AnnaJoTalks - Work Life For Badasses

034: Embracing Authenticity: A Journey with Banu Tomruk

Join Coach AnnaJo as she delves into a conversation with Banu Tomruk, a leader and coach with over 25 years of experience in corporate HR. Discover Banu's inspiring journey from a traditional upbringing in Turkey to becoming a global HR leader and founder of Ascend, a career coaching company. This episode explores themes of authenticity, resilience, and the power of embracing one's true self in both personal and professional life. Key Takeaways: Banu's pivotal moments that shaped her career and personal growth. The importance of authenticity in leadership and life. Balancing a thriving career with motherhood. Insights into building a meaningful career aligned with personal values. Guest Bio: Banu Tomruk is a former global HR leader and certified professional coach dedicated to helping individuals and organizations thrive. With a multicultural perspective and deep expertise, she empowers professionals to design intentional and meaningful careers. Connect with Banu: Instagram: @ascendcc0105 [https://www.instagram.com/ascend0105/] LinkedIn: Banu Tomruk [https://www.linkedin.com/in/banu-tomruk-a32268/] Website: www.ascendcc.biz [http://www.ascendcc.biz/] Tune in to hear Banu's inspiring story and learn how to live life on your own terms. Subscribe now to never miss an episode!

033: Have You Ever Heard: "You're Too Intense" or "Too Much"?

This episode is a personal one. I used to hear it all the time: "You're too intense." And without even noticing, I started to shrink , questioning my tone, my energy, my ideas. It chipped away at my confidence. But you know what changed everything? I started blogging. Just for me. No approval, no editing, no politics. And that gave me my voice back. If you've ever felt like you had to dim your light to make others comfortable , come sit with me in this conversation. Because one day, the thing they said was "too much" will be the reason they call you a leader.

032: Mondays with Coach AnnaJo Live - (Now on the Podcast!)

This is a big one. After months (actually… 70 Mondays!) of going live on Instagram, streaming across platforms, and showing up imperfectly , Mondays with Coach AnnaJo is officially part of the podcast! Yep, you asked for it, and I listened. I started Mondays with Coach AnnaJo back on March 11, 2024, and it's been evolving ever since. Not polished. Not rehearsed. But real. And now, this energy, this weekly moment of reflection and fire, gets to live here too. "Because momentum matters more than perfection." In this episode, I talk about what it means to do it anyway. Even when it's messy. Even when you don't feel ready. This one's about evolving, reinventing, and growing , not in theory, but in real-time. So here it is: Episode 32, the #70 of Mondays with Coach AnnaJo. Live. Unfiltered. Encouraging. Mondays with Coach AnnaJo. Thank you for being part of this. I'm doing it — imperfectly — but I'm doing it. And I hope it gives you the spark to do your thing, too.

031: Resilience in Motion with Tonye Medley: Layoffs, Path to Motherhood, and Becoming a Role Model

What happens when life throws you a curveball, right after maternity leave? In this episode, Coach AnnaJo sits down with Tonye Medley, a seasoned biomedical scientist and project manager, who shares how she navigated a company-wide layoff just five months after giving birth to her second child. With honesty and strength, Tonye walks us through how she created structure in chaos, building a job search system, tracking her progress, and stepping outside her comfort zone to find her next role. We also explore Tonye's personal path to motherhood later in life, the challenges she faced with infertility and hormonal shifts, and how she stays grounded through community, movement, and mindset. This conversation is about more than bouncing back, it's about rising with intention and becoming a role model for what's possible. What we cover: * Strategic job searching after a layoff * Juggling career, motherhood, and personal healing * Vulnerability and leadership in the corporate world * Why self-care, dance, and systems matter * The power of showing up when it matters most Tonye's story is a beautiful reminder: resilience isn't loud, it's consistent, thoughtful, and deeply human. Follow Tonye Medley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyebriggsmedley/

030: The Reinvention Triangle

In this episode of AnnaJoTalks: Work Life for Badasses, Coach AnnaJo walks you through the exact framework she's used to reinvent her life and career, not just once, but again and again. Recorded during a powerful moment of reflection (not quite on her birthday, but with all the same heart and fire), she introduces her signature Reinvention Triangle: ✨ Own Your Story ✨ Create a Vision ✨ Experiment Boldly If you're craving a shift in your career, your lifestyle, or your identity, this episode gives you the permission and the practical tools to begin. You'll hear real examples from her journey, simple steps to get started, and a reminder that reinvention doesn't require perfection it starts with a tiny spark and a whole lot of courage. This isn't just an episode it's a gift to help you live life on your own terms. 🎁 Press play and let the reinvention begin.