Hats On!

7. From War Zones to Wisdom | A Life Beyond Borders

(Episode in Spanish) De Bosnia a Irak. Del ébola en Sierra Leona a los campos de refugiados en Grecia y Ucrania. En este episodio de Hats On! converso con una mujer que ha dedicado su vida a la medicina, la ayuda humanitaria y, sobre todo, a las personas. Anestesióloga, cirujana y vicepresidenta de Cruz Roja Española, comparte las lecciones que aprendió trabajando en algunos de los escenarios más duros del mundo. Hablamos de resiliencia, humanidad, liderazgo, miedo, menopausia, independencia, curiosidad y del enorme poder de no perder nunca las ganas de aprender y de vivir. Una conversación profundamente humana sobre servicio, propósito y vida. --------------------------------------------------- (ENG) From war zones to Ebola wards, from rural medicine to refugee camps. This week’s conversation is with a woman who has spent her life running toward humanity when others were running away. A former anesthesiologist and surgeon, humanitarian doctor, and Vice President of the Spanish Red Cross, she shares what Bosnia, Iraq, Sierra Leone, Palestine and Ukraine taught her about resilience, leadership, fear, curiosity, and what it really means to care for people. But beyond the extraordinary missions, this is also a conversation about being a woman who chose freedom, purpose, medicine, and curiosity over convention — and why she still wakes up every morning wanting to learn more. This episode is a masterclass in humanity. Disclaimer: Guest's opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Hats On! or its partners. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice.

6. The Pain Women Are Expected to Endure | Endometriosis, Work & the Cost of Silence

One in ten women lives with endometriosis. Most spend years being dismissed before they’re diagnosed. This episode of Hats On! is the first of our Deep Dive series — where we unpack one topic through three lenses: the personal experience, the workplace reality, and what organisations can actually do better. Today’s topic is endometriosis. A chronic condition affecting an estimated 190 million people worldwide — yet still misunderstood, underdiagnosed, and rarely discussed openly at work. In this episode, we explore: * What endometriosis actually is and why diagnosis can take up to a decade * The physical and emotional cost of living with chronic pain * Why so many women suffer in silence at work * The impact on careers, productivity, fertility, and mental health * The practical changes organisations can make to better support employees This isn’t just a women’s health issue. It’s a leadership issue. A workplace issue. A systems issue. If you’ve ever felt dismissed, unseen, or forced to push through pain in silence — this episode is for you. And if you lead people, manage teams, or shape workplace policy, this conversation matters even more. Link to the Endometriosis UK friendly employer scheme: https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/endometriosis-friendly-employer-scheme Disclaimer: Guest's opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Hats On! or its partners. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice.

5. The Bold Move That Built It All | Starting From Scratch Abroad

She left the U.S. for Spain and built a business from scratch in a market built on connections she didn’t have. In this episode of Hats On!, we talk about what it really takes to build something of your own far from home, without a clear roadmap, and before you feel “ready.” Just four years out of university, Lauren made a decision most would call bold: she moved to Spain and launched her own executive search firm in one of the most competitive, relationship-driven industries. What followed was over a decade of building a business across Europe—by doing things differently. Not just filling roles, but finding the people others overlook and turning them into game-changing hires. But the story doesn’t stop there. Years later, she made another big shift—moving back to the U.S. to rebuild her business in a market she hadn’t lived in for over a decade… all while becoming a mother for the first time. We talk about: * Starting a business abroad with no network * Turning “different” into your biggest advantage * Navigating markets, cultures, and constant change * What it means to rebuild—personally and professionally * Motherhood as a founder—and how it changes everything (and nothing) At its core, this is a conversation about trusting your instincts even when there’s no clear path. And realizing that sometimes, what looks bold from the outside… just feels obvious from within. If you’ve ever taken a leap, questioned where you belong, or tried to build something on your own terms—this episode is for you. Disclaimer: Guest's opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Hats On! or its partners. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice.

4. The Life You Didn’t Plan | When Change Becomes Your Path

She had a stable career and she would’ve stayed on it forever. Until life quietly asked a different question. In this episode of Hats On!, Ilona shares a deeply human story of unexpected change, resilience, and the paths we don’t plan but end up shaping us the most. Trained as an audiologist, Ilona built a long, successful career in a demanding field. But when an opportunity came to move overseas, everything shifted. From Australia to the Netherlands to the UK and back again, this conversation explores what happens when you step off the “expected” path—and discover something new about yourself along the way. We talk about: * The reality of miscarriage—and the silence around it * Supporting someone through mental health—and the invisible weight carried by those around them * Letting go of the idea that life has to follow a fixed plan * Raising children to embrace individuality, not perfection At its core, this is a conversation about adaptability. About choosing differently when life gives you the chance. And about understanding that not everything needs to go according to plan to turn out exactly as it should. If you’ve ever questioned your path, felt stuck in a version of life that no longer fits, or wondered what else might be possible, this episode is for you. Disclaimer: Guest's opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Hats On! or its partners. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice.

3. Reinventing Your Path | Leading through uncertainty

Her career didn’t follow a straight line. Neither did her life. In this episode of Hats On!, Vanessa shares the real story behind an unconventional career — from startups to corporate leadership — and the deeply personal journey she chose to speak about openly: IVF. As a senior leader in the pharmaceutical industry and co-founder of Women in Mobile, her career reflects innovation, resilience, and reinvention. But behind the achievements is a story of uncertainty, difficult decisions, and moments that tested her strength in ways no one could see. We talk about: * Building a non-linear career and trusting your own path * The loneliness of entrepreneurship and uncertainty * Redefining leadership through experience, not titles * Why visibility for women in tech still matters * The reality of IVF — physically, mentally, emotionally * Navigating pressure, expectations, and societal norms * Learning to stay grounded in a constantly changing world From career pivots to deeply personal challenges, this conversation is about learning to move forward — even when nothing feels certain. If you’ve ever questioned your path, felt behind, or gone through something no one talks about — this episode is for you. Disclaimer: Guest's opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Hats On! or its partners. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice.