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, Mark Rampolla pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to leave the comfort of corporate life and build a business—and a life—on your own terms.

He shares the unfiltered truth about dancing with bankruptcy, rediscovering purpose, and learning that freedom isn’t a future milestone but a present-moment choice.

Together, we explore how self-awareness, curiosity, and intentional living can transform not just your work, but your entire relationship with leadership.

Mark’s journey from Zico Coconut Water to becoming an investor reveals the mindset shifts that separate leaders who feel trapped from those who feel truly liberated.

If you’re ready to rethink success and design a life you don’t need an escape from, this conversation is exactly what you’ve been needing.

You can find Mark Rampolla at the links below

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/marksrampolla/
• https://www.markrampolla.co/

In the interview, Mark shares

• “Freedom doesn’t show up after the exit—it begins the moment you choose differently.”
• “Leaving corporate wasn’t a leap of logic for me; it was a leap of self-respect.”
• “Entrepreneurship isn’t about a perfect idea—it’s about a relentless desire for autonomy.”
• “Everything changed when I stopped filling my calendar and started aligning it with who I wanted to become.”
• “Success without self-awareness is just another form of imprisonment.”
• “You don’t build freedom in the future—you build it in the choices you make right now.”
• “Corporate life taught me efficiency; entrepreneurship taught me who I really am.”
• “If you’re not curious, you’re not growing—and if you’re not growing, you’re not free.”
• “The biggest risk I took wasn’t leaving my job—it was learning to trust myself.”
• “Leadership is simply choosing—again and again—to live aligned with your values, not your fears.”

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, Hanim Dogan Jain takes you on a journey from humble beginnings across two cultures to building a multimillion-dollar company grounded in purpose, grit, and heart.

She breaks down the difference between self-confidence and self-worth—and why most leaders mix the two up at their own expense.

You’ll hear how embracing her roots, trusting her inner voice, and leading with authenticity reshaped not just her career, but her entire identity.

Hanim also opens up about blending spirituality with business, and why inner peace might just be your most underrated leadership advantage.

If you’ve ever questioned your value, your path, or what leadership really demands, this conversation will recharge you and challenge you in all the right ways.

You can find Hanim Dogan Jain at the links below

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/hanim-doganjain/
• https://pa-capitalpartners.com/

In the interview, Hanim shares

• “Self-confidence comes from what you achieve; self-worth comes from who you already are.”
• “Leadership isn’t a title—it’s the courage to show up as your truest self.”
• “Growing up between two cultures didn’t divide me; it expanded my empathy and strengthened my identity.”
• “Education is the one asset no one can take from you—my father called it a ‘golden bracelet,’ and he was right.”
• “Entrepreneurship, at its best, isn’t about money—it’s about uplifting communities and contributing to something bigger.”
• “Authenticity and vulnerability aren’t weaknesses; they are the real engines of power in leadership.”
• “I didn’t build a multimillion-dollar company because I had everything—only because I believed I could create something meaningful.”
• “Balancing spirituality and business isn’t a contradiction; it’s the key to leading from a place of inner peace.”
• “Female founders don’t need permission—they need equitable opportunities and a system that finally sees them.”
• “True leadership begins the moment you stop waiting for external validation and start trusting your inner worth.”

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, Tom Alexander flips the script on what modern leadership really demands, showing why the old “command-and-control” playbook keeps failing today’s workforce.

We dive into the mindset shift leaders must make if they want to build organizations where people feel energized, purposeful, and proud of the work they do.

Tom shares hard-earned wisdom from moving between government, entrepreneurship, and fatherhood—and how those experiences shaped his belief that action beats perfection every time.

You’ll hear why optimism is a practical leadership tool, not a fluffy one, and how embracing uncertainty can actually unlock your team’s potential.

If you’re ready to lead with more courage, clarity, and heart, this conversation will give you the spark you’ve been looking for.

You can find Tom Alexander at the links below

• https://www.holisticindex.com/
• tom@holisticindex.com.

In the interview, Tom shares

• “Leadership isn’t a title—it’s a choice we make every single day.”
• “Environments change, industries change, but the heart of great leadership never does.”
• “People don’t just want a job anymore—they want their work to matter.”
• “Uncertainty isn’t an excuse for inaction. Leaders move even when the path isn’t crystal clear.”
• “Sustainable cultures are built when leaders balance organizational goals with genuine care for people.”
• “Optimism isn’t fluffy—it’s a strategic advantage in a world that won’t stop shifting.”
• “Adaptability is no longer optional. The faster the world moves, the calmer leaders must become.”
• “Remote work proved something big: when you trust people, they almost always rise to the occasion.”
• “Sometimes leadership is as simple as seeing right and wrong with the clarity of a child—and acting on it.”
• “Human potential is the greatest asset in any organization; the boldest leaders design everything around it.”