In the first episode of Season 2, we sit down with Lucinda Pouw, VP People at Insify, for an open and energising conversation about growth, overcoming struggles, and leading with both instinct and intention.

Lucinda shares how early life experiences shaped her strong work ethic and mindset, and how creating stability for yourself can open the door to rediscovering the freedom and fun you might have missed along the way.

We explore what it really means to trust your gut in recruitment and leadership, and how experience helps you balance instinct with data. From starting her career in research to building opportunities abroad, Lucinda reflects on how she used her recruitment skills to create a role for herself in East Africa, a move that expanded both her professional and personal horizons.

We also dive into the energy of startup environments, the importance of embracing imperfection, and why acknowledging emotions at work can make teams stronger and more connected, especially, when there is “no HR for HR”.

Tune in for a conversation about curiosity, courage, and building meaningful careers, wherever they may take you.

Stay Keen,

Doeke Geertsma, CEO at WeAreKeen

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wearekeen.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearekeen⁠

In this episode, we sit down with Samar Morshedi, Head of Recruitment at bunq, for a deeply honest conversation about courage, uncertainty, and learning to trust yourself, especially when life doesn’t come with a clear roadmap.

Born and raised in Iran, Samar shares how growing up in an environment shaped by instability, responsibility, and constant change formed her default mindset: when things get hard, you figure it out. That belief followed her into adulthood, from building a career in engineering and sales, to eventually taking a leap and moving to the Netherlands on her own through a scholarship opportunity.

Arriving with two suitcases and no clear plan, Samar reflects on what it means to start over in a new country, leave behind community, and rebuild your life from scratch, all while navigating fear, doubt, and the pressure to “make it work.”

We talk about how that same mindset led her to start an HR tech startup during COVID, at a time when the world, and work itself, felt uncertain.

Tune in for a conversation about doing things while scared, trusting the process, and learning that confidence isn’t something you wait for, it’s something you build.

Stay Keen,

Doeke Geertsma, CEO at WeAreKeen

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wearekeen.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearekeen⁠

In this episode of Unplug With Us, we sit down with Fritz Singer - a Canadian-born talent leader whose journey is shaped by curiosity, resilience, and a healthy dose of “let’s just see where this goes.” From growing up in the desert heat of Arizona to building a career across New York, San Francisco, and now Amsterdam, Fritz opens up about the moments that shaped him far beyond the job titles.

During the conversation, he shares how growing up in a competitive American culture, where work was always the default, made unplugging challenging for him. Luckily, life in Amsterdam slowed things down, making more space for quality time with family and beautiful runs in the city.

Having this open-to-change mindset also shaped the way his career unfolded earlier. What started as a temporary sales job led him into recruiting, and, eventually, into one of the biggest leaps of his career: joining Uber long before it became a global app we all use. Just within 5 years, he witnessed the company grow from 400 people to more than 24,000 worldwide.

Want to learn more about finding (and losing) community, understanding your inner drivers, and the power of saying "yes" to detours? Tune in and unplug with us for the final episode of the year!

Stay Keen,

Doeke Geertsma, CEO at WeAreKeen

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wearekeen.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearekeen⁠

What drives a recruitment manager to run ultra-marathons - and how does endurance translate into leadership and life?

In episode 12 of Unplug With Us, we sit with Adriaan van der Heijden, Manager Recruiting BeNeLux at McKinsey & Company and proud OG member of the Recruitment Slackers Community. In this candid conversation, he opens up about his journey from a small village in Zeeland to moving to Amsterdam and working for one of the world’s most recognized consulting firms.

Adriaan shares how early experiences - losing his father at a young age, growing up in a tight-knit religious community, and later finding his way through hospitality and psychology - shaped his values around connection, curiosity, and community. We talk about resilience, ambition, and how saying “yes” to new opportunities can change your career trajectory.

From his passion for cooking to running 70-kilometer ultra-races, Adriaan reveals the habits that help him unplug, stay grounded, and lead with empathy. Tune in for an authentic story about growth, grit, and finding purpose - both at work and beyond. 

Stay Keen,

Doeke Geertsma, CEO at WeAreKeen

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wearekeen.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearekeen⁠

In this episode of Unplug With Us, we chat with Marisa Uranga Bradwell, Director People Change & Analytics at Deliveroo, about her journey as a “third culture kid” - Mexican by heritage, raised in the US, and now thriving in Europe. She shares how this multicultural background shaped her sense of identity, belonging, and ultimately her career in recruitment. 

When it comes to culture, she highlighted the joy of bringing people together with food-filled community gatherings. Because what is life without your people around the table sharing, laughing and having fun?

On an ending note, Marisa reflects on parenting her daughter with a focus on independence and self-advocacy, offering a fresh perspective on passing values across generations. As she says: "You can advocate for yourself. You can ask for what you want. You can ruffle feathers, and it's okay."

This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about identity, belonging, and finding fulfilment in a constantly evolving world. Tune in!

Stay Keen,

Doeke Geertsma, CEO at WeAreKeen

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wearekeen.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearekeen⁠

Wow, we made it to episode 10! In this lovely conversation, we sit down with Allan Nunes Messias, Head of Recruitment EMEA & APAC at Adyen, to explore his personal, untold stories—from his early days as a recruiter to stepping into leadership, all while navigating identity, growth, and purpose.

Allan shares what it was like moving from Brazil to Europe at a very young age, navigating cultural differences and beginning the process of discovering who he wanted to become both professionally and as a person. Central to that journey is his commitment to authenticity. He talks about the self-awareness that comes with living by your values, even when it means making unpopular decisions or going against the grain—because, as a friend once told him, “a value is only truly a value if you’re willing to sacrifice something for it.”

We also dive into Allan’s thoughtful approach to mentorship and learning—drawing inspiration from a diverse range of leaders and staying energized by insights from outside the traditional talent space, such as creative campaigns, conversations on psychological safety, and curated social media content. A powerful story not to miss. Tune in now!

Stay Keen,

Doeke Geertsma, CEO at WeAreKeen

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wearekeen.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearekeen⁠

Episode #9 is starring Shlomit Gruman Navot, a seasoned HR leader who’s spent over 20 years helping companies across continents scale with intention - most recently as Chief People Officer at Miro.

In this reflective conversation, Shlomit opens up about growing up in a small, community-driven town in Israel, and how that early exposure to different cultures taught her the value of connection and adaptability. After graduation, she took a bold move to Portsmouth, UK for her first real job at IBM, navigating new adventures while learning the ropes of global business. 

From career crossroads to organizational transformation, we unpack how reframing failure as learning and granting ourselves the "permission to be human" can unlock growth. You’ll hear firsthand how curiosity, resilience, and emotional agility are not just buzzwords - they’re essential capabilities for thriving in today’s world.

To wrap it up, she leaves us with an intriguing question: What space will humans occupy in the new automated workplace we're currently moving towards? Food for thought. 💭

Stay Keen,

Doeke Geertsma, CEO at WeAreKeen

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wearekeen.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearekeen⁠

In this inspiring episode (#8), we sit down with Enni Pidan, Director of Talent Acquisition at McCain, and as she describes herself, “a citizen of the world.” From Nigeria to Norway and ultimately to the Netherlands, we explore how her cross-cultural experiences have shaped her identity, challenged her perceptions, and helped her evolve both personally and professionally.

During the conversation, she talks about traditions and ways of living in Africa, the importance of education, and one of her core values, instilled by her mother from a young age, “kindness is its own reward.” Enni also opens up about her transition from government roles to leading recruitment and talent acquisition teams across Europe. She reflects on the nuances of faith, the evolution of her spirituality beyond rigid ideologies, and the strength that comes from balancing confidence with humility.

Lastly, tune in to hear her belief in the power of networking and mentorship, including the pivotal relationships that opened unexpected doors - both in her career and personal life (including a remarkable love story that began with a random text message). This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating change, career transitions, or multicultural environments.

Stay Keen,

Doeke Geertsma, CEO at WeAreKeen

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wearekeen.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearekeen⁠

In this second episode, we sit down with Kobi Ampoma—industry leader with 23 years of experience, currently the Head of TA NL at Heineken and a strong advocate for D&I. 

During our conversation, we explore Kobi’s early years in Ghana, fleeing political turmoil, to building a successful career in talent acquisition. He shares his personal story of resilience—navigating two cultures and balancing his roots with Dutch openness.

Alongside reflections on family values and explanations of Ghanaian traditions, Kobi opens up about his passion for mentoring and helping others, giving insight into his journey at Nike, his drive for diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and his mission to guide the next generation. With useful advice on career growth, financial literacy, and the power of storytelling, this conversation is packed with wisdom, heart, hard truths and practical takeaways. 

If he could retire tomorrow, he would… Put on your earphones and find out! 

Stay Keen,

Doeke Geertsma

CEO at WeAreKeen

Website: ⁠https://www.wearekeen.com/⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/doeke/⁠ / ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearekeen

In this 7th episode of Unplug With Us, we sit down with Tammy Arnaud, Chief People Officer at Forto, to explore her untold, personal stories as ‘citizen of the world’. Tammy takes us back to her roots - growing up in an XL Brazilian household, where family, tradition, and storytelling shaped her love for literature, resilience, and global exploration. We dive into the question of belonging - how do we stay connected to our culture while embracing change? And how do we carry a sense of home with us, no matter where life takes us?

After years of studying abroad and building an international career, Tammy found herself back in her home country- only to realise that, despite speaking the language, the culture felt entirely foreign. This made her reflect on the thrill of new beginnings versus the emotional toll of constantly starting over. Does moving get easier, or just old? Tammy talks about the sacrifices, the lessons learned, and why, for the first time, she feels ready to settle in Amsterdam. She finally shares how these experiences have shaped her leadership style, and the invaluable mentorship insights that have guided her along the way.

Tune in to hear all about exploring horizons, cultural differences and valuable life and mentor advice, that will have you reflecting.

Stay Keen,

Doeke Geertsma, CEO at WeAreKeen

Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.wearekeen.com/⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearekeen