In this video, Aliya Rajah shares her journey from feeling insecure to becoming one of the leading life coaches in the UAE. They discuss misconceptions about confidence, the pressures of cultural expectations, and the courage it takes to walk one's unique path. Aliya also offers practical insights into overcoming imposter syndrome, the importance of mindset, and how to build genuine self-confidence.CONNECT WITH ALIYA RAJAH🌐 Website: https://aliyarajah.com🔵 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AliyaRajahCC📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachingwithaliya/💼 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/aliya-rajah-0b72ba8aTIMESTAMPS:00:00 🎙️Meet Aliya Rajah, Confidence & Leadership Coach01:29 👶 Aliya's Early Life02:26 👧 "Be Good, Be Polite, Don't Take Up Space"05:27 🔄 Leaving a "Dream Job" for Coaching12:59 🛡️ Entrepreneurship Reality16:03 🇦🇪 Moving to Dubai20:38 🧠 The Confidence Gap in High Achievers21:32 📉 Success Doesn't Cure Self-Doubt21:52 🗣️ Technical Skills vs. Communication Confidence22:23 👩‍💼 Why High-Achieving Women Struggle with "Playing Small"25:22 🤥 Confidence vs. Bravado26:15 🧘‍♀️ Authentic Confidence Is an Inner Game29:38 🌅 The Morning Routine for Building Self-Trust32:20 ⚡ Rapid Fire Round36:03 💫 What Legacy Do You Want to Leave?

Stay tuned for the upcoming episode with Aliya Rajah, Executive Presence & Public Speaking Coach

What happens when success no longer feels meaningful?

In this episode of At Work With…, I’m joined by Rich Hua — former founder of EPIC Leadership at Amazon and creator of EQ@Amazon — to talk about emotional intelligence, non-linear careers, and why compassion sits at the heart of true leadership.

From immigrant beginnings to ministry, from Amazon to a bold new mission to bring EQ skills to a billion people, this conversation is thoughtful, human, and quietly powerful.

00:00 – Intro
Welcome to At Work With… + why this conversation matters

02:10 – Leaving Amazon & What’s Next
Why Rich chose to step into a new chapter

06:00 – Growing Up as an Immigrant
Early identity, language barriers, and empathy

10:30 – High IQ, Low EQ
What being “the smartest in the room” didn’t teach him

14:40 – Ministry & Missionary Work
How working with people shaped his emotional intelligence

19:45 – Reinventing a Career at 40
The Oracle story and betting on yourself

25:30 – Building EQ@Amazon
How a side passion became a global movement

30:50 – EPIC Leadership
Empathy, Purpose, Inspiration & Connection explained

35:40 – Compassion as Leadership
Why EQ matters more than ever in an AI-driven world

39:30 – EQ for a Billion People
Rich’s vision for the future

43:30 – Quick-Fire Round
Personal, fun, and reflective questions

47:30 – Closing Reflections
What success really means now

⏱️ Episode Chapters / TimestampsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richhua/

Substack: https://substack.com/@richardhua

In this uplifting conversation, founder and tech-for-good innovator Kim Antoniou shares the remarkable journey behind Kafoodle and Fonetti — two companies born from deeply personal moments that changed the course of her life. From her husband’s near-fatal allergy to the spark she saw in her grandson Ollie, Kim reveals how real experiences inspired world-first technology that’s now helping thousands of children read with confidence. We talk resilience, reinvention, building impactful tech at scale, and why “you only regret the things you don’t do.” Kim’s warmth, honesty, and unstoppable passion shine through in every minute of this episode.

In this conversation, Hilary Evans-Newton, CEO of Alzheimer's Research UK, shares her journey in the third sector, balancing leadership with motherhood, and the challenges faced in dementia research. She discusses the importance of lived experiences in shaping her mission, the recent advancements in Alzheimer's treatments, and the need for timely diagnoses. Hilary emphasizes the collaborative efforts required to accelerate progress in dementia care and the significance of the Dementia Unseen campaign. She reflects on her decade of leadership, the lessons learned, and her vision for the future of Alzheimer's research.

In this episode of At Work With, Craig Strachan — CEO of Novel and former global podcast lead at Amazon Music — shares his squiggly career journey from marketing phone lines to leading Europe’s largest independent podcast studio. He opens up about lessons learned along the way, the leap from Big Tech to an indie startup, and why trust, fun, and authenticity sit at the heart of his leadership. Craig also dives into the future of podcasting, from fandoms and live shows to cross-media storytelling, offering an inspiring and candid look at the industry and the people behind it.

⏱️ Episode Highlights

• 00:00 | Intro & Beginnings – Childhood, early ambitions & first jobs

• 07:30 | Career Journey – From BT & Sky to Amazon Music

• 13:45 | Global Podcasting at Amazon – Strategy, launches & lessons learned

• 29:00 | Leap to Novel – Moving from Big Tech to leading Europe’s largest indie studio

• 36:40 | The Future of Podcasting – Storytelling, fandoms & industry shifts

• 58:20 | Leadership & Legacy – Trust, inclusion & advice for the next generation

In this conversation, Stacey discusses her journey of personal and professional growth, emphasizing the importance of change and adaptability. She reflects on her experiences in leadership roles, the challenges of balancing work and family life, and the concept of 'lifeboats' in providing support. Stacey introduces her venture, Spark, aimed at helping new founders navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship, particularly in the context of AGI's transformative potential. The discussion also touches on the importance of empathy in leadership and the evolving landscape of work in the age of AI.

In this episode, Zertashia Awan, Amazon’s Director of Worldwide Customer Experience, shares how resilience and sensitivity have shaped her leadership journey. From childhood lessons and family stories of grit to navigating career highs, lows, and burnout, Zertashia reflects on why vulnerability and authenticity matter at work. She talks about cultural identity, finding balance in resilience, and the small daily rituals that keep her grounded. Beyond Amazon, she discusses founding a nonprofit school in Pakistan and mentoring startups, reminding us that true impact comes from focusing on people, purpose, and empathy.

In this conversation, Danny Harrison shares his journey from a young aspiring footballer to a professional athlete and now a mentor for young players. He reflects on the challenges of losing his father during a pivotal moment in his career, the sacrifices made for his passion, and the transition to a fulfilling role in education and coaching. Danny emphasizes the importance of hard work, resilience, and the need for support systems for young athletes navigating their careers.

Takeaways

• Danny faced significant challenges during his transition from player to coach.
• The loss of his father deeply impacted his career and personal life.
• Childhood experiences shaped his love for football and sports.
• Danny's journey highlights the sacrifices made by young athletes.
• He emphasizes the importance of a strong support system.
• The mindset of a professional athlete evolves over time.
• Danny's first professional match was a pivotal moment in his life.
• He values education and coaching as a way to give back.
• Danny is passionate about helping young athletes find their paths.
• His legacy is rooted in supporting the next generation of players.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Loss and Transition

02:32 Childhood and Early Influences

05:13 The Journey to Professional Football

08:11 The Sacrifices of a Young Athlete

10:48 First Professional Match Experience

13:46 Evolving Mindset in Professional Football

16:39 Transitioning to a New Career

18:30 Education and Coaching Pathways

21:09 Passion for Supporting Young Athletes

24:00 Creating Opportunities for the Next Generation

26:53 Lessons for Young Players

29:21 Legacy and Impact

31:14 Rapid Fire Round and Final Thoughts

In this conversation, Sally shares her journey through the field of ophthalmology, discussing the challenges of medical training, the pressures of being a consultant, and the importance of work-life balance. She reflects on cultural influences, the dynamics of being a woman in a male-dominated field, and the support systems that have helped her navigate her career and family life. The discussion also touches on the future of ophthalmology, particularly the impact of AI on medical training and patient care.