Shows
Play It By Your RulesP33 - PIBYR: Career Burnout to Career Clarity: How to Leave Soul Sucking SuccessWhat if exhaustion isn’t a sign you’re doing too much - but a sign you’re doing the wrong things?
In this episode of Play It By Your Rules, I sit down with career strategist and licensed therapist Rachel Spekman, founder of Made for More Coaching, to explore what happens when success on paper no longer feels aligned in real life.
After building a thriving career in the startup world, Rachel reached a moment many high-achieving professionals recognize: she had the title, the trajectory, and the credibility - but something felt off. Instead of con...
2026-02-1648 min
Play It By Your RulesP32 - PIBYR: Caring for Aging Parents Without Losing Yourself
Playing it by your rules isn’t about getting your way at all costs.
A mindful rebellion means recognising that our choices affect others - especially the people we love most.
Caring for aging parents is one of the most emotional, complex, and often unspoken challenges of midlife. In this deeply human episode of Play It by Your Rules, I sat down with gerontology expert, facilitator, and founder of Talk About Aging, Janice Goldmintz.
Drawing on both her academic background and her lived experience of supporting both parents through Alzheimer’s disease, Janice shares prac...
2026-02-0238 min
Play It By Your RulesE31 - PIBYR: Burn the Job Description - Build a Life That FitsWhat if career success didn’t mean climbing higher - but choosing how you spend your time?
In this episode of Play It by Your Rules, I sit down with Ani Filipova - former Citi COO turned portfolio career strategist - to unpack what it really means to step off the traditional career ladder and design a working life that fits your priorities.
Ani shares how she intentionally moved away from a single, full-time corporate role - not to work less, but to work differently: with more autonomy, flexibility, and control over where her time an...
2026-01-1950 min
Play It By Your RulesE30 - PIBYR: Stop Hoping for Teamwork - Start Building It by DesignTeamwork doesn’t magically happen just because people share a Zoom link.
In this episode, I talk with Daria Rudnik - Team Architect, Executive Coach, and author of CLICKING: A Team Building Strategy for Overloaded Leaders Who Want Stronger Team Trust, Better Results, and More Time - about why so many teams underperform, especially under pressure… and how to design teams that work.
Because just like people, teams need to play by their own rules - and it’s a leader’s job to help them define what that looks like.
Daria breaks down the...
2026-01-0537 min
Play It By Your RulesE29 - PIBYR: Why Your Habits Don’t Stick - and What to Do InsteadIt’s that time again - fresh goals, new intentions, big dreams.
But let’s be honest: most resolutions don’t make it past February.
So… why don’t our habits stick?
And more importantly - what actually works?
In this episode, I sit down with Ivan Palomino - behavioral science strategist and unapologetic habit hacker — to unpack the science behind human behavior and habit change.
Spoiler: it’s not about motivation. It’s about design.
Ivan blends neuroscience, psychology, and real-life experimentation (including his own burnout and career reinvention) to help you crea...
2025-12-2256 min
Play It By Your RulesE28 - PIBYR: Forget the Pitch - Start with Value & Listening: Job Hunting Meets SalesWhat if selling yourself didn’t feel fake, forced, or awkward - but natural, connecting on a human level, like meeting a new friend or dating?
In this episode, I sit down with Curt Tueffert, award-winning sales expert, keynote speaker, professor, and “Selling Skills Sherpa” to explore how anyone (yes, including purpose-driven professionals, introverts, and impact seekers) can confidently bring sales strategies into their job search without compromising authenticity.
With 40+ years of real-world experience, Curt shares how job seekers can borrow from the best sales teams starting not with a pitch, but with curiosity, listening, and va...
2025-12-0836 min
Play It By Your RulesE27 - PIBYR: How to Stand Out Without Shouting: Value Whispering for Introverts (and Everyone Else Who Hates Self-Promotion)What if showing your value didn’t require shouting, hustling, or pretending to be louder than you are?
In this episode of Play It by Your Rules, I sit down with Melitta Campbell - award-winning business coach, TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and the creator of “Value Whispering.”
Melitta teaches a simple and refreshing truth: You don’t need to be louder. You need to be clearer.
And while her approach resonates deeply with introverts, it’s not just for them.
If you’ve ever felt awkward talking about yourself, overwhelmed by visibility advice, or tu...
2025-11-2449 min
Play It By Your RulesE26 - PIBYR: Remove the Silencer: From Introvert to Impact SpeakerWhat if your biggest transformation starts with just 90 seconds of courage?
This episode unpacks how impromptu speaking can help you rewrite not just your script - but your identity.
Tara Gopal Chattopadhyay is a Distinguished Toastmaster, global tech leader, and culture-shifting communicator - and President of the Impact Toastmasters Club in Geneva. He shares how leaving his hometown - and later, his comfort zone - helped him find his voice in every room.
We covered:
Breaking free from the “stay quiet” script of his upbringing — and discovering the power of self-expression
2025-11-1053 min
Play It By Your RulesE25 - PIBYR: How to Manage Spiky Profiles - Neurodivergence as a Competitive EdgeWhat if the traits we label as “too much” — too intense, too detailed, too sensitive — were actually your team’s biggest untapped advantage?
In this episode of Play It by Your Rules, I sit down with Xenia Matthies — business psychologist, systemic consultant, and founder of NeuroSynergy® — to explore how neurodivergence can become a competitive edge in leadership and team design.
We dive into:
The many shades of neurodivergence - and why our brain (and nervous system) work differently.
“Spiky profiles”: what they are, how they show up, and why they can be a superpower for teams.
Co-regul...
2025-10-2759 min
Play It By Your RulesE24 - PIBYR: Forget the Ladder: Why Midlife Is the Ultimate Growth ProgramWhat if midlife isn’t a crisis — but the ultimate leadership accelerator?
In this episode of Play It by Your Rules, I sit down with Aneace Haddad — global nomad, tech-entrepreneur-turned-coach, and author of Soaring Beyond Midlife — to explore why your 40s, 50s, and 60s might just be your most powerful chapter yet.
We dive into:
🔹 Why AI is a midlife advantage — and how experience + AI = rocket fuel.
🔹 The radical reframe: 50 is the midpoint, not the end — with two-thirds of your career still ahead.
🔹 Legacy as presence — creating moments now that echo for decades.
🔹 Why answ...
2025-10-0649 min
A Change in StoryPivot Points: Navigating Planned and Unexpected Career TurnsCareer transitions—whether carefully planned or unexpected—can shake our sense of identity and direction. This episode explores both the planned and unexpected types of transitions through the lens of Meggi Rombach, who over the course of her career has navigated several career pivots, including a move from the private sector into the humanitarian field and moving from the world of marketing into fundraising and now education and coaching. Take a listen to hear more of Meggi's career journey and how she's navigated through all of these transitions. She also shares advice for creating and shapi...
2025-09-2430 min
Play It By Your RulesE23 - PIBYR: How to Remember Who You Were - Before the “Shoulds” Took OverWhat if the real key to success isn’t doing more - but remembering who you were before the world told you who to be?
In this episode of Play It by Your Rules, I sit down with Shivangi Walke - leadership coach, entrepreneur, speaker, and author of Wander Woman. From corporate boardrooms to founding global mentoring platforms, Shivangi’s mission is clear: help people - including high-skilled immigrant women - reclaim their voice and own their unique strengths.
We dive into:
🔹 The “unholy trinity” of biases immigrant women face - and how to navigate th...
2025-09-2244 min
Play It By Your RulesE22 - PIBYR: Relaunch: Play It by Your Rules – The Story Behind the NameWe’re LIVE under a bold new name: Play It by Your Rules! 🚀(formerly Leadership Insights)
In this special teaser episode, I flip the mic to my voice coach, Helen von Dadelszen, who interviews me about the story behind the podcast rebrand.
We talk about:
✨ Why now’s the moment for a rebrand
🧭 How I’m embracing mindful rebellion
🎙️ What kind of guests and energy you can expect
⚡ And why now’s the time to question the “rules” we’ve been handed
From redefining ambition and walking away from the climb, to finding your non-negotiabl...
2025-09-0612 min
Play It By Your RulesE21 - PIBYR: How to Bring More Play Into Work; and Set Boundaries That StickAs we transition from Leadership Insights to Play It by Your Rules, I’m delighted to welcome another inspiring leader for this in-between chapter. And what better topic than Play - fitting perfectly with where this podcast is headed.
This month, I talked with Diego Adame, Head of LEGO Ecosystem Collaboration at the LEGO Foundation. Diego’s career spans P&G, an MBA in International Organization Management, and more than a decade driving impact across sectors from nutrition at GAIN to creating global play initiatives at LEGO. Our paths have crossed more than once, and I’m thrill...
2025-08-2553 min
Play It By Your RulesE20 - PIBYR: How do you trade comfort for courage—and build a life that actually lights you up?This month, Leadership Insights is becoming Play It by Your Rules - and we’re kicking things off with a guest who’s done exactly that.
I’m talking to Erik Cooper—adventurist, leader, and trailblazer who walked away from New York agency life to help run two of the craziest horse races in the world.
Erik lived my wildest dream: the Mongol Derby, a 1,000 km race on semi-wild horses across the steppe. Today, he’s part of the team managing the Derby and Gaucho Derby, and the founder of Erik Cooper Adventures, leading remote horseback e...
2025-08-0751 min
Play It By Your RulesEpisode 19: The Enneagram: Why Your Old Patterns Still Run the Show – Leadership Insights with Inna Malaia“Your patterns are not who you are—they're just what you learned to survive.”
In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Inna Malaia—leadership consultant, certified Enneagram practitioner, and founder of Bevel World—to explore why deep self-awareness is the first step toward meaningful leadership and career choices.
From job transitions to personal reinvention, Inna emphasizes the importance of knowing who you are before deciding where to go next. We unpack the Enneagram as a tool for reflection—not labeling—and how understanding your patterns can unlock more intentional choices, clearer communication, and deeper alignment in b...
2025-07-0755 min
Play It By Your RulesEpisode 18: Leap Before You Feel Ready – Leadership Insights with Heike Linnemann“Leap even if it feels uncomfortable. Something greater will come out of it.”
In this episode of Leadership Insights, we meet Heike Linnemann, former Chief Marketing Officer, brand growth expert, and now an independent consultant helping businesses to unlock profitable, sustainable growth.
Heike's story is one of bold career pivots, intentional choices, and striking a balance between ambition and well-being. From rejecting a full-time job in Germany to launching her career in London to turning around a near-bankrupt company in Italy, Heike shares what it means to lead with vision, grit, and a human touch.
💡 In this...
2025-06-2032 min
Play It By Your RulesEpisode 17: How to Make Your Voice Heard – Leadership Insights with Helen von Dadelszen“Speaking up isn’t just about volume - it’s about alignment. When your message and energy match your values, people feel it.”
In this episode of Leadership Insights, we explore how to speak with intention with vocal coach and speaker trainer Helen von Dadelszen.
Originally from New Zealand and now based in Switzerland, Helen blends theatre, mindfulness, and leadership to help professionals use their voice with clarity and confidence. Her clients range from humanitarian leaders to researchers. She’s also the creator of Present Potential - a training platform focused on authentic presence, vocal control, a...
2025-06-0330 min
Play It By Your RulesEpisode 16: How to Trigger the Magical State of Flow - Leadership Insights Jean-Philippe Jacques"Pausing is like adding salt to food; it brings out depth, balance, and texture."
In this episode, I speak with Jean-Philippe Jacques, scientist-turned-mindfulness-trainer and co-director of Ressource Mindfulness, who has spent the past 30 years exploring meditation, flow, neuroscience, and leadership. Jean-Philippe, a former molecular biologist, humanitarian worker, and high-performance athlete brings a unique and deeply grounded lens to flow, leadership, and the human experience.
We explore what it means to work and lead with intention, presence, and authenticity, and how slowing down might just be the secret to performing at your best.
💡 Tune in t...
2025-05-1940 min
Play It By Your RulesEpisode 15: Spam, Scam or Just Not Relevant? – Leadership Insights with me, myself and I“Is this a scam, a spam, or simply not for you?”
In this special solo episode, I take the mic to explore a growing concern I’ve seen across LinkedIn: shady offers, suspicious connections, and too-good-to-be-true opportunities—especially when you're job searching and vulnerable.
But here’s the catch: the real question isn’t just whether it’s a scam. It’s whether it’s relevant and aligned with your goals. If it isn’t, I’d argue it doesn’t matter whether it’s a scam, a spam, or a valid offer—it’s just noise.
💡 Tune in to...
2025-05-0626 min
Play It By Your RulesEpisode 14: Who Are You Beyond Your Job? – Leadership Insights with Nancy Bonamy“It’s not about your next job—it’s about where you want to be in five years.” 🌟
In this episode, I sit down with Nancy Bonamy, a career transitions coach with deep experience in the humanitarian sector—and someone who understands how closely tied our identity can be to our work. From the ICRC to expat life to building her own coaching practice, Nancy brings clarity and compassion to the often messy, non-linear process of career change and re-evaluating who we are when our roles shift.
Whether you’re facing job cuts, burnout, or simply sensing a...
2025-04-1452 min
Play It By Your RulesEpisode 13 : Don’t Say No for the World – Leadership Insights with Neha Thakkar"Don’t reject yourself from opportunities—let the opportunity say no to you." 🌟
In this episode, I sit down with Neha Thakkar—a bold, curious, and deeply thoughtful leader whose journey spans satellite engineering, journalism, public policy, and global mobility. From growing up in a small town in India to working with top global organizations, Neha shares candid reflections on courage, privilege, and the importance of using our platforms to uplift others.
💡 Tune in to discover:
✔️ The mindset shift that propelled Neha from modest beginnings to Harvard and beyond
✔️ Why failure wasn’t an option—and how th...
2025-03-3134 min
Play It By Your RulesEpisode 12: Own Your Energy, Shape Your Success – Leadership Insights with Dave Sheahan"You are the architect of your own life. The choices you make today determine the success, energy, and fulfillment you experience tomorrow." 🌟
In this episode, I sit down with Dave Sheahan, a high-performance coach, speaker, and author who has spent 30 years helping athletes, entrepreneurs, and executives unlock their full potential. His expertise lies in mind-body health, peak performance, and building the discipline needed to create a successful and fulfilling life.
💡 Tune in to discover:
✔️ The Athlete’s Approach to Leadership – Why high performers in business should train like elite athletes.
✔️ The Power of Daily Hab...
2025-03-2845 min
Play It By Your RulesEpisode 11: Lead at Every Level: From Executive to Boardroom Insight – Leadership Insights with Antonio Vegezzi"Mistakes don’t define you—how you respond to them does. A good leader isn’t the one who never falls, but the one who gets back up and improves every time." 🌟
In this episode, I sit down with Antonio Vegezzi, a board director, former asset management executive, and professor, whose career spans finance, governance, and academia. With decades of leadership experience, Antonio shares a 360-degree perspective on what it takes to grow, adapt, and lead at the highest levels.
💡 Tune in to discover:
✔️ The Three Phases of Leadership – Antonio’s journey through management, governance, and acad...
2025-03-2848 min
Play It By Your RulesEpisode 10: Leadership Insights with my first expert guest Anna Lundberg"Your clarity comes from taking action—not from sitting still and overthinking." 🌟
In this episode, I welcome my first expert guest, Anna Lundberg, a coach, speaker, and author who helps professionals redefine success and design a life with more freedom, flexibility, and fulfillment. After leaving a corporate career at Procter & Gamble over a decade ago, Anna has helped countless individuals transition out of the 9-5 and build meaningful careers—on their own terms.
💡 Tune in to discover:
✔️ Redefining Success – Why so many professionals reach a point where they ask, "Is this really it?" and how to...
2025-02-1732 min
Play It By Your RulesEpisode 9: Leadership Insights with Alex Preukschat"If you want unconventional success, take unconventional approaches." 🌟
In this episode, I reconnect with Alex Preukschat, a global leader in blockchain, digital identity, and market strategy. With over a decade of experience in the crypto space, Alex has led high-performance teams and authored multiple books on Bitcoin, blockchain, and self-sovereign identity (SSI), including Self-Sovereign Identity and Blockchain: The Industrial Revolution of the Internet.
Beyond technology, Alex is deeply invested in personal growth, leadership, and the power of human connection. His career journey is a testament to continuous reinvention and the ability to navigate transitions—both profe...
2025-02-0428 min
Play It By Your RulesEpisode 8: Leadership Insights with Stéphanie Kioutsoukis”Curiosity, courage, and living fully—these are the cornerstones of my approach to leadership and life.” 🌟
In this episode, I sit down with Stéphanie Kioutsoukis, founder of Fresh Strategy and Fresh Solutions AI, to explore the art of leading with innovation, resilience, and authenticity. Stephanie shares her journey from corporate leadership at Unilever, GSK, and Novartis to building agile, values-driven organizations that embrace creativity and AI.
Are you a leader navigating career transitions or someone striving to balance ambition with alignment? This episode is packed with insights to help you harness your values, foster impactful...
2025-01-0928 min
Play It By Your RulesEpisode 7: Leadership Insights with Adama Sanneh“In jiu-jitsu, your instinct is to fight back under pressure, but the best thing you can do is relax, stay in the moment, and trust your technique.” 🥋
In this episode, I sit down with Adama Sanneh, CEO and Co-founder of the Moleskine Foundation, to uncover the art of leading with creativity, resilience, and humanity. Adama shares how lessons from Brazilian jiu-jitsu, the South African philosophy of Ubuntu (“I am because you are”), and the transformative power of love can redefine leadership in today’s fast-paced world.
Are you a leader navigating high-pressure moments or someone seeking more...
2024-12-0630 min
Play It By Your RulesEpisode 6: Leadership Insights with Vijitha Eyango”Dream big, work hard, and align your vision with opportunity.” 🌟
In this episode, I reconnect with Vijitha Eyango, a former manager during my time at UNICEF Cameroon, whose career exemplifies resilience, reinvention, and impact. Vijitha’s journey has taken her from leadership roles at USAID, UNICEF, and in academia to founding Agriculture for Africa (A4A)—an NGO dedicated to empowering marginalized youth in Cameroon with life-changing agricultural skills.
Are you navigating career transitions, seeking inspiration for leadership reinvention, or aiming to leave a lasting impact? Vijitha’s candid reflections on leadership and career development offer valuabl...
2024-11-0522 min
Play It By Your RulesEpisode 5: Leadership Insights with Kimberly Gire”Fewer white papers, more whiteboards—take action and make a difference.” 🌟
In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Kimberly Gire, a visionary leader with over 30 years of experience in banking, finance, and philanthropy. As the founder of Global Women Leaders, Kimberly has harnessed her expertise in treasury and investments to champion humanitarian, development, and climate initiatives worldwide. Her journey is a testament to the power of reinvention, resilience, and leveraging skills for global impact.
Are you seeking ways to align your career with purpose, redefine leadership, or balance ambition with family life? Kimberly’s candid refl...
2024-11-0121 min
Play It By Your RulesEpisode 4: Leadership Insights with Jess Markt”Empower people to be their best selves by encouraging creativity, supporting growth, and fostering inclusivity.” 🌟
In this heartfelt episode, I connect with Jess Markt, a global humanitarian leader and the ICRC Disability Sport & Inclusion Adviser. As a celebrated wheelchair basketball coach, Jess has transformed lives in conflict-affected countries like Afghanistan, South Sudan, and Syria. His work promotes not just physical rehabilitation but also societal inclusion, empowering persons with disabilities to realize their full potential and thrive as active contributors to their communities.
Are you passionate about inclusivity, resilience, or redefining leadership? Jess’s journey offers profound...
2024-09-1020 min
Play It By Your RulesWelcome & What to Expect: Leadership Insights with Meggi RombachWelcome to Leadership Insights by Meggi Rombach 🌟
Leadership isn’t just about titles or positions—it’s about growth, resilience, and leading with authenticity. Whether you’re navigating career transitions, or striving for work-life balance, this podcast is your space for inspiration and actionable advice.
In each episode, I sit down with incredible leaders from diverse sectors—humanitarian, private, and beyond—who share their journeys, values, and lessons learned. Together, we explore the human side of leadership, offering insights to empower you to lead with purpose, curiosity, and courage.
💡 Expect engaging conversations, rapid-fire questions, and pra...
2024-08-2004 min
Play It By Your RulesEpisode 3: Leadership Insights with Josh Adler”Visionary leadership isn’t just about big ideas—it’s about perseverance, adaptability, and the courage to ask for help.” 🌟
In this thought-provoking episode, I sit down with Josh Adler, a trailblazing leader and innovator in education and entrepreneurship. As a board member of the African Leadership Academy, Josh is shaping the next generation of leaders across the continent. With a career rooted in empowering young changemakers, Josh embodies the belief that education is a catalyst for societal transformation.
Josh and I first connected during our MBA in International Organizations Management (IOMBA) in Geneva—a transformative...
2024-08-1717 min
Play It By Your RulesEpisode 2: Leadership Insights with Donna Williams”Self-awareness, curiosity, and humility—these qualities transform leaders into forces of well-being and impact.” 🌟
In this rejuvenating episode, I connect with Donna Williams, a well-being entrepreneur, sports scientist, and mentor for women. Drawing from her extensive humanitarian career, Donna founded Emergencyoga, a platform offering free yoga resources to support those working in high-stress environments. Over the years, she has expanded her vision to deliver holistic well-being experiences that nurture mind, body, and spirit.
Are you exploring ways to cultivate balance, self-awareness, and meaningful leadership? Donna’s story and insights will inspire you to lead with authenticit...
2024-08-1721 min
Play It By Your RulesEpisode 1: Leadership Insights with Rathan Kinhal”Be curious—curiosity isn’t just an attribute, it’s the key to unlocking endless possibilities.” 🌟
In this debut episode, I sit down with Rathan Kinhal, a strategic thinker and accomplished leader with extensive experience in consulting, humanitarian work, and development. Rathan’s leadership journey spans global transformations, fostering innovation, and building high-performance teams across diverse sectors. His philosophy? Aligning shared purpose with joy and authenticity.
Are you navigating change, leading diverse teams, or seeking inspiration for your career? Rathan’s reflections provide actionable insights for leaders at all levels.
💡 Tune in to discover:
Rat...
2024-08-1723 min