Are you struggling with perfectionism, imposter syndrome, or feeling invisible in your career? In this inspiring conversation, singer-songwriter and podcaster Unoma Okudo shares her journey of evolving beyond boxes, finding courage to share her story, and creating an authentic personal brand rooted in both faith and creativity.We talk about:

• How to overcome perfectionism and give yourself permission to fail
• Practical ways to promote yourself without feeling fake
• The truth about rejection as part of success (and how to handle it)
• Navigating career growth and visibility as a creative or early career professional
• Small steps to build confidence and put yourself out there without fear
• Finding emotional freedom through faith and therapy as a Christian
• Why courage, not perfection, is the key to living fully

If you’ve ever wondered how to stop imposter syndrome or struggled to show up authentically in your career or creative journey, this episode will help you take the next brave step.

🎙️ From Curious Kid to Fortune 500 Tech Leader | Career Reinvention & Joy in TechIn this episode, we sit down with Jose, a senior software engineer at a Fortune 500 financial institution, whose technology career journey started in a cyber café in Venezuela. With no formal training at first, Jose taught himself to code through curiosity, community, and pure joy. Today, he leads global teams—still driven by the same playful spirit.We dive into:🔹 How to be a good software engineer (without losing your soul)🔹 How to make your career more fun — even in a traditional 9-5🔹 Joy as a strategy for career growth (not just a “nice-to-have”)🔹 Career reinvention stories in tech that inspire🔹 Why fun matters in your tech career and how to bring it back🔹 Why joy matters in deciding your career, especially when stakes are highWhether you’re early in your journey or stuck in a rut, Jose’s story will remind you: your career doesn’t have to be linear—and joy might just be your best compass.🎧 Watch now and get inspired to reimagine what your career could look like.

🎧 Join us on this fun and deeply reflective conversation with Alex, a creative technologist whose journey spans five jobs, three countries, and one seismic shift in perspective.We talked about what it means to truly live when death becomes real. Alex shares how losing her father redefined her view on time, regret, and what truly matters. We explored how much of who we are is shaped by culture, family, survival—and how to start reclaiming our truest selves. From leaving rural Romania to taking bold leaps in Barcelona, Alex reminds us that courage doesn’t mean having it all figured out—it means taking the next step anyway.If you’ve ever wrestled with honoring your roots while forging your future, or wondered what it really means to live intentionally, this one is for you.⏳ A joyful journey into the unknown awaits.🔗 Connect with Alex RaduLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maradu/ 📚 Resources mentioned1. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi2. Slow Productivity by Cal Newport3. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. MaasTimestamps00:00 - Reflecting on Life and Death00:53 - Introducing Alex Radu01:49 - Alex's Journey from Romania02:50 - Cultural Differences and Work Ethic04:26 - Adapting to Change and New Environments07:34 - The Impact of Family and Community10:16 - Career Milestones and Personal Growth16:00 - The Seismic Shift: Dealing with Loss20:40 - Living with Purpose and Meaning28:07 - Advice to Younger Self31:07 - Reflecting on Past Decisions31:49 - Inspiration from an 83-Year-Old Friend34:23 - Living in the Present36:58 - First World Problems and Helping Others37:59 - Rapid Fire Questions and Hot Takes42:16 - Learning Languages44:35 - Proud Moments and Life Reflections52:03 - Final Thoughts and FarewellGear I Use📷 Sony ZV-E10 – https://amzn.to/41nuUqP📸 Sigma 16mm F1.4 lens – https://amzn.to/4ieZJ7Y🌞 Variable ND filter – https://amzn.to/3QEMGku🎤 Rode Wireless Pro – https://amzn.to/4ipDjAO📍 Tripod – https://amzn.to/3F5hSqA💡 Lights – https://amzn.to/43fFVgu🎛️ Spider Greycard – https://amzn.to/43jYFv8🛍️ Disclaimer: These are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you—if you choose to purchase through them. It helps support the channel. Thank you!

In this episode of 'Stories that Shape Us,' Michael Bergson shares his journey from the financial struggles of running his first restaurant, Soho, during the 2008 credit crunch, to the successful establishment of his food business, Bucks Bar. Michael discusses his initial challenges, including relying on lunch takings to pay staff and suppliers and the turning point that led to Bucks Bar becoming a profitable and well-loved staple in Glasgow. He emphasizes the importance of tradition over trends, the critical nature of location, funding methods, maintaining consistency, and effective branding. Throughout the conversation, Michael also shares personal insights about his motivation, driven by a desire to repay his father's efforts, and the joy he finds in growing his business and supporting his team. This episode provides valuable lessons for aspiring restauranteurs on resilience, strategic planning, and the impactful role of social media in modern business.00:00 The Struggles of Running a Restaurant02:00 Introduction to Michael Braxton03:35 Michael's Journey into the Food Industry06:34 The Birth of Bucks Bar13:08 Overcoming Financial Challenges27:21 The Impact of Social Media and Lockdown35:05 Advice for Aspiring Restaurateurs37:42 Catchment Area Essentials38:42 Funding Your Restaurant39:53 The Brewer's Loan Explained42:37 Business Rates and Tax Models43:47 Designing Your Kitchen and Menu45:02 Ensuring Consistency in Recipes46:25 Centralized Production Kitchen47:56 Validating Recipes and Branding53:09 Balancing Costs and Outsourcing55:38 Growth and Employee Development59:28 Reflecting on the Journey01:05:48 Rapid Fire Questions

Dr. Clara Doran spent years helping others as a GP — until a life-altering diagnosis flipped her world from healer to patient. In this powerful conversation, she opens up about living with MS, how invisible illness reshaped her identity, and the hope she found on the other side of fear.We talk about:• Navigating chronic illness as a doctor and mother• The emotional toll of invisible symptoms• Rebuilding purpose after everything changesThis is a story of resilience, redefinition, and learning to listen to your body.Order Dr. Clara’s audiobook, Doctor Interrupted: https://amzn.to/4j6J72r.Please note that this is an affiliate link.