Women Authors of Achievement (WAA) Podcast

E.117 The Feeling of Berlin with Daria Suvorova-Konstandin and Cynthia Mensah-Neglokpe (Live)

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:00:00 +0200

This time, the roles reverse as our very own host Daria Suvorova-Konstandin joins Cynthia Mensah-Neglokpe on the other side of the mic. Together with moderator Paloma Frau, Director of Cultural Programming at Fotografiska Berlin, the two authors and cultural curators discuss their new book, The Feeling of Berlin.

Written as a love letter to Berlin, it tells the city's story through 33 portraits of women, each an icon in her own unique way. From club legend Britt Kanja and Love Parade co-founder Danielle de Picciotto to Michelin-starred chef Sophie Rudolph and next-gen creatives like Cloudy Zakrocki – the book reveals their insider tips and favorite spots.

In this episode, Daria and Cynthia offer insights into the project: which stories touched them most, how they chose their protagonists, and how they managed to write an entire book alongside many other projects. They discuss challenges and successes, discipline and motivation – and how an idea evolved into 250 carefully curated pages.

If you enjoy this conversation, don’t forget to rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform.

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E.116 What happens when you stop living someone else’s life with Veronica D’Souza (Live from Copenhagen)

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +0100

It’s our very first conversation recorded in Denmark at Soho House Copenhagen. To mark this moment I invited to the show local star and global thought leader: Veronica D’Souza, social entrepreneur, artist, author and activist.

In this episode, we speak about what it really means to build a life that actually feels like your own, and the courage it takes to step away from societal expectations. Veronica shares what she learned from working closely with women in prison, how that experience reshaped her understanding of dignity and agency, and why music became a way back to her inner voice after years of building companies.

If there’s one thing to take away from this episode, it’s this: living fully often starts with listening to yourself, and to the stories of others.

If you enjoy this conversation, don’t forget to rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform. I love reading your thoughts! Now, let’s dive in.

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E.115 Knowing how to read the room with Keika Lee (Live from Stockholm)

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0100

This is our first episode recorded live in Sweden, here at Fotografiska Stockholm. And I couldn’t imagine a better guest to open this chapter.

In this episode, I get to interview the brilliant Keika Lee, Director of Global Public Affairs at IKEA.

Keika grew up in Sweden with Korean heritage, in a family where discipline and hard work were part of everyday life. She was on her way to becoming a classical pianist, with auditions at Juilliard and the Conservatoire in Paris, and then she made a decision that surprised many: she walked away.

What followed wasn’t a straight career path, but years of trial and error. Keika tried many different roles: from bartending and working airport security to studying political science, building a fashion brand with her sister and working in consultancy. From the outside, It might look scattered, but it became one of her biggest strengths: learning how people behave and how to read the room.

This episode might make you pause and ask yourself whether what you’re building is actually aligned with who you are, and remind you that nothing you try is ever wasted.

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E.114 How change happens when women are given power with Preeti Malkani (Live)

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +0100

I’m really happy to welcome Preeti Malkani, Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board and Co-founder of Women for Women International Germany. With Indian and German roots, and a career that spans global advertising, entrepreneurship and humanitarian leadership, Preeti has dedicated her work to empowering women in conflict zones and rethinking how we talk about power and inclusion.

In this conversation, we speak about the moments that shaped her path, the stories she’s witnessed in places like Rwanda, Iraq and Bosnia. And we’ll also talk about what each of us can do, beyond donations, to support women across the globe.

If you enjoy this conversation, don’t forget to rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform.

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E.113 Facing the future of beauty tech with Wanfen Xia (Live)

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 13:35:26 +0100

It’s about time we really talk about beauty tech, what it already looks like in parts of Asia, and what it could become in our homes in the next few years, in ways we probably can’t even imagine yet.

That’s exactly what I explore in this episode with Wanfen Xia, CMO and Managing Director at Ulike Europe.

Wanfen brings a clear and grounded perspective on where the beauty-tech sector is heading. We talk about how advanced Asian markets already are, what Europe can learn from them, and how new self-care routines might soon become a natural part of everyday life at home.

What I especially appreciated in this conversation is Wanfen’s gentle, thoughtful approach, shaped by literature, aesthetics, and a deep understanding to what beauty can mean beyond performance or perfection. It’s a reminder that some things are meant to be felt intuitively.

If you enjoy this conversation, don’t forget to rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform.

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E.112 Crafting a beauty brand built on self-expression and belonging with Linda Hallberg (Live)

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +0100

This episode is brought to you in partnership with flaconi, Germany’s leading online destination for beauty and fragrance. But flaconi is more than a retailer, it’s a platform that celebrates individuality and empowerment. Values that deeply align with today’s guest and everything she stands for.

Linda Hallberg is a name many in the beauty world already know. A visionary makeup artist, founder of LH cosmetics and one of Sweden’s most creative forces. From pioneering multi-use products to building a radically inclusive beauty brand, she’s been shaping the conversation long before it was mainstream.

But behind the iconic looks and bold colors is a story of resilience. In this episode, Linda opens up about growing up queer in a small town, the early days of makeup school while living in a caravan and the journey of building her own brand, LH cosmetics.

This conversation is a reminder that it’s okay to take up space and that sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is return to artistry and play.

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E.111 Curating what millions hear and feel with Conny Zhang (Live)

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 12:28:10 +0100

Today’s guest is Conny Zhang. She is a curious mind, a culture lover and the Head of Music at Spotify DACH. Her journey took her from writing newspaper columns as a teenager to shaping what millions of people listen to every day.

Conny grew up with a deep love for stories. Reading constantly, playing music and always finishing her homework before letting herself unwind. That mix of discipline and imagination has stayed with her, whether she was studying in Shanghai and San Diego, interning at Universal Music, or building her career at Google and now Spotify.

In this conversation, Conny opens up about launching her first scholarship, finding confidence through coaching and how she’s still learning to rest in a world that rarely slows down.

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E. 110 Inside Germany’s women’s football revolution with Lisa Währer (Live)

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +0200

Today’s guest is Lisa Währer, powerhouse in German football, and the co-founder and managing director of FC Viktoria Berlin. From her early days as a footballer in Hamburg to building campaigns at Jung von Matt Sports and OneFootball, Lisa has always worked with strong purpose in mind. Now, alongside a team of five other women, she’s leading one of Berlin’s boldest football clubs, which was promoted to the 2nd Bundesliga.

In this conversation, Lisa opens up about what it really means to be the only woman in the room, how gut instinct shaped her career more than any five-year plan, and why visibility for women in sports is still a fight worth showing up for.

This live edition of the show has been powered by Ancient + Brave, a UK science-based wellness brand that brings a holistic approach to well-being. Treating our live audience to the signature True Collagen which helps with a glowing skin, offers connective tissues, joint and bone support.

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E.109 Choosing ambition in London and finding awakening in Berlin with Nikki Trott (Live from London)

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 17:19:39 +0200

Welcome to a very special live edition of the Women Authors of Achievement Podcast, hosted for the first time in UK, right here at the Amano Hotel Skybar in London, overlooking Covent Garden. My guest today is Nikki Trott, strategist, podcast host and author of her new book Sacred Business. Her story bridges two worlds: the ambitious drive of London’s fashion and branding industry, and the expansive, intuitive energy she discovered in Berlin.

Nikki started out leading global fashion and lifestyle campaigns, working with big names across London and New York. But at some point, success as she knew it started to feel off. Thats when she made a radical choice, she left it all behind to follow a different kind of calling.

In this conversation, we talk about what it means to walk away from conventional success, how Berlin helped her reconnect with her intuition, and why business can, and should, be an expression of who we are at our core.

If you’re in a moment of transition or simply craving more purpose in your work, hear this episode!

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E.108 Mastering Berlin's high-end culinary experiences with Jen Florin (Live)

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 06:00:00 +0200

Today’s guest is Jen Florin, co-founder of Cookies Events & Catering and someone who’s been shaping Berlin’s cultural and culinary scene from behind the curtain for almost two decades. But titles aside, Jen is a true master of atmosphere. She knows how to turn a room into an experience you’ll never forget.

We talked about the art of curation (yes, the lighting, the playlists, the menus), but also the mindset. Jen opened up about her early years growing up in West Germany, organizing parties in her parents' light studio, and how a teenage love for club culture led her all the way to building an international agency, hosting Netflix, and throwing over 100 events a year.

We also speak about creative partnership and the beautiful chaos of making things happen!

And if you love this episode, leave a review, send it to a friend, or just hit replay.

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E.107 Raving into Berlin's club culture future with Katharin Ahrend (Live)

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 06:00:00 +0200

My guest is Katharin Ahrend, co-managing director of the Clubcommission Berlin, a pivotal force in protecting and shaping the city’s club scene. Born in East Germany just before the fall of the Wall, Katharin grew up navigating the grey zones of youth culture, rave spaces, and political shifts.

We talk about everything from abandoned buildings turned dance floors to her journey into cultural policy. Katharin opens up about leadership in male-dominated spaces and her deep-rooted belief that club culture is culture. Beautiful, political, and essential, especially in times of division and crisis.

If you’ve ever danced all night and felt something shift or wondered what it takes to protect that freedom, this episode is for you.

And if you love this episode, leave a review, send it to a friend, or just hit replay.

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E.106 Turning your passion into profession with Cynthia Mensah-Neglokpe (Live)

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 06:00:00 +0200

Today I’m sitting down with someone I’ve known for quite some time. Watching her grow, build, reinvent, and create from the inside out has been inspiring, and honestly, a little wild, in the best way. Cynthia Mensah-Neglokpe is the founder of clicqui and KORE. In this conversation, we talked about starting over, more than once. About what burnout really looks like when you’re the one everyone counts on. And how community, when done right, can quite literally bring you back to yourself.

You’ll hear how Cynthia went from managing luxury brands to building grassroots spaces in four cities, all while figuring out how to protect her energy and build something that actually lasts. If you’ve ever thought about creating something real, something that connects people and still keeps you whole. This one’s for you.

Let’s get into it. And if you love this episode, leave a review, send it to a friend, or just hit replay.

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E.105 Making space for underrepresented voices with Marina Paulenka (Live)

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 17:33:42 +0200

Today’s guest is Marina Paulenka, exhibition director of Fotografiska Berlin and a fearless voice in contemporary photography. Born in Yugoslavia before the war, Marina’s story is one of resilience. From growing up during conflict to building a global platform for artists, often without institutional support.

We talked about using photography as a tool for empowerment, activism, and storytelling. Marina shared what it really takes to launch a festival from scratch, the importance of making space for underrepresented voices, and how art can drive real societal change.

Let’s dive in. And if you enjoy this conversation, don’t forget to rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform.

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E.104 Unpacking purpose-driven leadership with flaconi’s Alexandra Szarmach (Live)

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Wed, 14 May 2025 06:00:00 +0200

Today’s episode marks an exciting milestone: it’s the official launch of our year-long partnership with flaconi, Germany’s leading online retailer for beauty and perfume. Flaconi stands for more than just beauty products, it’s a brand that celebrates diversity, mental well-being, empowerment, and culture. Values that align deeply with what we do here at WAA. And to celebrate this moment, we’ve planned this special edition of the show.

Alexandra Szarmach is flaconi’s CHRO and Managing Director. With a background that spans sales and HR at global giants like Sephora, Alexandra brings both business savvy and a deep, human-centered leadership style. She opened up about what it means to lead through values, to support mental health in the workplace in tangible ways, and how she is creating inclusive space for women to rise across industries.

This conversation goes beyond titles. It's about real leadership, the messy parts of growth, and the strength it takes to build inclusive, thriving cultures.

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E.103 Reimagining photography through abstraction with Viviane Sassen (Live)

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +0200

Viviane Sassen doesn’t just take photographs, she creates entire worlds. Known for her dreamlike use of light and shadow, she moves seamlessly between fashion, fine art, and documentary photography, always pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling, often exploring themes of identity, memory, and mortality.

In this conversation, we’ll uncover the influences that shaped her artistic vision, from her childhood in Kenya to her fascination with abstraction. Whether you’re an artist, a storyteller, or simply curious about the way we see the world, this conversation will leave you looking at photography and life through a new lens.

If you enjoy this conversation, don’t forget to rate and review on your favorite podcast platform. I love reading your thoughts! Now, let’s dive in.

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E.102 Decoding the world of luxury with Maria von Scheel-Plessen (Live)

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +0100

I’m joined by Maria von Scheel-Plessen, who traveled all the way from Munich to meet me at Fotografiska’s cozy Bar Clara—bringing luxury straight to the show. As a senior marketing leader for a top luxury brand, Maria is a powerhouse in her field, blending strategy, tech, and business. But her path wasn’t conventional. Instead of stepping into her family’s 300-year-old legacy, she carved her own path—moving across the world, taking bold risks, and redefining what leadership looks like.

In this episode, we get real about the highs and lows of leading—navigating self-doubt, setting boundaries, and making big career moves. Maria also shares insights on the future of luxury, from shifting consumer habits to why personalization is everything. And of course, we talk about the power of trusting yourself—because sometimes, the best strategy isn’t just knowing the market, it’s knowing you.

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E.101 Expressing yourself through a flower bouquet with Annett Kuhlmann (Live)

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +0100

This episode's guest is Annett Kuhlmann, co-founder of Marsano—a brand that redefined floristry in Berlin. Annett’s journey is fascinating. With training in photography from the Ostkreuzschule and interior design at St. Martin’s, her unique eye for beauty is what sets Marsano apart. Over the past 20 years, she and her co-founders, Katrin and Andreas, have built Marsano into something extraordinary—a perfect blend of creativity, sustainability, and collaboration.

In this episode, we talk about her early inspirations, the challenges of running a creative flower business, and how Marsano’s distinctive aesthetic came to life. We’ll also explore her personal favorites—flowers, colors, and the joy (and challenges!) of staying creative.

Sit back, relax, and get ready to be inspired by Annett’s story and the world of Marsano. Let’s dive in!

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E.100 Going on the wildest roller coaster called life with Leyla Piedayesh (Live)

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 15:20:04 +0100

Today, I’m thrilled to sit down with someone truly inspiring—Leyla Piedayesh, the founder and creative heart behind Lala Berlin.

For over two decades, Leyla has been at the forefront of redefining contemporary fashion, blending Berlin’s cosmopolitan energy with her Persian heritage to create a brand that’s as bold as it is personal. From navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship and steering through turbulent times to making powerful political statements through her iconic kufiya-inspired designs, Leyla’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and purpose.

Leyla opens up about the personal and professional lessons that shaped her legacy—her reflections on trust and leadership, the emotional impact of hormonal shifts, and her vision for empowering women through her work.

If you enjoy this episode, don’t forget to rate it on Spotify or leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

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E.99 Unlocking the longevity lifestyle with Dr. Kati Ernst (Live)

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +0100

In this episode, we’re diving into a topic that’s not just about living longer but living better: longevity. My guest is the amazing Dr. Kati Ernst, co-founder of ooia, a brand that has transformed the period market in Germany and she is now exploring how to have healthier, more vibrant lives at any age.

Kati’s journey is nothing short of inspiring—from consulting for luxury brands to building a purpose-driven company and launching a podcast about healthy aging. We’ll talk about the turning points that shaped her approach to health, how longevity influences her life and work, and what we can all learn about crafting a life full of energy and meaning.

If you enjoy this episode, don’t forget to rate it on Spotify or leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Let’s get started!

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E.98 Turning heritage into a modern-day success story with Gitta Plotnicki (Live)

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 06:00:00 +0100

This time around, I’m taking you with me to the Merz b. Schwanen flagship store in Berlin. Picture this: a rainy November evening, yet inside the store, we are welcomed by the whole crew into their world of timeless design. I sit down with Gitta Plotnicki, the co-owner and creative director of the brand, to dive into this fascinating story.

Merz b. Schwanen, a brand that dates back to 1911, has been revived in the most inspiring way. Gitta and her husband, Peter, have brought new life to century-old loopwheel machines—affectionately nicknamed their “gentle old ladies”—to create sustainable, high-quality clothing. But it’s not just about honoring history. From discovering a Henley T-shirt at a Berlin flea market to creating a viral sensation thanks to The Bear, Gitta shared how they balance tradition with modernity while staying true to their craft.

In this episode Gitta reminds us that passion, patience, and the people you surround yourself with are key to building something meaningful. Let’s dive into her incredible journey!

And don't forget to rate and review the show on your favorite streaming platform.

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E.97 Pushing boundaries in the contemporary art community with Anahita Sadighi (Live)

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 16:58:39 +0100

In this episode, recorded live at the intimate Nomi Winebar in Kreuzberg, we dive into how Anahita Sadighi is reimagining the traditional art gallery, merging art, culture, and music to create spaces that challenge stereotypes and foster deep connection. Anahita’s energy is contagious as she opens up about reimagining what an art gallery can be, turning it into a space for connection, creativity, and dialogue. We even dive into her new secret after-party series called, The Loft, where art and music come together in an intimate and exciting way.

This episode is full of powerful insights and inspiration, so I hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed interviewing Anahita!

And don't forget to rate and review the show on your favorite podcast platform.

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E.96 Balancing minimalism and opulence in interior design with Ester Bruzkus (Live)

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 05:00:00 +0200

From growing up in Berlin with a multicultural background to creating timeless spaces that balance opulence and minimalism, the story of Ester Bruzkus is filled with inspiration. We’ll dive into how her early love for architecture grew into a celebrated career, what it’s like breaking barriers as a woman in the male dominated area, and her passion for bold colors, and the balance she strikes between trends and timelessness in her designs.

If you enjoy this episode, don’t forget to rate it on Spotify or leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Let’s dive in!

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E.95 Practicing mental health hygiene with Milka Loff Fernandes (Live)

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 06:00:00 +0200

Milka Loff Fernandes started her career as a presenter at the music channel VIVA TV in 1999. What remained a secret for a long time was that during this colorful period, the peak of Milka’s popularity, she also struggled with depression, eating disorders, and later epilepsy. In 2004, she decided to withdraw from public life and embarked on a "healing journey". Back then she looked for means and ways that enabled her to confront the madness called everyday life, and now, nearly twenty years later, she has become acquainted with mental health hygiene practices that we talk about in this episode. Tune in to hear her story and learnings that Milka acquired also as a practicing Buddhist.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to rate it on Spotify or leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

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E.94 Crafting the future for women in Afghanistan with Hila Limar (Live)

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0200

Today we would like to introduce you to Hila Limar, chairwoman of the non-profit organization Visions for Children and co-founder of the jewelry brand SEVAR Studios, which aims to enable girls and women in Kabul to train as goldsmiths. After years of voluntary work for the Hamburg-based association, in 2018 Hila gave up her job as an architect to devoted herself full-time to her vision. She is working on improving learning conditions and the quality of education in schools in crisis areas, including Hila’s native Afghanistan.

Enjoy this conversation and getting to know Hila. And make sure you check out our latest events and news via waa.berlin. And if you enjoy the show make sure to rate it on Spotify or leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

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E.93 Harvesting green gold with Julia Winkels (Live)

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Thu, 04 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0200

With this episode all roads are leading to Torstraße here in Berlin. Julia Winkels shares some great insights into cultural marketing with her renowned agency BOLD, and talks about the most hyped match brand of Germany - Matchasome which she founded back in 2022 with Nina Bröer! This conversation is all about harvesting green gold, building timely brands, and how Julia turned her passion for matcha into a successful brand and a business success story that Berlin has been craving for a long time.

And remember, if you enjoy today's episode, don't forget to rate and review the podcast on your favorite podcast platform.

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E.92 Unveiling the power of African Botanicals with Nana Addison (Live)

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 06:00:00 +0200

Who are the "forgotten" beauty customers and what is hair and scalp neutrality? Let's decode in today's episode. Founded by Nana Addison, Ancient Beauty is more than just another beauty brand. As the mainstream hair care brands overlook diverse hair textures and scalp conditions, Nana advocates for inclusivity and recognition of all beauty customers. Nana shared her impressive founder journey, the economic and agricultural impact of African Beauty, the importance of indigenous botanical ingredients from baobab to kigelia. We also learn about tiger nuts! Get ready to unlock the secrets of African botanicals and hear the story from one of Europe's most influential women in the Startup and Venture Capital Space - Nana Addison.

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E.91 Learning to pursue things one loves and embracing personal freedom with Miriam Wohlfarth (Live)

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 14 May 2024 06:00:00 +0200

We had a privilege to sit down with Miriam Wohlfarth, one of the first female fintech founders in Germany and a pioneering figure in the fintech industry. From her humble beginnings in the travel industry to co-founding RatePAY and later Banxware, Miriam has played a pivotal role in shaping the digital payment landscape in Europe. With nearly two decades of experience in online payments and fintech, Miriam shares great insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the industry today. In this episode, Miriam shares her thoughts on the looming shortage of skilled workers and her strategy on attracting top talent. We explore her involvement in advisory roles and volunteer work, and her commitment to giving back and making a positive impact.

We'll also explore Miriam's approach to leadership, her tips for maintaining balance in a fast-paced environment, and the invaluable learnings she's gained throughout her entrepreneurial journey.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy this conversation with Miriam!

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E.90 Recognizing crises as opportunities and living life on one's own terms with Kathrin Anselm (Live)

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 06:00:00 +0200

Today we welcome you to a live edition of the show recorded from the eclectic Kreuzberg based showroom Objekte Unserer Tage with an audience of over 80 people! In this episode, we dive into the journey of a courageous woman who in the early stages of her career had to face self-doubt. From her beginnings in management consulting to her current role as Managing Director at Airbnb for DACH, CEE and CIS, Kathrin Anselm has been recognizing crises as opportunities for growth, discovering her resilience and the journey to self-confidence.

In this episode, Kathrin shares how she conquered the fear of the unknown and challenged the beliefs that were present in her upbringing. Addressing societal pressures on family-building, she advocates for individual autonomy and living life on one's own terms. We speak about journaling, positive affirmations, staying active, and investing in oneself. I invite you to today’s episode which encapsulates a journey of self-discovery and resilience, guided by empathy and continuous growth.

And remember, if you enjoy today's episode, don't forget to rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform. We really love reading those!

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E.89 Awakening for change with Susann Sitte and Birgit Amelung (Live)

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 06:00:00 +0200

Today, we dive into the theme of "Awakening for Change" with Birgit Amelung and Susann Sitte, founders of The HER KLUB, joined by a live audience at a gorgeous venue of Princip members club here at Hotel Telegraphenamt in Berlin. As we embrace the arrival of Spring, Birgit and Susann lead us through reflections on pivotal moments in their lives. They share experiences of leaving toxic environments, navigating personal healing, and integrating spiritual practices into their daily lives. From Susann's journey following the sudden loss of her mother to Birgit's spiritual exploration, their stories inspire self-discovery.

In this episode, Birgit and Susann talk about friendship in the business setting. Time to be awake and ready for a change! And if you enjoy the show make sure to rate it on Spotify or leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

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E.88 Exploring the significance of Berlin State Opera in the modern world with Anja Gossens (Live)

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 06:00:00 +0100

We recorded a live episode at the iconic Berlin State Opera Unter den Linden, as we delved into the world of opera and culture with Anja Gossens, the Head of Development of the institution. The Berlin State Opera holds a rich cultural heritage, dating back to its founding in the 18th century. Seated in the heart of Berlin, this institution has been a beacon of artistic excellence, captivating audiences with its breathtaking performances for centuries.

Anja is a trailblazer in the world of arts and culture. With a background in art and theater studies, Anja brings a wealth of experience to her role as Head of Development at the Berlin State Opera. Her passion for innovation and her dedication to making opera accessible to all have been instrumental in shaping the future of this esteemed institution. Throughout our conversation with Anja, we'll depict the intersection of art, culture, and society.

Whether you're a seasoned opera enthusiast or someone curious about the transformative power of the arts, make sure to share the episode with a friend and see if they enjoy it too!

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E.87 Discovering Mexico City's journey to becoming the World Design Capital with Andrea Cesarman

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Another episode which we recorded straight from Mexico City with Andrea Cesarman – a visionary in the world of design, an interior architect with over 30 years of experience, and a key advocate for Mexican design and creativity. In 1990, along with her partners Emilio Cabrero and Marco Coello, Andrea founded C Cúbica Arquitectos, a multidisciplinary Interior architect firm where numerous times their work has earned them prestigious awards.

Since 2009 Andrea serves as the Director of Design Week México, the annual event that serves as a platform for showcasing the talents of Mexican designers, promoting design trends within the country, and bringing together the creative minds that drive innovation. Thanks to her remarkable leadership, Mexico was designated as the World Design Capital in 2018, the first in the Americas.

Today, we're going to delve into the world of design in Mexico, it's rich history, its evolution, and the incredible potential it holds. We'll explore the significance of events like Design Week Mexico and her role in taking it to new heights. We'll discuss her remarkable journey and her current reflections on life!

If you enjoyed today's episode, share it with a friend and see if they like it too!

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E.86 Preserving Mexican artisanal craftsmanship with Melissa Avila

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 06:00:00 +0100

What a special moment and a dream come true to take the Women Authors of Achievement Podcast to a different country. This is our first time doing it and we are grateful for Mexico City to be the starting point for this adventure. Melissa Avila is a multidisciplinary artist born and raised in the vibrant city of Tijuana, Mexico. Today, as a founder of M.A Studio, she calls Mexico City her home.

M.A Studio is not just a studio; it's a movement, it's a passionate endeavor dedicated to promoting the preservation of artisanal craftsmanship. With he mission to expand the realms of creativity and get inspiration from traditions, local wisdom, building the common ground between personal and collaborative efforts. Today, we embark on a captivating journey with Melissa as she shares her story, her vision, and the incredible impact she's making in Mexico.

Huge thank you to Caroline Foerster and Ann-Kathrin Zotz from White Label Project for connecting us to the most amazing women of Mexico City!

Make sure to follow the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or any streaming platform of your preference.

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E.85 Reflecting on the influence of WAA Podcast and sharing the learnings with Daria Suvorova

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 06:00:00 +0100

As you’ve probably already guessed, today we’re shaking things up a bit. Today, Cara von Beust will take over and put WAA Podcast Founder and Host Daria Suvorova in the interviewee seat. Why? Well, because the extraordinary woman behind this podcast, Daria, has so many insights and learnings from her journey at WAA Podcast that we can all be inspired by. In this episode, Daria will reflect on the story behind the podcast and her personal highlights of Women Authors of Achievement. We’ll also talk about the balancing act between a full-time job and a side gig, explore her personal learnings from the podcast, and give you a sneak peek into what's coming up in Season 4. So, without further ado, let's get started on this special episode with Cara von Beust interviewing the incredible Daria Suvorova.

Make sure to follow the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or any streaming platform of your preference. It's going to be a unique and insightful journey you won't want to miss!

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E.84 Bridging the gap for female-founded startups in Europe with Bettine Schmitz

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 06:00:00 +0100

For our final episode of 2023, we invited Bettine Schmitz, founder and partner of Auxxo, the Berlin-based Female Catalyst Fund. Tine's work with Auxxo sheds light on the challenges faced by female founders in the startup ecosystem. During her former times at Axel Springer Plug and Play Accelerator, together with her team, Tine has backed over 100 companies at the pre-seed stage, including N26 and studysmarter. On the show, she shares her advice for those seeking investment and navigating the world of venture capital, and also how one gets into angel investing.

So let’s get started on today's episode with Tine! Make sure to follow the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or any streaming platform of your preference.

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E.83 Celebrating the most powerful women in business with Selma Stern

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Selma Stern currently serves as the Chief Customer Officer at Fortune, a legendary name in the world of business journalism. In her role, Selma is at the forefront of driving digital transformation and overseeing the subscription and newsletter business. Today, Selma talks about her Bosnian-German upbringing, her unique life path, fueled by ambition and adaptation and Fortune's secrets to success behind subscriber retention and business growth. We will speak about the renowned annual list of the "Most Powerful Women in Business” that showcases and celebrates the achievements and influence of women. And let’s hear from Selma what is the evolving impact of this prestigious list!

So let’s jump straight into it! And if you enjoy the show make sure to rate it on Spotify or leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

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E.82 Building a sustainable future with the help of Artificial Intelligence with Lucile Bonnin

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Lucile Bonnin currently serves as the Head of Research & Development at Cambrium, a company focused on sustainable innovation through molecular design and precision fermentation. As a R&D professional, Lucile's expertise lies in chemistry, predictive analytics, innovation strategy and materials development. In our conversation, we'll explore Lucile's journey to becoming a scientist and how the "informed naivety" approach, as she calls it, has been her weapon against impostor syndrome. We also learn about the groundbreaking events in science back in 2020 that changed the direction of Lucile’s life. Of course, we also didn’t forget to talk about Artificial Intelligence and the role of AI in enabling protein design.

If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or simply share it with a friend.

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E.81 Exploring hottest trends and communication strategies for brands with Anna Jona Koch (Live)

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Today we speak to a growth strategist, founder and managing director of the consulting company JK Access, Anna Jona Koch. With 15 years of experience in communication and business development in the leading media and lifestyle brand companies such as Philipp Plein, ELLE and the German Football Association, Jona has a lot to tell. In this episode, she shares her take on what is the best investment a brand can make when it comes to their communication strategy. Jona reveals how brands can combine storytelling with business objectives to create a profound impact on culture and company revenue. Last but not least, we brush up on her early exposure to political dynamics, her unique approach to networking and deep connection to football, such as FC Viktoria Berlin.

Join this conversation with Anna Jona Koch and feel the energy that is present during the Women Authors of Achievements live podcasts!

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E.80 Reimagining the future of food and the next generation of proteins with Tanja Bogumil

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 09:50:30 +0200

Today on the show we welcome Tanja Bogumil, Co-Founder and CEO of Lovely Day Foods. Tanja has been an entrepreneur for over 15 years and over these years have experienced the highest highs and lowest lows. She went through the entire lifecycle of a company - from creating a market, to scaling the business, to successfully exiting the company. And a few years ago she made a commitment to utilize her entrepreneurial skills to change the food system by replacing animal-based products with plant-based and eventually with the next generation of alternative proteins. So let’s dive deeper into what the future of food looks like and how we can start living within the planetary resources!

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E.79 Shifting between professions to become a self-taught perfumer with Marie-Pierre Blanchette

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 06:00:00 +0200

At the beginning of her career, someone told Marie that she should not be defined by her job, but by a verb. She knew instantly that her verb was 'to create’. Originally from Montréal Canada, Marie-Pierre Blanchette is a self-taught perfumer with a background in anthropology, art direction and design. Turning 40 made her reconsider what would truly make her happy in the next 20 years of her career. So she started shaping her process of becoming an independent perfumer based on the method of trial and error. From the lead role as the Head of Design at Zalando to starting her own company MISKEO an independent, handcrafted & small-batch perfume company - in this episode we learn from Marie about the industry ethics, what continuously inspires her in creating her own perfume line, and how she overcame the barriers before going fully independent.

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E.78 Moving up the ranks at Wall Street and redefining the essence of success with Layla Qassim

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 06:00:00 +0200

Starting at a young age, Layla Qassim sought financial freedom and worked at cultural institutions that celebrated Arab heritage. During her university times and while making her first steps at the trading desk at an investment bank in London she faced a life-changing health scare that made her put the brakes on all her endeavors. She took a leap of faith, moved to Paris to live every day as though it was her last. Not long after, she eventually settled in New York for 7 years where she quickly moved up the ranks at Wall Street. Now, as SVP of Operations at lemon.markets, Layla embraces this new opportunity to build something from scratch and strives to create more balanced and diverse leadership within the FinTech industry. In this episode we reveal Layla’s unique trait of resilience, we speak about toxic work environments and why she wants to see more leaders like her mother who are distinctively feminine yet extremely strong.

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E.77 Understanding why not all that glitters is gold with Guya Merkle (Live)

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 06:00:00 +0200

After inheriting her family's jewelry business at a young age and experiencing its bankruptcy, Guya Merkle embarked on a personal quest to produce high-end jewelry. Inspired by a trip to a gold mine in Peru and witnessing the industry's problems, she founded VIERI in 2015 with a focus on using urban mined gold and ethically sourced gemstones. Despite challenges in the industry and retail hesitancy toward ethical jewelry, Guya is on the mission to make a difference and inspire others to prioritize sustainability. Through her storytelling and activism, she aims to reshape the perception of luxury and create a new standard for the industry.

Let’s hear Guya’s story on what sustainability means in the luxury industry and how one can learn to embrace responsible practices and redefine luxury.

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E.76 Learning how to harness your impatience and turn adversity into opportunity with Annabelle Mandeng (Live)

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 06:00:00 +0200

Celebrated as a versatile actress, presenter, voice-over artist, and author, Annabelle Mandeng opens up about her multicultural upbringing in Germany, Togo, and Pakistan. She describes herself as a “professional autodidact”, where in 1994 she became the first German person of color to be a television presenter. In this conversation you get to hear how she navigated obstacles, including surviving multiple serious accidents and how she emerged from those experiences stronger than ever. Get ready to be inspired by Annabelle’s extraordinary story, as she shares insights on the film industry, structural discrimination and the power of never giving up.

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E.75 Smashing taboos surrounding women's intimate health with Dr. Vivien Karl

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 06:00:00 +0200

Driven by a clear mission to make intimate health a socially acceptable topic and improve the well-being of women, Dr. Vivien Karl has built a brand that offers natural and science-based intimate care products for women. From the emotional rollercoaster of financing rounds and to winning over Tina Müller, the former CEO of Douglas, as one of her angel investors - Vivien turned her entrepreneurial dream into a reality. In this episode she speaks about the challenges she faced as a pharmacist transitioning into an entrepreneur, navigating the startup scene in Berlin and how she acquired the business skills to succeed in her founder journey. How do you become a founder without the typical business background? How do you break taboos surrounding intimate health and build a brand that women, doctors, and pharmacists trust? Listen to this episode to hear the answers.

If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it, leave a review or simply share it with a friend.

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E.74 Empowering women through financial independence with Dr. Nakeema Stefflbauer (Live)

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 06:00:00 +0200

Dr. Nakeema Stefflbauer is a software delivery expert with over 15 years of experience leading corporate digital transformations in the US and Europe. Today she is the Director of Digital Client Services at ERGO and the founder and CEO of FrauenLoop, a Berlin-based non-profit computer programming network. Among FrauenLoop's graduates are many women with a migration background, working mothers and women who never previously considered working in tech. According to the Gender Pension Gap Report, women receive on average almost 60 percent less pension than men. In this episode Nakeema shares her take on how women can build financial independence and protect themselves from poverty in the post-retirement years.

If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it, leave a review or simply share it with a friend.

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E.73 Embarking on a journey from entrepreneurship to the UK's first women-focused VC with Samira Ann Qassim

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 06:00:00 +0200

With a background in solar technology, brand strategy consulting, and digital business development, Samira's journey is a testament to her adventurous and curious spirit. Today Samira Ann Qassim is the founder of Pink Salt Ventures, a venture capital firm dedicated to supporting female-led technology companies. We discuss her journey from entrepreneurship to starting Pink Salt Ventures, capital funding challenges faced by female founders and solutions that can foster change. We also speak about feminine leadership.

We hope you enjoy hearing about Samira's vibrant approach to life and her commitment to creating an impact. If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or simply share it with a friend.

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E.72 Romanticizing local journalism and shaping the future of social media marketing with Gesa Mayr

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 06:00:00 +0200

Today we are welcoming Gesa Mayr to the show! A self-proclaimed pop culture fan who is in charge of campaign formats, platform strategy and innovation at Netflix. As an expert in storytelling and audience development Gesa's career spans over a decade, including positions at renowned publications like Spiegel and the German franchise of watson. In our conversation, we delve into Gesa's transition to social marketing at Netflix and speak about what the future holds for social community development. Join us for this fun conversation and make sure you leave a review on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or any other streaming platform of your liking.

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E.71 Unveiling the success story of Cee Cee Berlin with Nina Trippel

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 06:00:00 +0200

Nina Trippel is the founder of Cee Cee Berlin media platform and a Cee Cee Creative, interdisciplinary agency with a focus on content and design. Alongside her co-founder Sven Hausherr, Nina launched Cee Cee Berlin newsletter in 2011 as a fun passion project that has since become the go-to resource for locals and visitors alike interested in exploring Berlin's cultural scene. In this episode, Nina shares the early days of Cee Cee Berlin, how to build up a strong founder relationship as well as the challenges and the successes of the brand. We speak about the developments in Berlin's cultural scene over the past decade and what impact Cee Cee is making in the way people experience and engage with the city. This episode offers an insightful look into the world of entrepreneurship, creativity and community building. Enjoy!

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E.70 When your heart is beating for brand building and music with Susanna Kim (Live)

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 30 May 2023 06:00:00 +0200

Born and raised in Germany, her childhood in classical music set the scene for her entry into DJing. Today you can find Susanna Kim playing house music in Berlin's top clubs like Renate and Katerblau, and festivals all over the country. Parallel to the night scene, by day Susanna is leading brand and PR efforts at exciting projects like KitschKrieg expanding their brand to new markets. Susanna’s career decisions were often based on her curiosity and desire to do something different. Today we discuss her journey in the music industry and how she balances her day job with her passion for music. We speak about all the hard work behind the scenes and ponder about vulnerability, self-love and forgiveness. So what do you do when your heart is beating for 2 things?

If you're curious about how to balance your passions with your day job or want to be inspired by Susanna's journey, tune into this episode. Don't forget to rate the show on your favorite podcast platforms and share it with your friends.

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E.69 Navigating women's hormonal health with Roos Jansen

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 16 May 2023 06:00:00 +0200

For this episode we invited Roos Jansen, women's hormonal health expert, born in Amsterdam and currently based in Berlin. For years Roos led HR teams and implemented Period Leave as a health benefit in a local startup. One thing that has shaped Roos, is her very own post-pill experience which she shares on this podcast. She is passionate about removing the stigma surrounding women's health, empowering women to take control of their hormonal balance. Join this conversation as we learn about women’s hormonal health and misconceptions around it. If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or simply share it with a friend.

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E.68 Uncovering East German upbringing and contemporary feminism with Mirna Funk

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 02 May 2023 10:39:16 +0200

Today's guest is one of the most thought-provoking and inspiring voices in the contemporary feminist movement. Mirna Funk is a writer, journalist, and cultural critic based in Berlin. She offers a refreshing perspective on what it means to be a self-determined, independent woman in the 21st century.

In this episode, we discuss Mirna's latest non-fiction book in German translated as: "Who cares! About the freedom to be a woman", which challenges traditional feminist narratives and inspires women to take control of their lives. Mirna shares her take on what holds women back from achieving their full potential, and how we can all work towards creating a better world for ourselves and future generations.

So, if you're ready to be inspired and challenged, join me in this fascinating conversation with Mirna Funk. Don't forget to rate the show on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share this episode with a friend.

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E.67 Building progressive Hip Hop scene in Germany with Sehriban Cirik

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 06:00:00 +0200

My guest today grew up surrounded by Hip Hop. And back in the days she didn’t really have many role models, and she had to figure out how to turn her passion for music into a profession. Today Sehriban Cirik is a living example of how to turn your wildest dreams into a reality. Before becoming the Head of Hip-Hop at Amazon Music, Sehriban worked in the music industry as a label manager. Today she gets to bring artists closer to their fans in new, creative ways.

In this conversation you will learn about the single "If I Want" which Sehriban produced with six German female Hip Hop artists, how to foster change in male dominated music industry and how aspiring artists can make their way to the top.

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E.66 Navigating change in the public sector with Naïs Graswald

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 06:00:00 +0200

Naïs Graswald is the Head of Executive and Digital Communications at the Volkswagen Group, she is a systemic coach and simply a loving human. Today we reflect on her family past, as we discover the roots of her value system where she embraces opposing views and continuously questions the status quo. We discuss how she transitioned from her communication work at the German Parliament and the Federal Ministry for Transport and Digital Infrastructure to embracing change in the German industry. We speak about finding life's meaning and how communication can become a brave space for unleashing creativity, change and a new era of human-centric businesses.

If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or share it with a friend.

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E.65 Building financial independence as an artist with Johanna Keimeyer

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 21 Mar 2023 10:48:13 +0100

Our guest today Johanna Keimeyer is a multimedia artist who creates immersive experiences. This can take the form of large scale art installations where she works with video, light, objects, scent and sound. She invites the audience to explore deeper questions about identity and the core fundamental values that make us human. David Bowie, Frida Kahlo, Andy Warhol - just a few of the names in her Iconic Portraits series where Johanna slips into the shoes of icons like these. As you explore the series you get to ask yourself: What role do I play, what is my true identity and what masks people are hiding behind?

Today we speak about Johanna’s mission as an artist, which emotions she tries to evoke in people and how she manages to build financially sustainable life as a creative.

If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or share it with a friend.

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E.64 On fair trade, social impact and Lemonaid & ChariTea Foundation with Aileen Puhlmann

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 12:21:10 +0100

You probably heard of the Lemonaid and ChariTea before, delicious soft drinks that contain only organic ingredients that also support fair trade. The project was born in the bohemian district of Hamburg called St. Pauli with the intention to change the world drink by drink. Beyond fair trade, every bottle purchased supports the Lemonaid & ChariTea Foundation which is managed by our guest today Aileen Puhlmann. Today Aileen shares her story as we speak about identity forming experiences and what it means for her to support the underdog. We talk about her recent trip to Rwanda and learn about projects that Lemonaid & ChariTea Foundation support. Grab your ChariTea and join us for this conversation with Aileen. If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify or leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

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E.63 Breaking the stigma around burnout and mental health with Alexandra Bondi de Antoni

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 21 Feb 2023 08:53:30 +0100

Alexandra Bondi de Antoni is a writer, director and occasional photographer born in Vienna and based in Berlin. She is the former editor of I-D Germany and former Executive Editor at VOGUE Germany where she was in charge of all things digital. Today she gets to explore the intersection between social political issues, pop culture and fashion in her freelance life.

In this episode we speak about her late grandmother Gerti and how her sense for fashion made an influence on Alexa’s decision to explore her career in the fashion industry. We also get to speak about Alexa's burnout experience, a very challenging period in her life where we get to reflect on that time period in this conversation. We wrap up this interview with an outlook into the future and what the future has in store for Alexa.

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E.62 Writing the stories of ‘People of Deutschland’ with Martina Rink

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 21 Feb 2023 08:53:23 +0100

My guest today, Martina Rink, grew up between Germany and the UK. She landed her first job as a personal assistant of the late Isabella Blow, a legendary English muse, stylist and magazine editor. After Blow's death in 2007, Martina released a coffee table book portraying the impact of her mentor on the fashion industry.

Fast forward to today, Martina is releasing her fourth book called People of Deutschland. For Martina this publication is much more than just a book. It covers the controversial subject of racism in Germany, where 45 people get to share their experiences that deal with pain and rejection but also with assertiveness and civil courage.

Join me in my interview with Martina as I ask her about People of Deutschland. And if you think someone should hear this conversation, make sure to share the episode with them.

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E.61 Michelberger hotel and Berlin in the late 90’s – experiencing the zeitgeist with Nadine Michelberger

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 06:00:00 +0100

From the start Nadine Michelberger together with her co-founder and husband Tom, wanted to create the first hotel in Berlin which replaced the typical lobby, with an open space that invites guests and visitors for encounters. This idea was born back in 2003.

As years went by, the hotel has evolved as well. Today the Michelberger team is running the renowned restaurant Ora, they are producing the most sought after coconut water the 'Fountain of Youth', and are practicing regenerative agriculture at their Farm in Spreewald.

Michelberger is an experiment, a playground that is never meant to be finished or completed, but meant to create new ways for people to connect.

Today I asked Nadine about Berlin in the late 90’s, how the idea of Michelberger came to be, and why we see more and more restaurants in Berlin working with local producers and farmers from the Brandenburg area.

Enjoy my conversation with Nadine and feel free to drop me a message if you learned something new today! Cheers to Season 3!

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E.60 On traditions, boundaries and mindful health practices with Ann-Kathrin Grebner and Yasmin Poloczek

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 10 Jan 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Today, Ann-Kathrin Grebner and Yasmin Poloczek shared their personal stories of reclaiming control of their own health and wellbeing. As founders of MY INNER HEALTH Club, they are on a mission to provide people with practical, simple exercises that can easily be incorporated into daily routines, empowering people to improve their mental and physical health. In today's episode, we discuss how to integrate traditional wisdom from the past into your life and how just 5 or even 1 minute of self-conscious exercise on a daily basis can help you become the best version of yourself in the new year. If you enjoyed today's episode, be sure to rate it on Spotify or leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

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E.59 How to build a conscious beauty brand from scratch with Jennifer Baum-Minkus

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Jennifer Baum-Minkus quit her corporate job not knowing what's next. She found her way into the startup scene after realizing how harmful nail polishes can be for people. After a couple of months of deep research, she founded gitti a conscious beauty brand, with the mission to offer products that are good for people, the planet and society.

Today we learn how to build courage while listening to one's gut feeling, how to make an impact in the beauty market and ensure gradual evolution of your brand.

Hey and don’t forget to share this episode of the show with your friends and family! In 2022 we were ranked in the top 5% most shared podcasts globally - help us reach the top 1% in 2023! In the meantime enjoy today’s conversation with Jenni.

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E.58 Empowering women through FemTech and giving them agency over their own health with Rhiannon White

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 13 Dec 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Today's guest is full of courage and curiosity. In fact, her professional journey has been all about following a thread of deep curiosity for people—trying to understand their motivations and choices they make. Rhiannon White, is the Chief Product Officer at Clue, a period & cycle tracking app. Rhiannon speaks to women on a weekly basis across the globe and gets to hear about their pain and experiences which are still routinely dismissed. She strongly believes that everyone should have the information and knowledge to make their own choices. Today we talk about Rhiannon's captivating journey in politics, her path into product and, of course, the future of FemTech.

Don’t forget to share this episode of the show with your friends and family. In 2022 we were ranked in the top 5% most shared podcasts globally—help us reach the top 1% in 2023.

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E.57 Acknowledging your strengths and weaknesses as a founder with Emma Tracey

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Emma Tracey worked as a journalist in Colombia and founded a communications agency in South Africa. In 2015 she came to Berlin where she found herself doing something completely new - co-founding a recruitment platform called Honeypot. Reflecting back, Emma didn’t feel like she was “qualified” per se to found a tech company. But she also knew that she would figure most of it out. And she actually did. In fact in 2019 XING acquired Honeypot for €57 million, where Emma achieved what all founders dream of - successful establishment and the million-euro deal. Today we speak about why people hold themselves back as they think they aren’t good enough and how one can tackle that. We reflect on Emma’s success, explorations and what is holding her in Berlin. Get ready to hear Emma’s story and make sure to sign up for our newsletter via the website waa.berlin.

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E.56 Learning how to scale your expertise and talent with Laura Lewandowski

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 15 Nov 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Our guest today is Laura Lewandowski, the founder of the media brand Smart Chiefs and co-founder of the YouTube show Meet Your Mentor. As one of the leading voices in the German digital scene, Laura writes on social media, in her newsletter and as a columnist for Business Insider about the new work, creator economy and personal development. We talk about her successful career as a creator, self-optimization and how Laura balances entrepreneurship and motherhood. I hope you enjoy today’s conversation and make sure you subscribe to our newsletter via waa.berlin.

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E.55 Unlocking the new age of social commerce with Deann Evans (Live)

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Today with me live on stage here in London is Deann Evans, Director of EMEA Expansion at Shopify. More and more SMEs and creators are unlocking the power of social commerce through platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Youtube, where social commerce orders grew four times in the beginning of the year. As the bridge from content to commerce gets shorter, Shopify continues to innovate and build tools for the creator economy, where new products like YouTube Shopping are making it easier for creators and brands to sell directly on YouTube. Today we speak about the exciting future of commerce. If you enjoyed the episode make sure to leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

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E.54 On mastering Data Science and how one’s path is never linear with Dr. Alisa Kim

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 06:00:00 +0200

First time in the studio we get to welcome a data scientist! Dr. Alisa Kim is the Head of Data Products at Vestiaire Collective where she follows her passion for machine learning applications to achieve corporate sustainability goals, upgrading traditional business operations. Previously Alisa worked at Amazon Web Services as a research scientist and was an educator at Humboldt University of Berlin. Today we speak how Alisa’s path to becoming a data scientist was everything but linear. She lived in Hong Kong, built a company where she was selling high end Chinese tea in Mexico and reinvented herself in the mid 20’s to kick start the career in data science. Get ready to hear Alisa’s unique story and make sure to sign up for our newsletter via the website waa.berlin.

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E.53 Reinventing the way we find and buy preloved furniture with Gemma Comabella

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 06:00:00 +0200

How can you reduce your ecological footprint and increase your next vacation budget? The answer is simple - by buying and selling only used furniture. Gemma Comabella is the co-founder and CEO of COCOLI, a marketplace for used furniture and interior design pieces. Before COCOLI Gemma was building global fashion and consumer brands like Zalando, L’Oréal, Vestiaire Collective and Showroom, and was running furniture platform Made.com as the Managing Director for the DACH region. Today we speak about why it’s about time that we reinvent the way we find, buy and reuse furniture and why best businesses are created and made stronger out of a downturn. If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to share it with a friend.

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E.52 How to navigate a company through economically difficult times as a CEO with Lana Wittig

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 06:00:00 +0200

Lana Wittig is a true Berliner born in Wedding, she grew up in Tegel. Lana started her career in the music industry and has been responsible for artist management and music marketing since 2006. In 2021 Lana took over as the CEO of the media company called EDITION F, a digital home for strong women and their friends. In this episode, we speak about Lana’s upbringing and how she overcame fear of not having enough financial security, overruling that fear with values and purpose. With the recent insolvency announcement at EDITION F, we also talk about how it’s like to navigate a company through economically difficult times as a CEO. We hope you can learn a lot in today’s episode and make sure you subscribe to our newsletter via waa.berlin.

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E.51 Understanding how traditional and decentralized finance can be bridged with Jessica Holzbach

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 06 Sep 2022 06:00:00 +0200

Right after graduation Jessica Holzbach worked as a digital strategy consultant for banks and insurance companies. Quite quickly she realized that traditional banking is not innovative enough. At this moment Jessica decided to not wait any longer and took the initiative in her own hands. She founded Penta in 2017 with the goal of building a bank that offers a user friendly product and a great customer experience. 4.5 years later she stepped down from renowned and successful company Penta to take on a new challenge and launch - Pile Capital, a Crypto-as-a-service company that is giving access to DeFi products for startups and neobanks. Today we speak about Jessica’s journey as a serial founder, fundraising in the times of economic downturn and how traditional and decentralized finance can be bridged. Enjoy the episode and make sure to sign up for our newsletter via the website waa.berlin.

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E.50 Unlocking the nomadic life and discovering diversity in Dubai with Vera Futorjanski

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 23 Aug 2022 06:00:00 +0200

Vera Futorjanski came to the Middle East back in 2015 as a founder at Rocket Internet. She has been leading global communications at The Dubai Future Foundation launched by the office of the Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and was the Director of Innovation at 500Global. Today Vera is the founder of a global strategic advisory firm, Veritas Ventures and is currently building a supportive community for women. Alongside learning about the startup landscape in Dubai, in this episode we really wanted to hear about Vera’s upbringing, how she was continuously seeking “otherness” and diversity in her life. Vera shared about her past as a professional dancer and how she had to get back on her feet a couple of times in her life. We hope you enjoy today’s conversation. At Women Authors of Achievement we launched our monthly newsletter, so make sure to sign up for that via waa.berlin.

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E.49 Building financial independence and living the dream with Cloudy Zakrocki

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 06:00:00 +0200

In Germany, she is known as the expert for all things digital media and her name is Cloudy Zakrocki. Up until 2021, Cloudy was the Vice President for International Content & Brand Strategy at Refinery29, she was also the Editor in Chief of German INTERVIEW Magazine and LesMads, the first and leading fashion blog in Germany. Today she is the founder of the interior brand HAND IN HAND and co-founder of creative agencies MIKADO CULTURE and ONLY GOOD PEOPLE. We talk about her year of saying yes to life experiences, how she built her financial independence to live the dreams, and what authenticity is in today's digital world. Grab a lemonade and enjoy this episode. If you want to follow the latest news on Women Authors of Achievement, sign up for our newsletter via waa.berlin.

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E.48 Unlocking new ways of rewarding communities via Web3 with Katia Yakovleva

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 06:00:00 +0200

From a no-name startup to a post-IPO industry giant, Katia Yakovleva joined Spotify back in 2009 as one of the first sales executives. She built out advertising sales both in Spain and Germany and was leading strategic accounts, generating millions of revenue for the company over the years. Today Katia is wearing many hats. She is the Co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer at Beyond, angel investor and a podcast host. In this episode we speak about her wild ride at Spotify, her mission to share her experience and industry network with founders, and how Web3 opens a whole new world of possibilities to create, grow and reward communities. Join us for today’s conversation and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter via waa.berlin/#newsletter.

E.47 Attracting talent by offering inclusive fertility benefits with Jenny Saft

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 06:00:00 +0200

In 2019 Jenny Saft turned 32. With no partner and no desire to have kids anytime soon she decided to freeze her eggs. But the issues started to arise even before she found a fertility clinic. Long story short, this experience encouraged her to kick off her own startup called Apryl. According to Apryl, in Germany over 50% of women with academic education do not have kids at age of 35. And it's been Jenny’s mission to educate companies on the huge social challenges infertility may bring. Today we also speak about Jenny’s time working closely with the management board at Deutsche Telekom, her life in San Francisco and how she is planning to build more inclusive workplaces in Europe. If you don’t want to miss out on the next episode release, then sign up to our newsletter on waa.berlin.

E.46 On society, racial justice and self-identification with Constanze Osei

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 28 Jun 2022 06:00:00 +0200

From the German Bundestag to the tech giant Meta. Constanze Osei started her career in politics later on heading the department of economic and innovation policy at the Germany’s digital association Bitkom. Today she is the Head of Society & Innovation Policy at Meta (previously Facebook). We speak about racial justice, explore self-identification and discover the interplay between technology advancements and impact it has on our society. If you want to move things, you have to move people, so join me for today’s conversion to learn how Constanze is making a difference with her work. And if you enjoyed the episode, take a few moments and leave a review.

E.45 On the creator economy with Jennifer Phan

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 06:00:00 +0200

Are you an everyday creator? Then this episode is for you. Together with Jennifer Phan we discover the creator economy and how side-hustlers are developing the passion economy of the future. Jennifer herself left the VC world back in 2021 to build Passionfroot, an operating system that helps creators manage their financing and workflows in one place. In this episode, we speak about why Jennifer is passionate about empowering people to work and live on their own terms and how creators can get into angel investing. If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate the show on Spotfiy. We really love reading your comments.

E.44 What is takes to build an organic beauty brand with Stephanie Dettmann

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 31 May 2022 06:00:00 +0200

After studying communications and business, Stephanie Dettmann started her advertising career in 1998 at the well-known creative agency Jung von Matt. She worked with lifestyle brands such as Sixt, Mini, BMW, Ferrero and many more. Then came a change in her life as she switched to the beauty industry and co-founded organic beauty label UND GRETEL. We speak about how she selected her first business partners and built the company brand from scratch. Stephanie also shares the key success ingredient behind building a beauty label in a highly competitive cosmetic market. When you feel like you want to learn more about the show, find us on instagram at @waa.berlin.

E.43 Turning brands into pop culture icons with Dora Osinde

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 17 May 2022 06:00:00 +0200

Dora Osinde is the Global Chief Creative Officer at Granny, a creative agency with a mission to turn entertainment brands into pop culture icons. Five years before joining Granny, Dora worked as the Global Creative Marketer at Netflix where she took the DACH Netflix socials from zero to +1M followers and was later in charge of running global marketing campaigns for Netflix Originals such as DARK (DACH), Elite (ES), Quicksand (SE) and Blood & Water (SA). We speak about her times at Netflix, her plans at Granny, trends in social media marketing and why successful marketing has to be thought of as social first. If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to leave us a review.

E.42 Why SpaceTech needs courageous and humble leaders with Maru Winnacker

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 03 May 2022 06:00:00 +0200

Let’s talk about SpaceTech with my guest Maru Winnacker, who is driven by the mission to build a better world by backing up founders she truly believes in. Maru is an Entrepreneur and the Managing Partner at Urania Ventures, a French-German private investment firm committed to back scientific breakthrough technology founders who strive to serve humanity for the better. Today we speak about the importance of principles and values, how entrepreneurship embodies independence and why Europe needs to bring back courage and boldness into the startup ecosystem. Don’t want to miss out on the next episode release? Follow the show on waa.berlin.

E.41 Lead today, shape tomorrow with Nina Wöss and Lisa-Marie Fassl

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 06:00:00 +0200

It’s the first time on the WAA show we get to welcome two guests: Nina Wöss and Lisa-Marie Fassl. Both have extensive background in the startup scene as investors, founders and advisors. In 2016 they founded Female Founders, Europe’s fastest-growing community of entrepreneurial women, where they solve the two biggest pain points in the European tech ecosystem – access to funding for female-led ventures and growing visibility of female talent. We speak about why Austria is gaining reputation as a hub for female start-up founders and how you can lead today in order to shape tomorrow. When you feel like you want to learn more about the show - find us on instagram at @waa.berlin.

E.40 How to win an investor on the Lion’s Den show with Aimie-Sarah Carstensen

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 06:00:00 +0200

In 2016 Aimie-Sarah Carstensen founded ArtNight, a platform for in person "Do-It-Yourself" experiences - with the aim of inspiring people to break their daily routines and experience creative flows. Today along with her personal journey to finding her passion for creativity, we speak about her experience participating in The Lion's Den and why she is mentoring teenagers across Germany on the topic of entrepreneurship. Let’s learn how to activate our own creative powers with Aimie-Sarah and don’t forget to subscribe to the show on waa.berlin.

E.39 Building a community for underrepresented founders with Deborah Choi

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 22 Mar 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Deborah Choi is the Managing Director and Chief Brand Officer at Bosque, a technology-enabled direct to consumer plant business which focuses on selling sustainably grown houseplants. She is also the Managing Director at Founderland, the first European hub for women of color, built on the pillars of community, visibility and better access to capital for underrepresented founders. In today’s episode Deborah shares how she received funding from Google twice in a row and how to thrive in situations even when you have to start from scratch.

E.38 Dismantling patriarchal structures in foreign policy with Kristina Lunz

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 08 Mar 2022 06:00:00 +0100

“No Peace without feminism” is the core message of my guest today. Kristina Lunz is the Co-Founder of the Centre for Feminist Foreign Policy, a research, advocacy, and consulting organization founded in the UK in 2016. Kristina is a human rights activist and former advisor to the German Foreign Office. And today she is challenging the status quo in the foreign policy sphere. In this episode we discuss educational inequality in Germany, as she shares her personal story of being a working class child from a village to Oxford graduate and we speak about her latest book “The Future of Foreign Policy is Feminist". If want to learn more about the show - find us on instagram at @waa.berlin.

E.37 Learning about business culture in Japan with Chika Yamamoto

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Tokyo, Helsinki, London and New York - my guest today Chika Yamamoto has been building her career as a product manager, before founding her own company CROSSBIE where she supports startup alliances between Japan and Europe. In today's episode we take a journey into the business world of Japan. Together with Chika we explore how a business can expand into the Japanese market and how a perfect partnership between Tokyo and Berlin looks like.

E.36 Why girls just want to have funds with Katy Campbell

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 08 Feb 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Katy Campbell, known as the Beyoncé of Business, is a two-time founder, has worked at Zalando, Rocket Internet, APX and Porsche leading venture development, investment and branding teams. Today she is the Director of Organisational Strategy at Parity Technologies. A company which is building a blockchain infrastructure for the decentralized web, where Katy is attracting and retaining the best global talent. In this episode we speak about her metaverse, NFT projects and why she swapped Berlin for Paris. Don’t want to miss out on the next episode release? Subscribe to the show!

E.35 Running a multimillion family business with Angela De Giacomo

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 06:00:00 +0100

A German tax advisor by training, Angela De Giacomo has been building a career well beyond the expected. Until recently she has been running the multimillion Indian-American Bissell Family Office, where she managed family wealth and invested in startups based in India. Today she is the Managing Director of WunderNova, an organization which hosts annual events, here in Berlin, with the most sought after female speakers. In today’s episode I asked Angela about her main learnings from her time working in India and how to invite life-changing encounters into your life.

E.34 How AI helps us live better lives with Nicole Büttner

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 11 Jan 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Today we speak to entrepreneur, economist and tech optimist Nicole Büttner. Nicole is the founder of Merantix Labs, where she is working on solutions to enable companies to unlock the value of Artificial Intelligence across all industries. She believes AI has the potential to create a positive impact on individuals, businesses and society. Where people can rediscover what is the essence of being human in part thanks to Artificial Intelligence. In today’s episode we speak about her political career, Renaissance of Humanity, and how companies can plan and prepare for integrating AI.

E.33 Tackling the climate crisis with Lubomila Jordanova

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 28 Dec 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Lubomila Jordanova is one of the most influential founders in the European GreenTech landscape. She is the Co-Founder and CEO of Plan A, a Berlin-based startup developing an end-to-end platform that enables companies to measure, monitor and reduce their environmental footprint. In today's episode we understand the difference between carbon-neutral and climate positive, we learn about the European Green Deal and how Lubomila started her journey on fighting climate change.

E.32 Identity solutions in FinTech with Delia König

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Delia König is the Managing Director of the Identity Unit at the FinTech company Solarisbank. Solarisbank is the first Banking-as-a-Service platform with a full banking license that enables B2B services. In today’s episode we break down how to build cutting edge products in banking and why a good KYC process will win you customers. You probably also want to know how to grow into a Managing Director role within 2 years working at a company, let today’s episode reveal the truth.

E.31 Gut microflora & female wellness with Chanyu Xu

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 06:00:00 +0100

"You are what you eat" with these words we are starting Season 2 of Women Authors of Achievement Podcast! Women's health, beauty and wellness is a growing multi-billion market. My guest today Chanyu Xu has 10 years of experience as a startup founder and with her latest venture she is aiming to help working women with everything from gut and skin health to essential vitamins. In today’s episode I asked Chanyu about her secret source of energy as a founder of 5 startups, how we can support our gut microflora and the state of dietary supplements in the European market.

E.30 Making the future tangible through design with Shruti Ramiah

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 16 Nov 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Shruti Ramiah is an interaction designer and design researcher. As the Head of Design at Zalando, she leads a team called The Studio that focuses on making the near future tangible through design. Prior to Zalando, Shruti led user research and product design at N26, worked in strategic design consulting with IDEO and did UX design for Nokia. In this episode you will learn how to run a proper design research, how to form collaborative work around product design and how to build products that appeal to a wide range of customers. Don’t want to miss out on the next episode release? Subscribe to the show on waa.berlin.

E. 29 Energy-centric coaching with Claudia Lambrichs-Lindenbergh

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 06:00:00 +0100

How do leaders regain their sense of balance and clarity, when they have to face challenges inside rapidly scaling organizations they work at? They talk to Claudia Lambrichs-Lindenbergh who is an energy-centric leadership coach. Claudia applies a holistic approach that combines four energy levels: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Entrepreneurs, Founders, Investors, and C-level executives need to find the right path towards achieving their personal and business goals. Are you someone on the list? Then listen carefully to my fruitful conversation with Claudia and join the community of like-minded people on instagram page @waa.berlin.

E.28 Challenging fashion’s status quo with Anita Tillmann

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 06:00:00 +0200

Anita Tillmann is one of the very first people to advocate for Berlin to become a widely recognized design and fashion hub. In 2002 she kick-started Premium Group, a trade fair concept that has changed the exhibition landscape forever. In 2005 she put forward a blueprint which set the foundation of the Berlin Fashion Week. Today Anita is once again challenging the status quo and is the leading force behind the very new Frankfurt Fashion Week. This unexpected and bold move we will discuss in today’s episode, along with Anita’s path to becoming one of the most influential people in the German fashion industry. Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere else where you listen to your podcasts.

E.27 Financial freedom through real estate with Maya Miteva

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 05 Oct 2021 06:00:00 +0200

Real estate is her great passion - whether corporate or private. For the last 20 years, Maya Miteva has worked with the top level decision makers in real estate such as Vonovia, Centerscape and Summit Real Estate. She owns private real estate in various German cities and abroad. The financial security and stability of these investments, give her the freedom to live her dreams. In today's episode we spoke about her latest initiative Happy Immo Club. Maya is on the mission to give women the knowledge and courage to invest in real estate, helping them generate passive income. Check out my conversation with Maya Miteva and make sure to subscribe to the show via waa.berlin.

E.26 Fighting textile waste with Alina Bassi

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 21 Sep 2021 06:00:00 +0200

Less is more dear listeners. You don't need too many new outfits and follow every single trend out there. This is the motto of my guest Alina Bassi, a chemical engineer who turned entrepreneur with a passion for sustainability. With seven years of experience designing and building factories that turn waste into energy and biofuels, she decided to start her own venture, Kleiderly, to tackle the issue of textile waste. It’s time that we roll up our sleeves and help Alina on her mission to lower the carbon footprint and save tonnes of CO2 emissions. How? Hear today’s conversation. Don’t want to miss out on the next episode release? Subscribe to the show on waa.berlin.

E.25 Making mental healthcare accessible with Farina Schurzfeld

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 06:00:00 +0200

Back in 2016 Farina Schurzfeld founded Selfapy, Germany's leading online therapy platform offering effective and immediate support to people dealing with depression, burnout, anxiety and other mental health disorders. From growth expert and business developer to founder and social entrepreneur. Today we discover modern therapy, the benefits of online mental health platforms and how people can face their struggles, seeking professional help timely.

E.24 Scaling organizations in times of change with Noor van Boven

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 06:00:00 +0200

As the former Chief People Officer at N26 and VP People at SoundCloud, Noor has scaled organization during times of extreme growth and constant change. She is globally recognized for her track record in building leaders of tomorrow and high performing teams. Today we speak about her life changing events, career gap years, secrets behind leadership and much much more! This episode is here to portrait a woman who is an author of her own achievements - Noor van Boven.

E.23 Growing a climate-conscious business with Hannah Wickes

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 06:00:00 +0200

Hannah Wickes is the Chief Marketing Officer at Ecosia, a search engine that plants trees - brilliant as that! Together with her team she is reinforcing Ecosia’s position as a pioneering social business that has funded planting of more than 125 million trees worldwide. Today we speak about greenwashing, ethical marketing strategy and green-centric business development. If you are still not offsetting your carbon footprint as a business, in this episode Hannah will explain how you can be more climate conscious as a company starting today.

E.22 Democratizing the healthcare industry with Sophie Chung

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 06:00:00 +0200

On a mission to empower patients worldwide, back in 2015 Sophie Chung founded Qunomedical, which stands for accessible healthcare for everyone - no matter who they are and where they are based. Today you will learn about the interplay between Western and Eastern medicine, why travel tourism is perceived negatively and how we as a society can put humanity at the heart of the healthcare industry. For a regular supply of knowledge from some of the most interesting women living in Berlin make sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to your Podcasts. Enjoy!

E.21 Redefining the media industry with Jeannine Koch

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 06:00:00 +0200

In the past three years Jeannine was running the renowned Berlin based conference re:publica that enabled discussions around social transformation, culture, politics and technology. Today she is the CEO of media:net Berlin Brandenburg e.V. – the corporate network of media, creative and digital industries in the capital region. In today's episode we speak about how East German origin influenced Jeannine's approach to life, how networking and events are being reshaped and what the future has in store for Berlin!

E.20 Building a people-centric work culture with Vanessa Stock

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 29 Jun 2021 06:00:00 +0200

Vanessa is the VP of People and a Co-Founder at Pitch which is changing how presentations are crafted and knowledge is shared. Before joining Pitch, she was the HR Director at health startup Clue and also was part of Wunderlist, where she helped hire and built the core team. Vanessa Stock is one of Berlin’s key voices on conversations around leadership, people management and how to build successful distributed teams - and this is just the tip of the Iceberg of today's conversation. If you found lots of food for thought in today's episode, make sure to give us 5 stars!

E.19 The power of persuasion with Erin Grueber

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 06:00:00 +0200

Erin joined Google in 2011 as a project manager for the Government Affairs & Public Policy team and some years later Erin found her dream job with the Google for Startups team. She now leads programs for startups in the DACH region, with a strong focus on supporting underrepresented founders. In this episode we speak about making bold decisions in life without looking back and the power of persuasion. Enjoy today's episode with Erin Grueber and make sure to follow us on Instagram @waa.berlin.

E.18 Disrupting the banking industry with Kristina Walcker-Mayer

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 06:00:00 +0200

Kristina is bringing over 11 years of experience to her current role as CEO & CPO at Nuri (formerly Bitwala). After the radical rebranding, Nuri stands for the New Reality Banking, where you can invest in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Before joining Nuri, Kristina was leading product teams at N26 and Zalando during their hyper-growth stages. In this episode we speak about the new banking narrative, where banks educate customers on making better financial decisions and guide you on how to invest and save for the future. Join me for today's conversation with Kristina Walcker-Mayer and learn about her unique path to becoming one of the most sought after digital leaders in Germany.

E.17 Making your brand stand out with Claire Davidson

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 25 May 2021 06:00:00 +0200

Claire has worked in marketing and branding for 20 years. Whether founding her own e-commerce company Urbanara or working to develop brands for some of Berlin's biggest growth startups such as GetYourGuide and TaxFix, Claire is passionate about brand, entrepreneurship and about driving more women in tech leadership. If you want to learn how to build the right branding strategy for your company then this episode with Claire Davidson is for you. And make sure to subscribe for your weekly supply of knowledge.

E.16 Investing in doers over strategists with Judith Dada

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 18 May 2021 06:00:00 +0200

Previously at Facebook Judith managed European marketing strategy for Amazon and a Venture Capital Initiative. Today she is a General Partner at La Famiglia, a European seed stage venture capital fund investing into B2B technology companies that enable and disrupt large industries. Join me for today's conversation with Judith Dada and learn how to scout best founders and set your investment strategy right for the years to come! And if you enjoyed the episode leave us a review - we love reading those.

E.15 From Haute couture to sustainability with Claudia Bothe

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 11 May 2021 06:00:00 +0200

Claudia knows the fashion industry inside out. She worked with some of the best known designers - Vivienne Westwood, Hussein Chalayan and Isabel Marant. We spoke about Berlin finding its own fashion identity, the future of the industry and where uprising designers should focus on educating themselves before stepping into this vibrant world. Learn why Claudia is focusing on Slow Fashion and Responsible Manufacturing with her very own Berlin based brand La Bande Berlin. And if you enjoyed today's episode - feel free to share your feedback with us via hello@waa.berlin.

E.14 Tech in the world of sports with Fee Beyer

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 04 May 2021 06:00:00 +0200

Today I had the privilege to welcome Fee, a former swimmer and ambitious athlete, who found her unique path by trusting her gut feeling and following her passion for sports, technologies and performance. Fee has more than ten years of experience in scouting and marketing new technologies. In 2017 she founded her own SportsTech company and since then advises sports clubs, coaches and athletes on tech solutions. In today’s episode you will learn everything about SportsTech and which gadgets you can apply in your everyday life to improve sleep, nutrition, injury prevention and performance. Let’s get healthy with Fee Beyer!

E.13 Infusing beauty into your business with Monika Jiang

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 27 Apr 2021 06:00:00 +0200

Monika is the Head of Content and Community at the House of Beautiful Business, a global platform with the aim to make humans more human and business more beautiful. In this episode we spoke about the future of networks of communities and how to sustain emotional intelligence and compassion towards other people in today's world. You will learn how businesses can become creators of their own communities by fostering experiences around the company brand and the rising problem of echo chambers in niche communities. Reimagine the future in this episode with Monika Jiang and make sure to follow our instagram page @waa.berlin.

E.12 The power of having two hearts with Gülsah Wilke

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 20 Apr 2021 06:00:00 +0200

Gülsah is the Head of Portfolio and Operations at Axel Springer, Europe's leading digital publisher active in more than 40 countries. Gülsah speaks with pride about her family heritage as she learned to balance her German and Turkish hearts. She is also the Co-Founder of the Two Hearts Tech Community that empowers talents with a migration background in Germany. In this episode you will learn how to strengthen your leadership position, how to fight for the equal pay gap as a company and individual and why negotiation is king, or queen if you will! Join me for today’s conversation with Gülsah Wilke, a woman who is an author of her own achievements and don’t forget to subscribe!

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E.11 CBD & skincare science with Laura Simonow

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 13 Apr 2021 06:00:00 +0200

Laura has always been torn between the world of science and research, and the world of art and creativity. She found her balance as the Co-Founder at “This Place Organics” where she develops functional skin care products that contain CBD and other natural ingredients. She explained the end-to-end process of how she develops each product by researching every single ingredient and finalizing the formulas, to the final packaging and branding. In this episode you will learn the facts and myths around CBD, how is it different from cannabis and how it can improve mental wellbeing based on numerous research data.

E.10 Becoming an architect of talent with Anna Ott

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 06 Apr 2021 06:00:00 +0200

Anna is the architect of talent and Human Resources influencer with more than two decades of experience in HR. Today Anna is a Vice President of People at HV Capital, one of the leading early and growth stage funds in Europe. She works with over 70 startups helping with organisational design, decisions around when to hire which talent, how to prepare for growth and build a healthy organization. In this episode you will learn how the HR industry evolved in the last years, the HRTech landscape, where should you focus when upskilling yourself and how to make timely decisions in your professional life.

E.09 Mental health & psychedelics with Anne Philippi

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 30 Mar 2021 06:00:00 +0200

Anne’s life story is one of a kind. As a former journalist at Vogue, Vanity Fair and GQ she wrote about Hollywood’s glamorous side as she interviewed rock stars and famous actors. Hollywood is a place where “new ideas meet least resistance” and where ghosts still wander along the Sunset Boulevard. In 2019 Anne made a drastic shift in her career and founded the New Health Club, a lifestyle platform for mental wellness and psychedelics. On this episode expect nothing less but a full deep dive into the world of magic mushrooms. Anne and I spoke about the renaissance of psychedelics and how it reinvents modern medicine. Let’s kick off this magical conversation with Anne Philippi and don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review.

E.08 Genomics in healthcare with Wilhelmina Jewell Sparks

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 06:00:00 +0100

In today’s episode I got to interview Jewell Sparks, a woman of many virtues and the first scientist joining me in the studio. With the motto: “Innovation comes from collaboration” she is scouting startups and building ventures at Bithouse Group and United17 Ventures. We spoke of her journey as a scientist and the importance for scientists to acquire a voice and presence in the world of business. In this episode you will hear Jewell’s take on genomics, what role it plays in healthcare and disease prevention and the significance of inclusive datasets. Join me for today’s conversation with Jewell Sparks and make sure to leave a review!

E.07 Communication in times of crisis with Sigrid Osterrieth

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Sigrid Osterrieth worked in a handful of Swedish Embassies across the world, later starting her communications career at trivago and leading Public Relations at companies like Zalando and trafi. Today she is the Senior Director of Communications, Diversity and Inclusion at Delivery Hero, the world's biggest food ordering service that has even bigger plans ahead. In this episode you will learn how to position a company as a market leader, handle communications in times of crisis and become friends with the German media.

E.06 Fostering financial independence with Andrea Fernandez

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 06:00:00 +0100

From Wall Street to Berlin, from Private Banking and Equity Research to founding Alice, a startup that offers education and intuitive tools that guide women towards achieving their saving and investing goals. In today's episode I spoke to Andrea Fernandez about financial literacy and education and why habits will help you create your financial independence. Andrea is on the mission to build tools that are honest, jargon-free and that create equal financial opportunities for all. From this conversation you will learn how you should plan your savings, approach investing and build wealth. So with that, let’s learn how to grow your passion for finance in my conversation with Andrea Fernandez.

E.05 Product managers that excel with Georgie Smallwood

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Georgies career has been one of constant hyper-growth. From scaling Australia’s biggest marketplace at REA Group, transforming teams and business models in Hong Kong, then going with a successful IPO with Scout 24 in Germany, and leading the N26 product for over 2 years. Today Georgie is Chief Product Officer at Tier, Europe’s leading provider of micro-mobility with a mission to change mobility for good. In this episode, you will learn how Georgie transforms organizations from early-stage into scalable, global businesses and why she is passionate about working in particular with companies of Series C stage. You will find out what every product manager should have in their toolbox to succeed in their role, as Georgie breaks down the formula behind three types of product managers.

E.04 Entrepreneurship & perfecting your pitch with Gesa Miczaika

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 06:00:00 +0100

How do you transition into Venture Capital, become a Business Angel and start your own Capital Firm? Well, I was lucky to ask my dear guest Gesa Miczaika all those questions and much more. In this episode she explained to me why she prefers investing into startups with sustainable growth over exponential growth, as well as what is her investing strategy for this year. As a board member of the German Startup Association she helps build a more diverse and inclusive founder support foundation. We broke down important steps for the first-time founders and milestones of their founding journey that should never be neglected.

E.03 Growing social media in the music industry with Kelley Franklin

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 16 Feb 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Before calling Berlin her home, Kelley Franklin mingled with the creative scene - artists, musicians and DJs back in New York and London. She is the frontrunner of social media marketing, started her way all the way back in 2010 helping an independent record label build their brand and bootstrapped her own booking agency. In Berlin for two years she was building up social media strategy and brand for banking-tech unicorn N26, one of Germany’s largest startups. Today she is working at Universal Music, this time, the world’s biggest music company, where she leads the international marketing department. In this episode you will get to know the do’s and don'ts of personal branding, where the music industry is heading and why FinTech still has her heart.

E.02 Balancing career & motherhood with Delphine Mousseau

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Delphine Mousseau is a non-executive Director at Fnac-Darty, Member Of The Board Of Advisors at Decathlon and Flaconi, she consults companies and a mother of 4 children. Yes, this all is possible with some special insights Delphine shared with me on this episode. As a former Vice President of Markets at Zalando she shared her customer success stories and how to map a market launch. And most importantly why attention to detail is your secret key to results as a leader. Not only is she a fierce supporter of diversity and leads several initiatives to empower women, she is actively helping women become board members of well known companies. Want to learn more about this? Join me for this episode’s conversation with Delphine Mousseau.

E.01 Championing underrepresented communities with Catherine Bischoff

Daria Suvorova-Konstandin — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 08:00:00 +0100

The show is recorded in Germany’s most thriving city Berlin, and for the very first episode I was lucky to have Catherine Bischoff. She has experience working in France, Canada and the United States and yet you would call her a true Berliner as she experienced the city in depth in the last decade. 3 years ago Catherine joined Factory Berlin as a Chief Relationship Officer. She has been working with founders, investors, academics and other stakeholders to develop programs for Germany’s fast-changing global economy. In this episode you will learn what it means to be a CRO and hear Catherine’s advice on what it takes to become a successful founder.