Welcome to a very special live edition of the Women Authors of Achievement Podcast, hosted for the first time in UK, right here at the Amano Hotel Skybar in London, overlooking Covent Garden. My guest today is Nikki Trott, strategist, podcast host and author of her new book Sacred Business. Her story bridges two worlds: the ambitious drive of London’s fashion and branding industry, and the expansive, intuitive energy she discovered in Berlin.

Nikki started out leading global fashion and lifestyle campaigns, working with big names across London and New York. But at some point, success as she knew it started to feel off. Thats when she made a radical choice, she left it all behind to follow a different kind of calling.

In this conversation, we talk about what it means to walk away from conventional success, how Berlin helped her reconnect with her intuition, and why business can, and should, be an expression of who we are at our core.

If you’re in a moment of transition or simply craving more purpose in your work, hear this episode!

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Today’s guest is Jen Florin, co-founder of Cookies Events & Catering and someone who’s been shaping Berlin’s cultural and culinary scene from behind the curtain for almost two decades. But titles aside, Jen is a true master of atmosphere. She knows how to turn a room into an experience you’ll never forget.

We talked about the art of curation (yes, the lighting, the playlists, the menus), but also the mindset. Jen opened up about her early years growing up in West Germany, organizing parties in her parents' light studio, and how a teenage love for club culture led her all the way to building an international agency, hosting Netflix, and throwing over 100 events a year.

We also speak about creative partnership and the beautiful chaos of making things happen!

And if you love this episode, leave a review, send it to a friend, or just hit replay.

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My guest is Katharin Ahrend, co-managing director of the Clubcommission Berlin, a pivotal force in protecting and shaping the city’s club scene. Born in East Germany just before the fall of the Wall, Katharin grew up navigating the grey zones of youth culture, rave spaces, and political shifts.

We talk about everything from abandoned buildings turned dance floors to her journey into cultural policy. Katharin opens up about leadership in male-dominated spaces and her deep-rooted belief that club culture is culture. Beautiful, political, and essential, especially in times of division and crisis.

If you’ve ever danced all night and felt something shift or wondered what it takes to protect that freedom, this episode is for you.

And if you love this episode, leave a review, send it to a friend, or just hit replay.

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Today I’m sitting down with someone I’ve known for quite some time. Watching her grow, build, reinvent, and create from the inside out has been inspiring, and honestly, a little wild, in the best way. Cynthia Mensah-Neglokpe is the founder of clicqui and KORE. In this conversation, we talked about starting over, more than once. About what burnout really looks like when you’re the one everyone counts on. And how community, when done right, can quite literally bring you back to yourself.

You’ll hear how Cynthia went from managing luxury brands to building grassroots spaces in four cities, all while figuring out how to protect her energy and build something that actually lasts. If you’ve ever thought about creating something real, something that connects people and still keeps you whole. This one’s for you.

Let’s get into it. And if you love this episode, leave a review, send it to a friend, or just hit replay.

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Today’s guest is Marina Paulenka, exhibition director of Fotografiska Berlin and a fearless voice in contemporary photography. Born in Yugoslavia before the war, Marina’s story is one of resilience. From growing up during conflict to building a global platform for artists, often without institutional support.

We talked about using photography as a tool for empowerment, activism, and storytelling. Marina shared what it really takes to launch a festival from scratch, the importance of making space for underrepresented voices, and how art can drive real societal change.

Let’s dive in. And if you enjoy this conversation, don’t forget to rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform.

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Today’s episode marks an exciting milestone: it’s the official launch of our year-long partnership with flaconi, Germany’s leading online retailer for beauty and perfume. Flaconi stands for more than just beauty products, it’s a brand that celebrates diversity, mental well-being, empowerment, and culture. Values that align deeply with what we do here at WAA. And to celebrate this moment, we’ve planned this special edition of the show.

Alexandra Szarmach is flaconi’s CHRO and Managing Director. With a background that spans sales and HR at global giants like Sephora, Alexandra brings both business savvy and a deep, human-centered leadership style. She opened up about what it means to lead through values, to support mental health in the workplace in tangible ways, and how she is creating inclusive space for women to rise across industries.

This conversation goes beyond titles. It's about real leadership, the messy parts of growth, and the strength it takes to build inclusive, thriving cultures.

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Viviane Sassen doesn’t just take photographs, she creates entire worlds. Known for her dreamlike use of light and shadow, she moves seamlessly between fashion, fine art, and documentary photography, always pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling, often exploring themes of identity, memory, and mortality.

In this conversation, we’ll uncover the influences that shaped her artistic vision, from her childhood in Kenya to her fascination with abstraction. Whether you’re an artist, a storyteller, or simply curious about the way we see the world, this conversation will leave you looking at photography and life through a new lens.

If you enjoy this conversation, don’t forget to rate and review on your favorite podcast platform. I love reading your thoughts! Now, let’s dive in.

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I’m joined by Maria von Scheel-Plessen, who traveled all the way from Munich to meet me at Fotografiska’s cozy Bar Clara—bringing luxury straight to the show. As a senior marketing leader for a top luxury brand, Maria is a powerhouse in her field, blending strategy, tech, and business. But her path wasn’t conventional. Instead of stepping into her family’s 300-year-old legacy, she carved her own path—moving across the world, taking bold risks, and redefining what leadership looks like.

In this episode, we get real about the highs and lows of leading—navigating self-doubt, setting boundaries, and making big career moves. Maria also shares insights on the future of luxury, from shifting consumer habits to why personalization is everything. And of course, we talk about the power of trusting yourself—because sometimes, the best strategy isn’t just knowing the market, it’s knowing you.

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