Produced By with Tommen

No Strategy Just Story: Growing on LinkedIn with Honesty and Heart | 131: Anu Chandrasekar

Anu Chandrasekar is a Product and Transformation Consultant who helps banks deliver payments and operational changes that make life simpler for real people. With nearly 20 years in digital transformation, she’s especially passionate about bringing practical AI into workflows, not to replace humans, but to free them to do the work that actually matters. She blends strategic thinking with delivery to help teams move faster and work smarter across complex environments.Alongside her consulting work, Anu is a career coach and speaker who champions thoughtful leadership and community over noisy hustle. What began as honest reflections on LinkedIn has grown into a meaningful platform where thousands connect over clarity, confidence and progress that feels true to who they are. In this episode, Anu shares how embracing change has helped her rebuild with intention. If you’re redefining success in your next chapter, this conversation will remind you that moving forward doesn’t have to be loud, just honest, consistent and human.Connect with Anu:https://www.linkedin.com/in/anu-chandrasekaran-/Timestamps:00:00 – Cold open: believing in angels and connecting the dots01:02 – Intro and welcome01:26 – Meet Anu: mum of 3, transformation consultant, writer02:52 – Her surprising dream of being Britney Spears04:10 – From India to London: how she built her life abroad06:00 – Adjusting to life in a new country with two young kids08:12 – Staying strong when it gets overwhelming10:00 – What real positivity means to her11:11 – Books that changed her: The Secret & The Kite Runner13:12 – Finding light: spirituality, candles, and crystals14:03 – Why she started posting on LinkedIn15:50 – From job break to purpose: how writing helped her heal17:48 – Showing up without chasing metrics or followers19:40 – Building a kind and loyal community on LinkedIn21:53 – Sharing value without pretending to be perfect24:10 – Why LinkedIn is a game-changer for visibility25:56 – Taking a break for family — and why it matters26:30 – Public speaking fears, stage anxiety, and what helps28:54 – Using her voice to empower women in tech and AI30:46 – Learning from the right people on LinkedIn32:15 – On listening to podcasts and staying inspired33:45 – Painting, walking, cafés: how she recharges offline35:00 – Favourite books and authors beyond self-help36:52 – Navigating the job market and staying hopeful40:54 – How to reach Anu & what she’s working on next42:48 – Final thoughts and a message of encouragement Connect with Tommen:X: https://x.com/TomasLoucky⁠⁠⁠Stan: https://stan.store/TommenLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomasloucky/⁠⁠Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisistommen/⁠⁠More:Links: https://linktr.ee/produced_by⁠⁠⁠FenPost: https://fenpost.com/?via=tomasNewsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://producednewsletter.substack.com/⁠Tools & gear that support the show:Neon Now: https://neonnow.co.uk/Metricool: https://f.mtr.cool/HRJBZKUlanzi: https://www.ulanzi.com?aff=2611Apex Comfort: https://apexcomfort.co.uk/Midland Flowers: https://midlandsflowerwallco.co.uk/iQ HEALTH: https://www.iqhealth.co.uk/PRODUCED_BY_PODCASTRA Optics: https://ra-optics.myshopify.com/discount/TOMMEN?rfsn=8803777.591d19Some links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. If you find them useful, using these links helps keep the podcast running. Thank you! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Beyond the Mic: The Inner Work Behind Powerful Brands | 130: Geraldine Spurway

Geraldine is the founder of The Spur Way, a boutique agency helping leaders elevate their presence through breath, brand, and embodied strategy. Her approach blends storytelling, brand positioning and Re:Sense™ Breathwork, a method she created to help high performers reconnect with their voice and lead with clarity, energy and confidence.In this episode, Geraldine shares how breathwork became the practice that helped her overcome fear on stage, rebuild her presence and unlock a deeper sense of purpose. She also opens up about the life-altering moment that sparked her mission. From inner blocks to real visibility, this conversation reveals the deeper work behind powerful brands.Connect with Geraldine:https://www.linkedin.com/in/gespurway/https://linktr.ee/geraldinespurwayhttps://thespurway.com/Timestamps:00:00 – Cold open: how Geraldine helps leaders show up with presence01:02 – Intro and welcome01:26 – Meet Geraldine: strategist, breathwork facilitator, performer02:15 – Why energy work brings faster results than branding03:14 – Helping a TEDx speaker go from nervous to unforgettable04:27 – Her surprising path from dancer to leadership mentor05:46 – From boardrooms to stages: why confidence beats scripts07:56 – The five-word memory trick for public speaking09:06 – How visualisation preps the nervous system10:19 – The real power of pause when speaking11:00 – Her favourite speakers and what she learned from them12:53 – The time she froze on stage… and turned it into a win14:46 – Why you don’t need to master public speaking to be good at it15:53 – From depression to near-death: the turning point at age 2018:48 – When someone online sensed her story before she shared it21:00 – Why she doesn’t share everything on LinkedIn22:06 – How breathwork helped her walk again24:14 – Visualisation, healing and trusting the body27:07 – Simple breathwork to calm the nervous system29:23 – Bringing breathwork to corporate events and retreats30:35 – Trends vs. tools: why breathwork is more than hype32:00 – Facing her fear of cold with the Wim Hof method34:34 – Life outside work: dancing, Netflix, and being a mum36:01 – Her favourite books: from Holiday to Dispenza37:40 – Where to follow Geraldine and work with her38:58 – Her final message to the audience Connect with Tommen:X: https://x.com/TomasLoucky⁠⁠⁠Stan: https://stan.store/TommenLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomasloucky/⁠⁠Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisistommen/⁠⁠More:Links: https://linktr.ee/produced_by⁠⁠⁠FenPost: https://fenpost.com/?via=tomasNewsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://producednewsletter.substack.com/⁠Tools & gear that support the show:Neon Now: https://neonnow.co.uk/Metricool: https://f.mtr.cool/HRJBZKUlanzi: https://www.ulanzi.com?aff=2611Apex Comfort: https://apexcomfort.co.uk/Midland Flowers: https://midlandsflowerwallco.co.uk/iQ HEALTH: https://www.iqhealth.co.uk/PRODUCED_BY_PODCASTRA Optics: https://ra-optics.myshopify.com/discount/TOMMEN?rfsn=8803777.591d19Some links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. If you find them useful, using these links helps keep the podcast running. Thank you! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Your Name Is the Brand: Why It Pays to Show Up Now | 129: Aastha Sharma

Aastha Sharma is a Personal Brand Coach who helps C-suite leaders, founders, and entrepreneurs grow their presence on LinkedIn with clarity, storytelling, and purpose. With a background in journalism and over five years in personal branding and ghostwriting, she has guided 50+ leaders in transforming their profiles into platforms for influence and leadership. Her work goes beyond content, it’s about helping people show up with confidence, consistency, and alignment.Through her coaching, Aastha helps clients uncover the voice behind their vision and turn lived experiences into authentic, high-impact content that drives visibility, trust, and business growth. In this conversation, she shares what it really takes to build a brand that feels human yet powerful, how to attract opportunities without chasing them, tell stories that connect, and lead with your own voice instead of a script.Connect with Aastha:https://www.linkedin.com/in/aastha-sharma8/https://topmate.io/aastha_sharma8Timestamps:00:00 – Cold open: Attracting clients through pain points00:59 – Intro and welcome01:23 – Meet Aastha: from mass comm to personal branding coach02:31 – From acting and journalism to LinkedIn strategy03:52 – Helping C-suite leaders find their voice online04:15 – Do you really need to niche down?06:08 – Aastha’s trial-and-error journey on LinkedIn07:37 – The moment she realized LinkedIn could be monetized08:27 – Why personal branding is a marathon, not a sprint10:01 – Should you post personal stories on LinkedIn?12:21 – The boundary between personal and oversharing13:13 – Common LinkedIn myths that hold people back14:54 – How to attract clients without cold DMs16:53 – The problem with bad outreach and lazy pitches18:46 – What ghostwriting really looks like for founders20:45 – Why your voice shouldn’t be outsourced completely21:47 – How personal branding drives hiring and partnerships24:51 – Sales without cold-pitching? Here’s how26:03 – Is it too late to start on LinkedIn?27:41 – The best platform to grow your brand in 202529:05 – How Aastha stays consistent (even when it’s hard)30:53 – The batch-creation method that saves her time31:52 – Why enjoying the process is essential32:50 – Her “confidence swipe file” strategy for low days33:35 – Aastha’s hobbies and favorite books34:50 – Her take on Atomic Habits and $100M Offers35:32 – Goals for Instagram, team, and 100k followers36:57 – Where to find and work with Aastha38:21 – Final advice: Be authentic, not AI-generated Connect with Tommen:X: https://x.com/TomasLoucky⁠⁠⁠Stan: https://stan.store/TommenLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomasloucky/⁠⁠Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisistommen/⁠⁠More:Links: https://linktr.ee/produced_by⁠⁠⁠FenPost: https://fenpost.com/?via=tomasNewsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://producednewsletter.substack.com/⁠Tools & gear that support the show:Neon Now: https://neonnow.co.uk/Metricool: https://f.mtr.cool/HRJBZKUlanzi: https://www.ulanzi.com?aff=2611Apex Comfort: https://apexcomfort.co.uk/Midland Flowers: https://midlandsflowerwallco.co.uk/iQ HEALTH: https://www.iqhealth.co.uk/PRODUCED_BY_PODCASTRA Optics: https://ra-optics.myshopify.com/discount/TOMMEN?rfsn=8803777.591d19Some links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. If you find them useful, using these links helps keep the podcast running. Thank you! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Self-Taught Warlord: Building a Business With No Plan B | 128: Mary Ore

Mary Ore is a Google-certified marketing strategist and the self-proclaimed “Sales Warlord” helping entrepreneurs turn visibility into real revenue. She’s built a global business from scratch, helped over 700 founders across 13 countries, and even turned down a ₦100M offer to stay true to her brand. Known for her results-driven mindset, story-led copy, and funnel-first websites, Mary brings unmatched energy to every campaign and conversation.In this episode, you'll hear how she grew from zero clients to global recognition, mastered authentic brand-building on LinkedIn, and now helps top entrepreneurs scale without burnout or BS. Whether you're a founder, freelancer, or just tired of playing the content game wrong, this episode is packed with practical advice, hard-won lessons, and Mary's trademark humour that’ll leave you smarter and smiling.Connect with Mary:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sales-warlord-website-designer-mary-ayokanmi-ore/https://maodigitalsolution.com/Timestamps:00:00 – Cold open: “I used to be invisible—someone once sat on me.”01:00 – Intro & welcome: Meet Mary Ora01:26 – Who is Mary Ora? From food lover to global marketing queen02:06 – Rejecting the 9–5 dream for the fake Instagram lifestyle03:05 – Getting scammed 7 times chasing shortcuts to sales04:04 – Becoming the marketer she couldn’t find05:02 – How fake online success nearly broke her06:25 – Behind the feed: When influencers DM asking for jobs07:38 – The toxic pressure to fake it on LinkedIn09:23 – Celebration posts vs. credibility content10:34 – Why over-celebrating ruins your brand12:28 – Smart celebration = strategic storytelling13:31 – Why Mary doesn’t post irrelevant wins14:24 – Quality over quantity (but not at the start)14:53 – How strategic engagement 10x’ed Mary’s visibility17:02 – Engagement like a job → Mary’s real strategy18:58 – The #1 mistake newbies make on LinkedIn19:45 – Stop trying to go viral: Be SpongeBob, not Squidward21:09 – Viral posts vs. audience-first content22:06 – Why supporting small creators will 10x your brand24:10 – Commenting as a growth strategy (done right)25:08 – Why your comment section is sabotaging you27:08 – Stop leaving pointless comments: Do this instead29:13 – The engagement fail that backfired hard30:19 – How to get clients on LinkedIn (the smart way)31:33 – Your featured reviews are scaring off leads32:42 – The hidden power of video testimonials33:45 – Content sandwich: TOFU, MOFU, BOFU explained34:43 – Make your posts feel like stories, not ads35:37 – Building authority through visuals & credibility36:32 – Why “just do a good job” is the best sales strategy38:04 – Vanity metrics don’t pay the bills38:18 – Mary’s guilty pleasure: Comedy, books & SpongeBob39:01 – Book recs: Think and Grow Rich & 48 Laws of Power40:40 – Big goals: Helping 17,000 entrepreneurs & scaling smart41:54 – Why she declined a ₦400M offer (yes, really)42:46 – Where to find Mary Ora online44:04 – Final advice: Turn your flaws into features47:23 – Final thoughts & goodbye Connect with Tommen:X: https://x.com/TomasLoucky⁠⁠⁠Stan: https://stan.store/TommenLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomasloucky/⁠⁠Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisistommen/⁠⁠More:Links: https://linktr.ee/produced_by⁠⁠⁠FenPost: https://fenpost.com/?via=tomasNewsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://producednewsletter.substack.com/⁠Tools & gear that support the show:Neon Now: https://neonnow.co.uk/Metricool: https://f.mtr.cool/HRJBZKUlanzi: https://www.ulanzi.com?aff=2611Apex Comfort: https://apexcomfort.co.uk/Midland Flowers: https://midlandsflowerwallco.co.uk/iQ HEALTH: https://www.iqhealth.co.uk/PRODUCED_BY_PODCASTRA Optics: https://ra-optics.myshopify.com/discount/TOMMEN?rfsn=8803777.591d19Some links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. If you find them useful, using these links helps keep the podcast running. Thank you! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The New Rules of Outbound: How to Stand Out Without Spamming | 127: Yurii Veremchuk

Yurii Veremchuk is one of the most trusted voices on LinkedIn when it comes to outbound sales and personal branding. With over a decade of experience, he’s helped scale startups, built a respected personal brand, and become a leading expert in cold email strategy. From testing outbound tactics to creating content people actually share and save, Yurii brings real-world experience, consistency, and sharp execution to everything he does.In this episode, we dive into his journey of following a passion for sales, working across startups and scaleups, and building systems that convert. He shares insights on inbound versus outbound, how to stand out in the age of AI, and what it takes to grow a personal brand on social media with intention and staying power.Connect with Yurii:https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuriiveremchuk/Timestamps:00:00 – Cold open: stress, pressure & privilege in sales01:02 – Intro and welcome01:21 – Meet Yurii: failures, lessons, and wins in sales02:14 – How sales started with student projects and sponsors03:00 – 9 years at one startup and closing 1000+ customers04:15 – The uncomfortable truth about selling06:01 – How Yurii actually learned outbound (and why books weren’t enough)08:00 – Why outbound was easier in 2016—and harder now09:18 – Books are outdated before they hit shelves10:45 – Learning through testing vs. chasing best practices12:20 – AI and cold email: threat or opportunity?13:35 – Is it too late to start outbound or LinkedIn?14:12 – Inbound vs outbound: which is harder and why16:15 – How LinkedIn became Yurii’s growth engine18:09 – The power of influencing before someone becomes a buyer19:15 – Starting late, scaling fast: Yurii’s content journey21:01 – Why memes work for sales (and how Yurii tested formats)22:23 – Yurii’s content pillars: carousels, memes, infographics24:00 – Don’t copy formats—lean into your strengths25:07 – The difference between growth and virality25:43 – Under 10K strategy: comment to get noticed27:50 – From 10K to 40K: collabs and content upgrades28:56 – How to keep showing up (even when you don’t feel like it)31:09 – Why consistency is easier than a comeback32:25 – What to do when you don’t feel like posting33:55 – Smart commenting: rent someone else’s audience34:49 – Why AI-generated comments actually hurt your brand36:07 – What’s next: LinkedIn → IG, X, TikTok, YouTube37:03 – Hitting 100K on LinkedIn was just step one37:43 – Hobbies: F1, snowboarding, boxing, balance39:11 – Favorite drivers and what-ifs in Formula 140:07 – Book recs: cold calling, negotiation, spin selling41:06 – Where to find Yurii + how his sales systems work42:27 – One overlooked strategy: mining content from real calls Connect with Tommen:X: https://x.com/TomasLoucky⁠⁠⁠Stan: https://stan.store/TommenLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomasloucky/⁠⁠Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisistommen/⁠⁠More:Links: https://linktr.ee/produced_by⁠⁠⁠FenPost: https://fenpost.com/?via=tomasNewsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://producednewsletter.substack.com/⁠Tools & gear that support the show:Neon Now: https://neonnow.co.uk/Metricool: https://f.mtr.cool/HRJBZKUlanzi: https://www.ulanzi.com?aff=2611Apex Comfort: https://apexcomfort.co.uk/Midland Flowers: https://midlandsflowerwallco.co.uk/iQ HEALTH: https://www.iqhealth.co.uk/PRODUCED_BY_PODCASTRA Optics: https://ra-optics.myshopify.com/discount/TOMMEN?rfsn=8803777.591d19Some links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. If you find them useful, using these links helps keep the podcast running. Thank you! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.