I was recently able to sit down for a captivating conversation with Allison Hare, the dynamic force behind the award-winning Late Learner Podcast. Serving as a beacon for those on a quest for personal growth, Allison’s podcast is a platform where guests share lesser-known frameworks and stories, inspiring late learners to explore new modalities and lead a more fulfilling life. Allison’s journey is a living testament to the transformative power of self-discovery, intentional choices, and embracing continuous growth. In our recent on-air conversation, we delved into her captivating life story—from navigating the intricate balance of work and family to the transformative experiences that led her to embrace a life of continuous growth and freedom.
Read the summary of our conversation below, or listen to the full interview here.
Cherylanne Skolnicki: Allison, welcome to the Brilliant Balance Show.
Allison Hare: I’m so glad to be here, Cherylanne. Thank you.
CS: I love doing this with you because I’ve talked to you so many times off the air that it’ll be really fun to have this particular conversation on the air for everyone else to listen in on. So, let’s kick this off with you. I would love for you to share a little bit about what you’ve been up to today. What’s on your particular plate today?
AH: Well, we are in the midst of December when we’re recording this, and my kids are not at school, so I’m doing a delicate balance of working while my kids continuously seek attention. I’ve got a few calls on the books, so everything is kind of normal, just a little less. So I don’t know if that answers your question, but that’s what’s going on today.
CS: Absolutely. Yes. Since your work is similar to mine in that you host a podcast, coach women, and have a creative job, sometimes those days lend themselves well to doing creative work that’s less administrative.
AH: Hmm. I do not find that at all. <laughs>
CS: I want to share a bit about your backstory. You have a fascinating life story that I’ve had the chance to get to know a little bit. Tell us a bit about how you grew up.
AH: Well, I’m one of six kids, actually one of seven kids. So there were a lot of us around. I think a great place to start is that my mother was a stay-at-home mom to six kids. My father was an international businessman, born and raised in Lebanon. My mom was from Brooklyn, so very different cultures. My father was gone a lot, and my mom kind of ran the show. I remember when I was 12 and being in my family kitchen with my mom, my head in my hands crying, and my mom saying, “Allison, what’s wrong?” And I was like, “I am not good at anything. I’m not good at anything.” I didn’t play sports, was an average student, and never felt I could excel at anything. My mother always said never to rely on a man to make money. Always make your own. She didn’t go to college, went to Europe to study her voice, and became an opera singer. Then she met my dad, and they had all these kids. My mom put her dreams on the shelf but planted them on me and my sisters. I started as a psych major in college. While I was there, I discovered my college had a radio station, and it felt like all the lights in my body had turned on. I always had this passion for music. And I took this voice and diction class and felt like everything went from black and white to color. And I was like “This is what I want to do. I’m finally good at something.” I had found my people, I found my tribe, I found what I was good at.
So when I left college, I decided I wanted to be a radio dj. I delivered pizzas with my resume and demo tape to my favorite radio station, but they declined. So I went into marketing and sales for the money. I sold software and payroll for a long time. And I really loved the people and I loved winning, and I loved being able to provide for my family, but I didn’t feel like it was life affirming or fulfilling in any way. So I supplemented it by doing creative things on the side like Toastmasters and a music blog.
Five years ago, I started a podcast called Late Learner. And it’s an award-winning podcast. It’s globally ranked. It’s something I’m very, very proud of. About two years ago, I stumbled upon a dance class and felt an intense rush of freedom, leading me to become a dance fitness instructor. This opened up a path of leaning into what feels good and life-affirming, realizing the podcast and dance classes felt like a big yes, while corporate life felt like a big no. So I left my corporate career and made the leap without a plan.
CS: Such a good story. Thank you for sharing it in an arc where people can feel that journey with you. I certainly have felt it as you’ve shared it with me over time. One of the moments that stands out is when you talk about the dance class feeling like freedom and the realization that you were allowed to feel good. That’s such a powerful shift. I want to dive a bit deeper into your podcast, now called The Late Learner Podcast. Can you tell us more about the concept of a late learner and what the podcast is all about?
AH: The podcast has gone through different names but has always been about people who want to make an impact, exploring what they learn differently. I’ve always been a late bloomer—I got married and had children late. Late Learner invites people with new or lesser-known frameworks, systems, or stories to shatter old paradigms that no longer work. It’s about expedited knowledge on healing and finding better ways, simplifying and making life more effective. The podcast is both a platform for people to have a voice and a way for me to learn new modalities that work better.
CS: I love that it works on both levels, exploring new paradigms and systems while also learning from others’ experiences. Now, you’ve started doing some programming for women, and you have a New Year challenge. Can you tell us about that?
AH: Yes, in December, I do a Clearing Challenge to clear physical, mental, and spiritual clutter, followed by a recharge. The New Year challenge involves doing something new every day for 31 days, focusing on micro choices with macro impacts. It’s about being intentional, especially in relationships with oneself and others. The challenge encourages small, fun, and new experiences to create a sense of novelty and keep things fresh.
CS: I think people will love that. It’s easy for them to incorporate into their lives. Now, any parting words for our listeners today?
AH: Consider what it looks like to shine brighter and allow the parts of you that you’re proud of to shine instead of toning them down. Shine brighter.
CS: Amazing advice. Thank you so much, Allison, for sharing your story and insights with us. It’s been a joy having you on the show.
AH: Thank you, Cherylanne. It’s been a pleasure.
You can check out more about Allison at allisonhare.com.
