On Becoming

What does it take to lead with heart—even when it's shattered into smithereens? In this episode of On Becoming, I sit down with Colleen Curtis, a powerhouse in community leadership and a woman who’s redefined what it means to lead with a strong back, and soft heart.Colleen was my boss for four years at Yelp, and she’s the one who had to let me go during a massive company-wide layoff back in 2016. But here’s the thing: I don’t just respect her—I absolutely adore her. Because the way she handled that impossible moment taught me what true leadership looks like: thoughtful, human, and deeply invested in the people she serves. Over her impressive career—from rising to VP at Yelp to leading community at The Mom Project, Miro, and now Reddit—Colleen has championed the idea that community isn’t just a buzzword. It’s about creating spaces where people can connect around a common interest or cause and "become the best versions of themselves." Whether it’s writing LinkedIn testimonials for laid-off team members or rallying her network with “Let’s Get People Hired” campaigns, Colleen has never stopped building bridges and empowering others to step into their full potential.What We’ll Explore:How to balance empathy and decisiveness when faced with the hardest leadership moments.The messy middle of career pivots, and how falling flat can lead to a better path.What truly separates a community from an audience.The power of women’s natural inclination for care and connection as a leadership strength.Learning the liberating power of saying no as a lifelong people pleaser.Questions to Consider:• What does leadership with heart and humanity look like in your life?• How do you create community in a way that fosters true connection and belonging?• What role does self-realization play in your professional and personal growth, and who's supporting you on that journey?Colleen’s story will inspire you to think differently about leadership—how you show up when things get messy, how you balance strength with softness, and how you create spaces that lift others up. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn tough moments into transformative growth—for yourself and the people around you—this is the episode for you.Connect with Me:• Book a discovery call at www.zevabellel.com• Subscribe to my Substack: On Becoming• Email me: zeva@zevabellel.com• Leave me a voice message on SpeakpipeP.S. If you love this episode, share it with a friend, leave a 5-star review, or drop me a line. I love hearing from you!

What happens when empowerment is only half the equation? In this season dedicated to the feminine edge of leadership, a sobering reality hit me post-election: empowering women is vital, but what about the work needed to address the fears that keep men (and women!) from embracing strong female leaders? In this solo episode of On Becoming, I’m diving into the silent fears, old narratives, and cultural barriers that keep true gender equality at bay. We’ll explore how stories—whether in advertising, literature, or personal relationships—can shape a culture where power isn’t a zero-sum game but something we all benefit from sharing. Along the way, I’ll unpack lessons from coaching, insights from historians, and even a viral ad that flips gender stereotypes on their head.What We’ll Explore:What I accidentally unearthed as the #1 fear holding women back from expressing themselves & their power fully.Why equality often feels threatening to men—and how we can address those fears without judgment.How storytelling, from midlife feminist memoirs to ad campaigns, can challenge deeply held beliefs about power and gender.Questions to Consider:What unconscious fears or beliefs have shaped how you think about power and equality?What kind of stories do we need to create a world where equality doesn’t feel like a threat, but an opportunity?Links and Mentions:Misogyny: The World's Oldest PrejudiceMetro Shoes AdEpisode #17 with Cindy GallopEpisode #18 with Jessi KleinDeborah LevyMiranda JulyConnect with me:Book a discovery callSubscribe to my SubstackLeave a message on SpeakpipeFollow me on InstagramCredits: Artwork Jessie Kanelos Weiner; Editing Matthew Jordan; Music © Fabrice Fortin; Photo: Virginie FaucherP.S. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode!

What happens when life doesn’t call for a hero, but a sense of humor? In this episode of On Becoming, I’m joined by Jessi Klein—Emmy-winning writer, comedian, and one of the funniest people I know—to remind us that sometimes, survival isn’t about grand heroics but finding humor in the middle of motherhood, midlife, and all the “what in the actual f*ck” moments we never saw coming. In a time when women’s rights and bodies are still up for debate (and sometimes outright denial), Jessi shows us how laughter can be our greatest tool for resilience, connection, and yes, even protest.About Jessi Klein: Jessi Klein is an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning writer, comedian, and producer known for her work on Inside Amy Schumer, Big Mouth, and Dead to Me. She’s also the author of two bestselling books, You’ll Grow Out of It and I’ll Show Myself Out, where she brings the unvarnished, laugh-out-loud truths about womanhood to the page.In this episode, we’ll explore:• The quiet courage it takes to stay present through motherhood’s hardest moments, and why Jessi calls it the “ultimate hero’s journey.”• How Jessi uses humor to confront the emotional shifts of midlife and keep herself grounded (or at least laughing) through it.• Why unfiltered storytelling about womanhood—complete with underwear sandwiches and other intimate details—helps us connect over experiences we rarely share.• Her journey to realizing that comedy is more than just jokes—it’s a powerful way to make people feel less alone.As you listen, consider these questions:• How might laughter help you face the big, messy challenges in your own life?• What would it mean to see your own struggles as a hero’s journey, where the courage lies in just showing up, day after day?• How can humor help us feel less alone in the experiences we usually keep quiet about?Links and Mentions:• You’ll Grow Out of It, I’ll Show Myself Out• Jessi's IGConnect with me:• Book a discovery call• Subscribe to my Substack• Leave a message on Speakpipe• Follow me on InstagramCredits: Artwork Jessie Kanelos Weiner; Editing Matthew Jordan; Music © Fabrice Fortin; Photo: Virginie FaucherP.S. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode!

What happens when you stop playing by the world’s rules and start living unapologetically on your own terms? For my next guest on On Becoming, it’s not about “breaking the rules”—it’s about smashing the outdated systems that were never built for us in the first place. Whether she’s rethinking how we view sex, reshaping power dynamics, or fighting to overhaul outdated payment systems, Cindy is rewriting the world through a female lens. In this episode, Cindy opens up about her radical journey from the male-dominated world of advertising to becoming a pioneering voice in sextech, and why she believes the world will be a better place when it’s 50-50 equally led, managed, and designed by women.About Cindy Gallop:Cindy Gallop is a British-Chinese entrepreneur, advertising veteran, and fearless leader in the fight for sex positivity and gender equality. After founding the U.S. office of ad agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH) in 1998, she went on to win Advertising Woman of the Year in 2003. Her career took a major pivot after a TED Talk in 2009 that went viral, launching her groundbreaking platform MakeLoveNotPorn, which promotes real, consensual sex as a counter-narrative to mainstream porn. But MakeLoveNotPorn is just the start. Cindy’s ecosystem has grown to include MakeLoveNotPorn Academy for sex education, a FinTech solution to ensure fair payment systems for sextech businesses, and an ad tech platform for ethical advertising. She’s even working on an AI tool to visualize and model real consent—something the world desperately needs!In this episode, we’ll explore:• The birth of MakeLoveNotPorn and how dating younger men casually opened Cindy’s eyes to the real impact of porn as sex education.• Why she’s pushing for a 50-50 world where women lead, manage, and design systems of power.• The roadblocks Cindy faces trying to fund MakeLoveNotPorn and how she’s tackling systemic barriers with radical solutions.• Why Cindy believes that open, honest conversations about sex can change everything from relationships to power dynamics in the workplace.• Why Cindy’s recipe for self-care will make every married mom weep with envy. :)This conversation is not just about sex or power—it’s about flipping the system, breaking down barriers, and living unapologetically in a world designed through a female lens.Links and mentions:• Cindy’s Instagram• MakeLoveNotPorn• WeFundHerConnect with me:• Book a discovery call• Subscribe to my Substack• Leave a message on Speakpipe• Follow me on InstagramCredits: Artwork Jessie Kanelos Weiner; Editing Matthew Jordan; Music © Fabrice Fortin; Photo: Virginie FaucherP.S. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode!

In this special solo episode of On Becoming, I dive into a topic that’s been on my mind lately: the environments we choose to live, work, and grow in. Are they nurturing us, helping us thrive and evolve? Or are they neglecting our growth, keeping us stuck in places we’ve outgrown?After a transformative retreat in the South of France, I began reflecting on how the spaces we surround ourselves with—from our homes to our workplaces to our broader communities—play a crucial role in shaping our development. I share stories from my own journey, from Vassar College in upstate New York to my life in Paris, and how each environment either nurtured my voice or constrained it.In this episode, I explore:• How the environments you choose impact your personal and professional growth• The difference between nurturing and neglecting spaces• How to identify when your space no longer supports your evolution• Practical tips to start shifting your environment, one small step at a timeWhy listen:• If you feel like your environment no longer supports your growth• If you want to learn how small shifts in your space can lead to big changes in your life• If you’re curious about how environments impact leadership, creativity, and personal evolution• If you want to hear personal stories of transformation with actionable insights to create changeListen now and explore how the spaces you choose can unlock your potential.Links and mentions:Madame de la Maison's The Good Life RetreatVassar CollegeEpisode #15 with Rha GoddessMy Vision Board WorkshopsConnect with me:Book a discovery callSubscribe to my substackLeave a message: speakpipe.com/onbecomingFollow me on InstagramCredits: Artwork Jessie Kanelos Weiner; Editing Matthew Jordan; Music © Fabrice Fortin; Photo: Virginie FaucherPS: Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode far and wide!

What does it take to finally start listening to yourself? For some of my clients, their wake-up calls have come via the creeping signs of burnout, increasingly frequent panic attacks on their daily commutes to the office, or even and cracked rib from a slip down the stairwell during a rare vacation break! But for my next guest on On Becoming, it took something far more sudden and terrifying: a near-death experience that erased any room for doubt. In this episode, Rha Goddess opens up about what that terrifying moment taught her about trusting her inner voice, leaning into joy as power, and embracing women’s hidden strengths.About Rha Goddess:Rha Goddess is a soul coach, speaker, author, and CEO/Founder of Move The Crowd, a leadership collective that guides entrepreneurs, cultural creatives, and change-makers to find their purpose, make money, and do good. She’s coached some of today’s most influential figures—Gabby Bernstein, Reshma Saujani, and even Halla Tómasdóttir, the new President of Iceland. She’s the author of the bestselling book The Calling: 3 Fundamental Shifts to Stay True, Get Paid, and Do Good and has delivered a TED Talk titled “4 Ways to Redefine Power at Work to Include Women of Color." She’s currently working on her next book, The Great Renegotiation, which explores how we’re all redefining our relationship with work in a post-pandemic world.In this episode, we’ll explore:Rha’s near-death experience: How it completely transformed her ability to trust herself and the universe.Women’s hidden strengths: Rha reveals why compassion, intuition, and community—traits often labeled “soft”—are the very skills the world needs right now.Joy as a source of power: Rha explains how choosing joy can revolutionize the way we lead and live.Move The Crowd: Learn how her community helps individuals align their work with their purpose to create real impact.Vassar days: We take a nostalgic trip back to our shared time at Vassar College, reflecting on how it shaped our journeys of self-discovery.This episode is about listening, trusting, and leaning into the joy that makes us whole and ties beautifully into this season's theme of peering into the blueprints of successful women leaders to understand how they do power differently.Links: Rha’s Instagram Rha’s Book, The CallingConnect with me:Book a discovery callSubscribe to my substackLeave a message: speakpipe.com/onbecomingFollow me on InstagramPS: Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode far and wide!

Ever wonder what it looks like to lead with intuition and softness while revolutionizing an entire industry—all by age 36?In this episode, I chat with the remarkable Anna Polonsky, the French founder of the NYC-based branding and design agency, Polonsky & Friends. Anna and I first met in Paris in 2010, when I tried to recruit her to build Yelp’s Paris community. She politely declined, as she was about to embark on her next big adventure: launching Le Fooding in the USA. This project would go on to redefine how we experience food, blending it with art, culture, and community in ways that had never been done before.Since then, Anna’s career has skyrocketed. She co-founded MP Shift, where she pioneered the concept of 360-degree hospitality branding, helping to create some of the most iconic restaurant brands. Her work earned her a coveted James Beard Award for restaurant design and a spot on Forbes’ prestigious 30 Under 30 list. Now, with her latest venture Polonsky & Friends, Anna and her growing team focus on mission-driven projects, collaborating with some of the world’s most innovative chefs and food brands.In this episode, Anna opens up about breaking away from conventional paths, her gift for turning restaurants into brands, and how she leads with intuition and softness. It’s a masterclass in trusting your gut, knowing when to pivot, and leading with heart.In this episode, we’ll explore:Why Anna followed her heart to New York instead of the traditional post-grandes écoles path.How living abroad turbocharged her entrepreneurial ambitions.The cultural differences of doing business in America vs. France.The rise of restaurant branding and how Anna pioneered this trend.Her journey from MP Shift to Polonsky & Friends, and why she felt the need to pivot.How intuition, relationships, and collaboration are at the core of her leadership style.Why softness and creativity have been key to her success in transforming the industry.This conversation ties beautifully into our show’s theme of peering into the blueprints of successful women leaders to understand how they do power differently—how they lead with softness, intuition, curiosity, and a focus on collective success.Links and mentions:• Polonsky & Friends• Le Fooding• Deligram NewsletterCredits: Artwork Jessie Kanelos Weiner; Editing Matthew Jordan; Music © Fabrice FortinWant to get in touch? Book a free discovery call or leave me a message speak pipe.com/onbecoming.You can also sign-up to my Substack and follow me on Instagram @zevabellelDon’t forget to subscribe and share the podcast, and leave a 5-star review.

Every day I hear from women who feel stuck. As a coach, my job is to help them release what’s holding them back, and get them moving forward. This conversation altered my perspective on "stuck." A word that our culture patholgizes. “Quick, let’s fix the problem!" This conversation reframes growth, suggesting there’s a lot to celebrate in the fallow, neutral space of a woman’s life, when a metamorphosis is happening out of view. And yet this liminal, in-between phase can be terrifying, especially if we’re prone to overachieving the heck out of life, tackling one ambitious goal after another, like the guest of my program did for most of her 56-years.About Melissa Unger:Melissa Unger is a Brooklyn-based, Franco-American author, artist and creative director. In 2011, she founded Seymour Projects, a collaborative initiative devoted to nurturing human consciousness in a world increasingly dominated by technology. Over the course of her 30+ year career, she’s worked with many renowned organizations including Tribeca Productions, The Ad Council, Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac, artnet, and the Creative Growth Art Center. Early in her career she was also the personal assistant to Robert De Niro and Daniel Day Lewis! Melissa and her projects have been featured in The Huffington Post, Die Zeit, ELLE Magazine, Le Monde, El Pais, and New York Magazine. Her visual art has been exhibited in various art spaces, as well as featured on a variety of products. She’s a member of the Intentional Spaces/NeuroArts, Kinnernet and DLD communities and a participant in evolutionary behavioral scientist Tamás Dávid-Barrett’s discussion group Human Beast. Highlights of of conversation include:Why our society pathologizes inertiaWhy the in-bewteen feels so icky when you’re in itMoving from mind over to body driven intentions How capiltalism perpetuates the feeling of “not enough” Identity shifts after moving home after a decade in FranceWhy fallow is a fertile phase of invisible growthEmbracing all emotions, like a full color paletteHow art and creativity impact personal growthThe power of intentional spaces and neuroaestheticsThe importance of feeling heard and understood when you’re wired differently Links:Melissa's IGWebsiteGagCredits: Artwork Jessie Kanelos Weiner; Editing Matthew Jordan; Music © Fabrice FortinWant to get in touch with Zeva, the host of On Becoming? Book a free discovery call or leave me a message speak pipe.com/onbecoming.