From Childhood Trauma and Healing to Finding Purpose and Passion

Join us as we uncover the remarkable journey of Serena Sacks-Mandel, Global Chief Tech Officer at Microsoft, who overcame childhood trauma, and cancer (twice) to achieve extraordinary success.

In this podcast episode, we discuss:

• Childhood trauma and healing,
• Battling Cancer,
• Finding purpose and passion,
• How to find a purpose in life,
• How to find your passion
• The importance of finding your people
• Framing your narrative

Childhood Trauma and Healing: Serena's early life was marred by domestic violence and challenges, including an a lengthy 13 year divorce battle between her parents; she spent majority of her childhood feeling alone and unsafe. Despite these hardships, Serena's resilience and determination helped her overcome childhood trauma and focus on healing so she could find her purpose and passion in using generative AI to improve education.

Fought Off Cancer - Twice:

Serena was diagnosed with cancer, twice. Despite facing profound pain and emotional turmoil, she found inner strength in the face of uncertainty. Serena's courageous mindset, shaped by the profound realization of life's fragility, propelled her to embrace daring adventures and acts of kindness. From summiting Mount Everest to supporting the education of a Nepalese orphan, Serena seized every moment with gratitude and a commitment to making a positive impact.

Finding Purpose and Passion:

At the heart of Serena's story is the exploration of purpose and reframing one's narrative. She shares invaluable insights on discovering life's purpose regardless of past circumstances, exemplifying the transformative power of seizing opportunities for personal growth.

Empowering Women Who Found Success:

Serena is the epitome of an empowering woman who has found success despite adversity. Her journey inspires others to redefine their paths and embrace their potential through reframing narratives and discovering passion and purpose.

Serena's impactful work extends beyond personal achievement. She advocates for forming meaningful connections—finding your "people"—to cultivate passion and drive positive change. Serena's innovative contributions in generative AI for education highlight her commitment to reshaping learning approaches.

Serena empowers women to take control of their narratives and believes that "Your life's narrative is yours to shape." Tune in as we explore Serena's remarkable journey of resilience, purpose, and empowerment, offering hope and inspiration for self-improvement and growth.

About Midlife Mask-erade Podcast:

A Podcast to Listen to for Women's Mental Health and Self-Improvement, Midlife Mask-erade aims is to create a warm and inclusive community where women in midlife feel less alone, connected to others like themselves, and fully supported in rediscovering their authentic selves.

Midlife Mask-erade podcast tackles the challenges and opportunities unique to women in midlife. We'll guide you on a journey of self-discovery to rediscover your authentic self and embrace personal growth.

In short, Midlife Mask-erade is a:

• Podcast for Women's Mental Health: Prioritize your well-being with expert insights and practical tools for mental health.
• Podcast About Self-Improvement: Discover actionable steps to unlock your full potential through self-improvement discussions .
• Motivational Podcast with Empowering Stories: Find inspiration and connection with motivational stories from relatabl