The question behind the season was simple: What does it take to lead in 2026?

After months of conversations with founders, executives, investors, and coaches, Olga and Lana step back to explore what is actually changing about leadership — and what surprisingly isn’t.

How do leaders make decisions when there is no reliable playbook? How do you stay grounded when uncertainty becomes permanent? What matters more now: performance, resilience, pragmatism, relationships, or something else entirely?

In this episode:

• What has — and hasn’t — changed about leadership
• The psychological weight of uncertainty and the growing scale of the unknown
• Why resilience, grounding, and self-reflection are becoming core leadership skills
• The return of pragmatism: cash flow, sustainable business models, and reality checks
• Why the people function and AI-driven cultural transformation belong on the CEO agenda
• Who thrives in uncertainty — and why identity outside work can become a source of resilience
• Making decisions without playbooks and learning to ask better questions
• Somatic practices, journaling, alone time, and in-person connection as grounding tools
• What leaders may need to unlearn: outdated planning models, self-evaluation frameworks, and unnecessary image-building
• How technology is transforming coaching — and why human connection remains central
• What’s next for Emotional Business in Season 3

This is not a conversation about perfect answers or five-step frameworks. It is a pause to examine what it means to lead, live, and stay present when the future is difficult to predict.

For founders, executives, coaches, and emerging leaders navigating change, this episode offers reflection, practical tools, and a different way of thinking about resilience and leadership.

CHAPTERS

00:00 — Welcome & Season 2 Reflections
01:28 — The Intention Behind “Leading into 2026”
03:31 — What’s Changed for Leaders — and What Hasn’t
06:01 — Psychological & Emotional Pressures
08:37 — Essential Inner Shifts
10:58 — Pragmatism & Cash Flow
13:08 — The People Function in the Age of AI
17:08 — Who Thrives? Identity, Support & Doomsday Decisions
21:49 — Somatic Practice, Communication & Reality Checks
28:25 — What We Need to Unlearn
34:41 — Long-Term vs. Short-Term Planning
38:46 — Practical Grounding Habits
42:52 — The Future of Coaching & Technology
47:36 — What’s Next for Emotional Business

Connect with Lana Khimka:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lanakhimka/

Connect with Olga Skipper:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olgasteidlskipper/
Website: https://www.olgaskipper.com/

Healthy Hedonism with Lana & Olga:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5l9joXoXourgs4ZPbtkPhI?si=q0hDoynoRa6tO04zED6_RA

In this episode of Emotional Business, Olga Skipper speaks with Marius Hepp Kemper — serial entrepreneur, CEO of Junto, and a leader deeply engaged in the realities of organizational change.

After building ventures, raising VC funding, and now bootstrapping a human-centered leadership development company, Marius brings a candid perspective on what happens when founders move from proving themselves toward building something more intrinsic, sustainable, and aligned.

In this episode:

• Why the need to “prove yourself” can quietly shape founder decisions
• What changes when leaders let go of external validation and choose markets, people, and goals differently
• Moving beyond VC narratives toward organic relationships and mission-driven growth
• What working with mid-market companies reveals about leadership development
• Why practical expertise and long-term partnerships can matter more than startup hype
• How AI is changing organizations — and why emotional intelligence, self-reflection, and culture become more important, not less
• What AI may replace in coaching and training, and where human experience still creates unique value
• How Junto is experimenting with personalization, measurement, and AI-supported leadership development
• Why unlearning, humility, and a beginner’s mindset are becoming essential leadership capabilities
• The return of entrepreneurial thinking and ownership inside larger organizations
• How gratitude and grounding can reshape the idea of “having it all”

Olga and Marius explore the tension between technological transformation and human development — and what leaders need to preserve as organizations become more AI-enabled.

This is also a conversation about identity: what happens when achievement is no longer enough, when external markers of success lose their power, and when leadership becomes less about proving and more about choosing.

For founders, executives, people leaders, and anyone navigating organizational or personal transition, this episode offers a grounded perspective on growth, AI, ownership, and the practice of unlearning.

CHAPTERS

00:00 — Leadership in Tech & Looking Toward 2026
01:13 — Entrepreneurial Roots & the Junto Story
04:35 — From VC to Bootstrapping
06:40 — Finding the Right Markets & Partners
10:18 — Lessons from Mid-Market Clients
11:02 — Human Transformation in the Age of AI
14:34 — Culture vs. Tech Adoption
15:55 — Coaching, Training & AI Substitution
17:11 — AI, Personalization & Measurability
19:33 — AI Roleplays & Skill Assessment
21:00 — Hybrid Teams & Human Skills
24:10 — Entrepreneurial Thinking in Corporates
25:46 — Unlearning & Beginner’s Mind
28:31 — Gratitude, Grounding & “Having It All”
33:04 — Closing Reflections

Connect with Marius Hepp Kemper:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariushepp/

Connect with Olga Skipper:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olgasteidlskipper/
Website: https://www.olgaskipper.com/

Subscribe to Emotional Business and share this episode with someone navigating leadership, AI transformation, or a major professional transition.

In this episode of Emotional Business, Olga Skipper speaks with Chris Bittinger — executive coach, assistant professor of practice at Purdue University, president at Open Pivot, and researcher of burnout and emotional dynamics at work.

Chris brings together two themes that often collide in leadership: burnout and the Karpman drama triangle — victim, persecutor, and rescuer.

Together, Olga and Chris explore how stress, boundaries, responsibility, and relational patterns shape leaders, coaches, and organizations.

In this episode:

• How to distinguish stress from burnout
• The Karpman drama triangle and how its roles appear at work
• Why anxiety, avoidance, and over-responsibility can deepen exhaustion
• The connection between conflict avoidance and burnout
• Why contracting and boundaries matter for leaders and coaches
• How helping can quietly turn into rescuing
• What leaders need to understand about responsibility and limits
• How outdated leadership models create pressure to perform
• The influence of family, culture, and generational expectations
• Why coaches need to examine their own patterns before supporting others

Olga and Chris move beyond individual coping strategies to examine the systems and relationships around burnout. They ask what happens when leaders become trapped in roles and responsibilities that no longer serve them — and how stronger boundaries can create healthier leadership.

This conversation is for executive coaches, founders, and leaders navigating high-pressure environments where responsibility, conflict, and emotional labor can easily become blurred.

CHAPTERS

00:00 — Introduction
00:34 — Meet Chris Bittinger
01:11 — Burnout & Emotional Triangles
02:51 — Stress vs. Burnout
04:43 — Measuring Burnout
05:49 — Burnout in Startups
06:35 — Burnout & Coaching
07:31 — Conflict Avoidance
09:51 — Values, Truth & Burnout
11:04 — The Drama Triangle
16:02 — Contracting & Responsibility
18:06 — Triggers & Getting Pulled In
20:11 — Roles in the Triangle
21:42 — Organizational Triangles
22:07 — Boundaries & Reflection
23:13 — Evolving Leadership Models
25:00 — Generational & Family Dynamics
27:08 — Masks & Authenticity
27:45 — What Leaders Need to Know
29:11 — Coaches, Boundaries & Self-Care
31:28 — Ethical Boundaries & Rescuing
33:15 — Letting Clients Own the Outcome
34:34 — Coaches: Start With Yourself
35:41 — Helping vs. Rescuing

Connect with Chris Bittinger:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisbittinger/
Website: http://openpivot.com/

Burnout Pandemic article:
https://www.td.org/content/atd-blog/the-burnout-pandemic-hiring-a-coach-could-be-your-lifesaver

Connect with Olga Skipper:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olgasteidlskipper/
Website: https://www.olgaskipper.com/

Subscribe to Emotional Business and share this episode with a leader or coach navigating burnout, boundaries, or difficult dynamics.

In this episode of Emotional Business, Olga Skipper speaks with Inara Joanethis — an experienced people and HR leader who has worked across FMCG, business services, and the VC/startup ecosystem.

Together, they explore how companies evolve from early-stage teams into more complex organizations — and why the people function becomes critical long before many founders realize it.

In this episode:

• Why “HR = recruiter” is one of the most expensive misconceptions in startups
• How people roles evolve from compliance and payroll into strategic leadership
• The risks of building a “mini-me” team around the founder
• Why difference, challenge, and healthy disagreement matter as companies scale
• The questions founders should ask at each stage of growth
• How culture forms — whether leaders design it intentionally or not
• Why the founder-to-CEO transition requires moving from control to partnership
• What a strong founder–people leader relationship actually looks like
• Why trust, honesty, and the ability to say “no” matter more than pleasant agreement
• How organizations can course-correct during hypergrowth and expansion
• Why the people function becomes even more important amid AI, remote work, uncertainty, and generational change

Olga and Inara also discuss the emotional side of scaling: the loneliness of leadership, the temptation to carry everything yourself, and the moment when founders begin to let other leaders truly share responsibility.

This is a practical conversation about building companies that can grow beyond the founder — with stronger structures, clearer roles, healthier culture, and teams capable of carrying the business forward.

For founders, people leaders, operators, and advisors navigating growth, this episode offers a grounded perspective on when and how people leadership becomes a core part of company strategy.

CHAPTERS

00:00 — Building a Business Beyond Product
01:29 — Inara’s Journey
04:10 — Demystifying HR Roles
09:04 — Founder Pitfalls & the “Mini-Me” Trap
12:55 — Questions Every Founder Should Ask
18:31 — How Culture Emerges
20:17 — Founder-to-CEO & the People Partnership
26:03 — People Leadership in Uncertainty
29:10 — Emotions, Crisis & Strategic HR
31:14 — Disrupt, Balance, or Both?
36:39 — Closing Reflections

Connect with Inara Joanethis:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/inara-joanethis-18323b6/

Episode presentation:
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/bk8jtnibvduyggag/HR_in_VC_backed-up_ecosystem_IJ81krb.pdf

Connect with Olga Skipper:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olgasteidlskipper/
Website: https://www.olgaskipper.com/

Subscribe to Emotional Business and share this episode with a founder or people leader navigating scale.

In this season opener of Emotional Business, Olga Skipper speaks with Gülşah Wilke — partner and head of Germany at DN Capital, co-founder of 2hearts, investor, executive, and mother.

Gülşah brings a perspective shaped by migration, entrepreneurship, leadership, and motherhood. Together, they explore what it means to stay grounded, resilient, and fully yourself while navigating the pressure and uncertainty of today’s tech and business world.

In this episode:

• How Gülşah’s family migration story shaped her ambition, resilience, and belief that success has no borders
• Why hardship and diversity can become sources of strength for founders and leaders
• The shift from structured, theory-driven leadership toward authenticity, intuition, and empathy
• How motherhood changed her priorities, focus, and emotional bandwidth
• Why flexibility, boundaries, and acceptance are essential in fast-moving environments
• The role of culture and identity in shaping leadership
• How humor and perspective can build resilience
• What it means to raise multicultural children with a strong connection to their roots
• Why community, networks, and the ability to say no matter more than ever
• How leaders can stay grounded amid layoffs, instability, and constant change

Olga and Gülşah also reflect on the experience of people who live with “two hearts” — navigating multiple cultures, identities, and expectations at once — and how that can shape both leadership and belonging.

This is a conversation about resilience without hardening, ambition without losing yourself, and the role of identity, community, and perspective in modern leadership.

For founders, executives, investors, and anyone navigating change, diversity, or the emotional weight of leadership, this episode offers a grounded and deeply personal perspective.

CHAPTERS

00:00 — Introduction to Emotional Business
00:28 — Migration, Hardship & Entrepreneurship
01:58 — Roots, Motivation & Building 2hearts
04:49 — Coaching, Leadership Evolution & 2026
06:11 — From Structured Leadership to Authentic Presence
09:20 — Flexibility, Authenticity & Empathy
12:47 — Empathy & Hope in Difficult Times
13:41 — Staying Grounded
16:12 — Culture, Identity & Strategic Vision
18:37 — Immigration & Resilience
22:42 — Raising Multicultural Children
26:10 — Recognition, Pride & Two Hearts
27:04 — Coaching, Boundaries & Community
30:32 — Networks, Boundaries & Saying No
31:31 — Wrap Up

Connect with Gülşah Wilke:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guelsahwilke/
2hearts: https://www.2heartscommunity.com/

Connect with Olga Skipper:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olgasteidlskipper/
Website: https://www.olgaskipper.com/

Subscribe to Emotional Business and share this episode with someone navigating leadership, identity, or change.

Aape doesn’t play by the usual rules. From starting his first company at 19 to losing it all—and doing it again—his journey is anything but linear. He shares how he’s spent a lifetime “digging holes and climbing out,” and why that struggle shaped his 4S life philosophy: Simple, Slow, Stubborn, and Stupid.

This conversation dives into:

• The difference between vision and delusion—and why it takes humility to know the line
• How failure, not fear, helps define your real limits
• What most startup founders miss when they chase scale instead of meaning
• Why trust (not tech) is the backbone of transformation
• How unlearning, therapy, and asking for help became his late-stage superpowers
• What it means to lead from clarity, not ego, in a rapidly shifting world

Whether you’re building a company, navigating personal reinvention, or rethinking how you define success—this episode is a powerful invitation to live truthfully, lead vulnerably, and trust deeply.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaape

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aapeaape/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaape/

In this episode of Emotional Business, Olga Skipper speaks with Zamina Ahmad — CEO of Shades and Contrast, co-founder at ZAC, and a leader working at the intersection of AI, ethics, and organizational change.

Together, they explore the human side of AI adoption: fear, uncertainty, shifting roles, and the challenge of leading when there is no clear blueprint.

In this episode:

• How leaders can navigate the gap between AI hype and legitimate concern
• Why automation changes not only workflows, but roles and identity
• The shift from “expert with all the answers” to curious, adaptive leader
• How to think about human contribution in a world full of AI-generated output
• Why culture, context, bias, and inclusion matter in AI adoption
• The real fears leaders face: competition, relevance, control, and shadow IT
• How AI can be used for social impact and practical support
• Why self-awareness and social awareness remain critical leadership skills
• How to balance AI as a tool with genuine human connection
• What parents and leaders can model about responsible technology use

Olga and Zamina move beyond technical discussions to examine what technological change does to people: how it affects confidence, meaning, communication, and the way teams relate to one another.

This is a conversation about leading without certainty — staying open, thoughtful, and human while technology continues to reshape work.

For leaders, managers, founders, and professionals navigating AI transformation, this episode offers a grounded perspective on responsibility, ethics, adaptation, and the human role in technological change.

CHAPTERS

00:00 — Welcome to Emotional Business
00:29 — Meet Zamina Ahmad
02:37 — The Complexity of AI Leadership
03:33 — AI Hype & Team Alignment
05:58 — Changing Roles & Hidden Dynamics
07:16 — Human Contribution in the AI Era
09:37 — Leadership Without All the Answers
12:07 — Culture, Communication & Emotional Intelligence
13:31 — Why Context Matters
15:28 — Fear, Mistakes & Control
18:03 — Motivation & AI for Good
19:55 — From Fear to Curiosity
21:06 — Output & Human Connection
23:58 — Mindset & Context
25:07 — Self-Awareness in a Technological Age
26:24 — AI, Coaching & Mental Health
34:24 — Parenting & Digital Literacy
36:15 — The Future of Hybrid Leadership

Connect with Zamina Ahmad:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zamina-ahmad/
Website: https://www.shadesandcontrast.com/

Connect with Olga Skipper:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olgasteidlskipper/
Website: https://www.olgaskipper.com/

Subscribe to Emotional Business and share this episode with someone navigating AI, leadership, or organizational change.

In this episode of Emotional Business, Olga Skipper speaks with Dorothea von Wichert-Nick — CEO coach, former MD/COO, and experienced advisor to founders and leadership teams.

Dorothea works with what she calls the “inner glass ceiling”: the invisible limits shaped by personal history, beliefs, and recurring patterns that can become especially visible as a company grows.

Together, Olga and Dorothea explore what happens when founders outgrow the leadership approaches that got them this far — and why sustainable growth often requires personal development, not just better strategy.

In this episode:

• How fight, flight, and freeze can show up when leaders hit their limits
• Why personal growth often becomes a business issue as companies scale
• How early experiences and belief systems can shape ambition and leadership
• How founders can start recognizing their own “inner glass ceiling”
• Why self-development becomes increasingly important as responsibility grows
• Dorothea’s “power within, power with, and power to” model for sustainable leadership
• Moving away from pressure, isolation, and toxic hustle toward healthier growth
• Why strong relationships and eye-level connection matter in leadership
• The difference between personal agency and leading through others
• What founders should understand before starting a deeper coaching process
• Why personal and collective transformation are connected

Olga and Dorothea move beyond surface-level business advice to examine the internal dynamics behind entrepreneurial growth: the beliefs we carry, the ways we respond to pressure, and the leadership shifts required when organizations become bigger than the founder.

This is a conversation about growing without simply pushing harder — and about building organizations that can thrive beyond one person’s energy, personality, or capacity.

For founders, executives, and coaches interested in leadership development, scaling, and sustainable growth, this episode offers a thoughtful perspective on what it means to break through your own limits.

CHAPTERS

00:00 — Introduction to Emotional Business
00:02 — Ambition, Limits & Leadership
00:06 — The Inner Glass Ceiling
00:08 — Scaling Companies & Ambitious Leadership
00:10 — Recognizing Your Own Limits
00:13 — What Makes a Great Coaching Client
00:15 — Hurdles & Resistance
00:17 — Preparing for the Coaching Process
00:20 — Power Within, Power With & Power To
00:24 — Dorothea’s Vision as a Coach
00:25 — Advice for the Coaching Community
00:28 — Recommended Resources & Models
00:29 — Closing Reflections

Connect with Dorothea von Wichert-Nick:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wichertnick/
Blog: https://www.volate.de/blog

Connect with Olga Skipper:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olgasteidlskipper/
Website: https://www.olgaskipper.com/

Subscribe to Emotional Business and share this episode with a founder or leader navigating their next stage of growth.

Laura steps into the conversation at a pivotal moment: the first months of building her own venture after an already successful career, a full family life, and years spent leading and scaling major female-focused D2C brands. Together, Olga and Laura explore what it truly feels like to start something new from a place of maturity, clarity, and lived experience—far beyond theory or youthful trial-and-error.

This episode takes you inside the emotional, strategic, and deeply personal layers of stepping into entrepreneurship: leaving a senior role, confronting unexpected realities, and managing the internal dialogues that shape every major transition.

In this episode, we explore:

• Stepping Away from the CMO Identity — what it takes to detach from a high-status role and start fresh
• Redefining the Terms of the Journey — setting boundaries, expectations, and non-negotiables in a new chapter
• The Shift from Strategist to Executor — the shock of doing everything yourself after years of leading teams
• When Your Network Helps—and When It Overwhelms — managing advice, opinions, and the noise of well-meaning supporters
• The Complex Reality of Finding a Co-Founder — from mapping competencies to dealing with misaligned readiness
• Navigating the Comparison Trap — why comparison surfaced so strongly and how Laura is learning to regulate it

Together, Olga and Laura move beyond the glossy narratives of entrepreneurship and dive into the real tension, honesty, and inner negotiations that shape a founder’s earliest months.

This episode is for seasoned professionals or executives considering a shift into entrepreneurship - especially later in their careers. It will resonate deeply with anyone battling comparison, external pressure, or the emotional weight of building something meaningful from the ground up. Founders wrestling with the search for the right co-founder will find this conversation particularly grounding.

So get comfortable and enjoy this rich, resonant, and insightful conversation.

Don’t forget to subscribe and share this episode with a fellow entrepreneur!

CHAPTERS

00:00 — Introduction to Emotional Business 00:19 — Meet Laura Dige: From CMO to Entrepreneur 00:59 — The Journey of Transition 06:18 — Challenges and Realizations 14:43 — Finding Balance and Overcoming Obstacles 27:27 — The Search for a Co-Founder

Connect with Olga: Instagram: Olga Skipper

LinkedIn: Olga Skipper

Website: www.olgaskipper.com

Connect with Laura:

LinkedIn: Laura Dittschield

In this episode of The Emotional Business Show, Olga Skipper sits down with Olga Shikhantsova, former VC partner at Speedinvest, Forbes 30 Under 30 alum, and now Head of Product Strategy at Finom, to explore the emotional undercurrents of rapid achievement and reinvention.

Together, they unpack:

• How family values, moving countries, and sheer hunger shaped Olga’s path
• The paradox of early recognition: confidence on the outside, self-doubt on the inside
• Why humility and doubt can be powerful drivers of growth
• The role of personal “boards of directors” and support systems in navigating high-stakes careers
• Her transition from investor to operator — and what it means to move from strategy to execution
• The qualities that distinguish leaders who simply grow from those who truly transform

This conversation goes beyond the headlines of Forbes covers and venture capital wins. It’s a candid look at ambition, alignment, and the courage to choose what matters again and again as your story evolves.

Tune in to discover how to lead with clarity, act through doubt, and keep growing when your career accelerates faster than your identity can catch up.

https://finom.co 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shikhantsova/

Together, Olga Skipper and Daria Saharova chart the journey from Riga to Munich, exploring the emotional landscape of immigration, integration, and finding home. The episode pulls back the curtain on Daria’s path: navigating cultural difference, language barriers, building bridges outside her comfort zone, and manifesting resilience that fueled a career spanning multiple disciplines, culminating in the birth of World Fund in the heart of Europe.

Their conversation illuminates the internal calculus behind risk-taking, the mindset required to start—and stay—the course as a founder, and the discipline of seeking impact without succumbing to market skepticism or the turbulence of global politics. Daria Saharova discusses breaking ground as a woman VC, her “capitalistic” drive, building a team and portfolio with integrity, and investing in companies whose products thrive—even in the hands of climate skeptics.

In this episode, we explore:

• The Immigration Journey—how open-mindedness, resilience, and language fluency fuel personal and professional integration
• The Art of Building Social Bridges—proactively stepping out of cultural enclaves to create genuine local connections
• Choosing Entrepreneurship (and Venture Capital)—decoding the pivotal career dots that led from startup founder to investment partner
• Facing Down External Forces—navigating COVID, geopolitical strife, and unsupportive market climates while closing a landmark fund
• VC as a Platform for Change—investing in deep tech and climate solutions, and the necessity of optimism in the face of systemic inertia
• Resilience & Competitive Speed—the “immigrant advantage” of spotting and seizing opportunity, building without a backup plan, and outpacing the market
• Multiplying Impact—how mobilizing communities and teams expands a founder’s reach beyond the constraints of time and resources
• Looking Forward—how Germany and Europe must shift from preservation to radical innovation, and why technological sovereignty is essential for future growth

This episode is essential listening for immigrants, VCs, operators, and executives wrestling with commitment, self-doubt, and the desire to create radical impact in shifting, sometimes hostile environments. Founders and fund managers—especially women and those building in deep tech—will find Daria’s deeply honest journey particularly resonant.

Settle in for this candid, energizing, and unfiltered year-end conversation that moves far beyond investment returns to the emotional reality of pioneering a new future.

Don’t forget to subscribe and share with a founder, investor, or anyone craving courage for bold moves!

Connect with Olga: LinkedIn: Olga Skipper Website: www.olgaskipper.com

Connect with Daria:

LinkedIn: Daria Saharova

Website: https://www.worldfund.vc/

Share your reflections on this episode or reach out with your own emotional business story—Olga loves hearing from you!

Jennifer enters this conversation with years spent on both sides of the story: crafting them as a journalist, and now guiding leaders as they shape the stories that define their companies, their leadership, and their public presence.

Together, Olga and Jennifer explore what it really means to build a narrative from the inside out — not as a branding exercise, but as a deeply emotional and strategic process rooted in identity, origin, and intention. This conversation goes far beyond messaging frameworks and dives into the internal dialogues, motivations, and self-perceptions that shape how founders show up in the world.

It’s a grounded, transparent look at the craft of storytelling as an emotional skill — iterative, vulnerable, and profoundly connected to how we see ourselves.

• Understanding Your Origin Story — how childhood, environment, and early experiences form the emotional foundation of your narrative

• Personal Storytelling vs. Personal Branding — the crucial difference founders often miss

• Letting Your Story Evolve — why storytelling is iterative and changes as you change

• Communication as a Trainable Skill — not a talent you’re born with

• The Founder–Company Identity Loop — how to separate yourself from your company without disconnecting emotionally

• The Power of Self-Talk — how your internal voice shapes public confidence

• What a Storytelling Coach Actually Does — from shaping clarity to reducing narrative overwhelm

• Navigating Visibility and Public Persona — how to build a persona that feels authentic to you

• Balancing Personal and Professional Narratives — what belongs in the business story and what stays yours

Together, Olga and Jennifer go beneath the surface of “telling your story” and into the deeper emotional architecture founders rarely discuss publicly — identity, fear, motivation, upbringing, and the lifelong relationship we have with our own voice.

This episode is for founders, executives, and leaders who want to communicate with more clarity, presence, and authenticity — especially those navigating visibility, identity, and the vulnerable work of telling the world who they are.

So get comfortable and enjoy this reflective, warm, and insight-filled conversation. 

Connect to Jennifer here

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifercabala/

https://jennifercabala.com/ 

In this episode of The Emotional Business Show, Olga Skipper speaks with Matthias Hofmann, Executive Vice President of Last Mile Logistics Austria at Austrian Post, about what it takes to lead with clarity, empathy, and authenticity at scale.

Matthias shares his journey from consultant to corporate leader, and how he discovered that the real key to leadership isn’t spreadsheets or strategy — it’s people. Together, they explore:

• Why he left consulting to find a “home” where he could make long-term impact
• The importance of being yourself as a leader (and why pretending drains more energy than it saves)
• How tough times and failures shaped his resilience and perspective
• The surprising lessons fatherhood taught him about leadership and empathy
• What younger managers most want to know about balancing priorities and handling setbacks
• How to glue teams together through connection, consistency, and walking the talk
• Why a leader’s responsibility sometimes means helping someone out of the wrong role

This conversation is both practical and deeply human — a look at leadership not as a title, but as a responsibility to yourself, your team, and the system you serve.

🎧 Tune in to learn how to lead large teams with both operational clarity and emotional depth.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthias-hofmann-at 

The conversation unfolds across personal anecdotes, practical examples, and hard-earned leadership wisdom, revealing what it takes to lead with emotional intelligence amid volatility and ambiguity. From the hunger for connection post-COVID to the evolving meaning of diversity, Konstantin Mihov shares his experiences forging belonging at scale and his candid reflections on the leadership paradigm shift: moving from answers to questions, from frameworks to genuine human presence.

This episode brings you inside the emotional and strategic layers of co-creating culture, leading through uncertainty, and embracing the new realities demanded of leaders in 2026 and beyond.

In this episode, we explore: • AI, Automation & Emotional Connection — how to scale human connection in organizations and where technology can help (and where it falls short) • Hybrid Work, Pandemic Aftermath & Hunger for Belonging — why in-person moments matter more than ever, and how leaders are adapting • The Leadership Paradigm Shift — why leading from questions (instead of answers) is essential and how to make ambiguity actionable • The Power and Pitfalls of Diversity — moving beyond gender to embrace broader definitions of diversity as a catalyst for innovation and adaptability • The “Bridge Commuter” Metaphor — leadership as boundary-spanning, and building genuine connections across geographies, functions, and cultures • Coaching, Vulnerability & Permission — what it really means to show up as yourself, challenge assumptions, and lead change without losing patience

This episode is for executives, leaders, and culture builders who are navigating the messy realities of leading through transformation. If you’re wrestling with scaling connection, reframing diversity, or reinventing your leadership approach in a volatile world, you’ll find grounding, clarity, and practical takeaways here.

So settle in and enjoy this candid, insightful exchange on emotional business, human connection, and leading from a place of authenticity.

Don’t forget to subscribe and share this episode with a leader, teammate, or coach!

CHAPTERS 00:00 — Introduction to Emotional Business 00:22 — Meet Konstantin Mihov: Leadership at the Intersection of Tech & People 01:03 — Why Connection & Diversity are Central to the New Leadership 01:29 — Navigating “Misfit” Status and Embracing Discomfort 02:46 — AI, Coaching & Building Connection at Scale 06:46 — The Post-COVID Hunger for Human Belonging 08:54 — Leadership in Ambiguity: Asking Questions, Not Just Providing Answers 17:15 — The Trap of VUCA/BANI: Beyond Frameworks to Intuition 19:05 — Getting Comfortable with Not Knowing, Bridging Cultures 26:12 — Diversity in Practice: Moving Beyond Black-and-White Thinking 33:07 — Coaching, Patience & Permission: Leading as Yourself 37:53 — Closing Thoughts

Connect with Olga: LinkedIn: Olga Skipper Website: www.olgaskipper.com

Connect with Konstantin: LinkedIn: Konstantin Mihov

Executive coach Olga Skipper explores why founders become bottlenecks, why leadership teams struggle to function as real teams, and why so many CEOs feel isolated at the top. She breaks down the trust, conflict, control, and support dynamics that shape whether a company can truly grow.

If you lead, build, or advise companies, this episode is a powerful reset on what it really takes to scale.

The conversation moves beyond platitudes about “community” and unpacks what actually creates ethical, reciprocal, impactful networks today. Olga Skipper and Julia Derndinger navigate the complexities of giving, the subtle differences between “community” and “network,” and how purposeful boundaries can empower entrepreneurs instead of holding them back.

Tune in for insights not just on what’s changed in business since 2019 but what is required to succeed in 2024 and beyond.

In this episode, we explore:

• Giving as a Core Identity — Why Julia doesn’t just help others, but finds deep joy (and even selfish joy) in doing so
• Network vs. Community — The nuanced distinction and why true impact goes far deeper than marketing buzzwords 05:01
• Reciprocity and Boundaries — How to maintain generosity in a network while drawing necessary lines around energy and time 09:10
• The Evolution of Leadership — How the most urgent and surprising founder topics have shifted since 2019 18:56
• Building for Sustainability, Not Spotlight — Why Julia centers on profitability, well-being, and business health above hype
• Onboarding the Right People — How to join (and stay in) a high-trust network, and what disqualifies those seeking shortcuts 12:24
• The New Reality of Teams and Generations — The challenges of recruiting, leading, and integrating Gen Y/Z in a fast-shifting business world 22:32
• Personal Growth meets Professional Bravery — The inextricable link between self-development and business effectiveness, and what Julia now allows herself to bring into her work 30:02

This episode is for founders and advisors who want a grounded, honest look at the emotional labor and reward of anchoring ambitious, healthy, sustainable networks. If you’ve ever wrestled with boundaries, struggled to ask for your own needs, or wondered how to blend private grit and professional strategy, this conversation will resonate deeply.

So drop in, and enjoy this raw, forthright, and practical exploration of anchoring with intention—no buzzwords required.

Don’t forget to subscribe and share this episode with the real builders in your network!

CHAPTERS

00:00 — Introduction to Emotional Business 00:02 — Meet Julia Derndinger: Builder, Sparring Partner, Giver 02:03 — Not Just a “Community Person”: The Origins of Julia’s Network 04:49 — The True Value and Fragility of Trust 08:31 — Why Give, Why Receive: Reciprocity and Boundaries 12:24 — Who Gets In: Onboarding to Julia’s Network 14:53 — Learning Boundaries the Hard Way 16:33 — The Real Cost of Unkept Boundaries 18:56 — Entrepreneurship and Leadership: The Shifting Landscape 22:02 — The Challenges of Growing Teams in 2024 25:02 — Female Founders, Scale, and Success on Your Own Terms 27:16 — When Personal and Professional Merge 31:44 — Final Reflections, Closing Gratitude

Connect with Olga: LinkedIn: Olga Skipper Website: www.olgaskipper.com

Connect with Julia Derndinger: LinkedIn: Julia Derndinger

Drawing on his bicultural upbringing and diverse career, Gonzalo shares how pragmatic idealism shapes his approach to leadership, trust, and team-building. He offers a grounded look at what it truly means to operate at scale — balancing empathy with efficiency, and adaptability with structure.

This conversation is a masterclass in what modern operations and leadership demand today: low ego, high transparency, and continuous learning.

• How Gonzalo’s upbringing shaped his pragmatic idealism
• Why operations play a crucial role in long-term business success
• The importance of adapting to the needs of the company as a COO
• Building trust through low ego and high transparency
• Using empathy to understand and connect with stakeholders
• Why choosing the right CEO to partner with is critical
• The value of hands-on experience in small teams
• Continuous learning as the foundation of effective leadership
• Knowing when and how to implement process
• How asking insightful questions adds real value

For founders, leaders, and operators alike, this episode is a reminder that operations isn’t just about execution — it’s about alignment, empathy, and trust.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gonzaloarenas/ 

Book mentioned in the episode https://store.darrenhardy.com/products/the-compound-effect 

In this episode of Emotional Business, Olga Skipper speaks with Ivo Betke — operator, advisor, and leader with experience scaling tech teams and building organizational culture.

Together, they explore what growth does to clarity, culture, and leadership — and why founders often need to rewrite the way they lead as their organizations become more complex.

In this episode:

• Why onboarding, shared context, and clarity matter more as teams scale
• The hidden cost of control — and why founders need to stop doing everything themselves
• The leadership myths in tech that create shame, pressure, and unrealistic expectations
• Why curiosity, listening, and making space for others are core leadership skills
• How talking time can reveal whether a leader is enabling ownership or becoming a bottleneck
• What a productive support culture actually looks like beyond perks and “good vibes”
• The tension between vision and operations — and why founders cannot bridge it alone
• Practical rituals for reflection and stepping out of reactive decision-making
• How teams can avoid featureitis, trend-chasing, and organizational chaos
• What executive coaching can — and cannot — do for leaders in scaling companies
• The role of ethics, responsibility, and technology in modern leadership
• Why founder experience, pressure, and unresolved patterns can shape the organizations they build

Olga and Ivo move beyond startup clichés to examine what actually helps organizations grow without losing clarity, ownership, or humanity.

This is a conversation about scaling as both an operational challenge and a leadership transition — from control to involvement, from individual answers to collective intelligence, and from founder instinct to organizational capability.

For founders, startup operators, and tech leaders navigating growth, this episode offers practical ways to think about culture, ownership, reflection, and the role of leadership as complexity increases.

CHAPTERS

00:00 — Introduction to Emotional Business
00:28 — Leadership Origins & Early Entrepreneurship
02:51 — Mission-Driven Teams & Cultural Learning
04:17 — Scaling Culture & Team Ownership
05:20 — Engagement, Vision & Context
08:02 — Letting Go of Control
09:58 — Curiosity & Making Space for Leadership
12:12 — Shame, Pressure & the Expert Trap
13:55 — Talking Time & Team Inclusion
16:27 — Balancing Direction & Consultation
17:37 — Bridging Vision & Operations
19:53 — Rituals for Reflection
22:01 — Featureitis, Trends & Culture Risks
24:26 — The Value and Limits of Executive Coaching
25:59 — AI, Job Change & Responsibility
27:55 — Ethics & Organizational Change
31:39 — Founder Trauma, Technology & Humanity
33:00 — Closing Reflections

Connect with Ivo Betke:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ibetke/

Connect with Olga Skipper:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olgasteidlskipper/
Website: https://www.olgaskipper.com/

Subscribe to Emotional Business and share this episode with a founder or leader navigating growth.

This thought-provoking conversation opens a window into the authentic, everyday work of global leadership: from steering an organization through pandemic-induced volatility to orchestrating high-performing teams across continents, Oliver Wyrsch shares how his focus on culture and coaching have become steady anchors in a sea of uncertainty.

Together, Olga Skipper and Oliver Wyrsch unravel what it really means to prioritize people over strategy, to empower leaders as coaches (not just task managers), and to build a company DNA that sustains growth—without losing sight of well-being, energy, and purpose.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why Culture Outranks Strategy — Oliver Wyrsch reveals why building strong teams and a genuine coaching culture outweighs rigid strategic plans, especially in a decentralized, high-change tech environment.

• Coaching as a Leadership Model — Inside Inficon’s approach: from training internal coaches and cultivating talent density to bringing coaching mindsets into every offsite, meeting, and 1:1.

• The Myth of Vision Statements — Why Inficon chose not to have a corporate “mission” and instead prioritized a living, evolving organizational identity rooted in curiosity, care, innovation, and growth.

• Navigating Chaos, Success, and Accountability — How to maintain alignment, empower bottom-up ideas, and manage financial pressures while resisting the urge for excessive control.

• Embracing Feedback and Continual Learning — Oliver Wyrsch gets candid about his own leadership evolution, from perfectionism to embracing mistakes, and how instant, specific feedback cycles drive development at every level.

• Curiosity as the Secret Ingredient — From executive coaching to people leadership, the conversation turns towards the essential role of curiosity and empathy in sustaining motivation—for both leaders and coaches.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone leading teams in fast-moving industries, global environments, or organizations balancing performance with people-first values. Founders, executives, middle managers, and HR leaders will all find practical wisdom and refreshing honesty on the real mechanics of modern leadership—beyond the glossy slogans.

So settle in for a nuanced, energizing, and deeply human conversation about what it takes to lead, grow, and thrive in today’s business world.

Don’t forget to subscribe and share this episode with fellow leaders or anyone rethinking what leadership can—and should—look like!

CHAPTERS 00:00 — Introduction to Emotional Business 00:28 — Meet Oliver Wyrsch: The Global CEO’s Journey 03:08 — Leading Through Uncertainty and Change 05:04 — Choosing Culture Over Strategy 08:54 — Inficon’s Coaching Model and Cultural DNA 15:35 — Connecting Vision, Culture, and Outcomes 20:26 — Embracing Financial Reality and Accountability 23:10 — Oliver Wyrsch’s Leadership Evolution 25:23 — Lifelong Learning and Making Coaches 26:22 — The Heart of Coaching: Curiosity and Impact 30:16 — Closing Reflections

Connect with Olga LinkedIn: Olga Skipper Website: www.olgaskipper.com

Connect with Oliver LinkedIn: Oliver Wyrsch

Hosted by executive coach and former startup exec Olga Skipper, Emotional Business is the podcast for founders, creatives, and changemakers who want to build aligned, impactful businesses from the inside out.

In this trailer episode, Olga shares why this show exists, who it’s for, and what you can expect from each episode. If you're tired of trying to follow someone else's blueprint for success and ready to tune into your intuition, this podcast is your permission slip.

You’ll hear:

• Why the most powerful businesses are heart-led

• What happens when we stop searching outside ourselves for all the answers

• How emotions and uncertainty are not obstacles—but guides

• The kinds of raw, real conversations you can expect in future episodes

Whether you’re launching a startup or reinventing your business, this show is a space to learn from leaders who are building for alignment—not just achievement.

Subscribe now so you don’t miss a single episode

And if this resonates with you, share it with a fellow founder who’s carving their own path.

They explore how this shift impacts leadership, ambition, creativity, and a woman's sense of self, and discuss why grief, anger, and uncertainty are natural parts of this transition. The conversation provides clarity and tools for female executives navigating motherhood and for coaches supporting women through this period of change.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How motherhood acts as a deep identity shift, not just a career pause
• Why matrescence mirrors other major life transitions
• The role of grief and loss in redefining oneself as a mother
• Why women often focus on logistics instead of the emotional transition
• How creativity emerges from the chaos of early motherhood
• Why ambition often increases—not decreases—after becoming a mother
• How to normalize difficult feelings like anger, guilt, and confusion
• Why the motherhood transition is cyclical, not linear
• How coaches can incorporate motherhood perspectives into leadership work

Keywords: motherhood, female executives, identity shift, coaching, leadership, transformation, emotional business, motherhood transition, women empowerment, personal growth

Book we mentioned: Jessie Harrold - Mothershift : Reclaiming Motherhood as a Rite of Passage

Links to find Anna:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-shakhovets/

https://www.reco-consulting.com/

If you want to work with Anna, join the interest list for The Fireside Circle for Female Leaders — a space to learn how to lead with depth, clarity, and connection.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeYVb5ZlpXLDxwta5aXn6RkD8_DP3ARGeJrmV-6D9pOBTh4bw/viewform

In this episode of Emotional Business, Olga Skipper speaks with Alisa Reznik — executive coach, fractional COO, Tomorrow University lecturer, and former leader of high-stakes trading teams.

Drawing on years of leadership, consulting, and coaching, Alisa describes herself as a “student of herself.” Together, she and Olga explore what leadership looks like when old formulas stop working — and when adaptability, self-awareness, boundaries, and vulnerability become part of the job.

In this episode:

• Why effective leadership increasingly means staying open and continuing to learn
• How external feedback can help leaders recognize strengths and build confidence
• Managing strong personalities, ego, and vulnerability without losing authority
• Why the strongest leader doesn’t have to be the loudest person in the room
• How geopolitical and business uncertainty affects leaders emotionally
• The temptation to respond to uncertainty by working harder — and why boundaries matter
• Self-doubt, ambition, and the inner voice of high achievers
• What changes when you move from leading teams to working independently as a coach or entrepreneur
• The loneliness of solo work — and finding motivation through impact and client results
• How ADHD can shape creativity, energy, and entrepreneurial work
• Why vulnerability matters when coaching CEOs and other high achievers
• What new executive coaches should understand before stepping into the room with senior leaders

Olga and Alisa move between the external challenges facing leaders and the internal work required to navigate them: learning to tolerate uncertainty, finding conviction without pretending to have all the answers, and building a leadership style that is both strong and reflective.

This conversation is for executives, founders, coaches, and anyone navigating a leadership transition or questioning how they want to lead next.

CHAPTERS

00:00 — Leadership Roots & Self-Exploration
01:33 — From Trader to Leader: Managing Big Egos
04:20 — How Leadership Keeps Evolving
07:00 — Building Confidence & Recognizing Strengths
10:14 — Empathy, Pressure & the CEO Role
13:27 — Leadership in Times of Instability
17:30 — Hope & Conviction Amid Uncertainty
18:42 — The Inner Voice of High Achievers
20:38 — Becoming a Coach
24:43 — Staying Motivated in Solitude
28:57 — ADHD, Creativity & Resilience
32:51 — Advice for New Executive Coaches

Connect with Alisa Reznik:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisa-reznik/

Connect with Olga Skipper:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olgasteidlskipper/
Website: https://www.olgaskipper.com/

Subscribe to Emotional Business and share this episode with a leader, founder, or executive coach navigating change.

In this episode of The Emotional Business Show, Olga Skipper talks with Oleg Bibergan, founding partner at S16, a venture fund and community investing in transformative startups. With a background spanning Goldman Sachs, technology, and venture capital, Oleg has built a reputation for clarity and conviction. But behind the professional milestones lies a deeper story of transition, self-discovery, and redefining what success truly means.

Together, they explore:

• How Oleg reflects on the “arc” of his career and life so far, and what it means to enter a new chapter at 40
• The role of scaffolding — meditation, journaling, stubborn persistence, and community — in staying centered
• Why equanimity and emotional intelligence are critical traits for investors and founders alike
• His shift from data-heavy investing to founder-focused, velocity-driven decision-making
• The belief that provision = love, and his search for integration between material success and playful creativity
• How “golden shadows” and curated role models can shape the next evolution of leadership and growth

This is a rare look at the inner life of a venture capitalist: how emotional insight, personal rituals, and conscious community building shape not just investments, but identity and impact.

🎧 Tune in to discover what it means to navigate high-stakes decisions without losing connection to yourself, your values, or the people around you.

https://www.s16vc.com/ 

After a uniquely challenging year in 2025, this season zooms out to examine the big shifts and patterns that leaders need to unlearn as the business world becomes faster, more complex, and emotionally demanding. Olga Skipper brings on guests including tech founders and executive thinkers to discuss what leadership truly requires now, emphasizing that emotional intelligence is no longer just a “nice to have” but essential for survival.

New episodes drop every Tuesday, with the season launching on March 3, 2026. Tune in and join the conversation.

Yi-Wei’s story spans continents—from Malaysia to Dubai—and each chapter has shaped his view of leadership, culture, and design. Starting his career in UX research, he built his way into product leadership while keeping people, empathy, and impact at the center.

This conversation explores what it takes to lead at scale with authenticity and courage: creating psychological safety, balancing empathy with decisive action, and remembering that great products begin with great humans.

• Courageous leadership and why psychological safety fuels innovation
• What makes a great product: balancing customer value with business growth
• How global experience and cultural diversity shape leadership
• The impact of parenthood on empathy and prioritization
• The loneliness of senior leadership — and the importance of finding your tribe
• How authenticity and continuous learning sustain long-term success
• Why discipline, structure, and self-care routines keep leaders centered

If you’re a product leader, founder, or executive navigating growth and complexity, this episode is a masterclass in clarity, courage, and connection.

Alina Verbenchuk joins at a defining intersection: after a non-traditional journey into tech, years of scaling teams at major platforms, and the recent leap from corporate operator to founder. Together, Olga Skipper and Alina Verbenchuk unravel what remains deeply, stubbornly human in business and leadership—even as AI and automation touch every corner of work.

This episode offers a candid, nuanced look inside the lived experience of building, leading, and selling in a world where originality and connection matter more than ever, but the landscape is shifting fast.

In this episode, we explore:

• Creativity vs. Automation — Why human ideas, energy, and fresh perspectives are more valuable than ever as audiences grow weary of automated sameness
• The Real Definition of “Human” — How genuine connection—whether in music, content, or business—is the foundation of resonance and trust
• From Non-Tech Background to Tech Founder — Alina Verbenchuk’s unique journey from studying Chinese, to business school, to building at Google, to boldly stepping into entrepreneurship
• The Messy Reality of Going Founder — The inner journeys, stumbles, and full-circle moments that rarely make it into founder stories
• Leadership in Constant Change — Why templates and “typical” teams are breaking down, and what leadership needs to look like as companies and careers become more experimental and customized
• Selling, Serving, and True Go-To-Market — Dismantling the myth of sales as a cold funnel; understanding it as a deeply human process of connection and value

Alina Verbenchuk and Olga Skipper move far beyond startup clichés to speak plainly about the fears, doubts, pivots, and exhilarating new definitions of ambition, value, and community.

This episode is for any founder, builder, creative, or leader wrestling with how to stay human in a landscape being rewritten by technology. If you’re navigating the leap from secure roles to entrepreneurship, questioning where your real value lies, or curious how to build teams and markets for the future, you’ll find reassurance, clarity, and a lot of practical wisdom here.

So settle in and enjoy this expansive, grounding, and deeply human conversation.

Don’t forget to subscribe and share this episode with a founder or creative thinker in your circle!

CHAPTERS

00:00 — Introduction to Emotional Business & Meet Alina Verbenchuk 01:04 — Alina Verbenchuk’s Non-Traditional Journey into Tech 02:50 — Why Human Creativity Rises as AI Grows 06:53 — Defining “Human” in Content, Business, and Beyond 09:58 — Full-Circle Lessons: From People Skills to Founder Strengths 14:12 — Human Connection at the Heart of Go-To-Market 17:06 — Purpose, Profit, and Serving People 19:32 — The Messy, Honest Leap from Corporate to Founder 27:00 — Beyond the Shelf: Leadership Now and Next 32:07 — What Leaders Need to Learn and Unlearn 34:20 — Generational Change, Agency, and New Teams 37:05 — Coaching Q&A: Teams of the Future and Personalization 44:39 — Who Do We Want on Our Team in an AI Era? 45:59 — Bringing It Full Circle: The Non-Linear Path of Leadership

Connect with Olga: LinkedIn: Olga Skipper Website: www.olgaskipper.com

Connect with Alina: LinkedIn: Alina Verbenchuk

Max brings a rare blend of intellectual depth, operational experience, and personal conviction. From founding companies to investing across Europe and the U.S., his perspective on what it means to build something truly worthwhile challenges the status quo in tech, venture, and leadership.

We explore:

• How Max and his team built a venture fund around the values of truth, love, and growth
• What it means to lead with integrity in an industry driven by speed and returns
• The intersection of spirituality, ethics, and capital allocation
• The evolving role of the VC as not just investor—but mentor, mirror, and ethics coach
• How AI is shifting the power dynamics of startups and venture capital
• Why solo founders and prompt-based companies are changing the game
• What it really takes to have “truthful conversations” in the investor-founder relationship

This is a conversation for founders, funders, and anyone building with heart and ambition in an AI-shaped world.

📍 Learn more about Hardcore Capital: https://www.heartcore.com/ 📍 Connect with Max on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxniederhofer/

Severin shares how his creative upbringing and professional journey led him to build a fund focused on the overlooked but high-potential world of creative tech. From music and film to spatial computing and AI, his thesis is as bold as it is timely.

This conversation explores:

• Why creativity is the next frontier in venture capital
• What most investors get wrong about emotional founders
• How AI is changing the game for cultural innovation
• The realities of being a solo GP (and why it’s both powerful and lonely)
• What resilience really looks like in a high-risk, long-game profession
• The emotional intelligence required to manage LPs, founders, and yourself

If you’re a founder, funder, or future builder wondering what VC could look like beyond the spreadsheets—this episode will expand your thinking.

https://www.nr.ventures 

Alina shares her journey from growing up in an entrepreneurial family to building a global career in tech — all while redefining what it means for women to “have it all.” She reflects on the early lessons from her father’s mentorship, the strength of the women in her family, and the ongoing challenge of integrating personal and professional life.

This conversation is a deeply honest look at how leaders can blend drive with presence, and success with emotional growth.

• Growing up in an entrepreneurial environment and lessons from family business
• The role of mentorship and strong women across generations
• The creation of Emerge Conference and its impact on the tech ecosystem
• Balancing professional ambition with motherhood and self-care
• Redefining what “having it all” really means
• The emotional complexity of leadership and seeking professional support
• How vulnerability and reflection strengthen modern leadership

For any woman balancing ambition, care, and self-definition — this episode offers insight, honesty, and hope.

https://gamegroove.vc/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/gamegroovecapital/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alinanilsson/

Throughout this conversation Blanka reveals the unexpected path from chaos to connection and the sense of belonging. We explore what it takes to lead authentically, let go of control, and build a business rooted in empathy without sacrificing ambition.

You’ll hear:

• Why Haos is not just another co-working space—and never was
• How Blanka filters out "shoulds" and builds what feels right instead of what’s expected
• What it looks like to grow a community without losing your sanity (or soul)
• Her honest take on leadership, female entrepreneurship, and what "success" really means

Whether you're building a company, a community, or a more intentional life, this conversation will challenge you to lead from your core and redefine what greatness looks like—on your terms.

https://www.instagram.com/blankas

https://www.instagram.com/haos.space

https://www.haos.space/en

Trish draws on her experience as both a corporate leader and a coach, sharing insights on how emotional wounds appear in professional settings and how they impact leadership, relationships, and team dynamics. The conversation introduces practical frameworks and tools to acknowledge, interrupt, and resolve trauma while cultivating psychological safety and accountability.

• Defining trauma and identifying workplace-specific manifestations
• Trish’s personal experiences with trauma in leadership and how they shaped her approach
• The AIR Method (Acknowledge, Interrupt, Resolve) for addressing work trauma
• Practical tools such as the Wheel of Control and distinguishing facts from narratives
• How unresolved trauma influences decision-making, relationships, and company culture
• The responsibilities leaders have to themselves and their teams in healing
• How coaches and executives can apply these frameworks to foster healthier workplaces
• Real-life examples and case studies illustrating the impact of trauma and its resolution

This episode is essential listening for executives, founders, HR professionals, and coaches who want to understand and address the emotional undercurrents shaping modern workplaces.

Website: www.harmonizeu.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trishperry/

Free Wheel of Control Gift: Email me WHEEL OF CONTROL at   trish.perry@harmonizeu.com

Olga shares how her international upbringing shaped her worldview, why executive search is more art than algorithm, and how painting keeps her sane amid high-stakes boardroom decisions. This is a candid, deeply human exploration of what it means to live and lead without splitting yourself into pieces.

We talk about:

• The power of humor and self-awareness in high-pressure careers
• Why executive search is less about resumes and more about resonance
• How Olga balances motherhood, a demanding career, and a vibrant creative life
• Her take on AI, authenticity, and the real meaning of “cultural fit”

Whether you're navigating career transitions, leading a team, or building a life that feels fully yours—this episode offers perspective and permission to show up whole.

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/olga-lorenz-5785a15

Šárka shares her journey of moving from a successful career in finance and technology into the world of purpose-driven business. She opens up about learning to trust herself amid external doubt, the courage it takes to start again, and how to bring the wisdom of past experience into a completely new chapter.

Together, Olga and Šárka explore what authenticity in leadership looks like—especially during times of internal transition—and how leaders can communicate openly with their teams while staying true to themselves.

• Crafting a career path that reflects who you are—not who you’re “supposed” to be
• Moving from FinTech to purpose-driven entrepreneurship
• Integrating lessons from your old career into a new vision for work and life
• Building your vision through external doubt and self-trust
• What Šárka would tell her younger self when she left employment for entrepreneurship as a mother of two
• How to stay authentic as a leader while navigating your own transitions

This episode is for: 🌿 Women in traditional industries finding their voice early in their careers 💡 Anyone wondering if it’s time to make the jump into something new ✨ Those who doubt their vision—but know it’s worth pursuing anyway

For Olga, this was the most optimistic yet truthful conversation on creating your own path.

https://www.vinofactum.wine/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/vinofactum

https://www.linkedin.com/in/%C5%A1%C3%A1rka-betke-12a7a457/

On Authenticity 

https://youtu.be/1lJDm6-SJQI?si=mS1KP0tjDpup3PaE 

But this conversation isn’t about frameworks or velocity charts.

It’s about the human side of product leadership.

We dive deep into:

• How emotional intelligence builds stronger product teams
• The difference between being “nice” and being strategically empathetic
• The art of active listening and self-regulation as a leadership superpower
• How to manage conflict without losing influence—or relationships
• What new leaders must unlearn if they want to scale their impact
• Why personal development isn’t optional at the top—and how Thor keeps growing

Whether you’re a new product manager or a senior leader navigating complex orgs, this episode is a masterclass in grounded, emotionally intelligent leadership.

📍 Thor’s background includes roles at Google, Miro, and CrowdCube, and mentoring leaders in high-growth tech environments.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thormitchell/ Medium: https://medium.com/@thor.mitchell Website: https://www.balderton.com/team/thor-mitchell/ Product Minded: https://www.product-minded.co.uk/

Dana’s story is anything but ordinary: she rebuilt her life and career after fleeing Ukraine with her family, sold her publishing business in the middle of a crisis, completed her Executive MBA at Oxford, and now helps leaders thrive in chaos—not by escaping it, but by moving through it with purpose and clarity.

This episode dives deep into:

• What effortless resilience really means (and how to develop it)
• How Dana pivoted careers, countries, and industries without losing her core self
• The mindset shift that helped her lead a transformation—from burnout to joy
• The reality of building a meaningful career while raising three young kids
• Why motherhood makes her a better leader—and vice versa

Whether you're a founder, a mother, in transition, or simply questioning your next move—this conversation will shift your thinking on what it means to live and lead with purpose, even in uncertain times.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dana-pavlychko-b44a0673/

From Silicon Valley to corporate boardrooms, from personal crises to purpose-driven leadership, Alex has lived many lives. Through each, he’s discovered that alignment—between values, risk, and passion—is the true north of entrepreneurship.

This conversation explores:

• How family health crises reshaped Alex’s approach to risk and business
• Why ego is both a driver and a danger in leadership
• The art of evaluating founders beyond pitch decks
• Networking as an introvert (and why it works)
• The role of intuition in entrepreneurial decision-making
• How storytelling and creativity shape impact ventures
• Why climate tech is a calling, not just a market

If you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or leader navigating risk and purpose, this episode offers both honesty and inspiration.

https://www.raspberry.ventures/ 

This conversation explores how intuition, transparency, and emotional intelligence can shape leadership in the fast-moving world of technology. From the ethics of AI in coaching to the realities of systemic loneliness at the top, Hilary offers both practical and deeply human insights.

• How a background in education shapes product and leadership decisions
• Why emotional intelligence is the bedrock of effective tech leadership
• The ethics of AI in coaching and development
• Balancing professional ambition with motherhood
• Caregiving as a leadership strength—not a weakness
• Why executives underestimate loneliness—and the power of asking for help

For leaders navigating technology, AI, and human connection, Hilary’s perspective is both refreshing and essential.

https://www.coachhub.com/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilaryaylesworth 

From his early career in banking and FinTech to co-founding The Future Farm, Nektarios has experienced the high-stakes, high-stress reality of entrepreneurship. His story shines a light on the toll burnout can take—and why connection, resilience, and community are essential for building sustainable success.

• The hidden costs of burnout in the startup ecosystem
• Why connection and community are critical for resilience
• How “rootedness” influences leadership and wellbeing
• Realigning founding teams to sustain long-term ventures
• How The Future Farm is normalizing conversations about founder mental health
• The role of coaches, advisors, and emotional intelligence in supporting entrepreneurs

For founders, investors, and leaders alike, this episode is a reminder: sustainable startups begin with sustainable people.

http://linkedin.com/in/nekliolios

https://www.thefuturefarm.co/

https://foundology.org/