Step into the Pivot

Theresa Conti & Ivana Polonijo
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Welcome to Step into the Pivot where your hosts Ivana and Theresa talk to people just like you. We will have honest conversations with our guests about issues they have faced, how they had to pivot to address them and lessons learned that you can apply to your life.

  1. Nina Greenberg: Lucky By Design

    APR 24

    Nina Greenberg: Lucky By Design

    You can spot the moment someone stops treating money as a mystery and starts using it as a tool, and that’s exactly what unfolds in our conversation with Nina Greenberg on Step Into the Pivot. Nina shares how early financial awareness, shaped by her parents, led her to save and build a life within her means, rather than chasing one beyond it.  A defining pivot came when she left academia in her early 30s and grounded herself in three core values, creating, helping others grow, and solving problems, which guided her into a more aligned career path.  Along the way, she highlights the importance of financial literacy, especially for women, intentional living, and the courage to make changes without needing certainty about the long term. Her perspective is simple and freeing: you do not need to commit forever, just for the next year. The result is a powerful reminder that meaningful change comes from aligning your life with your values, trusting both yourself and the right experts, and having the courage to move when something no longer fits.  If this helps you, subscribe, share the episode with a friend who’s mid-pivot, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. Guest Bio: Every job, and none of them, led Nina to her career in healthcare advertising. As a junior lab tech, she spent a summer inoculating petri dishes with human, er, effluents. Next up? A whole lot of school, and a decade as an English professor, guiding young minds though classes like Feminist Readings of Race and The Body…and the (seriously scatological) Canterbury Tales.  It’s been a lifetime of cocktail party conversation killers…and purpose-driven work, ensuring that people get access to the healthcare they need. Still, the most joy has come from helping businesses and colleagues, especially those from non-dominant cultures, rise and meet their potential.  Today, Nina’s retired, happily exploring the people, art, food, and places in the world—and her hometown of NYC—that she only got brief glimpses of during her corporate era. She’s doubled down on causes that move her, like ensuring girls come into their power through menstrual health education via Zana Africa. And executive coaching folks from non-dominant cultures here at home.  Above all, Nina only needs 3 things: a problem to solve, a story to tell, and talented people to help thrive. Killer. Connect with Nina:  LinkedIn Connect with Theresa and Ivana: Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

    28 min
  2. Hannah Austin: Hello Head, Meet Heart

    APR 10

    Hannah Austin: Hello Head, Meet Heart

    Our guest Hannah Austin takes us back to the moment she collapsed, the private spiral that followed, and the brutal clarity of realizing that the career she built for 20 years no longer served her mental health, her emotional health, or her life. Hannah shares the core insight behind her book Hello Head Meet Heart, including the gap so many women feel between the “capable leader” everyone sees and the scared, exhausted person living behind the scenes. Subscribe for more real pivot stories, share this with someone who’s running on empty, and leave a review with the one belief about success you’re ready to let go of. Guest Bio: Hi, I'm Hannah!  I am an international speaker, best-selling author, and podcast host with over 25 years of leadership experience.  I offer speaking and consultative services on the topics of: leadership, resilience, mental health and wellness strategies in the workplace. Connect with Hannah:  LinkedIn Hello Head, Meet Heart Connect with Theresa and Ivana: Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

    29 min
  3. Heather Fox: From Collapse To Capacity

    MAR 27

    Heather Fox: From Collapse To Capacity

    What if the moment everything falls apart is the moment you finally meet yourself? We sit down with our friend Heather Fox to trace a raw, luminous journey from a “perfect on paper” life through divorce, identity collapse, and fear into sovereignty, capacity, and a quieter kind of power that lasts. Heather opens up about rebuilding from zero, no money, few friends, a new space with slamming doors, and the unlikely gratitude practice that carried her through: saying thank you with every layer of her old life shed.  This conversation is a guide for anyone rebuilding after loss or choosing a pivot on purpose. If you’re ready to trade success on paper for sovereignty in practice, to hold more life without burning out, and to live inside your day instead of racing past it, press play and join us. If this resonated, subscribe, share with a friend who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest now what moment. Guest Bio: Hi! I’m Heather. I’ve played many roles in the corporate world, spoken on global stages, owned various businesses, but what I really do is create a ridiculously safe space for human souls to evolve and transform, which is slightly amazing! I am obsessed with creating a safe space for you to be human - let it all flow…the tears, the fears, the joy, the laughter, the humor. We peel back the layers, beliefs, societal norms, and clear the interferences so you can discover your soulful path. My super power is letting you be your most human self, showing you how freakin’ beautiful and amazing that is, and then igniting and rejuvenating your soul. I’ve been most accurately and consistently described as blend of James Bond and Mary Poppins - a fun mix of intellect and intuition with a dollop of loving discipline and angelic magic. To keep it simple. I love people. I see your souls. I feel your pain. I know your power. I see you. I hear you. I am ready to rock this limitless world with you. Connect with Heather:  LinkedIn Connect with Theresa and Ivana: Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

    35 min
  4. Kim McVicker: Raising Ruby - Part 2

    MAR 13

    Kim McVicker: Raising Ruby - Part 2

    This episode covers extremely sensitive topics, including grief and death. Listener discretion is advised. Please prioritize your well-being while listening. Kim shares the lived reality of becoming a grandmother guardian after the sudden loss of her daughter. Raising Ruby means carrying grief and love at the same time, navigating invisible labor, chronic stress, and an identity that does not fit neatly into legal language. Guest Bio: Kim McVicker, National Partner Account Manager at Human Interest, supports key distribution partners at the corporate level. Her responsibilities include developing initiatives to drive mutual business growth, fostering engagement between wholesalers and financial professionals, and advocating for her partners within Human Interest. She previously spent more than 30 years with Principal Financial Group. Kim has worked in the financial services industry for nearly 35 years, with a sole focus on the retirement plan market, proving to all that childhood dreams sometimes do come true. Connect with Kim:  LinkedIn Connect with Theresa and Ivana: Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

    30 min
  5. Kim McVicker: Raising Ruby - Part 1

    FEB 27

    Kim McVicker: Raising Ruby - Part 1

    This episode covers extremely sensitive topics, including grief and death. Listener discretion is advised. Please prioritize your well-being while listening. Kim shares the lived reality of becoming a grandmother guardian after the sudden loss of her daughter. Raising Ruby means carrying grief and love at the same time, navigating invisible labor, chronic stress, and an identity that does not fit neatly into legal language. Guest Bio: Kim McVicker, National Partner Account Manager at Human Interest, supports key distribution partners at the corporate level. Her responsibilities include developing initiatives to drive mutual business growth, fostering engagement between wholesalers and financial professionals, and advocating for her partners within Human Interest. She previously spent more than 30 years with Principal Financial Group. Kim has worked in the financial services industry for nearly 35 years, with a sole focus on the retirement plan market, proving to all that childhood dreams sometimes do come true. Connect with Kim:  LinkedIn Connect with Theresa and Ivana: Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

    29 min
  6. Kevin Husted: The Courage to Be Seen

    FEB 13

    Kevin Husted: The Courage to Be Seen

    Kevin Husted’s story unfolds at the intersection of career risk and personal truth. After being abruptly dismissed from a nonprofit for being outed, Kevin faced the pressure to keep providing for his family while deciding how much of himself to bring to work. He shares how finding alignment in senior healthcare allowed skill, humanity, and presence to work together, and why coming out is not a single moment but an ongoing practice.  Guest Bio: Kevin Husted is the President and Owner of Advisor Health Benefits Group, a trusted insurance agency serving individuals, families, and small businesses across Washington. With nearly 30 years of experience in health insurance, Medicare coverage, and the Washington Health Benefit Exchange, Kevin has helped thousands of clients evaluate their options and enroll in plans that meet their needs and budgets. Kevin is known for providing clear, honest guidance in a space that can often feel overwhelming. Whether you are exploring new health insurance coverage, renewing an existing plan, or preparing to transition to Medicare, Kevin makes the process simple and stress-free. Connect with Kevin:  LinkedIn Connect with Theresa and Ivana: Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

    26 min
  7. Ilana Morris: Learning Health the Hard Way

    JAN 30

    Ilana Morris: Learning Health the Hard Way

    A rare cancer diagnosis at twenty five forced Ilana into uncertainty and hard choices she never planned for. What emerged was a grounded way forward built on specificity, supportive systems, and boundaries that protect energy.  Guest Bio: Ilana Morris is a systems and operations strategist and fractional COO who helps purpose driven entrepreneurs and organizations streamline operations and scale sustainably. With over a decade of experience in school operations, data management, executive support, and business systems, Ilana specializes in building workflows, automations, and teams that reduce chaos and create clarity. A cancer survivor and queer professional, Ilana brings empathy, strategic thinking, and sharp problem-solving skills to every engagement, helping leaders grow their businesses without burnout. Connect with Ilana: LinkedIn Connect with Theresa and Ivana: Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

    32 min
  8. Matt Mosich: Outgrowing the Life You Built

    JAN 16

    Matt Mosich: Outgrowing the Life You Built

    What happens when you achieve the life you worked hard to build and realize it no longer fits? Matt shares the moment he passed the CFP, looked at a future of safety and respect, and felt only boredom. That realization sparked a different kind of certainty, one rooted in agency, self trust, and the courage to become a beginner again. Guest Bio: Matt Mosich is an executive communication and speaker coach who helps leaders transform how they show up in high-pressure conversations — on stage, in investor meetings, and in the media. His work sits at the intersection of storytelling, psychology, and performance, helping senior executives and frontline leaders turn complex ideas into simple, human messages that earn trust and inspire action. After nearly a decade in wealth management, Matt founded The Mosich Group to follow a conviction he’s held since he was 21: our communication defines our reputation. That belief – simple but often overlooked – still fuels his work with CEOs, founders, and keynote speakers across wealth, banking, and digital assets, helping them lead with clarity, conviction, and calm under pressure. A frequent speaker on storytelling, executive presence, and the neuroscience of influence, Matt has worked with audiences ranging from emerging leaders to public company executives. His talks challenge leaders to see communication as a competitive advantage – and storytelling as the most underused leadership tool in business today. Connect with Matt: LinkedIn Connect with Theresa and Ivana: Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

    33 min
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5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Welcome to Step into the Pivot where your hosts Ivana and Theresa talk to people just like you. We will have honest conversations with our guests about issues they have faced, how they had to pivot to address them and lessons learned that you can apply to your life.

Information

  • Creator
    Theresa Conti & Ivana Polonijo
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    77
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Step into the Pivot
  • Show Website
    Step into the Pivot