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Bucket List Careers

Bucket List Careers

Hosted by Bleav, Christa Lauri

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Episodes

189

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN

About the show

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!

Listen to episodes

60 recent
June 4, 202617 min

Ep 188 Preschool to Brain Science: Dr. Trish Leigh on Reinvention and Rewiring Your Mind

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.

May 7, 202614 min

Ep 187 Trusting the Pivot: Angelique Morelli’s Journey to Authorship & Impact

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.

April 23, 202618 min

Ep 186 From Battlefields to Brushstrokes: How Injury Redefined Artist Cheri Carandanis’ Career

Can a devastating injury actually be a gateway to a new life? Cheri Carandanis' life story reads like two different books. For 25 years, Cheri lived in the high-stakes world of nursing, including a tour as a US Air Force critical care flight nurse during the height of the Iraq War. She was a self-proclaimed "Type A" professional who lived for the adrenaline of saving lives at 30,000 feet. Then, the world went dark. After suffering two traumatic brain injuries in six months, the cognitive skills Cheri relied on to survive vanished. Forced to abandon the only career she ever knew, she stumbled upon an unlikely lifeline: abstract art. In this episode, we unpack: The "Ungraceful Pivot": Why Cheri describes her career change not as a choice, but as "getting knocked flat" and rebuilding from the rubble. The Science of Healing: How shifting from the damaged "logical" left brain to the "creative" right brain became a literal survival mechanism. Art as a Second Language: How a woman who couldn’t draw a stick figure became a professional painter by using color and texture to process trauma. Finding Presence: The powerful lesson of staying in the "now" when you can no longer rely on who you were yesterday. More on Cheri Carandanis: Instagram: Follow her creative process and daily studio life @carandanisfineart. YouTube: Watch her abstract paintings in progress and studio sessions on the Cheri Carandanis YouTube Channel. Website: https://www.carandanisfineart.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

April 9, 202616 min

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.

March 26, 202619 min

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.

March 12, 202622 min

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.

February 19, 202614 min

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.

January 29, 202616 min

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.

January 15, 202618 min

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.

December 18, 202518 min

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.

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