What if success didn't mean choosing one path, but embracing many? In this episode of The HumanizeHer Podcast, We sat down with the incomparable Jory Des Jardins —co-founder of BlogHer and, more recently, the co-founder of Optionality , a platform dedicated to reimagining how we work, lead, and live. Jory takes us on a deeply personal and professional journey through her unconventional career—from couch-surfing in New York while reading manuscripts at Penguin, to co-founding BlogHer and growing it into a movement that reached over 100 million users, to today—championing the rise of fractional roles, community-powered leadership, and portfolio careers. Together, we explore the power of optionality: a framework where work is no longer a one-size-fits-all ladder, but a flexible, multi-dimensional life design. Jory shares how optionality allows people—especially women—to balance meaningful work, caregiving, creative pursuits, and self-defined success, even when traditional systems aren't designed to support it. This episode isn't just about careers—it's about courage. It's about listening to your gut, staying curious, and being unafraid to start again. Whether it's pioneering the blogosphere, navigating burnout after acquisition, or diving headfirst into emerging tech and VR, Jory's path is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and radical authenticity. We also talk candidly about caregiving, aging parents, raising teens, and the internal conflict so many women face when they feel pulled between achievement and presence. Jory's honesty and humor remind us that no career path is linear—and that building a "portfolio life" might just be the most honest reflection of who we are and who we're becoming. ✨ Whether you're in a moment of reinvention, questioning the 9–5, or dreaming of more freedom and purpose in your work—this episode will speak to you. Key themes we unpack: Why "fractional leadership" is rising—and what it really means The difference between advisory vs. fractional roles How BlogHer created a trusted model for women creators—and what it taught us about power and representation How caregiving, life phases, and flexibility intersect with ambition The future of work—and how we can build it on our own terms This conversation is both a mirror and a permission slip. If you're craving more flexibility, more agency, or simply a new way to define success—this is the episode for you. Join the conversation with host, Erica Lockheimer and co-host Elizabeth Wendorf-Bloesser
