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Summary

In this episode, Ana Trsic shares her inspiring journey from a corporate job to becoming a successful entrepreneur through candle making. She discusses the pressures of cultural expectations, the importance of choosing joy, and the transformative power of social media. Ana emphasizes the need for mindset shifts and personal growth, encouraging listeners to redefine success on their own terms and take bold steps towards their passions.

Takeaways

• Ana's story highlights the importance of choosing joy despite external pressures.
• The pandemic served as a catalyst for Ana's entrepreneurial journey.
• Candle making became a therapeutic outlet for Ana during challenging times.
• Cultural expectations can create significant pressure on immigrant children.
• Social media played a crucial role in Ana's business success.
• Redefining success is essential for personal fulfillment.
• Mindset shifts are necessary for embracing new opportunities.
• Traveling inspires creativity and new ideas for Ana's candle business.
• Networking and personal growth are vital for career transitions.
• Taking time for oneself is crucial for maintaining happiness.

Resources Mentioned

Link to the Scentanacandle Co: https://www.scentanacandleco.com/

Join Me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalielukephdbcmas/

Learn More at https://unceilingyou.com/

Description:

In this episode 19 of UnCeiling You, Natalie Luke, PhD, sits down with Ellen Leikind—author of Poker Woman and creator of the BOLD negotiation system—to unpack the hidden costs of “playing it safe” at work. From poker tables to boardrooms, Ellen shares how understanding power dynamics, owning your voice, and knowing when to fold (or go all in) are essential to advancing your career. If you’ve ever been overlooked for a promotion or felt like office politics were a game you weren’t even invited to play—this conversation is your wake-up call.

🎯 Key Takeaways:

• Why playing not to lose is the most dangerous move of all
• How to recognize when you're already playing the game of office politics
• Why assertiveness is a leadership strength, not a liability
• The power of knowing who holds the cards—and how to build relationships with them
• Ellen’s real-life stories of clients who asked, negotiated, and won
• How to read a room and adapt without losing authenticity
• Why your “win” doesn’t have to be being CEO—but you do need to define it

📚 Resources & Mentions:

• Poker Woman: How to Win in Love, Life, and Business Using the Principles of Poker — Find it on Amazon
• Learn more about Elen’s negotiation course: www.pokerdivas.com

💬 Connect with Us:

• Follow Natalie on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/natalielukephd
• Join the conversation and share your “all-in” career moment with #UnCeilingYou

What if the rules you’ve been told to follow—work hard, be a team player, stay humble—are the very things holding you back?

In this episode, Dr. Anna Kallschmidt unpacks the invisible rulebook of the American workplace—and how it was built without most of us in mind. From class-based communication styles to gendered expectations in interviews, Anna brings decades of research to explain why marginalized professionals—especially women, people of color, and those from working-class or neurodivergent backgrounds—often get left behind, despite their talent.

Dr. Kallschmidt and host Natalie Luke explore how hidden cultural norms shape who is seen as “professional,” why “soft skills” aren’t soft at all, and how leaders can build fairer, smarter systems without compromising on performance.

• The 2 of the 8 hidden rules that impact who gets hired, promoted, or passed over
• Why direct vs. indirect communication can make or break your career
• How interdependence and humility may backfire in white-collar environments
• What it means to blend “I” with “we”—especially as a woman in leadership
• Why “soft skills” are the human edge AI will never replace
• Actionable tips for both professionals and hiring managers to break the bias loop

• Women navigating workplace advancement
• DEI advocates and HR professionals
• First-gen professionals and career changers
• Executives rethinking leadership and hiring bias
• Anyone who’s ever wondered, “Why didn’t I get that promotion?”

🌐 Website: drkallschmidt.com

🔗 LinkedIn, TikTok, Blue Sky, YouTube: @drkallschmidt

If this episode resonates with you, consider downloading it (it means more than just subscribing) and share it with a colleague, mentor, or emerging leader who needs to hear it. Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to UnCeiling You—because the rules are changing, and it’s time to rise.