Success Your Own Way

What does success look like when you stop trying to be the best at everything and start deciding what matters right now? Becky Simmons, Professor of the Practice in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science at Duke University, joins Yifat and Tina to talk about defining success through personal metrics, showing up with intention, and learning to grow through feedback. Becky shares what decades...

What does it mean to make your own destiny happen? In this episode, Yifat and Tina sit down with Donzel Leggett, author of Make Your Destiny Happen and creator of the Destiny Development Delta model, to talk about setting a vision for your life while staying flexible enough to change it. Donzel shares the 40 year life plan he created at age 25, the career and personal decisions that forced him to...

Bert Lee didn’t set out to become a speaker, branding coach, or entrepreneur. His path started with an interest in drawing and computers, led him into graphic design and advertising, and eventually opened the door to speaking and building his own businesses.  In this episode, Bert talks with Yifat and Tina about learning skills that didn’t come naturally at first, including networking and public s...

In this episode, Tina and Yifat talk about the different ways careers can develop when you are a specialist, a generalist, or somewhere in between. They explore what happens when career growth starts pushing technical experts toward people management, how closely work can become tied to identity, and the difference between having the right credentials and being able to demonstrate real capability....

In this inspiring episode of "Success Your Own Way," hosts Yifat and Tina sit down with Pete K. Wong, a keynote speaker, coach, and psychological safety facilitator. Pete shares his deeply personal journey from shrinking himself in spaces where he didn’t feel seen, to finding his voice and power through martial arts and mentorship. With stories that range from his Minnesota upbringing to...

In this episode of Success Your Own Way, Yifat and Tina sit down with Bridgette Simmonds, transformational keynote speaker, executive coach, and founder of The Reset Movement. Bridgette shares how growing up as the daughter of Jamaican immigrants shaped her early definition of success. Like many high achievers, she followed the path she thought she was supposed to follow, checking the boxes, makin...

On this episode of Success Your Own Way, Dan Nissani shares his journey from entry-level physical therapist to business strategist, leadership advisor, author, podcast host, and entrepreneur. Dan talks candidly about what happened when being a strong producer led him into leadership before he had the tools to lead effectively. Through self-reflection, accountability, and a willingness to look hone...

In this inspiring episode of "Success Your Own Way," Tina and Yifat welcome Arnie Sair, Ph. D., Founder of Core Ready Leadership and VP of Global Quality at Neogen Corporation. A seasoned leader, Arnie has spent more than 25 years building a career in food safety, quality and leadership within the food industry.  From his early days as a shift manager at McDonald’s to leading global team...

What if the most powerful thing a leader can do right now isn't moving faster, it's learning to pause? In this episode of Success Your Own Way, Yifat and Tina sit down with Nisha Kunder, keynote speaker, certified Energy Leadership coach, and a 13-year veteran of global mobile design teams at Microsoft and Motorola. After walking away from a high-powered tech career while navigating burn...

In this insightful and candid episode of "Success Your Own Way," hosts Tina and Yifat are joined by Dr. Tyler Bletsch, Associate Professor of the Practice at Duke University and mentor to budding engineers and roboticists. Tyler shares his unconventional journey from an uncertain college student to a passionate educator and industry professional. With humor and depth, Tyler explores inte...

In this candid episode of Success Your Own Way, Tina and Yifat dive into the often-overlooked dilemma of leaving something that’s objectively good. They explore the subtle feelings of discontent that can arise even when life looks great on paper—a stable job, a supportive environment, and all the trappings of success. Together, they share personal stories and client experiences about recognizing w...

In this episode of Success Your Own Way, hosts Tina and Yifat welcome William C. Tracy. William’s journey is anything but linear: after 17 years designing and operating heavy machinery, he pivoted to follow his passion for writing and publishing, founding Space Wizard Science Fantasy in 2021. With over 15 books authored, 60+ published titles, and even a role-playing game to his name, William share...

Join hosts Tina and Yifat for an inspiring episode of "Success Your Own Way" as they sit down with Amy Joseph, a high-impact product management executive with over 18 years of experience leading at the crossroads of AI, healthcare, and finance. Amy shares her personal journey from teaching and searching for meaning to becoming a transformative leader known for building user-centered inno...

In this insightful episode of Success Your Own Way, Matan Lushkov draws from his own journey as the son of a Paralympian and his extensive work in sports psychology and organizational behavior. He shares how aligning daily actions with personal values and non-negotiables can redefine our understanding of success. Through personal stories—including pivotal moments of loss and growth—Matan illustrat...

In this inspiring episode of "Success Your Own Way," hosts Tina and Yifat sit down with Tamanna Ramesh, a food scientist turned business strategist and career coach, whose journey spans continents, industries, and roles. Tamanna shares her experiences navigating the U.S. as an international student from India, building an impactful career at global giants like Coca-Cola and Kraft Heinz,...

This season finale of Success Your Own Way explores the fluid nature of achievement and how the definition of success evolves throughout different life stages. The hosts reflect on insights shared throughout the season, highlighting a collective shift from external markers, like job titles and financial gains, toward internal fulfillment and personal well-being. The Evolution of Success : Many ind...

Sourcing career at General Mills to purpose-driven entrepreneurship rooted in permaculture. After a spiritual awakening in 2022 shifted his trajectory, he left corporate life and founded PermaCulture Party in February 2024. Shortly after, he met his fiancé, Chanel, and together—they transform landscapes into foodscapes, host plant & dance parties, gift trees, plants and food forests to childre...

Welcome to our Thanksgiving episode! As we gather for this special time of year, we’re taking a heartfelt journey into the power of gratitude—what it truly means, why it matters, and how it can transform our lives. In this episode, we reflect on the joys and challenges of the past year, sharing personal stories and moments of thankfulness—from everyday experiences like taking a child to the movies...

Executive coach and leadership advisor Sadie Wackett shares her journey of redefining success. With 20+ years in global HR leadership, a former CHRO, and as co-founder of Life Intended , Sadie empowers women through self-leadership and intentional living. She reflects on her career, personal challenges—including body dysmorphia, infertility, and resilience—and how these shaped her values and purpo...

In this inspiring episode, Dr. Christine Nowakowski—Corporate Fellow at Cargill and one of General Mills’ most prolific female inventors—shares her unconventional journey through science, leadership, and mentorship. With over 25 years in food science and more than 100 patents and publications, Christine’s work has shaped household staples like Fiber One and Nature Valley. But her path wasn’t linea...

In this powerful episode of “Success, Your Own Way,” Maychee Mua—2025 Bush Fellow, systems change leader, and first-generation Hmong-Chinese American—shares her transformative journey of identity, advocacy, and redefining success. From navigating cultural duality and discovering her neurodivergence to pioneering autism policy in Minnesota and raising neurodivergent children, Maychee's story i...

In this episode of Success Your Own Way , Yifat shares her journey from growing up in Israel to becoming a food scientist, corporate leader, and now a consultant. A study abroad experience at NC State sparked her passion for food engineering, leading to a master’s and PhD. Though she once aimed to be a professor, she pivoted to a 12-year career at General Mills before launching her own consulting...

In this episode of Success Your Own Way , we sit down with Jess Kaskov, who shares her remarkable journey from a 15-year engineering career at General Mills to becoming an author, coach, and speaker. Jess opens up about the pivotal career moment that pushed her to reflect on what truly mattered, discovering that her real impact wasn’t in equipment or processes, but in people.  She talks about taki...

Tina’s journey is a powerful narrative of reinvention, resilience, and redefining success on her own terms. From her roots in northern Wisconsin and a career that began in chemical engineering, she evolved through entrepreneurship, leadership roles at Microsoft and UnitedHealth Group, and ultimately found her calling in coaching. Her story is marked by bold decisions, taking on a variety of roles...

In this episode of Success Your Own Way, we sit down with Mark Weiler, a man whose career journey reads like a novel. From student manager and entrepreneur to DJ, day trader, and now wine tasting room manager, Mark’s path is anything but conventional. Tina and Yifat explore the twists and turns of his professional life, uncovering powerful insights on success, authenticity, and the courage to star...