Intertwined by Major Confusions demystifies how career decisions are made in the real world building a path towards a meaningful and sustainable life. I’m Dina Al-Alami and I started this podcast because I am obsessed with how career decisions are made. Here, we interview compassionate, highly driven individuals who have this deep desire to help people but know very well now that doing so requires self-care and self-knowledge. Tune in to the interviews where we untangle their path, starting from childhood to the present moment, trying to understand how they prioritise meaning and impact while striving for a harmonious life - and what is that anyway?
#9: Esther Reynal - From a Business degree and an MBA to co-founding a Venture Capital firm focused on bringing innovative medical technologies to market
Esther Reynal discusses her journey from business and MBA studies to co-founding a venture capital firm that focuses on bringing innovative medical technologies to market in this interview.
11 Mar 2025
#8: Caroline Butler - From Economics and the Bank of England to Business Value Consulting and Sales in Tech constantly reflecting and iterating on how to maximise impact
Caroline’s “why” is to make an impact by maximising what she is learning in the world and herself along the way.
Caroline is highly ambitious and reflective. Her courage and resilience are inspiring. She blends the creative and technical worlds seamlessly. In this conversation, we reflect on her journey towards finding her zone of genius.
This journey is not easy. It’s a mix of the highs of being a top student, having a supportive family and friend group, and being endlessly curious—combined with life’s unexpected turns of a health diagnosis, grief, and simply jobs that did not fully match her strengths and personality.
Listen to this episode if:
You are curious about how to find a job that works for you.
You don’t fit into one stereotype—especially if you have wide-ranging curiosities and strengths.
You studied economics and are curious about career options as an Economist, or more non-traditional career paths in Business Value Consulting & Sales.
If you enjoyed this episode, connect with Caroline on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-butler-a858bbab/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-butler-a858bbab/)), and follow Dina (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinaalalami (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinaalalami)), and Major Confusions (https://www.linkedin.com/company/majorconfusions (https://www.linkedin.com/company/majorconfusions)) on LinkedIn for more insights, inspiration, and real-life career stories.
29 Jan 2025
#7: Gunraj Arora- From big London law firms to building an independent, impact-driven law practice
Gunraj’s “why” is to serve people and embody love - whether that is through creating a better environment for his kids to thrive, or to be a servient lawyer working with impact-driven clients. Gunraj shares his story of being led by curiosity, which then got dampened by the educational system and society, and his journey of reclaiming his curiosity and authenticity.
You’ll find this episode interesting if:
You’re interested in a law career and unsure whether it is right for you
You are grappling with motivation and figuring out your sense of why
You are going through career stressors and need some inspiration
You’re curious about how Mindfulness can change your life/career
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Dina (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinaalalami (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinaalalami)) and Major Confusions (https://www.linkedin.com/company/majorconfusions (https://www.linkedin.com/company/majorconfusions)) on LinkedIn, and connect with Gunraj on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gunraj-arora-1bb8b946/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gunraj-arora-1bb8b946/)).
Here are some of the resources that Gunraj generously shared:
Mark Williams (https://franticworld.com/free-meditations-from-mindfulness/ (https://franticworld.com/free-meditations-from-mindfulness/))
Tara Broch (https://www.tarabrach.com/ (https://www.tarabrach.com/))
Jack Kornfield
Tony Robbins - Rapid Planning Method
Demon Copperhead
“You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.” ― Jon Kabat-Zinn
10 Dec 2024
#6 Robin Lockhart: From Surveying, to Band Manager to Renowned Non-Profit Leader, Change Maker and Coach with a mission to Unlock Hearts through community and youth work
Robin Lockhart, a renowned non-profit leader and coach, shares his powerful approach to unlocking hearts and potential through community and youth work, rooted in Ubuntu and informal education principles.
15 Oct 2024
#5 Dr. Tracy Kite - From Mental Health Nursing to Coaching, Facilitation and Learning and Development
Tracy’s “why” is changing the world one person at a time and paving the way for people to grab every opportunity and be their best at work.
Tracy started her career as a mental health nurse and then moved into designing and implementing learning programs within healthcare organisations. Tracy is an author, a coach, an educator, a facilitator, and an advocate for trauma-informed leadership.
You’d be interested in this episode if:
You’re considering what to study and how to make that decision
You’re a rising leader in your organisation
You’re in a helping career and curious about how others navigate the pursuit of purpose, self-care and balance
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Dina (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinaalalami (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinaalalami)) and Major Confusions (https://www.linkedin.com/company/majorconfusions (https://www.linkedin.com/company/majorconfusions)) on LinkedIn and Tracy on social media (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-kite-5a691b5/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-kite-5a691b5/)).
Tracy's books:
Lead Like You Give a F***.
4 Sept 2024
#4 - Meena (Bhaugeerutty) Sebastian - From Spanish, French and English to a Sales and Marketing expert supporting purpose-driven organisations across health and social care, learning and development and technology sectors
Meena’s “why” is to drive change in the world of health and social care, making people’s lives in these sectors a bit more manageable on a day-to-day basis.
Having been raised by a nurse and a pharmacist, Meena’s parents and role models had linear careers. Meena’s career is interestingly and intentionally a bit more squiggly with common threads of connecting with people and serving and empowering others - be it through her use of languages, music or food.
You’d be interested in this episode if:
You’re creative and love connecting with people and are curious how that translates into a career
You’re grappling with career transitions earlier in your career
You're interested in sales and marketing working within purpose-driven industries
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Dina (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinaalalami (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinaalalami)) and Major Confusions (https://www.linkedin.com/company/majorconfusions (https://www.linkedin.com/company/majorconfusions)) on LinkedIn and Meena on social media (https://www.linkedin.com/in/meenab/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/meenab/)).
If you’d like to learn more about Trauma-informed Leadership, here are some resources to get you started:
Lead Like You Give a F*** by Dr. Tracy Kite
22 Jul 2024
#3: Trishna Bharadia - From European Studies and Spanish to translation to a lifelong commitment to patient advocacy through founding her own patient engagement consultancy
Trishna’s "why" is to make a difference and to help empower people so that they can make decisions the way they want about their healthcare. Ultimately, the most important thing we have in life is our health. Trishna is working to ensure that the organisations designing and delivering our health care are integrating the patient voice into their products and solutions.
If this sounds like a career path you’ve never heard of, keep on listening. The idea is to show you that there are many ways to make an impact in health care - beyond the most commonly known or advertised job roles.
Trishna’s perseverance, energy and optimism are so inspiring.
You’d be interested in this episode, if:
You’re an A student struggling with the job market getting your first job (it’s okay and you’re not alone!)
You love words, languages and stories
You or a close friend or family member are navigating career decisions with a chronic health diagnosis
You are working in a helping career and want to prevent burnout
You are an introvert and want to use your voice for good
You’re curious about working in advocacy, writing, speaking and/or consulting
If you'd like to support Trishna on her patient advocacy journey, you can find Trishna on Insta/X (@TrishnaBharadia), Facebook (http://facebook.com/trishnabharadia2015 (http://facebook.com/trishnabharadia2015)) and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/trishnabharadia (https://www.linkedin.com/in/trishnabharadia/)).
If you'd like to learn more about Patient Advocacy, here are some resources to get you started. Social Health Network (https://socialhealthnetwork.com/ (https://socialhealthnetwork.com/) ), EUPATI (https://eupati.eu/ (https://eupati.eu/)), Eurodis (https://openacademy.eurordis.org/ (https://openacademy.eurordis.org/)), We Can Advocate (https://wecanadvocate.eu/academy/ (https://wecanadvocate.eu/academy/)) and Health Union (https://health-union.com/ (https://health-union.com/)).
Finally, if you enjoyed this episode, please follow Dina Al-Alami (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinaalalami (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinaalalami)) and Major Confusions (https://www.linkedin.com/company/majorconfusions (https://www.linkedin.com/company/majorconfusions)) on LinkedIn.
21 Jun 2024
#2: Suzanne Gaunt - From International Business, Spanish and French, to Marketing and Sales, to COO, to CEO endlessly Advocating for Equitable Health Outcomes through founding a Healthcare Advisory firm
Suzanne Gaunt’s "why" is leading the way for better health outcomes for everyone. She does this through her advisory work with Healthcare organisations, through her speaking engagements and through her writings.
Suzanne’s energy is contagious and what stands out is that Suzanne is a forever student of life. Tune in to this conversation if you would like to hear how following what you enjoy, doing the hard work and showing up with eagerness and drive every day, will inevitably help you attract the right opportunities in every stage in life.
You’d be interested in this episode if you’re:
A creative - you love languages and people
Interested in a career spanning marketing, ops, events, consulting and leadership
Taking on new leadership roles at a relatively young age (or when you simply don’t feel ready!)
Fascinated how the interplay of family, finances, and relationships all come together while building your life as a career woman
On a similar mission towards a world of better health for everyone
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Dina Al-Alami (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinaalalami/) & Major Confusions (https://www.linkedin.com/company/majorconfusions) on LinkedIn. Feel free to reach out with thoughts or feedback!
30 May 2024
#1: Jane Wainwright - From Biochemistry and Genetics to a Partner in a Patent Law Firm, advocating for and role modelling compassion in the workplace and beyond
Jane Wainwright’s "why" is to support people and to make a difference in people’s lives. You can see how Jane’s career aspirations have been formed through consistent introspection, through realising what she is good at and what opportunities exist.
Jane is inspiring in how she blends courage and compassion day-to-day and takes an authentic, vulnerable approach to career decisions and leadership - one many of us aspire to do, but may not have the courage to do.
You’d be interested in this episode, if:
You gravitate towards the sciences
You’re in the medical track and want to pivot
You're interested in Patent Law
You’re fascinated by the story of being a trainee to becoming a partner of a law firm
You’re fascinated by how a leader can be both authentic, vulnerable and successful
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Dina Al-Alami (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinaalalami/) & Major Confusions (https://www.linkedin.com/company/majorconfusions) on LinkedIn. Feel free to reach out with thoughts or feedback!
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