Welcome to The Clearing

Lately, I’ve been feeling the weight of it all…and I know I’m not alone.

The world has felt like a constant tide, pulling me in multiple directions at once. Work, family, deadlines, decisions…everything’s urgent, everything’s important, and uncertainty is everywhere. The current is fast and we’re all swimming hard just to stay afloat, often without a moment to catch our breath.

In the midst of that swirl, I started longing for something different.

Not another productivity hack. Not another way to hustle harder. Not another brainstorming session to figure out how to pivot. But a quieter place. A space to exhale and reflect. A space where leadership didn’t mean pushing through but softening into what I know to be true. A space where I could hear my own voice again.

That’s where The Clearing began—not as a blog idea, but as a personal need. I’ve needed a moment to pause and realign with what matters most. I’ve been craving a place to put my thoughts on paper as a way of processing the world around me and the space I occupy in it… and maybe even find a little joy and humor along the way. And now, I’m sharing that space with you.

Who I Am (And Why I’m Here)

I’m Chris Schiavone, an executive coach, facilitator, working mom, and solopreneur with more than 20 years of experience in leadership development. I’ve coached and facilitated for C-suite executives, emerging leaders, and mission-driven changemakers across the public and private sectors. I’ve also navigated many of my own transitions: moving away from my family, leaving jobs, starting my own business, becoming a mom (times 3!), and constantly redefining what success means for me.

All of those identities—coach, mother, entrepreneur, woman—have shaped how I think about leadership. Not just as a title or a role, but as a practice. One that requires self-awareness, courage, compassion, and a whole lot of grace.

Why The Clearing?

Because there are moments in life when we need to see things more clearly.

I’ve found myself in those moments often in the past few years as I started my family and navigated professional changes…feeling lost in the current, overwhelmed by competing demands, and craving space to just be. It’s in these times that I’ve discovered the power of clarity. Not just clarity in what I’m doing, but clarity in who I am and what truly matters.

That’s what The Clearing represents for me: an intentional space where light can shine through, where the fog of daily life lifts, and I can see the path forward with greater purpose and calm. It’s the place I return to when I need to remember what matters most—and now, I’m inviting you into that space too.

Here, I’ll share ideas, reflections, and tools on leadership, working motherhood, and the beautiful messiness of being a human who wants to make an impact. Some posts will draw from what I’ve learned while coaching leaders at the highest levels. Others will come from the heart—from my own journey through overwhelm, reinvention, parenting, and finding purpose.

This isn’t about polished answers. It’s about thoughtful exploration. It’s about learning as we go.

What You Can Expect

In The Clearing, you’ll find:

• Stories from the frontlines of coaching and leadership
• Honest reflections on aligning work and life (and what that even means)
• Practical tools and questions to help you lead with intention
• Notes on solopreneurship, growth, and building something from the ground up
• A sense of solidarity—especially if you’re in transition, wearing many hats, or wondering, “What’s next?”

Let’s Navigate This Together

Wherever you are in your journey—leading teams, leading change, leading your life—I hope you find something here that resonates. A phrase, a question, a reminder that you’re not alone.

This is The Clearing. A place to exhale, reconnect, and keep going—with a little more intention and a lot more clarity.

I’m glad that you’re here.

With gratitude,

Chris