What does Ukraine look like beyond the headlines?

In a compelling new episode of Intent on Purpose, Ukrainian PhD, professor, and software engineer Natailia Lototska shares an authentic perspective on her homeland's history, culture, innovation, and resilience.

Laura Hansen Breksa's conversation with Nataailia explores how Ukrainians continue to build businesses, educate future generations, support communities, and preserve hope while living through ongoing conflict.

This episode provides a timely and deeply human perspective that helps international audiences better understand Ukraine beyond news coverage.

Get to know Natailia:

Nataliia Lototska is a Ukrainian PhD, university associate professor, and software engineer at an international company, successfully balancing her academic career with the global tech industry. A proud wife and mother of two, she blends her professional and scientific expertise with a deep passion for her country's heritage. She is dedicated to sharing Ukraine’s rich history, vibrant traditions, and modern innovative spirit with the world. Through this episode, she aims to give global audiences a closer look at her homeland, showcasing why Ukraine is truly "More Than War."

#IntentOnPurpose #Ukraine #Leadership #Resilience #Innovation

A few facts about Ukraine:

• Home to more than 40 million people before the full-scale invasion
• Kyiv is among Europe's oldest cities
• Approximately one-quarter of the world's black soil reserves are located in Ukraine
• The Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych wrote the original version of "Carol of the Bells"
• Ukraine has one of Eastern Europe's strongest technology sectors
• Ukrainian-founded innovations include globally used platforms such as Grammarly and GitLab
• Ukraine is recognized for advanced digital government services
• The country's history spans more than a thousand years

Most people fear conflict.

Yvette Durazo says that’s exactly why we need to learn it.

In this episode of Intent on Purpose, we unpack why conflict starts shaping us before age seven, why workplaces keep getting it wrong, and how conflict management is an essential skill.

From HR systems to power dynamics, mediation, anxiety at work, and the hidden cost of toxic culture — this conversation changes the way you think about human behavior.

Conflict isn’t the enemy.

Avoiding it badly might be.

🎧 Listen now.

Get to know Yvette:

Yvette Durazo, MA, PCC, is a workplace conflict strategist and founder of Unitive Consulting. She helps organizations navigate high-stakes conflict, leadership strain, and cultural breakdowns before they become costly or damaging. A first-generation professional, Yvette brings lived experience, mediation expertise, and her proprietary Conflict-IQ® methodology to support leaders in building trust, accountability, and resilient workplace cultures. She is the author of Conflict-IQ® and In the High Heels of a Smart Negotiator, and a longtime instructor in conflict resolution and leadership development.

#WorkplaceDrama
#LeadershipTok
#CareerGrowth
#OfficePolitics
#ConflictManagement
#HumanBehavior
#ProfessionalDevelopment
#HealthyWorkplace
#BusinessPodcast
#SelfAwareness
#TeamCulture
#DifficultConversations

• conflict resolution
• workplace conflict
• toxic workplace culture
• HR and conflict
• mediation skills
• alternative dispute resolution
• emotional intelligence

Jenny Chapman’s interview was part crochet masterclass, part comedy hour, and part heartfelt ode to creativity. From the moment she confessed that crochet was just the “100th craft” she’d picked up, Jenny’s personality unraveled faster than a badly counted stitch. What started as a calming hobby during a stressful job became a full-blown passion involving blankets, bath mats, “yarn chicken,” and enough acrylic yarn to survive the apocalypse.

Jenny spoke lovingly about learning crochet from her Grammy, who passed down both the skill and the creative spark that now fuels Jenny’s life as a teacher, theater lover, audiobook addict, and self-proclaimed “hooker” — in the crochet sense, of course. She explained how repetitive stitches can calm an overactive brain, why lockdown brought fiber arts roaring back into style, and how she once mailed handmade blankets to flight attendants who bribed her with airplane snacks.

Between stories about theater, teaching high school English, and intimidating lacework projects, Jenny’s real message was simple: make things, share them, and don’t hide what brings you joy. Whether she’s crafting blankets for graduating students, donating handmade gifts, or teaching teens to perform Antigone, Jenny stitches warmth into everything she touches — one row at a time.

More about Jenny:

Jenny has been crafting since the age of 5 and has hand made over 100 blankets as of today. She always has a craft in hand while traveling and can always recommend a great audiobook to listen to while crafting.

#ADD #ADHD. #Crochet