Low to Grow

In this episode of the Low to Grow podcast, Annie Wenmiao Yu interviews Sam Smith, the first female CEO of a City stockbroking firm and co-founder of Super Scalers. Sam shares her journey of building FinnCap into a leading investment bank for growth companies in the UK, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and empathetic leadership in driving both profit and growth. She reflects on her experiences, including the challenges of leading a company through an IPO whilemanaging personal responsibilities, such as motherhood. Annie and Sam discusses the significance of maintaining a positive mindset, learning from losses, and the necessity of support systems for entrepreneurs, particularly women and underrepresented founders.Chapters00:00 The First Female Stockbroker in The City of London Samantha Smith01:56 Who should listen this episode with Samantha Smith02:20 Samantha's Entrepreneurial Journey in Finance04:21 Reframing failures12:17 Gender Representation in Finance15:22 Creating an Inclusive Culture18:15 An IPO Before Motorbiking to Her Daughter's Nativity Play22:32 Giving herself to work and family25:19 How Sam Smith Teaches Her Daughter About Clarity of Thought27:40 Leadership Style After Motherhood29:01 Launching Superscalers32:27 Samantha Smith reflects on self-awareness in building the Superscalers36:04 Final Thoughts on Mental HealthFollow Low to Grow⁠⁠Instagram: @lowtogrowpodcast⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: @lowtogrow⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack LIFT with Low to Grow⁠ ⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ Connect with our podcast guests via their profile page on ⁠⁠www.lowtogrow.com⁠⁠!Please Note: Low to Grow is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice. For free mental health resources, visit ⁠⁠https://www.mind.org.uk⁠⁠.

Dr. Mitch Abrams shares his transformative journey from a successful radiologist to a holistic health advocate after undergoing open heart surgery. He discusses with Annie the profound impact of his experiences on his understanding of health, wellness, and the importance of heart coherence. Dr. Abrams introduces the Global Heart Sync project, which aims to gamify the practice of heart coherence, fostering individual and collective well-being. Dr Abrams and Annie debate on the need for a new paradigm in healthcare that integrates both scientific and spiritual perspectives, encouraging listeners to connect with their hearts and embrace their inner potential.What you will gain from listening to this episode:Awakening to consciousness can stem from profound experiences.Coherence is essential for emotional and physical health.The heart's intelligence plays a crucial role in healing.Collective coherence can impact global well-being.The Global Heart Sync project aims to gamify heart coherence.Practicing coherence can lead to significant personal transformation.Integrating Eastern and Western medicine is vital for future healthcare.Follow Low to Grow⁠⁠Instagram: @lowtogrowpodcast⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: @lowtogrow⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack LIFT with Low to Grow⁠ ⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ Connect with our podcast guests via their profile page on ⁠⁠www.lowtogrow.com⁠⁠!Please Note: Low to Grow is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice. For free mental health resources, visit ⁠⁠https://www.mind.org.uk⁠⁠.Chapters 00:00 The Journey of Dr. Mitch Abrams06:15 Awakening After Open Heart Surgery10:39 The Disconnect in Western Healthcare15:17 Understanding Heart Coherence20:29 Measuring Coherence and Collective Impact25:47 Global Heart Sync Project28:02 The Science of Connection and Empathy29:26 Activating the Heart: Personal Journeys32:42 The Global Heart Sync Methodology37:32 Shifting Perspectives in Healthcare42:38 Bridging Eastern and Western Medicine47:54 The Path to Coherence and Better Mental Health

In this episode of Low to Grow, Eileen Wada Willett takes us on a heartfelt journey from the world of fashion design to the deeply meaningful work of cultural community building. She reflects on the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, the abrupt challenges brought on by Brexit and COVID-19, and the personal growth that emerged after closing her clothing brand. Through it all, her story is woven with resilience, identity, and a commitment to creating spaces where people feel seen and connected.Eileen also shares how the East Asian Girl Gang came to life—a community rooted in celebrating cultural identity, supporting mental health, and amplifying the voices of the East Asian diaspora. With warmth and clarity, she talks about the “mosaic” of heritage, the power of shared stories, and why connection is one of the most healing forces we have. This episode is rich with lessons for creatives, founders, and anyone navigating the complexities of identity and belonging.What you’ll walk away with:A grounded look at resilience through the unpredictable challenges of entrepreneurshipInsights into cultural identity and the experiences of the East Asian diasporaPractical ideas for building community around shared heritage and valuesReflection on how loss, transition, and reinvention shape personal growthA reminder that connection and community are vital pillars for mental well-beingFollow Low to Grow⁠Instagram: @lowtogrowpodcast⁠ ⁠YouTube: @lowtogrow⁠⁠Substack LIFT with Low to Grow Newsletter⁠ Connect with our podcast guests via their profile page on ⁠www.lowtogrow.com⁠!Please Note: Low to Grow is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice. For free mental health resources, visit ⁠https://www.mind.org.uk⁠.

How can an MBA lead to a political career? What is the future of AI in India? What should more youths in India do?In this episode of Low to Grow, investment banking professional and political strategist Dhritiman Mitra shares his remarkable journey from growing up in Bihar to becoming a rising business and political voice in India’s next era of innovation. He opens up about navigating family expectations, shifting from the tech world to the political arena, and how each chapter of his life shaped his perspective on leadership, risk-taking, and nation-building.Dhritiman also digs into the transformative role of AI in India’s economic future—from new startup opportunities to the skills young professionals need to stay ahead. He offers a grounded look at entrepreneurship, the cultural and historical weight of politics in Bengal, and why embracing discomfort may be the most valuable career decision a young Indian can make today. This conversation is energizing, candid, and full of clarity for anyone standing at a crossroads.What you’ll walk away with:A practical roadmap for navigating big career transitions with purposeInsight into how AI is reshaping opportunities across Indian industriesA fresh perspective on risk-taking as a catalyst for growthCultural context on political engagement and leadership in IndiaEncouragement to take bold steps—even when the path isn’t obviousFollow Low to Grow ⁠Instagram: @lowtogrowpodcast⁠ YouTube: @lowtogrow⁠⁠Substack LIFT with Low to Grow Newsletter⁠ Connect with our podcast guests via their profile page on ⁠www.lowtogrow.com⁠!Please Note: Low to Grow is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice. For free mental health resources, visit https://www.mind.org.uk⁠.

How to recover from burnout? Who turns down Google? What happens before a spiritual awakening?In this episode of Low to Grow, Ariel Sit opens up about her profound transition from corporate burnout to a spiritually aligned career that finally felt true to who she is. She walks us through the winding path from her early creative pursuits to entrepreneurship, unexpected pivots, and the emotional toll of chasing the “dream job.” Along the way, Ariel shares how meditation, self-awareness, and intentional reinvention became the tools that helped her rebuild her life and work from the inside out.Ariel also breaks down the practical side of transformation: how to network with authenticity, why your CV should reflect your emotions as much as your skills, and what it actually looks like to position yourself for opportunities that match your values. This conversation is warm, honest, and deeply human—perfect for anyone feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or ready for a more meaningful chapter.What you’ll walk away with:​A realistic roadmap for reinventing your career after burnout in your 30s​Practical strategies for developing self-awareness through meditation and reflection​Tools for long-term, relationship-driven networking​Guidance on positioning yourself in a way that opens doors you want to walk through​A reminder that emotional well-being is foundational to sustainable growthFollow Low to GrowInstagram: @lowtogrowpodcastYouTube: @lowtogrowSubstack LIFT with Low to Grow NewsletterConnect with our podcast guests via their profile page on www.lowtogrow.com!Freebie 1The first is a free copy of Ariel’s Life Artistry Journal (digital). It walks through life design, identity, and intentional goal-setting in a practical way. Ariel has set up a 100% discount code exclusively for the Low to Grow audience.Journal sign-up page: https://arielsit.com/journalCoupon code for free checkout: LOWTOGROWFreebie 2The second is for anyone in the LowtoGrow community who's sitting on a method, a healing path, or hard-won knowledge they want to share with the world. Ariel is offering $100 off a business consultation to look at what they know, who it's for, and what a knowledge business around it could realistically look like. It starts with a free discovery call, they can apply here: https://forms.gle/Wz43ks1AVHcTJNNq6Please Note: Low to Grow is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice. For free mental health resources, visit https://www.mind.org.uk.