Gail McDonald sits down with Lisa Purcell to explore a career journey shaped by curiosity, courage, and a willingness to move forward without having everything figured out.

From leaving Canada at 23 with a suitcase and a backpack, to working as a nanny and English teacher in Spain, joining the United Nations Development Programme in Geneva, navigating international banking in London, and eventually returning to Canada to raise a family and build a career in education and public service, Lisa’s story challenges the idea that careers must follow a straight line.

Together, Gail and Lisa unpack the fears that stop people from making changes, the pressure to “pick one path,” and the freedom that comes from reframing uncertainty as possibility. They explore how values and priorities shift over time, how work-life balance looks different in each life stage, and why it’s never too late to return to school or change direction.

This Conversation Covers:

• Trusting curiosity when you don’t have a clear plan

• Leaving without burning bridges

• The hidden pressure to settle into one identity or career

• Why fear often shows up right before growth

• Reframing nonlinear paths as strength, not failure

• Navigating career change across different life stages

• Balancing ambition, family, and personal values

Lisa’s story is a powerful reminder that meaningful careers are often built through exploration, not certainty — and that sometimes the most important step is simply being willing to begin.

Books & Resources Referenced

• 17 Lies That Are Holding You Back & the Truth That Will Set You Free — Steve Chandler