Pockets of Knowledge

#173. Fired to Inspired: Turning Job Loss into Your Life's Most Meaningful Work with Merry Korn

Getting fired two months into what was supposed to be your job until retirement sounds like a nightmare—but for Merry Korn, it became the catalyst for building one of the world's most successful for-profit social enterprises. In this powerful conversation, host Desiree Stanley sits down with Merry, founder of Pearl Interactive Network, Inc., to talk about transformation, resilience, and what happens when rock bottom becomes your foundation.As a terrified single mother with two teenagers, Merry didn't crumble—she negotiated five months of severance for a two-month position and made a deal with God: show me what to do, and I'll dedicate my life to helping others. What followed was a company that grew to employ over 1,300 people across 30 states, with hiring priority given to disabled veterans, people with disabilities, and those in economically challenged communities.Merry shares her years of "imposter syndrome"—having the title and paycheck but no passion—and why being fired could be the best thing that ever happens to you. She gets brutally practical about negotiating severance, protecting yourself during termination, and rewriting your story so you don't show up as a victim in your next interview.Whether you've been fired, are stuck in a soul-sucking job, or feel disconnected from your purpose, this conversation offers both inspiration and real-world strategies. Merry's story proves that sometimes the worst thing that happens to you can lead to the most meaningful work of your life.Bio:Merry Korn is the visionary founder of Pearl Interactive Network, Inc., one of the world’s most successful for-profit social enterprise firms. After 20 years of pioneering innovation in social entrepreneurship, Merry now shares her expertise through nationally recognized content, speaking engagements, and advisory services for business owners seeking transformation and those ready to break free from career stagnation.As a single parent with two teenagers heading to college, I was terrified. That rock-bottom moment became my foundation. In the depths of my despair, I remembered the two most powerful influences in my life: my mother, a Holocaust survivor who escaped both a death train and a death march, and Oscar Schindler, who proved that creating meaningful work could literally save lives.Inspired by their examples, I launched a for-profit social enterprise specifically designed to hire people with the greatest barriers to employment—disabled veterans, veterans, military spouses, people with disabilities, and people living in the most economically challenged parts of the U.S. Within months, this venture grew to employ over 1,300 people across 30 states.Getting fired forced me to finally listen to the voice inside that had been screaming at me for years—and to honor the legacy of resilience and purpose I'd inherited.This experience inspired my book "Fired to Inspired" and my work helping thousands navigate career transitions.Connect with Merry:EmailWebsiteFacebookInstagramLinkedInResourcesBooks mentioned:Fired to InspiredFeel the Fear... and Do It Anyway by Susan JeffersThe Artist’s Way by  Jules Cameron The Power of Now by Eckhart TolleMan’s Search For Meaning by Viktor FranklPodcasts mentioned:The Mel Robbins PodcastBrene Brown Dare to LeadThe Oprah Podcast———If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your friends so that they can be educated, informed, inspired and empowered!Questions? Contact me through my website, www.PocketsofKnowledge.com, or find me on Instagram @desireedstanley. Thanks for listening!———This podcast is intended to educate, inspire, and empower you on your personal journey. Please note that individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

#172. From Burnout to Clarity: How Human Design Helps You Build Life & Business on Your Terms with Stef Carlstedt

What if you're not broken—just misaligned? In this conversation, host Desiree Stanley sits down with Stefanie Carlstedt, a Certified Human Design Business Coach who helps entrepreneurs and teams ditch one-size-fits-all strategies and build success that actually fits. After 13 years of entrepreneurial trial-and-error, Stef discovered Human Design and everything changed. Now she helps others build businesses and lives that honor who they truly are—without the burnout and confusion.Stef shares her personal journey from corporate burnout to building a six-figure business that left her feeling empty. When her father was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's, she walked away from her social work career to be with him and started fresh. After his passing, a text from her sister-in-law about Human Design finally gave her the clarity she'd been searching for—and transformed her business, her relationships, and her understanding of herself.So what is Human Design? Unlike personality tests that rely on a conditioned mind, Human Design uses your birth date, time, and location to create a personalized chart showing how you're meant to move through the world. Stef breaks down the five energy types and explains why some people thrive with hustle while others burn out, why following someone else's blueprint rarely works, and how understanding your unique decision-making process can help you stop saying yes when your body is screaming no.Whether you're an entrepreneur struggling to find your footing, a leader trying to support your team, or someone who's tired of feeling like life has to be so hard, this episode offers practical tools and a refreshing reminder: when you align with your true design, everything shifts.Bio:Stefanie Carlstedt is a Certified Human Design Business Coach for Entrepreneurs and Teams. After 13 years of trial-and-error in entrepreneurship, she discovered the power of Human Design to turn burnout and confusion into clarity and sustainable growth. Today she helps business owners and teams ditch one-size-fits-all strategies and build success that actually fits, by design.Connect with Stefanie:Website: http://stefcarlstedt.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stefanie.carlstedt.2025Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stefaniecarlstedt/Resources:http://stefcarlstedt.com/hdreporthttps://www.stefcarlstedt.com/magneticbusinessBooks mentioned:Outlive - The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia MD - https://bookshop.org/a/116550/9780593236598https://amzn.to/4trX2qaThe Gene Keys Embracing Your Higher Purpose by Richard Rudd - https://bookshop.org/a/116550/9781780285429https://amzn.to/46sPtFBPodcasts mentioned:The Human Design Advantage with Stefanie Carlstedt - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-human-design-advantage/id1818861491Be Magnetic Podcast with Tara Fischer - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-magnetic-podcast/id1660554761———Enjoy this Podcast? If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your friends so that they can be educated, informed, inspired and empowered!Questions? Contact me through my website, www.PocketsofKnowledge.com, or find me on Instagram @desireedstanley. Thanks for listening!———This podcast is intended to educate, inspire, and empower you on your personal journey. Please note that individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode. Next Level Soul Podcast with Alex Ferrari - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-level-soul-podcast-with-alex-ferrari/id1560904383

#171. Change Starts Within: How to Align Your Life and Career with Cortney McDermott

In this expansive and energizing episode of Pockets of Knowledge, host Desiree Stanley sits down with award-winning author, speaker, and high-performance coach Cortney McDermott for a conversation that blends science, soul, and strategy. With a career that spans executive roles in global corporations, bestselling books, and appearances on stages like TEDx and Mindvalley, Cortney shares how real transformation starts from within—and how we can all access deeper alignment, joy, and purpose by tuning into our own innate wisdom.Cortney opens up about her personal journey from being miserably successful to becoming a conscious creator of a more aligned life and business. She and Desiree explore topics like intuitive decision-making, rewiring subconscious beliefs, and why “hustle culture” often leads us away from the very success we’re chasing. Cortney introduces the neuroscience behind change, the power of permission, and how curiosity can be a guiding force when we're stuck or in transition.Throughout the conversation, Cortney encourages listeners to stop outsourcing their power and start designing a life that actually feels good—not just looks good on paper. Whether you're a high-achieving professional, a curious seeker, or someone craving more clarity and calm in your life, this episode offers practical tools and soulful insights to help you return to your center, trust your inner voice, and create from a place of true alignment.Bio:Cortney McDermott is an award-winning author and speaker and celebrity coach. Her work in self-development and business strategy has been featured in Inc., Women’s Health, NBC, The Huffington Post, MindBodyGreen, and SUCCESS, and her talks on human potential have been shared on stages including TEDx, Mindvalley, Oxford Saïd Business School, and Richard Branson’s private island, Necker.With a Master of Science from the London School of Economics, Cortney blends academic rigor with real-world experience to help individuals and organizations reach their highest potential. Her career highlights include executive roles at Vanity Fair Corporation, Vice President at Sustainability Partners Inc., and successfully running her own businesses, where she has worked with brands such as Universal Music Group, Nike, Kickstarter, and Google.Connect with Cortney:Website: https://www.cortneymcdermott.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cortneymcdermott/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cortneymcdermott/YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@cortincResources:https://youtu.be/L2f8w1v-Hzo?si=e_Pu3GFB5w9YXGLSBooks mentioned:Give Yourself Permission. Be Confident. Be Happy. Be You. Cortney McDermott - https://bookshop.org/a/116550/9781736357019https://amzn.to/3ZS7Vnf Change Starts Within You: Unlock the Confidence to Lead with IntuitionCortney McDermott - https://bookshop.org/a/116550/9780998955209https://amzn.to/4qi10Pl Think and Grow Rich Napoleon Hill - https://bookshop.org/a/116550/9781585424337https://amzn.to/4rqn1w5Books by:Alan WattsWallace Wattles———Enjoy this Podcast? If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your friends so that they can be educated, informed, inspired and empowered!Questions? Contact me through my website, www.PocketsofKnowledge.com, or find me on Instagram @desireedstanley. Thanks for listening!———This podcast is intended to educate, inspire, and empower you on your personal journey. Please note that individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.This is not intended to treat any medical condition. I am not a medical doctor and do not offer any professional health or medical advice. If you are suffering from any medical conditions, please seek help from a qualified health professional.

#170. Marriage, Inc.: How to Use Business Strategies to Build a Stronger Relationship with Dr. Robin Buckley

In this insightful and empowering episode of Pockets of Knowledge, host Desiree Stanley welcomes Dr. Robin Buckley—clinical psychologist, executive coach, TEDx speaker, and author of Marriage, Inc.: The Boardroom Blueprint to Lasting Love—for a thought-provoking conversation about applying business strategies to romantic relationships. With her background in cognitive behavioral psychology and executive coaching, Dr. Buckley brings a unique and strategic lens to improving communication, conflict resolution, and connection in both personal and professional partnerships.Together, Desiree and Dr. Buckley explore how high-achieving individuals and couples can use tools like goal-setting and strategic planning—traditionally reserved for the workplace—to build healthier, more intentional relationships at home. Dr. Buckley shares how she helps couples move from autopilot to clarity by identifying shared visions, setting expectations, and having proactive conversations about topics that are often avoided until they become problems.The conversation also touches on handling resentment, building emotional equity, and why couples therapy isn’t just for when things are broken—it’s a performance tool for growing stronger together. Dr. Buckley emphasizes that relationships are not “soft” or second-tier compared to career ambitions—they deserve structure, attention, and investment too.Whether you’re in a long-term relationship, navigating marriage, or simply curious about how to bring more intention to your partnerships, this episode offers a fresh approach to love and connection.Bio:Dr. Robin Buckley earned her PhD in clinical psychology from Hofstra University, with specialized training in cognitive behavioral methodology and executive coaching. Her work as an expert in the field has been featured on multiple media platforms, including Entrepreneur, Chief, Authority Magazine, Nike, and on the 2023 TED stage. As an international speaker, Robin focuses on applying cognitive behavioral strategies to mental wellness in the workplace and to women’s equity and empowerment. As a coach, Robin applies cognitive behavioral tactics to help organizations, couples, and individuals create strategic plans for professional and personal success.Connect with Dr Robin Buckley:Website: https://drrobinbuckley.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/findingthepowerwithin/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drrobinbuckley/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-robin-buckley/Books mentioned:Marriage Inc The Boardroom Blueprint to Lasting Love by Dr Robin Buckley- https://amzn.to/3K9MLx1Coupon: Marriage20 Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert - https://bookshop.org/a/116550/9781594634727https://amzn.to/4r0shHfPodcasts mentioned:unPAUSED  with Dr. Mary Claire Haver - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unpaused-with-dr-mary-claire-haver/id1846701533 Wiser than me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wiser-than-me-with-julia-louis-dreyfus/id1678559416———Enjoy this Podcast? If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your friends so that they can be educated, informed, inspired and empowered!Questions? Contact me through my website, www.PocketsofKnowledge.com, or find me on Instagram @desireedstanley. Thanks for listening!———This podcast is intended to educate, inspire, and empower you on your personal journey. Please note that individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.This is not intended to treat any medical condition. I am not a medical doctor and do not offer any professional health or medical advice. If you are suffering from any medical conditions, please seek help from a qualified health professional.

#169. From Burnout to Career Clarity: How to Build a Soul-Aligned Path with Rachel Spekman

In this empowering episode of Pockets of Knowledge, host Desiree Stanley welcomes career strategist and coach Rachel Spekman for a grounded and inspiring conversation about redefining work, purpose, and what it means to build a soul-aligned career. As the founder of Made For More Coaching—with a background in both startups and therapy—Rachel shares her unique approach to helping high-performing professionals move from “soul-sucking” jobs to careers that light them up.Rachel and Desiree explore the emotional and practical realities of navigating career transitions, especially for women in midlife who feel stuck, burned out, or disconnected from their work. Rachel offers tangible tools like the “three Cs” framework (community, contribution, and challenge), career audits, and a fresh take on how to balance financial needs with emotional fulfillment. They also discuss the value of clarity, the myths around income and success, and why quitting with a plan is more powerful than just walking away.Whether you're feeling disconnected in your current role, considering a major pivot, or simply seeking more meaning in your professional life, this episode is filled with thoughtful insights, practical strategies, and soul-level encouragement to help you step into a career that feels aligned, sustainable, and truly your own.Bio:Rachel Spekman is a veteran coach who helps professionals who are unfulfilled in their careers identify how to tap into their unique potential. After 15 years in marketing brands, 10 years helping startup founders, and 5 years as a therapist, she has helped hundreds of people to reinvent themselves and their careers. Rachel now focuses all of her time and energies on helping high-performing professionals go from high pay, miserable, and unhealthy in their careers to applying their gifts and talents in ways that make them great incomes by aligning with their values and purpose.Connect with Rachel:Email: Rachel@rachelspekman.comWebsite: https://www.rachelspekman.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachelSpekmanCareerConsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelspekman/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MadeforMoreCoachResources:https://www.rachelspekman.com/high-stakes-career-auditBooks mentioned:Meaningful Work How to Ignite Passion and Performance in Every Employee By Wes Adams, Tamara Myles  - https://bookshop.org/a/116550/9781541704534https://amzn.to/49y4UOZPodcasts mentioned: The Midlife Chrysalis with Chip Conley - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-midlife-chrysalis/id1817695682———Enjoy this Podcast? If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your friends so that they can be educated, informed, inspired and empowered!Questions? Contact me through my website, www.PocketsofKnowledge.com, or find me on Instagram @desireedstanley. Thanks for listening!———This podcast is intended to educate, inspire, and empower you on your personal journey. Please note that individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.