This Kaleidoscope Career Podcast

From Host Helen JonsenWelcome to This Kaleidoscope Career with thoughts about how women are doing it differently. As the colors of a kaleidoscope shift and tumble to create amazing and unique images, our skills, talents, experience and passions can create unique careers that are anything but linear. After four decades as a journalist, writer, strategic comms pro and professional speaker, I have learned a lot about how we communicate who we are and what we do. These are our stories and the tools to celebrate them.I have spent two years listening to women and researching the elements of this kaleidoscope career for my new book, This Kaleidoscope Career: Empowering Women to Build Unconventional Careers and Redefine Success, published by De Gruyter Brill to be released in Sept. 2026.In this episode i share the key elements, discuss superpowers and then, walk through the step-by-step approach to reframing your career as you see it through its twists and turns. Former guests remind us of important elements and why. @Christine Koh and @Joan Garry. Find the full episodes with Joan herehttps://open.spotify.com/episode/0j8j6IQGmfJnnJO8R8N0VB Find the full episodes with Christine herehttps://open.spotify.com/episode/6ZaqKFiTAw0s519w2p4O5e?si=c345a0edb2e94fd8About Helen & This Kaleidoscope CareerI’m Helen Jonsen, the founder of helen jonsen media and This Kaleidoscope CareerI have lived a kaleidoscope career built on decades of experience as a multi-platform journalist in front of the camera and behind the scenes, as a writer and author, and as an adviser to corporate, nonprofit and public leadership.Check out my new book This Kaleidoscope Career: Empowering Women to Build Unconventional Careers and Redefine Success (De Gruyter Brill) wherever you purchase books or click here.Work with me! I am booking exclusive keynotes, bookstore and book club appearances now. Email helen@helenjonsen.com or set a discovery call here at your convenience.On This Kaleidoscope Career Podcast, I talk with inspiring women entrepreneurs and leaders across various industries, nonprofits and other sectors about unlocking their successful kaleidoscope careers and helping them find new ways to express their throughline. Listen wherever you stream or here. If you would like to be a guest, apply here.“This Kaleidoscope Career Podcast” is a production of helen jonsen media. Learn more at helenjonsen.com or email helen@helenjonsen.com TKC pod is edited on Descript. Learn more here https://descript.cello.so/u00D6MnPTT0Support for This Kaleidoscope Career comes from Divine Asset Management, a woman-owned firm advising individuals, families, and business owners on long-term strategies that align wealth with values. Explore more at WorkWithDivine.comTKC pod is edited on Descript. Learn more hereJoin Helen as an Innovation Women member. Do you want to speak for a living? Join a community of speakers supported by a platform. Learn more here. Affiliate Disclosure: This content contains affiliate links. helen jonsen media will receive a small commission at no cost to you.

In this episode of 'This Kaleidoscope Career,' host Helen Jonsen welcomes Sherice Torres, a seasoned chief marketing officer with experience spanning Google, Meta, cryptocurrency, and electric vehicles. Sherice shares the twists and turns of her extensive career, including her recent sabbatical, 'Project Lotus,' which she used to reclaim joy and redefine success. Sherice explains her recent kaleidoscope includes Lotus Leadership Group and her new role at Stanford Graduate School of Business.They discuss the challenges faced by women in industry, particularly women of color, and the importance of a supportive network. Sherice highlights her love for coaching, impactful career advising roles at Stanford, and influential reading favorites. Find Sherice on LinkedIn ——A NEW Online Course from Helen Jonsenin production with GenConnectU and LinkedIn LearningCommand the Room: Develop Your Signature Remarks Toolkit for Leaders A practical communication course for leaders who want to speak with clarity, confidence, and impact. Learn to craft your Signature Remarks, including your passion statement, talking points, personal stories, and your go-to talk that help you show up, stand out, and lead.Register hereCode: COMMAND15 Discount: 15% off enrollmentPodcast Timeline:00:00 Introduction to Kaleidoscope Careers01:22 Meet Sherice Torres: A Career of Twists and Turns04:14 From Nickelodeon to Google: Career Highlights07:13 Balancing Family and Career Moves11:19 Navigating Big Tech and Personal Challenges17:55 Burnout and Rediscovering Self21:18 The Reality of Being a Working Mom27:50 Balancing Career and Family28:41 The Importance of Asking for Help32:30 Project Lotus: Reclaiming Joy36:49 Starting Lotus Leadership Group38:16 New Role at Stanford Business School42:42 Speed Round: Fun and Hobbies47:15 The Power of a Women's Network48:37 Passion Projects and Giving Back51:11 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsFor Charity:Jack Kent Cook FoundationBreakthrough Silicon ValleySherice talks about these authors:Jasmine Guillory (for fun)Toni Morrison (to honor and meet)Maya Angelou (to honor and meet) Sherice belongs to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

In this episode of This Kaleidoscope Career, host HelenJonsen interviews Catarina Dolsten, a medical doctor turned management consultant, Catarina shares her journey from practicing medicine in Sweden to her work in maternal and child health in Sub-Saharan Africa and Bangladesh,and eventually founding the Aktum Group in the United States. Learn More about Catarina Dolstenon Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/crdolsten/And at Aktum Group https://www.aktumgroup.com/ Throughout the conversation, Catarina emphasizes theimportance of curiosity and adaptability in navigating career changes. She also discusses her experiences moving a family to a new country, the cultural differences she observes, and howher throughline in diagnostics, analytics, and a love for people has propelled her into organizational management. This insightful conversation highlights how one can blenddiverse skills and experiences into a fulfilling and dynamic career. 00:00 The Importance of Curiosity00:30 Introduction to Kaleidoscope Career01:26 Meet Catarina Dolsten02:07 Early Career in Sweden04:15 Transition to the United States07:37 Working in Nonprofits13:48 Founding the Aktum Group21:57 Navigating the Pandemic as an Entrepreneur26:29 The Problem with Long Meetings27:53 Speed Round: Fun and Interests29:28 Dream Destinations and Food Adventures31:05 Hobbies and Cultural Interests34:46 Reflections on Career and Life Lessons42:27 Final Thoughts and Farewell Favorite Book: The Slave (a classic from 1962) https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-slave-isaac-bashevis-singer/1102949794

Navigating This Kaleidoscope Career with FranHauser In this episode of 'This Kaleidoscope Career,'host Helen Jonsen converses with Fran Hauser, a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and bookstore owner. She is passionate about helping women acceleratein their careers by writing, speaking, investing in women’s start-up ventures, and in book consulting. Fran discusses her diverse trajectory, startingfrom her early days in accounting and evolving through various corporate roles at companies like Coca-Cola and Time Inc. where she was in the C-suite as head of digital. She delves into her transition to startupinvesting, driven by a desire to support female entrepreneurs, and later becoming an author. Her first book 'The Myth of The Nice Girl' became a best seller and is still fueling conversations about women at work. Her third is expected later in 2025. Fran also talks about her latest venture as abookstore owner and the importance of storytelling, community and family. Helen and Fran explore the common themes andthrough lines that have guided Fran's journey, focusing on her advocacy for women and her passion for storytelling. Find Fran hereFind Bedford Books herePodcast timeline: 00:00 Introduction and Mission00:27 Welcome to This Kaleidoscope Career01:22 Meet Fran Hauser01:44 Fran's Career Journey03:23 Transition to Startup Investing04:17 Writing and Advocacy16:19 The Myth of The Nice Girl22:13 Balancing Leadership and Authenticity24:43 Book Bound Podcast and Bookstore26:10 Reading Like Writers26:41 Workshops and Bookstore Dreams27:40 Opening the Bookstore in Record Time29:42 Building Community and Author Networks30:52 Navigating the Challenges of BookstoreOperations34:41 Publishing Workshops and Programs38:13 Speed Round: Fun and Personal Insights41:17 Family and Personal Life44:52 Advice for Women with Kaleidoscope Careers47:30Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Julie Cole is an award-winning entrepreneur, best-selling and award-winning author and media personality. As a lawyer who wanted out of corporate life she co-founded Mabel's Labels, to offer a solution to other moms needing to keep track of their kids' things. Not only did she and her three cofounders build a business started in her basement, she was an early adopter of social media and continues to be the face–often funny–of the company even after it was sold to a large conglomerate.More about Julie here.