In this episode Leah C. Murphy, CEO of Career Gems for the Journey, sits down with career counselor and author Shell Mendelson, MS, to talk about what it really takes to find your path—especially if you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or navigating your career as a neurodivergent adult.
Shell brings decades of expertise to the conversation and shares how her own late-life ADHD diagnosis deepened her commitment to helping others discover meaningful and realistic career options. Together, Leah and Shell explore what it looks like to move from uncertainty to confidence, and how the right support and strategy can help you unlock the next step in your journey.
Whether you’re in a season of transition, burnout, or exploration, this episode offers powerful insight on how to align your passion, purpose, and profession—without the pressure to do it perfectly.
💎 What makes career clarity harder for neurodivergent individuals?
💎 Why traditional career advice often falls short?
💎 The difference between purpose and passion
💎 Shell’s personal ADHD journey and how it reshaped her career
💎 Tools and next steps for anyone reevaluating their path
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About Our Guest
Shell Mendelson, MS is a seasoned career counselor with over 35 years of experience helping both neurodivergent and neurotypical clients find clarity in their career journey. Trained by What Color Is Your Parachute? author Richard Bolles and holding a Master’s degree in Vocational/Career Counseling, Shell combines deep expertise with a personal understanding of how ADHD can affect career paths—having received her own diagnosis later in life.
She is the author of Unlock Your Career Path: A Course for Neurodivergent Adults and Teens, widely praised as one of the most ADHD-friendly career guides available. Through this book, her coaching, and her Your Next Career Move Masterclass, Shell equips individuals with the tools to move from overwhelm to action using structured, clear, and sustainable steps.
In addition to her counseling work, Shell is also the founder of the international children’s art franchise KidzArt. Her mission is to help people uncover fulfilling, purpose-driven work by simplifying complex decisions and championing their strengths—especially those who feel overlooked or uncertain about their next move.
🎯 Her next masterclass begins July 16
📘 Learn more at www.unlockyourcareerpath.com
🔗 Connect with Shell:
Instagram: @shellmendelson
Facebook: @CareerCoachingwithShell
LinkedIn: Shell Mendelson