In this episode of Tips for the Transition: The Career Roadmap, Maria welcomes Deb Porter, founder of HOLD ~ Hearing Out Life Drama and a 25-year expert in active listening.

Deb believes that what we often call “soft skills” should be redefined as essential — especially when it comes to listening.

This episode focuses on the transformative power of active listening, a skill often underestimated but crucial in personal and professional life. Whether you’re looking to improve communication in the workplace, deepen personal relationships, or connect more deeply with yourself, active listening is the key.

Deb and Maria dive deep into what active listening is, how it works, and why it’s more important now than ever. Through this engaging conversation, Deb will share practical techniques you can implement immediately to become a better listener and how curiosity plays a vital role in fostering stronger relationships and communication.

CONNECT WITH DEB PORTER
Founder of HOLD: Hearing Out Life Drama

Website: hearingoutlifedrama.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/deblhporter

Deb’s Gift: Runaway Freight Train Brain
Master your racing thoughts, boost your focus, and elevate your conversations with this free mini-course. Keep every conversation on track.

hearingoutlifedrama.com/FreightTrainBrain

CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST, MARÍA TOMÁS-KEEGAN
Certified Career & Life Coach | Transition Expert

Women face unique challenges and opportunities when times are uncertain.
If you’re wondering what’s next or seeking more meaning in life and work, the key to unlocking possibilities begins with understanding where you are starting from. The free tools on my website will help.

Learn more: transitionandthrivewithmaria.com. Then, let’s chat.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mariatomaskeegan

On the show this week, I sit down with Jennifer Arthurton, founder of the empowering community Old Chicks Know Sh*t and host of the podcast of the same name.

Jennifer is a former Fortune 500 marketing executive who made a bold shift during midlife. She has transformed her journey into an opportunity to mentor and inspire women navigating their midlife crises.

She passionately believes that midlife is the most potent time for women — when we can authentically step into who we are and create our “kick-ass next chapter.” In this conversation, Jennifer explains why midlife is the chapter of authenticity, the midlife paradox, and how women can reclaim their power to live with clarity, purpose, and meaning. And she shares her personal reinvention story as a powerful example of what we might feel and how it can be done.

If you’ve ever wondered how to harness the power of midlife, this episode is packed with wisdom, inspiration, and actionable advice to help you own your next chapter.

CONNECT WITH JENNIFER ARTHURTON
Founder, Mentor, & Podcast Host

Website: oldchicksknowshit.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jennifer-arthurton-546566

Jennifer’s Gift: 5 Ways to Create Your Best Chapter Yet
oldchicksknowshit.com/next-chapter-guide


CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST, MARÍA TOMÁS-KEEGAN
Certified Career & Life Coach | Transition Expert

Women face unique challenges and opportunities when times are uncertain.

If you’re wondering what’s next or seeking more meaning in life and work, the key to unlocking possibilities begins with understanding where you are starting from. The free tools on my website will help.

Learn more: transitionandthrivewithmaria.com. Then, let’s chat.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mariatomaskeegan

Have you ever met someone who just gets you? And she understands about life’s twists and turns?

Enter Linda Rossetti.

Linda’s not just a former CEO and Fortune 500 whiz; she's our go-to guru on navigating life's big changes. She’s penned two books, "Dancing with Disruption" and "Women & Transition," that honestly felt like she'd read my diary.

Ever had those, “Wait, someone else feels this too?” moments? Linda’s words gave me a ton of those.

With her insights, we're diving deep into how we can find hope and optimism at life’s crossroads, the role that our choices and voice play, and how to dance through them gracefully.

Ready to feel understood and empowered? Don’t miss one of our most popular guests!

CONNECT WITH LINDA ROSSETTI
Executive Director, The Transition Institute

Website: lindarossetti.com/resources

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lindarossetti

Linda’s Book: Dancing With Disruption

CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST, MARÍA TOMÁS-KEEGAN
Certified Career & Life Coach | Transition Expert

Women leaders face unique challenges and opportunities when times are uncertain.

If you’re wondering what’s next or seeking more meaningful work, the key to unlocking possibilities starts with understanding where you stand right now. These tools will help.

Learn more: transitionandthrivewithmaria.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mariatomaskeegan

In this episode of Tips for the Transition: The Career Roadmap, I talked with Dr. Letitia Wright, a trailblazing businesswoman and media mogul who made a bold pivot from a career in medicine to become the Executive Producer and host of her nationally syndicated television show, Wright Place TV. Dr. Wright shares her journey of reinvention and the strategies she’s learned for navigating career pivots, especially when the path forward is uncertain.

Dr. Wright sheds light on why more people than ever are considering significant career shifts and offers practical advice on how to embrace change, overcome fear, and successfully navigate industry transitions. Whether you’re contemplating a career pivot or in the middle of one, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you thrive in your new direction.

CONNECT WITH DR. LETITIA WRIGHT
Executive Producer, TV Host, Speaker

Website: wrightplacetv.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drletitiawright

Chat with Dr. Wright: drwright.youcanbook.me


CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST, MARÍA TOMÁS-KEEGAN
Certified Career & Life Coach | Transition Expert

Women leaders face unique challenges and opportunities when times are uncertain. If you’re wondering what’s next or seeking more meaningful work, the key to unlocking possibilities starts with understanding where you stand right now. These tools will help. Learn more: transitionandthrivewithmaria.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mariatomaskeegan

In this episode of Tips for the Transition: The Career Roadmap, María Tomás-Keegan chats with Tess Cheng, a certified health and wellness coach with over a decade of experience helping busy professionals prioritize their brain health and overall well-being.

Tess specializes in guiding women leaders, helping them maintain cognitive function and resilience, particularly during high-pressure situations and significant life transitions.

Throughout the conversation, Tess will emphasize the importance of “giving your brain a break” and introduce practical brain-boosting strategies that women can easily incorporate into their hectic schedules. We’ll discuss the unique cognitive challenges women face in leadership roles and why it’s critical to prioritize brain health.

She’ll talk about how many physicians overlook cognitive health, share insights on the link between brain health and resilience, and highlight proactive steps women can take to protect their long-term cognitive function, especially in light of Alzheimer’s risks.

Don’t miss this enlightening episode to learn what’s good for your brain.

CONNECT WITH TESS CHENG
Health & Wellness Coach

Website: glowithtess.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tess-cheng-ms

Tess’ Gift: Guide to Better Sleep Every Night tinyurl.com/GWTSleepGuide


CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST, MARÍA TOMÁS-KEEGAN
Certified Career & Life Coach | Transition Expert

They say it takes a village, and the women leaders in the Take the Wheel Leadership Alliancemay be the village you need. We empower each other to build strategic alliances that help move us forward in our careers and lives, collaborate to enhance self-advocacy, decision-making, leadership, and personal growth skills, and support each other through challenges, brainstorm solutions, and celebrate successes. And much more.

If you’re intrigued by whether this is the village for you, click here to learn more:
resources.transitionandthrivewithmaria.com/alliance-2024

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mariatomaskeegan

This week, María sits down with Stephanie Warlick, a dynamic leader and founder of 5FT View Consulting. With over 30 years of experience guiding professionals and small businesses toward sustainable growth, Stef is known for her unique “Stand in the Gap Method,” which helps leaders, business owners, and teams bridge critical gaps and achieve success.

Stef shares her insights on “standing in the gap” — whether solving organizational challenges, fostering equity in the workplace, or transforming team dynamics by employing an entrepreneurial mindset.

Stef discusses the vital importance of creating genuine equity, not just equality. She explains how to approach your career as an opportunity to become a solution provider, which sets you apart in today’s workforce. She’ll also offer valuable tips on leadership, overcoming challenges, and balancing career and motherhood.

Join us for another inspiring and informative conversation.

CONNECT WITH STEPHANIE WARLICK
Founder & CEO | 5FT View Consulting

Website: 5ftview.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stephaniewarlick

Stef’s Gift: $500 Discount off her 12-week Stand in the Gap 1:1 Coaching Program

Visit 5ftview.com/online-programs and enter code PODCASTMARIA


CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST, MARÍA TOMÁS-KEEGAN
Certified Career & Life Coach | Transition Expert

They say it takes a village, and the women leaders in the Take the Wheel Leadership Alliance may be the village you need. We empower each other to build strategic alliances that help move us forward in our careers and lives, collaborate to enhance self-advocacy, decision-making, leadership, and personal growth skills, support each other through challenges, brainstorm solutions, celebrate successes, and much more.

If you’re intrigued by whether this is the village for you, visit this link:
resources.transitionandthrivewithmaria.com/leadership-2024

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mariatomaskeegan

In this episode of “Tips for the Transition: The Career Roadmap,” María Tomás-Keegan sits down with Carla Reeves, a highly sought-after coach known for her compassionate and direct approach to helping ambitious women and high achievers break free from the status quo.

Carla is the creator of “The Differently Coaching Experience” and “Reimagine: The Interactive Journal,” which she uses to help individuals trade their noisy minds for clarity, fulfillment, and alignment with their core values.

Through candid stories, practical insights, and powerful journaling techniques, Carla guides listeners on how to shift from living in their heads to genuinely engaging in their lives.

Carla shares the top three barriers that prevent high achievers from living more fulfilling lives, emphasizing the impact of mental clutter and offering keys to mastering it. She explains why journaling is crucial in her coaching practice and how it can be integrated into everyday life and business to level up personal and professional growth. Carla also introduces the art of “everyday skydiving.”

Learn practical tips for aligning your life with your values and creating meaningful change. Tune in for an episode packed with insights and inspiration!

CONNECT WITH CARLA REEVES
Life Strategy & Mindset Coach

Website: carlareeves.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/reevescarla

Carla’s Gift:
Get Unstuck On Demand Journaling Workshop + Handout
carlareeves.com/getunstuck


CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST, MARÍA TOMÁS-KEEGAN
Certified Career & Life Coach | Transition Expert

They say it takes a village, and the women leaders in the Take the Wheel Leadership Alliancemay be the village you need. We empower each other to build strategic alliances that help move us forward in our careers and lives, collaborate to enhance self-advocacy, decision-making, leadership, and personal growth skills, and support each other through challenges, brainstorm solutions, and celebrate successes. And much more.

If you’re intrigued by whether this is the village for you, click here to learn more.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mariatomaskeegan

Can you imagine being away from the corporate world for 22 years to follow your passion and then returning to it? That’s today’s story.

In this show, we’re joined by Kelly K. James, a former attorney turned freelance journalist and author, who shares her unique journey of re-entering corporate America after a 22-year hiatus.

Kelly’s story is one of resilience, adaptability, and rediscovery. After leaving a successful career in law to pursue her passion for writing, Kelly spent over two decades as a full-time freelance journalist. However, she recently boldly decided to return to the corporate world, an experience that brought unexpected challenges and profound self-discovery.

Kelly opens up about what prompted her initial escape from the law to become a writer, the hurdles she faced when transitioning back into a corporate environment, and how she managed the demands of single parenting alongside full-time work.

Her insights provide valuable lessons for anyone considering a similar transition, particularly women re-entering the workforce after a significant time away.

In this conversation, Kelly also reflects on what she learned about herself during her time in corporate America, offering advice and encouragement to others navigating their own career paths.

Whether you’re contemplating a career change or returning to work after a long break, Kelly’s story is inspiring and practical, full of wisdom gained from a life lived boldly and intentionally.

Don’t miss this engaging and insightful episode, where Kelly shares her experiences and offers guidance on thriving in the face of change.

CONNECT WITH KELLY K. JAMES
Escapee from Law, Journalist & Author

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kellykjames

Facebook: facebook.com/kelly.jamesenger

Kelly’s Writing on Substack: kellykjames.substack.com


CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST, MARÍA TOMÁS-KEEGAN
Certified Career & Life Coach | Transition Expert

Your time is valuable, but you want support. Like-minded women leaders meet monthly at the Take the Wheel Leadership Alliance. It’s where we explore real-world solutions in laser-focused sessions, get powerful peer support, master new skills, and become purpose-driven leaders.

Learn more about it here:
resources.transitionandthrivewithmaria.com/leadership-2024

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mariatomaskeegan