Before The Lights Go On

Andrei Ratcu

Before the Lights Go On is a podcast about people in motion - builders, thinkers, and everyday entrepreneurs before recognition, clarity, or success arrives. These are honest conversations about starting without certainty, learning in public, adapting along the way, and navigating the quiet chaos before things “make sense.” No polished success stories. No hindsight shortcuts.Just real conversations, curiosity, and the courage to begin. Hosted by Andrei Ratcu.

Episodes

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    When Success Stops Feeling Like Success

    Most people measure their worth by what they produce.Valeria explains why that belief quietly breaks us and how she had to unlearn it herself.In this conversation, Val shares her journey from corporate roles across Europe to building her own coaching practice, but more importantly, she unpacks a deeper shift: why success isn’t about climbing faster, producing more, or proving anything — and why work should integrate your life, not replace it.We talk about: Why worth and output get dangerously confusedHow inherited ideas of success shape our choicesWhat it really feels like to step off the predefined pathWhy asking for help is not weakness, but leverageHow to build something aligned without burning outThis episode is for anyone who feels capable, driven and quietly misaligned.Before the Lights Go On is about the moments before clarity, status, or recognition when decisions are still uncertain, and identity is still forming.If you want to explore Val’s workFor those who resonate with this conversation and want to go deeper, here are a few ways to connect with Val and her work: Passion to Profit group coaching for expats turning entrepreneurshttps://subscribepage.io/sparkcoachin... Spark Your Expat Career (1:1 coaching) — for those navigating career direction abroad: https://tally.so/r/nPxXjbStay in touch with Val Website: https://sparkcoachingwithval.comLinkedIn:   / valeriakadelski  Instagram:   / sparkcoachingwithval  Email: hello@sparkcoachingwithval.comValeria Kadelski explains why that belief quietly breaks us — and how she had to unlearn it herself.

    25 min

  2. 4 DAYS AGO

    Signal vs Noise: Why Most Ideas Fail Before They’re Even Tested

    Most ideas don’t fail because they’re bad.They fail because they’re never truly tested.In this conversation, Charles and I explore what happens before success or failure is visible — when everything is still uncertain, messy, and unclear.We talk about:Separating signal from noise when advice is everywhereWhy discipline matters more than motivationHow feedback becomes a compass when clarity hasn’t arrived yetStaying grounded while ideas are still fragileThis episode isn’t about winning fast or building loud.It’s about learning how real builders keep moving forward when the path isn’t obvious yet.If you’re building something, questioning whether to start, or stuck between too many options, this conversation will resonate.Charles’ workCharles is also involved in Nordic Africa Summit, an initiative focused on building meaningful bridges between the Nordic and African innovation ecosystems.🔗 Learn more: https://techbbq.dk/nordicafrica-startupsummit/

    13 min

  3. 4 DAYS AGO

    What If Success Was Just Staying True to Yourself?

    Sometimes, the biggest shifts don’t start with a plan — they start with trust.In this episode of Before the Lights Go On, I sit down with Julia Glazewska to talk about choosing alignment over certainty.From leaving Poland as an au pair in the US with no roadmap, to questioning traditional definitions of success, Julia shares an unfinished journey of listening to what genuinely excites her — even when it didn’t make sense yet.We talk about:Breaking away from inherited ideas of “how life should look”Navigating self-doubt and external noiseBuilding work that serves others, not egoRedefining success around growth, integrity, and impactThis is not a polished success story.It’s a real conversation about becoming — while still in motion.If you’re questioning your path, your definition of success, or whether you’re listening to the right voice, this episode will resonate.

    17 min

  4. 5 DAYS AGO

    Creating space for ideas - The Learn+ Story

    The conversation delves into the journey of entrepreneurship, challenges with traditional education, creating the entrepreneurial space, starting Learn Plus, the maturity of the space, the journey of failure, regrets and reflections, and embracing failure. PhD. Sudhanshu Rai shares insights on his entrepreneurial experiences, educational initiatives, and the importance of failure in the journey of success. Takeaways Entrepreneurship requires creating the right space for ideas to flourish.Failure is an integral part of the entrepreneurial journey and is essential for growth.

    9 min

  5. 8 FEB

    From Baby Clothes to Keepsakes An Early-Stage Idea

    The conversation begins with an introduction to the idea of transforming old clothes into lasting memories. It then delves into the process of moving from idea to execution and the importance of flexibility and adaptation in entrepreneurship. The key takeaways include the concept of transforming old clothes and the significance of flexibility and adaptation in business. Takeaways Transforming old clothes into lasting memoriesFlexibility and adaptation in entrepreneurship

    2 min
  • 5 Episodes

About

Before the Lights Go On is a podcast about people in motion - builders, thinkers, and everyday entrepreneurs before recognition, clarity, or success arrives. These are honest conversations about starting without certainty, learning in public, adapting along the way, and navigating the quiet chaos before things “make sense.” No polished success stories. No hindsight shortcuts.Just real conversations, curiosity, and the courage to begin. Hosted by Andrei Ratcu.

Information

  • Creator
    Andrei Ratcu
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Andrei Ratcu
  • Show Website
    Before The Lights Go On