Executive Unschool Edit
Welcome. You've found your people. We explore the work you do, the wealth you build, and the wellbeing you deserve, without asking you to blow up the life you've worked so hard to create.
Executive Unschool publishes essays, written to start a better conversation. It’s a publication for ambitious women who have lost interest in optimizing a life that doesn't feel like their own.
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WORK ⁘ WEALTH ⁘ WELLBEING ⁘
Ep. 87 SPEAKER SERIES: Rediscovering Self: Tools for Growth
Bree introduces a panel of experts who explore various tools and practices for self-discovery and personal growth.
The Power of Pausing: Creating Mindful Transitions in a Rushing World
We slow down for big moments, but rush through the small transitions that shape our days. This reflection explores how mindful pauses—between work and rest, focus and connection—can regulate your nervous system, reduce stress, and help you actually feel present in your life.
Ep. 86 The Myth of Speed: Is Faster Always Better?
Bree explores the pervasive myth that faster is always better, particularly in the context of work and personal productivity. She reflects on her own conditioning towards efficiency and the detrimental effects of urgency culture on creativity and well-being.
Meeting the Moment Differently: How Growth Shows Up in Life’s Transitions
Some transitions are marked by celebration, others by uncertainty—but both reveal who we’ve become. This reflection explores how real growth shows up when we meet familiar challenges with greater capacity, steadiness, and self-trust than we once had.
Ep. 85 Bold Belief - There Are No Coincidences
Bree recounts a significant meditation experience that led her to make bold decisions, highlighting the synchronicities and healing moments that followed. She emphasizes the need for self-discovery and the power of inner guidance in navigating life's challenges
Listening to Your Body: A Simple Way to Regulate Stress and Restore Energy
Your body is constantly communicating—but most of us have learned to override its signals. This reflection explores how listening to your nervous system, honoring intuition, and making small, analog shifts can restore energy, reduce burnout, and help you reconnect with what you actually need.
Ep. 84 Your Body Has Clues to Wellbeing
Bree emphasizes the importance of listening to our body's cues, especially during high-stress periods. She discusses the impact of chronic stress on health, the significance of recognizing bodily signals, and introduces a simple 60-second exercise to reconnect with our bodies.
What I’d Tell My Younger Self About Work, Worth, and Wholeness
Sometimes healing begins by looking back with compassion. This reflection explores how stress, burnout, and work wounds often start when we abandon ourselves—and how choosing rest, regulation, and self-trust can change everything.
Ep. 83 Burnout Isn't What You Think - It's Worse
Bree delves into the critical issue of burnout, a prevalent work wound that is often misunderstood. She explains the three key elements of burnout: exhaustion, cynicism, and feelings of unproductivity
Ep 82 How Long Does Change Take?
Bree discusses the importance of understanding the subconscious agreements that drive our behaviors and the necessity of rewiring these beliefs to facilitate lasting change. Through analogies like the dirt road versus the superhighway, she illustrates the challenges of building new habits and the iterative nature of transformation.
Ep. 81 SPEAKER SERIES: Authentic Relationships in Work, Life, & Grief
Four guest speakers—Desiree Petrich, Whitney Harvey, Andrea Turnbow, and Ashley Rolloff—share their insights and personal stories, highlighting key strategies for building authentic connections, advocating for oneself, and supporting others through challenging times. The speakers emphasize the significance of presence, intentional networking, self-advocacy, and compassionate leadership.
Ep. 80 How to Face the Gorilla of Our Stories with Guest Kyle Smith
Kyle Smith, a clarity consultant, shares his journey from personal struggles to helping others achieve wellness through neuro-linguistic somatic experience (NLSE) with host Bree Johnson. He discusses the importance of physical breakdown in emotional healing, the necessity of active participation in personal growth, and the profound impact of words on our mindset and reality.
Burnout Isn’t What You Think It Is—And That’s Why It’s So Dangerous
Burnout isn’t just about being tired or overworked. It quietly rewires your nervous system, drains your energy, and erodes your sense of self. This post breaks down what burnout really is, how it shows up before you crash, and why catching it early matters.
Ep. 76 Why Mindfulness Is Easier Than Meditation with Guest Rudy Daniel
Bree and Rudy Daniel explore the transformative journey of mindfulness, discussing its significance in modern life and the development of the Affirmate app. Rudy shares his personal experiences with mindfulness, the importance of being present, and how technology can be harnessed to facilitate mindful living
Ep. 79 What Are Your "Hell No's"?
In this episode, Bree discusses the importance of understanding and embracing your 'hell no's' during times of career transition. She emphasizes that defining what you don't want is just as crucial as knowing what you do want.
What Are Work Wounds? Understanding, Naming, and Healing Them
Work wounds are the emotional and psychological scars left by toxic cultures, poor leadership, and chronic stress. This post explores the most common types of work wounds—and why healing begins by separating your self-worth from your work, even when the pain feels deep and personal.
Ep. 78 The Year of Work Wounds: A Deep Dive
Bree introduces the four categories of work wounds: bullying, betrayal, bad behavior, and burnout, emphasizing the importance of understanding these experiences to foster healing and recovery. Bree also highlights the need for individuals to acknowledge their work wounds to break the cycle of trauma and create healthier work environments.
We Need Each Other Well: Why Wellbeing Is a Leadership Imperative
In hard seasons, it’s tempting to cut corners—on budgets, teams, and even humanity. But how leaders treat people, especially when things are tense or ending, becomes their lasting legacy. This reflection explores why wellbeing, regulation, and respect are foundational to trust, reputation, and meaningful work.
Work Wound Institute Launches Groundbreaking Research
The Work Wound Institute™ (WWInstitute) is pleased to announce the launch of its initial research effort aimed at understanding the impact of work wounds and chronic, unrelenting stress on individuals in the workplace and its physical manifestations. As part of this research, the WWInstitute is calling for the submission of personal stories from those who have experienced work wounds related to stress.
Ep. 77 The Energy Vampire of Assumptions
Bree discusses the detrimental effects of making assumptions, which she refers to as an 'energy vampire.' She reflects on her personal experiences with anxiety and overwhelm caused by assumptions about current events and their potential impacts.