In this episode of the Brilliantly Branded Podcast, we talk about something many professionals recognise but rarely name. Masking to fit.
Bruno Wozniak, digital innovation consultant and now author of The Reinvention Playbook, shares how years of adapting to corporate expectations slowly muted his real self.
From reading the room and softening opinions, to constantly changing his behaviour to match what others wanted, he built a solid career but felt his energy and curiosity fade over time.
Our conversation starts with a simple question. What happens when we stop managing appearances and start showing up as real in our work, our leadership and our life.
Bruno explains how the concept of “masking” entered his vocabulary through a course on neurodiversity, and how he suddenly realised that he had been doing the same thing for years.
Not lying, but letting situations decide who he was.
We talk about.
• The difference between healthy adaptation and losing yourself to please the room.
• The subtle signals that you are disappearing behind a professional mask, even if your career looks good from outside.
• How authenticity changed his teaching style, his consulting work and the level of trust he builds with clients.
• Why saying “I don’t know, let us figure it out together” can create more authority and connection, not less.
• How a period without a job became the starting point for his book The Reinvention Playbook, and the five part process he developed to rebuild identity, direction and confidence after a job ends.
If you feel you are performing a version of yourself at work, if you are in a transition after leaving a role, or if you want to lead with more humanity without losing respect, this episode will speak to you.
Listen in to explore how to use masks intentionally when you need them, how to stop wearing them all the time, and how to reconnect with the parts of you that bring real energy, creativity and impact to your work.
You can get Bruno’s book through the link.:
https://a.co/d/cWnNiFK
When you look at athletes at the highest level, you often see the results.
You rarely see what happens inside. The pressure. The identity. The fear of failing publicly.
In this episode I sit with Adrien Plavsic, former Olympian and NHL player, to explore the mental side of high performance. Our conversation was about the beliefs that shape us, the discomfort we avoid, and the mindset traps that appear when you measure yourself only by outcomes.
Adrien speaks about:
• What happens when your identity becomes tied to results
• Why failure is part of growth and not a threat to your value
• The shift from forcing success to performing in flow
• How discomfort can open clarity when you allow yourself to stay with it
• The mindset behind resilience and emotional strength
• How reframing stress can change performance and wellbeing
• What it really means to build a strong sense of self and personal brand
• The importance of trusting yourself when pressure rises
This conversation is especially meaningful if you carry the weight of always “getting it right”.
You will understand high performance through a more human lens, and see how identity, mindset and self trust influence the way you show up in your life and work.
Press play, and take what you need today.
Andrea Toucinho entered the payments world without a finance background. She was young, surrounded by men, and navigating an industry that can feel intimidating even for experienced professionals.
What changed her path was her determination to learn, stay curious, and build her voice one step at a time.
In this episode we talk about what it really takes for a woman to create authority in finance.
How to start from zero and still position yourself with confidence.
How personal study becomes credibility.
How sharing your insights helps you build a recognisable voice.
And how staying true to yourself can open doors even in the most technical industries.
We also touch on the value of networking, visibility, and speaking opportunities for women who want to stand out in payments and finance.
This conversation is simple, honest, and full of practical lessons for anyone who is building their own space in an industry that wasn’t designed for them.
In this conversation, María Lucia Romero talks with Aelia Kos about bringing spirituality back into the world of business.
Aelia shares how her life once looked perfect from the outside — global stages, achievements, and recognition — but inside she felt completely disconnected. That moment became an awakening.
They talk about the idea of “spirituality in the closet,” the leaders who hide their inner life, and how to reconnect with meaning without giving up ambition.
Some of the key conversation topics:
• How purpose is not something to find, but something to remember
• The difference between an obstacle and a test
• The balance between masculine structure and feminine creativity
• What changes when you lead and build from awareness
This conversation is about slowing down, listening, and remembering that success and spirituality can grow together.
Connect with Aelia Kos on LinkedIn or through her website https://www.aeliakos.com/
Brilliantly Branded Podcast are stories and voices that help us remember who we truly are.
This episode offers a clear, practical guide to setting up a business in Luxembourg without losing time, energy, or patience.
My guest, Tanyth Blackler, founder of Do Your Thing, helps individuals and small businesses move from idea to structure with clarity and confidence.
We talk about what really happens behind the scenes, the real timeline for company setup, and how to prepare before you start. Tanyth explains the five key steps every founder should follow from permits and registrations to avoiding common administrative traps.
We also touch on what makes the Luxembourg process unique, including the cultural detail that can unexpectedly make the process easier.
And beyond the logistics, Tanyth shares a message especially for women who hesitate to take that first step:
start with courage, not perfection.
This episode feels like a mix of masterclass and inspiration — perfect for anyone who wants to build a business with less stress and more structure.
🎧 Listen and subscribe to The Brilliantly Branded Podcast on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts.
Contact Tanyth at https://www.doyourthing.lu/
Can we really expand our brain capacity by up to 75%?
The answer might be simpler than you think.
In this episode of The Brilliantly Branded Podcast, María Lucia Romero has a meaningful conversation with Swier Miedema, coach and author of Being Resilient.
Swier explains how understanding our thoughts can completely change the way we experience life.
You will learn about,
• The meaning of “non-helping thoughts” and how to recognise them.
• A simple daily practice to quiet the inner noise.
• How negative thought patterns drain mental energy and limit clarity.
• The connection between thought, feeling, and awareness.
• Why letting go of certain thoughts can increase brain capacity by 30 to 75 percent.
Tune in and reflect on one thought you can release today.
Get in contact with Swier Miedema here:
https://swiermiedema.com/
LinkedIn feels different lately. Impressions are down, posts are showing up late, and the algorithm has shifted. Many of us feel like ducks: calm on the surface but paddling like crazy underneath. 🦆
In this episode of the Brilliantly Branded Podcast, I share what’s really happening on LinkedIn right now and why this matters for your visibility. More importantly, I walk you through simple, practical steps you can use to protect your strategy so you don’t depend on just one platform.
Here’s what you’ll take away:
✨ What has changed on LinkedIn and how it affects you
✨ Why chasing likes and impressions is the wrong game
✨ How to create clarity in your communication with the Power Wheel
✨ Why having a home base (podcast, newsletter, website) matters more than ever
✨ How to connect online and offline to build real trust
Whether you’re a founder, coach, or executive, this episode will help you rethink how you show up and make sure your brand momentum doesn’t rely only on algorithms.
📥 Free Resource: Download the Power Wheel PDF here → https://brilliantlybranded.com
🎓 Learn More: Discover the Brilliantly Branded Academy →
https://thebrilliantacademy.thinkific.com/products/courses/Brilliantacademy
Being great at what you do is not enough if no one sees it.
In this solo episode, I, María Lucia Romero, share my personal journey from feeling invisible in the corporate world to creating my own brand as an entrepreneur. I also introduce the Power Wheel methodology, a practical tool that helps leaders and entrepreneurs shift from hidden experts to visible authorities.
Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:
✨ Resources I mentioned in this episode:
Tune in to discover how you can move from invisible expert to visible leader. Subscribe to the podcast and share your reflections with me—I’d love to hear your story.
The mic flips, the story deepens.
Guest: María Lucia Romero, founder of Brilliantly Branded and host of this podcast, steps into the guest seat.
Guest host: Bárbara Daroca. She leads a candid conversation on voice, courage, and building a purpose-driven brand.
What you’ll learn:
Tune in, subscribe, and tell us your takeaway.
Your story matters. Share it with us and come to be part of the brilliant Community.
Join us here:
https://subscribepage.io/BrilliantCommunity
Finding your purpose starts with understanding your emotions.
In this episode of the Brilliantly Branded Podcast, I sit down with Andrea Isaacs, founder of the Emotional and Life Mastery Institute, to explore how emotional mastery, embodiment, and neuroscience can help us reconnect with our true selves.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
In this Capsule, I sat down with Mourad Brooks Founder & CEO at The Nine, to talk about what it really takes to empower more women to step into tech.
Georgia reminds us that it’s not just about creating opportunities—it’s about encouragement, positive imagery, role models, and demystifying what tech truly is.
She also shares practical advice for women curious about STEAM: take the first step, reach out, and connect. Sometimes one message can change your path.
In this Capsule of the Brilliantly Branded Podcast, Olivia De Bie, COO of Campus 19 (42 Network), shares how we can inspire, attract, and empower more women to step into tech.
From breaking the belief that “tech isn’t for me” to showing the power of female role models, Olivia reminds us that tech is open, diverse, and ready for more women’s voices.
Her message is clear: We all have our place in tech. A conversation filled with inspiration, practical ideas, and a call to welcome more women into STEAM.
In this Capsule episode of the Brilliantly Branded Podcast, we spotlight Isabelle Deliège, a coach specialised in neurodiversity at work.
Isabelle shares an honest and powerful perspective on how women – especially those who are neurodivergent – often experience “double exceptionality” in STEAM fields.
Her message is clear:
“Your singularity is your treasure. It’s an asset.”
This conversation invites us to reframe difference as strength and make the tech world more inclusive by design.
Join us in this mini-series where we amplify the voices of women who are shaping the future of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics – not just through skill, but through empathy and bold individuality.
In this episode, My guest is Lindsay Whitby.
A somatic coach, father of three, and former aviation leader.
We had a raw and powerful conversation about emotional healing, masculinity, and spiritual intelligence.
Lindsay opens up about his journey from disconnection to self-integration, why shame is the silent destroyer of men, and how healing the father wound can transform the way we lead and relate, at home, at work, and with ourselves.
We also explore:
Lindsay’s story is vulnerable, grounded, and deeply inspiring.
Whether you’re a leader, a parent, or someone on your own journey of healing, this episode offers something real to hold onto.
🎧 Tune in. Reflect. And ask yourself: where am I still disconnected?
🔔 Subscribe for more honest, empowering conversations and connect with Lindsay here:
Welcome to the 100th episode of the Brilliantly Branded Podcast and this time, it’s different. We’re LIVE, in front of an audience in Luxembourg, where I stepped off the host’s chair and became the guest of my own journey.This is the story behind the stories.Where the ironing board meets the spotlight.Where vulnerability becomes power.And where community turns into action.In this episode, you’ll hear:* My journey from invisible voice to community leader* Behind-the-scenes truths of podcasting, purpose, and self-doubt* Five extraordinary women who stepped up, spoke out, and lit up the room* The launch of The Brilliant Community — and the mission to support girls’ education in rural Colombia* Why doing things imperfectly still gets you to where you want to be🎯 Key Takeaways:✔️ Why connection matters more than polish✔️ How to build community from scratch✔️ The emotional truth behind every personal brand✔️ What it really means to “support women”✔️ The power of showing up — even when it’s messy🎥 Special Credits & Gratitude:The beautiful footage from Colombia that touched so many hearts during this event was produced by 4K Films by Adnan and Elmundocondani.
Thank you for capturing the beautiful videos of my country. Your work gave our purpose a powerful voice.💛 Join us. Support the cause. Share the episode.And most importantly — believe that your voice matters.🔗 Learn more about The Brilliant Community and our mission at the next link:
https://subscribepage.io/BrilliantCommunity
In this episode of the Brilliantly Branded Podcast, we sit down with Gayle Terzis—executive coach, career strategist, and founder of Brand Boost Up Coaching.
After more than a decade in banking across Paris, London, and Beirut, Gayle made a bold move: she left behind the corporate world to empower women through coaching.
Her mission? Help ambitious women overcome limiting beliefs and take control of their professional lives with confidence.
We talk about:
✨ How to recognize the signs it’s time to make a career change
✨ The most common mindset blocks women in finance face
✨ The Career Dashboard: a tool to gain clarity and direction
✨ The role of intuition in navigating big decisions
✨ How to self-promote with intention and confidence
This is an honest, heartfelt, and practical conversation full of empowering takeaways.
🎙 Listen now and share with someone ready to take their next bold step.
In this episode of Capsule, we bring you 4 women shaping tech through creativity, education, and cultural innovation — recorded at the Invisible Festival, where art meets AI and heritage meets innovation.
💡 These voices go beyond code to tell stories that move us forward:
✨ Géraldine Bueken – “Start being not only passive users of tech, but test it, improve it, and create the balance between human and digital intelligence.”
✨ Valérie Zapico – “Technology is a way to use our voice and become visible in society.”
✨ Aurélie Romper – “Tech isn't only about coding — it's about shaping the future with tools that reflect our diversity.”
✨ Samia Chelbi – “Believe in your potential. Think agile. See opportunity.”
Thanks to Women in Tech® Global, Women in Tech® Belgium, and Women in Tech® Luxembourg for making this space possible.
#womenintech #STEAM #digitalheritage #aiart #brilliantlybranded #techforgood #capsuleminiseries
Cross the Jungle: Humanizing Migration with Filmmaker Rasmus Krath
In this powerful episode of The Brilliantly Branded Podcast, we step into the heart of the Darién Gap; one of the world’s most dangerous migration routes, through the lens of Danish documentarian Rasmus Krath.
Rasmus didn’t just film migration.
He walked it.
He crossed the jungle alongside 2,000 migrants, capturing the story of a Venezuelan family to remind us that behind every number… is a name, a face, a dream.
This isn’t about politics.
It’s about people.
And especially the women, mothers carrying their children across impossible terrain, driven by nothing but hope and necessity.
💡 Key Takeaways:
Whether you're in branding, storytelling, or just a human who wants to understand better, this episode will stay with you.
🎧 Listen now and get ready to feel, reflect, and reframe.
As well give a check to support this film here:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/what-is-migration-join-the-journey-and-a-film-in-the-making
Film credits provide by the creator Rasmus Krath.Image credit Pulitzer center#BrilliantlyBranded #WomenEmpowerment #WhatIsMigration #HumanStorytelling #MigrationFilm #SupportDocumentaryFilm #DariénGap #FilmFunding #SupportIndependentFilm #RasmusKrath #StorytellingWithPurpose #EmpathyInAction #AuthenticBranding #PodcastHighlights #MigrationAwareness
In this episode of the Brilliantly Branded Podcast, Maria Lucia Romero speaks with Ine Franckaert, career coach and founder of Head to Heart.
Together, they talked what it truly means to re-develop yourself as a woman—especially when life calls you to reconnect with who you are.
Ine opens up about her personal journey from living on autopilot to choosing purpose over expectations.
She shares insights from her research with over 100 women and what she discovered about fulfillment, intuition, and identity.
What you’ll take away:
What happens when women are shown what’s possible in science and tech?
They rise—brilliantly.
In Capsule #12 of our Brilliantly Branded Podcast mini-series, we spotlight Lola Villaro, who leads communications for the NATO Office of the Chief Scientist in Brussels.
She’s also the passionate force behind the Women and Girls in Science Challenge, recently recognized as the Most Impactful Initiative at the Women in Tech Europe Awards.
Lola shares what fuels her work, the importance of visibility and role models for young girls in science, and how supportive leadership—like that of her colleague can change the trajectory of a career.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
👉 Tune in to hear how Lola is using storytelling, science, and support to drive visibility for women in STEAM.