Bucket List Careers

Melina Maresca built her career in corporate law and divorce litigation, then stepped away to raise her three kids. When she came back to full-time work, she came back differently: founding Maresca Mediation around work that fits her values and her life. Christa Lauri talks with Melina about trading adversarial litigation for solutions that work for families: why mediation can be a better option than divorce court, more focused on children, and often far less expensive. It's a conversation about choosing work that matters to you, even when it means rethinking the exact career you trained for. Key topics Melina explains why her early divorce litigation career felt exciting at first, especially in Manhattan with high-profile clients, but became less appealing after returning as a mother. Melina describes the biggest frustrations with divorce litigation, including children being used as leverage, constant emergencies, and the lack of control over outcomes. She tells the story of a client who settled through mediation before a scheduled meeting, which became the turning point that pushed her toward mediation. She breaks down the key difference between advocacy and mediation, noting that mediators must unlearn the instinct to represent one side and instead help both people reach their own agreement. She emphasizes that a strong divorce mediator often benefits from litigation experience because knowing what could happen in court helps guide clients realistically. Melina explains why mediation is usually better for children, since it can keep them out of court and reduce the emotional fallout of custody disputes. She notes that mediation can help former partners rebuild communication, which is especially important when they will remain co-parents long after the divorce is finalized. She shares that mediation is typically far less expensive than full litigation, or even resolving a case through attorneys outside of court. She reflects on her own pivot advice: take small steps, do not expect perfection, and ask for help from people in the field. Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction to Melina Maresca and her pivot from divorce litigator to mediator 01:04 - The subway novel that made divorce law feel more meaningful 02:25 - Leaving practice to raise children after roughly five and a half years in litigation 03:26 - Returning to law after 16 years away and realizing litigation no longer fit 06:21 - The client mediation story that changed her direction 08:02 - Why mediation requires unlearning the advocate mindset 10:59 - How litigation affects children and why mediation is different 12:03 - Co-parenting, communication, and why divorce does not end the relationship when kids are involved 15:19 - Keeping children out of court and bringing in parenting experts when needed 16:37 - Why self-crafted solutions can be more workable for families 17:41 - Seeing former spouses begin communicating again outside mediation sessions 19:25 - Why Melina believes mediation is the better fit for most cases 20:13 - Mediation as a lower-cost alternative to litigation 21:30 - Advice for career pivoting: small steps over reinvention 22:44 - Progress over perfection and why asking for help matters 23:52 - Where to find Mareska Mediation and the services Melina offers 24:20 - Melina on building her own social media presence one step at a time Where to find Melina Website: https://marescamediation.com/about Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if exhaustion, brain fog, and persistent health symptoms were a reason to pause and listen—not just push through? This conversation follows national board-certified health and wellness coach Jen Dorf’s "pivot path" from a high-pressure career and entrepreneurship to coaching, sparked by her own health struggles. Christa and Jen also unpack how limiting beliefs, self-talk, and old patterns can block change—even when someone knows what to do! Jen shares practical insights into health coaching, radical self-compassion, and the RAIN framework for working through difficulties. This episode is for anyone feeling stuck in health or career patterns and looking for a more grounded next step! In this episode The thread connecting Jen’s career in hospitality, entrepreneurship, and coaching How motherhood, business, and health challenges contributed to overwhelm Why Jen began exploring anti-inflammatory foods and mindfulness How coaching helped her identify limiting beliefs and build consistency What health coaching looks like—and how it supports client agency The role of neuroplasticity and small, repeated steps in changing habits How radical acceptance and self-compassion can help when you feel stuck Jen’s RAIN practice for responding to difficult emotions Timestamps 00:00 — Jen’s health challenges and the pivot into coaching 01:09 — The thread connecting hotels, restaurants, and service 02:35 — Motherhood, overwhelm, and life before the pivot 04:12 — Searching for answers to persistent symptoms 05:07 — Exploring food as anti-inflammatory support 06:21 — Why new habits still needed support 07:33 — Presence, care, and deeper healing 08:43 — Fear, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome 10:31 — Neuroplasticity and building new patterns 11:28 — What health coaching looks like 12:26 — Clarity, values, and getting off autopilot 13:30 — Radical acceptance and self-compassion 14:39 — The RAIN framework 16:56 — Sitting with discomfort and letting emotions pass 17:28 — Jen’s community work and where to find her RAIN practice Recognize what is happening. Allow the feeling to be there without immediately trying to fix it. Investigate what you notice in your body. Nurture yourself with care and compassion Website: jendorfwellness.com Social: @jendorfwellnesscoaching Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Before Nancy Leighton became a career counselor, she spent six years in retail — including a stint as the hat, glove, and muffler buyer at Brooks Brothers. One class, audited on a whim at the Teachers College of Columbia University, changed everything. Nancy shares what it took to walk away from something stable (against her family's wishes), finish a two-year master's over four years while working full-time, and eventually build a practice she now runs with two counselors under her. Thirty years in, she breaks down what actually helps people find the right career fit — and what to do if you're stuck in your own version of the hat and glove department right now! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What do you do when the career you love is suddenly taken from you? For Adriana Brangi, the answer was: you find a new way to swim. In 2020, Adriana was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis — a diagnosis that ended her career as a preschool teacher and forced her to completely rethink what her life and work would look like going forward. Rather than letting MS dictate her limits, Adriana found something unexpected: freedom in the water. She became a certified scuba diver and discovered that diving gave her a sense of physical control she couldn’t find on land. As she puts it, “When I go into the water, I have full range of motion… everything works better. I’m me again.” That experience led her to found Diving Beyond MS, a nonprofit dedicated to spreading MS awareness and helping people with chronic illnesses experience the healing and freedom of diving firsthand. In this episode, Adriana shares her full career journey — from the life she built as a preschool teacher, through the disruption of her diagnosis, to the moment she found a new sense of purpose underwater. It’s a conversation about resilience, reinvention, and what it means to find a new way forward when the life you planned is no longer available to you. Topics discussed: • Adriana’s career as a preschool teacher and how her MS diagnosis upended it • Adapting to life with primary progressive MS • Discovering scuba diving and the physical/emotional relief it provided • Founding Diving Beyond MS and its mission • Advocacy for chronic illness and disability awareness • Redefining identity and purpose after a life-altering diagnosis Learn more about Adriana Brangi's Diving Beyond MS: https://www.instagram.com/diving_beyond_ms/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if the path you thought you were supposed to take was only the beginning? Stephanie Clapp shares how she went from a 20-year career in education to embracing her intuitive gifts as a psychic medium and mentor, and how that leap helped her—and the women she works with—trust themselves more deeply. This episode explores spiritual awakening, career reinvention, and the power of messy action, with practical tools for overcoming self-doubt and stepping into a more authentic life! To learn more about Stephanie: https://www.instagram.com/thestephanieclapp/ Key topics: Stephanie’s journey from educator in Westchester County to psychic medium and intuitive mentor How the pandemic accelerated her willingness to share her gifts publicly Understanding the differences between psychic and mediumship, and the importance of certification in the UK versus the US The role of Clairsentience—including hearing and gut feelings—in intuitive readings Practical tools like EFT tapping, meditation, and somatic practices to build confidence and trust in intuition Overcoming societal skepticism and stereotypes about being spiritual or intuitive Lessons on messy action and failing forward in career transitions Upcoming book that combines memoir and self-help to activate and heal your intuition Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and Stephanie Clapp's career background 00:33 - Stephanie's early career in education and the career pivot 01:42 - The influence of family and innate gifts on her journey 03:16 - Skepticism and societal perceptions of psychic work 04:07 - Growing up in a spiritual environment and her family’s influence 05:02 - The impact of the pandemic in embracing her intuitive mentoring 06:07 - Personal story of losing a neighbor to COVID and using mediumship gifts 07:03 - How clair senses work and Stephanie’s intuitive methods 08:04 - Remote versus in-person readings and client experience 09:10 - Difference between psychic and mediumship work, including UK practices 10:08 - Communicating with passed loved ones and spiritual guides 11:08 - Feeling energy remotely and the integrity of intuitive practice 12:03 - How Stephanie helps women lead themselves and trust their intuition 13:15 - Overcoming societal programming and deprogramming fears 14:02 - Using somatic practices, EFT tapping, and mindset work for self-trust 15:02 - The importance of messy action and embracing failure 16:25 - Debunking stereotypes around spiritual practitioners 17:20 - How to connect with Stephanie and her social media presence 18:11 - Announcing her upcoming book on healing, intuition, and purpose 20:01 - Closing thoughts on living authentically and embracing your true self Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Cleaning houses. Overnight hospital shifts. After cosmetology school, a salon owner. And at 36 years old, a leap into pastry school that changed everything. Vera Gjelaj’s path to owning Arome Caffè & Patisserie in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY wasn’t a straight line — it was a series of reinventions, each one built on the one before it. In this episode of Bucket List Careers, Vera shares how she went from arriving in America at 19 with two young children, to Executive Pastry Chef and partner at one of NYC’s most iconic restaurants, to opening her own bakery at 51. She talks candidly about the obstacles along the way, and offers advice for anyone considering a late-in-life career change: don’t put a limit on your dreams, and it’s never too late to build the life you want. Key Takeaways: • Career pivots don’t follow a straight line — and that’s okay • Believing in yourself matters more than having it all figured out • It’s never too late to start over or chase a new dream • Hard work and perseverance compound over time About Vera: Vera Gjelaj is the owner and founder of Arome Caffè & Patisserie in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. An Albanian immigrant, Vera came to the United States at 19 with two young children. She later attended the French Culinary Institute and became Executive Pastry Chef and partner at One if by Land, Two if by Sea. Today, she brings that experience to Arome Caffè & Patisserie, serving French-inspired pastries and desserts to her community. Vera is proud to be a business owner, wife, mother, and grandmother. Connect with Vera: aromecaffepatisserie.com IG: @aromepatisserie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Discover how Dane Johnson transitioned from a Hollywood actor to a leading health coach specializing in autoimmune disease reversal. His story exemplifies resilience, purpose, and innovative health solutions. In this episode: Dane shares his unexpected career pivot after being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis The emotional and physical toll of nearly dying from Crohn's disease and how it became a catalyst for change The concept of building a "Shield" for holistic health and autoimmune recovery Insights into Dane’s groundbreaking program delivering over 750 success stories of IBD reversal Practical strategies: customized supplements, lab work, and biohacking techniques Vision for a health-focused restaurant chain aligned with natural, anti-inflammatory foods Advice on creating a purpose-driven career and building trust with clients 00:01 - Introduction to Dane Johnson and his diverse background in acting and health 00:39 - Dane's beginning in acting and early successes 01:09 - Diagnosis with ulcerative colitis amid a Hollywood career 01:42 - The emotional impact of health struggles and lost roles 02:29 - Inner conflict: pursuing vanity versus meaningful purpose 03:39 - Turning point: severe health crisis and hospitalization 04:27 - Near-death experience and realization of life's deeper purpose 05:26 - How health crises shaped Dane’s new career path 06:22 - The journey of healing and coming off medications 06:51 - The importance of experiential learning as patient zero 07:18 - Building a support community and the "Shield" framework 09:25 - The success and scope of the Shield program for IBD reversal 10:07 - The multifaceted approach: supplements, lab work, and biohacking 11:25 - The philosophy behind the Shield: empowering health and stress resilience 12:01 - Applying the Shield model in daily life for thriving not just surviving 13:16 - Key advice: creating purpose and authenticity in your career 14:34 - Pricing, trust, and building a compelling personal brand 15:23 - Future vision: health-focused restaurant chain and creating art through business 17:06 - Values-driven entrepreneurship and innovations in food for autoimmune health 18:14 - Special offers: free IBD strategy session and healing journal 19:29 - Closing thoughts and gratitude Resources & Links: Dane Johnson's Crohn's Colitis Lifestyle Shield Program Details Connect with Dane Johnson: LinkedIn Twitter Instagram Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Lexi Brine didn’t follow a straight line to where she is now — and that’s the point. After five years in luxury cosmetics marketing at Estée Lauder, she found herself drawn elsewhere, eventually landing at NYU Law after a stint volunteering on a 2008 presidential campaign. From there: litigation at a corporate law firm, a hard exit after becoming a mother, a wandering search through legal recruiting and LSAT tutoring, and finally a real estate career at Compass that finally clicked. Along the way, she co-founded Inc., a networking community supporting women through their own career transitions. In this conversation, Lexi talks candidly about ignoring well-meaning advice, treating “failures” as data rather than dead ends, and building a personal brand rooted in authenticity instead of perfection! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dr. Trish believes life unfolds in seven-year chapters — and hers has been no exception. Her path to becoming a globally recognized cognitive neuroscientist wasn’t linear: she started as a preschool teacher, became a speech-language pathologist, worked in schools, and eventually went back to school herself to teach at the college level. A lifelong curiosity about brain performance and the human condition — combined with raising five children — led Dr. Trish to a deeper calling. She grew passionate about bringing neuro-therapies to the next generation and realized she could create greater clinical impact through brain mapping and rewiring how people think. Her guiding philosophy says it all: “If you don’t control your brain, it will control you.” Today, Dr. Trish is the founder of Dr. Trish Leigh & Co. and specializes in brain health, neurofeedback, and addiction recovery. Using qEEG brain mapping and neuroscience-based methods, she helps people heal overstimulated brains, break free from compulsive behaviors, and optimize focus, energy, relationships, and performance — and has helped thousands worldwide rewire their brains and reclaim their lives. Download this episode now and get ready to think differently — about your brain, your career, and what’s still possible! Find out more about Dr. Trish: https://drtrishleigh.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Angelique Morelli’s career has been anything but a straight line. With over 15 years of experience—ranging from nonprofit fundraising to serving as the Communications Manager at Montefiore Nyack Hospital—she has mastered the art of the pivot. But her most significant transformation wasn’t a job title; it was finding the courage to step into her own light as a children's book author! In this episode, we dive into: The "Advocacy" Turning Point: Why waiting for a raise or recognition often leads to being overlooked, and how Angelique learned that being your own best career advocate is the only way to move the needle. Discovering the Leader Within: The exact moment as an interim director when Angelique realized she had the "it" factor to lead, mentor, and drive impact without fear of being "too pushy." The Pivot to Authorship: How a global pandemic and a rescue pup named Ellie inspired her to fulfill a lifelong creative goal, leading to the 2025 release of her debut book, Ellie Morelli and The Pack Unleash Their Super Powers. Fuels & Foundations: How her roles on the board of New York Women in Communications (NYWICI) and the Business Council of Westchester keep her fueled by community and purpose. Whether you’re feeling stuck in a career that doesn’t feel like yours or you have a "bucket list" creative project waiting to be unleashed, Angelique’s story is a powerful reminder that it is never too late to reinvent yourself and trust your intuition. Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.