In this episode, we’re joined by Ella Zhang, an organisational development consultant and executive coach who shares how she has navigated multiple cultures and languages and embraced her bilingual identity to build confidence and communicate effectively.

Ella takes us through her story of migrating from China to Australia, overcoming challenges as a non-native English speaker, and how she transformed her accent from a barrier into a strength. This conversation offers powerful insights for bilingual, non-native English speakers and introverts who want to improve their communication skills, take responsibility for their personal growth, and use their unique cultural perspectives as an advantage.

Key Takeaways:

• Owning Your Bilingual Identity: How Ella embraced her accent as a unique superpower rather than something to hide, and how others can shift their mindset around language barriers.
  
  
  
• Self-Acceptance and Growth: The importance of accepting all parts of ourselves, including the parts we find uncomfortable, as a pathway to personal and professional growth.
  
  
  
• Feedback as a Tool for Growth: How asking for feedback, especially from those who are willing to give you constructive criticism, can accelerate your development and improve your communication skills.
  
  
  
• Self-Responsibility in Career Development: Why taking responsibility for your own growth is crucial, and how to use resources around you—books, mentors, and feedback—to continue evolving.
  
  
  
• Bicultural and Bilingual Advantage: Ella highlights how being bilingual and bicultural allows you to draw on the best from different cultural perspectives, giving you a unique advantage in communication and leadership.
  
  
  

Ella also shares insights from her upcoming book Upgrade, which explores the four internal operating systems that shape our personal and professional lives: mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical. This book is a guide to understanding how to keep these systems updated to maximize performance, especially for young professionals navigating cultural and language differences.

Resources Mentioned:

• Check out Ella Zhang’s book Upgrade
• Connect with Ella on LinkedIn to learn more about her work and leadership development strategies.
  
  
  

If you found this episode insightful, please rate and review The Quiet Warrior Podcast to help us reach more introverts and quiet achievers around the world.

This episode was edited by Aura House Productions

• How Data-Driven Leaders Can Be Promoted: Why doing the work is not enough—leaders must also learn how to speak about their accomplishments and engage with others in meaningful ways.
  
  
• The Humble Brag Formula: A simple yet powerful way to share your achievements without feeling cringey, and how to frame your accomplishments to highlight the impact.
  
  
• Overcoming the Spotlight Effect: Tips for introverts on stepping into the spotlight without shrinking, including how to control the spotlight and focus on your message rather than yourself.
  
  
• Effective Communication Frameworks: The importance of understanding your audience and speaking to their cognitive style, whether it’s focusing on the “why,” “what,” “how,” or “what if.”
  
  
• Building Emotional Intelligence: How practicing empathy and actively listening to others’ concerns can improve communication and strengthen relationships in high-stakes situations.
  
  
• The Power of Integrity and Authenticity: Why staying true to yourself and your values is key to building trust and presence, and how to maintain that sense of authenticity in challenging conversations.
  
  

• Visit YouThenMePlaybook.com to learn more about Salvatore’s approach to leadership communication and check out his resources.
  
  
• Connect with Salvatore Manzi on LinkedIn for more insights and opportunities to work with him.
  
  
  

This episode was edited by Aura House Productions

In this solo episode, I delve into the process of finding the right next step in life, especially when it feels like you need to have all the answers before moving forward. I reflect on my own experiences of overthinking and the pressure to please others, and how that led me to miss the joy of simply being curious and exploring the unknown.

Through this episode, I share how reconnecting with my younger self has allowed me to embrace my authentic self and take the next step in my journey with confidence. This practice of self-acceptance, compassion, and deep inner work is a powerful tool for introverts and quiet achievers, especially those navigating the challenges of perfectionism and the need for external validation.

This episode is an invitation to take the time to sit with your younger self, offer the compassion and support you may not have received, and embrace your authenticity. If you're ready to go beyond intellectual understanding and do the deeper work needed for lasting transformation, reach out to me for support.

If you found this episode helpful, please rate and review The Quiet Warrior Podcast to help us reach more quiet achievers who are ready to step into their power and embrace their authentic selves.

Connect with Serena:

Subscribe to The Visible Introvert newsletter for weekly tips and stories of how to amplify your quiet strengths without having to act extroverted.

Join me on LinkedIn where I actively share empowering ways to show up professionally and socially as my highest introverted self.

This episode was edited by Aura House Productions

• The Power of the 7 Emotional Needs: Dr. Mehran explains how unmet emotional needs are the root cause of depression and anxiety, and how identifying and fulfilling these needs can lead to emotional healing.
• Reframing Depression: Depression is not an illness, but a signal that something is missing in our lives. By addressing the core emotional needs, we can overcome this feeling of emptiness and live more vibrantly.
• Introverts and Quiet Achievers: Dr. Mehran discusses how introverts and quiet achievers can unlock their true potential by addressing emotional needs like connection, self-expression, and belonging—without having to "fit in" or silence their voice.
• Practical Steps for Healing: Learn how small, consistent actions—referred to as "micro actions"—can create lasting change and help us reconnect with our true selves.
• The Importance of Reparenting: Dr. Mehran emphasizes the need for reparenting ourselves by healing past wounds and creating a nurturing environment for our inner child.

• Dr. Ardeshir Mehran’s book: You Are Not Depressed, You Are Un-Finished
• Follow Dr. Ardeshir on LinkedIn for valuable content on mental health and personal growth

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review The Quiet Warrior Podcast on your listening app. Your support helps inspire more introverts and quiet achievers in our communities.

Connect with Serena:

Subscribe to The Visible Introvert newsletter for weekly tips and stories of how to amplify your quiet strengths without having to act extroverted.

Join me on LinkedIn where I actively share empowering ways to show up professionally and socially as my highest introverted self.

This episode was edited by Aura House Productions

Resources mentioned:

Gay Hendricks, The Big Leap | Conscious Luck | Your Big Leap Year

This episode was edited by Aura House Productions

Learn how to create a personalized approach to conferences and workshops that honours your needs while still allowing you to fully participate and learn.

Highlights:

• The advantages of arriving early.

• Taking regular movement breaks.

• Staying hydrated.

• Intentional breaks. Connecting with nature during breaks to calm the nervous system.

• Packing appropriate snacks.

• Using earphones during breaks create a personal bubble of calm.

• Setting realistic social expectations allows you to focus on learning.

Call to Action:

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review The Quiet Warrior Podcast on your listening app. Your support helps inspire more introverts and quiet achievers in our communities.

Connect with Serena:

Subscribe to The Visible Introvert newsletter for weekly tips and stories of how to amplify your quiet strengths without having to act extroverted.

Join me on LinkedIn where I actively share empowering ways to show up professionally and socially as my highest introverted self.

This episode was edited by Aura House Productions

Meet Dr. Chloe Lim—a molecular biologist turned entrepreneur, educator, and balloon artist. Chloe shares how pursuing an academic career in biomedical science led her to discovering a passion for creativity and entrepreneurship.

We discuss the challenges of imposter syndrome, redefining success, and embracing unexpected career pivots. We also dive into how parents can nurture curiosity and an interest in the sciences in children (even if they don’t have a STEM background), the power of self-reflection, and how micro steps can help us build confidence in the face of fear.

If you've ever felt that creativity is only for people who are naturally artistic, or that creativity and logic cannot co-exist, this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ How Chloe transitioned from being a scientist to a creative entrepreneur
✅ The power of self-reflection and defining success on your own terms
✅ Why curiosity is key—and how parents can encourage it in their children
✅ How to push past imposter syndrome and stay in your own lane
✅ The importance of growth mindset, adaptability, and resourcefulness in career shifts
✅ Chloe’s experience on Blow Up, an Australian reality TV show for balloon artists

Guest Bio:

Dr. Chloe Lim is a molecular biologist, regulatory scientist, and entrepreneur who combines her love of science with creativity. She’s the founder of Giggly Wiggly Balloons, where she uses balloon art to inspire and educate. She also hosts CALD Voices in STEM, a podcast that highlights culturally and linguistically diverse women who are breaking barriers and making their mark in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Connect with Dr. Chloe Lim:

Dr. Chloe Lim’s website
Giggly Wiggly Balloons
Twistyfic
CALD Voices in STEM Podcast
What Makes You Unique book
Instagram | LinkedIn

If You Enjoyed This Episode:

Subscribe to The Quiet Warrior Podcast so you never miss an episode.
Leave a review — it really helps us reach more quiet achievers like you!
Join The Visible Introvert community for introvert wisdom from the head + heart.

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In this quietly inspiring dialogue of The Quiet Warrior podcast, Serena Low chats with Jawaria Mahmood, a dynamic advocate from Perth, Western Australia. Jawaria shares her inspiring journey from being an engineer in Pakistan to becoming a trailblazer for bilingual storytime sessions in Australian libraries, a champion for STEM education for young girls, and a dedicated advocate for cyber safety in diverse communities. Her story is one of resilience, cultural pride, and unwavering commitment to making a difference.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Jawaria’s experience as a migrant woman starting over in Australia
• The spark behind her bilingual storytime initiative and how it grew into a national project
• Her work in promoting STEM careers for young girls, especially from migrant backgrounds
• The challenges and importance of cyber safety education for children and vulnerable communities
• Jawaria’s advice for advocates: Start where you are, stay persistent, and keep your purpose in mind

Memorable Quotes:

“A quiet warrior is someone who doesn’t give up when things aren’t working, but looks inward, adapts, and tries again.” – Jawaria Mahmood

Resources and Links Mentioned:

• Connect with Jawaria Mahmood on LinkedIn
• Learn more about the Professional Migrant Women Network and the Undefeated book

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome and introduction
02:15 – Jawaria’s journey from Pakistan to Australia
08:30 – The birth of bilingual storytime sessions
15:50 – Advocating for STEM careers for young girls
22:45 – Cyber safety challenges and education
30:10 – Advice for new migrants and building support networks
38:20 – What makes a good advocate and a quiet warrior

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share The Quiet Warrior podcast so more introverts and quiet achievers can find their path to success. Thank you for being here with us – see you in the next episode!

This episode was edited by Aura House Productions