Embrace the Squiggle

Kristine Thody & Colleen Delvecchio

"Embrace the Squiggle" is a captivating podcast that takes you behind the scenes, beyond the resumes, and into the authentic stories of professionals from all walks of life.

Join us as we delve into the raw, authentic narratives of women and their career journeys. Our guests share their triumphs and challenges with unflinching honesty, offering valuable insights and inspiration for all listeners seeking to navigate their own unique career squiggles.

Hosted by seasoned career explorers Colleen and Kristine, tune in every week as we uncover the hidden gems of career transformation, one unfiltered adventure at a time. Subscribe now and join us on this remarkable journey of discovery, growth, and empowerment.

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Top 10 Embrace the Squiggle Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Embrace the Squiggle episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Embrace the Squiggle for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Embrace the Squiggle episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

On Navigating a Squiggly Career with Empathy and Confidence with Melissa Welch

Embrace the Squiggle

01/10/24 • 29 min

How does one go from being an ice cream scooping expert at Friendly’s to working in Public Relations? Our guest this week is Melissa Welch, the proud owner of a very squiggly career, only expected to get even squigglier!

In this episode Colleen and Kristine catch up with Melissa to discuss how empathy is critical to a blossoming career. Melissa shares how she is a firm believer in jumping at the opportunities that are presented to you, no matter how unexpected. And they discuss how to turn past experience into skills for your new role.

Melissa is currently the senior creative director for Bay Path University. She is the believer of the importance of the in-between, every day moments in life, Melissa fills as many of them as she can with her sweet and sassy eight year old, Ryan, and her 13 year old rescue pup Sawyer. Forever a lover of the written word and beautiful branding, Melissa is a storyteller at heart, and has spent her career helping companies put their best foot- and their best face forward.

You can find Melissa on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissaewelch/ or on Instagram @printtherapy

You can connect with Colleen at https://www.maxady.com/

and on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/comara/

You can connect with Krsitine at https://www.kristinethody.com/

and on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinethody/

Subscribe to the podcast Embrace the Squiggle and listen every week for a new career adventure!

Leveraging your skills in a new industry with LaShea Davis-Williams

Embrace the Squiggle

03/20/24 • 39 min

What happens when you’re a part of a profession that ends early due to injury, age, or getting cut from a team? What do you do after it?

The case we are talking about this week on Embrace the Squiggle is what professional athletes do after they retire, but it can apply to anyone. Colleen and Kristine are talking with LaShea Davis all about her squiggly career that brought her to working at the NFL helping former professional athletes transition from playing to working in another role or profession.

LaShea Davis-Williams is an experienced Social Work practitioner with an extensive
background working with diverse populations including children, families, college
students, communities, and former professional athletes.

LaShea currently serves as a Senior Program Manager, with The Trust (powered by the
NFLPA), where she works with former NFL players, supporting them through their
transition post NFL career and living their purpose beyond football.

LaShea is also an Integrative Life Coach who specializes in helping women achieve their personal and professional goals. Through her coaching and consulting business she offers a wide range of programs and services - from individual coaching to business coaching and public speaking.

Connect with LaShea Davis-Williams on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lasheadw/

You can connect with Colleen at https://www.maxady.com/

and on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/comara/

You can connect with Krsitine at https://www.kristinethody.com/

and on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinethody/

Subscribe to the podcast Embrace the Squiggle and listen every week for a new career adventure!

From Pediatric Nurse to Professional Disney Expert with Leslie Lowry of Addicted to the Mouse

Embrace the Squiggle

03/27/24 • 39 min

Have you wanted to merge your passions with your career but aren't sure how to make the leap? This episode covers how Leslie leaped from her comfortable full-time job as a nurse into the business of Disney!

This week on Embrace the Squiggle Colleen and Kristine, speak with Leslie Lowry who you may know from her business and podcast, Addicted to the Mouse.

She started her career as a pediatric nurse and got her masters and became a nursing instructor. It was during this time that Leslie took her family to Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL for the first time. Seeing her two small sons' faces light up during that week, Leslie knew her true calling was to help as many families as she could make those same magical memories.

Leslie became a part-time Travel Agent Specializing in Disney Destinations in 2015 and hasn't looked back. In 2020, after the world began reopening from the pandemic, Leslie and her husband Dan decided to open their own Travel Agency and share their passion for planning memorable vacations with as many families as possible. They have a team of professional travel advisors that all contribute to a wonderful supportive culture, where they collaborate on new ways to "make magic." They co-own Fantastical Vacations, a concierge travel agency, specializing in Disney Destinations

Her podcast, Addicted to the Mouse, which she and her husband Dan began in 2017. And you can watch their adventures on their YouTube channel of the same name. They publish two podcasts and two videos per week and love every minute of it.

Links:

You can find Leslie’s Disney resources at https://addictedtothemouse.com/

https://www.instagram.com/addictedtothemouse/

https://www.instagram.com/fantasticalvacations/

Fantastical Vacations - Disney, Universal, Cruise Lines

You can connect with Colleen at https://www.maxady.com/

and on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/comara/

You can connect with Krsitine at https://www.kristinethody.com/

and on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinethody/

Subscribe to the podcast Embrace the Squiggle and listen every week for a new career adventure!

Your Career Squiggle is Starting to Come Alive with Lesli Ann Agcaoili

Embrace the Squiggle

05/01/24 • 55 min

This week on Embrace the Squiggle Colleen and Kristine speak with Lesli about her squiggly career that has taken her across the country and pivoted across many fields.

Lesli Ann Mie Agcaoili, a lifelong learner, retired from the automotive industry last year and is enrolled in trade school where she is working towards an esthetician license. She spent most of her career in product development in automotive, tech, fashion as a designer and engineer, and as an elementary school educator. She has traveled globally while working for iconic companies such as Tesla, Ford Motor Company and BlackBerry, with extensive work in Mexico and Asia. She is committed to helping develop opportunities for others and enjoys connecting ideas and people. Lesli sits on the Alumni Board of Governors for the Ross School of Business and is an active volunteer for Smith College. When she is not “geeking” out over cars, or falling off her skateboard, Lesli Ann enjoys fashion and makeup artistry, helping clients amplify their personal brand.

Connect with Lesli at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliagcaoili/

You can connect with Colleen at https://www.maxady.com/

and on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/comara/

You can connect with Krsitine at https://www.kristinethody.com/

and on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinethody/

Subscribe to the podcast Embrace the Squiggle and listen every week for a new career adventure!

The Power of Community in Career Growth with Luzed Guzman Romano

Embrace the Squiggle

02/26/25 • 42 min

Colleen and Kristine kick things off with LinkedIn advice for anyone facing layoffs, then dive into an inspiring conversation with Luzed Guzman Romano, a top-performing sales leader and advocate for women in Massachusetts.

💡 In This Episode:
✨ How to authentically present yourself on social media after a job loss
✨ The power of compassionate leadership & community
✨ Luzed’s journey from nonprofit work to corporate success
✨ How mentorship and women leaders shaped her career

Plus, fun rapid-fire questions & book recommendations! 📚

🔗 Connect with Luzed:
👉 LinkedIn
👉 MassLive Feature

🎤 Want to be a guest in 2025? Apply here!

🔗 Follow Colleen & Kristine:
🌟 Colleen on LinkedIn
🌟 Kristine on LinkedIn

Finding Purpose in the Pivot with Ja’Milla Lomas

Embrace the Squiggle

01/08/25 • 44 min

In this episode of Embrace the Squiggle, Colleen and Kristine sit down with Ja'Milla Lomas, a dynamic professional whose career is as multifaceted as her talents. From dreaming of becoming a cardiovascular surgeon ballerina to thriving in communications and community service, Ja'Milla's journey is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the power of finding your true purpose.

Born and raised in Houston, Ja'Milla reflects on her path of self-discovery, from her transformative years at Smith College to navigating career shifts that spanned retail, experiential marketing, and special events. Now serving as the Public Information Officer and Community Relations Director for the Houston Fire Department, Ja'Milla combines her innate charisma and passion for service to make a meaningful impact on her community.

What are you binging or streaming on TV right now? The Walking Dead
What color brings you the most joy? rainbow! I love colors! Each one brings out a different kind of emotion in you.
What is your favorite place on earth? place of serenity - getting lost in Paris - campsite in a random place
What do you value most in others? honesty - lies will eventually unravel
What book recommendation do you have for our listeners? My Darkest Prayer https://a.co/d/7OMXbph
A Free Man of Color https://a.co/d/9OhKQpj

Connect with Ja’Milla https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamillacklomas/

Follow on Insta: millamoo1913

Interested in being a guest on the podcast in 2025? Fill out our application here https://forms.gle/QX6a9a7cV76VYzbt9

Connect and learn more from Colleen at www.maxady.com and on Linkedin at www.linkedin.com/in/comara

Connect and learn more from Kristine at https://www.kristinethody.com and on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinethody
Subscribe to the podcast Embrace the Squiggle and listen every week for a new career adventure!

And please leave us a rating on your podcast app, it really helps us out.

Facing Rejection and Moving Forward with Jessica Bacal

Embrace the Squiggle

09/11/24 • 39 min

Facing a challenging career transition? This week Colleen and Kristine talk with Jessica Bacal about practical steps for those feeling stuck in their current jobs. Jess also shares her unique career journey, including her role at Smith College, authoring books on rejection and mistakes, and her thoughts on gap years for students.

Jessica Bacal is the editor of two books, Mistakes I Made at Work (2014) and The Rejection That Changed My Life (2021), both published by Penguin Random House. She is Director of Reflective Practices at Smith College, in Northampton, Massachusetts, where she helps students explore identity and find resilience in community. Jessica also teaches a course called Designing Your Path, which guides students to consider questions like: What is your story? What matters to you? What skills do you need to pursue what matters?

Get her rejection book and mistakes book.

Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicabacal/

Check our Jessica’s website!

Are you looking to change careers, but have no idea what you might want to do next? Design Your Next Squiggle is for you! Get tickets here:

Design Your Next Squiggle - Sept 12 - Oct. 3

Colleen and Kristine will guide you through their unique and successful process to clearly define what your next squiggle could be.

Includes:

four live 90-minute sessions (September 12, 19, 26 and October 3 from 7pm - 8:30pm ET)
one 45-minute career coaching call with either Colleen or Kristine (your choice!)
Gallup CliftonStrengths assessment
Customized handouts

Connect and learn more from Colleen at www.maxady.com and on Linkedin at www.linkedin.com/in/comara

And please leave us a rating on your podcast app, it really helps us out.

Networking Without the Ick: How to Build Genuine Connections with Colleen and Kristine

Embrace the Squiggle

02/19/25 • 35 min

Hate the idea of networking? You’re not alone. This week, Colleen and Kristine break down how to make networking feel natural—not slimy.

💡 Why networking isn’t just about job-hunting
💡 How to build connections without an agenda
💡 Easy ways to expand your network (LinkedIn, local events & more!)
💡 Simple LinkedIn strategies to boost your visibility

Ditch the awkwardness and start making connections that actually matter. Tune in now!

Want to be a guest in 2025? Apply here!

🔗 Connect with Colleen & Kristine:
🌟 Colleen on LinkedIn
🌟 Kristine on LinkedIn

Learning how to finally invest in yourself BIG and never look back with Jill Rodowicz

Embrace the Squiggle

01/24/24 • 34 min

Have you ever felt like your life is in a constant lull and you just don’t know what to do to make a big shift? Well so did our guest Jill until she finally bit the bullet and made a BIG investment in her personal development by becoming a certified Life Coach.

In this week’s episode of Embrace the Squiggle, Colleen and Kristine sit down with Life Coach Jill Rodowicz (she/her) to discuss her squiggly journey starting from aspiring surgeon.

Jill is a general life coach who mainly focuses on helping feminist women rid their romantic lives of anxiety. She was officially certified by The Life Coach School in July 2023. One unique way in which she approaches her practice is by considering the way in which women are socialized under the patriarchy. Jill believes that having a full understanding of how our environment/socialization and biology affect our brains is key in treating her clients' and getting to the root of problems—rather than merely treating symptoms. This involves a re-training of an individual's current mindset to a mindset that serves a client's individualistic wants, needs and future goals.

You can book a free consultation with Jill at http://Calendly.com/BWYAC if you are looking for decision making support and think Jill may be the coach for you.

Jill’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becomewhatyouarecoaching/

You can connect with Colleen at https://www.maxady.com/

and on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/comara/

You can connect with Krsitine at https://www.kristinethody.com/

and on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinethody/

Subscribe to the podcast Embrace the Squiggle and listen every week for a new career adventure!

Why you should to take BIG risks in your career with Dr. Jess Menna

Embrace the Squiggle

04/24/24 • 41 min

Your career shouldn’t be a straight line journey from one point to another, risks are meant to be taken!

This week on Embrace the Squiggle, Colleen and Kristine speak with Jess Menna about her squiggly career and the lessons she’s learned along the way. They get into why taking risks should be a part of your career and how to know when the risk is worth taking.

Dr. Jess Menna has extensive experience spanning diverse industries, including client services, logistics, manufacturing, supply chain, software development, life sciences, and data exchange. Currently serving as the Senior Director of Data Integration and Operations at HealthVerity, she navigates the intersection of software implementation and data within a uniquely deidentified ecosystem. Before joining HealthVerity, she dedicated a decade to consulting with Dassault Systèmes and Accenture where she focused on leveraging technology and process enhancements to boost organizational efficiency.

‌Jess has a spirited daughter, Julia, who imparts as many valuable lessons as she receives. While Jess dedicates herself to the field of HealthTech, her family embodies a team of true healthcare responders and heroes on the front line. Dawn, her mother, has been a nurse for over 40 years; Anthony, her brother, recently earned the distinction of Philadelphia Firefighter of the Year for his heroic actions; and, Joseph, her supportive husband, attends as a clinical pharmacist. Jess draws daily inspiration from witnessing their incredible commitment to helping others

Check out Innovation Women: https://innovationwomen.com/

Connect with Dr. Jess Menna at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-menna-bruchesky/

You can connect with Colleen at https://www.maxady.com/

and on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/comara/

You can connect with Krsitine at https://www.kristinethody.com/

and on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinethody/

Subscribe to the podcast Embrace the Squiggle and listen every week for a new career adventure!

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