Ral West is one of those people whose story stays with you. Over four decades as an entrepreneur, she’s seen it all. In her mid-twenties, she took the plunge and started her first business. That bold move led to running a charter air service between Alaska and Hawaii for 25 years, flying wide-body jets with her husband. Selling it to Alaska Airlines was a career highlight—but far from the finale. Since then, she’s owned small cruise ships, invested in real estate, and continued building her lega...
Dec 18, 2024•27 min•Ep. 109
Part Two. At the height of her real estate career, Athena Brownson’s life was derailed by Lyme disease. For eight years, she’s faced chronic pain and intensive treatments, reshaping every part of her world. As Athena puts it, “If life didn’t give us adversity and challenges…” Yesterday, she recounted the early days of her diagnosis, the fight to survive, and the harsh realities of living with this poorly understood condition. Today, in Part 2, Athena will reveal how she turned survival into thri...
Dec 17, 2024•25 min•Ep. 108
Part One. At the height of her real estate career, Athena Brownson’s life was derailed by Lyme disease. For eight years, she’s faced chronic pain and intensive treatments, reshaping every part of her world. As Athena puts it, “If life didn’t give us adversity and challenges…” In this episode, she recounts the early days of her diagnosis, the fight to survive, and the harsh realities of living with this poorly understood condition. Tomorrow, in Part 2, Athena will reveal how she turned survival i...
Dec 16, 2024•29 min•Ep. 107
For the first time, my podcast comes full circle! Though I started and run this show in Hong Kong, I’ve yet to feature a guest from right here in my home city—until today. Meet May Yeung: a teaching artist, founder of the charity Art of My Family , cancer survivor, and proud mom to an 14-month-old cutie. Through art, May is reshaping lives and championing sustainability, mental health, and social inclusion right here in Hong Kong. In a city known for its financial might, May shows us a path of p...
Dec 16, 2024•34 min•Ep. 106
Part Two. Ever left a toxic boss or workplace, hoping for a fresh start, only to land in the same chaos at your new job? It’s a frustratingly common cycle. The truth is, office politics are everywhere. From power plays and subtle maneuvers to that colleague who always seems to win, navigating workplace dynamics can be exhausting. In this two-part series, leadership expert Jennifer Selby Long joins me to unpack why office politics happen, how some people thrive in politically charged environments...
Dec 15, 2024•26 min•Ep. 105
Part One. Ever left a toxic boss or workplace, hoping for a fresh start, only to land in the same chaos at your new job? It’s a frustratingly common cycle. The truth is, office politics are everywhere. From power plays and subtle maneuvers to that colleague who always seems to win, navigating workplace dynamics can be exhausting. In this two-part series, leadership expert Jennifer Selby Long joins me to unpack why office politics happen, how some people thrive in politically charged environments...
Dec 15, 2024•26 min•Ep. 104
Jennifer Selby Long, the executive coach for tech leaders with 30 plus years of experience, dives into the art of navigating organizational politics and leading effective change. She explores the roots of workplace power struggles, from unhealthy leadership dynamics to competing stakeholder needs, and shares how empathy can transform political challenges into progress. Jennifer breaks down common missteps in handling ineffective bosses and highlights the importance of aligning personal and organ...
Dec 14, 2024•45 min•Ep. 103
From her accidental start in change management in the 90s to coaching today’s tech leaders, Jennifer Selby Long’s journey is all about helping people navigate and lead change effectively. Jennifer shares how she transitioned from I.T. training to founding a coaching practice that specializes in guiding leaders through the human side of change. She explains why technical processes are only part of the solution and how the real challenge lies in influencing others—peers, leaders, and even oneself—...
Dec 14, 2024•28 min•Ep. 102
From mechanical engineering in India to leading tech roles at Square and Atlassian in Silicon Valley, Gagan Sandhu’s career is a masterclass in adaptability and growth. Now the CEO and Co-Founder of Xillion, a platform empowering financial independence, Gagan shares how embracing knowledge-driven pivots—like switching to tech in his late 20s—has fuelled his success. He unpacks the myths of financial freedom, tackles ageism in the workplace, and explains why modern careers require constant reinve...
Dec 13, 2024•37 min•Ep. 101
From mechanical engineering in India to leading tech roles at Square and Atlassian in Silicon Valley, Gagan Sandhu’s career is a masterclass in adaptability and growth. Now the CEO and Co-Founder of Xillion, a platform empowering financial independence, Gagan shares how embracing knowledge-driven pivots—like switching to tech in his late 20s—has fuelled his success. He unpacks the myths of financial freedom, tackles ageism in the workplace, and explains why modern careers require constant reinve...
Dec 13, 2024•34 min•Ep. 100
Holly Bond, once a franchise owner and now the President of Facet Recruitment, spills the secrets of blending old-school charm with modern tech in recruiting. From fax machine résumés to navigating an AI-driven hiring world, Holly’s seen it all. She dishes on the power of networking (spoiler: it’s not about business cards and stale canapés), the importance of bold moves (sometimes you just email anyway ), and why being real beats AI algorithms every time. With wisdom, wit, and a knack for findin...
Dec 12, 2024•34 min•Ep. 99
Holly Bond, a serial entrepreneur and President of Facet Recruitment in Halifax, Canada, shares her transformative journey from building a groundbreaking children’s fitness franchise to navigating the tough lessons of entrepreneurship. Holly’s story unpacks the highs and lows of taking bold leaps, from landing a national TV spot that kickstarted her franchise dreams to facing the brink of personal and professional loss. Through mentorship and hard-earned wisdom, Holly reveals the importance of l...
Dec 12, 2024•32 min•Ep. 98
Juliana Schroeder, Associate Professor at UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, unpacks the evolving dynamics of communication in the human-machine era. Juliana dives into the intersection of human and machine interaction, highlighting how technological advancements like generative AI are reshaping how we connect, collaborate, and convey ideas. From leveraging paralinguistic cues to mastering the art of switching between communication modalities, Juliana emphasizes the timeless value of empathy, ...
Dec 11, 2024•35 min•Ep. 97
Mary Shea, General Manager for North America at HireQuotient and former co-CEO of Mediafly, takes us on a tech-fueled journey through the wild world of AI-driven hiring. From cracking the code on hidden talent pools to dodging ghosting recruiters, Mary’s got tips for everyone—job seekers, recruiters, and those just trying to figure out if their LinkedIn profile is detailed enough. She even schools us on networking, blending classic human touch with digital-era wizardry. If you’ve ever wondered h...
Dec 10, 2024•43 min•Ep. 96
Greg Morley isn’t your average HR guy. He’s the former DEI and HR head at Moët Hennessy, Disney, and Hasbro—and the brains behind Bond , the book on belonging your workplace desperately needs. In Part 2 of this two-part series, Greg breaks down the complexities of implementing DEI in global organizations. He shares how rewiring systems—not just setting quotas—creates real inclusion. From tackling unconscious bias to aligning leadership with grassroots energy, Greg highlights the power of authent...
Dec 10, 2024•41 min•Ep. 95
Greg Morley isn’t your average HR guy. He’s the former DEI and HR head at Moët Hennessy, Disney, and Hasbro—and the brains behind Bond , the book on belonging your workplace desperately needs. In Part 1 of this two-part series, Greg spills how to ditch boring corporate jargon and actually create cultures where people feel seen, heard, and ready to crush it. From rewiring outdated systems to tackling bias head-on, Greg brings humor, grit, and a whole lot of wisdom. Oh, and he’ll show you why maki...
Dec 09, 2024•31 min•Ep. 94
In the second episode of this two-part series, Mary Shea, General Manager of Hire Quotient and former co-CEO of Mediafly, delves into the co-CEOship model—a rising approach in today’s complex business landscape. With growing challenges for single leaders, she explains how trust, complementary skills, and shared vision are essential for success. Mary candidly discusses the model’s benefits, like shared workload and greater impact, alongside challenges like slower decision-making. She also highlig...
Dec 08, 2024•26 min•Ep. 93
In this first episode of a two-part series, Mary Shea, General Manager of Hire Quotient and former co-CEO of Mediafly, shares her remarkable journey from classical musician to sales leader and diversity advocate. Mary reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped her career, including the risks she’s taken and the transformative lessons learned. As a proud member of the LGBTQ community, she discusses her mission to amplify underrepresented voices and drive equity in sales leadership. Drawing from ...
Dec 07, 2024•22 min•Ep. 92
In this second episode of the two-part series, James Hilovsky delves deeper into the mindset and qualities required for success in franchising. Drawing on his extensive experience, James highlights the flip side of athletic traits—how passion and ego can sometimes derail franchisees, but how the right systems and guidance can bring them back on track. He shares insights into why franchising isn’t just about following a playbook but also about owning your business and betting on yourself. For cor...
Dec 07, 2024•28 min•Ep. 91
In this first episode of a two-part series, James Hilovsky takes us from the baseball field to the world of franchising, sharing how athletes possess unique qualities that make them exceptional business owners. Having transitioned from professional sports to a successful career in the restaurant and franchise industries, James highlights the parallels between following a coach’s playbook and executing a franchise system. With a focus on risk-taking, leadership, and embracing coaching, James expl...
Dec 06, 2024•27 min•Ep. 90
In this episode, Wayland Lum, CEO of Copperbox Leadership Advisory and former leader at Chicago Booth, Korn Ferry, and Nvidia, shares his journey from art supplies to boardrooms. Blending creativity with business psychology, Wayland redefines what it means to be a modern leader. With a passion for helping leaders reach their full potential, he explains how betting on oneself can lead to transformational change—not just in business, but in life. From navigating the balance of fear and courage to ...
Dec 06, 2024•26 min•Ep. 89
Wayne Turmel, co-author of The Long-Distance Leader , joins the show to unpack the chaos of remote and hybrid leadership. Is hybrid work really a strategy? Wayne says it’s more like a game of tug-of-war—companies push for office days, employees dig in their heels, and somehow three days in the office feels like a compromise nobody loves. He dives into how proximity bias sneaks into decision-making, why intentionality is the secret sauce for great leadership, and how balancing deep work with coll...
Dec 05, 2024•32 min•Ep. 88
Ever felt like confidence is just another buzzword? Lucy Gernon from Ireland is here to flip the script. In this episode, Lucy breaks down the true essence of confidence—not borrowed quotes or empty bravado, but certainty in yourself, your ideas, and the value you bring. With candid insights and her own journey from self-doubt to self-assurance, she offers a fresh perspective on why confidence isn’t just a trait—it’s a gift you owe to yourself and your audience. Key Highlights of Our Interview: ...
Dec 04, 2024•30 min•Ep. 87
Meet Irina Filippova, the fearless trailblazer who swapped a career in diplomacy for a front-row seat in the energy and transportation revolutions. Born in Moscow to a nuclear scientist, Irina took a hard left from splitting atoms to bridging cultures, then pivoted again—this time into reshaping the energy landscape at BP. She’s the kind of leader who doesn’t just talk about change; she makes it happen, whether she’s revamping gas stations into sustainability hubs or electrifying entire fleets. ...
Dec 03, 2024•41 min•Ep. 86
Singapore’s youngest female parliamentarian, Tin Pei Ling, reflects on her transformative journey from psychology student to public servant. Faced with early challenges like age bias, online criticism, and the weight of public expectations, she shares how resilience and authenticity became her guiding principles. Tin highlights the power of grassroots connections and meaningful actions to overcome stereotypes and build trust with her constituents. Her story is a testament to navigating adversity...
Dec 02, 2024•21 min•Ep. 85
In this episode, we meet Jean Zhou, a filmmaker from China whose life is a testament to the power of pursuing a dream. From her humble beginnings as a small-town girl to earning an MBA from Chicago Booth, Jean’s journey spans multiple industries—from sociology and accounting to venture capital and, ultimately, the entertainment world. Now an accomplished writer and producer of TV shows and movies, Jean shares how a simple love for TV series as a child ignited her passion for storytelling, leadin...
Dec 01, 2024•24 min•Ep. 84
Part Three. Welcome to a special three-part series with Colin Savage. we’ll dive into Colin’s fascinating journey as a self-proclaimed change addict turned change guru. Colin’s career spans continents, cultures, and industries—seven countries lived in, seven more seconded to, and projects in over 70 nations. From organizational transformation to personal reinvention, he’s mastered the art of embracing change and applying those lessons to life. Here, we’ll explore the learning required for transf...
Nov 29, 2024•26 min•Ep. 83
Part Two. Welcome to a special three-part series with Colin Savage. we’ll dive into Colin’s fascinating journey as a self-proclaimed change addict turned change guru. Colin’s career spans continents, cultures, and industries—seven countries lived in, seven more seconded to, and projects in over 70 nations. From organizational transformation to personal reinvention, he’s mastered the art of embracing change and applying those lessons to life. Here, we’ll explore the learning required for transfor...
Nov 28, 2024•31 min•Ep. 82
Part One. Welcome to a special three-part series with Colin Savage. we’ll dive into Colin’s fascinating journey as a self-proclaimed change addict turned change guru. Colin’s career spans continents, cultures, and industries—seven countries lived in, seven more seconded to, and projects in over 70 nations. From organizational transformation to personal reinvention, he’s mastered the art of embracing change and applying those lessons to life. Here, we’ll explore the learning required for transfor...
Nov 27, 2024•28 min•Ep. 81
Part Two. Ever left a toxic boss or workplace, hoping for a fresh start, only to land in the same chaos at your new job? It’s a frustratingly common cycle. The truth is, office politics are everywhere. From power plays and subtle maneuvers to that colleague who always seems to win, navigating workplace dynamics can be exhausting. In this two-part series, leadership expert Jennifer Selby Long joins me to unpack why office politics happen, how some people thrive in politically charged environments...
Nov 26, 2024•26 min•Ep. 80
