Shows
Career Sparks with ValVal & Fabian Schreibert on owning your growth, navigating expat life, and balancing career and family.In this episode of Career Sparks with Val, host Val is joined by her former colleague and friend Fabian Schreibert, Client Relations Executive at Deloitte. They talk about what it takes to move from sales in a startup to consulting in a large firm, how to pitch yourself when changing careers, and how to balance personal and professional goals as an expat and parent. Fabian brings thoughtful insights, practical tools, and a grounded approach to building a fulfilling career abroad.Key takeaways:Own your transferable skills: when switching industries...2025-05-1442 min
Career Sparks with ValVal & Monica Matei on career design, belonging as an expat, and creating meaningful experiences.In this episode of Career Sparks with Val, host Val talks to Monica Matei, Experience Designer and Founder of Ceremonica, whose powerful events invite people—especially expats—to explore identity, belonging, and transformation through intentional connection.Monica shares how creating The Foreigner’s Journey helped her reclaim her own story as an expat—and why experiences have the power to change how we relate, not only to others but also to ourselves.Key takeaways:Experience design is emotional architecture: it’s about intentionally shaping how people feel, not just what they do.The exp...2025-05-0740 min
Career Sparks with ValVal & Luca Brogin on growth mindset, thriving internationally and leading through change.In this episode of Career Sparks with Val ✨, host Val reconnects with Luca Brogin, Learning and Development Lead Europe at Allianz Technology, to trace his remarkable career journey across industries, countries, and functions.Starting from a background in finance, Luca has transitioned through media and now leadership development and upskilling in the fast-paced world of fintech. Together, they explore how to thrive in times of change, especially as an expat navigating different cultures.Key takeaways:Career pivots are more common and possible than ever: you don’t need to sta...2025-04-3043 min
Career Sparks with ValVal & Maria Askew on creative leadership, celebrating diversity and working across disciplines.In this episode of Career Sparks with Val ✨, host Val sits down with Maria Askew, Head of the MA in Theatre for Community and Education at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London.Maria is a multi-hyphenate creative: director, facilitator, performer, writer, and educator. They explore Maria’s journey from performer to purpose-driven educator, how she integrates her skills across disciplines, and what it means to lead with creativity in a diverse community.Key takeaways:Theatre as a tool for change: when used in facilitation and education, theatre becomes a powerf...2025-04-2343 min
Career Sparks with ValVal & Jesse Edge on career reinvention, continuous learning and the importance of a positive mindset.In this episode of Career Sparks with Val ✨, host Val sits down with Jesse Edge, Sales Engineer at Tattile and Co-Founder & Co-Owner of DJM Sports Management.Former professional footballer turned sales professional, he talks about his transition out of sport, adapting to new cultures, and how mindset and curiosity have fueled his second career.Key takeaways:Transferable skills are real: how you can still transfer your existing skills from fields that may appear very different, such as sports and office work.Adapting to new cultures: what to keep in mind when facing...2025-04-1645 min
Career Sparks with ValVal & Giulia Scialino on finding creativity, managing difficult conversations, and embracing career change.In this episode of Career Sparks with Val ✨, host Val chats with her best friend Giulia Scialino, Senior Global Content Marketing Strategist at Velux, to talk about navigating a career in content, transitioning from leadership to individual contributor roles, and managing difficult conversations at work. Giulia shares how she built her career from student assistant to Head of Content, her experience working internationally, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.Key Takeaways:Transitioning from leadership back to individual contributor: how to navigate this shift and what you...2025-04-0942 min
Career Sparks with ValVal & Luca Nexø Malpiedi on sales careers, growing up internationally and millennial work culture.In this episode of Career Sparks with Val✨, host Val sits down with Luca Nexø Malpiedi, Head of Revenue at TechOps Services, to talk about his journey through international moves, career growth in sales, and the evolution of leadership and work culture.They discuss the changing perception of sales, the decision to pursue leadership vs. staying an individual contributor, and how work culture has shifted across generations.Key takeaways:Growing up internationally: Luca’s international upbringing shaped his adaptability, resilience, and leadership style, influencing his caree...2025-04-0242 min
Career Sparks with ValVal & Simone Engbo Hansen on solopreneurship, leadership and career evolution.In this episode of Career Sparks with Val ✨, host Val chats with Simone Engbo Hansen, Global Content Lead at Precis, who shares her journey from studying rhetoric to becoming a content marketing leader.They discuss career evolution, leadership, solopreneurship, and finding purpose at work.Key takeaways:Know yourself: self-awareness is key to understanding what career path suits you best—whether as a leader, specialist, or entrepreneur.Solopreneurship isn't for everyone: while it offers freedom, it also comes with uncertainty, pressure, and financial fluctuations.Leadership requires balance: managing people isn’t just...2025-03-2644 min
Career Sparks with ValVal & Mohammad Kolahdouzan on pivoting careers as an expat and the power of networking.In this episode of Career Sparks with Val✨, host Val chats with Mohammad Kolahdouzan, about his journey from hospitality to tech, career transitions, and the challenges of building a career as an expat in Denmark.They discuss navigating uncertainty, the power of networking, and what it truly means to step into leadership.Key Takeaways:Reinventing your career is possible: by identifying transferable skills and strategically networking, Mo successfully transitioned from hospitality to customer success.Networking is key: building relationships, attending events, and using LinkedIn opened doors for Mo in a...2025-03-1943 min
The Social Work PivotCoaching for Social Workers: Advancing Your Career with Valeria KadelskiSend us a textIn this episode of The Social Work Pivot Podcast, I’m joined by Valeria Kadelski (Val), an ICF-certified coach, who helps professionals navigate career transitions with clarity and confidence. Originally from Italy and now based in Denmark, Val specialises in supporting millennial expats in building fulfilling, purpose-driven careers. Coaching can be a powerful tool for us as social workers —not only for managing challenging workplace dynamics and securing that next promotion, but also for exploring new career possibilities. Whether you’re looking to use coaching to navigate your own career path or cons...2025-03-1854 min
Career Sparks with ValVal & Patricia Iordache on meaningful work, career exploration and expat drive.In this episode of Career Sparks with Val✨, host Val chats with Patricia Iordache, Senior Manager at Velux, about her journey from Romania to Denmark, career transitions, and what it takes to thrive as an expat in the workplace.They discuss the pressure of proving oneself as an expat, the importance of choosing a fulfilling career, and why taking risks is essential for growth.Key takeaways:The expat drive: living abroad fosters resilience, ambition, and a strong desire to succeed. Expats often feel the need to prove themselves, but th...2025-03-1244 min
Career Sparks with ValTrailer: Career Sparks with ValWelcome to Career Sparks with Val✨: Real conversations with international millennials building purposeful careers. I’m your host, Valeria Kadelski—but you can call me Val.I’m a career coach helping professionals like you to build careers that truly light them up.This podcast is for ambitious international millennials who want to hear real, inspiring stories from people who’ve built meaningful careers across borders. Together, we’ll uncover the lessons, strategies, and sparks of inspiration that can help you create a career and life you truly love.Ready to ig...2025-03-0300 min
The Jobseeker's Guide To The GalaxyEpisode 12 - Valeria KadelskiThe first episode of season 2 and we are coming back with a BANG!Valeria Kadelski is the coach behind Spark Coaching with Val.On this episode she shares her story of how she came into coaching and what the biggest challenges she sees in today job market for jobseekers.We also talk about networking and how we can get a great start to it, as well as the need to show ourselves compassion and grace.And so much more!She also answers the very important question of what...2025-01-0853 min