Disrupt Your Career

In a world where many leaders struggle to be seen and heard, Dr. Sheila Gujrathi offers a fresh approach. The Mirror Effect provides a practical roadmap for women and marginalized professionals to reclaim their power, navigate challenging environments, and thrive authentically.In this edition of Author Chat, Disrupt Your Career speaks with Sheila about her debut book, exploring her three-part framework—know yourself, understand your environment, and set yourself up for success—to help leaders build clarity, resilience, and meaningful impact. Order Sheila’s book The Mirror Effect: A Transformative Approach to Growth for the Next Generation of Female LeadersSheila’s TEDx Talk ‘Shattering the glass ceiling by finding the right mirrors’Marianne Williamson’s poem ‘Our Deepest Fear’Sheila’s personal websiteSheila’s LinkedIn profileThanks for listening!Visit our homepage at https://disrupt-your-career.comIf you like the podcast, please take a moment to rate it and leave a review in Apple Podcast

In this episode, we talk with Celeste Warren, Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion leader about her unconventional path from journalism to HR leadership and her impact as Merck’s Chief Diversity Officer. She shares candid insights on challenges faced, lessons learned from allies, and why equity is essential for thriving organizations. We also explore her new book, The Truth About Equity, her thoughts on the future of DEI, and her vision for workplaces where inclusivity and equity drive collective success.Celeste R. Warren is the author of “The Truth About Equity” and a Global HR and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leader with nearly 40 years of experience in major global corporations. Throughout her career, she has championed DEI, elevating the importance of understanding diverse cultures, perspectives, and beliefs within corporate strategies. Her visionary approach reshaped Merck's culture and influenced the broader business landscape, empowering organizations worldwide to embrace inclusivity as a cornerstone of success.Links from the episode: Celeste’s Website: https://crwdiversity.com/Celeste’s book The Truth About EquityCeleste’s LinkedIn profileThanks for listening!Visit our homepage at https://disrupt-your-career.comIf you like the podcast, please take a moment to rate it and leave a review in Apple Podcast

In this episode, Bridget Farrands and Ian Hardie open up about the twists and turns of their career and leadership transitions. Bridget reflects on stepping out of the corporate fast lane into a portfolio of advisory and board roles, while Ian shares lessons from moving across industries, countries, and cultures into top executive positions. Bridget also talks about her book Lost in Transition, which introduces a three-phase framework—Arriving, Surviving, and Thriving—to help leaders navigate new roles. Together, they discuss earning trust in unfamiliar territory, balancing humility with decisiveness, staying resilient through uncertainty, and shaping a meaningful “next chapter.”Bridget Farrands is a consultant, coach and author specializing in transition and identity. She works internationally with leaders and teams to create thriving workplaces, drawing on over 20 years’ consulting experience across sectors. Co-author of Leadership Transitions, she helps executives navigate the personal and organizational challenges of new roles. Ian Hardie is an advisor, consultant and executive coach who helps leaders and organizations create impactful learning and growth experiences. Formerly with Sephora, LVMH and London Business School, he now works internationally, drawing on decades of experience in talent development. He also chairs Wave for Change, a social inclusion charity.Links from the episode: Bridget’s book ‘Lost in Transition’Bridget’s coaching and consulting homepageBridget’s LinkedIn profileIan’s LinkedIn profileThanks for listening!Visit our homepage at https://disrupt-your-career.comIf you like the podcast, please take a moment to rate it and leave a review in Apple Podcast

In this episode, we talk with Elizabeth Lotardo about her journey from advertising and marketing to writing and online teaching, and how she helps individuals and organizations create purpose-driven work. She shares insights on emotional engagement, finding meaning even in imperfect jobs, and the role of purpose in leadership and performance. Elizabeth reflects on the power of small shifts in mindset, how to lead yourself with clarity and joy, and why authenticity is central to career growth. She also offers practical advice for early-career professionals and gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the ideas fueling her creative work in 2025.Elizabeth Lotardo is a consultant, writer, and course creator who helps organizations build more purpose-driven and emotionally engaging workplaces. She works with companies like Hilton, DraftKings, and Thyssenkrupp, and her LinkedIn Learning courses have reached over 2 million learners. Elizabeth is the co-author of Selling with Noble Purpose and Leading Yourself, and writes regularly for Harvard Business Review. She holds a Master’s in Industrial & Organizational Psychology and is a fellow at the Institute of Coaching.Links from the episode: Elizabeth’s articles in HBRElizabeth’s book Leading YourselfElizabeth’s courses on LinkedIn LearningElizabeth’s LinkedIn profileThanks for listening!Visit our homepage at https://disrupt-your-career.comIf you like the podcast, please take a moment to rate it and leave a review in Apple Podcast

In this episode, we talk with Julia Milner about her global journey from consulting to academia and how she bridges research with real-world leadership. She shares insights on empathy, coaching, and reframing failure, and reflects on embracing curiosity over control. Julia discusses how transitions build resilience, why small habits matter, and the value of self-kindness. She also offers grounded advice for early-career professionals and shares a glimpse of the creative projects energizing her in 2025.Julia Milner is a professor of leadership at EDHEC Business School in Nice, France and has been named in the World’s Top 40 Business Professors under 40. She has extensive experience as a management consultant and coach working internationally with executives and organizations on how to create empowering leadership and organizational cultures. Julia is host of a YouTube channel on leadership and careers, and has given two Tedxtalks on how to be a great leader and how to turn regrets into change. Links from the episode: Prof. Julia Milner YouTube ChannelJulia’s article in HBR ‘Is Your Career Heading in the Right Direction?’Julia’s TEDxEDHECNice ‘How to turn Regrets into Change’Julia’s TEDxLiège: ‘The surprising truth in how to be a great leader’Julia’s LinkedIn profileThanks for listening!Visit our homepage at https://disrupt-your-career.comIf you like the podcast, please take a moment to rate it and leave a review in Apple Podcast

In this episode, we talk with Neil Courtis about his unconventional career journey from political research and financial journalism to founding a leading e-learning company. He reflects on moments of struggle and discovery, shares key insights from working with top thinkers on careers and business education, and champions the value of experimentation and relative skills in career change. Neil also offers advice for early-career professionals, comments on career support in business schools, and explains why great content—and great networking—begin with genuine curiosity.Neil Courtis is the founder of Sensible Media, a London-based e-learning company focused on career advice for professionals. As Managing Director and Head of E-learning, he produces a high volume of high-quality webinars and online courses. An INSEAD MBA graduate, former parliamentary researcher and financial journalist covering central banks and regulation, Neil brings deep experience in translating complex ideas into accessible content. He also writes occasionally for the Financial Times about careers and business education.Links from the episode: Sensible Media’s website Article ‘How to be a Leader in your Field’ by Philip AgreNeil’s LinkedIn profileThanks for listening!Visit our homepage at https://disrupt-your-career.comIf you like the podcast, please take a moment to rate it and leave a review in Apple Podcast

In this episode, we talk with Peter Attfield about his diverse, four-decade career journey—from finance to consulting and global HR leadership. He reflects on pivotal moments of transformation, the challenge of adapting to different cultures, and why leadership truly matters. Peter shares insights on how careers unfold through both serendipity and courage, offers advice for younger professionals, and questions traditional models of leadership development. He also discusses his current projects in consulting and executive education.Peter Attfield is a CHRO-level HR thought partner with a global track record in strategic business partnering and HR leadership across sectors and regions. He is the founder of The Inflection Point and APAC representative of The Talent Strategy Group. Most recently Chief Talent & Learning Officer at Jardine Matheson, he brings nearly four decades of experience in organisation transformation, talent management, and leadership development. A true global citizen, he has lived in 9 countries and worked in over 75.Links from the episode: Peter’s consulting firm The Inflection Point websiteThe Talent Strategy Group website Peter’s LinkedIn profileThanks for listening!Visit our homepage at https://disrupt-your-career.comIf you like the podcast, please take a moment to rate it and leave a review in Apple Podcast

In a world where striving for success often leads to overwhelm, Kathy Oneto offers a refreshing new approach. Sustainable Ambition redefines how we think about work and life—not as a balancing act, but as an opportunity to align our goals with what truly matters.In this edition of Author Chat, Disrupt Your Career speaks with Kathy Oneto about her book, Sustainable Ambition: How to Prioritize What Matters to Thrive in Life and Work (Greenleaf Book Group, June 2025). Kathy introduces a practical framework—Right Ambition, Right Time, and Right Effort—to help individuals pursue meaningful goals with clarity and ease, without sacrificing their well-being.Pre-order Kathy’s book Sustainable Ambition: How to Prioritize What Matters to Thrive in Life and WorkKathy’s LinkedIn profile: Sustainable Ambition websiteThanks for listening!Visit our homepage at https://disrupt-your-career.comIf you like the podcast, please take a moment to rate it and leave a review in Apple Podcast

In this episode, we talk with Irina Cozma about her journey from HR roles in global corporations to launching her own coaching and consulting practice. She shares how a mix of planning and serendipity shaped her career, why she believes every leader is above all human, and what it means to design better career adventures. Irina challenges traditional training methods, discusses her “Go Broad, Go Deep, Go Forward” coaching approach, and offers empowering advice for young professionals. Irina Cozma is an executive coach, speaker, trainer and consultant who helps professionals design more fulfilling career adventures. With a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology and over 20 years of experience, she has coached hundreds of senior leaders and entrepreneurs across industries like tech, healthcare, and finance. An ICF-certified coach, Irina teaches at Purdue University, contributes to Harvard Business Review, and brings global insight from living and working in four countries. Links from the episode: Irina’s articles in Harvard Business ReviewIrina’s personal homepageIrina’s LinkedIn profileThanks for listening!Visit our homepage at https://disrupt-your-career.comIf you like the podcast, please take a moment to rate it and leave a review in Apple Podcast

In this episode, we talk with Stéphanie Daudier about her career journey and the values that have shaped her path. She shares her transition from marketing and leadership roles to entrepreneurship and executive coaching after her time at L’Oréal. She discusses how she navigated career changes, including her shift to building a public presence, underscored by her TEDx speech. Stéphanie reflects on the importance of simplicity in career management, her commitment to promoting equality and career opportunities for seniors, her advice to her younger self and her plans for the future.Stéphanie Daudier is a specialist in workplace diversity and the founder of The Inspiration Lab. As an entrepreneur, she is dedicated to promoting senior inclusion in society and advancing gender equality in the workplace. With 30 years of experience in the corporate world across Europe and Asia, Stéphanie spent over 8 years living and working in Asia, including 4 years as an expatriate in Tokyo, Japan. A trained mathematician, she brings precision to her work and makes complex data both tangible and engaging. Stéphanie stands against ageism and stereotypes, advocating for a rebellious life full of joy and energy.Links from the episode: The Inspiration Lab homepageStéphanie TEDxBlois ‘Exister pleinement jusqu'à 100 ans’ (in French)Stéphanie’s LinkedIn profileThanks for listening!Visit our homepage at https://disrupt-your-career.comIf you like the podcast, please take a moment to rate it and leave a review in Apple Podcast