12. Pausing to Redefine Success, Peace, and Purpose: A Conversation with Michelle-Kim Cohen

What happens when you step off the treadmill of external expectations and start listening to your gut?In this deeply personal and powerful conversation, I talk with Michelle Kim Cohen—attorney, mother, caregiver, and intentional leader—about what it really looks like to pause, reflect, and rebuild a life rooted in values instead of validation. Michelle took a 10-month sabbatical from her high-powered legal career to care for her father after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis and in the process, redefined what success, peace, and leadership mean to her.We talk about making decisions based on values, letting go of cultural “truths,” and the role of quiet in big life transitions. If you're standing at a crossroads, this conversation will help you trust your gut and choose what's right for you.What We Talk About* Taking a 10-month power pause to care for family and reclaim joy* Listening to your gut—and getting quiet enough to hear it* Letting go of success “shoulds” and honoring what’s true now* Making values-based decisions, not fear-based ones* Work-life integration vs. work-life balance* Interviewing from a place of honesty and alignment* Sound meditation as a tool for clarity and peaceMy Favorite TakeawayMichelle shared the reminder she keeps by her office desk:* Prioritize my wellbeing and peace* Every workday must end* Don’t borrow from family timeResources Mentioned in This Episode* Connect with Michelle Kim Cohen on LinkedIn* You Turn: Get Unstuck, Discover Your Direction, and Design Your Dream Career by Ashley Stahl* Learn more about Cambium Learning GroupMore from Leah* The Intuition Strategist website* Corporate Tarot Cards® Launch Bundle – Tools to help you make smarter, more aligned decisionsListen + ShareIf this episode resonated, send it to a friend who’s navigating change. The more we talk about joy, peace, and intuition at work, the more we make space for others to do the same.And if you haven’t already, subscribe, rate, and review The Intuition Strategist. It helps more people find the show and trust their gut, too! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit leahgoldman.substack.com