What if the path to your true calling isn’t a straight line, but a winding journey across countries, cultures, and careers? For Rahel Podobsky-Stucki, founder and CEO of BANTAYnet, embracing her Swiss-Filipino heritage and a nontraditional career trajectory became the key to unlocking her purpose and making a lasting impact on digital literacy in the Philippines.
From the Swiss Alps to the Heart of the Philippines
Rahel’s story is anything but conventional. Born to a Swiss father and a Filipina mother, she spent her formative years in Switzerland, where she absorbed values of equality and community. Her early life was marked by contrasts: the egalitarian school system of Switzerland versus the class divides she later observed in the Philippines, the freedom of outdoor play in the Alps versus the more cautious upbringing of Filipino children.
These cross-cultural experiences shaped Rahel’s worldview but also left her grappling with questions of identity and belonging. “For a while I had an identity crisis,” she admits, reflecting on her struggles with language and the pressure to fit into a linear career path. Like many, she felt the weight of societal expectations, that is, to choose a profession early, to stick with it and to define success by traditional milestones.
The Power of Nonlinear Journeys
Rahel’s journey was anything but linear. She tried her hand at law school, pursued interpreting and even became a podcast editor. Each time she changed direction, she worried about being seen as a failure. But over time, she reframed her diverse experiences as a superpower. “If you have tried, you have also found out that it’s not for you. That’s very valuable,” she says.
Her academic pursuits eventually led her to London, where she studied European Studies and later, New Political Communication—a field that would become increasingly relevant as social media transformed the way people share information. Along the way, she met her husband, navigated the challenges of post-graduate life and confronted mental health struggles that forced her to reassess her priorities.
Finding Purpose Through Service
The turning point came during a visit to the Philippines in 2018. Rahel was struck by the pervasive use of digital devices and the lack of digital literacy, not just among children but across all segments of society. She saw government agencies using insecure messaging apps, families glued to screens and a general lack of awareness about online safety.
Determined to make a difference, Rahel launched BANTAYnet—a digital literacy initiative aimed at educating Filipinos about online safety, scams and responsible digital citizenship. The name “BANTAYnet” itself is a play on the Filipino word for “guard” or “watch out,” signaling the project’s mission to protect and empower.
BANTAYnet: Bridging the Digital Divide
BANTAYnet’s approach is refreshingly practical. Rahel creates bite-sized, accessible content on Facebook, the platform most widely used in the Philippines. She simplifies complex topics, from password security to scam awareness, making them relatable and actionable for everyday users. Giveaways and interactive posts help drive engagement, but Rahel is candid about the challenges of building meaningful connections in an algorithm-driven social media landscape.
Recognizing the limitations of online outreach, Rahel has expanded BANTAYnet’s impact through offline activities—workshops, community talks and partnerships with local organizations. She tailors her content to the needs of her audience, whether it’s women entrepreneurs, students or community leaders. Her holistic approach addresses not just fake news and scams, but also broader issues like digital etiquette, mental health and the psychological factors that make people vulnerable online.
Lessons in Resilience and Reinvention
Rahel’s story at its core is about the power of resilience and the value of embracing one’s unique and sometimes messy and uncertain journey. She is open about the privileges that enabled her to experiment and fail safely but also about the mental health challenges that accompanied her search for purpose. Her willingness to be vulnerable—about her struggles, her doubts and her ongoing process of self-discovery makes her human and relatable.
Rahel’s says that she has several mantras that have helped her through life. “The current one is one that I heard from podcaster Mel Robbins. I have been repeating this to myself multiple times a day, and it truly shifts my mood and mindset away from any negative thought spiral: What if it all works out. If I really can only choose one, this one is it, and I’d recommend it to others, as it genuinely is empowering!”
She is inspired by doers (especially women) who see a problem and don’t just complain about it but take action. Women who create solutions and find ways to make them work, not just for themselves but for as many people as possible. Those who start small, locally, with little to no resources, and push forward even when they have no idea what they’re doing and who keep going even when it seems impossible.
“I find immense inspiration in young women like Malala Yousafzai and Greta Thunberg, who took action when they saw the world failing to address critical issues. Malala risked everything to fight for girls’ education despite the dangers she faced, and Greta stepped forward to challenge global leaders on climate change, even when she could have stayed in the background. They didn’t wait for others to act. They made a choice to stand up and lead, despite their age and the obstacles in their way. Seeing their courage reminds me that any apprehensions and doubts I have about stepping into the public sphere, especially on social media, are small in comparison to the impact I can have in helping people stay safe online,” says Rahel.
Rahel couldn;t pin down a book because she has so many books to recommend. “Surrounded by Setbacks helped me push through the most recent hurdles; The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fu** got me to stop caring so much what others think, and I love reading historical fiction about strong women across the ages, eg. Pride & Prejudice, Far Pavillion, The Joy Luck Club, Moll Flanders,” says Rahel.
Musically, she enjoys 90s pop specifically R&B. “Speechless” from the Aladdin movie resonated with her particulary. “As a woman and being the youngest in my family I learned from a young age to speak louder in order to get heard. In certain climates its harder, and sometimes I don’t dare. But this song is so powerful, and perhaps if this had been around when I was younger I would have found my voice sooner. I love the idea of young girls having this anthem to grow up to, with the powerful message to tell them not to let themselves be silenced,” she says.
When she is not promoting digital safety online, she bakes, gardens (she is starting a small cacao farm) and training her dogs. She also loves dancing which is why she became a Zumba instructor and “to make sure I always have a reason to dance”. Nature recharges her energy levels so she loves snorkeling, standup paddling through the rivers and mangroves in Bohol and indoor climbing (bouldering).
For aspiring entrepreneurs and changemakers, Rahel’s journey offers several key lessons:
- Nonlinear paths can lead to powerful outcomes. Diverse experiences can become assets, not liabilities and not everyone fits a conventional mould.
- Purpose often emerges from personal challenges. Rahel’s own struggles with identity, failure and mental health informed her mission to help others.
- Impact starts with empathy and understanding. By immersing herself in the realities of Filipino digital life, Rahel began creating solutions that truly resonate.
- Sustainability requires creativity. From crowdfunding to exploring social enterprise models, Rahel is finding ways to keep BANTAYnet’s mission alive.
Rahel’s story reminds us that the most meaningful work often arises from the twists and turns of our own journeys. By embracing our unique backgrounds, learning from setbacks, and staying open to reinvention, we can find ways to make a difference—in our communities and beyond.
How might embracing your own winding path lead you to create positive change?