What happens when your career takes an unexpected pivot—from high-powered agent to published author—and your work friendships evolve into personal lifelines?

In this episode, Jess and Claude dive deep with Clélia Castro-Malaspina, a former literary agent turned award-winning children’s author, who’s rewriting the rules of connection, creativity, and career.

💬 We talk:

• How critique groups can save your sanity—and your story
• What coffee shops and connection have in common
• Why keeping work friendships alive can launch your next chapter
• And how to build meaningful support networks in remote or creative careers

Clélia also opens up about her powerful new book, Girls with Goals: How Women’s Soccer Took Over the World—a fierce, inspiring history of the women who kicked down barriers, built a global movement, and lit the way for future generations of female athletes. 🌍⚽

Whether you're chasing a dream, changing careers, or cheering from the sidelines—this episode is for you.

🎧 Plus: Learn how her first book, Your Freedom, Your Power, teaches kids the First Amendment like never before—one protest sign at a time. 🗽📚

📅 Girls with Goals hits shelves May 6th in the U.S. and May 8th in the UK—published by Holler, an imprint of Quarto.

📚 Your Freedom, Your Power is out now from Running Press Kids.

🔗 Connect with Clélia:
Website: https://mossypinescreative.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mossypinesclelia/

✨ Come for the book talk, stay for the inspiration—and maybe the goosebumps.

🎙️ Listen now on all platforms or watch the full conversation on YouTube.

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Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband