Land Use Planning for Women Planners I Project and Life Management for Land Use Planners

On this episode, we're talking about reclaiming your spark, your sense of joy, and your calling in the complex world of land use.

We’ll talk about burnout, boundaries, mindset shifts, and practical tools to restore your peace and power. So grab your favorite tea or let’s be real, your third coffee, and settle in.

Join Kris Valdez, an award-winning land use planner and entrepreneur, as she dives into the challenges and strategies of...

On this episode, we’re talking about a topic that comes up in every inbox, every performance review, and almost every coaching call I’ve ever had:

Confidence in meetings.

Not just any meetings but the kind where the room is loud, the conversation is technical, the politics are real, and the stakes feel high.

• How do you speak up without feeling like you’re overstepping?
• How do you lead a conversation even when you’re not the mo...

On this episode, we’re talking about feedback! 

• How to ask for it—without sounding insecure
• How to give it—without causing harm or discomfort
• And how to use it—to grow, not shrink

Because here’s the truth: feedback is a tool. But if we don’t know how to handle it well, it can feel like a weapon.

Let’s explore how to turn feedback in...

Today’s episode addresses a topic that many of you have inquired about: Should you become a certified planner, and how can you successfully pass the exam if you decide to pursue that path? Whether you’re considering the AICP certification, are mid-career and uncertain about its value, or are already signed up and feeling overwhelmed, this episode is designed for you.

We’ll cover:

• What certification means for you, your career, ...

Hey everyone! In this episode, we're diving into a topic that often gets talked about in hushed tones but rarely named outright: Career sustainability.

How can we stay in our fields long enough to truly make a difference without burning out? It’s not an easy question! Planning for our careers can be complicated—it involves emotions, politics, and for many of us, it’s deeply personal.

But to really stick around long enough to mentor...

In this episode, let's chat about something many planners find tricky: managing up. This simply means building a strong, positive relationship with your supervisor, even when you don’t always agree. 

Maybe your boss doesn't fully get the planning process, or perhaps their feedback isn’t clear. They might be busy, not communicate enough, or just be a little hard to understand. 

But managing up isn’t about changing them. It’s about s...

In today’s episode, we're jumping into the exciting world of project management in both the public and private sectors!

These two areas might seem worlds apart, each with its own unique vibe and expectations. But don’t worry! They also share a ton of valuable skills and strategies that you can use no matter where you are.

Whether you're thinking about switching careers, working on projects that combine both sectors, or just want to...

Today’s episode is about something most of us face, even if we rarely talk about it: Imposter Syndrome, that nagging inner voice that says:

“You don’t know enough.” “You’re not qualified.” “Who do you think you are?”

Sound familiar?

Whether you're new to planning or leading major regional initiatives, imposter syndrome can creep in quietly and derail your confidence if you let it.

But here’s the good news: You can quiet that vo...

In this episode, we're talking about job transitions. The moment when you ask yourself,

"Is this still the right place for me?"

And if the answer is no…

"How do I make a move without burning out or burning bridges?"

Whether you're contemplating your first big shift or just feeling that quiet nudge that something's no longer aligned, this episode is for you.

Join Kris Valdez, an award-winning land use planner and entrepreneur, as sh...

In this episode, we’re focusing on something that challenges so many of us: how to speak up, push back, and be heard without losing our sense of calm, clarity, or professionalism.

Whether it’s in council chambers, stakeholder meetings, or one-on-one with a supervisor, our ability to communicate with authority is not just a skill; it’s a form of leadership.

Join Kris Valdez, an award-winning land use planner and entrepreneur, as she...

 Today, we’re diving into something foundational to every career journey: mentorship.

Whether you're just starting out in land use planning or have been in the field for decades, the right mentorship can elevate your confidence, open doors, and clarify your path. So in this episode, we’re exploring how to find mentorship, how to build lasting mentor relationships, and how to become the kind of mentor you wish you'd had.

Join Kris V...

In this episode, we’re discussing something that affects how we work, lead, and even how we feel at the end of the day: boundaries.

In land use planning, collaboration is essential between community members, engineers, elected officials, and developers. But when collaboration becomes overextension, we lose clarity, focus, and our ability to sustain good work.

So this episode is about setting boundaries without guilt, because clear ...

Hey, everyone! In this episode, we're diving into something really important that often gets overlooked: building trust with our stakeholders. While planning can sometimes feel like a purely technical task, let's be honest, it's also about relationships. Trust isn't just a bonus; it's absolutely essential for making any process work smoothly.

Join Kris Valdez, an award-winning land use planner and entrepreneur, as she dives into th...

In this episode, we’re digging into a skill many of us were never taught: negotiation.

Whether it's negotiating salary, managing scope creep, or advocating for your team during stakeholder meetings, negotiation is part of your job, even if it doesn’t always feel that way.

Join Kris Valdez, an award-winning land use planner and entrepreneur, as she dives into the challenges and strategies of navigating regulatory processes, running ...

Join Kris Valdez, an award-winning land use planner and entrepreneur, as she dives into the challenges and strategies of navigating regulatory processes, running a one-person firm, and balancing business growth with environmental responsibility. In this Land Use Planning for Women Planners episode, Kris shares her journey, lessons learned, and actionable steps to help professionals and entrepreneurs successfully tackle land use and...

Join Kris Valdez, an award-winning land use planner and entrepreneur, as she dives into the challenges and strategies of navigating regulatory processes, running a one-person firm, and balancing business growth with environmental responsibility. In this Land Use Planning for Women Planners episode, Kris shares her journey, lessons learned, and actionable steps to help professionals and entrepreneurs successfully tackle land use and...

Find Your Fit: A Self-Reflection Guide for Women in Planning

Is your current job lighting you up—or burning you out?

Download 10 Questions to Ask Yourself to Find Your Ideal Job or Make Your Current Job Better—a free, practical guide designed specifically for women in land use planning who are ready to gain clarity, realign their careers, and take confident action toward more satisfying work.

This tool walks you through ten focused...

Find Your Fit: A Self-Reflection Guide for Women in Planning

Is your current job lighting you up—or burning you out?

Download 10 Questions to Ask Yourself to Find Your Ideal Job or Make Your Current Job Better—a free, practical guide designed specifically for women in land use planning who are ready to gain clarity, realign their careers, and take confident action toward more satisfying work.

This tool walks you through ten focused...

Join Kris Valdez, an award-winning land use planner and entrepreneur, as she dives into the challenges and strategies of navigating regulatory processes, running a one-person firm, and balancing business growth with environmental responsibility. In this Land Use Planning for Women Planners episode, Kris shares her journey, lessons learned, and actionable steps to help professionals and entrepreneurs successfully tackle land use an...