This week on Grit & Grace, the Cowboy rides in.
Pam sits down with Brian for a straight-talk conversation about masculine and feminine energy—minus the jargon and the rented Lamborghinis. What starts as a discussion about polarity quickly turns into something much more honest: how men and women can actually understand each other, communicate better, and meet in authenticity instead of blame.
From the old “protect and provide” script to the confusion modern men feel about being strong and soft, Brian brings a grounded, every-day voice to a topic that’s often over-theorized. His practical, good-humored “cowboy wisdom” balances Pam’s heart-led insight, giving listeners a fuller, more human perspective on how we can all show up—vulnerably, responsibly, and real.
Together they unpack:
Why “roles” aren’t the problem—disconnection is
What happens when women try to feel safe through control, and men try to love through protection
How to listen without defensiveness and speak without blame
Why communication—not polarity—is the real secret to healthy relationships
The Cowboy’s take on what it means to “man up” without armouring up
This isn’t the polished “evolved male” narrative you see online—it’s something rarer: a real man, willing to get honest about confusion, softness, and what peace feels like on the other side of pretending.
If you’ve ever wondered what men are actually thinking, or how to make love feel less like keeping score and more like being seen, this episode is your invitation to slow down, drop the labels, and listen.
Want more grit-to-grace conversations (and maybe a campfire chat with the Cowboy)?
Join the Grit & Grace Retreat waitlist at pamrader.com
Pam and Erin get real about “invisible contracts”—the unconscious promises we made (often as kids or in intense moments) to keep ourselves safe… that now keep us small. From “I’ll never need anyone” to “If I’m chosen, I’m worthy,” they unpack how these agreements live in the body, show up in relationships, and how to renegotiate them with awareness, compassion, and new action. Expect nervous-system wisdom, shadow work with a light touch, and a whole lot of relatable stories (plus some sweaty “terror barrier” moments).
What “invisible contracts” are and how they get written in childhood/body
Common contracts: hyper-independence, control, people-pleasing, playing small, being “the strong one,” “the entertainer,” the caretaker
The nervous system piece: why insight alone isn’t enough (somatic reactions, cellular memory)
Bob Proctor’s “terror barrier” and breaking patterns through new action
Acknowledge → Accept → Declare → Do (one aligned action)
Reframing old memories (inner child / re-parenting)
“Blame well” (crediting our caregivers for the strengths their flaws grew in us)
Writing new contracts that fit who you are now
Pam’s old contract: “I’ll take care of everything.” The cost: exhaustion, resentment, never receiving support.
Erin’s tender edge: the “I’m not chosen” story and how it pulls her toward victim mode until she lovingly re-claims the mic.
What role did you take on that no one explicitly asked you to (entertainer, fixer, caretaker, achiever, peacekeeper)?
What are you afraid would happen if you stopped performing that role?
When you’re triggered, what age does the feeling belong to? What did that younger you really need?
Write a new contract in plain language: “It’s safe for me to receive support.” “My worth isn’t tied to achievement.” “Being fully myself is a gift.”
Work with Pam (1:1 coaching, groups): pamrader.com
Work with Erin (coaching + embodiment): erinpaynecoaching.com
Grit & Grace Retreat — April 17–20, 2026 • Cariboo, BC (Spring Lake Ranch) https://gritandgraceretreats.com
→ Join the waitlist / learn more: add your link here
Listen & subscribe: Grit & Grace (everywhere you get podcasts)
Share this episode with someone rewriting their story. Tag us with your new contract!
00:41 Welcome & why “invisible contracts”
02:30 Common contracts we inherit or write as kids
06:20 “I choose you”: Erin on healing the “unchosen” story
08:55 Pam’s “I’ll take care of everything” contract & the cost
10:40 Conscious vs. subconscious; why the body runs the show
12:50 Hitting the terror barrier (and what to do)
17:20 The 4-step pathway: Acknowledge → Accept → Declare → Do
18:55 Pair action with a calming emotion to lock in change
21:15 Finding the basement scrolls (metaphor) & updating clauses
24:10 Re-parenting & reframing old memories
30:25 Roles we adopt: entertainer, caretaker, leader, fixer
36:10 New-path metaphor: machete work > well-worn trail
39:00 Triggers as teachers; shadow work with compassion
40:20 New contracts we’re claiming now + retreat invite
42:35 Teaser: Cowboy joins next episode on masculine/feminine
Invisible Contracts: The Promises We Forgot We Made
Renegotiating Your Life: Rewrite the Unseen Agreements
Triggers, Terror Barriers & New Deals with Yourself
From “I’ll Do It All” to “I Receive”: Updating Old Roles
The Basement Scrolls: Finding and Rewriting Unconscious Contracts
Chosen By Me: Healing the Old “Pick Me” Story
Awareness, Acceptance, Declaration, Action
Your Nervous System Isn’t the Enemy (It Just Needs New Data)
The Entertainer, The Fixer, The Strong One—Retiring Old Parts
Triggers as Treasure: Shadow Work with Grit & Grace
From Well-Worn Paths to New Trails (Bring a Machete)
Blame Well, Love Better: Re-Parenting the Past
When Insight Isn’t Enough: Body-Led Change
The Cost of Being “The Strong One” (and How to Stop Paying)
Your New Contract Starts Today
If you can’t look back and cringe… are you even growing? In this light-hearted (but real) conversation, Pam and Erin open their “outtakes” folder—dating while high on accident, parenting meltdowns in Costco, telling an Italian mother-in-law her pasta feedback should be “nice,” and more—to show how naming our messes dissolves shame. We unpack why shame is so sticky (comparison, perfection, validation), what it does to our bodies, and how to build shame resilience with truth-telling, compassion, and owning your narrative. Come for the belly laughs, stay for the relief of not having to be perfect.
00:00 Welcome + why “cringe = growth”
01:00 What shame does to the body (threat alarms, cortisol, anxiety)
01:30 The antidote: name it → own it → (eventually) love it
02:05 “We’re all one decision away…” empathy over moral superiority
03:00 When hiding grows the shame (attention = fertilizer)
03:48 Erin’s dating story: unexpected high + “new eyes” on her life
05:50 Pam’s realization about control in marriage & choosing a steadier partner
09:50 The ambulance story: “Sir, call 911.” “Ma’am… I am 911.”
12:20 Parenting cringe: public vs. private standards and validation traps
17:10 De-shaming other parents in the wild (“You’re doing great, mama.”)
19:45 Old wounds → deep shame (bullying, labels, bodies, learning styles)
20:10 Inner-child work & playful “timeline” repair (give Past You what she needed)
23:30 Infidelity, integrity, and real repair vs. passive-aggression
31:25 Comparison culture as a shame machine
33:05 The pasta saga: radical feedback > people-pleasing
38:20 Finances, labels (ADHD/dyslexia), and permission to say “I don’t know”
40:05 Brené Brown’s shame resilience in four moves
43:00 Take your power back by owning the narrative + retreat invite
Name it to tame it. Shame thrives in secrecy; it shrinks when spoken out loud to a safe person.
Comparison is a thief. The more we chase idealized versions of ourselves, the more shame sticks.
Tell the truth (kindly). Honest feedback—given and received—builds resilience faster than validation-hunting.
Compassion isn’t a hall pass. It’s seeing the whole picture (age, skills, modeling) and then choosing aligned action now.
Own your story = own your power. When you tell it, nobody can weaponize it against you.
3-step Shame Reset:
“What exactly am I ashamed of?” (use plain words)
“What rule/expectation am I unconsciously trying to meet?” (Is it even true?)
“What’s one aligned action I can take today?”
Inner-Child Check-in (5 min): Picture the moment the shame began. Ask: What did you need right then? Give it imaginatively—voice, backup, a wiser friend, even a silly redo. Notice your body soften.
Conversation Starter: Tell one trusted person a 60-second “cringe” story this week—just the facts, no spin. End with: “Here’s what I learned and value now.”
Journal Prompts:
Where am I managing others’ perceptions instead of my truth?
If I stopped comparing for 30 days, what would I try?
What part of me needs my compassion today?
Brené Brown on Shame Resilience (naming shame, reality checks, reaching out, speaking it)
Work with Pam Rader (Coaching • Leadership • Speaking):
Website: https://pamrader.com
Shift Labs: https://shiftlabs.ca
Apply/Book a Call: ⟶ insert your direct booking link here
Work with Erin Payne (Coaching • Women’s Work • Nervous System & Alignment):
Website/Booking: ⟶ insert Erin’s link here
Social (optional): ⟶ insert Erin’s IG/link here
Grit & Grace Retreat — April 17 (Cariboo, BC) with Pam, Erin, and our favorite cowboy:
Details & Waitlist/Registration: ⟶pamrader.com/retreats
Questions? Book a quick call with Pam: pamrader.com
“There’s no shame worth keeping. When you own your story, there’s nothing left for anyone to use against you.”
Share it with a friend who needs a laugh and a little less pressure to be perfect. Rate & review to help more folks turn life’s grit into grace.
Pam and Erin unpack the “boss babe” era—how what felt like empowerment was often survival mode in disguise. They share the moments that taught them softness isn’t weakness, why we armored up in the first place, and how to rebalance masculine and feminine energy (in ourselves and our relationships). Expect real talk on resentment, invisible expectations, why control is a sneaky addiction, and how to make requests that invite partnership instead of power struggles. Metaphors you’ll love (hello, river & riverbanks), practical examples (socks on the floor, anyone?), and a permission slip to exhale.
In this episode:
The rise of “boss babe” as armor vs. authentic power
Why softness started to feel unsafe—and how to change that
River & riverbanks: a simple map for masculine/feminine balance
Resentment as self-abandonment (and the RAS trap that keeps it alive)
From complaints to clear requests: scripts that land
Rest as a strategy, not a reward
Creating a safe inner “container” so you can flow again
Try this: Reflection prompts
Where am I leading from fear or proving?
What part of me is ready to soften?
What unspoken expectation am I holding (that could become a clean request)?
Where can I practice surrender without losing power?
One simple script
“When X happens, the story I make up is __. The impact is __ and I notice myself pulling away. What would help me feel respected/seen is __. Could we try that?”
If this resonated:
Share the episode with a friend who’s tired of hustling to feel worthy.
Rate & review—your words help the show reach the right ears.
Join the Grit & Grace Retreat waitlist for Spring 2026—early bird details go to the list first. pamrader.com/gritandgrace
In this episode of Grit and Grace, Pam and Erin pull back the curtain on parts work—the inner cast of characters we’ve created to protect ourselves. From the “dark seductress” to the “boss babe” to the rebel within, we all have protectors that once kept us safe, but may now be keeping us stuck.
With raw stories and real talk, they explore the power of vulnerability, self-acceptance, and authenticity, inviting you to make space for your inner child and embrace the freedom of living true to yourself. This is a conversation about letting old identities fall away so that something more real—and more whole—can rise.
If you’ve ever wondered why “finding your purpose” still feels empty, this episode will show you that what you’re really seeking is wholeness.
Check out gritandgraceretreats.com to get on the waitlist for our next retreat.
Work with Pam at pamrader.com
Work with Erin at erinpayne.ca
In this candid and captivating episode of the Grit and Grace Podcast, host Pam Rader sits down with Brian Thiessen—former professional steer wrestler and occasional co-host—to unpack the grit, wisdom, and surprising depth of cowboy culture.
From the camaraderie that defines life on the rodeo circuit to the calculated relationship cowboys have with risk and fear, Brian reveals how a simple, rugged way of life holds timeless lessons for today’s chaotic world. He shares how visualization, mindset, and discipline became not just tools for success in the arena, but cornerstones for navigating relationships, setbacks, and personal growth.
Together, Pam and Brian explore the balance between toughness and empathy, the power of the law of attraction, and why sometimes the simplest truths cut the deepest. The conversation culminates in the exciting vision of a Grit & Grace retreat, designed to help others reconnect with their authentic selves through cowboy logic, resilience, and straight-shooting simplicity.
This episode is a rare blend of cowboy grit and heartfelt grace—a reminder that sometimes the wisdom we need most comes from dusty arenas, wide-open skies, and the courage to live unapologetically real.
Check out gritandgraceretreats.com and pamrader.com to see how you can connect with our community.
In this heartfelt episode of the Grit and Grace Podcast, co-host Pam Rader opens up about her ongoing journey of reinvention and what it truly means to live authentically. With Erin Payne by her side, the conversation moves through themes of service, freedom, and the kind of depth in relationships that brings lasting fulfillment.
Pam shares hard-won wisdom on why resilience matters, how the words we speak to ourselves shape our reality, and why breaking free from constraints is essential to growth. Together, Pam and Erin reflect on the joy of collaboration, the birth of Grit and Grace as a venture rooted in both grit and grace, and the transformative power of community and friendship.
This episode is both a personal unveiling and an invitation: to show up unapologetically, to evolve instead of arrive, and to embrace gratitude as a practice that can change everything.
Check out gritandgraceretreats.com and pamrader.com to see how you can connect with our community.
Pull up a chair and pour yourself a coffee—this isn’t just another podcast, it’s a conversation with old friends. In the very first episode of Grit and Grace, hosts Pam Rader and Erin Payne invite you into an intimate space where laughter, honesty, and hard-earned wisdom flow freely. Together, they explore what it really means to live authentically—unpacking people-pleasing, the courage of setting boundaries, and the messy, beautiful journey of finding your true self.
Through personal stories and soulful reflections, Pam and Erin share how resilience is built in the trenches of life, how grace reveals itself when we least expect it, and how community can become the medicine we didn’t know we needed. With gentle humor, real talk, and a touch of magic, they invite you to see grit not as a grind but as the polish that shapes us.
If you’ve ever longed for a place where you feel understood, encouraged, and reminded that you’re not alone—this is it. Welcome to Grit and Grace.
Check out gritandgraceretreats.com and pamrader.com to see how you can connect with our community!
After a year and a half of raw conversations, vulnerable stories, and powerful transformations, Authenticity Unleashed comes to a close.
In this final episode, I reflect on the incredible journey we’ve shared—our guests, the grit we’ve unpacked, the lessons learned, and the community that’s grown around these conversations. This podcast has always been about living in truth, even when life burns down to the ground. And as I rise yet again from my own ashes, it’s time to evolve.
This is not the end—it’s an evolution.
I’m thrilled to introduce the next chapter: The Grit & Grace Podcast. Alongside my co-host Erin Payne—and the occasional cowboy perspective from Brian Thiessen—we’ll explore how to take life’s grit and let it polish us instead of grind us down. Expect stories of resilience, reinvention, laughter, and transformation—plus wisdom from experts to help you rise into alignment with what matters most.
Thank you for being part of Authenticity Unleashed. Your support, presence, and willingness to get real with me has been everything. I hope you’ll join me as we step boldly into this new space together.
✨ Follow Grit & Grace wherever you get your podcasts—and let’s keep rising.
Curious about working with Pam? Check out pamrader.com.
In this powerful and uplifting episode of Authenticity Unleashed, host Pam Rader sits down with Lynn Hiscoe—a registered clinical counsellor, social worker, speaker, author, and founder of emPoweredlives—to explore the deep roots of self‑worth and how we can cultivate it in our lives (empoweredlives.ca).
Lynn brings more than two decades of experience supporting professionals, educators, and individuals through evidence‑based therapy and group programs like “Know Your Worth” and “90‑Day Design for Life” (empoweredlives.ca). Her journey—even symbolized by the rugged resilience of a vintage 1969 Ford truck—speaks to the inner strength born from battling life’s toughest roads (empoweredlives.ca).
Unpacking Self-Worth: Lynn and Pam dive into how societal pressures and internal comparisons chip away at our sense of value—and why this matters for both women and men.
The Power of Connection: They emphasize how community, shared vulnerability, and emotional safety are vital anchors in restoring a sense of belonging and self-acceptance.
Challenging Negative Narratives: Listeners will discover how to identify and counter harmful internal stories through self-reflection, reframing, and curiosity.
Real, Actionable Takeaways: Lynn offers practical steps you can take today—like scheduling intentional self-care, anchoring through support networks, and cultivating vulnerability as a bridge to resilience.
A Call to Inner Work: Learn how embracing imperfection and reflecting on your worth can guide you from insecure comparison toward grounded self-compassion.
This episode is a heartfelt invitation: reconnect with your worth, step into your community, and embrace the work of healing—not in spite of, but because of your complexity. Whether you're feeling isolated, uncertain, or simply seeking a gentler way forward, Lynn’s wisdom and warmth are a guiding light.
Tune into Episode 64 to rediscover what it truly means to know your worth.
🎙️ Life Lessons from the Wild West — Solo Episode with Pam Rader
In this solo episode of Authenticity Unleashed, Pam Rader takes you on a deeply personal ride through the Wild West of reinvention — a chapter marked by heartbreak, self-discovery, dating after divorce, grief, growth, and building a new life on her own terms.
Through 9 raw, real, and richly told life lessons, Pam reflects on the unpredictable journey of becoming — not despite the chaos, but because of it. Whether you're starting over, navigating uncertainty, or learning to trust yourself again, this episode will leave you feeling seen, supported, and inspired to rise.
Why choosing yourself is the ultimate act of healing
The danger of outsourcing your life to “experts”
How to honor grief without letting it define you
Letting go of people-pleasing and trusting your intuition
Releasing what no longer fits — including identities and relationships
The courage it takes to burn it all down and start again
How to embrace messiness and feel your way forward
What to do when your life changes and your circle does too
The freedom in trying things on — and choosing what aligns
Through candid stories and soul-level insights, Pam offers a powerful reminder:
You’re not broken. You’re becoming.
Website: www.pamrader.com
Instagram: @pamrader
If this episode moved you, please rate and review the podcast on Spotify or Apple — and don’t forget to share it with a friend who’s navigating their own wild west.
This is your life. You get to write the story. So make it one you’d want to watch.
#AuthenticityUnleashed #PamRader #LifeAfterDivorce #Reinvention #GriefHealing #TrustYourGut #StartOver #PersonalGrowthPodcast #FemininePower #SelfLeadership #WildWestWisdom
In this episode of "Authenticity Unleashed," host Pam Rader and Coach Erin Payne dive into the transformative power of breakdowns. They explore how life's challenges can serve as catalysts for profound personal growth and healing. Through candid conversations, they share personal stories and insights on navigating emotional storms, embracing vulnerability, and finding strength in self-care. Join Pam and Erin as they discuss the importance of choosing oneself, nurturing friendships, and the journey towards radical self-acceptance. Tune in to discover how embracing life's breakdowns can lead to powerful breakthroughs.
For more information on how to work with Pam please visit pamrader.com or shiftlabs.ca
Follow Coach Erin Payne on Instagram @_epayne_
In this deeply personal episode, I share my own surprising discovery that I have an anxious attachment style—even after years of personal development work.
Dating someone with avoidant tendencies has become both mirror and teacher for me. I open up about moments when my nervous system panicked, the roots of those responses in my past relationship, and the humbling gift of seeing how the same dynamics I once resented are now playing out in reverse.
We’ll explore:
What attachment styles are and how they develop
How anxious and avoidant patterns dance together in relationships
Why these styles aren’t character flaws but protective strategies
My own raw experience of confronting anxious attachment
Practical ways to move toward secure attachment
This episode is for anyone who has felt rejected, smothered, overwhelmed, or terrified of being abandoned in love—and wants to bring more compassion, self-awareness, and healing to their relationships.
It’s vulnerable work. It’s necessary work. And it’s work that can transform not just our connections with others, but our relationship with ourselves.
If this resonates with you, please share it with someone who might need to hear it.
✨ Resources and Links
👉 Learn more about my coaching and programs: https://www.shiftlabs.ca
👉 Join our community and find resources for self-leadership and personal growth: https://www.pamrader.com
👉 Connect with me on Instagram: [your Instagram handle if you want to include it]
In this episode, Pam explores the difference between endlessly seeking knowledge and truly living what we know. She shares a personal story of 25 years of spiritual seeking, the moment she chose to set aside the textbooks, and the freedom that comes from listening inwardly.
Drawing on the ancient yogic story of the sage Bharadvāja—who spent three lifetimes memorizing sacred texts only to be told he’d gathered just a handful of true wisdom—Pam reminds us that collecting knowledge is only the first step. The real transformation happens when we act on what we already know, trust ourselves, and live from an in-formed place.
If you’ve ever felt stuck in overthinking, waiting for permission, or searching for the “right” answer from experts, this episode is an invitation to pause the seeking, tune in to your own knowing, and choose new action.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
✅ The personal story behind Pam’s decision to stop seeking and start listening
✅ The teaching of Bharadvāja and its modern relevance
✅ Why knowledge alone doesn’t create change
✅ How over-studying can become avoidance
✅ Practical questions to help you trust your inner wisdom
Reflection Questions:
🌿 Where in your life are you gathering knowledge but avoiding action?
🌿 What do you already know you want to do or change?
🌿 How would your life feel if you trusted yourself more?
Call to Action:
This week, choose one small action you already know you want to take. No more waiting for permission. Remember: no one is paying as much attention as you think. You’re free to create the life you want.
Connect with Pam:
🌿 Website: pamrader.com
🌿 Shift Labs: shiftlabs.ca
🌿 Join The Shift Collective Community
When someone you love is suffering from addiction, the pain doesn’t just belong to them—it ripples through the entire family. In this raw and real episode of Authenticity Unleashed, Pam Rader is joined by clinical psychotherapist, addiction counselor, and clinical supervisor Asha Altun to talk about the often-overlooked side of recovery: the family.
Together, they explore:
Why addiction is a family disease—and what that really means
The damaging myths of “tough love” and “doing it alone”
The shame, guilt, and powerlessness families often carry
Practical ways to set boundaries with love (not resentment)
How to support your loved one without abandoning yourself
What it really takes to stop rescuing and start healing
The game-changing role of family recovery groups and retreats
Pam and Asha also share details of an exciting new offering: a transformational family recovery retreat coming October 2025 in partnership with West Coast Sober Living. This immersive experience is designed to give families real tools, real support, and real healing—whether your loved one is in recovery or not.
If you've ever felt isolated, helpless, or unsure how to help someone you love through addiction—this episode is for you.
💛 Resources Mentioned:
✔️ Free Family Support Group (Wednesdays with Asha)
✔️ Free Family Support Group (Thursdays with Pam’s team) Link:
https://www.skool.com/shift-labs-1121/about?ref=2f69a7bd0af64779bb0d0f6243f73378
✔️ Family Retreat Info & Registration – October 2025
https://shiftlabs.ca/retreat
📢 Share this episode with someone who needs it—you could change (or save) a life.
Beyond the Selfie: How Conscious Travel Transforms Us
In this powerful episode, Pam Rader sits down with Zach Smith, founder and CEO of Anywhere.com, to explore how travel can be more than just a break from daily life—it can be a path to deeper self-discovery and global connection.
Together, they challenge the norms of cookie-cutter tourism and dive into what it means to travel with curiosity, presence, and intention. From fostering meaningful cultural immersion to shifting from escapism to enrichment, Zach shares how the travel industry—and travelers themselves—can evolve to create experiences that are truly transformative.
Whether you’re dreaming of your next adventure or rethinking how you show up in the world, this conversation will inspire you to travel not just to see more, but to become more.
Topics include:
Why presence is the secret ingredient to powerful travel
How curiosity leads to cultural connection and personal growth
The difference between escaping life and expanding it
What it means to be a conscious traveler in today’s world
Quote to remember:
"Travel is about connection—and connection is where transformation begins." – Zach Smith
In this powerful and heart-opening conversation, Pam Rader sits down with Akary Busto—transformational specialist, emotional biohacker, and founder of Uhkare Mind Body Soul—to explore how understanding and regulating the nervous system can become the gateway to profound healing.
Akary shares her own path from self-betrayal to self-advocacy and reveals how breath work, narrative reframing, and human design are potent tools for emotional freedom. Together, they unpack the impact of trauma, the myths around healing being hard, and the transformative power of community-based learning. If you’ve ever felt stuck in survival mode or curious about nervous system regulation, this episode is a must-listen.
What if the life you were living wasn’t the one that truly aligned with your heart? In this raw and empowering solo episode, Pam Rader shares her journey of reinvention after the end of a 19-year marriage — and what it means to follow your truth even when it goes against societal norms.
From softening into feminine energy to releasing the pressure to perform for others, Pam opens up about the surprising gifts of starting over at 53. She reflects on what happens when the lens you've been looking through shatters — and how that moment can become a doorway to pure potential.
This is an episode for anyone who has ever felt like life unraveled… only to realize they were finally becoming who they were always meant to be.
In this episode, Pam explores:
The courage to defy conventional advice and follow what feels true
Why she no longer manages others’ perceptions of her
The power of choosing energy, honesty, and trust over "checkbox" success
How she’s rediscovering long-forgotten parts of herself
The unexpected beauty of a blank canvas at midlife
If you're craving authenticity, depth, and permission to reimagine your life — this one’s for you.
👉 Learn more or connect with Pam at www.pamrader.com
In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Susan Power, founder of Powered Up Leadership in Halifax, to explore the evolving landscape of leadership in today’s world. Together, we dismantle the outdated notion that leadership is just a title or a role. Instead, we make the case that leadership is a way of being—how you show up in your work, relationships, and daily life.
We talk about why social-emotional skills are no longer optional—they're essential in a world that demands connection, self-awareness, and agility. Susan shares her top strategies for aspiring leaders and speaks candidly about the importance of leading yourself first through self-care, clarity, and aligned action.
Whether you’re stepping into a leadership role or redefining what leadership means to you, this episode will leave you feeling inspired, grounded, and ready to lead from the inside out.
Connect with Susan Power:
🌐 Website: https://www.poweredupleadership.ca
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/powerup
🧭 Want to deepen your leadership journey? Join our free community at The Shift Collective and explore tools, coaching, and conversations that bring heart-led leadership to life.
The Power of Enough with Nicole Richard
In this heart-opening episode of Authenticity Unleashed, Pam sits down with Nicole Richard, founder of Wax Pencil Headshots, for a powerful conversation about what it really means to belong. Together, they explore the unseen ripple effect of everyday kindness, the transformative power of operating from the belief that "I am enough," and how giving back can be one of the most direct paths to personal fulfillment. Nicole shares her journey as an entrepreneur, creator, and community-builder, and reminds us that impact often begins with the smallest, most intentional acts. If you’ve ever struggled with self-worth or questioned your place in the world, this episode will leave you inspired and grounded in your own value.
Find Nicole at waxpencil.com
