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Layered Lives

Layered Lives

By: Jenny Evans
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About this listen

Layered Lives is a podcast featuring thoughtful conversations with women on the many layers of their lives — from work, tech, health, relationships, identity, and everything in between.

2026 Jenny Evans
Episodes
  • Brave, not perfect - living between places, roles, and expectations

    Brave, not perfect - living between places, roles, and expectations
    Mar 23 2026

    What happens when the life you planned no longer exists?

    In the first episode of Layered Lives, I’m joined by Sarah Polan, a technology leader, mother of two, and an American living in Amsterdam. Her life has taken unexpected turns across countries, careers, and identities.

    From starting as an opera singer to navigating life as an undocumented immigrant, Sarah shares what it really means to rebuild, not just your career, but your sense of self.

    This is a conversation about being brave, not perfect, and the quiet strength it takes to keep starting again.

    Key moments

    00:00 Introduction
    00:30 Meet Sarah Polan
    01:30 From opera singer to unexpected paths
    03:30 Being undocumented — and facing deportation
    07:30 Transition into tech
    12:30 AI, coding, and the future of work
    17:30 Women in tech and being taken seriously
    21:30 Motherhood, identity, and living abroad
    26:00 Financial independence and long-term thinking
    29:30 Reflections and advice

    Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn
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    31 mins
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