Resilient Voices - In Leadership & Life

In this episode of Resilient Voices in Leadership & Life, Jessica Schultz speaks with Angelica Björklund about resilience, leadership, and the courage to choose a new path when work no longer feels aligned.

Angelica openly shares her journey through demanding leadership roles, toxic organisational dynamics, and the personal cost of losing touch with her own voice. She reflects on the pressure of high performance, the impact of unhealthy workplace cultures, and the lessons that ultimately led her toward deeper self-awareness, authentic leadership, and starting her own coaching business.

Together, we explore what it means to lead with integrity, how resilience is built through challenge and change, and why self-awareness is essential for both personal growth and sustainable leadership.

This is an honest and insightful conversation for anyone navigating leadership pressure, career change, workplace culture, or the journey back to themselves.

Apply here: https://www.succesumleadership.com/resilient-voices-

In this episode of Resilient Voices in Leadership & Life, host Jessica Schultz sits down with Maryam Jan Akbari for an inspiring and deeply honest conversation about resilience, storytelling, and the courage to stand in your truth.

Maryam shares her journey from a silenced childhood in Afghanistan to becoming a powerful voice for women’s freedom, healing, and self-expression. Through her story, she reflects on what it means to reclaim your voice, unshame your past, and transform painful experiences into strength, purpose, and impact.

Together, we explore the role of storytelling in healing trauma and how speaking openly about lived experience can become both a personal and collective act of empowerment. Maryam speaks about the importance of facing what has been hidden, releasing shame, and reconnecting with the truth of who you are.

This conversation also highlights the connection between resilience and leadership. Maryam offers a powerful perspective on how authentic leadership is shaped not by perfection, but by honesty, courage, and the willingness to move through pain rather than around it. Her reflections are a reminder that our hardest experiences can become the foundation for both personal freedom and meaningful leadership.

This is a moving episode for anyone navigating healing, identity, leadership, or the journey of turning their story into something powerful.

Get the Unshamed Story to Authority Kit by subscribing Maryam's newsletter here: https://maryam-jan-akbari-2.kit.com/47878d1f93

Or join Voice to Visibility Academy, a private community for women ready to turn stories they’ve been holding back into a visible personal brand, build trust & attract aligned clients.

https://www.skool.com/voice-to-visibility-academy-8135/about

Also to order and read the book from Amazon here:

https://a.co/d/0cXt38wV

Connect with MaryAm here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryam-jan-akbari/

Do you want to share your story and be on guest on the podcast? Follow the link for application: https://www.succesumleadership.com/resilient-voices-

Follow the podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resilient_voices_podcast/

In this episode of Resilient Voices with host Jessica Schultz, Jennifer Nunez shares a deeply personal and inspiring reflection on identity, resilience, and the ongoing journey of becoming. Drawing on her multicultural background, she explores how culture, belonging, and self-awareness have shaped her path through different seasons of life and work.

Jennifer speaks openly about her transition from corporate life toward greater personal fulfilment, and how that journey was guided by deep inner listening, body awareness, and a growing trust in her own wisdom. Her story is a powerful reminder that resilience is not about having everything figured out, but about learning to navigate uncertainty, respond to misalignment, and allow identity to evolve.

We talk about the pivotal role of yoga and body awareness in self-discovery, as well as the importance of recognising the early signs of burnout. Jennifer reflects on what it means to say “no,” set boundaries, and choose a different path when life no longer feels aligned.

Our conversation also explores the value of curiosity and experimentation during times of transition, and how approaches such as Internal Family Systems and parts work can help foster self-compassion and deeper self-understanding. Together, we reflect on resilience as a fluid, multi-dimensional process rooted in trust, openness, and authenticity.

We also touch on the shift from control to surrender, and on how identity continues to unfold through life stages such as motherhood. This is a thoughtful and grounded conversation filled with honest insight and practical inspiration for anyone navigating change, seeking greater alignment, or learning to live and lead more authentically

Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life by James Hollis

Internal Family Systems Therapy

Connect with Jennifer Nunez

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferjnunez/  https://substack.com/@jenniferjnunez https://www.instagram.com/jenniferjnunez/ 

https://www.instagram.com/lumacircle.co/ 

Do you want to share your story and be on guest on the podcast? Follow the link for application: https://www.succesumleadership.com/resilient-voices-

In this episode of the Resilient Voices podcast, host Jessica engages in a deep conversation with Jenny "Jenkamichiko” Karlsson, a multi-passionate individual from Sweden. They explore Jenny's journey of resilience, self-discovery, and personal growth, discussing the challenges she faced and the lessons learned along the way. From her early experiences of people-pleasing to finding her voice and setting boundaries, Jenny shares her insights on embracing vulnerability, the importance of self-love, and the power of resilience. The conversation highlights the significance of navigating uncertainty, embracing chaos, and ultimately leading oneself with authenticity and purpose.

Resilience is about bouncing back from setbacks.

Finding your voice is crucial for personal growth.

Connect with Jenny here: 

Jenny “Jenkamichiko” Karlsson is an international motivational speaker, wellness practitioner, and entrepreneur known for her practical yet holistic approach to personal transformation.

https://www.instagram.com/jenkamichiko/

In this episode of Resilient Voices, Kate Shifman shares her transformative journey from a successful advertising career in New York to a new life in Portugal. She discusses the pivotal moments that led her to seek deeper meaning and purpose, including a life-changing experience at a yoga ashram. Kate emphasises the importance of resilience, community, and self-discovery in navigating life's challenges. She also shares insights on creating a community-centric living space that fosters connection and creativity, while reflecting on the ongoing journey of personal growth and the need for clarity in a noisy world.

"This is happening for me, not to me. ....Life is a gift, even when it's hard."

Chapters

In this episode of Resilient Voices, Catarina Afonso shares her transformative journey from being a burnt-out teacher in the UK to becoming a nutrition coach in Portugal. She discusses the challenges of moving countries, the emotional toll of her husband's epilepsy, and the importance of self-care and setting boundaries. Kat emphasises the need for resilience in facing financial and emotional hurdles, the significance of support systems, and the power of mindfulness in managing anxiety. Through her experiences, she highlights the importance of prioritising oneself to be able to support others effectively.

It's a journey, not a quick fix. You have to be your priority."

Chapters

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https://www.instagram.com/resilient_voices_podcast/

Summary

In this episode, Monika Odzganova shares her transformative journey through resilience, focusing on the impact of childhood experiences on adult relationships. She discusses the patterns of loneliness and emotional immaturity that often plague romantic connections, emphasizing the importance of therapy and emotional maturity in fostering healthy relationships. The conversation explores the challenges of modern dating and the necessity of finding real connections, ultimately highlighting that healing is a relational process that requires commitment and self-awareness.

"Healing is relational"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Resilience and Transformation

Connect with Monika on Instagram:

@monika_odzganova

Follow the podcast on Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/resilient_voices_podcast/

In this episode of Resilient Voices, host Jessica Schultz talks with Katie Bezou—mother of two, yoga practitioner, and community founder—about her powerful path to resilience and self-discovery.

Katie shares how years of feeling mentally overwhelmed led to a gradual personal awakening. Through yoga, mindfulness, and intentional self-love, she learned to shift her inner dialogue and reconnect with her authentic self.

In this episode:

How Katie transformed her mindset over 7–8 years

The role of yoga in emotional healing

Practical tools for self-awareness and inner resilience

What it means to rewrite your internal narrative

A meaningful episode for anyone seeking mindfulness, personal growth, and emotional strength.

You can connect with Katie on Instagram: 

@intentinonallivingkatie

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In this episode, Dana Manor-Zahavi shares her inspiring journey of resilience, discussing her experiences growing up in Israel, living in the US, and now in Portugal. She emphasises the importance of coping mechanisms, community support, and the power of knowledge in overcoming health challenges.

The conversation explores the significance of vulnerability, making unreasonable requests, and the lessons learned from mistakes. Ultimately, Dana encourages listeners to choose their reality and embrace the uncertainty of life with courage and resilience.

"Resilience is about how we get up after falling down"

You can connect with Dana on Instagram: 

@dandanzahavi

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Resilience

02:36 The Journey of Resilience

05:33 Coping Mechanisms and Mindset

08:36 Health Challenges and Empowerment

11:50 Navigating Professional Changes

14:41 Preventative Health Measures

17:15 Community and Support Systems

20:30 The Importance of Vulnerability

23:13 Choosing Your Reality

26:37 Unreasonable Requests and Courage

29:25 Lessons from Mistakes

32:23 Building Resilience Through Experience

35:21 Final Thoughts on Resilience

In this episode of Resilient Voices, host Jessica Schultz engages with Hannah Mari Kirs, an entrepreneur and mother from Estonia, discussing the profound impact of storytelling on personal resilience and growth.

"The narratives we tell ourselves shape our reality."

Hannah shares her experiences with postpartum challenges, the influence of social media on parenting narratives, and the importance of curating the stories we tell ourselves. The conversation emphasises the power of narratives in shaping our reality and the necessity of mindfulness in recognising harmful stories. Through shared experiences, the episode highlights how storytelling can foster connection, empathy, and healing, ultimately empowering individuals to change their narratives and embrace resilience.

You can connect with Hanna-Mari via her webpage: 

https://heroesandguides.com/

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