What if the “safe” path you worked so hard for… was never actually yours?

In this episode, Monique de Maio chats with USA Today and Amazon bestselling author Jacqueline Friedland about what it really looks like to walk away from prestige—and into purpose. From trading a successful legal career for novel-writing (while raising four kids, no less), Jacqueline’s story from lawyer to author is a bold, brilliant reminder that reinvention is not only possible—it’s powerful.

Key Takeaways:
→ You can be great at something and still want out.
→ Every bold move starts with one honest question: “Am I going to do this, or not?”
→ Real writing (and real purpose) requires protecting your time like it matters.
→ Historical fiction can be a weapon for truth—and so can women’s voices.
→ You can have it all—just not all at once.
→ “If the dream is big enough, the odds don’t matter.”

🎧 Listen now & get inspired to stop waiting and start writing your own next chapter.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction to Jacqueline Friedland
02:05 – From Law to Literature: The Journey Begins
06:03 – Finding Inspiration: Historical vs. Contemporary Fiction
09:15 – The Impact of Personal Experiences on Writing
13:41 – Balancing Family Life and a Writing Career
21:48 – Navigating the Publishing World
24:51 – The Symbolism of the Pomegranate in Counting Backwards
30:50 – Work-Life Integration: A Personal Perspective
37:13 – Advice to My Younger Self

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About Jacqueline Friedland:
Jacqueline Friedland is the USA Today and Amazon bestselling author of both historical and contemporary women’s fiction. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and NYU Law School, she practiced as a commercial litigator before trading courtrooms for creative writing. She earned her MFA from Sarah Lawrence College and has since published five novels, including her newest release, Counting Backwards. Her work has received multiple awards, and she frequently speaks on writing, motherhood, and creative purpose.

📚 Explore her books: Jacqueline Friedland on Amazon