From Quakes to the Chastity Zone | Holly Brandon | Engineer Turned Award-Winning Author

Holly Brandon traded earthquake engineering for storytelling, turning her real-life dating adventures into the award-winning novel Life in the Chastity Zone. After years in STEM and a personal health battle, she found herself navigating the unpredictable world of love, and realized her experiences had all the makings of a great book. She shares how her career shift unfolded, what science taught her about persistence, and why love can’t be engineered like a building. From awkward first dates to the lessons hidden in heartbreak, Holly’s story is about embracing pivots, chasing creativity, and finding humor in the messiest chapters of life. Chapters: 00:00 – From Earthquake Engineering to Creative Writing 05:28 – How a Health Crisis Changed Her Path 10:32 – Approaching 40 and Rethinking Everything 14:00 – Why Relationships Don’t Follow Career Logic 18:00 – Writing Life in the Chastity Zone 22:00 – Dating Disasters and Comic Relief 28:00 – Lessons Learned from Science and Storytelling 33:00 – How Publishing Differs from Engineering 38:00 – Awards, Recognition, and Reader Reactions 43:00 – Advice for Anyone Considering a Career Pivot 48:00 – The Real Power of Owning Your Story The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms. Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think. Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices