{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Career Pauses, Identity, and Rebuilding a Professional Path with Dr. Ann Marie Peters","description":"This episode explores how to navigate a career pause after widowhood, divorce, caregiving, or another major life transition\u2014and how to return to work with clarity and confidence. Donna speaks with Dr. Ann Marie Peters, an executive coach, leadership strategist, organizational psychologist, and author who combines research and lived experience to help people relaunch professionally. Together, they discuss the emotional side of career breaks, the practical steps for re-entering the workforce, and why networking, mindset, and self-reflection matter just as much as updating a resume.In this episode, you\u2019ll hear about: Dr. Ann Marie Peters\u2019 personal journey from corporate work to staying home with her children, entrepreneurship, consulting, and earning her PhD later in life Why a career pause can be a deliberate choice rather than a failure How to determine whether you truly want to return to work\u2014or are responding to guilt and outside expectations The inspiration behind Dr. Peters\u2019 book about career pauses and returning to the workplace Identity loss and imposter syndrome after stepping away from a career Why confidence is like a muscle that can be strengthened through small, consistent steps The hidden skills people develop during a career pause, including caregiving, resilience, organization, and problem-solving How to align your next career move with your values, purpose, and need for balance The importance of networking when returning to the workforce How volunteering can help rebuild professional confidence and sharpen skills The 90-day plan featured in Dr. Peters\u2019 book Why you should ask people for advice\u2014not necessarily a job How to create a resume, LinkedIn profile, and professional presence that reflect your full experience Why it\u2019s okay to test a new direction, \u201cdip your toes in the water,\u201d and pivot when something doesn\u2019t feel right   Key timestamps 00:00 \u2013 Why this conversation matters for people facing career transitions 01:00 \u2013 Meet Dr. Ann Marie Peters 02:42 \u2013 Giving yourself permission to pause after loss or family change 03:05 \u2013 Asking, \u201cWhy do I want to return?\u201d 05:15 \u2013 Creating a flexible work arrangement in 1995 07:13 \u2013 Leaving work to raise children and returning as an entrepreneur 08:36 \u2013 Going back to school and earning a PhD later in life 09:22 \u2013 How dissertation research inspired Dr. Peters\u2019 book 11:14 \u2013 The joys, challenges, and hidden skills of a career pause 13:40 \u2013 Turning a pause into a reset and relaunch point 14:49 \u2013 Identity loss, imposter syndrome, and rebuilding confidence 15:19 \u2013 Why confidence grows through baby steps 17:58 \u2013 Balancing work and family after the loss of a spouse 18:27 \u2013 Creating a proposal when your current role no longer works 19:54 \u2013 The importance of balance, authenticity, and purpose 21:16 \u2013 Inside the book\u2019s 90-day plan 22:43 \u2013 Using LinkedIn and career platforms effectively 24:59 \u2013 Rebuilding professional skills through volunteering 25:42 \u2013 The top three priorities for returning to work 27:34 \u2013 Where to find Dr. Ann Marie Peters and her book 28:30 \u2013 Final thoughts for widows, widowers, and people navigating career pivotsThree key    Connect with Dr. Ann Marie: LinkedIn: linkedin.com\/in\/annmariepeters Facebook: We\u2019ll Be Right Back TikTok: @amp_is_back Instagram: backwithamp     ","author_name":"Widow, Wisdom & Wealth\u2122: Thriving in Career and Parenthood After Loss","author_url":"https:\/\/widowwisdomwealth.com","html":"