Send us a text

In this episode of *Time to Press Pause*, host Ellen Williams, CEO of The Salient Strategist, interviews Julie Christiansen, known as the "Anger Lady," who is the president and CEO of Leverage U and author of 15 books on leadership and mental health. Julie shares her personal story of burnout and pressing pause after her father suffered two strokes, and she experienced a severe bout of vertigo due to stress.

She discusses the importance of recognizing the signs of burnout, grounding oneself, and practicing intentional self-care strategies. Julie emphasizes the value of delegating tasks with purpose, building resilience, and balancing work with personal well-being. She also offers practical advice on identifying when to pause, using methods like the "fun and money" exercise to evaluate which tasks to prioritize, and checking in daily on emotional well-being.

Julie’s experiences serve as a reminder for CEOs and entrepreneurs to prioritize mental health and avoid pushing through stress at the expense of long-term well-being.

Send us a text

In this episode of "Time to Press Pause," host Ellen Williams speaks with Melinda F. Emerson, CEO of Quintessence Group and America's #1 Small Business Expert, also known as the "Small Biz Lady." Melinda shares her personal "pause" story, recounting how a high-risk pregnancy in 2005 forced her to step away from her workaholic tendencies and rethink her life and business. She reflects on how this unexpected break led to soul-searching and a realization that her business and marriage were broken. Through this period of rest and reflection, Melinda began a journey of reinvention, ultimately creating a new path as the "Small Biz Lady."

Melinda explains how she used her business experiences, especially her mistakes, to write her bestselling book, *Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months*. Despite facing setbacks, such as the 2008 financial crash, she embraced faith, which guided her toward success. Melinda also emphasizes the power of reinvention, advising CEOs to take time to pause and reflect on what they truly love, as it can lead to new and unexpected business opportunities.

Throughout the podcast, Melinda speaks candidly about the challenges of entrepreneurship, faith, and finding balance, highlighting the importance of using one's experiences to inspire and guide others.

Send us a text

In this episode of the "Time to Press Pause" podcast, host Ellen Williams speaks with Dr. Neha Sangwan, CEO and founder of Intuitive Intelligence, about her experiences with burnout, stress management, and the importance of pausing in life. Neha shares her journey as an overachiever who pushed herself to please others, ultimately leading to severe burnout. She discusses the pivotal moments in her life that forced her to pause and reevaluate her approach to work and well-being. Neha emphasizes the importance of aligning with one's inner self and respecting natural cycles of rest and growth. She also highlights the significance of addressing stress at its root, particularly in high-pressure environments like healthcare. The conversation explores how CEOs and leaders can balance their drive to achieve with the need to maintain their own well-being, and how past experiences, even difficult ones, can contribute to personal growth.

Send us a text

In this episode of "Time to Press Pause," hosted by Ellen Williams, CEO of The Salient Strategist, Ellen interviews Susie deVille, founder and CEO of the Innovation and Creativity Institute and author of "Buoyant: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Becoming Wildly Successful, Creative, and Free." Susie shares her personal story of hitting rock bottom during the 2008 financial crisis, which led her to reassess her approach to life and entrepreneurship. She describes how she had been caught up in a cycle of overwork and misplaced self-worth, which ultimately led to a period she refers to as her "nuclear winter."

To recover, Susie took a step back, slowed down, and began reconnecting with her innate creativity. She discusses the transformative power of creativity in not only helping her rebuild her life but also in guiding others to unlock their full potential. Susie emphasizes the importance of pressing pause, recognizing when life is out of alignment, and engaging in activities that inspire and bring joy. She introduces her process, "the five M's," which includes practices like making art, which helped her access new ideas and clarity.

The conversation highlights the significance of taking time to pause, reflect, and reconnect with oneself, especially for entrepreneurs and CEOs who often tie their self-worth to productivity and success. Susie encourages leaders to recognize the signs that it's time to pause and embrace creativity as a pathway to both personal fulfillment and professional success.

To learn more about Suzie, go to innovationandcreativityinstitute.com. You can also purchase her book, BUOYANT, and watch the BUOYANT trailer.

To learn more about Ellen Williams, go to thesalientstrategist.com.

Send us a text

In this episode of "Time to Press Pause," hosted by Ellen Williams, CEO of The Salient Strategist, Ellen speaks with Carol Will, owner of Coach Carol and Beacon of Light Center LLC. Carol shares her journey as a woman business owner and mother, emphasizing the importance of pausing and self-care, especially when life becomes overwhelming.

Carol discusses how 2024 has been a pivotal year for her, marked by her decision to take a significant pause from her business after a challenging 2023. She recounts how a series of personal and professional challenges, including her father's fall, a new relationship, and the demands of running her business, led her to realize the necessity of taking a break. Carol describes how she reached a breaking point in January 2024, deciding to pause her work to focus on rest, personal growth, and realigning her priorities.

Throughout the conversation, Carol and Ellen explore the idea of intentional pauses, the challenges of work-life balance, and the importance of being in tune with one's needs. Carol advocates for regular pauses—daily, weekly, and annually—to maintain well-being and prevent burnout. She concludes by encouraging CEOs to listen to their bodies and take time to rest and rejuvenate, ensuring they can return to their work as better versions of themselves.

To learn more about Carol, go to eps-time.com to learn more about me, go to thesalientstrategist.com. And be sure to join us again wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Send us a text

This episode features a conversation between Ellen Williams, CEO of The Salient Strategist, and Jeremy Goldman, former founder and CEO of Firebrand Group and current Senior Director of Marketing, Commerce, and Tech Briefings at eMarketer. Jeremy shares his experience running Firebrand Group, an award-winning digital marketing firm, and his eventual decision to "press pause" on his entrepreneurial career. He explains the challenges of scaling a business based on custom projects and how this realization led him to sell his company and move into a role where he could learn and grow within an established organization.

Jeremy discusses the difficulties of convincing others that he genuinely wanted to step back from leadership and learn from others, as many expected him to start something new immediately. He reflects on the importance of humility and continuous learning, even for CEOs, and how these traits can sometimes be misunderstood in the business world. Jeremy also highlights the significance of taking deliberate breaks or "pressing pause" to make thoughtful decisions about one's career and business, rather than getting caught up in day-to-day operations.

Ellen and Jeremy also touch on the cultural differences in how humility and leadership are perceived in various markets and organizations. The conversation concludes with advice for CEOs on recognizing when it's time to take a step back and focus on making strategic decisions.

Send us a text

In the podcast "Time To Press Pause," hosted by Ellen Williams, CEO of The Salient Strategist, she interviews Bonnie-Lyn de Bartok, founder and CEO of The Social Factor Data Company. Bonnie-Lyn, an expert in social risk and performance measurement with 25 years of experience, shares her journey and the significant "pauses" she experienced in her business.

She describes how relentless work led to physical and organizational breakdowns, forcing her to step back and reassess her approach. These pauses, though challenging, led to major pivots in her business, transitioning from a consultancy to a data technology company. Despite setbacks like the COVID-19 pandemic and shifting market sentiments, Bonnie-Lyn continuously adapted, leading to innovations and a shift towards establishing a hedge fund.

Throughout the discussion, she emphasizes the importance of recognizing the need for a pause, recalibrating, and innovating based on insights gained during these breaks. She advises CEOs to identify early warning signs of burnout and to create dashboards to maintain a clear view of their business goals. The conversation highlights resilience, adaptability, and the critical role of pausing to achieve long-term success.

Send us a text

In this episode of "Time to Press Pause," Ellen Williams, CEO of The Salient Strategist, interviews Enrique Acosta Gonzalez, CEO of Triad Leadership Solutions, LLC. Enrique, a decorated U.S. Navy veteran, shares his journey from military service to corporate leadership, emphasizing the importance of pausing to evaluate one’s career path.

He discusses his transition from a corporate advisor role to a CEO and the value of periodic pauses to reassess goals, clients, and personal energy. Enrique also highlights the unique dynamics of CEO-to-CEO interactions and the importance of vulnerability and mentorship in leadership. He advocates for planned pauses to gain clarity and make strategic decisions, contrasting with unplanned pauses caused by life events.

The conversation underscores the significance of preparing successors to ensure continuity and fostering a culture of mentorship within organizations. Enrique’s story offers valuable insights for CEOs on leadership, vulnerability, and strategic pauses.