Megan Hellerer, the Founder and CEO of Coaching for Under Fulfilled Overachievers, is an accomplished career coach and author of "Directional Living," a comprehensive framework for career fulfillment in the 21st century. With a strong professional background, including eight years at Google and features in esteemed publications such as New York Magazine and Vogue Australia, Megan has garnered recognition for her expertise in personal and professional development. With her own body of work on aligned ambition, she is the perfect conversation partner to go deeper around The Ambition Trap.

The key moments in this episode are:

00:04:06 - Unpacking Ambition and Core Wounds

00:09:57 - The Drive to Be Seen

00:14:21 - Lessons from Pain

00:19:22 - Ambition in 2020

00:25:56 - Sharing Family History in the Book

00:35:13 - Understanding Wounds and Masks

Connect with Megan Hellerer

Website: meganhellerer.com

Instagram: @meganhellerer

Connect with Amina AlTai

Website: aminaaltai.com

Instagram: @aminaaltai

TikTok: @theaminaaltai

Linkedin: linkedin/in/aminaaltai

Book: aminaaltai.com/book

Brittany Martin, a seasoned business strategist and author, offers a unique approach to redefining the way we perceive work. With her extensive experience in scaling businesses and guiding teams through rapid growth, Brittany emphasizes the significance of prioritizing alignment over burnout.

The key moments in this episode are:

00:04:31 - Collective Empathy and Amplifying Voices

00:09:34 - Purposeful vs. Painful Ambition Framework

00:11:29 - Navigating Ambition Within Societal Structures

00:18:26 - Shifting Ambition Collectively

00:24:13 - Embracing Individuality and Unique Traits

Connect with Brittany Martin

Website: helloseven.co

Instagram: @brittalynnmartin

Instagram: @hello7co

Connect with Amina AlTai

Website: aminaaltai.com

Instagram: @aminaaltai

TikTok: @theaminaaltai

Linkedin: linkedin/in/aminaaltai

Book: aminaaltai.com/book

Nina Rodríguez-Marty serves as the Executive Editor at Penguin Life and Maria Shriver's, The Open Field imprints of Penguin Random House. Her specialization lies in acquiring prescriptive and idea-driven nonfiction across a spectrum of categories, including Self Help, Personal Development, Psychology, Wellness, Health, Productivity, and Peak Performance. Noteworthy authors under her guidance include Dr. Ramani, Dr. Jennifer Reid, Dr. Rahul Jandial, Meghan Rabbitt, and Kara Loewentheil.

The key moments in this episode are:

00:02:11 - Cultivating Relationships in Publishing

00:11:51 - Creating Collaborative Relationships with Authors

00:20:40 - Vulnerability in Editing

00:27:19 - Community Effort in Book Publishing

Connect with Nina Rodríguez-Marty

Instagram: @ninazrodriguez

Connect with Amina AlTai

Website: aminaaltai.com

Instagram: @aminaaltai

TikTok: @theaminaaltai

Linkedin: linkedin/in/aminaaltai

Book: aminaaltai.com/book

Nitika Chopra, the founder and CEO of Chronicon and the Chronicon foundation, is a dedicated advocate for empowering individuals with chronic illness. Having faced her own journey marked by psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis since childhood, Nitika's entrepreneurial spirit led her to host her own TV show, Naturally Beautiful, and organize over a hundred transformative events. Her influence extends to major partnerships with brands like Google, Microsoft, and Bristol Myers Squibb, where she passionately advocates for the chronic illness community. Nitika's personal experiences and unwavering commitment make her an invaluable voice for those navigating chronic illness. Her unique perspective and entrepreneurial drive have positioned her as a trusted leader in the field, making her insights invaluable for anyone seeking to understand and work through the challenges of chronic illness.

The key moments in this episode are:

00:02:48 - The Book Launch and Journey

00:07:02 - Writing as a Spiritual Practice

00:11:59 - The Power of Community Effort

00:19:08 - Trusting the Timing of Life

00:24:22 - Facing the Fear of Being Average

Connect with Nitika Chopra

Website: NitikaChopra.com

Website: Chronicon.co

Instagram: @NitkaChopra

Instagram: @ChroniconOfficial

Connect with Amina AlTai

Website: aminaaltai.com

Instagram: @aminaaltai

TikTok: @theaminaaltai

Linkedin: linkedin/in/aminaaltai

Book: aminaaltai.com/book

Lia Avellino, a relational and somatic psychotherapist, is also the CEO of Spokescircles. Her expertise in modern love and women's wellness, coupled with her role as a sought-after facilitator and media commentator, has seen her work featured in Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Men's Health, and The Tamron Hall Show. With a focus on helping individuals embrace their full, unapologetic selves, Lia brings a wealth of insight to the conversation on transitioning from painful to purposeful ambition while writing a book.

The key moments in this episode are:

00:02:16 - Good Enoughness and Ambition

00:08:03 - Spiritual Experience of Ambition

00:13:19 - Dealing with Resistance

00:19:26 - Overcoming Fear of Failure

00:25:20 - The When-Then Trap

Connect with Lia Avelino

Website: spokecircles.com

Instagram: @lialoveavellino

Instagram: @spokecircles

Connect with Amina AlTai

Website: aminaaltai.com

Instagram: @aminaaltai

TikTok: @theaminaaltai

Linkedin: linkedin/in/aminaaltai

Book: aminaaltai.com/book

Amina’s forthcoming book, The Ambition Trap, is now out in the world, but it took three long years of writing and a lifetime of lessons for this book to come to be. Amina sold the book to Penguin Random House’s imprint Open Field from Maria Shriver in September of 2022. Along the way, Amina had support from loving friends, peers, and colleagues, and we’re getting a chance for them to interview her on what it was like building this invaluable resource in this six part series. This episode’s special guest is Stacey Lindsay, a broadcast and print journalist and writer who has extensively covered women's issues, gender equity, work, civics, health, and culture. With experience as an editorial director and consulting senior editor for digital publications, including Maria Shriver's Sunday Paper, Stacey has interviewed numerous public figures, from governors to scientists to actors, such as Lisa Ling, Phil Stutts, Savannah Guthrie, Nedra Tawab, Reese Witherspoon, Debbie Gibson, Sharon Raganoff, and Jay Shetty. As a longtime editor at goop and a former evening TV news anchor and reporter, Stacey's insights and storytelling delve into the exploration of women, societal expectations, and the challenges of navigating our 40’s.

The key moments in this episode are:

00:03:29 - Overcoming Postponement and Finding Joy

00:08:44 - The Glass Child Phenomenon

00:12:11 - The Art of Receiving

00:18:48 - Embracing Creativity through Writing

00:24:31 - Democratizing Genius

00:34:27 - Unwinding Painful Ambition

Connect with Stacey Lindsay

Website: staceyannlindsay.com

Instagram: @staceylindsay

Connect with Amina AlTai

Website: aminaaltai.com

Instagram: @aminaaltai

TikTok: @theaminaaltai

Linkedin: linkedin/in/aminaaltai

Book: aminaaltai.com/book

Dr. Beth Kaplan, author of the new book Braving the Workplace, is a recognized authority in the fields of belonging and leadership development. With a career spanning over two decades in executive roles, Dr. Kaplan has leveraged her expertise in human connection, learning, and leadership to make significant contributions to fostering workplace belonging. Her collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania to develop a pioneering belonging tool underscores her commitment to advancing the measurement and prediction of thriving within organizational contexts. Dr. Kaplan's impressive client portfolio encompasses renowned institutions such as Salesforce, the University of Pennsylvania, Georgetown University, and the Carnegie Foundation, reflecting the widespread impact of her work.

The key moments in this episode are:

00:03:34 - Defining Belonging

00:13:23 - The Four Types of Belonging

00:22:06 - The Role of Belonging in DEI Initiatives

00:26:14 - Practical Steps for Fostering Belonging

Connect with Dr. Beth Kaplan

Website: drbethkaplan.com

Instagram: @drbethkaplan

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/beth-kaplan

X: @drbethkaplan

Facebook: @drbethkaplan

Book: drbethkaplan.com/braving-the-workplace

Connect with Amina AlTai

Website: aminaaltai.com

Instagram: @aminaaltai

TikTok: @theaminaaltai

Linkedin: linkedin/in/aminaaltai

Book: aminaaltai.com/book

Robert Hartwell is recognized as a storytelling expert, HGTV and Own TV Host, Inc. 5000 Entrepreneur, Broadway performing artist, and award-winning director. Passionate about empowering the next generation of performers, artists, and entrepreneurs, Hartwell's Broadway Collective has an outstanding 97% success rate in guiding students into top musical theater college programs. His impressive Broadway career, along with his commitment to storytelling and education, continues to inspire and shape the arts and entrepreneurship communities worldwide. With his journey of creating Breaking New Ground, a series chronicling his renovation of a historic 1820s home, Hartwell exemplifies resilience and purpose in entrepreneurship, making him an inspiration to us all.

The key moments in this episode are:

00:03:12 - Origin Story and Family Influence

00:05:54 - Resilience and Spiritual Assignment

00:15:19 - Embracing Divine Signs

00:19:46 - Finding Purpose and Love

00:24:27 - Intentional Living and Gratitude Practice

00:30:58 - The Importance of Work Besties

Connect with Robert Hartwell

Website: bwaycollective.com/hb

Instagram: @sirroberttakespics

Show: Breaking New Ground on MAX

Connect with Amina AlTai

Website: aminaaltai.com

Instagram: @aminaaltai

TikTok: @theaminaaltai

Linkedin: linkedin/in/aminaaltai

Book: aminaaltai.com/book