• EdTech Innovator Betsy Corcoran on Making Choices & Seizing Agency
    Dec 2 2025

    In this episode of This Kaleidoscope Career, host Helen Jonsen interviews former Forbes Senior Editor Betsy Corcoran, an innovator at the intersection of education and technology.

    Support 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.com


    ABOUT THIS EPISODE & BETSY CORCORAN

    A former Silicon Valley Bureau Chief for Forbes and a seasoned tech journalist, Betsy's career has evolved to focus on the impact of AI and technology in education. She explains how being a mother, involved in her children’s lives, played a role in her decision to enter the unknown.

    BETSY discusses her journey from journalism to cofounding EdSurge, and her current role with PlayLab AI, a nonprofit building AI infrastructure for teachers and students. Her passion for storytelling, Helping others in education, and deep collaboration in tech innovation are central themes.

    The episode features a speed round where Betsyshares her love for open water swimming, her musical aspirations, and the desire to make a meaningful difference in the world.

    00:00 Introduction to Kaleidoscope Careers

    01:21 Meet Betsy Corcoran: Innovator inEducation and Technology

    02:04 A Day in the Life of Betsy Corcoran

    04:19 Betsy's Journey from Journalism toEducation Technology

    14:16 The Birth of EdSurge & Family Considerations

    23:13 Betsy's Current Endeavors and Future Plans

    23:35 Speed Round: Getting to Know Betsy

    28:41 Betsy's Board Positions and Contributions

    33:15 Final Thoughts and Reflections

    35:22 Conclusion

    Additional Notes:

    Future Fluent futurefluent.net

    Playlab.ai

    Consulting firm: http://www.ledelabs.com

    New Harmony Line https://newharmonyline.org/

    DesignTech High School https://www.linkedin.com/school/design-tech-high-oracle/

    Project Ollie https://www.linkedin.com/company/project-ollie/

    LEARN MORE

    Command the Room: Develop Your Signature Remarks Toolkit for Leaders, presented by Helen Jonsen

    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.

    Code: COMMAND15

    Discount: 15% off enrollment

    https://genconnect-courses.thinkific.com/courses/Command-the-Room-The-Signature-Remarks-Toolkit-for-Leaders?ref=6311fe


    AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: The show notes contain affiliate links. helen jonsen media may earn a commission from purchases at no extra cost to you.

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    37 mins
  • Molly Tschang: Leadership Lessons from a Career Well-Lived
    Nov 24 2025

    Season 3/

    In this enlightening episode of Kaleidoscope Career, host Helen Jonsen delves into the dynamic career journey of Molly Tschang, CEO of Abella Consulting and founder of Say It Skillfully, Inc.

    Molly shares her career evolution from aspirations of marine biology to chemical engineering, and from key roles in companies like DuPont, IBM, and Cisco Systems to her impactful work in leadership consulting and the NGO NetHope.

    Highlighting her unique ability to connect and foster safe spaces for authenticity, Molly discusses how to handle failure, leverage strengths, and pursue passions. The episode also touches on her philanthropic efforts, particularly with Save the Children and Community Solutions.

    Helen and Molly enjoy a light-hearted speed round, revealing Molly's love for tennis and her admiration for tennis great RogerFederer, and Seinfeld!

    00:00 Introduction to Kaleidoscope Career

    01:09 Meet Molly Chang: A Kaleidoscope Career

    02:10 Early Career and Education

    05:18 Transition to IBM

    15:40 Joining Cisco Systems

    18:50 Philanthropy and Nonprofit Work

    25:08 Empowering Myself at Cisco

    25:36 Discovering Executive Coaching

    27:42 Leaving Cisco and Starting My Consultancy

    28:30 Meeting Marshall Goldsmith

    28:52 The Birth of 'Say It Skillfully'

    30:18 The Importance of Communication

    45:14 Navigating the Pandemic as an Introvert

    47:37Passion Projects and Final Thoughts


    FIND MOLLY:

    LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollytschang/

    Say It Skillfully, Inc. https://www.sayitskillfully.com/

    Nonprofits:

    Community Solutions https://community.solutions/

    NetHope https://nethope.org/


    More from helen jonsen media

    A NEW Online Course from Helen Jonsen

    in production with GenConnectU and LinkedIn Learning
    Command 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. Learn more here.

    Discount Code: COMMAND15 15% off enrollment


    Affiliate Disclosure

    The show notes contain affiliate links. helen jonsen media may earn a commission from purchases at no extra cost to you.





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    51 mins
  • Writing the Playbook That Hasn't Been Written: Jory Des Jardins
    Nov 11 2025

    Join host Helen Jonsen in conversation with Jory Des Jardins, long-considered a Silicon Valley innovator, including advice for entrepreneurs and those adding optionality to their work lives.In this episode, the co-founder of BlogHer and Optionality and currently leading CANDOR Partners, Jory, talks about her entrepreneurial journey in Silicon Valley.

    She discusses how she manages her multifaceted career, balancing work and family, and her passion projectsfocused on mental health and the future of work.

    She reflects on the impact of BlogHer in revolutionizing influencer marketing and offers advice on navigating herkaleidoscope career.

    Jory also shares insights into the importance of creatingflexible and meaningful work environments, writing the playbooks for things that need to be normalized, and the role of emerging technologies like AI.

    The episode delves into her passion for writing, her love for storytelling, and her current projects aimed atupskilling professionals and promoting brain health.

    Learn more about Jory on LinkedIn

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorydesjardins/

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    48 mins
  • Lisen Stromberg on Work, Pause , Thrive in the Now of Work
    Oct 28 2025

    In this episode of `This Kaleidoscope Career`, host Helen Jonsen interviews Lisen Stromberg, a successful author, entrepreneur, and advisor.

    They discuss the challenges and opportunities that come with non-linear career paths, especially for women balancing work and caregiving roles.

    Lisen shares insights on her approach to time mastery, theimpact of workplace culture, and the importance of collaborative change.

    The conversation also touches on her personal experiences,favorite activities, and passionate advocacy for reproductive rights and humanrights.

    To wrap up, they delve into the broader societal changes needed to support a more inclusive and supportive work environment.

    00:00 Introduction to Kaleidoscope Careers

    00:26 Meet the Host: Helen Jonsen

    01:18 Guest Introduction: Lisen Stromberg

    02:13 A Day in the Life of Lisen Stromberg

    04:22 The Concept of Social Impact Entrepreneurship

    05:57 The Kaleidoscope Career and Motherhood

    06:55 Lisen's Personal Journey and Career Challenges

    11:21 The Scandinavian Model and Family Caregiving

    15:37 Current Trends and Future Outlook for Women in the Workforce

    23:26 Addressing Burnout and Toxic Workplaces

    27:43 Navigating Toxic Work Environments

    29:54 Introducing My New Online Course

    30:37 Balancing Fun and Family

    33:28 Exploring Hobbies and Passions

    35:22 Dream Destinations and Travel Goals

    42:58 The Impact of Elder Care on Careers

    47:38 Advocating for Important Causes

    49:11 Final Thoughts and Reflections

    Lisen’s Books

    Intentional Power: The 6 Essential Leadership Skills forTriple Bottom Line Impact https://amzn.to/47och9l

    Work, Pause, Thrive: How to Pause for Parenthood WithoutKilling Your Career, https://amzn.to/3J2lJah

    Recommended author: The First, the Few,the Only: How Women of Color Can Redefine Power in Corporate America Deepa Purushothaman (Author)https://amzn.to/42Rzlf9

    Online Course from Helen Jonsen

    in production with GenConnectU and LinkedIn Learning

    Command the Room: Develop Your Signature Remarks Toolkit for Leaders

    A practical communication course for leaders who want tospeak 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.

    Code: COMMAND15 Discount: 15% off enrollment

    https://genconnect-courses.thinkific.com/courses/Command-the-Room-The-Signature-Remarks-Toolkit-for-Leaders?ref=6311fe


    This Kaleidoscope Career is a production of helen jonsen media

    https://helenjonsen.com/

    For an expanded conversation, join us on This Kaleidoscope Career on Substack. As a free subscriber, you will receive insider tips and stories to help you build your unique career. More paid perks coming!

    https://substack.com/@thiskaleidoscopecareer


    *The show notes contain affiliate links. helen jonsen media may earn a commission from purchases at no extra cost to you.



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    52 mins
  • Sherice Torres: A Coast-to-Coast Career from Viacom to Stanford and Big Tech in Between.
    Oct 13 2025

    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 Jonsen

    in production with GenConnectU and LinkedIn Learning


    Command 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 here

    Code: COMMAND15 Discount: 15% off enrollment


    Podcast Timeline:

    00:00 Introduction to Kaleidoscope Careers

    01:22 Meet Sherice Torres: A Career of Twists and Turns

    04:14 From Nickelodeon to Google: Career Highlights

    07:13 Balancing Family and Career Moves

    11:19 Navigating Big Tech and Personal Challenges

    17:55 Burnout and Rediscovering Self

    21:18 The Reality of Being a Working Mom

    27:50 Balancing Career and Family

    28:41 The Importance of Asking for Help

    32:30 Project Lotus: Reclaiming Joy

    36:49 Starting Lotus Leadership Group

    38:16 New Role at Stanford Business School

    42:42 Speed Round: Fun and Hobbies

    47:15 The Power of a Women's Network

    48:37 Passion Projects and Giving Back

    51:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts


    For Charity:

    Jack Kent Cook Foundation

    Breakthrough Silicon Valley


    Sherice 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.

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    53 mins
  • Vicki Johnson, Ph.D. –Using Fellowship as Career Stepping Stones
    Sep 30 2025

    Early and mid-career fellowships, entrepreneur accelerators, and fully-funded higher ed programs can be huge stepping stones in any career.

    For Dr. Vicki Johnson, they have provided skill-building experiences around the world and laid the groundwork for her entrepreneurial move into helping others do the same, ProFellow.com.

    Learn more about This Kaleidoscope Career as Helen Jonsen interviews Vicki and together they offer advice and takeaways in a world of disruption and unexpected change.

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    46 mins
  • Catarina Dolsten: From Medicine and Global Maternal Health to Healing Companies
    Jun 25 2025

    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 Curiosity

    00:30 Introduction to Kaleidoscope Career

    01:26 Meet Catarina Dolsten

    02:07 Early Career in Sweden

    04:15 Transition to the United States

    07:37 Working in Nonprofits

    13:48 Founding the Aktum Group

    21:57 Navigating the Pandemic as an Entrepreneur

    26:29 The Problem with Long Meetings

    27:53 Speed Round: Fun and Interests

    29:28 Dream Destinations and Food Adventures

    31:05 Hobbies and Cultural Interests

    34:46 Reflections on Career and Life Lessons

    42:27 Final Thoughts and Farewell

    Favorite Book: The Slave (a classic from 1962) https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-slave-isaac-bashevis-singer/1102949794

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    45 mins
  • Meet Kym McNicholas: From Dancing with Whales & Covering Silicon Valley to Health Advocacy
    Jun 16 2025

    In this episode of 'This Kaleidoscope Career,'host Helen Jonsen is joined by Kym McNicholas, CEO of the Global PAD Association. Kym shares her remarkable career journey that spans from being ashy college student aspiring to become an athletic trainer, to becoming aprofessional water skier, sports, tech and business journalist, and now anadvocate for Peripheral Artery Disease awareness.

    Global PAD Association

    www.thewaytomyheart.org

    The conversation delves deep into Kym’sexperiences in journalism, her pivotal moments, and the profound impact she ismaking in the field of global health. Listeners will be inspired by Kym’sunwavering passion, her bold transitions throughout her career, and hercommitment to saving lives through early diagnosis and awareness of PAD.

    The episode also touches upon Kym’s personalanecdotes, including her transformative moments in broadcasting, her innovativeapproaches in healthcare advocacy, and her relentless drive to createmeaningful change in the world.

    Kym McNicholas https://www.linkedin.com/in/kymmcnicholas/

    00:00 Introduction to the Kaleidoscope Career

    01:37 Meet Kym McNicholas: A Journey fromShyness to Broadcasting

    02:32 Kym's Early Career: From Athletic Trainingto Radio

    05:12 Breaking into Sports Journalism andBroadcasting

    09:16 Transition to Business and TechnologyReporting

    12:02 The Energy News Live Experience

    16:56 From Local TV to Silicon Valley

    21:45 Advocacy and the Global PAD Association

    36:43 Personal Reflections and FutureAspirations

    44:19Conclusion and Farewell

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    46 mins