What if the thing missing from your leadership isn't another framework... but your body? 🌺

I reconnect with fellow former Googler Elise Birkhofer, who led Google's Women's Initiative for nine years, supporting 60,000 people across 120 countries. After losing her brother, Elise paused, got radically honest about what felt aligned, and built a new life as a love and leadership coach leading immersive retreats in Kauai.

If you're a tech leader who is crushing it on paper but running on fumes inside, this one's for you. 💛

In this episode:

🫀 A guided pause you can use before your next big meeting
🧠 Why emotional intelligence is the leadership skill nobody taught you
🌊 How stored stress lives in the body (and how to release it)
💃 Why dancing in your kitchen counts as professional development
🔥 Burnout and perfectionism inside big tech
🚀 Rebuilding confidence after leaving a stable corporate role

Don't miss:

⏱️ (02:31) A guided pause: breath, heart connection, and gratitude
⏱️ (12:15) Emotional intelligence as a teachable skill for leaders
⏱️ (22:53) Rebuilding confidence after leaving a stable role

"The heart and body are the access points to our truest selves." ✨

Your nervous system doesn't care about your title. Press play, take the pause, and come back to the leader you actually are. 🙏

Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/e_GBlklufWA

In Episode 254 of The Pausecast, Rachael sits down with her friend and colleague Wendy Chin, an EQ coach and executive recruiter, to unpack something many high-achieving tech leaders know all too well: the higher you rise, the less your technical expertise alone can carry you. 🧠

Wendy shares practical ways she uses the pause to regulate nerves and get grounded, from wiggling her toes in a meeting to jogging in place and even imagining herself on a boat when she needs to breathe, reset, and come back to center. 🛶

The conversation explores Wendy’s path from HR, executive search, and recruiting into emotional intelligence coaching, and why self-awareness and adaptability become critical leadership skills as your scope expands.

One of my favorite concepts is the difference between being a strong functional leader, an “i,” and becoming a broader enterprise leader, a “t.” It’s the shift from being known for what you know to being trusted for how you lead, influence, and navigate complexity.

We also get real about the emotional armor so many leaders build to survive high-pressure environments. The belief that emotions don’t belong at work might have helped you climb the ladder, but at some point, that same armor can start getting in the way of the influence, connection, and confidence you need next.

💡 Because emotional intelligence isn’t about becoming “more emotional.” It’s about becoming more aware, more adaptable, and more intentional in the moments that matter.

If you’re navigating bigger leadership expectations, questioning how you show up, or realizing that your next level requires more than technical excellence, this conversation is for you.

Watch on YouTube if you prefer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bshHryTZj6k&feature=youtu.be

What if the next step in your career isn't about pushing harder... but pausing long enough to hear yourself think? 🤔

In this episode, I sit down with my former colleague Becky van der Werff to explore her journey from Google to entrepreneurship and what it really takes to navigate a career pivot with confidence.

Becky said it best, “Growth begins the moment you trust yourself enough to change.”

We unpack burnout, self doubt, resilience, and why some of the biggest leadership breakthroughs begin with creating space to reflect.

If you've been wondering whether you're ready for your next chapter, this conversation is for you.

✨ How to know when you've outgrown your role

🧠 Navigating self doubt and imposter syndrome during change

🌿 Why reflection is a leadership advantage, not a luxury

💪 Building resilience and confidence through uncertainty

🚀 Creating a career that's aligned with who you are today

🔗 Connect with Becky on LinkedIn

💛 If this episode resonated, share it with another leader who's navigating change, and leave a review to help more high-achieving tech leaders discover The Pausecast.