Stories of Change: Helping You Navigate What's Next

Life doesn’t come with a roadmap. We’re all figuring it out as we go.

I’m Judy Oskam, creator and host of Stories of Change: Helping You Navigate What’s Next, a podcast about life transitions, career change and starting over.

In each episode, I explore career changes, personal growth, new beginnings and the moments that change our direction.

Maybe you’re facing a change, starting a new chapter or simply wondering what comes next. Either way, I hope you’ll hear a real story and take away a little wisdom that helps you find your own way forward.

Because every story has something to teach us.

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Real Conversations. Life Lessons.

Life doesn't come with a roadmap.

On Stories of Change, Judy Oskam talks with entrepreneurs, artists, educators and students about moments that change the direction of their lives. We talk about the decisions they make, the challenges they face, and what they learn along the way.

Every conversation is an opportunity to learn from someone who's been there. Whether you're navigating a career transition, starting a new chapter, or simply wondering what's next, you'll hear personal stories and practical lessons you can apply to your own life.

Every episode helps you:
• Learn from the experiences—and mistakes—of others.
• Build the confidence to keep moving forward through uncertainty.
• Apply practical lessons to your own life, career, and relationships.

Because every story has something to teach us.

Recent Episodes

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131

Nov. 6, 2026

Give Yourself Permission to Say Yes

Ideas Worth Sharing
What would you do if you gave yourself permission to say yes?

Maybe there's something creative you've wanted to try. A class you've thought about taking. Or an idea you've put off because life got busy.

In this Ideas Worth Sharing episode, I'm sharing a book I really enjoyed: Life Whimsy: How to Think, Play, and Work More Creatively by Wendy Conklin, founder of Chair Whimsy.

One of my favorite ideas from Wendy's book is the permission slip. A place to write down what

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Turning Your Interests Into a Business with Jennifer Navarrete

128

Nov. 5, 2026

Turning Your Interests Into a Business with Jennifer Navarrete

Could something you enjoy doing become a business? And if it does, how do you make room for the rest of your life? This is a challenge for many entrepreneurs and business leaders. In Part 2 of my conversation with Jennifer Navarrete, we talk about how her early interest in podcasting grew into Brewing Media, a family business that now includes both of her sons. Jennifer started by building community and sharing what she was learning. Over time, people who had heard her speak began asking for h

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Nov. 4, 2026

How Study Abroad Changed Jamin Ochoa’s Confidence and Career Plans

Have you ever come home from a new experience feeling more confident, then wondered whether that feeling would last? What happens when you return to the same campus, routines, and decisions? In the summer of 2025, I interviewed Texas State student Jamin Ochoa while we were studying abroad in Scotland. He talked about becoming more independent and trying things outside his comfort zone. More than a year later, we caught up to see what had stayed with him. Jamin shares how that experience helped

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Rediscover Your Creativity with Mandy Rowden, Founder of Girl Guitar

128

Nov. 3, 2026

Rediscover Your Creativity with Mandy Rowden, Founder of Girl Guitar

Is there something creative you keep putting off because you don’t think you’re good enough—or life keeps getting in the way? For me, one of those things has been playing guitar. I’ve played off and on for years. That got me thinking about why we sometimes need permission to do something we enjoy. Singer-songwriter and entrepreneur Mandy Rowden knows that hesitation well. After burning out and returning to Austin from New York, she needed to pay her phone bill. She put together a six-week

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Start Before You’re Ready: Jennifer Navarrete on Podcasting and NaPodPoMo

127

Nov. 2, 2026

Start Before You’re Ready: Jennifer Navarrete on Podcasting and NaPodPoMo

Have you ever had an idea you wanted to try, but kept putting it off? Maybe you weren't sure how it would turn out. Or maybe you thought you needed a better plan before getting started. I can relate. Jennifer Navarrete has another approach: give yourself permission to experiment. Jennifer is the founder of National Podcast Post Month, or NaPodPoMo, a November challenge to create and publish 30 podcast episodes. Back in 2007, Jennifer went looking for a podcasting challenge. When she

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30 Days of What's Next: An Experiment in Trying Something New

126

Nov. 1, 2026

30 Days of What's Next: An Experiment in Trying Something New

Have you ever thought about trying something new, but kept putting it off? Well, I'm trying something different this November. I'm releasing 30 podcast episodes in 30 days as part of National Podcast Post Month, or NaPodPoMo. I've been podcasting for years, but I've never attempted anything quite like this. And I'm treating it as an experiment. For the next 30 days, I'll be sharing conversations with people who've made changes, followed their curiosity and figured things out along th

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How Hair Loss Led Kelly Engram to a New Purpose | Encore

125

Oct. 4, 2026

How Hair Loss Led Kelly Engram to a New Purpose | Encore

Sometimes the thing we struggle with can lead us somewhere we never expected. In this encore episode of Stories of Change, I’m revisiting my conversation with Kelly Engram, founder of Prairie Fire Hair. Kelly had done a lot of different things in her life, but she never felt like she had found her passion. Then she began losing her hair. Hair loss affected Kelly’s confidence and the way she saw herself. She tried wearing a wig, but at first she felt uncomfortable. She was convinced ever

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Sept. 26, 2026

When Plan A Doesn't Work: Sara McDaniel on Starting Over and Rebuilding a Life

What happens when the life you planned doesn’t happen? Sara McDaniel knows what it means to start over. After infertility and a devastating divorce changed the future she had imagined, she eventually moved home to Louisiana and began rebuilding her life. Along the way, she pursued a neglected 1926 cottage that wasn’t even for sale. Restoring that house became part of her own healing — and helped lead her toward a completely different life and career. Today, Sara is the creative force behin

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Coming Home: Amy Denet Deal on Navajo Identity, Purpose & What’s Next | Encore

123

Sept. 13, 2026

Coming Home: Amy Denet Deal on Navajo Identity, Purpose & What’s Next | Encore

What does it mean to come home—to a place, a culture, or even to yourself? In this encore episode of Stories of Change, I revisit my conversation with Navajo designer and entrepreneur Amy Denet Deal. Amy was adopted as a child and grew up in Indiana, far from her Navajo culture. After a successful career in the fashion industry and with her daughter heading off to college, Amy found herself asking a familiar question: What’s next? Her answer was to sell what she had in California and move

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How Wendy Conklin Became a Creative Entrepreneur: Betting on Herself

122

Aug. 30, 2026

How Wendy Conklin Became a Creative Entrepreneur: Betting on Herself

What does it take to leave a secure career, start a creative business and bet on yourself? Wendy Conklin was a successful teacher, writer and educational consultant. Then an upholstery class sparked a new creative interest. That small experiment eventually became Chair Whimsy. In this encore episode, Wendy shares how she became a creative entrepreneur and what gave her the courage to leave her established career. Making a midlife career change to pursue a creative business full time requir

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Why You Should Take Action - Then Figure It Out

In my TEDx talk, Why You Should Take Action - Then Figure It Out, I shared how moving forward — even without all the answers — leads to growth and unexpected opportunities. Here, we bring that idea to life with candid conversations, expert insights, and tools you can use to navigate challenges and tap into your creative potential.