From a Woman to a Leader

Limor Bergman Gross
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From a Woman to a Leader helps women in tech grow into confident, strategic leaders. Hosted by former Director of Engineering and executive coach Limor Bergman Gross, this show explores promotions, executive presence, visibility, influence, decision-making, and navigating bias in male-dominated environments. Through honest conversations with senior women in technology, you’ll gain practical strategies and mindset shifts to step into leadership with clarity, authority, and impact.

  1. 2D AGO

    What Happens When You Climb the Ladder and Don't Like the View

    For years I sat in meetings watching everyone get excited about the latest technology. Buying books, going to conferences, lighting up over technical talks. And I felt nothing about the tech. What I cared about was the people, the customers, the why behind what we were building. It took me over 20 years to say that out loud. In this solo episode, I'm sharing my personal story of building a career that was safe, practical, and well-paying, but never truly mine. I chose computer science not out of passion but because I grew up in a middle-class family where the message was clear: study hard, work hard, build something that pays the bills. And I followed that script so well that I never stopped to ask whether it was actually mine. This is for you if: You're thriving on paper but feel something is missingYou climbed vertically in your career and never looked sidewaysYou've been wondering what else might be possible but haven't given yourself permission to exploreYou want someone to say: your skills transfer, you're allowed to exploreThis is a companion episode to my conversation with Gabriela Embon about why achievement without fulfillment is the most common trap high-achieving women fall into. Connect with Limor:Website: https://limorbergman.comPodcast: https://limorbergman.com/podcast/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/limorbergman/Substack: https://limorbergman.substack.com

    12 min
  2. Why Achievement Feels Empty and What to Do About It with Gabriela Embon

    4D AGO

    Why Achievement Feels Empty and What to Do About It with Gabriela Embon

    You checked every box. The degree, the career, the title, the salary. And somewhere along the way, you stopped and thought, "Why don't I feel the way I'm supposed to feel?" Gabriela Embon knows that moment. She lived it. A chemical engineer who spent over a decade at Intel, she hit what she calls a "midlife graduation," the point where you realize you've built achievements but not fulfillment. That you climbed the wrong ladder. In this conversation, Gabriela shares how she went from engineering to becoming a marriage and couples coach, and why the transition forced her to confront the hardest question of all: Can I believe I'm worth paying for when there's no company validating me? What you'll get from this episode: Why your career choices might be an unconscious attempt to correct your childhood, and how to recognize the patternThe mindset shift from "proving your worth" to choosing from alignmentWhy the same operational rituals that make teams work also make marriages thriveGabriela's Four Pillars framework for engineering a legendary marriage (and how it applies to every relationship)How to own your feminine strengths in male-dominated spaces without trying to be someone you're not About Gabriela Embon:Gabriela is a marriage and couples coach, author of Becoming a Power Couple: 4 Pillars to Engineer Legendary Marriages, and creator of the Power Couple Method. A former chemical engineer with 15+ years coaching high-achievers, she brings a rare mix of analytical structure and relational depth to her work with couples and leaders. Connect with Gabriela:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielaembon/Website: GabrielaEmbon.com Connect with Limor:Website: ⁠https://limorbergman.com/podcast/⁠LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/limorbergman/⁠Substack: ⁠https://limorbergman.substack.com⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@LimorBergman

    30 min

  3. MAR 5

    What I'd Do Differently: Start Building Before You Leave Your Job

    If you're thinking about starting a business but you're afraid to leave your job, I want to tell you something honest: I jumped into the deep end, and if I were doing it again, I would do it differently. In this solo episode, I share my personal story of leaving a director of engineering role, moving back to Israel, and starting a business with no plan and no clue what I was doing. I talk about growing up in an employee mindset home where being a business owner felt dangerous, about becoming an information junkie who kept buying courses instead of doing anything, and about the moment I realized I already had everything I needed to start. This episode is my advice to you based on what I learned the hard way: Why you should start building on the side before you quit your jobHow to stop over-preparing and start using what you already knowWhy learning and earning need to happen at the same time, not one after the otherHow to stay open to opportunities you didn't plan forWhy you don't need sophisticated tools or another certification to begin If you've been sitting on an idea, a skill, or something you've been thinking about building, this episode is for you. Companion episode: Listen to my conversation with Virginia Frischkorn, a serial entrepreneur who started a company at 24 with no plan. Her story is different from mine, and that's exactly why hearing both will help you figure out your own path. Connect with Limor:Website: https://limorbergman.com/podcast/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/limorbergman/Substack: https://limorbergman.substack.com

    12 min
  4. Stop Preparing and Start Building: What Women Get Wrong About Starting a Business

    MAR 3

    Stop Preparing and Start Building: What Women Get Wrong About Starting a Business

    You've been reading the books. Taking the courses. Telling yourself you'll start when you know enough, when the timing is right, when you feel ready. But what if all that preparation is actually what's keeping you stuck? In this episode, I talk with Virginia Frischkorn , a serial entrepreneur who started her first company at 24 without a plan, without knowing what she was doing, and built it into one of the top 50 event planning companies in the world. She then ran four businesses at once, lost her father overnight, and had to completely rethink what she was building and why. Virginia and I get into the real stuff, what it actually takes to go from idea to action, how she scaled from $500K to $5M events using systems and documentation, and why the "overnight success" you see on LinkedIn is almost always years of quiet, unglamorous work. What you'll get from this episode: Why "just start" is real advice, not a cliché, and what it actually looks like in practiceHow systems and documentation took Virginia from trading time for money to scaling her businessThe relationship-building strategy that helped her cultivate a pipeline of referralsWhy everything takes longer than you think, and why that's not a reason to waitHow losing her father forced her to ask the question most of us avoid: Why am I building this? About Virginia Frischkorn:Virginia is the founder of Party Trick, a platform that helps people plan gatherings by telling them what to do, when to do it, and how to do it. Before Party Trick, she built a luxury event production company recognized by Vogue and Martha Stewart, and scaled from boutique weddings to multi-million dollar brand activations. She's a mom of two, splits her time between Aspen and New York, and gets up at 3:30 AM to build software because she believes connection is what matters most. Connect with Virginia:Party Trick: https://partytrick.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginiatfrischkorn/ Book mentioned: The Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick: https://www.momtestbook.com/ Connect with Limor:Website: https://limorbergman.com/podcast/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/limorbergman/Substack: https://limorbergman.substack.com YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@LimorBergman

    31 min

  5. FEB 26

    Unlock Your Leadership Potential by Mastering the Art of Asking Questions

    As women in tech, we often feel pressure to prove we belong. To know everything. To have all the answers. To speak only when we’re 100% sure. But I think that the real leadership skill isn’t knowing everything or having all the answers… Is it asking powerful questions In this solo episode, I’m sharing why asking questions is one of the most underutilized leadership skills and how it can completely transform the way you lead. You’ll hear real stories from my career: Challenging an architect’s design without creating defensiveness Addressing team conflict with curiosity instead of judgment Building authority as a new engineering manager in the US We’ll talk about: Why women hesitate to ask questions How questions lower defensiveness and build ownership How curiosity creates collaboration instead of conflict Why leadership is about guiding thinking, not having answers If you’re ready to stop proving and start leading with confidence, this episode is for you. 🎧 Listen on the Podcast Hub: limorbergman.com/podcast 📚 Subscribe on Substack: https://limorbergman.substack.com/ 🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LimorBergman 💬 Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/limorbergman/

    14 min
  6. How Asking Better Questions Can Make You a Stronger, More Confident Leader with Nisreen Cain

    FEB 24

    How Asking Better Questions Can Make You a Stronger, More Confident Leader with Nisreen Cain

    Most women hesitate to ask questions, fearing it might make them seem less competent. But what if I told you that asking the right questions is actually one of the most powerful leadership skills you can develop?  In this episode, I chat with Nisreen Cain, a former Google engineering leader turned computer science professor, about her journey and her groundbreaking insights on curiosity. Nisreen shares her personal stories of navigating leadership as a woman in tech, facing doubts, and internalizing the need to know everything.  We dig into how curiosity challenges our ego, builds trust, and transforms how we lead teams without needing to control.  You'll discover practical ways to ask better questions, create psychological safety, and promote independence in your team, all while feeling confident in your authority. If you're tired of feeling stuck or insecure about asking for help, this episode will help you.  You’ll learn how curiosity can elevate your leadership, open doors for growth, and help you lead with more ease and authenticity. Plus, my simple questions framework will give you immediate tools to practice today. Whether you're in tech, leadership, or just want to show up more confidently, understanding and harnessing curiosity will change the game for you.  Ready to unlock your full potential?  Hit play now and start leading with curiosity because that's where real power begins. About Nisreen: Nisreen Cain is a Computer Science professor bridging industry and academia to help professionals navigate the AI era. After 25 years in technology leadership spanning corporate giants like Google to startups like Propel and Babel Street, she now brings real-world experience into the classroom, and academic curiosity into industry practice. Throughout her career journey, from engineer to VP to professor, Nisreen discovered that curiosity is essential. It opens conversations, reveals new possibilities, creates space for creativity, and helps teams move forward with confidence. She's learned that staying curious about yourself, your team, and your challenges is what creates genuine connection and builds high-performing teams. This bridge between worlds shapes her teaching today. Nisreen works with tech professionals, organizations, and women in leadership to build practical AI strategies that align with their values and goals. She's passionate about empowering women in tech and leadership to question assumptions, communicate their value clearly, and lead with authenticity instead of perfection. Beyond her professional work, Nisreen is a community activist who continues to advocate for equity and inclusion of women and minorities in engineering and leadership across STEM/CS fields. Connect with Nisreen: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nisreencain/Instagram: @nisreencainNewsletter: https://beyondthebinary.substack.com About Limor Bergman Gross Limor Bergman Gross is a former Director of Engineering turned executive coach for women in tech. She helps ambitious women grow their confidence, influence, and leadership without burnout or pretending to be someone they’re not. Podcast hub: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://limorbergman.com/podacst⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://limorbergman.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/limorbergman/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@LimorBergman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    42 min

  7. FEB 19

    You’re Not Stuck. You’re Waiting.

    Stop Waiting to Feel Ready I wasted years waiting. Waiting to feel more confident. Waiting to feel more ready. Waiting for someone to give me permission. And while I was waiting, other people were raising their hands. In this solo episode, I share the part of my story I didn’t always say out loud, how waiting slowed my career, what finally changed, and what I now see again and again in the women I coach. If you are capable, responsible, and quietly frustrated that your growth isn’t matching your effort, this episode is for you. We’ll talk about: • The hidden cost of waiting • Why confidence doesn’t come first • How to know if you’re growing or just staying comfortable • What actually creates momentum in your career This is personal. And it might feel uncomfortably familiar. 🎧 Listen now on your favorite platform 📩 Join my Substack for deeper reflections: https://limorbergman.substack.com/ 🌐 Podcast hub: https://limorbergman.com/podcast/

    11 min
  8. How to Grow in Your Career When You Don’t Feel Ready with Lisa Zaythik

    FEB 17

    How to Grow in Your Career When You Don’t Feel Ready with Lisa Zaythik

    You don’t need more confidence. You need to stop waiting for it. If you’re a high-performing woman in tech who keeps thinking, “I’ll go for the promotion when I feel ready,” This episode is going to challenge you. Because confidence is not what moves your career forward. Impact is. In this conversation, I sit down with Lisa Zaythik, founding partner at AppsFlyer and Executive Chief of Staff at a 1,300-person global tech company. Lisa has moved across marketing, operations, HR, and the CEO office, often stepping into roles she had never done before. She didn’t wait to feel confident. She focused on the value she could bring. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to grow in your career when you don’t feel ready How to identify the value you bring, even when others seem more experienced How to know if it’s time to grow in your role or move on The difference between being assertive and being perceived as aggressive How to build confidence by taking action, not waiting for it This is for you if you are competent, responsible, and quietly frustrated that your work isn’t translating into growth. If you keep waiting to “feel ready,” someone less prepared will raise their hand before you. Listen now and rethink how you approach career growth, leadership development, and visibility at work. About Lisa Zaythik: Lisa Zaythik is a founding partner at AppsFlyer and currently serves as Executive Chief of Staff. With a background in marketing, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s value proposition, culture, and organizational DNA from its earliest days. Today, at a company of approximately 1,300 employees, Lisa partners closely with the executive team to drive company-wide strategy, guide senior leadership on organizational processes, and continuously evolve AppsFlyer’s culture of “doing well by doing good.” Follow Lisa on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisazaythik/ About Limor Bergman Gross Limor Bergman Gross is a former Director of Engineering turned executive coach for women in tech. She helps ambitious women grow their confidence, influence, and leadership without burnout or pretending to be someone they’re not. Podcast hub: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://limorbergman.com/podacst⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://limorbergman.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/limorbergman/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@LimorBergman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    36 min
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From a Woman to a Leader helps women in tech grow into confident, strategic leaders. Hosted by former Director of Engineering and executive coach Limor Bergman Gross, this show explores promotions, executive presence, visibility, influence, decision-making, and navigating bias in male-dominated environments. Through honest conversations with senior women in technology, you’ll gain practical strategies and mindset shifts to step into leadership with clarity, authority, and impact.

Information

  • Creator
    Limor Bergman Gross
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    162
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Limor Bergman Gross
  • Show Website
    From a Woman to a Leader