What if people underestimate you before you even get the chance to prove yourself?

Growing up in Germany in a Turkish family, Şafak learned early what it feels like to be underestimated. At school, teachers questioned whether his background would allow him to succeed academically. Years later, some of those judgments still stay with him.

But they also shaped the way he looks at people today.

In this episode, Şafak shares how his upbringing influenced his ambition, how he helped build a startup from a handful of people to more than 80 before it was acquired by Accenture, and why believing in people has become central to the way he leads.

We discuss:

- What being underestimated because of your background can leave with you - even years later

- What building and nearly losing a company taught him about responsibility, failure and people

- Why great leadership starts with making people feel that they matter - and creating an environment where they are safe enough to speak up

Şafak’s story is ultimately about how our beginnings can shape us without having to define us.

Connect with Şafak on LinkedIn: Şafak Baş

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Disclaimer: Views expressed are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of their employer.

What happens when the dream you’ve been chasing almost your entire life doesn’t happen?

Felix Stehr spent almost 20 years pursuing one goal: becoming a professional football player.

It didn’t happen.

Today, he is an Associate Director at Oaklins, advising companies and investors on global M&A transactions. But the years he spent chasing football didn’t disappear. The discipline, competitiveness and “full steam ahead” mentality became part of how he built his second career.

In this episode, we talk about:

- What it feels like when the dream you built your identity around doesn’t work out

- How Felix transferred the mindset he developed in football into investment banking

- What it really takes to build a career in M&A - from long hours and relationships to continuous growth

This conversation is for anyone whose Plan A did not work out - and is beginning to realize that a failed dream does not mean the years spent chasing it were wasted.

Connect with Felix on LinkedIn: Felix Stehr

Questions or feedback?

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Disclaimer: Views expressed are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of their employer.

What happens when the drive that keeps pushing you forward becomes something you struggle to switch off?

Olha has built her life around movement. From growing up in Kyiv and building an international career across different roles and companies, to running marathons, public speaking, and eventually starting a new chapter in London- standing still has rarely been part of her story.

But constant growth comes with another side.

In this episode, Olha shares how her difficult childhood shaped her independence and ambition, how the war in Ukraine fundamentally changed her relationship with stability, and why she is now learning that a successful career - and life - cannot always keep moving upwards.

We discuss:

- Why constantly chasing the next step can make career plateaus difficult to accept

- What working across corporate and startup environments taught her about growth, decisions, and taking risks

- How war, relocation, and starting again changed what stability means to her

This conversation is for anyone who is used to always pushing forward - and is beginning to wonder whether growth always has to mean more.

Connect with Olha on LinkedIn: Olha Kashpur

Questions or feedback?

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Disclaimer: Views expressed are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of their employer.

What happens when your career is going well - and you still feel the need to leave?

Lorenzo spent almost a decade building a successful career at Enel, one of the world’s largest energy companies. He moved across roles, worked closely with senior leadership, changed countries, and built a strong professional network along the way.

Nothing was going wrong. But over time, one question became harder to ignore: was staying still the right choice?

In this episode, Lorenzo shares his journey from engineering and international business studies to leadership roles across Italy and Spain - and why he ultimately left the company where he had built almost his entire career to start again in a new environment.

We discuss:

- Why leaving can be hardest when nothing is actually wrong

- How to recognize when stability is no longer helping you grow

- Why taking ownership of your career means asking for what you want - and making difficult decisions when necessary

This conversation is for anyone who has built a career they are proud of - and found themselves wondering: Should I stay, or is it time to move on?

Connect with Lorenzo on LinkedIn: Lorenzo Scala

Questions or feedback?

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Disclaimer: Views expressed are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of their employer.

What happens when you achieve the career you always dreamed of - and realize you might be searching for something more?

Paola spent more than eight years at Coca-Cola - a company she had dreamed of working for since childhood. She built a successful career, took on growing responsibilities, and worked alongside people she deeply admired.

But over time, something changed. Success alone no longer felt like enough.

In this episode, Paola shares her journey from Coca-Cola through sustainability leadership to Boston Scientific - and how she began redefining success around purpose, service, and living a life aligned with what truly matters to her.

We discuss:

- What happens when the dream you worked for no longer feels like enough

- How to recognize when your career and your values are moving in different directions

- Why finding purpose isn't one big revelation, but an ongoing process of understanding what makes you feel most alive

This conversation is for anyone who has achieved something they once wanted - and found themselves wondering: What now?

Connect with Paola on LinkedIn: Paola Pujol

Questions or feedback?

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Disclaimer: Views expressed are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of their employer.

Have you ever wondered whether building an international career is worth the sacrifices?

Oleh is a marketing leader at L'Oréal who built his career across Ukraine, France, and Poland - embracing new cultures, leading international teams, and stepping outside his comfort zone time and time again.

In this episode, he shares why moving abroad changed his life, the sacrifices that came with leaving home, and the lessons he learned about resilience, relationships, and adapting to constant change.

We discuss:

- Why the hardest part about moving abroad isn't a new country - it's leaving people behind

- How changing countries transformed his leadership, confidence, and way of working

- Why slowing your career down to gain broader experience can accelerate your long-term growth

This conversation is for anyone considering an international career, navigating change, or wondering whether personal growth is worth the sacrifices along the way.

Connect with Oleh on LinkedIn: Oleh Yatsuk

Questions or feedback?

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Disclaimer: Views expressed are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of their employer.

Have you ever risked everything for a dream - only to watch it disappear overnight?

Dennis is a former Google sales leader, Ironman finisher, and entrepreneur who built his career through international moves, relentless curiosity, and a willingness to take calculated risks.

In this episode, he shares why he left one of the world's most sought-after employers to become a startup co-founder - and how one unexpected phone call changed everything before the journey had even begun.

We discuss:

- What happens when your carefully planned future suddenly falls apart

- How to deal with rejection, uncertainty, and starting over

- Why collecting more "no's" might be the fastest path to your next "yes"

This conversation is for anyone building a career, facing uncertainty, or wondering whether taking a risk is ever truly worth it.

Connect with Dennis on LinkedIn: Dennis Spiegel

Questions or feedback?

📩 [email protected]

If you enjoyed this episode, follow PeopleAmongUs. and leave a rating - it helps more people discover the podcast.

Disclaimer: Views expressed are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of their employer.