It's an Inside Job Podcast

18/05/2025

How Do You Reclaim Your Voice After Captivity? Mellissa Fung on Trauma, Courage, Resilience and Bearing Witness to Women’s Suffering in War

“You don't know how strong you are until you're faced with a crisis. I never thought I could survive being kidnapped and thrown into a hole. But somehow, you find the strength in you to get through it.” - Mellissa Fung

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1921442/episodes/16915922

In this powerful episode, I sit down with veteran journalist, author, and filmmaker Mellissa Fung, whose work spans war zones, survival, and the untold stories of women living through conflict. Mellissa shares her personal journey—from her early reporting days at CBC to being kidnapped while on assignment in Afghanistan, and how that experience reshaped her understanding of trauma, agency, and the power of narrative.

We discuss how she transformed her experience from victimhood to resilience and why she continues to shine a light on the lives of women and girls affected by war—especially in Afghanistan and Nigeria. From her acclaimed books Under an Afghan Sky and Between Good and Evil, to her documentary Captive, Mellissa’s storytelling centers empathy, courage, and the fight for dignity in forgotten corners of the world.

This episode is about more than journalism. It’s about finding strength through pain, the responsibility to amplify unheard voices, and the resilience it takes to keep caring in a world overwhelmed by conflict and complexity.

13/10/2024

Seven Actionable Strategies to Stop Rumination, Build Mental Resilience & Emotional Wellbeing.

In this solo-episode, I dive into what rumination is, how it shows up in our lives, and why it's so important to break free from its negative cycle. I offer seven practical strategies designed to help you overcome these mental loops and regain your emotional and mental resilience.

Episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1921442/episodes/15249109

Three Key Takeaways from This Episode:

Understanding Rumination:
I explain how rumination traps us in a cycle of negative thoughts, impacting both our emotional and physical well-being. While reflection can be helpful, persistent overthinking clouds judgment and saps energy.

Actionable Strategies to Break the Cycle:
From reframing thoughts into questions to journaling and engaging in brief distractions, I share actionable techniques to help shift from a reactive to a proactive mindset. Practices like exercise and seeking external support are tools I encourage you to use to get through tough times.

Building Resilience and Mental Clarity:
By recognizing when thoughts stem from perceived threats versus real danger, I aim to help you differentiate between the two and respond rationally. The goal is to build resilience and self-leadership through intentional actions, rather than staying stuck in unproductive thought patterns.

31/08/2024

Welcome to this bitesize episode, where I speak to Dr. Remi Smolinski, a negotiation professor at HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management. Dr. Smolinski shares his expertise on negotiation strategies, emphasizing the importance of understanding different interests and finding win-win solutions. With real-life examples and a focus on the interdependence between negotiating parties, this conversation is rich with insights and practical advice.

It's an Inside Job: https://its_an_inside_job.buzzsprout.com/

By listening to this episode, you can:
-Develop Effective Negotiation Skills: Learn strategies to navigate differences and achieve mutually beneficial agreements.
-Transform Conflict: Discover how to view conflict as an opportunity for constructive dialogue and creative problem-solving.
-Enhance Communication: Understand the critical role of communication in successful negotiations and relationship-building.

19/08/2024

In this episode, I'm joined by Olga Saldarriaga - BSc - CRP - EIA EMCC, a highly experienced Leadership Coach and Consultant. This episode is a cautionary tale of burnout. Olga is open about her experiencing of hitting the wall and the toll it took on her. For all of you trying to juggle many balls in your professional life this episode is for you

https://its_an_inside_job.buzzsprout.com/

By listening to this episode, you can:

-Identify and Address Burnout: Gain insights into recognizing the symptoms of burnout and learn practical tips to manage and overcome it, reintroducing humanity into the workplace.
-Enhance Leadership Qualities: Discover the essential qualities that leaders need to thrive in today's professional landscape and actionable strategies to enhance your leadership skills.
-Foster Personal Growth: Learn how to develop neuro-agility and personal resilience, unlocking your potential to navigate the complexities of modern work environments.

16/08/2024

Ever wondered how to create a culture that fosters continuous improvement and innovation within your organization? If you're curious about embedding innovation, building psychological safety, and balancing individual contributions with collective goals, this episode is for you.

https://its_an_inside_job.buzzsprout.com/

Welcome to this bitesize episode, where we delve into the essential elements of creating a culture that encourages continuous improvement and innovation. We are joined by Annicken R. Day, an expert in building innovative cultures, who shares key insights from her experience at Tandberg, a technology company renowned for its focus on culture and innovation.

12/08/2024

Are you striving to become a more effective leader but feeling overwhelmed by traditional leadership models? What if embracing humility, empathy, and mindfulness could transform your leadership style and lead to greater success? If you're ready to explore new dimensions of leadership maturity, this episode is for you.

https://its_an_inside_job.buzzsprout.com/

In this episode, I interview seasoned coach Stephen Josephs, Ed.D. diving into the essential elements of leadership maturity. We discuss the profound impact of meditation, the importance of humility and empathy, and the concept of post-heroic leadership. Stephen shares his insights on the fusion of mind-body disciplines and effective communication strategies, emphasizing the need to relinquish ego and harness collective intelligence. This conversation is packed with transformative ideas that make leadership both intriguing and attainable.

04/08/2024

Welcome to this episode of "It's an Inside Job Bite Size Fridays," where we delve into resilience, optimism, and well-being.

https://its_an_inside_job.buzzsprout.com/

In this episode, I share a remarkable story of perseverance and growth from a past conversation with Anne Gro Gulla, focusing on self-leadership and personal growth. Anna's journey of overcoming imposter syndrome and her battle with breast cancer offers profound insights into prioritizing self-care and holistic well-being.

Imagine gaining insights from someone who has faced significant adversity and emerged stronger, with a deeper appreciation for life.

By listening to this episode, you can:
-Overcome Challenges: Learn how to navigate life's challenges with resilience and optimism.
-Prioritize Self-Care: Discover the importance of holistic self-care practices like meditation, proper nutrition, and adequate rest.
-Embrace Personal Growth: Understand how facing adversity can lead to profound personal growth and a shift in priorities.

04/08/2024

In this episode (S6 E11), we depart from our usual discussions on resilience to delve into the fascinating topics of creativity and curiosity.

https://its_an_inside_job.buzzsprout.com/

We explore whether our brain draws from more than just our senses to fuel our creative spark. Discover how brainwave frequencies and binaural beats can enhance your creative potential. We also examine the impact of external influences on creativity and highlight the experiences of remarkable individuals throughout history who embraced their intuition to achieve greatness. This episode speaks to the potential of the human mind, filled with intriguing insights and practical takeaways.

By listening to this episode, you can:

-Enhance Creative Potential: Learn how different brainwave frequencies and binaural beats can amplify your creativity and help you access new levels of inspiration.

-Embrace Intuition: Understand the role of intuition in the creative process and how embracing it can lead to remarkable breakthroughs.

-Draw from External Influences: Gain insights into how external factors and historical examples of creativity can inspire and elevate your own creative endeavours.

28/07/2024

I am excited to share my latest article, "How Can You Separate Yourself from Your Thoughts?" published in Executive Support Magazine. In this piece, I delve into the transient and often illusory nature of our thoughts, and how understanding this can enhance emotional resilience and mental wellbeing.

https://tinyurl.com/mr3rkm9x

Key Topics Covered:

The difference between thoughts and reality
Cognitive distortions and their impact
Techniques for mindful thinking
Building emotional intelligence and resilience
Read the full article here: Executive Support Magazine

Understanding our thoughts’ transient, often illusory nature, we can cultivate a more resilient and balanced approach to life, explains Jason Liem

28/07/2024

In this episode, I speak with Tamara Andreas about the transformative power of Core Transformation. This isn't just another self-help technique; it's a deeply experiential journey that helps you uncover unconscious parts of yourself that drive counterproductive behaviors. By understanding the positive intentions behind these behaviors, you can access core states like love and presence, leading to a profound inner transformation. This conversation is filled with real-life examples and insights that make the process both intriguing and accessible.

Episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1921442/15196361

Three Benefits You'll Gain:

Attain Lasting Inner Peace: Learn to navigate your inner world and access states of deep peace and love, leading to a more balanced and harmonious life.

Transform Challenging Behaviors: Understand and reshape behaviors driven by unconscious parts, creating healthier and more productive patterns.

Enhance Self-Compassion and Self-Efficacy: Develop greater self-compassion and a stronger sense of self-efficacy, empowering you to face life's challenges with resilience and grace.

Connirae Andreas Tamara Andreas

26/07/2024

Welcome to this Fridays BiteSize episode where we delve into the topic of resilience with Heidi van Eldik, a senior executive at DHL. Heidi shares her personal resilience journey, highlighting the importance of experience, setting clear goals, and embracing failure as a learning opportunity. Her experiences in different countries have shaped her resilience, making her self-reliant and adaptable to new challenges.

Episode: https://its_an_inside_job.buzzsprout.com/

Imagine gaining insights from a seasoned leader who emphasizes the role of self-reflection, proactivity, and surrounding oneself with the right people.

By listening to this episode, you can:

Learn from Failure: Understand how accepting failure as part of the learning process contributes to personal growth and effective leadership.

Build Trust and Integrity: Discover the importance of trust, integrity, and being open to learning from others.

Leverage Teamwork: Gain practical advice on leveraging the expertise of team members and moving away from perfectionism towards delegation and strategic focus.

21/07/2024

In this week's episode (S6 E7), I'm joined by Kathrine Aspaas.

Episode: https://its_an_inside_job.buzzsprout.com/

Kathrine and I dive into the profound questions and issues surrounding emotional intelligence and personal growth. We explore the concept of an emotional revolution and why it's crucial for our well-being. Kathrine shares her journey of self-discovery while writing her book, revealing what she learned about herself and how she defines emotions. This engaging discussion touches on personal struggles with emotions, the experience of vulnerability, and practical advice for those facing emotional challenges.

By listening to this episode, you can:

Gain Emotional Clarity: Learn how to define and understand your emotions, leading to better self-awareness and emotional management.

Embrace Vulnerability: Discover the strength in vulnerability and how it can enhance your personal and professional relationships.

Build Psychological Safety: Find out how leaders can create environments of psychological safety within their teams and organisations, fostering trust and open communication.