Today, we are joined by Susan Winchester.
Susan Schmitt Winchester is a former Chief Human Resources Officer of Applied Materials and co-author of Healing at Work, Susan brings more than 35 years of senior HR experience—and a deeply personal mission to help professionals transform workplace pain into personal growth. Drawing from her own experience as an Adult Survivor of a Damaged Past, she combines science, storytelling, and strategy to help us turn our triggers into triumphs.
In this episode, we explore how our past experiences, particularly childhood wounds, show up in workplace behaviors and how leaders can transform these patterns into sources of strength and resilience. Susan introduces the concept of ASDP (Adult Survivors of a Damaged Past) and reveals how nearly 67% of adults have experienced significant adversity before age 18, yet many remain unaware of how these experiences drive their professional reactions. Through real-world examples and research-backed strategies, we discover how workplace conflicts—what Susan calls "bumper car moments"—can become powerful opportunities for healing and growth rather than sources of ongoing pain.
Key topics include:
Understanding ASDP (Adult Survivors of a Damaged Past) and how childhood experiences manifest in workplace behaviors like perfectionism, people-pleasing, and fear of criticism
The difference between the unconscious wounded career path and the conscious healing career path, and how to make the shift
How "bumper car moments" - workplace conflicts and triggers - can become catalysts for transformation rather than sources of suffering
The Rapid Power Reclaim method for pausing, creating choice, and responding from strength rather than reacting from old wounds
Practical strategies for managers to support team members while maintaining appropriate boundaries and focusing on performance
Learn from Susan's insights how to recognize when past experiences are driving current workplace behaviors and gain practical tools for creating psychological safety in your organization. Discover why celebrating small wins is crucial for rewiring neural pathways, how to interrupt negative self-talk with simple questions like "Am I sure?", and why vulnerability in leadership creates stronger, more resilient teams that perform at higher levels.
Susan Winchester's Website: https://susanwinchester.com
Susan Winchester's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanschmittwinchester/
Healing at Work Book: https://healingatwork.com/about-the-book/
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Website and live online programs: http://ims-online.com
Blog: https://blog.ims-online.com/
Podcast: https://ims-online.com/podcasts/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesagood/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/charlesgood99
Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:00) Susan's Journey and What Inspired the Book
(03:45) Understanding ASDP - Adult Survivors of a Damaged Past
(06:45) How Childhood Wounds Show Up in Workplace Behaviors
(12:00) Moving from Unconscious to Conscious Career Paths
(16:45) Bumper Car Moments as Catalysts for Growth
(19:00) The Science of Neuroplasticity and Positive Change
(22:00) Supporting Employees While Respecting Boundaries
(27:00) The Power of Celebrating Small Wins
(33:00) Interrupting Negative Self-Talk and Limiting Beliefs
(39:00) Integrating Healing Principles into Organizational Culture
(44:00) Handling Feedback When It Triggers Old Wounds
(50:00) Red Flags of the Unconscious Wounded Career Path
(55:00) Conclusion
