Looks Like Work: Recent Episodes

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Today I'm chatting with Eleanor (Ellie) Kime, a messaging specialist who helps small business owners put more of their personality into their business. Ellie is the rare type of person who will hype you online even if she doesn't know you (which I LOVE) and the rarer yet type of people who write sales emails that make you want to become their best friend.

We chat about:

• The cobbler's kid thing... and how we deal with it as founders
• Realizing the true worth of your work is sometimes well beyond the dry deliverable
• How you are the only you, for better or worse
• You are the only expert for you
• Jealousy as an entrepreneur abnd what it has to do with Neil Diamond

Follow Ellie on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/eleanor_mollie

On Threads here: https://www.threads.com/@eleanor_mollie

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellie-kime

Visit her website here: https://www.eleanormollie.co.uk/

And listen to her podcast right here: http://eleanormollie.co.uk/jar

If this resonates, you're going to want to check out my other resources for founders:

• Get both your strategy and nervous system prepared for your next high-stakes meeting with a Meeting Prep Sesh
• Download thefree Unshrinking Workbook here
• And jump into my bi-weekly newsletter right here for more business real-talk and tools
• Let's continue this chat! Say hi on Instagram / Threads!

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Today me and my nasally post-flu voice sat down with someone I ADORE working with, Kelsey McCormick of Coming Up Roses. Kels is the undeniable Launch Queen and someone whose work I admire (I'm a repeat client!).

We discuss:

• Being a squiggly entrepreneur
• What it takes to trust yourself, your gut, and your business - and to commit to one flagship offer
• Mindset, limiting beliefs, and why they are not just for coaches
• How to scratch the restless ADHD itch without reinventing the wheel
• Finding your "sound"

Follow Kels!

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cominguproses.co/

On Threads: https://www.threads.com/@cominguproses.co

On her website: https://cominguproses.co/

If this resonates, you're going to want to check out my other resources for founders:

• Get both your strategy and nervous system prepared for your next high-stakes meeting with a Meeting Prep Sesh
• Download thefree Unshrinking Workbook here
• And jump into my bi-weekly newsletter right here for more business real-talk and tools
• Let's continue this chat! Say hi on Instagram / Threads!

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Today I'm chatting with Emilie Nutley, a money coach + consultant for online business owners, and in her words "if it touches money, I like to talk about it".

We chat about:

• Why we keep investing in programs that teach stuff we ALREADY know
• That secret unlock we're wishing for vs "what you know is enough, just keep doing the thing"
• Why wanting stuff is ok
• Ask yourself: Do you feel safe with what you have today?
• Focus on the missing piece, not the immediate gratification

Follow Emilie!

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilienutley/

On Threads: https://www.threads.com/@emilienutley

Visit her website here: www.emilienutley.co.uk

If this resonates, you're going to want to check out my other resources for founders:

• Get both your strategy and nervous system prepared for your next high-stakes meeting with a Meeting Prep Sesh (proven results, over 40 sessions conducted in the last year)
• Download thefree Unshrinking Workbook here
• And jump into my bi-weekly newsletter right here for more business real-talk and tools
• Let's continue this chat! Say hi on Instagram / Threads!

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Today I'm chatting with Lauren DeGolia, Success Coach & Chief Expansion Officer + the host of one of my favorite podcasts, Corporate F*ckery, which is in the top 10% of Careers podcasts.

We chat about:

• Treating your business as a person - and why you totally should
• Letting your future self take the wheel when it comes to decisions (that does not mean procrastinating! I see you)
• And so much more

Follow Lauren on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/lauren.degolia/

Visit her website here: www.laurendegolia.com

And listen to her podcast right here: https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/corporate-fckery-lauren-degolia-l4LmxF9uckz/

If this resonates, you're going to want to check out my other resources for founders:

• Meeting Prep Sesh - make sure your strategy and nervous system are both ready for your next high-stakes meeting or conversation
• Download thefree Unshrinking Workbook here
• And jump into my bi-weekly newsletter right here for more business real-talk and tools
• Let's continue this chat! Say hi on Instagram / Threads!

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Today I'm chatting with Michelle Ong, Founder / Social Media Content Strategist at Hello Lemon Media. I love Mishelle's approach to both social media and business, so it was a treat chatting with her!

This is another one I recorded while I had the flu (and still naively thought it was just a cold) so sorry for the nasally voice :)

We chat about:

• Infusing personality into the way you market yourself on social media
• Marketing with purpose, not pressure
• Separating your sense of self-worth from your business
• Boundaries, identity, and being a founder - and existing ALONGSIDE our business
• Creativity that transcends our business
• Blocking time on the calendar for rest and play

Follow Michelle!

On Instagram: www.instagram.com/byhellolemon

Visit her website here: www.hellolemonmedia.com

If this resonates, you're going to want to check out my other resources for founders:

• Get into the lab for an accelerated coaching experience
• Download thefree Unshrinking Workbook here
• And jump into my bi-weekly newsletter right here for more business real-talk and tools
• Let's continue this chat! Say hi on Instagram / Threads!

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“If your business dragged you to couples therapy, what would it say?”

Grab something to drink and take a seat — because you’re gonna want to sit down for this.

Your daily voice note from me and my favorite online founders, sharing what they’ve learned from being in the trenches with their biz.

A gentle reminder you’re not the only one navigating the ups and downs of life with your business.

If this resonates, you're going to want to check out my other resources for founders:

• Get into the lab for an accelerated coaching experience
• Download thefree Unshrinking Workbook here
• And jump into my bi-weekly newsletter right here for more business real-talk and tools
• Let's continue this chat! Say hi on Instagram / Threads!

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Guest BioLinda Du is the founder of Moola Money, a FinTech startup providing financial guidance for millennials. A British-Chinese first-generation immigrant with an engineering degree from Cambridge and MBA from Yale, Linda spent 4.5 years at McKinsey advising global banks before leaving to build her own ventures. Her international journey spans London, Dubai, Berlin, and Silicon Valley, bringing a unique global perspective to democratizing financial literacy. She also runs Okta Investment, applying over a decade of retail investing experience.

Episode Summary

Linda shares her journey from McKinsey consultant to FinTech founder, driven by an embrace of chaos and the "outsider advantage." We explore how being perpetually foreign shaped her ability to navigate uncertainty, why Germany's Industry 2.0 mindset struggles in today's volatile world, and how undiagnosed ADHD led to burnout but ultimately revealed her entrepreneurial superpowers. Linda reveals why even high-earning professionals struggle with personal finance and how transparency—not complexity—is the key to financial empowerment.

Key Takeaways

1. The Outsider Advantage: Being perpetually foreign gives you permission to shape your own identity and break cultural norms—a superpower for founders
2. Chaos Over Control: In a world of infinite unknowns, the ability to navigate chaos beats trying to control outcomes
3. De-risking vs Control: Instead of trying to control everything, focus on reducing risk while maintaining flexibility
4. Purpose + Lifestyle: Sustainable work comes from both caring about what you do AND designing a lifestyle that supports your neurodivergence
5. Financial Transparency: People's finances are often better than they imagine—they just need clarity, not more complexity

Memorable Quotes

"I embraced the fact that I would always be an outsider. And there's actually a lot of incredible power in that because people can't really expect you to fit into cultural norms."

"Risk equals reward, but it's about how do you be smart in taking that risk?"

"I see so much opportunity for international collaboration... but I feel like we're going in another direction where countries and states are starting to say, let's do things our way."

"If you didn't have to work for a living, what would you do with your time?"

Resources Mentioned

• Pierre Bourdieu's forms of capital (economic, cultural, social)
• Maslow's hierarchy of needs
• China Plus One investment strategy
• Stanford investor education program
• Moola Money: [Website link]
• Gravitas - 1:1 accelerator for biz owners stepping into their founder era
• The Curiosity Lab - Strategy sessions for leaders by Chedva
• You’re Gonna Want to Sit Down for This - bi-weekly email packed with lessons and free tools
• Chedva's newsletter - Weekly musings and questions

Reflection Questions

1. How might being an "outsider" in your industry actually be your biggest advantage?
2. Where in your life are you trying to control outcomes instead of de-risking?
3. What would you do with your time if money wasn't a factor?

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Guest BioYewande Faloyin is the founder of Otito Leadership and a certified executive coach specializing in energy leadership and performance optimization. With a unique background spanning software development at IBM and Morgan Stanley, management consulting at McKinsey, and hedge fund advisory, Yewande brings a holistic approach to leadership development. After experiencing severe burnout, she discovered coaching and became certified in energy leadership, helping leaders move from burnout cycles to sustainable peak performance.

Episode SummaryIn this powerful conversation, Yewande shares her unconventional journey from tech to leadership coaching, driven by a pattern of boredom that led to continuous evolution. We explore the dangerous myth of "pushing through" in high-achievement cultures and why traditional resilience might be keeping us stuck. Yewande introduces her revolutionary framework that moves beyond burnout recovery to true performance optimization - where rest becomes a strategic tool and integration of mind, body, and spirit drives sustainable success.

Key Takeaways1. Boredom as a Compass: What seems like restlessness might actually be your internal guidance system pointing you toward your next evolution 2. The Performance Paradox: True high performance isn't about pushing harder - it's about mastery orientation over outcome orientation 3. Integration Over Separation: The greatest transformations happen when we stop compartmentalizing and start integrating all aspects of ourselves - technical and creative, strategic and intuitive 4. Quality Over Compliance: Going through the motions of self-care (yoga, sleep, nutrition) means nothing if the energy behind them is angry or resentful 5. Rest as Performance Enhancement: Athletes rest 75% of the time - why do knowledge workers think they can perform while running on empty?

Memorable Quotes"If it's your calling, it'll keep calling."

"I often say that rest is your only legal performance enhancer."

"You could choose to rest, I could choose to rest, and yours could be effective and mine might not be because of the how."

"No one else's answer makes any difference whatsoever. It's all about you and what's important to you. And that's okay to switch it every single day."

Resources Mentioned* Energy Leadership certification (IPEC) * Website: [Otito Leadership website] * Yewande on LinkedIn * Gravitas - 1:1 accelerator for biz owners stepping into their founder era * The Curiosity Lab - Strategy sessions for leaders by Chedva * You’re Gonna Want to Sit Down for This - bi-weekly email packed with lessons and free tools * Chedva's newsletter - Weekly musings and questions

Reflection Questions1. Where in your life are you "ticking boxes" without addressing the quality or energy behind your actions? 2. What would change if you viewed rest as a performance tool rather than a weakness? 3. How might boredom be guiding you toward your next evolution?

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In this transformative conversation, Palveshey Tariq—founder of Alternative Coaching Methods—shares her journey from quantum physics and AI research to guiding others through plant medicine ceremonies. After collecting all the accolades in STEM but feeling empty inside, a suic*de attempt led to a two-year journey of meditating 4-8 hours daily and completely rewiring her relationship with herself. What started as reaching for psilocybin mushrooms as an escape became five hours of taking ownership of her role in her own suffering. The conversation explores how we trade our authentic selves for conditional love starting in childhood, why observing our behavior (internally and externally) changes everything, and how fear drives most of our achievements until we learn to operate from integrity instead. Palveshey reveals her morning routine, why "discipline is the highest form of self-respect," and how asking "How do you know it's true?" can dismantle an entire belief system.

Key Topics:

• From quantum physics to consciousness: the observer effect applied internally
• Why high achievement doesn't equal high performance (vitality and balance)
• Trading authenticity for love: "I am who I think you think I am"
• A psilocybin ceremony that wasn't an escape but a mirror
• The body screaming what the mind ignores: menstrual pain as communication
• Morning routine as self-respect: meditation, walking, yoga, reading, then clients

Notable Quotes:

• "Plant medicines shed light on all the dark areas and assign you homework, but you still have to go home and do the work."
• "There's a fine line between owning your shit and being full of it."
• "In order to become a graceful master, we need to look like a foolish beginner."
• "In order for a spiritual awakening to happen, there has to be a mental breakdown."
• "Creation and contribution are the antidotes for comparison and criticism".

Palveshey's Powerful Question: "How do you know it's true?"—And the crucial follow-up: "What's truer?"

Key Lessons:

• Our subconscious starts believing love is conditional around age 2-3
• The difference between religion and spirituality/devotion
• Integration is the most important part of plant medicine work
• Your body whispers before it screams—listen early
• Four motivators: fear, desire, duty, or love—know which drives you
• Turn "why me?" into "watch me"
• Right and wrong are illusions—feel what's right in the moment

Resources Mentioned:

• Alternative Coaching Methods
• The Diamond Cutter (and other books mentioned on this season - affiliate links)
• No Bullshit Spirituality newsletter - one hard truth, one simple turnaround
• LinkedIn for Palveshey's writings
• Gravitas - 1:1 accelertaors for biz owners stepping into their founder era
• The Curiosity Lab - Strategy sessions for leaders by Chedva
• You’re Gonna Want to Sit Down for This - bi-weekly email packed with lessons and free tools
• Chedva's newsletter - Weekly musings and questions

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In this deeply moving conversation, Yonat Friling - Frühling—Senior Field Producer at Fox News with 20 years in the field—shares her journey from a tiny desert community in Israel to the Oval Office and war zones around the world. Starting with a child's determination to witness history firsthand after watching the Berlin Wall fall on TV, Yonat built a career that puts her at the center of breaking news. The conversation explores how she fought gender barriers to get into the field, why she called every field crew member to apologize after her first day on location, and what it means to carry the weight of covering tragedies like October 7th. Yonat opens up about breaking the "shields" journalists build around themselves, the importance of vulnerability in a profession that demands toughness, and how she's learning that having your dream job doesn't mean sacrificing your dream life.

Key Topics:

• "I want to be THERE"—watching the Berlin Wall fall at age 9
• Why everyone in the control room should spend a day in the field
• Covering October 7th and losing friends on both sides
• Breaking the shame barrier around journalists' mental health
• The fragility of life: from Morocco's earthquake to Gaza's war
• Finding ways to have both your dream job AND dream life

Notable Quotes:

• "If you assume that you already have the no, you already lost. So have the no and try to work around it."
• "I want to be there...in the front seat of history"—at age 9 watching the Berlin Wall fall
• "The first day I was out in the field...I called all the people I used to work with and apologized."
• "You're not the tiny child from Sde Boker...standing behind the president in the Oval Office"
• "When you try to bury down [your pain], the toll is even greater because you lose so much of yourself."
• "Even the most devastating days of your life can be a stepping stone for moving forward."

Yonat's Powerful Questions:

• "Was it a good day?"—Asked daily, finding at least three good things
• "Is there something that I haven't asked that I should have?"—The magic happens after the interview ends

Key Lessons:

• The "no" is just the starting point—work around it
• Everyone thinks about failures; rewire your brain to think about successes
• Mental health is just health—there's no shame in seeking help
• You can build shields to protect yourself, but they also keep people away
• Being afraid in dangerous situations is healthy—everyone should be asked
• Progress for women in journalism: yes, but not enough

Resources Mentioned:

• Yonat on Fox News—20 years as Senior Field Producer
• Yonat’s Linkedin
• Brené Brown's work on vulnerability
• Gravitas - 1:1 accelertaors for biz owners stepping into their founder era
• The Curiosity Lab - Strategy sessions for leaders by Chedva
• You’re Gonna Want to Sit Down for This - bi-weekly email packed with lessons and free tools
• Chedva's newsletter - Weekly musings and questions

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In this energizing conversation, Jasz Joseph—founder of Jasz Rae Digital and HubSpot CRM consultant—shares how burnout from tracking billable hours in 0.25 increments led her to build a business centered on time freedom and travel. After calling her CEO to quit and having him become her second client, Jasz has spent four and a half years creating systems that allow her LinkedIn posts, newsletters, and sales campaigns to run while she's exploring coffee shops in Mexico City. The conversation dives into the trap of tying identity to business success, why "business should be boring" might be the best advice she's received, and how asking "why not?" can uncover the people-pleasing tendencies that hold us back. Jasz reveals how she's learned to sit in the discomfort of slow seasons and trust that busy times will return—all while refusing to track a single billable hour.

Key Topics:

• Why efficient people get penalized in the billable hours model
• Building systems that work while you're at the beach (or in Mexico City coffee shops)
• The identity trap: when business struggles feel like personal failure
• Learning to sit in slow seasons without panicking
• The eldest daughter to entrepreneur pipeline (it's real)
• Travel as a business priority: working from everywhere
• Finding excitement outside the business when it becomes "rinse and repeat"

Notable Quotes:

• "I caught myself one day folding laundry, and I said to myself, 'That took 0.25 of an hour.' And I was like, this is crazy"
• "Business should be boring. That's when you know you've kind of made it"
• "My LinkedIn posts are going out, my newsletter is going out, my sales outreach campaigns are going out, and I don't have to move a muscle"
• "I was like, 'What's next for us?' Revenue was lower...and because my business was so wrapped up in my identity, I took that so personally"
• "Sometimes your flowery is bigger and sometimes your flowery is too small and you need more of it"
• "We live in a society that is uncomfortable with quiet, with stillness"
• "It's one of the cool things about getting older—you start to collect all of these like, 'Wait, I did that' or 'Wait, I can do that'"

Jasz's Powerful Question: "Why not?"—Often followed by "What's the worst thing that could happen?" to uncover the people-pleasing tendencies and fears that hold us back.

Resources Mentioned:

• Jasz Rae Digital - HubSpot CRM consulting
• Christina Langdon - Chedva's former coach - on Looks Like Work

Key Lessons:

• Automation should give you time back, not enable more hustle
• Your business being your whole identity makes failures feel personal
• Slow seasons are for nourishment, not panic
• Gateway questions help you approach big, scary decisions
• The evidence of your resilience already exists—you just need to collect it
• Travel and business integration creates a life of genuine freedom

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Claude can make mistakes.

Please double-check responses.

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In this open and vulnerable conversation, Ellen Hockley—three-time founder and consultant—shares her winding path from shredding paper at her family's real estate business to building (and closing) multiple ventures of her own. After launching one of the first eco-friendly event planning companies in NYC, Ellen navigated the collapse of the events industry during COVID while simultaneously starting a sustainable maternity activewear brand—the same week her first son was born. The conversation explores the emotional weight of closing a business, the lessons learned from "fucking up" your books, and why managing 100 employees was never going to be her path. Ellen reveals how each venture taught her something crucial about herself, from discovering she doesn't actually like retail to learning that scarcity creates urgency in time management.

Key Topics:

• Growing up in entrepreneurship: from paper shredder to potential successor
• Building one of NYC's first sustainable event planning companies
• The waste crisis in events: when raising money for education means dumping platters of food
• Pandemic pivot: closing events while opening an apparel business (with a newborn)
• The reality of overlapping businesses during COVID lockdowns
• Why product-based businesses are nothing like service businesses
• Why closing a business takes over a year (emotionally and practically)
• Building boundaries: no credit cards, no employees, meetings only 9-noon

Notable Quotes:

• "I had two babies in the same week"—on starting Evergreen the week her son was born
• "My husband was like, 'You need to find a hobby.' I'm pretty sure he meant sourdough, not start a new business"
• "I joke that I now have an MBA, both from what I learned, but also what I spent"
• "To somebody on a podcast recently, they said 'You're just sowing your seeds.' And I was like, that is exactly what I'm doing"
• "Something there failed, but it wasn't a failure. There were many successes"
• "The fact that you can deal with things and that you're brave and strong doesn't mean you want to put yourself in a position to deal with it"

Ellen's Powerful Question: "Why are you driven to do this?"—A question she believes every entrepreneur must be able to answer, or it's time for a deeper conversation about why you're here.

Resources Mentioned:

• Ellen Hockley Consulting - Current venture
• Chedva on Ellen and Kat’s podcast - Good Ideas + Bad Decisions
• Ellen’s Linkedin
• SNL pandemic psychic skit

Key Lessons:

• Service-based vs. product-based businesses require completely different skills
• Interview your bookkeeper about their specific experience (Shopify ≠ service business)
• Build from your scars: know what risks you will and won't take again
• Closing a business is both physical and emotional work
• Every failed venture teaches you what kind of founder you want to be next

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In this candid conversation between old friends and former co-founders, Hannit Cohen—VP R&D at Easy and Chedva's past CTO at Emerj—shares her journey through tech's boom-bust cycles from the late '90s and ever since. From starting as a programmer in the Israeli army to becoming one of the few female CTOs in tech, Hannit discusses the strategic choices that shaped her career, including the difficult decision to step back from deep tech to raise her three children. They explore what it truly means to build diverse teams (Hannit's current team is 50% women), the importance of creating psychologically safe work environments, and why asking "What do you want to be when you grow up?" never gets old. The conversation touches on the harsh realities of raising money as female co-founders, the myth of work-life balance, and why the best managers plan for their employees' careers beyond the current company.

Key Topics:

• Navigating tech's cyclical nature through multiple boom-bust cycles
• Strategic career planning: From programmer to CTO by 35
• The difficult choice between high-level tech roles and family time
• Building truly diverse teams
• The evolution (or lack thereof) of workplace culture for women in tech
• Why "unlimited vacation days" is the greatest scam in tech
• The challenges of being self-employed when you love coding but hate business
• Raising money as female co-founders doing "soft" social good work
• Creating psychological safety and shutting down inappropriate workplace behavior
• Mentoring as the most enjoyable part of leadership

Notable Quotes:

• "You don't have to have a wonderful idea to succeed. You need to have a decent idea... What matters more than that is the execution on all bases."
• "At the time, programming was a world of the youngs... You knew for sure that your only way to have a career in this world will be to become an executive."
• "The higher you get, the percentage [of women] goes down a lot."
• "You don't have to live with this masculine bullshit around you."
• "When I look at my job, I think that's a very crucial part of it, to look at my people and tell, okay, they're working here now, but it's only a step."

Hannit's Powerful Question: "What do you want to do when you grow up?" (Asked to herself and her team members at every stage of their careers)

Resources Mentioned:

• Hannit Cohen on LinkedIn
• Emerj - The startup Chedva and Hannit co-founded
• The Curiosity Lab - Strategy sessions for leaders by Chedva
• Chedva's newsletter - Weekly musings and questions

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In this profound conversation, Liza Futerman, a somatic educator, practitioner, and artist, shares her journey from Soviet Russia to Israel, her academic journey pursuing advanced degrees at Oxford and Toronto, and how movement and language became her twin resources for navigating identity, loss, and healing. Liza's life took an unexpected turn when her mother was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's. This led her back to movement through contact improvisation, particularly mixed-abilities dance, where she discovered new ways of understanding leadership, disability, and what it means to be human. The conversation explores how major life disruptions - from immigration to divorce to witnessing war in one's neighborhood - can reconnect us to our bodies and reshape our relationship with uncertainty.

Key Topics:

• Immigration and identity: Finding home between Russian, Hebrew, and English
• The body-mind split and the journey toward integration
• Using photography and narrative to communicate with a parent with Alzheimer's
• Contact improvisation as a path to healing trauma and anxiety
• Mixed-abilities dance and the intersection of visible and invisible disabilities
• Somatic approaches to grief, money, and taboo subjects
• Leadership as a question rather than certainty
• How major life events force us to reconsider our relationship with control
• The nervous system's response to crisis and the importance of discharge
• Academic competition versus embodied learning environments

Notable Quotes:

• "As opposed to Russian and Hebrew, my self did not exist in English. And so I could shape it the way I wanted."
• "Whatever is hard, whatever is challenging can be done easier, can be done in a more gentle way."
• "If something is hard, it means that it's not getting the right support."
• "I came to this class and we were invited to lie on the floor. And it was just like an answer to all of my prayers."
• "All of a sudden I was dancing in the studio with people with wheelchairs... And that made me feel human again."

Liza's Powerful Questions:

• "How should a human be?" (from Kelly Rodriguez)
• "How to ask questions?"
• "What support do I need and how to ask for that support and where to ask the support from?"

Resources Mentioned:

• Liza's website
• Liza’s TEDx talk about dementia
• "What We All Long For" by Dionne Brand
• "Maus" by Art Spiegelman
• Get access to CuriosityGPT and find your gateway questions
• Connect with your leader mindset and walk out with an actionable roadmap - join the Curiosity Lab

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In this deeply reflective conversation, Myriam Hadnes, facilitator, podcaster, and founder of Workshops Work, joins Chedva to explore the intersection of facilitation, belonging, and authenticity. Growing up with an Israeli father and German mother in Germany, then living across continents, Myriam embodies the intercultural perspective she brings to her work. They discuss how facilitators often begin as children trying to make everyone feel included, the tension between belonging and authenticity, and why corporate "professionalism" might be the cage we need to break free from. Myriam shares her journey from discovering she's a facilitator while reading Priya Parker's book to writing her own choose-your-own-adventure book about unprofessionalism—because sometimes the most professional thing you can do is be human.

Key Topics:

• Facilitators as the observing, sensitive children who make everyone get along
• The physical reaction to exclusion and the urge to include everyone
• Creating psychological safety in multicultural corporate teams
• The tension between belonging and authenticity (Gabor Maté)
• Why "going through the motions" of emotions can heal
• Remote work and the lost art of kitchen gossip
• Unprofessionalism as reclaiming our humanity at work
• The difference between fixing ourselves and accepting ourselves
• How modeling comfort gives others permission to be authentic
• Why corporate professionalism no longer fits our times

Notable Quotes:

• "I think we very early unconsciously start facilitating our families. We are often the children... observing, very sensitive to what's going on, very sensitive to what's not outspoken."
• "I have this inner urge to include everyone, to listen to people, to not teach them and tell them, but help them develop their own thinking."
• "What they very quickly realize is what they need is a little bit more compassion to themselves and to each other."
• "The most disarming moment is to feel seen. Not the superficial kind of hello and tap on the shoulder... but really feeling seen and heard."
• "If we can see it, we can do it."
• "We've forgotten that the world of work is not about being professional. It's about being human."
• "If we continuously feel like we're not good enough... we'll start pretending just to cover it up... And then we'll end up as imposters pretending that we are someone who we're not."

Myriam's Powerful Question: "What would you do if you were not afraid?"

Resources Mentioned:

• Workshops.work - Myriam's boutique agency
• "The Art of Gathering" by Priya Parker
• Gabor Maté's work on belonging vs. authenticity
• The Curiosity Lab - Concentrated strategy container
• Chedva's newsletter - Weekly musings and questions

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In this powerful conversation, Dr. Orit Kamir—feminist scholar, human rights researcher, and initiator of Israel's sexual harassment prevention law—joins Chedva to explore how narratives shape our reality and why feminism requires constant vigilance. Orit shares her journey from believing in Israel's "equality myth" to becoming blacklisted for her feminist advocacy, and how she foresaw the current regression in women's rights. They discuss the insidious power of patriarchal storytelling, from biblical Eve to modern "tradwife" content, and why doing feminism "for show" can eventually manifest real change. The conversation touches on the importance of reclaiming our terminology, maintaining hard-won habits of equality, and understanding that women's rights are human rights—especially when both are under attack.

Key Topics:

• The "equality myth" and feminist awakening in different cultures
• Being secretly blacklisted for feminist advocacy—and the relief of vindication
• How narratives, language, and images shape patriarchal reality
• The Donna Reed to "tradwife" pipeline—why old patterns keep returning
• Sexual harassment law in Israel—30 years of progress and pushback
• Why "going through the motions" can lead to real cultural change
• COVID and war as moments that expose underlying patriarchy
• The extreme right's talent for co-opting feminist language
• Reclaiming feminism, learning, and our right to ideology
• Why universalism matters—feminism as part of human rights

Notable Quotes:

• "I was brought up into the equality myth... that sexual inequality was something that belonged elsewhere. It was a part of other cultures, but certainly not mine."
• "We live through narratives... What we see and what we remember, what we recall and what we understand are stories."
• "Denial is not my strength. So when I saw this, I understood what it meant."
• "We do not learn from the experience of previous generations. And so we have to repeat their mistakes over and over again."
• "Habits are important... These habits are what creates reality."
• "You can't be a feminist if you're a racist. You can't be a feminist if you want to abuse people economically."

Orit's Powerful Question: "If something is meaningful when I do it for others, is it not just as meaningful when I do it for myself?"

Resources Mentioned:

• Dr. Orit Kamir's website (in English and Hebrew)
• Dr Kamir’s new book (Hebrew)
• Dr Kamir’s latest book in English
• The Israeli sexual harassment prevention law of 1998
• Professor Catharine MacKinnon
• Get access to CuriosityGPT
• Join the Curiosity Lab - Chedva's concentrated strategy process

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In this deeply personal conversation, Iona Holloway, founder and keynote speaker at Brave Thing, joins Chedva to explore how becoming a mother at 35 sharpened her already strong opinions and shortened her bullshit filter. They dive into the transformative power of motherhood, the difference between being special and being precious, and what it really means to be brave. Iona shares her journey from a struggling 29-year-old to finding freedom through inner work, and how pregnancy and motherhood shifted her from deep emotional facilitation to helping others shine through public speaking. The conversation touches on the 5 and 95 rule, time travel within ourselves, and why sometimes our greatest strengths come from accepting we're not coming to save ourselves—we have to do it.

Key Topics:

• How motherhood intensifies both fierceness and vulnerability
• The difference between being special and being precious
• Strong opinions, loosely held—and respecting others who disagree
• The 5 and 95 rule: making your inner child happy and your 95-year-old self proud
• Pivotting in different stages of life
• Moving from Scotland to the US and finding permission to heal
• Bravery as the collision of strength and vulnerability

Notable Quotes:

• "I'm operating on the principle that if this is the time I've got, then I may as well be living as true to whatever the current version of Iona exists."
• "None of us are special, but we are all very precious things."
• "At any given time, you have to decide that you are the one that you have been waiting for, looking for, needing. No one is coming to save you."
• "Your body's a scrapbook and it holds the memories of your life in its pages."
• "Bravery is where strength and vulnerability collide—strong with your heart turned on."
• "If someone's giving you 10 minutes of their time, then you better make it worth their attention."

Iona's Powerful Question: "Someone in your life needs a braver version of you to exist. Who is your someone?"

Resources Mentioned:

• Iona Holloway's website
• Star Power - Iona's 5-week speaking intensive program
• Follow Iona on social media @ionaholloway
• Ghost: Why Perfect Women Shrink - Iona’s bestselling book
• CuriosityGPT - Free tool for gateway questions
• The Curiosity Lab - Chedva's concentrated strategy process
• Chedva's newsletter - Weekly questions and musings

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In this profound conversation, leadership and intuition expert Tal Shavit joins Chedva to explore the intersection of spirituality and business, feminine leadership models, and the courage to follow inner guidance. Tal shares her journey from McKinsey consultant to co-leading Double You retreat with 11 women, her transformative year prioritizing spiritual practice, and the pivotal moment she said no to a 60-day meditation retreat because her inner voice told her she wanted "to be in the world with friends." Together, they discuss how jealousy can be a powerful pointer to our desires, the difference between productive rest and rest as productivity, and what it means to bring intuition into real-world leadership decisions. The conversation touches on hustle culture recovery, the vulnerability required for creativity, and how our backgrounds affect our relationship with safety and risk-taking.

Key Topics:

• Co-leading an organization with 11 women and exploring feminine leadership models
• Using jealousy as a compass for understanding what we truly want
• The intersection of spiritual practice and business leadership
• Learning to prioritize rest as part of the work, not separate from it
• How hustle culture affects millennial women even when we consciously reject it
• The relationship between safety, vulnerability, and creativity
• Bringing intuition and inner guidance into practical decision-making
• How personal background affects our relationship with risk and failure
• The relationship between perseverance and avoiding difficult questions
• Creating space for playfulness and curiosity in professional settings

Notable Quotes:

• "If there's jealousy that's coming up, this is a pointer that there is something that's important for me."
• "Top athletes spend between 20 to 40% of their time in complete rest... A huge part of the build is through the rest periods."
• "The way that I see intuition or inner guidance is not just Tal or Chedva's personal thing - is the ability to connect to that which is wider from within ourselves."
• "There's no way I will play and be silly, truly, if I'm not feeling safe, but this is also a huge catalyzer for creativity and innovation."
• "Our bodies remember these things... our experience of failure and safety, depending on our background, is completely different."

Tal's Powerful Question: "In a world of no failure, like there's no way for you to fail, and no cost... What is the most exuberant, beautiful, enlivening, energizing vision you have for your life?"

Resources Mentioned:

• Tal on Linkedin
• Double You retreat - women's leadership retreat organization with 1,000+ active members
• Stephie Knopel on Looks Like Work
• "Growing on the Job" - book about adult development theory in workplace settings
• Brené Brown's work on vulnerability and organizational safety
• Gateway questions and cohabitating with big questions

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In this deeply moving and wide-ranging conversation, Tiffany Yu — CEO and founder of Diversability and author of The Anti-Ableist Manifesto — joins Chedva to unpack what it means to live, lead, and love in a world not built with all bodies in mind. Tiffany shares her powerful journey from childhood trauma and societal shame to outspoken disability advocate, community builder, and proud disabled woman. Together, she and Chedva explore identity, grief, community, the labor of disclosure, and what it really takes to ask (and answer) better questions.

With humor, honesty, and vulnerability, they discuss how disability isn't something to fix, but something to understand — in ourselves and in each other. This episode also touches on the nuances of being perceived as “inspiring,” the cultural shift around visibility, and what happens when we stop hiding and start naming our truths out loud.

Key Topics:

• The “second origin story” of disability: from shame to self-acceptance to ownership
• What makes a question inclusive — and what doesn’t
• The hidden labor of showing up with visible or invisible disabilities
• From Wall Street to advocacy: how Tiffany built community in every chapter
• Inspiration vs. objectification: the danger of “inspiring by existing”
• What pride looks like after trauma, loss, and healing
• The evolving language of neurodivergence and identity
• The power (and politics) of naming — ourselves, our needs, our truths
• Building access into everything — including your own work and rest
• Joy as resistance, biking as healing, and naming your bike “Stanley”
• Me → We → Us: how transformative change begins at the personal level

Notable Quotes:

• “Community was always the through line. Before I was a disability advocate, I was a community builder.”
• “Disability is not something to fix. It’s an identity, a culture, a perspective — not a problem.”
• “I had to unlearn that I was broken. And learn that I get to take up space.”
• “Be curious — but respect boundaries.”
• “If you took disability out of the picture, would you still describe that person as inspiring?”
• “We need curiosity that connects, not curiosity that intrudes.”

Tiffany’s Powerful Question:
“What’s something that brought you joy recently?”

Resources Mentioned:

• The Anti-Ableist Manifesto by Tiffany Yu
• Diversability
• Stella Young’s TED Talk: “I’m Not Your Inspiration, Thank You Very Much”
• Emily Ladau, disability advocate
• Dreamers & Doers Community
• Get access to CuriosityGPT — your strategic thinking partner in question form
• Join The Curiosity Lab to explore identity, values, and direction in the face of life’s fog

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In this inspiring conversation, Tali Slonim, CEO and founder of The Stretcher and author of "Unleash Your Talent," shares her journey from corporate HR executive to entrepreneur, coach, and author. Together, Chedva and Tali explore the concept of the "zone of genius" - that sweet spot where passion meets ability - and how major life changes like divorce, loss, and global events can force us to reevaluate our priorities. Tali opens up about her transformation from workaholic to someone who has found sustainable success by questioning traditional work paradigms and asking herself what's truly right for her. The conversation touches on the power of daily writing, the importance of bringing your whole self to work, and how vulnerability and authenticity in business can actually increase credibility and trust.

Key Topics:

• The zone of genius: where passion and ability intersect
• Transitioning from corporate workaholic to balanced entrepreneur
• How major life events (divorce, loss, COVID, war) reshape priorities
• The slash (multi-hyphenate) lifestyle: managing multiple roles and identities
• Daily writing as a practice for self-discovery and connection
• Bringing authenticity and vulnerability to professional spaces
• The importance of questioning "what's right for me" vs. external expectations
• How personal tragedies can provide life perspective and proportionality
• Writing a book in three months while in flow state
• Creating physical spaces that reflect and support your work

Notable Quotes:

• "When you work in what you're passionate about, it only looks like work. It doesn't feel like work."
• "We are both recovered workaholics."
• "On your stone, no one writes 'she didn't spend enough time at work' or 'she was a great HR executive.' People always talk about the kind of friend you were, about the kind of mother, the kind of person you were."
• "Once you're in [the zone of genius], it almost feels like you're volunteering, because it's stuff that you would be ready to do for free."
• "Work is important but it's not everything... It's part of my life. I'm also other things. It's not 100% of my identity."

Tali's Powerful Question: "What's truly right for me? What's right for my values, what's right for my long-term journey, what makes me feel good even physically."

Resources Mentioned:

• "Unleash Your Talent" by Tali Slonim
• Tali Slonim on Linkedin
• "The Big Leap" by Dr. Gay Hendricks (zone of genius concept)
• CTI (Co-Active Training Institute) coaching methodology
• Get access to CuriosityGPT and find your gateway questions
• Connect with your leader mindset and walk out with an actionable roadmap and insights that you actually want to follow - join the Curiosity Lab

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In this profound conversation, filmmaker Tal Barda shares her journey of documenting the unseen realities of our world. Growing up between cultures (Israeli, French, and American), Tal developed a fearless curiosity that drove her to explore places and stories most people prefer to avoid - from prisons to Gaza, from ultra-Orthodox communities to immigrant families navigating tradition versus personal freedom. She discusses her recent film I Shall Not Hate about a Palestinian doctor from Gaza, which was completed just one week before October 7th, and how that tragedy transformed both the film's meaning and her mission as a filmmaker. The conversation explores the intersection of curiosity and introspection, the challenge of belonging when you're always the outsider, and how witnessing difficult realities can lead to personal transformation and social change.

Key Topics:

• Using documentary filmmaking to reveal hidden and ignored realities
• The power of curiosity as a driving force for personal and professional growth
• Growing up between cultures and how that shapes perspective
• The challenge and responsibility of filmmaking during times of conflict
• Balancing personal safety with the calling to witness difficult truths
• The difference between telling big stories through small, human lenses
• Finding belonging as a perpetual outsider
• The intersection of art, activism, and human connection
• Managing the intensity of extreme subject matter while maintaining humanity

Notable Quotes:

• "I'm always looking at reality, but the reality that most of us prefer not to see or to ignore."
• "If you meet one person and then you can't continue generalizing everything around and you can't continue being so polarized."
• "Reality is much stronger than what you planned."
• "I feel that 50% of a solution would be just first realizing there's a problem or realizing a reality that we prefer maybe not to look at."
• "I feel more lively there [in extreme situations]."
• "We can all see ourselves in many different forms and characters. We all have different parts of our personality in ourselves."
• "Let the void be a void. We don't have that understanding in our modern society that it's okay that there's a void."

Tal's Powerful Question: "How am I witnessing whatever is taking place and the violence around and doing enough... Am I allowing myself to deal also with my personal issues and questions through these stories?"

Resources Mentioned:

• I Shall Not Hate - Tal's documentary about a Palestinian doctor from Gaza (currently screening in 50 cinemas across France)
• Prison series "Tזalmon" on Channel 11 (contact Tal if you want to view it internationally)
• "Criminal File 512" series about the crime world
• Tal on IMDB
• Pecha Kucha Festival (Tel Aviv)
• Follow Tal's work through Instagram
• Get access to CuriosityGPT and find your gateway questions
• Connect with your leader mindset and walk out with an actionable roadmap and insights that you actually want to follow - join the Curiosity Lab
• Get more questions, thoughts and introspection on Chedva’s newsletter

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In this deeply personal solo episode, Chedva takes us through her 17-year entrepreneurial journey - from translator to blogger to design journalist to marketing agency owner to tech startup founder and back to founder mode with her new venture, Consider. After recent trips to New York and Greece for conferences, she reflects on the seductive pull of "founder mode" and how easily we can lose ourselves in the pursuit of our dreams. Drawing inspiration from seeing Audra McDonald in the Broadway musical "Gypsy," Chedva explores the dangerous intersection of resilience and ambition when they're not balanced with introspection and question-asking. She shares her own experiences of getting sucked into work identity and offers a powerful warning about how positive traits like determination can turn against our values when left unchecked.

Key Topics:

• The evolution of a 17-year entrepreneurial journey across multiple industries
• The seductive danger of "founder mode" and losing yourself in your work
• How resilience without introspection can make you turn on your own values
• The importance of maintaining identity and life outside of your business
• Learning to integrate work and personal life rather than compartmentalizing
• Growing up multicultural and the sense of belonging everywhere and nowhere
• The challenge of sustaining passion projects without burning out
• Using Broadway's "Gypsy" as a metaphor for entrepreneurial obsession
• The necessity of regular check-ins with yourself and your values

Notable Quotes:

• "Resilience without questions or introspection can quickly make you turn on yourself, on your loved ones, and on your values."
• "When I don't regularly check in with myself and question my own automatic behavior... I can find myself alone, burnt out, and perhaps even worse, working towards something that is opposed to my values."
• "I actually love my life and I wanna be part of it."
• "I didn't really love my life back then... a lot of that time I didn't want to stay with my own questions."

Chedva's Powerful Question: "When do these positive, celebrated behaviors or values like resilience and being hardworking turn on us or make us help turn on ourselves? And how can we ask ourselves better questions when it comes to it?"

Resources Mentioned:

• Consider.club - Chedva's new venture focused on transformative question-asking
• CuriosityGPT - AI tool for asking better questions
• chedva.substack.com - Weekly newsletter with questions, musings, and thoughts and specifically this issue about integration
• Broadway shows: "Gypsy" starring Audra McDonald, "Death Becomes Her"
• Orca Global Network - Global network of Israeli business owners

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In this deeply personal conversation, Meirav Rosenberg, CEO and founder of Paz Interactive and author-to-be, joins Chedva to explore the complexities of balancing multiple roles as a mother, entrepreneur, and partner. Together, they dive into themes of vulnerability, taking up space in the world, and the crucial importance of prioritizing yourself to better serve others. Meirav shares her journey of self-discovery, the lessons learned from writing "60 Dates to Love," and how fine-tuning your values leads to effortless alignment. The conversation touches on managing internal voices, the challenges of motherhood, and the power of asking difficult questions to live authentically.

Key Topics:

• The courage and challenge of taking up space, especially as parents
• Managing the internal dialogue and voices in our heads
• Prioritizing self-care as the foundation for good parenting
• Values-based prioritization in life and work
• The relationship between authenticity and success in business and dating
• The importance of letting go and surrendering control
• Finding purpose and calling while maintaining balance
• The intersection of personal growth and professional success
• Burnout, functional medicine, and listening to your body's wisdom

Notable Quotes:

• "I want to take up space... I have a certain purpose and a certain duty to speak for people who don't have a voice."
• "One of the things that I prioritize is, how can I be a great mom? It's focusing on me first, which is the first priority."
• "Filling up my cup so that I can help and I can be there for them in my best way."
• "I feel like our body tells us exactly everything."
• "The bigger the why, the easier the how."
• "I'm not scared of dying, I'm just scared of not living exactly the way that I want to."
• "The more honest I got with myself... the less effort [I needed]."
• "Sometimes I have to ask myself those hard questions, but I do love asking questions."

Meirav's Powerful Question: "What do you want?" - A simple yet profound question she asks women to help them express their desires and live more authentically.

Resources Mentioned:

• Meirav’s free resource "Dating Like a CEO"
• Paz Interactive - Meirav's digital marketing agency
• Chedva's Curiosity GPT
• Chedva’s newsletter on Substack

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In this engaging conversation, Lee Rotenberg shares her entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the importance of fun and authenticity in her work. She reflects on the challenges of defining success and happiness, the lessons learned from founding and selling companies, and the significance of being present and true to oneself. Lee discusses how her recent LinkedIn post about prioritizing fun in her next career chapter resonated with many, and explains why internal success matters more to her now than external validation. The conversation highlights the evolving nature of entrepreneurship, from the excitement of early-stage creation to the challenges of scaling and fundraising, offering valuable insights for anyone navigating their own path to fulfillment.

Key Topics:

• Prioritizing fun and authenticity in your career decisions
• Redefining success beyond external validation
• Finding happiness through presence and mindfulness
• Navigating the emotional roller coaster of entrepreneurship
• The joy of early-stage business building versus the challenges of scaling
• The drawbacks of fundraising for founders
• Learning how to evolve and adapt throughout your journey
• The importance of taking action on ideas rather than overthinking
• Moving from ArtSetters to Ivy to Clay to Hulken

Notable Quotes:

• "This next era of my work chapter will be one where I'm essentially focusing more on fun."
• "I want to have delight in my day to day more than I want to have success."
• "Being successful is being happy... being very present and not trying to think about what is next."
• "When you're able to truly just be you and not worry about the external voices or external wants, that makes me invigorated."
• "If you want something too badly, it rarely happens. When you're living your best self, you become a magnet for all different areas of your life."
• "People's biggest mistake is they wait to launch or they're overthinking the steps. You need something very shitty in a sense, because that's the only way it's going to get better."
• "Fear can still stay there and you can do it while you're scared."

Lee's Powerful Question: "What's the why behind what you're doing? Ask yourself the why and be really honest with yourself on that answer."

Resources Mentioned:

• "Let Them" by Mel Robbins - described as "the most life-changing book" Lee has recently read
• "How to Be a No Limit Person" by Dr. Wayne Dyer - recommended as motivational and energizing
• "You Are a Badass" by Jen Sincero - endorsed as an excellent read
• Lee's podcast with Alex called "Unfinished Business" - interviews with inspiring entrepreneurs
• Follow Lee on LinkedIn for authentic insights on entrepreneurship

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In this episode, Chedva talks with Georgi Enthoven, founder and author of "Work That's Worth It." They explore how to find meaningful work that balances personal fulfillment with positive impact. Georgi challenges the false dichotomy between doing good and earning well, and shares her journey from tech executive to purpose-driven thought leader. This conversation fits perfectly with the season's theme of questioning traditional priorities in our work lives.

Key Topics:

• The meaning behind "Work That's Worth It" and why our career choices matter
• Finding purpose within our 90,000-hour career journey
• Challenging the divide between profitable careers and meaningful impact
• The importance of being compensated fairly while doing good
• How to discover work that energizes rather than depletes you
• Embracing a beginner's mindset throughout your career

Notable Quotes:

• "You can't convince ambitious people to give up income. It's about finding options where you can do good and well for yourself."
• "I really want the kindest, most empathetic people to get to the top levels where they are pulling the levers of decision making."
• "If you are doing good in the world and you burn out in two years, we lose you."
• "Work that you're meant to do adds value to your life - it gives you incredible challenges that make you wake up eager to get out of bed."
• "The powerful question is: what is worth your 90,000 hours?"

Georgi's Powerful Question: "What is worth your 90,000 hours?"

Resources & Links:

• Purchase "Work That's Worth It": Available at major booksellers
• Calculate your remaining career hours:https://georgienthoven.com/
• Follow Georgi on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/georgienthoven/
• Subscribe to Chedva's newsletter: chedva.substack.com

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Chaya Gilboa, a Talmud scholar and activist who grew up in an ultra-Orthodox community in Jerusalem, shares her journey of reclaiming Jewish texts that women were traditionally forbidden to study. The conversation explores the intersection of spirituality, embodiment, and challenging patriarchal systems, as well as how ancient wisdom can provide comfort during times of crisis.

Key Topics:

• Chaya's experience studying Talmud as a revolutionary act
• The emotional and spiritual dimensions of reclaiming religious texts
• Integrating body and mind in spiritual and intellectual practice
• Creating new approaches to ancient texts during crisis and war
• Balancing calling, career, and family life

Notable Quotes:

• "I was pushed out of the door and I looked for the window to go back in."
• "I couldn't breathe. I needed to take walks at Ben Gurion University because my body was not even excited, I was uplifted in ways that I didn't even know knowledge could uplift me."
• "For many years, growing up, I didn't really know my body. We never talked about the body - the body was something that either you are ashamed of or you need to cover."
• "I'm 41 and it's the first time in my life that I'm in sync with what I love to do, what I'm passionate about, what I'm good at, and what I think the world needs."

Chaya's Powerful Question: "What am I chasing after, and what am I running from?"

Resources Mentioned:

Chaya’s beautiful website

Follow Chaya on Instagram: @chayagilboa

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Or Alterman-Barnea, co-founder and CEO of Mekomot Shmurim (Safe Place), discusses how she transformed theatrical experiences for neurodivergent children. After her own son's autism diagnosis, Or created performances where the lights stay on, sounds remain gentle, and children can move freely without judgment—revolutionizing cultural accessibility across Israel.

Key Topics:

• The concept of "relaxed performances" designed for neurodivergent audiences
• Creating theater experiences without surprises or sensory overload
• The power of community in addressing unmet needs
• Or's journey from cultural journalist to inclusive theater pioneer
• The philosophy of adapting systems to people instead of forcing people to adapt

Notable Quotes:

• "When we started it and thought about 'safe place,' we didn't imagine what kind of meaning 'safe place' would have for us now."
• "Every single spoiler that you can think of. There are no surprises."
• "It's like we call it a 'shoosh-free zone.' Nobody will shoosh them."
• "Many, many families came and said to us, 'This is our first time in the theater.' And we're talking about seven-year-old children, nine-year-old children."
• "We're so used to telling this child, 'Listen, if you can't sit then go out'... But no, we will leave the door open. It's on your terms now."

Or's Powerful Question: "When was the last time you thought about who makes the decisions for you? Who decides how people are supposed to dress, to act, to spend their free time, to sit in the theater?"

Resources Mentioned:

The 2025 Safe Place Festival is happening this month - details and tickets are here

Big Umbrella Festival (inspiration for Safe Places): Lincoln Center

Mama-Zone Facebook community (Or's previous initiative): Join here

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In this conversation with former Resonai COO Natalie Rozenboim, Chedva explores what happens when we achieve the goals we've worked toward, only to discover they don't feel right anymore. They discuss the pandemic's role in prompting career reassessment, the guilt associated with questioning achievements we've worked hard for, and how to navigate changes in what we want from life.

Key Topics:

• The pandemic as a catalyst for questioning career paths
• The identity crisis of outgrowing professional achievements
• Guilt and confusion when questioning the life we've built
• Breaking free from the "sunk cost" mentality
• Generational differences in approaching work-life integration

Notable Quotes:

• "There's like this pressure to find your thing, which has to encompass so many things. It has to be not only how you make a living, but also something you're passionate about."
• "You almost gaslight yourself. Like, why would I not want this? The problem is me."
• "We tend to think we just need to decide what we want and just go for it, but I think it's more of a continuous quest."
• "We mistake control for progress - holding tightly to answers gives an illusion of forward movement, even when we're standing still."

Natalie's Powerful Question: "Am I building the life I want to live, or do I feel trapped in this life? And what am I going to do about it?"

Resources & Links:

• Connect with Natalie on IG https://www.instagram.com/natalie_roz/
• Kelly Mindell's blog post "The Year I Built a Life I Don't Want"
• Book recommendation: "The Neverending Story" by Michael Ende
• Article: "The Great Resignation and Rethinking Priorities Post-Pandemic"

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In this solo episode, Chedva Ludmir introduces the new season of Looks Like Work, focusing on three pivotal questions: What do you do when your dream no longer feels right? How do you reclaim a system built to suppress you? And how are you questioning traditional priorities? She explores the concept of "gateway questions" - those gentle inquiries that help us approach what we're afraid to confront - and shares why staying with questions might be more valuable than rushing to answers.

Key Topics:

• Introduction to the three guiding questions for Season 3
• The power of staying with questions even when we crave certainty
• Using "gateway questions" to approach difficult life decisions
• How world events have led to deeper questioning of our choices

Notable Quotes:

• "When the world feels like it's on fire, there's this powerful urge to flock behind anyone speaking in exclamation points."
• "We need gateway questions, those gentle indirect inquiries that help us approach what we're really afraid to confront."
• "What I could ask myself at that point was: when will I be ready to ask myself that question?"

Resources Mentioned:

• Chedva's newsletter at chedva.substack.com
• Previous seasons of Looks Like Work podcast

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Hey folks, I'm back for a solo episode and this one is especially lighthearted… no, of course I'm kidding. But I really wanted to take a minute to talk about grief and I'd love to hear your thoughts and feelings too.

Links & resources

• You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith
• Subscribe to the LLW newsletter

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I first met Stephie on a retreat back in 2016. I was wildly out of my comfort zone, discovering a lot about the entrepreneur I wanted to be and about leadership - and a new incredible friend. Since then, Stephie and I have found that our value systems as people and as entrepreneurs are aligned, and I'm so grateful to finally have this conversation with her. We cover the place of questions and curiosity in entrepreneurship, inspiration and productivity, burnout and being a constant outsider and in-betweener.

Links & resources

• Unboxable
• Double You
• Subscribe to the LLW newsletter

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Fair warning? This is one of those episodes. Ask me what’s it about, and I’ll respond by asking: what is it not about? I met up with Orit Gidali – like, actually packed my microphone and went to meet her – who’s one of my favorite poets and writers. Over a few glasses of red, we talked about… the human condition, I guess: Sorrow and joy, scarcity and expansiveness, attachment styles and meditation, divorce and heartbreak and exaggerated earrings and sex and passion and the brokenness of us all and violence and war and hurt and vulnerability and empathy and compassion. It’s one of my favorite episodes ever, even with the wine and acoustics messing up some of the sound - maybe even more thanks to that, actually. Enjoy.

Links & resources

• Orit Gidali’s website (English | Hebrew)
• Sadnaot Habait creative writing school (English | Hebrew)
• Subscribe to the LLW newsletter

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Gil had a front row seat to startup life and to working with celebrities. That experience, as well as defining and differentiating himself as an Israeli lawyer in an American business school, has taught him the value of stories and messaging. We speak about startup life, marketing, influencers, career trajectories and important questions.Links & resources

• Stardust Ventures
• Silverstein Properties
• Gil’s podcast with Einat Ben Moshe (Hebrew)
• Subscribe to the LLW newsletter

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Many of us can be pretty jaded or cynical when it comes to spirituality - I know I can - but knowing Hila has completely changed my perception of spiritual guides. Hila is as funny, pragmatic, sharp and smart as she is spiritual and heart-led. In this conversation, we dive into notions of abundance and scarcity, ego, effort and how they reflect in life and work.

Links & resources

• Hila on Instagram (Hebrew)
• Hila and Danielle’s podcast - My Happy Place (Hebrew)
• Subscribe to the LLW newsletter

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Hop into the time machine and join me and my friend Natalie Shell, Co-founder of Message Lab as we explore curiosity, creativity, the concept of rest and how we can grow in times of turbulence and be kinder to ourselves and to each other.

Links & resources

• Natalie on Linkedin
• Message Lab
• TTT - the poem Natalie mentions
• Subscribe to the LLW newsletter

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In this solo episode, Chedva offers reflections on personal narratives, brave question-asking an self reflection.

She also explores:

“Coming out” culturally as in between definitions

Interviewing other people (or listening to those interviews) as a gateway to understanding yourself

Self curation in an era of oversharing

Links & resources

• Subscribe to the LLW newsletter

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Episode title: The magic of doing - with Lior Barr

Episode description:

Lior is an educator, a musician, a podcast host and editor and also the editor of Looks Like Work. What’s more interesting is Lior’s journey to being a digital nomad in tandem with his wife and baby, while defining his identity, building a brand new work-from-anywhere business and dealing with a world in upheaval. If you’re thinking about becoming a digital nomad or starting a new side project - this episode is for you.

Links & resources

• Lior’s website
  Lior on Facebook and on Youtube
• Subscribe to the LLW newsletter

Please subscribe, rate & review the podcast wherever you listen. And subscribe to the LLW newsletter for more updates from Chedva!

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Some people are alarmed by getting “no” as an answer, some people are unphased by it, and some people – like Inbal Boussiba – hate it, and yet use it as their fuel. Inbal and I met up (in person! groundbreaking) to discuss the engine at the foundation of her entrepreneurship, both in the fashion world and the social impact world. We also went deep into our feelings following the last year in Israel - the judicial overhaul attempts, the protests to preserve democracy and the current war. So please note, we get political.

Links & resources

• Belle & Sue
• FEZ Studio
• The Lost Treasure (Hebrew)
• Subscribe to the LLW newsletter

Please subscribe, rate & review the podcast wherever you listen. And subscribe to the LLW newsletter for more updates from Chedva!

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Esty Bitton Shushan wasn’t familiar with the term “feminist”, she sat in meetings dedicated to literally erasing women from ads, radio shows and other narratives and had to write op-eds using her first name initials in order to be able to participate in a man’s world - yet she became a feminist icon who’s brought feminism and choice to the lives of many haredi (ultra orthodox Jewish) women in Israel and beyond as the founder of Nivcharot. I sat down with Esty to discuss activism, art, burnout and what the world sees out of the norm (and how it penalizes women for it until it becomes normalized). Released just after Passover, when we celebrate redemption and freedom, this is the episode for you if you’re seeking courage beyond virtual shackles.

Links & resources

• Nivcahrot
• Esty’s artwork on Etsy
• Esty’s poetry book (Hebrew)
• Subscribe to the LLW newsletter

Please subscribe, rate & review the podcast wherever you listen. And subscribe to the LLW newsletter for more updates from Chedva!

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She went from being Married At First Sight’s first wedding officiant to co-found a startup supporting people going through divorce and other life changes. Still, there's a core truth that runs through Jenny’s career - and it has to do with creating and maintaining systems, taking care of people but also challenging and questioning authority.

In a conversation that could have happened in our IG DMs, we discuss Russian and heartbreak, showing up in the way that you can, and taking a moment to think about things before providing an immediate response.

Links & resources

• Fresh Starts Registry, Jenny’s company
• A Fresh Story - Olivia and Jenny’s podcast
• Subscribe to the LLW newsletter

Please subscribe, rate & review the podcast wherever you listen. And subscribe to the LLW newsletter for more updates from Chedva!

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Coaching, guiding and managing alongside startup founders and investors doesn’t sound like a particularly relaxing or slow-paced lifestyle. And yet Rotem Kazir has managed to find her own rhythm within the mayhem - and she’s now coaching founders and investors to take a beat and listen for their pulse, too. We talked about Rotem’s journey in HR, tech and coaching, discovering the mind-body connection as it translates to the hectic entrepreneur’s life and how this all reflects in times of crisis and war.

Links & resources:

• Rotem’s Linkedin
• Subscribe to the LLW newsletter

Please subscribe, rate & review the podcast wherever you listen. And subscribe to the LLW newsletter for more updates from Chedva!

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Episode description:

It takes a special kind of courage to gain the professional validation you’ve been looking for your entire career - and then be willing to put it aside in order to restructure your work life to actually work for you. Sivan did just that, and in that, found how silencing distraction is helping her achieve what really matters to her. We discussed clarity and liminal spaces, selfishness and entitlement (are they really that awful?), asking questions and so much more. This one's for you if you’ve been thinking about boundaries lately, or if you’re interested in an open and honest conversation.

Links & resources:

• Sivan’s Linkedin
• Millennials in Tech - Sivan’s podcast
• Subscribe to the LLW newsletter

Please subscribe, rate & review the podcast wherever you listen. And subscribe to the LLW newsletter for more updates from Chedva!

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How do I describe this episode? I can only say I hope every Looks Like Work episode will reach the depth, vulnerability and exploration that I’ve experienced in my conversation with Yakir. Dr. Yakir Englander is the Senior Director of Leadership at the Israeli American Council, a lecturer at the HAR rabbinical school in NY and a Fullbright scholar. He’s also a dear relative and a constant seeker. In our conversation we cover how it is to be a bridge, to get comfortable with questions and with the in-between and link between worlds of experience, knowledge and faith - and how it all connects to our work in life. I hope you’ll take time to sit with this episode and that it will stir or echo something within you.

Links & resources:

• Yakir’s email
• IAC Gvanim
• Subscribe to the LLW newsletter

Please subscribe, rate & review the podcast wherever you listen. And subscribe to the LLW newsletter for more updates from Chedva!

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Welcome back to Looks Like Work! To kick off season 2, I sat down with Olivia Dreizen Howell, Co-founder and CEO for a frank and vulnerable conversation about fresh starts… meaning, my own fresh start. Olivia, who was a guest on LLW last season, came to play host and interviewed me about what I learned from my divorce, what it’s like to lose your voice and gain it back and what to expect for season 2 of LLW. I hope you’ll find truth and value in our conversation, and maybe also giggle with us once or twice.

Links & resources:

• Olivia’s episode on season 1
• Fresh Starts Registry, Olivia’s company
• A Fresh Story - Olivia and Jenny’s podcast
• Simple Script to Support Your People
• Subscribe to the LLW newsletter

Please subscribe, rate & review the podcast wherever you listen. And subscribe to the LLW newsletter for more updates from Chedva!

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Working from home wasn’t always as prevalent as it is now. Today, I’m joined by Dr. Frieda Wiley and we discuss the ins and outs of working outside of a traditional office. Whether you’re a work-from-home veteran or you’re new to the experience, this episode has something to help you thrive and, hopefully, feel understood.

Dr. Frieda is a licensed pharmacist-turned-freelance medical writer, consultant, and entrepreneur who has worked from home for more than a decade. Her personal struggles with physical and mental health inspired her to also become the author of her book Telecommuting Psychosis: From Surviving to Thriving While Working in Your Pajama Pants. Her writing can also be found in publications such as O, The Oprah Magazine, US News & World Report, Merck, and the National Institutes of Health.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What it was like working from home before it was popular
• Finding routine as a work from home employee
• Setting clear boundaries and being an advocate for yourself
• The beauty of compassion in work from home situations
• Developing strategies to showcase your work when you’re not in the office

If you enjoy our conversation, please subscribe, rate & review the podcast wherever you listen. And subscribe to the Looks Like Work newsletter for more updates!

Links:

• Visit Dr. Frieda’s Website
• Order Dr. Frieda’s Book Telecommuting Psychosis
• Follow Dr. Frieda on LinkedIn

Try Dr. Frieda’s Favorite Planning App, Toggl

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We’ve all heard phrases like “change your mindset, change your life,” but if you’ve tried it you know it’s easier said than done. Today, I’m joined by Christina Langdon, Founder & CEO of Christina Langdon High Performance Coaching & Consulting. Together, we discuss the power of changing your mindset, and Christina shares some of her favorite best practices.

Christina is a passionate entrepreneur, mentor, and coach. After 30 years running sales and marketing teams at big-name media brands including Martha Stewart Living and Fast Company, she now helps leaders and businesses achieve more than they thought possible. She is known for building great brands and strengthening and sharpening teams and talent.

In this conversation, we explore–

• The unsustainable nature of the hustle
• Leading yourself first
• Getting off the hamster wheel
• The importance of being in touch with your feelings (preferably before you get sick)
• Noticing where we’re giving away our power
• The meditative power of a simple walk

If you enjoy our conversation, please subscribe, rate & review the podcast wherever you listen. And subscribe to the Looks Like Work newsletter for more updates!

Links:

• Visit Christina’s Website
• Follow Christina on Instagram
• Find Christina on LinkedIn
• Join Christina’s Newsletter
• Read this Ira Glass quote
• Order The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan

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Not everyone knows exactly what career they want. For many, it’s a journey of scrappiness and learning as you go. This week, I’m joined by Yaniv Rivlin, the founding CEO of Bird, an e-scooter ride share service. He is also the best selling author of Life as a Startup.

In this conversation, we explore–

• Building the portfolio of life
• How ghostwriting my be cheaper than therapy
• Outsourcing your weaknesses and playing to your strengths
• Finding balance and management between the “weeds” and the vision
• How everything is complicated and easy simultaneously
• Taking time between hustles

If you enjoy our conversation, please subscribe, rate & review the podcast wherever you listen. And subscribe to the Looks Like Work newsletter for more updates!

Links:

• Follow Yaniv on Instagram @yaniv.rivlin
• Checkout Bird
• Order Life as a Startup

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Manifesting isn’t always a magical, stylish experience. Sometimes, it’s as simple as showing up as your authentic self and screaming into the void in your bathrobe.

Today, I’m joined by TikTok and Instagram favorite, Anna Przybylski. She is a well-loved content creator who helps people be kinder to themselves, deal with burnout, and be the directors of chaos in their lives.

Join in to hear us discuss:

• Managing guilt around productivity and delegation
• Emotional barriers as a generational concern when considering posting content
• Holidays and the stress (and sometimes tears) they bring for many
• Turning sad and tired into a niche
• Normalizing a variety of feelings and letting them all be felt
• Burnout and accepting that you can’t force it to be over

If you enjoy our conversation, please subscribe, rate & review the podcast wherever you listen. And subscribe to the Looks Like Work newsletter for more updates!

Links:

• Visit Anna’s Website
• Follow Anna on Instagram
• Follow Anna on TikTok
• Buy Anna’s Merch!

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Looks Like Work is back! In this solo episode, Chedva offers reflections on celebration & self-forgiveness, brings awareness to National Women’s Small Business month, and continues our conversation about anti-ambition.

She also explores:

• Her history with ambition and proving herself to naysayers
• Living for your children vs. living for your parents and ancestors
• Hamilton and being “young, scrappy, and hungry” like your country
• Critiquing the lie of “effortlessness”

If you enjoy our conversation, please subscribe, rate & review the podcast wherever you listen. And subscribe to the Looks Like Work newsletter for more updates!

Links:

• More episodes of Look Like Work for you:
  • Being radically generous - with Amelia Hruby
  • There’s another way - career journeys & map-making with Anne Ditmeyer
  • Is it the age of anti-ambition or are we all simply exhausted?
• What Comes After Ambition? -Elle
• Thinking Through the Calendar - Culture Study
• A Productive Person: the link between productivity and self-worth and how to break it - Kaur Space
• When Your Past Inhibits Progress - Cup of Ambition

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How do you celebrate big changes in your life? Olivia Howell is the CEO and Co-Founder of Fresh Starts Registry and March Lion Media. At Fresh Starts she helps people create registries for all their life milestones, not just weddings or having children.

In this conversation, we explore–

• The importance of making hard decisions & the support we need to make them
• How Olivia’s launched two businesses with her sister
• Olivia’s career journey and what work looks like for her now
• Divorce stories and sharing our personal lives online
• Embracing an anti-shame, anti-judgment perspective to change

If you enjoy our conversation, please subscribe, rate & review the podcast wherever you listen. And subscribe to the Looks Like Work newsletter for more updates!

Links:

• Visit the Fresh Starts Registry website
• Follow Fresh Starts on Instagram and Facebook
• Olivia & Chedva's recent faves: Somebody Feed Phil, Only Murders in the Building, Summer Breakdown by Colleen Temple
• For more information on the course Olivia is launching, follow her & Chedva on Instagram @thedigitalyenta & @chedvakl

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What do you do when you know what you want to do? This week I’m talking to sustainability consultant and founder Eliza Erskine about what work looks like for her.

Eliza Erskine is the founder of Green Buoy Consulting, a sustainability consultancy that provides ESG consulting, strategy and B Corp certification to high-growth companies. In this conversation, we talk about sustainability in all levels of our careers, businesses and lives. Together we explore–

• What ESG is & why it matters
• How Eliza got into corporate responsibility (even when no one else cared about sustainability)
• The purpose of company values & how to implement them
• Seasonality vs now-or-never thinking
• Romanticizing “the one thing” in your work
• Tips for managing your email inbox sustainably

If you enjoy our conversation, please subscribe, rate & review the podcast wherever you listen. And subscribe to the Looks Like Work newsletter for more updates!

Links:

• Connect with Eliza on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Green Buoy Consulting
• Oldest daughter hotline
• Free Time by Jenny Blake

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How does failure help us grow? And how does not knowing something make us even more experimental? This week I’m talking to people ops expert Lisa Zaythik about what work looks like for her.

Lisa is the Chief People Officer and part of the founding team at AppsFlyer. In this conversation, we talk about career growth, start-up growth, and personal growth. Together we explore–

• How Lisa transitioned from marketing to operations
• The value of failure & challenging work
• The importance of organizational culture
• Envisioning the future of your work and the legacy of your company
• Staying inspired while working hard
• Social impact & social responsibility

If you enjoy our conversation, please subscribe, rate & review the podcast wherever you listen. And subscribe to the Looks Like Work newsletter for more updates!

Links:

• Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn
• Learn more about AppsFlyer
• Watch Never Stop Dreaming on Netflix
• Read No Room for Small Dreams by Shimon Peres

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What does it mean to do less while following your passions? This week I’m talking to creative coach and workshop facilitator Anne Ditmeyer about what work looks like for her.

Anne is American by birth and French by hard work. Pulling inspiration from her design background, she guides people through creative experiences—which includes mapping on bananas—to get participants out of their head and looking at the world in new ways.

In this conversation, we look at the world in new ways through the lens of creativity & work. Together we explore–

• Anne’s journey from designer to creative coach
• How her blog & French bureaucracy inspired her career path
• The power of doing less
• The discomfort of failure and success

If you enjoy our conversation, please subscribe, rate & review the podcast wherever you listen. And subscribe to the Looks Like Work newsletter for more updates!

Links:

• Visit Anne’s website
• Read Anne’s blog Prêt à Voyager
• Follow Anne on Instagram @pretavoyager

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Today’s episode is a little different than usual, because I’m getting personal and talking about suffering. This year has been hard for so many people, and I want to encourage all of us (myself included) to acknowledge our suffering and to admit that we might not be able to do our best work all the time. 

This episode is for you if you’re feeling overwhelmed, upset, exhausted or in pain. I hope it resonates, and if it does please DM me on Instagram! I love talking to listeners.

Links:

• The Gap - This American Life
• Chedva's playlist for suffering
• Yoga for Suffering - Yoga with Adriene
• Color Me Loverly's TikTok
• Radical Candor by Kim Scott

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How do you grow and challenge yourself without burning out?

This week I’m in conversation with Efrat Dagan. Efrat is the CEO and Founder of WorkAround, Strategic Talent Acquisition Services. Efrat has led Google Israel's Staffing for about a decade and managed the recruitment of six Google offices in Europe, including Israel, Russia and Northern Europe and Waze. Simply put: Efrat can help figure out your growth pains.

In this episode, we talk about—

• What work looks like for Efrat
• The value of doing more than one thing
• Efrat’s career evolution at Google and beyond
• The importance of partnerships & collaborations
• Growing a business in alignment with your goals and energy
• How the pandemic has changed work and employee experience

If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, rate & review the podcast wherever you listen. And subscribe to the LLW newsletter for more updates from Chedva!

Links:

• Visit the WorkAround website (Hebrew)
• Follow Efrat on LinkedIn
• Do What You Love Mug

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This week we’ve got another Rooms & Words team member on the podcast! Madison T. Clark is a content writer and social media strategist with over eight years of experience in the communications sector. She’s an avid traveler, a long-time remote worker, and a full-time freelance writer.

Together we talk about–

• Madison’s freelance career & what work looks like for her
• What “ the future of work” looks like right now
• Cultivating a team of freelancers
• How unrecognized work contributes to burnout
• Learning to talk about money and conflict
• Creating new opportunities for the next generation

If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, rate & review the podcast wherever you listen. And subscribe to the LLW newsletter for more updates from Chedva!

Links:

• Visit Madison’s website
• Connect with Madison on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Rooms & Words
• Mentioned in the episode: Nicole Antoinette, Refinery29 Money Diaries

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What’s your relationship with productivity? Are you working to grow at all costs or are you centering ease & joy in your day-to-day?

Today I’ve invited Liron Lavi Turkenich back on the podcast to join me in conversation about our last episode with Jenny Blake and her book Free Time.

Together we talk about–

• Reframing productivity so it’s not about growing at all costs
• Creating systems that serve us
• Letting go of the guilt we feel when time management tools don’t work for us
• Writing ourselves permission slips to find our flow
• How to find pockets of time to recharge

Liron shares so many amazing resources. You’ll definitely want to check out the links below, then please subscribe, rate & review the podcast wherever you listen. And subscribe to the LLW newsletter for more updates from Chedva!

Links:

• Listen to Jenny Blake on episode 14 of Looks Like Work
• Listen to Liron on episode 2 of Looks Like Work
• Find Liron’s work & subscribe to her newsletter
• Follow Liron on Instagram
• Rahaf Harfoush
• Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals

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I love Jenny Blake’s book Free Time so much that my entire team is reading it together and implementing the ideas. So, as you can imagine, I am thrilled to have Jenny on the podcast today!

Jenny Blake is an author and podcaster who helps entrepreneurs move from friction to flow through smarter systems, powered by Delightfully Tiny Teams. She is the author of Pivot and Free Time, which just came out in March.

In this episode, we talk about–

• The value of adding “founder time” to your week
• How to help yourself & your team members work exclusively on things you love
• Learning to delegate so you can earn twice as much in half the time
• Building your business to grow with ease

I love this conversation so much. I hope you’ll listen and share it! Then tune in next week for a follow-up conversation with past podcast guest Liron Lavi Turkenich about how we’re implementing the book in our work and lives.

Links:

• Find Jenny’s book & podcast at itsfreetime.com
• And subscribe to the LLW newsletter for more updates from Chedva!

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What does it mean to you to start from scratch? How often have you done it in your career or life? This week I’m talking to Osnat Benari. Osnat is a product strategist and builder and an active mentor for startups and young professionals. She is the founder of Web3 strategy & creative agency DragonsCanFly and the author of Starting from Scratch, a book about managing change and making smart career choices.

In this episode, we talk about—

• The three things you need to start from scratch
• The importance of having a learning mindset
• How to develop a personal board of directors

This conversation left me feeling so inspired to keep following my interests and starting from scratch. And now thanks to Osnat, I have a process to guide me.

Links:

• DragonsCanFly
• Starting from Scratch
• Follow Osnat on LinkedIn
• From Fraud to Freedom by Phyllis Njoroge

Please subscribe, rate & review the podcast wherever you listen. And subscribe to the LLW newsletter for more updates from Chedva!

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This week I’m excited to welcome our Looks Like Work producer onto the podcast! Amelia Hruby is the founder of the feminist podcast studio Softer Sounds the host of Off the Grid podcast about leaving social media, and the editor of this show!

In this episode, we talk about—

• her intentional process for starting her business
• writing ourselves permission slips to “grow slow”
• creating flexible, shame-free boundaries with our work
• how radical generosity requires energetic sovereignty

This is a powerful conversation for entrepreneurs and anyone who wants to change their life and live in alignment with their values. I hope you enjoy it.

Links:

• Softer Sounds Studio
• Off the Grid podcast
• Courses Amelia mentioned: Feminist Business School, The Alignment Course, Laura Holway
• Amelia’s podcast episode on energetic sovereignty
• Amelia’s Podcaster Archetype Quiz
• Quitted podcast

Please subscribe, rate & review the podcast wherever you listen. And subscribe to the LLW newsletter for more updates from Chedva!

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How confident are you in your voice? In today’s episode, Hadar Shemesh joins us to discuss how she helps non-native English speakers raise their voice and cultivate permission to speak.

Hadar is a linguistics expert and communication coach who’s worked with companies like Google, Microsoft, Facebook, IBM, GM, Wework, Wix (and many more!). In this episode, she shares how pursuing her dream of becoming an actress made her hyper-aware of her “otherness,” and then led her to create a business helping speakers of English as a second language communicate confidently and joyfully in English.

We also talk about the lies of “standard” English, our bilingual households, combating perfectionism as content creators, and addressing conflict with a global audience.

Please subscribe, rate & review the podcast wherever you listen. And subscribe to the LLW newsletter for more updates from Chedva!

Links:

• Hadar’s website
• Hadar’s InFluency Podcast
• Who is your madwoman in the attic?

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2022 is being called the year of anti-ambition, but is that really the case? In this solo episode, Chedva unpacks her relationship with ambition – the good, the bad & the ugly of it – while refusing to agree that being ambitious is inherently toxic.

She explores:

• why entering the workforce was so important to her as an ultra-Orthodox woman
• when her start-up ambitions led her deep into burnout
• & how COVID made her face the realities of work amidst crisis

Tune in for an open and honest reflection on why we don’t actually want our work to be “on steroids.” As well as Chedva’s thoughts on how we can heal our burnout without giving up our ambitions in the process.

Links:

• “2022 may be the year my ambition truly dies” in The Cut
• The Age of Anti-Ambition in New York Times
• Listen to Chedva discuss “Torah & Tech in Israel” on BBC’s The Documentary Podcast
• “I’m not asking people to change their accent for me, just asking for basic respect” Maitreyi Ramakrishnan on Twitter
• Rejecting mispronounced & whitened names in Toronto Star
• “It’s harder than ever to care about anything” in Time
• ‘My dark secret’: Orthodox women reveal their abortion stories in Forward

Please subscribe, rate & review the podcast wherever you listen. And subscribe to the LLW newsletter for more updates from Chedva!

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Are you waiting for career opportunities to come your way? Or are you creating opportunities to bring your dream job closer?

Maya Grossman is a marketing executive, blogger, speaker, podcast host, and best-selling author who helps people become the CEO of their careers. She’s worked with Microsoft, Google, Tesla, and many other successful companies. 

In this episode, she shares how she shifted from “Maya-the-travel-agen” to “Maya-the-marketer” to “Maya-the-career-coach.” We also discuss how to find your purpose & passion, ways to intentionally craft your career, and the magic of LinkedIn.

Links:

• Maya’s website
• Follow Maya on LinkedIn
• Follow Maya on Instagram

Please subscribe, rate & review the podcast wherever you listen. And subscribe to the LLW newsletter for more updates from Chedva!

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What can plants teach us about personal growth and business growth? A lot, it turns out!

Elisheva Manekin is a plant lover, home decor designer, and the founder of Loop Living. In this episode, she shares how her passion for plants led her to create a thriving e-commerce business, selling botanical wares for beautiful homes.

Together, we discuss: believing in ourselves even when others don’t, growing healthy & profitable businesses, managing a team, becoming confident with money, and more.

Links & resources:

• Loop Living
• Follow Loop Living on Instagram
• Follow Loop Living on Instagram (in Hebrew)
• Make Life Beautiful by Studio McGee
• Katy Leeson tweet about overworking

Please subscribe, rate & review the podcast wherever you listen. And subscribe to the LLW newsletter for more updates from Chedva!

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Have you ever felt burnout? When was the last time it happened, and how did you respond?

In this episode, Chedva shares her experiences with burnout and chronic illness as a successful entrepreneur. Then, she welcomes her team to the pod! Rooms and Words team members, Lauren Turner, Michal Shemesh and Navriti Sood join us to reflect on the first six episodes of Looks Like Work and to share their experiences with work, parenting, culture, and of course— burnout.

Links & resources:

• Katy Leeson tweet about overworking
• The 7 Types of Rest that Every Person Needs
• Closing My Restaurant Forced Me to Learn How to Take Care of Myself
• Can’t Even by Anne Helen Petersen
• Burnout by Emily & Amelia Nagoski
• Rooms & Words

Please subscribe, rate & review the podcast wherever you listen. And subscribe to the Looks Like Work newsletter for more updates from Chedva!

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How often has a poem written by a stranger made you feel seen? Gili Yuval is a poet whose career spans marketing, events, museums, and more.

In this conversation, we discuss her career journey across countries, the challenges of setting boundaries with your work & your art, inspirations for and responses to her poetry about work, and transforming her writing into a business while keeping a 9-to-5 job.

Please subscribe, rate & review the podcast wherever you listen. And subscribe to the LLW newsletter for more updates from Chedva!

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How do you stay inspired when making art is your full-time job? Lital Gold is a designer and artist who has worked with global brands including Free People, Anthropologie, Tory Burch and Kate Spade. She also teaches painting workshops at companies like Netflix and Facebook.

In this conversation, we discuss how Lital landed her first job with Free People, the many evolutions of her career as a freelance artist and textile designer, the challenges of being a new manager at the start of the pandemic, and how she stays creatively inspired by drawing every day – even if it’s just five lines. 

Please subscribe, rate & review the podcast wherever you listen. And subscribe to the LLW newsletter for more updates from Chedva!

Links:

• Lital’s website
• Lital’s shop
• Lital’s Instagram
• Katy Leeson tweet about overworking

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Close your eyes for a second and imagine what authority sounds like to you. Did it sound anything like your own voice? Casey Erin Clark is a professional actress who, after 18 months on tour with Les Miserables, read the book Half the Sky and got very fired up about issues facing women in the world today. She co-founded Vital Voice Training where she lives out her bio "Loud girl learns to amplify others."

Casey's also one of my favorite people to have meaningful conversations with. In this one, we talk about SO MANY topics, including: accessing your true voice (and not trying to change it to fit!), code switching, falling in love with your many focus areas and learning to live with the fact that your big childhood dream isn’t your only dream anymore, working with partners who have different work styles (and brains), understanding that you deserve ease, pleasure and comfort – and that they hold no less value than perfection.

Links & resources:

• Vital Voice Training
• Casey’s Website
• Follow Casey on Twitter & Instagram
• Dreamers & Doers
• Sorry to Bother You (film)
• Rachel Wynn on Casey’s podcast Voice Is
• Anne Helen Peterson’s newsletter & her book Can’t Even
• Hustle and Float by Rahaf Harfoush
• Rahaf Harfoush on Voice Is
• Katy Leeson tweet about overworking

Please subscribe, rate & review the podcast wherever you listen. And subscribe to the LLW newsletter for more updates from Chedva!

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One of my first memories of Yali Harari - CEO and Co-Founder of Innovesta, former investor and serial entrepreneur - is her giving me a hug when someone hurt my feelings. I immediately knew that her brand of leadership is one I want to follow. 

In this conversation, we discuss why there’s no “one size fits all” kind of leader, what the true meaning of impact is and how empathy, values and business all interact. 

Links & resources:

• Follow Yali on LinkedIn
• Innovesta
• Synergy Business Associates
• Katy Leeson tweet about overworking

Please subscribe, rate & review the podcast wherever you listen. And subscribe to the LLW newsletter for more updates from Chedva!

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There are many ways to rewrite your career, but have you ever thought about rewriting how language is written? Liron Lavi Turkenich is the inventor of Aravrit, an experimental writing system presenting a set of hybrid letters merging Hebrew and Arabic. Liron is also an independent typeface designer, a researcher, a TEDx speaker and a really good friend (among other things).

In this episode, Liron shares her unique perspective of the world, how she merges and blends different things so magically - whether it is languages and fonts, professions, interests and even motherhood and career.

Links & resources:

• Find Liron’s work & subscribe to her newsletter
• Follow Liron on Instagram
• Learn about Aravrit
• The One Thing by Gary Keller
• More about the Pomodoro Technique
• The Daily Duo
• Katy Leeson tweet about overworking

Please subscribe, rate & review the podcast wherever you listen. And subscribe to the LLW newsletter for more updates from Chedva!

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Why are you working right now? Not saying that you shouldn’t be, but this conversation with Hamutal Schieber will definitely make you ask yourself some deep and pointed questions.

Hamutal is the founder and CEO of Schieber Research, a keynote speaker and consultant, specializing in consumer goods, trends, and innovation strategy. 

For the last 15 years, Hamutal has been a constant inspiration in my life and career. I feel so lucky to discuss some of the topics we both care about in this episode including burnout, passion, yoga, flexibility and learning.

Links & resources:

• Katy Leeson tweet about overworking
• The Peloton App
• Follow Hamutal on Instagram & LinkedIn
• Follow Schieber Research on Facebook & their website

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Introducing Looks Like Work, a podcast about what work really means to us and how to deal with it by Chedva Kleinhandler. Looks Like Work launches February 15, 2022. Subscribe to the LLW newsletter.