Walk Talk Listen Podcast

Dancing with the Wicked World with Sonja Wekema - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 173)

Sonja Wekema is an expert in leadership and organizational transformation with over 25 years of experience across industries and cultures. As the co-founder of The Board Whisperers and founder of The Other Perspective, Sonja is dedicated to fostering human-centered leadership, intercultural collaboration, and sustainable impact.
 
The conversation explores themes from her TEDx talk and book, Leading in a Wicked World, co-authored with Matthias Schramm. Sonja shares her insights on navigating today’s fast-changing and challenging environment, emphasizing the importance of creating shared language and meaningful connections to drive transformation.
Sonja worked with multinationals, startups, and not-for-profits worldwide. The discussion is filled with sharp insights, humor, and practical wisdom for leaders at every level.
 
Tune in to hear Sonja’s take on leadership in a "wicked" world and discover how sustainable transformation begins with bold conversations.
 
Listener Engagement:
Discover more about Sonja via her website. Her social media handles LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook and don't forget to buy her latest book: Leading in a Wicked World.
Share your thoughts on this episode at innovationhub@cwsglobal.org. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
Explore the songs selected by Sonja and other guests on our #walktalklisten playlist here.
Follow Us:
Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast and Maurice by liking and following Maurice on Blue Sky, Facebook and Instagram.
Visit our website at 100mile.org for more episodes and information about our initiatives.
Check out the special WTL series "Enough for All," featuring Church World Service (CWS) and the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).

Global Diplomacy and Local Impact with Jan Waltmans - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 172)

A seasoned diplomat with over three decades of international experience, Jan Waltmans reflects on his postings in conflict zones such as Afghanistan, Iraq, and Lebanon, sharing stories of resilience and collaboration amidst challenging circumstances. From navigating political turbulence to fostering reconciliation among divided communities, Jan’s insights highlight the power of diplomacy, listening, and grassroots efforts to create meaningful change. He also shares a deeply personal moment about the passing of his wife. He honors her strength and shares his decision to continue living with purpose: "I don’t want to be a very sad person day and night for the next 20, 30 years." His resilience and hope inspire us all. His recount of the liberation of Mosul, and his engagement with youth to bridge divides in Lebanon, provide important lessons for anyone invested in building a more just and peaceful world.
 
Jan Waltmans has dedicated his career to international diplomacy, serving as the Ambassador of the Netherlands in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lebanon, and Iraq, among other roles. Currently, he is a strategic advisor to the Director General for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Netherlands. A Tilburg University graduate with a Master's in Law, Jan's passion for bridging cultural and political divides has taken him to some of the world's most volatile regions. His unwavering belief in the importance of connection, learning from others, and fostering hope shines through in both his professional achievements and his reflections during this conversation.
 
Listener Engagement:
Discover more about Jan Waltmans his employer, via their website. And this is the link to the NGO in Lebanon that is mentioned by Jan during this episode: March
Share your thoughts on this episode at innovationhub@cwsglobal.org. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
Explore the songs selected by Jan and other guests on our #walktalklisten playlist here.
Follow Us:
Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast and Maurice by liking and following Maurice on Blue Sky, Facebook and Instagram.
Visit our website at 100mile.org for more episodes and information about our initiatives.
Check out the special WTL series "Enough for All," featuring Church World Service (CWS) and the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).

Regenerating Humanity with Chaya Mistry - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 171)

Chaya Mistry, the founder of Humanly, a leadership and communication consultancy who describes herself as a "human whisperer," reflects on her upbringing in a multicultural family in the UK, shaped by her Indian heritage, and how this foundation inspired her mission to regenerate human connections. With a background in psychology and corporate communications, Chaya shares her journey of founding Humanly, a consultancy that emphasizes emotional intelligence, leadership coaching, and creating spaces where people can connect authentically, both in work and life. She highlights the transformative power of compassion and deep listening as acts of kindness with the potential to create profound ripple effects.
 
Central to the conversation is Chaya’s framework for transformational leadership, built around the Four Cs: Compassion, Curiosity, Courage, and Creativity. She and Maurice delve into the importance of inner work in leadership, exploring how these qualities align with the Inner Development Goals (IDGs) and their complement to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Chaya emphasizes the need for leaders to cultivate self-awareness and self-care as tools for fostering deeper connections and driving meaningful change. Drawing from her work, she illustrates how authentic leadership can inspire both personal growth and social transformation, creating a foundation for collaborative action in addressing global challenges.
 
Listener Engagement:
Discover more about Chaya Mistry, via her website or LinkedIn. Join her online community: The Human Leadership Collective or read her latest blog
Share your thoughts on this episode at innovationhub@cwsglobal.org. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
Explore the songs selected by Chaya and other guests on our #walktalklisten playlist here.
Follow Us:
Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast and Maurice by liking and following Maurice on Blue Sky, Facebook and Instagram.
Visit our website at 100mile.org for more episodes and information about our initiatives.
Check out the special WTL series "Enough for All," featuring Church World Service (CWS) and the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).

The Unstoppable Philosophical Entrepreneur with Ji Yeon Kwon - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 17)

It is still difficult to put a label on Ji Yeon Kwon, is she an philosophical entrepreneur or an entrepreneurial philosopher or both?😉 She strives for work that embodies the fusion of purpose and profit. Ji Yeon shares her unique journey, discussing how her experiences and philosophical insights shape her entrepreneurial endeavors.
In this episode, it is being discussed what it means to approach entrepreneurship with intentionality and care, reflecting on the delicate balance between personal growth, societal impact, and business success. How can philosophical thinking can redefine leadership, create meaningful connections, and inspire others to pursue work that matters.
 
Join us for an episode that challenges conventional views on entrepreneurship, encouraging us all to think more deeply about the values that drive our decisions and the legacy we aim to leave behind.
 
Ji Yeon is a New York City-based professional with a B.A. in Statistics and Information Science from Columbia University, where she designed an interdisciplinary program focused on Human-Centered Design. Combining Data Science, Industrial Engineering, Sociology, Design, and Psychology, her academic journey reflects a passion for understanding and enhancing human experiences. Since graduating in 2022, she has been a member of DoorDash’s New York Strategy team while dedicating her free time to data privacy and advocacy efforts with Youth For Privacy. Since she decided to leave Doordash, she is pursuing as a philosophical entrepreneur and passionate innovator, Ji Yeon is on a mission to elevate humanity's baseline self-awareness and self-respect through solutions that fundamentally transform the relationship people have with themselves.
 
A global citizen and multifaceted individual, Ji Yeon balances professional endeavors with artistic pursuits, taking acting classes at The Barrow Group and exploring solo travel, meditation, and mindfulness. She has engaged in public speaking, mentored with the United Nations Department of Public Information, and represented Korea internationally as a published scientific researcher and Miss Korea 2021 beauty pageant contestant. Ji Yeon’s ventures into fashion, beauty, and media—including walking the runway at New York Fashion Week—highlight her commitment to challenging societal norms and understanding Gen Z's mobile-first psyche. With a deep appreciation for cross-cultural connections and storytelling, Ji Yeon brings range, authenticity, and creativity to every aspect of her work and life.
 
Listener Engagement:
Discover more about Ji Yeon via her social media: Instagram, YouTube and Facebook.  Check out her website here.
Share your thoughts on this episode at innovationhub@cwsglobal.org. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
Explore the songs selected by Ji Yeon and other guests on our #walktalklisten playlist here.
Follow Us:
Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast and Maurice by liking and following Maurice on Blue Sky, Facebook and Instagram.
Visit our website at 100mile.org for more episodes and information about our initiatives.
Check out the special WTL series "Enough for All," featuring Church World Service (CWS) and the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).

A Journey of Bridging Cultures and Building Resilience with Tapiwa Yemeke - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 169)

Tapiwa Yemeke is a dynamic advocate for peacebuilding, public health, and migration, who brings unique insights into mental health challenges, gender-based violence, and community empowerment. Hailing from Zimbabwe, Tapiwa shares her experiences working across multiple countries, promoting Afrocentric solutions to complex social issues within prison and rural communities.
 
Her journey spans from a rural upbringing in Zimbabwe, where her resilience and commitment to advocacy took root, to her role in Sweden with LM International, where she now contributes to global dialogue on religious literacy and community-centered interventions. Tapiwa discusses her academic journey in economics, her activism for women's rights, and her transformative roles in South Africa and Norway, where she worked with survivors of sexual violence, sex workers, and prison communities.
 
Tapiwa also shares her perspectives on the Sustainable Development Goals, the importance of inner development for global change, and the challenge of fostering true belonging and self-discovery in a world increasingly shaped by social media.
 
Listener Engagement:
Discover more about Tapiwa's via her social media: Instagram and Facebook.  Follow her organization LM International: on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn and find Tapiwa's publications here.
Share your thoughts on this episode at innovationhub@cwsglobal.org. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
Explore the songs selected by Tapiwa and other guests on our #walktalklisten playlist here.
Follow Us:
Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast and Maurice by liking and following Maurice on Blue Sky, Facebook and Instagram.
Visit our website at 100mile.org for more episodes and information about our initiatives.
Check out the special WTL series "Enough for All," featuring Church World Service (CWS) and the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).

The Art of Relating with Yuliya Shtaltovna - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 168)

In this episode, Maurice Bloem speaks with Yuliya Shtaltovna, an educator and resilience advocate from Ukraine, now based in Berlin. Yuliya shares her journey from Dnipro to Germany, detailing her background in linguistics, intercultural competence, and leadership education. Together, they explore the powerful framework of the Inner Development Goals (IDGs) and Yuliya’s role in fostering resilience within the Ukrainian community amidst the ongoing war.
 
Throughout the episode, Yuliya reflects on her work co-leading the IDG Higher Education Circle and supporting the IDG Network in Ukraine, a collective dedicated to cultivating resilience through empathy, critical thinking, and community support. She shares practical methods for navigating traumatic experiences, highlighting the role of perspective-taking and community dialogue in trauma-informed resilience practices.
 
The conversation touches on her perspectives on violence and self-defense, the importance of value-based communities, and the strength derived from shared cultural and spiritual practices. Yuliya also discusses the inspiring work of Ukrainian artists like Okean Elzy, so which song do you think she picked?
 
Join Maurice and Yuliya as they delve into meaningful discussions on spirituality, resilience, and the human spirit’s capacity to endure and uplift others in times of adversity.
 
Link: Why Pacifism Kills co-authored by Yuliya Shtaltovna
 
Listener Engagement:
Discover more about Yuliya's via her podcast Live and Learn: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Spotify. Follow her on Facebook and LinkedIn for updates on her latest projects, publications and insights.
Share your thoughts on this episode at innovationhub@cwsglobal.org. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
Explore the songs selected by Yuliya and other guests on our #walktalklisten playlist here.
Follow Us:
Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast by liking and following us on Twitter and Instagram.
Visit our website at 100mile.org for more episodes and information about our initiatives.
Check out the special WTL series "Enough for All," featuring Church World Service (CWS) and the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).

On My Way with Victoire Mandonnaud - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 167)

In this episode of 'Walk, Talk, Listen,' Maurice is joined by Victoire Mandonnaud a 26-year-old French multi-talented artist, anthropologist and economist. Victoire shares her inspiring journey from studying painting and photojournalism in New York to earning degrees in Anthropology and International Finance and Economic Policy from Columbia University. Rooted in her early exposure to the arts and being the youngest of six siblings, Victoire underscores the importance of exploring diverse fields. She is passionate about human nature, its resilience, and fostering modest, meaningful conversations. Victoire is also developing 'On My Way,' an app that encourages real-time community actions and supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Additionally, she reflects on how younger generations prioritize actionable goals over traditional spirituality. Graduated from prestigious institutions including the International Center of Photography and Jacques Lecoq, Victoire balances her art career with her mission to inspire societal change through honest dialogue and innovative solutions.
 
Listener Engagement:
Discover more about Victoire's via her website and her social media handles Instagram Paintings and Instagram Photographs, . Or the website of her app On My Way and it's social media handles: Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Share your thoughts on this episode at innovationhub@cwsglobal.org. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
Discover the songs picked by Victoire and other guests on our #walktalklisten playlist here.
 
Follow Us:
Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast by liking and following us on Twitter and Instagram.
Visit our website at 100mile.org for more episodes and information about our initiatives.
Check out the special WTL series "Enough for All," featuring Church World Service (CWS) and the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).

Listening to the Heart with Romanna Remor on Politics, Regeneration, and Sustainable Development - Walk Talk Listen (Episode 166)

In this episode of Walk Talk Listen, Romanna Remor, a social and regenerative entrepreneur from Brazil shares about her incredible background in politics, education, and environmental regeneration. This conversation explores her inspiring journey from politics to entrepreneurship and how she uses her experiences to transform communities and restore ecosystems.
 
Romanna shares personal reflections on her time in politics—where she battled corruption, championed sustainability, and fought for public welfare—and explains the challenges she faced as a minority of minorities in a male-dominated space. Now, as an entrepreneur focused on regenerative agriculture and sustainable development, Romanna has found a new way to reconnect with her political ideals, healing both land and communities through innovative agroforestry systems and fair trade.
 
We also discuss the importance of peace, both inner and global, as a foundation for tackling issues like inequality, environmental degradation, and human development, as well as the role of faith in driving her mission.
 
Tune in to hear Romanna’s insights on leadership, personal resilience, and making an impact—one person and one tree at a time.
 
Listener Engagement:
Discover more about Romanna’s work and her brand, Viva Regenera: vivaregenera.
Connect with Romanna and her e-commerce venture, Viva Floresta: viva-floresta.com, focused on health and regenerative products.
Share your thoughts on this episode at innovationhub@cwsglobal.org. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
Discover the songs picked by Romanna and other guests on our #walktalklisten playlist here.
 
Follow Us:
Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast by liking and following us on Twitter and Instagram.
Visit our website at 100mile.org for more episodes and information about our initiatives.
Check out the special WTL series "Enough for All," featuring Church World Service (CWS) and the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).