Fact or Story ft. Barbara Boselli
Wed Feb 04 2026
What if the thing holding you back in your career isn’t a fact, but a story you’ve been telling yourself?
In this episode, Kelly sits down with leadership coach, speaker, and former Google leader Barbara Boselli to explore how the narratives we create about ourselves can quietly shape, and sometimes limit, our careers.
From growing up in Brazil and navigating cultural transitions in the U.S., to building a successful corporate career, leaving Google to focus on family, and eventually launching her own leadership consulting practice, Barbara shares a deeply reflective journey of growth, self-awareness, and reinvention.
Together, Kelly and Barbara unpack the difference between facts and stories, how emotional intelligence and mindfulness transform leadership, and why “step two is the enemy of step one” when it comes to meaningful career change. This conversation is a powerful reminder that self-awareness is the foundation of courageous leadership, and that redefining success often starts from within.
Key Topics & Takeaways
The difference between facts and the stories we tell ourselvesHow cultural norms shape leadership and self-advocacyTransitioning from corporate leadership to entrepreneurshipEmotional intelligence as a core leadership skillMindfulness, self-awareness, and reframing limiting beliefsWhy you don’t need the full plan to take the first stepNavigating identity shifts during career pivotsFinding purpose, passion, and fulfillment through serviceChapters / Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction
00:23 – Barbara Boselli bio
01:32 – Growing up in Brazil and early career influences
03:02 – Cultural transitions and working in the U.S.
05:08 – First roles at L’Oréal and Vale
06:40 – Choosing an MBA and career reinvention
07:58 – Joining Google and working in strategy & operations
09:51 – Discovering a passion for people development
11:58 – Emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and leadership
13:52 – Leaving Google and identity shifts
15:36 – Spiritual psychology and reframing success
18:45 – Navigating motherhood and career uncertainty
21:00 – “Step two is the enemy of step one”
22:55 – Building Be Now Consulting
24:22 – Fact vs. story and limiting beliefs
28:04 – Self-awareness as a leadership superpower
29:53 – Community, collaboration, and entrepreneurship
31:36 – Advice to her 20-year-old self
32:28 – Career in three words
33:10 – Where to find Barbara
Guest Resources
Website: bnowconsulting.comLinkedIn: Barbara BoselliTopics Discussed
leadership development, emotional intelligence, mindfulness at work, self-awareness, career pivots, women in leadership, entrepreneurship, limiting beliefs, personal growth, fact vs story, executive coaching, purpose-driven work, Career Slay Podcast
Enjoying the show?
Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer. And if you're looking for one-on-one career coaching, connect with Kelly:
Website: careerslay.com LinkedIn: Kelly Poquiz Burke Instagram: @careerslay
More
What if the thing holding you back in your career isn’t a fact, but a story you’ve been telling yourself? In this episode, Kelly sits down with leadership coach, speaker, and former Google leader Barbara Boselli to explore how the narratives we create about ourselves can quietly shape, and sometimes limit, our careers. From growing up in Brazil and navigating cultural transitions in the U.S., to building a successful corporate career, leaving Google to focus on family, and eventually launching her own leadership consulting practice, Barbara shares a deeply reflective journey of growth, self-awareness, and reinvention. Together, Kelly and Barbara unpack the difference between facts and stories, how emotional intelligence and mindfulness transform leadership, and why “step two is the enemy of step one” when it comes to meaningful career change. This conversation is a powerful reminder that self-awareness is the foundation of courageous leadership, and that redefining success often starts from within. Key Topics & Takeaways The difference between facts and the stories we tell ourselvesHow cultural norms shape leadership and self-advocacyTransitioning from corporate leadership to entrepreneurshipEmotional intelligence as a core leadership skillMindfulness, self-awareness, and reframing limiting beliefsWhy you don’t need the full plan to take the first stepNavigating identity shifts during career pivotsFinding purpose, passion, and fulfillment through serviceChapters / Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 00:23 – Barbara Boselli bio 01:32 – Growing up in Brazil and early career influences 03:02 – Cultural transitions and working in the U.S. 05:08 – First roles at L’Oréal and Vale 06:40 – Choosing an MBA and career reinvention 07:58 – Joining Google and working in strategy & operations 09:51 – Discovering a passion for people development 11:58 – Emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and leadership 13:52 – Leaving Google and identity shifts 15:36 – Spiritual psychology and reframing success 18:45 – Navigating motherhood and career uncertainty 21:00 – “Step two is the enemy of step one” 22:55 – Building Be Now Consulting 24:22 – Fact vs. story and limiting beliefs 28:04 – Self-awareness as a leadership superpower 29:53 – Community, collaboration, and entrepreneurship 31:36 – Advice to her 20-year-old self 32:28 – Career in three words 33:10 – Where to find Barbara Guest Resources Website: bnowconsulting.comLinkedIn: Barbara BoselliTopics Discussed leadership development, emotional intelligence, mindfulness at work, self-awareness, career pivots, women in leadership, entrepreneurship, limiting beliefs, personal growth, fact vs story, executive coaching, purpose-driven work, Career Slay Podcast Enjoying the show? Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer. And if you're looking for one-on-one career coaching, connect with Kelly: Website: careerslay.com LinkedIn: Kelly Poquiz Burke Instagram: @careerslay