Penny Abeywardena, International Affairs Expert & Soft Power Strategist

Your New Life Blend

Has there ever been a better time to decide what our lives should look like? We are emerging from a once-in-a-century cataclysm where our lives were upended, our communities remade and our priorities readjusted. Now as the call to return to “normal” grows more insistent, we get to ask the question: what does “normal” look like? Did the old normal serve me? What do I want my new normal to be? And what will that mean for my career, my community, and my family? These are the fundamental questions to building our lives – and now, rebuilding them. As a therapist and coach, Shoshanna Hecht has been wrestling with these very questions in her practice – and now, on this podcast. With guests from all walks of life including media, culture, politics, tech, business & activism, Shoshanna examines the overlap of our goals, relationships, boundaries and priorities, and how we can navigate them all with self-awareness and intention. What do we want our lives to look like? Welcome to Your New Life Blend.

Penny Abeywardena, International Affairs Expert & Soft Power Strategist

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Who are we when we don’t have a job? A fancy title? The heft of a prestigious organization behind us, signaling our worth and marketability? That question stared Penny Abeywardena square in the face when she left her high-powered position as New York City Commissioner for International Affairs in the De Blasio administration, a role she had served in from 2014-2022. It was the first untethered, unstructured time she’d had in two decades. It was also the first time she’d had a moment to think about what this new untethered life might look like.

In this episode of “Your New Life Blend,” host Shoshanna Hecht talks to Penny about creating a new, bespoke job description, her newfound focus on “soft power” and the power of collaboration, and how her experiences as an immigrant, woman of color, and survivor of domestic violence have shaped her approach to leadership and advocacy.

Website
https://pennyabeywardena.com/

Forbes Column
https://www.forbes.com/sites/pennyabeywardena

Social Media
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pennyabeywardena
Twitter: https://twitter.com/pabeywardena
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pabeywardena

Here’s what some of the listeners have to say:

“Shoshanna asks the very best questions. While I’m off thinking of one thing, as a result of the interview discussion, she cuts through everything to get to the central, underlaying theme. I loved the first episode and so appreciate her sign off, reminding the listener to be gentle with oneself. Who doesn’t need that reminder?” ~mbr2014

“Love this podcast! The host is charming and insightful, the guests are fascinating and inspiring! I especially appreciate the timeliness and comforting message of the show – we have all been through so much in these last few years. It is time for a new look at our work and our lives, and what a great gift to have the chance to be guided by master coach Shoshanna Hecht and her brilliant guests.” ~GioiaDC