In September, I traveled to Copenhagen with one mission in mind: to understand whether Denmark is truly one of the happiest countries on Earth, or if that’s just the story the world keeps telling itself.
This wasn’t just another trip; it became a deeply personal exploration into happiness, culture, and the human experience.
While wandering through Copenhagen’s calm streets and picture-perfect neighborhoods, I started asking Danish locals a simple question with a not-so-simple answer: Is Denmark really the happiest place on Earth?
Do Danes actually feel the happiness the media portrays, or is the reality more complex?
Denmark has an incredibly high quality of life: safety, stability, incredible social systems, endless opportunities.
But I wanted to know: does a high quality of life guarantee happiness?
Does it create gratitude, presence, and fulfillment?
Or are those things separate from material comfort?
In this episode, I sit down with Kasper, someone born and raised in Denmark, to dive into what happiness means throughout a person’s life, and how that definition evolves as we grow.
We talk about finding passion, hitting that 40- or 50-year-old crisis point where you’re forced to reinvent yourself, and what it truly takes to start again from scratch.
We explore why sometimes less really can be more, especially in places where people have so much less yet somehow seem to tap into joy more easily.
And we talk about Danish culture. How locals tend to be private, individualistic, and reserved, while uncovering the beauty that emerges when we choose to be a bit more open, curious, warm, and willing to ask deeper questions.
In this episode, together with Maitane Zarate, we dive deep into the truth behind work ethic.
We unpack what it quietly reveals about who you are, how you show up, and the kind of opportunities you attract.
We explore the skills you actually need if you want to start a business and collaborate with different types of people, and why building something of your own begins with building the right mindset first.
Maitane is a multidisciplinary creative and founder of Noom Studio, a boutique creative content studio helping lifestyle and wellbeing brands grow through intentional, human-centered storytelling.
She’s also a wellness facilitator and host of The Growth Lab Podcast, where she guides people in finding clarity, alignment, and the courage to design life on their own terms.
Together, we unpack:
What your work ethic says about your identity and your future
The essential interpersonal skills every founder needs
How to attract aligned opportunities instead of constantly chasing them
The mindset shifts that help you start and sustain your own business
Why personal growth and self-awareness matter just as much as strategy
Maitane’s world lives at the intersection of creativity, strategy, and self-development, and this conversation blends all three.
If you’re ready to understand yourself more deeply, refine how you work, and build the foundation to create something of your own, this episode is for you.
Connect with Maitane on Instagram: @thegrowthlab_ & @maitaneezarate
In this episode, I sit down with a close friend and collaborator to talk about how she walked away from her Master's in Law to pursue an unconventional path.
After years of following the “conventional” path: earning a law degree, applying for a master’s, and building what looked like a stable and predictable career, she made a complete 180° turn.
Instead of continuing down a road that no longer felt like hers, she invested in a sales mentorship, packed her courage (and not much else), and bought a one-way ticket to Bali to redesign her life from the ground up.
Today, she’s not only crafting a new chapter on her own terms but also empowering others as the founder of 1 % Women in Amsterdam, a community dedicated to growth, leadership, and bold decisions.
We talk about what it really means to walk away from the path that makes sense on paper, the uncomfortable process of reinvention, and the freedom that comes with choosing a life aligned with who you’re becoming, not who you were expected to be.
It’s a conversation about identity, courage, and the beauty of starting over. And for me, it’s also a love letter to a friend who continues to inspire me with her honesty, vision, and relentless belief in what’s possible.
We’ve been told that to earn respect, women need to toughen up, be louder, colder, more “bossy.”
But what if true power doesn’t come from hardness at all?
What if being a badass has nothing to do with being intimidating… and everything to do with being grounded, kind, and clear about your worth?
In this episode, I unpack one of the biggest misconceptions about female strength: the idea that softness and power can’t coexist.
I explore how women have been conditioned to equate confidence with arrogance, and why the most inspiring women are often those who lead with grace, compassion, and firm boundaries.
On this episode:
✨ What being a real badass looks like in today’s world
✨ How boundaries, not aggression, build lasting respect
✨ Why softness is a form of strength, not weakness
✨ How to stop choosing between being kind or being powerful
✨ The mindset shifts that build confidence without ego
This is an honest, soulful conversation about redefining strength and reclaiming what it means to be a powerful woman, one who leads with both fire and softness.
Because being a badass isn’t about being feared.
It’s about being free.
In this episode, I invite Valentina Wignell, a Swedish development professional whose life has been shaped by bold choices, unexpected turns, and a love story that crosses continents.
From working with multilateral organizations and governments to living across Europe, Asia, and Latin America, Valentina has spent her life moving through the world with curiosity and courage.
She speaks six languages, has explored more than 70 countries, and has made intentional leaps, professionally and personally, since she was young.
One of her most memorable leaps happened in China, where a wrong turn on a bike ride led her to the man who would become her husband.
Today, she calls Mexico City home, a place she moved to for love. Together, they have faced cultural shifts, long-distance hurdles, and countless uncertainties with resilience, proving that there is no obstacle too big when there is commitment and love.
This episode is a celebration of adventure, vulnerability, and reinvention.
Listen as Valentina shares how she has embraced change, navigated international career paths, and built a life rooted in both purpose and love.
In this episode, I share how dating across cultures helped me understand what I truly value in a partner. After living in six countries and dating men from different nationalities, I eventually understood what I was looking for in a serious partner.
The lesson that changed everything:
✨ Detachment: giving each other space to grow while choosing love every day.
Living abroad + dating men from different cultures
How past relationships helped define what I wanted
Building a trusting, intentional relationship
Cultural differences: Guatemalan closeness vs. Dutch independence
The power of detachment in relationships
Space, trust, and independence as foundations for love
Jealousy fades when inner security grows
In this episode, we sit down with Cynthia Nasr, creative strategist, DJ, and co-founder of MINAB Studios, to explore what it really means to build a future-proof creative career in an unpredictable world.
From navigating cultural differences between France and the MENA region to finding balance between work, life, and passion, Cynthia shares how embracing uncertainty has shaped her path. We talk about resilience, adaptability, and the power of cultivating diverse skills that allow you to thrive no matter where life takes you.
Now back in Beirut after years in France, and amid the challenges of working through a crisis, Cynthia reflects on what it takes to stay grounded, creative, and connected. This conversation is about more than career; it’s about learning to thrive in uncertainty, the most powerful skill any of us can have.
Gone are the days of one job for life. The future belongs to the portfolio professional.
In this episode, we explore why building a career with multiple income streams, skills, and creative pursuits isn’t just smart, it’s essential.
You’ll learn what a portfolio career really is, how the world of work has shifted from linear ladders to creative mosaics, and why adaptability has become the ultimate professional advantage.
We’ll dive into:
The rise of multi-skilled professionals and the end of “one job forever.”
How AI, automation, and the gig economy are reshaping modern work.
The psychological and financial freedom of diversifying your skills.
My own story of building a portfolio career — the risks, rewards, and lessons learned.
Common myths (like “it’s too unstable”) and how to manage multiple projects with clarity and purpose.
Practical steps to start your own portfolio career — even while keeping your current job.
💡 Key takeaway: Your career doesn’t have to fit inside one box. In a world that changes this fast, your greatest skill is adaptability.
Gone are the days of one job for life. The future belongs to the portfolio professional.
In this episode, we explore why building a career with multiple income streams, skills, and creative pursuits isn’t just smart, it’s essential.
You’ll learn what a portfolio career really is, how the world of work has shifted from linear ladders to creative mosaics, and why adaptability has become the ultimate professional advantage.
We’ll dive into:
The rise of multi-skilled professionals and the end of “one job forever.”
How AI, automation, and the gig economy are reshaping modern work.
The psychological and financial freedom of diversifying your skills.
My own story of building a portfolio career — the risks, rewards, and lessons learned.
Common myths (like “it’s too unstable”) and how to manage multiple projects with clarity and purpose.
Practical steps to start your own portfolio career — even while keeping your current job.
💡 Key takeaway:
Your career doesn’t have to fit inside one box. In a world that changes this fast, your greatest skill is adaptability.
In this episode, we dive deep into the mindset of finding joy — not as a temporary feeling, but as a daily choice.
Yess shares her incredible journey from a 9-to-5 corporate career to building a life around her true passions: movement, wellness, and helping others find balance.
We talk about how success is not a straight line, how to embrace uncertainty, and how to find meaning even when life takes unexpected turns, like her bold move to East Timor, Brazil and other countries around the world.
Through her stories and reflections, Yess reminds us that joy comes from within, not from perfect circumstances.
She shares powerful insights on trusting yourself, navigating big life transitions, and learning to let go of control so you can live with confidence, freedom, and joy.
Go follow her:
We’ve all romanticized the idea of working at a creative agency: the cool offices, the big clients, the “dream job.” But for many, that dream turns out to be far from fulfilling.
In this episode, we dive into Paty Morris' journey of leaving the agency grind behind and giving herself permission to seek clarity.
Her one commitment? To take action and invest in herself. Over the course of 3 months of the leap club mentorship, inner work, and intentional exploration, Paty confronted the discomfort in her life and discovered what truly lit her up.
What she didn’t expect was that clarity would lead her back to her home country, somewhere she never thought she’d return, and into a life where she now gets to monetize what brings her the most joy: Photography.
This story is a reminder that clarity doesn’t come from waiting for answers; it comes when we choose to move with intention.
India is not just a place you see, it’s a place you feel. In this episode, we explore the magic of India as a journey that goes beyond the external world, inviting you to experience it through the soul and the inner eye. From its sacred traditions and vibrant energy to the quiet moments of stillness, India reveals itself in ways words can hardly capture.
This conversation is also a preview of the two-week journey we’re organizing to India next year, where we’ll immerse ourselves in the culture, spirituality, and transformative power of this extraordinary land.
If you’ve ever felt called to India, or are curious about what makes it unlike anywhere else, this episode will give you a taste of what awaits.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
Why some people are unforgettable to work with
What it truly means to be “someone everyone wants on their team”
The 7 core traits that make you stand out:
Reliability – doing what you say, earning trust
Positive Energy – uplifting instead of draining
Communication – clarity, listening, and feedback
Adaptability – staying flexible when things shift
Empathy & Respect – valuing others’ time and ideas
Proactiveness – anticipating needs and taking initiative
Leaving a Lasting Impression – creating a memorable footprint that makes people want to work with you again
Common pitfalls that make someone hard to work with (and how to avoid them)
A simple framework: Reliable → Proactive → Memorable
Action steps to start building your reputation as the person everyone wants to collaborate with
In this episode, I sit down with Delphine, a creative soul whose life has been defined by courage and curiosity.
At just 18 she left France for Los Angeles, and over the next decade she would call Montreal, Melbourne, Berlin, Barcelona, Madrid, Amsterdam and finally Paris home.
She shares how each move, whether chasing a degree, an internship or simply a new adventure, shaped her view of the world and herself.
We explore the highs of living on opposite sides of the globe, the beauty she has found in uncertainty, the way things unfold once you take action, and the surprising difficulty of moving back home.
Delphine opens up about her difficult time after returning to Paris and how she rebuilt her life and career as a freelance creative.
This conversation is an honest look at the bold decisions that take us across continents and the quiet bravery required to start over.
If you’re yearning for a change or wondering how to come home after years away, Delphine’s story will inspire and encourage you.
This special podcast episode is a preview of our upcoming event in Amsterdam, where we’ll dive deep into what it truly means to live life by design and not by default.
Stella Stephanopoulos, innovation consultant, yoga teacher, and host of the podcast Everyday Endorphins, joins me today on this insightful conversation.
We’ll explore how to uncover your core values, build a vision that aligns with them, and create a roadmap that turns intention into reality.
You’ll hear us share insights on what shifts when you start living in alignment, the clarity, freedom, and fulfillment that come from consciously designing your life instead of simply reacting to it.
Think of this episode as a taste of what’s to come in Amsterdam: powerful conversations, practical tools, and an inspiring community ready to step out of default mode and into intentional living.
If you’re curious about how to become the designer of your own life, this is your invitation to join us.
WANT TO JOIN? DM @ximepineda10 if you want to secure your spot.
Follow Stella's podcast and socials:
Here's what this episode is about:
Navigating Highs and Lows – from the joy of engagement to sudden career uncertainty.
Leaning Into Uncertainty – seeing change as a teacher, not a threat.
Courage, Clarity, and Hope – skills to cultivate when life feels unsteady.
Redirection Over Rejection – trusting that setbacks are course corrections.
Intention in Life Planning – building a future with purpose, not impulse.
Taking the Leap Again – leaving guava house to focus fully on Leap Club.
Synchronicities and Signs – trusting the process and staying open to guidance.
Building in Public – growing the leap club into a movement, not just a business.
Living What You Preach – embodying the leap clubphilosophy in both career and life.
In this episode, we sit down with Ieke Booij, international model, wellness entrepreneur, and founder of Shaped, to talk about finding balance while building a career that spans fashion, content creation, and holistic health.With a career that’s taken her from Amsterdam to Sydney, New York, Milan, Barcelona, and Hong Kong, Ieke shares how she transformed her relationship with food, turned her passion for plant-based living into a thriving platform, and built a community of over 150,000 people online.We talk about what it’s really like to juggle the fast-paced world of modeling with running a wellness brand, how she stays grounded while traveling constantly, and why she believes balance, not perfection, is the key to feeling good in your body and your work.Ieke opens up about the challenges of creating a business rooted in authenticity, the lessons she’s learned about growth (both personal and professional), and how she’s helping others eat, train, and live well through Shaped, her wellness platform for simple, sustainable healthy living.Whether you’re navigating a busy career, looking to reconnect with your health, or dreaming of starting something of your own, this conversation will leave you feeling inspired, grounded, and motivated to create space for what truly matters.
INSTAGRAM: [@iekebooij](https://www.instagram.com/iekebooij)
TIKTOK: @ieke.booij
SHAPED:
(https://www.joinshaped.com/)
Lo que la muerte nos enseña sobre la vida
Este podcast es una invitación a mirar de frente aquello que más tememos, para descubrir en ello una fuente profunda de sentido, amor y transformación.
Junto a Gabriela Traviesa Soria, counselor, autora y guía del alma especializada en bioética clínica, cuidado gerontológico y acompañamiento al final de la vida, exploramos el poder de los procesos que nos cambian: el duelo, la enfermedad, la pérdida y también el renacer.
Con más de 15 años de experiencia, Gabriela combina sabiduría ética, compasión profunda y visión espiritual para ayudarnos a vivir con más conciencia, propósito y presencia, incluso en los momentos más difíciles.
A través de sus libros (Renacer Sin Ti, Huellas en el Corazón, Trascender) y proyectos como Adopta un Abuelo, este espacio nos guía a trascender el miedo y encontrar luz en medio de la oscuridad.
Puedes seguirla en Instagram como @RenacerSinTi, donde comparte reflexiones sobre lo que la muerte puede enseñarnos… para vivir mejor.
Healing isn’t linear, and coming off my antidepressants has been a real reminder of that.
In this episode, I open up about the emotional weight, the foggy days, and the quiet struggles that come with stepping away from medication. It hasn’t been easy. Some days feel heavy, but I’m learning to meet myself with more self-love and compassion than ever before.
I talk about the importance of support systems: the friends who energize me, the routines that ground me, and the self-care practices that bring small moments of light.
From movement and nourishment to simply allowing myself to feel, I’m discovering that healing doesn’t have to look like progress every day.
Sometimes, it’s just showing up, with trust, with tolerance, and with a gentle hand on your own heart.
If you’re in the middle of something hard, this one’s for you. You’re not alone.
In this episode, we sit down with Daniela Baquerizo, creative director, producer, and founder of Guava House, to explore the ever-tricky intersection of business and friendship.
With a background that spans design, branding, and entrepreneurship across cities like New York, Miami, and now Madrid, Daniela opens up about what it really takes to build something meaningful with the people closest to you.
We talk about the leap of starting before you feel ready, the power dynamics that come into play when friends become collaborators, and why clarity and communication are everything.
Daniela shares honest reflections from her journey building Guava House, the emotional weight of leadership, and how her multicultural roots and dual training in creativity and business shape her approach to work and relationships.
Whether you’re thinking of launching something with a friend or already deep in the process, this conversation will leave you feeling seen, inspired, and a little more prepared to navigate the messy, beautiful in-between.
INSTAGRAM: @guava___house