Have you ever felt stuck in a job that’s draining your energy and leaving you wondering if it’s possible to start a new career?

In this episode, I chat with Brittany Piccola, a former high school teacher who faced teacher burnout head-on and made the bold decision to leave the classroom and start a new career as a virtual assistant.

Brittany’s story is raw, real, and incredibly inspiring. After losing her mom and facing the harsh reality of juggling grief with an unforgiving teaching schedule, she realized it was time to leave the classroom and design a new career on her own terms.

If you’ve ever thought about walking away from the familiar to start a new career, you’re going to love this conversation.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

• How teacher burnout can sneak up on you—and how to know when it’s time to go.
• The moment Brittany knew she had to leave the classroom and the unexpected opportunity that helped her start a new career.
• Practical steps for anyone ready to start a new career, especially teachers facing teacher burnout.
• Why prioritizing your mental health and well-being is the key to finding joy and fulfillment again.
• The surprising opportunities waiting for teachers who want to leave the classroom and start a new career.

Whether you’re a teacher dreaming of something more, or you’re just ready for a major life pivot, this episode is packed with encouragement and practical advice to help you take the leap.

Brittany’s journey proves that it’s never too late to start a new career that fits your life.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Female Founders Collective

Midlife on Purpose: Workbook

CONNECT WITH KATY RIPP:

Submit a letter HERE for a Dear Katy episode

Website: www.katyripp.com

Instagram: @katyripp

Pinterest: @katyripp

Facebook: @katy.ripp

CONNECT WITH BRITTANY PICCOLA:

Website: www.brittanypiccolava.com

Instagram: @brittanypiccola_va

Ever found yourself Googling "how to start a business from scratch", wondering if you can actually turn your passion into a career?

Maybe you've dreamed of turning a hobby into a business but felt paralyzed by fear in business—worried you don’t have what it takes. If that sounds like you, then girl, you’re in for a treat!

In this episode, I sit down with Caitlin Kowalke, an incredible running coach, former pro athlete, and business owner, who took her passion for running and turned it into a thriving career. From getting into running as a young athlete to competing at the Olympic Trials, Caitlin shares how she transitioned from professional runner to entrepreneur—starting Fearless Feet Running from her closet.

But it wasn’t always smooth sailing. Fear in business almost stopped her from taking the leap. Caitlin opens up about how she faced setbacks, battled self-doubt, and figured out how to start a business from scratch—all while balancing motherhood and life’s unexpected twists.

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to finally start getting into running or take that first step toward turning a hobby into a business, this episode is it.

• How Caitlin went from Googling "how to start a business from scratch" to running a successful coaching business.
• The mindset shift that helped Caitlin push past fear in business and take the leap into entrepreneurship.
• The surprising way running builds confidence—and why it’s never too late to start getting into running.
• The exact steps Caitlin took to start turning a hobby into a business, even with zero experience as an entrepreneur.

If you've ever wondered if turning a hobby into a business is possible, how to finally move past your fear in business, or why now is the perfect time for getting into running, this episode will inspire you to run (literally and figuratively) toward your dreams.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Female Founders Collective

Midlife on Purpose: Workbook

CONNECT WITH KATY RIPP:

Submit a letter HERE for a Dear Katy episode

Website: www.katyripp.com

Instagram: @katyripp

Pinterest: @katyripp

Facebook: @katy.ripp

CONNECT WITH CAITLIN KOWALKE:

Website: www.fearlessfeetrunning.com

Instagram: @fearlessfeetrunning

Ever felt like life threw you a curveball so hard it knocked the wind out of you?

You’re not alone. In this episode, I sit down with screenwriter and storyteller Victoria Male, who turned her most painful losses into creative fuel.

After losing her father unexpectedly in 2017, Victoria left her Hollywood career to pursue writing full-time. Her journey through processing grief, overcoming rejection, and reinvention is nothing short of inspiring.

We dive deep into finding the silver lining in life’s toughest moments, overcoming rejection, and the incredible power of healing through creativity.

Victoria shares what it was like working in the high-pressure world of Hollywood, the crushing moments of self-doubt, and how she finally decided to bet on herself.

Inside this episode, we’ll cover:

• How creativity became Victoria’s lifeline—and why expressing yourself can be one of the most powerful tools for healing through creativity.
• The truth about overcoming rejection—why it never really gets easier, but why it also doesn’t have to stop you.
• The reality of processing grief—how it sneaks up, how to honor your emotions, and why there’s no "right way" to move forward.
• Finding the silver lining in loss—how Victoria turned heartbreak into a career breakthrough and why loss can often be the catalyst for massive growth.
• The inside scoop on Hollywood and storytelling—the pressures, the setbacks, and the moment Victoria finally realized she had what it takes to be a full-time writer.

Maybe you’re standing at a crossroads, feeling the pull to create something meaningful but unsure if you’re "good enough." Maybe you’re navigating processing grief, overcoming rejection, or one of life’s many plot twists.

Wherever you are, you’re not alone. Tune in to this episode and let Victoria’s story remind you that sometimes, the hardest chapters lead to the most incredible transformations.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Female Founders Collective

Midlife on Purpose: Workbook

Episode 15: Creating a Meaningful End-of-Life Celebration with Alanna from Good Mourning

CONNECT WITH KATY RIPP:

Submit a letter HERE for a Dear Katy episode

Website: www.katyripp.com

Instagram: @katyripp

Pinterest: @katyripp

Facebook: @katy.ripp

CONNECT WITH VICTORIA MALE:

Website: www.victoriamale.com

CADER IDRIS Short Story

Instagram: @victoriamale1

Threads: @victoriamale1