EP 126: Culture Lives in Biology — Presence, Pressure, and Leadership with Hanna Curman

In this episode of Thriving in Intersectionality, Dr. Lola Adeyemo sits down with Hanna Curman to explore how identity, lived experience, biology, and leadership intersect—especially under pressure. Hanna shares how her own journey was shaped by family history, entrepreneurship, creativity, motherhood, and years of working in male-dominated corporate environments. She reflects on what it meant to feel like an outsider, the cost of trying to fit into systems that were not built around her natural way of thinking, and how those experiences shaped the work she does today. Through this conversation, we learn more about her intersections and leadership journey, and we also explore a bit of Hanna’s work—BrainShift, nervous system regulation, and the idea that culture is not just strategy—it is biology in action. A central theme in this episode is presence under pressure. What happens when leaders operate from survival mode? How does pressure shape communication, decision-making, and culture? And what becomes possible when leaders learn to notice their own internal signals before reacting? Hanna offers a powerful reminder that leadership is not only about performance or strategy. It is also about presence, self-awareness, trust, and the ability to lead from a regulated place. What You’ll Hear in This Episode How family history, entrepreneurship, and creativity shaped Hanna’s leadership lens What it feels like to be an outsider in a male-dominated corporate environment Why survival mode shows up so often in workplace culture The connection between nervous system regulation and leadership behavior Why culture is not just strategy—but biology in action How trust, values, and presence shape leadership impact Why leaders often carry shame, guilt, and pressure beneath the surface A simple breathing reset for leaders who feel overwhelmed or reactive How Hanna’s lived experiences continue to shape her coaching and consulting work About the Guest Hanna Curman is an international speaker, founder of BrainShift, certified in brain-based coaching, and an author on leadership and mental health. Her work helps leaders and organizations understand how pressure, nervous system regulation, and behavior shape transformation, culture, and sustainable performance. Connect with her on LinkedIn HERE. About the Podcast Thriving in Intersectionality explores how identity, lived experience, and leadership intersect in today’s workplace. Through thoughtful conversations, Dr. Lola Adeyemo invites leaders to reflect on how their layered identities shape how they navigate, lead, and create impact. Connect with her on LinkedIn HERE. If This Episode Resonated • Share it with a colleague or leader • Leave a review to help others discover the show • Continue the reflection on Substack for a deeper dive Interested in being a guest? Please fill out your details, and we will reach out if there is a fit.   Send us Fan MailSupport the showThank you for listening to Thriving in Intersectionality with Dr. Lola Adeyemo.This podcast explores how identity, lived experience, and leadership intersect in today's workplace and beyond. Through conversations with leaders, founders, educators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers, we uncover stories and insights that help people thrive across the many intersections of their lives.💬 Have a thought about this episode? Send a Fan Mail message directly through Buzzsprout. I'd love to hear what resonated with you.❤️ If you find value in these conversations, consider becoming a supporter of the show. Your support helps us continue amplifying diverse voices, meaningful stories, and leadership insights from across industries and experiences.⭐ Follow, share, rate, and review the podcast to help others discover these conversations.📬 Continue the conversation - read the companion reflections on Substack🌍 Immigrants and first-generation professionals can join our free community at:www.immigrantsincorporate.orgConnect with Host Dr. Lola Adeyemo on LinkedIn.Keep thriving in your intersections. Your story matters.