This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

What does it take to leave behind a legacy business and redefine success on your own terms?

In this episode, Kahraman Yigit—co-founder and CEO of Olive Hospitality—shares his bold journey from Turkey to India, navigating culture shifts, economic crises, and rapid innovation.

We dive into his philosophy of leadership, why empowering others is the real mark of success, and how personal passions fuel professional vision.

Whether you're building a startup or leading a team, Kahraman’s story offers practical insights on resilience, reinvention, and staying grounded while growing big.

Tune in to discover how choosing leadership—every day—can unlock possibilities you didn’t know existed.

You can find Kahraman Yigit at the below links

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/kahraman-yigit-68110a24/
• https://www.instagram.com/kahraman_yigit/

In the interview, Kahraman shares

• "True leadership begins the moment you choose to step out of a predetermined path and forge your own."
• "At just 13, Kahraman embraced discomfort, moving abroad alone—a bold first step toward the leader he would become."
• "Crises don’t crush visionaries—they fuel them. Kahraman built opportunity out of economic chaos."
• "Leadership isn’t about control—it’s about making yourself replaceable and lifting others up."
• "Moving to India wasn't just a business decision—it was a leap of faith rooted in long-term vision."
• "You can’t grow a business on copy-paste leadership. Kahraman tailors growth paths to individual strengths."
• "From real estate in Turkey to reimagining hospitality in India, Kahraman's journey is a lesson in adaptability."
• "Olive Hospitality's rise shows how global thinking paired with local insight creates market-leading innovation."
• "Leadership thrives where creativity and business intersect—Kahraman’s passions for aviation and photography keep his perspective fresh."
• "Choosing leadership is not a one-time decision. It’s a daily act of courage, curiosity, and conscious choice."

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

In this soulful episode of Choosing Leadership, Zach Smith, founder and CEO of Anywhere, shares how a chance meeting in Costa Rica sparked a global movement rooted in meaningful travel and authentic connection.

Together with host Sumit Gupta, they unpack how travel—when done with intention—can catalyze profound personal growth and cultural understanding.

Zach opens up about leading through crisis, staying true to his values during the pandemic, and redefining success beyond transactions.

This conversation is a must-listen for any leader who feels the tension between scaling a business and staying aligned with their deeper purpose.

If you're craving a leadership journey that nourishes your soul as much as your goals, this episode will leave you inspired and reconnected.

You can find Zach Smith at the below links

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/anywhereincceo/
• https://www.anywhere.com/

In the interview, Zach shares

• “Connection—especially through new cultures and places—can spark powerful inner growth.”
• “We’re not just building a travel company. We’re curating soulful experiences that change people.”
• “Leadership is choosing purpose and connection over comfort and convenience.”
• “Our story started with a chance encounter in Costa Rica. What followed was a decades-long journey of intentional creation.”
• “Even when borders closed during the pandemic, our commitment to values kept us open—open to adapt, grow, and serve.”
• “We’re not here to sell travel. We’re here to change the way people experience the world.”
• “True leadership isn’t about shouting louder—it’s about embodying your values when it matters most.”
• “The future of travel is not about ticking boxes. It’s about meaningful moments that connect us to something greater.”
• “Trust, authenticity, and intention—those are the currencies that matter in business and in life.”
• “This episode is a reminder that choosing leadership means making bold choices that align with your soul—not just your strategy.”

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

What drives someone to keep building after 14 years of wins and failures?

In this candid conversation, serial entrepreneur Jonne Välilä shares how he went from selling skateboards in Finland to running 20+ brands and a hedge fund in Dubai—all while staying grounded, honest, and ambitious.

You'll hear his take on stress, cultural adaptation, and the mindset shifts that help leaders thrive in uncertain terrain.

If you're wrestling with pressure, imposter syndrome, or the constant chase for “more,” this episode will feel like a deep exhale.

Tune in for a refreshingly real take on leadership, risk, and what it truly means to play the long game.

You can find Jonne Välilä at the below links

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonne-valila/
• https://www.wealthrone.com/

In the interview, Jonne shares

• "Entrepreneurship is a cycle—start, stumble, learn, grow, repeat."
• "In Finland, I studied entrepreneurship; in Dubai, I lived it."
• "Most things in business—and life—aren’t worth the stress we give them."
• "I’d rather be painfully honest than politely misunderstood."
• "It’s not just about success—it’s about the feeling of becoming successful."
• "Failures don’t define your story—they sharpen your strategy."
• "Dubai pushes you forward without pushing you down."
• "Risk is essential—as long as it’s you taking it, not your clients or investors."
• "Transparency builds trust. And trust builds everything else."
• "Leadership is a choice. So is the courage to keep choosing it every day."

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

What does it really take to lead in the climate tech space—beyond the buzzwords and boardrooms?

In this candid conversation, Steven Meersman, co-founder of Zenobi Energy, shares how he went from resisting entrepreneurship to leading a company that's transforming energy infrastructure across 11 countries.

You’ll hear hard-won lessons on scaling with purpose, building a culture of ownership, and navigating the messy middle of leadership.

Steven’s insights on balancing innovation with financial viability are gold for any leader trying to do work that actually matters.

If you’re building something bold and want to stay grounded while growing fast, this episode is for you.

You can find Steven Meersman at the below links

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevencgmeersman/
• https://www.zenobe.com/

In the interview, Steven shares

• “Leadership is a pendulum—you don’t want perfect balance, you want movement. Knowing when to push back is key.”
• “We don’t just hire startup veterans—we hire passionate people who care deeply about our mission. Ownership can be taught.”
• “If sustainability isn’t financially viable, it won’t scale. Our job is to make green solutions make business sense.”
• “My journey into entrepreneurship was reluctant at first, but purpose pulled me in—climate tech gave me a reason to build.”
• “Lessons from oil and gas—like managing risk and optimizing cost—are surprisingly useful when scaling clean tech.”
• “I don’t make decisions based on labels. I look at the opportunity, the timing, and the impact we can make.”
• “A good leader supports without micromanaging and communicates without creating silos.”
• “We’re solving the first mile, the last mile, and everything in between to make renewable energy work at scale.”
• “We’ve repurposed EV batteries to replace diesel generators—real innovation happens where the grid doesn’t reach.”
• “Culture isn’t just values on a wall—it’s what people do when no one’s looking. That’s what drives innovation.”

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

What does it really mean to lead with purpose in a world that’s constantly pulling us toward profit and performance?

In this inspiring conversation, Saasha Celestial-One—co-founder and COO of Olio—shares how she’s tackling food waste while staying grounded in mission, sustainability, and conscious leadership.

From building a globally recognized app to not buying new clothes for over a decade, Saasha’s choices challenge the status quo and invite us to rethink our own.

We explore how vulnerability, emotional energy, and authentic partnerships shape bold leadership.

If you're navigating growth while trying to stay true to your values, this episode is a must-listen.

You can find Saasha Celestial-One at the below links

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/saasha-celestial-one-929390/
• https://olioapp.com/en/

In the interview, Saasha shares

• "Leadership is a choice—and I choose to lead with purpose, not just profit."
• "Every transaction is a vote for the kind of world we want to live in."
• "Starting Olio wasn’t just about food waste—it was about reimagining our relationship with the planet."
• "The highs and lows of entrepreneurship are real—but so is the power of resilience."
• "I haven’t bought new clothes in 13 years. Sustainability starts with small, personal decisions."
• "Building a startup is like a marriage—you need shared values, mutual respect, and a whole lot of patience."
• "Creativity without structure is chaos; structure without creativity is lifeless. You need both to lead."
• "Vulnerability and authenticity aren't weaknesses—they're leadership superpowers."
• "Scaling globally means working with—not against—regulations, and seeing them as tools for impact."
• "We all have the power to create change. Start with what’s on your plate—and what you choose to waste."

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

What does it really take to walk away from a stable global career and build something from the ground up?

In this episode, Anant Agarwal, CEO of Skill Mine, shares the raw emotional journey of choosing leadership and stepping into entrepreneurship with courage and conviction.

From growing up surrounded by business conversations to building a tech company that aims to serve the world, Anant’s story is packed with insight and inspiration.

He talks about the weight of starting over, the power of frugality, and how he nurtures leadership within his team.

Tune in for an honest, energizing conversation that will challenge you to dream bigger and lead with intention.

You can find Anant Agarwal at the below links

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/agrawalanant/
• https://skill-mine.com/

In the interview, Anant shares

• "Choosing leadership is not a role—it's a decision, driven by dreams too big to ignore."
• "Leaving a secure global career wasn’t easy, but I realized—if not now, then when?" – Anant Agarwal
• "Business wasn’t just a subject in school—it was dinner table conversation in my family."
• "You can’t build something new while clinging to the comforts of the old."
• "Frugality is not about scarcity—it’s about intelligent resourcefulness."
• "When you lead with purpose, your team stops being employees and starts becoming ambassadors."
• "We’re not just building for India—we’re building in India, for the world."
• "The hardest part of entrepreneurship? Leaving behind people who only knew the professional version of me."
• "Innovation happens when failure isn’t punished—it’s studied and celebrated."
• "Choosing leadership is a daily act—it’s not about titles, it’s about responsibility and courage."

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

In this episode of Choosing Leadership, Jason Foster, CEO of ORI Biotech, shares how he's reshaping the future of healthcare by leading with purpose, not just profit.

From Capitol Hill to health tech, his journey is packed with lessons on building culture, navigating chaos, and staying grounded in a mission that truly matters.

We explore why autonomy without alignment can derail a startup, and how fairness and psychological safety drive innovation more than perks ever could.

If you're a leader trying to build something that lasts—especially in a fast-moving industry—this conversation will challenge how you think about compensation, culture, and impact.

Tune in for real talk, bold ideas, and leadership wisdom you won’t find in a textbook.

You can find Jason Foster at the below links

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncfoster/
• https://oribiotech.com/connect

In the interview, Jason shares

• "Culture eats structure for breakfast—if you don’t build it intentionally, it builds itself by accident."
• "We don’t use carrot-and-stick compensation. We aim for fairness, transparency, and intrinsic motivation."
• "Innovation doesn’t happen in chaos. You need clarity, rhythm, and alignment—even in a startup."
• "Autonomy is powerful, but without shared purpose and regular check-ins, it becomes a recipe for misalignment."
• "We’re not here just to build a company—we're here to change how people access lifesaving therapies around the world."
• "Leadership is less about control and more about removing obstacles so your team can do their best work."
• "Healthcare today is reactive. What we need is a proactive, tech-enabled system that serves people before they get sick."
• "Bringing business thinking into public policy could be the key to fixing broken healthcare systems globally."
• "You can’t scale a mission like ours without scaling trust, transparency, and psychological safety."
• "I’m here to mentor, support, and build the next wave of health tech leaders—let’s connect."

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

In this episode, Jonathan Brun—Founder and CEO of mnemonic—shares what it really takes to build a company that lasts.

Far from the glamorized startup hustle, Jonathan’s journey is a masterclass in patience, consistency, and values-driven leadership.

He opens up about competing with giants as a bootstrapped founder, navigating compliance in a changing world, and why true impact means thinking beyond profits.

Whether you’re scaling a business or leading a team, this conversation will challenge you to rethink your definition of success.

Tune in to discover why playing the long game might just be your greatest leadership advantage.

You can find Jonathan Brun at the below links

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanbrun/
• https://nimonik.com/contact-us/usa/

In the interview, Jonathan shares

• "Success isn’t always fast or flashy—sometimes, it’s about quietly showing up for years and playing the long game."
• "We didn’t start mnemonic with a grand plan for compliance—it grew out of curiosity, grit, and a willingness to learn."
• "Real growth comes from consistency. Like Arctic explorers, we set goals every two months and march forward, no matter the weather."
• "Being bootstrapped means being bold—we’ve built a business that competes with giants, one smart decision at a time."
• "Leadership isn’t about ego or titles—it’s about serving something bigger than yourself, even when no one’s watching."
• "I’m more inspired by Gandhi than billionaires. Building something meaningful matters more than building wealth."
• "AI may be the future, but values, process, and human insight will always be part of smart compliance."
• "We turned an old consulting database into a thriving B2B SaaS company. Not magic—just patience, mistakes, and iteration."
• "Business is a long game. If you want to create impact, build like you’ll be around for 50 years."
• "Compliance may sound boring—but done right, it saves lives, prevents disasters, and protects what matters."