This One Setback Nearly Ended Her Career— But It Made Her a Bestselling Author Instead (What Amy Shoenthal Learned When She Got Sidelined After Maternity Leave)

Superwomen with Rebecca Minkoff

This week on SUPERWOMEN, I’m joined by Amy Shoenthal, bestselling author, journalist, and the mind behind “The Setback Cycle,” a framework for turning life’s most difficult moments into launching pads for growth. A seasoned writer for outlets like Forbes and Fast Company, Amy spent years interviewing founders, creatives, and executives, only to realize the one thing they all had in common: a major setback.

What started as a “journalism side hustle” to put her ambitious energy somewhere when her job was no longer serving her, became a research-backed journey into what happens when things fall apart and how those moments can lead to reinvention. In this conversation, Amy shares how subtle setbacks, like quietly being sidelined at work after maternity leave, often shape us just as powerfully as the dramatic ones. She breaks down the four phases of the setback cycle, offers actionable steps to help you identify and move through your own, and reminds us that success doesn’t always look like a straight line forward.

From slingshot neuroscience to slumped ceilings in fashion studios, Amy's insights are a lifeline for anyone sitting in the discomfort of a stalled career, strained relationship, or uncertain next step, unsure if it’s an ending or a new beginning.

Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to order my book, “Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success.”

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