This episode is an honest conversation about what happens when the life you built suddenly shifts. Melissa shares how career loss, motherhood, and healing led her to reinvent her path and why meaningful support and self-discovery matter more than ever for women today.
What You’ll Hear:
- Why being “high-achieving” doesn’t protect you from life’s unexpected pivots and how those moments can redirect you to something more aligned
- The myth of balance and how successful women learn to pull different levers in different seasons of life
- How healing and self-discovery become the foundation for meaningful career reinvention
- The cultural and organizational scripts that quietly shape women’s choices around work and family
- Why community, vulnerability, and the right support systems change everything during times of transition
- How adversity can become the catalyst for building a more intentional, purpose-driven life
Melissa’s turning point came after being laid off shortly after returning from maternity leave just one year after being named the highest-performing global partner at her firm. What felt like a devastating professional shock ultimately became the catalyst for deep healing, self-discovery, and the creation of a more intentional life and career built on purpose, community, and meaningful impact.
Follow Melissa Ng Goldner
Melissa Ng Goldner is an entrepreneur, former global management consulting partner, and founder of Malu, an ecosystem of psychologists, therapists, and coaches supporting women through personal and professional change. After an unexpected layoff following maternity leave reshaped her path, Melissa now helps high-capacity women navigate reinvention with intention, healing, and community. Her work blends strategy, mental health advocacy, and human-centric leadership to support more aligned and sustainable ways of living and working.
Learn More About Melissa:
https://www.malujourney.com/about#founder
https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissasng/
Meet the Host: Adrienne Giffen
Adrienne Giffen is an executive recruiter, author of Unravel You, and creator of the intergenerational board game Now You’re Talking™. Through her podcast, she invites families and friends to trade screens for stories, sparking heartfelt conversations that bridge generations. Her work is rooted in a passion for helping people rediscover connection, courage, and joy in today’s digital world.
Connect with the Host:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriennegiffen/
https://nowyouretalkinggame.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@NowYoureTalkingPodcast
https://www.instagram.com/nowyouretalkinggame/
Do you ever feel like you and your kids are in the same room, but not really together? START TALKING TODAY : 5 Questions to Spark Real Conversations With Your Kids https://nowyouretalkinggame.com/start-talking-today/
Now You're Talking is proud to be on the High Vibe Podcast Network. Check out Adrienne’s Gift in the Vault https://highvibepodcastnetwork.com/gifts
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