Past the Profile

Host Liz Sweigart and Ema Bryant first connected through Liz’s writing on mental health—a message from Ema’s father turned into a friendship that has spanned continents, countless conversations, and a shared commitment to honesty about the hard parts of healing. In this deeply personal episode of Past the Profile, Ema—radiographer, healthcare professional, and self-described “work in progress”—opens up about her journey with depression and anxiety, the lessons learned in therapy, and how compassion and faith ground her work in patient care. She and Liz talk about the weight of invisible struggles, the courage it takes to keep showing up, and what it means to measure success by persistence, not perfection. Highlights How it began: the blog post that connected two people on opposite sides of the world through words that made them both feel less alone. Healing in healthcare: how Ema found purpose and empathy in radiography—and what her patients teach her daily. The “jerk brain” paradox: learning that mental health challenges don’t cancel gratitude or privilege. Self-care, real talk: ADHD, imposter syndrome, and redefining “the bare minimum” as a form of rest. Future self: the wisdom in taking life a week at a time—and remembering that just being here is a victory.

Host Liz Sweigart first met Maya Zuckerman through the Holochain / Holo project before teaming up again on Visvere. In this episode of Past the Profile, Maya traces her journey from product and operations manager to ecosystem architect. She and Liz explore why culture hacking beats disruption, how regenerative principles can be embedded into technology from the start, and what it means to move from extraction to reciprocity in both business and community. Highlights From film to futures → how early work in digital media opened a path to regenerative tech and organizational design. Collective storytelling → why the stories we share become the scaffolding for movements and markets. Regenerative lens → embedding reciprocity, diversity, and resilience into systems instead of treating them as afterthoughts. Scaling trust → tools and governance that let communities grow without losing cohesion. Bridging disciplines → what Maya has learned moving between entertainment, tech, and grassroots movements.

A three-chapter history connects host Liz Sweigart and Hilary Turner: dorm-mates at Rice University’s Wiess College, a wedding cameo years later, and—most meaningfully—a 2016 Facebook message that turned into miles and miles around the Rice loop. One Saturday run became a standing ritual, international half-marathons, and a friendship built on mutual encouragement and just the right amount of stubbornness. In this Past the Profile episode, Hilary—editor-turned-MBA-turned-librarian-in-training—traces her path from New York publishing (Wiley, Penguin) to UT Austin student services to tech marketing… and finally into the library and information world she now calls home (MSLS program, practicum with Georgetown’s business library, and a joyful plunge into the American Library Association community). She and Liz talk about making friends as adults, introvert–extrovert dynamics, the upside of social media serendipity, and why it’s okay to arrive by the scenic route. Highlights The running years: frozen water fountains, international races (Edinburgh, Dublin), and how “enforced bonding” turns miles into trust. Career throughlines: editing, research, and helping people—threads that made librarianship click in midlife. Finding your people: discovering community among librarians and information pros (and showing up as your full self). Making friends as adults: why it’s hard, why it’s worth it, and how a small “yes” can change everything. Joy cameos: Murder, She Wrote, The Golden Girls, and Orson the rescue “chi-poodle” who brings effervescence to every room.

A vulnerable LinkedIn post about mental health first connected host Liz Sweigart and Claire Skillen. One cold DM turned into a long phone call—and a friendship built on systems thinking, honest reflection, and a shared belief that people belong at the center of every process. In this Past the Profile episode, Claire—newly appointed President & CEO of Planet-Based Foods Global (PBFG)—traces a pivot from “food products” to food systems: vertical gardens and drying units (PBF Tech), direct-trade supply chains, and community-first operations aimed at climate adaptation and food security. She and Liz dig into leading publicly while learning out loud and the everyday practices that make reflection possible when the calendar won’t slow down. Highlights “Food alone isn’t enough” → why PBFG is becoming a holding company focused on resilient, human-centered systems. Safer spaces vs. safe spaces → normalizing mistakes, modeling vulnerability, and using trust to let ideas bloom. Bridging tasks to purpose → connecting a single tech profile or spreadsheet to water savings, farmer impact, and portfolio choices. Boundaries & energy audits → what to say no to and five-minute resets (breathwork, journaling, water). Measures of success → teams that speak up, align work to their own goals, and make space to integrate learnings.

Host Liz Sweigart and Dritton Jemmalay met more than a decade ago serving energy clients across time zones—she in Houston, he in Brisbane—before finally connecting in person at a Shanghai conference. The friendship has since spanned continents, careers, and now kids. In this episode of Past the Profile, Dritton—global tax and structuring consultant and founder of the independent professional services firm TP Benchmark—reflects on becoming a husband and father, relocating to London to support his surgeon wife’s fellowship, and choosing a family-first operating system at home and at work. He and Liz explore an “early midlife” wake-up, the books and mindset that shifted him from black-and-white to shades of grey, and how team sports taught him to take feedback, learn from losses, and keep going. Highlights Parenting as mirror — Modeling the behaviors you hope your kids will adopt. Values → culture — Building a remote team across NZ, US, UAE, Italy, and Australia where the culture flows from strongly aligned values. Mistakes as teachers — The family mantra: “Mistakes are OK… as long as we learn from them.” From hyper-rational to human — How self-study and reflection reframed work, empathy, and the inner critic. Sport → leadership — Thick skin, honest feedback, and winning as a team rather than 11 superstars. Life-season strategy — Treating tradeoffs as temporary, and why this season is about time with his daughters.

Introduced by a mutual friend at the Oslo Freedom Forum, host Liz Sweigart and Torbjørn “T-Bear” Fyrvik bonded over the nuts and bolts of movement-building. What began as a hallway chat became an ongoing exchange about practical tools, generous mentorship, and the real human limits of doing hard things for a long time. In this episode of Past the Profile, Torbjørn—Norwegian activist now based in Berlin—traces a path from climate street actions to designing infrastructure for grassroots groups. He and Liz unpack why Catalyst is “more than a CRM,” how community and know-how compound across campaigns, and what sustainable activism looks like when you admit it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Highlights Catalyst, beyond “just a CRM” — events, onboarding, delegation, fundraising, plus a knowledge-sharing community for grassroots best practices. Proof in the numbers — moving supporter-to-activist conversion from ~2–3% toward ~10% inside member orgs. Origins of a worldview — witnessing stark inequality in Rio as a teen; teaching English in the favela; early “utopia” talks with friends. Roles, not archetypes — broadening “activist” to include builders, mentors, fundraisers, and caregivers—because movements need every role. The balance question — recognizing burnout signals; choosing rest, relationships, climbing, and long-run sustainability. What’s next for Catalyst — expanding beyond climate to other movements and growing the community offering alongside the tool.

A vulnerable LinkedIn post about mental health first connected host Liz Sweigart and Steven Lewis. One unexpected DM turned into hours of conversation—and a friendship that’s thrived across years and screens (they still haven’t met in person). In this episode of Past the Profile, Steven—former corporate general counsel, filmmaker, and creator of the interview series Heroes Have Heroes—traces how a tough season and two life-line podcasts inspired a new kind of filmed conversation: beautifully shot, psychologically safe, and centered on the people who shaped us. He and Liz unpack what it takes to earn genuine openness on camera, why “my words, my story” beats glossy mythmaking, and how Series (i.e., Season, for the Americans) One’s response lit the path to what’s next. Highlights Origin of Heroes—designing a filmed format where guests speak candidly about formative people and moments, then read letters to their heroes. Safety by design—from researcher prep to on-set care, how the team creates space for authenticity (and why the host sometimes cries off-mic). No one-note episodes—each conversation has a distinct tone; the common thread is honesty over image. Evolving “hero”—from parents and coaches to institutions and influences; support systems matter as much as inspiration. What’s next—partnering with streamers/broadcasters for long-form, brand partners for short-form, and a guest wishlist that spans major musicians to film stars.

A chain of introductions brought host Liz Sweigart and Mary Camacho together at DWeb Camp, where a quick hello became hours of “problem-solving joy.” In this episode of Past the Profile, Mary, a longtime decentralized-tech operator, host of the Terms of Service podcast, and now founder of Cirdia, traces how a Fitbit on her wrist and a privacy gut-check turned into a company: privacy-first wellness wearables built for real people (starting with women 45+) who refuse to be “sold out” by their devices. She and Liz dive into why Cirdia incorporated as a public benefit corporation, how governance (not just privacy) is the hard problem, and what rapid market testing taught them about notifications, form factors, and dignity by design. Highlights From crypto debates to Cirdia: why health/wellness data should remain sovereign to the person—shared only by explicit choice. Governance matters: PBC incorporation now; a future community/employee ownership path to avoid the “sell to a platform” trap. Research first: 1,200+ survey responses in 30 days; women 45+ want devices that look good, don’t nag, and don’t leak data. Meaningful notifications: the mother/daughter/aging-parent reality—get the right signals on your wrist without living on your phone. Context that changed the stakes: menstrual-app lawsuits, DNA data on the auction block, and why “privacy is normal.” What’s next: Cirdia’s angel round and a waitlist ahead of the February launch. Other stuff mentioned in this episode: Rabble's Revolution.Social inaugural podcast episode with Jack Dorsey My dissertation (and the Tl;dr version) Holochain Visvere

This short episode explains that Liz delayed the usual Tuesday release of Past The Profile to give guest Mary Camacho time to launch the investor website for her new venture, Cirdia. In her brief commentary, Liz reflects on artificial deadlines, the pressure of expectations, and choosing self-compassion and flexibility over rigid consistency. Check back on Thursday for the full interview--it's chock full of insight, humor, and warmth.

Host Liz Sweigart had known Ellen Bird for exactly 24 hours when they pressed “record.” Their catalyst? A mutual mentor—Dr. John Reed—who sensed instant resonance between Liz’s organizational-psych lens and Ellen’s gift for spotting people’s unique “Youness.” In this episode of Past the Profile, Ellen—the founder of Eunice, a “people-success” consultancy—replays her zig-zag path from emerging-media strategist to Google recruiting leader to coach who helps job-seekers and teams make work suck less. Together they explore why human-first, market-second positioning beats keyword chasing, how COVID “microwaved” some workplace changes and “pressure-cooked” others, and why the tiny word you may be the greatest asset in any career pivot. Highlights Youness = superpower — helping clients unearth the vibe everyone else already feels and translate it into strategic stories. Human-first, market-second — positioning yourself before scanning demand so agency stays in your hands. AI as tool, not threat — how transparent prompts can draft résumés once you’ve clarified your north-star narrative. Job-hunt triad — clear positioning → human-plus-computer-friendly content → sustainable search systems.

Host Liz Sweigart met Elaine Duncan several years ago after Liz posted a vulnerable mental-health reflection on LinkedIn. Elaine—moved by the post—sent a cold DM of gratitude. One phone call (no video, just listening) sparked a friendship rooted in deep conversation, shared writing classes, and mutual permission to shed every professional mask. In this Past the Profile episode, Elaine—writer, consultant, and author-in-progress of the memoir Mercy—revisits that first call and traces her long journey from corporate over-achiever to mountain-top writer exploring complex trauma, mid-life ADHD diagnosis, and psychedelic healing. She and Liz discuss how writing allows her not to abandon herself, how women’s careers often mirror unhealed childhood scripts, and the practical next steps she’s taking to land a literary agent for a story that hasn’t been told: the psychological impact of mega-adoption on biological children. Highlights Writing as self-rescue — journaling and memoir draft-after-draft turned rage into compassion for her mother and herself. Diagnosis in midlife — how CPTSD + ADHD reframed decades of depression loops and people-pleasing. Sacred practice — ceremonial breathwork, plant medicine, and woodland solitude that “let the book write itself.” Mercy & forgiveness — discovering that compassion for parents (and their parents) is the hinge of inter-generational healing. What she needs now — introductions to literary agents who champion extraordinary, research-backed memoir; panels or podcasts on adoption, trauma, or women’s mid-life awakenings. Connect with Elaine Duncan Medium → https://medium.com/@eduncanbc Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/elainetduncan/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/elaine-duncan-a9a6126/ Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/eleibsohn

Host Liz Sweigart first met Parsa on a winding Jeep ride to DWeb Camp. What started as small talk from the back seat turned into an enduring friendship grounded in vulnerability, candid conversations about identity, and a shared love of Persian food. This episode of Past the Profile is intentionally raw—no edits, no polished silence—because the story deserves to breathe. Parsa traces his journey from queer teen poet in Shiraz to U.S. boarding-school student, college humanities major, and now budding human-centered tech entrepreneur. Along the way he unpacks the grief of family separation, the gift of metamorphosis, and why embracing agency is an everyday act when the lower rungs of Maslow’s hierarchy are still in flux. Highlights Sixteen and solo – leaving Iran for an arts high school on a California mountaintop and learning English from Friends reruns. Culture as experiment – how each relocation (Idyllwild, Baltimore, DWeb Camp) revealed new facets of America—and of himself. Resilience costs – the hidden toll of “making it” when basic safety nets (family, money, legal certainty) are missing. Entrepreneurial moon-shot – why Parsa sees start-up culture as his best path to agency and impact, and what guidance he’s seeking now. Home defined – a promise to be buried in Shiraz and a dream of sharing tea there with Liz someday. Support Parsa’s next steps GoFundMe → https://gofund.me/2f0c511a

A viral LinkedIn post on mental health first linked host Liz Sweigart with Zurich-based entrepreneur Aladár Tepelea. One direct message became a video call, which blossomed into years of idea-swapping (and friend-level concierge introductions) across time zones. In this #PastTheProfile episode, Aladár—co-founder of Mindset Technologies and Allindex—charts his journey from strategic associate inside big corporates to serial founder obsessed with tech that elevates human awareness. He and Liz explore why resonance beats simple relevance when networking, how eye-tracking AI can reveal cognitive load in real time, and why his moon-shot dream is “A World in Harmony.” Highlights Corporate to start-up – leaving board rooms behind to build fast, experimental ventures that solve real problems. Resonance vs. relevance – asking “What’s your dream?” to broker introductions that spark authentic, long-term value. Mindset Technologies – pairing neuroscience with eye-tracking hardware to coach high-pressure performers on focus and recovery. Allindex – a tool that lets investors filter portfolios by values, themes, or AI-boosted signals—in minutes, not months. Data literacy before sovereignty – why teaching people how data works is the first guard-rail to ethical tech. World in Harmony – his systems-level vision: applying harmonic principles from music and nature to politics, business, and daily life.

Host Liz Sweigart first met Brussels-based coach Chris Rawden when a thoughtful LinkedIn comment turned into a video call—and then into a pandemic-era pen-pal friendship. Their bi-monthly check-ins became a safe rehearsal room to practice coaching skills, swap leadership puzzles, and compare parenting notes across the Atlantic. In this #PastTheProfile episode, Chris—founder of Live Your Performance and a lifelong musician—traces his path from cornet soloist and youth-orchestra tours to advising senior accountants, lawyers, and international executives. He and Liz explore how musical training maps to business life, why “start where people are” beats pushing them where you wish they’d be, and how leaders can transform stage fright into authentic connection. Highlights Practice as strategy – what daily scales, micro-goals, and concert prep taught Chris about disciplined business planning. Energy at the door – choosing the vibe you bring into a meeting and watching mirror neurons do the rest. Confidence vs. survival – helping technically brilliant leaders enjoy presentations instead of just getting through them. International nuance – respectful curiosity, clear agreements, and the art of asking before assuming across cultures. What's next – A preview of Chris' upcoming small-group program: coaching cohorts on “living, not surviving” high-stakes moments.

Host Liz Sweigart sits down with Dr. Joanie Connell—electrical-engineer-turned-consulting-psychologist, founder of Flexible Work Solutions, and newly elected President of the Society of Consulting Psychology. Joanie traces her journey from Silicon Valley circuit boards to advising tech leaders on human-centric innovation. Together they explore why critical thinking is the best guardrail for AI, how affiliative humor defuses tension, and what it means to make work better for people and people better for work. Highlights How snowy Boston winters nudged Connell toward California Discovering psychology as a way to bridge the engineer–human gap. Why properly stewarded technology—and clear organizational guardrails—determine whether AI becomes utopia, dystopia, or something in-between. Destigmatizing humor at work: laughing with people, never at them, and using levity to open hard conversations. “Make workplaces healthier and help humans thrive there”—Connell’s twin mission for executives and organizations. What’s next: drafting a chapter on potential AI futures and stepping into SCP’s presidential Trio to champion consulting psychology on a larger stage.

This week, host Liz Sweigart is joined by Dr. Daniel Lattimore — stand-up-comic-turned-consulting-psychologist and Community Domain Leader for the Society of Consulting Psychology. Daniel, the founder of Omiyo Consulting, traces his arc from bombing a college open-mic to integrating affiliative humor and improv principles into executive coaching. He and Liz unpack why leaders often feel like “Superman alone on stage,” how moments of laughter can create psychological safety, and why he’s happiest switching between front-of-room “leader” and supportive “first follower” roles. Highlights How a failed stand-up set nudged Daniel toward psychology — and showed him comedy’s deeper therapeutic power. What sitcoms like Friends and Seinfeld taught international students (and now executives) about belonging. Destigmatizing humor at work: using jokes to ease tension, not dismiss it, and timing laughter to open hard conversations. The “leader ↔ follower” dance: when to cast a vision, when to amplify someone else’s, and how community multiplies impact. An invitation to leaders who value connection: Daniel's offer to brainstorm creative, cost-effective ways to support people and cultures.

Walks and talks at the 2022 APA Convention in Minneapolis sealed the friendship between host Liz Sweigart and Shannon Jennings, PsyD, LMHC. Now, they sit down together to explore how their connection and collaboration has grown over the last few years. In this episode of Past the Profile, Shannon, a therapist-turned-facilitator, strategic-doing champion, and self-described super connector, revisits that serendipitous beginning and unpacks how her “everything, everywhere, all at once” brain helps leaders tame messy, adaptive problems. She and Liz explore translating deep psychology into business value, the magic of micro-commitments, and why uncertainty is Shannon’s favorite playground. Highlights How a house-share at APA led to walks, vulnerability, and a standing-room-only coaching workshop the next year. Why Shannon believes micro-commitments are the secret to momentum — whether you’re launching a network or rebuilding a fitness habit. A primer on Strategic Doing: agile strategy + appreciative inquiry + psychological safety for complex, networked challenges. Bridging the gap between mental-health science and organizational life — helping CEOs lead the “whole selves” they invite to work. What’s next: publishing her ideas publicly and training more change-makers to use Strategic Doing for systems impact.

A mutual mentor, Dr. John Reed, once told host Liz Sweigart: “You have to meet Mira.” Minutes into their first call, Liz and Dr. Mira Brancu were jumping from quantum physics to organizational power structures. A lasting friendship was born. In this episode of Past the Profile, Mira (founder & CEO of Towerscope) retraces her journey from arriving in the United States from Romania as a young girl to psychologist, author, and architect of a new Leadership Academy for mid-level managers in resource-strapped sectors. She and Liz swap stories about mentorship seeds that sprout years later, the difference between resilience and resourcefulness, and why “having choice” is the ultimate form of power. Highlights How escaping a communist dictatorship and learning English on playgrounds fueled Brancu’s scrappy, systems-level worldview. The “cockroach resilience” mindset she brings to writing, entrepreneurship, and social-impact work. How her next book, tentatively titled Enough Is (Never) Enough, tackles the knot of gender, leadership identity, and achievement culture. Lessons from prototyping the Towerscope Leadership Academy: blending community support with bite-size hard-skill content. A call for mid-career “organizational misfits,” women in STEM/healthcare/academia, and mission-aligned partners to co-create the next phase.

A chance Hacker Hall conversation at DWeb Camp — sparked by the words “Holochain” and “Nostr” — pulled host Liz Sweigart into conversation with technologist-activist Daveed Benjamin. Within hours, they were mapping constellations of human knowledge and scheming how to weave deeper context and connection into the fabric of the Internet. In this episode of Past the Profile, Daveed (co-author of The Metaweb: The Next Level of the Internet and catalyst behind the Meta-Layer Initiative) traces the path from local-energy advocate to architect of a web where everyone can link, label, and share context. He and Liz explore why our data should serve us, how “bridges” can replace one-way links, and what it takes to crowd-draft the next layer of the Internet before June 30, 2025. Highlights How seeing the Web’s “dots without lines” led Daveed to design two-way bridges that anyone, not just site owners, can draw between pages. Why he believes personal data, properly stewarded, will eclipse homes and cars as our most valuable asset. A primer on the Trivium (knowledge → understanding → wisdom) and why today’s Internet gets stuck at Step 1. The MetaLayer submission assistant (“Bridgit”) that turns germs of ideas or favorite links into formal proposals for the next-gen Web. An open invitation to mid-2025’s first white-paper sprint: drafting the “Desirable Properties of a MetaLayer" as suggested by Vint Cerf.

Host Liz Sweigart met Dr. Sunni Lampasso during a pandemic-era phone call arranged by a mutual colleague at the Society of Consulting Psychology. Months later they finally connected in person — walking Minneapolis streets between APA Convention sessions and bonding over a shared love of live music. In this episode of Past the Profile, Sunni traces a career arc that runs from hedge-fund consulting to coaching international DJs. Along the way she recounts the childhood moment she pulled her grandmother from deep water, the lifeguard mindset that still shapes her work, and the “Level Up” book tour she’s using to platform emerging artists. Highlights: How a rescue at age 11 sparked a lifelong drive to show up for people in crisis. Why Lampasso treats imposter syndrome, performance anxiety, and rejection as data points — not diagnoses — for the artists she coaches. The mechanics of her new partnership model: record labels retaining a psychologist “on call” to keep talent healthy. Plans for a low-cost subscription community so up-and-coming DJs can access live trainings and Q&A sessions. Insights from Miami Music Week and why being “front-row support” can change an artist’s trajectory. A tour schedule that doubles as grassroots networking — showcasing local DJs in every city.

Host Liz Sweigart connected with Dr. Jenn Serlin only a month before this conversation was recorded through a Society of Consulting Psychology (APA Diviosn 13 / SCP) listserv thread. And yet, their first Zoom felt like two long-time friends resuming an endless conversation. That instant rapport shapes this episode of Past the Profile, where Jenn — performance psychologist, executive coach, lifelong learner, and unapologetic information junkie — explains why she’s pivoting her practice to serve pro-democracy candidates and causes. Highlights: How two consulting psychologists smashed the “impostor override” button to forge a fast partnership. Jenn's mantra of “What’s next?” — from private practice to sports psychology and now political psychology. The link between playing hockey at 40 and coaching leaders to skate past fear. Why she calls herself a “broker of reality” and how that skill helps campaigns combat disinformation. The shared thread among data sovereignty, democracy protection, and showing up with radical curiosity. What Jenn is looking for now: allies ready to meet this political moment with evidence, empathy, and action.

Host Liz Sweigart first spotted Dr. Annette Kramer in a Zoom “salon” led by their mutual friend and editor, Art Kleiner. Kramer — a dancer-turned-long-18th-century scholar and self-described “fixer” — immediately stood out for her mix of scholarly rigor and playful curiosity. In this episode of Past the Profile, Liz and Annette trace that first virtual meeting into a far-ranging conversation on authentic leadership, designing accelerator programs that actually fit researchers’ needs, and why the emerging space economy feels like the early internet all over again. Highlights: How theatre training (making something from nothing to a deadline) maps perfectly onto entrepreneurial leadership. Annette's core operating premise — play — and how laughter unlocks resources serious meetings miss. A five-week accelerator model that moved African and UK researchers from idea to business pitch by teaching one evolving frame instead of 18 disjointed tools. Why she loves the “messy middle” of projects and prefers long-term advisory roles that keep teams honest. The power of embodied knowledge: standing up, collaborating, and “using your whole self” to solve supposedly intractable problems. Who she hopes to collaborate with next — especially curious, bright minds in London and Toronto. Connect with Annette LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/annettethefixer/ Substack → https://annettekramerphd.substack.com/p/stay-curious Website → https://www.annettekramer.co.uk/  

Host Liz Sweigart first met community strategist Limari Navarrete in the Redwoods of Northern California at DWeb Camp 2023, when they were placed in the same nightly “weaver group”. In this episode of Past the Profile they trace that serendipitous meeting to today, covering Limari's work with the Decentralized Identity Foundation, her passion for tech-for-good open-source projects, and a parallel journey into 500-hour yoga and Ayurveda training. Highlights: How introvert–extrovert chemistry turned a random campsite pairing into an enduring professional friendship. What Limari learned about belonging while managing global open-source communities and why “people decide if it’s a community, not the brand.” Why artistic outlets (drawing, music, ukulele) keep her creative engine running in tech spaces. Practical tips for “translating community” to CEOs, marketers, and finance leaders who speak different success languages.

The professional paths of host Liz Sweigart and guest Stuart Gibson first crossed at the inaugural NYU Tax Controversy Forum reception, back when Stu was Special Trial Counsel for the US Department of Justice Tax Division and Liz was a mid-career Big 4 tax advisor. Two decades, multiple career pivots, and a trans-Atlantic author-recruiting adventure later, Stu remains a plain-spoken mentor whose insights elevate every room he enters. In this episode of Past the Profile, the conversation traces his journey from landmark courtroom victories to leading a global tax newsroom and launching Actual Intelligence LLC, exploring how curiosity, integrity, and humor power a career that never stops evolving. Highlights: How one cocktail-hour conversation sparked an “anchor” mentorship that still shapes both careers. Why Stu traded federal courtrooms for tax journalism and back again, and what he learned guiding a newsroom through COVID lockdowns. The origin story of Simple 720, a cloud platform that files excise-tax returns in minutes starting at less than $40 a form. How his new venture Actual Intelligence is helping taxpayers fight algorithmic ERC refund denials. A choral singer’s take on keeping work fun, staying curious, and holding the line on integrity, regardless of which side he argues.

Immediately after recording their first conversation, host Liz Sweigart realized she had held back a key question about the family story behind Dr. Tondi Mondoloka’s dissertation finish line. Rather than let that curiosity go, the two hit “record” again. In this short bonus episode of Past the Profile, Tondi recounts the spring 2023 crunch to defend her dissertation in time to walk at commencement—while her aunt, the very woman who first told a five-year-old Tondi she would one day earn a degree, visited from Zambia. The discussion unpacks the weight of arbitrary deadlines, the pressure high achievers place on themselves, and the healing power of reframing “I must” into “What else is possible?” Highlights: How an aunt’s early encouragement—and a late-stage campus visit—became a symbolic relay between generations. Why Tondi nearly drove herself to exhaustion chasing an external deadline, and how Liz's “breathe and zoom out” advice helped her reclaim perspective. A reflection on artificial binaries, option-generation, and valuing progress over perfection. The photograph Tondi treasures most: her three-year-old son gazing up at “Dr. Mommy” after commencement. A reminder that celebrating each step honors the people who carried us there.

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/

Join Dr. Tracey Benson and Dr. Liz Sweigart as they reflect on their serendipitous meeting at a conference in Brisbane — where being a little lost led to finding an unexpected and enduring connection. In this episode, Tracey and Liz explore the richness of perception, memory, and what it means to co-create meaning over time. Tracey opens up about the values that guide her beyond the professional bio: a deep commitment to community, environmental stewardship, and respectful partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and culture. They also dive into Tracey’s latest creative project, Baggage — a playful, layered exploration of identity, consumption, and the emotional weight we carry (often in secondhand handbags). This conversation is a celebration of friendship, curiosity, and creative courage. It’s about leadership without pretense, and the joy of saying yes to wacky, beautiful ideas. If Baggage sparked something in you, Tracey would love to hear your story. You’re invited to contribute: In person: Drop by the Treecreate studio on Bribie Island and share your story (or your actual bag). From afar: Send a photo of a bag and a short personal reflection to Tracey via email at [email protected]. Every contribution becomes part of an evolving installation about identity, memory, and what we carry—by choice or by habit. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bytetime/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bytetime/ More about Tracey and her work: https://linktr.ee/bytetime  

Join Dr. Virginia Whitlock and Dr. Liz Sweigart for a heartfelt conversation about legacy, leadership, and the relationships that shape us. What began in an online classroom has grown into a friendship rooted in respect, vulnerability, and a shared commitment to equity. In this episode, they reflect on their personal and professional journeys—navigating academia, allyship, and the often unseen labor of building spaces where others can thrive. Together, they explore what it means to plant seeds you may never benefit from, the power of storytelling in healing generational patterns, and the courage it takes to ask uncomfortable questions in pursuit of a better, more inclusive future. Whether you're in academia, leadership, or simply working to create change in your corner of the world, this conversation will move you to reflect on the legacy you're building and the doors you’re opening for others.   Connect with Dr. Virginia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-virginia-l-whitlock-doctorate-in-organizational-leadership-psychology-80b20a24/ Read her dissertation here: https://www.proquest.com/docview/3047954221

Join Dr. Lata Dhir as she unravels the nuances of creating genuine human connections, drawing upon her personal experiences and passions in cultivating safe spaces. Delve into the transformative power of positive psychology, leadership development, and the importance of leveraging strengths over weaknesses. In this episode, Dr. Dhir shares her journey as an educator, a woman, a mother, and a wife, revealing the struggles and triumphs behind her impressive professional profile. Explore her insights on shaping minds, nurturing trust, and the pivotal role of optimism and possibilities in personal growth. Discover her fervor for designing impactful experiences in leadership labs, where individuals explore their vulnerabilities and forge lasting bonds. This conversation illuminates Dr. Dhir's mission to create meaningful change and foster a collective spirit of empathy and purpose. Connect with Dr. Dhir on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lata-dhir-00956916/

Mark Curtis is the CEO of HiveWise, Board Chair at Washi, Inc., and a lifelong builder of tools that help teams think better together. In this premiere episode of Past the Profile, Mark answers five (not-so-fast) questions that reveal what really drives him. We go beyond the bio to explore participative leadership, ancient artifacts, and why real leadership begins after the decision is made. Connect with Mark on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markacurtis/