High-achieving leaders know how to perform.

But do they know how to pause?

In this episode, I sit down with my dear friend Ariane de Bonvoisin — former management consultant, Tony Robbins coach, TED speaker, and now author of the Giggles and Joy children’s book trilogy — to explore what it really means to bring mindfulness into leadership (and life). Ariane and I go waayy back to when I hosted her at Google, which we chat about this in the episode.

💡 We talk about:
✨ The difference between a work pause and a personal pause — and why both are vital for growth.
✨ How children embody mindfulness and joy — naturally.
✨ Simple ways to bring more calm and connection into your day.
✨ How to name your non-negotiable pause.

🎧 Listen now to learn how mindfulness can make you a more grounded, emotionally intelligent leader — one who leads from presence, not pressure.

Ariane writes, coaches and speaks frequently on issues of personal and professional change, happiness and inspiration, entrepreneurship, women in the workplace, parenting and the topic of mindful living and wellness in business. Her ‘9 Principles of Change’ Workshop has become a cornerstone of her teachings and has received rave reviews. Learn more at https://www.arianedebonvoisin.com/

Landing a new role can feel like a win...and a test of your values.

In this energizing convo, Alex Phillips shares what it’s really like to take a bold leap—moving his family across the world for a leadership role in big tech —and how he learned to redefine success from the inside out.

We talk about boundaries, burnout prevention, and the art of staying human in a world that emphasizes “always on.” 🌏💼

🔑 Key Takeaways
02:07 – Big Moves, Bigger Lessons: The reality of relocating a family and leading through uncertainty.
05:00 – Boundaries = Freedom: Why asking for what you need and saying no are leadership superpowers.
07:41 – Invest in Your Edge: How personal development fuels your confidence and clarity.
09:15 – From Chaos to Clarity: How Alex creates calm routines for anchors in leadership.
12:59 – Health Is Non-Negotiable: Why energy management—not time management—is the true edge.
15:10 – Feeling Stuck? Use the quiet seasons to retool, refocus, and rise stronger.

My Favorite Soundbites:

“Don’t be afraid to say no.”
“Your job is never finished.”
“Ownership is super critical.”

Who should listen: high-achieving leaders navigating growth, transition, or a new chapter.

If you’re craving more clarity, calm, and confidence—this episode will help you reset your mindset and rise stronger.

#techleaders #leadershipinaction #pausecast #emotionalintellignece #confidentleaders

Ever feel like you’re doing all the right things but still not quite in your flow?

In Ep. 221 of The Pausecast, Rachael sits down with her former and inspiring teammate tech leader + mentor Rich Berta to explore what it really takes to get into your groove — and stay there — especially when the ground is constantly shifting.

Rich shares how he’s navigated bold career moves, built teams across continents, and found meaning through mentoring others. 💡

Together, we dive into how curiosity, alignment, and intentional pauses can help you lead (and live) from a place of grounded confidence — even in uncertain times.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• (2:10) How to recognize when you’re stuck in “push mode” instead of true flow

• (6:40) Why getting your groove back isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing differently

• (10:15) The small daily practice that reconnects you to your energy and purpose

• (14:45) The role of self-compassion when you’re rebuilding confidence

• (18:05) How to re-enter your next chapter with clarity and calm

🎯 Who should listen: If you’re a high-achieving leader who’s lost your spark and ready to feel clear, confident, and in your groove again — this conversation will remind you it’s not too late to realign and rise.

In this episode of The Pausecast...
💡 Discover how conscious breath creates heart coherence—a science-backed state that enhances focus, intuition, and emotional regulation under pressure.
🧘‍♀️ Practice an integrative breathwork session to find your own rhythm of coherence.
💬 Learn how to tune into your “heart brain” and unlock intuitive decision-making with two powerful reflection questions.

✨ Pro tip: Before you begin, think of someone or something you’re grateful for. Visualize it, then start breathing—gratitude accelerates coherence and calm.

Want to explore the science behind breathwork? Check out this 11 minute primer I made: Listen here → https://youtu.be/pVxWNcC63zo

Here’s what you’ll discover in Ep. 219👇
🌱 Why humans are “meaning-making machines” (and how that can help or hurt you)
🎡 The SmartTribe ⁠⁠Emotional Wheel⁠⁠ —a game-changer for navigating feelings (graphic linked!)
📊 The surprising % of people who actually know what they’re feeling in the moment
❓ The 3 transformative questions to ask yourself if you want a new outcome
🐾 What a “critter state” is, how to get out of it, and exactly how long to stay there
🌀 The 4 stages of consciousness (⁠view graphic) and how to move through them.
🌳 How nature can reset your nervous system and open your perspective

💫 Christine’s secret to life (you’ll want to hear this one!)

This episode is part science, part soul—and all about giving you tools to feel more grounded, clear, and confident in your next move. ✨

🎧 Tune in now—you’ll leave with a breath of fresh air + a powerful reset.

• 
  

  About Christine Comaford

  Bill Gates calls her “super high bandwidth.”

  For over 30 years Leadership and Culture Coach, Serial Entrepreneur, and New York Times bestselling author Christine Comaford has helped leaders navigate growth and change.

  Christine is sought after for providing proven strategies to shift executive behavior to create more positive outcomes, enroll and align teams in times of change, profoundly increase sales, product offerings, and company value.

  Her coaching, consulting and strategies have created hundreds of billions of dollars in new revenue and company value for her clients. The potent neuroscience techniques she teaches are easy to learn and immediately applicable to help leaders see into their blind spots, expand their vision, and more effectively influence outcomes.

  
  

  About Rachael O'Meara

  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.

  
  

Feeling pulled in a million directions while working remote, hybrid, or even in-office? Boundaries can get flimsy, leaving you drained, stressed, and stretched too thin.

In Ep. 218 of the Pausecast, I share a 3-step process to firm up your boundaries — so you can reclaim your time, energy, and focus.

The 3 steps to stronger boundaries we'll walk through:

1️⃣ Be aware — notice where your boundaries feel weak
2️⃣ Claim your choice — recognize you have the power to change them
3️⃣ Change the system — shift your environment, routines, or expectations to support your new boundaries

Even small changes can transform how you show up at work and in life.

Your turn: What boundaries are you celebrating? Which could use a little more firming up?

Need help creating or strengthening boundaries? Let’s talk. Send me a message and I’ll reply with your next step.

✨ Here’s to leading boldly without being pulled every which way.

#boundaries #wfh #leadershipdevelopment

In Ep. 217 of the Pausecast...

🔹 The #1 thing to do the moment frustration hits

🔹 How to move the relationship forward even when things feel stuck

🔹 Why passive-aggressive behavior costs you credibility (and what to do instead)

🔹 Practical steps to stay calm, approach your manager with clarity, and set better boundaries

🔹 The leadership skills you must lean on — intention, truth, and vulnerability — to resolve conflict without losing yourself

I learned this the hard way.

After burning out at Google, I had to rebuild how I handled my emotions - not just at work but everywhere — and now I teach my fellow leaders how they can do it to, and avoid the mistakes I learned the hard way.

If you are seeking clarity on what's next for you and/or how to get there and make your next career move, you needx to know about the Confident Tech Exec Mastermind, now accepting applicants! https://www.rachaelomeara.com/course

You can’t always control what happens at work.

But you can control how you respond. 👍

What Stress? :X

Stress usually comes from holding onto fear, anger, sadness, or hurt — and not letting ourselves fully experience or process it.

Instead, we often turn to our devices, numb out, and avoid what’s really going on. The result? Feeling tense, drained, and disconnected from ourselves. Does this sound familiar?

In Ep. 216 we cover...

💡 What really causes stress (hint: it’s not just deadlines)

💡 How to mitigate stress by addressing the root cause

💡 How your body can help you process stress — instead of making it worse

💡 Daily “pause experiments” to shift out of stress patterns - listening to this definitely counts and is a great start.

I know how it feels — I burned out at Google and had no idea how to de-stress. Now, I teach leaders how to prevent burnout and handle stress before it takes over — using my Confident Tech Exec Method.

Whether it’s leading yourself through tough times or leading others with clarity and calm, these techniques work — supported by yours truly you every step of the way.

Message me "de-stress" and I"ll share some tools for you to try - there is so much support here for you - from classes to coaching to tools - you decide what's best!

#podcast #destress #leadershipstress #stresstools #pausecast