“Reflection is not optional. We’re designed for it, and it’s how our brains and souls find meaning.”
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession invites listeners into what she calls “reflection season.” It’s the natural rhythm each winter when our nervous systems slow down and we shift from doing to meaning-making. Drawing from neuroscience, leadership coaching, and spiritual wisdom, Rebecca explains why this stillness isn’t just rest. It’s a design for renewal, clarity, and change.
She guides leaders and business owners to prepare intentionally, offering practical ways to connect with teams before year’s end, nurture safety, and spark loyalty through meaningful conversations. Through storytelling and grounded reflection, Rebecca reminds us that great leadership is stewardship, and that reflection precedes revelation, both personally and professionally.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:27) Reflection season and its importance
(02:18) Preparing for reflection as a leader
(02:42) The neuroscience of reflection
(03:17) Monthly and weekly reflection practices
(04:50) Employee reflection and business impact
(09:32) Genuine appreciation and connection
(13:43) Leadership and personal reflection
Connect with Rebecca:
“Stories build trust faster than any strategy deck ever could.”
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession shares how she designed her signature event “Stand Tall in Your Story” to foster genuine human connection through neuroscience-backed storytelling.
She explores why traditional business gatherings often miss the mark and how emotional, story-centered experiences can transform relationships between colleagues, clients, and communities. Rebecca offers practical takeaways for leaders looking to make meetings, events, and company retreats more meaningful by trading PowerPoints for purpose and conversation for connection.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Intro
(02:41) The importance of celebration and connection
(04:48) Emotional and social bonding at events
(06:39) The power of storytelling
(08:40) Creating meaningful conversations
(15:27) Practical tips for hosting effective events
(26:49) Virtual event strategies
Connect with Rebecca:
“Presence is the new economy. It’s the differentiator for leadership, parenting, and everything that truly matters.”
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession sits down with speaker and author Tommy Short about the power of presence in leadership, family, and faith.
After a year without a phone, Tommy learned how silence, stillness, and meaningful connection can transform how we live and lead. He challenges the myth of productivity, discusses the toll of constant distraction, and uncover how true success starts with defining what truly matters.
Tommy shares the lessons behind his upcoming book The Call I Almost Missed, revealing how one radical act of disconnection became a spiritual and emotional awakening. From navigating parenting without screens to finding God in the quiet, this conversation invites listeners to pause, reflect, and reclaim their attention in a world that never stops buzzing.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Intro
(01:55) The impact of phone usage
(08:22) A year without a phone
(14:54) The revelation and spiritual journey
(24:05) Reflecting on presence and small habits
(25:29) The journey of writing a book
(27:36) Defining success and taking action
(30:52) The power of presence and depth
(39:03) Anticipation and emotions of the book launch
Connect with Tommy:
Website: https://tommyshort.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommyshort86/
Connect with Rebecca:
https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/
"There's a lesson in everything that we go through, whether it's good or bad, but the bad teaches us more than anything else."
In this episode of the Business is Human podcast, host Rebecca Fleetwood Hession sits down with Lori Hodges, a veteran first responder, emergency manager, and author of Shaking in the Forest: Finding Light in the Darkness. Lori shares her incredible journey from a pivotal moment at a Grateful Dead concert to a 30-year career helping people navigate emergencies and disasters.
Lori’s perspective on leadership, trauma, and resilience is grounded in real-life experiences managing chaos and overcoming her own challenges. She and Rebecca discuss the importance of calm leadership, the transformative power of vulnerability, and how to find beauty in life’s most difficult moments.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Intro
(01:18) Career roots and the Grateful Dead concert
(04:00) Choosing a path in emergency services
(06:21) Writing the book ‘Shaking in the Forest’
(08:45) Lessons from emergency services: No running, no yelling
(10:17) Commanding presence and confidence
(14:26) Developing leadership skills
(18:20) Early mistakes and learning to stay calm
(20:34) Tools for slowing down and overcoming trauma
(27:13) Balancing productivity and self-care
(29:17) Finding beauty in chaos
(34:16) Building supportive leadership and team culture
(42:14) Chaos theory and future projects
Connect with Lori:
Website: https://lorihodges.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-hodges-ma-ccp-pmp-319b2a18
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThrivingThroughChaos/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mysticblue222
Connect with Rebecca:
“I looked around and thought, this is good. It is a beautiful day. I am healthy, I am happy. I am a child of God.”
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession reflects on the swirl of uncertainty in the world today, and why the answer isn’t in endless scrolling or chasing headlines but in anchoring ourselves in truth, joy, and God’s promises. Through personal stories and wisdom from three impactful books, she shows how our memory and imagination can either trap us in fear or unlock faith, contentment, and creativity.
Rebecca invites listeners to reframe how they see their lives, their work, and their emotions. From spotting joy in everyday moments to shifting from rehearsing failures to celebrating successes, this episode is both grounding and freeing.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Intro
(01:23) Spiritual awakening and social media
(02:31) Navigating uncertainty with faith
(03:57) Context and clarity in business
(05:14) Embracing differences for unity
(07:36) Book Recommendation: Living Fearless
(09:41) Book Recommendation: Victorious Emotions
(16:21) Book Recommendation: Living from the Unseen
Connect with Rebecca:
“We don’t want to put all of our safety eggs in one basket called work.”
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession traces how workplace expectations ballooned from pay and safety to culture fit, values alignment, and even mental health, blurring identity and fueling burnout. She recounts the historical moments that nudged business into roles it was never designed to carry and explains why offloading our identity to work creates dependency and fear. Rebecca offers a reset: reclaim intrinsic motivation, diversify your sources of safety and belonging, and lead in ways that are deeply human without trying to be everything.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Intro
(00:43) How workplace expectations have changed
(03:32) Work’s influence on personal identity
(05:55) Consequences of relying too much on work
(08:21) Reclaiming our lives and identities
(11:47) Questions to ask yourself when expectations are too much
Connect with Rebecca:
“Develop your capacity to navigate the uncertainty, the unplanned, because the uncertainty and the unplanned is going to happen whether you like it or not.”
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession explores the pitfalls of overplanning and the illusion of control that keeps us in a constant state of stress. She shares her personal journey from being a chronic overplanner to embracing adaptability, and explains how our nervous systems, cultural expectations, and even our beliefs can keep us stuck in cycles of anxiety and exhaustion. Rebecca offers practical wisdom from neuroscience, business, and faith to help listeners build confidence in navigating uncertainty and reclaim joy in both work and life.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Intro
(01:20) The problem with overplanning
(03:57) The neuroscience of overplanning
(05:51) Training yourself to handle uncertainty
(07:24) How overplanning impacts business and personal life
(09:06) A Biblical perspective on planning
(10:11) Preparing in a reasonable way
(11:56) Questions to ask when you’re planning
Connect with Rebecca:
“Fear might look like control, but it’s actually a counterfeit that limits creativity, burns people out, and keeps us small.”
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession exposes how fear shows up in today’s workplace and why it’s sabotaging both people and performance. Rebecca explains why the antidote to fear isn’t waiting for organizations to change, but cultivating self-respect. She shares five pillars of self-respect: identity, boundaries, alignment, humility, and abundance. These pillars show how each one counters the counterfeit beliefs that fear plants in our work and lives.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Intro
(00:43) The antidote for fear in the workplace
(03:24) The science behind fear and productivity
(06:36) Defining self-respect
(10:22) The five pillars of self-respect
(10:46) Identity and boundaries
(11:34) Alignment and humility
(12:34) Abundance and overcoming fear
(14:24) Real-life examples of self-respect
(17:02) Rooting out fear in the workplace
Connect with Rebecca:
“Beliefs run our lives. Every habit, reaction, and emotion is rooted in what we believe—and if those beliefs don’t change, our behaviors won’t either.”
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession unpacks why organizational change and personal growth so often fail: we focus on new processes or goals without addressing the beliefs driving current behavior. She shares stories from her coaching practice, including how frontline employees equated new technology with job loss, and why leaders must recognize these deeply held beliefs before expecting adoption. Rebecca also explores how personal beliefs about work, money, or even self-worth, shape our daily choices, and how shifting them can unlock new opportunities for joy, peace, and success.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Intro
(00:45) How beliefs impact business success
(01:50) Common hurdles when driving change
(04:01) How to handle employee concerns
(07:14) Emotions and identity in workplace change
(11:48) Shifting personal beliefs and life direction
(14:56) Connecting beliefs with spiritual faith
Connect with Rebecca:
“Working harder might look like success, but it’s actually a counterfeit that drains our energy and disconnects us from what matters most.”
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession challenges the belief that more effort always equals better results. She explores how overactivation of our nervous systems, caused by lack of rest and the pressure to always do more, leads to missed connections, last-minute cancellations, poor preparation, and even strained relationships. Rebecca explains why the cultural script of equating worth with hard work is not only false, but damaging. She offers a science-backed alternative: rest, stillness, and capacity-building.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Intro
(00:43) The concept of counterfeit
(02:26) Consequences of overcommitment
(04:55) The science behind overactivation
(06:12) The belief system of hard work
(09:04) Why breaks and rest are important
(11:44) The illusion of inbox zero
(13:00) How taking breaks has rippling effects
(14:20) Boundaries in business matter
(18:58) Changing the counterfeit belief
Connect with Rebecca:
“Honor builds trust and safety, not through flattery, but through real recognition.”
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession introduces the Humanity Quadrant, a leadership tool that challenges traditional business mindsets. The model separates performance from personal worth, promoting honor over shame. Rebecca explains how business language often undermines humanity and how embracing honor, value, and worth can transform relationships and results. Rebecca talks about intrinsic motivation, its roots in neuroscience, and how leaders can foster a safe environment for their teams. Rebecca offers practical advice on affirming human value, not just performance, and avoiding burnout by recognizing when high achievers are pushed too far.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Intro
(01:04) The Humanity Quadrant
(04:55) Defining worth, value, and honor
(09:16) Exploring the Humanity Quadrant
(10:12) Handling mistakes with honor
(14:43) Celebrating success with honor
(21:46) The dangers of shame in the workplace
(26:27) The trap of constant striving
(31:52) Reflection questions
Connect with Rebecca:
"In a world where competition drives performance, what happens when it drives us apart?"
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession unpacks how competition—both external and internal—can wreak havoc on our nervous systems, causing stress, disconnection, and burnout at work. Through a fascinating breakdown of neuroscience, Rebecca explores how hyper-competitive environments create unhealthy dynamics and foster silos. She also provides insights into how leaders can create a safer, more collaborative work culture that prioritizes connection over competition.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Intro
(00:44) How competition impacts your nervous system
(01:39) Case study: American Eagle's culture
(03:17) Science behind competition and stress
(10:03) Creating a collaborative and safe work environment
(13:38) Things to ask yourself to create that space
Connect with Rebecca:
“The stress of uncertainty is often worse than making the tough call and moving forward.”
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession shares the story of a coaching client whose promotion quickly turned into an intricate web of team challenges, tough decisions, and personal stress, transforming what should have been a celebration into a tangled mess.
Drawing from real coaching conversations and grounded in neuroscience and faith, Rebecca outlines how leaders can face uncertainty with clarity and compassion instead of fear and guilt. She offers practical and soulful guidance for any leader in a high-stakes situation. Because when the pressure builds, your nervous system feels it, and so do the people around you.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Intro
(00:43) Client story: Career moves and promotion
(03:50) Facing indecision and making tough choices
(08:07) Letting go with honor and respect
(11:30) Managing stress and personal relationships
(15:12) 90-day sprint strategy for overwhelming tasks
Connect with Rebecca:
“What would it look like if you switched from fear to love?”
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession shares how the core motivations behind our actions—love or fear—shape everything from addiction recovery to feedback at work. Through the anonymous story of a client’s transformative self-observation, Rebecca reveals how fear-based behaviors often masquerade as responsibility, control, or high performance. With insights rooted in neuroscience, behavior, and personal reflection, she explores how even the smallest acts of love can rewire our nervous systems, shift relationships, and lead to true healing.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Intro
(00:45) Client's assignment and initial reactions
(04:38) Love vs. fear
(07:24) The impact of feedback at work
(12:22) Marriage and relationship insights
(14:56) Balancing work and creativity
(18:12) Caring for aging parents
(20:03) Understanding true healing
Connect with Rebecca:
“The nervous system needs space between stressors.”
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession explores 10 common business practices that undermine nervous system safety, sabotaging performance, connection, and well-being at work. These issues arise not from malicious intent but from outdated norms that have gone unchallenged. Through neuroscience, faith, and lived experience, Rebecca reveals how back-to-back meetings, vague metrics, micromanagement, and rapid change keep teams stuck in fight-or-flight mode, draining creativity and trust.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Intro
(00:47) Creating a safe working environment
(03:06) 10 business norms undermining nervous system safety
(04:44) Norm 1: Back-to-back meetings
(07:33) Norm 2: Always-on culture
(09:11) Norm 3: Ambiguous expectations
(11:05) Norm 4: Public performance reviews
(12:53) Norm 5: Rewarding overwork
(14:39) Norm 6: Lack of context and transparency
(16:15) Norm 7: Fixing people instead of systems
(18:06) Norm 8: Ignoring emotional signals
(19:06) Norm 9: Over-indexing on control
(20:43) Norm 10: Celebrating rapid change
(22:06) Reflecting on workplace practices
Connect with Rebecca:
“Reflection is one of the bravest things that you can do.”
In this midyear episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession leads listeners through a 10-question reflection to reset the nervous system, clarify vision, and strengthen leadership. Combining neuroscience, business, and spiritual wisdom, Rebecca emphasizes how regulation and safety are crucial for growth, and how quieting the noise helps us discover deeper truths. This episode invites you to slow down and reflect, whether you’re walking, driving, or journaling, offering a rare chance to pause, regain clarity, and reconnect with your inner guide.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Intro
(02:13) The science of reflection
(04:07) 10 reflection questions
(10:44) Question 1: Finding safety
(14:26) Question 2: Regulating the nervous system
(18:39) Question 3: Identifying dysregulation
(22:23) Question 4: Uncovering beliefs
(26:05) Question 5: Feeling like yourself
(30:15) Question 6: Acknowledging needs
(33:54) Question 7: Body’s needs
(37:46) Question 8: Striving vs. trusting
(41:46) Question 9: Success from a regulated state
(45:24) Question 10: Inner guidance
Connect with Rebecca:
“Great leadership isn’t about being right, it’s about being open and helpful.”
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession discusses how belief, trust, and data interact to shape our leadership and why the order in which we use them matters. She explains how belief lives in the thinking brain, trust is felt through the body’s nervous system, and data, while helpful, is incomplete without human connection and context. Rebecca offers a grounded approach to leadership that starts with regulating your own nervous system, questioning what you believe to be true, and using data to invite real conversation instead of reinforcing assumptions.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Intro
(02:54) Belief: the foundation of leadership
(05:05) Trust: the nervous system’s role
(07:46) Data: the incomplete story
(10:38) Integrating belief, trust, and data
(12:35) Practical steps for effective leadership
(22:14) Building new patterns and trust
Connect with Rebecca:
“Control feels like safety, but it will never deliver the peace that you’re craving.”
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession talks about how our pursuit of control often leads to exhaustion, frustration, and a constant battle within our nervous system. While control feels like safety, it ultimately keeps us stuck and anxious. She explains why we have this addiction to control and how true safety comes from connection to ourselves, others, and a higher power. Shifting from control to connection can help us find real peace and calm.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Intro
(00:43) The illusion of control
(02:37) Personal story and divine inspiration
(04:59) Understanding the counterfeit of control
(06:18) The role of fear and the nervous system
(11:12) Impact of control on relationships and business
(18:29) True safety through connection
(26:06) Practical steps to grounding and connection
Connect with Rebecca:
“What if clear and concise communication isn’t just about saying less, but saying more effectively?”
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession talks about how men and women communicate differently in business and how this dynamic can cause challenges in leadership and decision-making. Instead of striving for perfection in communication, Rebecca encourages us to focus on clarity and context, two essential elements that drive better understanding and collaboration.
Drawing from client examples and practical tips, Rebecca shows how blending clarity with context can help bridge communication gaps, reduce misunderstandings, and foster stronger relationships in the workplace.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Intro
(00:43) Communication differences between men and women
(01:22) Client example: Effective communication strategies
(05:59) Client example: Asking for resources
(06:39) Balancing clarity and context in communication
(08:55) Practical tips for improving communication
Connect with Rebecca:
“When you protect your team from the storm, you create space for focus, trust, and innovation.”
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession discusses what it really means to “hold up the umbrella” as a leader. It’s more than just shielding your team from distractions, it’s a principle rooted in neuroscience, real-world leadership, and emotional awareness. Rebecca reflects on the importance of psychological safety, shares lessons from great managers, and calls for a return to people-first leadership, especially in today’s pressure-filled business climate.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Intro
(00:43) Merchandise and promotions
(01:41) Holding Up the Umbrella
(03:50)) The role of psychological safety
(04:21) The pendulum of business focus
(05:32) Transparency and information overload
(07:40) Science behind leadership and safety
(10:14) Challenges for middle managers
(14:55) Starbucks experience and corporate mandates
(21:46) Leading together as a team
Connect with Rebecca: