Play It By Your Rules

Meggi Rombach
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Play It by Your Rules (formerly Leadership Insights) This podcast is a call to mindful rebellion - an invitation to live and lead with more freedom, flow, and fun, especially at midlife. I sit down with leaders, experts, adventurers, and changemakers who’ve dared to break the script and rewrite the rules - not for the sake of rebellion alone, but to realign with what truly matters. These raw, real conversations explore bold career moves, life pivots, and the inner work of letting go of “shoulds.” You’ll hear stories of courage, clarity, and conscious risk-taking - plus practical tools to help you think braver, lead wiser, and live bolder. Whether you’re at a crossroads or simply ready to play bigger on your own terms, this space is for you. ✨ Hosted by Mechthild (Meggi) Rombach — Freedom Catalyst for Midlife Leaders | Coach | Speaker | Workshop Creator 🌐 Learn more: mindset-mastery.ch

  1. P34 - PIBYR: From Burnout to Purpose: A New Model of Conscious Leadership

    1D AGO

    P34 - PIBYR: From Burnout to Purpose: A New Model of Conscious Leadership

    What if the real leadership crisis isn’t strategy - but consciousness? In this episode of Play It By Your Rules, I sit down with executive coach and adventurer Martin Palethorpe to explore what happens when high achievement stops feeling meaningful. At just 27, Martin hit what he calls an early midlife crisis. He was outperforming his peers, climbing fast in the tech world, earning well - and quietly feeling empty. Instead of pushing harder, he paused. What followed was a five-year reinvention that led him from corporate executive to conscious leadership coach, guiding leaders for the past 25 years. This is a deep conversation that moves between boardrooms and inner worlds. We talk about conditioning, intuition, stress, ego, and even spirituality - alongside very real leadership pressures, performance demands, and health challenges. While these themes are often kept separate, this episode shows they belong together. Conscious leadership isn’t about choosing between results and reflection. It’s about integrating both. Because leading well externally requires clarity internally. We covered: Why success can feel hollow - even when everything looks right on paper The difference between climbing the mountain because you want to - or because you think you should How hidden beliefs about achievement, money, and hard work shape our decisions Why midlife often becomes the moment of truth The role of retreats and intentional disconnection in breaking the hamster wheel Intuition vs. mental noise - and how to tune into deeper wisdom Why passion is not indulgent, but intelligent Conscious leadership and the ripple effect it creates in organizations Health, stress, and why addressing root causes matters Spirituality beyond religion - and why inner work is pragmatic, not “woo” Practical Takeaways: Audit your “why” before chasing the next promotion Notice what consistently lights you up - energy is data Shift how you show up before you change what you do Build regular reflection into your leadership practice Address root causes - in stress, health, and performance This episode is for leaders and high achievers who feel successful - but not fully alive - and sense there must be a deeper, more conscious way to lead without abandoning ambition. Because conscious leadership isn’t softer. It’s braver. Explore More: 🧭 Curious about your current leadership consciousness? Take Martin’s free Quality of Mind Indicator and reflect on where mental noise may be limiting clarity, energy, and impact. 🔗 Follow Martin Palethorpe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinpalethorpe/ Your life. Your rules. For more freedom, flow, and fun.

    48 min
  2. P33 - PIBYR: Career Burnout to Career Clarity: How to Leave Soul Sucking Success

    FEB 16

    P33 - PIBYR: Career Burnout to Career Clarity: How to Leave Soul Sucking Success

    What if exhaustion isn’t a sign you’re doing too much - but a sign you’re doing the wrong things? In this episode of Play It By Your Rules, I sit down with career strategist and licensed therapist Rachel Spekman, founder of Made for More Coaching, to explore what happens when success on paper no longer feels aligned in real life. After building a thriving career in the startup world, Rachel reached a moment many high-achieving professionals recognize: she had the title, the trajectory, and the credibility - but something felt off. Instead of continuing to climb, she made what she calls “the largest adult calculated risk” of her life. She stepped off the ladder, retrained, and intentionally redesigned her career around her values. This conversation dives into what career clarity requires at midlife - and why redefining success often takes more courage than chasing it. We covered: Why midlife often triggers the quiet “Is this it?” moment The difference between refining, redefining, and restructuring your career The hidden cost of reputation fear in career transitions How to reverse engineer your ideal workday Why clarity alone isn’t enough - and where courage comes in What it means to design values-based, soul-aligned work Practical Takeaways: Audit your current work - what energizes you and what drains you Experiment before making a radical move Redefine success based on alignment, not external validation Consider restructuring your work before abandoning your expertise This episode is for leaders, high achievers, and midlife professionals who feel accomplished - but misaligned - and are ready to rethink the ladder without burning everything down. Explore More: 🔗 Follow Rachel Speckman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelspekman/ 🌱 Made for More Coaching: https://www.rachelspekman.com/ Your life. Your rules. For more freedom, flow, and fun.

    49 min
  3. P32 - PIBYR: Caring for Aging Parents Without Losing Yourself

    FEB 2

    P32 - PIBYR: Caring for Aging Parents Without Losing Yourself

    Playing it by your rules isn’t about getting your way at all costs. A mindful rebellion means recognising that our choices affect others - especially the people we love most. Caring for aging parents is one of the most emotional, complex, and often unspoken challenges of midlife. In this deeply human episode of Play It by Your Rules, I sat down with gerontology expert, facilitator, and founder of Talk About Aging, Janice Goldmintz. Drawing on both her academic background and her lived experience of supporting both parents through Alzheimer’s disease, Janice shares practical wisdom, compassionate insights, and grounded guidance for navigating aging, caregiving, and family dynamics - without losing yourself in the process. 🎧 In this episode, we explore: Why avoiding conversations about aging creates more stress later - and how to start them gently Early signs and “quiet red flags” adult children often miss How to approach tough topics like driving, autonomy, and end-of-life wishes without damaging relationships Why caregiving should never fall on one person alone - and how families can share the load How to care for aging parents and continue living your own life Janice also shares simple, practical first steps - from normalising these conversations early to creating one central place for essential documents - that can make an enormous difference when life takes an unexpected turn. ✨ This episode is for anyone navigating midlife while supporting or worrying about the wellbeing of aging parents - or for those who want to be prepared before a crisis hits. Because the goal isn’t perfection. It’s dignity, balance, and the highest quality of life - for everyone involved. 🔗 Learn more about Janice and her work: http://www.talkaboutaging.com Your life. Your rules. For more freedom, flow, and fun.  ------------------------------------------ 🌿 Join the Mindful Rebellion - let’s rewrite the success script. Keep your impact. Lose the exhaustion. If this resonates: follow, repost, and add your voice in the comments.

    38 min
  4. E31 - PIBYR: Burn the Job Description - Build a Life That Fits

    JAN 19

    E31 - PIBYR: Burn the Job Description - Build a Life That Fits

    What if career success didn’t mean climbing higher - but choosing how you spend your time? In this episode of Play It by Your Rules, I sit down with Ani Filipova - former Citi COO turned portfolio career strategist - to unpack what it really means to step off the traditional career ladder and design a working life that fits your priorities. Ani shares how she intentionally moved away from a single, full-time corporate role - not to work less, but to work differently: with more autonomy, flexibility, and control over where her time and energy go. For her, a portfolio career isn’t about chaos or juggling - it’s about choice. We explore what portfolio careers look like in practice, who they’re for, and why they’re becoming a powerful alternative for experienced professionals who want freedom without starting from scratch. We covered: Why portfolio careers unlock freedom - especially around how, when, and with whom you work What Ani carried from corporate into her portfolio - and what she consciously left behind How she defines a portfolio career (and why it’s not just for entrepreneurs) Fractional work: what it is - and why it’s still emerging in places like Switzerland The mindset shift from “one role” to “multiple value streams” Why experimenting before quitting is smarter than making a clean break Practical Takeaways: Audit how you  spend your time - freedom starts with awareness Run small experiments (projects, advisory roles, fractional work) before committing Design your portfolio around energy and values, not just income streams This episode is for anyone who feels successful on paper - but constrained in real life - and wants more freedom over their time without burning everything down. Explore More: 🔗 Follow Ani on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anifilipova/ 🌱 Change Is Possible Community: https://changeispossible.co.uk/ 🚀 Portfolio Career Accelerator: https://simplebooklet.com/portfolio_career_accelerator#page=1 🎧 Listen to Ani’s podcast: Change Is Possible Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@ChangeIsPossiblePodcast Your life. Your rules. For more freedom, flow, and fun.

    50 min
  5. E30 - PIBYR: Stop Hoping for Teamwork - Start Building It by Design

    JAN 5

    E30 - PIBYR: Stop Hoping for Teamwork - Start Building It by Design

    Teamwork doesn’t magically happen just because people share a Zoom link. In this episode, I talk with Daria Rudnik - Team Architect, Executive Coach, and author of CLICKING: A Team Building Strategy for Overloaded Leaders Who Want Stronger Team Trust, Better Results, and More Time - about why so many teams underperform, especially under pressure… and how to design teams that work. Because just like people, teams need to play by their own rules - and it’s a leader’s job to help them define what that looks like. Daria breaks down the 5 essential pillars that make teams click (spoiler: most leaders skip 3 of them), how to balance autonomy and alignment, and how to avoid the biggest trap of servant leadership. We also dig into AI’s impact on collaboration - and what happens when teams offload too much to tech. We covered: Why teams don’t “just happen” - and need intentional architecture The 5 pillars of team design: purpose, connection, integration, decision-making, and knowledge flow What to do when you inherit a messy team Why clarity is your secret weapon - at all levels The hidden risks of servant leadership (and how to empower without isolating) How to stay human in the age of AI - and keep your brain on Practical Takeaways: Start with conversation: co-create team norms and decisions together Bring clarity to your rules, roles, and routines Use AI as a partner - not a crutch. Your brain needs to stay engaged. This episode is for every leader who wants to build strong, self-led teams — and give them the clarity and confidence to fly. 🔗 Explore more: 📘 Daria’s book CLICKING: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FN4S6P37 🌐 dariarudnik.com 💼 Connect on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dariarudnik Your life. Your rules. For more freedom, flow, and fun.

    37 min
  6. E29 - PIBYR: Why Your Habits Don’t Stick - and What to Do Instead

    12/22/2025

    E29 - PIBYR: Why Your Habits Don’t Stick - and What to Do Instead

    It’s that time again - fresh goals, new intentions, big dreams. But let’s be honest: most resolutions don’t make it past February. So… why don’t our habits stick? And more importantly - what actually works? In this episode, I sit down with Ivan Palomino - behavioral science strategist and unapologetic habit hacker — to unpack the science behind human behavior and habit change. Spoiler: it’s not about motivation. It’s about design. Ivan blends neuroscience, psychology, and real-life experimentation (including his own burnout and career reinvention) to help you create lasting change — with way less effort than you think. We covered: Why we operate on autopilot 90% of the time — and how to use that to your advantage The 4 brain rules that shape your decisions (emotion, effort, illusion, and reward) How to build habits by stacking them on existing routines The difference between rituals, motivation, and capacity Why your willpower was never the problem Tiny habits that lead to massive ripple effects ✨ Practical Takeaways: Pick ONE habit — do it daily for 30 days before adding more Use immediate rewards and low-effort design to reduce friction Track progress in ways that create satisfaction (not stress) This episode is for anyone tired of failing at New Year’s goals — and ready to build change that lasts. Your life. Your rules. For more freedom, flow, and fun. Links: 🔗 Connect with Ivan on LinkedIn 🌐 Learn more at ivanpalomino.net ▶️ Watch more on YouTube – Growth Hacking Culture 📬 Subscribe to Ivan’s Newsletter on LinkedIn

    57 min
  7. E28 - PIBYR: Forget the Pitch - Start with Value & Listening: Job Hunting Meets Sales

    12/08/2025

    E28 - PIBYR: Forget the Pitch - Start with Value & Listening: Job Hunting Meets Sales

    What if selling yourself didn’t feel fake, forced, or awkward - but natural, connecting on a human level, like meeting a new friend or dating? In this episode, I sit down with Curt Tueffert, award-winning sales expert, keynote speaker, professor, and “Selling Skills Sherpa” to explore how anyone (yes, including purpose-driven professionals, introverts, and impact seekers) can confidently bring sales strategies into their job search without compromising authenticity. With 40+ years of real-world experience, Curt shares how job seekers can borrow from the best sales teams starting not with a pitch, but with curiosity, listening, and value. We also dig into the art and science of selling and how to apply both to your career conversations. We covered: Why the best salespeople - and job candidates - start with listening ABC redefined: Always Be Curious The IMPACT formula for sales success and how to apply it to interviews Why you must believe in your value before others will The underrated power of “driving trial” and how pro bono work can open doors How to speak to problems, not just profiles and make people want to know more ✨ Practical Takeaways: Start by listening - curiosity builds connection and trust Know your value inside-out, it’s the foundation of all confident communication Offer a “test drive” whether it’s a short project, workshop, or bold idea This episode is for anyone ready to finally have fun selling — your skills, your story, your value. How to get started? Curt suggests drafting 8 curiosity questions to use when meeting new people - 2 each under the acronym FORM: 🟢 Family 🟦 Occupation 🟣 Recreation 🟠 Motivation Your life. Your rules. For more freedom, flow, and fun. Links: 🔗 Learn more about Curt and his work 📘 5 Stones for Slaying Giants and other resources at PeakSalesStrategy.com

    36 min
  8. E27 - PIBYR: How to Stand Out Without Shouting: Value Whispering for Introverts (and Everyone Else Who Hates Self-Promotion)

    11/24/2025

    E27 - PIBYR: How to Stand Out Without Shouting: Value Whispering for Introverts (and Everyone Else Who Hates Self-Promotion)

    What if showing your value didn’t require shouting, hustling, or pretending to be louder than you are? In this episode of Play It by Your Rules, I sit down with Melitta Campbell - award-winning business coach, TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and the creator of “Value Whispering.” Melitta teaches a simple and refreshing truth: You don’t need to be louder. You need to be clearer. And while her approach resonates deeply with introverts, it’s not just for them. If you’ve ever felt awkward talking about yourself, overwhelmed by visibility advice, or turned off by noisy marketing… this conversation will feel like a breath of fresh air. We dive into: What Value Whispering is - and why it works better than self-promotion The real visibility challenges introverts face (hint: it’s not shyness) Why many “visibility hacks” backfire for thoughtful leaders and entrepreneurs How to communicate your value without overexplaining or overselling Melitta’s 3 pillars of quiet confidence How to build a business - or career - that fits your voice, not someone else’s blueprint ✨ Practical takeaways you can try today: 1️⃣ Name your “why now.” What is the deeper reason behind your work that naturally draws people in? 2️⃣ Craft your one-sentence value whisper. Clear. Honest. No hype. 3️⃣ Pick one visibility habit that feels energizing - and do it for one week.  This episode is for anyone who wants to be seen and heard without burning out, pretending, or shouting over the noise. A quiet confidence approach — for more freedom, flow, and fun. 🔗 Explore Melitta’s work: Download the first chapter of her new book: http://www.melittacampbell.com/chapter Website: www.melittacampbell.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/Melitta

    49 min
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About

Play It by Your Rules (formerly Leadership Insights) This podcast is a call to mindful rebellion - an invitation to live and lead with more freedom, flow, and fun, especially at midlife. I sit down with leaders, experts, adventurers, and changemakers who’ve dared to break the script and rewrite the rules - not for the sake of rebellion alone, but to realign with what truly matters. These raw, real conversations explore bold career moves, life pivots, and the inner work of letting go of “shoulds.” You’ll hear stories of courage, clarity, and conscious risk-taking - plus practical tools to help you think braver, lead wiser, and live bolder. Whether you’re at a crossroads or simply ready to play bigger on your own terms, this space is for you. ✨ Hosted by Mechthild (Meggi) Rombach — Freedom Catalyst for Midlife Leaders | Coach | Speaker | Workshop Creator 🌐 Learn more: mindset-mastery.ch

Information

  • Creator
    Meggi Rombach
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Play It By Your Rules