In this episode, Jennifer Kok sits down with Grand Rapids icon, author, and “hope dealer” Shannon Cohen for a conversation that feels like both a leadership masterclass and a deep exhale. Shannon shares the threads that shaped her, from being the kid who noticed the “visibly invisible,” to watching her grandparents use business as a catalyst for social good, to an unexpected career pivot after 9/11 that ultimately led her into entrepreneurship. Together, they discuss leading in the “brave middle,” why every idea is worthy and how to recognize when you’re in a season of inflection, where change isn’t just happening, it’s transforming you. Topic 1: Shannon shares the early “threads” that have always been part of who she is: encouragement, noticing who’s left out, and a deep desire to help people thrive. She also reflects on her grandparents,business owners and “gap fillers”, and how watching them use entrepreneurship for social good planted seeds she didn’t recognize until later. Topic 2: The leap into entrepreneurship and the moment 9/11 changed everything. Shannon shares the unexpected pivot that happened when a job offer was rescinded right after 9/11, how volunteering led to meaningful work, and how grad school sparked her vision for consulting. Topic 3: The “brave middle,” seasons of inflection, and the power of necessary endings This is the heart of the episode: why leaders can be “winning at work and losing in their soul,” what an inflection season really means (possibility + promise + pain), and how to recognize when it’s time to prune, release, or shift systems. Shannon also shares how she protects her energy using family as a litmus test and her vision for 2026. Meet Our Guest: Shannon Cohen is the founder and CEO of Shannon Cohen, Inc., where she develops emotional intelligence, equity, and wellness experiences for organizations and leaders. Shannon speaks “into” the lives of leaders, helping high performers sustain impact without losing themselves in the process. She is the creator of the Rockstar Woman movement and an inspirational product brand, and she is the author of It’s Normal to Shake as You Soar and Tough Skin, Soft Heart. Website: shannoncohen.com Rockstar Woman: rockstar-woman.com Necessary Endings, by Dr. Henry Cloud https://amzn.to/4qwG8o3 Tough Skin, Soft Heart by Shannon Cohen https://amzn.to/48MicW8 About the Host: Jennifer Kok is an entrepreneur, business coach, and founder of Next Wave Business Coaching. Through her Earn More…Stress Less™ framework, she helps women entrepreneurs build profitable, sustainable businesses with smarter strategy, stronger systems, and more freedom. https://nextwavebusinesscoaching.com Business Accelerator Group 90 Day Profitable Client Blueprint Instagram: LinkedIn: YouTube: You’ve Built a Business You’re Proud Of -But It’s Time for It to Work for You. You’re still wearing all the hats, working long hours, and not paying yourself what you deserve. You know there’s more possible. More profit, more clarity, and more freedom to enjoy the life you’re building. The Earn More Stress Less 9-Pillar Blueprint helps women entrepreneurs with families create profitable businesses that finally pay them back.
