Leadership and Identity in 2026: Starting Over With Intention

Season 4 is here, and we’re kicking it off with a conversation that will reset how you think about urgency, identity, and starting over.

In this episode of the Education Marketing Leader Podcast, I’m joined by Erin Mark. TEDx speaker, storyteller, and Director of Partnerships at Merit.

Erin was born with cystic fibrosis. She grew up hearing she wouldn’t live past 18. At five years old, she overheard her life expectancy on a phone call. At 35, she entered end-stage disease and was preparing to die. Then Trikafta was approved and it saved her life.

What we talk about isn’t just survival. It’s what happens after. When the future you never planned for suddenly shows up and you have to figure out who you are again.

Erin shares why real change rarely comes from dramatic overhauls. It comes from small pauses that create choice. One habit. One decision. One shift in direction.

She leaves us with a reminder she once set as her iPhone alarm during her sickest season:

"You woke up today."

That’s the work. You don’t have to fix everything this year. You just have to keep moving forward.

Follow Erin Mark on LinkedIn for clear, grounded perspective on leadership, identity, and momentum.

Listen to the full episode of the Education Marketing Leader Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.