Advertise on podcast: Larissa' Spotlight: Think Big & Impact

Picture this: a recruiter looks down at a resume, spots a 5-year gap, and asks, "Could you tell me how you spent that time?" In this powerful episode of Larissa Spotlight, we confront the corporate bias surrounding career gaps and uncover the truth that staying home isn't a lapse in work—it is intensive, uncredited leadership training. Larissa breaks down what actually happens during those years at home: managing tight budgets through unexpected crises, leading and motivating individuals without formal authority, mediating high-stakes interpersonal conflicts, and making split-second decisions under extreme pressure. While corporations spend thousands of euros sending executives to 3-day workshops on "crisis management" and "emotional intelligence," mothers undergo years of real-world, high-stakes execution. In this episode, you will learn: The real-world breakdown of how household management mirrors C-suite executive responsibilities. Key findings from Seattle University researchers (Dr. Laura Marie Rivera, Carolyn Barrows, and Mindy Orsino) on "The Motherhood Advantage". Why Carolyn Barrows advises the business world: "All things equal, hire the mother." The Hewlett Packard research revealing why women only apply for jobs when they meet 100% of requirements—and how the "CV gap myth" holds qualified leaders back. How to stop apologizing for your career gap and reframe it as foundational leadership experience. Are you a leader reviewing candidates, or a woman who has spent years explaining a gap on your resume? Share your thoughts and stories by emailing [email protected]. Until next time: keep thinking big, keep creating impact, and keep recognizing the true leaders in the room. Take care, my friend.

When Larissa’s husband asked her a simple question—"What do you actually want? Not for us, not for the children, for you"—she opened her mouth and nothing came out. In this reflective episode of Larissa Spotlight, Larissa explores why so many women and leaders struggle to answer that question, and how we often mistake constant busyness and motion for true direction. Larissa breaks down the difference between external productivity and internal clarity. She examines the Latin root of clarity (clarus—light that breaks through) and explains why clarity isn't a fixed destination or a gift you wait for, but a daily discipline you choose to practice. If you’ve ever felt like a foundation giving everything away until there’s nothing left to hold yourself up, this episode is a call to stop fighting yourself and start listening to your core essence. In this episode, you will learn: Why the most exhausting struggle isn't managing external demands, but the internal fight over whether you are doing enough. The true definition of clarity: being visible because of who you are, not just what you do. How to reframe clarity as an evolving, living practice rather than a static goal. Why a foundation that gives everything away eventually loses the ability to support anyone. The daily 5-minute morning prompt to anchor your day before checking your phone: "What is the one thing that is mine today?" What is your answer to the question today? What is the one thing that belongs solely to you? Share your response by emailing [email protected]. Until next time: keep thinking big, keep creating impact, and keep asking the questions. Take care, my friend.

In this episode of Larissa Spotlight, we uncover why true power at a business event rarely belongs to the loudest voice in the room. Larissa shares an eye-opening story from a networking event where she was dismissed by a fellow attendee as just possessing "trophy wife energy". While others were busy making assumptions and frantically collecting business cards, Larissa was quietly reading the room like a chessboard, thinking five moves ahead, and building connections that ultimately led to high-value business meetings. Networking is frequently misunderstood as an exhausting race to talk to everyone, but Larissa reveals how to flip the script. She explains why being underestimated is actually a strategic advantage, and how stepping away from annoying, loud self-promotion allows you to build a foundation of genuine care and unstoppable partnerships. In this episode, you will learn: Why traditional networking—like loudly collecting hundreds of business cards—is merely exhausting and annoys everyone around you. How to leverage being underestimated as your secret weapon to quietly observe and connect the dots others miss. The importance of playing a different game than your partner to create a truly unstoppable power partnership. Larissa’s three-step approach to working any room: taking time to observe natural energy centers, positioning yourself as a strategic bridge between people, and executing specific, personal follow-ups. How a simple introduction between two unrelated people can create a partnership worth millions. What happened when you introduced two people who desperately needed to know each other? Send your best strategic networking stories to [email protected]. Keep thinking big, creating impact, and building networks that create value for everyone involved.

In this episode of Larissa Spotlight, we dive into the morning habit almost every creator and entrepreneur falls into: checking social media analytics before taking a single sip of coffee. But what happens when the numbers stop being a tool and become the ultimate goal? Larissa breaks down the critical difference between having a following and building a true network. A follower likes your posts when you show up, but a network defends your name and refers you when you aren't even in the room. She addresses the trap of diluting your real voice to chase algorithmic reach, and why optimizing for vanity metrics actually creates distance between you and the high-value clients searching for your exact expertise. In this episode, you will learn: The core distinction between a follower who watches you and a network that advocates for you. Why consistency isn't about posting every day, but about sounding the same in January as you do in October—both online and offline. How to use writing tools and AI without losing the authenticity of your real voice. The single question to ask before publishing: "Would the person I am writing for recognize ME in this?" Why reach gets you seen, but recognition is what actually gets you called. Was there a moment in this episode where you recognized yourself? What is the one sentence people say about you when you leave the room? Share your thoughts by sending an email to [email protected]. Until next time: keep thinking big, keep showing up as yourself, and remember that the right people aren't looking for the most visible version of you—they're looking for the real one. Take care, my friend.

In this episode of Larissa Spotlight, we tackle the overwhelming chaos of managing a busy household and reveal a counterintuitive solution: running your family like a successful business. Larissa shares a candid story of a disastrous Sunday morning involving six children, conflicting schedules, a forgotten birthday, and a lost swimsuit that sparked a major realization. Despite successfully coordinating TEDx conferences and leading complex business projects professionally, her own home operated like a disorganized disaster. Larissa explains how applying strategic corporate frameworks—like clear communication, defined roles, and intentional structure—completely transformed her family dynamic. She walks listeners through the exact systems she implemented, including device-free Sunday evening meetings to review the upcoming week and a centralized fridge calendar for schedule changes. Far from being rigid or cold, this approach empowers children with vital leadership, negotiation, and problem-solving skills while giving every family member a valued voice and clear purpose. In this episode, you will learn: How to establish weekly, distraction-free family meetings to proactively negotiate schedules and delegate tasks. Why assigning clear areas of responsibility based on each child's strengths builds their confidence and sense of belonging. Strategies for shifting from a top-down parenting style to a collaborative team model where siblings learn to mediate their own conflicts. How bringing corporate principles like role clarity and systemized communication into the home can dramatically reduce anxiety and build trust. Are you ready to bring strategic structure into your home? Start by scheduling just one family meeting. If you implement these systems, or if you have other professional skills that make a difference in your home life, share your experience by sending an email to [email protected]. Until next time: keep thinking big, keep creating impact, and remember that your family is the most important organization you will ever lead.

In this episode of Larissa Spotlight, we explore a morning ritual that has absolutely nothing to do with meditation or journaling. Instead, it’s about standing in front of your closet and making a conscious decision about who is going to walk out that door today. Drawing from years of producing events and observing people walk into rooms, Larissa breaks down the true foundation of presence and power networking. She explains why the most powerful people in a room aren't the loudest or the best-dressed, but rather the ones who made a firm decision about their identity before ever crossing the threshold. In this episode, you will learn: Why true networking strategy starts with a silent, internal decision rather than an elevator pitch. The critical difference between performing for an audience and holding space with quiet certainty. How to instantly recognize authentic power and presence in others before a single word is spoken. Did something from this episode resonate with you? Share your thoughts by sending an email to [email protected]. Until next time: keep thinking big, keep creating impact, and keep deciding exactly who walks through that door.

You know the call before you even pick it up. Nothing bad happens. You talk, you listen, you hang up. And you are more tired than before. Most people never name that feeling. They call it a busy week, a bad day. They call it anything except what it actually is. In this episode I name it, and I break down the three kinds of people you will find in every network: the ones who give without keeping score, the ones who take, and the bookkeepers who disappear the moment the balance shifts. You will hear the five patterns that tell you a connection is wrong, the difference between being useful tired and empty tired, and the one question that will tell you more about your network than any contact count ever could. Your network is not your contact list. It is the circle of people who actually know you.

What happens when society questions your right to lead? When legal documents remind you that you're "second class"? When everyone around you whispers that you'll never be enough? In this deeply personal episode, I share the story of stepping into a role that came without a manual—where every decision was questioned, every moment of frustration was scrutinized, and where I had to choose between shrinking back or becoming the foundation anyway. You'll discover: Why being "legally second class" became my greatest leadership trainingThe $160,000 secret about invisible work that society refuses to recognizeHow foundation leadership is actually the highest form of powerWhy I stopped apologizing for choosing to elevate others instead of building my own empireThe plot twist that changed everything about how I see successThis isn't just about overcoming doubt—it's about redefining what qualification really means and why the most essential work is often the most invisible work. Whether you've ever felt "not enough," questioned your worth, or wondered if your behind-the-scenes contributions actually matter, this episode will shift how you see your own power. Perfect for: Ambitious women, mothers feeling undervalued, anyone questioning their unique path to success, and leaders who choose foundation work over front-stage performance. Ready to think big and create real impact? This conversation will change how you see leadership forever.

Tired of wearing someone else's identity while your authentic self stays hidden? This episode reveals why your "scentless" truth might be your greatest superpower. Discover the Four E's of Authentic Scent that transform exhausted people-pleasers into magnetic, authentic leaders. Learn how to stop wearing other people's expectations, identify your true essence, and build genuine influence without the performance. Through the metaphor of "The Perfume Wars," uncover why being undefined by others' labels makes you uncontrollable – and unstoppable. From Schadowperfume (false identity) to Aloe Vera truth, find your way back to who you really are. Perfect for entrepreneurs, mothers, and anyone ready to stop performing perfection and start living authentically. Your authentic scent revolution starts now. Ready to dive deeper into Nova's journey? Unlock the first 6 chapters FREE:  🇳🇱 Dutch: https://www.larissaspotlight.com/parfumoorlog🇬🇧 English: https://www.larissaspotlight.com/perfume-war Protect your family's authentic future from addiction's false identity: 🌱 www.rise4life.eu

Tired of feeling invisible despite everything you do? This episode reveals why the most influential women aren't the ones in the spotlight – they're the foundation leaders creating change from behind the scenes. Discover the I.M.P.A.C.T. Code that transforms capable women from unnoticed supporters into sought-after powerhouses. Learn how to build lasting influence without chasing recognition, magnetize the right opportunities, and create legacy through elevating others. Perfect for ambitious women, executive spouses, and anyone ready to embrace their role as the driving force that makes everything possible. Your foundation leadership journey starts now.

Stop participating in what, exactly? Larissa reveals the hidden game we're all playing and why quitting it might be the most powerful thing you ever do. A raw conversation about perfection, authenticity, and the courage to live your real life out loud. THINK BIG: What if the most radical thing you could do is simply stop participating in the perfection game? CREATE IMPACT: Larissa reveals how stepping away from others' expectations gives everyone permission to live authentically. CONSIDER THIS: The hidden cost of apologizing for your real life and why your "messy" kitchen is more inspiring than any magazine spread. FEEDFORWARD: Ready to stop explaining yourself to people who will never understand your vision? This conversation shows you how.

In gesprek met Roy Martina, Michael Peters en Patrick van Veen over Leiden interraciale relaties tot minder discriminatie? Evolutie van de ziel of evolutie van de biologie van de mens?

Hoe beïnvloed giftige liefde de opvoeding? Een gesprek met Michael Peters bewustzijnscoach/trainer en Patrick van Veen, gedragsbioloog en één van de expert van het programma Married at First Sight RTL 4 en  Dr. Roy Martina, MD,  Holistische Gezondheidsdeskundigen & leider op het gebied van Transformationele Verandering en Hersentraining, auteur van meer dan 90 boeken.  Je kan ook de originele opname beluisteren via clubhouse replays, zoek onze Larissa Spotlight op en hopelijk ben je er de volgende keer live bij.

Wat als de liefde de oorzaak wordt van een bron ellende en ziekte? In gesprek met Dr Roy Martina, gedragsbioloog Patrick van Veen en coach Michael Peters over dit onderwerp.

Hoe belangrijk is geur in je partnerkeuze?  Wat is de invloed van anti-conceptie pil en medicijnen mogelijk op je relatie door middel van geur. Een gesprek hierover met Patrick, Roy en Michael