In this episode of Emotional Business, Olga Skipper speaks with Gonzalo Arenas, VP of Operations at Dunia, about the evolving role of operations in startups and the human side of building sustainable businesses. Drawing on his bicultural upbringing and diverse career, Gonzalo shares how pragmatic idealism shapes his approach to leadership, trust, and team-building. He offers a grounded look at what it truly means to operate at scale — balancing empathy with efficiency, and adaptability with structure. This conversation is a masterclass in what modern operations and leadership demand today: low ego, high transparency, and continuous learning. This conversation explores: How Gonzalo’s upbringing shaped his pragmatic idealism Why operations play a crucial role in long-term business success The importance of adapting to the needs of the company as a COO Building trust through low ego and high transparency Using empathy to understand and connect with stakeholders Why choosing the right CEO to partner with is critical The value of hands-on experience in small teams Continuous learning as the foundation of effective leadership Knowing when and how to implement process How asking insightful questions adds real value For founders, leaders, and operators alike, this episode is a reminder that operations isn’t just about execution — it’s about alignment, empathy, and trust. https://www.linkedin.com/in/gonzaloarenas/  Book mentioned in the episode https://store.darrenhardy.com/products/the-compound-effect 

In this episode of Emotional Business, Olga Skipper speaks with Šárka Betke—entrepreneur, former FinTech leader, and mother of two—about what it truly means to craft your own path. Šárka shares her journey of moving from a successful career in finance and technology into the world of purpose-driven business. She opens up about learning to trust herself amid external doubt, the courage it takes to start again, and how to bring the wisdom of past experience into a completely new chapter. Together, Olga and Šárka explore what authenticity in leadership looks like—especially during times of internal transition—and how leaders can communicate openly with their teams while staying true to themselves. This conversation explores: Crafting a career path that reflects who you are—not who you’re “supposed” to be Moving from FinTech to purpose-driven entrepreneurship Integrating lessons from your old career into a new vision for work and life Building your vision through external doubt and self-trust What Šárka would tell her younger self when she left employment for entrepreneurship as a mother of two How to stay authentic as a leader while navigating your own transitions This episode is for:🌿 Women in traditional industries finding their voice early in their careers💡 Anyone wondering if it’s time to make the jump into something new✨ Those who doubt their vision—but know it’s worth pursuing anyway For Olga, this was the most optimistic yet truthful conversation on creating your own path.   https://www.vinofactum.wine/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/vinofactum https://www.linkedin.com/in/%C5%A1%C3%A1rka-betke-12a7a457/   On Authenticity  https://youtu.be/1lJDm6-SJQI?si=mS1KP0tjDpup3PaE 

In this episode of Emotional Business, Olga Skipper sits down with Nektarios Liolios—former banker, FinTech pioneer, and mental health advocate—to explore the unseen human side of startups. From his early career in banking and FinTech to co-founding The Future Farm, Nektarios has experienced the high-stakes, high-stress reality of entrepreneurship. His story shines a light on the toll burnout can take—and why connection, resilience, and community are essential for building sustainable success. This conversation explores: The hidden costs of burnout in the startup ecosystem Why connection and community are critical for resilience How “rootedness” influences leadership and wellbeing Realigning founding teams to sustain long-term ventures How The Future Farm is normalizing conversations about founder mental health The role of coaches, advisors, and emotional intelligence in supporting entrepreneurs For founders, investors, and leaders alike, this episode is a reminder: sustainable startups begin with sustainable people.   http://linkedin.com/in/nekliolios https://www.thefuturefarm.co/ https://foundology.org/  

In this episode of Emotional Business, Olga Skipper speaks with Hilary Aylesworth—a former educator turned product strategist and AI leader. Hilary brings a unique perspective on leadership, weaving together her background in teaching, her work in AI at CoachHub, and her lived experience as both a professional and a parent. This conversation explores how intuition, transparency, and emotional intelligence can shape leadership in the fast-moving world of technology. From the ethics of AI in coaching to the realities of systemic loneliness at the top, Hilary offers both practical and deeply human insights. This conversation explores: How a background in education shapes product and leadership decisions Why emotional intelligence is the bedrock of effective tech leadership The ethics of AI in coaching and development Balancing professional ambition with motherhood Caregiving as a leadership strength—not a weakness Why executives underestimate loneliness—and the power of asking for help For leaders navigating technology, AI, and human connection, Hilary’s perspective is both refreshing and essential.   https://www.coachhub.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilaryaylesworth   

In this episode of Emotional Business, Olga Skipper is joined by Alex Farcet—entrepreneur, impact investor, and co-founder of the Raspberry Syndicate, a collective investing in climate tech startups across Europe and Africa. From Silicon Valley to corporate boardrooms, from personal crises to purpose-driven leadership, Alex has lived many lives. Through each, he’s discovered that alignment—between values, risk, and passion—is the true north of entrepreneurship. This conversation explores: How family health crises reshaped Alex’s approach to risk and business Why ego is both a driver and a danger in leadership The art of evaluating founders beyond pitch decks Networking as an introvert (and why it works) The role of intuition in entrepreneurial decision-making How storytelling and creativity shape impact ventures Why climate tech is a calling, not just a market If you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or leader navigating risk and purpose, this episode offers both honesty and inspiration. https://www.raspberry.ventures/ 

In this episode of Emotional Business, Olga Skipper is joined by Severin Zugmayer—founder of New Renaissance Ventures, the first dedicated venture fund for the cultural and creative industries in Europe. With a background spanning Red Bull, Google, and Speedinvest, Severin isn’t your typical VC. He’s redefining what it means to invest—not just in products or founders, but in culture, creativity, and meaning. Severin shares how his creative upbringing and professional journey led him to build a fund focused on the overlooked but high-potential world of creative tech. From music and film to spatial computing and AI, his thesis is as bold as it is timely. This conversation explores: Why creativity is the next frontier in venture capital What most investors get wrong about emotional founders How AI is changing the game for cultural innovation The realities of being a solo GP (and why it’s both powerful and lonely) What resilience really looks like in a high-risk, long-game profession The emotional intelligence required to manage LPs, founders, and yourself If you’re a founder, funder, or future builder wondering what VC could look like beyond the spreadsheets—this episode will expand your thinking. https://www.nr.ventures 

What happens when you close a 25-year arc of success — and realize the next chapter demands something entirely different? In this episode of The Emotional Business Show, Olga Skipper talks with Oleg Bibergan, founding partner at S16, a venture fund and community investing in transformative startups. With a background spanning Goldman Sachs, technology, and venture capital, Oleg has built a reputation for clarity and conviction. But behind the professional milestones lies a deeper story of transition, self-discovery, and redefining what success truly means. Together, they explore: How Oleg reflects on the “arc” of his career and life so far, and what it means to enter a new chapter at 40 The role of scaffolding — meditation, journaling, stubborn persistence, and community — in staying centered Why equanimity and emotional intelligence are critical traits for investors and founders alike His shift from data-heavy investing to founder-focused, velocity-driven decision-making The belief that provision = love, and his search for integration between material success and playful creativity How “golden shadows” and curated role models can shape the next evolution of leadership and growth This is a rare look at the inner life of a venture capitalist: how emotional insight, personal rituals, and conscious community building shape not just investments, but identity and impact. 🎧 Tune in to discover what it means to navigate high-stakes decisions without losing connection to yourself, your values, or the people around you. https://www.s16vc.com/ 

What does it mean to lead thousands of people without losing your humanity? In this episode of The Emotional Business Show, Olga Skipper speaks with Matthias Hofmann, Executive Vice President of Last Mile Logistics Austria at Austrian Post, about what it takes to lead with clarity, empathy, and authenticity at scale. Matthias shares his journey from consultant to corporate leader, and how he discovered that the real key to leadership isn’t spreadsheets or strategy — it’s people. Together, they explore: Why he left consulting to find a “home” where he could make long-term impact The importance of being yourself as a leader (and why pretending drains more energy than it saves) How tough times and failures shaped his resilience and perspective The surprising lessons fatherhood taught him about leadership and empathy What younger managers most want to know about balancing priorities and handling setbacks How to glue teams together through connection, consistency, and walking the talk Why a leader’s responsibility sometimes means helping someone out of the wrong role This conversation is both practical and deeply human — a look at leadership not as a title, but as a responsibility to yourself, your team, and the system you serve. 🎧 Tune in to learn how to lead large teams with both operational clarity and emotional depth. https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthias-hofmann-at 

What does it take to achieve success early—and stay grounded while chasing more? In this episode of The Emotional Business Show, Olga Skipper sits down with Olga Shikhantsova, former VC partner at Speedinvest, Forbes 30 Under 30 alum, and now Head of Product Strategy at Finom, to explore the emotional undercurrents of rapid achievement and reinvention. Together, they unpack: How family values, moving countries, and sheer hunger shaped Olga’s path The paradox of early recognition: confidence on the outside, self-doubt on the inside Why humility and doubt can be powerful drivers of growth The role of personal “boards of directors” and support systems in navigating high-stakes careers Her transition from investor to operator — and what it means to move from strategy to execution The qualities that distinguish leaders who simply grow from those who truly transform This conversation goes beyond the headlines of Forbes covers and venture capital wins. It’s a candid look at ambition, alignment, and the courage to choose what matters again and again as your story evolves. Tune in to discover how to lead with clarity, act through doubt, and keep growing when your career accelerates faster than your identity can catch up.   https://finom.co  https://www.linkedin.com/in/shikhantsova/

In this episode of Emotional Business, Olga Skipper sits down with Aape Pohjavirta—serial entrepreneur, systems thinker, startup mentor, and founder of impactful ventures like Funzi—to explore what it really means to lead, live, and build with heart in a world addicted to hustle. Aape doesn’t play by the usual rules. From starting his first company at 19 to losing it all—and doing it again—his journey is anything but linear. He shares how he’s spent a lifetime “digging holes and climbing out,” and why that struggle shaped his 4S life philosophy: Simple, Slow, Stubborn, and Stupid. This conversation dives into: The difference between vision and delusion—and why it takes humility to know the line How failure, not fear, helps define your real limits What most startup founders miss when they chase scale instead of meaning Why trust (not tech) is the backbone of transformation How unlearning, therapy, and asking for help became his late-stage superpowers What it means to lead from clarity, not ego, in a rapidly shifting world Whether you’re building a company, navigating personal reinvention, or rethinking how you define success—this episode is a powerful invitation to live truthfully, lead vulnerably, and trust deeply. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaape Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aapeaape/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaape/

In this powerful episode of Emotional Business, Olga Skipper is joined by Dana Pavlychko—entrepreneur, transformation mentor, strategic advisor, and co-founder of Empower Impact Academy. Dana’s story is anything but ordinary: she rebuilt her life and career after fleeing Ukraine with her family, sold her publishing business in the middle of a crisis, completed her Executive MBA at Oxford, and now helps leaders thrive in chaos—not by escaping it, but by moving through it with purpose and clarity. This episode dives deep into: What effortless resilience really means (and how to develop it) How Dana pivoted careers, countries, and industries without losing her core self The mindset shift that helped her lead a transformation—from burnout to joy The reality of building a meaningful career while raising three young kids Why motherhood makes her a better leader—and vice versa Whether you're a founder, a mother, in transition, or simply questioning your next move—this conversation will shift your thinking on what it means to live and lead with purpose, even in uncertain times. https://www.linkedin.com/in/dana-pavlychko-b44a0673/

In this episode of Emotional Business, Olga Skipper is joined by Thor Mitchell—a seasoned product leader, mentor, and former Google and Miro executive—who brings over 25 years of experience leading product teams across Europe, the US, and Australia. But this conversation isn’t about frameworks or velocity charts. It’s about the human side of product leadership. We dive deep into: How emotional intelligence builds stronger product teams The difference between being “nice” and being strategically empathetic The art of active listening and self-regulation as a leadership superpower How to manage conflict without losing influence—or relationships What new leaders must unlearn if they want to scale their impact Why personal development isn’t optional at the top—and how Thor keeps growing Whether you’re a new product manager or a senior leader navigating complex orgs, this episode is a masterclass in grounded, emotionally intelligent leadership. 📍 Thor’s background includes roles at Google, Miro, and CrowdCube, and mentoring leaders in high-growth tech environments.   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thormitchell/Medium: https://medium.com/@thor.mitchellWebsite: https://www.balderton.com/team/thor-mitchell/Product Minded: https://www.product-minded.co.uk/

In this episode of Emotional Business, host Olga Skipper sits down with Olga Lorenz—partner at global executive search firm True Search, practicing visual artist, and mother of three—for an honest conversation about identity, creativity, and leadership in a changing world. Olga shares how her international upbringing shaped her worldview, why executive search is more art than algorithm, and how painting keeps her sane amid high-stakes boardroom decisions. This is a candid, deeply human exploration of what it means to live and lead without splitting yourself into pieces. We talk about: The power of humor and self-awareness in high-pressure careers Why executive search is less about resumes and more about resonance How Olga balances motherhood, a demanding career, and a vibrant creative life Her take on AI, authenticity, and the real meaning of “cultural fit” Whether you're navigating career transitions, leading a team, or building a life that feels fully yours—this episode offers perspective and permission to show up whole.   LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/olga-lorenz-5785a15

In this episode of Emotional Business, Olga Skipper is joined by Max Niederhofer, partner at Heartcore Capital—one of the rare venture firms where strategy meets spirituality, and values are not just written but lived. Max brings a rare blend of intellectual depth, operational experience, and personal conviction. From founding companies to investing across Europe and the U.S., his perspective on what it means to build something truly worthwhile challenges the status quo in tech, venture, and leadership. We explore: How Max and his team built a venture fund around the values of truth, love, and growth What it means to lead with integrity in an industry driven by speed and returns The intersection of spirituality, ethics, and capital allocation The evolving role of the VC as not just investor—but mentor, mirror, and ethics coach How AI is shifting the power dynamics of startups and venture capital Why solo founders and prompt-based companies are changing the game What it really takes to have “truthful conversations” in the investor-founder relationship This is a conversation for founders, funders, and anyone building with heart and ambition in an AI-shaped world. 📍 Learn more about Hardcore Capital: https://www.heartcore.com/📍 Connect with Max on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxniederhofer/

In this episode, we sit down with Blanka Šupe—founder of Haos Community Space in Belgrade and a visionary entrepreneur who’s redefining what it means to build community-driven businesses. Blanka shares her personal origin story, growing up across multiple cultures and navigating the ups and downs that shaped her unique leadership style. Throughout this conversation Blanka reveals the unexpected path from chaos to connection and the sense of belonging. We explore what it takes to lead authentically, let go of control, and build a business rooted in empathy without sacrificing ambition. You’ll hear: Why Haos is not just another co-working space—and never was How Blanka filters out "shoulds" and builds what feels right instead of what’s expected What it looks like to grow a community without losing your sanity (or soul) Her honest take on leadership, female entrepreneurship, and what "success" really means Whether you're building a company, a community, or a more intentional life, this conversation will challenge you to lead from your core and redefine what greatness looks like—on your terms. https://www.instagram.com/blankas https://www.instagram.com/haos.space https://www.haos.space/en

Welcome to Emotional Business: Where Intuition Meets Strategy Hosted by executive coach and former startup exec Olga Skipper, Emotional Business is the podcast for founders, creatives, and changemakers who want to build aligned, impactful businesses from the inside out. In this trailer episode, Olga shares why this show exists, who it’s for, and what you can expect from each episode. If you're tired of trying to follow someone else's blueprint for success and ready to tune into your intuition, this podcast is your permission slip. You’ll hear: Why the most powerful businesses are heart-led What happens when we stop searching outside ourselves for all the answers How emotions and uncertainty are not obstacles—but guides The kinds of raw, real conversations you can expect in future episodes Whether you’re launching a startup or reinventing your business, this show is a space to learn from leaders who are building for alignment—not just achievement. Subscribe now so you don’t miss a single episode And if this resonates with you, share it with a fellow founder who’s carving their own path.