Hey friends, This episode is raw, real, and—let’s be honest—brutally honest.

After 29 years in the classroom, I’m down to my final days as a teacher. This isn’t just a farewell; it’s a reckoning. I’m pulling back the curtain to share what I built, what I loved, what nearly broke me, and what I’m carrying with me into whatever comes next.

✨ Whether you’re a fellow educator, someone navigating a major life pivot, or just curious about what it’s like to walk away from a decades-long identity—this one’s for you.

In this episode, Sydney Benson takes us on a journey from high school rejection to becoming an influential PR professional working with top-tier brands like Aveda, Sherwin-Williams, and Xfinity. Sydney shares how a moment of disappointment—being rejected from her high school dance team—became the catalyst for discovering her true passion in journalism and public relations. Join us as we explore the power of unexpected turns, the importance of mentorship, and how showing up with value—even when unsure—can change your career. Whether you're at a crossroads or looking for a boost of inspiration, this episode is a reminder that life’s detours often lead to the most rewarding destinations.

What do you do when you're standing at the edge of something new... but you have no idea what comes next?

In this heartfelt solo episode, Rachel gets honest about the scary, foggy space between letting go and beginning again. Building on her transition out of a 29-year teaching career (as shared in Episode 35), she explores what it means to sit with the unknown—and why rushing toward answers may cost us clarity.

What if your biggest block to wealth isn't in your bank account—but in your beliefs?

In this powerful episode of Life’s Next Lesson Plan, I sit down with Rebekah Kiger, a trauma-informed money mindset coach who helps women rewrite their financial stories and create abundance without burnout. From growing up in generational poverty to becoming a sought-after mentor and creator of the ALIGN Method®, Rebekah shares her personal journey, the mindset shifts that changed everything, and how you can start transforming your own relationship with money—right now.

After 29 years in the classroom, I made the hardest decision of my life: to walk away from teaching—with no pension, no benefits, and no clear plan forward. In this deeply honest episode of Life’s Next Lesson Plan, I’m sharing what it really looks like to start over in your 50s.

From the fear of leaving job security and identity behind to navigating the unknown of midlife career reinvention, I walk you through the emotional, mental, and practical shifts that helped me leave “Rachel the Teacher” behind and begin the journey toward something new.

In this reflective and inspiring episode, I sit down with Betsy Korbinyr, a retired social worker, self-proclaimed umbraphile and the author of Time, Beauty, and Grief: A Hike Through Wisconsin’s 50 State Parks. At 65, Betsy set out on a transformative year-long Quest to hike five miles in each of Wisconsin’s state parks—an adventure of physical resilience, emotional healing, and profound self-discovery.

Have you ever introduced yourself and realized your job title or your child's name came before your own? In today's episode, I’m getting deeply personal as I explore what it means to reclaim your identity beyond being a parent, spouse, or employee. As I prepare to leave my teaching career and watch my daughter head off to college, I’m asking myself: Who am I now? If you’ve ever felt lost when life shifts, this episode is for you.

Join host Rachel for an inspiring conversation with Elizabeth Sweet, a talented journalist and the passionate founder of Fill The Stands. Liz has carved a unique path by blending her love for sports and her storytelling prowess.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Liz's journey into the world of journalism and her early passion for the field.

• The powerful story behind Fill The Stands: how Liz, a former female athlete, was inspired to create a non-profit empowering students to promote women's sports and boost attendance at their events.

• Insights into Liz's successful career as a freelance journalist, writing for renowned publications like The Wall Street Journal, Milwaukee Magazine, Dwell Magazine, and more, covering both sports and architecture/home design.

• How the core skills of a journalist – storytelling, research, and communication – were instrumental in persevering through the challenges of launching and running a non-profit.

In this heartfelt solo episode, Rachel explores the idea that we are all mentors—whether we realize it or not—and reflects on the unexpected teachers who have shaped her life in powerful ways. Inspired by a passage from Siri Lindley’s Finding a Way, she dives into the lessons she’s learned from three deeply personal influences: her grandmother, her significant other, and her biological parents.

Rachel also shares the profound insight she’s gained over the past 90 days and how she's preparing to continue learning as she transitions into a new professional and personal chapter. Through stories and thoughtful reflection questions, you’ll be invited to consider your own life lessons and the people—good or bad—who helped teach them.

In this episode of Life’s Next Lesson Plan, I sit down with Laura Flowers, a former school psychologist turned life coach and Reiki master. Laura and I connected through a podcasting group, and I recently had the pleasure of being a guest on her show, Rediscovering You. Like me, she’s passionate about helping people navigate crossroads, reconnect with their values, and live authentically.

After 18 years in education, Laura found herself at a breaking point—disconnected from her purpose and feeling like she was doing the work, but not the right work. She made a bold decision to step away, investing in herself, energy healing, and personal growth. Now, she helps women stop playing small and start living with confidence, alignment, and purpose.

This week, I’m facing a huge milestone—my daughter, my only child, is turning 18. And in just a few short months, she’ll be heading off to college in another state. While I always knew this day would come, the reality of it has hit me in a way I wasn’t entirely prepared for.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing my personal journey through the stages of parenting that led to this moment—co-parenting, divorce, shifting family dynamics—and how I’m embracing this transition with trust and optimism. I’ll also explore the unexpected joys that come with an empty nest, from rediscovering personal passions to redefining what home and family mean in this next phase of life.

If you’re navigating—or preparing for—this major life shift, this conversation is for you. Let’s figure out how to move forward with purpose, curiosity, and maybe even a little excitement.

In this episode of Life’s Next Lesson Plan, I sit down with Tracy Weber, a Transformational Nurse Health & Wellness Coach, to discuss her journey from traditional nursing to holistic health, the healing power of nature, and how hiking can be a path to wellness.

With over two decades of experience in nursing, massage therapy, yoga, meditation, and somatic emotional release, Tracy has created a comprehensive wellness practice that empowers clients to take control of their health. But her journey wasn’t always clear-cut—she shares how burnout led her to explore alternative healing, the challenges of changing career paths, and the surprising ways that hiking helped her navigate stress, personal loss, and major life transitions.

In this special episode, the tables are turned as I step into the guest seat on Rediscovering You with life coach and school psychologist Laura Flowers. Rediscovering You is dedicated to empowering women to break free from feeling stuck—whether in career, relationships, or personal growth.

Laura and I dive deep into my decision to leave my long teaching career behind, the emotions and challenges that come with such a major life shift, and how I’m navigating my next steps with intention. We explore the power of manifestation, storytelling, and aligning my future with my core values. If you’ve ever faced a career transition or felt the pull to redefine your purpose, this conversation is for you!

I also answer my juiciest question yet for Ask the Teacher Anything! You guys went THERE!

In this episode of Life’s Next Lesson Plan, I sit down with Brittany Emond, a former student whose career journey has taken her from aspiring magazine journalist to a thriving role in employer branding. Brittany shares her personal story of self-discovery, career pivots, and valuable lessons learned along the way.

Have you ever caught yourself scrolling through social media, wondering why someone else’s life seems so perfect? The career success, the happy family, the dream vacations—it can feel like everyone else has it all figured out. But here’s the truth: comparison is stealing your joy.

In this episode, I’m sharing my personal struggles with comparison—how it shaped my self-perception and the steps I’ve taken to break free. We’ll dive into why we compare, how it impacts our mental and emotional well-being, and most importantly, how to shift from external validation to internal fulfillment.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in the comparison trap, this conversation is for you. Let’s let go of unrealistic expectations and start embracing our own unique paths.

In this episode of Life’s Next Lesson Plan, host Rachel engages in a compelling conversation with Starr Sackstein, an educational consultant, TED speaker, and author renowned for her innovative approaches to assessment and student empowerment. Starr shares her journey from classroom teacher to educational leader, offering insights into transforming traditional education models.

This episode is different. It’s raw. It’s personal. And it’s something I’ve been holding in for a while. Today, I’m setting aside my planned script and following my heart.

I’m sharing my journey—one of resilience, anxiety, transformation, and finding my way forward after decades of living in survival mode. Inspired by Siri Lindley’s book Finding a Way, I’ll explore how the values we live by (or ignore) shape our lives and how we can realign ourselves with what truly matters.

If you’ve ever felt trapped by expectations, fear, or burnout—this episode is for you. You are not alone.

In this episode, I sit down with my second cousin, Reagan Zimmerman, a brilliant MIT graduate and engineer at Ford Motor Company. We dive into her journey from high school robotics to racing cars and breaking barriers as a woman in STEM. Reagan shares the unexpected way she ended up at MIT, her experiences in a male-dominated field, and the lessons she’s learned about work-life balance while building an exciting career.

What if I told you that managing time isn’t the secret to a fulfilling, high-performing life—but managing your energy is? All this time, I was aiming to create more time when maybe I’ve had it wrong.

In this episode, we break down key takeaways from The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz and explore how your energy—not your time—is your most precious resource. Learn how aligning your Performance Pyramid of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual energy can unlock performance, health, and happiness like never before.

In this episode of Life’s Next Lesson Plan, host Rachel sits down with award-winning educator, author, and speaker Michael Hernandez to explore innovative strategies for fostering authentic learning experiences in today's AI-driven educational landscape. Michael shares insights from his latest book, Storytelling With Purpose: Digital Projects to Ignite Student Curiosity, and discusses his online course, Uncheatable Assessments, which aim to enhance student engagement and integrity in the classroom.