Mornings with Melissa: Recent Episodes
Mornings with Melissa
Mornings with Melissa is a podcast dedicated to sharing the stories of inspiring individuals. We all have stories to share and stories have the impact to empower our lives. The aim of this series is to explore these stories in an intimate and honest conversation that should inspire you to live your most empowered life.
Welcome to this episode of The Modernists. A podcast dedicated to empowering your modern individual. In this episode, wewelcome, and meet Henry Kaestner. Henry Kaestner is a pioneer in the faith-driven entrepreneurship and investing space. As co-founder of the Faith Driven Entrepreneur and Faith Driven Investor initiatives, he has catalysed a movement to connect and empower believers in business.
Henry puts his faith into practice as co-founder and partner at Sovereign's Capital, a venture capital and private equity firm that invests in faith-driven entrepreneurs in Southeast Asia and the U.S. He previously co-founded and led Bandwidth and Republic Wireless, growing them from $0 to over $600 million in revenue. Beyond his business ventures, Henry is active in ministry boards and community organisations. He attends Venture Christian Church and serves as an elder in the Presbyterian Church of America. Married with three sons, Henry lives in Los Gatos, California and continues to advocate for bringing faith and business together.
Make sure to like, subscribe, and comment on The Modernist podcast for more bi-monthly episodes.
Henry’s Linkedln
Faith Driven Entrepreneur
Welcome to this episode of The Modernists. A podcast dedicated to empowering your modern individual. In this episode, wewelcome, and meet Alex Lazaridis. Alex is the Founder of Laz Partners, an executive search firm that specializes in placing portfolio managers and other front-office investment talent for some of the world’s leading hedge funds and investment management firms After founding his business in 2018 and working on his own for the first 3 years, he decided to begin expanding the business in 2021 and will be close to a headcount of ten by the end of 2023, with plans to continue expanding the business in 2024, due to a strong growth trajectory. Before moving into executive search, Alex worked in the city in macro research sales for nearly a decade covering hedge funds and decided to launch his executive search business after consistently hearing from his clients that there was a lack of strong recruiters with knowledge of the Rates & FXmarkets. In his spare time, he enjoys reading books, studying financial markets, mentoring, and running.
Alex’s Linkedln
Laz Partners
Welcome to this episode of The Modernists. A podcast dedicated to empowering your modern individual. In this episode, we welcome, and meet Louise Webster. Louise Webster is a seasoned communications professional and Founder with a passion for empowering parents. In 2003 she established Rare Communications, a leading agency specialising in the kids and family sectors, as well as licensing and start-up businesses. She grew it into a five-person strong agency representing some of the most well-known brands in the industry, and later sold it to Mischief PR.
Louise Webster has made a name for herself as an advocate for the talents and skills of parents. In March 2012, she founded Beyondtheschoolrun.com, a Global platform designed to help parents unlock their potential for the benefit of both their own well-being and that of society. Under Louise's leadership, Beyondtheschoolrun has grown into a thriving community of parents, attracting media attention and recognition from influential sources. The enterprise has received two invitations to No.10 Downing Street and was listed as one of the "Top 58 British Tech Startups for 2014" by UK Business Insider.
In 2014, Louise was named "Britain's Top Real Role Model.” Her efforts have helped raise awareness of the importance of supporting parents in their professional pursuits while also fulfilling their responsibilities at home. Her expertise and insights have also led to her being referred to as "a true change maker" by Global Invest Her. In addition to her work with Beyondtheschoolrun, Louise is the Author of the book "A New Way for Mothers," which was published in the USA. Louise most recently integrated her work into one group Wearebeyond.global.
Louise's Business: https://www.wearebeyond.global
Louise's Linkedln: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louwebster/
Welcome to this episode of The Modernists. A podcast dedicated to empowering your modern individual. In this episode, we welcome, and meet Liliana Parodi-Huml. Born amidst Peru's political turmoil, Liliana’s life embodies resilience. Fleeing at age 15 due to her mother's human rights work unveiling government atrocities, she rebuilt their life as refugees in Sweden. Now in New York with her family, her story underscores that success is shaped by personal journey, not external norms. Advocating against comparison-driven self-doubt, she emphasizes internal control over external circumstances. Liliana’s decision to forgo dance for business due to societal pressure now fuels her message: intertwine passions creatively. Her narrative champions individuality, urging others to define triumph authentically and embrace life's challenges as transformative opportunities.
Make sure to like, comment, and subscribe to The Modernist podcast.
Liliana’s Linkedln
Welcome to this episode of The Modernists. A podcast dedicated to empowering your modern individual. In this episode, we welcome, and meet Stephen Parkins. Stephen Parkins boasts nearly 20 years of dedicated expertise in steering businesses through VUCA forces (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity) for optimal growth. A corporate innovation leader, his paramount focus lies in cultivating vibrant innovation cultures and devising robust growth strategies for global corporations. Stephen's journey unfolds across diverse sectors. From 2003 to 2014, he thrived in financial and energy markets, excelling as a derivatives trader. Transitioning to entrepreneurship, he founded and led two start-ups from 2014 to 2018, showcasing his innovation prowess.
Since 2018, Stephen has spearheaded corporate innovation, guiding multinational corporations to adapt and excel. Having lived and worked across multiple European countries, including the UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, his global perspective is enriched by multilingualism.
With an enduring legacy of propelling innovation and growth, Stephen Parkins remains at the forefront of shaping businesses across industries and borders.
Stephen’s Linkedln
Stephen’s Website
Welcome to this episode of The Modernist. A podcast dedicated to empowering your modern individual. In this episode, we welcome, and meet Eileen Willett. Born in Vancouver to Japanese parents, Eileen trained in fashion between Paris and San Francisco before settling in London to work at Nicole Farhi, where she helped grow the menswear brand.
She launched the multi-award-winning brand, Cucumber Clothing with her Co-founder Nancy Zeffman in 2017, making ‘luxurious clothing for everyday’, using ultra-soft technical fabrics. She was shortlisted for the 2020 Asian Woman of Achievement Awards. Eileen is Founder of the East Asian Girl Gang, a regular speaker on female entrepreneurship, slow fashion and diversity, particularly through an East Asian lens, in the workplace. She co-hosted i:Entrepreneur’s Wednesday Live, a series of interviews with diverse entrepreneurs and is an Allbright and FRA mentor.
Show Links:
Cucumber Clothing
Eileen's Linkedln
Welcome to this episode of The Modernists. A podcast dedicated to empowering your modern individual. In this episode, we welcome, and meet David Semmens. David Semmens, is Chief Investment Officer at Cadro and an External Investment Committee Member at Wealthify, where he was previously CIO. He holds additional investment committee/ advisory roles and is a lecturer at Heriot-Watt University.
We discuss with David his career path from Cambridge University to the world of investment which took him around various European cities, and ultimately to Edinburgh where he decided to settle. We speak about various topical issues from inflation, ESG, and the housing crisis.
David’s Linkedln
Book Recommendations from the show:
The Psychology of Money
The Rebus Books
Welcome to this episode of The Modernists. A podcast dedicated to empowering your modern individual through sharing the stories of inspiring founders and people of our community. In this episode, we welcome and meet Elodie Levasseur, who is a Neuroscience and Wellbeing Coach, speaker and podcast host.
In this episode, we discuss with Elodie her journey in terms of reinventing her career from leading a marketing team to now founding her own business called, The Shine Bright Academy. We talk about all things relating to career, leadership, and mindfulness.
Books recommendation:
The Infinite Game - Simon Sinek
Kyle Cease's book: I Hope I Screw This Up
Connect with Elodie:
info@theshinebrightacademy.com
https://www.theshinebrightacademy.com/
https://www.instagram.com/elodie_neuro_coach/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/elodielevasseur/
Welcome to this episode of The Modernist. A podcast dedicated to empowering your modern individual.
In this episode, we welcome, and meet Christina Anyiamuka. She is Head of Commercial Partnerships at Chloédigital, the leading growth strategy & business development partner for creators building businesses to scale. Christina has helped drive revenue and leveraged partnership opportunities for the past three years. Although she has a full-time job, she is still growing her own business Christinaathome, and managing a property portfolio valued over seven figures. She is passionate about having a growth mindset to achieve financial success in her career and personal life.
In this episode, we discuss with Christina her career journey which started in biotechnology but eventually led her to a successful career in sales and managing teams. She also shares her experience building a property portfolio as a side hustle and how she her life turned upside down when her sister unexpected passed away. This caused her to take on a matriarch role in the family and become the guardian of her sister's children. This experience led her to do a lot of internal work and learn about herself, the world, and the importance of a growth mindset.
Chloe Digital Website: https://chloedigital.com
We are super excited to welcome Christina, do not forget to like to subscribe and review The Modernist podcast so we can grow and expand our community.
Let’s get started!
Welcome to this episode of The Modernist. A podcast dedicated to empowering your modern individual. In this episode, we welcome and meet Raluca Racasan an interior designer with a wellness approach and the founder of her brand, I Love This Place. She helps clients use their homes as a medium to create wellbeing, and curate spaces where they can live mindfully.
In this episode, we discuss with Raluca her mental health journey, and how she used the design of her space to inspire her in this difficult time. We also talk about the importance of environmental psychology and how the design of our home can impact us.
Raluca’s Website: https://www.ilovethisplacedesigns.com
Make sure to like, comment, and subscribe to The Modernist podcast for bi-monthly inspiring episodes, released every second Thursday!
Welcome to this episode of The Modernist. A podcast dedicated to empowering your modern individual. In this episode, we welcome, and meet Cristina Ilao who is a wedding & branding photographer. She is the director of her own brand called, Cristina Ilao Photography.
In this week’s episode of The Modernist, we sit down with Cristina to learn about her inspirational career change. We explore how she built up the bravery to leave accounting and pursue her love of photography full-time by starting her own branding and wedding photography studio, Cristina Ilao Photography.
Cristina shares what propelled her to take the leap, how she dealt with the uncertainties and difficulties of switching paths, and her best advice for anyone looking to make major changes in their professional life. Her story will empower you to chase your dreams and take control of your career and future. Join us for an honest conversation about challenging comfort zones, the power of purpose, and the rewards of pursuing your passion. Cristina's journey will give you the motivation you need to create the life you want.
Cristina’s Website: https://cristinailao.com
Hey, guys welcome to this episode of The Modernist. A podcast dedicated to empowering your modern individual. Today, we have the pleasure of introducing you to Siobhan Mears, the visionary mastermind behind the Mears Collective—a beacon of business support through strategic expertise, efficient systems, streamlined processes, and impactful implementation.
In this episode, we delve deep into Siobhan's remarkable concept that underpins her own thriving business. Discover the essential elements that pave the way for a successful Business Strategy as Siobhan shares her invaluable insights and wisdom. Brace yourselves for a conversation that will unlock the secrets to running a flourishing business, providing you with practical tips and guidance.
Prepare to be inspired and equipped with the knowledge to elevate your own business ventures to unprecedented heights. This episode of The Modernists is your gateway to unleashing your true potential within your entrepreneurial journey. Together, we will unravel the key ingredients that pave the way for success, empowering you to create a thriving, and impactful business.
Please make sure to like, subscribe, and share The Modernist Podcast.
Siobhan’s Website: https://themearscollective.com
Welcome to this episode of The Modernists. A podcast dedicated to empoweringyour modern individual. Today, we are honoured to introduce you to a true forceof inspiration: Kirti Daryanani, the visionary behind Kirtana168. Withunyielding determination, she has dedicated herself to the noble cause ofbridging cultural gaps and amplifying the voices of individuals andorganizations alike.
Drawing from her diverse background, as a yoga teacher, extensivetravels, and engagements with esteemed organizations such as Morgan Stanley,Google, Bloomberg, and The Hague University, she also talks about relationalauthenticity and the importance of embracing our differences. As the author of"befriendurmind", Kirti wants to support who struggle withmindfulness, and are seeking an approachable method to face their discomforts.
We can’t wait to delve into the depths of Kirti's wisdom in thisepisode. Together, we shall explore her methods for nurturing the nextgeneration of trailblazing professionals, guiding them towards mastering theprofound art of communication.
Kirti’s Website: https://www.kirtana168.com
Welcome to this episode of The Modernists. A podcast dedicated to empowering your modern individual. Today, we have the absolute honour of introducing you to the visionary powerhouse, Jules Anderson—the brilliant mind behind Feel Glorious, a haven where tired, stressed, and overwhelmed professionals find solace. Get ready to witness the journey to reclaim our health, rediscover our energy, and reignite our unshakable confidence.
In this episode, we delve deep into Jules incredible story, tracing her path from a science background to the remarkable founding of her business. We explore the intricate ways in which stress, sleep deprivation, and changing hormones affect the lives of women. Brace yourselves for an enlightening discussion that will leave you feeling informed, uplifted, and profoundly inspired to prioritize your own well-being.
Please make sure to like, subscribe, and share The Modernist Podcast.
Jules Anderson Website: https://feelglorious.com
Welcome to this episode of The Modernist. A podcast dedicated to empowering your modern individual through sharing the stories of inspiring founders and people of our community. In this episode, we welcome and meet Rebecca Hanley, the founder of ‘The Curious Marketer’ who is passionate about helping small businesses leverage the power of storytelling.
In this episode, we discuss with Rebecca her journey of starting her own business and how she took a big career pivot. We then talk about the importance of rest and taking a break from our careers. Rebecca unpacks how this impacted her and in fact propelled her in her career. She then tells us a bit more about her business model.
Hey, guys welcome to this episode of The Modernist. A podcast dedicated to empowering your modern individual. In this episode, we welcome and meet Laura Moore the founder of the Mind Money Soul podcast and a money mindset coach.
In this episode, we discuss with Laura the concept behind her own brand and mindset towards managing our money as millennials. We hope to leave you feeling financial confident, able to build your own wealth and make your own rules by the end of the episode.
Welcome to this episode of The Modernist. A podcast dedicated to empowering your modern individual through sharing the stories of inspiring founders and people of our community. In this episode, we welcome and meet Ewan Kirk who graduated from the University of Cambridge with a degree in Mathematics. He is the founder and CEO of Cantab Capital Partners, a quantitative hedge fund based in Cambridge, England. He is known for his expertise in applying mathematical models to financial markets, and his firm has gained recognition for its strong performance in the industry. Prior to starting Cantab, he worked at Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan. He has also served as a member of the Advisory Board for the University of Cambridge Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics.
In this episode, we discuss with Ewan his journey from a mathematician to an entrepreneur in the world of finance. We also discuss his journey with Cantab Partners and his leadership mindset. I met Ewan during his talk at my college in Cambridge when he came to speak at our entrepreneur’s society. So, it is a great honour to have him on the podcast!
Hey, guys welcome to this episode of The Modernist. A podcast dedicated to empowering your modern individual through sharing the stories of inspiring founders and people of our community. In this episode, we welcome and meet Poppy Duffree, the founder of the Organised Interiors, a luxury home moving and unpacking service.
In this episode, we discuss with Poppy the concept behind her own brand and thoughts on good leadership. We hope this episode will leave you feeling inspired and empower you to be your own leader in the world.
The Modernist podcast is dedicated to empowering your modern individual through sharing the stories of our community. In this episode, we welcome and meet our co-host for the next few episodes Abena Aboagye a member of The Modernists community. Abena is a former pharmacy graduate and is now the founder of her own personal brand and podcast. In this episode, we discuss with Abena the art of trusting in situations which may not have turned out the way we expected. We unpack the concept of trust, what it means to trust and how we both have experienced this in our own lives.
In this episode of Mornings we welcome Fernando Carrilo the founder of WellWater which is a charity that raises up leaders to eliminate poverty. We discuss Fernando’s incredible story and what has gotten him to where he is now as well as why we all can become great leaders.
In this episode of Mornings with Melissa we sit down with the wonderful Sandra Ache, finalist for Miss Universe GB. We discuss all things related to the stigma around abuse and how to overcome it!
In this episode of Mornings with Melissa we sit down with the wonderful Abigail Johnston, finalist for Miss Universe GB, 4th Year Medical student and founder of the Bridging the Gap Academy. We will be covering what it means to feel fear and how we can use fear to propel us forward whether that’s in our personal or professional lives. Not only this but we share some tips to help you overcome your fears too!
In this episode of Mornings with Melissa we sit down with Rebecca Lim, Master of Architecture Student at UCL. In this episode we unpack what it means to live in a comparison culture and how faith can help us overcome that. Rebecca also shares her personal journey and aspirations within the career of architecture. We discuss how young women can be the ones to rise up within our industry to set an example.
Mornings with Melissa is a podcast dedicated to empowering your modern woman. In this episode of Mornings with Melissa, we welcome Jessica Clarke. Jessica is a certified life coach and NLP practitioner who has a passion to reframe your relationship story and find your inner passion.
In this episode of Mornings with Melissa, we welcome Tim Chong, the CEO of Simpl. Simpl is a fintech startup that is the first credit card designed for today’s generation. In our conversation we discuss the realities of being an entrepreneur in todays generation and how to build a business with faith as the foundation.
Mornings with Melissa is a podcast dedicated to sharing the stories of inspiring millennial women. In this episode of MwM, Melissa sits down to discuss about riding this wave of uncertainty we are all facing at this current time. She shares some of her own stories and gives some tips that you an take encouragement from.
In this next episode of Mornings with Melissa we sit down with Nia Sampson the founder of Compact Cane. Compact cane is essentially an invisible cane for visually impaired people. Nia founded Compact cane after listening to real life stories with people with sight loss and wanted to make a different. Nia shares with us her journey in founding her brand whilst also what has strengthened her along the way!
In this next episode of Mornings with Melissa we sit down with Nadine Banks founder of Re-Archive. Re-Archive is an online platform for conscious collaboration, with a focus on fashion, lifestyle and the environment. Re-Archive aims to normalize sustainability in the fashion industry by conducting personable interviews, creating inclusive and celebrated editorials as well as discussing and finding solutions with like-minded individuals. Nadine shares with us her inspiration for starting Re-Archive and her passion for being part of a global fashion sustainability movement. She also shares with us some of her tips as to how you can also shop sustainably.
Mornings with Melissa is a podcast in conversation with the inspiring women who are willing to share their stories, aspirations, and goals. In this episode of MwM Melissa sits down with Abena Aboagye pharmaceutical student from the University Bath. Abena shares what inspires her and how she maintains a positive attitude no matter the situation.
Mornings with Melissa is a podcast in conversation with the inspiring women who are willing to share their stories, aspirations, and goals. In this episode of MwM Melissa shares her story and what happened to her as a child. She shares how this has empowered her in her life today to be an inspiration to others.
An Introduction to Mornings with Melissa a podcast in conversation with the inspiring women who are willing to share their stories, aspirations, and goals.