Authenticity & the Inner Compass
What does it really mean to live authentically - not only in our careers, but in life as a whole?
Following a recent LT Big Brother community gathering in Amsterdam, I reflects on authenticity as a lived practice, shaped by courage, discomfort, mentoring, and the power of community. A gentle invitation to listen inward, stay curious, and walk your path with more awareness and connection.
The Art of Being Seen
What does it really mean to be seen as an entrepreneur - without losing yourself in the process?
In this personal reflection, I explore the tension between visibility and silence, self-exposure and self-protection, and how learning to be seen can become an act of trust rather than performance.
Snow. Full Stop.
What happens when snow disrupts daily life - and we choose to observe instead of rush past it?
While the Netherlands slowed under unusual winter conditions, I leaned into both lived observation and psychological research to explore how snow mirrors our human resistance to change - and what becomes possible when we pause, reflect, and soften our need for control.
A Semester of Depth, Connection, and Discovery
This fall, a small group of five students embarked on a transformative semester that unfolded through deep conversations, powerful guest contributions, and meaningful encounters across Amsterdam. From exploring mind mapping and personal leadership to visiting Framer Framed’s Lawan! exhibition, ReRoll Works, the Amsterdam Archives, and Hortus Botanicus, the experience became a rich journey of connection - to ideas, to history, to nature, and to one another. Discover the full reflection in this post.
Reflecting on Communication and Connection
Earlier this week, the LT Big Brother NL community gathered at Koepelcafé in Amsterdam for an intimate meetup on communication. No agenda, just open conversations, reflection, and connection. Discover how different communication styles shape our relationships and the power of truly listening.
Personal Leadership One Slice at a Time
An evening of reflection, laughter, and leadership over pizza! 🍕
The Lithuanian professionals of LT Big Brother Netherlands gathered in Amsterdam to explore personal leadership through the Leadership Pizza tool - discovering that true leadership begins with awareness, connection, and a mindful presence.
Space Between Voices
Teaching is never a one-way journey. In my time with the students of OCB Block I at CIEE Amsterdam, I discovered - once again - that every classroom is a living dialogue. Through inspiring guest speakers like Tuaca Kelly, Olena, and Kerry, and a powerful visit to Framer Framed exhibition, we explored how learning emerges from awareness, emotion, and courageous conversation.
Read the full reflection on how teaching becomes a mirror for growth, empathy, and consciousness. → [Read More]
The Magic of Belonging
Exploring the invisible threads that connect us across continents, this piece reflects on diaspora, human encounters, and the quiet magic of staying authentic while navigating the unknown. [read more…]
Passion Meets Purpose with Agnė
Celebrating the work of my dear friend Agnė Kavaliauskienė, who continues to inspire with her dedication to the Lithuanian diaspora. Her recent presentation reminded me how powerful it is when passion meets purpose - building bridges between people abroad and the life of our country. Read more about Agnė’s inspiring journey and why her work matters so deeply.
Reflecting on the STRIVE Journey: Three Years of Creation
The STRIVE Cards is the result of nearly three years of exploration, testing, and creation. Born alongside the STRIVE Cards Methodology Book, it’s a companion designed to support growth, self-discovery, and transformation. Discover the journey behind STRIVE - and how it can inspire yours.
Changing up the Space
This summer’s Photojournalism course took us far beyond the classroom. From the Amsterdam Archives to Hortus Botanicus, Framer Framed, World Press Photo, and the International Institute of Social History, each space offered its own lessons and perspectives. Together, we discovered how place itself can shape the way we see, learn, and tell stories.
Little Steps: The Art of Self-Soothing
Little Steps HOME is a living archive of small, intentional changes that invite us closer to ourselves.
Self-soothing is not a luxury - it’s an act of self-respect. From the smallest breath in a tense moment to the gentle rhythm of a song that slows your heartbeat, these little steps remind us we can be both the source and the recipient of safety.
Witnessing the World Together
This summer’s Photojournalism course was a creative journey through stories, light, and humanity. With six extraordinary guest speakers - from photographers and colourists to directors and curators - students explored the many ways images can witness, challenge, and inspire. Here’s what we learned together …
Little Steps: The Breath
A gentle beginning to the Little Steps HOME series — exploring how breath can guide us into rest, quiet the mind, and bring us back to ourselves. [read more…]
Beneath the Tides
On a birthday pilgrimage to Paris, I traveled light - no map, no expectations - only a readiness to listen. In the city’s flowing streets and quiet gardens, I discovered that the shifts within me ripple outward in ways unseen, waving connections of honesty, joy, and growth. This post reflects on the gentle yet powerful tides of change, the dance between solitude and belonging, and the deep yearning to awaken to our shared oneness.
Capturing the Essence of "Prohibition"
The journey into the visual world of "Prohibition" has been eye-opening, not merely for the images we created, but for the inherent connections forged during the process. Read more…
Connection, Courage, and Complexity
What does it mean to lead across cultures with empathy and integrity? This summer session I at CIEE, I explored that question while teaching Intercultural Communication and Leadership—alongside powerful guest sessions on psychological safety, creative mind mapping, personal leadership, and lived experiences of displacement. Here’s what I learned…
Invisible Threads
Some friendships aren’t loud or public—but they anchor us all the same. I reflect on grief, quiet connections, and the invisible threads that shape us.
Finding U in Utrecht
Today in Utrecht, we explored more than a city — we rediscovered wonder, connection, and the quiet magic of learning together. Grateful for the students who showed up with curiosity, for CIEE for making this possible, and for Tuaca’s steady support along the way.
Book recommendation: “Meaningful Work” by Wes Adams and Tamara Myles
A few years ago, I had the chance to meet Wes Adams and later invite him to speak with my students. His insights left a lasting impact. When I learned he was working on a book about meaningful work, I knew it would be special. Now that Meaningful Work, co-authored with Tamara Myles, is here—I can say it’s everything I hoped for and more. This is a book for those who believe in leadership rooted in care, culture, and creative possibility. Read my full review and reflections on the blog.