On this episode of Adapt or Die: Transformative Leadership Conversations, former tech CEO-turned-executive coach Andreas Pettersson sits down with Ryanna Hammond—poet, author, and founder of All With Heart—to unpack the exact moment she realized she was building a life she didn’t want. Stuck in California traffic before sunrise and after dark, Ryanna asked a simple question: “Why am I doing this?” That moment of stillness launched a journey of radical self-honesty, micro actions, and unapologetic creative expression. With six poetry collections, a novel, and a new baby on her hip, Ryanna now helps others reconnect with their truth through journaling, workshops, and deeply human storytelling.

Challenge →
After earning a psychology degree, Ryanna landed a “respectable” 9-to-5—but the routine, traffic, and loss of joy slowly crushed her spirit. The sun was setting on her days before she even got to see it.

Adaptation →
She took one micro-action: posting a single poem on Instagram. Then another. Then more. Each small step expanded her comfort zone and chipped away at imposter syndrome. That snowballed into books, a business, and deep internal growth.

Success →
From working on Power Without Permission to leading journaling workshops and dreaming of seeing her books in Target, Ryanna is living proof that creative courage, done consistently, transforms lives. Today, she’s a new mom, a published author, and a mental health advocate using her words to create space for healing.

🔥 60-Second Hot Seat:
Retired belief? “I can’t do it.” Rule she broke? Caring about what others think. Power Without Permission? Stop asking. Start doing. The only permission you need is your own.

📘 Power Without Permission
Ryanna is a co-author in Power Without Permission. Get your copy at leadersadapt.com/book and join the community of women building unapologetic leadership from the inside out.

Visit www.leadersadapt.com/adaptordie for show notes, free resources, and coaching programs.

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/andreas-pettersson

On this episode of Adapt or Die: Transformative Leadership Conversations, former tech CEO–turned–executive coach Andreas Pettersson reconnects with Janne Jakobsen—Senior Vice President, mentor to rising leaders, and co-author of Power Without Permission. A results-oriented executive with over 25 years of international experience, Janne has led across product and portfolio management, brand strategy, global marketing, and customer experience. Her leadership centers on customer focus, strategic vision, and building inclusive, resilient teams that can scale insight into impact. But in one of her biggest roles, she found herself increasingly silenced in an all-male executive room—where real decisions happened before the meeting even began. From burnout and imposter syndrome to rediscovery and reinvention, Janne shares how losing her voice helped her find her power again—and why no culture is worth shrinking for.

Challenge → The only woman on an executive team, Janne realized she was being excluded from key decisions and slowly shrinking into silence—trying to mimic the “masculine” traits that seemed to dominate the room.

Adaptation → After being let go, she worked with a coach to redefine her non-negotiables, rebuild her confidence, and prioritize values-aligned cultures where she could thrive as herself.

Success → Today, she leads enterprise-wide change with emotional intelligence and strategic clarity, mentors the next generation of leaders, and holds two board seats—thanks to a push from her daughter who reminded her why representation matters.

🔥 60-Second Hot Seat:
Janne retired the belief that she had to be like everyone else to be heard, and broke her own “never give up” rule—learning that walking away isn’t failure, it’s freedom. Power Without Permission means taking your shot before someone says you can.

📘 Power Without Permission
Janne is a featured co-author in Power Without Permission. Grab the book at leadersadapt.com/book to learn from women leading without compromise.

Visit www.leadersadapt.com/adaptordie for show notes, free resources, and coaching programs.

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/andreas-pettersson

On this episode of Adapt or Die: Transformative Leadership Conversations, former tech CEO–turned–executive coach Andreas Pettersson sits down with Carolina Hernandez—entrepreneur, real estate investor, co-owner of Luis Gloria Painting, and co-author of Power Without Permission. Born in Mexico City and raised in the U.S., Carolina grew up translating for her parents and breaking generational cycles. But it wasn’t until a moment of business stagnation—and personal reflection—that she stopped waiting for someone to save her and took full ownership of her leadership. From managing teams of male construction workers to walking away from abusive clients, Carolina shares how identity, trauma, and bold action all shaped the powerhouse CEO—and mother—she’s become.

Challenge → Years of hustling inside the business left Carolina stagnant, emotionally drained, and doubting her capacity—especially in a male-dominated industry where her authority was constantly tested.

Adaptation → She sought out mentorship, rewired self-doubt into action, and learned to lead with both compassion and conviction—showing up for her team and herself, even during a warehouse fire.

Success → Carolina now leads a multi-business portfolio, has built deep loyalty with her team, and is rewriting generational narratives for her daughter—who doesn't even know what "drunk" means thanks to Carolina’s sobriety and growth.

🔥 60-Second Hot Seat:
Belief retired? “No one’s coming to save me.” Rule she broke? Following every rule. Power Without Permission? Step in, take up space, and lead like someone who belongs—because you do.

📘 Power Without Permission
Carolina is a featured co-author in Power Without Permission. Get the book at leadersadapt.com/book and join the movement rewriting the rules of leadership.

Visit www.leadersadapt.com/adaptordie for show notes, free resources, and coaching programs.

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/andreas-pettersson

On this episode of Adapt or Die: Transformative Leadership Conversations, former tech CEO-turned-executive coach Andreas Pettersson sits down with Alyssa Trenkamp, a fearless marketing executive who’s navigated five successful acquisitions in the high-growth B2B SaaS world. Now leading Americas Marketing for a global technology company, Alyssa shares how a chaotic startup office, a loyal CEO, and one mantra from her mom—“Make it a great day”—shaped her career path. From being blindsided by team drama to learning how to self-coach through self-doubt, Alyssa offers a masterclass in resilience, allyship, and redefining success through the “meaningful middle.”

Challenge →
Facing mutiny from her team and an offer letter on her desk, Alyssa sat across from her CEO—knowing the next few minutes could define her career. Her team’s grievances threatened everything she’d built, and walking away would’ve been easy.

Adaptation →
She leaned into honesty, ownership, and a deep relationship with her CEO—who saw the situation for what it was and had her back. That choice cemented her conviction to lead, not leave, and reinforced her belief that true growth means not running from the fire—but through it.

Success →
With unshakable confidence and a knack for finding “the meaningful middle,” Alyssa’s built lasting teams, driven massive growth, and earned the kind of trust that turns colleagues into repeat partners across companies. She’s now writing a book chronicling her hard-won lessons—straight from the heart of startup chaos.

🔥 60-Second Hot Seat:
She broke the “be nice and conform” rule, let work friendships go deep, and rebuilt confidence by listening to her own voice—literally. (Yes, she records her own book for pep talks.) Her mantra? Don’t lead from fear. Remember who you are—and then take the next step.

Startup chaos. Female allyship. Inner critic management. Alyssa’s story is fuel for any leader ready to lead boldly, without asking for permission.

📘 Power Without Permission
Akyssa is a co-author in Power Without Permission. Get your copy at leadersadapt.com/book and join the community of women building unapologetic leadership from the inside out.

Visit www.leadersadapt.com/adaptordie for show notes, free resources, and coaching programs.

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/andreas-pettersson

On this episode of Adapt or Die: Transformative Leadership Conversations, Andreas Pettersson sits down with Marlene Braga, a dynamic creative executive whose career spans iconic organizations like ABC News, A&E, Azteca America, PBS, and now the Skirball Cultural Center, where she leads public programming. Born in Miami and “made in Havana,” Marlene is a Cold War kid whose family fled the Cuban revolution—fueling her instinct to move forward at all costs. From print production at Gap to working with Steve Jobs, her journey is defined by audacious pivots, fearless action, and learning to lead without permission. In this conversation, she shares how confronting doubt, integrating her inner critic, and redefining the "good girl" script transformed how she serves others—without abandoning herself.

Challenge →
Raised to be a “good girl” in a Cold War Cuban household, Marlene felt confined by expectations of self-sacrifice and servitude. By her early career, those internalized patterns led her to over-function for others, under-function for herself, and miss out on bold opportunities—even turning down a call from Steve Jobs.

Adaptation →
Through deep reflection, creative risk-taking, and the support of a tight inner circle, Marlene rewrote her inner narrative. She left Miami with two cardboard boxes to chase political science in D.C., said yes to Pixar when doubt screamed no, and began actively naming and taming her inner critic instead of letting it drive.

Success →
Marlene has since led creative teams across media, television, and cultural institutions—crafting public programs that stir minds and hearts. From managing large-scale events to mentoring the next generation of Latina leaders, she now pushes with purpose and models power with reflection. Every pivot has made her more authentic—and more unstoppable.

🔥 60-Second Hot Seat:
She ditched perfection, declined Steve Jobs (for all the right reasons), and now greets her inner critic like an old friend on the couch. Marlene's power mantra? “Doubt is the oppressor of the people—honor it, then move forward.” Her pregame ritual before tough conversations? “Don’t abandon Marlene.”

Letting go of shame. Rewriting doubt. Living without permission. Marlene’s story is a masterclass in leadership with soul.

📘 Power Without Permission
Marlene is a co-author in Power Without Permission. Get your copy at leadersadapt.com/book and join the community of women building unapologetic leadership from the inside out.

Visit www.leadersadapt.com/adaptordie for show notes, free resources, and coaching programs.

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/andreas-pettersson

On this episode of Adapt or Die: Transformative Leadership Conversations, former tech CEO-turned-executive coach Andreas Pettersson sits down with Stephanie Hammerwold, Head of HR at the Skirball Cultural Center and a passionate advocate for humane leadership. With an HR career spanning warehousing, tech, the arts, and more, Stephanie has spent decades in service of people. But her journey reveals a hard truth: when you say yes to everything, you disappear. From being tethered to her computer during the pandemic to burning out in the name of being “available,” Stephanie shares how she rebuilt her leadership with radical honesty, boundary-setting, and a healthy dose of perspective from her volunteer work with incarcerated women.

Challenge →
As the world reopened post-COVID, Stephanie found herself physically and emotionally drained—anchored to Slack, Zoom, and a sense of duty that never let her log off. Even on vacation, she worked. The breaking point came mid-road trip in a friend’s car, when she burst into tears—not from sadness, but from clarity: she was done.

Adaptation →
For the first time in her career, Stephanie chose to leave a job before the resentment set in. She stopped waiting for burnout to be the alarm. Within a week of updating her LinkedIn, an opportunity at Skirball appeared—and this time, she set the terms. She began applying the same non-negotiable boundaries she learned through prison advocacy to her own career. The result? More impact, less self-erasure.

Success →
Today, Stephanie leads with empathy and limits. She centers presence over fixing, teaches others the power of “no,” and helps her team thrive without her being on call 24/7. Whether it’s the “above the line/below the line” mindset tool or using running as a sanctuary from burnout, Stephanie models what it looks like to protect your peace—and your people—by leading with both heart and backbone.

🔥 60-Second Hot Seat:
Stephanie’s retired belief? That she has to save everyone. She’s broken the rule of always being accessible, and now evangelizes true disconnection—no email on cruises, no guilt for setting limits. Power Without Permission, to her, means reshaping leadership through a new lens: one that’s inclusive, anti-patriarchal, and deeply human.

Her story is proof: when you stop trying to be everything to everyone, you become everything you need.

📘 Power Without Permission
Stephanie is a co-author in Power Without Permission. Get your copy at leadersadapt.com/book and join the community of women building unapologetic leadership from the inside out.

Visit www.leadersadapt.com/adaptordie for show notes, free resources, and coaching programs.

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/andreas-pettersson

On this episode of Adapt or Die: Transformative Leadership Conversations, former tech-CEO-turned-executive-coach Andreas Pettersson sits down with Cindy Chang, seasoned product leader and resilience-builder. Known for thriving in ambiguity and leading with empathy, curiosity, and conviction, Cindy’s journey is anything but conventional. After losing her father in a traumatic moment her senior year of high school—and facing abandonment and isolation soon after—Cindy didn’t just survive. She learned to own her story, build her tribe, and turn vulnerability into a leadership advantage. Today, she’s a powerhouse PM with an unshakable center—and a deep belief in the strength of human connection.

Challenge →
Cindy’s world flipped overnight when she found herself giving her father CPR in the middle of the night—only to lose him hours later. Days later, her mother moved across the world. With no roadmap, no safety net, and depression setting in, she faced college—and life—completely alone.

Adaptation →
Instead of spiraling, Cindy built structure from chaos—stacking part-time jobs, seeking counseling, and slowly rebuilding confidence through familiar spaces like student leadership. Her big breakthrough came when she stopped going it alone and started cultivating meaningful relationships. Her vulnerability became her differentiator—and her network, her edge.

Success →
From front desk to front lines of product, Cindy’s carved a career leading high-impact teams at speed. She’s turned raw pain into real empathy—and now leverages her lived experience to create psychologically safe, high-performing cultures. Her power? Radical clarity, relentless self-reflection, and the courage to walk away from anything that doesn’t align.

🔥 60-Second Hot Seat:
Cindy’s biggest retired belief? “I’m not good enough.” Not anymore. Now, she role-plays tough convos, listens to her gut, and makes bold exits when values don’t align. Power Without Permission? For Cindy, it’s about micro-moves, emotional courage, and never letting self-doubt make decisions on your behalf.

If you think pain disqualifies you from power, Cindy’s story will flip that script—and help you write your own.

📘 Power Without Permission
Cindy is a co-author in Power Without Permission. Get your copy at leadersadapt.com/book and join the community of women building unapologetic leadership from the inside out.

Visit www.leadersadapt.com/adaptordie for show notes, free resources, and coaching programs.

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/andreas-pettersson

On this episode of Adapt or Die: Transformative Leadership Conversations, former tech-CEO-turned-executive-coach Andreas Pettersson sits down with Marina St. Cyr, Senior Vice President and operational powerhouse with over 20 years of experience scaling companies, leading cross-functional teams, and orchestrating $100M+ transformations. But Marina’s biggest pivot wasn’t strategic—it was internal. From doubting her worth in high-stakes M&A to commanding a room full of execs with nothing but her instincts and a cell phone, Marina reveals how she stopped waiting for permission, started trusting her voice, and built the seat she knew she deserved.

Challenge →
Walking into her first major M&A deal, Marina was riddled with imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and the fear of being “found out.” The pressure was real—lives were about to change, and she was unsure she belonged in the room.

Adaptation →
When the takeover tech failed, Marina didn’t flinch—she took command, coordinated the rollout herself, and silenced the inner critic with one simple directive: just go. From that moment on, micro-actions became her operating system, and doubt lost its grip.

Success →
Now a strategic advisor and senior executive, Marina leads with unshakable clarity and grounded authority. She's stopped hoping for recognition—and instead asks, earns, and builds what she wants. Her influence spans M&A, supply chain, legal, HR, and more—all driven by a relentless belief in her power to act, even scared.

🔥 60-Second Hot Seat:
Marina’s go-to ritual before a tough meeting? A direct self-pep talk: “You’ve got this. There’s no one better for this moment than you.” Her biggest retired belief? That she had to agree with the most powerful voice in the room. Now, she brings her full self, knowing that presence alone is power—and disagreement is a contribution, not a risk.

If you’re still waiting to be invited in, Marina’s message is clear: stop waiting, start building. The seat you’re waiting for might be the one you’re meant to create.

📘 Power Without Permission
Marina is a co-author in Power Without Permission. Get your copy at leadersadapt.com/book and join the community of women building unapologetic leadership from the inside out.

Visit www.leadersadapt.com/adaptordie for show notes, free resources, and coaching programs.

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/andreas-pettersson