Work Recovery Journal
Welcome to The WR Journal — your curated destination for insights, special features, and podcast conversations designed for the midlife woman navigating the intersection of career, money, and joy.
Whether you're quietly questioning what success actually costs you, rebuilding after burnout, or simply ready to stop waiting for permission to live differently, 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.
WORK
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WEALTH
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WELLBEING
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WORK ⁘ WEALTH ⁘ WELLBEING ⁘
EP 119 Leadership in 2026: Less Control, More Inner Stability | with Andrea Tessier
As we move toward 2026, many leaders are sensing that the old leadership playbook is breaking down. In this episode of How Good Can It Get?, Bree Johnson and Andrea Tessier explore why strategy and performance are no longer enough—and why the future of leadership requires inner steadiness, emotional intelligence, and self-trust.
EP 118 Some years ask questions. 2025 gave me answers.
In this reflective episode of How Good Can It Get?, Bree Johnson shares five lessons that emerged from a year of growth, simplification, and trusting her intuition. A thoughtful look at how clarity often comes after seasons of uncertainty and change.
EP 117 Why Resentment Peaks During the Holidays
Why does resentment surface during the holidays—and what is it actually trying to tell us? In this episode of How Good Can It Get?, Bree Johnson explores how unmet needs, energy depletion, and the illusion of control affect wellbeing and leadership.
Ep. 116 The Biggest Leadership Lie We All Believe About Wellbeing
In this episode, I break down the single biggest barrier to wellbeing I see across founders, people leaders, and women running entire households: letting external uncertainty steal time, focus, and nervous system capacity.
Ep. 115 this podcast is for you!
Bree discusses transforming work into a craft, emphasizing the need for personal empowerment and the identification of resistance in one's professional life.
Ep. 114 Put on Your Own Oxygen Mask First with Guest Stephanie Wall Morrow
Bree Johnson hosts guest Stephanie Wall Morrow who advocates for integrating genuine self-care into daily life. They discuss the creation of The Self Care Circle, accessible self-care practices, the significance of mindfulness and intention, and the myths surrounding self-care.
Ep. 113 The Weight of Others' Expectations
The often unrecognized burden of meeting others' expectations, particularly for women who are caregivers, is intense and time consuming. Bree reflects on her personal experiences during the holiday season and emphasizes the importance of reclaiming time and energy for oneself.
Ep. 112 Nothing Is Wrong with You If You're Merely Surviving
Bree addresses the challenges many face during the holiday season, particularly those who feel they are merely surviving rather than thriving. She emphasizes the importance of acknowledging one's struggles and introduces the concept of the wellness wheel, which consists of eight core areas of well-being.
Ep. 111 Stop Defending, Start Connecting
Have you every thought about how your childhood conditioning affects your adult relationships, particularly the tendency to justify actions and defend oneself in interpersonal interactions? Bree Johnson discusses the impact of early experiences on emotional responses and communication patterns in adulthood.
Ep. 110 How to Confront Quiet Fear
If you're feeling fear, anxiety, or overwhelm, tune in to this episode where Bree delves into the complexities of fear, particularly the subtle, insidious types that keep individuals from embracing change and stepping out of their comfort zones.
Ep. 109 Is Identity Death Essential with Guest Michelle M. Ghassemi
Guest Michelle M. Ghassemi helps Bree explore the themes of identity death, personal growth, and self-sabotage in the context of entrepreneurship.
Ep. 108 Stopping Gold Medal Syndrome
Bree talks about Gold Medal Syndrome as a way to describe how we all often focus on outcomes and miss out on the good stuff - particularly the 'messy middle' - where growth and effort occur. Outcomes aren't often as they seem.
Ep. 107 Blocks, Clocks, & Socks: Leaders’ Time Management Tools with Guest Rhonda Parmer
Bree Johnson hosts Rhonda Parmer to explore innovative leadership coaching approaches, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, discovering personal strengths, and the impact of burnout on leaders. Rhonda shares her personal experiences and insights on how to navigate challenges in leadership, particularly regarding gender dynamics and the necessity of intentionality in preventing burnout.
Ep. 106 Navigating Paradox: Take a Leap or Grow Deeper?
Bree Johnson shares her excitement about being selected for a TED Talk and dives into the paradox of choice in personal and professional life, particularly the decision to stay in a comfortable situation or take a leap into the unknown. Bree emphasizes the importance of embracing change and the benefits of stepping out of one's comfort zone, while also highlighting the value of depth work and commitment to personal growth. She encourages listeners to explore their desires for novelty versus depth in their lives and to make daily choices that align with their goals.
Ep. 105 Your Resume Should Not Be a Career Obituary with Guest Beverly Smith
Bree Johnson and Beverly Smith discuss effective strategies for navigating career transitions, particularly in the context of mid, senior, and executive-level job searches. They explore the importance of understanding one's strengths, crafting compelling resumes that resonate with both AI and human recruiters, and the nuances of working with recruiters.
Ep. 104 Why I Went Quiet...
Bree reflects on her summer of silence and disconnection from productivity, sharing personal experiences and insights gained during this time. She discusses the importance of being present in life, the lessons learned from stepping back from social media and productivity, and the significance of prioritizing joy and pleasure.
Ep. 103 What Do You Truly Desire?
Bree discusses the resistance that often hinders individuals from identifying their true desires. She reflects on astrological events that prompted her to evaluate her own aspirations and the challenges that arise when seeking financial freedom. She shares how shifting timelines created the importance of allowing oneself to sit in discomfort while exploring new values and life designs.
Ep. 97 Part I: Disruption Was The Direction
Bree shares the past six weeks, detailing the significant life changes her family has undergone, including selling their home and finding a new place to live. She emphasizes the importance of listening to intuition, having values-based conversations, and navigating family dynamics during times of change.
Ep. 96 How to Manifest Your Dreams with Guest Allie Mirosevic
Bree and life coach Allie Mirosevic delve into the transformative power of journaling and manifestation. Allie shares her personal journey, highlighting how journaling became a therapeutic tool during her postpartum depression.
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.