Close the Gap

What happens when you stop trying to fit yourself into a predefined career path?In this episode of Close the Gap, I talk with Arta Pacuku, an engineer, change specialist, entrepreneur and lifelong problem solver, about building a career around curiosity, creativity and the ability to see connections others might miss.Arta's journey has taken her from organising her school library at ten years old, to engineering, working on Star Wars, electric motor testing, medical ventilator production during COVID, business improvement, and eventually building her own consultancy.We talk about:• Why being a generalist can be a strength rather than a weakness• How unconventional combinations of skills can become your advantage• Creating opportunities instead of waiting for the perfect job description• The relationship between creativity and logic• Why "it's always been this way" can be a dangerous phrase• How relationships and curiosity create unexpected opportunities• What martial arts taught Arta about pressure, perspective and staying calm• Closing a 15-year gap by earning her black belt and becoming an instructor• Why becoming more comfortable with being uncomfortable might be one of the most important gaps to closeArta's story is a reminder that your career does not have to follow a straight line. Sometimes the things that seem unrelated are exactly what make you uniquely capable of solving the problems that matter to you.What gap are you closing right now?Let me know in the comments. I read them personally.Connect with Arta Pacukuhttps://thechangely.com/

What if distraction isn't something we need to eliminate?In this conversation, I speak with Concetta Cucchiarelli about perception, attention, creativity, decision-making and the role of curiosity in finding your path.Concetta's work began with sound: from composition and sound engineering to exploring how what we hear can influence how we move, behave and perceive the world around us. She argues that we often think we know what is "signal" and what is "noise", when in reality much of what we dismiss as distraction may be telling us something important.We explore:• Why we might need "different ears" rather than more content• How our senses influence us without conscious awareness• Why removing all distractions may not necessarily improve focus• The surprising relationship between safety, predictability and concentration• Why creativity often happens after we stop actively working• Why rest and recovery are actually part of the creative process• The tension between research and action• How to tell the difference between postponing action and waiting for the right time• What our sense that "something is missing" might be trying to tell usOne of my favourite ideas from the conversation is that whenever we create something, there may actually be two products: the thing we create, and the person we become through creating it.Concetta's final question is one worth sitting with: what is the gap between what you feel should be in your life and what you perceive is missing?Concetta's Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/concettacucchiarelli/Concetta's free resource https://focus-gym.kit.com/freepdf#Creativity #Focus #Perception #Entrepreneurship #Attention #PersonalGrowth #ConcettaCucchiarelli

Gemma Bulos has reinvented herself many times: preschool teacher, bartender, professional singer, traveller, social entrepreneur and changemaker.In this conversation, we explore how those seemingly disconnected chapters shaped the person she is today. We talk about following curiosity, learning to listen before trying to solve, finding purpose, letting go of control, and creating the conditions for other people to realise their own potential.Rather than focusing on what Gemma has built, we explore how she became the person who could build it.Connect with Gemma:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemmabulos/Speaker website: http://gemmabulos.com/Org website: https://shebuildspower.org/

Pedro shares his journey from facing industry setbacks to founding a successful game studio, emphasizing the importance of action, belief in oneself, and embracing chaos as part of the creative process.Key topics:The importance of taking action despite uncertaintyBuilding a team without initial fundingThe role of chaos and unpredictability in creativitySelf-belief and mental resilience in entrepreneurshipManaging a large, remote team in game developmentLearning from setbacks and failuresThe significance of clear objectives in creative workInnovative approaches to game design and collaborationLinks:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/atabeycreationsdevs/eyes-on-yuki-co-op-tower-defense-about-babysitting-a-froghttps://www.linkedin.com/company/atabey-creations/

In this episode, Kremena Tordanova shares her journey from entrepreneurial beginnings in Bulgaria to her insights on leadership, intuition, and the importance of rest. Discover how her practices in yoga and mindfulness have transformed her approach to life and work.Key TopicsEntrepreneurial beginnings in BulgariaThe role of habits and self-awareness in leadershipThe integration of yoga and spirituality into professional lifeThe importance of rest and recovery for high performanceDistinguishing between intuition and anxietyConnect with Kremenahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kremena-yordanova/https://www.kremenayordanova.com/services

Rodrigo de Alvarenga's Journey of Impact, Resilience, and PurposeIn this inspiring episode, Rodrigo de Alvarenga shares how a lack of traditional planning, coupled with a relentless curiosity and resilience, has fueled his impactful career across startups, corporate innovation, and investments. His stories reveal that success often comes from asking questions, showing up with purpose, and embracing the long journey of impact.Main topicsThe power of curiosity and asking questions over traditional planningThe role of resilience and persistence in personal and professional growthImpact as the long-term delta of transformation and value creationLiving spontaneously and learning from failuresThe significance of meaning, language, and authentic purposeClosing the gap: moving into phase four of life with action and intentionalityManaging complexity through mental models and self-awarenessIn this episode:Rodrigo recounts how he built his career without a formal plan, relying on curiosity and purposeHe discusses the importance of resilience, learning from failures, and small wins in achieving impactInsights into how impact is the result of long-term transformation, not quick winsThe significance of understanding one's strengths, limitations, and the meaning behind actionsHow his personal journey with Asperger’s syndrome and emotional disconnect shaped his professional approachThe concept of passing through the 'gap' to reach the next level of impact and self-orchestrationTimestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Rodrigo Alvarenga: a journey of impact without a plan02:23 - The importance of living spontaneously and asking questions03:44 - Impact as the long-term delta of transformation05:30 - Resilience and small wins in entrepreneurship and life07:10 - The role of purpose in impact-driven startups08:41 - Money as utility, not value in itself for impact09:39 - How impact is a long journey, not an immediate result11:38 - Impact can be positive or negative, depending on transformation12:35 - The importance of meaning and language in human progress14:34 - Learning through failure and the importance of persistence15:31 - Comparing success in sports and life: effort over recognition17:29 - Personal stories of striving, recognition, and understanding parental influence20:09 - The recurring theme of perseverance and learning from mistakes23:10 - Building skills through diverse sports and life experiences25:37 - The absence of a rigid plan and the importance of curiosity and observation28:40 - How the brain manages complexity by breaking down problems into smaller parts30:35 - The importance of understanding oneself in context33:01 - Phases of self-awareness and decision-making without a plan36:37 - Navigating career shifts through curiosity and purpose40:14 - Surprising career move in banking driven by genuine interest and persistence44:33 - Impact of authentic purpose over strategic planning in relationships and career48:47 - The importance of purposeful relationships and working with intention54:25 - Developing self-awareness and closing the personal and professional gaps56:29 - Moving into phase four: action, impact, and orchestration62:38 - Final thoughts: the gap as an opportunity for growth and self-structureResources & Links:HAG Consulting hag(dot)venturesXcelerate Impact xcelerateimpact(dot)comConnect with Rodrigo:LinkedIn linkedin(dot)com/in/rodrigodealvarenga/This episode offers a powerful message: embracing spontaneity, curiosity, and purpose can propel you toward impactful actions—closing the gap between ideas and real change.

In this episode, I spoke with Sagar Kalra about what brings more life into the world. We discussed being present, grateful, and spontaneous, as well as connecting authentically with others. Sagar shared his personal story of starting his own company and the lessons he learned from that experience. He offers insights on building relationships, overcoming setbacks, and continuing to pursue your ambitions. Listen in to hear Sagar's thoughtful perspectives on bringing your full self to life and work.### Key Discussion Points - The importance of being grateful and spontaneous - Making time to observe and learn from your surroundings - Creating space for others to share their personalities at work - Observing others' quirks to better understand them - Pushing through difficult times by accepting what happened and moving forward - Finding support and external validation after setbacks - Continuing to pursue your ambitions despite obstacles CONNECT WITH SAGAR KALRA:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sagar-kalra-/CONNECT WITH JORIM HOLTEY-WEBER:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jholteyweber/ https://emergetoprosper.com/

In this episode of More Life, Jorim Holtey-Weber interviews entrepreneur Marina Petrakova about her medical technology startup, Vreach, and the challenges and rewards of managing it. They discuss topics such as toxic work environments, mental health, and the affordability and effectiveness of therapy for neurodivergent individuals. Marina emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and inner acceptance, as well as understanding and meeting one's deepest needs. She also discusses the significance of diversity and neurodiversity in business settings and the importance of leading by example. Finally, Marina highlights the importance of mental health and building a positive work environment, and she emphasizes the need for entrepreneurs to prioritize their personal well-being.Key topics include: - Letting go of self-criticism to increase space for creativity and risk-taking - Being a role model by living authentically - Creating psychologically safe and collaborative startup cultures - Combining entrepreneurship education with psychology and mental healthcare Guest Bios: Marina Petrakova is the CEO and founder of Vreach, a medical technology startup using VR to provide therapy for neurodivergent individuals. She is a leader in the tech space in Latvia, having founded the community Riga Tech Girls. Marina is a certified professional in clinical audiology, speech language pathology, rehabilitation, and cognitive sciences. Vreach is a Latvian startup using virtual reality to assist neurodivergent patients in receiving engaging, measurable, and effective therapy. Their tool empowers doctors to provide productive therapy while avoiding burnout.CONNECT WITH MARINA PETRAKOVA:vreach.eulinkedin.com/in/marina-petrakova-18b854110/CONNECT WITH JORIM HOLTEY-WEBERemergetoprosper.comlinkedin.com/in/jholteyweber/

In today’s episode of More Life, I’m happy to speak with Krissie McMenamin delving on emotional intelligence skills. Strong interpersonal and professional connections need the development of emotional intelligence. It entails being aware of, cognizant of, and capable of managing your own emotions as well as those of others. Krissie's program could provide valuable insights and techniques to improve these aspects of emotional intelligence. Remember to actively engage in the program and practice what you learn to see meaningful results in your life. Enjoy the journey of mastering emotional intelligence. Don't miss out, subscribe to More Life today!Connect with Krissie McMenamin:AskHuh.comhttp://mindlevers.com/Connect with Jorim Holtey-Weber:Emerge to ProsperEmerging MenMore Life podcast

Ever wondered how compassionate inquiry can transform your perspective on life? 🤔 In this episode of More Life, I'm joined by Ruth Veda and Marcus Druen to explore the profound impact of bringing fun into moments of seriousness. We delved into the concept that change always unfolds in the present moment. Join us for a captivating conversation as we uncover the power of compassionate inquiry and the art of infusing joy into the serious aspects of life. Tune in now to gain fresh insights on embracing change and living more fully. Don't miss out, subscribe to More Life today!Connect with Ruth Veda:https://ruthveda.com/Connect with Marcus Druen:https://audacify.com/https://www.inner1st.io/https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcusdruenhttps://twitter.com/marcusdruenConnect with Jorim Holtey-Weber:https://www.emergetoprosper.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jholteyweber/