web02.fireside.fm Thu, 16 Apr 2026 02:58:45 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) Dream Big with Big Dreamers - Episodes Tagged with “Resilience” https://www.dreambigconversations.com/tags/resilience Sun, 30 Nov 2025 13:00:00 -0500 Empowering and motivational conversations with big dreamers and visionaries. Hear the inspiring stories of top executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals who dared to dream big, take chances, and achieve lofty goals. These empowering discussions offer you insight and encouragement to dream big. en-us episodic Surround yourself with the inspiring stories of people who dared to dream big in business and in life Donna Serdula Empowering and motivational conversations with big dreamers and visionaries. Hear the inspiring stories of top executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals who dared to dream big, take chances, and achieve lofty goals. These empowering discussions offer you insight and encouragement to dream big. no Executive, business, corporate, careers, job search, LinkedIn, career development, professional development, personal branding, professional branding Donna Serdula donna@linkedin-makeover.com Episode 232: Creativity, Courage & Reinvention: Monika Demel on Leading with Empathy & Staying Relevant https://www.dreambigconversations.com/monika-demel 3f892a3e-0935-4e16-87d3-b3a8b2eac9ab Sun, 30 Nov 2025 13:00:00 -0500 Donna Serdula full 2 Donna Serdula What does it take to build a lasting creative career — and stay relevant in an ever-evolving industry? In this episode of Dream Big with Big Dreamers, host Donna Serdula speaks with Monika Demel, an internationally awarded portrait photographer and creative entrepreneur whose work has been exhibited at the Louvre and honored with 14+ Portrait Masters Awards. Monika’s story spans continents and career reinventions — from immigrating to the U.S. as a teenager to becoming one of the most sought-after visual artists in the industry. With over two decades of experience, she shares what it takes to stay inspired, build client connection through empathy, and take big risks in business when others play it safe. 16:38 no What does it take to build a lasting creative career — and stay relevant in an ever-evolving industry? In this episode of Dream Big with Big Dreamers, host Donna Serdula speaks with Monika Demel, an internationally awarded portrait photographer and creative entrepreneur whose work has been exhibited at the Louvre and honored with 14+ Portrait Masters Awards. Monika’s story spans continents and career reinventions — from immigrating to the U.S. as a teenager to becoming one of the most sought-after visual artists in the industry. With over two decades of experience, she shares what it takes to stay inspired, build client connection through empathy, and take big risks in business when others play it safe. 🎯 In this powerful conversation, you’ll learn: How to stay creatively relevant in a saturated and competitive space Why persistence and emotional intelligence are more important than raw talent How saying “yes” to uncertainty helped her land a $13K opportunity most others turned down How to lead with empathy and connect deeply with clients Why legacy isn’t about fame — it’s about the daily impact we make on others Whether you’re a creative entrepreneur, corporate leader, or emerging artist, Monika’s perspective on lifelong growth, joy in the craft, and the value of resilience will stay with you long after the episode ends. 📌 Topics: Creative entrepreneurship, resilience, leadership through empathy, personal brand, career reinvention, visual storytelling, women in business Special Guest: Monika Demel. Creative entrepreneurship, resilience, leadership through empathy, personal brand, career reinvention, visual storytelling, women in business What does it take to build a lasting creative career — and stay relevant in an ever-evolving industry?
In this episode of Dream Big with Big Dreamers, host Donna Serdula speaks with Monika Demel, an internationally awarded portrait photographer and creative entrepreneur whose work has been exhibited at the Louvre and honored with 14+ Portrait Masters Awards.

Monika’s story spans continents and career reinventions — from immigrating to the U.S. as a teenager to becoming one of the most sought-after visual artists in the industry. With over two decades of experience, she shares what it takes to stay inspired, build client connection through empathy, and take big risks in business when others play it safe.

🎯 In this powerful conversation, you’ll learn:

How to stay creatively relevant in a saturated and competitive space

Why persistence and emotional intelligence are more important than raw talent

How saying “yes” to uncertainty helped her land a $13K opportunity most others turned down

How to lead with empathy and connect deeply with clients

Why legacy isn’t about fame — it’s about the daily impact we make on others

Whether you’re a creative entrepreneur, corporate leader, or emerging artist, Monika’s perspective on lifelong growth, joy in the craft, and the value of resilience will stay with you long after the episode ends.

📌 Topics: Creative entrepreneurship, resilience, leadership through empathy, personal brand, career reinvention, visual storytelling, women in business

Special Guest: Monika Demel.

]]> What does it take to build a lasting creative career — and stay relevant in an ever-evolving industry?
In this episode of Dream Big with Big Dreamers, host Donna Serdula speaks with Monika Demel, an internationally awarded portrait photographer and creative entrepreneur whose work has been exhibited at the Louvre and honored with 14+ Portrait Masters Awards.

Monika’s story spans continents and career reinventions — from immigrating to the U.S. as a teenager to becoming one of the most sought-after visual artists in the industry. With over two decades of experience, she shares what it takes to stay inspired, build client connection through empathy, and take big risks in business when others play it safe.

🎯 In this powerful conversation, you’ll learn:

How to stay creatively relevant in a saturated and competitive space

Why persistence and emotional intelligence are more important than raw talent

How saying “yes” to uncertainty helped her land a $13K opportunity most others turned down

How to lead with empathy and connect deeply with clients

Why legacy isn’t about fame — it’s about the daily impact we make on others

Whether you’re a creative entrepreneur, corporate leader, or emerging artist, Monika’s perspective on lifelong growth, joy in the craft, and the value of resilience will stay with you long after the episode ends.

📌 Topics: Creative entrepreneurship, resilience, leadership through empathy, personal brand, career reinvention, visual storytelling, women in business

Special Guest: Monika Demel.

]]> Episode 230: Resilience, Reinvention & Real Impact: Mary Kay Owen on Pivoting with Purpose https://www.dreambigconversations.com/mary-kay-owen a46a9ffb-c716-4ebf-bad3-7b1312b045c7 Sun, 30 Nov 2025 12:00:00 -0500 Donna Serdula full 2 Donna Serdula What does it take to reinvent your career — and your life — when the world says "play it safe"? In this episode of Dream Big with Big Dreamers, host Donna Serdula speaks with Mary Kay Owen, a marketing executive turned healthcare leader, educator, and advocate for purposeful reinvention. Mary Kay shares her non-linear journey through industries — from high fashion to healthcare, from event strategy to substitute teaching — all while staying anchored in humor, grit, and a deep sense of mission. 23:12 no What does it take to reinvent your career — and your life — when the world says "play it safe"? In this episode of Dream Big with Big Dreamers, host Donna Serdula speaks with Mary Kay Owen, a marketing executive turned healthcare leader, educator, and advocate for purposeful reinvention. Mary Kay shares her non-linear journey through industries — from high fashion to healthcare, from event strategy to substitute teaching — all while staying anchored in humor, grit, and a deep sense of mission. She opens up about: Why resilience is a muscle we all need to build How to turn a "no" into powerful redirection Lessons from navigating the pandemic with grace and strategy Why your lived experience is your most valuable career asset The dream she's still chasing — and why she won't stop until it's realized This is a must-watch for professionals and executives navigating transitions, seeking inspiration, or craving permission to pursue what's next — even if it’s not on the “official path.” 📌 Key Themes: Career pivoting, professional reinvention, resilience, leadership, women in business, executive inspiration, purpose-driven work Special Guest: Mary Kay Owen. Career pivoting, professional reinvention, resilience, leadership, women in business, executive inspiration, purpose-driven work What does it take to reinvent your career — and your life — when the world says "play it safe"?
In this episode of Dream Big with Big Dreamers, host Donna Serdula speaks with Mary Kay Owen, a marketing executive turned healthcare leader, educator, and advocate for purposeful reinvention.

Mary Kay shares her non-linear journey through industries — from high fashion to healthcare, from event strategy to substitute teaching — all while staying anchored in humor, grit, and a deep sense of mission. She opens up about:

Why resilience is a muscle we all need to build

How to turn a "no" into powerful redirection

Lessons from navigating the pandemic with grace and strategy

Why your lived experience is your most valuable career asset

The dream she's still chasing — and why she won't stop until it's realized

This is a must-watch for professionals and executives navigating transitions, seeking inspiration, or craving permission to pursue what's next — even if it’s not on the “official path.”

📌 Key Themes: Career pivoting, professional reinvention, resilience, leadership, women in business, executive inspiration, purpose-driven work

Special Guest: Mary Kay Owen.

]]> What does it take to reinvent your career — and your life — when the world says "play it safe"?
In this episode of Dream Big with Big Dreamers, host Donna Serdula speaks with Mary Kay Owen, a marketing executive turned healthcare leader, educator, and advocate for purposeful reinvention.

Mary Kay shares her non-linear journey through industries — from high fashion to healthcare, from event strategy to substitute teaching — all while staying anchored in humor, grit, and a deep sense of mission. She opens up about:

Why resilience is a muscle we all need to build

How to turn a "no" into powerful redirection

Lessons from navigating the pandemic with grace and strategy

Why your lived experience is your most valuable career asset

The dream she's still chasing — and why she won't stop until it's realized

This is a must-watch for professionals and executives navigating transitions, seeking inspiration, or craving permission to pursue what's next — even if it’s not on the “official path.”

📌 Key Themes: Career pivoting, professional reinvention, resilience, leadership, women in business, executive inspiration, purpose-driven work

Special Guest: Mary Kay Owen.

]]>