Are you feeling that quiet whisper—or loud roar—telling you it’s time for a change? In this powerful conversation, Laura Rotter welcomes back career transition and executive coach Laurie Hirsch Schulz to explore how women at midlife can recognize and navigate the inflection points that signal it’s time for something new.
Laurie shares her journey of leaving a successful 25-year corporate marketing career when the work no longer aligned with her core values of collaboration and connectivity. After negotiating her own exit package and taking what she calls a “reboot year,” she discovered Coaching and built a thriving practice helping professionals at their own crossroads. But this episode isn’t just about dramatic career pivots—it’s about recognizing that we don’t have to settle for “okay” and that discomfort is often where the magic happens.
Whether you’re feeling burnt out, bored, or simply sensing that there must be more, this episode offers practical Wisdom for building what Laurie calls your “personal compass”—a framework of values, superpowers, and purpose that helps you navigate the “shoulds” and make purposeful choices aligned with who you truly are. Essential listening for any woman ready to stop settling and start exploring what’s next.
About Laurie: Laurie Hirsch Schulz is a Career Transition and Executive Coach who partners with professionals and executives at inflection points to gain Clarity on what’s next in their careers and lives. After spending nearly 25 years in corporate marketing strategy roles with Fortune 500 companies (including two years in Switzerland), Laurie made her own pivot when her work no longer aligned with her personal values. She took a “reboot year” to get clear on her purpose, earned her coaching certification, and launched her practice helping others do the same. Laurie specializes in working with women leaders, nonprofit executives, and professionals navigating transitions. She is also president of a nonprofit board working with teens to help them find their own personal voice and power. Laurie is a graduate of Leadership Westchester and believes deeply in experimentation, service, and the power of building your personal compass to navigate life’s choices.
Key Takeaways:
💡 Inflection points deserve respect—whether they’re loud or quiet: The whisper telling you something needs to change is just as valid as a dramatic life event. Pay attention when you feel bored, unsettled, or disengaged—these are signals worth exploring, not dismissing.
💡 Discomfort is where the magic happens: When you’re stretching beyond your comfort zone, that’s when you learn the most and build confidence. The discomfort may feel hard in the moment, but the Growth and empowerment on the other side make it worthwhile.
💡 Build your personal compass to navigate the “shoulds”: Get crystal clear on your non-negotiable values, what lights you up, what drains you, and your unique superpowers. This compass becomes your framework for making purposeful choices rather than being driven by external expectations or cultural norms about what you “should” do.
💡 Experimentation beats paralysis: You don’t have to quit your job to explore new directions. Take on different projects at work, volunteer in areas that interest you, have curiosity conversations with people doing work you admire. Small experiments build confidence, experience, and network—creating a stronger foundation for bigger moves.
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Disclaimer: Please remember that the information shared on this podcast does not constitute accounting, legal, tax, investment or financial advice. It’s for informational purposes only. You should seek appropriate professional advice for your specific information.
