In this episode of Work from the Inside Out, Dr. Gian Varbaro, MD, MBA–Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Ambulatory Services at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus, New Jersey–shares a deeply personal and inspiring story of how grit, curiosity, and a relentless drive for justice shaped his career in healthcare leadership. From humble beginnings working in construction alongside his immigrant father to earning his MD from NYU and an MBA from Yale, Gian’s story is a testament to the power of intention, adaptability, and standing up for what matters. Today, as Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Ambulatory Services at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, he leads with empathy, insight, and a clear vision for health equity and organizational transformation.

Gian opens up about his early resistance to following his father’s dream of him becoming a doctor, his disillusionment with medical education, and how unexpected opportunities, and even moments of failure, led him to forge a unique path as a changemaker in hospital medicine. He also reflects on the mentors who shaped his leadership, the importance of learning from both positive and ineffective examples, and the role of intentionality in making meaningful career decisions. Whether you're in healthcare or navigating a different career journey, this episode is filled with practical wisdom and heart.

In this week’s Work From The Inside Out podcast, learn more about:

• How frustration can be a powerful catalyst for discovering purpose and direction in your career
• Why intentionality matters and how to approach your next move with a sense of clarity and a strategy
• The value of learning from both positive and ineffective leaders to shape your leadership style
• The evolving role of the hospitalist and how Dr. Varbaro helped pioneer hospital-based care
• The importance of mentorship and being mentored—even in unconventional or informal ways
• Why equity and trust are essential to transforming institutions and rebuilding morale



Learn more about Dr. Gian Varbaro:

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In this episode of Work From the Inside Out, I sit down with executive coach, organizational psychologist, and Harvard Business Review contributor Irina Cozma, PhD. From the volleyball courts of Romania to leadership roles in Fortune 500 companies, Irina has followed a powerful inner voice throughout her life: when she wants something, she takes action. No overthinking. No perfectionism. Just clear intention and bold movement. We talk about how this mindset helped her navigate international moves, earn multiple advanced degrees, a corporate career, and ultimately the launch of her coaching practice.

Irina shares how overthinking and perfectionism are two of the biggest challenges she sees in her clients and how developing direction can change everything. Whether you’re exploring a major career shift or simply trying to get unstuck, Irina’s story offers a refreshing and practical reminder: clarity beats complexity, and action beats anxiety. Tune in to hear how she helps others close the gap between “I want” and “I do” and how you can do the same.

In this week’s Work From The Inside Out podcast, learn more about:

• How embracing clarity, direction, and intentional action can supersede overthinking and perfectionism.
• Why having a strong sense of “what you want” makes decision-making easier, even when the path forward is uncertain.
• The power of following curiosity and interest as a compass for career choices, rather than chasing traditional markers of success.
• What it looks like to reinvent your career across industries, countries, and interests.

Learn more about Irina:

• Visit irinacozma.com
• LinkedIn: @irinacozma
• YouTube: @irina-cozma

Stay Connected:

• Connect with Tammy on LinkedIn
• Buy Me A Coffee
• Work From The Inside Out Website
• Subscribe to the newsletter

On Work from the Inside Out, I had the pleasure of speaking with Ora Grodsky, co-founder of Just Works Consulting and author of Justice, Love, and Organizational Healing: A Guide to Transformational Consulting. Ora’s journey is one of deep purpose and profound transformation. From restaurant work and starting a food co-op to becoming an acupuncturist, and academic dean at her acupuncture school to co-founding a holistic AIDS clinic, Ora has always been guided by her commitment to healing. Today, she brings more than 25 years of experience in helping mission-driven organizations align their values with their work.

Ora and I talked about how her roots in a social justice-focused family shaped her worldview and inspired a lifelong inquiry: How can we work toward a more just and sustainable world while honoring our own well-being? As she navigated her career choices, motherhood, and leadership development, Ora stayed true to her internal compass. Her journey exquisitely illustrates that meaningful careers don’t always follow a straight line and that listening inward can lead to powerful change and professional fulfillment.

We also explored practical tools from Ora’s consulting work, like the POP framework (Purpose, Outcomes, Process), and discussed the importance of nervous system regulation in navigating leadership and organizational challenges. This conversation is full of wisdom for anyone starting something new, leading change, or searching for more purpose in their work. I hope you find it as inspiring and grounding as I did.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Discover how clarifying your personal values can guide more meaningful career and organizational decisions.
• How Ora’s journey from acupuncturist to organizational consultant demonstrates the value of following purpose over predictability.
• Understand how Purpose, Outcomes, and Process (POP) can ground meetings, planning, and change initiatives in clarity and intention.
• Explore how self-awareness and emotional regulation support effective leadership decisions, especially during times of transformation.
• Gain insights into how equity, compassion, and healing can be embedded into the culture and systems of any workplace.

Learn more about Ora:

• Read Justice, Love, and Organizational Healing: A Guide to Transformational Consulting
• Instagram: @oragrodsky​
• LinkedIn: Ora Grodsky
• Just Works Consulting: just-works.com

Stay Connected:

• Connect with Tammy on LinkedIn
• Buy Me A Coffee
• Work From The Inside Out Website
• Subscribe to the newsletter