Play It By Your Rules

Not a Crisis. A Second Act. What Midlife Is Actually Doing to Your Body - and Why That's Good News. With Tamara Koval — Gynecologist, Longevity Advisor, Founder of Longevity for Her What if the hormonal changes of midlife are not something to manage around — but something to move with? Tamara Koval is a gynecologist by training, a serial career reinventor by choice, and the founder of Longevity fo...

We’re getting very good at asking technology for answers. But what if a more powerful way to use AI isn’t to let it think for us - but to let it guide our thinking? To help us sit with better questions. In this episode of Play It By Your Rules, I sit down with entrepreneur, impact investor, and author Florian Kemmerich to explore a different conversation about AI - one that is less about productiv...

Many high performers are so used to functioning under pressure that they no longer realize how much stress they’re carrying - until their body forces them to pay attention. In this episode of Play It By Your Rules, I sit down with Dr. Lizette Warner - executive coach, keynote speaker, healthcare executive, and former Chief Science Officer - to explore the hidden cost of chronic stress in high perf...

What if leadership isn’t about having the right answers - but asking better questions? In this episode of Play It By Your Rules, I sit down with entrepreneur, speaker and curiosity champion Tyler Chisholm to explore why curiosity may be one of the most underrated leadership skills of our time. Tyler argues that the best leaders don’t perform certainty. They practice curiosity. And in a world shape...

What if your problem isn’t your pitch - but your clarity? In this episode of Play It By Your Rules, I sit down with speaker, coach, and former teacher Danny Brassell , who has built a highly successful speaking and coaching business after multiple career pivots - and one major life setback that changed everything. From losing everything financially to rebuilding through speaking, Danny shares a si...

What if the reason you feel stuck or exhausted isn’t a lack of ambition — but a lack of alignment, recovery, and conscious thinking? In this episode of Play It By Your Rules, I sit down with Dorota Kosiorek — AI startup leader, certified brain coach, and creator of Strategic Off-Season — to explore how high achievers can move beyond constant doing into more intentional, fulfilling ways of working...

Many leaders spend years climbing the mountain of success. They work hard, take on responsibility, and build careers that look impressive from the outside. But at some point, the pace becomes unsustainable. Energy drops, pressure builds, and something inside begins to question whether the current path still makes sense. In this episode of Play It By Your Rules, Meggi speaks with Rachael Edmondson-...

What if the real leadership crisis isn’t strategy - but consciousness? In this episode of Play It By Your Rules, I sit down with executive coach and adventurer Martin Palethorpe to explore what happens when high achievement stops feeling meaningful. At just 27, Martin hit what he calls an early midlife crisis. He was outperforming his peers, climbing fast in the tech world, earning well - and quie...

What if exhaustion isn’t a sign you’re doing too much - but a sign you’re doing the wrong things? In this episode of Play It By Your Rules, I sit down with career strategist and licensed therapist Rachel Spekman , founder of Made for More Coaching, to explore what happens when success on paper no longer feels aligned in real life. After building a thriving career in the startup world, Rachel reach...

Playing it by your rules isn’t about getting your way at all costs. A mindful rebellion means recognising that our choices affect others - especially the people we love most. Caring for aging parents is one of the most emotional, complex, and often unspoken challenges of midlife. In this deeply human episode of Play It by Your Rules, I sat down with gerontology expert, facilitator, and founder of...

What if career success didn’t mean climbing higher - but choosing how you spend your time? In this episode of Play It by Your Rules, I sit down with Ani Filipova - former Citi COO turned portfolio career strategist - to unpack what it really means to step off the traditional career ladder and design a working life that fits your priorities. Ani shares how she intentionally moved away from a single...

Teamwork doesn’t magically happen just because people share a Zoom link. In this episode, I talk with Daria Rudnik - Team Architect, Executive Coach, and author of CLICKING: A Team Building Strategy for Overloaded Leaders Who Want Stronger Team Trust, Better Results, and More Time - about why so many teams underperform, especially under pressure… and how to design teams that work. Because just lik...

It’s that time again - fresh goals, new intentions, big dreams. But let’s be honest: most resolutions don’t make it past February. So… why don’t our habits stick? And more importantly - what actually works? In this episode, I sit down with Ivan Palomino - behavioral science strategist and unapologetic habit hacker — to unpack the science behind human behavior and habit change. Spoiler: it’s not ab...

What if selling yourself didn’t feel fake, forced, or awkward - but natural, connecting on a human level, like meeting a new friend or dating? In this episode, I sit down with Curt Tueffert , award-winning sales expert, keynote speaker, professor, and “Selling Skills Sherpa” to explore how anyone (yes, including purpose-driven professionals, introverts, and impact seekers) can confidently bring sa...

What if showing your value didn’t require shouting, hustling, or pretending to be louder than you are? In this episode of Play It by Your Rules, I sit down with Melitta Campbell - award-winning business coach, TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and the creator of “Value Whispering.” Melitta teaches a simple and refreshing truth: You don’t need to be louder. You need to be clearer. And while her app...

What if your biggest transformation starts with just 90 seconds of courage? This episode unpacks how impromptu speaking can help you rewrite not just your script - but your identity. Tara Gopal Chattopadhyay is a Distinguished Toastmaster, global tech leader, and culture-shifting communicator - and President of the Impact Toastmasters Club in Geneva. He shares how leaving his hometown - and later,...

What if the traits we label as “too much” — too intense, too detailed, too sensitive — were actually your team’s biggest untapped advantage? In this episode of Play It by Your Rules, I sit down with Xenia Matthies — business psychologist, systemic consultant, and founder of NeuroSynergy® — to explore how neurodivergence can become a competitive edge in leadership and team design. We dive into: The...

What if midlife isn’t a crisis — but the ultimate leadership accelerator? In this episode of Play It by Your Rules, I sit down with Aneace Haddad — global nomad, tech-entrepreneur-turned-coach, and author of Soaring Beyond Midlife — to explore why your 40s, 50s, and 60s might just be your most powerful chapter yet. We dive into: 🔹 Why AI is a midlife advantage — and how experience + AI = rocket f...

What if the real key to success isn’t doing more - but remembering who you were before the world told you who to be? In this episode of Play It by Your Rules, I sit down with Shivangi Walke - leadership coach, entrepreneur, speaker, and author of Wander Woman. From corporate boardrooms to founding global mentoring platforms, Shivangi’s mission is clear: help people - including high-skilled immigra...

We’re LIVE under a bold new name: Play It by Your Rules! 🚀(formerly Leadership Insights) In this special teaser episode, I flip the mic to my voice coach, Helen von Dadelszen, who interviews me about the story behind the podcast rebrand. We talk about: ✨ Why now’s the moment for a rebrand 🧭 How I’m embracing mindful rebellion 🎙️ What kind of guests and energy you can expect ⚡ And why now’s the...

As we transition from Leadership Insights to Play It by Your Rules, I’m delighted to welcome another inspiring leader for this in-between chapter. And what better topic than Play - fitting perfectly with where this podcast is headed. This month, I talked with Diego Adame, Head of LEGO Ecosystem Collaboration at the LEGO Foundation. Diego’s career spans P&G, an MBA in International Organization...

This month, Leadership Insights is becoming Play It by Your Rules  - and we’re kicking things off with a guest who’s done exactly that. I’m talking to Erik Cooper —adventurist, leader, and trailblazer who walked away from New York agency life to help run two of the craziest horse races in the world. Erik lived my wildest dream: the Mongol Derby , a 1,000 km race on semi-wild horses across the step...

“Your patterns are not who you are—they're just what you learned to survive.” In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Inna Malaia —leadership consultant, certified Enneagram practitioner, and founder of Bevel World—to explore why deep self-awareness is the first step toward meaningful leadership and career choices. From job transitions to personal reinvention, Inna emphasizes the importance...

“Leap even if it feels uncomfortable. Something greater will come out of it.” In this episode of Leadership Insights, we meet Heike Linnemann , former Chief Marketing Officer, brand growth expert, and now an independent consultant helping businesses to unlock profitable, sustainable growth. Heike's story is one of bold career pivots, intentional choices, and striking a balance between ambition and...

“Speaking up isn’t just about volume - it’s about alignment. When your message and energy match your values, people feel it.” In this episode of Leadership Insights, we explore how to speak with intention with vocal coach and speaker trainer Helen von Dadelszen . Originally from New Zealand and now based in Switzerland, Helen blends theatre, mindfulness, and leadership to help professionals use th...