Second Chances with Christy Belz

Christy Belz welcomes longtime friend and civic leader Cristal Torres DeHerrera, Chief Operating Officer of the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, for a conversation that spans decades of friendship and a career that defies a straight line. From M&A law to city government to one of the country's busiest airports — and finally, to the zoo that always felt like home — Cristal's story is about returning, again and again...

What does it look like to lose everything you built — and discover it was actually a gift? Kami Guildner spent over two decades in the oil and gas industry before an unexpected layoff cracked her life open. What followed was a spiritual awakening, a career reinvention, and an unlikely set of teachers: horses. Today she's the founder of the Extraordinary Women Ignite Conference, host of the award-winning Extraordinary Women Ra...

Christy Belz welcomes executive coach Tania Zeigler of Burn Bright Coaching & Consulting to explore how second chances show up not just in dramatic moments, but in the quiet, everyday choice to realign. Tania shares her journey from growing up Korean-American in small-town Wisconsin to a 17-year career at Kaiser Permanente, surviving a postpartum hemorrhage, and founding her own coaching practice. This is a candid conversation ...

Episode Description: Dr. Nikki Dority, a successful entrepreneur, physical therapist, biomechanist, movement specialist, and mother who shares her journey of living with bipolar disorder. Dr. Nikki opens up about her experiences with mania, depression, and the challenges of balancing her personal and professional life.  

Show notes: In this episode of the NEW You, Network for Empowering Women podcast, Christy Belz int...

SECOND CHANCES Karen Casey Cortese: The Philanthropy of Showing Up

What does it look like to build a life around purpose — not just talk about it? Casey Cortese grew up in a small town in Wisconsin, found her calling through an international travel and service organization, and went on to lead national philanthropic strategy for one of the country's largest financial firms — engaging over 33,000 employees in meaningful c...

What does it look like to heal in ways that traditional therapy can't touch? Deb Haynie has spent over two decades as a licensed psychotherapist — and somewhere along the way, she realized that talk therapy alone wasn't getting people all the way home. So she went deeper.

A shamanic guide, wing woman advisor at Moms on Mushrooms, and student of legendary consciousness researchers Stan Grof and Sandra Ingerman, Deb works at th...

Christy Belz welcomes attorney, trailblazer, and founder of the Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center Shari Shink — now the force behind Cobbled Streets — for a conversation rooted in nearly 50 years of advocacy. What began as a one-year detour to Colorado became a lifetime commitment after one courtroom moment Shari couldn’t walk away from. This is a fierce, urgent, and deeply human conversation about a brok...

What does it look like to build the thing you desperately needed — and couldn't find? Victoria Hodgkins spent years trying to get clear answers and compassionate care during her own menopause journey, and kept hitting walls. So she built a door. As the founder of Inflexxion Health, a telehealth platform designed specifically for menopause care, Victoria is on a mission to ensure no woman feels dismissed, confused, or alone du...

What does it look like to rebuild — not once, but over and over, with intention? Makisha Boothe grew up in Harlem in the 80s, found her footing in Colorado, and went on to launch one of the first small business loan funds specifically designed for Black women entrepreneurs. Her answer to that question is simple and profound: every moment is a second chance.

In this episode, Makisha shares the story behind Sistah Biz, what it r...

Christy Belz welcomes Lynnea Green Hutton, Vice President of People and Culture at the University of Colorado Foundation, to discuss navigating second chances, career shifts, and caregiving for a parent with Alzheimer's. They share personal stories of empowerment, overcoming life's challenges, and finding clarity in chaos. Through professional success and personal vulnerability, Linnea exemplifies resilience, offerin...

Christy Belzwelcomes Katie Kim to discuss smart financial stacks, women's empowerment in real estate and development. Katie shares her journey from a family real estate business to founding the Kim Group, which supports women entrepreneurs in scaling their ventures. They explore financial literacy, business pivots, and the impact of community-driven development. Christy and Katie share stories of personal growth...

Christy Belz welcomes Mary Nguyen, a renowned Denver restaurateur and founder of Olive and Finch, to discuss her extraordinary journey from a finance career to the culinary world. Mary shares her family's refugee story, breaking cultural barriers as a female sushi chef, and redefining hospitality. She opens up about personal struggles, including a challenging twin pregnancy and her daughter's cancer battle, illustrating resilience ...

Christy Belz speaks with Gina Fratarcangeli., a top 25 powerful businesswoman in Colorado and a managing director at Google. Christy and Gina share personal anecdotes from their time as baseball moms to their collaborative experiences in international forums and business endeavors. She emphasizes the importance of sponsorship versus mentorship and navigating different life chapters while pursuing professional goals, especially for ...

On this episode Christy Belz welcomes Betsy Leatherman, Global President of Consulting Services at the Leadership Circleto discuss the power of intentional leadership and personal growth. Betsy shares her inspiring personal journey, detailing a pivotal moment in her life which led her to the profound understanding of her leadership capabilities and the importance of conscious development. Christy and Betsy explore the transformativ...

Public health leader Dr. Donna Lynne, CEO of Denver Health, joins Christy Belzto discuss her remarkable career spanning healthcare operations and public service. Explored are Lynne's pivotal moments, the challenges facing the U.S. healthcare system, and her advocacy for universal health care. The conversation offers insights into Lynne's leadership style, her thoughts on the intersection of politics and healthcare, and her optimism...

Christy Belz speaks withDr. Janine Davidson, President of Metropolitan State University of Denver, as they explore the power of second chances and pivotal life decisions. Davidson shares transformative experiences, from overcoming challenges in Air Force pilot training to navigating personal and professional shifts, including her transition from Undersecretary of the Navy to leading MSU Denver. The conversation highlights MSU's com...

In this episode of "Second Chances with Christy Belz," Christy sits down with Christine Marquez Hudson, Vice President of University Advancement at MSU Denver. Christine shares her journey through various leadership roles, including her transformative experience at Mi Casa Resource Center. She candidly discusses the challenges she faced at the Denver Foundation and the lessons learned about authenticity and self-worth. Discover how...

Join Christy Belz as she explores themes of entrepreneurial evolution with Jen Lester, co-founder and CEO of Philosophy Communications. Jen shares her incredible journey of launching a prominent PR and marketing agency over 25 years ago. Jen reveals the driving force behind her career shift and the courage it took to embrace uncertainty plus she shares insights on how to create a workplace that reflects women's ...

Christy Belzspeaks with Christine Benero, the President and CEO of Mile High United Way, a historic organization dedicated to improving education, health, and financial stability in Colorado communities. Christine is noted for being the first woman to ever hold this significant role in the organization’s 135-year history. Her career is marked by her commitment to service and equity, with previous leadership positions includin...