When the Host Becomes the Guest
It’s not often that the host becomes the guest. But in this episode of Be The Ripple Podcast, Sabine Hutchison hands the microphone to Laura Burke and steps into the spotlight herself.
The conversation ranged from childhood curiosity and chemistry labs to entrepreneurship, from the chaos of dozens of notebooks to the disciplined process of writing Beyond the Ladder.
Sabine spoke about reinvention as a red thread: ‘I’m the queen of reinvention,’ she laughed, reflecting on the risks and leaps that shaped her path. She shared how decades of notebooks became the seeds of the book, a reminder that documenting our thoughts and experiences creates a well of wisdom to return to.
She also opened up about how waiting for feedback from her copyeditor was nerve-wracking for the first chapter draft, and how she learned from someone she interviewed to try and keep the mindset that ‘feedback is a gift.’ Not always easy, but always growth.<
And then came the part that brought a lump to her throat: legacy. Sabine shared how legacy is not something we should only consider at the end of life but something we build every day through kindness, presence, and the ripples we leave in others’ lives. Her book closes with a ‘Tapestry of Legacy,’ honoring the women she interviewed by reflecting their impact back to them.
This episode is a mirror turned inward. A reminder that even those who ask the questions are carrying stories worth telling. And that success, reinvention, and legacy are deeply personal journeys, are ones we are all invited to define for ourselves.
Key Takeaways and Insights
- Reinvention is a lifelong practice: Sabine reflects on being the ‘queen of reinvention.’
- Document your story: Notebooks, career books, and reflective writing become treasures of growth.
- Feedback is a gift: Even critical input can shape and strengthen our work.
- Success is personal: There is no one definition; each of us must decide what it means for us.
- Legacy is built daily: In every act of presence, kindness, and impact.
Timestamps
| Timestamp | Segment Title | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 00:00 – 01:15 | From Lab to Leadership | Introduces Sabine’s transformation from scientist → CEO → author. Keywords: “career pivot”, “reinvention story”. |
| 01:16 – 02:50 | Why Reinvention Is Resilience | Establishes Sabine’s “queen of reinvention” theme. Keywords: “career change”, “leadership reinvention”. |
| 02:51 – 04:30 | The Notebook Moment | Sabine explains her lifelong journaling habit and how it sparked Beyond the Ladder. Keywords: “career journaling”, “career workbook”, “goal-setting tools”. |
| 04:31 – 06:10 | The Emotional Reality of Self-Publishing | She describes feedback, fear, and freedom of self-publishing. Keywords: “self-publishing experience”, “creative control”, “women authors”. |
| 06:11 – 08:00 | The Workbook That Started It All | Why publishers dismissed the workbook—and why she made it non-negotiable. Keywords: “career workbook”, “career planning for women”. |
| 08:01 – 09:40 | Turning Feedback Into a Gift | Reframes feedback as leadership growth. Keywords: “feedback mindset”, “growth leadership”, “emotional intelligence”. |
| 09:41 – 12:00 | Authenticity and the Power of Storytelling | Sabine on vulnerability and storytelling as tools for influence. Keywords: “authentic leadership”, “storytelling in leadership”. |
| 12:01 – 13:30 | Building the Ripple Network | How stories ripple into community and mentorship. Keywords: “women’s networks”, “mentorship vs sponsorship”, “ripple leadership”. |
| 13:31 – End | Legacy in Motion | Closing reflection on legacy as a daily practice. Keywords: “career legacy”, “leadership impact”, “purpose-driven career”. |
Watch or Listen:
YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcast
People Also Ask (frequently asked questions)
-
What inspired Sabine Hutchison to write Beyond the Ladder?
Sabine drew from decades of career notebooks and her passion for helping women design meaningful, values-driven careers—not just climb titles. -
Why did Sabine choose to self-publish her book and workbook?
Publishers loved the book but not the workbook. Sabine self-published to keep control and ensure women received the practical career-clarity tools she envisioned. -
What does Sabine mean by “reinvention at any stage”?
Reinvention isn’t failure—it’s resilience. Whether you’re 25 or 55, each pivot is an act of clarity and courage that can redefine success. -
How can the Beyond the Ladder Career Workbook help women professionals?
It’s a guided system for mapping goals, identifying values, and crafting a career that aligns with well-being, impact, and purpose. -
What is “ripple leadership,” and how does it connect to Sabine’s podcast?
Ripple leadership means small authentic actions that inspire others to act—creating a ripple effect of positive change in work and life.
💬 Your story can spark a ripple, too.
Join The Ripple Network, a community of leaders, creatives, and changemakers who believe impact starts with authenticity.
→ Join the movement → theripplenetwork.com
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