Around the Ladder
Welcome to Around the Ladder – the podcast where we explore the twists, turns, and unexpected detours of career journeys. Many of us are familiar with the phrase ”climbing the corporate ladder,” but what happens when your path doesn’t follow a straight line? I became fascinated by the idea of going around the ladder – carving out a different kind of career path. My own journey took this route. After 25 years as an employee, I stepped away for a year and emerged as a consultant and business owner. And along the way, I realized I’m not alone. There are so many people out there whose careers have taken unconventional, surprising, and inspiring directions. In this podcast, you’ll hear conversations with people who have traveled paths of all shapes and sizes. Sometimes you backtrack or move sideways; other times, you need someone to lift you up or simply sit with you right where you are. No matter where you are on your journey, you’re not alone. So, whether you’re rethinking your next step or just curious about the many ways a career can unfold, you’re in the right place. This is Around the Ladder – let’s explore the journey together.
Episodes
In this episode of Around the Ladder, host Erika Steinberg welcomes Elise Holtzman, former practicing attorney turned executive coach, consultant, and founder of The Lawyer’s Edge. Elise shares her unconventional journey from pre-med student to Big Law associate, and ultimately to a thriving career helping lawyers become confident leaders and rainmakers.
With humor and candor, Elise opens up about the challenges of leaving law, th...
In this episode of Around the Ladder, host Erika Steinberg sits down with Sean Gelchion, Senior Manager of Talent, Operations, and Innovation at the law firm Beveridge & Diamond. Sean’s career path is anything but traditional. Starting in federal law enforcement, moving into public investigations and consulting at Deloitte, Sean ult...
In this inspiring episode of Around the Ladder, host Erika Steinberg sits down with Elisa Cruickshank, an instructional designer and founder of EC Designs for Learning, to explore a career path that zigzagged from banking to entrepreneurship.
Elisa shares how her early experiences creating cheat sheets and coaching teams laid the foundation for her passion: turning complex ideas into simple, human-centered learning experiences. Fr...
In this episode of Around the Ladder, Erika sits down with seasoned brand strategist Stacy Thal, whose career journey has been anything but linear. From a dramatic “I quit” note in a San Francisco high-rise to becoming an “accidental entrepreneur,” Stacy has navigated PR firms, Silicon Valley giants, and the volatile world of startups—emerging with a nimble, MVP-style approach to brand strategy.
They dive into:
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The turning po...
In this inspiring episode of Around the Ladder, host Erika Steinberg chats with entrepreneur and wellness marketing expert Jessica Campos, whose unconventional career journey proves that success isn’t always a straight climb. From growing up in Puerto Rico and becoming a lawyer, to launching a wellness-focused marketing agency and creating community-driven impact in Austin, Jessica shares how resilience, reinvention, and authentic...
In this episode of Around the Ladder, host Erika Steinberg sits down with Meg Pritchard, founder of Create Communications, to explore what it truly means to build a career “around the ladder” rather than climbing it. Meg’s journey takes us from her early days as a litigation associate, through unconventional choices shaped by circumstance and self-awareness, to her current role leading a boutique content consultancy...
In this episode of Around the Ladder, host Erika Steinberg sits down with Murray Coffey—a legal industry veteran, storyteller, and strategic advisor—to explore the winding, unconventional paths that careers can take. From his early days as a public defender during the crack epidemic in Chicago to his current role as Senior Strategic Advisor at a major law firm, Murray shares candid reflections on risk, reinvention, ...
In this episode of Around the Ladder, host Erika Steinberg welcomes Kelly Marshall—bookkeeper, financial coach, and entrepreneur—to discuss unconventional career paths, entrepreneurship, and redefining success. The conversation explores Kelly’s journey from corporate banking to building a purpose-driven business, the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, and the importance of aligning your work with your value...
In this episode of Around the Ladder, Erika Steinberg welcomes business development expert Steve Fretzin to discuss unconventional career journeys, particularly in the legal industry. Steve shares his unique path from sales professional to renowned coach for attorneys, emphasizing that career success often comes from zigzags and pivots rather than a straight climb. Together, Erika and Steve explore why lawyers strug...
Host: Erika Steinberg Guest: Merrilyn Gibbs, Founder of Assistants4Hire
Episode Title: Carving Your Own Path: From College Golf Coach to Entrepreneur with Merrilyn Gibbs
Episode Summary
On this episode of Around the Ladder, host Erika Steinberg welcomes Merrilyn Gibbs, founder of Assistants4Hire, to share her inspiring journey from college golf coach and pro g...
Host: Erika Steinberg Guest: Madeline Schwarz, Communication Coach
Episode Overview
Welcome to Around the Ladder, the podcast exploring the unexpected twists and turns of real career journeys. In this episode, host Erika Steinberg sits down with Madeline Schwarz, a communication coach who specializes in helping creatives and introverts find their voice and confidence in professional ...
On this episode of Around the Ladder, host Erika Steinberg welcomes Erin Alli, founder of Essential Assistance, to discuss the realities of entrepreneurship, the importance of operational support, and how to build a business that allows for true freedom. Erin shares her journey from sales and management to becoming a fractional COO and operations expert, and offers actionable advice for business owners at every stag...
In this episode of Around the Ladder, Erika Steinberg welcomes Shauna Bryce, a Harvard Law School and Johns Hopkins graduate, and the founder of Bryce Legal. Shauna shares her journey from a traditional legal career to becoming a renowned coach and consultant helping lawyers achieve success, fulfillment, and happiness. Their conversation explores how Shauna’s career path defied expectations, the realities of law fir...
In this episode of Around the Ladder, host Erika Steinberg welcomes Judy Schoenberg and Linda Lautenberg, co-founders of EvolveMe, for a candid conversation about career reinvention in midlife. Together, they explore the unique challenges and opportunities faced by women looking to relaunch, pivot, or level up their careers, and discuss how EvolveMe is helping women thrive in an ever-evolving world of work.
Key Top...In this inspiring episode of Around the Ladder, host Erika Steinberg sits down with Laurel Carpenter to explore her unconventional career journey from nonprofit leadership and social work to thriving as a brand strategist and copywriter. Laurel shares how pivotal moments, unexpected challenges, and a willingness to pivot led her to co-found Pearl Consulting NYC with her partner, Charles Herold. Together, they help p...
In this episode of Around the Ladder, host Erika Steinberg welcomes Candice Miller, a dynamic professional whose career has spanned banking, strategy, and the legal industry. Candice shares her journey from a traditional corporate path to entrepreneurship, highlighting the twists, risks, and lessons that shaped her along the way. Listeners will gain insight into how unexpected opportunities and setbacks can redefine...
In this episode of Around the Ladder, host Erika Steinberg sits down with Morgan Katz, founder and CEO of Ticketnology, to explore her unconventional career path from live event management to tech entrepreneurship. Morgan shares insights on identifying as an entrepreneur later in life, building a tech platform from scratch, and her passion project-Gunny’s House, a charity for senior rescue dogs. The conversat...
In this episode of Around the Ladder, host Erika Steinberg sits down with Dr. Erika Powell, a coach, facilitator, and consultant celebrated for her unique blend of connection, creativity, and authenticity in leadership development. Dr. Powell shares her journey from a diverse academic background in anthropology, linguistics, education, and art, to a career dedicated to helping leaders and teams thrive through transf...
In this episode of Around the Ladder, host Erika Steinberg sits down with Anne Ryan, a resume and LinkedIn coach who has helped thousands—from students to executives—unlock their unique strengths and land meaningful roles. Anne shares her unconventional journey from two decades in tech to entrepreneurship, her passion for helping others find purpose, and the superpowers she’s discovered along the way.
In this inaugural episode of Around the Ladder, Erika Steinberg welcomes Shaari Gross Cohen.
In this episode we talk about:
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Knowing Your Worth – But not overselling yourself
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Creating Non-Negotiables in life– What are you not willing to let your career take the place of
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There are no Do-Overs with Family – Take the time you need to in order to be with them. Everything else will still get done.
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Walk through all open door...
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