Two Years Out, Still in the Middle

After 20 years in public child welfare, Angel Rodriguez thought she’d retire there. She was trying to revolutionize the system from the inside—building new programs, fighting bureaucracy, making change however she could. Then, at 40, an epilepsy diagnosis forced a different question: could she even keep going?In this conversation, we talk about what it’s like to go from trying to fix a broken system to realizing you first have to take care of yourself—and what it takes to start over when you thought you had it all figured out.Some highlights:* Her first thought after a grand mal seizure at 40: “I thought I was gonna go back to work the next week”* The realization that changed everything after applying to many jobs with no luck: “Maybe I’m not getting these jobs because there’s something else. I’m an expert. I should just say that.”* On untethering from her title after 23 years: “I am me whether I work for someone else, whether I work for myself, whether I am not working at all. I’m just me.”* What she’d tell herself looking back: “Be kind to yourself. You’re gonna be okay. And this is not everything about who you are.”✨ About Angel Rodriguez:Angel Rodriguez, MSSA Co-Founder & CEO, rfc21 Angel Rodriguez is an Expert Social Worker and Innovator with over 20 years of experience transforming public child welfare systems. As Co-Founder and CEO of rfc21, she leads with heart and strategy – offering leadership coaching, curriculum design, grant management support, and expert witness services. A proud Latina and fierce advocate for equity in communities of color, Angel also serves as the Vice President on a nonprofit board in Los Angeles. She is the Director of Circles for Lean In Latinas and finds great joy in serving her community by being a changemaker. Outside of work, she loves practicing Pilates, exploring new cities, eating local cuisine, and cheering on her favorite hockey team. She lives in Los Angeles with her wife and their two adorable dogs. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit maricellaherrera.substack.com

In this minisode, host Maricella Herrera explores the emotional aftermath of completing the Chicago Marathon and discusses the 'post-marathon blues'—a period of feeling lost and empty after achieving a big goal. She reflects on how training for the marathon served as an excuse to avoid various life decisions and commitments. As she questions her future and the direction of her career, Maricella turns to the book 'The Alchemist' by Paolo Coelho for inspiration on finding one's life purpose. She shares her inner conflict about multiple job roles, particularly her involvement with a startup, and how a pivotal decision sparked a realization about self-trust. Ultimately, Maricella emphasizes the importance of tuning into one's intuition and emotions as a guide for future decisions, encouraging listeners to do the same.00:00 Introduction: Rethinking Life Choices01:03 Post-Marathon Blues04:05 The Alchemist and Personal Legends07:15 Struggling with Busyness and Overwhelm12:22 Deciding on the Startup16:55 Trusting Your Intuition25:13 Conclusion: Listening to Your Heart This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit maricellaherrera.substack.com

This week I’m back with my first repeat guest, author, speaker, and DEI advocate Hady Mendez. We’re talking about her new book Calladita No More. The title flips the saying “calladita te ves más bonita” (you’re prettier when you’re quiet), and so does our conversation.We get into Hady’s journey from leading DEI inside corporate America to carving her own entrepreneurial path, what it really means to advocate for yourself, and why ERGs and cultural identity matter more than ever. Hady also pulls back the curtain on writing and hybrid publishing her book, building a Latina-powered team to make it happen, and the refranes and stories that shaped her voice.With personal anecdotes, refranes, and heartfelt conversations, this episode offers a deep dive into rethinking identity and the power of speaking out.00:00 Intro clip01:03 Introducing Hady Menez01:36 Hady's Book: Calladita No More04:16 Understanding DEI and ERGs06:23 Cultural Reflections and Personal Growth10:50 Hady's Journey as an Author16:40 Entrepreneurial Challenges and Lessons17:32 The Evolution of DEI and ERGs21:43 Navigating Business and Personal Identity26:39 Power Sessions for Mujeres30:30 The Book: Calladita No More31:09 Sharing Stories and Wisdom32:00 Cultural Identity and Refranes32:41 The Book's Structure and Purpose35:35 Navigating Naysayers and Staying True42:56 Hybrid Publishing Journey48:09 Building a Supportive Team50:46 Personal Reflections and Challenges53:29 Final Thoughts and RecommendationsAbout Hady Mendez:Hady Mendez is a NY-based bestselling author, Latina speaker, and ERG coach. She currently serves as the Director of Programs for Lean In Latinas. She is also the founder and CEO of Boldly Speaking LLC, a company that is transforming the professional experiences of underestimated professionals by providing them with the skills to rise and thrive in the corporate world or in whatever path they choose. With a diverse career spanning over twenty-five years, Hady has served as head of equality for a major tech firm, held multiple customer-facing roles in high tech and financial services, served as a leader and advisor across various ERGs, dedicated two years to working with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women internationally, and served as Community School Director at an elementary school in the South Bronx. Hady’s essays have been featured in Business Insider and #WeAllGrow Latina and her thought leadership has been leveraged by organizations such as Lean In Latinas, Power To Fly, Prospanica, and many others. Hady is a Latinas in Tech Luminarias 2022 honoree, a Women of ALPFA 2023 Latinas to Watch, a 2024 LinkedIn Top Coaching & Mentoring Voice, and the recipient of HACE’s 2025 Mujer Maravilla Award. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit maricellaherrera.substack.com

Is your self-worth tied to the job you hold, the craft you practice, or the results you deliver?In this episode, Maricella Herrera sits down with Kira Shishkin, serial entrepreneur and founder of informed, to explore how we measure who we are through our work, why outcomes don’t always equal worth, and what happens in the messy middle of building something new. We also dive into the mental health cost of “trigger news” and how informed is rethinking the way we consume information.Key Topics:* The difference between a “job” and a “craft,” and why that distinction matters for self-worth* How growing up in Ukraine, Israel, and the US shaped Kira’s perspective on truth, trust, and information warfare* The journey from high finance to entrepreneurship, and the lessons learned along the way* Frameworks for thinking about identity, self-worth, and the risks of tying them to career outcomes* The “messy middle” of building a company: pivots, doubt, and the blackout moments no one talks about* The origin story of Informed: why Kira set out to create a bias-free, minimalist news service* The impact of “trigger news” and clickbait on mental health and polarization* How Informed curates world-shaping news for everyday people, and the philosophy behind their editorial choices* The evolution of success: from personal achievement to empowering othersNotable Quotes:* “You date the solution, you marry the problem.”* “It’s not about you. It’s about your end customer, your end user, and how you can make their life better.”* “Trigger news corrupts the mind. It’s not just about information, it’s about how it’s delivered.”Connect with Us:* Instagram: @quitmyjobpod* Email: [email protected]* Subscribe on Substack for updates and extrasIf you enjoyed this episode, please follow, subscribe, and leave a review! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit maricellaherrera.substack.com

What if stability isn’t the goal? What if instability is actually where growth happens?This week on Sh*t I Just Quit My Job, host Maricella Herrera talks with Dr. Tarul Kode — a pharmacist turned health tech co-founder, venture partner, advisor, nonprofit leader, and mom — about what it means to stop chasing stability and instead lean into the wobble.After 15 years in the same company and 15 years in a marriage, Tarul found herself starting over. At the same time, her daughter faced a serious health crisis, pushing her to rebuild both personally and professionally. Instead of clinging to the familiar, she embraced change, reframed her leadership, and discovered what she calls her “destiny of instability.”In this episode, Maricella and Tarul dive into:What it means to stop living in the “shoulds”How to recognize when you’re climbing the wrong ladderThe difference between peace-time and crisis leadershipDivorce, parenting, and modeling healthy choices for your kidsWhy instability doesn’t have to be a crisis, but a callingWhether you’re navigating a career pivot, rebuilding after loss, or just figuring out what’s next, this episode is a reminder that the wobble can be where you find your strength. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit maricellaherrera.substack.com

In this minisode of Sh*t I Just Quit My Job, host Maricella Herrera shares how reading Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky sparked a question she can’t shake: Make time… for what? Juggling four “jobs,” marathon training, and an endless stream of ideas, Maricella reflects on how she’s spending her time and introduces a simple experiment to figure out what’s truly worth the effort. Listeners will hear practical takeaways from the Make Time framework, insights on focus and productivity, and an invitation to join her in testing a daily “highlight” practice. Perfect for anyone feeling busy but unsure if it’s adding up to what matters most. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit maricellaherrera.substack.com

In this episode of Sh*t I Just Quit My Job, host Maricella Herrera sits down with serial entrepreneur, community builder, and podcast host Raven O’Neal for a conversation about fear, consistency, and what it really takes to follow through on big ideas.They talk about how fear evolves with experience, what it looks like to walk away from a business idea even when it has real potential, and why consistency is often more powerful than inspiration.Listeners will also hear Raven reflect on her journey from corporate marketing to launching multiple ventures, helping hundreds of entrepreneurs as a startup advisor, and running her podcast Hacking the Patriarchy.Whether you're wrestling with self-doubt, struggling to finish what you started, or wondering how to know when it’s time to quit — this episode offers thoughtful, no-BS insight from someone who’s been on both sides of the table.Key Takeaways:- Why fear often gets louder, not quieter, with age and responsibility- How to know when to walk away from an idea — and when to come back- What women need to unlearn about sales and negotiation- The connection between visibility, self-doubt, and consistency- Why messy progress still counts This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit maricellaherrera.substack.com

SummaryIn this engaging conversation, Heidi Monika Romer shares her transformative journey from aspiring actress to a dedicated community advocate and entrepreneur. She reflects on her childhood dreams, the impact of COVID-19 on her career, and the importance of community service. Heidi emphasizes the healing power of words and storytelling, leading to her creation of H.O.L.A. Books, a platform celebrating Latino and Caribbean voices. Throughout the discussion, she highlights the significance of adaptability, resilience, and mentorship in personal and professional growth.TakeawaysHeidi's childhood aspirations evolved through personal experiences.The lack of flexible education options shaped her career path.COVID-19 served as a turning point for Heidi's life and career.Community service and wellness became central to her work.Words and storytelling have a profound healing power.Heidi's journey reflects the importance of adaptability and resilience.The creation of OLA Books aims to celebrate Latino and Caribbean voices.Heidi emphasizes the significance of mentorship and elevating others.Personal growth often comes from challenging experiences and reflections.Education and passion can coexist in a fulfilling career.Chapters00:00 From Aspirations to Reality: A Journey of Change05:55 Navigating the Business World: Early Career Experiences12:20 The Impact of COVID-19: A Catalyst for Change24:26 Reframing Life's Challenges: Living in the Present31:47 Embracing New Opportunities: The Path to Ola Books33:38 The Power of Words and Storytelling38:09 Celebrating Latino and Caribbean Voices41:57 Building Community Through Literature45:10 Overcoming Personal Barriers49:43 The Intersection of Business and Kindness54:53 Reflections on Life's Journey and Lessons LearnedKeywordscareer journey, COVID-19 impact, community service, storytelling, personal growth, education, entrepreneurship, Latino voices, healing through words, OLA Books This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit maricellaherrera.substack.com

In this episode of Sh*t I Just Quit My Job, host Maricella Herrera delves into the profound impact of long-term employment on personal development. Joined by Carla Siegel, a graphic designer and hospitality branding expert, they explore the journey of spending years at a single company and how it shapes one's career and life choices. Carla shares her experiences of working at Daniel Boulud's restaurant group for eight years, highlighting the growth, challenges, and eventual decision to pursue a more fulfilling path. Tune in to discover how staying in one place can lead to unexpected opportunities and personal growth. Key Highlights:Carla's early career aspirations and how they evolved over time. The pivotal moments that led Carla to leave a secure job for new opportunities. Insights into balancing creativity with practicality in career decisions. The role of mentorship and networking in Carla's professional growth. Carla's reflections on the importance of patience and self-kindness during transitions.Guest Bio: Carla Siegel is the Founder of Agentsie, a boutique creative studio offering design and marketing services to clients in the hospitality industry. From establishing restaurant brand identities to crafting creative, on-brand communications in digital and in print, Agentsie provides smart, sustainable communications solutions with an intimate understanding of operational and budgetary constraints unique to the hospitality realm.Connect with Us:Email: [email protected] Follow us on social media for updates and more inspiring stories.Hashtags: #CareerPivot #GraphicDesign #HospitalityBranding #CareerDevelopment #LongTermEmployment #PersonalGrowth This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit maricellaherrera.substack.com

Two years after quitting her job, Maricella Herrera checks in — not with a polished reflection or a big announcement, but with a real-time look at what it means to keep showing up as the version of yourself you worked hard to reclaim. In this solo minisode, she revisits the same postmortem questions she asked at the one-year mark (what she did, what she’s proud of, what didn’t go well, and what she’s learned) — and finds the answers are harder, murkier, and maybe more honest.This is an episode about integration, pacing, and trying not to lose yourself once the break is over and life picks back up. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit maricellaherrera.substack.com