Bennu Community

Ingrid Tappin’s story moves across countries, careers, identities, and communities, but one thread keeps returning: the search for belonging.In this episode of Bennu, Ben Brink and Alex Baker-Friesen speak with Ingrid about growing up across cultures, moving from media and entrepreneurship into leadership and inclusion, and eventually founding Diverse Leaders in Tech.Ingrid reflects on what it means to have a “patchwork identity,” why lived experience can become a source of strength, and how the tension between who we are and how the world sees us can shape the way we grow and lead.The conversation also turns to internationals building a life in the Netherlands, the difficulty of starting again in a new context, and why belonging is not something we create alone.Ingrid Tappin is the founder of Diverse Leaders in Tech and author of Exceptionals: How to Turn Identity Into Your Greatest Leadership Edge.Hosted by Ben Brink and Alex Baker-Friesen.Bennu Podcast, Chapter Two, Episode 05.

In this episode of Bennu, Ben Brink and Charline Baker-Friesen speak with Shivangi Dhakad about moving from India to the Netherlands, finding freedom, and learning what it means to build a life between cultures.Shivangi shares how an unexpected opportunity brought her from India to Netherlands, and how her first experience of the Amsterdam city changed the way she thought about freedom, safety, and possibility. She also reflects on the harder parts of living abroad: missing family, food, language, rituals, and the sense of community she grew up with.The conversation also explores how moving countries changed her relationship with work, ambition, and identity. Over time, she learned to slow down, make more space for life outside work, and accept that both India and the Netherlands can feel like home.Shivangi also talks about the pressure to fit in, the value of staying open to a new culture without losing your own identity, and why belonging is less about labels and more about being able to be yourself.Topics in this episode include:moving from India to the Netherlandsfreedom, safety, and cultural adjustmentfamily, community, and belongingwork, ambition, and slowing downidentity and living between two homesfitting in without losing yourselftrust, friendship, and building community

In this episode of Bennu by Flux Forward, Ben Brink speaks with Hee Baek, founder of OW Care, about community, care, and what it really means to find your place in a new country.The conversation starts with healthcare navigation, but quickly opens into something broader: emotional anchors, belonging, language, volunteering, and the role of community support in international life. Hee reflects on her own journey across countries and shares practical advice for newcomers trying to build a life in the Netherlands.This episode explores how care goes beyond formal services. It's also about finding the right ecosystem, learning the language, staying curious, and building support systems that help you feel more grounded over time.Topics in this episode include:healthcare and community navigationemotional anchors and belonginglanguage learning and integrationvolunteering as a low-threshold way to connectuncertainty, curiosity, and building a life abroad

What helps someone start again in a new country?In this episode of Chapter 2 of Bennu by Flux Forward, Diana Enache speaks with Malwina Biel, a Polish expat based in Romania, about moving abroad for work, adapting to a new culture, and building a life in a place she did not expect.The conversation explores the personal and practical sides of expat life: work culture, making friends as an adult, networking, loneliness, salary research, and the small everyday things that shape life in a new country.Malwina also reflects on what helped her most: staying open, being curious, and not being afraid to ask for help.At its heart, this episode asks: how do you turn an unexpected move into a life that feels like your own?Bennu by Flux Forward explores future-ready people, work, learning, belonging, and the human side of change.

What does it take to build a life in a new country?In the opening episode of Chapter 2 of Bennu by Flux Forward, Ben Brink and Charline Baker-Friesen speak with Panos Sarlanis, Co-Founder of IamExpat Media, about migration, belonging, integration, and making the Netherlands feel like home.The conversation explores the practical and emotional layers of international life: housing, work, language, community, bureaucracy, non-EU uncertainty, and the social climate facing internationals in the Netherlands.Panos reflects on building IamExpat, supporting international communities, and the difference between being in a country and feeling part of it.At its heart, this episode asks: when people ask where you are from, what begins to feel like home?Bennu by Flux Forward explores future-ready people, work, learning, belonging, and the human side of change.Read the episode page:https://blog.fluxforward.world/bennu/season-2/ep-01-belonging-beyond-arrival/

Rebirth at 40: A Nonlinear Journey and the Chaos That Became My Turning PointWith Ben, Futurist, Co-founder & Ecosystem Gardener at The Futures HubIn the Season 1 finale of Bennu Podcast, the conversation becomes deeply personal.For the first time, our initiator Ben, futurist and co-founder of The Futures Hub, takes the guest seat.Guided by host Charline Baker-Friesen, Ben reflects on migration, identity, midlife crisis, and the unpredictable transitions that shaped his journey. From starting over in a new country at 40 to rebuilding identity through language and experience, this episode explores how chaos can become a catalyst for reinvention.Together, they dive into:• the emotional reality of beginning again• how weak ties and serendipity changed everything• the metaphors guiding their ecosystem (Octopus, Zebra, Starlings, Jazz)• embracing uncertainty as a path to growth• a vision for a future-ready European ecosystemA raw and honest story of transformation, belonging, and becoming.📌 Hosted by: Charline Baker-Friesen, Marketing & Communications Lead at Flux Forward📍 Subscribe and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and more.🎧 Listen now: podcast.bennu.communityDon't forget to share your feedback and spread the word!

Breathing into Connection: The Power of Presence at WorkWith Stacya Giverts, Director of Customer Success at Warm SpaceIn this episode, we sit down with Stacya Giverts, Director of Customer Success at Warm Space — a platform built to help teams create real connection, trust, and psychological safety through simple, powerful daily practices.Stacya shares her personal journey and the story behind Warm Space, exploring how breathing, listening, and presence can transform not only individuals but entire organizations.📌 We discuss:Why presence and breath are powerful tools for connection and clarityHow psychological safety can’t be designed — it must be practicedCreating spaces where people can show up with their whole selvesHow simple rituals can shift organizational culture from the inside out🎙 Hosted by Alex — Founder of Ozyntel & Co-founder at Flux Forward📍 Subscribe and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and more.🎧 Listen now: podcast.bennu.community💡 Connect with Stacya Giverts on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacya-giverts-34247621bDon't forget to share your feedback and spread the word!

The Power of Progress Over Perfectionwith Diana Enache — Mindset Coach for Career Growth & L&D ConsultantWhat happens when we stop chasing perfection and start celebrating progress?In this episode of the Bennu Podcast, we explore the mindset shifts that help high achievers move forward in work and life. From reframing imposter syndrome to embracing mistakes as fuel for growth, we dive into the tools and practices that make learning, resilience, and career change possible.We explore:Why perfectionism holds us back — and how to reframe it into progress.Practical ways to “learn how to learn” in a fast-changing world.The role of rest, curiosity, and self-talk in preventing burnout.How small steps and mindset shifts can transform careers and confidence.✨ A powerful reminder runs through this conversation: growth doesn’t come from being perfect — it comes from moving step by step, learning along the way.🎙 Hosted by Majid and Ben — Co-founder at The Futures Hub.📍 Subscribe and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and more.🎧 Listen now: podcast.bennu.community💡 Connect with Diana Enache on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/diana-enache-coachDon't forget to share your feedback and spread the word!