Relaunching Careers with Carol Fishman Cohen

What happens when life takes you off the traditional career path—and how do you get back on track? In this episode, I sit down with Carol Fishman Cohen, CEO and Co-Founder of iRelaunch, the pioneering organization that helps professionals return to the workforce after a break.

Carol shares her own journey as a “relauncher,” what led her to build iRelaunch in 2007, and the lessons she’s learned from working with thousands of professionals navigating career breaks. We dive into:

• How taking time away from work reshapes identity and perspective

• The common challenges—and surprising strengths—of relaunchers

• Strategies for staying “relaunch-ready” before, during, and after a career break

• Whether to hide or highlight a career gap on your resume or LinkedIn

• How companies can better support professionals returning to work

• The evolving conversation around women, work, and career breaks

Whether you’re considering stepping away from work, planning a relaunch, or just curious about the future of careers, this conversation with Carol offers practical wisdom, inspiration, and a reframing of what it means to pause—and restart—your professional journey.

Carol Fishman Cohen is the CEO and Co-founder of iRelaunch, the pioneering leader in the career reentry field, bringing thousands of mid-career professionals back into the workforce after extended leave. iRelaunch works with employers worldwide to build and expand in-house career reentry programs, produces the iRelaunch Return to Work Conferences, and leads a community of nearly 125,000 relaunchers looking to return to work. Cohen, a relauncher herself, hosts the 3,2,1 iRelaunch podcast and writes regularly for Harvard Business Review. Her TED talk, "How to get back to work after a career break," has nearly 3.8 million views.

Mentioned in this episode:

• iRelaunch October 2025 Conference
• CAP Calculator
• Podcast with Nicole Diamond

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Disclaimer: The information shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. While I am a licensed attorney, I am not providing legal advice in this podcast, and no attorney-client relationship is formed. Additionally, I am not a licensed therapist, medical professional, or financial advisor. Nothing discussed should be considered professional, legal, medical, or financial advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making any decisions related to your health, finances, or legal matters. The views expressed are my own and do not reflect those of any organizations I may be affiliated with.