Life Leaps Podcast

Latest Episodes:

12. “Want To Help Mommy Write A Book?” - From Lawyer To Author, With Shayla McGhee Feb 08, 2023

Show notes

Shayla Turner McGhee never felt like she was cut out for the law, but she was also no quitter. When it came time to take that first prestigious job after law school, though, she knew she had to decide. In Ep. 12, hear how Shayla:

Got the courage - and the financial freedom (with tips for listeners!) - to pivot from a future in law to writing, opening a publishing company, and more
First got the idea to write with her young daughter
Wishes she’d had a community like this one when she was making her leap
Encourages others, especially millennials, to think outside the box when deciding the right career fit - whether you’re just starting out, or deep in and looking for a change

Learn more about Shayla and her work by visiting Sable Inspired Books, Ivory Pen Publishing or Instagram @mcgheepartyof5.

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*ACCESSIBILITY: Transcripts are available for each episode here. (Just click your episode of choice, and then click the "transcript" tab! And if you have any issues at all don't hesitate to reach out.)

11. “You’re Never Done” - From Not Having A Passport To Teaching In Thailand (In Her Sixties!), with Ms. Libby Feb 01, 2023

Show notes

Elizabeth (Libby) Williamson tried to retire from her job as an elementary school teacher after 36 years in rural and suburban South Carolina. For a few months, anyway. Then, through a stroke of luck, curiosity, and a whole lot of courage, she decided life had other plans for her. She wasn’t done yet. In. Ep. 11, hear how Ms. Libby:

Decided to take the leap to Thailand in her sixties (twice!)
Is a survivor in more ways than one
Became part of an international movement to vaccinate Americans living abroad during COVID
Reminds us that growth, change, and taking chances can - and must - continue no matter your age. And that sometimes we have to step back, breathe, and remind ourselves that there are different seasons for everything.

To view the news story on Ms. Libby from her time in Thailand during COVID, which became part of a larger movement to vaccine Americans abroad, check it out here.

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Or send us a good old-fashioned email at lifeleapspodcast@gmail.com - we'd love to hear from you.

10. "You Have To Bet On Yourself" - Reinventing Yourself And And Your Brand, with Coach G Jan 25, 2023

Show notes

Gerard (“Coach G”) Burley’s mission is to reinvent the way we think about inclusion, fitness and wellness. He’s the founder of Sweat DC fitness studio - and so much more - and his “fun, inclusive, build you up from the inside out” approach to fitness has made him a bit of a local celebrity, both in Rome, Italy and now in DC. But getting there has been a deeply personal mission and journey for Coach G, with a lot of leaps along the way. In Ep. 10, hear about Coach G’s:

Extremely unique approach to fitness and wellbeing - a life mission that was shaped by personal tragedy
Leap for love which - far beyond the ‘love’ part - changed the course of his life
Approach to doubt and uncertainty when it inevitably creeps in during times of change
…And so much motivation. He is a coach, after all!

Follow and learn more about Coach G at @coachgfitness and https://www.coachgfitness.com/, and Sweat DC fitness studio at @sweatdc at https://sweatdc.com/.

Facebook: Life Leaps Podcast
Instagram: @LifeLeapsPodcast
Online at: https://lifeleapspodcast.com/
Or send us a good old-fashioned email at lifeleapspodcast@gmail.com - we'd love to hear from you.

9. “What Do I Want To Offer The World” - From Non-Profit Employee To Entrepreneur, With Rosie Jan 18, 2023

Show notes

Three years ago, Rosie Stafford Smith - a mom of two with a knack for solving problems - took the leap from employee to entrepreneur. Rosie founded and now runs a successful consulting business, Stafford Smith Group, which “helps busy social impact leaders turn big ideas into funded strategies” and her clients include one of the largest nonprofit organizations in the country. But in the beginning, Rosie was just frustrated with trying to find opportunities in a place where she felt like they didn’t exist.

In Ep. 9, hear how Rosie (who never expected to become an entrepreneur):

Decided to take the leap
Navigated a near fatal business setback
Managed to build work around her life, instead of the other way around
Tells us the two things we need to have when contemplating life and career changes

Check out Episode 9 and others on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts!

Learn more about Rosie Stafford Smith and Stafford Smith Consulting at:

Website: https://www.staffordsmithgroup.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosiestaffordsmith/

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Instagram: @LifeLeapsPodcast
Online at: https://lifeleapspodcast.com/
Or send us a good old-fashioned email at lifeleapspodcast@gmail.com - we'd love to hear from you.

8. Leap-In-Progress: Your Host! Jan 11, 2023

Show notes

In the last two weeks, my husband, toddler, and I have left our Washington, DC apartment, sold our car, and resigned from a job (mine!) in pursuit of some big life changes. Join us in Ep. 8, to hear:

Why we're leaping
What sparked it (which may surprise you!)
How we planned it
How this podcast has helped

Check out Episode 8 and others on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts!

Facebook: Life Leaps Podcast
Instagram: @LifeLeapsPodcast
Online at: https://lifeleapspodcast.com/
Or send us a good old-fashioned email at lifeleapspodcast@gmail.com - we'd love to hear from you.

7. "If You Can See It In Your Mind" - Leaping Countries, Industries, And Why We Should Never Stop, with Chamo Dec 21, 2022

Show notes

Gilbert "Chamo" Osorio has led a life of leaps - some of them quite shocking - starting with leaving his home country of Colombia at a very young age; living off of the streets of Venezuela; and reinventing himself - several times - in the US until he created his successful Miami-based event planning business, Cache Events, which he's now run for over 25 years. In Ep. 7, hear how Chamo:

Navigated extraordinary setbacks and extraordinary strokes of luck
Found a career that does so much more than pay the bills
Takes a very unique approach to sharing - or not - your ideas with the world
Encourages a certain mindset when you're considering life changes, big or small

Check out Episode 7 and others on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts!

Learn more about Gilbert "Chamo" Osorio and Cache Events at:

Contact: cacheeventsus@gmail.com
Instagram: @cacheeventsinc
Facebook: Cache Events Inc.

Facebook: Life Leaps Podcast
Instagram: @LifeLeapsPodcast
Online at: https://lifeleapspodcast.com/
Or send us a good old-fashioned email at lifeleapspodcast@gmail.com - we'd love to hear from you.

6. “I Wanted A Seat At The Table” - Running For Office, Winning, And Becoming the First Black Woman to Represent The District, with Jheanelle Wilkins Dec 14, 2022

Show notes

Jheanelle Wilkins wanted to run office but, for a time, took her life in another direction. Until she ran for - and won - a seat on the Democratic Central Committee in Montgomery County, Maryland and went on to become a Maryland State Delegate. In Ep. 5, hear how Jheanelle:

Found the support she needed to put her name on the ballot
Overcame her fear of (very public) failure
Navigated the challenges of being and looking different than others who’d been in her position
Advises the rest of us considering life changes, big or small

Check out Episode 6 and others on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts!

Learn more about Maryland State Delegate Jheanelle Wilkins at:

Website: https://www.jheanellewilkins.com/
Twitter: @JheanelleW
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JheanelleWilkins/

Facebook: Life Leaps Podcast
Instagram: @LifeLeapsPodcast
Online at: https://lifeleapspodcast.com/
Or send us a good old-fashioned email at lifeleapspodcast@gmail.com - we'd love to hear from you.

5. "Who Am I If I'm Not A Teacher?" - From The Classroom To Teaching *Teachers* How To Leave, With JoDee Scissors Dec 07, 2022

Show notes

13 years in, JoDee Scissors loved her students but knew she needed a change. She decided to leave teaching - a very secure profession that most people, JoDee included, go into thinking they’ll stay for life. Fast forward a few years to today and JoDee runs her own consulting firm, creates digital content for the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, and co-host her own successful podcast for teachers called The Great Teacher Resignation (TGTR). But between those steps there were highs, lows, and a lot of lessons learned. In Episode 5, hear how JoDee:

Realized she was in denial about wanting to leave her job
Found the helpful - and not-so-helpful - places to turn for support
Translated her experience to different job fields
Finally took the leap, landed, and now helps others take their own

Check out Episode 5 and others on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts!

Learn more about JoDee - including her consulting work and great new podcast - at:

The Great Teacher Resignation Podcast:
- Facebook: @tgtrpodcast or Instagram: @tgtrpodcast
- Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-great-teacher-resignation/id1614449534
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/67ZxePdjxVYLYMY1xTybdX
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodeescissors/
PaperPlanes ED: https://www.paperplanesed.com/

Facebook: Life Leaps Podcast
Instagram: @LifeLeapsPodcast
Online at: https://lifeleapspodcast.com/
Or send us a good old-fashioned email at lifeleapspodcast@gmail.com - we'd love to hear from you.

4. "It Never Crossed My Mind I Was Too Old" - Deciding To Save Animals On A Greek Island Mountainside, WIth Sandy Nov 30, 2022

Show notes

At 63, British expat Sandy Simon left the tourism industry and bought a large, ancient property on a mountain overlooking the sea on the Greek island of Andros. Over a decade later, she continues to run a thriving - and extraordinarily unique - animal sanctuary out of her home there with the help of volunteers from around the world. She has homed countless animals and Andros Animal Shelter has become a magnet for travelers or anyone looking to adopt, lend a hand, or get inspired by Sandy's journey. In Episode 4, hear how Sandy:

Decided animals were her calling
Took a less-than-linear path as she navigated times of economic uncertainty
Takes a very unique approach to risk and aging
Reminds us not to be *too* careful in life leaps

Check out Episode 4 and others on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts!
Learn more about Sandy (Alexandra) Simon and Andros Animal Shelter - including the latest animals looking for a home and ways to volunteer, donate, or stay in her Airbnbs on your travels - on:

Facebook: @androsanimalsheltergreece
Instagram: @androsanimalshelter
Donate via: Paypal or Patreon or Crowdfunding
And more on Ben Fogle's TV feature on Sandy here

And a BONUS...flashback to your host's donkey-chasing escapades with Sandy - complete with photos of Magic Mountain and the animals - here: https://karenandjuan.wordpress.com/2019/04/28/we-lost-a-donkey/

Facebook: Life Leaps Podcast
Instagram: @LifeLeapsPodcast
Online at: https://lifeleapspodcast.com/
Or send us a good old-fashioned email at lifeleapspodcast@gmail.com - we'd love to hear from you.

3. "Courage Is A Muscle" - From Unemployed To Helping Congress Understand Technology, With Travis Moore Nov 22, 2022

Show notes

In 2022, Washingtonian Magazine named Travis Moore "Tech Titan of the Year" for his work with Tech Congress, an organization he founded to bring more sorely-needed technological know-how to Members of Congress. But 7 years ago, Travis was just one of many staffers working there - on Capitol Hill - trying to keep his head above water as he tried to decipher complex proposed laws that would affect big tech companies and Americans' privacy rights without much support. Then, he was out of a job. In Episode 3, hear how Travis:

Didn't initially intend to found Tech Congress
Was spurred to action
Used proven tools to help him figure out next steps
Navigated the often-confusing world of startups and money
Financially survived his leap
Got his first break
Advises others who want to start something, or explore what's next, on how to get started

Check out Episode 3 and others on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts!
Learn more about Travis Moore and Tech Congress - including their latest fellows, podcast, and blog - at: https://www.techcongress.io/.

Twitter @congressfellows
Other forums: https://linktr.ee/techcongress

Facebook: Life Leaps Podcast
Instagram: @LifeLeapsPodcast
Online at: https://lifeleapspodcast.com/
Or send us a good old-fashioned email at lifeleapspodcast@gmail.com - we'd love to hear from you.

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