222. The Hidden Career Grief No One Talks About When You Leave Corporate - with Laverne McKinnon
Life After Corporate
Have you ever left a job—by choice or not—and wondered why stepping into entrepreneurship still feels so heavy? Many high-achieving women discover that leaving behind a corporate role is more than a change in title; it’s an emotional and spiritual upheaval. In this week’s episode, host Deb Boulanger welcomes career strategist and grief recovery specialist Laverne McKinnon, who reveals why professional heartbreaks can spark lasting transformation. You’ll discover why grieving job loss is not just logical but essential, how disenfranchised grief uniquely affects ambitious women in...
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221. What I learned about closing deals from the FBI Negotiator, Chris Voss.
Life After Corporate
Are you convinced you know how to build trust and close deals—or could everything you’ve learned about sales and negotiation be… wrong? Today's episode of Life After Corporate, is a “Fan Favorite”. Host Deb Boulanger sits down with world-renowned negotiation expert and author of "Never Split the Difference," Chris Voss. What if the secret to sales success isn’t pitching or persuading, but mastering the art of emotional intelligence—and knowing exactly what’s going on inside your prospect’s mind? Chris shares gripping stories from his days as an FBI hostage negotiator...
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220. The #1 Legal Mistake New Entrepreneurs Make — And How to Avoid It" - with Latrice Smith, Esq.
Life After Corporate
220. The #1 Legal Mistake New Entrepreneurs Make — And How to Avoid It" - with Latrice Smith, Esq. Are you building your dream business on shaky legal ground? It’s a common — and costly — mistake. In this episode of Life After Corporate, host Deb Boulanger sits down with attorney and entrepreneur Latrice Smith, Esq., to unpack the legal essentials most new business owners overlook. Whether you’re choosing between an LLC vs S Corp, drafting your first client agreements, or just trying to figure out how to start a consulting business without screwing it up, this...
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219. Are We Doing Facebook Groups Wrong? Key Lessons on Growing Your Business with Facebook with Tracy Beavers
Life After Corporate
In this episode of Life After Corporate, we unravel the myths around Facebook’s effectiveness for marketing, especially for coaches and consultants making the leap from corporate life. Deb Boulanger welcomes dynamic business growth strategist Tracy Beavers, CEO of Tracy Beavers Coaching, to share her insights on how Facebook, when harnessed intentionally, remains a goldmine for generating leads and building lasting business visibility. Tracy’s journey from being underestimated in corporate America to running a thriving global coaching business is packed with actionable tips on sales,...
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218. Attention Alchemy: How to Build a Business That Books Itslef
Life After Corporate
Are you pouring your heart into content but still hearing crickets when it comes to clients? Discover the Attention Alchemy™, the secret formula of how to turn visibility into revenue. Listen to your host, Deb Boulanger, as she reveals how message clarity, thought leadership, and authentic business alignment attract your ideal clients without the grind. In this episode, you’ll learn the four pllars of Attention Alchemy™ to build a business that books itself. And why strategic consistency matters more than posting everywhere, and how true growth in your business comes from resonance, not...
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217. Webinar Sales Secrets Every Entrepreneur Should Know
Life After Corporate
What if your biggest revenue leak wasn’t your product, but your pitch? If you've ever delivered an amazing webinar, workshop, or training only to hear crickets when it’s time to make your offer—this episode is your turning point. Host Deb Boulanger is joined by Simone Vincenzi to dissect the hidden fears and common missteps entrepreneurs make when presenting offers, and how to transform awkward pitches into authentic invitations that convert. Together, they unravel the psychology, strategy, and subtle art of aligning your sales style with your natural communication strengths. If...
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216. Why Self-Awareness and Intuition Matter More Than Strategy
Life After Corporate
Are you relying solely on logic to navigate your entrepreneurial journey, ignoring the powerful inner voice that could accelerate your success? In this episode of Life After Corporate, host Deb Boulanger sits down with Shoshanna French, renowned for her work in intuitive leadership and founder of Simple Spirit, to explore how tuning into your intuition can transform your business decisions and outcomes. Discover why learning to trust your intuition isn’t just a “soft skill,” but a game-changer for overcoming self-doubt and building true business intuition. Learn to recognize your...
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215. Personal Growth and Alignment Strategies for Coaches with Danita Young
Life After Corporate
Are you unconsciously sabotaging your entrepreneurial journey with limiting beliefs from your corporate past? This episode of Life After Corporate dives deep into the turbulent inner journey from regular paychecks to the unpredictable realm of entrepreneurship. Host Deb Boulanger welcomes transformational coach Danita Young, who shares her raw, inspiring story of hitting rock bottom, rebuilding from failure, and ultimately discovering true alignment. Discover why mastering the inner game—overcoming anxiety, perfectionism, and self-doubt—is not just a mindset shift but the foundation for...
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214. Building Powerful Communities with Friendship First, Business Second with Inbal Claudio
Life After Corporate
Are you overlooking the true power of community in growing your business? In this episode of Life After Corporate, host Debra Boulanger sits down with three-time founder and master community builder, Imbal Claudio to unravel what it really takes to create thriving, connected spaces for women entrepreneurs. Imbal reveals her “friendship first, business second” philosophy, shares how she bootstrapped her own tech-based women’s network to 3,500+ members worldwide, and dispels the myths around easy community-building. From the emotional rollercoaster of funding a dream to the specific...
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213 Scaling Business Growth through Community Building with Entrepreneista’s Stephanie Cartin
Life After Corporate
Are you leveraging the true power of the entrepreneurial community, or are you missing out on the connections, collaborations, and resources that could completely transform your business? Host Deb Boulanger sits down with visionary entrepreneur Stephanie Cartin—cofounder of Socialfly and creator of the Entreprenista League—to unpack the real work behind scaling, selling, and supporting women-led businesses. From stories of girlhood hustles to the sophisticated systems behind a 2,500+ member-strong network, this conversation goes deep into the realities of entrepreneurship, including...
info_outlineDo you believe that you have to give up your humanity to be an effective leader?
In this episode of Life After Corporate, Deb Boulanger sits down with Massimo Backus to explore the transformative idea that self-compassion is not just a personal virtue but an essential leadership revelation. Massimo, who transitioned from a high-powered corporate role to becoming an influential executive coach, shares an inspiring story of how embracing his humanity reshaped his leadership and life. From confronting tough feedback in his corporate career to experiencing a life-changing moment during the quiet of a retreat, Massimo reveals how self-compassion serves as the foundation for authentic leadership.
His journey offers a fresh perspective on what success truly means, encouraging listeners to rethink traditional notions of leadership.”
[00:01–02:25] The Corporate Leadership Paradigm
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Understand the pressure of "up into the right" in corporate culture
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Realize the normalization of leaving humanity at the corporate door
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Grapple with the Goldilocks syndrome and the struggle of fitting in
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Reflect on the narrow lines of acceptable behavior at higher echelons
[02:26–04:10] Facing Feedback and Self-Discovery
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Address the challenges of dealing with critical 360-degree feedback
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Examine the internal chatter that propels defensiveness
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Investigate the origins of leadership behaviors and unmet needs
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Explore the significance of the Hoffman process in personal growth
[07:47–10:14] Transitioning from Corporate to Entrepreneurship
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Discover the value of unlearning self-criticism and embracing self-compassion
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Learn how to navigate the fear and uncertainty of entrepreneurship
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Explore the importance of aligning business pursuits with personal purpose
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Reflect on the rituals of letting go and creating a new identity
[10:15–14:17] Thriving in Continuous Evolution
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Embrace the mindset of constant self-improvement and self-actualization
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Highlight the shift from achiever-driven goals to purpose-driven work
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Identify the significance of emotional resilience in business ups and downs
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Recognize the long-term impact of self-compassion in organizational growth
Connect with Massimo Bacchus
Massimo Backus, MA, CPCC, ACC
Executive Coaching & Leadership Development
Order Now: "Human First, Leader Second"
The Life After Corporate Community (https://lifeaftercorporate.com/community) is where ambitious women like you connect, collaborate, and get the strategies, tools, and high-level support to grow a thriving, profitable business.
Go to https://lifeaftercorporate.com/podcast for all episodes
197. How Meghann Conter is Rewriting the Rules of Success for Women Entrepreneurs with THE DAMES
194. How Entrepreneurs Can Avoid Becoming Seven-Figure Poor
188. How to Succeed as a Business Owner in 2025
168. The Chris Voss Method for Closing the Deal
Tweetable Quotes:
"And what happened in that moment was an epiphany, and it was the first time in my life that I can recall where the negative critic, that horrible self-talk, that berating voice was gone." Massimo Bacchua on the journey to self-discovery
"I had something that I needed to say that I didn't see coming from anywhere else. And so I felt compelled to do that and import myself into that process."... Massimo Bacchua on finding Purpose in Passion
**TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST**
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