Be The Ripple Podcast

What does it take to stop leading from the front, not becauseyou are stepping away, but because you have realized that the most lasting impact comes from a different place? Rebecca Vermeulen, Vice President at Genentech and 2025 HBA Star Award recipient, spent over thirty years buildingher leadership identity around what she could accomplish and how well she could lead. And then she took a sabbatical that changed how she understood all of it.In this episode, Rebecca and Sabine explore the successaddiction and what it takes to recognize it in yourself, the difference between leading from the front and sitting in the sea with your team, the inner voice that gets louder the longer you ignore it, and the ongoing weekly practice of catching reactive leadership and choosing the power of a pause instead. Rebecca also shares the book that shaped her thinking during the sabbatical and why she invested in an Enneagram coach to hold the shift in place.For any leader who has wondered whether stepping back might actually be the most powerful thing they could do right now, this conversation is for you. Find Rebecca Vermeulen at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-vermeulen-a401113/.Find The Ripple Network at theripplenetwork.com. Key topics: leadership development, sabbatical, successaddiction, ego in leadership, women in leadership, legacy, organizationalchange

What does it mean to create impact when you may never see the outcome? In this episode of Be the Ripple, Sabine Hutchison speaks with Nicoletta della Valle, founder of Sempre Berna, a neighborhood café in Bern, Switzerland, that opened in October 2025 and pairs good espresso with free, walk-in support for anyone who needs it.In six months, Sempre Berna has handled around 130 cases: individuals navigating government forms, residents applying for apartments, young people looking for work, and one man who came in wanting help writing a CV, not for a job application, but for his own funeral. Nicoletta and her team of volunteers rarely find out what happened next. That is the whole point.This conversation explores what it means to build something whose ripple you may never witness, why removing data collection from care is a values-based decision, how collaboration with food trucks and local businesses keeps the whole thing alive, and why being missed might be the truest form of legacy. If you’ve ever felt the pull to respond to a gap you keep noticing, this episode is for you.Find Sempre Berna at sempreberna.ch. Learn more about The Ripple Network at theripplenetwork.com.Key topics: invisible impact, community support, volunteer leadership, values-based design, legacy as daily practice, social entrepreneurship, collaboration, Bern, Switzerland

This episode explores what happens when skin healthntools are designed as systems, not quick fixes, and what that reveals about howplatforms shape dignity, behavior, and trust at scale. In this episode of BeThe Ripple, Sabine speaks with Dr. Akvile Ignotaite, founder of System Akvile,about the unseen impact of acne and skin issues, especially for young people growing up in the world of TikTok, filters, and fast misinformation. Akvile shares how her platform evolved from “fixingskin” to supporting self-perception, using micro-learnings, myth-busting quizzes, and a calmer, kinder environment that reduces shame instead of amplifying it. You’ll hear why quick fixes don’t work in health, why language matters, and why her mantra is simple: you are not alone, and it’s not yourfault.

What happens when storytelling stops being about performance, and starts becoming a practice of listening?In this reflective episode of Be the Ripple Podcast, Sabine sits down with Samar Nahas, the narrative designer and creative guide who helped shape Beyond the Ladder from the inside out. Together, they explore why storytelling isn’t a marketing tactic or a personal brand exercise, but a deeply human process of meaning-making. This conversation moves through creative ego, compassion, legacy, and the often-ignored wisdom of the body, revealing how our stories, when truly listened to, can reconnect us to clarity, courage, and purpose.This episode is an invitation to slow down.To stop polishing the story.And to start listening to yourself, to others, and to what your body has been trying to tell you all along.In this episode, you’ll hear about:Why storytelling starts with ownership, not deliveryHow the myth of “unimportant stories” disconnects us from ourselves and othersListening as a foundation for meaningful leadership- Creative blocks as signals, not failuresCreativity as a messy, non-linear, and essential part of reinventionWhether you’re a leader, creator, or simply someone navigating change, this conversation offers a different way of relating to your story, not as something to perform, but something to inhabit.Ripple Reflection: When we listen, truly listen, to our bodies and our stories, we stop performing our lives and start living them.

What if comfort wasn’t a luxury, but a leadership strategy?After 25 years at the top of the global fashion industry, Gillian Ridley Whittle reached a breaking point. Burnout, anxiety, and the relentless pressure to perform had become her normal, until one day she said out loud: “I hate my life.”That moment became the catalyst for Peachaus: a values‑led brand redefining underwear, loungewear, and fashion itself around dignity, comfort, and care. In this episode of Be the Ripple Podcast, Sabine and Gillian explore what happens when women stop shrinking themselves to fit broken systems and instead design lives, careers, and businesses from the body, truth, and soul outward. This conversation will change how you think about: Burnout vs. alignment and how to tell the difference Why comfort is a radical act of self‑leadership Bras as wellness tools that shape confidence, posture, and identity Healing through entrepreneurship and design Building businesses that prioritize human connection over profit at any cost.This isn’t just a fashion story. It’s a reinvention story. A healing story. And an invitation to ask yourself: Where have I normalized discomfort, and what might change if I didn’t?Press play and discover why comfort might be the most powerful thing you wear.

When awareness meets action, change begins. In this episode Sabine Hutchison speaks with Prof. Dr. Christine Meyer-Zürn and Dr. Eliza Kaplan about founding a women’s heart clinic in Basel, Switzerland. They share how empathy, science, and teamwork are reshaping how women’s heart health is understood and treated.From the challenges of creating something new to the joy of seeing lives change, this is leadership grounded in humanity and guided by values.We discuss:– Building a women’s heart clinic from scratch– Understanding women’s symptoms and risk factors– The power of co-leadership and shared purpose– Why taking time to listen saves livesListen now and be inspired to lead with heart.

A solo reflection by Sabine Hutchison on clarity, reinvention, and how Beyond the Ladder sparked The Ripple Network.In this episode, Sabine shares how Beyond the Ladder became a framework for clarity and how the stories of the women she interviewed inspired something new —The Ripple Network.Born during her preparation for a TED-style talk, The Ripple Network became a platform for women to learn, practice, and share their voices. Together with her conversation with Laura Burke, this episode explores how structure, storytelling, and connection can turn insight into impact.Subscribe to Be the Ripple Podcast for more stories on clarity, courage, and connection.Every ripple starts with one voice.Join The Ripple Network (free for 14 days) and connect with women building clarity and confidence in their own stories.Explore Beyond the Ladder, or invite Sabine to speak on storytelling and leadership.• 🌐 Explore The Ripple Network → https://theripplenetwork.com• 📖 Get Sabine’s book Beyond the Ladder → https://sabinehutchison.com/career-book• 💡 Learn more about Sabine’s work → https://sabinehutchison.com• 💌 Subscribe to The Ripple Monthly Newsletter → https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/every-ripple-starts-choice-sabine-hutchison-gof4f

In this energizing episode of Be The Ripple Podcast,Sabine sits down with Tatyana Staneva, an entrepreneur and business strategist whose career is a testament to intentional momentum. Tatyana doesn’t call herself fearless, she simply keeps moving forward, even when the outcome isuncertain. Rather than waiting for the perfect moment or a “safe” Plan B, she fully commits to her chosen path, trusting that clarity comes through action. She is featured in Sabine’s book, Beyond the Ladder, where she shares her unique and powerful approach to making life-altering decisions.Listen or watch as they discuss:The "No Alternative" Philosophy: How Tatyana creates "tunnel vision" to eliminate doubt and drive success when facing a big decision.An Army of Mentors: A heartfelt thank you to the leaders who saw her potential and invested in her career, creating ripples of opportunity.Legacy of Clarity: How Tatyana is building her legacy by helping others untangle complexity and execute on their vision.This conversation is a masterclass in courage, gratitude, and forging a career path that is authentically your own.

What does it mean to lead without needing to have all the answers?In this episode, Sabine Hutchison sits down with Susan Braakman—people leader, mentor, and quiet force of nature—to talk about the power of presence, perspective, and choosing growth over safety.Susan shares how her first big career leap came when she was just 28—and how that decision shaped a leadership path centered on empathy, trust, and real human connection.She also reflects on a key coaching moment that helped her see her impact in a new light—and how that led her to pursue mediation, active listening, and non-judgmental leadership as tools for lasting change.If you’ve ever wondered whether you're ready for your next step, this episode is your reminder:You don’t need to know everything.You just need to be willing to learn—and to lead with heart.

What if your most life-changing decision wasn’t something you planned—but something you felt?Dr. Caroline Clarinval was 25 when she said yes to a humanitarian mission that would take her far from home and even further from the path she thought she was on. That single choice set her on a lifelong journey through crisis ones, public health systems, and some of the most complex leadership roles in global healthcare.Now the WHO Country Representative in Romania, Caroline, joins me to talk about what it means to lead without losing yourself, how legacy is built moment by moment, and why empathy is as essential as strategy.This isn’t a story of ladder climbing. It’s a story of listening to your gut, to the people around you, and to what the world needs most from you next.Caroline is brilliant, deeply human, and refreshingly honest about what it takes to live a purpose-led career in high-stakes environments.If you're navigating change, questioning the plan, or wondering whether it’s okay to choose the unexpected, this conversation is for you.

Kathrin’s story is one of quiet strength and thoughtful disruption. She shares how early-career experiences shaped her understanding of team dynamics and how she learned to build psychological safety before it was a buzzword. Her journey reflects what happens when you lead not just with skill—but with soul.We talk about personal turning points: stepping away from a role that no longer felt aligned, navigating the complex realities of being a working parent, and finding joy in mentorship. Kathrin’s clarity comes not from control, but from her willingness to stay in conversation—with herself and others—about what matters most.

In this episode of Be The Ripple, Sabine sits down with Mary Morrison, CEO of How We Heal, to explore a transformative perspective on stress—not as something to avoid, but as a signal pointing toward deeper insight. With a background in business and acupuncture, Mary shares how she helps leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers use their stress symptoms as powerful tools for growth.Together, they unpack what it means to lead from a place of awareness, why turning toward discomfort can be a leadership superpower, and how to use emotional signals as a form of strategic intelligence in both business and life.Whether you’re navigating a career pivot, leading a team, or simply feeling stretched thin, this episode offers practical wisdom and reframes stress as a guide—not a threat. Tune in to discover how decoding your stress can unlock clarity, purpose, and renewed momentum.

What if the best career moves are the ones that don’t fit your plan?In this inspiring episode, Sabine Hutchison sits down with EY Partner Annette Schulz to talk about saying yes to unexpected opportunities, redefining leadership, and building a legacy one step at a time. We talk about the pressure many women feel to stay on a linear path, making career choices that "make sense" on paper. Annette challenges that thinking, inviting us to trust the pull of a new direction, even when it’s not clearly defined. Her story is a reminder that the best moves don’t always come with guarantees, but they often lead to greaterimpact, deeper learning, and more authentic leadership.Annette’s story is one of curiosity, clarity, and smart risk-taking. If you’re navigating change or just need a refresh on what truly matters, I hope you’ll listen in.To the women who think reinvention means startingover: sometimes, it means building on what’s already there.