In this episode, I bring on as my guest Scott Rusnak — executive coach, expert EOS Implementer, board-certified coach for the US and British Olympic teams, and seasoned entrepreneur. 🎙️✨

We dive into:

• 🚴‍♂️ Lessons from competitive cycling and entrepreneurship
• 🧠 The six key components of EOS (Vision, People, Data, Issues, Process, Traction)
• 🤝 The power of saying "no" and building the right community
• 🌎 Thriving in a tech-driven, human-centered world
• 🔥 Becoming the architect of your own life
  
  
  

Follow Scott and his work here:

• Website: https://scottrusnak.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottrusnak/

Podcast produced by Riti Suresh. 

In this episode, I have a powerful conversation with Abubakar Sheriff — founder of Qariyb, a community-driven events platform on a mission to bring people closer through intentional, inclusive, and spiritually aligned gatherings. 🎙️✨

Abubakar shares his journey from growing up in Saudi Arabia and Philadelphia, to launching Qariyb out of a missed event and a deep desire to reconnect people with purpose-driven communities. We dive into:

🌐 Why proximity is possibility — and how physical closeness amplifies human connection.
 🤝 Building tech that serves people, not replaces them — a case for values-aligned design.
 🕌 Creating space for Muslims to find events, experiences, and each other — all in one place.
 🧠 Lessons from instructional technology and community leadership that power his product vision.
 🛠️ The reality of being a lean founder and staying grounded in sincerity when the road gets tough.

His mantra? Start with sincerity. Serve your people. Build from proximity.

Be sure to follow Abubakar and his work here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abusheriff
Qariyb: https://www.qariyb.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qariyb

Podcast produced by Riti Suresh. 

In this episode, I sit down with Shahamat Chowdhury – founder of Salam Consulting, career coach, community builder, and passionate advocate for accessible, human-centered coaching. 

Shahamat shares the deeply personal story behind Salam Consulting — a journey rooted in family legacy, shaped by failure, and driven by a desire to serve others with dignity and care. We explore:

🧭 The role of failure as a catalyst for growth, especially in South Asian communities where it’s often taboo.
 👥 Why building meaningful, inclusive, and psychologically safe communities takes more than just networking—it takes intention.
💬 The difference between coaching and mentoring - and why empowering others to arrive at their own answers can be transformational.
🧡 How treating clients like family creates lasting impact beyond the transaction.
📌 Why most “community events” get it wrong - and what it actually takes to design interactive, vulnerable, and rewarding gatherings.

With over 350 clients supported and a commitment to pay-it-forward coaching, Shahamat is redefining what it means to be a coach and community leader in today’s world.

His approach? Lead with sincerity. Build from the heart. And measure success not in dollars, but in lives impacted.

Follow Shahamat and learn more about her work here:

Website: https://www.salam-consulting.com/
Instagram: @salamconsulting_
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shahamat-chowdhury/

Podcast produced by Riti Suresh. 

In this episode, I sit down with Lori Figueiredo – global education strategist, digital learning expert, and founder of Syzygy – an organization that helps teams align human intelligence (HI) with artificial intelligence (AI) to achieve breakthrough impact.

Lori shares her incredible journey from growing up in apartheid-era South Africa to leading learning transformation initiatives across 100+ countries. With decades of experience across government, NGOs, startups, and corporations, she offers a compelling vision for the future of learning that centers on people, purpose, and measurable impact.

We explore: 

🔗 The five key principles of Syzygy: People, Purpose, Process, Platforms, and Principles—and why alignment (true syzygy) matters now more than ever.

 🧠 Why Human Intelligence (HI) must be developed alongside AI—and what’s at stake if we don’t.

 🌱 How to design systems that create self-organizing learning teams and unlock untapped human potential.

 🌍 Why AI presents a leapfrogging opportunity for emerging economies—and how Lori is seeing it play out across Africa and the Middle East.

Lori’s mantra? Innovation with integrity for positive impact. Her work is a rallying call for leaders, educators, and changemakers who want to future-proof learning and unlock real transformation—through both technology and human-centered design.

Follow Lori and learn more about her work here:
 🔗 Website: https://fusionbysyzygy.com/
🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lori-syzygy

Podcast produced by Riti Suresh. 

In this season finale, I step away from interviews to share a personal reflection on what Season 1 has meant to me. From the inspiring stories of our guests to my own recent experiences, this episode is about the quiet power of showing up - authentically, vulnerably, and even when it’s uncomfortable.

I share the lessons I’ve learned around community building, the courage it takes to ask for help, and how growth often begins in unfamiliar places.

Thank you for being part of this journey. I can’t wait to see you in Season 2.

In this episode, I sit down with Lana Jelenjev, co-founder of the Neurodiversity Education Academy and an advocate for inclusive, strengths-based learning environments. Lana shares her journey in neurodiversity advocacy, building spaces of belonging, and rethinking education to celebrate individual strengths.

In this episode, we discuss:

🧠 Shifting from "what's wrong" to "what's strong" in neurodiversity.

🌍 Creating truly inclusive learning and workplace environments.

📚 Strengths-based education and motivation.

🎭 How passion-driven learning can unlock potential.

Lana’s approach to inclusion is about empowerment, understanding, and celebrating neurodivergent strengths. Whether you're an educator, a parent, or someone passionate about building inclusive spaces, this conversation is packed with valuable insights.

Be sure to follow Lana and her work here:

• Website 
• Lana’s LinkedIn
• Neurodiversity Foundation LinkedIn
• Neurodiversity Education Academy
• Email: [email protected]

Podcast produced by Riti Suresh. 

In this episode, I sit down with Channél Jordan - a creative visionary, digital storyteller, and community builder - to discuss the power of authenticity, fashion, and community. Channél shares her journey from working in the legal field to embracing her passion for fashion history, creative expression, and supporting Black creatives. We explore the nuances of identity, the evolving nature of personal style, and how fashion tells deeper cultural stories.

In this episode, we discuss:

• 🌎 The importance of authenticity in creative spaces and community building.
• 👕 Fashion as a form of storytelling and identity.
• 💡 The intersection of history, culture, and personal style.
• 🛠 How to overcome fear and take the leap into creative work.
• 🔥 Why supporting marginalized creative communities requires more than just appreciation—it requires financial investment and showing up.

Channél’s approach to creative expression is rooted in living your truth and staying true to your mission. Whether you’re a fashion enthusiast, an aspiring creator, or someone looking for inspiration to build an authentic community, this conversation is packed with valuable insights.

Be sure to follow Channél and her work here:

• Website: https://channeljordan.com/
• Instagram: @lovecocojo
• Twitter: @lovecocojo
• Pinterest: @lovecocojo
• TikTok: @lovecocojo

Podcast produced by Riti Suresh. 

In this episode, I sit down with Philippe Arnez, high-flow culture coach and founder of Culture4Flow. Philippe is a certified facilitator for the Working Genius model and an expert in fostering organizational health, leadership, and purpose-driven company cultures.

We explore the power of flow in organizations and how leaders can create resilient, high-performing teams by cultivating the right cultural environment. 

Our conversation dives deep into:

🔹 Philippe’s journey from corporate leadership to founding Culture4Flow.
🔹 What flow science is and how it intersects with organizational health.
🔹 The importance of psychological safety and its role in unlocking high-performance teams.
🔹 How leaders can intentionally design cultures that foster innovation, engagement, and sustainability.
🔹 Why community and shared purpose are key to thriving organizations.

Philippe’s insights provide actionable strategies for leaders and teams looking to build cultures where individuals can thrive, innovate, and achieve optimal performance.

Be sure to follow Philippe and his work here:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philippearnez
• Website: https://www.culture4flow.com/

Podcast produced by Riti Suresh. 

In this episode, I chat with Aziz Imomnazarov - Lead Software Quality Engineer, global professional, and passionate community builder. From Tajikistan to Russia, Turkey, and beyond, Aziz’s journey is a testament to the power of knowledge, connection, and cultural exchange in today’s hyper-connected world.

We explore:

🔥 From software engineering to social impact – how Aziz built a thriving global career while fostering meaningful communities.

🌍 Navigating life across borders – lessons from living and working in different cultures.

💡 From isolation to leadership – how Aziz overcame self-doubt to become a natural connector.

🤝 The art of building learning communities – insights from his grassroots movement in Izmir.

📖 Knowledge as a catalyst for growth – why self-reflection is the foundation of any successful journey.

Aziz’s story is an inspiring example of how curiosity, adaptability, and a commitment to personal growth can shape both a career and a thriving community. Whether you're a digital nomad, tech enthusiast, or aspiring community builder, this episode is packed with real-world insights on leadership, networking, and transformation.

Be sure to follow Aziz and his work here:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/azeezello/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/izmirgatherings/

Podcast produced by Riti Suresh. 

In this episode, I chat with Camille Leon – Founder of the Holistic Chamber of Commerce (HCC), artist, author, and advocate for holistic approaches in business and life. 🎙️✨

For over 14 years, Camille has been at the forefront of holistic entrepreneurship, helping professionals build businesses that align mind, body, spirit, business, budget, and planet. We explore:

🔥 From corporate burnout to holistic leadership – how Camille turned a high-stress job into a global movement.

🌱 The power of community in business – why networks matter and how the HCC bridges professionals with consumers.

💡 Mind, body, business: A holistic blueprint – integrating wellness into entrepreneurship for long-term success.

🤝 Virtual vs. in-person communities – the future of connection in a rapidly evolving world.

💬 The art of asking for help – why delegation and support are key to scaling impact.

Camille’s journey proves that success isn’t just about profit - it’s about purpose, balance, and meaningful connections. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a wellness advocate, or simply curious about holistic business, this episode is full of insights to inspire and empower your journey.

Be sure to follow Camille and her work here:

• Website: Holistic Chamber of Commerce
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camilleleon/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/camillesspace/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holisticchamber/

Podcast produced by Riti Suresh.