Ep.83 The Leadership Identity Shift - with Navid Nazemian

22.07.2026•44:29

In this episode, Ivana Ivanek connects with leadership expert Navid Nazemian to unpack what really happens when high performers step into leadership roles. Drawing from decades inside global companies like Adidas, GE, and Vodafone, Navid reveals why even the most capable leaders struggle when the stakes rise—and what’s missing in how we prepare them. Together, they explore the inner and outer game of leadership, the six qualities that define extraordinary leaders today, and why burnout is more common at the top than we think. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone growing a business, building a personal brand, or stepping into bigger responsibility. Grab your favourite note taking device and enjoy the listen.

Ep.82 Why Personal Branding is No Longer Optional

08.07.2026•26:04

In this episode, Ivana Ivanek shares a raw and honest behind-the-scenes look at her recent move to Curaçao and the deeper lessons it revealed about business, identity, and personal branding. She breaks down why personal branding is no longer optional in today’s saturated market and why most people aren’t held back by strategy, but by fear, self-judgment, and identity blocks. If you’ve been struggling to show up online, feel “weird” on camera, or worry about what people think, this episode will help you understand what’s really holding you back and how to move through it. Grab your favourite note taking device and get inspired.

Ep.81 How to Stop Procrastinating - with Robin J Emdon

24.06.2026•38:39

Host Ivana Ivanek welcomes Robin J. Emdon to the Online Business by Design podcast to unpack chronic procrastination and how it quietly blocks progress, growth, and energy, especially for entrepreneurs building an online business and personal brand. Robin shares how he recognized his own long-term procrastination after taking 10 years to finish a part-time degree, then connected it to costs across health, finances, relationships, and career. He explains procrastination as an “inside job,” driven by survival wiring (limbic system) overriding rational planning (prefrontal cortex), and describes three “ingredients” for productivity. They discuss practical momentum-building through understanding energy patterns, using a toolbox of strategies, and relying on external accountability—particularly for solopreneurs without a boss—to stay consistent on long-term projects and a personal life vision. Grab your favourite note taking device and get inspired.

Ep.80 Building an Online Business: Hypnotherapy and Avoiding Burnout - with Dr. Jennifer Schlueter

27.05.2026•32:10

Host Ivana Ivanek welcomes hypnotherapist and Magic and Miracles podcast founder Jennifer Schlueter to discuss traveling while building an online business, staying grounded, and doubling down on full potential. Jennifer shares her path from a small town in Germany to studying and working in the US, feeling inspired by the “anything is possible” mindset, and deciding after a hypnosis session to quit her job and travel. She explains hypnotherapy as a relaxed state that helps access and release unhelpful patterns and fear, making decisions feel clearer. The conversation covers handling parental and societal judgment, reducing comparison by limiting social media and focusing on people you serve, and practical burnout prevention.

Ep.79 Why Social Media Engagement Matters (and Simple Ways to Improve It)

13.05.2026•16:31

Host Ivana Ivanek debugs social media myths by explaining what engagement is, why it matters, and best practices to improve it. She shares a personal story about moving from Barcelona to Austria and deciding to return to the Caribbean, emphasizing taking responsibility for decisions despite others’ judgment. Using a client example, she explains how focusing only on lead generation can create a large follower count but near-zero engagement, which undermines trust for potential clients, collaborators, podcast hosts, and speaking opportunities. Grab your favourite note taking device and get inspired.

Ep.78 Building a Personal Brand While Living on the Road - with Mariah on MacInnes

29.04.2026•49:26

Podcast host Ivana Ivanek interviews Australia-based marketer Mariah McInnes about content marketing, what makes good content, and how to tell better stories while building a personal brand online. Mariah shares her path from corporate marketing to freelancing and digital nomad life, including quitting her job during COVID, a major surgery after discovering rare neuroendocrine cancer, and how recovery led her to meet her partner, who now complements her business skills. They discuss living and working from a car and then a bus, resilience through business setbacks, and Mariah’s practical storytelling approach: align content to a sales goal and content strategy, build a story bank, and use a simple framework, while focusing on connection over vanity metrics. Grab your favourite note-taking device and get inspired.