In this Ep. 243, I sit down with Sharon Salzberg, renoun author and someone known for helping the western world "learn how to meditate."

We unpack what “pause” really means in the business world. Not silence, not shutting your mind off, but learning how to meet your thoughts, your stress, your inner noise with clarity and presence.

If slowing down feels uncomfortable, or even a little threatening, you’re not alone. This conversation will help you understand why, and show you a more grounded way in.

We explore:• Why meditation isn’t about emptying your mind, it’s about changing your relationship to it
• What’s actually underneath the discomfort of stillness, and how to move through it
• How to create mutual relationships, and what happens when you truly see someone eye to eye
• Simple ways to shift your perspective, interrupt autopilot, and reconnect to your energy

Sharon brings decades of practice, along with insights from her book Real Love, to make this work feel accessible and real. Not perfect, not performative, but human.

This episode is for you if you’ve been running on empty, questioning your next step, or quietly wondering if there’s another way to lead and live.

Because the truth is, pause isn’t a luxury. It’s a skill. And it might be the one thing that changes everything.

If this resonates, reach out. You don’t have to figure it out alone.

About Sharon Salzberg

Sharon Salzberg is a meditation pioneer, world-renowned teacher, NY Times bestselling author of fourteen books, and co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts. She is among the first to bring meditation to mainstream American culture over fifty years ago, inspiring generations of meditation teachers and wellness influencers. www.sharonsalzberg.com

About Rachael O'Meara, Pausecast Host, Speaker and Author

Rachael O'Meara, MBA, MA, PCC helps high achieving leaders move beyond overwhelm and self-doubt to reclaim their confidence and make their next big career move. Her book Pause was a top business book for your career based on her burnout of Google, and she has been featured in the New York Times, WSJ.com, HBR and on the TEDx stage.

👉 It’s not just layoffs or AI—it’s an identity shift. If your role changed tomorrow… who would you be? 👀

It’s not just layoffs.
It’s not even just AI.

It’s the quiet question many high achieving leaders are sitting with right now:
“If my role changes… or disappears… who am I?”

In this episode, we go beyond surface-level career anxiety and into what’s really happening underneath...an identity shift.

If you’ve been feeling unsettled, questioning your next move, or noticing yourself overworking, overthinking, or pulling back, chances are this episode will help you make sense of it.

You’ll learn:

• Why this time in tech (er...maybe the entire planet!?) is triggering deeper identity questions

• The 3 uncomfortable truths about identity shifts (and why they feel so hard!)

• Why you can’t think your way through this and what actually helps

• How to navigate the “in-between” without losing confidence

• Simple ways to ground your energy so you can take your next step

This isn’t about having all the answers.
It’s about learning how to move through uncertainty with more clarity, self-trust, and intention.

If you’re in a moment of transition, chosen or not, you’re not alone.

And you don’t have to rush your way through it.

Watch on YouTube

"Where do you prioritize, ruthlessly prioritize, and where do you focus your time and your energy? It's about investing in meaningful relationships and creating balance." - Alyssa Stein, Sr. Director, Cisco

In this episode, VIP guest Alyssa Stein, Senior Director at Cisco, shares a rare, grounded look at what it actually takes to step into a new leadership role with confidence, clarity, and influence.

When you switch roles, it’s not about proving yourself fast—it’s about leading wisely from day one. ⏸️ 💼

After 15 years at Google, Alyssa made a major transition—becoming “new again” at a senior level. She opens up about how she approached this shift intentionally: setting boundaries early, prioritizing what truly mattered, and resisting the pressure to over perform or over explain.

Alyssa also reflects on some of her most defining leadership moments—leading through layoffs with compassion, hosting a global leadership offsite in Cleveland, and doubling down on culture and relationships during uncertain times. Her perspective is steady, human, and deeply earned.

Throughout the conversation, Alyssa shares practical wisdom on:

• How to ruthlessly prioritize when everything feels important

• Why boundaries are a leadership strength—not a liability

• How to stay confident and influential without burning yourself out

• And how to remember that you are more than your job, even in high-stakes roles

  
  

  Key Moments

  00:15 - Alyssa's proudest career moment

  02:17 - Building culture through people and the importance of reconnecting

  03:48 - Challenging moments: navigating layoffs with compassion and support

  05:27 - The power of pause: reflecting in turbulent times

  06:48 - Resilience after burnout and the importance of grit

  08:20 - Alyssa’s "one simple thing" for maintaining work-life balance: family routines

  09:43 - Modeling kindness and empathy at home and in leadership

  13:24 - The value of ruthlessly prioritizing and setting boundaries

  16:20 - Navigating new roles and the learning curve in large organizations

  20:23 - Building relationships in remote and startup environments

  22:52 - Practical advice for visibility in fast-paced workplaces

  23:22 - Guidance for feeling stuck or stagnant: taking one step at a time

  24:37 - Closing thoughts and commitments to personal and professional development

  LINKS

  ⁠⁠Alyssa Stein - LinkedIn⁠⁠ — Connect with Alyssa for leadership insights

  ⁠Rachael's book: Pause⁠ — The concept Alyssa references for reflection and resilience

If you’re stepping into a new tech leadership role—or quietly questioning how to lead with more confidence and less self-pressure—Alyssa’s story will resonate deeply. 🌿