The Non-Native Leader - Podcast
Inspiring conversations with professionals thriving beyond borders
The Non-Native Leader
The Non-Native Leader is a video podcast that celebrates international professionals who have built successful global careers, despite not being born in English-speaking countries. Each episode features inspiring conversations with leaders from diverse industries who share their personal stories, challenges, and strategies for thriving in multicultural workplaces.
Through authentic storytelling, the podcast highlights themes such as communication, confidence, cultural identity, and career growth, offering valuable insights for non-native English speakers navigating the global stage. More than a podcast, The Non-Native Leader is a platform that empowers voices from around the world and showcases the richness of diverse leadership in today’s interconnected world.
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Episode 30 - Be an Optimist and Take Risks
Are you a non-native English speaker working in tech, business, or international teams? 🚀 Do you sometimes feel that English is holding you back from your dream job or career opportunities? In this episode of The Non-Native Leader podcast, host Daniele Ponzo talks to Anas Riad ( @anas_riad ) a Data Scientist from Morocco, about why optimism and taking risks are essential if you want to grow your career, speak English with confidence, and open doors to global opportunities.
Episode 29 - Language: a Bridge or a Barrier?
Is English helping you connect — or holding you back? In this powerful episode of The Non-Native Leader, I sit down with Karuna Dwivedi, English Language Specialist, doctoral candidate, and author of the upcoming book Grammar as a Bridge. Together, we explore what it really means to teach, learn, and use English as a non-native speaker in international, multicultural workplaces and classrooms.
Episode 28 - Building Trust in Global Business
In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Thomas Hoon, a Singaporean entrepreneur, CEO, and mentor currently based in China. With 25+ years of experience in international business development and cross-border leadership, Thomas shares the hard-earned lessons behind building trust in global markets.
Episode 27 - From Silent Contributor to Global Leader
In this inspiring conversation, host Daniele meets Adrian Stanek — also known as the @theSnackableCTO — to talk about building a leadership presence beyond borders. Adrian shares how he went from perfectionism and hesitation to confidently coaching and speaking in English on global platforms.
Episode 26 - Self Doubt to Self Belief
In this episode of The Non-Native Leader, Daniele sits down with Gydion Kummer (https://gydionkummer.com/), a former language teacher turned coach, who helps educators become confident entrepreneurs. Gydion shares how he battled impostor syndrome, language anxiety, and cultural expectations — and ultimately found the courage to build a business that aligns with his values.
Episode 25 - How to Redefine Success
What does success really mean when you're going through a major life or career transition — and doing it in your second language? In this inspiring episode, executive coach Giannis Chatzidis shares his journey from engineering to coaching, and how he helps professionals navigate big career shifts. As a non-native English speaker himself, Giannis opens up about the power of mindset, overcoming fear, and how he redefined success on his own terms.
Episode 24 - Speak English with Confidence
Struggling with the fear of speaking English in your tech career? You’re not alone! In this episode of The Non-Native Leader Podcast, I speak with computer science professor, consultant, and former CTO Georgios Christou. Together, we explore how non-native professionals in tech overcome communication barriers, gain confidence, and build successful global careers. 🌍
Episode 23 - Dealing with Mistakes
Want to land a global job but feel held back by your English? You're not alone! In this episode of The Non-Native Leader, together with Luther Lebtag, a senior IT Project Manager, we uncover the #1 mistake that stops non-native professionals from thriving internationally—and how to fix it.
Episode 22 - The World is your Oyster
Discover the incredible journey of Janine Schall-Emden, a true non-native leader who navigated 29 moves across continents, adapting to diverse cultures, mastering multiple languages, and building a global career in international development. From her roots in Venezuela to her work in Africa and her family’s decision to settle in Italy, Janine shares the challenges, insights, and triumphs of thriving as a global citizen.
Episode 21 - Have Courage and Be Kind!
Join us on this episode of The Non-Native Leader, where we explore the inspiring story of Donna Maravillas. From her roots in the Philippines to becoming a CELTA-certified English teacher in Italy, Donna shares her journey of embracing new cultures, languages, and professional growth.
Episode 20 - How to Ace Global Job Interviews
Are you a non-native English speaker aiming for success in the global job market? Join Daniele and special guest Luca Primavera, a Finance Specialist working for Deepl in Germany, as they share invaluable insights and interview tips for international professionals!
Episode 19 - Soft Skills for Software Engineers
Are you a software engineer or IT professional aiming to enhance your communication and leadership skills? Join us in this episode as we chat with Dariusz Sadowski, a tech leader and career coach, about the critical role soft skills play in advancing your career. Learn how mastering English and communication can unlock opportunities, improve teamwork, and elevate your influence in the tech industry. Don’t miss out on tips to break free from the “angry engineer” stereotype and thrive as a confident communicator!
Episode 18 - Have Fun while Learning
Breaking language barriers can be hard...but if you want to have success beyond borders, there is a way: simplify complex ideas. In this episode I speak with Reanne Besa, a visual artist with a dream: make learning accessible and fun! Learn about her inspiring journey and the way she is finding her way in an international environment!
Episode 17 - From Hesitant to Fluent
Communication can surely take many different shapes. Communicating with native speakers, building up your confidence, getting your message across in a professional manner. Interested in these topics? Then join Martin Oetting and I for our brand new episode of "The Non-Native Leader" podcast. Martin is an artist, an activist and a marketing expert, he communicates through his @MOPALAB channel and he'll share his experience with us!
Episode 16 - How to Become a Great Leader
We are all interested in Career Growth and Development. But how do you boost your confidence to become an effective communicator? How do you enhance your skills to become successful in IT, Finance and Business? I've discussed these points with Marek Sowa, Global Head of GenAI CoE, Offering & Innovation Director at #capgemini. If you’re interested in becoming more confident (Global Director Confident), then you don’t want to miss our chat.
Episode 15 - Laugh, and the World Laughs with You!
"Laugh, and the World laughs with you.weep, and you weep alone". What is the best strategy to become a confident communicator? Poet Ella Wheeler Wilcox believes in the power of cheerfulness. Matteo Giusti, Future Fellow at the University of Surrey, UK has applied this strategy all along his career. Join us as we speak about stories, strategies and tricks to improve your fluency in English.
Episode 14 - How to Overcome Language Barriers
How do you go from tourism to IT and then become a successful entrepreneur? Follow our brand new episode where I talk to Sandra Stynes, Co-Founder & Executive Director at Stellar Corporate Housing. She tells her international experience from the very beginning in a fast food to her latest success, founding her own company. All while building a wonderful family in Ireland.
Episode 13 - Humanizing Tech
Is AI going to steal our jobs? Will it replace us? Not as long as we stay human and keep doing what humans do: caring, sharing, creating, innovating. Join me as I speak with Maryia Tuleika, Test automation lead and Educator in Sweden. Her goal? Teaching software engineering to non-engineers.
Episode 12 - Start Now, Improve Later!
What's the best recipe for international success? Whether it's marketing, writing, journalism....well, first of all you have to start. In this episode I talk to Francesco Mandolini, senior copywriter and journalist. He shares his insights and his journey.
Episode 11 - Build a Network to Excel in Your Career
What's the best strategy to build a solid international career? Build a network of mentors from whom you can seek guidance and support. In this episode I speak to my friend Francesco Petroni, Global Professional Services Manager at Expeditors in Dublin, Ireland. He's managing teams in the USA, Singapore and Ireland. And he's always used the power of networking in his career.
Episode 10 - Life, Liberty and The Pursuit of Happiness
How do you get SUCCESS in the PURSUIT of HAPPINESS? In this episode I talk to Professor Lorenzo Fioramonti, Director of the Institute for Sustainability at the University of Surrey, UK. A renowned author and academic, professor Fioramonti is an advocate of the "the Wellbeing", both for our economic systems and at a personal level. Join us for insights on his career and his future plans.
Episode 9 - Boost Your Career with Soft Skills
It's not enough to be a great developer or a skilled engineer. Soft skills play a vital part in your career. Language, attitude and mindset can make you a protagonist on the international stage. Join me as I talk to Pavel Polcr, Software Engineer (and Storyteller) @3Pillar Global. You can now follow Pavel on his channel @SoftwareEngineeringTales
Episode 8 - The Power of Language to Work Internationally
Today we’re going to talk about dreams and how language can help you achieve an international career. Join me as I talk to David Bavon, EMEA Business Development Director @SIDETRADE.
Episode 7 - The Right Mindset to be a Confident Speaker
Do you have the right MINDSET to be a CONFIDENT speaker?? Join me as I talk to David Cabezas Ferreras, Experiential English and Neurolanguage Coach. He's helping people to overcome fear and shame when speaking English. Want to know more? Watch the full episode!
Episode 6 - A Community Makes you Stronger
What can a strong community do for your career? Join me as I talk to Luigi Ferri, Senior Project Manager with ITSM & IT Security Certifications. He's a top expert in his field. And he's been building something amazing. Want to know more? Watch the full episode!
Episode 5 - The Key to an International Career
Is this the secret to an International Career? Join me as I talk to Paola Clementi, Order to Cash Project Manager at Criteo. She has had many starts and she's been able to change her life more than once. How did she do that? There is one SECRET.
Episode 4 - How to Overcome Global Challenges
Do you need to have perfect English to have an international career? Today we talk to Anna Maria Graziano, SSTC specialist at World Food Programme about obstacles, challenges, fear and how to overcome them when you want an international career (with a smile on your face :))
Episode 3 - How to Overcome Fear
Is Fear holding you back in your dream to have an international career? Today we talk to Stefano Pappalardo, Head of Digital, Marketing & Development at GCN (Gay Community News) about fear and how to overcome it when you want an international career.
Episode 2 - Small Talk: the Key to Shine at Work
How do we make sure we build strong relationships at work? What's the best strategy? Today I talk to Jonathan Mascaro, Manager, Investigator Payments at Icon about the power of small talk and much more.
Episode 1 - Put Yourself Out There!
How do you get more confident at work as a non-native English speaker? What happens when you put yourself out there? Today we talk to Juan Jose Keena, CMO @ TimeXtender about what happens when you put yourself out there and much more.