This week on Spark Me, Liz and Michele sit down with the brilliant and inspiring Beth Twohy—a strategic leader whose career journey spans from predictive analytics at Procter & Gamble to transforming education in Baltimore public schools.

Before diving into Beth’s story, Liz and Michele share personal reflections on community, personal loss, and the power of connection. From navigating grief after losing parents and honoring family traditions to how one small invitation saved a life, their conversation sets the stage for this week’s theme: the communities that hold us up when life feels heavy.

Beth’s story is one of intentional choices, bold advocacy, and constant reinvention. She shares how she:

• Transitioned from engineering into predictive analytics before the term even existed.

• Worked on global product development for brands like Olay, CoverGirl, and Dolce & Gabbana.

• Advocated for herself to design a career that worked alongside raising a family—including pioneering a part-time leadership track at P&G.

• Harnessed her skills to impact tens of thousands of students by using data to improve educational outcomes.

• Continues to embrace change and community as she enters the next act of life.

Together, we explore the importance of asking for what you need, building your community wherever you are, and designing a life that works for you rather than waiting for permission.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why community is an anchor during times of grief, loneliness, and transition.

• How to advocate for yourself at work without ultimatums—but with courage and strategy.

• The surprising intersections between consumer products, data analytics, and women’s leadership.

• The ripple effect one person can make in education and beyond.

• Why optimism, resilience, and curiosity are essential at every stage of life.

• How the principle of "lift as you climb" shapes leadership, mentorship, and community support.

Beth’s journey reminds us that you can always pivot, reinvent, and spark a new chapter—whether it’s in your career, your community, or your personal life.

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Together, let’s keep sparking joy, curiosity, and connection.

In this deeply inspiring conversation, we sit down with Dr. Christine Kiesinger—executive coach, meditation guide, and expert in relational communication—to explore what it really means to transform your life, relationships, and leadership.

Christine shares her journey from a 30-year career in academia to leaving tenure behind and stepping into a new book—not just a new chapter—of her life. She opens up about how meditation, intuition, and the courage to listen to her inner voice guided her through major transitions, including divorce, career reinvention, and personal transformation.

We discuss:

• The power of a single conversation and how mentors and teachers can shift the trajectory of your life.

• Christine’s decision to leave academia at the height of her career and the doors that opened as a result.

• Why cultivating a relationship with yourself is essential before entering or sustaining a partnership.

• Christine’s groundbreaking concept of The Vow—making a commitment to yourself before committing to anyone else.

• The difference between emotional intelligence and relational intelligence, and why both are critical for leaders and organizations.

• How to recognize when you feel stuck—in relationships, careers, or life—and begin making courageous micro-shifts toward transformation.

• Practical tools for building, repairing, and transforming relationships in life, love, and leadership.

Christine also shares her belief in manifesting—not as magical thinking, but as the practice of aligning belief, trust, and action to create meaningful change.

Resources & Mentions:

• How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

• The Harvard Study on Adult Development

• Dr. Vivek Murthy’s research on workplace loneliness

• Christine’s upcoming book (currently in progress)

  
  

  Takeaway Quote:
  “You should marry yourself first. Until you commit to yourself, it’s impossible to fully commit to anyone else.” – Dr. Christine Kiesinger

  
  

  
  

In this deeply moving conversation, we sit down with ⁠Tracey Selingo⁠—founder of Fork Over Love—to explore how one woman’s vision during the pandemic became a powerful movement of community, nourishment, and hope.

When COVID-19 shuttered restaurants and left thousands of families struggling with food insecurity, Tracey saw an opportunity to bring both challenges together into a beautiful solution: paying local restaurants to prepare meals and sharing them with neighbors in need. What began as a crisis response has grown into a community-driven organization serving tens of thousands of meals with dignity, connection, and love.

Tracey shares her journey of resilience, creativity, and service—from decades in advertising to becoming the heart behind one of the most inspiring nonprofit stories to come out of the pandemic.

We discuss:

• The origin story of Fork Over Love and how it turned obstacles into opportunities.

• The power of food as connection—and why dignity matters as much as nourishment.

• What it really takes to build a nonprofit from the ground up.

• How community creativity and resourcefulness can spark solutions in times of crisis.

• The lessons Tracey has learned about leadership, courage, and trust along the way.

• The future vision for Fork Over Love and the movement it’s becoming.

  
  

Tracey also opens up about the bigger purpose that has fueled her life’s work: helping people, places, and communities embrace change and live more fulfilled, connected lives.

Resources & Mentions:

• Visit Fork Over Love

• Connect with us: sparkmepodcast.com

• Follow us on Instagram: @sparkmepodcast

Takeaway Quote:
“Food isn’t charity—it’s love. When we share a meal, we remind each other that we belong.” – Tracey Selingo