What does it take to go from a promising engineering career to becoming a nationally recognized motivational speaker and leadership coach? In this inspiring conversation, I sit down with Lasada Pippen, a first-generation college graduate who rose from humble beginnings to transform not only his own life but also the lives of executive leaders and aspiring speakers across the country.

Lasada shares his journey of self-reinvention, from pivoting away from engineering to embracing his calling on stage. He reveals how structured thinking, drawn from his engineering background, blends with the art of human connection to create powerful communication. Together, we explore why voice and presence are essential leadership tools in today’s digital world, the most common fears that hold people back from speaking, and how to overcome visibility blocks.

You’ll also discover:

• The 4 Cs of impactful speaking and the key questions to ask before stepping on stage.
• How to manage nerves and negative feedback—and even turn them into strengths.
• Practical tips to be more present, confident, and influential in any room.
• Why mastering your voice is not just for executives, but for entrepreneurs, founders, and anyone ready to make an impact.

Lasada’s story is proof that your voice can change not only your career but your destiny. If you’ve been waiting for the moment to step forward, speak up, and light up the room—this episode is for you.

To connect with Lasada: https://www.lasadapippen.com/

Become part of the SilknWay Roadshow:

https://ispeakuplightup.com/the-silk-way-roadshow/

Want to become an international speaker, expand your business and mind, join us for 3-days Business Summit in a breathtaking Cappadocia:

https://ispeakuplightup.com/isulu-summit/

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Today, we dive into one of the most dynamic and culturally layered regions in the world: the Gulf.

From the futuristic skyline of Dubai to the deeply rooted traditions of Riyadh and the strategic diplomacy of Doha—doing business in the GCC requires more than ambition. It demands cultural fluency.

My guest is Corina Goetz, a trusted advisor and expert in Middle Eastern business culture who has spent over a decade helping international companies enter the region with impact, integrity, and deep respect.

Together, we unpack:

• Why your handshake, dress, or choice of words could open doors—or silently close them
• How wasta (relationship capital) works, and how to build trust ethically in the GCC
• The key differences between Dubai, Riyadh, and Doha that brands must understand
• Crucial insights for women entering leadership or entrepreneurship in the Gulf
• Why hospitality isn’t just tradition—it’s strategy

Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, or global citizen ready to engage with the Middle East, this episode offers a real-world roadmap to navigating the Gulf with grace and cultural intelligence.

Tune in, take notes, and leave empowered to connect deeper and lead wiser.

Connect with Corina:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/corinagoetz/

Learn about the Silk Way Roadshow: https://ispeakuplightup.com/the-silk-way-roadshow/

Join us on this unique journey!

Some tools for Entrepreneurs to scale, as well as in-person events to join:

https://ispeakuplightup.com/

Get my Self-Mastery Journal To Master Your Mind And Shape Your Reality

Join me in IG: https://www.instagram.com/lightupwithval/

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerievkim/

Join The Silk Way Roadshow

What if there was one skill that could unlock every door — in business, relationships, and even your health?

In this episode, we sit down with Ben Chai — serial entrepreneur, global property investor, TEDx speaker, and master of social magnetism.
Raised between worlds and cultures, Ben shares how growing up without a fixed identity led him to discover one of the most underestimated success tools of our time: the ability to connect — deeply, authentically, and across boundaries.

We explore:

• Why your social energy is more important than your resume
• How to speak so people actually listen — and remember
• The hidden link between visibility, confidence, and personal healing
• What it means to be a “global misfit” — and turn that into your greatest strength

Whether you're building a business, navigating cross-cultural identity, or simply wanting to show up more powerfully — this conversation will shift how you think about human connection, influence, and your own voice.

Tedx Talks: One Thing That Will Change Your Life Forever: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdYyioAXod0

How To Be Socially Magnetic: https://www.ted.com/talks/ben_chai_how_to_be_socially_magnetic

Cowardice, courage and how extreme reading made me fearless: https://www.ted.com/talks/ben_chai_cowardice_courage_and_how_extreme_reading_made_me_fearless

Learn about the Silk Way Roadshow: https://ispeakuplightup.com/the-silk-way-roadshow/

Join us on this unique journey!

Some tools for Entrepreneurs to scale, as well as in-person events to join:

https://ispeakuplightup.com/

Get my Self-Mastery Journal To Master Your Mind And Shape Your Reality

Join me in IG: https://www.instagram.com/lightupwithval/

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerievkim/

In this powerful episode, we dive deep into the resilience women are called to embody in today’s world—from emotional endurance to purpose-driven leadership.

Joined by Teresa Fracasso, we explore the shifting landscape of women’s needs, the silent battles many face, and how inner strength is cultivated, not inherited.

We also talk about the Silk Way Roadshow— our joint project, a multicity platform that connects East And West, uniting cultures, mindsets and nations, opens the doors for trading and opportunities for women entrepreneurs. This isn’t just events—it’s a call to all changemakers, entrepreneurs, and creatives who feel ready to rise.

To connect with Teresa: https://www.instagram.com/teresa.fracasso/

Learn about the Silk Way Roadshow: https://ispeakuplightup.com/the-silk-way-roadshow/

Join us on this unique journey!

Some tools for Entrepreneurs to scale, as well as in-person events to join:

https://ispeakuplightup.com/

Get my Self-Mastery Journal To Master Your Mind And Shape Your Reality

Join me in IG: https://www.instagram.com/lightupwithval/

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerievkim/

In this powerful episode, I’m joined by Magda Kay — intimacy expert, Tantra teacher, speaker, and best-selling author — for a deeply honest conversation about how we can heal shame and guilt around sexuality, and how reconnecting with our own sexual energy can lead to more fulfilling relationships, aligned life choices, and lasting partnership.

We dive into the emotional roots of disconnection — from self, others, and our desires — and explore how unprocessed shame around intimacy can limit our creativity, confidence, and capacity to love.

Magda shares her own raw journey of sexual healing and gives us a new way to think about sensuality as a source of personal power, clarity, and freedom.

This episode is for anyone ready to move beyond performance and perfection… and into truth, pleasure, and meaningful intimacy — within and without.

To connect with Magda: https://magdakay.com/

Magda's book that is mentioned in the episode: https://www.amazon.com/NO-MORE-FAKING-pleasure-fulfillment/dp/B0C6NZGJP3/

Some tools for Entrepreneurs to scale, as well as in-person events to join:

https://ispeakuplightup.com/

Get my Self-Mastery Journal To Master Your Mind And Shape Your Reality

Join me in IG: https://www.instagram.com/lightupwithval/

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerievkim/

Get my Self-Mastery Journal To Master Your Mind And Shape Your Reality

In a world that conditions us to fit into boxes from birth, it takes courage to break the cycles of expectation and step into a version of yourself that’s truly aligned with your soul’s mission. This talk is a transformative journey through personal truth, emotional healing, and conscious choice—inviting you to release societal programming, reconnect with your authentic identity, and build a life rooted in purpose, expansion, and true fulfillment.

Because you were not born to just survive—you were born to rise.

Some tools for Entrepreneurs to scale, as well as in-person events to join:

https://ispeakuplightup.com/

Join me in IG: https://www.instagram.com/lightupwithval/

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerievkim/

Get my Self-Mastery Journal to Master Your Brain and Shape Your Reality

What really makes people say “yes” in a world flooded with funnels, automation, and AI? In this powerhouse episode, we sit down with Doug C. Brown, CEO of CEO Sales Strategies and the sales genius behind $960M+ in revenue. From sweeping floors at age 3 to skyrocketing Tony Robbins’ close rates by 143%, Doug brings a lifetime of real sales wisdom.

We dive deep into:

• The timeless sales truths that still close deals in 2025
• Why emotional intelligence is your secret weapon—and how to build it
• What most entrepreneurs get wrong about funnels and lead gen
• The art of ethical persuasion that doesn’t feel like selling
• And how to earn trust from the very first touchpoint.

Whether you're a seasoned pro or just stepping into sales, this episode will transform how you connect, close, and ethically scale. If you're ready to sell without feeling “salesy,” this one’s for you.

Get lit up by Doug’s grounded insights, stories from the sales trenches, and practical tips to build a business that thrives—human to human.

To connect with Doug: https://ceosalesstrategies.com

f you are looking for more alignment, clarity and solid foundation for your business to scale, check our Program: https://ispeakuplightup.com/start-up/

Some tools for Entrepreneurs to scale, as well as in-person events to join:

https://ispeakuplightup.com/

Join me in IG: https://www.instagram.com/lightupwithval/

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerievkim/

In this raw and soul-stirring episode, we sit down with Karissa Adkins—WSJ Bestselling Author, international speaker, and founder of the Alpha Queen Collective—to go beyond the highlight reel and into the origin story of a woman who redefined power from the inside out.

Karissa takes us back to her rock bottom: a time marked by emotional weight, health and personal life challenges and deep disconnection. She opens up about the moment she declared “enough is enough,” the tiny first shift that sparked her transformation, and how NLP, Time Line Therapy®, and Hypnosis became the tools that rewrote her internal script.

We unpack the silent battles so many powerful women face—betrayal, emotional abandonment, and imposter syndrome—and why these patterns persist in even the strongest among us. Karissa breaks down the belief codes that must be rewritten in the feminine psyche, and offers tangible micro-shifts to begin that healing today.

She also shares the true meaning behind becoming an Alpha Queen—where softness meets sovereignty, and magnetism isn’t about doing more, but about becoming deeply rooted in self-worth.

Expect mindset breakthroughs, identity-level healing, and a fresh lens on confidence, leadership, and feminine power.

To connect with Karissa: https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=Karissa+Adkins+Alpha+Queen&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

If you are looking for more alignment, clarity and solid foundation for your business to scale, check our Program: https://ispeakuplightup.com/start-up/

Some tools for Entrepreneurs to scale, as well as in-person events to join:

https://ispeakuplightup.com/

Join me in IG: https://www.instagram.com/lightupwithval/

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerievkim/