Work From The Inside Out

In this episode of Work From the Inside Out, I sit down with executive coach, organizational psychologist, and Harvard Business Review contributor Irina Cozma, PhD. From the volleyball courts of Romania to leadership roles in Fortune 500 companies, Irina has followed a powerful inner voice throughout her life: when she wants something, she takes action. No overthinking. No perfectionism. Just clear intention and bold movement. We talk about how this mindset helped her navigate international moves, earn multiple advanced degrees, a corporate career, and ultimately the launch of her coaching practice.

Irina shares how overthinking and perfectionism are two of the biggest challenges she sees in her clients and how developing direction can change everything. Whether you’re exploring a major career shift or simply trying to get unstuck, Irina’s story offers a refreshing and practical reminder: clarity beats complexity, and action beats anxiety. Tune in to hear how she helps others close the gap between “I want” and “I do” and how you can do the same.

In this week’s Work From The Inside Out podcast, learn more about:

• How embracing clarity, direction, and intentional action can supersede overthinking and perfectionism.
• Why having a strong sense of “what you want” makes decision-making easier, even when the path forward is uncertain.
• The power of following curiosity and interest as a compass for career choices, rather than chasing traditional markers of success.
• What it looks like to reinvent your career across industries, countries, and interests.

Learn more about Irina:

• Visit irinacozma.com
• LinkedIn: @irinacozma
• YouTube: @irina-cozma

Stay Connected:

• Connect with Tammy on LinkedIn
• Buy Me A Coffee
• Work From The Inside Out Website
• Subscribe to the newsletter

On Work from the Inside Out, I had the pleasure of speaking with Ora Grodsky, co-founder of Just Works Consulting and author of Justice, Love, and Organizational Healing: A Guide to Transformational Consulting. Ora’s journey is one of deep purpose and profound transformation. From restaurant work and starting a food co-op to becoming an acupuncturist, and academic dean at her acupuncture school to co-founding a holistic AIDS clinic, Ora has always been guided by her commitment to healing. Today, she brings more than 25 years of experience in helping mission-driven organizations align their values with their work.

Ora and I talked about how her roots in a social justice-focused family shaped her worldview and inspired a lifelong inquiry: How can we work toward a more just and sustainable world while honoring our own well-being? As she navigated her career choices, motherhood, and leadership development, Ora stayed true to her internal compass. Her journey exquisitely illustrates that meaningful careers don’t always follow a straight line and that listening inward can lead to powerful change and professional fulfillment.

We also explored practical tools from Ora’s consulting work, like the POP framework (Purpose, Outcomes, Process), and discussed the importance of nervous system regulation in navigating leadership and organizational challenges. This conversation is full of wisdom for anyone starting something new, leading change, or searching for more purpose in their work. I hope you find it as inspiring and grounding as I did.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Discover how clarifying your personal values can guide more meaningful career and organizational decisions.
• How Ora’s journey from acupuncturist to organizational consultant demonstrates the value of following purpose over predictability.
• Understand how Purpose, Outcomes, and Process (POP) can ground meetings, planning, and change initiatives in clarity and intention.
• Explore how self-awareness and emotional regulation support effective leadership decisions, especially during times of transformation.
• Gain insights into how equity, compassion, and healing can be embedded into the culture and systems of any workplace.

Learn more about Ora:

• Read Justice, Love, and Organizational Healing: A Guide to Transformational Consulting
• Instagram: @oragrodsky​
• LinkedIn: Ora Grodsky
• Just Works Consulting: just-works.com

Stay Connected:

• Connect with Tammy on LinkedIn
• Buy Me A Coffee
• Work From The Inside Out Website
• Subscribe to the newsletter

In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Dr. SD Shanti, a remarkable woman whose journey is one of deep purpose, resilience, and heartfelt service.

SD began her professional life in dentistry, and over time, she followed several inner callings that led her into the worlds of public health, psychology, and ultimately, into founding the World Love Forum—an initiative devoted to promoting emotional health and preventing violence and depression on a global scale.

Throughout our conversation, SD shared how listening to the compass of her heart, even in the face of naysayers and uncertainty, guided her toward a truly integrated life—blending science, soul, and service. We talked about the discomfort of staying stuck versus the discomfort of change, and how stillness can be the most powerful space for clarity and direction.

If you're wondering what’s next or feeling the tug to live a more fulfilling life, I think you’ll find SD’s story both grounding and inspiring.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• What it means to truly listen to your heart—and act on it  
• SD’s journey from pediatric dentistry to clinical psychology to global public health  
• How the World Love Forum came to life  
• The power of entertainment education to promote healing and prevention  
• Why discomfort is part of growth—and how to move through it with intention

Learn more about Dr. S.D. Shanti:

• Visit: worldloveforum.org
• Sign up for her newsletter
• Check out her meditation videos  
• Instagram
• LinkedIn  
• YouTube
• Substack

Stay Connected:

• Connect with Tammy on LinkedIn
• Buy Me A Coffee
• Work From The Inside Out Website
• Subscribe to the newsletter

In this episode of Work from the Inside Out, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jason Van Orden, a business strategist and thought leadership expert who has built his career by following his curiosity. From an early foundation in engineering to becoming one of the first business podcasters, Jason’s professional path has been anything but linear. Each step was guided not by external expectations, but by an internal drive to explore, learn, and evolve.

Jason shared how curiosity led him to make bold moves—geographically and professionally. Whether relocating from Alaska to Utah to Paris, or shifting from startup founder to mentor for purpose-driven entrepreneurs, he continually asked, “What’s next?” That openness allowed him to uncover work that felt aligned and energizing. His story is a powerful reminder that staying curious can unlock unexpected and deeply meaningful opportunities.

Throughout our conversation, Jason offered thoughtful insights into how curiosity can fuel clarity, creativity, and connection in our work. He encourages listeners to embrace experimentation, listen to what genuinely lights them up, and trust that their most resonant ideas often come from within. If you’re in a moment of transition or simply seeking more purpose in your work, Jason’s story is a compelling example of how to move forward by following your inner questions.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How following curiosity can guide your career transitions with more purpose and clarity
• How experimentation and asking the right questions can unlock new opportunities
• Encouragement to trust your inner signals when navigating change

Learn more about Jason:

• Visit Jason Van Orden’s website at jasonvanorden.com   
• Email Jason Van Orden at [email protected] 
• Sign up to Jason Van Orden’s newsletter
• Listen to the Impact: How to Grow Your Thought Leadership Brand and Business podcast
• LinkedIn

Stay Connected:

• Connect with Tammy on LinkedIn
• Buy Me A Coffee
• Work From The Inside Out Website
• Subscribe to the newsletter

In this episode, I had the pleasure of welcoming back Melody Wilding, executive coach and author of Managing Up: How to Get What You Need from the People in Charge. Melody is an executive coach, licensed social worker, and professor of human behavior at Hunter College. She has worked with professionals at companies like Google, Amazon, and JPMorgan and has been featured in The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Forbes.

Melody and I had a fantastic conversation about how we can all take control of our work experience, build better relationships with managers, and navigate workplace dynamics with confidence.

• Why Managing Up isn’t about sucking up—it’s about creating the conditions for your own success.
• The 10 essential conversations that can change the way you work.
• How to assert boundaries and push back diplomatically.
• Why career growth isn’t just about promotions—it’s about positioning yourself for respect and opportunity.
• The importance of upward empathy—understanding the pressures your boss faces.
• Practical steps to gain more visibility, influence, and confidence at work.

Learn more about Melody:

• Visit her website at melodywilding.com
• Listen to the Psychology at Work Podcast
• Follow her on Instagram @melodywilding
• Follow her on Facebook: Melody Wilding, LMSW
• Follow her on LinkedIn
• Read: Managing Up: How to Get What You Need from the People in Charge

Stay Connected:

• Connect with Tammy on LinkedIn
• @TammyGoolerLoeb on Instagram
• Buy Me A Coffee
• Work From The Inside Out Website
• Subscribe to newsletter

In this episode, I revisit my interview with Lori Mihalich-Levin in honor of National Working Moms Day. We explore Lori’s remarkable journey from a challenging upbringing to becoming a healthcare policy lawyer and founder of Mindful Return, an organization providing critical support to parents transitioning back to work after parental leave. Through programs like e-courses, employer initiatives, and international chapters, Mindful Return has made a significant impact on working parents worldwide.

Lori shares her personal and professional experiences, emphasizing her passion for public policy, healthcare, and advocating for women’s leadership. She offers valuable advice on integrating personal passions into a career using consistent, incremental steps. From her work at Dentons US LLP and AAMC to her books and podcasts, Lori demonstrates a strong commitment to empowering working parents, fostering equality, and building meaningful connections. This episode offers inspiring insights for navigating the intersection of parenthood and career with purpose and mindfulness.

In this week’s Work From The Inside Out podcast, learn more about Lori’s journey:

• Lori’s thought leadership has been featured in publications, including Forbes, The Washington Post, New York Times, Parenting, and Thrive Global. 
• Today, Lori advises clients in her law practice on issues relating to Medicare graduate medical education payments.

Learn more and connect with Lori here:

• Instagram: @mindfulreturn
• Facebook: Mindful Return 
• LinkedIn: Mindful Return
• LinkedIn: Lori Mihalich-Levin
• Website: Mindful Return
• Listen: Parents at Work podcast

Stay Connected:

• Connect with Tammy on LinkedIn
• @TammyGoolerLoeb on Instagram
• Buy Me A Coffee
• Work From The Inside Out Website
• Subscribe to newsletter

Luis Velasquez coaches leaders worldwide, guiding them to turn challenges into opportunities. He is the author of the best-selling book “Ordinary Resilience: Rethinking How Effective Leaders Adapt and Thrive.” Luis shows how to unlock and strengthen innate resilience, preparing you to face whatever life throws your way. He’s helped hundreds of leaders thrive throughout change, and now he’s sharing his framework to help you do the same. With client accounts, personal anecdotes, and professional insight, Luis provides a roadmap you’ll return to in every challenge you face. His strategic thinking is regularly published by the Harvard Business Review and Fast Company. He has been spotlighted in Forbes and books: Dorie Clark’s "The Long Game." Tammy Gooler Loeb’s “Work from the Inside Out” and Ludmilla Praslova’s “The Canary Code.” Luis also facilitates professional development courses at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

Luis is not only an advocate for resilience but a living testament to it. He was raised in poverty in Guatemala which was riddled by civil war at the time. When he came to the U.S. as a teenager to learn English. Later, after going back to Guatemala, he returned to the U.S. attended college and studied in earnest to get his Ph.D. in Botany. He became a tenure track college professor. Then, tragedy struck. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Showing unparalleled commitment, persistence, and optimism, Luis survived. Today, he’s an ultra-marathoner and Ironman triathlete, having tackled the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run. Family lies at the heart of his drive. Together with his wife, they're raising two children whom they hope will become two kind, confident, and resilient humans, mirroring the principles he champions.

Learn more and connect with Luis here: 

• Website
• X
• LinkedIn
• Facebook

• Connect with Tammy on LinkedIn
• @TammyGoolerLoeb on Instagram
• Work From The Inside Out Website
• Subscribe to newsletter

Michael Thompson is a career coach, lecturer at EAE Business School in Barcelona, Spain, and strategic communication advisor to top business leaders worldwide. Growing up, Michael’s stutter and social anxiety kept him reserved and reluctant to pursue his goals. Over time he challenged his supposed weaknesses by putting himself out in the world and discovered the person he did not know he could become. Michael developed a system of principles to help people express themselves more confidently and build meaningful relationships without sacrificing their nature. He brings those principles to life in his book Shy by Design: 12 Timeless Principles to Quietly Stand Out. His writing has also appeared in numerous publications, including Fast Company, Insider, Forbes, INC, MSN, and Apple News.

He recounts his professional evolution from a barback to a successful sales manager, his transformative experiences in teaching and coaching, and his eventual success as a writer and published author. Michael offers valuable insights on self-discovery, the importance of vulnerability, and the power of going slow and steady in one's career. 

As a kid, Michael allowed his shyness, severe stutter, and crippling social anxiety to dominate his internal dialog and undermine his hopes and dreams. He was mocked by his peers and even some teachers, reinforcing the self-limiting belief that he was better off tucked away in a corner, safe from harm's way. Yet, while some people focus on their strengths to win the life they want, Michael chose to pursue the opposite path and pushed himself, making a commitment to collect blisters instead of chasing bliss. He stepped into the person he didn’t even know he was capable of becoming.

In Shy by Design, Michael shares his inspiring journey of moving from being riddled with self-doubt to becoming a sought-after career coach, university leadership lecturer, and strategic communication advisor for top global business executives and entrepreneurs. He chronicles his transformation from feeling left out to leading others, all the while staying true to his shy and quiet nature. Through numerous examples, from embracing our imperfections to questioning our "perceived" weaknesses, Michael offers strategies we can all use to cement our own principles that are authentic to who we each are and amplify your impact without sacrificing your shy nature.

Packaged into 12 easy-to-grasp principles, Shy by Design will teach you to:

• Grow your confidence and strengthen communication skills on your own terms and at your own pace.
• Create meaningful connections and foster a close-knit community that supports personal growth.
• Lead with quiet conviction that uplifts others on the climb toward success.

Michael’s story of navigating the often loud world of sales and communication – while staying true to his shy way of being – will inspire you to embrace your unique strengths and see your “perceived” weaknesses through a more empowered lens.

Learn more and connect with Michael here: 

• Read Shy by Design
• LinkedIn
• Medium
• Instagram
• X

• Connect with Tammy on LinkedIn
• @TammyGoolerLoeb on Instagram
• Work From The Inside Out Website
• Subscribe to newsletter

Starting from his childhood fascination with media, Scot Safon shares his professional journey starting in the advertising agency world and moving to executive marketing roles in major media companies such as CNN, TNT, HLN, The Weather Channel, and more. He recounts anecdotes from his formative years, explains his career transitions, and outlines his current consulting practice.

Scot grew up in a diverse, working-class neighborhood in Bay Shore, New York, a town on the south shore of Long Island. He is a long-time friend of Tammy’s going back to junior high school. Scot appreciated the variety of hardworking adult role models who demonstrated that family life was not superseded by one’s work. While he always enjoyed learning and his classes, he noted that his favorite activities went beyond classroom time. He was fascinated with all kinds of media. At a young age, he would go to sleep listening to news radio, he went to every movie he could (that didn’t have an R rating), and later took the train to New York City to see Broadway shows every chance he could. Through his school and university years, Scot was active in the drama club, an editor for his high school newspaper, a curator and promoter for a film festival, and he worked as a reporter for a regional NPR station near his college.

Scot attended the University of Virginia, where he earned his BA and went on to Cornell University for his MBA. He then went to New York City to work in advertising on consumer product accounts. Scot set his sights on moving over to the media industry and was offered an opportunity to work on the CBS Network account. Then he moved to Atlanta to work for Turner Network Television, elevating to serve as Chief Marketing Officer or Head of Marketing for a number of major media brands across a 40-year career, including CNN, The Weather Channel, TNT, and MotorTrend. He also was the EVP/General Manager of CNN’s HLN network.

Today Scot is a media marketing and branding consultant whose clients range from global blue-chip brands to not-for-profits. He advises C-suite decision-makers on strategic communications to launch products, address crises, and explain policies. His focus: helping clients "find the right words" to support their initiatives. His consulting clients have included Ford, HBO Max, Showtime, the Scripps Networks, The Grand Ole Opry, and New America. He is a consulting associate with agencies Civic Entertainment and Cultique.

Emphasizing curiosity and adaptability, Scot offers valuable insights on navigating career advancements and leveraging the power of effective communication. His journey illustrates how passion, persistence, and a willingness to embrace new challenges can lead to a fulfilling career in media.

Learn more and connect with Scot here: 

• Facebook
• Instagram

Stay Connected:

• Connect with Tammy on LinkedIn
• @TammyGoolerLoeb on Instagram
• Work From The Inside Out Website
• Subscribe to newsletter

Jamie Lee is an executive coach who helps smart folks who hate office politics get promoted and better paid without throwing anyone under the bus. In her practice, she blends the best of proven negotiation strategies with evidence-based neuroplasticity tools so her clients lead and advocate with confidence and ease. Jamie also hosts a podcast for professional women, Risky Conversations with Jamie Lee, covering topics often considered "too risky" at work -- salary negotiation, mental and reproductive health, office politics, social injustices, and unconventional ways smart women navigate their path forward despite inequitable and sexist cultures.

A South Korean immigrant, Jamie first learned the value of self-advocacy from the example of her mother, who single-handedly raised three daughters while running a nail salon and speaking broken English in New Jersey. After attending Smith College to study East Asian Studies with a focus on Japanese, she built her career by capitalizing on her strengths, curiosity, and willingness to work in new industries. She worked as a buyer for a beauty products company, a junior analyst at a hedge fund trading firm, and in multiple roles within tech startups. Jamie described her experience with "Tiara Syndrome,” a term coined by negotiations expert, Carol Frohlinger in which one expects their achievements and hard work to be automatically recognized and rewarded rather than needing to ask for raises, promotions, and other benefits. She encountered hostile work environments, particularly at the hedge fund and throughout all of these experiences, learned the importance of self-advocacy and negotiation. Jamie developed and organized workshops to help women negotiate better within the organizations she was working for as she began her coaching studies. She also partnered with the "She Negotiates" organization to build her skills and eventually opened her own coaching practice.

Over a decade, Jamie has trained professionals in effective self-advocacy and workplace negotiation at leading organizations, including Smith College, Executive Education, Citi, Unilever, Jeffries, and UC Berkeley School of Business, among others. She developed a leadership archetype quiz which is available through her website. Jamie’s current practice focuses on self-directed neuroplasticity tools and mental rehearsal techniques. She recently added hypno-coaching credentials to her offerings.

Jamie’s best advice for professionals seeking their next career moves are:

• Start conversations about promotion/raise 3-6 months in advance
• For career changes:
• Bet on yourself
• Cultivate allies and find supportive friends
• Be willing to "vote with your feet" and leave unfavorable situations

Jamie's journey highlights the importance of networking, seizing opportunities, and continuous self-improvement in career development.

Learn more and connect with Jamie here: 

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Listen to Risky Conversations with Jamie Lee
• Take this free fun and interactive quiz: - Leadership Archetype Quiz

• Connect with Tammy on LinkedIn
• @TammyGoolerLoeb on Instagram
• Work From The Inside Out Website
• Subscribe to newsletter