In this inspiring episode of Say It Skillfully, host Molly Tschang sits down with Vicky Serany, founder and president of Southern Studio, to explore her unexpected path from architect to business owner. Vicky shares how her passion for design became a mission to create joyful spaces and build a company where people love to work. Through real-life lessons in entrepreneurship, leadership, and personal growth, Vicky opens up about the power of letting go of control, leading with empathy, and navigating tough conversations with grace. She and Molly talk candidly about the challenges of running a business, finding your voice, and living a life aligned with your values—both in the office and at home. Whether you're a creative professional, business owner, or just someone striving to lead with heart, this episode offers rich insights and practical wisdom you won’t want to miss.

Topics Covered:

• Designing a business that puts people first

• Building a values-based culture

• Leading with authenticity and vulnerability

• The intersection of work, family, and fulfillment

• Tips for skillful conversations as a leader

00:00 – Intro: Designing for Joy & Leadership
Molly introduces Vicky Serany, founder of Southern Studio, and frames the conversation around leadership, values, and personal growth.

02:45 – Vicky’s Journey: From Architect to Entrepreneur
Vicky shares how she unexpectedly became a business owner and the evolution of her design career.

08:10 – Creating a Joyful Work Culture
Discussion around building a company where people genuinely love to work, and why joy is at the center of her leadership philosophy.

13:20 – Letting Go of Control
Vicky reflects on how releasing the need to control every detail has been key to growth, both personally and professionally.

17:45 – Leading with Empathy & Vulnerability
They explore how empathy, especially in tough conversations, builds trust and emotional safety in teams.

23:15 – Designing with Heart: Purpose-Driven Work
Vicky explains how her firm uses design to create environments that uplift and support clients’ lives and values.

29:40 – Finding Fulfillment Beyond Work
A candid look at how Vicky navigates the balance between running a business and nurturing her personal life.

34:55 – Advice for Future Leaders
Vicky offers insights for aspiring leaders on building something meaningful without sacrificing their values.

38:40 – Rapid-Fire Reflections
Fun, fast-paced questions about leadership, learning, and what Vicky’s most proud of.

41:15 – Closing Thoughts from Molly
Molly wraps up the episode with a reflection on skillful leadership and living fully.

In this inspiring episode of Say It Skillfully, Nat Ware—Rhodes Scholar, social entrepreneur, and founder of Forte and 180 Degrees Consulting—shares his journey from a modest upbringing in Sydney to building global systems that unlock human potential. Nat breaks down his revolutionary Forte model, which funds education and healthcare without cost to individuals or governments, by leveraging future tax revenue from increased employment. He also reflects on resilience, happiness, and the mindset that’s fueled his impact—including surviving a gunshot wound the night before Forte’s first launch. A must-listen for anyone passionate about creating scalable, sustainable change.

Learn more at: www.sayitskillfully.com

00:00

Introduction to Nat Ware's Journey

02:55

Childhood and Family Background

05:48

Academic Influences and Early Interests

08:42

First Steps into Philanthropy

11:40

Transition to Global Awareness

14:38

Founding 180 Degrees Consulting

20:32

Pursuing Higher Education and PhD

23:50

Introducing the Forte Model

29:51

Impact Stories and Future Vision

33:59

Unlocking Human Potential through Education Financing

37:56

Scaling the Model Globally

41:07

Innovative Approaches to Education Quality

42:43

Resilience in Entrepreneurship

46:19

The Importance of Partnerships

47:53

Understanding Happiness and Expectations

53:31

Living a Life with No Regrets

01:00:13

Reflections on Personal Growth and Future Aspirations

Molly is joined by Dan Berger, an Israeli-American entrepreneur whose life experiences shaped his understanding of identity, belonging, and resilience. Dan shares his journey from being an orphan to creating spaces for connection through his ventures, including Social Tables and Assemble Hospitality.

00:00 Introduction to Dan's Journey

01:51 Trauma and Belonging: A Personal Narrative

06:10 Life in Israel: Early Memories and Identity

11:51 Navigating Adolescence: Moving to America

20:07 Understanding Bipolar Disorder and Its Impact

23:50 The Role of Entrepreneurship in Healing

29:58 The Transition from Social Tables to Assemble Hospitality

31:38 The Journey of Selling a Company

34:20 Exploring New Ventures and Personal Growth

36:01 Understanding Belonging: A Personal Perspective

39:45 The Four Belonging Personas

41:22 Lessons Learned Through Research and Self-Discovery

43:55 Navigating Tough Conversations

47:22 Hobbies and Personal Interests

49:25 Reflections on Life and Accomplishments

50:43 Future Aspirations and Passions

53:17 The Importance of Addressing Men's Issues

From military missions to life lessons, Steveo Bermudez brings the real talk in this week’s Say It Skillfully! His journey is one of resilience, leadership, and the power of showing up for others. Whether navigating deployments, balancing family, or owning mistakes, Steve-o shares the hard-earned wisdom that has shaped his success. You’ll laugh, reflect, and walk away with insights to level up in work and life.

Stay tuned—this is one episode you won’t want to miss!

00:00 Introduction to Steve-o's Journey

04:04 From Military Brat to Air Force Veteran

10:48 Leadership Lessons from Family Dynamics

14:03 Understanding Military Deployments

18:04 Success in Military vs. Civilian Life

21:07 Receiving Feedback and Personal Growth

24:44 Navigating Ambiguity in Leadership

27:17 Dealing with Difficult Team Dynamics

31:35 Balancing Work and Family Life

37:47 Navigating Home Life After Deployment

42:01 The Importance of Communication in Relationships

45:59 Overcoming Insecurities and Building Confidence

50:00 The Meaning of Service and Selflessness

55:51 Personal Insights and Hobbies

01:00:38 Transformative Relationships and Personal Growth

01:01:20 Reflections on Sharing Life Experiences

Molly is joined by Ayse Birsel, a renowned industrial designer, as they explore her unique journey from Izmir, Turkey, to becoming a leading figure in design. The conversation delves into her educational journey, the challenges of adapting to life in New York, and the significance of imagination and creativity in both design and personal growth.

Show Notes

00:00 Introduction to Ayse and Her Journey

06:04 Ayse's Early Life and Influences

11:59 The Impact of Family and Culture

17:57 Moving to New York and Adapting

23:47 The Design School Experience

30:06 Understanding Industrial Design

35:48 Empathy in Design and Ayse's Philosophy

39:03 Navigating Self-Doubt and Optimism

41:36 The Journey of Starting a Design Firm

43:20 Love and Partnership in the Design World

48:15 Balancing Motherhood and Career

53:49 Overcoming Challenges in Business

56:01 The Joy of Designing for Better Living

58:45 Redesigning Life Through Design Principles

01:01:44 The Art of Skillful Communication

01:03:20 Rapid Fire Insights and Reflections

In this episode of the Say It Skillfully Podcast, Molly has a conversation with Rachel Ziering, the Founding Executive Director of Muddy Paws Rescue. Rachel shares her journey from a musical upbringing to her passion for dog rescue, detailing her experiences and the challenges she faced while building her nonprofit organization. The conversation highlights the importance of following one's passion, the lessons learned from both music and nonprofit work, and the impact of community outreach in animal welfare. In this conversation, Rachael shares her experiences and insights from leading a nonprofit organization focused on animal rescue. She discusses the importance of managing volunteers, the challenges of nonprofit leadership, and her motivation to continue her work. She also talks about the vital role of fostering in animal rescue, the strategies for fundraising, and how she handles criticism and online reviews.

Trisha Cunningham, President and CEO of the North Texas Food Bank, joins Molly Tschang on the Say It Skillfully podcast to share her inspiring journey from corporate leadership to nonprofit work, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, self-discovery, and mission-driven leadership. Trisha discusses her early life challenges, the importance of education, and the pivotal moments that shaped her leadership style. She talks about her work at the North Texas Food Bank, highlighting the need for strong governance and effective practices to serve the community better. Trisha reflects on her personal growth, the significance of listening as a leader, and the impact of her experiences on her current role.

Ganesh Iyer, CEO of Etnyre International, joins Molly on the Say It Skillfully podcast to share his inspiring journey from a humble upbringing in India to navigating the corporate world and becoming a CEO. He discusses the importance of putting people first in business, the challenges of leadership, and the philosophy of optimizing profit while improving lives. Ganesh reflects on his experiences, the lessons learned from mistakes, and the significance of work-life integration. The conversation emphasizes the value of kindness, adaptability, and the pursuit of meaningful work.