Stories That Shape Us

What if you could see the world — without quitting your job? 🌍✈️In this episode of Stories That Shape Us, Ritika Thakkar shares how she’s travelled to over 40 countries while working a full-time 9-to-5. From finding £30 flight deals on Skyscanner to learning confidence through solo travel, Ritika’s story is a masterclass in freedom through intention — proving that time isn’t found, it’s made.Timestamps00:00 - Introduction to Finding Cheap Flights00:22 - Benefits of Traveling00:49 - Welcome to Stories that Shape Us02:03 - Rapid Fire Questions with RitIka10:33 - Navigating Visa Challenges16:52 - Budget-Friendly Travel Tips20:57 - Good and Bad Travel Experiences26:50 - Heartwarming Travel Experiences28:01 - The Benefits of Traveling28:52 - Travel Tips for Students on a Budget36:06 - Travel Tips for Busy Professionals39:58 - Romantic Getaways for Couples41:57 - Exploring Unique and Unusual Destinations48:17 - Final Reflections and Travel Challenge🎧 Whether you’re a mid-career professional dreaming of travel or someone craving balance between work and wonder, this episode will remind you that you always have time for what matters.Follow Ritika:Facebook –   / ritika.rajput.16940  LinkedIn –   / thakkarritika  Gear I Use📷 Sony ZV-E10 - https://amzn.to/41nuUqP📸 Sigma 16mm F1.4 lens - https://amzn.to/4ieZJ7Y🌞 Variable ND filter - https://amzn.to/3QEMGku🎤 Rode Wireless Pro - https://amzn.to/4ipDjAO📍 Tripod - https://amzn.to/3F5hSqA💡 Lights - https://amzn.to/43fFVgu🎛️ Spider Greycard -https://amzn.to/43jYFv8Disclaimer - the links above are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you—if you choose to buy through them. It’s one of the ways I support this channel and keep creating content. Thanks for the support!

Are you struggling with perfectionism, imposter syndrome, or feeling invisible in your career? In this inspiring conversation, singer-songwriter and podcaster Unoma Okudo shares her journey of evolving beyond boxes, finding courage to share her story, and creating an authentic personal brand rooted in both faith and creativity.We talk about:

• How to overcome perfectionism and give yourself permission to fail
• Practical ways to promote yourself without feeling fake
• The truth about rejection as part of success (and how to handle it)
• Navigating career growth and visibility as a creative or early career professional
• Small steps to build confidence and put yourself out there without fear
• Finding emotional freedom through faith and therapy as a Christian
• Why courage, not perfection, is the key to living fully

If you’ve ever wondered how to stop imposter syndrome or struggled to show up authentically in your career or creative journey, this episode will help you take the next brave step.

🎙️ From Curious Kid to Fortune 500 Tech Leader | Career Reinvention & Joy in TechIn this episode, we sit down with Jose, a senior software engineer at a Fortune 500 financial institution, whose technology career journey started in a cyber café in Venezuela. With no formal training at first, Jose taught himself to code through curiosity, community, and pure joy. Today, he leads global teams—still driven by the same playful spirit.We dive into:🔹 How to be a good software engineer (without losing your soul)🔹 How to make your career more fun — even in a traditional 9-5🔹 Joy as a strategy for career growth (not just a “nice-to-have”)🔹 Career reinvention stories in tech that inspire🔹 Why fun matters in your tech career and how to bring it back🔹 Why joy matters in deciding your career, especially when stakes are highWhether you’re early in your journey or stuck in a rut, Jose’s story will remind you: your career doesn’t have to be linear—and joy might just be your best compass.🎧 Watch now and get inspired to reimagine what your career could look like.

"Think more about how you do things—not just what you do.” — Mark NapierJoin us on this rich, reflective, and fun conversation with Mark, the Chief Technology Officer at JP Morgan’s International Private Bank and site lead of their Glasgow technology hub. We talked about growing up in working-class Glasgow, being the first in his family to attend university, leading through a global pandemic, and learning how to lead with empathy, confidence, and clarity.Whether you’re early in your career or leading at scale, this episode will leave you with powerful insights on:

• Redefining success on your own terms
• Balancing drive with care and compassion
• Navigating change, uncertainty, and leadership in times of crisis
• Staying grounded in what really matters

🎧 Available wherever you get your podcasts — but this one, you might want to watch.🔗 Connect with Mark NapierLinkedIn -   / mark-napier-0b435513  Gear I Use📷 Sony ZV-E10 - https://amzn.to/41nuUqP📸 Sigma 16mm F1.4 lens - https://amzn.to/4ieZJ7Y🌞 Variable ND filter - https://amzn.to/3QEMGku🎤 Rode Wireless Pro - https://amzn.to/4ipDjAO📍 Tripod - https://amzn.to/3F5hSqA💡 Lights - https://amzn.to/43fFVgu🎛️ Spider Greycard - https://amzn.to/43jYFv8Disclaimer: The above are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you—if you choose to buy through them. It’s one of the ways I support this channel and keep creating content. Thanks for your support!Timestamps00:00 - Introduction and Early Life Reflections00:44 - Career Journey and Leadership at JP Morgan01:10 - Guest Introduction and Episode Overview02:11 - Social Media Presence and Personal Anecdotes03:41 - Family Background and Upbringing10:02 - Educational Pursuits and Early Career Decisions23:30 - Navigating Career Challenges and Technology Insights28:24 - Leadership During the Pandemic36:37 - Navigating Post-Pandemic Challenges37:25 - Community Impact and Office Return39:51 - Personal Reflections and Leadership41:59 - Advice to Younger Self48:46 - Future Vision and Legacy53:07 - Hot Takes on Technology and Innovation01:04:23 - Final Thoughts and Farewell📈 Sub Count: 516

In this episode, Andrew Arere shares his remarkable journey from selling hand-made art at 16 to managing global tech and telecom projects, and how being made redundant in the UK was a transformative moment in his life. Through personal stories of challenges and triumphs, Andrew discusses how mindset, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit have driven his success. Learn how he built his real estate business, Clarinet Properties, and invested in over 25 properties since 2016. Whether you're an immigrant, navigating career crossroads, or an aspiring entrepreneur, Andrew's story offers practical wisdom and deep perspective. Join us as we explore the power of a positive mindset and the entrepreneurial hustle.🔗 Connect with Andrew Arere⁠LinkedIn - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/andrewarereClarinet Properties - https://clarinetproperties.co.uk/

*Resources mentioned*

The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale

The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson

Gear I Use

📷 Sony ZV-E10 - https://amzn.to/41nuUqP

📸 Sigma 16mm F1.4 lens - https://amzn.to/4ieZJ7Y

🌞 Variable ND filter - https://amzn.to/3QEMGku

🎤 Rode Wireless Pro - https://amzn.to/4ipDjAO

📍 Tripod - https://amzn.to/3F5hSqA

💡 Lights - https://amzn.to/43fFVgu

🎛️ Spider Greycard - https://amzn.to/43jYFv8

Disclaimer - the links above are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you—if you choose to buy through them. It’s one of the ways I support this channel and keep creating content. Thanks for the support!

Timestamps

00:00 - Early Lessons in Entrepreneurship

00:35 - Facing Redundancy and Finding New Paths

00:57 - Introduction to Real Estate

01:24 - Guest Introduction: Andrew Re's Journey

02:37 - Andrew Re's Background and Mindset

04:08 - Overcoming Early Life Challenges

06:01 - Mentorship and Positive Thinking

12:32 - Entrepreneurial Beginnings and Family Influence

23:35 - Navigating Career Transitions

28:43 - Venturing into Oil and Gas

29:11 - Journey to the UK

47:00 - Gaining Skills and Confidence

49:46 - Facing Redundancy

53:34 - Rediscovering Entrepreneurship

57:23 - Starting in Real Estate

01:02:56 - Scaling the Property Business

01:22:41 - Reflections and Advice

01:30:01 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

🎧 Join us on this fun and deeply reflective conversation with Alex, a creative technologist whose journey spans five jobs, three countries, and one seismic shift in perspective.We talked about what it means to truly live when death becomes real. Alex shares how losing her father redefined her view on time, regret, and what truly matters. We explored how much of who we are is shaped by culture, family, survival—and how to start reclaiming our truest selves. From leaving rural Romania to taking bold leaps in Barcelona, Alex reminds us that courage doesn’t mean having it all figured out—it means taking the next step anyway.If you’ve ever wrestled with honoring your roots while forging your future, or wondered what it really means to live intentionally, this one is for you.⏳ A joyful journey into the unknown awaits.🔗 Connect with Alex RaduLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maradu/ 📚 Resources mentioned1. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi2. Slow Productivity by Cal Newport3. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. MaasTimestamps00:00 - Reflecting on Life and Death00:53 - Introducing Alex Radu01:49 - Alex's Journey from Romania02:50 - Cultural Differences and Work Ethic04:26 - Adapting to Change and New Environments07:34 - The Impact of Family and Community10:16 - Career Milestones and Personal Growth16:00 - The Seismic Shift: Dealing with Loss20:40 - Living with Purpose and Meaning28:07 - Advice to Younger Self31:07 - Reflecting on Past Decisions31:49 - Inspiration from an 83-Year-Old Friend34:23 - Living in the Present36:58 - First World Problems and Helping Others37:59 - Rapid Fire Questions and Hot Takes42:16 - Learning Languages44:35 - Proud Moments and Life Reflections52:03 - Final Thoughts and FarewellGear I Use📷 Sony ZV-E10 – https://amzn.to/41nuUqP📸 Sigma 16mm F1.4 lens – https://amzn.to/4ieZJ7Y🌞 Variable ND filter – https://amzn.to/3QEMGku🎤 Rode Wireless Pro – https://amzn.to/4ipDjAO📍 Tripod – https://amzn.to/3F5hSqA💡 Lights – https://amzn.to/43fFVgu🎛️ Spider Greycard – https://amzn.to/43jYFv8🛍️ Disclaimer: These are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you—if you choose to purchase through them. It helps support the channel. Thank you!

In this episode of 'Stories that Shape Us,' Michael Bergson shares his journey from the financial struggles of running his first restaurant, Soho, during the 2008 credit crunch, to the successful establishment of his food business, Bucks Bar. Michael discusses his initial challenges, including relying on lunch takings to pay staff and suppliers and the turning point that led to Bucks Bar becoming a profitable and well-loved staple in Glasgow. He emphasizes the importance of tradition over trends, the critical nature of location, funding methods, maintaining consistency, and effective branding. Throughout the conversation, Michael also shares personal insights about his motivation, driven by a desire to repay his father's efforts, and the joy he finds in growing his business and supporting his team. This episode provides valuable lessons for aspiring restauranteurs on resilience, strategic planning, and the impactful role of social media in modern business.00:00 The Struggles of Running a Restaurant02:00 Introduction to Michael Braxton03:35 Michael's Journey into the Food Industry06:34 The Birth of Bucks Bar13:08 Overcoming Financial Challenges27:21 The Impact of Social Media and Lockdown35:05 Advice for Aspiring Restaurateurs37:42 Catchment Area Essentials38:42 Funding Your Restaurant39:53 The Brewer's Loan Explained42:37 Business Rates and Tax Models43:47 Designing Your Kitchen and Menu45:02 Ensuring Consistency in Recipes46:25 Centralized Production Kitchen47:56 Validating Recipes and Branding53:09 Balancing Costs and Outsourcing55:38 Growth and Employee Development59:28 Reflecting on the Journey01:05:48 Rapid Fire Questions

Dr. Clara Doran spent years helping others as a GP — until a life-altering diagnosis flipped her world from healer to patient. In this powerful conversation, she opens up about living with MS, how invisible illness reshaped her identity, and the hope she found on the other side of fear.We talk about:• Navigating chronic illness as a doctor and mother• The emotional toll of invisible symptoms• Rebuilding purpose after everything changesThis is a story of resilience, redefinition, and learning to listen to your body.Order Dr. Clara’s audiobook, Doctor Interrupted: https://amzn.to/4j6J72r.Please note that this is an affiliate link.

In this episode, we delve into the extraordinary life and career of Dave Tate, a former Wing Commander of the UK's Royal Air Force and an esteemed fighter pilot with over 2,000 flying hours. Dave recounts the harrowing close call where two ravens almost took his life, his experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the challenges of leading RAF's elite 617 Squadron, famed as the 'Dambusters'.

Learn about the rigorous training, the emotional toll of losing comrades, and how he managed to balance work and family life. Dave also shares invaluable lessons on discipline, resilience, leadership, and transitioning to a career at J.P. Morgan. Prepare to be inspired by Dave's journey from flying some of the world's most advanced fighter jets to excelling in the corporate world.Timestamps00:00 A Near-Death Experience in the Cockpit01:15 Meet Dave Tate: A Decorated RAF Pilot04:57 Early Life and Influences10:05 Choosing the Air Force Over Law34:33 Rigorous Training and Near-Death Experience38:22 Unexpected Encounter with Ravens39:31 Critical Moments in the Cockpit41:47 Emergency Landing and Aftermath43:39 Reflections on Training and Resilience45:34 The Bond of Military Brotherhood48:29 Tragic Loss and Coping Mechanisms56:31 Transition to Civilian Life01:04:56 Reflections and Career Lessons01:14:34 Final Thoughts and GratitudeGear I Use📷 Sony ZV-E10 - https://amzn.to/41nuUqP📸 Sigma 16mm F1.4 lens - https://amzn.to/4ieZJ7Y🌞 Variable ND filter - https://amzn.to/3QEMGku🎤 Rode Wireless Pro - https://amzn.to/4ipDjAO📍 Tripod - https://amzn.to/3F5hSqA💡 Lights - https://amzn.to/43fFVgu🎛️ Spider Greycard - https://amzn.to/43jYFv8#FighterPilot #HighPerformance #StayCalm #MentalResilience #mindsetmattersmore #podcast #RAF #Aviation

In this episode, we sit down with Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, co-founder of Andela, Flutterwave, and Future Africa. From narrowly missing a tragic plane crash to building some of Africa’s most impactful tech companies, Iyin shares his remarkable journey, driven by faith, service, and an unrelenting desire to create opportunities for others.🔑 Key Topics & Lessons with Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction“I may not be technical, but I can sell” – Iyin’s unique entrepreneurial edge.02:00 – Faith as a Foundation“I see entrepreneurship as a ministry to help people flourish.”04:30 – Surviving a Plane Crash“That moment made me realize life isn’t a game. I had to take it seriously.”06:45 – Turning Pain into Purpose“I wanted to honor my friends who died by creating impact in their absence.”09:00 – Discovering Entrepreneurship“I thought solving Nigeria’s problems meant working at the UN—until I learned what entrepreneurship could do.”12:00 – First Startup Lessons with Bookneto“Solution selling means listening to your customers and building what they need.”17:45 – Navigating Failure and Pivoting“Our professors hated us—until we helped them make money.”27:00 – The Power of Collaboration“Working alone? You might build a $10M company. With a strong team? A $1B company.”31:00 – From Andela to Flutterwave“You don’t need an MBA to run a company. You need the opportunity.”35:00 – Continuous Learning as a Superpower“I read books, articles, and talk to people to stay sharp and connected.”38:00 – Overcoming Imposter Syndrome“I’m confident because I know how little I know—and that’s okay.”41:00 – Mastering the Art of Selling“Step into your customer’s shoes, reverse-engineer their needs, and offer solutions they can’t resist.”43:00 – Impact Over Profit“It’s not about the unicorns. It’s about the lives we’ve changed.”46:00 – Advice to Young Entrepreneurs“Be more attuned to God’s leading and take risks—it’s a kingdom principle.”📚 Recommended Resources by Iyinoluwa Aboyeji:1. Zero to One by Peter Thiel – Understanding what technology can truly do.2. Founders at Work by Jessica Livingston – Real stories of startup struggles and successes.3. The Bible – Timeless wisdom for clear thinking, resilience, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship.🛠️ Top Advice for Entrepreneurs:“Find a customer and build around their needs. Be willing to take risks, collaborate with the best, and always be learning.”