I'm Back!: Recent Episodes
Serena Savini
Returning to work after a life-changing experience can be tough. Whether due to illness, injury, maternity, or for any other reason, we can face a multitude of challenges.
Join Serena Savini as she shares her own struggles with returning to work, and explores ways we can navigate change with empathy, and emerge thriving.
Through conversations with guests, Serena uncovers stories from different perspectives on how we can create a warm environment with a human touch to come back to work.
Artwork by Sara Ronzoni (www.operegeniali.com)
In this episode, Serena discuss the importance of authenticity and kindness in the professional world with Ahmad Abdelaziz, founder of Alien Talent Venture. Ahmad shares insights on how to navigate career changes, emphasizing the role of self-alignment and passion in career success. He introduces Alien Talents, a platform he created to support talents from the MENA region in finding global remote job opportunities. The conversation highlights the challenges of being an unseen talent and the importance of a supportive community in overcoming professional obstacles. This episode underlines the impact of empathy, peer support, and genuine human connections in achieving career fulfillment and personal growth.
- Ahmad Abdelaziz Linkedin
- Alien Talents website
In this episode, host Serena sits down with Aman Zaidi, a leadership and executive coach focused on organizational transformations, well-being, and education. They discuss the meaning of resilience, the importance of community, and how acceptance and adaptability play crucial roles in personal growth and professional success.
- Aman's Linkedin
In this episode, Serena hosts Jannah Bachrouche, founder and CEO of Herc HR, for a deep and poignant conversation on the intersection between our daily work, ethical leadership and the ongoing genocide in Palestine. This episode delves into the emotional and professional challenges faced by everyone during times of extreme conflict, focusing on personal reflections, decolonization of the mind, and finding purpose. Serena and Jannah discuss the difficulties of returning to work while witnessing a genocide, how to hold space for one's emotional realities, and the importance of community and solidarity in these trying times.
- Jannah's Linkedin
In this episode, Serena is joined by Andrew GottWorth, an advocate for the International OCD Foundation and leader of the Berlin OCD work. Together, they discuss the journey of returning to work after facing mental health challenges. Andrew shares his personal experiences with OCD, depression, anxiety, and ADHD, revealing the importance of a supportive environment and the power of taking things slowly. The conversation delves into redefining success, accepting limitations, and finding joy in new paths. Tune in for an insightful discussion aimed at providing support and encouragement for those overcoming similar struggles.
- Andrew's Linkedin
In this podcast episode, Serena interviews Aditi Raghuram, an executive leadership and wellbeing coach, to explore the concept of bouncing back from difficult situations and the challenges associated with it. The conversation dives deep into themes such as resilience, self-compassion, and re-defining success and wellbeing, both personally and professionally.
- Aditi's Linkedin
- Aditi's website
In this podcast episode, Serena speaks with Neha Lagoo Ratnakar about the challenges and rewards of restarting a career after a break.
Neha, a champion for women reentering the workforce, shares her personal journey and offers insightful advice on overcoming self-doubt, embracing patience, and finding support.
They discuss societal pressures, the importance of learning from mistakes, and the relevance of being present in the moment. Neha also talks about her book, 'Back on Your Feet,' providing listeners with practical wisdom for their career comebacks.
- Neha's Linkedin
- Neha's book: Back on you Feet
- Neha's new book: The Missing wheel
- Neha's website
Serena talks with Benjamin Dehant, a facilitator, artist, and creative mastermind. They explore being laid off, how AI supports coming back to work, Benjamin's unique career book, AI's impact on job security, embracing chaos, self-creation, and celebrating achievements. Benjamin shares insights on giving space and time in a quick wins culture.
They discuss trusting oneself and the role of AI in Benjamin's book. Benjamin offers advice for those feeling lost and encourages embracing change and pursuing joyful paths.
Tune in to this thought-provoking conversation!
Serena talks with Kathryn Paylor-Bent, an Adaptive Fashion Designer, Disabled Entrepreneur, and Northern Power Woman on the Future List 2023. They discuss the importance of adaptive fashion and how Catherine is creating a new narrative around fashion that can adapt to different bodies. They also talk about Catherine's personal journey as a disabled CEO and the challenges she has faced in the fashion industry.
Tune in to learn more about the opportunities in adaptive fashion and how to create the perfect outfit. Don't miss Kathryn's upcoming projects, including a collection for London Fashion Week.
Enjoy the episode!
Serena talks with Nynke Voss, a Ritual Designer, Facilitator, and Co-Founder of Community Rituals in this insightful episode.
They discuss the significance of rituals in our daily lives, exploring their importance in both personal and professional contexts. Nynke shares her indigenous roots and how they influence her work. They delve into the challenges of creating rituals in Western society and highlight the benefits they offer. From the role of community to the power of dance, Serena and Nynke provide practical advice for embracing rituals in our routines and workplaces.
This episode prompts listeners to explore the transformative potential of rituals in their own lives.
Nynke Voss on LinkedIn.
Serena talks with Joerg Sauer, ACC ICF Coach and a leader that is empowering individuals, teams, and organizations with coaching. Currently, Joerg is the CIO of a multinational company in Indonesia. He is also the community leader for Morphosis Coaching Indonesia. In our conversation, we discussed why coaching is so important within an organization, how coaching can create a safe bubble to express yourself and discover yourself, and how can coaching really transform your life.
You can discover more about Joerg here:
- Joerg's Linkedin
- Morphosis Coaching
Serena talks with Katerina Di Marco, mum of little Berenica, consultant, facilitator, and embodiment coach. She's currently building her own business Pause to Move. She's also responsible for the learning cluster "Parents Grow Too" under the Community L&D Shakers.
You can discover more about Sara here:
- Katerina's Linkedin
- L&D Shakers Community
Serena talks with Olla Joungerius, Founder of the BerLearn Community & Inclusion and Global Learning & Development Architect at Nortal, about the role of HR in welcoming back employees, about the new challenges on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and about the role of vulnerability to create a meaningful work environment.
You can discover more about Olla here:
- Olla's Linkedin
- BerLearn Community
Serena talks with Sara Huang, Heart ♥️ based consultant & human-centered facilitator, about using facilitation skills to support people who are coming back to work, the importance of creativity and music in finding your way back and how can we deal with power dynamics in a more caring way.
You can discover more about Sara here:
- Sara's Linkedin
- Sara's website
Serena talks with Tina Dreisicke, Agile Learning Professional, Coach & Entrepreneur , about how can we apply the Agile Methodology to coming back to work, the challenge of well being and practical advice to create a welcoming environment at work.
You can find more information about Tina here
- Tina's Linkedin
A really special episode for the International Stuttering Day 2022. Serena talks again with Puneet Singh Singhal, Founder of Ssstart and Disability Activist, about Stammering, a new perspective on Diversity and Inclusion and about the importance of joy, pleasure and happiness. You can find more about Puneet here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/s-s-start/ (Ssstart) Linkedin page, a non-profit that promises patience, empathy, and freedom of communication. https://www.ssstart.org (Ssstart Website) https://www.linkedin.com/in/puneet-singhal/ (Puneet Singh): Linkedin profile https://www.serenheart.com/episode/Blog (Stamma) - https://stamma.org/your-voice/humble-ssstart-my-life (Stamma Blog): Puneet's blog Article from Kanthari: https://www.serenheart.com/episode/Article (kanthari) - https://www.kanthari.org/ssstart/ (the story behind Ssstart) https://www.educationworld.in/delhi-man-helps-children-overcome-communication-disorders/ (Education World) -Article
Serena talks with Cinzia Silvia Melograna, Talent partner and Recruitment expert, about how recruitment has changed during the pandemic, how can you propose yourself when you are coming back to work to a new company and how you can take care of yourself after a rejection. You can find more information about Cinzia here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cinzia-silvia-melograna-3628a1a6/ (Cinzia's Linkedin)
Serena talks with Rita Ofili, the number 1 wheelchair model in Nigeria, about the importance of giving a voice to the voiceless, disability in Nigeria and in Africa, becoming a model and being intentional in building our own future. You can find more information about Rita here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rita-ofili-21642267/ (Rita's Linkedin) Rita's Instagram: @iamritaofili_official
Serena talks with Leon Teh, Transformative Coach & Facilitator and Self-Love Speaker & Advocate, about the importance of self-love & self -care, the challenges of listening to our heart's desires, tools to come back to work and to life. You can find more about Leon here: Leon's Linkedin Leon's website https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCamMpYrop_VaLR_W3cCpEXQ (Leon's youtube channel)
Serena talks with Véronique Péron, Coach, Leadership Trainer, Founder & Host of Explore and Sense, about the importance of self-compassion, the role of leaders in welcoming back employees and the challenge of coming back to work every day. You can find more about Véronique here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/v%C3%A9ronique-p%C3%A9ron/ (Véronique's Linkedin) https://www.linkedin.com/company/explore-and-sense/ (Explore and Sense) - a project around the importance of Emotional Intelligence for Leaders
Is it possible to accept our limiting beliefs? Hug them and thank them? Lena Nasiaskou is an Embodied Coach, Trainer and Facilitator, and she will guide us in a powerful meditation on limiting beliefs, we will discuss the impostor syndrome, the importance of the body and pratical tools to feel grounded. You can find Lena here: https://lenasmoves.com/ (Lena's moves:) her website https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenanasiakouembodiedlearning/ (Lena's Linkedin profile)
Is it possible to love our heart? Patrick Dunn is the Program Director, at the Center for Health Technology and Innovation of the American Heart Association and in this conversation we discuss the importance on Cardiac Rehab, the need of a support system, how can we learn to take care of ourselves. More info here: https://www.heart.org/ (American Heart Association) https://www.youtube.com/user/KnowingYourHeart (Patrick Dunn's Youtube Channel) http://www.knowingyourheart.com/ (Knowing your Heart) : Cardiac Rehab & more
Serena talks with Rachel Gooen, Facilitator & Therapist, on her healing journey through depression, setting the right boundaries and creating the right environment to recover. You can find more about Rachel here: https://www.rachelgooen.com/ (Rachel's website )
Serena talks with Puneet Singh Singhal, Founder of Ssstart and Disability Activist, about the importance of acceptance, the challenges of living with a disability in India and in the world, and the beauty of recognizing our self value. You can find more about Puneet here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/s-s-start/ (Ssstart) Linkedin page, a non-profit that promises patience, empathy, and freedom of communication. Ssstart Website https://www.linkedin.com/in/puneet-singhal/ (Puneet Singh): Linkedin profile Stamma Blog: Puneet's blog Article from Kanthari: the story behind Ssstart https://www.educationworld.in/delhi-man-helps-children-overcome-communication-disorders/ (Education World) -Article
Serena is joined by a former manager Lori Gustavus, to discuss the story that led her to create this podcast.
Serena talks with Lana Jelenjev on the importance of community and rituals when returning to work after surviving breast cancer. Links https://www.lanajelenjev.com (Lana's website) https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/community-alchemy-6872281982118748160/ (Community Alchemy) - Lana's Newletter
Serena Savini is an HR expert. Her professional story changed six years ago when she had a bad injury at work. She was a top performer before, but became a low performer afterwards. I'm Back is a podcast for people who are returning to work after an illness, injury, maternity, or a lot more. Our lives are full of pivotal moments, positive or negative, happy or difficult. New episodes are released every two weeks