Explore every episode of the podcast Beyond the Noise
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| He Burnt His Suits: Ex-Banker Matt Davies on Quitting Corporate, Identity & Career Change | Beyond the Noise | 07 sept. 2026 | 00:42:58 | |
Matt Davies spent years climbing the ladder in financial services — private banker, investment advisor, all the qualifications, before realizing at 40 that he wasn't even halfway through his working life, and it wasn't what he wanted. He talks with hosts Anastasija Lynch and Khurshid Zaynutdinov about the drastic (and later regretted) way he left corporate life, the divorce and loss he was navigating at the same time, and how he turned that mess into a coaching practice helping others through the same transition. Using identity work instead of willpower, and community instead of going it alone. A raw, honest conversation for anyone in leadership wondering if they're on the right path. Connect with Matt Davies: More from Beyond the Noise: Subscribe for new episodes on leadership, career change, and navigating unprecedented change. | |||
| Paralyzed From the Neck Down, He Still Says It Was a Gift | 20 août 2026 | 00:54:42 | |
Paralyzed from the neck down at 21, and the first thought that ran through his head wasn't fear — it was gratitude that he still had his mind. Max was snowboarding in Colorado when a fall left him with a C3-C4 spinal contusion. What followed was a recovery built on faith, an almost stubborn refusal to let go of momentum, and a complete rewrite of what he thought mattered. He talks with Anastasija and Khurshid about the accident itself, the mentor who told him "don't let me believe in you more than you believe in you," and why so many of us wait for a crisis before we let ourselves change. Timestamps: About Max: Follow Max: https://www.instagram.com/maxwellkrohn/ More from Beyond the Noise: | |||
| She Survived 11 Layoffs, Then Quit Anyway — Here's What Broke Open | 06 août 2026 | 00:48:25 | |
You get laid off, and instead of falling apart, you smile, then cry the second no one's watching. Years later you finally quit a job you actually like, and somehow that's scarier than any layoff ever was. Lin Cassie went through multiple rounds of layoffs across two countries, the first as a 20-something in 2008, the last as a design manager in Berlin, before making the strange discovery that walking away on her own terms was harder than being pushed. She and hosts Anastasija and Khurshid dig into what it actually felt like in the room each time, how she traced her own fears back to her parents', and why she thinks the leadership traits that get rewarded right now might be part of the problem. About Lin Cassie: 🔗 Connect with Lin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lin-cassie-zhen-73215113/ More from Beyond the Noise: | |||
| She Did Everything Right… So Why Did She Burn Out? | Erika Coleman | 23 juil. 2026 | 00:50:10 | |
What happens when you've done everything right - built a successful career, achieved your goals, and still find yourself completely burned out? In this episode of Beyond the Noise, we speak with Erika Coleman about the hidden cost of high performance. Erika shares her journey through severe burnout, closing a successful business, rebuilding her life, studying at Harvard, and discovering a healthier definition of success. Together we explore: • Why high performers are especially vulnerable to burnout • The pressure of always doing more • Identity beyond achievement • Sustainable success and leadership • What recovery really looks like If you've ever wondered why success doesn't always feel the way you expected, this conversation is for you. — Connect with Erika Coleman Website: https://www.erikacolemanspeaks.com/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/erika-coleman-1591b435 — Connect with the hosts Anastasija Lynch Website: https://anastasijalynch.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasija-lynch-coach/ Khurshid LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khurshidz/ Beyond the Noise Website: | |||
| Would You Move? Relocation, Family & Starting Over | 09 juil. 2026 | 00:55:18 | |
Moving to another country changes far more than your address. In this episode of Beyond the Noise, Anastasija Lynch and Khurshid Zaynutdinov are joined by leadership coach Piotr Tomaszewski for an honest conversation about relocating with a family, navigating uncertainty, balancing career opportunities, raising children across cultures, letting go of control, and why some of life's biggest decisions don't have to be permanent. Along the way, the conversation becomes about much more than relocation. It's about uncertainty, expectations, family, courage, and what it really means to start over. Whether you're considering moving abroad, facing a major career decision, or simply wondering if there's another path available to you, this conversation offers thoughtful perspectives from people who have lived it. Piotr Tomaszewski Follow Beyond the Noise | |||
| More Responsibility. Less Support. Why Leadership Feels So Isolating | Bo Balachsan | 25 juin 2026 | 00:52:15 | |
What happens when leadership becomes more demanding, more uncertain, and more isolating? In this episode of Beyond The Noise, we sit down with Bo Balachsan, founder of Leadership Club, a leadership coach, and a product leader, to explore the realities many leaders experience but rarely discuss openly. As responsibility grows, so does pressure. Decisions become higher stakes, expectations increase, and many leaders find themselves carrying more while feeling less supported. We discuss: • Why leadership often becomes isolating This conversation is for founders, executives, managers, and professionals navigating increasing responsibility in a rapidly changing world. Connect with Bo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/borderlessbo/ Connect with the hosts If you enjoyed this episode, follow Beyond The Noise and share it with someone who might benefit from the conversation. | |||
| We've Forgotten We're Human: Leadership, Connection & Community with Scott Shepherd | 11 juin 2026 | 00:45:42 | |
What happens when productivity becomes more important than humanity? In this episode of Beyond The Noise, we sit down with Scott Shepherd, Founder of Wildward Institute and host of the Hopeful by Nature podcast, to explore leadership, community, mental health, decision-making, and the growing disconnect many people feel from themselves, each other, and the world around them. Drawing on more than 15 years of experience in outdoor, environmental, and experiential education, Scott shares lessons from working with schools, conservation organisations, government agencies, and refugee communities. Together, we discuss: • Why despondence may be a bigger challenge than burnout • What outdoor leadership teaches us about decision-making and consequences • The difference between power over and power with • Why workplace culture often overlooks basic human needs • The connection between nature, wellbeing, and leadership • How community creates resilience, belonging, and hope This conversation is for leaders, founders, professionals, parents, and anyone navigating an increasingly disconnected world. Guest: Founder, Wildward Institute Website: Connect with Scott on LinkedIn: Listen to Hopeful by Nature: — Beyond The Noise is hosted by Anastasija Lynch and Khurshid Zaynutdinov. Connect with the hosts: Anastasija Lynch Khurshid Zaynutdinov | |||
| Behind Closed Doors: How High-Stakes Decisions Really Get Made with Zarina Bakenova | 28 mai 2026 | 00:47:52 | |
Most people only see the final decision. They don’t see the pressure behind it. In this episode, we speak with Zarina Bakenova — executive leader, board director, and former senior government & external relations executive across organisations including Mastercard, Shell, and major international ventures in Central Asia. We explore: A grounded conversation about leadership, complexity, pressure, and the reality behind important decisions. Guest: Referenced in this episode: Hosts: Khurshid Zaynutdinov Beyond the Noise Podcast | |||
| The Hidden Cost of Silence at Work | Dr Chris Whitaker | 14 mai 2026 | 00:48:04 | |
What happens when people no longer feel safe to speak honestly at work? In this episode of Beyond the Noise, we speak with Dr Chris Whitaker, coach, disability and inclusion specialist, and co-founder of Purple Advantage - about psychological safety, leadership blind spots, workplace culture, fear, communication, and the hidden emotional cost of constantly adapting yourself to fit into systems. This conversation goes far beyond disability inclusion. We explore the human side of leadership:
Dr Chris Whitaker shares insights from his work helping organisations create more inclusive environments and why small shifts in leadership behaviour can have a profound impact on people and performance. Guest: Purple Advantage: Book referenced: Hosts: Khurshid Zaynutdinov Beyond the Noise is a podcast exploring leadership, psychology, pressure, identity, decision-making, resilience, and the human side of ambition. | |||
| Why Leaders Make Decisions Based on Stories They Don’t Question — Dina Vince | 30 avr. 2026 | 00:54:57 | |
Most leaders believe they’re making rational, well-thought-out decisions. In reality, many decisions are shaped by stories that were never fully questioned. In this episode of Beyond the Noise, Anastasija Lynch and Khurshid sit down with strategist and advisor Dina Vince to explore how hidden narratives influence leadership, strategy, and decision-making. They discuss why questioning is one of the most underrated leadership skills, how assumptions quietly shape outcomes, and what happens when leaders step back and challenge the story they’ve been operating from. This conversation is for leaders, founders, and professionals who want to think more clearly, make better decisions, and lead with greater awareness. What you’ll learn:
Connect with Dina Vince: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinavince/Website: www.dinavince.com About the hosts: Anastasija Lynch: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasija-lynch-coach/Khurshid Zaynutdinov: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khurshidz/ | |||
| It’s Not About Skills: What Actually Drives Behaviour at Work (with Dali Gamha) | 16 avr. 2026 | 00:49:55 | |
At one point in this conversation, a CEO says something that sounds extreme but is probably not as uncommon as we think. That moment opens up a much bigger discussion. In this episode, we sit down with Dali Gamha (founder and CEO of Psynarios) to explore what actually drives behaviour at work and why so much development doesn’t translate into real change. We get into:
A grounded conversation about how people actually operate at work, beyond the surface. Connect: Dali Gamha Psynarios https://www.linkedin.com/company/psynarios/ Beyond the Noise: Anastasija Lynch Khurshid Zaynutdinov | |||
| People Don’t Follow Logic. They Follow This | 02 avr. 2026 | 00:41:37 | |
Why do people follow leaders… even when they don’t fully understand why? In this episode of Beyond the Noise, we’re joined by Laurence Barrett, founder of Heresy Consulting and author of Coaching the Unconscious. We explore what really drives leadership beneath the surface, beyond strategy, performance, and logic. This is a conversation about identity, meaning, and the hidden patterns shaping how we lead. Laurence Barrett Books: BOOKS MENTIONED Coaching the Unconscious – Laurence Barrett A Jungian Approach to Coaching – Laurence Barrett Cracking Coaching Codes – Karen Foy Karen Armstrong - A Short History of Myth ABOUT THE SHOW Beyond the Noise explores leadership, decision-making, and what really drives human behaviour, beyond surface-level advice. | |||
| Why Successful People End Up Running on Empty | 19 mars 2026 | 00:47:36 | |
On the surface, everything can look like it’s working. Career moving forward. Responsibilities handled. Life… on track. But underneath, many people are running on empty and don’t realise it until something starts to slip. In this episode, we explore why capable, driven people often neglect themselves, how that shows up over time, and what actually makes a difference when your schedule is already full. This isn’t about discipline or doing more. In this conversation:
Guest Derek O’Riordan is an educator of over 20 years and the founder of Ascend Fitness. He works with busy professionals to help them stay healthy without overhauling their lives and hosts The Healthy Movement Podcast. Connect with Derek: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fitness-coach-health-wellness-teacher/ https://www.youtube.com/@HealthMovementPodcast Connect Anastasija Lynch Khurshid Zaynutdinov About Beyond The Noise Conversations for people who are doing well on the outside but know something needs to change on the inside. | |||
| Networking Feels Fake: Why Most Professional Networking Fails (and What Actually Works) | 05 mars 2026 | 00:57:42 | |
Networking often feels forced, transactional, or uncomfortable. In this episode of Beyond the Noise, we speak with networking and philanthropy expert Kotryna Stankutė-Jaščemskienė about why traditional professional networking advice often fails and what actually helps people build meaningful professional relationships. Kotryna has spent years helping professionals develop authentic networking strategies that feel natural rather than performative. Through her work with international leaders, entrepreneurs, and global communities, she has seen how curiosity, generosity, and intentional follow-up create networks that truly matter. In this conversation, we explore how professionals can navigate networking events without feeling fake, why introverts may actually have an advantage in building strong relationships, and how authentic curiosity often opens more doors than self-promotion ever will. If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable with traditional networking culture, this episode will change how you think about building professional relationships. • Why most networking advice feels unnatural Kotryna Stankutė-Jaščemskienė is a networking strategist and philanthropy leader focused on connecting people, ideas, and opportunities. She mentors professionals on how to build authentic networks through mentorship, corporate training, and group programmes designed to help people discover their own natural networking style. Kotryna also leads the Marius Jakulis Jason Foundation, a philanthropic initiative attracting global talent, academics, and entrepreneurs to Lithuania to share knowledge and build impact. Previously, she served as Director at Global Lithuanian Leaders, an international professional network connecting Lithuanian professionals around the world. LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kotryna-stankute/ Website Collab Circle Podcast Hosts Anastasija Lynch Executive Coach Khurshid Zaynutdinov Executive CoachLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khurshidz/ Beyond the Noise is a podcast exploring leadership, resilience, decision-making, and the human side of success through conversations with leaders, experts, and thinkers from around the world. New episodes are released biweekly. If this episode resonated with you, follow the podcast and share it with someone who might need to hear it. | |||
| Inside LEGO: Play, Pressure & The Leadership Lessons No One Talks About | 19 févr. 2026 | 00:45:43 | |
What does leadership really look like inside one of the world’s most iconic brands? In this episode of Beyond the Noise, we sit down with Gulshanoy Tolipova-Gourdin, former Marketing Director at LEGO, for an honest conversation about creativity, culture, pressure, and the leadership lessons rarely discussed. We explore: ✨ The reality of working inside LEGO This is not just a conversation about a dream company. Guest:Gulshanoy Tolipova-Gourdin Hosted by: Khurshid Zaynutdinov 🎙 Beyond the Noise — Conversations on leadership, mindset, and navigating success without losing yourself. | |||
| From Corporate to Startup: Making Decisions Without Certainty | Umid Akhmedov | 05 févr. 2026 | 00:47:32 | |
Leaders are expected to make decisions before things are clear. In this episode of Beyond the Noise, we speak with Umid Akhmedov — former Microsoft leader, board-level advisor, and founder of an AI startup fixing broken e-commerce delivery systems across Central Asia and the Caucasus. This is a grounded conversation about leadership when:
Umid reflects on his transition from corporate leadership to startup life, what truly transfers between the two worlds, and what leaders often underestimate about emotional regulation, pressure, and decision-making without validation. Rather than leadership theory or startup hype, this episode focuses on the internal work of leadership — holding uncertainty, separating signal from emotion, building culture, and staying pragmatic when nothing is guaranteed. Topics covered:
This episode is for senior leaders, founders, and decision-makers navigating complexity without easy answers. Books & References
Umid Akhmedov Hosts
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| Why Being Strong All the Time Is Costly | 22 janv. 2026 | 00:49:59 | |
What if burnout doesn’t arrive as a breakdown — but as adaptation? In this episode of Beyond the Noise, we sit down with Dr. Tatiana Ryklina, psychologist, academic lecturer, and executive coach, to explore what really happens before burnout — the part most leaders don’t notice. We talk about: This is not a conversation about weakness. 🎧 Listen if you’re strong, capable, reliable — and quietly tired. Guest:Dr. Tatiana RyklinaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-tatiana-ryklina-731a815b/ Hosted by:Anastasija LynchLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasija-lynch-coach/ Khurshid ZaynutdinovLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khurshidz/ | |||
| Neurodiversity at Work: The Things Leaders Don’t See | 08 janv. 2026 | 00:35:02 | |
In this episode of Beyond the Noise, we explore neurodiversity at work and what happens when leaders mean well, but still miss something critical. Joined by Liv Blaney and Sam Pringle, we talk about neurodiversity not as a policy, label, or checkbox, but as a lived leadership reality shaped by assumptions, invisible rules, and everyday communication. Through real workplace examples, this conversation looks at:
This episode isn’t about blame or perfection. Liv Blaney is a leadership coach and group coaching facilitator with a background in investment banking. Together, Liv and Sam are co-authors of the upcoming book: Neuroinclusion: A Guide for Managers and Leaders 📖 Pre-order available here:👉 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Neuroinclusion-Managers-Leaders-Liv-Blaney/dp/1041074379/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0 The book offers practical guidance for leaders and managers who want to build more inclusive, high-performing workplaces — grounded in real leadership practice, not theory. Connect with Liv: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liv-blaney-5667799b/ Connect with Sam: This podcast is hosted by: Anastasija Lynch — Leadership & Resilience Coach Khurshid Zaynutdinov — Leadership Coach & Non-Executive DirectorLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khurshidz/ If this conversation resonated, follow Beyond the Noise for future episodes exploring leadership, clarity, and what it really takes to lead well under pressure. | |||
| Navigating the Inner Game of Change | 23 déc. 2025 | 00:45:15 | |
Change isn’t something leaders get through anymore — it’s something they live inside of. In this episode of Beyond the Noise, change practitioner Sergey Helmar joins us to challenge how leaders think about resistance, uncertainty, and transformation. We explore why resistance isn’t opposition, but a system response — and how leaders who learn to work with tension instead of fighting it create stronger, more resilient teams. This conversation covers:
A must-listen for leaders navigating complexity, transformation, and the human side of change. 🎙️ “Leaders must not fight resistors.” Connect with us: Guest - Sergey Helmar Hosts | |||
| Unlocking LinkedIn: Strategies for Professional Growth | 11 déc. 2025 | 00:50:23 | |
LinkedIn has changed more in the past five years than most people realise, yet many professionals still use it like nothing has evolved. In this episode, we sit down with Anya Patapenka, a marketing strategist who has helped countless professionals grow their visibility and confidence on LinkedIn. Together, we break down what the platform actually is today: a professional ecosystem where your ideas, voice, and presence matter far more than polished perfection. We talk about:• Why LinkedIn isn’t a job board anymore• How even small accounts can reach thousands• What builds trust (and what quietly destroys it)• Why people engage more than you think• How to show your thinking without feeling “salesy”• The real reason visibility feels uncomfortable for so many leaders• Practical ways to build your personal brand through storytelling and insight If you’ve been hesitant to post, unsure how to start, or curious why some people grow quickly on LinkedIn - this conversation will give you a clear, grounded perspective. Guest: Hosts: | |||
| The Support Gap: What New Managers Really Need | 27 nov. 2025 | 00:46:32 | |
Stepping into management often brings an unexpected challenge: the support you once relied on disappears overnight. Piotr shares his own experience transitioning from senior designer to manager, the moment his mentor became a peer, and why traditional leadership training often falls short. A grounded, honest conversation for anyone navigating their first years of leading people. Connect with Piotr: | |||
| Why Leaders Lose Alignment (and How to Get It Back) — with Shay Lynch | 13 nov. 2025 | 00:42:31 | |
In this episode, Shay Lynch joins Beyond the Noise to unpack what really happens when business growth outpaces human alignment. We talk about the hidden cost of silos, how to rebuild trust across teams, and why sustainable success starts with leadership that listens. Shay is a business strategist, consultant, and author whose upcoming book explores how to design business and life for harmony and long-term growth. Connect with Shay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaylynchbusinessarchitect/ A grounded conversation on growth, fulfilment, and designing business around people, not just processes Follow Beyond the Noise for new episodes and behind-the-scenes insights: Instagram: www.instagram.com/btntalks LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/beyondthenoise/ #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #TeamDynamics #BeyondTheNoise | |||