Sh*t I Wanted Redemption

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 

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit maricellaherrera.substack.com