What happens when you realize that being successful isn't the same thing as being happy? Franca spent two decades climbing the ladder in the world of high Italian fashion, moving from the quiet countryside of Italy to the non-stop energy of New York City. She was an expert at adapting to new cultures and high-pressure roles, but eventually, she hit a wall of burnout that forced her to ask a bigger question: is this work actually nurturing me back?

In this episode, I sit down with Franca to talk about her shift from international business to coaching students on self-awareness. We get into the fascinating differences between the traditional, detail-oriented culture of Italy and the "sky is the limit" mindset of the US. We also discuss the science of why it’s so hard to find our own voice when we're young, the trap of people-pleasing at the start of a career, and why true growth requires the humility to "meet the others" with an open mind.