Her Story
About Karen Lorraine
Karen Lorraine Collado is a narrative research consultant, author, and storyteller whose work explores the intersection of lived experience, behavioral science, and ethical storytelling. As the founder of Narrative Research Consulting, she supports podcast, documentary, and long-form media projects through narrative research, pre-interview screening, and story development, helping creators shape authentic, human-centered narratives. She is also the creator and host of Cockpit Chats™: We Rise Together™, a storytelling platform that features conversations with professionals who have transformed personal and professional setbacks into meaningful new beginnings. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience in luxury sales and promotion, along with 17 years in the airline industry, Karen has developed a unique ability to recognize untold stories, build meaningful relationships, and help others find clarity during times of transition.
Karen's own journey of reinvention is the foundation of her work. After an unexpected career loss brought financial hardship and forced her to rebuild her life from the ground up, she chose to return to higher education in her fifties, earning an Associate of Science in Behavioral Health Sciences before completing a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Sciences. Through her studies of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), generational trauma, neurobehavioral science, and resilience, she gained a deeper understanding of her own experiences and transformed adversity into purpose. She is currently completing her debut memoir, In Plane Sight: Collapse, Loss, and Learning to Rise, a deeply personal account of healing, identity, and second-act transformation that encourages readers to discover hope and strength through life's most difficult seasons.
One of the most transformational moments in Karen's life came through two deceptively simple questions posed by Dr. Lorraine Haataia, founder of the Prolific Writers community: "Why now?" and "Why you?" Those questions challenged Karen to look beyond the mechanics of writing and uncover the deeper purpose behind her story. That process of self-inquiry became a pivotal turning point, helping her recognize that her experiences were not merely personal hardships but valuable lessons capable of inspiring hope and transformation in others. Today, Karen continues to champion resilience, authenticity, and lifelong learning through her writing, speaking, and narrative consulting, helping writers, storytellers, and creative professionals move from uncertainty to clarity while reminding others that every ending can become the beginning of a powerful new chapter.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Karen Lorraine
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to returning to school with a clear sense of purpose and treating it as my North Star. By staying disciplined, taking consistent action, and intentionally rebuilding my community, I created opportunities for growth and meaningful progress. The encouragement, belief, and thought-provoking questions from my writing community leader helped me clarify my purpose and gave me the confidence to pursue it with conviction.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of the most transformational pieces of career advice I ever received came in the form of two simple yet powerful questions from Dr. Lorraine Haataia, founder of the Prolific Writers community: "Why now?" and "Why you?" Those questions challenged me to look beyond the act of writing and uncover the deeper purpose behind my story. Through that process of self-reflection, I realized that my experiences were not simply personal hardships but meaningful lessons that could inspire hope, resilience, and transformation in others.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to never believe that one setback determines the rest of your story. Careers evolve, identities shift, and unexpected changes often reveal strengths you never knew you had. Invest in continuous learning, self-reflection, and personal growth. Stay curious, ask difficult questions, embrace reinvention, and trust your own voice. When you do, you'll find that life's greatest challenges can become your greatest opportunities to make a meaningful impact.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest opportunities in my field is redefining success beyond traditional expectations and recognizing that reinvention is possible at any stage of life. While many women face challenges such as self-doubt, career transitions, and financial uncertainty, I believe these moments create opportunities for growth through continuous learning, authentic storytelling, and supportive communities. By embracing change, we can turn setbacks into meaningful new beginnings.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me are authenticity, compassion, and continuous growth. I believe healing begins when we have the courage to be honest about our experiences and embrace them with self-compassion instead of self-judgment. Whether I'm writing, researching, speaking, or mentoring, I'm passionate about helping others find clarity, reconnect with their authentic voice, and embrace change with courage, curiosity, and hope.
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