Dr. Tondi Mondoloka on Legacy, Vulnerability, and Thriving in Flux

Back in our PhD days at The Chicago School, (now Dr.) Tondi Mondoloka and I first crossed paths in lively online discussion boards, then cemented the connection during our program’s inaugural weekend residency. That spark ignited a friendship still shaping both of our journeys. In this episode of Past the Profile we retrace that journey from late-night data coding marathons to career pivots and bold creative leaps, exploring how to honor a legacy, reconcile past and present, and move with courage when everything feels in flux. In this episode you’ll hear: How two doctoral students became “anchor friends” who cheered each other across the finish line then and continue to support each other years later. Tondi’s take on showing vulnerability at work and online, and why she’s doubling down on LinkedIn and launching a Substack. Lessons from the historic Mann Gulch fire on decision-making under pressure and why hindsight bias still trips us up. How systems thinking, risk management, and a “curiosity first” mindset (thanks, Mom!) guide Tondi’s consulting lens. Practical advice for professionals and organizations navigating layoffs, flux, and the fast-arriving future of work. Connect with Tondi LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/tondi-mondoloka/ Substack → https://tondimondoloka.substack.com/ Speaking & consulting → http://www.tondimondoloka.com/