In this episode of Work from the Inside Out, I’m so excited to welcome back Kathy Oneto. Kathy is the founder of Sustainable Ambition, a coach, speaker, and now the author of Sustainable Ambition: How to Prioritize What Matters to Thrive in Life and Work. Her new book is a thoughtful and deeply practical guide for redefining what success and ambition can look like on your own terms. In our conversation, Kathy shares how the idea for the book was born out of years of reflection, coaching, and personal experience. We talk about what it means to honor your ambitions not just in work, but in all areas of life.

One of the biggest takeaways for me was how Kathy differentiates between staying busy and being intentional. She reminds us that ambition isn’t only about professional goals, it’s also about creating a fulfilling life. From nurturing creativity to becoming a better sleeper, she offers a broader and more compassionate view of what it means to pursue something meaningful. Kathy walks us through her process of writing the book with sustainability in mind, and the power of pacing, spaciousness, and grace along the way.

We also explored how so many people are operating on autopilot, rushing from one thing to the next without asking why. Kathy encourages us to pause, reflect, and claim the ambitions that genuinely matter to us right now. Her work is a refreshing reminder that slowing down isn’t a weakness. It’s a strategy. If you’re seeking clarity, realignment, or simply a more nourishing path forward, I know this conversation will speak to you. And don’t forget—her book launched last June 10th!

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

• Generating your own ideas for success: Break through old habits of following what others suggest and focus on what matters most and feels right to you.
• How taking it slower can help you clarify your direction: It can help you to focus your thoughts, feel less stressed, and enjoy what you're doing.
• Why life goals are just as important to your ambitions as school or work: Wanting to be a better friend, developing hobbies, or improving sleep are all important ambitions.
• How asking yourself “why” can help you focus your choices in more authentic ways: By pausing to think before acting, you will choose what you want, not just what others expect.
• How simple tools can help you reach your goals: Kathy shares fun and easy exercises in her book to help you figure out what you want and how to get there.

Learn more about Kathy:

• Visit Sustainable Ambition
• Listen to the Sustainable Ambition Podcast
• Follow Kathy on Instagram: @koneto12
• Follow Kathy on LinkedIn: Kathy Oneto
• Read: Sustainable Ambition: How to Prioritize What Matters to Thrive in Life and Work



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 spoke with Sabina Nawaz, executive coach and author of You're the Boss: Become the Manager You Want to Be and Others Need. She brings with her decades of wisdom gained from leading executive development at Microsoft and later coaching C-suite leaders around the globe. But it’s not just her impressive credentials that left an impact, it’s her honesty and clarity about what shapes us, both the difficult and the delightful.

Sabina took us back to her early days in Calcutta, where adults trusted her with decisions at just eight years old, and where living in a home affected by domestic violence sharpened her intuitive grasp of human behavior. She attributes her extraordinary ability to read people to the influence of these childhood experiences, which now helps her support leaders facing the pressures of power and performance. Her journey from a successful software engineer to a sought-after leadership coach was anything but linear, and that's exactly what makes it so inspiring.

We talked about how she made the leap from a corporate powerhouse role, including advising Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer, to starting her own business while starting her family, in search of a life where she could be in charge of her own time. Sabina’s wisdom around power, pressure, and presence is powerful for anyone seeking fulfillment and navigating a path to leadership. If you’re wondering how to best identify your strengths, or how to show up as a leader without losing yourself, you’ll want to take in Sabina’s insights.

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

• How Sabina’s early life shaped her leadership lens
• Why getting promoted can be the riskiest moment in your career, and how to navigate the shift in how others perceive you as you take on more authority.
• Why it’s pressure—not power—that can derail leaders, and how recognizing your emotional patterns under stress is key to leading with integrity.
• The power of leaning into your strengths—and how Sabina used her gifts in communication, ideation, and connection to pivot from tech to leadership development.
• Why embracing experimentation can transform your career, from saying “yes” to unexpected opportunities to launching a global coaching practice while seven months pregnant.

Learn more about Sabina:

• Read You're the Boss: Become the Manager You Want to Be (and Others Need)
• Download free book guides
• Visit: sabinanawaz.com
• Follow: LinkedIn
• Follow: Instagram

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, Dr. Gian Varbaro, MD, MBA–Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Ambulatory Services at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus, New Jersey–shares a deeply personal and inspiring story of how grit, curiosity, and a relentless drive for justice shaped his career in healthcare leadership. From humble beginnings working in construction alongside his immigrant father to earning his MD from NYU and an MBA from Yale, Gian’s story is a testament to the power of intention, adaptability, and standing up for what matters. Today, as Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Ambulatory Services at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, he leads with empathy, insight, and a clear vision for health equity and organizational transformation.

Gian opens up about his early resistance to following his father’s dream of him becoming a doctor, his disillusionment with medical education, and how unexpected opportunities, and even moments of failure, led him to forge a unique path as a changemaker in hospital medicine. He also reflects on the mentors who shaped his leadership, the importance of learning from both positive and ineffective examples, and the role of intentionality in making meaningful career decisions. Whether you're in healthcare or navigating a different career journey, this episode is filled with practical wisdom and heart.

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

• How frustration can be a powerful catalyst for discovering purpose and direction in your career
• Why intentionality matters and how to approach your next move with a sense of clarity and a strategy
• The value of learning from both positive and ineffective leaders to shape your leadership style
• The evolving role of the hospitalist and how Dr. Varbaro helped pioneer hospital-based care
• The importance of mentorship and being mentored—even in unconventional or informal ways
• Why equity and trust are essential to transforming institutions and rebuilding morale



Learn more about Dr. Gian Varbaro:

• Follow on Facebook
• Follow on LinkedIn
• Follow on Instagram

Stay Connected:

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