At Work With...

Ana Merchant
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Step into 'At Work With...', where we uncover the real, unfiltered stories behind successful careers. Join us as industry leaders share their breakthrough moments, spectacular failures, and unconventional paths to the top. No corporate jargon or polished PR answers – just honest conversations about what it really takes to build a remarkable career. Whether you're climbing the corporate ladder, considering a career pivot, or building your own empire, join us as we decode success, one conversation at a time.

  1. 2D AGO

    What It Really Takes to Build a Business (No Hype Version) | Rayan Jawad, Co-Founder of GrowthStudio

    In this episode, Rayan Jawad shares his journey from growing up in a one-bedroom flat above a shop to co-founding Growth Studio, a company that has helped over 650 startups scale across 17 global markets. We discuss what success really means beyond the briefcase, the discipline of growth hacking, and how rejection is simply redirection. Rayan also opens up about surviving on Tesco meal deals in the early days, the importance of building genuine relationships with clients, and why doing good and making money don't have to be opposites.CONNECT WITH RAYAN JAWAD🌐 Growth Studio - https://growthstudio.com💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rayanjawadTIMESTAMPS:00:00 🚀 Meet Rayan Jawad, Co-Founder of GrowthStudio00:52 🏠 Growing Up In A 1-Bedroom Flat Above A Shop02:26 💼 The "Briefcase" Definition Of Success (And How It Changed)06:59 🧠 The "Annoying Kid" Who Always Asked Why11:09 📉 Leaving The Corporate Ladder For The Startup World14:30 🛑 When Your Boss Rejects Your Resignation Letter15:30 ☕ Where "Growth Studio" Was Born18:24 🌍 Solving Real Problems With Tech20:19 🥪 Surviving On Tesco Meal Deals 23:44 ⚠️ The Danger Of Scaling Too Fast 25:34 🗣️ Don't Fall In Love With Your Idea27:52 🚫 "Rejection Is Just A New Direction"30:37 📱 The Power Of Authenticity34:20 🤷‍♂️ You Don't Need To Know Everything To Be An Expert35:12 ⚡ Rapid Fire Q&A39:57 🕯️ Rayan’s Legacy

    41 min

  2. FEB 2

    The Biggest Lie You’ve Been Told About Confidence | Aliya Rajah

    In this video, Aliya Rajah shares her journey from feeling insecure to becoming one of the leading life coaches in the UAE. They discuss misconceptions about confidence, the pressures of cultural expectations, and the courage it takes to walk one's unique path. Aliya also offers practical insights into overcoming imposter syndrome, the importance of mindset, and how to build genuine self-confidence.CONNECT WITH ALIYA RAJAH🌐 Website: https://aliyarajah.com🔵 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AliyaRajahCC📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachingwithaliya/💼 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/aliya-rajah-0b72ba8aTIMESTAMPS:00:00 🎙️Meet Aliya Rajah, Confidence & Leadership Coach01:29 👶 Aliya's Early Life02:26 👧 "Be Good, Be Polite, Don't Take Up Space"05:27 🔄 Leaving a "Dream Job" for Coaching12:59 🛡️ Entrepreneurship Reality16:03 🇦🇪 Moving to Dubai20:38 🧠 The Confidence Gap in High Achievers21:32 📉 Success Doesn't Cure Self-Doubt21:52 🗣️ Technical Skills vs. Communication Confidence22:23 👩‍💼 Why High-Achieving Women Struggle with "Playing Small"25:22 🤥 Confidence vs. Bravado26:15 🧘‍♀️ Authentic Confidence Is an Inner Game29:38 🌅 The Morning Routine for Building Self-Trust32:20 ⚡ Rapid Fire Round36:03 💫 What Legacy Do You Want to Leave?

    37 min

  3. TRAILER

    TRAILER: At Work With... Aliya Rajah | Executive Presence & Public Speaking Coach

    Stay tuned for the upcoming episode with Aliya Rajah, Executive Presence & Public Speaking Coach

    1 min

  4. 12/15/2025

    “I Realised Success Without Meaning Wasn’t Success at All.” — Purpose, EQ & Non-Linear Careers | Rich Hua

    What happens when success no longer feels meaningful? In this episode of At Work With…, I’m joined by Rich Hua — former founder of EPIC Leadership at Amazon and creator of EQ@Amazon — to talk about emotional intelligence, non-linear careers, and why compassion sits at the heart of true leadership. From immigrant beginnings to ministry, from Amazon to a bold new mission to bring EQ skills to a billion people, this conversation is thoughtful, human, and quietly powerful. 00:00 – IntroWelcome to At Work With… + why this conversation matters 02:10 – Leaving Amazon & What’s NextWhy Rich chose to step into a new chapter 06:00 – Growing Up as an ImmigrantEarly identity, language barriers, and empathy 10:30 – High IQ, Low EQWhat being “the smartest in the room” didn’t teach him 14:40 – Ministry & Missionary WorkHow working with people shaped his emotional intelligence 19:45 – Reinventing a Career at 40The Oracle story and betting on yourself 25:30 – Building EQ@AmazonHow a side passion became a global movement 30:50 – EPIC LeadershipEmpathy, Purpose, Inspiration & Connection explained 35:40 – Compassion as LeadershipWhy EQ matters more than ever in an AI-driven world 39:30 – EQ for a Billion PeopleRich’s vision for the future 43:30 – Quick-Fire RoundPersonal, fun, and reflective questions 47:30 – Closing ReflectionsWhat success really means now ⏱️ Episode Chapters / TimestampsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richhua/ Substack: https://substack.com/@richardhua

    51 min

  5. 12/07/2025

    "The Regret of Not Trying Is Always Bigger" | Kim Antoniou | Founder, Auris Tech & Fonetti | Tech-for-Good Leader

    In this uplifting conversation, founder and tech-for-good innovator Kim Antoniou shares the remarkable journey behind Kafoodle and Fonetti — two companies born from deeply personal moments that changed the course of her life. From her husband’s near-fatal allergy to the spark she saw in her grandson Ollie, Kim reveals how real experiences inspired world-first technology that’s now helping thousands of children read with confidence. We talk resilience, reinvention, building impactful tech at scale, and why “you only regret the things you don’t do.” Kim’s warmth, honesty, and unstoppable passion shine through in every minute of this episode.

    1h 2m

  6. 11/11/2025

    “This isn’t just a job — it’s personal.” – Hilary Evans-Newton CBE | CEO of Alzheimer’s Research UK

    In this conversation, Hilary Evans-Newton, CEO of Alzheimer's Research UK, shares her journey in the third sector, balancing leadership with motherhood, and the challenges faced in dementia research. She discusses the importance of lived experiences in shaping her mission, the recent advancements in Alzheimer's treatments, and the need for timely diagnoses. Hilary emphasizes the collaborative efforts required to accelerate progress in dementia care and the significance of the Dementia Unseen campaign. She reflects on her decade of leadership, the lessons learned, and her vision for the future of Alzheimer's research.

    1h 3m

  7. 09/16/2025

    “Trust your gut, have fun, and don’t overthink it.” – From Amazon to Novel, Building Stories That Last | Craig Strachan | CEO of Novel

    In this episode of At Work With, Craig Strachan — CEO of Novel and former global podcast lead at Amazon Music — shares his squiggly career journey from marketing phone lines to leading Europe’s largest independent podcast studio. He opens up about lessons learned along the way, the leap from Big Tech to an indie startup, and why trust, fun, and authenticity sit at the heart of his leadership. Craig also dives into the future of podcasting, from fandoms and live shows to cross-media storytelling, offering an inspiring and candid look at the industry and the people behind it. ⏱️ Episode Highlights 00:00 | Intro & Beginnings – Childhood, early ambitions & first jobs 07:30 | Career Journey – From BT & Sky to Amazon Music 13:45 | Global Podcasting at Amazon – Strategy, launches & lessons learned 29:00 | Leap to Novel – Moving from Big Tech to leading Europe’s largest indie studio 36:40 | The Future of Podcasting – Storytelling, fandoms & industry shifts 58:20 | Leadership & Legacy – Trust, inclusion & advice for the next generation

    32 min

  8. 09/08/2025

    SPARK, Stealth & The Truth About Having It All | Stacey van den Aardweg | Founder, SPARK | Board Advisor

    In this conversation, Stacey discusses her journey of personal and professional growth, emphasizing the importance of change and adaptability. She reflects on her experiences in leadership roles, the challenges of balancing work and family life, and the concept of 'lifeboats' in providing support. Stacey introduces her venture, Spark, aimed at helping new founders navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship, particularly in the context of AGI's transformative potential. The discussion also touches on the importance of empathy in leadership and the evolving landscape of work in the age of AI.

    53 min
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Trailer

About

Step into 'At Work With...', where we uncover the real, unfiltered stories behind successful careers. Join us as industry leaders share their breakthrough moments, spectacular failures, and unconventional paths to the top. No corporate jargon or polished PR answers – just honest conversations about what it really takes to build a remarkable career. Whether you're climbing the corporate ladder, considering a career pivot, or building your own empire, join us as we decode success, one conversation at a time.

Information

  • Creator
    Ana Merchant
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ana Merchant
  • Show Website
    At Work With...