What if the key to clarity wasn’t a grand plan — but a tiny experiment? In this episode of Choices & Chances, Tesa Arcilla sits down with Tiny Experiments author, ex-Googler, and neuroscience researcher Anne-Laure Le Cunff to explore how micro-decisions and curiosity can reshape your career, mental health, and relationship with uncertainty. They unpack the science of habit formation, challenge society’s obsession with linear success, and discuss how to navigate change with intention. 📌 To...

What does it really take to leave a job and become a full-time artist—with kids, responsibilities, and a whole new country to navigate? 🎨🇦🇺 In this powerful and inspiring conversation, I speak with Maria Jose Benvenuto, a Chilean artist living in Australia, about how she turned a childhood dream into a full-time profession. We talk about: How freedom and discipline go hand in handWhy curiosity is the engine of creativity and reinventionThe mindset shift from fear to action—and how Maria handl...

From being rejected for a job he thought he wanted very early in his career… to working alongside Whoopi Goldberg on a global women’s sports network—Miguel Santos’ journey is anything but linear. He's COO of Jungo TV, the network that co-founded AWSN, the first global women's sports channel, with Goldberg. In this episode, we talk about how rejection can guide you, why resumés don’t matter as much as you think, and why you don’t need to have it all figured out to build an extraordinary ...

We’ve all heard the saying: “Your work speaks for itself.” But what if that’s actually one of the biggest myths holding you back? After years in journalism, interviewing some of the brightest minds in politics, business, and global affairs, I’ve seen firsthand that brilliance alone isn’t enough. The people with the deepest insights—the ones who could actually move the needle—were often the least visible. Some by choice. Some because they didn’t know how to present themselves. Some convi...

The most powerful negotiations aren’t always between nations. Sometimes, they’re between who the world expects you to be and who you decide to become. Boris Toucas spent years negotiating high-stakes policies as a French diplomat, shaping decisions that impacted nations. But then, he took a different kind of risk—one that had nothing to do with international relations and everything to do with personal reinvention. In this episode, we explore: ✅ What diplomacy and art have in common—and why m...

Most people get this completely wrong. They think being good on camera is about how they look, how they sound, or even delivering the perfect message. But there’s one thing that truly makes all the difference. Without it, you’ll hesitate, overthink, and struggle to connect with your audience. But with it? You’ll exude confidence, clarity, and impact every time you show up. What is it? Listen now to find out. 🎧 #Podcast #ChoicesAndChances #OnCameraConfidence #PublicSpeaking #PersonalBranding T...

I’ve built my dream career once before—now I’m doing it again, from scratch. If you’ve ever thought about leaving behind a “stable” job to create something on your own, this episode is for you. I’m taking you behind the scenes of what it’s really like to build a business, grow a podcast, and transition into a completely new field. No shortcuts. No easy way around it. Just consistent action, putting in the reps—even when no one is watching. We always hear from people after they’ve made it. But...

What’s the one leadership skill that impacts trust, decision-making, and influence—yet no one talks about it? In this episode of Choices & Chances, I sit down with Mark Panayiotis Notaras, a global leader in international development, social entrepreneurship, and leadership strategy, to unpack the concept of Trust Intelligence (TQ)—the missing key to impactful leadership. We also talk about navigating and understanding high-context cultures, leading with empathy, making bold career ...

What separates great communicators from the rest? And why do even the smartest leaders struggle to get their message across? "People have this idea that communicators like Barack Obama didn't put in any work, which is just nonsense," says Laura. In this episode, I sit down with Laura Shields, founder of RedThread (and fellow 'Brussels Bubble' insider) who has spent over a decade training Prime Ministers, CEOs, and leadership teams to communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact. We break ...

I recently shared an anecdote from my career that stuck with me. I found it amusing at the time, but it's an experience that reinforced important life lessons. Here’s what I learned from that experience: 1️⃣ Your value isn’t determined by someone else’s inability to see it. It’s easy to let dismissive comments get under your skin. But when you know your worth, their perception doesn’t define you. 2️⃣ Introverts can thrive in extroverted spaces without conforming. I didn’t need to be l...

It’s the 22nd of January, and this is my first podcast episode of the year. I’ll share why I’ve taken my time to start and how this decision ties into one of the most important lessons I teach: strength of mind and of self. In this episode, I talk about: Why it’s OK to move at your own pace and let go of the pressure to start strong in January.How strength of mind and of self serves as the foundation for bold decisions, whether you’re a leader, a parent, or navigating career transitions.The p...

"𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘀𝗼 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗲..." — Emmy-award winning TV reporter and journalist Aundrea Cline-Thomas @aundreact said making that leap from journalism to entrepreneurship wasn't as much about #courage as it was about being the only acceptable option for her. We touched on so many shared ideas and actionable strategies. Some ideas from this conversation: ♦ Having a strategy isn't necessarily about exiting the profession you're in. It's about making a conscious #c...

Feeling Stuck? Ask Yourself This ONE Question 🎙 In this Quick Take episode, I dive into the powerful question that can help you break free—and the radical honesty it takes to get there. This insight is inspired by my conversation with Aundrea Cline-Thomas, Emmy Award-winning journalist turned entrepreneur. Her course, The Rewrite, guides journalists navigating career transitions, especially those considering a life beyond the industry. We also explore the role of #AI, the mindset shifts, c...

💡 Standing Up for Change: Lessons from Dr Amireh Fakhouri 💡 She is the face of one of Australia's largest class actions. What drives someone to take a stand, knowing the risks? Dr Amireh Fakhouri’s story is one of resilience, advocacy, and a refusal to accept the status quo. As the lead plaintiff in one of Australia’s largest class action, representing junior doctors underpaid for their overtime, she didn’t just fight for financial justice. She stood for cultural change—demanding recognitio...

🎙️ In this episode, we’re tackling a fear that keeps so many brilliant professionals from sharing their ideas: the fear of being ‘cringe.’ If you’ve ever second-guessed posting your expertise or worried about how your thoughts might be received, this episode is for you. I dive into: Why thought leadership and personal branding are increasingly crucial in today’s professional worldHow fear of judgment holds back your impact—and how to reframe itWhy we all stand to gain from richer public disco...

If you're feeling stuck or paralysed — afraid of making the "wrong" decisions, this episode is for you. Thank you for listening! Please consider leaving us a 5-star rating so others can find the podcast. Follow us on social media and join the mailing list for more content.

My next guest is Richelle Carey, Emmy Award-winning, former Al Jazeera English and CNN presenter whose life path took a sharp turn... by choice. Richelle asks, “If this is what you want, why haven’t you done it?” We delve into what happens when we go against the grain of what we’ve come to believe is ‘expected’ by society. How do we remain authentic and stay true to the choices that align with our genuine desires for our lives? It takes courage and an inner knowing of what it is you really w...

In this episode, my friend, Emmy-nominated TV journalist Caroline Modarressy-Tehrani, and I chat as women with big ambitions, a strong sense of justice, women who are navigating parenthood, and women who are usually pressed for time but want to do so much. Caroline and I became colleagues when the biggest TV network in the US decided to launch a global news channel. But timing wasn't on our side — Covid hit and plans were disrupted. That said, the best thing about that project was beco...

When then Wall Street Journal Executive Producer Deborah Kan's mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, her journalistic instincts kicked in — she wanted to know everything there was to know about the disease. The problem was, she couldn't really find one resource that provided accurate, up-to-date information on long-term illness, as well as access to experts in the field. That's how 'Being Patient' came to be. Key inspirational food for thought: 🏊 Taking the plunge: leaving a great ca...

How do you know when to keep going and when to throw in the towel? For @antichef Jamie Tracey, the choice was to keep making YouTube cooking videos or get a “real” job. Then just when he was about to quit, he found YouTube success with over 400,000 subscribers at the time of recording. When we hear about people’s success stories, it's usually with the benefit of hindsight. We hear about how they overcame uncertainty, doubt and challenges to get to where they are now. But what makes Jamie’s s...