“Honor who you are becoming, not who you’ve been.”

In this episode, I sit down with Marci Coppola, former HR leader turned transformational coach and founder of Seshen Coaching & Wellness, to explore her journey from a high-pressure corporate career to a life focused on alignment, calm, and purpose. Growing up in a hardworking family, she was influenced by hustle culture, which led her into corporate HR and talent acquisition. However, after years of chasing external success, she found herself burned out and unfulfilled.

We discuss how the pandemic helped her realize what was missing and ultimately sparked her transition into coaching. She also opens up about overcoming imposter syndrome, battling people-pleasing, and the transformative power of slowing down to reconnect with inner truth.

Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro

(01:25) Early career influences and pull toward wellness

(03:04) Transition to corporate and embracing hustle for stability

(05:29) HR journey and talent acquisition

(11:55) Shifting to coaching and realizing need for growth

(15:32) Launching session coaching and transitioning

(24:44) Energy alignment and impact of mind-body connection

(32:20) Why coaches need coaches and the power of mentorship

(37:58) Overcoming imposter syndrome and conquering doubt

(47:29) Client transformations through self-advocacy and boundaries

Connect with my guest:

Marci Coppola on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcikerwick/

Check out Seshen Coaching & Wellness: https://www.seshencoaching.com/

Connect with me:

Ami Graves on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amigraves/
The People of Work on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepeopleofwork/

Explore The People of Work: https://www.thepeopleofwork.com/

“Finding your way doesn’t require having it all figured out.”

In this episode, I sit down with Brittany Whitenack, founder and owner of Antique Candle Co., to explore how her relationship with work grew from early lessons in grit to leading a team of 40 making thousands of candles a day. Brittany reflects on her first jobs, her time at Purdue, and the intense season of managing 70 employees at age 22. She shares the burnout that led her to walk away with no plan, the months she spent reconnecting with creativity, and how a simple candle-making hobby slowly turned into a real business.

We talk about the unglamorous parts of entrepreneurship, including signing her first lease, hiring help for the first time, and holding the weight of responsibility during moments like the 2020 shutdown. Brittany also gives a look into the craft behind her candles, from testing to naming, and why building a caring workplace matters to her as much as the products themselves.

Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro

(02:01) Growing up with grit and hard work

(05:14) Finding her path in college and early jobs

(07:58) Learning hard lessons in retail leadership

(10:58) Walking away and starting over

(13:32) A simple hobby that sparked something new

(15:19) The first steps toward Antique Candle Co

(20:22) Carrying the weight of leading others

(24:29) Trust, courage, and leading through hard moments

(26:23) Inside the craft of candle making

(31:51) Navigating the pace of the holiday rush

(33:29) The honest reality behind entrepreneurship

(35:07) Looking ahead at what comes next

Connect with my guest:

Brittany Whitenack on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittanytruax/

Check out Antique Candle Co.: https://antiquecandleco.com/

Connect with me:

Ami Graves on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amigraves/
The People of Work on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepeopleofwork/

Explore The People of Work: https://www.thepeopleofwork.com/

“Explore your curiosity, because that’s where you’re going to find you.”

In this episode, I sit down with Sara Whitley, licensed clinical social worker and owner of Complete Peace, to explore her journey from growing up in a hardworking family in Indiana to building a thriving private therapy practice in North Carolina. From her first job at KFC to navigating cross-country moves and career pivots, Sara’s story is one of resilience, curiosity, and faith in action.

We talk about her decision to leave behind the safety of a government role to start her own practice, how she’s built a mission-driven business rooted in compassion, and the challenges of balancing care for others with caring for herself. Sara also shares how her husband Jason’s recent health crisis reshaped her perspective on strength, priorities, and what it truly means to find peace in chaos.

Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro

(01:42) Early influences and work ethic

(03:21) Educational journey and early career

(07:49) Adventures and career shifts

(20:51) Building a career in social work

(21:06) Starting a private practice

(26:26) Navigating stress and mental health

(26:53) Challenges in the mental health industry

(31:41) Personal reflections on family dynamics

(34:51) Her husband Jason’s medical crisis

(49:38) Advice for aspiring social workers

Connect with my guest:

Sara Whitley, LCSW on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/s4r4whitley/

Check out Complete Peace: https://www.completepeace.net/

Connect with me:

Ami Graves on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amigraves/
The People of Work on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepeopleofwork/

Explore The People of Work: https://www.thepeopleofwork.com/