18/2025

    Ep 179 When Passion Meets Commitment: The Road to Neverstill Wines with Founder Christy Counts

    What does it take to turn a lifelong love of wine into an actual winemaking career when you don’t know the first thing about making it? Christy Counts, Founder and Owner of Neverstill Wines in Hudson, NY, did exactly that — trading a career in business management and animal welfare advocacy for the uncertain world of winemaking. In this episode, Christy shares the reality of her pivot: the steep learning curve, the moments of doubt, and the patience required to build something meaningful in a tradition-bound industry. From her first days learning the craft to the milestones that made it all worthwhile, her story reveals what it really means to trust yourself and commit to a new path. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late to pursue a passion, this conversation is for you. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    19 min

  8. 12/04/2025

    Throwback Episode: Fashion Design to Stay Home Mom to DJ April Larken

    In this special throwback, Christa highlights one of her all-time favorite guests from the episode that started it all: DJ April Larken. April spent years in the New York City fashion scene before taking a career break to raise her children. After beating cancer, she made a bold pivot in her 40s, enrolling in Scratch Academy to pursue her passion for DJing. Drawing on her background in fashion design and a lifelong love of clubs and music, April now spins vinyl at A-list events throughout the New York and Connecticut. In this episode, she shares her journey of creative reinvention and offers inspiring tips for discovering your purpose at any age. Learn more about DJ April Larken at djaprillarken.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    25 min
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Join host Christa Lauri for Bucket List Careers, a podcast that delves into cool jobs with the people who do them, the HOW behind their pivots, and secrets to successfully monetizing doing what you love. Christa was a New York-based news anchor, business show host, and reporter in the field for years. Now she's made her pivot to share stories that will inspire you to identify your purpose, remove roadblocks, and initiate the launch of your Bucket List Career!

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