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

In this episode of Work From the Inside Out, I sit down with executive coach, organizational psychologist, and Harvard Business Review contributor Irina Cozma, PhD. From the volleyball courts of Romania to leadership roles in Fortune 500 companies, Irina has followed a powerful inner voice throughout her life: when she wants something, she takes action. No overthinking. No perfectionism. Just clear intention and bold movement. We talk about how this mindset helped her navigate international moves, earn multiple advanced degrees, a corporate career, and ultimately the launch of her coaching practice.

Irina shares how overthinking and perfectionism are two of the biggest challenges she sees in her clients and how developing direction can change everything. Whether you’re exploring a major career shift or simply trying to get unstuck, Irina’s story offers a refreshing and practical reminder: clarity beats complexity, and action beats anxiety. Tune in to hear how she helps others close the gap between “I want” and “I do” and how you can do the same.

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

• How embracing clarity, direction, and intentional action can supersede overthinking and perfectionism.
• Why having a strong sense of “what you want” makes decision-making easier, even when the path forward is uncertain.
• The power of following curiosity and interest as a compass for career choices, rather than chasing traditional markers of success.
• What it looks like to reinvent your career across industries, countries, and interests.

Learn more about Irina:

• Visit irinacozma.com
• LinkedIn: @irinacozma
• YouTube: @irina-cozma

Stay Connected:

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

On Work from the Inside Out, I had the pleasure of speaking with Ora Grodsky, co-founder of Just Works Consulting and author of Justice, Love, and Organizational Healing: A Guide to Transformational Consulting. Ora’s journey is one of deep purpose and profound transformation. From restaurant work and starting a food co-op to becoming an acupuncturist, and academic dean at her acupuncture school to co-founding a holistic AIDS clinic, Ora has always been guided by her commitment to healing. Today, she brings more than 25 years of experience in helping mission-driven organizations align their values with their work.

Ora and I talked about how her roots in a social justice-focused family shaped her worldview and inspired a lifelong inquiry: How can we work toward a more just and sustainable world while honoring our own well-being? As she navigated her career choices, motherhood, and leadership development, Ora stayed true to her internal compass. Her journey exquisitely illustrates that meaningful careers don’t always follow a straight line and that listening inward can lead to powerful change and professional fulfillment.

We also explored practical tools from Ora’s consulting work, like the POP framework (Purpose, Outcomes, Process), and discussed the importance of nervous system regulation in navigating leadership and organizational challenges. This conversation is full of wisdom for anyone starting something new, leading change, or searching for more purpose in their work. I hope you find it as inspiring and grounding as I did.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Discover how clarifying your personal values can guide more meaningful career and organizational decisions.
• How Ora’s journey from acupuncturist to organizational consultant demonstrates the value of following purpose over predictability.
• Understand how Purpose, Outcomes, and Process (POP) can ground meetings, planning, and change initiatives in clarity and intention.
• Explore how self-awareness and emotional regulation support effective leadership decisions, especially during times of transformation.
• Gain insights into how equity, compassion, and healing can be embedded into the culture and systems of any workplace.

Learn more about Ora:

• Read Justice, Love, and Organizational Healing: A Guide to Transformational Consulting
• Instagram: @oragrodsky​
• LinkedIn: Ora Grodsky
• Just Works Consulting: just-works.com

Stay Connected:

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

In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Dr. SD Shanti, a remarkable woman whose journey is one of deep purpose, resilience, and heartfelt service.

SD began her professional life in dentistry, and over time, she followed several inner callings that led her into the worlds of public health, psychology, and ultimately, into founding the World Love Forum—an initiative devoted to promoting emotional health and preventing violence and depression on a global scale.

Throughout our conversation, SD shared how listening to the compass of her heart, even in the face of naysayers and uncertainty, guided her toward a truly integrated life—blending science, soul, and service. We talked about the discomfort of staying stuck versus the discomfort of change, and how stillness can be the most powerful space for clarity and direction.

If you're wondering what’s next or feeling the tug to live a more fulfilling life, I think you’ll find SD’s story both grounding and inspiring.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• What it means to truly listen to your heart—and act on it
• SD’s journey from pediatric dentistry to clinical psychology to global public health
• How the World Love Forum came to life
• The power of entertainment education to promote healing and prevention
• Why discomfort is part of growth—and how to move through it with intention

Learn more about Dr. S.D. Shanti:

• Visit: worldloveforum.org
• Sign up for her newsletter
• Check out her meditation videos
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• Substack

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 had the pleasure of speaking with Jason Van Orden, a business strategist and thought leadership expert who has built his career by following his curiosity. From an early foundation in engineering to becoming one of the first business podcasters, Jason’s professional path has been anything but linear. Each step was guided not by external expectations, but by an internal drive to explore, learn, and evolve.

Jason shared how curiosity led him to make bold moves—geographically and professionally. Whether relocating from Alaska to Utah to Paris, or shifting from startup founder to mentor for purpose-driven entrepreneurs, he continually asked, “What’s next?” That openness allowed him to uncover work that felt aligned and energizing. His story is a powerful reminder that staying curious can unlock unexpected and deeply meaningful opportunities.

Throughout our conversation, Jason offered thoughtful insights into how curiosity can fuel clarity, creativity, and connection in our work. He encourages listeners to embrace experimentation, listen to what genuinely lights them up, and trust that their most resonant ideas often come from within. If you’re in a moment of transition or simply seeking more purpose in your work, Jason’s story is a compelling example of how to move forward by following your inner questions.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How following curiosity can guide your career transitions with more purpose and clarity
• How experimentation and asking the right questions can unlock new opportunities
• Encouragement to trust your inner signals when navigating change

Learn more about Jason:

• Visit Jason Van Orden’s website at jasonvanorden.com
• Email Jason Van Orden at Jason@JasonVanOrden.com
• Sign up to Jason Van Orden’s newsletter
• Listen to the Impact: How to Grow Your Thought Leadership Brand and Business podcast
• LinkedIn

Stay Connected:

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

In this episode, I had the pleasure of welcoming back Melody Wilding, executive coach and author of Managing Up: How to Get What You Need from the People in Charge. Melody is an executive coach, licensed social worker, and professor of human behavior at Hunter College. She has worked with professionals at companies like Google, Amazon, and JPMorgan and has been featured in The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Forbes.

Melody and I had a fantastic conversation about how we can all take control of our work experience, build better relationships with managers, and navigate workplace dynamics with confidence.

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

• Why Managing Up isn’t about sucking up—it’s about creating the conditions for your own success.
• The 10 essential conversations that can change the way you work.
• How to assert boundaries and push back diplomatically.
• Why career growth isn’t just about promotions—it’s about positioning yourself for respect and opportunity.
• The importance of upward empathy—understanding the pressures your boss faces.
• Practical steps to gain more visibility, influence, and confidence at work.

Learn more about Melody:

• Visit her website at melodywilding.com
• Listen to the Psychology at Work Podcast
• Follow her on Instagram @melodywilding
• Follow her on Facebook: Melody Wilding, LMSW
• Follow her on LinkedIn
• Read: Managing Up: How to Get What You Need from the People in Charge

Stay Connected:

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