Leah Farmer returned from her Christmas break to find herself inexplicably viewed as an outsider—a shift that led her to question her role, her relationships with her colleagues, and what she truly wanted.

In this episode, Leah shares her journey from accounting to a successful career as a product leader at some of the world’s top companies. In this episode, Leah opens up about the painful realization that it was time to leave a job she loved (sound familiar?). She shares how that experience lead her to Google—a step she thought would be her redemption, only to find that the path to fulfillment is rarely a straight line.

We explore the difficult balance between wanting to give it your all and knowing when to go, and the emotional turmoil that follows when you decide it’s time to move on. Leah’s story is a powerful reminder to always ask for what you need—and to never let someone else’s opinion dictate your worth.

About Leah Farmer:

Leah Farmer is a professional coach, product leader, and advocate for well-being in the tech industry. With over 25 years of experience working in startups, scale-ups, and big tech, Leah has held executive roles like VP of Product and CPTO. She is now focused on coaching and mentoring leaders and teams to prevent burnout, improve communication, and build better culture for product growth. Leah is passionate about helping individuals thrive, combining her expertise in product management, leadership, and personal development to create lasting impact.

Key Lessons:

* Ask Boldly for What You Need: Leah’s story reminds us that we can’t assume others know what we need. Sometimes, asking is the only way forward.

* Pursue What Lights You Up: Leah’s journey shows us the power of embracing your strengths and actively seeking roles that excite and challenge you.

* Leave on Your Own Terms: Staying until you’ve given it everything can offer closure, but don’t stay so long that it starts breaking you.

* Lead with Humanity: She reminds us that true leadership goes beyond technical skills—connecting with your team on a human level is just as crucial for success.

* Process the Grief: Even if you’re ready to go, leaving a beloved job brings grief. Give yourself space to process it and move on with a clear mind.

Episode Notes:

[00:00] - Introduction and Maricella’s Updates

[04:35] - Early Career Aspirations

[05:24] - Transition to Product Management

[08:12] - Experience at Amazon

[10:44] - Leaving Amazon and Lessons Learned

[14:56] - Chasing Curiosity in Career

[24:00] - Moving to Europe and Klarna

[25:04] - Startup Experience in Berlin

[29:22] - The Breaking Point

[30:33] - Leaving the Boss, Not the Team

[35:27] - The Slow Burn of Decision Making

[37:13] - The Exhaustion Sets In

[41:49] - A Brief Stint at Google

[48:10] - Embracing Coaching

[51:30] - Finding Meaning in Coaching

[55:29] - Advice to My Past Self

Do you ever feel that creeping sense of dread on Sunday afternoon, knowing Monday is just around the corner? What if that feeling extended beyond Sundays—what if it filled your whole week? Would you have the courage to walk away, or would you stay, hoping things will improve? My guest today asked herself these very hard questions.

In today’s episode, I chat with Suguna Chunduri, a thought leader, advocate, nonprofit founder and generally great human being. Suguna walked away from a successful career in big pharma and healthcare, deciding to find out what truly brings her joy. Together, we explore how to stop, reassess, and make changes that honor who you really are, not just who you think you should be.

If you’ve ever felt like a square peg in a round hole, or found yourself checking all the boxes but still feeling unfulfilled, this conversation will resonate. Suguna’s journey of self-discovery, her search for “fit,” and her willingness to ask the hard questions inspired me to rethink my own priorities. You’ll hear about the importance of finding your tribe, whether that’s your family, friends, or colleagues, and the powerful role they play in helping you reclaim your confidence and happiness.

Key Lessons:

* The Power of Fit: Identifying when a role or environment doesn’t align with your values and strengths—and finding the courage to move on.

* Building a Support System: Why family, friends, and mentors are essential to overcoming self-doubt and making meaningful changes.

* Regaining Confidence: Strategies for letting go of negative beliefs and rebuilding your confidence when it’s been shaken by external pressures.

* Finding What Makes You Happy: Steps you can take today to rediscover what truly brings you joy, outside of societal expectations.

About Suguna Chunduri:

Suguna Chunduri is a distinguished thought leader and speaker who passionately advocates for education, innovation and accessibility in healthcare globally. Through her work, she promotes cultural education and insights that inspire and transform communities.

As an accomplished global executive, Suguna boasts over 20 years of leadership experience in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and multinational corporations. She has demonstrated remarkable success in achieving sustained and unprecedented growth across diverse U.S. markets. Suguna excels in P&L leadership, general management, market access, and product launches, consistently driving superior outcomes.

Renowned for her ability to lead cross-cultural teams, Suguna has a proven track record of creating patient-centric programs, forging strategic alliances, and managing medical affairs across various therapeutic areas on a global scale. Her expertise and strategic vision have been instrumental in transforming healthcare landscapes.

Suguna is also distinguished for her thought leadership, serving on various boards, engaging in public speaking, and providing advisory roles. She is a champion of strategic partnerships, patient advocacy, and engagement, continuously striving to improve healthcare outcomes and foster a more inclusive and ethical industry.

Episode Notes:

[00:00] - Introduction and Personal Journey

[02:31] - The Struggle with Job Fit

[04:43] - Personal Reflections and Family Support

[14:35] - The Importance of Managerial Relationships

[29:31] - Strengthening the Empathy Muscle

[30:37] - Embracing Authenticity in Leadership

[31:53] - The Confidence of Age

[33:01] - Self-Discovery and Personal Growth

[34:16] - Living for Yourself

[35:35] - Navigating Career Transitions

[37:11] - Rediscovering Passion and Purpose

[39:06] - The Power of Positive Relationships

[40:52] - Making Difficult Decisions

[42:55] - Reflecting on Personal Well-being

[53:23] - Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Sh*t Curly Hair Is My Canvas

In this episode, I sit down with Nicolle Lemonds, an incredibly talented hair colorist known for her expertise in working with curls (even if she doesn't have curls herself). After walking into a curly hair salon almost 14 years ago, Nicolle knew she’d found her calling and never looked back. For Nicolle, her work isn’t about having the same experience as her clients; it’s about understanding the power of individuality and helping others bring out their uniqueness.

Nicolle shares how she turned her passion for color and creativity into a thriving career that goes beyond styling—she’s passionate about changing societal beauty standards one curl at a time. We discuss her journey from working in malls in the south to becoming a sought-after colorist in NYC, overcoming client skepticism, building a successful brand on Instagram, and eventually launching her own business after more than a decade in a single salon.

This episode is more than just a discussion about hair and career journey — it’s about identity, community and the freedom that comes with self-acceptance.

Follow Nicolle on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/NicolleLovesCurls/

Key lessons learned:

* How embracing what makes you unique can build confidence and authenticity in both personal and professional life.

* The power of empathy in building connections, even when your experiences differ from others.

* Why creativity, whether through your appearance or career, is a powerful form of self-expression.

* Practical advice on navigating change and uncertainty when taking bold steps or reinventing yourself.

Episode Notes

[00:00] - Introduction and Life Updates

[05:21] - Nicolle's Career Journey

[09:53] - The Importance of Education and Support

[17:05] - Moving to New York and Career Growth

[23:47] - Challenges and Triumphs in the Salon

[29:16] - Embracing Inclusivity in the Curly Hair Movement

[33:50] - Empathy and Emotional Labor in Hairdressing

[40:31] - Building a Personal Brand

[43:34] - Transition to Entrepreneurship

[46:01] - Challenges During COVID-19

[52:01] - Deciding to Go Solo

[56:46] - The Power of Social Media

[01:01:49] - Future Aspirations

[01:05:49] - Conclusion and Final Thoughts