PR Executive Lisa Woolery: From Writing Dreams to Widowhood—and Back Again

<p>On this episode, Helen Jonsen sits down with writer, public relations expert, and self-described California Girl, Lisa Woolery, to talk about her “kaleidoscope career.” From teaching middle school English in SoCal to shaping messages in politics, public service, and corporate PR, Lisa built a life around words—until life rewrote the script.</p><p>After relocating her family to Kansas for a quieter life, Lisa’s husband, Eric, died suddenly just months later. What followed was a season of grief, survival, and, eventually, a return to the creative work that had always been calling her. Lisa shares howloss led her back to writing—through her memoir <em>The Widow’s Comeback</em>, a daily grief calendar, and a growing community for widows—while opening the door to a new chapter as a literary consultant and novelist.</p><p>It’s a conversation about resilience and reframing, and what it means to find your voice again when everything changes.</p><p> </p><p>00:00 Writing Through Grief</p><p>02:03 Early Dreams and Teaching</p><p>03:12 Politics and Public Service</p><p>05:20 City PR to Corporate Offices</p><p>09:39 Family Pressures and Leaving Work</p><p>12:27 Moving to Kansas and Finding Voice</p><p>15:00 Dream Interrupted</p><p>16:46 Adoption and Building a Family</p><p>20:09 The Day Eric Died</p><p>23:07 Memoir Spark and Purpose</p><p>25:33 Sponsor Break</p><p>25:56 Publishing TheWidows Comeback</p><p>28:05 Workbooks andWidow Community</p><p>32:38 Literary Coachingand New Fiction</p><p>37:21 Kids Update andResilience</p><p>40:49 Life Now and Closing Reflections</p><p> </p><p><strong>Thanks to our sponsor:</strong></p><p>Support for This Kaleidoscope Career comes from Divine Asset Management, a woman-ownedfirm advising individuals, families, and business owners on long-term strategies that align wealth with values.Explore more at WorkWithDivine.com</p><p> </p><p><strong>About Helen Jonsen &amp; This Kaleidoscope Career</strong></p><p><em>Helen Jonsen lives a kaleidoscope career built on decades of experience as a strategic adviser to corporate, nonprofit and public leadership, and a multi-platform journalist in front of the camera and behind the scenes.</em></p><p><em>Helen is available as a keynote or workshop leader on This Kaleidoscope Career, and on topics to help you strengthen your spoken message to deliver it with confidence. Learn </em><a href="https://helenjonsen.com/engaging-topics"><strong>moreat</strong></a><em> </em><a href="http://helenjonsen.com/"><strong>helenjonsen.com</strong></a><em> or email </em><a href="mailto:helen@helenjonsen.com">helen@helenjonsen.com</a><em>.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em>Helen’s new book: </em><strong>This Kaleidoscope Career: Empowering Women to Build Unconventional Careers and Redefine Success</strong> will be published byDeGruyter-Brill in September 2026.</p><p><em><strong>Listen:</strong></em><em>In </em><a href="https://www.helenjonsen.com/podcast-1"><strong>This Kaleidoscope Career podcast </strong></a><em>Helen helps leading women reframe their nonlinear careers across various industries, nonprofits and government,and helps others who aspire to unlock a successful kaleidoscope career. “This Kaleidoscope Career Podcast” is a production of </em><a href="https://helenjonsen.com/"><strong>helen jonsen media.</strong></a><em> </em><a href="https://www.helenjonsen.com/#this-kaleidoscope-career">https://www.helenjonsen.com/#this-kaleidoscope-career</a><em></em></p><p><em> </em></p><p>----------</p><p><strong>Online Course: Command the Room: Develop Your Signature Remarks Toolkit for Leaders</strong><em>Hosted and written by Helen Jonsen in production with GenConnectU andLinkedIn Learning:</em> A practical communication course for leaders who want tospeak with clarity, confidence, and impact. <a href="https://genconnect-courses.thinkific.com/courses/Command-the-Room-The-Signature-Remarks-Toolkit-for-Leaders?ref=6311fe"><strong>Register here</strong></a><strong> </strong>and use<strong>disc