Welcome to the world of leadership and career exploration as we embark on a journey with Dr. Heather Walker and her remarkable guest, Alisha Fernandez Miranda. In this episode of the Lead with Levity podcast, Heather introduces us to Alisha, an author, entrepreneur, and former CEO who dared to ask, “What if?” The inspiring conversation takes us beyond conventional career paths and explores the immense potential within all of us when we choose to step outside our comfort zones.
A Leap into the Unknown: Alisha’s Journey
Alisha’s story is a testament to courage and curiosity. Despite having a successful career as the CEO of a consulting firm, she decided to spend a year interning in various roles, completely diverging from her professional norm. This bold move was a response to an internal realization that the life she meticulously built was no longer fulfilling her.
Heather and Alisha discuss the fears and societal pressures of making drastic changes in one’s career, especially when everything on paper seems perfect. Alisha’s journey is about choosing passion over predictability and following one’s authentic path.
The Power of Exploring New Paths
Throughout the conversation, Alisha emphasizes the importance of listening to your internal desires, even if they contradict societal expectations and the life plan you thought you always wanted. She encourages creating time and space for dreaming as a critical first step in discovering one’s passions.
Alisha’s internships in musical theater, art galleries, and hospitality offered her the profound experience of being a beginner, learning new skills, and reigniting her sense of curiosity. These experiences reinforced the belief that there is always time to follow your dreams and pursue what truly excites you.
Balancing Career Ambitions with Personal Happiness
For those at the beginning of their careers, Alisha offers invaluable advice: remain true to yourself by constantly questioning your “why.” Understanding the purpose behind your actions can prevent you from living life on autopilot and ensure that your professional journey aligns with your personal values and passions.
Alisha’s journey reminds us that very few life decisions are irreversible. Each step you take contributes to the person you are becoming and the life you wish to build. Her story is a powerful reminder that it’s okay to pivot if your current path no longer feels right.
Continuing the Journey: Lessons and Inspirations
Alisha continues to live a life full of “what if” moments. From auditioning for musicals to organizing retreats focused on personal growth, she embraces opportunities that challenge her comfort zone. Her philosophy centers on the idea that life is a collection of experiences, and it’s crucial to engage in those that push us to grow and evolve.
In closing, Alisha offers practical advice to anyone feeling stuck: take small, incremental steps toward your dreams. Whether it’s as simple as signing up for a class or starting a new hobby, each tiny step can lead to significant changes and bring you closer to the life you envision for yourself.
Final Thoughts: Embracing Change with Confidence
Alisha Fernandez Miranda’s year of internships is a guiding beacon for anyone questioning their current path or yearning for more fulfillment in their career and life. Her story within the Lead with Levity podcast underscores the power of curiosity, resilience, and the willingness to embrace change. So, if you find yourself wondering, “What if?” don’t hesitate to explore the possibilities. Your most fulfilling life might be just one bold step away.
Alisha Fernandez Miranda is the award-winning author of My What If Year, which was released in February 2023. Detailing her year of unpaid internships in the dream jobs of her childhood, the book follows Alisha on her quest to figure out what might have happened if her life had taken a different path. Alisha has appeared on Good Morning America, CNN, MSNBC, NPR and on local news stations across the US. My What If Year has been featured in Marie Claire and was chosen as a Best New Book by People Magazine and the Boston Globe.
Her next book, Unrestricted Giving, will be released by Zibby Books in 2025. It tells the story of Lucia, a Latina non-profit exec and all around do-gooder who is juggling new motherhood in London. When she lands a dream job advising the rich and powerful on their philanthropy, she must learn to tell the difference between meaning well and doing good.
Alisha is the co-author of 50 Years: Kinloch Lodge, a culinary celebration of one of the Isle of Skye’s most exceptional hotels, which won a 2023 Guild of Food Writers Award. She hosts the podcasts Extra Shot with Alisha Fernandez Miranda and the award-winning Quit Your Day Job.
Alisha is a Cuban-American, born and raised in Miami who has spent her adult life in New York and London. She is currently based in Scotland.
In addition to being an intern, Alisha is the ex-CEO and current Chair at I.G. Advisors, an award-winning social impact intelligence agency that consults to the world’s biggest non-profits, companies and foundations on their philanthropy and social impact. She counts among her clients the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Ford Foundation and UN Women. She speaks and writes regularly on women’s empowerment, social impact and sustainability.
Alisha also built and launched an app called Not My Style, focused on sustainable fashion and is a proud graduate of Harvard University and the London School of Economics.
Alisha loves to read, travel, sing, watch Gilmore Girls, be served coffee in bed by her adoring/long-suffering husband, and hide from her 12-year old twins when they want to play Pokemon or watch The Traitors. Her writing has been published in Vogue, Marie Claire, Shondaland, Romper, The Good Trade, Insider, The Hopkins Review and more.
