Choices & Chances with Tesa Arcilla

What happens when you speak up — and the system pushes back?

In this episode of Choices & Chances, I speak with Jo Tarnowsky, a former senior government insider whose decision to raise concerns at the highest levels came with profound personal and professional consequences.

This is a conversation about power, identity, toxic workplaces, and the courage it takes to choose integrity when silence can look like the easier option. But silence can also be the more damaging choice.

If you’ve ever faced a moment where your values and your career were at odds — this one is for you.

25% discount code for Jo Tarnawsky's "Recovering from a Toxic Workplace" video series and her Operation 2026 global online program til end Jan 2026: CHANCES25.

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What if the key to clarity wasn’t a grand plan — but a tiny experiment? In this episode of Choices & Chances, Tesa Arcilla sits down with Tiny Experiments author, ex-Googler, and neuroscience researcher Anne-Laure Le Cunff to explore how micro-decisions and curiosity can reshape your career, mental health, and relationship with uncertainty. They unpack the science of habit formation, challenge society’s obsession with linear success, and discuss how to navigate change with intention.

📌 Topics Covered:
 • How to turn fear into data
 • Scripts we unconsciously follow (and how to rewrite them)
 • Tiny experiments in relationships, careers & creativity
 • Building a mental gym for everyday resilience
 • Identity, nonlinear paths & why “niching down” isn't the only way

🎯 Whether you’re at a crossroads, pivoting careers, or redefining your next step, this episode will leave you asking: What’s one tiny experiment I can run today?

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What does it really take to leave a job and become a full-time artist—with kids, responsibilities, and a whole new country to navigate? 🎨🇦🇺 In this powerful and inspiring conversation, I speak with Maria Jose Benvenuto, a Chilean artist living in Australia, about how she turned a childhood dream into a full-time profession.

We talk about:

• How freedom and discipline go hand in hand
• Why curiosity is the engine of creativity and reinvention
• The mindset shift from fear to action—and how Maria handles rejection and judgement
• Her transition from working at Red Bull to painting full-time
• The power of structured spontaneity in a creative life
• Practical advice for anyone afraid of putting themselves out there on social media

Whether you're an artist, entrepreneur, or simply at a crossroads—Maria’s honesty, optimism, and clarity might be just what you need. Check out her art on Instagram: @mariajosebenvenuto.

🎧 Tune in for a refreshing reminder that you don’t need to have it all figured out — just the courage to start.

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From being rejected for a job he thought he wanted very early in his career… to working alongside Whoopi Goldberg on a global women’s sports network—Miguel Santos’ journey is anything but linear. He's COO of Jungo TV, the network that co-founded AWSN, the first global women's sports channel, with Goldberg. 

In this episode, we talk about how rejection can guide you, why resumés don’t matter as much as you think, and why you don’t need to have it all figured out to build an extraordinary life.

If you’ve ever doubted your path, wondered if you're too late, or feared putting yourself out there—this one’s for you.

We talk about:
• How rejection can lead you exactly where you’re meant to go
• Building a career on character, not credentials
• The two traits you really need to succeed
• The power of saying yes before you're ready
• What the media landscape looks like now — and how to stand out in a crowded space
• The importance of doing what scares you

🎧 Listen now and get inspired to take your next bold step.

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We’ve all heard the saying: “Your work speaks for itself.” 

But what if that’s actually one of the biggest myths holding you back? After years in journalism, interviewing some of the brightest minds in politics, business, and global affairs, I’ve seen firsthand that brilliance alone isn’t enough.

The people with the deepest insights—the ones who could actually move the needle—were often the least visible. Some by choice. Some because they didn’t know how to present themselves. Some convinced that staying in the background was the right thing to do.

Meanwhile, those who mastered the art of being seen, being heard, and shaping conversations? They influenced industries.

And let me say something controversial—sometimes they might not even the best people to be wielding that kind of influence.

At the very least, we could have a more nuanced, more diverse, richer conversation—if more voices stepped forward.

If you’ve ever felt like you don’t want to “promote yourself” or you’re unsure how to step into your voice without feeling cringe, this episode is for you.

Let’s talk about what true thought leadership really is, and how you can start speaking for your work—with authenticity, credibility, and with real impact.

Your work doesn't speak for itself. YOU speak for your work. Your ideas, your voice, your presence in conversations—that's what will get your work a seat at the table. 

🎧 Listen now and let me know—what’s one thing you wish more people talked about in your field but don’t? 

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The most powerful negotiations aren’t always between nations. Sometimes, they’re between who the world expects you to be and who you decide to become.

Boris Toucas spent years negotiating high-stakes policies as a French diplomat, shaping decisions that impacted nations. But then, he took a different kind of risk—one that had nothing to do with international relations and everything to do with personal reinvention.

In this episode, we explore:

✅ What diplomacy and art have in common—and why mastering influence isn’t just for politicians.
(If you’re in business, leadership, or any high-stakes field, the ability to navigate conversations and shape perception is your greatest asset.)

✅ How to reinvent yourself when you feel stuck—before the world validates you.
(What if the thing holding you back isn’t a lack of ability, but waiting for permission to take the leap?)

✅ Why uncertainty isn’t a barrier—it’s the reality successful people learn to navigate.
(Whether you’re switching careers, stepping into leadership, or launching something new, waiting for certainty will keep you stuck. Here’s how to move forward anyway.)

✅ The identity trap: Why people box themselves in—and how to break free.
(Do you feel like you’re only ‘allowed’ to be one thing? Boris proves you can step into a new chapter without losing the credibility or expertise you’ve built.)

If you’ve ever felt like you’re meant for more but aren’t sure how to break through, this conversation will challenge you to rethink the rules.

🎙️ Listen now and start negotiating the next chapter of your life—on your terms.

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Most people get this completely wrong. They think being good on camera is about how they look, how they sound, or even delivering the perfect message. But there’s one thing that truly makes all the difference.

Without it, you’ll hesitate, overthink, and struggle to connect with your audience. But with it? You’ll exude confidence, clarity, and impact every time you show up.

What is it? Listen now to find out. 🎧

#Podcast #ChoicesAndChances #OnCameraConfidence #PublicSpeaking #PersonalBranding

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I’ve built my dream career once before—now I’m doing it again, from scratch.

If you’ve ever thought about leaving behind a “stable” job to create something on your own, this episode is for you. I’m taking you behind the scenes of what it’s really like to build a business, grow a podcast, and transition into a completely new field.

No shortcuts. No easy way around it. Just consistent action, putting in the reps—even when no one is watching.

We always hear from people after they’ve made it. But this is what it looks like in the middle.

Like many of you, I want to create a stable passive income stream—one that isn’t tied to trading time for money. That’s why I’m building digital products and turning my experience into something that works for me over time.

But let’s be clear: Passive income isn't passive in the beginning. It takes real work to set up, build something sustainable, and create value that people will actually pay for.

If you’ve been waiting for the right time—this is it. Go.

🎧 Listen & subscribe: https://choiceschances.co/podcast
📩 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/choiceschances/
▶️ Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rk6_ak-tuSA

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What’s the one leadership skill that impacts trust, decision-making, and influence—yet no one talks about it?

In this episode of Choices & Chances, I sit down with Mark Panayiotis Notaras, a global leader in international development, social entrepreneurship, and leadership strategy, to unpack the concept of Trust Intelligence (TQ)—the missing key to impactful leadership. 

We also talk about navigating and understanding high-context cultures, leading with empathy, making bold career moves, as well as deep listening and curiosity in shaping impactful leadership and decision-making.

We discuss:
🔹 How TQ (Trust Intelligence) can transform leadership, business, and relationships.
🔹 The power of deep listening—and why most leaders get it wrong.
🔹 How to break out of echo chambers and truly connect with opposing viewpoints.
🔹 The hard truth about quitting a stable job for an uncertain path—and what it really takes.

🔹 Why Entrepreneurs Should Think Like Community Builders—and how to lead with trust.

If you're on the cusp of deciding between job security or leaping into the unknown... or if you want to be a better leader, communicator, or decision-maker, this episode is a must-listen. 

🎧 Listen now!

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What separates great communicators from the rest? And why do even the smartest leaders struggle to get their message across?

"People have this idea that communicators like Barack Obama didn't put in any work, which is just nonsense," says Laura.

In this episode, I sit down with Laura Shields, founder of RedThread (and fellow 'Brussels Bubble' insider) who has spent over a decade training Prime Ministers, CEOs, and leadership teams to communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact.

We break down:

🔹 The biggest communication mistakes top leaders make (and how to fix them)
🔹 Why intelligence doesn’t equal influence—and how to make your ideas land
🔹 The truth about authenticity in communication (and why it’s often misunderstood)
🔹 Why practicing out loud is the single most underrated strategy for public speaking
🔹 The power of storytelling and how to craft messages that actually resonate

Laura also shares her personal journey, from journalism to high-stakes communication coaching, and how her late ADHD & dyspraxia diagnosis shaped her approach to work and decision-making.

This episode has lots of golden nuggets in messaging, public speaking, and strategic communication—whether you're leading a team, presenting in high-stakes meetings, or simply want to be heard more effectively.

🎧 Listen now and share your biggest takeaway!

#Podcast #Leadership #PublicSpeaking #CommunicationSkills #MediaTraining #Messaging #ExecutivePresence

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