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.

How do you know when to push forward—and when you’re just forcing it? In volatile times, conscious leadership isn’t about speed. It’s about alignment. This reflection explores how to recognize flow vs. force and use nervous system awareness to make wiser, more sustainable decisions.

Guest Michelle M. Ghassemi helps Bree explore the themes of identity death, personal growth, and self-sabotage in the context of entrepreneurship.

Not every season can be reframed with gratitude. When layoffs, disasters, and uncertainty weigh heavily, contentment may feel out of reach. This reflection explores how presence—not positivity—becomes the most radical act of wellbeing in difficult times.

Target’s recent layoffs weren’t just about numbers. The way they were handled — days of anxious limbo, cold digital notices, and leaders avoiding accountability — points to a bigger crisis in corporate America: cruelty is becoming normalized.

When layoffs aren’t managed with care and consideration, they don’t just end jobs. They inflict what I call work wounds, which are lasting marks of betrayal and burnout that ripple through families, communities, and entire organizations. Nearly 1 million workers have already been laid off in 2025, and the herd mentality of “copy-cat layoffs” is accelerating the harm.

👉 Read my full op-ed on why Target is just this week’s case study in a much larger crisis — and what leaders must do differently to reject the trend.

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.

Why does success still feel like it’s not enough? From Olympic athletes to high-achieving founders, many discover that reaching the goal doesn’t deliver lasting peace. This reflection explores Gold Medal Syndrome, hustle culture, and the radical practice of choosing contentment over constant striving.

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.

In a world obsessed with speed and AI-generated content, depth has become a competitive advantage. This reflection explores why rushing to produce more can disconnect us from meaning—and how reclaiming focus, precision, and true priority leads to better leadership and better work.

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.

Energy—not time—is your most valuable resource. When you stop giving it to resentment, distraction, and autopilot productivity, you reclaim your clarity, joy, and purpose. This reflection explores how protecting your energy becomes a radical act of leadership and wellbeing.

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.

When life reminds us how fragile it really is, the question isn’t whether to stay or go—it’s how to reclaim joy right where we are. This reflection explores what happened when I stepped off autopilot, loosened my grip on productivity, and let presence, grief, and meaning lead the way.

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.

When things fall apart despite our best intentions, the disappointment can feel surprisingly heavy. This reflection explores how releasing rigid expectations, choosing presence, and building recovery capacity helps us stress less—and stay open to unexpected gifts when life goes off script.

When the world feels relentless, resilience doesn’t come from bracing harder—it comes from learning to sway. This reflection explores how nature, nervous system regulation, and intentional recovery help us stay rooted, compassionate, and whole in the face of constant stress and heavy news.

Taking time off isn’t just about PTO—it’s about permission. This reflection explores what intentional OOO time reveals about our relationship to work, rest, and worth, and why slowing down, unplugging, and truly stepping away is essential for nervous system regulation and sustainable success.

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.

When life feels unstable, our instinct is often to grasp for control. This reflection explores how our relationship with uncertainty quietly drives stress, overwork, and burnout—and why nervous system regulation, not certainty, is the key to moving forward with clarity and confidence.

Most ambitious people wait until they’re burned out to rest. This post explores why real recovery happens in small, real-time pauses—and how micro-recovery can regulate your nervous system, restore focus, and help you thrive without stepping away from responsibility.