If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, this is the show for you. This is your host Leonardo, welcome to the international business podcast.

Amanda Molenaar is a life coach for high-achieving expats. As a former diplomat, she knows what it's like to balance international ambition with a steady personal life. Through 1:1 coaching, online programs and events, Amanda now helps high-achievers abroad find more fulfillment, create deeper relationships and take bolder action, so that they can live global lives that make them truly happy. Amanda also has a podcast, This Expat Life, where she opens up space for all facets of life abroad.

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Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours).

Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content.

Early Access to the newsletters.

Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections.

Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered.

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, come on the show to share your story. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with the host Leonardo Marra.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, this is the show for you. This is your host Leonardo, welcome to the international business podcast.

Strategy, structure, people. This encapsulates the need for a clear strategic direction, an organizational framework to support it, and the right human resources to execute it—each reinforcing the others to drive business success.

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Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours).

Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content.

Early Access to the newsletters.

Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections.

Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered.

Dr. Rebecca Homkes is a high-growth strategy specialist and CEO and executive advisor.  She is a Lecturer at the London Business School, Faculty at Duke Corporate Executive Education, Advisor and Core Faculty for BCGU (Boston Consulting Group), and a former fellow at the London School of Economics Centre for Economic Performance. 

A best-selling author, global keynote speaker and recognized thought leader, she is also the global Faculty Director of the Active Learning Program with the Young Presidents Organization (YPO).

A Marshall Scholar, she received her PhD and MSc from the London School of Economics in International Economy. Prior to LSE, Dr. Homkes received two degrees at Indiana University: BS (Honors) in business administration alongside a BA (Honors) in Political Science where she was a Wells Scholar and graduated as the schools’ top graduate in 2005 and its sole Herman Wells Scholar. She previously served as a Fellow at the White House’s President’s Council of Economic Advisors and has worked in strategy consulting with Bain & Co. She lives between Miami, San Francisco, and London.

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, come on the show to share your story. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with the host Leonardo Marra.⁠⁠⁠⁠

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If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, this is the show for you. This is your host Leonardo, welcome to the international business podcast.

⁠Greg Kaiser⁠, a seasoned Manager Development Expert, Advisor, and Author, has significantly impacted and mentored over 1000 managers across diverse business functions. Continuously refining his expertise, he founded Management Mastery, a company offering training, coaching, and consulting services. This initiative aims to accelerate the growth of managers, employees, stakeholders, and society at large by shaping organizational culture.

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Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours).

Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content.

Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters.

Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections.

Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered.

General Management Executive delivering profitable sales increases and cost reductions with oversight of over 7K personnel and P&L of up to $750M and sales oversight for $4.5B revenues.

Brought discipline to capital planning & administration for technical solutions functions. Created holistic project management strategies. Led global (U.S., Mexico, Brazil, India, China, Canada) team of over 225 executives, union, and hourly staff.

Greg is the author of "Management Rescue, You’re Promoted! Now What?"—a witty guide to managing, Greg provides practical lessons for managers through captivating stories. This book offers a structured action framework applicable to managers at all levels, filling a gap in the literature on management.

With a career spanning 40+ years, Greg started in the mailroom at 19 and climbed to the position of COO, gaining a comprehensive understanding of business from the ground up not shared by many executives. Recognized for Cross-Functional Team Leadership, he has overseen 10,000+ employees and successfully executed a $1B restructuring project, yielding $200M in annual recurring savings.

In his current consulting role, Greg employs Columbo-like, detective skills and a compassionate demeanor to diagnose management problems, restructuring business operations and culture. As a lifetime learner, he has read over 500 management, strategy, and business biography books and taught business classes at Penn State University.

Greg emphasizes the crucial role of managers in a business and addresses the lack of formalized training for many promoted managers. Through Management Rescue and Management Mastery, he strives to alleviate the stress of imposter syndrome, providing foundational knowledge for managers to thrive in their roles.

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, come on the show to share your story. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with the host Leonardo Marra.⁠⁠⁠

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If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, this is the show for you. This is your host Leonardo Marra, welcome to The International Business Podcast.

This episode is part of the CONCEPT series, where Leonardo aims to define a key topic in international business. Today, we're discussing the G-7.

The G-7, or group of 7, are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, The UK and the USA, collectively accounting for around two-thirds of the world’s economic output. These seven powerhouses, through their treasury officials, strive to cultivate balanced economic growth and stable exchange rates.

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Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours).

Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content.

Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters.

Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections.

Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered.

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, come on the show to share your story. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with the host Leonardo Marra.⁠⁠

⁠⁠LinkedIn newsletter.⁠

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, this is the show for you. This is your host Leonardo Marra, welcome to the international business podcast.

International strategy, how to measure cross-cultural competency in multinational teams, and more.

⁠Join Leonardo on Patreon for:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours).

Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content.

Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters.

Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections.

Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered.

Keith Jackson is recognized for his strategic foresight, driving progress in complex situations while generating new revenue streams and enhancing competitive advantage. His expertise includes strategic acquisitions, effective partnerships, and business growth.

Holding Chartered Director and BS13500 credentials, Keith elevates board governance, risk management, and regulatory compliance within transparent, trusted environments. He trains directors, develops board competence, and has contributed to over 20 boards across SMEs, scale-ups, start-ups, and third-sector organizations.

With more than 30 years of experience and advanced cultural fluency, Keith excels at building resilient international supply chains, forming strategic alliances, and fostering bilateral trade with over 70 countries, with a focus on ASEAN, China, and Japan. As a Chartered Engineer, he champions innovation, fosters organizational learning, and promotes cross-border, multi-disciplinary collaboration.

Keith’s commitment to leadership development is demonstrated through his role as a Visiting Professor at the University of Sheffield and his mentoring and advising of directors across diverse organizations. He applies strong commercial acumen to monitor and improve company performance.

With over 20 years of directorship experience in both executive and non-executive roles, Keith has led organizations through major changes including product portfolio shifts, market expansions, and restructures. His approach emphasizes employee engagement, distributed leadership, succession planning, and cross-disciplinary collaboration, underpinned by an inclusive leadership style.

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, come on the show to share your story. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with the host Leonardo Marra.⁠

⁠LinkedIn newsletter.⁠

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, this is the show for you. This is your host Leonardo Marra, welcome to the international business podcast.

The episode focuses on India, exploring the persistent misconceptions foreign executives bring to Indian workplaces and how global leaders can adapt their leadership styles to navigate India's hierarchical corporate structure. Find more details about the guest below.

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Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours).

Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content.

Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters.

Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections.

Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered.

With guest:

Aarti Kelshikar is an intercultural coach and author. She is the founder of 3A Consulting and has been working in the space of leadership and cultural effectiveness since 2008. She has worked and lived in India, Singapore and the Philippines.

Aarti is a certified facilitator of Cultural Intelligence (CQ) and accredited coach of The International Profiler (TIP), frameworks that help assess and develop intercultural effectiveness. She is also a certified executive coach from the international Neuro Leadership group.

Through her cultural interventions, Aarti enables executives and students to successfully transition roles, levels and geographies. She conducts workshops on developing cultural intelligence and on doing business in South-East Asia and India. She has trained senior executives from multinational corporations like Nestlé, Unilever, Proctor and Gamble, Colgate Palmolive, and Texas Instruments.

Aarti has recently published her second book titled How Women Work: Fitting in and Standing Out in Asia. Published by HarperCollins, the book observes women leaders through a pan-Asian lens providing insights on leadership and success in Asia. Her first book How India Works: Making Sense of a Complex Corporate Culture was published in 2018. The book is a guide to the cultural nuances and complexities of working with Indians.

Aarti is a member of the Harvard Business Review (HBR) Advisory Council, an opt-in research community of business professionals across the world. She is on the Advisory Board of the Diversity Economics Institute, a UK-based organization. Aarti is co-founder and Board Member of SIETAR Southeast Asia, an organization for intercultural education, training and research which develops Asia-focused expertise.

Before discovering the fascinating world of intercultural coaching, Aarti worked for seven years in the area of securities market compliance with the Securities and Exchange Board of India in Mumbai and with a consulting firm in Singapore. She has a master’s in business administration from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) in Mumbai and a bachelor’s in commerce from Sydenham College in Mumbai.

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, come on the show to share your story. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with the host Leonardo Marra.

LinkedIn newsletter.

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, this is the show for you. This is your host Leonardo Marra, welcome to the international business podcast.

Today, we delve into international sales. From connecting SMEs across Australia, Latin America, and Spain to overcoming regulatory challenges and understanding cultural nuances, two expert guests share insights on what's changed in the industry and how to succeed in diverse markets. See below for further information about the two guests.

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Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours).

Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content.

Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters.

Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections.

Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered.

With guests:

Alex Baneres is a versatile and results-driven international marketing and sales leader with extensive experience across diverse sectors, including education, home care, travel, weight loss programs, drinkware, homeware, books, meal replacements, sports nutrition, and video games. Proven expertise in business development, P&L ownership, CRM implementation, and building long-term relationships with distributors, affiliates, and resellers in international markets such as Australia, Spain, and Latin America. Over the last two years, Alex has worked as a marketing and sales agent for several European businesses in Australia and is currently focused on growing an Australian company across Europe and Latin America. Fluent in Spanish and English, with a strong ability to manage complex projects, launch new products, optimize digital marketing strategies, and deliver measurable results.

Zach Selch is a renowned global sales leader with over 30 years of experience driving international business growth. Zach's career achievements include generating over $1 billion in revenue across 150+ markets and onboarding more than 1,000 partners globally. He has been instrumental in transforming underperforming sales teams into high-performing powerhouses, achieving growth rates as high as 4,000%. His practical strategies for building international distributor networks and navigating cultural complexities have earned him recognition as a trusted mentor and advisor. Zach holds a certificate in Global Sales and Marketing Management from The Wharton School and a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Economics from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, come on the show to share your story. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with the host Leonardo Marra

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, this is the show for you. This is your host Leonardo Marra, welcome to the international business podcast.

Today, we delve into the Gulf countries. With the rapid growth in smartphone and internet penetration in Saudi Arabia, how can businesses leverage the digital landscape to enhance customer experience and market reach? Why is Dubai a hub for AI? How are Gulf businesses shifting supply chains towards emerging markets in Central Asia? And much more…

We do this with 3 expert guests. Check further below for their detailed information.

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Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours).

Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content.

Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters.

Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections.

Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered.

With guests:

With a globe-spanning career, Corina Goetz has embodied roles as diverse as Advisor, Educator, Confidente and Specialist in Middle Eastern culture. By creating Star-CaT, a Middle Eastern Advisory, Training, and Consulting firm, she has spent over 20 years forging trusted relationships with leaders from the Gulf, royal families, and business magnates. Her remarkable success includes escalating a company's regional client base from zero to a 6 million annual turnover. As a German national and non-Arabic speaker, she brings a unique perspective to the table, embodying the bridge between the West and the Middle East.

Having navigated the complex cultural landscapes herself, she understands the subtleties of communication, attire, and social structures in the Gulf. Through Star-CaT, her mission is global – to educate, guide and assist companies in navigating the dynamic business environment of the Gulf with confidence and cultural intelligence which then leads to exeptionnel commercial success.

Corina's expertise in Middle Eastern customs and business etiquette has made her an indispensable ally to a variety of clients, including prestigious names like Aka, Corinthia London, Sarova Group, Monteverdi Tuscany, King & Spalding, Dr. Rita Rakus, and Acorn Capital Advisors. She is committed to ensuring her clients not only meet but exceed the expectations of their Middle Eastern counterparts.

Oksana Didyk is a strategic consultant and researcher specializing in the Gulf region’s energy, food and agriculture, culture, and logistics sectors. With 12 years of experience in business strategy, lean management, and market entry, she has advised governments, trade organizations, and multinational companies on navigating complex regional dynamics. Oksana is also completing her PhD in Political Studies, focusing on political branding and governance in the Middle East, giving her a deep analytical edge in understanding the region’s economic and geopolitical landscapes. Combining academic insight with hands-on expertise, she helps businesses not just enter the Gulf, but truly succeed in it.

Giorgio Morocica is the Head of Business Development at Edugo.AI, a Gen AI-powered Learning Management System, acquired in 2023. Giorgio is also the founder and CEO of "The Founders Club" an international community with the mission to help founders and entrepreneurs create a scalable business EXIT successfully. Furthermore, he is an Angel Investor with currently 6 startups in his portfolio and a mentor for startup founders and entrepreneurs.  He holds a bachelor's degree in linguistics from Università per Stranieri di Siena and a triple master's degree from ICN Business School, University of Bologna, and East China University of Science and Technology.

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, come on the show to share your story. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with the host Leonardo Marra

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, this is the show for you. This is your host Leonardo Marra, welcome to the international business podcast.  

Today, we delve into the world of beauty and luxury. We will travel across the UK, Italy, France and China. What role will technology play in shaping the future of luxury? What are the most significant shifts occurring in the Chinese beauty market? And more. See below for details on each guest.

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Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours).

Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content.

Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters.

Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections.

Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered.

With guests:

Giovanni Luigi Bordone is a multifaceted professional with a rich background in fashion, education, and business. As a Course Leader for the MA Marketing program at London Metropolitan University, he brings over 15 years of experience in corporate fashion business to the academic forefront. His expertise spans fashion marketing, luxury brand management, and sustainability, with a strong focus on teaching in diverse international settings across Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East. Giovanni's career has been marked by prestigious roles, including being a Made to Measure Ambassador for Ermenegildo Zegna and a Brand Ambassador for Scabal.

Agnese Curti is a Brand Marketing Consultant and Co-Active Coach, combining strategic expertise with a people-centered approach. She recently founded Tangle Path, a coaching business specializing in the creative industries, to help professionals, teams, and creatives navigate growth with clarity and impact.

With over a decade of experience in fashion, luxury (ex Gucci) and digital industries, she has led high-impact media and communication initiatives across Europe and Middle East, helping brands enhance visibility and audience engagement. Through coaching, she supports individuals and teams in moving from where they are to where they want to be, guided by the belief that growth is never linear - embrace the twists and turns.

Lisa Nan serves as the China Luxury and Beauty Editor at Jing Daily, a New York-based publication. She specializes in analyzing Chinese consumer trends and behaviors, focusing on luxury, fashion, beauty, and WEB3 markets. Her work has been featured in prominent outlets such as South China Morning Post, Campaign Asia, Luxury Daily, and CPP Luxury. As the head of the biweekly Jing Beauty newsletter, Lisa covers key trends and insights in China's rapidly evolving beauty and wellness sector. Her biannual beauty trends forecast is highly regarded on Jing Daily. She has consulted for major brands like Clé de Peau Beauté, L’Oréal, and La Prairie on their China strategies.

Manon Hu is the founder of Astrolabel, a brand consulting and management agency focused on enhancing the presence of luxury brands in China. Additionally, she serves as a Senior Partner at Luxurynsight, a leading data and AI-driven company specializing in strategic insights for the luxury market. Her expertise at Luxurynsight includes analyzing trends and consumer behavior in the Chinese market, particularly in luxury and beauty sectors, where she has been instrumental in highlighting the resilience of brands through innovative digital strategies. She previously worked Burberry and Gucci.

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, come on the show to share your story. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with the host Leonardo Marra

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, this is the show for you. This is your host Leonardo, welcome to the international business podcast.  

What are some of the unexpected reverse culture shocks that expats experience upon returning to their home country? What are the most important skills expats should cultivate to navigate unexpected career shifts in 2025 and beyond? And more.

⁠Join Leonardo on Patreon for:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours).

Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content.

Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters.

Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections.

Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered.

With guests:

Esteban Polidura’s mission as a Certified Life Coach and Mental Health First Aider is to help expats understand and manage their emotions during their life transitions, support them in achieving their goals, and motivate them along the way.

Drawing from years of experience coaching clients across different continents, Esteban has developed a culturally sensitive approach that addresses the unique challenges faced by expats worldwide.

As a published author of several books, he firmly believes in the transformative power of stories not only to inspire people but also to show them that their emotions are valid and their struggles are part of the human experience.

In addition, as a renowned keynote speaker, he empowers audiences to overcome obstacles in life with resilience and confidence.

Nino Fincher Is an international speaker and award winning Rapid Therapy expert in PTS and anxiety.  She moves people out of a stuck state into momentum by identifying the exact root of the problem and fixing it, as well as getting  clients clear on their purpose using the Purpose Factor system.  She lived for extended periods of time in 3 different cultures, splits her time between Dallas and Dubai and is passionate about all things neuroscience.

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, come on the show to share your story. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with the host Leonardo Marra