In this episode of The Quiet Warrior Podcast, I speak with Dr. David Hooper—AI marketing strategist, peak performance expert, and proud introvert—about his incredible journey from rock bottom to reinvention. After facing a series of personal and professional crises that left him clinically depressed and morbidly obese, David chose to rebuild his life with intention. He shares how mindset work, physical transformation, and entrepreneurship became his path to healing—and how AI became the quiet ally that helped him and his fellow introverts thrive.

We explore what it means to be an introverted entrepreneur in a noisy world, why AI is the perfect business partner for introverts, and how ethical use of AI can help amplify your voice without sacrificing your integrity.

If you’ve ever felt like you're too quiet to stand out in business—or if you've been curious about using AI in a more human, heart-led way—this episode is for you.

In This Episode, We Talk About:

• David’s transformation after redundancy, depression, and weight gain
• How hitting rock bottom can spark radical clarity
• The importance of mindset, movement, and meaning in recovery
• Navigating entrepreneurship as an introvert
• Creating structure and balance for sustainable energy
• Why AI is the ultimate productivity partner for introverts
• How to use AI ethically to scale your marketing and amplify your presence
• Building a business around your values—not someone else’s expectations
  
  

Resources & Links:

• Learn more about Dr. David Hooper’s work: lunarla.co.uk
• Connect with Dr. David Hooper on LinkedIn.

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This episode was edited by Aura House Productions

In today’s episode of The Quiet Warrior Podcast, we dive deep into the transformative practice of Feng Shui with Lisa Roche, the founder of Nagare Life. Lisa is a Reiki Master, medical intuitive, and the host of Find Your Flow, and she’s here to share her expertise on harmonizing the energy in our homes to support personal well-being and growth.

Lisa takes us on a journey through her discovery of Feng Shui, how it can be integrated into a home to promote healing, and the power of intentional energy alignment. From her background as a musician to her unique approach as a Reiki Master, Lisa’s philosophy revolves around creating spaces that resonate with your energy and align with your body, mind, and soul.

In this episode, Lisa also shares the profound personal transitions that shaped her life, from overcoming near-death experiences to closing her successful studio business. She discusses the importance of self-care, the quiet yet powerful flow of energy, and how living authentically in alignment with our inner truth can help us thrive.

Tune in for a refreshing perspective on life, healing, and finding your flow in the midst of life’s chaos and uncertainty.

Key Highlights:

• What is Feng Shui? Lisa explains how this ancient practice can harmonize the energy of your home to amplify abundance and support well-being.
  
  
• The Role of Harmony: It’s not about balance; it’s about finding the syncopation in our relationships and living spaces that allows us to thrive individually and as a collective.
  
  
• The Power of Transition: Lisa shares how personal hardships have been the catalyst for her growth and transformation.
  
  
• Finding Flow in Daily Life: The practice of slowing down, focusing on the present moment, and aligning your energy with ease, creativity, and intention.
  
  
• Empowerment in Helping Professions: What a healthy, empowering relationship looks like between practitioner and client, and why it's essential for clients to take responsibility for their own healing journey.
  
  
  

Episode Resources:

• Lisa’s new podcast series on Feng Shui: Find Your Flow
• Nagare Life website and offerings
  
  

Enjoyed This Episode?

Subscribe and leave a 5-star review to support more quiet voices being heard.

Download The Introvert Toolkit - your guide to understanding the introvert you work with, live with, or socialize with.

Join The Visible Introvert community for access to case studies, frameworks, and strategies that help you speak, lead, and act decisively – without having to perform extroversion.

This episode was edited by Aura House Productions

In today’s episode of the Quiet Warrior Podcast, we have the pleasure of speaking with Susan Callender, a certified success coach, the host of the Social Skills Mastery Podcast, and the founder of Social Confidence Pro. Susan shares her journey from being a shy, reserved child to becoming a successful professional and coach who now helps socially reluctant high achievers build confidence and improve their social skills. This episode is studded with valuable insights for introverts and quiet achievers who struggle with stepping into the spotlight and speaking up, whether at work or in social situations.

Key Takeaways:

• The Roots of Shyness: Susan reflects on her childhood, describing herself as "lifelong shy," and discusses how social reluctance impacted her professional aspirations, particularly in sales and public speaking.
  
  
• The Fear of Rejection: She dives deep into how fear of social judgment and rejection can hold introverts back, even when they are highly skilled and competent in their jobs.
  
  
• The Turning Point: Susan shares a pivotal moment when a publicist’s blunt words made her realize that shyness was holding her back from fully embracing her success. Despite her achievements, she was avoiding the spotlight.
  
  
• Overcoming Social Fear: With the help of coaching, Susan reprogrammed her thoughts to move from overthinking and self-doubt to taking small, actionable steps to step up and own her brilliance.
  
  
• Neuroplasticity and Rewiring Your Brain: Susan emphasizes how you can rewire your brain to become more socially confident, sharing how changing your thoughts and perceptions can lead to professional success and personal transformation.
  
  
• Overcoming Overthinking: Learn how overthinking can be detrimental to progress, and how learning to trust yourself and make quick, confident decisions can open doors in both your personal and professional life.
  
  

Reflective Questions for Listeners:

• When was the last time you held yourself back in a professional setting due to fear of rejection or self-doubt?
  
  
• What thought patterns do you have that may be hindering your ability to speak up and be seen?
  
  
• Can you recall a childhood experience that shaped how you show up socially today?
  
  

Resources:

Susan’s Program – The School of Social Mastery: a selective, small-group cohort program designed to help rising professionals and entrepreneurs overcome social reluctance and build the confidence to speak up and stand out. Through coaching, participants learn to navigate their fears and step confidently into social situations, professionally and personally.

Find Susan:

• Website:Social Confidence Pro
  
  
• Instagram:@socialconfidencecoach
  
  
• YouTube:Social Confidence Coach
  
  
• LinkedIn:Susan Calendar
  
  

Enjoyed This Episode?

Subscribe and leave a 5-star review to support more quiet voices being heard.

Download Your Free eBook:
The Introvert Toolkit - your guide to understanding the introvert you work with, live with, or socialize with.

Grow Your Visibility:
Join The Visible Introvert community and get weekly access to case studies, frameworks, and strategies that help you to be S.E.E.N. without having to perform extroversion.

This episode was edited by Aura House Productions

What if choosing a career didn’t have to feel overwhelming?

What if quiet achievers, deep thinkers, and introverted students had tools designed just for them?

In this insightful episode of The Quiet Warrior Podcast, I’m joined by Lucy Sattler, a former teacher turned career practitioner and founder of Study Work Grow. Lucy has made it her mission to demystify the career decision process for young people, especially those who feel unseen or uncertain about the future.

With her calm, thoughtful approach, Lucy offers practical strategies for navigating the world of work and education as a student, jobseeker, or lifelong learner—especially if you're an introvert or someone who prefers clarity and structure over loud enthusiasm.

We explore the emotional pressure many students and parents face, how to ask better questions about what you want, and why having “one dream job” may be the wrong goal.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The hidden challenges introverts face when planning their careers
  
  
• Why quiet achievers often struggle to feel “ready enough” to choose a path
  
  
• How to create space for self-discovery without rushing the process
  
  
• Tools and frameworks for students and jobseekers to explore meaningful options
  
  
• The role of lifelong learning in today’s changing career landscape
  
  
• Why Lucy believes we should stop asking “What do you want to be?” and start asking “What problems do you want to help solve?”
  
  
• Encouragement for introverted young people to find a voice in career conversations
  
  
  

Whether you're a student standing at a career crossroads, a jobseeker reinventing yourself, or an introverted professional supporting the next generation, this conversation is packed with reassurance, strategy, and inspiration.

Connect with Lucy Sattler:

Website: https://studyworkgrow.com.au
LinkedIn: Lucy Sattler

Enjoyed this episode?

• Subscribe and leave a 5-star review to support more quiet voices being heard.

Download Your Free eBook:
The Introvert Toolkit - your guide to understanding the introvert you work with, live with, or socialize with.

Grow Your Visibility:
Join The Visible Introvert community and receive case studies, frameworks, and strategies that help you to be S.E.E.N. without having to perform extroversion.

This episode was edited by Aura House Productions

In this insightful episode of The Quiet Warrior Podcast, Serena speaks with Elizabeth Williamson, a relationship coach, trauma-informed facilitator, and leadership mentor who has spent over two decades helping individuals, couples, and leaders navigate conflict, repair trust, and communicate with courage.

Elizabeth brings a wealth of experience from psychology, somatic therapy, and systemic constellations to teach us how to hold respectful, clear, and boundary-honouring conversations—especially when the stakes feel high.

In this episode, we explore:

• What makes conflict feel threatening—and how to work through the nervous system’s response
  
  
• Why silence and people-pleasing often stem from trauma, not weakness
  
  
• How to prepare for a difficult conversation with presence, clarity, and respect
  
  
• The role of resilience and emotional regulation in sustainable leadership
  
  
• What it means to hold both compassion and boundaries in relationships
  
  
• Why conflict, when handled well, can actually strengthen connection
  
  
• Practical tools for self-awareness, repair, and relational safety
  
  
  

Whether you're a quiet achiever navigating leadership, or someone working to improve your personal relationships, this episode will help you move through conflict with more confidence and care.

Connect with Elizabeth:
Website: https://elizabethwilliamsonsolutions.com
LinkedIn: Elizabeth Williamson on LinkedIn

Enjoyed this episode?
Subscribe, rate, and leave a 5-star review on your favourite podcast platform to help more introverts and quiet leaders rise.

Free Resource for Quiet Achievers
Download the eBook: The Introvert Toolkit
https://mailchi.mp/87cf08f92464/the-introvert-toolkit

This episode was edited by Aura House Productions

In this episode, I sat down with Pretty Kubyane, a multi-award-winning tech entrepreneur and co-founder of eFama, an app revolutionising Africa’s agricultural supply chain. From humble beginnings in a South African village to leading a pan-African tech movement, Pretty shares how growing up with impact-driven parents shaped her conviction to build businesses that serve both community and innovation.

A self-proclaimed introvert, Pretty opens up about navigating the tech world as a woman of colour, facing underestimation in boardrooms, and how compassion—not bitterness—fuels her leadership. You’ll hear how her hatred of poverty, deep spiritual grounding, and fierce belief in dignity over hustle gave her the courage to speak up, stay consistent, and lead with vision.

In this episode, we explore:

• What Pretty learned about leadership and purpose from her father’s woodcutting business
  
• How eFama started as a response to systemic barriers for small producers
  
• The 3 C’s of entrepreneurial growth: Conviction, Consistency, and Clarity
  
• Cultural intelligence in working across African communities
  
• The power of social fasting to protect your energy and mental health
  
• Why introverts should build on their strengths, not chase extroverted norms
  
• How faith and vision sustain Pretty’s entrepreneurial mission
  
  

This episode is a masterclass in quiet conviction, community-focused innovation, and redefining what leadership can look like when it’s grounded in both substance and soul.

Resources & Links:

• Learn more about eFama and their work with African farmers:https://efama.africa

• Follow Pretty Kubyane on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prettykubyane/

Loved this conversation?

Subscribe, rate, and leave a 5-star review to help us bring more powerful, purposeful conversations to introverts and quiet achievers around the world.

Want to understand how introverts tick?

Whether it’s that quiet team member or your introverted child, The Introvert Toolkit is your go-to resource.

Download it HERE.

This episode was edited by Aura House Productions

In this episode of The Quiet Warrior Podcast, I sit down with Cathy Derksen — Founder of Inspired Tenacity, speaker, and 19-times #1 best-selling author — whose mission is to amplify women's voices through the power of collaborative books.

Cathy didn’t start out in publishing. Her career began in medical genetics, followed by a decade in financial planning, before she answered a deeper calling: to help women transform their lives through storytelling. What began as a single contribution to a multi-author book has now grown into a thriving publishing platform that gives women around the world a safe space to share their wisdom, elevate their visibility, and expand their impact.

We talk about what holds introverts back from being visible, how collaborative books open unexpected doors, and why sharing your story might be the most generous and healing act you ever do—for yourself and others.

💡 In This Episode, We Explore:

• Cathy’s journey from science to finance to soulful storytelling
  
  
• Why introverts don’t need to be flashy to be influential
  
  
• How collaborative books help you build confidence, grow your network, and attract new clients
  
  
• The mindset shifts that happen when you call yourself an “author”
  
  
• What it means to lead quietly — and courageously
  
  
• How visibility becomes meaningful when it’s rooted in purpose

Whether you’re an aspiring author, an introverted entrepreneur, or someone with a story waiting to be told, this episode will help you see new possibilities for your voice, your message, and your mission.

🔗 Connect with Cathy:
🌐 Website:inspiredtenacity.com
💼 LinkedIn:Cathy Derksen on LinkedIn
📚 Explore Cathy’s collaborative book series or get involved in an upcoming project.

📘 Bonus Resource – Download my free eBook: The Introvert Toolkit

• Learn how to support and advocate for yourself at work as an introvert.
• Understand how your introverted child or co-worker experiences the world differently - and how you can better support them.
  
  👉 https://mailchi.mp/87cf08f92464/the-introvert-toolkit

💬 Loved this episode?
Subscribe, rate, and leave a review on your favourite podcast app. It helps The Quiet Warrior Podcast reach more introverts and quiet achievers around the world—so they can rise with clarity, purpose, and power.

This episode was edited by Aura House Productions

In this episode, I speak with Sarah Cannata, creator of Storytelling for the Soul, embodied processing practitioner, and long-time introvert who believes in the healing power of writing. Sarah helps women in midlife and beyond reconnect with themselves through a unique blend of body-based trauma-informed support and embodied journaling.

We explore how writing can be more than self-expression—it can be a path home to ourselves. Sarah shares how trauma lives in the body, why safety is the foundation of healing, and how introverts can use journaling to process difficult emotions, navigate tricky conversations, and feel more seen and heard—without having to perform or pretend.

If you've ever struggled to speak your truth, or felt that your quiet nature holds you back, this conversation will affirm your worth, your voice, and your way of being.

Key Talking Points:

• What embodied processing is—and how it supports healing at a nervous system level
  
  
• Why journaling is a powerful tool for introverts, especially during midlife transitions
  
  
• How to begin journaling in a trauma-informed way (hint: don’t start with your hardest memory)
  
  
• The importance of attunement, presence, and holding safe space in client work
  
  
• How introverts can honour their energy while still showing up visibly and courageously
  
  
• The surprising role of Buffy the Vampire Slayer in Sarah’s quiet warrior journey
  
  
• Why being visible isn’t about being loud—it’s about being authentic and aligned
  
  

Resources & Links:

Learn more about Sarah’s work: www.sarahcannata.com
Follow Sarah on socials: @storytellingforthesoul on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn

Call to Action:

• If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to The Quiet Warrior Podcast for more inspiring insights and leave us a 5-star rating on your podcast app to help introverts and quiet achievers worldwide find their voice.
  
  
• Sign up for The Visible Introvert newsletter for a real, tell-it-like-it-is look at life and work through the eyes of introverts and those who work with them.
  
  
• Join The Visible Introvert Academy if you’re ready to elevate from quiet achiever into a Quiet Warrior in your life and work.

This episode was edited by Aura House Productions