Lessons From My Mom About Returning to Work Artwork

The Potentialist Podcast with Dr. Lee Koles

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You’re capable of far more than you realize. The Potentialist Podcast is your home for science-backed strategies to unlock your potential. Psychologist and coach Dr. Lee Koles explores the science of human potential and shares practical tools to help you gain clarity, build confidence and take action to achieve remarkable results. Each episode blends psychology, research, and coaching insights to help you move forward with purpose and precision. Topics include: leadership development, career growth, motivation, executive coaching, CliftonStrengths, team effectiveness, transformation, confidence, burnout prevention, decision-making, overcoming self-doubt, and finding purpose and fulfillment.

Formerly CareerSequel - The Return to Work Podcast with Lee Koles, Ph.D. (Ep 1-72)

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The Potentialist Podcast with Dr. Lee Koles

Lessons From My Mom About Returning to Work

May 03, 2022 • Lee Koles, Ph.D. • Season 1 • Episode 35

0:00 | 29:29

This week I introduce you to the person who personally demonstrated to me that you can step out of the workforce, take time off to stay home with your kids, return to school and build a successful career of your own: My mom!

Mom discusses her experience:

Leaving a job she loved to stay home with her kids
Returning to school to earn her Ph.D.
Using volunteer work to gain experience and unique opportunities
Learning through failure
Growing a successful business

(Dad also makes a surprise appearance!).

Enjoy!

Hello, everyone, it’s great to be with you today on CareerSequel: The Return to Work Podcast. I’m your host, Lee Koles - I’m an Industrial/Organizational psychologist, career strategist and the founder of CareerSequel where I help job seekers find flexible, meaningful work they love. Today I have with me an incredible guest - someone who personally demonstrated to me that you can step out of the workforce, take time off to stay home with your kids, go back to school and then have a successful career of your own.

I’d like to introduce you to - my Mom! - Vivian Kiechel.

Mom grew up in Toronto, Ontario and graduated from Skidmore College (in Saratoga Springs, NY) with a degree in Art History. She married my dad a few years later and went on to get her Masters in Education at Columbia University’s Teachers College. Mom taught 2nd and 3rd grade for 3 years and then left her job when she had her first child - me! Two years later, she had my brother.

Mom stayed at home, raising my brother and me and decided to go back to school. She earned her Ph.D. in Art Education when my brother and I were in 5th and 7th grade. Two years later, she founded Kiechel Fine Art, where she specialized in American Regionalist artists. Mom grew her business - and reputation - as an art dealer, eventually selling works to institutions around the world including The Smithsonian Gallery, The Chicago Art Institute, The National Portrait Gallery, the British Museum and The Prado in Madrid, Spain.

Mom, welcome to the podcast!