Dr. Tracey Benson on Unpacking Baggage, Exploring Identity, and Building Authentic Community

Past the Profile

32:12

DaQuane Cherry was once the kid who wore a hoodie to hide skin flare-ups in school. Now he’s an artist and advocate helping others feel seen. He reflects on his psoriasis journey, the power of small joys, and why loving yourself first isn’t a cliché—it’s essential. Plus, a deep dive into the history of La Roche-Posay’s legendary spring. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

about a year ago 23:30

MP3•Episode home

Join Dr. Tracey Benson and Dr. Liz Sweigart as they reflect on their serendipitous meeting at a conference in Brisbane — where being a little lost led to finding an unexpected and enduring connection.

In this episode, Tracey and Liz explore the richness of perception, memory, and what it means to co-create meaning over time. Tracey opens up about the values that guide her beyond the professional bio: a deep commitment to community, environmental stewardship, and respectful partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and culture.

They also dive into Tracey’s latest creative project, Baggage — a playful, layered exploration of identity, consumption, and the emotional weight we carry (often in secondhand handbags).

This conversation is a celebration of friendship, curiosity, and creative courage. It’s about leadership without pretense, and the joy of saying yes to wacky, beautiful ideas.

If Baggage sparked something in you, Tracey would love to hear your story.

You’re invited to contribute:

In person: Drop by the Treecreate studio on Bribie Island and share your story (or your actual bag).
From afar: Send a photo of a bag and a short personal reflection to Tracey via email at baggage.story@gmail.com.

Every contribution becomes part of an evolving installation about identity, memory, and what we carry—by choice or by habit.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bytetime/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bytetime/

More about Tracey and her work: https://linktr.ee/bytetime

19 episodes

#Business #Liz Sweigart

Past the Profile

Dr. Tracey Benson on Unpacking Baggage, Exploring Identity, and Building Authentic Community

Past the Profile

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

They also dive into Tracey’s latest creative project, Baggage — a playful, layered exploration of identity, consumption, and the emotional weight we carry (often in secondhand handbags).

This conversation is a celebration of friendship, curiosity, and creative courage. It’s about leadership without pretense, and the joy of saying yes to wacky, beautiful ideas.

If Baggage sparked something in you, Tracey would love to hear your story.

You’re invited to contribute:

In person: Drop by the Treecreate studio on Bribie Island and share your story (or your actual bag).
From afar: Send a photo of a bag and a short personal reflection to Tracey via email at baggage.story@gmail.com.

Every contribution becomes part of an evolving installation about identity, memory, and what we carry—by choice or by habit.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bytetime/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bytetime/

More about Tracey and her work: https://linktr.ee/bytetime

19 episodes

#Business #Liz Sweigart

All episodes

Past the Profile

1
Parsa on Cultural Innovation, Emerging Entrepreneurship, and Finding Home 53:34

1 day ago53:34

53:34

Host Liz Sweigart first met Parsa on a winding Jeep ride to DWeb Camp. What started as small talk from the back seat turned into an enduring friendship grounded in vulnerability, candid conversations about identity, and a shared love of Persian food. This episode of Past the Profile is intentionally raw—no edits, no polished silence—because the story deserves to breathe. Parsa traces his journey from queer teen poet in Shiraz to U.S. boarding-school student, college humanities major, and now budding human-centered tech entrepreneur. Along the way he unpacks the grief of family separation, the gift of metamorphosis, and why embracing agency is an everyday act when the lower rungs of Maslow’s hierarchy are still in flux. Highlights Sixteen and solo – leaving Iran for an arts high school on a California mountaintop and learning English from Friends reruns. Culture as experiment – how each relocation (Idyllwild, Baltimore, DWeb Camp) revealed new facets of America—and of himself. Resilience costs – the hidden toll of “making it” when basic safety nets (family, money, legal certainty) are missing. Entrepreneurial moon-shot – why Parsa sees start-up culture as his best path to agency and impact, and what guidance he’s seeking now. Home defined – a promise to be buried in Shiraz and a dream of sharing tea there with Liz someday. Support Parsa’s next steps GoFundMe → https://gofund.me/2f0c511a…

Past the Profile

1
Aladár Tepelea on Technology for Thriving, Values-Aligned Investing, and Dream-Driven Connections 33:08

9 days ago33:08

33:08

A viral LinkedIn post on mental health first linked host Liz Sweigart with Zurich-based entrepreneur Aladár Tepelea . One direct message became a video call, which blossomed into years of idea-swapping (and friend-level concierge introductions) across time zones. In this #PastTheProfile episode, Aladár—co-founder of Mindset Technologies and Allindex —charts his journey from strategic associate inside big corporates to serial founder obsessed with tech that elevates human awareness. He and Liz explore why resonance beats simple relevance when networking, how eye-tracking AI can reveal cognitive load in real time, and why his moon-shot dream is “A World in Harmony.” Highlights Corporate to start-up – leaving board rooms behind to build fast, experimental ventures that solve real problems. Resonance vs. relevance – asking “What’s your dream?” to broker introductions that spark authentic, long-term value. Mindset Technologies – pairing neuroscience with eye-tracking hardware to coach high-pressure performers on focus and recovery. Allindex – a tool that lets investors filter portfolios by values, themes, or AI-boosted signals—in minutes, not months. Data literacy before sovereignty – why teaching people how data works is the first guard-rail to ethical tech. World in Harmony – his systems-level vision: applying harmonic principles from music and nature to politics, business, and daily life.…

Past the Profile

1
Chris Rawden on Living Your Performance, Reading the Room, and Owning the Energy You Bring 36:11

16 days ago36:11

36:11

Host Liz Sweigart first met Brussels-based coach Chris Rawden when a thoughtful LinkedIn comment turned into a video call—and then into a pandemic-era pen-pal friendship. Their bi-monthly check-ins became a safe rehearsal room to practice coaching skills, swap leadership puzzles, and compare parenting notes across the Atlantic. In this #PastTheProfile episode, Chris—founder of Live Your Performance and a lifelong musician—traces his path from cornet soloist and youth-orchestra tours to advising senior accountants, lawyers, and international executives. He and Liz explore how musical training maps to business life, why “start where people are” beats pushing them where you wish they’d be, and how leaders can transform stage fright into authentic connection. Highlights Practice as strategy – what daily scales, micro-goals, and concert prep taught Chris about disciplined business planning. Energy at the door – choosing the vibe you bring into a meeting and watching mirror neurons do the rest. Confidence vs. survival – helping technically brilliant leaders enjoy presentations instead of just getting through them. International nuance – respectful curiosity, clear agreements, and the art of asking before assuming across cultures. What's next – A preview of Chris' upcoming small-group program: coaching cohorts on “living, not surviving” high-stakes moments.…

Past the Profile

1
Dr. Joanie Connell on Guardrails for AI, Critical-Thinking Cultures, and Workplaces Built for Humans 28:18

23 days ago28:18

28:18

Host Liz Sweigart sits down with Dr. Joanie Connell —electrical-engineer-turned-consulting-psychologist, founder of Flexible Work Solutions , and newly elected President of the Society of Consulting Psychology. Joanie traces her journey from Silicon Valley circuit boards to advising tech leaders on human-centric innovation. Together they explore why critical thinking is the best guardrail for AI, how affiliative humor defuses tension, and what it means to make work better for people and people better for work. Highlights How snowy Boston winters nudged Connell toward California Discovering psychology as a way to bridge the engineer–human gap. Why properly stewarded technology—and clear organizational guardrails—determine whether AI becomes utopia, dystopia, or something in-between. Destigmatizing humor at work: laughing with people, never at them, and using levity to open hard conversations. “Make workplaces healthier and help humans thrive there”—Connell’s twin mission for executives and organizations. What’s next: drafting a chapter on potential AI futures and stepping into SCP’s presidential Trio to champion consulting psychology on a larger stage.…

Past the Profile

1
Dr. Daniel Lattimore on Improv Agility, Building Community, and Humor as a Leadership Tool 31:26

30 days ago31:26

31:26

This week, host Liz Sweigart is joined by Dr. Daniel Lattimore — stand-up-comic-turned-consulting-psychologist and Community Domain Leader for the Society of Consulting Psychology. Daniel, the founder of Omiyo Consulting , traces his arc from bombing a college open-mic to integrating affiliative humor and improv principles into executive coaching. He and Liz unpack why leaders often feel like “Superman alone on stage,” how moments of laughter can create psychological safety, and why he’s happiest switching between front-of-room “leader” and supportive “first follower” roles. Highlights How a failed stand-up set nudged Daniel toward psychology — and showed him comedy’s deeper therapeutic power. What sitcoms like Friends and Seinfeld taught international students (and now executives) about belonging. Destigmatizing humor at work: using jokes to ease tension, not dismiss it, and timing laughter to open hard conversations. The “leader ↔ follower” dance: when to cast a vision, when to amplify someone else’s, and how community multiplies impact. An invitation to leaders who value connection: Daniel's offer to brainstorm creative, cost-effective ways to support people and cultures.…

Past the Profile

1
Dr. Shannon Jennings on Systems Thinking, Strategic Doing, and the Power of Small Wins 23:22

5 weeks ago23:22

23:22

Walks and talks at the 2022 APA Convention in Minneapolis sealed the friendship between host Liz Sweigart and Shannon Jennings, PsyD, LMHC . Now, they sit down together to explore how their connection and collaboration has grown over the last few years. In this episode of Past the Profile , Shannon, a therapist-turned-facilitator, strategic-doing champion, and self-described super connector, revisits that serendipitous beginning and unpacks how her “everything, everywhere, all at once” brain helps leaders tame messy, adaptive problems. She and Liz explore translating deep psychology into business value, the magic of micro-commitments, and why uncertainty is Shannon’s favorite playground. Highlights How a house-share at APA led to walks, vulnerability, and a standing-room-only coaching workshop the next year. Why Shannon believes micro-commitments are the secret to momentum — whether you’re launching a network or rebuilding a fitness habit. A primer on Strategic Doing: agile strategy + appreciative inquiry + psychological safety for complex, networked challenges. Bridging the gap between mental-health science and organizational life — helping CEOs lead the “whole selves” they invite to work. What’s next: publishing her ideas publicly and training more change-makers to use Strategic Doing for systems impact.…

Past the Profile

1
Dr. Mira Brancu on Agency, Systems Thinking, and Turning Insight into Action 24:58

6 weeks ago24:58

24:58

A mutual mentor, Dr. John Reed , once told host Liz Sweigart: “You have to meet Mira.” Minutes into their first call, Liz and Dr. Mira Brancu were jumping from quantum physics to organizational power structures. A lasting friendship was born. In this episode of Past the Profile , Mira (founder & CEO of Towerscope ) retraces her journey from arriving in the United States from Romania as a young girl to psychologist, author, and architect of a new Leadership Academy for mid-level managers in resource-strapped sectors. She and Liz swap stories about mentorship seeds that sprout years later, the difference between resilience and resourcefulness, and why “having choice” is the ultimate form of power. Highlights How escaping a communist dictatorship and learning English on playgrounds fueled Brancu’s scrappy, systems-level worldview. The “cockroach resilience” mindset she brings to writing, entrepreneurship, and social-impact work. How her next book, tentatively titled Enough Is ( Never ) Enough, tackles the knot of gender, leadership identity, and achievement culture. Lessons from prototyping the Towerscope Leadership Academy : blending community support with bite-size hard-skill content. A call for mid-career “organizational misfits,” women in STEM/healthcare/academia, and mission-aligned partners to co-create the next phase.…

Past the Profile

1
Daveed Benjamin on Turning Noise into Knowledge, Collective Agency, and the Future of the Web 29:14

7 weeks ago29:14

29:14

A chance Hacker Hall conversation at DWeb Camp — sparked by the words “ Holochain ” and “ Nostr ” — pulled host Liz Sweigart into conversation with technologist-activist Daveed Benjamin . Within hours, they were mapping constellations of human knowledge and scheming how to weave deeper context and connection into the fabric of the Internet. In this episode of Past the Profile , Daveed (co-author of The Metaweb: The Next Level of the Internet and catalyst behind the Meta-Layer Initiative ) traces the path from local-energy advocate to architect of a web where everyone can link, label, and share context. He and Liz explore why our data should serve us , how “bridges” can replace one-way links, and what it takes to crowd-draft the next layer of the Internet before June 30, 2025. Highlights How seeing the Web’s “dots without lines” led Daveed to design two-way bridges that anyone, not just site owners, can draw between pages. Why he believes personal data, properly stewarded, will eclipse homes and cars as our most valuable asset. A primer on the Trivium (knowledge → understanding → wisdom) and why today’s Internet gets stuck at Step 1. The MetaLayer submission assistant (“ Bridgit ”) that turns germs of ideas or favorite links into formal proposals for the next-gen Web. An open invitation to mid-2025’s first white-paper sprint: drafting the “ Desirable Properties of a MetaLayer " as suggested by Vint Cerf .…

Past the Profile

1
Dr. Sunni Lampasso on Lifeguard Instincts, DJ Performance Psychology, and Leveling Up 24:16

8 weeks ago24:16

24:16

Host Liz Sweigart met Dr. Sunni Lampasso during a pandemic-era phone call arranged by a mutual colleague at the Society of Consulting Psychology . Months later they finally connected in person — walking Minneapolis streets between APA Convention sessions and bonding over a shared love of live music. In this episode of Past the Profile, Sunni traces a career arc that runs from hedge-fund consulting to coaching international DJs. Along the way she recounts the childhood moment she pulled her grandmother from deep water, the lifeguard mindset that still shapes her work, and the “ Level Up ” book tour she’s using to platform emerging artists. Highlights: How a rescue at age 11 sparked a lifelong drive to show up for people in crisis. Why Lampasso treats imposter syndrome, performance anxiety, and rejection as data points — not diagnoses — for the artists she coaches. The mechanics of her new partnership model: record labels retaining a psychologist “on call” to keep talent healthy. Plans for a low-cost subscription community so up-and-coming DJs can access live trainings and Q&A sessions. Insights from Miami Music Week and why being “front-row support” can change an artist’s trajectory. A tour schedule that doubles as grassroots networking — showcasing local DJs in every city.…

Past the Profile

1
Dr. Jenn Serlin on Meeting the Moment, Pro-Democracy Coaching, and Curiosity in Action 23:09

9 weeks ago23:09

23:09

Host Liz Sweigart connected with Dr. Jenn Serlin only a month before this conversation was recorded through a Society of Consulting Psychology (APA Diviosn 13 / SCP) listserv thread. And yet, their first Zoom felt like two long-time friends resuming an endless conversation. That instant rapport shapes this episode of Past the Profile, where Jenn — performance psychologist, executive coach, lifelong learner, and unapologetic information junkie — explains why she’s pivoting her practice to serve pro-democracy candidates and causes. Highlights: How two consulting psychologists smashed the “impostor override” button to forge a fast partnership. Jenn's mantra of “What’s next?” — from private practice to sports psychology and now political psychology. The link between playing hockey at 40 and coaching leaders to skate past fear. Why she calls herself a “broker of reality” and how that skill helps campaigns combat disinformation. The shared thread among data sovereignty, democracy protection, and showing up with radical curiosity. What Jenn is looking for now: allies ready to meet this political moment with evidence, empathy, and action.…

Past the Profile

1
Dr. Annette Kramer on Playful Problem-Solving, Systems Thinking, and Space Innovation 23:06

10 weeks ago23:06

23:06

Host Liz Sweigart first spotted Dr. Annette Kramer in a Zoom “salon” led by their mutual friend and editor, Art Kleiner . Kramer — a dancer-turned-long-18th-century scholar and self-described “fixer” — immediately stood out for her mix of scholarly rigor and playful curiosity. In this episode of Past the Profile , Liz and Annette trace that first virtual meeting into a far-ranging conversation on authentic leadership , designing accelerator programs that actually fit researchers’ needs, and why the emerging space economy feels like the early internet all over again. Highlights: How theatre training (making something from nothing to a deadline) maps perfectly onto entrepreneurial leadership . Annette's core operating premise — play — and how laughter unlocks resources serious meetings miss. A five-week accelerator model that moved African and UK researchers from idea to business pitch by teaching one evolving frame instead of 18 disjointed tools. Why she loves the “messy middle” of projects and prefers long-term advisory roles that keep teams honest. The power of embodied knowledge: standing up, collaborating, and “using your whole self” to solve supposedly intractable problems. Who she hopes to collaborate with next — especially curious, bright minds in London and Toronto. Connect with Annette LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/annettethefixer/ Substack → https://annettekramerphd.substack.com/p/stay-curious Website → https://www.annettekramer.co.uk/…

Past the Profile

1
Limari Navarrete on Weaving Connection, Translating Community to Business, and Elemental Balance 29:28

11 weeks ago29:28

29:28

Host Liz Sweigart first met community strategist Limari Navarrete in the Redwoods of Northern California at DWeb Camp 2023, when they were placed in the same nightly “weaver group”. In this episode of Past the Profile they trace that serendipitous meeting to today, covering Limari's work with the Decentralized Identity Foundation, her passion for tech-for-good open-source projects, and a parallel journey into 500-hour yoga and Ayurveda training. Highlights: How introvert–extrovert chemistry turned a random campsite pairing into an enduring professional friendship. What Limari learned about belonging while managing global open-source communities and why “people decide if it’s a community, not the brand.” Why artistic outlets (drawing, music, ukulele) keep her creative engine running in tech spaces. Practical tips for “translating community” to CEOs, marketers, and finance leaders who speak different success languages.…

Past the Profile

1
Stuart Gibson on Actual Intelligence, Zealous Advocacy, and Lifelong Reinvention 31:48

12 weeks ago31:48

31:48

The professional paths of host Liz Sweigart and guest Stuart Gibson first crossed at the inaugural NYU Tax Controversy Forum reception, back when Stu was Special Trial Counsel for the US Department of Justice Tax Division and Liz was a mid-career Big 4 tax advisor. Two decades, multiple career pivots, and a trans-Atlantic author-recruiting adventure later, Stu remains a plain-spoken mentor whose insights elevate every room he enters. In this episode of Past the Profile , the conversation traces his journey from landmark courtroom victories to leading a global tax newsroom and launching Actual Intelligence LLC, exploring how curiosity, integrity, and humor power a career that never stops evolving. Highlights: How one cocktail-hour conversation sparked an “anchor” mentorship that still shapes both careers. Why Stu traded federal courtrooms for tax journalism and back again, and what he learned guiding a newsroom through COVID lockdowns. The origin story of Simple 720 , a cloud platform that files excise-tax returns in minutes starting at less than $40 a form. How his new venture Actual Intelligence is helping taxpayers fight algorithmic ERC refund denials. A choral singer’s take on keeping work fun, staying curious, and holding the line on integrity, regardless of which side he argues.…

Past the Profile

1
Bonus Episode: Dr. Tondi Mondoloka on Honoring Legacy, Radical Self-Compassion, and Intergenerational Strength 14:03

13 weeks ago14:03

14:03

Immediately after recording their first conversation, host Liz Sweigart realized she had held back a key question about the family story behind Dr. Tondi Mondoloka’s dissertation finish line. Rather than let that curiosity go, the two hit “record” again. In this short bonus episode of Past the Profile , Tondi recounts the spring 2023 crunch to defend her dissertation in time to walk at commencement—while her aunt, the very woman who first told a five-year-old Tondi she would one day earn a degree, visited from Zambia. The discussion unpacks the weight of arbitrary deadlines, the pressure high achievers place on themselves, and the healing power of reframing “I must” into “What else is possible?” Highlights: How an aunt’s early encouragement—and a late-stage campus visit—became a symbolic relay between generations. Why Tondi nearly drove herself to exhaustion chasing an external deadline, and how Liz's “breathe and zoom out” advice helped her reclaim perspective. A reflection on artificial binaries, option-generation, and valuing progress over perfection. The photograph Tondi treasures most: her three-year-old son gazing up at “Dr. Mommy” after commencement. A reminder that celebrating each step honors the people who carried us there.…

Past the Profile

1
Dr. Tondi Mondoloka on Legacy, Vulnerability, and Thriving in Flux 25:36

13 weeks ago25:36